RESUMO

The use of altrenogest (ALT) supplementation for oestrous synchronization improves subsequent reproductive performance of gilts and sows. However, the causes of this improvement in reproductive performance after ALT treatment are not fully/clearly understood. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ALT supplementation for oestrous synchronization in gilts on the endometrial glands and embryonic development characteristics at 28 days of pregnancy. Pregnant gilts were divided into two experimental treatments: Control (did not receive ALT; n = 9 gilts) and ALT (ALT feeding at 20 mg/day for 18 days; n = 9 gilts). At 28 days of pregnancy, six gilts from each treatment were slaughtered, and reproductive tracts were immediately evaluated. There was no statistical difference (P > 0.05) between treatments regarding ovulation rate, number of embryos, number of vital embryos and number of non-vital embryos. Embryo weight, length and embryonic vesicle weight were lower in ALT treatment compared with Control (P < 0.01), and it was lower in the cervical uterine region compared with apex uterine region, respectively (P < 0.05). Higher values of gland duct area, gland duct perimeter, percentage of the glandular area and total endometrial area were observed in ALT treatment compared with Control (P < 0.05). The use of ALT during 18 days for oestrous synchronization in gilts increased the gland duct area, perimeter and total endometrial area but did not increase the embryo number and embryo size at day 28 of pregnancy.

Assuntos

Estro , Acetato de Trembolona , Animais , Endométrio , Feminino , Ovulação , Gravidez , Suínos , Acetato de Trembolona/análogos & derivados , Acetato de Trembolona/farmacologia

RESUMO

Progesterone (P4) plays a key role in pregnancy establishment and maintenance; during early pregnancy, P4 stimulates the production and release of uterine secretions necessary for conceptus growth prior to implantation; therefore, exogenous P4 supplementation may improve embryo development. This study evaluated the effects of supplementation during early pregnancy with long-acting injectable progesterone or altrenogest on embryonic characteristics of sows and gilts. Thus, a total of 32 sows and 16 gilts were used. On day 6 of pregnancy sows and gilts were allocated to one of the following groups: non-supplemented; supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest, orally, from days 6 to 12 of pregnancy; supplemented with 2.15 mg/kg of long-acting injectable progesterone on day 6 of pregnancy. Animals were killed on day 28 of pregnancy, and ovulation rate, embryo survival, embryo weight, crown-to-rump length, uterine glandular epithelium and endometrial vascularization were assessed. Treatments had no effect on pregnancy rate, embryo survival or endometrial vascular density (P > 0.05). Non-supplemented gilts presented larger and heavier embryos compared to gilts from supplemented groups (P < 0.05). Sows in the altrenogest group presented larger and heavier embryos compared to non-supplemented sows and sows supplemented with long-acting injectable progesterone. In conclusion, supplementation of sows and gilts with progestagen from day 6 of pregnancy can be used as a means to improve embryo survival without deleterious effects.

Assuntos

Implantação do Embrião/efeitos dos fármacos , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/efeitos dos fármacos , Prenhez , Suínos/fisiologia , Acetato de Trembolona/análogos & derivados , Animais , Suplementos Nutricionais , Embrião de Mamíferos , Endométrio , Feminino , Ovulação/fisiologia , Gravidez , Taxa de Gravidez , Prenhez/efeitos dos fármacos , Progestinas/administração & dosagem , Progestinas/farmacologia , Acetato de Trembolona/administração & dosagem , Acetato de Trembolona/farmacologia

RESUMO

The use of additives such as ractopamine (Rac) in pregnant sows during early-mid pregnancy is an alternative to increase foetal and progeny growth and development. However, Rac supplementation in finishing pigs can lead to behavioural and physiological changes similar to the typical stress responses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Rac in pregnant sows from day 25 to 50 of gestation (pre-hyperplastic stage) on piglet's vitality, blood parameters, number, diameter and perimeter of muscle fibres in semitendinosus muscle and developmental characteristics of piglets at birth to weaning. Forty-one hybrid sows were divided into three dietary treatments: (1) control diet without Rac (control), (2) addition of 10 mg/kg of Rac (Rac10) and (3) addition of 20 mg/kg of Rac (Rac20). Higher numbers of low-vitality piglets (P<0.05) were observed in Rac-fed sows, regardless of dose, compared with the control group. Very low-density lipoprotein levels were lower in the Rac10 group when compared with the Rac20 group at day 21. Haematocrit was greater, and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration was lower in piglets from Rac-fed sows. No significant statistical differences were detected regarding piglets body weight, average daily gain, blood gasometry, complete blood count and muscle fibre measurements in semitendinosus muscle. The use of Rac in pregnant sows reduced the vitality parameters of piglets but did not improve the performance from birth until weaning and did not negatively influence the haematological parameter and lipid metabolism.

