La récolte et le transfert d'embryons chez la chèvre Angora

The objective of this study was to analyze the efficiency of embryo collection and transfer in Angora goats during the breeding season. Synchronization was obtained by placing an intravaginal sponge for either a short period of time (11 days + PGF_2α) or a long period (17 to 21 days). Thirty-three goats were superovulated, embryo collection was not attempted on seven goats (four did not respond to the superovulation treatment, three did not show estrus), and four gave oocytes only. The embryos of one goat are still frozen. The remaining 21 goats produced 285 embryos of which 187 (66%) were transferred (fresh or thawed) to 66 recipients; 36 (55%) recipients remained pregnant and gave birth to 63 kids (34% of the transferred embryos). The superovulation and transfer techniques used in this study provided a large number of transferable embryos. However, the percentage of embryos that reach term could be improved by more strict selection of the recipients and of the embryos to be transferred, and by improving the embryo freezing technique.     

Effect of activation treatments of recipient oocytes on subsequent development of bovine nuclear transfer embryos

Effects of recipient oocyte activation methods on the development of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos were investigated. In Exp. 1, cell-cycle phase of serum-starved bovine cumulus cells was examined by flow cytometry. Majority (95.5%) of medium-sized (16-20 microm) cells that made up 56% of total cells was at the G0/G1 phase. NT embryos were constructed by electric fusion with the medium-sized serum-starved cumulus cells and bovine oocytes of 3 different preparations: enucleated oocytes treated with calcium ionophore A 23187 for 5 min and cycloheximide for 5 hr (A 23187/CHX), those treated with ethanol for 7 min and cycloheximide for 2 hr(ethanol/CHX) and those without treatment. In Exp. 2 and 3, developmental competence of NT embryos constructed with A 23187/CHX- and ethanol/CHX-treated oocytes was compared to that of NT embryos constructed with non-treated oocytes, respectively. Further, nuclear behavior in 3 different NT embryos was examined in Exp. 4. Within 1 hr after fusion, majority of the NT embryos constructed with non-treated oocytes showed condensed chromosome. Three hours after fusion, about 50% of NT embryos constructed with non-treated or ethanol/CHX-treated oocytes showed a single pronucleus-like structure. NT embryos constructed with ethanol/CHX-treated oocytes showed similar rates of fusion, cleavage and blastocyst formation to those of the non-treated oocytes. In contrast, NT embryos constructed with A 23187/CHX-treated oocytes did not show any pronucleus-like structure and showed lower cleavage rate and no development to blastocysts. The results indicate that ethanol/CHX-treated oocytes could support development of somatic cell NT embryos to the blastocyst stage at a similar rate to that of non-treated oocytes.     

波尔山羊胚胎数量、质量与受体移植妊娠率的关系

本文就波尔山羊胚胎数量，质量与受体移植妊娠率的关系进行了探讨。结果表明：胚胎质量优劣是直接影响胚胎移植成功率的关键因素。移植胚胎数量因品种不同有差异。移植双胚，奶山羊受体胚胎成羔率53．4％，明显高于成都麻羊胚胎成羔率36．3％，成都麻羊单胚成羔率为66．7％。     

