Reproductive performance in dairy cows following postpartum treatment with gonadotrophin releasing hormone and/or prostaglandin: a field trial.

Three hundred and five Holstein Friesian cows were given either 250 micrograms gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) or saline on day 15 postpartum followed by 500 micrograms cloprostenol or saline on day 24 postpartum. Four treatment groups were formed using random allocation: Group I -- placebo (Day 15)/placebo (Day 24), Group II -- GnRH (Day 15)/placebo (Day 24), Group III -- placebo (Day 15)/cloprostenol (Day 24), Group IV -- GnRH (Day 15)/cloprostenol (Day 24). Double blind techniques were used during the follow-up period. Rectal palpation, to assess uterine involution and ovarian activity was performed just prior to each treatment and again at 28 days postpartum. In addition blood samples were collected at 15, 24 and 28 days postpartum for measurement of plasma progesterone. There were no significant differences among treatment groups with respect to services per conception, number of heats detected before first service and culling for infertility. Cows treated only with GnRH had an increased calving to first estrus and calving to first breeding interval, and tended to have an increased calving to conception interval. Treatment with cloprostenol significantly decreased calving to conception and calving to first observed estrus intervals. Treatment with GnRH on day 15 postpartum resulted in a significant increase in the subsequent incidence of pyometra and prebreeding anestrus. On the other hand, cloprostenol treatment on day 24 postpartum resulted in a decreased incidence of pyometra, regardless of GnRH treatment and a decreased incidence of prebreeding anestrus in GnRH treated cows compared to cows receiving only GnRH at day 15 postpartum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interrelationships between postpartum events, hormonal therapy, reproductive abnormalities and reproductive performance in dairy cows: a path analysis.

Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between postpartum administration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and cloprostenol and the occurrence of reproductive disease and reproductive performance in dairy cows. The data analysed were those collected on 226 Holstein-Friesian cows calving in a commercial dairy herd during a 17 month period (May 1, 1981 to October 1, 1982). Cows administered gonadotrophin releasing hormone at day 15 postpartum experienced an improved rate of uterine involution as determined by rectal palpation nine days later. Although this improved rate of uterine involution reduced the risk of pyometritis, it actually directly delayed conception. Also, gonadotrophin releasing hormone therapy directly resulted in an increased incidence of pyometritis which in turn resulted in an increase incidence of cystic ovarian disease and anestrus. The occurrence of these abnormalities resulted in increased intervals from calving to first observed estrus, first service and conception. In addition to this effect, the administration of gonadotrophin releasing hormone was also associated with increased plasma progesterone concentrations at days 24 and 28 postpartum which delayed conception. Cloprostenol therapy at day 24 postpartum resulted in a decreased plasma progesterone concentration at day 28 postpartum which was directly and indirectly associated with a decrease in the calving to conception interval. The indirect effects were mediated by a reduction in days to first estrus. Cloprostenol therapy also directly resulted in a decreased calving to first observed estrus interval for reasons not attributable to the level of progesterone at day 28.     

Effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone on reproductive performance of dairy cows with retained placenta.

The effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) on the reproductive performance of dairy cows with retained placenta were studied. Three hundred and seventy-eight cows diagnosed as having retained placenta received intramuscular injections of either 2 mL sterile water or 200 micrograms of GnRH in 2 mL sterile water between day 8 and day 14 postpartum. Rectal palpation was performed at the time of treatment and ten to 20 days after treatment in order to determine the rate of uterine involution. Thereafter, monthly rectal examinations were carried out until insemination. Pregnancy diagnosis was made by rectal palpation at 40 days or more after breeding. Using the entire experimental population, there were no significant differences between GnRH-treated and control cows for the rate of uterine involution, the occurrence of reproductive problems, the interval from parturition to first observed estrus, the interval from parturition to first insemination, the interval from parturition to conception, the number of services per conception, the total number of services per cow regardless of conception and the incidence of culling for infertility. When the data for herds in which breeding began earlier in the postpartum period (herds having a mean less than or equal to 80 days from parturition to first service for retained placenta cows) were considered, the GnRH treatment resulted in a significantly shorter (p less than or equal to 0.01) calving to conception interval as compared to control cows. Also, there was a significant reduction (p less than or equal to 0.05) in the total number of services per cow regardless of conception and a significant reduction in the interval from parturition to first service.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone administration in early postpartum dairy cows on hormone concentrations, ovarian activity and reproductive performance: a review

