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)     

The effect of synchronization on estrus and pregnancy in sheep and on levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone and cholesterol]

Knowledge of pathogenesis of sexual dysfunctions at altered thyroid activity is limited by the knowledge of multiple and ubiquitous action of its hormones throughout the organism. One of the possibilities of modulatory influence of thyroid hormones on sexual functions can be realized through the participation of thyroxine and triiodothyronine in the synthesis and metabolism of primary substrate of steroid synthesis--cholesterol. The presented work is aimed at the study of simultaneous dynamic changes of concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cholesterol (Chol) during synchronization of the rutting period and gravidity at parallel correlative evaluation of mutual relations of the followed parameters in ten Merino sheep in the seasonal period. Synchronization was achieved by chlorsuperlutin (Agelin--vaginal swabs, Spofa; 20 mg of chlorsuperlutin/swab) and PMSG (500 I. U./animal). Blood was sampled by means of a jugular vein puncture at the time of swab insertion (-13th day) and after three (-10th day) and seven (-7th day) following days, at the removal of swabs and application of PMSG (-3rd day), on the day of insemination (zero day), on the 7th, 14th and 17th day and in the middle of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th month of gravidity. In the phase of oestrus synchronization a significant increase of E2 concentrations on days -7 and -3 of the experiment (0.47 +/- 0.079 and 0.542 +/- 0.177 nmol.l-1 of serum, P less than 0.001; P less than 0.001) was observed compared to the E2 values on day -13 (0.084 +/- 0.036 nmol.l-1 of serum). Parallel to these observations, marked intermittent changes of T4 (Tab. I, Graph 1) were recorded with the lowest values of this parameter observed on days -10 (41.75 +/- 20.23, P less than 0.05) and -3 (50.22 +/- 18.77, P less than 0.05) and the highest on day -7 (96.77 +/- 17.51 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.01) and day zero (85.40 +/- 19.59 nmol.l-1 of serum, P less than 0.05) in comparison with the -13th day (67.22 +/- 18.29 nmol.l-1 of serum). Concentrations of P4 (Tab. I, Graph 4) declined to the lowest values on day zero observation (0.09 +/- 0.08 nmol.l-1 of serum, P less than 0.05 vs 3.40 +/- 3.61 nmol.l-1 on day -13). No significant changes of concentrations of T3 (Tab. I, Graph 2) and Chol (Tab. I, Graph 5) were observed during oestrus synchronization. During gravidity, concentrations of E2 (Tab. I Graph 3) showed an increasing trend compared to the -13th day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Estradiol, progesterone and cyclic nucleotides in the fluid of persistent follicles and luteal phase follicles in the estrus cycle in cows]

The objective of the present study was to compare the concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol, progesterone, cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic quinosine monophosphate in the largest follicles of cows that persist for seven days after insemination following the preceding synchronization of oestrus and superovulation and in follicles of the luteal phase of cycle (5th-10th days). Animals included in the experiment were selected on the basis of rectal examination. Synchronization of oestrus was achieved in 24 crossbreds of Slovak Pied x Lowland Black Pied breeds (SS x Nc) using two doses of cloprostenol of Czechoslovak provenience Oestrophan Spofa, 500 micrograms in each, within 11 days. Serum gonadotrophin at the amount of 2500 I. U. was administered forty-eight hours before administration of the second dose PGF2 alpha. Experimental animals were inseminated after 72 hours. On the 7th day after mating the cows were killed at a slaughterhouse. Evaluated were only the ovaries of the 14 cows in which the persistent large follicles occurred. Ovaries of the 13 control cows in the luteal phase between the 5th-10th days were obtained at the slaughterhouse by the method after Ireland et al. (1980). Correct determination of the phase of sexual cycle was substantiated by determination of progesterone concentrations in blood serum. Follicular fluid was obtained from the largest follicles by aspiration and centrifuged in a cooled centrifuge at 3000 G. The concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone in follicular fluid were determined using kits from URVJT at Kosice, designated RIA-test-ESTRA (SI-125-9) or RIA-test-Prog (SI-125-6).2+ persistent follicles (9.15 +/- 5.47 nmol.l-1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Thyroxine and progesterone levels in cows and heifers after administration of Oestrophan (Spofa) in the luteal phase of the cycle

