Control de la actividad sexual de ovejas nulíparas mediante carneros Dorper tratados con testosterona y/o glutamato: comportamiento sexual y efecto macho

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la administración de glutamato y/o testosterona sobre los indicadores de la actividad reproductiva y del comportamiento sexual en ovinos jóvenes y adultos de la raza Dorper, además de la capacidad de estos machos para incrementar la respuesta sexual de las ovejas nulíparas anovulatorias Dorper a través del efecto macho durante fotoperiodos crecientes. Se realizaron 3 experimentos en el norte de México (25°LN y 103°LO) durante 2014 y 2015 al inicio de la primavera bajo condiciones naturales de luz. Se utilizaron carneros Dorper (jóvenes con 11 meses de edad, 56±0.9 kg y adultos con 2-3 años de edad, 81±0.32 kg) los cuales se dividieron en grupos experimentales y a cada grupo se administró uno de los siguientes tratamientos: glutamato, testosterona, glutamato + testosterona y testigo. Al finalizar los tratamientos de los carneros, para evaluar el efecto macho se utilizaron ovejas nulíparas anovulatorias Dorper (7-8 meses de edad) donde se midieron variables reproductivas tales como el intervalo de inicio de estro, tasa ovulatoria, número de cuerpos lúteos y tasa de preñez. En el Experimento 1, se planteó la hipótesis que durante el reposo reproductivo, la administración de glutamato y/o testosterona en carneros adultos Dorper tendría la capacidad de incrementar los indicadores del comportamiento sexual, y que consecuentemente, los carneros tratados inducirían la actividad reproductiva de ovejas anovulatorias durante fotoperiodos crecientes. Con los resultados obtenidos se concluyó que la administración de glutamato o glutamato + testosterona en carneros adultos Dorper durante fotoperiodos crecientes en la época natural de reposo sexual, incrementan tanto el comportamiento sexual apetitivo como el consumatorio, y que a su vez, estos carneros tratados provocan una respuesta estral más rápida, una mayor tasa ovulatoria, número de cuerpos lúteos y tasa de preñez en las ovejas nulíparas anovulatorias. En el Experimento 2, la hipótesis de trabajo propuso que durante el reposo reproductivo, la administración de glutamato y/o testosterona en carneros jóvenes Dorper tiene la capacidad de incrementar el comportamiento sexual de los machos, y que consecuentemente, los machos tratados inducen la reactivación de la función ovárica de ovejas nulíparas anovulatorias a través del efecto macho. Los resultados permitieron concluir que el comportamiento sexual de los carneros jóvenes Dorper se puede mejorar a través de la administración de glutamato + testosterona, y que tales carneros promueven resultados reproductivos alentadores en las ovejas Dorper anestricas-aciclicas a través del efecto macho. Esta respuesta socio-sexual puede ser una importante alternativa reproductiva para inducir la reactivación de la actividad ovárica de ovejas acíclicas fuera de la estación reproductiva, así como en un periodo más corto de tiempo. En el Experimento 3 se planteó como hipótesis que la administración de glutamato incrementa el volumen y la calidad seminal en carneros Dorper bajo un esquema de fotoperiodos crecientes, inhibitorios de la actividad sexual. Los resultados reflejaron una mayor concentración espermática en los carneros tratados con glutamato que en los carneros del grupo testigo, por lo que se concluyó que tratamientos con glutamato en carneros Dorper bajo fotoperiodos crecientes afectan el proceso de la espermatogénesis. De manera general a través de los experimentos realizados se revela un posible estímulo sinérgico proporcionado por la administración de glutamato + testosterona al incrementar el comportamiento sexual de los carneros jóvenes y adultos de la raza Dorper y, a su vez, el rendimiento reproductivo de las ovejas nulíparas anovulatorias expuestas a estos carneros previamente tratados. En el mismo sentido, los resultados de esta investigación revelan al glutamato como una molécula con efectos alentadores que puede tener aplicaciones transmisibles a otras especies y a otros sistemas de producción pecuaria.