RESUMEN
The effect of the age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility in beef cows was investigated. Multiparous (n = 171) and primiparous (n = 129) postpartum beef cows in 2 groups (G1 and G2) received estradiol benzoate (EB; 1 mg/500 kg BW, intramuscular [i.m.]) 5.5 d (G1; n = 162) and 6.5 d (G2; n = 138) after the final GnRH of a synchronization program (5d CO-Synch + CIDR) to induce emergence of a new follicular wave (NFW), followed by prostaglandin F2α (PGF(2α); 25 mg, i.m.) administration either 5.5 d ("young" follicle, YF; n = 155) or 9.5 d ("mature" follicle, MF; n = 145) after EB. Estrous detection coupled with AI 12 h later (estrus-AI) was performed for 60 h (MF) and 84 h (YF) after PGF(2α); cows not detected in estrus within this period received timed AI (TAI) coupled with GnRH at 72 and 96 h, respectively. Within the first 72 h after PGF(2α), more (P < 0.01) cows in the MF (76.3%) than YF treatment (47.7%) exhibited estrus, but through 96 h, the proportion detected in estrus (P < 0.05) and interval from PGF(2α) to estrus (P < 0.01) were greater in the YF than MF treatment (88.6% vs. 76.3%, 78.9 ± 0.8 vs. 57.5 ± 1.6 h, respectively). Age of the ovulatory follicle at AI was greater (P < 0.01) in the MF (9.32 ± 0.04 d) than YF (6.26 ± 0.02 d) treatment, but follicle diameter at AI and pregnancy rates did not differ between MF (13.1 ± 0.2 mm; 72.0%) and YF (12.9 ± 0.1 mm; 67.1%) treatments. Regardless of treatment, the diameter of the ovulatory follicle at AI and pregnancy rate were greater (P < 0.01) with estrus-AI (13.1 ± 0.1 mm; 75.0%) than TAI (12.6 ± 0.2 mm; 55.4%). Cows in the MF treatment that initiated a second NFW after EB but before PGF(2α) (MF2; n = 47) were induced to ovulate with GnRH and TAI at 72h, when ovulatory follicles were 4 d old and 10.2 ± 0.2 mm in diameter. Pregnancy rate for TAI (51.1%) in MF2 did not differ from TAI pregnancy rate (55.4%) across the MF and YF treatments. In summary, the age of the ovulatory follicle affected interval to estrus and AI but did not influence pregnancy rate in suckled beef cows.
Asunto(s)
Bovinos/fisiología , Folículo Ovárico/efectos de los fármacos , Índice de Embarazo , Animales , Bovinos/genética , Dinoprost/administración & dosificación , Dinoprost/farmacología , Esquema de Medicación , Estradiol/administración & dosificación , Estradiol/análogos & derivados , Estradiol/farmacología , Sincronización del Estro/métodos , Femenino , Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/administración & dosificación , Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/farmacología , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/administración & dosificación , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/farmacología , Inseminación Artificial/veterinaria , Folículo Ovárico/fisiología , Ovulación/efectos de los fármacos , EmbarazoRESUMEN
The objective was to examine the relationship between ovulatory follicle size and embryo and fetal survival by using circulating concentrations of bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins (bPAG) to detect the presence of an embryo or fetus and monitor placental function. Before examining the relationship between bPAG, ovulatory follicle size, and embryo and fetal survival, the half-life of bPAG was determined in Exp. 1. The half-life of bPAG after PGF2α-induced abortion on d 32 to 36 postinsemination was 35.8 ± 21.9 h (mean ± SD; range 7.1 to 78.5 h). In Exp. 2, suckled beef cows (n = 91) were treated with the CO-Synch protocol (GnRH on d -9, PGF2α on d -2, and GnRH and AI 48 h later [d 0]) and classified into 1 of 2 ovulatory follicle size groups: 1) small follicle (<12.5 mm; n = 25) or 2) large follicle (≥ 12.5 mm; n = 66). The first increase (P < 0.0001) in serum bPAG occurred in pregnant cows on d 24 after insemination and circulating bPAG decreased before a decrease in progesterone in 3 of 4 cows that lost an embryo or fetus. Pattern of secretion of bPAG in serum from d 24 to 60 after insemination (d 0) was affected by day (P < 0.0001), but not ovulatory follicle size. In Exp. 3, suckled beef cows (n = 1164) were administered the CO-Synch protocol either with (donor cows; n = 810) or without (recipient cows; n = 354) AI on d 0. Single embryos (n = 394) or oocytes (n = 45) were recovered from the donor cows [d 7; embryo transfer (ET)] and all live embryos were transferred into recipients the same day. Cows were classified on d 0 as having a small (<12.5 mm) or large (≥ 12.5 mm) ovulatory follicle, and randomly chosen as donors or recipients to remove confounding effects of ovulatory follicle size on fertility. Serum concentration of bPAG at d 28 was not affected by ovulatory follicle size (P = 0.85), embryo stage at ET (P = 0.75), embryo quality at ET (P = 0.64), estradiol at GnRH2 (P = 0.62) or serum progesterone at ET (d7; P = 0.14). Compared with cows that maintained pregnancy (n = 176), cows that exhibited late embryonic or fetal mortality (n = 19) after d 28 had decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of bPAG on d 28. In summary, there was no relationship between serum bPAG and ovulatory follicle size or embryo stage or quality at ET; however, cows that lost an embryo after d 28 had reduced concentrations of bPAG on d 28 compared with cows that maintained pregnancy.
Asunto(s)
Bovinos/fisiología , Folículo Ovárico/efectos de los fármacos , Ovulación/efectos de los fármacos , Glicoproteínas beta 1 Específicas del Embarazo/metabolismo , Aborto Veterinario/epidemiología , Aborto Veterinario/etiología , Animales , Dinoprost/farmacología , Transferencia de Embrión/veterinaria , Estradiol/análogos & derivados , Estradiol/sangre , Femenino , Fertilidad , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/administración & dosificación , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/farmacología , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/fisiología , Semivida , Folículo Ovárico/fisiología , Embarazo , Progesterona/sangre , Distribución AleatoriaRESUMEN
In postpartum beef cows, GnRH-induced ovulation of small dominant follicles decreased pregnancy rates and increased late embryonic/fetal mortality. In Exp. 1, single ovulation reciprocal embryo transfer (ET) was used to examine the relationship between preovulatory serum concentrations of estradiol at GnRH-induced ovulation in donor and recipient cows and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Suckled beef cows (n = 1,164) were administered GnRH (GnRH1, 100 µg) on d -9 (GnRH1), PGF(2α) on d -2, and GnRH2 (GnRH2, 100 µg) on d 0 (CO-Synch protocol) either with (donors; n = 810) or without (recipients; n = 354) AI. Single embryos (n = 394) or oocytes (n = 45) were recovered from the donor cows (d 7; ET) and all live embryos were transferred into recipients. Serum concentration of estradiol at GnRH2 was positively correlated with follicle size at GnRH2 (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) and progesterone at ET (r =0.34, P < 0.01). Donor cows with greater estradiol at GnRH2 were more likely to yield an embryo than an unfertilized oocyte (P < 0.01). Donor and recipient cows were retrospectively divided into 4 groups [low estradiol (<8.4 pg/mL) or high estradiol (≥8.4 pg/mL)] based on serum concentration of estradiol at GnRH2. Pregnancy rate at d 27 for low-low (n = 78), low-high (n = 80), high-low (n = 91), and high-high (n = 101) groups (donor-recipient, respectively) was 45, 65, 43, and 61% respectively (P < 0.02). Because recipient cows with greater estradiol concentration at GnRH2 had greater pregnancy rates in Exp. 1, the objective of Exp. 2 was to evaluate the effect of estradiol supplementation on pregnancy rate. Ovulation was synchronized in suckled beef cows (n = 600) using the CO-Synch protocol with the insertion of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR; intravaginal progesterone supplement) from d -9 until d -2. Approximately one-half of the cows (n = 297) received an injection of estradiol cypionate (ECP; 0.5 mg intramuscularly) 24 h before AI. Compared with the no treatment (Control) cows, ECP treatment increased (P < 0.01) pregnancy rates of cows induced to ovulate smaller dominant follicles (<12.2 mm). In conclusion, GnRH-induced ovulation of small dominant follicles was associated with reduced serum estradiol, fertilization rate (donor cows), and pregnancy establishment (recipient cows). Furthermore, ECP supplementation during the preovulatory period increased pregnancy rates in cows induced to ovulate smaller dominant follicles.
