Núcleo de pesquisa em suínos como centro formador de recursos humanos para a suinocultura do futuro

A suinocultura se destaca dentre as demais atividades produtivas pelo uso massivo de ferramentas tecnológicas, objetivando produzir em maior volume, de forma mais eficiente e sustentável. Nessa conjuntura, a suinocultura brasileira ocupa lugar destacado entre os principais países produtores, ocupando o quarto posto no ranking de produção e exportação de carne suína; dessa forma, fica clara a importância da atividade suinícola como grande geradora de divisas para o país. Assim, faz-se imprescindível a formação de recursos humanos altamente capacitados para que possam militar nesta seara com assertividade, impulsionando cada vez mais a produção de suínos e, em consequência, o desenvolvimento do país. Tendo em vista tal demanda, surgiu o Núcleo de Pesquisa em Suínos, resultado da união de forças entre o Laboratório de Pesquisa em Suínos, o Laboratório de Andrologia e Tecnologia de Embriões Suínos e o Laboratório de Sanidade Suína e Virologia, com o intuito de que os alunos da graduação, e não somente os da pós-graduação, como antes ocorria, pudessem entrar em contato com um cenário fidedigno da produção de suínos. Hoje, os alunos que estão ainda na graduação podem participar de atividades similares àquelas que são realizadas em uma granja comercial de suínos, com a vantagem de estarem sempre monitorados por professores e alunos de pós-graduação.Pig production has gained worldwide notoriety for using cutting-edge technologies aiming not only to increase its productivity and profitability but also to lessen the impact it causes on the environment. In this scenario, Brazil also plays a lead role in global pig production, occupying the forth position in the world ranking of pork production and also of pork exporting, hence, the importance of the pork industry becomes very clear since it is major source of wealth to Brazil’s economy, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs which contribute to socioeconomic development. Thus, it becomes vital to form highly skilled human resources capable of working in an assertive manner on this field, advancing even more the pork industry and, consequently, the development of the country. To attend this demand, the Swine Research Center was created as a result of the merging of three laboratories (Laboratório de Pesquisa em Suínos; Laboratório de Andrologia e Tecnologia de Embriões Suínos; Laboratório de Sanidade Suína e Virologia), with the main objective of permitting that the undergraduate students could have a hands-on experience on the pig production field. Nowadays, undergraduate students can take part on various activities similar to those of a commercial pig farm, always monitored by faculty and post graduate students

Altrenogest during early pregnancy modulates uterine glandular epithelium and endometrial growth factor expression at the time implantation in pigs

This study evaluated the effects of supplying altrenogest from day 6-12 of pregnancy on the endometrial glandular epithelium, corpora lutea (CL) morphology, and endometrial and CL gene expression. A total of 12 crossbred females (Landrace × Large White) were used. The females were assigned to 4 treatments according to a random design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with two categories (sow or gilt) and two treatments (non-treated and treated with altrenogest). On day 6 of pregnancy, animals were allocated to one of the following groups: non-treated (NT, n = 6; 3 sows and 3 gilts), and (T, n = 6; 3 sows and 3 gilts) treated daily with 20 mg of altrenogest, from day 6-12 of pregnancy. All animals were euthanized on day 13 of pregnancy. All CLs were individually weighed, and their volume were determined. The endometrial glandular density (GD), mean glandular area (MGA), and vascular density (VD) were determined by histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses. Endometrium samples were collected and analyzed by qRT-PCR to evaluate the abundance of transcripts for VEGF and IGF-I. Females in the T group had higher MGA (P < 0.05) compared to the NT group. There was no effect of treatment on GD or VD for both experimental groups. Sows in the T group had augmented expression of IGF-I (P < 0.05). Progestagen had no detrimental effect on CL morphology. In conclusion, altrenogest improves the uterine environment during the peri-implantation period in pigs without compromising corpora lutea development

Effects of altrenogest on uterine environment and embryo development during early gestation of pigs