Thyroxine and progesterone levels were studied in cows and heifers in the luteal stage of the cycle after the application of the synthetic analogue of prostaglandine of group F2 alpha: Oestrophan Spofa. The preparation was administered at a rate of 0.5 mg in 2 ml per animal. The thyroxine and progesterone levels were determined radioimmunologically. The administration of Oestrophan led to a reduction in the progesterone level from the initial value of 17.33 +/- 2.73 nmol/l of serum to 7.69 +/- 1.17 nmol/l of serum an hour after the application, followed by slow decrease below the value 1.59 +/- 0.22 nmol/l of serum at the 24th hour. The initial levels of thyroxine with the average values of 122.11 +/- 23.41 nmol/l of serum were comparatively high. An hour from application of the preparation, a significant decrease to the average levels of 88.14 +/- 16.26 nmol/l of serum (P less than 0.05) was recorded with a significant negative correlation. The correlation coefficient r = -83316, P less than 0.01. The thyroxine level decreases to the values of 24.20 +/- 9.26 nmol/l of serum and 24.12 +/- 6.68 nmol/l of serum, P less than 0.01, at the 52nd to 56th hour, i. e. at the time when the pre-ovulation peak of oestrogens can be expected. A statistically significant correlation--even despite the fact that a highly significant decline in thyroxine and progesterone had been observed--was recorded in none of the cases in the subsequent period of study, except the first hour. It can be assumed from the results that the thyroid hormones are among the links acting at more levels of the regulatory biological circuit responsible for the physiological course of ovulation and reproduction process.     

Changes in surface follicles and ovarian weight in testing for responsiveness in dairy cows after induction of superovulation using PMSG and cloprostenol

We evaluated the ovaries of 34 cows cross-bred of the Slovak Pied and Lowland Black-pied breeds which were culled and intended for slaughter during the winter type of feed rations. For superovulation treatment we used PMSG in the preparation Serum Gonadotropin (Bioveta, Nat. Ent., Ivanovice na Hané) and cloprostenol in the preparation Oestrophan inj. Spofa. We weighed the excised ovaries, fixed them in formalin 10% and made a quantitative evaluation of the surface follicles and differentiated them into recruited and selected or dominant follicles. We determined the concentration of 17 beta-estradiol and testosterone with the aid of the 3H RIA set from the firm Sorin after extraction by diethylether with separation of free and bound hormone with active charcoal. 72 hours after the giving of cloprostenol 43% reacted positively to superovulation treatment and after seven days a 50% positive response was recorded. After a dose of 2000 i. u. of PMSG (n = 6) embryo was obtained, whereas after 3000 i. u. of PMSG (n = 8) we flushed out eight embryos, of which four zygotes were suitable for transfer. After a higher dosage of PMSG there was an increase in the average weight of the ovaries, in right-hand ovaries significantly with P less than 0.05. After super-ovulation treatment the concentration of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in the follicular fluid from follicles seven days after insemination was found to be so low as to be below the limit of detection, with the exception of four samples (mean = 8.60 nmol.l-1). The greatest concentration of E2 was from animals (n = 5) 72 hours after the giving of cloprostenol--1099.61 nmol.l-1) of follicular fluid. The concentration of testosterone was lower in the follicles of untreated cows in the follicular phase (mean = 5.92 nmol.l-1) compared with the follicles of super-ovulated animals the seventh day after insemination (mean = 14.12 nmol.l-1). The number of recruited and especially selected surface antral follicles 72 hours (n = 7) after the giving of cloprostenol and seven days (n = 8) after insemination was significantly higher in the group of brood cows reacting positively to superovulation in comparison with the animals which did not respond. It appears that the simultaneous monitoring of hormonal and morphological changes in the follicular system will help in objectivising the evaluation of the functional activity of stimulated follicles.     

Evaluation of factors that affect embryonic loss in dairy cattle

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential risk factors for embryonic loss before 35 to 42 days of gestation in dairy cattle. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 381 cows. PROCEDURE: Body condition score was determined at the time of artificial insemination (AI; day 0) and on days 20, 23, and 27 and between days 35 and 41; serum progesterone concentration was measured on days 0; 20 or 21; and 23, 24, or 25. Cows were excluded from analyses if day 0 serum progesterone concentration was > or = 1.0 ng/mL and classified as pregnant on day 23 if serum progesterone was > 1.5 ng/mL on day 20 or 21 and day 23, 24, or 25. Cows were examined via transrectal ultrasonography on day 27 or 28 and rectally palpated for pregnancy on days 35 to 41. RESULTS: 39% of cows that were pregnant on day 23 lost their embryo by day 27, and 18% of cows that were pregnant on day 27 or 28 were not pregnant on days 35 to 41. Breeding a pregnant cow posed the greatest risk for embryonic loss at both time periods. Mean serum progesterone concentrations on day 21 or 22 and day 23, 24, or 25 were lowest for cows that lost an embryo between days 24 and 28. Cows with a linear somatic cell count score > 4.5 before AI were twice as likely to lose the embryo by 35 to 41 days, compared with cows with a score < 4.5. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that embryonic loss could be reduced by more accurate estrus detection, reducing mastitis, and strategies to improve progesterone concentration after breeding.     

