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Estrus and pregnancy rates following synchronization with chronolone intravaginal sponge or norgestomet ear implant in cycling ewes.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a 3-mg ear implant of norgestomet, left in situ for 10 days, in conjunction with a single injection of 1.5 mg norgestomet and 0.5 mg estradiol valerate (EV) for controlling fertile estrus in the ewe. This treatment regime was compared with a 20-mg cronolone impregnated, intravaginal sponge left in situ for 14 days (Experiment 1) and a modification of the cronolone-sponge-treatment to include a single injection of 1.5 mg norgestomet and 0.5 mg EV (Experiment 2). The percentage of ewes synchronized was not significantly affected by progestin treatment (Experiment 1-cronolone pessary alone, 96%; norgestomet implant and injection of norgestomet and EV, 92%; Experiment 2-cronolone pessary + injection of norgestomet and EV, 84%; Norgestomet implant + injection of norgestomet and EV, 96%). In Experiment 1, the first service pregnancy rate (pregnant of ewes mated) of 80% for cronolone-treated ewes was significantly higher than the 59% observed in norgestomet-treated ewes (P<.05). In Experiment 2, no significant differences were observed in pregnancy rates between the two treatment groups (Cronolone, 57%; Norgestomet, 65%).

Journal Article↗

Lifespan of corpora lutea induced in estrous-synchronized cycling and anestrous ewes.

The effect of pretreatment with flurogestone acetate (FA) on the lifespan of corpora lutea induced with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMS) was examined in cycling and anestrous ewes. Cycling ewes received one of three treatments: 750 IU PMS 2 d before expected estrus (P), FA-impregnated vaginal sponges for 16 d (F), and FA sponges for 16 d and 750 IU PMS 2 d before sponge removal (FP). A fourth group served as controls (C). When compared with d 12 means within treatment, plasma progesterone means were lower (P less than .05) on d 16 in control ewes, on d 15 in P and F ewes, and on d 14 in FP ewes. Only 44% of ewes receiving FA treatment alone exhibited estrus (P less than .05) compared with 100% of untreated ewes. The FP treatment increased ovulation rate compared with controls (P less than .01). The decrease in luteal lifespan observed in cycling ewes suggests a possibility of asynchrony between the uterus and embryo, which could result in failure of an embryo to prevent luteal regression, thus resulting in reduced fertility. None of the seasonally anestrous ewes that received PMS alone and only 55% of those treated with FA sponges for 8 d before PMS injection exhibited estrus. Ewes pretreated with FA exhibited higher plasma progesterone concentrations on d 10 through 16 after PMS injection. There were no differences in luteal lifespan as measured by peripheral plasma progesterone patterns. Although FA treatment did not alter luteal lifespan in anestrous ewes, the increased plasma progesterone concentrations observed with FA treatment suggest that progestogen pretreatment may be essential for optimal luteal function.

Anestrus↗

Physiological limits to further improvement in the efficiency of oestrous synchronization in goats.

The variability between animals in the timing of oestrus after administration of a synchronization treatment seems to explain the low rate of fertility in goats inseminated at a predetermined time after progesterone withdrawal. Two experiments were performed during the breeding season to test whether the variation was due to the exogenous hormone regime or to the endogenous physiology of the animals. Twenty-one goats were given a synchronization treatment consisting of a vaginal sponge impregnated with 45 mg of fluorogestone acetate (FGA) for 11 days associated with intramuscular injection of 400 I.U. of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and 50 microg of cloprostenol 48 h before sponge removal. Progesterone concentrations were measured during the subsequent cycle and the patterns were modelled to allow precise determination of the onset of luteolysis. Oestrus and the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge began 33.0+/-6.8 h and 76.0+/-33.0 h after sponge withdrawal, v. 43.4+/-5.7 h and 90.0+/-36.0 h after natural luteolysis. For both observations, the between-goat variability was larger during the natural than during the synchronized oestrus (P < 0.05). The duration of the oestrous cycle was independent of the number of corpora lutea (CL), whereas the duration of luteal phase was shorter in goats with 2-3 CL (16.4+/-0.9 day than in those with 1 CL: 17.7+/-1.3 day; P < 0.05). In the second experiment, 20 goats were ovariectomized and given a vaginal sponge as described above. Sixteen h after sponge removal, they were injected with 50 microg of oestradiol benzoate (ODB). This treatment was repeated with the second sponge being inserted 1-2 days after observation of oestrus. Oestrus and LH surge were observed: 32.8+/-6 8 h v. 27.8+/-7.8 h after the first ODB injection, and 36.6+/-7.3 h v. 34.3+/-4.8 h after the second ODB injection. No relationship was observed between data of the two experiments. In both cases, the variability in the occurrence of oestrus and LH surge was of the same order as observed in the first experiment. This study shows that the timing of oestrus and LH surge is less variable after progestagen treatment than during a natural oestrous cycle. Moreover, a significant proportion of variability is inherent in the delays following the oestradiol peak, suggesting that further improvement in the synchronizing capacity of treatment based on progestagen administration is unlikely.

