scholarly journals Fertility of boars - what is important to know

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radomir Savic ◽  
Raquel Marcos ◽  
Milica Petrovic ◽  
Dragan Radojkovic ◽  
Cedomir Radovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Reproductive Management ◽  
Fertility Traits ◽  
Farrowing Rate ◽  
Sperm Traits

The most important part in reproductive management is the control of boar fertility. A common division of fertility traits is on the: in vitro (sperm traits) and in vivo (return rate, farrowing rate and litter size traits) fertility. In many studies were found differences between breed in the both groups of fertility traits. Variability of sperm traits of boars during the reproductive exploitation is influenced by various genetic (boar, breed) and paragenetic factors/effects (age, season, intensity of use). Good libido is desirable characteristics in boars, but the knowlegde of the correlation of libido and boar fertility traits are limited. Also, there is no standardised procedure or methods for the estimation of libido of the boars. The permanent ranking of boars according to the reproductive efficiency should be performing. Good reproductive management implies the timely identification of boars with the low fertility (or close to the average).

Semen Viability Properties of Sexually Stimulated Boars on the Fertilization Capacity of Artificially Inseminated Large White Sows

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tshepo Teele
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Practical Method ◽  
Return Rate ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Large White ◽  
Sexual Stimulation ◽  
Semen Collection ◽  
Fertilization Capacity ◽  
Farrowing Rate

Background: This study aimed to investigate the influences of sexual preparation on the effects of boars’ semen viability on the fertilization capacity of artificially inseminated sows. After all, boar sires more pigs than farrowed by a sow which the boar has been mated to improve reproductive parameters in response to AI. Methods: The semen viability of boars were studied during various sexual stimulations and analyzed during the study period. Sperm rich fractions were collected and separated at every level of sexual stimulation during the morning (08:30) and the afternoon (14:30) hours, respectively. Artificial insemination was performed following three levels of sexual preparations of boars (0 minutes of sexual restraint (MSR), 5 MSR and 10 MSR) before semen collection. Receptive sows were inseminated and evaluated for fertility traits using non-return rate, farrowing rate and litter size. Result: The non-return rate was recorded as a percentage of sows conceived after insemination over the total number of sows inseminated. The farrowing rate was recorded as a percentage of sows that farrows over the number of sows conceived and litter size as several live piglets per sow. Sexual desire was influenced by sexual preparations and significantly influenced the fertility of the artificially inseminated sows. This study is of practical significance to the animal breeder mainly because boars have greater influence than sows on the average litter size and live piglets. The study concludes that the use of at least 5 to 10 minutes of sexual restraint during the afternoon periods prior to semen collection and artificial insemination is found to be a practical method for optimizing sperm viability and fertility of sows in the intensive system.

scholarly journals Active immunization against the proregions of GDF9 or BMP15 alters ovulation rate and litter size in mice

Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Joy McIntosh ◽  
Steve Lawrence ◽  
Peter Smith ◽  
Jennifer L Juengel ◽  
Kenneth P McNatty
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Immunization Group

The transforming growth factor β (TGFB) superfamily proteins bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), are essential for mammalian fertility. Recent in vitro evidence suggests that the proregions of mouse BMP15 and GDF9 interact with their mature proteins after secretion. In this study, we have actively immunized mice against these proregions to test the potential in vivo roles on fertility. Mice were immunized with either N- or C-terminus proregion peptides of BMP15 or GDF9, or a full-length GDF9 proregion protein, each conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). For each immunization group, ovaries were collected from ten mice for histology after immunization, while a further 20 mice were allowed to breed and litter sizes were counted. To link the ovulation and fertility data of these two experimental end points, mice were joined during the time period identified by histology as being the ovulatory period resulting in to the corpora lutea (CL) counted. Antibody titers in sera increased throughout the study period, with no cross-reactivity observed between BMP15 and GDF9 sera and antigens. Compared with KLH controls, mice immunized with the N-terminus BMP15 proregion peptide had ovaries with fewer CL (P<0.05) and produced smaller litters (P<0.05). In contrast, mice immunized with the full-length GDF9 proregion not only had more CL (P<0.01) but also had significantly smaller litter sizes (P<0.01). None of the treatments affected the number of antral follicles per ovary. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the proregions of BMP15 and GDF9, after secretion by the oocyte, have physiologically important roles in regulating ovulation rate and litter size in mice.

