Effect of immediate post-partum uterine treatment on subsequent reproductive efficiency

The interval from calving to first oestrus (post-partum interval) is an important determinant of reproductive efficiency in suckler cows. While this interval is influenced by a range of factors including cow age, breed, presence of bull, cow-calf interactions and disease, the most important factors are suckling (frequency / number of calves) and nutrition (pre- and post-partum nutrient intake, body condition at calving and during early lactation). The mechanisms by which these factors, either independently or interactively, affect the length of the anoestrous period are unclear. Similarly, the time post-partum at which suckling exerts its effect on resumption of cyclicity is unknown. The effects of body condition score at calving and of changing the frequency of suckling on the length of the post-partum interval were determined. Preliminary results are presented.

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Prevalence of postpartum subclinical endometritis in three dairy farms of Puerto Rico

The Journal of Agriculture of the University of Puerto Rico ◽

10.46429/jaupr.v99i2.3028 ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 99 (2) ◽

pp. 125-134

Author(s):

Amaris Guzmán-Rivera ◽

Esbal Jiménez-Cabán ◽

Héctor L. Sánchez-Rodríguez ◽

Jaime E. Curbelo-Rodríguez ◽

Guillermo Ortiz-Colón

Keyword(s):

Puerto Rico ◽

Post Partum ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Dairy Herds ◽

Polymorphonuclear Cells ◽

Cool Season ◽

Brown Swiss ◽

A Value ◽

Hot Season ◽

Subclinical Endometritis

Endometritis is one of the causes associated with low reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. This study evaluated the prevalence of subclinical endometritis (SE) in three dairy herds in Puerto Rico during both hot and cool seasons. In cows at 45±7 days post-partum, SE, defined as the presence of ≥5% of polymorphonuclear cells in samples of endometrial tissue, was determined by cytology. The overall prevalence of SE (n=101 cows) was 8.9% and no significant effects were found of breed (P=0.73), season (P=0.34), number of lactations (P=0.60), nor location (P=0.56). For Holsteins, Brown Swiss, Jersey and crossbred cows the prevalence of SE was 10.4, 18.7, 0, and 6.3%, respectively. Primiparous cows showed a value of 7.1% SE and multiparous, 10.2%. During the hot season the prevalence of SE was 6.1% versus 11.5% for the cool season. At the dairies located in Moca, Lajas and Camuy the condition was detected in 5.5%, 6.6% and 12.0% of the cows, respectively. Compared to studies conducted in other countries, the present results indicate that SE is relatively well under control in the local dairy herds studied.

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Factors influencing reproductive efficiency and pregnancy in Pura Raza Española mares

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/205/2015-vetmed ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 62 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 186-191

Author(s):

A. Akourki ◽

A. Echegaray ◽

MV Falceto ◽

O. Mitjana

Keyword(s):

Pregnancy Loss ◽

Post Partum ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Ovarian Activity ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Ovulatory Follicle ◽

Follicle Size ◽

Spss Software ◽

Twin Pregnancies ◽

Length Of Gestation

The aim of this study was to analyse ovarian activity and pregnancy in 140 Pura Raza Espanola mares over a period of two consecutive years. The data were analysed using SPSS software to evaluate the effects of age, category of mares and season on pre-ovulatory follicle size, ovulation rate, interval from foaling to pregnancy, gestation length, incidence of twin pregnancies and pregnancy losses. The results showed that follicular diameter was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller in fillies (3-year-old) and maiden mares than in older and multiparous mares. Within the group of animals treated with gonadotropin hormone hCG, 87.23% ovulated 48 h following administration. Length of gestation varied from 305 to 356 days and all gestation pregnancies of less than 305 days resulted in a non-viable foal. In addition, foaling season affected (P < 0.05) the post-partum conception interval and the length of gestation, which were shorter and longer in the winter foaling, respectively. Regarding the other parameters, mares of this stud exhibited relatively very low rates of double ovulations, twin pregnancies and pregnancy losses. We conclude that age and category of mares and foaling season influence fertility and foaling rates by affecting pre-ovulatory follicle size, pregnancy loss and gestation length.

