scholarly journals Fertility in Gyr Cows (Bos indicus) with Fixed Time Artificial Insemination and Visual Estrus Detection Using a Classification Table

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilido Nelson Ramírez-Iglesia ◽  
Rafael María Roman Bravo ◽  
Adelina Díaz de Ramirez ◽  
Leandro J. Torres

The aim of this research was to compare two artificial insemination protocols (AIP): hormonal synchronization with fixed time artificial insemination (SC-FTAI) and the use of a table based on visual observation of estrus signs (VO) in order to identify cows in natural or spontaneous estrus being assigned to AI (NSE-IA). Two groups were formed: in the first group 109 cows were assigned to SC-FTAI, in which a commercial protocol is used; the second one included 108 randomly chosen cows, which were assigned to NSE-AI and in this group a modified table was used. Response variable was first service fertility rate (FSF), which was coded 1 for pregnant and 0 for empty. Predictor variables were AIP, postpartum anestrus, daily milk yield, body condition score at AI and calving number. Statistical analyses included association chi-square tests and logistic regression. Results showed an overall 41.94% FSF and a significant association was detected (P<0.05) between FSF and daily milk yield; pregnancy rates were 42.20% and 41.67% for the SC-FTAI and NSE-IA groups, respectively (P>0.05). The odds ratio for the effect of AIP was only 1.050, suggesting no differences in FSF between groups. The NSE-AI protocol can enhance both the technique of VO and reproductive efficiency. Further validation of the table is required.

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 110
Author(s):  
M. R. Bastos ◽  
M. A. P. Meschiatti ◽  
R. S. Surjus ◽  
A. B. Prata ◽  
A. P. Lemes ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to compare the length and intensity of oestrus in nonlactating Bos taurus (Holstein; n = 11) v. nonlactating Bos indicus (Nelore; n = 13) cows. The cows were kept in a single pen to allow interaction between them and were daily fed a maintenance diet according to the NRC (2000), containing 42.8% sugarcane bagasse, 45.7% corn, 3.2% soybean meal, 1.2% urea, 5.7% molasses, and 1.4% mineral salt, totaling 71% dry matter (DM) in the diet. The intake of DM per kg of body weight (BW) was 1.45%. Body condition score and BW were 3.5 ± 0.1 and 3.0 ± 0.2 (range 1 to 5), and 549.5 ± 14.3 and 625.5 ± 20.5 kg for Nelore and Holstein cows, respectively. All females had the emergence of follicular wave synchronized with an intravaginal progesterone device (Sincrogest, Ourofino Agronegócio, São Paulo, Brazil), 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate (Sincrodiol, Ourofino; IM) and 0.150 mg PGF2α (Sincrocio, Ourofino; IM). Ten days after initiation of the protocol, the intravaginal device was removed and another treatment with 0.150 mg PGF2α was given. Thereafter, cows were evaluated for oestrus by continuous visual observation 24 h a day for 5 days. The number of the cow that was mounting and the number of the cow that was standing was recorded for each event, as well as the time of the event. To confirm ovulation, ultrasound examination was performed between 5 and 7 days after oestrus detection. Data were analysed by Student’s t-test and Fisher’s exact test or Chi-square and data are presented as mean ± SE or percentage. Ten of 13 (76.9%) and 11 of 11 (100%) Nelore and Holstein cows, respectively, were detected in standing oestrus and ovulated (P > 0.10). On average, Holstein cows tended to start oestrus earlier than Nelore cows after device removal (40.4 ± 2.9 v. 47.7 ± 2.8 h; P = 0.09). There was no difference in intensity and duration of oestrus between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cows. Oestrus length was 14.7 ± 1.0 h (range 8.3 to 19.0 h) in Holstein cows and 12.4 ± 0.8 h (range 8.6 to 17.1 h) in Nelore cows (P > 0.10). Moreover, the average number of times that cows accepted mounts was 32.2 ± 6.1 and 36.3 ± 5.3 for Holstein and Nelore cows, respectively (P > 0.10). Only 9.1% of the mounts accepted by Nelore cows were performed by Holstein cows and only 3.8% of the mounts accepted by Holstein cows were done by Nelore cows (P < 0.05). We concluded that Bos taurus and Bos indicus cows managed under similar environment and nutritional conditions exhibit oestrus with the same intensity and duration. However, there was very little interaction during oestrus between Nelore and Holstein cows, showing a breed segregation pattern. This work was financially supported by CNPq, FAPESP, and Ourofino Agronegócio of Brazil.


