Endocrine-metabolic adaptations in Dorper ewes: comparison between single and twin pregnancies during gestation, parturition, and postpartum.

The experiment was conducted at Araí & Zumbi farm on sixty healthy Dorper ewes to compare blood glucose, hormonal profile, and insulin resistance evaluation in sheep from conception until 48 h postpartum in single and twin pregnancies. All experimental ewes raised under semi-intensive management system. Sixty animals were selected from 150 estrous synchronized and pregnant ewes. The animals were divided into two groups based on single (G1, n = 30) and twin pregnancies (G2, n = 30). Blood samples were collected at nine time points: immediately after fixed-time artificial insemination (D0); at 30 days (D30), 90 days (D90), 120 days (D120), 130 days (D130), and 140 days (D140) of pregnancy; on the delivery day (DD); and at 24 h (PD1) and 48 h (PD2) postpartum. The results of blood glucose, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) levels showed significant differences over the analyzed sample times; however, only cortisol showed differences within groups, with the G1 having higher values than the G2 group. The interaction of the groups × nine sample times showed a significant result (P = 0.001) only for glucagon. The number of fetuses directly interfered with the glucagon profile throughout gestation. The glucose, cortisol, glucagon, and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) concentrations increased at DD and decreased at PD1 and PD2. T3 and T4 showed different behaviors among the sample times. T3 values presented a decrease from D0 to D90, followed by an increase from D90 to DD. Otherwise, for T4 values, a decrease from D90 to D130 was observed, followed by an increase from D130 to D140. Despite the changes found in the endocrine system and metabolism in Dorper ewes throughout pregnancy, the nutritional management ensured a healthy status during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum in single and twin gestation, whose HOMA IR profiles remained identical.

Oxidative stress biomarkers in newborn calves: Comparison among artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and cloning.

Oxidative stress occurs when there is greater than optimal production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) or an antioxidant system failure. Calves produced using in vitro fertilization (IVF) or cloning (CA) have greater mortality rates, with greater incidence of respiratory diseases, which could be explained by the deleterious outcomes from oxidative stress. Calves were studied that were produced using: artificial insemination (AI; n = 20), in vitro fertilization (IVF; n = 15) or cloning (CA; n = 15). Blood samples were collected at 6, 12, 24 and 48 h subsequent to the time of birth. The cloned calves had greater ROS production from lipid peroxidation, with greater thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. This factor was associated with a lesser amount of superoxide dismutase in the CA. Calves produced using IVF had a greater activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase, either due to greater production of hydrogen peroxide or greater efficiency of enzymatic response of these neonates. Calves produced using AI had greater concentrations ​​of reduced thiol groups. These associated factors may indicate there is greater oxidative stress in calves produced by IVF and cloning than with use of AI, however in these calves there was an effective response to these oxidative stressors within 48 h subsequent to birth. Hence, calves produced using IVF and by cloning have greater ROS production when compared to calves produced using AI. The calves produced using IVF, however, had a greater enzymatic activity or were more efficient in adapting to ROS when compared to calves produced by cloning.