Animals↗

Can pseudo entrainment explain the synchrony of estrous cycles among golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)?

Synchrony among golden hamsters is often cited in the menstrual-cycle synchrony literature and has recently become a paradigm for explaining menstrual synchrony in humans (L. Weller, A. Weller, and S. Roizman (1999), J. Comp. Psychol. 113, 261-268). It has also stimulated further research on synchrony in Djungarian hamsters, for which no evidence of synchrony was found (G. E. Erb, H. E. Edwards, K. L. Jenkins, L. C. Mucklow, and K. E. Wynne-Edwards (1993), Physiol. Behav. 54, 955-959). The case for synchrony in the golden hamster is reexamined in this paper. It is demonstrated, with the help of computer simulation experiments, that the experimental method used by G. Handelmann, R. Ravizza, and W. J. Ray (1980, Horm. Behav. 14, 107-115) for detecting synchrony has a critical flaw. It does not distinguish synchrony that can occur by chance (pseudo entrainment) from synchrony due to a process of entrainment. It is suggested that the apparent entrainment of estrous cycles in hamsters and the role of social dominance may be due to the stress caused by moving animals to different rooms or grouping them. Thus, because we cannot reject the possibility of pseudo entrainment as an explanation for these results, it must be concluded that there is no evidence that golden hamsters synchronize their estrous cycles. Finally, an approach is briefly outlined for testing synchrony in golden hamsters.

Animals↗

Effect of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin on increased ovulation in guinea pigs with synchronized estrous cycle.

An ability of Pregnant Mare's Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG) to induce superovulation was investigated in guinea pigs with synchronized estrous cycle caused by the treatment for 21 days of progesterone tubing. On day 6 later following the removal of progesterone treatment, every animal given saline injection had synchronously ovulated. When compared with saline control, a significant increase of ova ovulated was induced by an injection of PMSG 8 hours before the removal of progesterone tubing, but not by the other PMSG treatment schedule. Present study indicates that PMSG injection given at a fixed stage of synchronized estrous cycle induced superovulation in guinea pigs treated with long-term implantation of progesterone tubing.

Animals↗

Recombinant bovine somatotropin does not improve superovulatory response in sheep.

Although treatment of heifers and ewes with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) does not increase ovulation rate, data for heifers indicate that the number of small antral follicles is approximately doubled. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to determine whether 1) treatment of ewes with rbST would increase the number of small antral follicles, thereby increasing the number of follicles that could potentially respond to superovulation treatment, and 2) superovulatory responses could be improved in ewes with "synchronized" populations of follicles. Twenty-four ewes were divided into four groups: control, control+rbST, hypothalamic-pituitary stalk disconnected (HPD), and HPD+rbST. Beginning on d 5 of the estrous cycle, ewes were injected once daily for 13 d with either rbST (3 mg) or saline. The superovulatory regimen consisted of a single dose of PMSG followed by twice-daily injections of FSH for four consecutive days. After ovariectomy, ovulation sites and follicles were counted. Twice-daily blood samples were assayed for somatotropin (ST) and IGF-I. The concentrations of ST in rbST-treated ewes were greater (P < .05) than those in controls. Treatment with rbST increased (P < .05) the mean serum concentration of IGF-I in control but not in HPD ewes. There was no increase in ovulation rate or number of small antral follicles in response to rbST. Synchronizing follicle populations also failed to increase ovulation rate or reduce variability of response. We conclude that supplementation with rbST and synchronization of follicles does not increase the superovulatory response in sheep.

Animals↗

Calf removal improves conception rates to the Ovsynch and CO-Synch protocols.

