Método de Ovulação Billings: entre eficácia e desconhecimento / Billings Ovulation Method: between efficacy and lack of knowledge / Método de Ovulación Billings: entre la eficacia y el desconocimiento

Resumo Apesar dos grandes investimentos, os métodos artificiais de planejamento familiar ainda apresentam limitações. Desde a década de 1950, cientistas trabalham para desenvolver um método natural confiável. Este artigo revisa a literatura sobre o Método de Ovulação Billings, apontando sua lógica, sua eficácia, seus benefícios, seus desafios e suas regras. Trata-se de método natural, embasado em mais de cinquenta anos de pesquisas. Sua chave de leitura é o muco cervical, confiável indicador da fertilidade, e sua eficácia está entre 97% e 99%, comparável aos métodos mais eficazes. O método também é indicado para todo tipo de ciclo, pois não se baseia em cálculos, e sim na observação do muco. Conclui-se que no Brasil é preciso fortalecer programas que ofereçam educação sexual mais global à população, capacitando ainda profissionais da saúde a respeito dos métodos naturais de planejamento familiar.

Abstract Despite large investments, artificial family planning methods still have limitations. Since the 1950s, scientists have worked to develop a reliable natural method. This article reviews the literature on the Billings Ovulation Method, pointing out its logic, efficacy, benefits, challenges, and rules. It is a natural method, based on more than fifty years of research. Its reading key is the cervical mucus, a reliable indicator of fertility, and its efficacy is between 97 and 99%, comparable to most effective methods. Billings is also suitable for all types of cycles, as it is not based on calculations, but on the observation of the mucus. In conclusion, Brazil needs to strengthen programs that offer more global sexual education to the population, also training health professionals on natural family planning methods.

Resumen A pesar de las grandes inversiones, los métodos artificiales de planificación familiar todavía tienen limitaciones. Desde la década de 1950, los científicos vienen trabajando para desarrollar un método natural confiable. Este artículo revisa la literatura sobre el Método de Ovulación Billings, presentando su lógica, efectividad, beneficios, desafíos y reglas. Se trata de un método natural, basado en más de cincuenta años de investigación. Su clave es el moco cervical, un indicador confiable de fertilidad, y su efectividad está entre el 97% y el 99%, comparable a los métodos más efectivos. El Método de Ovulación Billings también es adecuado para todo tipo de ciclos, ya que no se fundamenta en cálculos, sino en la observación de mocos. Se concluye que en Brasil es necesario fortalecer programas que ofrezcan una educación sexual más global a la población, además de capacitar a los profesionales de la salud sobre métodos naturales de planificación familiar.

Vivência da mulher na escolha do Método de Ovulação Billings / Woman’s experience with the choice of the Billings Ovulation Method / Experiencia de la mujer en la elección del Método de Ovulación Billings

Trata-se de um estudo de caso com abordagem qualitativa, realizado entre fevereiro e novembro de 2010, com 10 mulheres, com idade média de 34 anos, usuárias do Método da Ovulação Billings (MOB), há mais de dois anos, cujo objetivo foi compreender a vivência da mulher na escolha do MOB. Os dados foram obtidos a partir de entrevistas, e analisados segundo a técnica de análise de conteúdo. As categorias de análise apontaram as principais infl uências na escolha do MOB: religião; naturalidade do método e benefícios do autoconhecimento. Concluiu-se que as mulheres revelam confiança na realização do método, que ele traz benefícios para as usuárias e que há necessidade de orientação profissional para a sua prática correta.

This is a case study with a qualitative approach, carried out between February and November 2010 with 10 women, mean age of 34 years old, users of this Billings Ovulation Method (MOB) for over than two years, with the objective of understand the experience of women by choosing the MOB. Data was obtained from interviews, and analyzed through content analysis technique. The categories of analysis showed that the reasons for the choices of the MOB were: religion; natural method, and benefits of self-knowledge. It was concluded that women show confidence in carrying out the method, that it brings benefits for users and that there is a need for professional guidance for its correct practice.

Se trata de un estudio de caso con abordaje cualitativa, realizado entre febrero y noviembre de 2010, con 10 mujeres, con edad media de 34 años, usuarias del Método de la Ovulación Billings (MOB) a más de dos años, cuyo objetivo fue comprender la vivencia de la mujer en elegir el MOB. Los dados se obtuvieron a partir de entrevistas, y fueran analizados según la técnica de análisis de contenido. Las categorías de análisis mostraron que las mayores infl uencias para la elección del MOB fueron: religión; naturalidad del método y beneficios del auto-conocimiento. Sin embargo, se concluye que las mujeres muestran confianza en la realización del método, que esto trae beneficios para ellas y que hay necesidad de orientación profesional para la práctica correcta del método.

