Treatment of cystic ovarian disease in dairy cattle

Fourty-four Holstein Friesian cows diagnosed as having ovarian follicular cysts from rectal palpation of the ovaries and observation of estrous behavior were used for the present experiments. Of the 16 cows injected intramuscularly (i.m.) with 110 mg of depot-progestins containing 100 mg of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate and 10 mg of progesterone in oil, 8 cows responded with conception with 103 +/- 53 days in average after the treatment. The 8 cows not responding to depot-progestins were injected i.m. with 6,000 MU of HCG on the 10th day after the treatment. As a result, 2 cows of them conceived within 72 days in average after the initial treatment. Of the other 16 cows injected i.m. with 100 mg of progesteron in oil, 3 cows conceived. Interval between the treatment and conception was 36 +/- 9 days in average. In the 11 cows which failed to respond to progesterone treatment, an intramuscular injection of 6,000 MU of HCG on the 5th day after treatment resulted in conception of 7 cows within 42 +/- 10 days in average after the first treatment. Of the remaining 12 cows which received an i.m. injection with 10,000 MU of HCG, 4 cows responded with conception with 64 +/- 51 days in average after treatment. No remarkable rise in serum progesterone levels was observed either 10 days after depot-progestins injection or 5 days after progesterone treatment. Serum progesteron levels increased distinctly after HCG injections. The combined treatment with 100 mg of progesterone and 6,000 MU of HCG at 5 days interval gave the most successful results and this treatment was effective even when performed long after calving. Thus this method of treatment of cystic ovarian disease may be recommended for practical application.     

The relationship between milk yield and cystic ovarian disease in cattle

Studies were conducted to understand the relationship, if any, between the amount and pattern of milk yield and the occurrence of cystic ovarian disease (COD) in dairy cattle. More than 70 cows with cysts were compared with herd mates of similar lactation number. Total milk yield in lactations when cysts occurred and in the preceding lactations were not different from the corresponding lactations in control cows. Patterns of monthly milk yield did not differ between the two groups of cows. However, weekly analysis in early lactation revealed differences. Both groups of cows achieved peak yields at a similar time (5.4 +/- 1.2 vs 5.7 +/- 1.9 weeks post partum in normal vs cows with COD). However, owing to an early decline in yield of cows with COD, their duration of peak yield was significantly shorter (P less than 0.05) than in the control cows (3.2 +/- 2.2 vs 5.6 +/- 2.4 weeks). Both the attainment and the decline of peak yield occurred 5.6 (range = 2-15) weeks before the cysts were diagnosed. It is concluded that COD is not particularly a disease of higher yielding cows and that COD has no discernible effect on the milk yield or its pattern. It is speculated, however, that some cows in early lactation, while trying to meet the requirements of sustained peak milk production, are more susceptible to minor environmental changes (such as new social interactions, or changes in diet). These events may lead to a drop in milk production and disruption of events controlling normal ovulation, resulting in the formation of ovarian cysts.     

Risk factors associated with cystic ovarian disease in Norwegian dairy cattle

Background

The aims of this study were to establish the incidence of cystic ovarian disease (COD) and its geographical and seasonal variation in Norway, investigate the effect of COD on culling rates, and describe the effects of COD on subsequent reproductive performance and its association to twins.

Methods

Diagnosis of COD was made by veterinary surgeons in the field. Four statistical models were made all including herd as random effect: The four different dependent variables investigated were: 1) Diagnosis of COD between 40 and 165 days in milk or not; (n = 511,657); 2) Twins or singleton; data restricted to lactations with new calving (n = 156,661): 3) Culling/removal or not (n = 573,184): 4) Culling due to reproductive problems; data included only lactations which ended in culling (n = 234,232). Model 1, 3 and 4 applied Cox regression models, and model 2 logistic regression. Independent variables were parity, twins/singletons, calving season, herd size, region, COD occurrence in present lactation (if not dependent), and COD diagnosis in previous lactation.

Results

The incidence was 0.82% per lactation. COD increased with increasing parity, was smallest at herd size between 35 and 85 cows. Cows in 1^st parity and calved in spring had lowest hazard of COD and hazard for COD diagnosis was highest in autumn with HR = 2.6 (1.9 - 3.4) compared to spring. There was an interaction between parity and season. COD incidence was lower south of 60°N. Cows which experienced COD had an increased odds of giving birth to twins OR = 2.2 (1.7 - 2.7). Of those that were culled, those with COD were culled more frequently because of reproductive problems; HR = 2.1 (1.9 - 2.3) for higher parity than 2. Having COD diagnosed in the preceding lactation was a hazard for diagnosis in the lactation studied.

