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PubMed1999

Nonpregnant sheep uterine type I and type III nitric oxide synthase expression is differentially regulated by estrogen.

The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of estrogen on the expression of neuronal and endothelial isoforms of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) in myometrium, endometrium, and caruncle (nonglandular endometrium) in nonpregnant sheep. Twenty sheep were castrated during synchronized estrus (Days 14-16) and 4 days after surgery treated i.v. through the jugular with 100 microg/day of estradiol-17beta for 5 (n = 6) or 8 (n = 6) days or with vehicle (n = 8). Nitric oxide synthase mRNA was measured by ribonuclease protection assay, and NOS protein mass was measured by Western immunoblotting. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test. The three distinct uterine compartments studied contained the mRNA and protein for the neuronal (type I NOS) and the endothelial (type III NOS) isoforms of NOS. However, no inducible NOS was detected. Estrogen exhibited a differential effect on NOS expression in a tissue compartment- and NOS isoform-specific manner. In myometrium and caruncles, but not in endometrium, type I NOS mRNA and protein mass increased significantly (p < 0.05) after 5 or 8 days of estrogen. In contrast, type III NOS increased significantly in myometrium only after 8 days, whereas in endometrium and caruncles the increase was significant in the 5-day treatment group (p < 0.05). We conclude that the expression of type I NOS and type III NOS in the uterus are differentially regulated by estrogen. This differential regulation suggests that the NO produced within the uterus serves more than one physiological role. In myometrium it may be a uterorelaxant and regulate glucose utilization, and in endometrium and myometrium it may regulate blood flow.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Development of in vivo-matured porcine oocytes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

The objective of this study was to assess the development of porcine ova fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Allyl trenbolone (Regumate) was used to synchronize estrus in 13 postpuberal gilts. Gilts were superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and hCG. Ova were aspirated from 5- to 8-mm follicles at 36 h after hCG. Cumulus cells were removed by blunt dissection and pipetting in Beltsville embryo culture medium (BECM) supplemented with 0.1% hyaluronidase. Sperm were washed and resuspended in BECM + 8% polyvinylpyrrolidone. Ova (n = 237) that exhibited a polar body were centrifuged at 15 000 x g for 6 min and injected with a single spermatozoon. One hundred fifty-four ova were cultured in NCSU-23 medium in a 5% CO(2) in air environment for 168 h. Ova were fixed in acetic acid/ethanol and stained with 1% orcein. Sixty-nine ICSI ova were cultured for 24 h and transferred (mean = 23) to three recipients. Eighty-one ova (69%) that survived ICSI cleaved within 48 h. Thirty-eight percent (31/81) of these ova became blastocysts (mean +/- SEM = 24.7 +/- 1.1 cells). One recipient gave birth to three pigs. These results demonstrate that porcine embryos derived from ICSI can develop into live pigs.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Effect of elevated systemic concentrations of ammonia and urea on the metabolite and ionic composition of oviductal fluid in cattle.

High dietary protein leads to elevated systemic concentrations of ammonia and urea, and these, in turn, have been associated with reduced fertility in cattle. The effect of elevating systemic concentrations of ammonia and urea on the concentrations of electrolytes and nonelectrolytes in bovine oviductal fluid were studied using estrus-synchronized, nulliparous heifers (n = 25). Heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments consisting of jugular vein infusion with either ammonium chloride (n = 8), urea (n = 8), or saline (n = 9). Oviducts were catheterized, and fluid was recovered over a 3-h period on either Day 2 or 8 of the estrous cycle. No difference (P > 0.05) was found in the concentrations of any electrolyte or nonelectrolyte between oviducts ipsi- or contralateral to the corpus luteum. Plasma and oviductal concentrations of urea were increased by infusion with urea (P < 0.001) and ammonium chloride (P < 0.05) but not by saline (P > 0.05). Plasma and oviductal concentrations of ammonia were elevated by infusion with ammonium chloride (P < 0.001) but not by infusion with urea or saline (P > 0.05). No effect (P > 0.05) of treatment was found on oviductal or plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, magnesium, potassium, or sodium or on plasma concentrations of insulin or progesterone. The concentration of calcium in oviductal fluid was reduced by urea infusion and was negatively associated with systemic and oviductal concentrations of urea. Oviductal concentrations of sodium were higher on Day 8 than on Day 2 (P < 0.05). No effect of sample day was found on any of the other electrolytes or nonelectrolytes measured (P > 0.05). Elevated systemic concentrations of ammonia and urea are unlikely to reduce embryo survival through disruptions in the oviductal environment.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2004

Effect of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide complex on reproductive efficiency in sheep.

