Use of melatonin in the in vitro production of bovine embryos / Uso da melatonina na produção in vitro de embriões bovinos

We aimed to assess the effects of melatonin in the in vitro production of bovine embryos. Our experiment was conducted at the Laboratório de Reprodução Animal of the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed among treatments at concentrations of 0, 10-1, 10-3 and 10-5 µMol/L melatonin. Our experiment was further divided into two: the first was to assess the effect of different concentrations of melatonin (treatments) on the maturation rate of COCs, and the second was to assess the effects of melatonin treatments on the in vitro production of bovine embryos. The results from the first experiment demonstrated no significant difference between the in vitro maturation rate of the cultivated COCs in treatments with melatonin. In the second experiment, however, melatonin treatments yielded statistically higher cleavage, morula and blastocyst rates in the 10-5 µM group (52.9%, 52.9%, and 35.3%, respectively), and lower rates in the 10-1 µM group (19.5%, 19.5% and 7.8%, respectively), compared to the others. The control group (no melatonin) and the 10-3 µM group showed similar results. We concluded that supplementation of melatonin in the in vitro maturation medium resulted in no improvement in the oocyte maturation rate, but in the in vitro production of embryos at different concentrations, the 10-5 µM group displayed better results, but with no improvement in the variables (P < 0.05).(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da melatonina na produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Reprodução Animal da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Os complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) foram distribuídos entre os tratamentos 0, 10-1, 10-3 e 10-5 µmol/L de melatonina. A avaliação foi dividida em dois experimentos, onde o primeiro avaliou o efeito dessas diferentes concentrações de melatonina (tratamentos) sobre a taxa de maturação dos CCOs e o segundo, o efeito desses tratamentos com melatonina sobre a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. Os resultados no primeiro experimento demonstraram não haver diferença significativa na taxa de maturação in vitro dos CCOs cultivados no tratamento com melatonina. No entanto, o tratamento com melatonina no segundo experimento, as taxas de clivagens, mórulas e blastocistos, o grupo 10-5 µM foi estatisticamente superior (52,9%, 52,9% e 35,3%, respectivamente) e o grupo 10-1 µM inferior (19,5%, 19,5% e 7,8%, respectivamente) aos outros grupos. O grupo controle (sem melatonina) e o grupo 10-3 µM obtiveram resultados semelhantes. Concluiu-se que a suplementação da melatonina no meio de maturação in vitro não evidenciou melhoras na taxa de maturação dos oócitos, porém na produção in vitro de embriões em diferentes concentrações, o grupo 10-5 µM apresentou melhores resultados mesmo não havendo melhorias nas variáveis (P<0,05).(AU)

Use of melatonin in the in vitro production of bovine embryos / Uso da melatonina na produção in vitro de embriões bovinos

We aimed to assess the effects of melatonin in the in vitro production of bovine embryos. Our experiment was conducted at the Laboratório de Reprodução Animal of the Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed among treatments at concentrations of 0, 10-1, 10-3 and 10-5 µMol/L melatonin. Our experiment was further divided into two: the first was to assess the effect of different concentrations of melatonin (treatments) on the maturation rate of COCs, and the second was to assess the effects of melatonin treatments on the in vitro production of bovine embryos. The results from the first experiment demonstrated no significant difference between the in vitro maturation rate of the cultivated COCs in treatments with melatonin. In the second experiment, however, melatonin treatments yielded statistically higher cleavage, morula and blastocyst rates in the 10-5 µM group (52.9%, 52.9%, and 35.3%, respectively), and lower rates in the 10-1 µM group (19.5%, 19.5% and 7.8%, respectively), compared to the others. The control group (no melatonin) and the 10-3 µM group showed similar results. We concluded that supplementation of melatonin in the in vitro maturation medium resulted in no improvement in the oocyte maturation rate, but in the in vitro production of embryos at different concentrations, the 10-5 µM group displayed better results, but with no improvement in the variables (P < 0.05).

Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos da melatonina na produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. O experimento foi conduzido no Laboratório de Reprodução Animal da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão. Os complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) foram distribuídos entre os tratamentos 0, 10-1, 10-3 e 10-5 µmol/L de melatonina. A avaliação foi dividida em dois experimentos, onde o primeiro avaliou o efeito dessas diferentes concentrações de melatonina (tratamentos) sobre a taxa de maturação dos CCOs e o segundo, o efeito desses tratamentos com melatonina sobre a produção in vitro de embriões bovinos. Os resultados no primeiro experimento demonstraram não haver diferença significativa na taxa de maturação in vitro dos CCOs cultivados no tratamento com melatonina. No entanto, o tratamento com melatonina no segundo experimento, as taxas de clivagens, mórulas e blastocistos, o grupo 10-5 µM foi estatisticamente superior (52,9%, 52,9% e 35,3%, respectivamente) e o grupo 10-1 µM inferior (19,5%, 19,5% e 7,8%, respectivamente) aos outros grupos. O grupo controle (sem melatonina) e o grupo 10-3 µM obtiveram resultados semelhantes. Concluiu-se que a suplementação da melatonina no meio de maturação in vitro não evidenciou melhoras na taxa de maturação dos oócitos, porém na produção in vitro de embriões em diferentes concentrações, o grupo 10-5 µM apresentou melhores resultados mesmo não havendo melhorias nas variáveis (P<0,05).

Otimização do sistema de maturação in vitro de oócitos caprinos utilizando retinóides / Optimization of maturity system in vitro oocytes goats using retinoids

res of oocytes qualitatively similar to those produced in vivo. The ovaries were obtained in slaughterhouses in the metropolitan region of São Luis - MA and Recife-PE. It was tested, on 10 replicates, the efficiencyof retinol (RT) and retinoic acid (RA) on the in vitro maturation of oocytes goats, using as parameters thenuclear maturation stage. A significant difference was observed (P <0.05) in the percentage of matured oocyteswhen the MBM method was used (53%) compared to other means, demonstrating an increase in the number ofexpanded oocytes. There was no significant difference (P> 0.05) when compared to percentage of goat oocytesmatured in medium that used the RT and RA. It is possible to suggest that this is an effective strategy that shouldbe adopted to increase in vitro maturation.(AU)

Reprodução e critérios de seleção de ovinos machos e fêmeas em programas de melhoramento genético na ilha de São Luís MA / Breeding and selection criteria for male and female sheeps in genetic enhancement programs in São Luís Ma

This study aimed to characterize the selection criterion for sheep, male and female, most applied infarms located in the municipalities that make up the micro region urban agglomeration of São Luís, Maranhão.Technical visits were performed in 10 properties where, in each, a questionnaire and information related to thecreation of system was applied, purpose of creation, breeds, selection criterion and availability of geneticresources were obtained. The most valued characteristics to select the parents, regardless of their race, allproperties were observing the animal phenotype, with no use of genetic resources for the practice, and thesecriterion related to body development (100%) for both sex, scrotal circumference and volume (100%), testiculartilting (20%) for males, and sexual precocity, maternal ability and number of calving (40%) for females.(AU)

Qualidade e Quantidade de Oócitos Caprinos e Ovinos Recuperados por Aspiração e Fatiamento / Quality and Quantity of Goats and Sheep Oocytes Recovered by Bspiration and Slicing

This study aimed to compare the aspiration techniques and slicing ovaries in order to obtain oocytes, byassessing the quantity and quality of oocytes recovered from goat and sheep females slaughtered in São Luís -MA. The ovaries were collected after slaughtering and kept in saline solution at 0.9%, containing 30 µg / mL ofgentamicin sulfate. In the laboratory the ovaries were randomly divided into two groups with subsequent processof aspiration and slicing. The average rate of oocyte retrieval by aspiration technique were 4,53 oocytes/ovaryin sheeps and 4,11 oocytes/ovary in goats, and by the slicing technique 5,26 oocytes/ovary in sheeps and 5,06oocytes/ovary in goats. It was not observed a significant difference between the recovery rate between species,however there was statistical difference between the techniques on goats, therefore demonstrating that the twotechniques can be used for oocyte retrieval.(AU)

Correlação entre o perímetro torácico, peso corporal e a circunferência escrotal de caprinos da raça anglo-nubiano observados na 59ª EXPOEMA / Correlation between scrotal circumference and thorax circumference and between scrotal circumference and body weight of Anglo-Nubian bucks from a livestock exhibition in Maranhão, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the scrotal circumference and thoraxcircumference and between the scrotal circumference and body weight of Anglo-Nubian bucks from a livestockexhibition in Maranhão, Brazil. 15 bucks were equally divided into three groups according their ages: G1 with9 to 12 months old animals –, G2 with 14 to 19 months old animals –, and G3 with 22 to 29 months oldanimals. The measurements were taken while the event was happening. The data was subjected to thecorrelation coefficient of Pearson. The measures of the scrotal circumference had a positive correlation with thethorax circumference in the groups G1 and G2. G1 group also presented a positive correlation for the bodyweight. However, in this study, it was observed a negative correlation between the scrotal circumference andthorax circumference measures for the animals from the G2 and G3 groups.(AU)