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Reproductive Efficiency of BLRI Cattle Breed-1 at Farm Condition

Progressive Agriculture ◽

10.3329/pa.v19i2.16948 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 85-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

GK Deb ◽

MMR Mufti ◽

MP Mostari ◽

KS Huque

Keyword(s):

Post Partum ◽

Winter Season ◽

Cattle Breed ◽

Breeding Strategy ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Gestation Length ◽

Cattle Breeding ◽

Indigenous Cattle ◽

Native Cattle ◽

Heat Period

The BLRI Cattle Breed 1(BCB-1) is a native cattle breed developed by Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) through selective breeding among indigenous cattle of Bangladesh. Data asserted from record sheets of 529 animals maintained during 1992 to 2006 were analyzed to evaluate the reproductive efficiency of BCB-1 cattle in different generations, seasons and parities. The highest percent of animals showed heat during summer season (36.88%) followed by rainy (35.73%) and winter season (27.39%). The highest percent of calving was recorded in summer (43.1%) followed by rainy (31%) and winter (26%). Sex ratio of male: female calves born according to season was the highest in summer (106.31:100) intermediate in rainy (106.06: 100) and lowest in winter (105.00:100). Age at first heat (AFH), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), service per conception (SPC), gestation length (GL) and post partum heat period (PPHP) of BCB-1 cows were 843.65±17.77, 1225.24±258.92, 451.65±6.51, 1.50±0.83, 283.31±11.50, and 105.51±3.95 days, respectively. AFS and PPHP varied with generation (p<0.01) and that of SPC and PPHP with parity of dams (p<0.05). However, AFC, GL and CI of BCB-1 females did not vary with parity, generation or season of birth. It was concluded that the overall reproductive performances of BCB-1 cattle are within the range of other indigenous cattle of Bangladesh and the at such results of reproductive characteristics may be used for planning cattle breeding strategy of the country.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16948 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 85 - 92, 2008

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The potential for identifying heritable endocrine parameters associated with fertility in post-partum dairy cows

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800050335 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 333-347 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

A. O. Darwash ◽

G. E. Lamming ◽

J. A. Woolliams

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Gain ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Post Partum ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Steady Increase ◽

High Fertility ◽

Progeny Testing

AbstractFertility is an important component of herd production efficiency, as each additional oestrous cycle that does not result in a planned pregnancy adds to the cost of dairy farming. In addition to the negative impact on milk production, the high costs of veterinary intervention, re-insemination and herd replacement, subfertility can affect the rate of genetic gain in traits of economic merit. In contrast with the steady increase in average milk yield per cow during the last 30 years, there has been a decline in conception rate to artificial insemination in both the USA and in the UK.The genetic correlation between yield and fertility has been equivocal. Attempts to improve the reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle through breeding and selection have been frustrated to date by the lack of heritable reproductive parameters conducive to high fertility. However, the traditional fertility parameters of interval to first service, services per conception, days open and calving intervals are highly influenced by managerial decisions and have, as expected, heritabilities too low to permit a meaningful genetic gain through selection. An alternative approach is to use the growing body of evidence that the majority of endocrine factors affecting reproduction are a result of gene expression at the hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian or uterine level. Mechanisms such as commencement of post-partum cyclicity, follicle wave patterns, manifestation of oestrus, luteal competence and level of embryo mortality are appropriate for study. Research is required to investigate the genetic component of the variation between animals in these parameters, their phenotypic and genetic correlations with fertility and their association with other production traits.In summary: (a) subfertility is a syndrome with multiple causes and only the symptom in common; (b) improvement in fertility will continue to be frustrated until recorded traits provide more accurate estimates of breeding values; (c) techniques are now available to estimate the genetic variation in physiological components conducive to improved reproductive efficiency; (d) once the heritable components of fertility are identified, these tools could be introduced into progeny testing and breeding nuclei, from which the genetic improvement can be widely disseminated. Selection for those components with sufficient genetic variation will result in the improvement of the integral endocrine and other physiological mechanisms favourably correlated with high fertility (e) these tools may also assist in detecting quantitative trait loci for faster genetic gain through markers-assisted selection.

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EFFECTS OF UTERINE INFUSION OF NONVIABLE SEMEN, SEMINAL PLASMA OR EGG ALBUMEN PRIOR TO BREEDING ON THE REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY OF GILTS OR SOWS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas90-014 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 129-133 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

J. R. GILES ◽

L. H. THOMPSON ◽

S. ARKINS ◽

T. CAMACHO ◽

P. A. EICHEN

Keyword(s):

Litter Size ◽

Seminal Plasma ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Post Partum ◽

Pregnancy Rates ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Corpora Lutea ◽

