Ultrasound monitoring of the uterus and ovaries of dominant and subordinate females of yellow-breasted capuchin (Sapajus xanthosternos) and robust tufted capuchin (Sapajus robustus) in captive colonies during the ovarian cycle and anestrus periods / Acompanhamento ultrassonográfico do útero e ovários de fêmeas dominantes e subordinadas de macacos-prego-do-peito-amarelo (Sapajus xanthosternos) e macacos-prego-de-crista (Sapajus robustus) em colônias cativas, durante o ciclo ovariano e períodos de anestro

The yellow-breasted capuchin (Sapajus xanthosternos) and robust tufted capuchin (Sapajus robustus) are endangered species due to destruction of their natural habitat and predatory chase. However, it is still necessary to elucidate some details of their reproductive physiology in order to obtain better indices in the assisted reproduction of these species. This study aimed to evaluate the ovarian cycle of 13 dominant and subordinate females of S. xanthosternos (n=8) and S. robustus (n=5) using sagittal and transversally scanned ultrasound of their uterus and ovaries. Sonograms were performed every seven days for two months. The ovarian cycle phase and anestrous condition were confirmed by colpocytology. Our results showed different uterine parameters (craniocaudal diameter, dorso-ventral diameter, and transverse diameter) (P<0.05) between anestrous subordinate females and other ovarian cycle phases and social classes. The mean of uterine volume was higher in dominant females than subordinate females in all cycle phases (P<0.05), except in follicular phase. During anestrus, endometrial width was smaller in subordinate females than in dominant females (P<0.05). Subordinate females showed differences in endometrial measures (P<0.05) between anestrous period and follicular and luteal periods. Ovarian measures in dominant females were higher than in subordinate females only during anestrus (P<0.05). In the subordinate females, ovarian parameters were different (P<0.05) between anestrus and follicular and luteal phases. Dominant females showed higher volume of right ovary compared to volume of the left ovary during anestrus and follicular phase (P<0.05). Follicles and corpus luteum were distinguished by ultrasonography in most exams (86.11%). During anestrus, measurable ovarian structures were not observed in both ovaries in dominant and subordinate females. In conclusion, the methodology used in this study allowed to evaluate the ovarian cycle in S. xanthosternos e S. robustus females and that cycle phase/anestrus and social class of the female influenced the size of the uterus and ovaries.(AU)

O macaco-prego-do-peito-amarelo (Sapajus xanthosternos) e o macaco-prego-de-crista (Sapajus robustus) encontram-se em risco de extinção devido a destruição do seu habitat e a caça predatória. Porém, ainda necessita-se elucidar alguns detalhes de sua fisiologia reprodutiva, para obterem-se melhores índices por meio de reprodução assistida. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi acompanhar o ciclo ovariano de 13 fêmeas dominantes e subordinadas de S. xanthosternos (n=8) e S. robustus (n=5) por meio de cortes ultrassonográficos sagitais e transversais do útero e dos ovários. Estas fêmeas foram examinadas uma vez por semana durante dois meses. A fase do ciclo ovariano/anestro foi confirmada pela colpocitologia. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstrou diferença significativa (P<0,05) relacionada ao diâmetro crânio-caudal, diâmetro dorso-ventral e diâmetro transversal entre as fêmeas subordinadas em anestro com todas as outras fases do ciclo ovariano e classes sociais. A média do volume uterino foi maior nas fêmeas dominantes que nas subordinadas em todas as fases do ciclo (P<0,05) a exceção da fase folicular. A largura endometrial, durante o período de anestro, foi menor nas fêmeas subordinadas quando comparada às dominantes (P<0,05). Nas fêmeas subordinadas, houve diferenças (P<0,05) nas mensurações endometriais entre o período de anestro e das fases folicular e lútea. Quanto aos ovários, as médias das medidas observadas nas fêmeas dominantes foram superiores as das subordinadas durante o anestro (P<0,05). As médias das medidas das variáveis ovarianas das fêmeas subordinadas apresentaram diferenças entre o anestro e as fases folicular e lútea (P<0,05). Nas fêmeas dominantes o volume do ovário direito foi maior que o do ovário esquerdo durante o anestro e na fase folicular (P<0,05). Folículos e corpos lúteos foram diferenciados pela ultrassonografia na maioria das coletas (86,11%). Durante o anestro não foram observadas estruturas ovarianas mensuráveis nos ovários em ambas as classes sociais. Concluiu-se que a metodologia empregada neste estudo permitiu o acompanhamento do ciclo ovariano das fêmeas S. xanthosternos e S. robustus e que as fases do ciclo/anestro e a classe social das fêmeas influenciaram as medidas do útero e ovários.(AU)

