108 Use of seminal plasma as ovulation inductor in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) embryo recipient and its effect on pregnancy rate

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 181
Author(s):  
W. Huanca ◽  
K. Garcia ◽  
W. F. Huanca ◽  
A. Cordero ◽  
J. Malaga

Alpacas, like other camelids, are classified as induced ovulators because an external stimulus is required for the occurrence of ovulation. Recent studies have identified the β-nerve growth factor (β-NGF), a protein present in the seminal plasma (SP), as responsible for inducing ovulation in this species and having potent luteotropic function. We speculate that SP can be used in reproductive biotechnologies, such as embryo transfer (ET), to increase the number of genetically superior animals produced in breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of inducing ovulation with SP or a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue on pregnancy rate in recipients of an alpaca ET program. Semen from 5 adult male alpacas was collected with an artificial vagina and diluted 1:1 (v/v) with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; Gibco-BRL). The diluted semen was centrifuged for 30min at 1200g, and the supernatant or SP was decanted and examined for absence of sperm. Then, the SP was centrifuged again for 20min at 1200×g. The SP was stored at −80°C until the use. Female alpacas (n=38; 6-8 years) with a body condition score of 2.5-3.5 (scale 1-5) were used for the experiment. Animals were evaluated daily by transrectal ultrasonography to determine the presence of a dominant follicle ≥7mm and randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) GnRH (n=20), 0.04mg of Buserelin acetate IM, or (2) SP (n=18): 1.0mL of seminal plasma IM. Seven days after GnRH or SP treatment (Day 0) the recipients received a fresh embryo. Alpaca donors (n=18) were given GnRH (0.04mg IM) and treated 36h later with 700IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (ECG). Donors were mated with fertile males 5 days after ECG (Day 0 of recipients), and embryos were recovered 7 days later. Embryos of similar quality were assigned to both groups and transferred nonsurgically to the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum. Ultrasonography examinations were performed on Day 2 to confirm ovulation and Day 25 to determine pregnancy in all of the recipients. Data was analysed by chi-squared test. Ovulation rate was not different between groups (100% each). Pregnancy rate was 45% (9 out of 20) and 44% (8 of 18) in GnRH and SP groups, respectively (P=0.77). In conclusion, SP was effective to induce ovulation in alpacas and was able to produce a pregnancy rate similar to that of GnRH as an ovulation-inducing treatment. Thus, SP can be used as an alternative for ET programs in alpacas. Research was funded by the project Role of Seminal Plasma in Reproductive Physiology and Application of Biotechnologies in Camelids (149-2017-CIENCIACTIVA).

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1219-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto Schneider ◽  
Luiz Francisco Machado Pfeifer ◽  
Eduardo Schmitt ◽  
Ivan Bianchi ◽  
Marcelo Brandi Vieira ◽  
...  

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of insulin alone or in association with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on the fertility of postpartum beef cows subjected to synchronization. A total of 340 cows was subjected to fixed time artificial insemination. In the trial 1, the cows were subjected to temporary weaning (TW), while in the trial 2 the same protocol was tested without TW. The addition of an insulin injection to a progesterone/eCG-based protocol without TW increased the pregnancy rate of beef cows with body condition score (BCS) equal to or lower than 2.5. Insulin had no effect on cows submitted to TW or with BCS equal to or higher than 3.0.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
W. Huanca ◽  
A. Cordero ◽  
H. Huaman ◽  
A. Ampuero

