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.     

Opioid inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion during the postpartum period in suckled beef cows

Recent studies have shown that naloxone (N), an opioid antagonist, increases concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the postpartum anestrous beef cow. However, the LH response to N was influenced by the postpartum interval. For example, a significant LH response to 200 mg of N occurred on d 42 but not on d 14 or 28 postpartum. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of different doses of N on LH secretion during the postpartum period of beef cows. Twelve cows were given 200, 400 or 800 mg of N on d 14, 28 and 42 postpartum in a Latin square design with repeat measures within cells. On d 14, serum concentrations of LH increased (P less than .01) from .5 +/- .1 ng/ml (mean +/- SE) before N to a peak of 2.0 +/- .5 and 1.4 +/- .5 ng/ml for cows given 400 and 800 mg of N, respectively. In contrast, 200 mg of N had no effect on serum concentrations of LH. On d 28 and 42 all three doses of N elevated (P less than .01) serum concentrations of LH. Therefore, a larger dose of N was required to increase serum concentrations of LH on d 14 postpartum compared with d 28 and 42. Based on these data we suggest that endogenous opioids participate in the regulation of LH secretion in the early postpartum period. The differential response to naloxone may be due to changes in endogenous opioid inhibition of LH secretion during the postpartum period.     

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.     

Quantification of naloxone binding sites in brains from suckled beef cows during postpartum anestrus and resumption of estrous cycles

Thirty beef cows, approximately 3 yr of age, were randomly assigned to be slaughtered on d 7, 14, 28, 42 or 56 postpartum. Each cow suckled one calf until slaughter. Data from cows slaughtered on d 42 and 56 were pooled and further classified as anestrous or cyclic based on the presence of a corpus luteum and elevated serum concentrations of progesterone at slaughter. Specific binding of [3H]naloxone (3H-NAL) to homogenates of tissue from hypothalamus (HYP), preoptic area (POA) and basal forebrain (BF) was assessed using multiple-point Scatchard analyses. Nonspecific binding was estimated in the presence of 10(-6) M naloxone. Separation of bound from free 3H-NAL was achieved by centrifugation at 20,000 X g. Concentration (fmol/mg original tissue wet wt) of 3H-NAL binding sites in POA tissue was higher (P less than .05) on d 28 postpartum in anestrous cows than in cyclic cows on d 42 + 56 postpartum (2.58 +/- .32 vs 1.58 +/- .10). When all anestrous cows were compared with cyclic cows, concentrations of 3H-NAL binding sites in POA tissues and in BF tissue were higher (P less than .05) in anestrous cows (anestrous POA, 2.12 +/- .17, cyclic POA, 1.58 +/- .10; anestrous BF, 2.94 +/- .41, cyclic BF, 2.19 +/- .16). Compared across brain regions for all cows, the concentration of specific binding sites for 3H-NAL was greater (P less than .01) in BF (2.5 +/- .2) than in POA (1.9 +/- .1) and greater (P less than .01) in POA than in HYP (1.5 +/- .1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Enclomiphene does not alter the postpartum interval of suckled beef cows.

The objective of this study was to determine whether an antiestrogen (enclomiphene) would shorten the interval to first estrus and conception in postpartum beef cows. Sixty postpartum Angus beef cows were stratified by age, body condition, and calving date and were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Group 1 cows (n = 24) received three silastic implants, each containing 150 mg of enclomiphene, on d 20 postpartum. Implants were removed on d 30 postpartum. Group 2 cows (n = 28), received empty implants and served as controls. Cows were artificially inseminated at first detected estrus. Estrus detection and ovulation were further verified by increased serum progesterone. Concentrations and pulse frequencies of LH were determined from blood samples collected at 15-min intervals for 6 h on d 20, 25, 30, and 40 postpartum. Hypothalami and pituitaries were collected from four cows in each treatment group on d 30 postpartum and analyzed for concentrations of estradiol receptors. Concentrations of total and unoccupied hypothalamic and pituitary estradiol receptors were reduced by enclomiphene. Neither concentrations nor pulse frequencies of LH differed significantly between treatment groups on any of the 4 d. Days to first estrus did not differ (P greater than .05) between enclomiphene-treated (57 +/- 6; n = 24) and control (56 +/- 4; n = 28) cows. Days to conception did not differ between treated (81 +/- 9) and control (79 +/- 8) cows. The dose of enclomiphene used in this study reduced hypothalamic and pituitary estrogen receptors but did not alter secretion of LH or days to first estrus in the postpartum beef cow.     

