The Effect of A PRID®Delta-Based Estrus Synchronization Protocol On Pregnancy Rates In Cows With No Estrus Symptoms

The present study aimed to determine the effects of progesterone-based gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) injections on progesterone profiles and pregnancy rates in cows with no estrus symptoms within 60 days after parturition. A total of 80 cows were included in the study. All animals had the progesterone-releasing device PRID®Delta placed intravaginally for nine days with an injection of GnRH. On the eighth day, PGF2α was injected, and PRID®Delta was removed from the vagina on day nine. Artificial insemination was carried out 60 hours after PRID®Delta removal. In half of the animals (n = 40), 600 IU of eCG was injected when PRID®Delta was removed on the ninth day before artificial insemination 60 hours later. Blood samples were taken from the tail vein on days 0 and 8 to determine progesterone levels. The pregnancy rate in the group that received eCG was 37.5%, while it was 27.5% in those that did not (P = 0.4). While the dominant follicle diameter was 15.5 mm in cows injected with eCG during timed artificial insemination, the follicle diameter was 12.4 mm in cows with no eCG injection (P <0.001). There were no differences in serum progesterone values in blood samples taken until the time of artificial insemination. However, progesterone values in the blood taken during artificial insemination were 0.94 ng/ml in the eCG- group and 0.72 ng/ml in the eCG+ group (P <0.05). As a result, it was determined that eCG injections, in addition to progesterone-based GnRH and PGF2α applications, increased the pregnancy rates in cows without symptoms of estrus. The dominant follicle diameter was larger in cows treated with eCG during artificial insemination; however, follicle size did not increase the pregnancy rate.

Association Among Spinnbarkeit, Electrical Conductivity, and Crystallization of Cervical Mucus and Pregnancy Rate in Egyptian Baladi Cows

Alteration of the biophysical and biochemical characteristics of cervical mucus (CM) due to differences in steroid hormones through the estrus cycle leads to different pregnancy rates. This investigation aims to study the possible relationship between CM properties with biochemical profiles, macro-mineral levels, and steroid hormones concentrations, and their effects on pregnancy rates of Egyptian cows. Fourteen Baladi cows were used and synchronized. The model log-likelihood ratio was highly significant (P=0.0009), and reported that the spinnbarkeit (SPK), electrical conductivity (EC), and crystallization (CRS) had significant effect on high pregnancy rate. The 3rd level of SPK (>13.5 cm) and EC (>15 mS/cm) was the highest significant (P=0.0016 & 0.0517, respectively) and a clear positive of estimate marginal effect (20.2543 & 10.6192, respectively) attitude towards the pregnancy rate. However, in case of the CRS, the significant effect was in the first two levels (P=0.0321 & 0.0425, respectively) with a high pregnancy rate, reverse the last 2 levels. Total protein, cholesterol, glucose, potassium, chloride levels, and estradiol concentrations were observed higher with increasing levels of SPK and EC and appearance of typical fern patterns (first two levels of CRS), in contrast to sodium, and progesterone concentrations that decreased with elevating levels of SPK and EC and appearance of atypical fern patterns (last two levels of CRS). There was a close correlation between CM properties and steroid hormones (P4 & E2). So, alterations in CM properties, especially SPK, EC, and CRS, can be utilized to foresee estrus time and, as a result, insemination time.

Impact of Living in Different Altitudes on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Outcomes for Infertile Couples in Southwestern Region of Saudi Arabia, a Retrospective Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different altitudes in the Southwestern region of Saudi Arabia on ICSI outcomes, fertilization rate, embryo quality, pregnancy rate, and miscarriage rates for infertile couples. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study on 551 infertile couples carried out in the Assisted Reproductive Technology unit at the Maternity and Childern Hospital in Abha, Saudi Arabia between 2018 and 2019 to compare ICSI outcomes in different altitudes. Low altitude (205 patients), mild altitude (86 patients) and high altitude (260 patients). Main result measurements: fertilization rates, embryo quality, clinical pregnancy and miscarriage rates at different altitudes. Results: The data showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.67) in fertilization rates and the number of good-quality embryos between different altitudes. Importantly, clinical pregnancy rates were similar between groups and there was no significant difference in the miscarriage rates between high, mild and low altitudes. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that there is now increased risk of miscarriage or low pregnancy rates with different altitudes in Southwestern region of Saudi Arabia. This suggests that altitude changes has no obvious risk on pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome.

Can Time-Lapse Incubation and Monitoring Be Beneficial to Assisted Reproduction Technology Outcomes? A Randomized Controlled Trial Using Day 3 Double Embryo Transfer

Objective: To determine if the application of time-lapse incubation and monitoring can be beneficial to clinical outcomes in assisted reproductive technology.Methods: A total of 600 patients were equally randomized to three groups, namely, conventional embryo culture and standard morphological selection (CM group), time-lapse culture and standard morphological selection (TLM group), and time-lapse culture and morphokinetic selection (TLA group). Notably, 424 undergoing fresh autologous in vitro fertilization cycles were analyzed, 132 patients in the CM group, 158 in the TLM group, and 134 in the TLA group. Main outcomes included clinical outcomes, embryo development rates, and perinatal outcomes.Results: Clinical pregnancy rates in the time-lapse groups were significantly higher than in the CM group (CM 65.2% vs. TLM 77.2% vs. TLA 81.3%). Implantation rates and live birth rates were significantly higher for the TLA group (59.7 and 70.9%) compared with the CM group (47.7 and 56.1%) but not compared with the TLM group (55.4 and 67.1%). There was no statistical difference in miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates among the three groups. Overall, birth weight was significantly higher in the time-lapse groups (CM 2,731.7 ± 644.8 g vs. TLM 3,066.5 ± 595.4 g vs. TLA 2,967.4 ± 590.0 g). The birth height of newborns in the TLM group was significantly longer than that of the CM group and TLA group (CM 48.3± 4.4 cm vs. TLM 49.8± 2.3 cm vs. TLA 48.5± 2.7 cm).Conclusion: Time-lapse incubation and monitoring have a significant benefit on clinical pregnancy rates and on overall birth weights while morphokinetic analysis is not necessary.Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT02974517].

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE FERTILITY DURING FIXED-TIME ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN BEEF CATTLE

The application of Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) protocols has strongly boosted artificial insemination in Brazilian bovine herds. The control of the estrous cycle with protocols based on progesterone and estrogen involves synchronizing the emergence of a follicular wave, controlling the progesterone phase, and inducing ovulation in a synchronized manner. The increase in pregnancy rates starts with the preparation of the breeding season and the choice of protocols and females. Thereafter, based on the characteristics of the property and the lots of animals, small adjustments can be made to the hormonal protocols as needed. Finally, resynchronization can increase usability by allowing multiple inseminations within short periods. The search for new strategies is of paramount importance for the development of the FTAI protocol and the increase in final pregnancy rates. Thus, this review sought to highlight the main critical points and adjustments of the FTAI protocols and their applicability in the reproduction of beef cattle.