Characterization of alpha-adrenoceptors of sheep cervix in estrus

• Grant number: 21/00032-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2021
• End date: August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Wilter Ricardo Russiano Vicente
• Grantee: Priscila Del Aguila da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/14957-6 - Study of new biotechnics for reproduction of canine and small ruminants, AP.TEM

Abstract

The detailed study of autonomous innervation of the ovine cervix in estrus at the time of artificial insemination (AI), aiming at its manipulation to overcome reproductive biotechnology barriers, presents a positive perspective, not yet investigated. The most significant obstacle of AI in sheep is the anatomical structure of the reproductive tract, which hinders the transcervical passage of instruments to AI. The proposal is to investigate and characterize the alpha-adrenoceptors of the sheep cervix in estrus, so that the major knowledge about this muscle allows for further studies aiming cervical relaxation to facilitate intrauterine access and, therefore, increase AI efficiency and pregnancy rates, in addition to animal welfare, by reducing invasive techniques. The study will be conducted in two stages. The ovine females, which were slaughtered, will be submitted to estrus induction hormonal protocol and the reproductive tract collected. Sheep reproductive tract will also be collected in diestrus, as a control group and may also assist in the transfer of embryos. In the first experiment will be isolated segments of the cervix in 3 portions: uterine, medial and vaginal and performed immunohistochemistry with antibodies to alpha-1 and 2-adrenergic receptors, for identification and localization of these receptors. In the second experiment the cervix segments will be connected to an isometric force transducer in isolated organ baths containing modified Krebs-Henseleit solution and then added agonist and antagonist of alpha-1 and -2-adrenergic receptors, evaluating the effects of drugs on the mechanical properties of the smooth muscle of the sheep cervix in estrus and diestrus.