Effects of acupuncture combined with indirect moxibustion at navel on maximum follicle diameter and high-temperature phase score in patients with inadequate luteal function infertility

A prospective evaluation of antral follicle function in women with 46,XX spontaneous primary ovarian insufficiency

To determine relationships between mating behaviour, ovarian follicular state and successful conception in receptive female alpacas. Seventy pen matings were observed at a commercial alpaca stud in south-western Victoria. The behaviours observed included time taken to assume sternal recumbency, mating duration, and evidence of nonreceptive behaviour such as spitting, kicking and vocalisation. Ovarian follicular state was determined by ultrasonography, which was complemented by measuring plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone. Pregnancies were confirmed by transabdominal ultrasonography between days 45 and 80 after mating. There were no significant differences between receptive females that conceived and those that failed to conceive in the time taken to adopt the copulation position of sternal recumbency, mating duration, or maximum follicle diameter. There was no significant relationship between time taken to assume sternal recumbency (log10) and maximum follicle diameter or plasma oestradiol (log10). However, there was a significant quadratic relationship between plasma oestradiol concentration (log10) and follicle diameter, and the probability of pregnancy increased as the plasma concentration of oestradiol (log10) at the time of mating increased. Females were sexually receptive most of the time in the absence of a corpus luteum, and regardless of size of the largest follicle or plasma concentration of oestradiol. Breed (Huacaya vs Suri), site of the dominant follicle (left or right ovary), lactation state, number of matings by the male (1 or 2), or interval between parturition and mating, did not affect pregnancy outcome. Follicles with a diameter less than 7 mm were able to ovulate in response to mating. This was smaller than previously reported. Thirty-four pregnancies (49% pregnancy rate) resulted in 30 (88%) births with a gestation length of 343 days (SEM +/- 2, range 316-367 days). There were 4 (12%) abortions between days 45 and 80 of gestation and full term. It was not possible to correlate mating behaviour and ovarian state with conception. To optimise pregnancy rates in receptive alpacas, matings need to occur in the presence of an oestrogenic follicle that is capable of ovulation in response to mating. A simple method of detecting alpacas with follicles in this state is not currently available and treatments that control ovarian follicular growth should therefore be investigated.

To explore the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with auricular acupressure on serum sexual hormone level, and the ovarian, follicular and uterine development in the girls with precocious puberty. Sixty girls with precocious puberty were randomly divided into a control group (30 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a treatment group (30 cases, 3 cases dropped off). In both the control group and the treatment group, the healthy life-style intervention was provided for 12 weeks. Besides, in the treatment group, TEAS was delivered for 20 minutes each time, twice a week; and bilateral auricular acupressure was combined. The duration of treatment was 12 weeks. The levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2), as well as ovarian volume, maximum follicular diameter and uterine volume before and after treatment were detected, and the safety was evaluated separately. Compared with before treatment, the contents of serum LH and FSH were increased (P<0.05), and the ovarian volume and the maximum follicle diameter were increased (P<0.05) in the control group after treatment; the contents of serum FSH and E2 were decresed (P<0.05), and the maximum follicular diameter was reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the treatment group after treatment. Compared with the control group, the contents of serum LH, FSH and E2 were decreased (P<0.05), while the ovarian volume and the maximum follicle diameter were decreased (P<0.05) in the treatment group after treatment. TEAS combined with auricular acupressure can effectively decrease the level of sex hormone, improve the ovarian and uterine development and retard the gonadal development. Such combined therapy is of high safety and conductive to regulating the development for the girls with precocious puberty.