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.     

The ovarian response and fertility in cows with acidosis induced by acetic acid]

The effects of acetic acid administered at an amount of 300 to 600 g (5 to 10 mol) to the rumen of breeding cows, were investigated on ovulation, conception and progesterone levels in the blood and milk of cows with cloprostenol-induced (Oestrophan Spofa) oestrus at a dose of 500 micrograms i.m. In the group of 15 cows exposed to the acetic acid load five cows got in calf after the first insemination (33.3%), and 12 cows (80.0%) after all inseminations in 37.6 days after cloprostenol administration, with the insemination index 1.67 (Tab. I). In the control group (five cows) four cows (80.0%) got in calf after the first insemination, in total all five breeding cows got in calf in 20.6 days after cloprostenol administration, with the insemination index 1.2. In the experimental group of 15 cows a clinical examination of ovaries on day 7 after insemination revealed ovulation disorders in eight cows, that means in 53.3% of the animals (Tab. II). No ovulation disorders were observed in the control group of five cows. Progesterone levels in the blood showed high variability (Tab. III). In the group of cows administered acetic acid they were by more than a half lower (1.49; 0.67; 1.53 per ml) on days 7, 14 and 21 after insemination in comparison with the control group (3.35; 2.5; 3.38 ng per ml). The average progesterone levels in milk (Tab. IV) were 1.27 and 1.53 on day 7, 6.74 and 7.27 on day 14 and 3.52 and 11.85 ng per ml on day 21, respectively, the higher values apply to the control. It was not possible to evaluate reliably from the progesterone levels in the blood and milk if ovulation took place and if the corpus luteum was developing (Tab. V and VI). The clinical control of ovaries on days 7 and 8 after oestrus and insemination was more reliable to determine the ovulation disorders than the progesterone determination in the blood and milk of cows.     

Cervix–rectum temperature differential at the time of insemination is correlated with the potential for pregnancy in dairy cows

This study sought to establish whether temperature gradients between the cervix, vagina, and rectum at and 7 days post-artificial insemination (AI) were associated with the incidence of pregnancy in lactating dairy cows (Experiment I; n = 90 ovulating cows) and to evaluate temperature gradient dynamics from the time of insemination to 7 days post-AI under heat stress conditions (Experiment II; n = 16 ovulating and 4 non-ovulating cows). In Experiment I, 39 cows (43.3%) became pregnant. The odds ratio for pregnancy was 2.5 for each one-tenth of a degree drop in cervical temperature with reference to the control rectal temperature at the time of AI (P = 0.01), whereas the same decrease in the cervix–rectum temperature differential 7 days post-AI resulted in an odds ratio of 0.44 (P = 0.02). In Experiment II, 5 of the ovulating cows (31.3%) became pregnant. The mean values of the vagina–rectum, vagina–cervix, and cervix–rectum temperature differentials at AI (day 0), 8 h, 24 h, and 7 days post-AI changed significantly from day 0 to day 7 (within-subject effect; P < 0.02) in ovulating cows but not in non-ovulating cows. Temperature differentials on days 0 and 7 were similar between ovulating cows and cows of Experiment I. Overall, our findings support the notion that a temperature differential between the caudal cervical canal and rectum at AI may be an indicator of the likelihood of pregnancy. Possible prospects of confirming estrus at the herd-level are also suggested.     

Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with progesterone, oestradiol and prostaglandin

The ability to synchronise onset of oestrus, and hence the time of breeding and calving, offers potential economic and management benefits to dairy farmers, especially in herds with seasonally concentrated calving patterns. A trial involving 2681 cows in 11 seasonal herds was conducted to evaluate the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows following oestrus synchronisation with a combination of progesterone, oestradiol and prostaglandin. Cows were randomly assigned within herds to synchronised and control groups, balanced for age, date of calving, body condition and breed. Cows in the synchronised group were treated with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device containing 1.9 g of progesterone and a gelatin capsule containing 10 mg of oestradiol benzoate 10 days prior to the planned start of the breeding season (Day 0). The device was removed 8 days later on Day -2 and a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2alpha was administered 2 days prior to removal of the progesterone-releasing device. Returns to service for cows in the synchronised group were synchronised by inserting a previously used intravaginal device during Days 16-21 after the start of the breeding season. Cows in the control group were left untreated. The percentage of cows being inseminated during the first 5 days was 89.0% for the synchronised group compared to 29.7% for the control group. Compared to cows in the control group, those in the synchronised group had a lower conception rate to the first insemination (52.9% v. 64.3%, p<0.001), a lower conception rate to the second insemination (51.8% v. 62.5%, p<0.001), a higher percentage of empty cows at the end of the breeding season (7.3% v. 5.1%, p<0.05), and more insemination services per pregnancy to artificial insemination (2.0 v. 1.6, p<0.001). There was no difference between the synchronised and control groups in the percentage of cows pregnant to artificial insemination (81.8% v. 85.5%, p>0.10). The mean day of conception from the start of the breeding season was advanced (p>0.0 1) by 1.3 days in synchronised cows (19.9 +/- 0.7 days; mean +/- SEM) compared to control cows (21.2 +/- 0.5 days). It is concluded that the oestrus synchronisation regime used in the present study caused a reduction in fertility, which reduced the potential gains from using such a programme to increase reproductive efficiency in dairy cows.     

Effect of grazing pasture with a low selenium content on the concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in serum, and GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes in cows in Chile

AIM: To determine the effect of grazing pasture that had a low selenium (Se) concentration on serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in dairy cows. METHODS: Forty pregnant Friesian cows were grazed on pasture that contained 0.03-0.04 ppm Se on a dry matter (DM) basis. Two months before parturition, 20 cows were randomly selected and treated with 1 mg Se/kg bodyweight subcutaneously, as barium selenate (Group Se-S). The other group (Se-D) was not supplemented. Blood samples were taken before supplementation (-60 days) and 30, 60, 90, 180 and 270 days after parturition, for determination of concentrations of T3 and T4 in serum, and GSH-Px activity in erythrocytes. RESULTS: Erythrocyte GSH-Px activity in the Se-D group was <60 U/g haemoglobin (Hb) throughout the experiment. Supplementation increased (p<0.05) activities to >130 U/g Hb throughout lactation. Mean serum concentrations of T4 in Se-D and Se-S cows increased from 23.7 (SEM 0.7) and 23.4 (SEM 0.8) nmol/L, respectively, in the prepartum period to 69.6 (SEM 0.1) and 67.6 (SEM 0.2) nmol/L, respectively, at 180 days of lactation (p<0.01), and no effect of Se supplementation was evident. Serum concentrations of T3 in Se-D cows decreased (p<0.05) from 1.6 (SEM 0.1) nmol/L prepartum to 1.0 (SEM 0.2) nmol/L at the beginning of lactation, and remained lower (p<0.05) than those in the Se-S cows which did not decrease after calving and ranged from 1.9 (SEM 0.1) to 2.4 (SEM 0.2) nmol/L throughout lactation. CONCLUSIONS: Serum T3 concentrations decreased during early lactation in unsupplemented cows grazing pastures low in Se (0.03-0.04 ppm) and both serum T3 and erythrocyte GSHPx activities were consistently lower throughout lactation compared with Se-supplemented cows. Se supplementation had no effect on serum T4 concentrations.     

Dynamics of changes in the serum levels of cholesterol, thyroid and ovarian hormones in the postpartum period in ewes]

