dinoprost and altrenogest

Injection of prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha or its analogues has provided a technique to induce parturition after Day 110 of gestation in the sow. The mean interval from PG injection to parturition ranges from 24 to 28 h, but only 50-60% of the sows farrow during an 8-10 h working day, and as many as 20% of sows may begin parturition before the injection of PG or less than 22 h after the injection. The duration of parturition is positively associated with the incidence of stillbirths and perinatal death so that techniques to reduce the duration of parturition may save piglets. Early parturition has been prevented by feeding sows progestagens, PG synthesis inhibitors and hypothalamic function inhibitors. These compounds were detrimental to piglet survival if they delayed parturition too long after the expected time of parturition. Parturition was delayed in sows up to 1.5 days by altrenogest, 1.6 days by meclofenamic acid, 2.7 days by indomethacin, and 3 days by methallibure without increased incidence of stillborn piglets compared with control sows. Injection of PG after administration of altrenogest or meclofenamic acid was successful in experiments with sows; parturition could be confined to a 5-day working week with no increase in stillborn piglets compared with control sows. Relaxin injected at 48 and 24 h before or only 24 h before injection of PG increased the proportion of sows farrowing 22-32 h after PG to 86.2% compared with sows injected only with PG (53.3%, P less than 0.01). Oxytocin injected 20 h after injection of PG increased the proportion of sows farrowing 20-28 h after PG to 90.4% compared with sows injected only with PG (49.2%, P less than 0.005). Injection of 25-60 i.u. ACTH on Day 110 of gestation did not shorten the length of gestation, but did decrease the incidence of still born piglets by 0.2 piglets/litter (P less than 0.05). An injection of the beta-adrenergic antagonist, carazolol, during labour before the birth of the first piglet decreased the duration of parturition and the incidence of stillborn piglets particularly in primiparous sows (P less than 0.05). Carazolol injected with oxytocin 20 h after injection of PG decreased the interval from PG to parturition by 2 h compared with sows injected with only PG and oxytocin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Death; Gestational Age; Indomethacin; Labor, Obstetric; Meclofenamic Acid; Methallibure; Oxytocin; Pregnancy; Progesterone Congeners; Propanolamines; Prostaglandins F; Relaxin; Swine; Trenbolone Acetate

The variation of gestation length in sows leads to difficulties performing farrowing supervision. The present study was performed to investigate whether oral administration of altrenogest until 112 days of gestation and double administration of PGF2α at 113 days of gestation can synchronise the onset of parturition in sows and minimise deleterious effects on the incidence of stillbirths and colostrum quality. Additionally, the effects of synchronised farrowing on colostrum yield and piglet birth weight, colostrum intake and survival rate of piglets until seven days of postnatal life were also investigated. In total, 193 Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred sows were randomly allocated according to parity number into two groups, i.e. control (n = 95) and treatment (n = 98). The control sows were allowed to farrow naturally. The treatment sows were orally administered 20 mg per day of altrenogest for four days from 109 to 112 days of gestation and were administered PGF2α twice on day 113 of gestation. Individual body weight at birth and 24 h after birth of piglets in all litters were determined in both control (n = 1609) and treatment (n = 1707) groups. Colostrum consumption of all piglets, colostrum yield, colostrum IgG and serum progesterone of sows were determined. On average, the total number of piglets born per litter were 17.0 ± 3.1. The proportion of sows farrowed before 114 days of gestation was higher in the control than the treatment group (8.4% and 2.0%, respectively, P = 0.05) and 92.8% of sows in the treatment group farrowed on day 114 of gestation. The percentage of stillborn piglets per litter did not differ significantly between control and treatment groups (4.5% and 4.6%, respectively). Colostrum yield of sows did not differ between control and treatment groups (5.52 ± 0.13 and 5.28 ± 0.12 kg, respectively, P = 0.174). However, colostrum intake of piglets was lower in the treatment than the control group (354.7 ± 6.6 and 381.2 ± 7.0 g, respectively, P = 0.012). Colostrum IgG was higher in the control than the treatment group (41.2 ± 1.1 and 37.3 mg per ml, P = 0.013). In conclusion, altrenogest treatment from 109 to 112 days and double administrations of PGF2α on day 113 of gestation can control gestation length in sows. No deleterious effects of this protocol on the incidence of stillbirths and sow colostrum yield were detected. However, piglet colostrum intake and colostrum IgG were compromised. Thus, care of newborn piglets in the treatment gr

Topics: Animals; Colostrum; Dinoprost; Female; Immunoglobulin G; Lactation; Pregnancy; Stillbirth; Swine; Swine Diseases; Trenbolone Acetate