Produção in vitro de embriões bovinos oriundos de fêmeas previamente tratadas com somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) / In vitro production of bovine embryos derived from females previously treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rbST on in vitro production of Girolanda female embryos.Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) was performed to obtain the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were subjected to thePIV. Pretreatment of rbST in cows Girolando did not influence the embryo development rate in vitro production.(AU)

Avaliação andrológica de ovinos do Núcleo de Ruminantes da UEMA Campus Paulo VI / Evaluation andrologic of Ruminant Center of cattle from UEMA - Campus Paulo VI

The aim of the study was to characterize andrologicaly sheeps belonging to Ruminants Center ofUniversidade Estadual do Maranhao. The semen collection was performed by electro ejaculation. The bodycondition score from seven animals showed averaging 4.57 ± 1.13. The scrotal circumference (SC) was 30.58 ±4.91 cm, a scrotal circumference of rams presented mean length and width of the right testicle of 9.43 ± 1.16 cmand 5.44 ± 0.46 cm and the left testicle of 9.0 ± 0.81 cm and 5.51 ± 0.41 cm, respectively. The average volume ofsemen obtained was 0.89 ± 0.32 mL, appearance, color and odor sui generis were for the species. For physicalsemen parameters, the average turbulence was 3.57 ± 0.53; force of 3.14 ± 0.38; Sperm motility of 81.43 ±6.90%; sperm concentration of 0.8 ± 0.18 x109sptz / mL. The proportion of living and dead sperm stained witheosin-nigrosin averaged 74.1 ± 3.02% and 25 ± 3.46%, respectively. According to this study and the resultsobtained, sheep showed morphology and physical aspects consistent with the species and can be used asbreeders.(AU)

Efeito do pré-tratamento da somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbst) sobre complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) de fêmeas bovinas / Effect of pre-treatment of somatotropin recombinant bovine (rbst) complex on cumulus-oocyte (COCs) female bovine

Objective to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) oncumulus-oocyte complexes (CCOs) recovered from OPUs. Using 12 females bovine race Girolando, which theywere divided into three experimental groups: control 0mg, 250mg and 500mg rbST, applied at 12 day intervals.Then, were made five sessions of Ovum Pick Up (OPU) with the aid of ultrasound, with intervals of 7 days. Thevariables studied were submitted to normality test; normal data and standardized by mathematicaltransformations, were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) or parametric test Student-Newman-Keulstocompare means. Obtained mean and standard deviation of the total pattern CCOs and CCOs viable accordingto the following treatments.So, the pre-treatment rbST not influence both in the proportion of CCOs viable andthe morphological quality of CCOs of bovine female.(AU)

Efeito da somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) no perfil plasmático da progesterona, estradiol, hormônio do crescimento e IGF-1 de fêmeas bovinas / Effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the plasma levels of progesterone, estradiol, growth hormone and IGF-1 of females bovines

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin on the plasma levels ofprogesterone, estradiol, growth hormone and IGF-1. 8 cows Girolando were divided into three groups: control,250 mg rbST and 500 mg rbST. Blood samples were collected 60 days prior to aspiration, in 12-day intervals,with the samples taken on the same days of rbST applications. For hormone measurements, ELISA commercialkits were used. The hormone concentrations were subjected to the normal pattern Cramer-von Mises and foraverage of comparison, the test Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) was used, with 5% probability. It was notpossible to measure the plasma concentration of GH hormone. The rbST administration had no effect on plasmaconcentrations of progesterone, estradiol and IGF-1 among the groups treated with 250 mg and 500 mg and theuntreated group, there was also no significant variance between the days of application and OPUs.(AU)

Eficiência reprodutiva de vacas Nelore submetidas à IATF com protocolos DIB® e Crestar® e suas variações / Reproductive efficiency of Nelore cows submitted to FTAI with DIB® and Crestar® protocols and their variations