Gonadotrophin releasing hormones have become widely used hormonal compounds in veterinary medicine, particularly with respect to bovine reproduction. The character and physiological actions of gonadotrophin releasing hormone are briefly reviewed and its clinical applications are summarized. The endocrinological research concerned with the use of gonadotrophin releasing hormone in the early postpartum period is discussed. Field trials which have been conducted to assess the effects of postpartum gonadotrophin releasing hormone administration on reproductive performance have varied widely in both design and interpretation of results. These experiments are reviewed, including the clinical trials using normal cows as well as those on cows with retained placenta.     

The effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone administration four days after insemination on first-service conception rates and corpus luteum function in dairy cows.

One hundred and eighty-five Holstein-Friesian dairy cows received either sterile water or 250 micrograms of gonadotrophin releasing hormone intramuscularly on the fourth day after the first service postpartum. Heparinized blood samples were taken immediately prior to treatment (day 4) and on day 8 postinsemination for analysis of plasma progesterone concentration. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out by rectal palpation at 42 days postinsemination and reconfirmed after 60 days postbreeding. The pregnancy rates after first, second or third service were not significantly different between gonadotrophin releasing hormone-treated and control cows. Plasma progesterone concentrations on day 4 and day 8 postinsemination, as well as the change in plasma progesterone concentration from day 4 to day 8, were similar for gonadotrophin releasing hormone-treated and control cows. The plasma progesterone concentrations on day 8 postbreeding were significantly higher (p less than 0.005) and the change in progesterone concentrations between days 4 and 8 were significantly greater (p less than 0.002) in pregnant cows compared to nonpregnant cows.     

Interrelationships between ambient temperature, age at calving, postpartum reproductive events and reproductive performance in dairy cows: a path analysis.

Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between ambient temperature, age at calving, postpartum reproductive events and reproductive performance in dairy cows. The data used in the analysis were collected on 226 Holstein-Friesian cows calving in a commercial dairy herd during a 17 month period (May 1, 1981 to October 1, 1982). The data were obtained from a double blind study evaluating the effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and cloprostenol in postpartum cows. Rectal palpation to assess uterine involution and ovarian activity was performed on each cow on days 15, 24 and 28 postpartum. At the same time, blood samples were collected for subsequent progesterone assay. Data were recorded on the occurrence of reproductive diseases and events from the time of parturition until the diagnosis of pregnancy or until the cow left the herd in the case of culled cows. There was an increase in the incidence of retained placenta, in the percentage of cows with abnormal vaginal discharge in the early postpartum period as well as a delay in uterine involution during the winter months. In addition, cows calving during the winter had prolonged intervals to first estrus, first service and conception compared to cows calving during the summer. (Cows calving during the warmest months, on average, were seen in estrus 24 days sooner, received first service 42 days sooner and conceived 27 days sooner than cows calving during the coldest months of the year).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of Gn-RH on blood serum hormone concentrations, ovulation rates and embryo production in lactating cows treated with PMSG.

The effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone injection into pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin treated cows on serum levels of luteinizing hormone, estradiol-17 beta and progesterone and ovulation rates was evaluated in 20 cows. Pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin treatment does not always induce superovulation as was shown in this study. Luteinizing hormone levels reached peak concentrations at 1.0 h and remained significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) elevated at 2.0 h, 3.0 h, 4.0 h, and 7.0 h after the first gonadotrophin releasing hormone injection. Progesterone levels in the gonadotrophin releasing hormone treated group were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher than in the controls on the third and fourth days following injection. A significant correlation (r = 0.58-0.72) was noted between the number of corpus luteum and progesterone levels on each day between day 2 and day 7. More embryos were recovered (46 vs 26) from the ten treated than from the ten control cows.     

