FOLLICULAR AND LUTEAL CHANGES DURING EARLY PREGNANCY IN THREE BREEDS OF SWINE

1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. DUFOUR ◽  
M. H. FAHMY
Keyword(s):  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Tissue Weight ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
The Mean ◽  
In Pregnancy

Follicular and luteal changes during the first half of pregnancy were studied using 47 Yorkshire (Y), 52 Landrace (Ld) and 44 Lacombe (Lc) sows examined at 23, 42 and 63 days of pregnancy. Follicular fluid weight was greater in Lc than in Y (20%) and Ld (8%) sows. The mean follicular weight for all breeds increased by 22.6% (P < 0.05) from day 23 to day 42 of pregnancy. Yorkshire sows had significantly more small (1–2 mm) follicles than Lc and Ld sows. The average number of small follicles for all breeds was 117 at day 23 and remained unchanged at day 42, but was 20.5% higher (P < 0.01) at day 63. The number of medium (3–5 mm) follicles was similar in the three breeds, whereas that of large follicles (6–10 mm) was greater in Lc than in Y and Ld sows. The number of medium and large follicles increased with the advance in pregnancy. The ovulation rate as measured by the number of corpora lutea was 15.1 in Ld and 14.1 in Y and Lc. Luteal tissue weight was less in Y than in Ld and Lc sows. The weight of luteal tissue increased with advancing pregnancy.

scholarly journals Ovarian characteristics in sheep with multiple fecundity genes

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth P McNatty ◽  
Derek A Heath ◽  
Zaramasina Clark ◽  
Karen Reader ◽  
Jennifer L Juengel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Total Cell ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Preovulatory Follicles ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The One

Ewes heterozygous for combinations of the Inverdale (FecXI; I+), Booroola (FecB; B+) and Woodlands (FecX2W; W+) mutations have ovulation rates higher than each mutation separately. The aims of the experiments described herein were to examine the ovarian phenotypes in I+B+ and I+B+W+ ewes and to compare these with the appropriate ++ (controls), I+ and BB animals available for this study. The mean ± s.e.m. ovulation rates in the ++ (n = 23), I+ (10), I+B+ (7), I+B+W+ (10) and BB (3) animals were 1.8 ± 0.1, 2.5 ± 0.2, 6.6 ± 1.0, 9.6 ± 0.9 and 9.7 ± 0.9 respectively. The maximum number of granulosa cells per follicle in the ++ and I+ genotypes was accumulated after exceeding 5 mm diameter, whereas in I+B+, I+B+W+ and BB animals, this was achieved when follicles reached >2–3 mm. The number of putative preovulatory follicles, as assessed from those with LH-responsive granulosa cells, 24 h after the induction of luteolysis, was higher (P < 0.01) in the I+B+ and I+B+W+ compared to the ++ and I+ genotypes. The median follicular diameters of these follicles in the ++, I+, I+B+, I+B+W+ and BB genotypes were 6, 5, 3, 3 and 3 mm respectively. The total number of granulosa cells in the putative preovulatory follicles when added together, and total mass of luteal tissue, did not differ between the genotypes. Thus, despite large ovulation rate differences between animals with one or more fecundity genes, the total cell compositions over all preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea, when added together, are similar to that from the one or two such follicles in the wild types.

Ovulation rate and survival of fertilized ova in Merino ewes selected for and against multiple births

1972 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 851 ◽  
Author(s):  
AO Trounson ◽  
NW Moore
Keyword(s):  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Multiple Births ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection Group ◽  
Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin

Peppin Merino ewes selected for (T group) and against (0 group) multiple births over a number of generations were used in an experiment designed to study the effect of selection on ovulation rate, response to exogenous gonadotrophin (1300 i.u. pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin—PMSG), and their ability to support one or more embryos of their own or the other group. Fertilized eggs, collected following treatment of donors with PMSG, were transferred within and between groups at a rate of one and three per recipient. Recipients were not treated with PMSG. The mean ovulation rates of T and 0 recipients were 2.03 and 1.13, and the mean ovulatory response to PMSG of T ewes was almost 50 % greater than that of O ewes (4.76 v. 3.29 corpora lutea). The survival to birth of transferred eggs was affected by both the selection group of the egg and the selection group of the recipient, and by the number of eggs transferred. More O than T recipients lambed (77 % v. 45 %); and within O recipients, intergroup transfers were more successful than intragroup transfers (94 % v. 54% ewes lambed). A similar but not significant difference was observed in T group recipients (54% v. 38% lambed). Where three eggs were transferred, neither the selection group of the recipient nor that of the egg had any effect upon the incidence of multiple births. It is concluded that selection has operated primarily on ovulation rate, and there was some evidence of heterosis in intergroup transfers.

