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Animals
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Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction
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Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2021) | Viewed by 40869

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Gardón Poggi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine and Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, 46001 Valencia, Spain
Interests: animal physiology; reproduction physiology; reproduction; gametes under in vitro conditions; ultrasound; applied biotechnologies.
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reproductive success is a very important objective for those animal species destined for production or sports. For this reason, many interesting works have been carried out over the years to clarify, solve, or explain various aspects of animal reproduction. Depending on this, different biotechnologies have been developed to improve reproductive efficiency or to understand the different physiological processes involved. In addition, reproductive biotechnologies have helped to understand many of the physiological events that occur in the reproduction of both males and females in mammals. Therefore, there are various strategies in different animal species that improve reproductive responses, which should be considered. Biotechnologies such as estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, gamete preservation, in vitro fertilization, ultrasound diagnosis, or hormone determination are alternative tools for the study of the physiology of the reproductive process or for improving the reproductive management of animals.

Prof. Dr. Juan Carlos Gardón Poggi
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • bovine
  • equine
  • porcine
  • ultrasound
  • in vitro
  • estrus synchronization
  • insemination
  • gamete preservation
  • fertilization

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1080 KiB  
Article
Effect of One-Day Delaying CIDR Administration in 5-Day Cosynch Protocol in Dairy Heifers
by Sükrü Metin Pancarci, Örsan Güngör, Osman Harput and Oguz Calisici
Animals 2021, 11(5), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051402 - 14 May 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3432
Abstract
Effect of one-day delaying progesterone administration at the beginning of 5-day Cosynch protocol was investigated in Holstein heifers for the first artificial insemination (AI). Heifers received a synchronized ovulation and timed AI (TAI) with CIDR inserted on day (d) 0 (CIDR-5; n = [...] Read more.
Effect of one-day delaying progesterone administration at the beginning of 5-day Cosynch protocol was investigated in Holstein heifers for the first artificial insemination (AI). Heifers received a synchronized ovulation and timed AI (TAI) with CIDR inserted on day (d) 0 (CIDR-5; n = 206) or d 1 (CIDR-4; n = 192). In both group, GnRH was administered on d 0 followed by a single PGF2α injection and CIDR removal five days later from GnRH. On d 8, TAI and GnRH administration were concurrently conducted. Heifers detected in estrus up to 24 h prior to TAI were inseminated without GnRH administration. Rates of ovulation, accessory CL formation and new dominant follicle development following initial GnRH injection did not differ between groups. P/AI did not differ between CIDR-4 (44.3%, [85/192]) and CIDR-5 (51.9%, [107/206]) groups, respectively. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) was significantly (p < 0.01) declined as heifers’ age (12–13, 14, 15, 16 and17–21 months) proceeded in CIDR-4 group (55.6%, 52.1%, 37.9%, 35.7%, 32.4%) compared to those in CIDR-5 group (60.0%, 50.0%, 53.9%, 51.5%, 46.2%) respectively. In conclusion, there is no benefit for delaying CIDR administration in 5-day Cosynch protocol in dairy heifers. However, higher P/AI in CIDR-5 group in older heifers can be considered for reproductive management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)
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15 pages, 975 KiB  
Article
Predictive Capacity of Boar Sperm Morphometry and Morphometric Sub-Populations on Reproductive Success after Artificial Insemination
by Vinicio Barquero, Eduardo R. S. Roldan, Carles Soler, Jesús L. Yániz, Marlen Camacho and Anthony Valverde
Animals 2021, 11(4), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040920 - 24 Mar 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3822
Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the morphometric features of sperm head size and shape from the Pietrain line and the Duroc × Pietrain boar crossbred terminal lines, and to evaluate their relationship with reproductive success after artificial insemination of sows [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to compare the morphometric features of sperm head size and shape from the Pietrain line and the Duroc × Pietrain boar crossbred terminal lines, and to evaluate their relationship with reproductive success after artificial insemination of sows produced from crossbreeding the York, Landrace and Pietrain breeds. Semen samples were collected from 11 sexually mature boars. Only ejaculates with greater than 70% motility rate and <15% of abnormal sperm were used for artificial inseminations (AI) and included in the study. Samples were analyzed using an ISAS®v1 computer-assisted sperm analysis system for eight morphometric parameters of head shape and size (CASA-Morph). Sub-populations of morphometric ejaculates were characterized using multivariate procedures, such as principal component (PC) analysis and clustering methods (k-means model). Four different ejaculate sub-populations were identified from two PCs that involved the head shape and size of the spermatozoa. The discriminant ability of the different morphometric sperm variables to predict sow litter size was analyzed using a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Sperm head length, ellipticity, elongation, and regularity showed significant predictive capacity on litter size (0.59, 0.59, 0.60, and 0.56 area under curve (AUC), respectively). The morphometric sperm sub-populations were not related to sow litter size. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)
