Replacing the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone treatment in an Ovsynch protocol with human chorionic gonadotropin decreased pregnancies per artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows

Our objective was to compare the effect of treatment with GnRH at the first treatment (G1) of the Breeding-Ovsynch portion of a Double-Ovsynch (DO) protocol with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) in lactating dairy cows. In experiment 1, lactating dairy cows (n = 1,932) submitted to a DO protocol for first timed artificial insemination (TAI) on 2 commercial dairy farms were blocked by parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) and were randomly assigned to receive 100 µg of GnRH versus 2,500 IU of hCG at G1. Overall, P/AI 39 d after TAI for cows inseminated with sexed dairy semen was greater for cows treated with GnRH than for cows treated with hCG within each parity (primiparous: 42.6% vs. 38.2%; multiparous: 39.4% vs. 30.3%). Similarly, P/AI 39 d after TAI for multiparous cows inseminated with conventional beef semen tended to be greater for cows treated with GnRH than for cows treated with hCG (41.1% vs. 34.3%). In experiment 2, lactating Holstein cows (n = 43) were blocked by parity and were randomly assigned to the treatment protocols described for experiment 1. Ovaries were evaluated with transrectal ultrasonography immediately before treatment and 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 h after treatment to assess time from treatment to ovulation, and blood samples were collected immediately before G1, at the first PGF_2α treatment, 8 and 16 h later, at the second PGF_2α treatment, 8 and 16 h later, at the second GnRH (G2) treatment, and at TAI to compare luteolysis based on serum progesterone (P4) concentrations. Although mean (± standard error of the mean) time from treatment to ovulation was approximately 2 h greater for cows treated with hCG than for cows treated with GnRH (33.7 ± 0.6 vs. 31.5 ± 0.6 h), P4 concentrations during luteolysis and the proportion of cows with complete luteolysis (P4 <0.4 ng/mL at G2) did not differ between treatments. We conclude that replacing 100 µg of GnRH with 2,500 IU of hCG at G1 of a DO protocol decreased fertility to TAI in lactating dairy cows but did not affect the rate or completeness of luteolysis despite the increased interval from treatment to ovulation.     

Effect of equine chorionic gonadotropin treatment during a progesterone-based timed artificial insemination program on reproductive performance in seasonal-calving lactating dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of progesterone (P4)-based timed artificial insemination (TAI) programs on fertility in seasonal-calving, pasture-based dairy herds. A total of 1,421 lactating dairy cows on 4 spring-calving farms were stratified based on days in milk (DIM) and parity and randomly allocated to 1 of 3 treatments: (1) control: no hormonal treatment; cows inseminated at detected estrus; (2) P4-Ovsynch: cows received a 7-d P4-releasing intravaginal device (PRID Delta; CEVA Santé Animale, Libourne, France) with 100 μg of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog (Ovarelin; CEVA Santé Animale) at PRID insertion, a 25-mg injection of PGF_2α (Enzaprost; CEVA Santé Animale) at PRID removal, GnRH at 56 h after device removal and TAI 16 h later; (3) P4-Ovsynch+eCG: the same as P4-Ovsynch, but cows received 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG; Syncrostim; CEVA Santé Animale) at PRID removal. At 10 d before mating start date (MSD), all cows that were ≥35 DIM were examined by transrectal ultrasound to assess presence or absence of a corpus luteum; body condition score (BCS) was also recorded. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal ultrasonography 30 to 35 d after insemination. Overall pregnancy/AI (P/AI) was not different between groups (50.9, 49.8, and 46.3% for control, P4-Ovsynch, and P4-Ovsynch+eCG, respectively) but the 21-d pregnancy rate was increased by the use of synchronization (35.0, 51.7, and 47.2%, respectively). Compared with the control group, synchronization significantly reduced the interval from MSD to conception (34.6, 23.0, and 26.5 d, respectively) and consequently reduced the average days open (98.0, 86.0, and 89.0 d). Across all treatment groups, DIM at the start of synchronization affected P/AI (42.3, 49.5, and 53.9% for <60, 60–80, and >80 DIM, respectively), but neither parity (46.5, 50.4, and 48.4% for parity 1, 2, and ≥3, respectively) nor BCS (44.0, 49.4, and 58.6% for ≤2.50, 2.75–3.25, and ≥3.50, respectively) affected the likelihood of P/AI. Two-way interactions between treatment and DIM, parity, or BCS were not detected. In conclusion, the use of TAI accelerated pregnancy establishment in cows in a pasture-based system by reducing days open, but eCG administration at PRID removal did not affect P/AI.     

