Animal Reproduction (AR)
https://animal-reproduction.org/article/doi/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2020-0526
Animal Reproduction (AR)
Original Article

Low invasive estrous synchronization protocol for wild animals: an example with melengestrol acetate in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira)

Yuki Tanaka; Alice Pereira Americano; David Javier Galindo; José Maurício Barbanti Duarte

Downloads: 0
Views: 922

Abstract

Abstract: Deer are sensitive to stressful stimuli by handling and their reproductive physiology could be altered by these procedures, making it necessary to develop less invasive protocols for ART. Melengestrol acetate (MGA), a synthetic progestin administered orally, appears as an alternative for estrous synchronization protocols (ESP), such as reported in cattle. Firstly, we compared two MGA doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/day/animal), which would have suppression effect in estrous behavior (EB). Eight females were randomly and equally distributed in Group 1 (G1) and Group 2 (G2), which received 0.5 and 1.0 mg/day/animal respectively for 15 days (D1 to D15). Two cloprostenol (CP) applications were performed on D0 and D11. Estrus detection (ED) was performed every day. All females from G1 displayed estrus during treatment period, whereas all females from G2 displayed estrus after treatment, suggesting a suppressive effect of 1.0 mg in the EB. Once the suppressive MGA dose (1.0 mg) was defined, we used this dose for assessing ESP. The same eight females received 1.0 mg/animal for eight days (D-8 to D-1), followed by 0.25 mg of estradiol benzoate on D-8 and 265 μg of CP on D0. Feces for fecal progesterone metabolites (FPM) measurement were collected from D0 until seven days after the last day of estrus. Seven females displayed estrus between 12 and 72 h after CP application, which was followed by a significant increase in FPM levels (except female MG6), suggesting the formation of corpus luteum. After ED, females were placed with a fertile male to assess the fertility of the protocol. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound 30 days after mating in 3/6 individuals. Although the low effectiveness of MGA protocol, it should be considered as a promising alternative in deer ESP since this protocol has less stressful effect on the animal during reproductive management when compared to other ESP.

Keywords

Assisted reproductive technologies, estrus, neotropical deer, corpus luteum, fecal progesterone metabolites

References

Argo CM, Jabbour HN, Goddard PJ, Webb R, Loudon ASI. Superovulation in red deer (Cervus elaphus) and Pere David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), and fertilization rates following artificial insemination with Pere David’s deer semen. J Reprod Fertil. 1994;100(2):629-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.1000629. PMid:8021886.

Asher GW, Berg DK, Evans G. Storage of semen and artificial insemination in deer. Anim Reprod Sci. 2000;62(1-3):195-211. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00159-7. PMid:10924825.

Asher GW, Fisher MW, Fennessy PF, Mackintosh CG, Jabbour HN, Morrow CJ. Oestrous synchronization, semen collection and artificial insemination of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama). Anim Reprod Sci. 1993;33(1-4):241-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(93)90118-B.

Asher GW, Fisher MW, Jabbour HN, Smith JF, Mulley RC, Morrow CJ, Veldhuizen FA, Langridge M. Relationship between the onset of oestrus, the preovulatory surge in luteinizing hormone and ovulation following oestrous synchronization and superovulation of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus). J Reprod Fertil. 1992;96(1):261-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0960261. PMid:1432958.

Bisbal FJ. Biología poblacional del venado matacán (Mazama spp.) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) en Venezuela. Rev Biol Trop. 1994;42(1-2):305-13.

Black-Decima PA, Vogliotti A. Mazama gouazoubira. Cambridge, United Kingdom: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T29620A22154584.en.

Brown JL, Walker S, Steinman K. Endocrine manual for reproductive assessment of domestic and non-domestic species. Virginia: Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park, Conservation and Research Center; 2004. p. 1-69.

Comizzoli P, Mermillod P, Mauget R. Reproductive biotechnologies for endangered mammalian species. Reprod Nutr Dev. 2000;40(5):493-504. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/rnd:2000113. PMid:11140819.

Cursino MS, Salviano MB, Abril VV, Zanetti ES, Duarte JMB. The role of chromosome variation in the speciation of the red brocket deer complex: the study of reproductive isolation in females. BMC Evol Biol. 2014;14(1):40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-14-40. PMid:24593190.

Dobson H, Smith R. What is stress, and how does it affect reproduction? Anim Reprod Sci. 2000;60-61:743-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00080-4. PMid:10844239.

Duarte JMB. Guia de identificação de Cervídeos Brasileiros. Jaboticabal: FUNEP; 1996. p. 1-14.

Duarte JMB, Uhart MM, Galvez CES. Capture and physical restraint. In: Duarte JMB, González S, editors. neotropical cervidology: biology and medicine of latin american deer. Jaboticabal: FUNEP/IUCN; 2010. p. 218-227.

