Reproductive outcomes in fresh transfer cycles and antagonists with premature luteinizing and/or progesterone surge: a single center retrospective cohort study.

Background: The optimal outcome of assisted reproductive technology is a successful live birth after fresh embryo transfer. However, the success pregnancy rate of fresh embryo transfer cycle in antagonist protocol is lower than that observed in other protocols. Despite the use of antagonists (GnRH-ant), the incidence of luteinizing hormone surge and elevated progesterone levels remain at approximately 5%-38%. Progesterone is widely recognized to exert adverse effects on fresh embryo transfer outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of luteinizing hormone surge and progesterone levels on live birth rate following fresh embryo transfer and explore appropriate progesterone thresholds to enhance pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 1,177 antagonist protocol cycles with fresh embryo transfer. The patients were divided into four groups based on the presence of premature LH surge and progesterone level on trigger day>1.5ng/ml. Then, the relationship between the variables and the pregnancy outcome was analyzed and compared in each group. Results: The transient rise of luteinizing hormone did not impact pregnancy outcomes (P=0.345; P=0.3; P=0.787), in contrast to progesterone levels on the day of hCG administration (P=0.047*; P=0.015*; P=0.021*). In cases with luteinizing hormone surge, elevated progesterone levels were correlated with higher antral follicle count (AFC), and as progesterone levels increased, a greater quantity of oocytes and embryos were obtained. However, there was no statistically significant difference in pregnancy outcomes. In cases without luteinizing hormone surge, elevated progesterone levels led to significantly poorer pregnancy outcomes. Furthermore, the curve-fitting and threshold-effect analysis revealed a notable decline in live birth rates when progesterone exceeded or equaled 1.10ng/ml (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.66; P = 0.005*). Conclusion: The GnRH-ant dosage addition should be carefully selected in flexible antagonist protocols. The presence of elevated progesterone levels may be associated with improved embryo quality when luteinizing hormone surge occurred. In the absence of a luteinizing hormone surge, progesterone levels showed a larger impact on the pregnancy outcome, and fresh embryo transfer should not be performed if the progesterone level on the day of hCG administration is higher than 1.10ng/ml.

Serum progesterone measurement on the day of fresh embryo transfer and its correlation with pregnancy success rates: A prospective analysis.

Studies regarding serum Progesterone (P4) concentration and Clinical Pregnancy Rates (CPR) in fresh Embryo Transfer (ET) after Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Cycles (COS) remain inconclusive. To find a P4 cutoff point on fresh ET day associated with higher CPR, and to identify predictive factors of CPR and P4, the authors conducted a prospective cohort of 106 patients who underwent COS at a public IVF center. The luteal phase was supported with vaginal micronized progesterone (200 mg, 8/8h), beginning on oocyte retrieval day. The primary outcome was CPR beyond the 8th week of pregnancy. A ROC curve was constructed to identify the best cutoff point correlated with higher CPR. Multivariate analysis evaluated predictive variables of CPR and P4 concentration. P4 levels showed no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant patients (67.12 ± 31.1 ng/mL vs. 64.17 ± 61.76, p = 0.7465). The cutoff point correlated with higher CPR was P4 ≥ 28.9 ng/mL (AUC 0.5654). Women's age (OR = 0.878; 95 % CI 0.774-0.995) and top-quality embryo transfer (OR = 2.89; 95 % CI 1.148-7.316) were associated with CPR. Women's age ≥ 40 years (OR = 0.0956; 95 % CI 0.0156-0.5851), poor response to COS (OR = 0.0964; 95 % CI 0.0155-0.5966), and follicles ≥ 10 mm (OR = 1.465; 95 % CI 1.013-2.117) were associated with the cutoff point. As the ROC curve was unsatisfactory, P4 ≥ 28.9 ng/mL should not be used to infer gestational success. In fresh ET, P4 concentration may merely reflect a woman's age and individual response to COS rather than being a reliable CPR predictor.

[Impact of progesterone concentration on hCG trigger day on clinical outcomes with cleavage-stage embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization cycles with an antagonist protocol].