Hypoglycemia alters pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in the postpartum beef cow

This study tested the hypothesis that the increased glucose requirement of lactation had effects that were independent of the suckling-dependent inhibition of postpartum endocrine function in beef cows. Mature Hereford cows were either suckled ad libitum and infused with saline iv (n = 9) from d 2 through 4 (d 0 = jugular catherization on d 32 +/- 3 postpartum); were nonsuckled and infused with saline from d 2 through 4 (n = 10); or were nonsuckled and infused with phlorizin (3 g/d) from d 2 through 4 (n = 10). Nonsuckled cows infused with phlorizin had lower (P less than .05) plasma concentrations of glucose and amino acid nitrogen (AAN) on d 2 compared with pre-infusion levels (d 1), but their metabolic profile returned to levels similar to the suckled cows by d 3 and 4. Nonsuckled cows infused with saline had elevated glucose and insulin and lower AAN and free fatty acids (FFA) on d 3 and 4 compared with pre-weaning (d 1) levels (P less than .05). Nonsuckled cows infused with phlorizin did not show this weaning-induced elevation in glucose and insulin. The number of luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses was not affected by treatment. However, in contrast to the large LH pulses observed in the nonsuckled cows infused with saline, both the suckled cows and the nonsuckled cows treated with phlorizin had more small and fewer large amplitude pulses (P less than .01). Treatment did not affect serum concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone, gonadotropin release in response to gonadotropin releasing hormone (25 micrograms) or the number of cows ovulating by 55 d after calving. We conclude that the increased glucose clearance caused by phlorizin infusion or lactation results in depression of LH pulse amplitude in suckled postpartum beef cows.     

Relationship between weaning and secretion of luteinizing hormone, cortisol and transcortin in beef cows

The effects of suckling on secretion of luteinizing hormone, cortisol and transcortin were investigated in anovulatory postpartum cows. On d 35 postpartum, calves were separated from 12 cows to prevent suckling and eight calves continued to suckle their dams ad libitum. Between 35 and 41 d postpartum, samples of jugular blood were collected every 15 min for two periods of 6 h/d. In non-suckled cows, frequency of pulses and basal luteinizing hormone increased but amplitude of pulses did not change. Concentrations of total cortisol in serum of cows were not altered during 3 d after weaning calves and did not differ among intervals before, during and after a suckling event. Affinity of transcortin for cortisol was not affected by postpartum interval or treatment. Capacity of transcortin to bind cortisol tended to increase after weaning. We found no evidence to support the hypothesis that suckling reduces binding capacity of transcortin or increases unbound cortisol. Differences in preovulatory secretion of luteinizing hormone between suckled and non-suckled cows could not be accounted for by differences in secretion of cortisol. In beef cows that are fed to satisfy requirements for energy and have average body condition, we conclude that negative modulation of luteinizing hormone by suckling is not mediated by cortisol.     

Biological and immunological luteinizing hormone activity and blood metabolites in postpartum Brahman cows

Multiparous Brahman cows were assigned by order of calving and sex of calf to groups to be fed to maintain body condition score (BCS) of 6 or greater (M; n = 10) or to lose BCS (L; n = 10). Blood samples were collected weekly for progesterone analysis and at 15, 30 and 45 d after parturition at 15-min intervals for 6 h for determination of immunological (ILH) and biological (BLH) luteinizing hormone. Serum concentrations of ILH were determined using a double antibody RIA procedure, whereas BLH was determined using a rat interstitial cell-testosterone bioassay (RICT). By 45 d after parturition 7 of 10 M cows had returned to estrus. Therefore, comparisons between groups were made on d 15 and 30 postpartum. Cows in the M group had a shorter (P less than .001) interval to first estrus (46.7 d) than did L cows (91.2 d). The concentrations of bioactive and immunoactive LH were parallel between d 15 and 30 postcalving. However, a day x treatment interaction (P less than .05) showed that episodic BLH concentrations (ng/ml) decreased with day postpartum in L, but increased in M cows from d 15 to 30 postcalving. Likewise, relative biological activity, as measured by B:I ratios, decreased between d 15 and 30 in L cows, whereas it increased in M cows during the same period (B:I x day interaction; P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of dose, frequency, and duration of infused gonadotropin-releasing hormone on secretion of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone in nutritionally anestrous beef cows.