A mastalgia pré-menstrual está associada a ciclos ovulatórios / The premenstrual breast pain is associated with ovulatory cycles

Objetivo: O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a associação entre o sintoma de mastalgia pré-menstrual com a existência de ciclos ovulatórios. Métodos: O estudo foi do tipo observacional, prospectivo, com corte transversal. Oitenta e cinco mulheres (85), algumas (65) com sintomas de mastalgia pré-menstrual (mastalgia cíclica), foram submetidas a um exame ultrassonográfico transvaginal com Doppler colorido, no 22º dia do ciclo menstrual (fase lútea média), para constatação da ovulação (imagem sugestiva de corpo lúteo e endométrio secretor). A seguir, foram determinados os índices de resistência arterial na periferia do corpo lúteo e no ovário contralateral. Como referência, foi usado o índice de resistência arterial de Pourcelot (RI=S-D/S). Resultados: Índices de resistência arterial significantemente mais baixos foram observados nos ovários nos quais havia ocorrido a ovulação (periferia do corpo lúteo), quando comparados com os índices de resistência das artérias ovarianas contralaterais. Todas as mulheres com sintomas de mastalgia pré-menstrual haviam ovulado, segundo os critérios da pesquisa. Conclusão: O sintoma de mastalgia pré-menstrual pode ser associado a ciclos ovulatórios.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between breast pain symptom withthe presence of ovulatory cycles. Methods: The study was observational, prospective, and crosssectional. Eight five women (85), some of them (65) with premenstrual mastalgia symptoms (cyclic mastalgia), underwent a transvaginal ultrasound with color Doppler, in the 22th day of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase), for confirmation of ovulation (suggestive image of corpus luteum and secretory endometrium). Then, it was determined the arterial resistance indexes on corpus luteum periphery and on the contralateral ovary. As a reference, we used the arterial resistance index of Pourcelot (RI=S-D/S). Results: Indices of arterial resistance significantly lower were observed in the ovaries in which ovulation had occurred (the periphery of the corpus luteum),compared with the contralateral ovarian arteries. All women with symptoms of pré-menstrual mastalgia had ovulated, according to the research criteria. Conclusion: Symptoms of premenstrual breast pain may be associated with ovulatory cycles.

Biochemical evaluation in human saliva with special reference to ovulation detection.

Aim : The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of salivary sialic acids and glycosaminoglycans with reference to salivary hormones during the normal menstrual cycle. Settings and Design: Fifty women volunteers were selected for the present study. Materials and Methods : Saliva was collected from 50 women and ovulation was detected in women with normal menstrual cycles through basal body temperature (BBT), ultrasound and salivary ferning. Samples were divided into five categories, as prepubertal (6-9 years), pre-ovulatory phase (6-12 days), ovulatory phase (13-14 days), postovulatory phase (15-26 days) and menopause (above 45 years). Each sample was subjected to evaluation of the sialic acids and glycosaminoglycans along with salivary hormones. Results : The result revealed that the ovulatory phase has increased sialic acid and glycosaminoglycans during the menstrual cycle when compared with that of the other phases. Consequently, an increased level of hormones such as luteinizing hormone and estrogen during the ovulatory period when compared to that of the pre-ovulatory and postovulatory periods appeared to be noteworthy. Statistically, analysis was performed using one way-ANOVA (LSD; post hoc method) to determine the significance as P < 0.001, 0.01, 0.05 in between the reproductive phases of the menstrual cycle. Conclusion : This study concluded that saliva-specific carbohydrates in the ovulatory saliva make the possibility to develop a biomarker for detection of ovulation by non-invasive methods.

