1. Glucogenic treatment creates an optimal metabolic milieu for the conception period in ewes
- Author
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Sara Succu, Fiammetta Berlinguer, Cristian Porcu, Valeria Pasciu, Salvatore Naitana, Giovanni Molle, Giovanni Cristoforo Bomboi, Elisa Serra, G. Leoni, Maria Dattena, Maria Elena Manca, and Elena Baralla
- Subjects
Blood Glucose ,Glycerol ,0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Ovary ,Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ,Biology ,03 medical and health sciences ,Follicle ,chemistry.chemical_compound ,Endocrinology ,NEFA ,Ovarian Follicle ,Food Animals ,Pregnancy ,Internal medicine ,Follicular phase ,medicine ,Animals ,Insulin ,Urea ,Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ,Progesterone ,Sheep ,0402 animal and dairy science ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Animal Feed ,Propylene Glycol ,040201 dairy & animal science ,Blood proteins ,Follicular fluid ,Diet ,030104 developmental biology ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,chemistry ,Fertilization ,Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ,Female ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Follicle Stimulating Hormone - Abstract
This study determined the influence of a short-term glucogenic nutritional treatment on circulating concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and urea, and on their correspondent levels in follicular fluid (FF) collected 12 h after the end of the treatment. After estrous synchronization with intravaginal progestagen-impregnated sponges, 20 Sarda ewes were randomly allocated into two experimental groups (GLU and WAT) and, from day 7 to day 10 (day 0 = day of sponge removal), the GLU group was gavaged with a glycogenic mixture, whereas the WAT group was gavaged with water (control group). Follicular development was stimulated by FSH administration from day 8 to 10. At day 11, ovaries were collected and follicular fluid processed. Plasma changes were assessed from day 6 to 11. In GLU group, circulating concentration of glucose (P < 0.0001), insulin (P < 0.0001), and IGF-1 (P < 0.01) rose significantly, whereas NEFA and urea concentrations decreased (P < 0.0001), as compared with controls. In particular, in FF the higher glucose concentrations found in GLU ewes compared with controls (P < 0.0001) were not accompanied by any increase in insulin and IGF-1 concentrations. NEFA (P < 0.0001) and urea (P < 0.0001) were lower in FF of GLU than WAT group, although NEFA clearance in the ovary proved to be less efficient than at the systemic level. No significant difference between groups was found in FF concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (a protease regulating the levels of free IGF-1 in follicles), glutathione, and in its total antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that glycogenic mixture administration creates a suitable follicular microenvironment for the conception period in dairy ewes.
- Published
- 2017
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