To date, there has been limited research on manipulation of the estrous cycle in endangered equids. The objectives of this study were to assess the efficacy of using combinations of: (a) oral altrenogest and PGF2α, and (b) injectable altrenogest and PGF2α for manipulation of ovarian activity in Przewalski's mares. Reproductive cycles were monitored by assessing follicular changes with rectal ultrasound and changes in urinary steroid hormones. In Study 1, five cycling mares were treated with oral altrenogest (n=11 cycles) for 14 days. In Study 2, cycling mares were treated with oral altrenogest for 12 days (n=5 cycles; n=5 mares) or a single injection of biorelease altrenogest (n=10 cycles; n=6 mares). In all study groups, PGF2α was given 2 days before cessation of progestagen treatment. In Study 1, mares responded in six of 11 cycles (54%) where treatment occurred with normal ovarian follicular development post hormone therapy. In Study 2, mares responded in four of five (80%, oral altrenogest) and eight of 10 (80%, injectable altrenogest) cycles with the development of an ovulatory follicle. With the use of injectable altrenogest, there was an obvious suppression of urinary estrogens and progetsagens. These results indicate that manipulation of the estrous cycle of Przewalski's mares can be achieved by administering oral (12 days) or injectable form of altrenogest in conjunction with PGF2α. Findings in the present study may have long term application for the development of timed artificial insemination as a genetic management tool for this critically endangered equid.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Dinoprost; Estrogens; Estrous Cycle; Female; Horses; Injections, Intramuscular; Ovarian Follicle; Progestins; Time Factors; Trenbolone Acetate; Triptorelin Pamoate

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different treatments for induction and synchronization of oestrus and ovulation in seasonally anovulatory mares. Fifteen mares formed the control group (C), while 26 mares were randomly assigned to three treatment groups. Group T1 (n = 11) were treated with oral altrenogest (0.044 mg/kg; Regumate(®) ) during 11 days. Group T2 (n = 7) was intravaginally treated with 1.38 g of progesterone (CIDR(®) ) for 11 days. In group T3 (n = 8), mares were also treated with CIDR(®) , but only for 8 days. All mares received PGF2α 1 day after finishing the treatment. Sonographic evaluation of follicles, pre-ovulatory follicle size and ovulation time was recorded. Progesterone and leptin levels were analysed. Results show that pre-ovulatory follicles were developed after the treatment in 88.5% of mares. However, the pre-ovulatory follicle growth was dispersal, and sometimes it was detected when treatment was not finished. While in mares treated with intravaginal device, the follicle was soon detected (1.5 ± 1.2 days and 2.3 ± 2.0 days in T2 and T3 groups, respectively), in T1 group, the pre-ovulatory follicle was detected slightly later (3.9 ± 1.6 days). The interval from the end of treatment to ovulation did not show significant differences between groups (T1 = 13.1 ± 2.5 days; T2 = 11.0 ± 3.6 days; T3 = 13.8 ± 4.3 days). The pregnancy rate was 47.4%, similar to the rate observed in group C (46.7%; p > 0.05). Initial leptin concentrations were significantly higher in mares, which restart their ovarian activity after treatments, suggesting a role in the reproduction mechanisms in mares. It could be concluded that the used treatments may be effective for oestrous induction in mares during the late phase of the seasonally anovulatory period. Furthermore, they cannot synchronize oestrus, and then, it is necessary to know the reproductive status of mares when these treatments are used for oestrous synchronization.

Topics: Administration, Intravaginal; Animals; Anovulation; Dinoprost; Drug Administration Schedule; Estrus; Female; Horses; Ovulation Induction; Oxytocics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Progesterone; Progestins; Seasons; Trenbolone Acetate

