Journal of Animal Science, Vol 75, Issue 4 1063-1070, Copyright © 1997 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Progesterone mediates nutritionally induced effects on embryonic survival in gilts

R. Jindal, J. R. Cosgrove and G. R. Foxcroft
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

The role of plasma progesterone as a potential mediator of nutritionally induced effects on embryonic survival in gilts was assessed in two experiments. Gilts were individually fed 2.5 kg/d for one estrous cycle and inseminated 12 and 24 h after onset of next estrus (d 0). In Exp. 1, 52 gilts were randomly allocated to either N (1.5 x maintenance feed/d) or H (twice maintenance/d) groups from d 1. In 21 gilts, blood samples were collected on d -1, 0, 1, and 2, and gilts were slaughtered on d 3 to 5. Interval from LH peak to postovulatory progesterone rise was shorter (P = .02) in N (28.8 +/- 2.3 h) than in H (38.6 +/- 3.2 h) gilts, with no difference in rate of rise. Embryonic survival was 86.5 +/- 2.1 and 74.2 +/- 6.2% in N and H gilts, respectively, with a higher variability in Group H (P < .05). In 31 gilts, blood samples were collected 48 and 72 h after estrus onset, and gilts were slaughtered on d 11 and 12. Plasma progesterone concentrations at 72 h were higher (P = .02) in N than in H gilts (14.7 +/- 1.2 vs 10.8 +/- 1.0 ng/mL). Uterine plasmin/trypsin inhibitor concentrations were higher (P = .03) in H than in N gilts, but IGF-I concentrations did not differ. In Exp. 2, gilts were randomly allocated to either H or HP groups on d 1. The HP gilts were given six injections of progesterone (75 mg every 12 h) starting 24 h after estrus onset. Gilts were slaughtered on d 28 +/- 3. Plasma progesterone concentrations at 36, 48, 60, 84, and 108 h after estrus onset were higher (P < .001) in HP than in H gilts. Embryonic survival was also higher (P = .004) in HP (84.8 +/- 2.6%) than in H gilts (70.0 +/- 4.0%). Thus, periovulatory plasma progesterone can be the mediator of nutritionally induced effects on embryonic survival.

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