Artificial Insemination In Cows Research Articles

Associations of postpartum health with progesterone after insemination and endocrine signaling during early pregnancy in dairy cows

Our objective was to investigate associations of postpartum health with serum progesterone (P4) concentrations after first artificial insemination (AI), expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISG) in blood leukocytes, and serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) during early pregnancy in dairy cows. In this observational study, Holstein cows (n = 475) from 2 commercial herds were enrolled 3 wk before expected parturition. Body condition score (BCS) and lameness were assessed at enrollment, and total Ca, haptoglobin, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured in serum at 2 and 6 ± 2 d in milk (DIM). Blood β-hydroxybutyrate and metritis were evaluated at 4, 8, 11, and 15 ± 2 DIM, and purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and endometritis based on endometrial cytology were diagnosed at 35 DIM. Onset of cyclicity was assessed by biweekly P4 measurements. The BCS was assessed at enrollment and at 63 DIM, and lameness at enrollment and at 21 and 49 DIM. First AI was based on estrus detection until ∼75 DIM, or synchronization for timed AI thereafter. Serum P4 was measured at d 8 and 12 after first AI; expression of ISG (ISG15 and RTP4) in blood leukocytes was assessed at d 19; and PAG in serum of pregnant cows was measured at d 29, 33, and 40. Multivariable linear regression models were built including health variables (with metabolites categorized via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) and covariates (season, milk yield, AI method, DIM), accounting for pregnancy status (for ISG and PAG models), repeated measures (for P4 and PAG models), and herd as random. Results are reported comparing cows affected versus unaffected by each predictor. Serum P4 concentrations were lesser at d 8 after AI in cows that had total Ca ≤2.09 mM (3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL) at 2 DIM or a clinical disease (3.7 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 mg/mL), and P4 tended to be lesser at d 8 in cows that had PVD (3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL) or any uterine disease (3.7 vs. 4.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL). Among cows pregnant at d 29, relative ISG15 expression (fold change) at d 19 was greater in cows that had lameness (5.10 [4.18-6.18] vs. 3.14 [3.10-3.19]) but tended to be lesser in cows that had endometritis (3.20 [2.89-3.54] vs. 4.29 [4.20-4.35]), and relative expression of RTP4 tended to be lesser in cows that had displaced abomasum (1.02 [0.62-1.67] vs. 1.75 [1.73-1.78]). Serum PAG was lesser at d 29 (3.8 vs. 4.2 ± 0.2 sample-to-positive ratio [S:P]) in cows that had NEFA ≥0.73 mM at 6 DIM, and lesser at d 33 (3.9 vs. 4.5 ± 0.2 S:P) and 40 (3.1 vs. 3.7 ± 0.2 S:P) in cows that had prepartum BCS ≥3.75. These findings suggest long-term effects of metabolic or reproductive tract disorders on luteal function after first AI, pregnancy recognition signaling, and placental function during early pregnancy. These associations may partially explain some of the pathways linking postpartum health and fertility in dairy cows.

171 Supplementing Ca Salts of Soybean Oil Via Low-Moisture Molasses-Based Blocks to Improve Reproductive Performance and Overall Productivity of Beef Cows

Abstract This experiment evaluated reproductive and productive responses of beef cows receiving self-fed low-moisture blocks (LMB) enriched or not with Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) throughout the breeding season. Non-pregnant, suckling multiparous Angus-influenced cows (n = 554) were assigned to a fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) protocol (day -10 to 0) followed by natural service (day 15 to 70). Cows were managed in 12 groups (46 ± 4 cows/group) maintained in individual pastures, and groups received LMB enriched with 25% (as-fed basis) of CSSO or ground corn (CON) from day -10 to 100. Both treatments were designed to yield a daily LMB intake of 0.454 kg/cow (as-fed basis). Groups were enrolled in an estrus-synchronization + fixed-time AI protocol from day -10 to 0 (AI occurred on day 0) of the experiment and beginning 15 days after AI cows were exposed to mature Angus bulls for 55 d. Pregnancy status was verified on day 55 and 100 of the experiment, and cows that gave birth during the initial two weeks were considered pregnant to fixed-time AI. Calf birthdate and weight was recorded during the subsequent breeding season. All calves were weaned at the same time, and a calf BW and age were recorded. Blood samples were also collected from a subsample of cows on days -10, 0 (fixed-time AI), and 55 (pregnancy diagnosis). All data were analyzed using group as the experimental unit and Satterthwaite approximation to determine the denominator df for the tests of fixed effects. Quantitative data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure of SAS, and binary data analyzed with the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with a binomial distribution and logit link function. Data were analyzed with group (treatment × location), cow(group), and location as random variables. Significance was set at P ≤ 0.05 and tendencies were determined if P > 0.05 and ≤ 0.10. Cows receiving CSSO had greater (P < 0.01) mean concentrations of ω-6 fatty acids in plasma samples collected on days 0 and 55. Cows receiving CSSO had greater (P = 0.05) pregnancy rate to fixed-time AI (67.2 vs. 59.3%), whereas final pregnancy rate did not differ (P = 0.92) between treatments. Pregnancy loss was less (P = 0.03) in CSSO cows (4.50 vs. 9.04%), which also calved earlier during the calving season (treatment × week; P = 0.04). Weaning rate tended to be greater (P = 0.09) in CSSO (84.8 vs. 79.4%), although calf weaning age and weight did not differ (P ≥ 0.72) between treatments. Kilos of calf weaned/cow exposed was greater (P = 0.04) in CSSO cows (234 vs. 215 kg). Therefore, supplementing CSSO to beef cows via LMB during the breeding season improved their reproductive and overall productivity during a cow-calf cycle.

