Adjustment of non-return rates for AI technicians and dairy bulls

Insemination results of technicians and dairy bulls in AI were studied using 87112 first inseminations from 283 bulls by 37 technicians. The traits studied were 28- and 56-day non-return rates. Models were compared on the basis of the correlation between solutions obtained from a reference model and reduced models.Age at first service in heifers and calving to first service interval in cows did not affect the ranking of sires and technicians. Routine monthly evaluation of non-return rates of sires required a correction for parity of cow and month of insemination. In addition genetic group and number of inseminations should be considered. Monthly evaluation of technicians could be based on deviations within studs.Annual evaluation of sires and technicians should consider a herd effect as well. The correlation between solutions (56-day non-return) for models with and without herd effect was 0.94 for both sires and technicians, whereas the absolute average change was 0.5%.     

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)     

Low Fertility in Daughters of Bulls with 1/29 Translocation

Non-return rates at different stages after insemination were compared in daughters (n = 21,212) of five translocation heterozygous sires with all cows and heifers (n = 610,714) represented in the Norwegian Red Cattle (NRF) breeding statistics during the period October 1970 to September 1972. The daughters of the carrier bulls showed statistically significant lower non-return rates for 0–30, 30–60, 60–90, 90–120, 120–150, 150–180 and 180–270 days as compared with the control animals. The decline in non-return percentage for the daughters of translocation sires was greater than in the control animals during the period from 0–30 to 60–90 days indicating higher losses of fetuses during the early period after insemination.Daughter groups of carrier bulls consisting of adult cows only showed higher non-return rates than groups comprising both cows and heifers.     

Aspects of Reproduction in New Zealand Dairy Herds

Summary

Records for over 28 000 cows in 316 herds serviced by the Bay of Plenty Livestock Improvement Association showed the average calving interval (CI) was 364 days (S.D. = ±31 days). Between-herd variation accounted for less than 1% of the total variation. The CI for cows conceiving to first insemination was 358 days compared to 367 days for conceptions to second inseminations, but the CI for this latter group of cows was significantly influenced by the interval between inseminations. When the between-service interval was 17 days or less the ensuing CI was 352 days, compared to 374 days for a between-service interval of 18 to 24 days. The results indicate that while the high incidence of short-return intervals to first insemination in New Zealand dairy cattle will reduce non-return rates, the factors producing these short-return intervals are not increasing CI's. The estimated intervals from calving to first service varied from 57 to 76 days.

Although the A.B. service was used for an average of only 36 days, the total breeding period averaged 102 days after which time 5.4% of the cows in the herd remained empty. The regression coefficient between total breeding period and percentage of empty cows was only ?0.28% fewer empty cows per extra week. While this relationship was statistically significant there was a wide variation in the percentage of empty cows among herds with the same breeding period.     

Accuracy of bovine pregnancy detection using transrectal ultrasonography at 28 to 35 days after insemination

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the accuracy of real-time ultrasonography to detect pregnancy in dairy cows at 28 to 35 days after insemination. METHODS: Cows that did not return to oestrus between 18 and 24 days after a first insemination (n = 526) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography from 28 to 35 days after insemination. Pregnancy was confirmed by the observation of a foetus, but fluid in the uterine horn and the presence of embryonic membranes were also noted. When pregnancy was not confirmed by the observation of a foetus, a second examination 7 days later, confirmed these remaining cows as pregnant or not pregnant to the first insemination. Detection of pregnancy at this early examination was compared with manual transrectal pregnancy examination performed 10 to 13 weeks after insemination (13-week examination). RESULTS: There were 44% of cows that were pregnant to the first service, 34% that had returned for a second service 18 to 24 days after the first insemination, and 20% of cows that were not pregnant, and had not returned normally for a second service (non-pregnant, non-return) within 24 days of their initial insemination. The presence of a foetus at 28 to 35 days after insemination was accurately predicted by a simplified method where uterine fluid accumulation and embryonic membranes were observed. Foetal loss between the early detection and the 13-week examination (9% of pregnancies) indicated that 28 to 35 days post insemination was too early to reliably detect pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Early examination of pregnancy with transrectal ultrasonography is an accurate method to identify non-pregnant, non-return cows. The examination can be simplified by the observation of uterine fluid accumulation and embryonic membranes, as opposed to the more involved process of observing the foetus.     