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of glutamate and/or testosterone upon some indicators of reproductive activity and sexual behavior in young and adult male Dorper rams, as well as the ability of these males to increase the response of the nulliparous anovulatory Dorper ewes through the male effect during increasing photoperiods. A total of three experiments were carried out in northern Mexico (25° N, 103° W) during 2014 and 2015 at the beginning of spring under natural light conditions. Young (11 mo. 56±0.9 kg) and adult (2-3 yr. 81±0.32 kg) Dorper rams were distributed to experimental groups and receiving the following treatments: glutamate, testosterone, glutamate + testosterone and control. At the end of the treatments and in order to evaluate the male effect, treated rams were exposed to anovulatory-nulliparous Dorper ewes (7-8 months of age) quantifying different response variables: estrus onset interval, ovulatory rate, number of corpora lutea and rate of pregnancy. In Experiment 1, it was hypothesized that during reproductive rest, the administration of glutamate and/or testosterone in adult Dorper rams would have the ability to increase the indicators of sexual behavior, and that consequently would induce the reproductive activity of anovulatory Dorper ewes during increasing photoperiods. The administration of glutamate or glutamate + testosterone in adult Dorper rams during increased photoperiods in the natural period of sexual rest, increased both the appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors, and in turn, these treated rams induced not only faster estrus response but also an increased ovulatory and pregnancy rates, in the nulliparous anovulatory Dorper ewes. In Experiment 2, we hypothesized that the administration of glutamate and/or testosterone in young Dorper rams during the reproductive rest increased the sexual behavior of males, and once exposed to nulliparous anovulatory Dorper ewes would induce the reactivation of the function ovulatory of through the male effect. Results of this trial allows us to conclude that the sexual behavior of young Dorper rams can be improved through the administration of glutamate + testosterone, and that glutamate + testosterone treated rams improved the reproductive outcomes anestrous-acyclic Dorper ewes through the male effect. This socio-sexual response can be an important reproductive alternative to induce reactivation of the ovarian response of acyclic ewes outside the reproductive season, as well as in a shorter period of time. In the Experiment 3, it was hypothesized that the administration of glutamate increases the volume and seminal quality in Dorper rams under a scheme of increasing photoperiods, inhibitory of sexual activity. From this trail, we concluded that a higher sperm concentration was observed in those glutamate-treated rams regarding the control group. Therefore, it was concluded that glutamate treatments in Dorper rams under increasing photoperiods affect the process of spermatogenesis. In general, through the different studies carried out, a possible synergistic stimulus provided by the administration of glutamate + testosterone upon an increased sexual behavior of both young and adult Dorper rams. In turn, these treated males increased the reproductive outcomes of anovulatory nulliparous Dorper ewes through the male effect. In addition, information obtained from these studies unveils to glutamate as an interesting molecule which generated encouraging reproductive outcomes during the anestrous season. Such results can be applied to other animal industries and production systems

