Impacts of postpartum length at the initiation of the fixed-time artificial insemination protocol on pregnancy rates of Bos indicus beef cows.

The shortest interval between calving and initiation of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols recommended in Brazilian cow-calf systems is 30 d, based on research that characterized uterine involution and incidence of uterine disorders in Bos taurus females. Prevalence of uterine disorders such as subclinical endometritis is limited in Nelore (B. indicus) cows as early as 28 d after calving. We hypothesized that Nelore cows can receive an FTAI protocol as early as 20 d postpartum (DPP) and still experience satisfactory reproductive results. This study evaluated pregnancy rates in 5,258 Nelore cows (n = 1,703 primiparous and 3,555 multiparous) according to DPP at the initiation of the FTAI protocol. Cow body condition score (BCS) was recorded at FTAI, and pregnancy diagnosis was performed ~30 d after FTAI. Cows were ranked within parity by DPP at the initiation of the FTAI protocol and classified according to 5-d intervals (e.g., ≤15 DPP, 16 to 20 DPP, 21 to 26 DPP, until cows with ≥76 DPP). Data were analyzed within parity, using cow as experimental unit and orthogonal polynomial contrasts (linear, quadratic, or cubic) generated using the mean DPP of each DPP class. In both parities, cow BCS at FTAI decreased linearly (P ≤ 0.01) with the advance of DPP (e.g., 4.79, 4.00, and 3.73 in primiparous, and 4.95, 3.70, and 3.23 in multiparous cows classified as ≤15 DPP, 36 to 40 DPP, ≥76 DPP, respectively). The pregnancy rate to FTAI was affected quadratically (P < 0.01) by DPP for both parities. In primiparous cows, the pregnancy rate increased until 36 to 40 DPP (60%), remained near this level until 51 to 60 DPP, and then decreased with the advance of DPP, whereas cows classified as 21 to 25 DPP expressed satisfactory results (41.5%). In multiparous cows, the pregnancy rate increased until 46 to 50 DPP (70.8%), remained near this level until 56 to 60 DPP, and then decreased with the advance of DPP, whereas cows classified as 21 to 25 DPP also expressed satisfactory results (63.6%). Collectively, primiparous and multiparous Nelore cows evaluated herein experienced optimal pregnancy rates when the FTAI protocol was initiated within 30 to 60 DPP, although reasonable outcomes were observed when the FTAI protocol was initiated as early as 21 DPP. Hence, the interval between calving and initiation of the FTAI protocol can be shortened by 10 d in Nelore females and still yield acceptable pregnancy rates, which can be of great value to cows that calve immediately prior to or during the annual breeding season.

New approaches to diagnose and target reproductive failure in cattle.

Reproductive failure and pregnancy loss in cattle are some of the largest economic burdens to cattle producers and one of most perplexing factors influencing management decisions. Pregnancy loss may occur at any point during gestation with the largest percentage of loss occurring in the first 30 days and, subsequently, decreasing as the pregnancy progresses. Losses may be attributed to numerous factors, predisposed issues or environmental conditions such as nutritional stressors or disease. From a research perspective, determining the exact causes of pregnancy loss or embryonic mortality in cattle have been difficult, due to limitations of accurately determining early gestation pregnancy status. Until methods that precisely determine embryo success early in gestation are available, our understanding of in vivo pregnancy loss will lack clarity necessary to develop management strategies to decrease such loss. In this review, we will briefly discuss the pivotal periods of pregnancy loss affecting beef and dairy cattle, methods and technologies to determine pregnancy status and embryo viability and potential opportunities to decrease reproductive failure.

Sire contribution to pregnancy loss and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein production in Nelore cows.

