1
|
Wang C, Yang C, Zeng Y, Zhang M. GnRH-immunocastration: an alternative method for male animal surgical castration. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1248879. [PMID: 38026623 PMCID: PMC10644813 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1248879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Castration of male animals is intended to produce high-enhance quality of animal meat, prevent unpleasant taste, reduce aggressive behavior, and manage overbreeding. Over the years, Tranditional methods of mechanical and surgical castration have been employed over the years, but they fall short of meeting animal welfare requirements due to the associated risk of infection, pain, and stress. Immunocastration, specifically Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-immunocastration, targeting the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis, has emerged as an animal-friendly alternative to surgical castration, effectively addressing these issues. This review seeks to systematically summarize the principles, development, current applications and challenges of GnRH-immunocastration, offering insights into its role in promoting animal welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Cuiting Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yutian Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xavier MC, Martins LP, Moura RM, Morais DF, Barbosa JVL, Figueiredo RA, Peixer MAS, de Andrade RV, Viana JHM. Evaluation of the effects of the recommended oral dose of diflubenzuron on bovine sperm and oocyte quality using CASA and OPU-IVEP. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1215722. [PMID: 37496752 PMCID: PMC10366606 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1215722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate potential effects of diflubenzuron on the production and quality of gametes, and on in vitro embryo production (IVEP) outcomes, in cattle. Methods Two experiments were performed, the first to evaluate effects on semen, and the second on cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) and on IVEP. Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) bulls (n = 14) or heifers (n = 16) were allocated into control (CG) or treatment (DIF) groups. All groups received a mineral mix supplement added (DIF) or not (CG) with diflubenzuron (30 mg/head/day), during 8 weeks. Animals were weighed and blood samples were collected throughout the experimental period. Every other week, bulls were subjected to semen collection and heifers to transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration sessions. Semen underwent physical and morphological evaluation, and samples were stored for further computer-assisted sperm analysis. The COC recovered were evaluated according to morphology and those classified as viable were sent to an IVEP laboratory. Results Diflubenzuron had no effect (P > 0.05) on average body weight or in any blood hematological or biochemical endpoints, regardless of gender. In experiment 1, there was no difference (P > 0.05) between DIF and CG groups for sperm concentration, morphology, or kinetics. In experiment 2, there was also no effect of diflubenzuron on the number of total, viable, or grade I oocytes, as well as on cleavage or blastocyst rates (P > 0.05). Discussion In summary, the oral administration of diflubenzuron, within the recommended dose, has no short-term negative effects on sperm production and quality or on oocyte yield and developmental potential in vitro, in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Cunha Xavier
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Bio Biotecnologia da Reprodução Animal, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Leticia Prates Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Martins Moura
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Divino Fabio Morais
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Joao Vitor Lima Barbosa
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rosangela Vieira de Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Genômicas e Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Joao Henrique Moreira Viana
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
New trends in immunocastration and its potential to improve animal welfare: a mini review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2022; 54:369. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03348-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
|
4
|
Viana JHM, Pereira NES, Faria OAC, Dias LRO, Oliveira ER, Fernandes CAC, Siqueira LGB. Active immunization against GnRH as an alternative therapeutic approach for the management of Bos indicus oocyte donors diagnosed with chronic cystic ovarian disease. Theriogenology 2021; 172:133-141. [PMID: 34166988 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of active immunization against GnRH in Nelore (Bos indicus) cows repeatedly used as oocyte donors that developed chronic cystic ovarian disease (COD). In the first experiment, ovarian and uterine features were first compared between COD cows (n = 15) and healthy cows (n = 22, cycling control group) from the same breed and herd. Cows with COD had a greater number of large (P < 0.0001) and medium follicles (P < 0.01) but lesser small follicles (P < 0.05) than cycling controls. Mucometra was diagnosed in 73.3% of COD cows, but in none of the controls. No difference in average thickness of the endometrium was detected between groups; however, endometrial thickness and mucometra score were negatively correlated (R = -0.73, P = 0.0029) in COD cows. In the second experiment, COD cows were randomly allocated into two experimental groups, which received two 1.0 mL SC injections of either an anti-GnRH vaccine (COD immunized group, n = 8) or saline (COD control group, n = 7), given 28 days apart. Cows were examined weekly by transrectal ultrasonography during nine consecutive weeks after the first injection to evaluate the number and distribution of follicles among size classes, endometrial thickness, and presence of clinical mucometra. Vaccination against GnRH resulted in a progressive suppression of follicle growth and a reduction in the average size of the largest follicle, as well as in the number of large follicles (P < 0.01) in COD immunized cows compared with COD controls from week 7 onwards. Conversely, the number of small follicles in the COD immunized group increased after week 5 and was greater (P = 0.0023) than controls on week 9. Endometrial thickness and mucometra score were not affected (P > 0.05) by immunization against GnRH. In the third experiment, the COD immunized cows with effective suppression of follicle growth four weeks after the 2nd injection (n = 6) were submitted to three consecutive ovum pick-up (OPU) sessions (weeks 10, 11, and 12) for in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) collected from slaughterhouse ovaries were used as controls for IVEP. COD cows with produced 25.0 ± 3.8 COC per OPU session with no apparent detrimental effect of anti-GnRH vaccine on oocyte developmental potential in vitro, i.e., we observed similar cleavage rate (P = 0.5914) and greater blastocyst rate (P = 0.0177) in immunized cows compared with COC from slaughterhouse controls. Finally, in the fourth experiment wave emergence and follicular dynamics after follicle ablation were compared between COD immunized cows with effective suppression of follicle growth and a subset (n = 6) of the cycling, control group. No follicles grew beyond 4 mm diameter after follicle ablation in the COD immunized group, whereas a normal follicular wave emergence occurred in cycling controls. Antral follicle count was similar between cycling controls and COD immunized groups at 24 h and 96 h post-follicle ablation (P > 0.05), but greater in cycling controls at 48 h and 72 h post-follicle ablation (P < 0.05). In summary, our results suggest that active immunization against GnRH is effective to induce the regression of follicular cysts as well as increase the number of small follicles growing on the ovaries, in oocyte donors diagnosed with chronic COD, with no apparent negative effect on oocyte developmental potential in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joao Henrique Moreira Viana
- Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Brasília, DF, 70770-901, Brazil; Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Alfenas, MG, 37130-000, Brazil; Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, 70910-900, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luiz Gustavo Bruno Siqueira
- Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Alfenas, MG, 37130-000, Brazil; Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG, 36038-330, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|