PROBLEM: Spontaneous mastitis or induced infections mimicking mastitis reduce pregnancy rates in ruminants. The effect of immunization with either a mastitis-related pathogen component, peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS), or killed Streptococcus pyogenes on pregnancy outcome was investigated. METHOD OF STUDY: Ewe lambs were immunized with PG-PS (n = 50) or killed bacteria (n = 50) or were not immunized (control, n = 100). Titers of PG-PS immunoglobulin G (IgG) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ewes were bred by rams at synchronized estrus. All immunized ewes and half of the ewes not immunized were challenged with PG-PS on day 5 after breeding. Pregnancy maintenance was evaluated. RESULTS: Although the proportion of ewes pregnant at day 42 after breeding did not differ among treatments, the probability of pregnancy decreased with total dose of PG-PS (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Immunization of ewe lambs with PG-PS or killed S. pyogenes did not improve pregnancy maintenance. Furthermore, the toxic streptococcal component decreased pregnancy rate in immunized sheep in a dose-dependent manner.

Animals↗
PubMed1966

Influence of the lethal yellow (Ay) gene on estrous synchrony in mice.

Introduction of an adult male induces partially synchronous estrus in female laboratory mice that have been caged in groups. In the inbred YS/ChWf strain, this effect was observed only when the male was nonyellow (aa), while males heterozygous for the lethal yellow allele (A(y)a) failed to induce synchrony.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Virulence attenuation and live vaccine potential of aroA, crp cdt cya, and plasmid-cured mutants of Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis in mice and sheep.

Three live vaccine candidates of Salmonella enterica subspecies I serotype Abortusovis (aroA, cya crp cdt, and plasmid-cured strains) have been developed, and their efficacies in inducing humoral antibodies and protecting against abortion after challenge with wild-type strain SS44 were evaluated in sheep. Following estrus synchronization, animals were immunized 3 weeks after fertilization and boosted once 3 weeks later. Following challenge with wild-type SS44, pregnancy failure of vaccinated ewes was reduced compared to that of nonimmunized controls. Attenuation of each vaccine was also assessed in challenge experiments with nonimmunized pregnant ewes and in BALB/c mice. All three vaccine candidates appear to be safe for use in sheep and provide a model for the development of live vaccine candidates against naturally occurring ovine salmonellosis.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2003

Antiequine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) antibodies generated in goats treated with eCG for the induction of ovulation modulate the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone bioactivities of eCG differently.

In dairy goats, treatments associating a progestogen and the equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) are the easiest way to induce and synchronize estrus and ovulation and to permit artificial insemination (AI) and/or out of season breeding. From the first treatment, the injection of eCG induces, in some females, the production of anti-eCG antibodies (Abs) that will interfere with the effectiveness of subsequent treatments. These anti-eCG Abs delay the preovulatory LH surge and the ovulation time, leading to poor fertility of the treated females. In this study, by in vitro bioassays, we show that anti-eCG Abs can positively or negatively modulate the LH and/or FSH bioactivities of eCG. Moreover, the modulation level of eCG bioactivity does not depend on the anti-eCG Ab affinity for eCG, as shown by surface plasmon resonance technology. The specificity of anti-eCG Abs tested by competitive ELISA highlighted the importance of a glycan environment in the recognition mechanism, especially the sialic acids specific to eCG. The different effects of anti-eCG Abs on eCG bioactivities could be explained by two hypotheses. First, steric hindrance preventing the interaction of eCG with its receptors would explain the inhibitory effect of some anti-eCG Abs; second, a conformational change in eCG by anti-eCG Abs could induce inhibition or potentiation of eCG bioactivities. It is significant that these modulations of eCG bioactivities by anti-eCG Abs impact mainly on the FSH bioactivity of eCG, which is essential for ovarian stimulation and subsequent fertility after treatment and AI, and to a lesser extent on LH bioactivity.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Gonadotropin requirements for dominant follicle selection in GnRH agonist-treated cows.

