Screen-Printed Nanohybrid Palladium-Based Electrodes for Fast and Simple Determination of Estradiol in Livestock.

One of the main challenges in animal breeding systems is determining estradiol (E2) in livestock samples as simple and minimally invasive as possible, Thus, a nonenzymatic biosensor screen-printed electrode (SPE) was developed by modifying nanohybrid palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs), and carbon dots anchored on a nanosilica particle (PdNPs/C.dots/SiO), denominated SPE/PdNPs/C.dots/SiO, and successfully tested for the direct detection of estradiol in livestock samples.

Combining two injectable progesterone formulas for estrous synchronization in ewes.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combining two injectable progesterone (iP4) formulas for estrous synchronization in ewes and to compare it with traditional intravaginal progesterone devices. Additionally, the study assessed whether the inclusion of GnRH enhances the reproductive outcomes of the iP4 treatment. Two experiments were conducted.

The effect of flunixin meglumine on the premature regression of corpus luteum, recovery rate, and embryo production in superovulated Dorper ewes.

This study evaluated the use of flunixin meglumine to prevent the occurrence of premature corpus luteum (CL) regression in superovulated ewes, improving embryo recovery and viability. Ewes (n=23) submitted to conventional superovulatory protocol and laparoscopic artificial insemination were treated with 2.2 mg/kg/day of flunixin meglumine (FLU, n=12) or 1.

Effect of access to natural shade on scrotal thermoregulatory capacity, integrity of the testicular parenchyma and sperm morphology of Nelore (Bos indicus) and Canchim (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) bulls.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of using naturally shaded pastures on scrotal thermoregulatory capacity, testicular echotexture, and sperm morphology of Nelore (Bos indicus) and Canchim (5/8 Bos taurus x 3/8 Bos indicus) bulls in a tropical climate region. Sixty-four adult Nelore and Canchim bulls were used, equally allocated in Full Sun (FS, n = 32) or Crop-Livestock-Forestry (CLF, n = 32) pasture systems. During five consecutive climate seasons, the bulls underwent monthly breeding soundness evaluations and the biometeorological variables in the systems were continuously monitored.

Livestock-Forest integrated system attenuates deleterious heat stress effects in bovine oocytes.

Global warming poses significant challenges to the fertility of tropical dairy cattle. One promising approach to mitigate heat stress effects on reproductive function and reduce the carbon footprint is the use of integrated livestock-forest (ILF) systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two different systems, namely Full Sun (FS) and ILF, on maternal hyperthermia and oocyte quality of Holstein and Girolando heifers during the tropical summer season.

Adaptive integumentary features of beef cattle raised on afforested or non-shaded tropical pastures.

We aimed to analyze the seasonal acclimatization process of Nelore and Canchim cattle raised on two production systems (non-shaded, NS, and integrated crop-livestock-forest, ICLF), based on the dynamics of the morphological and functional attributes of the hair coat and skin during winter and summer. The study was conducted in Brazil, in a low-altitude tropical climate region. A completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted as follows: two production systems (NS and ICLF), two breeds (Nelore and Canchim) in a longitudinal structure, with measurements repeated over time through two stations (winter and summer).

The male effect associated with prostaglandins and reproductive outcomes in photo-stimulated Saanen goats during the non-breeding season.

The efficiency of combining oestrous induction via a light program (16 h of light and 8 h of darkness for 60 days, ending on Day 0 - D0) with cloprostenol administration, followed by the male effect or not, was tested in acyclic Saanen goats during the non-breeding season (June/2019 to January/2020). Initially, all animals (males and females) were submitted to the described light program; 60 days after its ending (D60), the females were divided into two groups, with (G1; n = 67) or without (G2; n = 61) a male effect from D60 to D75 after the light program. At D75, both groups received two cloprostenol doses (120 μg; intramuscular) 7.

The pFSH dose affects the efficiency of in vivo embryo production in Santa Inês ewes.

This study compared the follicular growth, superovulatory response, and in vivo embryo production after administering two doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (pFSH) in Santa Inês ewes. The estrous cycle of 36 multiparous ewes was synchronized with the Day 0 protocol and superovulated with 133 mg (G133, n=18) or 200 mg (G200, n=18) of pFSH. Ultrasonographic evaluations of the ovaries were performed, ewes were mated and submitted to non-surgical embryo recovery.

