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Gui LS, Dai TS, Guo XR, Wei SH, Ma ZM, Yang D, Ding BL, Xiang H, Yu YT, Dan XG. Recent advances in early pregnancy loss diagnosis in dairy cows: New approaches. Reprod Domest Anim 2024; 59:e14566. [PMID: 38627959 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Early pregnancy loss is a primary cause of low reproductive rates in dairy cows, posing severe economic losses to dairy farming. The accurate diagnosis of dairy cows with early pregnancy loss allows for oestrus synchronization, shortening day open, and increasing the overall conception rate of the herd. Several techniques are available for detecting early pregnancy loss in dairy cows, including rectal ultrasound, circulating blood progesterone, and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs). Yet, there is a need to improve on existing techniques and develop novel strategies to identify cows with early pregnancy loss accurately. This manuscript reviews the applications of rectal ultrasound, circulating blood progesterone concentration, and PAGs in the diagnosis of pregnancy loss in dairy cows. The manuscript also discusses the recent progress of new technologies, including colour Doppler ultrasound (CDUS), interferon tau-induced genes (ISGs), and exosomal miRNA in diagnosing pregnancy loss in dairy cows. This study will provide an option for producers to re-breed cows with pregnancy loss, thereby reducing the calving interval and economic costs. Meanwhile, this manuscript might also act as a reference for exploring more economical and precise diagnostic technologies for early pregnancy loss in dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin-Sen Gui
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Tian-Shu Dai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Xing-Ru Guo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Shi-Hao Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Zi-Ming Ma
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Di Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Bao-Long Ding
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Yong-Tao Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Xin-Gang Dan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
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Szelényi Z, Szenci O, Bodó S, Kovács L. Noninfectious Causes of Pregnancy Loss at the Late Embryonic/Early Fetal Stage in Dairy Cattle. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3390. [PMID: 37958145 PMCID: PMC10650878 DOI: 10.3390/ani13213390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In cattle, initial pregnancy diagnosis takes place during the late embryonic/early fetal stage of gestation. From this point onward, pregnancy loss may occur in up to one fifth of pregnancies before the initial pregnancy diagnosis is confirmed. This means the early identification of risk factors is a key part of pregnancy diagnosis and herd management. The various factors responsible for pregnancy losses are classified into infectious and noninfectious. Among the noninfectious causes, several dam-related (circumstances of the individual pregnancy or milk production) and herd-related factors causing stress have been well established. In this review, we summarize the impacts of these noninfectious factors and predict associated risks of pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoltán Szelényi
- Department of Obstetrics and Farm Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Ottó Szenci
- Department of Obstetrics and Farm Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1078 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Szilárd Bodó
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (S.B.); (L.K.)
| | - Levente Kovács
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary; (S.B.); (L.K.)
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Smith BD, Poliakiwski B, Polanco O, Singleton S, de Melo GD, Muntari M, Oliveira Filho RV, Pohler KG. Decisive points for pregnancy losses in beef cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 35:70-83. [PMID: 36592980 DOI: 10.1071/rd22206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Beef cattle producers rely on each of their cows to produce a marketable calf each year to maintain a sustainable operation. Within the first month of gestation, pregnancy failures have been recorded to be upwards of 40-50%. From fertilisation to birth, there are numerous factors contributing to pregnancy failure. From the beginning of gestation oocyte competence is often a large factor impacting fertility as the dam contributes all mRNA for initial embryo development. Other factors contributing to early embryonic infertility include hormonal concentration and heat stress. After the embryo enters the uterus, it becomes critical for the uterus to be receptive to the developing conceptus. The embryo then begins to elongate and secrete interferon-tau to initiate maternal recognition of pregnancy; a requirement to establish and maintain bovine pregnancies. After a pregnancy completes these steps, placentation actively begins around day 22 of pregnancy and lasts until organogenesis. The fetal phase follows the embryonic phase where disease and/or toxins are often the cause of pregnancy failure at this period. However, fetal mortality has been reported to occur in less than 10% of pregnancies. Understanding of the many factors influencing infertility needs to be further investigated to increase pregnancy success in beef cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Smith
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - B Poliakiwski
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - O Polanco
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - S Singleton
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - G D de Melo
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - M Muntari
