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PubMed2004

Self-reported sleep across the menstrual cycle in young, healthy women.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the association between subjective sleep and phase of the menstrual cycle in healthy, young, ovulating women. METHODS: Twenty-six women (mean age: 21 years) who did not suffer from any menstrual-associated disorders, and in whom we had detected ovulation, completed daily questionnaires about their sleep over 1 month. RESULTS: The women reported a lower sleep quality over the 3 premenstrual days and 4 days during menstruation, compared to the mid-follicular and early/mid luteal phases. Total sleep time, sleep onset latency, number and duration of awakenings, and morning vigilance were not affected by the menstrual cycle. CONCLUSION: The normal, ovulatory cycle is associated with changes in the perception of sleep quality but not sleep continuity in healthy, young women. The temporal relationship of sleep complaints with menstrual phase should be considered in the evaluation of sleep disorders, particularly insomnia, in women.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

The effects of 3 gonadorelin products on luteinizing hormone release, ovulation, and follicular wave emergence in cattle.

The objective was to determine luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion and follicular dynamics in cattle following administration of 3 gonadorelin formulations that are commercially available in Canada. In experiment 1, nonlactating Holstein cows (n = 4 per group) were randomly assigned to receive 100 micrograms gonadorelin diacetate tetrahydrate, intramuscularly (C; Cystorelin, or FE; Fertagyl). Blood samples (for LH analysis) were collected 0, 1, 2, and 4 hours after treatment. In experiment 2, nonlactating Holstein cows (n = 10 per group) were randomly allocated to receive 100 micrograms gonadorelin, intramuscularly as follows: 2 mL of C; 1 mL of FE; or 2 mL of Factrel (FA, gonadorelin hydrochloride). Gonadorelin treatment was done on days 6 or 7 after ovulation and blood samples for LH analysis were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after treatment. Ovaries were examined by ultrasonography, twice daily, to detect ovulation. A replicate was conducted using only C (n = 10) or FE (n = 10); blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. In experiment 3, beef heifers (n = 10 per group) were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 GnRH gonadorelin treatments (as in the first phase of experiment 2) on days 6 or 7 after ovulation and blood samples were collected at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 hours. In experiments 2 and 3, both mean and mean peak plasma LH concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in cattle treated with C. The proportion of dominant follicles that ovulated was higher (P < 0.02) in Holstein cows treated with C than in those treated with FE or FA (18/19, 11/19, and 4/7, respectively), but there was no significant difference among the products in beef heifers (6/10, 6/10, and 4/10, respectively). No significant differences were found in the interval from treatment to the emergence of the next follicular wave. In summary, C induced a greater LH release and this resulted in a higher ovulatory rate in Holstein cows but not in beef heifers.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Bovine model of reproductive aging: response to ovarian synchronization and superstimulation.

The responsiveness of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to steroid treatments for ovarian synchronization and the ovarian superstimulatory response to exogenous FSH was compared in 13-14 year old cows and their 1-4 year old young daughters. We tested the hypotheses that aging in cattle is associated with: (1) decreased follicular wave synchrony after estradiol and progesterone treatment; (2) delayed LH surge and ovulation in response to exogenous preovulatory estradiol treatment; (3) reduced superstimulatory response to exogenous FSH. Higher plasma FSH concentrations (P<0.01), and a tendency (P=0.07) for fewer 4-5 mm follicles at wave emergence were observed in old cows (n=10) than in young cows (n=9). The suppressive effect of estradiol/progesterone treatment on FSH was similar between old and young cows. Although the preovulatory LH surge in response to estradiol treatment was delayed in old than young cows (P=0.01), detected ovulation times were not different. No difference in ovarian superstimulatory response was detected between age groups, but old cows (n=8) tended (P=0.10) to have fewer large follicles (>or=9 mm) 12 h after last FSH treatment than in young cows (n=7). We concluded that pituitary and ovarian responsiveness to estradiol/progesterone synchronization treatment was similar between old and young cows, but aging was associated with a delayed preovulatory LH surge subsequent to estradiol treatment. Old cows tended to have fewer large follicles after superstimulatory treatment than young cows.

Aging↗

PubMed2003

The use of low-frequency vocalizations in African elephant(Loxodonta africana) reproductive strategies.