scholarly journals Low fertility in vivo resulting from female factors causes small litter size in 129 inbred mice

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiaki Hino ◽  
Kanako Oda ◽  
Kenji Nakamura ◽  
Yutaka Toyoda ◽  
Minesuke Yokoyama
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Inbred Mice ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Small Litter ◽  
Small Litter Size

scholarly journals In vitro and in vivo parameters for identification of landrace pigs with low reproductive performance

2022 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 573-584
Author(s):  
Fábio da Costa Málaga ◽  
◽  
Helloa Alaide Siqueira ◽  
Lucio Pereira Rauber ◽  
Mariana Groke Marques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Rate ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Retrospective Data ◽  
In Vitro Motility ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
The Individual

In pig farming, measurements of production parameters play a fundamental role in the success of the activity. Minimal differences in fertility between breeders can lead to less reproductive efficiency and, less productivity. However, assessing the fertility of each male and the early identification of subfertile males is a difficult task to be performed. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of in vitro and in vivo parameters in the identification of subfertile males of the Landrace breed, aiming to collaborate with genetic improvement programs, routine optimization in the Genetic Diffusion Units (GDUs) and the results of performance. In experiment 1, an approach to identify males with subfertility was evaluated based on retrospective data. For this, the results (averages of birth rates, number of total births and average percentages of female and male piglets per litter) were evaluated for a total of 996 matings and 847 parturitions. The inseminations came from ejaculates of 32 males, who had at least 19 females inseminated with homospermic doses in the concentration of 2.5 x 109 total sperm from the same male. As for the birth rate (BR), an average of 85.47% ± 6.05 was observed with a group of median males, seven males that stood out and one individual (M32) with a performance of 58.06% ± 9.0. For the total number of piglets born (PB) the average was 13.41 ± 0.56, with three males with better performance and one (M32) with very poor performance (8.62 ± 0.59). In experiment 2, it was verified whether evaluations of inseminating doses (ID) of semen in vitro (motility and sperm morphology) after 96 hours of storage had correlations with fertility in vivo, which can be used to identify subfertile males. The evaluations were performed on 30 ejaculates regarding the means of BR and PB, considering only those who had at least 7 females inseminated. There were no correlations between the motility assessments and semen morphological changes and the reproductive parameters evaluated. The results obtained in vivo, referring to BR and PB, demonstrated that it was possible to identify differences between males, the individual (M32) had the worst results for the percentages of BR and PB. It is concluded that there are males of high and low fertility and that only the in vitro analyzes carried out in this study are not enough to categorize them, however, the evaluation of retrospective data was efficient for this purpose.

15 QUANTIFICATION OF BULL SPERM TRAITS AS ASSESSED BY COMPUTER-ASSISTED SEMEN ANALYSIS AND THE RELATIONSHIP TO PREGNANCY RATE FOLLOWING CONTROLLED BREEDING

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
M. L. Mphaphathi ◽  
M. M. Seshoka ◽  
F. V. Ramukhithi ◽  
Z. C. Raphalalani ◽  
T. R. Netshirovha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Semen Analysis ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Bull Sperm ◽  
Sperm Traits