Pregnancy loss is a major contributing factor to reproductive inefficiency in both the beef and dairy industries. Sires can have a significant influence on the amount of pregnancy loss; however, this relationship is still poorly investigated. The primary objective of this study was to identify sires associated with high or low incidence of pregnancy loss (between d 30 and 100 of gestation) and investigate their effect on concentration of circulating pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs). Postpartum multiparous Nelore cows were inseminated artificially at a fixed time (FTAI, d 0) after synchronization of ovulation. A total of 736 cows were assigned randomly to be inseminated with semen from either of 6 Angus sires, whereas a separate subset of 492 cows were inseminated randomly with semen from either of 3 Nelore (n = 235) or either of 2 Angus sires (n = 257). Estrus expression was evaluated on d 0 using Estrotect Heat Detector patches. Blood samples were collected on d 30 of gestation for quantification of PAGs and pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound on d 30 and 100 after FTAI. Cows diagnosed pregnant at the first examination but not pregnant at the second were defined to have pregnancy loss. Overall pregnancy rate at d 30 was 54% (660/1,228) and pregnancy loss was 6.21% (41/660). Cows receiving semen from Nelore sires had greater (P < 0.001) pregnancy rate, greater (P = 0.014) pregnancy loss, and lesser (P = 0.002) PAG concentrations at d 30 of gestation compared with cows receiving Angus semen. Circulating PAG concentrations were lower (P = 0.008) in cows that had pregnancy loss (9.76 ± 0.25 vs. 7.41 ± 1.02 ng/mL). Angus sires were retrospectively classified according to percentage of pregnancy loss as either high pregnancy loss (mean of 7.25% or 67% of total) or low pregnancy loss (mean of 3.93% or 33% of total). Cows receiving semen from high pregnancy loss sires had 1.9 times greater (P = 0.123) rate of pregnancy loss and had lower (P = 0.059) PAG concentrations at d 30 of gestation compared with cows mated to low pregnancy loss sires. In summary, PAG concentrations reflected probability of pregnancy maintenance and were influenced by both sire and sire breed used at FTAI. Variation in the incidence of pregnancy loss was detected among sires that could not be predicted with standard semen fertility evaluations. Exploring the relationship of sire and PAG production might be promising to improve sire selection with regard to pregnancy loss.

Use of Doppler ultrasonography in embryo transfer programs: feasibility and field results.

The intensive use of Doppler ultrasonography in several studies in the last decade allowed the characterization of vascular perfusion and the estimation of function of the reproductive organs and tissues along the estrous cycle and pregnancy in cattle. We aim to discuss the possibility of using Doppler imaging and to explore the potential of its inclusion in reproductive programs in cattle industry. Recent studies in dairy and beef cows indicated a high accuracy and sensitivity when Doppler ultrasonography is used to evaluate corpus luteum function and to diagnosis pregnancy between days 20 and 22. Moreover, resynchronization programs starting 5 to 7 days after timed embryo transfer (FTET) coupled with early pregnancy diagnosis were developed for beef cattle, and have been implemented in commercial embryo transfer programs. These strategies allow a reduction in the interval between two FTET from ≈ 40 to 24 days and may improve the gains in reproductive efficiency when compared to traditional programs than begin resynchronization after the pregnancy diagnosis at 30 days. A second alternative to use Doppler imaging is the evaluation of luteal blood perfusion at the time of embryo transfer for selection of recipients with greater receptivity potential. This may increases fertility in FTET, as embryos would not be transferred to females with non-functional CL, and in cases with recipients surplus, females with higher receptivity would be prioritized.

Evolution of fixed-time AI in dairy cattle in Brazil.

Various programs have been used to synchronize ovulation of a fertile oocyte, accompanied by fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). These programs involve a series of hormonal treatments to achieve four physiologic outcomes: 1) synchronize an ovarian follicular wave; 2) optimize conditions for ovulatory follicle development; 3) synchronize corpus luteum (CL) regression; and 4) synchronize ovulation. This manuscript summarizes studies conducted in Brazil with lactating dairy cows that aimed to increase pregnancy rates to E2/P4-based programs.

Impacts of reproductive technologies on beef production in South America.

