Use of cooled buffalo semen as a strategy to increase conception rates in fixed-time artificial insemination programs during unfavorable reproductive periods

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive efficiency of dairy buffaloes undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols based on progesterone/estrogen (P4/E2) and eCG during unfavorable breeding season using cooled (CS) and frozen semen (FS). A total of 446 buffaloes (> 40 days postpartum) were randomly distributed into four blocks (years): B1-2014 (n = 143), B2-2015 (n = 34), B3-2016 (n = 90), and B4-2017 (n = 179). Each block was subdivided into two (AI with CS and FS using the same ejaculate of each bull). Thus, the block subdivision was as follows: B1 (CS = 71 and FS = 72); B2 (CS = 18 and FS = 16); B3 (CS = 47 and FS = 43); and B4 (CS = 90 and FS = 89). The ejaculates of eight Murrah bulls collected using an artificial vagina were divided into two aliquots: one aliquot was diluted in Botu-Bov® commercial extender and cooled (BB-CS), and the other was diluted in the same extender and frozen (BB-FS). BB-CS aliquots were cooled at 5 °C/24 h using a refrigerator. BB-FS group aliquots were also cooled, and after equilibrating at 5 °C for 4 h, were placed in a 21-L Styrofoam box, 5 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen. In the afternoon (A) on D0 (2:00 p.m.) the animals received EB 2.0 mg IM (Estrogin®) and an ear implant (CRESTAR® 3.0 mg P4). At D9 (A), the implant was removed, and the animals received eCG 400 IU IM (Folligon® 5000) + Cloprostenol PGF2α 0.530 mg IM (Sincrocio®). At D10 (A), the animals received EB 1.0 mg IM (Estrogin®), and at D12 (8:00 a.m.), AI was performed. At D42, pregnancy was diagnosed via ultrasonography. Total CRs were 48.2% CS and 34.6% FS for years 2014 to 2017, with a significant difference of 13.7% (P<0.05). In conclusion, cooled semen resulted in higher CR than frozen semen in dairy buffaloes under the P4/E2 and eCG FTAI during the unfavorable reproductive season.

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Effect of melatonin on follicular development parameters in a fixed-timed artificial insemination programme in water buffalo

Veterinarska stanica ◽

10.46419/vs.52.6.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 52 (6) ◽

Author(s):

Jesus Alfredo Berdugo ◽

Jose Luis Konrad ◽

Roberto Yuponi ◽

Alexis Bandeo ◽

Ramon Camelino ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Water Buffalo ◽

Follicular Development ◽

Ovarian Response ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Reproductive Season ◽

Frozen Semen ◽

Timed Artificial Insemination ◽

And Control

It is well known that buffaloes have seasonal anoestrus and that the use of melatonin reduces the effects of season in reproduction, articularly among sheep and goats. This study evaluates the use of melatonin on water buffaloes to increase pregnancy rates in a fixed-time insemination programme. The study was conducted on an Argentinian buffalo herd, located in the Corrientes Province, during an unfavourable reproductive season. Artificial insemination cycles were performed in September and December 2018. Sixty animals were selected, and melatonin was administered to 29 females at a dose of 18 mg/50 kg. Ten days after the melatonin implant, ovulation synchronization was started. Animals were inseminated with frozen semen of a single bull. Pregnancy was evaluated by ultrasound 35 days after insemination. The pregnancy rate of the two repetitions was 34.62% for September and 6.4% for December (P=0.007). No significant differences were found in the parameters associated with follicular development and formation of the corpus luteum. Analysis of the effects of melatonin on the two replicates showed that there was no statistically significant effect of ovarian response regarding the analysed follicular development parameters. There was also no effect on pregnancy rates (17.85% vs. 20.68%; P=0.15), or on follicular development for treatment and control. In conclusion, this study was not able to demonstrate an effect of melatonin on the ovarian response of buffaloes as reported by other authors. Other factors, such as environmental conditions of subtropical areas and species specificities, may have a more significant effect on buffalo endocrinology. These factors should be evaluated to improve the results of fixed-timed artificial insemination programmes.

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Effects on Synchronization and Reproductive Efficiency of Delaying the Removal of the Intravaginal Progesterone Device by 24 h in the 5d Co-synch Protocol in Heifers

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030849 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 849

Author(s):

Aitor Fernandez-Novo ◽

Sergio Santos-Lopez ◽

Jose Luis Pesantez-Pacheco ◽

Natividad Pérez-Villalobos ◽

Ana Heras-Molina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Animal Welfare ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Animal Management ◽

Commercial Farms ◽

Beef Herds ◽

Farm Economics

In beef herds, increasing animal welfare, improving reproductive performance and easing animal management are key goals in farm economics. We explored whether delaying the removal of the intravaginal progesterone device by 24 h in heifers synchronized with a 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol could improve reproductive efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). In experiment 1, we examined the total synchronization rate (TSR) in cycling Holstein heifers. Heifers (13.4 ± 0.69 mo.) were randomly assigned to the standard 5d Co-synch 56-h protocol (5dCo56; n = 10), 5d Co-synch 72-h (5dCo72; n = 17), or the modified 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol, in which removal of the progesterone device was delayed by 24 h (6dCo48; n = 19). In experiment 2, 309 cycling beef heifers on 18 commercial farms were subjected to the 5d Co-synch 72-h or 6-d Co-synch 48-h protocol and conception rate (CR) studied. In experiment 1, the three protocols led no differences on TSRs of 80.0% (5dCo56), 88.2% (5dCo72), and 89.5% (6dCo48). In experiment 2, the CR from the beef heifers, observed during two consecutive reproductive seasons did not differ: 59.7% for 5dCo72 and 62.0% for 6dCo48 (p = 0.907). Therefore, delaying removal by 24 h provides satisfactory results without reducing reproductive efficiency of heifers.

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Cooled semen for fixed-time artificial insemination in beef cattle

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd14185 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (7) ◽

pp. 1004 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Juliana C. Borges-Silva ◽

Márcio R. Silva ◽

Daniel B. Marinho ◽

Eriklis Nogueira ◽

Deiler C. Sampaio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Sperm Motility ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Egg Yolk ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Sperm Abnormalities ◽

Hypoosmotic Swelling Test ◽

Interesting Approach

This study evaluated the use of cooled semen in a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) program compared with frozen–thawed semen to improve pregnancy rates in beef cattle. Ejaculates of three bulls were collected and divided into two treatments: (1) frozen–thawed semen and (2) cooled semen. Egg-yolk extender without glycerol was used for the cooled semen treatment. Straws (25 × 106 spermatozoa) were submitted to cooling for preservation at 5°C for 24 h, after which FTAI was performed. Nelore cows (n = 838) submitted to FTAI were randomly inseminated using frozen–thawed semen or cooled semen. There was a 20% increase in the pregnancy per AI (P AI–1) using cooled semen compared with frozen–thawed semen (59.9 ± 4.7 vs 49.4 ± 5.0%; P < 0.005). There was no difference in P AI–1 among the bulls (P = 0.40). The frozen–thawed semen had fewer functional spermatozoa than did the cooled semen when evaluated by sperm motility (61.7 vs 81.0%), slow thermoresistance test (41.7 vs 66.7%) and hypoosmotic swelling test (38.3 vs 53.7%; P < 0.05). The percentage of sperm abnormalities did not differ between the freeze–thawing and cooling processes (18.6 vs 22.1%; P > 0.05). Because there was less damage to spermatozoa and improvement in P AI–1, the use of cooled semen instead of frozen–thawed semen is an interesting approach to increase reproductive efficiency in cattle submitted to a FTAI protocol.

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Non-specific Bacterial Profiles in Reproductive Tract of Dairy Cattle during Artificial Insemination

World s Veterinary Journal ◽

10.54203/scil.2021.wvj15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 110-114

Author(s):

Astin Islam Andriani ◽

Sri Pantja Madyawati ◽

Emy Koestanti Sabdoningrum

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Bacterial Infection ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

The Other ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Bacterial Isolation ◽

Isolation And Identification ◽

Other Hand

One of the causes of low reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle is the presence of reproductive disorders caused by a non-specific bacterial infection. The aim of the present study was to isolate and identify the genus of non-specific bacteria in the reproductive tract of dairy cattle during artificial insemination. A total of 10 samples in the form of mucus attached to the plastic sheath used after artificial insemination in dairy cattle were collected in the study. The samples were subjected to bacterial isolation and identification. The obtained results of the study indicated that Staphylococcus was the dominant genus found (90%). On the other hand, other genera were Escherichia (60%) and Corynebacterium (20%).

