Comparing ovulation synchronization protocols for artificial insemination in the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah).
Ovarian response and pregnancy success in scimitar-horned oryx (n=28) were compared, following treatment with two synchronization protocols and fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen. Each oryx received two injections of 500 microg of prostaglandin-F(2alpha) analogue (PGF(2alpha)-only) 11 days apart, and half received PGF(2alpha) in combination with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (CIDR11+PGF(2alpha)). Semen was collected by electroejaculation from anaesthetised adult oryx and cryopreserved. Anaesthetised females were transcervically inseminated 56.0+/-1.1 h (+/-S.E.M.) after PGF(2alpha) injection and/or device withdrawal using 28.0+/-1.5x10(6) motile thawed sperm. Ovarian endocrine response was monitored in 20 females by analysing faecal oestrogen and progesterone metabolites. Periovulatory oestrogen peaks were detected in 19/20 (95%) females after synchronization. There were no between-treatment differences in oestrogen concentrations or peak characteristics (P0.05). Luteal development after synchronization was delayed in half the progesterone treated (CIDR11+PGF(2alpha)) females, and faecal progestin excretion profiles indicated that the ovulatory follicle associated with synchronization either failed to ovulate or to fully lutenise. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography and/or rectal palpation and was monitored by faecal progestin excretion. More (P=0. 013) pregnancies resulted from the PGF(2alpha)-only treatment (37.5%, 5/14) than from the CIDR11+PGF(2alpha) treatment (0/14), and four healthy scimitar-horned oryx calves were born, three after gestation intervals of 247 days and one after 249 days.
Morrow
C J
CJ
Conservation and Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA. morrowc@agresearch.cri.nz
Wolfe
B A
BA
Roth
T L
TL
Wildt
D E
DE
Bush
M
M
Blumer
E S
ES
Atkinson
M W
MW
Monfort
S L
SL
D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000502:physiology*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004973:Estrus Synchronization; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012661:Semen
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011374:Progesterone; D015237:Dinoprost