A progesterona desempenha uma função de extrema importância para o desenvolvimento embrionário inicial, por meio da regulação do ambiente uterino no período prévio à adesão dos embriões ao endométrio. Nesse contexto o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação com progesterona ou progestágeno durante a fase inicial da gestação sobre o ambiente uterino e desenvolvimento embrionário de suínos, bem como seus efeitos no desempenho da leitegada nascida. Foram realizados dois experimentos. No experimento 1 utilizou-se 40 porcas e 28 marrãs que no 6&ordm; dia de gestação foram distribuídas em um dos três grupos experimentais: fêmeas suplementadas com 20 mg de altrenogest (Regumate&reg;) do 6&ordm; ao 12&ordm; dia de gestação (RU; n = 23); fêmeas suplementadas com 2,15 mg/kg de progesterona de longa ação (Sincrogest&reg;), injeção única no 6&ordm; dia de gestação (PG; n = 24); fêmeas não suplementadas (CON; n = 21). Esse experimento foi delineado de maneira inteiramente casualizada em um arranjo fatorial, sendo que a categoria (marrã ou porca) foi considerada fator 1 e os grupos (CON, RU e PG) fator 2. 18 fêmeas foram eutanasiadas no 13&ordm; dia de gestação, e 50 fêmeas no 28&ordm; dia de gestação. Foram analisados: taxa de prenhez, taxa de ovulação, sobrevivência embrionária, tamanho e peso de embriões e útero, volume e peso de corpos lúteos, volume das vesículas embrionárias, dosagem sérica de progesterona e 17&#946;- estradiol, morfometrias glandular e de epitélio luminal do uterino. No experimento 2 foram utilizadas 75 matrizes, que no 6&ordm; dia de gestação foram alocadas de maneira interiramente casualisada em um dois grupos: fêmeas suplementadas com 20 mg de altrenogest (Matrix&reg;) do 6&ordm; ao 12&ordm; dia de gestação (ALT; n = 36); fêmeas não suplementadas (CTR; n = 36). Analisadas: taxa de prenhez, período gestacional, peso médio e homogeneidade da leitegada, número de leitões mumificados, natimortos e nascidos vivos, quantidade de leitões nascidos com menos de 800 gramas. Não houve influência dos tratamentos sobre a taxa de prenhez e a sobrevivência embrionária foi prejudicada apenas para marrãs do grupo RU. Para o desenvolvimento embrionário os resultados divergiram entre as categorias, as marrãs do grupo CON apresentaram embriões maiores e mais pesados quando comparados aos grupos suplementados, bem como vesículas embrionárias maiores. Para as porcas o grupo RU apresentou embriões maiores e mais pesados. De maneira geral as suplementações com progesterona ou progestágeno estimularam o crescimento do epitélio glandular aos 13 dias de gestação, mas não tiveram efeito sobre epitélio luminal. Já aos 28 dias de gestação o efeito da estimulação foi apenas observado para marrãs do grupo PG. Os tratamentos estimularam também o crescimento dos corpos lúteos que foram maiores e mais pesados para os grupos suplementados. Em relação ao desempenho da leitegada, analisado no experimento 2, não houve efeito de tratamento para nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. A suplementação de progesterona/progestágeno a partir do 6&ordm; dia de gestação estimulou o crescimento do epitélio glandular uterino e afetou o desenvolvimento embrionário inicial, mas não exerceu efeito significativo sobre o desempenho da leitegada.Progesterone plays a role of extreme importance for early embryonic development by regulating the uterine environment in the period prior to the adhesion of the embryos to the endometrium. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of progesterone or progestogen supplementation during early gestation on the uterine environment and embryo development of pigs, as well as their effects on litter performance. Two experiments were carried out. In the experiment 1, 40 sows and 28 gilts were used, which were distributed in one of the three experimental groups: females supplemented with 20 mg altrenogest (Regumate&reg;) from the 6th to the 12thh day of gestation (RU; n = 23); females supplemented with 2.15 mg / kg long acting progesterone (Sincrogest&reg;), single injection at 6th day of gestation (PG; n = 24); females not supplemented (CON; n = 21). This experiment was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement, with the category (gilt or sow) being considered as factor 1 and the groups (CON, RU and PG) factor 2. 18 females were euthanized on the 13th day of gestation, and 50 females on the 28th day of gestation. Pregnancy rate, ovulation rate, embryo survival, embryo and uterus size and weight, volume and weight of corpora lutea, volume of embryonic vesicles, serum progesterone and 17&#946;-estradiol concentrations, morphometric of uterine glandular epithelium and uterine luminal epithelium. In the experiment 2, 75 sows were used, which at the 6th day of gestation were allocated in a randomized manner in one of two groups: females supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest (Matrix&reg;) from 6 to 12 days of gestation (ALT; = 36); females not supplemented (CTR; n = 36). The variables analyzed were: pregnancy rate, gestation length, average of litter weight, within-litter variation, number of mummified, stillborn and live born piglets, number of piglets born with less than 800 grams. There was no influence of treatments on the pregnancy rate and embryo survival was impaired only for gilts in the RU group. For embryonic development the results differed among the categories, the gilts of the CON group had larger and heavier embryos when compared to the supplemented groups, as well as larger embryonic vesicles. For the sows the RU group presented larger and heavier embryos. In general, progesterone or progestogen supplementation stimulated the growth of the glandular epithelium at 13 days of gestation, but had no effect on luminal epithelium. However, on day 28 of gestation the stimulatory effect was only observed for gilts of the PG group. Treatments also stimulated the growth of corpora lutea that were larger and heavier for the supplemented groups (RU and PG). Regarding the performance of the litter, analyzed in experiment 2, there was no treatment effect for any of the variables analyzed. In conclusion, Progesterone / progestogen supplementation from day 6 of gestation affected the uterine glandular epithelium area, and early embryonic development, but did not have a significant effect on the litter performance

