Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T09:23:18.378Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effect of season on luteal activity during the post partum period of dairy cows in temperate areas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2008

F. De Rensis ,
F. López-Gatius ,
T. Capelli ,
E. Molina ,
M. Techakumphu  and
R. J. Scaramuzzi
F. De Rensis*
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Salute Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, via del Taglio 8, 43100, Parma, Italy
F. López-Gatius
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Salute Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, via del Taglio 8, 43100, Parma, Italy
T. Capelli
Affiliation:
Dipartimento di Salute Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, via del Taglio 8, 43100, Parma, Italy
E. Molina
Affiliation:
Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Istituto di Farmacologia, Parma, Italy
M. Techakumphu
Affiliation:
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductio, Chulangkorn University, Bankok, Thailand
R. J. Scaramuzzi
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Basic Science, Royal Veterinary College, North Mimms, Herts AL9 7TA, UK
*
E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Seasonal effects on luteal activity during post partum were evaluated in two consecutive studies in 253 dairy cows in Northern Italy. In study 1, plasma progesterone concentrations were determined on days 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49 and 56 post partum and in study 2 cows were synchronized and inseminated at a fixed time using two regimes based on the ‘Ovsynch’ protocol. Study 1: Animals were classified as luteal (progesterone >1.5 ng/ml in at least two consecutive samples) or non-luteal (progesterone <1.5 ng/ml in all samples). The proportion of cows without luteal activity from calving to day 56 post partum was 47/253 (18.5%). Of the 47 cows without luteal activity, 42 (89%) were detected during the warm months of the year and five were detected during the cold months of the year, and the effect of season was highly significant (P < 0.001). Study 2: Three study groups were established; control (CONT, untreated cows, n = 92), GPG (cows receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on day 0, PGF2α on day 7 followed by a second dose of GnRH 24 h later, n = 80); and HPH (the same as the GPG group, but with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) substituted for GnRH, n = 81). In the GPG and HPH groups, cows were inseminated 16 to 22 h after the second GnRH or hCG injection. Untreated cows were inseminated at first estrus after a voluntary weaning period. Because the effects of the GPG and HPH regimes on pregnancy rate were not significantly different, data were pooled into a single treatment group (TREAT). Pregnancy rates during the warm months of the year were 16% and 15% at first service and 65% and 66% at day 135 post partum for CONT and TREAT groups, respectively. Pregnancy rates during the cold months of the year were 36% and 38% at first service and 72% and 76% at day 135 post partum for CONT and TREAT groups, respectively. There was an effect of season (P < 0.05) but not of treatment on pregnancy rate. Treatment reduced the number of days from calving to conception during both the cold (101 ± 3.2 v. 121 ± 3.1 days; P < 0.001) and warm seasons (122 ± 3.2 v. 145 ± 3.1 days; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the present study shows that (i) heat stress during the warm season can compromise luteal activity and (ii) that regimes based on the Ovsynch protocol did not improve pregnancy rate at first service or by 135 post partum, but they had a positive effect on the calving-to-conception interval.

Keywords

progesteroneheat stressseasondairy cowOvsynch
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 2 , Issue 4 , April 2008 , pp. 554 - 559
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Abilay, TA, Johnson, HD, Madam, M 1975. Influence of environmental heat on peripheral plasma progesterone and cortisol during the bovine oestrus cycle. Journal of Dairy Science 58, 1836–1840.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Badinga, L, Thatcher, WW, Diaz, T, Drost, M, Wolfenson, D 1993. Effect of environmental heat stress on follicular development and steroidogenesis in lactating Holstein cows. Theriogenology 39, 797–810.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bartolome, JA, Archibald, LF, Morrissey, P, Hernandez, J, Tran, T, Kelbert, D, Long, K, Risco, CA, Thatcher, WW 2000. Comparison of synchronization of ovulation and induction of oestrus as therapeutic strategies for bovine ovarian cysts in the dairy cow. Theriogenology 53, 815–825.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cartmill, JA, El-Zarkouny, SZ, Hensley, BA, Rozell, TG, Smith, JF, Stevenson, JS 2001. An alternative AI breeding protocol for dairy cows exposed to elevated ambient temperatures before or after calving or both. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 799–806.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chenault, JR 1990. Effect of fertilerin acetate or buserelin on conception rate at first or second insemination in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 73, 633–638.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dawuda, PM, Scaramuzzi, RJ, Leese, HJ, Hall, CJ, Drew, SB, Wathes, DC 2004. Effect of timing of urea feeding on the yield and quality of embryos in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 58, 1443–1445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Rensis, F, Marconi, P, Capelli, T, Gatti, F, Facciolongo, F, Franzini, S, Scaramuzzi, RJ 2002. Fertility in post-partum dairy cows in winter or summer following estrus synchronization and fixed time A.I. after the induction of an LH surge with Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Theriogenology 58, 1675–1687.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
