• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2000

The ovaries of 178 Holstein heifers or cows (heifer; 41, 1 parity; 72, 2$\leq$ parity; 65) on Day 6 or 7 (Day 0=day of estrus) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography. Diameter of corpus luteum (CL) and large follicle ( $\geq$ 10 mm), and luteal tissue area were determined by ultrasound system with a 5 MHB rectal probe. Blood samples were taken to progesterone analysis. After selection of recipients, frozen Holstein embryos were thawed and directly transferred to recipients non-surgically. The diameter of CL and luteal tissue area was greater (P<0.01) on Day 7 than on Day 6 in heifers, 1 parity or 2 $\leq$ parity cows, respectively, although progesterone concentrations were not different. The presence of fluid-filled luteal cavitied or multiple CL (2 or more) did not affect serum progesterone concentration. A large follicles were observed in 67.4% of heifers or cows and the average diameter was 14.1 mm. Greater luteal tissue area attributed higher pregnancy in heifers, but not in cows, although there were no difference on pregnancy rate according to progesterone concentration in heifers or cows. The pregnancy rate of recipients contained a large follicle at embryo transfer was lower than that of recipients not contained. These results show ultrasonic assessment of ovaries in Holstein recipients is a reliable tool to determine the follicle and CL for recipient selection.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2011

Ovulation synchronization (ovsynch) has proved to increase the number of insemination in cattle by overcoming the problems of heat detection. The aim of this study was to do ovsynch in water buffaloes where heat detection is a major reproductive problem and to determine the conception rates after timed artificial insemination (TAI). Twenty cyclic buffaloes at ${\geq}$ 60 days postpartum were selected by examining 24 unobserved estrus buffaloes based on milk progesterone assay (progesterone concentration ${\geq}$ 1.0 ng/ml) from the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. Ovsynch treatment regimen was started irrespective of the stage of estrous cycle. Gonadorelin (500 ${\mu}g$) was injected intramuscularly at Day 0 followed by Alfaprostol (8 mg) at Day 7. A second injection of Gonadorelin was given at Day 9 and TAI was done with frozen semen from Mediterranean buffalo bulls at 16~20 hours of the second Gonadorelin injection. Milk progesterone ELISA at Day 10~12 post AI confirmed ovulation in 16 out of 20 (80%) buffaloes (progesterone concentration ${\geq}$ 1.0 ng/ml). High progesterone concentration (${\geq}$ 1.0 ng/ml) at Day 10~12 and Day 22~24 of AI showed pregnancy in six out of 20 (30%) buffaloes. Pregnancy was further confirmed by ultrasonography at Day 40 in these six buffaloes. In conclusion, ovsynch followed by TAI could be applied in cyclic buffaloes for overcoming the estrus detection problems; however, more studies are needed to increase the conception rate.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2014

A study was carried out on 16 indigenous ewes in Bangladesh in order to assess the reproductive physiology, the pattern of vaginal cell exfoliation and progesterone profiles during the estrous cycle period. The mean estrous cycle length and duration of estrus were $15.8{\pm}0.12$ days and $31.1{\pm}0.57$ h respectively. The exfoliated epithelial cells were categorized into parabasal, intermediate, superficial and keratinized and their relative occurrences. The percentages of parabasal, intermediate and superficial cell type during proestrus were similar. The percentage of superficial cell type during estrus was 61.7%, which was significantly (p<0.01) differ from other types of cells and stages of estrus cycle. Metoestrus was predominant with neutrophils in addition with other cell types. Dioestrus was dominated by neutrophils. On days 0 to 5 of the cycle the progesterone concentration was 0.09 to $1.6{\pm}0.07ng/ml$. The length of diestrus was 5~10 days with a range of mean progesterone level of $1.6{\pm}0.07$ to $2.8{\pm}0.11ng/ml$. Progesterone levels increased significantly (p<0.01) after Day 5 and maximum level was $2.8{\pm}0.11ng/ml$ observed on Day 10 of the estrous cycle. Thereafter it dropped rapidly to basal level of $0.11{\pm}0.04ng/ml$ on Day 0 (p<0.01). These results indicate that the pattern of exfoliation of vaginal cells along with progesterone concentration could be used to determine the reproductive stages of indigenous ewe.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 1998

