Controlled breeding in dairy cows. Part 1: bovine oestrus cycle and synchronisation

In Practice ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (8) ◽  
pp. 445-456
Author(s):  
George Lindley ◽  
Jim Willshire ◽  
Adam Martin
Keyword(s):  
2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Halli ◽  
C. Koch ◽  
F.-J. Romberg ◽  
S. Hoy

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine whether feed intake amount and feed intake behaviour could be related to oestrus in dairy cows. Furthermore, we investigated whether oestrus had an effect on daily milk yield. A total of 138 oestrus cycles, leading to conception of 100 cows, were analysed. The parameters "daily fresh matter intake amount (kg)", "daily number of visits to the feeding trough" and "time spent feeding per day (min)" were electronically measured and recorded. For a sub-quantity of all animals, daily milk yield (kg) was recorded continuously and stored in the herd management software. Special attention was given to the day of oestrus, which was defined as the day of successful insemination. All remaining days of the oestrus cycle were considered as the reference period. Among all animals and cycles, fresh matter intake amount per day, number of visits per day, and time spent feeding per day were reduced by 10.3, 9.1 and 20.8 %, respectively, on the day of oestrus. Fresh matter intake was significantly lower in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows. However, number of visits to the trough and time spent feeding per day were significantly higher in primiparous cows compared to multiparous cows. Day of oestrus did not have a significant effect on daily milk yield, as this parameter was characterized by high variation among all days of the oestrus cycle. In conclusion, if an RIC system is used, monitoring of feeding behaviour appears to be a potential auxiliary aid in oestrus detection.


Author(s):  
Duncan Pullar ◽  
Peter Rowlinson ◽  
Cheryl Miller ◽  
Joanne Scatcherd

The successful re-breeding of suckler and dairy cows is vital to the economics of farming cattle. The gestation length of cows is 280-290 days, so the optimum interval after calving for the subsequent mating is 75-85 days if a 365 day calving interval is to be achieved. Average calving rates to a given service are of the order of 0.5 to 0.6 (Diskin and Sreenan, 1980). Most practical management strategies allow cows to be mated during a 7-10 week period (giving 3 or 4 opportunities to show oestrus). The chance of conception improves with each oestrus cycle following calving, so the earlier a cow begins to show oestrus activity after calving the more likely she is to be successfully mated, because the early, less fertile oestrus cycles, are likely to happen before the planned mating period.


1979 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeshayahu Folman ◽  
Amiel Berman ◽  
Zeev Herz ◽  
Moshe Kaim ◽  
Miriam Rosenberg ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe effect of season on milk yield, milk composition, oestrus manifestation, oestrus cycle characteristics and conception rate was studied in high-yielding Israeli-Friesian cows. ‘Summer’ cows were allotted to control (SC) and forced ventilation (SV) groups. ‘Winter’ cows (W) were kept in one group. During July-September mean rectal temperatures at 16.00 h in primiparous and multiparous cows were 39·6 and 39·8°C, respectively in cows of the SC group, and 39·4 and 39·3°C, respectively in cows of the SV group. Mean rectal temperatures at 16.00 h of the animals in the W group during December-March were 38·9°C in both primiparous and multiparous cows. The mean 122-d milk yields in primiparous cows were 3508, 3251 and 3571 kg/cow in the SC, SV and W groups respectively (not significant (NS)). In the multiparous cows the respective yields were 4183, 4416 and 4538 kg/cow (P < 0·05). Differences in milk composition were small and statistically NS.Observations on oestrus manifestation, performed 4 times daily, indicated that standing oestrus lasted 9·2 and 10·6 h in primiparous and multiparous cows respectively (P < 0·05); differences between groups were statistically not significant. Oestrous cycle lengths of primiparous and multiparous cows were 21·1 and 22·5 d respectively (P < 0·05) between ovulations and 23·0 and 28·05 d respectively (P < 0·01) between standing heats. Cows were inseminated following standing heat only. Conception rates (on all services within experimental periods) in primiparous cows were 50, 35 and 72% in the SC, SV and W groups respectively (NS). In the multiparous cows, the respective rates were 22, 52 and 80% (P < 0·05).It is concluded that in the present experiment hyperthermy decreased milk production to a very small extent, in spite of very high milk yields, but fertility was severely affected. It is also suggested that primiparous cows are less affected by heat stress than multiparous cows.


