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Activators of protein kinase A and oxytocin affect rabbit reproduction

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  • Published:
Central European Journal of Biology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of activators of protein kinase A — 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) — and of oxytocin (OT) on rabbit female reproductive function. We used equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) to improve follicular development and rabbit estrous synchronization and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce ovulation. In the experimental group, the females were stimulated using gonadotropins together with either IBMX, dbcAMP or OT. In the animals kept until parturition, the conception rate, parturition rate, and numbers of stillborn and weaned pups were recorded. In the animals euthanized 18–19 hours after insemination, the eggs were flushed from the oviducts and cultured up to the blastocyst cell stage. Numbers of corpora lutea, zygotes, morulas and blastocysts were determined. Both dbcAMP and OT, but not IBMX, decreased conception and parturition rate. Both IBMX and OT, but not dbcAMP, decreased pup mortality rate. All three tested substances increased the weaning rate. Both IBMX and dbcAMP, but not OT, increased the numbers of corpora lutea, zygotes, and embryos at morula and hatching blastocyst stages. These observations confirm the stimulatory role of the protein kinase A-dependent signaling pathway activated by IBMX and dbcAMP in rabbit reproduction. OT may decrease pups mortality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Animal Genetics and Reproduction, Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, 951 41, Lužianky, Slovak Republic

    Andrej Balazi, Alexander V. Sirotkin & Peter Chrenek

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, University of Agriculture in Nitra, 949 76, Nitra, Slovak Republic

    Andrej Balazi & Peter Chrenek

  3. Department of Zoology and Anthropology, Constantine the Philosopher University, 949 74, Nitra, Slovak Republic

    Alexander V. Sirotkin

Authors
  1. Andrej Balazi
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  2. Alexander V. Sirotkin
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  3. Peter Chrenek
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Correspondence to Andrej Balazi.

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Balazi, A., Sirotkin, A.V. & Chrenek, P. Activators of protein kinase A and oxytocin affect rabbit reproduction. cent.eur.j.biol. 7, 973–979 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-012-0089-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11535-012-0089-1

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