Hydramnios related to fetal deformity in a Hanwoo cow: a case report

A Hanwoo cow with a delayed gestation and abdominal distension was delivered following PGF2α injection. There was excessive amniotic fluid, and a male calf was delivered but died immediately. The calf had no eyes and nose, and a cleft palate on the upper jaw. Gross appearance and computed tomography image showed that upper teeth were spread out on both sides due to cleft palate in the upper jaw, and lower jaw and teeth were positioned upward. There were no other brain parts except cerebellum. These findings show a rare case of hydramnios related to fetal congenital deformity in a Hanwoo cow.

Risk factors for repeat breeder dairy cows and their impacts on reproductive performance

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for repeat breeder dairy cows and their impact on reproductive performance. The characteristics of 1,504 cows, including their peripartum health, nutrition, production, and reproduction, were collected. Cows with metabolic disorder were significantly more likely (odds ratio [OR], 2.47; p 80 days after calving were less likely (OR, 0.78; p < 0.05) to become repeat breeders than cows initially inseminated ≤ 80 days after calving. As a result, repeat breeding in dairy cows resulted in a 90 day longer (p < 0.0001) mean interval from calving to pregnancy. In conclusion, postpartum metabolic disorder, clinical endometritis, and a short interval from calving to initial insemination were risk factors for repeat breeder dairy cows, resulting in a severely impaired reproductive performance.

Identification of predictive biomarkers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows / 대한수의학회지

We aimed to identify predictive markers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows. Data regarding peri- and postpartum disorders, serum metabolites, body condition score (BCS), and rectal temperature, were collected from 227 dairy cows, which were allocated to healthy (n = 57) and diseased (n = 170) groups. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before (p < 0.01) and immediately after (p = 0.05) calving. Serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) activity was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 1 and 2 weeks after calving, whereas total cholesterol (TCH) concentration was lower (p < 0.05–0.0001) in diseased cows 4 weeks before, and after calving. BCS was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before calving, but lower (p < 0.01) in diseased cows 8 weeks after calving. Rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05–0.01) in diseased than healthy cows between 2 and 14 days postpartum. In conclusion, high serum NEFA and AST concentrations and lower TCH concentration during the peripartum period, and high prepartum BCS and postpartum rectal temperature, could be used as biomarkers to predict the subsequent development of peri- and postpartum disorders.

Identification of predictive biomarkers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows

We aimed to identify predictive markers of peri- and postpartum disorders in dairy cows. Data regarding peri- and postpartum disorders, serum metabolites, body condition score (BCS), and rectal temperature, were collected from 227 dairy cows, which were allocated to healthy (n = 57) and diseased (n = 170) groups. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before (p < 0.01) and immediately after (p = 0.05) calving. Serum alanine aminotransferase (AST) activity was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 1 and 2 weeks after calving, whereas total cholesterol (TCH) concentration was lower (p < 0.05–0.0001) in diseased cows 4 weeks before, and after calving. BCS was higher (p < 0.05) in diseased than healthy cows 4 weeks before calving, but lower (p < 0.01) in diseased cows 8 weeks after calving. Rectal temperature was higher (p < 0.05–0.01) in diseased than healthy cows between 2 and 14 days postpartum. In conclusion, high serum NEFA and AST concentrations and lower TCH concentration during the peripartum period, and high prepartum BCS and postpartum rectal temperature, could be used as biomarkers to predict the subsequent development of peri- and postpartum disorders.