Caracterizaram-se o padrão de crescimento folicular e a função lútea ao longo do ciclo estral em vacas da raça Guzerá (n=5), multíparas, não-lactantes. Os animais utilizados apresentavam idade e condição corporal semelhantes e peso corporal médio de 518± 48.5kg. A dinâmica folicular foi monitorada diariamente a partir do dia da ovulação, durante dois ciclos consecutivos, utilizando-se um aparelho de ultra-sonografia equipado com uma probe linear retal de 5MHz. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas a cada 48h, a partir do momento da ovulação, durante os dois ciclos. O primeiro ciclo foi sincronizado pela administração de um luteolítico (cloprostenol), e o segundo foi natural. Os folículos foram identificados e mensurados; e os dados obtidos, registrados em função do dia do ciclo. O comprimento do ciclo estral foi de 19,10± 1,86 dias. Observou-se maior incidência de ciclos com três ondas de crescimento folicular (50%), mas ciclos com duas (37,5%) ou quatro ondas (12,5%) também foram identificados. O diâmetro máximo dos folículos dominantes não ovulatórios foi de 11,60± 2,37 mm, e dos folículos ovulatórios de 14,4± 0,5 mm. A taxa de crescimento dos folículos dominantes da primeira, segunda, terceira e quarta onda foi de 1,48± 0,60; 0,81± 0,13; 1,10± 0,27 e 1,33mm/dia, respectivamente. A concentração máxima de progesterona no diestro foi de 5,50± 0,92ng/ml. A raça Guzerá apresenta características da dinâmica folicular semelhantes àquelas observadas em outras raças zebuínas, como a tendência ao maior número de ondas de crescimento associadas à menor taxa de crescimento, diâmetro máximo e persistência dos folículos dominantes das ondas intermediárias.

The study evaluates the effect of three hormonal protocols on ovarian dynamics and progesterone (P4) secretion of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Twenty-nine pluriparous Murrah buffaloes were used. The protocols were as follows: OVSYNCH (n= 10): 100μg of gonadorelin (day 0), 500μg of cloprostenol (day 7), and 100μg of gonadorelin (day 9). CIDR+EB (intravaginal device (CIDR®) + estradiol benzoate; n= 10): CIDR plus 2mg of EB (day 0), withdrew of CIDR, 500μg of cloprostenol (day 7) and 1mg of EB (day 8). CIDR+eCG (n= 9): CIDR plus 2mg of EB (day 0), withdrew of CIDR, 500μg of cloprostenol and 400IU of eCG (day 7). Follicles were counted with an ultrasound and measured at 0, 24, and 54h. The maximum follicle diameter and ovulation were evaluated at 70, 80, and 94h after CIDR withdrew. Estrous was detected per 1h three times daily. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 10, 15, and 22 to determine P4 concentration. In CIDR+EB protocol, 50% of buffaloes presented estrous, at 69.6h. All buffaloes ovulated. CIDR+eCG group had the shortest (69h) ovulation time. No treatment differences for follicular population, maximum follicle diameter, and P4 concentration on days 7 and 10 (P> 0.05) were found. The P4 concentration in OVSYNCH and CIDR+eCG protocols were > 1ng/ml, on days 15 and 22 (P< 0.05). There was no difference in ovarian activity; however, the P4 secretion was normal in the OVSYNCH and CIDR+eCG protocols compared to the CIDR+EB protocol.

To investigate the role of pelvic ultrasound in monitoring therapeutic response and predicting long-term outcomes in girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) undergoing gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) therapy. In this retrospective study, 219 girls aged 6-8 years (69 with CPP and 150 age-matched controls) were enrolled between February 2018 and September 2021 at Wuzhong People's Hospital of Suzhou. Pelvic ultrasound was used to measure uterine and bilateral ovarian volume, follicle number ≥ 4 mm, and maximum follicle diameter. A total of 69 girls with precocious puberty were treated with GnRHa and followed up. The data of pelvic ultrasound, breast ultrasound, and bone age index were collected for 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment, and carry on the contrast analysis. A total of 252 girls, aged 6-8 years, who were diagnosed as CPP and treated with GnRHa at the same hospital, were randomly divided into two groups: Modeling Group (N = 176) and validation group (N = 76). According to the change of growth rate after 1 year treatment and other evaluation indexes, the patients were divided into two groups: the group with significant therapeutic effect and the group without significant therapeutic effect, to collect the related data of ultrasound measurement of uterus and ovary and to construct the prediction model of curative effect. The model was validated by validation group. The ultrasonic parameters of pelvic cavity in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group (p < 0.05). In the treatment group, there were significant differences in every stage before and after treatment except for 3 months (p < 0.05). To analyze the related data of pelvic ultrasound examination in the significant-response group and the group with no significant therapeutic effect, the established joint prediction equation of pelvic ultrasound related parameters: Logit (p) = 7.8696-0.4435 × (maximum follicle diameter)-0.2640 × (number of follicles ≥ 4 mm)-0.4425 × age. The joint prediction model equation yielded an AUC of 0.747 (95% CI: 0.672, 0.822). The results of the validation group were similar to those of the modeling group, with an AUC of 0.730 (95% CI: 0.610, 0.851). Ultrasound can dynamically evaluate the efficacy of GnRHa in the treatment of central precocious puberty. Pelvic ultrasound has significant predictive value in evaluating the efficacy of GnRHa therapy at the early diagnosis of central precocious puberty.