This study was undertaken to measure the concentrations of estradiol-$17{\beta}$, progesterone and testosterone, and to study their relationship with each other and with follicular size in individual buffalo ovarian follicles categorized as small (4 to 5 mm diameter), medium (6 to 9 mm diameter) and large (${\geq}10mm$ diameter). Steroid hormone concentrations varied markedly within follicles of each size category. Estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations (pmol/ml) were positively related to follicular diameter (R = 0.34, n = 308, p < 0.001) and were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in large (1$118.46{\pm}30.25$), compared to those in medium follicles ($50.32{\pm}8.29$) which, in turn were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those in small follicles ($19.70{\pm}$5.57). Progesterone and testosterone concentrations (pmol/ml) were not related to follicular diameter and were not different among small ($330.99{\pm}27.32$ and $17.68{\pm}2.44$ respectively), medium ($384.84{\pm}26.20$ and $36.47{\pm}4.55$, respectively) and large follicles ($253.25{\pm}32.23$ and $22.57{\pm}4.48$, respectively). Estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone concentrations were positively related (R = 0.39, n = 47, p < 0.01) in small, unrelated in medium and negatively related in large follicles (R = -0.59, n = 23, p < 0.01). There was no relationship between estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and testosterone concentrations in follicles of all the three size categories. Progesterone and testosterone concentrations were positively related in large follicles (R = 0.57, n = 18, p < 0.02). There was no relationship between the two hormones in small and medium sized follicles. When the follicles with estradiol-$17{\beta}$/progesterone molar ratios of > 1.00 were considered non-atretic, and the rest at different stages of atresia, 197/208(95%) follicles were found to be atretic.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 1990

This study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and estrone sulphate concentration in serum of Korean native goats throughout gestation, and to apply the serum levels of the hormones to pregnancy diagnosis. Serum concentration of progesterone and estrone sulphate were assayed by radioimmunoassay. Serum progesterone concentration was similar to its luteal phase values during early pregnancy and remained at the high level continually at 20∼140days and decreased rapidly at the day of parturition. Serum estrone sulphate concentration showed to increase markedly at 40∼50dyas gestation and steadily increased to the maximum of 7.13ng/ml at 140days, but declined sharply at the day of parturition. The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis by the measurement of serum progesterone at 20∼24days after mating was 85.7∼92.3% and that of non-pregnancy diagnosis was 100%, when the serum progesterone levels higher and lower than 3.0ng/ml were supposed to indicate pregnancy and non-pregnancy, respectively. The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis by the mearsurement of serum estrone sulphate was found to be nearly 100% since 50days after mating, when the serum levels of estrone sulphate higher then 0.5ng/ml were diagnosed to be pregnant. The optimal sampling time for pregnancy diagnosis was considered to be at 50 days after mating or to be later. It appears that estrone sulphate values above 7.0ng/ml at any time in gestation are highly indicative of twin. But there was found no significant difference(P<0.05) in serum estrone sulphate concentration and number of kids between does with single and twin kids.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 1990

Radioimmunoassay for progesterone in Korean native cows was developed using the anti-4-pregnen-$11{\alpha}$-ol-3,20-dione-hemisuccinate bovine serum albumin as an antibody. The final dilution of antibody was 1 : 5,000. The percentage recoveries of [$^3H$] progesterone was $83.5{\pm}1.6$. The sensitivity of the assay was 8 pg per ml. The intra- and interassay coefficients of variation for the quality controls were 6.2 and 10.4%, respectively. This radioimmunoassay can be applied to puberty, estrus dectection, pregnancy diagnosis, postpartum period and diagnosis of reproductive disorders in domestic animals.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 1992