Short-term undernutrition and prenatal mortality in young and mature Merino ewes

1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Mackenzie ◽  
T. N. Edey
Keyword(s):  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Cycle Lengths ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Right

SUMMARYPrenatal mortality was examined in 74 primiparous Merino ewes which, after hand mating to fertile rams on the second oestrus following synchronization, were allocated to two groups. One group of 38 ewes was confined to yards and restricted to approximately 30% of their maintenance requirement for 14 days while the other group of 36 remained at pasture. The degree and timing of prenatal loss was assessed by corpora lutea counts, pregnancy diagnosis about day 40, returns to service and lambing records.The mean ovulation rate was 1·06 and the 19-day non-return rate was 87·8%. Pregnancy failed in a higher proportion of the underfed ewes (45·0%) than in the control ewes (30·8%) but this difference did not reach significance. Of the ewes returning to service, significantly more did so with cycles longer than 19 days in the underfed group (9/12) than in the control group (2/8), indicating that in the latter stages, the treatment may have been detrimental to embryo survival.In a second experiment, ovulation rate and prenatal mortality, assessed as in the first experiment, were studied in 85 mature Merino ewes subjected to the following nutritional treatments: HH, control; HL, 30% submaintenance feeding for 14 days following mating; LH, 15% submaintenance feeding for 7 days prior to mating; LL, both submaintenance treatments.Acute undernutrition prior to mating (LH) had no effect on ovulation rate or prenatal mortality. Ovulation rates were low over all groups (mean 1·09) and thus precluded any valid examination of ovulation rate and body weight relationships. The right ovary was significantly more active in producing ova than the left in all groups (P < 0·05). Although ova wastage was apparently higher in. the post-mating undernutrition groups (HL, 44%; LL, 48%; LH, 50%) than in the control group (HH, 35%), the differences were not significant. An increased incidence of extended (> 19 days) first-return cycle lengths in group LL provided some evidence of induced prenatal mortality.In so far as the experiments can be considered together, they indicate that if body weights are comparable, primiparous 1½-year-old ewes are not necessarily more susceptible than mature ewes to prenatal mortality induced by severe short-term undernutrition.

SURVIVAL AND GONADOTROPHIN RESPONSIVENESS OF LUTEAL CELLS IN VITRO

1971 ◽  
Vol 68 (1_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S295-S317 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Hansel
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
Pituitary Hormones ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Protein Binding Assay ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Progesterone Biosynthesis

ABSTRACT Simplified methods for incubating luteal tissues have been developed. Progesterone biosynthesis in washed, minced bovine luteal tissue is stimulated by added bovine LH. The response is linear in the range 2–200 ng added LH per ml of medium. The use of covariance analysis to correct for differences in time elapsing between mincing the tissue and the beginning of incubation reduces the standard error of the mean and results in marked improvement in the indices of precision. Progesterone biosynthesis in washed, minced bovine luteal tissues appears specific for LH; no other pituitary hormones give a response, and the response is completely negated by adding anti-bovine LH serum to the incubation medium. Prior treatment of cattle from which the incubated corpora lutea are obtained with various levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin, results in greatly increased luteal tissue weights. However, this tissue has a markedly reduced sensitivity to LH added in vitro. No conclusive evidence was found for a feedback inhibition of progesterone on its own synthesis in this system. The incubation system developed is sensitive enough to serve as a bioassay for LH in biological tissues and fluids. Preliminary data suggest that a simplified protein binding assay can be successfully used to measure the progestins synthesized by minced, washed bovine luteal tissue in response to added bovine LH.

