The equine breeding industry continues to be somewhat inefficient, even with existing technology. On average, foaling rates are low when compared with that of other livestock. One major contributor is the inability to accurately predict ovulation in mares, which ovulate before the end of estrus, leaving much variability in coordinating insemination. A more efficient, less invasive method that could replace or reduce the need for constant teasing and ultrasonography to evaluate follicular activity is needed. In both dairy cattle and women, a change in body temperature has been shown to occur immediately prior to ovulation. Research on horses has been limited, although one study reported no useable relationship between body temperature and ovulation in mares (Ammons, 1989). The current study utilized thirty-eight mature cycling American Quarter Horse mares, and was conducted from March-August 2004. Each mare was implanted in the nuchal ligament with a microchip that can be used for identification purposes, but is also capable of reporting body temperature. Once an ovulatory follicle (>35mm) was detected using ultrasonography and the mare was exhibiting signs of estrus, the mare's follicle size and temperature were recorded approximately every six hours until ovulation. Not only was the temperature collected using the microchips, but the corresponding rectal temperature was also recorded using a digital thermometer. A significant effect (p<0.05) on body temperature was noted in relation to the presence or absence of an ovulatory follicle (>35mm) under different circumstances. When evaluating the rectal temperatures, no significant difference was found in temperature in relation to the presence or absence of a follicle. However, in the temperatures obtained using the microchip, temperature was higher (p<0.05) with the presence of a follicle of greater than 35mm. This may be due to the extreme sensitivity of the microchip implant and its ability to more closely reflect minute changes in body temperature.

A series of experiments were designed to study the effects of a purified equine pituitary extract product containing a high FSH to LH ratio (eFSH) on superovulation and reproductive performance in mares. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used for the data analyses.<p> The treatment protocol included twice daily administration of 12.5 mg eFSH beginning at a follicular diameter of ¡Ý20 or 25 mm. The treatment was stopped when a preovulatory-sized follicle was detected (¡Ý35mm), and subsequently human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered to induce ovulation(s). The eFSH treatment significantly stimulated the ovaries of cycling and vernal transitional mares. This resulted in the development of multiple preovulatory-sized follicles, increased the number of ovulations, and enhanced donor embryo recovery rates. In mares which ovulated, approximately 70% of embryo recovery attempts resulted in the recovery of ¡Ý1 embryo. However, incidences of ovulation failure and non-ovulatory follicles were significantly higher compared to control mares. Furthermore, there were significant variations in the superovulatory response to eFSH among cycling and vernal transitional mares in the same study, and among different studies, in terms of number of ovulations, number of embryos and embryo per ovulation rates.<p> Administration of eFSH significantly modified reproductive tract variables (tone and edema) and serum concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17¦Â (E2) on the days that oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development were expected to occur. The administration of eFSH was also significantly associated with lower quality scores in a proportion of embryos recovered, and lower than expected pregnancy rates in recipients which received an embryo recovered from eFSH-treated cycling donor mares as compared to embryos from non-stimulated control mares. Moreover, eFSH treatment did not significantly increase pregnancy rate per estrous cycle in mares intended to carry their own pregnancy; however, the incidence of twin pregnancy tended to increase.<p> The effects of estrus synchronization regimens employed prior to eFSH treatment initiation were examined in cycling mares. A progesterone and estradiol regimen (P&E) was significantly more efficient than PGF2¦Á administration in diestrus for ovulation synchrony among eFSH-treated mares, with ¡Ý80% of mares ovulating within a 3 day period. The superovulatory outcomes (proportion of mares that ovulated, number of ovulations and embryo recovery), however, were significantly lower than those obtained with PGF2¦Á administration.<p> In vernal transitional mares, eFSH treatment resulted in a significantly higher number of preovulatory-sized follicles and a greater number of ovulations, compared to vernal transitional mares treated with deslorelin or porcine-FSH, or as compared to control mares. Most transitional mares (73% to 100%) ovulated after a mean of 5 days of eFSH treatment. These ovulations resulted in pregnancies and/or successful embryo recoveries. Following eFSH treatment in vernal transition, the first inter-ovulatory interval of the breeding season was significantly prolonged (>21 d) in about half of the mares.<p> In summary, eFSH treatment significantly stimulated follicular growth and multiple ovulations in cycling mares and in vernal transitional mares. The treatment significantly increased reproductive efficiency of cycling mares in terms of embryo recovery rates, and in vernal transitional mares in terms of establishing pregnancies or recovering embryos early in the breeding season. However, the eFSH treatment significantly altered the hormonal environment (E2 and P4), and was associated with modifications in follicular growth, ovulation, and embryo parameters. These aspects should be considered in the development of superovulation protocols for mares in future studies.

