Hepatic steroid inactivating enzymes,hepatic portal blood flow and corpus luteum blood perfusion in cattle

Production from the corpus luteum (CL) and/or hepatic steroid inactivation impacts peripheral concentrations of P4, which can alter reproductive performance. Our primary objective was to examine hepatic steroid inactivating enzymes, portal blood flow, and luteal blood perfusion at 10 days post‐insemination in pregnant versus non‐pregnant beef and dairy cows. Twenty early lactation Holstein cows and 20 lactating commercial beef cows were utilized for this study. At day 10 post‐insemination, hepatic portal blood flow and CL blood perfusion were measured via Doppler ultrasonography. Liver biopsies were collected and frozen for later determination of cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A), 2C (CYP2C), 3A (CYP3A), uridine diphosphate‐glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and aldo‐keto reductase 1C (AKR1C) activities. Pregnancy was determined at day 30 post‐insemination and treatment groups were retrospectively assigned as pregnant or non‐pregnant. Data were analyzed using the mixed procedure of SAS. Steroid metabolizing enzyme activity was not different (p > .10) between pregnant versus non‐pregnant beef or dairy cows. Hepatic portal blood flow tended (p < .10) to be increased in pregnant versus non‐pregnant dairy cows. Luteal blood perfusion was increased (p < .05) in pregnant versus non‐pregnant dairy cows. Pregnant dairy cows appear to have an increased rate of hepatic clearance of P4 in combination with increased synthesis from the CL. This could account for the lack of difference in peripheral P4 concentrations between pregnant and non‐pregnant dairy cows. This study highlights the relevance of further investigation into steroid secretion and inactivation and their impact on the maintenance of pregnancy in cattle.     

Secondary Corpora Lutea Induced by hCG Treatment Enhanced Demi‐Embryo Survival in Lactating High‐Yielding Dairy Cows

Using a novel in vivo model considering a low developmental competence embryo (demi‐embryo) and a subnormal fertility recipient (lactating high‐yielding dairy cow), this experiment evaluated the effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) treatment at embryo transfer (ET) on embryonic size at implantation, embryonic survival and recipient plasma progesterone (P₄) and bovine pregnancy‐specific protein B (PSPB) concentrations until day 63 of pregnancy. Embryos were bisected and each pair of demi‐embryos was bilaterally transferred to recipients (n = 61) on day 7 of the oestrous cycle. At ET recipients were randomly assigned to treatment with 1500 IU hCG or to untreated controls. Higher (p < 0.01) pregnancy rates on days 25, 42 and 63, and embryo survival rate on day 63 were observed in hCG‐treated cows with secondary CL than in hCG‐treated cows without secondary CL and in untreated cows. Pregnancy rates and embryo survival rate were similar in hCG‐treated cows without secondary CL and untreated cows. Embryonic size on day 42 was not affected by treatment with hCG, presence of secondary CL and type of pregnancy (single vs twin). Presence of secondary CL increased (p < 0.05) plasma P₄ concentrations of pregnant cows on days 14, 19 and 25 but not thereafter and of non‐pregnant cows on days 14–21. Treatment with hCG and presence of secondary CL had no effect on plasma PSPB concentrations, which were higher (p < 0.05) in twin than in single pregnancies. In conclusion, secondary CL induced by hCG treatment at ET significantly increased plasma P₄ concentrations, the survival rate of demi‐embryos and the pregnancy rate of high‐yielding lactating dairy cows. Embryos were rescued beyond maternal recognition of pregnancy, but later embryonic survival, growth until implantation and placental PSPB secretion until day 63 of pregnancy were not affected by treatment or presence of secondary CL.     

