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Denis-Robichaud J, Oliveira AP, Sica A, Soriano S, Araújo RL, Pereira MHC, Pohler KG, Cerri RLA, Vasconcelos JLM. Is prolonged luteal phase a problem in lactating Holstein cows? J Dairy Sci 2024:S0022-0302(24)00825-7. [PMID: 38788835 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the main objective was to assess if long luteal phases could have other causes than pregnancy losses. We enrolled Holstein dairy cows ≥50 d in milk (DIM) from a commercial herd in Brazil from October 2016 to August 2017. All cows received an estradiol-based synchronization protocol, and, on the day of insemination (d 0), were randomly assigned either an artificial insemination (AI) or a placebo insemination (PBO) in a 3:1 ratio. An ultrasound was used to assess the presence of a CL on d17, 24, and 31, which, combined to the information from patches for the detection of estrus, was used to determine the length of the luteal phase following AI or PBO. Pregnancy was assessed by ultrasound on d 31 and cows that were pregnant were excluded from the analyses. The length of the estrous cycles was categorized as short (<17 d), normal (17-23 d), long (24-30 d), and very long (≥31 d). We compared the proportion of cows in each category between the AI and PBO groups using a cumulative ordinal mixed model. We define prolonged luteal phase as estrous cycles ≥24 d and tested its association with potential risk factors (parity, season, DIM, uterine size and position score, milk production, body condition score, and the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) at enrollment to the synchronization protocol) using mixed logistic regression models. Results are presented as odds ratio (OR) and 95% credible intervals (BCI). Data from 876 inseminations (AI: n = 616, PBO: n = 260) was collected. Overall, 12% of estrous cycles were short, 31% were normal, 19% were long, and 38% were very long. There was no difference in the odds of being in longer estrous cycle categories for the AI compared with the PBO group (OR = 0.92, 95% BCI = 0.76-1.10). Season and presence of a CL at enrollment were associated with prolonged luteal phase. In the AI group, there was a possible effect of early pregnancy losses on the lifespan of the CL, but not the PBO group, which led us to conclude that long and very long estrous cycles were not all caused by the embryonic loss. In fact, the high prevalence of cows with an extended CL lifespan in the present study suggests this could be an under- or miss-reported characteristic of high-producing lactating Holstein cows. This finding may have important repercussions in the understanding of the CL function physiology of lactating Holstein cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Denis-Robichaud
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - A P Oliveira
- Department of Animal Production, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil, 18168-000
| | - A Sica
- Colorado Farm, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil, 13600-970
| | - S Soriano
- Colorado Farm, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil, 13600-970
| | - R L Araújo
- Colorado Farm, Araras, São Paulo, Brazil, 13600-970
| | - M H C Pereira
- Department of Animal Production, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil, 18168-000
| | - K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, US, 77843
| | - R L A Cerri
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - J L M Vasconcelos
- Department of Animal Production, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, Brazil, 18168-000.
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2
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Akköse M, Çınar EM, Yazlık MO, Kaya U, Polat Y, Çebi Ç, Özbeyaz C, Vural MR. Serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein profiles during early gestation in Karya and Konya Merino sheep. Vet Med Sci 2024; 10:e1345. [PMID: 38227703 PMCID: PMC10790319 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reported as being expressed by mono- and binucleate placental cells, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are released into the blood circulation from the ruminant placenta. Circulating gestational PAGs levels may differ between sheep breeds. OBJECTIVE This study was aimed at the close monitoring of the serum PAGs profiles of Karya and Konya Merino sheep during early pregnancy. METHODS Fifteen Karya and 15 Konya Merino ewes were synchronized by a 12-day treatment with progesterone-impregnated intravaginal sponges. After the sponges were withdrawn, the ewes were administered 400 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin. The ewes were allowed to mate naturally, and all animals were sampled for blood as of the day of mating (day 0) at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Pregnancy diagnoses were made by transabdominal ultrasonography at week 5. At weeks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11, blood samples were collected only from the pregnant ewes. The blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 × g, and extracted sera were stored at -20°C until being used for laboratory analyses. Serum PAGs levels were determined with the aid of a commercial PAG-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test originally developed for pregnancy diagnosis in cattle. Differences in the between the PAGs levels throughout pregnancy and the group effect (Karya and Konya Merino) were determined with a two-way mixed analysis of variance. Pairwise comparisons were made using a Bonferroni adjustment. RESULTS PAGs levels showed a linear increase with the advance of pregnancy in both Karya and Konya Merino sheep. No difference was detected between the breeds for serum PAGs levels. The serum PAGs levels of the pregnant and non-pregnant ewes differed as of the fourth week. CONCLUSION The serum PAGs levels of the Karya and Konya Merino ewes were similar during the first 11 weeks of gestation, and pregnancy diagnosis could be made based on serum PAGs levels as of the 4th week in both breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Akköse
