繁殖季节和非繁殖季节生殖激素处理空怀母马效果观察

研究旨在通过多种激素处理确定生殖激素对繁殖母马的处理效果。用不同激素分别对非繁殖季节(8—10月)的11匹空怀伊犁母马和繁殖季节(5—7月)的53匹空怀伊犁母马进行处理。在非繁殖季节,处理前后,用B-型超声波诊断仪每日扫描马两侧卵巢一次,记录卵泡数量,测量卵泡直径;在繁殖季节,通过直肠触摸判定马卵巢的卵泡发育状态。结果表明:母马对促卵泡素(FSH)、孕马血清(e CG)的处理不敏感,并且卵泡35 mm的马对人绒毛膜促性腺激素(h CG)的处理不敏感;氯前列烯醇(PG-cl)对马黄体有溶解功能,马垂体提取物(extracts of equine pituitary glands)可以显著增加大卵泡直径;对于排卵延迟马的治疗效果,人绒毛膜促性腺激素(h CG)作用促黄体素(LH)作用促排-3(Gn RH analogy)号作用。结论:氯前列烯醇(PG-cl)、马垂体提取物、人绒毛膜促性腺激素(h CG)、促黄体素(LH)和促排-3(Gn RH analogy)可以用于空怀母马,调控卵巢功能。     

非繁殖季节特克萨尔种羊胚胎移植试验

世界大多数绵羊品种属短日照季节性发情动物。在非繁殖季节卵巢处于静止状态。作为提高引进肉用种羊繁殖效率的最有效的手段，胚胎移植技术已在繁殖季节种羊生产中得到广泛应用。但在非繁殖季节开展绵羊超数排卵和胚胎移植的方法在国内尚未见报道，为此进行了此次试验，以期为非繁殖季节开展胚胎移植工作提供科学的依据。     

不同繁殖季节驴卵母细胞体外成熟与孤雌激活胚胎发育情况研究

为了研究驴在繁殖与非繁殖季节卵母细胞体外成熟与孤雌激活胚胎发育情况,试验以3—9月份为繁殖季节,其他月份为难繁殖季节,从屠宰场采集驴卵巢,统计分析不同繁殖季节卵巢形状的差异,采用抽吸法和切割法获取卵母细胞,并对卵母细胞进行体外成熟诱导,对成熟的卵母细胞进行孤雌激活,分析激活胚胎的发育情况。结果表明:繁殖季节与非繁殖季节卵巢形状差异明显。在繁殖季节,卵巢内卵泡液增多且卵泡体积变大,导致卵巢体积增大,总卵泡、中卵泡、小卵泡数量显著多于非繁殖季节(P0.05);繁殖季节卵母细胞回收率为85.38%,非繁殖季节卵母细胞回收率为72.18%,两者差异显著(P0.05);繁殖季节驴卵母细胞体外培养成熟率为50.10%,非繁殖季节时成熟率为34.74%,两者差异显著(P0.05);繁殖季节卵裂率为31.0%,非繁殖季节卵裂率为29.0%,两者无显著差异(P0.05)。说明繁殖季节卵母细胞体外成熟情况优于非繁殖季节,非繁殖季节较难获得成熟卵母细胞,但是获得成熟卵母细胞激活发育后无明显差异。     

奶牛产奶量和繁殖性能的协同管理

维持高产奶牛的繁殖性能是提高牛场效益的关键点。研究表明,合理安排产犊间隔,提高奶牛繁殖性能,有助于实现奶牛遗传潜力,提高产奶量。能量负平衡是奶牛泌乳高峰期繁殖性能下降的主要原因,繁殖管理不当容易导致空怀时间过长,体况波动和繁殖性能低,最终导致生产性能下降。准确诊断繁殖性能低下的原因非常重要。利用便携式兽用超声波仪鉴定和测量奶牛卵巢结构,能够准确地判断奶牛的生理状态,不仅能够确认奶牛正确的发情周期,确定怀孕状态,而且有助于诊断卵泡和黄体囊肿等疾病,为繁殖管理和饲养管理提供科学依据。     