Effects of postbreeding gonadotropin treatments on conception rates of lactating dairy cows subjected to timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in a tropical environment

The objective of experiment 1 was to evaluate the effects of treatments with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or GnRH 7 d after induced ovulation on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows submitted to timed artificial insemination (TAI) or timed embryo transfer (TET). A total of 834 potential breedings were used from 661 lactating Holstein cows (37.3 ± 0.3 kg of milk/d). Cows had ovulation synchronized and were assigned randomly to receive TAI on d 0 or TET on d 7. Within each group, cows were assigned randomly to receive on d 7 no additional treatment (control; n_TAI = 156; n_TET = 126), a 100 μg i.m. injection of GnRH (n_TAI = 155; n_TET = 124), or a 2,500 IU i.m. injection of hCG (n_TAI = 151; n_TET = 122). Postbreeding treatment affected the percentages of pregnant cows at TET on d 28 (control: 38.1%; GnRH: 52.4%; hCG: 45.1%) and on d 60 (control: 32.5%; GnRH: 41.1%; hCG: 38.5%), but postbreeding treatment did not affect percentages of pregnant cows at TAI on d 28 (control: 30.1%; GnRH: 32.2%; hCG: 32.4%) or on d 60 (control: 25.6%; GnRH: 27.1%; hCG: 29.8%). The objective of experiment 2 was to evaluate the effect of a treatment with GnRH 7 d after TET on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows that received a previous GnRH treatment at TET. A total of 285 potential breedings were used from 257 lactating Holstein cows (35.1 ± 0.8 kg of milk/d). Cows had ovulation synchronized and were assigned for TET on d 7. Immediately after TET, all cows were treated with a 100 μg i.m. injection of GnRH. On d 14, cows were assigned randomly to receive (G7-14; n = 147) or not (G7; n = 138) an additional injection of GnRH. Pregnancy diagnosis were performed on d 28 and 60. The additional treatment with GnRH on d 14 did not affect the percentages of pregnant cows on d 28 (G7: 48.5%; G7-14: 42.9%) or on d 60 (G7: 39.8%; G7-14: 37.4%). In conclusion, treatment with GnRH or hCG 7 d after induced ovulation increased conception rates in lactating dairy cows submitted to TET, but not in cows submitted to TAI. Moreover, treatment with GnRH 7 d after TET did not enhance reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows that received a previous GnRH treatment at TET.     

Short communication: A reproductive tract scoring system to manage fertility in lactating dairy cows

We developed a reproductive tract size and position score (SPS) system as a reproductive management tool to identify lactating dairy cows with decreased fertility. This system, relying solely on transrectal palpation, considers the size (cervical and uterine) and position of the reproductive tract relative to the pelvis. Cows undergoing pre-breeding exams were identified as having reproductive tracts that were small (SPS1), medium (SPS2), or large (SPS3). Cows designated SPS1 had small and compact uterine horns that rested within the pelvic cavity; SPS2 cows had reproductive tracts that were intermediate in cervical and uterine horn diameter, with longer uterine horns resting partially outside the pelvic cavity; and SPS3 cows had reproductive tracts that were larger and rested mostly outside the pelvic cavity. Cows that were SPS1 had a higher rate of pregnancy per artificial insemination (43.3 ± 3.7%) than cows that were SPS2 (36.9 ± 3.6%) or SPS3 (27.7 ± 4.3%). The percentage of cows with an SPS2 score differed in pregnancies per artificial insemination compared with SPS3 cows. The average days in milk was similar for SPS1, SPS2, and SPS3 cows (104.3 ± 3.5, 98.4 ± 3.4, and 94.7 ± 7.7, respectively). Ultrasound measurements of the uterine horn and cervical diameter, and length measurements of the uterine horns, cervix, and vagina confirmed differences among the SPS groups derived by transrectal palpation. The ease with which transrectal palpation can be used to determine the size and position of the reproductive tract attests to the relevance and usefulness of this scoring system to identify less fertile lactating dairy cows. The ability to do so with ease provides an opportunity to make economically relevant management decisions and maximize reproductive efficiency in a given herd.     

Interventions after artificial insemination: conception rates, pregnancy survival, and ovarian responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin, and progesterone

We hypothesized that increasing concentrations of progesterone (P4) after artificial insemination would increase fertility. Our objective was to assess changes in ovarian structures, incidence of ovulation, and change in serum P4 in response to GnRH, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or exogenous P4 (controlled internal drug release; CIDR insert) treatment beginning 4 to 9 d after artificial insemination (d 0) and again 7 d later (experiment 1). Blood was collected from 753 cows in 3 herds on d 0 and 7. Ovaries of 162 cows were scanned and mapped to confirm the presence of a corpus luteum (CL), and cows were assigned randomly to serve as controls (n = 41) or to receive a CIDR insert for 7 d (n = 41), 100 μg of GnRH (n = 40), or 3,300 IU of hCG (n = 40). More cows were induced to ovulate in response to GnRH (60%) and hCG (78%) compared with controls (2.4%). Compared with controls, cows treated with GnRH or hCG had more induced CL (d 7) and more total CL (d 7), but serum P4 was increased only in response to hCG. Largest follicle diameters on d 7 were less after GnRH and hCG, but total follicular volume on d 7 was reduced by GnRH, hCG, and CIDR, compared with that of controls. Volume of the original luteal structures was increased by hCG but tended to be reduced by CIDR and GnRH compared with luteal volume in controls. Total CL volume was increased by hCG, but reduced by CIDR, compared with CL volume of controls. Conception rates and pregnancy survival were assessed in response to the same treatments described in experiment 1: controls (n = 708), CIDR (n = 711), GnRH (n = 719), and hCG (n = 714). Tendencies for interactions of treatment × herd and treatment × lactation group were detected, but no 3-way interactions were found. Treatment with hCG increased conception rates in second-lactation cows. The CIDR tended to increase, and hCG increased, conception rates in 2 herds, whereas the CIDR decreased conception rates in 1 herd. Pregnancy survival was reduced by GnRH compared with that in controls. We concluded that GnRH and hCG effectively induced ovulation, and increased number of CL, but only increased serum P4 in hCG-treated cows. Further, treatment with the CIDR or hCG increased conception rates but only in some herds.     

Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin administration 2 days after insemination on progesterone concentration and pregnancy per artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a single administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) during the establishment of the corpus luteum (CL) on progesterone (P4) concentration and pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in lactating dairy cows. Postpartum spring-calving lactating dairy cows (n = 800; mean ± SD days in milk and parity were 78.5 ± 16.7 and 2.3 ± 0.8, respectively) on 3 farms were enrolled on the study. All cows underwent the same fixed-time AI (FTAI) protocol involving a 7-d progesterone-releasing intravaginal device with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration at device insertion, prostaglandin at device removal followed by GnRH 56 h later, and AI 16 h after the second GnRH injection. Cows were blocked on days postpartum, body condition score, and parity and randomly assigned to receive either 3,000 IU of hCG 2 d after FTAI or no further treatment (control). Blood samples were collected on d 7 and 14 postestrus by coccygeal venipuncture on a subset of 204 cows to measure serum P4 concentration, and pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography approximately 30 and 70 d after FTAI. Administration of hCG caused an increase in circulating P4 concentrations compared with the control treatment on d 7 (+22.2%) and d 14 (+25.7%). The P/AI at 30 d after FTAI was affected by treatment, farm, body condition score, and calving to service interval. Overall, administration of hCG decreased P/AI (46.3% vs. 55.1% for the control). Among cows that did not become pregnant following AI, a greater proportion of control cows exhibited a short repeat interval (≤17 d) compared with cows treated with hCG (8.6% vs. 2.8%, respectively). In addition, the percentages of cows pregnant at d 21 (59.6% vs. 52.0%) and d 42 (78.3% vs. 71.9%) were greater in control than in hCG-treated cows. The overall incidence of embryo loss was 10.7% and was not affected by treatment. There was a tendency for an interaction between treatment and CL status at synchronization protocol initiation for both P4 concentration and P/AI. In conclusion, administration of hCG 2 d after FTAI increased circulating P4 concentrations. Unexpectedly, cows treated with hCG had lower fertility; however, this negative effect on fertility was manifested primarily in cows lacking a CL at the onset of the synchronization protocol.     

Effect of parity and stage of lactation on feed sorting behavior of lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to determine if feed sorting differs between primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) cows, if sorting changes from the period of peak lactation to peak dry matter intake (DMI), and whether feed sorting affects efficiency of production. Data on DMI, milk production, feed sorting (particle size of offered and refused feed), and energy status (plasma nonesterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, insulin and glucose concentration) were collected on 30 PP and 30 MP lactating Holstein dairy cows, individually housed and fed in tie-stalls, during 3 wk (wk 2, 6, and 10) over 10 wk of a lactation study. Cows averaged 53, 81, and 109 ± 10 d in milk (DIM) at the beginning of each of the 3 recording weeks. To determine sorting, feed samples were separated with a particle separator that had 3 screens (19, 8, and 1.18 mm) and a bottom pan, resulting in 4 fractions (long, medium, short, fine). Over the study period, MP cows consumed more DM and produced more milk than did the PP cows, but had similar efficiency of production (kg of milk/kg of DMI), and similar levels of plasma indicators of energy status. Across the study period, DMI increased, whereas milk yield decreased, resulting in decreased efficiency of milk production as cows moved further into lactation. All cows had higher nonesterified fatty acid and lower insulin concentrations in plasma at 53 DIM compared with at 81 and 109 DIM, suggesting they were mobilizing more body fat at that earlier stage of lactation. Across periods, all cows sorted against the longest ration particles, did not sort the medium ration particles, and sorted for fine ration particles; as a result, all cows consumed less neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and physically effective NDF (proportion of NDF retained on the 19- and 8-mm screens of the particle separator) than predicted. Greater selection against the longest ration particles was associated with greater efficiency of milk production; however, this sorting pattern also tended to be associated with lower milk fat percentage. The extent of the observed sorting against the longest, physically effective ration particles and for the finest ration particles was greater for PP cows than for MP cows across all 3 observation periods. Feed sorting remained consistent in cows across the DIM evaluated in this study and that this sorting behavior can affect the efficiency of milk production as well as milk fat percentage. Further, PP cows engage in more sorting of their ration than MP cows.     

Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin 7 days after artificial insemination or at the time of embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes in nulliparous Holstein heifers

Our objective was to assess the effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 7 d after artificial insemination (AI) or at the time of in vitro-fertilized (IVF) embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes, including progesterone (P4), interferon-tau stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), and pregnancies per AI (P/AI) or pregnancies per embryo transfer (P/ET), in nulliparous Holstein heifers. Heifers in experiment 1 were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (control; n = 129) or 2,000 IU of hCG 7 d after AI to a detected estrus (estrus = experimental d 0; hCG; n = 132). Heifers in experiment 2 were randomly assigned to receive no treatment (control; n = 143) or 2,000 IU of hCG (hCG; n = 148) at transfer of an IVF embryo 7 d after the last GnRH treatment of a 5-d controlled internal drug release-synch protocol (last GnRH = experimental d 0). Blood samples were collected from a subgroup of heifers (experiment 1, n = 82; experiment 2, n = 104) at d 7, 11, 18, 20, 25, 28, and 32, and blood samples from heifers diagnosed pregnant were collected on d 35, 39, 46, 53, 60, and 67. Blood samples were assayed for P4 by RIA and for PSPB by ELISA, and expression of ISG15 was assessed in mRNA isolated from blood leukocytes on d 18 and 20. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and logistic regression using the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures. In both experiments, treatment with hCG increased P4 concentrations from d 11 to 32; however, treatment did not affect P/AI or P/ET at d 32 or 67, PSPB concentrations from d 11 to 67 of pregnancy, or relative ISG15 mRNA concentrations on d 18 or 20. Heifers diagnosed not pregnant at d 32 in experiment 2 with an extended luteal phase (>20 d) and treated with hCG had greater relative ISG15 mRNA concentrations on d 20 than control heifers. Treatment with hCG did not affect pregnancy loss in experiment 1, whereas heifers treated with hCG at the time of IVF embryo transfer had fewer pregnancy losses from d 32 to 67 than control heifers. We concluded that treatment with 2,000 IU of hCG 7 d after AI or at the time of embryo transfer increased P4 concentrations without affecting P/AI or P/ET in nulliparous Holstein heifers.     

Effect of pretreatment with prostaglandin F2alpha before resynchronization of ovulation on fertility of lactating dairy cows

Our objective was to assess the effect of pretreatment with PGF_2α 12 d before initiation of a protocol for resynchronization of ovulation (Resynch) using an Ovsynch protocol. Lactating Holstein cows diagnosed not pregnant 31 d after a timed artificial insemination (TAI) were randomly assigned to initiate the Resynch protocol 32 d after TAI (n = 255; RES), or receive 25 mg of PGF_2α 34 d after TAI and initiate the Resynch protocol 12 d later at 46 d after TAI (n = 272; PGF+RES). Within each treatment, a subset of cows were examined using transrectal ultrasonography to determine ovulatory response to the first GnRH injection of the Resynch protocols or a blood sample was collected to determine serum progesterone (P₄) at initiation of the Resynch protocol, or both. Overall, PGF+RES cows had more pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) than RES cows 66 d after TAI (35.2 vs. 25.6%), whereas pregnancy loss from 31 to 66 d after TAI was greater for RES than PGF+RES cows (17.1 vs. 7.6%). Although P/AI was greater for cows with high (≥1.0 ng/mL) vs. low (<1.0 ng/mL) P₄ at the first GnRH injection of the Resynch protocols, treatment did not affect the proportion of cows with low P₄ at the first GnRH injection of the Resynch protocols. Overall, no effect of treatment on ovulatory response to the first GnRH injection of the Resynch protocols was detected. We conclude that pretreatment with PGF_2α 12 d before initiation of the Resynch protocol increased P/AI 66 d after TAI for cows with serum P₄ concentration >1.0 ng/mL at the first GnRH injection of the Resynch protocol and decreased pregnancy loss from 31 to 66 d after TAI. This modified resynchronization protocol may be a useful strategy for reproductive management of lactating dairy cows.     

Maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cattle after treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin or gonadotropin-releasing hormone

