Relationship between energy status and fertility in Czech Fleckvieh cows

The aim of this study was to confirm that a negative energy balance expressed by declining body condition score (BCS) can lead to the deterioration of fertility results of Czech Fleckvieh cows. The BCS of cows was evaluated before calving and during the first five weeks of lactation. The evaluation was based on 338 Czech Fleckvieh cows calved between the October 13th, 2009 and April 27th, 2010 at one dairy farm. Analysis of relationships between the energy balance results and fertility score expressed by the reproduction results (pregnancy rate after the first and all inseminations, the insemination interval, service period, insemination index, calving period) of the observed group were performed. The higher body condition score of the Czech Fleckvieh cows before calving turned out advantageously regarding the energy source during the postpartal period. No negative effect of higher BCS in cows before calving was confirmed. The best reproduction parameters were attained in the group of cows with no change or marked increase of body condition after calving recorded. However, statistically significant differences between the groups were detected only in the third week of lactation. Significant differences in the level of body condition were detected in relation to the length and type of oestrus onset.

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The Capacity of Holstein-Friesian and Simmental Cows to Correct a Negative Energy Balance in Relation to Their Performance Parameters, Course of Lactation, and Selected Milk Components

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061674 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1674

Author(s):

Ilona Strączek ◽

Krzysztof Młynek ◽

Agata Danielewicz

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acid ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Negative Energy Balance ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Condition Score ◽

Peak Lactation

A significant factor in improving the performance of dairy cows is their physiological ability to correct a negative energy balance (NEB). This study, using Simmental (SIM) and Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows, aimed to assess changes in NEB (non-esterified fatty acid; body condition score; and C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1) and its effect on the metabolic efficiency of the liver (β-hydroxybutyrate and urea). The effects of NEB on daily yield, production at peak lactation and its duration, and changes in selected milk components were assessed during complete lactation. Up to peak lactation, the loss of the body condition score was similar in both breeds. Subsequently, SIM cows more efficiently restored their BCS. HF cows reached peak lactation faster and with a higher milk yield, but they were less able to correct NEB. During lactation, their non-esterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, and urea levels were persistently higher, which may indicate less efficient liver function during NEB. The dynamics of NEB were linked to levels of leptin, which has anorectic effects. Its content was usually higher in HF cows and during intensive lactogenesis. An effective response to NEB may be exploited to improve the production and nutritional properties of milk. In the long term, it may extend dairy cows’ productive life and increase lifetime yield.

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Prediction of energy status in first lactation dairy heifers

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100027823 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 41 (2) ◽

pp. 167-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. J. Ducker ◽

Rosemary A. Haggett ◽

W. J. Fisher ◽

S. V. Morant

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Body Condition ◽

Weight Change ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Live Weight ◽

Blood Metabolites ◽

Energy Status ◽

Dairy Heifers ◽

Condition Score

ABSTRACTData from a large controlled experiment to investigate the effect of level of nutrition on reproductive performance were used to assess the value of production and blood measures as indicators of energy status in lactating dairy heifers. Live-weight change showed the strongest and most consistent relationship to mean energy balance (the difference between metabolizable energy intake and that used for milk production and maintenance) (P < 0·01 to P < 0·001). Body-condition score at a particular time was more closely related to mean energy balance in the preceding 4-week period (P < 0·05) than current energy balance. There was also a lag in the relationship between energy balance and live-weight change and mean body-condition score. Ultrasonic back fat measurements were significantly correlated with both loin and tailhead body-condition score (P < 0·001) but were more strongly related to mean energy balance in the preceding period (P < 0·05 to P < 0·001) than the body-condition scores.Blood samples were taken from all heifers 2 weeks before calving and 1, 5, 9, 13 and 18 weeks after calving and were analysed for 13 constituents. Concentrations of blood metabolites did not show consistently strong correlations with mean energy balance. The only blood metabolite to be measurably affected by the nutritional treatments applied in lactation was β-hydroxybutyrate.At best, combinations of production measures and blood metabolites were only able to predict the mean daily energy balance with a 95% confidence interval of ±20 MJ for an individual animal although this confidence interval was reduced to ±3 MJ for 100 animals.