Ultrasound monitoring of the uterus and ovaries of dominant and subordinate females of yellow-breasted capuchin (Sapajus xanthosternos) and robust tufted capuchin (Sapajus robustus) in captive colonies during the ovarian cycle and anestrus periods / Acompanhamento ultrassonográfico do útero e ovários de fêmeas dominantes e subordinadas de macacos-prego-do-peito-amarelo (Sapajus xanthosternos) e macacos-prego-de-crista (Sapajus robustus) em colônias cativas, durante o ciclo ovariano e períodos de anestro

The yellow-breasted capuchin (Sapajus xanthosternos) and robust tufted capuchin (Sapajus robustus) are endangered species due to destruction of their natural habitat and predatory chase. However, it is still necessary to elucidate some details of their reproductive physiology in order to obtain better indices in the assisted reproduction of these species. This study aimed to evaluate the ovarian cycle of 13 dominant and subordinate females of S. xanthosternos (n=8) and S. robustus (n=5) using sagittal and transversally scanned ultrasound of their uterus and ovaries. Sonograms were performed every seven days for two months. The ovarian cycle phase and anestrous condition were confirmed by colpocytology. Our results showed different uterine parameters (craniocaudal diameter, dorso-ventral diameter, and transverse diameter) (P<0.05) between anestrous subordinate females and other ovarian cycle phases and social classes. The mean of uterine volume was higher in dominant females than subordinate females in all cycle phases (P<0.05), except in follicular phase. During anestrus, endometrial width was smaller in subordinate females than in dominant females (P<0.05). Subordinate females showed differences in endometrial measures (P<0.05) between anestrous period and follicular and luteal periods. Ovarian measures in dominant females were higher than in subordinate females only during anestrus (P<0.05). In the subordinate females, ovarian parameters were different (P<0.05) between anestrus and follicular and luteal phases. Dominant females showed higher volume of right ovary compared to volume of the left ovary during anestrus and follicular phase (P<0.05). Follicles and corpus luteum were distinguished by ultrasonography in most exams (86.11%). During anestrus, measurable ovarian structures were not observed in both ovaries in dominant and subordinate females. In conclusion, the methodology used in this study allowed to evaluate the ovarian cycle in S. xanthosternos e S. robustus females and that cycle phase/anestrus and social class of the female influenced the size of the uterus and ovaries.(AU)

O macaco-prego-do-peito-amarelo (Sapajus xanthosternos) e o macaco-prego-de-crista (Sapajus robustus) encontram-se em risco de extinção devido a destruição do seu habitat e a caça predatória. Porém, ainda necessita-se elucidar alguns detalhes de sua fisiologia reprodutiva, para obterem-se melhores índices por meio de reprodução assistida. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi acompanhar o ciclo ovariano de 13 fêmeas dominantes e subordinadas de S. xanthosternos (n=8) e S. robustus (n=5) por meio de cortes ultrassonográficos sagitais e transversais do útero e dos ovários. Estas fêmeas foram examinadas uma vez por semana durante dois meses. A fase do ciclo ovariano/anestro foi confirmada pela colpocitologia. Os resultados da pesquisa demonstrou diferença significativa (P<0,05) relacionada ao diâmetro crânio-caudal, diâmetro dorso-ventral e diâmetro transversal entre as fêmeas subordinadas em anestro com todas as outras fases do ciclo ovariano e classes sociais. A média do volume uterino foi maior nas fêmeas dominantes que nas subordinadas em todas as fases do ciclo (P<0,05) a exceção da fase folicular. A largura endometrial, durante o período de anestro, foi menor nas fêmeas subordinadas quando comparada às dominantes (P<0,05). Nas fêmeas subordinadas, houve diferenças (P<0,05) nas mensurações endometriais entre o período de anestro e das fases folicular e lútea. Quanto aos ovários, as médias das medidas observadas nas fêmeas dominantes foram superiores as das subordinadas durante o anestro (P<0,05). As médias das medidas das variáveis ovarianas das fêmeas subordinadas apresentaram diferenças entre o anestro e as fases folicular e lútea (P<0,05). Nas fêmeas dominantes o volume do ovário direito foi maior que o do ovário esquerdo durante o anestro e na fase folicular (P<0,05). Folículos e corpos lúteos foram diferenciados pela ultrassonografia na maioria das coletas (86,11%). Durante o anestro não foram observadas estruturas ovarianas mensuráveis nos ovários em ambas as classes sociais. Concluiu-se que a metodologia empregada neste estudo permitiu o acompanhamento do ciclo ovariano das fêmeas S. xanthosternos e S. robustus e que as fases do ciclo/anestro e a classe social das fêmeas influenciaram as medidas do útero e ovários.(AU)