The association of resveratrol and AFPI did not enhance the cryoresistance of ram sperm.

Cryoprotectants are required to reduce damage caused to the cells due to low temperatures during the cryopreservation. Antifreeze proteins (AFP) have a well-known role in cell membrane protection, while resveratrol is a potent antioxidant. This study assessed the effect of the association of resveratrol concentrations and AFP I in a ram semen extender.

Reproductive seasonality of hair rams under tropical conditions: an alternative for non-seasonal lamb production?

Reproductive seasonality limits the periods of breeding on the year and, therefore, productive output. However, some breeds appear as probably non-seasonal. The aim of the study was to characterize the seasonal pattern of Santa Inês rams, including an ultrasound characterization of the reproductive tract, testosterone concentrations, and semen characteristics.

Reproductive development of dairy heifers in an integrated livestock-forest system during the summer.

This study aimed to assess the cortisol, body and reproductive development of prepubertal Holstein and Holstein-Gir ¾ heifers at 27 months of age maintained in an integrated livestock-forest (ILF) system for 60 summer days compared to the monoculture system in full sun (FS). The ILF system promoted changes (=0.02) in the cortisol levels of Holstein-Gir ¾ heifers and did not affect weight gain in any of the breed groups studied.

Intravaginal progesterone device reinsertion during the early luteal phase affects luteal function and embryo yield in superovulated ewes.

This study checked the efficacy of progesterone (P4) device reinsertion during the early luteal phase on luteal function and embryo yield in superovulated crossbred ewes. Twenty multiparous ewes received an intravaginal P4 device for nine days (D0 to D9) followed by six decreasing doses (25, 25, 15, 15, 10, 10%) of 133 mg pFSH i.m.

Use of meloxicam with or without dipyrone in non-surgical embryo recovery in hair sheep: Effects on animal welfare.

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of meloxicam with or without dipyrone on the welfare of ewes subjected to non-surgical embryo recovery (NSER). Two studies were carried out using 51 multiparous Santa Inês ewes. All animals received a standard oestrous synchronization treatment and a superovulatory protocol.

Recent advances in treatments for resynchronization of ovulation in small ruminants: a review.

Hormonal methodologies to control small ruminants' estrous cycle are worldwide used and evolved, adjusting the application to the precise female physiological moments to enhance reproductive performance. The estrous cycle can be induced and/or synchronized, aiming for fixed-time artificial insemination, or based on estrus behavior signs for insemination, natural or guided mating. Successive protocols can be performed to resynchronize ovulation and increase reproductive outcomes in females that failed to conceive.

The effect of age and FSH stimulation on the ovarian follicular response, nuclear maturation, and gene expression of cumulus-oocyte complexes in prepubertal gilts.

This study investigated the effects of age and FSH treatment on the ovarian response, follicular fluid (FF) biochemical composition, nuclear maturation, and molecular profile of cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) recovered from prepubertal gilts. Thirty-five prepubertal gilts were separated according to age [140 (n = 20) or 160 (n = 15) days], and within each age, the gilts were allotted to receive either 100 mg of FSH [treated; G140+FSH (n = 10) and G160+FSH (n = 7)] or saline solution [control; G140+control (n = 10) and G160+control (n = 8)]. Thus, four experimental groups were included in this study.

Overnutrition of Ewe in Late Gestation and the Impact on Placental Efficiency and Lamb's Performance.

The objective of the study was to evaluate energy or energy/protein supplementation in the ewe diet, in the last third of gestation, on maternal placental and endocrine characteristics, as well as its effects on the behavior of neonatal lambs and productive performance until weaning. A total of 128 ewes were used, and the experimental diet was fed from 100 days gestation until lambing, with the birth of 172 lambs. The ewes were distributed into three treatments: CTL (control, n = 43) with metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) intake according to NRC (1985); ME (energy supplementation, n = 44) plus 21% ME; and MECP (energy/protein supplementation, n = 41) plus 26% ME and CP.

