Effects of biotechnical management procedures on blood parameters in gilts. 3. Lipids

Suisynchron treatment was applied to platform-kept gilts over 20 days. The dosage was 100 mg per animal and die. This was followed by 1,000 I.U. PMS and 250 I.U. HCG. Artificial insemination was applied five days after the first hormone administration and followed by one Gravigonan injection after another twelve to 15 days. Blood samples were drawn from those animals as well as from 20 gilts synchronised in the above way and another 20 untreated gilts from a production unit during the various phases of treatment and cycle. Those samples were used for assessment of cholesterol, lipoid-P, free fatty acids, triglyceride, and beta-lipoproteids. The levels of free and total cholesterol went up along with Suisynchron feeding, whereas lipoid-P and beta-lipoproteids declined. Free fatty acid levels went down with significance (P less than 0.01), and triglycerides increased (P less than 0.05). Cholesterol levels were not altered by PMS/HCG administration. The levels of lipoid-P, free fatty acids, and beta-lipoproteids rose to their magnitudes prior to Suisynchron treatment. Tirglycerides rose by 50 per cent. At the time of full oestrus triglyceride levels doubled (P less than 0.01). Unimportant rises were recorded also for cholesterol, beta-lipoproteids, free fatty acids, and lipoid-P. In animals with spontaneous oestrus all lipid parameters were ligher than in sows with full oestrus after synchronisation.     

Selection of laboratory rats for fertility components in synchronized estrus using Suisychron-Praemix. 1. Effects of selection and synchronization

The following results were obtained from experimental studies into effects of selection for fertility and into synchronised oestrus though eight generations of laboratory rats: -- The result of selection recordable from the population with selection only was better than that recorded from the population with selection and synchronised oestrus. This has been attributed to higher correlation between phenotype and genotype in the selection variant. -- Direct negative impact of synchronised oestrus on selection index was recorded from a population with random mating. -- The effects of synchronised oestrus regarding selection success were offset but not entirely ruled out by selection. -- Through the generations of both populations with synchronised oestrus the effects of synchronisation were lowered due to both physiological adaptation to Suisynchron application and contraselection with regard to suitability for synchronisation.     

Attempts at biotechnical induction of puberty in young female pigs. 2. Effects of various time intervals between one puberty induction with PMS and HCG to the following estrus synchronization on estrus and ovulation in animals about 190 days old

A biological engineering approach to induce puberty in 125 young female fattening pigs aged 190 days was undertaken on the basis of a mixture of 500 IU PMS (Prolosanserum, Dessau) with 250 IU HCG (Gonabion, Dresden). The injections were made subcutaneously. Pronounced oestrus symptoms were recorded from the external genital organs of 80% of the probands up to ten days after injection, associated with toleration in 52.8% of them. Toleration usually started on the fourth to sixth days after injection. Cycles began to develop in 57.1% up to the next oestrus period. Animals with -/x weight increase per die of 400 g exhibited lower responses. Results in terms of heat and ovulation were lower along with shorter intervals, when oestric synchronisation was undertaken 53, 32, and 17 days after the induction of puberty (20 days Suisynchron, Bernburg; 750 IU PMS).     

Oestrus synchronisation and fertility in black Bengal goats following administration of progesterone/prostaglandin and gonadotrophins.

Oestrus synchronisation, fertility and kidding behaviour were studied in 44 Black Bengal goats. They were divided into six experimental groups: group 1, control; group 2, progesterone; group 3, progesterone, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG); group 4, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha); group 5, PGF2 alpha, PMSG and HCG; group 6, PMSG and HCG. There was 100 per cent synchronisation of oestrus in the groups treated with progesterone, progesterone with PMSG and HCG, and prostaglandin with PMSG and HCG. In the other two treated groups the synchronisation was between 66 and 75 per cent. In the control group only 50 per cent of the animals came into oestrus during the period of observation. The duration of oestrus varied between 19 and 24 hours except in group 5 where it was 40.87 hours. Animals came on heat between 95 and 137 hours after treatment except in group 5 where the interval was only 18.87 hours. A maximum fertility of 75 per cent was observed in group 4 while the kidding percentage was greatest in group 2. There appeared to be no beneficial effect of superovulation on the number of kids produced. Gestation length was similar in all the groups.     

