The objective of this study was to assess the potential correlation between phenotypic and genotypic characteristics with antral follicle count (AFC) in indicus-taurus heifers. Braford heifers (Nelore 3/8 x 5/8 Hereford, 18-24 months n = 270) from an genetic improvement program, Conexao Delta G, were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography micro convex transducer (7.5 MHz) on a random day of the estrous cycle to determine AFC (follicles > 3 mm diameter), according to Burns et al. Biology of Reproduction (2005). After AFC evaluations (average of 26.81 follicles), the number of antral follicles was correlated with genetic selection parameters using 4 statistical models. In model 1 (n = 270) we consider the effect of contemporary group (CG) and the covariates: age (AG); weight gain from birth to weaning (GW); visual scores for conformation at weaning (CW), precocity at weaning (PW) and musculature at weaning (MW). In Model 2 (n = 270) we considered the effect of CG and covariates: AG; weight gain from weaning to yearling (GY); visual scores for conformation at yearling (GY), precocity at yearling (PY) and musculature at yearling (MY). The effect, variables and covariates of model 1 and 2 were combined to form model 3 (n = 270). Model 4 (n = 270) consisted of the same parameters of model 3 with the inclusion of the paternal effect (sire). Data were analyzed by linear regression using the GLM procedure of SAS and adopting P 0.05) and the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.056. The other models also showed low correlation with AFC: 0.072, 0.082 and 0.172 for models 1, 3 and 4, respectively. The model with paternal effect was the correlation with the highest score considering genotypic and phenotypic characteristics and AFC. Models 1, 3 and 4 also showed that AFC of indicustaurus heifers can be influenced by precocity at weaning (P < 0.05). Based on this study, there is no correlation between phenotypic and genotypic characteristics with the antral follicle population from Bos indicus-taurus heifers. However, AFC can be affected by precocity at weaning. Additionally, we encourage the use of AFC for in vitro embryo production, since there is a quantitative benefit on the number of embryos produced. However, we highlight the genetic merit as the most important criteria for all reproductive techniques.
The ovarian follicle population is formed by thousands of follicles, preantral and antral, where oocytes are included. During fetal life, the first follicles produced are preantral, and, as they undergo the development process, they reach the final stage of antral follicles, where a cavity/or antrum is developed. All this growth phase is called folliculogenesis, and this chapter will abord the most important aspects of this process. Moreover, not all follicles reach the preovulatory phase and can be fertilized, so we will discuss how reproductive biotechniques can positively influence the fertility of bovine females. We will also discuss the possibility of antral follicle count to influence reproductive performance and the correlation to biotechniques. Finally, we present alternatives on how to improve fertility and productive efficiency in dairy herds.
This study used Holstein cattle to evaluate the following: I) the productive and reproductive characteristics of cows with low, intermediate and high antral follicle counts (AFCs) that were subjected to artificial insemination (AI) and comparison of AFC variability at the time of AI (nonpregnant) and at two time points during pregnancy (30 and 60 days), and II) whether the pregnancy status and different pregnancy periods in heifers improves the efficiency at in vitro embryo production (IVEP). In study I, 75 high-milk production cows with body condition scores (BCSs) of 2.75 to 4.75 and ages of 23 to 99 months were selected. On the day of estrus, AFCs (follicles ≥ 3 mm), BCS, body weight, and diameters of the dominant follicle, ovaries and the corpus luteum were evaluated. Posteriorly, AFC was monitored in pregnant cows at 30 days (n = 35) and at 60 days for comparison of AFC before pregnancy versus different periods. In study II, heifers (n = 9) with BCS of 2.5 to 3.5 and ages of 10 to 16 months were selected for ovum pick-up and an IVEP program before AI (nonpregnant) as well as at 0 to 30, 31 to 60, and > 60 days of pregnancy. Statistical analysis was performed using PROC GLM and binary logistic regression model (P ≤ 0.05). In study I, AFC was not associated with variations in productive and reproductive parameters. However, AFCs in the low group increased following pregnancy (AI: 14.82 ± 1.36, 30 days: 23.45 ± 2.31 and 60 days: 35.18 ± 3.17 follicles). AFCs increased from AI to 60 days in the intermediate group but did not vary among time points in the high group. AFCs varied among AFC groups in AI and at 30 days of pregnancy but not at 60 days. In study II, the mean of total oocytes (17.43 ± 4.52 vs. 41.67 ± 3.79) and viable oocytes (13.77 ± 3.63 vs. 30.56 ± 3.45) increased from AI (nonpregnant) to the first 30 days of pregnancy. The mean number of embryos produced increased during pregnancy and during the first 30 days of pregnancy (4.55 ± 0.75) compared to the nonpregnant period (1.39 ± 0.85). In conclusion, pregnancy positively influences AFC, and the greatest effect is noted in low count cows. In addition, the OPU at the time of pregnancy increased the efficiency of IVEP in heifers.
