The ability of donkey sperm to induce oocyte activation and mule embryo development after ICSI.

Members of the Equus genus exhibit a fascinating capacity for hybridization, giving rise to healthy offspring. Mules, resulting from the mating of a mare with a jack, represent the most prevalent equid hybrid, serving diverse roles in our society. While in vitro embryo production, particularly through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), has rapidly gained significance in domestic horses, the in vitro production in other equids remains largely unexplored.

Characteristics of follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone profiles during oestrous cycles of jennies over an entire year.

Although donkeys have been domesticated for over 6,000 years, limited information is available concerning their reproductive physiology, especially under intensive rearing conditions. The aims of this experiment were to study follicular dynamics and reproductive hormone variation in jennies during the inter-ovulatory interval in different seasons. A total of 12 continuous cycles of six Dezhou Black (DB) donkey jennies were examined in four different seasons.

Practical protocols for timed artificial insemination of jennies using cooled or frozen donkey semen.

Background: With the expansion of the donkey industry, timed artificial insemination (TAI) is becoming increasingly important in the reproductive management of jennies, however, TAI has not been widely investigated in donkeys.

Objectives: To develop efficient TAI protocols for cooled or frozen semen in jennies, based around ovulation induction with a GnRH analogue.

Study Design: Experimental exploratory study.

Oral misoprostol does not hasten oviductal transport of day-5 horse embryos.

In horses, prostaglandin E (PGE) is produced by embryos around Day 5 post-ovulation; PGE functions directly at the oviduct promoting embryo transport into the uterus. Non-surgical collection of horse embryos for cryopreservation is recommended at Day 6.5-7 post-ovulation.