Does the Uterine Ozone Therapy Alter the Transcript Profile of Anti- and Proinflammatory Genes in Mares With Endometritis?

This study aimed to evaluate the localised effects of intrauterine ozone therapy on endometrial recovery in mares with endometritis. Our investigation assessed changes in gene expression profiles of anti-inflammatory (IL-1RA and IL-10), proinflammatory (IL-R1B3i and TNFα) and pleiotropic (IL-6) cytokines, along with detailed histological measurements of epithelial and endometrial thickness and the glandular area ratio. Twenty mares were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design based on endometritis diagnosis and treatment (control or 42 μg/mL ozone insufflation), resulting in four groups: NC (negative for endometritis/control), NO (negative/ozone), PC (positive/control) and PO (positive/ozone).

Uterine tone: A neglected criterion for the selection of bovine embryo transfer recipients.

This study evaluated the relationship between CL features assessed by ultrasound (luteal tissue area and blood flow, BF) or rectal palpation (size), uterine tone (UT), plasma progesterone (P4) concentration on Day 7 (D7) and subsequent pregnancy outcomes in bovine embryo recipients. A total of 163 cows and heifers were included in this study. The expected day of ovulation after the synchronization protocol was designated as D0.

Selecting oocyte donors based on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations: A critical analysis of using cutoff values as exclusion criterion for an in vitro embryo production program in Gir cattle.

The aims of this study were to determine anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) cutoff values for selecting Gir (Bos taurus indicus) oocyte donors and estimate the impact of using AMH concentrations as a selection criterion. In Exp. 1, Gir heifers (n=120) were sampled for AMH analysis and submitted to ovum pick-up and in vitro embryo production (OPU-IVEP).

Timing of early resynchronization protocols affects subsequent pregnancy outcome in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of an early resynchronization protocol (Resynch) initiated at different timepoints after timed artificial insemination (TAI) and with unknown pregnancy status. Holstein cows (n = 164) were submitted to the following TAI protocol: D0, insertion of an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device and 2 mg im estradiol benzoate (EB); D8, removal of P4 device and treatment with 0.5 mg im sodium cloprostenol (PGF); D9, 0.

Short communication: Does previous superovulation affect fertility in dairy heifers?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential negative effects of superovulation on subsequent fertility of dairy heifers. Holstein heifers (n = 1,783), 312 to 387 d of age, and 273 to 307 kg of body weight (BW) from 2 commercial farms were enrolled. These animals were first selected to be donors (446) or nondonors (CON, n = 1,327) according to their genomic values.

Early resynchronization of non-pregnant beef cows based in corpus luteum blood flow evaluation 21 days after Timed-AI.

The study aimed to verify whether a hormone protocol started at Day 13 (D13) after Timed Artificial Insemination (TAI) influences the conception rate. Nelore cows (primiparous and multiparous) from two commercial beef farms (n = 1,431) were first TAI (D0). Timed AI was performed in lots (TAI Lots) ranging from 187 to 346 cows.

Likelihood of pregnancy after the transfer of embryos derived from follicle aspiration and in vitro embryo production sessions with different relative efficiencies.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the likelihood of pregnancy of in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos from batches with distinct relative efficiencies. Data were retrospectively analyzed from 605 transvaginal ultrasonic-guided follicle aspiration sessions (OPU) followed by in vitro embryo production (IVEP) and 2456 fresh embryo transfers (ET), performed between 2008 and 2012 in individuals of the Gir (dairy Bos indicus) breed. The OPU and IVEP were performed using standard procedures by a single group of technicians at the same laboratory facility.

Safety of vaccination against brucellosis with the rough strain in pregnant cattle.

Brucellosis is an infectious and contagious disease that profoundly impacts public health. However, in many countries, disease prevention is restricted to the vaccination of calves, and there is no prophylactic strategy for pregnant heifers and cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of the rough strain vaccine against brucellosis in pregnant cattle.

Differential expression of insulin-like growth factor family members in immature cumulus-oocyte complexes from dairy cows with different genotypes.

It has been evident the improvement of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in dairy cows. Nevertheless, it is known that differences in the number and quality of oocytes between taurine and zebu females impact the efficiency and economic viability of IVEP. As the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is related to follicular and oocyte development, we aimed to quantify mRNA abundance of IGF system members and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPPA) in the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of Gir, 1/2 Holstein × 1/2 Gir and Holstein cows.

Intrafollicular oestradiol production, expression of the LH receptor (LHR) gene and its isoforms, and early follicular deviation in Bos indicus.

The aim of the present study was to characterise the roles of intrafollicular oestradiol production and granulosa cell (GC) expression of the LH receptor (LHR) gene and its isoforms during follicular deviation in Bos indicus. Follicular wave emergence was synchronised in heifers from a Bos taurus dairy (Holstein; n=10) and a B. indicus dairy breed (Gir; n=10).

Characterization of blood flow and the effects of exogenous estradiol benzoate on residual follicles formed after ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration in cattle.

Background: Removal of the follicular content by ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration (TVFA) may fail to induce immediate atresia and loss of function, resulting in the occurrence of residual follicles (RF). The aims of this study were to characterize the blood flow in RF and to determine the effects of the treatment with estradiol benzoate on RF fate. Lactating, cyclic Holstein-Gir crossbred cows were used.

Efficacy of induction of luteolysis in superovulated cows is dependent on time of prostaglandin F2alpha analog treatment: effects on plasma progesterone and luteinizing hormone profiles.

