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PubMed2000

Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows treated with cloprostenol, hcg and estradiol benzoate for synchronization of estrus followed by timed AI.

In previous studies, we demonstrated that the administration of a luteolytic dose of cloprostenol, followed by 750 IU hCG plus 3 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) 12 h later, synchronized estrus in cows in the luteal phase. Most cows were ready for service 48 h after the beginning of treatment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows treated with this method of estrus synchronization and to determine the effect of decreasing the hCG-EB dose on synchronization and pregnancy rates after timed AI. Data were obtained from cows first inseminated within an interval of 45 to 70 d postpartum. A total of 2,472 lactating dairy cows in their first to second lactation period were assigned to 4 groups. Cows estimated to be in the luteal phase by rectal palpation were treated with 500 mcg, im, of cloprostenol and assigned to 1 of 3 groups to be intramuscularly injected with hCG-EB 12 h later at the following doses: Group 1 (n=626), 250 IU of hCG and 1 mg of EB; Group 2 (n=592), 500 IU of hCG and 2 mg of EB; and Group 3 (n=664), 750 IU of hCG and 3 mg of EB. Cows displaying natural estrus were inseminated to serve as controls (n=590). The synchronized cows were inseminated 48 h after cloprostenol injection, and control animals visually determined to be in natural estrus during the morning or afternoon were inseminated the following morning. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by rectal palpation at 34 to 40 d postinsemination. All synchronized cows showed estrous activity within 24 to 36 h after cloprostenol treatment and were considered to be ready for service 48 h after this treatment. There was a significant effect of treatment on the pregnancy rate, either to first AI or to 2 rounds of AI. The pregnancy rate in response to first or second rounds of AI was similar to control rates for cows in Groups 1 and 2, and lower than control rates in Group 3. Cows in Group 1 showed a higher pregnancy rate to first AI than those in Group 3 (P<0.0001), and a higher pregnancy rate to second AI rounds than cows in Groups 2 (P<0.02) and 3 (P<0.0001). The number of cows returning to estrus was unaffected by treatment. However, treatment significantly decreased (P<0.01) the time of return to estrus as the hCG-EB dose increased. These findings indicate that the lowest dose of hCG-EB treatment tested gave the overall best pregnancy results among the treated groups. Furthermore, the synchronization protocol used in this experiment allows effective AI management of lactating dairy cows without the need for estrus detection.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effect of different number of frozen spermatozoa inseminated on the reproductive performance of rabbit does.

The relationship between the number of frozen spermatozoa inseminated and fertility rate and litter size at birth in rabbit does was investigated. Six hundred artificial inseminations (AI) were performed on multiparous lactating does with three spermatozoa concentrations: 10, 25, 50x10(6)spermatozoa/AI. All the does were synchronized with 20 UI of eCG 2 days before AI. The estimated sexual receptivity was 87%. The freezing-thawing procedure strongly reduced kinetic and functional traits (acrosome integrity, capacitation) of the spermatozoa. The number of spermatozoa inseminated did not affect the reproductive performance: the mean fertility rate and litter size values were 51.5% and 7.6%, respectively. Sexually receptive does (n=522) inseminated with frozen spermatozoa showed a 58.0% fertility rate whereas, non-receptive does (n=78), had a very poor fertility rate (7.8%).

Acrosome↗

PubMed1984

The effect of high and low intensity cool-white fluorescent lighting on the reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens.

Large White turkey breeder hens were exposed to incandescent or cool-white (CW) fluorescent light of either high or low light intensity as the sole light source. Light treatments were quantified in both photometric and radiometric units for the entire visible spectrum as well as the 600 to 700 nm range of the visible spectrum. Photostimulation with these light sources occurred at 32 weeks of age and the subsequent effects on body weight, feed intake, and reproductive performance were observed over a 20-week egg laying period. Body weights and feed intakes were similar among the treatments. There were no significant differences in early season egg production (0 to 10 weeks) or fertility, hatchability, egg weight, and egg specific gravity due to light intensity or light source over the 20-week test period. However, CW fluorescent light delayed the onset of egg production from that of hens exposed to incandescent light (20.7 vs. 19.3 days, respectively) and significantly depressed late season (10 to 20 weeks) egg production from that observed in hens on incandescent light (23.9 vs. 31.9 eggs per hen, respectively). As a result, total egg production was significantly lower in the CW fluorescent (67.9 eggs/hen) than the incandescent treatment (75.2 eggs/hen). No significant differences in total eggs per hen occurred between the low and high light intensity treatments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1982

Influence of ingested petroleum on the reproductive performance and pituitary-gonadal axis of domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchols).