Taxa de concepção de éguas submetidas a duas frequências de palpação retal (24 e 12 horas) e cobertas após a ovulação / Conception rate of mares controlled by two rectal palpation intervals (24 or 12 h)and breeeding after ovulation

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar a fertilidade de éguas cobertas após a ovulação, segundo um manejo de palpação retal a cada 24 (P1) ou 12 horas (P2), e cobertas por dois garanhões (G1 e G2). O estudo utilizou 84 ciclos estrais de 50 éguas mestiças do tipo militar, distribuídos ao acaso, segundo um esquema fatorial 2 x 2. A taxa de gestação para o primeiro, segundo e terceiro ciclos estrais foram de: 29,41 por cento (5/17) e 50 por cento (4/8) para o grupo P1G1; 25 por cento (5/20), 54,54 por cento (6/11) e 100 por cento (2/2) para o grupo P2G1; 41,66 por cento (5/12) e 50 por cento (2/4) para o grupo P1G2; e de 60 por cento (6/10) para o grupo P2G2, respectivamente. A taxa de gestação total/ciclo, para cada um dos quatro tratamentos, foi de 36 por cento (9/25), 39,40 por cento (13/33), 43,75 por cento (7/16) e 60 por cento (6/10), respectivamente. A taxa de concepção por ciclo estral não diferiu (p>0,05), pelo teste Exato de Fisher. Assim, os dados foram reagrupados levando-se apenas em consideração a freqüência de palpação retal, e obteve-se 39,02 por cento (16/41) e 44,19 por cento (19/43) de taxa de concepção/ciclo e 55,20 por cento (16/29) e 63,30 por cento (19/30) de taxa de concepção total para os intervalos de palpação de 24 e 12 horas, respectivamente.

The objective of the experiment was to study the fertility of mares bred after ovulation, detected by rectal palpation every 24 (P1) or 12 hours (P2), using two stallions (G1 and G2). This study was done with 84 estrus cycles of 50 military crossbred mares, randomly assigned to four treatments. The conception rate for first, second and third estrus cycles were 29.41 percent (5/17) and 50.00 percent (4/8) for group P1G1; 25.00 percent (5/20), 54.54 percent (6/11) and 100.00 percent (2/2) for group P2G1; 41.66 percent (5/12) and 50.00 percent (2/4) for group P1G2; and 60.00 percent (6/10) for group P2G2, respectively. The conception rate for each treatment were 36.00 percent (9/25), 39.40 percent (13/33), 43.75 percent (7/16) and 60.00 percent (6/10). The conception rate by estrus cycle did not differ (p>0.05) by Fisher Test. The data obtained were regrouped considering only the rectal palpation frequency and it was obtained 39.02 (16/41) and 44.19 percent (19/43) for conception rate by estrus cycle and 55.20 percent (16/29) and 63.30 percent (19/30) for total conception rate for 24 and 12 to rectal palpation intervals, respectively.

Taxa de concepção de éguas submetidas a duas frequências de palpação retal (24 e 12 horas) e cobertas após a ovulação / Conception rate of mares controlled by two rectal palpation intervals (24 or 12 h)and breeeding after ovulation

Este trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de estudar a fertilidade de éguas cobertas após a ovulação, segundo um manejo de palpação retal a cada 24 (P1) ou 12 horas (P2), e cobertas por dois garanhões (G1 e G2). O estudo utilizou 84 ciclos estrais de 50 éguas mestiças do tipo militar, distribuídos ao acaso, segundo um esquema fatorial 2 x 2. A taxa de gestação para o primeiro, segundo e terceiro ciclos estrais foram de: 29,41 por cento (5/17) e 50 por cento (4/8) para o grupo P1G1; 25 por cento (5/20), 54,54 por cento (6/11) e 100 por cento (2/2) para o grupo P2G1; 41,66 por cento (5/12) e 50 por cento (2/4) para o grupo P1G2; e de 60 por cento (6/10) para o grupo P2G2, respectivamente. A taxa de gestação total/ciclo, para cada um dos quatro tratamentos, foi de 36 por cento (9/25), 39,40 por cento (13/33), 43,75 por cento (7/16) e 60 por cento (6/10), respectivamente. A taxa de concepção por ciclo estral não diferiu (p>0,05), pelo teste Exato de Fisher. Assim, os dados foram reagrupados levando-se apenas em consideração a freqüência de palpação retal, e obteve-se 39,02 por cento (16/41) e 44,19 por cento (19/43) de taxa de concepção/ciclo e 55,20 por cento (16/29) e 63,30 por cento (19/30) de taxa de concepção total para os intervalos de palpação de 24 e 12 horas, respectivamente.

The objective of the experiment was to study the fertility of mares bred after ovulation, detected by rectal palpation every 24 (P1) or 12 hours (P2), using two stallions (G1 and G2). This study was done with 84 estrus cycles of 50 military crossbred mares, randomly assigned to four treatments. The conception rate for first, second and third estrus cycles were 29.41 percent (5/17) and 50.00 percent (4/8) for group P1G1; 25.00 percent (5/20), 54.54 percent (6/11) and 100.00 percent (2/2) for group P2G1; 41.66 percent (5/12) and 50.00 percent (2/4) for group P1G2; and 60.00 percent (6/10) for group P2G2, respectively. The conception rate for each treatment were 36.00 percent (9/25), 39.40 percent (13/33), 43.75 percent (7/16) and 60.00 percent (6/10). The conception rate by estrus cycle did not differ (p>0.05) by Fisher Test. The data obtained were regrouped considering only the rectal palpation frequency and it was obtained 39.02 (16/41) and 44.19 percent (19/43) for conception rate by estrus cycle and 55.20 percent (16/29) and 63.30 percent (19/30) for total conception rate for 24 and 12 to rectal palpation intervals, respectively.

The salivary ferning test and ovulation in clomiphene citrate-stimulated cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the day of ovulation by the salivary ferning test in clomiphene citrate-treated women. DESIGN: A descriptive study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. SUBJECT: Seventy-five infertile women with regular menstrual cycles. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Infertile women were given 100 mg of clomiphene citrate for five days and collected their saliva samples daily until seven days after ovulation. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed daily to detect ovulation. The salivary ferning formation was examined by a normal light microscope and graded from 1-3, according to its extent and intensity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The salivary ferning score, the peak salivary ferning day, and the day of ovulation detected by ultrasound. RESULTS: The patients' age and cycle length (mean +/- SD) were 32.9 +/- 3.7 years and 28.4 +/- 1.3 days. The peak salivary ferning day corresponded with the ultrasound ovulation day in only 7.1%. There were two peaks of median salivary ferning scores; one was two days prior ovulation and the other was five days post ovulation. There was no correlation between the peak salivary ferning day and day of ovulation detected by ultrasound (r = 0.102, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In clomiphene citrate-stimulated cycles, the saliva ferning test does not seem to associate with ovulation.

Efectividad clínica del método mucotérmico para regular la fertilidad: resultados de un programa aplicado en la comuna de San Bernardo / Clinical efficacy of natural family planning methods: outcomes of study design in comuna of San Bernardo, Chile

Antecedentes: Los métodos naturales modernos para la regulación de la fertilidad (MNMRF) son un sistema estandarizado de instrucciones que, aplicadas correctamente por la usuaria, le permiten diagnosticar con precisión los días de infertilidad y de fertilidad presentes en un ciclo menstrual. Su aplicabilidad clínica como método para regular la fertilidad ha sido ampliamente documentada. Los MNMRF permiten, a su vez, evaluar el funcionamiento endocrino gonadal de la usuaria. Objetivos: El objetivo principal fue determinar la efectividad clínica para espaciar los embarazos de los MNMRF en un programa aplicado en la comuna de San Bernardo. El objetivo secundario fue describir las características socio demográficas de las usuarias de los MNMRF. Método: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo. La intervención consistió en la instrucción modular de un método mucotérmico. Resultados: Se reportan los resultados de todas las pacientes consecutivas ingresadas al programa entre el 1° de enero de 1996 hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2003 que hayan finalizado la instrucción. Contactaron el programa 600 pacientes, de las que 389 (64,8 por ciento) comenzaron efectivamente el proceso de instrucción completándolo a la fecha de cierre de este análisis el 67,6 por ciento de ellas (263/389). La efectividad clínica, calculada con tabla de sobrevida, fue de 94,3 por ciento (IC: 86,8-97,6). Conclusiones: El método natural enseñado es altamente efectivo para espaciar o limitar los nacimientos.

Predictors of successful conception in a clinical trial of 30 patients with primary amenorrheic hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism treated by ovulation induction

