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Souza-Fabjan JMG, Oliveira MEF, Guimarães MPP, Brandão FZ, Bartlewski PM, Fonseca JF. Review: Non-surgical artificial insemination and embryo recovery as safe tools for genetic preservation in small ruminants. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100787. [PMID: 37567658 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100787] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Artificial insemination (AI) and in vivo embryo production (or multiple ovulation and embryo transfer, MOET) programs are both instrumental in accelerating the propagation of genetically and economically superior goats and sheep. The aim of this review was to present the current gestalt of non-surgical AI and embryo recovery (NSER) procedures in small ruminants. Small body size, precluding rectal palpation, and highly limited penetrability of the uterine cervix in ewes are the major reasons for the scarce use of non-surgical assisted reproduction techniques in this species. As a result, AI and embryo recovery techniques in sheep mainly involve laparoscopy or laparotomy (LAP). In does, however, the Embrapa method of AI allows for successful intrauterine deposition of semen, resulting in pregnancy rates from 50 to 80% under field conditions (>3 000 goats inseminated) when frozen-thawed semen is used. After the administration of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), non-surgical (transcervical) embryo recovery is also feasible in goats, with the cervical penetration rate approaching 100%. There is a paucity of information on the efficacy of non-surgical AI using frozen semen in sheep, but the results are satisfactory with fresh, cooled, or chilled ram semen. An application of the NSER technique in ewes has greatly improved over the last decade, and cervical penetration rates of ∼90% can be achieved when a hormonal cervical dilation protocol using PGF2α, oxytocin, and/or estradiol ester (e.g., estradiol benzoate) is applied. In some genotypes of sheep, sufficient cervical dilation can be induced without estradiol ester included in the protocol. Several studies indicated that recovery of transferable quality ovine embryos using NSER is comparable to that employing a ventral midline laparotomy, and NSER is evidently a method of choice when animal welfare is concerned. Considering both the number of retrievable embryos and animal well-being, the NSER is a viable alternative for surgical procedures. With further developments, it has the makings of a primary, if not exclusive, embryo recovery technique in small ruminants worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M G Souza-Fabjan
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Cep 24230-340, Niterói, RJ, Brazil.
| | - M E F Oliveira
- Departamento de Patologia, Reprodução e Saúde Única, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, Cep 14884-900 Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - M P P Guimarães
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Cep 24230-340, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - F Z Brandão
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, Cep 24230-340, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - P M Bartlewski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - J F Fonseca
- Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos, Rodovia MG 133, Km 42, Cep 36155000, Coronel Pacheco, MG, Brazil
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Dias JH, Gonçalves JD, Arrais AM, Souza-Fabjan JMG, Bastos R, Batista RITP, Siqueira LGB, Oliveira MEF, Fonseca JF. Effects of different doses of estradiol benzoate used in a cervical relaxation protocol on the success of non-surgical embryo recovery and luteal function in superovulated ewes. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2023; 82:106751. [PMID: 35901610 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2022.106751] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the effectiveness of different doses of estradiol benzoate (EB) to promote cervical relaxation and their effects on luteal function and outcomes of non-surgical embryo recovery (NSER) in sheep. Multiparous (MULT) and nulliparous (NULL) crossbred Lacaune X Santa Inês ewes were superovulated and naturally bred. Seven days after progesterone withdrawal, females were randomly assigned to one of three distinct cervical relaxation protocols, consisting of i.m. treatment with 37.5 µg d-cloprostenol and different doses of EB: 0.0 mg (0.0EB group; n = 3 NULL and 14 MULT); 0.5 mg (0.5EB group; n = 4 NULL and 12 MULT) or 1.0 mg (1.0EB group, n = 6 NULL and 11 MULT) 16 h before NSER. All ewes received 50 IU of oxytocin 20 min before NSER (D17). Blood samples were collected and ultrasound exams (B-mode and color Doppler) were performed at two timepoints: immediately before d-cloprostenol and EB treatments and prior to NSER. Estrous behavior, corpora lutea count and NSER success outcomes were not affected by EB treatments nor parity (P > 0.05). Embryo recovery rate was greater for ewes in the 0.5EB group and in the NULL ewes (P < 0.05). Ovarian biometrics differed between the two evaluation timepoints in all groups (P < 0.05). Plasma estradiol increased over time, reaching a significant greater level in 1.0EB ewes compared to controls on D17 (P < 0.05), whereas progesterone concentrations decreased over time in all groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, treatments did not affect NSER success but they did affect luteal function by altering P4 and E2 concentrations. Therefore, the NSER technique can be successfully performed in ewes with or without prior treatment with EB.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Dias
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, 36570-000, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - J D Gonçalves
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - A M Arrais
- Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, Km7, s/n, 23890-000, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - J M G Souza-Fabjan
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, 24230-340, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - R Bastos
- Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Av. Alberto Lamego, n° 2000, 28013-642, Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil
| | - R I T P Batista
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rua Vital Brazil Filho, 64, 24230-340, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - L G B Siqueira
- Embrapa Gado de Leite, Av. Eugênio do Nascimento, 610, 36038-330, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - M E F Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/n, 14884-900, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - J F Fonseca
- Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos, Três Lagoas Farm, Road Sobral -Groaíras, km 04, CP 145, 62010-970, Sobral, CE, Brazil.