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12 pages, 477 KiB  
Article
Effects on Synchronization and Reproductive Efficiency of Delaying the Removal of the Intravaginal Progesterone Device by 24 h in the 5d Co-Synch Protocol in Heifers
by Aitor Fernandez-Novo, Sergio Santos-Lopez, Jose Luis Pesantez-Pacheco, Natividad Pérez-Villalobos, Ana Heras-Molina, Juan Vicente Gonzalez-Martin and Susana Astiz
Animals 2021, 11(3), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030849 - 17 Mar 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3189
Abstract
In beef herds, increasing animal welfare, improving reproductive performance and easing animal management are key goals in farm economics. We explored whether delaying the removal of the intravaginal progesterone device by 24 h in heifers synchronized with a 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol could [...] Read more.
In beef herds, increasing animal welfare, improving reproductive performance and easing animal management are key goals in farm economics. We explored whether delaying the removal of the intravaginal progesterone device by 24 h in heifers synchronized with a 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol could improve reproductive efficiency of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). In experiment 1, we examined the total synchronization rate (TSR) in cycling Holstein heifers. Heifers (13.4 ± 0.69 mo.) were randomly assigned to the standard 5d Co-synch 56-h protocol (5dCo56; n = 10), 5d Co-synch 72-h (5dCo72; n = 17), or the modified 5d Co-synch 72-h protocol, in which removal of the progesterone device was delayed by 24 h (6dCo48; n = 19). In experiment 2, 309 cycling beef heifers on 18 commercial farms were subjected to the 5d Co-synch 72-h or 6-d Co-synch 48-h protocol and conception rate (CR) studied. In experiment 1, the three protocols led no differences on TSRs of 80.0% (5dCo56), 88.2% (5dCo72), and 89.5% (6dCo48). In experiment 2, the CR from the beef heifers, observed during two consecutive reproductive seasons did not differ: 59.7% for 5dCo72 and 62.0% for 6dCo48 (p = 0.907). Therefore, delaying removal by 24 h provides satisfactory results without reducing reproductive efficiency of heifers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)
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7 pages, 260 KiB  
Article
Correlation of Prostatic Artery Blood Flow Assessed by Doppler Ultrasonography with Semen Characteristics in Beagle Dogs
by Victoria Luño, Marina Servián, Felisa Martínez, María Borobia, Noelia González and Lydia Gil
Animals 2020, 10(11), 2077; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112077 - 9 Nov 2020
Viewed by 2267
Abstract
Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography (PwD) is a method used to rapidly and noninvasively assess blood flow dynamics of the canine prostate. Modifications in gland vascularization can affect seminal plasma production and consequently sperm quality. The aim of this study was to determine the normal [...] Read more.
Pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography (PwD) is a method used to rapidly and noninvasively assess blood flow dynamics of the canine prostate. Modifications in gland vascularization can affect seminal plasma production and consequently sperm quality. The aim of this study was to determine the normal blood flow parameters of the prostate artery in beagle dogs and to analyze the correlations between vascular flow and semen quality characteristics. PwD was performed on five beagle dogs (5–6 years) measuring vascular features in four different locations of the prostatic artery (cranial, subcapsular, parenchymal and caudal); the measured features were peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). Ejaculates were obtained using digital manipulation and semen quality was evaluated by determining macroscopic (total volume, sperm-rich fraction volume, color and pH) and microscopic (sperm motility, morphology, viability and acrosome integrity) characteristics. The values of PSV, PI and RI in cranial and caudal prostatic arteries were significantly higher than in subcapsular and parenchymal arteries (p < 0.05). Moreover, a positive correlation of PSV value in the cranial region of the prostatic artery with total ejaculate volume (p < 0.01, r = 0.612) and sperm concentration (p < 0.01, r = 0.587) was determined. PI index was negatively correlated with sperm concentration (p < 0.01, r = −0.709). In conclusion, the results suggest that the prostatic artery blood flow parameters can affect macroscopic semen quality characteristics in healthy dogs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)