2014 ◽  
Vol 156 (10) ◽  
pp. 483-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Rüegsegger ◽  
J. Ruf ◽  
A. Tschuor ◽  
Y. Sigrist ◽  
M. Rosskopf ◽  
...  

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burim Ametaj ◽  
Brian Nonnecke ◽  
Ronald Horst ◽  
Donald Beitz

Individual and combined effects of several isomers of retinoic acid (RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion by blood mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) from nulliparous and postparturient Holstein cattle were evaluated in vitro. In the first experiment, effects on incubation period (24 to 72 hours) and time of supplementation (0 to 32 hours) with all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis-, and 9,13-dicis-RAs (0 to 100 nM) on IFN-gamma secretion by pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated (0 and 10 mug/ml) MNL from nulliparous cattle were evaluated. In the second experiment, MNL from postparturient cows (bled at 0, 2, 4, and 16 days postpartum) were stimulated with PWM (0 and 10 mug/ml) in the presence of RA isomers (9-cis- or 9,13-dicis-RA; 0 to 100 nM), 1,25-(OH)2D3 (0 to 100 nM), or with combinations of these metabolites. The results show that individual isomers of RA had no effect on IFN-gamma secretion by PWM-stimulated MNL from nulliparous or postparturient cows. Furthermore 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibited IFN-gamma secretion by MNL from nulliparous and postparturient dairy cows; however, the degree of inhibition was greater when 9-cis- and 9,13-dicis-RA were also present in the cultures. Finally mononuclear leukocytes from postparturient dairy cows produced substantially less IFN-gamma than did MNL from nulliparous cattle. It is concluded that retinoic acids individually did not affect the capacity of leukocytes from dairy cattle to secrete IFN-gamma. This result is in marked contrast to studies in monogastric species indicating that RAs inhibit IFN-gamma secretion by peripheral blood T cells. Inhibition of IFN-gamma secretion by 1,25-(OH)2D3 was potentiated by 9-cis- and 9,13-di-cis-retinoics acids, suggesting that an excess of dietary vitamins A and D may compromise further the naturally immunosuppressed postparturient dairy cow. Additional research is necessary to determine if the combined effects of these metabolites on IFN-gamma secretion represent an increased susceptibility of the dairy cow to infectious diseases during the periparturient period. Lower secretion of IFN-gamma by MNL from postpartutient dairy cows, relative to nulliparous cattle, suggests that recently-calved cows are naturally immunosuppressed.


Planta Medica ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Walkenhorst ◽  
S Ivemeyer ◽  
J Spranger ◽  
G Arndt ◽  
R Schaette

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 289-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Seyrek-Intas ◽  
K. Failing ◽  
G. Yilmazbas Mecitoglu ◽  
H. Bostedt ◽  
D. Seyrek-Intas

Summary Objective: To determine the intravascular electrolyte status in dairy cows with respect to age and different courses of parturition to clarify etiological factors influencing peri- or intrapartal imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis. Material and methods: A total of 64 cows at birth were evaluated (primiparous n = 34, pluriparous n = 30). Thirty-three cows showed normal delivery, while 31 cows had a complicated birth. Blood samples were collected intra partum (i. p.) and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24 h post partum (p. p.) as well as [2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10 days p. p. and levels of total calcium (Catotal), ionized calcium (Caion), inorganic phosphate (Pa), Mg, Na, K, Cl were determined. Results: The results revealed that electrolytes show great fluctuation during and immediately p. p. in relation to age. Already during parturition pluriparous cows had a lower Catotal and Pa concentration compared to primiparous animals. Cows with dystocia exhibited a more intensive and longer lasting decrease of Ca compared to cows with normal birth. In relation to age and severity of birth Pa concentration showed a differing but basically typical course for this electrolyte. Mg, Na, K and Cl concentrations were higher during and immediately after birth compared to p. p. values. Until day 10 p. p. these electrolyte concentrations declined more in older cows with dystocia compared to younger animals. However, the influence of dystocia on concentration of these electrolytes was milder in contrast to Ca and Pa. Conclusions: In summary, primarily older cows are predisposed to imbalances of electrolyte homeostasis intra partum and at the beginning of the lactation. These changes are potentiated in case of complications during parturition. Intravascular Catotal, Caion as well as Pa are most severely affected. Clinical relevance: These results may constitute the basis for a comprehensive metaphylaxis during the peripartal period, especially in cows after dystocia, to positively influence the early convalescence phase.


