Effect of timing of estradiol benzoate administration upon synchronization of ovulation in suckling Nelore cows (Bos indicus) treated with a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device

The present study investigated how the timing of the administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) impacted the synchronization of ovulation in fixed-time artificial insemination protocols of cattle. To accomplish this, two experiments were conducted, with EB injection occurring at different times: at withdrawal of the progesterone-releasing (N) intravaginal device or 24 h later. The effectiveness of these times was compared by examining ovarian follicular dynamics (Experiment 1, n = 30) and conception rates (Experiment 2, n = 504). In Experiment 1, follicular dynamics was performed in 30 Nelore cows (Bos indicus) allocated into two groups. on a random day of the estrous cycle (Day 0), both groups received 2 mg of EB i.m. and a P4-releasing intravaginal device, which was removed on Day 8, when 400 IU of eCG and 150 mu g of PGF were administered. The control group (G-EB9; n = 15) received 1 mg of EB on Day 9, while Group EB8 (G-EB8; n = 15) received the same dose a day earlier. Ovarian ultrasonographic evaluations were performed every 8 h after device removal until ovulation. The timing of EB administration (Day 8 compared with Day 9) did affect the interval between P4 device removal to ovulation (59.4 +/- 2.0 h compared with 69.3 +/- 1.7 h) and maximum diameter of dominant (1.54 +/- 0.06 a cm compared with 1.71 +/- 0.05 b cm, P = 0.03) and ovulatory (1.46 +/- 0.05 a cm compared with 1.58 +/- 0.04 b cm, P < 0.01) follicles. In Experiment 2,504 suckling cows received the same treatment described in Experiment 1, but insemination was performed as follows: Group EB8-AI48h (G-EB8-AI48h; n = 119) and Group EB8-AI54h (G-EB8-AI54h; n = 134) received 1 mg of EB on Day 8 and FrAI was performed, respectively, 48 or 54 h after P4 device removal. Group EB9-AI48h (G-EB9-AI48h; n = 126) and Group EB9-AI54h (G-EB9-AI54h n = 125) received the same treatments and underwent the same FTAI protocols as G-EB8-AI48h and G-EB8-AI54h, respectively; however, EB was administered on Day 9. Conception rates were greater (P < 0.05) in G-EB9-AI54h 163.2% (79/125) a], G-EB9-AI48h [58.7% (74/126) a] and G-EB8-AI48h [58.8% (70/119) a] than in G-EB8-AI54h [34.3% (46/134) b]. We concluded that when EB administration occurred at device withdrawal (D8), the interval to ovulation shortened and dominant and ovulatory follicle diameters decreased. Furthermore, when EB treatment was performed 24 h after device removal, FTAI conducted at either 48 or 54 h resulted in similar conception rates. However, EB treatment on the same day as device withdrawal resulted in a lesser conception rate when FTAI was conducted 54 h after device removal. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolamento e caracterização ultraestrutural de folículos pré-antrais de vacas da raça Nelore (Bos taurus indicus)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Desenvolvimento folicular de embriões de frangos de corte de diferentes genótipos expostos ao estresse térmico crônico

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as alterações tegumentares (morfogênese da pena), em embriões de frangos de corte de linhagens de diferentes padrões de crescimento, obtidos de ovos incubados sob diferentes temperaturas. Os ovos foram obtidos de matrizes das linhagens Cobb 500 e ISA JA57, distribuídos proporcionalmente em três incubadoras. do primeiro (D1) ao sexto dia (D6) de incubação, utilizou-se uma temperatura padrão (37,8°C). A partir do sétimo dia (D7) e até o momento do nascimento aos 21 dias (D21), uma das incubadoras teve a temperatura reduzida para 36,8°C (fria) e uma outra alterada para 38,8°C (quente). A terceira incubadora foi mantida a 37,8°C (controle). O delineamento adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (temperatura de incubação e linhagem). A temperatura de incubação e a linhagem não alteraram a densidade dos folículos da pena (número médio de folículos por área de 337,5µm²) nas regiões femural e dorsopélvica dos embriões até os 11 dias (D11). Entretanto, observou-se aumento na densidade folicular na região dorsal dos embriões aos 16 dias (D16) devido ao aumento da temperatura, permanecendo até o momento do nascimento. É possível oncluirque embriões incubados em temperatura acima da recomendada (38,8°C) apresentam uma maior densidade de folículos na região dorsopélvica. Apesar disso, a morfogênese dos folículos permaneceu inalterada.

