Changes in electrical resistance of vulvar tissue in Holstein cows during ovarian cycles and after treatment with prostaglandin F2α

1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 183-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.S. Lewis ◽  
E. Aizinbud ◽  
A.R. Lehrer
2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 243 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. W. Farin ◽  
K. M. Dowdall ◽  
J. E. Hicks ◽  
C. E. Farin ◽  
C. S. Whisnant

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is usually administered in a series of intramuscular (IM) injections to induce multiple ovulations for embryo production in cattle and other species. The objective of this study was to determine the superovulatory response of dairy cows to subcutaneous (SC) administration of FSH using a reduced number of injections in combination with a progesterone-releasing device. Eighteen non-lactating Holstein cows initially received 25 mg Prostaglandin F2α IM (PGF; Lutalyse; Pfizer Animal Health, Groton, CT, USA) on Day –7. All cows then received an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (CIDR-B, 1.38 mg progesterone; Pfizer Animal Health) on Day 0, and 100 μg GnRH IM (Cystorelin; Merial Ltd, USA) on Day 2. Cows were randomly assigned to receive a total of 400 mg (20 mL) of FSH (Folltropin-V; Bioniche Animal Health, USA) either by IM injection (IM Group, n = 9 cows) given at 12 h intervals on Days 4 (60 mg, 60 mg), 5 (55 mg, 55 mg), 6 (45 mg, 45 mg) and 7 (40 mg, 40 mg), or by SC injection (SC Group, n = 9 cows) given at 24 h intervals on Days 4 (140 mg), 5 (140 mg) and Day 6 (120 mg). On Day 7, CIDR-B inserts were removed and cows received two 25 mg PGF IM injections given 12 h apart. Cows were artificially inseminated at 12 and 24 h after standing estrus. Blood samples were obtained from all cows at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, and 84 h after the first FSH injection for determination of serum FSH concentrations. Ovarian follicles and CL were monitored using ultrasonography on Days 4, 7, and 16. Embryos were recovered non-surgically on Day 16 (7 days after estrus). The effects of treatment on follicular response and embryo yield were analyzed by Wilcoxon test, and the response of cows to treatment was analyzed by chi-square test. The effects of treatment on concentrations of serum FSH were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of route of FSH administration on the concentrations of serum FSH at any time point. The superovulatory response of cows to treatment, defined as greater than 2 CL per cow, did not differ (P > 0.05) between the IM (77.8%, 7/9 cows) and SC (88.9%, 8/9 cows) Groups. There was also no difference (P > 0.05) between the IM and SC Groups for the number of 5 to 10 mm follicles prior to FSH treatment (mean ± SEM; 0.6 ± 0.2 v. 0.9 ± 0.4), the total number of follicles after FSH treatment (12.4 ± 1.6 v. 12.7 ± 2.2) or the number of CL at embryo recovery (6.4 ± 1.5 v. 10.4 ± 2.1). Similarly, there were no differences (P > 0.05) between the IM and SC Groups for total number of oocytes/embryos (5.6 ± 2.6 v. 13.0 ± 4.3), transferable embryos (Grade 1, 2, 3; 3.0 ± 1.4 v. 6.1 ± 2.9) or Grade 1 embryos (2.9 ± 1.4 v. 4.3 ± 2.5). In conclusion, administration of FSH using 3 SC injections in combination with a progesterone-releasing device was an effective method for superovulation of Holstein cows. Supported by USDA Animal Health Formula Funds and the State of North Carolina.


1991 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. Garcia-Winder ◽  
J. Gallegos-Sánchez

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 248 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Ferré ◽  
Y. Bogliotti ◽  
J. Chitwood ◽  
M. Kjelland ◽  
P. Ross

Transvaginal ultrasound needle-guided ovum pick-up (OPU) and in vitro embryo production (IVP) offer a reliable alternative to conventional embryo transfer to produce offspring. The success of OPU/IVP greatly depends on the number and quality of retrieved oocytes. The aim of this study was to compare OPU/IVP performance from stimulated Holstein cows. Holstein (Bos taurus) >8-year-old pluriparous open dry cows (n = 28) were used for OPU as oocyte donors. Follicular waves in all groups were synchronized by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandin F2α (PGF), and CIDR administrated on Day 0, followed by stimulation treatments 48 h later. No pre-synch was used. Total hormone dosage were administrated as follows: Group 1: pFSH = 180 mg (Folltropin, Bioniche, Belleville, ON, Canada; n = 7), Group 2: pFSH/LH = 500 IU (Pluset, Calier, Barcelona, Spain; n = 7), Group 3: eCG = 1500 IU (eCG, Biogénesis-Bagó, Buenos Aires, Argentina; n = 7) and Group 4: Control (n = 7), no stimulation. All injections were performed intramuscularly (i.m.) twice a day, during three days. OPU was performed 48 (Group 1) or 24 h (Group 2 and 3) after the last injection. The control group received saline solution i.m. Follicles were classified according to diameter in 4 categories: small (2–5 mm); medium (6–9 mm); large (10–14 mm) and extra large (>15 mm). A Mindray DP-30 Vet (Mindray Medical, Shenzhen, China) was equipped with a micro-convex transducer 5.0- to 8.5-MHz probe along with a disposable 21G needle. The OPU flow rate was 15 mL min–1. Retrieved oocytes were classified according to IETS guidelines as viable (grade 1 + 2) and non-viable (grade 3 + 4). The IVP protocol was according to that in Reprod. Fertil. Devel. (2004, 16, 253). Fertilization (Day 0) was carried out using female sex-sorted semen selected with a discontinuous density gradient (PureSperm, Nidacon, Mölndal, Sweden) and diluted to 1 × 106 sperm mL–1. ANOVA was used for comparisons of mean values and a chi-squared test was used for proportions. Results are presented in the Table 1. In conclusion, pFSH stimulation before ovum pick-up in Holstein cows increased the number of collected and viable oocytes, cleavage, embryo development, and hatching rates in comparison to other follicle stimulation hormones and non-stimulation. A cost-benefit analysis of these methods could be valuable in order to inform whether or not a stimulation protocol is necessary for a commercial IVP operation. Table 1.Numbers of follicles, collected and viable oocytes, cleavage rate, blastocysts and hatching rate


