Postpartum Body Condition Research Articles

The relations between post partum body condition and milk yield traits in Holstein Friesian cows

Bu çalışmada, 55 baş Siyah Alaca ırkı inekte buzağılama sonrası vücut kondisyonu ile süt verim özellikleri arasındaki ilişkiler incelenmiştir. İnekler, vücut kondisyon puanlarına göre birinci (VKP<3) ve ikinci grup (VKP≥3) olmak üzere iki gruba ayrılmıştır. Vücut kondisyon puanlamasında 5’lik puan sistemi kullanılmıştır. Birinci ve ikinci inek gruplarında, buzağılama sonrası ilk 1. aydaki vücut kondisyon puanı (BS1: 2.82, 3.36), buzağılama sonrası 5. aydaki vücut kondisyon puanı (BS5: 3.21, 3.57), kuru dönem ile buzağılama sonrası ilk 1. ay arasındaki vücut kondisyon puanındaki düşüş (DÜŞÜŞ: 1.23, 0.80), laktasyonun 1. ve 5. ay arasındaki vücut kondisyon puanındaki artış (ARTIŞ1: 0.39, 0.21), laktasyonun 1. ve 7. ay arasındaki vücut kondisyon puanındaki artış (ARTIŞ2: 0.93, 0.64) ile süt verim özellikleri bakımından gruplar arasındaki farklılıklar istatistiki olarak önemli (p<0.05) bulunmuştur. Günlük süt verimi, laktasyon süt verimi, 305 günlük süt verimi, laktasyon süresi ve kuruda kalma süresi birinci ve ikinci grup inekler için sırasıyla; 22.35, 25.98 kg; 5572.96, 6435.18 kg; 5572.96, 6338.57 kg; 278.15, 306.68 gün; 71.22 ve 60.25 gün olarak tespit edilmiştir. Süt verim özellikleri ile kuru dönem vücut kondisyon puanı (KD), BS1, BS5 ve BS7 arasında negatif yönde, DÜŞÜŞ ve ARTIŞ2 arasında ise pozitif yönde önemli (p<0.05) korelasyonlar belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçları, buzağılama sırasında orta düzeyde vücut kondisyonuna sahip olan ineklerde süt verim düzeylerinin daha iyi durumda olduğunu ve metabolik hastalıkların daha az sıklıkla görüldüğünü ortaya koymuştur.

Effect of resource supplementation on female Western Rattlesnake postpartum movement

Resource availability plays an important factor in an animal's life history by affecting growth and reproduction and influencing behaviours such as movement and thermoregulation. Female rattlesnakes in northern climes face shortened active seasons limiting the time available to replenish lost reserves from reproduction. Consequently, this leads to slower growth rates, small litters, and infrequent reproduction in these populations. With these challenges, it has been assumed postpartum rattlesnakes in these regions should return to their hibernacula immediately following parturition. However, our previous study revealed different tactics of postpartum movements by females across several study sites. To examine the relationship between resource availability and these movements, we experimentally supplemented resources (mice or mice injected with water) to free-ranging pregnant Western Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus oreganus Holbrook, 1840) at three sites in British Columbia, Canada, during 2019. We examined body condition and movement of snakes, finding that pregnant rattlesnakes consumed supplemented resources until late parturition and had significantly higher postpartum body condition than controls. Contrary to our expectations, increased access to resources ad libitum did not significantly halt or alter postpartum movements away from hibernacula. These results suggest that resource availability influences certain life-history traits such as body condition but not others like postpartum movement.

Effect of postpartum body condition score change on the pregnancy outcomes of lactating Jersey cows inseminated at first service with sexed Jersey or conventional beef semen after a synchronized estrus versus a synchronized ovulation

