Relationship of ovarian contents to plasma progesterone concentration in the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Using rectal palpation and laparoscopy, the relationship of ovarian contents to plasma progesterone concentration during the oestrous cycle, early pregnancy and post partum periods in the swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) was studied. During the oestrous cycle, four stages in the lifespan of the corpus luteum were seen laparoscopically. The mean (+/- sd) concentrations of progesterone in plasma in cows with and without a corpus luteum on their ovaries were 1.49 +/- 0.78 ng/ml (n = 31) and 0.14 +/- 0.09 ng/ml (n = 14), respectively. Plasma progesterone levels reflected age-dependent changes occurring in the cyclic corpus luteum. The accuracy of diagnosing ovarian contents was 82 and 91 per cent for rectal palpation and plasma progesterone levels respectively. Approximately 29 per cent follicles (larger than 10 mm) were incorrectly diagnosed as corpora lutea by rectal palpation.     

不同等级黄体与水牛胚胎移植受胎率关系的研究

[目的]为了解胚胎移植过程中不同等级黄体与水牛胚胎移植受胎率之间的关系,为提高水牛受胎率提供依据.[方法]在水牛胚胎移植过程中,利用B超对受体卵巢进行扫描,确定黄体的有无并根据黄体大小对其分级.黄体直径在1.5 cm以上的定为A级,直径在0.8～1.5 cm之间的定为B级,直径在0.8 cm以下的定为C级.测定受体移植...     

An outbreak of tick paralysis in free-ranging mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon)

During November 2006, two live and one dead mouflon (Ovis ammon musimon) were presented with a history of weakness, tremors, and paralysis. After a detailed gross and histologic examination and a bacteriologic, parasitologic, and rabies evaluation, a preliminary diagnosis of tick paralysis was established. A thorough field search revealed 13 affected mouflons found in the open hunting ground "Sveti Juraj" near the town of Senj (Croatia), along with an additional 35 mouflon carcasses. All 13 mouflons were placed in a quiet, semidark stable. All detectable ticks were removed manually, and the animals were topically treated with 250 ppm of Amitraz water emulsion (Taktic 12.5% EC, Intervet International, 5830 Boxmeer, Netherlands). The collected ticks were identified as Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis punctata. In the following 24 hr, all treated animals recovered fully. This report describes a naturally occurring outbreak of tick paralysis in free-ranging mouflons from a karst habitat.     

Albendazole repeated administration induces cytochromes P4501A and accelerates albendazole deactivation in mouflon (Ovis musimon)

Adult mouflon ewes (Ovis musimon) were treated repeatedly with therapeutic doses of albendazole (ABZ, p.o. 7.5 mg/kg of body weight/day, for five consecutive days). Animals (treated or control) were sacrificed 24 h after the fifth dose of ABZ and liver and small intestine were collected to prepare microsomes. The activities of several biotransformation enzymes were measured in both hepatic and intestinal microsomes. A significant increase in the activity and amount of cytochromes P4501A (CYP1A) was observed in both tissues of ABZ treated mouflons compared to control animals. No other biotransformation enzymes tested were affected by five ABZ doses. The in vitro biotransformation of ABZ was studied in hepatic and intestinal microsomes from ABZ treated and control mouflons. Concentrations of two main ABZ metabolites - pharmacologically active ABZ sulfoxide and pharmacologically inactive ABZ sulfone were analysed using HPLC. A significant increase in rate of formation of ABZ sulfone (which is catalysed by CYP1A) was observed in hepatic as well as in intestinal microsomes from ABZ treated animals. The enhancement of ABZ deactivation by its repeated administration may affect the anthelmintic efficacy of this drug and may contribute to the development of parasite resistance.     

Electrophoretic patterns and immunoglobulin G levels in mouflon (Ovis orientalis musimon) and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus).

Serum protein and immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were measured from 16 healthy mouflons (Ovis orientalis musimon) and from 28 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in French and Catalonian populations. Electrophoretic patterns were described for each species. The only significant gender-related difference was increased beta-globulins in French roe deer males. Significantly increased alpha1-globulin levels and decreased IgG levels occurred in the young Catalonian roe deer compared with adults from the same group. Values for total proteins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulin, and IgG were significantly higher in the French roe deer, while albumin and albumin/globulin ratio were higher in the Catalonian roe deer. Both populations had the same relative migration distances of the various protein fractions of the electrophoresis.     