A study was conducted to examine the effects of gonadotropins on ovarian follicular development and differentiation in GnRH agonist (GnRHa)-treated cattle. Holstein cows were allotted into two pre-treatment groups: controls (n = 5) and GnRHa-treated (n = 9). Ovaries were removed from control cows on day 5 following a synchronized estrus. Treatment with GnRHa resulted in follicular arrest at <5 mm. Following follicular arrest, GnRHa-treated cows received a constant infusion of FSH for 96 h (GnRHa/FSH), with a randomly selected subset receiving hourly pulses of LH in addition to FSH during the last 48 h of infusion (GnRHa/FSH + LH). At the end of infusion, ovaries were removed, follicles were counted and measured, and follicular fluid samples were collected from large follicles (>10 mm). Differences in expression of mRNA for LH receptor, FSH receptor, cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase (P450c17) and cytochrome P450 aromatase were determined in large follicles using in situ hybridization. The number of large follicles did not differ between GnRHa/FSH-treated and GnRHa/FSH + LH-treated cows (P = 0.64), but was greater than control animals (P < or = 0.004). Follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol-17beta and androstenedione were highest in GnRHa/FSH + LH-treated cows (P < or = 0.04), intermediate in control cows, and lowest in GnRHa/FSH-treated cows. Hybridization intensity of P450c17 was greater in GnRHa/FSH + LH-treated versus control or GnRHa/FSH-treated cows (P < or = 0.03). These results indicate that while FSH can support bovine follicular growth >10 mm, LH increases androgen production and expression of P450c17.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1990

Effect of dietary energy restriction on metabolic and endocrine responses during the estrous cycle of the suckled beef cow.

A replicated trial was conducted with suckled Angus and Polled Hereford cows (110 d postcalving) to determine metabolic and endocrine responses to an energy-restricted diet after cows had re-established postpartum estrous cyclicity. Cows were individually fed 26.5 Mcal ME (H) or 15.2 Mcal ME (L) for a 30-d preliminary period and fitted with an indwelling jugular cannula at synchronized estrus. Average daily weight change during the estrous cycle was .60 +/- .25 and -1.37 +/- .30 kg/d for H and L, respectively (P less than .05). Blood concentrations of cortisol, progesterone and LH during the estrous cycle were not affected by diet, nor did diet affect frequency or amplitude of LH pulses (P greater than .05). No dietary differences were observed for daily concentrations of total protein, glucose, nonesterified fatty acids or acetate. Mean blood concentrations of propionate and butyrate were not different between diets; however, L cows had lower concentrations of propionate and butyrate on d 11 of the cycle (P less than .05). Cows fed L had higher concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (P less than .05), but they had lower concentrations of cholesterol (P less than .05) on d 4, 11, 18 and subsequent estrus (E). Insulin was not different on d 4 and 11; however, cows fed L had lower insulin concentrations on d 18 and d E (P less than .05). Dietary energy restriction in these cyclic cows caused no change in endocrine responses. Of metabolic responses measured, only blood urea nitrogen, cholesterol and insulin showed consistent changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Factors that affect ovarian follicular dynamics in cattle.

Studies of ovarian follicular dynamics in cattle may lead to methods for improving fertility, for synchronizing estrus with more precision, and for enhancing superovulatory responses. Within an estrous cycle, two or three large (> 10 mm) follicles develop during consecutive waves of follicular growth. The last wave provides the ovulatory follicle, whereas preceding wave(s) provide follicles that undergo atresia. The life span of large follicles seems to depend on the pulsatile secretion of LH; decreased frequency of LH pulses results in atresia of large follicles. Aromatase activity in the walls of the largest follicles is greatest during the first 8 d of the estrous cycle and decreases by d 12. Steroidogenesis of the largest and second-largest ovarian follicles differs on d 5, 8, and 12 of the estrous cycle. Follicular dynamics are altered by negative energy balance and lactation. The number of large follicles and concentration of estradiol during the preovulatory period differs between postpartum lactating and nonlactating cows. Dietary fats stimulate follicular growth when they are fed to increase energy balance. Administration of bovine somatotropin decreases energy balance and has a differential effect on ovarian follicular responses; growth of the largest follicle does not change, but growth of the second-largest follicle is stimulated by somatotropin. Studies of follicular dynamics in lactating cows demonstrate changes in ovarian function associated with energy balance that may be related to inefficient reproductive performance of cows producing high yields of milk.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Pregnancy rates in beef cattle after administering a GnRH agonist 11 to 14 days after insemination.

