Francisco G. Veliz-Deras

Long-term betacarotene-supplementation enhances serum insulin concentrations without effect on the onset of puberty in the female goat

The effect of betacarotene (BC) supplementation on the onset of puberty and serum insulin levels in goats was evaluated in the study. In June, prepuberal goats (n=17; 3 months old; 7/8 Saanen-Alpine; 26° NL) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1/ betacarotene group supplemented daily with 50 mg of BC (n=9; live weight [LW]: 17.3±1.0 kg; body condition score [BCS]: 3.34±0.12) or 2/ control group (CONT; n=8; LW:16.1±1.0 kg; BCS=3.17±0.12). From June to November, an intermittent blood sampling was performed twice per week in both groups to evaluate serum progesterone (P(4)), while monthly samples were intended for insulin (INS) determination. Initial mean LW (16.7±1.0 kg) and BCS (3.31±0.12) were similar (p>0.05) in both groups. Mean serum insulin (1.37 vs. 1.18±0.09 ng/ml), age of puberty (215.7 vs. 226.5±6.6 days) and the percentage of goats reaching puberty (44.4 vs. 25.0±17.0%) did not differ (p>0.05) between BC and CONT group, respectively. However, increase in serum insulin during the second half of the experiment was observed in BC group (p<0.05) which was positively correlated with LW (r=0.95; p<0.05). In addition, as LW (r=-0.89) and serum insulin (r=-0.76) levels increased, the natural photoperiod decreased, revealing negative correlations (p<0.05) between the respective variables. In this study, BC supplementation did not promote precocious puberty and did not affect the percentage of goats reaching activation of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis during the establishment of puberty. Nonetheless, BC supplementation positively affected the release pattern of insulin suggesting a potential role of BC as pancreas-activating molecule.

Relationship between litter birthweight and litter size in five goat genotypes

Theaimofthepresentstudywastouseanon-linearregressionapproachtoinvestigatetherelationshipbetween litter birthweight and litter size of five breeds of goat under intensive conditions in a hot arid environment. Litter-size and litter-weight data on 20117 kids from 13685 litters representing five breeds, namely Saanen, Toggenburg, French Alpine, Anglo-NubianandGranadina,werecomparedtoevaluatethisrelationship.Regardlessofbreed,birthweightforkidsbornas twins, triplets and quadruplets was, on average, 92%, 87% and 83%, respectively, of that of singleton kids; litter size accountedfor81%ofthevariationinlitterweight.Thecoefficientofthepowerregressiondiffered(P <0.01)amongbreeds, withsimilarslopesforFrenchAlpine,ToggenburgandSaanengoatsandasmallerlitter-weightincreaseforeveryadditional fetusinAnglo-NubianandGranadinagoatsthaninotherbreedsofgoat.Theseresultssupportthehypothesisthat,regardless ofparity,litterweightindairyandGranadinagoatsincreasesatareducedratewithincreasesinlittersize,althoughtherateof change with the increasing number of fetuses was moderate, as indicated by a power regression of the form y=ax b between these variables across age categories and breeds of goat.

Reproductive outcomes of Alpine goats primed with progesterone and treated with human chorionic gonadotropin during the anestrus-to-estrus transition season

This study aimed to determine the possible effects of a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a means for estrus induction in acyclic French-Alpine goats during the reproductive transition period at 25°N, 103°W. The potential effects of hCG upon ovarian function and reproductive performance of goats were also assessed. Multiparous acyclic French-Alpine goats (n = 39; 37.4 ± 8 .5 kg) were primed with 20mg progesterone (P4) 1 day prior to hCG administration. Thereafter, does were treated either with saline (hCG-0; n = 10), 50 (hCG-50; n = 9), 100 (hCG-100; n = 10), or 300 IU of hCG (hCG-300; n = 10). Ovarian structures and pregnancy were monitored by transrectal ultrasonography. In addition, after hCG application, goats were monitored twice daily (0800 and 1800 h) to detect estrus signs, with the use of aproned, sexually active bucks treated with testosterone. Goats were bred 12h after the onset of estrus. Two days after hCG administration, the number of large follicles was higher (P < 0.05) in the hCG-50 and hCG-300 groups (1.7 ± 0.1 and 1.8 ± 0.2, respectively) compared with the hCG-100 and hCG-0 groups (1.4 ± 0.2 and 1.1 ± 0.1, respectively). Although none of the hCG-0-goats depicted estrus, the estrus response from the hCG-50, hCG-100, and hCG-300 groups over the 7-d breeding period was 67%, 100%, and 90%, respectively (P > 0.05), being always accompanied by ovulation. Pregnancy rate (67, 100, and 70%), kidding rate (55%, 80%, and 70%), and litter size (1.6 ± 0.5, 1.5 ± 0.5, and 1.5 ± 0.5) for hCG-50, hCG-100, and hCG-300, respectively, did not differ among the hCG-treated does. Therefore, the combined use of P4-priming plus a 100-IU hCG injection is an effective protocol for inducing estrus in non-cycling Alpine goats during the anestrus-to-estrus transition period, which is of key importance for both goat producers and industrializers.

