Oestrous activity, ovulation rate and plasma melatonin concentrations in Rasa Aragonesa ewes maintained at two different and constant body condition score levels and implanted or reimplanted with melatonin

Genome-wide analysis reveals that the cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1 gene is implicated in growth traits in Rasa Aragonesa ewes

Sheep are very well adapted to changing environments and are able to produce and reproduce with low inputs in feed and water better than other domestic ruminants. Indeed, the ewe body condition score (BCS) and live weight (LW) play a significant role in productive and reproductive performance. This work conducts a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to detect genetic variants associated with growth traits in 225 adult ewes of the Rasa Aragonesa breed by using the genotypes from 50 k and HD Illumina Ovine BeadChip. These ewes were measured for LW, BCS and growth rate (GR) for 2 years, from January to September. Corrected phenotypes for BCS, LW and GR were estimated and used as input for the GWAS. Only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs425509273 in chromosome 9 (OAR9), associated with the GR, overcame the genome-wise significance level. One, three and nine SNPs were associated at the chromosome-wise level (FDR 10%) for traits BCS, LW and GR, respectively. The cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1 (CYP7B1) candidate gene, located 83 kb upstream from SNP rs425509273 in OAR9, was partially isolated and Sanger-sequenced. Fifteen polymorphisms comprising 12 SNPs, two indels and one polyC, were detected in promoter, exon 1, 3, 5, and intron 1-3 region. The SNP association analysis of the polymorphisms located close to the transcription start site (TSS) showed that a 22 bp insertion located at -58 nucleotides from the TSS (indel (-58)), a polyC (-25), and two A/G SNPs (SNP3 (-114) and SNP5 (-63)) were associated with the GR trait, whereas only the indel (-58) was associated with the BCS trait. The haplotype analysis confirmed these results. The functional characterisation of the polymorphisms at CYP7B1 gene in liver by real-time quantitative PCR analysis confirmed that the mutations in the promoter region affected CYP7B1 gene expression. Our results demonstrated the involvement of the CYP7B1 gene promoter on GR and BCS traits in Rasa Aragonesa. These findings suggest that variations in ovine CYP7B1 may serve as potential genetic markers to be used in breeding programmes to improve growth characteristics that could influence reproductive traits.

Redox Status and Hematological Variables in Melatonin-Treated Ewes during Early Pregnancy under Heat Stress

The preovulatory follicles and preimplantation stage embryos are found to be rather sensitive to heat stress due to their low potential for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of melatonin administration on redox status and hematological variables during the preovulatory period and early stages of embryogenesis in heat-stressed ewes in vivo. Forty Karagouniko-breed ewes were divided in two groups, the melatonin (M, n = 20) group and control (C, n = 20) one. All animals were subjected to heat stress throughout the study, which lasted forty days (D0 to D40). In M group, melatonin implants were administered on D0. Then, oestrous synchronization was applied (D19-D33). On D34, six rams were introduced into the ewe flock for mating. Ultrasonographic examination was conducted on D73 for pregnancy diagnosis. The temperature humidity index (THI), the rectal temperature (RT), and the number of breaths per minute (BR) were evaluated twice daily. Redox biomarkers, namely total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), were assayed in blood samples collected on D0, D33, and D40. In addition, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBCs), leukocyte differential count, and cortisol assessment were conducted in blood samples on D33 and D40. The results indicated improved fertility rate and mean number of lambs born per ewe due to improved redox status (p < 0.05) in ewes that received melatonin implants 34 days approximately before the onset of oestrus. The PCV decreased in both groups between the two time-points (p < 0.05). However, the NEU/LYMPH ratio decreased (p < 0.05) only in group M. The low cortisol levels and the decreased NEU/LYMPH ratio in both groups support the hypothesis that ewes of the indigenous Karagouniko breed may exhibit adaptation to environmental thermal stress. The administration of melatonin as an antioxidant regime may improve the reproductive competence of heat stressed ewes and may also enhance their ability to adapt at high ambient temperatures.