The Induction of a Secondary Corpus Luteum on Day 12 Post‐Ovulation can Delay the Time of Luteolysis in High‐Producing Holstein Cows

Luteolysis before the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy is one cause of low fertility in high‐producing dairy cows. The objective of this study was to assess whether induction of a secondary corpus luteum (CL) late in the luteal phase would delay the time of luteolysis. Twenty high‐producing Holstein cows were synchronized to ovulation (Day 0) with the Ovsynch protocol and received hCG (1500 IU im) on Day 12. Corpora lutea formation (as evaluated by ultrasonography) and plasma P4 concentrations were monitored from Days 4 to 36. hCG treatment induced the formation of one secondary CL (CL2) in 11 of 20 cows (55%) from the dominant follicle (mean diameter: 14.2 ± 0.9 mm) of two‐wave (3/11) and three‐wave (8/11) cycles. The maximal diameter of the CL2 (23.3 ± 1.9 mm) was reached approximately 6 days after hCG treatment and was correlated with its structural lifespan (p < 0.01). Cows that formed a CL2 after hCG had higher mean plasma P4 concentrations on Day 14 (+4.5 ng/ml) and Day 18 (+3.0 ng/ml) compared with cows without CL2 (p < 0.05). The structural regression of CL2 begun approximately 8 days after that of the CL1, and the median time at which the first drop in circulating P4 levels occurred was later in cows that formed a CL2 than in those that did not (Day 26 vs Day 18; p < 0.01). Thus, the induction of a CL2 by hCG on Day 12 might reduce the risk of premature luteolysis in high‐producing dairy cows after insemination.     

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.     

Influence of category-heifers,primiparous and multiparous lactating cows-in a large-scale resynchronization fixed-time artificial insemination program

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of category (heifers, primiparous or multiparous cows) on pregnancy rates in a large scale resynchronization ovulation program. Nelore heifers (n = 903), primiparous lactating cows (n = 338) and multiparous lactating cows (n = 1,223) were synchronized using a conventional protocol of estradiol/P4-based fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). Thirty days after ultrasonography, females who failed the first FTAI were resynchronized with the same hormonal protocol prior to a second FTAI. The pregnancy status of each cohort was evaluated by ultrasonography 30 days after each FTAI. The average conception rate after the first FTAI and resynchronization was 80.5%. Heifers had a higher conception rate (85%) than primiparous (76%) or multiparous cows (78%; p = 0.0001). The conception rate after the first FTAI was similar among heifers (57%), primiparous cows (51%) and multiparous cows (56%; p = 0.193). After the second FTAI, heifers exhibited a higher conception rate (66%) than primiparous or multiparous cows (51%; p = 0.0001). These results demonstrate the feasibility of resynchronization in large beef herds for providing consistent pregnancy rates in a short period of time. We also demonstrated that ovulation resynchronization 30 days after FTAI is particularly effective for heifers, providing a conception rate of up to 66%.     

Relationship between the first ovulation within three weeks postpartum and subsequent ovarian cycles and fertility in high producing dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the first ovulation within 3 weeks postpartum and subsequent ovarian cycles and fertility in high producing dairy cattle in Hokkaido, Japan. In Experiment 1, 110 cows (44 primiparous and 66 multiparous) were used to determine the effects of the first ovulation within 3 weeks postpartum on subsequent ovarian cycles. Milk samples were collected twice weekly from 7 to 100 days postpartum. The first ovulation was identified by an increase in milk progesterone (P4) to more than 1 ng/ml within 3 weeks postpartum. The numbers of cows showing ovulation and anovulation within 3 weeks postpartum were 31 (70.5%) and 13 (29.5%) in the primiparous cows and 35 (53.0%) and 31 (47.0%) in the multiparous cows, respectively. The patterns of ovarian resumption after calving were classified into two types (normal ovarian cycles and abnormal ovarian cycles) on the basis of milk P4 concentrations. Initiation of normal ovarian function in cows ovulated within 3 weeks postpartum occurred earlier than in anovulated cows regardless of the number of calvings (primiparous, 27.8 days vs. 44.4 days; multiparous, 30.6 days vs. 55.7 days; P<0.01). Out of the multiparous cows that ovulated within 3 weeks postpartum, initiation of normal ovarian function followed by a normal luteal phase was earlier than when it was followed by an abnormal luteal phase (25.5 days vs. 40.4 days; P<0.05). Milk P4 concentrations after the first ovulation were lower than those after the second ovulation in both the primiparous and multiparous cows (P<0.05). In Experiment 2, 22 multiparous cows were used to determine the effects of the first ovulation within 3 weeks postpartum on subsequent fertility. Blood samples were collected once a week from 0 to 3 weeks postpartum. The interval from parturition to first service in ovulated cows was shorter than in anovulated cows (68.4 days vs. 94.8 days; P<0.05). The conception rate by 100 days after calving tended to be higher in ovulated cows than in anovulated cows (50.0% vs. 16.7%, P=0.09). In conclusion, our data strongly suggests that ovulation within 3 weeks postpartum is a crucial phenomenon for subsequent resumption of ovarian function and conception, and thus it can be used as an index of subsequent reproductive performance.     

