1
|
López-Gatius F. Negative photoperiod induces an increase in the number of ovulations in dairy cattle. J Reprod Dev 2024; 70:35-41. [PMID: 38171909 PMCID: PMC10902636 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-075] [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] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This study sought to examine the impact of negative photoperiod on the incidence of multiple ovulations and pregnancies in dairy cattle. The study population consisted of 5,373 pregnant cows in their third or greater lactation that experienced their first post-partum pregnancy after spontaneous estrus. The positive photoperiod (increasing day-length) extends from December 22 to June 21, whereas the negative photoperiod (decreasing day-length) extends from June 22 to December 21. The odds ratios (ORs) for multiple ovulations and pregnancies in cows that became pregnant during the negative photoperiod and the remaining cows that became pregnant during the positive photoperiod were 1.4 and 1.3 (P < 0.0001), respectively. The ORs for cows that became pregnant ≥ 90 days in milk and the remaining cows that became pregnant < 90 days in milk were 4.3 and 4.1 (P < 0.0001), respectively. No significant differences were detected in the monthly rates of multiple ovulations or pregnancies during positive and negative photoperiods. Thus, the present study demonstrates that the ovarian function in cows is related to changes in day-length, with decreasing day-length being associated with greater multiple ovulation and pregnancy rates. The present study also shows that positive and negative photoperiods exhibit different trends. The results of this study are consistent with a growing body of work demonstrating the effects of photoperiod patterns on the reproductive physiology of cows, with clear implications for twin pregnancy prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando López-Gatius
- Agrotecnio Centre, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Transfer in Bovine Reproduction SLu, 22300 Barbastro, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
da Silva WC, da Silva JAR, Camargo-Júnior RNC, da Silva ÉBR, dos Santos MRP, Viana RB, Silva AGME, da Silva CMG, Lourenço-Júnior JDB. Animal welfare and effects of per-female stress on male and cattle reproduction—A review. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1083469. [PMID: 37065229 PMCID: PMC10102491 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1083469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermal stress causes severe effects on the wellbeing and reproduction of cattle, including changes in oogenesis and spermatogenesis, generating great concerns, which last for decades. In cattle, the occurrence of thermal stress is associated with a reduction in the production of spermatozoids and ovarian follicles, in addition to the increase of major and minor defects in gametes or in their intermediate stages. In bovine females able to reproduce, a reduction in the rate of estrus manifestation and an increase in embryonic mortality has been observed. Therefore, keeping animals on good welfare conditions, with water supply and in shaded areas can favor the improvement of different reproductive parameters. For all this, the present study aimed to gather, synthesize and argue recent studies related to animal welfare, focusing on the effects of thermal stress on the reproduction of cattle, aiming to support possible strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of thermal stress in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Welligton Conceição da Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Welligton Conceição da Silva
| | | | - Raimundo Nonato Colares Camargo-Júnior
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rinaldo Batista Viana
- Federal Rural University of the Amazon (UFRA), Institute of Animal Health and Production, Belém, Brazil
| | - André Guimarães Maciel e Silva
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
| | - Cleidson Manoel Gomes da Silva
- Federal University of the South and Southeast of Pará (UNIFESSPA), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Xinguara, Pará, Brazil
| | - José de Brito Lourenço-Júnior
- Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (PPGCAN), Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Para (UFPA), UFRA, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Castanhal, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Miętkiewska K, Kordowitzki P, Pareek CS. Effects of Heat Stress on Bovine Oocytes and Early Embryonic Development-An Update. Cells 2022; 11:cells11244073. [PMID: 36552837 PMCID: PMC9776454 DOI: 10.3390/cells11244073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat stress is a major threat to cattle reproduction today. It has been shown that the effect of high temperature not only has a negative effect on the hormonal balance, but also directly affects the quality of oocytes, disrupting the function of mitochondria, fragmenting their DNA and changing their maternal transcription. Studies suggest that the induction of HSP70 may reduce the apoptosis of granular layer cells caused by heat stress. It has been shown that the changes at the transcriptome level caused by heat stress are consistent with 46.4% of blastocyst development disorders. Cows from calves exposed to thermal stress in utero have a lower milk yield in their lifetime, exhibit immunological disorders, have a lower birth weight and display a shorter lifespan related to the expedited aging. In order to protect cow reproduction, the effects of heat stress at the intracellular and molecular levels should be tracked step by step, and the impacts of the dysregulation of thermal homeostasis (i.e., hyperthermy) should be taken into account.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Miętkiewska
- Department of Preclinical and Basic Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Pawel Kordowitzki
- Department of Preclinical and Basic Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Chandra S. Pareek
- Department of Preclinical and Basic Sciences, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Division of Functional Genomics in Biological and Biomedical Research, Interdisciplinary Center for Modern Technologies, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Toledo I, Dahl G, De Vries A. Dairy cattle management and housing for warm environments. Livest Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
5
|
De Rensis F, Saleri R, Garcia-Ispierto I, Scaramuzzi R, López-Gatius F. Effects of Heat Stress on Follicular Physiology in Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123406. [PMID: 34944184 PMCID: PMC8697862 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Environmentally induced hyperthermia, also called heat stress (HS), compromises reproductive physiology in mammals. The number of oocytes is fixed after birth and they are stored in the ovary in a quiescent state (at the stage of the first meiotic prophase) in primordial follicles. There is evidence that HS alters the oocyte quality, the dynamics of follicular growth and ovulation. The dairy cow, submitted to the metabolic stress of high milk production, is a good model for studying the effects of HS on ovarian function. The aim of this review is to describe the influence of HS during the stages of follicular development in dairy cattle, from the activation of primordial follicles to ovulation. Some clinical aspects are also considered. Abstract Follicular organization starts during mid-to-late fetal life with the formation of primordial follicles. The bilateral interplay between the oocyte and adjoining somatic cells during follicular growth and ovulation may be sensitive to heat stress (HS). Mechanisms giving rise to pre-ovulatory temperature gradients across reproductive tissues are mostly regulated by the pre-ovulatory follicle, and because the cooling of the gonads and genital tract depends on a counter-current transfer system of heat, HS may be considered a major factor impairing ovulation, fertilization and early embryo development. There is evidence of a long-lasting influence of HS on oogenesis and final follicular maturation. Follicular stages that are susceptible to HS have not been precisely determined. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the influence of HS during the staged follicular development in dairy cattle, from the activation of primordial follicles to ovulation. Some clinical prospects are also considered.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabio De Rensis
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 12, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Roberta Saleri
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Parma, Strada del Taglio 10, 12, 43121 Parma, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Irina Garcia-Ispierto
- Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
- Agrotecnio Centre, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Rex Scaramuzzi
- Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UK;
- Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Fernando López-Gatius
- Agrotecnio Centre, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
- Transfer in Bovine Reproduction SLu, 22300 Barbastro, Spain
| |
Collapse
|