Effect of body condition and melatonin implants, inserted at different times of the year, on ovarian activity in goats maintained without male contact from the time of implantation

The aim of the present work was to asses (1) whether body condition (BC) and (2) melatonin implants, inserted at different times of the year between the winter and summer solstices, have an effect on seasonal ovulatory activity in goats without presence of males. Sixty-six Blanca Andaluza does were divided into six groups. Five of these received a melatonin implant on either 18 December (n = 10), 3 February (n = 12), 19 March (n = 12), 30 April (n = 11) or 11 June (n = 11). Following this procedure, the does were completely isolated from bucks. Another 10 goats (YEAR group) were used to monitor natural annual ovarian activity; these females were completely isolated from males over the entire experimental period (from 18 December of one year until 17 December of the next year). Half the does of each group had a low body condition score (BC; ≤2.50; 2.46 ± 0.02), and half had a high BC (≥3.00; 3.24 ± 0.04). Ovulatory activity was monitored via the progesterone concentrations determined in blood samples collected twice per week for 4 months following melatonin implantation, and over 12 months for the YEAR group. Over 46% of the females showed ovarian activity after the melatonin treatment, ranging from the lowest response in December (30%) and the highest one in February (75%) without differences between the dates of melatonin insertion (P &gt; 0.05). However, the response to the melatonin implant was higher in the females with a high BC than in females with a low BC (63% vs 31% for high and of low BC respectively, P &lt; 0.05). The present results indicated that melatonin implants induce ovarian activity in does in the absence of male contact. The moment of melatonin implantation did not modify ovulatory activity. However, the ovulatory response to melatonin implants was higher in the females with a BC of ≥3.00.

The effect of nutrition on the neural mechanisms potentially involved in melatonin-stimulated LH secretion in female Mediterranean goats

This research examines which neural mechanisms among the endogenous opioid, dopaminergic, serotonergic and excitatory amino acid systems are involved in the stimulation of LH secretion by melatonin implantation and their modulation by nutritional level. Female goats were distributed to two experimental groups that received either 1.1 (group H; n=24) or 0.7 (group L; n=24) times their nutritional maintenance requirements. Half of each group was implanted with melatonin after a long-day period. Plasma LH concentrations were measured twice per week. The effects of i.v. injections of naloxone, pimozide, cyproheptadine and N-methyl-d,l-aspartate (NMDA) on LH secretion were assessed the day before melatonin implantation and again on days 30 and 45. The functioning of all but the dopaminergic systems was clearly modified by the level of nutrition, melatonin implantation and time elapsed since implantation. Thirty days after implantation, naloxone increased LH concentrations irrespective of the level of nutrition (P<0.05), similar to NMDA in the melatonin-implanted H goats (HM; P<0.01). On day 45, naloxone increased LH concentrations in the HM animals (P<0.05), similar to cyproheptadine in both the non-implanted H (HC) and the HM animals (P<0.01). Finally, at 45 days, NMDA increased the LH concentration in all subgroups (P<0.01). These results provide evidence that the effects of different neural systems on LH secretion are modified by nutritional level and melatonin implantation. Endogenous opioids seem to be most strongly involved in the inhibition of LH secretion on days 30 and 45 after melatonin implantation. However, the serotonergic mechanism appears to be most influenced by nutritional level.

Control of luteinizing hormone secretion in ewes by endogenous opioids and the dopaminergic system during short seasonal anoestrus: rôle of plane of nutrition

