Does breed affect nursing and reproductive behaviour in beef cattle?

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Álvarez-Rodríguez ◽  
J. Palacio ◽  
I. Casasús ◽  
A. Sanz
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Ovarian Cyclicity

This experiment was designed to assess the role of genetic differences in nursing behaviour and the resumption of post-partum ovarian cyclicity of beef cows with different types of calf management. Twenty-four multiparous winter-calving cows, 12 Parda de Montaña (PA) and 12 Pirenaica (PI), were randomly assigned to once-daily restricted nursing during 30 min (RESTR) or ad libitum nursing (ADLIB). Cow-calf behaviour was recorded at weeks 3, 8 and 13 of lactation. Results were compared within suckling system. Twice-weekly blood samples were drawn throughout lactation to analyse progesterone as an indicator of ovulation. Within each type of calf management, both breeds nursed their calves for a similar amount of time (23.0 and 57.2 min in PA vs. 25.9 and 59.0 min in PI, when nursing once daily or ad libitum, respectively; P > 0.10). Furthermore, ovarian cyclicity was initiated at a similar time after calving between breeds (70 vs. 73 d in PA and PI, respectively), although it was shorter in RESTR than in ADLIB (54 vs. 89 d; P < 0.001). Key words: Beef cattle, calf management, restricted nursing, post-partum anoestrus

VOLUNTARY ROUGHAGE INTAKE BY NONPREGNANT AND PREGNANT OR LACTATING BEEF COWS

1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 733-738 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. JORDAN ◽  
E. E. LISTER ◽  
J. M. WAUTHY ◽  
J. E. COMEAU
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Full Energy ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Ad Libitum

Pregnant and nonpregnant Shorthorns were group-fed either hay or grass silage ad libitum from December until midsummer in 2 successive yr. Stage of gestation at the start of feeding each year averaged 120 days. In the 1st yr the cows were housed and in the 2nd they were confined to outside paved lots. Until the start of calving, the pregnant groups tended to consume less than their nonpregnant counterparts. During the 2 wk before the start of calving this difference in intake between pregnant and nonpregnant cows increased up to 12%. However, it was only for the silage-fed, pregnant cows wintered outside that intake was clearly insufficient for maintenance up to 48 h postcalving. Depsite a rapid increase in postcalving intake, all lactating groups lost weight. Results indicated that pregnancy in beef cattle may reduce intake below that expected from nonpregnant animals and may result in insufficient forage consumption for maintenance. During early lactation, beef cows were unable to consume enough stored forage to meet their full energy requirements.

A comparison of wheat and barley as supplements to grass silage for beef cattle

1989 ◽  
Vol 1989 ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
R. W. J. Steen
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Spring Barley ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Beef Breed ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Feeding Value ◽  
Soyabean Meal ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Finishing Beef Cattle

Two randomised-block experiments have been carried out to examine the relative feeding value of wheat and barley as supplements to grass silage for finishing beef cattle. In each experiment unwilted, formic acid-treated silage was offered ad libitum and supplemented with 500 g soyabean meal and 50 g minerals and vitamins to 44 twelve month old bulls for 157 and 172 days in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. In addition 12 animals received 2.5 kg rolled spring barley (LB), 12 received 4.0 kg barley (HB) and 20 received 3.25 kg rolled wheat (W). Silage was offered once daily and concentrates twice daily in two equal meals.Eleven British Friesian bulls and thirty-three bulls which were Friesian x Continental beef breed were used in each experiment. They were initially 402 and 385 kg live weight in experiments 1 and 2 respectively. In both experiments the animals were housed and fed in groups of four in slatted pens. All animals were slaughtered at the end of the experiments to obtain carcass data.

QUANTITATIVE ASPECTS OF RELEASE OF OXYTOCIN BY SUCKLING IN UNANAESTHETIZED RABBITS

1963 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 581-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Riitta Fuchs ◽  
Gorm Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Milk Ejection ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Milk Flow

