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PubMed1994

Reproductive performance in high producing dairy cows treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin.

The reproductive performance of 156 cows treated with recombinant bST for two consecutive lactations was assessed as part of a target animal safety study conducted in the San Joaquín Valley of central California. Daily intramuscular administration of 17.2, 51.6, and 86 mg of bST per cow started at d 70 postpartum and ended at dry-off or 305 d postpartum. The AI did not begin until d 70 postpartum. During the first lactation study, multiparous cows treated with bST had significantly decreased pregnancy rates, increased behavioral anestrus, and increased anestrus confirmed by palpation. Treated primiparous cows in first lactation had shorter mean days to first standing estrus. In the second lactation study, cows treated with bST had an increased rate of delayed uterine involution, cystic ovarian condition, behavioral anestrus, and anestrus confirmed by palpation. Progeny from the first lactation cows were evaluated for rates of growth, morbidity, mortality, and for reproductive performance; no difference was detected between the progeny from different groups.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1980

An estimation of reproductive performance in the women of Punjab.

This paper reports the preliminary findings on the reproductive performance of 325 Punjabi women between the age limits 35 and 55 years. The total amount of time available for reproduction and total time used for effective reproduction and the period which has been wasted as a result of socio-cultural and biological factors have been calculated in the study in hand. For the purpose of the present study it has been assumed that the time period between menarche and menopause represents the maximum possible length of potential reproductive life. A mean age at menarche of 14.31 years and mean age at menopause of 44.6 years gives an average length of menstrual life of 30.3 years for the cases studied. The mean age at marriage in this sample is 14.60 years. A total of 10,084.20 years were all the reproductive periods of 325 individuals. It has been observed that out of this period only 8,782.90 years (87.08 per cent) have been used for effective reproduction and 1,201.3 years (12.92 per cent) have been wasted as a result of socio-cultural and biological factors. All pregnancies, as well as breast feeding operate to reduce fecusidability. The various contraceptive measures used by mankind also lower reproductive performance.

Adult↗

PubMed1981

Effects of prostaglandin F2 alpha and pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the reproductive performance of fluorogestone acetate PMSG-treated ewes.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and pregnant mares' serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on the reproductive performance (fertility, prolificacy and fecundity) of ewes previously treated with fluorogestone acetate (FGA) and PMSG. In the first experiment, 29 ewes were synchronized for estrus with FGA and PMSG but not bred at the postsynchronization estrus. On day 10 of the first post-synchronization estrous cycle, they were injected IM with 15 mg PGF2 alpha and 500 IU PMSG and exposed to experienced, fertile, raddled rams. Twenty-four of the 29 ewes (83%) had viable fetuses 9 weeks after the PGF2 alpha-PMSG treatment. In the second experiment, 64 ewes were treated with FGA-PMSG, and 33 were exposed to fertile, raddled rams at the synchronized estrus. A second group of 31 ewes was not bred at the synchronized estrus, but on day 12 of the postsynchronized estrous cycle, they were injected IM with 15 mg PGF2 alpha and 500 IU PMSG and exposed to fertile, raddled rams. Sixty-six percent of the 33 ewes lambed in the FGA-PMSG-treated group and 60% of the 31 ewes lambed in the PGF2 alpha-PMSG-treated group. Differences in reproductive performance between these two treatment groups were not statistically significant. The results suggest that the PGF2 alpha-PMSG treatment combination does not adversely affect reproductive performance of ewes.

Animals↗

PubMed1982

In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol: adverse effects on the reproductive tract and reproductive performance and male and female offspring.

Exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in utero is associated with adverse effects on the reproductive tract in male and female progeny. These effects include epididymal cysts, microphallus, cryptorchidism, and testicular hypoplasia in male subjects and adenosis, clear cell adenocarcinoma, and structural defects of the cervix, vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes in female subjects. As these offspring have reached reproductive age, reports of adverse reproductive performance have been published, including still controversial reports of menstrual dysfunction and infertility. More well established are increased rates of spontaneous abortion, ectopic pregnancy, premature deliveries, and perinatal deaths, all contributing to an increase in overall adverse pregnancy outcome. Often there is correlation between the DES-associated anatomic abnormalities in the reproductive tract and the adverse reproductive performance. Altered male reproductive capacity is also suggested by diminished semen analyses and sperm penetration assays. A detailed review of these effects of in utero DES exposure is presented.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1990

Reproductive performance of Friesian cows in Saudi Arabia. II. Resting and service interval, conception rate, and number of services per conception.