Ovulation in postpartum beef cows treated with estradiol

The effect of implants of estradiol on initiation of ovarian cycles postpartum was studied in 201 anestrous beef cows. Cows from four farms were used over a 2-yr period in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with estradiol implants and stage postpartum as main effects. Cows were assigned at random within date of calving within farm to receive an ear implant containing estradiol-17 beta (24 mg) for 21 d or to serve as controls. Stages postpartum at implantation were divided into less than or equal to 25, 26 to 39, and greater than or equal to 40 d, three stages that should reflect potential changes in hypothalmic-hypophysial sensitivity to estradiol. Blood samples for determination of progesterone were obtained and rectal examinations of the ovaries performed at implant insertion, 14 d after insertion, at implant removal (d 21), and 14 d after removal (d 35) to assess ovulatory response to treatment. Circulating concentrations of estradiol on d 14 of treatment averaged 3.2 +/- 1.0 and 23.1 +/- 4.7 pg/ml for control and estradiol-treated cows, respectively. Compared with control cows, treatment with estradiol initiated after d 26 postpartum increased the proportion of cows that ovulated during the experimental period. No differences were seen in the average days postpartum when cows were first determined to have ovulated.     

Evaluation of a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol for postpartum suckled beef cows

Treatment with melengestrol acetate (MGA), an oral progestin, prior to administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PG) effectively synchronizes estrus and maintains high fertility in postpartum beef cows. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether treatment with MGA prior to a GnRH-PG-GnRH protocol would improve pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time artificial insemination (AI). Multiparous crossbred beef cows at two University of Missouri-Columbia farms (n = 90 and n = 137) were assigned by age and days postpartum to one of two treatments. Cows were fed carrier (1.8 kg x animal(-1) x d(-1)) with or without MGA (0.278 mg x kg(-1)) for 14 d. All cows were administered GnRH (100 microg; intramuscularly) on d 12 after MGA or carrier withdrawal and 7 d before PG (25 mg; intramuscularly). All cows received a second injection of GnRH and AI 72 h after PG. Mean days postpartum for MGA and control cows at the initiation of treatment were 39.6 and 38.9 d for herd 1; and 51.9 and 50.9 d for herd 2, respectively (P > 0.70 within herds). Blood samples were collected from all cows at 10 and 1 d before the feeding of MGA or carrier began and at the times GnRH and PG were administered. Concentrations of progesterone in serum at the initiation of treatment were elevated (>1 ng/mL) in 0% of MGA and 7% of control cows in herd 1, and 54% of MGA and 49% of control cows in herd 2 (P > 0.05 within herds). Pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI were determined by transrectal ultrasonography 50 d after AI. Pregnancy rates in herd 1 were 58% (26/45) and 51% (23/45) for MGA-treated and control cows, respectively (P = 0.52), and 63% (44/70) and 45% (30/67) for MGA-treated and control cows in herd 2, respectively (P = 0.03). Differences in pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI were significant (P = 0.04) when data from the two herds were combined (with MGA = 70/115 [61%]; control = 53/112 [47%]). There was no difference (P > 0.20) in final pregnancy rates (timed AI plus 45 d exposure to bulls) between treatments, within herds, or when herds were combined. In summary, pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time AI may be improved with treatment of MGA prior to a GnRH-PG-GnRH protocol.     