- Department of LivestockDalaman Agricultural EnterpriseGeneral Directorate of Agricultural EnterprisesMuğlaTurkey
| | - Elif Merve Çınar
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial InseminationFaculty of Veterinary MedicineDicle UniversityDiyarbakırTurkey
| | - Murat Onur Yazlık
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Ufuk Kaya
- Department of BiostatisticsFaculty of Veterinary MedicineHatay Mustafa Kemal UniversityHatayTurkey
| | - Yadigar Polat
- Department of Medical Services and TechniquesVocational High School of Health ServicesKilis 7 Aralık UniversityKilisTurkey
| | - Çiğdem Çebi
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial InseminationFaculty of Veterinary MedicineHarran UniversityŞanlıurfaTurkey
| | - Ceyhan Özbeyaz
- Department of Animal SciencesFaculty of Veterinary MedicineAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
| | - Mehmet Rıfat Vural
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyFaculty of Veterinary MedicineAnkara UniversityAnkaraTurkey
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3
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Choi W, Ro Y, Choe E, Hong L, Lee W, Kim D. Evaluation of Corpus Luteum and Plasma Progesterone the Day before Embryo Transfer as an Index for Recipient Selection in Dairy Cows. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10040262. [PMID: 37104417 PMCID: PMC10144467 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10040262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of synchronization method, season, parity, corpus luteum (CL) size, and progesterone (P4) levels on the pregnancy rate after bovine embryo transfer (ET). Among 165 recipient candidates who received 1 of 2s estrus synchronization treatments, 96 heifers and 43 cows were selected through rectal examination and used as recipients. The day before ET, the CL size and plasma P4 concentration were evaluated. The CL sizes and plasma P4 levels were not different between the selected and unselected candidates, and the pregnancy rates with the two synchronization methods were not different. However, the pregnancy rates were higher in heifers than in lactating cows, and also higher after ET performed from September to February than from March to August (p < 0.05). The recipients with a CL larger than 1.5 cm showed statistically higher pregnancy rates, and although there was no statistical significance, the pregnancy rate was higher when the plasma P4 levels were between 2.0 and 4.0 ng/mL. Exposure to a stressful environment and repeated manipulations can reduce the success rate of ET, and recipient selection with an optimal CL size and P4 level can increase the success rate of ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojae Choi
- Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghye Ro
- Farm Animal Clinical Training and Research Center, Institutes of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunhui Choe
- Farm Animal Clinical Training and Research Center, Institutes of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Leegon Hong
- Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonyou Lee
- Lartbio Co., Ltd., Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06221, Republic of Korea
| | - Danil Kim
- Department of Farm Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
- Farm Animal Clinical Training and Research Center, Institutes of Green-Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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4
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Soffa DR, Stewart JW, Arneson AG, Dias NW, Mercadante VR, Rhoads RP, Rhoads ML. Reproductive and lactational responses of multiparous dairy cattle to short-term postpartum chromium supplementation during the summer months. JDS COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 4:161-165. [PMID: 36974212 PMCID: PMC10039238 DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential benefits of short-duration, high-dose chromium (Cr) supplementation in early postpartum dairy cows during the summer months. Multiparous, early-lactation cows (20.95 ± 0.21 d in milk) were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: (1) control diet (Con; n = 10) or (2) control diet + Cr propionate (CrPro; 12 mg/head per day Cr; n = 12). Measurements of ovarian structures, respiration rates (RR), rectal temperatures (RT), and blood glucose concentrations were recorded every 3 d. Blood was also collected for analysis of plasma progesterone concentrations. Every 6 d, in conjunction with ultrasonography, endometrial cytology samples were collected via cytobrush from each cow to determine the incidences of subclinical endometritis, as determined by polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL)%. No differences were detected in RR, RT, blood glucose, feed intake, milk yield, or change in body weight. The supplementation did, however, improve some reproductive parameters. At cytology sample 6, the PMNL% increased in Con cows, and was greater than the PMNL% in the CrPro group. Chromium consumption did not affect the number or size of most follicles, with the exception being the 6 to 9 mm category where the CrPro group had a greater average diameter and tended to have greater numbers of follicles in this category. While corpus luteum numbers and size did not differ between treatments, the ratio of progesterone to average corpus luteum volume was greater in the CrPro group compared with the Con group. The results from this study indicate that, whereas the short-term, high-dose supplementation strategy did not affect feed intake or milk yield, this Cr supplementation strategy could benefit reproductive performance during periods of stress.
