Regulação de receptores esteróides e dinâmica folicular em um sistema de indução hormonal pósparto em vacas de corte

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to determine the action of gestagens and estradiol benzoate (EB) on the mechanism of premature regression of the first corpus luteum (CL) after parturition, and to develop an efficient artificial insemination system for suckling beef cows. The effect of pre-exposure to gestagens and EB on the expression of the alpha (ERα) and beta (ERß) estrogen receptors and progesterone receptor (PR) in the endometrium and CL was evaluated after the first postpartum ovulation. Thirty days after calving, ten anestrous cows were divided into a control group (AN) and a treatment group (AN+MAP). On day 0, animals of the treatment group received 250 mg medroxyprogesterone (MAP) in a vaginal device for 7 days and 5 mg EB. In both groups, the follicular wave was monitored and ovulation was induced for the formation of a CL. Luteal and endometrial tissues were collected after 7 days. The samples were submitted to the analysis of gene expression by RT-PCR and endometrial and luteal histological evaluation. Preexposure to gestagen during the first postpartum estrous cycle resulted in a higher endometrial expression of the PR (AN+MAP group; P<0.05) and inhibition of ERß expression in endometrial tissue (P<0.05). The height of the endometrial glandular epithelium and the total number of large luteal cells were higher in the AN+MAP group than in the AN group. In order to promote follicular growth compatible with the ovulatory response in postpartum cows, we analyzed the follicular dynamics to determine the best time for the application of eCG and EB in combination with MAP. The cows received MAP for 7 days and EB on day 0 or 1, followed by eCG on day 6 (B0E6 or B1E6) or 7 (B0E7 or B1E7). In two groups, the animals were not injected with eCG but received EB on day 0 (B0) or 1 (B1). All cows received a GnRH agonist 45 h after removal of the vaginal device. Animals of the B0E6 group maintained a mean follicular diameter of 8 mm until eCG application and reached a mean diameter of 13 mm at the time of GnRH agonist injection (45 h after MAP removal), showing an ovulation rate of 80%. Covariance analysis showed a difference in this curve (P=0.0001) compared to the other groups, which reached a mean final follicular diameter of 7 to 12 mm and ovulation rate of 40%. Based on these results, we investigated an ovulation and estrus reinduction for a mixed system of estrus detection and fixed-time artificial insemination (ETAI) in postpartum suckling cows. A total of 553 animals was divided into the following groups: hormonal induction (HI; day 0 = EB and MAP for 7 days, day 6 = eCG, PGF2α and temporary weaning), early weaning at 60 days, and natural breeding. No difference in pregnancy rates (85%) was observed among groups. However, at 7 months of age, calves of the HI group had reached a 38 kg higher mean weight than those weaned at 60 days. In order to adjust the eCG dose to the HI system, doses of 300, 400 or 500 IU eCG were tested. No difference in the pregnancy rates (78.7%) was observed. In conclusion, MAP and EB regulate steroid receptors in the endometrium and CL, indicating an important role for these hormones in the mechanism of premature postpartum luteolysis. In addition, steroids participate in the postpartum restructuring of the endometrium and CL and, when applied 60 days after calving together with eCG administered one day before removal of the vaginal implant, increase the reproductive efficacy of beef cows.