154 EFFECTS OF THE BREED AND SEASON ON THE FERTILITY OF TROPICAL DUAL PURPOSE COWS

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Nava-Trujillo ◽  
A. Hernández ◽  
H. Hernández-Fonseca ◽  
E. Soto-Belloso ◽  
F. Perea-Ganchou

First service fertility is an important factor affecting the calving-conception interval and the number of services per conception. In the present study, first service fertility of 618 multiparous dual purpose cows was analyzed according to breed predominance (Bos indicus and Bos taurus) and service season: dry (December-March); sub-humid (April-August); and humid season (September-November). All cows were located in a sub-humid tropical forest area, characterized by 1950 mm/year of rainfall and a mean daily temperature of 28.3�C. Cows were milked and suckled twice a day. Estrus was detected twice a day with a minimum observation period of 30 min. All cows were serviced according to the international rule AM-PM with semen of one of two Brahman bulls (A and B). All cows received water and mineral salt ad libitum during the entire year. Additionally, during the dry season cows received an energy supplementation. Data were analyzed using the chi-square procedure of SAS (SAS/STAT User's Guide, 8.2 ed. Cary, NC: SAS Institute, Inc., 2001). No bull effects were observed on first service fertility (bull A: 37.70%, 105/305; and bull B: 40.26%, 126/313; P > 0.05). Breed predominance significantly affected the first service fertility, being higher in Bos indicus cows (47.48%) than in Bos taurus cows (32.78%; P < 0.05). The higher first service fertility of Bos indicus cows seen during the year was probably because Bos indicus cattle are more thermotolerant than Bos taurus cattle (Hansen 2004 Anim. Reprod. Sci. 82-83, 349-360). Moreover, season of service did not affect the first service fertility of Bos indicus cows (dry: 48.95%, 70/143; sub-humid: 50%, 33/66; and humid: 41.30%, 19/46; P > 0.05). While in Bos taurus cows, first service fertility was higher in cows serviced during the dry season (43.24%) in comparison with those serviced during the sub-humid (28.26%; P < 0.05) or humid season (23.58%; P < 0.05). No differences were observed between Bos taurus cows serviced in the sub-humid and the humid season (P > 0.05). First service fertility did not differ between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cows serviced during the dry season (P > 0.05), which is likely due to the lower relative humidity and extra energy supplementation. This may improve oocyte quality. In conclusion, fertility of Bos taurus cattle is more sensitive than that of Bos indicus cattle under tropical conditions; therefore, the implementation of a reproductive seasonality scheme is recommended to increase the reproductive efficiency of Bos taurus cattle.

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Perea-Ganchou ◽  
E. Soto-Belloso ◽  
R. Palomares-Naveda ◽  
A. De Ondiz ◽  
H.J. Hernandez-Fonseca ◽  
...  

Postpartum anestrus is the main reproductive problem that affects crossbred cattle production in Venezuela. (Soto et al., 2002 Theriogenology 57, 1503–1510; Soto et al., 2000 Revista Científica FCV-LUZ 10, 391–398). In order to reduce the postpartum anestrus and lower the calving to conception interval, 167 crossbred (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) anestrous cows between 90 and 130 days postpartum with body condition score 3 (scale 1–5) were randomly allotted to one the following treatments: 1) PH (n=59), intravaginal sponge (IS) impregnated with 250mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) during 7 days+50mg of MAP and 5mg of 17β-estradiol (17β-E) i.m. at the day of sponge insertion (Day 0), plus 500 IU of eCG i.m. at Day 5 and1.5mg of 17β-E i.m. at Day 8 (PREGNAHEAT-E, VIATECA, Villa del Rosario, Venezuela); 2) CR (n=57), 120-h temporary calf removal; and 3) CG (n=20), control group. Work was performed in a commercial farm located in a subhumid tropical forrest region. Estrus, first service conception and pregnancy rate were analyzed by chi-square analysis. The intervals to conception were analyzed using analysis of variance (GLM) and the means was compared by least square means method. To evaluate the treatment effect, the interval to conception of each pregnant cow during the first 100 days were considered for the analysis. This interval (days) was significantly (P≤0.05) higher in the PH treatment (155.9±7.3) compared to control (174.4±8.1) but no differences were shown between PH and CR (161.0±7.8). Other results are shown in Table 1. PH treatment improved the estrus and pregnancy rates and shorten the interval to conception indicating that this is a promising anestrous treatment for suckled crossbred dual purpose cows under tropical conditions. Table 1. Reproductive performance of postpartum anestrous suckled cows treated with intravaginal progesterone or temporary calf removal


