Vaginal electrical resistance in cows: 1. Measurements in isolated reproductive tracts

Measurements of vaginal electrical resistance (VER) taken post mortem from selected sites in the genitalia of 28 cows showed that the optimum site for this purpose is the anterior vagina.     

Relationship between plasma progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein concentrations during early pregnancy in dairy cows

The relationship between the concentration of plasma progesterone (P4) during embryo attachment or at recognition of pregnancy, and that of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) was assessed in dairy cows. The outcome of artificial insemination (AI) was classified as positive (AI+), negative (AI?), or late embryonic mortality (EM) by measuring circulating PAG concentrations and by ultrasonography. Based on P4 concentrations at either day 21 or day 15, AI+ and EM cows were classified into ‘low’ (P4 concentrations < mean) and ‘high’ (P4 concentrations > mean) P4 groups. In both experiments, the threshold of P4 concentration between the ‘low’ and ‘high’ groups was approximately 6 ng/mL. PAG concentrations were lower in the ‘low’ group only when P4 concentrations were below the threshold. The study findings suggest that a possible P4 threshold exists below which PAG secretion may be impaired.     

奶牛发情周期中毛 唾液和乳汁孕酮水平的变化

本实验采用放射免疫分析法(RIA)测定了11头奶牛一个发情周期里毛、唾液、乳汁中孕酮(P_4)含量。经产牛(n=8)的毛和唾液中P_4水平变化与乳汁中P_4水平变化一致。青年牛(n=3)的毛和睡液中的P_4水平变化一致,并分别与经产牛毛和唾液中P_4水平变化一致。7头配种后的经产牛和5头配种后的青年牛分别取20和23天的样品进行妊娠诊断,与配种后60天的直检结果相对照,依据经产牛毛、乳P_4水平进行妊娠诊断的阳性准确率分别是85.7％(6/7)和100％(7/7),依据青年牛毛P_4水平进行妊娠诊断的阳性准确率为100％(5/5)。     

Relationship between milk production and plasma concentrations of oxidative stress markers during hot season in primiparous cows

Oxidative stress markers, ascorbic acid, and sulfhydryl (SH) residue concentration in primiparous cows' plasma and their relationship to milking performance during hot seasons were investigated. The rectal temperature of cows correlated negatively with SH residue (r = −0.38, n  = 38, P  < 0.05) and ascorbic acid (r = −0.34, P  < 0.05) concentrations in the cows' plasma. The group with a higher concentration of ascorbic acid over the mean value produced significantly more milk ( P  < 0.05) than did the group with a lower ascorbic acid concentration. Although the cows' milk production showed a positive correlation with ascorbic acid concentration in plasma (r = 0.47, P  < 0.05), the relation of SH residue concentration to milk yield was not constant. The plasma SH residue concentration during the hot season correlated positively with milk protein % (r = 0.38, P  < 0.05), lactose % (r = 0.35, P  < 0.05), and solid-non-fat (SNF) % (r = 0.47, P  < 0.05), respectively, but not with fat %. On the other hand, ascorbic acid concentration in plasma showed negative correlations with milk fat % (r = −0.34, P  < 0.05) and protein % (r = −0.49, P  < 0.05), but correlated positively with lactose % (r = 0.52, P  < 0.05). The produced amount (g/day) of milk protein (r = 0.42, P  < 0.05), lactose (r = 0.61, P  < 0.05), and SNF (r = 0.56, P  < 0.05) showed positive correlations with ascorbic acid concentration in plasma.     

Relationship between the somatic cell count in milk and reproductive function in peripartum dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of the somatic cell count (SCC) in milk on reproductive performance, such as pregnancy status in the prepartum period and ovarian function in the postpartum period, in dairy cows. Blood samples were collected every week from one month prepartum to parturition in order to measure the concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF_2α (PGFM), estrone sulfate (E1S) and progesterone. Milk samples were collected three times per week in both the prepartum (for one month before the dry period) and postpartum periods (for 3 months immediately after parturition) to measure the SCC. Progesterone was also determined in the whole milk of postpartum cows to define the day of the first ovulation. In the prepartum period, the maximum SCC negatively correlated with the pregnancy period (r = –0.77), but not the calf birth weight. Positive and negative correlations were observed between the average SCC and PGFM or progesterone concentrations in plasma, respectively (r = 0.84 or –0.92, respectively), at 39 weeks of pregnancy. In the postpartum period, a correlation was observed between the day of the first ovulation and both the average and maximum SCC (r = –0.74 and –0.75, respectively), whereas days open was not related to the SCC. These results suggest that a high SCC in the prepartum period may advance parturition by increasing PGF_2α and decreasing progesterone and that the first ovulation in the postpartum period was affected by a high SCC.     

Relationship between rectal findings of corpus luteum and whole milk progesterone levels in postpartum dairy cows

The reliability of clinical ovarian findings was assessed as an indicator of luteal function in primiparous dairy cows. The postpartum period of 103 cows following their first parturition was studied by thrice weekly rectal palpation of ovaries and whole milk progesterone assay from 1 week after parturition to the first insemination. The relationship between milk progesterone levels and 1101 ovarian findings was compared during the follicular phases, short luteal phases and during the early, mid and late thirds of normal luteal phases. The compatibility between elevated progesterone and palpable corpus luteum was 71%, and between low progesterone and lack of corpus luteum 77%. In 10% of all rectal examinations the finding was unspecified; i.e. the clinician could not differentiate between luteal and follicular activity. During the acyclic period prior to the initiation of luteal function, the proportion of false corpus luteum findings was 11%. The corpora lutea of the short oestrous cycles were more difficult to palpate than those of normal cycles. During early dioestrus the corpus luteum was significantly more difficult to palpate than during the rest of dioestrus. The percentage of unspecified findings was highest during early dioestrus.The paper discusses the reliability of rectal examination as a method of diagnosing cyclicity and of evaluating the responsiveness of a cow to prostaglandin treatment.     

Supra-basal progesterone concentrations during the follicular phase are associated with development of cystic follicles in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that supra-basal concentrations of progesterone during the follicular phase are associated with the development of follicular cysts. Twenty-five non-lactating dairy cows were used in the study, which was performed over five identical replicate trials. Luteolysis was induced during the mid-luteal phase. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed daily to determine the occurrence/timing of ovulation. Plasma samples were collected for progesterone, oestradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) analysis. Three cows failed to ovulate (cystic anovulatory) but did ovulate in a subsequent replicate (cystic ovulatory). Eight cows from the appropriate replicates were used as control cows (normal group). Follicular growth patterns and plasma oestradiol concentrations were similar between the three groups. However, the plasma progesterone concentrations during the follicular phase were twofold higher in the cystic anovulatory group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, no LH surge was detected in these animals. While LH pulse amplitude was similar between groups, LH pulse frequency in the cystic anovulatory group was attenuated (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the formation of follicular cysts were preceded by elevated plasma progesterone concentrations and the suppression of the LH surge.     

Uterine activity in cows during the oestrous cycle, after ovariectomy and following exogenous oestradiol and progesterone

Uterine activity was monitored in three, 2-year-old nulliparous Ayrshire heifers using intrauterine balloon-tipped catheters and pressure transducers during the oestrous cycle, after ovariectomy and following the intravenous infusion of progesterone and oestradiol-17 beta. During the oestrous cycle uterine activity, as measured by the frequency and amplitude of contractions, was greatest around oestrus and declined during the luteal phase of the cycle; there was a close correlation with peripheral progesterone concentrations. In two animals after bilateral ovariectomy spontaneous uterine activity persisted, whilst in the third animal the uterus was quiescent. In the first two heifers intravenous progesterone infusions reduced the spontaneous uterine activity, eventually completely abolishing it. There was evidence of a dose response effect at the two infusion rates. Oestradiol benzoate infusions initially inhibited spontaneous uterine activity before stimulating contractions with some evidence of a dose relationship. As demonstrated in normal cyclical and steroid-infused animals, uterine activity appears to be under the influence of both hormones although the influence of progesterone is greater.     

The milk progesterone test as an aid to the diagnosis of cystic ovaries in dairy cows

Two field trials were carried out by five experienced veterinary surgeons to evaluate the milk progesterone test as an aid to the differential diagnosis of cystic ovaries in dairy cows. Of 200 cystic cows, 71 per cent were diagnosed clinically as follicular and 29 per cent as luteal cases; 80 per cent of the cases occurred in the six winter months November to April. The progesterone assay indicated that the diagnosis was correct in 84 per cent of the follicular cases but only 54 per cent of the luteal cases. Seventy-four per cent of the confirmed cystic cases responded to treatment within two weeks according to milk progesterone tests and there were no significant treatment differences. Overall, 80 per cent of the cows became pregnant on average 38 days after treatment having received an average of 1.70 inseminations each. Milk yield data in the first trial indicated that the cystic cows were not significantly higher yielders than their herd-mates.     

