Hormonal-Induced Cervical Relaxation During Diestrus in Ewes: Cervical Transposing Feasibility and Use of hCG for Rescuing Disrupted Luteal Function.

Cervical relaxation (CR) was performed in ewes during diestrus, to prospect a feasible protocol for non-surgical embryo transfer (NSET). In Trial 1, naturally mated ewes (n=13) received CR protocols with estradiol benzoate (EB, 1 mg on D6) and oxytocin (OT, 50 IU on D7) only (G-EB+OT) or associated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 300 IU on D7, G-EB+OT+hCG) and were compared to non-hormonally treated (G-control) ewes. Estradiol concentration increased (P<0.05) from D6 to D7 in G-EB+OT and G-EB+OT+hCG, then decreased (P<0.05) on D8. The G-EB+OT had reduced (P<0.05) progesterone on D8, and 0% (0/5) pregnancy, while G-control had 100% (3/3) conception rate. The treatment with hCG mitigated the progesterone drop on D8 and resulted in 50% (2/4) conception rate. In Trial 2, cervical transposing success after treatment with EB, OT, and hCG on D6 and D7 was assessed in nulliparous (n=25) and multiparous (n=30) ewes. The EB+OT+hCG protocol allowed efficient cervical transposition (~78% of cervical transposition success into ~5 min) in nulliparous and multiparous females and did not alter total and blood perfusion areas of corpora lutea (CL). The use of EB+OT+hCG was efficient to ensure effective cervical transposing in nulliparous and multiparous ewes, with no apparent deleterious effect on CL function, and may contribute to animal welfare, allowing a less invasive NSET procedure.

Human chorionic gonadotropin affects original (ovulatory) and induced (accessory) corpora lutea, progesterone concentrations, and pregnancy rates in anestrous dairy goats.

Two experiments were conducted in acyclic Alpine (A) and Saanen (S) goats that received intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 6 days, as well as 200 IU of eCG and 30 µg d-cloprostenol i.m. 24 h before sponge removal. On day 7 (day 0 = onset of synchronized estrus), all goats were randomly divided into two groups: animals treated with 300 IU of hCG i.m. (hCG; Exp.1: n = 8A; Exp.2: n = 75A + S) and untreated controls (Control; Exp.1: n = 8A; Exp. 2: n = 70A + S). In Exp.2, all goats were artificially inseminated. Transrectal ovarian ultrasonography and blood collection were done on days 7, 10, 13, 17, and 21 (Exp.1), and pregnancy detection on day 60 (Exp.2). Estrus and ovulations occurred in five hCG and seven Control animals. Accessory CL (aCL) were detected in all hCG does. The total luteal area of ovulatory corpora lutea (oCL) increased (P < 0.05) on day 10 in hCG does and remained greater (P < 0.05) than in Control until day 21. Total and high-velocity color Doppler area were greater (P < 0.05) for oCL of hCG does on days 13 and 17. Progesterone concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in hCG does from days 13 to 21 and related directly to the total luteal and oCL area for the duration of the study in all does. The pregnancy rate was higher (P < 0.05) in hCG than in Control by 22.5 %. Human chorionic gonadotropin given on day 7 of the synchronized estrous cycle positively affected CL function and pregnancy rates in seasonally anovular dairy goats.

Relationship of serum testosterone, sperm production, and testis traits with fertility of Mangalarga Marchador stallions / Relación entre testosterona sérica, producción espermática y características testiculares con la fertilidad en sementales Mangalarga Marchador / Relação entre testosterona sérica, produção espermática e características testiculares com fertilidade em garanhões Mangalarga Marchador

