Precision Betacarotene Supplementation Enhanced Ovarian Function and the LH Release Pattern in Yearling Crossbred Anestrous Goats

• Main Authors: Noé M. Lopez-Flores, César A. Meza-Herrera, Carlos Perez-Marin, Dominique Blache, Gerardo Arellano-Rodríguez, Santiago Zuñiga-Garcia, Cayetano Navarrete-Molina, Cristina García De la Peña, Cesar A. Rosales-Nieto, Francisco G. Veliz-Deras
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Animals
• Subjects: goats; beta-carotene; targeted supplementation; reproductive efficiency
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/4/659

The possible out-of-season effect of beta-carotene supplementation on ovulation rate (OR), antral follicles (AFN), and total ovarian activity (TOA = OR + AFN) as related to the LH release pattern in yearling anestrous goats was evaluated. In late April, Alpine-Saanen-Nubian x Criollo goats (<i>n</i> = 22, 26 N) were randomly allotted to: (1) Beta-carotene (BETA; <i>n</i> = 10, orally supplemented with 50 mg/goat/d; 36.4 ± 1.07 kg live weight (LW), 3.5 ± 0.20 units, body condition score (BCS) or (2) Non-supplemented (CONT; <i>n</i> = 12, 35.2 ± 1.07 kg LW, 3.4 ± 0.2 units BCS). Upon estrus synchronization, an intensive blood sampling (6 h × 15 min) was accomplished in May for LH quantifications; response variables included (pulsatility-PULSE, time to first pulse-TTFP, amplitude-AMPL, nadir-NAD and area under the curve-AUC). Thereafter, an ultrasonography scanning was completed to assess OR and AFN. The Munro algorithm was used to quantify LH pulsatility; if significant effects of time, treatment or interaction were identified, data were compared across time. Neither LW nor BCS (<i>p</i> > 0.05) or even the LH (<i>p</i> > 0.05); PULSE (4.1 ± 0.9 pulses/6 h), NAD (0.47 ± 0.13 ng) and AUC (51.7 ± 18.6 units) differed between treatments. Nonetheless, OR (1.57 vs. 0.87 ± 0.18 units) and TOA (3.44 vs. 1.87 ± 0.45 units) escorted by a reduced TTFP (33 vs. 126 ± 31.9 min) and an increased AMPL (0.55 vs. 0.24 ± 0.9 ng), favored to the BETA supplemented group (<i>p</i> < 0.05), possibly through a GnRH-LH enhanced pathway and(or) a direct effect at ovarian level. Results are relevant to speed-up the out-of-season reproductive outcomes in goats while may embrace translational applications.