The effect of long photoperiod or bromocryptine treatment on prolactin concentration and fertility in ewe lambs mated at induced oestrus

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-214
Author(s):  
N. F. G. Beck ◽  
M. C. G. Davies ◽  
B. Davies

AbstractAn investigation was conducted into the effects of increasing plasma prolactin concentration with long photoperiod or suppressing it with bromocryptine on the fertility of ewe lambs. One hundred and twenty dim Forest ewe lambs were divided into three groups: group C was kept as a control; group L was exposed to a long photoperiod (16 h light: 8 h dark) and group B was given daily injections of 1 mg bromocryptine from 12 days before until 21 days after mating. All three groups were mated in late November, 30 days after housing, following progestagen/PMSG treatment. Post-mating prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in group L and lower in group B compared with group C (P > 0·05). There was a tendency for pregnancy rate and the number of corpora lutea to be represented by viable foetuses to be lower in group L than in group C (P < 0·05). Furthermore, post-mating progesterone concentration was higher in this group compared with those in group C (P > 0·05). In a second experiment, 100 Welsh Χ Texel ewe lambs were given treatment C or L. Embryo survival tended to be lower and crown rump length, embryo weight and amniotic sac width were reduced at 25 days post mating in the animals given treatment L, compared with those given treatment C (P < 0·05). The combined results of the experiments indicated that fewer corpora lutea were represented by viable embryos or foetuses in group L than in group C (P < 0·05). These results suggest that embryo growth and survival is reduced in animals bred under a long photoperiod.

1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. F. G. Beck ◽  
M. C. G. Davies

AbstractAn investigation was conducted to determine the effect of mating at puberty or third oestrus or after pre-mating oestrogen and progestagen therapy, designed to mimic the changes that occur in plasma oestrogen and progesterone concentrations during the 1st, 2nd or 3rd oestrous cycles, on fertility in ewe lambs. Twenty-five ewe lambs were mated at puberty on mean date of 18 October and 21 were mated at third oestrus on 3 December. Of these, 28% and 81% of animals mated at puberty and third oestrus lambed, respectively (P < 0·05). A similar number of ewe lambs were mated within 24 h of ram introduction in the groups given one, two or three consecutive applications oestrogen and progestagen (25 μg oestradiol benzoate followed 48 h later by a progestagen pessary left in situ for days). Of the 43 corpora lutea, 21 were represented by viable embryos in the 37 animals holding to service after one application compared with 34 out of 46 corpora lutea in 40 animals given three applications (P < 0·05). Furthermore, embryo crown-rump length, embryo weight and amniotic sac width was greater (P < 0·05), on day of pregnancy, in animals given one compared with three applications of oestrogen and progestagen. These results demonstrate that fertility is improved in ewe lambs mated on third oestrus or after progestagen and oestrogen therapy designed to simulate three oestrous cycles.


1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Mackenzie ◽  
T. N. Edey

SUMMARYPrenatal mortality was examined in 74 primiparous Merino ewes which, after hand mating to fertile rams on the second oestrus following synchronization, were allocated to two groups. One group of 38 ewes was confined to yards and restricted to approximately 30% of their maintenance requirement for 14 days while the other group of 36 remained at pasture. The degree and timing of prenatal loss was assessed by corpora lutea counts, pregnancy diagnosis about day 40, returns to service and lambing records.The mean ovulation rate was 1·06 and the 19-day non-return rate was 87·8%. Pregnancy failed in a higher proportion of the underfed ewes (45·0%) than in the control ewes (30·8%) but this difference did not reach significance. Of the ewes returning to service, significantly more did so with cycles longer than 19 days in the underfed group (9/12) than in the control group (2/8), indicating that in the latter stages, the treatment may have been detrimental to embryo survival.In a second experiment, ovulation rate and prenatal mortality, assessed as in the first experiment, were studied in 85 mature Merino ewes subjected to the following nutritional treatments: HH, control; HL, 30% submaintenance feeding for 14 days following mating; LH, 15% submaintenance feeding for 7 days prior to mating; LL, both submaintenance treatments.Acute undernutrition prior to mating (LH) had no effect on ovulation rate or prenatal mortality. Ovulation rates were low over all groups (mean 1·09) and thus precluded any valid examination of ovulation rate and body weight relationships. The right ovary was significantly more active in producing ova than the left in all groups (P < 0·05). Although ova wastage was apparently higher in. the post-mating undernutrition groups (HL, 44%; LL, 48%; LH, 50%) than in the control group (HH, 35%), the differences were not significant. An increased incidence of extended (> 19 days) first-return cycle lengths in group LL provided some evidence of induced prenatal mortality.In so far as the experiments can be considered together, they indicate that if body weights are comparable, primiparous 1½-year-old ewes are not necessarily more susceptible than mature ewes to prenatal mortality induced by severe short-term undernutrition.


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
M.J. Illera ◽  
P. Bermejo ◽  
A. Natarajan ◽  
C. Willingham ◽  
J. Hernandez

Embryo implantation begins when the blastocyst both assumes a fixed position in the uterus and establishes a more intimate relationship with the endometrium. Successful implantation depends upon hormonal synchronization and development and the receptivity of the endometrium. CD44 is a cell surface molecule that has been implicated in the initial attachment of the embryo. The aim of this work was to study the hormonal levels of P4 in three groups of animals which have a normal pregnancy or an induced reduction in the number of implants. Twelve adult New Zealand does (n = 12) were naturally inseminated with a buck of proven fertility. Blood samples were obtained daily during 20 days of pregnancy. Hormonal determinations were performed by enzyme immunoassay. Animals were divided into three groups: group A (n = 4): control animals; group B (n = 4): endometriosis was surgically induced in the right horn a month before the animal was mated; and group C (n = 4): animals received an injection of 20 micrograms of anti-CD44 in the right horn via mid-ventral laparotomy on Day 6.5 post-coitum (0.5 mL each, from the ovarian end to the cervix). Each animal served as her own control with the left uterine horn receiving 0.5 mL of saline. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA.The number of corpora lutea was similar in all treatments. No statistical differences were found comparing CLs in the right/left ovary. In group A, a mean of 3.4 ± 0.47 (mean ± SE) implants was found in the right horn while the mean in the left side was 4.6 ± 0.81. In group B, a marked reduction in implantation sites was found, with 1.8 ± 0.60 and 4.66 ± 0.84 on the right and left horns, respectively. With anti-CD44 injected into the uterine horn (Group C), a mean of 0.12 implant was present in the right uterine horn compared with 3.6 implants on the left side (P < 0.001). Progesterone levels from Days 1 to 10 are shown in the following table (mean ± SE). Comparisons in day values are not statistically significant P > 0.05. After Day 10 the levels of progesterone were similar in all groups. The results showed an increase of progesterone levels in group B; this could be due to endometriosis and not to the number of implants. The results in the CD44 group reveal that progesterone profiles were similar to those in the control group, and we can conclude that the reduced number of implants found in group C did not affect the progesterone levels. Table 1. Progesterone levels (ng/mL) from Days 1 to 10 (mean ± SE)


1990 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. R5-R8 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Martal ◽  
E. Degryse ◽  
G. Charpigny ◽  
N. Assal ◽  
P. Reinaud ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Ovine trophoblastin (oTP) is a natural interferon of the class-II interferon-α subfamily. Recombinant ovine trophoblastin (r.oTP), produced by genetic engineering, was purified by anion-exchange HPLC. The product exhibited a high degree of homogeneity (>98%), and similar immunological cross reaction and antiviral activity to natural oTP. Antiluteolytic activity of r.oTP was established by intrauterine injection in two groups of cyclic recipient ewes. Control group A included 10 ewes which received sterile BSA in saline twice daily for 8 days (from day 10-12 of oestrous cycle). Experimental group B included 17 ewes which received 80 μg (4 ewes), 170 μg (8 ewes) or 340 μg (5 ewes) r.oTP daily for 8 days. Maintenance of functional corpora lutea for 1 month or more was observed in 4 out of 5 ewes which received high doses of r.oTP. These results indicate that oTP alone extends luteal secretory activity.


1960 ◽  
Vol 2 (01) ◽  
pp. 11-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. Preston ◽  
Isoline Greenhalgh ◽  
N. A. MacLeod

1. Two experiments were made. In Experiment 1, 124 ram, wether and ewe lambs were allocated to four equal groups as they reached a live-weight of 30 lb. Group A received no hexoestrol; group B were implanted with a 15 mg. pellet of hexoestrol and lambs of group C were given a second pellet of 15 mg. 35 days after the first. Group D were implanted with three 5 mg. pellets simultaneously in three different sites. The lambs were creep-fed while running with their dams on pasture and were killed as they reached a live-weight of 95 lb.In Experiment 2, 20 weaned ram lambs were allocated to a hexoestrol-implant group or a control group as they reached a live-weight of 40 lb. They were fed a pelleted ration indoors and were slaughtered at a live-weight of 110 1b.2. Length of teats and weight of the pituitary were significantly increased for all lambs treated with hexoestrol as compared with their controls. Excessive mammary development and one case of rectal prolapse were observed i n treated ewe lambs, while 3 of the treated rams in Experiment 2 had scrotal oedema.3. The rate of live-weight gain was greater for all hexoestrol-implanted lambs in Experiment 1 but less for the implanted lambs on Experiment 2 as compared with their respective controls. The differences just failed to attain significance at the 5% level.4. Dressing percentage was significantly reduced by hexoestrol treatment i n Experiment 1. On the other hand treated ram lambs in Experiment 2 had significantly higher dressing percentages and appeared to be fatter than the controls.5. Weights of testes and seminal vesicles in the ram and of the ovary in the ewe were decreased by hexoestrol treatment. Weights of seminal vesicles in the wether and of oviducts and uterus in the ewe were increased.


1999 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Ashworth ◽  
L. Beattie ◽  
C. Antipatis

This experiment examined whether the pre- or the post-mating diet had greater impact on embryo survival in Meishan gilts. Gilts received either a maintenance (1.15 kg day −1 ; n=12) or a high (3.5 kg day −1 ; n=12) diet during the oestrous cycle preceding mating. After mating, half the animals in each group received either the maintenance or the high diet until slaughter on Day 12. Gilts fed the high pre-mating diet had more corpora lutea (22.7 v.19.0, SED = 0.98; P<0.001), increased embryo survival (95.5% v.74.8%, SED=7.58; P<0.01) and heavier corpora lutea (−0.71 log g v.−0.90 log g, SED=0.09; P=0.07) compared with gilts fed the maintenance diet prior to mating. The post-mating diet had no effect on embryo survival. There were no treatment effects on blastocyst developmental stage, luteal surface area or progesterone release. Gilts receiving the high post-mating diet had heavier livers than those fed the maintenance post-mating diet (1.45 v.1.08% of total bodyweight, SED=0.07; P<0.001), suggesting that these gilts have a greater capacity to metabolize progesterone. Pre-mating nutritional status therefore appears to be a greater determinant of embryo numbers and survival than the post-mating diet.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
K. S. Park ◽  
K. J. Kim ◽  
S. A. Choi ◽  
J. H. Lee ◽  
E. Y. Kim ◽  
...  

Several factors influence the limited application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the canine species. Most problems arise because of the complex nature of reproductive physiology of the dog. For example, dogs are monoestrus, generally exhibiting oestrus only once every 6 month to 1 year. In the canine species, there has been little research on the ART because of difficulties associated with anatomy and reproductive physiology. Because in vitro maturation of canine oocytes has been particularly difficult, in vivo matured oocytes have been used in somatic cell nuclear transfer. However, the number of oocytes that can be obtained using this approach is limited, with ∼6 to 10 good oocytes being obtained per collection. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of different dosages of eCG on folliculogenesis in the dog and to determine the number of oocytes that might be obtained after ovulation. The experimental design involved 3 groups that were treated with different dosages of eCG at the early stage of proestrus; Group A was a nontreatment (control) group, Group B received 200-IU eCG SC injections every day, and Group C was injected with 500 IU of eCG every 2 days until reaching 2 to 3 ng mL–1 serum progesterone concentration, respectively. Dogs in Groups B and C received a 1 000-IU hCG SC injection when progesterone concentrations reached 2 to 3 ng mL–1. The serum progesterone concentration was examined with a Radioimmunoassay Kit (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Inc., Webster, TX, USA). The day of ovulation was considered as the day when serum progesterone concentration reached 4.0 to 7.2 ng mL–1. Approximately 70 to 76 h after ovulation, the dogs were subjected to the oocyte collection procedure. One-way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s multiple range tests was performed. The significance level was <0.05. In total, 446 oocytes were recovered from 60 bitches, with an average of 6.4 oocytes/dog in Group A (from 49 bitches), 16.6 oocytes/dog in Group B (from 5 bitches), and 8.5 oocytes/dog in Group C (from 6 bitches). The oocytes collection rate (number of oocytes per dog) in Group B was higher (P < 0.05) than those in the other 2 groups. In conclusion, the results showed that eCG treatment with hCG in early-proestrus-stage bitches can result in a greater number of recovered in vivo matured oocytes. This technology could become a useful research tool for canine cloning and ART.