GENETIC REGULARITY OF THE FARMING USEFUL SIGNS IN ANIMALS OF THE UKRAINIAN RED-and-WHITE DAIRY BREED BY ABSORPTIVE CROSSING. CONDITION AND OUTLOOK

The aim of the research was too investigate the peculiarity of the phenotypic manifestation of economically useful traits of cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed during the period of its genesis and different genotypes under the conditions of using absorptive crossing methods.
 Material and methods of research. The research was on 116.4 thousand of cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed in 199 farms and on 1142 cows of Holstein breed in 5 farms carried out. The dynamic of the main productive and reproductive traits of cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed for the period of its genesis and comparative assessment of the phenotypic manifestation of economically useful traits of cows of different genotypes of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed under the conditions of using different crossbreeding methods was carried out.
 The results of research. In process of the implement of the first selection program of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed (2003–2013), the negative influence of yield of milk on the reproduction ability and fat content in milk of cows has been established. Too decide this problem, new methods of selection and artificial insemination of cows by semen of proven bulls for the complex of traits native selection was introduced. The liquidation of the state value of bulls in the Ukraine make the selection of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed bulls, what has absorptive crossing of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed by Holstein bulls (genotype - 96.87% and higher for the Holstein breed) promouted.
 Statistically not significant relationships between the increase the conditional part of Holstein blood in cows over 93.75% and the level of milk productivity were established. Cows with an increased conditional part of Holstein blood of 96.87% and above, obtained by absorption crossbreeding and assigned to the Holstein "native selection", in terms of 305 days of the last completed lactation, lagged behind their analogues of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed on average by 26.0 kg of milk and outweighed them by 2.0 kg of milk fat. The level of milk productivity of cows of both breeds, in three breeding farms was practically the same. According to the indicators of the reproductive ability of the Holstein breed cows of "domestic" selection (genotype - 96.87% and higher for the Holstein breed), they were significantly inferior to the analogues of the Ukrainian Red- and-White dairy breed. The duration of the service period for the group of cows of the Holstein breed of "domestic" selection was 140.4 ± 15.30 days, which is 16.4 days longer compared to this indicator for cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed. The yield of calves per 100 cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed was 85.2 ± 1.98% and exceeded this indicator of Holstein cows of "domestic" selection by 4.6 calves. The direction of further improvement of animals of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed was determined.
 Conclusions.
 
 The genetic potential of dairy productivity of cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed (genotype 62.5–93.75% of Holstein blood) is 10.0–11.0 thousand kg of milk, high reproductive ability (116 days off and 88–90 calf per 100 cows).
 The absorptive crossing the cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed by Holstein bulls, on the level of feeding, which is in most dairy plants of the Ukraine, das not ensure of the increasing of economically useful traits of cows.

Association of activity and subsequent fertility of dairy cows after spontaneous estrus or timed artificial insemination

The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the association between increased physical activity at first artificial insemination (AI) and subsequent pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in lactating Holstein cows following spontaneous estrus or a timed AI (TAI) protocol. We also wanted to identify factors associated with the intensity of activity increase (PA) captured by automated activity monitors (AAM) and fertility. Two experiments were conducted, in which cows either were inseminated based on the alert of the AAM system (AAM cows) or received TAI following a 7-d Ovsynch protocol (TAI cows) if not inseminated within a farm-specific period after calving. Experiment 1 included 2,698 AI services from AAM cows and 1,042 AI services from TAI cows equipped with the Smarttag Neck (Nedap Livestock Management) from a dairy farm in Slovakia (farm 1). In the second experiment, 6,517 AI services from AAM cows and 1,226 AI services from TAI cows fitted with Heatime (Heatime Pro; SCR Engineers Ltd.) from 8 dairy farms in Germany (farms 2-9) were included. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on a weekly basis by transrectal ultrasound (farms 1, 3, 7, 8) or by transrectal palpation (farms 2, 4-6, 9). Estrous intensity was represented by the peak value of the change in activity. In experiment 1, PA was categorized into low (x-factor 0-20) and high (x-factor 21-100) PA, and in experiment 2 into low (activity change = 35-89) and high (activity change = 90-100) PA. In TAI cows from both experiments, PA was additionally categorized into cows with no AAM alert. Data were analyzed separately for AAM and TAI cows using multinomial logistic regression models for PA in TAI cows and logistic regression models for PA in AAM cows and P/AI in both groups. In experiment 1, P/AI of AAM cows was greater for AI services performed with conventional frozen semen (57.6%) compared with sexed semen (47.2%), whereas type of semen only tended to be associated with P/AI in TAI cows (54.4% conventional frozen semen vs. 48.9% sexed semen). In experiment 2, P/AI was greater for fresh semen (AAM cows: 44.4% vs. TAI cows: 44.2%) compared with conventional frozen semen (AAM cows: 37.6% vs. TAI cows: 34.6%). In both experiments, pregnancy outcomes were associated with PA. In experiment 1, AAM cows with high PA (55.1%) had greater P/AI than cows with low PA (49.8%). Within TAI cows, cows with no alert (38.8%) had reduced P/AI compared with cows with low (54.2%) or high PA (61.8%). In experiment 2, AAM cows with high PA (45.8%) had greater P/AI compared with cows with low PA (36.4%). Timed AI cows with no alert (27.4%) had decreased P/AI compared with cows with low (41.1%) or high (50.8%) PA. The greatest risk factors for high PA were parity (experiment 1) and season of AI (except for TAI cows from experiment 1). We conclude that high PA at the time of AI is associated with greater odds of pregnancy for both AAM and TAI cows. In both experiments, about 2 thirds of AAM cows (experiment 1: 69.9% and experiment 2: 70.7%) reached high PA, whereas only approximately one-third or less of TAI cows (experiment 1: 37.3% and experiment 2: 23.6%) showed high PA. Although we observed similar results using 2 different AAM systems for the most part, risk factors for high PA might differ between farms and insemination type (i.e., AAM vs. TAI).

Economical implications and the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration at the time of artificial insemination in cows raised in the extensive system in North Romania.

Artificial insemination (AI) is the first and the most used biotechnologies in reproduction all over the world. Many studies reported the beneficial role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administrated some hours before the AI or at the artificial insemination time. This study aimed to assess the effect of GnRH analogs given at the time of insemination on the first, second, and third AIs and to assess the economical implications of GnRH administration. We hypothesized that administration of GnRH at the time of insemination would increase ovulation and pregnancy rate. The study was conducted on small farms in northwestern Romania and included animals of the Romanian Brown and Romanian Spotted breeds. Animals in estrous at the first, second, and third inseminations were randomly divided into groups that received GnRH at insemination and groups that did not. A comparison between the groups was performed and the cost of GnRH administration to obtain one gestation was calculated. The GnRh administration increased the pregnancy rate at the first and the second inseminations by 12 and 18%, respectively. For one pregnancy, the cost of GnRH administration was approximately 49 euros for the first insemination group and around 33 euros for the second insemination group. No improvement of the pregnancy rate was observed after the GnRH administration for the cows at the third insemination, so, for this group, no economic statistics were performed.

Comparison of cattle derived from in vitro fertilization, multiple ovulation embryo transfer, and artificial insemination for milk production and fertility traits

The use of assisted-reproduction technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) is increasing, particularly in dairy cattle. The question of consequences in later life has not yet been directly addressed by studies on large animal populations. Studies on rodents and early data from humans and cattle suggest that in vitro manipulation of gametes and embryos could result in long-term alteration of metabolism, growth, and fertility. Our goal was to better describe these presumed consequences in the population of dairy cows produced by IVF in Québec (Canada) and to compare them to animals conceived by artificial insemination (AI) or multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET). To do so, we leveraged a large phenotypic database (2.5 million animals and 4.5 million lactations) from milk records in Québec aggregated by Lactanet (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada) and spanning 2012 to 2019. We identified 304,163, 12,993, and 732 cows conceived by AI, MOET, and IVF, respectively, for a total of 317,888 Holstein animals from which we retrieved information for 576,448, 24,192, and 1,299 lactations (total = 601,939), respectively. Genetic energy-corrected milk yield (GECM) and Lifetime Performance Index (LPI) of the parents of cows were used to normalize for genetic potential across animals. When compared with the general Holstein population, MOET and IVF cows outperformed AI cows. However, when comparing those same MOET and IVF cows with only herdmates and accounting for their higher GECM in the models, we found no statistical difference between the conception methods for milk production across the first 3 lactations. We also found that the rate of Lifetime Performance Index improvement of the IVF population during the 2012 to 2019 period was less than the rate observed in the AI population. Fertility analysis revealed that MOET and IVF cows also scored 1 point lower than their parents on the daughter fertility index and had a longer interval from first service to conception, with an average of 35.52 d compared with 32.45 for MOET and 31.87 for AI animals. These results highlight the challenges of elite genetic improvement while attesting to the progress the industry has made in minimizing epigenetic disturbance during embryo production. Nonetheless, additional work is required to ensure that IVF animals can maintain their performance and fertility potential.

Efficacy validation of a low-cost handmade simulator (SIMCA-COW) in palpation, ultrasonography evaluation, and artificial insemination in cows.