The objectives were to determine whether a single injection of either human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or GnRH would: 1) increase ancillary formation of new luteal structures, 2) increase serum concentrations of progesterone, and 3) increase pregnancy survival in dairy females treated once between 26 and 71 d of pregnancy. A total of 421 cows were enrolled between January and November 2001, with 92, 106, and 223 females (included 68 nulliparous heifers at 1 location) treated at the 3 locations. Upon diagnosis of pregnancy, females were allocated randomly to receive 100 μg of GnRH, 1,000 IU of hCG, or 2 mL of saline. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, and 4 wk after treatment, and pregnancy status was reassessed at 1, 2, and 4 wk. New luteal structures were formed in 23.8% of cattle, with hCG (50%) and GnRH (26%) being more effective than saline (7%). Treatment had no effect on the proportion of females forming 2 new luteal structures (7.6%), and 36.2% of all induced structures regressed during the 4-wk study period. Pregnancy losses were unaffected by treatment, stage of pregnancy, or number of induced luteal structures but were nearly 9-fold greater in females in which induced luteal structures regressed. No loss occurred in females having 2 new luteal structures. Pregnancy losses decreased quadratically from 30 to 42 d. Serum progesterone did not differ among treatments, but among females forming new luteal structures, progesterone was greater at 1 (7.2 ± 0.3 vs. 6.3 ± 0.2 ng/ mL) and 2 wk (7.0 ± 0.3 vs. 6.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL) after treatment. Progesterone at the first pregnancy diagnosis was predictive of imminent pregnancy loss; the lower the initial progesterone, the sooner subsequent loss was observed. The right ovary was dominant in the location of new luteal structures. Regression of new luteal structures occurred more often on the left ovary and contra-lateral to the corpus luteum of pregnancy (53.2 vs. 22%). In conclusion, treatment of dairy cattle with either GnRH or hCG failed to prevent pregnancy loss, but concentrations of progesterone were predictive of subsequent pregnancy loss.     

Effects of nutrition on the fertility of lactating dairy cattle

This meta-analysis of 39 experiments containing 118 treatments explored the effects of diet interventions in early lactation on the proportion of dairy cows pregnant to artificial insemination (AI; pregnancy to AI) and on calving to pregnancy interval. It also identified factors that may explain variation in these responses. The objectives were to identify effects of diet on reproduction, rather than differences between specific dietary interventions. The examination of calving to pregnancy interval used the more traditional method of analyzing differences between a treatment and the reference treatment used for comparison within a given experiment. The systematic review identified fewer experiments (n = 39) than had been expected. Four different multivariable models including the random effect of experiment were used to examine the effects of CPM-Dairy (version 3.08) estimated diet and production variables on proportion pregnant to AI. These models examined (1) output of products, (2) balance or duodenal availability of nutrients, (3) intake of nutrients, or (4) percentage of nutrients in the diet. The multivariable models identified positive associations between estimated increased fatty acid intake [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.0003 ± 0.0001g/d; ±standard error], starch intake (IRR = 1.061 ± 0.029 kg/d), metabolizable energy balance (IRR = 1.004 ± 0.002 MJ/d), and duodenal C14:0 (IRR = 1.008 ± 0.004 g/d) availability with the proportion of cows pregnant to AI, whereas rapidly fermentable sugar intake (IRR = 0.813 ± 0.054 kg/d), percentage of sugar in the diet (IRR = 0.960 ± 0.015%), and milk protein yield (IRR 0.922 ± 0.022 g/100 g per day) were associated with a reduced proportion of cows pregnant to AI. There was no multivariable model developed to assess variables associated with calving to pregnancy interval but, univariably, increased metabolizable energy balance was associated with a shorter calving to pregnancy interval whereas increased milk production was associated with longer time to pregnancy. Increased intake of some AA, particularly threonine and lysine, were associated with a longer calving to pregnancy interval. It is clear nutritional management around calving can influence reproductive success. The importance of dietary fats and increased energy and protein balances in early lactation for improved fertility outcomes is supported and suggests that starch and sugars may have different effects on the proportion of cows that are pregnant to AI. This work also highlighted a need for further focused field studies exploring the roles of specific fatty acids, AA, phosphorus, and carbohydrates on reproduction.     

Genotype by environment interactions in fertility traits in New Zealand dairy cows

New Zealand's seasonal dairy farming system entails a condensed calving pattern with cows required to conceive within approximately 12 wk of the planned start of calving. This has resulted in strong selection for fertility through culling of nonpregnant cows and relatively strong emphasis on fertility in Breeding Worth, the national breeding objective that drives sire selection. Despite this, average herd-level fertility is highly variable across New Zealand dairy farms. We studied genotype by environment interaction in fertility-related traits, with the goal of improving selection decisions in different fertility environments. We used data from the New Zealand national dairy database, which contains records on 3,743,862 animals. Herds were classified into high-, mid-, or low-fertility categories or environments based on herd average fertility performance, and data were analyzed in 2 different ways. First, we estimated genetic parameters when the fertility trait was defined specifically for each fertility environment to determine the extent to which genetic correlations between high- and low-fertility environments differed from 1 and the extent of changes in genetic variance across environments. Second, we used simple regression to evaluate the impact of ancestral genetic merit for fertility on cow fertility phenotypes to compare the effect of changes in genetic merit on phenotypic performance between fertility environments. The genetic standard deviations of fertility-related traits were 1.5 to 3.6 times higher in low-fertility herds than in high-fertility herds, and the genetic correlations between the same fertility-related traits between the high- and low-fertility environments were moderate to high, albeit with high standard errors. The high standard errors of the correlations reflected the low heritabilities of the traits and potential problems of culling bias, particularly for traits expressed in later parities. Regression analysis revealed that the bottom 30% of herds (in terms of fertility) could achieve more than twice the benefit from selection for fertility than the top 30% of herds. Although our analyses do not support separate genetic evaluations of fertility in the different environments, they indicate that low-fertility herds could benefit more from targeted selection of sires with higher fertility estimated breeding values than from selection based solely on the multitrait national index. Conversely, high-fertility herds could focus their sire selection on traits other than fertility, provided they avoid very low fertility sires.     