1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Murphy ◽  
D. O'Callaghan ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
F. H. Austin ◽  
J. F. Roche

AbstractThe objective was to determine the effects of avoparcin, bovine somatotropin (bST) and the additive effects of both avoparcin and bST on milk yield, milk composition, live-weight changes and reproduction parameters in post-partum dairy cows. Forty-eight autumn calving cows were allocated using a split-plot within randomized complete-block design to the following treatments: (i) control (2 ml saline plus 1 kg untreated concentrate per day); (ii) avoparcin (2 ml saline plus 1 kg concentrate containing 100 mg avoparin per day); (Hi) bST (25 mg bST in 2 ml saline plus 1 kg untreated concentrate per day); and (iv) avoparcin plus bST (25 mg bST in 2 ml saline plus 1 kg concentrate containing 100 mg avoparcin per day). All injections were given subcutaneously and treatment continued for 84 days beginning 55 (s.e. 4) days after calving. The cows were offered grass silage ad libitum supplemented with 7·2 kg cereal-based concentrates daily. Milk yield and milk composition were measured thrice and once weekly, respectively. The cows were weighed and body condition score was assessed every 2 weeks.Mean daily milk yield of cows assigned to control was 20·1 (s.e. 1·5) kg, avoparcin, 21·5 (s.e. 1·5) kg, bST, 23·9 (s.e. 1·0) kg and avoparcin plus bST, 25·2 (s.e. 1·2) kg over the 84 days of the trial. bST increased milk yield proportionately by 0·18 compared with all cows not given bST (P < 0·01). Avoparcin did not significantly increase milk yield. There was no effect of any treatment on milk composition, body weight or body condition score. None of the experimental treatments had any effect on calving to first service interval, calving to conception interval, number of services per conception or overall conception rate.These results show that in early lactation, avoparcin alone had no effect on production or reproduction parameters in dairy cows; bST alone increased milk yield but did not affect any other production or reproduction parameter. There was no significant additional increase in milk yield when avoparcin and bST were given in combination, compared with bST alone.


Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 429
Author(s):  
Jorge A. Bustamante-Andrade ◽  
César A. Meza-Herrera ◽  
Rafael Rodríguez-Martínez ◽  
Zurisaday Santos-Jimenez ◽  
Oscar Ángel-García ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of two doses of hCG (100 and 300 IU) applied at two different times (7 and 14 d) after a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol (FTAI) upon some variables involved in the embryonic implantation rate in goats during the natural deep anestrous season (April, 25° north). The experimental units considered crossbred, multiparous, anovulatory goats (n = 69, Alpine, Saanen, Nubian x Criollo), with average body weight (43.6 ± 5.7 kg) and body condition score (1.86 ± 0.28 units) located in northern–semiarid Mexico (25° N, 103° W). Once the goat’s anestrus status was confirmed, goats were subjected to an estrus induction protocol. Upon estrus induction confirmation, goats (n = 61) were subjected to a FTAI procedure. Immediately after the FTAI, the goats were randomly distributed to five experimental groups: (1). G100-7 (n = 13) 100 IU, hCG 7 d post-FTAI, (2). G100-14 (n = 12) 100 IU hCG, 14 d post-FTAI, (3). G300-7 (n = 12) 300 IU, hCG, 7 d post-FTAI, (4). G300-14 (n = 12) 300 IU hCG 14 d post-FTAI, and (5). Control group, CONT (n = 12) 0.5 mL saline, 7 and 14 d post-FTAI. The response variables conception rate (39.36 ± 0.23), fertility rate (27.96%), prolificacy rate (1.1 ± 0.29 kids), ovulation rate (0.74 ± 0.20 corpus luteum) corpus luteum diameter (10.15 ± 0.59 mm), embryo number (1.58 ± 0.20), and embryo implantation rate (48.96%), did not differ between treatments. However, while the variables fecundity rate (67%), embryo efficiency index-1 (33.99 ± 0.20%), and embryo efficiency index-2 (27.94 ± 0.30%) were favored by the G300-14 treatment, the corpus luteum area was favored (p < 0.05) by both G300-7 (113.30 ± 0.19 mm2) and G300-14 (103.04 ± 0.17 mm2). Such reproductive strategy emerges as an interesting approach, not only to enhance the out-of-season reproductive outcomes, but also to boost one of the main rulers defining the global reproductive efficiency of a heard, namely, the embryo implantation efficiency.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (02) ◽  
pp. 118-122
Author(s):  
R. Mello ◽  
M. Mello ◽  
M. Abidu-Figueiredo ◽  
P. Scherer ◽  
H. Palhano