2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Fry ◽  
C. Earl ◽  
K. Fry ◽  
W. Lindemans

Although large numbers of IVP embryos can be produced from donor cattle in a short period of time, commercial acceptance of the technology depends on the ability to cryopreserve these embryos and achieve a 50% pregnancy rate in large-scale embryo transfer programs. Many studies have reported low pregnancy rates of about 20% after the transfer of cryopreserved IVP embryos. We have developed the user friendly CryoLogic Vitrification Method (CVM) that vitrifies embryos on a solid surface at −196°C and warms them rapidly in a one-step procedure prior to transfer (Lindemans et al. 2004 Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 174). We present an overview of the pregnancy rates in the field after vitrification of bovine IVP embryos by the CVM. The bos taurus IVP embryos in southern Australia (bT) and the bos indicus-based IVP embryos in northern Australia (bI) were produced by our standard TVR and IVP methodology (Fry et al., 2003 Theriogenology 59, 446). Pregnancy was determined by rectal palpation between Day 40 and Day 90 and differences between treatments were analyzed by chi-square. The development of the CVM has enabled the successful cryopreservation of bovine IVP embryos. In the laboratory the typical survival (90% re-expansion) and development (80% hatching) of IVP embryos post-vitrification is high and, as demonstrated here, the pregnancy rates after transfer are approaching commercially acceptable levels. However, further research is required to identify factors that may influence success under full field conditions, for both the IVP and the vitrification technologies. Table 1. Pregnancy rates for fresh IVP, CVM-vitrified IVP, and traditionally flushed embryos cryopreserved in glycerol


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 242 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. U. Gimenes ◽  
N. A. T. Carvalho ◽  
M. F. Sá Filho ◽  
H. Ayres ◽  
J. R. S. Torres-Júnior ◽  
...  

In Holstein cows, the diameter of the dominant follicle (DF) at the time of follicle deviation is 8.5 mm and the subordinate follicle (SF) is 7.2 mm (Ginther et al. 1996 Biol. Reprod. 55, 1187–1194). However, follicular responsiveness to an ovulatory treatment occurs only with 10.0-mm-diameter follicles (Sartori et al. 2001 Biol. Reprod. 65, 1403–1409). The current study tested the hypothesis that, in Bos indicus (Nelore and crossbred Nelore � Gir) females, the follicular diameters at the time of deviation and ovulation responsiveness are smaller than those in Holstein cows. The experiment was performed in two phases. In the first phase, 12 Nelore heifers were previously synchronized with a protocol using progestagen and estradiol benzoate. After implant removal, all heifers were evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography (Aloka SSD-500, Tokyo, Japan) every 12 h until Day 5 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 = Day of the ovulation) to assess the time of ovulation, the time of follicle deviation, and the follicular diameter at the deviation. In the second phase, 29 Bos indicus heifers (Nelore and crossbred Nelore � Gir) were previously synchronized with the same protocol as cited above. After the ovulations (Day 0), the follicles were evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography every 24 h, until they reached the diameter of 7.0–8.4 mm (n = 9); 8.5–10.0 mm (n = 10); and &gt;10.0 mm (n = 10). In order to assess the ovulatory capacity, all animals were treated with 25 mg of LH (Lutropin-V�; Bioniche Animal Health, Inc., Belleville, Ontario, Canada) at these follicle diameter ranges. After the LH treatment, all animals were monitored by ultrasonography every 12 h for 48 h. ANOVA, Bartlett, and chi-square tests were used in the statistical analyses. In the first phase, the diameters of the DF and SF at the time of follicular deviation (61.9 � 4.9 h after ovulation) were 6.2 � 0.2 and 5.8 � 0.2 mm, respectively. In the second phase, the the average follicular diameters at the time of LH administration in the groups 7.0–8.4 mm, 8.5–10.0 mm, and &gt;10.0 mm were 7.6a � 0.1 mm, 9.6b � 0.1 mm, and 10.9c � 0.2 mm; and their ovulation rates were 33.3%a (3/9), 80.0%b (8/10), and 90.0%b (9/10), respectively (P &lt; 0.05). The interval from LH treatment to ovulation was 38.0 � 4.0 h, 31.5 � 2.7 h, and 30.0 � 2.0 h, respectively (P &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, in Bos indicus heifers, follicle deviation occurred with smaller diameters than previously reported in Bos taurus breeds. In addition, Bos indicus heifers are able to ovulate in response to 25 mg of LH with smaller diameters compared to those of Bos taurus breeds. Moreover, in Bos indicus heifers, ovulatory capacity is acquired by follicles as small as 7.0–8.4 mm, but this responsiveness significantly increases after follicles reach 8.5–10.0 mm. This work was supported by FAPESP (Proc:03/10203-4); Bioniche Animal Health, Inc., Belleville, Ontario, Canada; and Tecnopec, S�o Paulo, Brazil.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
J. Duran ◽  
D. Argudo ◽  
S. Bravo ◽  
C. Soria ◽  
G. Guevara ◽  
...  