Use of a glycogenic precursor during the prepartum period and its effects upon metabolic indicators and reproductive parameters in dairy cows

The aim was to evaluate if 1-2 propanodiol plus calcium propionate (glycogenic precursor) supplementation during the transition period in high yielding dairy cows reduces metabolic and reproductive dysfunctions during early lactation. Cows (n= 202) were divided into two homogeneous groups regarding number of lactations and body condition score. 1) Treated group (GG; n= 112) received 60 g/cow/d for15 d of a glycogenic precursor during the transition period. 2) Control group (GC; n= 90) received no treatment. Postpartum levels of beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB) (GG= 0.9 ± 0.2 mmol/L vs GC =1.3 ± 0.2 mmol/L; P<0.05), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) (GG= 0.6 ± 0.1 mEq/L vs GC = 0.8 ± 0.1 mEq/L; P<0.05) were higher in the GC-group. Similarly, GC-cows had a higher percentage of retained placenta (23 % vs 13 %; P≤0.06) subclinical ketosis (GG= 10 %, GC= 56 %; P<0.05), and mastitis (GG= 8 %, GC= 16 %; P<0.05). Metritis, dystocia, abortions, clinical ketosis, hypocalcemia and ruminal acidosis showed no differences between groups. Administration of a glycogenic precursor during the transition period demonstrated a positive effect upon BHB and NEFA blood levels during early lactation, with parallel decreases of subclinical ketosis and retained placenta; this could be an alternative to enhance the dairy herd reproductive efficiency.The aim was to evaluate if 1-2 propanodiol plus calcium propionate (glycogenic precursor) supplementation during the transition period in high yielding dairy cows reduces metabolic and reproductive dysfunctions during early lactation. Cows (n=202) where divided into two homogeneous groups regarding number of lactations and body condition score. 1) Treated Group (GG; n=112) received 60g/cow/day  15d of a glycogenic precursor during the transition period. 2) Control Group (GC; n = 90) received no treatment. Postpartum levels of BHB (GG= 0.9±0.2 mmol/L vs GC =1.3±0.2 mmol/L; P < 0.05), and NEFA (GG= 0.6 ± 0.1 mEq/L vs GC = 0.8 ± 0.1 mEq/L; P < 0.05) were higher for GC. Likewise, GC-cows had a higher percentage of retained placenta (23% vs. 13%; P ≤ 0.06) subclinical ketosis (GG = 10%, GC = 56%; P < 0.05), and mastitis (GG = 8%, GC = 16%; P < 0.05). Metritis, dystocia, abortions, clinical ketosis, hypocalcemia and ruminal acidosis showed no differences. Administration of a glycogenic precursor during the transition period demonstrated a positive effect upon BHB and NEFA blood levels during early lactation. Also, levels of subclinical ketosis and retained placenta were reduced

Effect of Social Rank upon Estrus Induction and Some Reproductive Outcomes in Anestrus Goats Treated With Progesterone + eCG

We evaluated the possible role of the social rank [R] (i.e., low—LSR, middle—MSR, or high—HSR) in anestrus goats exposed to a P4 + eCG [D] (i.e., 100 or 350 IU) estrus induction protocol (EIP). Adult, multiparous (two to three lactations), multiracial, dairy-type goats (Alpine–Saanen–Nubian x Criollo goats (n = 70; 25°51′ North) managed under stall-fed conditions were all ultrasound evaluated to confirm anestrus status while the R was determined 30 d prior to the EIP. The variables of estrus induction (EI, %), estrus latency (LAT, h), estrus duration (DUR, h), ovulation (OVU, %), ovulation rate (OR, n), corpus luteum size (CLS, cm), pregnancy (PREG, %), kidding (KIDD, %), and litter size (LS, n) as affected by R, D, and the R × D interaction, were evaluated. While OVU and CLS favored (p 0.05; 38.5%) KIDD. However, EI, LAT, DUR, OR, and PREG were affected by the R × D interaction. The HSR group had the largest (p < 0.05) EI % and DUR h, irrespective of D. The shortest (p < 0.05) LAT occurred in D350, irrespective of R. While the largest (p < 0.05) OR occurred in HSR and MSR within D350, the HSR + D350 group had the largest PREG (p < 0.05). These research outcomes are central to defining out-of-season reproductive strategies designed to attenuate seasonal reproduction in goats

Targeted glutamate supply boosts insulin concentrations, ovarian activity, and ovulation rate in yearling goats during the anestrous season

The neuroendocrine regulation of the seasonal reproductive axis requires the integration of internal and external signals to ensure synchronized physiological and behavioral responses. Seasonal reproductive changes contribute to intermittent production, which poses challenges for optimizing goat product yields. Consequently, a significant objective in seasonal reproduction research is to attain continuous reproduction and enhance profitability in goat farming. Glutamate plays a crucial role as a modulator in several reproductive and metabolic processes. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of exogenous glutamate administration on serum insulin concentration and ovarian function during the out-of-season period in yearling goats. During the anestrous season, animals were randomly located in individual pens to form two experimental groups: (1) glutamate (n = 10, live weight (LW) = 29.1 ± 1.02 kg, body condition score (BCS) = 3.4 ± 0.2 units) and (2) control (n = 10; LW = 29.2 ± 1.07 kg, BCS = 3.5 ± 0.2), with no differences (p < 0.05) regarding LW and BCS. Then, goats were estrus-synchronized, and blood sampling was carried out for insulin quantification. Ovaries were ultrasonographically scanned to assess ovulation rate (OR), number of antral follicles (AFs), and total ovarian activity (TOA = OR + AF). The research outcomes support our working hypothesis. Certainly, our study confirms that those yearling goats treated with exogenous glutamate displayed the largest (p < 0.05) insulin concentrations across time as well as an augmented (p < 0.05) out-of-season ovarian activity