Objective: To investigate the impact of the progesterone concentration on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger day in fresh cycles versus thawed transfer cycles (the freeze-all strategy) with an antagonist protocol, and to compare the differences in clinical outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included a total of 2 165 cycles conducted at Henan Provincial People's Hospital with cleavage-stage embryo (at least one top-quality) transfer between January 2017 and December 2023, with serum progesterone levels on hCG trigger day all≤6.34 nmol/L (i.e. 2 ng/ml). Multivariate logsitic regression analysis and curve fitting were performed based on different serum progesterone levels on hCG trigger day [≤3.17 nmol/L (i.e. 1 ng/ml) or 1-2 ng/ml]. Results: Multivariate regression analysis, by using cycle type (either fresh or frozen-thawed cycle) as the exposure variable, showed that the clinical pregnancy rate (≤1 ng/ml: OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.75-1.14; 1-2 ng/ml: OR=1.05, 95%CI: 0.58-1.87) and live birth rate (≤1 ng/ml: OR=0.90, 95%CI: 0.71-1.13; 1-2 ng/ml: OR=1.53, 95%CI: 0.79-3.00) had no statistically significant differences in group of progesterone concentration ≤1 ng/ml or in group of 1-2 ng/ml. Using serum progesterone levels on hCG trigger day as a continuous variable for curve fitting analysis, the clinical pregnancy rate in fresh or thawed cycles showed no significant changes with increasing progesterone levels. Conclusions: In the antagonist protocol with cleavage-stage embryo transfer (at least one top-quality), when the serum progesterone level on hCG day is ≤2 ng/ml, there are no significant differences in clinical outcomes between thawed cycles and fresh cycles, including clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate. Transferred in fresh cycles or choosing the freeze-all strategy could be selected based on the actual situation of the patients.

Estrogen predicts multimodal emotion recognition accuracy across the menstrual cycle.

Researchers have proposed that variation in sex hormones across the menstrual cycle modulate the ability to recognize emotions in others. Existing research suggests that accuracy is higher during the follicular phase and ovulation compared to the luteal phase, but findings are inconsistent. Using a repeated measures design with a sample of healthy naturally cycling women (N = 63), we investigated whether emotion recognition accuracy varied between the follicular and luteal phases, and whether accuracy related to levels of estrogen (estradiol) and progesterone. Two tasks assessed recognition of a range of positive and negative emotions via brief video recordings presented in visual, auditory, and multimodal blocks, and non-linguistic vocalizations (e.g., laughter, sobs, and sighs). Multilevel models did not show differences in emotion recognition between cycle phases. However, coefficients for estrogen were significant for both emotion recognition tasks. Higher within-person levels of estrogen predicted lower accuracy, whereas higher between-person estrogen levels predicted greater accuracy. This suggests that in general having higher estrogen levels increases accuracy, but that higher-than-usual estrogen at a given time decreases it. Within-person estrogen further interacted with cycle phase for both tasks and showed a quadratic relationship with accuracy for the multimodal task. In particular, women with higher levels of estrogen were more accurate in the follicular phase and middle of the menstrual cycle. We propose that the differing role of within- and between-person hormone levels could explain some of the inconsistency in previous findings.

Estradiol-mediated enhancement of the human ectocervical epithelial barrier correlates with desmoglein-1 expression in the follicular menstrual phase.

Background: The cervicovaginal epithelial barrier is crucial for defending the female reproductive tract against sexually transmitted infections. Hormones, specifically estradiol and progesterone, along with their respective receptor expressions, play an important role in modulating this barrier. However, the influence of estradiol and progesterone on gene and protein expression in the ectocervical mucosa of naturally cycling women is not well understood. Methods: Mucosal and blood samples were collected from Kenyan female sex workers at high risk of sexually transmitted infections. All samples were obtained at two time points, separated by two weeks, aiming for the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Ectocervical tissue biopsies were analyzed by RNA-sequencing and in situ immunofluorescence staining, cervicovaginal lavage samples (CVL) were evaluated using protein profiling, and plasma samples were analyzed for hormone levels. Results: Unsupervised clustering of RNA-sequencing data was performed using Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). In the follicular phase, estradiol levels positively correlated with a gene module representing epithelial structure and function, and negatively correlated with a gene module representing cell cycle regulation. These correlations were confirmed using regression analysis including adjustment for bacterial vaginosis status. Using WGCNA, no gene module correlated with progesterone levels in the follicular phase. In the luteal phase, no gene module correlated with either estradiol or progesterone levels. Protein profiling on CVL revealed that higher levels of estradiol during the follicular phase correlated with increased expression of epithelial barrier integrity markers, including DSG1. This contrasted to the limited correlations of protein expression with estradiol levels in the luteal phase. In situ imaging analysis confirmed that higher estradiol levels during the follicular phase correlated with increased DSG1 expression. Conclusion: We demonstrate that estradiol levels positively correlate with specific markers of ectocervical epithelial structure and function, particularly DSG1, during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Neither progesterone levels during the follicular phase nor estradiol and progesterone levels during the luteal phase correlated with any specific sets of gene markers. These findings align with the expression of estradiol and progesterone receptors in the ectocervical epithelium during these menstrual phases.