Recipient handling during embryo transfer (ET) induces prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) production in 2 periods: an early transient and rapid increase around the time of ET, followed by another 2 to 4 h later. This PGF2α is associated with embryonic loss during early gestation by affecting both the embryo and the corpus luteum. To control this, antiprostaglandins such as flunixin meglumine (FM) have been applied IM at the time of ET with varying results. In such studies, the interaction of IM administration of FM and difficulty of transfer has not always been evaluated, possibly confusing the interpretation of the results. Furthermore, IV FM injection at ET and its relationship with pregnancy rates (PR) has not been determined. The objectives were (1) to determine the relationship between difficulty of ET and PR; and (2) to evaluate the efficacy of IM v. IV FM on pregnancy outcomes. One hundred and ten crossbred (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) heifers (18-24 months old) from 3 farms were used as recipients. Two evaluation systems of ET difficulty were used: (1) duration of transfer (objective determination of the elapsed time measured in seconds between the introduction of the catheter and embryo release), and (2) level of difficulty experienced by the practitioner (subjective determination; 1 = minimum and 2 = medium to extreme manipulation). Quality 1 and 2 fresh embryos from superovulated cows were transferred by the same practitioner. At ET, recipients were randomly divided into 3 groups: (1) Control (no treatment, n = 31); (2) FM-IM (n = 39): injected IM with 2.2 mg kg−1 FM at ET; and (3) FM-IV (N = 40): injected with 2.2 mg kg−1 FM IV at ET. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 30 to 40 and 60 to 90 days after ET. Spearman’s test was performed to determine the correlation between duration and difficulty at ET and Chi-square test was used to compare PR. The mean duration of transfer for all heifers was 62.3 ± 57.5 s (11 to 357 s; median: 44.5 s). There was a high correlation (0.8; P < 0.001) between the ET difficulty evaluation systems. Overall, ET difficulty 1 had higher PR than ET difficulty 2 (64.2 v. 40.7; P = 0.013). The PR was significantly improved (P < 0.01) in the FM-IV group (75 and 70% at 30 and 60 days after ET) compared with control (45.2 and 32.3%) and FM-IM (33.3 and 30.7%). In conclusion, results indicate that the difficulty of transfer affects PR achieved following the transfer of in vivo-derived bovine embryos. Treatment with FM-IV following transfer resulted in significantly higher PR compared with control and FM-IM recipients. The IV injection of FM may antagonize the very early and transient increase of PGF2α caused by genital tract manipulation (even gently performed) at embryo transfer. Further research is necessary to confirm the results of the present study.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
G. Santos ◽  
M. P. Bottino ◽  
M. B. D. Ferreira ◽  
J. C. Silveira ◽  
A. C. F. C. M. Avila ◽  
...  