E_2和P_4浓度在奶牛发情周期中与卵泡发育对比分析

选择从澳大利亚购进的2岁左右发情周期为21天的育成母牛10头,用放射免疫测定法(RIA)测定发情周期血清中孕酮(P_4)和17β-雌二醇(E_2)的浓度,用B-型超声波诊断仪检测发情周期卵巢卵泡发育变化,结果显示:E_2浓度在奶牛发情周期中主要表现出两个波峰,只是其中一个波峰较小,这与卵泡两个发育波态势相似,而P_4在发情周期中却只表现出一个波峰,与卵泡两个发育波部分相似。     

奶牛发情周期中FSH和LH浓度与卵泡发育的对比分析

选择从澳大利亚购进的2岁左右、发情周期为21天的育成母牛10头，用放射免疫测定法（RIA）测定了发情周期血清中促卵泡素（FSH）和促黄体素（LH）的浓度，用B-型超声波诊断仪检测发情周期卵巢卵泡发育变化。结果显示：FSH和LH浓度在奶牛发情周期中主要表现出两个波峰，其中一个波峰较小，这与卵泡两个发育波态势相似。     

利用外源激素缩短第一胎产后母牛的子宫复旧及卵泡和黄体形态变化的研究

为了更好地了解产后第一胎母牛在分娩后生殖系统机能的恢复及发情周期中卵巢形态、功能和卵泡发育波的动态变化,利用B-型超声波影像技术监测产后母牛的卵巢和黄体的发育规律,以期有效地在牛繁殖生产中控制母畜繁殖机理和卵巢的功能,缩短产间距,提高家畜的繁殖力。1材料和方法1.     

青年母牛在发情周期中卵泡发育波变化规律的研究

为揭示青年母牛卵泡生长发育的动态模式,作者利用B-型超声波诊断仪,对青年母牛在发情周期中卵泡生长发育的过程进行了连续观察。结果表明,卵巢上小卵泡(1~4 mm)、中卵泡(5~7 mm)和大卵泡(≥8 mm)的数量和直径均呈动态变化。大、中、小卵泡的数量、卵泡的发育要经历征集期、选择期、优势化、成熟期和闭锁退化的过程。青年母牛在整个发情周期中,优势卵泡的平均直径为13.6 mm,成熟卵泡的平均直径为13.80 mm,一个发情周期有3~4个卵泡发育波,其中有3个卵泡发育波的为多数(71.43%),有4个的为28.57%。     

非繁殖季节补饲精料诱导哈萨克羊发情及相关生殖激素变化规律的探究

为了研究补饲精料诱导非繁殖季节哈萨克母羊发情,解析绵羊非繁殖期发情的生殖激素变化规律,为利用营养因素调控非繁殖季节绵羊发情提供激素方面的理论依据,研究选用成年哈萨克母羊36只,随机分成2组,试验组在2—6月份补饲精料,在非繁殖季节(4—6月份)对发情绵羊及不发情母羊(对照)颈静脉采血,采用酶联免疫法(ELISA)测定外周血液4种重要生殖激素雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P4)、促卵泡激素(FSH)和促黄体素(LH)的浓度。结果表明:血液中E2和P4呈现波动式变化,FSH和LH呈现规律性脉冲式变化。说明E2和FSH与绵羊的非繁殖季节发情有关,高浓度的P4和LH对开启或维持绵羊的发情有重要作用。     

非繁殖季节光照控制诱导羔羊初情期试验研究

本试验选取24只健康、体重相近的6月龄蒙古羊母羔羊,随机分成试验组和对照组,在非繁殖季节对试验组羔羊进行先长（16L∶8D）后短（8L∶16D）的光照处理,旨在更好的了解光照控制对羔羊初情期到来的影响。试验结果表明,试验组在开始阶段的15 d体增重显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,其它阶段试验组和对照组体增重差异均不显著（P>0.05）;试验组羔羊的发情率（91.7%）明显高于对照组（16.7%）。 试验组羔羊发情羊平均排卵数为1.2枚,高于对照组。光照控制可使羔羊在非繁殖季节发情排卵。     