Alpacas, like all camelids are induced ovulators which means mating is required to induce ovulation. Studies over the last decades have clearly established the link between nutrition and ruminant fertility. These animals live above 4000 m with a deficient quality and quantity of pastures and with a rate of birth less than 50%. The study was carried out with the objective to evaluate feed supplementation before service on the pregnancy rate and embryonic survival in alpacas. One hundred ninety-four alpaca adults of 4–6 years were assigned to 4 treatments: T1 (n = 49): alpacas lactating with supplementation; T2 (n = 48): alpacas lactating without supplementation; T3 (n = 49): alpacas non-lactating with supplementation and T4 (n = 48): slpacas non-lactating without supplementation. Body weight and body condition score were measured before the initiation of the experiment and every two weeks. Animals in T1 and T3 were supplemented with 2 kg of alfalfa hay and 500.00 UI mL–1 of vitamin A, 75 000 UI mL–1 vitamin D3 and 500 mg mL–1 vitamin E four weeks before the initiation of the experiment. Animals were maintained on Festuca dolichophylla and Calamagrostis vicunarum grasses. Ultrasound examinations with a rectal probe of 7.5 MHz were performed on mating day (Day 0) and Days 2, 9, 20, 30, and 60 after mating. Pregnancy rate was evaluated with a Fisher test. Follicular size before mating was 9.1 ± 0.7, 8.3 ± 0.5, 8.2 ± 0.6 and 7.9 ± 0.8 mm for T1, T2, T3, and T4; differences between T1 and T4 were significant (P < 0.05); corpus luteum size: 13.6 ± 1.1; 11.2 ± 0.9; 11.6 ± 1.3 and 10.8 ± 1.9 mm for T1, T2, T3, and T4; different T1 and T3 and T4 (P < 0.05); conception rate on Day 20: 65.6; 51.7; 52.9 and 51.1% for T1, T2, T3, and T4 different between T1 with respect to T2, T3, and T4 (P < 0.05). Day 30: 62.5; 37.9; 47.1 and 33.3% for T1, T2, T3, and T4 different T1 with respect to T2, T3, and T4 (P < 0.05); D60: 62.5; 34.5; 47.1 and 30.3% different for T1 with respect to T2, T3, and T4 (P < 0.05). Feed supplementation before mating was important to conception rate on Day 20 but appeared to be more important to embryo and fetal survival.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
W. Huanca ◽  
J. Turin ◽  
C. Mamani ◽  
R. Sanchez ◽  
W. F. Huanca ◽  
...  

Alpacas are classified as induced ovulators, and an external stimulus is required for the occurrence of ovulation. The seminal plasma (SP) of camelids contains a protein identified as β nerve growth factor with the capacity to induce ovulation and corpus luteum formation. Alpacas have a poor reproductive efficiency and high embryo mortality rate. A study was designed to evaluate the use of SP to improve reproductive performance post natural mating (Exp. 1) and with different mounting time (MT; Exp. 2). Experiment 1: Nonpregnant alpacas (n = 117) exhibiting a dominant follicle = 7 mm, detected by transrectal ultrasonography, were bred by natural mating and then assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments: T1 (n = 40), 1 mL of SP IM; T2 (n = 39), 1 mL of GnRH analogue (0.0042 mg of buserelin acetate), IM; and T3 (n = 38), control. Experiment 2: Nonpregnant alpacas (n = 180) exhibiting a follicle = 7 mm were assigned randomly to the following treatments: T1 (n = 30): MT 5 min; T2 (n = 30): MT 5 min + 1 mL of SP; T3 (n = 30): MT 10 min; T4 (n = 30): MT 10 min + 1 mL of SP; T5 (n = 30): MT > 15 min; T6 (n = 30): MT > 15 min + 1 mL of SP. The same male was used for mating females in T1 and T2, T3 and T4, and T5 and T6, respectively. Animals were evaluated by ultrasound with an Aloka SSD 500 (Aloka, Tokyo, Japan) and 5.0-MHz linear transducer on Day 25 for pregnancy diagnosis. In Exp. 1 the conception rate was 67.5, 51.3, and 55.3% for T1, T2, and T3, respectively (P > 0.05). In Exp. 2 the conception rate was 46.2, 67.9, 57.1, 73.3, 61.8, and 72.7% for T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 (P < 0.05) and was significantly different between T1 v. T2 and T3 v. T4. The results suggest that the use of SP could be one method to improve reproductive performance in alpacas. Research was supported by Project N° 405-PNICP-PIAP-UNMSM.


Nativa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 281-285
Author(s):  
Gabriel Rodrigo Hass Perucchi ◽  
Gabriela de Souza Sartori ◽  
Richarlla Aparecida Buscariol Silva ◽  
Murilo da Silva Garcia ◽  
Rodrigo José Delgado Jardim ◽  
...  

A Inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) está se difundindo no Brasil, pois contribui para o aumento da produtividade. O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar o uso do GnRH em protocolos de IATF de vacas criadas no pantanal Sul-mato-grossense. Participaram da pesquisa 531 vacas paridas da raça Nelore, que foram avaliadas de acordo com o escore de condição corporal (ECC), submetidas a três tipos de protocolos de IATF (lote 1, 2 e 3). Após 40 dias da inseminação artificial foi realizado diagnóstico de gestação. As matrizes que não receberam GnRH no lote 1 (estro aparente), lote 2 (estro parcial) e lote 3 (sem apresentação de estro) apresentaram, respectivamente 55,4%, 19,2% e 25,9% de prenhez, enquanto as que receberam o fármaco apresentaram 48,6%, 37,2% e 38,8%. Relacionado ao ECC, pode-se observar que a maior taxa de prenhez ocorreu em animais com ECC 3. Primíparas apresentaram melhor taxa de prenhez quando receberam GnRH independente do ECC. Concluiu-se que o uso de GnRH mostrou-se eficiente para melhoria da taxa de prenhez principalmente em primíparas, assim como nos animais que não apresentaram estro ou apresentaram estro parcial, e que matrizes com ECC 3 apresentaram melhores taxas de prenhez que vacas com escore inferior. Palavras-chave: bovino de corte; inseminação artificial em tempo fixo; produtividade; GnRH; Nelore.   Evaluation of cow reproductive performance in the region of Mato Grosso do Sul swamp submitted to TAI with GnRH application   ABSTRACT: The technique of timed artificial insemination (TAI) is spreading in Brazil, as it contributes to the increase of productivity. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of GnRH in TAI protocols of cows raised in the swamp of Mato Grosso do Sul. 531 Nelore breed calved cows participate in the survey, which were evaluated according to the body condition score (BCS), and then performed three types of TAI protocols (batch 1, 2 and 3). After 40 days of the insemination, a pregnancy diagnosis was made. The matrices that did not receive GnRH in batch 1 (apparent oestrus), batch 2 (partial oestrus) and batch 3 (no oestrus presentation) presented respectively 55.4%, 19.2% and 25.9% of pregnancy, while those receiving the drug showed 48.6%, 37.2% and 38.8%. Related to BCS, it can be observed that the highest pregnancy rate occurred in animals with BCS 3. Primiparous had a better pregnancy rate when receiving GnRH regardless of BCS. It was concluded that the use of GnRH was efficient to improve the pregnancy rate mainly in primiparous as well as animals that showed no oestrus or partial oestrus, and matrices with BCS 3 had better pregnancy rates than cows with lower scores. Keywords: beef cattle; timed artificial insemination; productivity; GnRH; Nelore.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 172
Author(s):  
A. Menchaca ◽  
M. Vilariño ◽  
E. Rubianes

The short-term protocol with progesterone, prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), and eCG is used to control follicular dynamics and luteal activity synchronizing the ovulation for fixed-time AI in sheep. The objective of this experiment was to compare the pregnancy rate obtained with short-term protocol (6 d) and long-term protocol (14 d) using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI in sheep. Three hundred fifty-two Merino ewes with a body condition score of 2.9 ± 0.3 (mean ± SD; scale 0 to 5) were used during the breeding season (April, 33S, Uruguay). All the females received a CIDR-G (0.3 g of progesterone, InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand) for 6 d (short-term protocol; n = 178) or 14 d (long-term protocol, n = 174). One imdose of eCG (300 IU, Novormon, Syntex, BA, Argentina) was given at the moment of device withdrawal for the both protocols, and one imdose of PGF2α (10 mg of dinoprost, Lutalyse, Pfizer, New York, NY, USA) was given at the end of the short-term protocol to ensure luteolysis. Cervical AI (short-term protocol, n = 85; long-term protocol, n = 104) or intrauterine AI (short-term protocol, n = 93; long-term protocol, n = 70) was performed 48 or 54 h after device withdrawal, using 200 × 106 or 100 × 106 spermatozoa per ewe, respectively. Fresh semen was extended in UHT skim milk (1000 × 106 spermatozoa mL-1) and used within 1 h of collection. Estrus was recorded twice a day for 4 days after device withdrawal using vasectomized males. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal ultrasonography 40 d after AI (5.0 MHz, Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of the treatment (P < 0.05), the AI technique (P < 0.05), and their interaction (P = NS). Pregnancy rate was higher for the short-term than for the long-term protocol, and for intrauterine than for cervical AI (Table 1). The highest pregnancy rate was achieved with short-term protocol using intrauterine AI (54.8%, 51/93), and the lowest response was obtained with long-term protocol using cervical AI (33.7%, 35/104; P < 0.05). These data were not different from data of short-term protocol using cervical AI or long-term protocol using intrauterine AI (42.4%, 36/85; and 44.3% 31/70, respectively). Ewes in estrus/treated ewes was not different among short-term and long-term protocols (83.7%, 149/178; and 82.8%, 144/174, respectively; P = NS). In summary, regardless of insemination technique, short-term protocol of 6 d enhances pregnancy rate in fixed-time AI programs in sheep. Table 1.Main effects of short-term (6 d) v. long-term (14 d) protocol using cervical or intrauterine fixed-time AI on pregnancy rate in sheep Financially supported by Pfizer, SP, Brazil.