A clinical trial was designed to assess the association between the treatment of infertile females with Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism and their fertility state considering conception as the desired outcome. Serum hormones, LH, FSH and estradiol, endometrial thickness and count of active ovarian follicles were assessed by U/S to evaluat their role in anticipating a successful conception. Standard protocols of ovulation induction were used in a clinical trial [historical cohort design] of 30 patients with primary hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. For ethical reasons no attempt was made to fix the number of induction courses given to the female patient [such a variability is suspected to confound the result to a limited extent], so a female was followed up with several courses of ovulation induction [according to the advice of the physician in charge] for a median duration of I year with conception as the final outcome of interest. Four serum hormonal markers [FSH, LH, Prolaction and estradiol] were assessed before and 12-14 days after initiating therapy. Transvaginal U/S was done to measure endometrial thickness and the number of dominant follicles in both ovaries after 12-14 days of treatment. Serum estradiol concentration, endometrial thickness and number of dominant follicles were significant predictors of successful conception. Using endometrial thickness as a decision rule to predict successful conception at a cutoff value of 7 mm, considering the rule as positive if equal or greater than 7 mm, resulted in a positive predictive value [PPV] of 50% [Relative risk of having conception was 4.3 times]. The confidence in a positive rule was increased to 71.4% [PPV =11.4%] when the cutoff value was set higher at 8 mm endometrial thickness. Using the number of dominant follicles as a decision rule at a cutoff value of 4 resulted in a PPV of 60%. This PPV was further increased to 72.7%] when the cutoff value was set higher at 5. An U/S finding of 5 or more dominant follicles increased the.probability of having conception by 12.6 times. A serum estradiol concentration at day 12 of 114 pgm/ml and higher predicted successful conception with a PPV of 50% [relative risk of having conception was 7], increasing this cutoff value of serum estradiol to a maximum of 498.5 pgm/ml increased the PPV to 66.7%. a clinician can predict successful conception after the first 2 weeks of initiating therapy with a moderate degree of confidence depending on serum estradiol, endometrial thickness and number of dominant follicles in the ovary. Other factors however need to be considered to increase the confidence of prediction, such as the type of insemination technique, sperm count of husband. A larger sample size and a survival analysis design is needed to assess the exact risk of having conception after each course of treatment

value of color doppler ultrasonography in prediction of ovulation during the normal menstrual cycle

To evaluate transvaginal color Doppler ultrasonography [U/S] as a tool to predict ovulation during the normal menstrual cycle through the measurement of blood flow changes in ovarian and uterine blood vessels. A prospective study was conducted on 30 women attending an infertility clinic at Baghdad Teaching Hospital. All the woman had infertility not attributed to ovulation and had regular menstrual cycles. Transvaginal color Doppler U/S scan was performed on each women daily form day 10 of the menstrual cycle until ovulation. Each woman underwent 4-5 vaginal U/S examinations. To confirm reported ovulation, serum progesterone level was estimated 6-7 days after the expected date of ovulation. Signs of ovulation were demonstrated by U/S in 23 of 30 the women. The mean diameter of the dominant follicle [DF] one day before ovulation was [20.26 mm +/- 2.09] with an average growth rate of 2.2mm/day. The mean serum progesterone level 6-7 days after ovulation was 19.12 +/- 5.24ng/mL. Ovarian and uterine blood flow, assessed by pulsed color Doppler U/S indices, showed a marked increase particularly around the time of ovulation, whereby mean resistive index [RI] of the ovary having the DF was 0.56 +/- 0.03 four days before ovulation, and it reached its nadir one day before ovulation [0.47 +/- 0.02] [P<0.0001]. A similar change was observed in the ipsilateral uterine artery, as a consequence of the follicular growth and subsequent corpus luteum formation. The mean RI was 0.86 +/- 0.05 four days before ovulation and 0.85 +/- 0.04 on the day of ovulation [P<0.05], while its mean pulsatility index [PI] was 2.97 +/- 0.063 four days before ovulation and became 2.59 +/- 0.59 on the day of ovulation [P<0.05]. Assessment of ovarian and uterine vascularity by pulsed color Doppler U/S has a potential value in prediction of ovulation and may be used as a parameter in infertility practice

Evalución de tres métodos de sincronización del celo en un rebaño caprino mestizo / Evaluation of three methods for estrous synchronization in a crossbreed goat herd