Managing gestion in cattle

Once a cow becomes pregnant, the effect of pregnancy toss on its reproductive cycle is a topic of great interest for dairu herds. This paper reviews the factors of a non-infectious nature that effect the pregnancy maintenance during the late embryonic/early fetal period. Some clinical suggestion on bovne neosporosis and coxiellosis are also highlighte.

Managing gestion in cattle

Once a cow becomes pregnant, the effect of pregnancy toss on its reproductive cycle is a topic of great interest for dairu herds. This paper reviews the factors of a non-infectious nature that effect the pregnancy maintenance during the late embryonic/early fetal period. Some clinical suggestion on bovne neosporosis and coxiellosis are also highlighte.(AU)

Controle local e endócrino do desenvolvimento e da regressão do corpo lúteo bovino / Endocrine and local control of growth and regression of bovine corpus luteum

O corpo lúteo é uma glândula endócrina, ovariana e transitória, formada a partir do folículo ovulado, cujo principal produto secretado é a progesterona, essencial para o estabelecimento e a manutenção da prenhez e para a ciclicidade ovariana. Dessa forma, o conhecimento aprofundado da fisiologia luteínica, além de seu valor intrínseco como conhecimento básico, pode também contribuir para a reprodução animal em seu aspecto aplicado. Este artigo revisa os principais mecanismos reguladores do desenvolvimento e da regressão do corpo lúteo, incluindo agentes endócrinos e reguladores locais como fatores de crescimento, peptídeos vasoativos, esteróides e prostaglandinas.(AU)

The corpus luteum is a transitory, endocrine ovarian gland, formed following ovulation, which secrets progesterone, an essential hormone for pregnancy establishment and maintenance as well as ovarian cyclicity. Therefore, a more complete understanding of the luteal physiology, apart from its intrinsic value as basic knowledge, may also contribute within the applied aspect of animal reproduction. This article reviews the principal mechanisms that regulate luteal development and regression, including endocrine agents and local regulators such as growth factors, vasoative peptides, steroids and prostaglandins.(AU)

Controle local e endócrino do desenvolvimento e da regressão do corpo lúteo bovino / Endocrine and local control of growth and regression of bovine corpus luteum

O corpo lúteo é uma glândula endócrina, ovariana e transitória, formada a partir do folículo ovulado, cujo principal produto secretado é a progesterona, essencial para o estabelecimento e a manutenção da prenhez e para a ciclicidade ovariana. Dessa forma, o conhecimento aprofundado da fisiologia luteínica, além de seu valor intrínseco como conhecimento básico, pode também contribuir para a reprodução animal em seu aspecto aplicado. Este artigo revisa os principais mecanismos reguladores do desenvolvimento e da regressão do corpo lúteo, incluindo agentes endócrinos e reguladores locais como fatores de crescimento, peptídeos vasoativos, esteróides e prostaglandinas.

The corpus luteum is a transitory, endocrine ovarian gland, formed following ovulation, which secrets progesterone, an essential hormone for pregnancy establishment and maintenance as well as ovarian cyclicity. Therefore, a more complete understanding of the luteal physiology, apart from its intrinsic value as basic knowledge, may also contribute within the applied aspect of animal reproduction. This article reviews the principal mechanisms that regulate luteal development and regression, including endocrine agents and local regulators such as growth factors, vasoative peptides, steroids and prostaglandins.