1. The chronic ingestion of a sublethal dose (5%) of dietary North Sea crude oil delayed the onset of lay in adult Khaki Campbell ducks transferred from a short (8L:16D) to long day (16L:8D) photoperiod and greatly reduced the rate of oviposition and quality (weight and shell thickness) of the eggs subsequently laid. 2. Refeeding the oil-fed birds with the uncontaminated control diet stimulated the rate of egg production and improved egg quality, but in both cases not to the level in the controls. 3. Food intake and the plasma calcium level in the petroleum-fed birds were reduced, but these effects are unlikely to be causally responsible for the adverse effects of petroleum on avian reproduction. 4. Gonadotrophic (luteinizing hormone, LH) hormone secretion in the oil fed birds was not suppressed and the impairment of reproductive performance was not due to low plasma LH levels. 5. The reduced rate of lay in the oil-fed birds was accompanied by low gonadal steroid (progesterone) levels. The detrimental effects of oil and reproduction may be due to direct or indirect effects on the ovary or shell gland.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Does exposure of preovulatory oocytes to ultrasonic radiation affect reproductive performance?

Ultrasonography of preovulatory oocytes has been reported to lead to reduced litter size in rats. Because of the growing popularity of ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration in human in vitro fertilization programs, further study of ultrasonic radiation's effect on the preovulatory oocyte is warranted. We used 106 virgin Sprague-Dawley rats which, on the evening of proestrus, received ultrasonic radiation of sham treatment after the onset of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. No differences were found between control (C) and experimental (US) animals in pregnancy rate, number of corpora lutea, implantations, pups, and mean pup and placental weights at autopsy on day 22 of pregnancy. Ultrasonic radiation applied to meiotically active, preovulatory oocytes did not affect the reproductive performance of these rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Reproductive performance of hens fed field beans and potential relationships to vicine metabolism.

Field beans (faba beans, broad beans, horse beans, ackerbohnen, Vicia faba L.) depress weight of eggs when fed to laying hens. Vicine isolated from field beans has been shown to depress egg weight and hatchability when fed in large amounts. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of using three varieties of field beans, varying in tannin and total vicines content, at 20% in breeder diets on reproductive performance of hens and associated vicine transfer from the diet to the egg. Data on egg production, feed consumption, egg weight, body weight, egg quality, hatchability, and hen blood chemistry were obtained. Direct spectrophotometric and high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses of field beans, egg albumen, and egg yolk were conducted. Performance of the hens was excellent on all production characteristics except that there was a nonsignificant reduction in egg weight, a significant reduction in egg shell thickness for hens fed all three types of field beans, and a highly significant reduction in hatchability of eggs from hens fed one but not the other two sources of field beans. The hatchability effect was not correlated with vicine or tannin content of the field beans and only traces of vicine were transferred to the egg by the hen from the diet. Although larger amounts of vicine depressed hatchability when injected into fertile eggs, the trace amounts found in eggs from feeding field beans did not account for the reduction in hatchability observed in this study. It is possible that the hydrolysis product of vicine, divicine or the analogous product from convicine, isouramil, or both, may be involved in toxicity, because these substances are known to be the cause of a hemolytic anemia in some humans that suffer from favism due to consumption of field beans.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1999

Reproductive performance and longevity of female European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis: effects of multiple mating, delay in mating, and adult feeding.