Our objective was to compare insemination rate and pregnancies per artificial insemination (P/AI) of lactating Jersey cows inseminated at first service with sexed Jersey or conventional beef semen after submission to a Double-Ovsynch protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) versus a protocol to synchronize estrus at similar days in milk (DIM). Secondary objectives were to determine the effect of protocol synchrony and postpartum body condition score (BCS) change on P/AI. Lactating Jersey cows (n = 1,272) were allocated by odd versus even ear tag number, which was randomly allocated within the herd, within parity and semen type for submission to a Double-Ovsynch protocol (DO; n = 707) or a protocol to synchronize estrus (ED; n = 565). All ED cows detected in estrus were inseminated (EDAI; n = 424), with undetected cows receiving TAI after an Ovsynch protocol (EDTAI; n = 141). There was a treatment by parity interaction on insemination rate with 100% of DO cows receiving TAI, but a tendency for fewer primiparous ED cows to be detected in estrus and AI than multiparous cows (69.5% ± 0.04% vs. 77.1% ± 0.02%, respectively). For cows inseminated with sexed Jersey or conventional beef semen, DO cows tended to have and had more P/AI than EDAI cows (sexed, 49.2% ± 0.03% vs. 43.6% ± 0.03%; beef, 64.2% ± 0.04% vs. 56.3% ± 0.05%, respectively) and had more P/AI than EDAI+EDTAI cows (sexed, 49.1% ± 0.03% vs. 40.6% ± 0.03%; beef, 65.5% ± 0.04% vs. 56.2% ± 0.04%, respectively). Overall, 29.1% of DO cows expressed estrus with 5.0% and 24.2% of cows detected in estrus ≥24 h before and at TAI, respectively, and there was no difference in P/AI 61 ± 4 d after AI based on expression of estrus at TAI. The synchronization rate was greater for DO than EDAI cows (92.1% ± 0.01% vs. 79.2% ± 0.02%, respectively); however, synchronized DO cows had more P/AI than synchronized EDAI cows (55.0% ± 0.02% vs. 49.2% ± 0.03%, respectively). There was an interaction between BCS change from 7 to 39 ± 2 DIM and treatment on P/AI 61 ± 4 d after AI with no difference between DO and EDAI cows that lost = 0.25 (49.8% ± 0.04% vs. 51.0% ± 0.05%, respectively) or maintained or gained (55.6% ± 0.04% vs. 50.8% ± 0.05%, respectively) BCS, but within cows that lost ≥0.5 BCS, DO cows had more P/AI than EDAI cows (54.1% ± 0.04% vs. 36.1% ± 0.04%, respectively). In conclusion, submission of lactating Jersey cows to a Double-Ovsynch protocol for first insemination increased insemination rate and fertility to first insemination compared with AI after a detected estrus regardless of semen type and expression of estrus, particularly for cows with excessive postpartum BCS loss.

Postpartum Body Condition Score (BCS) and Lactation Stage (30 and 60 Days) Affecting Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) and Milk Quality of Najdi Sheep.

Body condition scoring (BCS) can be used to assess the energy reserves of sheep during feeding, production, and weaning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of BCS after parturition in stages of lactation (30 and 60 days) on the milk quality of Najdi ewes. The ewes were milked in the morning after their lambs had been isolated. Milk composition and fatty acid profiles (FA) were analyzed at 30 and 60 days of lactation after assessment of the sheep's body condition. The sheep were classified into the following body conditions: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0. Sheep milk contained significant (p < 0.05) levels of protein at a BCS of 3.5 and on day 60 of lactation. The ewes with a BCS of 2.5 had a high milk content (p < 0.05) of unsaturated fatty acids (USFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), oleic acid (OA), vaccenic acid (VA), and LA at day 60 of lactation. This result shows that the ewes with a BCS of 2.5 were able to produce high-quality milk, and 60 days of lactation was the preferred time for producing good milk and tasty and healthy dairy products.

Measuring Annual Variation in Reproductive Output Reveals a Key Role of Maternal Body Condition in Determining the Size of Eggs in Snakes.

