Fernando Sánchez-Dávila

Status and implementation of reproductive technologies in goats in emerging countries

In modern cattle breeding, assisted reproductive technologies in small ruminants have been used even out-of-season breeding, but in emerging countries these technologies have been mainly used for estrous synchronization and artificial insemination. However, in the last 30 years, significant progress in the matter of transfers of in vivo derived and in vitro produced embryos has been achieved. Currently, eight donor embryos are obtained by goat, due to the physiological knowledge of the presence of dominant follicles; above alter results recovered embryos (4 embryos / donor). Whereas, the goat has the advantage of presenting a shorter interval between generations compared to cow; this promote more research in in vitro fertilization, and overcome the limitations presented in a traditional embryo transfer. However cloning and transgenesis, are two techniques that will begin to have a commercial application, because goats can be used as bioreactors to produce milk with specific proteins to develop drugs. The objective of this study was to establish and describe in a general way the use of these techniques in goats, to promote their use so as to achieve genetic improvement in goats. Key words: Reproductive technologies, goats, estrous synchronization, embryo transfer.

Effect of Three pFSH Doses on Superovulation and Embryo Quality in Goats During Two Breeding Seasons in North-eastern Mexico

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of three pFSH doses (80 mg; 145 mg and 215 mg) on ovarian response and on quantity and quality of transferable embryos of goats during the breeding and the non-breeding seasons. Ovary structures were exposed (laparatomy under general anaesthesia) and numbers of follicles and corpora lutea were registered. Surgical embryo flushing was conducted to count and classify embryos. There were more follicles (3.4 ± 1.1) in does administered 80 mg of pFSH (p < 0.05) than in goats administered 145 mg of pFSH (2.2 ± 1.1) and 215 mg of pFSH (0.9 ± 0.6). Numbers of corpora lutea, blastocysts, and recovered and transferable embryos of goats administered 145 mg pFSH (13.4 ± 3.7, 2.42 ± 1.0, 3.4 ± 1.2 and 3.2 ± 1.1, respectively) and those of goats administered 215 mg pFSH (11.6 ± 2.6, 3.2 ± 0.9, 5.7 ± 1.5, and 5.6 ± 1.5) were greater (p < 0.05) than values obtained from goats administered 80 mg pFSH (4.0 ± 1.5, 0.5 ± 0.3, 1.0 ± 0.5, and 0.8 ± 0.5). Numbers of morula of does administered 80 and 145 mg pFSH (0.4 ± 0.4 and 0.8 ± 0.3) were lower (p < 0.05) than those obtained from animals treated with 215 mg pFSH (2.4 ± 0.9). There was no effect of season upon the analyzed variables. In conclusion, under the prevalent conditions in north-eastern Mexico, administration of 145 or 215 mg pFSH in a decreasing dose schedule over 3.5 days to bred goats provided a satisfactory superovulatory result.

Revised version social dominance affects the development of sexual behaviour but not semen output in yearling bucks

Goats are polygynous seasonal mammals that establish dominant-subordinate relationships, especially in bucks. The aims of this study were to: 1) compare the reproductive development of dominant and subordinate young bucks allocated in dyads, and 2) determine if their previous dominant position affect their response to grouping. Twenty-four young bucks were allocated in dyads when they were 4 mo old, and the dominance position (DP) [dominant (DB) or subordinate buck (SB)] was determined with a test of competition for food. Body weight, scrotal circumference, semen quality and sexual behaviour toward an oestrous ewe were weekly determined during 8 weeks beginning when the bucks were 8 mo old. Body weight, scrotal circumference, and seminal parameters were not affected by DP. Dominant bucks tended to begin sexual courtship earlier than SB bucks (P = .09), but displayed less flehmen (P = .0008) and tended to display less ano-genital sniffings (P = .053). However, DB bucks displayed more lateral approaches (P = .019), attempted to mount, mounted, and mated the oestrous doe more times (P < .0001, P = .0002 and P < .0001, respectively) than SB bucks. In the 9th week, all the bucks were grouped, cortisol and testosterone serum concentrations were measured, and agonistic and sexual behaviour between bucks were recorded during the first day. Semen was collected and evaluated 4 and 9 days after grouping. Cortisol concentration increased (P = .037), but testosterone decreased (P < .0001), after grouping the animals, without differences according to their DP. The DB tended to display more lateral approaches toward other bucks than SB bucks (P = .06), but there were no effects of DP in any other behaviour. Sperm concentration and the total number of sperm in the ejaculate decreased after grouping (P = .01 and P = .009 respectively. In conclusion, in the conditions of this study, dominance relationships affected sexual behaviour but not body or testicular size or semen output in young bucks allocated in dyads. Dominant bucks were more effective displaying sexual consummatory behaviours. Grouping all the bucks together displayed a strong stress response that affected testosterone secretion and sperm output which was of similar magnitude in bucks that were dominant or subordinate individuals before.