The study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone (20$\alpha$-OHP) levels during the oestrous cycle in Korean native goats. 4 cyclic goats were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein on day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 during the oestrous cycle, then the next oestrous day. The serum levels of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP were measured by radioimmunoassay. The progesterone concentration in seurm of the cyclic goats was 0.29$\pm$0.06ng/ml on the first day of oestrous (day 0), increased to 5.29$\pm$0.73ng/ml on day 9, reached to a peak level of 5.73$\pm$0.61ng/ml on day 13, and thereafter decreased to 0.35$\pm$0.30ng/ml on day 1. The serum level of 20$\alpha$-OHP during the oestrous cycle was 0.42$\pm$0.33ng/ml on day 0 and then decreased to 0.28$\pm$0.01ng/ml on day 5. This basal level was maintained until day 13, increased gradually, and reached a peak level of 0.62$\pm$0.05ng/ml on day 19. From the above results, it was suggested that the enzyme 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(20$\alpha$-HSD) catalyzing the conversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive steroid, 20$\alpha$-OHP, should be active in the luteal cells during the oestrous cycle in Korean native goats.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 1999

The effects of exogenous spleen cells on the progesterone and insulin like-growth factor-I (IGF-I) secretions in luteal cells were studied by using in vitro luteal cell culture system in the Hanwoo luteal cells. The corpora lutea(CL) were collected and pooled from the Korean native cattle(Hanwoo) ovaries from a local slaughter house. After enzymatic dissociation, combined large and small luteal cells(LLC and SLC)(1.0$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$) were incubated in D-MEM media containing antibiotics and 10% FCS. Spleen cells (1.0$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/$m\ell$) obtained from castrated adult male Hanwoo were added to luteal cells and co-cultured for 24 h in the absence or presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) (100 ng). Progesterone contents from luteal tissues were increased at CL-3 stage during each stage of estrous cycle. Progesterone secretion from luteal cell culture by the presence of LH (100 ng/$m\ell$) was positively stimulated compared with control. However, progesterone secretion was not changed by the addition of 5, 10 and 20% of spleen cells in the absence of LH. Co-culture of luteal cells with 10% of spleen cells in the presence of LH(l00ng/$m\ell$) significantly. enhanced after 24 h of culture. IGF-Isecretion from in vitro luteal cells co-culture by the addition of spleen cells (5%, 10% and 20%) was not significantly effected. Besides, in the presence of LH (100ng/$m\ell$), IGF-Isecretions from luteal cells by addition of spleen cells were higher than control media. However, LH alone significantly increased IGF-I secretion at 24 h of culture. These data provide the demonstrate that spleen cells can enhance LH action so as to stimulate progesterone secretion from Hanwoo luteal cells but have no effect to stimulate IGF-I secretion.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.899-909
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• 1997