Annual reproductive rhythm and ovulation rate in four fat-tailed sheep breeds

1978 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sefidbakht ◽  
M. S. Mostafavi ◽  
A. Farid
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Activity ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Significant Decline ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Monthly Variation ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Cycle

ABSTRACTKarakul, Mehraban, Naeini and Bakhtiari sheep were checked twice a day for oestrus using aproned rams and were laparotomized within 5 to 16 h of the end of every second oestrous period. Oestrus was observed for 12 monthly periods commencing on 21 April.The Mehraban breed with 1 -6 oestrous periods per month was less seasonal in its breeding activity (P<0·01) than the other breeds. Four-year-old ewes were more sexually active (P<0·01) than 3-year-old ewes (1·48 v. 1·28 oestrous periods per month). Seasonal variation in the sexual activity of the ewes was observed (P<001); the peak of activity in July to January was followed by a steady decline in February and March to a low in April and May, and then a steep recovery phase in June. There was only limited sexual activity for at least 4 months (March to June).The overall mean cycle length was 17·8 days (14 to 23 days), and the means for the four breeds were 17·6, 17·8, 17·8 and 17·9. The oestrous cycle was longer (P<0·05) during the period from December t o February than during that from June to August.The overall mean duration of the oestrous period was 36·9 h and the means for the four breeds were 35·2, 38·0, 37·4 and 37·1 h, respectively (P<0·05). The duration showed some monthly variation (P<0·01) but did not follow a special seasonal pattern. The ovulation rates for the four breeds were 1·07, 1·13,0·94 and 0·95 respectively, (P<0·01). There was a non-significant decline in the mean ovulation rate from March to June. Right ovaries were more active than left ovaries as judged by the observation of a higher average number of corpora lutea per ewe per laparotomy (0·58 v. 0·43, P<001).

Size distribution of bovine steroidogenic luteal cells during pregnancy

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 323-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ş Arikan ◽  
A. Yigit
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Cell Diameter ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Single Cell Suspension ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
Steroidogenic Cells

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the size distribution of bovine steroidogenic luteal cells throughout pregnancy. Corpora lutea collected from three different stages of pregnancy were used. Luteal tissue was dissociated into single-cell suspension by enzyme treatments. Cells were stained for 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) activity a marker for steroidogenic cells. The steroidogenic cells covered a wide spectrum of size ranging from 10 to 60 µm in diameter. There was a significant increase in mean cell diameter (P > 0·05) as pregnancy progressed. Mean diameter of 3β-HSD positive cells increased from 17·03 (s.e. 1·3) µm in the corpus luteum of early pregnancy to 33·38 (s.e. 2·4) µm in the corpus luteum of advanced pregnancy. The ratio of large (>22 µm in diameter) to small (10 to 22 µm in diameter) luteal cells was 0·32 : 1·0 in the early pregnancy, with the 10 to 22 µm cell size class predominant. However, the ratio of large to small luteal cells was increased to 6·49 : 1·0 µm as pregnancy advanced and 23 to 42 µm cell sizes become predominant. It is likely that small luteal cells develop into large cells as gestation progresses. Development of pregnancy is associated with an increase in size of steroidogenic luteal cells.

Increased production of sheep embryos following superovulation of Merino ewes with a combination of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and follicle stimulating hormone

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
JP Ryan ◽  
JR Hunton ◽  
WM Maxwell
Keyword(s):  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Ovarian Response ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Concentration ◽  
Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

In a factorially designed experiment (N = 321), 0, 800 or 1600 I.U. pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were administered in combination with 0, 12 or 18 mg follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P) to superovulate Merino ewes in autumn and spring. A moderate dose of PMSG (800 I.U.) in conjunction with 12 or 18 mg FSH-P increased the ovulation rate above that observed when FSH-P was used alone. This was accomplished by (i) increasing the proportion of ewes that exhibited a superovulatory response (greater than 3 corpora lutea (CL) or persistent large follicles (LF): 69/70 (99%) v. 55/74 (74%), P less than 0.001), and (ii) in those ewes that exhibited a superovulatory response, by an additive effect of exogenous gonadotrophin (14.8 +/- 0.9 CL (69) v. 11.3 +/- 0.9 CL (55), P less than 0.01) without increasing the incidence of LF. The use of 1600 I.U. PMSG in conjunction with 12 or 18 mg FSH-P was characterized by an increase in the number of LF and, in comparison with 800 I.U. PMSG, a reduction in ovulation rate. Season had no effect on the numbers of CL, but total ovarian response (CL + LF) was higher in autumn than in spring (P less than 0.01), because of a greater incidence of LF (P less than 0.001). The proportion of ewes with regressed CL was higher in autumn than in spring (53/143 (37%) v. 32/156 (21%), P less than 0.01), and increased with increased dose of gonadotrophin. Furthermore, a nutritional component to the incidence of ewes with regressed CL was suggested by the observation that the mean concentration of plasma glucose was higher for ewes with normal CL than for ewes with regressed CL (P less than 0.05). Rates of ova or embryo recovery, fertilization and embryo development generally declined with an increase in the incidence of LF as a result of increases in the dose of gonadotrophin and season of administration.