Abstract Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the morphology of the genital tract from 98 Nellore cows by rectal palpation and combine them with the functional aspects for inclusion in a fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) program. Methods: Were evaluated the ovaries, cervix and vulva, as well as the body condition score (BCS scale 1-5). Results: In relation to the ovaries, there were palpable structures found in 51 (17 CL and 34 FL) in the rights ovarian and 37 palpable structures (06 CL and 31 FL) in the left ovary. Asymmetry was found in 17.3% and uterine cervicitis in 20.4% of examined females. Changes were noted in vulva in 51.0% (40 to 10 papules and hyperemia) and the average of BCS was 3.15. On the basis of morphological aspects founded, 29 females with an average of BCS 2.7 and 01 with metritis were excluded and 07 (BCS-3, 5) inseminated immediately after the exam, with 61 included in the TAI program. These data support the conclusion that of all ovulations occurred, characterized by the presence of CL, most occurred in the right ovary (73.9%). The prevalence rate (51%) of vulvar aspects found, indicate a need for research of reproductive diseases in their flock. Conclusion: The BCS may impacts on the cyclicity and in the pregnancy rate of females included in the program.


2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 126-126
Author(s):  
H.C.F. Wicks ◽  
J.D. Leaver

The selection of dairy cattle for high milk production is thought to be linked to increased problems with fertility. Most research has concentrated on the influence of actual yields rather than the effect of genetic merit on fertility. It has also been reported that by maintaining a high level of herd management the reproductive efficiency problems associated with high milk production can be removed (Nebel and Gilliard, 1993). The current work estimated the influence of genetic merit (defined as PIN95), 90-day daily milk yield, deviation from herd mean 305-day milk yield and body condition score on fertility, in an attempt to assess whether actual yield has more effect than potential yield as indicated by genetic merit.


2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
G. A. Bo ◽  
L. C. Peres ◽  
D. Pincinato ◽  
M. de la Rey ◽  
R. Tribulo

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the interval between thawing to deposition of the embryo into the uterine horn on pregnancy rates of in vivo-produced frozen–thawed embryos in 1.5 M ethylene glycol (direct transfer). Data were collected from 1122 embryo transfers performed in the same farm (Estancia El Mangrullo, Lavalle, Santiago del Estero, Argentina) during the spring and summer of 2004/05 and 2005/06 (6 replicates, ambient temperature between 20 and 40�C). Recipients used in all replicates were non-lactating, cycling, multiparous Bos taurus � Bos indicus crossbred cows with body condition score between 3 and 4 (1 to 5 scale) that were synchronized using fixed-time embryo transfer protocols. Briefly, the synchronization treatments consisted of the insertion of a Crestar ear implant (Intervet, Sao Paulo, Brazil) or a progesterone-releasing device (DIB; Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina), plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Syntex) intramuscularly (IM) on Day 0, and 400 IU of eCG (Folligon 5000; Intervet, or Novormon 5000; Syntex) IM plus 150 �g d-cloprostenol IM (Preloban; Intervet, or Ciclase; Syntex) on Day 5. Progestin devices were removed on Day 8 and all cows received 1 mg of EB IM on Day 9. All cows were examined by ultrasonography on Day 16 and those with a luteal area &gt;76 mm2 (by calculating the area of the CL minus the area of the cavity) received, on Day 17, frozen–thawed embryos by nonsurgical transfer. All embryos were Grade 1, and all were frozen in 1.5 M ethylene glycol at the Embryo Plus Laboratory (Brits, South Africa). After being stored in liquid nitrogen, the embryos were plunged directly (no air thawing) in a 30�C water bath for 30 s, and then transferred to the recipient cows by either one of two technicians. Based on the interval between thawing and transfer, the transfers were classified as being in one of 3 groups: Group 1: &lt;3 min; Group 2: 3 to 6 min; and Group 3: 6 to 16 min. The main reason for delayed transfers beyond 6 min was the replacement of one recipient for another because of difficulty in threading the cervix (1% of the total transfers) or a recipient falling down into the chute or with very bad disposition and behavior. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography 28 to 35 days after fixed-time embryo transfer, and data were analyzed by logistic regression. There were no effects of replicate, technician, CL area, recipient body condition score, embryo stage, and time from thawing to transfer on pregnancy rates. Pregnancy rates in the 3 thawing to transfer intervals were: Group 1: 215/385, 55.8%; Group 2: 372/655, 56.8%; Group 3: 42/82, 51.2%; P &gt; 0.6. These results may be interpreted to suggest that there is no significant effect of time from thawing to transfer (up to 16 min) in direct transfer embryos using Bos taurus � Bos indicus recipients transferred at a fixed time.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ramos ◽  
L. Cutaia ◽  
P. Chesta ◽  
G. A. Bó