Ovarian function and morphology in the mare after multiple follicular punctures

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: In the mare, ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte recovery and transfer might offer a way to circumvent the demanding procedures of in vitro embryo production. Before clinical application, the possible consequences for subsequent fertility have to be considered. OBJECTIVES: To examine ovarian function and morphology in mares after repeated follicular punctures. METHODS: A total of 14-26 follicular puncture sessions were conducted on each of 4 Norwegian pony mares over a period of 8 years. The ovaries of these mares were recovered by bilateral ovariectomy or at post mortem and subjected to macroscopic inspection and histology. For comparison, ovaries were collected from 7 nonaspirated control mares and processed for histology. RESULTS: In all experimental mares, ovarian function, defined as the ability regularly to ovulate preovulatory follicles and develop corpora lutea, remained normal during their last breeding season. Gross examination and histology showed that normal follicular and corpus luteum development was accompanied by the formation of condensed reparative fibrosis and normal local haemosiderosis of the ovarian stroma in all experimental mares. In one mare, an ovary contained several foci of chronic apostematous oophoritis, while a cystic structure lined with a single layer of epithelial-like cells and surrounded by a cartilaginous capsule was present in the other ovary. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Repeated follicular aspirations do not hamper future folliculogenesis, ovulation and corpus luteum formation. However, ovarian puncture induces reparative fibrosis in the ovarian stroma and involves a risk of inducing abscess formation within the ovarian tissue which may impair fertility.     

Changes of serum anti‐Müllerian hormone in a mare with granulosa cell tumour following surgery and reinitiation of follicular activity

Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been reported to be elevated in mares with granulosa cell tumour (GCT). An 8‐year‐old Thoroughbred mare was presented for not being observed in oestrus after the beginning of the breeding season. Rectal palpation and ultrasonography revealed enlargement and cystic appearance of the left ovary while the right ovary was small with an anoestrous‐like appearance. The AMH concentration was 694.9 ng/ml. Presumptively diagnosed with GCT, the mare was subjected to tumour removal. Histopathology confirmed GCT. To evaluate changes of AMH concentration following surgery, blood samples were collected immediately prior to surgery, and on Days 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 after surgery. Thereafter, blood samples were collected monthly and also at the time the mare was observed in oestrus (148 days after tumour removal). The AMH concentrations decreased over the first 2 months after surgery (from 721.2 ng/ml to 0.1 ng/ml). Subsequently, AMH concentration increased and peaked at the time of oestrus expression (0.7 ng/ml). The mare then became anoestrous, and AMH concentration decreased and reached 0.2 ng/ml, which was not significantly different from the mean concentration of AMH in normal anoestrous mares (n = 5; 0.26 ± 0.07 ng/ml). In conclusion, the present report implies the potential use of AMH for determination of the time of follicular resumption in mares after GCT removal.     

Ovarian follicular dynamics in Caspian mares

The characteristics of the major follicular waves (primary and secondary) throughout estrous cycle were studied in 7 healthy Caspian mares (age, 4-15 years; weight, 198.6 ± 0.9 kg) during the breeding season. Ovarian follicular dynamics were monitored by using an ultrasound scanner equipped with a 5-MHz, B-mode, linear-array, rectal transducer throughout 2 complete estrous cycles. The diameters of antral follicles (5 mm) were measured, averaging the narrowest and widest dimensions. To detect follicular wave emergence, the diameter profile of the 3 largest follicles per ovary of each mare was determined without considering day-to-day identity of follicles but with maintenance of distinction between left and right ovaries. The primary waves originated on day 6.4 ± 0.81 (ovulation = day 0) when the mean diameter of ovarian follicles was 9.6 ± 1.05 mm. Divergence between the dominant preovulatory follicle and subordinate follicles occurred on day 13.4 ± 0.81, when the dominant follicle was 18.1 ± 2.67 mm in diameter. The intervals from emergence to divergence and from divergence to ovulation were 7 ± 0.68 and 8.7 ± 0.68 days, respectively. Secondary major follicular waves were not observed during this study. In conclusion, only 1 major follicular wave was detected in a Caspian mare, confirming the data previously described in other equine breeds. It is also indicated that the occurrence of 1 major follicular wave per cycle is a more common phenomena in equine species.     