Human antral folliculogenesis: what we have learned from the bovine and equine models

The study of ovarian folliculogenesis has been of great interest to scientists and clinicians in the human and veterinary health fields for more than 20 centuries. Initial studies of the ovarian follicle were based on anatomical descriptions post-mortem, followed by histologic and endocrinologic evaluation of ovarian status. The introduction of high resolution ultrasonography in the 1980s provided a long-awaited tool to image the reproductive tissues in situ in both animal and human species. The bovine and equine species have been established as models for the study of human ovarian folliculogenesis. Profound similarities in the dynamics of follicle development exist between the menstrual cycle in humans and the estrous cycle in cattle and horses. Disparities between species appear specific rather than general. Research performed in women thus far has led to the concepts that: 1) follicle development occurs in a wave-like manner during the menstrual cycle, 2) the number of waves per cycle correlates positively with the length of the cycle, 3) the emergence of follicle waves in women are preceded by a rise in circulating FSH, 4) selection of a dominant follicle may occur in each wave of the cycle, and 5) a decline in circulating FSH and increase in follicular estradiol, inhibin A, and IGF-II act collectively to enable the dominant follicle to continue to grow in an endocrine environment of decreasing FSH and increasing LH, while subordinate follicles undergo regression. The goal of continued research using animal models for studying human ovarian function is to provide the hypothetical basis for further studies in women, which will ultimately lead to the development of safer and more efficacious infertility and contraceptive therapies.

Human antral folliculogenesis: what we have learned from the bovine and equine models

The study of ovarian folliculogenesis has been of great interest to scientists and clinicians in the human and veterinary health fields for more than 20 centuries. Initial studies of the ovarian follicle were based on anatomical descriptions post-mortem, followed by histologic and endocrinologic evaluation of ovarian status. The introduction of high resolution ultrasonography in the 1980s provided a long-awaited tool to image the reproductive tissues in situ in both animal and human species. The bovine and equine species have been established as models for the study of human ovarian folliculogenesis. Profound similarities in the dynamics of follicle development exist between the menstrual cycle in humans and the estrous cycle in cattle and horses. Disparities between species appear specific rather than general. Research performed in women thus far has led to the concepts that: 1) follicle development occurs in a wave-like manner during the menstrual cycle, 2) the number of waves per cycle correlates positively with the length of the cycle, 3) the emergence of follicle waves in women are preceded by a rise in circulating FSH, 4) selection of a dominant follicle may occur in each wave of the cycle, and 5) a decline in circulating FSH and increase in follicular estradiol, inhibin A, and IGF-II act collectively to enable the dominant follicle to continue to grow in an endocrine environment of decreasing FSH and increasing LH, while subordinate follicles undergo regression. The goal of continued research using animal models for studying human ovarian function is to provide the hypothetical basis for further studies in women, which will ultimately lead to the development of safer and more efficacious infertility and contraceptive therapies.(AU)

Temperature gradients in female reproductive tissues and their potential significance

This review challenges the long-standing dogma that deep-body temperature should be regarded as uniform. Not only may this not be so, but small gradients in temperature in and across reproductive tissues might have assumed functional importance during the evolution of eutherian mammals. Temperature gradients within the Fallopian tubes of estrous animals are interpreted in a context of preovulatory storage of viable spermatozoa and their periovulatory activation and release from the functional reservoir in the caudal isthmus. Proposals concerning the response of potentially-fertilizing spermatozoa to increasing temperature along the isthmus of the Fallopian tube are recalled, and application of the term thermotaxis to this phase of sperm migration is assessed critically. Classical findings on the temperature of Graafian follicles in rabbits and women are highlighted, and more recent work on temperatures in pig preovulatory follicles is considered in detail. Although an experimental approach involving anaesthesia and infrared sensing is open to criticism, the finding that preovulatory follicles are cooler than ovarian stroma cannot be discounted as artifact. Instead, evidence for endothermic reactions that act to lower temperature within pre-ovulatory follicles is presented together with a description of relevant counter-current vascular physiology that enables maintenance of a cooler follicular temperature. As to future experimental work, the possibility is raised that temperatures may not be uniform across the cytoplasm of maturing oocytes nor at different stages of the cell cycle in very young embryos. These proposals lead to speculation that temperature may be exploited at a molecular level to modulate unfolding gene expression in zygotes and early cleavage stage embryos. Modern micro-imaging technology needs to be applied to such concepts.

