Effect of season and photoperiod on the time of first postpartum ovulation in Awassi ewes

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Faigl ◽  
Mónika Keresztes ◽  
Alíz Márton ◽  
Hedvig Fébel ◽  
Margit Kulcsár ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Igf I

Seasonal differences in the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity, milk production and periparturient metabolic status were investigated in lactating non-suckling dairy Awassi sheep in two consecutive experiments. In Experiment 1, autumn-lambing (AL, n = 27) and spring-lambing (SL, n = 37) ewes were investigated. Ovarian activity was monitored by means of individual progesterone (P4) profiles from day 5 to day 100 post partum. Most of the AL dams (89%) ovulated till day 35 after parturition and became cyclic thereafter. Incidence of persistent corpus luteum (CLP) and short luteal phases (sCL) was frequent (18% and 29%, respectively) among non-conceiving dams. In contrast, only 24% of the SL ewes ovulated before day 35. P4 levels during the luteal phase were lower in cyclic animals, and the cycle was longer in SL than in AL animals. No CLP or sCL was detected in the spring-lambing group, and 61% of SL ewes remained acyclic till the end of the trial. Lactation length was significantly longer in SL dams than in AL ewes (P = 0.008). According to the plasma metabolites (BHB, NEFA) and metabolic hormones (insulin, IGF-I, thyroxine) examined, negative energy balance did not appear in any of the animals. However, seasonal differences were seen in IGF-I and thyroxine levels, which were higher in the SL dams. In Experiment 2, influence of additional lighting was studied in autumn-lambing ewes. The long-day photoperiod (LD, n = 23) group was exposed to artificial light from sunset till midnight (approx. 16 h light/8 h dark) from some weeks before the expected date of delivery in mid-September until the end of December. The control group (n = 25) experienced only natural daylength. The first postpartum ovulation tended to occur later in the LD animals than in the controls (P = 0.047). The lactation of the LD group tended to be longer (P = 0.061). NEFA, BHB, insulin, IGF-I and thyroxine levels did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: (i) The ovarian function of the Awassi population is seasonal under temperate continental climate conditions. (ii) The first postpartum ovulation of non-suckling, autumn-lambing dams may occur very early, even before the completion of uterine involution. (iii) Additional artificial lighting may delay the time of first postpartum ovulation in AL ewes. (iv) Postpartum negative energy balance is unlikely to occur in dairy Awassi ewes even in high-producing intensive systems.

scholarly journals Effect of negative energy balance on the insulin-like growth factor system in pre-recruitment ovarian follicles of post partum dairy cows

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Llewellyn ◽  
R Fitzpatrick ◽  
D A Kenny ◽  
J J Murphy ◽  
R J Scaramuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Ovarian Follicles ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Igf Binding Proteins ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Igf Binding ◽  
Ovarian Cyclicity

Post partumnegative energy balance (NEB) in dairy cattle is associated with a delayed return to ovarian cyclicity and reduced fertility. This study compared the IGF system of pre-recruitment ovarian follicles between cows in mild (n= 6) or severe (n= 6) NEB during early lactation. Ovaries were collected in the second weekpost partum, when circulating concentrations of IGF-I and glucose were lower (P< 0.01) in severe NEB cows. mRNA expression for IGF-II, type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP)-1 to IGFBP-6 was determined byin situhybridisation in individual follicles using radiolabelled oligonucleotide probes. Follicles were classified as very small (1–2.5 mm) or small (2.5–5 mm) and healthy or atretic. Relative mRNA concentrations were measured as optical density (OD) units using image analysis. Thecal IGF-II mRNA expression was highest in very small, healthy follicles (P< 0.05). Granulosa cell IGFBP-2 was the only component to change with EB status, with higher mRNA expression in mild compared with severe NEB cows (P< 0.05). IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 mRNA expression were undetectable. IGF-1R, IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-5 mRNA expression were not significantly altered by follicle size or health, but IGFBP-5 tended to increase in atretic follicles. The pattern of IGFBP-6 mRNA expression in theca paralleled that of IGF-II mRNA, with higher (P< 0.05) levels in healthy, very small follicles. In conclusion, the reduced expression of IGFBP-2 mRNA in severe NEB cows may alter the bioavailability of circulating IGF-I and locally produced IGF-II to modulate the pre-recruitment stages of follicles required to maintain normalpost partumovarian cyclicity.