Synchrony of Ovulation and Follicular Dynamics in Merino Ewes Treated with GnRH in the Breeding and Non-breeding Seasons

The effect of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment on the time of ovulation and the occurrence of follicular dominance during the non-breeding and breeding seasons (experiment 1), and on fertility after artificial insemination (AI) in the non-breeding season (experiment 2), was examined in Merino ewes. Oestrus was synchronized in 40 nulliparous ewes (experiment 1; n = 20, in the non-breeding and breeding seasons) and in 79 multiparous ewes (experiment 2) using intravaginal sponges and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. Thirty six hours after sponge removal (SR), half the ewes were injected (i.m.) with 40 microg of synthetic GnRH and the remainder used as controls. GnRH improved the synchrony of ovulation compared with the controls in the breeding (SD = 2.8 vs 5.7 days, p = 0.04) but not the non-breeding season (SD = 3.8 vs 4.4 days, p = 0.69), with ewes ovulating from 42 to 54 h (mean 50.4 +/- 4.08 h) and 42-60 h (mean 54.4 +/- 5.47 h) after SR for GnRH and control, respectively. For both treated and control ewes, ovulation occurred earlier in the non-breeding than the breeding season (50.1 vs 54.6 h; p = 0.002). GnRH had no effect on follicular dominance, as assessed by divergence (D: the time the ovulatory follicle exceeded the average size of the other non-ovulating follicles) or on the interval from D to ovulation (IDO). However, follicular dynamics differed between seasons. The mean follicle diameter increased at a faster rate up to 36 h after SR in the non-breeding compared with the breeding season and then rapidly declined, compared with a later peak (42 h after SR) in mean follicular size during the breeding season. IDO was shorter in the non-breeding than in the breeding season (26.7 +/- 4.30 h vs 39.6 +/- 4.53 h; p = 0.05). In experiment 2, ewes (n = 38 GnRH-treated, n = 40 controls) were inseminated in the uterus by laparoscopy 42 h or 48 h after SR with frozen-thawed sperm. The fertility of ewes treated with GnRH (nine of 39, 23%) was not different to the controls (eight of 38, 21%; p = 0.01). In conclusion the application of GnRH improved synchronization of ovulation but did not improve fertility rates after AI.     

Stallion-like Behavior in Mares: Review of Incidence, Characteristics, Ovarian Activity, and Role of Testosterone

Stallion-like sexual behavior in mares is rare, except in association with ovarian tumors or hormonal treatments. The rarity of the phenomenon was confirmed in a recent 3-year study. The mean number of mares with detected stallion-like behavior, including mounting with thrusts, during an entire ovulatory season was 5.7 (17/3 years) in a herd averaging 105 mares (5% incidence/mare/season). From a total of 17 mountings of an estrous mare by another mare, 15 occurred when the mounting mare was in the follicular phase and two when in the early luteal phase. Plasma testosterone concentration on the day of mounting was higher (P < 0.01) in the mounting mares (17.7 ± 2.3 pg/ml) than in the standing mares (10.9 ± 0.5 pg/ml). No other deviation in the endocrine, behavioral, or morphologic aspects of the estrous cycle was observed. In another study, testosterone was assayed daily from 7 days before to 4 days after ovulation in seven mares during estrous cycles with no detected mare-on-mare mountings. Concentrations during the follicular phase were highest on the days corresponding to when mare-on-mare mounting was detected in the previous study. It is concluded that the rare occurrence of stallion behavior by untreated mares with no detected ovarian tumors is a consequence of an unusually high, apparently transient fluctuation in circulating testosterone at the time of mounting.     