The effects of an advanced uterine environment on embryonic survival in the mare

Reasons for performing the study: During embryo transfer (ET) the equine embryo can tolerate a wide degree of negative asynchrony but positive asynchrony of >2 days usually results in embryonic death. There is still confusion over whether this is due to the inability of the embryo to induce luteostasis or to an inappropriate uterine environment. Objectives: To assess embryo survival and development in an advanced uterine environment. Hypothesis: Embryo–uterine asynchrony, not the embryo's inability to induce luteostasis, is responsible for embryonic death in recipient mares with a >2 days chronologically advanced uterus. Methods: Experiment 1: Thirteen Day 7 embryos were transferred to the uteri of recipient mares with luteal prolongation, occasioned by manual crushing of their own conceptus, such that donor–recipient asynchrony was between +13 and +49 days. Experiment 2: Day 7 embryos were transferred to recipient mares carrying their own conceptus at Days 18 (n = 2), 15 (n = 2), 14 (n = 4), 12 (n = 4) or 11 (n = 4) of gestation. In addition, Day 8 embryos were transferred to 4 pregnant recipient mares on Day 11 of gestation. Results: No pregnancies resulted following transfer of Day 7 embryos to recipients in prolonged dioestrus with asynchronies between +13 and +49 days. However, the use of early pregnant mares as recipients resulted in 5/20 (25%) twin pregnancies, 4 of which came from the transfer of a Day 8 embryo to a Day 11 recipient. All transferred embryos showed retarded growth, with death occurring in 4/5 (80%). Conclusions and potential relevance: The results emphasise the importance of an appropriate uterine environment for embryo growth and the inability of equine embryos to survive transfer to a uterus >2 days advanced even when luteostasis is achieved. It is possible that in normal, non‐ET equine pregnancy, embryo–uterine asynchrony may account for some cases of embryonic death.     

序贯培养液G1/G2对山羊核移植胚胎发育和质量的影响

为了优化山羊核移植胚胎体外培养体系,提高核移植效率,本研究检测了山羊体细胞核移植(SCNT)胚胎在序贯培养液G1/G2中的发育率和囊胚细胞凋亡,以及核移植胚胎移植后的妊娠率,以传统mSOF-FBS培养液作为对照组,评估序贯培养液G1/G2支持山羊核移植胚胎的发育能力。结果显示,与对照组相比,G1/G2组的囊胚发育率差异不显著((27.7±3.1)%vs(25.3±1.0)%,P>0.05),囊胚细胞数和囊胚细胞凋亡率显著降低(分别为(93.2±4.5)vs(109.1±6.2)和(4.9±0.2)%vs(11.3±0.1)%,P<0.05),但移植后的妊娠率显著增高(21.4%vs 8.0%,P<0.05)。结果表明,与传统的培养液mSOF-FBS相比,序贯培养液G1/G2能更好地支持山羊核移植胚胎的发育。     

添加不同发情时期山羊血清对牛胚胎体外发育的影响

为了提高牛体外胚胎囊胚发育率,添加不同发情时期山羊血清对牛胚胎进行体外培养。分别采集发情周期D0、D2、D4和D7山羊血清（发情当天为D0）,灭活除菌备用。结果表明不同发情时期羊血清对孤紫激活胚胎孵裂率影响差异不显著,囊胚发育率分别为29.5%、32.4%、33.9%和41.3%,D7血清能显著提高囊胚发育率（P＜0.05）,且扩张和孵化胚出现较早。添加D0血清体外受精胚胎卵裂率较高,但对囊胚发育率影响差异不显著。说明孤紫激活和体外受精胚胎发育有差异,D7血清对胚胎后期发育有利。受精胚无血清培养3d后添加D7血清,囊胚发育率为42.9%,是较为理想的培养方法。     

Improvement of the developmental ability of nuclear transfer embryos by using blastomeres from in vitro fertilized embryos selected according to the early developmental stage and cell division status as donor cells in cattle

This study was conducted to improve the developmental ability of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos by using blastomeres from in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos with high quality as donor cells. The IVF embryos selected at the 2-cell stage at 24-h postinsemination (hpi) and again at the ≥8-cell stage at 48 hpi (Selected-IVF-embryos) showed the highest blastocyst formation rate among embryos. When blastomeres from the Selected-IVF-embryos (Selected-NT group) or Nonselected-IVF-embryos (Non-selected-NT group) were used as donor cells for NT, the blastocyst formation rate in the Selected-NT group (25.6%) was significantly higher than that in the Non-selected-NT group (13.5%). When blastomeres from the Selected-IVF-embryos at 108 (contained many cells before cell division) and 126 hpi (contained many cells immediately after cell division) were used as donor cells for NT (108- and 126-NT groups, respectively), the 126-NT group showed a significantly higher blastocyst formation rate (32.1%) than the 108-NT group (16.8%). Embryo transfer of blastocysts in the 126-NT group showed that 11 of 23 recipients became pregnant; nine calves were obtained. For the NT embryos reconstructed using in vivo derived embryos, 9 of 20 recipients became pregnant; seven calves were obtained. These results indicate that the blastocyst formation rate of NT embryos can be improved by using blastomeres from IVF embryos selected at the early developmental stage, especially immediately after cell division, and that the resultant NT embryos have a high developmental ability to progress to term that is comparable to NT embryos reconstructed using in vivo derived embryos.     

Seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Korean black goats (Capra hircus aegagrus)

In total, 582 sera from 116 black goat herds were analyzed by a commercially available ELISA kit to monitor the seroprevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Mpt) in Korean black goats (Capra hircus aegagrus). The mean number of goats sampled per herd was 5.11, 4.66, and 5.38 for the northern, central, and southern regions of Korea, respectively. The apparent regional prevalence of Mpt was estimated at 18.2-38.2% and 4.6-15.3% for herds and goats, respectively. The Mpt-positive goats were predominantly detected in the south (n=28), compared to either the northern (n=9) or central (n=11) regions (chi=14.459, P<0.05). Our findings indicate that Mpt is prevalent among the goat population, but regional variation exists.     

Surgical and non-surgical transfer of bovine embryos

Methods of transferring one bovine embryo to the ipsilateral uterine horn have been compared. In heifers mid-ventral surgical laparotomy under general anaesthesia (n=22) was compared with flank surgery with paravertebral anaesthesia (n=21). Pregnancy rate was higher with a midventral approach (P less than 0.05) (77.3 per cent of 42.9 per cent respectively). In heifers mid-ventral surgery (n=36) was compared with two methods of non-surgical transfer either using the Cassou insemination gun (n=36) or a modification of it (n=39) with embryos collected on days 7, 8 or 10 after oestrus. There were no differences in pregnancy rate between methods or different ages of embryos (methods: 55.6, 55.6, 43.6 per cent respectively; Day: 48.8, 55.8, 48.1 per cent respectively) but the condition score of recipients affected success (P less than 0.05). Of 10 cows which each received an embryo using the modified Cassou gun eight became pregnant.     

Physiological roles of inhibin in regulation of FSH secretion and follicular development during early pregnancy in goats

The aim of the current study was to clarify the physiological role of inhibin in controlling FSH secretion and follicular development during the early pregnancy in goats. Eight goats investigated sonographically on Days 19-21 (Day 0=day of mating) for pregnancy were assigned into control (n=3) and treated (n=5) groups. The ovaries of all animals were daily scanned with ultrasound for follicles 2mm or more in diameter from 1 day before to 5 days after treatment. On Day 25 postbreeding; animals received either 10 ml, of normal goat serum or antiserum against [Tyr (30)]-inhibin alpha (1-30). Jugular blood samples were collected every 6 h starting 24 h before and until 120 h after treatment. The plasma concentration of FSH increased at 6 h and remained at significantly high levels until 120 h in treated vs. control group. The plasma concentrations of estradiol showed a marked increased at 66 h, with peak levels at 120 h after treatment of antiserum. The basal concentrations of LH and the pattern of plasma concentrations of progesterone were not significantly different between the two groups. The number of medium size (3.5-5.0 mm) follicles increased considerably from Day 2, whereas small (3.5 mm or less) and large (5 mm or more) follicles increased noticeably from Day 3, as compared with pre-treatment and controls. These results clearly indicated that inhibin is a key hormone in regulation of follicular development through regulation of endogenous FSH secretion during early pregnancy in goats.     