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - R V Oliveira Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - K G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Pregnancy and Developmental Programming Area of Excellence, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Holton MP, de Melo GD, Dias NW, Pancini S, Lamb GC, Pohler KG, Mercadante VRG, Harvey KM, Fontes PLP. Evaluating the use of luteal color Doppler ultrasonography and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins to diagnose pregnancy and predict pregnancy loss in Bos taurus beef replacement heifers. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:skac335. [PMID: 36223325 PMCID: PMC9733506 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of corpus luteum (CL) color Doppler (CD) ultrasonography and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) for early pregnancy diagnosis and examine their ability to predict late embryonic/early fetal mortality (LEM) in Bos taurus beef replacement heifers. Beef heifers (n = 178) were exposed to a 7-d CO-Synch + CIDR protocol followed by fixed-time artificial insemination (day 0). On days 20 and 22, B-mode and CD ultrasonography were performed to evaluate CL morphometries and blood perfusion, respectively. Heifers were considered nonpregnant when CL area was <2 cm2 or estimated luteal blood perfusion was ≤30% of the total luteal area. Blood samples were collected on days 25 and 29 to estimate circulating concentrations of PAG. Conventional ultrasonography on days 29 and 94 was utilized to determine pregnancy status and considered the gold standard method for pregnancy diagnosis. Pregnant heifers had greater (P < 0.01) CL diameter, area, volume, and blood perfusion when compared with nonpregnant heifers on days 20 and 22. Accuracy of CD on days 20 and 22, and PAG on days 25 and 29 were 91%, 94%, 96%, and 98%, respectively. No false-negative results were observed for CD on both days 20 and 22 (negative predicted value = 100%) and false-positive results represented 8% and 6% of the diagnoses. Heifers that experienced LEM between days 29 and 94 of gestation had decreased luteal (P = 0.02) volume on day 20 and tended (P = 0.07) to have decreased concentrations of PAG on day 29 compared with heifers that maintained pregnancy. However, both CD and PAG failed to predict embryonic mortality. In conclusion, CD successfully detected most nonpregnant replacement heifers as early as day 20 of gestation, while resulting in no false negative diagnoses. Both CD and PAG failed to predict LEM in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew P Holton
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Gabriela D de Melo
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Nicholas W Dias
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Stefania Pancini
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Graham C Lamb
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Ky G Pohler
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Vitor R G Mercadante
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Kelsey M Harvey
- Prairie Research Unit, Mississippi State University, Prairie, MS 39756, USA
| | - Pedro L P Fontes
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Fontes PLP, Oosthuizen N. Applied Use of Doppler Ultrasonography in Bovine Reproduction. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.912854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Doppler ultrasonography to quantify blood vascularization in reproductive organs has increased over the past decade. Doppler technology has predominantly been explored in research settings to evaluate uterine blood flow and to assess follicular and luteal blood perfusion. Recent research has also explored the use of Doppler technology in applied reproductive management for both the beef and dairy industries and has focused on the use of luteal color Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate embryo transfer recipients and perform early pregnancy diagnosis. Although significant progress has been made and current literature indicates a strong potential for the applied use of Doppler ultrasonography to increase reproductive efficiency in the cattle industry, uptake of this technology is still currently limited. This review summarizes the recent developments in the applied use of color Doppler ultrasonography for reproductive management in both beef and dairy cattle herds.
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Selection of early pregnancy specific proteins and development a rapid immunochromatographic test strip in cows. Theriogenology 2022; 187:127-134. [PMID: 35567990 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.04.029] [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: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The most of embryo losses occur before the day 16 after artificial insemination, but there is no low cost and easy operation that can detect pregnancy with high accuracy within three weeks post-insemination in cattle. In this study, blood samples were collected at day 18 of the estrous cycle, and days 18, 25 and 35 of pregnancy, and relative levels of interferon stimulated genes (ISGs), Toll-like receptor (TLRs), complement components, early pregnancy factor (EPF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPPA) proteins were analyzed through Western blot. In addition, a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip was developed using the selected antibody, and the test was used for early pregnancy diagnosis. The results showed that there were changes in relative levels of plasma ISGs, TLRs, complement components, EPF and PAPPA proteins during early pregnancy in cattle, and complement component 1q (C1q) could be used as an ideal marker to develop a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip for early pregnancy diagnosis. In addition, the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis by this test strip was 91.67% (11/12) for pregnant cows and 80% (8/10) nonpregnant cows at day 18 after insemination. In conclusion, the changes in plasma ISGs, TLRs, complement components, EPF and PAPPA proteins may be related to the maternal systemic immune modulation during early pregnancy, and a colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip was developed for early pregnancy diagnosis using C1q as the ideal marker in cows. However, this colloidal gold immunochromatographic test strip needs further studies to improve the accuracy.
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