The role of endogenous opioids and the dopaminergic system on the inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion during early and late anoestrus, together with its modulation by the plane of nutrition were investigated in ewes with a short anoestrous season. In early anoestrus (22 March; day 0), two groups of ovariectomized, oestradiol-treated adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes, maintained under natural photoperiod at 41°N, were given enough food to provide 1·4 × (high; H; no. = 6) or 0·5 × (low; L; no. = 6) energy requirements for maintenance. The effects of administration of the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg at four 1-h intervals) (day 15) and of the dopaminergic2 receptor antagonist pimozide (0·08 mg/kg) (day 21) on LH secretion were assessed. A second experiment was carried out in late anoestrus (21 June) using the same protocol. A significant increase in LH pulse frequency after naloxone treatment for both H and L groups was detected in late anoestrus. Number ofLH pulses after naloxone injections in early anoestrus also increased in H (P < 0·05) and L ewes (P = 0·08). The effect of pimozide injection on mean LH pulse frequency was greater in early than in late anoestrus, especially in ewes receiving a high plane of nutrition (P < 0·05 and P = 0·07 for H and L ewes, respectively in April and P = 0·07 for H ewes in July). A significant increase of LH pulse amplitude was also detected in early anoestrus in H ewes (P < 0·01). These results provide evidence that endogenous opioid mechanisms are involved in the inhibition ofLH pulsatile release both in early and late anoestrus in ewes with a short seasonal anoestrus. The ability of pimozide to increase LH pulse frequency in early anoestrus could be enhanced by a high plane of nutrition in the breed studied.

Proportion of rams and the condition of ewe lambs at joining influences their breeding performance

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of ram : ewe lamb ratio and condition score on the reproductive performance of ewe lambs. In the 2007 study, ewe lambs were bred with rams, at ram : ewe lamb ratios of 1 : 30, 1 : 50, 1 : 75 or 1 : 100. In the 2008 study, ewe lambs were bred at ratios of 1 : 31, 1 : 50, 1 : 75 or 1 : 100. Ewe lambs were bred over two 17-day periods. In both studies, ewe lambs bred in the first 17 days of breeding only were heavier (P < 0.05) than those bred in the second 17-day period only, and those ewe lambs diagnosed as twin-bearing were heavier (P < 0.05) than their single-bearing counterparts. Ewe lambs with a condition score of 2.5 or greater were more likely (P < 0.05) to be bred, and be pregnant, in the first 17 days of breeding than those of condition score 1.5 or 2.0. Over the entire 34-day breeding period, ewe lambs with a condition score of 2.5 or greater had higher (P < 0.05) pregnancy rates than those with a condition score of 2.0, which in turn had higher rates than those of 1.5. In the 2007 study, after 34 days of breeding, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in pregnancy rates among the different ram : ewe lamb ratios. While in the 2008 study, pregnancy rates after 34 days were greater (P < 0.05) in the 1 : 50 compared with both the 1 : 75 and 1 : 100 treatments. Pregnancy rates of 1 : 31 ewe lambs were greater (P < 0.05) than those of 1 : 75 ewe lambs. In the 2007 study, pregnancy rates of ewe lambs to the first 17 days of breeding were greater (P < 0.05) for those bred at a ratio of 1 : 75 than for those bred at 1 : 50, and tended to be greater (P = 0.08) than for those bred at 1 : 100. In addition, those bred at a ratio of 1 : 30 tended to have higher pregnancy rates (P = 0.07) than those bred at 1 : 50. While in the 2008 study, pregnancy rates to the first 17 days of breeding were greatest (P < 0.05) in the 1 : 31 and 1 : 50 treatments groups. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that achieving greater liveweights and higher condition scores of ewe lambs at breeding will increase the proportion pregnant, especially early in the breeding period. The data also suggest, in combination with the results of previous research, that farmers should consider utilising ram : ewe lamb ratios lower than 1 : 100, although further studies are warranted.

The effect of the maturity and prior breeding activity of rams and body condition score of ewe hoggets on the reproductive performance of ewe hoggets

AIM

To determine the effect of age and prior use of mature rams at a given ram-to-ewe ratio, and the effect of body condition on breeding performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets.

METHODS

Ewe hoggets (n=733) aged 7-8 months were weighed and their body condition scored, then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Day 0) and joined with either four two-tooth rams (20 months of age) not used previously (n=244; Two-tooth), four mixed-aged mature rams that had not been used earlier in the season (n=244; Mature-fresh), or four mixed-aged mature rams that had been used with mature ewes immediately prior to joining with hoggets (n=245; Mature-used). The breeding period was 34 days. Ewe hoggets were identified as having been marked during the first 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, during the second 17 days only, or not marked. Hoggets were re-weighed on Day 34, and pregnancy status determined using ultrasound on Day 92. The breeding soundness of the rams was assessed on Days -34 and -1.