Beef cows (n = 473) from two locations were stratified by breed, postpartum interval, age, and AI sire and were randomly allotted to one of four treatments for synchronization of ovulation. Ovulation synchronization protocols included the Ovsynch protocol with (n = 114) or without (n = 123) 48-h calf removal from d 7 to 9 (d 0 = 1st GnRH injection) or the CO-Synch protocol with (n = 119) or without (n = 117) 48-h calf removal from d 7 to 9. The Ovsynch protocol included administration of GnRH (100 microg; i.m.) on d 0, PGF2alpha (25 mg; i.m.) on d 7, GnRH (100 microg; i.m.) on d 9, and timed insemination on d 10. The CO-Synch protocol included administration of GnRH (100 microg; i.m.) on d 0, PGF2alpha (25 mg; i.m.) on d 7, and GnRH (100 microg; i.m.) with timed insemination on d 9. Blood samples were collected from all cows on d -10 and d 0 for analysis of serum progesterone. Cows with at least one serum progesterone concentration greater than 1 ng/mL were considered to be cyclic at the time of treatment. Conception rates of cows that received the CO-Synch + calf removal, Ovsynch + calf removal, CO-Synch, or Ovsynch protocol (63, 61, 54, and 52%, respectively) were not different (P = 0.50). Conception rates were not different (P = 0.80) among CO-Synch- and Ovsynch-treated cows; however, both estrual status and 48-h calf removal affected conception rates. Conception rates of cyclic cows (66%) were greater (P = 0.01) than those of anestrous cows (53%), regardless of which synchronization protocol was used. When data were pooled across synchronization protocol, conception rates of cows with 48-h calf removal (62%) were greater (P = 0.09) than conception rates of cows without calf removal (53%). The CO-Synch + calf removal protocol induces a fertile ovulation in cyclic and anestrous cows, requires handling cattle just three times, results in high conception rates from timed insemination, and should be a useful program for synchronization of ovulation in beef cows.

Anestrus↗

Oestrus synchronization and fertility in heifers treated with prostaglandin F2alpha.

Oestrus was synchronized with prostaglandin F2alpha in Tham salt buffer (25 mg. and 12.5 mg.) injected intramuscularly on two consecutive days in 41 Dutch Friesian heifers. Thirty-five animals (85,3%) showed heat within 2-5 days of the start of treatment. Degree of synchronization was low if PGF 2alpha was injected before D5. Conception rate was low (31,4%) in the synchronized oestrus, but was normal (58%) at the post-synchronized oestrus. Based on observation for oestrus and rectal palpation of ovaries at 8 hourly intervals, oestrus occurred over a period of 62,1 +/- 3,0 hours and ovulation occurred 29,8 +/- 1,4 hours after the onset of oestrus. The average time from first treatment to ovulation was 93,0 +/- 18,8 hours. The length of the synchronized oestrus was significantly longer (P less than 0,05) than the pretreatment oestrus.

Animals↗

Evaluating recipient and embryo factors that affect pregnancy rates of embryo transfer in beef cattle.

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the effects of corpus luteum characteristics, progesterone concentration, donor-recipient synchrony, embryo quality, type, and developmental stage on pregnancy rates after embryo transfer. We synchronized 763 potential recipients for estrus using one of two synchronization protocols: two doses of PGF2alpha (25 mg i.m.) given 11 d apart (Location 1); and, a single norgestomet implant for 7 d with one dose of PGF2alpha (25 mg i.m.) 24 h before implant removal (Location 2). At embryo transfer, ovaries were examined by rectal palpation and ultrasonography. Of the 526 recipients presented for embryo transfer, 122 received a fresh embryo and 326 received a frozen embryo. Pregnancy rates were greater (P < 0.05) with fresh embryos (83%) than frozen-thawed embryos (69%). Pregnancy rates were not affected by embryo grade, embryo stage, donor-recipient synchrony, or the palpated integrity of the CL. Corpus luteum diameter and luteal tissue volume increased as days post-estrus for the recipients increased. However, pregnancy rates did not differ among recipients receiving embryos 6.5 to 8.5 days after estrus (P > 0.1). There was a significant, positive simple correlation between CL diameter or luteal tissue volume and plasma progesterone concentration (r = 0.15, P < 0.01 and r = 0.18, P < 0.01, respectively). There were no significant differences in mean CL diameter, luteal volume or plasma progesterone concentration among recipients that did or did not become pregnant after embryo transfer. We conclude that suitability of a potential embryo transfer recipient is determined by observed estrus and a palpable corpus luteum, regardless of size or quality.