Relationships between fertility and postpartum changes in body condition and body weight in lactating dairy cows

The relationship between energy status and fertility in dairy cattle was retrospectively analyzed by comparing fertility with body condition score (BCS) near artificial insemination (AI; experiment 1), early postpartum changes in BCS (experiment 2), and postpartum changes in body weight (BW; experiment 3). To reduce the effect of cyclicity status, all cows were synchronized with Double-Ovsynch protocol before timed AI. In experiment 1, BCS of lactating dairy cows (n = 1,103) was evaluated near AI. Most cows (93%) were cycling at initiation of the breeding Ovsynch protocol (first GnRH injection). A lower percentage pregnant to AI (P/AI) was found in cows with lower (≤2.50) versus higher (≥2.75) BCS (40.4 vs. 49.2%). In experiment 2, lactating dairy cows on 2 commercial dairies (n = 1,887) were divided by BCS change from calving until the third week postpartum. Overall, P/AI at 70-d pregnancy diagnosis differed dramatically by BCS change and was least for cows that lost BCS, intermediate for cows that maintained BCS, and greatest for cows that gained BCS [22.8% (180/789), 36.0% (243/675), and 78.3% (331/423), respectively]. Surprisingly, a difference existed between farms with BCS change dramatically affecting P/AI on one farm and no effect on the other farm. In experiment 3, lactating dairy cows (n = 71) had BW measured weekly from the first to ninth week postpartum and then had superovulation induced using a modified Double-Ovsynch protocol. Cows were divided into quartiles (Q) by percentage of BW change (Q1 = least change; Q4 = most change) from calving until the third week postpartum. No effect was detected of quartile on number of ovulations, total embryos collected, or percentage of oocytes that were fertilized; however, the percentage of fertilized oocytes that were transferable embryos was greater for cows in Q1, Q2, and Q3 than Q4 (83.8, 75.2, 82.6, and 53.2%, respectively). In addition, percentage of degenerated embryos was least for cows in Q1, Q2, and Q3 and greatest for Q4 (9.6, 14.5, 12.6, and 35.2% respectively). In conclusion, for cows synchronized with a Double-Ovsynch protocol, an effect of low BCS (≤2.50) near AI on fertility was detected, but change in BCS during the first 3 wk postpartum had a more profound effect on P/AI to first timed AI. This effect could be partially explained by the reduction in embryo quality and increase in degenerate embryos by d 7 after AI in cows that lost more BW from the first to third week postpartum.     

Multiple correlation analyses of metabolic and endocrine profiles with fertility in primiparous and multiparous cows

Results from 4 studies were combined (representing a total of 500 lactations) to investigate the relationships between metabolic parameters and fertility in dairy cows. Information was collected on blood metabolic traits and body condition score at 1 to 2 wk prepartum and at 2, 4, and 7 wk postpartum. Fertility traits were days to commencement of luteal activity, days to first service, days to conception, and failure to conceive. Primiparous and multiparous cows were considered separately. Initial linear regression analyses were used to determine relationships among fertility, metabolic, and endocrine traits at each time point. All metabolic and endocrine traits significantly related to fertility were included in stepwise multiple regression analyses alone (model 1), including peak milk yield and interval to commencement of luteal activity (model 2), and with the further addition of dietary group (model 3). In multiparous cows, extended calving to conception intervals were associated prepartum with greater concentrations of leptin and lesser concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and urea, and postpartum with reduced insulin-like growth factor-I at 2 wk, greater urea at 7 wk, and greater peak milk yield. In primiparous cows, extended calving to conception intervals were associated with more body condition and more urea prepartum, elevated urea postpartum, and more body condition loss by 7 wk. In conclusion, some metabolic measurements were associated with poorer fertility outcomes. Relationships between fertility and metabolic and endocrine traits varied both according to the lactation number of the cow and with the time relative to calving.     

Progesterone responses to human chorionic gonadotropin in dairy cattle supplemented with beta-carotene

Twenty Holstein cows were assigned to one of four groups according to milk production and beta-carotene supplementation to evaluate effects of supplementation and milk production on reproductive performance and response of corpus luteum to human chorionic gonadotropin indicated by release of progesterone and secretion of luteinizing hormone in blood plasma. Cows were divided into groups of high and low production and divided further into beta-carotene supplemented and unsupplemented groups. Blood samples were taken 10 days postestrus at 10-min intervals from 1 h prior to injection of 5000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin until 5 h postinjection. Mean days to first detected estrus were 33, 37, 34, and 36 in supplemented, unsupplemented, high-production, and low-production cows. Treatment with beta-carotene and milk production did not affect days to first breeding (63, 67, 62, and 67), or services per conception (3.2, 5.1, 4.6, and 3.7). However, days open were reduced by supplementation (116 versus 186), but milk production had no effect (173 versus 129). Regressions of progesterone on sampling time within treatment and within milk production were significant. Regression of luteinizing hormone on time within production group was also significant. Neither beta-carotene nor milk production affected most reproductive measures, but differences were subtle in corpus luteum response to human chorionic gonadotropin, which may alter endocrine function.     

