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PubMed · 42691853

First evaluation of a novel recombinant eCG molecule in ewes reveals a discrepancy between ovulatory response and pregnancy outcome.

Lucas Santos Matos·Cecília Maria Nunes Silva·Érico Rafael Barros de Gusmão Verçosa·Juliana Carla Cavalcanti Marques·Rayane Caroline Medeiros do Nascimento·Pierre Barnabe Escodro·Diogo Ribeiro Câmara
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Abstract

This study evaluated the reproductive performance and clinical safety of a novel recombinant eCG (r-eCG) in ewes. Two weeks prior to study onset (Day 0: intravaginal progesterone device insertion), 45 ewes were randomly assigned to negative control (NC; no eCG; n&#x202f;=&#x202f;10), positive control (PC; 400IU commercial non-recombinant eCG; n&#x202f;=&#x202f;20), or treatment group (T; 400IU r-eCG; n&#x202f;=&#x202f;15). Ewes were inseminated with fresh-diluted semen (200&#x202f;&#xd7;&#x202f;106 sperm). Ultrasonography assessed follicle count/diameter (days 11, 13), ovulation (day 13), corpus luteum (CL) number/characteristics (day 20), and pregnancy (day 44). Serum progesterone was measured on day 20; Group T underwent clinical/hematological evaluations (days 0, 20, and 44). Estrus signs were more frequent (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.01) in T (100%) than NC (50%), while PC (85%) did not differ. Ovulation rates were similar between T (93%) and PC (95%), but higher than NC (50%; P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). On day 13, largest follicle diameter did not differ (P&#x202f;>&#x202f;0.05) among groups; however, fewer follicles > 2&#x202f;mm occurred in PC than NC and T (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05). CL number was higher in T than PC (2.0&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.3 vs. 1.0&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.0, P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.01), while NC did not differ (1.0&#x202f;&#xb1;&#x202f;0.25). Conversely, pregnancy rate was higher (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.05) in PC (70%) than T (28.6%) and NC (20%). Among ovulated ewes, progesterone concentration and progesterone/CL ratio did not differ among groups (P&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.92 and P&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.08, respectively). No relevant r-eCG-related clinical or hematological alterations occurred. In conclusion, 400IU r-eCG effectively induces estrus and ovulation without adverse effects; however, the discrepancy between ovulatory response and pregnancy rate underscores the need for further study refinement to improve fertility.

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AnimalsFemalePregnancySheepOvulationRecombinant ProteinsPregnancy OutcomeProgesteroneChorionic GonadotropinInsemination, ArtificialOvarian FollicleGonadotropins, EquineEstrous synchronizationGonadotrophinOvulation stimulusRecombinant hormoneJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled Trial

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Lucas Santos Matos, Cec&#xed;lia Maria Nunes Silva, &#xc9;rico Rafael Barros de Gusm&#xe3;o Ver&#xe7;osa, Juliana Carla Cavalcanti Marques, Rayane Caroline Medeiros do Nascimento, Pierre Barnabe Escodro, Diogo Ribeiro C&#xe2;mara. 2026-09-01. First evaluation of a novel recombinant eCG molecule in ewes reveals a discrepancy between ovulatory response and pregnancy outcome.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2026.118162

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Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial resourceAnimals subjectChorionic Gonadotropin subjectEstrous synchronization subjectFemale subjectGonadotrophin subjectGonadotropins, Equine subjectInsemination, Artificial subjectJournal Article subjectOvarian Follicle subjectOvulation subjectOvulation stimulus subjectRandomized controlled trials study

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