Use of insulin-like growth factor-I during embryo culture and treatment of recipients with gonadotropin-releasing hormone to increase pregnancy rates following the transfer of in vitro-produced embryos to heat-stressed,lactating cows

An experiment was conducted to determine whether pregnancy rates following the transfer of in vitro-produced embryos to heat-stressed cows could be improved by 1) culturing embryos in the presence of IGF-I and 2) treating recipients with GnRH. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 260) were synchronized using a timed ovulation protocol. Embryos were produced in vitro and cultured with or without 100 ng/mL of IGF-I. On d 7 after anticipated ovulation (d 0), a single embryo was transferred to all recipients with a palpable corpus luteum (n = 210). A subset of recipients (n = 164) was injected with either GnRH or placebo on d 11. Plasma progesterone concentrations on d 0 and 7 were used to determine the synchrony of recipients. Pregnancy was diagnosed at d 53 and 81 by rectal palpation. Among all recipients, transfer of IGF-I-treated embryos increased pregnancy rate at d 53 (P < 0.05) and tended to increase pregnancy rate at d 81 (P < 0.06). Calving rate also tended to be higher for recipients that received IGF-I-treated embryos (P < 0.07). Among the subset of synchronized recipients (n = 190), pregnancy rate at d 53 and d 81 and calving rate were higher (P < 0.05) for IGF-I-treated embryos. The GnRH tended to increase pregnancy rate at d 53 for all recipients (P < 0.08) and the subset of synchronized recipients (P < 0.10). There were no effects of GnRH (P > 0.10) for pregnancy rate at d 81 and calving rate. The overall proportion of male calves was 64.3%. There was no effect (P > 0.10) of embryo treatment or GnRH on the birth weight or sex ratio of calves. Results of this experiment indicate that treatment of embryos with IGF-I can improve pregnancy and calving rates following transfer of in vitro-produced embryos. Further research is necessary to determine whether the treatment of recipients with GnRH is a practical approach to increase pregnancy rates following in vitro embryo transfer.     

Arginine vasopressin stimulation of prostaglandin F2 alpha release in heifers during the estrous cycle

The effect of arginine vasopressin on the stimulation of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) release has been examined in vivo. Fifty-eight heifers received one intravenous injection of 10 IU arginine vasopressin on either Day 0 (n = 14), Day 6 (n = 12), Day 13 (n = 14) and Day 18 or 19 or 20 (Day 18-20, n = 18) after the onset of oestrus (Day 0) to determine the effect of arginine vasopressin at different times of the oestrous cycle. Frequent blood samples were taken before and after arginine vasopressin injection for the measurement of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Blood samples for progesterone determinations were taken 2 hr before and 24 hr after arginine vasopressin to monitor luteal function. The data show that arginine vasopressin causes an increase (P less than 0.005) in PGFM concentrations only at Day 18-20 of the cycle in 67% of the experimental heifers.     

兔·卵·母·细·胞·孤·雌·激·活·的·研·究

本研究探讨了兔卵母细胞孤雌激活的方法。兔卵母细胞经7%乙醇单独激活处理5min的卵裂率(13.0%),显著低于乙醇处理后在2mmol/LDMAP继续处理3h(48.1%)和5μmol/L离子霉素处理后在DMAP继续处理3h的卵母细胞(92.2%);离子霉素+DMAP处理组的囊胚发育率(27.1%)亦显著(P<0.05)高于乙醇+DMAP处理组(15.4%)和乙醇单独处理组(0%)。当用离子霉素和DMAP激活处理时,注射hCG后18h卵母细胞的卵裂率(92.1%)和囊胚率(35.3%)最高2,4h后卵母细胞的卵裂率(19.0%)和囊胚发育率(4.2%)均显著(P<0.05)下降。卵母细胞经离子霉素激活处理后,在DMAP继续处理1、35、h的卵裂率差异显著(P<0.05);而囊胚发育率无显著(P>0.05)差异。离子霉素和DMAP处理后再电激1次对卵母细胞的卵裂率(83.3%、80.0%)和囊胚率(30.0%、27.0%)无显著(P>0.05)影响。以上研究表明:离子霉素+DMAP是兔卵母细胞最有效的激活方法,注射hCG后18h的卵母细胞可取得较好的激活效果。     