Fertility-advertisement calls in females are predicted to occur in nonmonogamous species where males and females are widely separated in space. In African elephants, low-frequency vocalizations have thus been suggested as a reproductive strategy used by fertile females to attract mates. This study examined the use of low-frequency vocalizations with respect to different phases of the estrous cycle in African elephants by simultaneously monitoring vocalizations, behavior, and hormonal profiles. Subjects were one male and six female African elephants housed at Disney's Animal Kingdom. No acoustically distinct vocalizations were restricted to the ovulatory follicular phase. However, overall rate of low-frequency vocalization as well as the rate of one acoustically distinct vocalization changed over the estrous cycle, with highest rates of calling related to the first period of follicular growth, or anovulatory follicular phase. Elevated rates of vocalization thus were not restricted to behavioral estrus and occurred much earlier in the estrous cycle than in most species that produce fertility-advertisement calls. Both herd composition and elephant identity also affected rates of vocalization. Vocalizations therefore may not be reliable signals of actual fertility. However, the increase in vocalizations in advance of estrus may attract males to the herd prior to ovulation, facilitating both male-male competition and female choice. Once present in the herd, males may then switch strategies to use more reliable chemical and visual cues to detect ovulating females.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Sensitive salivary estradiol assay for monitoring ovarian function.

Measurement of steroids in saliva has excited interest because of the numerous potential clinical applications; noninvasive, convenient sampling; and apparently accurate reflection of the concentrations of physiologically active unbound steroid in the circulation. Although assays of saliva for several steroid hormones are available and widely used, assays for salivary estradiol are not, primarily because of methodological limitations. By modifying a commercially available kit for serum estradiol, our laboratory has developed a procedure that is sensitive, highly specific, and reliable for measuring salivary estradiol. Assay sensitivity is 0.5 fmol (0.14 pg; sample concentration 1.3 pmol/L) with a mean interassay CV of 10.8% at low concentrations. Clinical studies showed that values for serum and saliva are highly correlated (P less than 0.001), and demonstrated reliable detection of estradiol peaks during normal ovulatory cycles in serial samples from 15 women. Salivary estradiol peaked at 5.4 (SD 1.9) pmol/L on cycle day 14.4 (SD 3.2), 1.2 (SD 0.8) days before ovulation detected by ultrasound. This assay may be particularly helpful in investigating ovarian function and free estradiol in women at various stages of the reproductive cycle.

Estradiol↗

PubMed2002

Strategies to improve the ovarian response to equine pituitary extract in cyclic mares.

Equine pituitary extract (EPE) has been reported to induce heightened follicular development in mares, but the response is inconsistent and lower than results obtained in ruminants undergoing standard superovulatory protocols. Three separate experiments were conducted to improve the ovarian response to EPE by evaluating: (1) effect of increasing the frequency or dose of EPE treatment; (2) use of a potent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) prior to EPE stimulation; (3) administration of EPE twice daily in successively decreasing doses. In the first experiment, 50 mares were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Mares received (1) 25 mg EPE once daily; (2) 50 mg EPE once daily; (3) 12.5 mg EPE twice daily; or (4) 25 mg EPE twice daily. All mares began EPE treatment 5 days after detection of ovulation and received a single dose of cloprostenol sodium 7 days postovulation. EPE was discontinued once half of a cohort of follicles reached a diameter of >35 mm and hCG was administered. Mares receiving 50 mg of EPE once daily developed a greater number (P = 0.008) of preovulatory follicles than the remaining groups of EPE-treated mares, and more (P = 0.06) ovulations were detected for mares receiving 25 mg EPE twice daily compared to those receiving either 25 mg EPE once daily and 12.5 mg EPE twice daily. Embryo recovery per mare was greater (P = 0.05) in the mares that received 12.5 mg EPE twice daily than those that received 25 mg EPE once daily. In Experiment 2, 20 randomly selected mares received either 25 mg EPE twice daily beginning 5 days after a spontaneous ovulation, or two doses of a GnRH-a agonist upon detection of a follicle >35 mm and 25 mg EPE twice daily beginning 5 days after ovulation. Twenty-four hours after administration of hCG, oocytes were recovered by transvaginal aspiration from all follicles >35 mm. No differences were observed between groups in the numbers of preovulatory follicles generated (P = 0.54) and oocytes recovered (P = 0.40) per mare. In Experiment 3, 18 mares were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Then, 6-11 days after ovulation, mares were administered a dose of PGF2, and concomitantly began twice-daily treatments with EPE given in successively declining doses, or a dose of PGF2alpha, but no EPE treatment. Mares administered EPE developed a higher (P = 0.0004) number of follicles > or = 35 mm, experienced more (P = 0.02) ovulations, and yielded a greater (P = 0.0006) number of embryos than untreated mares. In summary, doubling the dose of EPE generated a greater ovarian response, while increasing the frequency of treatment, but not necessarily the dose, improved embryo collection. Additionally, pretreatment with a GnRH-a prior to ovarian stimulation did not enhance the response to EPE or oocyte recovery rates.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Effect of acute nutritional restriction on incidence of anovulation and periovulatory estradiol and gonadotropin concentrations in beef heifers.

