Incidence of apoptosis after retinoids and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) supplementation during goat in vitro embryo production.

The addition of growth factors and vitamins enhances goat embryonic development in vitro. However, few attempts have been reported trying to identify supplementation regimens for oocyte maturation or embryo culture with additive properties. The present report was aimed to evaluate if retinoids [0.

Influence of biostimulation and temporary weaning on follicular dynamics and pregnancy rates in Nelore cows (Bos taurus indicus).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biostimulation and temporary weaning on the follicular dynamics and pregnancy rates in Nelore cows. We used three groups of 75 cows: a control group without biostimulation and suckling calves (WB), a group that was biostimulated and had suckling calves (BE) and a group that was biostimulated and subjected to temporary weaning for 56 h (BETW). Ovarian dynamics were examined using ultrasonography.

Use of retinoids during oocyte maturation diminishes apoptosis in caprine embryos.

Exposure of caprine oocytes and embryos to retinoids enhances embryonic development, but the mechanisms governing this phenomenon have not been characterised. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if the incidence of apoptosis is affected by the addition of retinyl acetate (RAc) and 9-cis-retinoic acid (RA) during in vitro maturation (IVM) of caprine oocytes. Embryonic development was recorded on days 3 and 8 post-fertilisation, and apoptosis was measured by caspase activity and DNA fragmentation (TUNEL assay).

Influence of endurance and resistance exercise order on the postexercise hemodynamic responses in hypertensive women.

The study aims to evaluate the effects of the order of endurance and resistance exercises on postexercise blood pressure (BP) and hemodynamics in hypertensive women. Nineteen hypertensive women underwent 3 sessions: control (50 minutes rest), endurance (50-60% of heart rate reserve) followed by resistance exercise (50% of 1 repetition maximum) (E + R), and resistance followed by endurance exercise (R + E). Before and 30 minutes after each session, BP, peripheral vascular resistance, cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate were measured.

Comparison of vitrification and conventional freezing for cryopreservation of caprine embryos.

The experiment aimed to compare conventional freezing and different vitrification protocols for cryopreservation of caprine embryos at morphological, ultrastructural, and functional levels. Caprine embryos produced in vivo were allocated randomly to three groups: (1) conventional freezing with ethylene glycol (EG); (2) dimethyl sulfoxide + EG (DMSO/EG) vitrification; and (3) dimethylformamide + EG (DMF/EG) vitrification. All groups were scored for cell viability (propidium iodide staining and ultrastructural levels) and re-expansion rate after thawing or warming.

Use of retinyl acetate, retinoic acid and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to enhance goat embryo production.

Experiments were carried out to investigate the beneficial effects of retinyl acetate (RAc) and retinoic acid (RA) on goat oocyte maturation as well as the effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), RAc and RA during embryo culture under chemically defined conditions. In Experiment 1, in vitro maturation (IVM) was performed in a chemically defined basic maturation medium (bMM) supplemented with 0.3 μM RAc or 0.

Ultrasonographic fetal sex identification in pregnant sheep derived from natural mating and embryo transfer.

The objective of this study was to identify the migration period of the genital tubercle and the period of visualization of external genital structures in fetuses of the Dorper breed of sheep derived from natural mating and from fresh, frozen and vitrified embryo transfer. Transrectal ultrasound was performed using a double-frequency linear transducer (6.0 and 8.

Migration time of the genital tubercle in caprine and ovine fetuses: comparison between breeds, sexes and species.

The aim of this work was to determine the ideal moment to sex goat and sheep fetuses, to compare the average time of genital tubercle (GT) migration between sexes, breeds and species, and to evaluate the accuracy of fetal sexing between sexes. A total of 317 fetuses of 219 pregnant females were monitored at 24-hour interval, from days 30 to 60 of pregnancy in ewes, and from days 40 to 60 in goats. Examinations were performed using transrectal ultrasound equipped with a linear transducer of double frequency.

Early fetal sexing of Saanen goats by use of transrectal ultrasonography to identify the genital tubercle and external genitalia.

Objective: To define the optimum period for sexing of Saanen goat fetuses by use of transrectal ultrasonography.

Animals: 82 Saanen goats pregnant with 124 fetuses.

Procedures: Fetal sexing was performed on the basis of the final location of the genital tubercle or identification of external genitalia.