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A series of experiments were designed to study the effects of a purified equine pituitary extract product containing a high FSH to LH ratio (eFSH) on superovulation and reproductive performance in mares. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used for the data analyses.<p> The treatment protocol included twice daily administration of 12.5 mg eFSH beginning at a follicular diameter of ¡Ý20 or 25 mm. The treatment was stopped when a preovulatory-sized follicle was detected (¡Ý35mm), and subsequently human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered to induce ovulation(s). The eFSH treatment significantly stimulated the ovaries of cycling and vernal transitional mares. This resulted in the development of multiple preovulatory-sized follicles, increased the number of ovulations, and enhanced donor embryo recovery rates. In mares which ovulated, approximately 70% of embryo recovery attempts resulted in the recovery of ¡Ý1 embryo. However, incidences of ovulation failure and non-ovulatory follicles were significantly higher compared to control mares. Furthermore, there were significant variations in the superovulatory response to eFSH among cycling and vernal transitional mares in the same study, and among different studies, in terms of number of ovulations, number of embryos and embryo per ovulation rates.<p> Administration of eFSH significantly modified reproductive tract variables (tone and edema) and serum concentrations of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17¦Â (E2) on the days that oocyte maturation, fertilization, and early embryonic development were expected to occur. The administration of eFSH was also significantly associated with lower quality scores in a proportion of embryos recovered, and lower than expected pregnancy rates in recipients which received an embryo recovered from eFSH-treated cycling donor mares as compared to embryos from non-stimulated control mares. Moreover, eFSH treatment did not significantly increase pregnancy rate per estrous cycle in mares intended to carry their own pregnancy; however, the incidence of twin pregnancy tended to increase.<p> The effects of estrus synchronization regimens employed prior to eFSH treatment initiation were examined in cycling mares. A progesterone and estradiol regimen (P&E) was significantly more efficient than PGF2¦Á administration in diestrus for ovulation synchrony among eFSH-treated mares, with ¡Ý80% of mares ovulating within a 3 day period. The superovulatory outcomes (proportion of mares that ovulated, number of ovulations and embryo recovery), however, were significantly lower than those obtained with PGF2¦Á administration.<p> In vernal transitional mares, eFSH treatment resulted in a significantly higher number of preovulatory-sized follicles and a greater number of ovulations, compared to vernal transitional mares treated with deslorelin or porcine-FSH, or as compared to control mares. Most transitional mares (73% to 100%) ovulated after a mean of 5 days of eFSH treatment. These ovulations resulted in pregnancies and/or successful embryo recoveries. Following eFSH treatment in vernal transition, the first inter-ovulatory interval of the breeding season was significantly prolonged (>21 d) in about half of the mares.<p> In summary, eFSH treatment significantly stimulated follicular growth and multiple ovulations in cycling mares and in vernal transitional mares. The treatment significantly increased reproductive efficiency of cycling mares in terms of embryo recovery rates, and in vernal transitional mares in terms of establishing pregnancies or recovering embryos early in the breeding season. However, the eFSH treatment significantly altered the hormonal environment (E2 and P4), and was associated with modifications in follicular growth, ovulation, and embryo parameters. These aspects should be considered in the development of superovulation protocols for mares in future studies.

Horse owners commonly maintain their broodmares in training and competition during the breeding season. The effect this has on mare reproductive efficiency has received limited attention. Heat stress has shown to be detrimental to oocyte competence in other species and heat shock protein 70 has been shown to be an important gene in regulating cellular response to heat. Mares were exercised in a hot humid environment to determine the effects on reproductive efficiency. Embryos were collected at d 7 after ovulation from exercised and control mares. Oocyte developmental competence was measured after oocytes were subjected to a one time heat shock, 42 ºC for 2 or 4 h, at the onset or near completion of in vitro maturation. Embryos from both previous experiments were examined for HSP70 gene expression by real time RT-PCR. Exercised mares ovulated significantly smaller follicles, 39.8 vs. 41.5 mm diameter, and ovulated later after being given PGF2α, 8.5 vs. 9.2 d. Twenty-two embryos (22/35) were recovered from control mares, recovery rate of 63%. Significantly fewer embryos were recovered in exercised mares (11/32), recovery rate of 34%. A lower proportion of grade 1 embryos were recovered from exercised versus control mares (4/11 vs.16/22,respectively). No effect was observed on oocyte nuclear maturation or embryonic development after ICSI when oocytes were exposed to heat shock at the onset of IVM. A heat shock of 42 ºC for 2 or 4 h on oocytes during late IVM resulted, however, in a significantly lower rate of nuclear maturation, and a significant decrease in advanced embryo development (morulae plus blastocysts). Heat shock protein 70 gene expression was shown to be related to quality score of in vivo-recovered embryos, with lower quality embryos recording a significantly higher relative expression. Heat shock of late stage IVM oocytes for 4 h resulted in significantly higher blastocyst HSP70 expression. Results of this study indicate that exercise in a hot humid environment is detrimental to mare reproductive efficiency, late-stage maturing oocytes are sensitive to heat, and HSP70 expression in equine embryos is related to embryo quality score and oocyte quality.

