Effects of progestagen exposure duration on estrus synchronization and conception rates of crossbreed ewes undergoing fixed time artificial insemination

Synchronization of estrus and ovulation are of paramount importance in modern livestock improvement programs. These methods are critical for assisted reproduction technologies, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer, that can increase productivity. In the current study, subcutaneous implants containing norgestomet were placed for long (14 days), medium (9 days), and short (5 days) periods of time in 70 crossbred ewes undergoing fixed-time artificial insemination. The resulting effects on estrus synchronization and conception rates were subsequently evaluated. Among the synchronized ewes, 85.7% (60/70) underwent estrus over a period of 72 h after progestagen treatment ceased. The shortest mean interval between withdrawal of the device and onset of estrus (34.2 +/- 8.9 h) was observed in the G14 days of P4 group (p < 0.05). The conception rate of the G14 days of P4 group was statistically higher than that of the other groups (83.3% vs. 60.9% vs. 47.8%; p < 0.05). In conclusion, 14 days of norgestomet treatment produced higher conception rates and a greater number of pregnancies at the beginning of the breeding season.

The protective effect of inhaled terbutaline, sodium cromoglycate and budesonide on exercise-induced asthma in children.

The effect of single-dose inhaled terbutaline, sodium cromo-glycate and budesonide were compared with control in 11 exercise-induced asthma (EIA) patients, aged 9-14 years. Patients exercise for 6 minutes, 15 minutes after inhaling drugs. The FVC, FEV1, PEFR and MMEF were recorded before exercise and after exercise at 5 minutes interval up to 25 minutes. After exercise, the mean (SEM) maximal percentage fall in FEV1 after placebo, 200 micrograms of terbutaline, 10 mg of sodium cromoglycate, and 100 micrograms of budesonide were 22.81 (3.45), 4.05 (2.11), 11.29 (1.18), and 20.36 (2.33) respectively. It was concluded that single-dose inhaled terbutaline and sodium cromoglycate resulted in a significant protective effect on exerxide-induced asthma whereas budesonide did not.

The effects of inhaled corticosteroids on chronic airflow limitation.

A placebo-controlled, double blind, cross-over study of inhaled budesonide was carried out to examine its effectiveness in the treatment of chronic airflow limitation (CAL). Fourteen patients (11 males, mean age 66 years) with stable CAL received placebo treatment for four weeks followed by inhaled budesonide 400 micrograms BD for eight weeks. Response was assessed by measuring forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). There was no significant improvement in the overall spirometric measurements and symptom scores except a reduction in daily peak expiratory flow rate fluctuation (p < 0.05). However, individual patients showed significant increase in FEV1. Two patients (14%) had greater than 30% increase in FEV1 in response to inhaled corticosteroids. This response could not be predicted from history of allergy, skin test, bronchial challenge test, peripheral blood or sputum eosinophilia. We conclude that only a minority of patients with stable CAL may respond to inhaled budesonide. Nonetheless, patients who are symptomatic despite treatment with maximum doses of bronchodilators may have a trial of inhaled corticosteroids in order to demonstrate any additional benefit.

A clinical comparison of budesonide nasal aerosol, terfenadine and a combined therapy of budesonide and oxymetazoline in adult patients with perennial rhinitis.

The efficacy of budesonide, terfenadine and a combination of budesonide and oxymetazoline in the treatment of perennial rhinitis was evaluated by a double blind, parallel group study. Adult patients with perennial rhinitis were randomized into three groups. Group 1 patients received budesonide nasal aerosol 400 micrograms/day for 21 days and oxymetazoline nasal drops for the first three days. Group 2 and 3 patients received budesonide 400 micrograms/day and terfenadne tablet 60 mg twice/day respectively. Nasal symptoms were assessed by the patients before and daily during the treatment period using a simple scoring system. One hundred and forty-two patients were recruited and 130 completed the study. Budesonide, but not terfenadine, significantly reduced all nasal symptoms from baseline (p less than 0.05). Terfenadine could significantly relieve the nasal blockage (p less than 0.05) more than other nasal symptoms. Budesonide with or without oxymetazoline nasal drops provided a better control of nasal symptoms than terfenadine (p less than 0.05). Budesonide with oxymetazoline for the first three days showed a faster relief of nasal blockage than budesonide alone (p less than 0.05). Mild and transient adverse effects were encountered in all three groups. It is concluded that nasal symptoms of perennial rhinitis are more adequately controlled by budesonide than by terfenadine.

Budesonide aerosols in Thai asthmatic children.

Thirteen children with chronic bronchial asthma, 8 boys and 5 girls, aged between 5 and 15 (mean 10) years, with a duration of asthma ranging from 1 to 12 (mean 6) years, were studied by a control, oral prednisolone 5 mg twice a day and inhaled budesonide 100 micrograms twice daily, each for 3 weeks. The clinical efficacy assessed daily by day and night symptom scores, cough, limitation of activity and inhaled terbutaline used, showed improvement of the parameters measured during budesonide and prednisolone treatment period but did not reach statistical significance except for the night symptom scores (p less than 0.05) between the control and inhaled budesonide period and the cough between the control and oral prednisolone period. Slight improvement in pulmonary function was observed during budesonide and prednisolone. No changes of complete blood counts before and after inhaled budesonide were noted. No oral and pharyngeal thrush were observed in any studied period. Inhaled budesonide appears to be effective for treatment of chronic bronchial asthma but still requires long-term studies with higher dosages to be certain that its effect is better and maintained and without systemic side effects.

Intranasal budesonide for the treatment of perennial rhinitis in Thai patients.

The efficacy and tolerability of a new intranasal glucocorticosteroid, budesonide, was evaluated in 28 Thai adult patients with perennial rhinitis. After one week pre-treatment observation period, the nasal spray was given as two puffs into each nostril twice daily (400 micrograms/day) for four weeks. The severity of all nasal symptoms decreased significantly after 1 week treatment reaching a minimal level after 2 weeks. The amounts of antihistamine tablets taken by the patients were also significantly reduced during the treatment with budesonide. Three patients reported adverse effects which were mild and easily tolerated. Morning plasma cortisol levels measured before and after four-week treatment in 15 patients revealed no significant changes. This study suggests that intranasal budesonide is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for perennial rhinitis.

Inhaled budesonide aerosols in treatment of childhood asthma.

Twenty-six children with chronic bronchial asthma, 19 boys and 7 girls, aged between 6 and 16 years with duration of asthma ranging from 1-12 years, were studied by a control, oral prednisolone 5 mg twice a day and inhaled budesonide 200 micrograms twice daily, each for 3 weeks. The clinical efficacy assessed daily by day and night symptom scores of cough, wheeze, sleep disturbance, limitation of activity, symptomatic inhaled terbutaline usage, daily morning and afternoon Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR), and weekly PEFR and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1) in percent of predict, showed statistically significant improvement during the inhaled budesonide aerosol and oral prednisolone treatment periods in comparison with the control. No side effect was observed during any study periods.