To compare an injectable progesterone (MAD-4) with an intravaginal device (IPD), and natural O17 with synthetic oestradiol (OB) in a synchronisation protocol, 51 cows were divided into four groups. Each group was treated with one of the two sources of progesterone and one of the two oestradiol formulations. Oestrus behaviour, follicle diameter, and pregnancy rates were evaluated. Oestrus behaviour (p = 0.902), numbers of cows in oestrus (p = 0.917), follicle diameter (p = 0.416), and pregnancy rates (p = 0.873) were similar among the four groups. More cows in the group treated with the IPD and OB scored > 200 oestrus behaviour points compared to the other groups (p = 0.038). A longer interval between the end of treatment and oestrus was observed among cows treated with MAD-4 than cows given the IPD (p = 0.030), but no differences were found between animals receiving the two oestradiol formulations (OB and O17). While the use of MAD-4 requires further testing, similar responses to natural oestradiol observed in the present study could allow the use of this formulation in reproductive protocols because it is not associated with the potential human health risks of OB.
Administration, Intravaginal ; Animals ; Cattle ; Estradiol/administration & dosage/*analogs & derivatives/*pharmacology ; Estrus/drug effects ; Estrus Synchronization/*methods ; Female ; Injections, Subcutaneous/veterinary ; Ovarian Follicle/drug effects ; Postpartum Period/drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Progesterone/administration & dosage/*pharmacology ; Reproduction/drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different concentration extract from Shenghua decoction on contractile activity of the uterine smooth muscle isolated from normal, estrogen-treated and postpartum mice.

METHODMedlab/4 s vital signal recorder was used to measure the effects of extract from Shenghua decoction (3-12 mg x mL(-1)) on contractile amplitude and frequency of the isolated uterus from normal, estrogen-treated and postpartum mice.

RESULTShenghua decoction extract (3-12 mg x mL(-1)) significantly decreased the contractile activity of the mouse isolated uterus in normal non-pregnancy and postpartum, but significantly increased that of the mouse isolated uterus treated with estrogen, and didn't show significant concentration-response relationship.

CONCLUSIONThe effects of Shenghua decoction extract on contractile activity of mouse-isolated uterus treated with estrogen cannot represent the pharmacological effects on that of in normal non-pregnancy and postpartum uterus.

Angelica sinensis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Muscle, Smooth ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Postpartum Period ; Uterine Contraction ; drug effects ; Uterus ; drug effects