Asunto(s)
Bovinos/fisiología , Estradiol/sangre , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/fisiología , Folículo Ovárico/efectos de los fármacos , Ovulación/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Transferencia de Embrión/veterinaria , Estradiol/análogos & derivados , Femenino , Fertilización , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/administración & dosificación , Hormona Liberadora de Gonadotropina/farmacología , Folículo Ovárico/fisiología , Periodo Posparto/fisiología , Embarazo , Índice de Embarazo , Progesterona/sangreRESUMEN
A single ovulation, reciprocal embryo transfer study was used to investigate effects of oocyte competence and maternal environment on pregnancy establishment and maintenance in beef cows. Estrous cycles were synchronized in suckled beef cows and embryo donors were inseminated on d 0 (n = 810). Cows were classified on d 0 as having a small (<12.5 mm) or large (≥12.5 mm) ovulatory follicle and randomly chosen as donors or recipients to remove confounding effects of ovulatory follicle size on fertility. Embryos (n = 393) or oocytes (n = 44) were recovered on d 7, and all viable embryos were transferred into recipients (n = 354). All statistical analyses were conducted using the GLM procedure of SAS. Path analysis (with significance set at P < 0.10) was used to examine potential cause-effect relationships among the measured variables. Greater donor cow BW, circulating estradiol concentration at insemination, postpartum interval, and ovulatory follicle size directly increased (P < 0.10) fertilization success. Greater donor cow age was the only factor that directly decreased (P < 0.10) fertilization success. Viability of d-7 embryos was directly inhibited (P < 0.10) by rapid follicular growth rate from d -2 to 0 and heavier BW. Direct beneficial effects to embryo viability were increased serum progesterone concentration on d -2 and ovulatory follicle size. Pregnancy maintenance from d 7 to 27 was enhanced (P < 0.10) by increased serum estradiol concentration on d 0 and progesterone concentration on d 7 in the recipient cow. Increased follicular diameter in the recipient cow on d 0 was detrimental to pregnancy maintenance from d 7 to 27. This manuscript defines the complex interplay and relative contributions of endocrine and physical factors both prior and subsequent to fertilization that influence both oocyte competence and maternal environment and their roles in establishment and maintenance of pregnancy.
Asunto(s)
Bovinos/fisiología , Preñez , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Bovinos/embriología , Transferencia de Embrión/veterinaria , Detección del Estro , Femenino , Fertilización , Oocitos/fisiología , Ovario/fisiología , Embarazo , Preñez/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Reproductive failure in livestock can result from failure to fertilize the oocyte or embryonic loss during gestation. Although fertilization failure occurs, embryonic mortality represents a greater contribution to reproductive failure. Reproductive success varies among species and production goals but is measured as a binomial trait (i.e., pregnancy), derived by the success or failure of multiple biological steps. This review focuses primarily on follicular characteristics affecting oocyte quality, fertilization, and embryonic health that lead to pregnancy establishment in beef cattle. When estrous cycles are manipulated with assisted reproductive technologies and ovulation is induced, duration of proestrus (i.e., interval from induced luteolysis to induced ovulation), ovulatory follicle growth rate, and ovulatory follicle size are factors that affect the maturation of the follicle and oocyte at induced ovulation. The most critical maturational component of the ovulatory follicle is the production of sufficient estradiol to prepare follicular cells for luteinization and progesterone synthesis and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. The exact roles of estradiol in oocyte maturation remain unclear, but cows that have lesser serum concentrations of estradiol have decreased fertilization rates and decreased embryo survival on d 7 after induced ovulation. When length of proestrus is held constant, perhaps the most practical follicular measure of fertility is ovulatory follicle size because it is an easily measured attribute of the follicle that is highly associated with its ability to produce estradiol.