Clinical use of Anti-Müllerian Hormone to Monitor Resumption of Ovarian Activity following Removal of a 4.7 mg Deslorelin Implant in Queens.

Objective: The use of deslorelin implantsto control reproduction in cats is increasing but because of its prolonged duration, cat breeders oftenrequest implant removal before the end of the treatment. Assaying Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations might be useful to predict time of resumption of ovarian activity in deslorelin-treated queens following implant removal. In queens a minimum of 3 weeks during increasing photoperiod after implant removal has been described for resumption of ovarian activity but no information about AMH concentrations were observed for determining ovarian activity.Animals: Sixteen queens in whichdeslorelinimplants were surgically removed after3, 6 or 9 months (n= 6, 4 and 6 queens, respectively) were used in this study. Procedures: A general and reproductive health check with a GnRH stimulation test were performed before the treatment.After implant removal queens were checked every 1-2 weeks withreproductive ultrasonography, a vaginal smear and blood collection to assay AMHconcentrations. Results: AMH concentrations decreased significantly during treatment to < 2.5+0.6 ng/ml (p<0.05) and reached a nadir at 1.9+0.9 (p<0.05) one-week post-removal.Following implant removal AMH concentrations started to rise reaching a value of 4.3+1.2 ng/ml on the third week and were not different from pre-treatment levels on week 6 post-removal (5.8 ng/ml +0.9, p>0.05).AMH values did not differ depending on duration of deslorelin treatment but were lower in adult queens (p<0.05).Clinical relevance: AMH assay can be a useful tool to follow resumption of feline ovarian function following a deslorelin treatment.

Backfat Thickness Does Affect the Restoration of Ovarian Activity Postpartum in Different Breeding Programs in Zebu Cattle

The backfat thickness (BFT) was used to forecast the onset of ovarian activity and predict the calf growth. Eighty Brahman cows with their calves were allocated in two groups of 40 distributed in 4 months according to the month of calving, starting in March and finishing in June. One was synchronized and inseminated at fixed time following by natural mating (TAI+NM); whilst the other only by natural mating (NM). The programs started at 60 ± 5 days postpartum and ended 60 days later. From day 30 postpartum, serial ultrasound examinations and progesterone samples were used to monitor the onset of ovarian activity. The BFT in the rump area was measured by ultrasound from 30 days postpartum and every 15 days thereafter. The weight of the calves was recorded at birth and at weaning on 160 days. The adjusted effect of BFT on ovarian activity and the calves' development was assessed by binomial logistic regression at 30, 60, 75, and 120 days postpartum. The cycling cows averaged higher BFT irrespective of breeding program (P &lt; 0.001). Also, slower changes in BFT were recorded during the follow-up at each time for all cows. However, the former had the higher BFT values from calving to the end of the study (P &lt; 0.001). At 60, 75, and 120 days, the BFT measured, at the preceding time, was the only factor predicting the commencement of cyclicity (P &lt; 0.001). The accumulative pregnancy through time was higher in TAI+NM (P = 0.003). Daily weight gain and weaning weight of the calves born in March was significantly heavier (P &lt; 0.001) than peers born in April, May, or June. The most critical element to forecast the onset of ovarian activity is the monitoring of BFT around calving regardless of the breeding program. BFT to estimate the development of the calves until weaning was unpredictable.

Reproductive developmental dynamics during the early and intermediate prepuberal periods in Nelore breed (Bos indicus) calves

The demand for calves as oocyte donors for in vitro embryo production is growing. However, Bos indicus have a late puberty, and some aspects of the reproductive physiology during the prepubertal period remain unclear. We characterized endocrine and morpho-functional reproductive features in Nelore calves (n=8) at 2- 5 (early prepubertal period, EPP) and from 8-11 months old (mo., intermediate prepubertal period, IPP). The calves’ ovaries and uterus were B-mode transrectal ultrasonography examined, and blood samples were collected every second week. The antral follicles number and size, and ovarian and uterine horn diameters, were recorded, and plasma FSH and LH concentrations were measured (RIA). Non-pregnant, non-lactating cyclic Nelore cows (n=8) were used as controls for endocrine endpoints. Somatic development was monitored by monthly weighing, and 3D scanning of the rump area. The somatic and endocrine endpoints were compared within and between EPP and IPP, and between each period and control cows. Associations were determined by the Spearman correlation method, and the developmental rates were determined by non-linear regression. All morphological endpoints, except antral follicle count, increased (P < 0.001) from the EPP to the IPP. However, within each period differences occurred only at EPP. During the EPP LH and FSH plasma concentrations were similar (P > 0.05), whereas during the IPP LH was lower (P < 0.05) and FSH was higher (P < 0.001) than control cows. The EPP calves showed moderate to high positive correlations among ovarian, uterine, and somatic endpoints. Conversely, the IPP such correlations were mostly weak. In summary, distinct ovarian activity and development patterns of primary and secondary sexual characteristics occurred in Nelore calves at 2- 5 mo compared to 8-11 mo.

