Flaxseed added to the diet of Alpine goats affects the nutrients intake and blood parameters.

The flaxseed is a nutraceutical food used as a source of α-linolenic acid, which can bring benefits to the health of mammals. This study was carried out to examine the effect of flaxseed inclusion in the diets on the intake of nutrients, body weight, and blood parameters of Alpine goats. Twenty-one adult females with an initial average weight of 41.06 ± 1.84 kg were used in a completely randomized design, with four experimental treatments (0, 5, 10, and 15% of flaxseed in the total diet) and five replications per treatment. The intake of the dry matter presented a decreasing linear effect (P < 0.001), with a reduction of 53.5% between the control diet (0% of flaxseed) and 15% of flaxseed, but no effect was observed on weight gain (P > 0.05). Inclusion of flaxseed from 0 to 15% linearly decreased the intakes of organic matter, crude protein, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and neutral detergent fiber, but increased the ether extract intake (P < 0.001). Regarding plasma concentration traits, increasing the flaxseed levels from 0 to 15% had linear positive effect on LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides (P < 0.05), but no effect on cholesterol, HDL, glucose, creatinine, and urea (P > 0.05). The inclusion of flaxseed in the diet for 80 days changes the nutrients intake and blood parameters but shows no impact on body weight. However, further studies are required to determine the impact of flaxseed on the goat's health in the long term since there has been an increase in the concentration of triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL.

Docosahexaenoic acid associated vitamin E in the diluent for cryopreservation of goat semen / Ácido docosahexaenoico associado à vitamina E no meio diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen caprino

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of and determine the optimum level of inclusion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diluent for goat semen cryopreservation. Five Boer males underwent semen collection, totaling 10 viable collections per animal. After evaluation, the ejaculates were pooled and fractionated in Tris-yolk medium with the addition of 0; 30; 45; or 60ng mL-1 of DHA and 0.4 mmol of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E). The semen was cryopreserved in a freezing machine (TK 3000TM) and placed in a cryogenic cylinder for subsequent analysis. Data were evaluated by regression analysis at 5% significance. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in sperm kinetic parameters evaluated by computer assisted sperm analysis: total motility (79.17 ± 17.31%), progressive motility (14.04 ± 5.73%), curvilinear speed (58.82 ± 6.35µm/s), progressive linear speed (22.49 ± 3.63µm/s), mean path speed (35.17 ± 4.52µm/s), linearity (38.69 ± 5.79%), rectilinearity (63.99 ± 6.64%), and oscillation index (59.68 ± 2.99%). There were no differences (P > 0.05) found from the membrane functional integrity test for reactive spermatozoa (69.66 ± 9.76%), plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity of intact spermatozoa (29.86 ± 7.57%), mitochondrial potential of Class I cryopreserved goat semen (72.75 ± 9.81%), and chromatin compaction of intact chromatin (96.87 ± 4.37%).

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito e determinar o melhor nível de inclusão de ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA) no diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen caprino. Cinco machos Boer foram submetidos a coletas de sêmen, totalizando 10 coletas viáveis por animal. Após avaliação, os ejaculados foram agrupados (pool) e fracionados em meio Tris gema, acrescido de 0; 30; 45 e 60ng mL-1 de DHA e 0,4mmol de alfa-tocoferol. O sêmen foi criopreservado em máquina de congelamento TK 3000® e acondicionado em botijão criogênico para posterior análise. Os dados foram avaliados por análise de regressão a 5% de significância. Não houve diferença (P > 0,05) nos parâmetros cinéticos espermáticos avaliados pela análise assistida por computador: motilidade total (79,17 ± 17,31%), motilidade progressiva (14,04 ± 5,73%), velocidade curvilínea (58,82 ± 6,35µm/s), velocidade linear progressiva (22,49 ± 3,63µm/s), velocidade média do caminho (35,17 ± 4,52µm/s), linearidade (38,69 ± 5,79%), retilinearidade (63,99 ± 6,64%) e índice de oscilação (59,68 ± 2,99%). Não foram encontradas diferenças (P> 0,05) no teste de integridade funcional da membrana para espermatozoides reativos (69,66 ± 9,76%), integridade plasmática e membrana acrossomal dos espermatozoides intactos (29,86 ± 7,57%), potencial mitocondrial do sêmen caprino de classe I (72,75 ± 9,81%) e compactação da cromatina intacta (96,87 ± 4,37%). A inclusão de até 60ng mL-1 de DHA não promoveu melhora nos parâmetros de qualidade seminal de caprinos pós-descongelamento.

