New approach for superovulation and embryo recovery in the one humped camel

The first attempt in Egypt, to realize induction of superovulation and embryo recovery in camels, was conducted using 7 lactating camels, 5- to 12-year old. A new approach for superovulation was carried out on 3 animals [group 1]. Luteal phase was induced in these animals by fertile matings. The embryo was recovered from each camel on day 7 post-estrus. On day 9, PMSG [2000 IU] was administered to induce superovulation. Two days later, luteolysis was achieved by the application of two doses of PGF2a. This approach was compared with another regimen [group 2, 4 camels] including the application of ear implant [synchromate B] for 5 days followed by injecting the same dose of PMSG on the day of implant removal. The results revealed higher ovulation rate in camels of group 1 [5.33 +/- 0.27] as compared with those of group 2 [4 +/- 0.35]. Also, more [P <0.05] embryos were collected from camels of group 1 [1.67 +/- 0.27 vs 0.5 +/- 0.25]. These results were associated with higher [P <0.05] progesterone levels in group 1 [2.03 +/- 0.28] than in group 2 [1.4 +/- 0.11 ng/ml] at the initiation of superovulation. Detailed information about progesterone levels for the individual camels during the different treatment days, as well as the method used for embryo recovery in this species, were included

Hormonal treatments for induction of ovarian cyclicity in post-partum anoestrous barki ewes

At the beginning of the non-breeding season, 25 Barki ewes in their early postpartum period [21-28 days] were divided into 5 groups [5 ewes per group] and treated as follow: 1- Received no treatment [control], Norgestomet ear implant for 13 days plus 500 i.v. PMSG at the time of implant removal; 2- Progesterone releasing intravaginal sponge for 13 days; 3- Progesterone releasing intravaginal sponge plus 750 i.v. PMSG at sponge withdrawal; 4- 30 mg progesterone followed by ram introduction. Blood samples were collected at the end of treatment, during estrus and 10 days following estrus. Plasma progesterone was determined using RIA. In the 5 groups 0, 80, 0, 100 and 80% of ewes showed symptoms of estrus. The duration from the end of treatment to the onset of estrus was 78 +/- 6, 48 +/- 16.97, 144 +/- 24 hours in groups 2, 4 and 5, respectively. Plasma progesterone for the 5 groups were 0.351 +/- 0.105, 3.429 +/- 0.672, 2.2 +/- 0.72, 0.54 +/- 0.27 and 47.03 +/- 11.826 ng/ml at the end of treatment, 0.296 +/- 0.096, 0.597 +/- 0.096, 2.635 +/- 1.578, 0.097 +/- 0.04 and 0.314 +/- 0.06 ng/ml during estrus or expected day of estrus, 0.287 +/- 0.109, 1.874 +/- 0.283, 0.26 +/- 0.11, 3.68 +/- 0.08 and 2.738 +/- 0.903 ng/ml 10 days following estrus in the 5 groups, respectively. The data indicated that Norgestomet PMSG or progesterone releasing intravaginal sponge PMSG or progesterone priming followed by ram introduction could provide a beneficial method for induction of early ovarian cyclicity in early postpartum Barki ewes during the non-breeding season

Plasma estrogen and progesterone concentrations in relation to embryo yield in superovulated buffaloes

The relationships between plasma estradiol-17 beta and progesterone concentrations and each of the ovarian response and embryo yield were investigated in thirteen adult buffaloes. Superovulation was induced in these animals using FSH in combination with prostaglandin F2 alpha. Blood samples were collected daily for hormonal analysis from the day of treatment [day-4] to the day of embryo recovery [day 6 post-estrus]. The results revealed that 30.77% [G I] of the treated buffaloes did not respond to the superovulatory treatment [developed two or less copora lutea] whereas 69.23% [G II] responded to FSH-treatment by experiencing more than two corpora lutea. Progesterone [P[4]] concentration at the initiation of superovulation was higher [P < 0.01] in G II than in G I. This difference continued during all treatment days [days -4 to -1] and reappeared at day three post-estrus onwards. Estradiol-17B [E[2]] level differed significantly [P < 0.01] between the two groups on the day of estrus as well as one day before and after estrus. In G II, significant correlations existed between the number of recovered embryos and P[4] concentration at the initiation of superovulation, at estrus and on the day of embryo recovery. This revealed the P[4] level at the start of superovulation can be used as a reliable method to predict the embryo yield in buffalo species. E[2] concentration was correlated with the number of recovered embryos on the day of estrus and on the day of embryo collection. On the other hand, no correlations were found between P[4] or E[2] levels and the ovulation rate on the first day of treatment or on the day of embryo recovery. Hormonal profiles in buffaloes of G II showed marked changes in pre-and post-ovulation phase. However, in animals of G I no significant changes in hormone concentration were noted and this was considered a clear indication of the ovaries that are non-responsive to exogenous gonadotrophin

relationship between plasma progesterone concentration and embryo production in dairy cows superovulated with FSH or PMSG

Fourteen primiparous lactating cows, 3.5 to 4.5 years old in a military dairy farm nearby Cairo [Egypt] were used in this study. Following synchronization, the animals were randomly assigned into two groups; the first group [6 cows] was superovulated with a total dose of 32 mg FSH-P whereas the second group [8 cows] was treated with 3000 iu PMSG. Embryos were collected non-surgically on day 7 [day of estrus = day 0]. Plasma samples were taken from cows of both groups on day-4 [first day of gonadotrophin treatment], day-2 [day of PGF[2] alpha injection], day 0 [day of estrus] days 1,3,5 post-estrus and day 7 [day of recovery] for progesterone assay. The results revealed that FSH was more effective as a superovulatory agent than PMSG. Higher [P < 0.05] ovulalion rate [11.33 +/- 1.85 vs 6.63 +/- 1.14], number of embryos recovered per donor [5.17 +/- 1.20 vs 2.44 +/- 0.45] as well as number of transferable embryos [4.16 +/- 1.01 vs 1.86 +/- 0.42] were obtained from FSH than from PMSG-treated cows. However, more follicles [> 10 mm] were palpated in the PMSG-treated group [2.00 +/- 0.40 vs 0.33 +/- 0.19; P < 0.01]. Coefficients of correlation between progesterone concentration at initiation of superovulalion and each of the ovulation rate, number of embryos recovered and number of transferable embryos were higher in FSH than in PMSG-treated cows. When the data of both groups were pooled, the respective correlations [0.74, 0.69, 0.67] were still highly [P < 0.01] significant. Moreover, significant correlations were estimated between progesterone concentration and the mentioned parameters in FSH group at the day of recovery. This study revealed that measurement of plasma progesterone concentration can serve as a prognostic tool to predict the yield of fertile eggs and quality of embryos