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Sartori R, Alves RLOR, Lopes ALM. Induction of puberty vs. induction of ovulation using steroid hormones in beef heifers: a comprehensive review. Anim Reprod 2024; 21:e20240072. [PMID: 39286363 PMCID: PMC11404867 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2024-0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This review elucidates the physiological and endocrinological processes intrinsic to puberty and ovulation induction protocols in Bos indicus and Bos taurus beef heifers. Puberty is a complex physiological event involving gonadotropic and metabolic changes that lead to sexual maturity, first ovulation, and regular reproductive cycles, enabling females to reproduce. Exposure to progesterone-based hormonal protocols, with or without additional hormones, can reduce the age at first ovulation and improve sexual maturity through stimuli in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and uterine development. However, inducing puberty differs from inducing ovulation, as it does not ensure the heifer will continue cycling or be ready to establish and maintain pregnancy after hormonal exposure. Regardless of the pharmacological basis, studies consistently report that beef heifers that had a corpus luteum (CL) prior to the timed-artificial insemination (TAI) protocol, have greater expression of estrus in response to synchronization and greater pregnancy per AI compared to heifers without a CL. The combination of P4 and E2 significantly impacts uterine development, increasing reproductive efficiency. Exposure to P4 causes a positive effect on inducing ovulation. However, studies indicate that the addition of E2 esters at the time of P4 device removal increases the ovulation rate. In general, the studies showed that fertility varied according to the type of the ovulation induction protocol used, but with inconsistent results. Although ovulation induction protocols are strategic tools to accelerate sexual maturity, a holistic view of the entire system is extremely important, combining integration with genetics and nutrition to enhance the reproductive outcomes of beef heifers. Future research is needed to understand and refine these protocols, driving the efficiency of beef cattle production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Sartori
- Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Ana Luíza Müller Lopes
- Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Piracicaba, SP, Brasil
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Benfica LF, Brito LF, do Bem RD, de Oliveira LF, Mulim HA, Braga LG, Cyrillo JNSG, Bonilha SFM, Mercadante MEZ. Detection and characterization of copy number variation in three differentially-selected Nellore cattle populations. Front Genet 2024; 15:1377130. [PMID: 38694873 PMCID: PMC11061390 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1377130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Nellore cattle (Bos taurus indicus) is the main beef cattle breed raised in Brazil. This breed is well adapted to tropical conditions and, more recently, has experienced intensive genetic selection for multiple performance traits. Over the past 43 years, an experimental breeding program has been developed in the Institute of Animal Science (IZ, Sertaozinho, SP, Brazil), which resulted in three differentially-selected lines known as Nellore Control (NeC), Nellore Selection (NeS), and Nellore Traditional (NeT). The primary goal of this selection experiment was to determine the response to selection for yearling weight (YW) and residual feed intake (RFI) on Nellore cattle. The main objectives of this study were to: 1) identify copy number variation (CNVs) in Nellore cattle from three selection lines; 2) identify and characterize CNV regions (CNVR) on these three lines; and 3) perform functional enrichment analyses of the CNVR identified. Results: A total of 14,914 unique CNVs and 1,884 CNVRs were identified when considering all lines as a single population. The CNVRs were non-uniformly distributed across the chromosomes of the three selection lines included in the study. The NeT line had the highest number of CNVRs (n = 1,493), followed by the NeS (n = 823) and NeC (n = 482) lines. The CNVRs covered 23,449,890 bp (0.94%), 40,175,556 bp (1.61%), and 63,212,273 bp (2.54%) of the genome of the NeC, NeS, and NeT lines, respectively. Two CNVRs were commonly identified between the three lines, and six, two, and four exclusive regions were identified for NeC, NeS, and NeT, respectively. All the exclusive regions overlap with important genes, such as SMARCD3, SLC15A1, and MAPK1. Key biological processes associated with the candidate genes were identified, including pathways related to growth and metabolism. Conclusion: This study revealed large variability in CNVs and CNVRs across three Nellore lines differentially selected for YW and RFI. Gene annotation and gene ontology analyses of the exclusive CNVRs to each line revealed specific genes and biological processes involved in the expression of growth and feed efficiency traits. These findings contribute to the understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying the phenotypic differences among the three Nellore selection lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena F. Benfica
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luiz F. Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Ricardo D. do Bem
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Henrique A. Mulim
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Larissa G. Braga
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Sarah F. M. Bonilha
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science, Sertaozinho, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Eugenia Z. Mercadante