Funston RN, Ansotegui RP, Lipsey RJ, Geary TW. Synchronization of estrus in beef heifers using either melengestrol acetate (MGA)/prostaglandin or MGA/Select Synch. Theriogenology. 2002;57(5):1485-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(02)00654-4. PMid:12054206.

Galindo DJ, Garcia JM, Oliveira MEF, Duarte JMB. Superovulation with equine chorionic gonadotropin in Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus). Spermova. 2015;5(1):163-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.18548/aspe/0002.36.

Herrick JR. Assisted reproductive technologies for endangered species conservation: developing sophisticated protocols with limited access to animals with unique reproductive mechanisms. Biol Reprod. 2019;100(5):1158-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioz025. PMid:30770538.

Hosack DA, Miller KV, Ware LH, Mashburn KL, Morrow CJ, Williamson LR, Marchinton RL, Monfort SL. Stag exposure advances the lh surge and behavioral estrus in eld’s deer hinds after cidr device synchronization of estrus. Theriogenology. 1999;51(7):1333-42. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(99)00077-1. PMid:10729097.

Jabbar G, Umberger SH, Lewis GS. Melengestrol acetate and norgestomet for the induction of synchronized estrus in seasonally anovular ewes. J Anim Sci. 1994;72(12):3049-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/1994.72123049x. PMid:7759352.

Kojima FN, Salfen BE, Bader JF, Ricke WA, Lucy MC, Smith MF, Patterson DJ. Development of an estrus synchronization protocol for beef cattle with short-term feeding of melengestrol acetate: 7-11 synch. J Anim Sci. 2000;78(8):2186-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/2000.7882186x. PMid:10947107.

Martínez-Álvarez LE, Hernández-Cerón J, González-Padilla E, Perera-Marín G, Valencia J. Serum LH peak and ovulation following synchronized estrus in goats. Small Rumin Res. 2007;69(1-3):124-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2005.12.024.

Monfort SL, Wemmer C, Kepler TH, Bush M, Brown JL, Wildt DE. Monitoring ovarian function and pregnancy in Eld’s deer (Cervus eldi thamin) by evaluating urinary steroid metabolite excretion. J Reprod Fertil. 1990;88(1):271-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1530/jrf.0.0880271. PMid:2156072.

Morrow CJ, Asher GW, Macmillan KL. Oestrous synchronisation in farmed fallow deer (Dama dama): effects of season, treatment duration and the male on the efficacy of the intravaginal CIDR device. Anim Reprod Sci. 1995;37(2):159-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(94)01329-K.

Morrow CJ, Asher GW, Smith JF, Jabbour HN, Mulley RC, McLeay LM. Seasonal effects on the efficacy of intravaginal CIDR devices for oestrous synchronization of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama). Proc NZ Soc Anim Prod. 1992;52:165-9.

Morrow CJ, Penfold LM, Wolfe BA. Artificial insemination in deer and non-domestic bovids. Theriogenology. 2009;71(1):149-65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.09.001. PMid:18986694.

Munerato MS, Zanetti ES, Marques JA, Duarte JMB. Effects of laparoscopy on the cardiorespiratory system of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) anesthetized with ketamine/ xylazine/ midazolam combination and isoflurane. Pesq Vet Bras. 2008;28(11):555-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2008001100003.

Neff AW. Analytical methods for MGA (melengestrol acetate). In: Meissonnier E, Mitchell-Vigneron J, editors. Proceedings of a Symposium on Anabolics in Animal Production: Public Health Aspects, Analytical Methods and Regulation. Paris: Office International des Epizooties; 1983. p. 457-485.

Palme R. Measuring fecal steroids: guidelines for practical application. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005;1046(1):75-80. http://dx.doi.org/10.1196/annals.1343.007. PMid:16055844.

Patterson DJ, Kiracofe GH, Stevenson JS, Corah LR. Control of the bovine estrous cycle with Melengestrol Acetate (MGA): A Review. J Anim Sci. 1989;67(8):1895-906. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas1989.6781895x. PMid:2676933.

Patton ML, Jöchle W, Penfold LM. Review of contraception in ungulate species. Zoo Biol. 2007;26(4):311-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20154. PMid:19360583.

Pereira RJG, Polegato BF, de Souza S, Negrão JA, Duarte JMB. Monitoring ovarian cycles and pregnancy in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) by measurement of fecal progesterone metabolites. Theriogenology. 2006;65(2):387-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.02.019. PMid:15979135.

Peter ID, Haron AW, Jesse FFA, Ajat M, Han MHW, Fitri WN, Yahaya MS, Alamaary MSM. Opportunities and challenges associated with fecal progesterone metabolite analysis. Vet World. 2018;11(10):1466–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2018.1466-1472. PMid: 30532503.