The objective of our study was to determine the dose-pregnancy rate response of a GnRH agonist injected once during the luteal phase in virgin heifers (four locations) and suckled beef cows (two locations) during the spring of 1989. The same treatments in virgin heifers were used at one location in the fall of 1989. Heifers and cows were inseminated at a synchronized estrus and then assigned randomly to each of three doses (0, 100, or 200 micrograms) of fertirelin acetate administered in 4 ml of saline in a double-blind study after being blocked by inseminator and service sire. Injections were given (i.m.) once on d 11, 12, 13, or 14 after estrus. Pregnancy rates were determined by palpation of the uterus per rectum and(or) by actual calving dates. Overall pregnancy rates for heifers across five locations were 86/201 (43%), 100/197 (51%), and 100/203 (49%) for the 0, 100, and 200 micrograms doses of fertirelin acetate, respectively. Pregnancy rates for heifers at two locations based on calving data were 28/48 (50%), 31/47 (66%), and 34/52 (65%) for the three doses. Both the 100- and 200-micrograms doses increased (P less than .05) pregnancy rates in heifers based on palpation results, whereas only the 200-micrograms dose tended to increase (P = .10) pregnancy rates based on calving results. Pregnancy rates based on palpation for suckled beef cows at two locations were 36/51 (71%), 30/43 (70%), and 34/51 (67%), and the corresponding pregnancy rates based on calving results were 30/41 (73%), 32/36 (89%), and 31/38 (82%) for the 0, 100, and 200 micrograms doses, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The effect of the Hurnik-Morris (HM) system on sow locomotion, skin integrity, and litter health.

Gilts (n = 187) were randomly assigned to either the Hurnik-Morris housing system (HM) or a conventional gestation crate system (GC) prior to breeding. The Hurnik-Morris system provides housing for sows in small groups. Gilts were synchronized for estrus and bred to Duroc Hampshire commercial crossbred boars. Gilts were reared in their respective housing systems through their gestation period. Housing system during breeding and gestation of sows did not affect their respective piglet mortality and piglet viability levels. The slightly higher feet and leg problem scores for the HM sows at weaning may indicate a necessity for farrowing accommodation that will allow movement of sows during lactation.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The recruitment of ovarian follicles is enhanced by increased dietary intake in heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary-induced changes in growth hormone (GH), insulin, and IGF-I alter the pattern of ovarian follicular development in heifers. Twenty-eight 2- to 3-yr-old Hereford-Friesian heifers were equally allocated (n = 7) to one of four dietary treatments: 1) Control (C) fed a maintenance diet as two meals per day; 2) twice maintenance (2M2) given as two meals per day; 3) twice maintenance (2M6) given as six meals per day; 4) feed-deprived (F) fed maintenance requirements as for C, changed to straw ad libitum for 3 d from a synchronized estrus. On d 4 (estrus = d 0) heifers were transferred to grass silage (ad libitum access) until the end of the experiment. Blood samples were collected hourly for 10 h on d 1 and 3 and daily for an additional 14 d. Follicular development was monitored daily by ultrasonography until d 14. The number of small follicles (< 4 mm) was increased (P < .05) by 37% on d 1 and 2 in 2M2 and 2M6 heifers, with no carryover effect of nutrition to the second follicular wave. Number of medium-sized (4 to 8 mm) and large (> 8 mm) follicles did not vary (P > .05) among treatments. The FSH concentrations were not different (P > .05) among treatments. Insulin concentrations were higher (P < .05) in 2M2 and 2M6 heifers than in C or F heifers, with no carryover after the diet was changed. Increase in number of small follicles was independent of changes in FSH and IGF-I, negatively associated with GH, but positively associated with circulating insulin. These results indicate that a short-term increase in nutritional plane can affect follicular recruitment in cycling heifers.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1998

Pregnancy rates of postpartum beef cows that were synchronized using Syncro-Mate-B or the Ovsynch protocol.

