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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMed1980

Relationship between early postpartum blood composition and reproductive performance in dairy cattle.

Blood samples were collected over 1 year from 115 postpartum Holstein cows to determine the relationship between blood composition and reproductive performance. Blood samples were collected from each cow at 14 to 21 days (sample 1) and 38 to 45 days (sample 2) postpartum. These samples were analyzed for packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, and selenium. Blood composition varied little with lactation number and season, and relationships were not consistent for the two collection periods. Hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total protein and zinc were associated negatively and calcium and magnesium associated positively with at least one measure of milk yield. None of the blood components examined at the two collection periods had a consistent relationship to reproductive performance. The most important relationship was the positive relationship of selenium concentration at first collection period with services per conception and days open.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Ahemeral lighting of turkey breeder hens. 2. Early age at lighting and reproductive performance.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether ahemeral lighting (AH) could be used to obtain increased egg weight and poult weight and otherwise normal reproductive performance in Large White turkey hens lit as early as 26 wk of age. The experimental design utilized a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments that evaluated two light cycle lengths (24 h, control and 28 h, ahemeral) at two hen ages (26 and 30 wk). Treatments were continued for 24 wk and the following variables were measured: BW, feed intake, onset and rate of lay, fertility, hatchability, incidence of floor eggs, egg weight, poult production, and poult weight. As compared to the response of hens in the control lighting treatment, ahemeral lighting increased egg weight and poult weight early in the lay period only and resulted in delayed onset of lay (+3.4 d) and depressed egg production (-7 eggs to 54 wk of age). Percentage fertility and hatchability were similar between ahemeral and control treatment groups. However, ahemeral lighting decreased the number of poults per hen when started at 26, but not 30, wk of age. Hens photostimulated early at 26 wk of age were delayed in onset of lay by 5.9 d but produced more eggs per hen to 54 wk of age (95.8) than hens photostimulated at 30 wk (89.7); however, during equivalent lay periods, egg production was similar between the two groups. Early lighting did not have an adverse effect on fertility, hatchability, or poults per hen but egg weight and poult weight were depressed. It was concluded that although ahemeral lighting increased egg weight and poult weight in turkey hens photostimulated early, continuous application of ahemeral lighting throughout the lay period had adverse effects on some components of reproductive performance.

Aging↗

PubMed1988

Effects of trichostrongyle larval challenge on the reproductive performance of immune ewes.

Ostertagia circumcincta larvae were administered to adult immune ewes either during the breeding period or around parturition to investigate whether reproductive performance was affected. Two groups of 25 ewes were given water or 12,000 ostertagia larvae three times weekly for five weeks before and five weeks after breeding to synchronised oestrus. Plasma pepsinogen levels were raised in the larval-challenged ewes during the treatment period but no significant effect of treatment was observed on ovulation rate or plasma progesterone concentration. Neither ewe live-weight nor body condition score differed between groups throughout gestation or for four weeks post partum and there was no effect from larval challenge during the breeding period on lambing rate, lamb birthweight or liveweight at four weeks old. A second experiment involved 20 twin-bearing immune ewes which were administered 17,000 ostertagia larvae three times weekly for three weeks before and three weeks after parturition. Plasma pepsinogen concentration was elevated during the larval challenge period and nematode eggs were detected in the faeces after parturition but there was no effect from treatment either on ewe liveweight and body condition score or on lamb birthweight and lamb liveweight at four weeks old. These results indicate that larval challenge with ostertagia larvae at dose rates comparable to larval intake from heavily contaminated pasture did not affect the general well being and reproductive performance of immune Greyface ewes.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Effect of light intensity level during prelay light restriction on subsequent reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens.

Two trials were conducted to determine whether light intensity levels during the prelay (light restriction) and the lay (egg production) periods influenced subsequent photoinduced reproductive performance of turkey breeder hens. The light intensity levels were 22 and 270 lx and each was provided during the prelay and lay periods in a factorial arrangement. Each of the period light intensity levels were applied to half of the hens from each prelay treatment group. Data were collected for BW, rate of reproductive development, egg production, fertility, hatchability, egg weight, and poult weight. There were no interactions between the prelay and lay period treatments, nor a consistent prelay light intensity effect on rate of initiation of lay or duration of time to achieve 50% production. In addition, prelay and lay light intensity levels had no consistent effects on rate of lay, percentage of fertility and hatchability, egg weight, and poult weight. It was concluded that there was no advantage to the use of high-intensity light during short-day light restriction of the prelay period on subsequent reproductive performance.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Effect of intermittent lighting on the reproductive performance of first-year and recycled turkey hens.