2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Small ◽  
F. Dias ◽  
L. Pfeifer ◽  
K. Lightfoot ◽  
M. Colazo ◽  
...  

In previous studies, giving eCG at CIDR removal significantly increased the pregnancy rate after timed-AI in beef cows. However, eCG is not universally available. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that giving pFSH at CIDR removal might improve the pregnancy rate in a CIDR-based, Cosynch protocol in postpartum, suckled Bos taurus beef cows; a secondary objective was to compare pregnancy rates when GnRH v. pLH was used to synchronize wave emergence and ovulation. This work was conducted as two experiments (separate locations). All cows were given a CIDR (containing 1.9 g progesterone; Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, QC, Canada) on Day 0 (without regard to stage of estrous cycle or cyclicity). On Day 7, CIDRs were removed, all cows were concurrently given 25 mg PGF (Lutalyse; Pfizer Animal Health, Groton, CT, USA), half were given 20 mg pFSH (Folltropin-V; Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, ON, Canada), and all cows were timed-AI 54 h later (Day 9). In Experiment 1, 240 cows [94 � 10.8 days postpartum; body condition score (BCS: 1 = emaciated, 9 = obese; mean � SD): 5.8 � 0.4] were used; at CIDR insertion and AI, cows were allocated to receive either 100 µg GnRH (n = 160; Cystorelin, Merial Canada Inc., Victoriaville, QC, Canada) or 12.5 mg pLH (n = 80; Lutropin-V, Bioniche Animal Health). In Experiment 2, 109 cows (59.2 � 19.5 days postpartum; BCS: 5.6 � 1.1) were used; all received 100 µg GnRH (Cystorelin) at CIDR insertion and AI. In Experiment 1, three cows that lost their CIDR were excluded; pregnancy rates after timed-AI (logistic regression, backward selection: parity, pFSH, synchronizing treatment, and their interactions) were not different between cows given pFSH v. control cows (64.7 v. 65.2%; P > 0.80), nor between cows given GnRH v. pLH (62.7 v. 69.6%; P = 0.91). However, there was an interaction (P < 0.04) between parity and the synchronizing treatment; in primiparous cows, pregnancy rates were significantly lower in those given GnRH v. pLH (59.3 v. 83.3%). In Experiment 2, pregnancy rates after timed-AI (logistic regression, backward selection: parity, pFSH, and their interaction) were not different between cows given pFSH v. control cows (38.2 v. 42.6%; P > 0.6). In conclusion, our hypothesis was not supported; giving pFSH at CIDR removal did not significantly improve the pregnancy rate in a CIDR-based, Cosynch protocol in postpartum, suckled Bos taurus beef cows.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Stokes ◽  
A. R. Ralph ◽  
A. J. Mickna ◽  
W. P. Chapple ◽  
A. R. Schroeder ◽  
...  

