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Biomedical subjects

J S Stevenson

Publications and source records attributed to J S Stevenson.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Fate of the dominant follicle, embryonal survival, and pregnancy rates in dairy cattle treated with prostaglandin F2 alpha and progestins in the absence or presence of a functional corpus luteum.

Our objective was to examine the role of progestin type on serum concentrations of progesterone (p4) and estradiol-17 beta (E2), ovarian follicular dynamics, and fertility in cattle in the presence or absence of a corpus luteum (CL) in an estrus synchronization scheme using progestin and PGF2 alpha. In Exp. 1, 325 cows and heifers were given one injection of PGF2 alpha (d 0) and then assigned randomly within parity to five treatments: to receive a second PGF2 alpha injection 14 d later (control); to receive norgestomet (NORG) for 7 d beginning on d 8, with a second PGF2 alpha injection given either 1 d (NORG + no CL) or 6 d (NORG + CL) after insertion; or to receive a P4-releasing intravaginal device (PRID) in lieu of norgestomet at comparable times. Presence or absence of a CL was based on concentrations of serum P4 on d 14. Pregnancy rates after insemination were greater (P < .01) with luteal treatments than with nonluteal treatments. Embryonal survival between two stages of pregnancy was 87.6%. In Exp. 2, ovarian structures in 50 cows were examined daily using ultrasonography and the same five treatments. Diameter of the ovulatory follicle was greater (P < .05) with the nonluteal treatments (NORG and PRID + no CL) than with the control and luteal treatments (PRID and NORG + CL). Replacement of the dominant follicle during progestin treatment was altered by treatment (luteal status) and stage of the estrous cycle. Fertility was not enhanced by exogenous progestins when a CL was present. In the absence of a CL, progestin (P4 less than NORG at the doses used) reduced fertility by increasing E2 and the diameter of the ovulatory follicle and decreasing turnover of dominant follicles.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

The effects of attendance and effort on outcomes among older adults in a long-term exercise program.

To determine if attendance and effort could differentiate changes in cognitive and physical functioning, 66 older adults received a prescription heart rate to be achieved during supervised regular exercise sessions over a 9-month period. These 30-min sessions of aerobic training on a cycle ergometer were conducted three times per week. Cognitive variables and physical functioning were measured at baseline and following 4.5 months and 9 months of training. Attendance and effort scores (ATTEFF) were used to divide subjects into low ATTEFF (N = 29) and high ATTEFF (N = 37) groups. Following 9 months of training these groups were significantly different on life satisfaction and selected measures of health perception, but not on measures of either mental status or submaximum or resting heart rate. Maximum physical functioning improved within both groups, although the high ATTEFF group had improved more than the low ATTEFF group at posttest. Attendance and effort appear to differentiate older adults on selected measures of health perception and maximum physical functioning following a 9-month exercise program.

Aged↗

Serum hormones during the estrous cycle and estrous behavior in heifers after administration of propylthiouracil and thyroxine.

Two experiments were conducted to assess the characteristics of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) during the estrous cycle and to examine the effects of experimentally altered thyroid status on estrous behavior and hormonal concentrations in heifers. In Exp. 1, normal profiles of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and TSH were examined on days 2, 12, and 19 of the estrous cycle (day 0 = estrus) in six Holstein heifers. Baseline concentrations of LH were 1.5- to 2.1-fold higher on day 2 (P = .07) and day 19 (P < .01) than on day 12. Pulse frequency of LH was higher (P < .05) on days 12 and 19 than on day 2. For FSH, baseline concentrations were similar on all 3 d, but pulse frequency was higher (P < .05) on day 19 than on day 2 or day 12. Overall and baseline concentrations of TSH were similar on all 3 d. Pulse frequency of TSH was higher (P < .05) on day 12 than on day 19, but both were similar to that on day 2. In Exp. 2, secretion of TSH in Holstein heifers was altered by administering (i.v.; one-half of the daily dose given twice daily) either phosphate-buffered saline (SAL; n = 6), propylthiouracil (PTU; 20 mg/100 kg body weight [BW]; n = 6), or T4 (1 mg/100 kg BW; n = 5) from day 4 until the next estrus. Duration of estrous cycles during and after treatments, percentages of heifers exhibiting estrus, BW, and average daily gain were unaffected by treatment. Concentrations of TSH were higher (P < .05) in the afternoon than in the morning and higher (P = .06) in PTU heifers than in T4 heifers. Treatment with T4 during the treatment estrous cycle and for up to 6 d into the next estrous cycle increased (P < .01) concentrations of T4 and T3 compared to SAL and PTU. Treatment with PTU during the treatment cycle increased concentrations of T4 (P < .05) and TSH (P = .06) compared to SAL. We conclude that TSH secretion was pulsatile, demonstrated a diurnal change, and varied inconsistently during the estrous cycle. Altering thyroid hormones and TSH secretion in heifers seemed to have no effect on estrous behavior or estrous cycles.