Changes in plasma metabolic hormone concentrations during the ovarian cycles of Japanese black and holstein cattle

The aim of the present study was to investigate the changing profiles of plasma metabolic hormones during the ovarian cycles of beef and dairy cattle. We used 16 non-pregnant, non-lactating Japanese Black beef cattle (6 heifers and 10 cows; parity=2.3 +/- 0.8) and 12 multiparous Holstein dairy cows (parity=3.0 +/- 0.3). Blood samples for hormonal analysis (growth hormone, GH; insulin-like growth factor-I, IGF-1; insulin; and progesterone, P4) were obtained twice weekly for 40 days before artificial insemination for Japanese Black cattle and from 50 to 100 days postpartum for Holstein cows. Luteal phases were considered normal if the P4 concentrations for at least 3 time points over the course of 7 days remained above 1 ng/ml and at least 2 of the time points were above 2 ng/ml. The patterns of the ovarian cycles were classified into two types (normal or abnormal, such as having prolonged luteal phase and cessation of cyclicity) on the basis of the plasma P4 profiles. The plasma concentrations of IGF-1 in both breeds increased transiently during the preovulatory period when the P4 levels were low and decreased to lower levels during the luteal phase when the P4 levels were high. The plasma concentrations of insulin in the 3(rd) week of normal ovarian cycles when the plasma P4 concentration dropped to less than 1 ng/ml were higher than those at other time points in the Japanese Black cattle, but not in the Holstein cows. The plasma concentrations of GH did not change during the ovarian cycle in either breed. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the plasma IGF-1 concentration increases during the follicular phase (low P4 levels) and decreases during the luteal phase (high P4 levels) in non-lactating Japanese Black and lactating Holstein cattle. The results suggest that ovarian steroids, rather than nutrient status, may be related to the cyclic changes in IGF-1 secretion from the liver in cattle.     

Corpus Luteum Development and Function after Supplementation of Long‐Acting Progesterone During the Early Luteal Phase in Beef Cattle

Strategic supplementation of P4 may be used to increase conception rates in cattle, but timing of supplementation in relation to ovulation, mass of supplementary P4 and formulation of the P4‐containing supplement has not been determined for beef cattle. Effects of supplementation of long‐acting progesterone (P4) on Days 2 or 3 post‐ovulation on development, function and regression of corpus luteum (CL) were studied in beef cattle. Cows were synchronized with an oestradiol/P4‐based protocol and treated with 150 or 300 mg of long‐acting P4 on Day 2 or 3 post‐ovulation (6–7 cows/group). Colour‐doppler ultrasound scanning and blood sample collection were performed from Day 2–21.5. Plasma P4 concentrations were greater (p < 0.05) from Day 2.5–5.5 in the Day 2‐treated groups and from Day 3.5–5.5 in the Day 3‐treated cows than in the control group. CL area and blood flow during Day 2–8.5 did not differ (p > 0.05) among groups, suggesting no effect of P4 treatment on luteal development. The frequency of cows that began luteolysis before Day 15 was greater (p < 0.04) in cows treated with 300 mg than in the controls, but there were no differences between non‐treated and 150 mg‐treated cows. The interval from pre‐treatment ovulation to functional and structural luteolysis was shorter (p < 0.01) in the combined P4‐treated groups than in the control cows. In conclusion, was showed for the first time that long‐acting P4 supplementation on Day 2 or 3 post‐ovulation increases P4 concentrations for ≥3 day, has no effect on luteal development, but anticipates the beginning of luteolysis in beef cattle.     

