Uterine and vaginal bacterial community diversity prior to artificial insemination between pregnant and nonpregnant postpartum cows1

The present study evaluated the bovine vaginal and uterine bacterial community diversity and its relationship to fertility. Postpartum beef cows (n = 68) were synchronized beginning on day −21 and ending with timed artificial insemination (TAI) on day 0. Pregnancy was diagnosed 30 d after TAI. Uterine and vaginal flushes were collected on day −21, −9, and −2 for bacterial DNA extraction to sequence the V1 to V3 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Results indicated a decrease in the number of bacterial species over time in the uterus of resulting pregnant and nonpregnant beef cows (P < 0.0001). Principal coordinate analyses (PCoA) depicted clustering of samples, indicating closely related bacterial communities, by day in the uterus and vagina (P < 0.0001). At day −2, uterine samples from nonpregnant and pregnant animals clustered separately (P < 0.0001), with nonpregnant animal samples clustering tightly together. Overall, the current study suggests the shift in the reproductive bacterial communities’ diversity and phylogenetic relationship leading up to the time of breeding may contribute to successful pregnancy establishment.

Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism in Tube Blennies (Teleostei: Chaenopsidae)

Synopsis The study of sexual differences provides insights into selective factors operating on males and females, especially for clades exhibiting varied levels of dimorphism. Sexual differences in morphology and coloration (melanophores) were compiled for 66 of the 89 species of tube blennies (Blenniiformes, Chaenopsidae) from the systematic literature and examination of preserved specimens. Chaenopsids include essentially monomorphic species and those in which males and females differ in as many as 17 morphological and 14 coloration features. While the sexes of most species differ in coloration (at least at the time of breeding), they are morphologically similar in Acanthemblemaria, Hemiemblemaria, and Lucayablennius. While other genera exhibit an intermediate level of dimorphism, species of Coralliozetus, Cirriemblemaria, and Emblemaria are dramatically dimorphic. Character maps on a phylogenetic hypothesis indicate that this extreme level of dimorphism evolved independently in these genera. A complex history of evolution is implied by examination of jaw length with both increases and decreases in one or both sexes leading to either dimorphism or monomorphism. Several features related to shelter defense are monomorphic in species where both sexes inhabit shelters, but dimorphic where only males occupy shelters. Other dimorphic features increase the conspicuousness of male courtship and aggressive displays.

Lucerne with a high coumestrol content is not a suitable feed for ewes just before and during the early breeding period

The objective was to determine whether grazing lucerne for 7 days before breeding and for the first 7 days of breeding affected the reproductive performance of ewes with different body condition scores (average of 3.2 versus 3.7). This was compared with grazing a grass-based sward with a high proportion of dead herbage that was available at the time of breeding in a summer dry region (Wairarapa) in autumn 2016. The lucerne contained large amounts of fungal infected stem and dead herbage, which induced high levels of coumestrol (107 ± 15 mg/kg DM). By the end of the feeding period the grass and lucerne on offer were both of low quality (7.8 MJ ME/kg DM). Ewes that grazed lucerne for 7 days before breeding and for the first 7 days of the breeding period produced 18 fewer (P

11 COMPARISON OF CONTROLLED INTERNAL DRUG-RELEASE INSERT–BASED AND PROGESTERONE-FREE METHODS FOR OVULATION SYNCHRONIZATION AND TIMED ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF GOATS

A CIDR synchronization program is an important tool for facilitating ovulation synchronization and timed AI (OvSynch-TAI). The objective of this study was to test the efficacy of reusing CIDR for OvSynch-TAI compared with that for a progesterone-free OvSynch-TAI protocol (NCS) or a breed by oestrus detection (ED) control. A total of 87 does were randomised into 1 of 5 treatments: (1) ED (control, n = 18), (2) NCS (n = 18), (3) CIDR6-New (n = 17), (4) CIDR6–1X (n = 17), and (5) CIDR6–2X (n = 17). Does in the ED group received two 15-mg doses of PGF2α at a 10-d interval and were bred 12 h after the onset of oestrus following the second PGF2α injection. The NCS group received 15 mg of PGF2α on Day 0, 50 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on Day 8, 15 mg of PGF2α on Day 15, and 50 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on Day 18, concurrently with TAI. The CIDR groups (new, 1X-used, or 2X-used) received a P4 device for a 6-d period, and 15 mg of PGF2α was administered at CIDR removal. Does were bred 48 h after CIDR removal and were given 50 μg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone at TAI. The CIDR in the CIDR6–1X group were previously in place for 10 days before use, whereas CIDR in the CIDR6–2X group were previously in place for 16 days before use. Reused CIDR were rinsed in a diluted Nolvasan solution, followed by a clean water rinse, allowed to air dry, and stored in a refrigerator until time of use. The experiment was conducted in 2 replicates. Within each replicate, all treatments were scheduled so that does were bred during the same 2-day period, and all does were inseminated with a single dose of frozen semen using a nonsurgical (transcervical) technique. Blood samples were taken daily in all treatment groups to monitor concentrations of serum progesterone until the time of breeding. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography at 54 and 85 days of gestation. Data were analysed using GLM procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Data for pregnancy rates were analysed with a model that included effects of treatment, replicate, and their interactions. Data for serum progesterone concentrations were analysed with a model that included the effects of treatment, replicate, day, and their interactions. Means were separated by Duncan’s test. Mean progesterone differed (P < 0.001) with treatment (5.3 ± 0.8bc, 3.5 ± 0.8c, 7.0 ± 0.8ab, 7.9 ± 0.8a, 6.2 ± 0.8ab ng mL–1 for ED, NCS, CIDR6-New, CIDR6–1X, and CIDR6–2X, respectively; least squares mean ± standard error of the mean). Pregnancy rates for the ED, NCS, CIDR6-New, CIDR6–1X, and CIDR6–2X treatment groups were 39 ± 11%bc, 22 ± 11%c, 64 ± 12%ab, 77 ± 12%a, and 57 ± 12%ab, respectively. In conclusion, reused CIDR were as effective as new CIDR for attaining satisfactory pregnancy rates. Timed AI using a once-used CIDR was more effective for establishing pregnancy than ED and NCS treatments. The lower pregnancy rates in the ED and NCS groups were associated with lower mean progesterone levels during the Ovsynch treatment period before breeding. This research was supported by the North Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station.

Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) drone sperm quality in relation to age, genetic line, and time of breeding

A honey bee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus; Hymenoptera: Apidae) queen’s life expectancy is strongly dependent on the number of sperm she obtains by mating with drones during nuptial flights. Unexplained replacement of queens by the colony and young queens showing sperm depletions have been reported in North America, and reduced drone fertility has been a suspected cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate drone reproductive qualities during the queen-rearing season, from May to August. Drones from two different genetic lines were reared six times during the 2012 beekeeping season at our research centre in Québec (Canada). Semen volume as well as sperm number and viability were assessed at the ages of 14, 21, and 35 days. Results showed (1) a greater proportion of older drones with semen at the tip of the genitalia after eversion; (2) an influence of rearing date on semen production; and (3) no influence of drone genetic line, age or time of breeding on sperm viability. These results highlight the necessity of better understanding drone rearing and how it can be improved to ensure optimum honey-bee queen mating.