Animals↗

Serum hormones in response to estradiol and (or) progesterone in ovariectomized cows after thyroidectomy.

To evaluate the effect of gonadal steroid treatment and thyroidectomy on concentrations of gonadotropins and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the bovine, nonlactating Holstein cows were either thyroidectomized and ovariectomized (THYOVEX; n = 6) or ovariectomized only (OVEX; n = 4), and subsequently treated with no gonadal steroids (control), estradiol-17 beta (E2), progesterone (P4), or P4+E2 in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment. Averaged across steroid treatments, baseline concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH; P < .05) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; P < .10) were higher in THYOVEX cows than in OVEX cows. Pulse frequencies and amplitudes of LH and FSH did not differ between THYOVEX and OVEX cows. Secretion of TSH was pulsatile and all concentrations and pulsatile characteristics of TSH were increased (P < .05) in THYOVEX compared to OVEX cows. Treatment with E2 and P4 decreased (P < .05) baseline concentrations and magnitude of LH pulses, whereas P4+E2 increased (P < .01) pulse frequency of LH and FSH. Amplitude of LH and FSH pulses were not affected by treatment with either steroid. Treatment with P4+E2 decreased (P < .05) baseline concentrations of TSH, whereas pulse frequency, and magnitude and amplitude of TSH pulses were not altered by treatment with steroids. Mean concentrations of LH and FSH were similar during 48 hr after termination of E2 and P4+E2 treatments, but concentrations of TSH were higher (P = .06) after P4+E2 than after E2. Secretion of TSH showed a diurnal variation, with the lowest concentrations in the morning and highest in the afternoon. These results indicate that thyroidectomy influenced secretion of gonadotropins in OVEX cows.

Animals↗

Force application and decay characteristics of untreated and treated polyurethane elastomeric chains.

In this study the effects of prestressing, environmental acidity, oxygen content, and temperature on mechanical properties were measured for three polyurethane-based orthodontic elastomeric chains. Specimens of each chain were treated for 10 and 100 days, and their mechanical properties were compared with those of the untreated specimens via stress-relaxation tests. Conditioning treatments were determined to affect the magnitude of residual load after relaxation, with the largest effect due to prestressing. Among the other variables studied, an increase in temperature of the environment appeared to significantly influence the degradation mechanism responsible for the deterioration of the mechanical properties of polyurethane elastomers (p < 0.001); acidity and oxygen content had no significant effects. Force decay profiles from the specimens were derived using a Maxwell-Weichert model consisting of springs and dashpots. This model allows the orthodontist to predict load magnitude supplied by the chain at activation and at any time during treatment.

Argon↗

Estrus, ovulation, luteinizing hormone, and suckling-induced hormones in mastectomized cows with and without unrestricted presence of the calf.

Angus x Hereford multiparous cows were assigned to four treatments: 1) mastectomized+calf weaned at birth (MCW; n = 7); 2) mastectomized+calf presence restricted to noninguinal contact (MCR; n = 7); 3) mastectomized+unrestricted calf presence (MCP; n = 7); and 4) udder-intact cows+unrestricted calf presence (UICP; n = 8). Except for MCW cows, cow-calf pairs were penned together individually from parturition (d 0) until d 35 when calves were weaned. On d 7, calves in MCP and UICP treatments were separated overnight from their dams, and before and upon reunion, blood samples were collected from the cows to assess changes in oxytocin, cortisol, and prolactin. Calves in the MCP and UICP treatments attempted to or suckled their dams for a similar duration upon reunion, respectively. Concentrations of cortisol and percentage of change in oxytoxin and prolactin were increased (P < .05) for up to 12 min in MCP cows after reunion with their calves. Average concentrations of serum LH in samples collected on d 14, 21, 28, and 35 did not differ in noncyclic cows among treatments within day postpartum (except for greater [P < .05] LH in MCW cows on d 21). However, MCP cows had more (P < .05) LH pulses (d 21), greater (P < .05) variability in LH pulses (d 21), greater (P < .05) variability in LH concentrations, and greater (P < .05) average maximum concentrations of LH than UICP cows after d 14. Intervals to first ovulation were similar in MCW and MCR cows but shorter (P < .01) than those in MCP and UICP cows. Attempted suckling of mastectomized dams by their calves was associated with increased serum cortisol and percentage of increase in serum oxytocin and prolactin. Despite increased LH in MCP cows, intervals to first ovulation did not differ from those of UICP cows.

