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Contents: The main goal of this study was to assess the usefulness of two imaging modalities, namely the B‐mode and colour Doppler sonography, and serum progesterone (P4) concentrations for determining the ovarian response in superovulated ewes. Twenty‐four sexually mature Santa Inês ewes underwent the superovulatory treatment consisting of eight injections of porcine FSH (total dose of 200 or 133 or 100 mg; n = 8 ewes/total dose) given at 12‐hr intervals and initiated 48 hr before CIDR® (Pfizer Inc., Auckland, New Zealand) removal. Six days after natural mating, the ovaries of all donor ewes were visualized and examined with transrectal ultrasonography and then with videolaparoscopy to identify and enumerate corpora lutea (CL) and luteinized unovulated follicles (LUFs). Jugular blood samples were collected just prior to ovarian examinations. The total number of CL (r = .78 and 0.83, p < .0001) and LUFs (r = .74 and 0.90, p < .0001) enumerated using the B‐mode and colour Doppler ultrasonographic technique, respectively, were correlated with that ascertained by videolaparoscopy. Circulating concentrations of P4 were related directly to the number of healthy CL (r = .73, p = .0002) and inversely to the number of prematurely regressing CL (r = −.46, p = .03), but the accuracy of predicting the number of short‐lived CL with serum P4 concentrations was very poor. The present results indicate that ultrasonographic imaging and serum P4 measurements on the day of embryo recovery are useful indicators of total/normal CL numbers and both ultrasonographic techniques can be used to quantify LUFs in superovulated ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents: This study evaluated colour‐Doppler ultrasound imaging (UI) as a substitute for laparoscopy to count the corpora lutea (CL) in superovulated sheep. Twenty‐five Santa Ines ewes were superovulated three times at 21‐day intervals. Corpora lutea were counted by colour‐Doppler UI (CLDOPPLER) 6 days after each superovulation and confirmed by laparoscopy (CLLAP) 12 hr later. The mean number of CL was similar for both techniques (2.1 ± 2.5 vs. 2.1 ± 2.7 for CLDOPPLER and CLLAP, respectively) with a significant positive correlation (r = .94; r2=.89). Colour‐Doppler UI effectively evaluated the ovarian response in superovulated ewes and efficiently identified animals that did not respond to superovulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study to verify the efficacy of reusing intravaginal progesterone (P4) devices on the reproductive parameters in Santa Inês ewes. It was done in Cachoeira de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It concludes that intravaginal progesterone devices may be used up to 3 times in sheep herds that do not have reproductive diseases without causing changes in the animals reproductive performance.

The article presents a study on the effects of prostaglandin administration on the reproductive parameters of cyclic dairy nulliparous goats. It utilized 9 Alpine and 9 Saanen goat breeds.It concludes that estrus can be synchronized in Alpine and Saanen breeds with the use of 2 doses of prostaglandin 10 days apart.

This study was designed to investigate the influence of seasonality on ovulatory follicular wave dynamics in long protocols, with or without P4 device replacement, in Santa Inês sheep. Seventy adult ewes were submitted to 2 synchronization protocols in 3 seasons (factorial 2×3; non-breeding: G-1CIDR, n=12 and G-2CIDR, n=11; transition: G-1CIDR, n=12 and G-2CIDR, n=12; breeding: G-1CIDR, n=11 and G-2CIDR, n=12). On D0 (randomised day of oestrus cycle), the oestrus was synchronized with a P4 device (CIDR™; Pfizer, New Zealand) for 14 days. However, in G-2CIDR, the CIDR was replaced by a new one on D7. At D0 and 14, 2.5mg of dinoprost (Lutalyse™, Pfizer, New Zealand), IM, were administered, and on D14, all ewes received 300IU of eCG (Novormon™, Syntex, Argentina). Ultrasonographic exam was performed daily between D0 and D14 and, every 8h until D19. Data were analysed by GLIMMIX using SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). There was no interaction between groups and seasons, being presented the main effects for the variables. There were effects of treatment on the day of emergence of an ovulatory wave (G-1CIDR: 8.28±0.54 and G-2CIDR: 9.23±0.44; P=0.04), maximum diameter of first ovulatory follicle (G-1CIDR: 8.09±0.22 v.G-2CIDR: 