Estrous Synchronization in Sheep and Goat
Estrous Synchronization in Sheep and Goat
Estrous Synchronization in Sheep and Goat
ESTROUS CYCLE
DEFINITIOS:ESTRUS: Period of sexual receptivity.
Commonly referred to as Heat
ESTROUS CYCLE: Reproductive cycle of female, generally defined as period from one estrus to the next.
ESTROUS CYCLE
Seasonally polyestrus:
Cycles occur only during certain times of the year
Long-day breeders:
Cycle when day length increases Ex: mare
Short-day breeders:
Begin to cycle as day length decreases Ex: sheep, goats
Reproductive parameters of sheep and goat (Jainudeen, et al. Reproduction in farm animals 7th edition)
Particular Length of estrous cycle (days) sheep 17 (14-19) goat 21 (also short cycles) (18-22)
24-36
24-48
Time of ovulation
Trends in harmone concentrations in the peripheral circulation of the ewe during the oestrous cycle (David
Noakes ,Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics 9th edition) FSH (ng/ml)
LH (ng/ml)
Estrogens (pg/ml)
Progestrone (ng/ml)
Endocrine changes during the oestrous cycle in ewe Just before the onset of oestrus rise in oestrogens in the peripheral circulation, particularly oestradiol-17. This is followed by a sudden surge of LH which reaches a peak about 14 hours before ovulation; coincidental with this peak is a rise in FSH. There is also a second FSH peak 2 days after ovulation. Prolactin fluctuates throughout the oestrous cycle.
Trends in harmone concentrations in the peripheral circulation of the goat during the oestrous cycle
Ram has found ewe on heat. She stands still, looking around at the ram, tail fanning, ears pricked. She is waiting to be mounted.
Estrus synchronization
Manipulation of the estrous cycle to bring a large proportion of females in estrus at a pre-determined time.
Introduction
Estrus synchronization (ES) in livestock focuses on the manipulation of either the luteal or the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. In does and ewes, the opportunity for control is greater during the luteal phase, which is of longer duration and more responsive to manipulation.
Strategies can be employed to extend the luteal phase by supplying exogenous progesterone or to shorten this phase by prematurely regressing existing CL.
B. Non-hormonal :
Light, nutrition, weaning, male stimulation
2. Synthetic progestogens Norgestomet Crestar (implant) Medroxy acetate progesterone (MAP) Melengestrol acetate (MGA) (oral)
CIDR application/loading
CIDR application/loading
CIDR application/loading
Intravaginal Sponges
Intravaginal sponges have been the traditional treatment of choice for ES in small ruminants, during the breeding and anestrus seasons. They are impregnated with A. progestagens or B. natural progesterone
Cont
In sheep, progestagen impregnated intravaginal sponges or CIDRs are inserted intravaginally for 1214 days. Ewes show oestrus approximately 48 h after device removal.
In goats, progestagen impregnated sponges are inserted intravaginally for 16 18 days, whilst CIDRs are left in place for 1821 days. The majority of does will be in oestrus approximately 48 h after removal (Wheaton et al., 1993). At the time of removal, animals are administered eCG/PMSG.
A solution of progesterone (0.175 g/ml) was prepared in ethanol and each sponge was loaded with 2 ml solution.
Prostaglandins
Intramuscular injection requires higher dosage than intrauterine injection because of the short half-life of the substance. Half-life about 2-3 minutes; approximately 90% deactivated in single passage through body.
The inconveniences of using PGF2 are1.The CL can be responsive to PGF2 from day 3 of the oestrous cycle (Rubianes et al.,2003) to the day of natural luteolysis; therefore, animals should contain an active CL. 2. The second inconvenience is that the 910-day protocol is effective in synchronising oestrus, but fertility of the ewes at rst mating is only about 70%, signicantly lower than that after progestagen treatments and natural services (Boland et al., 1978; Godfrey et al., 1999).
A protocol developed for synchronization of estrus in cycling native ewes at CSWRI includes administration of two intramuscular injections of PGF2 7.5 mg at 10 days interval.
GnRH agonists
Hypothalamus hormone Release of FSH, LH Buselerin (Cystorelin, Factrel, Fertagyl, OvaCyst, Receptal etc.)
Estrogens
Estradiol conjugates
Estradiol valerate Estradiol bazoate Estradiol cypionate
Gonadotropins
eCG or PMSG FSH hCG
Diagram on the role of photoperiod and pineal gland on steroid feedback and seasonal estrous cycles.
Cont
It has been reported that in anoestrous ewes a signicant increase of GnRH secretion after 40 days and high GnRH and LH pulsatility occurs after 74 days of melatonin treatment (Vigui et al., 1995). And it is done by reducing tyrosine hydroxylase activity and, therefore, the secretion of dopamine in the median eminence (Vigui et al., 1997).
Thereby, implants cause a short day-like response by lengthening the duration of the melatonin signal (Malpaux et al., 1997).
Cont
The implants contain 18 mg of melatonin and are designed to maintain high plasma melatonin concentrations for at least 60 days, although most of them continue releasing the hormone for over 100 days (Forcada et al., 2002).
The implant release maintains daytime plasma concentrations of melatonin >100 pg/mL, in both ewes (Forcada et al., 1995) and goats (Delgadillo et al., 2001).
In response to introduction of the male, ewes/does secrete increasing amounts of LH and FSH, which result in ovulation after 2 or 3 days of male introduction. In cyclic goats, highest frequency of estrus was observed within the first 3 days of buck introduction.