Animals↗

Growth of heifers fed 100 or 115% of National Research Council requirements to 1 year of age and then changed to another treatment.

Eighty-nine Holstein heifers were used from 3 mo of age until 21 d before their estimated calving date to determine the effect of two feeding programs on growth and onset of puberty. From 3 to 12 mo of age, heifers were fed either 100 or 115% of 1989 NRC nutrient requirements for heifers gaining .7 kg/d. At 12 mo, the treatments were switched (100 to 115% and 115 to 100%) until 21 d before calving. When the 115% diet was fed from 3 to 12 mo of age, rate of BW gain, BW at 12 mo, body condition score, and heart girth increased. Heifers fed the 115% diet from 3 to 12 mo of age were 22 d younger at onset of puberty than those fed the 100% diet, but BW at onset of puberty was similar (281 vs. 278 kg, respectively). When diets were switched at 12 mo of age, the rates of BW gain and growth for the heifers switched from 115 to 100% decreased, but rate of BW gain and growth increased for the other group. At 24 mo of age, BW and body size did not differ between treatments. Neither feeding program resulted in a clear advantage for any trait measured, but the results provide further evidence that extra nutrients fed beyond the NRC requirement for .7 kg/d of BW gain enhance various growth traits in Holstein heifers.

Aging↗

Resumption of follicular activity and interval to postpartum ovulation after exogenous progestins.

In Experiment 1, treatment of dairy cows with progesterone using an intravaginal device from d 5 to 15 postpartum failed to alter onset or duration of the first estrous cycle. Compared with controls in Experiment 2, concentrations of FSH increased, and those of LH decreased, in cows treated with either norgestomet or progesterone for 6 d. Relationships of various measures of LH, but not FSH, were all positive with increasing days postpartum, and those of FSH produced positive polynomial regressions as days to first ovulation decreased. No significant changes in follicular status occurred during or after progestin treatments; however, a consistent relationship was observed between increasing diameter of dominant follicles and serum concentrations of estradiol-17 beta in most cows. Appearance of the ovulatory dominant follicle generally was detected 4 to 5 d before ovulation regardless of treatment and was first detected more frequently during treatment with progestins when concentrations of FSH were increased compared with controls. Concentrations of progesterone were higher on d 7 to 10 following removal of progestin treatments. Appearance of the first dominant follicle was detected during periods of increased average minimum concentrations of FSH, increased variation in LH secretion, and was related to subsequent duration of the first estrous cycle.

Animals↗

Use of milk progesterone and prostaglandin F2 alpha in a scheduled artificial insemination program.

We tested the efficacy of monitoring progesterone in dairy cows using a commercially available milk progesterone test as a determinant for administration of PGF2 alpha to induce estrus in cows before first AI. Holstein cows milked twice daily were assigned randomly for AI at their first estrus after d 42 postpartum (control) or to receive PGF2 alpha after a milk progesterone test. Milk progesterone was assessed in samples from the Monday morning milking in both groups of cows, but only those in the treatment received PGF2 alpha when milk progesterone tested high. Blood was collected before injection of PGF2 alpha on Monday afternoon to verify retrospectively the accuracy of the milk progesterone test. Agreement of serum concentrations of progesterone was 87% for high milk progesterone tests and 63% for low tests. Use of milk progesterone plus PGF2 alpha reduced days to first AI, calving intervals, rate of reproductive culling, and cost per pregnancy and increased the proportion of cows inseminated within 21 d of the beginning of breeding. As a management tool in an AI program, PGF2 alpha use is warranted and cost effective. However, the milk progesterone test is not justifiable unless the cost is significantly lower than the cost of a weekly injection of PGF2 alpha.

Animals↗

Administration of GnRH at estrus influences pregnancy rates, serum concentrations of LH, FSH, estradiol-17 beta, pregnancy-specific protein B, and progesterone, proportion of luteal cell types, and in vitro production of progesterone in dairy cows.

Four experiments were conducted to examine effects of GnRH administered at estrus on various reproductive characteristics in repeat-breeding dairy cows (eligible for third service). In Exp. 1, cows (n = 8 per group) received (i.m.) either saline or 50, 100, or 250 micrograms of GnRH at 12 h after onset of estrus. There was a positive linear (P < .05) effect of dose on concentrations of LH, but not of FSH, in serum at 2 h after the injection. Concentrations of progesterone (P4) were higher (P = .10) through 16 d after estrus in nonpregnant cows that returned to estrus 18 to 24 d after GnRH treatment than in nonpregnant cows given saline. Likewise, among cows with elevated concentrations of P4 through 30 d after estrus (diagnosed pregnant by increased concentrations of pregnancy-specific protein B; PSPB), P4 was higher (P = .10) in those given GnRH than in those given saline. In Exp. 2, concentrations of LH, FSH, and estradiol-17 beta (E2) were similar among 12 cows during the periestrual period before they received (i.m.) 100 micrograms of GnRH or saline at estrus. Concentrations of P4 after estrus were increased 2 d earlier (P < .05) in GnRH- than in saline-treated cows. Among cows with elevated concentrations of P4 and PSPB through 40 d after AI, P4 was higher (P < .05) in those given GnRH than in those given saline. In Exp. 1 and 2, a greater proportion (43 vs 14%; P = .07) of cows given GnRH was pregnant 42 to 56 d after estrus than of those given saline, but calving rate was similar (27 vs 14%). In Exp. 3, average number of LH pulses per 8 h was similar between saline- and GnRH-treated cows on d 1, 3, and 8, but overall concentrations of LH were reduced (P < .05) in GnRH-treated cows. Concentrations and number of pulses of FSH were increased (P < .05) on d 8 after treatment with GnRH. Concentrations of P4 were increased earlier (P < .05) after estrus in GnRH-treated (69 +/- 12 h) than in saline-treated cows (126 +/- 12 h), with higher (P < .05) concentrations of P4 on d 4 to 8. In Exp. 4, eight cows received either 100 micrograms of GnRH or saline at 12 h after onset of estrus (d 0) in a cross-over design.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Influence of source and amount of dietary protein on performance, blood metabolites, and reproductive function of primiparous beef cows.

Forty Angus x Hereford 2-yr-old primiparous cows (358 kg) were used to determine the effects of source and amount of CP on performance, reproductive function, and metabolic status of suckled primiparous cows. A 2 x 2 factorial treatment arrangement was used; cows received either 100 or 150% of NRC recommendations for CP in diets that contained either soybean meal (low escape = L) or corn gluten meal/blood meal (high escape = H) as the principal supplemental protein source. Resulting treatments were 100-L, 100-H, 150-L, and 150-H. Cows were individually fed diets for 100 d or until they were observed to be in standing estrus. Diets were isoenergetic and limit-fed to meet NRC recommendations for NE, Ca, and P for 364-kg, 2-yr-old primiparous cows producing 4.5 kg of milk daily and gaining .23 kg/d. Increased CP tended (P = .09) to increase ADG in cows, but body condition score was unaffected. Increased CP and use of a CP source with higher potential for ruminal escape increased ADG in calves from d 0 to 97 (P = .002 and .04, respectively), which corresponded with numerical changes in milk production. Feeding high escape CP sources decreased plasma glucose and urea N (P = .04 and .0001, respectively). Increased CP tended (P = .12) to increase plasma glucose and increased (P = .0001) plasma urea N. Treatment had no effect on profiles of LH or progesterone. Although numerical differences in conception rate seemed large for 100-L compared with the remaining treatments, statistical significance was not detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

Prolonged postpartum anovulation in mastectomized cows requires tactile stimulation by the calf.

Association of the calf with its dam prolongs the postpartum interval to first ovulation in intact and mastectomized cows indicating that tactile stimulus of the teat and (or) udder is not necessary. Therefore, we conducted the following experiment to determine whether individual calves allowed restricted contact with their mastectomized dam would delay the onset of first postpartum ovulation. Mastectomized cows (n = 21) were allotted randomly and equally to three groups in which cows were 1) allowed unrestricted access to their calves, with unlimited tactile, olfactory, visual, and auditory stimuli (calf present); 2) removed permanently from their calves 24 h after parturition and provided no further association with their calves (calf removed); and 3) remained with their calves for 24 h and then the cow-calf pair was restricted to a pen where tactile contact of the calf was limited to the head and neck region of its dam (calf restricted). Seven udder-intact cows (control) remained with their calves and were allowed to nurse ad libitum. Postpartum intervals to ovulation and first estrus for the calf-restricted cows and calf-removed cows were similar but shorter (P < .05) than those for the calf-present and udder-intact groups. We conclude that restricting tactile stimuli of the calf to the head and neck area of its dam failed to prolong postpartum anovulation in the mastectomized dam and that a cow-calf nursing orientation with tactile stimuli to the inguinal area, but not limited to the teat and(or) udder, was sufficient to prolong anovulation.