The aim was to evaluate the effect of subclinical mastitis by somatic cell count (SCC) on follicular dynamics, ovulation, oocyte and cumulus cell quality, exosome size and concentration in milk-producing cows. Crossbred cows (Bos taurus × Bos indicus; that is, Holstein × Gyr) were randomly allocated to control (SCC <200,000 cells mL−1] and mastitis (SCC >400,000 cells mL−1) groups. In experiment 1 (follicular dynamics), cows (n = 57) were submitted to ultrasonographic evaluations every 24 h, after removal of an intravaginal progesterone device (Day 8) up to Day 10. From Day 10, ultrasound evaluations were performed every 12 h, until ovulation or until 96 h after progesterone device withdrawal, in order to follow final dominant follicle growth and ovulation. In experiment 2 (oocyte, cumulus cells, and follicular fluid evaluation), cows (n = 23) were submitted to follicular aspirations, preceded by synchronization of the emergence of the follicular wave. The levels of target genes in cumulus cells (BCL2, BAX, PI3K, PTEN, FOXO3) were evaluated by RT-qPCR. In the follicular fluid, the exosomes were isolated for evaluation of particle size. Data were analysed by the Glimmix procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Ovulation rate (P = 0.09) was higher in control cows [control 77.42% (24/31) and mastitis 57.69% (15/26)]. Viable oocyte rate (P = 0.01) was also higher in control cows [control 59.1% (130/220) and mastitis 41.9% (125/298)]. The dynamics of follicular growth did not differ between groups. The number of degenerate oocytes (P = 0.001) was higher in cows of the mastitis group. In the evaluation of cumulus cell gene expression, there was a higher abundance of BAX transcripts (P = 0.003) in cells of mastitis cows. Additionally, the mean and mode of exosome diameter in mastitis cows were smaller (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively). In conclusion, ovulation rate, oocyte quality, and follicular fluid exosome diameter were lower in cows with subclinical mastitis, demonstrating a link between mammary gland sanitary status and reproduction.


Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 125
Author(s):  
Adalinda Hernandez ◽  
Charlotte Berg ◽  
Rebecka Westin ◽  
Carlos Galina

Conditions on farms in the tropics can differ greatly depending on the season of the year. Characteristics such as disease prevalence, climate and availability of resources may not be constant all year around; however an acceptable level of animal welfare must be maintained throughout the year. Since it is neither practical nor economically feasible to perform several assessments per year, the purpose of this study was to define whether there were animal welfare issues at farms that were affected by the season to identify which season would present a greater risk to animal welfare, using a risk-based approach. Forty-five dual-purpose family farms in the Mexican tropics were assessed via the Welfare Quality® protocol. During the rainy season, 2.2% of the farms were classified as excellent, 57.8% as enhanced, 31.1% as acceptable and 8.9% as unclassified. In the dry season, 31.1% were classified as excellent, 68.9% as enhanced and none of the farms were categorized as acceptable or unclassified. Consequently, the season which presented the greatest risk to animal welfare of dual-purpose cattle raised under tropical conditions was the rainy season. However, there were management-related differences observed between the two seasons and the dry season also had some animal welfare threats. The fact that farms scored higher during the dry season is possibly the result of farmer awareness, leading to modification of their systems to provide animals with the necessary inputs to meet their production needs. If these modifications were not fulfilled, then welfare conditions might have been jeopardized.


2015 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 3086-3099 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.N.S. Sales ◽  
L.T. Iguma ◽  
R.I.T.P. Batista ◽  
C.C.R. Quintão ◽  
M.A.S. Gama ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Jigme Dorji ◽  
Dhendup ◽  
Iona M. MacLeod

