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Data from various studies indicate that the ovarian function in dairy cows can be compromised during intramammary infections. Therefore, in this study, we investigated if an experimentally induced mastitis has an effect on corpus luteum (CL) function in 14 lactating cows. On d 9 of the estrous cycle (d 1=ovulation), cows received a single dose of 200 μg of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; dissolved in 10 mL of NaCL; n=8) or 10 mL of saline (control; n=6) into one quarter of the mammary gland. Measurements included plasma cortisol, haptoglobin, and progesterone (P4) concentrations, as well as luteal size (LTA) and relative luteal blood flow (rLBF). Sampling was performed on d 1, 4, and 8. On d 9, the main examination day, sampling was performed immediately before (0 h), every 1h (or at 3-h intervals for LTA and rLBF) until 9 h, as well as 12 and 24 h after treatment. Thereafter, measurements were taken on d 12, 15, 18, and then every 2 d until ovulation. Luteal tissue was collected for biopsy 24 h before and 6 h after treatment. Quantitative real-time PCR was applied to assess mRNA expression of steroidogenic factors (STAR, HSD3B), caspase 3, toll-like receptors (TLR2, -4), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA), and prostaglandin-related factors (PGES, PGFS, PTGFR). Intramammary LPS infusion caused considerable inflammatory responses in the treated udder quarters. No decrease in plasma P4 concentrations was noted after LPS-challenge, and P4 levels did not differ between LPS-treated and control cows. Furthermore, LTA and rLBF values were not decreased after LPS challenge compared with the values obtained immediately before treatment. However, LPS infusion increased plasma levels of cortisol and haptoglobin compared with the control group. In the CL, mRNA abundance of TLR2 and TNFA was increased in cows after LPS-challenge (but not in control cows), whereas TLR4, steroidogenic, and prostaglandin-related factors remained similar to the mRNA abundance before treatment. In conclusion, intramammary LPS challenge induces systemic inflammatory reactions which alter the luteal mRNA abundance of TLR2 and TNFA but does not induce lysis of the CL.

48th Annual Conference on Physiology and Pathology of Reproduction / 40th Joint Congress of Veterinary and Human Medicine -- FEB 11-13, 2015 -- Zurich, SWITZERLAND Kucukaslan, Ibrahim/0000-0002-3458-4409; FINDIK, Murat/0000-0003-1408-2548; WOS: 000349104800154 …

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two different short-term progestagen treatments for estrus synchronization in cyclic ewes. A total of 292 ewes of 3 flocks (A–C) on different farms were treated for 6 days with Eazi-breedTM CIDR® G (n = 145) or Chronogest® CR (n = 147) vaginal inserts in combination with 0.125 mg Cloprostenol and 300IU eCG at device removal. Blood samples were taken for progesterone (P4) determination at insert application and removal as well as 14 days later. One day after insert removal rams fitted with marking harnesses were joined to ewes for 35 days and marked ewes recorded daily. Lambing data were recorded and fertility to first service period and overall assessed. Results show that 24–96 h after insert removal 98.8% and 89.4% of the synchronized ewes in the flocks B and C were in estrus. Estrus response was not affected by the type of progestagen treatment and was lower (P < 0.05) in nulli- (82.1%) than in pluriparous (97.5%) ewes. Type of progestagen treatment did not affect fertility, but flock and parity influenced the percentage of ewes that lambed as well as the lambing rate. Overall more ewes (P < 0.001) lambed in flock A compared to flocks B and C (93.0 vs. 72.5 and 59.1%). In nulliparous animals the percentage of ewes that lambed was higher to the first service (P < 0.05) period but lower (P < 0.001) to the overall service period compared to pluriparous animals (51.5% vs. 49.3% and 64.7% vs. 84.2%). Lambing rates were higher in flock A than in flocks B and C to first service period and overall (1.3 ± 1.4, 0.9 ± 1.0, and 0.7 ± 1.0, P < 0.01 and 1.9 ± 1.1, 1.3 ± 0.9, and 1.0 ± 1.0, P < 0.001) and in nulliparous overall lower than in pluriparous ewes (1.1 ± 1.1 and 1.6 ± 1.1, P < 0.01). Serum P4 concentrations measured 14 days after insert removal were higher in the Chronogest® CR than in the Eazi-breedTM CIDR® G group (6.8 ± 4.1 ng/mL vs. 5.7 ± 3.3 ng/mL). Ewes of flock A had higher P4 values compared to ewes of flocks B and C (8.3 ± 4.1 ng/mL vs. 4.5 ± 1.5 ng/mL and 3.8 ± 1.7 ng/mL) and nulliparous lower P4 concentrations than pluriparous ewes (4.5 ± 2.2 ng/mL vs. 6.7 ± 4.0 ng/mL). In conclusion, a 6-day treatment with Chronogest® CR and Eazi-breedTM CIDR® G with prostaglandin and eCG at insert removal resulted in high estrus response and similar fertility in cyclic ewes. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The objectives were to investigate relationships among concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), estradiol 17 beta (E2), and progesterone (P4) in follicular fluids (FF), and quality of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) with respect to perifollicular blood flow (FBF). In Experiment I. follicles (138) were classified according to the presence or absence of FBF (assessed with transvaginal Doppler ultrasonography) and diameter of follicles (small, 2-4 mm; medium, 5-8 mm; and large, >= 9 mm). Concentrations of NO in FF did not differ significantly among these size categories. However, NO concentrations in FF with FBF (54.4 +/- 7.4 mu mol/l) were higher (P < 0.05) than in those without FBF (36.6 +/- 4.1 mu mol/l). There was a positive correlation (r = 0.30, P < 0.05) between NO concentrations and the E2:P4 in FF. Rate of E2 active (E2:P4 >= 1) follicles were numerically 1.2(0.8-1.8) times higher in follicles with FBF (38.1%) compared to those without FBF (25.0%). Moreover, rates of E2 active follicles were 6.1 (0.7-55.2) and 1.3 (0.1-17.3) times higher (P < 0.06) in large (43.3%) and medium (14.3%) compared to small follicles (11.1%), respectively. In Experiment II, quality of COCs from 2 to 8 mm follicles, obtained by transvaginal ovum pick up (OPU), was investigated with respect to FBF. Odds ratio to obtain higher quality COCs from follicles with FBF (47.1%) was 3.3 (1.1-9.6) fold higher (P < 0.05) compared to those from follicles without FBF (14.6%). In conclusion, E2:P4, and NO concentrations in FF, as well as FBF, could be used to determine the functionality of ovarian follicles in cows. Moreover, determination of FBF could be useful to predict quality of COCs in cattle. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Two experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that there are dynamic changes in follicular blood flow during follicular deviation and that nitric oxide (NO) in follicular fluid (FF) plays a role in regulation of follicular blood flow. In Experiment I, follicular blood flow of the two largest follicles was monitored by using Power Doppler ultrasonography during follicular deviation in sixteen follicular waves during eight estrous cycles in eight cows. Blood flow did not differ (P > 0.05) between the dominant follicle (DF) and the largest subordinate follicle (SF) until the beginning of the deviation of the follicular size, but was higher (P < 0.05) in DF than in the largest SF one and two days after the beginning of diameter deviation in ovulatory (n = 5) and atretic (n = 11) waves; respectively. In Experiment II, FF was aspirated from DF and the largest SF on the day of diameter deviation (DF, n = 6; SF, n = 6) and two days later (DF, n = 12; SF, n =9). Nitric oxide did not differ (P > 0.05) between DF and the largest SF on the day of diameter deviation but, one or two days after observed diameter deviation NO concentrations were lower (P < 0.01) in DF compared to the largest SF. On the day of diameter deviation and two days later E2 levels in FF were higher (P < 0.01) in DF than in the largest SF. P4 concentrations in FF were higher (P < 0.05) in DF than in the largest SF on the day of diameter deviation, but did not (P > 0.05) differ two days later. E2/P4 ratio in FF was the same (P > 0.05) in DF and the largest SF on the day of diameter deviation, but was higher (P < 0.01) in DF than in the largest SF one or two days later. In conclusion, area of follicular blood flow of DF and the largest SF increased in parallel with follicular size during follicular deviation. Furthermore, there were relationships between changes in follicular blood flow, NO concentrations and E2/P4 ratio in FF following the beginning of diameter deviation in cattle. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.