7.62±0.19mm; P=0.02) and duration of follicular growth (G-1CIDR: 192.00±11.27 v.G-2CIDR: 175.70±9.92 h; P=0.07). However, there were no effect of treatment on day of ovulation (G-1CIDR: 17.11±0.11 v.G-2CIDR: 17.20±0.10; P=0.43), ovulatory diameter (G-1CIDR: 7.45±0.21 v.G-2CIDR: 7.34±0.19mm; P=0.59), and follicular growth rate (G-1CIDR: 0.69±0.04 v.G-2CIDR: 0.71±0.03mmday-1; P=0.65). Effects of season were observed on day of emergence (non-breeding: 7.07±0.641av.transition: 9.09±0.61bv.breeding: 9.89±0.48b; P<0.0001), maximum diameter of first ovulatory follicle (non-breeding: 8.28±0.24av.transition: 7.71±0.26bv.breeding: 7.54±0.21bmm; P=0.01), ovulatory diameter (non-breeding: 7.70±0.23av.transition: 7.59±0.26av.breeding: 6.88±0.21bmm; P=0.006) and duration of follicular growth (non-breeding: 216.11±12.38av.transition: 177.38±13.67bv.breeding: 162.57±11.28bh; P=0.0004). Season had no effect on day of ovulation (non-breeding: 17.15±0.12 v.transition: 17.05±0.14 v.breeding: 17.28±0.11; P=0.40), and follicular growth rate (non-breeding: 0.66±0.04 v.transition: 0.67±0.05 v.breeding: 0.77±0.04mmday-1; P=0.11). Therefore, both protocols showed efficiency in synchronization regardless of the season. Furthermore, protocols and seasons promoted effect on the day of emergence of ovulatory wave, thus influencing the other variables. Supported by FAPESP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of lipids for nutrition supplementation during reproduction phases is called flushing and directly influences body weight and body condition score, which could alter ovulation and fertility rate. Studies have reported the effects of its use for dairy cattle, but for goats this kind of information is incipient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of bypass lipid enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (Megalac®Arm and Hammer, Church & Dwight Company, Princeton, NJ, USA) in the transition period (i.e. 3 weeks before and after parturition) on the return of ovarian activity. This study was conducted from March to May 2009, in Piau/MG (21°35′S latitude and43°15′W longitude), Brazil. Nineteen Toggenburg (n= 16) and Saanen (n= 3) goats were equally assigned according to breed, body weight, and condition score into 4 treatments: animals received 2% dry matter of fat supplementation 21 days before and after parturition (T1), only before parturition (T2), or only after parturition (T3); the control group received no supplemental fat (T4). Goats were fed a complete mixture of napier grass and corn silage in a 50:50 forage/concentration ratio 4 times daily. Transrectal ultrasonography (5-MHz transducer; Aloka SSD 500®, Tokyo, Japan) was performed daily from 10 days after parturition until detection of ovulation. Estrous onset and its duration were detected daily with a fertile buck. Statistical analysis were performed using all tests at the 95% confidence interval with a SAEG®program (Funarbe, Viçosa, Brazil). The results are presented as mean ± SD. The interval (days) from parturition to first estrus was 20.5 ± 2.2 (T1), 30.0 ± 17.4 (T2), 20.2 ± 2.1 (T3), and 19.0 ± 2.5 (T4), and to first ovulation was 26.3 ± 4.0 (T1), 22.4 ± 3.3 (T2), 24.4 ± 1.1 (T3), and 24.2 ± 3.6 (T4) (P> 0.05). The diameter of ovulatory follicles (mm) was similar (P> 0.05) for T1 (7.21 ± 0.30), T2 (6.86 ± 0.31),T3 (6.66 ± 0.27), and T4 (7.32 ± 0.64). The number of ovulations was also not different (P> 0.05) for T1 (1.5 ± 0.3),T2 (1.2 ± 0.2), T3 (1.4 ± 0.2), and T4 (1.0 ± 0.0). A negative correlation (r = -0.68; P< 0.005) was detected between body condition score at the parturition and the interval from parturition to the first estrus, as well as to the first ovulation (r = -0.48; P< 0.05). A positive correlation (r = 0.47; P< 0.05) was found between body weight on the day of ovulation and the number of ovulations. These data show the importance of body weight and condition score to reproductive performance after parturition. No significant differences were registered among all treatments on reproductive parameters for goats after this amount of lipid supplementation. There is a need for more studies to be done using different supplement concentrations in order to achieve better reproductive performances after parturition. Financial support: Embrapa Goats and Sheep, Fapemig, CNPq. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Duration of Estrus and Time of Ovulation in Superovulated Santa inê Ewes," by J. T. M. Lima et al is presented.