The effects of acute nutritional restriction on follicular dynamics, incidence of anovulation, and periovulatory estradiol and gonadotropin concentrations were studied in two replicates using beef heifers exhibiting regular estrous cycles. Heifers fed a diet supplying 1.2 maintenance (1.2 Mn) were synchronized using an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device for 8 days. One day before device removal, heifers were allocated randomly, within replicate, to a diet supplying 0.4 Mn (n = 20), or kept at 1.2 Mn (n = 21). On the sixth day after detected ovulation, heifers received 500 microg of synthetic prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) to induce luteolysis, estrus, and ovulation of the first dominant follicle (DF). Animals were inseminated and returned to a diet of 1. 2 Mn. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days later. The maximum diameter subsequently attained by the DF present at progesterone withdrawal was smaller (P < 0.01) in heifers fed 0.4 Mn. Two heifers fed 0.4 Mn failed to ovulate this DF (P > 0.10). Growth rate (P < 0. 01) and maximum diameter (P < 0.001) of the DF in the first follicular wave of the next estrous cycle was also reduced in heifers fed 0.4 Mn. After prostaglandin administration, a further 10 heifers fed 0.4 Mn failed to ovulate the first DF of this cycle, and it regressed (P < 0.001), causing anovulation in 12 of 20 heifers within 13-15 days (P < 0.001). Anovulation of the DF present at progesterone withdrawal was preceded by a proestrous estradiol increase but absence of a gonadotropin surge (2 of 2 heifers), while neither endocrine event was detected before anovulation of the DF of the first new follicular wave (2 of 2 heifers). In cases in which ovulation of the first DF of the new cycle occurred, fertility was similar (P > 0.10) in heifers fed either 0.4 (n = 7) or 1.2 Mn (n = 20). In conclusion, acute nutritional restriction of cyclic heifers from 1.2 to 0.4 Mn decreased the growth rate and maximum diameter of DFs and induced failure of the DF to ovulate in 60% of heifers, but, within the confines of limited animal numbers, did not compromise fertility in heifers that ovulated.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1993

In synchronized pigs, the duration of ovulation is not affected by insemination and is not a determinant for early embryonic diversity.

The duration of ovulation (i.e., the time interval between the ovulation of the first and the last follicle in a sow during an estrus) is said to be related to embryonic diversity, which in turn is related to embryonic mortality. The relationship between the duration of ovulation and within-litter early embryonic diversity and the influence of insemination on the duration of ovulation were studied. To determine whether ovulation assessment (transrectal ultrasonography) influenced early embryonic development, control sows were not scanned. Multiparous cyclic sows with an exogenously induced estrus were used. Ovulation detection by means of transrectal ultrasonography did not influence fertilization rate, accessory sperm count, early embryonic development or early embryonic diversity, and, therefore, ultrasonography appears to be a worthwhile method for studying the time and duration of ovulation. Insemination did not influence (P>0.05) the duration of ovulation, in sows which ovulated between 39 and 49 hours after hCG injection. The duration of ovulation (mean+/-SD(range)) was 2.4+/-0.7 (1.1 to 4.0) hours in 15 sows which were artificially inseminated at 22 and 30 hours after hCG injection. In 8 noninseminated sows, the duration of ovulation was 2.3+/-0.5 (1.5 to 3.3) hours. The duration of ovulation was not related to embryonic diversity (SD of the number of nuclei or the number of cell cycles of embryos in a litter) at 114 to 121 hours after ovulation. Thus, a difference of up to 3 hours in the duration of ovulation does not seem to be an important determinant of variation in embryonic diversity between sows.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

Superovulatory response of ovarian follicles of Wave 1 versus Wave 2 in heifers.

