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PubMed1993

Evaluation of the relationship between social status and reproductive performance in farmed blue foxes.

An experimental cage system was designed for evaluating the association of social status and reproductive performance in blue foxes under fur-farm conditions. The present test cage apparatus consisted of 6 small cages and 1 large cage that were connected. The small cages were utilized for males of different social status and the large cage for females coming on heat. The results showed that this type of testing apparatus can be used for evaluating a female's acceptance of males of different social rank. The locomotor activity of males significantly depended on their social status; thus the most active individuals in the test were the most dominant, and vice versa. Females most often accepted higher-ranking males. Juvenile males were the least dominant and also the least accepted by females. Urination activity was not necessarily related to dominance.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Reproductive performance and body weight changes in draught cows in a smallholder semi-arid farming area of Zimbabwe.

The reproductive performance of 46 cows in a semi-arid, smallholder farming area of Zimbabwe was monitored for a year. Half the cows were used throughout the monitoring period for various draught purposes, including ploughing and procurement of farm produce for marketing using carts. All the cows lost body weight between July and October, after which the cows that were not worked gained weight until June of the following year. In contrast, the cows that were worked continued to lose body weight until January, throughout the time during which they were used to provide draught power, after which they gained weight. Body weights were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in non-working than in working cows in January and February. Ovarian activity was higher (p < 0.001) in non-working compared to working cows, particularly between November and February, while calving rates were also higher (p < 0.05) in non-working cows. It is concluded that using cows for draught purposes caused loss of body weight and reduced ovarian activity and conception rates.

Agriculture↗

PubMed1989

Reproductive performance and fetal growth in female mice from lines divergently selected on the basis of plasma IGF-1 concentrations.

Reproductive performance, mammary gland weight and plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were examined in 18-day-pregnant mice from lines divergently selected on the basis of plasma IGF-1 concentration. Females of the high IGF-1 (H) line were 14% heavier than those of the low IGF-1 (L) line at mating but did not differ in conception rate during a 15-day mating period. H-line females produced significantly larger litters by an average of 1.5 fetuses (19%), heavier fetuses (7%), greater total fetal weight (30%), heavier placental discs (15%), greater total placental weight (35%) and heavier mammary glands (18%). Plasma IGF-1 values were 12% greater in H-line than L-line females at Day 19 of gestation but the line difference was not significant. It is concluded that differences between the lines in litter size and mammary gland weight are most likely due to differences in maternal bodyweight (which are in turn a consequence of selection for plasma IGF-1 at puberty). Whether the difference in fetal weight is a function of fetal capacity to grow in utero or ability of the dam to provide nutrients for fetal growth is yet to be determined.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative studies on the growth and reproductive performances of Rhodnius prolixus reared on different blood sources.

Host blood source was found to affect both the development and the reproductive performance of Rhodnius prolixus. The insects were reared on citrated human, rabbit, chicken, sheep and horse blood sources, through a membrane feeder, during an entire life cycle, from eggs to adults. Development and reproduction in terms of the number of unfed insects, number of moulting, mortality intermoulting period, number of egg/female, conversion of blood into egg (mg meal/egg) and percentage of hatch as effective physiological parameters were investigated. Our results showed that human or rabbit blood meals were more nutritionally efficient than the other blood samples used because (i) the insects developed faster, presented low mortality and about 80% of them reached the adult stage; and (ii) females oviposited an average of at least 100% more eggs. The inefficiency of chicken and horse blood sources as diets for R. prolixus was manifested in (i) a decrease of the amount of ingested blood and (ii) only a reasonable nutritional quality. The inadequacy of sheep blood was observed by a mortality extremely high, poor moulting response and drastic reduction in egg production.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Effect of initial breeding weight and management system using a high-producing sow genotype on resulting reproductive performance over three parities.