Temperature gradients in female reproductive tissues and their potential significance

This review challenges the long-standing dogma that deep-body temperature should be regarded as uniform. Not only may this not be so, but small gradients in temperature in and across reproductive tissues might have assumed functional importance during the evolution of eutherian mammals. Temperature gradients within the Fallopian tubes of estrous animals are interpreted in a context of preovulatory storage of viable spermatozoa and their periovulatory activation and release from the functional reservoir in the caudal isthmus. Proposals concerning the response of potentially-fertilizing spermatozoa to increasing temperature along the isthmus of the Fallopian tube are recalled, and application of the term thermotaxis to this phase of sperm migration is assessed critically. Classical findings on the temperature of Graafian follicles in rabbits and women are highlighted, and more recent work on temperatures in pig preovulatory follicles is considered in detail. Although an experimental approach involving anaesthesia and infrared sensing is open to criticism, the finding that preovulatory follicles are cooler than ovarian stroma cannot be discounted as artifact. Instead, evidence for endothermic reactions that act to lower temperature within pre-ovulatory follicles is presented together with a description of relevant counter-current vascular physiology that enables maintenance of a cooler follicular temperature. As to future experimental work, the possibility is raised that temperatures may not be uniform across the cytoplasm of maturing oocytes nor at different stages of the cell cycle in very young embryos. These proposals lead to speculation that temperature may be exploited at a molecular level to modulate unfolding gene expression in zygotes and early cleavage stage embryos. Modern micro-imaging technology needs to be applied to such concepts.(AU)

Utilização do primeiro ciclo ovulatório da estação reprodutiva para produção de embriões em éguas sob condições tropicais / Utilization of the first ovulatory cycle of seasonal breeding for embryo production in mares in tropical conditions

A eficiência da primeira ovulação da estação reprodutiva para a produção de embriões foi determinada através da taxa de recuperação embrionária, da viabilidade dos embriões recuperados, da concentração sérica de progesterona, da resposta do primeiro folículo pré-ovulatório da estação reprodutiva ao hCG e da resposta do primeiro CL a PGFa alfa. Treze éguas que estavam no periodo de anestro ou inicial da transição de primavera foram acompanhadas por ultra-sonografia até a detecção do primeiro folículo pré-ovulatório. Neste momento a ovulação foi induzida com 2500 UI de hCG (IV) e elas foram inseminadas em dias alternados até a ovulação. Sete dias após a detecção da ovulação foi realizada coleta de embrião e a concentração de P 4 foi determinada. A partir da detecção do primeiro folículo > e =25mm da estação, as éguas demoraram em média 14,92± 10,80 dias para alcançarem o primeiro folículo pré-ovulatório e 18,00 ±11,08 dias para ovularem, sendo que 11/13 éguas ovularam em até 48 horas após a administração do hCG. Estes folículos cresceram em média 2,19± 0,86 mm/dia. Nove das 13 éguas (69,2%) produziram embriões e todos foram considerados viáveis após avaliação visual e pelo exame de fluorescência. Os corpos lúteos formados mostraram-se funcionalmente competentes produzindo em média 7,39 ± 2,11 ng/ ml de P 4, além de serem responsivos à PGF2alfa. Deste modo, o primeiro ciclo ovulatório do ano pode ser utilizado com sucesso para a produção de embriões viáveis.(AU)

The efficacy of the first ovulation of the breeding season was determined through the response of first pre-ovulatory follicle of the breeding season to hCG, embryo recovery rate, viability of recovered embryos, serum concentrations of progesterone, and response of first CL to PGF2 alpha. Thirteenth mares that were in vernal transition were accompanied until the first pre-ovulatory follicle was detected. At this moment, the ovulation was induced with 2,500 IU hCG (IV) and the mares were inseminated every other day until ovulation. Seven days after the ovulation, embryo recovery was performed and the progesterone concentration was determined. After detection of the first pre-ovulatory follicle of breeding season with > and = 25mm, it took 14.92 ± 10.80 days for the follicle to reach the pre-ovulatory size and 18.00 ± 11.08 days to ovulation. After administration of hCG, 11/13 mares ovulated in 48 hours. These follicles growth 2.19 ± 0.86 mm/ day on average. Nine of 13 mares (69.2%) produced embryos and ali were considered viable after morfological evaluation and fluorescence exams. The CL appeared competent producing 7.39 ± 2.11 ng/ml P4 on average, and responding to PGF2 alpha. According to these results the first ovulatory cycle of the year can be utilized to produce viable embryos.(AU)