Simple SummaryWe measured female reproductive traits of a colubrid snake (Lycodon rufozonatus) from Zhejiang, East China in four years (1999, 2010, 2011, and 2014). After removing the influence of female size, postpartum body mass was greater in 2010 than in 2014, clutch mass was greater in 2010 than in 2011 and 2014, and egg size was greater in 2010 than in the other three years. Egg size was positively related to postpartum body condition in each year. Females laid larger eggs in 2010 than in other three years after removing the influence of maternal size and body condition. Our study does not follow the prediction that reproductive females with different amounts of resources to invest should give priority to adjusting the number rather than size of offspring.Long-term studies are especially suited for disentangling the effects of extrinsic and intrinsic factors on both total reproductive investment and reproductive allocation in offspring number versus offspring size. Female reproductive traits of the red-banded wolf snake (Lycodon rufozonatus) from Zhejiang, East China were studied in four years between 1999 and 2014. Egg-laying dates overall extended from late June to late July, and varied among years. Postpartum body mass, clutch size, clutch mass, and egg size were positively related to female size (snout vent length, SVL) in each year. Postpartum body mass, clutch mass, and egg size differed among years after accounting for female SVL, whereas clutch size did not. Setting female SVL at the same level, postpartum body mass was greater in 2010 than in 2014, clutch mass was greater in 2010 than in 2011 and 2014, and egg size was greater in 2010 than in the other three years. Females did not trade off egg size against number. Egg size was positively related to postpartum body condition in each year. Females laid larger eggs in 2010 than in other three years after removing the influence of maternal body condition. Our study provides evidence for the traditional view that reproductive output is highly linked to maternal body size in snakes, but not following Smith and Fretwell’s (1974) classic prediction that females with different amounts of resources to invest in reproduction should give priority to adjusting the number rather than size of their offspring. Maternal body size and condition both are important sources of variation in egg size, but factors other than these two variables may also affect the size of eggs produced by female L. rufozonatus.

The Effect of Postpartum Body Condition on the First Oestrus after Calving on the First Simmental Cross (G1)

The body's condition after calving affects the return of Oestrus postpartum, and minimizing this period is important for several reasons. The study aimed to determine the effect of postpartum body condition on the first Oestrus on the first Simmental-cross (G1) carried out in Koto XI Tarusan and Bayang sub-districts, Pesisir Selatan District, West Sumatra province. The body condition of beef cows during calving dramatically impacts subsequent reproductive performance. The postpartum interval is the time from calving to first Oestrus after calving. Body condition postpartum affected the next first Oestrus. This research was conducted by survey method, using 83 G1, which were grouped based on thin (28 head), moderate (39 head), and fleshy (16 head). The detection of Oestrus is carried out starting after calving until the symptoms of Oestrus using a "heat detector" The data obtained were analyzed descriptively (mean, standard deviation). A comparison test was performed with the t-test. The results showed that the first Oestrus in thin, moderate, and fleshy cows were 76.00 + 9.82 days, 52.63 + 7.79 days, and 47.31 + 5.50 days. The results of the t-test showed that the body condition significantly affected the return of first Oestrus postpartum.

Effect of heat stress amelioration through open-ridge ventilated thatched roof housing on production and reproduction performance of crossbred Jersey cows

The present study was conducted to assess the impacts of loose house roofing designs and materials on modulation of micro-climate of the cow shed and its influences on production and reproduction performance of lactating crossbred Jersey cows. The control group (T0) was kept in a traditional single-slope asbestos roof shed and treatment group (T1) at a specially designed open-ridge ventilated, double-slope thatch roof shed. Lactation stage, average daily milk yield, and average parity at the beginning of the experiment were kept similar between T0 and T1 cows. The specifically designed T1 shed had significantly (P < 0.05) lower temperature, humidity, and thermal humidity index as compared to the traditional shed (T0). The T1 shed was cooler and more comfortable than T0. Housing significantly (P < 0.05) influenced cardinal physiological parameters of resident cows. Body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and discomfort index were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T0 as compared to those in T1 cows. Improved housing significantly (P < 0.01) influenced milk yield, composition, quality, and udder health of cows. Daily milk yield depending on parity, monthly milk yield, milk fat, SNF, and protein were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in T1 than those in T0 cows. The milk somatic cell count, modified California mastitis test score, electrical conductivity, and pH of milk samples of T0 cows were significantly (P < 0.0) higher than those of T1. Effect of housing type, parity, and interaction of housing × parity did not cause any significant (P > 0.05) differences in reproductive traits such as service period, break period, calving interval, pregnancy rate, and other cow fertility parameters. Post-partum body condition score and body weight loss did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two groups; however, more loss occurred in T0 than T1. The estimated net profit from housing of cows (N = 20) in a comfortable shed was 2200kg milk per annum, i.e., 110kg/cow/annum. The study concluded that a central open-ridge ventilated, double-slope thatched roof design created a favorable micro-environment and it significantly affected cows' comfort index; thermo-comfortable housing significantly reduced the heat stress-oriented drop in milk yield and decline in milk composition, and improved udder health and other milk production traits; however, its impact was non-significant on reproduction and fertility traits in Jersey crossbred cows.