The majority of beef cow herds in South America are constituted by Bos indicus females, which have particular reproductive features that contribute to reduced reproductive efficiency compared with that of B. taurus cohorts. Hence, several alternatives to enhance reproductive efficiency of B. indicus heifers and cows have been developed to address their inherent reproductive shortcomings. These research-based technologies are being described in detail within this chapter and have already made an impact on South American B. indicus-based production systems. These include the following: (a) hormonal protocols to induce puberty in nulliparous heifers or estrous cyclicity in postpartum cows to maximize their reproductive performance during the subsequent breeding season, (b) hormonal protocols to synchronize estrus and/or ovulation in B. indicus females to exploit their reproductive responses to artificial insemination, and (c) genetic and environmental factors that influence reproductive success in beef herds, including reproductive diseases and excitable temperament of B. indicus females, that have been investigated to support/promote the development of appropriate mitigation technologies.

Treatments to Optimize the Use of Artificial Insemination and Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cattle under Tropical Environments.

Bos indicus cattle, the preferred genetic group in tropical climates, are characterized by having a lower reproductive efficiency than Bos taurus. The reasons for the poorer reproductive efficiency of the Bos indicus cows include longer lengths of gestation and postpartum anestrus, a short length of estrous behavior with a high incidence of estrus occurring during the dark hours, and puberty at older age and at a higher percentage of body weight relative to mature body weight. Moreover, geography, environment, economics, and social traditions are factors contributing for a lower use of reproductive biotechnologies in tropical environments. Hormonal protocols have been developed to resolve some of the reproductive challenges of the Bos indicus cattle and allow artificial insemination, which is the main strategy to hasten genetic improvement in commercial beef ranches. Most of these treatments use exogenous sources of progesterone associated with strategies to improve the final maturation of the dominant follicle, such as temporary weaning and exogenous gonadotropins. These treatments have caused large impacts on reproductive performance of beef cattle reared under tropical areas.

Elevated progesterone concentrations enhance prostaglandin F2alpha synthesis in dairy cows.

The objective was to evaluate the influence of varying plasma progesterone (P(4)) concentrations throughout the luteal phase in dairy cows on PGF(2alpha) production (assessed as plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF(2alpha); PGFM) following treatment with estradiol-17beta (E(2)) or oxytocin (OT). In all experiments, time of ovulations was synchronized with the OvSynch protocol and Day 0 corresponded to day of second GnRH injection. In Experiment 1, non-lactating dairy cows on Day 6 remained non-treated (n=9), received 20mg LH (n=7), or had ovarian follicles larger than 6mm aspirated (n=8). In Experiment 2, cows on Day 6 were untreated (n=9) or received 5000 IU hCG (n=10). In Experiments 1 and 2, all cows received 3mg E(2) on Day 17, and blood samples were collected every 30 min from 2h before to 10h after E(2). Experiment 3 was conducted in two periods, each from Days 0 to 17 of the estrous cycle. At the end of Period 1, animals switched treatments in a crossover arrangement. Animals in Group 2/8 (n=4) received 2 kg/d of concentrate in the first period and 8 kg/d in the second period. Animals in Group 8/2 (n=7) received the alternate sequence. Blood was collected daily for measurement of P(4) 4h after concentrate feeding. On Day 17, blood was collected from 1h before to 1h after a 100 IU OT injection. In Experiment 1, both plasma P(4) and release of PGF(2alpha) were similar between LH-treated and control cows (P>0.10). In Experiment 2, plasma P(4) was elevated to a greater extent on Day 17 in cows treated with hCG (P<0.05) and plasma PGFM was also greater in hCG-treated animals (treatment x time interaction; P<0.05). In Experiment 3, there was a group x period interaction (P<0.01) for plasma P(4), indicating that less concentrate feeding was associated with greater plasma P(4). Release of PGF(2alpha) in response to OT was greater for cows receiving less concentrate (group x period interaction; P<0.05). In conclusion, dairy cows with more elevated blood P(4) concentrations released more PGF(2alpha) in response to E(2) or OT.