Effects of altrenogest on uterine environment and embryo development during early gestation of pigs

A progesterona desempenha uma função de extrema importância para o desenvolvimento embrionário inicial, por meio da regulação do ambiente uterino no período prévio à adesão dos embriões ao endométrio. Nesse contexto o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da suplementação com progesterona ou progestágeno durante a fase inicial da gestação sobre o ambiente uterino e desenvolvimento embrionário de suínos, bem como seus efeitos no desempenho da leitegada nascida. Foram realizados dois experimentos. No experimento 1 utilizou-se 40 porcas e 28 marrãs que no 6&ordm; dia de gestação foram distribuídas em um dos três grupos experimentais: fêmeas suplementadas com 20 mg de altrenogest (Regumate&reg;) do 6&ordm; ao 12&ordm; dia de gestação (RU; n = 23); fêmeas suplementadas com 2,15 mg/kg de progesterona de longa ação (Sincrogest&reg;), injeção única no 6&ordm; dia de gestação (PG; n = 24); fêmeas não suplementadas (CON; n = 21). Esse experimento foi delineado de maneira inteiramente casualizada em um arranjo fatorial, sendo que a categoria (marrã ou porca) foi considerada fator 1 e os grupos (CON, RU e PG) fator 2. 18 fêmeas foram eutanasiadas no 13&ordm; dia de gestação, e 50 fêmeas no 28&ordm; dia de gestação. Foram analisados: taxa de prenhez, taxa de ovulação, sobrevivência embrionária, tamanho e peso de embriões e útero, volume e peso de corpos lúteos, volume das vesículas embrionárias, dosagem sérica de progesterona e 17&#946;- estradiol, morfometrias glandular e de epitélio luminal do uterino. No experimento 2 foram utilizadas 75 matrizes, que no 6&ordm; dia de gestação foram alocadas de maneira interiramente casualisada em um dois grupos: fêmeas suplementadas com 20 mg de altrenogest (Matrix&reg;) do 6&ordm; ao 12&ordm; dia de gestação (ALT; n = 36); fêmeas não suplementadas (CTR; n = 36). Analisadas: taxa de prenhez, período gestacional, peso médio e homogeneidade da leitegada, número de leitões mumificados, natimortos e nascidos vivos, quantidade de leitões nascidos com menos de 800 gramas. Não houve influência dos tratamentos sobre a taxa de prenhez e a sobrevivência embrionária foi prejudicada apenas para marrãs do grupo RU. Para o desenvolvimento embrionário os resultados divergiram entre as categorias, as marrãs do grupo CON apresentaram embriões maiores e mais pesados quando comparados aos grupos suplementados, bem como vesículas embrionárias maiores. Para as porcas o grupo RU apresentou embriões maiores e mais pesados. De maneira geral as suplementações com progesterona ou progestágeno estimularam o crescimento do epitélio glandular aos 13 dias de gestação, mas não tiveram efeito sobre epitélio luminal. Já aos 28 dias de gestação o efeito da estimulação foi apenas observado para marrãs do grupo PG. Os tratamentos estimularam também o crescimento dos corpos lúteos que foram maiores e mais pesados para os grupos suplementados. Em relação ao desempenho da leitegada, analisado no experimento 2, não houve efeito de tratamento para nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. A suplementação de progesterona/progestágeno a partir do 6&ordm; dia de gestação estimulou o crescimento do epitélio glandular uterino e afetou o desenvolvimento embrionário inicial, mas não exerceu efeito significativo sobre o desempenho da leitegada.Progesterone plays a role of extreme importance for early embryonic development by regulating the uterine environment in the period prior to the adhesion of the embryos to the endometrium. In this context, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of progesterone or progestogen supplementation during early gestation on the uterine environment and embryo development of pigs, as well as their effects on litter performance. Two experiments were carried out. In the experiment 1, 40 sows and 28 gilts were used, which were distributed in one of the three experimental groups: females supplemented with 20 mg altrenogest (Regumate&reg;) from the 6th to the 12thh day of gestation (RU; n = 23); females supplemented with 2.15 mg / kg long acting progesterone (Sincrogest&reg;), single injection at 6th day of gestation (PG; n = 24); females not supplemented (CON; n = 21). This experiment was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement, with the category (gilt or sow) being considered as factor 1 and the groups (CON, RU and PG) factor 2. 