Effects of biotechnical management procedures on blood parameters in gilts. 2. Protein-bound iodine and copper

Two groups of twelve gilts each kept on platforms were synchronised in two passes over 20 days, using 100 mg Suisynchron per animal and die followed by PMS treatment (1,000 I.U. Intergonan) and HCG treatment (250 I.U.). Complement fixation occurred five days after the first hormone application and was followed twelve to 15 days later by another phase of treatment, using Gravigonan (250 I.U. follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 500 I.U. HCG, 1 mg oestradiol benzoate in 10 ml serum of swine). Blood samples were continuously drawn during the various phases of treatment and cycle from the above animals as well as from 20 gilts synchronised in the above way and from another 20 untreated gilts. Protein-fixed iodine and copper levels were assessed from those samples. The protein-fixed iodine and copper levels of the blood were significantly reduced (P less than 0.01) by synchronisation, using Suisynchron. None of the two parameters was particularly affected by PMS and HCG treatments. Blood-borne protein-fixed iodine and copper was increased by administration of gonabione. Both parameters went up further during full oestrus at which date they were higher in untreated animals than in synchronised. (Protein-fixed iodine: 3.50/226micrograms/100 ml; P less than 0.01; copper: 0.283/0.234 mg/100 ml; P less than 0.01).     

Some factors affecting pregnancy rate in ewes following laparoscopic artificial insemination

The fertility of 646 ewes and gimmers bred by laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in the autumn of 2006 was investigated using a questionnaire and individual ewe breeding records kept for 13 commercial sheep flocks that used LAI routinely. Overall, the pregnancy rate was 66 per cent, but it was highest in ewes bred for the fourth time. Technical aspects of LAI influenced fertility: pregnancy rates were 70 per cent for ewes bred using frozen semen compared with 58 per cent when fresh semen was used (P≤0.01), and 74 per cent of ewes that travelled to an artificial insemination centre for mating conceived, compared with 62 per cent that remained on their own farm (P<0.01). Higher doses of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (>400 iu) used for oestrus synchronisation reduced pregnancy rates to only 49 per cent (P<0.001). However, the largest effect was associated with shepherds gathering, handling and treating breeding ewes four to six weeks before mating; pregnancy rates were 54 per cent among ewes where this was carried out, compared with 74 per cent for ewes not treated in this way (P<0.01).     

Field trial of a planned breeding regimen for dairy cows, using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and prostagladin F2alpha

A planned breeding regimen, using gondadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandin F2alpha, and a second dose of GnRH, followed by a fixed time insemination, was evaluated in comparison with a negative control on eight commercial dairy farms in the south of England. Fertility data were collected from the 220 cows in the planned breeding group and from 220 matched control cows inseminated at observed oestrus. The planned regimen induced visible oestrus in the vast majority of the cows, and serving the cows at this oestrus reduced the calving to conception interval by 15 days, resulting in 12 per cent more cows being pregnant by 125 days after calving, and 6 per cent more by 150 days. The results from the individual farms suggested that more benefit may be derived from using the regimen in herds with only average fertility indices. There was also evidence to suggest that the second GnRH injection was important, even in cows that came on heat and were served before the fixed time insemination.     

A comparison of two techniques for the synchronisation of oestrus in dairy heifers.

Seventy-four heifers in four separate breeding groups were allocated into two treatment groups for oestrus synchronisation. Group 1 was given a combination of an initial injection of norgestomet and oestradiol valerate together with a norgestomet ear implant left in place for nine days. Group 2 was given two injections of the synthetic prostaglandin luprostiol 10 days apart. The animals in group 1 were artificially inseminated once 48 hours after the removal of the implant and those in group 2 were inseminated once 72 hours after the second injection of luprostiol. Subsequently any returns were rebred by either AI or natural service. There was no significant difference between the numbers of animals in the two treatment groups which were diagnosed pregnant 33 to 35 days after insemination, although the implant treatment gave a higher overall proportion of pregnancies (70 per cent, 51 per cent). It also gave significantly smaller numbers of 'open' days over the whole of the breeding period. A study of individual animals by progesterone assay and investigation of ovarian structures by real-time ultrasound showed that some of them had unusual progesterone profiles but nevertheless became pregnant. It would appear that a corpus luteum may be responsive to prostaglandins even though it is secreting only a low level of progesterone.     

Effect of biotechnical management procedures on blood parameters in gilts. 1. Acid and alkaline phosphatase

Three independent experiments were conducted with cyclic gilts kept under different conditions (2 x 12 on platforms and 100 from production unit), i.e. hormonally unaffected or under the usual conditions of synchronised oestrus (100 mg Suisynchron per animal and die over 20 days followed by 1,000 I.U. PMS and again followed, three days later, by 250 I.U. HCG). Blood samples were repeatedly drawn from the jugular vein and brachiocephalic vein during phases of treatment and oestrus. Acid and alkaline phosphatases were determined immediately in the plasms, and the results were calculated by variance analysis. Synchronisation, using Suisynchron, proved conducive to lowering with significance (P less than 0.01) the levels of acid and alkaline phosphatases. All changes in phosphatase values were not in full conformity within the experiments during the other phases of treatment. Phosphatase levels were not affected by discontinuation of Suisynchron nor by administration of Gn hormone. The levels of acid and alkaline phosphatases in biotechnically treated animals appeared to be lower than those in animals with spontaneous oestrus at the time of full oestrus. While the findings were of period-specific significance (P less than 0.01), the results obtained from the individual animal failed to provide specific information, since gaps were too wide between animals and between animals, on the one hand, and periods, on the other (P less than 0.01).     