De Rensis, F, Scaramuzzi, RJ 2003. Heat stress and seasonal effects on reproduction in the dairy cow-a review. Theriogenology 60, 1139–1151.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Diaz, T, Schmitt, JPE, De La Sota, RL, Thatcher, MJ, Thatcher, WW 1998. Human chorionic gonadotrophin-induced alterations in ovarian follicular dynamics during the oestrus cycle of Heifers. Journal of Animal Science 76, 1929–1936.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Edmonson, AJ, Lean, IJ, Weaver, LD, Farver, T, Webster, G 1989. A body condition scoring chart of Holstein dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 72, 68–78.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fricke, PM, Reynolds, LP, Redmer, DA 1993. Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin administered early in the oestrus cycle on ovulation and subsequent luteal function in cows. Journal of Animal Science 71, 1242–1246.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Geary, TW, Salverson, RR, Whittier, JC 2001. Synchronization of ovulation using GnRH or hCG with the CO-Synch protocol in suckled beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 79, 2536–2541.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gilad, E, Meidan, R, Berman, A, Graber, Y, Wolfenson, D 1993. Effect of heat stress on tonic and GnRH-induced gonadotrophin secretion in relation to concentration of oestradiol in plasma of cyclic cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 99, 315–321.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gröhn, YT, Rojala-Schultz, PJ 2000. Epidemiology of reproductive performance in dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 60–61, 605–614.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Guzeloglu, A, Ambrose, JD, Kassa, T, Diaz, T, Thatcher, MJ, Thatcher, WW 2001. Long term follicular dynamics and biochemical characteristics of dominant follicles in dairy cows subjected to acute heat stress. Animal Reproduction Science 66, 15–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hansen, PJ, Aréchiga, CF 1999. Strategies for managing reproduction in the heat-stressed dairy cow. Journal of Animal Science 77 (suppl. 2), 36–50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jonsson, NN, McGowan, MR, McGuigan, K, Davison, TM, Hussain, AM, Kafi, M, Matschoss, A 1997. Relationship among calving season, heat load, energy balance and postpartum ovulation of dairy cows in a subtropical environment. Animal Reproduction Science 47, 315–326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jubb, TF, Brightling, P, Malmo, J, Larcombe, MT, Anderson, GA, Hides, SJ 1989. Evaluation of a regimen using progesterone releasing intravaginal device (CIDR) and PMSG as treatment for post-partum anoestrus in dairy cattle. Australian Veterinary Journal 66, 334–336.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kruip, TAM, Wensing, T, Vos, PLAM 2001. Characteristics of abnormal puerperium in dairy cattle and rationale for common treatments. In Fertility in the High-producing Dairy Cow (ed. MG Diskin), Occasional Publication 26, pp. 53–79. British Society of Animal Science, Edinburgh, UK.Google Scholar
Lamming, GE, Darswash, AO 1998. The use of milk progesterone profiles to characterize components of subfertility in milked dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 52, 175–190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lamming, GE, Royal, MD 2001. Ovarian hormone patterns and subfertility in dairy cows. In Fertility in the High-producing Dairy Cow (ed. MG Diskin), Occasional Publication 26, pp. 105–118. British Society of Animal Science, Edinburgh, UK.Google Scholar
López-Gatius, F, Santolaria, P, Yániz, J, Rutllant, J, López-Béjar, M 2001. Persistent ovarian follicles in dairy cows: a therapeutic approach. Theriogenology 56, 649–659.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
López-Gatius, F, López-Béjar, M 2002. Reproductive performance of dairy cows with ovarian cysts after different GnRH and Cloprostenol treatments. Theriogenology 58, 1337–1348.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MacDougall, S, Compton, C 2005. Reproductive performance of anestrous dairy cow treated with progesterone and estradiol benzoate. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 2388–2400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Macmillan, KL, Segwagwe, BV, Pino, CS 2003. Associations between the manipulation of patterns of follicular development and fertility in cattle. Animal Reproduction Science 78, 327–344.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Madan, ML, Johnson, HD 1973. Environmental heat effects on bovine luteinizing hormone. Journal of Dairy Science 56, 1420–1423.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Markusfeld, O 1987. Inactive ovaries in high-yielding dairy cows before service: aetiology and effect on conception. Veterinary Record 121, 149–153.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moreira, F, Orlandi, C, Risco, CA, Mattos, R, Lopes, F, Thatcher, WW 2001. Effects of presynchronization and bovine somatotropin on pregnancy rates to a timed artificial insemination protocol in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 1646–1659.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murugavel, K, Yániz, JL, Santolaria, P, López-Béjar, M, López-Gatius, F 2003. Luteal activity at the onset of a timed insemination protocol affects reproductive outcome in early postpartum dairy cows. Theriogenology 60, 583–593.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mwaanga, ES, Janowski, T 2000. Anoestrus in dairy cows: causes, prevalence and clinical forms. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 35, 193–200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Opsomer, G, Gröhn, YT, Hertl, J, Coryn, M, Deluyker, H, de Kruif, A 2000. Risk factors for post partum ovarian dysfunction in high producing dairy cows in Belgium: a field study. Theriogenology 53, 841–857.