高产奶牛性控雌性冻胚规模化移植试验

从美国引进高产奶牛性控雌性胚胎，在农村条件下，选择自然发情的黄牛作受体，移植合格受体牛648头。结果显示，自然发情黄牛924头中，经直肠检查合格受体牛648头，使用合格率为70．13％（648／924）；氯前列烯醇同期处理476头，使用合格率为36．13％（172／476），差异极显著（P〈0．01）。80～100d怀孕检查，自然发情移植成功率41．98％（272／648），同期发情移植成功率40．12％（69／172），差异不显著（P〉0．05）。自然发情黄牛不同黄体级别的移植成功率分别为：A级44．09％（41／93），B级42．43％（199／469），C级37．21％（32／86），差异不显著（P〉0．05）。单胚移植580头，移植成功率42．41％（242／580），双胚移植68头，移植成功率44．12％（30／68），差异不显著（P〉0．05）。正常胚胎单枚移植541头，移植成功率42．51％（230／541），裸胚单枚移植39头，移植成功率30．77％（12／39），裸胚比正常胚移植成功率低11．74％。怀孕牛已出生犊牛83头。其中母犊79头．公犊4头，母犊占95．18％，与自然发情的性比例（50％）相比较，差异极显著（P〈0．01）。     

Cloned calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos cultured in chemically defined medium or modified synthetic oviduct fluid

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is considered to be a critical tool for propagating valuable animals. To determine the productivity calves resulting from embryos derived with different culture media, enucleated oocytes matured in vitro were reconstructed with fetal fibroblasts, fused, and activated. The cloned embryos were cultured in modified synthetic oviduct fluid (mSOF) or a chemically defined medium (CDM) and developmental competence was monitored. After 7 days of culturing, the blastocysts were transferred into the uterine horn of estrus-synchronized recipients. SCNT embryos that were cultured in mSOF or CDM developed to the blastocysts stages at similar rates (26.6% vs. 22.5%, respectively). A total of 67 preimplantational stage embryos were transferred into 34 recipients and six cloned calves were born by caesarean section, or assisted or natural delivery. Survival of transferred blastocysts to live cloned calves in the mSOF and the CDM was 18.5% (to recipients), 9.6% (to blastocysts) and 42.9% (to recipients), 20.0% (to blastocysts), respectively. DNA analysis showed that all cloned calves were genetically identical to the donor cells. These results demonstrate that SCNT embryos cultured in CDM showed higher viability as judged by survival of the calves that came to term compared to blastocysts derived from mSOF cultures.     

纳米硒对岢岚绒山羊及胎儿的生物学效应

为研究纳米硒对岢岚绒山羊妊娠母羊及胎儿机体免疫力、抗氧化性和生长发育的影响,选择体重相近的岢岚妊娠绒山羊80只,随机分为2组,分别喂以基础日粮(C组)和添加0.5mg/kgDM纳米硒的饲粮(Se组),实验期110d。结果表明:妊娠期绒山羊日粮中添加硒后,血液中淋巴细胞、单核细胞、嗜中性粒细胞的百分比显著提高(p<0.05),异型淋巴细胞百分比显著降低(p<0.05),血清中血清球蛋白(GLO)、免疫球蛋白IgG和IgM显著提高(p<0.05);日粮中纳米硒的添加极显著(p<0.01)提高了母羊及胎儿血清中GSH-Px、SOD的活性,极显著(p<0.01)提高了母羊及胎儿肝、胎盘组织中GSH-Px、SOD的活性,极显著(p<0.01)降低了母羊及胎儿血清与胎盘组织中MDA的浓度;在日粮中添加纳米硒后,显著增加了胎盘、胎儿及胎儿肝、肾组织的重量(p<0.05)。结论:日粮中添加0.5mg/kgDM纳米硒,增强了妊娠母羊及胎儿机体免疫力和抗氧化能力,进一步促进了胎儿的生长发育。     