Gonadal steroids levels and vitellogenesis in the formation of oocytes in Prochilodus lineatus (Valenciennes) (Teleostei: Characiformes)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Laparoscopic ovum collection in sheep: Gross and microscopic evaluation of the ovary and influence on ooctye production

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Dominant follicle removal by ultrasound guided transvaginal aspiration and superovulatory response in Nellore cows

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) on follicular population and on in vitro buffalo embryo production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bovine somatotropin (bST) on ovarian follicular population in buffalo heifers and its influence on oocyte quality, recovery rates and in vitro embryo production. We tested the hypothesis that bST treatment in buffalo females submitted to an ovum pick-up (OPU) program Would improve the number of follicles recruited, oocyte quality and in vitro embryo production. A total of 10 heifers were assigned into two treatment groups: group bST (n = 5; receiving 500 mg of bST in regular intervals) and control group (n = 5; without additional treatment). Both groups were subjected to OPU sessions twice a week (every 3 or 4 days), for a total of 10 sessions per female, although due to procedural problems, only the first five OPU sessions produced embryos. The number of follicles and the diameters were recorded at all OPU sessions. The harvested oocytes were counted and classified according to their quality as either A, B, C, D or E, with A and B considered good quality. Cleavage and blastocyst production rates were evaluated 2 and 7 days after in vitro fertilization, respectively. The bST treatment increased the total number of antral follicles (> 3 mm in diameter; 12.2 compared with 8.7: p, < 0.05) and of small antral follicles (< 5 mm; 9.1 compared with 6.5; p < 0.05) per OPU session. The bST also tended to increase the number of oocytes recovered per session (5.2 compared with 4.1; p = 0.07), and enhanced the percentage of good quality oocytes (48.8% compared with 40.6%; p = 0.07), bST showed no effect on cleavage and blastocyst production rates (p > 0.05). The significant effects of performing repeated OPU sessions were decreasing the follicular population (p < 0.001) as well as the number of follicles aspirated (p < 0.001), and oocytes recovered (p < 0.02). In conclusion, bST treatment improves the follicular population, demonstrating its possible application in buffalo donors submitted to OPU programs. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

OVARIAN HISTOLOGY and FOLLICULAR SCORE IN FEMALE RATS TREATED WITH NANDROLONE DECANOATE and SUBMITTED TO PHYSICAL EFFORT

The study was conducted to analyze the histology of the ovaries of adults rats treated with steroids, and submitted or not to physical effort. The control group consisted of females submitted to physical effort and sedentary females, both of which received a physiological solution of 0.9% saline. Treated females, sedentary or not, received 6 mg/kg of body weight of nandrolone decanoate. The steroid and physiological solution were administered intraperitoneally, with a single injection per week for 4 consecutive weeks. The applied physical effort was swimming (20 minutes daily, 5 days/week, for the 4 weeks of treatment). Serial sections (5 mu m) of ovaries were prepared for histological evaluation and follicular score. The weight of ovaries and hypophysis, the number of antral and atretic follicles, and the area of corpus luteum were all affected by the steroids. In the ovaries of the control groups, well-developed corpus luteum was observed. In the treated groups, the cortical stroma was occupied by ovarian interstitial tissue. The females treated with steroids presented estral acyclicity. The use of nandrolone decanoate, whether associated with physical effort or not, affected the morphological pattern of the ovaries.

Administração experimental de esteróide anabólico androgênico e álcool causa alterações histológicas e morfométricas nos ovários e útero de ratas adultas

Abusive and indiscriminate use of androgenic anabolic steroid is an usual practice among youth and adults of both sex. Usually these substances were utilized simultaneously with others drugs, licit or not, that causes damage to health. The purpose of study was to evaluate the influence of experimental administration of nandrolone decanoate steroid (ND), associated or not to alcohol, in the ovaries and uterus of adult rats. Females with regular estrous cycle (n = 20), were distributed in the groups: a) control (physiological solution); b) ND (7.5 mg/kg BW; intraperitoneal); c) alcohol (0.2 mL/100g BW; oral); d) ND + AL. The teatments were realized by single dose per week, during twelve consecutive weeks. The ovaries of rats in the groups ND, AL and ND + AL presented intense follicular atresia and decrease in the number of antral follicles and corpora lutea. None treatment did affect ovarian weight, but uterine weight was increase (p<0.05) in the ND + AL group. There were alterations in the uterine histology and morphometry at function of each treatment. Isolated or simultaneous use of anabolic steroid and alcohol promotes ovarian and uterine toxicity in adult female rats.