Cytological endometritis in dairy cows: diagnostic threshold, risk factors, and impact on reproductive performance

We determined the threshold proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) for a diagnosis of cytological endometritis (CEM), the risk factors for this condition, and its impact on reproductive performance in dairy cows. Uterine cytology was performed on 407 Holstein cows 4 weeks postpartum to determine the proportions of endometrial cells and PMNs. A receiver operator characteristics curve was used to determine the threshold above which the PMN proportion affected the likelihood of cows conceiving by 200 days postpartum. The optimal threshold was ≥ 14% PMN (sensitivity, 31.3%; specificity, 81.7%; p < 0.05). The farm identity, retained placenta (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87), and septicemic metritis (OR = 3.07) were risk factors for CEM (p < 0.05). Cows with CEM were less likely to resume cyclicity (OR = 0.58) and to conceive by 200 days postpartum (hazard ratio = 0.58). Cows with CEM tended (p < 0.1) to be less likely to become pregnant after their first insemination (OR = 0.65) and to require a greater number of inseminations per conception (2.3 vs. 2.2). In conclusion, a PMN threshold of 14% defined the presence of CEM at 4 weeks postpartum. The farm, retained placenta, and septicemic metritis were risk factors for CEM, which reduces subsequent reproductive performance.

Effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration or a controlled internal drug-releasing insert after timed artificial insemination on pregnancy rates of dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration (Experiment 1) and a controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) insert (Experiment 2) after timed artificial insemination (TAI) on the pregnancy rates of dairy cows. In Experiment 1, 569 dairy cows that underwent TAI (day 0) following short-term synchronization with prostaglandin F(2α) were randomly allocated into two groups: no further treatment (control, n = 307) or injection of 100 µg of gonadorelin on day 5 (GnRH, n = 262). In Experiment 2, 279 dairy cows that underwent TAI (day 0) following Ovsynch were randomly allocated into two groups: no further treatment (control, n = 140) or CIDR insert treatment from days 3.5 to 18 (CIDR, n = 139). The probability of pregnancy following TAI did not differ between the GnRH (34.4%) and control (31.6%, p > 0.05) groups. However, the probability of pregnancy following TAI was higher (odds ratio: 1.74, p < 0.05) in the CIDR group (51.1%) than in the control group (39.3%). Overall, CIDR insert treatment at days 3.5 to 18 increased pregnancy rates relative to non-treated controls, whereas a single GnRH administration on day 5 did not affect the pregnancy outcomes of dairy cows.

The relationship between vaginal mucous electric resistance and plasma progesterone concentration for optimal mating time in Beagle bitches / 동물의과학연구지

The objective of this experiment was to assess the relationship between electrical resistance of the vaginal mucosa and plasma progesterone for optimal mating time in the bitch. Eight mature beagle bitches were examined, and we observed eight times of estrus. Vaginal electric resistance was recorded weekly using a Draminski ovulation detector in anestrus, and daily in estrus. Plasma progesterone concentration was estimated by radioimmunoassay. In the bitch, incline in vaginal electric resistance (376.20 +/- 105.63 units) showed a closely association with the onset of proestrus. Ovulation day was determined as the first day when plasma progesterone concentration increased above 5.0 ng/ml (Day 0). On Day 0, vaginal mucous electric resistance was 438 +/- 132 units. Vaginal mucous electric resistance showed a slight decrease or was maintained until Day 0. However, it showed an explosive increase, and peaked on Day 1~3, which was above 600 units. Two of eight cases peaked on Day 1, three of eight cases were revealed on Day 2, and others were revealed on Day 3. After Day 4, resistance showed a rapid drop to below 600 units and reached 200 units on Day 8. The optimal mating time was determined when vaginal mucous electric resistance was above 600 units.

Basic data on the hematology, serum biochemistry, urology, and organ weights of beagle dogs / 한국실험동물학회지

