Biostimulation in primiparous postpartum acyclic early weaned beef cows: introducing the bulls at weaning advances cyclic rebreeding

Biostimulation and pheromones in livestock: A review

This review examines aspects of the phenomenon of biostimulation in swine, goats, sheep, cattle and deer, to improve the collective knowledge and exploitation of its relevant mechanisms and effects in animal production. The long-term goal is to implement biostimulation strategies that benefit livestock reproduction and production while being both cost-effective and socially acceptable.

Reproductive response of postpartum spring-lambing ewes: effects of weaning on follicular growth and postpartum interval on response to ram placement with ewes ("ram effect")

The aim of the first experiment was to determine if follicular growth rate in ewes increases spontaneously or after gonadotropin administration after lamb weaning during the period of seasonal anestrus. To conduct this experiment, there were postpartum lactating ewes from which lambs were or were not weaned when 68 to 72 days old (Day 0). The ovaries were assessed using ultrasonography from Day 0 to 9, followed by the administration of 200 IU of eCG on Day 7 to all ewes to determine capacity of follicles to respond to gonadotropin stimulation. There were no differences in duration of follicular wave dynamics, or maximum dominant follicle diameter during the first follicular wave after lamb weaning or after administration of eCG. Because weaning did not have positive effects on follicular development, the aim of the second study was to compare responses to placement of rams with lactating ewes (47 or 68 days postpartum; PP47 and PP68, respectively) and seasonal anestrous ewes that lambed during the previous year (Control). There were no differences in the proportion of ewes of the three groups that developed a corpus luteum after placement with rams, but more ewes of the Control than PP47 and PP68 groups expressed behavioral estrus and lambed as a result of placement of ewes with rams (P < 0.0001). In extensive grazing management systems, weaning of lambs did not modify spontaneous or induced follicular growth in Corriedale ewes that lambed in the spring. The placement of rams with ewes resulted in induction of ovulations, estrus and pregnancies even when ewes have lambs suckling.

Productivity, absence of a bull and endoparasitic nematodiosis in beef cattle farms in an upland area of East Java, Indonesia

Background and Aim

Cattle are an important economic asset for the rural community in East Java Province, Indonesia. The study aimed to provide updated data of cattle farm demography, productivity, as well as the role of the absence of a bull and nematodiosis in reduced productivity of beef cattle in an upland rural area of the province.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in Sukowono village, Bondowoso region. A Census survey was conducted to collect data through interviews with farmers. Further, 102 fecal samples were taken systematically and processed using a double centrifugation method to investigate the endoparasitic nematodiosis in the cattle population. The demographic data, productivity, and nematodiosis were analyzed descriptively. The difference between proportions was analyzed using Chi-square with 95% confidence limit. The associations were described in risk ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

The total cattle population was 814 heads; the range of farm size was 1-7 (median: 2) cattle. Female cattle comprised 81.8% (666/814) of the cattle population but, only 5.5% (23/422) farmers kept both bull and mature female cattle. Pregnancy rate was 26.8% (145/542) of mature female cattle. The delayed first calving time appeared in 24.8% (62/250) of heifers and calving interval of >14 months occurred in 83.2% (149/179) of multiparous cows. The prevalence of endoparasitic nematodiosis was 43.1% (44/102, 95%, CI: 38.1-52.1%). Either the absence of the bull or the nematodiosis did not associate with pregnancy rate or calving interval of cows.

Conclusion

This study indicates that the productivity of the cattle in the study area was low but may not associate with the absence of a bull or nematodiosis.