Hormonal Management for the Induction of Luteolysis and Ovulation in Andalusian Jennies: Effect on Reproductive Performance, Embryo Quality and Recovery Rate

Two prostanglandins (luprostiol, LUP, and dinoprost, DIN) and two ovulation-inducing agents (human Chorionic Gonadotropin, hCG, and deslorelin, DES) were evaluated for luteolysis and estrus induction, and for ovulation induction, respectively, in embryo donor jennies. Twenty-six fertile Andalusian jennies were used. In Experiment 1, jennies (n = 112 cycles) were randomly treated with either LUP or DIN after embryo flushing. In Experiment 2, donors (n = 84 cycles) were randomly treated with either hCG or DES to induce ovulation. No differences were found between prostaglandins for all variables studied (prostaglandin–ovulation interval (POI), interovulatory interval (IOI), embryo recovery rate (ERR), positive flushing rate (PFR) and embryo grade (EG)). The ovulation rate was similar for hCG and DES (60.9% vs. 78.7%). However, the interval to ovulation (ITO) was affected (62.61 ± 7.20 vs. 48.79 ± 2.69 h). None of the other variables studied (ERR, PFR and EG) were affected (p > 0.05), except for embryo quality (p = 0.009). In short, both prostaglandins evaluated are adequate to induce luteolysis and estrus. Both ovulation-inducing agents hastened ovulation, but DES seems to be more effective than hCG. Follicular diameter affected the interval from treatment to ovulation, and high uterine edema was related to low embryo quality.

PSIII-15 The interactions of change in nutrition after artificial insemination on plasma metabolites, steroid hormones, and uterine histotroph in beef heifers

The objective was to evaluate the impact of nutritional changes after artificial insemination (AI) on plasma metabolites, steroid hormones, and uterine histotroph. Beef heifers (n = 50) were randomly assigned to a post-AI dietary treatment (High=161.5% or Low=77.45% of maintenance energy) until uteri were flushed for embryo recovery (d14). Blood samples were collected on d -3, 0 (AI), 3, 6, 9, 12, and 14 for analysis of plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), total protein (protein), glucose, cholesterol, and progesterone concentrations. Uterine flushes (UF) were analyzed for concentrations of Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Co, B, Cr, and Fe. Plasma NEFA, protein, glucose, cholesterol, and progesterone concentrations were analyzed as repeated measures in SAS (PROC MIXED). Mineral concentrations in UF were analyzed using the MIXED procedures in SAS. Diet influenced plasma NEFA concentrations, with Low heifers having elevated concentrations (P < 0.01); however, diet did not influence plasma protein, glucose, cholesterol, or progesterone concentrations (P > 0.10). Plasma NEFA, glucose, and progesterone concentrations changed over time (P < 0.05), but protein and cholesterol did not differ over time (P > 0.10). Diet by time interactions influenced plasma NEFA, protein, and cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.05), but glucose and progesterone concentrations were not different (P > 0.10). Presence of a recovered embryo by time interaction influenced plasma protein concentrations (P < 0.04), but NEFA, glucose, cholesterol, and progesterone concentrations were not affected by the interaction (P > 0.10). Embryo recovery and diet by embryo recovery by time did not impact plasma NEFA, protein, glucose, cholesterol and progesterone concentrations (P > 0.10). When an embryo was recovered, Mg (P = 0.02) and S (P = 0.02) were decreased in UF. Diet and diet by embryo recovery did not affect UF mineral concentrations (P>0.10). In conclusion, post-AI nutrition influenced plasma NEFA, protein, glucose, cholesterol, and progesterone concentrations. Additionally, uterine histotroph mineral concentrations were affected by presence of an embryo.

Respon Superovulasi Sapi Persilangan Belgian Blue dengan Metode yang Berbeda

ABSTRACT. Superovulasi merupakan suatu metode pemanfaatan induk betina unggul untuk menghasilkan embrio sebanyak-banyaknya untuk kegiatan transfer embrio. Tujuan penelitian ini membandingkan 2 teknik superovulasi yang berbeda pada sapi persilangan Belgian Blue. Penelitian dilakukan di Balai Embrio Ternak Cipelang Bogor dengan menggunakan 24 ekor sapi persilangan Belgian Blue dengan umur 2-3 tahun, masing-masing perlakuan 12 ekor. Penelitian dilakukan secara eksperimen dengan dua perlakuan, P1 = Superovulasi menggunakan penyuntikan FSH selama 3 hari pada pagi dan sore (metode konvensional) dengan dosis 400 mg FSH dalam 20 ml pelarut dan P2 = Superovulasi menggunakan penyuntikan tunggal (satu kali) FSH dengan dosis 400 mg FSH dalam 3 ml pelarut . Parameter pada penelitian ini adalah Jumlah Corpus luteum (CL), respon rate, perolehan embrio, kualitas embrio, recovery rate, dan tingkat fertilisasi. Data yang diperoleh diuji dengan uji T tidak berpasangan. Hasil analisa data menunjukkan hasil yang tidak berbeda nyata (P0,05) pada jumlah CL P1 : 8,42+3,06 dan P2 : 6,08+4,74; Respon rate P1 : 100% dan P2 : 75%; Total perolehan embrio P1 : 6,08+2,64 embrio dan P2 : 4,45+4,01 embrio; Embrio recovery rate P1 : 70,37+9,18% dan P2 : 61,33+12,12%; Embrio Layak Transfer P1 : 3,83+2,92 embrio dan P2 : 2,73+2,28 embrio; dan berbeda nyata (P0,05) pada rataan fertilisasi P1 : 79,10% dan P2 : 95,26%. Kesimpulan penelitian ini adalah teknik superovulasi penyuntikan tunggal FSH secara subkutan memberikan efek superovulasi dan menghasilkan embrio dengan jumlah dan kualitas yang tidak berbeda nyata dengan teknik superovulasi konvensional. (Superovulation Responses of Belgian Blue Crossbreed Cattle Treated with Different Superovulation Methods) ABSTRAK. Superovulation is a technique for producing a large number of embryos for embryo transfer using a genetically superior female. The purpose of this research was to compare two alternative methods of superovulation in Belgian Blue crossbreed cattle. The study used 24 Belgian Blue crossbred cattle aged 2-3 years, including 12 cows per treatment, at the National Livestock Embryo Center of Cipelang in Bogor. The research was done in an experimental setting using two different treatments, P1 = Superovulation using twice daily FSH injections for three days at a dose of 400 mg FSH dissolved in 20 ml of saline, and P2 = Superovulation using FSH single injections at a dose of 400 mg FSH dissolved in 3 ml of saline. The parameters in this study were the number of corpus luteum (CL), response rate, total number of embryo/ova collection, embryo quality, recovery rate, and fertilization rate. The data obtained were tested by unpaired T test. The results of data analysis showed results that were not significantly different (P0.05) on the number of CL P1 : 8.42+3.06 and P2 : 6.08+4.74; Response rate P1 : 100% and P2 : 75%; Total number of embryos collection P1 : 6.08+2.64 embryos and P2 : 4.45+4.01 embryos; Embryo recovery rate P1 : 70.37+9.18% and P2 : 61.33+12.12%; Transferable Embryos P1 : 3.83+2.92 embryos and P2 : 2.73+2.28 embryos; and significantly different (P0.05) on fertilization rate P1 : 79.10% and P2 : 95.26%. The conclusion of this study show that the subcutaneous FSH single injection technique induces superovulation and produces embryos that are similar in number and quality to those produced by conventional superovulation techniques.

