Evaluation of an Artificial Insemination Programme in a Seasonal Breeding Dairy System through Milk Progesterone

In order to evaluate an artificial insemination programme and reproductive efficiency of dairy herds in Uruguay, a survey was conducted with five dairy farms, utilizing a total of 768 lactating Holstein cows. Precision of oestrous detection was assessed by one milk progesterone sample taken on day of breeding and was 11.1%. Two additional samples taken at day 10 and 23 were used to confirm ovulation and early pregnancy. Accuracy of pregnancy estimation by milk progesterone was 70.4%. Reproductive efficiency was determined by the analysis of records. Average intervals from calving to first service were 101 days and to conception 132 days and these were affected by parity, body weight and body condition at calving, but not at breeding, or by milk production. Oestrous detection rates and pregnancy rates were 37.5 and 15.6%, respectively. It was concluded that losses in reproductive efficiency in dairy farms of Uruguay in a seasonal artificial insemination programme were mainly due to unobserved heats, rather than incorrect oestrous detection.     

Improved Detection of Reproductive Status in Dairy Cows Using Milk Progesterone Measurements

This study tested a model for predicting reproductive status from in-line milk progesterone `measurements. The model is that of Friggens and Chagunda [Theriogenology 64 (2005) 155]. Milk progesterone measurements (n = 55 036) representing 578 lactations from 380 cows were used to test the model. Two types of known oestrus were identified: (1) confirmed oestrus (at which insemination resulted in a confirmed pregnancy, n = 121) and (2) ratified oestrus (where the shape of the progesterone profile matched that of the average progesterone profile of a confirmed oestrus, n = 679). The model detected 99.2% of the confirmed oestruses. This included a number of cases (n = 16) where the smoothed progesterone did not decrease below 4 ng/ml. These cows had significantly greater concentrations of progesterone, both minimum and average, suggesting that between cow variation exists in the absolute level of the progesterone profile. Using ratified oestruses, model sensitivity was 93.3% and specificity was 93.7% for detection of oestrus. Examination of false positives showed that they were largely associated with low concentrations of progesterone, fluctuating around the 4 ng/ml threshold. The distribution of time from insemination until the model detected pregnancy failure had a median of 22 days post-insemination. In this test, the model was run using limited inputs, the potential benefits of including additional non-progesterone information were not evaluated. Despite this, the model performed at least as well as other oestrus detection systems.     

Effects of Artificial Insemination vs Natural Service Breeding on Production and Reproduction Parameters in Dairy Herds

The effects of four combinations of AI and natural service (NS) breeding on production and reproduction parameters were analyzed using Holstein Dairy Herd Improvement herd summary records for years 1999 through 2002. Herds were assigned to breeding systems (BS) by percentage of NS usage as follows: 1) 0%, 2) 1 to 20%, 3) 21 to 89%, and 4) 90 to 100%. Regions were North, Midsouth, and South. Herd sizes were small (<100 cows), medium (100 to 249 cows), and large (>250 cows). The mean percentages of AI and NS usage over 4 yr by BS were 1) 100%, 0%; 2) 92.9%, 7.1%; 3) 54.2%, 45.8%; and 4) 1.0%, 99.0%. Actual calving interval was shorter (P<0.05) for BS4 compared with the other systems. Herds using a combination of AI and NS (BS2 and BS3) had longer actual calving intervals than did herds in BS1 (P<0.05). Days dry and the percentage of dry periods between 40 to70 d were less for BS1 (P<0.05). The percentage of cows leaving the herd was significantly less for BS4. The percentage of cows leaving the herd for reproductive reasons was greater for BS1 (P<0.05). Overall reproductive efficiency as measured by the percentage of cows in milk and herd milk yield was greater (P<0.05) for BS1 and declined as the percentage of NS increased. Actual calving interval, days dry, and percentage of dry periods between 40 to 70 d were less in the North (P<0.05). Percentage of cows in milk and herd milk yield were greater in the North (P<0.05). Herd milk yield was greater (P<0.05) for large-size herds and decreased with declining herd size.     