We compared pregnancy rates of beef cows subjected to the traditional Syncro-Mate-B protocol or the new Ovsynch protocol and timed insemination. Multiparous Angus cows (n = 436) were stratified by age, postpartum interval, and AI sire and were randomly divided into two treatment groups for synchronization of estrus/ovulation. Approximately half of the cows (n = 216) received the traditional Syncro-Mate-B protocol with 48-h calf removal from the time of implant removal until breeding. The remaining cows (n = 220) received the Ovsynch protocol, which consists of an injection of GnRH (100 microg) on d -10, an injection of PGF2alpha (25 mg) and 48-h calf removal on d -3, another injection of GnRH and calf return on d -1, and timed insemination 24 h later (d 0). Blood samples were collected from all cows before treatment to identify anestrous and cyclic females. Pregnancy rates were higher (P < .025) for Ovsynch-treated cows (54%) than for Syncro-Mate-B-treated cows (42%). Pregnancy rates of cyclic Ovsynch-treated cows (59%) were higher (P < .005) than pregnancy rates of cyclic Syncro-Mate-B-treated cows (38%). Pregnancy rates of anestrous cows also tended to favor synchronization with the Ovsynch protocol. From these data, we conclude that the Ovsynch protocol is capable of inducing a fertile ovulation in cyclic and anestrous beef cows and that pregnancy rates to a timed insemination are higher than those obtained with synchronization of estrus using Syncro-Mate-B.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Human chorionic gonadotropin-induced alterations in ovarian follicular dynamics during the estrous cycle of heifers.

This experiment was designed to characterize hCG (3,000 IU)-induced alterations in ovarian follicular and corpus luteum (CL) dynamics during the estrous cycle (EC) in heifers. Following synchronization of estrus (norgestomet implant for 7 d with injection of PGF2alpha 1 d before implant removal), 13 heifers were treated with either hCG (n = 6) or saline (control group; n = 7) on d 5 of the EC (d 0 = day of estrus). Blood sampling from the jugular vein and ultrasonography of both ovaries were conducted daily until confirmation of ovulation following a detected estrus. Treatment with hCG at d 5 induced formation of an accessory CL in all hCG-treated heifers. Subsequent plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations were higher (P < .01) between d 9 and 17 for the hCG group than for the control group. More (P < .05) hCG-treated heifers had EC with three waves of follicles than control heifers. The second-wave dominant follicle (DF) emerged earlier in hCG than in control heifers (7.3 vs 10.4 d; P < .01). A group x wave interaction (P < .01) was detected for duration of the second and third wave follicles; hCG treatment decreased duration of the second wave (6.3 vs 9.3 d) and increased duration of the third wave (9.2 vs 5.3 d). The hCG-treated heifers had preovulatory follicles that lasted longer (P < .01) on the ovary than those in control heifers. However, plasma estradiol concentrations did not differ (P > .10) between hCG-treated and control heifers during the preovulatory period. A wave x duration interaction (P < .01) was detected for P4 concentrations, between d 13 and 22, for heifers with two vs three spontaneous-wave EC. Higher P4 concentrations during the luteal phase may contribute to a greater rate of follicular turnover or frequency of three-wave cycles, and lower P4 concentrations were associated with two-wave cycles.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

High mineral and vitamin E intake by pregnant ewes lowers colostral immunoglobulin G absorption by the lamb.

A 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with 78 mature ewes was used to evaluate the effects of supplementing the pregnant ewe's diet with high levels of minerals and vitamin E on immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption by the lamb and whether any altered efficacy of IgG absorption was due to the colostrum or to the lamb. The ewes were estrus-synchronized in October and housed in wk 10 of gestation. In the final 7 wk of gestation, a grass silage-based diet, offered ad libitum, was supplemented with 500 g of a 19% CP concentrate, and from 1 wk later until lambing, half the ewes was offered 48 g of a mineral/vitamin supplement containing 6.5 g of Ca, 4.9 g of P, 5.9 g of Mg, 4.0 g of Na, 790 mg of Zn, 3.5 mg of Se, 40 mg of I, 200 mg of Mn, 20 mg of Co, and 40 IU of vitamin E. At birth, the lambs were allocated to one of four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with lamb origin and colostrum origin as the two factors. The lambs born to ewes not offered the mineral supplement were fed colostrum obtained from their own dams or from ewes in the mineral-supplemented treatment, whereas lambs born to ewes given supplemental minerals were fed colostrum obtained either from their dams or from ewes in the control treatment. The ewes were milked at 1, 10, and 18 h postpartum and the lambs were fed using a stomach tube. A 5-mL blood sample was taken from each lamb at 24 h postpartum for IgG analysis. The level of fecal adhesion to the upper tail/rump area of the lamb was subjectively scored at 72 h postpartum. There was no difference in gestation length, lamb birth weight, colostrum yield, or IgG production (P = 0.16 to 0.82). When ewes were fed supplemental minerals, the serum IgG content of the progeny was lower than in their control counterparts (6.8 vs. 16.1 g/L; P < 0.001), regardless of whether the lamb received colostrum from ewes with or without access to supplementary minerals. The difference in serum IgG concentrations at 24 h postpartum was a direct reflection of a compromised efficiency in IgG absorption. The progeny of ewes with access to minerals had higher (P < 0.05) levels of fecal adhesion, which was not related to the origin of the colostrum, indicating altered digestive function in these lambs. We conclude, using the sheep as a model, that high mineral intakes in late pregnancy not only lower serum IgG concentrations in the lamb, but also that high mineral intakes result in the neonate being preprogrammed at birth so that it is born with a compromised ability to absorb colostral IgG.

