Number of oocytes retrieved per donor during OPU and its relationship with in vitro embryo production and field fertility following embryo transfer

The association of OPU-IVEP is an important instrument to drive genetic progress. In vitro embryo production (IVEP) has remarkably expanded in the last decade compared to in vivo embryo production. Because of the high repeatability of oocyte retrieval within oocyte-donors, studies exploring the relationship between the number of oocytes recovered per OPU section with IVEP efficiency, as well as with field fertility (pregnancy results following embryo transfer; P/ET) are extremely important to guide cow-donor selection and optimize field reproduction efficiency and the herds genetic gain. Based on this rationale, our group conducted a retrospective analysis of a large database comprising IVEP records from several cattle breeds, including Bos indicus and Bos taurus for either beef or dairy purposes. A total of 205,140 oocytes recovered from 7,906 OPU procedures of 6,902 donors (5,227 beef and 1,675 dairy) of Brazilian farms were analyzed. Beef breeds analyzed were Nelore (Bos indicus) and Senepol (Bos taurus) and dairy breeds Were Gyr (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus). According to our analysis, the IVEP in beef cattle had a great improvement throughout the last years, with a remarkable increase in numbers of pregnancies per OPU compared to late 90s (averaging only 1 pregnancy per OPU in 1998 vs 2,4 in 2014). As for the distribution of oocytes retrieved, both Bos indicus beef (Nelore = 27.2) and dairy (Gyr = 23.8) breeds seem to yield greater average numbers of oocytes per OPU compared to Bos taurus (Senepol = 21.8; Holstein = 19.3).(AU)

Number of oocytes retrieved per donor during OPU and its relationship with in vitro embryo production and field fertility following embryo transfer

The association of OPU-IVEP is an important instrument to drive genetic progress. In vitro embryo production (IVEP) has remarkably expanded in the last decade compared to in vivo embryo production. Because of the high repeatability of oocyte retrieval within oocyte-donors, studies exploring the relationship between the number of oocytes recovered per OPU section with IVEP efficiency, as well as with field fertility (pregnancy results following embryo transfer; P/ET) are extremely important to guide cow-donor selection and optimize field reproduction efficiency and the herd’s genetic gain. Based on this rationale, our group conducted a retrospective analysis of a large database comprising IVEP records from several cattle breeds, including Bos indicus and Bos taurus for either beef or dairy purposes. A total of 205,140 oocytes recovered from 7,906 OPU procedures of 6,902 donors (5,227 beef and 1,675 dairy) of Brazilian farms were analyzed. Beef breeds analyzed were Nelore (Bos indicus) and Senepol (Bos taurus) and dairy breeds Were Gyr (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus). According to our analysis, the IVEP in beef cattle had a great improvement throughout the last years, with a remarkable increase in numbers of pregnancies per OPU compared to late 90’s (averaging only 1 pregnancy per OPU in 1998 vs 2,4 in 2014). As for the distribution of oocytes retrieved, both Bos indicus beef (Nelore = 27.2) and dairy (Gyr = 23.8) breeds seem to yield greater average numbers of oocytes per OPU compared to Bos taurus (Senepol = 21.8; Holstein = 19.3).

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence ovarian environment and efficiency of reproduction in cattle

The emergent concepts on ovary environment,reproductive physiology and the development ofpharmacology are constantly supporting the advance ofassisted reproduction. Within the last years, thebiotechnics related to the synchronization of folliculardevelopment and the manipulation of bovine estruscycle have progressed rapidly and consistently. Thecombined use of timed-artificial insemination (TAI),superovulation (SOV), ovum pick up (OPU), in vitroembryo production (IVEP) and timed-embryo transfer(TET) has a great potential to improve reproductiveoutcomes and disseminate selected genetics,diminishing the interval of generations and improvingherds genetic gain. However, several factors canpotentially affect the efficiency of these procedures. Theknowledge of the particularities of the genetic groups,follicular growth manipulation, follicular populationpredictors, and metabolic and environmental aspectsthat interfere with ovarian environment and,consequently, oocyte quantity and quality is crucial tooptimize the reproductive programs. This review aimsto elucidate some factors that affect the ovarianenvironment and must be well known in order toimprove the efficiency of reproduction in cattle.

Dopamine action in prepubertal Nelore heifers growth hormone secretion / Ação da dopamina na secreção do hormônio do crescimento em novilhas pré-púberes da raça Nelore

