COMPARATIVE PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS AFTER RECEIVING TWO EMBRYOS AT TRANSFER

1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. REID ◽  
J. W. WILTON ◽  
J. S. WALTON

Embryos were transferred surgically to each uterine horn of 31 recipient cows. Fourteen (45%) became pregnant. Nine of the pregnant recipients calved twins for a rate of 64% twins per pregnancy. Embryos were obtained from nine donors by nonsurgical flushing, with the resulting single and twin calves offspring of six of these. Donors were crossbreds of varying percentage of Charolais, Chianina, Maine Anjou, Simmental and Holstein; service sires were Charolais, Limousin or Maine Anjou and the calves were therefore 2-, 3- or 4-way crosses. Recipients included a wide range of crosses of breeds, varying in milk yield and mature weight. In addition to the twins produced by transfer, an additional six sets of twins were born during the same period to cows bred by artificial insemination (AI). Single and twin calves produced by AI service were sired by bulls of breeds similar in mature weight to that of the dam. At calving, 79% of the twinning cows required assistance compared to 29% of the single bearing cows. The most common problem observed for cows bearing twins was presentation of both calves at the same time, although this problem was easily corrected in all cases. Calf mortality was low and not significantly different between twin- and single-bearing dams. Days to first ovulation were similar for twin and single nursing cows, 39 and 34 d postpartum, respectively. Transfer twin calves were 16.6 kg lighter at birth and gained weight at a significantly slower rate (249 g d−1) from birth to weaning than transfer calves born as single. Milk production of transfer twin-bearing dams as measured by average machine yield at 5, 12 and 20 wk of lactation was significantly greater (340 kg 200 d−1) than for dams bearing a single transfer calf. Total mass of weaned calf per cow was 151 kg greater for dams with transfer twins than those with transfer singles and 165 kg greater for AI dams with twins than AI dams with singles. Within the transfer twin group, milk yield of dam significantly influenced total weight of calf produced (0.02 kg kg−1 milk) while weight of dam did not. Key words: Embryo transfer, beef, twins, recipients, milk yield, reproductive performance

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker

One hundred gilts and one hundred mixed-parity sows of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were inseminated with semen with or without an additional 10 μg estradiol-17β. Pregnancy rates of gilts receiving estradiol-supplemented and control semen were 90 and 79%, respectively (P < 0.09). The estradiol supplementation of semen did not improve the pregnancy rates or litter size in sows. Key words: Swine, artificial insemination, estradiol


1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
A. D. Gooneratne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood

Pregnancy rates and litter sizes following insemination of sows with fresh-extended and frozen-thawed semen averaged 71 vs. 53% and 10.6 vs. 4.4, respectively, and was not affected by the addition of 12.5 μg relaxin to semen. These results indicate no relaxin mediated effect on either pregnancy rate or litter size when sows are artificially inseminated with relaxin-supplemented semen. Key words: Artificial insemination, relaxin, sows


1970 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Wellington ◽  
P. Mahadevan ◽  
K. L. Roache

SUMMARYThis study is the first comprehensive estimation of breed parameters for the Jamaica Hope breed of dairy cattle. It has shown that the breed has considerable potential for milk production undser good husbendry in a tropical environment. Improvements in reproductive performance may be achieved, without prejudice to production performance, by using milk yield per day of calving interval (which has a moderatoly high repestability) as a criterion for selection.


Author(s):  
D.A. Clark ◽  
W. Carter ◽  
B. Walsh ◽  
F.H. Clarkson ◽  
C.D. Waugh

Concern at the effect of winter pasture residuals on pasture productivity led to the comparison of different wintering systems at the DRC No. 3 Dairy from May-December 1993. Three farmlets were designed to have 2000 kg DM/ha average farm cover at calving, but with pastures grazed to either 900, 1400 or 1800 kg DM/ha at least once during the winter. A fourth farmlet was spelled from grazing from 25 May-4 July to give an average farm cover at calving of 2900 kg DM/ha. Pasture regrowth, composition and structure, milk yield, liveweight and reproductive performance were measured. A simulation model UDDER was used to generalise from the specific experimental results. Pasture regrowth in July-August was greater on the wintering-off treatment than those grazed during winter, but treatment differences in late spring were inconsistent. Wintering-off decreased ryegrass tiller and white clover growing point densities in August but differences had disappeared by November. Winter grazing treatment had no effect on any component of milk production from calving to late October. From late October until m&December-milk-protein-and.milksolids y i e l d were less on the wintering-off treatment than the mean of the other three treatments (0.62 vs 0.68 kg/cow/day) and (1.49 vs 1.59 kg/cow/day), respectively. Grazing to different winter pasture residuals had no consistent effects on subsequent pasture productivity, composition or milk yield. Simulation showed that wintering-off can lead to increased milksolids production when average farm cover in September is predicted to fall below 1750 kg DM/ha. Timing and amount of conservation become c&i&i1 slfterwintering;off if pasture quality and hence milk production are to be maintained in late spring. Keywords: dairy cow, milksolids, milk yield, pasture regrowth, pasture residual, pasture structure


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1672
Author(s):  
Egon Andoni ◽  
Giulio Curone ◽  
Stella Agradi ◽  
Olimpia Barbato ◽  
Laura Menchetti ◽  
...  