Endogenous opioid suppression of release of luteinizing hormone during suckling in postpartum anestrous beef cows

Beef cows were used to determine if suckling influences release of LH via endogenous opioids at 28 +/- 4 d after parturition. Cows of similar weight and body condition (6.8 +/- .1, 1 = emaciated, 9 = obese) were assigned randomly to five groups (n = 6 to 7): 1) control-suckled/saline (suckled 15 min every 6 hr for 48 hr); 2) control-suckled/naloxone; 3) calf-removal/saline (calf removal for 52 hr); 4) calf-removal/naloxone; and 5) control-suckled/GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone). At 0 hr, saline was administered to all cows. This treatment was continued at 6 hr intervals for 24 hr. Either naloxone (0.5 mg/kg), GnRH (40 ng/kg) or saline was administered to cows in their respective groups every 6 hr during the ensuing 24-hr period in calf-removal groups, or immediately preceding each suckling episode in the control-suckled groups. Blood samples for analysis of luteinizing hormone (LH) were collected at 15-min intervals for 1 hr prior to and 3 hr after treatment at 0, 24, 36 and 48 hr. Cows were observed for estrus twice daily. All cows in the control-suckled/GnRH group released LH (P less than .05) in response to exogenous GnRH, indicating the presence of releasable quantities of the gonadotropin. Mean concentrations of LH were not effected (P greater than .05) by the control-suckled regime. However, calf-removal alone, or in combination with naloxone, increased (P less than .05) mean concentrations of LH by 48 hr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Hormonal interrelationships in postpartum suckled dairy cows.

Three cross-bred cows calved in March and April and were followed until day 62 after parturition. Each animal was suckled by 2 calves ad libitum. All calves were removed from the cows on day 55 after parturition. Blood was collected 3 times per day from the jugular vein by venipuncture. On 4 occasions after parturition--i.e. days 7-8, 21-22, 35-36 and 49-50, the cows were bled through a jugular venous catheter every 30 min during the 24 h. The plasma samples were analyzed for the content of 15-keto-13,14-dihydro-PGF2 alpha (main PGF2 alpha metabolite), LH, prolactin, cortisol and progesterone by radioimmunoassay methods. The concentration of PGF2 alpha increased from 280 to 730 pmol/l within the last 4 days before parturition. The highest geometric mean was 3106 pmol/l on the day of parturition. Thereafter a steady decrease of PGF2 alpha metabolite concentration was seen until day 21 when it reached plateau at 148 pmol/l. In all cows plasma LH concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05) from about 1.6 micrograms/l on days 7-8 to 2.4 micrograms/l on days 21-22 post partum. The frequency of LH pulses showed no tendency to increase as the postpartum period progressed and averaged 6.5 pulses/24 h. Mean plasma LH concentrations increased from 2.1 micrograms/l 2 days before weaning to 3.2 micrograms/l 2 days after weaning (P < 0.05). LH peaks occurred less frequently in association with prolactin and cortisol peaks than in their absence. A partial positive correlation between PGF2 alpha metabolite and cortisol (r = 0.30) was found on days 7-8 post partum. Correlation between prolactin and cortisol on days 7-8 and 21-22 post partum was also positive (r = 0.20 and r = 0.27, respectively). There was a negative correlation between LH and cortisol on days 7-8 (r = -0.27) and days 49-50 (r = -0.21) post partum. The first and short progesterone increase observed after weaning was terminated in conjunction with PGF2 alpha metabolite peaks.     