1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. G. Davies ◽  
N. F. G. Beck

AbstractAn investigation was conducted to compare, the LH, prolactin and progesterone profiles of ewe lambs with ewes during oestrus and early pregnancy. Peak LH concentration was significantly lower (P < 0·05) and duration of release tended to be shorter during oestrus in ewe lambs. Furthermore, this smaller LH peak tended to be associated with a lower ovulation rate. LH pulse rate, amplitude and concentration were similar in both groups during day 13 of pregnancy. However, LH concentration was higher in ewe lambs compared with ewes on day 28 of pregnancy. Peak prolactin concentration was lower during oestrus in ewe lambs (P < 0·05) but there was no difference between the two groups during early pregnancy. Plasma progesterone concentrations were similar in both groups until day 13 of pregnancy. Thereafter, mean progesterone concentration was lower, from day 14 to 30, in the ewe lambs (P < 0·05). These results indicate that in ewe lambs and ewes maintained under identical conditions plasma hormone profiles differ during oestrus and early pregnancy. Moreover, these differences probably contribute towards the lower reproductive performance of ewe lambs.


Author(s):  
Rathika Rai ◽  
M. A. Easwaran ◽  
K. T. Dhivya

Aim: To evaluate the surface detail reproduction of dental stone this is immersed in different disinfectant solution and studied under stereomicroscope. Methodology: Total number of 30 specimens of dental stone (Type III) were made with measurements of 1.5cm diameter and 1cm height .This samples are divided in to 3 groups group A,B,C. were A is immersed in Distilled water which was taken as control group ;B is immersed in 2% Glutaraldehyde and C is immersed in 5%sodium hypochlorite. Each specimen were immersed in the disinfectant solution for 15 minutes and dried under room temperature for 24 hrs. After 24 hrs each specimens are studied under stereomicroscope for surface details. Result: The results showed no significant difference in the surface irregularities and porosities for a group 1 and group 2 except group 3 which showed significant increase in the porosities, surface irregularities and erosions after disinfection with 5% NaHOCl by immersion method. Conclusion: The surface detail reproduction capacity of die stone was adversely affected when 5% Sodium hypochlorite was used as disinfectant solution when compare d to control group and 2% Glutaraldehyde


Author(s):  
Patil Aniket ◽  
Dindore Pallavi ◽  
Arbar Aziz ◽  
Kadam Avinash ◽  
Saroch Vikas

The quest for excellence in mental and physical health is not new. We find various references and formulations in Ayurvedic classics meant for promoting mental and physical health of a child. Suvarna Prashan is one of the formulations explained in age old Ayurvedic classic Kashyap Samhita. This formulation is very widely used now days as a memory and immune booster for children. But there is very little systematic documented study which can be used to evaluate the efficacy of the formulation. Suvarna Bhasma was prepared in Ayurved Rasayani Pharmacy, Pune. Madhu and Ghrita were collected from KLE Ayurveda Pharmacy, Belgaum. Suvarna Bindu Prashan was prepared in KLE Ayurved pharmacy, Belgaum. It contains Suvarna Bhasma, Ghrita and Madhu. Twenty apparently healthy male and female children with age group of three to four years were ready to sign inform consent form were selected into two groups each. Subjects in Group A received Suvarna Bindu Prashan where as Group B (Control group) did not receive any treatment. Both the groups were observed for six months. Children in Suvarna Bindu Prashan group showed significant reduction in the scores of eating habits, behavior, mood, temperament and scores of event of illness. However there was no significant difference in the score of sleeping habit. There was significant increase in IQ percentage.


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