Several studies have indicated the population of antral follicles or count of antral follicles (AFC) as one of the main factors that influence the efficiency of reproductive biotechniques and its use as a marker of fertility. In this context, knowing the factors that interfere with or are influenced by this parameter is of crucial importance. Thus, the present study aimed (1) to determine the influence, in high-producing Holstein cows, of low, intermediate, and high AFC on the conception rate to AI, and (2) to evaluate if AFC shows variation at AI moment and in relation to 2 different moments of the gestation (30 and 60 days). In the first (n=95) and second (n=54) experiment, high-producing Holstein cows with a body condition score 2.5-4.5, aged 23-99 months, and maintained in a freestall system were inseminated. Using frozen semen from a single bull and performed by a single technician, the insemination was performed after detection of spontaneous estrus or induction with 25mg of dinoprost tromethamine IM. To determine AFC (follicles ≥2mm), the ovaries of each animal were examined by ultrasound at the time of AI at 30 and 60 days of pregnancy. The pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound 30 days after AI. In the second experiment, 54 females considered pregnant on the 30-day examination had the AFC reassessed 30 days later (60 days of gestation) to determine the variation in the number of follicles. In the first study, cows were divided into low (≤35 follicles, n=30), intermediate (≥40 and ≤55 follicles, n=30), and high (≥60 follicles, n=30 cows) according to the AFC quartiles (Q1, Q2, and Q3). The AFC was analysed by ANOVA followed by the Tukey's test and the conception rate by the Chi-squared test. In the second study, the AFC was compared between day of AI (considered nonpregnant), 30 and 60 days of pregnancy by repeated-measures using the generalized linear model (P ≤ 0.05). In the first study, the number of antral follicles was different (P<0.001) among groups with low (28±7 follicles), intermediate (47±5 follicles), and high AFC (72±11 follicles); however, the conception rate was similar (P=0.270) for the respective groups, at 26.7% (8/30), 36.7% (11/30), and 50% (15/30), respectively. In the second study, there was an increase (P<0.0001) in the number of antral follicles during the pregnancy, from 55.1±3.1 follicles in the AI moment to 82.6±4.2 at 30 days and reaching 115.2±5.1 follicles at 60 days of pregnancy. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that the conception rate was not influenced by the different AFC groups; however, the AFC increased as pregnancy progressed. In addition, we can suggest that the initial third of gestation (when it is still possible to manipulate the ovaries) is a strategic moment for oocyte retrieval in bovine females for the in vitro embryo production.
The diaphragmatic hernia is a rare cause of colic in equine and may be congenital or acquired. The intestine is commonly involved in cases of diaphragmatic hernia, and clinical signs are related to the intestinal segment involved and the extension, obstruction may occur from a simple process to a strangulating. Often, clinical signs are characterized by acute abdominal whit severe pain, dyspnea and tachypnea. The diagnosis of diaphragmatic hernia can be difficult, and in most cases only is established during surgery or at necropsy. This paper reports a diaphragmatic hernia case in a quarter horse stallion, with 14 years of age showing acute abdominal signs. The clinical examination showed tachycardia, tachypnea and absence of intestinal motility. Turbidity, increase of leukocytes and protein was observed in the analysis of peritoneal fluid. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, but due to the presence of hemorrhagic mesentery, intestinal ischemia, and irreducible incarceration of the jejunum in epiploic foramen, euthanasia was decided. Furthermore, at necropsy, was observed a diaphragmatic hernia with presence of the small intestine in the thorax.