A study was conducted with sows of a high-producing genotype to evaluate their reproductive performance using three breeding weights over a three-parity period in two management systems. A total of 114 F1 gilts (Landrace x Yorkshire) were used in a split-plot, randomized, complete block experiment conducted as a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in two replicates. Three gilt breeding weights of 120, 135, and 150 kg were achieved by feeding 1.8, 2.3, or 3.2 kg/d of a .73% lysine corn-soybean meal (C-SBM) diet, respectively, from 5 to 8 mo of age. Two locations, each with different management systems, were considered the main plot and consisted of 1) outside, concrete-floored gestation lots and indoor farrowing pens or 2) indoor gestation pens and farrowing crates. All sows were fed 1.8 (Parity 1) or 2.1 (Parity 2 and 3) kg/d of a .73% lysine C-SBM diet during the breeding and gestation periods, whereas a .82% lysine C-SBM diet with 5% added fat was available ad libitum during lactation. All sows lost weight during the first lactation; larger weight losses occurred as breeding weight increased (P < .01). During the second and third lactations the 135- and 150-kg sow breeding groups had less lactation weight change, whereas the 120-kg group lost more weight, resulting in a breeding weight x parity interaction (P < .01). The 120-kg breeding weight group consumed less feed (P < .05) for the three lactation periods than did the heavier weight groups. Initial breeding weight had no effect on number of pigs born (total, live) or pig and litter weights at birth. Pig mortality increased with increasing breeding weight (P < .01) and parity (P < .05), a response that was exacerbated when sows farrowed in pens vs crates. Postweaning breeding intervals and sow removal from the experiment were not significantly affected by initial breeding weight, but a numerically higher percentage of sows in the 120-kg group were anestrous or failed to conceive than the percentage of such sows in the heavier weight groups. These data suggest that an initial breeding weight of approximately 135 kg at 8 mo of age may be best when sows farrow in crates, whereas when sows farrow in pens a lower breeding weight may be more desirable.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1982

Effect of beta-carotene supplementation on reproductive performance of dairy heifers.

Three trials were conducted to determine the effect of feeding supplemental beta-carotene on reproductive performance of Holstein heifers. In each trial, the animals were randomly assigned to either a control or treatment group. Animals in the treatment groups received 300 mg supplemental beta-carotene daily for the test periods which varied from 6 to 8 weeks in length. To facilitate sample collections and observations, estrus was synchronized with two injections of 25 mg PGF(2alpha) at 11 day intervals. The first injection was after 2 weeks of feeding supplemental beta-carotene. Blood serum beta-carotene concentrations were higher in the heifers fed supplemental beta-carotene as compared to concentrations in control heifers after 1 week of feeding and this difference increased throughout the test periods. The interval from the second injection of PGF(2alpha) to onset of estrus was shorter in the control heifers as compared to that interval in heifers supplemented with beta-carotene (trial 1,44.0 vs 56.0 hr; trial 2, 51.3 vs 70.8 hr; trial 3, 40.7 vs 62.5 hr, respectively). The intervals from PGF(2alpha) administration to the preovulatory LH peak (43.3 vs 61.5 hr) and ovulation (69.3 vs 85.9 hr) were also shorter in the control heifers in trial 3. No significant differences were found among treatments in the number of heifers that expressed estrus, the blood serum progesterone concentrations or the conception rates in any of the three trials.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1988

Effect of lasalocid on reproductive performance and subsequent lactation in the sow.

The effect of lasalocid (140 mg . head-1 . d-1) on sow reproductive performance and subsequent piglet performance during lactation were examined in a trial that involved 114 sows. Treatments consisted of 1) control diet with no lasalocid during gestation and lactation; 2) lasalocid diet during gestation, control diet during lactation; 3) control diet during gestation and lasalocid diet during lactation; and 4) lasalocid diet during gestation and lactation. The addition of lasalocid either to gestation or lactation diets had no effect (P greater than .10) on sow weight gains or days to return to estrus postweaning. Milk protein percentages were similar (P greater than .10) for sows in all treatment groups for samples taken at 3, 7 and 14 d postfarrowing. Milk fat percentages were higher (P less than .05) in fall-bred sows at d 3 for Treatments 1, 3 and 4 than for Treatment 2 No significant differences (P less than .10) were observed for litter size at birth, 21 d postfarrowing or at weaning. Piglet weights at birth, 21 d and weaning were similar (P less than .10) among treatment groups. However, litter size and litter weight gains tended to be heavier at 21 d postfarrowing and at weaning for fall-bred sows fed lasalocid in either gestation and (or) lactation compared with those fed the control diet.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Post-partum reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cattle on smallholder farms in sub-humid coastal Tanzania.

