Superovulatory response, anti-Müllerian hormone concentration and antral follicle count in Holstein cattle with short or long anogenital distance.

To understand the mechanisms underlying the inverse relationship between anogenital distance (AGD) and fertility in dairy cattle, we determined if embryo yield and quality differed between cattle of short- and long-AGD (Study 1), and whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC) and superovulation responses differed by AGD group (Study 2). In Study 1, records of embryo yield and quality in Holstein heifers (n = 43) and cows (n = 14) from two commercial dairy herds were analyzed, retrospectively. Short- and long-AGD groups were based on the median AGD cut-points of 113 and 134 mm, for heifers and cows, respectively. The mean numbers of total (7.4 vs. 9.0; 9.4 vs.12.9), fertilized ova (5.6 vs. 6.2; 6.6 vs. 6.9), and viable embryos (4.4 vs. 4.8; 5.9 vs. 5.3) per heifer and cow did not differ between cattle of short vs. long AGD. Short-AGD cows, however, had greater proportions of fertilized ova (69.7 vs. 53.3%; P = 0.07) and viable embryos (62.1 vs. 41.1%; P = 0.03) than long-AGD cows. The odds of short-AGD cows yielding fertilized ova and viable embryos were 2.0 and 4.0 times greater, respectively, than the odds of long-AGD cows. In Study 2, lactating cows (n = 24) of a research herd had their AGD categorized as in Study 1, and AFC, AMH, and superovulation responses (i.e., no. of preovulatory follicles [≥ 10 mm] and CL) were determined. Mean AFC (27 ± 4.5 vs. 21 ± 4.0) and CL (9 ± 1.6 vs. 7 ± 1.4) per cow did not differ between short- and long-AGD groups. Serum AMH concentration (pg/mL) was lesser in short-AGD cows compared with long-AGD cows (114 ± 30.4 vs. 200 ± 26.8; P = 0.05), but the no. of preovulatory follicles was greater (15 ± 1.9 vs. 8 ± 1.7; P = 0.01) in short-AGD than in long-AGD cows. The overall proportion of follicles ≥10 mm was also greater in short-AGD cows than in long-AGD cows (56 vs 44%; P = 0.03). Preovulatory follicle number was affected by a parity x AGD group interaction (P = 0.04), with multiparous short-AGD cows accounting for the largest number of follicles. No associations were found among AGD, AFC and AMH. The associations between AFC and superovulation responses (follicles: r = 0.67, and CL: 0.58; P < 0.01) were moderate but AMH was not associated with superovulation responses. In summary, whereas AGD-associated differences in the yield and quality of embryos were not evident in heifers, the proportions of fertilized ova and viable embryos were greater in short-AGD than in long-AGD cows. In addition, the proportion of preovulatory follicles, an indicator of superovulatory response, was greater in short-AGD cows than in long-AGD cows.

Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug administration on uterine inflammation and interval to first ovulation in postpartum dairy cows.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) administration on uterine inflammation and the interval from calving to first ovulation (ICFO; in days). We hypothesized that a combination of dietary butyrate and oral NSAID would reduce uterine inflammation and decrease ICFO. Sixty-five cows were enrolled in a 2 × 2 factorial design and assigned to receive an iso-energetic diet containing a supplement of either butyrate (fatty acid-coated calcium butyrate) or control (commercial fat and calcium carbonate mixture) at 1.42% of diet dry matter, during the calving transition period from -28 (±3) to +24 (±3) days in milk (DIM; calving = d 0). At 12 to 24 h postcalving, cows received an oral NSAID (1 mg of meloxicam/kg of BW) or a placebo (food dye). Ovarian ultrasonography was performed weekly from 14 DIM until first ovulation or up to 56 DIM. Endometrial cytology was performed at 28 DIM to assess uterine inflammation based on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). No interactions were detected between treatments. The proportions of cows with high (>18%) endometrial PMN did not differ between butyrate and control diets or between NSAID and placebo. Mean (± standard error of mean) ICFO did not differ between butyrate (28 ± 2 d) and control (25 ± 2 d) or between NSAID (29 ± 2 d) and placebo (24 ± 2 d). However, the ovulation rate up to 56 DIM (hazard ratio: 0.61; 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 1.04) established by survival analysis tended to be lower in NSAID than in placebo. In conclusion, dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration did not reduce endometrial inflammation or the mean ICFO, but NSAID-treated cows tended to have a lower rate of ovulation up to 56 DIM.

Anogenital distance is associated with postpartum estrous activity, intensity of estrous expression, ovulation, and progesterone concentrations in lactating Holstein cows.