SummaryThe Nublang is a unique dual-purpose breed ofBos indicuscattle found in Bhutan. They have been crossed with Mithun (Bos frontalis) andBos taurusbreeds in an effort to improve milk production leading to a decline in the population of purebred Nublang. An alternative to crossbreeding would be the genetic improvement of milk yield within purebred Nublang, thus allowing conservation and sustainable utilization of the pure breed. It is important to measure the genetic variability (heritability) of milk yield to assess the potential for genetic improvement within Nublang. Therefore this study estimated phenotypic and genetic parameters of milk yield using 2 052 test day milk yields from 66 cows recorded from 1997 to 2013 in the National Nublang Farm, Tashiyangphu. The average daily milk yield (DMY) was 2.12 ± 0.7 litres (N 2 052, range: 0.3–5.0 L, CV: 34 percent). Parity, month in milk and year all had a significant effect on DMY (P&lt; 0.05). The average lactation milk yield (LMY) was 519.2 ± 151 L (N: 261, range: 115–881.7, CV: 29.1 percent) and average lactation length was 239 days. LMY was significantly influenced by parity (P&lt; 0.05) and season of calving. The heritability of DMY and LMY was 0.22 ± 0.16 and 0.13 ± 0.20, respectively. The repeatability estimates were 0.45 ± 0.05 and 0.49 ± 0.08 for DMY and LMY, respectively. Overall the heritability and repeatability estimates of milk yields indicate potential for genetic improvement of milk yield in Nublang cattle through selection. However, it is recommended that a larger dataset is generated to enable more precise estimates of genetic parameters.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 357
Author(s):  
R. H. Alvarez ◽  
A. C. Martinez ◽  
R. M. L. Pires

Breed differences in ovarian function were found among beef Bos indicus and Bos taurus cows maintained in a subtropical environment (Alvarez P et al. 2000 J. Anim. Sci. 78, 1291-1302). The aim of this study was to compare ovarian response to superovulation and embryo production of tropical-adapted Bos taurus and Bos indicus cows. The experiment was carried out in a tropical wet climate at the experimental station of Instituto de Zootecnia (latitude 22°46′S, longitude 47°17′W) from November to February (average maximum temperature = 30.0 ± 0.8°C and average absolute precipitation = 153.1 ± 78.8 mm3). Forty Caracu (a local Bos taurus breed) and 50 Nelore (Bos indicus breed) lactating cows were treated with an intravaginal device containing progesterone (1.38 mg; CIDR-B®, Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, Québec, Canada) and 2.5 mg i.m. of estradiol benzoate (Estrogin®, Farmavet, São Paulo, Brazil). Four days later, the animals were superovulated with multiple i.m. injections of 400 IU of FSH (Pluset®, Calier, Spain) in decreasing doses (75-75, 75-50, 50-25, and 25-25 IU) at 12-h intervals over 4 days. The CIDR-B® device was removed 3 days after the first superovulatory injection and cows received i.m. 150 μg of cloprostenol (Veteglan®, Calier, Spain). Cows were inseminated 48 and 62 h after the cloprostenol injection and embryos were recovered nonsurgically 7 days after insemination. Differences in the number of CL (assessed by ultrasound scanning), total number of ova/embryos, and number of transferable embryos were analyzed by ANOVA. Differences in the number of animals with low response (<3 CL) to superovulation were analyzed by chi-square test. All donors (with the exception of 1 Caracu and 2 Nelore) with ovarian response >3 CL showed estrus at insemination. Three (8.9%) Caracu and 5 (10.0%) Nelore cows had <3 CL following the superovulation treatment (P = 0.68). There was no difference (P > 0.05) in the mean (± SEM) CL counts of Caracu (11.4 ± 3.3) and Nelore (12.0 ± 4.1) cows. Similarly, there were no differences (P > 0.05) between Caracu and Nelore cows for total number of ova/embryos collected (8.6 ± 2.6 v. 9.0 ± 4.3) or transferable embryos (6.0 ± 2.4 v. 5.1 ± 2.9). In conclusion, the superovulation of Caracu and Nelore cows carried out in a tropical climate resulted in similar ovarian responses and embryo production. Supported by FAPESP.


1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 23-23
Author(s):  
F. Herrera Gomez ◽  
F.D.DeB Hovell ◽  
C.A. Sandoval Castro

The purine derivatives (PD) have been proposed as a non-invasive method to estimate microbial-N supply to the small intestine (Chen et al., 1990a; Verbic et al., 1990). The use of PD urinary excretion has the advantage that it can be used with intact animals thus reducing the concern of animal welfare issues. Although, there are known differences in purine metabolism between cattle (B. taurus), sheep and buffaloes (Bubalis bubalis) (Chen et al., 1990b; Chen et al., 1996), no direct comparison of PD urinary excretion has been made so far between cattle especies, therefore, the objective of the present experiment was to compare PD urinary excretion of B. taurus and B. indicus cattle fed similar diets under tropical conditions.


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