Metabolic Responses of Periparturient Holstein Cows and Heifers Supplemented with Chromium Picolinate

Thirty-four Holstein cows, 18 primiparous and 16 multiparous, were used to determine the effects of supplemental Cr on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism during the transition period. From approximately 3 wk prior to anticipated calving date until parturition, Cr-treated cows were given 51 mg Cr picolinate via a gelatin capsule bolus three times weekly, equivalent to an average daily intake of approximately 2 ppm Cr. Control cows were given empty gelatin capsules. All cows were fed total mixed rations, with one ration fed to dry cows, a second to lactating cows for wk 1 of postpartum (transition), and a third to lactating cows thereafter. Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at 1, 2, and 3 wk prior to anticipated calving date as well as immediately following calving, 3 d post calving, and 1, 2, and 3 wk post calving. Samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Within 1 wk prior to calving, a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test was performed, and blood plasma samples were analyzed for concentrations of glucose and insulin. Plasma glucose response to the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test was evaluated by calculating the half-life and fractional turnover rate for the period from 2 to 19 min after glucose infusion. Supplemental Cr did not affect circulating concentrations of glucose, insulin, or NEFA (P>0.1). Plasma NEFA concentrations were greater in primiparous cows (P<0.01) throughout the experiment, with the difference being most apparent during the 3 wk postpartum. Glucose concentrations reached a greater peak at time of calving in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows (P=0.07). There was an increase in glucose clearance rate (P=0.06) and a trend toward decreased glucose half-life (P<0.1) in primiparous cows supplemented with Cr. Insulin peak concentrations were unaffected by treatment or parity (P>0.1). Data suggest that Cr supplementation may alter carbohydrate metabolism in primiparous cows during the transition period.     

Inducing ovulation with human chorionic gonadotrophin improves the pregnancy rate in lactating dairy cows receiving an in vitro-produced embryo

While the global use of in vitro-produced embryos in dairy cattle is on the rise, several technical aspects of embryo transfer procedures have not yet been optimized. This study compares the effects of inducing ovulation using human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) versus gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) at the end of a 5-day progesterone(P4)-based protocol for oestrous synchronization on the pregnancy rate of lactating dairy cow recipients of in vitro-produced embryos. Fresh embryos were transferred on Day-seven post-oestrus to ovulating cows receiving GnRH or hCG (groups GnRH and hCG, n = 60 each). Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasound on Day 28 post-oestrus. Forty-nine cows became pregnant: 16 in GnRH (26.7%) and 33 in hCG (55%). Taking GnRH-treated cows as reference, the odds ratio for pregnancy of hCG-treated cows was 3.3 (p = .002). In conclusion, hCG treatment given at the end of a 5-day P4-based protocol for oestrous synchronization improved the pregnancy rate in lactating dairy cows receiving an in vitro-produced embryo.     

Evolution of the corpus luteum volume determined ultrasonographically and its relation to the plasma progesterone concentration after artificial insemination in pregnant and non-pregnant dairy cows

The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of the evolution of the corpus luteum (CL) volume that was determined ultrasonographically with the pregnancy status in lactating dairy cows during early pregnancy. Ultrasound examinations were carried out on 76 cows following artificial insemination (AI). Plasma concentrations of progesterone were determined from blood samples collected at each ultrasound examination. Conception was confirmed by ultrasonography on day 30 after AI. Around day 14 post-insemination (p.i.), the CL volume tended to decrease in pregnant and non-pregnant cows, and, after day 19 p.i., both groups differed significantly, indicating the luteal regression in non-pregnant cows. Reaching signification on day 20. The diminution in CL volume was also reflected in the plasma progesterone concentration. However, the patterns of CL volume, estimated by ultrasonography, differed more evidently and earlier between both groups (around 1 week p.i., at day 9 p.i. P < 0.05, whereas progesterone started to differ around 2 weeks p.i., at day 14 p.i, P < 0.05). These results indicate that the estimation of the CL volume by ultrasonography could be useful for assessing the presence of a functional CL.     

