152 EFFECT OF EMBRYO TRANSFER AFTER ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION ON THE CONCEPTION RATE IN DAIRY COWS UNDER HEAT STRESS IN SOUTHERN JAPAN

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 179
Author(s):  
M. Tani ◽  
C. Tani ◽  
K. Tomokawa ◽  
D. Funakoshi ◽  
M. Sakatani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Embryo Transfer ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Fetal Loss ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Summer Period ◽  
Temperature Humidity Index ◽  
Southern Japan ◽  
Humidity Index

A serious decline in the reproductive performance of dairy cows occurs in southern Japan in the summer period, when the total number of hot days ≥35°C numbers more than 20 days annually. Previous reports have mentioned the effectiveness of embryo transfer (ET) at 7 days after AI (AI/ET) under heat-stressed conditions. In the present study, we investigated the effect of AI/ET on conception rate (CR) under heat-stressed conditions in the summer period. Artificial insemination was performed at 13 commercial dairies in this study from August through September in 2007 and 2008. Seven days after AI, a single embryo was transferred into the uterine horn contralateral to the ovary with a corpus luteum (AI/ET, n = 82). Artificial insemination at oestrus without further treatment was assigned as the control group (AI, n = 367). In 2007, frozen–thawed embryos of Japanese Black cattle were transferred, and the same cattle were used for ET of fresh embryos in 2008. The temperature-humidity index [0.8 × temperature + 0.01 ×relative humidity (temperature –14.4) + 46.4], rectal temperature, and diurnal highest or lowest and average ambient temperatures were measured at the time of AI and ET. Cows were diagnosed for pregnancy at 42 days after AI by palpation per rectum and were reexamined by transrectal ultrasonography at 60 days after AI. The CR was calculated as the number of cows diagnosed as pregnant 60 days after AI divided by the number of cows inseminated. Fetal loss was calculated as the number of cows that did not deliver calves after term divided by the number of cows diagnosed as pregnant. The CR, number of AI, fetal loss, and type of newborn (Holsteins, AI origin; Japanese Black, ET origin) were confirmed retrospectively. For statistical analysis, Fisher’s exact test and Student’s t-test were used for comparison of the CR, fetal loss, and body temperature by using a statistical software program for PC (Excel Statistics 2006). The CR for AI/ET was 30.4% and for AI was 13.8% in 2007 (P < 0.01), and the CR for AI/ET was 30.8% and for AI was 21.5% in 2008 (P = 0.294). The average diurnal temperature was 31.1°C in 2007 and 30.1°C in 2008, and the temperature-humidity index was 81.8 and 80.8, respectively. On Day 8, the pregnant cows had a lower rectal temperature than the open cows in 2007, but not in 2008 (38.9 v. 39.4°C in 2007; P < 0.05; and 39.1 v. 38.9°C in 2008; P > 0.05). The fetal loss was 38.1% in AI/ET v. 7.4% in AI in 2007 (P < 0.05) and 12.5% v. 0% in 2008 (P < 0.05), respectively. The AI/ET procedure could improve CR in dairy cows during the summer period in southern Japan. However, other problems may accompany AI/ET, such as higher fetal losses.

scholarly journals Effect of the Temperature-Humidity Index on Body Temperature and Conception Rate of Lactating Dairy Cows in Southwestern Japan

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hisashi NABENISHI ◽  
Hiroshi OHTA ◽  
Toshihumi NISHIMOTO ◽  
Tetsuo MORITA ◽  
Koji ASHIZAWA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Temperature Humidity Index ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Humidity Index

scholarly journals Influence of seasonality, timing of insemination and rectal temperature on conception rate of crossbred dairy cows

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fransérgio Rocha de Souza ◽  
Carla Cristian Campos ◽  
Natascha Almeida Marques da Silva ◽  
Ricarda Maria dos Santos
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Digital Thermometer ◽  
Pregnancy Diagnosis ◽  
Chi Squared