Using simulators in high education enables practical training by repetition in circumstances close to reality reducing the stress of both animal and operator. The limited resources of veterinary schools, the increase in the number of students in lecture halls, and the low availability of animals for teaching due to welfare regulations, reduce teaching opportunities with live animals being simulator as the better alternative. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a low-cost handmade simulator (SIMCA-COW) in eight veterinary students inexperienced in palpation, ultrasonography evaluation, and artificial insemination in cows. Two sets of exercises were carried out: structure localization by rectal palpation and ultrasonography were evaluated by the inexpert veterinary students in the SIMCA-COW simulator. Also, evaluated the length of time to insert the insemination catheter through the cervix in the inert simulator during four sessions. All the students were able to palpate both structures and to locate the body and both uterine horns by ultrasonography. Cervix and follicles were located by 5/8 (62.5%) students and 3/8 (37.5%) students found the corpus luteum by ultrasonography. A reduction in time span between the first and fourth intrauterine insemination attempts was observed (8.26 ± 2.7 vs. 3.69 ± 1.7; mean ± standard error; p < 0.05). The simulator validated in this study (SIMCA-COW) allows training and learning by repetition, saving the limitations found in live animal practice.

What a 31-yr multibreed herd taught us about the influence of B. indicus genetics on reproductive performance of cows.

Bos taurus × Bos indicus crosses are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, nonetheless, quantitative information about the influence of B. indicus genetics on the reproductive performance of beef cattle is lacking. Herein, we determined the association between level of B. indicus genetics and reproduction from a 31-yr dataset comprising sequential breeding seasons of the University of Florida multibreed herd (n = 6,503 Angus × Brahman cows). The proportion of B. indicus genetics in this herd is evenly distributed by each 1/32nd or approximately 3-percentage points. From 1989 to 2020, the estrous cycle of cows was synchronized for artificial insemination (AI) based on detected estrus or timed-AI (TAI) using programs based on gonadotropin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin, and progestin/progesterone. All cows were exposed to natural service after AI and approximately 90-d breeding seasons, considering the day of AI as day 0. The proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows was associated negatively with pregnancy per AI, ranging from 51.6% for cows with 0%-19% of B. indicus genetics to 37.4% for cows with 81%-100% of B. indicus genetics. Similar association was found for estrous response at the end of the synchronization protocol, ranging from 66.3% to 38.4%, respectively. This reduced estrous response helped to explain the pregnancy results, once the pregnancy to AI of cows showing estrus was 2.3-fold greater than for those not showing estrus and submitted to TAI. Despite reduced pregnancy per AI, the increase in the proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows was not associated with a reduction in the proportion of pregnant cows at the end of the breeding season. Nevertheless, the interval from entering the breeding season to pregnancy was lengthened as the proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows increased. The median days to pregnancy was extended by 25 when the proportion of B. indicus genetics surpassed 78% compared with less than 20%. Thus, the increase in the proportion of B. indicus genetics of cows was related to a reduction in pregnancy per AI and lengthening the interval to attain pregnancy during the breeding season, but not with the final proportion of pregnant cows. As a result, reproductive management strategies directed specifically to cows with a greater proportion of B. indicus genetics are needed to improve the rate of pregnancy in beef herds.

Association of Electrical Resistance of Vaginal Mucus (ERVM) with Follicle Diameter and Conception Rate in Crossbred Dairy Cows

Background: Estrus detection by observing behavioral signs are time consuming and ineffective method that causes approximately 21 days loss with a significant financial consequence. This study highlights the value of electrical resistance of vaginal mucus (ERVM) during estrus and its association with genital changes, follicle diameter and first service conception rate (FSCR) in crossbred cows. Methods: A total of 400 cows were selected from different states of North-East, India, out of which 200 numbers of cows were examined to determine the ERVM value prior to artificial insemination (AI) by using Draminski estrus detector.The remaining 200 number of animals were examined for studying the association of ERVM with genital changes, follicle diameter and FSCR.The ERVM value obtained prior to AI was divided into three groups such as 150-200 (Group I), 201-250(Group II) and 251-290 (Group III) ohm, comprising 50 animals in each group. A control groups comprising 50 animals were kept in the study.The genital changes were recorded by transrectal palpation and follicle diameters were recorded by using transrectal ultrasonographic (USG) probe. Result: The mean ERVM value prior to AI was 196.26±1.25 ohm.The lowest ERVM value (150-200 and 201-250 ohm) was closely associated with free flowing vaginal discharge, open cervix, moderate tone of uterus and mature graffian follicle.The follicles diameters were differed significantly between groups. The FSCR was found to be higher when the cows were inseminated at ERVM value from 201-250 ohm. The result suggested that, ERVM value can be consider as a suitable tool for detection of proper time of AI in cows.

THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF THE VETERINARY DRUG ARGOFLU IN INFLAMMATORY PROCESSES IN THE UTERUS OF COWS

The therapeutic efficacy of the veterinary drug Argoflu for inflammatory processes in the uterus of cows was studied. The frequency of procedures and duration of treatment using liquid drugs in animals was 7.9 (postpartum metritis), 5.3 (clinical metritis), 4.4 (clinical endometritis) and 1.57 (subclinical endometritis). It has been established that due to the high antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect of the veterinary drug Argoflu its use is relevant in modern animal husbandry in a complex scheme for the treatment of animals. Studies have also shown that the use of Argoflu a day after artificial insemination of cows with subclinical endometritis, is not inferior in its effectiveness to the drug Endometromag-GREEN, and does not require skipping estrus, which allows to significantly reduce the interval from parturition to fertilization (service period).

VOLODYMYR FRANKOVYCH STAKHOVSKYI – RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY IN ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

VOLODYMYR FRANKOVYCH STAKHOVSKYI – RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY IN ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

KOVALENKO GRIGORY SAMIYLOVYCH – A LEADING SCIENTIST IN ANIMAL SELECTION

Kovalenko Hryhoriy Samiylovych was born on October 5, 1946 in the village of Fedorivka, Ivankiv district, Kyiv region, in a peasant family. From 1961 he studied at the Kozelets Zooveterinary College of the Chernihiv region, graduating in 1965 with a degree in zootechnics. In 1973 he graduated from the Ukrainian Order of the Red Banner of Labor Agricultural Academy with a degree in zootechnics.&#x0D; He began his career on January 19, 1966 at the Central Research Station for Artificial Insemination of Farm Animals (Brovary city). He worked as a technician for artificial insemination of cows and heifers, a technician for collecting semen of bulls, a brigadier of the dairy farm, a senior zootechnician for testing breeding bulls, a senior zootechnician of the breeding department.&#x0D; From January 1976 he worked at the Ukrainian Research Institute of Breeding and Artificial Insemination of Cattle as a junior researcher, researcher, senior researcher, head of the sector of bulls assessment.&#x0D; In 1999 he defended his dissertation "Comparative assessment of animals of the Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed with analogues of foreign breeds" in the specialty 06.02.01 – breeding and selection of animals. He received the degree of Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, as well as the academic title of Senior Researcher. Works at the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics named M.V.Zubets of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine as a leading researcher in the Department of Cattle Breeding.&#x0D; The main direction of the scientist's research is the theory and practice of the breed-forming process, the formation of structural units of dairy breeds (intra-breed and factory types, lines, families, herds). Works on the improvement of Ukrainian Black-and-White, Red-and-White Dairy and Simmental breeds and the creation of highly productive herds.&#x0D; He has published 106 scientific papers, including 10 guidelines. G. S. Kovalenko is a co-author of nine structural units of the Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed, in particular the Central-Eastern intra-breed and Kyiv factory types, factory lines of M. Montfrech, S. S. Suddin, Astronaut and Elbrus (order № 127 of the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine from 26.04.96), as well as the Southern intra-breed, Pre-Dnistrian and Pre-Dnieper factory types (order № 519/89 of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine from 29.09.2005). The scientist is a co-author of 22 selection programs and plans in Lviv and Kyiv regions, Boryspil and Berdychiv districts and farms of different regions of Ukraine and others. Actively implements nationwide breed improvement programs, in particular, "Breeding programs for Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed for 2003–2012", "Ukrainian Black-and-White breed breeding programs for cattle for 2013–2020". Actively promotes scientific knowledge among dairy professionals.&#x0D; The staff of the department sincerely congratulates the jubilee, wishes him good health and creative longevity.

Clinico-echographic manifestation of endometritis in cows

Purpose: to study the clinical and echographic manifestation of endometritis.Materials and methods. Clinical and echographic research was carried out on 19 red-and-white cows, in the conditions of the agricultural farm of the Druzhba breeding plant, Pavlovsky district, Voronezh region on the 30-32th day after calving using the Easi-Scan scanner from BCF Technology Ltd, Scotland. Before ultrasound examination to establish the diagnosis, all animals were examined, transrectal palpation of the uterus. Simultaneously with the ultrasound examination, a cytological study of the uterine mucosa was carried out. For this purpose, a probe was constructed from a metal catheter intended for artificial insemination of cows with sequins by the deep cervical method with rectal fixation of the cervix; a cytobrush of the Juno probe was attached to the tip of the instrument. To confirm the diagnosis, a laboratory study of cervical mucus was additionally carried out by the express method according to Whiteside, modified by N. I. Polyantsev and Yu. N. Popov.Results. According to the results of rectal examination and ultrasound diagnostics, the cows were divided into three groups: clinically healthy, animals with clinically pronounced chronic endometritis and with latent endometritis. In the group of healthy animals, individual superficial and vacuolated intermediate cells (6.17 ± 0.51) and single neutrophils (2.31 ± 0.32) were detected in smears. In the group of clinically healthy cows, no gram-positive coccobacillary microorganisms and cells of the basal layer of the uterine mucosa were detected. In the second group, in animals with clinically pronounced chronic endometritis, a large number of segmented neutrophils, lymphocytes and a large number of cocci were detected in smears. Thus, in one visual field, the number of gram-positive cocobacillary microorganisms fluctuated on average 764.45 ± 4.56 microbial bodies, while the number of neutrophils increased in comparison with clinically healthy animals by 20.84 times and averaged 48.14 ± 2 in the group. , 91, the percentage of the score averaged around 12.1%. Simultaneously with an increase in the number of leukocytes in animals, the number of epithelial cells of the uterine mucosa increased by 2.21 times, while individual basal cells were detected simultaneously with superficial and intermediate cells (0.75 ± 0.48). In smears obtained from animals of the third group of cows, there was a significant decrease in the number of coccobacillary microorganisms to 75-360 in one visual field in comparison with similar results in the group with a clinically pronounced form of chronic endometritis. The indicator for segmented neutrophils was 8.05 times higher than in clinically healthy cows, while in relation to clinically sick cows by 61.4% and amounted to 18.60 ± 2.23. In terms of the number of superficial, vacuolated intermediate and basal cells in sick animals with chronic clinically pronounced endometritis and latent endometritis, no significant changes were revealed (1.08 times), while in relation to clinically healthy animals, these indicators were 2.38 times higher. The degree of variation in the number of epithelial cells in the group of cows with latent chronic endometritis was insignificant, which indicates the stability of the trait.Conclusion. Ultrasound scanning allows you to identify the latent form of endometritis and establish degenerative changes in the tissues of the uterus. Ultrasound examination in cows in establishing a diagnosis - endometritis should be the decisive diagnostic method.

Impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone administration at the time of artificial insemination on conception risk and its association with estrous expression

Cows with reduced estrous expression have compromised fertility. The aim of this study was to determine whether the administration of GnRH at the time of artificial insemination (AI) would affect ovulation rates and the fertility of animals expressing estrous behavior of lesser intensity. Cows were enrolled at the time of estrus from 3 farms (n = 2,607 estrus events; farm A: 1,507, farm B: 429, farm C: 671) and randomly assigned to receive GnRH at AI or not (control). The intensity of estrous expression, monitored through leg-mounted activity monitors, was determined using the maximum activity during estrus; estrous expression was categorized as greater or lower relative to the farm median. On farm A, cows were assessed at alert, and 24 h, 48 h, and 7 d post-alert for ovulation using ultrasonography. Pregnancy per AI was confirmed at 35 ± 7 d post-estrus for cows that were inseminated. Differences between treatments were tested using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Treatment with GnRH at the time of AI increased pregnancy per AI (41.3 ± 1.6 vs. 35.7 ± 1.7%). An interaction between treatment and estrous expression on pregnancy per AI was found. Control cows with greater estrous expression had greater pregnancy per AI than those with lesser expression, whereas GnRH administration increased pregnancy per AI for cows with lesser estrous expression but not those with greater expression (GnRH, greater intensity: 43.5 ± 2.1; GnRH, lesser intensity: 37.8 ± 2.2; control, greater intensity: 42.6 ± 2.2; control, lesser intensity: 31.0 ± 2.2%). A higher proportion of cows with greater estrous expression that were administered GnRH at AI were found to ovulate by 48 h and 7 d post-estrus; however, ovulation of cows with lesser estrous expression was unaffected by GnRH administration. In conclusion, fertility of cows with reduced estrous expression may be increased using GnRH at the time of AI; however, increased ovulation rates do not seem to be the direct mechanism behind this relationship.

Administration of PGF2α at the moment of timed-AI using sex-sorted or conventional semen in suckled nelore cows with different intensity of estrus behavior

The aim of this work was to evaluate pregnancy rates (PR) and ovulatory characteristics of Nelore cows receiving PGF2α at the time of AI (artificial insemination) in a progesterone(P4)/estradiol-based timed-AI protocol. We also compared the effects of PGF2α treatment at AI in cows inseminated with conventional or sex-sorted semen, with the absence or expression of estrus. In experiment 1, a total of 701 suckled, multiparous Nelore cows from two commercial beef farms were submitted to the same protocol. All cows received a 12.5 mg (IM) injection of dinoprost tromethamine (Dinoprost; Lutalyse®; PGF treatment) at days 7 and 9 of a timed-AI protocol. Following P4 device removal (day 11; D11), AI was performed 48 h later with conventional or sex-sorted semen from two different sires. At AI, cows received an additional dose of 12.5 mg (IM) of Dinoprost (PGF treatment) or 2.5 mL (IM) of sterile saline (Control). Estrus behavior was determined at D11 by activation of an estrus detection device (Estrotect®). The overall PR was 32.8% (n = 348) at Farm 1 and 42.3% (n = 353) at Farm 2 (P = 0.01). Despite PR differences between farms, the same factors affected PR at Farms 1 and 2. Body condition score (P = 0.02), estrus behavior (P = 0.01), and type of semen (P < 0.001) were factors affecting PR. Conventional semen had a 2.73x greater chance of successful pregnancy than sex-sorted semen. Cows displaying estrus had a 2.5x greater chance of successful pregnancy than cows that did not display estrus. No treatment effect (P = 0.67) was detected in cows receiving conventional or sex-sorted semen. However, there was a tendency (P = 0.08) for an interaction between treatment (PGF or control) and estrus behavior (estrus or no estrus). PGF2α at the time of AI tended to increase PR of cows that did not display estrus (P < 0.10). In experiment 2, 29 suckled, multiparous Nelore cows were compared using B-mode and Doppler ultrasongraphy to assess the ovulatory characteristics of cows receiving the 12.5 mg (IM) injection of Dinoprost (PGF treatment) or saline solution (control) at D11. No significant effects of PGF2α treatment at D11 were observed in follicular characteristics and/or ovulation performance. It was concluded that fertility of sex-sorted semen was lower than conventional semen, regardless of the PGF2α treatment. The 12.5 mg treatment of Dinoprost at AI did not accelerate the occurrence of ovulation; however, it was interesting to note that PGF2α treatment at timed-AI appeared to increase the fertility of cows that did not display estrus, independent of semen type.

Inducing Ovulation with hCG Improves Fertility Outcomes of Co-Dominant Follicle Drainage to Avoid Twin Pregnancy in Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryIn dairy herds, twin pregnancies considerably compromise cow welfare, reducing their lifespan and leading to the increased use of antibiotics postpartum. In cows with follicles of pre-ovulatory size at insemination, twins can be avoided by puncturing and draining one follicle. In this report, we propose the use of a recently described manual method of follicular drainage without the need for ultrasound guidance and its association with treatment of the animal with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), thus also increasing fertility compared to the use of Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH). The manual follicular drainage technique is simple, takes less than 1 min, and can be performed by a clinical veterinarian. In this study, even during heat stress periods follicle drainage plus hCG treatment gave rise to nearly 50% of pregnancies relative to conception rates, compared to 29% observed in non-drained, non-treated control animals or 20% in animals drained and treated with GnRH. This approach is recommended for weekly reproductive program visits.Twin pregnancies are undesirable in dairy cattle as they dramatically compromise cow lifespan and, consequently, herd economy. Clinical problems in cows arise from the time of pregnancy diagnosis to pregnancy loss, abortion, or parturition. The drainage of co-dominant follicles in cows with two or more follicles at insemination prevents twin pregnancy. The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of draining the smaller of two follicles through a simplified maneuver not requiring ultrasonography in cows in their third or more lactation, and then inducing ovulation immediately before artificial insemination (AI) with GnRH or human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Animals were monitored by ultrasound at AI and randomly assigned to the groups: follicular drainage and treatment with GnRH (Deph; n = 60), follicular drainage and treatment with hCG (hCG; n = 60), and non-drainage (ND; n = 60) as control cows. On the basis of odds ratios, cows treated with hCG were 2.1 times more likely to become pregnant than control animals. Our results reveal the efficacy of hCG treatment at AI in cows with two follicles of pre-ovulatory size subjected to a simple follicular drainage procedure.

APPLICATION OF THE METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION OF BREEDING STOCK COWS

The objectives of this study are to analyze the economic efficiency of using the method of artificial insemination of cows with semen divided by sex, ultrasound for diagnosing inseminated breeding stock livestock and diseases of reproductive function using the example of model dairy farms, which makes it possible to determine the development potential of these farms, to conduct an economic assessment of production level. Based on development materials, calculation of the effectiveness of model farms for production of milk and its processing products is presented, the possibilities of using new technologies for the automation of technological processes are shown. In the future, in research work on organization of similar model farms, an emphasis should be placed on the consideration of indicators reflecting the specifics of their functioning, as well as production and financial results of activities based on a systematic integrated approach. Currently, a significant acceleration of genetic progress in selection and breeding work is facilitated by the use of sex-separated or sexed sperm. In trials conducted in the USA on 211 farms, the fertility of Holstein heifers with sex-sperm reached 47%, Jersey - 53%. In the offspring, 89% of heifers were obtained. In Finland, insemination of cows with sexed sperm with 2 million sperm in a dose provided 20% of calving, as a result of which 82% of heifers were born, while during insemination with ordinary cryopreserved sperm (15 million sperm) - 45 and 49%, respectively. The calculation proposed by the authors is based on identifying the percentage of live calves received from the number of cows and heifers of breeding age available on farms at the beginning of the analyzed year.

Bacteriospermia and Sperm Quality of Cryopreserved Bull Semen Used in Artificial Insemination of Cows in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.

The objectives of this trial were to estimate prevalence of bacteriospermia, to determine the bacterial load, and to isolate the types of bacteria as well as to assess the association between bacterial load and sperm quality traits in cryopreserved bull semen in field conditions in the South Wollo Zone. A total of 309 cryopreserved straws of semen from the Holstein Friesian (HF)-cross bull (n = 180 straws) and pure Jersey bull (n = 129 straws) were investigated. Bacteriological assessments of the presence of aerobic bacteria, estimation of bacterial count and bacterial isolation, as well as semen quality were performed. Aerobic bacterial contamination was prevalent in 38.8% of the semen straws. No significant difference in the prevalence of bacteriospermia was observed among bulls although the HF-cross bull had a higher prevalence (40.0%). But, significant difference in prevalence of bacteriospermia was found among semen ejaculates of the same bull. The risk of bacteriospermia in the HF-cross bull was higher (Odds ratio = 1.86, 95% CI = 0.168–20.26) compared to Jersey although not significant. Overall average bacterial load of 50.38 ± 16.29 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml (from nil to 1318.20 CFU/ml) was found. No significant difference in bacterial count among bulls and their ejaculates was observed. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that the proportions of motility, live, and normal morphology were negatively influenced by an increase in the bacterial contamination of semen. In this study, three isolates of coagualse-negative Staphylococcus species and one isolate of Corynebacterium species were found. Average percentages of sperm motility (48.35 ± 1.23), live (66.08 ± 1.0), and normal morphology (80.62 ± 1.24) were observed. It was concluded that cryopreservation does not guarantee the quality of semen from bacterial contamination. Hence, meticulous care should be adopted to prevent contamination of semen by bacteria during collection, transportation, processing, and storage times.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DAIRY PRODUCTIVITY OF FIRSTBORNS OBTAINED FROM SEXED AND TRADITIONAL SPERM OF BULLS

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DAIRY PRODUCTIVITY OF FIRSTBORNS OBTAINED FROM SEXED AND TRADITIONAL SPERM OF BULLS

ANALYSIS OF CRYOСONSERVED SPERM OF SIRES OF THE LEBEDINIAN BREED AND ORIGINAL BROWN CATTLE OF GERMANY

In recent years, in Ukraine, as well as around the world, some local breeds have been on the verge of extinction, resulting in irretrievable loss of valuable genes, reduction of genetic diversity. In order to avoid these problems, it is necessary to work on the conservation of animal genetic resources. The creation of banks for long-term storage of biological material is one of the methods of preserving the gene pool of local, small and indigenous breeds of animals.&#x0D; Sperm quality is one of the main factors that determines the success of insemination of heifers and cows. Comprehensive analysis of sperm includes a large number of qualitative and quantitative indicators, the accuracy of which is influenced by a number of objective and subjective factors.&#x0D; Currently, microscopic analysis of sperm motility and survival is used in production conditions. Such approaches are easy to implement, but their results can be subjective. Research using a computer-based sperm fertility analysis system is becoming a priority today. With the help of CASA-Sperm Vision it is possible to carry out a morphological analysis already during the study of sperm motility.&#x0D; The purpose of our research was to analyze the quality of deep-frozen sperm of sires of Lebedinian breed and original brown cattle of Germany in order to attract such genetic material in the conservation of local Lebedinian breed cattle.&#x0D; Materials and methods. In the study used cryopreserved sperm doses of five sires of Lebedinian breed and three sires of the original brown cattle of Germany.&#x0D; Researches of qualitative, quantitative and dynamic characteristics of sperm of bulls were carried out at the laboratory of biotechnology of reproduction of Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics nd. a. M.V.Zubets of NAAS and production laboratory "Ukrainian genetic company" using computer analysis of sperm motility Sperm Analysis System Version 12 IVOS.&#x0D; It was determined that the average dose of cryopreserved sperm of bulls of the Lebedinian breed was 0.25 ml, and of the sires of the original brown cattle of Germany -0.21 ml. It was found that the sires of the original brown cattle of Germany had the best indicators of total sperm motility by 21.7% compared to the sires of the Lebedinian breed (55.7%). They also noted a greater number of sperm with straight-forward movement of 16.5%. (40.2% of the Lebedinian breed sires).&#x0D; The average concentration of sperm in one milliliter was 10.5 times higher in animals of the Lebedinian breed (compared to the sires of the original brown cattle of Germany (331 million/ml).&#x0D; Comparing the indicators of the average speed of the sperm on the average trajectory (VAP), it should be noted that the minimum value was 85.3 microns/sec, the maximum value for this indicator – 141.7 microns/sec. The results of the VSL study showed that the average value of this indicator of sperm in the studied sperm doses of sires of the Lebedinian breed was 102 microns/sec, of the original brown cattle of Germany – 75.&#x0D; Obtained opposite to the direction coefficients of the correlation depending on the origin, between total sperm motility and average sperm speed for the average trajectory, the average speed of the sperm on the real trajectory, the average deviation of the sperm, the degree of straightness of the directed movement of sperm.&#x0D; Summary. &#x0D; 1. The complex of researches provided an objective analysis of qualitative and quantitative indicators of cryopreserved sperm production of the bulls of original brown cattle of Germany and the Lebedinian breed. It was found that the quality of the studied sperm doses met the requirements of "Instructions for Artificial Insemination of Cows and Heifers" (Order of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine dated August 1, 2001 № 230).&#x0D; 2. The comparative analysis of sperm production of the original brown cattle of Germany and the Lebedinian breed for its long-term storage was carried out. It is established that the sperm of sires of the original brown cattle of Germany exhibit higher dynamic characteristics of movement, while the sperm of sires of the Lebedinian breed were inferior to them in these indicators.&#x0D; 3. The possibility of insemination of females with cryopreserved sperm of the studied bulls whose sperm production has been stored for more than 30 years has been proved.