title: Follicular development in pregnant cows after the administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG): a new insight.
abstract: The follicular development in the cow occurs in a wave-like pattern, and it takes place also during pregnancy. In the cow, Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (eCG) is used for superovulation, but a decrease in total fertility has been reported, likely because of its immunogenic properties in species other than equine. In this regard, immune response has been implicated in follicular growth, ovulation, and placental development. So, aims of our study are to test the safety of eCG administered during pregnancy and characterize the ovarian activity, the quality of oocytes, the hormonal status, and interleukin levels in eCG-treated pregnant cows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spedicato
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minoia
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mutinati
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cinone
authors.forename: Felicita
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jirillo
authors.forename: Raffaele Luigi
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Sciorsci
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006736:Horses; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011897:Random Allocation; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006064:Gonadotropins, Equine; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol