Embryo Culture Impacts Heart Mitochondria in Male Adolescent Sheep.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART)such as embryo culture (IVC), is widely used in human infertility treatments; however, its long-term effects on the cardiac health of offspring remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the effects of IVC on cardiac metabolism and associated signaling pathways persist after birth into adolescence. Embryos were either transferred to an intermediate ewe (ET) or cultured in the absence (IVC) or presence of human serum (IVCHS) with methionine supplementation (IVCHS+M) for 6 days after mating.

Does Melatonin Enhance Twin Lamb Survival in Commercial Merino Flocks in Australia?

In research flocks, supplementing pregnant ewes with melatonin has been shown to be a novel approach to ameliorate parturient neurological damage and improve twin lamb survival. This study investigated the commercial applicability of melatonin supplementation for Merino flocks managed under extensive grazing conditions. Multiparous twin-bearing ewes were implanted with one melatonin implant (18 mg, Regulin) each on two properties in South Australia and one in Western Australia ( = 585) at a median 79 days of gestation, with control ewes not implanted ( = 586).

Improving the efficacy of progesterone pessary treatment for synchrony of estrus in the sheep.

Treatment with intra-vaginal progesterone pessaries for synchrony of estrus is essential in fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) of sheep. Globally, the conventional 14-day pessary treatment is the mainstay of commercial AI programs. It has remained largely unchanged for many decades even though it is associated with variable patterns of estrus and often disappointing pregnancy rates.