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Economics of Rebreeding Nonpregnant Dairy Cows Diagnosed by Transrectal Ultrasonography on Day 25 after Artificial Insemination. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12060761. [PMID: 35327157 PMCID: PMC8944808 DOI: 10.3390/ani12060761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy rates of Holstein cows showed a substantial decline in the past years, which caused intensive TAI programs for nonpregnant cows to shorten the period between unsuccessful insemination and the next attempt on the same cow. Although many studies examined the improvement in pregnancy rates following TAI, only a few examined the economic impact of such programs. In this study, we look at the feasibility of reproductive programs that included early pregnancy diagnosis performed by transrectal ultrasonography 25 days after artificial insemination (AI) and TAI of nonpregnant cows. This resulted in the following two TAI programs: a modified OvSynch program with a second PGF2α treatment at 24 h interval (GPPG, n = 100) and a modified OvSynch program with an intravaginal progesterone-release device inserted between days 0−7 (PRID + GPPG, n = 100). Cows included in the TAI programs recorded an improvement in the cumulative pregnancy rate (67% vs. 53%; 69% vs. 53%) compared to those in which this strategy was not applied (p < 0.05). An economic analysis was performed using a decision-support tool to estimate the net present value (NPV; USD/cow/year). The analysis revealed a difference in NPV of 89.6 USD/cow/year between the programs (rebreeding the nonpregnant cows following the TAI program vs. AI at detected estrus). In summary, rebreeding the nonpregnant cows after early negative pregnancy diagnosis (25 days after AI) using this strategy can improve the cumulative pregnancy rate and profitability of dairy farms.
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6
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Tiplady KM, Trinh MH, Davis SR, Sherlock RG, Spelman RJ, Garrick DJ, Harris BL. Pregnancy status predicted using milk mid-infrared spectra from dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:3615-3632. [PMID: 35181140 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Accurate and timely pregnancy diagnosis is an important component of effective herd management in dairy cattle. Predicting pregnancy from Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy data is of particular interest because the data are often already available from routine milk testing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how well pregnancy status could be predicted in a large data set of 1,161,436 FT-MIR milk spectra records from 863,982 mixed-breed pasture-based New Zealand dairy cattle managed within seasonal calving systems. Three strategies were assessed for defining the nonpregnant cows when partitioning the records according to pregnancy status in the training population. Two of these used records for cows with a subsequent calving only, whereas the third also included records for cows without a subsequent calving. For each partitioning strategy, partial least squares discriminant analysis models were developed, whereby spectra from all the cows in 80% of herds were used to train the models, and predictions on cows in the remaining herds were used for validation. A separate data set was also used as a secondary validation, whereby pregnancy diagnosis had been assigned according to the presence of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) in the milk samples. We examined different ways of accounting for stage of lactation in the prediction models, either by including it as an effect in the prediction model, or by pre-adjusting spectra before fitting the model. For a subset of strategies, we also assessed prediction accuracies from deep learning approaches, utilizing either the raw spectra or images of spectra. Across all strategies, prediction accuracies were highest for models using the unadjusted spectra as model predictors. Strategies for cows with a subsequent calving performed well in herd-independent validation with sensitivities above 0.79, specificities above 0.91 and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values over 0.91. However, for these strategies, the specificity to predict nonpregnant cows in the external PAG data set was poor (0.002-0.04). The best performing models were those that included records for cows without a subsequent calving, and used unadjusted spectra and days in milk as predictors, with consistent results observed across the training, herd-independent validation and PAG data sets. For the partial least squares discriminant analysis model, sensitivity was 0.71, specificity was 0.54 and AUC values were 0.68 in the PAG data set; and for an image-based deep learning model, the sensitivity was 0.74, specificity was 0.52 and the AUC value was 0.69. Our results demonstrate that in pasture-based seasonal calving herds, confounding between pregnancy status and spectral changes associated with stage of lactation can inflate prediction accuracies. When the effect of this confounding was reduced, prediction accuracies were not sufficiently high enough to use as a sole indicator of pregnancy status.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Tiplady