Luteal function in cyclic goats treated with human chorionic gonadotropin administered by intramuscular or intravaginal routes at the time of artificial insemination.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has been used to improve goats reproductive efficiency. This study aimed to (i) evaluate if hCG administered by the intramuscular (i.m.

Ultrasound Diagnosis in Small Ruminants: Occurrence and Description of Genital Pathologies.

This study reports the occurrence and appearance of various reproductive tract pathologies of small ruminants diagnosed using ultrasound. An eight-year retrospective study of collected ultrasound data was carried out in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil from September 2012 to July 2020. A total of 3463 animals from 16 sheep flocks and 10 dairy goat flocks, raised under extensive and intensive management systems, respectively, were used in the study.

The Efficacy of Vaccination in the Prevention of Renal and Genital Leptospirosis in Experimentally Infected Sheep.

(1) Background: Leptospirosis, mainly determined by strains belonging to serogroup Sejroe, has a direct impact on the reproductive efficiency of ruminants, such as sheep. In Brazil, serovar Guaricura, known to be able to chronically colonize the uterine environment, is of special note. Although vaccination minimizes the effects of acute disease, whether or not it can protect from renal colonization remains controversial, and its effects on the genital tract are unknown.

Streptomycin treatment of genital carriers of Leptospira in experimentally infected sheep on different estrous phases.

Leptospirosis in ruminants presents as a chronic disease that causes several reproductive disorders leading to severe economic losses. The current recommended treatment can be efficient to eliminate the renal carrier state, however little is known about the effect of this drug in removing the genital carrier state and the hormonal influence on it. A total of 12 primiparous sheep experimentally infected with a strain of Leptospira santarosai serogroup Sejroe, FV52 strain, were used and distributed as group A (estrus; n = 5), group B (metaestrus; n = 4) and group C (control; n = 3).

Administration of butorphanol with ketamine/xylazine sedation reduces the negative responses to electroejaculation in rams.

This study aimed to identify the possible advantages of administering butorphanol (BUT), associated with ketamine/xylazine (KX) sedation or not, for semen collection using electroejaculation (EE) in rams. Fifteen rams received four treatments in a cross-over design using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The treatments were 1) control; 2) received KX; 3) received BUT; and 4) received both treatments.

Major differences between single or twin hair lambs in the immediate postpartum period: Metabolic and thermodynamic patterns detected by infrared thermography.

The objective was to evaluate the differences between hair lambs, born from single or twin births, regarding the latency periods for standing up and suckling, the vitality, glycemic, cortisol, and triiodothyronine concentrations, as well as the phenotypic characteristics related to the maintenance of homeothermy in the immediate postpartum. Single (n = 10) or twin (n = 12) Morada Nova lambs were evaluated after birth, during the first successful suckling (M0 = Timepoint 0), and at regular intervals of 20 min (M20, M40, M60). Lambs from single births had higher birth weight (3.

Progestogen supplementation during superovulation leads to higher embryo viability and TGFB1 gene expression in sheep.

This study aimed to compare the effect of the administration of either medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or progesterone (P4) in superovulation (SOV) treatments applied during the first follicular wave on follicular development, embryo yield, and the expression of genes related to pluripotency maintenance, differentiation of the trophectoderm, cell growth and differentiation, apoptosis and energy metabolism in sheep embryos. The estrous cycle of 36 multiparous ewes was synchronized with a short protocol, and the animals were randomly allocated to three groups. At the beginning of SOV, 12 ewes per treatment received an intravaginal sponge impregnated with 60 mg of MPA (TMPA), or an intravaginal device containing 0.

Biostimulation with the ram effect increases the follicle recruitment, ovulatory diameter, and embryo viability rate in superovulated ewes.

The aim of this study was to compare the preovulatory follicular development and superovulatory outcomes in superovulated ewes which were either stimulated or not stimulated by placement with rams. The treatment regimen to super-stimulate ovarian follicular development was imposed to 28 ewes on "Day 0", from which 14 were stimulated with active rams for 48 h, starting at the time of the fifth FSH dose, with the ram being removed from the pen with the ewes and replaced which other ram every 12 h, using four different rams (group GRE). The other 14 ewes remained isolated from rams throughout the protocol (group GCON).