PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Reproductive performance”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 685 records · Page 38Linked to original sources

Determination of the association between Neospora caninum infection and reproductive performance in beef herds.

OBJECTIVE: To determine seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in beef herds and the association between serologic status and rate of abortion, stillbirth, calf mortality, and reproductive failure. DESIGN: Longitudinal study. ANIMALS: 419 cows from 8 beef herds in central Alberta. PROCEDURE: 1,391 serum samples from a serum bank were analyzed, using ELISA, and results were compared, using logistic regression, with productivity data on individual cows obtained from a database established during a 4-year period. RESULTS: 30% of cows were seropositive at some point during the 4-year period. Risks of abortion (odds ratio [OR], 5.7) and stillbirth (OR, 2.8) in seropositive cows were significantly greater than in seronegative cows. Risks of being culled for any reason (OR, 1.9) or for reproductive failure (OR, 2.5) in seropositive cows were also significantly greater than in seronegative cows. Changes in titer with time in individual cows and a lack of association between serologic status of dam versus daughter suggest that postnatal transmission was possible in these herds. However, horizontal transmission did not appear to play a substantial role in abortions that occurred in these herds. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Neosporosis should be investigated as a potential source of economic loss to the beef industry.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Developmental and reproductive performance in circadian mutant mice.

BACKGROUND: Genes underlying circadian rhythm generation are expressed in many tissues. We explore a role for circadian rhythms in the timing and efficacy of mouse reproduction and development using a genetic approach. METHODS: We compare fecundity in Clock(Delta19) mutant mice (a dominant-negative protein essential for circadian rhythm activity) and in Vipr2-/- null mutant mice (affecting the generation and output of the circadian rhythm of the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus) with wild type (WT) litter mates under both a 12 h:12 h light:dark cycle and continuous darkness. RESULTS: Uteri from Clock(Delta19) mice show no circadian rhythm and Vipr2-/- mice show a phase-advanced rhythm compared to WT uteri. In neither mutant line were homozygous or heterozygous fetuses lethal. Sexually mature adults of both mutant lines showed mildly reduced male in vivo (but not in vitro) fertility and irregular estrous cycles exacerbated by continuous darkness. However, pregnancy rates and neonatal litter sizes were not affected. The Clock(Delta19) mutant line was distinguishable from the Vipr2-/- null mutant line in showing more peri-natal delivery problems and very poor survival of offspring to weaning. CONCLUSIONS: A fully functional central and peripheral circadian clock is not essential for reproduction and development to term, but has critical roles peri-natally and post-partum.

Animals↗

Reproductive performance in women with repeated pregnancy losses and multiple partners.

We studied 20 patients with a history of multiple pregnancy losses who had more than one partner for differences in reproductive efficiency with different partners. On the basis of obstetric history, patients were classified as primary (no children) or secondary (abortions after having children or stillbirths) aborters with their mates. Of 16 women diagnosed as primary aborters, 5 were primary aborters with their first mates and 11 with their second; one became a secondary aborter with her second partner. Five women were secondary aborters with either mate, and one of these was a secondary aborter with both. In no instance did a secondary aborter become a normally reproducing woman. These findings indicate that pregnancy failure in primary aborters may be due to compatibility between mating partners and that secondary aborters seem to manifest an innate aberration.

Abortion, Habitual↗

Effect of propylene glycol supplementation around parturition on milk yield, reproduction performance and some hormonal and metabolic characteristics in dairy cows.

Thirty-nine multiparous Holstein cows were used to measure the effect of propylene glycol treatment around parturition on milk yield, reproductive efficiency and some hormone and metabolite concentrations. Cows were assigned randomly to control (n = 19) or propylene glycol treated (n = 20) groups. Propylene glycol (300 g) was administered directly mixed with the diet from day 10 prior to the expected calving date until parturition (day 0) and orally after dilution in 1 l water on days 3, 6, 9 and 12. Blood samples were collected on days -20, -5, 0, 3, 10, 25 and 50 while milk samples were taken weekly until 13 weeks post partum. Body condition scores, recorded on days -20, 15 and 50, were not affected by propylene glycol administration. Propylene glycol did not significantly affect milk yield or composition but linear somatic cell score measured from the first 13 weeks post partum was reduced by propylene glycol administration (P < 0.01). Moreover, propylene glycol reduced milk urea (-25 mg/l, P < 0.05), especially during the first 9 weeks post partum. Plasma insulin concentrations were similar in both groups during the experiment while insulin-like growth factor I (P < 0.05) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (P < 0.001) levels were higher on days 10, 25 and 50 post partum in the propylene glycol group. Propylene glycol administration decreased plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) but increased total cholesterol levels (P < 0.01) after parturition while 3-hydroxybutyrate levels were unaffected by the treatment. Changes in the hormone and metabolic concentrations after propylene glycol administration in the last few days of gestation and the first week of lactation seem to indicate that energy balance in the treated group was probably more positive than in the control group. There was also evidence that propylene glycol administration prevented fatty liver syndrome and hastened the resumption of oestrous cycles (P < 0.001).

Animals↗