Reproduction in Domestic Animals - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

16 t h International Congress on Animal Reproduction
Poster Abstracts 193
and eCG (500IU). Albendazole was administered orally to eight ewes,
at the beginning of oestrus, in a single dose of 11.5 mg/kg b.w.,
(group A), while the other eight ewes were used as controls (group C).
At the end of oestrus all non-atretic 2-8 mm diameter follicles were
aspirated. Grade A cumulus oocyte complexes were identified under
stereoscope and cultured for 24 hours in Modified Parker’s Medium at
38.5 ºC, 5% CO 2 in humidified air. Nuclear maturation was assessed
microscopically, after orcein (2%) staining. Albendazole was detected
in follicular fluid using HPLC. Progesterone and 17-β estradiol
concentrations in follicular fluid were assessed using RIA. Data were
analyzed using independent T-test and Chi square test.
Results Albendazole metabolites were detected in all follicular fluid
samples. Mean progesterone concentration in the follicular fluid did
not differ significantly (p>0.05) between groups (group A:
0.028±0.021 ng/μl and group C: 0.073±0.060 ng/μl). Mean 17-β
estradiol concentration in the follicular fluid of group A (26.97±24.42
pg/μl) was significantly lower (p0.05) compared to the rate of maturation in group C
(65.71%).
Conclusions Oral administration of albendazole affects steroid
hormone balance in follicular fluid of ewes but does not seem to
affect significantly in vitro nuclear maturation of ovine oocytes.
Further research is necessary to elucidate whether the detected steroid
hormone imbalance could affect cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes
and, consequently, their fertilization ability and developmental
competence.
P502
Ultrastructural characteristics of non-matured and in vitro
matured oocytes collected from follicular, luteal and
inactive ovaries of domestic cat during non-breeding
season
Martins, LR 1 *, Fernandes, CB 1 , Minto, BW 2 , Landim-Alvarenga, FC 1 , Lopes,
MD 1
1Animal Reproduction, University of State of Sao Paulo, Brazil; 2 Small Animal
Surgery, University of State of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Objective The aim of this experiment is to describe the ultrastructural
characteristics of non-matured (NMo) and in vitro matured oocytes
(IVMo) recovered from queen during the non-breeding season
(January, February and March) in southeast of Brazil.
Methods Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) was performed
in NMo immediately after harvest and IVMo were matured for 36 hrs
before TEM. Specimens were divided into oocytes from inactive
ovaries (NMI/IVMI); follicular ovaries (NMF/IVMF) and luteal
ovaries (NML/IVML).
Results NMI and NMF presented a narrow perivitelline space covered
with microvilli. On the other hand, microvilli were less evident in
NML. Cumulus cell projections penetrate the ZP forming junctional
complexes with the oolemma in all NMo. In the cytoplasm of NMI
lipid droplets and vesicles were evenly distributed in the ooplasm
except for the cortical zone, were clusters of mitochondria were
observed. NML was also characterized by peripheral mitochondrial
clusters, but greater clusters could also be seen centrally in the
cytoplasm. Differently, NMF were characterized by evenly distributed
mitochondria within the ooplasma. In NMI and NML cortical
granules were seen only in the peripheral area of the cytoplasm, but
the electron density of these organelles appeared to be lower and
Golgi complex were often seen in association with these granules. The
density of cortical granules in NMF was higher but they were also
present in central regions of the ooplasm. In all NMo a well developed
Golgi complex was observed. In IVMo mitochondria clusters are no
longer observed and these organelles presented an even distribution
towards the ooplasm. Cortical granules were present in the peripheral
region of IVMI, IVMF and IVML oocytes, although a small number
could still be observed in central region of the ooplasm of IVMF. The
perivitelinic space was more proeminent in IVMo. However the
amount of microvilly was similar with the one observed in NMI.
Granulosa cell projections were no longer seen.
Conclusion These results indicate that in vitro maturation was
efficient in inducing the morphological changes necessary for
cytoplasmic maturation of cat oocytes, independently of the ovarian
status.
P503
Superovulation fsh-p protocol in sarda ewes without
progestagen synchronization treatment
Mayorga, I. 1,2 *, Masia, F. 2 , Mara, L. 2 , Chessa, F. 2 , Casu, S. 2 , Juyena, N. 1,2 ,
Dattena, M. 2
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Padova, 35100
Padova, Italy; 2 DIRPA-AGRIS Sardinia, 07040 Olmedo, Italy
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of superovulation
response to FSH-p treatment without the use of intravaginal
progestagen sponges. Twenty animals were divided into 2 groups
such as single sponge (SS) 40 mg FGA for 12 days (n=10) and natural
oestrus (NT) (n=10). Superovulatory treatment per sheep consisted of
350 I.U. of porcine FSH (Folltropin ® , Bioniche Animal Health,
Ireland) administered in eight (i.m.) decreasing doses at every 12 h (2
ml x 2, 1.5 ml x 2, 1.0 ml x 2 and 0.5 ml x 2) starting 48 h before
sponge removal in the SS group and on day 4 after onset of oestrus
(day 0) in the NT group. A single dose of 125 µg (i.m) cloprostenol
was injected on day 6 after oestrus detection in the NT group to
induce ovulation. Ewes were naturally mated 24 h after sponge
removal in SS group and after cloprostenol injection in the NT group.
Seven days after mating, inguinal laparotomy was performed and the
number of corpora lutea (CL) was recorded. Embryos were
recovered by flushing each uterine horn according to the technique of
Tervit and Havik (1976) with some modifications. The recovered
embryos were evaluated according to their stage of development and
their quality was scored on a scale of 1 to 3 (Niemann et al., 1981).
Embryos with a score of 1 were considered of high quality. Data on
number of corpora lutea (CL), embryos recovered (ER), embryos
fertilized (EF), and high quality embryos (EQ 1 ) per ewe were
analysed by ANOVA (GLM SAS procedure). Length of treatment for
each group was also assessed. Data on recovery (RR), fertility (FR)
and embryo quality (Q 1 R) rates per treatment were analysed by a Chi
Square analysis. Statistical differences were founded between SS and
NT groups only in the number of CL/ewe (7 ±3.2 vs 10.7± 3.4)
(p