The bull’s contribution through artificial insemination to reproductive efficiency is of great biological importance. The objectives were (1) to compare the oestrous synchronization response of Bonsmara and Nguni cows; and (2) to find the relationship between cow’s conception rate (in vivo and in vitro fertilization) and bull sperm motility rate assessed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) following AI. For the in vivo sperm fertility test, 100 Bonsmara and 482 Nguni cows were randomly selected and subjected to oestrous synchronization protocol and AI with frozen–thawed assessed semen by CASA before AI. Briefly at Day 0, cows were inserted with an intravaginal CIDR® (1.9 g), which was removed on Day 7. Prostaglandin was then administered (2 mL) on Day 8 and a heatmount detector was placed on the hindquarter of each cow. For the in vitro sperm fertility test, collected oocytes from slaughterhouse were in vitro matured (n = 360) and in vitro fertilized (sperm/mL) in 100-µL droplets (final volume) of BO-IVF medium per treatment bulls (Bonsmara or Nguni bull). The frozen/thawed semen straws of Bonsmara and Nguni bulls were randomly selected and used under the same IVF conditions. The thawed bull’s sperm characteristics were examined by CASA before in vitro fertilization. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Treatment means were compared using the Fisher’s protected least significant difference t-test. There was no significant difference in oestrous response for the Bonsmara (83.0%) and Nguni (90.8%) cows, respectively. The Bonsmara cows recorded a significantly higher pregnancy rate (59.0%) compared with the Nguni (37.1%) cows (P < 0.05). Sperm traits such as total motility (TM), progressive motility and rapid were found to be positively correlated with conception rate (r = 0.06, 0.03, and 0.08, respectively; P < 0.01), although correlations were low. There was no difference in the average frozen–thawed sperm TM rate of Nguni (92.2%) and Bonsmara (81.0%). There was a lower fertilization rate following IVF with Bonsmara and Nguni bull sperm. In conclusion, Nguni cows had similar oestrous response as Bonsmara cows. The sperm traits from Bonsmara and Nguni bulls were found to be related to in vivo conception and in vitro fertilization rate when sperm cells were assessed by CASA technology. However, the pregnancy rate was lower in Nguni cows.

scholarly journals Notch Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation and Causes Osteopenia

Endocrinology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 149 (8) ◽  
pp. 3890-3899 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Zanotti ◽  
Anna Smerdel-Ramoya ◽  
Lisa Stadmeyer ◽  
Deena Durant ◽  
Freddy Radtke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Fate ◽  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Cre Recombinase ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Type I ◽  
Cmv Promoter ◽  
Cell Fate Decisions ◽  
Skeletal Phenotype

Notch receptors are determinants of cell fate decisions. To define the role of Notch in the adult skeleton, we created transgenic mice overexpressing the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) under the control of the type I collagen promoter. First-generation transgenics were small and osteopenic. Bone histomorphometry revealed that NICD caused a decrease in bone volume, secondary to a reduction in trabecular number; osteoblast and osteoclast number were decreased. Low fertility of founder mice and lethality of young pups did not allow the complete establishment of transgenic lines. To characterize the effect of Notch overexpression in vitro, NICD was induced in osteoblasts and stromal cells from Rosanotch mice, in which a STOP cassette flanked by loxP sites is upstream of NICD, by transduction with an adenoviral vector expressing Cre recombinase (Cre) under the control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (Ad-CMV-Cre). NICD impaired osteoblastogenesis and inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling. To determine the effects of notch1 deletion in vivo, mice in which notch1 was flanked by loxP sequences (notch1loxP/loxP) were mated with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the osteocalcin promoter. Conditional null notch1 mice had no obvious skeletal phenotype, possibly because of rescue by notch2; however, 1-month-old females exhibited a modest increase in osteoclast surface and eroded surface. Osteoblasts from notch1loxP/loxP mice, transduced with Ad-CMV-Cre and transfected with Notch2 small interfering RNA, displayed increased alkaline phosphatase activity. In conclusion, Notch signaling in osteoblasts causes osteopenia and impairs osteo-blastogenesis by inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

scholarly journals 150 ENVIRONMENT OF THE EARLY EMBRYO AND ITS EFFECT ON DEVELOPMENT AND POSTNATAL LIFE

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
A. Watkins ◽  
A. Wilkins ◽  
T. Papenbrock ◽  
C. Osmond ◽  
M. Hanson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Systolic Blood Pressure ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Early Embryo ◽  
Blastocyst Development ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Elevated Systolic Blood Pressure