The aim of the present study was to develop a protocol to reduce the variation in gestation length and synchronise the onset of parturition in sows by using altrenogest in combination with double administrations of prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α). In total, 188 Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred sows with parity numbers 3.1 ± 1.6 were included in the experiment. The sows were classified into two groups: CONTROL (n = 94) and TREATMENT (n = 94). CONTROL sows were allowed to farrow naturally, and TREATMENT sows were orally administered 20 mg/day of altrenogest starting when they entered the farrowing house (107.0 ± 2.0 days) until 113 (TREAT-113, n = 18), 114 (TREAT-114, n = 29) and 115 (TREAT-115, n = 47) days of gestation. The altrenogest-treated sows were administered PGF2α twice 6 h apart at 24 h after the withdrawal of altrenogest. The litters were randomly selected (25 and 26 litters from CONTROL and TREATMENT groups, respectively) to determine individual body weight at birth and at 24 h after birth. Gestation length of sows that farrowed naturally averaged 115.1 days (range 111-118), whereas gestation length of altrenogest-treated sows averaged 115.1-116.3 days (range 114-118). The colostrum yield of sows averaged 4.25 ± 1.19 kg and was not affected by the treatment (P > 0.05). Colostrum IgG in the CONTROL group was higher than in the TREAT-114 and TREAT-115 groups (P < 0.05) but did not differ significantly compared to the TREAT-113 group. The proportion of sows that farrowed during working hours (0700-1700 h) in the TREAT-113 group (72.3%) tended to be higher than in the CONTROL (46.4%, P = 0.053). The interval from the last altrenogest treatment until farrowing in the TREAT-113 group was longer than in the TREAT-114 and TREAT-115 groups (62.8, 40.7 and 34.6 h, respectively, P < 0.05). Similarly, the intervals from the first PGF2α administration to the onset of parturition in the TREAT-113 group (38.8 ± 3.8 h) was longer than TREAT-114 (21.9 ± 3.5 h, P = 0.002) and TREAT-115 (25.5 ± 3.7 h, P = 0.016) groups. However, the incidence of stillbirths in the TREAT-113, TREAT-114 and TREAT-115 groups was higher than in the CONTROL (16.4, 17.2, 11.8 and 5.8%, respectively, P < 0.05). In conclusion, altrenogest supplementation in combination with double administrations of PGF2α can reduce the variation in gestation length and synchronise the onset of parturition in sows. However, its side effects on the incidence of stillbirths should be considered.

Topics: Animals; Colostrum; Dinoprost; Female; Parturition; Pregnancy; Swine; Trenbolone Acetate

This study compared hormone treatments given to mares during anestrus, spring transition, and different stages of the estrous cycle, by assessing uterine features and pregnancy rates after embryo transfer (ET). Embryo recipient mares (n = 160) were equally arranged as follows: G1-spontaneous ovulation (control), G2-anestrus, G3-spring transition, G4-early estrus, G5-estrus, G6-diestrus, G7-early diestrus treated with a dose of dinoprost, and G8-early diestrus treated with two doses of dinoprost. At treatment initiation (Day-4), G2-7 were given dinoprost and estradiol-17β, thereafter, estradiol-17β was repeated on Days-3,-2, and -1. On Day0, mares received long-acting altrenogest. Then, each mare had one ET performed from Day + 3 to Day + 8 after altrenogest. Immediately before the ET, mares received a boost of altrenogest and had uterine features assessed. Pregnant mares on each of the checks (by 7, 30, 60, and 120d after ET) were maintained on weekly injections of LA-P4 until 120d. G8 received similar management, but dinoprost was repeated on Day-3. G1-G6 and G8 displayed uterine edema and satisfactory pregnancy rates ≥65%. Repeating dinoprost to G8 likely ensured proper luteolysis and response to estrogen as determined by higher uterine edema scores and pregnancy rates than G7 (p < .05). Our results were consistent with previous studies and other successful commercial ET programs (except G7), thus, demonstrating the usefulness of the hormone treatments described herein to synchronize embryo recipient mares with donor mares. Thus, we foresee that other groups may use the strategies described herein for the management of embryo recipient mares.

Topics: Anabolic Agents; Animals; Dinoprost; Embryo Transfer; Estradiol; Estrogens; Estrous Cycle; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Horses; Oxytocics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Progesterone; Progestins; Trenbolone Acetate

The limited availability of gametes is a major factor hindering the development and application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in large non-domestic ungulates. This is partly due to the small number of captive animals and handling difficulties associated with procedures for gamete recovery. In the present study, results are reported of multi-year studies on ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval by ultrasonographic-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration and subsequent in vitro maturation (IVM) in eland and bongo antelopes. All procedures were conducted on sedated females handled in a hydraulic chute without inducing general anesthesia. Five estrous synchronization/ovarian stimulation protocols were evaluated and data are presented on 73 and 15 procedures in eland and bongo, respectively. Repeating procedures (< or =once/month) on the same female did not affect ovarian response or number oocytes recovered in either species. Eland females, but not the ovarian stimulation treatment, affected ovarian response. Ovarian stimulation treatment affected oocyte recovery rate in eland, but not in bongo. In both species, ovarian hormone stimulation treatment affected the distribution of follicles by size and the status of expansion of the cumulus cell investment of oocytes, but not the frequency of metaphase II oocytes during IVM. The timing of extrusion of the first polar body during IVM was more synchronous in bongo than in eland oocytes. It is concluded that Transvaginal oocyte retrieval (TVOR) can be safely and repeatedly applied in gonadotropin-treated eland and bongo females to recover oocytes that can mature in vitro. The methods described for the present study can be adapted to improve the availability of non-domestic ungulate oocytes for basic and applied studies.