A comparative investigation was carried out on criteria for the reproductive performance (n = 590) of 114 imported and 86 locally born Friesian cows reared under semi-arid conditions in Saudi Arabia in 2 farms. No significant differences were found between the two groups as regards the resting time, first service to conception interval, service interval, conception rate, and insemination index. The conception rate was low (46%), and the insemination index-services per conception-was high (2.16). The season had no significant effect on the reproductive performance. Significant differences were found in the conception rate and insemination index of both groups between farms, with lower results for artificial insemination. Heat stress and adaption problems are seen as causing the low conception rate and insemination index. Measures for improving the reproductive performance of Friesian cows in Saudi Arabia are outlined.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

A study of certain environmental factors and mineral chelation on the reproductive performance of young and yearling turkey hens.

The study presented was designed to determine the effects of laying cages and conventional litter floors, pen temperatures of 12.8 degrees, 21.1 degrees and 29.4 degrees C., and chelated (EDTA-Zn) vs. nonchelated trace mineral mixes on the reproductive performance of yearling force-molted and young Large White female turkeys. Reproductive performance, as measured by egg production, settable eggs, fertility and hatchability of fertile eggs, was not significantly different between young and yearling hens. Females fed a chelated trace mineral mix had a higher percentage of settable eggs, greater feed consumption and thicker egg shells. Females in laying cages laid at a higher rate, ate more feed, and weighed more than those on conventional floors. Significant differences were not observed between the two pen environments for hatchability of fertile eggs or egg weight. The percentages of settable eggs and of fertile eggs were lower when females were maintained in cages. A constant temperature of 29.4 degrees C. reduced egg production below that obtained from females maintained at 12.8 degrees and 21.1 degrees C. The high pen temperature also caused lower body and egg weights, more birds out of production and an increased incidence of molting. Feed consumption decreased with increasing pen temperatures. Fertility, hatchability, percentage of settable eggs and egg shell thickness were unaffected by the imposed temperature environments. Temperatures of 12.8 degrees and 21.1 degrees C. yielded comparable results for all reproductive parameters measured. Within the range of temperatures studied, results obtained suggest that optimum reproductive performance can be obtained with breeder turkeys when environmental temperatures are maintained between 12.8 degrees and 21.1 degrees C.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1978

A health program for commercial dairy herds. 3. Changes in reproductive performance.

A health program service was implemented on 9 farms, for periods ranging up to 7 years. Reproductive performance was substantially improved, when performance indicators were compared with values for the herds prior to commencement of the service. On average, the mean calving to conception intervals for the herds were reduced by 24 days over their periods of participation in the program, from an initial value of 119 days. The intercalving interval was reduced by an average of 27 days. This improvement was associated with a reduction in the mean dry period length of 20 days, from an initial value of 117 days. There was a tendency for the lactation lengths to be reduced to an undesirable extent due to slow adaptation by management to the improvement in reproductive performance, but the problem was corrected late in the study. The improvement in performance was attributed to improved oestrus detection, correction of temporary nutritional deficiencies, and prompt treatment of genital tract disorders in individual animals. Results for a range of performance indicators related to reproductive function are reported in detail.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

PubMed1982

Growth, reproductive performance and nitrogen balance of gilts as affected by protein intake and stage of gestation.