Abstract Background: Assessing breeding soundness is important to predict the potential fertility of stallions. Objective: To investigate the association of testis traits, total number of spermatozoa, and testosterone with fertility of Mangalarga Marchador breed stallions. Methods: The traits measured were testicular length, width and height, right and left testicular volume and total testicular volume. We also evaluated the total number of spermatozoa (TNS), serum testosterone concentration and fertility of stallions (by embryo recovery from donor mares) in the breeding and non-breeding seasons during 1 year. Analysis of variance was performed to verify the effects of age category (AC; young/adult) and reproductive season on the traits. Correlations and repeatability of the traits were also calculated. Results: The AC did not influence testis traits (p>0.05). Reproduction season affected left testicular length, left testicular height, right testicular width and height (p<0.05). The AC and season affected testis volume (p<0.05). There were no effects of AC and season on TNS and testosterone (p>0.05). We observed strong correlations between all testicular measurements and testicular volume (0.53 to 0.75), medium correlation between TNS and testis volume (0.32), and low correlation between testosterone and testis traits (0.20). Repeatability of the characteristics of left and right testis was medium to high (0.22 to 0.78). Embryo recovery rate was 60% and its correlation with TNS was 0.44. Conclusion: Testis size evaluation is recommended over the evaluation of serum testosterone concentration to predict sperm output. Sperm output (TNS) is a good predictor of stallion fertility.

Resumen Antecedentes: Es importante realizar examen andrológico de sementales para predecir su potencial reproductivo. Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación entre características testiculares, número total de espermatozoides y testosterona con la fertilidad de sementales de raza Mangalarga Marchador. Métodos: Las características medidas fueron: longitud testicular, ancho y altura del testículo. También fue calculado el volumen testicular derecho, izquierdo y total, así como el número total de espermatozoides (TNS), concentración sérica de testosterona y fertilidad (por recuperación embrionaria de las yeguas) de los sementales dentro y fuera de la temporada reproductiva durante un año. Se realizó análisis de varianza para evaluar el efecto de categoría de edad (AC) y estación reproductiva sobre las características. Resultados: La AC no influenció las características testiculares (p>0,05). La estación reproductiva influenció la longitud del testículo izquierdo, la altura del testículo izquierdo, y el ancho y altura del testículo derecho (p<0,05). La AC y la estación reproductiva influenciaron el volumen testicular (p<0,05). No hubo efecto de AC y estación reproductiva en el TNS y testosterona (p>0,05). Se observó una alta correlación entre todas las características testiculares y el volumen testicular (0,53 a 0,75), mediana correlación entre TNS y el volumen testicular (0,32), y una baja correlación entre las medidas testiculares y la testosterona (0,20). La repetitividad de las medidas testiculares fue media a alta (0,22 a 0,78). La tasa de recuperación embrionaria fue de 60% y la correlación con TNS fue 0,44. Conclusión: Para predecir la producción espermática se recomienda evaluar las características testiculares, sin necesidad de medir testosterona. La producción espermática es un buen predictor de la fertilidad de los sementales.

Resumo Antecedentes: Realizar o exame andrológico no garanhão, é importante para predizer seu potencial reprodutivo. Objetivo: Avaliar a associação das características testiculares, número total de espermatozoides, testosterona e fertilidade de garanhões Mangalarga Marchador. Métodos: As características mensuradas foram: comprimento do testículo, largura do testículo e altura do testículo. Também foi calculado o volume testicular, direito, esquerdo e total, assim como calculado o número total de espermatozoides (TNS), concentração sérica de testosterona e fertilidade dos garanhões (pela recuperação embrionária das éguas doadoras) durante e fora da estação reprodutiva durante um ano. Foi feita análise de variância para verificar efeito da categoria de idade (AC) e estação reprodutiva sobre as características. Resultados: A AC não influenciou nas características testiculares (p>0,05). Estação reprodutiva influenciou no comprimento testicular esquerdo, altura testicular esquerda, largura e altura testicular direita (p<0,05).A AC e estação reprodutiva influenciaram no volume testicular (p<0,05). Não houve efeito da AC e estação reprodutiva no TNS e testosterona (p>0,05). Foi observado alta correlação entre todas características testiculares e volume testicular (0,53 a 0,75), media correlação entre TNS e volume testicular (0,32), e baixa correlação entre medidas testiculares e testosterona (0,20). A repetitividade das medidas testiculares foi meia a altas (0,22-0,78). A taxa de recuperação embrionária foi 60% e a correlação com TNS foi de 0,44. Conclusão: É recomendada a avaliação das características testiculares para predizer a produção espermática sem necessidade de mensurar testosterona. A produção espermática é um bom preditor da fertilidade dos garanhões.

