This study aimed to compare the effect of hCG or eCG administered at the end of a short-term estrus synchronization treatment on the estrus parameters and pregnancy rates in non -lactating Saanen goats during the breeding season. The estrus cycles of does were synchronized with an intravaginal sponge containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for five days and an injection of 125 mu g of D-cloprostenol at the time of sponge insertion. Does were injected intramuscularly either 1 ml physiological saline solution (Control -Group; n=16), 400 IU hCG (hCG-Group; n=14) or 400 IU eCG (eCG-Group; n=14) at the time of sponge removal. The estrus behavior was observed using teaser bucks and the ovulation time was monitored using transrectal ultra sonography twice daily for 96 h after the sponge removal. Does in estrus were allowed a single copulation using fertile bucks. Blood samples were collected on the same days to determine serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations. No significant differences were observed between the groups in term of estrus parameters, ovarian structure and serum P4 concentrations. Although serum E2 concentration was similar between groups in the first three days. Serum E2 concentrations differed between the eCG and the other two groups on the fourth day, and between the eCG and control groups on the fifth day. As a result, it can be concluded that the effects of hCG or eCG administration on estrus behavior, ovarian findings and pregnancy rate at the time of sponge removal are similar, therefore hCG can be an alternative to eCG.

This study aimed to determine the influence of different doses of B-glucan on post-thaw spermatological parameters, lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant activity of buck semen. In the non-breeding season, semen was collected from bucks twice weekly. After then, ejaculates were pooled and divided into four equal aliquots: B-glucan concentrations of 1 mM (BG1), 2 mM (BG2), and 4 mM (BG4), and a control group without antioxidants. Each sample group was diluted for cryopreservation using a dilution method involving two steps. The experimental groups were then evaluated for several parameters including sperm motility, plasma membrane functional integrity [hypoosmotic swelling test (HOST)], damaged acrosome rate [FITC-Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA)], DNA integrity [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL)], mitochondrial membrane potential using JC-1, evaluation of lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde; MDA) and determination of total antioxidant capacity; TAC). The post-thaw motility and plasma functional integrity of the control group were significantly lower than those values in the BG groups (P < 0.05). Although the numerically greatest acrosome damage was detected in the control group, it was only statistically different from BG1 and BG4 (P<0.05). While the DNA fragmentation rate of the control group was higher than BG4 group (P<0.05), it was similar to BG1 and BG2 groups (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference among all the groups regarding low mitochondrial membrane potential, MDA, and TAC rates. In line with our results, supplementation of 1mM, 2 mM and 4 mM B-glucan to freezing extender improves the post-thaw spermatological characteristics of goat semen.

This study aimed to compare the effect of hCG or GnRH administered 36 h following a short-term estrus synchronization treatment on the ovulation time and pregnancy rates of Merino ewes during the breeding season. The estrus cycles of ewes were synchronized with an intravaginal sponge containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 6 days, and an injection of 400 IU of eCG and 125 mu g of d-cloprostenol 24 h before sponge removal. Thirty-six h after the sponge removal, ewes were injected intramuscularly either 1 ml of physiological saline solution (control-group; n=14), 100 IU of hCG (hCG-group; n=14) or 0.004 mg of buserelin acetate (GnRH-group; n=14). The estrus behavior was observed using teaser rams and the ovulation time was monitored using transrectal ultrasonography twice daily for 96 h after the sponge removal. Ewes in estrus were allowed a single mating using fertile rams. Estrus response was higher (P<0.05) in the control group (92.86%) than in the GnRH group (50.00%). The interval from sponge removal to ovulation and from hCG to ovulation were shorterin the control group than in the hCG group(70.55, 80.83 h; 34.55, 44.83 h, respectively, P<0.05). In conclusion, administration of hCG or GnRH at 36 h following a short-term estrus synchronization protocol did not affect estrus behavior, ovarian findings and pregnancy rate in ewes during the breeding season.

This study aimed to compare the effect of hCG administered at 24 or 36 h following a short-term estrus synchronization treatment on the ovulation time and estrus parameters in non-lactating Saanen goats during the breeding season. The estrous cycles of does were synchronized with an intravaginal sponge containing 60 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) for six days, and an injection of 125 µg of d-cloprostenol at the time of sponge insertion in addition to an injection of 300 IU of eCG 24h before sponge removal. After removal of the sponges, does were injected intramuscularly either 1 ml physiological saline (0.9% NaCl) solution after 12 h (Group1/Control; n=10), 100 IU hCG after 24 h (Group2; n=9) or 100 IU hCG after 36 h (Group3; n=9). Estrus behavior after sponge removal was observed twice daily for 84 h using teaser bucks and transrectal ovarian ultrasonography was performed twice a day for seven days to determine small, medium and large follicle numbers, luteal development and the time of ovulation. Blood samples were collected on the same days to determine serum progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) concentrations. No significant differences were observed in terms of estrus parameters, ovarian structure and serum P4 and E2 concentrations between the hCG-treated groups and the control group. Average values observed for all groups: estrous response (53.57%), the interval from sponge removal to estrus and ovulation (35.2 h and 67.86 h, respectively), duration of estrus (18.4 h), the interval from estrus onset to ovulation (50.37 h), ovulation rate (96.43%), number of ovulations (1.36), ovulatory follicle diameter (6.86 mm), corpus luteum diameter (8.22 mm), follicle and luteal growth rate (1.17 and 0.68 mm/day, respectively). In conclusion, administration of hCG at 24 or 36 h following a short-term estrous synchronization protocol does not affect ovulation time, estrus parameters, and serum P4 and E2 concentrations in goats during the breeding season.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of scheduled vincristine sulfate therapy on canine oocyte quality and nuclear oocyte maturation, associated with total antioxidant and oxidant status of ovaries and Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations in dogs with Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumor (CTVT). Six bitches suffering from CTVT and six healthy bitches were included in the study. Hemogram was carried out weekly. AMH measurements and ovariohysterectomy operations were performed after the termination of vincristine sulfate therapies. Tissue samples from ovaries were utilized for Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced Glutathione (GSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Total Anti-oxidative Status (TAS), Total Oxidative Status (TOS) measurements, and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) was calculated. Collected oocytes were evaluated for meiotic competence, after In Vitro Maturation (IVM) and parthenogenetic activation. No difference between the two groups was observed in hematologic parameters (P > 0.05). Meiotic stages of Germinal Vesicle Break Down (GVBD), Metaphase I (MI), and Metaphase II (MII) were significantly different between groups (P < 0.05). The number of oocytes reaching MII and meiotic resumption was lower in the CTVT group. Furthermore, AMH concentrations, oxidant parameters (OSI, TOS, and MDA), and antioxidant parameters (GSH, SOD, and TAS) were also statistically different between groups (P < 0.05).The results of this study show that vincristine sulfate application in the treatment of CTVT could alter oxidant/antioxidant status in ovaries. Apart from these, oocyte quality and IVM rates seem to decline related to gonadotoxicity. Moreover, AMH could be an important marker in the evaluation of oocyte qualities in bitches, as it is in women.