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rectal temperature (RT) on conception rate (CR), as well as the effects of seasonality (spring-summer vs. autumn-winter) and timing of artificial insemination (AI) (morning vs. afternoon) on RT and CR in crossbred dairy cows (Holstein x Gyr). The experiment was conducted on a dairy farm in Centralina, MG, where 1,219 conventional and fixed-time inseminations were analyzed. The RT was measured immediately before AI using a digital thermometer. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed using ultrasonography between 28 and 60 days after AI. T The effects of seasonality and timing of AI on RT were analyzed with a Mann-Whitney U test and the effects of RT (above or below the average), seasonality and timing of AI on CR were analyzed with a Chi-squared test, both using the SAS program. The RT average was 39.4°C. Cows with RT ? 39.4°C had lower CR than cows with RT < 39.4°C (25.78% vs. 32.54%; P = 0.0096). During spring-summer, cows had higher RT (39.44°C ± 0.025 vs. 39.27°C ± 0.022; P < 0.0001) and lower CR (25.49% vs. 31.75%; P = 0.0146) compared with autumn-winter. Cows inseminated in the morning had lower RT (38.96°C ± 0.022 vs. 39.60°C ± 0.018; P < 0.0001) and higher CR (32.86% vs. 26.06%; P = 0.0102) than cows inseminated in the afternoon. In conclusion, crossbred dairy cows with rectal temperature equal to or greater than 39.4°C had lower conception rate. Moreover, rectal temperature and conception rate were affected by seasonality and insemination time.

scholarly journals Critical Temperature-Humidity Index Thresholds Based on Surface Temperature for Lactating Dairy Cows in a Temperate Climate

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 970
Author(s):  
Geqi Yan ◽  
Zhengxiang Shi ◽  
Hao Li
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Piecewise Linear ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Temperature Humidity Index ◽  
Lactation Stage ◽  
Humidity Index

Detecting the early signs of heat stress is highly important in dairy farming. The surface temperature (ST) of cattle can reflect their thermal status and using such a measuring method can be efficient and non-invasive. However, few studies have reported the temperature-humidity index (THI) thresholds for ST. This study aimed to identify the critical THI thresholds for the ST of dairy cows and to evaluate the effects of the lactation stage and the lactation number. The study included 233 Holstein lactating cows from July 2020 to October 2020 in a temperate climate in China. There were 1556 records of the rectal temperature, and the maximum ST (STmax) and average ST (STave) of the head, eye, cheek, ear, neck, trunk, udder, foreleg, and hindleg were recorded. Air temperature and relative humidity were recorded to calculate the average THI. Physiological data were collected twice daily (08:00–12:00, 14:00–16:00). The critical THI thresholds were determined using the breakpoints of piecewise linear models. The significance of breakpoints was tested using the Davies test. A one-way ANOVA was used to test the effect of the lactation stage (0–60 DIM, 61–200 DIM, 201–300 DIM, DIM is days in milk) and the lactation number (1, 2, 3+) on the THI thresholds. The results showed that the rectal temperature was significantly positively correlated with all the ST variables (0.57 ≤ r ≤ 0.71, p < 0.01). The critical THI thresholds for STmax (mean of 76.1 THI, range of 73.6 to 77.9 THI) were significantly higher than those for STave (mean of 72.6 THI, range of 69.1 to 77.2 THI) (p < 0.01). The lactation stage only significantly affected the thresholds for STmax (p < 0.05), and the lactation number did not significantly influence the thresholds for both STmax and STave (p > 0.05). This study concluded that the STave was more appropriate to define thresholds than the STmax. The threshold for the STave of the cheek (69.1 THI) was the lowest among the thresholds, indicating that the STave of the cheek could be a prior ST variable to determine critical THI thresholds. Our findings demonstrated the potential of using ST variables to define critical THI thresholds.

scholarly journals Critical Temperature-Humidity Index Thresholds for Dry Cows in a Subtropical Climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Véronique Ouellet ◽  
Izabella M. Toledo ◽  
Bethany Dado-Senn ◽  
Geoffrey E. Dahl ◽  
Jimena Laporta
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Respiration Rate ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Environmental Indices ◽  
Temperature Humidity Index ◽  
Humidity Index

The effects of heat stress on dry cows are profound and significantly contribute to lower overall welfare, productivity, and profitability of the dairy sector. Although dry cows are more thermotolerant than lactating cows due to their non-lactating state, similar environmental thresholds are currently used to estimate the degree of heat strain and cooling requirements. Records of dry cow studies conducted over 5 years in Gainesville, Florida, USA were pooled and analyzed to determine environmental thresholds at which dry cows exhibit signs of heat stress in a subtropical climate. Dry-pregnant multiparous dams were actively cooled (CL; shade of a freestall barn, fans and water soakers, n = 107) or not (HT; shade only, n = 111) during the last 7 weeks of gestation, concurrent with the entire dry period. Heat stress environmental indices, including ambient temperature, relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index (THI), and animal-based indices, including respiration rate, rectal temperature and daily dry matter intake were recorded in all studies. Simple correlations were performed between temperature-humidity index and each animal-based indicator. Differences in respiration rate, rectal temperature and dry matter intake between treatments were analyzed by multiple regression. Using segmented regression, temperature-humidity thresholds for significant changes in animal-based indicators of heat stress were estimated. Stronger significant correlations were found between the temperature-humidity index and all animal-based indices measured in HT dry cows (−0.22 ≤ r ≤ 0.35) relative to CL dry cows (−0.13 ≤ r ≤ 0.19). Although exposed to similar temperature-humidity index, rectal temperature (+0.3°C; P &lt; 0.001) and respiration rate (+23 breaths/min; P &lt; 0.001) were elevated in HT dry cows compared with CL cows whereas dry matter intake (−0.4 kg of dry matter/d; P = 0.003) was reduced. Temperature-humidity index thresholds at which respiration rate and rectal temperature began to change were both determined at a THI of 77 in HT dry cows. No significant temperature-humidity threshold was detected for dry matter intake. At a practical level, our results demonstrate that dry cow respiration rate and rectal temperature increased abruptly at a THI of 77 when provided only shade and managed in a subtropical climate. Therefore, in the absence of active cooling, dry cows should be closely monitored when or before THI reaches 77 to avoid further heat-stress related impairments during the dry period and the subsequent lactation and to mitigate potential carry-over effects on the offspring.

