Combined treatment with oestradiol benzoate, d‐cloprostenol and oxytocin permits cervical dilation and nonsurgical embryo recovery in ewes

This study examined the feasibility of transcervical embryo recovery after the hormonal treatment to induce cervical dilation, following the 7‐day oestrous synchronization protocol in multiparous Santa Inês ewes. A total of 23 cyclic ewes received two doses of 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol by latero‐vulvar route 7 days apart. After the second injection of d‐cloprostenol, the ewes were checked for oestrus (every 12 hr) and then mated by fertile rams throughout the oestrous period. All ewes received 37.5 μg of d‐cloprostenol (latero‐vulvar) and 1 mg of oestradiol benzoate by either intramuscular (EBim group; n = 12) or intravaginal (EBivg group; n = 11) route 16 hr before embryo flushing. Twenty minutes before the flushing, 50 IU of oxytocin were administered intravenously. The oestrous response (i.e., the percentage of ewes that showed signs of oestrous behaviour after the second d‐cloprostenol injection) was 91.3% (21/23). The proportion of successfully penetrated ewes (81.8% compared with 80.0%), the mean duration of embryo flushing (24.7 ± 2.0 min compared 26.2 ± 1.9 min), the flushing fluid recovery rate (94.8 ± 1.3% compared with 91.0 ± 2.9%) and the average number of structures recovered per ewe (0.5 ± 0.4 compared with 0.8 ± 0.4) did not vary (p > 0.05) between the EBim and EBivg groups. Viable embryos were recovered from 41.2% (7/17) of successfully penetrated ewes. It can be concluded that nonsurgical (i.e., transcervical) embryo collection can be performed in oestrous‐synchronized Santa Inês ewes pretreated with d‐cloprostenol, oxytocin and oestradiol benzoate, with the latter hormone administered by either the intramuscular or intravaginal route

Estado da arte e perspectivas da produção in vitro de embriões em caprinos

Estado da arte e perspectivas da produção [i]in vitro[/i] de embriões em caprino

Pre-Selection test to identify high responder donor goats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of pre-selection of high or low responder does prior to the superovulatory protocols. Twenty Saanen does received 800 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at the end of long-term progestogen treatment. Fourteen days later, a second progestogen protocol associated with a multiple-dose follicle stimulation hormone (FSH) treatment (5 IU/kg of FSH, in six decreasing doses between days 4 to 6 of the protocol) was administered. Transrectal ultrasound was used to assess the follicular status at the beginning of superovulatory treatments, at the oestrous onset and on the seventh day of the oestrous cycle for counting corpora lutea (CL). A significant lower number of CL was obtained in eCG-treated in comparision with FSH-treated does (p 0.05). In conclusion, the screening test with eCG has the potential to identify Saanen does that will better respond to the superovulatory protocol with FSH. In addition, it highlighted the importance of an ultrasound evaluation prior to the beginning of superovulatory treatments with FSH to characterize the follicular status and identify the potential donors of high ovulatory response in MOET programmes in goats.EEA BarilocheFil: Balaro, Mario Felipe Alvarez. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Faculdade de Veterinária. Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinaria; BrasilFil: Brandao, Felipe Zandonadi. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Faculdade de Veterinária. Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinaria; BrasilFil: Maia, A.L.R.S. Universidade Federal Fluminense. Faculdade de Veterinária. Departamento de Patologia e Clínica Veterinaria; BrasilFil: Cueto, Marcela Isabel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Gibbons, Alejandro Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Fonseca, Jeferson Ferreira. Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos. Núcleo Regional Sudeste; Brasi

Combination of oviduct fluid and heparin to improve monospermic zygotes production during porcine in vitro fertilization

