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Kleemann DO, Kelly JM, Foyster KM, Swinbourne AM, Weaver AC, Walker SK. Effects of short and long - term nutrition and progesterone supplementation on the success of fixed - time artificial insemination in the ewe. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 265:107477. [PMID: 38663150 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- David O Kleemann
- Turretfield Research Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Holland Road, Rosedale, South Australia 5350, Australia.
| | - Jennifer M Kelly
- Turretfield Research Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Holland Road, Rosedale, South Australia 5350, Australia.
| | - Kimberley M Foyster
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia.
| | - Alyce M Swinbourne
- Turretfield Research Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Holland Road, Rosedale, South Australia 5350, Australia.
| | - Alice C Weaver
- Turretfield Research Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Holland Road, Rosedale, South Australia 5350, Australia.
| | - Simon K Walker
- Turretfield Research Centre, South Australian Research and Development Institute, Holland Road, Rosedale, South Australia 5350, Australia.
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Kamgang VW, Bennett NC, van der Goot AC, Majelantle TL, Ganswindt A. Patterns of faecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels in captive roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in relation to reproductive status and season. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2022; 325:114052. [PMID: 35568230 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Populations of roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) in southern Africa have experienced a drastic decline over the past few decades and this situation has led to the development of intensive breeding programmes to support conservation efforts. However, little is known about related welfare aspects, including stress-related physiological biomarkers. The present study set out to establish a non-invasive method to monitor faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as a measure of stress and determine fGCM concentrations in relation to male reproductive activity and female reproductive status in the roan antelope. An adrenocorticotrophic hormone challenge was performed using two adult roan antelope (one male and one female) at Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve, South Africa, to determine the suitability of five enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for monitoring adrenocortical function in roan antelope. An 11-oxoaetiocholanolone I EIA detecting 11,17 dioxoandrostanes performed best showing 17-20 folds increases in fGCM concentrations after 12 h-17 h post-injection. The identified EIA was then used to monitor fGCM concentrations during active and non-active reproductive periods in males (n = 3), and during periods of cyclicity, gestation, and postpartum in females (n = 10). Males showed an overall 80% increase in fGCM concentrations when reproductively active and females showed a progressively significant increase in fGCM levels throughout pregnancy, with overall fGCM concentrations being 1.5 to 2.6-fold higher than the respective fGCM concentrations during periods of postpartum and cyclicity, respectively. Furthermore, fGCM concentrations remained above baseline for up to 21 days post-partum. A correlation between ecological parameters (rainfall and temperature) and fGCM concentrations revealed elevated fGCM concentrations during the dry season for males, but not females. The non-invasive method validated in this study provides a valuable tool to quantify stress-related biomarkers in roan antelope, and findings can be used to support management decisions in conservation breeding facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa W Kamgang
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa.
| | - Nigel C Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Annemieke C van der Goot
- Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve, Vaalwater 0530, South Africa; Melkrivier Wildlife Veterinary Services, Melkrivier, Vaalwater 0530, South Africa
| | - Tshepiso L Majelantle
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
| | - Andre Ganswindt
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa
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Fernández-Foren A, Sosa C, Abecia JA, Vázquez MI, Forcada F, Meikle A. Dietary restriction in sheep: Uterine functionality in ewes with different body reserves during early gestation. Theriogenology 2019; 135:189-197. [PMID: 31226609 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize insulin, leptin and IGF-1 profiles after undernutrition in pregnant ewes with different initial body condition (iBCS) and to investigate embryo quality, uterine gene expression and presence and location of proteins during early gestation (day 5). Thirty-six Rasa Aragonesa ewes were divided into 2 groups with different BCS: BCS> 2.75 (high, H, n = 19) and BCS <2.25 (low, L, n = 17) and they were randomly assigned to two nutritional treatments: 1.5 maintenance (M) (control, C) or 0.5 (M) (undernourishment, U) times the daily maintenance requirements establishing four groups: high-iBCS control (HC, n = 9), high-iBCS undernourished (HU, n = 10), low-iBCS control (LC, n = 9) and low-iBCS undernourished (LU, n = 8). High-iBCS ewes presented higher concentration of IGF-1, reflecting a better metabolic status in these animals. There was a greater proportion of high-iBCS ewes presenting more than one CL (P < 0.05), and associated greater P4 plasma concentration, number of recovered embryo and a tendency for higher embryo viability rate (P = 0.13). In uterus, undernourished ewes tended to present lower P4 (P = 0.09) and higher E2 concentration (P = 0.10). Inmunostaining of uterine progesterone and estrogen receptors (PR and ERα) was not affected by iBCS and nutritional treatment. Ewes with low-iBCS tended to have more INSR mRNA, and undernourished ewes tended to have more IGFBP2 mRNA expression (P < 0.08). An interesting finding was that the uterine response to undernutrition was dependent on iBCS: a higher expression of GHR (P < 0.05) and a tendency in IGFBP5 (P = 0.09) mRNA was found in undernourished than control ewes but only in the high-iBCS group. In summary, the present study demonstrates that the endocrine response and the uterine gene expression to undernutrition depend on the initial body energy reserves (iBCS) and appears to be associated with a differential embryo quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fernández-Foren
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Metabolismo Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UdelaR, C/ Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay.
| | - C Sosa
- Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain
| | - J A Abecia
- Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain
| | - M I Vázquez
- Reproducción Animal, Facultad de Agronomía y Veterinaria, UNRC, Ruta Nac. 36, km 601, Río Cuarto, 5800, Argentina
| | - F Forcada
- Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, C/ Miguel Servet 177, Zaragoza, 50013, Spain
| | - A Meikle
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Metabolismo Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, UdelaR, C/ Lasplaces 1550, Montevideo, 11600, Uruguay
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Macías-Cruz U, Vicente-Pérez R, Correa-Calderón A, Mellado M, Meza-Herrera C, Avendaño-Reyes L. Undernutrition pre- and post-mating affects serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and progesterone, but not the reproductive efficiency of crossbred hair ewes synchronized for estrus. Livest Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Abstract
To determine the effect of undernutrition on embryo production and quality in superovulated sheep, 45 ewes were allocated into two groups to be fed diets that provided 1.5 (control, C; n = 20) or 0.5 (low nutrition, L; n = 25) times daily requirements for maintenance, from oestrous synchronization with intravaginal sponges to embryo collection. Embryos were collected 7 days after the onset of oestrus (day 0). Low nutrition resulted in lower live weight and body condition at embryo collection (P < 0.05). Diet (P < 0.01) and day of sampling (P < 0.001) significantly affected plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and insulin concentrations. Plasma leptin concentrations decreased on day 7 only in L ewes. A significant effect of dietary treatment (P < 0.05) and day (P < 0.0001) was observed on plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I concentrations. The number of recovered oocytes and embryos did not differ between the groups (L: 15.4 ± 0.4; C: 12.4 ± 0.4). Recovery rate was lower (P < 0.05) in the L (60%) than in the C group (73%). The total number of embryos and number of viable-transferable embryos (5.0 ± 0.3 and 3.4 ± 0.3 embryos, respectively) of the L group were lower (P < 0.1) when compared with controls (8.4 ± 0.4 and 6.2 ± 0.4 embryos, respectively). Undernutrition during the period of superovulation and early embryonic development reduced total and viable number of embryos. These effects might be mediated by disruption of endocrine homeostasis, oviduct environment and/or oocyte quality.
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Zarkawi M, Soukouti A. Ovarian status in fat-tailed Syrian Awassi ewes during different reproductive stages and hormonal treatments monitored by laparoscopy and progesterone concentrations. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2012. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2011.620256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
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