Review

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12 pages, 802 KiB  
Review
Game-Changing Approaches in Sperm Sex-Sorting: Microfluidics and Nanotechnology
by Andra-Sabina Neculai-Valeanu and Adina Mirela Ariton
Animals 2021, 11(4), 1182; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041182 - 20 Apr 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 10821
Abstract
The utilization of sex-sorted sperm for artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization is considered a valuable tool for improving production efficiency and optimizing reproductive management in farm animals, subsequently ensuring sufficient food resource for the growing human population. Despite the fact that sperm sex-sorting [...] Read more.
The utilization of sex-sorted sperm for artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization is considered a valuable tool for improving production efficiency and optimizing reproductive management in farm animals, subsequently ensuring sufficient food resource for the growing human population. Despite the fact that sperm sex-sorting is one of the most intense studied technologies and notable progress have been made in the past three decades to optimize it, the conception rates when using sex-sorted semen are still under expectations. Assisted reproduction programs may benefit from the use of emergent nano and microfluidic-based technologies. This article addresses the currently used methods for sperm sex-sorting, as well as the emerging ones, based on nanotechnology and microfluidics emphasizing on their practical and economic applicability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)
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13 pages, 1367 KiB  
Review
New Approaches to Assess Fertility in Domestic Animals: Relationship between Arterial Blood Flow to the Testicles and Seminal Quality
by Ana Velasco and Salvador Ruiz
Animals 2021, 11(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010012 - 23 Dec 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4115
Abstract
The early identification of infertile males improves reproduction efficiency at a production level and is essential to secure high production rates. Before entering a breeding program, males must pass an initial breeding soundness examination (BSE) which consist of several diagnostic exams whose end [...] Read more.
The early identification of infertile males improves reproduction efficiency at a production level and is essential to secure high production rates. Before entering a breeding program, males must pass an initial breeding soundness examination (BSE) which consist of several diagnostic exams whose end point is to estimate their future fertility. There is ongoing research to find new markers that allow better identification of fertile males. Doppler mode allows the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the irrigation of organs. When evaluating the reproductive system, Doppler mode has been successfully used for the evaluation of the uterine and ovarian irrigation. In males, it is gaining relevance for the evaluation of testicular irrigation. Researchers have found a relationship between pulsed-wave Doppler velocimetric parameters and seminal quality in various domestic animal species. This suggests Doppler ultrasound parameters should be considered as objective parameters to evaluate testicular function. In this review, we analyze the results in the main domestic animal species and discuss the differences and similarities among the results. We also discuss the effect of the location of the measurements, breed, season and laterality in the measurement of Doppler velocimetric parameters as well as the impact and limitations of this method of assessing breeding soundness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)
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23 pages, 1810 KiB  
Review
The Effect of Stress on Reproduction and Reproductive Technologies in Beef Cattle—A Review
by Aitor Fernandez-Novo, Sonia S. Pérez-Garnelo, Arantxa Villagrá, Natividad Pérez-Villalobos and Susana Astiz
Animals 2020, 10(11), 2096; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10112096 - 11 Nov 2020
Cited by 65 | Viewed by 11969
Abstract
Researchers have contributed by increasing our understanding of the factors affecting reproduction in beef, mainly physical health and nutrition aspects, which have been main concerns during decades. Animal welfare is of outmost relevance in all animal production systems and it is strongly associated [...] Read more.
Researchers have contributed by increasing our understanding of the factors affecting reproduction in beef, mainly physical health and nutrition aspects, which have been main concerns during decades. Animal welfare is of outmost relevance in all animal production systems and it is strongly associated to stress. Stress responses involve endocrine, paracrine and neural systems and the consequences of this stress on the reproductive efficiency of specifically, beef cattle and bulls, need to be highlighted. We, therefore, describe the fundamentals of stress and its quantification, focusing in beef herds, reviewing the highly valuable pieces of research, already implemented in this field. We examine major factors (stressors) contributing to stress in beef cattle and their effects on the animals, their reproductive performance and the success of reproductive biotechnologies. We include terms such as acclimatization, acclimation or temperament, very relevant in beef systems. We examine specifically the management stress due to handling, social environment and hierarchy or weaning effects; nutritional stress; and thermal stress (not only heat stress) and also review the influence of these stressors on reproductive performance and effectiveness of reproductive biotechnologies in beef herds. A final message on the attention that should be devoted to these factors is highlighted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Reproduction)
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