We have investigated the impact of mouse early embryo in vitro culture environment on (a) short-term blastocyst development and (b) long-term postnatal growth and physiology after embryo transfer. In vitro-developed blastocysts, cultured from the 2-cell stage, had reduced inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) cell numbers when compared to in vivo-derived blastocysts at 96 h post-hCG (n = 13–39, P < 0.05). Despite the retardation in blastocyst development, the ICM:TE ratio was equivalent in both treatment groups. Using embryo transfer techniques, we compared the postnatal development of embryos cultured in vitro from the 2-cell to the blastocyst stage (termed “in vitro” mice) with offspring generated from blastocysts developed in vivo, but which also underwent embryo transfer (termed “in vivo” mice). These two treatment groups were in turn compared with mice derived from naturally mated mothers, which had their mean litter size at birth adjusted to a size comparable with that of the in vitro and in vivo mice (a mean of 6 animals) and which had not been transferred. All data were analyzed using a multilevel random effects regression model which took into account between-mother and within-mother variation in litter size for parameters measured from individual animals. No significant differences in birth weight were observed between in vitro and in vivo offspring. However, in vitro offspring were significantly lighter than in vivo offspring in a gender-dependent manner at 2 weeks of age (males, P = 0.009) and at 6 and 11 weeks of age (females, P = 0.037 and 0.035, respectively). In addition, at 4 weeks of age, the in vivo males became significantly lighter when compared to the naturally mated males (P = 0.034). At 8 weeks of age, the in vivo females had a significantly elevated systolic blood pressure when compared to the in vitro females (P = 0.003); however, at 21 weeks of age, both in vitro males and females had a significantly elevated blood pressure when compared to in vivo offspring (P < 0.003). At 8, 15, and 21 weeks of age, offspring derived from transferred embryos developed with significantly elevated systolic blood pressure when compared to non-embryo transfer offspring (P < 0.05). No significant differences in serum angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (a potent regulator of systolic blood pressure) was observed between the treatment groups. Significantly altered liver:body weight ratios were observed between the in vitro and in vivo males, and between the in vitro and the naturally mated (6) females (P < 0.038). All of the above data are independent of litter size. These data support the hypothesis that early embryo environment can influence postnatal growth and cardiovascular physiology. This research was funded by an MRC research grant to TPF, and by a DOHaD studentship.

The usefulness of combining traditional sperm assessments with in vitro heterospermic insemination to identify bulls of low fertility as estimated in vivo

2012 ◽  
Vol 132 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 17-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Puglisi ◽  
Anna Pozzi ◽  
Luciano Foglio ◽  
Marcello Spanò ◽  
Patrizia Eleuteri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Fertility

Soybean-Derived Phytoestrogens Regulate Prostaglandin Secretion in Endometrium During Cattle Estrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy

2005 ◽  
Vol 230 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Wolawek-Potocka ◽  
Mamadou M. Bah ◽  
Anna Korzekwa ◽  
Mariusz K. Piskula ◽  
Wieslaw Wiczkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Control Group ◽  
In Vivo Experiment ◽  
The Mean

Phytoestrogens acting as endocrine disruptors may induce various pathologies in the female reproductive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine whether phytoestrogens present in the soybean and/or their metabolites are detectable in the plasma of cows fed a diet rich in soy and whether these phytoestrogens influence reproductive efficiency and prostaglandin (PG) synthesis during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in the bovine endometrium. In in vivo Experiment 1, we found significant levels of daidzein and genistein in the fodder and their metabolites (equol and p-ethyl-phenol) in bovine serum and urine. The mean number of artificial inseminations (Als) and pregnancy rates in two kinds of herds, control and experimental (cows fed with soybean 2.5 kg/day), were almost double in the soy-diet herd in comparison with the control animals. In in vivo Experiment 2, three out of five heifers fed soybean (2.5 kg/day) became pregnant whereas four out of five heifers in the control group became pregnant. The concentrations of a metabolite of PGF2α (PGFM) were significantly higher in the blood plasma of heifers fed a diet rich in soybean than those in the control heifers throughout the first 21 days after ovulation and AI. The higher levels of PGFM were positively correlated with equol and p-ethyl phenol concentrations in the blood. In in vitro experiments, the influence of isoflavones on PG secretion in different stages of the estrous cycle was studied. Although all phytoestrogens augmented the output of both PGs throughout the estrous cycle, equol and p-ethyl-phenol preferentially stimulated PGF2α output. The results obtained lead to the conclusion that soy-derived phytoestrogens and their metabolites disrupt reproductive efficiency and uterus function by modulating the ratio of PGF2α to PGE2, which leads to high, nonphysiological production of luteolytic PGF2α in cattle during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

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