Effect of nursing behavior, sex of the calf, and parity order on milk production of buffaloes / Efecto del comportamiento de amamantamiento, sexo del becerro y orden del parto sobre la producción de leche en búfalos / Efeito do comportamento de amamentação, sexo do bezerro e ordem de parto sobre a produção de leite em bubalinos

Summary Background: the allonursing effect on daily milk production (DMP) and total milk production (TMP) has been little explored. Objective: to evaluate the effect of nursing behavior, sex of the calf and parity order (PO) on DMP and TMP of buffalo cows. Methods: 35 buffalo cows and their calves were evaluated. Observations were performed monthly (three consecutive days) from May to November. The nursing behavior was characterized as: 1) Isolated filial nursing (IFN); 2) Collective filial nursing (CFN), and 3) Non-filial nursing (NFN). Cows were grouped into four categories to study the effects of nursing behavior on DMP and TMP: 1) Non-permissive (NP); 2) Filial permissive (FP); 3) Filial and collective filial permissive (FCFP); and 4) Filial, collective filial and non-filial permissive (FCFNFP). DMP was recorded three days per month and TMP was calculated as DMP*270 days of lactation. Results: sex of the calf and second and third PO had an effect on nursing behavior (p<0.05). DMP and TMP were significantly affected by calf sex and nursing behavior (p<0.05). PO had no effect on DMP and TMP. Conclusion: our results suggest that nursing behavior is associated with milk production in buffalo cows. Buffalo cows that accept all types of nursing behavior were had the highest DMP and TMP. Sex of the calf influenced nursing behavior, DMP, and TMP, so that buffalo cows with male calves displayed more frequent allonursing behavior and yielded more milk.

Resumen Antecedentes: el comportamiento del alo-amamantamiento sobre la producción diaria de leche (DMP) y producción total de leche (TMP) ha sido poco explorado. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del comportamiento de amamantamiento, el sexo del becerro y el orden de parto (PO) en la DMP y TMP de bufalas. Métodos: se evaluaron 35 hembras bufalinas y sus crías. Las observaciones se realizaron mensualmente (durante tres días consecutivos) entre mayo y noviembre. El comportamiento de amamantamiento se caracterizó como: 1) Amamantamiento filial aislado (IFN); 2) Amamantamiento filial colectivo (CFN) y 3) Amamantamiento no filial (NFN). Para evaluar los efectos del comportamiento de amamantamiento en la DMP y TMP, las vacas fueron agrupadas en 4 categorías: 1) No permisivas (NP); 2) Permisiva filial (FP); 3) Permisiva filial y colectiva filial (FCFP) y 4) Permisiva filial, colectiva filial y no colectiva (FCFNFP). La DMP se registró tres días por mes, y la TMP fue calculada como DMP*270 días de lactancia. Resultados: el sexo del becerro, el segundo y tercer PO tuvieron efecto sobre el comportamiento de amamantamiento (p<0.05). La DMP y la TMP se afectaron significativamente por el sexo del becerro y el comportamiento de amamantamiento (p<0.05). El PO no tuvo efecto sobre la DMP y la TMP. Conclusiones: nuestros resultados sugieren que el comportamiento de amamantamiento está asociado a la producción de leche en vacas bubalinas. Las bufalas permisivas a todo tipo de amamantamiento presentaron mayor DMP y TMP. El sexo del becerro influyó en el comportamiento de amamantamiento, en la DMP y en la TMP. Las bufalas con becerro macho presentaron comportamiento de alo-amamantamiento más frecuente y produjeron mayor cantidad de leche.