18 females were euthanized on the 13th day of gestation, and 50 females on the 28th day of gestation. Pregnancy rate, ovulation rate, embryo survival, embryo and uterus size and weight, volume and weight of corpora lutea, volume of embryonic vesicles, serum progesterone and 17&#946;-estradiol concentrations, morphometric of uterine glandular epithelium and uterine luminal epithelium. In the experiment 2, 75 sows were used, which at the 6th day of gestation were allocated in a randomized manner in one of two groups: females supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest (Matrix&reg;) from 6 to 12 days of gestation (ALT; = 36); females not supplemented (CTR; n = 36). The variables analyzed were: pregnancy rate, gestation length, average of litter weight, within-litter variation, number of mummified, stillborn and live born piglets, number of piglets born with less than 800 grams. There was no influence of treatments on the pregnancy rate and embryo survival was impaired only for gilts in the RU group. For embryonic development the results differed among the categories, the gilts of the CON group had larger and heavier embryos when compared to the supplemented groups, as well as larger embryonic vesicles. For the sows the RU group presented larger and heavier embryos. In general, progesterone or progestogen supplementation stimulated the growth of the glandular epithelium at 13 days of gestation, but had no effect on luminal epithelium. However, on day 28 of gestation the stimulatory effect was only observed for gilts of the PG group. Treatments also stimulated the growth of corpora lutea that were larger and heavier for the supplemented groups (RU and PG). Regarding the performance of the litter, analyzed in experiment 2, there was no treatment effect for any of the variables analyzed. In conclusion, Progesterone / progestogen supplementation from day 6 of gestation affected the uterine glandular epithelium area, and early embryonic development, but did not have a significant effect on the litter performance

Altrenogest Supplementation during Early Pregnancy Improves Reproductive Outcome in Pigs

Progesterone plays an important role in initial conceptus development and in a successful pregnancy, but results related to progesterone or its analogues (altrenogest) supplementation in early pregnancy of pigs are conflicting. The present study evaluated the effects of altrenogest supplementation in sows during days 6 and 12 of pregnancy on reproductive performance. On day 6 of pregnancy, 301 females were allocated at random to one of the following treatments: CON (Control: non-supplemented females, n = 163) or ALT (females daily supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest, orally, from day 6 to 12 of pregnancy, n = 138). Ovulation was considered as occurred at 48 h after the first estrus detection to standardize the first day of pregnancy. The supplementation increased the number of total piglets born (ALT: 17.3 &plusmn; 0.4; CON: 16.6 &plusmn; 0.4), piglets born alive (ALT: 15.6 &plusmn; 0.4; CON: 14.8 &plusmn; 0.3), and placenta weight (ALT: 4.2 &plusmn; 0.1; CON: 3.8 &plusmn; 0.1) and decreased the stillbirth rate (ALT: 5.9 &plusmn; 0.6; CON: 7.6 &plusmn; 0.6) and the number of piglets born weighing less than 800 g (ALT: 6.6 &plusmn; 0.6; CON: 8.0 &plusmn; 0.6), without impairment on farrowing rate. These results demonstrated that altrenogest supplementation on swine females between days 6 and 12 of pregnancy may be used to improve reproductive performance