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Sao Paulo State University, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science, Sertaozinho, São Paulo, Brazil
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Tinning H, Edge JC, DeBem THC, Deligianni F, Giovanardi G, Pensabene V, Meirelles FV, Forde N. Review: Endometrial function in pregnancy establishment in cattle. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100751. [PMID: 37567655 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is fundamentally required for successful pregnancy in ruminants and species where the posthatching conceptus undergoes a protracted elongation and peri-implantation phase of pregnancy. Moreover, there are substantial waves of pregnancy loss during this pre- and peri-implantation period of pregnancy the precise source of which has not been clearly defined i.e., the maternal uterine contribution to this loss. Understanding the molecular interactions required for successful pregnancy in cattle will allow us to intervene to support pregnancy success during this vulnerable window. The endometrium contributes to most key developmental milestones of pregnancy establishment, including (1) contributing to the regulation of the oestrus cycle, (2) nourishing the preimplantation conceptus, (3) responding to the conceptus to create a more receptive microenvironment, (4) providing essential biophysical support, and (5) signalling and producing factors which affect the mother systemically. This review will summarise what we currently know about conceptus-maternal interactions as well as identify the gaps in our knowledge that could be filled with newer in vitro model approaches. These include the use of microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip devices, and bioinformatic approaches. This will help maximise food production efficiency (both meat and dairy) and decrease the environmental burden, while enhancing our understanding of the fundamental processes required for successful implantation in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Tinning
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - J C Edge
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - T H C DeBem
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of Sao Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - F Deligianni
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - G Giovanardi
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom; School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - V Pensabene
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - F V Meirelles
- School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, United Kingdom
| | - N Forde
- Discovery and Translational Sciences Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom.
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Bevilaqua JR, Rodrigues NN, Rossi GF, Pupin MAF, Silva MO, Borges MS, Fernandes LG, Mercadante MEZ, Monteiro FM, Oliveira MEF. Effect of follicular wave stage on potential fertility predictors and their repeatability coefficient in prepubertal Bos indicus (Nellore) and Bos taurus (Caracu) heifers. Animal 2022; 16:100678. [PMID: 36493570 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In an attempt to develop accessible methods for the precocious individual selection based on phenotypic attributes related to reproductive superiority, this study evaluated the effects of follicular wave stages (emergence and dominance) and the repeatability coefficients of potential fertility predictors (vulvar morphometry, uterine biometry, echogenicity and echotexture, ovarian biometry, and antral follicle count - AFC) in two breeds of purebred prepubertal heifers. Nellore (n = 30) and Caracu (n = 28) heifers were submitted to a sequence of 11 evaluations conducted every 48 h (D0 - random day of the antral follicular wave until D20) to study potential fertility indicators under natural conditions. The data obtained were compared according to breed and follicular wave stage. Statistical analysis included the fixed effects of breed, evaluation day, and their statistical interaction and was performed using MIXED, GENMOD, GLM, and CORR procedures of the SAS program. Breed was found to influence rima height, ovarian area, and AFC, which were greater in Nellore heifers (P < 0.02). The follicular wave stage also influenced most of the potential predictors, highlighting AFC which was higher in the presence of a dominant follicle in both breeds (P < 0.0001). The repeatability coefficients for vulvar width (0.76 and 0.66), ovarian area (0.70 and 0.62), and AFC (0.76 and 0.74) were considered to be high in Nellore and Caracu heifers, respectively. Only ovarian biometry was able to predict AFC (Pearson correlation coefficient ≥ 0.66; P < 0.0001) in prepubertal heifers. The results indicate that most of the phenotypic reproductive parameters analyzed can be characterized throughout prepuberty using a single measure since they are intrinsic attributes of the individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Bevilaqua
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - N N Rodrigues
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - G F Rossi
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - M A F Pupin
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - M O Silva
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil
| | - M S Borges
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil
| | - L G Fernandes
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil
| | - M E Z Mercadante
- Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil
| | - F M Monteiro
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil; Beef Cattle Research Center, Institute of Animal Science (IZ), Road Carlos Tonani, 94 - Zona Industrial, Sertãozinho, SP, Brazil
