Induction of double ovulation in mares using deslorelin acetate

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Reproductive Biology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Inducing multiple ovulations in mares can improve embryo recovery rates.
• Deslorelin acetate is a GnRH agonist with potential applications in equine reproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a controlled-release deslorelin acetate formulation in inducing double ovulation in mares.
• To compare embryo recovery rates between mares treated with deslorelin acetate and control groups.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted involving mares treated with deslorelin acetate or saline.
• Ovulation was induced with hCG, followed by artificial insemination and embryo collection.
• Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and Fisher's exact test.

Main Results:

• The deslorelin acetate protocol resulted in an 82% double ovulation rate in Experiment 2.
• Embryo recovery was significantly higher in the deslorelin acetate group (1.12 embryos/cycle) compared to the control group (0.57 embryos/cycle).
• Experiment 1 showed limited response, while Experiment 2 demonstrated clear efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Deslorelin acetate is effective in inducing double ovulation in mares with the proposed protocol.
• The treatment significantly enhances embryo recovery per estrous cycle.
• This method holds promise for improving equine reproductive efficiency.