Investigation of a simplified artificial lighting programme to improve the fertility of sows in commercial piggeries

Two artificial lighting regimens were studied in a commercial unit of 800 sows. The aim was to develop a simplified lighting regimen to overdrive the effects of season on reproduction. A long-day group had a constant 16 hours light and eight hours dark photoperiod in all units during a production cycle. A short-day group had eight hours of light and 16 hours darkness in a farrowing unit for four weeks and in a mating unit for four weeks. After one month of pregnancy the short-day group was transferred to 16 hours light and eight hours dark for the rest of the dry-sow period. Production data were collected for eight months, and the farrowing rate, weaning to oestrus interval, culling rate for fertility problems and the number of live-born piglets were analysed. Seasonal infertility, which had previously affected the herd, was not detected in either group during the follow-up period. The farrowing rate was 90 per cent for both groups. The median weaning to oestrus interval was five days in both lighting regimens with ranges from four to 74 days in the short-day group and three to 55 days in the long-day group. The long-day programme had a positive effect on the weaning to oestrus interval. When the sows were classified as either "normal", with a weaning to oestrus interval of up to 10 days, or "problem" animals, with a weaning to oestrus interval of over 10 days, the short-day programme also had a positive effect. The culling rate for fertility problems was 2.4 per cent for the short-day group and 3.2 per cent for the long-day group (P=0.027). The only significant predictor for the number of live-born piglets was parity (P=0.027).     

Experience from a 3-year administration of megestrol acetate of karakul sheep

Five milligram of megestrol acetate were orally used over ten days during mating periods to synchronise oestrus in caracool sheep. Eighteen days were allowed to elapse from the last administration of progestagen before 1,000 I.U. PMSG were injected to boost fertility. The test reported in this paper had been applied to a large sheep herd over three years. The following conclusions were drawn: Synchronised occurrence of heat in the mating period was not reduced by oral administration of 5 mg megestrol acetate over ten days for a period of three years (87.1 to 95.5 per cent). The fertilisation rate in response to first insemination was between 68.8 and 73.1 per cent. Birth to lambs was given by 85-92 per cent of the ewes after two inseminations. No fertility occurred in 1.5-3.1 per cent of all animals.     

SYNCHRONISATION OF OESTRUS IN BEEF CATTLE ARTIFICIAL BREEDING PROGRAMS USING PROSTAGLANDIN F2α

PGF2α either as a subcutaneous injection (8 or 10 mg) or intrauterine infusion (dose 5 mg) successfully synchronised oestrus in beef cattle AI programs. The beef cattle programs were managed by 1 of the following 2 systems.

• 1 Two 10-day insemination periods, 1 for the first and the second for the repeat inseminations. Oestrus was detected and oestrus cows inseminated for the first 4 days of the first period. On the fifth day all cows not inseminated were treated with PGF2α. The treated cattle came into oestrus and were inseminated over the following 2 to 5 days.
• 2 Two PGF2α treatments 10 days apart followed by two 4-day insemination periods. During the first 4-day period, cows exhibiting synchronised oestrus were inseminated. Cows returning to oestrus were inseminated during the second 4-day period, about 18 days after the first period.

Synchronisation of oestrus was not sharp, oestrus being distributed over 7 days, with the majority of cows being in oestrus on the third (42.3%) and fourth (22.4%) days. The route of administration of PGF2α (injection or infusion) did not effect oestrus synchronisation. PGF2α by either route of administration did not effect the fertility of cows inseminated at either the synchronised or subsequent oestrus. Pregnancy rates at the synchronised oestrus were higher when cows were inseminated after detection of oestrus than when they were inseminated without reference to oestrus at a fixed time 3 days after PGF2α treatment (mass injection). Oestrus synchronisation greatly reduced the input of time, labour and feed required during the total program. However, oestrus synchronisation did not alter the overall efficiency of artificial breeding programs measured in terms of the proportion of cattle entering a program that were inseminated and became pregnant. The main problem encountered was drug wastage through unknowingly treating cows and heifers that were not cycling.     

