Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2004 The seu of altrenogest to control reproductive function in beef cattle Clarence Edward Ferguson Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Animal Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Ferguson, Clarence Edward, "The use of altrenogest to control reproductive function in beef cattle" (2004). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 3957. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/3957 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. THE USE OF ALTRENOGEST TO CONTROL REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN BEEF CATTLE A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in The Interdepartmental Program in Animal and Dairy Sciences by Clarence Edward Ferguson B.S., McNeese State University, 1996 M.S. Stephen F. Austin State University, 1999 M.N.A.S., Southwest Missouri State University, 2000 December 2004 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author would like to convey his sincere gratitude to his major professor, Dr. Robert A. Godke for his direction, patience, and commitment to train him as a research scientist. The author believes that the training he received in Dr. Godke’s Program has been and will continue to be an invaluable experience that will aid him in overcoming obstacles later in life. Appreciation is extended to the members of his graduate committee, Dr. John Lynn, Dr. Kathy Williams, Dr. Earl Pope for their advice and guidance. A special thanks is extended to Dr. John Lynn for all of his advice, patience and friendship which will always be remembered. Also, the authors would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine professors, Dr. Dale Paccamonti, Dr. Sara Lyle and Dr. Bruce Elits for their advice and instruction in developing experimental approaches. The author would also like to thank the crew at the Center for Reproductive Biology at St. Gaberial Research Station for all their assistance and loan of experimental animals which made many of these experiments possible. The author would also like to thank Dr. Matthew Wheeler for his critical review of this dissertation which was greatly appreciated. Furthermore, the author would like to thank all of the graduate students and students; Toyna Davidson, Oscar Perez, Luke Lenard, Glen Gentry, Kyle Hebert, Allison Morisan, Andrea Huval, Trey Champman, as well as post-doctoral researcher, Masimo Maurakami, for their assistance and invaluable friendships. The author would like to thank his father Ronnie Ferguson, mother Dixie Ferguson and grandmother Velma Jordan, who unselfishly sacrificed to allow their son to succeed in life and his sister Rene Ferguson for her encouragement to complete his goal swiftly. Also, a special thank you is extended to Bennie Deaton whose love and support throughout his life has always been appreciated. Most importantly, the author would like to give special appreciation to a very special person who shared his many trials and accomplishments during the completion of this dissertation. No only has she improved the quality of his life she provided a brighter future and a greater appreciation for live but she more importantly taught him the meaning unconditional love. Thank you Tonya Davidson. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................. ii LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................................. v LIST OF FIGURES...........................................................................................................vii ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................ix CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................................. 4 Role of Oral Progestins in Control of Reproduction .............................................. 4 Effects of P4 on the Oviducts during Early Pregnancy ........................................ 14 Effects of P4 on Embryo Transport into the Uterus.............................................. 17 Effects of P4 on Uterine Growth and Proliferation ............................................... 19 Effects of P4 on the Synthesis and Secretion of Uterine Proteins and Growth Factors............................................................................................. 21 P4 Effects on the Immune System Function during Pregnancy........................... 24 Effects of P4 on Embryo-Uterine Synchrony during Early Pregnancy ................. 25 Effects of P4 on Embryo Developmental Rates................................................... 29 Effects of P4 on Embryo Metabolism................................................................... 32 Effects of P4 on Post-Implantation Development................................................. 33 Embryonic P4 Synthesis during Early Pregnancy................................................ 34 P4 Levels in Pregnant and Nonpregnant Female ................................................ 35 Maintenance of Pregnancy in Ovariectomized and CL Ablated Females ........... 40 CHAPTER 3. THE USE OF ALTRENOGEST TO SYNCHRONIZE ESTRUS IN YEARLING BEEF HEIFERS .................................................................... 43 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 43 Materials and Methods........................................................................................ 45 Results ................................................................................................................ 48 Discussion........................................................................................................... 55 CHAPTER 4. EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF P4 OR ALTRENOGEST ON DAYS 3 TO 5 POST-MATING ON PREGNANCY RATES ...................... 60 Introduction ......................................................................................................... 60 Materials and Methods........................................................................................ 62 Results ................................................................................................................ 70 Discussion........................................................................................................... 75 CHAPTER 5. EFFECT OF PROGESTERONE ON BOVINE EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT IN VITRO ..................................................................... 81 Introduction…..................................................................................................... 81 Materials and Methods....................................................................................... 83 Results ............................................................................................................... 87 Discussion.......................................................................................................... 98 iii CHAPTER 6. AN ATTEMPT TO DETECT PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS IN EARLY STAGES OF IN VITRO PRODUCED BOVINE EMBRYOS ...... 102 Introduction.................................................................................................... 102 Materials and Methods.................................................................................. 103 Results .......................................................................................................... 107 Discussion..................................................................................................... 107 CHAPTER 7. RESCUE OF PREGNANCY IN BEEF CATTLE AFTER A LUTEOLYTIC DOSE OF PROSTAGLANDIN2α ..................................... 113 Introduction.................................................................................................... 113 Materials and Methods .................................................................................. 114 Results .......................................................................................................... 118 Discussion..................................................................................................... 129 CHAPTER 8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS......................................................... 133 REFERENCES.............................................................................................................. 135 APPENDIX A: BO-A STOCK SOLUTION ..................................................................... 168 APPENDIX B: BO-B STOCK SOLUTION ..................................................................... 169 APPENDIX C: CR1AA STOCK SOLUTION.................................................................. 170 VITA .............................................................................................................................. 171 iv LIST OF TABLES 3.1.