- Research and Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; School of Agriculture, Massey University, Ruakura, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
| | - M-H Trinh
- Research and Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - S R Davis
- Research and Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - R G Sherlock
- Research and Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - R J Spelman
- Research and Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - D J Garrick
- School of Agriculture, Massey University, Ruakura, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
| | - B L Harris
- Research and Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Private Bag 3016, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
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Campanile G, Baruselli PS, Limone A, D'Occhio MJ. Local action of cytokines and immune cells in communication between the conceptus and uterus during the critical period of early embryo development, attachment and implantation - Implications for embryo survival in cattle: A review. Theriogenology 2021; 167:1-12. [PMID: 33743503 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Early embryo development, implantation and pregnancy involve a complex dialogue between the embryo and mother. In cattle this dialogue starts as early as days 3-4 when the embryo is still in the oviduct, and it continues to implantation. Immunological processes involving cytokines, mast cells and macrophages form an important part of this dialogue. Amongst the cytokines, interleukin-6 (Il-6) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) are secreted by both the embryo and uterine endometrium and form part of an ongoing and reciprocating dialogue. Mast cells and macrophages populate the uterine endometrium during embryo development and are involved in achieving the correct balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory reactions at the uterus that are associated with embryo attachment and implantation. Embryo loss is the major cause of reproductive wastage in cattle, and livestock generally. A deeper understanding of immunological processes during early embryo development will help to achieve the next step change in the efficiency of natural and assisted breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Campanile
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Pietro S Baruselli
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Antonio Limone
- Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Michael J D'Occhio
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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Kasimanickam RK, Kasimanickam VR, Kumar N, Reisenauer C. Day 7 embryo quality and suboptimal uterine environment influence morphometry of Day 16 conceptus in dairy cows. Theriogenology 2021; 163:10-17. [PMID: 33485025 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of Day 7 embryo quality and subclinical endometritis (SCE) in repeat breeder recipient cows on morphometry of Day 16 embryo and to determine the association of %PMN, serum progesterone and Day 16 conceptus length. Holstein dairy cows that failed to conceive at least 3 times, (parity, 3 and 4; body condition score, 3 to 3.5 out of 5) with subclinical endometritis (n = 180; SCE, >6% PMN on endometrial cytology) or without subclinical endometritis (n = 180; No-SCE, ≤ 6% PMN) were selected. Cows in each group received single, frozen-thawed, quality 1 (n = 60), 2 (n = 60) and 3 (n = 60) embryos (compact morula or early blastocyst) on Day 7 post estrus in the uterine horn ipsilateral to the ovary containing a corpus luteum, using standard nonsurgical techniques. Only cows that expressed estrus (Select-Synch protocol) and with acceptable corpus luteum (≥1.5 cm in size) were included. Conceptuses were collected on Day 16 from all recipient cows by standard non-surgical uterine flushing technique, using an 18-g embryo collection catheter with Phosphate Buffered Saline (pH 7.4). Blood samples were collected on Day 16 to determine serum progesterone concentrations. After collection, conceptuses were weighed and measured, and were categorized as tubular (underdeveloped, 10-20 mm) or filamentous (normal, >25 mm). Between cows with SCE and No-SCE, mean (±SEM) width (1.68 ± 0.13 mm vs. 1.84 ± 0.16 mm), length (34.4 ± 9.6 mm vs. 55.8 ± 13.4 mm) and weight (22.3 ± 3.7 vs. 40.6 ± 6.4 mg) of Day 16 conceptuses differed (P < 0.05). The mean width (1.75 ± 0.19 mm vs. 1.81 ± 0.22 mm), length (57.7 ± 11.2 vs. 51.1 ± 13.6 mm) and weight (34.3 ± 6.4 vs. 38.5 ± 8.2 mg) of Day 