Animals↗

Failure of dietary amino acid supplementation at weaning to influence reproductive traits of sows.

Primiparous and multiparous sows received a single dietary supplement of either L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, or L-glutamate in their feed on the day after weaning and effects on various reproductive traits were evaluated in three experiments. In Exp. 1 and 2, sows received either 0 (control; n = 22 and 64, respectively) or 100 mg of L-tyrosine/kg BW (n = 24 and 62, respectively) on the day after weaning. In Exp. 1, days from weaning to estrus (5.5 +/- .3 vs 5.3 +/- .3 d) and ovulation rate (15.6 +/- .9 vs 15.6 +/- 1) were similar in control and tyrosine-supplemented sows. In Exp. 2, interval from weaning to estrus was extended (P < .01) in tyrosine-supplemented sows (6.4 +/- .5 d) compared with controls (4.5 +/- .5 d), but this was due to long return intervals in 7 of 62 tyrosine-supplemented sows. Total number of pigs born (10.2 +/- .4 vs 10.0 +/- .4) was similar in control and tyrosine-supplemented sows. In Exp. 3, sows received either no supplemental amino acids (n = 31) or their diet was supplemented with 100 mg/kg BW of either L-tyrosine (n = 31), L-phenylalanine (n = 33), or L-glutamate (n = 32). Neither days from weaning to estrus nor subsequent farrowing traits were altered in sows that received supplemental amino acids on the day after weaning. In conclusion, a single dietary supplementation of either tyrosine, phenylalanine, or glutamate to sows on the day after weaning failed to improve interval from weaning to estrus, ovulation rate, or litter traits at subsequent farrowing.

Amino Acids↗

Postinsemination administration of receptal: follicular dynamics, duration of cycle, hormonal responses, and pregnancy rates.

In experiment 1, concentrations of LH, FSH, and progesterone, but not estradiol-17 beta, in blood serum were increased during 6 to 12 h after injection of 8 micrograms of receptal (GnRH agonist) administered on d 11 to 14 after estrus (d 0) and at first AI compared with saline treatment in lactating Holstein cows. Beginning 2 to 3 d after injection of receptal, concentrations of progesterone were increased for 3 d in nonpregnant cows and for 12 d in pregnant cows compared with controls of similar pregnancy status. Number of ovarian follicles determined by ultrasonography during 10 d after receptal was reduced, specifically those with antral diameters of > or = 10 mm. The dominant follicle in both groups began to decrease in diameter on the day following treatment, but the next dominant follicle began to increase in diameter 2.3 +/- .7 d later in receptal-treated cows than in controls, accounting for an increase in cycle duration of 2.5 +/- .8 d. In Experiment 2, a double-blinded study was conducted in eight herds in which cows (n = 1013) were AI at first detected estrus after 50 d postpartum and assigned randomly to receive either saline or 4, 8, or 12 micrograms of receptal on d 11 to 14 after first AI. Pregnancy rates were improved in one herd at all doses of receptal, but dose responses were inconsistent in remaining herds. A greater proportion of cows given receptal than controls returned to estrus after 24 d. Administration of a potent GnRH agonist altered number and distribution of ovarian follicles, increased cycle duration, and increased concentrations of progesterone without a consistent increase in pregnancy rates.

Animals↗

Ovarian follicular waves in dairy cows after administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone at estrus.

