Vaginal cytology as a tool to predict the time of ovulation in goats and sheep.

The detection of ovulation is of great importance for the use of reproductive biotechnologies in small ruminants. The ovulation is efficiently determined by ultrasound (US), equipment that is not always available and of relatively high cost. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the efficacy of vaginal cytology as a tool to determine the ovulation time in these species. The study was carried out during the non-breeding season, in Coronel Pacheco, Minas Gerais (21°35'S and 43°15'W). In sheep, the standard chosen was anucleated, but it had a high CV (23.7%), which led to non-high accuracy (66.7%). Therefore, PPV and NPV were 26% and 88%, respectively; the specificity was 45% and 64% at 24 h and 12 h before ovulation respectively; and finally, the sensitivity at the moment of ovulation was 55%. It can be concluded that the vaginal cytology may be an efficient tool to determine the moment of ovulation in goats, however it is less accurate in sheep

Different progestagens sources do not affect the follicular population and the morphological quality of oocytes during ovarian stimulation in Santa Inês ewes.

In attempt to develop a hormonal protocol more suitable to produce good quality oocytes for use in biotechnologies, an earlier study demonstrated that FSH applied in multiple decreasing doses produced better quality oocytes. However, different progestagens implants used during ovarian stimulation have not yet been tested. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different progestagens during ovarian stimulation on follicular population and oocyte morphological quality in Santa Inês ewes. In conclusion, the source of progestagens used during the ovarian stimulation protocol does not affect the follicular population, nor the oocyte quality. Exogenous progestagens may not be necessary when postsynchronization ovulation is confirmed by ultrasonography

Superovulation and transcervical embryo recovery in Lacaune ewes raised under tropical conditions.

This study assessed two superovulatory treatments and the feasibility of transcervical embryo recovery in Lacaune ewes. Ewes (n=23) received medroxyprogesterone acetate sponges (60mg, Progespon®, Syntex, (Prolise®, Tecnopec, São Paulo, Brazil) 24 h before sponge removal and were superovulated with 133 mg of porcine FSH i.m. (Folltropin®-V; Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Canada) in six decreasing doses (twice daily) at 60 h before sponge removal, under a crossover design. In conclusion, both treatments showed high variability in ovulatory response which might reduce the embryo yield average from donors. The protocol for cervical relaxation allowed the transcervical embryo recovery in high percentage of Lacaune ewes

Use of hCG, eCG or p-FSH on estrus induction of goats and their effects on luteal dynamics and conception rate.

The present study tested the hypothesis that hCG and pFSH stimulate the follicular development and consequently corpora lutea, in a manner equivalent to those induced by eCG in goat. Eighty-five Toggenburg goats, during the seasonal transition period (December, 21ºS), underwent a short-duration estrus induction/synchronization protocol with a sponge impregnated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (60 mg MAP, 6 days). In conclusion, the use of hCG and pFSH in protocol of estrus induction/synchronization in goats induces equivalent luteal dynamics and conception rate, being substitutes for eCG

Repetibilidade de resposta para produção in vivo de embriões em ovelhas Santa Inês.

Resumo: Tem sido observado em caprinos e bovinos que animais com desempenho satisfatório em programas de superovulação tendem a manter esta boa resposta em protocolos consecutivos. Esta característica tem uma grande aplicabilidade, uma vez que um primeiro programa para produção de embriões poderia servir para triar animais com maior potencial de resposta. Assim, apenas as doadoras com histórico de alto potencial de resposta seriam incluídas em futuras superovulações, o que poderia aumentar a eficiência da MOTE. Levando em conta estes conceitos, objetivou-se verificar se borregas da raça Santa Inês mantém um padrão de resposta quando submetidas a três superovulações consecutivas para a produção in vivo de embriões. [Repeatability of response for embryo in vivo production in Santa Inês sheep].Resumo apresentado nos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal, Santos, SP, 2017

Utilização de implantes alternativos para induzir estro sincronizado em ovelhas Santa Inês.

A indução de estro sincronizado por meio de protocolos hormonais é uma prática muito utilizada no manejo reprodutivo de ovinos para produção intensiva. Comumente, é necessário o uso de dispositivos contendo progesterona ou progestágenos aplicados por via intravaginal ou subcutâneo. As opções disponíveis no mercado para pequenos ruminantes são relativamente reduzidas. Para tanto este estudo testou a eficiência de um implante e fonte de progesterona (P4) alternativos para a indução do estro em ovelhas Santa Inês. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que o uso de dispositivo e de fonte de progesterona alternativos podem ser considerados para a indução de estro sincronizado em ovelhas Santa Inês. A dose de 200 mg associada ao dispositivo OB® humano não proveu P4 superior a 1 ng/mL no dia da retirada, o que pode explicar, em parte, a diferença no intervalo para estro entre G1 e G2. [Use of the alternatives implants to induce synchronous estrus in Santa Inês ewes].Edição dos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA), Santos, SP, Brasil, maio 2017