16 embryo following transfer of Day 7 embryo quality grade 1 and grade 2 embryos were not different (P > 0.1), but both differed from the mean width (1.59 ± 0.11 mm), length (28.9 ± 9.7 mm) and weight (25.3 ± 4.6 mg) of Day 16 embryo from Day 7 embryo quality grade 3 (P < 0.05). Total percentage of embryos recovered differed between SCE and No-SCE groups (P < 0.05; 36.1 vs 48.9%). Total percentage of embryos recovered on Day 16 following transfer of grade 1 (53.3%) and 2 (44.2%) Day 7 embryos were greater (P < 0.05) compared with transfer of grade 3 embryos (29.2%) (P < 0.001). Total percentage of filamentous embryos recovered was lower for SCE cows compared with No-SCE cows (P < 0.01; 15.0 vs. 25.6%). Total percentage of tubular embryos recovered did not differ between SCE and No-SCE cows (P > 0.1; 21.1% vs. 22.8%). Filamentous embryo recovered for grade 3 was lower (P < 0.05) compared with grade 1 in both SCE (8.3 vs. 21.7%) and No-SCE groups (15.0 vs. 33.3%). The mean (±SEM) CL volume (cm3; 11.8 ± 0.29 vs. 15.9 ± 0.31) and progesterone concentrations (ng/mL; 5.17 ± 1.8 vs. 8.2 ± 1.2) on Day 16 differed between SCE and No-SCE groups (P < 0.05) but not among Day 7 embryo grade groups (P > 0.1). The mean (±SEM) CL volume (cm3; 15.6 ± 0.28 vs 12.1 ± 3.9) and serum progesterone concentrations (ng/mL; 8.6 ± 1.4 vs. 4.9 ± 1.9) on Day 16 differed (P < 0.05) between cows yielded filamentous and tubular embryos. When all cows were considered, multiple regression analysis showed that the %PMN (P < 0.0001), progesterone concentrations (P < 0.0001), embryo qulaity (P < 0.05) and %PMN by progesterone interactions (P < 0.0001) influenced the length of Day 16 conceptus. Among cows without subclinical endometritis, only progesterone concentrations (P < 0.0001) and among cows with subclinical endometritis, only %PMN (P < 0.04) influenced the length of Day 16 conceptus. Progesterone concentrations (P < 0.0001) influenced the length of Day 16 conceptus in cows that received embryo quality 1 and 2. Progesterone concentration by %PMN interaction (P < 0.05) also influenced the length of Day 16 conceptus in cows that received embryo quality 2. The %PMN (P = 0.05) influenced the length of Day 16 conceptus in cows that received embryo quality 3. In conclusion, poor quality Day 7 embryo and presence of SCE negatively influenced early embryo development between Days 7 and 16 of gestation probably by dysregulated embryo-maternal interactions due to lower progesterone, prompting loss of the conceptus in sub-optimal uterine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramanathan K Kasimanickam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA.
| | - Vanmathy R Kasimanickam
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA; AARVEE Animal Biotech LLC, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA
| | - Nishant Kumar
- Livestock Production Management Section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, HR, 132001, India
| | - Conrad Reisenauer
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
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Effects of twice daily compared with split-time estrous detection on pregnancy percentage in recipient beef cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 219:106526. [PMID: 32828401 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Objectives were to compare pregnancy percentages per embryo transfer (P/ET) in recipient beef cows following twice daily compared with split-time estrous detection and to determine associations of dominant follicle diameter, CL volume and progesterone concentrations. All cows (n = 695) were treated to synchronize time of estrus among cows using a CIDR + Select-Synch treatment regimen and randomly assigned to twice-daily or split-time estrous detection (CS-DEET or CS-SEET, respectively). Cows in the CS-DEET group were observed twice daily (eight times) for estrus until 96 h after the time of PGF2α administration, whereas cows in the CS-SEET group were observed twice (64 and 84 h after PGF2α). In 280 recipient cows, blood sampling (for progesterone) and ultrasonographic assessment of dominant follicle diameter were conducted 48 h after the time of PGF2α administration. At 7 d after estrus, the CL was imaged and there was transfer of a frozen-thawed embryo into cows with a CL ≥ 1.5 cm. There were positive correlations between follicle diameter and CL volume (rs = 0.827; P < 0.001) and CL volume and progesterone concentration (rs = 0.680; P < 0.001). Progesterone and CL volume differed between cows in CS-SEET and CS-DEET groups P < 0.05), however, percentage P/ET for cows in the CS-SEET and CS-DEET groups did not differ (P > 0.1). Dominant follicle diameter, CL volume and progesterone concentrations were greater in pregnant compared with nonpregnant cows. In conclusion, percentage P/ET did not differ when there was twice daily and split-time estrous detection highlighting the value of this approach in beef enterprises.