Two experiments in Nelore cows subjected to conventional protocol for timed AI (TAI) were designed to compare the influence of antral follicle count (AFC; 1) on the ovarian follicular dynamics and (2) conception rates. First, multiparous cows with high (G-high, ≥45 follicles; n = 43) and low AFC (G-low, ≤15 follicles; n = 32) were selected to receive a conventional oestradiol/progesterone-based TAI protocol for monitoring ovarian follicular dynamics. Second, AFC from 962 multiparous suckling cows (40 ± 15 days postpartum) subjected to a conventional protocol for TAI were classified as G-high (≥45 follicles; n = 194), G-intermediate (≥20 and ≤40 follicles, n = 397), and G-low AFC (≤ 15 follicles; n = 243). Pregnancy status was evaluated 30 to 35 days later. Data were analysed using ANOVA followed by the Tukey test and model of logistic regression (P ≤ 0.05). In the first study, the AFC were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in G-high than in G-low, but remained stable in both groups during the evaluations. The ovarian diameter, perimeter, and area were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in G-high than in G-low (28.3 ± 3.9 v. 20.5 ± 3.2 mm, 100.9 ± 13.2 v. 73.8 ± 13.9 mm, and 67.5 ± 16.4 v. 37.7 ± 11.7 mm2; respectively). Follicular growth rate, time of ovulation, corpus luteum diameter, and progesterone concentration were similar (P > 0.05) for cows with low or high AFC. Dominant follicles showed greater (P ≤ 0.05) diameter in G-low than G-high at D4 (7.3 ± 2.2 v. 6.2 ± 1.4 mm; P = 0.069, tendency), D8 (11.2 ± 1.8v. 9.5 ± 1.8 mm), D9 (12.3 ± 1.7 v. 10.6 ± 1.7 mm), and D10 (13.4 ± 1.3 v. 12.2 ± 1.8 mm), and the estimated diameter of the ovulatory follicle tended (P = 0.08) to be higher in G-low than in G-high (14.4 ± 1.5 v. 13.4 ± 2.1 mm). In the second study, AFC of G-low cows showed higher (P ≤ 0.05) conception rate (61.7%) than those of G-intermediate (52.9%) and G-high (49.5%) cows. In Nelore cows subjected to ovulation synchronization protocol, cows with high AFC showed higher ovarian measurements, but those with low AFC had large follicular diameters. Additionally, the cows with low AFC showed higher conception rate than groups with intermediate and high counts.
A prestacao de servicos pelo Laboratorio de Biotecnologia da Reproducao Animal (REPROA) da Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL) constitui uma atividade extensionista de grande importância aos produtores. Assim, o presente trabalho visa relatar a casuistica e os beneficios do auxilio tecnico-veterinario nas propriedades agropecuarias e criatorios do norte paranaense no periodo de 30/08/2016 a 30/08/2019. Um total de 1494 animais foram atendidos neste periodo, sendo 53,8% bovinos, 28,2% ovinos, 17,6% equinos e 0,4% de caprinos e suinos. Os atendimentos foram realizados no REPROA-UEL ou em propriedades conforme a demanda. Nos atendimentos solicitados foi contemplado em bovinos – 9 partos eutocicos, 4 auxilios ao parto distocico, 2 casos de retencao placentaria, 98 inseminacoes artificiais, 169 diagnosticos de gestacao, 1 caso de vaginite, 219 exames andrologicos, 3 endometrites, 26 sexagens, 30 protocolos de IATF e 243 exames ginecologicos; equinos – 62 exames ginecologicos, 2 sexagens, 4 partos eutocicos, 1 auxilio ao parto distocico, 59 acompanhamentos foliculares, 4 colheitas de embriao, 5 exames andrologicos, 11 inseminacoes artificiais, 3 endometrites, 1 caso de cistite hemorragica idiopatica, 1 caso de colica espasmotica por superdosagem de PG2a, 1 cisto endometrial e 109 diagnosticos de gestacao; ovinos – 345 diagnosticos de gestacao, 54 exames ginecologicos, 21 exames andrologicos e 2 prolapsos cervico-vaginais; caprinos – 2 partos distocicos e 1 exame andrologico; e suinos - 2 partos distocicos. O atendimento especializado proporcionou resultados positivos a um elevado numero de animais, evidenciando que o projeto se faz necessario e viavel, representando um importante ponto de apoio a assistencia reprodutiva especializada para regiao.