Embryo development is impaired in goats that are treated for hydrometra and subsequently subjected to superovulation

Abstract

BackgroundReproductive efficiency after hydrometra (HD) treatment is usually unsatisfactory.MethodsTo identify mechanisms involved in low reproductive efficiency of HD-treated goats, pluriparous dairy goats treated for HD (n=10, HD) or with no reproductive disorders (n=11, control: CONT) were induced to oestrus and superovulated. Goats were mated with fertile bucks and seven days after oestrus, non-surgical embryo recovery was performed. Embryos were evaluated and gene expression was performed.ResultsThere were no differences (P>0.05) in sexual behaviour parameters, superovulation response, mean number of retrieved structures and viable embryos between groups; although embryo recovery rate was higher (P=0.01) in CONT group. Structures in delayed stage (8–16 cells) were more frequent (P<0.05) in HD (29 vs 1 per cent) goats, as well as the percentage of advanced embryos was greater (P<0.05) for CONT (59.3 vs 33.3 per cent) goats. However, the expression of genes related to apoptosis (BAX and Bcl-2), trophectoderm differentiation (CDX2) and pluripotency maintenance (NANOG) was not affected (P>0.05) in embryos that reached the morulae and blastocyst stages.ConclusionAlthough the HD embryos that developed to morula and blastocyst stages showed no change in the expression of genes related to their quality and implantation capacity, overall, embryo development was impaired in HD-treated goats.

Pseudopregnancy in Murciano-Granadina dairy goats in Iran: Prevalence, risk factors and treatment

“…This can be explained by changing prevalence in certain ages and/or milk production groups, and lacking of a signi cant increasing trend by elevated age and milk production. Moreover, considering the recurrent nature of the disease and its long-term negative impacts on reproductive e ciency (Maia et al, 2020), the policy of the herd for culling aged does with reproductive problems and a history of infertility may affect the prevalence of PPG and result in lower prevalence in aged does with high parity number, and cause this discrepancy. Controversial reports about the association between milk production and PPG were presented (Almubarak et al, 2018;Hesselink,1993.b;Wittek et al, 1997).…”