Pinder L. Comportamento social e reprodutivo dos veados campeiro e catingueiro. In: Anais de Etologia – 10th Encontro Anual de Etologia; 1992 Sep 29-Oct 1; São Paulo, Brazil. Jaboticabal: FUNEP; 1992. p. 167-73.

Polegato BF, Zanetti ES, Duarte JMB. Monitoring ovarian cycles, pregnancy and post-partum in captive marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) by measuring fecal steroids. Conserv Physiol. 2018;6(1):cox073. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/conphys/cox073. PMid:29383254.

Powell MR, Kaps M, Lamberson WR, Keisler DH. Use of melengestrol acetate-based treatments to induce and synchronize estrus in seasonally anestrous ewes. J Anim Sci. 1996;74(10):2292-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/1996.74102292x. PMid:8904694.

Quadros APN, Tanaka Y, Duarte JMB. Avaliação do acetato de melengestrol (MGA) na sincronização do estro em fêmeas de veado-mão-curta (Mazama nana) e veado-roxo (Mazama nemorivaga): estudo piloto. Rev Bras Reprod Anim. 2020;44(2):78-80.

Raphael BL, Kalk P, Thomas P, Calle PP, Doherty JG, Cook RA. Use of melengestrol acetate in feed for contraception in herds of captive ungulates. Zoo Biol. 2003;22(5):455-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.10096.

Roughton RD. Effects of oral melengestrol acetate on reproduction in captive white-tailed deer. J Wildl Manage. 1979;43(2):428-36. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3800352.

Safranski TJ, Lamberson WR, Keisler DH. Use of melengestrol acetate and gonadotropins to induce fertile estrus in seasonally anestrous ewes. J Anim Sci. 1992;70(10):2935-41. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/1992.70102935x. PMid:1429268.

Santos GL, Ceravolo L, Souza S, Duarte JMB. Sazonalidade reprodutiva e duração do ciclo estral e do cio de fêmeas de veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) sob condições de cativeiro. In: Libro de Resumenes: Congreso internacional de manejo de fauna silvestre en la Amazonia y Latinoamerica. 2001 Sep 10-14; Cartagena, Colombia. Cartagena: Universidad Nacional de Colombia; 2001. p. 232.

Schwarzenberger F, Möstl E, Palme R, Bamberg E. Faecal steroid analysis for non-invasive monitoring of reproductive status in farm, wild and zoo animals. Anim Reprod Sci. 1996;42(1-4):515-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0378-4320(96)01561-8.

Stallings JD. Notes of reproductive biology of the grey brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) in Paraguay. J Mammal. 1986;67(1):172-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1381016.

Tanaka Y, Sandoval EDP, Duarte JMB. Non-homogeneous distribution of steroids in fecal pellets: an example in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) with progesterone metabolites. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2019;282:113206. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.06.010. PMid:31201799.

Tanaka Y, Ferrari B, Duarte GS, Prado LC, Duarte JMB. MGA for synchronizing estrus behavior: a novel approach in ex situ South American deer species reproductive management. In: Abstracts - 34th Annual meeting of the Brazilian embryo technology society; 2020 Aug 13-15; São Paulo, Brazil. São Paulo: SBTE; 2020. p. 290.

Thompson KV, Mashburn KL, Monfort SL. Characterization of estrous cyclicity in the sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) through fecal progestagen monitoring. Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1998;112(1):129-37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/gcen.1998.7152. PMid:9748411.

Ungerfeld R, Villagrán M, Gil-Laureiro J, Sestelo A, Beracochea F, Fumagalli F, Bielli A. Adult and yearling pampas deer stags (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) display mild reproductive seasonal patterns with maximum values in autumn. Anim Reprod. 2020;17(2):e20200021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-ar2020-0021. PMid:32714462.

Windorski EJ, Schauer CS, Wurst AK, Inskeep EK, Luther JS. Effects of melengestrol acetate and P.G. 600 on fertility in Rambouillet ewes outside the natural breeding season. Theriogenology. 2008;70(2):227-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2008.04.004. PMid:18501957.

Zanetti ES, Duarte JMB. Comparison of three protocols for superovulation of brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Zoo Biol. 2012;31(6):642-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/zoo.20428. PMid:22057947.

Zanetti ES, Polegato BF, Duarte JMB. Comparison of two methods of synchronization of estrus in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Anim Reprod Sci. 2010;117(3-4):266-74. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.05.010. PMid:19501991.

Zanetti ES, Munerato MS, Cursino MS, Duarte JMB. Comparing two different superovulation protocols on ovarian activity and fecal glucocorticoid levels in the brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2014;12(1):24. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1477-7827-12-24. PMid:24646096.
 


Submitted date:
05/15/2020

Accepted date:
10/27/2020

5fff38c10e8825b10b33c319 animreprod Articles
Links & Downloads

Anim Reprod

Share this page
Page Sections