Effect of feeding level on luteal function and progesterone concentration in the vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts

This study assessed the effect of feeding level on progesterone concentration in the caudal vena cava during early pregnancy in gilts. Twenty-four Landrace gilts were allocated to either a high (2.8±0.02) or a low (1.5±0.01kg day–1) feeding level at Day 0 of pregnancy. Serial blood samples were collected every 15min for 3h before and 3h after feeding on Days 6 and 9 of pregnancy. Embryo survival and development as well as in vitro luteal progesterone production were assessed at Day 10 of pregnancy. Progesterone concentration in the vena cava was pulsatile with gilts on the high feeding level having more pulses compared with Low gilts on Day 9 of pregnancy (P<0.05). On Day 6 the number of pulses did not differ significantly between treatments; however, the average progesterone concentration in the vena cava tended to be higher in the gilts on the high feeding level (P<0.10). Embryo survival at Day 10 was 92±3% for High gilts compared with 77±3% for Low gilts (P<0.05). No difference in embryo development between the treatments was seen. There was no difference between treatments in in vitro secretion of progesterone by luteal tissue. In conclusion, a high plane of nutrition positively affects progesterone secretion by the ovaries in early pregnancy.

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Feeding level and dietary energy source have no effect on embryo survival in gilts, despite changes in systemic progesterone levels

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an12004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 30 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Z. Athorn ◽

P. Stott ◽

E. G. Bouwman ◽

A. C. Edwards ◽

M. A. Blackberry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Source ◽

Dietary Energy ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Luteal Function ◽

Early Gestation ◽

Feeding Level ◽

Fibre Diet ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Effect Of Feeding ◽

Starch Diet

This study was designed to assess the effect of feeding level and dietary energy source on luteal function, systemic progesterone concentration and embryo survival in gilts during early gestation. At Day 0 of pregnancy, 104 gilts were allocated to one of four experimental diets (LStarch: 1.2 × maintenance requirement (M) Starch diet (43.3% starch), n = 31; HStarch: 2.4 × M Starch diet (43.3% starch), n = 21; HFat: 2.4 × M Fat diet (13.5% fat), n = 23; and HFibre: 2.4 × M Fibre diet (7.2% fibre), n = 23). On Day 5 of gestation, no significant difference in circulating concentration of systemic progesterone was seen among the treatments. However, on Day 15 of pregnancy, gilts on the HStarch diet had a significantly lower concentration of systemic progesterone than did gilts on both the LStarch and HFat diets (P < 0.05; 24.8 ± 2.4 v. 32.7 ± 2.4 and 36.1 ± 2.1 ng/mL, respectively). At Day 35 of gestation, there was also a tendency for gilts on the HStarch and HFat diets to have a higher total luteal weight than for gilts on the LStarch diets (7.2 ± 0.2 and 7.1 ± 0.2 v. 6.7 ± 0.2 g (P < 0.05)). No difference in embryo survival was seen among the treatments. From the present study, we can conclude that altering feeding level and dietary energy source did not affect embryo survival, despite the fact that systemic progesterone concentrations were affected on Day 15 of gestation. Also, luteal weight was greater for those gilts on the high feeding level than for those on the low feeding level when fed the same energy source.

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The effect of feeding level during a 12-day progesterone-priming period on the viability of embryos collected from superovulated ewes.

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s0308229600023849 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 1993 ◽

pp. 57-57

Author(s):

T.G. McEvoy ◽

J.J. Robinson ◽

R.P. Aitken ◽

C.E. Kyle ◽

I.S. Robertson

Keyword(s):

Plasma Concentration ◽

Food Intake ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Inverse Relationship ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Feeding Level ◽

Priming Phase ◽

Effect Of Feeding

Several studies have shown that the level of peri- and post-ovulatory progesterone in ewes can critically influence embryo survival (Ashworth, Sales & Wilmut, 1989; Parr, 1992). However, the effect of altering pre-ovulatory progesterone concentrations in superovulated sheep has not been fully investigated. In view of the inverse relationship between the plasma concentration of progesterone and food intake (McKelvey & Robinson, 1986; Parr, 1992), the present study was carried out to determine the effect of altering feed intake on progesterone concentrations during the pre-ovulatory priming phase and on the subsequent viability of ova collected from superovulated ewes.

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Effect of post-ovulation nutritional status in ewes on early conceptus survival and growth in vivo and luteotrophic protein secretion in vitro

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd9940253 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 253 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

JM Wallace ◽

RP Aitken ◽

MA Cheyne

Keyword(s):

Protein Secretion ◽

Luteal Phase ◽

Quantitative Difference ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Survival And Development ◽

High Feed ◽

Survival And Growth

Overfeeding during early pregnancy in ewes compromises pregnancy establishment and/or embryo survival. To determine whether high feed intakes after ovulation alter the secretory dialogue between the conceptus and the endometrium, 24 embryos (8-16-cell) from ewes fed maintenance rations were synchronously transferred in singleton on Day 3 of the cycle (oestrus, Day 0) into the uterus of ewes receiving a high or low plane of nutrition from Day 0 (n = 12 ewes per group). Embryo survival and conceptus growth were assessed on Day 16. At this time, pregnancy was maintained in 11 of 12 recipient ewes per group and conceptus mass was not influenced by nutritional plane (637 +/- 48 v. 583 +/- 72 mg for high and low groups respectively). Conceptus and endometrial tissues were cultured separately for a further 24 h in vitro in the presence of [3H]leucine. There was no quantitative difference between nutritional treatments in the incorporation of radiolabel into proteins synthesized and secreted by the conceptus or endometrium. Secretion of ovine trophoblast protein-1 was also similar in both groups. Peripheral progesterone concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower throughout the luteal phase in recipient ewes on high v. low intakes after ovulation. This effect was independent of ovulation rate which was 3.1 +/- 0.40 and 2.6 +/- 0.25 corpora lutea for high and low groups respectively. A high plane of nutrition after ovulation did not influence embryo survival and development in vivo or luteotrophic protein secretion in vitro despite a reduction in peripheral progesterone concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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Actions of somatotrophin on oxytocin and progesterone release from the microdialysed bovine corpus luteum in vitro

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1430243 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 143 (2) ◽

pp. 243-250 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

J Liebermann ◽

D Schams

Keyword(s):

Early Pregnancy ◽

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Luteal Function ◽

Bovine Corpus Luteum ◽

Oxytocin Release ◽

Dose Levels ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Bovine Somatotrophin ◽

Stimulation Of

Abstract In the present investigation, the effect of recombinant (BST) and pituitary-derived (bGH) bovine somatotrophin on progesterone and oxytocin release was examined. Individual copora lutea (CL) were obtained from cows at different stages of the oestrous cycle (days 5–7, 8–12 and 15–18) and also from early pregnancy (days 60–120) and were implanted with an in vitro microdialysis system (MDS). Perfusion with BST for 60 min (005, 0·5 and 5 μmol/l) induced a dose-dependent stimulation of progesterone release. Release of oxytocin from CL was significantly stimulated by BST at all dose levels. BST (0·5 μmol/l) stimulated progesterone release most during the early and mid-luteal phases and oxytocin release especially during the early luteal stage (days 5–7) of the oestrous cycle. CL from early pregnancy (days 60–120) treated with BST showed a significant response in progesterone and oxytocin release. bGH showed comparable effects. Our results suggest that somatotrophin acts directly on the secretory function of bovine CL in the MDS, specifically during the early luteal stage (days 5–7) of the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy (days 60–120). Somatotrophin may therefore have physiologically relevant effects associated with the development and maintenance of luteal function. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 143, 243–250

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Effects of GnRH or hCG on day 11 after artificial insemination in cows luteal activity

Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society ◽

10.12681/jhvms.16128 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 69 (4) ◽

pp. 1227

Author(s):

Mohamed Mohamed Besbaci ◽

A. Abdelli ◽

I. Belabdi ◽

A Benabdelaziz ◽

R. Khelili ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin ◽

Surface Structures ◽

Control Group ◽

Progesterone Concentration ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Luteal Function ◽

Tissue Area ◽

Luteal Tissue ◽

Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone

In order to optimize luteal function by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) on day 11 after artificial insemination (AI). 33 cows synchronized by the Ovsynch and divided into 3 groups according to the type of treatment: 1) hCG (1500 IU, n=11); 2) GnRH (100 µg, n=11); and 3) control (2 mL of saline, n=11). Blood samples were collected from all animals every 3 days from day 5 to day 23 to determine progesterone concentration. Ultrasonography was used to monitor the luteal surface structures at the time of blood sample collection. An accessory corpus luteum (CL) formed in 63.63% of cows treated with GnRH and with hCG, resulting in an increase in the total luteal tissue area compared with the controls. Thus, the volume of the principal CL was increased by hCG but tended to be similar to GnRH compared with the controls. Additionally, compared with the control group, hCG-treated and GnRH-treated cows had increased progesterone concentrations (p<0.0001). Among the hCG-treated cows, their progesterone concentration increased compared with GnRH-treated cows.