Megaproyectos urbanos y productivos. Impactos socio-territoriales

El desarrollo de megaproyectos productivos trae consigo oportunidades para el crecimiento económico, la generación de empleos y el desarrollo regional. No obstante, en la actualidad, los grandes temas como la expansión urbana, el desarrollo industrial, las cementeras, la minería, el uso intensivo del agua y demás recursos naturales, preocupan a las comunidades por los impactos generados y porque en lo general, no consideran la racionalidad y responsabilidad ambiental y social hacia el entorno. En este contexto son diversos los estudios científicos que, en el marco de la política de económica imperante, intentan posicionarse como alternativas a proyectos económicos que confrontan los intereses particulares y comunitarios y que afectan la salud humana y ambiental. Megaproyectos urbanos y productivos. Impactos socio-territoriales, reúne veinticinco textos académicos sobre las afectaciones que éstos emprendimientos tienen para la sociedad y el entorno. Los temas expuestos recogen experiencias en el desarrollo urbano, industrial, turístico, portuario y aeroportuario, entre otros. Así mismo se retoman temas como la ética, la dialéctica, la política y la economía y su relación en el emprendimiento de megaproyectos. La búsqueda de esquemas productivos racionales y responsables con el entorno, que reivindiquen el derecho de las comunidades a un medio ambiente sano, a la preservación del territorio y sus recursos y de las formas de vida tradicionales, son los referentes para la realización del presente libro. Como elemento central se concibe el territorio como contenedor de identidad y vida, siendo preocupación y tema de estudio de la comunidad académica, las organizaciones de la sociedad civil y las redes de activistas organizados.UAEM, CONACyT, se

Determinación de la calidad del semen criopreservado con lecitina de soya o yema de huevo, en machos cabríos

The objective was to compare the quality of cryopreserved goat semen with soy lecithin or egg yolk. The semen was collected from male goats (n=4), two commercial diluents AndroMed® (1% soy lecithin, LS); Optidyl® (20% (v/v) Tris-egg yolk; TY), and a citrate-egg yolk-based diluent (CY) were used in fresh semen (SF) and then cooled from 37 to 4 °C for 2 h (refrigerated semen, SR), afterwards straws were filled with semen and frozen in liquid nitrogen at -196 °C (SC). There were no differences (p>0.05) between diluents in the SF in the mass motility (MM; 4.7±0.26), sperm viability (VE; 74.1±1.66) and individual motility (MI; 62.3±4.0). In the same sense, for the SR there was no difference (p>0.05) between diluents with respect to MM (3.83±0.4) and MI (52.1±6.0), however, the VE varied (p<0.05) according to the diluent, observing the lowest viability in LS vs CY and TY (51.0±13.0 vs 71.3±3.0 and 69.0±3.1). Regarding SC the MM, MI and VE obtained better values (p<0.05) with the diluent TY vs LS and CY (2.4±0.5, 32.5±8.3, 41.3±13.0). The results showed a better cryopreservation of goat semen with the diluent Tris-yolk compared to that of soy lecithinEl objetivo fue comparar la calidad del semen caprino criopreservado con diferentes tratamientos a base de lecitina de soya o yema de huevo. El semen fue colectado de machos cabríos Alpinos (n=4), se utilizaron dos diluyentes comerciales: AndroMed® (1% de lecitina de soya, LS); Optidyl® con 20% (v/v) de Tris-yema de huevo; TY), y un tercer diluyente a base de citrato-yema de huevo (CY), en semen fresco (SF) y después fue enfriado de 37 a 4 °C durante 2 h; semen refrigerado (SR), posteriormente se llenaron pajillas con semen y se congelaron en nitrógeno líquido a -196 °C (SC). No existieron diferencias (p>0.05) entre diluyentes en el SF respecto a motilidad masal (MM; 4.7±0.26), viabilidad espermática (VE; 74.1±1.66) y motilidad individual (MI; 62.3±4.0). En el mismo sentido, para el SR no existió diferencia (p>0.05) entre diluyentes respecto a MM=3.83±0.4, y MI= 52.1±6.0, sin embargo, la VE varió (p<0.05) de acuerdo al diluyente, observando la menor viabilidad en LS vs. CY y TY (51.0±13.0 vs 71.3±3.0 y 69.0±3.1). Respecto al SC, la MM, MI y VE favorecieron (p<0.05) al diluyente TY vs. LS y CY (2.4±0.5, 32.5±8.3, 41.3±13.0). Los resultados mostraron una mejor crio-preservación del semen caprino con el diluente Tris-yema respecto al de lecitina de soy