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of high or low antral follicular count (AFC) on the growth rate and follicular diameter in Bos indicus cows subjected to timed artificial insemination (TAI). Multiparous and suckling (n = 250; 40 to 60 days postpartum) Nelore cows were evaluated using an intravaginal microconvex array (Aquila PRO, Pie medical, Maastricht, The Netherland) to determine (AFC, follicles ≥ 3 mm) seven days before the start of the study (D-7). After assessment of the AFC, 43 cows of high count (G-high; ≥ 40 follicles) and 32 cows of low count (G-low; AFC ≤ 10 follicles) and BCS 2.8 ± 0.2 (1 to 5 scale) were for monitoring of ovarian follicular dynamics. Randomly during the estrous cycle (D0), cows received a synchronization of ovulation protocol using an ear implant of norgestomet (3 mg, Crestar®, MSD Animal Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and were intramuscular (i.m.) injected with estradiol benzoate (2 mg, Gonadiol®, MSD Animal Health, Sao Paulo, Brazil). At ear implant removal (D8), they were injected with D-cloprostenol (0.150 mg, Prolise®, Tecnopec, Sao Paulo, Brazil), equine chorionic gonadotropin (300 IU, Novormon®, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and estradiol cypionate (1 mg, ECP®, Zoetis, Sao Paulo, Brazil), i.m. The TAI was performed 48 h after ear implant removal. Ultrasound exams were performed at D-7, D4 and D18 to determine AFC, at D0 and daily (D4 to D10) to follicular diameter control, and every 12 h (D10 to D12) to ovulation control. In each scan the follicles ≥ 3 mm were identified, measured and recorded in individual registers for subsequent evaluation and calculation of follicular growth rate. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Tukey test (P < 0.10) and the results are presented as means ± standard deviation. The mean AFC observed in D-7, D4 and D18 were 48.9 ± 5.7, 49.5 ± 5.7 and 49.6 ± 6.8 follicles to Ghigh and 12.5 ± 4.1, 12.4 ± 4.3 and 12.9 ± 3.8 follicles G-low, respectively (P = 0.01). The follicular growth rates remained similar between the G-low and G-high at D4 to D8 (0.40 ± 0.22 vs. 0.32 ± 0.21 cm/day; P = 0.30), D8 to D9 (0.11 ± 0.08 vs. 0.12 ± 0.08 cm/day; P = 0.73) and D8 to D10 (0.11 ± 0.06 vs. 0.14 ± 0.06 cm/day; P = 0.16), as well as there was no difference in ovulation time (70.2 ± 6 vs. 69.8 ± 7 h, P = 0.85). However, the dominant follicles showed greater diameter in G-low than G-high at D4 (0.73 ± 0.22 vs. 0.62 ± 0.14 cm, P = 0.06), at D8 (1.12 ± 0.18 vs. 0.94 ± 0.18 cm, P = 0.01), at D9 (1.23 ± 0.17 vs. 1.06 ± 0.16 cm, P = 0.01), and D10 (1.34 ± 0.13 vs. 1.22 ± 0.18 cm, P = 0.01), being that, the estimated ovulatory follicle diameter was greater in the G-low (1.44 ± 0.15 cm) than in the G-high (1.34 ± 0.2 cm, P = 0.08). In this study AFC had no effect on the follicular growth rate. However, cows with low count had larger dominant follicles and estimated ovulatory follicle diameter, suggesting that the AFC may have some effect on the conception rate of Nelore cows submitted to TAI.
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