Postparturient anoestry, spontaneously changing over to seasonal anoestry, represents an important reserve of full utilization of the reproductive potential of sheep. In spite of the fact that the length of gestation in sheep only amounts to 148 days (+/- 5 days), inability of most sheep to enter the cycle during the spring season acts as a factor limiting the number of lambings--and at the same time production of lambs--to one lambing per year. In order to obtain more detailed knowledge of hormonal conditions in sheep puerpery, the presented work was directed at the study of dynamic changes in concentrations of thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and cholesterol (Chol) in the blood serum of ewes and at their mutual correlative dependences between the 36th hour and the 51st postparturient day. The observation was carried out in nine nursing ewes of the Slovak Merino breed, with average weight 40-50 kg, lambed in January and February. Blood was sampled by means of jugular vein puncture 14 days (-14th day) before parturition (a. p.), up to 36 h after parturition (p. p.) and on day 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34, 42 and 51 p. p. In the period from the 36th h to day 21 p. p., concentrations of T4 (Tab. I, Fig. 1) showed a decreasing tendency compared to the starting -14th day (69.55 +/- +/- 0.12 nmol.-1) with the exception of a temporary increase on the 7th day p. p. The lowest values were recorded on days 4 and 21 p. p. (45.66 +/- 21.61 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.05 and 54.89 +/- 11.06 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.05, resp.). An increase of these values to the starting level was observed between days 25 and 51 p. p. Compared to the values on -14th day (0.76 +/- 0.22 nmol.l-1), a significant increase of T3 concentrations (Tab. I, Fig. 2) was recorded at the 36th h and on days 4 and 7 p. p. with the highest values (1.48 +/- +/- 0.34 nmol.l-1, P less than 0.001) at 36 h p. p. After the temporary decrease between days 14 and 21 p. p. its concentrations showed a constantly rising tendency statistically significant on days 34, 42 and 51 p. p., compared to the -14th day (P less than 0.05). Concentrations of E2 (Tab. I, Fig. 3) reached the values of 0.44 +/- 0.41 nmol.l-1 on the -14th day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The effect of Zindep inj. preparation on levels of zinc, T-lymphocytes and beta-lysine in the blood of pregnant dairy cows]

The effects of zinc administration at a rate of 3 mg/kg lw. in the preparation Zindep inj. ad usum vet. (Biotika, Slovenská L'upca) were evaluated as exerted on zinc concentrations in the blood serum of 16 dairy cows in the middle of the 7th month of pregnancy. With respect to zinc injection, T-rosetted lymphocytes and beta-lysine activity were inestigated. Blood was collected from all dairy cows from v. jugularis before the preparation was administered, on days 2, 5, 8, 15, 30 and 60 after Zindep administration. Atom absorption spectrophotometry, applying a flame technique on a Perkin Elmer 1100 apparatus (Bíres, 1986), was used to determine Zn concentrations in the blood serum of all dairy cows. T-lymphocytes were determined by a rosette test after Paul et al. (1977), and beta-lysine was detected spectrophotometrically after Bucharin et al. (1987). Zinc dynamics in the blood serum of dairy cows is presented in Fig. 1. The starting values of zinc in the test cows were 9.68 +/- 2.30 mumol/l and in the control ones 10.15 +/- 1.27 mumol/l. Zincaemia of experimental dairy cows was significantly lower (P less than 0.01) on day 2 after Zindep administration, in comparison with the control group. A significant increase in zinc concentrations in the blood serum of experimental animals, in comparison with the control ones, was observed from day 8 to day 60 (P less than 0.01). The maximum zincaemia values were recorded in experimental dairy cows within days 15 and 30 (15.65 +/- 3.33, and/or 14.55 +/- 2.10 mumol/l).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

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...     

褪黑素对荷斯坦奶牛妊娠率及生殖激素的影响

试验旨在探明皮下注射褪黑素（MT）对荷斯坦奶牛配种妊娠率及血清生殖激素的影响。用计步器法确定自然发情的首次配种荷斯坦奶牛150头，对其中70头进行颈部皮下肌内注射褪黑素30 mg，12 h后进行人工输精；选择170头产后首次配种的荷斯坦奶牛进行同期排卵-定时输精处理，其中90头荷斯坦奶牛最后一次注射促性腺激素释放激素（gonadotropin-releasing hormone，GnRH）的同时进行颈部皮下肌内注射褪黑素30 mg，16 h后进行人工输精。在进行二次配种的荷斯坦奶牛中选择153只进行皮下注射褪黑素。荷斯坦奶牛输精后20~35 d进行妊娠检查，详细记录首次配种妊娠母牛头数、二次配种妊娠母牛头数、产犊数。选取同期排卵-定时输精的荷斯坦奶牛25头，皮下注射褪黑素8 h后用放射免疫法检测其血清中褪黑素、促卵泡素（FSH）、促黄体素（LH）、雌二醇（E₂）的含量及35 d妊检时妊娠母牛血清中孕酮（P₄）含量。结果显示，与自然发情和同期排卵对照组相比，其对应的皮下注射褪黑素组荷斯坦奶牛的妊娠率及产犊率均显著提高（P<0.05）；皮下注射褪黑素组的双犊率显著提高（P<0.05），首次配种妊娠率和产犊率均显著提高（P<0.05），二次配种妊娠率和产犊率均差异不显著（P>0.05）。血清激素检测结果表明，与对照组相比，皮下注射褪黑素组血清中褪黑素、LH、E₂含量均显著增加（P<0.05）；35 d妊检时，皮下注射褪黑素的妊娠母牛P₄含量显著增加（P<0.05）。本试验结果表明，皮下注射褪黑素能够提高荷斯坦奶牛的妊娠率、产犊率及血清中LH、E₂和P₄含量，说明皮下注射褪黑素能够促进卵母细胞成熟和排卵，并提高配种妊娠率。     