Seminal characteristics, libido and serum testosterone concentrations in mixed-breed goat bucks receiving testosterone during the non-breeding period

A total of 12 sexually mature mixed-breed goat bucks were used in this experiment to study the effects of testosterone application (T; 25 mg IM every three days during three weeks) during the period of sexual inactivity (end of March, 26°N) on libido, odour, Sertoli cell number, seminal characteristics and serum testosterone levels. The experimental design was completely random with two groups with six bucks in each group. Reaction time was shorter (P < 0.05) in T bucks (96 ± 45 sec) than in control bucks (258 ± 44 sec). Testosterone treatment increased semen volume (1.2 ± 0.5 vs. 0.3 ± 0.03 ml for T and control bucks, respectively) and total sperm cells/ejaculate (1.32 ± 0.7 vs. 0.33 ± 0.02 x 109 for T and control bucks, respectively). Buck’s odour (scale 1–5) was more intense (P < 0.05) in T bucks (1.8 ± 0.1) than control bucks (0.6 ± 0.2). Serum testosterone levels were threefold higher in T bucks (8 ng/mL) compared to control bucks (2 ng/mL) after three weeks of exogenous testosterone treatment. It was concluded that testosterone application to sexually inactive goat bucks provoke an increase in serum testosterone which in turn induces an intense sexual behaviour and the improvement of semen quality.

Short-term beta-carotene-supplementation positively affects ovarian activity and serum insulin concentrations in a goat model

In early October 2010, adult goats (no.=22, 3.5 yr old, 7/8 Sannen-Alpine, 26° N, 103° W, at 1117 m), were randomly assigned to: i) beta-carotene group (BC) [no.= 10; live weight (LW)=45.9±1.97 kg, body condition score (BCS) =3.04±0.08; orally supplemented with 50 mg of BC per goat per day]; ii) control group (CONT) (no.=12; LW=46.2±2.04 kg, BCS=3.0±0.08). Animals received a basal diet of alfalfa hay, corn silage, and corn grain, having free access to water, shade, and mineral salts. During the second half of October, estrus was synchronized by using intravaginal sponges. Thereafter, by mid-follicular phase, an intensive blood sampling (6 h × 60 min) was performed to evaluate serum insulin concentrations (INS) by radioimmunoassay. By the end of the luteal phase, an ultrasonographic scanning was performed to evaluate total ovarian activity (TOA) [TOA=total follicles (TF) + total corpus luteum (TCL)]. The whole experimental period consisted of 34 days pre- and 17 days post-ovulation, for a total of 52 days. Average LW and BCS did not differ (p>0.05) during the experimental period. Nonetheless, increases in TF no. (5.0 vs 3.4±0.6 units; p=0.05), TCL no. (3.4 vs 2.8±0.2 units; p=0.05), TOA (8.1 vs 6.2±0.6 units; p=0.05) and INS (4.6 vs 3.9±0.4 ng ml−1; p=0.05) favored to the BC-supplemented group. A positive correlation between LW (r2=0.42; p=0.04) and BCS (r2=0.47; p=0.02) with respect to ovulation rate, was detected. BC-supplementation increased ovarian activity in the female goat while positively affected the release pattern of insulin, suggesting a potential role of BC as a central and/or pancreas-activating molecule in adult goats; such results may hold not only physiologic but also clinical significance.

Reproductive performance of seasonally anovular mixed-bred dairy goats induced to ovulate with a combination of progesterone and eCG or estradiol.