Relationship between Ultrasonographic Assessment of the Corpus Luteum and Plasma Progesterone Concentration during the Oestrous Cycle in Monovular Ewes

Ultrasonographic observations of the corpus luteum (CL) and collection of blood samples for progesterone radioimmunoassay were performed daily during 15 oestrous cycles in Spanish Merino ewes, a consistently monovular breed. Ultrasonographic image of the CL changed during the oestrous cycle, increasing its echogenic pattern from ovulation to luteolysis. The size of the CL and mean progesterone levels were significantly affected by day of cycle (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). Both increased their values from day 1 to day 12 (from 49.6 ± 7.4 to 154.6 ± 11.8 mm² and from 0.2 ± 0.0 to 2.8 ± 0.5 ng/ml, respectively) and then declined sharply until day 0 (28.2 ± 5.3 mm² and 0.1 ± 0.0 ng/ml, respectively). There was a significant correlation between CL area and plasma progesterone concentrations during the entire oestrous cycle, taking the developing and regressing phases of the CL separately (p < 0.05). A central cavity was observed in 33.3% of the CL studied. The presence of this cavity had no effect in total luteal‐tissue area of the CL nor on oestrous cycle length or on progesterone concentrations. Likewise, the cavity did not affect the correlations observed between CL size and progesterone levels, CL size and day of cycle and progesterone levels and day of cycle. It is concluded that ultrasonographic assessment of CL area is a reliable method for estimating peripheral plasma progesterone levels, regardless to the presence or absence of a cavity in the CL.     

Mouflon (Ovis musimon) dicrocoeliosis: effects of parasitosis on the activities of biotransformation enzymes and albendazole metabolism in liver

Parasitic infections can modify the host's ability to metabolize drugs and other xenobiotics by altering the biotransformation enzymes; these changes may have various pharmacological, toxicological or physiological consequences. In our study, several activities of liver biotransformation enzymes and in vitro metabolism of albendazole (ABZ) were tested and compared in non-infected mouflons (Ovis musimon) and in mouflons infected by lancet fluke (Dicrocoelium dendriticum). Subcellular fractions of liver homogenates were isolated from 5+5 mouflon rams (1-year-old) parasitologically negative or naturally infected by fluke. From the eight enzyme activities that were assayed, only two activities significantly differ in the case of Dicrocoelium-infected versus non-infected animals. In infected mouflons, a significant increase (53%) of thiobenzamide-S-oxidase (TBSO) activity, corresponding mainly to the activity of flavine monooxygenase (FMO), and significant decrease (60%) of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was observed. In addition, dicrocoeliosis caused the enhancement of ABZ hepatic biotransformation. The velocity of the formation of (+)-ABZ sulfoxide and ABZ sulfone was significantly increased. However, the shifts in ABZ biotransformation were very mild that undesirable alterations in ABZ pharmacokinetic are not expected. From this point of view, the use of ABZ in the therapy of mouflon dicrocoeliosis in young animals can be recommended. The treatment of the same mouflons by other drugs that are mainly conjugated with glutathione, seems to be more problematic; hence, all consequences of documented reduced GST activity should be accounted.     

Characteristics of oestrous cycles in Holstein cross-bred dairy heifers: An evidence of delayed post-ovulatory progesterone rise

The aims of the current study were to illustrate figures for the characteristics of oestrous cycles especially on follicular dynamics, corpus luteum and changes in progesterone and prostaglandin F2alpha, in the Holstein cross-bred dairy heifers. Twenty six healthy and sexual-mature virgin heifers were monitored for signs of oestrus. Their ovaries were sonically examined and the numbers and the sizes of the follicles as well as of the corpus luteum were documented. In our study, no difference in ratio of the 2-wave and 3-wave patterned cycle was evident. Seasons' change did not affect on characteristics oestrous cycles as well as on dynamics of follicles and corpus luteum. The heifers showed high variation in manifesting oestrus especially on a number of hours. The ‘bodily’ oestrous signs lasted longer than did ‘behavioural’ signs and connection of lowering of the back to standing oestrus was established. Certain diversities comparing to of existed dairy breeds were drawn for follicular dynamics, corpus luteum and its progesterone: 1) the 1st an-ovulatory dominant follicles showed higher growth rate and earlier exceeded dominant diameter; 2) the follicle tended to quicker ovulate but with a smaller diameter at ovulation; 3) the corpus luteum exhibited 4−16.5 mm in diameter of central cavity. Connecting to the levels of progesterone, 4) the corpus luteum turned into active, as well as mid-luteal, period quite late, and 5) the duration of the active period of the corpus luteum was shorter, but 6) at the end of the cycle –around the day of oestrus, progesterone remained certain low but significant levels. In conclusion, the Holstein cross-bred dairy heifers in our study faced a problem of delayed post-ovulatory progesterone rise of which underlying causes are needed to be further scrutinised either at endocrine or at cell levels.     