Interrelationships among plasma metabolites, production, and ovarian follicular function in dairy cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 631-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Macmillan ◽  
A. Hayirli ◽  
L. Doepel ◽  
B.L. Dyck ◽  
E. Subramaniam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Multiple Ovulation ◽  
Metabolites Production ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

Associations of blood metabolites and production variables with ovarian function and parity, specifically, interval to first ovulation (IFO) and the incidence of ovarian cysts (OC) and multiple ovulation (MOV) at the first ovulation postpartum, were determined in lactating dairy cows. This retrospective study involved data on 169 Holstein cows from three studies on the same herd. Blood samples were taken weekly from week −1 to week 4, relative to calving, and transrectal ultrasonography was performed twice weekly from day 7 to day 60 postpartum. The overall IFO was 32.6 ± 1.9 d (mean ± SEM) and did not differ among lactations. Primiparous cows were at a greater risk of failing to ovulate before day 60 postpartum and cows in the third or greater lactation were at a higher risk for OC and MOV. Blood metabolites and production variables indicating a negative energy balance were associated with cows failing to ovulate before day 35 postpartum, but were not related with OC. Increased dry matter intake and milk yield, particularly in second lactation cows, were associated with a higher incidence of OC. While beta-hydroxybutyrate acid and insulin-like growth factor 1 were associated with MOV, the relationship was weak. Reducing negative energy balance is necessary to reduce IFO but may increase the incidence of MOV.

Effect of acute nutritional restriction on periovulatory oestradiol and IGF-I in beef heifers

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 215-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.R. Mackey ◽  
A.R.G. Wylie ◽  
J.F. Roche ◽  
J.M. Sreenan ◽  
M.G. Diskin
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Nutritional Restriction

Severe negative energy balance (NEB) in the postpartum period of dairy cows may be associated with declining fertility but the mechanisms by which nutrition influences reproduction are complex, poorly understood and confounded by lactation. Hence, both chronic and acute nutritional restriction of beef heifers have been used as models to examine the effects of NEB on ovarian and endocrine responses in the absence of lactation. Plasma IGF-I concentrations gradually decreased until the onset of anoestrus (Stagg et al., 1999) but concentrations may be confounded with stage of the oestrous cycle, especially around ovulation (Mackey et al., 2000). Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of nutritional restriction on periovulatory oestradiol (E2) and IGF-I concentrations.

Post-partum blood leptin concentrations and energy balance in first calving dairy heifers

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 91-91
Author(s):  
A.R.G. Wylie ◽  
D.J. Devlin ◽  
T.W.J. Keady ◽  
C.S. Mayne ◽  
R.E. Agnew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Blood Concentrations ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Gnrh Release ◽  
Fat Stores

Blood concentrations of leptin, the first of several recently-discovered adipocyte proteins, putatively signal the extent of fat energy reserves to the hypothalamus in mammals and help regulate food intake and reproductive activity (through control of GnRH release). In early post-partum dairy cows, the rapidly increasing milk energy output and slowly increasing feed energy intake produce a negative energy balance (-ve EB) that is met by mobilisation of adipose fat stores and the severity and/or duration of the –ve EB may delay resumption of normal ovarian activity. The objective of the current study was to compare post-partum EB and serum leptin concentration profiles in Holstein-Friesian and Norwegian Red heifers, both of high genetic merit within their breed.

Nutritional effects on resumption of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate in postpartum dairy cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.R. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Dietary Protein ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Igf I ◽  
High Dietary Protein

AbstractIncreased genetic potential for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Following parturition the nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation thereby affecting ovarian cycles before and during the subsequent breeding period The effects of NEBAL on reinitiation of ovulation are manifested through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-I in blood that collectively restrain oestrogen production by dominant follicles. Upregulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir increases the likelihood that emerging dominant follicles will ovulate. The legacy of NEBAL is reduced fertility after insemination in conjunction with reduced serum progesterone concentrations. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but may be detrimental to reproductive performance. Depending upon protein quantity and composition, serum concentrations of progesterone may be lower and the uterine luminal environment is altered. High protein intake is correlated with plasma urea concentrations that are inversely related to uterine pH and fertility. The direct effects of high dietary protein and plasma urea on embryo quality and development in cattle are inconsistent. In conclusion, the poor fertility of high producing dairy cows reflects the combined effects of a uterine environment that is dependent on progesterone, but has been rendered suboptimal for embryo development by antecedent effects of negative energy balance and may be further compromised by the effects of urea resultingfrom intake of high dietary protein.