The objectives of this retrospective observational study were to determine the associations of anogenital distance (AGD) with (a) postpartum estrous activity, (b) diameter of the preovulatory follicle, (c) intensity of estrous expression, (d) postestrus ovulation, (e) corpus luteum (CL) size, and (f) concentrations of progesterone at estrus and on d 7 after estrus. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 178; 55 primiparous, 123 multiparous) were enrolled into the study during the first postpartum week. All cows were continuously monitored by a pedometer-based automated activity monitoring (AAM) system for estrus. Postpartum estrous activity was assessed using the AAM estrus alerts, in which cows with at least one true estrus alert (i.e., a relative increase in steps from each cow's baseline detected by the AAM and the presence of at least one follicle >15 mm, a CL <20 mm, or no CL detected by ultrasound) by the first 50 d in milk (DIM) were considered to have commenced estrous activity. At the estrus alert >60 DIM, ovulation was determined by ultrasound at 24 h, 48 h, and 7 d after estrus, and blood samples were collected at estrus alert and on d 7 after estrus for progesterone analysis. The AGD was measured from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris and classified as either short- or long-AGD using 2 cut-points of 148 mm (predictive of the probability of pregnancy to first insemination; short-AGD, n = 115; long-AGD, n = 63) and 142 mm (the median AGD; short-AGD, n = 90; long-AGD, n = 88). Regardless of the cut-point used, early postpartum estrous activity by 50 DIM (67 vs. 54%), duration of estrus (11.6 vs. 9.7 h), and preovulatory follicle diameter (20 vs. 19 mm) were greater in short-AGD than in long-AGD cows. Increased peak of activity at estrus in short-AGD cows (354 vs. 258% mean relative increase) was affected by an interaction between AGD and parity in which multiparous long-AGD cows had lesser relative increase in activity than primiparous cows (217 vs. 386%, respectively). Mean progesterone concentration at estrus was lesser in short-AGD (0.47 vs. 0.61 ng/mL) than in long-AGD cows. The ovulatory response at 24 h did not differ, but at 48 h (91 vs. 78%) and on d 7 after estrus (97 vs. 84%) it was greater in short-AGD cows. Although CL diameter on d 7 after estrus did not differ, short-AGD cows had greater progesterone concentration 7 d after estrus than long-AGD cows (4.1 vs. 3.2 ng/mL, respectively). In conclusion, greater proportions of short-AGD cows commenced estrous activity by 50 DIM, had larger preovulatory follicles, exhibited greater duration of estrus, had reduced progesterone concentration at estrus, had greater ovulation rates and progesterone concentration 7 d after estrus compared with long-AGD cows, with no difference in CL size between AGD groups. Because all the differences in physiological characteristics of short-AGD cows reported herein favor improved reproductive outcomes, we infer that these are factors contributing to improved fertility reported in short-AGD cows compared with long-AGD cows.

Evaluating automated infrared thermography and vulva exposure tracking as components of an estrus detection platform in a commercial dairy herd.

The primary objective of this study was to develop an automated infrared thermography platform (Estrus BenchMark) capable of measuring skin temperature and tail movements as a means of identifying cows in estrus. The secondary objective was to evaluate the accuracy of Estrus BenchMark to detect estrus compared to in-line milk progesterone (P4) analysis (Herd Navigator System) in a commercial dairy herd managed under a robotic milking system. Data were collected on forty-six cows from 45 to 120 d after calving. Cows were flagged in estrus when milk P4 fell below 5 ng/mL. The Estrus BenchMark true positive estrus alerts (Sensitivity; Se%) were compared to Herd Navigator System estrus alerts at different time-windows (±12 h, ±24 h, ±48 h, and ±72 h) relative to the Estrus BenchMark estrus alerts for all the estrus alerts (AE) and confidence-quality estrus (CQE; >80% quality) alerts identified by Herd Navigator System. The Estrus BenchMark captured skin temperature and tail movements resulting in vulva exposure (left tail movements, LTail; right tail movements, RTail; and pooled tail movements, PTail) for each milking event. Skin temperature tended to increase when the milk P4 concentration (Least-Squares Means ±â€¯SE) dropped for AE (estrus day [d 0]; P4; 3.51 ±â€¯0.05 ng/mL, Skin temperature; 33.31 ±â€¯2.38 °C) compared with d -7 (P4; 20.22 ±â€¯0.73 ng/mL; Skin temperature: 32.05 ±â€¯3.77 °C). The increase in skin temperature, however, was significant in cows with CQE > 80% at d 0 (32.75 ±â€¯0.29 °C) compared to d -7 (31.80 ±â€¯0.28 °C). The prevalence of tail movements to expose vulva was greater (P = 0.01) in AE at d 0 (LTail: 62.50%; PTail; 68.75%; and RTail: 56.25%) compared with d -7 (LTail: 18.75%; PTail: 9.37%: and RTail: 9.37%), and d +4 (LTail: 9.37%; PTail: 9.37%; and RTail: 12.5%). Moreover, the higher prevalence of tail movements at d 0 was observed in cows with CQE > 80% (LTail; 65%, PTail; 80%, and RTail; 70%) compared to those with CQE < 80%. The highest Estrus BenchMark Youden index (YJ; 0.45), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR; 9.04), and Efficiency (0.77) were achieved for AE in a ±48 h window and at ±72 h window for CQE (YJ; 0.66, DOR; 25.29, and Efficiency 0.76) relative to Herd Navigator System estrus alerts. The highest Estrus BenchMark resulted in 58% estrus detection rates for AE and 80% for cows with CQE compared to the Herd Navigator System.

Associations between anogenital distance and measures of fertility in lactating North American Holstein cows: A validation study.