A crossover design experiment was conducted to examine the effects of GnRH on hormonal concentrations and changes in ovarian structures of lactating dairy cows during the estrous cycle. Cows were assigned randomly to receive either 100 micrograms of GnRH or saline 12 h after estrus (d 0) was first observed. Ultrasonographic examinations of the ovaries performed daily throughout the estrous cycle detected either three (n = 7) or four (n = 6) follicular waves. Transient increases in FSH generally preceding the follicular wave containing the dominant (preovulatory) follicle, and the emergence of the dominant follicle before the subsequent estrus occurred later in GnRH-treated than in saline-treated cows with either three or four follicular waves. Day of emergence of dominant follicles within follicular waves was preceded 83% of the time by a transient increase in FSH and was followed consistently by increased serum estradiol-17 beta, which generally reached peak concentrations concomitant with the peak diameter of the dominant follicle. Although clearly defined pulses were detected in 19 out of 26 sampling periods in d 7 and 14, number of FSH pulses and percentage of cows with pulses of FSH were similar in GnRH-treated and saline-treated cows with three or four follicular waves. In conclusion, treatment of cows with GnRH 12 h after the onset of estrus delayed the appearance of the next ovulatory follicle in cows with either three or four follicular waves. Regardless of treatment, emergence of dominant follicles was preceded in most cases by a transient increase in FSH and followed consistently by increased estradiol-17 beta.

Animals↗

Induction of estrus after thyroidectomy in nonlactating Holstein cows.

Hypothyroidism reportedly decreased sexual behavior in several species. To confirm the role of hypothyroidism in the expression of estrus in cattle, our objective was to determine whether estrus could be induced in ovariectomized cows without intact thyroid glands using estradiol benzoate and progesterone. Eight nonlactating, nonpregnant Holstein cows were thyroidectomized and ovariectomized, and another four cows were ovariectomized only. All cows were given either estradiol benzoate in a crossover design with two replicates during 4 consecutive wk. Cows were observed continuously for estrus from 9 to 45 h after treatment with gonadal steroids. Intensity of estrus was assessed by quantitative measurement of the frequencies of mounting activity and standing behavior. The percentage of cows showing estrus was influenced by thyroidectomy-ovariectomy (78.1%) compared with ovariectomy (31.1%) but was unaffected by hormonal treatment. In contrast, other measures of estrous behavior (duration of standing estrus and frequencies of mounting and standing activities) were unaffected by thyroid status or by hormonal treatments. We concluded that ovariectomized cows without intact thyroid glands exhibit estrus and that the exhibited behavior is similar in intensity and duration to that in ovariectomized cows treated with gonadal steroids. Hypothyroidism may not cause failure to express estrus.

Animals↗

Meta-analysis for descriptive research.

Although nurses have begun to use meta-analysis, a review of the nursing literature demonstrates that its use has not been maximized. Meta-analysis can be employed to synthesize descriptive as well as experimental research, yet attention in nursing has focused almost exclusively on meta-analysis techniques for, and meta-analytic studies of, experimental research. Furthermore, nursing literature has emphasized use of the effect size index (d) rather than the correlation index (r); the latter may, in some cases, be the more suitable metric, particularly with meta-analysis of correlational studies. An argument is made for the value of meta-analysis as a technique for integrating descriptive research, and an overview of different meta-analytic approaches to data analysis using the correlational index with descriptive research is provided.

Humans↗

Pregnancy rates in beef cattle after administering a GnRH agonist 11 to 14 days after insemination.

The objective of our study was to determine the dose-pregnancy rate response of a GnRH agonist injected once during the luteal phase in virgin heifers (four locations) and suckled beef cows (two locations) during the spring of 1989. The same treatments in virgin heifers were used at one location in the fall of 1989. Heifers and cows were inseminated at a synchronized estrus and then assigned randomly to each of three doses (0, 100, or 200 micrograms) of fertirelin acetate administered in 4 ml of saline in a double-blind study after being blocked by inseminator and service sire. Injections were given (i.m.) once on d 11, 12, 13, or 14 after estrus. Pregnancy rates were determined by palpation of the uterus per rectum and(or) by actual calving dates. Overall pregnancy rates for heifers across five locations were 86/201 (43%), 100/197 (51%), and 100/203 (49%) for the 0, 100, and 200 micrograms doses of fertirelin acetate, respectively. Pregnancy rates for heifers at two locations based on calving data were 28/48 (50%), 31/47 (66%), and 34/52 (65%) for the three doses. Both the 100- and 200-micrograms doses increased (P less than .05) pregnancy rates in heifers based on palpation results, whereas only the 200-micrograms dose tended to increase (P = .10) pregnancy rates based on calving results. Pregnancy rates based on palpation for suckled beef cows at two locations were 36/51 (71%), 30/43 (70%), and 34/51 (67%), and the corresponding pregnancy rates based on calving results were 30/41 (73%), 32/36 (89%), and 31/38 (82%) for the 0, 100, and 200 micrograms doses, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