Allopregnanolone and progesterone in relation to a single electroconvulsive therapy seizure and subsequent clinical outcome: an observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an important treatment for several severe psychiatric conditions, yet its precise mechanism of action remains unknown. Increased inhibition in the brain after ECT seizures, mediated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), has been linked to clinical effectiveness. Case series on epileptic patients report a postictal serum concentration increase of the GABAA receptor agonist allopregnanolone. Serum allopregnanolone remains unchanged after a full ECT series, but possible transient effects directly after a single ECT seizure remain unexplored. The primary aim was to measure serum concentrations of allopregnanolone and its substrate progesterone after one ECT seizure. Secondary aims were to examine whether concentrations at baseline, or postictal changes, either correlate with seizure generalization or predict clinical outcome ratings after ECT. METHODS: A total of 130 participants (18-85 years) were included. Generalization parameters comprised peak ictal heart rate, electroencephalographic (EEG) seizure duration, and prolactin increase. Outcome measures were ratings of clinical global improvement, perceived health status and subjective memory impairment. Non-parametric tests were used for group comparisons and correlations. The prediction analyses were conducted with binary logistic and simple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Allopregnanolone and progesterone remained unchanged and correlated neither with seizure generalization nor with clinical outcome. In men (n = 50), progesterone increased and allopregnanolone change correlated negatively with EEG seizure duration. In a subgroup analysis (n = 62), higher baseline allopregnanolone and progesterone correlated with postictal EEG suppression. CONCLUSIONS: ECT seizures have different physiologic effects than generalized seizures in epilepsy. Progesterone might have implications for psychiatric illness in men.

Effects of thiacloprid, a neonicotinoid pesticide, on rat reproductive system: Pregnancy hormone disruption and abortion trends.

Thiacloprid (TCL), commonly known as Biscaya, is among the most widely used pesticides in agriculture, designed to eliminate insects by targeting their nicotinic receptors. This study explores the effects of orally administering TCL (at a dose of 50 mg/kg) on the hormone secretion crucial for pregnancy and the factors influencing abortion throughout the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy in female rats. Following TCL exposure, there were significant increases in levels of 17ß-Estradiol, prostaglandins F2α and E2, and serum oxytocin hormone in different stages of pregnancy. In contrast, progesterone and endothelin-1 serum levels notably decreased during the initial and final stages of pregnancy. Additionally, TCL led to a substantial rise in lipid peroxidation levels and a decrease in total thiol molecules and total antioxidant capacity, especially in uterine tissue. Although TCL did not significantly affect the morphological characteristics of the delivered fetuses, it notably increased the number of abortions, especially during the second and third stages of pregnancy. In summary, our findings suggest that TCL elevates the risk of abortion in pregnant rats by disrupting the secretion of hormones crucial for fertility (such as 17ß-Estradiol/progesterone) and by increasing the secretion of abortion-inducing hormones like prostaglandins and oxytocin. Furthermore, these effects may be associated with disruptions in the oxidant/antioxidant balance within the ovaries and uterus.

The association of early pregnancy ultrasound parameters with reproductive hormone levels: A retrospective case-control Study.

The association between early pregnancy ultrasound parameters and reproductive hormone levels was investigated through a case-control study. Participants for this retrospective study were recruited from obstetrics and gynecology departments across multiple tertiary care centers over 2 years. Inclusion criteria for the case group included pregnant women in their first trimester with detailed ultrasound data, while the control group comprised nonpregnant women without hormonal disorders. A sample size of 850 was estimated to provide sufficient power for detecting differences in hormone levels. Hormone levels were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 26.0. A total of 425 participants in each group were included after accounting for dropouts. For hCG, a strong positive correlation was observed with crown-rump length (R = 0.62, P < .001), gestational sac diameter (R = 0.59, P < .001), and a moderate correlation with yolk sac diameter (R = 0.40, P = .003). Progesterone levels exhibited moderate positive correlations with these ultrasound parameters, and estradiol levels demonstrated strong positive correlations. Conversely, follicle-stimulating hormone levels showed a moderate negative correlation with ultrasound measurements, while luteinizing hormone levels indicated a slight negative correlation. Prolactin levels were positively correlated with all ultrasound parameters in cases. The control group did not show any significant correlations between hormone levels and ultrasound parameters. The study concluded a significant association between early pregnancy ultrasound parameters and reproductive hormone levels in pregnant women, underscoring the potential of these hormones as biomarkers for pregnancy development.

Association of Serum progesterone level, Peak Expiratory Flow Rate and obesity in healthy young women.

Purpose: Obesity is one of the lifestyle disorders which is slowly and steadily extending throughout the world. Women especially are showing an upward shift in Body mass index (BMI) in this modern era. Obesity in females has been associated with various risk factors. Less studies have been explored on the influence of BMI on different parameters of menstrual cycle The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of BMI on different parameters of the menstrual cycle. Methods: A total of 50 healthy female volunteers with regular menstrual cycle were selected after prior consent, and among them based on the body mass index, 32 females were categorized into obese group based on the BMI. Menstrual cycle history was monitored for 3 months for confirming regularity. Serum Progesterone and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were recorded. Results: Progesterone levels were very highly significant in the luteal phase when compared to early follicular and ovulatory phase. The PEFR value in luteal phase was higher when compared to early follicular and ovulatory phase which was statistically highly significant. Positive correlation between progesterone and PEFR was observed in the luteal phase, but it was not statistically significant. Positive correlation between BMI and PEFR was also observed. Conclusion: The study reveals significant hormonal and respiratory changes throughout the menstrual cycle. Progesterone levels and PEFR are markedly higher in the luteal phase, while BMI positively correlates with PEFR. A significant negative correlation exists between Waist Hip ratio (WHR) in the luteal phase. Further studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms driving the correlations between progesterone, respiratory parameters, BMI, and WHR in more diverse population.

Association of brown adipose tissue activity with circulating sex hormones and fibroblast growth factor 21 in the follicular and luteal phases in young women.

BACKGROUND: Thermogenesis is influenced by fluctuations in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. The thermogenic activity and mass of brown adipose tissue (BAT) are regulated by endocrine factors, including sex hormones and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). However, the relationship between human BAT and these endocrine fluctuations within individuals remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to assess variations in BAT activity between the luteal and follicular phases and identify correlations with circulating levels of sex hormones and FGF21. METHODS: Healthy young women were enrolled in an observational study. Measurement of BAT activity and blood analyses were performed in both the follicular and luteal phases. BAT activity was analyzed using thermography with 2-h cold exposure. Plasma 17ß-estradiol, progesterone, and FGF21 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A comparative analysis within individuals was conducted in 13 women to compare the follicular and luteal phases. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis was carried out in 21 women during the follicular phase only. RESULTS: Plasma 17ß-estradiol and progesterone levels were significantly higher in the luteal phase, whereas plasma FGF21 level was significantly higher in the follicular phase. Comparison analysis found no significant differences in cold-induced BAT activity between the follicular and luteal phases in young women. Correlation analysis in both comparison and sensitivity analyses found that plasma 17ß-estradiol and progesterone levels were not associated with BAT activity, whereas plasma FGF21 levels were significantly and positively correlated with BAT activity only in the follicular phase. In addition, plasma 17ß-estradiol levels in the follicular phase were significantly and positively associated with plasma FGF21 levels in both the comparison and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The thermogenic activity of BAT during cold exposure was comparable between the follicular and luteal phases in young women. Higher BAT activity was associated with elevated levels of plasma FGF21 only in the follicular phase, which is related to increased plasma 17ß-estradiol levels.

Menstrual cycle does not impact the hypoxic ventilatory response and acute mountain sickness prediction.