ABSTRACT A method of estimating oxytocin output following physiological stimuli is described which is applicable to experiments in conscious, undisturbed and unrestrained animals. The method consists of recording the uterine responses in puerperal rabbits with a permanently inserted intrauterine balloon as an index of neurohypophysial activation. Previous work has been confirmed on the essential role of oxytocin in milk ejection in rabbits. Only negligible amounts of milk are obtained by the young without any endogenous or exogenous oxytocin, but normal release of oxytocin can occur in spite of diminished or completely inhibited milk flow. The amount of oxytocin released during suckling depends on the strength of the stimulus in a characteristic fashion, and the strength of stimuli again depends both on the number of young suckling simultaneously and on their physical maturity. In the early puerperium (up to 3–4 days post-partum) each suckling young evokes a response comparable to that of 0.5–1.0 mU of oxytocin injected intravenously, whether suckling alone or together with its litter-mates. Only a few grams of milk are removed by each young at that time. After this period, the suckling of 1 or 2 young separately still elicits the release of only a small amount of oxytocin (1–2 mU), but during suckling of a whole litter from 50 to 100 mU are liberated, which corresponds to 10–15 mU for each young. The full milk yield can only be obtained by each young while suckling simultaneously with the whole litter. The amount of oxytocin released is independent of the duration of suckling, of the quantity of milk available, and of the milk flow. Once lactation has been established, the oxytocin output during suckling on an »once-daily« regime remains fairly constant at least for a large part of the lactation period. It is possible that at the end of the lactating period, the amount secreted during suckling is increased to about 250 mU or even more.

scholarly journals Form of Supplemental Selenium in Vitamin-Mineral Premixes Differentially Affects Early Luteal and Gestational Concentrations of Progesterone, and Postpartum Concentrations of Prolactin in Beef Cows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 967
Author(s):  
Sarah Carr ◽  
Yang Jia ◽  
Benjamin Crites ◽  
Charles Hamilton ◽  
Walter Burris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Initial Report ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Geographic Regions ◽  
Southeast Us ◽  
Circulating Levels ◽  
Inorganic And Organic

Soils with marginal to deficient levels of selenium (Se) are widespread in the northwest, northeast, and southeast US. Supplementation to the diet of forage-grazing beef cattle with a vitamin-mineral mix containing additional Se is recommended in these geographic regions. We have reported that the form of supplemental Se provided to Angus-cross beef cows can affect circulating levels of progesterone (P4) on day 6 of the estrous cycle, a time when increased P4 is known to promote fertility. The objectives of this study were to (1) confirm and expand upon our initial report that the form of Se provided to cows affects early luteal-phase concentrations of systemic P4, (2) determine the effects of the form of Se on concentrations of P4 during gestation, and (3) determine the effects of the form of Se on concentrations of prolactin (PRL) during lactation. Throughout this study, Angus-cross beef cows had ad libitum access to a vitamin-mineral mix containing 35 ppm of Se in either an inorganic form (ISe) or a 1:1 mix of inorganic and organic forms (MIX). We observed a MIX-induced increase (p = 0.006) in systemic concentrations of P4 on day 7 but not on days 4 or 10 of the estrous cycle, consistent with our earlier report. We observed a MIX-induced increase (p = 0.02) in the systemic concentration of P4 at months 1, 3, 5, and 7 of gestation, and a MIX-induced decrease (p < 0.05) in systemic concentrations of PRL at months 5 and 6 of lactation. In summary, the form of Se provided to cows can be manipulated to affect the early luteal phase and gestational concentrations of P4, and postpartum concentrations of PRL.

Serum mineral concentrations in relation to estrus and conception in beef heifers and cows fed conserved forage

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Small ◽  
E. Charmley ◽  
A. V. Rodd ◽  
A. H. Fredeen
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Dietary Factors ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Service Conception ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Mineral Concentrations ◽  
Body Condition Scores

A study was undertaken to examine serum mineral concentrations in relation to estrus and first service conception (FSC) in beef cattle fed conserved forage. Blood samples were taken from yearling nulliparous heifers, and suckled 2-yr-old primiparous heifers and multiparous cows at first service which occurred within 12 h of observed standing heat and 21 d after. Serum was analyzed for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and boron (B) concentrations by ICAP. Heifers were fed in four groups based on parity and given 3.0 and 2.5 kg hd d–1 of a grain supplement, respectively, plus free-choice grass hay (1.71% K; 0.20% P; 8% protein; 41% ADF). Cows were individually fed ad libitum (21 g kg–1 body weight) grass-legume silage (2.82% K; 0.35% P; 14% protein, 34% ADF). Heifers and cows gained body weight over the breeding season and at turnout had body condition scores of 5 to 6 for heifers and 6 to 7 for cows. Rates of FSC were 53% (10/19), 48% (10/21) and 64% (18/28) for nulli-, primi- and multiparous groups, respectively. Serum Ca, Na, S, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn did not differ (P > 0.05) between FSC groups, but Na and Cu were higher (P < 0.05) at estrus than at day 21, especially in nulliparous heifers. Concentrations of serum Mg were low (<0.74 mmol L–1) and K high (>4.5 mmol L–1) in heifers and cows but in nulliparous heifers only, serum Mg and K were lowest (P < 0.05) at estrus for those that conceived. Serum B concentrations were generally higher (P < 0.05) in animals that conceived especially on day 21 when B concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) than at estrus. Serum P concentrations were high (>3.5 mmol L–1), but highest in animals that conceived especially on day 21. It is concluded that P and B may be dietary factors limiting first service conception in beef cows fed conserved forage. Key words: Beef cattle, estrus, conception, minerals, boron, phosphorus

