Factors influencing pre‐ovulatory follicle diameter and weaning‐to‐ovulation interval in spontaneously ovulating sows in tropical environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (12) ◽  
pp. 1756-1763
Author(s):  
Pachara Pearodwong ◽  
Chanyuth Tretipskul ◽  
Raphee Panyathong ◽  
Padet Tummaruk
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Environment ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle

Effects of Beta-carotene Administration on Fertility in Lactating Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebru Karakaya Bilen ◽  
Gülnaz Yılmazbaş Mecitoglu
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Detection Rate ◽  
Beta Carotene ◽  
Prostaglandin F2 Alpha ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
Estrus Detection ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Β Carotene

Background: Beta-(β-) carotene, is the precursor to vitamin A, in particular, has some potential benefits on reproduction. The main objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of β-carotene administration on fertility following either prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF) induced estrus or Ovsynch protocol in lactating dairy cows.Methods: Cows with at 47±3 postpartum days were divided into two groups: β-carotene group (βC, n=139) was treated with injectable β-carotene while untreated cows served as control (CON, n=227). In both groups, PGF was administered and heatmount detectors were applied at 54±3 days postpartum. Cows detected in estrus after PGF were inseminated. Cows that had not been detected in estrus were divided into two groups 7 days after PGF administration; βC-OVS (n=137) and CON-OVS (n=89). Ovsynch protocol was initiated 4 days after β-carotene administration.Result: The estrus detection rate was similar between the βC and CON groups (P = 0.19). Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) on d 31 was also similar between groups (P = 0.93). In the Ovsynch protocol, ovulation to the first GnRH and ovulatory follicle diameter at the time of insemination did not differ between groups. No difference was observed in P/AI at d 31 (P = 0.13). The results of this study indicated that β-carotene administration had no effect on fertility either PGF induced estrus or Ovsynch protocol in dairy cows. 

Elements of functional genital asymmetry in the cow

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 493 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Trigal ◽  
C. Díez ◽  
M. Muñoz ◽  
J. N. Caamaño ◽  
F. Goyache ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
The Right ◽  
Uterine Proteins

Asymmetry in the cow affects ovarian function and pregnancy. In this work we studied ovarian and uterine asymmetry. Synchronised animals, in which in vitro-produced embryos (n = 30–60) had been transferred on Day 5 to the uterine horn ipsilateral to the corpus luteum (CL), were flushed on Day 8. Ovulatory follicle diameter, oestrus response and total protein flushed did not differ between sides. However, a corpus luteum in the right ovary led to plasma progesterone concentrations that were higher than when it was present in the left ovary. Fewer embryos were recovered from the left than the right horn. Among 60 uterine proteins identified by difference gel electrophoresis, relative abundance of nine (acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, very long chain; twinfilin, actin-binding protein, homologue 1; enolase 1; pyruvate kinase isozymes M1/M2 (rabbit); complement factor B Bb fragment ; albumin; fibrinogen gamma-B chain; and ezrin differed (P < 0.05) between horns. Glucose concentration was higher, and fructose concentration lower, in the left horn. In a subsequent field trial, pregnancy rates after embryo transfer did not differ between horns (51.0 ± 3.6, right vs 53.2 ± 4.7, left). However, Day 7 blood progesterone concentrations differed (P = 0.018) between pregnant and open animals in the left (15.9 ± 1.7 vs 8.3 ± 1.2) but not in the right horn (12.4 ± 1.3 vs 12.4 ± 1.2). Progesterone effects were independent of CL quality (P = 0.55). Bilateral genital tract asymmetry in the cow affects progesterone, proteins and hexoses without altering pregnancy rates.

scholarly journals Evaluation of forage soybean, with and without pearl millet, as an alternative for beef replacement heifers1

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-185
Author(s):  
E. G. Taylor ◽  
P. J. Gunn ◽  
L. A. Horstman ◽  
R. L. Atkinson ◽  
K. Herron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pearl Millet ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Estrous Synchronization ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle

Abstract Apparent ruminal digestibility of forage soybean-based silages, with and without pearl millet, was determined along with evaluation of silages on heifer performance and reproductive function. Fermenters were utilized in a Latin square design and randomly assigned to 1 of the following treatments: 1) control diet of alfalfa haylage (CON), 2) soybean silage (SB) or 3) soybean and pearl millet silage (SB×PM). All diets were formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements of replacement beef heifers targeted to gain 0.79 kg/d. These same diets were fed to 90 Angus-Simmental beef replacement heifers [body weight (BW) = 366 kg; body condition score (BCS) = 5.53; age = 377 ± 11 d] 65 d prior to timed artificial insemination (TAI). Heifers were randomly allotted by breed, BCS and BW to 1 of the 3 treatments, with 3 reps/treatment. Diets were terminated 21 d post-TAI and heifers were commingled and placed on a common diet. Pubertal status was determined by progesterone concentrations of 2 blood samples taken 10 d apart prior to both trial initiation as well as initiation of estrous synchronization. Ovulatory follicle diameter was determined at time of breeding by ultrasonography. Pregnancy diagnosis was accomplished 35 and 66 d post-TAI, respectively, to calculate TAI and end of season pregnancy rates. Neither SB nor SB×PM had an effect (P &gt; 0.37) on apparent ruminal digestion of nutrients compared to the CON. Final BW (414 kg; P ≥ 0.10) and BCS (5.28; P ≥ 0.26) for the heifers were similar among treatments. Likewise, there were no differences in TAI (48%; P &gt; 0.43) or overall breeding season (93%; P &gt; 0.99) pregnancy rates. Ovulatory follicle diameters (11.7 mm) was not different (P &gt; 0.19) among treatments. In summary, forage soybean-based silages, with and without pearl millet, was an acceptable alternative forage for developing replacement beef heifers.

147 EFFECT OF OVULATORY FOLLICLE DIAMETER ON THE OOCYTE TRANSCRIPTOME IN BEEF COWS

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 203
Author(s):  
S. E. Dickinson ◽  
J. A. Green ◽  
T. W. Geary ◽  
K. G. Pohler ◽  
G. A. Bridges ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Fetal Mortality ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Oocyte Competence ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
Prostaglandin F

Inadequate oocyte competence is a potential explanation for reduced pregnancy rates and(or) embryonic/fetal mortality when small dominant follicles are induced to ovulate prematurely with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Our hypothesis was that the physiological status of an ovulatory follicle has a direct effect on competence of the oocyte and resulting embryo. The objective was to determine if the transcriptome of oocytes differ depending on whether they are collected from small or large dominant follicles following a GnRH-induced gonadotropin surge. Suckled beef cows (n = 350) were pre-synchronized with a 5-day CIDR protocol. Following pre-synchronization, GnRH1 was administered on Day –9, prostaglandin F on Day –2, GnRH2 (to initiate the ovulatory process) on Day 0, and dominant follicles were transvaginally aspirated on Day 1 before follicular rupture. On Day 0, cows were divided into small (<11.7 mm; no oestrus expression), or large (>12.5 mm; no oestrus expression) groups based on dominant follicle diameter. Oocytes were individually collected after aspiration, and RNA was later extracted from pools of 4 oocytes (n = 6 oocyte pools from both small and large follicles) and sequenced on an Illumina HiSEqn 2000 (single reads, 100 bases; Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). The sequences were tiled against a ~23 500 member bovine transcript reference obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). Tiling to target transcripts required a minimum match of 50 bases with at least 96% identity. Tiling counts were displayed as reads per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads (RPKM) values, which were obtained by correcting for the length of each target (in kb) and the number of total tiled reads (in millions). Differences between groups were defined by two-tailed t-test and gene lists were selected based on P-values <0.02. Numerous differences in transcript abundance were characterised between oocytes from small and large dominant follicles. Follistatin-like 5 expression was increased (P < 0.02) in oocytes collected from large dominant follicles compared with oocytes collected from small dominant follicles. Several genes were associated with the ubiquitin pathway (e.g. ubiquitin conjugating enzyme, ubiquitin like protein-7) and were up-regulated (P < 0.02) in oocytes from large versus small dominant follicles. In addition, 4 members of the zinc finger protein family were up-regulated (P < 0.02) and 4 members were down-regulated (P < 0.02) in oocytes from large compared with small dominant follicles. In summary, some of the genes that were highly differentially regulated in bovine oocytes between small and large dominant follicles included members of the zinc finger and ubiquitin pathways, which may reflect differences in transcriptional regulation and protein turnover, respectively, between oocytes collected from large and small follicles. Study was supported by AFRI Grant no. 2013–67015–21076 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (Washington, DC).

12 OVARIAN STRUCTURES, ESTRUS EXPRESSION, AND PREGNANCY RATE IN BEEF HEIFERS USING ESTRADIOL CYPIONATE OR GnRH AS OVULATION INDUCTORS IN TIMED AI PROTOCOL

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 113 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pradebon da Silva ◽  
A. B. Machado ◽  
L. S. Gambin ◽  
A. V. Gonsioroski ◽  
M. da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Device Removal ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
In The Beginning ◽  
Angus Heifers ◽  
Intravaginal Device

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of presence of corpus luteum (CL) at the onset of timed AI (TAI) protocol, size of ovulatory follicle and oestrus expression on pregnancy rate using E2 cypionate (EC) or GnRH as ovulation inductor in Angus heifers. On day 0, heifers [n = 414; 317 ± 23 kg; 3.08 ± 0.21 body condition score (1 to 5 scale) and 22–24 months of age] received a 1-g progesterone intravaginal device (Primer®, Agener União, Brazil) and 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate, IM, (RIC-BE®, Agener União, Brazil). On day 8, the device was removed, were administered 500 μg of sodium cloprostenol, IM, (Estron®, Agener União, Brazil) and heifers were divided in 2 groups: EC [n = 213; 0.5mg EC, IM, (SincroCP®, Ouro Fino, Brazil) on day 8] and GnRH [n = 201; 25 μg of Licerelin, IM, (GestranPlus®, Agener União, Brazil) at TAI] TAI was performed 50 h after device removal. Heifers were tail painted (Tell Tail®, GEA, New Zealand) to control oestrus expression from device removal to TAI. Heifers were scanned (7.5-MHz linear transducer MediSono® P3V, USA) to determine presence of CL (Day 0), ovulatory follicle diameter (OFD; Day 10) and ovulation (Day 11). Pregnancy was diagnosed 30 days after TAI. Oestrus expression was confirmed when marking ink was removed on day 10. Data were analysed using logistic regression and ANOVA. Oestrus expression was higher (P < 0.05) in EC (93.90%, 200/213) compared to GnRH group (67.66%, 136/201). The OFD differed (P < 0.05) according to presence of CL on Day 0 (10.3 mm) or not (9.6 mm), but was similar in treatment groups. Ovulation rate did not differ in EC (85%, 17/20) and GnRH (95%, 19/20) groups. Pregnancy rates were similar (P > 0.05) between EC (52.58%, 112/213) and GnRH (59.20%, 119/201) groups; however, in heifers that expressed oestrus, rates were higher (P < 0.05) (EC = 56%, 112/200; GnRH = 71.3%, 97/136) than in those did not show (EC = 0%, 0/13; GnRH = 33.8%, 22/65). Presence of CL at onset of TAI protocol was associated with higher pregnancy (P < 0.05) in GnRH group (68%, 68/100) compared with EC (54.46%, 61/112) group, but in heifers without CL, pregnancy were similar for GnRH (50.5%, 51/101) and EC (50.5%, 51/101) groups. Heifers were also classified in 3 groups according OFD: small (≤9.5 mm), medium (9.6–11.5 mm), and large (≥11.6 mm) to verify its effect on oestrus expression and pregnancy. Medium and large OFD were implicated in higher (P < 0.05) oestrus expression [(EC = 100%, 51/51; 96.97%, 32/33) and (GnRH = 83.02%, 44/53; 97.44%, 38/39)] than small OFD [(EC = 85%, 51/60) and (GnRH = 23.8%, 15/63)]. Pregnancy was lower (P < 0.05) in small OFD groups (EC = 28.3%, 17/60; GnRH = 25.4%, 16/63). In medium and large OFD, pregnancy was similar in EC (72.55%, 37/51; 54.55%, 18/33) groups, but differed (P < 0.05) between GnRH large (82.05%, 32/39) and medium (62.26%, 33/53). Higher pregnancy was achieved in heifers with CL in the beginning of TAI protocol treated with GnRH. Size of ovulatory follicle was associated with higher oestrus behaviour and pregnancy rate in EC and GnRH treatments.

scholarly journals Effect of the ovulatory follicle diameter and progesterone concentration on the pregnancy rate of fixed-time inseminated lactating beef cows

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1004-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Francisco Machado Pfeifer ◽  
Sofia del Carmen Bonilla de Souza Leal ◽  
Augusto Schneider ◽  
Eduardo Schmitt ◽  
Marcio Nunes Corrêa
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Progesterone Concentration ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle

scholarly journals 312 LUTEAL MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND SONOGRAPHIC ECHOTEXTURE DURING LUTEOGENESIS PERIOD IN PREGNANT GOATS

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 236
Author(s):  
E. K. N. Arashiro ◽  
J. H. M. Viana ◽  
J. F. Fonseca ◽  
L. G. B. Siqueira ◽  
J. H. Bruschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Correlation Method ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Portable Ultrasound ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
Luteal Tissue ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
Pixel Value

Sonographic echotexture is an important parameter for corpora lutea (CL) evaluation, since it is related to variations on vascularization and histological features of CL and, consequently, to steroidogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the luteal dynamics and pixel value during the early luteogenic period in goats. Nuliparous Toggenburg females (n = 18) with an average age of 8 months, weight of 33.52 � 5.58 kg, and body condition score of 3.5 � 0.33 (1 to 5 scale) were used. Ovarian sonographic evaluations were performed daily for 21 days after natural estrus, using a portable ultrasound device (Aloka SSD 500, Aloka Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) equipped with an adapted linear rectal 5-MHz probe. CL and cavity areas were measured at their largest diameter. CL area minus the cavity area was considered luteal tissue. Images were digitalized in .TIFF format, at a 1500 � 1125 resolution, using a video capture board (Pinnacle DC10, Pinnacle Systems, Mountain View, CA, USA). Images recovered on Days 6, 8, 10, and 12 of the estrous cycle were analyzed using a custom software (Quantpro�). Each image dot (pixel) received a numeric value ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white). Representative elementary area (REA) of 5625 pixels (0.31 cm2) was defined in the luteal tissue (proposed by Van den Bygaarty et al. 1999 Can. J. Soil Sci. 7, 149–160). Due to the possibility of early luteal regression, only data from pregnant animals (14/18, 77.8%) were used. Follicle diameter, CL area, and cavity were analyzed by ANOVA, and differences among means were evaluated by Tukey's test. Correlations were established by Pearson's correlation method. Results are presented as means � SEM. Mean diameter of ovulatory follicle was 0.75 � 0.01 cm. There was no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between ovulatory follicle diameter and CL area. CL were first visualized on Day 5.68 � 0.37 after the estrus, with a mean area of 0.56 � 0.05 cm2, and progressively increased in size (P < 0.001) until Day 12, reaching a maximum area of 1.18 � 0.06 cm2. A significant (P < 0.05) pixel value increase was observed from Days 6 to 12 of the cycle (42.79 � 5.06a; 47.90 � 4.51ab; 48.33 � 4.21b; and 52.95 � 4.65b, respectively, values with the same superscript not being significantly different). There was a significant positive correlation (R = 0.54, P < 0.0001) between luteal tissue area and pixel value during the luteogenesis period. In single ovulating goats (10/14; 71.42%), the mean time for the first CL visualization was lower (4.71 � 0.15 v. 6.78 � 0.89 days; P < 0.01) and the area of the CL on Day 12 was larger (1.32 � 0.04 v. 1.03 � 0.15 cm2; P < 0.01) than in goats with two or more ovulations, but there was no difference in luteal pixel value (52.32 � 3.19 v. 53.75 � 3.90; P > 0.05). The presence of luteal cavities was observed in 89.47% (17/19) of the CLs on the first day of visualization, with a mean size of 0.30 � 0.05 cm2, representing 45.31% of the total CL area and difficult echotexture analysis. These cavities progressively regressed (P < 0.01) until Day 11 of the cycle, with an area less than 0.1 cm2. These results show that pixel values are correlated to CL development in goats, suggesting an association between CL echotexture and steroidogenic function.

12 Ovulation Timing Following an Aromatase Inhibitor-Based Synchronization Protocol in Beef Heifers and Cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
E. M. Zwiefelhofer ◽  
W. Lillico ◽  
G. P. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Aromatase Inhibitor ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Maximum Diameter ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
Status Interaction ◽  
Synchronization Protocol

The study was conducted to determine the effects of parity/lactation and the timing of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment on the efficacy of a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor-based synchronization protocol in cattle. Results from previous studies confirmed drug-release from a new letrozole-impregnated intravaginal silicone device, which was used in the present study. Hereford-cross cows with suckling calves (41 to 65 days postpartum; n = 30) and sexually mature heifers (n = 30), at random stages of the oestrous cycle, were given a letrozole intravaginal device for 4 days followed by a luteolytic dose of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Following PGF2α treatment, animals were assigned randomly to 3 groups and given GnRH (100 μg of gonadorelin) intramuscularly at 48 or 60 h, or no GnRH (n = 10 cows and 10 heifers per group). Ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasonography every 8 h starting at the time of PGF2α treatment to record follicle diameter and ovulation. After ovulation, ultrasonography was done every 24 h until Day 10 (Day 0 = ovulation) to assess the corpus luteum (CL) diameter profile. The timing of ovulation, diameter of the preovulatory follicle, synchrony of ovulation, and Day-7 CL diameter were compared using two-way ANOVA, and CL diameter profiles were compared by two-way ANOVA for repeated measures. There was no treatment × parity/lactation status interaction for any endpoint. The ovulation rate within 96 h of PGF2α treatment was not different between heifers and cows (24/30 v. 27/30; P = 0.14) or treatment group (18/20, 18/20, and 15/20 in the 48 h, 60 h, and no GnRH groups, respectively; P = 0.18). The interval from PGF2α treatment to ovulation was not influenced by parity/lactation (83.1 ± 2.4 h) but was shortest in the GnRH 48 h group (mean ± SEM; 74.2 ± 2.7 h, 85.6 ± 4.8 and 89.2 ± 4.1, respectively; P < 0.05). Similarly, the variation in the interval to ovulation (mean ± s.e.M of residuals) was not influenced by parity/lactation (16.0 ± 2.0 h), but was lower in the GnRH groups than the no-GnRH group (P < 0.01), and tended to be lower (P = 0.1) in the GnRH 48-h v. 60-h group (10.0 ± 2.8, 14.2 ± 3.5, and 24.1 ± 3.1 h, respectively). The maximum diameter of the ovulatory follicle was larger for cows than heifers (17.0 ± 0.4 v. 15.1 ± 0.5; P < 0.01), and was smaller in the GnRH groups than the no-GnRH group (15.3 ± 0.3, 15.4 ± 0.7 and 17.3 ± 0.5 mm, respectively; P < 0.01). The diameter of the CL on Day 7 was larger for cows than heifers (22.3 ± 0.8 v. 20.2 ± 0.6 mm; P < 0.05) and was influenced by treatment (21.9 ± 0.5, 19.5 ± 0.7, 22.3 ± 1.1 mm, respectively; P = 0.05). A tendency for a treatment effect on CL diameter profile (P = 0.1) was attributed to a smaller profile in the GnRH 60-h group. In conclusion, GnRH treatment 48 h after PGF2α treatment increased synchrony of ovulation without adverse effects on ovulating follicle diameter or resulting CL growth, and may be incorporated into a novel steroid-free oestrous synchronization protocol for use in beef heifers and lactating cows. Research was supported by the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency and Vencofarma, Brazil.

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