RESULTS

Semen samples obtained from the rams did not differ significantly in any of the parameters measured (p>0.05). Ewe hoggets joined with Mature-fresh rams were less likely (p<0.05) to be marked in the second 17 days of breeding only than those joined with either Two-tooth or Mature-used rams. No other breeding parameters were affected by breeding group (p>0.05). Hoggets marked in the first 17 days only were heavier (p<0.05) at Day 0 than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked. Hoggets diagnosed as twin-bearing were heavier (p<0.05) than non-pregnant or single-bearing hoggets. Those hoggets marked in the first 17 days only had a greater (p<0.05) body condition score (BCS) than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked at all. These differences were no longer apparent after correction for liveweight (LW).Correction for LW at Day 0 or change in LW during the breeding period did not affect the results for breeding performance.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the conditions of this study, two-tooth rams and mature rams that had been used previously were just as suitable as mature rams that had not been used previously for breeding with ewe hoggets. Further studies are warranted to verify this result. The re-use of rams without reducing breeding performance would reduce breeding costs and may make breeding hoggets a more viable option for farmers. The BCS of ewe hoggets affected breeding performance, and can thus be used to identify those animals most suitable for breeding.

Effects of melatonin treatment on follicular development and oocyte quality in Chios ewes - short communication

Follicular development and oocyte quality were assessed by laparoscopic observation and in vitro fertilisation, respectively, in melatonin-treated (Group M) and control (Group C) anoestrous Chios ewes (n = 10 in each group). Fourteen days after melatonin insertion, all ewes had laparoscopic evaluation of the follicular population followed by oocyte pick-up (OPU); on day 22 intravaginal progestagen sponges were inserted for 14 days. Two days after sponge removal the follicular population was re-evaluated and a second follicular aspiration was performed. Collected oocytes from the second OPU underwent in vitro maturation, fertilisation and culture. The number of large follicles was higher in Group M than in the control ewes during the first OPU and tended to be so (P = 0.06) at the second. Morphologically, oocytes collected from controls were of better quality than those from Group M; however, more oocytes collected from melatonintreated animals fertilised and developed in vitro . These results indicate that melatonin is a potent regulator of follicular development and oocyte competence during the anoestrous period of the ewe.

Melatonin-improved reproductive performance in sheep bred out of season

The effects of melatonin implants on out-of-season breeding in New Zealand Romney composite ewes, was determined by comparison of reproductive performance in ewes treated with progesterone+equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) (control; n=107), melatonin+progesterone+eCG (n=97) or melatonin+progesterone (n=96). Conception rates in melatonin+progesterone+eCG-treated ewes (67%) were higher than in the control ewes (P<0.01; 47%). Pregnancy rates were higher in melatonin+progesterone+eCG-treated ewes (55%; P<0.001) compared with the control ewes (40%). Fewer melatonin+progesterone-treated ewes displayed oestrus (14%; P<0.001) and subsequently became pregnant (6%). Oestrus rates in melatonin+progesterone-treated ewes (14%) were lower than both the melatonin+progesterone+eCG-treated (82%) and control ewes (86%; P<0.001), which were similar to each other. The number of foetuses per pregnant ewe was similar in all three treatment groups. Serum melatonin concentrations at Day -9 were higher in the ewes treated with melatonin and there was a large variation between individual ewes, but concentrations were similar for pregnant and nonpregnant ewes. The combination of higher conception rate and the trend for more lambs per pregnant ewes resulted in more lambs being born per ewe treated in melatonin+progesterone+eCG-treated ewes compared to the other two treatment groups. These results suggest that melatonin implants, in conjunction with administration of progesterone and eCG, may be suitable as a means of increasing the number of lambs born per ewe treated in an out-of-season breeding program in New Zealand sheep flocks while melatonin and progesterone is not.