An evaluation of contrasting C32 alkane dosing and faecal sampling regimes to estimate herbage dry matter intake by beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. 353-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. RICHMOND ◽  
A. R. G. WYLIE ◽  
A. S. LAIDLAW ◽  
F. O. LIVELY
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Sampling Protocol ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Ad Libitum

SUMMARYTwo experiments were carried out to evaluate different dosing and sampling regimes for estimating the dry matter intake (DMI) of vegetation by grazing beef cattle. Experiment 1 compared the DMI of a perennial ryegrass pasture by 48 grazing beef cattle dosed with C32n-alkane and faecally sampled at different time intervals. The cattle, of dairy and suckler origin, were balanced by origin and allocated to one of three alkane-dosing treatments (n=16): T1, dosed once daily (10.30 h) with two 500 mg boluses of C32 alkanes; T2, dosed twice daily (09.00 and 16.00 h) with a 500 mg bolus of C32n-alkane; and T3, dosed twice daily (07.00 and 19.00 h) with a 500 mg bolus of C32n-alkane. Faecal samples were collected concurrently with dosing in each treatment. Dosing interval had no effect on estimated DMI, when calculated using the n-alkane content of faeces sampled concurrently with dosing, suggesting that once-daily dosing with concurrent faecal sampling is adequate to estimate DMI by beef cattle. The objective of Expt 2 was to compare the accuracy of herbage DMI estimated using a once-daily C32 alkane dosing regime and n-alkane concentrations in faeces sampled at 09.00, 13.00, 17.00 and 21.00 h, against DMI measured directly. Twelve Holstein-Friesian bulls (mean body weight 265 kg) were housed individually in digestibility stalls and offered harvested perennial ryegrass or harvested semi-natural upland vegetation, both ad libitum. The DMI estimated by once-daily dosing with n-alkane and concurrent per rectum faecal sampling did not differ significantly from the directly measured DMI for either herbage type. It is concluded that a once-daily alkane dosing and concurrent faecal sampling protocol is adequate to reliably estimate the DMI of both upland and lowland pasture vegetation by beef cattle.

A note on the effect of zeranol administration on oestrous cycle length and hormonal profiles in cows

1986 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-424
Author(s):  
W. E. Beal ◽  
G. A. Good ◽  
D. J. Putney ◽  
G. L. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Cycle Length ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Plasma Progesterone ◽  
Anabolic Agent ◽  
Hormonal Profiles ◽  
Cycle Lengths

ABSTRACTZeranol is an anabolic agent with oestrogenic actions commonly used in fattening beef cattle. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of zeranol administration on oestrous cycle lengths, plasma progesterone concentrations and the exhibition of oestrus in mature cows. Administration of 36-mg zeranol implants during the early, middle or later portion of the oestrous cycle did not alter the length or persistence of oestrous cycles, nor were progesterone profiles different from those observed in untreated cows. Some cows that received zeranol exhibited a prolonged oestrus. The regularity of oestrous cycles in cows treated with zeranol indicates that it may be possible to utilize zeranol as an anabolic and lactopoetic agent in post-partum beef cows.

Ovulation of the first dominant follicle arising after day 21post partumin suckling beef cows

2002 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Sinclair ◽  
G. Molle ◽  
R. Revilla ◽  
J. F. Roche ◽  
G. Quintans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Insulin ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Insulin Concentration ◽  
Dominant Follicle ◽  
Plasma Insulin Concentration ◽  
Once Daily