Corpus luteum vascularization during the maternal recognition of pregnancy in llamas (Lama glama)

The aim of this study was to characterize corpus luteum vascularization and its association with plasma progesterone concentration in early stages of pregnancy, when maternal recognition of pregnancy is expected to occur. In all animals, both plasma progesterone concentration and corpus luteum vascularization increased from Day 6 to Day 8 post-mating and afterwards in non-pregnant llamas they started to decrease to reach basal levels around Days 12 to 14 post-mating, while in pregnant animals, both variables remained elevated until the end of the study. A lineal positive relationship between corpus luteum vascularization and plasma progesterone concentration was observed in pregnant (r² = .46, p < .0001) and non-pregnant llamas (r² = .66, p < .0001). Pregnant animals showed higher plasma progesterone concentration and corpus luteum vascularization than the non-pregnant ones from Day 12 post-mating until the end of the study (p ˂ .05 and p ˂ .01, respectively). These results suggest that maternal recognition of pregnancy should occur before Day 12 post-mating in order to expand luteal lifespan, maintaining corpus luteum vascularization and progesterone production. Also, the assessment of CL vascularization area could be a useful and non-invasive method for early pregnancy diagnosis due to its association with plasma progesterone concentration.     

In vivo investigation of luteal function in dogs: Effects of cabergoline,a dopamine agonist,and prolactin on progesterone secretion during mid-pregnancy and -diestrus

The role of prolactin on luteal function in dogs was investigated in vivo. The function of prolactin in mid-luteal phase was compared in pregnant and nonpregnant dogs. A dopamine agonist, cabergoline, known for its prolactin secretion inhibitory effects, was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 5 μg/kg body weight in five pregnant and five nonpregnant Beagle bitches. Mean plasma prolactin and progesterone were dramatically suppressed for 4 to 5 days after injection in both groups when compared with control pregnant and non-pregnant animals, whereas no effect on luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion was observed. The decline in plasma progesterone occurred after that in prolactin, suggesting plasma progesterone was impaired by inhibition of prolactin secretion. These results confirm the luteotropic importance of prolactin in pregnant bitches, and also demonstrate its importance in luteal phase of the nonpregnant dog.Second, to demonstrate that the effects of cabergoline were mediated by prolactin inhibition and not by a direct action on the corpus luteum, concomitant administration on Day 30 of cabergoline and prolactin (375 μg IV twice daily on Days 30 and 31) or cabergoline and LH (750 μg IV twice daily on Days 30 and 31) was affected in two groups of five pregnant animals each. Results showed that only prolactin was able to reverse the negative effects of cabergoline on circulating progesterone. This confirms the indirect mode of action of the dopamine agonist, cabergoline on corpus luteum function.Third, further investigation on the precise luteotropic role of prolactin was made by IV injection of 375 μg pure canine prolactin twice daily in five pregnant bitches on Days 30 and 31, and in five pregnant bitches on Days 40 and 41. No direct stimulatory effect of prolactin on plasma progesterone secretion occurred. Nor was there a noticeable effect on plasma LH secretion. These results suggest that prolactin is unable to directly stimulate progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum of pregnancy.The results of this study suggest that prolactin is an essential luteotropin in the dog from mid-luteal phase in both pregnant and nonpregnant animals. However, it appears to act by sustaining corpus luteum lifespan and function rather than by direct stimulatory effects on progesterone secretion.     