The factors associated with postpartum body condition score change and its relationship with serum analytes, milk production and reproductive performance in dairy cows

Objectives were to (1) identify factors associated with postpartum body condition (BCS) maintenance/gain, (2) determine the optimum pre-calving BCS predictive of postpartum BCS maintenance/gain, and (3) evaluate the relationship between postpartum BCS change categories, serum analytes and performance in dairy cows. The BCS were determined in 271 primiparous and 640 multiparous cows from 11 dairy herds in Alberta, Canada at (mean ± SD) 9.0 ± 2.3 d pre-calving and at 34.6 ± 4.0 d post-calving, using a 5-point scale with 0.25 increments. Cows were grouped into BCS change categories according to BCS change between post- and pre-calving as follows: lost ≥ 0.75 units (extreme loss; EL; n = 343), lost either 0.25 or 0.50 units (moderate loss; ML; n = 390), no change in BCS (maintained; M; n = 104), or gained ≥ 0.25 units (gained; G; n = 74). In a subset of 178 cows, the concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, urea, cholesterol, haptoglobin and aspartate aminotransferase were measured in serum at 9.0 ± 2.3 d pre-calving and at 8.2 ± 3.7 d post-calving.The proportion of cows grouped into EL, ML, M and G categories were 38, 43, 11 and 8%, respectively. Pre-calving BCS, season of calving and sickness were identified as factors associated with BCS maintenance/gain. The optimum pre-calving BCS predictive of postpartum BCS maintenance/gain was 3.25 for primiparous cows and 3.00 for multiparous cows. Mean serum concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate, urea, cholesterol and haptoglobin did not differ among BCS change categories. However, G cows tended to have greater mean serum concentration of glucose compared with ML cows, and mean serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase tended to be greater for EL cows compared with other BCS change categories. Mean serum concentration of non-esterified fatty acids was greater post-calving for EL cows compared with other BCS change categories. Milk yield by 25 and 90 days in milk (DIM) did not differ among BCS change categories; however, peak and 305-d mature equivalent milk yields were greater for EL compared with G cows. Overall, EL cows had reduced fertility compared with other BCS change categories, including a smaller proportion of cows with a corpus luteum by 35 DIM, reduced pregnancy to first AI and pregnancy by 150 DIM, and reduced hazard ratio of pregnancy risk up to 250 DIM. In summary, EL cows had reduced fertility compared with other BCS change categories and increased milk yield compared with G cows. Ensuring cows calve at an appropriate BCS to promote BCS maintenance, or only moderate loss, will improve fertility without sacrificing milk yield.

Effects of intramuscular injections of folic acid, vitamin B12, or both, on lactational performance and energy status of multiparous dairy cows

The purpose of this experiment was to gain understanding on changes in energy partitioning when folic acid and vitamin B12 supplements, alone or combined, were given by weekly intramuscular injections from 3 wk before the expected calving date until 7 wk postpartum. Twenty-four multiparous cows were assigned to 6 blocks of 4 cows each according to previous 305-d lactation yield to either 0 or 320 mg of folic acid and 0 or 10 mg of vitamin B12 in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Plasma concentration of folates was increased by folic acid supplement, and this increase was greater with the combined supplement. Vitamin B12 supplement increased plasma concentration of vitamin B12. Even though postpartum energy balance was similar among treatments, postpartum body condition score was higher for cows receiving folic acid supplement compared with cows that did not. Milk yield of cows receiving folic acid supplement reached a plateau earlier than for cows that did not. Fat and protein, as well as total solid concentrations and yields, were unaffected by treatments. Postpartum plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were higher and postpartum plasma concentration of nonesterified fatty acids was lower for cows that received weekly folic acid supplement compared with cows that did not. Plasma concentration of methylmalonic acid was low and unaffected by treatments, suggesting that vitamin B12 supply was not limiting, even for unsupplemented cows. Postpartum plasma concentrations of Cys, His, Phe, and Tyr were increased, whereas plasma concentration of Gly was decreased, by folic acid supplement. In the present study, supplementary folic acid altered energy partitioning in early lactation as suggested by similar milk total solid yield and postpartum energy balance, lower plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration and body condition score losses, and higher plasma glucose and insulin concentrations for cows receiving folic acid supplement compared with cows that did not.