| | - M E F Oliveira
- Department of Pathology, Reproduction and One Health, School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University, Via de Acesso Professor Paulo Donato Castelane - Vila Industrial, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
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Kawamoto TS, Viana JHM, Pontelo TP, Franco MM, de Faria OAC, Fidelis AAG, Vargas LN, Figueiredo RA. Dynamics of the Reproductive Changes and Acquisition of Oocyte Competence in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) Calves during the Early and Intermediate Prepubertal Periods. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162137. [PMID: 36009727 PMCID: PMC9405107 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to characterize the reproductive physiology, oocyte competence, and chromatin compaction in Nelore calves in the early-prepubertal period (EPP) and the intermediate-prepubertal period (IPP). Calves aged 2-5 (EPP) and 8-11 months old (IPP) were assigned to Trial 1 (morpho-physiological-endocrine evaluations, n = 8) or Trial 2 (oocyte donors, n = 8) vs. the respective control groups of cows (n = 8, each). All morphological endpoints, except the antral follicle count, increased from the EPP to the IPP. The EPP LH-FSH plasma concentrations were similar to cows, whereas LH was lower and FSH was higher in the IPP than in cows. . Cows produced more Grade I (12.9% vs. 4.1% and 1.7%) and fewer Grade III COC (30.1% vs. 44.5% and 49.0%) than the EPP and IPP calves, respectively. The IPP calves' oocyte diameter was similar to those from cows but greater than those from EPP females (124.8 ± 8.5 and 126.0 ± 7.5 μm vs. 121.3 ± 7.5 μm, respectively). The expression of the chromatin compaction-related gene HDAC3 was downregulated in calves. The proportion of the blastocyst rate to the controls was lower in EPP than in IPP calves (43.7% vs. 78.7%, respectively). Progressive oocyte competence was found during the prepubertal period, which can help to decide whether to recover oocytes from calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taynan Stonoga Kawamoto
- Department of Veterinary, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maurício Machaim Franco
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luna Nascimento Vargas
- Department of Biology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Alamino Figueiredo
- Animal Reproduction Laboratory, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasília 70770-917, DF, Brazil
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-61-3448-4961
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de Lima V, Pereira GR, da Rocha MK, de Oliveira TE, Fagundes HX, Lima JA, Barcellos JOJ. The influence of weaning age and biocholine supplementation to post-weaning growth and puberty in Brangus heifers. Res Vet Sci 2022; 152:107-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Sustainable Intensification of Beef Production in the Tropics: The Role of Genetically Improving Sexual Precocity of Heifers. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020174. [PMID: 35049797 PMCID: PMC8772995 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tropical pasture-based beef production systems play a vital role in global food security. The importance of promoting sustainable intensification of such systems has been debated worldwide. Demand for beef is growing together with concerns over the impact of its production on the environment. Implementing sustainable livestock intensification programs relies on animal genetic improvement. In tropical areas, the lack of sexual precocity is a bottleneck for cattle efficiency, directly impacting the sustainability of production systems. In the present review we present and discuss the state of the art of genetic evaluation for sexual precocity in Bos indicus beef cattle, covering the definition of measurable traits, genetic parameter estimates, genomic analyses, and a case study of selection for sexual precocity in Nellore breeding programs. Abstract Increasing productivity through continued animal genetic improvement is a crucial part of implementing sustainable livestock intensification programs. In Zebu cattle, the lack of sexual precocity is one of the main obstacles to improving beef production efficiency. Puberty-related traits are complex, but large-scale data sets from different “omics” have provided information on specific genes and biological processes with major effects on the expression of such traits, which can greatly increase animal genetic evaluation. In addition, genetic parameter estimates and genomic predictions involving sexual precocity indicator traits and productive, reproductive, and feed-efficiency related traits highlighted the feasibility and importance of direct selection for anticipating heifer reproductive life. Indeed, the case study of selection for sexual precocity in Nellore breeding programs presented here show that, in 12 years of selection for female early precocity and improved management practices, the phenotypic means of age at first calving showed a strong decreasing trend, changing from nearly 34 to less than 28 months, with a genetic trend of almost −2 days/year. In this period, the percentage of early pregnancy in the herds changed from around 10% to more than 60%, showing that the genetic improvement of heifer’s sexual precocity allows optimizing the productive cycle by reducing the number of unproductive animals in the herd. It has a direct impact on sustainability by better use of resources. Genomic selection breeding programs accounting for genotype by environment interaction represent promising tools for accelerating genetic progress for sexual precocity in tropical beef cattle.
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Cracco RC, Bussiman FDO, Polizel GHG, Furlan É, Garcia NP, Poit DAS, Pugliesi G, Santana MHDA. Effects of Maternal Nutrition on Female Offspring Weight Gain and Sexual Development. Front Genet 2021; 12:737382. [PMID: 34887899 PMCID: PMC8650139 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.737382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy influences postnatal life of animals; nevertheless, few studies have investigated its effects on the productive performance and reproductive development of heifers. This study evaluated the performance, reproductive development, and correlation between reproduction × fat thickness and performance × ribeye area (REA) traits of heifers. We also performed an exploratory genomic association during the rearing period in heifers submitted to fetal programming. The study comprised 55 Nellore heifers born to dams exposed to one of the following nutritional planes: control, without protein-energy supplementation; PELT, protein-energy last trimester, protein-energy supplementation offered in the final third of pregnancy; and PEWG, protein-energy whole gestation, protein-energy supplementation upon pregnancy confirmation. Protein-energy supplementation occurred at the level of 0.3% live weight. After weaning, heifers were submitted to periodic evaluations of weight and body composition by ultrasonography. From 12 to 18 months, we evaluated the reproductive tract of heifers to monitor its development for sexual precocity and ovarian follicle population. The treatments had no effect (p > 0.05) on average daily gain; however, the weight of the animals showed a significant difference over time (p = 0.017). No differences were found between treatments for REA, backfat, and rump fat thickness, nor for puberty age, antral follicular count, and other traits related to reproductive tract development (p > 0.05). The correlation analysis between performance traits and REA showed high correlations (r > 0.37) between REA at weaning and year versus weight from weaning until yearling; however, no correlation was found for reproductive development traits versus fat thickness (p > 0.05). The exploratory genomic association study showed one single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) for each treatment on an intergenic region for control and PEWG, and the one for PELT on an intronic region of RAPGEF1 gene. Maternal nutrition affected only the weight of the animals throughout the rearing period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Cavalcante Cracco
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | | | | | - Édison Furlan
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Nara Pontes Garcia
- Departament of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Food Engineering - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Diego Angelo Schmidt Poit
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Pugliesi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science - USP, Pirassununga, Brazil
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Freitas B, Mingoti R, Monteiro B, Guerreiro B, Crepaldi G, Ramos L, Vasconcellos G, Sá-Filho M, D'Occhio M, Baruselli P. Relationship of body maturation with response to estrus synchronization and fixed-time AI in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers. Livest Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Locke JWC, Thomas JM, Knickmeyer ER, Ellersieck MR, Yelich JV, Poock SE, Smith MF, Patterson DJ. Comparison of long-term progestin-based protocols to synchronize estrus prior to natural service or fixed-time artificial insemination in Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 218:106475. [PMID: 32507258 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
This experiment was designed to evaluate breeding strategies involving natural service or fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in Bos indicus-influenced beef heifers (n = 1456) when there were field-type management conditions. Body weights and reproductive tract scores (RTS; Scale 1-5) were obtained for heifers before assignment to one of five treatments: 1) Non-synchronized control exposed for natural service (NS), n = 299; 2) melengestrol acetate + natural service (MGA + NS; 0.5 mg/heifer/d), n = 295; 3) 14-d controlled internal drug release insert + natural service (CIDR + NS), n = 289; 4) 14-d MGA-prostaglandin F2α (PG) + FTAI, n = 295; or 5) 14-d CIDR-PG + FTAI, n = 278. Fertile bulls were placed in pastures with heifers of the three NS treatment groups for a 65-day period which began 10 days after progestin treatments (MGA or CIDR) ended. Heifers in FTAI treatment groups were administered PG (25 mg, IM) 16 days after CIDR removal or 19 days following MGA withdrawal, respectively, and FTAI was performed at 66 (CIDR-PG) or 72 h (MGA-PG) after PG. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; 100 μg, i.m.) was administered at FTAI. Pregnancy status was determined at the end of a 65-day breeding period. Pregnancy rates on Days 21 and 65 of the breeding period differed among treatment groups based on pre-treatment pubertal status (P ≤ 0.02) and body weight (P ≤ 0.05) but did not differ by group. These data highlight the need for continued research efforts to improve reproductive management of Bos indicus-influenced females.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W C Locke
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - J M Thomas
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - E R Knickmeyer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - M R Ellersieck
- Agriculture Experiment Station Statistician, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - J V Yelich
- Department of Animal Sciences, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
| | - S E Poock
