254 Effects of Nutrition on Bull Fertility

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 136-136
Author(s):  
Tom W Geary ◽  
Carl R Dahlen ◽  
Abigail L Zezeski
Keyword(s):  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Mineral Supplementation ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Inorganic Mineral ◽  
Energy Supplements ◽  
Cu And Zn

Abstract The greatest effects of nutrition on bull fertility occur by providing a relatively high plane of nutrition during calfhood when the seminiferous epithelium of the testes is developing. A high plane of nutrition from 5 to 25 weeks of age results in greater circulating gonadotropin concentrations, greater testicular volume, and greater sperm production at maturity. At this age, diet can be manipulated by creep feeding bull calves with both protein and energy supplements which could accelerate puberty and increase sperm production. Increased rate of gain in bull calves post-weaning can accelerate puberty a few weeks, but excess post-weaning gain and fat buildup in the neck of the scrotum can have detrimental effects on fertility. Considerable emphasis has been placed on specific micronutrient (especially minerals) effects on peripubertal bull fertility. Trace mineral supplementation is believed to be critical for optimal fertility and both copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation have influenced male fertility in other species. However, there are no guidelines for recommended levels of these minerals to ensure fertility. Providing organic or complexed compared to inorganic mineral to peripubertal bulls have increased liver concentrations of mineral and in some cases, have accelerated puberty, but enhanced fertility-associated measures have not been realized. Because both Cu and Zn are present in the ejaculate, mineral needs during the breeding season may differ from the off-season. During the breeding season, bulls can lose 10 to 20% of their weight and need to re-gain this weight before the next breeding season. Divergent planes of nutrition provided to mature bulls during the off-season revealed enhanced sperm energy and stress-fighting potential with decreasing plane of nutrition. Specific mineral supplementation during the off-season in mature bulls provides no beneficial effect on fertility-associated measures. In summary, significant effects of nutrition post-weaning on bull fertility-associated measures have not been realized.

Strategies of inorganic and organic trace mineral supplementation in gestating hyperprolific sow diets: effects on the offspring performance and fetal programming

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Villagómez-Estrada ◽  
José F Pérez ◽  
Sandra van Kuijk ◽  
Diego Melo-Durán ◽  
Asal Forouzandeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Partial Replacement ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Trace Mineral ◽  
Offspring Performance ◽  
Mineral Supplementation ◽  
Organic Mineral ◽  
Parity Number ◽  
Inorganic Mineral

Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of trace mineral nutrition on sow performance, mineral content, and intestinal gene expression of neonate piglets when inorganic mineral sources (ITM) were partially replaced by their organic mineral (OTM) counterparts. At 35 d post-mating, under commercial conditions, a total of 240 hyperprolific multiparous sows were allocated into three experimental diets: 1) ITM: with Zn, Cu, and Mn at 80, 15, and 60 mg/kg, respectively; 2) Replace: with a 30 % replacement of ITM by OTM, resulting in ITM + OTM supplementation of Zn (56 + 24 mg/kg), Cu (10.5 + 4.5 mg/kg), and Mn (42 + 18 mg/kg); and 3) Reduce and replace (R&R): reducing a 50 % of the ITM source of Zn (40 + 24 mg/kg), Cu (7.5 + 4.5 mg/kg), and Mn (30 + 18 mg/kg). At farrowing, 40 piglets were selected, based on birth weight (light: < 800 g, and average: > 1,200 g), for sampling. Since the present study aimed to reflect results under commercial conditions, it was difficult to get an equal parity number between the experimental diets. Overall, no differences between experimental diets on sow reproductive performance were observed. Light piglets had a lower mineral content (P < 0.05) and a downregulation of several genes (P < 0.10) involved in physiological functions compared to their average littermates. Neonate piglets born from Replace sows had an upregulation of genes involved in functions like: Immunity and Gut barrier, compared to those born from ITM sows (P < 0.10), particularly in light piglets. In conclusion, the partial replacement of ITM by their OTM counterparts represents an alternative to the totally inorganic supplementation with improvements on neonate piglet gene expression, particularly in the smallest piglets of the litter. The lower trace mineral storage together with the greater downregulation of gut health genes exposed the immaturity and vulnerability of small piglets.

