Reproductive fecundity of Iraqi Awassi ewes immunized against synthetic inhibin-α subunit or steroid-free bovine follicular fluid

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study was conducted to investigate the impacts of active and passive immunization against synthetic inhibin and steroid-free bovine follicular fluid, respectively, on reproductive fecundity out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes.MethodsFollicular fluid was aspired from mature bovine follicles, treated with activated charcoal, and used for immunization of male rabbits for obtaining steroid free bovine follicular fluid (SFBFF) antiserum. Forty non-pregnant Awassi ewes were allocated into 4 groups (n = 10 each). At day 38 of experiment, ewes were treated with intra-vaginal MPA sponge (60 mg for 12 days). At days 0, 28, and 50, ewes were treated with 4, 2, and 2 mL of normal saline (control; C-ve), 400, 200, and 200 μg of ovalbumin (C+ve), 400, 200 and 200 μg of inhibin (SI group), respectively, and 4 mL of normal saline at day 0, and 4 and 2 mL of SFBFF antiserum at days 28 and 50, respectively, (AI group). After mating with Awassi rams, pregnancy and embryo number were diagnosed, at day 38 of pregnancy, using ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected at days 30, 60, 90, and 120 of pregnancy, for assessment of estradiol-17β (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels. After parturition, numbers of delivered lambs were recorded.ResultsThe results revealed significant increase of P4 and significant decrease of E2 levels in SI and AI pregnant ewes than controls at days 30, 60, 90, and 120. Newborn number increased significantly in SI and AI treated than control ewes.ConclusionActive or passive immunization against endogenous inhibin could augment reproductive fecundity out of breeding season in Iraqi Awassi ewes.

Ovarian morphometric evolution in two consecutive estrous cycles of female rats treated with steroid-free bovine follicular fluid antiserum

“…Furthermore, the increased level of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factors (3,29) could be the cause of increased ovarian weights, as insulin-like growth factors participates in the growth of follicles by stimulating the biosynthesis of DNA in granulosa cells and follicle cells (30,31). Pituitary activin (5,6) may also play an indirect role by influencing the secretion of FSH from the pituitary gland, as well as the direct effects of ovarian inhibin and activins on ovarian follicle growth and development (4,32,33).…”

“…The commonly used method for induction superovulation in mice and rats is the treatment with combined equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), but recently an alternative method was performed for this purpose (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Many studies have used the alternative way in which the induction of superovulation can be attained and overcome the problems that occur in mice and rats.…”

“…Many studies have used the alternative way in which the induction of superovulation can be attained and overcome the problems that occur in mice and rats. Furthermore, these studies have reported that an active or passive immunization against inhibin has the ability to induce superovulation in both the adult and immature mice and rats (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). Inhibin are glycoproteins and members of the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family.…”

Two co‐inherited novel SNPs in the MC4R gene related to live body weight and hormonal assays in Awassi and Arabi sheep breeds of Iraq

“…Although the association study between single SNP with phenotypic traits is likely to be easier and more efficient in breeding programs, the haplotype analysis is valuable for assessing the effect of genes on phenotypic traits. In this study, statistical analysis showed that (Abdullah et al, 2002), and very low incidence of twinning (Al-Sa'aidi et al, 2018). The present study demonstrated that individuals with CC/CC haplotype had higher live body weight and lower levels of estradiol, which indicates that this haplotype has not been extensively selected in sheep breeding to enhance litter size and twinning ratio in Awassi breed.…”

“…The study of Cai et al., (2015) showed that individuals with CGACG and CTCCC haplotypes of the MC4R gene were associated with an increased body weight of animals aged 18 months in yaks. Based on previous information, Awassi sheep is a low prolific breed (Abdullah et al., 2002), and very low incidence of twinning (Al‐Sa'aidi et al., 2018). The present study demonstrated that individuals with CC/CC haplotype had higher live body weight and lower levels of estradiol, which indicates that this haplotype has not been extensively selected in sheep breeding to enhance litter size and twinning ratio in Awassi breed.…”