A study was conducted to determine whether treatment with deslorelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog, produced anestrus in gilts and to test the ability of exogenous gonadotropin treatment with a combination of 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin and 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin to induce estrus in GnRH analog-treated gilts. Twelve days after the third estrus, 11 gilts e...

The beta subunits of equine lutropin and equine chorionic gonadotropin were incubated in 0.013 N HCl for 30 min at 110 degrees C and separated into two fragments by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The amino acid and carbohydrate compositions of both fragments from each subunit were analyzed. The results demonstrated that equine lutropin-beta has a glycosylated COOH-termina...

The invasive trophoblast cells of the equine placenta migrate into the endometrium to form endometrial cups, dense accumulations of trophoblast cells that produce equine chorionic gonadotropin between days 40 and 120 of normal pregnancy. The mechanisms by which the trophoblast cells invade the endometrium while evading maternal immune destruction are poorly defined. A gene expression microarray...

Given its rustic nature, its butchery quality and its trypanotolerance, the N’Dama breed represents a significant potential for developing African cattle breeding [6]. To date, its zootechnical performance and reproductive characteristics have been the subject of relatively little work. The use of selection programmes and artificial insemination are highly significant challenges for developing ...

Immortalized cell lines have many potential experimental applications including the analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying cell-specific gene expression. We have utilized a recombinant retrovirus encoding the simian virus-40 (SV-40) large T antigen to construct several immortalized cell lines of equine chorionic girdle cell lineage - the progenitor cells that differentiate into the equine ...

TGFβ superfamily proteins, acting via SMAD (Sma- and Mad-related protein)2/3 pathways, regulate placental function; however, the role of SMAD1/5/8 pathway in the placenta is unknown. This study investigated the functional role of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)4 signaling through SMAD1/5 in terminal differentiation of primary chorionic gonadotropin (CG)-secreting trophoblast. Primary equine tr...

the purification of biomolecules is a necessary step in many biochemical researches. in this regard, developments of convenient, specific and low cost methods of purification are of particular interest. given the human hemoglobin (hb) affinity toward some charged carbohydrates, interaction of this molecule with human chorionic gonadotropin (hcg) which is a glycoprotein hormone containing sialic...

A rapid return to estrus after weaning maximizes productivity in sow herds. Return to estrus is influenced by season and production factors (eg, parity and body condition).1-4 The effects of season and production factors on postweaning interval to estrus are mediated by ovarian follicular development.5,6 Sows with small follicles (< 4 mm) at day 3 after weaning were more likely to experience an...