Effect of Protein Intake on IGF-I System Responses to a 7-Day Exercise-Induced Negative Energy Balance

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S486
Author(s):  
Kevin R. Rarick ◽  
Matthew A. Pikosky ◽  
Andrew J. Young ◽  
Ann Grediagin ◽  
Tracey J. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Protein Intake ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Igf I ◽  
Exercise Induced

Milk production, peripartal liver triglyceride concentration and plasma metabolites of dairy cows fed diets supplemented with calcium soaps or hydrogenated triglycerides of palm oil

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland G Karcagi ◽  
Tibor Gaál ◽  
Piroska Ribiczey ◽  
Gyula Huszenicza ◽  
Ferenc Husvéth
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Palm Oil ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Liver Triglyceride

The aim of the study was to test the effect of rumen-inert fat supplements of different chemical forms or containing different unsaturated/saturated (U/S) fatty acid contents on milk production, milk composition and liver and blood metabolic variables of high-yielding dairy cows in the peripartal period. Thirty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were divided into three equal groups and fed a corn silage-based diet, without fat supplementation (control) or supplemented with 11·75 MJ NEl per day of calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids (CAS; U/S=61/39) or with 11·75 MJ NEl per day of hydrogenated palm oil triglyceride (HTG; U/S=6/94). Each diet was fed from 25±2 d prior to the expected calving to 100±5 d post partum. Compared with the control, both CAS and HTG supplementation resulted in an increase of the average milk yield. Milk fat content and fat-corrected milk yield were higher in the HTG group but lower in the CAS group than in the control group. In all groups liver triglyceride concentrations (TGL) increased from 15 d prepartum to 5 d post partum, and then decreased thereafter. At 5 d TGL was lower in the HTG group than control or CAS cows. No significant differences were detected in TGL among dietary treatments at 15 d prepartum and 25 d post partum. Higher plasma glucose and insulin and lower non-esterified fattay acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase activity were measured in the HTG group than in the control or CAS groups at 5 d or 25 d post partum. Our results show that HTG may provide a better energy supply for high-yielding dairy cows in negative energy balance than CAS around calving.

scholarly journals Reproductive performance in high producing dairy cows: practical implications

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (S 01) ◽  
pp. S29-S33
Author(s):  
J. Leroy ◽  
G. Opsomer ◽  
A. de Kruif
Keyword(s):  
Health Status ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
General Health ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
General Health Status

SummarySeveral studies have clearly demonstrated that the fertility of high yielding dairy cows has declined over the past 25 years. The resumption of ovarian activity post partum has been retarded and conception rates have dropped significantly from 55 to 40%. Accordingly, the calving interval has increased from about 385 days to 417 days. The percentage of cows culled because of infertility has risen from 5 to 8% per year. The “subfertility syndrome” is a multifactorial problem. As the negative energy balance and general health status after calving are known to be paramount factors hampering fertility, it is apparent that avoiding both is among the most important preventive measures to be taken. Improvement of the energy status by achieving a high dry matter intake and the provision of optimal and well balanced nutrition during the transition period as well as during early lactation are key goals in this effort. To achieve these goals, we should not only calculate the rations on paper, but should also check in the stable to determine whether the calculated amount is really being consumed by the cows. Furthermore, veterinarians should use their “clinical eyes” as well as other diagnostic tools to assess the general health status of the cows and to assess at which aspect of the process things are going wrong and need to be adjusted. Besides the control of the negative energy balance and health status, other management factors that need to be maximized include heat detection, cow comfort, insemination technique, time of insemination during estrus and sperm quality. Only if management is on a very high level high milk production and good fertility can be a feasible combination.

scholarly journals Plasma metabolite changes in anestrous dairy cows with negative energy balance identified using 1H NMR technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 929-937
Author(s):  
F. Zhang ◽  
Z. Wang ◽  
C. Zhao ◽  
Y. Bai ◽  
D. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Hormone Synthesis

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the different plasma metabolites between anestrus and estrus postpartum dairy cows and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention of anestrus in dairy farm cows. In the experiment, one hundred and sixty-seven Holstein dairy cows were selected with similar age and parity. According to the concentration of β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acids and glucose in plasma during 14 to 21 days in milk, all dairy cows were determined as having a status of energy balance. According to the results of clinical symptom, rectal and B ultrasound examination at 60 to 90 days postpartum, these cows were divided into twenty estrus and twenty-four anestrus group, other dairy cows were removed. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance technology was utilized to detect the plasma metabolites changes and screen different plasma metabolites between anestrus and estrus cows. Ten different metabolites including alanine, glutamic acid, asparagine, creatine, choline, phosphocholine, glycerophosphocholine, low-density lipoprotein, and very-low-density lipoprotein were significantly decreased in anestrous cows compared with estrous cows. Metabolic pathway analyses indicated that differential metabolites were primarily involved in amino acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism. These metabolites and their enrichment pathways indicate that reduced steroid hormone synthesis precursors result in lower levels of estradiol and progesterone and cause anestrus in negative energy balance. These data provide a better understanding of the changes that may affect estrus of postpartum dairy cows at NEB status and lay the ground for further research.

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