Changes in Transcriptomic Profiles in Different Reproductive Periods in Yaks

Yak reproductive characteristics have received extensive attention, though the molecular regulation mechanism of its ovarian activity remains to be explored. Therefore, this study initially conducted a comparative analysis of yak ovarian activities in anestrus, estrus, and pregnancy regarding their morphology and histology, followed by implementing RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to detect the overall gene expression and biological mechanism in different reproductive stages. H&E staining showed that there were more growing follicles and mature follicles in ovarian tissue sections during estrus than ovarian tissues during non-estrus. The RNA-seq analysis of yak ovary tissues in three periods showed that DEGs related to follicular development and hormone metabolism were screened in the three comparison groups, such as COL1A2, NR4A1, THBS2, PTGS2, SCARB1, STAR, and WNT2B. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these DEGs are involved in ion binding, cell development, metabolic processes, enriched in ECM–receptor interactions, steroid biosynthesis, together with aldosterone generation/discharge and Wnt/PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. In addition, we speculate alternate splice development events to have important role/s in regulating ovarian functional genomic expression profiles. These results provide essential knowledge aimed at scrutinizing pivotal biomarkers for yak ovarian activity, together with paving the way for enhancing researchers’ focus on improving yak reproductive performance.

THE DIFFERENCES OF SALIVARY VOLUME, pH AND ORAL CONDITIONS BETWEEN MENOPAUSAL AND NON-MENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Background: Menopause is the permanent cessation of menstrual cycles due to the loss of ovarian activity. This phase is characterized by physiological changes, mostly influenced by the decrease of estrogen and progesterone, as well as by the aging of tissues. These changes can involve oral cavity. Postmenopausal women are prone to changes in the oral cavity such as volume, salivary pH and oral conditions such as ulceration, bleeding gums, dry mouth and caries due to hormonal changes. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the differences in volume, salivary pH and oral conditions in menopausal women and non-menopausal women. Method: This study was using an analytic comparative method. The data obtained was secondary data from the results of the Unpad Lecturer Competency Research (RKDU) by taking a convenience sampling of 27 menopausal women and using simple random sampling of 27 non-menopausal women. The volume and salivary pH were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test and the data on the condition of the oral cavity were analyzed using the z-parametric test with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The results showed that there were significant differences in salivary volume (p=0.0016), salivary pH (p=0.0191) and caries (p=0.0142), and there was no significant differences in ulceration conditions (p=0.5), bleeding gums (p=0.0806) and dry mouth (p= 0.2756) in menopausal women and non-menopausal women. Conclusion: There are differences in salivary volume, salivary pH and caries conditions, but there are no differences in ulceration, bleeding gums and dry mouth conditions in menopausal women and non-menopausal women. Keywords: Menopausal women, Oral changes, Saliva pH, Saliva volume

Hormonal Characteristics of Women Receiving Ovarian Tissue Transplantation with or without Endogenous Ovarian Activity

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and transplantation of frozen/thawed ovarian tissue (OTT) are used for fertility preservation in girls and women. Here, we evaluated the hormonal characteristics of women with or without postmenopausal levels of FSH at the time of OTT to study differences and conditions that best support the initiation of ovarian function. A total of 74 women undergoing OTT (n = 51 with menopausal levels of FSH; n = 23 with premenopausal levels) were followed by measurements of FSH, LH, AMH, and oestradiol. Concentrations of FSH and LH returned to premenopausal levels after 20 weeks on average, with a concomitant increase in oestradiol. Despite resumption of ovarian activity, AMH concentrations were in most instances below the detection limit in the menopausal group, suggesting a low ovarian reserve. Despite a higher age in the premenopausal group, they more often experienced an AMH increase than the menopausal group, suggesting that conditions in the premenopausal ovary better sustain follicle survival, perhaps due to the higher concentrations of oestradiol. Collectively, this study highlights the need for improving follicle survival after OTT. Age and the amount of tissue transplanted are important factors that influence the ability to regain ovarian activity and levels of FSH may need to be downregulated and oestradiol increased prior to OTT.

