Comparison of the pregnancy rates and costs per calf born after fixed-time artificial insemination or artificial insemination after estrus detection in Bos indicus heifers

Maternal periconceptional and first trimester protein restriction in beef heifers: effects on maternal performance and early fetal growth

This study evaluated the effect of protein restriction during the periconception (PERI) and first trimester (POST) periods on maternal performance, physiology and early fetal growth. Yearling nulliparous heifers (n=360) were individually fed a diet high or low in protein (HPeri and LPeri respectively) beginning 60 days before conception. From 24 to 98 days post-conception (dpc), half of each treatment group changed to the alternative post-conception high- or low-protein diet (HPost and LPost respectively), yielding four groups in a 2×2 factorial design with a common diet until parturition. Protein restriction was associated with lower bodyweight subsequent to reduced (but positive) average daily weight gain (ADG) during the PERI and POST periods. During the POST period, ADG was greater in LPeri than HPeri heifers and tended to be greater in LPost than HPost heifers during the second and third trimester. Bodyweight was similar at term. The pregnancy rate did not differ, but embryo loss between 23 and 36 dpc tended to be greater in LPeri than HPeri heifers. Overall, a greater proportion of male fetuses was detected (at 60 dpc 63.3% male vs 36.7% female). Protein restriction altered maternal plasma urea, non-esterified fatty acids, progesterone, leptin and insulin-like growth factor 1 at critical stages of fetal development. However, profiles varied depending on the sex of the conceptus.

Efficiency of mating, artificial insemination or resynchronisation at different times after first timed artificial insemination in postpartum Nellore cows to produce crossbred calves

The objective of this trial was to evaluate different post-timed artificial insemination (TAI) reproductive managements in postpartum beef cows to produce crossbred calves from artificial insemination (AI). Nellore cows (n = 607), with 45 days postpartum, were inseminated at a fixed time, using a protocol that included an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device along with oestradiol benzoate, prostaglandin, equine chorionic gonadotropin, and oestradiol cypionate, followed TAI 48 h post-device removal. Four post-TAI treatments were evaluated: in CONTROL (T1, n = 161), cows were exposed to Nellore clean-up bulls until the end of the breeding season (75 days). In OBSERVATION (T2, n = 132), heat detection was performed for 15–25 days post-TAI, followed by AI. In RESYNC22 (T3, n = 157) and RESYNC30 (T4, n = 157), resynchronisation started after 22 or 30 days, following second TAI at Day 32 or 40 days after first TAI. In T2, T3 and T4, after the second AI, cows were exposed to Nellore clean-up bulls until the end of the breeding season (75 days). The pregnancy rate (PR) for the first TAI did not differ (54.6%, 53.0%, 59.2%, and 51.6% for CONTROL, OBSERVATION, RESYNC 22, and RESYNC 30, respectively; P = 0.66), and no difference was observed for the second TAI (RESYNC 22 = 45.31% and RESYNC30 = 46.05%; P = 0.137), in the PR at the end of the breeding season (86.33%, 86.36%, 78.98%, and 81.52%, P = 0.43), or embryonic losses (4.54%, 2.85%, 6.45% and 7.40%, respectively; P = 0.61), but the percentage of crossbred pregnancy was higher in groups with resynchronisation (RESYNC22 and RESYNC30) than CONTROL and OBSERVATION (98.38%, 90.62%, 63.30%, 78.95%, P < 0.001). In conclusion, resynchronisation programs of 22 or 30 days are more efficient to produce AI products, and the final pregnancy rate is similar among the treatments, differing only in the amount of calves produced by AI.

Investigation of in vitro measurable sperm attributes and their influence on electroejaculated bull semen with a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol in Australian Bos indicus cattle

Increasing use of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in beef cattle production has presented an opportunity for the use of fresh or chilled semen as an alternative to standard cryopreserved semen. The objective of this study was to examine in vitro sperm function and pregnancy rate of electroejaculated semen, chilled and stored for 48 hr, compared to conventionally cryopreserved semen with an optimized FTAI protocol in Brahman cattle. Semen from three Brahman bulls was collected, and aliquots were extended in either chilled (at 5°C) or frozen (LN₂ ) in a Tris-egg yolk extender base with 2.4% or 7.0% glycerol, respectively. Semen samples were assessed 48 hr after collection or post-thaw and warming, for sperm motility, in vitro sperm function and fertilizing ability, and used in a FTAI programme. The overall pregnancy rates was significantly different (p < .01) after FTAI with frozen (n = 173; 53.2%) and chilled semen (n = 174; 31.6%). In contrast, the in vitro sperm assessment showed that the chilled semen had significantly faster motility (p < .05), a higher proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa (p < .05), with significantly higher proportions of acrosome intact, viable spermatozoa (p < .01). This study showed that reasonable pregnancy rates in Brahman cattle can be achieved using FTAI with chilled semen collected using electroejaculation and stored for up to 48 hr. However, improvements in semen extenders are required in consideration of semen collection method to improve the longevity of sperm fertilizing ability to significantly increase FTAI output using chilled storage of bull semen.

Genome-wide association for the outcome of fixed-time artificial insemination of Brahman heifers in northern Australia

Fixed-time AI (FTAI) is a powerful tool for genetic improvement of extensively managed beef cattle. A genomewide association study (GWAS) was conducted to investigate genes and genetic markers associated with the outcome (pregnant or not pregnant) of FTAI in 614 commercial Brahman heifers genotyped for 18,895 SNP and imputed to 51,588 SNP. The likelihood of Brahman heifers becoming pregnant after hormonal treatment to synchronize ovulation followed by FTAI was influenced by the content of their genomes, as determined by a principal component analysis. The principal component analysis involved comparisons between the studied heifers and populations of known and ancestry. The heritability of FTAI outcome was = 0.18, which is higher than for most other reproductive outcome traits. The number of SNP associated with FTAI outcome was 101 ( < 0.001, false discovery rate = 0.53). Compared with all SNP tested, associated SNP had a tendency for highly divergent allelic frequencies between and . Associated SNP were located in nearly all chromosomes, a result that shows a complex genetic architecture that is typical of highly complex traits with low heritability. Considering this and previous GWAS that examined Brahman heifer puberty and postpartum anestrus interval, 3 genomic regions emerge as important for overall Brahman heifer fertility, which mapped to chromosomes 1, 7, and 9. Further analyses, including improved genome annotation, are required to elucidate the link between these regions and heifer fertility. Additional studies are needed to confirm SNP and gene associations reported herein and further elucidate the genetics of FTAI outcome. Future GWAS should target other Braham populations and additional cattle breeds with FTAI records, including breeds with higher ancestry.