A CIDR-based timed embryo transfer protocol increases the pregnancy rate of lactating repeat breeder dairy cows

This study evaluated the pregnancy rates following either a controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based timed artificial insemination (TAI) or an embryo transfer (TET) protocol compared with that following a single PGF(2alpha) injection and AI after estrus (AIE) in lactating repeat breeder dairy cows. Fifty-three lactating dairy cows diagnosed as repeat breeders were used in this study and were randomly assigned to the following three treatments. (1) Cows, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received a CIDR device and 2 mg estradiol benzoate (EB; Day 0), a 25 mg PGF(2) (alpha) injection at the time of CIDR removal on Day 7 and a 1 mg EB injection on Day 8. The cows then received TAI 30 h (Day 9) after the second EB injection using dairy semen (TAI group, n=13). (2) Cows, at random stages of the estrous cycle, received the same hormonal treatments as in the TAI group. The cows then received TET on Day 16 using frozen-thawed blastocysts or morula embryos collected from Korean native cattle donors (TET group, n=13). (3) Cows, at the luteal phase, received a 25 mg injection of PGF(2alpha) and AIE using dairy semen (control group, n=27). The ovaries of the cows in the TET group were examined by transrectal ultrasonography to determine ovulation of the preovulatory follicles, and blood samples were collected for serum progesterone (P4) analysis. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the TET group (53.8%) than in the control (18.5%) or TAI (7.7%) groups (P<0.05). The ultrasonographic observations demonstrated that all the cows in the TET group ovulated the preovulatory follicles and concomitantly formed new corpora lutea. Accordingly, the mean serum P4 concentration remained constant between Day 0 and Day 7 of the luteal phase, decreased dramatically on Day 8 (P<0.01) and subsequently increased by Day 16 (P<0.01). These data suggest that the CIDR-based TET protocol can be used to effectively increase the pregnancy rate in lactating repeat breeder dairy cows.     

Relationship between feeding behaviour and feed intake of dairy cows depending on their parity and milk yield

To investigate the relationship between the parameters of feeding behaviour and feed intake, 70 lactating dairy cows (23 primiparous and 47 multiparous) were monitored from the 2nd to 15th week of lactation. Data were collected by using an automatic feeder and electronic identification of individual cows from 10 July 2005 to 16 January 2006. The resulting data of the cows in primiparous and multiparous condition were categorised into groups based on the mean of their milk yield over the first 15 weeks of lactation: primiparous cows with below-average milk yield (LP) and above-average milk yield (HP) with an average of 28.44 and 34.31 kg energy-corrected milk (ECM) per day, respectively, and multiparous cows with below-average milk yield (LM) and above-average milk yield (HM) with an average of 38.70 and 44.49 kg ECM per day, respectively. The parameters of feeding behaviour were calculated based on the estimated meal criterion from pooled data. Parity, level of milk yield, and day had significant effects on some of characteristics of feeding behaviour and feed intake parameters. There was no significant difference in meal duration either between primiparous and multiparous cows or between LP and HP. However, a significant difference between LM and HM was observed. Cows in HM had shorter feeding times but a larger meal size, higher DMI, and feeding rate. Moreover, these cows displayed a stronger correlation between meal duration, daily mealtime and daily feed intake (r = 0.37 and 0.50, P < 0.001, respectively) than any other cow or group of cows of the study. Meal duration, daily mealtime, meal size and daily DMI increased on average about 32%, 20%, 35%, and 22% respectively, considering all milk yield groups from the 2nd to 15th week of lactation.     

Effect of Acute Bull Exposure Around the Time of Artificial Insemination on Serum Oxytocin and Progesterone Concentrations and Pregnancy Rates in Dairy Cows

This study examined the effect of acute bull exposure around the time of artificial insemination (AI) on oxytocin and progesterone concentrations, and pregnancy rates in dairy cows. Ninety six dairy cows, stratified according to parity into primiparous and pluriparous, were divided into three groups; short bull exposure (SBE; 10 min, n = 32), long bull exposure (LBE; 4 h, n = 32) or no bull exposure (NBE; n = 32). On day 45 post‐partum, all cows were treated with PGF2α on three occasions 11–14 days apart to synchronize oestrus. They were submitted to fixed time AI 80 h after the third PGF2α injection. Cows in the SBE and LBE groups were artificially inseminated 5 min after the introduction of the bull. From a subset of cows (n = 6 per group; three primiparous and three pluriparous), blood samples were collected once every 5 min starting 15 min before AI until 15 min after AI and analysed for oxytocin concentrations. Additional blood samples were collected for measurements of progesterone (P4) concentrations once daily for 4 days starting on the day of AI and once every 3 days thereafter until day 22. The effects of bull exposure, time, parity, difficulty of AI, and pregnancy on oxytocin and P4 concentrations were analysed using the mixed linear model procedure. Mean oxytocin concentrations or change in oxytocin concentrations after bull exposure or AI were not different among groups. Pregnancy rates for the NBE, SBE and LBE groups were 55.5%, 33.3% and 44.4%, respectively, and were not different among groups. In conclusion, acute bull exposure around the time of AI did not affect oxytocin and progesterone concentrations and did not improve pregnancy rates in dairy cattle under these farms conditions.     