258 The Interactions of Change in Nutrition on Uterine Environment and Plasma Cholesterol Concentrations in Beef Cattle

The objective was to evaluate the impact of nutritional changes prior to and after artificial insemination (AI) on uterine environment and plasma cholesterol concentrations. Beef heifers (n = 79) were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups (High=155% or Low=86% of maintenance energy) for 30 d prior to AI (pre-AI). At AI, heifers were randomly assigned new treatment groups (post-AI) which created four pre- x post-AI diet treatments (High-High, High-Low, Low-High, and Low-Low). Post-AI dietary treatments continued until uteri were flushed for embryo recovery (d 7 or 8 post-AI). Blood samples were collected on d -3,-2,-1, 0 (AI day), 1,3,5,7, and 8 for analysis of plasma cholesterol concentrations using a colorimetric assay. Uterine flushes were analyzed for concentrations of Mg, Al, P, S, K, Ca, Cu, Zn, Se, and Fe by ICPMS. Plasma cholesterol (repeated measures) and uterine mineral concentrations were analyzed using the MIXED procedures in SAS. Plasma cholesterol concentrations changed over time (P < 0.0001); however, there were no differences between treatments (P > 0.10). There was an effect of embryo presence on uterine flush mineral concentrations for Mg (P < 0.04), Al (P < 0.01), S (P < 0.01), K (P < 0.01), and Ca (P < 0.01), with decreased concentrations when uterine flushes contained an embryo. There was no effect of pre-AI diet on mineral concentrations; however, there was an effect of post-AI diet on S (P < 0.02) and Ca (P = 0.03). High diet heifers had increased S and Ca concentrations compared to low diet heifers. Sulfur concentration was affected by a pre-AI diet by embryo interaction (P < 0.03). There was a post-AI by embryo interaction on P (P < 0.03), Zn (P = 0.02), and Se (P = 0.02). Also, there was a pre-AI by post-AI by embryo interaction on Mg (P < 0.05). In conclusion, changing plane of nutrition pre- and post-AI had no effect on plasma cholesterol concentrations; however, presence of an embryo affected uterine mineral concentrations.

Intrauterine Blood Plasma Platelet-Therapy Mitigates Persistent Breeding-Induced Endometritis, Reduces Uterine Infections, and Improves Embryo Recovery in Mares

Microorganisms, including pathogenic or opportunistic bacteria and fungi, may gain access to the uterus during breeding, and infectious endometritis plays a major role in equine subfertility. This study aimed to assess the post-breeding inflammatory response, endometrial culture, and embryo recovery of mares susceptible to persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) treated with plasma-rich (PRP) or -poor (PPP) plasma. Mares (n = 12) susceptible to PBIE had three cycles randomly assigned to receive intrauterine infusions of lactate ringer solution (LRS, control), or autologous PRP or PPP pre- (−48 and −24 h) and post-breeding (6 and 24 h). Mares were bred with fresh semen from one stallion. Intrauterine fluid accumulation (IUF) and endometrial neutrophils were assessed every 24 h up to 96 h post-breeding. Uterine cytokines (Ilβ, IL6, CXCL8, and IL10) were evaluated before (0 h), 6, and 24 h post-breeding, and endometrial culture three and nine days after breed. Embryo flushing was performed 8 days post-ovulation. Data were analyzed with mixed model, Tukey’s post-hoc test, and multivariate regression. PRP treatment reduced endometrial neutrophils, post-breeding IUF, and pro-inflammatory cytokines when compared to control-assigned cycles, but not significantly different than PPP. Controls had a significantly higher percentage of positive bacterial cultures (33%) in comparison to PRP-assigned cycles (0%), whereas cycles treated with PPP were not significantly different from the other groups (25%). The PRP-assigned cycles had significantly greater embryo recovery rates (83%) than the control (33%), though not significantly different than PPP (60%). Plasma infusion reduced the duration and intensity of the post-breeding inflammatory response and improved embryo recovery in mares susceptible to PBIE. Platelets incrementally downregulate PBIE and appear to have a dose-dependent antimicrobial property.