Social dominance in prepubertal dairy heifers allocated in continuous competitive dyads: Effects on body growth, metabolic status, and reproductive development

&lt;pre&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background. &lt;/strong&gt;The resumption of ovarian activity after parturition is related to reproductive efficiency. &lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; To determine the effect of breed group and some non-genetic factor on resumption of ovarian activity and pregnancy rate of dual-purpose cows. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology. &lt;/strong&gt;In study 1, 37 cows were sampled biweekly, from the day 15 to 150 postpartum or until a corpus luteum (CL) was detected. Follicular population (FP), maximum follicle diameter (MFD) and maximum CL diameter (MCLD) were also measured. In study 2, 71 cows were pregnancy diagnosed. Chi&lt;/pre&gt;&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;&lt;pre&gt; tests and analyses of variance were performed to determine the effects of breed group, parity number, body condition score (BCS), BCS change (BCSC) and body weight change (BWC) on the dependent variables. &lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;In study 1, aproximately, 84% of cows resumed ovarian activity at 68.3 days. More CL were found in multiparous cows (92.59%) and those with BCS ≥3.0 (95.83%). No differences were found in the FP and MFD. F1 cows had the largest MCLD (19.51 mm). In study 2, pregnancy rate was higher in cows with 2-3 (47.83%) and ≥4 parities (54.55%), F1 (54.29%) cows, those gaining BCS (64.29%) and high body weight (66.67%).&lt;strong&gt; Implications. &lt;/strong&gt;Results suggest that primiparous cows and those with BCS ≤2.5 require better management; therefore, strategies must be established to improve reproductive efficiency. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion.&lt;/strong&gt; Primiparous and cows with BCS ≤2.5 delayed the first ovulation. Multiparous, F1 cows, those gaining BCS and body weight after calving had the highest pregnancy rate.&lt;/pre&gt;&lt;pre&gt; &lt;/pre&gt;

Implanted pellets that provide a sustained release of [D‐Ala6 Des‐Gly10] LHRH‐ethylamide (GnRHa) were used to induce maturation and ovulation of Southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma. Of the 12 females whose ovaries contained follicles with a maximum diameter ≥500 μm, 11 ovulated for the first time within 90 h of hormone implantation. Only 1 fish with a maximum follicle diameter less than 500 μm ovulated within 2 wk after implantation. Ovulated eggs were manually stripped from the females and mixed with sperm from several males. Most females were spawned 1 to 3 times on consecutive days with variable fertility. One female was spawned 11 times producing 668,000 eggs. Fertility was evaluated by examining the incubated eggs for early stages of embryonic cleavage. The percentage of fertile eggs in subsamples of incubated eggs ranged from 7–95%. The results indicate that GnRHa implants can be used to induce repeated ovulation in this species. The variability in fertility is discussed in relation to egg quality.

The effects of several doses of progesterone on FSH and LH concentrations were used to study the role of the gonadotropins on deviation in growth rates of the two largest follicles during the establishment of follicle dominance. Progesterone was given to pony mares at a daily dose rate of 0 mg (controls), 30 mg (low dose), 100 mg (intermediate dose), and 300 mg (high dose). All follicles > or = 6 mm were ablated at Day 10 (Day 0 = ovulation) to initiate a new follicular wave; prostaglandin F(2alpha) was given to induce luteolysis, and progesterone was given from Days 10 to 24. The low dose did not significantly alter any of the ovarian or gonadotropin end points. The high dose reduced (P < 0.05) the ablation-induced FSH concentrations on Day 11. Maximum diameter of the largest follicle (17.2 +/- 0.6 mm) and the second-largest follicle (15.5 +/- 0.9 mm) in the high-dose group was less (P < 0.04) than the diameter of the second-largest follicle in the controls (20.0 +/- 1.0 mm) at the beginning of deviation (Day 16.7 +/- 0.4). Thus, the growth of the two largest follicles was reduced by the high dose, presumably through depression of FSH, so that the follicles did not attain a diameter characteristic of deviation in the controls. The intermediate dose did not affect FSH concentrations. However, the LH concentrations increased in the control, low, and intermediate groups, but then decreased (P < 0.05) in the intermediate group to pretreatment levels. The LH decrease in the intermediate group occurred 2 days before deviation in the controls. The maximum diameter of the largest follicle was less (P < 0.0001) in the intermediate group (27.3 +/- 1.8 mm) than in the controls (38.9 +/- 1.5 mm), but the maximum diameter of the second-largest follicle was not different between the two groups (19.0 +/- 1.1 vs. 20.3 +/- 1.0 mm). Thus, the onset of deviation, as assessed by the second-largest follicle, was not delayed by the decrease in LH. Diameter of the largest follicle by Day 18 in the intermediate group (23.1 +/- 1.6 mm) was less (P < 0.05) than in the controls (28.0 +/- 1.0 mm). These results suggest that circulating LH was not involved in the initiation of dominance (inhibition of other follicles by the largest follicle) but was required for the continued growth of the largest follicle after or concurrently with its initial expression of dominance.