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Carvalho PD, Santos VG, Fricke HP, Hernandez LL, Fricke PM. Effect of manipulating progesterone before timed artificial insemination on reproductive and endocrine outcomes in high-producing multiparous Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:7509-7521. [PMID: 31155251 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate the effect of manipulating progesterone (P4) concentrations before timed artificial insemination (TAI) on reproductive and endocrine outcomes in high-producing Holstein cows. Multiparous lactating Holstein cows (n = 80) were synchronized for first TAI using a Double-Ovsynch protocol and were randomly assigned to receive 25 mg of PGF2α 1 d after the first GnRH treatment of the Breeding-Ovsynch protocol that included a once-used P4 insert (low-P4 group) or to receive 2 new P4 inserts during the Breeding-Ovsynch protocol (high-P4 group). Blood samples were collected thrice weekly from -10 to 32 d relative to TAI for all cows and from 32 to 67 d after TAI for pregnant cows and were analyzed for P4 and pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) concentrations. Expression of IFNτ-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) was assessed in blood leukocytes 18 and 20 d after TAI. As expected, P4 concentrations were greater for high-P4 cows than for low-P4 cows from 3 to 8 d before TAI. Incidence of double ovulation was 3-fold greater for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows (33 vs. 10%), which resulted in more twin pregnancies 32 d after TAI for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows (29 vs. 0%). Low-P4 cows had larger preovulatory follicles at the last GnRH treatment of the Double-Ovsynch protocol and greater P4 concentrations than high-P4 cows after TAI. Relative expression of ISG15 mRNA 18 and 20 d after TAI was greater for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows and for pregnant cows than for nonpregnant cows. Overall, PSPB concentrations tended to be greater for low-P4 cows than for high-P4 cows, and pregnant cows had greater P4 concentrations than nonpregnant cows. In summary, cows with low P4 before TAI had increased preovulatory follicle diameter, PSPB concentrations, relative expression of ISG15 mRNA 18 and 20 d after TAI, double ovulations, and twinning compared with cows with high P4 before TAI. Increasing P4 before TAI may effectively decrease double ovulation and twinning in high-producing multiparous Holstein cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Carvalho
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - V G Santos
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - H P Fricke
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - L L Hernandez
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - P M Fricke
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706.
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11
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Resynchronisation as an Element of Improving Cattle Reproduction Efficiency. J Vet Res 2019; 63:107-115. [PMID: 30989142 PMCID: PMC6458552 DOI: 10.2478/jvetres-2019-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Oestrus resynchronisation (RES, Resynch) programmes for non-pregnant cows allow shortening the period between an unsuccessful insemination and the next attempt on the same cow. The protocol of oestrus RES may be started after ruling out pregnancy by means of ultrasonography carried out 28 days after insemination or after performing a test for pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PAG) in blood or milk. The Resynch protocol can be based on a double application of prostaglandins, the OvSynch protocol, or hormonal therapy with exogenous sources of progesterone (CIDR intravaginal devices). The efficiency of the method depends on the functional state of the ovaries, the diameter of the corpus luteum, external factors, and the health and maturity of the cows. The present paper constitutes a comparison of research findings concerning the effectiveness of RES programmes.
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12
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Bruinjé TC, Ambrose DJ. Technical note: Validation of an automated in-line milk progesterone analysis system to diagnose pregnancy in dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:3615-3621. [PMID: 30712938 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The in-line milk analysis system (IMAS) is an automated biosensor technology that samples and quantifies milk progesterone concentrations (P4c) at frequent intervals starting early postpartum until pregnancy. The objective was to validate the use of pregnancy notifications (PregN) generated by an IMAS based on P4c profiles after artificial insemination (AI) to determine pregnancy and nonpregnancy status in dairy cows. Records of 1,821 AI events from 715 Holstein cows that had milk P4c (ng/mL) measured every 2.2 ± 1.9 d (mean ± standard deviation) between 24.5 ± 8.2 and 173.4 ± 49.3 d in milk through a real-time IMAS (Herd Navigator, DeLaval International, Tumba, Sweden) were evaluated. Based on variations in adjusted milk P4c (< vs. ≥ the 5.0 ng/mL threshold), the system determined the sampling frequency, onset and cessation of luteal phases, and pregnancy. If a luteal phase initiated (P4c increased to ≥5.0 ng/mL) after AI and remained uninterrupted, a PregN was generated starting at (mean ± standard deviation) 31.0 ± 4.3 d until 53.4 ± 7.9 d after AI, when sampling stopped, unless a decline in P4c (to <5.0 ng/mL) occurred indicating nonpregnancy and imminent estrus. The assessment of IMAS PregN at 4 weekly intervals was tested, and a confirmed calving occurrence between 262 and 296 d after AI, with no other subsequent AI recorded, was the gold standard for pregnancy. In total, 14.1 (256/1,821), 41.0 (746/1,821), and 50.7% (924/1,821) of AI events were followed by a decline in P4c before 19, 23, and 30 d after AI, respectively. Frequency of the last 3 sampling events preceding P4c decline was greater if P4c decline occurred between 18 and 25 d after AI (1.4 ± 0.5 samples per day) compared with before 17 or beyond 26 d after AI (1.0 ± 0.5 samples per day). At 30 ± 3 (27 to 33) d after AI, PregN occurred in 46.8% (853/1,821) of AI events, of which 15.2% (130/853) had a decline in P4c between 30 and 55 d after AI and 17.1% (146/853) was later confirmed nonpregnant based on the gold standard. A total of 40.7% (742/1,821) of AI events was confirmed pregnant by the gold standard, which was no different than the proportion of PregN at 51 ± 3 (48 to 54) d (40.9%; 744/1,821). At any time point between 27 and 54 d after AI, sensitivity and negative predictive values for PregN were greater than 95.0 and 96.0%, respectively, whereas specificity values were less than 90.0% for PregN before 40 d but greater than 94.0% for PregN beyond 41 d after AI. In conclusion, IMAS is able to diagnose pregnancy based on P4c profiles with high precision and determine early nonpregnancy based on the spontaneous cessation of the luteal phase. However, for accuracy greater than 95.0%, pregnancy declaration based on IMAS notifications alone should occur no earlier than 41 d after AI.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Bruinjé
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5
| | - D J Ambrose
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5; Livestock Research and Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6H 5T6.