Effects of gestagens on the early phases of pregnancy in cattle--clinical experiences. I. Studies on the prevention of embryonic death]

Effects of chlormadinone acetate (CAP) on early gestation and embryonal death were studied in 177 cows. CAP (10 mg) was administered daily on Days 14-23 after service or insemination. CAP at the dose level and timing chosen had no adverse effect on gestation but seemed to have caused an insignificant increase of conceptions from inseminations before treatment. The CAP effect on increasing conceptions after treatm ent was less pronounced. The luteolytic effect CAP exerts in cycling animals seems to have ceased as soon as animals had conceived. An unexpected high percentage of repeat breeding cows had conceived at the last insemination or service before treatment: 52.9% in the CAP, and 46.7% in the placebo group. A total of 62.1 (CAP) and 61.2 (placebo) an imals became pregnant from service before, during, or immediately after treatment. Findings are discussed in terms of bovine reproduction and animal husbandry.     

Male, female and management risk factors for non-return to service in Dutch mares

The "effect" of stallion, mare and management-related factors on the odds of pregnancy per cycle in the horse were identified and quantified from the breeding records of Dutch Warmblood (n=4491), Friesian (n=1467) and Shetland-pony mares (n=3267) mated either naturally or by artificial insemination to one of the 88 stallions between 1992 and 1996. A mare was considered to be pregnant when she did not return to oestrous within 28 days of the last insemination. For Dutch Warmblood horses, the percentage of mares that did not return for service within 28 days (NR28) varied between studfarms and ranged from 61 to 82%. The NR28 for mares inseminated with fresh semen ranged from 67 to 74% and for mares inseminated with frozen/thawed semen this percentage was 59. Mares served at a second cycle had lower odds not to return than mares served at the third or subsequent cycle (OR=0.84). For Friesian horses, the NR28 for young mares was higher than that for older mares. Mares served before 1 May in any year had lower odds of non-return than mares served after 1 July (OR=0.69). The NR28 of mares inseminated once per cycle was 6% lower than that of mares inseminated three times or more per cycle. For Shetland ponies, the NR28 also varied between studfarms and ranged from 62 to 78%. Stallions < or =3 years old had lower odds of non-return compared to older stallion (> or =11) (OR=0.57). Mares served before 1 July had lower odds of non-return. Other significant factors for this breed were age of the mare, cycle number and insemination frequency. Stallion factors accounted for 5.9, 2.0 and 14.7% of the variation in the NR28 for Dutch Warmblood, Friesian horses and the Shetland ponies, respectively.     

Effect of cattle insemination carried out with and without assistance

It has been studied whether help with the insemination work from a herdsman improves the result of the insemination. Totally 52,716 inseminations performed by 55 insemination technicians and veterinarians are included in the study, 18 per cent of these inseminations were performed without help. The data are analysed by a least squares procedure. The model used included lactation number of the cow (ai), insemination month (mj), the person who performed the insemination (ink), whether he had been helped with the insemination or not (hl) and interaction between ink and hl. As measure of the result of the insemination 60 days non-return percentage was used (total 60 days N.R.-% and 60 days N.R.-% corrected for short returns, zero to three days). There was found no significant effect of help at insemination on either of the 60 days N.R.-%'s studied. However, to encourage good contact between the farmers and the inseminating personnel, it is beneficial that herdsmen are present when cows are inseminated.     