Relationships between the plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I in dairy cows and their fertility and milk yield

The relationships between insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and the fertility and milk yield of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were investigated. The concentration of IGF-I in blood was measured weekly from one week before to 12 weeks after calving in 177 multiparous cows and at four times during this period in 142 primiparous cows; the concentration of IGF-I in milk was measured in 50 of the multiparous cows. The plasma concentrations of IGF-I were higher in the primiparous than in the multiparous animals. In the primiparous cows, high concentrations of IGF-I before calving were associated with longer calving to conception intervals. Conversely, in the multiparous cows low concentrations of IGF-I before and after calving were associated with a failure to conceive, despite repeated services. Multiparous cows with IGF-I concentrations of greater than 25 ng/ml in the week after calving were 11 times more likely to conceive to first service than those with lower concentrations. Concentrations of IGF-I greater than 50 ng/ml at first service increased the likelihood of conception five-fold. Cows with higher peak milk yields had lower plasma concentrations of IGF-I and took longer to return to ovarian cyclicity. The negative relationship between milk yield and return to cyclicity was stronger in the multiparous cows (P < 0.002) than in the primiparous cows (P < 0.04). The concentrations of IGF-I in milk followed a different pattern and were not associated with the changes in plasma IGF-I or fertility.     

Relationships between insulin-like growth factor-I,milk yield,body condition score,and postpartum luteal activity in high-producing dairy cows

The relations between body condition score (BCS), milk yield, serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) profile, and luteal activity were investigated in postpartum dairy cows. Seventy-one healthy high-producing multiparous Holstein cows were subjected to transrectal ultrasound scanning twice weekly from the first to the eighth week postpartum. Blood samples were collected twice weekly to measure serum progesterone (P4) and every 2 weeks to detect serum IGF-I concentrations. BCS was monitored weekly after calving. Cows with serum P4 concentrations ≥1 ng/ml on at least two consecutive samplings were considered to have commenced luteal activity. Commencement of luteal activity (C-LA) was observed earlier than 45 days postpartum in 71.8% of cows while 28.2% showed C-LA later than 45 days. Prolonged luteal phase was the most common abnormal pattern of luteal activity observed. Cows with a C-LA earlier than 45 days postpartum had higher (P ≤ 0.05) mean serum concentrations of IGF-I than those with later C-LA. In addition, cows which showed C-LA earlier than 45 days postpartum had more optimal productive indices including shorter calving to conception interval and calving to first service interval (P ≤ 0.05), and fewer services per conception (P = 0.07). C-LA was significantly later in cows that lost more than 0.5 BCS units within 3 weeks postpartum than in those that lost less than 0.5 units BCS during the same interval (P = 0.02). We conclude that high-producing dairy cows with higher postpartum serum IGF-I concentrations have earlier commencement and normal luteal activity, and better reproductive performance. Severity and duration of BCS loss adversely affect commencement of luteal activity.     

Comparison of Productive Performance and Serum Biochemical Indices of Primiparous and Multiparous Dairy Cows During the Perinatal Period

In order to study the differences of productive performances and serum biochemical indices between primiparous and mulitiparous dairy cows during the perinatal period, ten primiparous and ten multiparous healthy dairy cows were selected and were fed the same total mixed ration.Blood samples were collected from the caudal vein before the morning feeding on -7, -4, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 and 14 d after parturition, and serum glucose, triglyceride and calcium concentrations were determined. Milk yields were recorded every day from 11 to 40 days after parturition. Milk samples were collected from each experimental cow on 30th day after parturition and milk compositions and somatic cell counts were determined. The results indicated that no significant difference was observed in serum triglyceride, milk fat, milk protein, milk lactose and milk dry matter between primiparous and multiparous dairy cows (P>0.05). Mutiparous cows had greater daily milk yield and higher milk somatic cell count than primiparous cows (P<0.05). Primiparous cows had significant higher serum glucose level on -4, 2 and 4 d after parturition (P<0.05), but significant lower serum glucose level on calving date (P<0.05) when compared with multiparous cows. Higher serum calcium concentrations were found on -2, -1 and 2 d after parturition in primiparous cows than multiparous cows (P<0.05).     

