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Rojas Canadas E, Herlihy MM, Kenneally J, Kearney F, Lonergan P, Butler ST. Postpartum vaginal discharge score is associated with genetic traits, postpartum fertility phenotypes, metabolic status, and overall reproductive performance in seasonal-calving pasture-based dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:9778-9792. [PMID: 37641334 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23324] [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: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate potential associations between genetic traits, postpartum phenotypes, cow factors, and postpartum vaginal discharge score (VDS); and (2) to investigate possible associations between postpartum VDS, plasma progesterone (P4) after first service, and reproductive performance. First- and second-parity (n = 2,842) spring-calving lactating dairy cows from 35 dairy herds were enrolled. Farm visits were performed every 2 wk during the postpartum period and weekly during the breeding period. Cows that were at wk 3 and wk 7 postpartum and between 7 and 13 d after first artificial insemination (AI) were examined. Body condition score (BCS) was measured on all farm visits using a 1-to-5 scale (low ≤2.5; target ≥2.75). Transrectal ultrasound examinations were conducted to determine the presence or absence of a corpus luteum (CL). Vaginal discharge score was determined at wk 3 and wk 7 using a Metricheck device (Simcro) and a 1-to-4 scale (1 = clear mucus; 4 = mucopurulent with >50% purulent material ± odor). At wk 3, cows having a VDS ≤2 were considered to have normal reproductive tract health status (RTHS). At wk 7, cows having VDS = 1 were considered to have normal RTHS. Blood samples were collected at each visit, and plasma concentrations of glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate, fatty acids, and progesterone (only during breeding visit) were analyzed. Animals with target BCS at wk 3 and wk 7 had greater odds of having normal RTHS at wk 3 and wk 7, respectively, than cows with low BCS. Cows with a CL at wk 3 and wk 7 had greater prevalence of normal RTHS at wk 3 and wk 7, respectively, compared with cows without a CL. Cows with normal RTHS had a lesser plasma concentration of β-hydroxybutyrate at wk 3 and wk 7 and greater plasma concentration of glucose at wk 3 compared with animals with abnormal RTHS. More cows in the greatest quartiles for the fertility subindex of the Economic Breeding Index and genetic merit for milk production traits (milk kg and milk protein [%]) had normal RTHS at wk 3 and wk 7 compared with the other quartiles. Cows with VDS = 4 at wk 7 postpartum had lesser plasma P4 concentration after first AI (-1.2, -1.1, and -1.0 ng/mL compared with cows with VDS = 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Similarly, cows with VDS = 4 at both wk 3 and wk 7 had lesser pregnancy at first service, lesser cumulative pregnancy rates at wk 3, 6, and 12 during the breeding period, and longer interval from mating start date to conception (+3 d if VDS = 4 at wk 3; +5 d if VDS = 4 at wk 7), compared with cows having other VDS. In conclusion, cows with superior genetic merit for fertility traits and milk production traits, and favorable fertility phenotypes at wk 3 and wk 7, were all associated with greater likelihood of having normal RTHS. In turn, abnormal postpartum RTHS and greater postpartum VDS (score = 4) were associated with lesser odds of successful pregnancy establishment.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Rojas Canadas
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996; Agrotecnio Center, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain 25198
| | - M M Herlihy
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996
| | - J Kenneally
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996
| | - F Kearney
- Irish Cattle Breeding Association, Highfield House, Shinagh, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland P72 X050
| | - P Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland D04V1W8
| | - S T Butler
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland P61C996.
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Burnett TA, Madureira AML, Bauer JW, Cerri RLA. Impact of GnRH administration at the time of artificial insemination on conception risk and its association with estrous expression. J Dairy Sci 2021; 105:1743-1753. [PMID: 34802740 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cows with reduced estrous expression have compromised fertility. The aim of this study was to determine whether the administration of GnRH at the time of artificial insemination (AI) would affect ovulation rates and the fertility of animals expressing estrous behavior of lesser intensity. Cows were enrolled at the time of estrus from 3 farms (n = 2,607 estrus events; farm A: 1,507, farm B: 429, farm C: 671) and randomly assigned to receive GnRH at AI or not (control). The intensity of estrous expression, monitored through leg-mounted activity monitors, was determined using the maximum activity during estrus; estrous expression was categorized as greater or lower relative to the farm median. On farm A, cows were assessed at alert, and 24 h, 48 h, and 7 d post-alert for ovulation using ultrasonography. Pregnancy per AI was confirmed at 35 ± 7 d post-estrus for cows that were inseminated. Differences between treatments were tested using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Treatment with GnRH at the time of AI increased pregnancy per AI (41.3 ± 1.6 vs. 35.7 ± 1.7%). An interaction between treatment and estrous expression on pregnancy per AI was found. Control cows with greater estrous expression had greater pregnancy per AI than those with lesser expression, whereas GnRH administration increased pregnancy per AI for cows with lesser estrous expression but not those with greater expression (GnRH, greater intensity: 43.5 ± 2.1; GnRH, lesser intensity: 37.8 ± 2.2; control, greater intensity: 42.6 ± 2.2; control, lesser intensity: 31.0 ± 2.2%). A higher proportion of cows with greater estrous expression that were administered GnRH at AI were found to ovulate by 48 h and 7 d post-estrus; however, ovulation of cows with lesser estrous expression was unaffected by GnRH administration. In conclusion, fertility of cows with reduced estrous expression may be increased using GnRH at the time of AI; however, increased ovulation rates do not seem to be the direct mechanism behind this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy A Burnett