The relationship between the variations in ovarian hormones (i.e., estrogens and progesterone) and the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) remains unclear. HVR is a key adaptive mechanism to high altitude and has been proposed as a predictor for acute mountain sickness (AMS). This study aimed to explore the effects of hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle on HVR. Additionally, it assessed the predictive capacity of HVR for AMS and examined whether a particular menstrual phase could enhance its predictive accuracy. Thirteen eumenorrheic women performed a pure nitrogen breathing test near sea level, measuring HVR and cerebral oxygenation in early follicular, late follicular, and mid-luteal phases. Oxidative stress and ovarian hormone levels were also measured. AMS symptoms were evaluated after spending 14 h, including one overnight, at an altitude of 3,375 m. No differences in HVR, ventilation, peripheral oxygen saturation, or cerebral oxygenation were observed between the three menstrual cycle phases. Moreover, these parameters and the oxidative stress markers did not differ between the women with or without AMS (31% vs 69%), regardless of the menstrual cycle phase. In conclusion, ventilatory responses and cerebral oxygenation in normobaric hypoxia were consistent across the menstrual cycle. Furthermore, these parameters did not differentiate women with or without AMS.

Possibility of early pregnancy detection in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) based on fecal steroid hormone concentrations.

Early pregnancy detection in alpacas, whose breeding season is limited to the rainy season and has a long gestation period, is important for reproductive management. Conventional detection methods such as ultrasonography cannot be used to detect pregnancy before 30 days after mating. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using fecal steroid hormones as an early detection method in pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas. Fecal and blood samples were collected from pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas after mating. Progesterone (P4) and estradiol 17-ß were extracted and quantified from blood and fecal samples. A positive correlation exists between the steroid hormones in serum and feces, indicating that serum steroid hormone concentrations can be estimated from fecal steroid hormones. Within 10 days after mating, both pregnant and non-pregnant alpacas had fecal P4 concentrations greater than 1.0 ng/mg dry matter (DM), but by 15 days after mating, fecal P4 concentrations decreased to the pre-mating concentration in non-pregnant alpacas. From 15 days after mating, non-pregnant alpacas had a low fecal P4 concentration (< 1 ng/mg DM), whereas a high fecal P4 concentration indicated the possibility of pregnancy, suggesting that this test is clinically beneficial as a supportive test for pregnancy detection.

Relationship between the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin treatment on the fifth day after artificial insemination and ovarian ultrasonographic findings and blood nutritional metabolic factors in dairy cows.

The objective of the present study was to determine the ovarian ultrasonographic findings and metabolic factors that influence the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment on the fifth day after artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cows. Thirty-seven lactating Holstein cows were assigned to two groups: the hCG group (n = 25), which received 3000 IU of hCG intramuscularly on Day 5 after AI (day of AI = Day 0), and the control group (n = 12), which received no treatment. Ovarian ultrasonography measured luteal tissue area (LTA), luteal blood flow area (LBF), relative LBF (= LBF/LTA), and dominant follicle area on Day 5. Blood tests measured plasma insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin, and metabolite concentrations on Day 5 and plasma progesterone concentrations on Days 5 and 7. LBF was greater in pregnant cows than in non-pregnant cows, and plasma Glu concentration was lesser in pregnant cows than in non-pregnant cows, but in both cases there was no interaction between group and pregnancy outcome. For plasma insulin concentration, there was an interaction between group and pregnancy outcome, with pregnant cows in the hCG group having lesser concentrations than the other groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that group and the interaction between group and plasma insulin concentration were associated with pregnancy outcome. These results suggest that the effect of hCG treatment on Day 5 after AI is related to plasma insulin concentration and is more effective in cows with lesser plasma insulin concentrations.

Dyadic social interaction paradigm reveals selective role of ovarian estrogen in the caring behavior and socially transferred pain in female mice.

When a naïve observer meets with a familiar conspecific in pain, mice may have a myriad of social (sniffing, allolicking, allogrooming, huddling) and non-social (self-grooming) behaviors under dyadic social interaction (DSI) paradigm. Unlike male, female observers express more allolicking behavior toward injury site of a familiar female in pain, but with less body allogrooming. In current study, we investigated roles of natural estrus cycle phases and ovarian estrogen in these behaviors and results showed that: (1) there was no changes in above behaviors in terms of latency, time and bouts across different natural estrus cycle phases in intact female. (2) however, ovariectomy (OVX) changed estrus cycle phases, lowered circulating level of ovarian estrogen, reduced time and bouts of allolicking behavior and increased time of self-grooming without affecting other behaviors. Moreover, OVX in observers decreased social buffering effect of DSI on spontaneous pain-related behavior in demonstrator relative to naïve and sham controls. (3) treatment of OVX-female with ß-estradiol (E2) or progesterone (PROG) as replacement therapies, only E2 reversed impairment of allolicking behavior. (4) Additionally, socially transferred pain could be identified in intact female across all estrus cycle phases post-DSI, but disappeared in OVX-female, which could be reversed completely by E2 but not by PROG. (5) Finally, serum levels of estrogen, PROG, oxytocin, arginine vasopressin (AVP), prolactin, norepinephrine and 5-HT were examined by ELISA after E2, results showed only AVP level was significantly increased. These results suggest both injury site-targeted caring behavior and socially transferred pain are selectively dependent on ovarian estrogen. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Empathic Pain".

Influence of commercial inactivated or modified-live virus vaccination at time of AI on corpus luteum development and function in beef cattle.

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of vaccination with an inactivated virus vaccine (IVV) or modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine on the corpus luteum (CL). On d0, synchronized beef cows were treated with MLV (n = 70; BoviShield Gold FP5VL5), IVV (n = 16; ViraShield 6VL5HB), or were unvaccinated controls (n = 5). Plasma was collected from treated animals on d0 and every other day through d22. Plasma was analyzed for concentrations of progesterone and 15 cytokines. Between d10 and d13, selected females (n = 13) were ovariectomized; controls were slaughtered on d15/16 to obtain CL for histological evaluation. There were reduced numbers of large luteal cells (LLC) in MLV compared to IVV and controls (P < 0.0001), but IVV were similar to controls (P = 0.11). MLV had decreased LLC percentage compared to controls, and IVV were intermediate (P < 0.0001, MLV: 1.57 ± 0.33 %, IVV: 2.99 ± 0.30 %, Control: 6.45 ± 0.33 %). Based on progesterone concentrations, 24 % MLV and 0 % IVV had an abnormal cycle following vaccination. Overall, MLV had reduced progesterone concentrations (P = 0.02; MLV: 3.61 ± 0.22; IVV: 4.81 ± 0.46 ng/mL). The new CL that formed following an abnormal cycle in MLV had the greatest percentage (35.56 ± 5.5 %) of apoptotic cells. Treatment by cycle status interaction, and time significantly affected IFN-γ, IP-10, MIP-1ß, and MCP-1 (P < 0.03), with several time points having elevated concentrations in abnormally cycling MLV animals. Collectively, this demonstrates MLV vaccination around estrus negatively influenced LLC, progesterone, and increased luteal apoptosis and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Multimodal sexual signals are not precise indicators of fertility in female Kinda baboons.

Female fertility signals are found across taxa, and the precision of such signals may be influenced by the relative strength of different sexual selection mechanisms. Among primates, more precise signals may be found in species with stronger direct male-male competition and indirect female mate choice, and less precise signals in species with stronger indirect male-male competition (e.g. sperm competition) and direct female mate choice. We tested this hypothesis in a wild population of Kinda baboons in Zambia, combining data on female signals with reproductive hormones (estrogen and progesterone metabolites) and intra- and inter-cycle fertility. We predicted that Kinda baboons will exhibit less precise fertility signals than other baboon species, as they experience weaker direct and stronger indirect male-male competition. The frequency of copulation calls and proceptive behavior did not vary with hormones or intra- or inter-cycle fertility in almost all models. Sexual swelling size was predicted by the ratio of estrogen to progesterone metabolites, and was largest in the fertile phase, but differences in size across days were small. Additionally, there was variability in the timing of ovulation relative to the day of sexual swelling detumescence across cycles and swelling size did not vary with inter-cycle fertility. Our results suggest that female Kinda baboon sexual swellings are less precise indicators of fertility compared to other baboon species, while signals in other modalities do not reflect variation in intra- and inter-cycle fertility. Female Kinda baboon sexual signals may have evolved as a strategy to reduce male monopolizability, allowing for more female control over reproduction by direct mate choice.

Effect of intrafollicular administration of PGE2 or PGF2α in early estrus on ovulation, hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles formation, progesterone secretion and pregnancy outcome in the mare.