Effect of purified equine follicle-stimulating hormone on follicular development and ovulation in transitional mares

Horse owners want to have their mares bred as early as possible in the breeding season after February 1. Numerous medical treatments, such as progesterone, dopamine antagonists, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone have been administered to anestrous or transitional mares in an attempt to induce follicular development. Some of these treatments are ineffective or impractical, so there is a need in the horse industry to develop alternative techniques to stimulate follicular development and ovulation early in the breeding season. Twenty transitional mares were assigned to one of two treatment groups. Mares in group 1 (n = 10) served as untreated controls, and mares in group 2 (n = 10) were administered 12.5 mg of purified equine follicle-stimulating hormone (eFSH) (Bioniche Animal Health USA, Inc., Athens, Ga) intramuscularly twice daily for a maximum of 15 consecutive days. Mares were considered to be in transition when the diameter of the largest follicle was ≥25 mm. Once one or more follicles >35 mm were detected, eFSH treatment was discontinued and human chorionic gonadotropin was administered intravenously. The percentage of mares ovulating during the 15-day observation period was compared by means of chi-square analysis. The interval to ovulation and the number of ovulations per mare were compared between the two groups by Student t test. In 8 of 10 mares treated with eFSH follicles developed and ovulation occurred during the 15-day observation period, compared with 0 of 10 control mares. Interval from onset of treatment to ovulation was 7.6 ± 2.4 days for these eight mares. The eight mares were treated for an average of 5.2 ± 1.3 days with eFSH. Thus, the eFSH treatment was effective in advancing the first ovulation of the year in transitional mares.     

Quantifying the occurrence of early embryonic mortality on three equine breeding farms

This prospective field study was designed to describe the incidence of early embryonic mortality (EEM) and factors associated with the cause of EEM on three equine breeding farms in Ontario during the 1989 breeding season. Early embryonic mortality was defined as the loss of a single embryo during the first 40 days of pregnancy (day 0 = day of ovulation or last breeding). Pregnancy diagnoses and subsequent embryonic losses were observed by serial trans-rectal ultrasonography between days 12-20 (PD1) and 21-30 (PD2), and by trans-rectal ultrasonography or palpation per rectum between days 31-40 (PD3). Information on pregnancy status of a mare (or cycle) at 40 days after the last breeding was recorded when available. Nonpregnancy rates were calculated on a per cycle basis, to account for mares with no ultrasonic evidence of an embryo at the initial pregnancy examination. Embryonic mortality rates per cycle were calculated cumulatively (EMR₍₄₀₎) for the entire 40 day embryonic period and during the specific time periods when a pregnancy diagnosis took place (EMR_(PD1), EMR_(PD2), EMR_(PD3)). Embryonic mortality rates were also calculated on a per mare basis for mares experiencing EEM on either their first (EMR_(f)) or any (EMR_(a)) breeding cycle. Per cycle mare withdrawal rates were calculated cumulatively for the entire 40 day embryonic period (MWR₍₄₀₎), and at each specific pregnancy diagnosis time period (MWR_(PD1), MWR_(PD2), MWR_(PD3)) to account for those breeding cycles in which mares were not able to be observed for the entire forty days of the embryonic period. Records from a total of 699 mares involving 1014 breeding cycles were examined and analyzed. Per cycle risk rates for nonpregnancy (NP) were 36.4%, 45.0%, and 22.1%, for farms 1,2 and 3, respectively. Per cycle EMR₍₄₀₎ ranged from 8-17%. Per cycle MWR₍₄₀₎ ranged from 56.5-98.9%, indicative of a high rate of mare withdrawal from the study for the duration of the “embryonic” period. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in EMR_(f) and EMR_(a) per mare existed between two farms, indicative of a farm effect on EMR. Multivariable forward stepwise logistic regression analyses revealed that mares bred on foal heat were 1.9 times more likely than mares not bred on foal-heat to experience EEM (p = 0.008).     