Effects of Dietary Energy Density in the Dry Period on the Production Performance and Metabolism of Dairy Cows

Thirty healthy Holstein dairy cows in the dry period were randomly divided into three groups and fed diets with different net energy for lactation (group A: 1.2 Mcal/kg DM, group B: 1.3 Mcal/kg DM, and group C: 1.4 Mcal/kg DM) for 8 weeks prepartum. Thereafter, dairy cows were fed a diet of the same formulation (1.66 Mcal/kg DM) for 12 weeks postpartum. The effects of different dietary energy densities in the dry period on postpartum performance and metabolic parameters of dairy cows were observed. Milk yield was reduced by 14.5% in the low-energy diet group; however, there were no differences in milk composition between the three groups. Postpartum plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acid, growth hormone, and glucagon levels were significantly decreased whereas leptin and neuropeptide levels were elevated in the low-energy diet group. Moreover, body fat mobilization was attenuated, and the decline in postpartum body condition was reduced in the low-energy diet group, thus effectively reducing the postpartum negative energy balance.

Food restriction affects maternal investment but not neonate phenotypes in a viviparous lizard.

Food availability significantly affects an animal's energy metabolism, and thus its phenotype, survival, and reproduction. Maternal and offspring responses to food conditions are critical for understanding population dynamics and life-history evolution of a species. In this study, we conducted food manipulation experiments in field enclosures to identify the effect of food restriction on female reproductive traits and postpartum body condition, as well as on hatchling phenotypes, in a lacertid viviparous lizard from the Inner Mongolian desert steppe of China. Females under low-food availability treatment (LFT) had poorer immune function and body condition compared with those under high-food availability treatment (HFT). The food availability treatments significantly affected the litter size and litter mass of the females, but not their gestation period in captivity or brood success, or the body size, sprint speed, and sex ratio of the neonates. Females from the LFT group had smaller litter sizes and, therefore, lower litter mass than those from the HFT group. These results suggest that female racerunners facing food restriction lay fewer offspring with unchanged body size and locomotor performance, and incur a cost in the form of poor postpartum body condition and immune function. The flexibility of maternal responses to variable food availability represents an important life strategy that could enhance the resistance of lizards to unpredictable environmental change.

Effect of Post-Partum Body Condition Score on Productive, Reproductive and Calf Birth Weight Performance in Tharparkar Cattle

Effect of Post-Partum Body Condition Score on Productive, Reproductive and Calf Birth Weight Performance in Tharparkar Cattle

Integrative systems biology approach to identify novel glucocorticoid-based biomarkers and treatment targets for PTSD

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of pioglitazone (PGT), a specific ligand for PPARγ, on metabolic dynamics, milk production, and reproductive performance of transition dairy cows. Eighty multiparous Holstein cows in their second or more lactations were blocked by the calving date and parity and assigned randomly to four dietary groups (n = 20 cow/treatment) including control (no PGT−/−), supplemented with PGT (6-mg PGT/kg body weight) from Day −14 to +21 relative to parturition (PGT+/+) or only during prepartum (PGT+/−) or postpartum periods (PGT−/+). Postpartum body condition score and body weight loss decreased (P < 0.05) in all PGT-supplemented groups. Milk yield was not affected by PGT supplementation (P > 0.05). Percentage of milk fat decreased (P < 0.05) in all PGT-treated groups; however, milk fat yield was lower (P < 0.05) in PGT (+/+) and PGT (+/−) groups compared with PGT (−/−). Peripartum (Day −7 to +7) concentrations of plasma nonesterified fatty acids and β-Hydroxybutyrate decreased in PGT (+/+) but not in the PGT (−/−) group (P < 0.05). During the postpartum period, PGT reduced (P > 0.05) plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids in all PGT-treated groups but did not affect β-Hydroxybutyrate level. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides decreased in all PGT-supplemented groups. Supplementation of PGT increased the peripartum concentrations of plasma glucose in PGT (+/+) and PGT (+/−) groups compared with control. Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 were higher in PGT (+/+) compared with the control group during both the peripartum and postpartum periods. Plasma concentrations of growth hormone and insulin were not affected by PGT treatment (P > 0.05). Mean days to ovulation were lower in PGT (+/+) and PGT (-/+), and the proportion of cows ovulating by Day 14 postpartum was higher in PGT (+/+) compared with control. Days open were shorter in PGT (+/+), PGT (+/−), and PGT (−/+) groups compared with control. However, the proportion of pregnant cows at 120 days in milk were higher in all PGT-supplemented groups. The results showed positive effects of dietary supplementation of PGT, especially supplementation during both the prepartum and postpartum periods, on metabolic dynamics, ovarian function, and reproductive performance in transition dairy cows.

