Ovarian follicular development in cattle selected for twin ovulations and births

Comparisons of numbers of antral ovarian follicles and corpora lutea (CL), of blood hormone concentrations, and of follicular fluid steroid concentrations and IGFBP activity were conducted between cows selected (twinner) and unselected (control) for twin births to elucidate genetic differences in the regulation of ovarian follicular development. Ovarian follicular development was synchronized among cows by a single i.m. injection of PGF2alpha on d 18 of the estrous cycle; six cows per population were slaughtered at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after PGF2alpha. Jugular vein blood was collected from each animal at PGF2alpha injection and at 24-h intervals until slaughter. Ovaries of twinner cows contained more small (< or = 5 mm in diameter, P < 0.05), medium (5.1 to 9.9 mm, P < 0.05), and large (> or = 10.0 mm, P < 0.01) follicles and more (P < 0.01) CL than ovaries of controls. Follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone, and progesterone reflected the stage of follicular development and were similar for twinner and control follicles at the same stage. Earlier initiation of follicular development and/or selection of twin-dominant follicles in some twinner cows resulted in greater concentrations of estradiol in plasma at 0, 24, and 48 h and of estradiol, androstenedione, and testosterone in follicular fluid of large follicles at 0 h after PGF2alpha for twinner vs. control cows (follicular status x time x population, P < 0.01). Binding activities of IGFBP-5 and -4 were absent or reduced (P < 0.01) in follicular fluid of developing medium and large estro-gen-active (estradiol:progesterone ratio > 1) follicles but increased with atresia. Only preovulatory Graafian follicles lacked IGFBP-2 binding, suggesting a possible role for IGFBP-2 in selection of the dominant follicle. Concentrations of IGF-I were twofold greater (P < 0.01), but GH (P = 0.10) and cholesterol (P < 0.05) were less in blood of twinners. Three generations of selection of cattle for twin ovulations and births enhanced ovarian follicular development as manifested by increased numbers of follicles within a follicular wave and subsequent selection of twin dominant follicles. Because gonadotropin secretion and ovarian steroidogenesis were similar for control and twinner cattle, enhanced follicular development in twinners may result from decreased inhibition by the dominant follicle(s), increased ovarian sensitivity to gonadotropins, and/or increased intragonadal stimulation, possibly by increased IGF-I.     

Effects of concurrent lactation and postpartum mating on reproductive performance in mice selected for large litter size

Reproductive and maternal performance of a line of mice selected for large first parity litter size (L+) and a control line (K) were compared under two mating systems: (1) postpartum mating (PP), in which females undergo concurrent gestation and lactation, and (2) postweaning mating (PW), in which females wean their litter before being remated. Females were evaluated in their first two parities. Litters in each line were standardized at birth to 4, 8, 12 or 16 pups in parity 1, and to 10 pups in parity 2. Concurrent gestation had no adverse effect on postnatal maternal performance in parity 1 of either line. In parity 2, both L+ and K declined in reproductive and postnatal maternal performance in PP compared with PW. The pattern of delayed implantation as number of pups nursed increased was similar in both lines under the PP regimen. Several interactions indicated that reproductive performance of L+ was more adversely affected than in K under postpartum mating. Pup mortality was greater in L+ than K under PP but not under PW. In the PP regimen, L+ dams nursing 12 and 16 pups had a lower mating success rate and dams nursing 16 pups had a smaller litter size and higher pup mortality than did K dams. Thus, when L+ dams nurse their natural litter, frequently exceeding 16 pups, their reproductive advantage over K dams observed in PW would be eliminated in PP. If the differences in the first two litters reflect subsequent parities, lifetime reproductive performance in the PP environment would be reduced in the high fecundity line. High fecundity appears to depend upon the environment of selection.     

Productivity and profitability of twin births in beef cattle

Data from 1,277 single and 85 twin calvings, occurring in both spring and fall from 1980 through 1987, were used to examine the productivity and profitability associated with twin births in beef cattle. Pregnancies in pure and crossbred cattle resulted from both AI and embryo transfer. Cows and calves were confinement-housed. Cows were individually fed to specification. Calves were given ad libitum access to creep feed and those born in 1986 and 1987 were fed to slaughter. The influence of birth number of gestation length, total calf birth and weaning weights, lactation yield, and cow fed intake during both the dry and lactating periods were examined. Twin-bearing cows had their gestation length shortened by 6.4 d (2%); yielded 25.5 (59) and 186.0 kg (73%) more weight of calf at birth and weaning, respectively; had lactation yield and lactation feed intake increased by 25 and 20%, respectively; and had precalving (dry) period feed intake no different from their single-bearing counterparts (P = .12). Postweaning growth was not different for single and twin calves (P = .50); twin gain, relative to initial size, was higher. Feedlot feed intake of twins was 85% of that for singletons (P = .20). Twins were 90% of singleton live weight at slaughter and yielded 93% of singleton hot carcass weight (P = .12). Twins were slightly older and significantly leaner at slaughter. Returns less feed costs showed twin births to be associated with increased profit for cow-calf programs. Returns less feed and overhead costs were higher for twin calves than for singles in the feedlot.     

