Influence of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on the fertility of heifers in frontal insemination

Abstract

Investigation of the effect of silicon dioxide nanoparticles on the processes of reproduction in cattle was performed on heifers of the breeding age of red steppe breed. Synchronization of the sexual activity by double use of the estrophan, prostaglandin drug, with addition of a releasing hormone (surfagon) to the scheme before insemination was performed in the control and experimental groups. Heifers were simultaneously injected with a solution of silicon dioxide nanoparticles with estrophan injection intramuscularly in the experimental group. All animals were inseminated in frontal, rectocervical way, with deep frozen sperm, twice. Heifers were taken the blood at estrophan injections and before insemination to study the dynamics of progesterone levels. As a result, 50.0% of the heifers were fertilized from frontal insemination in the control group, in the experimental one - 70.0%, that is, the increase in fertility with the use of silicon dioxide nanoparticles was 20.0%. Progesterone level in blood serum of the heifers on the 11th day of the experiment exceeded the initial by 23.5–69.2%, and before insemination it dropped by 38.1 to 50.0% compared with the maximum value. These changes were more significant in animals of the experimental group. Presumably, the use of silicon dioxide nanoparticles increases the hormonal activity of heifers’ ovaries, which contributes to their higher fertility during insemination.