Direct and maternal genetic parameters of fertility traits in Friesian cattle

Variance and covariance components for sire of cow and sire of insemination of fertility traits were estimated by parity using REML procedures. Subsequently direct genetic and maternal components were calculated. Heritabilities for 56-day non-return rate, conception rate (heifers, parity one to three) and days open (parity one to three) varied between 0.007 and 0.049. The heritability for age at conception in heifers was 0.192. The maternal component for days open was greater than the direct genetic component. The genetic correlations between sire of insemination and sire of cow for non-return rate changed from −0.29 in heifers to 0.59 in parity three, that for conception rate from −0.74 to 0.48. The relation between maternal and direct genetic components changed from −0.94 to 0.26 and −0.97 to 0.12 for non-return and conception rates, respectively. Changes in correlations for days open from parity one to three were smaller. The results indicated that the genetic correlation between the sire of cow components for non-return and conception rate in heifers, first parity and older cows may differ from unity.     

Influence of cornual insemination on conception in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to compare conception to artificial insemination (AI) services in dairy cattle when semen was deposited into the uterine body or into both uterine horns (cornual insemination). Nine herdsman inseminators (HI) in four commercial dairy herds in Washington constituted the experimental units. Herds ranged in size from 393 cows to 964 cows. The duration of the experiment was 12 mo in three herds and 18 mo in the fourth herd. At the beginning of the experiment all inseminators were trained to deposit semen in the body of the uterus. Inseminators were instructed to use this method for 6 mo. Following employment of body deposition, the same inseminators were retrained to deposit one-half of the semen into the right uterine horn and one-half into the left uterine horn. Cornual inseminations were performed for 6 mo. A total of 4,178 services constituted the data set. Milk samples were collected from cows on the day of insemination and later were assayed for progesterone (P4). There was variation (P less than .01) in conception associated with month of insemination and insemination method (P less than .001). The monthly variation was not associated with season of the year. Least squares means for conception when semen was deposited in the uterine body was 44.7%, compared with 64.6% when cornual insemination was employed. The insemination treatment X inseminator interaction was not significant. Results suggest that cornual insemination provides an alternative to deposition of semen in the uterine body.     

Porcine Field Fertility with Two Different Insemination Doses and the Effect of Sperm Morphology

In swine artificial insemination, several dose regimens are applied, ranging from 1.5 x 10(9) to 6.0 x 10(9) spermatozoa per intra-cervical insemination dose. A lower sperm dose is more profitable for artificial insemination centres and offers a more effective use of superior boars. To evaluate fertility, 50 boars were used for a total of 10 773 homospermic first inseminations at a dose of 2 billion spermatozoa. In addition, 96 boars were used at a dose of 3 billion spermatozoa for 34 789 homospermic first inseminations. Fertility was determined by a 60-day non-return rate (NR%) of first inseminations. Litter size was registered by total number of piglets born separately in primiparous and multiparous farrowings. On average, a sow was inseminated 1.5 times. A significant decrease was observed in all three fertility parameters (NR%, litter size of both primiparous and multiparous farrowings) with a dose of 2 billion spermatozoa compared with a dose of 3 billion spermatozoa. The NR% was 75.8% and 84.0% (p < 0.001), the mean litter size of primiparous farrowings 10.1 and 10.7 (p < 0.001) and the mean litter size of multiparous farrowings 11.7 and 12.1 (p < 0.001) for 2 and 3 billion spermatozoa/dose, respectively. The proportion of normal spermatozoa in the sperm morphology analysis correlated significantly with NR% in both insemination regimens: p < 0.001, r = 0.604 and p < 0.05, r = 0.223 for 2 and 3 billion spermatozoa/dose, respectively. These results confirm that quantity can at least partly compensate for poor sperm quality. When the boars with <70% normal spermatozoa in the morphology evaluation were excluded from the data there were no correlation between the sperm morphology and NR%. However, the difference between the NR% and litter size remained statistically significant (p < 0.001) in favour for the bigger insemination dose. In conclusion, a decrease in sperm dose from 3 to 2 billion spermatozoa on commercial farms will severely decrease prolificacy at least under field conditions, where a sow is inseminated an average of 1.5 times/heat, and the semen is typically used within 3 days after collection. We recommend that under commercial circumstances the homospermic semen doses contain no <3 billion spermatozoa/dose.     