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67 EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS LACTOFERRIN AND CATALASE ON STALLION FROZEN SEMEN

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv27n1ab67 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 126

Author(s):

H. S. Martins ◽

M. F. Brito ◽

I. B. M. Sampaio ◽

R. Stahlberg ◽

M. R. Souza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sperm Motility ◽

Seminal Plasma ◽

Skim Milk ◽

Straight Line ◽

Frozen Semen ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Sperm Membrane ◽

Positive Effect ◽

Artificial Vagina ◽

Motility Parameters

During cryopreservation, the sperm were submitted to an increased generation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, because of the large portion of seminal plasma removal, there is a decrease of sperm antioxidant protection. Addition of antioxidants proteins found in seminal plasma, such as lactoferrin (Lf) and catalase (Cat), to the freezing semen extenders could protect the sperm during cryopreservation. Lactoferrin is a transferrin, which prevents the hydroxyl radicals generation, and Cat plays an antioxidant role. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Lf and Cat supplementation to the INRA 82 freezing extender (Battelier et al. 1997) on sperm motility parameters and membrane functionality of stallion frozen semen. Semen from 6 stallions was collected with an artificial vagina, diluted with Kenney extender (1 : 1), and centrifuged (500 × g, 10 min). The supernatant was discarded, and sperm number per milliliter was calculated. Semen was resuspended with 3 extenders to 100 × 106 sperm mL–1. The treatments were distributed in (F1) control, INRA 82 freezing extender (Battelier et al. 1997), (F2) F1+ 500 μg mL–1 lactoferrin, and F3) F1 + 200 IU mL–1 catalase. Semen samples were packaged in 0.5-mL straws and cooled to 5°C (0.27°C min–1). For semen freezing, the straws were laid over the LN vapor for 20 min and plunged into the LN. The straws were thawed at 37°C for 30 s. Motility parameters of frozen semen were determined using a computer sperm cell analysis, and sperm membrane functionality was assessed by the hyposmotic swelling test (Lagares et al. 1998). The data were analysed using Friedman test using stallion as a block. A probability of P < 0.05 was considered significant. There was no significant difference between the percentage of total sperm motility (median, minimum-maximum value; F1: 29.9, 11.0–82.7; F2: 49.8, 7.7–55.2; F3: 39.8, 5.7–92) and progressive sperm motility (F1: 7.1, 3.2–23.3; F2: 13.4, 2.6-22.4; F3: 15.6, 1.1–29.6), and functional sperm membrane (F1: 26.7, 14.7–56.2; F2: 50.5, 15.7–61.7; F3: 46.6, 13.8–50.9) with regard to the treatment. However, the velocity parameters: velocity average path (F1: 29.3, 22.1–33.80; F2: 34.6, 24.8–44; F3: 35.7, 18.2–42.6), velocity curvilinear (F1: 36.9, 30.5–45.1; F2: 42.5, 34.7–51; F3: 44.6, 25.5–50.9), and velocity straight line (F1: 23.4, 17–3.60; F2: 28.9, 18.8–38.2; F3: 26.6, 13.6–37.2) in the treatment with Lf (F2) were higher compared with the control (F1; P < 0.05). These results corroborate with studies reporting the lack of positive effect on equine sperm motility when antioxidants were added to skim milk-based extenders. Although the addition of Lf or Cat to skim milk-based extenders did not improve the motility sperm characteristics and sperm membrane functionality, more studies about the positive effect of Lf on the velocity parameters are necessary. Lactoferrin could then play an important role on the oxidative metabolism, which provides energy to the sperm movement.Acknowledgments to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Brazil, for the financial support.

