Taymour M. El-Sherry

Changes in blood flow in ovine follicles and serum concentration of estradiol 17 beta (E2) and nitric oxide (NO) around the time of ovulation in Ossimi ewes.

The aim of the present study was to examine the relation between follicular blood flow of the ovulatory follicle and the levels of serum E2 and nitric oxide (NO) in Ossimi ewe. Seven cyclic ewes were synchronized with a double injection PGF2α. The follicular wave was examined daily until ovulation (disappearance of the large dominant follicle ultrasonographically) with transrectal color Doppler ultrasonography (8-10MHz linear array transducer). The number of recruited follicles was 4.8±0.9 (3-8 follicles) with diameter of 2.8±0.1mm. The interval from PGF2α injection to follicle deviation was 2.35±0.07 days. The diameter of the first largest follicle (LF1) at recruitment day was 4±0.3mm while the diameter of the second largest follicle (LF2) was 3.7±0.1mm. The diameter of LF1 at the day of deviation was 5.1±0.5mm while the diameter of the LF2 was 4±0.7mm. The diameter of the ovulatory follicle was 6.1±0.5at day of ovulation. We detected the blood flow area of the ovulatory follicle at D2. At ovulation, the blood flow area and blood flow area percent increased significantly to be 11.9±0.6mm(2) and 44±3.4% respectively. The results showed a positive correlation between E2 and NO (r=0.85, P<0.009). Both increased concomitantly with the diameter of the ovulatory follicle. Besides, NO and E2 reached a maximum level at ovulation (12.1±1.8ng/ml and 16.4±1.7pg/ml respectively).

Plasma steroid hormone concentrations and blood flow of the ovarian structures of the female dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) during growth, dominance, spontaneous ovulation, luteinization and regression of the follicular wave

The objectives of this study were to investigate the ovarian follicular waves and their corresponding hormonal changes in she-camels and to elucidate blood perfusion of the ovarian structures. Three reproductively sound, non-pregnant female camels were examined daily using B-mode and color Doppler to detect changes in their ovarian structures and blood vasculature for 22 follicular waves. Blood area (BA) and percentage (BA%) were determined for the ovarian structures. Three phases of follicular development, those of growth, maturation, and regression, were observed during each follicular wave. Deviation occurred on Day 6.1±1.08. Estradiol increased from basal levels of 27.4±0.4pg/ml to peak concentrations of 134.4±47.5pg/ml as the follicle reached a diameter of 13.2mm. Peripheral progesterone concentrations remained low (<0.4ng/ml) throughout the follicular waves. The blood flow to the dominant follicles increased gradually with follicular growth. The BA and BA% reached the maximum values of 18.4±11.6mm(2) and 6.04±2.03%, respectively, when the diameter of the dominant follicle was 17.5±3.4mm. The blood flow to the corpus luteum rose markedly after ovulation to reach a maximum BA% and BA at Days 5 and 7, respectively, post ovulation. In conclusion, the follicular wave pattern in dromedaries consists of individually variable periods of growth, maturation and regression. Deviation occurs 6.1±1.08d from emergence. Transrectal color-Doppler sonography is a useful technique for noninvasive evaluation of follicular vascularity in camels during various stages of the follicular wave. It provides additional information to assess the developmental stage and activity of the ovarian structures.

Effect of dinoprost and cloprostenol on serum nitric oxide and corpus luteum blood flow during luteolysis in ewes

In this study we compared the effect of dinoprost and cloprostenol on changes of corpus luteum blood flow during luteolysis. Ten nonlactating cyclic ewes were synchronized with double PGF2α injections 11 days apart. At Day 10, the animals were classified into 2 groups and received the third dose of PGF2α after confirmation of the presence of a mature CL. The first group received (12.5 mg/im) dinoprost and the second group received (250 μg/im) cloprostenol. A color Doppler ultrasound scan was performed by the same operator according to the following timeline: 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours, then every 24 hours until Day 4). The size, morphology, and blood flow of the CL was evaluated during the regression. The results showed that regression of the CL did not differ between the dinoprost and cloprostenol groups. There was no significant effect on diameter of the CL in both groups, though the size of the CL decreased gradually and slowly. Pretreatment progesterone concentration did not differ between groups. The results showed that the nitric oxide level was significantly increased within half an hour after the dinoprost treatment, and was significantly decreased in the cloprostenol group after half an hour. The blood velocity was increased significantly half an hour after the dinoprost treatment and it was decreased in the cloprostenol-treated group. In conclusion, both cloprostenol and dinoprost affect CL by controlling the nitric oxide level and blood supply of the CL via different mechanisms to induce luteolysis.