The effects of four levels of crude protein (CP) and stage of gestation on the growth, reproductive performance and N balance of 64 crossbred gilts were examined in two trials. Gilts were fed 147, 256, 309 or 369 g of CP daily in trial 1 and 119, 227, 275 or 326 g/d in trial 2. Total body weight gain and average daily gain (ADG) were not significantly affected by protein intake, although the quadratic effect on ADG approached significance (P less than .1). Both total body weight gain and ADG increased linearly (P less than .01) as stage of gestation progressed. Gilts were slaughtered at 30, 60 or 90 d of gestation and reproductive performance was evaluated. Protein intake did not significantly affect numbers of corpora lutea or live embryos, survival rate or embryo length. But survival rate (P less than .05), number of corpora lutea (P less than .05) and live embryo numbers (P less than .01) declined linearly as gestation stage progressed. Embryo length increased linearly (P less than .05) as stage of gestation progressed. Nitrogen balance studies were conducted before breeding and in early, mid and late gestation. Significant trial x protein level x collection period interactions existed. In trial 1, N retention increased linearly (P less than .01) as dietary protein increased. Retention increased (P less than .01) by 4.1 g/d from prebreeding to early pregnancy. Stage of gestation had a quadratic effect on retained N; retention was higher in early and late gestation than in mid-gestation. In trial 2, mean N retention during pregnancy was -1.7 g/d. Retention was not significantly affected by protein intake but retained N declined quadratically (P less than .05) with stage of gestation to a -16.3 g/d at d 90. In contrast with trial 1, pregnancy did not result in an increase in retention of N. A relationship between protein intake and N balance data and resulting reproductive performance could not be established. The lowest levels of protein intake (147 and 119 g/d in trials 1 and 2, respectively) appeared to be adequate for the first 90 d of gestation in the gilt. However, N retention was not maximized at this protein intake.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Reproductive performance of Bhotia women of Mana Valley.

This paper reports the preliminary findings on the reproductive performance of 52 Bhotia women from the Mana Valley (Uttar Pradesh; elevation 10 560 ft.), who had approached menopause. The total amount of time available for reproduction and the total time used for effective reproduction as well as the period, which has been wasted as a result of sociocultural and biological factors, have been calculated. The total time available to Bhotia women for reproduction is found to be 1584 years, out of which 1563 years (98.67%) were used for effective reproduction. The reproductive wastage as a result of socio-economic and biological circumstances is calculated as 21 years only or 0.40 years per woman. All pregnancies as well as lactation operate to reduce fecundability. The various family limiting methods also lower the reproductive performance. A comparison has been made with the results of similar studies in other populations.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1989

Conception rate at first insemination in beef cattle: effects of season, age and previous reproductive performance.

The effects of season, age at previous parturition, and whether the female was retained because she failed to conceive or be detected in estrus during the previous breeding season were analyzed for first-service conception rate in beef cattle. Twelve years of reproductive data on females that were at least 50% Simmental were obtained from a single farm. All females detected in estrus were artificially inseminated during 42-d breeding seasons (52 d for heifers), starting either in June or November. The data, consisting of 9,071 first-service records, were described by a logit model and parameters were estimated using weighted least squares procedures. Age and previous reproductive performance (whether the female had failed to conceive or be detected in estrus during the previous breeding season) significantly affected first-service conception rate, as did the interaction between the two factors. Season of insemination, when considered across all other effects, did not influence first-service conception rate, but the interaction of season and previous reproductive performance was significant, as was the three-way interaction between season, age and previous reproductive performance. Except for those calving at 2.5 yr of age, females that were inseminated in the winter subsequent to parturition in the fall had the highest first-service conception rates. Those that did not conceive during the breeding season subsequent to parturition and were carried over to the following season had lower first-service conception rates, with the lowest being for females carried over to the winter breeding season.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1987

Association between major histocompatibility antigen and reproductive performance.

Many studies have both supported and refuted an association between HLA antigens and reproductive performance. To clarify these discrepant results, HLA antigens from 59 couples experiencing recurrent spontaneous abortions and 79 couples with unexplained infertility were compared with 51 fertile couples. Patients with recurrent spontaneous abortions were classified as either primary (no children) or secondary (abortions after having children or stillbirths) aborters, and patients with unexplained infertility were classified as primary (never pregnant) or secondary (previously pregnant) infertiles. The amount of antigenic disparity, homozygosity, and the probability of producing a heterozygotic offspring were analyzed for each group. Significantly more disparities at combined HLA loci and at DR loci were observed when childbearing controls were compared with primary aborters. Significant disparity between controls and secondary aborters was at the DQ locus. Total homozygosity as well as homozygosity at DR and DQ loci were significantly increased among primary aborters, but not secondary aborters, and at the B locus among secondary, but not primary infertile couples. Significant association in probability of heterozygote production was seen at the DQ locus in patients with primary infertility. These results indicate that controversy involving association of HLA and reproductive performance can be explained by properly classifying recurrent spontaneous aborters and unexplained infertiles.

Abortion, Habitual↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Inbreeding and reproductive performance in standardbred horses.