Estimation of genetic parameters for 13 female fertility indices in Holstein dairy cows

This study was aimed to assess genetic parameters for 13 traits in heifers and first-parity Holstein dairy cows. Data consisted of calving and insemination dates of 14,707 Holstein dairy cows in Isfahan province of Iran. Reproductive traits included age at first service (AFS), first service to conception (FSTC), gestation length (GL), age at first calving (AFC), calving to first service (CTFS), days open (DO), calving interval (CI), number of services per conception (NS), and non-return rate at 56 days (NRR). Model equations were optimized using GLM procedure in SAS package following genetic analysis using animal models in ASREML software. Minimum and maximum departure from normal distribution for phenotypic records belonged to AFS, NRR, GL, DO, CI and AFC, NS, FSTC, CTFS, respectively. Estimated heritability varied from 0.002 (NRR) to 0.184 (GL) in heifers and from 0.003 (NRR) to 0.153 (GL) in first-parity cows. AFS, CTFS, and GL were noticeably heritable compared to other assessed traits. Estimated absolute additive genetic correlations were in the range of 0.01 (NRR and AFS) and 0.99 (NRR and NS) in heifers and 0.07 (GL and CI) to 1 (FSTC and CI) in cows. Additive genetic correlations were antagonistic between AFS and other traits, except AFC. Interestingly, NRR which has been included in sire catalogs had the highest average absolute genetic associations with other traits.     

An epidemiologic study of late-term abortions in dairy cattle in Denmark, July 2000-August 2003

Abortion in dairy cows in well-managed dairies is not common but differences have been reported probably due to variation in animal health, nutrition and management, as well as difficulties in observing the aborted material. A 38-month study of 507 large Danish dairy herds revealed 3354 late-term abortions and 224,419 calvings were recorded. During the study period, a total of 3717 submissions were made to the Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research (DFVF). A broad spectrum of abortive agents was isolated but none were found to be statistically associated with abortions. The number of abortions in a month on a dairy was significantly (P<0.001) associated with the number of cows in the third trimester but explained only 11% (R(adj)(2)=0.114) of the variability of the reported abortions. A total of 23 herds (4.5%) reported 531 abortions (15.8%). Although a marginally significant (P=0.11) risk of increased abortions was found to exist in bovine viral diarrhea virus- (BVDV) infected herds, it could be at least partially explained by additional calvings in those herds. Temporal correlation between inseminations and abortions was statistically significant (P<0.001) with the highest correlation (r=0.47-0.51) after lagging abortions on insemination by 6-8 months. No indication of spatial clustering was detected for either specific-abortogenic pathogens or high aborting dairies using either Cuzick-Edwards' (P>0.17) or spatial scan tests (P>0.23). Ederer-Myers-Mantel test was applied to 3 years of data on the highest aborting dairies and showed that July had nearly double the expected number of maximum monthly abortions (P<0.001). These findings provide further insight into the reported abortion pattern in Danish dairies and may facilitate planning future control programs.     

A longitudinal study of the hooves of non-lame cows

A longitudinal study of the feet of cows from a seasonal dairy herd was conducted over a 12 month period to measure the occurrence of subclinical hoof lesions. Eleven 2-year-old cows, entering the herd for the first time, and eleven mature cows were randomly selected from a herd of 415 cows at the end of winter (July 1989) prior to calving. The incidence of lameness in the herd over the 12 months was 2%. None of the trial cows became lame during the study. Cows were examined monthly. The type, severity and location of any hoof lesions were recorded. Sole haemorrhage, erosion of the heel bulb and minor white line separation were the most commonly observed lesions. These lesions were observed with specific claw distributions in the cow and at specific times of the year and breeding season, with waves of each type of lesion passing through the herd at a particular time. White line separation was observed commonly during spring (up to 37% of digits affected), disappeared almost completely over the dry summer months and reappeared in autumn, increasing to 40%' again over winter. Lesions were more commonly observed in the lateral digits, with fore feet being more commonly affected than hind feet. Erosion of the heel bulbs was common in August (65% of digits affected, more common in mature cows than 2-year-olds), disappeared quickly during spring, and reappeared in all cows during the following winter (88% of digits; no age differences). There were no differences in distribution between digits. Sole haemorrhages were concentrated over the mid-sole and abaxial sole zones. They were more common in the hind feet than the front feet and more common in the outside claws (p < 0.001). Haemorrhages were not observed prior to or soon after calving, appeared in October and reached a peak of 40% in December, then gradually disappeared by the time of drying-off in May. The 2-year-olds were more frequently affected than the mature cows (p <0.001).     

A farming systems study of abortion in dairy cattle on the Atherton Tableland: 3. Metabolic factors

An association with a rank correlation of 0.55 (p = 0.06) was obtained between monthly rainfall and monthly abortions for a group of 24 farms in tropical Australia where cows grazed predominantly summer rain-dependent pasture. A similar association was found among cows grazing nitrogen-fertilised, irrigated pasture in winter in the same area. On farms with irrigated pasture the first service conception and abortion rates in herds which grazed intensively during the night (abortion 8.9%; first service conception 42.9%) differed significantly from those which grazed during the day (abortion 6.4%; first service conception 52.9%), and this suggested that increased abortion rates and decreased first conception rates may be part of the one syndrome. An hypothesis was developed that the feeding of immature nitrogen-fertilised pasture, rich in protein and stimulated by rain or irrigation, is associated with an increased abortion rate and a depressed conception rate. Other evidence included an increased susceptibility of first lactation cows to abortion, a lower abortion rate in late pregnant dry cows fed more mature pasture, a 20% repeat abortion rate in the population sampled and the lack of conclusive evidence for infectious and selected non-infectious agents. There were no other observed clinical signs in most aborting cows.     

The effect of age, weight and the breed of heifer on the concentration of thyroxine during insemination

We determined the thyroxine (T4) concentration in 63 heifers on 0th (day of insemination), 6th and 21st day after first and in repeat-breeder cows after second and third insemination in relation with the breed, age and weight of animals. The examination was carried out with a feed ration balanced according to the Czechoslovak State Standard CSN 46 7070, with all-the-year-round housing, with keeping the uniform time of insemination (8.00--9.00 a. m.) as well as the time of blood sampling (10.00--12.00 a. m.). The animals were inseminated from August to November. The average T4 concentrations, with a successful insemination, fluctuated on 0th day after first, second and third insemination at levels of 56.15 +/- 13.6; 84.6 +/- 10.66 and 89.75 +/- 13.62 nmol X l-1 of serum. As the results show, the lowest T4 concentrations (P less than 0.001; P less than 0.001) on 0th day were recorded in animals becoming pregnant in first insemination. The comparison with non-pregnant animals did not show any statistically significant difference in T4 concentrations. On 0th day of the second insemination, the T4 concentrations in pregnant animals were higher (P less than 0.01) as compared with non-pregnant. On 6th and 21st day after successful first insemination the T4 content increased significantly (P less than 0.001). After second and third successful insemination we recorded in T4 concentrations a moderate decrease on 6th day (P less than 0.01 for third insemination), with insignificant increase on 21st day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

黑白花公牛冻精受精力的检测—穿透仓鼠卵的试验

本试验用SPA法(Sperm Penetration Assay)即精子穿透分析法对8头黑白花公牛冻精的受精力进行检测,以预测各公牛精液受精力的水平。结果:每卵表面平均精子数为3.2～9.5个,每卵内精子数为1.6～3.4个,被穿透的卵子比例即穿透率为34.9～65.7％,具雄原核的卵子比例即原核卵率为16.0～32.4％。这些数值与各公牛冻精授精500多头母牛的效果作对照,8头公牛平均80(70～90)天的不返情率为56％(45.8～71.1％),不返情率与雄原核卵率,穿透率呈高度正相关,相关系数分别为 0.82和 0.92。 另一组试验结果表明:授精时间对穿透率特别是对雄原核形成有很大影响。授精2小时后观察,没有雄原核形成,只有附着于卵子表面的精子;授精4小时后,精子已通过卵黄膜进入卵内,并开始形成雄原核;授精6小时后形成发育良好的雄原核。 这些观察结果有助于利用这项技术在生产上对公牛精液的受精力进行客观评定,为选择后备公牛提供重要的生理指标,特别是对评定冷冻精液的品质具有一定的参考价值。并为精子顶体反应、受精机理、体外受精、遗传学和胚胎学等领域的研究提供新的手段。     

Conception of Jersey cattle in Turkey

To determine the effects of insemination season (IS; dry: May through October and rainy: November through April), lactation number (LN; heifers, primiparous or multiparous) and their interaction on non-return rate (NRR), conception rate (CR) to first-service and pregnancy loss (PL) of Jersey cattle in Turkey, over 1468 lactation records from 510 Jersey dairy cows were used. There was an interaction between LN × IS on NRR, CR to first-service (p < 0.01) and PL (p < 0.05). The NRR and CR to first-service of heifers inseminated during dry season and of primiparous inseminated during rainy season were higher (p < 0.01) than that of multiparous inseminated during both season. The NRR and CR of heifers and primiparous were higher (p < 0.05) than that of multiparous cows. The insemination of heifers during rainy season and of primiparous and multiparous during dry season increased (p < 0.01) the PL compared to the inseminations of heifers during dry season and of primiparous during rainy season. The PL was lower (p < 0.05) in primiparous than multiparous cows. The results demonstrate that the heifers have high fertility than the lactating, especially multiparous and that IS appeared to have a measurable impact on traits relating to conception of Jersey cattle in the each LN.     

Reproductive Parameters and Efficiency of Inseminators in Dairy Farms in Portugal

This study was carried out to determine the reproductive efficiency indices of one of the largest dairy co-operatives of northern Portugal, using data from 1980 to 1998. Records were made available by the computerized National Recording System. Age at first calving was 32.0 ± 6.0 months. Mean calving to first AI interval was 95.4 ± 30.0 days, and calving to conception intervals decreased (p < 0.05) from 176.9 ± 4.5 to 148.1 ± 5.6 days from the first to the fourth/fifth parturitions, respectively. Calving intervals decreased (p < 0.05) from 418.1 ± 3.4 to 392.5 ± 7.0 days from the first to fourth/fifth parturitions, respectively. Mean non-return rates at 90 days for first inseminations was 71.7 ± 6.5% and mean calving rates at first insemination was 51.4 ± 8.1%. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in the inseminators' efficiency, measured by both non-return and calving rates at first AI, with differences between the best and worst results of 13.3 and 16.1% for non-return and calving rates, respectively. The ranking of the inseminators did not coincide when their efficiency was measured by either non-return or calving rates. The mean number of inseminations per pregnancy (pregnant cows only) was 1.4 ± 0.7 with significant (p < 0.001) differences among herds. The mean heat detection rate was 38.1 ± 16.9%, with highly significant (p < 0.001) differences among farms (ranging from 14.2 to 60.8%). Negative (p < 0.001) correlations were found between heat detection rate and calving to first AI, calving to conception and calving intervals. The meaning of these indexes for assessment of reproductive efficiency in the studied system, is discussed.