Assuntos

Fenetilaminas/metabolismo , Sus scrofa/fisiologia , Ração Animal/análise , Animais , Animais Recém-Nascidos/sangue , Animais Recém-Nascidos/fisiologia , Dieta/veterinária , Suplementos Nutricionais/análise , Feminino , Fenetilaminas/administração & dosagem , Gravidez , Sus scrofa/sangue

RESUMO

Seminal plasma (SP), the fluid that surrounds the sperm cells, is known to exert substantial influence on sperm physiology. The SP has a pivotal role in sperm function in vivo, and due to its components, it functions in an ambiguous manner in vitro, simultaneously possessing deleterious and beneficial effects. This experiment aimed to describe the differences between the presence or absence of SP from the sperm-rich fraction on some spermatozoa characteristics (kinetics, plasma and acrosome membrane integrity, lipid peroxidation and capacitation-like changes). Furthermore, this experiment focused on distinguishing the effects of SP on the variables evaluated from the effects of centrifugation during SP removal. Total and progressive sperm motility, as well as integrity of plasma and acrosome membranes, were less (P < 0.05) in the absence of SP. Membrane lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05) and sperm membrane stability (P < 0.05) did not differ among treatments. The SP from the sperm-rich fraction is important for the maintenance of adequate structural and functional characteristics of extended liquid boar semen and should be present in seminal doses throughout storage. Furthermore, the detrimental effect on the variables evaluated was caused solely by the absence of SP and not by the process of removal through centrifugation at 500 x g for 10 min.

Assuntos

Criopreservação , Análise do Sêmen , Preservação do Sêmen , Sêmen/fisiologia , Espermatozoides/citologia , Animais , Centrifugação , Criopreservação/métodos , Criopreservação/veterinária , Masculino , Sêmen/citologia , Preservação do Sêmen/métodos , Preservação do Sêmen/veterinária , Contagem de Espermatozoides , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Suínos

RESUMO

This study evaluated the effects of dietary organic selenium (Se) on viability of chilled boar semen. Twelve boars were divided into three groups: control (CON), 0.3 mg kg(-1) sodium selenite; inorganic (INO), 0.5 mg kg(-1) sodium selenite and organic (ORG), 0.5 mg kg(-1) Se yeast. The experiment was conducted within 10 weeks, and analysis was performed fortnightly, in storage semen by 72 h. No effect was observed on motility; however, straightness and linearity percentages were higher (P < 0.05) in the animals receiving CON diet compared with INO group. Percentages of cells with both plasma and acrosomal intact membranes, lipidic membrane peroxidation and mitochondrial membrane potential were similar on all treatments. Animals receiving CON diet presented higher (P < 0.05) values of ATP when compared with INO group. The PHGPx was higher (P < 0.05) in animals that received ORG in comparison with INO group. In conclusion, organic selenium supplementation increases PHGPx but does not improve chilled semen viability in 72 h.

Assuntos

Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Suplementos Nutricionais , Glutationa Peroxidase/efeitos dos fármacos , Selênio/farmacologia , Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Acrossomo/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Glutationa Peroxidase/metabolismo , Masculino , Fosfolipídeo Hidroperóxido Glutationa Peroxidase , Análise do Sêmen , Preservação do Sêmen , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/efeitos dos fármacos , Espermatozoides/enzimologia , Suínos

RESUMO

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of three parities of gilts treated or not treated with gonadotropin to induce puberty. Sixty gilts received 600 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) followed by 2.5 mg of porcine luteinizing hormone (LH) 72 h later. Fifty-nine other gilts were exposed only to a mature boar for 15 min twice daily. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed at 0, 12 and 24 h after the detection of oestrus, and gestation was confirmed by ultrasound after 35 days. Sows were inseminated at the first post-weaning oestrus. The total numbers of piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn, mummified foetuses, as well as pregnancy and farrowing rates were evaluated for each of the three parities. Culling rates, farrowing intervals and weaning-to-oestrous intervals (WEI) were also analysed. Mean age at puberty and oestrous manifestation were not significantly different between treatments (p = 0.0639; 179.20 ± 17.52 compared with 173.96 ± 16.94, 91.66% compared with 94.92%) across the experimental period. However, females that underwent puberty induction showed modest increases both in the number of total pigs born and in the number of piglets born alive. In conclusion, puberty induction through exogenous gonadotropin administration in field conditions did not induce a more concentrated first oestrous manifestation, but trended to a modest increase in the number of pigs born alive in the first parity and a reduced culling rate during the first gestation.