The relationship between inbreeding and both conception and foaling rates in Standardbred horses (trotters and pacers) was examined for 1194 breeding years. There was a statistically significant (P less than 0.05) trend for conception and foaling rates to decrease with increased inbreeding; however, this relationship accounted for less than 2 percent of the variation. Additionally, the relationship between reproductive performance and inbreeding was not consistent between trotters and pacers. For trotters (F = 0.103) there was a trend for an increase in conception and foaling rates with increased inbreeding, while for pacers (F = 0.074), reproductive performance decreased with increased inbreeding. Overall, inbreeding does not appear to be a significant factor influencing reproductive performance of Standardbred horses.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Use of a simulation model to evaluate the influence of reproductive performance and management decisions on net income in beef production.

A stochastic dynamic model of reproduction and a deterministic cow-herd economic simulation model were used to evaluate how management decisions and reproductive performance interact to influence net income in a cow-calf operation (1,000 cows) for 1 yr of production. The stochastic model was used to determine herd performance when length of breeding season (45, 70, or 120 d) interacted with three postpartum intervals of anestrus (48, 65, or 90 d) and three conception rates at first service (60, 70, or 80%). Short, moderate, and long postpartum intervals were used to reflect differences in reproductive performance. In addition, replacement heifers were bred beginning either 3 wk ahead of the cow herd or at the same time as the cow herd. Fifty-four simulations were generated. Inputs into the economic model were herd performance, livestock and feed prices, nonfeed costs, and feed requirements for 1 yr of production. Feed requirements were calculated separately for each postpartum interval to reflect three different body condition scores, thin, moderate, and good, to correspond with long, moderate, and short postpartum intervals. Net income was greatest with 70-d breeding seasons when the postpartum interval was short or moderate. When the postpartum interval was long, net income was greatest with 120-d breeding seasons because pregnancy rates, as a result of the long breeding season, were highest and feed costs were lowest for thin cows. Overall, net income was greatest when cows were managed to have postpartum intervals of moderate length. Breeding heifers 3 wk before the cows provided the most economic benefit with long postpartum intervals.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Parotid gland enlargement and female reproductive performance in a Papua New Guinea highland population.

Swelling of the parotid salivary glands is commonly observed among males and females of highland Papua New Guinea. Evidence suggests that the condition is related to the highlanders' high starch consumption in the form of sweet potato. In this paper we regard parotid enlargement as an indicator of high energy intake and test its association with two measures of reproductive performance, the number of live births and living offspring, in a sample of 274 women from Lufa in the Eastern Highlands District of Papua New Guinea. Multiple regression analysis including maternal age showed that parotid enlargement is positively correlated with both measures of reproductive performance. Given that parotid gland enlargement in this population is due to persistent starch consumption, and that the condition represents above average energy intake, these results suggest that increases in energy intake relate to increases in reproductive performance in this sample of highland females.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Effect of 188-day treatment with somatotropin on health and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows.

Health and reproductive performance were observed in a lactational study involving 188 d of treatment with bovine somatotropin. Treatments commenced 84 +/- 10 d postpartum and consisted of 27 mg/d of pituitary somatotropin and 0, 13.5, 27, and 40.5 mg/d of recombinantly derived somatotropin (six cows per treatment group). Cows were high yielding (greater than 9600 kg/305 d), and somatotropin increased milk yield by 16 to 41% depending on source and dose. Somatotropin had no discernible effect on mammary health based on somatic cell count and incidence of clinical mastitis. Cows receiving somatotropin averaged 96% conception rate, 2.0 services per conception, and 116 d open, which were comparable to controls. No subclinical or clinical evidence of ketosis or milk fever was observed. Thirty-two blood chemistry and physical examination variables were examined at several intervals during the study and no adverse treatment effects of physiologic importance for any of the variables were observed. Somatotropin treatment had no discernible effect on gestation length or birth weight and growth rate (first 28 d) of calves. Milk yields for the first 60 d postpartum were compared for the period just prior to start of treatment and the lactation subsequent to treatment; no treatment effects were observed. Overall, our results for a well-managed herd demonstrate somatotropin treatment did not cause any serious health effects. However, examination of subtle health effects will require large numbers of animals treated under a range of environmental and management conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Amino acid supplementation of low-protein diets for swine: effects of gestation treatment on reproductive performance of gilts and sows.