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - M F Smith
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
| | - D J Patterson
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
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Bruinjé TC, Rosadiuk JP, Moslemipur F, Carrelli JE, Steele MA, Ambrose DJ. Carryover effects of pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on reproductive tract development and estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:10514-10529. [PMID: 31521363 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the carryover effects of differing pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on prepubertal reproductive tract development and postpubertal estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers. Heifer calves (n = 36) were randomly assigned to receive either a low or a high (5 or 10 L of whole milk/d, respectively) preweaning diet from 1 to 7 wk of age and either a low or a high (70 or 85% of concentrate dry total mixed ration, respectively) postweaning diet from 11 to 25 wk of age. Starting at wk 26 of age, heifers were subjected to weekly transrectal ultrasonography until wk 33 or until first ovulation to assess endometrial thickness and ovarian follicular count and size in the prepubertal phase. In a subset of heifers (n = 28), ovarian ultrasonography continued weekly until at least the second ovulation was confirmed; thereafter, ovarian dynamics (through ultrasonography) and blood progesterone (P4) were assessed every 2 d throughout 1 complete estrous cycle in the postpubertal phase. In the prepubertal phase, endometrial thickness (12.0 ± 0.4 vs. 10.8 ± 0.3 mm) and largest follicle size (11.8 ± 0.3 vs. 10.9 ± 0.2 mm) were greater in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet. Furthermore, the number of class 2 (6-9 mm) follicles was greater in heifers fed the high preweaning diet than in those fed the low preweaning diet (1.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1), whereas the number of class 3 (>9 mm) follicles was greater in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet (1.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1). In the postpubertal phase, overall corpus luteum and P4 dynamics did not differ among pre- or postweaning treatments; however, P4 at 4 d preceding luteolysis was lesser in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet (6.1 ± 0.4 vs. 7.7 ± 0.4 ng/mL). In addition, compared with heifers fed the low postweaning diet, those fed the high postweaning diet had a greater number of antral follicles (31.4 ± 2.2 vs. 21.4 ± 2.3) and tended to have more class 3 follicles (3.6 ± 0.3 vs. 2.7 ± 0.3). Results indicate positive carryover effects of increasing the preweaning plane of nutrition from 5 to 10 L of whole milk/d on prepubertal follicular growth in Holstein heifers. Furthermore, an increased postweaning plane of nutrition (85 vs. 70% of concentrate dry total mixed ration) advanced reproductive development through greater endometrial thickness and follicular growth in the prepubertal phase and increased the population of antral follicles in the postpubertal estrous cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- T C Bruinjé
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5
| | - J P Rosadiuk
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5
| | - F Moslemipur
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5; Department of Animal Science, Gonbad Kavoos University, PO Box 163, Golestan, Iran, 49717-99151
| | - J E Carrelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5
| | - M A Steele
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5; Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
| | - D J Ambrose
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2P5; Livestock Research Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6H 5T6.
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12
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Across-sex genomic-assisted genetic correlations for sex-influenced traits in Brahman cattle. Genet Sel Evol 2019; 51:41. [PMID: 31337334 PMCID: PMC6651968 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-019-0482-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aimed at estimating genetic parameters of sex-influenced production traits, evaluating the impact of genotype-by-sex interaction, and identifying the selection criteria that could be included in multiple-trait genetic evaluation to increase the rate of genetic improvement in both sexes. To achieve this goal, we used 10 male and 10 female phenotypes, which were measured in a population of 2111 Australian Brahman cattle genotyped at high-density. Results Heritability estimates ranged from very low (0.03 ± 0.03 for cows’ days to calving at first calving opportunity, DC1), to moderate (0.33 ± 0.08 for cows’ adult body weight, AWTc), and to high (0.95 ± 0.07 for cows’ hip height, HHc). Genetic correlation (rg) estimates between male and female homologous traits were favorable and ranged from moderate to high values, which indicate that selection for any of the traits in one sex would lead to a correlated response with the equivalent phenotype in the other sex. However, the estimated direct response was greater than the indirect response. Moreover, Pearson correlations between estimated breeding values obtained from each sex separately and from female and male homologous traits combined into a single trait in univariate analysis ranged from 0.74 to 0.99, which indicate that small ranking variation might appear if male and female traits are included as single or separate phenotypes. Genetic correlations between male growth and female reproductive traits were not significant, ranging from − 0.07 ± 0.13 to 0.45 ± 0.65. However, selection to improve HHc and AWTc in cows may reduce the percentage of normal sperm at 24 months of age (PNS24), possibly due to correlated effects in the same traits in males, which are related to late maturing animals. Conclusions Hip height in cows and PNS24, as well as blood insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) concentration in bulls at 6 months of age are efficient selection criteria to improve male growth and female reproductive traits, simultaneously. In the presence of genotype-by-sex interactions, selection for traits in each sex results in high rates of genetic improvement, however, for the identification of animals with the highest breeding value, data for males and females may be considered a single trait. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12711-019-0482-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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13
