A pesquisa desenvolvida no Laboratório de Pesquisa em Suínos, da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo, Campus de Pirassununga, estudou os efeitos de diferentes doses de LH suíno exógeno na indução e sincronização da puberdade em marrãs. Sessenta e sete fêmeas Camborough - 22 Agroceres PIC® com 140 dias de idade e 86 kg de peso vivo foram submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: controle T1 (n = 21) - emprego de 600 UI de eCG (gonadotrofina coriônica eqüina) (Novormon&reg) e 72 horas depois 5,0 mg de LH (hormônio luteinizante) (Lutropin® - V); tratamento 2 T2(n = 23) - 600 UI de eCG (Novormon®) e, 72 horas depois, 2,5 mg de LH (Lutropin® - V) e tratamento 3 T3(n=23) - 600 UI de eCG (Novormon®) e, 72 horas depois, 1,25 mg de LH (Lutropin® - V). O estímulo com macho adulto era feito duas vezes ao dia, sendo a ovulação detectada pela ultra-sonografia transcutânea e a taxa de ovulação, pela contagem do número de corpos lúteos (CL) ao abate. O percentual de estro foi semelhante entre T1 (42,85%), T2 (60,87%) e T3 (52,18%), não havendo diferença estatística significativa (P=0,418). O percentual de fêmeas com degenerações císticas foi de 33,33% (T1); 39,13%(T2) e 39,13%(T3), não havendo diferença significativa entre os tratamentos (P=0,9057). O melhor intervalo tratamento - ovulação (LH - OV) ocorreu no grupo de fêmeas submetidas ao T2 (38,26 ± 2,84) demonstrado pela menor dispersão dos desvios comparando com T1 (37,17 ± 4,07) e T3 (36,25± 5,69), sendo o valor do desvio padrão diferente estatisticamente do de T3, porém igual ao valor de T1 sendo ainda o valor de T1 igual ao de T3(P<0,05). O intervalo entre a aplicação de eCG e estro do T1(85,33 ± 12,64 horas), T2 (84,40 ±17,50 horas) e T3 (89,14 ± 14,66 horas) foram semelhantes não havendo diferença estatística significativa (P= 0,6954). A duração do estro foi semelhante entre os três tratamentos (P = 0,2653), sendo de 41,44 ± 16,30 horas (T1); 48,57 ± 16,29 horas (T2); 39,33 ± 11,42 horas (T3). O número de Corpos Lúteos em T1 foi de 9,61 ± 5,43 (1-25); em T2 de 9,86 ±3,32 (1-16); em T3 de 8,13 ± 5,52 (0-20), não constatando diferença significativa (P=0,4259). Os menores desvios observados no tratamento T2 sugerem que a combinação de 600 UI de eCG seguida por 2,5 mg de LH após 72 horas, foi a mais efetiva na indução e sincronização do estro e ovulação em fêmeas suínas pré-púberes, considerando a metodologia experimental empregada. Na segunda parte do experimento, foram realizadas inseminações artificiais em tempo fixo em dois esquemas (E) diferentes: O (E1) recebeu uma única dose 36 h após a aplicação de LH e, o (E2) recebeu a primeira dose 24 h e a segunda dose 36 h após a aplicação de LH. As marrãs foram abatidas com 5 dias de gestação e os embriões foram colhidos. Não verificou-se diferença estatística entre os valores obtidos na taxa de recuperação (36,81±5,21 para E1 e 36,91±4,62 para E2), taxa de viabilidade embrionária (TVE) (59,28±6,91 para E1 e 62,25±6,26 para E2), taxa de fecundação (TF) (72,60±7,06 para E1 e 79,33±6,26 para E2) e número de estruturas totais (3,41±0,57 para E1 e 3,77±0,50 para E2) entre E1 e E2. Houve interação significativa entre tratamento e número de doses de sêmen para as variáveis TVE (T1=60,51± 8,18, T2=68,64±7,94 e T3=53,14±7,8) e TF (73,50±8,36 para T1, 89,93±8,11 para T2 e 64,46±8,05 para T3) (P=0,0036). Novos estudos envolvendo aplicação dos hormônios e n° de doses de sêmen, necessitam serem repetidos. / The research carried out at the Swine Research Laboratory, of FMVZ - USP, Campus of Pirassununga, studied the effects of the use of different hormonal doses on the induction and synchronization of puberty in gilts. Sixty-seven Camborough 22 Agroceres PIC® females with 140 days of age and 86kg of body weight were submitted to the following treatments: control T1 (n=21) - use of 600 IU of eCG (equine chorionic gonadotrophin) (Novormon®) and 72 hours later 5,0 mg of LH (Luteinizing hormone) (Lutropin® - V); treatment 2 T2 (n = 23) - 600 UI of eCG (Novormon®) and 72 hours later 2,5mg of LH (Lutropin® - V) and treatment 3 T3 (n = 23) - 600 UI of eCG (Novormon®) and 72 hours later 1,25mg of LH (Lutropin® - V). Adult boar stimulation was implemented twice a day, and ovulation was detected through transcutaneous ultrasonography and ovulation rate by corpora lutea (CL) counting at slaughter. The percentage of estrus was similar in T1 (42,85%), T2 (60,87%) and T3 (52,18%), and there was no significant statistic difference (P=0,418). The percentage of females with cystic degeneration was 33,33% (T1); 39,13%(T2) and 39,13%(T3), being no significant difference between the treatments (P=0,9057). The best interval between treatment and estrus (LH - OV) occurred in the group of females submitted to T2 (38,26 ± 2,84) demonstrated by lesser dispersion of the deviations comparing to T1 (37,17 ± 4,07) and T3 (36,25± 5,69); standard deviation was statistically different from T3, but similar to T1, and T1 was also similar to T3 (P<0,05). The interval between the administration of eCG and estrus in T1 (85,33 ± 12,64 hours), T2 (84,40 ±17,50 hours) and T3 (89,14 ± 14,66 hours) were similar, and there was no significant statistic difference (P= 0,6954). The duration of estrous was similar among the three treatments (P = 0,2653), being 41,44 ± 16,30 hours (T1); 48,57 ± 16,29 hours (T2); 39,33 ± 11,42 hours (T3). The number Corpus Luteum in T1 was 9,61 ± 5,43 (1-25); in T2 was 9,86 ±3,32 (1-16); in T3 was 8,13 ± 5,52 (0-20), and there was no significant difference (P=0,4259). The minor deviations observed in treatment T2 suggest that the association of 600 UI of eCG followed by 2,5 mg of LH after 72 hours, was more effective in the induction and synchronization of estrous and ovulation in pre-puberty female swine, considering the experimental methodology used. In the second part of the experiment, artificial insemination was performed at determined timing following two different programs (E). E1 received a single dose 36 hours after administration of LH and E2 received the first dose after 24 hours and the second dose 36 hours after the administration of LH. The gilts were slaughtered with 5 days of pregnancy and the embryos were collected. No statistic difference was observed among the values obtained for recovery rate (36,81±5,21 for E1 and 36,91±4,62 for E2), embryonary viability rate (TVE) (59,28±6,91 for E1 and 62,25±6,26 for E2), fecundation rate (TF) (72,60±7,06 for E1 and 79,33±6,26 for E2) and number of total structures (3,41±0,57 for E1 and 3,77±0,50 for E2) among E1 and E2. There was significant interaction between treatment and the number of doses of semen for the values TVE (T1=60,51± 8,18, T2=68,64±7,94 and T3=53,14±7,8) and TF (73,50±8,36 for T1, 89,93±8,11 for T2 and 64,46±8,05 for T3) (P=0,0036). New research involving the use of hormones and the number of doses of semen need to be repeated.

