210 FACTORS AFFECTING CONCEPTION RATE IN LACTATING HOLSTEIN RECIPIENTS

2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
D. T. G. Jardina ◽  
C. A. Rodrigues ◽  
J. L. M. Vasconcelos

This study evaluated embryo transfers from Holstein donors in lactating Holstein recipients. It was performed at the Santa Rita Farm, Descalvado, SP, Brazil, between January 2005 and January 2006. Holstein recipients were milked 3 times a day and fed with total mixed ration. Embryos were obtained by a superstimulation protocol with two 3-mg norgestomet ear implants (Crestar�; Intervet, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and an IM injection of 3 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) on random days of the estrous cycle. Four days later, 500 IU FSH (Pluset�; Laboratorios Calier de Argentina) was divided into 8 decreasing doses given IM 12 h apart. With the seventh FSH injection, 0.530 mg of sodium cloprostenol (PGF2�, Ciosin�; Coopers Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was given IM; implants were removed with the eighth FSH injection. Twelve hours later, 250 �g gonadorelin (Fertagyl�: Intervet, Brazil) was given IM, followed by two AI 12 and 24 h later. Ova/embryos were recovered 6.5 days after the first insemination. Recipients (n = 2543) received an injection of PGF2� and were observed in estrus (n = 1322). Presence of CL was evaluated by rectal palpation of cows that presented heat, and embryo transfers (n = 873) were performed with a nonsurgical method 6 to 8 days after heat. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed by ultrasonography (Aloka 500, probe 5.0 MHz; Aloka) on Days 25 and 39. Embryonic mortality was considered when any recipient pregnant on Day 25 was open on Day 39. Data were analyzed by logistic regression and variables included in the model were: donor status (lactating or non-lactating), recipient CL external size classification (1 > 2 > 3), donor–recipient synchrony (-1, 0, +1), fresh or frozen embryos, embryonic development (Mo, Bi, Bl, Bx – IETS), and embryo quality (degree 1, 2, 3 – IETS). The conception rate (CR) on Day 25 was influenced by donor–recipient synchrony (-1: 37.7%; 0: 46.9%; +1: 45.6%; P = 0.053). Embryonic development (Mo: 45.6%; Bi: 41.8%; Bl: 46.9%; Bx: 43.8%), embryo quality (1: 44.2%; 2: 47.4%; 3: 42.3%), CL external size classification (CL 1: 47.9%; CL 2: 43.5%; CL 3: 30.0%), embryo condition (fresh: 45.8%; frozen: 43.1%), and donor status (lactating: 45.5%; non-lactating: 47.08%) did not affect conception rate. The CR on Day 39 was also affected by donor–recipient synchrony (-1: 29.9%; 0: 34.9%; +1: 38.2%; P = 0.021). Embryonic mortality was affected by donor status (lactating, 16.6% vs. non-lactating, 24.0%; P < 0.10). These data suggest that donor–recipient synchrony is a major factor affecting conception rate in lactating Holstein recipients.

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
J. R. S. Torres-Júnior ◽  
J. A. T. Souza ◽  
M. I. S. Silva ◽  
J. S. Costa ◽  
G. S. Lima ◽  
...  

