Birten Emre

The intravaginal application of misoprostol improves induction of abortion with aglepristone

The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical and endocrinological effects of four different treatments for the induction of abortion in bitches. For this purpose, 28 pregnant bitches between days 25 and 35 of gestation, were randomly assigned to four groups. In group I (n = 7), only aglepristone (AGL, 10mg/kg bw, two injections 24 h apart, s.c.) was administered. In group II (n = 7), AGL (as in group I), cabergolin (CAB, 5 μg/kg, daily p.o., until completion of abortion) and misoprostol (MIS, 200 μg for bitches with ≤ 20 kg bw, 400 μg for bitches with > 20 kg bw, daily intravaginally, until completion of abortion) were administered. In group III (n = 7), AGL (as in group I) and MIS (as in group II) were administered. In group IV (n = 7) AGL, (as in group I) and cloprostenol (CLO, 1μg/kg bw, s.c., two injections 24 h apart with the AGL injections) were combined. In all groups, bitches were examined daily, clinically and ultrasonographically to monitor resorptions/abortions. To measure serum progesterone (P4) and total estrogen (TE) concentrations, blood samples were collected in all groups immediately after the first AGL administration and every other day until completion of abortion. No statistical differences were found between groups concerning the duration until completion of abortion following treatment (n.s.); however, in Group III, 6 d after the start of treatment all pregnancies were terminated whereas in Group I, II and IV, only 57.1% (4/7), 85.7 % (6/7) and 42.8 % (3/7) of pregnancies were terminated. In the latter groups, all pregnancies were terminated between days 8 and 10 after the start of treatment. In Group IV, P4 concentrations on days two and one before the beginning of abortion and the day the abortion started was significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.01). No statistical differences were found between groups for TE concentrations (P > 0.05). In Groups I, II and III, no severe side effects occurred. Severe vomiting after each treatment and until the end of abortion was observed in Group IV only. In conclusion, only when a combination of AGL and MIS was used abortion was completed within 6 d in all bitches whereas the additional use of CAB did not improve the treatment.

The effects of aglepristone alone and in combination with cloprostenol on hormonal values during termination of mid-term pregnancy in bitches

This study was designed to assess endocrine changes associated with termination of mid-term pregnancy after use of two different protocols. For this purpose we compared the effects of aglepristone (AGL) alone and in combination with cloprostenol (CLO) on serum concentrations of progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2) and relaxin (RLN) measured at short-term intervals during the abortion period in bitches. Fourteen pregnant bitches between day 25 and 32 of gestation were used in the study. In the AGL group (n=7), aglepristone was administered solely (10mg/kg body weight (BW), subcutaneously, once daily on two consecutive days) whereas in the AGL-CLO group (n=7), aglepristone (dosage as in AGL group) and cloprostenol (1μg/kg BW, subcutaneously, same with aglepristone) were combined. All pregnancies were successfully terminated 5.2±1.6 days after initiation of treatments, which was significant in both groups (P>0.05). At the time of the start of abortion (SA) and the end of abortion (EA), the mean P4 concentrations were 26.6±7.3 and 12.0±6.4ng/ml in AGL group, and 2.7±0.7 and 0.9±0.1ng/ml, in AGL-CLO group, respectively (P<0.01). Serum E2 concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in AGL group at 42, 48, 54h and SA after initiation of treatment. In the AGL-CLO group, serum RLN concentrations did not significantly change from the initiation of treatment to EA (P>0.05). However, markedly higher RLN concentrations (P<0.05) were observed in the AGL group at 48h (1.5±0.7ng/ml) and at SA (1.6±0.5ng/ml). The results of the present study indicate that changes in the hormonal concentrations affect the mechanism of abortion in different ways. Further in depth studies investigating changes in the expression of hormone receptors inside the ovary, endometrium and placenta might be helpful to our understanding of the endocrinological differences observed in this study.

Tarantula cubensis extract alters the degree of apoptosis and mitosis in canine mammary adenocarcinomas

In the present study, 13 clinical cases of canine mammary adenocarcinoma were evaluated in order to understand the effect of Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE) on tumor tissue. Punch biopsies were taken from the tumors before treatment with TCE. Subcutaneous injections of TCE were administered three times at weekly intervals (3 mL per dog). Between days 7 and 10 after the third injection, the tumor masses were extirpated by complete unilateral mastectomy. Pre- and post-treatment tumor tissues were immunohistochemically assessed. The expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) was found to be higher in pre-treatment compared to post-treatment tissues (p < 0.01) whereas Ki-67 expression was lower in post-treatment tissues (p < 0.01). No significant differences in fibroblast growth factor or vascular endothelial growth factor expression were observed between pre- and post-treatment tissues (p > 0.05). The apoptotic index was determined to be low before treatment and increased during treatment. These results suggest that TCE may be effective for controlling the local growth of canine mammary adenocarcinoma by regulating apoptosis.

Effect of double GnRH injections on reproductive parameters in Awassi ewes receiving long-term progesterone

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of single or double Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) injections at the time of mating and following on day 9 on pregnancy rates and litter size in ewes. Oestrus was synchronized in 130 adult ewes using intravaginal sponges containing 20 mg of fluorogestone acetate for 14 days. All ewes received 10 IU/kg of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at the sponge withdrawal. Then animals were divided into three groups. Ewes in group 1 (G1; Control, n = 68) received 1 ml placebo injection. In group 2 (G2; n = 30), ewes in oestrus were treated with 1 ml GnRH (4 μg/ml) at the time of mating. In group 3 (G3; n = 32), ewes were injected 1 ml GnRH not only at the time of mating but also on day 9 post-mating. There was significantly higher in duration of oestrus G1 compared with the G2 and G3. Pregnancy rate was found to be higher in G3 (96.0%) than in G1 (72.7%) and G2 (83.3%). The litter size was significantly higher for G3 (1.26 ± 0.14) in comparison with the G1 (1.18 ± 0.07) and G2 (1.22 ± 0.10). In conclusion, Post-mating GnRH injection enhanced the pregnancy rate and litter size, because of its beneficial effects on embriyo viability by increasing luteal formations.

The Effects of Separate and Combined Use of PGF2α and GnRH Hormones and the Addition of Βeta-Carotene on Fertility Parameters in Dairy Cows with Ovarian Cysts

Background: Ovarian cysts are commonly observed pathologies, which interfere with normal cyclic activity and adversely affect fertility in cows. Beta-carotene is effective in the reduction of reproductive problems by inducing the natural defence mechanisms of the body. There are several methods that can be used for the treatment of ovarian cysts. The separate and combined use of GnRH and PGF2α commonly uses in the treatment of ovarian cysts. Therefore, in the presented study the effects of Beta-carotene (βC) addition for the treatment of ovarian cysts either with GnRH solely or GnRH and PGF2α in combination on the fertility parameters of dairy cows were investigated. Materials, Methods & Results: Seventy-six Holstein Friesian cows having ovarian cysts diagnosed by ultrasonography (USG) were divided into three groups. Cows in Group I (GI, n = 27), were injected with GnRH (Buserelin acetate, 5 mL, im), PGF2α (Tiaprost-trometamol, 5 mL, im) and βC (20 mL/cow, into 4 regions by im route). In Group II (GII, n = 25) GnRH (Buserelin acetate, 5 mL, im) and PGF2α (Tiaprost-trometamol, 5mL, im) were administrated while GnRH (Buserelin acetate, 5 mL, im) solely in Group III (GIII, n = 24). Cysts were monitored via USG, and blood samples were collected on the on day of treatment (day 0) and on the 7th and 14th days following the administrations. Cows shoving oestrous were inseminated and pregnancy diagnoses were performed on the 40th day following insemination. Treatment results showed that there were statistically no significant differences between GI and GII (P > 0.05). Only numerical difference obtained in time from therapy to pregnancy and overall pregnancy index (P > 0.05). Overall pregnancy rate (85 %), first service pregnancy rates (40 %) and overall pregnancy index (2.11) in GI were found significantly higher than GIII (53.3 %; 20 %; 4.12) [P 0.05). It was found that βC administrations significantly increased βC levels in GI than GII and GIII on the 7th and 14th days (P < 0.05). Discussion: One of the most common problems encountered in modern dairy production is the development of ovarian cysts. Treatments for ovarian cyst are numerous and variable, and have changed considerably over the years. In the present study, GnRH and PGF2α were administered together as a combination, and as a result of this combined use, higher percentages were obtained for both pregnancy rate and fertility parameters in GI and GII, in comparison to the group administered with GnRH alone (GIII). Better outcome from combination therapy (GnRH and PGF2α) may be due to the fact that luteal thickening in the walls of cysts was determined by ultrasonography, but P4 values were not identified immediately and the treatments were not categorized in accord with these values. No statistically significant differences were determined between GI and GII concerning the fertility parameters investigated, however numerical and proportional differences were observed. βC levels were significantly higher on day 7 and 14 after treatment in GI which were administered βC additionally to the treatment protocol for ovarian cysts. This statistical difference suggests that administration of βC in combination therapy is also effective in the treatment of ovarian cysts. In conclusion, it was determined that high pregnancy rates were obtained by the combined treatment of ovarian cysts (GnRH + PGF2α) and number of inseminations per conception were at desired limits. Better percentile and numerical fertility parameters were achieved in the group, which additionally received βC, high numbers of infertility cases, βC supplementation could be a viable option for treatment.

Effect of intrauterine infusion of Momordica charantia L. on oxidative stress and pregnancy rate in infertile cows

Abstract Introduction: The effect of intrauterine administration of Momordica charantia L. (MC) extract on oxidative changes and pregnancy rate in infertile cows was investigated. Material and Methods: Endometrial smear specimens were taken from 40 cows with fertility problems for cytological examination, and the cows were randomly divided into two groups: group I (n = 20) was subjected to intrauterine administration of 40 mL (0.25 g/mL) of MC extract, group II (n = 20) was subjected to intrauterine administration of 40 mL of pure olive oil. Blood samples were taken starting from the day of administration of MC extract or olive oil (day 0) and then for three weeks at weekly intervals (days 7, 14, 21). Blood serum samples were evaluated for total antioxidant capacity (TAS), total oxidant level (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and nitric oxide (NO) levels. In addition, on the 14th day following treatment, two doses of PGF2α were administrated to all cows at 14-day intervals. Following the second PGF2α administration, insemination and GnRH administration was performed at the 60th h after PGF2α treatment. Smear samples were stained with Giemsa and immunohistochemically to determine cytological changes and inflammatory status. Results: According to cytological findings, subclinical endometritis was a prevalent disorder in cows with infertility problem (82.5%; 33/40). Additionally, 60.6% (20/33) of the cows with subclinical endometritis had acute inflammation, whereas remaining 13 cows had chronic endometritis. Of the cows with subclinical endometritis, 50% (8/16) and 35% (6/17) became pregnant in group I and II, respectively (P > 0.05). Although the oxidative stress parameters showed similarities between both groups (P > 0.05), there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the groups in terms of mean NO and LOOH levels (NO – 31.20 ± 11.38 vs 44.53 ± 11.50 μmol/L and LOOH – 1.22 ± 0.37 vs 1.89 ± 0.36 μmol/L). Conclusion: The obtained results indicated that MC administration, especially in the presence of active inflammation, may improve the pregnancy rate by positive reduction of oxidative changes.