黄体对牛胚胎移植效果影响的探究

黄体释放的黄体酮对母畜发情周期、启动发情行为和维持妊娠起着至关重要的作用,但目前国内外对黄体是否影响胚胎移植效果有着不同报道。本文以探究黄体对牛胚胎移植效果的影响为主线,查阅大量文献,归纳黄体的检查和级别判断方法,分别分析黄体大小、黄体位置、黄体质量和黄体生产溶解过程激素水平与胚胎移植受胎率的关系,为提高胚胎移植效果提供科学的参考依据。生产上常通过B超扫描结合直肠检查法判断受体牛黄体发育和位置作为能否移植的依据;由各学者研究结果可见,不同直径黄体的胚胎移植受胎率差异不显著,为提高受体牛的利用,在对受体牛黄体大小选择时可适当放宽标准;胚胎移植到黄体同侧的受胎率比移植到黄体对侧的高,另外,可能因为操作者左右手操作习惯不同,发现左侧黄体移植受胎率比右侧的要高;较多学者认为质量好的胚胎选择黄体质量好的受体移植才能得到更高的受胎率;胚胎移植后能否成功受孕,还与黄体生成溶解过程中孕酮含量及孕酮与雌二醇的比例等有关。     

Plasma progesterone concentrations in pregnant and non-pregnant llamas (Lama glama)

Female llamas ovulate in response to copulation, and progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum indicates recent ovulation (mating) and, or, pregnancy. The plasma progesterone concentration was 0.9 to 1.4 ng/ml in five non-pregnant llamas and 7.4 to 9.2 ng/ml in three llamas in the last month of pregnancy. After ovulation had been induced in nine of 10 llamas by a single intramuscular injection of 500 or 750 iu of human chorionic gonadotrophin, the plasma progesterone concentration increased after two days from 0.5 to 1.2 ng/ml to 4.6 to 10.3 ng/ml after six to nine days and returned to basal values after 10 to 13 days, reflecting the life-span of a corpus luteum in the absence of conception. After a male llama had been introduced into a group of 13 females, 10 matings which resulted in eight conceptions occurred in the first 11 days, and 11 of the llamas became pregnant. The llamas' progesterone concentrations increased after mating and remained high if conception had occurred: 6 to 12 ng/ml in months one to four, and 5 to 9 ng/ml in months five to nine of the 11-month gestation. Two of the 13 llamas had high concentrations of progesterone although they did not become pregnant.     

Use of milk progesterone enzyme immunoassay for differential diagnosis of follicular cyst, luteal cyst, and cystic corpus luteum in cows

In 160 cows with ovarian cysts as determined by rectal palpation, differentiation was made of follicular cyst, luteal cyst, and cystic corpus luteum on the basis of milk progesterone concentrations estimated by an enzyme immunoassay before and at 10 days after cows were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Cows having a progesterone concentration in skim milk less than 1.0 ng/ml were considered to have follicular cysts and those with concentrations of 1.0 ng/ml or higher were regarded as the cases of luteal cyst or cystic corpus luteum. Luteal cyst was characterized by progesterone values remaining high in the cows for 10 days after treatment, and cystic corpus luteum was characterized by a decrease in progesterone concentration after cows were treated. By the rectal palpation procedure it was impossible to differentiate luteal cyst and cystic corpus luteum from follicular cyst. The frequencies of follicular cyst, luteal cyst, and cystic corpus luteum were 65%, 19%, and 16%, respectively. Of 104 cows with follicular cysts as defined by milk progesterone assay result, 73 (70%) responded to the treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone, the milk progesterone concentration increasing from 0.7 +/- 0.2 ng/ml (mean +/- SD) to 1.8 +/- 1.1 ng/ml. The accuracy of rectal palpation 10 days after treatment for judgment of luteinization of follicular cyst confirmed by milk progesterone analysis was only 30% (48 cows of 160).     

Reproductive Biology of Chamaeleo Pumilus Pumilus with Special Reference to the Role of the Corpus Luteum and Progesterone

The morphology of the female reproductive tract and of the ovaries of the ovoviviparous C. pumilus was studied. Sperm storage organs were found in the vaginal region and changes in the histological appearance of the corpus luteum indicated a cyclic function similar to that found in mammals. Studies with ¹⁴C labelled leucine suggested that amino acid transfer occurred between the mother and the embryos. A radio-immuno assay of the progesterone content of the corpus luteum showed that the corpus luteum contains 56,8 μg progesterone/g of fresh luteal tissue and that the mean plasma levels of progesterone increased from 945,6 pg/ml in non-gravid to 2296,0 pg/ml in gravid females. There also appears to be a post-ovulatory surge of progesterone (4946,0 pg/ml). Oestrogens were found to stimulate the oviducal mucosa while progesterone acted synergjstically with oestrogen. Oestrogens also stimulated the production of serum protein fractions. Progesterone caused yolk regression and thus prevented the onset of the next follicular phase. Studies involving ovariectomy and progesterone replacement, indicated that progesterone and the corpus luteum are essential for the maintenance of gestation. It was concluded that several features of the reproductive biology of C. pumilus can be considered to be distinctly mammalian and that these features are of considerable evolutionary importance.     