Anogenital distance (AGD) has been defined in dairy cows as the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris. Initial reports on nulliparous Holstein heifers and first- and second-parity Holstein cows have found inverse relationships between AGD and measures of fertility. Our primary objective was to determine the relationship between AGD and measures of fertility in a larger population of North American Holstein cows to validate our previous finding that AGD is inversely related to fertility. Secondary objectives were to determine the associations between AGD and parity, and milk yield. Using digital calipers, we measured AGD in 4,709 Holstein cows [mean ± standard deviation (SD); parity 2.3 ± 1.4; days in milk (DIM) 154 ± 94; 305-d mature equivalent (ME) milk yield 13,759 ± 2,188 kg] from 18 herds in Western Canada and 1 herd in the USA. Anogenital distance (mm) was normally distributed with a mean (±SD) of 132 ± 12, ranging from 95 to 177, and a median of 133. Anogenital distance was linearly but inversely associated with pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI1). For every 1-mm increase in AGD, the estimated probability of P/AI1 decreased by 0.8%. The optimum AGD cut-point that predicted probability of P/AI1 with sensitivity and specificity of 45 and 55%, respectively, was 129 mm. Consequently, data were categorized into either short (≤129) or long (>129) AGD groups across parities, and associations between AGD, parity (first, second, and third+), and fertility measures were determined. Rates of P/AI1 were greater (36 vs. 30%) in short- than in long-AGD cows; short-AGD cows required fewer AI per conception (2.3 vs. 2.4) and had fewer days open (137 vs. 142), and a greater proportion of short-AGD cows (67 vs. 64%) was pregnant by 150 DIM compared with long-AGD cows. The rates of pregnancy up to 150 (hazard ratio of 0.91) and 250 DIM (hazard ratio of 0.93) were smaller in long- than in short-AGD cows. Anogenital distance had a weak positive association with both parity (r = 0.22) and 305-d ME milk yield (r = 0.04). Results indicate an inverse relationship between AGD and measures of fertility in lactating cows, validating our earlier report. We infer that although selecting cows for short AGD is expected to have an adverse effect on milk yield, the anticipated gain in fertility will outweigh the small decline in milk yield, strengthening the potential of AGD as a novel reproductive phenotype for use in future breeding programs to improve fertility.

Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration on serum inflammatory markers and productivity of dairy cows during the calving transition.

Dairy cattle experience inflammation during the calving transition period, and butyrate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are expected to reduce the inflammation. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration on feed intake, serum inflammatory markers, plasma metabolites, and milk production of dairy cows during the calving transition period. Eighty-three Holstein cows were used in the experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The cows were blocked by parity and calving date, and randomly assigned to a dietary butyrate or control supplement, and NSAID or a placebo oral administration. Experimental diets were iso-energetic containing calcium butyrate at 1.42% of diet dry matter (DM) or the control supplement (1.04% commercial fat supplement and 0.38% calcium carbonate of diet DM). The close-up diets contained 13.3% starch and 42.4% neutral detergent fiber on a DM basis, and were fed from 28 d before expected calving date until calving. The postpartum diets contained 22.1% starch and 34.1% neutral detergent fiber on a DM basis and were fed from calving to 24 d after calving. Oral NSAID (1 mg of meloxicam/kg of body weight) or placebo (food dye) was administered 12 to 24 h after calving. Dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration did not affect milk yield or postpartum serum concentrations of amyloid A and haptoglobin. However, butyrate-fed cows increased plasma fatty acid concentration on d -4 relative to calving (501 vs. 340 µEq/L) and tended to increase serum haptoglobin concentration (0.23 vs. 0.10 mg/mL). There was a supplement by drug interaction effect on plasma glucose concentration on d 4; in cows administered the placebo drug, butyrate supplementation decreased plasma glucose concentration compared with control-fed cows (62.8 vs. 70.1 mg/dL). Butyrate-fed cows tended to have lower milk crude protein yield compared with cows fed the control diet (1.21 vs. 1.27 kg/d). Dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration did not have overall positive effects on production performance of dairy cows during the calving transition period.

Repeatability of anogenital distance measurements from birth to maturity and at different physiological states in female Holstein cattle.

The inverse association between anogenital distance (AGD; the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris) and fertility, its moderate heritability, and high variability reported in dairy cattle make AGD a promising candidate for further exploration as a reproductive phenotype. In addition to heritability, repeatability (i.e., consistency in measurements taken at different time points) is important for a reproductive phenotype to be considered useful in genetic selection. Therefore, our primary objective was to determine the repeatability of AGD from birth to breeding age (≈16 mo) in Holstein heifer calves, and during different stages of the estrous cycle, gestation, and lactation in Holstein cows. We also determined the associations among AGD, height (at the hip), and body weight (BW) at birth. In calves (n = 48), we recorded BW (kg) and height (cm) at birth and measured AGD (mm) at approximately 0, 2, 6, 9, 12, and 16 mo of age. In cows, AGD was measured at different stages of the estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus; n = 20), gestation (30, 90, 180, and 270 d; n = 78), and lactation (30-300 d in milk in 30-d increments; n = 30). Calf height and BW at birth had a weak positive association with AGD at birth. The AGD increased linearly from birth to breeding age, but there was no association between the AGD at birth and at breeding age in heifers. Although any 2 consecutive AGD measurements were correlated, 6 mo was the earliest age at which AGD was moderately correlated (r = 0.41) with that of breeding-age heifers. The AGD was neither influenced by the different stages of estrous cycle nor lactation and remained highly repeatable (r ≥ 0.95). Although AGD measurements at 30, 90, and 180 d of gestation (126.9, 126.7, and 127.7 mm, respectively) were strongly correlated (r ≥ 0.97) with each other, AGD at 270 d of gestation (142.8 mm) differed from AGD at all earlier stages of gestation. In summary, AGD measured at birth did not reflect AGD at breeding age in heifers, but AGD measurements in cows had high repeatability at all stages of the estrous cycle, gestation, and lactation, except at 270 d of gestation. Therefore, AGD could be measured reliably at any of the aforesaid physiological states in cows due to its high repeatability, except during late gestation. The earliest gestational stage when pregnancy-associated increase in AGD occurred, however, could not be definitively established in the present study.

Evaluation of infrared thermography combined with behavioral biometrics for estrus detection in naturally cycling dairy cows.

Low estrus detection rates (>50%) are associated to extended calving intervals, low economic profit and reduced longevity in Holstein dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics combined as potential estrus alerts in naturally (not induced) cycling dairy cows housed in a tie-stall barn. Eighteen first lactation cows were subjected to transrectal ultrasonography to determine spontaneous ovulation. The dominant follicle (DF) disappearance was used retrospectively as an indirect indicator of ovulation, and to establish the estrus period (48-24 h prior the DF disappearance). Raw skin temperature (Raw IR) and residual skin temperature (Res IR) were recorded using an infrared camera at the Vulva area with the tail (Vtail), Vulva area without the tail (Vnotail), and Vulva's external lips (Vlips) at AM and PM milking from Day 14 until two days after ovulation was confirmed. Behavioral biometrics were recorded on the same schedule as infrared scan. Behavioral biometrics included large hip movements (L-hip), small hip movements (S-hip), large tail movements and small tail movements to compare behavioral changes between estrus and nonestrus periods. Significant increases in Raw IR skin temperature were observed two days prior to ovulation (Vtail; 35.93 ±â€¯0.27 °C, Vnotail; 35.59 ±â€¯0.27 °C, and Vlips; 35.35 ±â€¯0.27 °C) compared to d -5 (Proestrus; Vtail; 35.29 ±â€¯0.27 °C, Vnotail; 34.93 ±â€¯0.31 °C, and Vlips; 34.68 ±â€¯0.27 °C). No significant changes were found for behavioral parameters with the exception of S-hip movements, which increased at two days before ovulation (d -2; 11.13 ±â€¯1.44 Events/5min) compared to d -5 (7.30 ±â€¯1.02 Events/5min). To evaluate the accuracy of thermal and behavioral biometrics, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed using Youden index (YJ), diagnostic odds ratio, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), Sensitivity, Specificity and Positive predicted value to score the estrus alerts. The greatest accuracy achieved using thermal parameters was for Res IR Vtail PM (YJ = 0.34) and L-hip PM (YJ = 0.27) for behavioral biometrics. Combining thermal and behavioral parameters did not improve the YJ index score but reduced the false-positive occurrence observed by increasing the diagnostic odds ratio (26.62), LR+ (12.47), Specificity (0.97) and positive predicted value (0.90) in a Res IR Vtail PM, S-hip AM, S-hip PM combination. The combination of thermal and behavioral parameters increased the accuracy of estrus detection compared to either thermal or behavioral biometrics, independently in naturally cycling cows during milking.

Relationship of anogenital distance with fertility in nulliparous Holstein heifers.

Anogenital distance (AGD), defined as the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris, in lactating dairy cows of first and second parity, has been reported to be inversely related to fertility and moderately heritable. Thus, AGD may be a useful reproductive phenotype for future genetic selection to improve fertility. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize AGD in nulliparous dairy heifers; and (2) determine if the inverse relationship between AGD and fertility, found in lactating dairy cows, is also evident in nulliparous heifers. We measured AGD in 1,692 Holstein heifers from 16 herds in Western Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) and one herd in the United States (Washington State). Data were analyzed using MEANS, UNIVARIATE, LOGISTIC, ROC, GLIMMIX, and LIFETEST procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Mean (±standard deviation) age at AGD measurement was 13.9 ± 1.5 mo, and AGD was normally distributed with a mean of 107.3 ± 10.5 mm, ranging from 69 to 142 mm. With every 1-mm increase in AGD, the predicted probability of pregnancy was reduced by 1.9%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimum threshold AGD that predicted the probability of pregnancy. Based on the optimum threshold AGD, data from heifers were categorized into short (≤110 mm) and long (>110 mm) AGD groups, and associations between AGD groups and fertility measures were determined. Heifers with short AGD required fewer services per conception (1.5 vs. 1.7) than heifers with long AGD. Consequently, heifers with short AGD conceived earlier (448.4 vs. 454.3 d) and had greater pregnancy to first AI than those with long AGD (58.3 vs. 49.6%). Moreover, heifers with long AGD had reduced hazard (hazard ratio of 0.59) for pregnancy up to 450 d of life compared with those with short AGD. In summary, AGD was normally distributed and highly variable in the population. In addition, an inverse relationship between AGD and fertility measures in nulliparous heifers was evident, confirming an earlier report of a similar relationship in lactating dairy cows. These findings strengthen the potential for AGD to be used as a fertility trait and management tool in future selection programs.