Effects of restrictive suckling on postpartum reproductive performance in mares

Quarter Horse mares (n = 30) and their foals were used in a 2-year study. Objectives of the study were (i) to determine the effects of a treatment regimen, which permitted nursing for four 1-hour periods each day, on the postpartum reproductive performance of the dams, and (ii) to assess the effects of this procedure on the growth and development of foals. Mares in the restricted suckling treatment group showed estrus and ovulated sooner (P less than 0.01) after parturition than did control mares during the first year of the study, but not during the second year. Plasma progesterone concentrations were similar for both treated and control mares and remained less than 1 ng/ml from parturition to ovulation. Conception rates were not significantly influenced by treatment. However, two mares which had records of failing to have estrus while nursing a foal were bred and ovulated, and one of the two conceived while on the restricted suckling treatment. The absence of treatment effects on any of the variables measured in the foals indicates that restricted suckling did not impair foal growth and development.     

Increased calf production in cattle selected for twin ovulations

The effects of increasing fetal numbers and their distribution between the left and right uterine horns on calf survival, calf BW at birth and weaning, gestation length, dystocia, and calf sex ratio were evaluated for single (n = 1,587), twin (n = 2,440), and triplet calves (n = 147) born to primiparous and multiparous females in the Twinner population at the US Meat Animal Research Center between 1994 and 2004. Cattle were distributed equally between the spring and fall breeding seasons. Fetal number and distribution in utero were determined by real-time ultrasonography at 40 to 70 d postbreeding. For cows and heifers combined, number of calves per parturition increased from 1.34 in 1994 to 1.56 in 2004. Gestation length was 6.8 d shorter (P < 0.01) for twins compared with singles (277.5 +/- 0.2 vs. 284.3 +/- 0.2 d) and 12.7 d shorter for triplets (271.6 +/- 0.8 d). Survival and BW of individual calves at birth decreased (P < 0.01) but total calf BW per dam increased (P < 0.01) as fetal number increased from single to triplet births. Twins resulting from bilateral twin ovulations had increased (P < 0.01) survival and BW at birth, a longer (P < 0.01) gestation length, and less (P < 0.01) dystocia than twins resulting from unilateral twin ovulations. Calf survival and BW at birth were 97.2 +/- 0.3% and 48.0 +/- 0.1 kg for singles, 92.0 +/- 0.4% and 39.0 +/- 0.2 kg for bilateral twins, 83.2 +/- 0.4% and 36.7 +/- 0.2 kg for unilateral twins, 73.8 +/- 1.4% and 30.6 +/- 0.7 kg for bilateral triplets, and 51.9 +/- 3.2% and 31.7 +/- 1.6 kg for unilateral triplets. Birth weight of single calves increased by 0.51 kg/d for each additional day of gestation length vs. 0.38 kg/d for individual twins. Calf BW at birth increased (P < 0.01) with age of dam from 2 to 4 yr. Twin and triplet births had a greater (P < 0.01) incidence of dystocia than single births. The ratio of male:female calves (0.52:0.48) at birth was not affected by type of birth. Postnatal calf survival was similar for all 3 types of birth. Total progeny BW at weaning for single, twin, and triplet births was 217.7 +/- 2.5, 328.3 +/- 3.2, and 378.4 +/- 15.0 kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Although most bovine females have the uterine capacity to gestate twin calves, decreased survival and BW of unilateral twins and of all triplets indicate that their growth and development may have been compromised by uterine crowding.     