This experiment was performed to evaluate whether intrafollicular treatment of PGE2 or PGF2α administered in early estrus would induce normal ovulation, progesterone production (Experiment 1) and pregnancy (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, mares in estrus after 2 days of endometrial edema were injected in all largest dominant follicles (28-35 mm in diameter) with 0.5 mL of sterile water containing 500 µg PGE2 (n = 6), 125 µg PGF2α (n = 6) or placebo (n = 7) (Hour 0). Ultrasound examinations were performed daily, until ovulation or anovulation was detected, and daily blood samples were taken for 8 days. In Experiment 2, mares with a dominant follicle ≥35 mm after at least three days of slight-to-moderate endometrial edema, were injected with 500 µg PGE2 diluted in 0.5 mL of sterile water for injection in the follicle (PGE2 group; n = 9 mares and 11 dominant follicles). No puncture was performed in the control group (n = 9 mares and 11 dominant follicles). Mares from both groups were inseminated. In Experiment 1, all mares (6/6) in the PGE2 group ovulated within 24 h of treatment. The mean interval from intrafollicular injection to ovulation was shorter (P < 0.001) in PGE2 mares (24 ± 0 h) than in control mares (77 ± 9 h). Mares from the PGF2α group developed hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles (HAF) more often (7/7) than control mares (2/7); P < 0.05). The progesterone concentration in mares from the PGF2α group was lower (P < 0.004) than control mares in the early post-ovulatory period. The first significant increase in post-ovulatory progesterone concentration occurred earlier (P < 0.05) in mares from the control group than in mares from the PGF2α and PGE2 groups. In Experiment 2, more mares from the control group (7/9, 78 %) became pregnant than from the PGE2 group (2/9, 22 %) (P = 0.015). In conclusion, PGE2 alone induced follicle collapse in all treated mares within 24 h of administrations, while PGF2α blocked ovulation and induced formation of HAFs. However, the post-ovulatory rise in progesterone production was delayed and the fertility reduced in mares with ovulation induced by PGE2 compared to control mares.

Reproductive outcomes of prepubertal Bos indicus beef heifers raised in a pasture-based feeding system submitted to ovulation induction strategies prior to a timed-artificial insemination protocol.

Reproductive outcomes were evaluated in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers submitted to one, two or no ovulation induction protocols based on progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) prior to a timed-artificial insemination (TAI) protocol. A total of 1,437 heifers (13.0 ± 0.8 mo old; 3.1 ± 0.1 of body condition score [BCS] and 279.9 ± 25.8 kg of body weight [BW]) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: 0IND (n = 486): no ovulation induction protocol; 1IND (n = 481): one ovulation induction protocol; or 2IND (n = 470): two ovulation induction protocols. On Day -47, heifers from 2IND received a disinfected intravaginal P4 device (2 g, previously used for 21 d), kept until Day -40, when 0.5 mg of E2 cypionate (EC) was given. On Day -19, heifers from 2IND and 1IND underwent the same protocol. On Day 0, all heifers were submitted to the same TAI protocol, starting with a P4 device (0.5 g), 0.5 mg of cloprostenol sodium (PGF), and 1.5 mg of E2 benzoate. On Day 7, P4 device was removed, 0.5 mg of PGF, 0.5 mg of EC, and 200 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) were administered. The TAI was performed 2 d later (Day 9). Blood samples were collected on Days -47 and 0, to determine the presence of CL (circulating P4 concentrations ≥ 1.0 ng/mL). Ultrasound was performed on Days 40, 75 and between Day 150 and parturition to assess pregnancy per AI (P/AI) and pregnancy loss (PL). Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.4 (a-cP ≤ 0.05; A,B0.05 < P ≤ 0.10). The proportion of heifers with CL on Day -47 was similar among groups (3.4%). A greater proportion of heifers from 1IND had CL on Day 0, followed by 2IND, then 0IND (87.9a; 80.4b; 28.8c%). There was an effect of treatment on expression of estrus (2IND: 66.6a; 1IND: 67.2a; 0IND: 57.4b%), P/AI on Day 40 (2IND: 53.4a; 1IND: 43.9b; 0IND: 46.5b%), P/AI on Day 75 (2IND: 49.8a; 1IND: 40.5b; 0IND: 44.4ab%) and final P/AI (2IND: 45.5a; 1IND: 35.8b; 0IND: 40.5ab%). No differences were observed in PL (40-75 = 6.3%; 75-final = 9.6%; Total = 15.3%). Particularly within lighter heifers, there was an effect of treatment on P/AI on Day 40 (0IND: 39.2b; 1IND: 43.3ab; 2IND: 53.9a%) and on Day 75 (0IND: 36.6B; 1IND: 39.0AB; 2IND: 48.5A%). At the first pregnancy diagnosis, more nonpregnant heifers from 2IND had CL on Day 40 than 0IND, but 1IND did not differ from the other groups (85.4a; 74.8b; 80.8ab%). In conclusion, ovulation induction protocols performed prior to the TAI protocol increased the proportion of heifers with CL on Day 0. The use of two induction protocols resulted in greater fertility, particularly in lighter heifers, and increased cyclicity among nonpregnant heifers. These results indicate that this strategy may be an optimized method for inducing cyclicity and enhancing fertility of prepubertal Nelore heifers raised in pasture-based feeding systems.