Intravaginal progesterone device and/or temporary weaning on reproductive performance of anestrous crossbred Angus x Nelore cows.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this experiment was to evaluate effects of treatments with intravaginal progesterone (P4) device and/or 48h temporary weaning (TW) on reproductive performance of postpartum anestrous crossbred AngusxNelore cows, throughout the breeding season (BS). Anestrous cows (n=286; 53+/-5 DPP, body condition score between 2.5 and 3.5, on a 1-5 scale) were assigned randomly to four treatments (2x2 factorial design): (1) CONTROL Group (no treatment; n=73); (2) TW Group (48h TW beginning on day 0 of BS; n=70); (3) P4 Group (Intravaginal P4 device between days -7 and 0 of BS; n=73); and (4) P4+TW Group (Intravaginal P4 device between days -7 and 0 of BS followed by 48h TW; n=70). On day 0 of BS (when P4 devices were removed and TW was initiated), cows had their ovaries evaluated by ultrasonography aiming to evaluate size of the largest follicle. Signs of behavioral estrus were observed twice a day (morning and evening), between days 0 and 25 of BS, and cows observed in estrus were inseminated 12h later. Between days 26 and 80 of BS, cows were submitted to natural service. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted by transrectal ultrasonography on days 32 and 53 (pregnancies by AI) and 114 (pregnancies by natural service). Rates of detection of estrus during the first 3 days and within 25 days of BS were greater in cows receiving TW (45.0% compared with 9.6% and 50.0% compared with 29.5%, respectively; P<0.01). Conception rate in cows inseminated in the first 3 days of BS was greater in cows treated with P4 (54.8% compared with 11.1%; P<0.01). Combining P4+TW increased pregnancy rate in the first 3 days ( CONTROL: 1.4%, TW: 4.3%, P4: 8.2% and P4+TW: 24.3%; P<0.01) and in 25 days of BS (CONTROL: 10.9%, TW: 7.1%, P4: 13.7% and P4+TW: 28.6%; P<0.05). Pregnancy rate at the end of BS did not differ among treatment groups. In conclusion, TW alone increased estrous behavior whereas P4 alone benefited conception. Combining P4 with TW improved pregnancy rate with direct benefits to behavioral estrus and conception.

Effect of progesterone and/or estradiol treatments prior to induction of ovulation on subsequent luteal lifespan in anestrous Nelore cows.

Three experiments evaluated effects of estradiol (E(2)) and/or progesterone (P(4)) prior to induction of ovulation with GnRH on subsequent luteal lifespan in anestrous Nelore cows. In Experiment 1, cows (25-65 days post-partum [DPP]; n=114) were assigned randomly to receive a 6-day treatment with an intravaginal P(4) device (CIDR) and/or 1mg i.m. injection of 17beta-E(2) (4 groups; 2x2 factorial design) prior to ovulation. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15 and 19 for evaluation of luteal function. Pre-treatment with P(4) reduced occurrence of premature luteolysis (PL; 79.2% in non-treated vs. 13.5% in treated cows; P<0.01), but there was no effect of treatment with 17beta-E(2) on percentage of PL. In Experiment 2, cows (30-40 DPP; n=35) were assigned randomly to receive either 0.5mL i.m. injection of cottonseed oil (placebo) or 1mg i.m. injection of E(2) cypionate. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 5, 9 and 15 for evaluation of luteal function. Incidence of PL (83.0% in Control Group vs. 75.0% in ECP Group; P>0.1) and mean serum P(4) did not differ between treatment groups. In Experiment 3, cows (30-60 DPP; n=109) were randomly assigned to receive either a 6-day (6-d Group) or a 3-day (3-d Group) treatment with CIDR. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 5, 7 and 9 for luteal function evaluation. Incidence of PL (5.5% in 6-day vs. 5.5% in 3-day groups; P>0.1) and mean serum P(4) did not differ between treatment groups. In conclusion, both 3- and 6-day treatments with P(4) prior to induction of ovulation in anestrous Nelore cows increased percentage of normal luteal lifespan, while administration of 1mg of 17beta-E(2) or E(2) cypionate failed to prevent occurrence of PL.

