title: Glucogenic treatment creates an optimal metabolic milieu for the conception period in ewes.
abstract: This study determined the influence of a short-term glucogenic nutritional treatment on circulating concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and urea, and on their correspondent levels in follicular fluid (FF) collected 12 h after the end of the treatment. After estrous synchronization with intravaginal progestagen-impregnated sponges, 20 Sarda ewes were randomly allocated into two experimental groups (GLU and WAT) and, from day 7 to day 10 (day 0 = day of sponge removal), the GLU group was gavaged with a glycogenic mixture, whereas the WAT group was gavaged with water (control group). Follicular development was stimulated by FSH administration from day 8 to 10. At day 11, ovaries were collected and follicular fluid processed. Plasma changes were assessed from day 6 to 11. In GLU group, circulating concentration of glucose (P < 0.0001), insulin (P < 0.0001), and IGF-1 (P < 0.01) rose significantly, whereas NEFA and urea concentrations decreased (P < 0.0001), as compared with controls. In particular, in FF the higher glucose concentrations found in GLU ewes compared with controls (P < 0.0001) were not accompanied by any increase in insulin and IGF-1 concentrations. NEFA (P < 0.0001) and urea (P < 0.0001) were lower in FF of GLU than WAT group, although NEFA clearance in the ovary proved to be less efficient than at the systemic level. No significant difference between groups was found in FF concentrations of pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (a protease regulating the levels of free IGF-1 in follicles), glutathione, and in its total antioxidant capacity. These results suggest that glycogenic mixture administration creates a suitable follicular microenvironment for the conception period in dairy ewes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pasciu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Succu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baralla
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Manca
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, AGRIS Sardegna, Loc. Bonassai, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dattena
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Bomboi
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Production, AGRIS Sardegna, Loc. Bonassai, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Molle
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naitana
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy. Electronic address: berling@uniss.it.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berlinguer
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005990:Glycerol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012756:Sheep / Q000502:physiology*; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D007328:Insulin; D011374:Progesterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D014508:Urea; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D005990:Glycerol
keywords: Follicle; Glycerol; IGF-1; Insulin; NEFA; Urea