title: Induction of ovulation in rabbits by adding Lecirelin to the seminal dose: in vitro and in vivo effects of different excipients.
abstract: This study evaluates the effect of Lecirelin (Dalmarelin(®), Fatro, Italy) diluted in different excipients (benzilic alcohol, benzoic acid and paraben) added to a seminal dose on LH concentrations, progesterone concentrations and ovarian status in rabbits. The in vitro effect on spermatozoa was also tested. A total of 100 multiparous female rabbits were divided into 5 groups, which at the moment of AI, received 0.2 mL (5 μg/dose) intramuscular (im) inoculation of Lecirelin (control) or the same Lecirelin dose administered intravaginally (iv) with the seminal dose alone (Lecirelin group) or with benzilic alcohol (Lecirelin BA group), benzoic acid (Lecirelin BAc group) or parabens (Lecirelin PA group) as an excipient. After 7 days, 10 rabbits per group were euthanized to analyze their ovarian status. In the control group, a high LH peak was detected 30 min post AI, while in the iv groups a slight increase in LH occurred after 120 min. The ovulation and fertility rate was similar in control and Lecirelin groups, while the lowest fertility rate was detected in the Lecirelin BA group. In a second experiment, the semen samples collected from male rabbits were diluted in TALP (control) or mixed with the 5 μg of Lecirelin solutions used in the first experiment. The highest percentage of capacitated sperm (68.3%) was recorded in the Lecirelin PA. The lowest percentages were observed in the Lecirelin BA and BAc groups. In conclusion, the iv administration of Lecirelin represents an alternative method for simplifying rabbit insemination procedures.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo 20 Giugno, 74, 06100 Perugia, Italy. Electronic address: alessandro.dalbosco@unipg.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dal Bosco
authors.affiliation: Dept. Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo 20 Giugno, 74, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cardinali
authors.affiliation: Dept. Biopathological Science, Animal and Food Production Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brecchia
authors.affiliation: Dept. Animal Production, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Rebollar
authors.affiliation: Livestock and Wildlife Laboratory, Arid Lands Institute, 4100 Medenine, Tunisia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fatnassi
authors.affiliation: Dept. Physiology (Animal Physiology), Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Millán
authors.affiliation: Dept. Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo 20 Giugno, 74, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mattioli
authors.affiliation: Dept. Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Borgo 20 Giugno, 74, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castellini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005299:Fertility Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D008297:Male; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D005079:Excipients; D005299:Fertility Agents; D009842:Oligopeptides; C533053:lecirelin; D011374:Progesterone
keywords: Fertility; Intravaginal administration; Lecirelin; Ovulation; Rabbit