加快完善种公猪站和猪人工授精体系建设

根据《全国生猪遗传改良计划(2009~2020)》中,关于'种公猪站和猪人工授精体系建设'及2009年发布的《种猪常温精液》国家标准要求,提出了种公猪站建设、猪常温精液配送、输精网点、猪人工授精体系的主体资质及标准。     

热应激环境下的人工授精效率

热应激对奶牛生理与生殖生理产生不利影响。采取综合措施缓解热应激、调整观察发情和配种时间，可提高奶牛夏季人工授精效率，以适应市场对乳制品、生鲜牛奶供应的客观需要。     

Determining the Prevalence and Seasonality of Fasciola hepatica in Pasture-based Dairy herds in Ireland using a Bulk Tank Milk ELISA

Background

Fasciola hepatica is a helminth parasite of global importance in livestock, with major economic impact. However information on F. hepatica infections in Irish pasture-based dairy herds is limited. Therefore this study was conducted in order to determine the prevalence, seasonality and management factors associated with F. hepatica. A total of 319 Irish dairy herds were selected for this study. Bulk tank milk (BTM) samples were collected from 290 dairy farms on a quarter year basis, while from a further 29 dairy farms BTM samples were collected on a monthly basis to provide a more detailed pattern of F. hepatica exposure in Irish herds. BTM samples were analysed using a commercially available F. hepatica antibody detection ELISA. Furthermore, within-herd prevalence of F. hepatica was assessed in a subset of these 29 herds (n = 17); both individual serum samples and bulk tank milk samples were collected.

Results

A within-herd prevalence of ≤ 50 % was found for herds with negative bulk tank milk samples. The mean prevalence of the 290 study herds was 75.4 % (Range 52 %–75.1 %), with the highest prevalence being observed in November (75.1 %). The seasonal pattern of F. hepatica shows elevated antibodies as the grazing season progressed, reaching a peak in January. A significant association was found between F. hepatica and age at first calving.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that F. hepatica is present in a large proportion of Irish dairy herds and provides a basis on which control practices, particularly in adult dairy cows, can be reviewed.     

猪场获利的关键因素之一——母猪的繁殖率

猪场能否获利，其中母猪繁殖率的高低起到了关键性的作用。母猪的繁殖效率涉及到发情、排卵、受精、分娩和哺乳等5个方面。不同猪场间母猪的繁殖效率差异极大，如以每头母猪每年生产断奶仔猪头数作为评估繁殖率的指标，其可能的范围在10-20头之间。     

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.     

Artificial Insemination with Frozen Semen in Ewes at Different Times of the Breeding Season

Totally 13575 ewes of two different breeds, Dala and Spel, were inseminated with semen, frozen in straws and thawed at 70°C for 8 sec. An insemination dose of 0.2 ml containing approx. 150 × 10⁶ spermatozoa with at least 45 to 50% progressive motility was imerted 5 to 12 mm into the cervix. The insemination was performed once between 12 and 30 h after the onset of heat. The NR rate of the Dala ewes increased significantly during the season. The NR rate of the ewes inseminated before 15. November was 44.3%, from 15. to 20. November 52.2%. from 20. to 25. November 55.3% and from 25. November and later 61.4%. The corresponding values for the ewes of the Spel breed were 57.3, 58.7, 61.5 and 71.0% respectively, and only the difference between the two last values was statistically significant. The difference between the fertility of the two breeds was significant within each of the periods .     

临沂市奶山羊鲜精人工授精技术应用

临沂市具有较好的农业资源,适合发展奶山羊养殖业。但是,目前奶山羊传统的自然交配繁育速率较慢,且受胎率低,不利于奶山羊养殖业的快速发展。近年来,由于人工授精技术具有增强繁殖速率、提升受胎率、提高种公羊利用率和降低成本等优点,在畜牧养殖业中的运用和推广十分广泛。但是人工授精的成功率受到母羊发情期、精液采集和保存、输精方式等多种因素的影响,因此增强对该技术的了解,对促进当地奶山羊的良种繁育具有重要意义。     

奶牛冷冻性控精液的人工授精试验

XY与CRI奶牛性控冻精解冻后精子活力为0.38、0.41,密度为210万个/剂和230万个/剂,常规冻精解冻后精子活力为0.48,密度为1020万个/剂.据试验,室温下性控精液在5～15 min时其活力下降比常规冻精明显,奶牛发情结束前后4 h内的情期受胎率分别为63.3%与70.7%;青年牛2剂/次、1剂/次的受胎率分别为60.71%(17/28),52.63%(10/19),深度输精与宫体输精的受胎率分别为66.66%(18/27),57.14%(20/35).所产后代母犊率达95.91%(47/49).     

Factors Affecting Pregnancy Rate in Artificial Insemination with Frozen Semen During Non-Breeding Season in Murciano–Granadina Goats: a Field Assay

An artificial insemination programme was carried out to study the effect of factors such as depth of semen deposition, inseminator skill, farm, sire and expression of oestrus on pregnancy rate in Murciano-Granadina (MG) goats during non-breeding season and using frozen semen. Frozen-thawed semen from six males was applied by three technicians to inseminate a total of 551 goats in 17 farms distributed throughout the Mediterranean area of Spain. Pregnancy rate was determined at 6 weeks after insemination by transabdominal ecography. Overall pregnancy rate was 57%. Farm and depth of semen deposition affected pregnancy rate, whereas the sire and the technician had no effect. The deeper the semen was deposited in the genital tract, the higher was the rate of pregnancy obtained, being greater when the catheter reached the uterus. In spite of the relevant difference observed (48.2% vs 59.0%), pregnancy rate of females not coming into oestrus until 30 h after sponge removal was not significantly different, compared with those showing oestrus during the OD procedure. In conclusion, our field assay data on AI in MG goat with frozen-thawed semen showed that post-cervical insemination presented significantly greater pregnancy rate in comparison to when semen is deposited in the vagina or in the caudal part of the cervix.     

不同胎次奶牛应用性控冻精的效果观察

本文探讨了不同胎次奶牛应用性控冻精人工授精的效果。观察了不同胎次奶牛使用性控冻精后的情期受胎率、流产率、正产胎儿成活率、产母犊率、产公犊率和正产胎儿死亡率。结果表明,情期受胎率、正产胎儿成活率和母犊率随着胎次的增加而呈下降趋势（P〈0．05）,而流产率、产公犊率和正产胎儿死亡率随着胎次增高而逐渐增加（前一项P〈0．05,后两项P〈0．01）。说明不同胎次奶牛对性控冻精的应用效果具有明显的影响。     

Updates on Reproductive Physiology, Genital Diseases and Artificial Insemination in the Domestic Cat

Reproduction in the domestic cat is characterized by large individual variations in the female oestrous cycle and in male semen quality. The female cat reproduction is strongly influenced by season, and new data suggest that it is possible that season also affects male fertility. Repeated periods of oestrus and spontaneous ovulation may lead to degenerative endometrial changes causing infertility. For artificial insemination (AI), induction of ovulation is necessary in the absence of the mating stimuli. The large variation in the relationship between follicular growth and timing of expression of oestrus complicates, however, timing of ovulation induction. Stress may lead to progesterone secretion by the adrenal glands and possibly have a negative impact on early pregnancy. The large individual variation in semen quality makes fertility evaluation and feline semen conservation a challenge. For AI, the semen can be deposited in the cranial vagina, the uterus or in the uterine tubes. Intrauterine insemination results in higher pregnancy rates than intravaginal but is more complicated. Surgical intrauterine or intratubal insemination has resulted in the birth of kittens, but is an invasive procedure that is not allowed in all countries. Transcervical intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed semen has, however, recently resulted in the birth of kittens.     

定时输精对奶牛第一情期受胎率的效果分析

[目的]探讨不同月份和精液类型对利用定时输精程序处理奶牛后第一情期受胎率的影响.[方法]选择93头产后60 d以上不发情和产后配1～3次仍未受胎的奶牛,不检查卵巢直接利用激素生源2+1进行同期发情处理.1～3月份处理41头奶牛,6～8月份处理52头;其中,利用性控精液配种58头,常规精液配种35头.[结果]表明:经定时...     

日粮营养水平对奶牛乳中酪蛋白含量影响的研究进展

酪蛋白是乳蛋白的主要成分,不仅营养丰富,且其水解产物对机体有重要调节作用。影响酪蛋白含量的因素主要有遗传、泌乳阶段、日粮营养水平及其组成等,其中通过调控日粮营养水平来提高乳中酪蛋白含量是一种较为常见的技术手段,对提高饲料利用率及改善乳品品质具有重要意义。作者综述了不同日粮营养水平对奶牛乳中酪蛋白含量的影响,以期为生产实践中提高奶牛乳中酪蛋白含量提供理论基础。     

生鲜乳中菌落总数的监测与探讨

以2012年和2013年上海市生鲜乳中菌落总数的变化和特征为研究对象,对2年的菌落总数的数量变化进行分析,并考察蛋白质含量、脂肪含量、平均温度对生鲜乳中菌落总数的影响。结果表明:生鲜乳菌落总数呈季节性差异,但不同年份的菌落总数质量性状差异也较大;蛋白质含量、脂肪含量、平均温度对生鲜乳中菌落总数都有影响,温度影响最显著。