Abstract
Nutrition is one of the multiple factors that modulate reproduction in animals. The effect of 48 h food deprivation on reproductive and metabolic hormonal changes in relation to cleavage rates was studied. Insemination of 15 sows was performed 20-10 h prior to expected ovulation and ova were recovered at slaughter 65-91 h post ovulation. Blood samples were collected every second hour, beginning from the time of insemination until slaughter, for measurements of progesterone, cortisol, the prostaglandin F2alpha metabolite (15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2alpha) and insulin levels. The embryos from the food-deprived sows (D-group) had fewer accessory spermatozoa in their zona pellucida (ZP) compared with the control sows (C-group). A lower cleavage rate of the embryos in the D-group compared with the C-group was detected. Plasma progesterone, cortisol and prostaglandin F2alpha metabolite levels were significantly higher in the D-group compared with the C-group. Food deprivation is associated with changes in reproductive and metabolic hormones that might lead to changes in the oviductal environment, culminating in a lower cleavage rate of the embryos and presence of fewer viable spermatozoa in the reservoir.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