Reproductive Biology and Development of the Water Rat, Hydromys chrysogaster, in Captivity

1982 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Olsen
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Crown Rump Length ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Hydromys Chrysogaster

In a captive colony of H. chrysogaster most litters were born between September and March, although some were born in every month except June. Most females had regular oestrous cycles in the breeding season but there were isolated instances of oestrus in every month. In mature males, testes were scrota1 and there was full sperm production all year. There was some regression in weight of male accessory reproductive glands in the autumn and winter. Oestrus lasted 10 days (range 7-17), and its stages: pro-oestrus 1 day, oestrus 2 days, metoestrus 2 days, anoestrus 5 days. Some instances of delayed implantation were suspected. Gestation length was 34 days (33-41). Parturition was followed the next day by a postpartum oestrus, lasting 1 day. Lactation anoestrus was at least 3 weeks. Litter size was 3.29 � 1.26 (1-7) and the number of litters per breeding season was 2.6 � 0.97 (1-5). In the latter half of pregnancy there was a linear relationship between the crown-rump length of foetuses and gestation length. Young were born naked, blind and with the pinnae folded forward with edges attached to the head. The upper incisors emerged at 4 days, the lower incisors at 6 days, the auditory meatus opened at about 10 days, the eyes opened at about 14 days, some solids were eaten and young were more independent at about 3 weeks of age, and they were weaned at about 29 days. Phases in the rate of increase in weight were associated with each of these developmental stages. Females were first capable of breeding at 124 days (433 g); most matured about 240 days in the season following that of their birth. The testes descended in males between 90 and 120 days (475 g) but full sperm production did not occur until about 130-140 days. Females could breed for three seasons (until about 3.5 y old). Placental scars were visible for up to 6 months, but had sometimes disappeared at 4 months post partum. Growth curves of tail and weight were sigmoid, and those of other body measurements were exponential, as in the Rattus group of Australian rodents, and differing from the pseudomyine rodents. Body measurements showed a sigmoid relationship to the linear equivalence of body weight. Developmental events occurred earlier, in relation to growth, in Hydromys and Rattus lutreolus than in Pseudomys novaehollandiae.

Genetic Interaction of Hils1 with Tnp1 Is Essential for Normal Sperm Production and Male Fertility.

2009 ◽  
Vol 81 (Suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 462-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuxia Wu ◽  
Huili Zheng ◽  
Larisa Wiggins ◽  
Christopher von Bartheld ◽  
Ming Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Male Fertility ◽  
Genetic Interaction ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Normal Sperm

Rapid recovery of spermatogenesis after mitoxantrone, vincristine, vinblastine, and prednisone chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 3488-3495 ◽  
Author(s):  
M L Meistrich ◽  
G Wilson ◽  
K Mathur ◽  
L M Fuller ◽  
M A Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hodgkin's Disease ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Hodgkin’S Disease ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Human Male ◽  
Sperm Counts ◽  
Abdominal Radiotherapy ◽  
Upper Abdominal

PURPOSE Because the effects of mitoxantrone on human male fertility were unknown, we determined prospectively the effects of three courses of mitoxantrone (Novantrone), vincristine (Oncovin), vinblastine, prednisone (NOVP) chemotherapy on the potential for fertility of men with Hodgkin's disease (HD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Semen analyses were performed on 58 patients with stages I-III HD before, during, and after chemotherapy and after the sperm count recovered from the effects of abdominal radiotherapy that was given after chemotherapy. RESULTS Before the initiation of treatment, 84% of the patients were normospermic. Sperm counts declined significantly within 1 month after the start of NOVP chemotherapy. In the month after chemotherapy, 38% of patients were azoospermic, 52% had counts < 1 million/ mL, and 10% had counts between 1 and 3 million/mL. Between 2.6 and 4.5 months after the completion of chemotherapy, sperm counts recovered rapidly to normospermic levels in 63% of patients. In the remaining patients who were followed up for at least 1 year after standard upper abdominal radiotherapy, counts also recovered to normospermic levels. CONCLUSION NOVP chemotherapy, like most other regimens, produced marked temporary effects or spermatogenesis. However, sperm production recovered very rapidly, within 3 to 4 months after the end of NOVP chemotherapy. This pattern was caused by killing differentiating spermatogenic cells, but there was little cytotoxicity or inhibition of stem cells from mitoxantrone or the other drugs. After the combination of NOVP plus abdominal radiotherapy, sperm counts and motility were restored in most patients to pretreatment levels, which were compatible with normal fertility.

Estimating mineral requirements of Nellore beef bulls fed with or without inorganic mineral supplementation and the influence on mineral balance1

2017 ◽  
Vol 95 (4) ◽  
pp. 1696-1706 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zanetti ◽  
L. A. Godoi ◽  
M. M. Estrada ◽  
T. E. Engle ◽  
B. C. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Supplementation ◽  
Beef Bulls ◽  
Inorganic Mineral

The annual testicular cycle of the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)

1968 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Scott ◽  
A. L. A. Middleton
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Molothrus Ater ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Behavioral Differences ◽  
Testicular Regression ◽  
Old Adult ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Two Age Groups

