MAJOR CREDIT SEMINAR ON

Estrus synchronization in Sheep and Goat

By Dr. T.C.Jangir (2012V22M)

ESTROUS CYCLE
DEFINITIOS:ESTRUS: Period of sexual receptivity.
Commonly referred to as Heat

ESTROUS CYCLE: Reproductive cycle of female, generally defined as period from one estrus to the next.

ESTROUS CYCLE
Seasonally polyestrus:
Cycles occur only during certain times of the year
Long-day breeders:
Cycle when day length increases Ex: mare

Short-day breeders:
Begin to cycle as day length decreases Ex: sheep, goats

Reproductive parameters of sheep and goat (Jainudeen, et al. Reproduction in farm animals 7th edition)
Particular Length of estrous cycle (days) sheep 17 (14-19) goat 21 (also short cycles) (18-22)

Duration of estrous (hrs)

24-36

24-48

Time of ovulation

30-36 hrs from begning of estrous

21-36 hrs from begning of estrous

Considerations for Small Ruminants

seasonal breeding patterns lack of large-scale application of AI. In sheep, AI is further impaired by problems in freezing ram semen and problems in the transcervical deposition of semen.

Endocrine changes during the oestrous cycle

Trends in harmone concentrations in the peripheral circulation of the ewe during the oestrous cycle (David
Noakes ,Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics 9th edition) FSH (ng/ml)

LH (ng/ml)

Estrogens (pg/ml)

Progestrone (ng/ml)

 Endocrine changes during the oestrous cycle in ewe Just before the onset of oestrus rise in oestrogens in the peripheral circulation, particularly oestradiol-17. This is followed by a sudden surge of LH which reaches a peak about 14 hours before ovulation; coincidental with this peak is a rise in FSH. There is also a second FSH peak 2 days after ovulation. Prolactin fluctuates throughout the oestrous cycle.

Trends in harmone concentrations in the peripheral circulation of the goat during the oestrous cycle

Behavioral signs of estrus

Does
Bleating continuously Swollen red colored vulva Flagging of the tail Frequent urination Cervical mucus discharge, which causes hairs to stick together Restlessness Mounting other goats and seeking the buck

Behavioral signs of estrus

Ewes
The signs of estrus in the ewe are not obvious unless a ram is present. As in the doe, the vulva is swollen and redder than usual, and there is a discharge of mucus but is difficult to see in a ewe with a tail or fleece. Normal duration will be 24 to 36 hours.

 Ram has found ewe on heat. She stands still, looking around at the ram, tail fanning, ears pricked. She is waiting to be mounted.

 Ram 'sniff hunting' ewes

Estrus detection techniques

Using a teaser ram or buck Tying an apron made of leather or canvas around the body of a ram or buck. Using a teaser with a marking harness

Estrus synchronization
Manipulation of the estrous cycle to bring a large proportion of females in estrus at a pre-determined time.

Introduction
Estrus synchronization (ES) in livestock focuses on the manipulation of either the luteal or the follicular phase of the estrous cycle. In does and ewes, the opportunity for control is greater during the luteal phase, which is of longer duration and more responsive to manipulation.

Strategies can be employed to extend the luteal phase by supplying exogenous progesterone or to shorten this phase by prematurely regressing existing CL.

Why do we need to synchronize estrus?

To facilitate the practice of artificial insemination, either for genetic improvement or to reduce the number of rams/bucks needed to be kept. To match the period of lambing/kidding with feed availability or to produce products out-of-season. Used as an initial step for super-ovulation and subsequent embryo transfer. Induction of estrus in ewes/does with silent estrus to shorten the lambing/kidding interval.

Disadvantages of synchronized ovulation

Low conception rates Cost Concentrated labor required during breeding and calving season

Estrous Synchronization Methods

A. Hormonal :
Shortening the luteal phase PGF2 Estrogen Extending the luteal phase Long term use of progestrone or progestogen (14-21 days)

B. Non-hormonal :
Light, nutrition, weaning, male stimulation

Compounds used in estrous synchronization

1. Progesterone
It controls the life of the corpus luteum or manipulate circulating progesterone concentrations that allows regulation of oestrus and ovulation (Hansel and Convey, 1983).

The progesterone or progestagen treatment can be delivered through-

intravaginal sponge, CIDR, PRID or a subcutaneous implant

(Evans and Maxwell, 1987; Ritar et al., 1989; Freitas et al., 1997).