Influence of the ovary and suckling on luteinizing hormone response to naloxone in postpartum beef cows

The influence of the suckling stimulus and ovarian secretions on LH response to naloxone was studied in 16 postpartum anestrous beef cows that were assigned randomly to one of four groups (n = 4/group): intact suckled (IS), intact nonsuckled (IN), ovariectomized suckled (OS) or ovariectomized nonsuckled (ON). Ovariectomy (OS + ON) and calf removal (IN + ON) were performed on d 2, 3 or 4 after parturition. Jugular venous blood was collected at 15-min intervals for 4 h before and 4 h after administration of naloxone (1 mg/kg BW, i.v.) on d 14 and d 28 after parturition. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (5 micrograms, i.v.) was given 3 h after naloxone. Both IN and OS increased (P less than .05) mean pretreatment LH above IS values (mean +/- SE, ng/ml; IS 1.6 +/- .1 vs IN 2.5 +/- .3 and OS 2.7 +/- .4; P less than .01), whereas ON increased (P less than .01) LH (3.7 +/- .3 ng/ml) even further. Mean LH increased (P less than .05) after naloxone administration in all treatment groups. However, magnitude of this response was variable and dependent on ovarian status. Amplitude of the naloxone-induced LH response was greater (P less than .05) for ovariectomized (5.9 +/- 1.1 ng/ml) than for intact groups (2.7 +/- .5 ng/ml). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone increased mean LH concentrations in all groups. We suggest that ovarian secretions and the suckling stimulus contribute to endogenous opioid inhibition of LH during the postpartum interval.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Patterns of tonic luteinizing hormone release and ovulation frequency in suckled anestrous beef cows following varying intervals of temporary weaning

Thirty postpartum Brahman crossbred cows were utilized to determine the effects of varying intervals of temporary weaning on tonic LH secretion and ovulation. Cows were assigned randomly on day 17–21 postpartum to one of five groups: 1) Suckled Ad libitum, 2) 48-hr weaned, 3) 72-hr weaned, 4) 96-hr weaned, or 5) 144-hr weaned. The mean maximal rise in LH pulse frequency due to weaning occurred within 2 days and averaged 221 percent of time 0 values. The frequency of LH pulses was greater (P<.06) in weaned than in suckled controls. This temporal increase was self-limiting, displaying an acute rise followed by a variable rate of decline in all groups. However, pulse frequency remained elevated relative to suckled controls for the longest period of time for weaning durations of 96 and 144 hr (P<.10). In 48-hr and 72-hr weaned cows, a rapid reversal of the initial increase in LH pulse frequency was observed following calf return. A significant linear regression (y = 1.9 ± .64x; P<.03) described the increase in LH pulse frequency that occurred in cows which ovulated following weaning. Nonovulators were sensitive to calf return and responded by exhibiting a linear decline (y = 2.87 − .43x; P<.04) in LH pulse frequency following this event. The amplitude of LH pulses increased (P<.02) during the period after calf return in ovulators, but did not change in nonovulators. Percentage ovulating by day 10 increased (P<.05) with increased weaning duration past 72 hr. We conclude that calf return before 96 hr markedly attenuates weaning-induced increases in LH secretion and ovulation.     

Steroids and cAMP in follicles of postpartum beef cows treated with norgestomet.

To determine time of occurrence of follicular changes that may be associated with the length of the subsequent luteal phase, follicles were collected at different times before ovulation from cows expected to have corpora lutea of short (control) or normal (norgestomet-treated) life span. Beginning on d 20 to 23 postpartum (d 0 of study), 34 crossbred beef cows received either a 6-mg implant of norgestomet for 9 d or served as untreated controls. Ovaries were removed from norgestomet-treated cows on d 6 (N6; n = 9), d 8 (N8; n = 8), or the day after implant removal (N10; n = 8). Control cows were ovariectomized on d 6 (C6; n = 4) or d 10 (C10; n = 5). The largest and second largest follicles greater than 8 mm (F1 and F2, respectively) were dissected from the ovaries. Granulosal and thecal layers and follicular fluid were separated and assayed for estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, androstenedione, and testosterone. Cyclic 3'5'adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was determined in thecal and granulosal tissue. Diameters of the F1 (14.6 +/- .4 mm) and F2 (10.6 +/- .4 mm) did not differ due to treatment. A greater proportion (P less than .05) of the F1 (20/33) than of the F2 (4/27) had estradiol:progesterone ratios of greater than 1 in follicular fluid. Contents of estradiol, androstenedione, and testosterone in theca and granulosa and follicular fluid, androstenedione in theca, and testosterone in theca and follicular fluid (all P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of metoclopramide on luteinizing hormone secretion in postpartum anestrous cows.