Efficacy of the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) in predicting pregnancy after intrauterine insemination

Background: Although the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) was developed merely as a selection criterion, its application as a method for classifying sperm morphology may represent an improvement in the evaluation of semen quality. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of normal sperm morphology using MSOME with regard to clinical pregnancy (CP) after intrauterine insemination (IUI).Methods: A total of 156 IUI cycles that were performed in 111 couples were prospectively analysed. Each subject received 75 IU of recombinant FSH every second day from the third day of the cycle. Beginning on the 10th day of the cycle, follicular development was monitored by vaginal ultrasound. When one or two follicles measuring at least 17 mm were observed, recombinant hCG was administered, and IUI was performed 12-14 h and 36-40 h after hCG treatment. Prior to the IUI procedure, sperm samples were analysed by MSOME at 8400x magnification using an inverted microscope that was equipped with DIC/Nomarski differential interference contrast optics. A minimum of 200 motile spermatozoa per semen sample were evaluated, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa in each sample was determined.Results: Pregnancy occurred in 34 IUI cycles (CP rate per cycle: 21.8%, per patient: 30.6%). Based on the MSOME criteria, a significantly higher percentage of normal spermatozoa was found in the group of men in which the IUI cycles resulted in pregnancy (2.6+/-3.1%) compared to the group that did not achieve pregnancy (1.2+/-1.7%; P = 0.019). Logistic regression showed that the percentage of normal cells in the MSOME was a determining factor for the likelihood of clinical pregnancy (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.51; P = 0.003). The ROC curve revealed an area under the curve of 0.63 and an optimum cut-off point of 2% of normal sperm morphology. At this cut-off threshold, using the percentage of normal sperm morphology by MSOME to predict pregnancy was 50% sensitive with a 40% positive predictive value and 79% specificity with an 85% negative predictive value. The efficacy of using the percentage of normal sperm morphology by MSOME in predicting pregnancy was 65%.Conclusions: The present findings support the use of high-magnification microscopy both for selecting spermatozoa and as a routine method for analysing semen before performing IUI.

A new ovarian response prediction index (ORPI): implications for individualised controlled ovarian stimulation

Background: The objective was to present a new ovarian response prediction index (ORPI), which was based on anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, antral follicle count (AFC) and age, and to verify whether it could be a reliable predictor of the ovarian stimulation response.Methods: A total of 101 patients enrolled in the ICSI programme were included. The ORPI values were calculated by multiplying the AMH level (ng/ml) by the number of antral follicles (2-9 mm), and the result was divided by the age (years) of the patient (ORPI=(AMH x AFC)/Patient age).Results: The regression analysis demonstrated significant (P<0.0001) positive correlations between the ORPI and the total number of oocytes and of MII oocytes collected. The logistic regression revealed that the ORPI values were significantly associated with the likelihood of pregnancy (odds ratio (OR): 1.86; P=0.006) and collecting greater than or equal to 4 oocytes (OR: 49.25; P<0.0001), greater than or equal to 4 MII oocytes (OR: 6.26; P<0.0001) and greater than or equal to 15 oocytes (OR: 6.10; P<0.0001). Regarding the probability of collecting greater than or equal to 4 oocytes according to the ORPI value, the ROC curve showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91 and an efficacy of 88% at a cut-off of 0.2. In relation to the probability of collecting greater than or equal to 4 MII oocytes according to the ORPI value, the ROC curve had an AUC of 0.84 and an efficacy of 81% at a cut-off of 0.3. The ROC curve for the probability of collecting greater than or equal to 15 oocytes resulted in an AUC of 0.89 and an efficacy of 82% at a cut-off of 0.9. Finally, regarding the probability of pregnancy occurrence according to the ORPI value, the ROC curve showed an AUC of 0.74 and an efficacy of 62% at a cut-off of 0.3.Conclusions: The ORPI exhibited an excellent ability to predict a low ovarian response and a good ability to predict a collection of greater than or equal to 4 MII oocytes, an excessive ovarian response and the occurrence of pregnancy in infertile women. The ORPI might be used to improve the cost-benefit ratio of ovarian stimulation regimens by guiding the selection of medications and by modulating the doses and regimens according to the actual needs of the patients.