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Factors affecting postpartum ovarian activity of goats in tropical semi-arid region

Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias UNCuyo ◽

10.48162/rev.39.032 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 330-345

Author(s):

Thiago Nascimento ◽

Edilson Soares Lopes Junior ◽

Mayara De Souza Miranda ◽

Thais Thatiane dos Santos Souza ◽

Ana Arlete de Amorim Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Energy Balance ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Negative Energy Balance ◽

Ovarian Activity ◽

Condition Score ◽

Semi Arid

There have been few studies on the use of diets and strategies to reduce the length of postpartum anoestrus in dairy goats, especially in tropical semi-arid regions. This review discusses the factors influencing the return of postpartum ovarian activity in goats. During the postpartum period, goats are in puerperal anoestrus and their reproductive tract is being prepared for a new conception. Anoestrus is necessary for tissue renewal in the uterus (uterine involution) associated with the return of cyclic ovarian activity, and is influenced by factors such as suckling of the offspring, social interactions, body condition score (BCS) before and after birth, intensity of negative energy balance (NEB) and stress from adverse climatic conditions. The anoestrus period can be extended by delays in the resumption of reproductive activity of females in puerperium. The duration of puerperal anoestrus in goats directly affects the productivity of the herd and is mainly influenced by nutrition, lactation period and heat stress. To minimize the negative effects of postpartum anoestrus on productivity, we recommend a mating season and a plan for the kidding period, as well as a program to monitor the body condition score during pregnancy so that the animals will have a better BCS at parturition. To minimize the effects of a negative energy balance, we suggest nutritional supplementation with levels of energy above the requirements for maintenance. Highlights The duration of postpartum anoestrus in goats is influenced by nutrition and body condition score. Heat stress can intensify the negative energy balance, consequently increased the period of anoestrus. Puerperal anoestrus occurs as a result of tissue renewal in the uterus. Suckling of the offspring associated with the period of lactation and social interactions can modified the puerperal anoestrus period. Use of diets and strategies to reduce the postpartum anoestrus in goats.

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Analysis of lactating cows in commercial Austrian dairy farms: interrelationships between different efficiency and production traits, body condition score and energy balance

Italian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1080/1828051x.2019.1569485 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 723-733 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Maria Ledinek ◽

Leonhard Gruber ◽

Franz Steininger ◽

Birgit Fuerst-Waltl ◽

Karl Zottl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Production Traits ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Condition Score

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Body condition score to predict the postpartum fertility of crossbred beef cows

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2007000500018 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 42 (5) ◽

pp. 741-746 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

José Carlos Ferrugem Moraes ◽

Carlos Miguel Jaume ◽

Carlos José Hoff de Souza

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Statistical Difference ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Estradiol Benzoate ◽

Mating Period ◽

The Third ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Relationship

The relationship between changes in body condition score (BCS) during the postpartum and fertility in beef cows suckling calves under extensive conditions were investigated. Cows were subjected to four BCS evaluations over the postpartum period, starting around one month after calving. In the second evaluation cows were treated with medroxy-progesterone acetate impregnated pessaries and received an injection of estradiol benzoate. At the third evaluation, pessaries were removed and calves were separated from the cows for 96 hours, during which time estrous was observed twice a day, and animals artificially inseminated 12 hours after detection. When calves returned to their dams, bulls were introduced until a 60-day mating period was reached. The distribution of BCS differed among calving groups and evaluations. Results indicated that only cows comprising a BCS 3 (1 to 5 scale) around the first month postpartum can be used in an artificial insemination program with possibilities of becoming pregnant. There was no statistical difference between the calving groups in pregnancy rate. The evolution of the BCS of the cows during postpartum can be used to adjust the start of the breeding season to coincide with the time of the year where herd pregnancy rates will be highest.