The economic efficacy of beef cattle is linked to the production of calves, which are destined to the meatproduction or replacement of the herd. Therefore the reproductive efficiency of the bovine females is shown to beof great importance, mainly in relation to occurrence of the gestations at certain moments during thereproductive season. Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) is a biotechnology that optimizes thereproductive management and guarantees satisfactory results. In this context, this research aimed to evaluateovulation synchronization protocols (Crestar®, DIB® and variations) used in breeding season, verifying thereproductive efficiency of Nelore cows submitted to FTAI. The results obtained from the FTAI program arewithin the predicted average, in which cows submitted to the DIB + BE protocol, used in the latter group,showed the best result, with a mean of 55.8% conception rate, being considered the most satisfactory within the four protocols used.(AU)

Otimização do sistema de maturação in vitro de oócitos caprinos utilizando retinóides / Optimization of maturity system in vitro oocytes goats using retinoids

res of oocytes qualitatively similar to those produced in vivo. The ovaries were obtained in slaughterhouses in the metropolitan region of São Luis - MA and Recife-PE. It was tested, on 10 replicates, the efficiencyof retinol (RT) and retinoic acid (RA) on the in vitro maturation of oocytes goats, using as parameters thenuclear maturation stage. A significant difference was observed (P 0.05) when compared to percentage of goat oocytesmatured in medium that used the RT and RA. It is possible to suggest that this is an effective strategy that shouldbe adopted to increase in vitro maturation.

Qualidade e Quantidade de Oócitos Caprinos e Ovinos Recuperados por Aspiração e Fatiamento / Quality and Quantity of Goats and Sheep Oocytes Recovered by Bspiration and Slicing

This study aimed to compare the aspiration techniques and slicing ovaries in order to obtain oocytes, byassessing the quantity and quality of oocytes recovered from goat and sheep females slaughtered in São Luís -MA. The ovaries were collected after slaughtering and kept in saline solution at 0.9%, containing 30 µg / mL ofgentamicin sulfate. In the laboratory the ovaries were randomly divided into two groups with subsequent processof aspiration and slicing. The average rate of oocyte retrieval by aspiration technique were 4,53 oocytes/ovaryin sheeps and 4,11 oocytes/ovary in goats, and by the slicing technique 5,26 oocytes/ovary in sheeps and 5,06oocytes/ovary in goats. It was not observed a significant difference between the recovery rate between species,however there was statistical difference between the techniques on goats, therefore demonstrating that the twotechniques can be used for oocyte retrieval.

Reprodução e critérios de seleção de ovinos machos e fêmeas em programas de melhoramento genético na ilha de São Luís – MA / Breeding and selection criteria for male and female sheeps in genetic enhancement programs in São Luís – Ma

This study aimed to characterize the selection criterion for sheep, male and female, most applied infarms located in the municipalities that make up the micro region urban agglomeration of São Luís, Maranhão.Technical visits were performed in 10 properties where, in each, a questionnaire and information related to thecreation of system was applied, purpose of creation, breeds, selection criterion and availability of geneticresources were obtained. The most valued characteristics to select the parents, regardless of their race, allproperties were observing the animal phenotype, with no use of genetic resources for the practice, and thesecriterion related to body development (100%) for both sex, scrotal circumference and volume (100%), testiculartilting (20%) for males, and sexual precocity, maternal ability and number of calving (40%) for females.

Efeito da somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) no perfil plasmático da progesterona, estradiol, hormônio do crescimento e IGF-1 de fêmeas bovinas / Effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on the plasma levels of progesterone, estradiol, growth hormone and IGF-1 of females bovines

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin on the plasma levels ofprogesterone, estradiol, growth hormone and IGF-1. 8 cows Girolando were divided into three groups: control,250 mg rbST and 500 mg rbST. Blood samples were collected 60 days prior to aspiration, in 12-day intervals,with the samples taken on the same days of rbST applications. For hormone measurements, ELISA commercialkits were used. The hormone concentrations were subjected to the normal pattern Cramer-von Mises and foraverage of comparison, the test Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) was used, with 5% probability. It was notpossible to measure the plasma concentration of GH hormone. The rbST administration had no effect on plasmaconcentrations of progesterone, estradiol and IGF-1 among the groups treated with 250 mg and 500 mg and theuntreated group, there was also no significant variance between the days of application and OPUs.

