Morphometry and luteal endocrinology after supplementation with sunflower seed in Nelore heifers inseminated

• Grant number: 15/24007-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Caliê Castilho
• Grantee: Beatriz de Moraes D`Arce Ropelli
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação. Universidade do Oeste Paulista (UNOESTE). Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this project will be evaluated endocrinology and luteal morphometry in Nelore heifers supplemented with linoleic acid. Thirty heifers Nellore, with aged 2-3 years and body condition score 2.5 to 3.5 (range 1-5), kept on Brachiaria decumbens and water and mineral salt ad libitum will used. Before starting the estrus synchronization protocol, the animals are divided into two groups which receive: 1.7 Kg/day of dietary supplement containing 40% soybean meal 44% crude protein (CP) and 60% seed Sunflower (Sunflower Seed group; n = 15) or 1.7 kg/day of dietary supplement containing 53% Soybean Meal 44% crude protein and 47% corn (control group; n = 15) for 60 days. Following heifers have synchronized ovulation for IATF (artificial insemination in fixed time). The reproductive system of these animals will be evaluated by ultrasound every 48 hours concomitant blood collection for P4 dosage by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The ultrasound will be performed to monitor the diameter of the corpus luteum. The data will be analyzed between groups (control vs Treaty) to check the effect of the use of sunflower seed and are expressed as mean as a measure of central tendency and standard error of the mean (SEM) as a measure of variability. Data will be submitted to the assumption of normality by the Shapiro-Wilk test, in case of normality will be applied the Student t-test, otherwise there will be the non-parametric Mann-Whitney. All analyzes will be conducted with SPSS software v. 13.0, with a significance level of 5% (p <0.05).