Relationship between the pre- and postpartum body condition scores and periparturient indices and fertility in high-yielding dairy cows

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body condition score (BCS) determined on the dry-off day, calving day, and in the first month of lactation, its changes during the dry period and early lactation, and periparturient indices and fertility in high-producing dairy cows. Material and Methods: The experiment was conducted in two herds: A and B, located in Western Poland. The studies were conducted on 116 and 108 Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows respectively, with an average milk yield of &gt;10 000 kg/305-day lactation. The experiment included the dry period (-56 d to the calving day), the calving day, and early lactation (from +1 to +56 d). The experimental factor was BCS (0 to 5-point scale). The BCS was performed by one person on day -56, on parturition day (in the first 12 h after calving) and on day 30 of lactation. Results: A decrease in BCS (≥-0.25) in herd A during the dry period accelerated the planned calving period by 7.3 d. In the group of cows with BCS &lt;3.25 on the dry-off day, the lowest artificial insemination index (1.80), the shortest period of insemination services (25 d), and days open (87 d) were recorded. Moreover, cows with BCS &lt; 3.25 at calving had the shortest days open (91 d). BCS &gt;3.50 in the first month of lactation (30 d) resulted in the extension of uterine involution period (56 d). Improvement of BCS during the dry period shortened the anoestrus (60 d) in herd A and the period of insemination service (60 d) in herd B. However, in this group (IM BCS ≥ 0.25) of cows the day of the highest artificial insemination index (2.50) in herd B was analysed. Conclusion: The body condition on the dry-off day and at calving, as well as its deterioration in the first month of lactation, have a considerable effect on fertility indices in dairy cows, thus confirming the advisability of its regular monitoring during routine operations connected with the management of a dairy cattle herd.

Effects of dietary supplementation of pioglitazone on metabolism, milk yield, and reproductive performance in transition dairy cows

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of pioglitazone (PGT), a specific ligand for PPARγ, on metabolic dynamics, milk production, and reproductive performance of transition dairy cows. Eighty multiparous Holstein cows in their second or more lactations were blocked by the calving date and parity and assigned randomly to four dietary groups (n = 20 cow/treatment) including control (no PGT−/−), supplemented with PGT (6-mg PGT/kg body weight) from Day −14 to +21 relative to parturition (PGT+/+) or only during prepartum (PGT+/−) or postpartum periods (PGT−/+). Postpartum body condition score and body weight loss decreased (P < 0.05) in all PGT-supplemented groups. Milk yield was not affected by PGT supplementation (P > 0.05). Percentage of milk fat decreased (P < 0.05) in all PGT-treated groups; however, milk fat yield was lower (P < 0.05) in PGT (+/+) and PGT (+/−) groups compared with PGT (−/−). Peripartum (Day −7 to +7) concentrations of plasma nonesterified fatty acids and β-Hydroxybutyrate decreased in PGT (+/+) but not in the PGT (−/−) group (P < 0.05). During the postpartum period, PGT reduced (P > 0.05) plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids in all PGT-treated groups but did not affect β-Hydroxybutyrate level. Plasma concentrations of triglycerides decreased in all PGT-supplemented groups. Supplementation of PGT increased the peripartum concentrations of plasma glucose in PGT (+/+) and PGT (+/−) groups compared with control. Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 were higher in PGT (+/+) compared with the control group during both the peripartum and postpartum periods. Plasma concentrations of growth hormone and insulin were not affected by PGT treatment (P > 0.05). Mean days to ovulation were lower in PGT (+/+) and PGT (-/+), and the proportion of cows ovulating by Day 14 postpartum was higher in PGT (+/+) compared with control. Days open were shorter in PGT (+/+), PGT (+/−), and PGT (−/+) groups compared with control. However, the proportion of pregnant cows at 120 days in milk were higher in all PGT-supplemented groups. The results showed positive effects of dietary supplementation of PGT, especially supplementation during both the prepartum and postpartum periods, on metabolic dynamics, ovarian function, and reproductive performance in transition dairy cows.