The effect of metoclopramide (MC), a dopamine antagonist on luteinizing hormone (LH), was examined in anestrous primaparous cows. Metoclopramide has been found to be beneficial in overcoming fescue toxicosis; increasing LH secretion stimulates return to ovulatory function after parturition. Consequently, if MC had negative effect on LH secretion, it would indicate that administration of MC to reproducing animals might be limited. Of 14 postpartum (47 to 66 days) cows, 7 were given MC (4 mg/kg of body weight, IV), and 7 served as controls. Blood was obtained via jugular cannulas at 15-minute intervals for 8 hours; MC was given at the end of the first hour, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, 7 mg/kg), was given IV at the end of hour 7 as a challenge stimulus for LH secretion. Prior to GnRH administration, MC did not have significant effect on LH secretion, as judged by mean serum LH concentration, LH pulse frequency, and LH pulse amplitude. Administration of MC resulted in greater (P less than 0.05) LH response to GnRH, indicating enhanced secretory ability when the pituitary gland was challenged. Serum prolactin concentration was increased (P less than 0.01) by MC administration. Therefore, MC did not have adverse effect on LH secretion in postpartum cows.     

Nutritional anestrus in beef cows: body weight change, body condition, luteinizing hormone in serum and ovarian activity

Multiparous Hereford cows (n = 22) with moderate to good body condition scores (BCS) were randomly allotted to maintenance (M) or restricted (R) diets under drylot conditions. Cows on M diets received adequate feed to maintain initial BW, whereas R cows were fed to lose 1% of their initial BW weekly until luteal activity ceased. When most of the R cows became anestrous, their diet was increased to allow BW gain and resumption of ovarian cyclicity. Body weights and BCS were recorded weekly and luteal activity was assessed by weekly determination of progesterone in plasma. Concentrations of LH in serum were quantified in weekly samples and in samples obtained frequently at four selected times. Restricted cows had reduced BW (P less than .01) by 5 wk and reduced BCS (P less than .01) by 15 wk compared with M cows. Luteal activity ceased after 26 +/- 1 wk of reduced nutrient intake in 91% of the R cows; R cows had lost 24.0 +/- .9% of their initial BW and had a BCS of 3.5 +/- .3. Lack of luteal activity was associated with absence of behavioral estrus. Estrous cycles resumed 9 +/- 2 wk after the diet of R cows was increased, at which time R cows weighed 12 +/- 3% less than at the start of the experiment and had a BCS of 4.6 +/- .2. Concentrations of LH in serum samples obtained weekly were reduced (P less than .01) in R cows compared with M cows. In addition, LH pulse frequency was reduced (P less than .05) when R cows were initiating anestrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of feeding diets containing endophyte-infected fescue seed on luteinizing hormone secretion in postpartum beef cows and in cyclic heifers and cows.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of feeding endophyte (Acremonium coenophialum)-infected fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.) seed on LH secretion in postpartum beef cows and in cycling heifers and cows. In Exp. 1, spring-calving primiparous Angus cows (n = 16) were pair-fed for 75 d diets that contained endophyte-free or endophyte-infected (95%) fescue seed that contained 1.3 micrograms/g of ergovaline and 5.2 mg/g of saturated pyrrolizidines. Serial blood samples for basal and GnRH-stimulated serum LH analysis were obtained on d 7, 28, 42, and 56 of the study. The endophyte had no effect on LH secretion (basal, pulse frequency, and amplitude) or milk production. Average daily gain was decreased (P < .05) in cows that consumed infected fescue seed compared with controls (-.20 vs -.01 kg, respectively). Basal serum prolactin concentrations were reduced (P < .01) in treated compared with control cows (8.9 vs 25.4 ng/mL, respectively) on d 70. In Exp. 2, cycling Angus heifers (n = 8; age = 2 yr) and cows (n = 8; age = 4 yr) stratified by age were pair-fed for 40 d diets that contained the noninfected or the highly infected fescue seed. Estrus was synchronized by prostaglandin F2 alpha (d 18 and 28). Serial blood samples for serum LH analysis were obtained on d 28 (luteal phase) and d 30 (follicular phase). The endophyte did not affect LH (P > .28) or prolactin (P > .16) secretion, whereas ADG was decreased (P < .05) in treated compared with control animals (.32 vs .70 kg/d, respectively).     

