Effect of exogenous melatonin on embryo viability and uterine environment in undernourished ewes

VAZQUEZ, M.I.; FORCADA, F; SOSA, C; CASAO, A; SARTORE, I.; FERNANDEZ-FOREN, A.; MEIKLE, A.; ABECIA, J A

ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 vol. 141 p. 52 - 61

0378-4320

The effect of exogenous melatonin on embryo viability in undernourished ewes was investigated. At lambing, 24 ewes were treated (+MEL) or not (-MEL) with a melatonin implant. After 45 days, both groups were fed to provide 1.5 (Control, C) or 0.5 (Low, L) times daily maintenance requirements, so that experimental groups were: C-MEL, C+MEL, L-MEL and L+MEL. Ewes were mated (Day 0) and on Day 5 embryos were recovered and classified according to their developmental stage and morphology. Ovaries were used for in vitro fertilization and uterine horns were processed to study progesterone and oestrogen receptor (PR and ERα) expression by inmunohistochemistry. After 21 days, groups L-MEL and L+MEL had an average weight loss of 10kg (P