In vivo, the oviduct provides appropriate microenvironment conditions for monospermic fertilization and early embryo development. In addition, glycosaminoglycans such as heparin are present in the oviduct and have been shown to modulate the activity of oviduct-secreted proteins on the regulation of sperms parameters. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of porcine oocytes exposure to oviduct fluid (OF) before in vitro fertilization (IVF; incubation of oocytes in OF for 30 minutes before IVF), during IVF (supplementation of IVF medium with 10% OF), and during IVF in combination with heparin (10% OF + 10-μg/mL heparin) on IVF parameters. Regardless of sperm concentration used (0.5, 1.5, or 4.5 × 105 cells/mL), exposure of oocytes to OF led to an increased (P 0.05) of the penetration rate in comparison with the control group. This resulted in a general increase (P 0.05) on the monospermy rate in comparison with 10% OF alone. This resulted in a general reduction (P < 0.05) in the final output of the IVF system (%), which was 33 ± 6% and 52 ± 8%, for 10% OF + heparin and 10% OF, respectively. In conclusion, the OF, used in porcine IVF, exerted a beneficial effect on oocytes by reducing the incidence of polyspermy without decreasing the penetration rate. However, the association of the OF with heparin reduced the efficiency of monospermic zygotes' production.Fil: Tavares Pereira Batista, Ribrio Ivan. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Francia. Universidade Estadual Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Moro, Lucía Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Corbin, Emilie. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Alminana, Carmen. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Gonçalves Souza Fabjan, Joanna Maria. Universidade Estadual Do Ceara; BrasilFil: de Figueirêdo Freitas, Vicente José. Universidade Estadual Do Ceara; BrasilFil: Mermillod, Pascal. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; Franci

Suplementação calórica em ovelhas da raça Santa Inês submetidas à indução do estro sincronizado

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 20% increase in dietary energy during short-term estrus induction treatment on the reproductive parameters of Santa Inês ewes. Females (n=43) were allocated into two experimental groups according to the amount of energy inclusion in the diet: maintenance diet or maintenance diet plus 20% energy. Ultrasound examinations were performed in order to detect ovulation. To assess sexual behavior, ewes were teased and further mated. Blood samples were collected for the determination of glucose and insulin concentrations. There was no difference (P>0.05) between groups in the following categories: ovulation rate (80.00% vs. 60.00%), largest follicle diameter (6.00 ± 0.20 vs. 5.90 ± 0.60), interval from device removal to ovulation (52.80 ± 14.87 vs. 59.01 ± 8.34 hours), animals in estrus (75.00% vs. 65.21%), interval from device removal to estrus (30.00 ± 15.49 vs. 30.00 ± 13.35 hours) and conception rate (50.00% vs. 21.73%). There were differences (P0,05) entre os grupos para: taxa de animais ovulando (80% vs 60%), diâmetro do maior folículo (6,00 ± 0,20 vs 5,90 ± 0,60), intervalo da retirada do implante à ovulação (52,80 ± 14,87 vs 59,01 ± 8,34 horas), animais em estro (75,00% vs 65,21%), intervalo da retirada do implante ao estro (30,00 ± 15,49 vs 30,00 ± 13,35 horas) e taxa de concepção (50,00% vs 21,73%). Houve diferença (P<0,05) nas concentrações de insulina e glicose. Pode-se concluir que o aumento em 20% da energia da dieta durante um protocolo curto de sincronização do estro não alterou os parâmetros reprodutivos

Re-used progesterone devices efficiently synchronise oestrus and ovulation after autoclaving process in Toggenburg goats during the breeding season

This study compared new and previously used (and autoclaved) progesterone devices for synchronisation of oestrus during the breeding season in Toggenburg goats. Nulliparous (n = 17) or lactating (n = 50) received new intravaginal devices containing 0.3 g progesterone (CONTROL), or similar devices previously used for either 6 (USED6) or 12 (USED12) days and subsequently autoclaved. All goats received 5 mg dinoprost at device insertion and 200 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin 5 days later and all devices were removed after 6 days. After device removal, females were mated by fertile bucks. Ovarian ultrasonography was performed every 12 h after device removal until ovulation detection. Blood samples were collected for determination of plasma progesterone concentration in different moments and intervals (from 7 days before device insertion to 3 days after its removal). There was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) among groups CONTROL, USED6 or USED12 for: oestrus response [75% (18/24), 77% (17/22) or 71% (15/21), respectively]; duration of oestrus (30.7 +/- 3.4, 31.8 +/- 1.7 or 32.8 +/- 3.4 h), percentage of ovulating goats [67% (6/9), 78% (7/9) or 56% (5/9)], ovulation rate (1.3 +/- 0.2, 1.4 +/- 0.2 or 1.8 +/- 0.4 units of corpora lutea), average follicle diameter (6.2 +/- 0.1, 6.7 +/- 0.1 or 6.8 +/- 0.3 mm) and pregnancy rate [54% (13/24), 50% (11/22) or 48% (10/21)]. Plasma progesterone concentrations were not different (P &gt; 0.05) for does among treatments and between nulliparous and lactating females. In conclusion, autoclaved, previously used intravaginal progesterone devices are effective in synchronising oestrus and ovulation in cyclic goats during the breeding season.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Achados ultrassonográficos de glândula mamária, fígado, vesícula biliar, baço e rins de caprinos transgênicos para o hG-CSF durante lactação induzida