The timing of the onset of puberty, extension of the breeding season, and length of postpartum anestrus in the female mouflon (Ovis gmelini musimon).

The timing of the onset of puberty, duration of seasonal ovulatory activity, and length of postpartum anestrus were studied by means of blood plasma progesterone concentrations in a flock of European female mouflons (Ovis gmelini musimon) maintained in captivity under natural photoperiod (40 degrees 25'N). Concentrations of progesterone in the peripheral blood were determined by radioimmunoassay in samples collected from the jugular vein twice a week. First ovulations in the breeding season were highly synchronized and occurred in mid-October. In contrast, the cessation of ovulatory cycles showed significant variation among females and extended from February to May, depending on age, with 2-yr-old animals exhibiting the longest anovulatory period (P < 0.01). When lambing occurred within the breeding season (February-April), 12 out of 26 animals had their first ovulation 25 +/- 1.8 days after parturition. The 14 late-lambing females had the first postpartum ovulation delayed until the next breeding season. March/April-born mouflon lambs that reached a minimum threshold body weight (23.8 +/- 0.6 kg) in their first breeding season reached puberty at 8 mo of age. In those with slower growth rates, however, the prepubertal period was extended throughout the first breeding and nonbreeding seasons, reaching puberty during the breeding season of the following year at 19 mo of age and 27 +/- 0.3 kg body weight. Further, attainment of puberty in ewe lambs born in June/July was also delayed until the breeding season of the following year, when animals had reached a threshold body weight at 17 mo of age.     

Relationship between rectal findings of corpus luteum and whole milk progesterone levels in postpartum dairy cows

The reliability of clinical ovarian findings was assessed as an indicator of luteal function in primiparous dairy cows. The postpartum period of 103 cows following their first parturition was studied by thrice weekly rectal palpation of ovaries and whole milk progesterone assay from 1 week after parturition to the first insemination. The relationship between milk progesterone levels and 1101 ovarian findings was compared during the follicular phases, short luteal phases and during the early, mid and late thirds of normal luteal phases. The compatibility between elevated progesterone and palpable corpus luteum was 71%, and between low progesterone and lack of corpus luteum 77%. In 10% of all rectal examinations the finding was unspecified; i.e. the clinician could not differentiate between luteal and follicular activity. During the acyclic period prior to the initiation of luteal function, the proportion of false corpus luteum findings was 11%. The corpora lutea of the short oestrous cycles were more difficult to palpate than those of normal cycles. During early dioestrus the corpus luteum was significantly more difficult to palpate than during the rest of dioestrus. The percentage of unspecified findings was highest during early dioestrus.The paper discusses the reliability of rectal examination as a method of diagnosing cyclicity and of evaluating the responsiveness of a cow to prostaglandin treatment.     

猪黄体不同发育时期活性氧水平及多种抗氧化酶mRNA表达量变化规律的研究

试验旨在研究活性氧(ROS)及抗氧化酶基因表达在猪黄体组织发育及退化过程中的变化规律,为诠释猪黄体抗氧化机制补充理论基础并提供新的思路。试验所用卵巢采自延吉屠宰场,将黄体从卵巢剥离后,通过其形态大小将黄体初步分为初期、中期、后期以及白体,然后通过检测孕酮水平准确区分中期及后期黄体;通过冰冻切片及DHE荧光染色技术检测各时期黄体ROS水平,通过实时荧光定量PCR对各时期黄体内锰超氧化物歧化酶(Mn-SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)以及谷胱甘肽过氧化氢酶(GPx)的mRNA表达量进行检测。结果表明:猪黄体内ROS水平随猪黄体周期性发育进程出现规律性升高,即后期ROS水平显著高于其他时期(P<0.05);中期显著高于初期与白体(P<0.05);而初期与白体间差异不显著(P>0.05)。Mn-SOD、GPx1及GPx4基因的表达水平随黄体的发育进程则出现规律性的下降:初期及白体中这几个基因的表达水平显著高于中期与后期(P<0.05),中期显著高于后期(P<0.05)。对于GPx3基因,其在白体的表达量显著高于其他时期(P<0.05),初期表达水平显著高于中期与后期(P<0.05),中期显著高于后期(P<0.05)。CAT基因表达量不随黄体的发育而变化(P>0.05)。综合上述试验结果,ROS、Mn-SOD及GPx与猪黄体发育及退化有关;而ROS水平与Mn-SOD及GPx的表达水平呈现出相反的规律。     

