91 Can propylene glycol modulate insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 in superovulated dairy heifers?
Authors: Dupras R. , Mills L. , Robert G. , Meunier C. , Chorfi Y. 
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of propylene glycol (PPG) on serum concentrations of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 in superovulated dairy heifers. We hypothesised that administration of PPG would have a positive effect on superovulation results via increased insulin and IGF-1. A total of 20 clinically healthy Holstein heifers with an average age of 12 months were used for this experiment. Superovulation was performed using a standard protocol. Briefly, each heifer received 3mg of oestradiol-17β IM and an intravaginal progesterone-releasing insert (CIDR) containing 1.9g of progesterone at random stages of the oestrous cycle (designated Day 0). From Day 4 to 8, heifers received a total of 200mg of NIH-follicle-stimulating hormone-P1 administered intramuscularly through 9 injections of decreasing doses (from 50 to 10mg) at 12-h intervals. On Day 7, heifers received 2 injections of 500µg of cloprostenol, a PGF2α analogue, at ~6-h intervals, after which intravaginal inserts were removed. Artificial insemination was performed on Day 10, 12h after treatment with 100µg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone IM. Embryos were flushed from the uterus of donor heifers 6 days after AI. The method consisted of simultaneously using 1 catheter per uterine horn. Catheters were maintained in place to perform 2 flushes 1h apart. A total of 1L of flushing medium was used, 700 and 300mL for the first and the second flush, respectively. Embryos were assessed for viability immediately after collection using the IETS classification. Heifers were divided into 2 groups (PPG and control group). From Day 4 to 14 of the superovulation protocol, PPG group received a daily dose of 400mL of a 66.7% propylene glycol solution, whereas the control group received the same amount of water. Two months later, the same experiment was conducted by inverting the groups. At Day 4 and 14, four blood samples were collected to measure insulin and IGF-1 at 25-min intervals. The first sample (0) was taken before heifers received PPG or water. Insulin was analysed using an ELISA kit following manufacturer’s instructions, whereas IGF-1 was determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Embryo associated data were analysed using t-test. Both IGF-1 and insulin data were analysed using a two-way ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test. Treatment with PPG had no effect on the number of transferable embryos (8±5.1v. 7±5.5), degenerated embryos (0.5±0.8v. 1.5±2.4), or unfertilized oocytes (0.3±0.7v. 0.7±1.2) recovered. There was also no effect of PPG on IGF-1 serum concentrations at the beginning (Day 4) or the end (Day 14) of the treatment regimen. However, PPG treatment enhanced (P = 0.02) serum insulin concentrations 50min after administration on Day 4 (10.69 v. 6.88 pmol/L), as well as at 25 (19.58 v. 9.64 pmol/L) and 50min (16.67v. 8.21 pmol/L) on Day 14. It has been suggested that PPG metabolism may stimulate insulin and IGF-1 secretion, which can promote embryo development. However, in the present study, there was no effect of oral doses of PPG on IGF-1. Although higher serum concentrations of insulin were observed after PPG treatment, there was no effect of PPG treatment on the number of transferable embryos recovered following superovulation.