In a recent study on the pheromone-mating disruption of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), we recorded a significant reduction in mating frequency, as well as a marked delay in mating in feral females captured in disruptant-treated fields. In order to be able to accurately interpret the results in terms of effective population control, the current study was undertaken on the effects of multiple matings and a delay in mating on reproductive performance. Female O. nubilalis that mated at least twice had significantly higher fecundity and fertility, compared with once-mated females. In addition, multiple-mated females deposited a significantly larger portion of their egg complement, relative to single-mated or unmated females. Females that experienced a 3-day delay in mating showed a significant reduction in fecundity compared with females that mated soon after emergence. A 1-week delay in mating resulted in a further reduction in fecundity and a near zero fertility. The effect of sugar feeding on reproduction was not significant. In general, unmated females lived longer than mated females, and sugar-fed mated females had a higher longevity than water-fed mated females.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

A comparative case-controlled study of laparoscopic vs laparotomy management of ectopic pregnancy: an evaluation of reproductive performance after radical vs conservative treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal death in early pregnancy (RCOG 1997-1999) and its incidence is rising. Most of the ectopic pregnancies occur in the young age group and subsequent fertility is an important issue. Laparoscopic surgery has advantages over open surgery and results in higher rates of subsequent intrauterine pregnancies and a lower rate of ectopic pregnancy (Fernandez, 1998). There is no consensus in the literature regarding conservative versus radical treatment of tubal pregnancy in terms of future reproductive performance (Hajenius, 2000). There are no randomised controlled trials of sufficient power, and meta-analysis of studies has shown different results with different investigators (Yao, 1997; Clausen, 1996). Most of the studies have shown higher intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) rates after salpingotomy (2-23% higher IUP rates) than after salpingectomy. We carried out this study in the East Birmingham Hospitals (Teaching) NHS Trust, West Midlands UK, to contribute to the ongoing debate.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Vermicomposting of cattle and goat manures by Eisenia foetida and their growth and reproduction performance.

Vermicomposting is commonly adopted for the treatment of livestock organic wastes. In the present study, two types of livestock manure were used for culturing of the earthworm, Eisenia foetida. Each treatment group consisted of six replicates and worm vermicasts were examined after 5 weeks. The concentrations of total C, P and K in goat manure vermicasts were higher than those in cattle manure vermicasts. Cattle vermicasts had a higher N content than goat vermicasts but the C:N ratio of fresh manure was higher than that of vermicasts for both materials. Earthworm biomass and reproductive performance, in terms of number of worms after 5 weeks of experiment, were higher in cattle manure than in goat manure. The cocoon production per worm in cattle manure was higher than in goat manure. However, the hatchability of cocoons was not affected by manure treatments. In conclusion, cattle manure provided a more nutritious and friendly environment to the earthworms than goat manure.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1992

Effects of equine chorionic gonadotropin on reproductive performance in anestrous mink.

The incidence of anestrous mink during the normal breeding season has been reported to be as high as 5%. We sought to induce estrus in these mink by using various doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Seventy-five female mink maintained under standard ranch conditions failed to demonstrate estrus during the annual breeding season in March. These anestrous mink were randomly assigned to treatment groups. Treatments were given on March 16 and again on March 18. On these 2 d, mink were treated with equal doses of saline, 25, 50, or 100 IU of eCG, or 50 IU of eCG on March 16 and 50 of IU of eCG + 100 IU of hCG on March 18. Females were paired with males beginning on March 22. None of the saline-treated mink mated. In contrast, reproductive performance of the anestrous mink was significantly improved by treatment with eCG. This included proportion of mink breeding (47 to 100%), proportion giving birth (33 to 80%), and average litter size (2.6 to 4.0 kits per whelping female). Reproductive efficiency improved with increasing doses of eCG and was not further improved by addition of hCG. These results demonstrate that eCG has a potential application for treating anestrous mink during the breeding season.

Anestrus↗

PubMed2003

Evaluation of the ratio of omega(6: omega3 fatty acids and vitamin E levels in the diet on the reproductive performance of cockerels.