Nutritionally induced anovulatory cows were ovariectomized and used to determine the relationships between dose, frequency, and duration of exogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulses and amplitude, frequency, and concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum. In Experiment 1, cows were given pulses of saline (control) or 2 micrograms of GnRH infused i.v. during a 0.1-, 1.25-, 5-, 10-, or 20-min period. Concentrations of LH and FSH during 35 min after GnRH infusion were greater than in control cows (P < 0.01), and FSH concentrations were greater when GnRH infusions were for 10 min or less compared with 20 min. In Experiment 2, the effect of GnRH pulse frequency and dose on LH and FSH concentrations, pulse frequency, and pulse amplitude were determined. Exogenous GnRH (0, 2, or 4 micrograms) was infused in 5 min at frequencies of once every hour or once every 4th hr for 3 d. There was a dose of GnRH x frequency x day effect on LH and FSH concentrations (P < 0.01), indicating that gonadotropes are sensitive to changes in pulse frequency, dose, and time of exposure to GnRH. There were more LH pulses when GnRH was infused every hour, compared with an infusion every 4th hr (P < 0.04). Amplitudes of LH pulses were greater with increased GnRH dose (P < 0.05), and there was a frequency x dose x day effect on FSH pulse amplitude (P < 0.0006). We conclude that LH and FSH secretion in the bovine is differentially regulated by frequency and dose of GnRH infusions.     

Luteinizing hormone concentrations in serum of postpartum beef cows injected with microencapsulated luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog

Twenty-five cows were divided equally into five groups to determine whether [D-Trp6]-luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH-A) microencapsulated in poly (DL-lactide co-glycolide) would increase basal serum concentrations of LH during the postpartum period. On d 5 postpartum, cows were injected i.m. with 2 ml of vehicle alone (Group 1) or vehicle containing microcapsules calculated to release .4, 1.6, 6.4 or 25.6 micrograms LHRH-A per day for approximately 30 d (Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively). Cows were bled every 15 min for 4 h immediately before and after injection and every 15 min for 4 h at weekly intervals for the next 4 wk to evaluate serum profiles of LH. Estrus was determined by twice daily observations and confirmed by serum progesterone. More cows in Groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 exhibited pulsatile patterns of LH after LHRH-A injection than in Group 1 (P less than .06). More pulses of LH were observed after LHRH-A injection in Groups 4 and 5 than in Group 1 (P less than .01). Mean concentrations of LH within treatment groups did not change during the initial injection, except in Group 5. All cows in Group 5 had a surge of LH immediately after injection. The induced surge of LH in two cows in Group 5 cows resulted in progesterone profiles similar to those during a normal luteal phase. Days to first postpartum estrus were not different among the five treatment groups. Microencapsulated LHRH-A given at a dose estimated to release 25 micrograms LHRH-A/d was effective in elevating LH concentrations following injection. However, effectiveness of this hormonal treatment in shortening postpartum anestrus was not substantiated.     

Gonadotropin releasing hormone-induced secretion of luteinizing hormone during the milk-ejection reflex in the postpartum beef cow

A study was conducted to determine the effect of the milk-ejection reflex on exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced release of luteinizing hormone (LH) after short-term calf removal. Twenty-four postpartum multiparous beef cows were assigned randomly to groups arranged in a 2(3) factorial arrangement. Factors consisted of two levels of suckling [suckled (S) or nonsuckled (NS)], treatment with GnRH [saline (C) or 200 micrograms GnRH] and days postpartum (d 1 and 14). Dams were isolated from their calves for 4 h on d 1 and 14 postpartum. At the end of 4 h dams were reunited with their calves in S + C and S + GnRH groups, while dams of calves in NS + C and NS + GnRH groups remained separated an additional 2 h. Cows were injected iv with saline or GnRH following the 4-h isolation period, 5 min after calves had begun suckling or nuzzling the udder. Sera from jugular blood samples collected 15 min prior to the end of the 4-h isolation period, immediately prior to injection (0 h) and at 15 min intervals thereafter for 120 min were analyzed for LH. Serum concentrations of LH in control cows did not differ due to suckling or stage of the postpartum period and averaged 2.3 +/- .1 ng/ml. Pituitary response to GnRH was determined by computing the rate of LH release. Rate of LH release (ng LH.ml-1.min-1) in response to GnRH on d 14 was greater (P less than .001) than on d 1 in both suckled and nonsuckled groups (S + GnRH, 37.1 +/- 3.9 vs 18.3 +/- 5.0; NS + GnRH, 34.7 +/- 5.9 vs 14.5 +/- 1.1). However, GnRH-induced release of LH did not differ between suckled and nonsuckled cows on either d 1 or 14 postpartum. These data indicate that response of the bovine pituitary to GnRH during the postpartum period is not influenced by the act of suckling but is enhanced with time after parturition.     

Cortisol and luteinizing hormone after adrenocorticotropic hormone administration to postpartum beef cows

Cortisol and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured in serum after the administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to suckled (S) and nonsuckled (NS) beef cows. Blood was sampled on 2 consecutive days every 2 weeks for four bleeding periods starting 14 days after calving. Cows were injected with 200 IU ACTH or saline in a 2-day switchback design. Serum was collected before ACTH or saline injection and at 30-min intervals thereafter for 8 hours. Average cortisol concentrations in serum were similar in S and NS cows (6.4 +/- .6 and 6.1 +/- .8 ng/ml, respectively) after saline. Average cortisol concentrations in serum collected during an 8-hr period after ACTH on days 14, 28, 42 and 56 postpartum were 24.7 +/- 2.4, 31.8 +/- 3.5, 36.4 +/- 4.2 and 40.7 +/- .5 ng/ml, respectively, for S cows, and 31.1 +/- 2.9, 44.7 +/- 5.2, 45.0 +/- 5.7 and 46.0 +/- 5.4 ng/ml, respectively, for NS cows. Cortisol response to ACTH, measured as area under the response curve, was greater (P less than .05) in NS than in S cows. Amount of cortisol released by 200 IU ACTH was maximal by days 28 to 29 postpartum in NS cows, but the response increased gradually between days 14 to 15 and days 56 to 57 in S cows. overall, LH in serum averaged .55 +/- .08 ng/ml for S cows and .92 +/- .06 ng/ml for NS cows after saline, and .49 +/- .07 ng/ml for S cows and .94 +/- .06 ng/ml for NS cows after ACth. Although mean and peak serum LH concentrations did not differ between cows given ACTH and those given saline, the number of LH peaks and the number of cows having LH after saline. Mean serum LH concentrations were lower (P less than. 05) in S than in NS cows at 28 days postpartum. The number of LH peaks was lower (P less than .05) and the magnitude of the largest LH peak tended to be lower (P less than .06) in S cows at all sampling periods.     

Pituitary concentrations of gonadotropins and receptors for GnRH in suckled beef cows at various intervals after calving

Mature beef cows were slaughtered at 5 (n = 6), 10 (n = 6), 20 (n = 6) or 30 (n = 5) d after calving to identify endocrine events that may affect the duration of postpartum anestrus. Additional cows (n = 6) were slaughtered 12 to 14 d after their first postpartum estrus (luteal phase cows). Anterior pituitary concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were low at d 5 (383 +/- 69 micrograms/g), averaged 445 +/- 103 and 682 +/- 207 micrograms/g at d 10 and 20, respectively, and were elevated (P less than .05) by d 30 (1,097 +/- 174 micrograms) to a concentration similar to luteal phase cows (1,208 +/- 148 micrograms/g). Concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) averaged 12.4 +/- 1.1, 9.6 +/- 2, 8.6 +/- 1.8 and 7.4 +/- 3.3 mg/g at d 5, 10, 20 and 30, respectively. Affinity (1.6 +/- .2 X 10(9) M-1) of anterior pituitary receptors for the GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) analog (DAla6; des-Gly10, [D-Ala6]-LH-RH ethylamide) and weights (2.1 +/- .1 g) of the anterior pituitaries did not differ among groups (P greater than .05). Number of receptors for GnRH averaged 37 +/- 7, 39 +/- 9, 25 +/- 5 and 23 +/- 5 X 10(-14) M/mg protein at d 5, 10, 20 and 30, respectively. Anterior pituitaries from luteal phase cows contained 22 +/- 2 X 10(-14) M/mg protein of receptors for GnRH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lack of effects of an equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration between days 9 and 15 postpartum on reproductive performance in a Holstein dairy herd

Recently, it has been demonstrated that administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in the postpartum period in dairy cows can enhance follicle growth, reduce the interval from calving to first ovulation and increase plasma estradiol concentrations, and, thus, could enhance reproductive performance in a dairy herd when administered on day 6 postpartum. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a single dose of eCG between days 9 and 15 postpartum on parameters of reproductive performance in dairy cows. German Holstein cows (n = 1937; primiparous cows: n = 748; pluriparous cows: n = 1189) in a commercial dairy farm were randomly assigned to three experimental groups. Animals within the group eCG received a single dose of 600 IU eCG intramuscularly (i.m.) between days 9 and 15 postpartum followed by an i.m. administration of 500 μg cloprostenol after 14 days. Those of treatment group PG received cloprostenol only between days 23 and 29 postpartum. Cows of the control group remained untreated. Starting on day 49 postpartum, cows were subjected to a Presynch‐Ovsynch protocol and inseminated artificially. The impact of application time (days postpartum) of eCG on the intervals calving to first service and calving to conception was statistically not significant. Outcomes of reproductive performance (i.e. first service conception rate, proportion of pregnant cows until 100 and 150 days in milk [DIM], number of inseminations until 150 DIM, calving to first service interval and calving to conception interval) did not differ significantly between treatment group eCG and group PG compared to control group. Regarding postpartum eCG administration, significant interactions between treatment and parity, season, milk yield, and early puerperal disorders, respectively, could not be shown. In conclusion, an eCG treatment of dairy cows between days 9 and 15 postpartum to increase reproductive performance cannot be recommended under the given circumstances.     

Bacterial Isolates Associated With Dystocia And Retained Placenta In Iraqi Buffaloes

The present study was conducted on 50 recently calved Iraqi Buffalo cows. Depending on the kind of parturition, buffalo cows were divided into two main groups, the first group had normal unassisted parturition (NP) (26 animals) and the second group with certain periparturent complications (PPC) (24 animals). After 24 h of parturition, these two groups were further subdivided into two groups as cows expel their foetal membranes in <24 h postpartum and referred as non‐retained placenta (NRP) while cows that did not expel their foetal membrane after 24 h referred as retained placenta (RP). Sampling for bacteriology, uterine discharge for polymorphonuclear cells per cent and blood samples for polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) and the enzyme creatine kinase activity were performed at 6, 24 and 48 h postpartum. In PPC group, the most prevalent bacteria after 6 h of calving were Escherichia coli, β‐haemolytic Streptococci and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Total bacterial isolates in the uterus of buffaloes with RP in PPC group after 24 and 48 h were 129 and 183 respectively. Among the isolates, Archanobacterium pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Prevotella melaninogenicus and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent isolates after 48 h of RP buffaloes in PPC group. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in the uterine discharge than in blood in buffaloes with RP in both PPC and NP groups. In conclusion, uterine contamination occurs as a result of postpartum ascending contamination by non‐specific environmental organisms. The presence of Lactobacillus sp. in the uterus indicated a healthy uterus. Peripartum complications followed by retention of foetal membranes with the dominance of E. coli in the uterine lumen might favour the colonization of other bacteria including facultative anaerobic and strictly anaerobic in the uterine wall of buffaloes.     