Conclusion

COD diagnosis is strongly associated with season (autumn calving) and parity. Herds north of 60°N have more COD. Occurrence of COD is associated with twin births as well as culling due to reproduction.     

Eleven-year analysis of changes in the incidence and recurrence of cystic ovarian disease in a herd of dairy cattle in California

Individual card records of all cows that began 1 or more lactations between the inclusive dates of Jan 1, 1976 and Dec 31, 1986 were obtained from a California dairy herd. Calving date, lactation number, physical examination date, conception date, and clinical findings pertinent to cystic ovarian disease (COD) were extracted from the records. Lactation-specific data were organized into cohorts by quarter and year in which lactation began, and the following estimates were calculated for each of the 44 cohorts: separate actuarial cumulative incidences for cows in their first lactation, cows in the second or later lactation, and all cows combined; separate proportions of the incident cases that were in their second or greater lactation and that had recurred from any previous lactation; proportions of the incident cases that had recurrence of COD 1 or more times, and recurrence 2 or more times during the lactation; and the mean number of days in lactation at diagnosis of the incident case. Time-series analysis and multiple-regression modeling procedures were used to characterize changes in the overall incidence rate over the study period and to describe the contribution of additional measures to the dynamics of the incidence rates. The quarterly actuarial cumulative incidences of COD increased concurrently with the increased incidence among cows in the second or later lactation. Neither the proportion of incident cases that were diseased during a previous lactation nor the proportion of cases that were in the second or later lactation contributed to the observed changes in the overall incidence rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bovine cystic ovarian disease: plasma hormone concentrations and treatment.

Ovarian function in 91 dairy cows with cystic ovarian disease was assessed by rectal palpation and by plasma hormone analysis before and after treatment. Plasma analysis showed that 84% of the cysts were correctly classified clinically and only these cows are considered further. Luteinised cysts occurred in 59 cows whereas only 18 had non-luteinised cysts. The mean plasma concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone, oestradiol and testosterone were not significantly different when compared with values at relevant stages of the oestrous cycle in normal cows. Success of treatment with progesterone, a synthetic prostaglandin, human gonadotrophin (HCG), or gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) was not dependent upon prior hormone concentrations, except for the prostaglandin which required active luteal tissue. LH and FSH concentrations in cows with luteinised cysts were not significantly different before and after successful treatment with GnRH or progesterone. Normal luteal function was not always established after treatment of non-luteinised cysts with GnRH.     

Clinical response of dairy cattle with ovarian cysts to single or repeated treatments of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Two hundred twenty-five dairy cows with ovarian cysts were treated with 100 microgram of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Cows failing to recover were retreated with a second or third dose of GnRH. Clinical recovery following 1st, 2nd, and 3rd treatments was 76% (170/225), 78% (43/55), and 66% (8/12), respectively. Of the 221 cows that recovered, 184 eventually became pregnant. The remaining 41 cows were culled primarily as problem breeders. First-service conception rate was 49%. More ovarian cysts were detected in herds examined at 2-week intervals than in herds examined at 4-week intervals. The increased diagnosis of ovarian cysts may have been related to detection of cysts prior to spontaneous recovery that occurs in some cases. Clinical recovery from ovarian cysts was lower in herds examined at 2-week intervals following treatment, compared with those examined at 4-week intervals. The GnRH-induced luteinization of ovarian cysts and response to treatment was more difficult to judge at 2 weeks than at 4 weeks.     

Comparison of different methods of diagnosis of cystic ovarian disease in cattle and an assessment of its treatment with a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device

The aims of this study were to assess the accuracy of different common methods of differentiating between follicular and luteal ovarian cysts, and to monitor the response of the cysts to 12 days treatment with a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device (PRID). On the basis of agreement between the different methods, 25 of the 46 cases examined were diagnosed as follicular and 14 as luteal cysts; for the other seven cases the methods disagreed. The use of ultrasound was more accurate in diagnosing follicular cysts than luteal cysts, and combined with plasma progesterone concentrations gave the most accurate assessment of cyst type (92 per cent for follicular cysts and 82 per cent for luteal cysts). The mean (se) plasma progesterone concentration was lower in the cows with follicular cysts than in those with luteal cysts (0.29 [0.05] v 3.90 [0.63] ng/ml; P<0.05). Luteal cysts had thicker walls (5.3 [0.04] v 2.5 [0.2] mm; P<0.0001), and the wall thickness of all the cysts was positively correlated with plasma progesterone concentration (r=0.52, P<0.0004). Cows with luteal cysts had more additional follicles greater than 5 mm in diameter (P<0.01). In cows with follicular cysts and other follicles greater than 5 mm in diameter, the mean oestradiol concentration was 7.9 (1.8) pg/ml compared with 24.2 (3.1) pg/ml (P=0.002) in cows without other follicles greater than 5 mm in diameter on either ovary. At the time of PRID removal, plasma progesterone concentration had increased in the cows with follicular cysts to 1.59 (0.06) ng/ml (P<0.05) and decreased in the cows with luteal cysts to 0.87 (0.01) ng/ml (P<0.05), although there was no change in original cyst structure in 45 per cent of the cases. However, new ovarian structures were frequently observed during the treatment. The overall pregnancy rate for cows with both types of cyst after treatment was 50 per cent after three inseminations, but the first service pregnancy rate was only 18 per cent for cows with follicular cysts and 28 per cent for cows with luteal cysts. After treatment, the fertility of cows with follicular cysts was similar to that of paired herdmates, whereas cows with luteal cysts took 40 days longer to calve again than healthy herdmates. However, the culling rate was higher for cows with follicular cysts (41 v 11 per cent).     

Fertility parameters of dairy cows with cystic ovarian disease after treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone

Fertility data were collected every four weeks for 10 years from 40 herds of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle. The data collected during 925 lactations from cows with cystic ovarian disease which were treated with 500 microg gonadorelin were compared with data from a control group of 13,869 normal lactations. The intervals between parturition and first insemination and between parturition and conception were significantly shorter (P<0.001) in the normal cows, but the interval between first insemination and conception was not. The overall conception rate tended to be higher (P<0.10) in the normal cows, but the conception rate after the first insemination was significantly higher (P<0.001) and the number of services per conception was significantly lower (P=0.008) in the normal cows.     

Chronic cystic ovarian disease in a Holstein cow

Cystic ovarian follicles are commonly found during rectal examination of early postpartum dairy cows, usually presenting with anoestrus and occasionally nymphomania. Most cases self cure with time, or respond to exogenous hormonal treatment. This case report describes a refractory case in a Holstein cow in which a novel treatment approach was used. A gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist implant was inserted for 180 d in an attempt to suppress pituitary gonadotrophin output, arrest abnormal ovarian follicle growth and prevent steroidogenesis. Frequent serial blood samples were collected before and after implant insertion to monitor changes in pulse release of luteinising hormone. Follow up ultrasound scans and blood samples were done to monitor ovarian structures; progesterone and oestradiol were collected at various times over the 180 d period. A normal, cycling herdmate was enrolled as a control. Prior to implant insertion, high frequency and low amplitude luteinising hormone pulses were detected in the cystic cow. Insertion was followed by a sustained surge in the release of luteinising hormone in both cows, but ovulation was not induced in the cystic cow. Plasma oestradiol levels remained consistently elevated and signs of oestrous behaviour were observed. Long term gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist treatment failed to suppress either ovarian steroid production or cause regression of the cysts by 180 d.     

Retrospective study of serum glucose concentration in cattle with mucosal disease

The clinical and laboratory findings concerning 154 cattle aged 10 weeks to 6 years with mucosal disease were evaluated retrospectively. Upon arrival at the clinic, 86% of the animals had a serum glucose concentration above 4.4 mmol/l. A distinct hyperglycaemia with more than 10 mmol/l was present in 30% of the animals. Significant associations were found between serum glucose level and the degree of dehydration as well as the albumin concentration in the serum. Negative correlation was found between serum glucose and serum sodium levels. In older animals higher glucose levels were found on average. As in humans, stress reactions, for example, due to dehydration, in addition to diabetes mellitus, probably cause hyperglycaemia in cattle suffering from mucosal disease.     