Three hundred and twenty 30-week old White Leghorn cockerels were housed in individual cages and distributed in a completely randomized factorial design of 5 x 3, with five oil sources (sunflower, soybean, canola, linseed and fish/soybean) and three levels of antioxidant (30, 200 and 400 mg of vitamin E/kg). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the ratio of omega6: omega3 fatty acids by the inclusion of different oil sources and of dietary supplementation with vitamin E on the reproductive performance of cockerels. The use of the fish/soybean combination determined the lowest total antioxidant status of the semen. However, the addition of vitamin E to the fish/soybean-oil-based diet resulted in a linear increase in semen volume, motility and sperm vigour in the 38th week and again in the 52nd week for motility and for sperm vigour and fertility rate in the periods from 50-53 and 41-53 weeks of age. The use of canola oil in the diet resulted in the highest fertility rate during 50-53 and 41-53 weeks of life. Animals receiving the soybean oil based diet showed the smallest fertility rate in the range from 50-53 weeks of age and concomitantly the highest level of cholesterol in the spermatozoa in the range from 47-51 weeks. An interaction between the vitamin E level and soybean oil was verified by the linear increase in motility and sperm vigour at 38 weeks of age. Later, the contrary was shown by a linear reduction in fertility in the periods from 44-46, 47-49 and 41-53 weeks of age. Cockerels that had been fed on the sunflower-oil-based diet showed the highest content of saturated fatty acids in the spermatozoa from 48-51 weeks. An interaction effect was observed between the vitamin E level and sunflower oil shown by a linear increase in the content of saturated fatty acids in the spermatozoa and a linear reduction in the C18: 1omega9, C18 :2 omega6 and PUFA (C18 : 2omega6 + C20 : 4omega6) contents in the spermatozoa at 48-51 weeks and in sperm volume at 52 weeks of age.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Growth patterns of Angus, Hereford and shorthorn cattle. I. Comparison of inbred and noninbred lines, changes in patterns over time and effects of level of inbreeding and reproductive performance.

Mature weight (A) and rate of maturing (K) were estimated for 283 Angus, 140 Hereford and 280 Shorthorn cows utilizing the asymptotic regression equation Yt=A(1-Be-Kt). The Yt was weight of the individual at age t; and B was an estimate related to early life weight changes and provided for a Y-intercept (A-B). Each breed consisted of four inbred and two noninbred lines. Regression of estimated growth curve parameters on levels of inbreeding of the individuals and of their dams and effects of early reproductive performance (EREPRO) were studied as sources of variation in addition to line differences and trends in line values over years. Considered jointly with inbreeding of the dam and with EREPRO, inbreeding of the individual was negatively related (P less than .01) to estimates of A in the three breeds and unrelated (P greater than .10) to estimates of K. Each 1% increase in inbreeding of the individual was associated with about 2 kg decrease in estimated mature weight. An increase in inbreeding of the dam of an individual was negatively related to estimates of K in Angus (P less than .01) and Shorthorns (P less than .05). Inbreeding of dams was positively related to estimates of A in the three breeds, but only in Shorthorns could the relationship be declared significant. Estimates of A were about 46 kg heavier and estimates of K about .010 less for each year an individual failed to produce a calf during her first three opportunities. In general, A values declined in all three breeds during the study. Significant changes were observed in all Hereford analyses and after inbreeding was included in the Angus analysis, while inclusion of inbreeding in the Shorthorn analysis caused the change to become unimportant. The K values increased in all three breeds during the study; however, the change could be declared significant only in Herefords.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1976

Lack of effect of dietary diethylstilbestrol on reproductive performance.

Groups of male or female mice were pretreated for 2 wk and 1 wk, respectively, with flesh (liver or muscle) diets prepared from steers. In one experiment diethylstilbestrol (DES) was added to the diet at 0.5 or 5.0 ppb. In a second experiment diets prepared from DES-implanted steer flesh (liver or muscle) were fed. Tissues used in the control diet and DES-added diets were from DES-free steers. The animals were allowed to mate and diets continued until the first litter was delivered. Increasing DES levels in either liver or muscle diets or flesh from DES-implanted steers resulted in no significant differences either in litter size or in the number of fertile male or female mice between the control group and experimental groups. The offspring from each litter were mated and showed no significant difference in their reproductive performance. No abnormalities were noted in any offspring.

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Ovarian characteristics and reproductive performance of reindeer, Rangifer tarandus.

A total of 301 female reindeer of various ages was shot on South Georgia in all months of the year to study seasonal and age-related changes in ovarian structures, and to undertake an intraspecific comparison with North American caribou. Ovarian weights and follicle numbers did not change in reindeer calves, and it is concluded that the South Georgia population do not attain physiological puberty in their first year. Compared with caribou, reindeer showed an earlier onset of ovarian activity, and had twice as many follicles greater than 2 mm diameter and secondary corpora lutea. The relationship between luteal scars and age was significant (P less than 0.001), despite an overcount of scars relative to age in some individuals, and indicated a fecundity rate of 0.93. The left and right ovaries of reindeer were equally productive. It remains unclear whether the differences in reproductive performance between reindeer and caribou are of genetic origin.