The objective of this study was to monitor the reproductive performance of dairy cows in smallholder farms under the Tanga Dairy Development Project (TDDP). The findings can be used to improve reproductive efficiency. Dates of oestrus, artificial insemination (AI) or service by bull and calving were recorded, and pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation. Daily milk yields, monthly body condition score (BCS) measured on the scale of 1-9, feed availability, calf rearing, and diseases were also recorded. Milk progesterone (P4) concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 1327 sequential samples collected between day 15 and 120 in 46 post-partum Zebu x Friesian crossbred dairy cows. The mean interval from calving to first P4 rise above 2 nmol/L (cyclicity) was 66.1 +/- 6.8 days. Resumption of ovarian activity postpartum was early (< 60 days) in 45%, and late (> 60 days) in 55% of the cows. In about 45% of the cows the first post-partum ovarian cycles were short (< 14 days) and had low P4 concentrations. Oestrus was missed once or several times in 34.7% of the cows, most likely indicating poor oestrus detection, silent oestrus, or farmers deliberately not taking or reporting their cows for insemination. The mean interval to conception was within 130 days postpartum. Average daily milk production was 5.7 +/- 2.2 L and the mean BCS Was 3.1 +/- 1.3. Both milk production and BCS had no clear influence on the measured reproduction parameters. Clinical uterine involution was complete within 29 +/- 2.6 days of calving in the majority of cows. Progesterone profiles and rectal palpation revealed various causes of infertility, which included anoestrus, silent oestrus, irregular oestrous cycles, and infection of the uterus. The major causes of animal culling, death, slaughter or sales include tick-borne diseases and trypanosomiasis, which have high prevalences in the area, infertility, low productivity and old age. Greater attention should be focused on reproduction and its interaction with nutrition and disease control.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Reproductive performance in a diallel cross among lines of mice selected for litter size and body weight.

Genetic factors affecting female reproductive performance in lines of mice with a known history of selection were estimated from a 5 X 5 diallel cross. Lines were selected as follows: large litter size at birth (L+); large 6-wk body weight (W+); an index for large litter size and small 6-wk body weight (L+W-); the complementary index (L-W+) and randomly (K). Partitioning of direct and correlated responses for litter size, 6-wk body weight and related traits into average direct genetic (li) and average maternal genetic (mi) effects indicated that the magnitude of differences in li exceeded those in mi. Lines having positive responses in li were W+ greater than L+ greater than L-W+ for dam body weight, L+ greater than L+W- greater than W+ for litter size and L+ greater than (W+, L+W-) for litter birth weight, whereas L-W+ responded negatively for litter size. A positive association was found between mi for litter size and dam body weight, W+ and L-W+ being high and L+ and L+W- low for both traits. Female infertility and time from male exposure to parturition had relatively small correlated responses. Line rankings in general combining ability (gi) and net line effects were similar for the respective traits. Depending upon the line and trait involved, the relative contribution of average direct genetic and line direct heterotic (hi) effects to general combining ability [gi = (1/2) li + hi] varied. Line heterosis refers to average heterosis in crosses involving that line. Direct heterosis ( hij ) for each trait differed considerably among crosses. The three crosses showing the highest hij for litter size at birth, W+ X L-W+ (1.78), L+ X W+ (1.28) and L-W+ X L+W- (1.22), possibly had loci contributing directional dominance to litter size with frequencies of parental lines deviating in opposite directions relative to mean gene frequency. The correlation between absolute difference in parental line means and hij for litter size was not significant, suggesting that the magnitudes of absolute differences in parental means were not reliable predictors of divergence in gene frequency. Crossbred performance increased linearly with midparent values for litter size at birth (b = .88 +/- .09, R2 = .92) and dam parturition body weight (b = 1.13 +/- .04, R2 = .99), the latter trait showing an increase (P less than .01) in heterosis as midparent values increased.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Interrelationships between ambient temperature, age at calving, postpartum reproductive events and reproductive performance in dairy cows: a path analysis.

Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between ambient temperature, age at calving, postpartum reproductive events and reproductive performance in dairy cows. The data used in the analysis were collected on 226 Holstein-Friesian cows calving in a commercial dairy herd during a 17 month period (May 1, 1981 to October 1, 1982). The data were obtained from a double blind study evaluating the effects of gonadotrophin releasing hormone and cloprostenol in postpartum cows. Rectal palpation to assess uterine involution and ovarian activity was performed on each cow on days 15, 24 and 28 postpartum. At the same time, blood samples were collected for subsequent progesterone assay. Data were recorded on the occurrence of reproductive diseases and events from the time of parturition until the diagnosis of pregnancy or until the cow left the herd in the case of culled cows. There was an increase in the incidence of retained placenta, in the percentage of cows with abnormal vaginal discharge in the early postpartum period as well as a delay in uterine involution during the winter months. In addition, cows calving during the winter had prolonged intervals to first estrus, first service and conception compared to cows calving during the summer. (Cows calving during the warmest months, on average, were seen in estrus 24 days sooner, received first service 42 days sooner and conceived 27 days sooner than cows calving during the coldest months of the year).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

[Effects of feed and mating age on reproductive performance in Syrian hamsters].

In order to utilize Syrian hamsters in selection experiments, we investigated desirable conditions of feed and mating age for reproduction in females. Hamsters were subdivided into two groups, raised on pellet feed for herbivores (ZC-2) and breeding (MB-1), respectively. Half of the hamsters in each group were switched to the other feed, respectively, after mating. They were mated at 8 or 12 weeks of age. In the group that has been fed on ZC-2 before mating and MB-1 after mating, there was significantly more females giving birth and weaning, and exhibited the largest litter size and litter weight at 3 weeks of age (P < 0.01). The hamsters of the groups mated at 12 weeks of age exhibited a higher percentage of females giving birth and litter size and litter weight at birth than those at 8 weeks of age, but that was no significant difference in litter size and litter weight at 3 weeks of age. We conclude that Syrian hamsters raised by fibrous feed before mating gave optimal reproductive performance.

Aging↗

PubMed1994

Weight gain and reproductive performance of spring-born beef heifer calves intraruminally administered oxfendazole.

The effect of oxfendazole (Synanthic) on weight gain and reproductive performance of spring-born heifer calves was evaluated at five locations (IL, IN, MI, MO, ND). Three hundred thirty-eight mixed-breed beef heifers (293.4 kg) blocked by weight and age were randomly allotted to one of two treatments. Treatment 1 heifers were dewormed via intraruminal injection of oxfendazole. Treatment 2 heifers served as a control. Heifers were comingled during the winter phase in semi-confinement during the period from late January to late May (winter phase). Heifers were sorted by treatment at the beginning of the grazing season (approximately May 24, 1991) and remained separate until the end of the study (approximately July 31, 1991; summer phase). Dewormed heifers received oxfendazole (4.5 mg/kg BW) in late January and again 28 and 56 d after the beginning of the grazing season. Fecal samples were taken every 21 d from January through September and assayed for gastrointestinal parasite eggs. Fecal egg counts were similar across treatments at the beginning of the trial (P = .34). Deworming decreased fecal egg counts throughout the trial. Twenty-eight days after initial deworming a significant treatment effect on fecal egg counts was observed (P < .01). Winter ADG was significantly higher (P < .01) for dewormed heifers than for controls (.60 vs .52 kg, respectively). Summer ADG was not different between treatments. Dewormed heifers were 7.4 kg heavier than controls (P < .05) at the end of the trial. Age of puberty was not affected by treatment (P = .64). First-service conception and final pregnancy rates were not different between treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Enhancing reproductive performance in dairy buffalo: major constraints and achievements.