Assuntos

Gonadotropina Coriônica/farmacologia , Hormônio Luteinizante/farmacologia , Paridade/fisiologia , Maturidade Sexual/efeitos dos fármacos , Suínos/fisiologia , Animais , Ciclo Estral , Feminino , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , Gravidez

RESUMO

This study was conducted to assess the effects of dietary energy in late pregnancy and hormone therapy at weaning on plasma metabolite profile, litter performance, reproductive parameters, and embryo viability in the second pregnancy. A total of 23 first-parity sows at 75 d of pregnancy were randomly allocated to 4 treatments. Treatments were factorial (2 × 2) combinations of 2 nutritional strategies [standard-energy feed (SEF) and high-energy feed (HEF)] and 2 hormone therapies [600 IU eCG and 2.5 mg swine LH 72 h later (HO) and no hormone (WH)]. Sows were weighed weekly from 75 d of pregnancy until 3 d before farrowing; 1 d after farrowing; 7, 14, and 21 d into lactation; and at weaning. Back fat (BF) was measured at 75 d of pregnancy, 3 d before farrowing, and at weaning. Average daily gain and ADFI were also calculated. Plasma metabolites were analyzed after 82, 89, 96, and 103 d of pregnancy, at farrowing, and after 7, 14, and 21 d of lactation. Embryo viability was assessed after 4.55 d of second pregnancy. During pregnancy, HEF-treated sows displayed greater BW (P < 0.05) compared with SEF-treated females, but no differences were observed during lactation. There were no differences in BW of the piglets caused by the treatments. High-energy-treated females showed superior BF (P > 0.05) in all periods; however, significant differences were detected only at the prefarrowing measurement (P < 0.05). No differences in ADFI were observed during lactation. The SEF group showed positive ADG, whereas the HEF group showed negative ADG (0.216 vs. -0.266 kg/d for SEF and HEF, respectively; P < 0.05). High-energy-treated sows presented greater concentrations of total cholesterol after 89 and 103 d of pregnancy and greater concentrations of high-density lipid cholesterol (HDL) after 89 and 96 d. At farrowing and 14 and 21 d of lactation, NEFA concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in the HEF group. After hormone treatment, no differences were observed on weaning-to-estrus intervals and estrus duration. Greater mobilization of body reserves observed in the HEF group during lactation did not affect reproductive performance negatively, suggesting that metabolic status was adequate for the first lactational catabolism.

Assuntos

Gonadotropina Coriônica/metabolismo , Ingestão de Energia , Hormônio Luteinizante/metabolismo , Reprodução/efeitos dos fármacos , Sus scrofa/fisiologia , Ração Animal/análise , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Animal , Animais , Análise Química do Sangue/veterinária , Composição Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Gonadotropina Coriônica/administração & dosagem , Dieta/veterinária , Desenvolvimento Embrionário/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Cavalos , Injeções Intramusculares/veterinária , Tamanho da Ninhada de Vivíparos/efeitos dos fármacos , Hormônio Luteinizante/administração & dosagem , Fenômenos Fisiológicos da Nutrição Materna , Paridade/efeitos dos fármacos , Gravidez , Sus scrofa/embriologia , Desmame

RESUMO

O emprego de hormônios na fêmea suína objetiva a sincronização do estro à puberdade em marrãs e a sincronização do estro para o emprego da técnica da inseminação artificial em tempo fixo. Na sincronização do estro à puberdade, atenção especial deve estar voltada ao manejo da marrã, pois, além de representar de 30 a 40% do plantel de matrizes, vários fatores envolvidos no manejo afetam a vida útil reprodutiva, influenciando,assim, o rebanho como um todo. O presente trabalho vem abordar alguns aspectos relacionados aos hormônios no ciclo estral, com atenção voltada à importância da sincronização do estro, visando, no complexo interativo do manejo reprodutivo, a uma vida útil reprodutiva ideal, fruto do melhor aproveitamento da matriz no plantel e consequente homogeneização da produção.p