To observe the clinical efficacy and action mechanism of tongyuan acupuncture for ovulatory disorder infertility of ovarian induction period with clomiphene citrate (CC). Through retrospective analysis, 36 patients with ovulatory disorder infertility were divided into CC group (16 cases) and tongyuan acupuoture group (20 cases) by method. The patients in the CC group were treated with oral administration of CC (50 mg) for 5 days from the 5th day of menstruation; based on the treatment of CC, patients in the tongyuan acupuncture group were treated with tongyuan acupuncture; the group A of acupoint was mainly consisted of acupoints of the conception vessel and the three yin meridians and front-mu acupoints in abdomen; the group B of acupoint was mainly consisted of acupoints of the governor vessel and back-shu acupoints. The two groups of the acupoints were selected alternately, combined with the si-guan points (Taichong (LR 3)、Hegu (LI 4)) and five-shu points. The needles were inserted with flying needling method, and the needles were retained for 30 min per treatment; acupuncture was given once every other day. All the patients were treated for 2 months, and treatment stopped if pregnancy occurred. The pregnancy rate, cycle ovulation rate, maximum diameter of follicle, endometrial thickness and adverse effects were compared between the two groups. The pregnancy rate of the tongyuan acupuncture group was 75.0% (15/20), which was superior to 37.5% (6/16) in the CC group (P<0.05). The cycle ovulation rates of two groups were 70.4% (19/27, P>0.05). The maximum diameter of follicle and the endometrium thickness in the tongyuan acupuncture group were superior to those in the CC group (both P<0.05). The incidence of adverse effects in the tongyuan acupuncture group was 0% (0/20), which was lower than 18.8% (3/16) in the CC group (P<0.05). Tongyuan acupuncture combined with CC could improve the quality of follicle and the receptivity of endometrium in patients with ovulatory disorder infertility, so as to improve the pregnancy rate, which could be used as a safe and effective means to cooperate with modern assisted reproductive technology.

The Cownose Ray Rhinoptera bonasus is an abundant species in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, but its reproductive biology is not completely known because of the difficulty of obtaining year-round samples in large portions of its range where the species is migratory. To address this knowledge gap, Cownose Rays were studied in a subtropical estuarine system where rays are available year-round. Size at maturity and reproductive cyclicity were assessed using 140 females and 151 males. For females, the size at 50% maturity was 701 mm disk width (DW) based on ovary length and weight, maximum follicle diameter, and mating wounds and scars; the size at 100% maturity was 712 mm DW. For males, the size at 50% maturity was 681 mm DW based on clasper morphology, testis length and weight, and epididymis width; the size at 100% maturity was 712 mm DW. Overall testis size (length and weight) and mean testis lobe diameter peaked up to 2 months prior to ovary size and maximum follicle diameter, indicating that males were preparing to inseminate females during the entire parturition and mating period. Mating behaviors and fresh mating wounds were observed mostly between April and June. Ovulation peaked in May, and parturition occurred primarily in March and April after an 11–12 month, single-embryo gestation period, suggesting that females are synchronous in Charlotte Harbor. Size at birth was 202–383 mm DW. Concurrent vitellogenesis and gestation indicated a clearly defined annual reproductive cycle that may be completed within the estuary. Understanding reproductive life history in wide-ranging species such as the Cownose Ray is useful in the short term for making sound management decisions and for future comparison as the effects of global climate change are realized. Received September 30, 2012; accepted March 21, 2013