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of dopamine in the growth hormone secretion (GH) during Nellore heifers sexual maturation. The animals were randomly assigned into two experimental groups: Sulpiride group (dopamine D2 antagonist, 0.59 mg/kg, S.C.) and control group (saline solution S.C.) at 8, 12 and 16 months of age. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 10h after drug injection. Growth hormone was quantified by RIA, sensitivity (0.25 ng/mL) and intra and inter-assay variation coefficients were 15% and 17%, respectively. GH concentration was higher in sulpiride group than control group at 8 mo (10.1 ± 0.38 ng/mL vs 4.3 ± 0.34 ng/mL; P 0.05) and 12 mo of age (9.46 ± 0.35 vs 3.74 ± 0.19 ng/mL; P 0.05). In sulpiride group GH average concentration was greater at 8 and 12 mo compared to 16 mo of age (10.10 ± 0.38 ng/mL and 9.46 ± 0.35 ng/mL vs 4.87 ± 0.35 ng/mL; P 0.05) respectively. There was no difference between groups (P > 0.05) in total GH secretion area, total peak area and maximum peak amplitude. These results suggested an inhibitory dopamine effect on GH secretion in pre-pubertal Nellore heifers that decreases according to age.(AU)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o papel da dopamina na regulação da secreção do hormônio do crescimento (GH) durante a maturação sexual em novilhas da raça Nelore. Os animais foram distribuídos de forma aleatória em dois grupos: Grupo sulpiride (antagonista dopaminérgico; 0,59 mg/ kg, S.C.) e grupo controle (solução salina S.C.) aos 8, 12 e 16 meses de idade. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas a cada 15 min por 10 h após a administração das soluções. A quantificação hormonal foi realizada por radioimunoensaio. O coeficiente de variação inter-ensaio, intraensaio e a sensibilidade dos ensaios de GH foram, respectivamente: 17%, 15% e 0,25 ng/mL. O tratamento com sulpiride aumentou a concentração média de GH aos 8 meses (10,10 ± 0,38 ng/mL vs 4,3 ± 0,34 ng/mL; P ? 0,05) e 12 meses de idade (9,46 ± 0,35 ng/mL vs 3,74 ± 0,19 ng/mL; P ? 0,05). Dentro do grupo sulpiride a concentração média de GH foi maior aos 8 e 12 meses comparada aos 16 meses de idade (10,10 ± 0,38 ng/mL vs 9,46 ± 0,35 ng/mL vs 4,87 ± 0,35 ng/mL; P ? 0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos (P ? 0,05) em relação à área total de secreção de GH, área total de picos, amplitude máxima dos picos de GH. Os resultados sugerem que a dopamina tem efeito inibitório sobre a secreção de GH, decrescendo em função da idade nas novilhas pré-púberes da raça Nelore.(AU)

Dopamine action in prepubertal Nelore heifers growth hormone secretion / Ação da dopamina na secreção do hormônio do crescimento em novilhas pré-púberes da raça Nelore

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of dopamine in the growth hormone secretion (GH) during Nellore heifers sexual maturation. The animals were randomly assigned into two experimental groups: Sulpiride group (dopamine D2 antagonist, 0.59 mg/kg, S.C.) and control group (saline solution S.C.) at 8, 12 and 16 months of age. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 10h after drug injection. Growth hormone was quantified by RIA, sensitivity (0.25 ng/mL) and intra and inter-assay variation coefficients were 15% and 17%, respectively. GH concentration was higher in sulpiride group than control group at 8 mo (10.1 ± 0.38 ng/mL vs 4.3 ± 0.34 ng/mL; P 0.05) and 12 mo of age (9.46 ± 0.35 vs 3.74 ± 0.19 ng/mL; P 0.05). In sulpiride group GH average concentration was greater at 8 and 12 mo compared to 16 mo of age (10.10 ± 0.38 ng/mL and 9.46 ± 0.35 ng/mL vs 4.87 ± 0.35 ng/mL; P 0.05) respectively. There was no difference between groups (P > 0.05) in total GH secretion area, total peak area and maximum peak amplitude. These results suggested an inhibitory dopamine effect on GH secretion in pre-pubertal Nellore heifers that decreases according to age.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o papel da dopamina na regulação da secreção do hormônio do crescimento (GH) durante a maturação sexual em novilhas da raça Nelore. Os animais foram distribuídos de forma aleatória em dois grupos: Grupo sulpiride (antagonista dopaminérgico; 0,59 mg/ kg, S.C.) e grupo controle (solução salina S.C.) aos 8, 12 e 16 meses de idade. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas a cada 15 min por 10 h após a administração das soluções. A quantificação hormonal foi realizada por radioimunoensaio. O coeficiente de variação inter-ensaio, intraensaio e a sensibilidade dos ensaios de GH foram, respectivamente: 17%, 15% e 0,25 ng/mL. O tratamento com sulpiride aumentou a concentração média de GH aos 8 meses (10,10 ± 0,38 ng/mL vs 4,3 ± 0,34 ng/mL; P ? 0,05) e 12 meses de idade (9,46 ± 0,35 ng/mL vs 3,74 ± 0,19 ng/mL; P ? 0,05). Dentro do grupo sulpiride a concentração média de GH foi maior aos 8 e 12 meses comparada aos 16 meses de idade (10,10 ± 0,38 ng/mL vs 9,46 ± 0,35 ng/mL vs 4,87 ± 0,35 ng/mL; P ? 0,05). Não houve diferença entre os grupos (P ? 0,05) em relação à área total de secreção de GH, área total de picos, amplitude máxima dos picos de GH. Os resultados sugerem que a dopamina tem efeito inibitório sobre a secreção de GH, decrescendo em função da idade nas novilhas pré-púberes da raça Nelore.