Post-partum, ovarian function in dairy cows as revealed by concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone in defatted milk

Concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta and progesterone in defatted milk have been used to study the post-partum restoration of ovarian function in 52 autumn-calved dairy cattle. In 32 cows the first preovulatory peaks in oestradiol-17 beta concentration (indicative of imminent ovulation) were less than or equal to 15 days and in 49 cows less than or equal to 49 days post partum. Delay to first ovulation was mainly due, not to failure of ovarian secretion of oestradiol-17 beta at preovulatory level, but to failure of oestradiol-17 beta at this level to exert its normal preovulatory function. Longer intervals to first ovulation were associated with longer intervals from calving to the clearance of placental oestradiol-17 beta, high peak milk yields and high body weight losses, suggesting that in high-yielding dairy cows these factors (themselves inter-related) may be associated with others, which are the immediate cause of the inhibition of the normal, preovulatory function of oestradiol-17 beta. Forty-eight per cent of cows had short, first ovulation cycles. Ovarian function, comprising oestradiol-17 beta secretion at preovulatory level, normal preovulatory function of oestradiol-17 beta and normal corpus luteum progesterone secretion were almost fully restored in this herd by the 49th day post partum.     

Relationship of maternal plasma progesterone and estrone sulfate to dystocia in Holstein-Friesian heifers and cows.

Thirteen primiparous and 41 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cattle were used to study the relationship between maternal plasma progesterone (P4) and estrone sulfate (E1S) concentrations and the prevalence of dystocia. The calvings in 4 heifers and 30 cows were normal (eutocia), while the calvings in 9 heifers and 11 cows were difficult (dystocia). Neither the concentrations of P4 nor E1S were different between the groups with eutocia and dystocia from days 90 to 270 of pregnancy. However, a few days prior to parturition, eutocial cows and heifers showed a sharp decline of plasma P4, while dystocial cattle did not show such a remarkable decline of P4 concentration. Plasma P4 levels in dystocial cows a few days antepartum were significantly higher than in eutocial animals (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Prepartum E1S concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.05) in dystocial than eutocial cattle during the prepartum period from days 6 to 1 in heifers and from days 3 to 1 in cows. These results suggest that insufficient production of E1S and delayed regression of the corpora lutea are possible causes of dystocia in cattle.     

Evaluation of the on-line electrical conductivity of milk in mastitic dairy cows

Mastitis is a persistent, inflammatory reaction of the udder tissue, which entails a decline in potassium, and is also responsible for a higher somatic cell count (SCC) and electrical conductivity (EC) of milk. The measurement of EC is an indirect, rapid method to detect subclinical mastitis from milk. The aim of this study was to analyse the EC of milk throughout the lactation, around the day of mastitis detection, and also to estimate its heritability based on data from a large-scale dairy farm. Shortly after calving the EC value generally decreases; however, it was discovered that from the thirteenth week onwards, substantial differences arise between the mastitic and healthy groups of cows. The authors observed a significant (P < 0.001) increase in EC before the detection of clinical mastitis. This higher value (around 11 mS) persisted for 4 days, then it gradually returned to the normal level. The EC of milk from daughters sired by different bulls responded differently in case of mastitis. The heritability of EC seems to be high (h2 = 0.56). Therefore, the EC trait can be a beneficial indicator in detecting mastitis and should be considered in sire selection.     

Relationship of sire expected progeny differences to milk yield in Brangus cows

Milk yield from 160 Brangus cows sired by 65 Brangus bulls was measured over a 3-yr period with a single-cow milking machine to estimate the relationship of actual milk yield of daughters and their calves' BW with cow sire EPD for milk during the preweaning period. Milk yield was measured six times per year at an average 49, 78, 109, 138, 168, and 198 d postpartum. The regression of daughters' milk yield on sire milk EPD was quadratic (P < 0.01), and the initial linear portion of the curve differed among months (P < 0.05) at an average cow BW. Similarly, the regression of 6-mo average 24-h milk yield on sire milk EPD was curvilinear (P < 0.05). When cow BW was fitted as a covariate in the regression of 6-mo average 24-h milk yield on sire milk EPD, there was an interaction of cow BW with linear sire milk EPD and quadratic sire milk EPD (P < 0.10). The associated response surface suggested that the regression was primarily linear in cows weighing < or = 520 kg and curvilinear in cows weighing >520 kg. A trend existed for the regression of calf 205-d weight on grandsire milk EPD to be curvilinear (P < 0.21); however, the regression of calf 205-d weight on milk yield of their dam was linear (P < 0.01). Results from these data suggest that genetic potential for milk yield, and possibly the associated effects on calf BW transmitted through the grandsire, may have a practical maximum because of nutritional limitations that prevent the expression of genetic potential beyond that level, particularly in heavier cows, which suggests the need to match sire milk EPD and cow BW with production environment.