The equine breeding industry continues to be somewhat inefficient, even with existing technology. On average, foaling rates are low when compared with that of other livestock. One major contributor is the inability to accurately predict ovulation in mares, which ovulate before the end of estrus, leaving much variability in coordinating insemination. A more efficient, less invasive method that could replace or reduce the need for constant teasing and ultrasonography to evaluate follicular activity is needed. In both dairy cattle and women, a change in body temperature has been shown to occur immediately prior to ovulation. Research on horses has been limited, although one study reported no useable relationship between body temperature and ovulation in mares (Ammons, 1989). The current study utilized thirty-eight mature cycling American Quarter Horse mares, and was conducted from March-August 2004. Each mare was implanted in the nuchal ligament with a microchip that can be used for identification purposes, but is also capable of reporting body temperature. Once an ovulatory follicle (>35mm) was detected using ultrasonography and the mare was exhibiting signs of estrus, the mare's follicle size and temperature were recorded approximately every six hours until ovulation. Not only was the temperature collected using the microchips, but the corresponding rectal temperature was also recorded using a digital thermometer. A significant effect (p<0.05) on body temperature was noted in relation to the presence or absence of an ovulatory follicle (>35mm) under different circumstances. When evaluating the rectal temperatures, no significant difference was found in temperature in relation to the presence or absence of a follicle. However, in the temperatures obtained using the microchip, temperature was higher (p<0.05) with the presence of a follicle of greater than 35mm. This may be due to the extreme sensitivity of the microchip implant and its ability to more closely reflect minute changes in body temperature.

This dissertation offers a revaluation of Walter de la Mare's poetry; it counters two common critical misconceptions; escapism and lack of development. The overall pattern of imagery in the poetry reflects de la Mare's understanding of reality. It outlines a universe of four interpenetrating "worlds": this world, the other world, the child world and the adult world. This pattern is used as a frame of reference. Key poems are closely read so the complexity beneath apparent simplicity is pointed up. The poetry divides into three chronological stages, with two peaks of maturity. In the early peak, The Listeners (1912) and Peacock Pie, (1913) a distinctive, dense symbolic mode is perfected. After a transitional period of formal experimentation, a late peak is achieved with Bells and Grass (1941) and The Burning-Glass (1945), where symbolic imagery forms the core for a quiet, reflective, conversational mode. Throughout, the children's and adult poetry are considered as a unit.