This study was conducted to provide basic data on physiological and hematological characteristics, and organ weights of beagle dogs. A total of 237 beagle dogs were used to determine differences in physiological and hematological parameters, and organ weights depending on sex and age. The respiratory rate of both sexes tended to increase as they grew older and the female heart rate was slightly higher than that of males. Male and female body weights increased rapidly to 33 weeks old followed by a gradual increase to 41-weeks-old. The relative weight of the brain was negatively correlated with body weight, whereas the weight of reproductive organs was positively correlated with body weight. The platelet count of female dogs was slightly higher than that of males. The red blood cell, hemoglobin, and hematocrit of both sexes increased non-significantly with age. In the leukocyte differential count, the neutrophils, and eosinophils of both sexes tended to increase as they grew older, whereas basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes decreased. In the serum biochemical profiles, alkaline phosphatase was slightly higher in males than females, while the total cholesterol of female dogs at 9-months-old was higher than that of males at the same age. Other biochemical components, including alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglyceride, and total protein increased non-significantly with age in both sexes. To conclude, we observe no significant physiological or hematological differences with sex or age, although decreasing and increasing trends were detected with some parameters. These data provide valuable reference indices of the normal physiological and hematological characteristics of beagle dogs, which should prove useful in toxicological and pharmacological studies.

Effects of Sigma Anti-bonding Molecule Calcium Carbonate on bone turnover and calcium balance in ovariectomized rats / 한국실험동물학회지

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Sigma Anti-bonding Molecule Calcium Carbonate (SAC) as therapy for ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. Three weeks after surgery, fifteen ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 3 groups: sham-operated group (sham), ovariectomized group (OVX) and SAC-treatment group (OVX+SAC). The OVX+SAC group was given drinking water containing 0.0012% SAC for 12 weeks. Bone breaking force and mineralization as well as blood parameters related to the bone metabolism were analyzed. In OVX animals, blood concentration of 17beta-estradiol decreased significantly, while osteocalcin and type I collagen C-terminal telopeptides (CTx) increased. Breaking force, bone mineral density (BMD), calcium and phosphorus in femurs, as well as uterine and vaginal weights, decreased significantly following OVX. However, SAC treatment (0.0012% in drinking water) not only remarkably restored the decreased 17beta-estradiol and increased osteocalcin and CTx concentrations, but also recovered decreased femoral breaking force, BMD, calcium and phosphorus, although it did not reversed reproductive organ weights. It is suggested that SAC effectively improve bone density by preventing bone turnover mediated osteocalcin, CTx and minerals, and that it could be a potential candidate for therapy or prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The impact of the duration of retained placenta on postpartum diseases and culling rates in dairy cows / 대한수의학회지

The objective of this study was to evaluate the duration of retained placenta (RP) on postpartum diseases and culling in dairy cows. Data were collected from 456 Holstein cows between 2008 and 2010. RP (> or = 24 h after parturition) and postpartum diseases were diagnosed by farm managers and a veterinarian according to standardized definitions. The overall incidence rate of RP was 14.0%, and the incidence rate of RP with fourth and higher parity was two times that of cows having offspring for the first time. The duration of RP was 2 to 15 days with a mean of 6.8 days, except for cases of fourth and higher parity which had a mean of 10.5 days. A total of 63% of cows with RP had postpartum diseases. Among the cows diagnosed with RP, 23.4% developed metritis, and of those, 35.3% developed endometritis or pyometra. A total of 25% (n = 16) cows with RP were culled within 60 days in milk (DIM) and of those culled, 75% (n = 12) had postpartum diseases. These results suggest that RP increases the risk of postpartum diseases such as metritis and mastitis and is a culling hazard up to 60 DIM.

Pregnancy loss in dairy cows: the contributing factors, the effects on reproductive performance and the economic impact

This study investigated the effects of the herd, cowparity, the insemination protocol and season on the incidenceof pregnancy loss (PL) in dairy herds. Furthermore, wedetermined the downstream effects of PL on reproductiveperformance and its economic impact. The overallincidence rate of PL was 6.9% in 1,001 pregnant cows andits incidence peaked (p<0.01) during the second trimesterof gestation. GLIMMIX analysis revealed that cow paritywas the important risk factor for the PL. The odds ratioshowed that the likelihood of PL in cows with parities of 1or 2 was decreased by 0.6 or 0.5 fold compared to the cowswith a parity of 3 or higher. Following PL, the mean rateof endometritis was 23.2% and endometritis was morecommon (p<0.05) when PL occurred during the thirdtrimester than during the first and second trimesters. Themean culling rate was 46.4% and this did not differ withthe period of PL. The overall mean intervals from PL tothe first service and conception were 63.4 and 101.8 days,respectively. The mean interval from PL to first servicewas longer (p<0.01) for cows with PL during the thirdtrimester than for the cows with PL during the first andsecond trimesters. The economic loss resulting from eachPL was estimated at approximately $2,333, and this waslargely due to an extended calving interval and increasedculling. These results suggest that cow parity affects theincidence of PL, which extends calving interval and causessevere economic loss of dairy herds.