The influence of an increased cobalt supply to dairy cows on the vitamin B status of their calves

In the experiment the influence of an elevated oral cobalt supply (Co content in the ration 0.27 mg Co/kg DM; supplement of 0.14 mg Co/kg DM as CoSO(4)) to pregnant dairy cows on the vitamin B(12) concentration in milk, colostrum and vitamin B(12) status of their calves was tested in comparison with unsupplemented controls (0.13 mg Co/kg DM). While there was no significant difference in vitamin B(12) concentration in the at 70th day of lactation (start of the experiment; 3.77 +/- 1.41 vs. 3.66 +/- 1.03 ng/ml) and 290th day of lactation (almost drying off; 4.75 +/- 3.05 vs. 4.44 +/- 0.96 ng/ml), cobalamin concentration in the milk colostrum showed a tendency towards a higher cobalt content in the ration of the supplemented cows in comparison with the controls (21.0 +/- 8.4 vs. 16.7 +/- 11.9 ng/ml). Differences in the vitamin B(12) concentration in the serum of the newborn calves before and after ingestion of colostrum were not detected. From these results it can be concluded that cobalt content of 0.13 mg Co/kg DM in the ration based on wilted grass silage seems to be sufficient for pregnant dairy cows.     

Evaluation of oestrus observation and conception rates in suckling beef cows using whole milk progesterone concentration

A 2-sample regime was used to measure whole milk progesterone concentration on the day of oestrus and insemination (Day 0) and 6 days later (Day 6) in a sample of 50 primiparous and 100 multiparous suckling beef cows. Exposure to teaser bulls and observation by cattlemen identified the occurrence of oestrus. Three sets of criteria used to define ovulatory oestrus were compared: a) milk progesterone concentration less than 6 nmol/l on Day 0; b) milk progesterone less than 6 nmol/l on Day 0 and rising to greater than 6 nmol/l on Day 6; c) milk progesterone less than 6 nmol/l on Day 0 and rising to greater than 6 nmol/l on Day 6, or cow diagnosed pregnant to 1st insemination. Using only a single milk sample on Day 0 (criterion a) would have resulted in the positive predictive value of heat detection being estimated at 98.7%. Using a pair ed measurement (criterion b) resulted in a significantly lower estimate of 84.7%. The inclusion of cows that conceived despite not showing a marked rise in milk progesterone concentration (criterion c) resulted in a more accurate estimate of 89.3 %. Use of a 2-sample regime also allowed calculation of conception rates while eliminating the effect of heat detection errors. In the cows sampled, of those in ovulatory oestrus that were inseminated, 73.1% conceived to the 1st insemination. These results demonstrate that artificial insemination within a limited breeding season can be successful if nutrition is optimal and management is intensive. The use of a 2-sample milk progesterone test may be a valuable tool in investigating heat detection and conception problems in beef herds in which artificial insemination is used.     

Comparison of the effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin or progesterone on pregnancy per artificial insemination in repeat-breeder dairy cows

Three different treatments were compared to improve pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in repeat-breeder (RB) dairy cows. All cows (n = 103) were assigned to one of four groups: (1) gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH); (2) human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); (3) once-used controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device; and (4) control. All treatments performed 5-6 days after artificial insemination (AI) and milk samples were collected just before treatment for progesterone assays. There were no significant differences in milk fat progesterone concentration among trial groups. Cows were observed for estrus signs thrice daily. Pregnancy per AI on day 45 in hCG and CIDR groups were significantly higher than GnRH and control groups (60.0% and 56.0% vs. 26.9% and 29.6%, respectively), but there were no differences in P/AI between GnRH and control groups. There were also no significant differences between hCG and CIDR groups. Milk fat progesterone concentrations were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant cows in each group and only in the hCG group it was significantly lower in pregnant cows. In conclusion, treating repeat-breeder cows with hCG or once-used CIDR 5-6 days after AI improved P/AI.     

