Effects of vitamin E/selenium and AD3E on progesterone, antioxidant enzymes and pregnancy rate of laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep

Studying the changes in concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, hormones and vitamins can be provided valuable guidance in better understanding of pathophysiological processes, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the vitamin E/selenium and AD3E administrations before insemination on serum concentrations of progesterone, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and, also pregnancy rate after laparoscopic insemination in ewes. In this study, sixty-three 3±0.5 years old ewes and weight of 48±3 kg were selected. The ewes were divided into three groups (n=21). At the time of sponging, ewes were received 5 ml normal saline (control), vitamin E/selenium (treatment 1) and vitamin AD3E (treatment 2). Sheep were synchronized by the long-term protocol using the vaginal sponge of progesterone and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG). Artificial insemination was done by laparoscopic method 50 to 58 hours after sponge removal and eCG injection. Blood samples were collected nine days after insemination. There were no significant differences between control, vitamin E/selenium and AD3E groups in serum concentrations of progesterone, superoxide dismutase and, glutathione peroxidase. Pregnancy rates of control, vitamin E/selenium and AD3E groups were 33.3 and 28.6 and 38.1, respectively that have not significant differences. It seems that the administration of vitamin E/selenium and AD3E compounds should be done according to regional needs and season to obtain optimal results and prevent additional costs and unnecessary stresses.