The effect of nutrition on the seasonality of reproduction in ewes

The beneficial effects of nutrition on reproduction in sheep have been described, particularly on ovulation rate. However, the relationships between nutrition and reproductive seasonality are not well known. This review will deal with the effects of body fat or food intake on sexual and hypothalamic/pituitary activity in sheep, mainly focused on Mediterranean genotypes. Although only severe malnutrition can significantly extend the length of the seasonal anestrous period, the level of fat reserves can play a significant role on reproductive seasonality delaying the onset of seasonal anoestrus, particularly on the Mediterranean environment. The effect of overfeeding on LH secretion has also been reported, specially at short term. Several experimental approaches have elucidated that both high body fat and food intake are able to modify the sensitivity of the hypothalamus to oestradiol negative feedback during seasonal anoestrus, with those effects being associated to a reduced amount of NPY mRNA and to an increase of plasma insulin, glucose and leptin concentrations, particularly in the late scenario. However, the highest receptivity to nutritional stimulation in terms of increasing LH occurs when ewes are subjected to a photoperiodic state of early anoestrus or late breeding season rather than under a photoperiod characteristic of the end of anoestrus or the beginning of the breeding season.

The effect of individual liveweight and condition scores of ewes at mating on reproductive and scanning performance

AIMS

To determine the effects of liveweight (LW) and condition score (CS) of ewes at mating on both mating performance and scanning percentage, and to determine if effects of CS were independent of LW.

METHODS

Two groups of ewes, comprising 1,780 mixed-aged Romney (Rom MA) and 692 composite two-tooth (1/8 East Friesian 1/16 Finn 13/16 Romney, Comp TT) ewes were grazed separately with harnessed rams for two reproductive cycles. Romney rams were used for the first 17 days of mating and then replaced on the morning of Day 18 by Suffolk rams. Ewes were weighed and CS assessed on a scale of 0-5 before the introduction of the rams. Ewes were identified as having been mated during the first cycle only, during both cycles, during the second cycle only, or not mated. All mated ewes were scanned using ultrasound, 50 days after the end of mating, and identified as being either non pregnant, single-, twin- or triplet-bearing.

RESULTS

Linear relationships (R2=0.99) between mean LW and CS at mating were evident for both Rom MA and Comp TT ewes and the mean increase in LW per unit increase in CS was greater in the Rom MA ewes (7.88 kg) than the Comp TT (4.78 kg) ewes (p<0.05). Ewes mated in the second cycle only were significantly (p<0.05) lighter than those mated in the first cycle only. In Rom MA ewes, a greater proportion were mated in the first cycle only if CS was >/=2.0 than if CS was <2.0, and the proportions of ewes mated in the first cycle only or in both cycles did not differ if CS was >/=2.5. In Comp TT ewes, there was no difference in the proportions mated in the first cycle or both cycles, if CS was >/=2.0. Triplet-bearing ewes were heavier than twin-bearing ewes, which were in turn heavier than both singleton-bearing and non pregnant ewes. Twin-bearing ewes had higher CS than both single-bearing and non pregnant ewes (p<0.05) but differences were not significant if LW was included as a covariate. In both Rom MA and Comp TT ewes, greater proportions were non pregnant and lower proportions had twins if CS was <2.0 than if CS was >/=2.0. In Rom MA ewes only, a greater proportion again had twins and a lower proportion had singletons if CS was >/=3.0 than if CS was <3.0. In Comp TT ewes, the proportion that were non pregnant or twin-bearing did not vary with CS if CS was >/=2.0. Reproductive performance was maximal for Rom MA and Comp TT ewes that had CS at mating >/=3.0 and >/=2.0, respectively, equating to LW of 62.6 and 48.5 kg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In both groups of ewes, CS and LW at mating positively affected reproductive performance measured at the time of mating and at scanning, however, no reproductive advantage was evident above a minimum CS of 3.0 and 2.0, equating to LW of 62.6 and 48.5 kg, for Rom MA and Comp TT ewes, respectively. Sheep farmers should direct management to ensure that no ewes are below these minimum targets rather than ensuring high average LW and/or CS of a mob.

