Use of sweet lupin (Lupinusalbus L. var. Multitalia) in feeding for Podolian young bulls and influence on productive performances and meat quality traits.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sweet lupin (Lupinusalbus L. var. Multitalia) as a substitute for soybean (Glicinemax [L] Merr.) in feed on the productive performance and meat quality of Podolian young bulls. The steers were divided into 2 homogeneous groups and were fed durum wheat (Triticumdurum L.), straw and a complete pellet feed containing 20% sweet lupin seeds or 16.5% soybean. Productive performances were similar for both groups. The values of pH, measured on Longissimuslumborum and Semitendinosus muscles 24h after slaughter, were similar. No differences were shown between groups regarding the colour characteristics of both muscles or the tenderness of the cooked meat. No statistical differences were found between diets regarding the fatty acid profile of meats, except for a significantly higher incidence of linoleic acid in the meat obtained from animals on soybean feed. In conclusion, comparable results were obtained when soybean was replaced with sweet lupin seeds in complete pellet feed for Podolian steers.

Some effects of adding p-LH in defined amounts to purified p-FSH to modify FSH/LH ratios during the superovulatory treatment of anestrous ewes.

Nonlactating Leccese ewes (n = 61) were used during seasonal anestrus to investigate the effects on ovarian response and embryo production of adding defined amounts of p-LH to purified p-FSH as well as decreasing the FSH/LH ratio during treatment. The ewes were synchronized with FGA-impregnated intravaginal pessaries for 9 days and prostaglandin F2 alpha (Cloprostenol) injected on the seventh day. They were divided into six treatment groups in a 3 x 2 factorial design: three amounts of purified p-LH (100, 50 or 25% equivalent to 525, 262 or 131 IU p-LH) x 2 regimen of p-FSH and p-LH administration (constant or decreasing FSH/LH ratio). Each ewe received a total of 525 IU p-FSH at a decreasing dose, twice daily over a 3-day period. Group I (n = 11), Group II (n = 10) and Group III (n = 10) were treated with p-FSH supplemented with p-LH at 100%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of p-FSH dose and a constant FSH/LH ratio throughout the treatment period. Group IV (n = 10), Group V (n = 10) and Group VI (n = 10) were treated with p-FSH supplemented with p-LH at 100%, 50% and 25%, respectively, of p-FSH dose but with a decreasing FSH/LH ratio over the 3 days of the treatment: 1.7-0.86-0.43 for Group IV; 3.4-1.7-0.86 for Group V; 6-3-1.5 for Group VI. Embryos were flushed surgically on Day 6 after estrus. The ovulation rate did not differ among the groups (8-12.8). Superovulation with 100% p-LH and decreasing the FSH/LH ratio (Group IV) resulted in: (i) the highest ova recovery (9.8 +/- 1.7), and this was significantly different (P < 0.05) from the 25% p-LH treated group (Group VI; 5.0 +/- 1.7), (ii) the highest fertilization rate (90.6 +/- 9.2%), with a significant (P < 0.01) difference compared with the constant ratio regimen (Group I; 62.6 +/- 8.3%); (iii) the highest transferable embryo yield (6.4 +/- 1.1), differing significantly (P < 0.01) from Group VI (2.2 +/- 1.1) and Group I (2.7 +/- 1.0). It is concluded that decreasing the amount of p-LH added to purified p-FSH did not improve the superovulatory response of ewes during the anestrous period. Transferable embryo production was significantly improved when ewes were treated with p-LH equivalent to 100% p-FSH, with the FSH/LH ratio decreasing during treatment.

Embryo production and endocrine response in ewes superovulated with PMSG, with or without monoclonal anti-PMSG administered at different times.

Mature nonlactating Altamurana ewes (n = 168) were synchronized in the seasonal anestrus period with FGA-impregnated intravaginal pessaries for 12 d. In Experiment 1, 48 ewes were divided into a 3 x 4 factorial design for anti-PMSG monoclonal antibody (AP) bioassay test. Concomitant injections of PMSG (1000, 1500, 2000 IU) and AP (0, 1, 2, 3 microl/IU PMSG) were given, and ovarian response was evaluated by laparoscopy. In Experiment 2, 120 ewes were divided into 8 experimental groups (n = 15 per group). The ewes treated with 1000 or 1500 IU PMSG at -24 h from sponge removal were given AP intravenously at 50 h after pessary withdrawal, 12 or 24 h after the onset of estrus, while the controls did not receive AP. Blood samples were collected from ewes (n = 6) treated with 1500 IU PMSG with or without anti-PMSG. Ovarian response and embryo production were evaluated on Day 7 after sponge removal upon laparotomy. It was found that 1 microl AP was effective in neutralizing 1 IU PMSG. No significant differences in serum concentrations of progesterone were observed among the groups of superovulated ewes. Estradiol-17 beta levels were reduced following AP treatment 12 h after the onset of estrus. At a lower dosage of superovulatory treatment (1000 IU PMSG), AP injected at 12 or 24 h after the onset of estrus significantly lowered large follicles (P < 0.01) and increased the rate of ovulation (P < 0.05). Moreover, embryo production showed a more than two-fold increase (P < 0.01) of viable embryos following AP injection at 12 or 24 h after the onset of estrus (3.2 to 3.3 vs 1.3, with vs without anti-PMSG). It is concluded that superovulatory treatment with 1000 IU PMSG plus AP administered at a fixed time after the onset of estrus may improve ovarian response and the yield of viable embryos in ewes.