In each of two trials, a 2-by-2 factorial arrangement of treatments was utilized to evaluate the reproductive performance of first-year and recycled turkey hens to intermittent lighting (IL) through an egg-laying period of 20 wk. The IL treatment provided 4 h of light per day given as 2 h light:12 h dark:2 h light:8 h dark (2L:12D:2L:8D). This treatment group was compared to controls maintained on 16L:8D. Data were collected for BW, feed intake, feed efficiency, time to first egg, eggs per hen fertility, hatchability, egg weight, and poult weight. Consistent age effects included greater BW, egg weight, and poult weight from recycled hens compared to first-year hens as well as a delay in the onset of laying and a reduction in egg production by six eggs per hen in the recycled hens. Feed intake and feed efficiency were similar in both age groups, Intermittent lighting delayed the onset of laying but increased the rate of lay by eight eggs per hen. Late-season fertility, feed efficiency, and egg weight were significantly increased by the IL treatment. The conclusion was that, for turkey hens, intermittent lighting can effectively improve reproductive performance.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988

Survival and reproductive performance of female Glossina morsitans morsitans when maintained on the blood of different species of wild mammals.

A study was carried out to determine the effect on the reproductive performance of female Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood when allowed to feed, in vitro, for 63 days on fresh defibrinated blood of buffalo, bushbuck, cattle, eland, oryx, warthog, waterbuck or wildebeest. There were marginal differences in the survival and reproductive performance between eight different groups of tsetse, 200 per group, when fed on the blood of these mammalian species. When allowed to feed for 14 consecutive days on the blood of buffalo, wildebeest or warthog, the mean number of feeds were 6.2 +/- 0.3, 6.5 +/- 0.3 and 6.3 +/- 0.3, respectively. The mean weight of the bloodmeal taken also did not differ significantly between these three groups. Whereas the protein patterns of the blood plasma of the above eight host animals were different, the protein patterns of the haemolymph from tsetse fed on the blood of these hosts were identical. It is thus concluded that the preference shown by tsetse for some mammalian species investigated here may not be based on any aspect of the nutritional value of their blood.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Disturbed reproductive performance in extreme folic acid deficient golden hamsters.

We studied the effects of folic acid-deficient diets on maternal red blood cell folate level and reproductive performance in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus, Waterhouse). Animals on the same day of oestrous cycle were put together and finally divided into three groups. Each group comprised at least 12 mature female hamsters. The animals were given three different diets, which were commenced before mating. The feeding regimens comprised a standard diet (group 1), or a folic acid-deficient diet which started either 2 weeks (group 2) or 16 weeks (group 3) prior to mating. The regimens were continued until sacrifice of the animals on day 9 of pregnancy. Pregnancy was realized by caging a male with a selected female during the night of ovulation. Just prior to sacrifice, blood samples were drawn to measure maternal folic acid levels in red blood cells. The pregnant uteri were removed and the embryonic sacs were carefully dissected away from the uterus. The number of sacs per pregnant animal was noted. Extreme folic acid deficiencies were confirmed in the pregnant golden hamsters on a folic acid-deficient diet which started 16 weeks prior to mating as compared to those on a standard diet and on a folic acid-deficient diet which started 2 weeks prior to mating. This deficiency appears to interfere with normal reproductive performance. It caused early embryonic loss several days after mating and resulted, finally, in restoration of the oestrous cycle.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Feeding lactating primiparous sows to establish three divergent metabolic states: I. Associated endocrine changes and postweaning reproductive performance.