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of the timing of fixed-time AI (FTAI) in relation to the removal of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (1 g of progesterone, DIB, Syntex SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina) on pregnancy rates in Bos indicus × Bos taurus cross-bred heifers. In experiment 1, 285 Bonsmara × zebu cross-bred heifers, between 18 and 24 months of age and with a body condition score (BCS) between 3.0 and 3.5 (1-5 scale) were used. On the day of initiation of treatment (Day 0), the heifers’ ovaries were palpated (92% of them had a CL) and they received a new DIB plus 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB; Syntex SA) and 250 μg of cloprostenol (Ciclase DL, Syntex SA). On Day 8, DIB devices were removed and all heifers received 250 μg of Ciclase plus 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP; Cipiosyn, Syntex SA). At that time the heifers were randomly divided to receive FTAI between 48 to 49 h, 53 to 54 h, or 58 to 59 h after DIB removal. The heifers underwent FTAI with semen from 4 bulls by 2 inseminators. In experiment 2, 260 heifers from the same group as those used in experiment 1 (87% with a CL) were treated exactly as those in experiment 1, except that previously used DIB was inserted on Day 0. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed 30 days post-fixed-time AI by ultrasonography. The data were analyzed by logistic regression, taking into account the effect of time of FTAI, semen, and inseminator on pregnancy rates. In experiment 1, pregnancy rates were lower (P = 0.04) in the heifers undergoing FTAI between 48 and 49 h after DIB removal (46/95, 48.4%) than those undergoing FTAI 53 to 54 h (61/99, 61.6%) or 58 to 60 h (57/91, 62.6%) after DIB removal. However, no differences in pregnancy rates were found (P = 0.72) in experiment 2 between the 3 treatment groups, with 39/91 (42.9%) for the 48 to 49 h group, 45/89 (50.6%) for the 53 to 54 h group, and 35/89 (43.8%) for the 58 to 59 h group. There was no effect of the semen or inseminator (P > 0.2) in either experiment. We conclude that when Bos indicus × Bos taurus beef heifers are synchronized with new DIB devices and ECP, higher pregnancy rates are obtained in heifers undergoing FTAI late (between 53 to 60 h after DIB removal) than in those undergoing FTAI early (48 to 49 h after DIB removal). However, time of insemination does not apparently affect pregnancy rates when Bos indicus × Bos taurus beef heifers are synchronized with previously used DIB devices and ECP.


Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudeb Saha ◽  
Nicolò Amalfitano ◽  
Enrico Sturaro ◽  
Stefano Schiavon ◽  
Franco Tagliapietra ◽  
...  

Summer transhumance to alpine pastures (ALP) is widespread in dairy systems of alpine regions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of transhumance of Brown Swiss cows to ALP on the yield, composition, and coagulation properties of milk (MCP), and on cheese yield (CY). The study involved 12 multiparous cows kept at a mountain lowland permanent farm (PF), which were divided into two equal groups: One remained at the PF, the other was moved to the ALP (1860 m above sea level) from July to September. Every month (June to October), daily milk yield (MY) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, and individual milk samples (n = 60, 2000 mL each) were collected to assess milk composition, MCP, and CY. Compared with PF, ALP cows had a reduced MY and BCS, which was maintained on return to the PF, greater fat and lower protein contents of milk. Neither MCP nor CY were affected by summer transhumance. In conclusion, summer transhumance did not affect the cheese making efficiency of milk but depressed MY and consequently daily cheese yield, which was nearly 2 kg/d lower for the ALP than the PF cows and was only partially recovered after returning to the PF in autumn.


1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Doney ◽  
R. G. Gunn ◽  
J. N. Peart ◽  
W. F. Smith

ABSTRACTScottish Blackface ewes in uniform, good, body condition at mating were differentially fed during pregnancy, such that two groups lost 0·15 to 0·20 (groups A and B) and one group gained 0·05 (group C) of maternal live weight by lambing time. The treatments had little effect on the number of lambs born per ewe lambing (1·39, 1·46 and 148 respectively).Prior to parturition, group A was transferred to a poor hill pasture, and groups B and C to an improved upland reseeded pasture. Herbage intake by six single- and six twin-suckling ewes from each group was estimated in the 3rd, 6th and 8th week after parturition, and mean daily milk production was estimated on 1 day following each intake measurement period. Herbage intake by six dry ewes in each of groups A and B was also estimated.There were significant differences amongst groups A, B and C, respectively, in mean organic matter digestibility of the herbage consumed (0·701, 0·771 and 0·773), mean daily digestible organic-matter intake (1·06, 1·46 and 1·46kg), mean live-weight change over the period ( –2·9, +5·4 and +l·3kg) and mean daily milk yield (0·64, 1·93 and 1·95 kg).By the following mating time, after grazing the same pasture from weaning, there was still a difference in body condition score according to pasture type during lactation (2·08, 2·36 and 2·29, respectively). Ovulation rate measured after mating was consistent with the direct effect of body condition (1·34, 1·56 and 1·52, respectively).


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