The objectives were to (1) evaluate the effectiveness of induction of luteolysis in superovulated (SOV) cows at two distinct time points after embryo flushing; and (2) compare the pattern of LH release after treatment with PGF in cows with single vs. multiple ovulations. In the first experiment, Holstein cows were SOV with 400 IU of FSH following standard procedures.

Weight gain potential affects pregnancy rates in bovine embryo recipients raised under pasture conditions.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of differences in body weight gain after embryo transfer on the pregnancy rates of crossbred heifers used as recipients and raised under a grazing system. The study was performed during the dry (April to September) and the rainy (October to March) seasons. The embryos transferred were produced by in vitro fertilization.

Endogenous Progesterone Concentrations Affect Progesterone Release from Intravaginal Devices Used for Oestrous Synchronization in Cattle.

Intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices are largely used both as contraceptives in humans and as a component of oestrous synchronization protocols in cattle. To reduce costs in large-scale timed artificial insemination, the reuse of these releasing devices is common. Passive hormone diffusion, however, depends on the concentration gradient, which could affect the amount of residual progesterone present in these devices after a first use.

Corpus luteum blood flow evaluation on Day 21 to improve the management of embryo recipient herds.

The aim of the present study was to use blood flow evaluation of the CL at 14 days after embryo transfer to detect nonpregnant animals and optimize the management of bovine recipients. The estrous cycle was synchronized in 165 recipients, and the day of expected ovulation was considered to be Day 0. Embryo transfer was performed 7 days later, on Day 7.

Color Doppler flow imaging for the early detection of nonpregnant cattle at 20 days after timed artificial insemination.

The objective was to determine the accuracy of a pregnancy test for predicting nonpregnant cattle based on the evaluation of corpus luteum (CL) blood flow at 20 d (CLBF-d20) after timed artificial insemination (TAI). Crossbred Holstein-Gir dairy heifers (n=209) and lactating cows (n=317) were synchronized for TAI using the following protocol: intravaginal implant (1.0 g of progesterone) and 2mg of estradiol benzoate i.

In vivo collection of follicular fluid and granulosa cells from individual follicles of different diameters in cattle by an adapted ovum pick-up system.

Background: Most studies on granulosa cell (GC) function in cattle have been performed using GC and follicular fluid (FF) samples collected from slaughterhouse ovaries. Using this approach, the follicular developmental stage and functional status are unknown and indirectly inferred, limiting data interpretation. Ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration has previously been used to recover GC or FF samples, but this was mostly carried out in large follicles or pools of small follicles, without recording the efficiency of recovery.

Occurrence and characteristics of residual follicles formed after transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle aspiration in cattle.

Ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration is used to recover cumulus-oocyte complexes (for IVF) and to synchronize follicular wave emergence (ablation of dominant follicle). Although aspirated follicles are generally supposed to undergo immediate atresia, there are indications that they may remain active. The objective was to evaluate the occurrence and characteristics of residual follicles (RF) after transvaginal follicle aspiration in cattle.

Role of increased estradiol on altering the follicle diameters and gonadotropin concentrations that have been reported for double-ovulating heifers.

During the preovulatory period in heifers that ovulate from two compared to one follicle, circulating concentrations of estradiol-17β (E2) are greater, diameter of follicles and concentration of FSH are reduced, and the LH surge occurs sooner. The effect of increased E2 on the reported characteristics of double ovulation was studied by treating heifers with 0.07 mg E2, 0.

Stimulation of the largest subordinate follicle by intrafollicular treatment with insulin-like growth factor 1 is associated with inhibition of the dominant follicle in heifers.

The effect of intrafollicular treatment of the second-largest follicle (F2) with insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 on the largest follicle (F1) and F2 was studied in heifers. Treatment of F2 was done when F1 reached >or=8.2 mm (expected beginning of follicle deviation; Day 0 or Hour 0).

Ovarian follicular dynamics, follicle deviation, and oocyte yield in Gyr breed (Bos indicus) cows undergoing repeated ovum pick-up.

The objective of this study was to evaluate ovarian follicular dynamics during intervals between successive ovum pick-up (OPU) and determine its effects on the number and quality of recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) in Zebu cows (Bos indicus). Pluriparous nonlactating Gyr cows (Bos indicus; n=10) underwent four consecutive OPU sessions at 96-h intervals. The dynamics of ovarian follicular growth between OPU sessions was monitored by twice-daily ultrasonographic examinations.

Follicle and hormone dynamics in single versus double ovulating heifers.

Follicles > or = 5 mm were ablated at 4 day post-ovulation in heifers to induce a follicular wave, and prostaglandin F(2alpha) was given at day 6 to increase the incidence of double ovulations. Follicle diameters and plasma hormone concentrations were compared between single ovulators (n=12) and double ovulators (n=8). In double ovulators, the interval from follicle deviation to the peak of the pre-ovulatory LH surge was shorter (1.

Role of follicular estradiol-17beta in timing of luteolysis in heifers.

The hypothesis was tested that estradiol (E2) from the ovarian follicles controls time of luteolysis. Time of luteolysis was evaluated by multiple measures of corpus luteum (CL) structure (area, volume) and function (progesterone [P4], luteal blood flow). The hypothesis for experiment 1 was that repeated ablation of follicles would reduce circulating E2 and delay luteolysis.

Necessity of sequential pulses of prostaglandin F2alpha for complete physiologic luteolysis in cattle.

The luteolytic effects of exogenous prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) that did and did not simulate natural 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF (PGFM) pulses were studied during mid-diestrus in 42 Holstein heifers. Plasma concentrations of PGF were assessed by assay of PGFM. In experiment 1, a single intrauterine injection of 4.