2. Synthetic progestogens Norgestomet Crestar (implant) Medroxy acetate progesterone (MAP) Melengestrol acetate (MGA) (oral)

flurogestone acetate (FGA)

Steps in CIDR application/loading

CIDR application/loading

CIDR application/loading

CIDR application/loading

Intravaginal Sponges
Intravaginal sponges have been the traditional treatment of choice for ES in small ruminants, during the breeding and anestrus seasons. They are impregnated with A. progestagens or B. natural progesterone

Cont
In sheep, progestagen impregnated intravaginal sponges or CIDRs are inserted intravaginally for 1214 days. Ewes show oestrus approximately 48 h after device removal.

 In goats, progestagen impregnated sponges are inserted intravaginally for 16 18 days, whilst CIDRs are left in place for 1821 days. The majority of does will be in oestrus approximately 48 h after removal (Wheaton et al., 1993). At the time of removal, animals are administered eCG/PMSG.

Intra-vaginal sponges for estrus induction and synchronization (prepaired at CSWRI)

Developed indigenously for estrus induction and synchronization in sheep and goats.

A solution of progesterone (0.175 g/ml) was prepared in ethanol and each sponge was loaded with 2 ml solution.

Intra-vaginal sponges for estrus induction and synchronization (CSWRI) Protocol

prostaglandin or its analogue

The primary luteolytic factor in ruminants is the prostaglandin F2 ( McCracken et al., 1972); thus, administration of exogenous PGF2 or its analogues is useful for inducing luteolysis (Douglas and Ginther, 1973). The main advantage of prostaglandin treatment is the possibility of administration by intramuscular injection.

Prostaglandins
Intramuscular injection requires higher dosage than intrauterine injection because of the short half-life of the substance. Half-life about 2-3 minutes; approximately 90% deactivated in single passage through body.

The inconveniences of using PGF2 are1.The CL can be responsive to PGF2 from day 3 of the oestrous cycle (Rubianes et al.,2003) to the day of natural luteolysis; therefore, animals should contain an active CL. 2. The second inconvenience is that the 910-day protocol is effective in synchronising oestrus, but fertility of the ewes at rst mating is only about 70%, signicantly lower than that after progestagen treatments and natural services (Boland et al., 1978; Godfrey et al., 1999).

 A protocol developed for synchronization of estrus in cycling native ewes at CSWRI includes administration of two intramuscular injections of PGF2 7.5 mg at 10 days interval.

GnRH agonists
Hypothalamus hormone Release of FSH, LH Buselerin (Cystorelin, Factrel, Fertagyl, OvaCyst, Receptal etc.)

 Estrogens
Estradiol conjugates
Estradiol valerate Estradiol bazoate Estradiol cypionate

Gonadotropins
eCG or PMSG FSH hCG

Melatonin and Photoperiodicity

Discovered by Lerner et al. (1958). Photoperiodic information is received at the level of the retina and transmitted, via a multi-step neural pathway, to the pineal gland, where the message modulates the rhythm of melatonin secretion (Bittman et al., 1983).

Diagram on the role of photoperiod and pineal gland on steroid feedback and seasonal estrous cycles.

Cont
It has been reported that in anoestrous ewes a signicant increase of GnRH secretion after 40 days and high GnRH and LH pulsatility occurs after 74 days of melatonin treatment (Vigui et al., 1995). And it is done by reducing tyrosine hydroxylase activity and, therefore, the secretion of dopamine in the median eminence (Vigui et al., 1997).

Thereby, implants cause a short day-like response by lengthening the duration of the melatonin signal (Malpaux et al., 1997).

Cont
The implants contain 18 mg of melatonin and are designed to maintain high plasma melatonin concentrations for at least 60 days, although most of them continue releasing the hormone for over 100 days (Forcada et al., 2002).

The implant release maintains daytime plasma concentrations of melatonin >100 pg/mL, in both ewes (Forcada et al., 1995) and goats (Delgadillo et al., 2001).

The male effect

The male can be used to stimulate estrus activity of females that have been previously isolated from males for a period of 34 weeks. The so-called male effect is a technique to stimulate the sexual activity in seasonally anovulatory goats ( PellicerRubio et al., 2007). After the period of separation, the male animal is suddenly introduced to the group of females.

In response to introduction of the male, ewes/does secrete increasing amounts of LH and FSH, which result in ovulation after 2 or 3 days of male introduction. In cyclic goats, highest frequency of estrus was observed within the first 3 days of buck introduction.

 The following factors affect response to male introduction:

High sexual activity or libido test scores of male High plane of nutrition of female The longer lambs/kids have been weaned from ewes/does, the better the response of the ewes/does.