The reinsertion of controlled internal drug release devices in goats does not increase the pregnancy rate after short oestrus synchronization protocol at the beginning of the breeding season

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reinserting controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) on pregnancy rates in goats. Oestrus was synchronized with a short (5 days) CIDR protocol, and FTAI was conducted 54 hours after CIDR removal. According to the reinsertion of CIDR after FTAI, goats were assigned to three treatments: G0 control group (n = 29), no CIDR reinsertion; G7 group (n = 27), CIDR reinserted 7 days; G14 group (n = 29), CIDR reinserted 14 days. Blood samples were collected to determine progesterone levels. Oestrus appearance (92.9%), interval of CIDR removal to oestrus (IRE = 34.1 ± 1.1 hours), interval of oestrus onset to artificial insemination (IEAI = 20.2 ± 1.0 hours), mean duration of oestrus (38.4 ± 1.4 hours), and pregnancy rates (61.0%) were similar (P > .05) among groups. Progesterone concentrations were higher (P < .05) in G7 and G14 than G0 goats. G7 goats had lower (P < .05) oestrus rate, after CIDR reinsertion, than G0 and G14 goats. Overall pregnancy rate was similar (P > .05) for all groups. In conclusion, reinsertion of CIDR for 7 or 14 days after a short oestrus synchronization protocol and FTAI did not increase the overall pregnancy rate of goats.

In vitro gas production kinetics and degradability of a diet for growing lambs: effect of fibrolytic enzyme products at different dose levels

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three fibrolytic enzyme products (cellulase (CEL), xylanase (XYL) and a 1:1 mixture of CEL and XYL (MIX)) at three dose levels (0, 1 and 3 μL/0.5 g DM) on the in vitro fermentation of a diet for growing lambs. Bottles were incubated for 96 h at 39 °C. A mathematical model was used to estimate the parameters describing the gas production (GP) curve (b, c and L). Dry matter degradability (DMD) and fibre (NDFD and ADFD) degradability were determined at the end of the incubation period. Metabolisable energy (ME) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were calculated at 24 h of incubation. The asymptotic GP (parameter b) was affected (p < 0.02) by enzyme product and dose level, with a significant linear response (p < 0.05). Dose level affected ME and SCFA with a significant linear (p < 0.05) and quadratic (p < 0.01) response. The interaction between enzyme product and dose level was significant (p < 0.05) for cumulative GP up to 72 and 96 h of incubation, pH, ADFD and DMD. The results suggest that application of exogenous cellulases has the potential to alter asymptotic GP and degradability of ADF and DM of a diet for growing lambs, but most of the results depend on the interaction between enzyme product and dose level. Future studies are required to determine the ideal combination between enzyme product and dose level for optimal degradation of ruminant feeds.

Changes in sexual behaviour and semen quality associated with age and type of enclosure of Saint Croix rams in different seasons of the year

The objective of this study was to evaluate sexual behaviour and semen quality of St. Croix ram lambs bred in a semi-desert region. In Experiment 1, 24 yearling rams were assigned to two groups: T1 with 12 males confined for 11 months; T2 with 12 males confined individually for the same period of time. In Experiment 2, 20 four-month-old ram lambs were assigned to two groups of 10 animals each. In each experiment, sexual behaviour and semen quality were evaluated every 2 weeks over 11 months. In Experiment 1, rams that were individually confined showed better sexual activity than lambs confined together (P<0.05), whereas in Experiment 2 ram lambs confined individually only showed shorter time to first mount with ejaculation (P<0.05). In experiment 1, sperm with better progressive motility (P<0.05) was recorded per yearling ram confined individually (63.4±0.2%) in comparison with rams confined together (51.60.1%). In Experiment 2, ram lambs confined together showed better semen quality (P< 0.05). In both trials, an effect of the season was observed on both sexual behaviour and semen quality (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study of St. Croix males showed different sexual behaviours according to age and type of enclosure.