The duration of spermatic viability in the female reproductive system in cattle is 18 to 24 hours. Therefore, the time required for sperm capacitation in different bulls demonstrated to be highly variable and may affect the adequate amount of capacitated sperm within an optimal window of time for fertilization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the conception rate in Nelore cows inseminated with semen from a single bull compared with semen from a pool of 3 bulls (Fertility Plus®, ABS Pecplan, Minas Gerais, Brazil). On a random day of the estrous cycle (Day 0), 400 Nelore multiparous cows received a progesterone intravaginal device (1 g of P4, DIB®, Intervet/Schering-Plough, Cotia, Brazil) plus 2mg of estradiol benzoate (i.m. Estrogin®, Farmavet, São Paulo, Brazil). At the time of P4 device withdrawal (Day 8), 150 (ig of d-cloprostenol (i.m. Preloban®, Intervet/Schering-Plough), 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (i.m. ECP®, Pfizer, Brazil), and 300IU of eCG (i.m. Folligon®, Intervet/Schering-Plough) were administered. At 48 to 52 h after implant removal, all cows were fixed-time inseminated (FTAI). Then, cows were homogeneously distributed based on the semen used for FTAI in 4 groups: CONV1 (conventional dose of semen from bull 1), CONV2 (conventional dose of semen from bull 2), CONV3 (conventional dose of semen from bull 3), FERT (pool of semen from bulls 1, 2 and 3 homogeneously mixed in a single dose). Both conventional and Fertility Plus batches of semen contained a total dose of 30 × 106 spermatozoa. For pregnancy diagnosis, an ultrasonographic (CHISON 500VET, USP Brasil Eletromedicina, São Paulo, Brazil) examination was performed 30 days after the FTAI. Data were analyzed using the GENMOD procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). There was no interaction between treatment and body condition score [using a 1 (very thin) to 5 (very fat) point scale] or AI technician. The conception rates for CONV1, CONV2, CONV3, and FERT were, respectively, 40/101 (39.6%)b, 50/99 (50.5%)ab, 46/99 (46.5%)ab, 54/101 (53.5%)a; P < 0.05. In addition, the mean of conventional v. Fertility Plus treatments presented conception rates of 136/299 (45.5%) v. 54/101 (53.5%), respectively (P = 0.14). No significant statistical differences were observed between treatments. However, this trial showed that the utilization of the new Fertility Plus technology increased the overall conception rate by 8.0%. This probably implicates a complementary effect among semen samples and provides a greater time of sperm viability in oviduct. Also it provides evidence of the individual variation in capacitation time of bulls used for composition of the pool. Pooled semen of multiple sires may improve the reproductive performance at AI in cattle and increase the potential of the beef industry to produce pregnancies and born calves.


2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.M. Züge ◽  
U. Rodacki ◽  
A.T. Grandi ◽  
J.M.J. Aerts ◽  
P.E.J. Bols

The most important barrier to the increase of buffalo productivity is an overall poor reproductive efficiency, characterized by late sexual maturity, seasonal anestrus and long periods of postpartum ovarian inactivity resulting in extended calving intervals and poor expression of estrus behavior (Singh J et al., 2000, Anim. Reprod. Sci. 60–61, 593–604). Buffaloes are seasonal breeders with the highest reproductive activities during winter (short day lengths) and a high frequency of anestrus during the summer months (Singh G et al. 1985, Ind. J. Anim. Res. 19, 57–60). Recent research demonstrated that a combination of progesterone, estradiol benzoate and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) was effective for estrus induction and synchronization in buffalo heifers under Mediterranean conditions (Barile et al. 2001, Livestock Prod. Sci. 68, 283–287). The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of an estrus synchronization protocol on reproductive efficiency of water buffalo during out of the normal breeding season. A total of six heifers (21 to 23 months of age) and three cows (5, 6 and 18 years of age) were enrolled in an estrus synchronization protocol lasting for 12 days. All animals were kept under tropical conditions in the coastal part of Paraná (Antonina), about 450km south of São Paulo. The experiment was performed in December, 2002, during the Brazilian summer season, when reproductive efficiency of buffaloes is greatly reduced. On the first day of the protocol (Day 0), animals were implanted with an intravaginal device containing 1g of progesterone (DIB, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and injected with 10mg estradiol benzoate (Estrogin, Famavet, São Paulo, Brazil). On Day 9, the DIB implant was removed and the animals received 150μg (i.m.) of cloprostenol (Prolise, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) and 2500 IU of eCG (Novormon, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina). On Day 11, all animals received 1500 IU of hCG (Vetecor, Lab. Calier, Spain). Artificial insemination (AI) was performed on Day 12 using frozen-thawed semen from a bull of proven fertility. Only one AI was performed per heifer/cow. Pregnancies were determined by ultrasound examination at 53 days following AI and confirmed by rectal palpation at 90 days post AI. The use of this estrus synchronization protocol, followed by fixed-time insemination, resulted in four pregnant heifers (66%) and three pregnant cows (100%). Our results demonstrate that buffalo reproduction can be successful during out-of-breeding season when adequate hormonal treatment is used. Additional experiments should be done to validate the protocol.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
J. Almeida ◽  
O. A. Resende ◽  
D. L. Silveira

