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Factors Influencing the Pregnancy Rate in Indigenous Ewes Following Ai Using Frozen Semen

N Naher
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202, Bangladesh

NS Juyena
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202, Bangladesh

PK Jha
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202, Bangladesh

MRI Talukder
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202, Bangladesh

MGS Alam
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202, Bangladesh

FY Bari
Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Study was conducted to observe the influence of different factors on pregnancy rate in 24 indigenous ewes following artificial insemination (AI) with frozen semen. The ewes were synchronized by intra -muscular injection of Prostaglandin F 2α. The onset and intensity of oestrus were determined by oestrus behaviour of ewes with vasectomize d ram. VER values were measured immediately before AI using electrical heat detector. Twelve ewes were inseminated trans-cervically and 12 laparoscopically. Five ewes were treated with Misoprostol to relax the cervix 12 hours before TCAI, and cervical penetration depth was measured by a steel rod. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasonography at 40 – 45 days after AI. Cervical penetration depth was significantly increased (P<0.05) (0.48 ± 0.04 vs. 3.52 ± 0.17 cm) in treatment group. The pregnancy rate tended to be higher in treatment group (60.0 vs. 28.6%). In treatment group cervical penetration was significantly increased (P<0.05) (0.35 ± 0.08 vs. 3.52 ± 0.17 cm) immediately before AI compared with before oestrus synchronization. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) (75.0 vs. 28.6%) in LAPAI than TCAI without treatment. The pregnancy rate tended to be higher (75.0 vs. 55.6%) in ewes with high oestrus intensity than in those with medium intensity. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher (P<0.05 : 70.0 vs. 20.0%) in lower VER group (230 - 280 ?) compared with higher VER group (331 – 380 ?.) Although LAPAI was superior to TCAI, TCAI in ewes treated with misoprostol giving a pregnancy rate of 60% could be acceptable, until the LAPAI could be made simpler to be used in field. The oestrus intensity and low VER values could be used to select ewes to be inseminated to increase the pregnancy rate.

Keywords: Ewe, Pregnancy, LAPAI, TCAI

Location: Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh -2202.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Sheep

Objectives:

To develop the TCAI through increasing cervical penetration depth and improve LAPAI to increase pregnancy rate, and to determine effects of induced oestrus intensity and vaginal electrical resistance (VER) on pregnancy rate of indigenous ewes using AI with frozen semen.

Methodology:

Animal selection: A total of 24 healthy non-pregnant indigenous ewes were selected from the research project of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences - The United States Department of Agriculture (BAS - USDA) at the Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Oestrous synchronization: The ewes were synchronized for oestrus using two intra -muscular injections of Prostaglandin F 2α at the rate of 125 µg (0.5 mL) per ewe at an interval of 9 days. Oestrus was detected using vasectomized ram by observing behavioural signs from 6 am to 6 pm. Observation of oestrus intensity: The intensity of oestrus was graded as low, medium or high as described by Ortman (2000). Vaginal Electrical Resistance (VER) recording: VER of ewes were measured immediately before AI by inserting the probe of electrical heat detector into vagina as described by Theodosiadou and Tsiligianni (2015). Cervical relaxation treatment: Following synchronization, the ewes (n = 5) were treated with prostaglandin E1 analogue Misoprostol @ 400 µg per ewe intra-vaginally. Following grinding and mixing of Cytomis with glycerol (glycerol approximately 87%, Merck), the mixture was embedded in a sterile piece of sponge. The medicated sponge was then inserted just in front of cervical opening i.e. caudal to the cervix and removed after 12 hrs. Cervical penetration depth measurement: Cervical penetration depth was measured just before insemination by introducing a steel rod of 25 cm length, 0.25 cm diameter, having round end into the cervix. Post-thaw semen evaluation: The quality of thawed se men was assessed by percentage motility, viability and plasma membrane integrity of the sperm. Motility was observed by phase-contrast microscope at magnification of 400× and the viability and plasma membrane integrity were assessed by eosin-nigrosin stain and hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST +ve), respectively. Trans-cervical artificial insemination (TCAI): Trans-cervical artificial insemination (TCAI) (without and with cervical relaxation treatment) was performed in 12 ewes within 14 – 20 hours of onset of oestrus using frozen semen of indigenous ram having 49.0 ± 4.2, 62.0 ± 4.9 and 55.0 ± 8.1% post-thaw motility, viability and HOST +ve% with the aid of a commercially available insemination pipette with a sharp pointed bent tip, especially designed for TCAI of ewes. Laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAPAI): Seven ewes were inseminated laparoscopically within 20 – 24 hours of onset of oestrus using a commercially available insemination pipette. The abdomen was punctured in two places simultaneously, for LAPAI tube and AI pipette. Pregnancy diagnosis: Ultrasonography scanning was done for confirmation of pregnancy using trans-abdominal ultrasonic transducer 5.0 MHz at 40–50 days of post insemination. Pregnancy rate (%) = Number of ewes conceived × 100/ Number of ewes inseminated. Statistical analyses: The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Comparison of cervical penetration was done using t test. Chi -square test was performed to compare the pregnancy rate. When the P value was less than 0.05 (P<0.05), the difference was regarded as significant.

Source of Information: The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2016) 33(2) : 33 – 38

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The pregnancy rate tended to be higher in ewes with high oestrus intensity than in those with medium intensity. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in lower VER group compared with higher VER group Although LAPAI was superior to TCAI, TCAI in ewes treated with misoprostol giving a pregnancy rate of 60% could be acceptable, until the LAPAI could be made simpler to be used in field. The oestrus intensity and low VER values could be used to select ewes to be inseminated to increase the pregnancy rate.

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