Relatively few studies have been reported regarding the reproductive physiology of female Thai native cattle. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the follicular dynamics and concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) during the estrous cycle in Thai native heifers (TNH) and to compare obtained results with those of European and Indian cattle breeds previously reported. For the detection of estrus, ovaries of all 20 heifers were examined twice daily (12 h intervals) by ultrasonography for three consecutive estrous cycles. From data of 60 estrous cycles (n = 60 estrous cycles from 20 heifers), it was found that 14 (70%) and 6 heifers (30%) had two (42 estrous cycles collected from 14 heifers) and three follicular waves (18 estrous cycles collected from 6 heifers), respectively. The days when estrus was detected, interovulatory intervals, life-spans of corpus lutea (CL), and days for growing and regression of CLs were shorter in the two follicular waves than those in the three follicular waves (P < 0.05). In both two and thre follicular waves, larger maximum diameters and higher growth rates of the dominant follicle (DF) in an ovulatory wave were observed than those of the preceding waves without ovulation (P < 0.05). There was a progressive increase in follicular size and FSH and E2 production during follicular growth in each follicular wave. In addition, the FSH and E2 peak concentrations during the ovulatory wave were higher than those of the anovulation waves (P < 0.05). Moreover, although the ovarian follicular dynamic patterns in Thai native heifers were similar to those previously reported for European and Indian cattle breeds, the diameter of the largest preovulatory follicle (OF), subordinate follicles (SF) and CLs were smaller than those in European and Indian cattle breeds. In conclusion, when compared with European and some breeds of Indian cattle, the length of interovulatory intervals was shorter, and the sizes of dominant SF and CLs were smaller in Thai native heifers.

This study was undertaken to determine whether a single i.m. injection of FSH dissolved in 10 ml of 30% (wt/vol) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP; MW=40,000) to form FSHp would induce follicular growth in Thai native heifers and to determine its optimal dose. In Group 1, heifers (n=4) were given multiple i.m. injections of FSHp every 12 h for 3 days at decreasing doses, for a total of 100 mg (control). In Groups 2, 3 and 4, heifers (n=4 in each group) were given single i.m. injections of FSHp at 50, 100 and 150 mg. All heifers received a single injection of 750 µg PGF2α 48 h after the initiation of exogenous FSH treatment. Ovaries of treated heifers were examined by transrectal ultrasonography every day until they showed estrus. Group 3 showed significantly higher numbers of ovulation follicles, significantly higher growth rates of follicles per day and significantly larger diameters of follicles and corpora lutea than groups 1 and 2 but not Group 4 (P<0.05). Group 4 showed significantly higher numbers of large follicles (≥5 mm in diameter), unovulated follicles and ovulations, a significantly higher growth rate of follicles per day, and significantly larger diameters of follicles and corpora lutea (P<0.05) than those of the other groups. This indicates a state of overstimulation of ovaries in this group. Besides, the plasma levels of FSH in Group 4 were significantly higher (P<0.05) than in the other group and were maintained in the range of 2.2–0.7 ng/ml over a period of 6 to 66 h after the FSHp injection. Meanwhile, the plasma levels of P4 and E2 did not differ in any of the groups in the period of 0 to 96 h during the superstimulation program. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that a single i.m. injection of 100 mg FSHp was the most effective dose for superstimulation of follicular growth in Thai native heifers under the experimental conditions in this study.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the protocols for superstimulation of follicular growth in Thai native heifers. Heifers (n = 20) were randomly divided into four groups of five heifers/group. Heifers were given a single dose by i.m. administration of 100 mg Follicle Stimulating Hormone dissolved in polyvinylpyrrolidone (FSHp) at 24 h. Ovum pick up (OPU) occurred at 72 h (F24O72 protocol; Group 1) or 96 h (F24O96 protocol; Group 2), and at 36 h and OPU at 72 h (F36O72 protocol; Group 3) or 96 h (F36O96 protocol; Group 4) after follicular ablation. The dynamics of ovarian follicular growth were monitored by twice-daily ultrasonographic examinations. Blood sample collections were performed every 12 h after initiation of treatment for assessment of FSH, E2 and P4 profiles. All heifers were subjected to eight repeated sequential sessions of OPU. The follicular deviation commenced 24±5.32 h after follicular ablation in all groups. The circulatory FSH surged quickly from 24 to 36 h (>0.8 ng/ml) after follicular ablation and circulatory estrogen levels steadily increased from 36 h until OPU in all groups. At the end of the OPU sessions, the mean number of aspirated follicles/heifer/session in F36O72 protocol (Group 3) and F36O96 protocol (Group 4) were higher than in the two other groups (p<0.05). The number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), cleaved and day 8 blastocysts rates in the F36O72 protocol (Group 3) were higher than in the other groups (p<0.05). It can be concluded that a single dose i.m. administration of 100 mg FSHp at 36 h and OPU at 72 h after follicular ablation (F36O72 protocol; Group 3) was the most effective protocol for superstimulation of follicular growth for repeated OPU and subsequent in vitro embryo production in Thai native heifers.

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