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
M. Yamaguchi ◽  
M. Takayama ◽  
H. López

For several years, milk production per Holstein cow has been increasing while reproductive performance has declined worldwide. Timed AI (TAI) protocols with synchronization of oestrus and ovulation are tools for the improvement of reproductive performance in high producing dairy herds. In protocols for synchronization of oestrus and ovulation, oestradiol benzoate (EB) has been used to increase the number of animals that show oestrous behaviour, synchronize ovulation, and improve conception rate (CR). The objective of this study was to compare a simple oestrus synchronization and TAI protocol using prostaglandin F2α (PG) and EB with a more complicated TAI protocol or oestrus detection and AI on CR in high-producing Holstein cows. The study was conducted from 2014 to 2016, using 1,036 Holstein cows from 3 commercial dairy herds in central Hokkaido, Japan. The average parity number was 2.6 ± 1.5, and days open averaged 152.2 ± 82.0 days. The average milk yield (305 days) was 11,348 ± 1,619 kg. Oestrus synchronization of cows was achieved using PG followed by EB and TAI (PG was given to cows with a cutoff for CL diameter of >20 mm by ultrasonography; EB (1 mg) was administered 24 h later and AI was carried out 24 to 48 h after EB injection), or by Heatsynch + CIDR [gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection and CIDR insertion at random stages of the oestrous cycle, CIDR removal, and PG injection 7 days later, EB injected 24 h after CIDR removal, and TAI 24 to 32 h after EB injection]. Cows observed in natural oestrus were used as controls. All cows were inseminated after the onset of standing heat or removal of the tail chalk (Paintstik®, LA-CO Industries, Elk Grove Village, IL, USA). Pregnancy diagnoses were performed using ultrasonography between 30 and 45 days after AI. The CR were compared using chi-square test. The CR (no. of pregnant cows/no. of total cows in the treatment group) of the natural oestrus group, PG + EB, and Heatsynch + CIDR cows were 39.2% (302/771), 38.7% (48/124), and 31.2% (44/141), respectively. Overall CR for the 3 groups was 38.0%. There were no significant differences in CR among the 2 groups (P > 0.07). These results show that a simple oestrus synchronization protocol with injection of PG followed by EB can be used effectively for high-producing dairy herds, yielding a satisfactory CR similar to that obtained with the Heatsynch + CIDR protocol or natural oestrus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Masoumi ◽  
Aria Badiei ◽  
Ahmad Zare Shahneh ◽  
Hamid Kohram ◽  
Essa Dirandeh ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a single injection of Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) combined with or without GnRH before initiation of a Heatsynch protocol (GnRH-7d- PGF2α-2d-EB-1d-AI) on ovarian response and fertility in lactating Holstein cows. A total of 252 cows with a corpus luteum (CL; ≥10 mm) were assigned to one of three synchronization groups; 1 - Control (n=84), cows received two injections of PGF2α 14 days apart; 2 - Heatsynch with GnRH (PGH, n=88) the cows received PGF2α followed by GnRH four days later and then a Heatsynch protocol was initiated eight days after GnRH treatment; and 3 - Heatsynch without GnRH (PH, n=80) cows received a single injection of PGF2α followed by a Heatsynch protocol initiated 12 days after PGF2α. Cows detected in estrus were inseminated approximately 12 h after onset of estrus. Ovarian response and pregnancy diagnosis were determined by ultrasonography during the synchronization protocol and 30 days after AI, respectively. Results showed the percentage of cows with plasma P4≤0.4 ng/mL at AI were greater in PGH group compared to other groups (90.3 vs. 75.0%, P=0.03). The percentage of cows that ovulated in response to the GnRH injection of Heatsynch was affected (P<0.01) by synchronization protocol, because PGH cows were more likely to ovulate (77.2%) than PH (56.0%) cows. The proportion of cows displaying estrus was greater in PGH (70.4%) and PH (72.5%) groups compared with control (47.0%, P=0.04). Percentage of cows pregnant at 30 days after AI was (P=0.01) affected by synchronization treatment and was greater in PGH (45.16%) compared to control (25.0%) and PH (34.48%) groups. In summary, a short presynchronization that includes an injection of PGF2α and four days later GnRH increased fertility in Holstein cows subjected to a Heatsynch protocol. The enhanced fertility was due to a greater ovulatory response to GnRH of Heatsynch, more adequate plasma P4 concentrations during follicle development and a greater luteal regression following PGF2α prior to AI.


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