Possible role of IGF2 receptors in regulating selection of 2 dominant follicles in cattle selected for twin ovulations and births

Abundance of IGF-2 receptor (IGF2R), FSH receptor (FSHR), and LH receptor (LHCGR) mRNA in granulosa cells (GCs) or theca cells (TCs) or both cells as well as estradiol (E₂), progesterone (P₄), and androstenedione concentrations in follicular fluid were compared in cows genetically selected (Twinner) or not selected (control) for multiple ovulations and twin births. Cows were slaughtered at day 3 to 4 (day 3) and day 5 to 6 (day 5) of an estrous cycle, and ovaries, follicular fluid, GCs, and TCs were collected. The two largest (F1 and F2) E₂-active (EA) and E₂-inactive (EI) follicles were selected according to their E₂-to-P₄ ratio and diameter. Androstenedione levels in EA F1 and F2 follicles were 5-fold greater (P < 0.05) in Twinner cows than in control cows on day 3 but did not differ on day 5. Twinner cows also had greater (P < 0.05) E₂ and P₄ concentrations, whereas steroid levels in EI follicles did not differ (P > 0.10) between genotypes. In EA F2 follicles, IGF2R levels in GCs were greater (P < 0.05) in control cows than in Twinner cows on day 3 and day 5, whereas IGF2R mRNA in TCs did not differ (P > 0.10). On day 3, FSHR mRNA levels were greater (P < 0.05) in GCs of EA F1 and EI F2 follicles of control cows than of Twinner cows. LH receptor mRNA expression was less in GCs and greater in TCs of EA F2 follicles in control cows than in Twinner cows (P < 0.05). We hypothesize that reduced GC IGF2R expression in F2 follicles of Twinner cows may play a role in the development of 2 or more dominant follicles.     

Evaluation of numbers of microscopic and macroscopic follicles in cattle selected for twinning

We hypothesized that the number of microscopic follicles present in the ovaries of cattle selected for twin births (Twinner) would be greater than in the ovaries of contemporary Controls. Ovaries were collected from seven Control and seven Twinner cows at slaughter. The number of Small (1 to 3.9 mm), Medium (4 to 7.9), and Large (> 8 mm) surface follicles was counted and one ovary was fixed for histological evaluation. Fifty to sixty consecutive 6-microm slices were taken from a piece of cortical tissue, approximately 1 cm x 1 cm in area, located between the surface follicles. Microscopic follicles were classified as primordial (oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous pregranulosa cells), primary (oocyte surrounded by a single layer of one or more cuboidal granulosa cells), secondary (oocyte surrounded by two or more layers of granulosa cells), or tertiary (oocyte surrounded by multiple layers of granulosa cells with initiation of antrum formation to < or = 1 mm in diameter). The total number of follicles was counted in 200 fields (2 mm x 2 mm) per ovary. A field containing no follicles was classified as empty. There were significantly more secondary follicles in Twinner compared with Control ovaries (12.9 vs 6.3; P < .05). Twinners also tended to have more small surface follicles (35.4 vs 49.0; P < 0.1). We conclude that ovaries of Control and Twinner cows do not differ in the number of primordial follicles or in the number of follicles activated into the growing pool; however, Twinner cows are able to maintain more growing follicles at the secondary and subsequent stages of development.     

Sources of variation in reproductive performance in selected herds of beef cattle in north-eastern Australia

This paper contains observations of several sources of variation in reproductive performance on 13 herds of beef cattle in north-eastern Australia. Nearly 15,000 cows were examined, man, on more than one occasion. Variation between herds in pregnancy rate in June or September 1964, was 44 to 75 per cent. Lactating heifers had lower pregnancy rates than lactating cows, which in turn had lower rates than non-lactating animals. Within classes, cows in poor body condition had lower fertility than those in forward-store or fat condition. Losses of calves between pregnancy tests and branding ranged from 6 to 40 per cent in a sample of herds. In herds where year-to-year data were avail-able, the majority of cattle had one calf every two years, or two calves every three years. In one herd, cows that calved before February reared more calves than those that calved later. The main conclusion was that improved nutrition of lactating heifers and cows would be expected to increase pregnancy rates substantially.     

Effects of diseases on reproductive performance in Swedish Red and White dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of diseases on days open (DO), days to first breeding (DFB) and days from first breeding to conception (DFBC) using survival analysis models, and to assess the significance of the sire component and its possible confounding effect. The data consisted of a random sample of 20% of all herds enrolled in Swedish recording system and using 100% artificial insemination with at least 15 Swedish Red and White cows calving in 1991. The follow-up period was from 45 to 145 d after calving. After editing, the data sets had 23,927, 28,197, and 22,089 cows for days open, days to first breeding, and days from first breeding to conception, respectively. The Cox models included parity, calving season, cow milk production and age at first calving as fixed effects, and herd and sire as random effects. Ten disease groups were considered as possible risk factors for the reproductive traits. Disease groups were treated differently if they occurred before or after 45 d postpartum. Diseases occurring in the first 45 d after calving were treated as time-independent covariates and diseases occurring after day 45 were treated as time-dependent covariates for days open and days to first breeding. The percentages of censored cows were 35% for days open, 19% for days to first breeding, and 33% for days from first breeding to conception. Days open increased in cows with dystocia, stillbirth, retained placenta, metritis, or other diseases occurring in the first 45 d after calving, and in cows with metritis, mastitis, or other diseases occurring after 45 d. Days to first breeding increased in cows with stillbirth, retained placenta, milk fever, mastitis, foot and leg problems, or other diseases occurring before day 45, and in cows with metritis, mastitis, foot and leg problems, or other diseases occurring after 45 d. Days to first breeding decreased in cows treated for ovulatory dysfunctions either before or after 45 d. Days from first breeding to conception increased in cows with dystocia, stillbirth, retained placenta, metritis, or ovulatory dysfunctions occurring before first breeding, and in cows with mastitis occurring after first breeding. Although the additive genetic components were significant for all traits considered, the sires did not act as confounders because only a small amount of variability for the traits considered in this study was explained by the sires, with estimated heritabilities of 2% on the logarithmic scale and from 3 to 4% on the real scale.     