Docosahexaenoic acid associated vitamin E in the diluent for cryopreservation of goat semen / Ácido docosahexaenoico associado à vitamina E no meio diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen caprino

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of and determine the optimum level of inclusion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the diluent for goat semen cryopreservation. Five Boer males underwent semen collection, totaling 10 viable collections per animal. After evaluation, the ejaculates were pooled and fractionated in Tris-yolk medium with the addition of 0; 30; 45; or 60ng mL-1 of DHA and 0.4 mmol of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E). The semen was cryopreserved in a freezing machine (TK 3000TM) and placed in a cryogenic cylinder for subsequent analysis. Data were evaluated by regression analysis at 5% significance. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in sperm kinetic parameters evaluated by computer assisted sperm analysis: total motility (79.17 ± 17.31%), progressive motility (14.04 ± 5.73%), curvilinear speed (58.82 ± 6.35µm/s), progressive linear speed (22.49 ± 3.63µm/s), mean path speed (35.17 ± 4.52µm/s), linearity (38.69 ± 5.79%), rectilinearity (63.99 ± 6.64%), and oscillation index (59.68 ± 2.99%). There were no differences (P > 0.05) found from the membrane functional integrity test for reactive spermatozoa (69.66 ± 9.76%), plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity of intact spermatozoa (29.86 ± 7.57%), mitochondrial potential of Class I cryopreserved goat semen (72.75 ± 9.81%), and chromatin compaction of intact chromatin (96.87 ± 4.37%).(AU)

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito e determinar o melhor nível de inclusão de ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA) no diluidor para criopreservação de sêmen caprino. Cinco machos Boer foram submetidos a coletas de sêmen, totalizando 10 coletas viáveis por animal. Após avaliação, os ejaculados foram agrupados (pool) e fracionados em meio Tris gema, acrescido de 0; 30; 45 e 60ng mL-1 de DHA e 0,4mmol de alfa-tocoferol. O sêmen foi criopreservado em máquina de congelamento TK 3000® e acondicionado em botijão criogênico para posterior análise. Os dados foram avaliados por análise de regressão a 5% de significância. Não houve diferença (P > 0,05) nos parâmetros cinéticos espermáticos avaliados pela análise assistida por computador: motilidade total (79,17 ± 17,31%), motilidade progressiva (14,04 ± 5,73%), velocidade curvilínea (58,82 ± 6,35µm/s), velocidade linear progressiva (22,49 ± 3,63µm/s), velocidade média do caminho (35,17 ± 4,52µm/s), linearidade (38,69 ± 5,79%), retilinearidade (63,99 ± 6,64%) e índice de oscilação (59,68 ± 2,99%). Não foram encontradas diferenças (P> 0,05) no teste de integridade funcional da membrana para espermatozoides reativos (69,66 ± 9,76%), integridade plasmática e membrana acrossomal dos espermatozoides intactos (29,86 ± 7,57%), potencial mitocondrial do sêmen caprino de classe I (72,75 ± 9,81%) e compactação da cromatina intacta (96,87 ± 4,37%). A inclusão de até 60ng mL-1 de DHA não promoveu melhora nos parâmetros de qualidade seminal de caprinos pós-descongelamento.(AU)

Application of hormonal subdoses at the Bai Hui acupoint for estrus synchronization in sheep / Aplicação de subdoses hormonais no ponto de acupuntura Bai Hui para sincronização de estro em ovelhas