Ovsynch plus CIDR protocol for timed embryo transfer in suckled postpartum Japanese Black beef cows

We compared synchronization and pregnancy rates, and the increase in blood progesterone concentrations during luteal development, between (1) Ovsynch plus an intravaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device protocol followed by timed embryo transfer (timed ET), and (2) a conventional estrus synchronization method using PGF(2 alpha) and ET in suckled postpartum Japanese Black beef cows. Cows in the PGF group (n=18) received a PGF(2 alpha) analogue when a CL was first palpated per rectum at 10-d intervals after 1 to 2 month postpartum. Cows (n=11), which showed estrus (Day 0) within 5 d of the PGF(2 alpha), and had a CL on Day 7, received ET. Cows in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (n=19) underwent the Ovsynch protocol plus a CIDR for 7 d (GnRH analogue and CIDR on Day-9, PGF(2alpha) analogue with CIDR removal on Day-2, and GnRH analogue on Day 0), with ET on Day 7. The ovulation synchronization (100%) and embryo transfer (100%) rates in the Ovsynch+CIDR group were greater (P<0.01) than the estrus synchronization (66.7%) and the embryo transfer (61.1%) rates in the PGF group. The postpartum interval at ET in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (62.5 +/- 2.5 d) was shorter (P<0.01) than in the PGF group (74.9 +/- 3.9 d). The pregnancy rate in the Ovsynch+CIDR group (57.9%) did not differ significantly from that in the PGF group (50.0%). Plasma progesterone concentrations were not significantly different in the two groups on Days 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, 14 and 21. In summary, higher synchronization and transfer rates, and shorter postpartum interval to ET, can be achieved with timed ET following the Ovsynch plus CIDR protocol than after estrus with the single PGF(2 alpha) treatment followed by ET in suckled postpartum recipient beef cows. Pregnancy rates were similar. Also, the increase in blood progesterone concentrations during luteal development following ovulation synchronized by the Ovsynch plus CIDR protocol was similar to that after estrus induced by the PGF(2 alpha) treatment.     

Response to a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog in heifers treated with recombinant growth hormone

Sixteen pregnant Holstein heifers (430kg) were used to determine the effect of long-term administration of a bovine growth hormone (bGH) made by recombinant DNA technology on the ability of a bolus injection of a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog (Ac-His-1, D-Ala-2, Nle-27, GHRH(1-29 NH2) to increase serum GH. Eight heifers received a daily intramuscular injection of bGH (50 mg/day) for 5 months while the other half received a daily injection of physiological saline (control) over the same period. On the last day of bGH treatment and 1, 5, 10 and 25 days after the cessation of bGH treatment, five heifers from each group were challenged with GHRH analog and the response to this releasing hormone analog was measured. Basal GH concentrations were elevated on the last day of treatment in bGH-treated heifers and declined to concentrations similar to control heifers by 1 day after cessation of treatment. Response to GHRH analog was impaired by bGH during the last day of treatment and one day later. Responsiveness returned to a level similar to controls by 5 days after the end of bGH treatment. Response to GHRH analog was lessened during the period of bGH treatment but there were no long term effects on the animals' ability to respond to the releasing hormone.