APLICACIÓN DE LÍQUIDO FOLICULAR EQUINO (LFE) A OVEJAS CRIOLLAS SINCRONIZADAS Application of Equine Follicular Fluid (EFF) in Creole Synchronized Ewes

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the efficiency of equine follicular fluid (EFF) added in a protocol of estrous synchronization in Creole ewes. A total of 79 multiparous ewes with an average body weight of 37 ± 7.1 kg were used. The ewes were synchronized with intravaginal sponges containing 20 mg Fluorogestone Acetate (FGA), ten days (d) after sponge insertion 0.075 mg of prostaglandins (D-cloprostenol)were injected intramuscularly. Animals received on d 11, 0 (T1; n = 20), 2 (T2; n = 20), 3 (T3; n = 20) or 4 (T4; n = 19) mL of EFF. The EFF was obtained aspirating follicles greater than 20 mm; it was centrifuged at 952 g for 15 minutes (min) and stored at -5°C until use. The sponges were withdrawn on d 12 and estrus detection started 24 hour (h) after. The ewes were inseminated with fresh semen by laparoscopy 20 h after onset of estrous using 100 x 10 spermatozoa. The variables evaluated were incidence of estrous (IE, %), time of onset of estrous (TOE, h), number of preovulatory follicles (NPF), diameter of the preovulatory follicle (DPF, mm), ovulation rate (OR), diameter of the corpus luteum (DCL), pregnancy rate (PR) and prolificacy (P). The data were analyzed with chi-square tests and ANOVA. Differences were found (P 0.05) for IE, NFP, DFP and DCL. In conclusion, the administration of three and four mL of EFF influenced TOE, OR and PR.