Characteristics of bioelectrical activity of oviducts and uterus during early pregnancy in sows recorded by telemetry method

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to record the myoelectric activity of the reproduction tract in sows during the estrous phase and the early pregnancy period via telemetry recording system. In a total of eight non-pregnant pigs, the bioelectrical activity was recorded through three silicone electrodes sutured on the oviduct (isthmus and ampulla) and the uterine horn. Blood samples were collected to monitor the levels of progesterone (P4) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The estrous cycle was synchronized with eCG and hCG and the animals were subjected to artificial insemination (AI). Analysis of the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the oviduct and uterus in the estrous phase as well as in early stages of pregnancy suggests explicitly that telemetry could enable in vivo assessment of myoelectrical activity of parts of the reproductive system in sows. Off-line analysis of the duration of EMG activity bursts in the uterus, isthmus and ampulla were significantly higher during early pregnancy (phase's II and III) than in the estrus phase. EMG signals demonstrated low oviduct and uterus mean amplitudes of activity during the early pregnancy period (phase's I-III). Significant differences between the RMS signals were observed in the isthmus and ampulla both during the estrus and in the early pregnancy (phase I) periods (P < 0.01). During the estrus phase P4 concentration was estimated at < 1 ng ml⁻¹, whereas LH concentration was >4 ng ml⁻¹. On the other hand, during early pregnancy, the P4 and LH concentrations were estimated at >4 ng ml⁻¹ and <1 ng ml⁻¹, respectively.

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