Follicular growth and estradiol concentrations in foaling and nonparturient mares

Plasma estradiol concentration and follicular development were evaluated daily during the first postpartum estrus and the subsequent cycle of five foaling mares. For comparison, one estrous cycle was monitored in the same fashion for five nonparturient mares. The first postpartum estrous cycles were shorter but similar to non-pregnant cycles in ovarian steroid production and follicular activity. However, estradiol production from postpartum follicles was lower per mm follicular diameter than from follicles in nonpregnant cycles (p<0.05).     

Pregnancy and twinning rates in Thoroughbred mares following the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

AIM: To determine the effect of hCG administration to cycling Thoroughbred mares, on pregnancy and twinning rates and the number of serves in the treated cycle. METHODS: A retrospective case control approach was conducted involving 2119 mare ovulatory cycles, on 1110 mares over a 7-year period. Data were collected by 1 of the authors during routine stud work at 3 commercial Thoroughbred farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The hCG (1500 IU) was administered by intravenous injection to selected mares 24 h before the expected time of breeding. Mares were scanned for pregnancy (singleton or twins) 14 days after the onset of dioestrus or detection of ovulation. Multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors associated with the outcomes of interest while simultaneously controlling for possible confounding factors. RESULTS: Treatment with hCG tended to improve the odds of pregnancy (p=0.06), produced a 3-fold increase in the odds of twins (p<0.001), and increased the odds of a mare having a single serve in the treated ovulatory cycle (p=0.036). The first ovulatory cycle of a season in which a mare was bred was associated with a lower odds of pregnancy (p=0.02), and a lower odds of twins (p=0.003), when compared with subsequent cycles. Lactating mares were less likely to be diagnosed with twins (p=0.005), and were more likely to have a single serve (p<0.001), in any one ovulatory cycle than non-lactating mares. CONCLUSIONS: This report supports the role of hCG as an important therapeutic tool in veterinary management of broodmares for optimal reproductive performance. Mares treated with hCG must be managed in the knowledge that they have an increased likelihood of twins.     

THE OESTROUS CYCLE OF THE MARE AND ITS UTERINE CONTROL

SUMMARY The reproductive findings from a group of nonpregnant mares were studied. Oestrous cycle length averaged 20.6 days (range 13–34) excluding anoestrous periods, or 25 days (31–141) if included. Average oestrus length was 5.7 days (range 1–24) but from February to May it averaged 7.6 days (range 2–24) and from May to November 4.8 days (range 1–10). Seventy-eight per cent of the mares ovulated within 48 hours prior to the end of oestrus, 10% were out of oestrus before ovulation occurred, while 76% of the ovulations occurred between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. Follicles averaged 45 mm in size the day of ovulation and multiple ovulations occurred 25.5% of the time. Oestrus without associated ovulation was very uncommon in this group of mares, whereas ovulation without oestrus occurred in 6 of the 11 mares, including one mare who ovulated 32 of 34 times without oestrus. The CL were palpable for an average period of 8.9 days (range 1–18). On occasions, a hematoma formed within the ovulation site, reached a size of 10–12 cm in length and persisted beyond the next ovulation without affecting cycle length. Dioestrus averaged 15.4 days (range 6–25) excluding anoestrus, or 19.5 days (range 6–121) if anoestrus was included. Dioestrous ovulations unaccompanied by signs of oestrus and with the cervix pale, tight, dry and sticky occurred in 10 of the 11 mares. The CL formed following dioestrous ovuations were normal, but did not affect cycle length. A syndrome of spontaneous prolongation of the corpus luteum for 2 to 3 months was observed in 6 of the 11 mares. Oestrus was not manifested during this time, but considerable follicular activity and, in some instances, ovulation was observed. Hysterectomised mares and some mares with pyometra had prolonged CL and follicular activity with a few ovulating similar to mares with spontaneously-prolonged CL. Other mares with pyometra had normal cyclic ovarian activity. Evidence suggests that the endometrium had been destroyed by the infection in the anoestrus mares with pyometra and, thus, was incapable of forming and/or releasing luteolytic factors. Experimental intrauterine inoculation of Streptococcus zooepidemicus during dioestrus reduced oestrous cycle length in 5 of 7 inoculations, whereas inoculations during oestrus failed to alter cycle length.