Adult goats (n = 32) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments (n = 8, each): (i) progesterone (P4 ) + equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), treated with 25 mg progesterone intramuscularly (i.m.) + 250 IU eCG 24 h later; (ii) cronolone + eCG, treated with vaginal sponges - 20 mg cronolone × 7 days + 250 IU eCG at pessary removal; (ii) P4 + estradiol (E2 ), treated with 25 mg progesterone i.m. + 1 mg estradiol 24 h later; (iv) cronolone + E2 , treated with vaginal sponges - 20 mg cronolone × 7 days + 1 mg of estradiol i.m. at pessary removal. Goats were tested for estrus throughout the presence of a buck. Seven days prior and after treatment, an ovarian ultrasonographic scanning was performed to determine ovarian function and structures. An ultrasonographic pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 30 post-service. In all groups, 100% estrus response was observed within 96 h post-treatment. While ovulation occurred in 100% of P4 + eCG and cronolone + eCG treated goats, the other groups only depicted 50% ovulatory activity (P < 0.05). Pregnancy rate was higher (P <0.05) in the P4 + eCG and cronolone + eCG groups (88 and 100%, respectively), compared with 38% in P4 + E2 and cronolone + E2 groups. The best treatments were those in which eCG was applied. The P4 + eCG treatment was a pessary-free, cheaper and effective protocol to induce ovulation in goats during the seasonal anovulatory period.

Betacarotene supplementation increases ovulation rate without an increment in LH secretion in cyclic goats

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of betacarotene (BC) supplementation on ovulation rate (OR) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in adult goats during the breeding season. Additionally, total ovarian activity (TOA) comprising the total number of ultrasonographically detectable antral follicles (AF) and corpora lutea (OR) was also assessed. In early October, adult goats [n=22, 3.5 years of age, 7/8 Sannen-Alpine; 26°N, 103°W at 1117m.a.s.l.] were randomly assigned to: (i) BC group (BCG), orally supplemented with 50mg of BC/goat/day [n=10; live weight (LW)=45.9±2.0kg, body condition score (BCS; range: 0-emaciated to 5-obese)=3.0±0.1], and (ii) control group (CONT) [n=12; LW=46.2±2.0kg, BCS=3.0±0.1]. All animals received a basal diet of alfalfa hay, corn silage and corn grain, with free access to water and mineral salts. The whole experimental period spanned 34 days before and 17 days after ovulation. On day 23 of the experiment, estrus was synchronized with progestin-releasing intravaginal sponges; 36h prior to estrus, an intensive blood sampling (every 15min for 6h) was performed to determine mean LH concentrations, pulsatility (LH-PULSE) and area under the curve (LH-AUC) for serial LH concentrations. Afterwards, by the end of the luteal phase (i.e., 17 days after the onset of estrus), an ultrasonographic scanning was performed to evaluate OR and TOA [AF+OR]. The average LW and BCS did not differ (p>0.05) during the experimental period. BC-supplemented goats showed an increase in OR (3.4±0.2 versus 2.8±0.2; p<0.05) and exhibited lower (p<0.05) serum LH concentrations, LH-AUC and LH-PULSE compared to CONT. A positive correlation was recorded between OR and LW (r(2)=0.42, p<0.05) and BCS (r(2)=0.47, p<0.05). In addition, AF (5.0±0.6 versus 3.4±0.6) and TOA (8.4±0.6 versus 6.2±0.6) were greater (p<0.05) in the BC-supplemented group than CONT. Supplementation with BC enhanced ovarian follicular development and ovulation rate in adult female goats under decreased photoperiods through LHRH-independant pathways or direct effects of BC on ovarian function.

Effect of two routes of administration of human chorionic gonadotropin upon oestrus induction and reproductive outcomes in adult acyclic mix-breed goats

ABSTRACT The effectiveness of two routes of administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) upon oestrus induction in anoestrus mix-breed goats was evaluated. Goats [n = 27, 39.6 ± 2.18 kg live weight and body condition score of 1.71 ± 0.02 units (scale 1–5)] were primed with 20 mg P4-intravulvosubmucosal (IVSM) 24 h prior to hCG administration. Thereafter, goats were randomly allocated to three groups to receive 100 IU hCG (0.1 mL) intramuscular (IM, n = 9), or IVSM (n = 9), and saline (0.5 mL) IM injection (CONT, n = 9). Ovarian follicular or luteal tissue was monitored by transrectal ultrasonographic scanning 15 days pre- and 5 days post-treatment. Besides, goats were daily monitored (0800 and 1800 h)  × 15 days to detect oestrus signs with the use of aproned sexually active bucks, treated with testosterone; 12 h after the onset of oestrus, goats were mated. While the CONT-goats never depicted neither oestrus nor ovulation (P < .05), the ovarian response from the IM and IVSM groups was 89% vs 68%, respectively (P > .05). Oestrus response (83.5%), pregnancy (60.6%) and litter size (1.55 ± 0.2) did not differ (P > .05) between the IM and IVSM groups. A single application of 100 IU hCG, irrespective of administration route, induced sexual activity in acyclic goats, generating key out-of-season reproductive outcomes.

Exposure of sexually inactive males to estrogenized females increased the investigative and consummatory sexual behavior

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of diverse socio-sexual cues upon male sexual behavior and the reproductive performance of anestrous does (AD). Trials were conducted in northern Mexico (26°N) during the natural anestrous season (Feb-Mar) with crossbred dairy bucks. In Experiment 1, sexually inactive bucks (SIB, n=12) were randomly allotted to three groups, four males/group: a) DEE 9novelty stimulation) - daily exchange of estrogenized females (EF) 12&12h, b) NEE (no novelty stimulation) - no-exchange of EF, 24h, or c) CON (saline-treated_ -daily exchange of AF 12&12h. Sexually active bucks (SAB) from the DEE, NEE and CON groups were subsequently exposed to AD (n=72; n=24/group) and the reproductive outcomes were recorded. In Experiment 2, SAB (n=12; n=6/group) were randomly divided in: 1) B+EF - males+four-EF exposed to AF (n=36), and 2) B+NEF; males+four-saline-treated AD and exposed to AD (n=36). Prior to the onset of the experimental breeding in both experiments, the investigative (ISB), consummatory (CSB) and resting (RSB) sexual behavior of males were quantified (2h×d×2d). Sexual behaviors considered were: ISB - flehmen, ano-genital sniffing, approaches, vocalizations, kicking, penis extrusion, CSB; mount attempts and mounts, and RSB - isolation, attempted escape, aggression and distractions. While EF were an effective stimulus (P<0.05) for evoking mounting in SIB males, daily exchange of estrous does used to stimulate males promoted an enhanced response (P<0.05) in terms of both ISB and CSB. After being exposed to AD, the B+EF bucks induced an earlier estrous response (P<0.05) as compared with the B+NEF bucks. The untreated females did not induce any sexual activity in males and stimulation of ovarian function did not occur when saline treated (CON) AD were exposed to AD. Also, the B+EF group induced an enhanced increase (P<0.05) of the male ISB and CSB, inducing in turn an increase percentage onset of estrus in does that had previously been anestrus (P<0.05).

Glutamate supply positively affects serum cholesterol concentrations without increases in total protein and urea around the onset of puberty in goats.

Different neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems regulate synthesis and secretion of GnRH. Whereas the endocrine and neural systems are activated in response to the metabolic status and the circulating levels of specific blood metabolites, glutamate receptors have been reported at hepatic level. This study evaluated the possible effect of glutamate supplementation upon changes in serum concentrations across time for total protein (TP), urea (UR) and cholesterol (CL) around the onset of puberty in goats. Prepuberal female goats (n=18) were randomly assigned to: (1) excitatory amino acids group, GLUT, n=10; 16.52±1.04kg live weight (LW), 3.4±0.12 body condition score (BCS) receiving an i.v. infusion of 7mgkg(-1) LW of l-glutamate, and (2) Control group, CONT, n=8; 16.1±1.04kg LW, 3.1±0.12 BCS. General averages for LW (23.2±0.72kg), BCS (3.37±0.10 units), serum TP (65.28±2.46mgdL(-1)), UR (23.42±0.95mgdL(-1)), CL (77.89±1.10mgdL(-1)) as well as the serum levels for TP and UR across time did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. However, while GLUT positively affected (P<0.05) both the onset (207±9 vs. 225±12 d) and the percentage (70 vs. 25%) of females showing puberty, a treatment×time interaction effect (P<0.05) was observed in the GLUT group, with increases in serum cholesterol, coincident with the onset of puberty. Therefore, in peripuberal glutamate supplemented goats, serum cholesterol profile could act as a metabolic modulator for the establishment of puberty, denoting also a potential role of glutamate as modulator of lipid metabolism.