Topics: Animals; Antelopes; Dinoprost; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Oocyte Retrieval; Oocytes; Ovary; Ovulation Induction; Statistics, Nonparametric; Trenbolone Acetate; Ultrasonography

The aim of this study was to characterize changes in PGF2alpha secretion in mares with persistent corpora lutea that were induced by administering altrenogest during oestrus. In Expt 1, PGF2alpha secretion was compared among mares undergoing normal oestrous cycles (n=7) and mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases (n=6), using the mean 15-ketodihydro-PGF2alpha (PGFM) plasma concentrations, peak PGFM concentrations and number of PGFM surges each day, from day 12 to day 16 of the luteal phase. In Expt 2, oxytocin-induced PGF2alpha secretion was characterized on days 13 and 16 of the luteal phase in mares undergoing normal oestrous cycles (n=6) and in mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases (n=7) by comparing the oxytocin-induced increase in PGFM concentration and total PGF2alpha secretion. In Expt 1, mean PGFM concentrations, peak PGFM concentrations and number of PGFM surges per day were significantly lower in mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases than in mares undergoing normal luteal phases. In Expt 2, the area under the curve for PGFM ng (90 min)(-1) was similar for both groups on day 13 but was significantly lower on day 16 in mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases than in mares undergoing normal luteal phases. No change in total PGF2alpha secretion was observed between day 13 and 16 for mares undergoing normal luteal phases, but a significant decrease was observed from day 13 to day 16 in mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases. On days 13 and 16, the increase in PGFM concentration 5 min after oxytocin administration was significantly higher in mares undergoing normal luteal phases than in mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases. The increase in PGFM concentration 5 min after oxytocin administration was similar on days 13 and 16 for mares undergoing normal luteal phases, but tended to be less on day 16 in mares undergoing prolonged luteal phases. These results indicate that failure of luteolysis in mares undergoing induced prolonged luteal phases is due to decreased uterine sensitivity to oxytocin stimulation or decreased uterine ability to secrete prostaglandin.

Topics: Animals; Dinoprost; Estrous Cycle; Female; Horses; Luteal Phase; Progestins; Trenbolone Acetate

Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Corpus Luteum; Dinoprost; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Horses; Hydroxyprogesterones; Luteolytic Agents; Medroxyprogesterone; Megestrol; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnenediones; Progesterone; Progesterone Congeners; Random Allocation; Trenbolone Acetate

Crossbred gilts were used to investigate whether exogenous insulin can restore normal follicular growth in feed-restricted gilts. After an 18-day altrenogest treatment, the first day of oestrous behaviour was designed as day 0. From day 0 to 13, all gilts received the same amount of feed, calculated to meet 200% of the energy requirements for maintenance. On day 14, luteolysis was induced by injection of an analogue of prostaglandin F2alpha. All gilts were slaughtered on day 19 and their ovaries removed. In Experiment 1, gilts received a high (240% of maintenance) or low (80%) level of feeding (n=10/group) from day 14 to 18. The number of large follicles (> or = 5 mm) on day 19 was reduced in feed-restricted gilts (16.9 versus 20.6, P<0.05). The same protocol of feed restriction was used in Experiment 2 (240% versus 80% of maintenance from day 14 to 18), and some gilts received daily injections of insulin (0.6 IU live weight kg(-1)). The three experimental groups were H: 240% and no insulin (n=8); H-I: 240%+insulin (n=8) and L-I: 80%+insulin (n=7). On day 18, 4 h after insulin injection, plasma insulin was higher in insulin-treated than in untreated gilts and glucose concentrations were reduced more dramatically in L-I than in H-I gilts (P<0.05). Concentrations of IGF-I were lower in L-I than in other gilts (P<0.05) and plasma IGFBPs were not significantly affected by treatments. On day 19, the number of large follicles (> or = 5 mm) was not significantly influenced by treatments (19.4, 17.6 and 15.3 for H, H-I and L-I gilts, respectively). Insulin, IGF-I and IGFBP-2 levels in follicular fluids from large follicles did not differ between females whereas IGFBP-3 levels were lower in L-I than in H gilts (P<0.05) and intermediate in H-I gilts. Intrafollicular levels of glucose were higher in feed-restricted than in well-fed gilts (P<0.05). These results suggest that exogenous insulin does not restore final follicular growth impaired by acute undernutrition.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Dinoprost; Female; Follicular Fluid; Food Deprivation; Glucose; Insulin; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Male; Ovarian Follicle; Pilot Projects; Progesterone; Radioimmunoassay; Swine; Trenbolone Acetate