Buffalo are of high economic importance for farmers in several developing countries but reproductive performance is poor. A large proportion of heifers attain puberty at 3-5 years of age. A good quality diet supplemented with extra nutrients reduces the age of puberty, whereas the effects of administration of exogenous GnRH or equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) are equivocal. The incidence of anoestrus in buffalo ranges from 20 to 80% depending on season. Most buffalo cease ovarian cyclicity during hot summers probably due to the combined effects of nutrition, environment and management. Keeping buffalo cool by wallowing, water sprinklers or shade improves fertility. Supplementary feeding with Urea Molasses Multi-nutrient Blocks (UMMB) for 60 days before calving enhances the early onset of postpartum oestrus. Regular UMMB supplementation also improves pregnancy rates in anoestrous non-pregnant buffalo. Prepartum vaginal prolapse is hereditary and eradication can be achieved by genetic selective breeding programmes. Treatment with calcium, phosphorus and progesterone gives only transient relief to clinical cases. Uterine torsion is the most common cause of dystocia (70%). Deployment of Sharma's detorsion method and anti-stress measures increase survival rates in cases presented within 36 h. In conclusion, greater understanding about the effects of better year-round nutrition, improved management and markers for logical breeding programmes are essential to curtail the incidence of the reproductive disorders that reduce buffalo fertility.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dietary administration of colesevelam hydrochloride does not affect fertility or reproductive performance in rats.

Colesevelam hydrochloride (HCl) (WelChol; Sankyo Pharma) is a novel, highly potent, bile acid-binding polymer used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. The primary aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietarily administered colesevelam HCl on fertility and reproductive performance parameters. To assess these effects, sexually mature Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to one of five treatment groups: feed alone, feed plus control article (SigmaCell), or feed plus colesevelam HCl 200, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg/day. Male and female rats were administered the appropriate group agent for 28 and 15 days, respectively, and were subsequently paired together for cohabitation and mating. Females continued to receive the test agent in their dietary formulation through presumed gestation day (GD) 7. Presumed pregnant females underwent cesarean section on GD 20. Food consumption rate, body weight, gross necropsy, and standard preclinical tests for reproduction and fertility were performed for each test animal. No statistically significant differences were found between control and drug-treated groups for any tested endpoints of reproduction. All animals placed in cohabitation successfully mated. Uterine and litter end points were unaffected by dosages of colesevelam HCl as high as 2000 mg/kg/day. There were no significant differences between treatment group litter averages in the number of corpora lutea, implantation sites, litter size, live fetuses, body weights, early/late resorptions, and the number of dams with viable fetuses. In addition, no external alterations of fetal morphology were attributable to treatment with colesevelam HCl when administered up to the embryo implantation stage. In male animals, no significant differences were found between the colesevelam HCl and control study groups in the average caudal epididymal sperm count or sperm concentration, total number of motile and nonmotile sperm, and the total percentage of motile sperm. Based on these data, colesevelam HCl does not have any significant adverse reproductive or fertility effects in rats, even when administered at doses approximately 30 times greater than the approved clinical dose.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1984

Assessment of the reproductive performance of individual boars and the growth rate of their progeny in commercial units using a computerised monitoring system.

Records of the reproductive performance of boars on a 250 sow commercial pig herd were collated for four years. A new computer program was constructed and used for data on the daily liveweight gain and carcase grading of the whole herd and of individual sows and boars for selected periods. Two separate series of records, each for 11 boars, are presented and analysed statistically to determine significant differences between the boars in each series for farrowing rates to first service, total numbers born and liveweight gain of progeny. The overall farrowing rate to first service was 85.6 per cent for boars in series 1 and 82.1 per cent for those in series 2. One boar was found to have a farrowing rate to first service consistently below 75 per cent and was culled. The decision to cull was taken although its performance was only significantly different in series 1. No statistical differences between boars were found for numbers born. Statistical differences between boars were found for liveweight gain of progeny and the use of Duncan's multiple range test on ranked means in the analysis of such data is discussed. The necessity for the use of statistical analysis rather than simple ranking in the presentation of boar data is discussed and guidelines are given.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2005

