Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin on hypophyseal and ovarian functions of lactating dairy cows

Abstract

Three trials were conducted to determine the effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on reproductive functions of lactating Holstein dairy cows. In Trial 1, 49 cows were used to investigate the effects of 0, 320 or 640 mg of rbST in a sustained-release formulation injected every 28 d on plasma progesterone (P4) concentration during estrous cycles. Total P4 area and P4 mean were increased (P < 0.05) in rbST-treated cows during the 1st and 2nd detected estrous cycle post-rbST injection. Maximum P4 value, slope of the P4 decline and length of cycles were not affected by rbST treatment. In Trial 2, 56 cows were used to investigate the effects of 0, 320, 640 and 960 mg of rbST in a sustained-release preparation injected every 28 d on plasma P4 concentration from weeks 1 to 34 of pregnancy. Mean P4 was increased (P = 0.08) in rbST-treated cows proportionally to the rbST dose received. In Trial 3, 18 cows were used to investigate the effects of 0 or 25 mg d−1 of rbST injected from days 3 to 15 postpartum (pp) on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) induced luteinizing hormone (LH) response curve at 14 d pp. Total area under the LH curve and LH peak value were increased (P < 0.05) in rbST-treated cows, but LH baseline and time to LH peak were not different among groups. Cows receiving rbST were in a more negative energy balance due to higher milk production. In summary, long-term administration of rbST increased the concentration of plasma progesterone during the first two estrous cycles post-treatment and during pregnancy, and enhanced the GnRH-induced LH response at 14 d pp. Key words: Bovine somatotropin, GnRH-LH induction, progesterone, estrous cycle, pregnancy