Objetivando reduzir o manejo em protocolos de inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF), quatro experimentos foram realizados para avaliar a dinâmica folicular (Experimentos 1A e 1B) e a taxa de concepção (TC; Experimentos 2, 3 e 4) em vacas de corte tratadas com Cipionato (CE) ou Benzoato (BE) de estradiol como indutores da ovulação. No Experimento 1A, 51 animais receberam 2mg de BE e um dispositivo intravaginal de progesterona (DIB) novo no D0. No D8, os animais foram distribuídos entre quatro tratamentos (G-BE8, G-BE8,5, G-BE9 e G-CE8). Neste dia, o dispositivo foi removido, 0,530mg de Cloprostenol e 300UI de eCG foram administrados [manhã (M) no G-BE8, G-CE8 e G-BE9; tarde (T) no G-BE8,5]. As vacas do G-CE8 receberam 1,0mg de CE, as do G-BE8 e G-BE8,5 receberam 1,0mg de BE na retirada do DIB, e aquelas do G-BE9 receberam 1,0mg de BE 24 horas após. Análises ultra-sonográficas foram realizadas a cada 12 horas, da retirada do dispositivo até a ovulação. Foram utilizados os PROC GLM e GLIMMIX do SAS para análise estatística. Nos experimentos não foram observadas interações. Os resultados para G-BE8, G-CE8, G-BE8,5 e G-BE9 foram, respectivamente: diâmetro do folículo ovulatório (FO;11,9±0,4b; 14,3±0,4a; 12,3±0,4b; e 13,3±0,abmm; P=0,01), taxa de ovulação (TO;100%; 90,0%; 100% e 91,7%; P=0,99] e intervalo retirada/ovulação (IRO;58,3±2,1b; 72,0±2,0a; 57,6±1,3b e 72,0±0,0ah; p<0,001). No Experimento 1B (n=35), foi utilizado arranjo fatorial 3x3 [números de uso do DIB vs protocolos de indução da ovulação (PIO)]. No D0, os animais foram divididos em três grupos [DIB novo (DIBN), usado 8 (DIB8) e 16 dias (DIB16)]. Na retirada do DIB, os animais foram redistribuídos para os PIOs descritos no Experimento 1A (exceto G-BE8). Os resultados para G-CE8, G-BE8,5 e G-BE9 foram, respectivamente: FO (14,0±0,6; 13,8±0,6 e 13,6±0,5mm; P=0,88), TO [81,8%; 83,3% e 83,3%; P=0,93] e IRO (72,0±2,0a; 59,6±1,6b e 73,2±1,2ah; p<0,01). Os resultados para DIBN, DIB8 e DIB16 foram respectivamente: FO (13,8±0,7; 13,5±0,6 e 13,9±0,5mm; P=0,99), TO [90,9%; 83,3% e 75,0%; P=0,93] e IRO (74,4±1,6a; 72,0±0,0ab e 68,0±2,0bh; P=0,02). No Experimento 2, 584 animais foram alocados em fatorial 3x2 [PIO (CE8, BE8,5 e BE9) e período de IATF (IATF-M ou IATF-T)], utilizando DIBN. Não houve diferença na TC: CE8 (57,5%), BE9 (59,9%) e BE8,5 (49,5%; P=0,09) e IATF M (56,6%) ou T (54,8%; P=0,66). No Experimento 3, 521 vacas foram divididas como no Experimento 2, porém com DIB8. Não houve diferença na TC nos PIOs: CE8 (47,3%), BE9 (53,3%) e BE8,5 (55,2%; P=0,10). Porém, houve diferença na TC para IATF-M (60,7%) ou IATF-T (48,3%; P=0,01). No Experimento 4, 1192 vacas foram distribuídas em fatorial 2x3x2 (DIBN e DIB8; BE8,5, BE9 e CE8; IATF-M e IATF-T). Não houve diferença na TC para: IATF-M (64,6%) ou IATF-T (59,5%; P=0,06) e PIOs; CE8 (65,8%), BE9 (61,8%) e BE8,5 (58,6%; P=0,12). Entretanto, houve diferença na TC (P=0,04) para uso do DIB; DIBN (65,0%) e DIB8 (59,4%). Esses resultados indicam que os PIOs apresentam mesma eficiência. Com DIB8, a IATF-T apresentou menor TC e o uso de DIB8 resultou em menor TC do que DIBN. / Aiming to minimize the number of handling during protocols for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), four experiments were performed to evaluate the follicular dynamics (Experiments 1A and 1B) and conception rate (CR; Experiments 2, 3 e 4) in beef cows treated with estradiol cypionate (EC) or benzoate (EB) as ovulation inducers. In Experiment 1A, 51 animals received 2mg of EB and a new intravaginal progesterone device (DIB) on D0. On D8, animals were assigned into four treatments (G-EB8, G-EB8.5, G-EB9 and G-EC8). On the same day, the device was removed, 0.530mg of Cloprostenol and 300UI of eCG were administered [morning (AM) - G-EB8, G-EC8 and G-EB9; afternoon (PM) - G-EB8.5]. Cows of G-EC8 received 1.0mg of EC, while G-EB8 and G-EB8.5 received 1.0mg of EB at DIB removal, and those of G-EB9 received 1.0mg of EB 24h later. Ultrasonography was performed every 12h from DIB removal until ovulation. Statistical analysis was performed using PROC GLM and PROC GLIMMIX (SAS). No interactions were observed between treatments. Results of G-EB8, G-EC8, G-EB8.5 and G-EB9 were, respectively: diameter of ovulatory follicle (OF;11.9±0.4b; 14.3±0.4a; 12.3±0.4b; and 13.3±0.6abmm; P=0.01), ovulation rate (OR; 100%; 90.0%; 100% and 91.7%; P=0.99) and interval between device removal-ovulation (IRO; 58.3±2.1b; 72.0±2.0a; 57.6±1.3b and 72.0±0.0ah; p<0.001). Experiment 1B (n=35) was performed using a fatorial design 3x3 [DIB reutilization and ovulation inducer (OI)]. On D0, animals were allocated into three groups [new DIB (DIBN), used 8 (DIB8) and 16 days (DIB16)]. At DIB removal, animals were reallocated into the same OIs described on Experiment 1A, except by the G-EB8. The results of G-EC8, G-EB8.5 and G-EB9 were, respectively: OF (14.0±0.6; 13.8±0.6 and 13.6±0.5mm; P=0.88), OR [81.8%; 83.3% and 83.3%; P=0.93], and IRO (72.0±2.0a; 59.6±1.6b and 73.2±1.2ah; p<0.01). Results of DIBN, DIB8 and DIB16 were, respectively: OF (13.8±0.7; 13.5±0.6 and 13.9±0.5mm; P=0.99), OR (90.9%; 83.3% and 75.0%; P=0.93), and IRO (74.4±1.6a; 72.0±0.0ab and 68.0±2.0bh; P=0.02). At Experiment 2, 584 animals were allocated into a 3x2 fatorial design [OI (EC8, EB8.5 and EB9) and FTAI period (FTAI-AM or FTAI-PM)], being treated with DIBN. There was no difference on CR: EC8 (57.5%), EB9 (59.9%) and EB8.5 (49.5%; P=0.09) and IATF AM (56.6%) or PM (54.8%; P=0.66). On Experiment 3, 521 cows were allocated into the same experimental design of Experiment 2, however using DIB8. There was no difference on CR between different OIs: EC8 (47.3%), EB9 (53.3%) and EB8.5 (55.2%; P=0.10). However, there was difference on CR between FTAI-AM (60.7%) and FTAI-AM (48.3%; P=0.01). On Experiment 4, 1192 cows assigned into a 2x3x2 fatorial design (DIBN and DIB8; EB8.5, EB9 and C8; FTAI-AM and FTAI-PM). No differences were found on CR between FTAI-AM (64.6%) or FTAI-PM (59.5%; P=0.06), and OIs; EC8 (65.8%), EB9 (61.8%) and EB8.5 (58.6%; P=0.12). Cows treated with DIBN showed higher CR when compared to those treated with DIB8 (65.8 vs. 59.4%, respectively; P=0.04). These results indicate a similar efficiency using different OIs. Using DIB8, the FTAI-PM showed lower CR. Also the protocol using DIB8 resulted in lower CR than using DIBN.