Detecção imunoistoquímica de receptores de estrógeno e progesterona no endométrio de vacas Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) durante o anestro pós-parto

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

DERMOID CYST IN SHEEP - A CASE REPORT

Stelmann U.J.P., Silva A.A, Souza B.G., Oliveira G.F., Mello E.B.F.R.B, Souza G.C.J. & Hess T.M. Dermoid cyst in sheep - A Case Report. [Cisto dermoide em ovino - Relato de Caso]. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinaria, 34(2):127-130, 2012. Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencia, Tecnologia e Inovacao em Agropecuaria, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, BR 465, Km 7, Seropedica, RJ 23890-000, Brasil. E-mail: stelmann.ppgctia@gmail.comA dermoid cyst is a non-neoplasic, benign dermatologic injury. This article describes the finding of a dermoid cyst that was surgically extracted in a nine months aged ewe. The patient was admitted to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital Department at the Federal Rural of Rio de Janeiro University, with a history of a non-healing wound that also contained fur. The ewe was referred to the surgical service and the histopathologic analysis of the lesion revealed a structure lined by stratified epithelium containing hair follicles, sudoriparous and sebaceous glands, which are conclusive for a dermoid cyst diagnosis.

Reproductive responses of rabbit does to a supplemental lighting program

The objective was to investigate whether the productivity of rabbit does can be improved, when natural photoperiod is decreasing, by adopting a supplemental lighting program. Three experiments were conducted involving two groups: control, submitted to the natural decreasing photoperiod, and supplemented with a lighting program which provided 14 h light/24 h beginning at 10 weeks of age. In the first experiment, 20 nulliparous does, 10 from each group, were euthanized 8 h after being presented to a buck; the overall number of follicles, whose diameter exceeded I mm, was determined macroscopically. The right ovaries were collected, histologically analyzed, and electronically measured. In the second experiment, 30 nulliparous does, 15 from each group, were presented to a buck (day 1). Receptive does were euthanized on day 8 to evaluate embryonic survival (number of normal embryos/ovulation rate). In the third experiment, 48 nulliparous does, 24 from each group, were followed from the first presentation to the buck until the weaning of the first litter. The effect of treatment on reproductive and body weight traits of does, and litter performance traits, at birth and weaning, was evaluated. The average number of follicles whose diameter exceeded 1 mm was higher in the treatment group (12.05 +/- 1.07 vs. 8.63 +/- 1.00, P=0.03 7). Receptive does of the treatment group had heavier ovaries relative to those of the control group (790 +/- 59 vs. 470 +/- 64 mg, P=0.004), whereas no treatment difference regarding this trait was found for non-receptive ones. Treatment had a favorable effect on pregnancy rate of total exposed and of receptive does (80.0% vs. 33.3%, P=0.01, and 92.3% vs. 50.0%, P=0.02, respectively). The number of underdeveloped embryos was lower (0.067 +/- 0.380 vs. 2.500 +/- 0.455, P=0.004), embryonic survival up to day 8, and uterus weight was higher in the treatment group (0.839 +/- 0.075 vs. 0.534 +/- 0.087, P=0.033 and 13.83 +/- 0.72 vs. 10.99 +/- 0.84, P=0.037, respectively). Number of presentations tended to be lower (1.32 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.75 +/- 0.16, P=0.077) and adjusted litter size in the first reproductive cycle tended to be higher (7.09 +/- 0.89 vs. 5.22 +/- 0.68, P=0.091) in the treatment group relative to the control.

Cisto ovariano em vacas de leite: incidência, resposta à aplicação de GnRH e desempenho reprodutivo

A incidência de cistos ovarianos, a resposta ao tratamento com GnRH e os efeitos da ocorrência de cisto no desempenho reprodutivo e na taxa de descarte foram determinados em vacas lactantes da raça Holandesa. Vacas lactantes (n=333) foram avaliadas semanalmente por ultrassonografia a partir da quarta semana pós-parto, visando à detecção de corpos lúteos (CL) e de folículos ovarianos maiores que 10mm. Na sétima semana pós-parto, as vacas foram classificadas: em ciclando (n=248; presença de CL em um dos exames ultrassonográficos); em anestro (n=54; ausência de CL e de folículos >25mm) e com cisto (n=31; ausência de CL e presença de estruturas >25mm), quando foram distribuídas em: grupo-controle (n=16; sem tratamento) e grupo-tratamento (n=15; vacas que receberam uma aplicação de GnRH). A taxa de cura foi de 60,0% no grupo das vacas tratadas e de 87,5% no grupo-controle. As vacas com cistos apresentaram maior intervalo parto-primeira inseminação artificial (P<0,05; 91,4±8,3 vs. 77,8±2,5), maior número de serviços por concepção (P<0,05; 4,4±1,2 vs. 3,6±1,5), maior intervalo parto-concepção (P<0,05; 214,8±25,9 vs. 174,9±7,7) e maior taxa de descarte (P<0,05; 41,2 vs. 21,8%) do que as vacas ciclando. Vacas diagnosticadas com cisto na sétima semana pós-parto apresentaram recuperação espontânea, embora o intervalo parto-concepção e a taxa de descarte tenham sido maiores para essas vacas.