Improvement of embryo production by the replacement of the last two doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone with equine chorionic gonadotropin in Sindhi donors.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the superovulatory (SOV) response of Sindhi (Bos indicus) donors submitted to an ovarian follicular superstimulatory protocol replacing the last two doses of pFSH by eCG. Forty-eight SOV treatments were performed in a crossover design in 19 nulliparous and primiparous females that were randomly divided into two groups: FSH (n=24), which consisted of eight pFSH injections, or FSH/eCG (n=24), which consisted of six pFSH injections followed by two eCG injections. Each female underwent two or three SOV treatments that consisted of an i.m. injection of 2mg estradiol benzoate and the insertion of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device on Day 0. On Day 4, superstimulatory treatments were initiated and 100mg pFSH was divided into twice daily decreasing doses over a 4-day period. In the FSH/eCG group, the last two doses of pFSH were replaced by two doses of eCG (150 IU eCG each). At the time of the fifth and sixth injections of FSH, 0.150 mg PGF(2α) was injected i.m. The intravaginal progesterone-releasing device was removed at the time of the last FSH or eCG injection and ovulation was induced with 0.2 mg GnRH 18 h later. All females were artificially inseminated with frozen-thawed semen from the same bull 6 and 18 h after GnRH treatment. Seven days after GnRH treatment, embryos/ova were recovered and classified. Follicular superstimulatory (number of follicles ≥6mm at the time of the last FSH or eCG injection) and SOV (CL number) responses were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models and results were presented as least squares means±standard error. The FSH/eCG group had higher superstimulatory (33.8±3.9 compared to 23.8±2.6 follicles; P=0.03) and SOV (16.8±2.9 compared to 10.8±2.1 CL; P=0.10) responses. Although the number of total ova/embryos was not different between groups (8.2±1.8 compared to 5.9±1.4 for FSH/eCG and FSH groups, respectively; P=0.25), the number (5.8±1.3 compared to 2.6±0.7; P=0.02) and percentage (75.6±5.7 compared to 53.2±9.7%; P=0.05) of transferable embryos was greater for the FSH/eCG females. Therefore, there was improvement in follicular superstimulatory and SOV responses and embryo quality in FSH/eCG-treated females.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-03-17 PubMed ID: 21470801DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.02.028Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article discusses a study aimed at improving the production of embryos in Sindhi cows by changing their hormonal treatment during superovulation. Through replacing the last two doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), researchers observed enhanced follicular growth and a higher production of transferable embryos.
Study Design and Procedures
- This study involved 19 Sindhi cows (Bos indicus) as subjects that were either nulliparous (never given birth) or primiparous (given birth once).
- The cows were divided into two groups, with each receiving different hormonal treatments. The first group (FSH group) was treated with eight pFSH injections, while the second group (FSH/eCG group) received six pFSH injections followed by two eCG injections.
- Apart from these injections, all cows underwent identical treatments that included an injection of estradiol benzoate, the insertion of a progesterone-releasing device, induced ovulation, and artificial insemination with semen from the same bull. The aim was to control other factors that could affect the study’s results.
- Seven days post-artificial insemination, the retrieved embryos were counted and classified. The researchers also measured the number of large follicles and corpus luteum (markers of superovulation) visible on ultrasound scans.
Results and Findings
- The FSH/eCG group demonstrated a greater response to superstimulation, marked by the presence of more large follicles (an indicator of the growth and maturation of multiple eggs in the ovaries).
- Additionally, the FSH/eCG group also showed a higher superovulatory response, with more corpus luteums formed (which usually coincides with the release of more eggs for fertilization).
- Despite no noted significant difference in the total number of ova/embryos retrieved from both groups, the FSH/eCG group had a more significant number and percentage of transferable embryos – suggesting improved embryo quality.
Conclusions
- The results of the study indicate that the replacement of the last two doses of pFSH with eCG in a superstimulatory protocol can enhance the follicular response and quality of embryos in Sindhi cows.
- The improvement of embryo production holds potential benefits for increasing reproduction success in Sindhi cattle populations, thereby contributing positively to the livestock industry.
Cite This Article
APA
Mattos MC, Bastos MR, Guardieiro MM, Carvalho JO, Franco MM, Mourão GB, Barros CM, Sartori R.
(2011).
Improvement of embryo production by the replacement of the last two doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone with equine chorionic gonadotropin in Sindhi donors.
Anim Reprod Sci, 125(1-4), 119-123.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2011.02.028 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Reproduction and Radiology, FMVZ, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, SP 18618-970, Brazil.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brazil
- Cattle / physiology
- Cross-Over Studies
- Female
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone / administration & dosage
- Gonadotropins, Equine / administration & dosage
- Insemination, Artificial / veterinary
- Least-Squares Analysis
- Male
- Ovarian Follicle / diagnostic imaging
- Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
- Ovarian Follicle / physiology
- Ovulation Induction / methods
- Ovulation Induction / veterinary
- Pregnancy
- Random Allocation
- Superovulation / drug effects
- Superovulation / physiology
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Pivato I, Martins GHL, de Faria LC, Bessler HC, Martins CF. Impact of FSH-Induced Ovarian Stimulation on Oocyte Recovery and In Vitro Embryo Production in the Red Sindhi Cows. Reprod Domest Anim 2026 Jan;61(1):e70170.
- Bó GA, Cedeño A, Mapletoft RJ. Strategies to increment in vivo and in vitro embryo production and transfer in cattle. Anim Reprod 2019 Oct 23;16(3):411-422.
- Luna-Palomera C, Macías-Cruz U, Sánchez-Dávila F. Superovulatory response and embryo quality in Katahdin ewes treated with FSH or FSH plus eCG during non-breeding season. Trop Anim Health Prod 2019 Jun;51(5):1283-1288.
- Ali M, Moustafa M Z. Effectiveness of a recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone on the ovarian follicles, peripheral progesterone, estradiol-17β, and pregnancy rate of dairy cows. Vet World 2016 Jul;9(7):699-704.
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