Abstract
Dolezel, R., K. Karl berg, E. Ropstad: Ovarian Activity in Ultrasound Image and Milk Progesterone Concentration in Postpartum Dairy Cows. Acta vet. Bmo, 62, 1993: 173-178. Eighteen pluriparous dairy cows were ultrasonographically observed twice a week from day 9-10 post partum to the 2nd ovulation. Milk samples were taken three times a week and progesterone was assayed by RIA. Before the 1st postpartum ovu lation and during the 1st sexual cycle, 1.09 ± 1.09 and 1.8 ± 1.11, respectively, subordinate follicles and 1.5 ± 0.52 and 2.4 ± 0.72, respectively, follicular waves were found. The 1st ovulation occurred 17.9 ± 5.04 days after parturition, the length of the 1st sexual cycle was 19.4 ± 4.66 days and clinical involution of the uterus was completed 22.6 ± 4.34 days after parturition. The period from parturition to the time of the 1st postpartum ovulation and the length of the 1st sexual cycle were positively correlated with the number of follicular waves during the periods. About 81 % of the first postpartum follicular waves and 88 % of the 1st ovulations occurred in the ovary contralateral to the previous pregnant uterine hom. The differences disappeared after the 1st postpartum ovula tion. Average values of milk progesterone were discovered during the 1st and 2nd sexual cycles at day 5-7 (5.9 ± 4.78 and 6.3 ± 5.16ng/ml) and at day 10-12 (5.6 ± 5.83 and 11.4 ± 7.74 ng/ml).
Highlights
A large variety of postpartum ovarian activity in cows was discovered using rectal palpation and morphological investigation after slaughter
One follicular wave before the 1st ovulation occurred in 9 of 10 cows which ovulated before day 20 post partum
One follicular wave we discovered in cows before the 1st ovulation which occurred before day 20 post partum
Summary
A large variety of postpartum ovarian activity in cows was discovered using rectal palpation and morphological investigation after slaughter. Development of follicles influence the quality and lifespan of following luteal structures (Smith, 1986, Inskeep et al, 1988). For this reason continual observation of follicular population is important for the understanding of a resumption of sexual cycle in postpartum cows. Son and Ginther (1987a), Rojamahendran and Walton (1988) state sequential patterns of development and regression (follicular waves) during sexual cycle. Likewise dominant follicles and follicular waves are described before the first postpartum ovulation and during the following sexual cycle in dairy (Rojamahendran and Taylor 1990, Savio et al 1990) and beef (Braden et al, 1986; Murphy et al 1990) cows. The objectives of our study were to characterize ovarian activity in cows using ultrasound scanning and milk progesterone assay from day 9-10 postpartum to the second postpartum
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