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M S Wolynetz

Publications and source records attributed to M S Wolynetz.

43 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Reproductive response of progestogen-treated sheep in confinement to a single and double insemination.

The reproductive responses to one and two inseminations of fresh extended semen were compared in crossbred sheep housed in confinement. In three trials, ewes in progestogen-induced estrus were inseminated 54 to 56 h after sponge removal. Half the ewes received a second insemination 4 or 5 h later. Resultant fertility, litter size and embryonic mortality indicated no advantage to a double insemination. Conception rates to one and two inseminations according to d 18 plasma progesterone levels were 66 and 63%, 85 and 86% and 74 and 80% in trials 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Corresponding lambing rates were 55 and 56%, 73 and 69% and 67 and 76%. Mean litter sizes were 2.1 and 2.5, while embryonic mortality after the first 2 wk of pregnancy was estimated at 13% for both groups. Single inseminations therefore simplify artificial insemination and double the number of ewes that can be inseminated/ejaculate.

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Synchronization of estrus and reproductive performance of ewes treated with synthetic progestogens administered by subcutaneous ear implant or by intravaginal sponge pessary.

Experiments were conducted to compare the efficacy of synthetic progestogens administered by subcutaneous ear implant or intravaginal sponge to induce a synchronized estrus in adult ewes and ewe lambs and to evaluate reproductive performance (fertility and litter size) to breeding at the synchronized estrus. Experimental animals were representative of three strains maintained in total confinement and exposed to a synthetic light regimen which alternated at intervals of 4 mo from 18 h day length to 10 h day length/24 h. Treatments were applied at different times of the year at the end of a low light cycle. Implants contained Norgestomet (3 mg) impregnated in a polymethacrylate polymer (Implant H) or impregnated in a silastic polymer containing 1.05 (Implant S1), 1.78 (Implant S2) or 2.60 mg (Implant S3) Norgestomet, respectively. Intravaginal sponges contained 40 mg Fluorogestone Acetate. Implants or sponges were left in situ for 12 d and 500 IU pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin was injected im at the time of removal. Following treatment with Implant H, 96% of ewes were judged to be in estrus at 48 h after implant removal. Fertility of adult ewes and ewe lambs (6 to 7 mo of age at time of breeding) at the synchronized estrus were similar after implant H or sponge treatment, but litter size was higher (P less than .05) for adult ewes treated with sponges. The percentages of adult ewes marked by rams within 60 h after removal of silastic implants or intravaginal sponges were similar. There was a tendency for ewe lambs to be marked later than adult ewes and for adult ewes treated with Implant S1 and Implant S2 to be marked earlier than ewes treated with Implant S3 or sponges. Higher percentages (P less than .05) of adult ewes and ewe lambs lambed to breeding at the synchronized estrus after treatment with Implant S2 or Implant S3, respectively, than after treatment with Implants S2 or sponges.

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Reproductive performance of totally confined sheep bred with semen extended in a lactose-egg yolk-glycerol buffer and stored at 5 degrees C.

Two experiments were carried out in January and May 1975 to study reproductive performance (fertility, prolificacy and fecundity) of totally confined sheep synchronized for estrus. The main objective of the first experiment was to compare reproductive performance of ewes bred naturally to those bred by artificial insemination. Semen for artificial insemination was collected by either artificial vagina or electroejaculation and stored for up to 36 hours at 5 degrees C. A second objective was to evaluate the effect of pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin on the reproductive performance of ewes synchronized for estrus. Fertility was 53% for ewes bred by natural mating, 34% for ewes receiving pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin and bred by artificial insemination, and 9% for those not receiving pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin and bred by artificial insemination. There was no difference in fertility between ewes bred with semen collected by artificial vagina or by electroejaculation. A similar pattern was observed for fecundity. Average prolificacy was 2.0 with no significant differences among mating methods or pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin application being observed. In the second experiment, the reproductive performance of ewes inseminated with semen stores at 5 degrees C for 48 to 60 hours was compared to that of ewes inseminated with semen stores for 24 to 36 hours. No significant differences in the reproductive performance were detected. Although average fertility (9%) and fecundity (19%) were low, prolificacy averaged 2.0 lambs per ewe lambing.