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in SPP1 with growth traits and twinning in a cattle population selected for twinning rate

Continued validation of genetic markers for economically important traits is crucial to establishing marker-assisted selection as a tool in the cattle industry. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the association of a SNP (T(9)/T(10)) in the osteopontin gene (SPP1) with growth rate in a large cattle population spanning multiple generations and representing alleles from 12 founding breeds. This population has been maintained at the US Meat Animal Research Center since 1981 and subjected to selection for twinning rate. Phenotypic records for this population included twinning rate and ovulation rate, providing an opportunity to examine the potential effects of SPP1 genotype on reproductive traits. A set of 2,701 animals was geno-typed for the T(9)/T(10) polymorphism at SPP1. The geno-typic data, including previously genotyped markers on chromosome 6 (BTA6), were used in conjunction with pedigree information to estimate genotypic probabilities for all 14,714 animals with phenotypic records. The genotypic probabilities for females were used to calculate independent variables for regressions of additive, dominance, and imprinting effects. Genotypic regressions were fit as fixed effects in a mixed model analysis, in which each trait was analyzed in a 2-trait model where single births were treated as a separate trait from twin births. The association of the SPP1 marker with birth weight (P < 0.006), weaning weight (P < 0.007), and yearling weight (P < 0.003) was consistent with the previously reported effects of SPP1 genotype on yearling weight. Our data supports the conclusion that the SNP successfully tracks functional alleles affecting growth in cattle. The previously undetected effect of the SNP on birth and weaning weight suggests this particular SPP1 marker may explain a portion of the phenotypic variance explained by QTL for birth and HCW on BTA6.     

Initial results of genomic scans for ovulation rate in a cattle population selected for increased twinning rate

Genomic scans were conducted with 273 markers on 181 sires from a cattle population selected for increased twinning rate to identify chromosomal regions containing genes that influence ovulation rate. Criteria used for selecting markers were number of alleles, ease of scoring, and relative position within linkage group. Markers were multiplexed or multiple-loaded on the gels to reduce the costs and labor required to obtain genotypic data. This approach reduced the number of gels by 45% when compared with running each marker independently. Male animals selected for the genomic scan sired the majority of the population. A modified interval analysis was used in a granddaughter design to compare effects of each allele within sire for 10 different sire families. The midparent deviation of the son's estimated breeding value for ovulation rate was used as the phenotype. Forty-one potential peaks were identified with a nominal significance level < or = 0.05. The 10 peaks with the highest significance levels (P < 0.02) were selected for further analysis. Markers were genotyped across daughters of the sire where nominal significance was found for each of the 10 peaks. One peak (BTA5, relative position 40 cM) was found to be nominally significant in the daughters. The nominal significance levels were P = 0.01 for the sons (n = 32) and P = 0.02 for the daughters (n = 94) of sire 784403. A combined genomewide significance value (P = 0.07) was calculated that accounted for the 10 analyses with sons and the 10 analyses with daughters. These results strongly suggest that this region contains a gene(s) that is involved in the follicular recruitment and development process.     

Factors effecting reproductive performance in Rwandan cattle

The objective of this study was to assess the reproductive performance of Rwandan cattle and determine the effects of husbandry practices on reproduction. One hundred and fifty Ankole and Crossbreed cattle from 87 farms, were body condition scored (BCS) on a scale of 1(lean) to 5 (fat), and examined rectally for pregnancy and ovary size and structures present. Questionnaires were completed by the farmers to obtain information on husbandry and management practices. The mean age of onset of puberty was 27.7 ± 10.4 months, the interval from parturition to first oestrus was 8.7 ± 7.8 months, calving index was 16.8 ± 5.2 months and 44% (95% CL 0.36-0.52) of cows examined rectally were anoestrus. Crossbred cattle reached puberty younger than Ankole cattle, 23.4 ± 10.4 and 28.4 ± 9.6 months respectively (p < 0.05; t = 1.944; df = 121). Cows in poor BCS (< 2.5) are 1.67 times as likely to be in anoestrus as those with higher BCS (≥ 2.5) (χ² = 9.476; df = 2; p < 0.01). Increased weaning age resulted in increased calving index (p < 0.001; t = −3.60; df = 38). Reproductive performance of Rwandan cattle is poor. Many of the problems can be attributed to husbandry practices and lack of experience and training in raising cattle.     