An analysis of the spermatogenic condition and of the weights of testes from about 450 brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) was made to determine the annual cycle of this species at London, Ontario, and to ascertain variation in the cycle due to age. Testes of birds more than 1 year old (adult) reached maximal weights in late April and early May coincident with the beginning of egg-laying, and about 3 weeks before the testes of 1-year-old birds (yearlings) reached their maximal weight. The mean weights of testes of adults were usually greater, often significantly so, than those of yearlings. From about May 23 to June 23 there were no statistically significant differences in the weights of testes from the two age groups. Beginning in late June, the weights of testes declined rapidly in both age groups and reached a minimum in August. Minimal weights of testes persisted in captive birds until February.Large amounts of sperm were present in the testes of adults in mid-April and of yearlings in late April well in advance of maximal testicular weights. Sperm production occurred in most birds until early July but had ceased in most by late July.Testes, apparently undergoing regression, were noted significantly (p <.005) more frequently in adults than in yearlings in May and early June at the height of the breeding season. The significance of this observation and some aspects of testicular regression, previously unrecorded, are discussed. Adult birds are more sedentary than most yearlings in the breeding season and, unlike the latter, habitually associate with the same female. These behavioral differences may be related to the observed differences between the age groups in the testicular cycle.

Initiation of spermatogenesis and testicular growth in oestradiol-17β-implanted bull calves with pulsatile infusion of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone

1982 ◽  
Vol 93 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Schanbacher ◽  
M. J. D'Occhio ◽  
J. E. Kinder
Keyword(s):  
Pubertal Development ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Releasing Hormone ◽  
Testicular Growth ◽  
Bull Calves ◽  
Testicular Weight ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Lh Rh ◽  
Lh Releasing Hormone

Testicular growth and secretory profiles of LH and testosterone were monitored in three bull calves implanted with oestradiol-17β and three bull calves implanted with oestradiol-17β and infused intravenously with LH releasing hormone (LH-RH; 500 ng/pulse per h, 30-s pulse) continuously between 34 and 42 weeks of age. Oestradiol-17β implants restricted testicular growth and spermatogenesis by interfering with the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular endocrine axis. Initiation of pulsatile LH release by LH-RH pulse infusion was accompanied by a twofold increase in mean circulating levels of LH (3·4 v. 1·8 μg/l) and a marked increase in serum testosterone (13·0 v. 0·4 μg/l). Testicular diameter was enhanced significantly by week 4 of infusion and increased in a linear fashion up to and including week 8. Testicular weight (g) and total daily sperm production (× 109) at 42 weeks of age were decreased in calves implanted with oestradiol-17β (105 ± 14 (s.e.m.); 0·0) when compared with calves implanted with oestradiol-17β and infused with LH-RH (254 ± 12; 1·2 ± 0·3). Differences in testicular size and sperm production rates between LH-RH-infused and control bulls without implants (352 ± 26; 3·3 ± 0·9) were attributed to the 2-month delay between oestradiol-17β treatment and the initiation of LH-RH treatment. These results (1) confirm our earlier conclusion that oestradiol-17β can interfere with normal pubertal development in beef bulls and (2) provide additional support that pulsatile LH secretion is important for the initiation of testicular growth and spermatogenesis in pubertal bulls.

Seasonal patterns of LH, testosterone and semen quality in the Northern pintail duck (Anas acuta)

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Penfold ◽  
D. E. Wildt ◽  
T. L. Herzog ◽  
W. Lynch ◽  
L. Ware ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Concentration ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Seasonal Patterns ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Normal Morphology ◽  
Northern Pintail ◽  
Sperm Trait ◽  
Percent Normal

This study characterized seasonal changes in circulating LH and testosterone and in semen production and quality in the Northern pintail duck. Plasma LH and testosterone were measured in blood samples collected weekly throughout the year from eight males exposed to natural fluctuations in day length and temperature. Semen quality was evaluated weekly in these same males from April–June, the months when spermatozoa were produced. Semen quality (based on sperm concentration and normal morphology) peaked 0–2 weeks after sperm production onset and decreased sharply before sperm production cessation in late June. Nadir LH concentrations were measured in July and August with peak LH observed in May and November. There were clear seasonal patterns in circulating testosterone with July–September values being less (P<0.05) than October–December which, in turn, were less (P<0.05) than January–March. Maximal circulating testosterone (P<0.05) occurred during April–June, coincident with semen production. Weekly circulating LH during the breeding season was directly related to testosterone concentrations (P<0.01), but was not correlated to any specific semen or sperm trait (P>0.05). Testosterone concentrations throughout the breeding season were correlated (P<0.05) to total numbers of spermatozoa produced (volume cell concentration) and percent normal sperm morphology. In summary, the Northern pintail experiences seasonal hormone fluctuations, with maximum circulating testosterone coinciding with peak ejaculate quality reflected by the production of high numbers of morphologically normal spermatozoa.

Effect of Creep Feeding Bull Calves on Dam Most Probable Producing Ability Values

1981 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 567-574
Author(s):  
P. G. Ochoa ◽  
W. L. Mangus ◽  
J. S. Brinks ◽  
A. H. Denham
Keyword(s):  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Bull Calves
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