Goji berry shows a wide range of beneficial properties in human health, but only a few studies evaluated its effects in livestock animals. The objective of this research was to assess the effects of goji berry supplementation on the hormonal profile, productive, and reproductive performance of does. Two months before artificial insemination, 105 nulliparous does were randomly divided into three groups (n = 35) based on the dietary treatment: commercial diet (C), or a diet supplemented with either 1% (G1), or 3% (G3) of goji berry, respectively. The results showed that receptivity was higher in G1 than in the C group (p < 0.05). Trends toward significance for differences between the G1 and G3 groups in marginal means of LH concentrations (p = 0.059), and between G1 and C in LH AUC values (p = 0.078), were evidenced. Estrogen concentrations showed a more fluctuating trend but a significant interaction effect (p < 0.001). The G1 group showed higher litter weight than C at birth (p = 0.008) and weaning (p < 0.001), as well as higher litter size at weaning (p = 0.020). The G1 group also exhibited the highest mean milk production (p < 0.01). In conclusion, goji berry influenced reproductive and productive performance, probably via modulating hormonal patterns and milk production in rabbits. However, further studies are needed to validate these preliminary results.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 513
Author(s):  
M. MELLADO ◽  
R. SOLANO ◽  
F. G. VELIZ ◽  
A. DE SANTIAGO ◽  
L. GAYTAN ◽  
...  

In a first study, 231 cows with retained placenta (RP) were assigned to four groups and their reproductive performance after treatment was studied. Group 1 received 2.0 mg/kg ceftiofur hydrochloride (CH), 10 mg estradiol cypionate (ECP) and 100 IU oxytocin for three consecutive days (CEO-3; n= 63). Group 2 received the same treatment for six consecutive days (CEO-6; n= 48). Group 3 was treated with CH and oxytocin for three consecutive days (CO-3; n= 68). Group 4 was subjected to the previous treatment for six consecutive days (CO-6; n=52). The control group (n= 62) did not present RP. Conception rates (CR) did not differ between treatments with values of 36.5, 25.0, 30.9, 30.8 and 33.9% for CEO-3, CEO-6, CO-3, CO-6 and control group, respectively. Services per pregnancy did not differ between groups (overall 3.6 ± 2.0; mean ± SD). In a second study, changes in milk production associated with RP were examined in cows receiving the CO-3 protocol. Data came from 360 cows with RP and 1623 served as controls. Mean 305-d milk yield was 283 ± 43 kg lower (P<0.05) in cows with RP compared to controls. It was concluded that either prolonged (6-d) or short (3-d) application of CH in combination with oxytocin and ECP were equally effective in preventing a reduction of the reproductive performance in cows suffering RP. Additionally, RP was associated with a 3% decrease in 305-d milk production.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Setyo Utomo

<p>This study was conducted to assess the reproductive performance and achievements of AI in goat reared in lowland and highland areas. The study used a survey method in two rural areas with the highest goat population. For lowland areas selected Karangwuni village while highland areas was Sidomulyo village. The results showed that for the lowland areas vs. the highland for reproductive performance were as follows: age of first estrus (10 vs 9.3 bl), age of first mating (13.2 vs 12.5 bl),<br />mating system 100% natural, post partum mating (4.2 vs 4.6 months), S / C (1.5 vs. 1.6). Understanding of farmers about the pregnant female: anestrus post-AI (85.7 vs. 22.2%), stomach down (14.3 vs. 0.00), the condition of the udder (0.00 vs 77.8%). Achievement results of AI (37.5 vs. 40%). Based on the results of the study concluded that the reproductive performance of goat in lowland areas was generally very similar to the highland areas, thus the development of large-scale goats in the lowland areas is recommended.<br />Key words: natural mating, artificial insemination, PE goats, lowland, highland</p>


Author(s):  
Jesús Mellado ◽  
Jessica Flores ◽  
Francisco G. Véliz ◽  
Ángeles de Santiago ◽  
José E. García ◽  
...  