Treatment Groups ◽

Egg Albumen

In two different experiments crossbred gilts and(or) sows were used to investigate the effects of uterine exposure (prior to breeding) to nonviable semen (NS), seminal plasma (SP) or egg albumen (EA) on reproductive performance. Treatment solutions were infused via the cervix at estrus in gilts or within 2 d post-partum in sows. Females were artificially inseminated at the subsequent estrus. In the first experiment pregnancy rates for gilts infused with Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS) as controls, NS or EA and subsequently inseminated, were 76, 85 and 54%, respectively, and were not significantly different among treatment groups. The number of total embryos (adjusted for number of corpora lutea) present at 38 d postinsemination was 9.6, 9.0 and 9.6, respectively, for BTS, ND and EA infused gilts and was not significantly different. Likewise, the number of live and dead embryos was not different among treatments. In the second experiment, the proportions of inseminated sows infused with BTS, NS or SP that subsequently farrowed were 87, 84 and 92%, respectively, and did not differ significantly among treatments. No significant differences were detected for the number of total, live or dead pigs born per litter among treatments. We conclude that uterine exposure to seminal proteins or egg albumen prior to breeding does not alter reproductive performance in gilts by 38 d of gestation. Also, the infusion of seminal proteins in sows shortly after parturition does not affect pregnancy rates or litter size at the subsequent farrowing. Key words: Reproductive efficiency, litter size, swine, artificial insemination

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The effect of body condition, feed level and temporary calf separation on the post-partum anoestrous period and LH and FSH levels in beef cows

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) ◽

10.1017/s030822960003467x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 1987 ◽

pp. 26-26

Author(s):

I.A. Wright ◽

A.J.F. Russel ◽

T.K. Whyte ◽

A.J. McBean

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Deleterious Effect ◽

Post Partum ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Biological Efficiency ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Beef Cow ◽

The Mean ◽

Farm Livestock

Compared with other species of farm livestock the reproductive performance of beef cows is poor. Mating and calving periods are frequently extended to avoid having a large proportion of barren Cows. vs. For example the ‘average’ MLC recorded herd has a calving period of over 4months. This makes management of beef cow herds difficult and has a deleterious effect on biological efficiency and profitability.One of the major limitations to improvement of reproductive efficiency in beef cattle is the extended post-partum anoestrus. Beef cows have longer post-partum anoestrous periods than dairy cows. In one study of three different herds (Peters and Riley, 1982) the mean length of the anovulatory period ranged from 24 to 88 days.

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227OVARIAN FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS IN POSTPARTUM MEDITERRANEAN ITALIAN BUFFALOES

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv16n1ab227 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 235

Author(s):

G.A. Presicce ◽

G. De Santis ◽

E.M. Senatore

Keyword(s):

Post Partum ◽

High Rate ◽

Day Length ◽

Purulent Discharge ◽

Pharmacological Intervention ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

Ovarian Activity ◽

Leading Role ◽

Ultrasound Monitoring ◽

Follicular Dynamics

In cattle and buffaloes resumption of ovarian activity, as expressed by first post partum ovulation and follicle turnover leading to periodic estrus cycles and ovulations, can be affected by many factors among which uterine infections and dietary supplementation play a leading role. In addition, buffaloes are considered seasonal animals characterized by a tendency to reproduce in correspondence to a decrease of day length. This aspect may further affect their reproductive efficiency by delaying or interrupting ovarian activity if calving occurs in transitional (i.e., from end winter into beginning of spring) or unfavourable (spring-summer) periods of the year, when an increase of daylight hours occurs. The aim of this study, carried out in the months of February to May, was to understand the effect of increasing daylight hours over resumption of postpartum ovarian follicular dynamics and estrus cycles. Mixed parity Mediterranean Italian buffaloes (n=20) were monitored daily by ultrasonography from calving until first postpartum ovulation and following cycle or until 60 days if no ovulations had been recorded. Ultrasound monitoring was performed by using a 7.5MHz linear-array probe and an Aloka SSD-500 monitor. No pharmacological intervention was allowed during the course of the study and animals were kept under similar feeding and farm management conditions. All animals exhibited a mild to moderate uterine inflammation (n=13; 65%) or aspecific infection (n=7; 35%) after calving. Infections were manifested as purulent discharge and as ultrasound detection of highly echogenic debries in the uterine lumen. Only one animal retained pathological accumulation in both horns for the entire duration of the study. Among the 20 buffaloes under study, 12 (60%) exhibited postpartum ovulations, ranging from 9 to 45 days. In eight buffaloes (40%), such ovulations occurred in the ovary contralateral to the ovary bearing the gravidic CL. Following postpartum ovulations, seven buffaloes (35%) underwent a complete cycle leading to ovulation. Three of such cycles (15%) culminated with a second ovulation in the same ovary where post partum ovulations had occurred. Among the full cycles following postpartum ovulations, four of them were one-wave, with a range of 8 to 19 days, whereas the remaining three cycles were two-wave with a range of 17 to 22 days. Eight buffaloes (40%) were reported in anovulatory condition following parturition, although in four of them both ovaries displayed a typical follicle turnover. In conclusion, resumption of ovarian activity and reproductive efficiency in water buffaloes can be affected by increasing day length as evidenced by a high rate of postpartum anovulatory conditions and reduced follicle turnover.

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