Effect of naloxone on serum luteinizing hormone, cortisol and prolactin concentrations in anestrous beef cows

Two experiments were conducted with the opioid antagonist naloxone to determine the effect of opioid receptor blockade on hormone secretion in postpartum beef cows. In Exp. 1, nine anestrous postpartum beef cows were used to measure the effect of naloxone on serum luteinizing hormone (LH), cortisol and prolactin concentrations. Cows received either saline (n = 4) or 200 mg naloxone in saline (n = 5) iv. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 2 h before and after naloxone administration. Serum LH concentrations increased (P less than .01) in naloxone-treated cows from 1.8 +/- .04 ng/ml before treatment to 3.9 +/- .7 ng/ml and 4.2 +/- .5 ng/ml at 15 and 30 min, respectively, after naloxone administration. In contrast, LH remained unchanged in saline-treated cows (1.6 +/- .3 ng/ml). Serum cortisol and prolactin concentrations were not different between groups. In Exp. 2, 12 anestrous postpartum beef cows were used to examine the influence of days postpartum on the serum LH response to naloxone. Four cows each at 14 +/- 1.2, 28 +/- .3 and 42 +/- 1.5 d postpartum received 200 mg of naloxone in saline iv. Blood samples were taken as in the previous experiment. A second dose of naloxone was administered 2 h after the first, and blood samples were collected for a further 2 h. Serum LH concentrations increased (P less than .01) only in cows at 42 d postpartum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Introduction of bulls at different days postpartum on resumption of ovarian cycling activity in primiparous beef cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate postpartum resumption of ovulatory cycles among primiparous, suckled beef cows that were exposed continuously to mature bulls beginning at various intervals after calving. We sought to determine whether cumulative distributions of proportions of cows resuming ovarian cycles and interval from the start of bull exposure to resumption of ovarian cycling activity differed among cows exposed continuously (BE) or not exposed (NE) to bulls beginning on d 15, 35, or 55 after calving. Angus x Hereford cows (n = 56) were assigned randomly to one of six treatments in a 2 (exposure type) x 3 (day exposed postpartum) factorial arrangement. Blood samples were collected from each cow starting on d -1, and every third day until the end of experiment. An increase in baseline progesterone concentrations that exceeded 1.0 ng/mL in three consecutive samples was used as evidence of resumption of ovarian cycling activity. More (P < 0.05) BE cows resumed cycling activity by the end of the experiment than NE cows. Proportions of cows resuming cycling activity did not differ (P = 0.30) among cows exposed to bulls on d 15, 35, or 55 postpartum. Proportions of BE cows that were exposed to bulls on d 15, 35, or 55 were greater for each 10-d interval (P < 0.05) than those for NE cows during the first 40 d after exposure. More (P < 0.05) BE cows exposed to bulls on d 55 resumed cycling activity by 30 d after exposure than BE cows exposed to bulls on either d 15 or 35. Interval from calving to resumption of cycling activity was decreased (P < 0.05) by the presence of bulls. Day of exposure did not affect (P = 0.21) interval from calving to resumption of cycling activity; however, interval from day of bull exposure to resumption of cycling activity decreased (P < 0.05) linearly as day of exposure to bulls after calving increased. We conclude that exposing primiparous beef cows to bulls decreased the postpartum anovulatory interval and increased the proportion of cows that exhibit resumption of ovarian cycling activity, independent of day of bull exposure. Furthermore, cows exposed to bulls at progressively later intervals postpartum seemed to respond more rapidly to the biostimulatory effect of bulls than when they were exposed earlier in the postpartum anestrous period.     

Efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone administered at the time of artificial insemination of heifers and postpartum and repeat breeder dairy cows

The efficacy of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on the fertility of dairy heifers and postpartum cows was studied. In one study, 300 cows were assigned randomly to 1 treatment from a 2 X 2 design, and 2 ml of 0.15M saline solution or 100 micrograms of GnRH was given IM on postpartum day (PPD) 14 and at the time of 1st postpartum breeding. In a 2nd study, repeat breeder cows (n = 346) were given saline solution or GnRH at the time of the 3rd breeding. In a 3rd study, heifers (n = 185) were given saline solution or GnRH at 1st breeding. Animals were observed for repeat estrus, and pregnancy diagnoses were made by rectal palpation 45 to 60 days after breeding. Conception rates were 15% to 18% higher for cows given GnRH, whether at PPD 14 or at the first postpartum breeding. When GnRH was given at the first breeding, conception rates were significantly higher (P less than 0.05). Conception rates for repeat breeder cows given GnRH were 25% higher than those in controls (P less than 0.005). Conception rates for heifers did not differ between treatments.