Influence of negative energy balance on the reproductive performance after treatment of cystic ovarian disease with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a significant relation exists between the presence of a negative energy balance (NEB) in cows early in lactation and the reproductive performance after treatment with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone of cows with clinical cystic ovarian disease. Reproductive performance after treatment was assessed from the interval between treatment and first insemination (ITFI) and the interval between treatment and conception (ITC). Based on the outcome of the daily change of milk fat yield (Deltafatg) between the first and second milk recordings post-partum, cows were considered to have passed the NEB nadir (positive Deltafatg) or not (negative Deltafatg). Lactations (n = 430) were divided into four groups according to the interval between calving and first milk recording (ICMR): (i) 0-9 days; (ii) 10-19 days; (iii) 20-29 days; (iv) 30-49 days. The relation between a NEB-proxy parameter (Deltafatg) and reproductive performance was determined. A significant interaction existed for groups 1 and 3 (ICMR on 0-9 and 20-29 days post-partum respectively) with an increased and a decreased probability of being inseminated the first day after treatment (ITFI) respectively. However, no significant interaction was found between Deltafatg and the groups with regard to ITC.     

Prostaglandin treatment and subsequent cystic ovarian disease in Holstein cows

Using computerized herd health data, a prospective cohort study was devised to determine whether cows treated with prostaglandins had a higher incidence of cystic ovarian disease than comparable cows not treated. Of 744 cows selected as having diseases for which prostaglandin administration may be indicated, 240 received prostaglandin. Sixteen cows had cystic ovarian disease following prostaglandin administration. Chi-square analysis showed no association (P greater than 0.10) between cystic ovarian disease and the use of prostaglandin. Incidence of cystic ovarian disease within 150 days of calving in clinically normal cows was compared with that of cows with reproductive disorders. Cows with reproductive disorders had a significantly (P less than 0.01) higher incidence of cystic ovarian disease.     

Bovine respiratory disease: efficacy of different prophylactic treatments in veal calves and antimicrobial resistance of isolated Pasteurellaceae

The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of two prophylactic antibiotic treatments against bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in veal calves. In addition, the antibiotic susceptibilities of isolated Pasteurellaceae were tested. The calves were treated either on the day of arrival by a single administration of tulathromycin (group A, n = 20), by a peroral administration of chlortetracycline, sulphadimidine, and tylosin (group B, n = 20) for seven consecutive days, or were not prophylactically treated (group C, n = 19). On the first day of clinically diagnosed BRD, transtracheal lavage samples were obtained prior to therapeutic treatment and were subsequently cultured. Pasteurellaceae isolates were tested for their susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents by the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentrations. During the first 56 d after arrival, different calves in group A and B suffered from one episode of clinically diagnosed BRD while calves of group C experienced two episodes. The average daily weight gain during the same period was significantly lower in group C (0.89 ± 0.04 kg/d) than in the two prophylactically treated groups (1.14 ± 0.05 and 1.15 ± 0.04 kg/d for group A and B, respectively). The improved performance of groups A and B in comparison to group C could be related to a lower incidence of respiratory disorders during the first days after arrival in the prophylactically treated animals. No differences in the clinical efficacy were seen between the two tested prophylactic treatments. The most prevalent bacterial pathogens isolated (n = 79) were Pasteurella multocida (23% of isolated pathogens), Mycoplasma bovis (18%), and Mannheimia varigena (16%). For the isolated Pasteurellaceae, a high resistance pattern was observed to tylosin (83% of the tested P. multocida and 88% of the Mannheimia spp. isolates resistant) and tilmicosin (56% of the tested P. multocida isolates non-sensitive).     

Muscle characteristics and corresponding hormone concentrations in different types of cattle

Ruminants transform feed components preferentially in body mass or milk. The accretion type of cattle are apt in accreting feed as meat and fat, while the secretion type of cattle secrete metabolised feed as milk. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth- and type-related differences in muscle fibers, adipocytes, and hormones in two metabolic types of cattle. Biopsy samples of semitendinosus muscle and blood were taken at 6, 8, 10, 13, and 16 months of age from 13 bulls of each metabolic type (Charolais—CH, German Holstein—H). Postnatal growth was characterized by a nearly 2-fold increase in muscle fiber area, while a constant fiber type frequency was observed. Differences in the growth potential between CH and H bulls were not only found in a higher daily weight gain or higher weight for CH cattle, but were also caused by stronger muscle fiber growth in that cattle type. The higher muscle growth potential of CH was accompanied by lower fat accretion and metabolically linked with lower plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon, and leptin. The amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue was directly correlated with leptin in CH and with insulin and glucagon in H bulls.     

不同药物防治羔羊奶结症临床效果分析

为寻找羔羊奶结症的有效防治药物,将筛选出的5组药物用于羔羊奶结症的防治试验？结果表明,第l组药物“消维康”口服液对于减少羔羊奶结的发生有明显作用,第2组药物四仙莪棱香附散治疗羔羊奶结效果最佳．