Here, the efficiency of applying subdoses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) at the Bai Hui (BH) acupoint for estrus synchronization in sheep was evaluated. Thirty Santa Inês ewes received intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate for 7 days. The animals were divided into five treatments (T) (n=6): T1 (control), 132.5 µg PGF2α (100% of dose) and 300 IU eCG (100% of dose), both intramuscularly (IM); T2, 39.75 µg PGF2α (30% of dose) at the BH acupoint and 300 IU eCG (100% of dose) IM; T3, 132.5 µg PGF2α (100% of dose) IM and 90 IU eCG (30% of dose) at the BH acupoint; T4, 39.75 µg PGF2α (30% of dose) and 90 IU eCG (30% of dose), both at the BH acupoint; and T5, 39.75 µg PGF2α (30% of dose) and 90 IU eCG (30% of dose) both at a false acupoint (IM, at the same location as in T1). After 12 h of sponge removal and hormone application, the ewes were subjected to monitoring for estrus and mating and ultrasound assessments of follicular growth and ovulation time every 12 h. The data were evaluated for normality and subjected to analysis of variance, considering a 5% probability. There were no differences in the percentage of animals in estrus (93.3±9.1%), interval from sponge removal to estrus onset (48.1±6.0 h), interval from sponge removal to estrus end (69.6±5.4 h), duration of estrus (24.0±4.7 h), interval from sponge removal to ovulation (73.7±5.9 h), interval from estrus onset to ovulation (26.5±2.3 h), size of the largest follicle (6.7±0.4 mm), follicular growth rate (0.8±0.1 mm•day-1), number of ovulations (1.3±0.1), and plasma progesterone levels 7 days after ovulation (9.6±2.0 ng•mL-1). The cost of the synchronization protocol per animal was US$ 4.37, 4.12, 2.96, 2.71, and 2.71 for T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, respectively, with 37.99% cost reduction using PGF2α and eCG at 30% of the conventional doses. Therefore, the application of reduced PGF2α (39.75 µg) and eCG (90 IU) doses at the BH or false acupoint effectively synchronized estrus and reduced protocol cost in sheep, indicating that the conventional doses are overestimated.(AU)

Aqui, foi avaliada a eficiência da aplicação de subdoses de gonadotrofina coriônica equina (eCG) e prostaglandina F2α (PGF2α) no ponto de acupuntura Bai Hui (BH) para sincronização de estro em ovelhas. Trinta ovelhas Santa Inês receberam esponjas intravaginais contendo 60 mg de acetato de medroxiprogesterona por 7 dias. Os animais foram divididos em cinco tratamentos (T) (n=6): T1 (controle), 132,5 µg PGF2α (100% da dose) e 300 UI de eCG (100% da dose), ambos por via intramuscular (IM); T2, 39,75 µg de PGF2α (30% da dose) no ponto de acupuntura BH e 300 UI eCG (100% da dose) IM; T3, 132,5 µg PGF2α (100% da dose) IM e 90 UI eCG (30% da dose) no ponto de acupuntura BH; T4, 39,75 µg PGF2α (30% da dose) e 90 UI eCG (30% da dose), ambos no ponto de acupuntura BH; e T5, 39,75 µg PGF2α (30% da dose) e 90 UI eCG (30% da dose) ambos em um falso acuponto (IM, no mesmo local que em T1). Após 12 horas da retirada da esponja e aplicação do hormônio, as ovelhas foram submetidas ao monitoramento do estro e acasalamento, e avaliação ultrassonográfica do crescimento folicular e tempo de ovulação a cada 12 horas. Os dados foram avaliados quanto à normalidade e submetidos à análise de variância, considerando 5% de probabilidade. Não houve diferenças na porcentagem de animais em estro (93,3 ± 9,1%), intervalo da remoção da esponja ao início do estro (48,1 ± 6,0 h), intervalo da remoção da esponja ao final do estro (69,6 ± 5,4 h), duração do estro (24,0 ± 4,7 h), intervalo da remoção da esponja à ovulação (73,7 ± 5,9 h), intervalo do início do estro à ovulação (26,5 ± 2,3 h), tamanho do maior folículo (6,7 ± 0,4 mm), taxa de crescimento folicular (0,8 ± 0,1 mm•dia-1), número de ovulações (1,3 ± 0,1) e níveis de progesterona plasmática 7 dias após a ovulação (9,6 ± 2,0 ng•mL-1). O custo do protocolo de sincronização por animal foi de US $ 4,37, 4,12, 2,96, 2,71 e 2,71 para T1, T2, T3, T4 e T5, respectivamente, com redução de custo de 37,99% usando PGF2α e eCG a 30% das doses convencionais. Portanto, a aplicação de PGF2α (39,75 µg) e doses reduzidas de eCG (90 UI) no BH ou falso acuponto sincronizaram efetivamente o estro e reduziram o custo do protocolo em ovelhas, indicando que as doses convencionais estão superestimadas.(AU)

Application of low dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin at acupoint Hou Hai for fixed-time artificial insemination in beef cows / Aplicação de baixa dose de gonadotrofina coriônica equina no acuponto Hou Hai em protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo para vacas de corte