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Fonseca JF, Vergani GB, Lima MSD, Silva KM, Monteiro AWU, Ramos AF, Alves BRC, Souza-Fabjan JMG, Oliveira MEF, Batista RITP. Nonsurgical Embryo Recovery as a Feasible Tool for Supporting Embryo Biobanks of Locally Adapted Brazilian Sheep and Goats. Biopreserv Biobank 2021; 20:493-501. [PMID: 34747654 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2021.0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the outcomes of nonsurgical embryo recovery (NSER) after superovulation (SOV) in five locally adapted Brazilian breeds of sheep and goats. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of using SOV combined with a less-invasive embryo collection technique for supplying the Brazilian animal gene bank with germplasm from specific genotypes of interest. Morada Nova (n = 20), Santa Inês (n = 20), and Somalis (n = 20) ewes received an intravaginal progesterone (330 mg) device for 9 days, while Canindé (n = 15) and Moxotó (n = 15) goats received an intravaginal medroxyprogesterone acetate (60 mg) device for 6 days. All females received 133 mg of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) administrated in six decreasing doses 12 hours apart, starting 60 hours before device removal, plus 37.5 μg of d-cloprostenol at the fifth and sixth pFSH dose. Donors in estrus were mated with fertile males. The corpora lutea (CL) number was assessed by ultrasonography 1 day before NSER. On day 6.5 or 7 after estrus, NSER was performed following hormonally induced cervical relaxation. A total of 97% of sheep and 90% of goats responded with estrus, and among those, 91% of sheep and 85% of goats presented a CL. In ewes, the numbers of CL were greater (p < 0.05) in the Santa Inês breed, while similar (p > 0.05) CL numbers were found among the goat breeds. All viable embryos were freezable (excellent and good quality) and the number per donor was 7.8 for sheep and 4.9 for goats. All parameters of NSER efficiency, embryo yield, and fertility post-NSER did not differ (p > 0.05) between breeds among each species. The SOV-NSER procedures applied for an embryo biobank supply of locally adapted Brazilian breeds of small ruminants were efficient regarding production of cryopreservable embryos, and preservation of donor fertility. Therefore, SOV followed by NSER is recommended for embryo biobank assembly in sheep and goats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel B Vergani
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Monalisa S D Lima
- Faculdade de Veterináris, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Bruna R C Alves
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | | | - Maria E F Oliveira
- Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos, Sobral, Brazil.,Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
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Arrais AM, Mello MRBD, Vergani GB, Figueira LM, Esteves SN, Pereira VSDA, Bartlewski PM, Oliveira MEF, Souza-Fabjan JMG, Fonseca JFD. NonSurgical Embryo Recovery from Estrus-Synchronized or Superovulated Morada Nova Ewes: A Feasible Strategy for Sheep Embryo Banking. Biopreserv Biobank 2021; 19:360-368. [PMID: 33769085 DOI: 10.1089/bio.2020.0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the feasibility of in vivo embryo production and nonsurgical embryo recovery (NSER) in Morada Nova ewes (an endangered native Brazilian breed of sheep) subjected to different estrus synchronization and/or superovulation protocols. Ewes received intravaginal sponges soaked with 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP), which were kept in place for six (G6; n = 12), nine (G9; n = 12), or 12 (G12; n = 12) days. Half of the ewes in each group remained estrus synchronized only (SYNCH) and the other half was superovulated (SOV) with 133 mg porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in antral follicle counts determined with ultrasonography 60 hours before MAP sponge removal (or at the time of the first pFSH dose) among G6 (6.4 ± 0.9), G9 (6.2 ± 0.7), and G12 (5.5 ± 0.6). Estrus responses and NSER success rates did not vary (p > 0.05) among the three progestin-treatment groups of ewes for either estrus-induced or superovulated animals. The onset of estrus occurred 10-12 hours later (p < 0.01) in G9SYNCH ewes compared with G6SYNCH and G12SYNCH, and the duration of estrus was ∼19 hours greater (p < 0.01) in G9SOV than in G6SOV. The average duration of the NSER procedure was 32.6 ± 1.3 minutes. At least one structure was recovered in 85.7% of synchronized and in 87.5% of superovulated ewes. Viable embryo recovery rates were also similar (p > 0.05) for G6 (1.0 ± 0.3 and 2.5 ± 1.5), G9 (1.3 ± 0.5 and 4.8 ± 2.0), and G12 groups (1.0 ± 0.3 and 4.8 ± 2.3; estrus-synchronized and superovulated ewes, respectively). In conclusion, progestogen pretreatment of different durations and NSER can be employed in Morada Nova ewes, resulting in reasonable viable embryo recovery rates in both estrus-synchronized and superovulated animals. Therefore, both techniques are suitable for use in commercial settings as well as small ruminant conservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Matos Arrais
- Departamento de Reprodução e Avaliação Animal, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriel Brun Vergani
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, Brazil
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