Abstract
Objective of the investigation was to characterize biochemically the cervical mucus collected prior to the artificial insemination of Holstein heifers comparing spontaneous oestrus with induced oestrus. The concentration of sodium and potassium was determined through flame photometry, chlorine ions by Schoenfeld reaction, magnesium and calcium was determined through colorimetry in micro plates. pH (reactive tape) and degree of crystallization (optical microscope) were also evaluated. Natural estrous was detected by observing the behavior of the heifers twice a day and by observing the characteristics of the vulva. In order to induce oestrous, an intra vaginal device was placed with 1 gm of progesterone and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate were injected (Day 0). On day 8 the device was withdrawn and 0-150 mg of D-Cloprostenol and 1 mg of Estradiol Cypionate were provided. 56 hours after withdrawal, the device was inseminated and at 60 days of pregnancy determined. The cervical mucus of heifers with spontaneous oestrus showed lower content of sodium and potassium, higher magnesium and chlorine, and bigger proportion of sodium/potassium from that obtained by induce oestrus. When comparing the pregnant with the empty heifers, it was discovered that at the moment of insemination, the pH value and the degree of crystallization of pregnant heifers was significantly lower, same as the concentrations of potassium and magnesium. Sodium was higher in this group. Pregnancy was always related to high ionic level generating an osmotic force that draws water to the cervical mucus, characteristic fundamental in transport of sperms.
Highlights
The Cervical mucus (CM) plays a fundamental role in the interaction with sperms participating in vital important processes such as sperm motility [1]
The pH value is relatively easy to take and it is important so as to know the quality of the cervical mucus. This value varies along stages of the cycle, being 6.5-6.8 during estrous and higher when the heifer goes over that stage and gets into the luteal phase of the cycle [2]. This chloride and the potassium are responsible for the crystallization phenomenon; phenomenon that varies between pregnant heifers and empty; and there were differences when referring to natural estrous or with hormonal manipulations [3,4]
The objective of this work was to determine the content of certain ions in the cervical mucus of heifers at the moment of inseminating, comparing estrous detected with a system of Fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI), its relation with the crystallization phenomenon and with reproductive efficiency
Summary
The CM plays a fundamental role in the interaction with sperms participating in vital important processes such as sperm motility [1]. The pH value is relatively easy to take and it is important so as to know the quality of the cervical mucus This value varies along stages of the cycle, being 6.5-6.8 during estrous and higher when the heifer goes over that stage and gets into the luteal phase of the cycle [2]. This chloride and the potassium are responsible for the crystallization phenomenon; phenomenon that varies between pregnant heifers and empty; and there were differences when referring to natural estrous or with hormonal manipulations [3,4]. The objective of this work was to determine the content of certain ions (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and chlorine) in the cervical mucus of heifers at the moment of inseminating, comparing estrous detected with a system of FTAI, its relation with the crystallization phenomenon and with reproductive efficiency
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