A comparative study of the effect of 2 hormonal treatment protocols on the reproductive performance of previously anoestrous dairy cows

The objective of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of anoestrous dairy cows treated just prior to the mating start date (MSD) with a Controlled Internal Drug Releasing Device (CIDR) which was placed intravaginaly for either 6 or 8 days, and a combination of oestradiol benzoate. Lactating dairy cows (n = 926) that had been diagnosed with anovulatory anoestrus were divided into two sub-groups. A hormonal treatment protocol that involved the use of a CIDR device containing 1.9 g of progesterone was inserted into the vagina of each cow and left intravaginally for either 6 (6-day group, n = 441) or 8 days (8-day group, n = 485). Every cow in the trial was inseminated after being detected in oestrus from Day -2 onwards (where Day 0, was a herd's MSD), using an appropriate detection aid according to the herds' preference. Cows that had been seen in oestrus and were inseminated by Day 2 were selected for re-synchrony. The standardised re-synchrony involved the re-insertion of a previously used CIDR device into the vagina of each cow on Day 14, together with an injection of 1.0 mg oestradiolbenzoate i.m. This CIDR device was removed on Day 22 and each of these cows injected with 1.0 mg oestradiol benzoate i.m. on Day 23. Each re-synchronised cow that was detected in oestrus was re-inseminated. Treatment with an 8-day CIDR increased the proportion of cows submitted for insemination within the first 3 days of the MSD, compared with the 6-day group (83.7 % vs 71.2%, respectively, P < 0.001), as well as the proportion of cows conceiving within the first 3 days of MSD (36.2% vs 27.7%, P = 0.02), but reduced both the interval from MSD to the first service (4.5 +/- 0.5 vs 6.8 +/- 0.7, P = 0.01), and the interval from MSD to conception (28.1 +/- 1.5 vs 34.0 +/- 1.8, P = 0.009). A greater percentage of the cows in the 6-day group that were not pregnant to the first insemination were submitted for a second insemination by Day 28 compared with the 8-day group (81.1% vs 68.3%, P < 0.001). Conception rates for cows submitted for this second insemination by Day 28 of the MSD were also higher in the 6-day than in the 8-day group (48.4% vs 33.9%, P = 0.009). The percentage of cows pregnant at the end of a herd's AI period of 6 weeks did not differ (57.1% vs 54.8% for 8-day and 6-day groups, respectively, P = 0.42); neither did the proportion of cows pregnant at the end of the a herd's combined AI and natural mating period of 21 weeks (81.4% vs 79.2%, for 8-day and 6-day groups respectively P = 0.36). Treatment of anovulatory anoestrous dairy cows with a combination of an 8-day CIDR and oestradiol benzoate before the MSD improved their reproductive performance by increasing the portion of cows submitted for insemination within the first 3-days of the MSD by reducing the interval from MSD to first service and by increasing the conception rate to the first insemination to collectively reduce the average interval from MSD to conception.     

The influence of different factors on selenium levels in dairy cow herds in the central-eastern region of Poland

Selenium has been recognised as a basic bioelement that determines normal development and health of animals and humans alike. Studies of many authors revealed the influence of selenium deficiency on immunity, health, reproduction and production of dairy cows. Selenium deficiency have been reported in a number of countries, for example in different regions of Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the Se levels in blood serum of dairy cows in the Lublin region. In the periods: autumn 2003, winter 2003 and autumn 2004 selenium concentrations were investigated in serum samples from 180 dairy cows. The samples were obtained from 11 farms. The selenium concentrations were estimated with the ASA method. The monitoring studies have found that Se serum levels are dependent on season of the year, physiological period, maintenance systems and methods of feeding. Mean selenium serum levels observed in the study were between 0.21-0.92 micromol/l, especially (micromol/l): lactation 0.74 +/- 0.13, drying-off period 0.67 +/- 0.15, autumn 2003 0.38 +/- 0.17, winter 2003 0.48 +/- 0.16, autumn 2004 0.69 +/- 0.18. These results suggest that selenium should be supplemented, especially in high-producing dairy cow herds.