Abstract Three experiments were conducted at separate locations to determine the effects of a trace mineral injection (TMI), Multimin 90, on heifer performance and reproduction. In Exp. 1, [spring-born, Angus, n = 93, body weight (BW) = 428 ± 45.2 kg], Exp. 2 (spring-born, Angus × Simmental, n = 120, BW = 426 ± 54.0 kg), and Exp. 3 (fall-born, commercial Angus, n = 199, BW = 345 ± 39.7 kg) heifers were stratified by BW within experiment and assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: a control, saline injection, or TMI at a dose of 1 mL/68 kg BW. Free choice mineral, containing Cu, Mn, Se, and Zn formulated to meet or exceed NRC recommendations, was supplemented to heifers. Injections were given 33 d prior to breeding at the initiation of a 14-d controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-prostaglandin protocol. There was no difference (P ≥ 0.37) in BW during Exp. 1. Additionally, there was no difference (P ≥ 0.52) in body condition score (BCS) at initiation or at artificial insemination (AI) and final pregnancy confirmation in Exp. 1; however, a greater (P = 0.03) BCS was noted for control heifers at breeding. Pregnancy rates to timed AI and overall pregnancy rates were also similar (P ≥ 0.74) regardless of treatment. During Exp. 2, BCS and BW did not differ (P ≥ 0.44) across treatments. There was a tendency (P = 0.07) for TMI heifers to have an increased AI pregnancy rate (62 vs. 45%) compared with control heifers despite no difference (P = 0.51) in overall pregnancy rate. In Exp. 3, BW was not different (P ≥ 0.39) across all time points. Also, BCS did not differ (P ≥ 0.45) at initiation, AI, or final pregnancy conformation. Interestingly, there was a tendency (P = 0.10) for TMI heifers to have an increased BCS at the time of breeding compared with control heifers. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.50) in AI and overall pregnancy rates. In 1 of 3 experiments, an injectable trace mineral administered 33 d prior to the breeding season in conjunction with a 14-d CIDR protocol, tended to increased AI conception rates of heifers even when adequate trace mineral supplement was provided. The variable response observed across experiments may be caused by differences in breed, calving season, mineral sources, and management strategies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 50-50
Author(s):  
Clayton L McGuire ◽  
Jeremy G Powell ◽  
Reagan Cauble ◽  
Bryan Kutz ◽  
Karen Anschutz ◽  
...  

Abstract Foot soundness is essential for optimum performance in beef cattle. When evaluating foot soundness, emphasis is placed on foot angle (FA) and claw set (CS). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of foot angle and claw set scores on cowherd performance. Data were collected on 491 crossbred Angus-based cows over a three-year period. At weaning, FA and CS were evaluated according to American Angus Association guidelines. Scores are based on a nine-point scale, where a score of one indicates straight pasterns and short, divergent toes, and nine indicates weak, sunken pasterns and long, curled toes. Cows that exhibited scores ranging from four to six were considered acceptable. If either score fell outside this range, the cow was considered undesirable. Acceptable and undesirable cows were evaluated for performance traits including pre-breeding body weight (PBW), pre-breeding body condition score (PBCS), cow body weight at weaning (CWW), cow body condition score at weaning (WBCS), pregnancy rate, 205 d adjusted weaning weight (AWW), and weaning performance (WP). Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. There were no differences (P ≥ 0.19) for WP, PBW, PBCS, CWW, or pregnancy rate. Cows with acceptable foot scores had a WBCS 5.49% greater (P < 0.001) than undesirable cows. Acceptable cows possessed an average WBCS of 4.9 compared to 4.6 in undesirable cows. Acceptable cows weaned calves 3.39% heavier (P = 0.024) compared to undesirable cows. Acceptable cows weaned calves with a mean AWW of 216.67 kg compared to undesirable cows with a mean of 209.56 kg. The results from this study suggest that cows with acceptable foot scores may maintain more desirable BCS and wean heavier calves. These results could be used to help predict cow performance based on FA and CS.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
Gyu-Tae Yeom ◽  
◽  
Hae-Geum Park ◽  
Nam-Tae Kim ◽  
Sung-Woo Kim ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Zambarda Vaz ◽  
José Fernando Piva Lobato ◽  
João Restle ◽  
Pablo Tavares Costa ◽  
Lidiane Raquel Eloy ◽  
...  

Abstract The calving period influences productivity and reproductive efficiency the herds. The objective of this study was to evaluate two calving months (October and November) and their effect on the efficiency of a breeding herd for three consecutive years. A total of 298 Braford cows were evaluated at three, four, and five years of age, with their calves early-weaned at 148 days of age. The performance characteristics of the cow/calf pairs were evaluated with the calving month and calf sex as the independent variables. The animals were kept as a single group for the three years of observation. Cows calving in November were heavier and had a higher body condition score at calving. Cows calving in October were heavier and produced heavier calves at weaning. Male calves were heavier at birth and weaning than females (30.8 vs 28.6 kg and 118.9 vs 114.7 kg, respectively). The pregnancy rate was 82.35 and 69.23% for cows calving in October and November, respectively. Calving intervals were shorter in cows calving in November. Cows calving in October were more efficient compared with those calving in November, with a higher actual fertility rate. The production of kilograms of the calf/cow pair was higher for cows calving in October.


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