Atypical progesterone profiles and fertility in Swedish dairy cows

The incidence of normal and atypical progesterone profiles in Swedish dairy cows was studied. Data were collected from an experimental herd over 15 yr, and included 1,049 postpartum periods from 183 Swedish Holstein and 326 Swedish Red and White dairy cows. Milk progesterone samples were taken twice weekly until initiation of cyclical ovarian activity and less frequently thereafter. Progesterone profiles were 1) normal profile: first rise in milk progesterone above the threshold value before d 56 postpartum, followed by regular cyclical ovarian activity (70.4%); 2) delayed onset of cyclical ovarian activity: low milk progesterone the first 56 d postpartum (15.6%); 3) cessation of cyclical ovarian activity: ovarian activity resumed within 56 d postpartum, but ceased for a period of 14 d or more (6.6%); and 4) prolonged luteal phase: ovarian activity resumed within 56 d postpartum, but milk progesterone remained elevated in the nonpregnant cow for a period of 20 d or more (7.3%). Swedish Holsteins had 1.5 times higher risk of atypical profile than Swedish Red and Whites. Risk of atypical profiles was 0.5 and 0.7 times lower for older cows compared with first-parity cows; 2.3 times higher for cows in tie-stalls compared with those in loose housing; 2.6 times higher for cows calving during winter compared with summer; 0.5 times lower for cows in earlier (1994-1999) calving-year groups compared with the most recent (2000-2002); 2.5 times higher for cows with planned extended calving interval compared with conventional calving interval; and 2.2 times higher for an atypical profile in previous lactation compared with a normal profile. Cows with atypical profiles had a 15-d increase in interval from calving to first artificial insemination and an 18-d increase in interval from calving to conception. Progesterone samples taken within the first 60 d postpartum were used to calculate the percentage of samples above the threshold value of luteal activity. This measure had a significantly different mean in profiles and can be used to separate delayed onset of cyclical ovarian activity profiles and prolonged luteal phase profiles from normal. Thereby, it may be a more effective tool than measurements based only on the onset of ovarian cyclical activity in genetic evaluation of early postpartum fertility in dairy cows.     

Treatment of cycling and noncycling lactating dairy cows with progesterone during Ovsynch

Our objective was to determine whether progesterone (P4) supplementation during an Ovsynch protocol would enhance fertility in lactating dairy cows. Lactating dairy cows (n = 634) at 6 locations were assigned randomly within lactation number and stage of lactation to receive the Ovsynch protocol [OVS; synchronization of ovulation by injecting GnRH 7 d before and 48 h after PGF_2α, followed by one fixed-time AI (TAI) 16 to 20 h after the second GnRH injection] or Ovsynch plus a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) P4-releasing insert for 7 d, beginning at the first GnRH injection (OVS + CIDR). Blood was sampled to quantify P4 10 d before the first GnRH injection, immediately before the first GnRH injection, at the time of CIDR removal, before the PGF_2α injection (1 to 2 h after CIDR insert removal), and 48 h after the PGF_2α injection to determine cyclicity status before initiation of treatment, luteal status at the PGF_2α injection, and incidence of luteal regression. Overall, conception rates at 28 (40 vs. 50%) and 56 d (33 vs. 38%) after TAI differed between OVS and OVS + CIDR, respectively; but a treatment × location interaction was detected. Compared with OVS, pregnancy outcomes were more positive for OVS + CIDR cows at 4 of 6 locations 28 d after TAI and at 3 of 6 locations 56 d after TAI. An interaction of luteal status (high vs. low) before CIDR insert removal and PGF_2α injection with pretreatment cycling status indicated that cows having low P4 at PGF_2α injection benefited most from P4 supplementation (OVS + CIDR = 36% vs. OVS = 18%), regardless of pretreatment cycling status. Pregnancy loss between 28 and 56 d after TAI was greater for noncycling cows (31%) compared with cycling cows (16%). Pregnancy loss for cows receiving P4 (21%) did not differ from that for cows not receiving P4 (21%). Supplementation of P4, pretreatment cycling status, and luteal status before PGF_2α injection altered follicular diameters at the time of the second GnRH injection, but were unrelated to pregnancy outcomes. Incidence of multiple ovulation was greater in noncycling than in cycling cows. Further, cows having multiple ovulations had improved pregnancy outcomes at 28 and 56 d after TAI. In summary, a CIDR insert during the Ovsynch protocol increased fertility in lactating cows having low serum P4 before PGF_2α injection. Improved pregnancy outcomes were observed at some, but not all locations.     