This study evaluated the efficiency application of low dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) using Hou Hai acupoint for fixed-term artificial insemination (FTAI) in beef cows. Seventy cows received intravaginal devices with progesterone, and 3 mg of estradiol benzoate on day zero (D0) of FTAI. On D9, the devices were removed, and 150 μg of prostaglandin F2α was applied; the animals were then randomly distributed to three treatment groups: T1 (n = 23), 300 IU of eCG intramuscularly (IM); T2 (n = 23), 90 IU of eCG at acupoint Hou Hai; and T3 (n = 25), 90 IU of eCG at false acupoint IM. On D10, the animals received 1 mg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone IM, and FTAI was performed, 52 h after the devices were removed. The quantitative variables with normal distribution were assessed using analysis of variance at 5% probability. For variables that did not show normal distribution, Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% probability was used. No significant difference was noted among the groups (P > 0.05) for the interval between device withdrawal at ovulation (58.2 ± 12.2 h), diameter of the largest follicle on D9 (9.9 ± 2.2 mm), diameters of the ovulatory follicle (12.2 ± 3.0 mm) and the second largest follicle (6.7 ± 2.1 mm), follicular growth rate (0.8 ± 0.3 mm/d), ovulation rate (82%), corpus luteum size (2.32 ± 0.35 cm2), and pregnancy rate (58.67%). The protocol cost per animal was US$ 10.67 (T1) and US$ 8.50 (T2 and T3). The use of 90 IU of eCG applied at Hou Hai acupoint or at false acupoint caused satisfactory synchronization of estrus in beef cows. In addition, this procedure was cost-effective.

Avaliou-se a eficiência da aplicação de subdose gonadotrofina coriônica equina (eCG) utulizando como via de administração o acuponto Hou Hai em protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) para vacas de corte. Setenta vacas receberam no dia zero (D0) do protocolo dispositivos intravaginais com progesterona, e 3mg de benzoato de estradiol. No D9 foram retirados os dispositivos, aplicado 150µg de prostaglandina F2α e distribuídos os animais aleatoriamente em três tratamentos: T1 (n=23) - 300UI de eCG por via intra muscular (IM); T2 (n=23) - 90UI de eCG no acuponto Hou Hai e T3 (n=25) - 90UI de eCG em falso acuponto, IM. No D10 os animais receberam 1mg de GnRH por via IM e foi realizada a IATF, 52 horas após a retirada dos dispositivos. Para as variáveis quantitativas com distribuição normal foi utilizada ANOVA, a 5% de probabilidade. Para as variáveis que não apresentaram distribuição normal, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, a 5% de probabilidade. Não houve diferença (P >0,05) para o intervalo entre a retirada do dispositivo à ovulação (58,2 ± 12,2h), diâmetro do maior folículo no D9 (9,9 ± 2,2mm), diâmetros do folículo ovulatório (12,2 ± 3,0mm) e do segundo maior folículo (6,7 ± 2,1mm), taxa de crescimento folicular (0,8 ± 0,3mm/d), taxa de ovulação (82%), área de corpo lúteo (2,32 ± 0,35 cm2) e taxa de prenhez (58,67%). O custo do protocolo por animal foi de US$ 10,67 (T1) e US$ 8,50 (T2 e T3). Sugere-se que a utilização de 90UI de eCG aplicada no acuponto Hou Hai ou em falso acuponto foram satisfatórios na sincronização de estro de vacas de corte. Além disso, possibilita a redução do custo do protocolo.

Application of low dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin at acupoint Hou Hai for fixed-time artificial insemination in beef cows / Aplicação de baixa dose de gonadotrofina coriônica equina no acuponto Hou Hai em protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo para vacas de corte

This study evaluated the efficiency application of low dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) using Hou Hai acupoint for fixed-term artificial insemination (FTAI) in beef cows. Seventy cows received intravaginal devices with progesterone, and 3 mg of estradiol benzoate on day zero (D0) of FTAI. On D9, the devices were removed, and 150 μg of prostaglandin F2α was applied; the animals were then randomly distributed to three treatment groups: T1 (n = 23), 300 IU of eCG intramuscularly (IM); T2 (n = 23), 90 IU of eCG at acupoint Hou Hai; and T3 (n = 25), 90 IU of eCG at false acupoint IM. On D10, the animals received 1 mg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone IM, and FTAI was performed, 52 h after the devices were removed. The quantitative variables with normal distribution were assessed using analysis of variance at 5% probability. For variables that did not show normal distribution, Kruskal-Wallis test at 5% probability was used. No significant difference was noted among the groups (P > 0.05) for the interval between device withdrawal at ovulation (58.2 ± 12.2 h), diameter of the largest follicle on D9 (9.9 ± 2.2 mm), diameters of the ovulatory follicle (12.2 ± 3.0 mm) and the second largest follicle (6.7 ± 2.1 mm), follicular growth rate (0.8 ± 0.3 mm/d), ovulation rate (82%), corpus luteum size (2.32 ± 0.35 cm2), and pregnancy rate (58.67%). The protocol cost per animal was US$ 10.67 (T1) and US$ 8.50 (T2 and T3). The use of 90 IU of eCG applied at Hou Hai acupoint or at false acupoint caused satisfactory synchronization of estrus in beef cows. In addition, this procedure was cost-effective.(AU)

Avaliou-se a eficiência da aplicação de subdose gonadotrofina coriônica equina (eCG) utulizando como via de administração o acuponto Hou Hai em protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) para vacas de corte. Setenta vacas receberam no dia zero (D0) do protocolo dispositivos intravaginais com progesterona, e 3mg de benzoato de estradiol. No D9 foram retirados os dispositivos, aplicado 150µg de prostaglandina F2α e distribuídos os animais aleatoriamente em três tratamentos: T1 (n=23) - 300UI de eCG por via intra muscular (IM); T2 (n=23) - 90UI de eCG no acuponto Hou Hai e T3 (n=25) - 90UI de eCG em falso acuponto, IM. No D10 os animais receberam 1mg de GnRH por via IM e foi realizada a IATF, 52 horas após a retirada dos dispositivos. Para as variáveis quantitativas com distribuição normal foi utilizada ANOVA, a 5% de probabilidade. Para as variáveis que não apresentaram distribuição normal, utilizou-se o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, a 5% de probabilidade. Não houve diferença (P >0,05) para o intervalo entre a retirada do dispositivo à ovulação (58,2 ± 12,2h), diâmetro do maior folículo no D9 (9,9 ± 2,2mm), diâmetros do folículo ovulatório (12,2 ± 3,0mm) e do segundo maior folículo (6,7 ± 2,1mm), taxa de crescimento folicular (0,8 ± 0,3mm/d), taxa de ovulação (82%), área de corpo lúteo (2,32 ± 0,35 cm2) e taxa de prenhez (58,67%). O custo do protocolo por animal foi de US$ 10,67 (T1) e US$ 8,50 (T2 e T3). Sugere-se que a utilização de 90UI de eCG aplicada no acuponto Hou Hai ou em falso acuponto foram satisfatórios na sincronização de estro de vacas de corte. Além disso, possibilita a redução do custo do protocolo.(AU)

Follicular response and oocyte production following variations in ovarian stimulation in goats.

In this study, goats were subjected to ovarian stimulation protocols to evaluate possible differences in ovarian follicular responses and oocyte production. Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of hormonal protocol duration (seven or twelve days) and number of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) applications (one or five doses). All animals received intravaginal sponges saturated with 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate and an application of 125 µg cloprostenol 72 h before the sponges were removed. For ovarian stimulation, 120 mg FSH was applied in a single dose 36 h before laparoscopic follicular aspiration (LOPU) or in five doses (30, 30, 20, 20, and 20 mg) at 12 h intervals, with the last dose applied 36 h before LOPU. In the first experimental phase, ultrasonography was performed to monitor follicular number and diameter, and in the second phase, the animals received LOPU to count the follicles and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and for morphological classification. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of any variable or combination of variables on follicle number on Day (D) 0 or D3/D8 (day of LOPU). However, evaluation at D6/D11 revealed an effect (P < 0.05) from the protocol duration with the highest number of small follicles resulting from the short protocol. There was also an effect (P < 0.05) of FSH dose number on the resulting number of medium and large follicles, with more medium follicles recovered after a single dose and more large follicles after multiple doses. There was no effect of any variable (P > 0.05) on the diameters of the large, medium, and small follicles, except for the D4/D9 evaluation, which showed a combination effect for large follicles (P < 0.05). In the second phase, no variable had an effect on the number of follicles visualized or aspirated, number of COCs recovered, recovery rate, morphological quality of COCs in grades 1, 2, 3, and 4, or rate of viable COCs. Thus, all four protocols efficiently stimulated the ovarian response and oocyte production of goats, although the short protocol (7 days) with a single dose of FSH was most efficacious based upon the greater number of medium-sized follicles available for aspiration, the shorter time, and greater practicality of execution.