A nonovulating, hormone-treated mare was used successfully as an oocyte recipient. The mare's ovarian activity was suppressed using progesterone and estrogen treatment. This treatment was stopped, then estrogen was administered for 3 d prior to the transfer. An oocyte was recovered from the follicle of a donor mare and was transferred via flank laparotomy into the recipient's oviduct. The recipient mare was inseminated 7 h before transfer. The recipient was treated with intramuscular progesterone from the day after transfer until 47 d after transfer, and then with oral altrenogest until 150 d gestation. A normal colt was born at 321 d gestation, and was shown by DNA analysis to be the progeny of the donor mare. This is the first report of fertilization and embryo development to term after transfer of oocytes to a nonovulating mare, and, to our knowledge, the first of its kind in any domestic species.

Topics: Animals; Anovulation; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Dinoprost; Female; Gestational Age; Horses; Insemination, Artificial; Oocyte Donation; Oocytes; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Trenbolone Acetate; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

The role of decreased luteal activity in embryonic loss after induced endotoxemia was studied in mares 21 to 35 days pregnant. Fourteen pregnant mares were treated daily with 44 mg of altrenogest to compensate for the loss of endogenous progesterone secretion caused by prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) synthesis and release following intravenous administration of Salmonella typhimurium endotoxin. Altrenogest was administered daily from the day of endotoxin injection until day 40 of gestation (group 1; n = 7), until day 70 (group 2; n = 5), or until day 50 (group 3; n = 2). In all mares, secretion of PGF2 alpha, as determined by the plasma 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha concentrations, followed a biphasic pattern, with an initial peak at 30 minutes followed by a second, larger peak at 105 minutes after endotoxin injection. Plasma progesterone concentrations decreased in all mares to values less than 1 ng/ml within 24 hours after endotoxin injection. In group 1, progesterone concentrations for all mares were less than 1 ng/ml until the final day of altrenogest treatment. In 6 of 7 mares in group 1, the fetuses died within 4 days after the end of treatment, with progesterone concentrations less than 1 ng/ml at that time. In the mare that remained pregnant after the end of treatment, plasma progesterone concentration was 1.6 ng/ml on day 41 and increased to 4.4 ng/ml on day 44. In group 2, all mares remained pregnant, even though plasma progesterone concentrations were less than 1 ng/ml in 4 of 5 mares from the day after endotoxin injection until after the end of altrenogest treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Dinoprost; Endotoxins; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Fetal Death; Horse Diseases; Horses; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Maintenance; Progesterone; Salmonella typhimurium; Shock, Septic; Trenbolone Acetate

To investigate control of parturition time, 154 sows farrowing 220 litters at three locations were treated with altrenogest and Lutalyse (PG). The four treatment groups were: 1) no treatment (control group); 2) an im injection of 15 mg of PG at 1000 on d 111, 112 or 113 of gestation (d 0 = first day of estrus and gestation); 3) altrenogest (20 mg X sow-1 X d-1) fed twice daily for 4 d starting on d 109, 110 or 111; and 4) altrenogest and an injection of PG at 1000 on the day after the last feeding of altrenogest. Control sows at the University of Delaware (UD), University of Maryland (UM) and USDA, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) had mean gestation lengths of 113.5, 114.2 and 115.7 d and live pigs/litter were 10.5, 11.0 and 7.4, respectively. Altrenogest started by d 110 prevented unscheduled early farrowing and increased (P less than .01) gestation length by 1.7 and 1.1 d, respectively, at UD and UM, but had not effect at BARC. The time from PG to parturition was 24.3, 22.6 and 34.4 h, respectively, at UD, UM and BARC. More sows at UD and UM farrowed between 0700 and 1700 on the expected day of parturition after injection of PG (59.3%) than with no PG (20.7%; P less than .05). The high incidence of small litters (less than six pigs) from sows inseminated with frozen semen at BARC resulted in negative correlations of live pigs/litter with gestation length (r = -.533, P = .0001) and with time from PG injection to birth of first pig (r = -.425, P = .017); these correlations were not significant at UD and UM where only natural service was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Dinoprost; Estrenes; Estrogens; Female; Labor, Obstetric; Oxytocics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal; Progesterone; Progesterone Congeners; Prostaglandins F; Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; Swine; Trenbolone Acetate