Ovarian stimulation with follicle-stimulating hormone under increasing or minimal concentration of progesterone in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the presence or absence of Corpus luteum (CL) on the follicular population during superstimulation in dairy cows (Holstein-Friesian cattle). Animals were divided into two groups as follows: (1) Growing CL group (G1): Cows (n=7) received a total dose of 28 Armour units (AU) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) through the first 4 d (twice daily) after spontaneous ovulation (Day 0). (2) CL Absence group (G2): Cows (n=10) received prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) at 9 or 10 d after ovulation. After 36h, all the follicles (larger than 5mm) were aspirated (Day 0). The FSH treatment started 24h after aspiration and continued for 4 d. The number of small (3 to <5mm), medium (5 to <8mm), and large (> or = 8mm) follicles was examined on Days 1, 3, and 5 in all groups. Blood samples were collected daily for 5 d, and progesterone (P(4)), estradiol (E(2)), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth hormone (GH) in plasma were measured by enzyme immunoassays. The results showed that in G1, the P(4) level increased gradually from 0.5 ng/mL at Day 1 to 2 ng/mL at Day 5, whereas in G2, the P(4) level was completely below 0.5 ng/mL. All cows of the G2 group showed an increase of E(2) at Day 3 or Day 4 followed by an increase of IGF-1 within 24h, while GH increased concomitantly with the E(2) increase in 8 of 10 trials. On the other hand, cows of the G1 group showed neither E(2) nor IGF-1 increase. Moreover, at the end of the treatment, the number of follicles in the G2 group was significantly increased compared with that of the G1 group (22.8+/-2.0 vs. 11.6+/-2.0). In conclusion, low P(4) level during FSH treatment enhanced multiple follicular growth and E(2) secretion, which was followed by increase of IGF-1 and GH. Therefore, the absence of the CL may play a critical role in the superovulation response by controlling the number of growing follicles.

Development of Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) plugin for analyzing sperm in microfluidic environments using Image-J

We modified a previously reported Computer Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) plugin for Image-J to enable analyzing sperm cells in microfluidic environments. An image processing pipeline was built for object detection and particle tracking was improved. New parameters were introduced to allow studying new aspects of sperm motion behavior such as rheotaxis and wall tracking. A preliminary study using this tool agreed well with previously reported studies on rheotaxis and wall tracking behavior of sperm.

No-CL Superstimulatory Protocol: Developing a New Superovulation Treatment Initiated in the Absence of Corpus Luteum (CL) and Compared with D1 and Traditional Superovulation in Cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of superovulation under a complete absence of the Corpus luteum (CL) and compare it with D1 protocol and traditional superovulation in cattle. Animals were divided into three groups as following; 1- D1-protocol: Animals (n= 7) were leaved to get natural ovulation (D0), then received FSH for the next 4 days of the cycle. GnRH was given 12h after the last dose of FSH. 2- No-CL superovulation protocol: Animals (n=10) were synchronized and received PGF2α at D9 or D10 then classified to two subgroups (D9-sub-group and D10-sub-group). After 36 h, all follicles (≥ 5 mm) were aspirated (D0). 3- Control: Animals (n=3) were submitted to the conventional superovulation protocol. Blood samples were collected daily for 13 days. Progesterone (P 4 ) and Estradiol (E 2 ) in plasma were measured by Enzyme immune assay (EIA). The results showed that the number of growing follicles was significantly (P< 0.05) higher in both D9 and D10 subgroups in comparison to the D1 protocol (25.8 ± 4.3 and 20 ± 1.9 vs. 10.9 ± 1.9 respectively). While the number of ovulated follicle was higher in D9 sub-group than D10 sub-group, D1 protocol and control (13.8 ± 4.4 vs. 7.6 ± 3.5, 6.8 ± 1.5 and 9.7±0.9). In conclusion, the superovulation protocol with complete absent of the CL produced high number of growing follicles, decreased variability and considered as a promising superovulation protocol.