Colostrum production by primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows and its usefulness as an estimator of full lactation milk yield

This study determined colostrum production of lactating primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows, as well as the predictability of full lactation milk yield based upon this colostrum production. Holstein cows that calved between December 18, 2006 and December 24, 2007 (n = 134) had their first two post-partum milkings weighed and assayed for density. Cows then entered normal production groups and were assessed for milk yield and milk components every 4 or 5 weeks for the duration of their lactation. Primiparous cows produced less colostrum (10.6 versus 13.6 kg; P = 0.02) and density adjusted (DA) colostrum (5.2 versus 8.5 kg; P < 0.01), but there were no differences in estimated 305 day mature equivalent (305ME) milk production (mean = 13,654 kg) or lactation lengths (mean = 301 days) between parities. Colostrum and DA colostrum were poor estimators of subsequent 305ME milk production within primiparous cows (r² = 0.20 and 0.01 respectively) and multiparous cows (r² = 0.18 and 0.12 respectively). Colostrum production of these high producing cows was somewhat lower than expected, highly variable among cows within parity, higher for multiparous versus primiparous cows, and was not a good estimator of subsequent 305ME milk production.     

Relationships between endometrial cytology and interval to first ovulation,and pregnancy in postpartum dairy cows in a single herd

The objectives were to investigate the relationships between endometrial cytology (EC) and interval from calving to first ovulation, and pregnancy in dairy cows, and that between uterine fluid and EC. On day 25 postpartum, 39 dairy cows were grouped based on EC, as having low (⩽8%) or high (>8%) polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), and the quantity of uterine fluid was assessed by ultrasound. The interval from calving to first ovulation was shorter in low, than in high PMN cows (32 vs. 45 d). A greater proportion of cows with uterine fluid had high PMN (64% vs. 21%), and the PMN increased from 14% to 34% as the quantity of uterine fluid increased. The mean interval from calving to ovulation was longer in primiparous cows with high PMN (49 d) compared to that of primiparous and multiparous cows with low PMN (28 and 29 d, respectively). Although the conception rate to first service at 92 d postpartum was not different between PMN groups, the cumulative pregnancy at 270 d tended to be higher in low than in high PMN (80% vs. 58%) multiparous cows. Also, cows that had uterine fluid on day 25 postpartum had a shorter interval from calving to pregnancy than those with no uterine fluid (161 vs. 208 d). In conclusion, combining transrectal ultrasonography with endometrial cytology on day 25 postpartum has diagnostic value in the assessment of uterine inflammation.     

Effects of different five-day progesterone-based synchronization protocols on the estrous response and follicular/luteal dynamics in dairy cows

This study compared the responses shown by lactating dairy cows to four different P4-based protocols for AI at estrus. Cows with no estrous signs 96 h after progesterone intravaginal device (PRID) removal were subjected to fixed-time AI (FTAI), and their data were also included in the study. In Experiment I, follicular/luteal and endometrial dynamics were assessed every 12 h from the beginning of treatment until AI. The estrous response was examined in Experiment II, and fertility was assessed in both experiments. The protocols consisted of a PRID fitted for five days, along with the administration of different combinations of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), equine chorionic gonadotropin and a single or double dose (24 h apart) of prostaglandin F_2α. In Experiment I (40 cows), animals receiving GnRH at the start of treatment showed a significantly higher ovulation rate during the PRID insertion period while estrus was delayed. In Experiment II (351 cows), according to the odds ratios, cows showing luteal activity at the time of treatment were less likely to show estrus than cows with no signs of luteal activity. Treatment affected the estrous response and the interval from PRID removal to estrus but did not affect conception rates 28–34 days post AI. Primiparous cows displayed a better estrous response than multiparous cows. Our findings reveal acceptable results of 5-day P4-based protocols for AI at estrus in high-producing dairy cows. Time from treatment to estrus emerged as a good guide for FTAI after a 5-day P4-based synchronization protocol.