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Performance of insecticides in control of Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in sugarcane

Arquivos do Instituto Biológico ◽

10.1590/1808-1657000782018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 87 ◽

Author(s):

Marcelo Feitosa da Silva ◽

Marina Funichello ◽

Diego Miranda de Souza

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

The Other ◽

Control Group ◽

Central Lines ◽

Sugarcane Borer ◽

Diatraea Saccharalis ◽

Lower Index ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Four Blocks ◽

Phytosanitary Products

ABSTRACT The population of the caterpillar Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) has increased in the crop of sugarcane in recent years. Although the control of this insect is traditionally carried out through biological control, the use of phytosanitary products has still been necessary. Therefore, the goal of this work was to evaluate the performance of different insecticides in sugarcane borer control, as well as the effect on productivity and total recoverable sugar (TRS). The experiment was conducted in a randomized experimental delineation of blocks, with six treatments and four blocks. Treatments consisted of five insecticides and one control group (without application of insecticide). For calculating the D. saccharalis infestation index, monthly samplings were performed every 30 days, for 12 months. After this period, the final D. saccharalis infestation index was evaluated and calculated for each treatment. In order to compare productivity among procedures, four central lines were collected from each plot. Thus, the samples were weighed for the productivity calculation (TCH) and sent to the laboratory for the total recoverable sugar (TRS) analysis. The chloranthraniliprole (350) insecticide provided a lower index of sugarcane borer infestation, in addition to greater productivity when compared to the other insecticides. There was no significant difference in the parameter of total recoverable sugar (TRS) among treatments.

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Increase in the reproductive efficiency of primiparous and multiparous Nellore cows following moxidectin treatment at the onset of a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104613 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104613

Author(s):

Luciana Maffini Heller ◽

Luiz Fellipe Monteiro Couto ◽

Dina María Beltrán Zapa ◽

Alliny Souza de Assis Cavalcante ◽

Marcos Henrique Alcantara Colli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Reproductive Efficiency

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COMPARISON OF NATURAL MATING AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF THREE STRAINS OF SHEEP HOUSED IN TOTAL CONFINEMENT

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas81-110 ◽

1981 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

pp. 907-912 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

A. J. HACKETT ◽

M. S. WOLYNETZ

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Performance ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Late Summer ◽

Estrous Cycles ◽

Semen Collection ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Natural Mating ◽

Artificial Vagina

The reproductive performance (fertility, prolificacy and fecundity) of confined sheep was measured following natural mating or artificial insemination (AI) with 0.1 mL of unextended semen collected by artificial vagina or by electroejaculation. The estrous cycles of the ewes were synchronized in late summer using intravaginal sponges impregnated with fluorogestone acetate. Pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) was administered intramuscularly to approximately half of the ewes. There was no significant difference in the reproductive performance of ewes bred by natural mating (45%) or AI (30%) or between the two methods of semen collection (30 vs. 29%). Fertility was greater (P < 0.05) in ewes treated with PMSG (33 vs. 11%) mainly because of a tendency for higher fertility in ewes bred by AI. PMSG also significantly (P < 0.01) increased prolificacy and fecundity, 1.8 vs. 1.5 and 58 vs. 16%, respectively.

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Transmission of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 8 by Artificial Insemination with Frozen–Thawed Semen from Naturally Infected Bulls

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v13040652 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 652

Author(s):

Kris De Clercq ◽

Leen Vandaele ◽

Tine Vanbinst ◽

Mickaël Riou ◽

Isra Deblauwe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Viral Load ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Bluetongue Virus ◽