Effect of Post-Partum Body Condition Score on Fertility and Milk Yield of Friesian X Bunaji Dairy Cows

Effect of Post-Partum Body Condition Score on Fertility and Milk Yield of Friesian X Bunaji Dairy Cows

Variation in size and condition of neonate pygmy bluetongue lizards, Tiliqua adelaidensis

Phenotypic variation among offspring of individual animals is an important life-history trait. In viviparous lizards, it could result from genetic variation of individuals and also differences in environments experienced by mothers during gestation. We investigated variation in phenotype and survival of neonate pygmy bluetongue lizards, Tiliqua adelaidensis, over three sampling years. We explored changes in body condition, using body size residuals as an index, and body size (snout-vent length (SVL) and mass) of neonates. For litters that were captured with their mothers, we hypothesised that body condition and size of offspring are influenced by the condition and size of their mothers, the presence of mothers in the burrow and litter size. We found that there were significant variations in body condition and mass of neonates among years. There was no significant relationship between neonate body condition, mass and SVL and post-partum body condition of their mothers. Results revealed that females with higher SVL produced larger litters. None of the analyses showed any effect of mother’s presence on neonate body condition, SVL or mass. Neither was there any effect of observed litter size on these parameters. Our findings have important conservation implications for this endangered species, given that the aim of conservation managers is to encourage conditions that promote optimum body condition and fitness in offspring in order to maximise their survival in fragmented habitats.

Parturition to resumption of ovarian cyclicity: comparative aspects of beef and dairy cows

There is a variable anoestrous period following parturition in the cow. Follicular growth generally resumes within 7 to 10 days in the majority of cows associated with a transient FSH rise that occurs within 3 to 5 days of parturition. Dairy cows that are not nutritionally stressed generally ovulate their first postpartum dominant follicle (~15 days), whereas beef suckler cows in good body condition normally have a mean of 3.2±0.2 dominant follicles (~30 days) to first ovulation; moreover, beef cows in poor body condition have a mean of 10.6±1.2 dominant follicles (~70 to 100 days) to first ovulation. The lack of ovulation of dominant follicles during the postpartum period is associated with infrequent LH pulses, with both maternal–offspring bonding and low body condition score (BCS) at calving being implicated as the predominant causes of delayed resumption of cyclicity in nursed beef cows. In dairy cows, the normal pattern of early resumption of ovulation may be delayed in high-yielding Holstein type cows generally owing to the effects of severe negative energy balance, dystocia, retained placental membranes and uterine infections. First ovulation, in both dairy and beef cows, is generally silent (i.e., no behavioural oestrus) and followed by a short inter-ovulatory interval (>70%). The key to optimizing the resumption of ovulation in both beef and dairy cows is appropriate pre-calving nutrition and management so that cows calve down in optimal body condition (BCS; 2.75 to 3.0) with postpartum body condition loss restricted to <0.5 BCS units.

Effect of different level of concentrate supplementation on the periparturient growth performance of Ganjam goat in extensive system

Aim: The present study was carried out to evaluate the impact of concentrate supplementation to the pregnant Ganjam goats on their growth performance in periparturient period. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 pregnant Ganjam does of similar body weight, age and parity were divided into three treatment groups with 15 does in each. T1 : normal browsing at range system, T2 : normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @ 200g/day, T3 : normal browsing with concentrate supplementation @ 300g/day for 60 days before expected date of kidding. Observations regarding various growth performances were made following standard procedures. Results: Average daily concentrate feed intake for T2 was 160 g and 225 g for T3 . For the does in T1 , the body weights ranged from 34.59 ± 0.75 kg (at the beginning) to 38.29 ± 0.75 kg (after 60 days of supplementation) while for those in T2 it increased from 33.91 ± 0.70 kg to 38.71 ± 0.64 kg and for T3 itranged from 34.05 ± 0.64 to 39.55 ± 0.62 kg. The cumulative live weight gain during the period 0-60 days varied significantly among the different treatments with the lowest value in T1 (3.71 ± 0.27 kg) to highest value in T3 (5.49 ± 0.22 kg) although the initial body weights were same. The cumulative body weight gain during 0- 90 days postpartum was significantly higher in T1 (3.13 ± 0.46 kg) compared to T3 (2.10 ± 0.19 kg). Significant difference in average daily gain during prepartum period was found in all groups as 61.78 ± 4.47, 79.89 ± 2.20, 91.56 ± 3.71 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The average daily gain of the does during post partum period was 23.33 g (T3 ), 24.30 g (T2 ) and 34.81 g (T1 ) perdoe indicating a statistically significant difference among the treatments. Conclusion: It is concluded that on supplementation of concentrate between 160 to 225 g improved both prepartum and postpartum body condition of Ganjam goats.