Effect of exogenous melatonin on in vivo and in vitro prostaglandin secretion in Rasa Aragonesa ewes

The effect of exogenous melatonin on prostaglandin secretion was measured on Rasa Aragonesa ewes. Fourteen ewes received an 18 mg melatonin implant (M+) on 10 April and were compared with 13 control animals (without implants M-). Twenty days later, intravaginal pessaries were inserted in all animals to induce a synchronized oestrus (day 0). On day 14, ewes were injected, i.v., with 0.5 IU oxytocin. Plasma 15-ketodihydro-PGF(2alpha) (PGFM) concentrations were measured to assess uterine secretory responsiveness to oxytocin. After euthanasia, pieces of endometrium were collected to determine progesterone content and PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) secretion in vitro, in the presence or absence of either 20 microg/ml recombinant ovine interferon-tau (roIFNt) or 1 nmol/l oxytocin in the medium. Endometrial progesterone content was similar in the two treatments (M+: 50.25+/-17.34 ng/mg tissue, M-: 43.08+/-11.21 ng/mg tissue). M+ ewes that responded to oxytocin had significantly higher plasma PGFM concentrations between 10 and 80 min after oxytocin administration, a higher mean PGFM peak (P<0.001), higher plasma PGFM levels after the challenge (P<0.05) and higher plasma progesterone concentrations (P<0.01) than control ewes. In the in vitro experiment, M+ and M- control samples secreted similar amounts of PGE(2). The presence of roIFNtau and oxytocin only stimulated PGE(2) production (P<0.05) in M- tissues. Control M+ tissues secreted higher amounts of PGF(2alpha) (P=0.07) and PGF(2alpha) secretion was significantly (P<0.01) stimulated by roIFNtau. Oxytocin produced this effect only in M- samples (P<0.01). In conclusion, although previous studies have demonstrated a positive effect of melatonin on lamb production, PGF(2alpha) secretion is higher in vitro and the PGE(2):PGF(2alpha) ratio is unfavourable in response to IFNtau, which could affect embryo survival. Whether or not these mechanisms are similar in pregnant ewes remains to be elucidated.

Opioidergic and nutritional involvement in the control of luteinizing hormone secretion of postpartum Rasa Aragonesa ewes lambing in the mid-breeding season

The role of endogenous opioids and nutrition on the inhibition of luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion during the postpartum period was investigated in a Spanish breed of sheep lambing in the mid-late breeding season. Two groups of adult Rasa Aragonesa ewes housed in individual pens and lambing on 30 December were fed during the suckling period to provide maintenance requirements and the production of 1.1 (M; n = 8) or 0.55 (L; n = 8) kg of milk per day. On days 10, 20 and 30 after lambing, the effect of a treatment with the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone (1 mg/kg at four hourly intervals) on LH secretion was assessed in half of the ewes of each group, the remaining females receiving four saline injections. After weaning, animals were fed to provide requirements for maintenance of liveweight. Blood samples were collected twice a week from day 20 postpartum until the end of March, and assayed for progesterone and prolactin. Although underfed ewes showed significantly lower mean plasma concentrations during the control period on day 20 postpartum, nutrition did not seem to modify LH secretion before naloxone or saline injections. Moreover, no differences between nutritional groups in the response to naloxone injections on pattern of LH secretion were found. In fact, naloxone treatment induced an increase of mean LH concentrations on days 10, 20 and 30 postpartum (at least, P < 0.05), of LH pulse frequency on days 20 and 30 (P < 0.05), and of LH pulse amplitude on days 10 and 20 (P < 0.05). Underfed ewes during the postpartum period showed a slower decline in plasma prolactin levels, with significant differences on days 29, 36 and 39 after lambing (P < 0.05). Only 3 M ewes ovulated before the onset of the seasonal anoestrus period. It is concluded that endogenous opioids are involved in the inhibition of LH secretion during the early suckling period of a reduced seasonality breed of sheep without any influence of nutrition on the response to naloxone treatment; however, ewes underfed before weaning failed to reactivate their cyclicity prior to the onset of the seasonal anoestrus.