An abstract of the thesis of Casie S. Bass, for the Masters of Science degree in Animal Science, presented on April 7, 2010 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: CABERGOLINE EFFECTS ON MARE ESTROUS BEHAVIOR, CYCLICITY, AND ENDOCRINE PROFILES MAJOR PROFESSOR: DR. SHERYL S. KING Adding to the seasonal reproductive perplexity in the mare, many researchers support the idea that multiple controllers may "drive" this event, including both hormonal and neural regulators. Evidence supports the theory that dopamine can exert direct action on the equine ovary independent of prolactin (Jeffcoate, 1993; King et al., 2005). Operating on the hypothesis that dopamine causes direct inhibitory actions within the mare ovary, the present investigation was designed to examine the ovarian, hormonal, and reproductive behavior responses to longterm stimulation of dopamine D2 receptors on the cycling ovary. We hypothesized that the dopamine agonist, cabergoline, would induce a autumnal transitional-like ovarian function in summer cycling mares. More specifically, cabergoline-treated mares would express decreased circulating prolactin, decreased luteal progesterone levels, slowed follicular growth leading to longer estrous cycles, an increased incidence of luteolytic failure resulting in spontaneous prolonged corpora lutea, and possibly a decrease in the intensity of estrous behavior. Cabergoline, a dopamine agonist, was administered orally to cycling mares during the peak breeding season. Reproductive behavior, ovarian and cervical activity, and endocrine profiles were assessed. Results from the present study demonstrated a suppression of prolactin after cabergoline administration, a unique ambivalent effect that dopamine appears to exert on sexual behavior, and a possible suppression-effect during diestrous follicle development in the mare.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:38:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 greco_gm_me_botfmvz.pdf: 331685 bytes, checksum: bac255ec173bb2d49b176126de38b2a6 (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Os agentes indutores de ovulação são rotineiramente utilizados na reprodução eqüina, em especial quando da aplicação de biotecnologias. A fim de reduzir custos e otimizar seus resultados, esta dissertação teve como objetivos avaliar o efeito de novos protocolos sobre a indução e sincronização de ovulação, grau de edema endometrial, bem como taxa de desenvolvimento e diâmetro folicular. Foram utilizadas 145 éguas da raça Campolina, entre três e 14 anos, em dois Haras de Conselheiro Lafaiete – MG, Brasil. Na presença de um folículo ≥30mm e de edema endometrial, no mínimo, grau 2 (0-5), as éguas foram randomicamente separadas em grupos e tratadas no dia seguinte (Hora 0) com: 1,0mg de deslorelina (I.M.) (G1; n=20); 0,5mg de deslorelina (I.M.) (G2; n=20); 2.000UI de hCG (I.V.) (G3; n=20); 750UI de hCG (I.V.) (G4; n=20); 1,0mg de deslorelina (I.M.) e 2.000UI de hCG (I.V.) (G5; n=15); 0,5mg de deslorelina (I.M.) e 750UI de hCG (I.V.) (G6; n=10); 10,0mg de ECP (I.M.) (G7; n=10) e, por fim, 1,0mg de deslorelina (I.M.), após pré-tratamento com 10,0mg de ECP (I.M.) no dia anterior (G8; n=10). Vinte éguas não foram tratadas, utilizadas como controle (GC; n=20). As avaliações ultra-sonográficas diárias foram conduzidas até a ovulação (D0) ou Hora 120, o que ocorresse primeiro. A análise estatística valeu-se do Statistical Analysis System (SAS). A taxa de ovulação entre 24 e 48 horas da indução nos grupos G1 ao G6 foi similar estatisticamente, maior ou igual a 75%. No G7, esta foi de 20%, inferior (P<0,01) à obtida no G1 ao G6. Verificou-se taxa de 40% no G8, menor (P<0,01) que a do G5 e G6 (de 100%) e similar aos demais. O ECP não foi capaz de induzir ou sincronizar as ovulações. Não houve benefício do pré-tratamento com ECP em éguas induzidas com deslorelina. O edema endometrial foi maior na Hora 0 em comparação ao momento em que a ovulação... / Ovulation inductors are routinely used in the equine species, especially when modern reproductive technologies are applied. In order to reduce costs and optimize their results, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of new treatment protocols on ovulation induction and synchronization, endometrial edema as well as follicular diameter and development rate. One hundred and forty-five Campolina breed mares, aging three to 14 years, from two Studs in Conselheiro Lafaiete – MG, Brazil, were used. Prostaglandin-induced estrous mares showing one follicle ≥30mm and at least grade 2 (0-5) endometrial edema were randomly assigned to different groups and treated, at the following day (Hour 0), with either: 1.0mg of deslorelin (I.M.) (G1; n=20); 0.5mg of deslorelin (I.M.) (G2; n=20); 2.000UI of hCG (I.V.) (G3; n=20); 750UI of hCG (I.V.) (G4; n=20); 1.0mg of deslorelin (I.M.) and 2.000UI of hCG (I.V.) (G5; n=15); 0.5mg of deslorelin (I.M.) and 750UI of hCG (I.V.) (G6; n=10); 10.0mg of ECP (I.M.) (G7; n=10) and 1.0mg of deslorelin (I.M.), 24 hours post-injection with 10.0mg of ECP (I.M.) (G8; n=10). Twenty mares served as control (GC; n=20). Ultra-sonography was daily performed until ovulation (D0) or Hour 120, whichever occurred first. Data was evaluated through the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Ovulation rate between 24 and 48 hours post-induction in groups G1 to G6 was ≥75% and statistically similar (P>0.05). Ovulation rate in G7 was 20%, lower (P<0.01) than in G1 to G6. G8 showed a 40% rate, which was lower (P<0.01) than G5 and G6 and similar to the remaining groups. ECP treatment was unable to induce or synchronize ovulations. Deslorelin-induced mares did not benefit from pre-treatment with ECP. Higher endometrial edema scores were identified at Hour 0 compared to the moment an ovulation was detected, when G1 to G6 showed higher (P<0.01) edema scores than control. Used ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

From Chapter 1: In this chapter I hope to illustrate in general terms how de la Mare's interest in dream and the preternatural pervades his work. His views on reality and in what it truly consists will be considered and definitions provided of various terms used throughout this study. These will approximate as closely as possible the meanings they acquire through de la Mare's own use of them. Some detailed reference to his work, especially to his prose introduction to the anthology Behold, This Dreamer! and to his poem "Dreams", will provide support for the statements made. Finally, an attempt will be made to place de la Mare, briefly and in broad outline, within his literary context, again with particular reference to his interest in dream and the preternatural and where it corresponds to or deviates from what one could expect from a poet of this period.