This study was designed to investigate if the superovulatory response and embryo yield in Santa Ines ewes are influenced by the time that FSH treatments are inititiated: near the emergence of the first or last follicular wave of a progesterone-based (P4) protocol. Days of emergence of the follicular waves was defined in a previous study that evaluated follicular dynamics in oestrus synchronization treatments (Oliveira et al. 2011 Acta Sci. Vet. 40). Twenty Santa Ines cyclic ewes were submitted to 2 superovulatory protocols according to the time that FSH treatments were initiated (G-first wave, n = 10 and G-last wave, n = 10). Thus, the FSH treatment started on Day 4 and 10 of protocol for G-first and G-last, respectively (Day 0 = onset of protocol). Ewes were treated with a P4 device (CIDR®; Pfizer-New Zealand) for 6 and 12 days for G-first and G-last, respectively. Additionally, in G-last, the CIDR was replaced by a new one on Day 7. All ewes received 2 injections of 37.5 μg of D-cloprostenol (Prolise®, Arsa-Argentina) on Day 0 and at CIDR removal. The superovulatory regimen consisted of 8 IM injections of pFSH (Folltropin®; Bioniche Animal Health, Belleville, Ontario, Canada) administrated twice daily (40, 40, 30, 30, 20, 20, 10 and 10 mg of porcine FSH). A single IM dose of 200 IU of eCG (Novormon®, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Argentina) was given concurrently with CIDR removal. Ewes were mated by a fertile ram. Embryo collections were accomplished 7 days after CIDR removal. The superovulatory response was classified in scores: (0) 4 or fewer corpora lutea (CL); (1) between 5 and 10 CL and (2) 11 or more CL. Means (± SD) were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test and percentages using Chi-square (P < 0.05). Most donors (70%, 7/10) from G-last had a superovulatory response classified as score 2 and the remainder (30%, 3/10) as score 1, whereas half of ewes from G-first were classified as score 2 and half as score 1 (P > 0.05).There was no effect between treatments (P > 0.05) for ovulation rate (G-first: 90.7 ± 10.2% vs G-last: 93.0 ± 7.2%), number of ovulations (G-first: 13.1 ± 7.3 vs G-last: 14.0 ± 5.8), or number of luteinized unovulated follicles (G-first: 1.4 ± 1.3 vs G-last: 0.9 ± 1.0). Furthermore, there was no effect between G-first and G-last (P > 0.05) in the rate of ova/embryos recovered (55.1 ± 27.1% vs 67.0 ± 19.4%), mean number of ova/embryos recovered (7.0 ± 5.5 vs 9.1 ± 3.8), number of viable embryos (3.9 ± 6.1 vs 5.7 ± 4.4), or viability rate (49.1 ± 43.7 vs 58.5 ± 34.6). In conclusion, superovulatory response and embryo yield did not differ between FSH treatments initiated during the first or last follicular wave of a progesterone-based treatment in Santa Ines ewes. Financial support of FAPESP is acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2 doses of dinoprost at the time of ovulation on Days 4 to 6 of the estrous cycle in ewes. The experiment was conducted in the city of Piau (Minas Gerais, Brazil) from July to August 2008 during the local no-breeding season. Twenty-four ewes with body condition score 3.0 ± 0.75 were used for this experiment. The estrous cycle was synchronized with intravaginal releasing devices containing 0.33 g of progesterone for 6 days (Eazi-Breed CIDR®, Pfizer Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil), and 12.5 mg of dinoprost (Lutalyse®, Pfizer do Brasil Saúde Animal, São Paulo, Brazil) laterovulvar plus 300 IU of eCG 24 h before device removal. Animals were monitored by transrectal ultrasonography every 8 h and subjected to 5 or 10 mg of dinoprost on Days 4, 5, or 6 of the cycle. Results were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey test, using all tests at the 95% confidence interval (SAEG program, Funarbe, Viçosa, Brazil). Data were reported as percentage or mean ± SD. The period from device removal to ovulation was 48.0 ± 7.07 h. The 5-mg dinoprost dose evoked similar (P> 0.05) results for Days 4, 5, and 6 regarding the time of ovulation after luteal gland regression induction [71.3 ± 28.6, 71.46 ± 30.4, and 68.2 ± 29.2 h for Days 4 (n= 4), 5 (n= 4), or 6 (n= 4), respectively] and follicle size (6.48 ± 0.34, 6.41 ± 0.35, and 6.5 ± 0.32 mm for Days 4, 5, and 6, respectively) at the time of ovulation. In animals that received 10 mg of dinoprost, the time of ovulation was affected (P≤ 0.05) by Day of treatment [71.3 ± 27.6, 68.3 ± 30.6, and 64 ± 29.2 h for Days 4 (n= 4), 5 (n= 4), and 6 (n= 4), respectively]. However, there was no