Experiments were designed to test the hypotheses that ovarian follicular response to superstimulatory treatment initiated during Wave 1 is equivalent to that of Wave 2, and recovery rate and quality of ova embryos derived from follicles of Wave 1 are equivalent to those derived from follicles of Wave 2. In a preliminary experiment (Experiment 1), heifers were given Folltropin-V (20 mg NIH-FSH-P1, im, bid for 5 d) beginning the day after emergence of the first (n=10) or second (n=10) follicular wave of the estrous cycle, equivalent to approximately Day 1 and Day 10, respectively (Day 0=ovulation). Luteolysis was induced with cloprostenol (500 mug im, bid) on the fourth day of treatment. Fewer (P<0.05) ovulations per heifer were induced in the Wave 1 group than in the Wave 2 group (4.6+/-1.0 vs 9.1+/-1.3). However, the interval from wave emergence to initiation of treatment was found, in retrospect, to have been longer (P<0.05) in the Wave 1 group, i.e., treatment was initiated relatively later with respect to wave emergence. Experiment 2 was designed to correct this disparity and to initiate the same treatment protocol on the day of wave emergence rather than the day after (n=21 per Wave group). There was no difference between Wave 1 and Wave 2 groups in the interval from wave emergence to initiation of treatment (0.4+/-0.1 d), the number of ovulations detected by ultrasonography (6.6+/-1.0 vs 8.2+/-1.7), the number of CL detected at slaughter (6.5+/-0.9 vs 8.1+/-1.8), the total number of ova embryos recovered (5.2+/-0.7 vs 5.1+/-0.8), or the number of fertilized embryos collected (2.8+/-0.6 vs 3.0+/-0.6). In addition, there was no difference between groups in the proportion of heifers that ovulated in either experiment; collectively, luteolysis and ovulation was induced in 58 of 60 heifers. The results supported the general hypothesis that follicles and oocytes of the first and second follicular waves are equivalent in the response to superstimulatory treatment. Regardless of which follicular wave, initiation of treatment near the time of wave emergence appears critical for maximal superovulatory response. Because of the consistency in the time of emergence of Wave 1 (day of ovulation) and equivalence in superovulatory response, use of Wave 1 rather than subsequent follicular waves may be more convenient and time-sparing in superovulation programs; the day of estrus (day before ovulation) may be used as a consistent point of reference for the start of treatment.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Impact of ACTH during oestrus on the ultrastructure of the spermatozoa and their environment in the tubal reservoir of the postovulatory sow.

This study investigated whether injections of synthetic ACTH (simulating short-term stress) in sows during standing oestrus have a negative effect on spermatozoa and the local intraluminal environment in the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) and isthmus. Seven of the 14 sows were given ACTH through a jugular catheter every 2 h from the onset of standing oestrus until the sow ovulated (ACTH-group), while the other seven sows were given NaCl solution (C-group). All sows were artificially inseminated before ovulation. Six hours after ovulation (detected with transrectal ultrasonography) the sows were anaesthetised, the right oviduct was fixed in toto by vascular perfusion with glutaraldehyde, and the UTJ and specimens from the isthmus were prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM revealed that a seemingly viable population of spermatozoa remained in the UTJ 6 h after ovulation. A majority of sows in the ACTH-group had moderately to exaggerated amounts of mucus in the intraluminal environment of the sperm reservoir. In conclusion, stress simulated by exogenous ACTH in sows may alter the intraluminal environment of the sperm reservoir.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1999

Hormonal control of estrous cyclicity and attempted superovulation in wood bison (Bison bison athabascae).

The wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) is a threatened Canadian species that has faced extinction twice in the last 100 yr. Development of assisted reproductive technologies could help ensure the long-term propagation and genetic management of this species. The objectives of this study were to refine estrus synchronization techniques and evaluate superovulatory responses after FSH or eCG administration. In Experiment 1, females were fitted with Syncro-mate B (SMB) implants for 9 d and received an injection of either estradiol valerate (E2V; n = 9) or cloprostenol (PGF; n = 9) at implant insertion (Day-9). In Experiment 2, estrus was synchronized with SMB implants and a PGF injection of Day-9, and superovulation was attempted on Day-2 with either 2500 IU eCG (n = 5) or 400 mg Folltropin-V (n = 5). In each experiment, biosin were examined daily for estrual behavior. Ultrasonography was used during the luteal phase to detect ovulation and assess ovarian status; feces were analyzed by ELISA for immunoreactive progestogens (P) to study ovarian endocrine responses. In Experiment 1, a closer synchrony of estrus was observed between Days 2 to 4 among the PGF-treated (77.8%) than the E2V-treated (66.7%) females. Corpora lutea (CL) were detected in 55% of E2V- and PGF-treated females. In Experiment 2, neither treatment successfully induced superovulation, with only a single female per treatment producing > or = 1 CL. In both experiments, progestogen profiles were similar for each treatment (P < 0.05).

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Weaning, body weight, and postpartum amenorrhea duration in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

Early permanent infant separation or weaning decreases the time interval between pregnancies and interbirth intervals for many female primates. At least part of the interpregnancy interval consists of postpartum amenorrhea, a period of non-menstruation lasting from the time of birth until the female begins to ovulate. This study investigated the effects of weaning age and dam's body weight on the duration of the interval between pregnancies, the duration of postpartum amenorrhea, and the number of cycles to conception in a year-round breeder. Female pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) have an observable perineal swelling that fluctuates throughout the menstrual cycle and provides a means of detecting ovulation. The perineal swelling records of socially housed pigtailed macaques were studied from July 1996 to September 1998. Postpartum amenorrhea data were obtained on 44 females who gave birth to normal, viable infants. As weaning age increased and dam's weight decreased, postpartum amenorrhea, and consequently the interval between pregnancies, increased in duration. The interpregnancy interval consisted almost entirely of the postpartum amenorrhea phase. Our finding that a higher dam's body weight decreased the length of postpartum amenorrhea duration lends support to the hypothesis that a minimum body weight is necessary for menstrual cycles to occur. Most females became pregnant on their first ovulation regardless of weaning age and whether or not they were carrying an infant. As the weaning age of the infant and the dam's weight increased, ovulation went from occurring after separation to occurring before separation.

Amenorrhea↗

PubMed2004

Estradiol benzoate given 0 or 24 h after the end of a progestagen treatment in postpartum suckled beef cows.

The objective of Experiment 1 was to compare the effects of estradiol benzoate (EB) given 0 or 24h after the end of a progestagen treatment on ovulation and CL formation in anestrous cows. Twenty cows were treated with an intravaginal sponge containing 250 mg of medroxiprogesterone acetate (MPA). At sponge insertion, each cow received 3 mg EB and 10 mg MPA im. At device removal, cows received 0.7 mg EB either at that time (EB0) or 24h later (EB24). Ultrasound examinations and blood sampling to determine plasma progesterone concentrations were performed to detect ovulation and CL formation. Ovulation occurred in 77.8 and 81.8% cows in the EB0 and EB24 groups, respectively. Diameter of the ovulatory follicle (EB0 = 10.9 +/- 0.5mm; EB24 = 12.1 +/- 0.8 mm; P = 0.26) and the interval from sponge removal to ovulation (median = 3 days; P = 0.64) did not differ between treatments. Among the cows that ovulated (n = 16), short-lived CL were present in 2/7 and 2/9 cows in the EB0 and EB24 groups, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentrations and CL area did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). In Experiment 2, cows were treated with the same protocol as in Experiment 1, but at sponge withdrawal all cows received 250 microg cloprostenol and timed artificial insemination (TAI) was performed 48 h after sponge removal. In Replicate 1 (n = 204 multiparous cows), pregnancy rates were 45.0 and 47.5% for EB0 and EB24, respectively (P > 0.05). In Replicate 2 (n = 69 primiparous cows) pregnancy rate did not differ between EB0 and EB24 (51.4% versus 52.9%). In conclusion, EB given 0 or 24h after the end of a progestagen treatment had the same effect on ovulation rate, time to ovulation, diameter of the ovulatory follicle, incidence of short-lived CL, luteal tissue area, and plasma progesterone concentrations of normal lifespan CL, and pregnancy rate after TAI in suckled beef cows.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

PubMed2005

Knockout of luteinizing hormone receptor abolishes the effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on preovulatory maturation and ovulation of mouse graafian follicles.