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a eficiência do LH suíno, em dosagens reduzidas em relação à dose tradicional de 5,0mg, no processo de sincronização da ovulação em fêmeas cíclicas. Foram tratadas 115 fêmeas das raças Landrace e Large White, com ordem de parto variando de 1 a 6 e escore corporal acima de 2 dentro de uma escala de 1-5, com variação de meio ponto. A detecção do cio foi realizada duas vezes ao dia, no início da manhã e no final da tarde, através do reflexo positivo de tolerância ao macho. As fêmeas foram divididas aleatoriamente em três tratamentos, com 600UI de eCG ao desmame e 2,5 (T1), 1,25 (T2) e 0,625mg (T3) de LH, 56 horas após a injeção de eCG. O grupo controle não recebeu a administração de LH. A ocorrência da ovulação foi determinada pela ultra-sonografia trans-retal. Os dados foram reavaliados de acordo com o número de inseminações em 1 e 2 inseminações. As fêmeas foram abatidas 96 horas após a ovulação, com a finalidade de proceder com a contagem do número de corpos lúteos e a colheita de embriões. O intervalo entre a aplicação do LH e a ocorrência da ovulação (IA-OV), nos três tratamentos foi de 41,0&plusmn;5,9, 56,0&plusmn;17,0, 58,2&plusmn;18,8 respectivamente e 62,9&plusmn;14,8 para o grupo controle. A melhor sincronização da ovulação (p&lt;0,05, teste de Bartlett), ocorreu no T1, o qual corresponde a dose de LH de 2,5mg. Os resultados quanto ao número de inseminações, taxa de fertilização e viabilidade embrionária, não diferiram estatisticamente entre os tratamentos, porém, quando o intervalo (IA-OV) foi maior que 24 horas, a taxa de fecundação e viabilidade embrionária sofreram uma diminuição em comparação com os intervalos menores do que 24 horas (p&lt;0,05). Os protocolos hormonais não influenciaram quanto ao número de cistos ovarianos (p&lt;0,05, teste de Tukey). Conclui-se que a utilização da dose de LH de 2,5mg sincroniza a ovulação e pode ser aplicada em programas de IATF e que a realização de 1 inseminação artificial até 24 horas antes da ovulação em tempo fixo não deprecia a taxa de fecundação e o número de embriões viáveis / This work had as purpose the determination of the efficiency of the LH swine, in reduced dosage against the traditional 5,0mg dose, in the process of synchronization of the ovulation in cyclical females. There were treated 115 females of Landrace and Large White races, with average parity number varying from 1 to 6 and corporal sustain above 2 among 1 to 5 scale, with variation of half point. The detection of the heat was accomplished twice a day, in the beginning of the morning and at the end of the afternoon, through the positive reflex of tolerance to the male. The females were randomly divided in three treatments, with 600UI of eCG by the weaning and 2,5 (T1), 1,25 (T2) and 0,625mg (T3) of LH, 56 hours after the eCG injection. The control group didn\'t receive the LH administration. The occurrence of the ovulation was determined by the trans-rectal ultrasonography. The data were revalued according to the number of inseminations in 1 and 2 inseminations. The females were slaughtered 96 hours after the ovulation, with the purpose of proceeding with the counting of the number of corpora lutea and the recovered embryos. The interval between the LH application and the occurrence of the ovulation (IA-OV), in the three treatments was of 41,0&plusmn;5,9, 56,0&plusmn;17,0, 58,2&plusmn;18,8 respectively and 62,9&plusmn;14,8 for the control group. The best ovulation synchronization (p &lt;0,05, test of Bartlett) happened in T1, which corresponds to the LH 2,5mg dose. The results concerning the number of inseminations, fertilization rate and embryonic viability, didn´t differ statistically among the treatments, however, when the interval (IA-OV) was over 24 hours, the fecundation rate and embryonic viability decreased if compared with the intervals shorter than 24 hours (p&lt;0,05). The hormonal protocols didn´t cause influence as to the ovarian cysts number (p&lt;0,05, test of Tukey). It´s conclusive that the use of the LH 2,5mg dose synchronizes the ovulation and it can be applied in IATF programs, and that accomplishment of 1 artificial insemination up to 24 hours before the ovulation in fixed time doesn´t depreciate the fecundation rate and the number of viable embryos