Interactions between Social Hierarchy and Some Udder Morphometric Traits upon Colostrum and Milk Physicochemical Characteristics in Crossbred Dairy Goats

The possible relationship between udder morphometric variables (UMVs), chemical quality (CHQ) of both colostrum (CA), and milk (MK), as affected by goat’s social rank (SR) (i.e., low-LSR, or high-HSR), was assessed. In late June, goats (Alpine–Saanen–Nubian x Criollo; n = 38; 25° N) were estrus-synchronized and subjected to a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol. Thereafter, in October, while a behavioral study was performed in confirmed-pregnant goats to define the SR classes (n = 15), live weight (LW), body condition (BCS), and serum glucose (GLUC) were registered on the last day of the behavioral study. The expected kidding date was 25 November. Both the UMVs (i.e., seven dates) and the CHQ (i.e., either one for CA and three times for MK) were collected across time (T). The UMVs involved udder perimeter (UDPER, cm), udder diameter (UDDIA, cm), left-teat (LTPER, cm) and right-teat perimeter (RTPER, cm), left-teat (LTLT, cm) and right-teat length (RTLT, cm), left-teat diameter (LTDIA, cm) and right-teat diameter (RTDIA, cm), and medium suspensory ligament (MSL, cm). The registered CHQ variables for both CA and MK were fat (FAT), protein (PRO), lactose (LAC), nonfat solids (NFS), freezing point (FP), and total solids (TS). The possible effect of SR, T, and the SR × T interaction upon the described response variables was tested. While LW favored the HSR goats (54.6 vs. 48.2 ± 1.7 kg; p p > 0.05) between SR. An SR × T interaction affected (p p p p p FAT, > PRO, and > NFS) during early lactation. Therefore, both social rank (i.e., HSR goats), as well as the temporal transition stage from the last third of pregnancy to the first phase of lactation (i.e., time), operated as important modulators upon both udder architecture and milk quality in crossbred dairy goats under a dry-semiarid production system

Reproductive efficiency of Ovsynch + CIDR in Holstein cows under a fixed time artificial insemination scheme in northern Mexico

Se evaluó el uso de Ovsynch más dispositivo intravaginal de liberación controlada de progesterona (CIDR) en vacas altas productoras. El estudio se llevó en la Comarca Lagunera (25° 44´ N, 103° 10´ O a 1,111 msnm) durante diciembre y enero. Las vacas (n=100) se pre-sincronizaron con dos inyecciones de PGF2α a los 35 y 47 días posparto y asignadas a dos tratamientos (n= 50): 1) El grupo OV recibió el protocolo Ovsynch: 100 μg de GnRH (i.m.; día 1), 25 mg de PGF2α (i.m.; día 7) y 100 μg GnRH (i.m.; día 9); 2) El grupo (OV+C) recibió el protocolo Ovsynch más un CIDR (1.38 g), retirado siete días después. Todas las vacas se expusieron a un protocolo de inseminación artificial a tiempo fijo (IATF; 16 a 20 h posteriores a la última inyección). Se registró tanto el porcentaje de preñez, el número de vacas repitiendo celo considerando dos periodos (≤24 y ≥25 días post-inseminación), así como los días de retorno al celo. Mientras que no existió diferencia entre grupos para tasa de preñez (OV= 28 %, OV+C= 32 %; P>0.05), el porcentaje de vacas que manifestaron celo después de la IATF difirió (P0.05), the percentage of cows showing estrus after IATF differed (P<0.05) between treatments for the two studied periods (28 % vs 62 % ≤24 d; 69 % vs 35 % ≥25 d; OV and OV+C, respectively). Moreover, mean of days when cows repeated estrus was lower (P<0.05) in the OV+C group (25 ± 1.6 vs 30 ± 1.3 d). Although the Ovsynch+CIDR treatment did not improve pregnancy rate, it reduced the latency for return to estrus, emerging as an alternative to diminish the days to the next AI, and potentially improve the reproductive efficiency and the economic return of the dairy herd