The objective of this observational study was to determine the effect of two (2x) compared to three (3x) times a day milking in Holstein cows undergoing lactations ≥600 d on milk production and reproductive performance. Two large adjacent commercial dairy herds with similar size, facilities, and management in a hot area of northern Mexico (25° N) were used. Cows in one herd (n= 214) were milked two times a day (2x), the other herd was milked three times a day (3x; n=245) and both groups were milked for at least 600 days. For cows in first lactation, total milk yield did not differ between 3x and 2x cows (19796 ± 3354 vs. 19269 ± 3652 kg; p > 0.10) in lactations with an average of 696 and 650 days in milk (DIM), respectively. Multiparous 3x cows produced more total milk days than 2x cows (20942 ± 3920 vs. 18910 ± 2632 kg; p < 0.01) with greater (p < 0.01) DIM for 3x (685 ± 117 days) than 2x (631 ± 88 days) cows. Lactation persistence was greater (p < 0.05) in 2x (62 ± 9%) than 3x (60 ± 10%) cows. Overall conception rate (CR) did not differ between 2x and 3x cows (53.3% vs. 49.8%) but 3x cows required one more service (p < 0.01) to get pregnant than 2x animals.  Given that average milk yield throughout the complete lactation did not differ between 2x (29.8 ± 2.0 kg) and 3x (29.3 ± 2.9 kg) cows, it was concluded that two-times-a-day milking is equally effective as three-times-a-day milking to attain acceptable milk yield in lactations over 600 days. However, reproductive performance based on first-service CR and services per pregnancy was negatively affected by three-times-a-day milking.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1360-1368 ◽  
Author(s):  
István Fodor ◽  
Zsolt Lang ◽  
László Ózsvári

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine the associations of heifer reproductive performance with survival up to the first calving, first-lactation milk yield, and the probability of being culled within 50 days after first calving.Methods: Data from 33 large Holstein-Friesian commercial dairy herds were gathered from the official milk recording database in Hungary. The data of heifers first inseminated between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014 were analyzed retrospectively, using Cox proportional hazards models, competing risks models, multivariate linear and logistic mixed-effects models.Results: Heifers (n = 35,128) with younger age at conception were more likely to remain in the herd until calving, and each additional month in age at conception increased culling risk by 5.1%. Season of birth was related to first-lactation milk yield (MY1; n = 19,931), with cows born in autumn having the highest milk production (p<0.001). The highest MY1 was achieved by heifers that first calved between 22.00 and 25.99 months of age. Heifers that calved in autumn had the highest MY1, whereas calving in summer was related to the lowest milk production (p<0.001). The risk of culling within 50 days in milk in first lactation (n = 21,225) increased along with first calving age, e.g. heifers that first calved after 30 months of age were 5.52-times more likely to be culled compared to heifers that calved before 22 months of age (p<0.001). Calving difficulty was related to higher culling risk in early lactation (p<0.001). Heifers that required caesarean section were 24.01-times more likely to leave the herd within 50 days after first calving compared to heifers that needed no assistance (p<0.001).Conclusion: Reproductive performance of replacement heifers is closely linked to longevity and milk production in dairy herds.


2004 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-467 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Horan ◽  
J. F. Mee ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
P. O' Connor ◽  
P. Dillon

AbstractThree strains of Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows: high production North American (HP), high durability North American (HD) and New Zealand (NZ) were assigned, within strain, to one of three pasture-based feeding systems: Moorepark (MP), high concentrate (HC), and high stocking rate (HS). The effects of strain of HF, feeding system and parity on milk production, body condition score (BCS), live weight, energy balance and reproductive performance were studied using a repeated measures model with a factorial arrangement of strain ofHF and feeding systems. Associations between these variables and conception to first service (CONCEPT1), conception to first and second service (CONCEPTl_2), pregnancy rate at 6 weeks (PREG6) and overall pregnancy rate (PREG) were assessed using logistic regressions. When treatment means were compared, the NZ strain had a shorter gestation length and a higher CONCEPT1J2 than both the HP and HD strains. Similarly, the NZ strain had a higher PREG6 and PREG than the HP strain. Feeding system had no significant effect on reproductive performance. The HP strain had the highest milk yield at first AI and peak milk yield, the NZ strain had the lowest milk yield while the HD strain was intermediate. The energy balance of the NZ strain was higher than that of the HP and HD strains. The NZ strain had the lowest live weight and highest BCS; the HD strain had the highest live weight and the HP strain had the lowest BCS. The results show that dairy cows with superior genetic merit for fertility traits have better reproductive performance.


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