Effect of temperature and relative humidity on the milk production of dairy cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
Ivan Imrich ◽  
Róbert Toman ◽  
Martina Pšenková ◽  
Eva Mlyneková ◽  
Tomáš Kanka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Summer Period ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Humidity Index ◽  
Index Value

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of environmental housing conditions on the milk yield of dairy cows. Measurements were taken in the summer period from June to September 2020 and in the winter period during January 2021 on a large-capacity farm of Holstein Friesian cattle. Cows were housed in free stall barn with the lying boxes and selected during the second or third lactations, in the summer period from the 51st day to the 135th day and in the winter period from the 64th day to the 120th day of lactation. The average temperature in the housing was 23 °C in summer, and 7.05 °C in winter. The average THI (thermal humidity index) value in summer was 70.43, but during the day the THI values sometimes reached 75. The dairy cows were therefore exposed to heat stress during summer. Increasing THI and temperature values negatively affected the milk yield, as there was a negative correlation between both THI and milk yield (r = -0.641; p <0.01) and temperature and milk yield (r = -0.637; p <0.01). Milk production in winter was at 58.77 kg per day and in summer at 49.55 kg per day. In the summer, the milk had a significantly lower content of fat (p <0.05), proteins (p <0.001), lactose (p <0.001), minerals (p <0.001) and conversely, a higher number of somatic cells (p <0.01). These results show that worse environmental conditions during the summer negatively affected the level of milk yield and the composition of the cows’ milk.

scholarly journals Effects of GnRH, PGF2α and oxytocin treatments on conception rate at the time of artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 6) ◽  
pp. 279-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Gümen ◽  
A. Keskin ◽  
G. Yilmazbas-Mecitoglu ◽  
E. Karakaya ◽  
S. Cevik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Prostaglandin F ◽  
And Control

In several studies, hormones such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandins and oxytocin were used to increase pregnancy rate by inducing ovulation and improving the sperm transport in the female reproductive tract in lactating dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of GnRH, prostaglandin F<sub>2&alpha;</sub> (PGF<sub>2&alpha;</sub>) and oxytocin treatments at the time of artificial insemination (AI) after spontaneous oestrus on the conception rate (CR) of lactating dairy cows. Oestrus was detected by visual observations by experienced personnel. All cows (n = 430, 308 Holstein-Frisian and 122 Swedish-Red dairy cows) were inseminated based on the am/pm rule by veterinarians of the farm. After AI, cows were alternately assigned to one of the four treatment groups: (1) GnRH (n = 113); (2) PGF<sub>2&alpha;</sub> (n = 106);<br />(3) oxytocin (n = 106) and (4) non-treated control (n = 105). Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 28&ndash;34 and 58&ndash;64 days post-insemination by transrectal ultrasonography. Conception rates on days 28&ndash;34 and 58&ndash;64 were not different among GnRH (46.0%; 52/113 and 44.3%; 50/113), PGF<sub>2&alpha;</sub> (37.7%; 40/106 and 35.9%; 38/106) and control (49.5%; 52/105 and 47.6%; 50/105) groups. However, conception rates were lower (P = 0.02) in oxytocin (31.1%; 33/106 and 30.2%; 32/106) than in GnRH and control groups on days 28&ndash;34 and 58&ndash;64. Other covariant factors, such as milk production, days in milk (DIM), breed, parity, service number did not affect the conception rate. Thus, there were no beneficial effects of treatments with GnRH and PGF2&alpha; at the time of AI, and oxytocin had an adverse effect on CR in lactating dairy cows in this study.

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