Efeito do pré-tratamento da somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbst) sobre complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) de fêmeas bovinas / Effect of pre-treatment of somatotropin recombinant bovine (rbst) complex on cumulus-oocyte (COCs) female bovine

Objective to evaluate the effect of pre-treatment of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) oncumulus-oocyte complexes (CCOs) recovered from OPUs. Using 12 females bovine race Girolando, which theywere divided into three experimental groups: control 0mg, 250mg and 500mg rbST, applied at 12 day intervals.Then, were made five sessions of Ovum Pick Up (OPU) with the aid of ultrasound, with intervals of 7 days. Thevariables studied were submitted to normality test; normal data and standardized by mathematicaltransformations, were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) or parametric test Student-Newman-Keulstocompare means. Obtained mean and standard deviation of the total pattern CCOs and CCOs viable accordingto the following treatments.So, the pre-treatment rbST not influence both in the proportion of CCOs viable andthe morphological quality of CCOs of bovine female.

Eficiência reprodutiva de vacas Nelore submetidas à IATF com protocolos DIB® e Crestar® e suas variações / Reproductive efficiency of Nelore cows submitted to FTAI with DIB® and Crestar® protocols and their variations

The economic efficacy of beef cattle is linked to the production of calves, which are destined to the meatproduction or replacement of the herd. Therefore the reproductive efficiency of the bovine females is shown to beof great importance, mainly in relation to occurrence of the gestations at certain moments during thereproductive season. Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (FTAI) is a biotechnology that optimizes thereproductive management and guarantees satisfactory results. In this context, this research aimed to evaluateovulation synchronization protocols (Crestar®, DIB® and variations) used in breeding season, verifying thereproductive efficiency of Nelore cows submitted to FTAI. The results obtained from the FTAI program arewithin the predicted average, in which cows submitted to the DIB + BE protocol, used in the latter group,showed the best result, with a mean of 55.8% conception rate, being considered the most satisfactory within the four protocols used.

Produção in vitro de embriões bovinos oriundos de fêmeas previamente tratadas com somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) / In vitro production of bovine embryos derived from females previously treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of rbST on in vitro production of Girolanda female embryos.Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) was performed to obtain the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were subjected to thePIV. Pretreatment of rbST in cows Girolando did not influence the embryo development rate in vitro production.

Avaliação andrológica de ovinos do Núcleo de Ruminantes da UEMA – Campus Paulo VI / Evaluation andrologic of Ruminant Center of cattle from UEMA - Campus Paulo VI

The aim of the study was to characterize andrologicaly sheeps belonging to Ruminants Center ofUniversidade Estadual do Maranhao. The semen collection was performed by electro ejaculation. The bodycondition score from seven animals showed averaging 4.57 ± 1.13. The scrotal circumference (SC) was 30.58 ±4.91 cm, a scrotal circumference of rams presented mean length and width of the right testicle of 9.43 ± 1.16 cmand 5.44 ± 0.46 cm and the left testicle of 9.0 ± 0.81 cm and 5.51 ± 0.41 cm, respectively. The average volume ofsemen obtained was 0.89 ± 0.32 mL, appearance, color and odor sui generis were for the species. For physicalsemen parameters, the average turbulence was 3.57 ± 0.53; force of 3.14 ± 0.38; Sperm motility of 81.43 ±6.90%; sperm concentration of 0.8 ± 0.18 x109sptz / mL. The proportion of living and dead sperm stained witheosin-nigrosin averaged 74.1 ± 3.02% and 25 ± 3.46%, respectively. According to this study and the resultsobtained, sheep showed morphology and physical aspects consistent with the species and can be used asbreeders.

Correlação entre o perímetro torácico, peso corporal e a circunferência escrotal de caprinos da raça anglo-nubiano observados na 59ª EXPOEMA / Correlation between scrotal circumference and thorax circumference and between scrotal circumference and body weight of Anglo-Nubian bucks from a livestock exhibition in Maranhão, Brazil

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the scrotal circumference and thoraxcircumference and between the scrotal circumference and body weight of Anglo-Nubian bucks from a livestockexhibition in Maranhão, Brazil. 15 bucks were equally divided into three groups according their ages: G1 – with9 to 12 months old animals –, G2 – with 14 to 19 months old animals –, and G3 – with 22 to 29 months oldanimals. The measurements were taken while the event was happening. The data was subjected to thecorrelation coefficient of Pearson. The measures of the scrotal circumference had a positive correlation with thethorax circumference in the groups G1 and G2. G1 group also presented a positive correlation for the bodyweight. However, in this study, it was observed a negative correlation between the scrotal circumference andthorax circumference measures for the animals from the G2 and G3 groups.