Effectiveness of a recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone on the ovarian follicles, peripheral progesterone, estradiol-17β, and pregnancy rate of dairy cows

Abstract

Aims:This study aimed at elucidating the effects of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) on the ovarian follicular dynamics, progesterone, estradiol-17β profiles, and pregnancy of dairy cows.Materials and Methods:Three groups (G, n=5 cows) of multiparous dairy cows were used. G1 (C) control cows were given controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and prostaglandin F2α; G2 (L) cows were given low dose (525 IU and G3 (H) cows were given high dose (1800 IU) of r-hFSH on twice daily basis at the last 3 days before CIDR removal. All cows were ultrasonically scanned for follicular growth and dynamics, and blood samples were collected every other day for two consecutive estrus cycles for the determination of estradiol-17β and progesterone.Results:Estrus was observed in all C and L but not in H cows. Dominant follicle was bigger in L compared to C and H cows. Dominant follicle in C (16.00±2.5 mm) and L cows (17.40±2.3 mm) disappeared at 72 h after CIDR removal. However, in H cows, no ovulation has occurred during 7 days post-CIDR removal. Progesterone was not different (p>0.10) among groups, whereas estradiol-17β revealed significant (p<0.01) reduction in H (15.96±2.5 pg/ml) cows compared to C (112.26±26.1 pg/ml) and L (97.49±15.9 pg/ml) cows. Pregnancy rate was higher in L cows (60%) compared with C cows (20%). However, H cows were not artificially inseminated due to non-ovulation. Only a cow of C group has calved one calf, however, 2 of the L cows gave birth of twins and a cow gave single calf.Conclusion:Administration of a low dose (525 IU) of r-hFSH resulted in an optimal size of dominant follicle, normal values of progesterone and estradiol-17β, and 40% twinning rate, howeverusing 1800 IU of r-hFSH, have adverse effects on ovarian follicular dynamics and hormonal profiles with non-pregnancy of dairy cows raised under hot climate.

Consequences of twinning induction to Noemi ewes by a recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone compared with pituitary-derived porcine follicle-stimulating hormone on follicular dynamics, maternal biochemical attributes, and neonatal traits

“…Hudson et al [23] indicated that exogenous FSH increased ovulation rates and pregnancy in Booroola ewes after hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection or after treatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. In a study on dairy cows, Ali and Zeitoun [24] reported that injection of 525 IU rh-FSH increased pregnancy rate from 60% in control to 100%, however, the injection of overdose (1800 IU) suppressed the ovulation and conception. In a study on Awassi sheep, the researchers found that the administration of a recombinant FSH, 24 h before the second PGF2α injection led to an increase in twin pregnancy rate [7].…”

Induction of Twinning in Noemi Ewes Using Two Protocols of a Recombinant Human Follicle Stimulating Hormone Versus Porcine Pituitary-Derived FSH and their Subsequent Impacts on Maternal Hormones

“…Due to the low heritability of reproductive traits in animals, the need for non-genetic avenues for maximizing the productivity of local sheep became a necessity to meet the increased demand. Recent protocols for induction of twinning in single-bearing animals have increased the prolificacy of ewes (3) and cows (4). Earlier, Aköz et al (5) obtained high multiplelamb rates (69.2%) in Akkaraman crossbred ewes when they administered 700 IU rather than 300 or 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG).…”