Cutaneous involvement of multiple myeloma.

Cutaneous multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare disease. It can be primary or secondary in origin. The secondary type is further classified into specific and nonspecific types. The specific type is uncommon and is known as a secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma. We report a case of secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma in a 58-year-old man who had a history of plasma cell tumour of the lung and multiple myeloma. He achieved complete remission after the completion of chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). However, five months later, he developed multiple erythematous nodules on the whole body. Skin biopsy revealed diffuse neoplastic cells infiltrate in the reticular dermis with sparing of the upper papillary dermis and epidermis. The neoplastic cells were monotonous and homogenous with variable degrees of cytological atypia. Occasional cells showed distinctive plasma cell features. Plasma cell lineage was confirmed with CD138. The cells were immunoreactive to Kappa. Ki-67 was greater than 90%. They were non-immunoreactive to CD45, CD3, CD20, CD79 alpha and CK AE1/AE3. The findings were consistent with secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma. Our case illustrates that MM may present with nonspecific dermatological manifestations. As specific cutaneous involvement of MM is very uncommon; a high degree of clinical suspicion, detailed medical history and histopathological examination are required to arrive at an early diagnosis.

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: I. Effects on feed intake, growth efficiency, and metabolic and development indicators.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on feed and metabolizable energy (ME) intake, growth, concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in blood and rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) from birth to 25 wk of age in Holstein heifers. Heifer calves (n = 36) were randomly assigned to receive either a low (5 L/d of whole milk) or high (10 L/d of whole milk) preweaning plane of nutrition from 1 to 7 wk of age, and either a low (70% concentrate dry total mixed ration) or high (85% concentrate dry total mixed ration) postweaning plane of nutrition from 11 to 25 wk of age. From birth to 25 wk of age, feed intake was recorded daily, and body measures were obtained weekly. Circulating hormone and metabolite concentrations were measured biweekly and total ruminal VFA, fecal starch, and body condition were assessed monthly. Overall, average daily gain and body weight were greater for heifers offered increased planes of nutrition during both the pre- and postweaning phases. Heifers offered the high preweaning plane had greater milk intake (7.7 ± 0.1 vs. 4.5 ± 0.1 L/d) but lower starter intake (0.3 ± 0.04 vs. 0.7 ± 0.04 kg/d) during the preweaning phase than those offered the low plane. High preweaning plane heifers also had greater ME intake from wk 1 to 7, but less ME intake at wk 9 (5.3 ± 0.3 vs. 6.6 ± 0.2 Mcal/kg) than those offered the low plane. Furthermore, overall glucose (118.8 ± 2.9 vs. 110.1 ± 2.9 mg/dL) and IGF-1 (101.6 ± 3.6 vs. 75.9 ± 3.6 ng/mL) concentrations were greater for high versus low preweaning plane heifers, although circulating insulin and BHB did not differ between preweaning plane groups. However, heifers offered the high preweaning plane had reduced total rumen VFA concentrations compared with heifers offered the low plane in the preweaning phase (47.3 ± 2.0 vs. 55.6 ± 2.1 mM). During the postweaning phase, dry matter intake and ME were consistently greater in heifers offered the high postweaning plane. Overall insulin (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 ng/mL), glucose (97.1 ± 0.6 vs. 92.1 ± 0.6 ng/mL), IGF-1 (178.0 ± 4.8 vs. 155.8 ± 4.8 ng/mL), and BHB concentrations (8.8 ± 0.2 vs. 8.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL) were greater in heifers offered the high than the low postweaning plane. In addition, heifers offered the high postweaning plane had increased VFA concentrations in the postweaning phase (73.4 ± 1.3 vs. 63.9 ± 1.3 mM) compared with heifers offered the low postweaning plane. The results indicated that increasing the pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition along with energy levels positively influenced several indicators associated with heifer development before 25 wk of age. Nevertheless, there was limited interaction in growth and development indicators between the 2 phases.

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: II. Effects on circulating leptin, luteinizing hormone, and age at puberty.