In transgenic murine models, the study of certain organs or tissues can be performed after euthanasia of some specimens. However, this practice may not be economically feasible when applied to livestock such as transgenic goats. It is necessary to use minimally invasive methods to perform in vivo studies of organs that may be affected by disorders related to the activity of the transgene, particularly during milk production, when the recombinant protein is secreted. The aim of this study was to describe ultrasonographic findings of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and mammary glands in transgenic goats for evaluating the effect of human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (hG-CSF) expression in milk during induced lactation. Six female Canindé goats-three transgenic (T) and three non-transgenic (NT)-were subjected to hormone therapy to induce lactation; ultrasonographic examinations of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, and mammary gland were performed during both the hormonal therapy and the lactation period at different intervals depending on the organ being examined. On Day 16 (Day 1 = hormonal therapy initiation), all goats were lactating and presented healthy mammary glands, characterized by echogenic parenchyma showing a granular echotexture. Transgenic and non-transgenic goats were compared on the basis of measurements and ultrasound images obtained from each organ. No differences between T and NT animals were observed in the examined area for the liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys. Liver and renal echogenicity and appearance of gallbladder and portal and hepatic veins were similar in all females. Ultrasonographic findings of the mammary gland, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and kidneys in transgenic goats did not show any difference from those in non-transgenic goats.Thus, these results suggest that the presence and expression of the transgene had no effect on the ultrasonographic findings of mammary gland and abdominal organs in the transgenic goats. Moreover, the findings shows that ultrasonography is a useful screening tool for clinical examination of transgenic goats; this allows the investigation of possible disorders and avoids the unnecessary use of invasive techniques.Em camundongos transgênicos, o estudo de certos órgãos ou tecidos pode ser viabilizado por meio da eutanásia de alguns exemplares. Entretanto, esta prática pode não ser economicamente viável quando aplicada a animais de produção, como caprinos transgênicos. É necessário utilizar métodos minimamente invasivos para estudar in vivo os órgãos que podem estar envolvidos em desordens relacionadas à atividade do transgene, principalmente durante a produção de leite, quando a proteína recombinante é secretada. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as características ultrassonográficas de fígado, vesícula biliar, baço, rins e glândula mamária de caprinos transgênicos expressando o fator estimulante de colônias de granulócitos humano (hG-CSF) no leite, durante lactação induzida. Seis fêmeas caprinas da raça Canindé: três não transgênicas (NT) e três transgênicas (T) foram submetidas a tratamento hormonal para indução da lactação; os exames ultrassonográficos de fígado, vesícula biliar, baço, rins e glândula mamária foram realizados durante tratamento hormonal e lactação, em diferentes intervalos de acordo com o órgão. No dia 16 (Dia 1 = início do tratamento hormonal) todas as cabras estavam em lactação e apresentando uma glândula mamária saudável, caracterizada por parênquima ecogênico, com uma ecotextura granular. As cabras T e NT foram comparadas em relação às mensurações e aparência ultrassonográfica obtida de cada órgão. Não foram observadas diferenças com relação à área para exame de fígado, vesícula biliar, baço e rins entre T e NT. A ecogenicidade de fígado e rins, a aparência da vesícula biliar e das veias porta e hepática foram similares em todas as fêmeas. As mensurações ultrassonográficas dos órgãos abdominais examinados não revelaram diferenças entre animais T e NT. Assim, esses resultados sugerem que a presença e expressão do transgene não tiveram efeito sobre as características ultrassonográficas de glândula mamária e órgãos abdominais nos animais transgênicos. Além disso, os achados mostram que a ultrassonografia é uma importante ferramenta para o exame clínico em caprinos transgênicos e que permite a investigação de possíveis desordens, evitando o uso desnecessário de técnicas invasivas