Reproductive responses to grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue by postpartum beef cows

Abstract

The objective was to determine pregnancy rate and stage of embryonic loss in response to grazing endophyte-free (E-; n = 20) or infected (E+; n = 30) tall fescue in postpartum beef cows with calves. Three weeks before estrus synchronization, cow-calf pairs were introduced to pastures (April 1999). Cows were synchronized and bred by AI after detected estrus for a period of 6 d and then by natural service for 62 d. Bulls were rotated weekly to minimize effects of fescue toxicosis on male fertility. Fetal development was monitored weekly between 30 and 60 d of pregnancy and at weaning using transrectal ultrasound. Respiration rate (52.0 ± 1.4 vs 46.6 breaths/min; P < 0.02) and rectal temperature (39.6 ± .09 vs 38.8 ± .12°C; P < 0.001) increased in E+ cows and serum concentrations of prolactin (7.2 vs 57.4 ± 4.4 ng/mL; P < 0.001), total cholesterol (123.2 vs 149.6 ± 3.6 mg/dL; P < 0.001), body condition (3.8 vs 5.2 ± 0.15; P < 0.001; 1 = thin, 9 = fat) and adjusted weaning weight of calves (195.8 vs 210.8 ± 4.5 kg; P < 0.02) were reduced compared to that of E-cows. Differences were not detected (E- vs E+) for estrus detection rate (84.9 ± 10.6% vs 80.2 ± 8.4%), pregnancy rate to synchronized estrus (41.7 ± 11.8% vs 46.8 ± 9.5%), overall pregnancy rate 30 d postbreeding (93.8 ± 6.2% vs 93.5 ± 5.1%), overall pregnancy rate at 60 d postbreeding (86.7 ± 10.1% vs 81.2 ± 8.3%), or serum concentrations of progesterone on day of PGF 2α treatment (4.5 ± 0.7 vs 4.5 ± 0.8 ng/mL). Pregnancy losses that occurred between 30 and 60 d gestation were 6.0 (E-) vs 15.0 (E+) ± 8.0% (P > 0.10) and occurred after environmental temperatures rose above 37.8°C for three weeks. Total pregnancy losses that occurred by weaning (between 70 and 126 d of gestation) were 5.5 (E-) vs 17.6 (E+) ± 8.0% (P > 0.10). Pregnancy rate and embryonic losses were not different between cows grazing E- and E+ tall fescue under these management conditions.