Determination of the efficacy of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) administrations on reproductive performance, placentation, parturition, and neonatal parameters on different post–mating days in Kangal ewes sexually induced during anestrus

• Abdurrahman Takci Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology. Sivas, Turkey https://orcid.org/
• Mehmet Bugra Kivrak Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology. Sivas, Turkey

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52973/rcfcv-e33275

Keywords: Anestrus, postmating, Kangal, sheep, progesterone, reproduction

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of post mating human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) during anestrus on the formation of the accessory corpus luteum and some reproductive parameters. For this purpose. after synchronization of all the animal were divided into group 1 (n=100), group 2 (n=100), and group 3 (n=100) by applying 600 IU of hCG 6 d after sponge removal, 600 IU of hCG 8 d after sponge removal, and no hCG application (Control), respectively. The difference between groups in terms of reproductive parameters such as estrus, pregnancy, multiple pregnancy, litter size, and productivity was not statistically significant. The live birth weight of lambs was evaluated for singletons, twins, and triplets. The difference between group 1 and the control group was statistically significant in singleton lambs (P=0.04). The difference between group 1 and control (P<0.001) and between group 2 and control (P<0.001) was statistically significant for twins. In triplets, group 1 was different from both groups (P<0.001) and group 2 was different from the control group (P<0.001). In addition, when the placenta weight and the daily body weight gain of singleton lamb in the neonatal stage were examined, the values of both groups that were administered with post mating hCG were higher than the control group (P<0.001). The Progesterone (P4) level in blood samples taken on the 21st d of pregnancy was found to be different between all groups. Furthermore, P₄ levels were found to be higher in group 1 compared to the other two groups (P<0.001). In the light of these findings, it was determined that hCG administration after mating contributed to placenta and offspring development by elevating P₄ levels. It was concluded that hCG should be administered 6 d after the sponge will be removed (on d 5 postmating) for optimal efficacy.

References

Chundekkad P, Błaszczyk BST. Embryonic mortality in sheep: a review. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2020; 44(2):167–73. doi: https://doi.org/dn5v

McMillan WH, Knight TW, Macmillan KL. Effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (buserelin) on sheep fertility. Proc. NZ. Soc. Anim. Prod. [Internet]. 1986 [cited 24 Jun 2023]; 46:161–4. Available in: https://bit.ly/3OL0iuo.

Garrett JE, Geisert RD, Zavy MT, Morgan GL. Evidence for maternal regulation of early conceptus growth and development in beef cattle. Reprod. [Internet]. 1988; 84(2):437–46. doi: https://doi.org/frfpdf

Davies MCG, Beck NFG. A comparison of plasma prolactin, LH and progesterone concentrations during oestrus and early pregnancy in ewe lambs and ewes. Anim. Prod. [Internet]. 1993; 57(2):281–6. doi: https://doi.org/cszg9v

Kleemann DO, Walker SK, Seamark RF. Enhanced fetal growth in sheep administered progesterone during the first three ds of pregnancy. Reprod. [Internet]. 1994; 102(2):411–7. doi: https://doi.org/bhxwt8

Bartlewski PM, Beard AP, Rawlings NC. Ovarian function in ewes at the onset of the breeding season. Anim. Reprod. Sci. [Internet]. 1999; 57(1–2):67–88. doi: https://doi.org/bbcsh4

Farin CE, Moeller CL, Mayan H, Gamboni F, Sawyer HR, Niswender GD. Effect of luteinizing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin on cell populations in the ovine corpus luteum. Biol. Reprod. [Internet]. 1988; 38(2):413–21. doi: https://doi.org/fnjf3v

Fonseca JF, Silva–Filho JM, Palhares MS, Ruas JRM, Pinto–Neto A. Concentração plasmática de progesterona em novilhas receptoras submetidas à administração de rbST, GnRH ou hCG no quinto dia do ciclo estral. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zoot. [Internet]. 2001; 53:451–8. doi: https://doi.org/c5xx58

Cizmeci SU, Kivrak MB, Takci A, Ali D, Coskun B. Evaluation of hormonal protocols for induction of synchronized estrus on reproductive indices in Kangal–Akkaraman ewes during the outbreeding season. Small Rumin. Res. [Internet]. 2022; 216:106787. doi: https://doi.org/knb3

Takci A. Modifiye u–synch protokolü ile mevsim dışı senkronize edilen akkaraman kangal irkı prepubertal kuzu ve primipar koyunlara GnRH ve hCG uygulamalarının fertilite üzerine etkisi. Turk. Vet. J. [Internet]. 2019 . [Cited 16 Dic 2022]; 1(2):60–8. Available in: https://bit.ly/451orT1.

