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Veterinary sciences2021; 8(9); doi: 10.3390/vetsci8090190

Use of Intravaginal Progesterone-Releasing Device Results in Similar Pregnancy Rates and Losses to Long-Acting Progesterone to Synchronize Acyclic Embryo Recipient Mares.

Abstract: The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess uterine features and serum progesterone concentrations of acyclic mares synchronized and resynchronized with intravaginal progesterone release device (IPRD), and (2) to compare pregnancy rates and losses of cyclic and acyclic embryo recipient mares treated with different synchronization protocols. In Experiment 1, mares (n = 12) received estradiol for 3 days (E2-3d), and then 24 h after the last injection, an IPRD was inserted and kept in place for 9 days. Three days after IPRD removal, mares were treated with E2-3d, and then a new IPRD was inserted and maintained for three days. Serum progesterone concentrations were assessed 2, 6, and 12 h after insertion and removal of IPRD, and then daily from the insertion of the first IPRD to one day after removal of the second IPRD. Experiment 2 was conducted with embryo recipient mares randomly assigned to four groups: (1) Cyclic: mares (n = 75) had ovulation confirmed after receiving a single dose of histrelin when a periovulatory follicle was first detected, (2) LAP4: acyclic mares (n = 92) were treated with E2-3d and then administered a single dose of LAP4 24 h after the last estradiol injection, (3) IPRD: acyclic mares (n = 130) were treated with E2-3d and an IPRD for 4-8 days, and (4) RE-IPRD: acyclic mares (n = 32) were synchronized as in the IPRD group but not used for embryo transfer (ET), then 8 to 15 days later, the mares were resynchronized with E2-3d and an IPRD for 4-8 days. In vivo-produced Day-8 embryos were collected and transferred 4-8 days after ovulation or progesterone treatments. Mares in IPRD and RE-IPRD groups had the intravaginal device removed immediately before ET, and then a new IPRD was inserted right after ET. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 5, 30, and 60 days after ET. Once pregnancy was confirmed, mares in the three acyclic groups received weekly injections of LAP4 (1.5 g) until 120 days of pregnancy. Mares in IPRD and RE-IPRD groups had the device removed three days after the first pregnancy diagnosis. In Experiment 1, progesterone concentrations increased rapidly starting 2 h after insertion of IPRD (p < 0.05); then, concentrations plateaued well above pregnancy maintenance until removal on days 9 and 3, respectively. Progesterone concentrations were reduced to baseline 24 h after IPRD removal (p < 0.05). For experiment 2, there was no difference in pregnancy rates across groups (65-74%) or pregnancy losses by 60 days of gestation (7-12%) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the IPRD used herein resulted in a rapid increase and a sharp decline in progesterone concentrations upon its insertion and removal, respectively. Finally, our results demonstrated that IPRD could be a compatible alternative to LAP4 to synchronize and resynchronize acyclic embryo recipient mares.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-10 PubMed ID: 34564584PubMed Central: PMC8472191DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8090190Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article presents a study that explored the use of the intravaginal progesterone release device (IPRD) as an alternative to long-acting progesterone (LAP4) for synchronizing acyclic embryo recipient mares for successful pregnancy. The study found that the IPRD results in similar pregnancy rates and losses as compared to LAP4.

Study Objectives and Procedures

  • The main objectives of the research were to determine the effects of IPRD synchronization on uterine characteristics and serum progesterone levels in acyclic mares and to evaluate the pregnancy rates and losses in cyclic and acyclic embryo recipient mares treated with different synchronization protocols.
  • The study was conducted in two parts. In Experiment 1, 12 mares were treated with estradiol for 3 days, followed by an IPRD insert for 9 days. Afterwards, serum progesterone concentrations were examined at several intervals.
  • In Experiment 2, embryo recipient mares were divided into four groups, and each group was given a different treatment protocol. The first group was cyclic mares with confirmed ovulation, the second received E2-3d and then a single dose of LAP4, the third received E2-3d and an IPRD for 4-8 days, and the fourth group was similar to the third, except the mares were resynchronized later and were not used for embryo transfer right away.
  • After the various treatments, Day-8 embryos were collected and transferred 4-8 days post ovulation or progesterone treatment, with pregnancy diagnoses performed at 5, 30, and 60 days after embryo transfer (ET). In the third and fourth groups, the IPRD device was removed right before ET and a new device was inserted post ET.

Results of the Study

  • In Experiment 1, researchers found that progesterone concentrations increased quickly after the insertion of the IPRD device and then plateaued at a level suitable for maintaining pregnancy. Progesterone concentrations subsided to the baseline level within 24 hours after the removal of the IPRD.
  • In Experiment 2, no significant differences were found in pregnancy rates (65-74%) or pregnancy losses by 60 days of gestation (7-12%) across all four groups of mares.

Conclusion

  • The research concluded that the use of an IPRD for synchronizing acyclic embryo recipient mares results in a similar outcome to the use of LAP4 with regard to pregnancy rates and losses.
  • The findings suggest that IPRD could be an effective alternative for the synchronization and resynchronization of acyclic mares.

Cite This Article

APA
Segabinazzi LGTM, Andrade LRP, Alvarenga MA, Dell'Aqua JA, Canisso IF. (2021). Use of Intravaginal Progesterone-Releasing Device Results in Similar Pregnancy Rates and Losses to Long-Acting Progesterone to Synchronize Acyclic Embryo Recipient Mares. Vet Sci, 8(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8090190

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 9

Researcher Affiliations

Segabinazzi, Lorenzo G T M
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil.
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Andrade, Luiz R P
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil.
Alvarenga, Marco A
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil.
Dell'Aqua, Jose A
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu 18618-681, Brazil.
Canisso, Igor F
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 1008 W Hazelwood Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Ruiz S, Gardón JC, Miró J. Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) in Domestic Mammals. Vet Sci 2023 Apr 11;10(4).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci10040287pubmed: 37104442google scholar: lookup
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