Oestrus during pregnancy in the cow

Forty-three oestruses were observed in 35 pregnant cows in one beef suckler herd and 17 dairy herds; at each oestrus the pregnant cow stood willingly to be mounted by another cow or bull. Such oestruses were observed at all stages of pregnancy, although more often between 121 and 240 days, occurred more than once per pregnancy and were also seen in successive pregnancies. On one farm where the dairy cows were observed for four 30 minute periods daily, oestrus was recorded in 5.7 per cent of pregnant cows. The behavioural signs associated with oestrus during pregnancy were indistinguishable from those of true oestrus in non-pregnant animals and although its duration was shorter (mean 5.6 hours), its intensity was comparable to that of the true oestrus. Pregnant cows showing oestrus were usually seen interacting with other oestrous cows in the sexually active group. Pregnant cows showing oestrus had a higher mean condition score (3.9 +/- 0.64) than control pregnant cows (3.0 +/- 0.36). Physiological changes in the genital tract normally associated with true oestrus were not observed in pregnant cows showing oestrus. There was no ovulation or metoestrous bleeding. The characteristics of cervical mucus, including ferning patterns, were similar to those of pregnant cows at the same stage of pregnancy. Hormonal changes associated with oestrus in non-pregnant cows were not observed in the pregnant cows exhibiting oestrus. Seven of nine pregnant cows at oestrus stood willingly to be mounted by a bull. On seven occasions, bulls exposed only to cervical mucus from pregnant cows showing oestrus did not display flehmen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma progesterone and gonadotrophin concentrations following norgestomet treatment with and without cloprostenol in beef cows

Twelve Hereford cross Friesian cows received subcutaneous implants containing 6 mg norgestomet and intramuscular injections of 5 mg oestradiol valerate and 3 mg norgestomet. Six of the cows also received 0.5 mg cloprostenol eight days later and all implants were removed on day 9. When treatment was commenced between days 3 and 5 of the ovarian cycle, luteal function was not prevented although the luteal phase was shortened in some cases. When treatment was commenced between days 8 and 14 of the cycle progesterone concentrations remained above basal levels for five to seven days. Cows with corpora lutea that were given cloprostenol underwent rapid luteolysis. It is concluded that oestradiol valerate does not control luteal function adequately, particularly if administered early in the cycle, and this may explain failure of oestrus synchronisation in some cases. Administration of prostaglandin 24 hours before norgestomet implant removal may improve the degree of oestrus synchronisation in groups of cyclic cows.     

Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with progesterone, oestradiol and prostaglandin

The ability to synchronise onset of oestrus, and hence the time of breeding and calving, offers potential economic and management benefits to dairy farmers, especially in herds with seasonally concentrated calving patterns. A trial involving 2681 cows in 11 seasonal herds was conducted to evaluate the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with a combination of progesterone, oestradiol and prostaglandin. Cows were randomly assigned within herds to synchronised and control groups, balanced for age, date of calving, body condition and breed. Cows in the synchronised group were treated with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device containing 1.9 g of progesterone and a gelatin capsule containing 10 mg of oestradiol benzoate 10 days prior to the planned start of the breeding season (Day 0). The device was removed 8 days later on Day -2 and a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2alpha was administered 2 days prior to removal of the progesterone-releasing device. Returns to service for cows in the synchronised group were synchronised by inserting a previously used intravaginal device during Days 16-21 after the start of the breeding season. Cows in the control group were left untreated. The percentage of cows being inseminated during the first 5 days was 89.0% for the synchronised group compared to 29.7% for the control group. Compared to cows in the control group, those in the synchronised group had a lower conception rate to the first insemination (52.9% v. 64.3%, p<0.001), a lower conception rate to the second insemination (51.8% v. 62.5%, p<0.001), a higher percentage of empty cows at the end of the breeding season (7.3% v. 5.1%, p<0.05), and more insemination services per pregnancy to artificial insemination (2.0 v. 1.6, p<0.001). There was no difference between the synchronised and control groups in the percentage of cows pregnant to artificial insemination (81.8% v. 85.5%, p>0.10). The mean day of conception from the start of the breeding season was advanced (p>0.0 1) by 1.3 days in synchronised cows (19.9 +/- 0.7 days; mean +/- SEM) compared to control cows (21.2 +/- 0.5 days). It is concluded that the oestrus synchronisation regime used in the present study caused a reduction in fertility, which reduced the potential gains from using such a programme to increase reproductive efficiency in dairy cows.     