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Relationships between changes in Holstein cow’s body condition, acetone and urea content in milk and cervical mucus and sperm survival

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis ◽

10.11118/actaun201260050039 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (5) ◽

pp. 39-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jan Beran ◽

Luděk Stádník ◽

Jaromír Ducháček ◽

Monika Okrouhlá

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Cervical Mucus ◽

Short Term ◽

Data Set ◽

The Third ◽

Urea Content ◽

Condition Score ◽

Sperm Survival ◽

The Relationship

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationship between changes in Holstein cow’s body condition score (BCS), acetone and urea content in the milk and cervical mucus (CM) and sperm survival in CM. At insemination, samples of milk and CM were collected from 64 Holstein cows. Content of acetone and urea were determined. Sperm motility was assessed subjectively at the beginning and after 30, 60 and 90 minutes of the short-term heat test in CM. Data about evaluation of cow’s BCS were taken from farm evidence. The data set was analyzed using SAS/STAT software. Effect of change in cow’s BCS one month before insemination was significant only in relation to the acetone content in milk (P < 0.05). Higher values of acetone and urea content were found in the CM compared to milk. Higher levels of both metabolites were detected in primiparous cows and in cows on the third and subsequent lactation, resp. in cows inseminated 3 times and more. The highest values of both metabolites negatively affected sperm survival during the short-term heat test, especially after 90 minutes (P < 0.05–0.01). Significant decreases (P < 0.05–0.01) were detected in cows with the highest level of acetone and urea.

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PhenoBR: a model to phenotype body condition dynamics in meat sheep

10.1101/2020.12.01.407098 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tiphaine Macé ◽

Eliel González-García ◽

György Kövér ◽

Dominique Hazard ◽

Masoomeh Taghipoor

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Accretion Rate ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Individual Level ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Individual ◽

Meat Sheep

AbstractIn situations of negative energy balance (NEB) due to feed scarcity or high physiological demands, body energy reserves (BR), mainly stored in adipose tissues, become the main sources of energy for ruminants. The capacity to mobilize and restore such BRs in response to different challenges is of major concern in the current context of breeding for resilience. Body condition score (BCS) is a common, practical indicator of BR variations throughout successive productive cycles, and quantitative tools for characterizing such dynamics at the individual level are still lacking. The main objective of this work was to characterize body condition dynamics in terms of BR mobilization and accretion capacities of meat sheep during their productive lifespan through a modelling approach.The animal model used in this work was the reproductive meat ewe (n = 1478) reared in extensive rangeland. Regular measurements of BCS for each productive cycle were used as the indicator of BR variations. A hybrid mathematical model and a web interface, called PhenoBR, was developed to characterize ewes’ BCS variations through four synthetic and biologically meaningful parameters for each productive cycle i: BR accretion rate , BR mobilization rate , plus the time of onset and the duration of the BR mobilization, and ΔTi, respectively.The model converged for all the ewes included in the analysis. Estimation of the parameters indicated the inter-individual variability for BR accretion and mobilization rates, and for the length of the mobilization period. Body reserve mobilization rates were closely correlated between productive cycles. Significant correlations between BR mobilization and accretion rates suggest that the two processes are biologically linked. Parameters kp and kb decreased as parity increased. BR mobilization rate and duration increased as litter size increased, while BR accretion rate decreased.Individual characterization of animals by these parameters makes it possible to rank them for their efficiency in the use of body reserves when facing NEB challenges. Such parameters could contribute to better management and decision-making by farmers and advisors, e.g. by adapting feeding systems to the individual characteristics of BR dynamics, or by geneticists as criteria to develop future animal breeding programs including BR dynamics for more robust and resilient animals.

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Prediction of conception at 1st artificial insemination using a combination of energy balance indicators

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200028490 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 10-10

Author(s):

G E Valergakis ◽

G Oikonomou ◽

G Arsenos ◽

M P Georgiadis ◽

G Banos

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Management Practices ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Condition Score ◽

Voluntary Waiting Period

Declining reproductive performance is a major problem for the global dairy industry (Lucy 2001) whereas magnitude and duration of postpartum negative energy balance of dairy cows are considered as the main reasons (de Vries and Veerkamp 2000). Moreover, various energy balance indicators, such as body condition score (BCS) and plasma βhydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration, have been correlated with reduced reproductive performance (Pryce et al 2001, Taylor et al 2003, Patton et al 2007, Walsh et al 2007). Such information has been already used to adjust herd management practices in order to prevent negative effects on reproduction. Furthermore, the ability to predict reproductive performance of cows with reasonable accuracy would also be very useful to dairy farmers. In such case, important management decisions (e.g. length of voluntary waiting period, starting dates of synchronisation programs and price of semen used), could be made for each individual cow. The aim of this study was to investigate whether combining certain energy balance indicators would yield useful predictions of cow reproductive performance at 1st artificial insemination (AI).

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