Effect of hCG and prostaglandin on ovarian, luteal development, and hormonal changes in embryo donor mares during the hot summer months in subtropics.

Background: Commercial embryo flushing of horses has required hormonal management of both the donor and recipient mares throughout the breeding season. Aim: This study aimed to find out the effect of using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and prostaglandin F2α (PG) on the ovarian and uterine dynamics and hemodynamics, estradiol (E2), progesterone, oxidants-antioxidants, and blood biochemicals in embryo donor mares during the hottest months of the year in a subtropical climate. Methods: Three Control estrous cycles of native mares (10-20 years; N = 10) followed by two treated cycles with hCG and PGF2α were examined daily from May to August using Doppler ultrasound with blood sampling. Circulating, progesterone (P4), total cholesterol, total proteins, albumin, haptoglobin, nitric oxide (NO), catalase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and myeloperoxidase were measured in blood serum. Results: Days during the control estrous cycle impacted the dominant follicle (DF) diameter ( p < 0.0001), antrum diameter ( p < 0.0001), area ( p < 0.0001), antral area ( p < 0.0001), and color area % (p > 0.05), and corpus luteum (CL) diameter ( p < 0.0001). PG tended to impact DF diameter (p > 0.05) but influenced its antrum diameter (p < 0.05), color area (p < 0.05), CL diameter (p < 0.01), and area (p = 0.013). Days after hCG tended to impact DF antrum diameter (p > 0.05) and the antrum area (p > 0.05), but influenced CL diameter ( p < 0.0001). PGF2α and hCG increased uterine horn area (p = 0.016) and color area (p = 0.023), total cholesterol ( p < 0.0001), and NO ( p < 0.0001) levels but hCG increased the levels of myeloperoxidase (p < 0.005), total proteins (p < 0.001), and albumin ( p < 0.0001). Globulins achieved the highest level (p = 0.054) but the Albumin/globulin ratio reached a minimum value on Day 0 of the control mares ( p < 0.0001). PGF2α increased LDH ( p < 0.0001) and sharply declined (p = 0.028) progesterone. Conclusion: In conclusion, the treatment protocols of hCG and PGF2α showed minimal effects on the produced ovulating follicles and can be used during the summer season to manage embryo donor mares.

Effect of repeated low doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on the secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, and ovarian function in dairy cows suffering from anovulation type I.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of repeated low doses of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist buserelin once a day for 5 days on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) release, and ovarian function in dairy cows with anovulation type I. The study was conducted on 10 anovulatory Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. Cows in Group 1 (n = 5) received 4 µg of buserelin intramuscularly. once a day for 5 days. Control cows from Group 2 (n = 5) received saline. Concentrations of progesterone, FSH, and LH in the blood were analysed using radioimmunoassay (RIA). Ovarian structures were monitored weekly after the end of treatment by ultrasound for 4 weeks. Injections of buserelin increased FSH and LH concentrations. Release of FSH and LH was largely variable, but there was significant (P < 0.001) interaction between time and treatment during all treatment days. The number of follicles in the treatment group was significantly greater (P = 0.029) than in the control group on day 5, the diameter of follicles on day 12 was also larger (P < 0.01) in treated than in control cows. Ovulation occurred in 4 of the 5 treated cows, but only in 1 of the control cows in the 40 days after treatment. In conclusion, repeated low doses of GnRH analogue buserelin once a day for 5 days may increase the concentration of FSH and LH in dairy cows with anovulation type I.