Para aferir as prováveis causas da baixa taxa de recuperação de estruturas embrionárias em búfalas superovuladas, foram realizados 4 experimentos. No Exp.1, foram utilizados sistemas genitais de búfalas e de vacas tratadas para a indução de ovulações única ou múltipla (fatorial 2x2). Os sistemas genitais foram submetidos à morfometria, os ovidutos foram lavados para a recuperação dos oócitos e, posteriormente, foram encaminhados à histologia. A taxa de recuperação de oócitos e o volume dos ovários foram maiores para as vacas que para as búfalas (P&lt;0,05). A área das fímbrias foi maior para as búfalas que para as vacas (P&lt;0,05). As camadas musculares do infundíbulo e do istmo foram mais espessas para as búfalas que para as vacas (P&lt;0,05) e, na ampola, não foi verificado diferença nesta medida entre as espécies (P&gt;0,05). No Exp.2 foram utilizados ovidutos de búfalas e de vacas, tratadas para a indução de ovulação única. Os ovidutos foram abertos, colocados em meio de cultura com ou sem E2 (fatorial 2x2) e incubados por 30 minutos. Após o período de incubação, foram colocadas microesferas na superfície dos ovidutos para a aferição do movimento ciliar. As microesferas no infundíbulo direcionaram-se para o útero (P&gt;0,05). Na ampola, direcionaram-se para o útero e para o ovário (P&gt;0,05). No istmo das vacas, direcionaram-se para o ovário e no das búfalas, para o útero (P&lt;0,05). A presença de E2 no meio de cultura não interferiu na direção do deslocamento das microesferas em nenhuma porção dos ovidutos de búfalas e de vacas. No Exp.3 foram utilizados ovidutos de búfalas e de vacas tratadas para a indução de ovulação única. Os ovidutos foram colocados em meio de cultura com ou sem E2 e receberam oócitos de búfalas ou de vacas (fatorial 2x2x2). Posteriormente, foram incubados por 24 horas e, após isso, foram lavados para a recuperação e contagem dos oócitos. O número e a taxa de recuperação de oócitos foi maior para as vacas que para as búfalas (P&lt;0,05) e, estas variáveis não foram influenciadas pelo tratamento (P&gt;0,05). Não foi verificada diferença no número de oócitos de búfalas ou de vacas recuperados (P&gt;0,05). Os dados são indicativos de que o transporte de oócitos pelo oviduto de búfalas e de vacas independe da espécie do oócito e não é influenciado pelo E2. No Exp.4, búfalas e vacas foram tratadas para a indução de ovulações única ou múltipla. As fêmeas foram inseminadas e submetidas à laparotomia para a inserção no interior do oviduto de oócitos de búfalas ou de vacas (fatorial 2x2x2). Os sistemas genitais foram lavados 5 (oócitos de búfala) e 6 dias (oócitos de vaca) após a laparotomia para a recuperação das estruturas embrionárias. O número de estruturas embrionárias recuperadas foi maior para as vacas que para as búfalas (P&lt;0,05) e, o número e a taxa de recuperação de estruturas embrionárias não foram influenciados pelo tratamento ou pela espécie dos oócitos (P&gt;0,05). A espécie dos oócitos e o tratamento parecem não influenciar no transporte dos oócitos pelos ovidutos de búfalas e de vacas / In order to study the probable causes of the low embryo recovery rates in superovulated buffaloes, 4 experiments were performed. The experiment 1, consisted of treating buffaloes and cows in order to induce single or multiple ovulation (2x2 factorial). Genital systems were morphometrycally evaluated; oviducts were flushed in order to recover the oocytes, and subsequently submitted to histological examination. The oocyte recovery rate and the ovarian volume were higher for cows when compared to buffaloes (P&lt;0.05). In contrast, fimbria area was higher for buffaloes than cows (P&lt;0.05). Likewise, infundibulum and isthmus muscle layers were thicker in buffalo than cows (P&lt;0.05). In addition, histological measurements were similar in cows and buffaloes (P&gt;0.05). In the experiment 2, oviducts of buffaloes and cows treated to show a single ovulation, were dissected and placed in two media (with or without estradiol [E2] in a 2x2 factorial) and incubated for 30 minutes. After this period, microesferes were used to assess of the cilia movements. When placed in the infundibulum, microesferes moved toward the uterus (P&gt;0.05). The microesferes in the ampulla moved towards the uterus and ovary in a similar fashion in both genetic groups (P&gt;0.05). The microesferes in the isthmus, moved towards the ovary in cows; whereas, they moved towards the uterus in buffalo (P&lt;0.05). There was no effect of media in the cilia movements at any portion of the oviduct neither in buffaloes or cows. In the experiment 3, oviducts of buffaloes and cows in the same conditions as in the previous experiment (single ovulation in with or without E2), received oocytes originated from buffaloes or cows (2x2x2 factorial). These oviducts were incubated for 24h and then flushed for oocyte recovery. The total number and the recovery rate of oocytes were higher for cows than for buffaloes (P&lt;0.05). Interestingly, there was no effect of treatment in these same variables (P&gt;0.05). The number of oocytes from buffaloes and cows that were recovered was similar (P&gt;0.05). These results indicate that oocytes transport through the oviduct of buffaloes or cows does not depend on the oocyte specie and is not influenced by the E2. In the experiment 4, buffaloes and cows were treated in order to induce single or multiple ovulation. Females were inseminated and submitted to laparotomy in order to insert, inside the oviduct, oocytes of buffaloes or cows (2x2x2 factorial). Genital tracts were flushed on day 5 (oocytes from buffaloes) and on day 6 (oocytes from cows) after laparotomy for recovery of embryonic structures. The number of embryonic structures recovered was higher for cows when compared to the buffaloes (P&lt;0.05). No effect of treatment or oocyte origin were found for the number or the rate of embryonic structures recovery (P&gt;0.05). In conclusion, it is likely that type of oocyte and treatment do not affect transport of oocytes in the oviducts of buffaloes and cows