effect of the 10 mg on follicle size at ovulation (6.48 ± 0.34, 6.41 ± 0.35, and 6.3 ± 0.33 mm for Days 4, 5, and 6, respectively). There was no difference (P≥ 0.05) on the size of ovulatory follicle(s) among animals with 1 (n= 4, 4, and 1 for Days 4, 5, and 6, respectively), 2 (n= 3, 3, and 4 for Days 4, 5, and 6, respectively), and 3 (n= 1, 1, and 3 for Days 4, 5, and 6, respectively) ovulations. The difference in the interval from luteal gland regression to ovulation in animals that received 10 mg of dinoprost on Day 6 of the estrous cycle suggests a higher sensitivity of corpora lutea at that moment. Results showed that both doses of dinoprost were capable of inducing early luteal gland regression; this fact supports the use of short-term protocols for the induction of estrus in ewes. Pfizer Brazil, CNPq, FAPEMIG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synchronized estrus can be induced by different hormonal protocols including prostaglandin, progestagens, and gonadotrophins. Equine chorionic gonadotrophin is a FSH-like hormone produced by pregnant mares that can evoke antibody formation in goats. Thus, if possible, restriction of its use should be considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility to omit the administration of eCG to induce estrus in Anglo- Nubian goats during the transition season. This study was done in February of 2009 in Espírito Santo do Pinhal/SP (22°57′S latitude and 46°58′W longitude), Brazil. The local breeding season extends from March to June. A total of 10 nulliparous and 10 pluriparous Anglo-Nubian goats were equally assigned into 2 treatments with (T1) or without (T2) 200 IU eCG (Novormon 5000®, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil) i.m. administration 24 h before sponge removal. All goats received (Day 0) intravaginal sponges (60 mg of MAP; Progespon®, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health) and 50 mg d-cloprostenol (Ciosin®, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health) i.m. Estrous behavior and transrectal ultrasonography (5-MHz transducer; Aloka SSD 500®, Tokyo, Japan) were performed at 12-h intervals (0600 and 1800h) until 96 h after sponge removal. Statistical analysis was performed using all tests at the 95% confidence interval with a SAEG®program (Funarbe, Viçosa, Brazil). Estrous response was 100% (10/10) for T1 and 70% (7/10) for T2 (P> 0.05). All animals that were detected in estrus ovulated, and none of the 3 that did not show estrus ovulated. The interval from sponge removal to estrous onset (h) was 36.0 ± 9.8 (T1) and 34.8 ± 10.5 (T2), whereas its duration (h) was 27.4 ± 14.5 (T1) and 32.6 ± 12.7 (P> 0.05). The interval from sponge removal to ovulation (h) was 67.0 ± 8.0 (T1) and 73.9 ± 6.4 (T2). Also, the interval from estrous onset to ovulation (h) was 25.2 ± 8.85 (T1) and 30.9 ± 6.4 (T2). No difference (P> 0.05) was observed in the number of ovulations for T1 (1.2 ± 0.4) and T2 (1.4 ± 0.5). The diameter of the ovulatory follicle (mm) was similar (P> 0.05) for T1 (6.7 ± 0.6) andT2 (6.5 ± 0.6) (P> 0.05). Further studies should be done to consider if the use of eCG is necessary in the transition season for Anglo-Nubian goats. Financial support: Embrapa Goats and Sheep; Capritec; CNPq; Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health; Fapemig. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and use of non-invasive techniques would reduce risks of surgery sequels on the same animal and use of the donor could be optimized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography performed prior to embryo collection to estimate superovulation response in sheep. Fifteen pluriparous Santa Inês sheep, 2 to 5 year old, with an average body weight of 46.79 ± 6.00 kg and body condition score of 2.96 ± 0.32 (1 to 5 scale) were allocated into 3 groups (GI, GII, GIII) in a cross-over design. In GI, intravaginal sponges (60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate; Progespon®, Schering Plough Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil) were inserted (Day 0) and maintained for 14 days, and the superovulatory (SOV) protocol started on Day 12. In GII and GIII, intravaginal sponges were inserted (Day 0) and maintained for 6 days. On Day 5, the animals were treated with 300 IU of eCG (Novormon 5000®, Schering Plough Animal Health) and 5 mg of dinoprost (Lutalyse®Pfizer Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil) i.m. Animals in GIII received 0.025 mg of gonadorelin acetate (Gestran-Plus®, Tecnopec, São