With the goal of optimizing protocols, fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) was performed under field conditions in a study to evaluate conception rates in Girolando (5/8) heifers (18 to 24 months of age) treated with estradiol benzoate (BE) to induce ovulation. Forty heifers were allocated to 2 groups with 20 animals each: GI-sexed semen (2 million spermatozoa/dose) and GII-nonsexed semen (20 million spermatozoa/dose), with body condition score (BCS) of 3.0 ± 0.14 (scale of 1 to 5), middleweight of 335 ± 38 kg, so that it was made for reutilization of progesterone device. On Day 0 (morning), the animals received 2.0 mg of BE (RIC-BE®,Tecnopec, São Paulo, Brazil), 0.075 mg of D-cloprostenol (Prolise®, ARSA S.R.L., Buenos Aires, Argentina), and an intravaginal device of 1 g of progesterone (Primer®, Tecnopec). On Day 8 (morning) the device was removed and 0.075 mg of D-cloprostenol was managed in the GI animals, then these animals received 1.0 mg of BE 24 h after device removal. The insemination was in the late afternoon of Day 10 with a 6-hour delay (4 to 6 pm). The GII animals received Primer previously used for 8 days (being used in the GI animals under the same protocol). After pregnancy diagnosis at 60 days, a third group was created (GIII) using the not-pregnant animals of GI and GII. In GIII, Primer from third use [disinfected in solution Kilol®-L 1:250 (Quinabra, São Paulo, Brazil) and rinsed with water, dried, and packed in plastic sacks and kept for 60 days] was used following the GI protocol with sexed semen. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the conception rates of 40, 58, and 65% among groups GI (8/20), GII (11/20), and GIII (13/20). These results indicate very good conception rates for heifers, contrary to recommendations of commercial companies of sexed semen that alert for the conception rate for mated animals to be lower when using FTAI and mating protocols in mass, compared with that of AI after estrus observation.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 247
Author(s):  
J. R. V. Pimentel ◽  
P. H. P. Miguez ◽  
A. Kehrle ◽  
E. H. Madureira ◽  
F. A. Braga ◽  
...  

Progestagen-releasing devices are commonly used for fixed-time artificial insemination and fixed-time embryo transfer (FTET). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new progesterone-releasing intravaginal device made of poly(3-hydroxy)butyrate-valerate copolymer (PHB-V) and poly-ϵ-caprolactone (PCL; Progestar®, Innovare, São Paulo, Brazil) to synchronize crossbredcows and heifers for FTET by determining ovulation, conception, and pregnancy rates. A total of 205 recipients ranging in age from 2 to 8 years (heifers, n = 77; non-suckled cows, n = 69; suckled cows, n = 59) were used on 3 different farms during February, March, and April 2008. The experimental design was a generalized block design (cyclicity, body condition score, postpartum interval, and animal category, i.e. heifers, suckled, or non-suckled cows), with 2 different synchronization treatments for FTET (Progestar® v. Crestar®). Cows were assigned to either Crestar® (norgestomet ear implants; Intervet Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ, USA; n = 103) or Progestar® (PHB-V; n = 102) treatments. All groups were treated with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. (Innovare) and received the intravaginal or auricular device according to their group (Day 0). Together with P4 device withdrawal (Day 8), all animals received 400 IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon®, Schering-Plough) and 500 μg i.m. of PGF2α, (Sincrocio®, Ouro Fino, Brasil). On Day 9, all cows were treated with 1 mg of estradiol benzoate (Innovare) and the innovulation was performed on Day 17. Embryos were maintained at 37°C during the innovulation period. The percentage of usable recipients (AR) based on the presence of a functional CL on the day of embryo transfer, conception rate (numbers of pregnant recipients of the total number transferred; CR), and pregnancy rate (numbers of pregnant recipients of the total number synchronized; PR) were determined by ultrasonography 23 days after embryo transfer. Data were submitted to ANOVA (PROC GLM, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) and significant differences were considered to have a P-value of <0.05. None of the interactions were significant and there was no effect of treatment on AR (72.8% v. 83.3%), CR (47.9% v. 42.7%), and PR (34.7% v. 35.0%) for Progestar® v. Crestar® groups, respectively. This experiment showed that Progestar® was as efficacious as Crestar® to synchronize crossbred cows and heifers for FTET. FAPESP-Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and CNPq-Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 311
Author(s):  
J. L. M. Vasconcelos ◽  
D. T. G. Jardina ◽  
C. A. Rodrigues ◽  
V. C. Guerreiro