The effect of lysine and tryptophan addition to an all-corn diet fortified with vitamins and minerals fed to gestating gilts and sows was studied in a series of five trials. The experiments were designed to establish the effect of the addition of the two amino acids on: 1) N balance, 2) reproductive performance over two consecutive parities and 3) the immune response of the gestating gilt and transfer of immune proteins to the nursing pig. Nitrogen retention by gravid gilts fed an all-corn gestation diet increased (P less than .05) in response to lysine addition, but was not affected by subsequent addition of tryptophan. Daily N retention of gravid gilts fed the corn or corn and amino acid-supplemented diets was lower than that of gilts fed a 12% crude protein (CP) diet. Reproductive performance for two parities, as evaluated by gestation and lactation weight gain and, number and weight of pigs at birth and at 28 d was similar among treatments. Evaluation of the amino acid status of gestating gilts by measurement of the development of specific antibody response to sheep red blood cells and bovine serum albumin showed a trend for improved antibody development in gilts fed corn diets supplemented with both lysine and tryptophan and in the passive immunity of their offspring. Total whey protein and globulin content of 0-h colostrum was not affected by dietary treatment. The lack of a depression in reproductive performance of gilts fed an all-corn diet could be because of compensatory N retention. During the 4 to 5 d before parturition, all gilts were fed the 12% protein control diet. Gilts that were fed a corn diet from d 1 to 108 of gestation retained 40% more (P less than .01) N from d 109 to 114 of gestation than gilts that had been fed the 12% protein diet throughout gestation.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1990

Growth and reproductive performance of ewe lambs fed corn or soybean meal while grazing pasture.

In a 2-yr study a total of 120 Suffolk and Suffolk-cross ewe lambs, approximately 3 mo of age, were assigned within weight strata to one of three treatments: 1) control, pasture only (C), 2) .09 kg soybean meal/(hd.d) (SBM) plus pasture or 3) .45 kg whole shelled corn/(hd.) plus pasture to compare growth and reproductive performance and to determine lamb selectivity of forage quality and type. Each year, supplements were offered from June through the 3rd wk in November. Ewe lambs were managed as one flock on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures except for a brief daily supplementation period when all lambs were brought into a corral and sorted into treatment groups for the feeding. Ewe lambs were exposed to fertile rams from October 1 through the 3rd wk of November each year. Growth rates of ewe lambs grazing pasture alone were slower than those of corn-supplemented ewe lambs and were comparable to those of SBM-supplemented ewe lambs, but reproductive performances were similar (P greater than .05). Date of first detected rise in serum concentrations of progesterone and date of first observed estrus and lambing performance were similar (P greater than .05) among treatments for each year. Compared to hand-clipped forage, forage samples collected by esophageally fistulated lambs were higher (P less than .05) in crude protein and lower (P less than .05) in acid detergent fiber each year, indicating that lambs selectively grazed higher-quality forage. These data indicate that neither protein nor energy limited growth or reproductive performance of these ewe lambs.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1988

Influence of concentration, duration and route of administration of melatonin on reproductive performance of spring-mated polypay and polypay-cross ewes.

The effects of exogenous melatonin on reproductive performance of 737 Polypay and Polypay-cross ewes were evaluated during a late March and April breeding period. Different concentrations (2 or 10 mg) routes of administration (fed vs implanted) and durations of administration (20 or 40 d before breeding) were studied. Estrus was synchronized in all ewes using 60 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP) in a vaginal pessary. Number of mature ewes lambing/ewe present at lambing was increased (P less than .05) nearly 20% by implanting for 40 d with melatonin (75%) or by feeding either 2 (72%) or 10 mg (73%) melatonin for 40 d before spring breeding compared with untreated control ewes (54%) or ewes implanted for only 20 d before breeding (58%). Date of lambing, number of lambs born/ewes lambing and number of lambs born alive/ewe lambing were not altered significantly by treatments. Number of yearling ewes (n = 166 for ewes 1.5 yr old at lambing time) lambing/ewe present at lambing was lower (P less than .01; 26%) than that of mature ewes (n = 381, greater than or equal to 2.0 yr; 68%). We concluded that feeding 2 or 10 mg melatonin or implanting melatonin for 40 d enhanced reproductive performance and effectively overcame the restrictions of seasonality of breeding in mature ewes. In yearling ewes, 10 mg melatonin increased the number of ewes lambing.

Administration, Oral↗