Multifaceted Interplay among Social Dominance, Body Condition, Appetitive and Consummatory Sexual Behaviors, and Semen Quality in Dorper Rams during Out-Of-Season and Transition Periods

Dorper rams (n = 24) were evaluated during the sexual resting season to determine their social rank (SR), either high (HSR) or low (LSR), under intensive management conditions in northern Mexico (25° N). Aggressive behaviors were quantified during male-to-male interactions, and appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviors during male-to-female interactions. Morphometric, live weight (LW), and body condition score (BCS) were recorded. During the early reproductive season, male-to-female behaviors were newly itemized simultaneously by seminal quality and quantity sampling. Finally, the dependent variables of the hemogram components were also quantified. Neither LW (61.25 ± 2.4 kg) nor morphometric variables differed between SR groups. However, BCS (2.25 vs. 2.66 u), sexual behaviors (i.e., approaches: 59.6 vs. 21.73 n, mating with ejaculation: 77.7 vs. 42.86 %, latency to ejaculation: 16.6 vs. 143.07 s), ejaculate volume (0.57 vs. 0.23 mL), and hemogram components favored the HSR rams (p 50% of the LSR rams failed to display any sexual activity. HSR rams displayed a greater number of threatening behaviors, managing to displace LSR rams when exposed to estrus ewes during the male sexual resting season; more sexual behaviors; and an increased seminal volume in a non-live weight-dependent fashion

Protein-conformational diseases in childhood: Naturally-occurring hIAPP amyloid-oligomers and early β-cell damage in obesity and diabetes.

Background and aimsThis is the first time that obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) as protein conformational diseases (PCD) are reported in children and they are typically diagnosed too late, when β-cell damage is evident. Here we wanted to investigate the level of naturally-ocurring or real (not synthetic) oligomeric aggregates of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) that we called RIAO in sera of pediatric patients with obesity and diabetes. We aimed to reduce the gap between basic biomedical research, clinical practice-health decision making and to explore whether RIAO work as a potential biomarker of early β-cell damage.Materials and methodsWe performed a multicentric collaborative, cross-sectional, analytical, ambispective and blinded study; the RIAO from pretreated samples (PTS) of sera of 146 pediatric patients with obesity or DM and 16 healthy children, were isolated, measured by sound indirect ELISA with novel anti-hIAPP cytotoxic oligomers polyclonal antibody (MEX1). We carried out morphological and functional studied and cluster-clinical data driven analysis.ResultsWe demonstrated by western blot, Transmission Electron Microscopy and cell viability experiments that RIAO circulate in the blood and can be measured by ELISA; are elevated in serum of childhood obesity and diabetes; are neurotoxics and works as biomarkers of early β-cell failure. We explored the range of evidence-based medicine clusters that included the RIAO level, which allowed us to classify and stratify the obesity patients with high cardiometabolic risk.ConclusionsRIAO level increases as the number of complications rises; RIAOs > 3.35 μg/ml is a predictor of changes in the current indicators of β-cell damage. We proposed a novel physio-pathological pathway and shows that PCD affect not only elderly patients but also children. Here we reduced the gap between basic biomedical research, clinical practice and health decision making