Absorption↗
PubMed2005

Effect of P.G. 600 on the timing of ovulation in gilts treated with altrenogest.

We previously reported that ovulation rate, but not pregnancy rate or litter size at d 30 after mating, was enhanced by treatment with P.G. 600 (400 IU of PMSG and 200 IU of hCG, Intervet America, Inc., Millsboro, DE) in gilts fed the orally active progestin, altrenogest (Matrix, Intervet America, Inc.) to synchronize estrus. We hypothesized that in addition to increasing ovulation rate, P.G. 600 may have altered the timing of ovulation. Therefore, mating gilts 12 and 24 h after first detection of estrus, as is common in the swine industry, may not have been the optimal breeding regimen, and as a consequence, pregnancy rate and litter size were not altered. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of P.G. 600 on the timing of ovulation in gilts treated with altrenogest. Randomly cycling, crossbred gilts (5.5 mo old, 117 kg BW, and 14.7 mm of backfat) were fed a diet containing altrenogest (15 mg/d) for 18 d. Twenty-four hours after altrenogest withdrawal, gilts received i.m. injections of P.G. 600 (n = 25) or saline (n = 25). Gilts were checked for estrus at 8-h intervals. After first detection of estrus, transrectal ultrasonography was performed at 8-h intervals to determine the time of ovulation. Gilts were killed 9 to 11 d after the onset of estrus to determine ovulation rate. All gilts displayed estrus by 7 d after treatment with P.G. 600 or saline. Compared with saline, P.G. 600 increased (P = 0.07) ovulation rate (14.8 vs. 17.5, respectively; SE = 1.1). The intervals from injection to estrus (110.9 vs. 98.4; SE = 2.7 h; P < 0.01) and injection to ovulation (141.9 vs. 128.6; SE = 3.2 h; P < 0.01) were greater in gilts treated with saline than in gilts treated with P.G. 600. Duration of estrus (54.4 vs. 53.7; SE = 2.5 h), the estrus-to-ovulation interval (30.2 vs. 31.7; SE = 2.2 h), and the time of ovulation as a percentage of estrus duration (55.8 vs. 57.5; SE = 3.0%) did not differ for the P.G. 600 and saline-injected gilts, respectively. In summary, P.G. 600 advanced the onset of estrus and ovulation following termination of altrenogest treatment and increased ovulation rate; however, treatment of gilts with P.G. 600 had no effect on the timing of ovulation relative to the onset of estrus.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1983

Seasonal effects of PMSG and number of inseminations on fertility of progestogen-treated sheep.

The influence of pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on reproductive performance of sheep bred by artificial insemination (AI) was studied in the anestrous and estrous seasons. Ewes were treated with progestogen-impregnated intravaginal sponges in June and October. One-half of the ewes in each trial received PMSG at sponge removal and were inseminated 55 h after sponge removal. One-half of the ewes in each treatment group were reinseminated 5 h later. Conception rates in June and October were 82 and 87% with PMSG and 18 and 48% without PMSG, respectively. The corresponding lambing rates were 60 and 74% with PMSG and 10 and 26% without PMSG. Litter size was unaffected by season or PMSG use. Embryonic mortality estimated over both trials was 22% after the first 2 wk of pregnancy with PMSG, but was 44% when PMSG treatment was omitted. Two inseminations were not superior to one. These data indicate that irrespective of season or double insemination, PMSG improves reproductive performance of ewes bred by AI at progestogen-synchronized estrus.

Animals↗