Mirzaei A, Javidi M, Boostani A. The effect of progesterone injection combined with prostaglandineF2α, GnRH and hCG administrations on the pregnancy and lambing rate of lactating and non‐lactating fat‐tailed ewes during the breeding season. Reprod. Dom. Anim. [Internet]. 2023; 58(2):307–13. doi: https://doi.org/knb4

Fonseca JF, Torres CAA. Administration of hCG 5 ds after breeding and reproductive performance in nulliparous dairy goats. Reprod. Dom. Anim. [Internet].2005; 40(6):495–9. doi: https://doi.org/b75f2f

Lashari MH, Tasawar Z. The effect of hCG given on d 12 post–mating on ovarian function and embryo survival in Beetal goats in southern Punjab, Pakistan. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. [Internet]. 2010; 34(6):513–7. doi: https://doi.org/knb6

Greenwood PL, Slepetis RM, Bell AW. Influences on fetal and placental weights during mid to late gestation in prolific ewes well nourished throughout pregnancy. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. [Internet]. 2000; 12(4):149–56. doi: https://doi.org/bmzs85

Gallelli MF, Bianchi C, Zampini E, Bertuzzi M, Aba M, Neild D, Miragaya M. Effect of hCG administration on D 7 post–mating on accessory corpus luteum development and progesterone concentration in llamas. Theriogenol. [Internet]. 2022; 180:154–60. doi: https://doi.org/knb7

Azari K, Habibizad J, Samadian F, Ghaderi–Zefrehei M. Effect of hCG administration in different ds after mating on reproductive performance and serum progesterone concentration of Torki–Ghashghaei ewes. Iran. Vet. J. [Internet]. 2020; 16(3):40–6. doi: https://doi.org/knb8

Özmen MF, Erkan SAY, Cirit Ü. Effect of Combined or Separate Administration of Beta Carotene–Vitamin E and hCG on Fertility in Sheep Lambs. J. Agric. Sci. [Internet]. 2022; 28(3):396–400. doi: https://doi.org/knb9

Cogswell ME, Yip R. The influence of fetal and maternal factors on the distribution of birthweight. Semin. Perinatol. [Internet]. 1995; 19(3):222–40. doi: https://doi.org/d7b8qs

Gardner DS, Buttery PJ, Daniel Z, Symonds ME. Factors affecting birth weight in sheep: maternal environment. Reprod. [Internet]. 2007; 133(1):297. doi: https://doi.org/dt82rk

Manalu W, Sumaryadi MY. Maternal serum progesterone concentration during pregnancy and lamb birth weight at parturition in Javanese Thin–Tail ewes with different litter sizes. Small Rumin. Res. [Internet]. 1998; 30(3):163–9. doi: https://doi.org/d2rt5x

Kenyon PR, Morris ST, West DM. The effect of progesterone supplementation post mating and shearing of ewes in early pregnancy on the reproductive performance of ewes and birthweight of lambs. NZ. Vet. J. [Internet]. 2005; 53(5):321–5. doi: https://doi.org/djxvc5

Halloran KM, Hoskins EC, Stenhouse C, Moses RM, Dunlap KA, Satterfield MC, Seo H, Johnson GA, Wu G, Bazer FW. Pre–implantation exogenous progesterone and pregnancy in sheep. II. Effects on fetal–placental development and nutrient transporters in late pregnancy. J. Anim. Sci. Biotechnol. [Internet]. 2021; 12(1):1–20. doi: https://doi.org/kncb

Rostami B, Hajizadeh R, Shahir MH, Aliyari D. The effect of post–mating hCG or progesterone administration on reproductive performance of Afshari × Booroola–Merino crossbred ewes. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. [Internet]. 2017; 49(2):245–50. doi: https://doi.org/f9pscq

Lankford LM, Yates DT, Halalsheh RA, Black PL, Hallford DM, Ross TT. Effects of human chorionic gonadotropin on serum progesterone concentrations, embryonic survival, and lambing rates in ewes. Proceedings, Western Section, Ame. Soc. Anim. Sci. 2010 Jul 11–15. Denver, CO: ASAS; 2010; 61:153–7.

Faris BR, Ross TT, Carman AS, Martinez CH, Herron BJ, Saenz JR, Hallford DM. Effects of progesterone therapy on embryonic survival and pregnancy rates in ewes. Proceedings, Western Section, Ame. Soc. Anim. Sci. 2003 Jun 23. Phoenix, AZ: ASAS; 2004; 55:312–4.

Husein MQ, Ababneh MM, Hijazi JF. The effect of post–mating progesterone supplement on pregnancy and lambing rates of ewes bred out–of–season. Am. J. Anim. Vet. Sci. [Internet]. 2007; 2(3):55–61. doi: https://doi.org/d2sdkk