牦牛不同妊娠阶段孕酮的主要来源器官研究

为明确牦牛不同妊娠阶段孕酮的来源，分别对53头不同妊娠阶段牦牛的黄体组织、肾上腺组织和胎盘组织进行体外细胞培养，同时对44头牦牛的上述组织进行匀浆处理，采用放射免疫分析法（RIA）测定培养液及组织匀浆上清液中孕酮的含量。结果显示，黄体细胞在体外培养时，妊娠前2个月内孕酮分泌量显著升高（P〈0．05）：妊娠2-5个月，培养液中孕酮含量变化不明显（P〉0．05），但在妊娠5个月以后，其浓度又开始显著增加（P〈0．01）。肾上腺组织体外培养时，分泌孕酮的能力随不同个体差别较大，孕酮浓度在整个妊娠期变化不明显（P〉0．05）。胎盘组织体外培养时仅分泌少量孕酮，且在整个妊娠期其浓度变化不明显。黄体组织匀浆上清液中孕酮浓度在妊娠前2个月内呈上升趋势（P〈0．05），之后其浓度开始下降，至妊娠第4个月时下降到最低水平，以后又逐渐上升（P〈0．05），妊娠6-7个月时达到峰值，临近分娩时，又下降至较低水平。肾上腺组织匀浆中孕酮含量的变化差异较大，且无明显的变化趋势，胎盘组织匀浆中孕酮的含量也很低，甚至检测不到。结果表明，黄体是牦牛整个妊娠期孕酮的主要来源器官。     

Serum progesterone levels in post-partum dairy cows after repeated application of the prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue D (+) cloprostenol sodium

Reproductive management programmes based on strategic use of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) to induce and synchronize oestrus in post-partum dairy cows are widespread. Repeated shortening of the oestrous cycle during early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows, however, could impair corpus luteum function and thus decrease fertility. The objective of this study was to analyse the effect of repeated treatments with the prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue D (+) cloprostenol sodium on progesterone concentrations indicative of a functional corpus luteum in post-partum dairy cows. Furthermore, the influence of milk production, parity and endometritis on progesterone concentrations under these circumstances were studied. Eighty-four cows of a commercial dairy operation were treated three to four times with D (+) cloprostenol sodium (Preloban; Hoechst Roussel Vet, Wiesbaden, Germany) at 14-day intervals, starting 22-28 days post-partum. Blood samples were collected prior to treatment 1 (sample 1) and 14 days after treatments 1, 2 and 3 (samples 2-4) and serum progesterone (P4) levels were determined. The percentage of cows with P4 levels < 1 ng/ml decreased from 51% in sample 1 to 23% in samples 3 and 4. More primiparous cows had low P4 levels 14 days after the second treatment than older cows (P < 0.05). Cows with low progesterone levels in sample 3 or 4 had lower protein contents in milk on the second milk test day post-partum and in their cumulative milk yield of the first 100 days of lactation. Clinical endometritis at post-partum examination did not influence progesterone levels after treatment with PGF2 alpha. Repeated application of PGF2 alpha (more than twice) in the post-partum period does not influence serum progesterone levels 14 days after treatment. Failure to develop luteal tissue after treatment contributed to the conception failures after first service.     

Embryonic mortality in heifers after artificial insemination and embryo transfer: differences between virgin and repeat breeder heifers

Embryos were collected from repeat breeder heifers and virgin heifers seven days after insemination, classified and transferred to the uterine horn contralateral to the corpus luteum of synchronised inseminated recipients. Altogether 35 transfers were performed, all reciprocally between repeat breeder heifers and virgin heifers. The recipients were slaughtered either 16 to 17 days or 32 to 35 days after insemination. The survival rate of the native embryos was lower among the repeat breeder heifers than among the virgin heifers both at 16 to 17 days (six of nine vs six of six) and at 32 to 35 days (three of 10 vs seven of 10) after insemination. A higher proportion of embryos transferred from repeat breeder heifers to virgin heifers than from virgin heifers to repeat breeder heifers survived to days 16 to 17 (five of six vs two of nine), while the same proportion of embryos survived to days 32 to 35 (two of 10) in both heifer categories. The results suggest that the uterine environment in repeat breeder heifers is suboptimal for the support of normal embryonic development.