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Niles AM, Fricke HP, Carvalho PD, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL, Fricke PM. Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin 7 days after artificial insemination or at the time of embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes in nulliparous Holstein heifers. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:2593-2606. [PMID: 30692012 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to assess the effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 7 d after artificial insemination (AI) or at the time of in vitro-fertilized (IVF) embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes, including progesterone (P4), interferon-tau stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) or pregnancies per embryo transfer (P/ET), in nulliparous Holstein heifers. Heifers in experiment 1 were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (control; n = 129) or 2,000 IU of hCG 7 d after AI to a detected estrus (estrus = experimental d 0; hCG; n = 132). Heifers in experiment 2 were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (control; n = 143) or 2,000 IU of hCG (hCG; n = 148) at transfer of an IVF embryo 7 d after the last GnRH treatment of a 5-d controlled internal drug release-synch protocol (last GnRH = experimental d 0). Blood samples were collected from a subgroup of heifers (experiment 1, n = 82; experiment 2, n = 104) at d 7, 11, 18, 20, 25, 28, and 32, and blood samples from heifers diagnosed pregnant were collected on d 35, 39, 46, 53, 60, and 67. Blood samples were assayed for P4 by RIA and for PSPB by ELISA, and expression of ISG15 was assessed in mRNA isolated from blood leukocytes on d 18 and 20. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and logistic regression using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures. In both experiments, treatment with hCG increased P4 concentrations from d 11 to 32; however, treatment did not affect P/AI or P/ET at d 32 or 67, PSPB concentrations from d 11 to 67 of pregnancy, or relative ISG15 mRNA concentrations on d 18 or 20. Heifers diagnosed not pregnant at d 32 in experiment 2 with an extended luteal phase (>20 d) and treated with hCG had greater relative ISG15 mRNA concentrations on d 20 than control heifers. Treatment with hCG did not affect pregnancy loss in experiment 1, whereas heifers treated with hCG at the time of IVF embryo transfer had fewer pregnancy losses from d 32 to 67 than control heifers. We concluded that treatment with 2,000 IU of hCG 7 d after AI or at the time of embryo transfer increased P4 concentrations without affecting P/AI or P/ET in nulliparous Holstein heifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Niles
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - H P Fricke
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - P D Carvalho
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - M C Wiltbank
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - L L Hernandez
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706
| | - P M Fricke
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison 53706.