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of season and lactation status on embryo production in Holstein donors (n = 51). Data from 195 embryo collections (94 from lactating cows and 101 from non-lactating cows), at a dairy farm located in Descalvado, Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2005, were analyzed. The superstimulation protocol included two 3-mg norgestomet ear implants (Crestar�; Intervet, Sao Paulo, Brazil) and an injection of 3 mg of estradiol benzoate IM (EB) on random days of the estrous cycle. Four days later, 500 IU FSH IM (Pluset�; Calier, Buenos Aires, Argentina) were divided into 8 decreasing doses given 12 h apart. With the seventh FSH injection, 0.530 mg IM of sodium cloprostenol (PGFα Ciosin�; Coopers-Brazil, Sao Paulo, Brazil) was given, and implants were removed with the eighth FSH injection. Twelve hours later, 250 �g IM of gonadorelin (Fertagyl�; Intervet) was given, followed by two AI 12 and 24 h later. Ova/embryos were recovered 6.5 days after the first insemination. The total number of ova/embryos, IETS grades 1, 2, and 3 (viable) and grade 4 plus unfertilized (non-viable), were analyzed by General Linear Model (GLM). Effects of donor, lactation status (lactating or non-lactating), sire, season (1: January through March, n = 56; 2: April through June, n = 37; 3: July through September, n = 50; 4: October through December, n = 52), and their interactions were included in the model. There was an effect of donor on all outcome variables (P &lt; 0.01). There was an effect of season on the total number of ova/embryos (1: 10.2 � 1.2; 2: 6.6 � 1.0; 3: 10.0 � 1.1; 4: 11.2 � 1.2; P &lt; 0.02) and of viable embryos (1: 3.7 � 0.5; 2: 2.4 � 0.5; 3: 5.9 � 0.9; 4: 4.4 � 0.7; P &lt; 0.001). Lactation status influenced the total number of ova/embryos (lactating: 10.9 � 0.9 vs. non-lactating: 8.7 � 0.7; P &lt; 0.001) and the number of non-viable embryos (lactating: 6.7 � 0.8 vs. non-lactating: 4.4 � 0.5; P &lt; 0.01). However, there was no effect of lactation status on the number of viable embryos (lactating: 4.14 � 0.5 vs. non-lactating: 4.29 � 0.5; P &gt; 0.10). In summary, the number of viable embryos in Holstein cows was influenced by season and donor, but not by lactation status.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
F. A. Braga ◽  
F. J. D. Pardo ◽  
P. H. Miguez ◽  
A. Kehrle ◽  
J. R. V. Pimentel ◽  
...  