Con la finalidad de evaluar el efecto de tres métodos de sincronización de celo sobre la proporción, aparición y duración del celo en cabras mestizas, se usaron 90 cabras con edades comprendidas entre uno a tres años y un peso promedio de 43 ± 4,8 kg. Las cabras fueron asignadas a los siguientes tratamientos: un grupo sometido al efecto macho o T1 (n = 30), durante un período de 30 días, luego de un aislamiento de dos meses del macho caprino; otro grupo tratado con PGF2alfa o T2 (n= 30), las cuales se sometieron a un protocolo de sincronización usando dos dosis (3,75 mg) de luprostiol, administrados a nivel de la submucosa vaginal a 11 días de intervalo y posteriormente se introdujo un recelador (vasectomizado), 36 horas después de la segunda dosis de lupostriol, para llevar a cabo la detección del celo; y un último grupo tratado con medroxiprogesterona (60 mg) o T3 (n = 30) usando esponjas intravaginales por 12 días y una dosis intramuscular de 400 UI de eCG al momento de retirar las esponjas. Seguidamente se detectó celo tal como se procedió en el T2. Todos los animales estuvieron bajo las mismas condiciones de manejo nutricional. Los resultados obtenidos, en cuanto a la exhibición del celo, fueron: 90, 80 y 73,3 por ciento para los grupos T1, T2 y T3, respectivamente, no encontrándose diferencias (P> 0,05) entre grupos; el intervalo tratamiento-aparición de celo fue de 289,8 ± 15,3; 53,7 ± 1,4 y 50,7 ± 0,9 horas, para los grupos T1, T2 y T3, respectivamente, observándose un mayor intervalo (P< 0,01), para T1; la duración del celo fue de 33,9 ± 1,9; 51,2 ± 4,3 y 44,8 ± 7,3 horas para los grupos T1, T2 y T3, respectivamente, presentándose diferencias (P< 0,01), entre los grupos T1 y T2. En las condiciones de este estudio se concluye que los tratamientos hormonales fueron más eficaces para concentrar y prolongar la duración de los celos en comparación al efecto macho.

Análisis de la tasa de preñez en vacas doble propósito / Pregnancy rate analysis in dual purpose cows

Se propone la adopción de la tasa de preñez (TP) como un nuevo índice que integra en una fórmula (TP= DC x F) los dos principales riesgos que afectan la reproducción en bovinos: La detección del celo (DC) y la fertilidad (F). TP es usada para monitorear la eficiencia reproductiva al igual que los cambios estratégicos de manejo, detección de celos e inseminaciones. TP fue determinada en 2,451 vacas mestizas de 6 explotaciones doble propósito, 3 tradicionales y 3 mejoradas en la zona de perijá, Cuenca del lago de Maracaibo. TP se evaluó en forma directa, no computarizada, en vacas elegibles, detectadas en celo e inseminadas a partir de un período de reposo voluntario (PRV) mayor de 60 días, durante 18 períodos de 3 semanas, entre 03/03/1998 y 24/02/1999. Se utilizó el procedimiento GLM del paquete estadístico SAS, considerándose en el análisis como variables independientes el efecto de los períodos, época de servicio y de tipo manejo; la comparación de medias se realizó por la prueba de Duncan. Entre periodos TP varió significativamente de 8,1 a 22,3 por ciento (media 16,4 por ciento) y en el mismo sentido variaron DC y fertilidad. TP fue superior (P<0,01) entre Diciembre-Febrero (19,3 por ciento) y Marzo-Mayo (18,8 por ciento). Junio-Agosto exhibieron las menores TP (11,5 por ciento; P<0,01) atribuibles a elevadas temperaturas y mayor índice temperatura-humedad. DC, fertilidad y TP fueron superiores (P<0,01) en las fincas con manejo mejorado (37,1; 52,3 y 19,4 por ciento) comparadas con las fincas tradicionales (29,6; 47,3 y 14 por ciento). En vacas doble propósito, una baja TP está principalmente relacionada con problemas de DC por anestro antes que por fallas en su observación o baja fertilidad. TP debería ser evaluada en forma contínua para maximizar la eficiencia reproductiva, lograr mayor número de vacas preñadas e incrementar los ingresos económicos

Feasibility of using paper impregnated with urine instead of liquid urine for assessing ovarian activity.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian activity should ideally be assessed by serial non-invasive methods that require simple procedures for sample collection and storage. Measurement of urinary oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide is a non-invasive method available for assessment of ovarian activity, but transport of large numbers of urine samples is cumbersome and samples need to be stored frozen. An alternative sample collection, transport and storage procedure that is easier to handle and requires no or minimal cold storage facilities will particularly benefit studies in which ovulatory activity needs to be assessed in field settings. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of using paper impregnated with urine as an alternative to liquid urine for the measurement of oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide concentrations in the assessment of ovarian activity. METHODS: Urine samples collected daily throughout regular menstrual cycles were stored as liquid urine at -20 degrees C, and as paper impregnated with urine, in the refrigerator for 3 to 12 months or at room temperature for 1 to 6 months. Oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide concentrations were measured in these urine samples by enzyme immunoassay. Values obtained were correlated using Spearman's correlation test. RESULTS: The pattern of oestrone-3 glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide concentrations estimated using paper impregnated with urine followed that of liquid urine in all storage conditions used. Values obtained by two methods correlated significantly (p < 0.001 to 0.0001) though the paper impregnated with urine gave slightly higher values. CONCLUSIONS: Paper impregnated with urine can be used to facilitate sample collection, transport and storage of urine when oestrone-3-glucuronide and pregnanediol-3 alpha-glucuronide measurements are required in a large number of serial samples to assess ovarian activity.