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14
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Garcia-Ispierto I, De Rensis F, Pérez-Salas JA, Nunes JM, Pradés B, Serrano-Pérez B, López-Gatius F. The GnRH analogue dephereline given in a fixed-time AI protocol improves ovulation and embryo survival in dairy cows. Res Vet Sci 2018; 122:170-174. [PMID: 30513410 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This study compares the fertility effects of inducing ovulation using the GnRH analogue, dephereline, versus natural GnRH at the end of a 5-day progesterone(P4)-based protocol for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in in heat-stressed and non-heat stressed lactating dairy cows. Cows were given GnRH (GnRH group, n = 369) or dephereline (DEPH group, n = 379) and were inseminated 14-20 h later. Dephereline treatment increased corpus luteum (CL) size on Day 7 post-AI compared with GnRH (P < .0001) while a one-mm increase in CL size was found to give rise to a 1.1-fold increase in the pregnancy rate at FTAI (P = .001). Based on odds ratios, the interaction between treatment and heat stress had a significant effect on the ovulation failure rate (P < .01). This meant that relative to non-heat-stressed GnRH-treated cows, ovulation failure was 2.9 times more likely in heat-stressed GnRH-treated cows (P = .001), 0.3 times less likely in non-heat-stressed DEPH-treated cows (P = .04) and was similar in heat-stressed DEPH-treated cows. Further, non-heat-stressed DEPH-treated cows were more likely to conceive by a factor of 1.6 than the remaining cows (P = .03). Finally, GnRH-treated multiparous cows were 9.9 times more likely to suffer pregnancy loss than the remaining cows (P = .03). Our results indicate that, compared to treatment with GnRH, dephereline reduced the risk of ovulation failure and consequently increased the pregnancy rate under heat stress conditions. In multiparous cows, dephereline treatment also reduced the negative age effect on pregnancy maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Garcia-Ispierto
- Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, Spain; Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - F De Rensis
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | | | - B Serrano-Pérez
- Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, Spain; Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - F López-Gatius
- Agrotecnio Center, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Transfer in Bovine Reproduction SLu, Barbastro, Spain.
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15
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Adriaens I, Saeys W, Huybrechts T, Lamberigts C, François L, Geerinckx K, Leroy J, De Ketelaere B, Aernouts B. A novel system for on-farm fertility monitoring based on milk progesterone. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:8369-8382. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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16
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Remnant J, Green M, Huxley J, Hudson C. Associations between dairy cow inter-service interval and probability of conception. Theriogenology 2018; 114:324-329. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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17
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Carvalho P, Santos V, Giordano J, Wiltbank M, Fricke P. Development of fertility programs to achieve high 21-day pregnancy rates in high-producing dairy cows. Theriogenology 2018; 114:165-172. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Spencer JA, Carnahan K, Shafii B, Price WJ, Dalton J, Ahmadzadeh A. Pregnancy outcomes are not improved by administering gonadotropin-releasing hormone at initiation of a 5-day CIDR-Cosynch resynchronization protocol for lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:8524-8531. [PMID: 29885889 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Using a 5-d controlled internal drug-release (CIDR)-Cosynch resynchronization protocol, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of the initial GnRH injection on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) to the second artificial insemination in lactating Holstein dairy cows. On 37 ± 3 d (mean ± standard deviation) after the first artificial insemination, and upon nonpregnancy diagnosis (d 0 of the experiment), lactating cows eligible for a second artificial insemination (n = 429) were enrolled in a 5-d CIDR-Cosynch protocol. On d 0, all cows received a CIDR insert and were assigned randomly to receive the initial GnRH injection (GnRH; n = 226) of the protocol or no-GnRH (n = 203). Blood samples were collected from a sub-group of cows (n = 184) on d 0 and analyzed for progesterone (P4) concentration. On d 5, CIDR inserts were removed, and all cows received 1 injection of PGF2α. On d 6 and 7, cows were observed once daily by employees for tail-chalk removal, and cows detected in estrus on d 6 or 7 received artificial insemination that day (EDAI), and did not receive the final GnRH injection. The remaining cows not detected in estrus by d 8 received GnRH and timed artificial insemination (TAI). Pregnancy status was confirmed by transrectal palpation of uterine contents at 37 ± 3 d (mean ± standard deviation) after the second artificial insemination. Eliminating the initial GnRH injection had no effect on P/AI compared with cows receiving GnRH (27 vs. 21%), respectively. Similarly, method of insemination (EDAI vs. TAI) and its interaction with treatment had no effect on P/AI. Primiparous cows had greater P/AI than multiparous cows (31 vs. 21%). Mean P4 concentrations (n = 184) at the initiation of the protocol did not differ between treatments (4.51 ± 0.35 ng/mL no-GnRH vs. 3.96 ± 0.34 ng/mL of GnRH). When P4 concentrations were categorized as high (≥1 ng/mL) or low (<1 ng/mL), P/AI tended to be greater for high P4 concentrations (n = 136) compared with low (n = 48) P4 concentrations (26 vs. 16%, respectively). No differences were observed in the proportion of cows with high or low P4 between treatments. Collectively, these results provide evidence that eliminating the initial GnRH in a 5-d CIDR-Cosynch resynchronization protocol for lactating dairy cows did not reduce P/AI in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Spencer
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844
| | - K Carnahan
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844
| | - B Shafii
- Statistical Programs, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844
| | - W J Price
- Statistical Programs, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844
| | - J Dalton
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844
| | - A Ahmadzadeh
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow 83844.
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