It is considered a dogma that a secretory peak of LH is indispensable as the trigger of ovulation. However, earlier studies on hypophysectomized rodents have shown that stimulation with recombinant FSH, devoid of any LH activity, is able to boost the final stages of follicular maturation and trigger ovulation. As the expression of ovarian LH receptors (LHRs) still persists after hypophysectomy, such studies cannot totally exclude the possibility that LHR activation is involved in the apparently pure FSH effects. To revisit this question, we analyzed in LHR knockout (LuRKO) mice the progression of folliculogenesis and induction of ovulation by human chorionic gonadotropin and human recombinant FSH treatments. The results provide clear evidence that follicular development and ovulation could not be induced by high doses of FSH in the absence of LHR expression. Ovarian histology and oocyte analyses indicated that follicular maturation did not advance in LuRKO mice beyond the antral follicle stage. Neither were ovulations detected in LuRKO ovaries after any of the gonadotropin treatments. The ovarian resistance to FSH treatment in the absence of LHR was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses of a number of gonadotropin-dependent genes, which only responded to the treatments in wild-type control mice. Negative findings were not altered by estradiol priming preceding the gonadotropin stimulations. Hence, the present study shows that, in addition to ovulation, the expression of LHR is essential for follicular maturation in the progression from antral to preovulatory stage.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

The outcome of continued treatment of luteinizing hormone-surged cycles in in vitro fertilization with the use of human menopausal gonadotropin.

Over a 2-year period 75 patients were treated for 109 cycles with human menopausal gonadotropin for in vitro fertilization. The occurrence of endogenous luteinizing hormone (LH) surges was monitored by daily blood sampling. Forty-six cycles (42%) showed an endogenous LH surge. Instead of canceling the treatment cycle as other programs do, we proceeded to oocyte collection when the surge was detected. Human chorionic gonadotropin was administered routinely to the "surge" patients as soon as the LH surge was determined. The oocyte collection was carried out around 24 hours after the "surge" blood had been drawn, although the beginning of the endogenous LH surge was unable to be pinpointed. Significantly more immature oocytes, lower fertilization rate, and lower cleavage rate were seen in the "surge" patients than in the "nonsurge" patients. In five "surge" cycles laparoscopy for oocyte collection was canceled, but none was canceled because of premature ovulation detected by the immediately preoperative ultrasonography. In four "surge" cycles no potentially fertilizable egg was recovered. This was not significantly different from that of the "nonsurge" group. The pregnancy rate of the "surge" group (4/41 or 9.8% per laparoscopy and 4/34 of 11.8% per embryo transfer) was not statistically different from that of the "nonsurge" group (7/61 or 11.5% per laparoscopy and 7/56 or 12.5% per embryo transfer). This study presents the possibility of proceeding to oocyte collection, fertilization, embryo transfer, and pregnancy in patients with endogenous LH surge in in vitro fertilization procedures with the use of human menopausal gonadotropin treatment.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

PubMed2003

Assessing in vivo fertilizing capacity of liquid-preserved boar semen according to the 'Hanover gilt model'.

The goal of this study was to determine the ability of the Hanover gilt model to assess in vivo fertilizing capacity of preserved sperm and to consider whether any modifications to this model were needed. This model evaluates the fertilizing capacity of semen based on the fertilization rate, the rate of normal embryos and the accessory sperm count of 3-5-day embryos. Its distinguishing characteristics are the use of one-time insemination of sperm in reduced numbers, of spontaneously ovulating gilts and of ovulation detection through ultrasound examination of ovaries. Reduced sperm numbers allow for an accurate evaluation of the fertilizing potential of different semen treatments, thereby avoiding the compensatory effect of doses calibrated to maximize fertility. The model's usefulness was assessed in a trial run designed to compare the fertilizing capacity of liquid boar semen diluted into two different extenders. The diluent, the boar and the backflow, had no significant effect on any of the parameters studied. Gilts inseminated less than 24 h before ovulation had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) fertilization rate and accessory sperm cell count (p < 0.05) than those inseminated more than 24 h before ovulation. Very good/good embryos from homogeneous litters (only very good/good embryos were present) had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) accessory sperm count than those from heterogeneous litters (at least one embryo was of a different quality and/or oocytes were present). Both very good/good and degenerated/retarded embryos from heterogeneous litters had low accessory sperm numbers. This suggests that accessory sperm count is significantly related to the quality of the litter, but not to the quality of the embryo within gilts. It can be concluded that the Hanover gilt model is sensitive enough to show fertility differences (in this study, those associated with in vivo ageing of semen), while using relatively few gilts and little time.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Ovarian superstimulatory response relative to follicular wave emergence in heifers.