几种护理方法对产后母猪繁殖性能影响的比较

本文通过对三种护理方法(生产过程补液、产后子宫灌注猪产康、产后子宫颈投放宫炎净片)对产后母猪恶露排净时间的长短、断奶-配种时间间隔、受胎率几项指标影响的分析,从中找出有利于提高母猪繁殖能力的有效护理方法,以提高猪场的经济效益。实验表明:1.产后对母猪全身和局部进行护理,能提高母猪的抗感染能力,促进子宫排出各种有害分泌物,加快子宫复原;2.猪产康具有抗菌消炎,促进子宫收缩的作用,能使恶露迅速排出,加快子宫复原。     

Increased abundance of aromatase and follicle stimulating hormone receptor mRNA and decreased insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor mRNA in small ovarian follicles of cattle selected for twin births

Cattle genetically selected for twin ovulations and births (Twinner) exhibit increased ovarian follicular development, increased ovulation rate, and greater blood and follicular fluid IGF-1 concentrations compared with contemporary cattle not selected for twins (Control). Experimental objectives were to 1) assess relationships among aromatase (CYP19A1), IGF-1 (IGF1), IGF-2 receptor (IGF2R), and FSH receptor (FSHR) mRNA expression in small (≤5 mm) antral follicles and 2) determine their association with increased numbers of developing follicles in ovaries of Twinner females. Ovaries were collected from mature, cyclic (d 3 to 6) Twinner (n = 11), and Control (n = 12) cows at slaughter and pieces of cortical tissue were fixed and embedded in paraffin. Expression of mRNA was evaluated by in situ hybridization using (35)S-UTP-labeled antisense and sense probes for CYP19A1, FSHR, IGF1, and IGF2R mRNA. Silver grain density was quantified within the granulosa and theca cells of individual follicles (2 to 7 follicles/cow) by Bioquant image analysis. Follicles of Twinners tended to be smaller in diameter than Controls (1.9 ± 0.1 vs. 2.3 ± 0.1 mm; P = 0.08), but thickness of granulosa layer did not differ (P > 0.1) by genotype. Relative abundance of CYP19A1 (P < 0.01) and FSHR (P < 0.05) mRNA was greater in granulosa cells of Twinners vs. Controls, respectively, whereas IGF2R mRNA expression was less in both granulosa (P < 0.01) and theca (P < 0.05) cells in follicles of Twinners vs. Controls, respectively. Abundance of CYP19A1 mRNA in granulosa cells was correlated negatively with IGF2R mRNA expression in both granulosa (r = -0.33; P < 0.01) and theca (r = -0.21; P = 0.05) cells. Expression of IGF1 mRNA was primarily in granulosa cells, including cumulus cells, and its expression did not differ between Twinners vs. Controls (P > 0.10). Detected increases in CYP19A1 and FSHR, but not IGF1, mRNA expression along with decreases in IGF2R mRNA expression in individual follicles of Twinners support the hypothesis that increased follicular development and steroidogenesis in Twinner females result from increased extra-ovarian IGF-1 production. Furthermore, a reduction in follicular IGF2R mRNA expression accompanied by a reduction in receptor numbers would increase availability of free IGF-2 and its stimulation of follicular development in Twinners.     

Some observations on reproductive performance in selected commercial beef herds

Abstract

Extract

Although the opinion has been expressed (Andrews, 1971 Andrews, E. D. 1971. Cobalt deficiency in sheep and cattle. N.Z. Dept. Agric. Bull., : 180–180.  [Google Scholar]) that cobalt deficiency among cattle has virtually disappeared in New Zealand and that specimens for laboratory examination are rarely required, 15 to 20% of the liver samples submitted by veterinarians to the Animal Health Reference Laboratory for vitamin B₁₂ assay are from cattle. Diagnostic criteria for cobalt (vitamin B₁₂) deficiency cy have long been established for sheep but not for cattle In view of the continuing requests for vitamin B₁₂ analyses on bovine livers, it was desirable to establish normal values for clinically normal cattle so that results of routine diagnostic analyses could be more readily interpreted.