Estrus Synchronization of Replacement Gilts Using Estradiol Cipionate and PGF2&alpha; and Its Effects on Reproductive Outcomes

In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of using estrogen-induced prolonged luteal function followed by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2&alpha;) treatment to synchronize estrus in gilts. On day12 of the estrus cycle (D0 = first day of standing estrus), 52 gilts were assigned at random to two experimental groups: non-treated gilts (CON, n = 22), serving as controls, and prolonged luteal function group (CYP, n = 30), receiving a single treatment with 10 mg of estradiol cypionate intramuscularly Starting on day 12, blood samples were collected for estradiol and progesterone assays. Estrus detection started on day 17. Gilts from the CON group were inseminated at the onset of natural estrus. On day 28 CYP gilts were treated with PGF2&alpha; to induce luteolysis and inseminated at the onset of estrus. Gilts were slaughtered 5 d after the last insemination. A single treatment with estradiol cypionate prolonged luteal function in 90% of treated gilts. The duration of the estrous cycle was longer (p &lt; 0.0001) for CYP gilts compared to CON gilts. CYP gilts showed synchronized estrus 3.96 &plusmn; 0.19 d after induction of luteolysis. The conception rate was similar (p = 0.10) for CON and CYP gilts. No difference was observed in the embryo recovery rate (p = 0.18) and total number of embryos per female (p = 0.06). The percentage of unfertilized oocytes, fragmented embryos and viable embryos was similar among females from CON and CYP groups (p &gt; 0.05). The treatment of gilts with a single application of 10 mg of estradiol cypionate on day 12 of the estrous cycle was effective in prolonging luteal function and treatment with PGF2&alpha; resulted in synchronized estrus. Additionally, the synchronization protocol had no deleterious effect on fertility and embryonic development

Linear regression and correlation.

<p>(A) Linear regression between treatments of the sperm population with plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity and high mitochondrial membrane potential (IPIAH). (B) Correlation between sperm IPIAH and total motility.</p

Novel Flow Cytometry Analyses of Boar Sperm Viability: Can the Addition of Whole Sperm-Rich Fraction Seminal Plasma to Frozen-Thawed Boar Sperm Affect It? - Fig 6

<p><b>Effects of treatment (A) and time (B) on plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential.</b> CT—control; CS—centrifuged and suspended in autologous seminal plasma (SP); CW—centrifuged and withdrawn SP; CWSP—CW containing autologous seminal plasma. IPIAH—plasma and acrosome membrane integrity and high Δψm. Different letters represent a significant difference (p < 0.05).</p

Mean ± standard error of time vs. treatment interaction for straightness.

<p>Mean ± standard error of time vs. treatment interaction for straightness.</p

Effect of treatments on computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).

<p>(A) Total and progressive motility; (B) VCL—curvilinear velocity, VSL—straight-line velocity, VAP—average path velocity; C) LIN—linearity, STR—straightness; (D) ALH—amplitude of lateral head displacement, BCF—beat cross frequency and HIPER—hypermotility. CT—control; CS—centrifuged and suspended in autologous seminal plasma (SP); CW—centrifuged and withdrawn SP; CWSP—CW containing autologous seminal plasma. Different letters represent a significant difference (p < 0.05). CT—control; CS—centrifuged and suspended in autologous seminal plasma (SP); CW—centrifuged and withdrawn SP; CWSP—CW containing autologous seminal plasma. Different letters in the same row represent a difference (p < 0.05) between treatments at the same time.</p