A ocorrência do pico pré-ovulatório de LH no proestro depende da pré-exposição aos estrógenos seguida da ação aguda da progesterona, hormônio responsável pela deflagração e amplitude desse pico. No entanto, a origem da progesterona durante essa fase do ciclo ainda é incerta. Enquanto alguns estudos sugerem que a adrenal contribui significativamente para secreção de progesterona nesse período, outros apontam a ovário como a fonteprincipal. Sendo assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar o perfil e a origem da secreção de progesterona durante o proestro e a sua relação com o pico pré-ovulatório de LH. Para tanto, às 7h00 da manhã do proestro ratas Wistar adultas foram submetidas apenas à canulação da veia jugular (controle) ou a esse procedimento seguido pela cirurgia fictícia de retirada do ovário e adrenal (Sham), oupela ovariectomia (OVX) ou pela adrenalectomia (ADX). Amostras sanguíneas foram coletadas a cada 15 minutos das 11h00 às 13h45 para dosagem de progesterona, estradiol e corticosterona e a cada hora das 14h00 às 19h00 para dosagem desses três hormônios e do LH. Adicionalmente, 7 dias depois da ovariectomia, ratas foram tratadas com óleo milho (OVO) ou 17-?-estradiol (OVE) por 3 dias consecutivos, para compreender melhor o padrão de secreção de progesterona pela adrenal e verficar essa secreção se essa secreção poderia ser modulada pelos estrógenos. Um,dois ou três dias depois da última injeção amostras de sangue foram coletadas conforme descrito acima. No proestro, nenhuma diferença significativa foi detectada entre os grupos controle e Sham em relação ao número de animais que apresentaram o pico pré-ovulatório de LH, ao número de oócitos presentes nos ovidutos na manhã do estro, bem como às concentrações plasmáticas de LH, progesterona, estradiol e corticosterona, sendo os dados referentes a esses dois grupos apresentados em um único grupo denominado Controle.A secreção de estradiol foi similar nos grupos Controle e ADX e significativamente reduzida no grupo OVX. Como esperado, a secreção de corticosterona foi completamente abolida no grupo ADX, enquanto foi similiar nos grupos Controle e OVX. Em todos os grupos experimentais as concentrações basais de progesterona foram em média de 2 pg/mL. Entre às12h00 e 14h00 o grupo Controleapresentou um aumento discreto, mas significativo,da secreção de progesterona (pico 1: de 3,5 ± 1,1 para 22,3 ± 2,7 ng/mL), e após às 15h00 um segundo pico de progesterona (pico 2: de 10,5 ± 2,2para 43,0 ± 2,5 ng/mL), como também o pico de LH (25,4 ± 2,4 ng/mL). Embora o grupo OVX não tenha apresentado o pico 2 de progesterona (de 5,7 ± 2,2 para 6,5 ± 1,2 ng/mL), o pico de LH (26,5 ± 3,9 ng/mL) foi similar ao do grupo Controle.Nessas ratas o pico 1 de progesterona foi atenuado para 12,3 ± 1,9 ng/mL. Ambos picos de progesterona 1 e 2 como o pico de LH, foram praticamente abolidos nas ratas ADX (pico 1: de 2,0 ± 0,3 para 4,5 ± 0,7 ng/mL; pico 2: de 2,2 ± 0,4 para8,9 ± 3,6 ng/mL). Nas ratas OVX, tratadas ou não com estradiol, um pico de progesterona (provavelmente de origem adrenal) foi observado diariamente por volta das 12h00, sendo que a amplitude desse pico não foi influenciada pelo estradiol (OVO: 19,0 ± 5,7 ng/mL; OVE: 22,9 ± 5,3 ng/mL). Esses dados, em conjunto, sugerem que: 1) o pico 1 de progesterona é de origem adrenal e está envolvido na gênese do pico de LH ; 2) esse pico parece ser circadiano uma vez que ratas OVX apresentam um ritmo diário de secreção de progesterona, com um pico por volta das 12h00; 3) opico 2 de progesterona é de origem ovariana e não é necessário para ocorrência do pico de LH; 4) existe uma comunicação endócrina entre ovário e a adrenal de forma que o ovário participa da regulação da secreção de progesterona pela adrenal e 5) o estradiol não está envolvido na regulação da secreção de progesterona pela adrenal. / It is well known that the occurrence of preovulatory surge on proestrus depends on estradiol pre-exposure followed by the acute action of progesterone, a hormone responsible for both the onset and amplitude of this peak. However the origin of progesterone during this period is not clear yet. While some authors argue that the adrenals contribute significantly to preovulatory progesterone, others consider the ovary as the main source. The origin of progesterone that regulates the LH preovulatory surge is not clear. Therefore, we determined here the profile and the source of progesterone secretion during proestrus and its relationship with the LH preovulatory surge. At 7:00h of the proestrus day, female rats were either submitted to jugular vein cannulation (control) or to cannulation followed by ovariectomy (OVX), adrenalectomy (ADX), or sham surgery (Sham). Blood samples were collected every 15 minutes between 11 and 13:45 h for progesterone, estradiol and corticosterone measurements and hourly between 14 and 19 h for progesterone, estradiol and corticosterone and LH measurements. Also, to betterunderstand the pattern of adrenal progesterone secretion and to verify if estrogen can modulate this secretion, seven-day ovariectomized rats were treated with corn oil (OVO) or 17-?estradiol (OVE) for 3 days. One, two, or three days after the last injection, blood samples were withdrawn as described above. Since no difference was observed between the control and Sham groups with regard to the preovulatory LH surge, the number of oocytes or the plasma concentration of LH, progesterone, estradiol and corticosterone, data from these groups were presented as a single group called Control. Upon proestrus, estradiol secretion was similar between Control and ADX groups and significantly decreased in OVX group. As