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rabiee, AR, Lean, IJ, Stevenson, MA 2005. Efficacy of Ovsynch program on reproductive performance in dairy cattle: a meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 2754–2770.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rajamahendran, R, Sianangama, PC 1992. Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on dominant follicles in cows: formation of accessory corpora lutea, progesterone production and pregnancy rates. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 95, 577–584.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rhodes, FM, McDougall, S, Burke, CR, Verkerk, GA, Macmillan, KL 2003. Invited review: treatment of cows with an extended postpartum anestrous interval. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 1876–1894.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ronchi, B, Stradaioli, G, Verini Supplizi, A, Bernabucci, U, Lacetera, N, Accorsi, PA, Nardone, A, Seren, E 2001. Influence of heat stress or feed restriction on plasma progesterone, oestradiol-17beta, LH, FSH, prolactin and cortisol in Holstein heifers. Livestock Production Science 68, 231–241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roth, Z, Meidan, R, Braw-Tal, R, Wolfenson, D 2000. Immediate and delayed effect of heat stress on follicular development and its association with plasma FSH and inhibin concentration in cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 120, 83–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rosenberg, M, Herz, Z, Davidson, M, Folman, Y 1977. Seasonal variations in post-partum plasma progesterone levels and conceptions in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 51, 363–367.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Santos, JEP, Thatcher, WW, Pool, L, Overton, MW 2001. Effect of human chorionic gonadotrophin on luteal function and reproductive performance of high producing lactating Holstein cows. Journal of Animal Science 79, 2881–2894.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Santos, JEP, Bartolome, JA, Cerri, RLA, Juchem, SO, Hernandez, O, Trigg, T, Thatcher, WW 2004. Effect of a deslorelin implant in a timed artificial insemination protocol on follicle development, luteal function and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 61, 421–435.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schmitt, EJ, Diaz, T, Barros, CM, de la Sota, RL, Drost, M, Fredriksson, EW, Staples, CR, Thorner, R, Thatcher, WW 1996a. Differential response of the luteal phase and fertility in cattle following ovulation of the first-wave follicle with human chorionic gonadotropin or an agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Journal of Animal Science 74, 1074–1083.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schmitt, EJ, Barros, CM, Fields, PA, Fields, MJ, Diaz, T, Kluge, JM, Thatcher, WW 1996b. A cellular and endocrine characterization of the original and induced corpus luteum after administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or human chorionic gonadotropin on day five of the estrous cycle. Journal of Animal Science 74, 1915–1929.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sianangama, PC, Rajamahendran, R 1996. Characteristics of corpus luteum formed from the first wave dominant follicle following hCG in cattle. Theriogenology 45, 977–990.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stevenson, JS 2001. A review of oestrous behaviour and detection in dairy cows. In Fertility in the High-producing Dairy Cow (ed. MG Diskin), Occasional Publication 26, pp. 43–62. British Society of Animal Science, Edinburgh, UK.Google Scholar
Trout, JP, McDowell, LR, Hansen, PJ 1998. Characteristics of the oestrous cycle and antioxidant status of lactating Holstein cows exposed to stress. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 1244–1250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilson, SJ, Marion, RS, Spain, JN, Spiers, DE, Keisler, DH, Lucy, MC 1998. Effect of controlled heat stress on ovarian function of dairy cattle: 1. Lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 2124–2131.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wiltbank, MC, Gümen, A, Sartori, R 2002. Physiological classification of anovulatory condition in cattle. Theriogenology 57, 21–52.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wise, ME, Armstrong, DV, Huber, JT, Hunter, R, Wiersma, F 1988. Hormonal alterations in the lactating dairy cow in response to thermal stress. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 2480–2485.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wolfenson, D, Thatcher, WW, Badinga, L, Savio, JD, Meidan, R, Lew, BJ, Braw-Tal, R, Berman, A 1995. Effect of heat stress on follicular development during the estrous cycle dairy cattle. Biology of Reproduction 52, 1106–1113.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wolfenson, D, Lew, BJ, Thatcher, WW, Graber, Y, Meidan, R 1997. Seasonal and acute heat stress effects on steroid production by dominant follicles in cow. Animal Reproduction Science 47, 9–19.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Xu, ZZ, Verkerk, GA, Mee, JF, Morgan, SR, Clark, BA, Burke, CR, Burton, LJ 2000a. Progesterone and follicular changes in postpartum noncyclic dairy cows after treatment with progesterone and estradiol or with progesterone, GnRH, PGF2alpha, and estradiol. Theriogenology 54, 273–282.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Xu, ZZ, Burton, LJ, McDougall, S, Jolly, PD 2000b. Treatment of noncyclic lactating dairy cows with progesterone and estradiol or with progesterone, GnRH, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and estradiol. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 464–470.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yániz, JL, Murugavel, K, López-Gatius, F 2004. Recent developments in oestrous synchronization of postpartum dairy cows with and without ovarian disorders. Reproduction in Domestic Animal 39, 86–93.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed