Association between metabolic parameters and embryo production in superovulated dairy cattle.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between metabolic parameters and the number of embryos produced in superovulated cows with high genetic characteristics in milk yield. Eighteen Holstein donors were treated with classic superovulation protocols, AI and flushing. During superovulation, decreasing doses of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) were administered at 12-h intervals for 4 days. Plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), glucose (GLU), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and total protein (TP) levels were determined by using an autoanalyzer. The mixed model analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. As a result, plasma IGF1, BHB and BUN had significant interactions with both groups and days (p < .05). Additionally, plasma TP-days interactions were significant (p < .05). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the number of embryos and plasma BHB levels (p < .05). In conclusion, under appropriate environmental conditions, metabolic profile control of donors can contribute to the embryo production process and to the studies on the metabolic infrastructure.

Using ANI 35/L approach to evaluate the welfare status of locally adapted Anatolian Black cattle.

In this study, it was aimed to determine of the shelter conditions and welfare levels of Anatolian Black cattle grown in two different regions of Turkey. Accordingly, welfare assessment was made at the farm level according to the Animal Needs Index (ANI 35L/2000) method, a total of 76 in Ankara and Antalya provinces. The material of the research was composed of Anatolian Black cattle farms within the scope of the Project on Conservation of Domestic Genetic Resources. According to the ANI welfare assessment method, scoring was composed of a total of 30 criteria in 5 different categories, namely, locomotion, social interaction, flooring, light air and stockmanship. In the study, the average of all farms was determined as 22.73 points in winter and 41.36 points in summer. These values were found to be 22.00 and 23.98 in winter and 40.87 and 42.20 in summer, respectively, in Ankara and Antalya provinces. As a result of the study, it was found that the opportunity for animals to go to the courtyard and pasture has positive contributions to animal welfare. Moreover, it determined that factors such as stall size, available floor area, flooring and lighting adversely affected animal welfare in winter. The ANI 35L method can be recommended to determine the welfare levels of farms that have production by traditional methods and not possible to examine many animal-based parameters.

Determination of the relationship between serum anti-Müllerian hormone level and superovulatory response in Simmental cows.

The most significant focal points of the embryo transfer technology are as follows: the selection of donors, the response of the selected donor to the superovulation protocol and the obtained number of the transferable embryos. For this purpose, it is suggested that donor selection can be done by anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and embryo production is evaluated. AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells of primordial, pre-antral and antral follicles below 4 mm in the ovary, independent of FSH. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum AMH levels and the number of corpus luteum (CL), total embryos and transferable embryos that were shaped after a uniform superovulation protocol. For this reason, 48 Simmental cows, which were located at General Directory of Agricultural Enterprises (region, province, etc. instead of the general directorate), were used as donors for the embryo transfer. Blood samples were taken at random, regardless of the stage of animal's sexual cycle. AMH levels were measured by enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) method of the miniVIDAS® (bioMérieux SA) using AMH Bovine Test Kit. According to the statistical analyses of the obtained data, AMH levels were positively correlated with CL and total embryos (p < .05). No significant correlations between AMH and transferable embryos were approved (p > .05). It was also determined that each 200 pg/ml increase in serum AMH level resulted in one increase in CL number. Overall, considering the positive correlation between AMH level and the obtained number of CL and total embryos after a superovulation treatment, it was concluded that measuring blood AMH level prior to any further costly implementation may be an effective method in donor selection.