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Augusto M L Madureira
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Janet W Bauer
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ronaldo L A Cerri
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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Rojas Canadas E, Herlihy M, Kenneally J, Grant J, Kearney F, Lonergan P, Butler S. Associations between postpartum phenotypes, cow factors, genetic traits, and reproductive performance in seasonal-calving, pasture-based lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:1016-1030. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-16001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Díaz BR, Galina CS, Rubio I, Corro M, Pablos JL, Orihuela A. Monitoring changes in back fat thickness and its effect on the restoration of ovarian activity and fertility in Bos indicus cows. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 53:495-501. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- BR Díaz
- Departamento de Reproducción; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - CS Galina
- Departamento de Reproducción; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - I Rubio
- Centro de Enseñanza Investigación y Extensión en Ganadería Tropical; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - M Corro
- Centro de Enseñanza Investigación y Extensión en Ganadería Tropical; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - JL Pablos
- Departamento de Genética y Bioestadística; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Mexico City Mexico
| | - A Orihuela
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos; Cuernavaca Mexico
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Bruinjé TC, Colazo MG, Gobikrushanth M, Ambrose DJ. Relationships among early postpartum luteal activity, parity, and insemination outcomes based on in-line milk progesterone profiles in Canadian Holstein cows. Theriogenology 2017; 100:32-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Cheong SH, Sá Filho OG, Absalon-Medina VA, Schneider A, Butler WR, Gilbert RO. Uterine and systemic inflammation influences ovarian follicular function in postpartum dairy cows. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177356. [PMID: 28542500 PMCID: PMC5438135 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of uterine and systemic inflammatory responses to uterine bacterial contamination at calving in dairy cows on the growth and ovulatory outcomes of the first dominant follicle postpartum. Ovulatory capability of the first dominant follicle postpartum was predicted in 53 multiparous cows by using a combination of follicle growth characteristics and circulating estradiol concentrations. Endotoxin levels were assayed in follicular fluid samples that were aspirated the day after ovulatory outcome prediction. Plasma levels of haptoglobin, a proinflammatory acute phase protein, and paraoxonase, a negative acute phase protein were determined. Uterine bacteria and inflammation were evaluated in three uterine fluid samples from each cow collected on the day of calving, the day after follicle aspiration, and at 35 days postpartum. Cows that had a strong initial uterine inflammatory response (robust recruitment of polymorphonuclear leukocytes of ≥ 35% and cows with uterine pH < 8.5 on the day of calving) were more likely to have an ovulatory first dominant follicle. Follicular fluid endotoxin levels were higher in non-ovulatory cows compared with ovulatory cows. Endotoxin levels in circulation were not different between ovulatory groups but were higher prepartum than on day 7 and 14 postpartum. Systemic inflammation characterized by elevated haptoglobin concentrations was higher in non-ovulatory cows despite similar bacterial contamination and circulating endotoxin levels. Paraoxonase activity in follicular fluid was significantly associated with the paraoxonase activity in plasma, however, plasma paraoxonase concentrations were not different between non-ovulatory and ovulatory cows. Cows with a higher uterine bacterial load on the day of calving had slower ovarian follicle growth. In summary, a robust uterine inflammatory response on the day of calving was positively associated with ovarian function while elevated systemic inflammation during the early postpartum period was negatively associated with the ovulatory status of the first dominant follicle postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soon Hon Cheong
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SHC); (ROG)
| | - Ocilon G. Sá Filho
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Augusto Schneider
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - W. R. Butler
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Robert O. Gilbert
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SHC); (ROG)
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Ferraz P, Burnley C, Karanja J, Viera-Neto A, Santos J, Chebel R, Galvão K. Factors affecting the success of a large embryo transfer program in Holstein cattle in a commercial herd in the southeast region of the United States. Theriogenology 2016; 86:1834-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Voelz B, Rocha L, Scortegagna F, Stevenson J, Mendonça L. Treatment of lactating dairy cows with gonadotropin-releasing hormone before first insemination during summer heat stress. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:7612-7623. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-10970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Wiltbank MC, Baez GM, Garcia-Guerra A, Toledo MZ, Monteiro PL, Melo LF, Ochoa JC, Santos JE, Sartori R. Pivotal periods for pregnancy loss during the first trimester of gestation in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 2016; 86:239-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 167] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Vercouteren M, Bittar J, Pinedo P, Risco C, Santos J, Vieira-Neto A, Galvão K. Factors associated with early cyclicity in postpartum dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:229-39. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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