Day 3 serum inhibin B level of poor and good ovarian responders in the IVF-program.

The aim of this study was to compare day-3 serum inhibin B levels of poor and good ovarian responders in the IVF-program. The study group consisted of 20 poor ovarian responders. The control group composed of 40 good ovarian responders who had similar demographic characteristics. The serum inhibin B levels were analysed by two-site-immunosorbent assay or sandwich ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). The mean inhibin B level of the study group was 113.18 +/- 57.96 picogram per millilitre and of the control group was 94.05 +/- 61.81 picogram per millilitre. There was no statistically significant difference. The results might be useful as base-line data for further study.

Effect of different stimulation protocols on follicular maturity using three-dimensional ultrasound

This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of different stimulating protocols on maturity and quality of oocyte. 60 infertile women were divided into three groups [each group contains 20 cases] according to the drug used in the induction of ovulation. Transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound follicular monitoring was performed throughout the cycle with measurement of endometrial thickness. Evaluation of follicular response was done mainly by two parameters: Maximal follicular diameter reached during folliculometry and number of follicles induced. Regarding the number of follicles induced, group II had significant higher mean number of follicles induced compared to group I or group III. Regarding the maximal follicular growth reached in the three different stimulating protocols, group II had significant higher mean follicular diameter compared to group I or group III. The results have shown that the protocol including HMG in addition to clomiphene citrate has higher number of growing follicles, maximal follicular growth and larger mean follicular diameter than other protocols

Momento de ovulación y efecto del intervalo entre el inicio del estro y la inseminación artificial sobre el porcentaje de concepción de vaquillas Holstein / Timing of ovulation and the effect of the interval between the onset of estrus and artificial insemination on the conception rate in Holstein heifers

El objetivo del presente estudio fue establecer la relación temporal entre el estro, el pico preovulatorio de LH y la ovulación en vaquillas Holstein, y evaluar la fertilidad obtenida al inseminar en diferentes momentos en relación al inicio del estro en este tipo de animales. En la primera parte del trabajo se utilizaron 25 vaquillas vírgenes, a las cuales se les tomaron muestras de sangre cada 3 h desde 48 h antes del inicio esperado del estro y hasta confirmarse la ocurrencia de la ovulación mediante palpación rectal. El inicio y final del estro se determinaron observando el comportamiento homosexual las 24 h del día. El pico preovulatorio de LH y la ovulación ocurrieron respectivamante 4.7 ñ 1.3 y 29.9 ñ 0.1 h después del inicio del estro. Entre el pico preovulatorio de LH y la ovulación transcurrieron 25 ñ 3.5 h y entre el final del estro y la ovulación 12.5 ñ 6.2 h. La duración total de la elevación preovulatoria de LH fue de 13.7 ñ 3.6. En la segunda parte del trabajo se detectaron estros en forma continua durante las 24 h del día hasta acumular 1548 observaciones de estro. En cada caso se registró la fecha y hora del inicio del estro, la hora de la inseminación y el mes del año en que se inseminó. El intervalo entre el inicio del estro no tuvo efecto significativo (P> 0.05) sobre el porcentaje de concepción, aunque dicho porcentaje tendió a ser menor en las vaquillas inseminadas cuando habían transcurrido menos de 8 o más de 20 h desde el inicio del estro. La fertilidad se redujo entre más inseminaciones previas hubiese tenido el animal (P< 0.05). Se concluye que en vaquillas Holstein el inicio del estro y el pico preovulatorio de LH son predictores confiables del momento de ovulación. Por otra parte, el momento de inseminación relativo al inicio del estro no afecta el porcentaje de concepción, lo cual permite seguir que bajo un régimen de observación continua de calores se puede programar la inseminación una vez al día sin reducir la fertilidad