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A dietary supplement of calcium soaps of fatty acids enhances luteal function in sheep

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800050955 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 385-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M. Kuran ◽

A.G. Onal ◽

J.J. Robinbson ◽

K. Mackie ◽

B.K. Speake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Dietary Supplement ◽

Follicular Fluid ◽

Control Diet ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Luteal Function ◽

Luteal Tissue ◽

Size Groups

AbstractThe effect of a dietary supplement of calcium soaps of fatty acids on luteal steroidogenic activity was studied in sheep. Mature 3- to 5-year-old North Country Cheviot ewes were given either a pelleted control diet (C; grass, beet pulp, barley; no. = 15) providing daily, 29⋅8 g nitrogen and 13⋅7 MJ of metabolizable energy (ME) or the same diet with 5% (w/w) of the ingredients replaced with protected lipid (C + CaFA; calcium soaps of fatty acids, Megalac, Volac Etd; no. = 15) for 21 days. The latter diet provided daily 30⋅2 g nitrogen and 15⋅9 MJ ME. At the end of the feeding period the ewes were slaughtered and blood samples and ovaries were collected from individual animals. The numbers of large- (≤ 4 mm diameter) and small- to medium-sized (1 to 3 mm diameter) follicles were recorded and follicular fluids from both size groups were stored for later analyses following centrifugation. Each mature corpus luteum (CL) was isolated from its ovary and sliced to provide a pair of ca. 0⋅3 mm diameter sections. These sections (mean = 163 (s.e.12) mg) were cultured separately (4 h; 39°C; 5% CO2) in 3 ml Medium 199 in the absence or presence of 100 μIU LH. Dietary supplementation of calcium soaps of fatty acids increased progesterone concentrations in the plasma (P < 0⋅05) and follicular fluid (P < 0⋅01 and P < 0⋅05 for large and small to medium follicles, respectively); trigylcerides in plasma (P < 0⋅05); total cholesterol in plasma (P < 0⋅001) and follicular fluid (P < 0⋅001); HDL-cholesterol in plasma (P < 0⋅001) and follicular fluid (P < 0⋅01) and LDL-cholesterol in plasma (P < 0⋅01). Progesterone released by luteal tissue into the culture medium in vitro from ewes given protected lipid was higher than that from tissue of control ewes (P < 0⋅05) and supplementary LH in vitro stimulated progesterone secretion by luteal tissues from both groups (P < 0⋅05). In conclusion, a dietary supplement of calcium soaps of fatty acids altered the intra-follicular environment surrounding the oocyte and follicular cells and enhanced luteal function in sheep.

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Steroid production and LH receptor concentrations of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea and associated rates of ova wastage in ewes given high and low levels of food intake before and after mating

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800013515 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 61 (1) ◽

pp. 57-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

J. A. Abecia ◽

S. M. Rhind ◽

T. A. Bramley ◽

S. R. McMillen

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Ovarian Follicle ◽

Live Weight ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Gonadotropin Secretion ◽

Lh Receptor ◽

Before And After ◽

Luteal Tissue

AbstractTwo groups of eives were fed to provide 1·5 × (high, H; no. = 13) or 0·5 × (low, L; no. = 12) energy requirements for maintenance of live weight from 12 days before a synchronized mating in November until slaughter at 14 days after mating and the effects on embryo survival and associated patterns of gonadotropin secretion, and ovarian follicle and corpus luteum function were investigated. Proportionately, there were more pregnant ewes in the H group than the L group (0·62 v. 0·08; %2 = 7·67; P < 0·01) at day 14 of pregnancy but there were no differences in mean LH concentrations, LH pulse frequencies or amplitudes, either before mating and ovulation (follicular phase) or at day 10 after mating (luteal phase). The mean size (mm) of the three largest follicles (H: 5·69; L: 5·65; s.e.d. = 0·21), the proportion of these follicles that were oestrogenic (secreting > 500 pg oestradiol per h; H: 0·29; L: 0·28; y) = 0·01; P > 0·05) and secretion (pg/h) in vitro of oestradiol (H, 294; L, 386; s.e.d. = 146) (pg/h) and testosterone (H: 636; L: 508; s.e.d. = 293) by these follicles were similar for both treatments. There were no treatment differences in LH receptor concentrations (pg hormone bound per mg protein) in granulosa (H: 69·02; L: 67·76; s.e.d. = 0·20) and thecal (H: 46-88; L: 50·82; s.e.d. = 0·19) tissues. However, there was a higher concentration of receptors in the thecal tissue of oestrogenic follicles ofL than H ewes (167 v. 62; s.e.d. = 18; P < 0·05). Mean weights (g) of corpora lutea (H: 0·72; L: 0·59; s.e.d. = 0·003; P = 0·09), progesterone secretion (ng/mg per h) in vitro by luteal tissue (H: 1·75; L: 1·78; s.e.d. = 0·30) and LH receptor concentrations in corpora lutea (H: 58·16; L: 54·27; s.e.d. = 25·14) were similar for both treatments. It is concluded that the reduction in embryo survival associated with a reduced level of food intake was not attributable to a reduction in LH secretion, inadequacies in follicle growth and development or in the capacity of the corpora lutea to synthesize and release progesterone.