Effect of neosporosis on productive and reproductive performance of dairy cattle in Costa Rica.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the effect of neosporosis on productive and reproductive parameters in dairy cows. Cows (n=2743) from 94 farms located in the most important dairy areas in Costa Rica were used in the study. The size of the herds ranged from 32 to 379 females (mean=110, median=125). An indirect ELISA was used to determine the serostatus of the cows towards Neospora caninum. The effect of neosporosis on milk production was analysed by a mixed linear model. In addition, the effects on calving interval (days) and calving to conception interval (days) were analysed by survival analysis. The risk of abortion in relation to N. caninum serostatus was assessed by logistic regression, with herd as a random effect. Overall, 1185 of 2743 cows (43.3%) were seropositive for Neospora. Eighty-nine of 94 (94.7%) farms were classified as Neospora-seropositive. It was estimated that cows seronegative to Neospora produced an additional 84.7L of milk (P=0.6). Serostatus did not have a significant effect on the length of the calving interval in the Cox proportional hazard survival analysis (Hazard ratio=1.2, 95% CI: 0.9, 1.4). The logistic regression model had a weak positive association between serostatus and abortion (OR 1.7, 95% CI: 0.8, 3.9), but did not show a strong association between serostatus and the number of services per conception (OR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.7, 1.3). In conclusion, there were no significant effects of Neospora serostatus on production and reproductive performance in this study.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Effect of dietary biotin supplementation on sow reproductive performance and soundness and pig growth and mortality.

A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary biotin supplementation on the reproductive performance of 90 sows and gilts, and on the pre-weaning growth and mortality of 223 litters. Corn-soybean meal-based diets supplemented with either 0 or 440 micrograms/kg d-biotin were fed to sows throughout their reproductive cycle. Biotin supplementation had no beneficial effect (P greater than .10) on 107-d sow weight, sow weight at weaning, weaning to estrus interval, foot lesion score, hair loss score, structural soundness score, number of pigs born, number and percentage of pigs born alive or number and percentage of pigs alive at 21 d of age. Biotin supplementation had no effect (P greater than .10) on pig growth or mortality to 21 d of age. These data do not support the concept that biotin supplementation of sow diets is needed.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Effect of insulin administration before weaning on reproductive performance in feed restricted primiparous sows.

The objective of this study was to determine whether exogenous insulin administration in late can improve reproductive performance of feed restricted primiparous sows. A total of 24 pure Large White gilts were assigned at farrowing to one of the three following experimental groups. Control sows (CTRL) were fed on a plane of nutrition close to ad libitum and received 6 kg food day-1. Restricted saline-treated (RS) and insulin-treated (RI) sows received only 4 kg food day-1. Sows from RI group received 0.4 IU insulin per kg of live weight once daily during the 5-day weaning period, whereas CTRL and RS sows received saline injections as a sham treatment. Litters (8-10 piglets) were weaned at 23.5 +/- 1 days post-partum. Blood samples were collected 2 days before (Day W - 2) and after weaning (Day W + 2). Restricted sows RS and RI lost significantly more weight than CTRL sows (25 kg and 32 kg, respectively, vs. 10 kg) and more fat (5.3 mm and 4.7 mm, respectively, vs. 2.2 mm). During insulin treatment, daily litter weight gain was lower in RI than in RS and CTRL groups (P < 0.05). On Day W - 2, insulin concentration was higher, while that of glucose was lower in RI than in RS and CTRL sows (P < 0.05). Concentrations of NEFA and IGF-I were similar in the three groups of sows. On Day W + 2, concentrations of FSH and oestradiol-17 beta did not differ significantly between females of the different groups. Weaning-to-oestrus interval and ovulation rate were similar in CTRL, RS and RI females (5.7, 5.9 and 5.6 days; 19.2, 20.7 and 22.1 corpora lutea, respectively). We concluded that insulin administration during late lactation to feed-restricted primiparous sows did not improve weaning-to-oestrus interval and post-weaning ovulation rate, but was likely to decrease milk production.

Animals↗