Animals↗

Follicle turnover and pregnancy rates following oestrus synchronization protocols in Mediterranean Italian buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

An ultrasound assessment of follicle turnover following two different protocols for synchronization of oestrus and ovulation, as well as an assessment of achieved synchronization between ovulation and AI and conception rates in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes were carried out during months of increasing day length. Nulliparous buffaloes (n = 30) were subjected only to Ovsynch protocol whereas pluriparous buffaloes (n = 31) were assigned to Ovsynch (n = 14) or to PRID-pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) (n = 17) protocol according to the presence of functional CL confirming cyclic and acyclic conditions. Ultrasound examination of ovarian follicular dynamics at critical days in the course of synchronization treatments was employed to monitor the fate of the largest available follicles at the beginning of treatments. Such available dominant follicle would persist throughout the protocol as ovulating follicle (no-follicle shift) or would regress giving way to a new follicle to become dominant and ovulate (follicle shift). Furthermore, ultrasound monitoring would determine the degree of synchronization of ovulation and final outcome represented by pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rate following Ovsynch protocol was 40% (12/30) and 42.8% (6/14) in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes respectively (p = 0.8575). Most ovulations were synchronized and recorded at AI and the following day in nulliparous (24/30; 80%) and pluriparous (12/14; 85.7%) buffaloes respectively (p = 1.000). A follicle shift was recorded in 14 of 30 (46.6%) and 11 of 14 (78.5%) in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes respectively (p = 0.0466). Among established pregnancies: eight derived from follicle shift (66.6%) and four from no-follicle shift (33.3%) in nulliparous buffaloes, p = 0.0729 whereas in pluriparous buffaloes five (83.3%) derived from follicle shift and one from no-follicle shift (16.6%), p = 0.6154. Collectively, from 18 pregnancies in nulliparous and pluriparous buffaloes following Ovsynch protocol, 13 derived from follicle shift (72.2%) and five from no-follicle shift (27.7%), p = 0.0860. Pregnancy rate in pluriparous buffaloes following PRID-PMSG protocol was 70.5% (12/17). The majority of ovulations were synchronized and recorded at first, second AI and following day (13/17; 76.4%). A follicle shift occurred in 15/17 buffaloes (88.2%) and among the 12 recorded pregnancies, 11 derived from follicle shift (91.6%), p = 0.5147. In conclusion, pregnancy rates following Ovsynch protocol were similar in nulliparous and pluriparous cyclic buffaloes. A progestagen treatment on acyclic buffaloes but still displaying some ovarian follicular dynamics, resulted in significantly higher pregnancy rate compared with Ovsynch (p = 0.0376). According to the time of scheduled AI, a high degree of synchronized ovulations were recorded following the implementation of both protocols.

Animals↗

Existence of synchronization of reproduction at the level of the social group of the European wild boar (Sus scrofa).

Reproductive events were recorded in two groups of female wild boars kept in semi natural conditions. The first group had been kept for 2 consecutive years with a male. Most farrowing took place within 4-5 days; 6/7 in the first year and 8/9 for the second. A second group of 5 females was kept for 13 months in the absence of a male, and oestrous cycles were monitored by weekly measurement of plasma progesterone concentrations. All the females experienced summer-autumn anoestrus and resumed cycling in the same week of December. This accurate synchronization of reproduction may result from stimulation amongst females belonging to the same social unit.

Animals↗

Partial synchrony of the oestrous cycles of rats introduced to a new environment.

Partial synchronization of oestrous cycles was observed in Sprague-Dawley rats with both 4 and 5 day cycles. In groups of rats exhibiting a synchrony of cycles, the number of animals that came into oestrus 4 or 5 days (approximately one cycle) after they were placed in a new environment was significantly greater than the number expected to be in oestrus if cycling was random. An environmental influence was considered to be responsible for the synchrony of the oestrous cycles but a specific stimulus for their synchronization was not identified. Initiation of vaginal smearing was considered to be a factor contributing to cycle synchrony. The introduction of rats to light-darkness cycles and their removal from the presence of other female rats were stimuli tested for their effectiveness in initiating new cycles, and causing the cycles to be synchronized as a consequence, but, when tested, neither of these environmental changes was found to initiate the observed synchrony of cycles.