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Latest Advances in Sow Nutrition during Early Gestation

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061720 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1720

Author(s):

Pieter Langendijk

Keyword(s):

Feed Intake ◽

Systemic Circulation ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Luteal Function ◽

Early Gestation ◽

Progesterone Secretion ◽

Luteal Tissue ◽

High Feed ◽

Sow Nutrition ◽

Seasonal Infertility

In the pig, the establishment and maintenance of luteal function in early gestation is crucial to endometrial function, embryo development, and survival. The level of feed intake has a positive effect on formation of luteal tissue and progesterone secretion by the ovaries in the pre-implantation period, which is important for endometrial remodeling and secretion. These effects are independent of luteinising hormone (LH) and probably driven by metabolic cues, such as insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and seem to support progesterone secretion and delivery to the endometrium, the latter which occurs directly, bypassing the systemic circulation. Even after implantation, a high feed intake seems to improve embryo survival and the maintenance of pregnancy. In this stage, luteal function is LH-dependent, although normal variations in energy intake may not result in pregnancy failure, but may contribute to nutrient supply to the embryos, since in this phase uterine capacity becomes limiting. Feed incidents, however, such as unintended fasting of animals or severe competition for feed, may result in embryo or even pregnancy loss, especially in periods of seasonal infertility. Specific nutrients such as arginine have a role in the vascularisation of the placenta and can improve the uterine capacity in the period after implantation.

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Effect of increasing progesterone concentration from Day 3 of pregnancy on subsequent embryo survival and development in beef heifers

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd07204 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (3) ◽

pp. 368 ◽

Cited By ~ 197

Author(s):

F. Carter ◽

N. Forde ◽

P. Duffy ◽

M. Wade ◽

T. Fair ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oestrous Cycle ◽

Progesterone Concentration ◽

Phenotypic Effect ◽

Interferon Tau ◽

Cell Stage ◽

Embryo Survival ◽

Serum Progesterone ◽

Stage Of Development ◽

Survival And Development ◽

Chi Square Analysis

Higher systemic progesterone in the immediate post-conception period is associated with an increase in embryonic growth rate, interferon-tau production and pregnancy rate in cattle. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of increasing progesterone concentration on Day 3 on subsequent embryo survival and development. Oestrus (Day 0) was synchronised in beef-cross heifers (n = 210) and approximately two-thirds of the heifers were inseminated with semen from a proven sire, while the remainder were not inseminated. In order to produce animals with divergent progesterone concentrations, half of the animals received a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) on Day 3 of the oestrous cycle, which was left in situ until slaughter. The four treatment groups were: (i) pregnant, high progesterone; (ii) pregnant, normal progesterone; (iii) non-pregnant, high progesterone; and (iv) non-pregnant, normal progesterone. Animals were blood-sampled twice daily from Days 0 to 8 and once daily thereafter until slaughter on Days 5, 7, 13 or 16, corresponding to the 16-cell stage, the blastocyst stage, the beginning of elongation and the day of maternal recognition of pregnancy, respectively. Embryos were recovered by flushing the tract with phosphate-buffered saline and characterised by stage of development and, in the case of Days 13 and 16, measured. Data were analysed by mixed models ANOVA, Chi-square analysis and Student’s t-test where appropriate. Insertion of a PRID on Day 3 increased (P < 0.05) progesterone concentrations from Day 3.5 onwards. There was no difference between treatments in the proportion of embryos at the expected stage of development on Days 5 or 7 (P > 0.05). While not significantly different, the proportion of viable embryos recovered was numerically greater in the high progesterone group on both Day 13 (58 v. 43%) and Day 16 (90 v. 50%). Elevation of progesterone significantly increased embryonic length on Day 13 (2.24 ± 0.51 mm v. 1.15 ± 0.16 mm, P = 0.034) and Day 16 (14.06 ± 1.18 cm v. 5.97 ± 1.18 cm, P = 0.012). In conclusion, insertion of a PRID on Day 3 of the oestrous cycle increased serum progesterone concentrations on subsequent days, which, while having no phenotypic effect on embryonic development on Days 5 or 7, was associated with an increase in embryonic size on Days 13 and 16.

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