The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dose and application time of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on reproductive performance of hair sheep ewes synchronized with fluorogesterone acetate (FGA) under tropical conditions of Northeastern Mexico. Ninety-nine hair ewes (63 Blackbelly and 36 Pelibuey) were treated with intravaginal sponges during 10 days. After insertion of FGA sponges, ewes were divided into four groups, and PMSG was injected intramuscularly at doses of 100, 200, and 400 IU. Relative to FGA sponge removal, PMSG was administrated at -48 h, -24 h, and at sponge removal. PMSG was not administered to the control group. Control ewes had similar (P > 0.05) lambing rate, fertility, and fecundity than those treated with 100 IU of PMSG, but lower (P < 0.05) percentages to these variables than those treated with 200 and 400 IU of PMSG. Time to estrus decreased linearly, and ovulation rate increased quadratically as PMSG dose increased (0 to 400 IU). Administration of PMSG before sponge removal increased (P < 0.01) response to estrus and decreased (P < 0.01) interval to estrus compared with control. Ovulation rate, lambing rate, fertility, and fecundity were not affected (P > 0.05) by administration time of PMSG. Both dose and time of PMSG application did not affect (P > 0.05) pregnancy rate, percentage of single and multiple lambing, and prolificacy. In conclusion, results show that the dose of 400 IU of PMSG administered before sponge withdrawal in an estrus synchronization protocol improved reproductive efficiency of hair sheep ewes.
Twenty Dorper x Pelibuey male lambs were used to evaluate the effect of substitution of forage with fresh orange pulp (FOP) in diets for fattening lambs on productive behavior, nutrient intake, apparent digestibility coefficient, and feeding costs. Lambs were divided into five groups (n = 4) and then housed in individual pens during 70 d. Treatments consisted of five levels of FOP (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) which substituted buffel grass hay on the base diet (40:60%, forage:concentrate). Additionally, changes in chemical composition of FOP stored in stack during 8 d were evaluated (from the day 1 until day 8). Daily feed intake expressed as kg/day and % live weight, lamb growth rate, feeding cost of each lamb per day and per fattening period, hemicellulose intake, and DM, OM, CP, NDF and hemicellulose digestibility showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05), while DM, OM and CP intake presented a cubic effect (P < 0.05) with the increasing level of FOP. The maximum estimated value for those variables was observed at 75% of hay replacement with FOP. With respect to changes in chemical composition of pulp stored, DM content increased (P = 0.0011) from 210 to 310 g/kg FOP and OM, fiber fraction, and ash content were constant (P > 0.05) among storage days. Therefore, replacing around 75% of buffel grass hay with FOP in diets for fattening lambs resulted in the best growth rate and more efficient diet utilization. Fresh orange pulp stored in a stack did not change its chemical composition, and did not affect its utilization as a sheep feedstuff.
Objective: To test whether HTF (Human Tubal Fluid) is capable of protecting goat sperm cells increasing the semen m
Objective: To determine if HTF (Human Tubal Fluid) can protect buck sperm cells, increasing semen motility when used by itself or combined with the Andromed® commercial extender.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The semen of eight bucks of the Boer breed was used (10 ejaculates per male). Each ejaculate was diluted in three treatments (5 repetitions per treatment): 1) only Andromed®; 2) only HTF; and 3) Andromed® + HTF. The following variables were evaluated: mass motility (MM) and progressive motility (MP) in fresh (37 °C) and refrigerated (5 °C) semen. The differences between treatments were detected, based on the MM and MP in fresh and refrigerated semen variables, using the GLM procedure (SAS V9). In the case of the MM evaluated in three different periods, the measures repeated over time were analyzed using the Proc Mixed procedure (SAS V9).
Results: Regarding the quality of fresh spermatozoa, MM and MP recorded similar values (p>0.05) for the three treatments. On the one hand, MM registered 97.1% for Andromed®, 95.8% for HTF, and 97.5% for Andromed® + HTF; its highest value was achieved with the Andromed® + HTF combination, followed by Andromed® and HTF. On the other hand, the highest MP percentage was observed with the combination of Andromed® + HTF (91.0%), followed by Andromed® (90.4%), and HTF (89.0%). Regarding the quality of the sperm refrigerated at 5 °C, the combination of Andromed® + HTF had a higher MP value (p<0.05) than other treatments.
Study Limitations/Implications: In all the evaluated treatments, the motility of sperm decreased over time (0 to 24 hours after cooling); however, the treatments with Andromed®, and Andromed®+HTF maintained a high motility.
Findings/Conclusions: The combination of Andromed® and HTF can be used to dilute both fresh and cooled semen.
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