Resumo Antecedentes: o comportamento de alo-amamentação sobre a produção de leite diária (DMP) e produção de leite total (TMP) tem sido pouco explorado. Objetivo: avaliar o efeito do comportamento de amamentação, sexo dos bezerros e ordem de parto (PO) na DMP e TMP em vacas bubalinas. Métodos: trinta e cinco fêmeas e suas crias foram avaliadas no estudo. As observações foram realizadas mensalmente (três dias consecutivos) de maio a novembro. O comportamento de amamentação foi caracterizado como 1) amamentação filial isolada (IFN); 2) amamentação coletiva filial (CFN) e 3) amamentação não filial (NFN). Para avaliar os efeitos do comportamento da amamentação na DMP e TMP, as vacas bubalinas foram agrupadas em 4 categorias: 1) não permissiva (NP); 2) permissiva filial (FP); 3) permissiva filial e coletiva filial (FCFP) e 4) permissiva filial, coletiva filial e não filial (FCFNFP). A DMP foi registrada três dias para cada mês e a TMP foi calculada como DMP*270 dias de lactação. Resultados: o sexo dos bezerros, a segunda e terceira PO tiveram efeitos no comportamento de amamentação (p<0.05). A DMP e TMP foram significativamente afetadas pelo sexo dos bezerros e comportamento de amamentação (p<0.05). A PO não teve efeito na DMP e TMP. Conclusões: nossos resultados sugerem que o comportamento de amamentação estão associados a produção de leite em vacas bubalinas. As vacas bubalinas que são permissíveis a todos os tipos de amamentações foram aquelas com maior DMP e TMP. O sexo dos bezerros influenciou o comportamento de amamentação, DMP e TMP, sendo que as vacas bubalinas que possuem bezerros machos apresentaram frequente comportamento de alo-amamentação e produziram maiores quantidades de leite.

Evaluation of the breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions during semen collection to examine the effect of age category (AC) and month of evaluation on the characteristics of breeding behavior. Nine stallions were evaluated during the breeding and non-breeding season, 5-8 (AC1) and 9-13 years (AC2) of age. The variables evaluated were reaction time (RT), mount time one (MT1) and two (MT2), mount and ejaculation time (MEjT), mounting without erection (MWEr), mounting without ejaculation (MWEj), flehmen, kicks, bites, smells, vocalizations and serum testosterone concentration. Analyses of variance and correlation were performed. The average scores were RT: 56.2±92.9s, MT1: 115.0±122.4s, MT2: 196.4±160.7s, MEjT: 21.8±3.2s, MWEr: 0.8±1.3s, MWEj: 2.1±3.5s, flehmen: 3.8±3.0s, kicks: 0.3±1.2s, bites: 1.0±2.0s, smells: 5.7±3.5s, vocalizations: 6.4±6.3s and testosterone: 0.89±0.52ng/mL. The AC affected the RT (P<0.05) but not the other traits. Month of evaluation did not affect most variables (P>0.05). The correlations between age and RT and between age and MT1 and MT2 were significant. The correlation between testosterone and MEjT was moderate and negative. The breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions was similar across different months of evaluation and different age categories. The month of evaluation and age category also did not affect testosterone concentrations, meaning that semen collection is feasible throughout the year.

Temperamento em bubalinos: testes de mensuração / Temperament in buffalos: mensurament tests

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar a aplicabilidade, para búfalos (Bubalus bubalis), de testes de avaliação de temperamento, utilizados para bovinos. Foram avaliados os testes de docilidade, teste de reação a objetos novos, de tronco e de isolamento social em 12 bezerros e suas 12 mães, separadamente. Tanto os bezerros como suas mães responderam a todos os testes com vários comportamentos. Para os bezerros e as mães, os testes que promoveram maior número de comportamentos foram o de tronco e de reação a objetos novos. Houve diferenças individuais (coeficiente de variação de 32-51 por cento) nos resultados de todos os testes tanto nos bezerros como nas mães. Os resultados individuais, em testes de isolamento social e de reação a objetos novos apresentaram correlação positiva tanto com as mães (rs = 0,76, P< 0,01) quanto com os bezerros (rs = 0,66, P< 0,01). Baseados em sensibilidade, relevância e aplicabilidade, o teste de isolamento social e o teste de tronco podem ser sugeridos para avaliarem o temperamento de bubalinos.

The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of temperament tests commonly used in bovines for water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The tests for docility, reaction to a novel object, squeeze cage and social isolation were applied individually with 12 calves and their 12 mothers. Both calves and their mothers responded to all tests with a variety of behaviors. The tests that elicited the larger number of behaviors were the squeeze cage and the novel object. There were large individual differences (coefficients of variation of 32-51 percent) in the scores for all tests for calves and adults. The individual scores for the tests of isolation and novel object were significantly correlated for calves (rs = 0.66, P< 0.01) and adults (rs = 0.76, P< 0.01). Using the criteria of sensitivity (range of individual differences), responsiveness and applicability, the squeeze cage test and the isolation test seem well suited for water buffaloes.