expected, corticosterone secretion was completely abolished in ADX group, while it was similar between the Control and OVX groups. In all groups basal progesterone levels were around 2pg/mL. In Control group, we observed a significant increase in progesterone secretion, around 12-13h (surge 1: from 3.5 ± 1.1 to 22.3 ± 2.7 ng/mL) and after 15h a second progesterone surge (surge 2: from 10.5 ± 2.2 to 43.0 ± 2.5 ng/mL) as well as LH surge (25.4 ± 2.4 ng/mL). OVX group failed to present surge 2 of progesterone (from 5.7 ± 2.2 to 6.5 ± 1.2 ng/mL), but LH surge (26.5 ± 3.9 ng/mL) was identical to that of Control group. In these rats, surge 1 was attenuated to 12.3 ± 1.9 ng/mL. Both progesterone surges 1 and 2 as well as LH surge were absent in ADX group (surge 1: from 2.0 ± 0.3 to 4.5 ± 0,7 ng/mL; surge 2: from 2.2 ± 0.4 to 8.9 ± 3.6 ng/mL).In OVX rats, treated or not with estradiol, a surge of similar magnitude of progesterone (probably fromadrenal) was observed around noon (OVO: 19.0 ± 5.7 ng/mL; OVE: 22.9 ± 5.3 ng/mL). We may conclude that 1) the surge 1 of progesterone is from the adrenal glands and is important for the LH; 2) this surge seems to be circadian since the OVX rats displays a daily rhythm of progesterone secretion, with a surge around 12 h; 3) the surge 2 of progesterone surge originates from the ovary and isnot required for the genesis of the LH surge; 4) there is a potential crosstalk between the ovary and the adrenal gland. in a way that ovary influences adrenal progesterone secretion and 5) the adrenal progesterone secretion is not influenced by estradiol levels.

As biotécnicas da reprodução na espécie equina avançaram na última década e os criadores de equinos começaram a questionar as possibilidades de interferência na determinação do sexo dos potros. A determinação do sexo é importante, pois o sexo do potro possui grande influência no valor comercial do mesmo. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a influência do momento da cobertura em relação ao momento da ovulação no sexo dos potros e outros fatores como: idade da égua e garanhão; indutor da ovulação; ovário em que ocorreu a ovulação e o diâmetro do folículo pré-ovulatório também foram avaliados. O estudo foi realizado em Haras na região de Bagé e Aceguá (RS) – Brasil (31°24'06.1''S 54°07'47.5''W) e (31°30'16.0''S 54°07'45.5''W) nas estações de monta de 2011 a 2015. Utilizou-se 259 ciclos reprodutivos de 160 éguas e 22 garanhões da raça Puro Sangue de Corrida. Informações como agente indutor de ovulação utilizado (Deslorelina; n = 187 ou hCG; n = 72); data da cobertura (n = 259); momento da ovulação em relação a cobertura (+ 24 horas; n = 69 e - 24 horas; n = 190); idade da égua (G1: até 8 anos; n = 123, G2: 9 até 14 anos n = 110 e G3: >14 anos; n = 26); idade do garanhão (Até 14 anos; n = 11 e >15 anos; n = 11) ; ovário em que a ovulação ocorreu (Direito; n = 122 e Esquerdo; n = 137); foram registrados e avaliados No total de potros nascidos, 136 foram machos (52,51%) e 123 foram fêmeas (47,49%). O tempo decorrido após a cobertura não influenciou o sexo dos produtos, nas éguas que ovularam com – 24h após a indução da ovulação: 104 potros (54,74%) eram machos e 86 (45,26%) eram fêmeas, enquanto que nas éguas que ovularam com + 24h, 32 potros (46,38%) eram machos e 37 (53,62%) eram fêmeas. A porcentagem de fêmeas nascidas em relação a idade da égua foi de 46,34% (n=57), 47,27% (n=52) e 46,15% (n=12) nos grupos G1, G2 e G3 respectivamente. Garanhões com idade até 15 anos tiveram 44,14% (n=49) de fêmeas e com mais de 15 anos 49,66% (n=73) eram fêmeas. Não houve diferença no sexo dos produtos quanto ao agente indutor da ovulação (Deslorelina x hCG) e ovário em que ocorreu a ovulação. O presente estudo concluiu que nenhum dos fatores estudados alterou a proporção macho:fêmea dos potros nascidos. / The biotechnologies of reproduction in equine species have been improved in the last decade and the horse breeders started to inquire about the possibility of intervention regarding to the sex determination in foals. Sex determination is important because the sex of the foal has a great influence on the commercial value of the foal. The aim of the present study is was to evaluate the influence of the time of the breeding in relation to time of ovulation in the sex of the foals, besides analyzing other factors such as: the age of the mare and the stallion; ovulation inductor, ovary and the diameter of the preovulatory follicle. The study was accomplished in studs located Bagé/RS and Aceguá/RS – Brazil (31°24'06.1''S 54°07'47.5''W) and (31°30'16.0''S 54°07'45.5''W) during the breeding seasons from 2011 to 2015, using 259 reproductive cycles of 160 mares and 22 stallions of Thoroughbred breed. Information like the induction of ovulation agent that was used (Deslorelin; n = 187 or hCG; n = 72); date of breeding (n = 259); time of ovulation in relation to the breeding (+24 hours; n = 69 and -24 hours; n = 190); age of the mare (G1: up to the age of 8; n = 123 G2: from the age of 9 to the age of 14; n = 110 and G3: >14 years old; n = 26); age of the stallion (up to the age of 14; n = 11 and >15 years old; n = 11); ovary in which the ovulation occurred (Right; n = 122 and Left; n = 137) were catalogued and evaluated As result, 136 (52,51%) were born colts and 123 (47,49%) were born fillies. The elapsed time from breeding to ovulation did not influence on the sex of the product, on mares that ovulated in less than 24 hours after the ovulation induction: 104 foals (54,74%) were male and 86 (45,26%) were female, whereas in the mares that ovulated in more than 24 hours, 32 foals (46,38%) were male and 37 (53,62%) were female. The percentage of born females regarding to the age of the mare was 46,34% (n = 57), 47,27% (n = 52) and 46,15% (n = 12) in the groups G1, G2 and G3, respectively. From stallions up to the age of 15 years, 44,14% (n = 49) were females and from those which were older than 15 years old, 49,66% (n = 73) were females. There was no difference regarding the sex of the product in relation to the ovulation inducer agent (Deslorelin x hCG) and ovary in which the ovulation occurred. None of the factors studied modified the male:female proportion of the born foals.