1997 ◽  
Vol 10 (02) ◽  
pp. 69-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. K. Smith ◽  
M. G. Conzemius ◽  
H. M. Saunders ◽  
C. M. Hill ◽  
T. P. Gregor ◽  
...  

SummaryA few investigations in the 1960’s were performed to document the effect of exogenous oestrogens on development of hip dysplasia. These projects concluded that oestrogen administration caused a significant increase in hip dysplasia. Additionally, the Orthopaedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) has recommended that bitches should not have hip evaluation for certification during oestrus, due to the possibility of increased coxofemoral joint laxity. The purpose of this project was to determine if physiological fluctuations of oestrogen and progesterone throughout the oestrus cycle significantly affected coxofemoral joint laxity. Nine bitches were evaluated through a single oestrus cycle. Although significant fluctuations of oestrogen and progesterone occurred throughout the phases of the oestrus cycle, neither statistically nor clinically significant changes in coxofemoral joint laxity were documented.A prospective study documented the effect of fluctuations of hormone levels throughout the oestrus cycle on coxofemoral joint laxity in nine dogs. Although oestrogen and progesterone levels changed significantly throughout the oestrus cycle, neither statistically nor clinically significant changes in hip laxity were observed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 79-102
Author(s):  
NR Sarker ◽  
F Tabassum D Yeasmin ◽  
MA Habib ◽  
MR Amin

This study was undertaken to develop a year round fodder production model for small scale dairy farmers. Five pregnant dairy cows of Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) genotype were selected. For rearing five cows, 66 decimal of land was selected from existing fodder plots under Pachutia Research Farm at Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI), Savar, Dhaka. The selected land was divided into two parts (33 decimal in each). One part was brought under perennial (Napier-4 and Splendida) and the 2nd part of land for seasonal (Maize & Matikalai) fodder production. Data on live weight and live weight gain of cows, birth weight of calves, feed intake, milk production, actual biomass yield for both perennial and seasonal fodder, yearly manure production were recorded and calculated. Napier-4 grass, splendida, maize, straw, silage were supplied to the experimental cows according to the seasonal availability in different months. Concentrate mixture were also supplied consisting of wheat bran, kheshari (red gram), soybean meal, maize crushed, til oil cake, DCP and common salt. Economics of the model revealed that considering the sale of milk, calves and manure and cost included only feed and land leased, a farm/family rearing 5 indigenous dairy cows with his/her family labours, he/she could earn around BDT 98 thousand in a year (1$ = 85 BDT) and the benefit cost ratio of the model on total variable cost and total cost were 1.86 and 1.66, respectively. Therefore, it may be recommended that a farmer having 5 adult dairy cows with 66 decimal land under fodder cultivation may earn substantial share of his/her family income as small-scale rural dairying. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 26 (1&2), 2019: P. 89-102


Author(s):  
N.A. Thomson

In a four year grazing trial with dairy cows the application of 5000 kg lime/ ha (applied in two applications of 2500 kg/ha in winter of the first two years) significantly increased annual pasture production in two of the four years and dairy production in one year. In three of the four years lime significantly increased pasture growth over summer/autumn with concurrent increases in milk production. In the last year of the trial lime had little effect on pasture growth but a relatively large increase in milkfat production resulted. A higher incidence of grass staggers was recorded on the limed farmlets in spring for each of the four years. In the second spring immediately following the second application of lime significant depressions in both pasture and plasma magnesium levels were recorded. By the third spring differences in plasma magnesium levels were negligible but small depressions in herbage magnesium resulting from lime continued to the end of the trial. Lime significantly raised soil pH, Ca and Mg levels but had no effect on either soil K or P. As pH levels of the unlimed paddocks were low (5.2-5.4) in each autumn and soil moisture levels were increased by liming, these factors may suggest possible causes for the seasonality of the pasture response to lime


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document