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The use of hormones in the swine female, aims the estrus synchronization at puberty in gilts and the estrus synchronization to the technique of artificial insemination at fixed time. Special attention must be given to the puberty estrus synchronization on the gilts management, because, besides representing 30 to 40% of the breeding herd, there are many factors involved that may affect their reproductive lifetime. The presenting article describes some aspects in relation to the hormones in estrous cycle, mainly estrus synchronization that influenced reproductive lifetime, to the better usage of the female management in the breeding herd and finally in direction to the production homogeneity

Assuntos

Feminino , Animais , Gravidez , Ciclo Estral , Inseminação Artificial/métodos , Sincronização do Estro/métodos

RESUMO

O emprego de hormônios na fêmea suína objetiva a sincronização do estro à puberdade em marrãs e a sincronização do estro para o emprego da técnica da inseminação artificial em tempo fixo. Na sincronização do estro à puberdade, atenção especial deve estar voltada ao manejo da marrã, pois, além de representar de 30 a 40% do plantel de matrizes, vários fatores envolvidos no manejo afetam a vida útil reprodutiva, influenciando,assim, o rebanho como um todo. O presente trabalho vem abordar alguns aspectos relacionados aos hormônios no ciclo estral, com atenção voltada à importância da sincronização do estro, visando, no complexo interativo do manejo reprodutivo, a uma vida útil reprodutiva ideal, fruto do melhor aproveitamento da matriz no plantel e consequente homogeneização da produção.p(AU)

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The use of hormones in the swine female, aims the estrus synchronization at puberty in gilts and the estrus synchronization to the technique of artificial insemination at fixed time. Special attention must be given to the puberty estrus synchronization on the gilts management, because, besides representing 30 to 40% of the breeding herd, there are many factors involved that may affect their reproductive lifetime. The presenting article describes some aspects in relation to the hormones in estrous cycle, mainly estrus synchronization that influenced reproductive lifetime, to the better usage of the female management in the breeding herd and finally in direction to the production homogeneity(AU)

Assuntos

Animais , Feminino , Gravidez , Ciclo Estral , Sincronização do Estro/métodos , Inseminação Artificial/métodos

RESUMO

Effect of seminal plasma addition after thawing on viability or cryocapacitation is not definitively established. This experiment was performed to verify the effect of adding seminal plasma, autologous or homologous (from an animal with good semen freezability). Five ejaculates from each of four stallions with proven fertility were collected and cryopreserved. The semen was subsequently thawed and divided into the following three treatment groups: no seminal plasma addition after semen thawing (NOSP); the addition of homologous seminal plasma after semen thawing (HSP) and the addition of autologous seminal plasma after semen thawing (ASP). The addition of 20% of seminal plasma led to an increase in the cell population that simultaneously show plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity (p < 0.05). The addition of seminal plasma did not alter the total motility, the amount of cells with mitochondrial membrane potential or the sperm velocities (average path velocity, straight-line velocity and curvilinear velocity). However, the beat/cross-frequency, straightness and linearity were reduced in ASP and HSP groups (p < 0.05). Unexpectedly, the addition of homologous seminal plasma reduced the proportion of cells with progressive motility (p < 0.05) and the addition of autologous seminal plasma reduced the amplitude of the lateral head displacement (p < 0.05). Based on the increase in the cell populations that had the plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity simultaneously identified in this study, we proposed that the addition of seminal plasma (autologous or homologous) into post-thawed semen before insemination could increase semen fertility.

Assuntos

Criopreservação/veterinária , Cavalos/fisiologia , Sêmen/fisiologia , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Animais , Inseminação Artificial/veterinária , Masculino , Preservação do Sêmen/veterinária

RESUMO

The purpose of this study was to validate a technique for simultaneous evaluation of the plasma, acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes in boar spermatozoa, using an association of fluorescent probes: Propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and JC-1. Three ejaculates from each of four different boars, all showing motility >or=80% and abnormal morphology

Assuntos

Acrossomo/fisiologia , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Motilidade dos Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Espermatozoides/fisiologia , Suínos/fisiologia , Acrossomo/ultraestrutura , Animais , Membrana Celular/fisiologia , Membrana Celular/ultraestrutura , Fluoresceína-5-Isotiocianato , Fluorescência , Masculino , Microscopia de Fluorescência/veterinária , Mitocôndrias/fisiologia , Mitocôndrias/ultraestrutura , Propídio , Espermatozoides/anormalidades