The objectives were to investigate the effects of differing planes of pre- and postweaning nutrition on prepubertal serum leptin concentrations, LH profiles, and age at puberty in Holstein heifers. Thirty-six Holstein calves were randomly assigned to either a low (5 L) or high (10 L of whole milk/d) preweaning plane of nutrition from 1 to 7 wk of age, a transition diet (a dry total mixed ration with 85% of concentrate) from wk 8 to 10, and to either a low (70%) or high (85% of concentrate dry total mixed ration) postweaning plane from 11 to 25 wk of age. Serum leptin concentrations were measured every 2 wk from 1 to 25 wk of age, and LH profiles were determined both at wk 15 and 25 based on sequential blood samples taken every 12 min over 10 h. Starting at 26 wk of age, ovaries were examined weekly by transrectal ultrasonography until first ovulation (puberty) was confirmed. Heifers that received the high preweaning plane diet had greater mean (± standard error; SE) leptin concentrations during the preweaning phase than those fed the low plane (2.9 ± 0.1 vs. 2.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL). During the postweaning phase, mean circulating leptin was greater in heifers fed the high compared with the low postweaning diet [3.2 ng/mL (95% confidence interval; CI = 2.7 to 3.4) vs. 2.5 ng/mL (95% CI = 2.3 to 2.8)]. Mean (± SE) amplitude (2.1 ± 0.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1 ng/mL), peak (2.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 ng/mL), and duration (35.6 ± 2.1 vs. 28.7 ± 2.0 min) of LH pulses assessed at wk 15 were greater in heifers offered the high than those offered the low preweaning plane, but no nutritional effects were observed on LH pulses at wk 25. Mean (± SE) age at puberty was 250 ± 9 d and was not influenced by planes of nutrition. However, the likelihood of attaining puberty by 30 wk of age was greater (hazard ratio = 3.8; 95% CI = 1.0 to 14.4) in heifers fed the high postweaning plane compared with the low plane. Heifers achieving puberty by 30 wk also had greater leptin concentrations from wk 1 to 25, whereas for every 1 ng/mL increase in circulating leptin at wk 15 and 25, days to puberty were estimated to decrease by 22 d (95% CI = 1 to 44) and 13 d (95% CI = 1 to 24), respectively. Increasing the preweaning plane from 5 to 10 L/d of whole milk increased serum leptin concentrations at wk 1, 3, and 5 and LH pulse amplitude, peak, and duration at wk 15. Increasing the postweaning plane from 70 to 85% of concentrate resulted in greater circulating leptin concentrations, which may be linked to an earlier onset of puberty.

Determination of Strong-Phase Parameters in D→K_{S,L}

We report the most precise measurements to date of the strong-phase parameters between D^{0} and D[over ¯]^{0} decays to K_{S,L}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} using a sample of 2.93 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. Our results provide the key inputs for a binned model-independent determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle γ/ϕ_{3} with B decays. Using our results, the decay model sensitivity to the γ/ϕ_{3} measurement is expected to be between 0.7° and 1.2°, approximately a factor of three smaller than that achievable with previous measurements, based on the studies of the simulated data. The improved precision of this work ensures that measurements of γ/ϕ_{3} will not be limited by knowledge of strong phases for the next decade. Furthermore, our results provide critical input for other flavor-physics investigations, including charm mixing, other measurements of CP violation, and the measurement of strong-phase parameters for other D-decay modes.

Management of Atopic Eczema in primary care.

Introduction : Atopic eczema (AE) is a common inflammatory skin dermatosis that is increasing in prevalence. However, it can present in various clinical presentations, which leads to challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition, especially in a primary care setting. The Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Atopic Eczema was developed by a multidisciplinary development group and approved by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2018. It covers the aspects of diagnosis, severity assessment, treatment, and referral.

Anti-Müllerian hormone in grazing dairy cows: Identification of factors affecting plasma concentration, relationship with phenotypic fertility, and genome-wide associations.

The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the distribution and variability of plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration; (2) evaluate factors associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH; (3) examine the associations between categories of plasma AMH and reproductive outcomes [pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI), and pregnancy rates within 21, 42, and 84 d after the mating start date (MSD)]; (4) estimate pedigree and genomic heritability for plasma AMH; and (5) identify and validate SNP associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH. Plasma AMH concentration (pg/mL) was determined from a blood sample collected (mean ± standard deviation) 10 ± 2 d after first insemination at detected estrus (IDE) in 2,628 first- and second-parity Irish dairy cows. Overall, plasma AMH had a positively skewed distribution with mean (± standard deviation), median, minimum, and maximum concentrations of 326 ± 231, 268, 15, and 2,863 pg/mL, respectively. Plasma AMH was greatest for Jersey, followed by Holstein × Jersey, Holstein × Norwegian Red, and Holstein cows (410, 332, 284, and 257 pg/mL, respectively). Second-parity cows had greater plasma AMH than first-parity cows (333 vs. 301 pg/mL, respectively). Samples collected at 7 and 8 d after first IDE had lesser plasma AMH than those collected on d 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 after first IDE (291 and 297 vs. 317, 319, 331, 337, and 320 pg/mL). Plasma AMH was not associated with either body condition score at first IDE or the interval from calving to MSD. Cows were categorized into low (≤150 pg/mL; n = 526; lowest 20%), intermediate (>150 to ≤461 pg/mL; n = 1,576; intermediate 60%), and high AMH (>461 pg/mL; n = 526; highest 20%) groups based on plasma AMH, and associations with reproductive outcomes were tested. Cows with high and intermediate plasma AMH had 1.42- and 1.51-times-greater odds of becoming pregnant within 84 d after the MSD than those with low plasma AMH (90.3 and 90.8 vs. 86.8%, respectively); however, P/AI and pregnancy rate within 21 and 42 d after the MSD did not differ among AMH categories. Plasma AMH was moderately heritable (pedigree heritability of 0.40 ± 0.06 and genomic heritability of 0.45 ± 0.05), and 68 SNP across Bos taurus autosomes 7 and 11 were associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH. Out of 68 SNP, 42 were located in a single quantitative trait locus on Bos taurus autosome 11 that harbored 6 previously identified candidate genes (NR5A1, HSPA5, CRB2, DENND1A, NDUFA8, and PTGS) linked to fertility-related phenotypes in dairy cows.

