Optimal time for laparoscopic intrauterine insemination performed on ewes detected in natural heat

The aim of this study was to optimize the laparoscopic intrauterine insemination (LAI) methodology by testing different time intervals between the natural heat detection and ewe insemination. Three experiments were performed in the breeding conditions of Southern Kazakhstan. Ewes (n = 243) were exposed for one hour to direct contact with the teaser rams (once a day, morning or evening). Ewes expressing behavioral symptoms of heat were detected and inseminated with the use of LAI during 210–1290 min (3.5–21.5 hrs) after heat detection. Reproductive traits of lambing rate (LR) and litter size (LS) were recorded according to the births registered at 137 to 152 days post insemination. Our statistical model showed significance only for the effects of ewe age category and the time interval from heat detection to LAI on the LR attribute. The highest LR (38.8%) was detected in ewes at 2.5–3.5 years of age. Corrected least-square means of LR indicated 18.5 hrs. as an optimal time for LAI of ewes in natural heat. In the present study, the percentage value of lambing rate obtained at 18.5 h interval was 70.7%. Therefore, our study suggested an effective methodology to spread valuable genetic information in the sheep population in the regions of extensive farming where heat cycle synchronization is not usually performed. Importantly, our study is among the first ones that follow the European strategy to eliminate the occurrence of hormones in livestock production and the environment.     

平衡时间、冷冻方法及解冻程序对马精液冷冻效果的影响

精液平衡、冷冻及解冻是冻精制作过程中三个必不可少的环节,对精液冷冻效果起着决定性作用。在马(Equus caballus)精子冷冻中针对这三个过程的研究较少,为进一步优化马精液冷冻方法,提高精液冻后质量,本研究比较不同平衡时间、冷冻方法及解冻程序对冻融后精子运动参数、质膜完整性及线粒体膜电势的影响。平衡120 min、180 min和240 min组冻融后精液活力及质膜完整性明显高于平衡0 min、45 min、90 min及8 h平衡组;距离液氮面2 cm和4 cm高度熏蒸冷冻获得了与程序冷冻仪冷冻法相似的冷冻效果;采用高温瞬时解冻法(75℃7 s和46℃20 s)比常规方法(37℃30 s)获得了更高的冻后精液活力(P0.05)。综合上述结果,在马精液冷冻过程中综合采用120~240 min平衡,距离液氮面2~4 cm熏蒸法和高温瞬时解冻法(75℃7s和46℃20 s)可获得更好的精液冷冻效果。