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a eficiência do LH suíno, em dosagens reduzidas em relação à dose tradicional de 5,0mg, no processo de sincronização da ovulação em fêmeas cíclicas. Foram tratadas 115 fêmeas das raças Landrace e Large White, com ordem de parto variando de 1 a 6 e escore corporal acima de 2 dentro de uma escala de 1-5, com variação de meio ponto. A detecção do cio foi realizada duas vezes ao dia, no início da manhã e no final da tarde, através do reflexo positivo de tolerância ao macho. As fêmeas foram divididas aleatoriamente em três tratamentos, com 600UI de eCG ao desmame e 2,5 (T1), 1,25 (T2) e 0,625mg (T3) de LH, 56 horas após a injeção de eCG. O grupo controle não recebeu a administração de LH. A ocorrência da ovulação foi determinada pela ultra-sonografia trans-retal. Os dados foram reavaliados de acordo com o número de inseminações em 1 e 2 inseminações. As fêmeas foram abatidas 96 horas após a ovulação, com a finalidade de proceder com a contagem do número de corpos lúteos e a colheita de embriões. O intervalo entre a aplicação do LH e a ocorrência da ovulação (IA-OV), nos três tratamentos foi de 41,0&plusmn;5,9, 56,0&plusmn;17,0, 58,2&plusmn;18,8 respectivamente e 62,9&plusmn;14,8 para o grupo controle. A melhor sincronização da ovulação (p&lt;0,05, teste de Bartlett), ocorreu no T1, o qual corresponde a dose de LH de 2,5mg. Os resultados quanto ao número de inseminações, taxa de fertilização e viabilidade embrionária, não diferiram estatisticamente entre os tratamentos, porém, quando o intervalo (IA-OV) foi maior que 24 horas, a taxa de fecundação e viabilidade embrionária sofreram uma diminuição em comparação com os intervalos menores do que 24 horas (p&lt;0,05). Os protocolos hormonais não influenciaram quanto ao número de cistos ovarianos (p&lt;0,05, teste de Tukey). Conclui-se que a utilização da dose de LH de 2,5mg sincroniza a ovulação e pode ser aplicada em programas de IATF e que a realização de 1 inseminação artificial até 24 horas antes da ovulação em tempo fixo não deprecia a taxa de fecundação e o número de embriões viáveis / This work had as purpose the determination of the efficiency of the LH swine, in reduced dosage against the traditional 5,0mg dose, in the process of synchronization of the ovulation in cyclical females. There were treated 115 females of Landrace and Large White races, with average parity number varying from 1 to 6 and corporal sustain above 2 among 1 to 5 scale, with variation of half point. The detection of the heat was accomplished twice a day, in the beginning of the morning and at the end of the afternoon, through the positive reflex of tolerance to the male. The females were randomly divided in three treatments, with 600UI of eCG by the weaning and 2,5 (T1), 1,25 (T2) and 0,625mg (T3) of LH, 56 hours after the eCG injection. The control group didn\'t receive the LH administration. The occurrence of the ovulation was determined by the trans-rectal ultrasonography. The data were revalued according to the number of inseminations in 1 and 2 inseminations. The females were slaughtered 96 hours after the ovulation, with the purpose of proceeding with the counting of the number of corpora lutea and the recovered embryos. The interval between the LH application and the occurrence of the ovulation (IA-OV), in the three treatments was of 41,0&plusmn;5,9, 56,0&plusmn;17,0, 58,2&plusmn;18,8 respectively and 62,9&plusmn;14,8 for the control group. The best ovulation synchronization (p &lt;0,05, test of Bartlett) happened in T1, which corresponds to the LH 2,5mg dose. The results concerning the number of inseminations, fertilization rate and embryonic viability, didn´t differ statistically among the treatments, however, when the interval (IA-OV) was over 24 hours, the fecundation rate and embryonic viability decreased if compared with the intervals shorter than 24 hours (p&lt;0,05). The hormonal protocols didn´t cause influence as to the ovarian cysts number (p&lt;0,05, test of Tukey). It´s conclusive that the use of the LH 2,5mg dose synchronizes the ovulation and it can be applied in IATF programs, and that accomplishment of 1 artificial insemination up to 24 hours before the ovulation in fixed time doesn´t depreciate the fecundation rate and the number of viable embryos

This research was conducted at the La Raya experiment station, Cusco, Peru (4200 m elevation, 15°S latitude, and 70°W longitude) using 60 Corriedale, and 60 Criollo ewes during three consecutive years (April 1981 - March 1984). Age, and weight at puberty, age at physical maturity, and the effects of breed, age (physically immature and mature), year, and month were measured on body weight, incidence of estrus, and incidence and rate of ovulation. There was a significant difference (P.05). Even though Criollo e wes weighed less than Corriedale, they attained puberty earlier, and showed less seasonality in estrus and ovulated throughout the year than the Corriedale.