Importance of sperm genotype (indicus versus taurus) for fertility and embryonic development at elevated temperatures.

Heat stress has negative effects on bovine reproduction, particularly for European breeds (Bos taurus taurus) that are less thermotolerant than zebu cattle (Bos taurus indicus). Here, the evidence that spermatozoa and oocyte both contribute to early embryonic resistance to heat shock is demonstrated. In addition, the use of reproductive biotechnologies to improve bovine thermotolerance, are outlined by comparing data from taurus, indicus and crossbred genotypes.

Aspectos fenotípicos da produçäo de leite e do período de lactaçäo em vacas leiteiras com diferentes fraçöes de sangue holandês / Phenotypic aspects of milk yield and lactation length of crossbred and graded holsteins cows

Utilizaram-se 393 dados de vacas leiteiras, com fraçäo de sangue da raça Holandesa variando de 1/2 a 31/32, obtidos de 1977 a 1981, com o objetivo de se avaliar os efeitos de ano e mês de pariçäo, ordem de lactaçäo, grau de sangue, ocorrências ao parto, infecçöes pós-parto e período de serviço sobre a produçäo de leite e sobre o período de lactaçäo. As médias observadas e respectivos desvios padröes e coeficientes de variaçäo foram: da produçäo de leite, 3128 ñ 924 kg e 29,6% do período de lactaçäo, 288 ñ 49 dias e 17,8%. Todas as fontes de variaçäo estudadas influenciaram significativamente as duas características com exceçäo do efeito de ano de pariçäo de lactaçäo, das ocorrências ao parto e período de serviço sobre a produçäo de leite e o período de lactaçäo. As mais altas produçöes de leite e os mais longos períodos de lactaçäo ocorreram com as vacas paridas na estaçäo seca, abril a agosto, e nas primeira e segunda ordens de pariçäo. Este último resultado pode ser explicado pelo uso mais intensivo da inseminaçäo artificial associado ao emprego de touros superiores geneticamente, pais dos animais mais novos. Os animais com 50 e 75% de sangue europeu apresentaram resultados superiores para ambas as características, sugerindo que as condiçöes de meio observadas na fazenda permitiram que eles expressassem melhor o seu potencial de produçäo. Vacas com infecçöes pós-parto apresentaram maior produçäo de leite e maior período de lactaçäo em 581 kg e em 28 dias, respectivamente

Aspectos fenotípicos do período de serviço em vacas leiteiras com diferentes fraçöes de sangue holandês / Phenotypic aspects of days open of crossbred and graded holstein cows

Utilizaram-se 393 dados de vacas leiteiras com fraçäo de sangue da raça Holandesa de 1/2 e 31/32, obtidos de 1977 até 1981, com o objetivo de se avaliar os efeitos de ano e mês de pariçäo, ordem de lactaçäo, grau de sangue, ocorrência ao parto, infecçöes ao parto, infecçöes pós-parto e produçöes parciais de leite aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias de lactaçäo sobre o período de serviço. A média observada, o respectivo desvio padräo e o coeficiente de variaçäo foram 122 ñ 45 dias e 37%. Ano de pariçäo constituiu-se em importante fonte de variaçäo da característica (P < 0,01. O efeito aignificativo (P < 0,05) de infecçöes pós-parto mostrou que houve aumento de 34 dias no período de serviço de vacas com infecçöes. As equaçöes de regressäo linear da produçäo parcial de leite aos 90 e 120 dias foram, respectivamente: PS = 129,15 - 0,4182 (X - 1159,22) e PS = 129,04 - 0,3406 (X - 1507,87). A correta atençäo pós-parto dada às vacas melhores produtoras talvez seja a justificativa para a correlaçäo fenotípica negativa (-0,18) entre o período de serviço e produçäo parcial de leite aos 90 e 120 dias de lactaçäo