Search

Aim: This work examined the influence of induced changes in prolactin (PRL) secretion on sperm cryoresistance of ibex and the mouflon. Materials and Methods: PRL secretion was modified in a first experiment by the use of bromocriptine (BCR, dopamine agonist) during the non-breeding season, and in a second experiment by the use of sulpiride (SLP, dopamine D2-receptor antagonist) during the rutting season. Slow and ultra-rapid freezing protocols were used to cryopreserve sperm samples. Results: BCR decreased blood plasma PRL concentrations, whereas SLP increased them. Cryoresistance ratios (CRs) for curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight-line velocity (VSL), and average path velocity (VAP) in BCR-treated mouflons were lower than in controls using slow-freezing (p

This article describes the urinogenital condition of three female Iberian ibexes (

This article describes the urinogenital condition of three female Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica-one infertile 3-yr-old adult and two prepubertal animals aged 1 (PP1) and 2 (PP2) yr, respectively, all raised in captivity. All showed constant urinal dribbling, leading to ulcerative dermatitis in the vulvar area. Housed in a stable with other females, the adult did not become pregnant after male contact in either of two consecutive mating seasons. Vaginoscopy and laparoscopic exploration performed on the prepubertal females revealed abnormalities of the vagina and urinary bladder. Ultrasound examination revealed atrophy of the left kidney in the adult female and PP1, and of the right kidney in PP2, with degeneration of the renal pelvis. A paraovarian cyst with hydrosalpinx was also detected in the left oviduct of the adult female. Postmortem analysis of the adult and PP2, which shared a mother, confirmed an extramural single ectopic ureter with vaginal insertion associated with atrophy of the ipsilateral kidney. Though PP1 was officially unrelated to the latter animals, all three might have had a common ancestor in their lineages.

Gestations between bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and domestic sheep (O. aries) can be considered for ex situ conservation of bighorn. In the first exper­iment, domestic sheep were inseminated with bighorn or domestic semen. Bighorn inseminated sheep showed lower fertility than domestic inseminat­ed sheep (40% vs. 65%, p = 0.11). Bighorn inseminated sheep had lon­ger gestation periods (152.13 days vs. 146.54 days, p < 0.001) and lower progesterone levels during the last third. Hybrid lambs weighed less than domestic lambs (2.46 kg vs. 5.10 kg, p < 0.001). Their placentas were not as long (48.67 cm vs. 72.17 cm, p < 0.001), were less wide (17.83 cm vs. 23.83 cm, p < 0.001), and the weight of cotyledons was lower (1.50 g vs. 3.20 g, p < 0.001). In the second experiment, hybrid embryos (O. canadensis × O. aries) were transferred into domestic recipients, and preg­nant ewes were divided into the treated group, which had a progesterone daily dose of 25 mg from weeks 7 to 20, and the non treated group. Gesta­tion in domestic sheep that received one hybrid embryo and progesterone reached 152.60 days, which was similar to the 153.33 days (p = 0.51) in the non treated sheep. Hybrid offspring of the group treated with progesterone were heavier, 3.41 kg, than the control, 2.21 kg (p < 0.001), and their pla­centas were longer (71.20 vs. 50.83 cm, p = 0.002). Although progesterone levels were lower in domestic females inseminated with bighorn and in the recipients of hybrid embryos, it is possible to establish pregnancies between both species and the birth of viable offspring. The administration of proges­terone during gestation increases the length of the placenta and promotes higher birth weights of hybrids.Gestations between bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and domestic sheep (O. aries) can be considered for ex situ conservation of bighorn. In the first exper­iment, domestic sheep were inseminated with bighorn or domestic semen. Bighorn inseminated sheep showed lower fertility than domestic inseminat­ed sheep (40% vs. 65%, p = 0.11). Bighorn inseminated sheep had lon­ger gestation periods (152.13 days vs. 146.54 days, p < 0.001) and lower progesterone levels during the last third. Hybrid lambs weighed less than domestic lambs (2.46 kg vs. 5.10 kg, p < 0.001). Their placentas were not as long (48.67 cm vs. 72.17 cm, p < 0.001), were less wide (17.83 cm vs. 23.83 cm, p < 0.001), and the weight of cotyledons was lower (1.50 g vs. 3.20 g, p < 0.001). In the second experiment, hybrid embryos (O. canadensis × O. aries) were transferred into domestic recipients, and preg­nant ewes were divided into the treated group, which had a progesterone daily dose of 25 mg from weeks 7 to 20, and the non treated group. Gesta­tion in domestic sheep that received one hybrid embryo and progesterone reached 152.60 days, which was similar to the 153.33 days (p = 0.51) in the non treated sheep. Hybrid offspring of the group treated with progesterone were heavier, 3.41 kg, than the control, 2.21 kg (p < 0.001), and their pla­centas were longer (71.20 vs. 50.83 cm, p = 0.002). Although progesterone levels were lower in domestic females inseminated with bighorn and in the recipients of hybrid embryos, it is possible to establish pregnancies between both species and the birth of viable offspring. The administration of proges­terone during gestation increases the length of the placenta and promotes higher birth weights of hybrids.Gestations between bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and domestic sheep (O. aries) can be considered for ex situ conservation of bighorn. In the first exper­iment, domestic sheep were inseminated with bighorn or domestic semen. Bighorn inseminated sheep showed lower fertility than domestic inseminat­ed sheep (40% vs. 65%, p = 0.11). Bighorn inseminated sheep had lon­ger gestation periods (152.13 days vs. 146.54 days, p < 0.001) and lower progesterone levels during the last third. Hybrid lambs weighed less than domestic lambs (2.46 kg vs. 5.10 kg, p < 0.001). Their placentas were not as long (48.67 cm vs. 72.17 cm, p < 0.001), were less wide (17.83 cm vs. 23.83 cm, p < 0.001), and the weight of cotyledons was lower (1.50 g vs. 3.20 g, p < 0.001). In the second experiment, hybrid embryos (O. canadensis × O. aries) were transferred into domestic recipients, and preg­nant ewes were divided into the treated group, which had a progesterone daily dose of 25 mg from weeks 7 to 20, and the non treated group. Gesta­tion in domestic sheep that received one hybrid embryo and progesterone reached 152.60 days, which was similar to the 153.33 days (p = 0.51) in the non treated sheep. Hybrid offspring of the group treated with progesterone were heavier, 3.41 kg, than the control, 2.21 kg (p < 0.001), and their pla­centas were longer (71.20 vs. 50.83 cm, p = 0.002). Although progesterone levels were lower in domestic females inseminated with bighorn and in the recipients of hybrid embryos, it is possible to establish pregnancies between both species and the birth of viable offspring. The administration of proges­terone during gestation increases the length of the placenta and promotes higher birth weights of hybrids.