Carryover effects of pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on reproductive tract development and estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the carryover effects of differing pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on prepubertal reproductive tract development and postpubertal estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers. Heifer calves (n = 36) were randomly assigned to receive either a low or a high (5 or 10 L of whole milk/d, respectively) preweaning diet from 1 to 7 wk of age and either a low or a high (70 or 85% of concentrate dry total mixed ration, respectively) postweaning diet from 11 to 25 wk of age. Starting at wk 26 of age, heifers were subjected to weekly transrectal ultrasonography until wk 33 or until first ovulation to assess endometrial thickness and ovarian follicular count and size in the prepubertal phase. In a subset of heifers (n = 28), ovarian ultrasonography continued weekly until at least the second ovulation was confirmed; thereafter, ovarian dynamics (through ultrasonography) and blood progesterone (P4) were assessed every 2 d throughout 1 complete estrous cycle in the postpubertal phase. In the prepubertal phase, endometrial thickness (12.0 ± 0.4 vs. 10.8 ± 0.3 mm) and largest follicle size (11.8 ± 0.3 vs. 10.9 ± 0.2 mm) were greater in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet. Furthermore, the number of class 2 (6-9 mm) follicles was greater in heifers fed the high preweaning diet than in those fed the low preweaning diet (1.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1), whereas the number of class 3 (>9 mm) follicles was greater in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet (1.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1). In the postpubertal phase, overall corpus luteum and P4 dynamics did not differ among pre- or postweaning treatments; however, P4 at 4 d preceding luteolysis was lesser in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet (6.1 ± 0.4 vs. 7.7 ± 0.4 ng/mL). In addition, compared with heifers fed the low postweaning diet, those fed the high postweaning diet had a greater number of antral follicles (31.4 ± 2.2 vs. 21.4 ± 2.3) and tended to have more class 3 follicles (3.6 ± 0.3 vs. 2.7 ± 0.3). Results indicate positive carryover effects of increasing the preweaning plane of nutrition from 5 to 10 L of whole milk/d on prepubertal follicular growth in Holstein heifers. Furthermore, an increased postweaning plane of nutrition (85 vs. 70% of concentrate dry total mixed ration) advanced reproductive development through greater endometrial thickness and follicular growth in the prepubertal phase and increased the population of antral follicles in the postpubertal estrous cycle.

Infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics associated with estrus indicators and ovulation in estrus-synchronized dairy cows housed in tiestalls.

Most Canadian dairy herds operate in tiestall housing (61%), where average estrus detection rates may be lower than 54%. The objective of this study was to evaluate infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics as indicators of estrus in dairy cows. Eighteen cyclic multiparous cows (Synch) were subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol, and 18 pregnant cows (control) received a sham protocol on the same schedule and frequency as the cyclic cow treatment. A decline in plasma concentrations of progesterone and the appearance of a dominant follicle using transrectal ultrasonography were used as indirect indicators of estrus, and the disappearance of a dominant follicle was used to confirm ovulation. All cows were monitored via visual cameras to determine the frequency of treading, drinking, neighbor interaction, tail movement, lying, and shifting behaviors. Infrared thermograms were recorded at the eye, muzzle, cheek, neck, front right foot, front left foot, rump, flank, vulva area, tail head, and withers. To evaluate the accuracy of behavioral and thermal parameters, a predefined minimum acceptable value (i.e., threshold) for estrus alerts (>0.30 Youden J index and >0.60 area under the curve) was used. Ovulation was confirmed in 14 (77.7%) out of 18 Synch cows. Eye, cheek, neck, rump, flank, vulva area, and wither thermograms exhibited higher temperatures at 48 h [cycle threshold (Δt) = +0.30 to 1.20°C] and 24 h before ovulation compared with 4 d prior to ovulation (Δt = 0.06 to 0.11°C) and during ovulation day (Δt = 0.03 to 0.32°C) in the Synch group. In addition, control cows exhibited greater treading activity per day compared with Synch cows (20.84 ± 0.39 vs. 16.35 events/5 min ± 0.34), and tail movement frequency was greater in Synch cows compared with control cows (14.84 ± 2.7 vs. 10.11 ± 4.7 events/5 min). However, within Synch cows, tail movement was the only behavior that significantly increased in frequency 2 d before ovulation (11.81 ± 1.71 events/5 min) followed by a decrease in frequency 1 d before ovulation (4.67 ± 1.05 events/5 min) compared with ovulation day (0 d; 6.10 ± 1.25 events/5 min) and during luteolysis (3 d before ovulation; 6.01 ± 1.25 events/5 min). Upon evaluation of all variables (thermograms and behavior frequencies) as estrus indicators at 48 and 24 h before ovulation, treading and tail movements before milking and 9 thermal locations satisfied the predefined minimum acceptable value for estrus alerts. This study demonstrates that fluctuations in radiated temperature measured at specific anatomical locations and the frequency of tail movements and treading behaviors can be used as a noninvasive estrus alerts in multiparous cows housed in a tiestall system.