Paulo, Brazil) i.m. 12 h after sponge withdrawal. In GII and GIII, the SOV protocol started 48 h after sponge removal and a new sponge was inserted immediately after its removal. The SOV protocol in all groups consisted of 200 mg of pFSH (Folltropin-V®, Tecnopec) administered in 6 decreasing doses given every 12 h (50/50, 30/30, and 20/20 mg). At the time of the fifth dose of pFSH, 5 mg of dinoprost was administered i.m. and the sponges were removed. Animals were bred by a sexually mature ram twice a day until the end of estrus. Prior to embryo collection, an ultrasonographic evaluation (5 MHz, Aloka SSD-500, Tokyo, Japan) was performed to determine the number of CL present on both ovaries. The number of CL was further evaluated by laparoscopy, when it was possible to detect poor responders or even non-ovulating animals. Statistical analysis was performed using all tests at the 95% confidence interval by SAEG program. Results are presented as mean ± SE. The number of CL was not different among all groups. The total number (GI, GII, and GIII) of CL determined by ultrasonography (9.09 ± 5.01) was not different (P> 0.05) from that observed by laparoscopy (8.87 ± 5.25). A significant correlation (r= 0.56, P< 0.0005) between evaluation performed by ultrasonography and laparoscopy was observed. These results suggest that ultrasonography can be used to determine the response to the superovulatory protocol. As embryo collection in sheep is performed mainly by surgical techniques, the implementation of non-invasive techniques such as ultrasonography could avoid unnecessary surgeries on animals that did not respond to the SOV protocol, therefore preventing early culling of embryo donors. Financial support: Fopesq/Proppi and Faperj (E26/171.065/2006). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to determine the accuracy of a pregnancy test for predicting nonpregnant cattle based on the evaluation of corpus luteum (CL) blood flow at 20 d (CLBF-d20) after timed artificial insemination (TAI). Crossbred Holstein-Gir dairy heifers (n = 209) and lactating cows (n = 317) were synchronized for TAI using the following protocol: intravaginal implant (1.0 g of progesterone) and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. on d -10, implant removal and 0.526 mg of sodium cloprostenol i.m. on d -2, 1 mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. on d -1, and TAI on d 0. On d 20, animals underwent grayscale ultrasonography (US) to locate the CL and color flow Doppler to evaluate CLBF-d20 using a portable ultrasound equipped with a 7.5-MHz rectal transducer. Based only on a visual, subjective CLBF evaluation, the animals were classified as pregnant or not pregnant. On d 30 to 35, blinded from results of the previous diagnosis, the same operator performed a final pregnancy diagnosis using US to visualize the fetal heartbeat (gold standard; US-d30). A second evalua-tor also analyzed the CLBF-d20 in the same animals by watching 7-s recorded videos. Blood samples were collected from a subset of 171 females to determine, by RIA, plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations, which indicate CL function. The final pregnancy outcome (US-d30) was retrospectively compared with the CLBF-d20 diagnoses and then classified either as correct or incorrect. The number of true positive, true negative, false positive, and false negative decisions were inserted into a 2 x 2 decision matrix. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the CLBF-d20 test were calculated using specific equations. Binomial variables (pregnancy rate and proportions) were analyzed using Fisher's exact test for the effect of parity and to compare between evaluators and tests (CLBF-d20 vs. plasma P4). The kappa values were calculated to quantify the agreement between CLBF-d20 and the gold standard (US-d30) and between evaluators. The performance parameters of CLBF-d20 test were as follows: sensitivity = 99.0%, specificity = 53.7%, positive predictive value = 65.1%, negative predictive value = 98.5%, and accuracy = 74.8%. False negatives represented only 0.4% of the exams. No differences existed in these parameters between evaluators (no. 1 vs. no. 2) and tests (CLBF-d20 vs. plasma P4). Moreover, a high level of agreement was observed between evaluators (0.91). In conclusion, visual evaluation of CLBF-d20 represents a quick, reliable, and consistent diagnostic test that enables the early detection of nonpregnant cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]