AbstractThe effects of body condition score (BCS) of 2·0 or 3·0 units at calving (low v. moderate), post-partum energy intake at 0·6 or 1·0 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per day per kg M0·75 (low v. high) and unrestricted or restricted (once daily) suckling on the ability of cows to ovulate were studied in a 2 ✕ 2 ✕ 2 factorial design with each treatment replicated eight times. Calf isolation and restricted suckling were imposed shortly after selection of the first dominant follicle (DF) to emerge after day 21 post partum. The episodic release of LH (sampled at 15-min intervals for 10 h) was determined 48 h before and 48 h after the day calf isolation and restricted suckling commenced. Additional blood samples were collected weekly for plasma insulin determination. The mean interval from calving to first ovulation was shorter for cows in moderate than low BCS at calving (47·8 v. 57·1 days, s.e.d. = 4·50, P < 0·05), and for cows suckling once daily than for those with unrestricted suckling (42·9 v. 62·0 days, s.e.d. = 4·50, P < 0·001). Post-partum nutrition did not affect this interval. Mean LH pulse frequency prior to the start of restricted suckling was higher for cows of moderate than low BCS at calving (3·2 v. 1·6 pulses per 10 h, s.e.d. = 0·60, P < 0·05). Subsequently, LH pulse frequency was higher for cows suckling once daily than for those with unrestricted suckling (4·0 v. 2·2 pulses per 10 h, s.e.d. = 0·82, P < 0·05). More cows in moderate than low BCS ovulated the first DF to emerge after day 21 post partum (within 4 to 6 days) in response to restricted suckling (69 v. 25%, P < 0·05). LH pulse frequency prior to restricted suckling increased (P < 0·05) with plasma insulin concentration (categorized as low, < 5; moderate, 5 to 8; and high, >8 mIU per l). There were indications of interactions between suckling treatment and BCS (P < 0·08), and suckling treatment and plasma insulin concentration (P < 0·06), on LH pulse frequency, which suggested that calf restriction could alleviate the suppressive effects of under nutrition on episodic LH release. Amongst cows suckling once daily, the non-ovulating animals had fewer LH pulses prior to restricted suckling and smaller, slower growing DF, indicating an inability of the DF to respond to increased LH pulse frequency following calf restriction. Cows of moderate BCS, particularly those with moderate to high levels of plasma insulin (³ 5 mIU per l), responded favourably to restricted suckling. In contrast, excessively thin cows with low plasma insulin concentrations (<5 mIU per l), that had most to gain from restricted suckling, responded poorly.

EVERYDAY PRACTICE OF MOTHERS IN A PROVINCIAL SOVIET CITY IN THE 1950–60S

2020 ◽  
pp. 42-51
Author(s):  
Irina V. Bogdashina
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Working Mother ◽  
Material Wealth ◽  
The Real ◽  
Raising Children ◽  
Diffi Cult ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Right

The article reveals the measures undertaken by the Soviet state during the “thaw” in the fi eld of reproductive behaviour, the protection of motherhood and childhood. Compilations, manuals and magazines intended for women were the most important regulators of behaviour, determining acceptable norms and rules. Materials from sources of personal origin and oral history make it possible to clearly demonstrate the real feelings of women. The study of women’s everyday and daily life in the aspect related to pregnancy planning, bearing and raising children will allow us to compare the real situation and the course of implementation of tasks in the fi eld of maternal and child health. The demographic surge in the conditions of the economy reviving after the war, the lack of preschool institutions, as well as the low material wealth of most families, forced women to adapt to the situation. In the conditions of combining the roles of mother, wife and female worker, women entrusted themselves with almost overwork, which affected the health and well-being of the family. The procedure for legalising abortion gave women not only the right to decide the issue of motherhood themselves, but also made open the already necessary, but harmful to health, habitual way of birth control. Maternal care in diffi cult material and housing conditions became the concern of women and the older generation, who helped young women to combine the role of a working mother, which the country’s leadership confi dently assigned to women.

Study of Possible Relation between Fasting Plasma Glucagon, Gestational Diabetes and Development of Type 2 DM

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashraf Okba ◽  
Salwa Seddik Hosny ◽  
Alyaa Elsherbeny ◽  
Manal Mohsin Kamal
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Plasma Glucagon ◽  
Type 2 Dm ◽  
Fasting Plasma ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Two Phases

Background and Aims: Women who develop GDM (gestational diabetes mellitus) have a relative insulin secretion deficiency, the severity of which may be predictive for later development of diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the role of fasting plasma glucagon in the prediction of later development of diabetes in pregnant women with GDM. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 150 pregnant women with GDM after giving informed oral and written consents and being approved by the research ethical committee according to the declaration of Helsinki. The study was conducted in two phases, first phase during pregnancy and the second one was 6 months post-partum, as we measured fasting plasma glucagon before and after delivery together with fasting and 2 hour post-prandial plasma sugar. Results: Our findings suggested that glucagon levels significantly increased after delivery in the majority 14/25 (56%) of GDM women who developed type 2 DM within 6 months after delivery compared to 6/20 (30%) patients with impaired fasting plasma glucose (IFG) and only 22/105 (20%) non DM women, as the median glucagon levels were 80,76, 55, respectively. Also, there was a high statistical difference between fasting plasma glucagon post-delivery among diabetic and non-diabetic women (p ≤ 0.001). These results indicated the useful role of assessing fasting plasma glucagon before and after delivery in patients with GDM to predict the possibility of type 2 DM. Conclusion: There is a relatively high glucagon level in GDM patients, which is a significant pathogenic factor in the incidence of subsequent diabetes in women with a history of GDM. This could be important in the design of follow-up programs for women with previous GDM.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document