The aim of this study was to assess the estimates of the time of ovulation and mating derived by plasma progesterone concentration. The 40 mature Korea Jin-do bitches were monitored to determine the plasma progesterone concentrations from proestrus to parturition. Gestation length in the 30 pregnant bitches was $63.9{\pm}2.3$ ($mean{\pm}SD$) days in multiparous bitches and $61.8{\pm}3.6$ days in primiparous bitches when Day 0 was timed from the first day of male acceptance, and $61.4{\pm}1.8$ days and $61.3{\pm}2.7$ days when Day 0 was timed from the day of first mating, respectively. Also, gestation length was $63.1{\pm}1.4$ days, $62.4{\pm}1.1$ days and $61.5{\pm}0.9$ days in multiparous bitches, and $62.6{\pm}1.4$ days, $62.4{\pm}2.0$ days and $61.6{\pm}2.3$ days in primiparous bitches when Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0ng/ml, respectively, and $53.8{\pm}3.1$ days and $54.8{\pm}2.6$ days when Day 0 was timed from the last day of male acceptance, respectively. In 30 pregnant bitches, plasma progesterone concentration was $0.2{\pm}0.2ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches and $0.7{\pm}0.8ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches at the first day of vulval bleeding, $1.9{\pm}1.0$ and $3.3{\pm}2.7ng/ml$ at the first day of male acceptance, $7.0{\pm}4.0$ and $9.3{\pm}6.2ng/ml$ at the day of first mating, and $25.1{\pm}6.3$ and $22.8{\pm}10.3ng/ml$ at the last day of male acceptance, respectively. When Day 0 was timed from the day of parturition, plasma progesterone concentration at Day -62, Day -63 and Day -64 was $4.7{\pm}2.7ng/ml$, $3.5{\pm}2.2ng/ml$ and $1.7{\pm}0.9ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches, and $5.3{\pm}4.4ng/ml$, $3.2{\pm}3.7ng/ml$ and $2.0{\pm}1.9ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches, respectively. When Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 3.0ng/ml after the first day of vulval bleeding, plasma progesterone concentration at Day 61 and Day 62 was $2.7{\pm}2.2ng/ml$ and $1.4{\pm}1.9ng/ml$ in multiparous bitches, and $3.4{\pm}5.2ng/ml$ and $3.7{\pm}5.6ng/ml$ in primiparous bitches, and $0.8{\pm}0.7ng/ml$ and $0.9{\pm}0.4ng/ml$ at Day 63, respectively. It was that bitches were mated when plasma progesterone concentraion was 1.9 to 14.2ng/ml and 3.5 to 20.0ng/ml in multiparous and primiparous bitches, which was between first day before ovulation and fourth day after ovulation. And pregnancy rate was 92% (23/25). From these data, ovulation was estimated to occur the day when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 3.0ng/ml after the first day of vulval bleeding. It was estimated that mating time was the day when plasma progesterone concentration was between 1.9 and 20.0ng/ml, and best time for mating was between 3.0 and 8.0ng/ml of plasma progesterone concentration.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.225-231
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• 2011

The objective of the present study was to determine the progesterone levels that effects on the pulsatile and surge modes of FSH secretion. In previous studies we have shown that LH surge occurred in the follicular levels of progesterone, whereas there was no surge mode secretion of LH in either the sub luteal or luteal levels of progesterone. LH pulsatile frequencies were high in two groups such as follicular level and sub luteal level. But in the luteal level of progesterone the pulsatile pattern of LH were strongly suppressed. Namely, sub luteal levels of progesterone, around 1 ng/ml, completely suppressed the LH surge but did not affect the pulsatile frequency of LH secretion. Because of this we hypothesized that the two secretory patterns of FSH are similar to that of LH. Long-term ovariectomized Shiba goats that had received implants of estradiol capsules and three different progesterone silastic packet inducing follicular, subluteal and luteal levels of progesterone were divided into three groups such as non-P, low-P and high-P group. Blood samples were collected daily throughout the experiment for the analysis of gonadal steroid hormone levels and at 10-min intervals for 8 h on Days 0, 3, and 7 (Day 0: just before progesterone treatment) for analysis of the pulsatile frequency of FSH secretion. Then estradiol was infused into the jugular vein of all animals at a rate of 3 ${\mu}/h$ for 16 h on Day 8 to determine whether an FSH surge was induced. Blood samples were collected every 2 h from 4 h before the start of the estradiol infusion until 48 h after the start of the infusion. In each group, the mean ${\pm}$ SEM concentration after progesterone implant treatment was 3.3 ${\pm}$ 0.1 ng/ml for the high P group, 1.1 ${\pm}$ 0.1 ng/ml for the low P group, and < 0.1 ng/ml for the non-P group, concentrations similar to the luteal levels, subluteal levels, and follicular phase levels of the normal estrous cycle, respectively. The FSH pulse frequency was maintained highly in all groups on Day 0, Day 3 and Day 7. An FSH surge was induced in all 4 cases of the Non-P group. In the High P and Low P groups, the plasma concentrations of FSH remained low until 48 h after the start of estradiol infusion, and no occurrence of FSH surge was found in any of the animals. The results of this study not only confirm that the pulsatile patterns of FSH were not inhibited strongly relative to LH, they also suggest that some other mechanism and factor may be controlling the FSH secretion.