We investigated effects of different metabolic states on reproductive performance in lactating, primiparous sows. Sows were fed ad libitum (AL; n = 12), alimentated via a gastric cannula to 125% of AL feed intake (SA; n = 8), or restricted (R; n = 9) to 50% of AL from d 1 to 28 of lactation. At weaning, all sows were fed 2.5x maintenance energy requirements until standing heat and then fed twice maintenance energy requirement until slaughter. Sow weight, backfat, and litter weights were recorded weekly. After weaning, sows were tested twice daily for the onset of estrus and inseminated twice using pooled semen. At d 28 of gestation, sows were slaughtered, and the reproductive tracts were recovered to determine ovulation rate and embryo survival. Intensive blood sampling was performed before and after weaning for 12-h periods to characterize changes in plasma LH, insulin, and IGF-I. After weaning, additional samples were taken to monitor changes in LH and progesterone. Insulin and IGF-I were determined at standing heat. During lactation, AL and R sows lost, whereas SA sows gained, body weight and backfat (P < .001). Litter growth rates did not differ among treatments. Although plasma insulin was not different among treatments, plasma IGF-I concentration was lower (P < .001) in R sows. Mean LH and pulse frequency before (P < .03 and P < .06, respectively) and after (P < .001; for both) weaning were lower in R than in AL or SA sows. After weaning, SA sows lost more weight (P < .01) and backfat (P < .01) and ate less feed (P < .001) than AL or R sows. At standing heat, no differences in plasma IGF-I or insulin were observed, although energy balance for SA sows was lower (P < .01) than for AL or R sows. Weaning-to-estrus interval was extended (P < .02) in R sows. We observed no treatment difference in ovulation rate or embryo survival. Our results demonstrate that making sows anabolic during lactation did not ameliorate the negative impact of the suckling stimulus or improve fertility after weaning.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1982

Reproductive performance in sows treated with estradiol benzoate/human chorionic gonadotrophin combination at weaning.

The effects of estradiol benzoate plus human chorionic gonadotrophin administered on the day of weaning on the reproductive performance in sows was studied. The treatment advanced the onset of estrus but the duration of estrus was slightly prolonged. Breeding on the post-weaning estrus was associated with poor pregnancy rate and smaller litters. The treatment did not cause permanent damage to the reproductive tract as the reproductive performance of the treated sows after subsequent breedings were unaffected. The possible causes of the poor fertility in the estradiol benzoate plus human chorionic gonadotrophin treated sows are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1975

Reproductive performance of male and female phenotypes in three sex chromosomal genotypes(XX, XY, YY) in the killifish, Oryzias latipes.

The present study investigates the juvenile and adult reproductive performance of Japanese killifish, Oryzias latipes, which were successfully sex-reversed by feeding them male or female sex hormones during the fry stage. Sexual maturation of these laboratory grown fish of three known genotypes (XX, SY, YY) occurred earliest in untreated genotypes, next in genotypes treated with male hormone (methyl testosterone) and female hormone (estrone), respectively. The delay in sexual maturation caused by early exogenous, sex-hormone treatment may represent a disturbance in the delicate neural-gonadal axis. However, the degree of response was also strongly influenced by the animal's sex chromosomal genotype. XX fish, normally phenotypic females, were affected more by the male hormone than by the female hormone. XY and YY fish, normally phenotypic males, were delayed more by the female hormone than by the male hormone. This specific sex hormone-sex genotype interaction also influenced adult reproductive performance (sperm or egg production). Differences in the metabolism of male and female sex hormones by the XX, XY, and YY fish are probably responsible for these interesting findings.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1996

Reproductive performance of dairy herds infected with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo relative to the year of diagnosis.

To assess the impact of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo infection on the reproductive performance of nine dairy herds with evidence of infection, forty years' fertility data were analysed relative to the year of first diagnosis. Fifty per cent of various fertility variables had their lowest values only in the year of diagnosis. Culling rates were highest during the year of diagnosis in five of the herds, and were above 22 per cent in five of nine (55-6 per cent) of the diagnosis years considered compared with seven (22-6 per cent) of the 31 non-diagnosis years. An assessment of the fertility status of the herds by means of a formula with incorporated the first service conception rate, the number of services per conception for cows conceiving, the calving to conception interval and the culling rate, revealed low reproductive performance during the year of diagnosis in six of the nine herds. Abortion rates were highest in four of the herds during the year of diagnosis, and these included the herds in which the fertility status was not lowest. It was concluded that L. interrogans serovar hardjo affected reproductive adversely by causing both abortions and low fertility, but that the effect was temporary.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

PubMed1980

The effect of variations in the interval between calving and first service on the reproductive performance of normal dairy cows.

Reproductive records from 8 commercial dairy herds in a herd health scheme were examined to determine the effect of the calving to first service interval on breeding performance. A reduction in the first service conception rate was observed in cows bred within 60 days of calving. Early breeding did not appear to have any adverse effect on subsequent reproductive performance. A linear relationship between days to first service and intercalving interval was demonstrated. A 1-day reduction in the interval to first service reduced the intercalving interval by 0.86 of a day. This paper shows that a reduction in calving to service intervals to achieve annual calving produces high economic gains.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Influence of histocompatibility antigens in recurrent spontaneous abortion couples and on their reproductive performances.

PROBLEM: To determine if human leukocyte antigens (HLA) play any role in the aetiology of recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), a substantial group of RSA couples were studied, and their reproductive performances in a 3-year follow-up recorded. METHODS: HLA typing was performed for HLA-A, -B, and DR antigens in both partners of 75 couples with unexplained RSA, and compared with a control group of 30 fertile couples that never experienced abortion. A further 57 couples of this group were studied for their reproductive performance in a 3-year follow-up, and subdivided into three subgroups: 1) couples that achieved successful pregnancy during the follow-up, and subdivided into three subgroups: 1) couples that achieved successful pregnancy during the follow-up; 2) couples that experienced abortion and no livebirth during the follow-up; and 3) couples that experienced infertility during the follow-up. RESULTS: There were no significant differences for antigen frequency in all the different HLA loci, and HLA antigen sharing between all the RSA couples and controls. Significant increase of sharing for HLA-DR locus was observed in the couples that aborted during the follow-up with respect to the couples that achieved livebirth and controls (P < 0.03 and P < 0.02 respectively), and significantly increased frequency of B44, DR5 antigen combination in the same comparison (P < 0.03). No significant differences were observed in terms of the interval between conceptions in couples without antigen sharing with respect to couples with 1, 2 or more antigens shared, and antigen sharing in Locus A, B or DR. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that gene(s) disadvantageous for reproduction may exist between the HLA-B and -DR chromosomal region which influences the pregnancy outcome in RSA couples, and that HLA-antigen sharing itself does not influence the outcome.

Abortion, Habitual↗

PubMed1991

Effect of feeding palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids to Japanese quail hens (Coturnix coturnix japonica). 1. Reproductive performance and tissue fatty acids.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing 3% of either palmitic acid (Diet PA), oleic acid (Diet OA), or linoleic acid (Diet LA) on reproductive performance, fatty acid composition of egg yolk, plasma, and liver, and total plasma phosphorus of Japanese quail. Each diet was fed to 20 individually caged hens from 5 wk of age. A 24-wk production period started at 8 wk of age. Fertile eggs for incubation were obtained by placing at random a male in the cage with the female for 15 to 20 min twice per week. The males were kept in separate individual cages and fed a turkey grower diet throughout. Feed consumption, egg production, egg output, and the number of chicks per hen were higher (P less than .05) in birds fed Diet PA than in those fed Diet OA or Diet LA. Hatchability was not different (P greater than .05) between Diet PA and Diet OA, but they were higher (P less than .05) than that of Diet LA. Quail weight at hatch from birds fed Diet LA was heavier (P less than .05) than those from Diet OA, but not different (P greater than .05) from those fed Diet PA. Total plasma phosphorus concentration was higher (P less than .05) in birds fed Diet PA than in those fed Diet LA. High levels of oleic and linoleic acids were found in egg yolk, plasma, and liver lipids from birds fed Diet OA and Diet LA, respectively. Feeding Diet PA resulted in elevated levels of palmitoleic acid in all three tissues. The highest overall reproductive performance on Diet PA suggests that palmitic acid has some physiological role in reproduction. The sustained near-maximal levels of egg production and fertility achieved in this trial indicate the superiority of the mating procedure, which would also permit testing the response of male and female birds while minimizing injuries incurred by the females.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1984

Effects of concurrent lactation and postpartum mating on reproductive performance in mice selected for large litter size.