Artificial insemination results can be improved using fixed-timed AI (FTAI). Currently, progesterone release devices, indispensable in FTAI procedures, such as DIB® (Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ, USA), are made of silicone, a nonbiodegradable biocompatible polymer. Recently, biodegradable progesterone (P4)-releasing devices made of poly(3-hydroxy)butyrate-valerate copolymer (PHB-V) and poly-ϵ-caprolactona (PCL) have been developed. To investigate the efficiency on pregnancy rate of FTAI programs using a new intravaginal device made of PHB-V (Progestar®, Innovare, São Paulo, Brazil), 240 Nellore (Bos indicus) cows, between 3 and 8 years of age, were randomly assigned to 2 experiments. In experiment 1, new P4 devices DIB (control group, DIB1; n = 60) were compared with PHB-V (Progestar1; n = 76); in experiment 2, previously used DIB (DIB2; n = 52) and PHB-V (Progestar2; n = 52) devices were compared. All groups were treated with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate i.m. (Innovare) and received the intravaginal device according to group (Day 0). Together with P4 device withdrawal (Day 8) all animals received 300IU of eCG i.m. (Novormon®, Schering-Plough) and 150 μg i.m. of D-cloprostenol (Croniben®, Biogenesis-Bagó, Buenos Aires, Argentina). On Day 9, all cows were treated with 1 mg of estradiol benzoate and the FTAI was performed 30 h later. The data were submitted to ANOVA (PROC GLM of SAS, SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA), separating as causes of variance the effect of treatment, postpartum period (PPP1-45 until 70 days and PPP2-71 until 90 days), body condition score (BCS4, BCS5, and BCS6 using a 1 to 9 scale), cyclicity (cycling and noncycling) and clean-up bulls (5 bulls nominated with numbers 1 to 5). Significant differences were considered to have P < 0.05. In experiment 1, interactions were not significant, there was no effect of treatment on FTAI (DIB1: 66.7% v. Progestar1: 65.8%) or breeding season pregnancy rates (BSPR; DIB1: 95.0% v. Progestar1: 94.7%) and no effect of other variables on FTAI pregnancy rates (FTAIPR) and BSPR. In experiment 2 there was no effect of treatment on FTAIPR (DIB2: 61.6% v. Progestar2: 55.8%) and BSPR (DIB2: 94.2% v. Progestar2: 88.5%). As ANOVA indicated a significant effect of clean-up bulls on BSPR, Tukey test was used to split it up. A bull of the Progestar2 group had lower performance (41.7%) causing the difference (albeit nonsignificant) on BSPR. This experiment showed that Progestar and DIB had the same efficiency on pregnancy rate and both treatments have the potential to produce FTAIPR >50% and BSPR >90%. Fapesp-Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo. CNPq-Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
V. A. Nascimento ◽  
G. S. Moura ◽  
M. Dias ◽  
F. A. Oliveira ◽  
A. R. Dias ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to evaluate the administration of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH-p) or equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in protocols of ovulation synchronization. One hundred forty-nine crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows were used in 2 properties in Minas Gerais and 3 treatments: TControl (n = 49 cows), Day 0: insert of a progesterone device (Primer®, Tecnopec, São Paulo, Brazil) + 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (RIC-BE®); Day 8: removal of Primer + 112 mg of D-cloprostenol (Prolise®, ARSA SRL, Buenos Aires, Argentina) + 1 mg of estradiol benzoate and fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) accomplished 44 h after the removal of Primer; TFSH (n = 50 cows), similar to TControl, but on Day 8, 15 mg of FSH-p (Folltropin®, Bioniche Animal Health) was administered; TeCG (n = 50 cows), similar to TControl, with administration on Day 8 of 300 IU of eCG (Novormon®, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Cows that returned to estrus 14 to 28 days after the FTAI were inseminated once again. For all statistical analysis, we used the program SAS 9.0 (2002; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) at 5% probability. Quantitative variables (live weight, days postpartum, follicular average per cow) were analyzed by variance, and body condition score by Friedman test. The pregnancy rates were submitted to logistic analysis considering the effect of local experimental factors and were analyzed by Spearman correlation among the variables studied and the pregnancy rate. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between treatment for pregnancy rate in FTAI protocols (TControl = 40.82%; TFSH = 38.00%; TeCG = 26.00%), in the first insemination after FTAI (TControl = 56.25%; TFSH = 70.59%; TeCG = 68.42%), and in FTAI plus first insemination after FTAI (TControl = 59.18%; TFSH =62.00%; TeCG = 52.00%), as well as for the estrus repetition (TControl = 55.17%; TFSH = 54.84%; TeCG = 51.35%) and the correlation (P > 0.05) among the pregnancy rate and postpartum period, milk production, body weight and body condition. No effect was observed on the pregnancy rate by the addition of the hormones FSH and eCG in the protocol of ovulation synchronization in crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows; however, reinsemination in the period from 14 to 28 days after FTAI increased the pregnancy rate. CNPq; FAPEMIG; TECNOPEC/São Paulo, Brazil.


2008 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Logullo ◽  
Heráclito Barbosa de Carvalho ◽  
Renata Saconi ◽  
Eduardo Massad

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The success of vaccination campaigns depends on the degree of adherence to immunization initiatives and schedules. Risk factors associated with children's failure to receive the measles vaccine at the correct age were studied in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control and exploratory study, in the metropolitan area of São Paulo. METHODS: The caregivers of 122 children were interviewed regarding their perceptions and understanding about the measles vaccination and the disease. RESULTS: The results showed that age, region of residence, marital status and education level were unrelated to taking measles vaccines adequately. Most individuals remembered being informed about the last annual vaccination campaign by television, but no communication channel was significantly associated with vaccination status. The answers to questions about knowledge of the disease or the vaccine, when analyzed alone, were not associated with taking measles vaccinations at the time indicated by health agencies. The results showed that, when parents felt sorry for their children who were going to receive shots, they delayed the vaccination. Most of the children did not take the measles vaccination on the exactly recommended date, but delayed or anticipated the shots. CONCLUSION: It is clear that there is no compliance with the government's recommended measles vaccination schedule (i.e. first dose at nine and second at 15 months of age, as recommended in 1999 and 2000). Feeling sorry for the children receiving shots can delay vaccination taking.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Setsuo Maeda ◽  
Gabriela Luporini Saraiva ◽  
Ilda Sizue Kunii ◽  
Lilian Fukusima Hayashi ◽  
Maysa Seabra Cendoroglo ◽  
...  

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