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the responsiveness of beef heifers to superstimulatory treatments administered during the first follicular wave. Heifers were examined daily (Experiment 1) or twice daily (Experiment 2) by ultrasonography to determine the status of follicular wave development and the day of initiation of superstimulatory treatment. Heifers in both experiments were superstimulated with a total dose of 10 ml Folltropin (equivalent to 200 mg of NIH-FSH-P1), divided into 10 equal intramuscular injections over 5 days. On the last day of treatment, heifers received 500 mug of cloprostenol after each injection of Folltropin to induce luteolysis. In the respective groups, superstimulatory treatments were initiated on Day -1, Day 0 (day of ovulation) or Day +1 for Experiment 1, and on Day -1, Day 0, Day +1 or Day +2 for Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, the number of ovulations in each ovary was assessed by ultrasonography and by counting the number of corpora lutea (CL) in each ovary at slaughter. The correlation between both techniques for assessing ovulatory response was high (r= 0.98; P< 0.0001), and there was no significant difference in the mean number of ovulations detected by ultrasound (5.7+/-1.1) versus the mean number of CL counted at slaughter (6.2+/-1.2). In Experiment 1, the mean (+/- SEM) number of CL counted at slaughter in heifers treated on Day -1 (9.4+/-3.8) and Day 0 (7.3+/-1.6) was higher (P< 0.05) than that of heifers treated on Day +1 (0.7+/-0.3). The mean number of follicles >/=7 mm in diameter on the last day of treatment was also higher (P<0.05) in the Day -1 group compared with the Day +1 group; the Day 0 group was intermediate. In Experiment 2, the mean number of ovulations was higher (P< 0.05) in the Day 0 group (18.4+/-3.4) than the Day -1 (9.5+/-2.3), Day +1 (6.7+/-2.2) or Day +2 (6.5+/-2.3) groups. Heifers in the Day -1, and Day 0 groups had more (P< 0.05) follicles >/=7 mm at the end of treatment compared with heifers in the Day +1 or the Day +2 group. The stated hypothesis was supported: exogenous FSH treatment initiated at the time of wave emergence, near the expected time of the endogenous wave-eliciting FSH surge, has a positive effect on the superstimulatory response. A higher superstimulatory response was elicited when treatments were initiated on the day of, or the day before, wave emergence compared with that of later treatments.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1977

Immunoglobulins, proteinase inhibitors, albumin, and lysozyme in human cervical mucus. I. Communication: hormonal profiles and cervical mucus changes--methods and results.

The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol-17beta, and progesterone were determined simultaneously with the concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, C'3, alpha1-antitrypsin, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, alpha1x-antichymotrypsin, albumin, and lysozyme in cervical mucus during nine ovulatory cycles. Spinnbarkeit and ferning were also assessed, and the basal body temperature was measured and recorded during these cycles. The profiles were synchronized according to the LH peak. The midcycle period, characterized by the rapid increase and decline of estrogen and the beginning rise of progesterone, shows a prounced minimum of immunoglobulins, C'3, proteinase inhibitors, albumin, and lysozyme in cervical mucus, which is known to be most receptive to sperm penetration at this time. Although the variation of cervical mucus values is considerable during the early proliferative and the luteal phases, the midcycle values appear to be constantly low, showing slight differences among the profiles of the different parameters. The statistical evaluation and the assessment of the significance of parameters for ovulation detection and the assessment of the fertile period as well as the correlation of these parameters with basal body temperature will be the subject of the second communication of this series.

Adult↗