Master of Medicine / The number of unwanted pregnancies has not decreased in recent years and this should be addressed. Emergency contraception may be effective when used correctly having the advantage that it can be used after an episode of unprotected sexual intercourse (when regular contraception has failed or was not used). In this research project I set out to explore some of the major reasons why there are still many unwanted pregnancies in Australia. I decided to focus on the use and non-use of emergency contraception, e.g. emergency contraception pill (ECP) “method failures” are not well understood because the actual mechanisms of action are still unclear. There is evidence ECP can effectively interfere with follicle growth and ovulation. It is much less clear is whether ECP is able to interfere with fertilization and implantation, in a way, which may make it acceptable to those who have strong religious beliefs in fertilization being the start of new life. Emergency contraception has the potential to prevent many unwanted pregnancies when unprotected intercourse has occurred. It has relatively high efficacy in many studies, but true method failures are not well understood. By contrast, many unwanted pregnancies occur for “social reasons” where emergency contraception has not been used. I set out to study changes in knowledge and usage of emergency contraception in these groups of Australian women seeking termination of pregnancy: 1. Before a dedicated emergency contraception pill (ECP) pack (Postinor) became available in Australia 2. One year after dedicated ECP became available on prescription 3. One year after the ECP pack became available “over the counter” without prescription. Ninety-nine women were recruited during their presentation with a request for ECP at the six Family Planning Clinics in Australia. All women took LNG 1.5mg in a single dose during the clinic consultation. A blood sample was taken immediately prior to ingestion of the ECP for estimation of serum LH, oestradiol and progesterone levels to calculate the day of the menstrual cycle. Based on these endocrine data we estimated the timing of ovulation to within a ±24-hour period with an accuracy of around 80%. Women were followed up 4-6 weeks later to ascertain pregnancy status. The effectiveness of ECP when taken before and after ovulation was determined. Three women in this study became pregnant despite taking the ECP (pregnancy rate 3%). All three women who became pregnant had unprotected intercourse between day -1 and 0 and took the ECP on day +2, based on endocrine data. Day zero was taken as ovulation day. Among seventeen women who had intercourse in the fertile period of the cycle and took the ECP after ovulation occurred (on day +1 to +2) we could have expected 3 or 4 pregnancies, based on Wilcox et al data. Three pregnancies were observed. Among 34 women who had intercourse on days –5 to –2 of the fertile period, and took ECP before or around ovulation, four pregnancies could have been expected, but none were observed. The major discrepancies between women’s self-report of stage of the cycle and the dating calculation based on endocrine data were observed in this study. These data are supportive of the concept that the LNG ECP has little or no effect on post-ovulation events, but is highly effective before ovulation. Our interpretation of the data in terms of timing of treatment relative to ovulation may explain why EC with LNG works sometimes and fails at other times. A larger study is needed to prove this hypothesis. To investigate other reasons for such a high rate of unwanted pregnancy, which probably has a larger impact we looked into womens knowledge of and attitude towards ECP. Seven hundred and eighteen women participated in this study by answering a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions on their demographic and reproductive characteristics as well as the knowledge about the ECP, e.g. 208 women were enrolled before the ECP was marketed in Australia in 2001, 308 after it was marketed and 202 after it became available over the counter (Group 1, 2, and 3, respectively). We found that the participants who have heard about ECP were significantly younger (p<0.005). The mean age of women who have never heard about of ECP was 29.8 years compared to 26.3 years in women who have heard about ECP. More women were aware about the ECP after it became available over the counter. Women in group 2 had higher educational level in comparison to women in group 2 and 3 (p<0.005). There was significant trend in increased use of ECP in women of higher educational level (p<0.005). The use of ECP did not increase significantly with improved availability and access to the ECP amongst women presenting for termination of pregnancy. Wider availability of he ECP pack in Australia and an easier access to it has increased women’s awareness about the ECP. However, the use of ECP has not increased. This study provides better understanding of mechanism of action of LNG ECP and an explanation to the method failure. It also reveals poor knowledge about ECP despite its wider availability and accessibility. Improving these is a worldwide challenge for family planners and all health professionals.

Bibliography: p. 159-193. / x, 200 p. : / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / This thesis compares the rates of mitotic activity of the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) and the peritoneal mesothelium (PM) and the effects of ovarian hyperstimulation using a rodent model. The study provides also information about cytokine expression and production in benign and malignant ovarian tissue, both in humans and animals. / Thesis (M.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1997?