21 DIFFERENT SUCKLING REGIMENS AND RETURN TO POSTPARTUM CYCLIC OVARIAN ACTIVITY IN SANTA INÊS EWES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different suckling regimens on body condition and interval from lambing to onset of the cyclic ovarian activity in Santa Inês ewes. Thirty-two ewes were allocated to blocks according to parity, number of lambs, and body weight and submitted to 3 treatments: continuous suckling (n = 11 ewes, 13 lambs), controlled suckling (n = 10 ewes, 14 lambs) with 2 suckling periods per day for 1 h from Day 10 postpartum (pp), or early weaning (n = 11 ewes, 14 lambs) with total separation of the lambs from Day 10 pp. The animals were evaluated in the interval from Day 12 pp to first estrus or to Day 60 pp. Dry matter intake was evaluated daily. The body weight of ewes and lambs and body condition score (scale 1 = thin and 5 = fat) of ewes were evaluated at lambing and at every 6 days after. Lambs were weighed at weaning. Estrus was monitored twice daily with a teaser ram. Blood samples for progesterone measurement were collected and ovarian ultrasonography was done at intervals of 3 days from Day 12 pp to first estrus or to Day 60 pp. Dry matter intake was analyzed over time, considering 9 periods, with PROC MIXED of SAS (2008; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Body weight, body condition score, interval from lambing to first ovulation, and weaning weight were analyzed using the GLM procedure, ANOVA, and an F-test. The intervals from lambing to first estrus and to follicles with a diameter ≥5 mm were analyzed considering a Poisson distribution and the percentage of estrus manifestation was analyzed considering a Bernoulli distribution, by generalized linear models, using PROC GENMOD. The dry matter intake did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) among treatments (2.3 ± 0.1, 2.2 ± 0.0, and 1.6 ± 0.0 kg day–1), but it differed over time (P &lt; 0.05). The body weight gain (3.3 ± 1.0, 3.0 ± 0.9, and 2.1 ± 1.4 kg), body condition score gain (0.2 ± 0.1, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 0.2 ± 0.1), percentage of estrus manifestation (63.6, 50.0, and 54.5%), interval from lambing to first estrus (45.0 ± 3.9, 44.0 ± 7.2, and 32.3 ± 5.4 days), follicle with a diameter ≥5 mm (31.0 ± 3.3, 33.9 ± 3.0, and 34.9 ± 4.5 days), and ovulation (38.0 ± 3.6, 35.6 ± 3.9, and 26.5 ± 3.2 days) did not differ among treatments (P &gt; 0.05). The dry matter intake was correlated with body weight in ewes that were submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.7; P &lt; 0.01) and controlled suckling (r = 0.6; P &lt; 0.01), but not in those submitted to early weaning (r = 0.2; P &gt; 0.05). The body condition score was correlated with body weight in ewes submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.8; P &lt; 0.01), controlled suckling (r = 0.4; P &lt; 0.01), and early weaning (r = 0.5; P &lt; 0.01), and with dry matter intake in those submitted to continuous suckling (r = 0.4; P &lt; 0.01). Weaning weight was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in lambs subjected to early weaning (19.0 ± 1.0, 18.3 ± 1.0, and 15.2 ± 0.6 kg), but their health was not compromised. Continuous suckling did not delay the return to postpartum cyclic ovarian activity and did not influence the postpartum body condition of Santa Inês ewes and should be used by producers. The financial support of Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) is acknowledged.