The objectives of this study were to characterize the LH secretion pattern and the follicular development of anestrous beef heifers during early exposure (first 30 d of exposure) to androgenized steers (AS) and to determine if exposure to AS for 80 d (includes the first 30 d and 50 d more) advances the onset of ovarian cyclic activity. Twenty-nine anestrous Hereford heifers (20.2 ± 4.1 mo old and 257.5 ± 32.5 kg of BW) were allocated to 2 homogeneous groups according to their age and BW: 1) heifers exposed to AS (group EH; = 15) for 80 d and 2) control heifers, isolated from AS and any other male during all the course of the study (group CH; = 14). On d 0, 3 AS were joined with the EH group, which were removed and replaced with other 3 AS on Day 14. On d -10, 1, 10, 20, and 30, 8 heifers per group were housed in individual stalls and blood samples for LH were collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h. From d -10 to 30, the maximum follicle diameter (MFD) and the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) was daily recorded by ultrasound scanning and estrous behavior was detected twice daily. The emergence of follicular waves (FW), defined as the day when the dominant follicle of a wave was first observed (3-4 mm diam.), was retrospectively determined. Afterward, ultrasound scannings were performed weekly from d 32 to 60 and on d 70 and 80 to determine the presence of CL. After 10 d of male exposure, LH concentrations, either mean (1.67 vs. 0.88 ng/mL [SEM 0.09]) or basal (1.53 vs. 0.74 ng/mL [SEM 0.09]), were greater ( < 0.05) in the EH group than in the CH group. There was a treatment effect in MFD, as it was greater in EH than in CH ( = 0.05; 8.00 ± 0.16 vs. 7.52 ± 0.17 mm, respectively), but none of those follicles ovulated during the 40-d period. The MFD of the second FW was greater in EH than in CH, in coincidence with the transient increase on LH concentrations, which probably induced the greater follicular growth. Cumulative proportions of heifers that started to cycle were greater ( = 0.01) in EH than in CH on d 60 (33.3 vs. 0%), 70 (47 vs. 0%; < 0.005), and 80 (53 vs. 0%; < 0.001) of the exposure period. In conclusion, exposure of anestrous beef heifers to AS resulted in a transient increase on LH secretion after 10 d of male exposure and increased follicular diameter attained during the second FW. In addition, ovarian cyclic activity was advanced in exposed heifers.

The effects of estrogen and progesterone on copulation in female quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica) housed in continuous dark

Studying selection of multiple dominant follicles (DFs) in monovulatory species can advance our understanding of mechanisms regulating selection of single or multiple DFs. Carriers of the bovine high fecundity Trio allele select multiple DFs, whereas half-sib noncarriers select a single DF. This study compared follicle selection during endogenous gonadotropin pulses versus during ablation of pulses with Acyline (GnRH antagonist) and luteinizing hormone (LH) action replaced with nonpulsatile human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment in Trio carriers (n=28) versus noncarriers (n=32). On Day 1.5 (Day 0=ovulation), heifers were randomized: (1) Control, untreated; (2) Acyline, two i.m. doses (Days 1.5 and D3) of 3μg/kg; (3) hCG, single i.m. dose of 50IU hCG on Day 1.5 followed by daily doses of 100IU; and (4) Acyline+hCG. Treatments with nonpulsatile hCG were designed to replace LH action in heifers treated with Acyline. Acyline treatment resulted in cessation of follicle growth on Day 3 with smaller (P<0.0001) maximum follicle diameter in Trio carriers (6.6±0.2mm) than noncarriers (8.7±0.4mm). Replacement of LH action (hCG) reestablished follicle diameter deviation and maximum diameter of DFs in both genotypes (8.9±0.3mm and 13.1±0.5mm; P<0.0001). Circulating follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) was greater in Acyline-treated than in controls. Finally, Acyline+hCG decreased (P<0.0001) the number of DFs from 2.7±0.2 to 1.3±0.2 in Trio carriers, with most heifers having only one DF. This demonstrates the necessity for LH in acquisition of dominance in Trio carriers (~6.5mm) and noncarriers (~8.5mm) and provides evidence for a role of GnRH-induced FSH/LH pulses in selection of multiple DFs in Trio carriers and possibly other physiologic situations with increased ovulation rate.