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Effectiveness of photoperiod stimulation on reproductive performance of sheep housed continuously indoors on an accelerated breeding schedule.

Over five breeding periods, the reproductive performance (fertility, prolificacy and fecundity) of three strains of sheep housed continuously indoors was measured. The sheep were maintained as two separate flocks, A and B, with similar genetic background on an eight month accelerated breeding schedule under one of three lighting regimes, abrupt, contracted or constant, to induce ovarian activity. Overall fertility to one estrus was 59%. For flock A, fertility was greatest under the contracted lighting regime and lowest under the constant lighting regime; the opposite was true for flock B. Among the three strains, fertility was lowest for the Dam 2 strain in flock A. Prolificacy averaged 1.8 lambs per ewe lambing and was similar under each of the three lighting regimes. Fecundity (averaging 106%), the number of lambs born per 100 ewes exposed to rams, generally followed the pattern of fertility.

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Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha and pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the reproductive performance of fluorogestone acetate PMSG-treated ewes.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the reproductive performance (fertility, prolificacy and fecundity) of ewes previously treated with fluorogestone acetate (FGA) and PMSG. In the first experiment, 29 ewes were synchronized for estrus with FGA and PMSG but not bred at the postsynchronization estrus. On day 10 of the first post-synchronization estrous cycle, they were injected IM with 15 mg PGF2 alpha and 500 IU PMSG and exposed to experienced, fertile, raddled rams. Twenty-four of the 29 ewes (83%) had viable fetuses 9 weeks after the PGF2 alpha-PMSG treatment. In the second experiment, 64 ewes were treated with FGA-PMSG, and 33 were exposed to fertile, raddled rams at the synchronized estrus. A second group of 31 ewes was not bred at the synchronized estrus, but on day 12 of the postsynchronized estrous cycle, they were injected IM with 15 mg PGF2 alpha and 500 IU PMSG and exposed to fertile, raddled rams. Sixty-six percent of the 33 ewes lambed in the FGA-PMSG-treated group and 60% of the 31 ewes lambed in the PGF2 alpha-PMSG-treated group. Differences in reproductive performance between these two treatment groups were not statistically significant. The results suggest that the PGF2 alpha-PMSG treatment combination does not adversely affect reproductive performance of ewes.

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Influence of estradiol-17 beta on fertility in confined sheep inseminated with frozen semen.

Impaired sperm transport is believed to be a major cause of reduced fertiity in ewes inseminated with frozen semen. Because of suggestions that estradiol improves sperm transport, estradiol-17 beta was given to mature ewes at progestagen-induced estrus to test effects on fertility after artificial insemination with frozen semen. Conception rates, based on progesterone determinations made 18 days after insemination, were 43% for ewes injected with 50 microgram estradiol-17 beta and inseminated with frozen semsn, 52% for ewes inseminated with frozen semen but given no estradiol and 86% for ewes inseminated with fresh semen. Lambing rates were 6, 35 and 69%, respectively. The markedly greater difference between conception rates and lambing rates for the estradiol-treated ewes suggests that estradiol caused a substantial increase in the early embryonic mortality associated with the use of frozen semen.

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A study of free-running rhythms in sheep.

Free-running rhythms for eating, drinking, standing and walking activities were studied in two experiments with four cross-bred rams. In the first experiment the rhythms were entrained to a LD (12:12) (300:0) regimen. Following a change to continuous dim light (less than 2 lux) there was a suggestion of free-running activity for about three days in some of the variables. By the fourth day, however, the previously entrained rhythms had been damped out and were replaced by random patterns of activity in all variables. In the second experiment, two entraining agents were used: LD (12:12) (300:0) and restriction of feed to the light period only. There was again some indication of free-running activity for the first few days of continuous dim light (less than 2 lux) but by the fourth day only random patterns of activity were evident.

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