Reproduction in the mountain possum, Trichosurus caninus (Ogilby), in captivity

1973 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 321 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Smith ◽  
RA How
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Hormone Secretion ◽  
Vaginal Smear ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Ovarian Weight ◽  
Luteal Cells ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
The Mean

Reproduction was studied in eight female T. caninus held in captivity in Armidale, N.S.W., for up to 5 yr. Oestrus was diagnosed from the vast increase in epithelial cells in the vaginal smear, post-oestrus being detected by the appearance of many leucocytes and of some elongate epithelial cells. The mean of 17 oestrous cycles was 26.4+- 1.0 days and the mean of 10 gestation periods was 16.2+-0.2 days. The teats evert and the female first ovulates at the end of her 2nd year, but no captive female gave birth till near the end of her 3rd year. In the anatomy of the uteri and vaginae, T. caninus resembles T. vulpecula but the ovaries of T. caninus are markedly distinguished by the presence of up to seven large corpora lutea. Although the weight of the luteal tissue may contribute as much as 83.9 % of the total ovarian weight, there is no evidence from the uteri that these large corpora lutea are functional in hormone secretion. The luteal cells are large but vacuolated and are separated by a well developed network of connective tissue. As the corpora lutea persist throughout the life of the animal, it is suggested that their number be used to indicate the maximum age of the animal.

MAINTENANCE OF PREGNANCY RELATIVE TO THE PRESENCE OF FEW EMBRYOS IN THE RABBIT

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. ADAMS
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Uterine Horn ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Stimulating Hormone

SUMMARY Either one or two 60-h morulae were transferred to one uterine horn of Polish, Dutch or Strain A rabbits in which the mean number of ovulations was 4·3, 6·4 and 10·8. The pregnancy rate, as determined by palpation on day 10, varied from 45–65% (mean 53%) in recipients of one egg to 69–71% with two eggs. Only 20% of the does carrying one foetus maintained pregnancy to term compared with 87% of those with two implants. If pregnancy failed this usually occurred between days 15 and 20. In a further experiment, in which additional eggs were transferred to the contralateral horn, it was shown that all single conceptuses were inherently capable of surviving to term. It is concluded that irrespective of breed and ovulation rate, two conceptuses are normally required to prevent regression of corpora lutea on about day 17. Treatment with follicle-stimulating hormone in mid-pregnancy or removal of the barren uterine horn on day 13 failed to maintain pregnancies involving only one conceptus.

Effect of active immunization against the amino-terminal peptide (alpha N) of the alpha 43 kDa subunit of inhibin (alpha 43) on fertility of ewes

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
JK Findlay ◽  
DL Russell ◽  
B Doughton ◽  
CG Tsonis ◽  
C Borchers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Follicular Fluid ◽  
Active Immunization ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Fertilization Rates ◽  
Peripheral Plasma ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Ovulatory Process

Immunization against the amino-terminal peptide (alpha N) of the alpha 43 subunit of inhibin was shown previously to reduce fertility in ewes. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of active immunization of ewes against alpha N on egg recovery and fertilization rates. Ewes were immunized against alpha N immunogen, and were given 800 I.U. of pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin at the end of treatment with intravaginal progesterone to synchronize the oestrous cycles. Control ewes received adjuvant only. The ewes were run with fertile rams, and 4 days after withdrawal of the progesterone device the oviducts were flushed to recover eggs and luteal structures on the ovaries were recorded. Eggs were recovered from 17/19 (90%) control ewes compared with 4/16 treated ewes (25%) (P < 0.01), and the egg recovery rates were 76% (45/59) and 17% (7/42) respectively (P < 0.001). The mean number of corpora lutea (CL) per ewe were similar (3.1 +/- 1.4 v. 2.6 +/- 1.0) but several CL in the treated ewes did not appear to have ruptured, and 2 treated ewes had cystic follicles and no CL. There were no apparent differences in either the fertilization rates or the stages of development of fertilized eggs between treated and control ewes. Antibody binding levels in follicular fluid were approximately half those found in peripheral plasma. It is concluded that immunization of ewes against alpha N leads to lowered fertility by suppressing ovulation, implicating alpha N in the normal ovulatory process.

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