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D'Occhio MJ, Baruselli PS, Campanile G. Influence of nutrition, body condition, and metabolic status on reproduction in female beef cattle: A review. Theriogenology 2019; 125:277-284. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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14
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do Nascimento AV, Romero ÂRDS, Utsunomiya YT, Utsunomiya ATH, Cardoso DF, Neves HHR, Carvalheiro R, Garcia JF, Grisolia AB. Genome-wide association study using haplotype alleles for the evaluation of reproductive traits in Nelore cattle. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201876. [PMID: 30089161 PMCID: PMC6082543 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebu cattle (Bos taurus indicus) are highly adapted to tropical regions. However, females reach puberty after taurine heifers, which affects the economic efficiency of beef cattle breeding in the tropical regions. The aims of this study were to establish associations between the haplotype alleles of the bovine genome and age at first calving (AFC) in the Nelore cattle, and to identify the genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) related to this phenotype. A total of 2,273 Nelore cattle (995 males and 1,278 females) genotyped using the Illumina BovineHD BeadChip were used in the current study. The association analysis included females with valid first calving records as well as open heifers. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis among the markers was performed using blocks of 5, 10, and 15 markers, which were determined by sliding windows shifting one marker at a time. Then, the haplotype block size to be used in the association study was chosen based on the highest r2 average among the SNPs in the block. The five HapAlleles most strongly associated with the trait (top five) were considered as significant associations. The results of the analysis revealed four genomic regions related to AFC, which overlapped with 20 QTL of the reproductive traits reported previously. Furthermore, there were 19 genes related to reproduction in those regions. In conclusion, the use of haplotypes allowed the detection of chromosomal regions associated with AFC in Nelore cattle, and provided the basis for elucidating the mechanisms underlying this trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Vieira do Nascimento
- Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, UFGD, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Yuri Tani Utsunomiya
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Adam Taiti Harth Utsunomiya
- Departamento de Apoio, Produção e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária de Araçatuba, UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diercles Francisco Cardoso
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Roberto Carvalheiro
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Fernando Garcia
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Reprodução Animal, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Apoio, Produção e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária de Araçatuba, UNESP, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Collaborating Centre on Animal Genomics and Bioinformatics, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexeia Barufatti Grisolia
- Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, UFGD, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Takada L, Barbero MMD, Oliveira HN, de Camargo GMF, Fernandes Júnior GA, Aspilcueta-Borquis RR, Souza FRP, Boligon AA, Melo TP, Regatieri IC, Feitosa FLB, Fonseca LFS, Magalhães AFB, Costa RB, Albuquerque LG. Genomic association for sexual precocity in beef heifers using pre-selection of genes and haplotype reconstruction. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190197. [PMID: 29293544 PMCID: PMC5749767 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive traits are of the utmost importance for any livestock farming, but are difficult to measure and to interpret since they are influenced by various factors. The objective of this study was to detect associations between known polymorphisms in candidate genes related to sexual precocity in Nellore heifers, which could be used in breeding programs. Records of 1,689 precocious and non-precocious heifers from farms participating in the Conexão Delta G breeding program were analyzed. A subset of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located in the region of the candidate genes at a distance of up to 5 kb from the boundaries of each gene, were selected from the panel of 777,000 SNPs of the High-Density Bovine SNP BeadChip. Linear mixed models were used for statistical analysis of early heifer pregnancy, relating the trait with isolated SNPs or with haplotype groups. The model included the contemporary group (year and month of birth) as fixed effect and parent of the animal (sire effect) as random effect. The fastPHASE® and GenomeStudio® were used for reconstruction of the haplotypes and for analysis