Detection of in vivo DNA damage induced by ethanol in multiple organs of pregnant mice using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay

Ethanol is principal ingredient of alcohol beverage, but considered as human carcinogen, and has neurotoxicity. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy often causes fetal alcohol syndrome. The DNA damage is one of the important factors in carcinogenicity or teratogenicity. To detect the DNA damage induced by ethanol, we used an in vivo alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay in pregnant mice organs and embryos. Pregnant ICR mice on Day 7 of gestation were treated with 2, 4 or 8 g/kg ethanol, and maternal organs/tissues and embryos were subjected to the Comet assay at 4, 8, 12 and 24 hr after ethanol treatment. Four and 8 g/kg ethanol induced DNA damage in brain, lung and embryos at 4 or 8 hr after the treatment. Two g/kg ethanol did not cause any DNA damage, and 8 g/kg ethanol only increased the duration of DNA damage without distinct increase in the degree of the damage. No significant DNA damage was observed in the liver. To detect the effect of acetaldehyde, disulfiram, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, was administered before 4 g/kg ethanol treatment. No significant increase of DNA damage was observed in the disulfiram pre-treated group. These data indicate that ethanol induces DNA damage, which might be related to ethanol toxicity. Since pre-treatment of disulfiram did not increase DNA damage, DNA damage observed in this study might not be the effect of acetaldehyde.     

Persistent infections after natural transmission of bovine viral diarrhoea virus from cattle to goats and among goats

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is an economically important pathogen of cattle worldwide. Infection of a pregnant animal may lead to persistent infection of the foetus and birth of a persistently infected (PI) calf that sheds the virus throughout its life. However, BVD viruses are not strictly species specific. BVDV has been isolated from many domesticated and wild ruminants. This is of practical importance as virus reservoirs in non-bovine hosts may hamper BVDV control in cattle. A goat given as a social companion to a BVDV PI calf gave birth to a PI goat kid. In order to test if goat to goat infections were possible, seronegative pregnant goats were exposed to the PI goat. In parallel, seronegative pregnant goats were kept together with the PI calf. Only the goat to goat transmission resulted in the birth of a next generation of BVDV PI kids whereas all goats kept together with the PI calf aborted. To our knowledge, this is the first report which shows that a PI goat cannot only transmit BVD virus to other goats but that such transmission may indeed lead to the birth of a second generation of PI goats. Genetic analyses indicated that establishment in the new host species may be associated with step-wise adaptations in the viral genome. Thus, goats have the potential to be a reservoir for BVDV. However, the PI goats showed growth retardation and anaemia and their survival under natural conditions remains questionable.     

Identification of sex-specific polymorphic sequences in the goat amelogenin gene for embryo sexing

Amelogenin (AMEL) is a conserved gene located on the sex chromosomes of mammals. It is involved in the formation of enamel, which is the hard, white material that forms the protective outer layer of each tooth. In this study, we first cloned and determined the intron sequences of the goat AMELX and AMELY genes from female and male ear tissues. The polymorphic AMEL alleles were further analyzed by PCR-based RFLP and Southern blot hybridization analyses. Results showed that intron 5 nucleotide sequences of the goat AMELY gene contains multiple deletions/insertions and shares only 48.5% identity to intron 5 of the goat AMELX gene. Based on the polymorphic AMEL intron sequences, a set of sex-specific triplex primers was designed to PCR amplify a single fragment of 264 bp from the X chromosome of female goats and 2 fragments of 264 and 206 bp from the X and Y chromosomes, respectively, of male goats. An increased sensitivity for sex determination was reached with a single blastomere at the blastula stage isolated from goat embryos. A total of 43 goat embryos were used to estimate a 100% accuracy rate of this method confirmed by chromosomal karyotyping and live births. The embryo sexing technique has been successfully applied in different strains of goats including Alpine, Saanen, Nubian, and Taiwan goats.