Risk factors for delayed conception in Korean dairy herds

Delayed conception is defined as an interval of greater than 90 days postpartum before a cow becomes pregnant again. In this study, the risk factors for delayed conception in Korean dairy herds were determined by evaluating several reproductive factors in individual cows. The following data was recorded from 1,012 pregnancies in eight dairy herds (designated A-H) from July 2001 to June 2006: herd, cow parity, repeated animal (cows included 2, 3, or more times), calving season, calving condition (abnormal partus), postpartum disorders (retained placenta, metabolic disorders, metritis and ovarian cysts) and conception. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the effects of these factors on delayed conception. A stepwise procedure was used to obtain the appropriate model (alpha = 0.05), which revealed the herd, metritis and ovarian cysts to be significant risk factors for delayed conception. The odds ratio showed that the likelihood of delayed conception increased by 3.3 and 2.0 fold for each incidence of metritis and ovarian cysts, respectively. Delayed conception was significantly more likely in 2 herds, in herd A by 2.0 fold and in herd B by 2.4 fold, compared with herd H. These results suggest that the prevention of postpartum metritis and ovarian cysts, as well as improved herd management, will be needed to maintain a short interval between calving and conception in Korean dairy herds.

Advancing parity is associated with high milk production at the cost of body condition and increased periparturient disorders in dairy herds

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of parity on milk production, body condition change, periparturient health, and culling in Korean dairy herds. The data utilized included; milk yield, body condition score, cow parity, calving condition, periparturient disorders, culling, and reproductive status, which were recorded from 1290 calvings in eight dairy herds. The mean milk yield in cows over 305 days increased with increasing parity (p < 0.01). Cows with parities of 3, 4, and 5 or higher lost more body condition than those with a parity of 1 during month 1 of lactation (p < 0.01), and body condition recovery by cows with parities of 4 and 5 or higher was slower (p < 0.01) than recovery by cows with parities of 1, 2, or 3 until month 3 of lactation. The risk of retained placenta, metabolic disorder, and endometritis also increased with advancing parity (p < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of ovarian cysts was lower in cows with a parity of one than in cows with greater parities (p < 0.01). Culling rate due to reproductive failure also increased with advancing parity (p < 0.01). These results suggest that parity increases milk yield, body condition loss during early lactation, the risk of periparturient disorders, and culling due to reproductive failure in dairy herds.

Risk factors for retained placenta and the effect of retained placenta on the occurrence of postpartum diseases and subsequent reproductive performance in dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to determine the risk factors for retained placenta by evaluating several reproductive factors in individual cows, and to determine the effects of retained placenta on the occurrence of postpartum diseases and subsequent reproductive performance in dairy herds. The health status, cow parity, calving, and breeding dates were recorded from 805 calvings in nine dairy herds from October 2000 to March 2004. We used logistic regression to evaluate the effects of these factors on the incidence of retained placenta. A stepwise procedure, used to obtain the appropriate model with alpha = 0.05, revealed that abnormal partus and gestation length were important risk factors for retained placenta. The occurrence of endometritis and metabolic disorders was greater (p<0.01) in the group with retained placentas than in the control group. The mean intervals from calving to first service and conception were prolonged (p<0.05) by 7 and 18 days, respectively, in the group with retained placentas compared to the control group. These results suggest that abnormal partus and gestation length are strongly correlated with the development of retained placenta, which increases the occurrence of postpartum diseases and subsequently decreases reproductive performance in dairy herds.