Use of meloxicam with or without dipyrone in non-surgical embryo recovery in hair sheep: Effects on animal welfare.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of meloxicam with or without dipyrone on the welfare of ewes subjected to non-surgical embryo recovery (NSER). Two studies were carried out using 51 multiparous Santa Inês ewes. All animals received a standard oestrous synchronization treatment and a superovulatory protocol. In Study 1, 12 ewes received meloxicam (GM) before cervical transposition (1 mg kg-1 , i.v.), repeated 24 h after (1 mg kg-1 , i.m.), while the other 10 received a saline solution, remaining as a control group (GC1). In Study 2, ewes were allocated into a group of 15 ewes treated as GM of Study 1 associated with dipyrone (GMD; 50 mg kg-1 , i.m.) before cervical transposition, 12 h, and 24 h after, or a control group (GC2) of 14 ewes treated with saline solution. In both studies, heart and respiratory rates (RR), cortisol, glucose, total proteins, albumin and globulins blood concentration were recorded before sedation (BS), after sedation (AS), after cervical transposition, immediately after collection (IAC), and 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after embryo collection (hAC). In Study 1, RR tended to be greater in GC1 (p = .08), serum total proteins and globulins values were lower and serum albumin values were greater in this group than GM (p = .003, p < .0001, and p < .0001, respectively). In Study 2, treatment of GMD tended to reduce the glycaemia at AS (p = .052) and reduced it at 3hAC (p < .0001), and 6hAC (p = .03). It also tended to reduce cortisol concentrations (p = .10). The other variables varied with NSER without interaction with the experimental treatments. In conclusion, in this study condition, NSER in sheep induced transient changes indicative of stress and possibly pain, therefore, affecting animal welfare. The administration of meloxicam was ineffective to reduce those responses, and the association of dipyrone had only slight effects without modifying the main welfare indicative responses in ewes subjected to NSER

Cervical mucus is not efficient to predict the ovulation time in of Santa Ines ewes synchronized to estrus.

Abstract: In goats, it has been demonstrated that cervical mucus evaluation is able to predict the time of ovulation after estrous hormonal synchronization, which is efficient in determining the ideal time of Artificial Insemination (Fonseca et al., 2017. Reprod Biol; 17:363-369). However, in sheep, this parameter is not established in the literature. The study was conducted in Coronel Pacheco (latitude 21?33 'S and longitude 43?16' W), MG, Brazil. These data are different from that reported in goats, i.e., the standardization of mucus score 3 or 4 at the time of ovulation. It may be concluded that the use of cervical mucus is alone not an efficient parameter to detect the time of ovulation in sheep. [O muco cervical não é eficiente em predizer o momento da ovulação em ovelhas Santa Inês sincronizadas ao estro].Edição dos resumos do XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal, Gramado, RS, Brasil, 15 a 17 de maio 2019

Indução de estro sincronizado com diferentes dispositivos vaginais em cabras da raça Saanen durante a estação de anestro.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência de diferentes dispositivos vaginais e de doses de progesterona/progestágeno para a indução de estro em cabras da raça Saanen durante a estação de anestro. Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que o uso de ambos os dispositivos com suas respectivas doses de progestágeno/progesterona induzem eficientemente o estro sincronizado em cabras. Todavia, a dose de 200 mg de progesterona, mesmo provendo uma resposta ao estro semelhante aos demais grupos, esteve relacionada a uma taxa de concepção que deve ser considerada com cautela. [Induction of synchronous estrus with different intravaginal devices in Saanen does during the non-breeding season].Edição dos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA), Santos, SP, Brasil, maio 2017

Efeito de diferentes doses de protocolos hormonais para superestimulação ovariana na população folicular de ovelhas da raça Santa Inês.

Resumo: O presente estudo avaliou o efeito de distintos protocolos hormonais para a superestimulação ovariana sobre a população folicular de ovelhas doadoras de oócitos. Doze ovelhas pluríparas, sob um delineamento cross-over, foram organizadas em quatro grupos experimentais e submetidas a quatro repetições cada. Todos os tratamentos foram efetivos e promoveram maior quantidade de folículos na categoria desejada (3-5 mm), pois esta apresenta alta correlação com oócitos competentes. Portanto, ressalta-se o uso do T1, devido a praticidade de administração única ou T3, possibilitando reduzir os custos e efeitos colaterais do eCG. [Effect of different hormonal protocols for ovarian superstimulation on the follicular population in Santa Inês ewes].Edição dos anais do XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Reprodução Animal (CBRA), Santos, SP, Brasil, maio 2017