The use of plastic cover sheaths at the time of artificial insemination improved fertility of lactating dairy cows

An adequate and clean artificial insemination (AI) technique is recommended to improve reproductive outcomes in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using protective plastic sheaths (PS) to minimize contamination of the AI catheter (AIC) on pregnancies per AI (PAI) in lactating dairy cattle. Lactating cows housed in freestall barns on a commercial dairy farm were presynchronized with 2 injections of PGF_2α given 14 d apart (starting at 26 ± 3 d postpartum) followed by Ovsynch (GnRH-7 d-PGF_2α-56 h-GnRH-16 h-timed-AI; TAI) 12 d later. Cows presenting signs of standing heat any time during the protocol received AI, whereas the remaining animals were subjected to TAI 16 h after second Ovsynch GnRH. At the time of AI (1 AI technician), 996 services from 773 lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 groups; with (TRT, n = 487) or without (CON, n = 509) the use of disposable PS. In the TRT group, the AIC protected with a PS was introduced into the vagina; once in the cranial portion of the vagina adjacent to the cervical os, the PS was pulled back and only the AIC was manipulated through the cervix into the uterine body for semen deposition. In the CON group, cows were inseminated without the use of PS. Samples were taken with a sterile cotton swab from the tip of the AIC (n = 51) after AI from both treatment groups. Pregnancy diagnosis was determined by ultrasonography 39 ± 3 d after AI. Cultured swab samples revealed that the use of PS was effective in minimizing contamination of the AIC (positive bacterial growth: TRT = 61.53% vs. CON = 100%). Overall, the proportion of cows pregnant was greater for cows in TRT (42.7) compared with the CON group (36.1). For first services postpartum, PAI did not differ between CON (43.01%, n = 194) and TRT (43.8%, n = 182) groups. However, PAI for second or greater services were greater in TRT (43.8%, n = 305) than in CON cows (32.3%, n = 315). Results from this study provided evidence that the use of PS during AI improved PAI for second or greater services in lactating dairy cows. Performing a clean AI technique through the use of PS may be an effective strategy to improve reproductive outcomes in dairy cattle.     

Postpartum ovarian follicular dynamics and estrous activity in lactating dairy cows

The objectives of this study were to characterize early postpartum follicular dynamics in dairy cows in relation to their estrual activity and subsequent reproductive performance using 50 (26 primiparous and 24 multiparous) lactating Holstein cows. Ovaries and uterine horns of postpartum lactating cows were examined by ultrasonography 3 times weekly and continued until first services occurred after a 45-d voluntary waiting period. No differences were detected in fertility between primiparous and multiparous cows. In 40 of 50 cows, first postpartum ovulation was observed within 4 follicular waves, and the follicular wave patterns and ovarian cycles in most cows returned to normal as in cattle having normal estrous cycles after the second postpartum ovulation. Cows with the longest intervals from calving to first ovulation produced the most milk and also had prolonged intervals to first estrous activity. Differences in follicular dynamics before first ovulation altered intervals to first estrus, first service, and uterine involution, but these differences did not affect pregnancy rate, number of services, and days open. First postpartum insemination after 3 follicular waves tended to have greater pregnancy rates than those after 2 follicular waves. First inseminations at first estrus could produce greater pregnancy rates than those at subsequent periods of estrus.     

Fertility of lactating dairy cows treated with Ovsynch after presynchronization injections of PGF2 alpha and GnRH

Synchronization of ovulation (Ovsynch) using GnRH and PGF2 alpha allows control of follicle growth, corpus luteum regression, and ovulation, but resulting pregnancy rates vary. This study examined whether presynchronization to allow initiation of Ovsynch during diestrus would improve pregnancy rates at timed artificial insemination (AI). Lactating dairy cows (n = 427), 69 to 75 d postpartum, were randomly assigned to two groups by parity. Control cows received Ovsynch (GnRH, d 0; PGF2 alpha, d 7; GnRH, d 9; timed AI 16 h after second GnRH). Treated cows received presynchronization injections of PGF2 alpha and GnRH, 10 and 7 d, respectively, before starting Ovsynch. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed 36 d after AI. Progesterone (P4) concentrations from a subset of cows (n = 84) were determined in serum samples collected on d 0, 3, and 7 of Ovsynch. Presynchronization increased the percentages of cows with > or = 1 ng/ml serum P4 compared with control cows at first injection of GnRH (d 0; 93 vs. 56%) and on d 3 (90.7 vs. 51.2%) during Ovsynch. On day of PGF2 alpha, d 7 during Ovsynch, percentages of cows with > or = 1 ng/ml serum P4 were similar (95.3%, treated vs. 82.9%, control) but more treated cows had > or = 2 ng/ml serum P4 (95.3 vs. 63.4%). However, pregnancy to timed AI was similar between treated (41.5%) and control cows (38.3%). Cows with above-average milk production had greater pregnancy rate (45.8 vs. 33.8%) compared with lower producing cows. Although presynchrony increased the proportion of cows with luteal function at onset of Ovsynch, pregnancy rate to timed AI was not improved. Cows with above-average milk production had greater fertility at timed AI than herdmates with lower milk production.