Animals↗

[The effect of the seasons on the ovarian response in sheep after the administration of the serum gonadotropin, PMSG].

In the autumn oestrus season, 20 Slovak Merino ewes were exposed to synchronization of oestrus, treated with the PGF2alfa at doses 125 micrograms (Oestrophan, inj. Spofa). followed by an injection of PMSG at doses 1000 IU (Antex Leo Denmark) and 50,000 IU of Vitamin A (Axerophtol Spofa). 23 anoestrus ewes were synchronized with an intravaginal sponges containing 20 mg of chlorsuperlutine (Agelin, Spofa) for 12 days and after sponge withdrawal, the ewes were injected with 750 and 1000 IU of PMSG (Antex Leo Denmark). Ovulatory response was observed and the possibility of ova recovered from the genital organs in ewes after synchronization of oestrus and superovulation in oestrus season. Higher values of the total follicular response (CFO), and the average number of ovulation (PO) after administering equal doses of PMSG were found out both in anoestrus ewes (CFO 6.62 +/- 4.24; PO 4.25 +/- 4.52) and in oestrus ewes (CFO 2.70 +/- 2.10; PO 2.60 +/- 1.74; resp. CFO 2.80 +/- 1.83; PO 3.4 +/- 3.0), if the ewes were treated with PMSG together with vitamin A. The average number of ova flushed was higher in anoestrus ewes (3.0-0.5) than in oestrus ewes (1.67-3.75). In both trials the equal ratio in the number of released ova was gained from ewes of experimental groups (83-88% of the total number). After ova flushing from the genital organs in ewes of the experimental groups most ovas were found in the isthmatal part of the uterine tube (36-60%). On the basis of gained results it was concluded, that synchronized oestrus ewes on receiving PMSG in anoestrus season the ovarial response was more significant than in autumn breeding season.

Animals↗

Simultaneous determination of LH activity in blood serum of sheep during three synchronized oestrous cycles by Bio and Ria method.

LH activity has been in 6 Merino sheep by means of the biological (Bio) and radioimmunological (RIA) test during three subsequent synchronized oestrous cycles. The vaginal sponges were impregnated with 30 mg chlormadinone acetate. The results obtained by the two afore mentioned methods are similar. Oestrous appeared in the average within 96 hours after removal of the sponges. The first increase of LH activity (Bio) was found to occur within 48--72 hours after removal of the sponges (270--400 IU/100 ml serum), the second increase within 15--16 days (450-570 IU/100 ml) and the third within further 16 days (390--590 IU/100 ml serum). The values obtained in the first oestrous cycle by RIA showed an LH peak within 62--110 hours after removal of the sponges (75--90 ng/ml in the second oestrous cycle 86--135 ng/ml and in the third one 58--60 ng/ml serum. In three animals no LH peak could be observed during the first, second or third oestrous cycle. The failure to prove LH peaks in three sheep during different phases of the oestrous cycles is explained by the fact that the synchronization led to heat which, however, did not result in fertile ovulation.

Animals↗

Reproductive performance of ewes after 5-day treatment with intravaginal inserts containing progesterone in combination with injection of prostaglandin f2alpha.

Three experiments were conducted with a total of 1579 ewes to examine reproductive performance in response to synchronization of oestrus during the breeding season, using controlled internal drug releasing (CIDR-G) inserts in regimens designed to provide high concentrations of circulating progesterone. In experiment 1, treatment with two CIDR-G inserts for 12 days produced conception rate (79%) and prolificacy (1.9) to first service equivalent to breeding at natural oestrus (56% and 2.0, respectively). Pregnancy rates to two service periods were 90 and 79%, respectively. In experiments 2 and 3, progesterone was delivered by a single CIDR-G insert for 5 days in combination with prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha; 5 mg i.m., twice, 3 h apart) the day before (experiment 2), or at insert removal (experiment 3). The combined treatments improved rates of synchronization of oestrus (p<0.01) by 23 and 20% points, respectively, and pregnancy rates to the first service period by 19 (p<0.05) and 13 (p<0.01) percentage points, respectively, compared to treatment with PGF2alpha alone. It is concluded that the combination of treatment for 5 days with a CIDR-G insert and two injections of 5 mg PGF2alpha, the day before, or the day of insert removal, were effective treatments to obtain high fertility at synchronized oestrus in ewes during the breeding season.

Administration, Intravaginal↗