Pregnancy Loss ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

The Other ◽

Bovine Semen ◽

Frozen Semen ◽

Virus Serotype ◽

Gestational Stage

Transmission of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) via artificial insemination of contaminated frozen semen from naturally infected bulls was investigated in two independent experiments. Healthy, BT negative heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated at oestrus. In total, six groups of three heifers received semen from four batches derived from three bulls naturally infected with BTV-8. Each experiment included one control heifer that was not inseminated and that remained BT negative throughout. BTV viraemia and seroconversion were determined in 8 out of 18 inseminated heifers, and BTV was isolated from five of these animals. These eight heifers only displayed mild clinical signs of BT, if any at all, but six of them experienced pregnancy loss between weeks four and eight of gestation, and five of them became BT PCR and antibody positive. The other two infected heifers gave birth at term to two healthy and BT negative calves. The BT viral load varied among the semen batches used and this had a significant impact on the infection rate, the time of onset of viraemia post artificial insemination, and the gestational stage at which pregnancy loss occurred. These results, which confirm unusual features of BTV-8 infection, should not be extrapolated to infection with other BTV strains without thorough evaluation. This study also adds weight to the hypothesis that the re-emergence of BTV-8 in France in 2015 may be attributable to the use of contaminated bovine semen.

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17 INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF PROGESTERONE DURING FIXED-TIME ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROTOCOLS ON OVULATION AND PREGNANCY RATES IN NELORE HEIFERS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv20n1ab17 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 89

Author(s):

M. F. Pegorer ◽

R. L. Ereno ◽

C. M. Barros

Keyword(s):

Artificial Insemination ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Prostaglandin F2α ◽

Fixed Time ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

High Concentration ◽

Serum Progesterone ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Intravaginal Device

Previous reports indicate that a high concentration of serum progesterone (P4) decreases LH pulse frequency (Burke et al. 1996 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 45, 13–28) and, consequently, follicular growth. This may reduce the efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols that utilize P4 in Bos indicus heifers (Marques et al. 2005 Acta Sci. Vet.). The objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of different P4 concentrations on the ovulation and pregnancy rates of zebu heifers subjected to hormonal protocols for FTAI. Four hormonal protocols with different P4 concentrations were used to induce synchronization of ovulation in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers (n = 292). Before the beginning of the treatments, the animals were subjected to ovary evaluations by ultrasonography (Aloka SSD 500, 5-MHz probe; Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) twice in an interval of 10 days. Only heifers with a corpus luteum (CL) in at least one of the ultrasonographic evaluations were utilized. At a random stage of the estrous cycle, the selected heifers received an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device containing 0.558 g of P4 [Triu�, Biogenesis, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Treatment 1 (T1); n = 76], or 1 g of P4 [Cronipress�, Biogenesis; Treatment 2 (T2); n = 70], or 0.558 g of P4 and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) [150 �g d-cloprostenol, IM, Croniben�, Biogenesis; Treatment 3 (T3), n = 75], or 1 g of P4 and PGF2α [Treatment 4 (T4), n = 71]. At the time of intravaginal device insertion (Day 0 = D0), all animals received 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB, Bioestrogen�, IM, Biogenesis), and PGF2α was administered only in animals from groups T3 and T4. Eight days later (D8), PGF2α (0.150 g d-cloprostenol) was administered to all heifers and the P4 source was removed. Twenty-four h after removal of the intravaginal device, the heifers were treated with EB (1 mg, IM), and 30 to 36 h later all animals were fixed-time inseminated (FTAI, D10), without estrus detection. In a subset of heifers from each group (T1 = 28; T2 = 34; T3 = 33; T4 = 31), ovarian ultrasonography was performed on D9 (at 8:00 A.M.) and D11 (at 14:00 P.M.) in order to determine ovulation rate after each treatment. The data were analyzed by logistic regression (GENPROC, SAS; SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Ovulation rates after treatments T1, T2, T3, and T4, were, respectively, 71.4% (20/28), 76.5% (26/34), 84.9% (28/33), and 70.9% (22/31), and there was no significant difference among groups (P > 0.05). Pregnancy rates, ascertained by ultrasonography 40 days after AI, were 30.2% (23/76), 25.7% (18/70), 33.3% (25/75), and 28.2% (20/71), respectively, for T1, T2, T3, and T4, and likewise there was no significant difference among groups (P > 0.05). It is concluded that reduction of progesterone concentration in the intravaginal device (1 g v. 0.558 g) associated or not with administration of PGF2α at the beginning of treatments did not significantly influence ovulation and pregnancy rates in Nelore heifers submitted to a FTAI protocol. Additional experiments are underway to confirm or not the present results. This work was supported by FAPESP (Brazil) and BIOGENESIS (Argentina).

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