Influence of short-term energy supplementation on estrus, ovarian activity, and blood biochemistry in Ossimi ewes synchronized with fluorogestone acetate in the subtropics

Effects of short and long - term nutrition and progesterone supplementation on the success of fixed - time artificial insemination in the ewe

The success of fixed - time artificial insemination (AI) in the ewe is variable due to poor synchrony of estrus. We examined the effects of long-term nutrition (LTN; low, medium, high - 6 months), short-term nutrition (STN; 1.0 M, 1.5 M - 14 days) and progesterone supplementation (P; single pessary, replacement on Day 9) on synchrony and reproductive outcomes. High LTN advanced (P < 0.05) estrus, increased (P = 0.06) pregnancy (range 71.1 - 81.1%) and improved (P < 0.01) litter size (range 1.30 - 1.50). STN increased (P < 0.05) pregnancy (79.0 versus 72.3%) but not litter size or timing of estrus. A LTN x STN interaction (P < 0.01) for time of estrus indicates that the effects of LTN were moderated by STN depending on the level of LTN. Pessary replacement delayed (P < 0.05) the onset of estrus, improved synchrony but did not affect pregnancy or litter size. High LTN increased (P < 0.05) the number of large (≥ 3.8 mm) and medium - size follicles (2.0 - 3.7 mm) but the diameter of large follicles tended to be reduced (P = 0.08) on Day 12. STN did not affect follicle number or size whilst P reduced (P < 0.05) the diameter of large follicles on Day 12 (4.83 versus 5.10 mm) and increased the number of medium - size follicles (3.56 versus 2.74 mm). In conclusion, both LTN and STN are major sources of variability in AI programs whilst pessary replacement has potential to reduce variability.

High-Fat Diet and Female Fertility across Lifespan: A Comparative Lesson from Mammal Models

Female reproduction focuses mainly on achieving fully grown follicles and competent oocytes to be successfully fertilized, as well as on nourishing the developing offspring once pregnancy occurs. Current evidence demonstrates that obesity and/or high-fat diet regimes can perturbate these processes, leading to female infertility and transgenerational disorders. Since the mechanisms and reproductive processes involved are not yet fully clarified, the present review is designed as a systematic and comparative survey of the available literature. The available data demonstrate the adverse influences of obesity on diverse reproductive processes, such as folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and embryo development/implant. The negative reproductive impact may be attributed to a direct action on reproductive somatic and germinal compartments and/or to an indirect influence mediated by the endocrine, metabolic, and immune axis control systems. Overall, the present review highlights the fragmentation of the current information limiting the comprehension of the reproductive impact of a high-fat diet. Based on the incidence and prevalence of obesity in the Western countries, this topic becomes a research challenge to increase self-awareness of dietary reproductive risk to propose solid and rigorous preventive dietary regimes, as well as to develop targeted pharmacological interventions.

Antioxidant capacity, reproductive response and glucose concentration and insulin of ewes supplemented prior to insemination with orange residue

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin concentration and reproductive performance of ewes supplemented with orange residue prior to insemination. Fifty-five multiparous ewes were divided into two corrals, and 15 unbred ewes were kept individually to measure feed consumption. Two integral diets were administered; T0: control treatment and T1: with 20% of dry matter of orange residue. Ten days after the start of supplementation, the ewes were synchronized. Supplementation was finalized prior to artificial insemination, then, a blood sample was taken to measure the antioxidant capacity and glucose and insulin concentration. An analysis of variance was made to evaluate the effect of treatment on the antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin; and to analyze the response to estrus, percentage of gestation and prolificity a ji squared test was performed. Of 9 antioxidant compounds found in the orange residue, hesperidin (7.44%), chlorogenic acid (0.50%) and protocatechuic acid had the highest concentration. Feed intake, estrus response, percentage of gestation, antioxidant capacity, and glucose and insulin concentration were not affected by the treatment. It is concluded that inclusion of 20% of orange residue in the diet prior to insemination in ewes is possible.

Influence of organic phosphorus on reproductive performance and metabolic profiles of anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics at the end of breeding season

The effect of organic phosphorus on metabolic, haematological and hormonal status, restoration of ovarian functions and conception rate in anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics were evaluated. Anoestrous Farafra ewes (n = 24; 34.72 ± 0.52 kg body weight) were allocated into two equal groups: control and phosphorus groups. The ewes of phosphorus group were treated with sodium 4-dimethylamino-2-methyl-phenyl-phosphonate as an organic bound phosphorous twice a week for successive 3 weeks. Ovarian follicle development and corpora lutea were checked three times a week till occurrence of oestrus using ultrasonography while pregnancy was confirmed at 30 days post-service. Plasma metabolites, reproductive hormones, thyroid hormones and minerals were detected at weeks -2, -1, 0 (mating day) and + 4 weeks post-oestrus. Phosphorus group had significantly (p < .05) short interval to oestrous resumption if compared to control ewes (2.1 ± 0.8 weeks vs. 4.6 ± 1.1 weeks). In addition, phosphorous supplementation significantly (p < .05) increased the number of antral follicles (developed and their sizes in addition to sizes of corpora lutea (8.72 ± 0.3 mm vs. 7.46 ± 0.9 mm) as well. Number of services per conception (2.6 vs. 1.4; p < .01) was higher in control group than that of phosphorus group. Pregnancy rate (80 vs. 50%) was significantly (p < .01) higher in phosphorus group when compared to control. White blood cells in treated ewes (10.8 ± 0.44; p < .05) and monocytes (2.93 ± 0.13; p < .01) were higher than that of control group (white blood cells; 9.53 ± 0.50 and monocytes; 2.24 ± 0.14). Metabolic parameters did not differ between phosphorus and control groups during different times of treatment. It could be concluded that phosphorous administration to anoestrous Farafra ewes in subtropics could improve reproductive performance and restore ovarian activity at the end of spring and early summer.

Effects of feeding green microalgae on ovarian activity, reproductive hormones and metabolic parameters of Boer goats in arid subtropics

The present study aimed to improve ovarian follicle development and plasma metabolites and hormone concentrations upon supplementation of Boer goats with green microalga (Dunaliella salina; 10 g/head/day) (N = 20; MAT group) compared to control (N = 10; not receive microalgae) in subtropics. Estrus was synchronized in all animals by two intramuscular administration of 12.5 mg dinoprost 11 days a part. MAT group was supplemented with Dunaliella salina for 11 days (from the day of first injection of dinoprost till the second injection). Ovarian performance, steroids, LH, FSH and blood metabolites were assessed every three days during the estrous cycle. Numbers and sizes of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in MAT group. Progesterone, estrogen, FSH and LH were higher in MAT group during estrous cycle. Blood metabolites including glucose, total cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen were significantly (P < 0.05) increased upon D. salina administration. On the other hand, supplementation of D. salina resulted in significant decrease of plasma total protein, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. In conclusion, supplementation with D. salina could improve ovarian follicle development and concentrations of plasma metabolites and hormones which subsequently improves reproductive performance of Boer goats.