of linkage disequilibrium based on r2 statistics. A total of 125 candidate genes and 2,024 SNPs forming haplotypes were analyzed. Statistical analysis after Bonferroni correction showed that nine haplotypes exerted a significant effect (p<0.05) on sexual precocity. Four of these haplotypes were located in the Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A2 gene (PAPP-A2), two in the Estrogen-related receptor gamma gene (ESRRG), and one each in the Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A gene (PAPP-A), Kell blood group complex subunit-related family (XKR4) and mannose-binding lectin genes (MBL-1) genes. Although the present results indicate that the PAPP-A2, PAPP-A, XKR4, MBL-1 and ESRRG genes influence sexual precocity in Nellore heifers, further studies are needed to evaluate their possible use in breeding programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Takada
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina M D Barbero
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henrique N Oliveira
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Fabio R P Souza
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arione A Boligon
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thaise P Melo
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Inaê C Regatieri
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabieli L B Feitosa
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa F S Fonseca
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana F B Magalhães
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raphael B Costa
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucia G Albuquerque
- Departamento de Zootecnia-São Paulo State University-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
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Raidan FSS, Santos DCC, Moraes MM, Araújo AEM, Ventura HT, Bergmann JAG, Turra EM, Toral FLB. Selection of performance-tested young bulls and indirect responses in commercial beef cattle herds on pasture and in feedlots. Genet Sel Evol 2016; 48:85. [PMID: 27829375 PMCID: PMC5103466 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-016-0265-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central testing is used to select young bulls which are likely to contribute to increased net income of the commercial beef cattle herd. We present genetic parameters for growth and reproductive traits on performance-tested young bulls and commercial animals that are raised on pasture and in feedlots. METHODS Records on young bulls and heifers in performance tests or commercial herds were used. Genetic parameters for growth and reproductive traits were estimated. Correlated responses for commercial animals when selection was applied on performance-tested young bulls were computed. RESULTS The 90% highest posterior density (HPD90) intervals for heritabilities of final weight (FW), average daily gain (ADG) and scrotal circumference (SC) ranged from 0.41 to 0.49, 0.23 to 0.30 and 0.47 to 0.57, respectively, for performance-tested young bulls on pasture, from 0.45 to 0.60, 0.20 to 0.32 and 0.56 to 0.70, respectively, for performance-tested young bulls in feedlots, from 0.29 to 0.33, 0.14 to 0.18 and 0.35 to 0.45, respectively, for commercial animals on pasture, and from 0.24 to 0.44, 0.13 to 0.24 and 0.35 to 0.57 respectively, for commercial animals in feedlots. The HPD90 intervals for genetic correlations of FW, ADG and SC in performance-tested young bulls on pasture (feedlots) with FW, ADG and SC in commercial animals on pasture (feedlots) ranged from 0.86 to 0.96 (0.83 to 0.94), 0.78 to 0.90 (0.40 to 0.79) and from 0.92 to 0.97 (0.50 to 0.83), respectively. Age at first calving was genetically related to ADG (HPD90 interval = -0.48 to -0.06) and SC (HPD90 interval = -0.41 to -0.05) for performance-tested young bulls on pasture, however it was not related to ADG (HPD90 interval = -0.29 to 0.10) and SC (HPD90 interval = -0.35 to 0.13) for performance-tested young bulls in feedlots. CONCLUSIONS Heritabilities for growth and SC are higher for performance-tested young bulls than for commercial animals. Evaluating and selecting for increased growth and SC on performance-tested young bulls is efficient to improve growth, SC and age at first calving in commercial animals. Evaluating and selecting performance-tested young bulls is more efficient for young bulls on pasture than in feedlots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda S S Raidan
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.,School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dalinne C C Santos
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Mariana M Moraes
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Andresa E M Araújo
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Henrique T Ventura
- Associação Brasileira dos Criadores de Zebu, Uberaba, MG, 38022-330, Brazil
| | - José A G Bergmann
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M Turra
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fabio L B Toral
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, 31270-901, Brazil.
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Higher feeding diets effects on age and liveweight gain at puberty in crossbred Nelore × Hereford heifers. Trop Anim Health Prod 2014; 46:953-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s11250-014-0593-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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18
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Day ML, Nogueira GP. Management of age at puberty in beef heifers to optimize efficiency of beef production. Anim Front 2013. [DOI: 10.2527/af.2013-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Day
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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