Reproductive and maternal performance of a line of mice selected for large first parity litter size (L+) and a control line (K) were compared under two mating systems: (1) postpartum mating (PP), in which females undergo concurrent gestation and lactation, and (2) postweaning mating (PW), in which females wean their litter before being remated. Females were evaluated in their first two parities. Litters in each line were standardized at birth to 4, 8, 12 or 16 pups in parity 1, and to 10 pups in parity 2. Concurrent gestation had no adverse effect on postnatal maternal performance in parity 1 of either line. In parity 2, both L+ and K declined in reproductive and postnatal maternal performance in PP compared with PW. The pattern of delayed implantation as number of pups nursed increased was similar in both lines under the PP regimen. Several interactions indicated that reproductive performance of L+ was more adversely affected than in K under postpartum mating. Pup mortality was greater in L+ than K under PP but not under PW. In the PP regimen, L+ dams nursing 12 and 16 pups had a lower mating success rate and dams nursing 16 pups had a smaller litter size and higher pup mortality than did K dams. Thus, when L+ dams nurse their natural litter, frequently exceeding 16 pups, their reproductive advantage over K dams observed in PW would be eliminated in PP. If the differences in the first two litters reflect subsequent parities, lifetime reproductive performance in the PP environment would be reduced in the high fecundity line. High fecundity appears to depend upon the environment of selection.

Animals↗

PubMed1984

Effects of midecamycin acetate (miocamycin), a new macrolide antibiotic, on reproductive performances in rats and rabbits.

Miocamycin (MOM) is a derivative of midecamycin, a macrolide antibiotic isolated from a culture broth of Streptomyces mycarofaciens. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of MOM on reproductive performance in rats and rabbits. MOM, non-crystalline solid, was suspended in 0.1% CMC solution immediately before use. In this study, reproductive performance was studied according to the following designs: Fertility test (Segment I) in Wistar rats Teratogenicity test (Segment II) in Wistar rats Peri- and post-natal tests (Segment III) in Wistar rats Behavioral test in rat newborns in Segments II and III Teratogenicity test (Segment II) in New Zealand white rabbits In conclusion, MOM, non-crystalline solid, might have no teratogenesis and little influence on dams and their fetuses and offsprings.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

PubMed1988

Relationship among weight change, body condition and reproductive performance of range beef cows.

A 5-yr study involving 45 to 78 pregnant Hereford range cows each year evaluated relationships among prepartum nutrition, body condition scores, BW changes and reproductive performance. Four prepartum nutritional treatments were imposed. One group of cows were fed to maintain (M) their November BW until calving in March and April. The other three groups of cows were fed to lose about 5% of their November BW by 8 wk before parturition, then to maintain BW (LM), lose an additional 5% of their BW (LL) or gain 5% of their BW (LG). After calving, all cows were fed to maintain BW. Body condition scores and BW were recorded every 14 d throughout the trial. Linear regression analyses were conducted to examine treatment effects on BW, body condition score and measures of reproductive performance. A discriminant analysis was performed on pregnancy rate and percentage of cows with ovarian luteal activity by 85 d after parturition. The M cows had a greater pregnancy rate (71%) than cows on other treatment groups. The LL cows had a reduced pregnancy rate (42%) compared with LM (51%) and LG (58%) cows. Prepartum nutritional treatment did not affect the days from parturition to conception. Precalving body condition score and November to January BW changes influenced pregnancy rate (P less than .001). A cubic response curve described the relationship between pregnancy rate and precalving body condition score for cows with condition scores of 3 through 7.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1979

Reproductive performance of first parity sows.

An investigation of the reproductive performance of first parity sows is described. In a retrospective study it was found that the size of the second litter was significantly greater in those sows with a prolonged weaning to oestrus interval of more than 15 days. Deliberately delaying mating until at least 12 days after weaning produced a similar increase in second litter size. This improvement was not associated with an increase in ovulation rate.

Animals↗