Aging↗

PubMed2000

Nutritional interactions with reproductive performance in dairy cattle.

Increased capability for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production after calving and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of blood glucose, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) that collectively restrain estrogen production by dominant follicles. Up-regulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir facilitates ovulation. NEBAL reduces serum progesterone concentrations and fertility. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but are also associated with lower reproductive performance. High protein can result in elevated plasma urea concentrations that affect the uterine environment and fertility. Nutritional interactions resulting in poor fertility of high producing dairy cows include the antecedent effects of NEBAL and effects of high dietary protein.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1999

Effect of number of motile sperms inseminated on reproductive performance of rabbit does.

The relationship between the number of motile sperms inseminated and fertility rate and litter size at birth in rabbits was investigated. A total of 651 artificial inseminations on multiparous rabbit does in different physiological states (lactating or not; sexually receptive or not) were inseminated with a number of motile cells/dose varying from about 1-20 x 10(6). The statistical model computed the following traits: maximum expected value (a), rate of approach to this value (b) and number of motile spermatozoa/dose needed to obtain threshold level (95% of the maximum). The physiological condition of the doe affected the reproductive performance. The sexual receptivity had significant effect during lactation: non-receptive does had the lowest fertility (a: 43.70%; P < 0.05) while no significant differences were found in non-lactating ones (73.80 vs. 89.11%). Also the rate of approach to this maximum was different: non-receptive does showed a higher dependence on spermatozoa number than receptive females (b: 0.69 and 0.58, respectively, in lactating and non-lactating does) and consequently more spermatozoa (13.1 and 11.1 x 10(6) motile/dose) were needed to reach the threshold value. The physiological state of the does did not affect litter size and only 4.1 x 10(6) of motile spermatozoa/dose are needed to reach the threshold value.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Indications and implications for testing of milk urea in dairy cattle: a quantitative review. Part 2. Effect of dietary protein on reproductive performance.

DIETARY PROTEIN AND DAIRY COW FERTILITY: Feeding more dietary protein has been negatively associated with dairy cow fertility in some but not all studies. We used meta-analysis to examine the relationship between dietary crude protein and conception rate. While a higher intake of dietary crude protein significantly lowered conception rate, the potential for feeding less degradable dietary protein to modify this relationship was not demonstrated. MILK UREA CONCENTRATIONS AND DAIRY COW FERTILITY: The use of milk urea as an indicator of dietary energy and protein intake and as an indicator of reproductive performance has been questioned. We found that changes in urea concentration in body fluids explained only 25% (p = 0.08) of the variance in conception rate after conducting a meta-analysis of available studies. INTERPRETATION OF MILK UREA CONCENTRATIONS: High intakes of dietary protein may induce adaptations in urea metabolism, and the negative relationship identified between high intakes of dietary protein and fertility for Northern Hemisphere dairy herds may not necessarily apply in Australasian dairy herds. Because of the potential for cows to adapt to high protein diets, the use of a single milk urea determination on a herd will have limited value as an indicator of nutritional status and little value as a predictor of fertility.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Reproductive performance of artificially inseminated hens receiving saline drinking water.

Laying hens were selected at random and placed in individual cages in a commercial type layer shed. One hundred hens received town water and one hundred received town water supplemented with 2 g NaCl/L. Half the hens on each water treatment were inseminated every 7 days with mixed semen collected from six cockerels of a commercial table egg strain maintained on town water. The remaining hens were inseminated with semen from six cockerels receiving town water supplemented with 2 g NaCl/L. Eggs were collected and stored at 12 C over a 7-day period before eggs with defective shells were identified and removed. All remaining eggs were incubated and candled at 7 and 18 days of incubation to detect infertile eggs and embryonic deaths. Data from six consecutive hatches were analyzed. The incidence of eggs with defective shells doubled in hens receiving the saline drinking water. These hens had a significantly (twofold) higher incidence of embryonic deaths and a significantly lower (13%) hatchability of fertile eggs. For every 100 eggs laid the numbers of settable eggs and chicks hatched were significantly reduced in hens receiving the saline drinking water. The saline water reduced the numbers hatched by 20% for every 100 eggs laid. The water treatment given to the cockerels had little effect on reproductive performance.

Animals↗