Effects of supplementing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product during the periparturient period on performance of dairy cows fed fresh diets differing in starch content.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; NutriTek, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) during the periparturient period (d -28 ± 3 to 44 ± 3 relative to calving) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility, and postpartum ovarian activity of dairy cows fed fresh diets varying in starch content. From d 28 ± 3 before the expected calving date until d 44 ± 3 after calving, 117 Holstein cows were fed diets with SCFP (SCFP; n = 59) or without (control, CON; n = 58). A common, basal, controlled-energy close-up diet (net energy for lactation: 1.43 Mcal/kg; 13.8% starch) was fed before calving. Cows within each treatment (CON or SCFP) were fed either a low- (LS; 22.1% starch) or high-starch (HS; 28.3% starch) diet from d 1 to 23 ± 3 after calving (fresh period), resulting in 4 treatment groups: LS-CON (n = 30), LS-SCFP (n = 29), HS-CON (n = 28), and HS-SCFP (n = 30). All cows were fed the HS diets from d 24 ± 3 to 44 ± 3 after calving (post-fresh period). Cows were assigned to treatment balanced for parity, body condition score, body weight, and expected calving date. Milk yield was higher for cows fed the LS diets compared with those fed the HS diets during the fresh period (34.1 vs. 32.1 kg/d), whereas DMI and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (FCM) were not affected by dietary starch content, and LS cows tended to lose more body condition than HS cows (-0.42 vs. -0.35 per 21 d) during the fresh period. Overall DMI during the close-up and fresh periods did not differ between SCFP and CON cows. However, SCFP supplementation transiently increased DMI on d 1 (13.0 vs. 11.9 kg/d) and 5 (15.5 vs. 14.1 kg/d) after calving compared with CON. During the post-fresh period, SCFP cows tended to eat less than CON cows (19.8 vs. 20.6 kg/d) but had similar 3.5% FCM (44.9 vs. 43.6 kg/d), resulting in greater feed efficiency for SCFP cows (FCM/DMI; 2.27 vs. 2.13). Neither starch content of fresh diets nor SCFP supplementation affected the interval from calving to first ovulation or the incidence of double ovulation. These findings suggest that feeding low-starch diets during the fresh period can increase milk production of dairy cows during the fresh period, and that supplementation of SCFP may increase feed intake around calving and feed efficiency in the post-fresh period.

Technical note: Validation of an automated in-line milk progesterone analysis system to diagnose pregnancy in dairy cattle.

The in-line milk analysis system (IMAS) is an automated biosensor technology that samples and quantifies milk progesterone concentrations (P4c) at frequent intervals starting early postpartum until pregnancy. The objective was to validate the use of pregnancy notifications (PregN) generated by an IMAS based on P4c profiles after artificial insemination (AI) to determine pregnancy and nonpregnancy status in dairy cows. Records of 1,821 AI events from 715 Holstein cows that had milk P4c (ng/mL) measured every 2.2 ± 1.9 d (mean ± standard deviation) between 24.5 ± 8.2 and 173.4 ± 49.3 d in milk through a real-time IMAS (Herd Navigator, DeLaval International, Tumba, Sweden) were evaluated. Based on variations in adjusted milk P4c (< vs. ≥ the 5.0 ng/mL threshold), the system determined the sampling frequency, onset and cessation of luteal phases, and pregnancy. If a luteal phase initiated (P4c increased to ≥5.0 ng/mL) after AI and remained uninterrupted, a PregN was generated starting at (mean ± standard deviation) 31.0 ± 4.3 d until 53.4 ± 7.9 d after AI, when sampling stopped, unless a decline in P4c (to <5.0 ng/mL) occurred indicating nonpregnancy and imminent estrus. The assessment of IMAS PregN at 4 weekly intervals was tested, and a confirmed calving occurrence between 262 and 296 d after AI, with no other subsequent AI recorded, was the gold standard for pregnancy. In total, 14.1 (256/1,821), 41.0 (746/1,821), and 50.7% (924/1,821) of AI events were followed by a decline in P4c before 19, 23, and 30 d after AI, respectively. Frequency of the last 3 sampling events preceding P4c decline was greater if P4c decline occurred between 18 and 25 d after AI (1.4 ± 0.5 samples per day) compared with before 17 or beyond 26 d after AI (1.0 ± 0.5 samples per day). At 30 ± 3 (27 to 33) d after AI, PregN occurred in 46.8% (853/1,821) of AI events, of which 15.2% (130/853) had a decline in P4c between 30 and 55 d after AI and 17.1% (146/853) was later confirmed nonpregnant based on the gold standard. A total of 40.7% (742/1,821) of AI events was confirmed pregnant by the gold standard, which was no different than the proportion of PregN at 51 ± 3 (48 to 54) d (40.9%; 744/1,821). At any time point between 27 and 54 d after AI, sensitivity and negative predictive values for PregN were greater than 95.0 and 96.0%, respectively, whereas specificity values were less than 90.0% for PregN before 40 d but greater than 94.0% for PregN beyond 41 d after AI. In conclusion, IMAS is able to diagnose pregnancy based on P4c profiles with high precision and determine early nonpregnancy based on the spontaneous cessation of the luteal phase. However, for accuracy greater than 95.0%, pregnancy declaration based on IMAS notifications alone should occur no earlier than 41 d after AI.