Ultrasonography of the reproductive tract and early pregnancy in red deer

Thirty-five farmed red deer hinds two years of age or older were observed during mating in April and May and the dates of oestrus and, or, matings were recorded. From immediately before the breeding season and at approximately weekly intervals from the start of mating until all deer were 42 days pregnant, rectal ultrasonographic scans were taken using a 5 MHz linear transducer while deer were held standing in a restraining device. Scans were recorded on video. The vagina and cervix were visible with the lumen appearing as a continuous or intermittent white line, respectively. The non-pregnant uterus was observed in most cases and was immediately anterior to the bladder. Structures resembling ovaries were seen only occasionally. By seven days gestation a 5 mm vesicle could be observed in a few deer, and by day 14, oedema of uterine horns was apparent in some cases. A comma-shaped fetal mass 6 mm long, fetal membranes and placentomes could be observed on day 24. The heart beat was observed on day 28 when the fetus was 10 mm long. Limb buds were observed on day 31 and by day 37 the head with nose and eyes was distinguishable. Fetal movements were first observed on day 42. The accuracy of pregnancy detection before day 20 was 35 per cent, between 21 and 30 days gestation 71 per cent and from 31 to 42 days 98 per cent.     

Fertility in buffaloes after oestrus synchronisation with cloprostenol and fixed time insemination.

Fifty-seven cycling buffalo cows of the river type were treated with two doses of 0.5 mg cloprostenol intramuscularly given 11 days apart. Each animal was inseminated twice at 72 and 96 hours after the second injection of cloprostenol. The first service conception rate diagnosed by rectal palpation at 90 days was 38.6 per cent. At the time of insemination the cervix was easily penetrable on both days in only 39 (68.4 per cent) of the animals. They were inseminated at or beyond the internal cervical os, while the others were inseminated in the cervical canal. There was a marked difference in conception rate between those receiving deep inseminations (48.7 per cent) and the others (16.7 per cent). In relation to the interval from calving to insemination the conception rates for those which had calved 60 to 90, 90 to 120 and 120 to 150 days earlier were 16.6, 36.4 and 55.5 per cent respectively. The use of cloprostenol treatment and fixed-time insemination is a useful method of overcoming the problem of oestrus detection in buffaloes. Acceptable levels of fertility can be obtained in those animals which have a sufficiently relaxed cervix to permit semen deposition at the internal os, provided the interval from calving to insemination is more than 90 days.     

Experimental use of prostaglandin F2 alpha to synchronize estrus in cattle]

Experiments were conducted for the use of prostaglandin to synchronise oestrus in dairy cows. One single dose of 5 mg F2-Alpha prostaglandin was administered via the intrauterine route. The reference values of the control groups were matched by first insemination following induced oestrus among the best of the test animals which were inseminated twice. These values reached 72 and 96 hours following application accounted for 46.7 and 50.0 per cent. The yellow body phase, a prerequisite for oestrus production by prostaglandins, had been induced in the test animals by cycle blocking, using gestagen. Possible use of the method in a bio-engineering context for large-scale oestrus synchronisation in cows is discussed.     

Selection of laboratory rats for fertility components in synchronized estrus using Suisynchron-Praemix. 2. Results of litter development

The following results were obtained from experimental studies into selection of laboratory rats for fertility and random mating with oestrus being synchronised by means of Suisynchron-Pr?mix, through eight generations: --Success of selection without synchronised oestrus was higher than that with synchronised oestrus by selection according to the basic index and with one and the same selection intensity. --Litter size and weight were higher in the selected variants, as a result of increased potential fertility (rate of ovulation). --In the population with selection and synchronised oestrus a negative relationship was found to exist between the directly correlated selection results regarding fertility parameters, on the one hand, and the effect of synchronisation, on the other. --Both the rates of ovulation and litter parameters were lower in the population with selection and synchronised oestrus, as a result of synchronisation. --The effect of synchronised oestrus on the population with selection and synchronised oestrus was partially eliminated owing to selection for fertility.     

The effect of Suisynchron on the glucose tolerance and the plasma insulin in bitches

Suisynchron, a derivative of bisthio-urea commonly used for oestric synchronisation, was applied to nine female Alsatians over 21 days. All animals received intravenous glucose injections before ten, and 21 days from the beginning of treatment as well as 21, and 84 days after the end of treatment. The glucose-stimulated plasma insulin levels were significantly reduced during Suisynchron treatment and 21 days after the end of treatment. Both glucose tolerance and response of free fatty acids remained unaffected. This phenomenon might be attributable to a stimulated hepatic insulin degradation, to a biguanid-like effect on "peripheral" glucose turnover, or to an inhibited secretion of hormonal insulin antagonists of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. However, the long persistence of the Suisynchron action after interruption of treatment, could not be explained by any of these effects.