Monitoring of the Reproductive Cycle in Captive-Bred Female Boa constrictor: Preliminary Ultrasound Observations

The Boa constrictor is one of the most common reptiles bred in captivity. To achieve a successful breeding season, thorough knowledge of the females’ reproductive activity is necessary. In this regard, information on the Boa constrictor is still rather scarce. The aim of the present study was to monitor the ovarian activity and the embryonic development of boas by ultrasound. We performed brief scans on thirty non-anaesthetized snakes using a portable ultrasound system and a 7.5–10 MHz linear array transducer (Esaote MyLab™ Classic). Ultrasound features, dimensions, and echogenicity of the preovulatory and postovulatory follicles were determined. As gestation progresses, the postovulatory follicle size increases, and the embryonic silhouette becomes increasingly recognizable. During the second month after ovulation, by using color Doppler, early embryos’ heart activity could be evaluated. It is possible to highlight vascular connections between the mother and the membrane covering the embryonic structures. Ultrasound also allows one to identify follicular regression or slugs (nonfertilized eggs) early. The present study suggests that ultrasound could be an excellent noninvasive technique to evaluate the reproductive activity of Boa constrictor, allowing us to precisely identify the correct time for mating, monitor embryo development and viability, and allow the early diagnosis of follicular regression.

Cefacetrile and Rifaximin association might improve first service conception rate and reduce the number of services per conception in cows with clinical endometritis

Clinical endometritis (CE) is a serious disease leading to poor reproductive performances in lactating dairy cows, thus diminishing farm profitability. To preserve optimum reproductive efficiency, various strategies and therapeutic approaches have been proposed to manage cows with CE, often with contradictory results. Thus, investigating new paths to CE treatment is economically important. The aim of the present study was to test the efficacy of three therapeutic protocols on the clinical cure rate of CE, and improvement of reproductive performance. Cows with CE (n=42), 21–38 days in milk (DIM), were assigned to three treatment groups: PGF: cows (n=19) were treated systemically with two doses of d-cloprostenol, a PGF2α analogue, at 14-days intervals; CEFAX: cows (n=10) received an intrauterine infusion of the combined antibiotics Cefacetrile and Rifaximin; and NAX: cows (n=13) received systemic treatment with Ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA). A control group included cows (n=36) free from CE (healthy group: HE). All cows were clinically re-examined after the end of the treatment protocol. The clinical cure rate was 73.7%, 80% and 69.2% in PGF, CEFAX, and NAX groups, respectively (P&gt;0.05). The HE group had a significantly shorter calving to first service interval compared to CEFAX and PGF groups (P&lt;0.05), however the difference was not significant with NAX group. The mean calving to fertilizing service interval (CFI) was slightly higher in all three treatment groups compared to the HE group, however the difference was not significant (P&gt;0.05). CEFAX protocol resulted in shorter but not statistically significant CFI, compared to the PGF and NAX protocols. Services per conception rate were slightly lower (1.7) in the CEFAX group compared to HE (1.75), PGF (1.84) and NAX (2.23) groups, however these differences were not significant. First service conception rate and conception rate at 105 DIM did not differ statistically between the treatment groups. While the difference was not significant, CEFAX protocol had slightly better cure rate for CE, reducing the number of services per conception and boosting the resumption of ovarian activity after calving. Validating these finding on a larger herd size will improve the accuracy of these findings.

PSXIII-19 The influence of weaning age and biocholine supplementation to post-weaning growth and reproductive development in Brangus heifers

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of earlier weaning in addition to biocholine supplementation on age at puberty of Brangus heifers. Brangus calves were randomized and divided into three weaning ages groups, at 30 (Hyper-early weaning; HW), 75 (Early weaning; EW) and 180 days (Conventional weaning; CW). Then, calves were supplemented using the additive Biocholine (BIO) or not (CON). Animals were subjected to puberty induction and transrectal ultrasonography was performed to assess the ovarian activity and the presence of corpus luteum to determine heifer puberty. We also evaluated the body weight (BW; Kg), hip height (HH; cm), thoracic perimeter (TP; cm) and BW:HH ratio during the experimental period. BIO group showed higher ADG (&gt;226g/day) when the animals were exposed to ryegrass pasture compared to CON (P &lt; 0.05). We observed an interaction between weaning x biocholine and CW-BIO heifers showed greater HH more compared to CW-CON (P &lt; 0.05). Overall, animals that have reached puberty at day 8 after puberty induction showed 331.0±23.14kg BW, 122.0±2.58cm HH and 165.4±3.45cm TP and 2.7±0.14 BW:HH. At the time of ovulation detection, the heifers from the HW group had 32.1kg BW, 3.93cm HH and 0.18cm BW:HH greater compared to CW (P &lt; 0.05). The BIO supplementation together with ryegrass pasture, led to an increase in ADG weight throughout the evaluated period. We concluded that HW heifers showed an adequate body development throughout the experimental period until puberty appearance at the same age as others weaned groups.