Size Of Reserves Research Articles

203 High environmental temperatures during early fetal life may impair the ovarian reserve in cattle

The causes of the inherently high variation in number of follicles and oocytes in ovaries of mammals are unknown. Evidence suggests that the ovarian reserve (total number of healthy follicles and oocytes in ovaries) can be programmed by events occurring during fetal life. For instance, maternal nutritional restriction during the first trimester of pregnancy negatively affects the size of the ovarian reserve in calves. The aim of the present study was to establish whether exposure of pregnant dairy cows to high environmental temperatures from conception to the end of the first trimester of pregnancy impairs establishment of the ovarian reserve in their offspring. This work was conducted in four commercial dairy farms with similar nutrition and farming systems located in Sardinia, Italy, on a total of 310 Holstein-Friesian dairy heifers (16 months old) that were conceived and born at different times of year coincident with different environmental temperatures. We tested whether exposure of the heifer's dams to a mean temperature-humidity index (THI) >68 from conception to the end of the first trimester of pregnancy resulted in a diminished ovarian reserve in their offspring. To estimate the size of the ovarian reserve, a single blood sample was collected to measure serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH; n=310), and the number of follicles >3mm (antral follicle count, AFC) was assessed using transrectal ovarian ultrasonography (n=258) on a random day of the oestrous cycle (16.09±0.07 months of age). Relations among variables were analysed with Pearson correlation with SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Anti-Müllerian hormone and AFC were analysed with a mixed model (PROC MIXED of SAS) considering the main effects of season during the first trimester of fetal life and age at sampling; the effect of farm was included as a random effect. Tukey's test was used for comparisons. Circulating AMH concentrations and AFC were highly positively correlated (P<0.0001), as previously reported. The results also showed that both AMH concentrations and AFC were lower (419.27±22.81 pgmL−1, 9.32±0.42 follicles; P<0.0001) in young adult heifers of the dams exposed to a THI >68 compared with dams exposed to an average THI of 55 (634.91±47.60 pgmL−1, 11.84±0.46 follicles). Neither AMH nor AFC were influenced by farm and age at sampling of the daughters. In conclusion, maternal exposure to THI >68 (typical high temperatures during summers in Sardinia) during the first trimester of pregnancy has a negative effect on the development of the ovarian reserve in female fetuses, which may subsequently impair their reproductive performance as adults. Research was funded by Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Legge Regionale 7, Bando 2015.

EFECTO DE LAS RESERVAS NUTRITIVAS Y POSICION DE LAS YEMAS EN EL TALLO EN LA CALIDAD DE LAS PLANTULAS DE CAÑA DE AZUCAR

<p>For the replanting of the sugarcane crop, plants produced from buds of different reserve sizes and from different positions on the stem are used, without up to now an optimum reserve and position size has been determined to obtain a quality plant. Therefore, five treatments were evaluated for nutritional reserve: T1 (short reserve), T2 (without reserve), T3 (half reserve), T4 (long basal reserve) and T5 (long reserve superior) and for the position a design was used 2x3 factorial (two cultivars: MEX69-290 and COLPOSCTMEX05-223 and three yolk positions: basal, middle and apical), the treatments were distributed in a completely randomized arrangement. The buds were sown in unicel vessels with a liter capacity and sifted sand was used as substrate. It was evaluated; emergency percentage, root length and plant height. The results indicate that the use of buds with different positions in the stem is possible to produce seedlings of good quality, since more than 50% of sprouting was obtained in both cultivars. The results on nutrient reserves showed that T3 had the longest root length (36.2 cm) and T1 had the highest plant height (61.4 cm), showing that there is no direct relationship between plant height and root length. To obtain a quality plant it is enough to use short buds or half reserve and any position. For the commercial production of plants, it is recommended to plant in substrates rich in nutrients.</p>

Endangered elements, critical raw materials and conflict minerals.

Amid present concerns over a potential scarcity of critical elements and raw materials that are essential for modern technology, including those for low-carbon energy production, a survey of the present situation, and how it may unfold both in the immediate and the longer term, appears warranted. For elements such as indium, current recycling rates are woefully low, and although a far more effective recycling programme is necessary for most materials, it is likely that a full-scale inauguration of a global renewable energy system will require substitution of many scarcer elements by more Earth-abundant material alternatives. Currently, however, it is fossil fuels that are needed to process them, and many putative Earth-abundant material technologies are insufficiently close to the level of commercial viability required to begin to supplant their fossil fuel equivalents "necessarily rapidly and at scale". As part of a significant expansion of renewable energy production, it will be necessary to recycle elements from wind turbines and solar panels (especially thin-film cells). The interconnected nature of particular materials, for example, cadmium, gallium, germanium, indium and tellurium, all mainly being recovered from the production of zinc, aluminium and copper, and helium from natural gas, means that the availability of such 'hitchhiker' elements is a function of the reserve size and production rate of the primary (or 'attractor') material. Even for those elements that are relatively abundant on Earth, limitations in their production rates/supply may well be experienced on a timescale of decades, and so a more efficient (reduced) use of them, coupled with effective collection and recycling strategies, should be embarked upon urgently.

P5748Impact of specific crossing techniques in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention on recovery of absolute myocardial perfusion

Abstract Background Multiple techniques in chronic coronary total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been developed to cross CTOs. Purpose To compare recovery of quantitative myocardial blood flow (MBF) after different CTO PCI techniques. Methods Consecutive patients with [15O]H2O positron emission tomography perfusion imaging before and three months after successful CTO PCI were included. Change in quantitative hyperemic MBF, coronary flow reserve (CFR) and perfusion defect size were compared between antegrade wire escalation (AWE), retrograde wire escalation (RWE), antegrade dissection and reentry (ADR) and retrograde dissection and reentry (RDR), and further between specific subintimal crossing and reentry techniques. Results 193 patients were treated with AWE (N=90), RWE (N=24), ADR (N=35) and RDR (N=44). Significant improvements (all p<0.01) in hyperemic MBF (1.19±0.77, 0.94±0.65, 1.09±0.63, and 1.02±0.75 mL min–1 g–1, respectively), CFR (1.34±1.08, 1.14±1.09, 1.31±0.96, and 1.24±0.99, respectively), and perfusion defect size (3.17±2.13, 3.00±2.21, 2.74±2.09, and 2.93±1.92 segments, respectively) were comparable between the four approaches (p=0.40, p=0.84, and p=0.77, respectively). Recovery of hyperemic MBF was less pronounced after subintimal crossing with a knuckle-wire-technique compared to the use of CrossBoss in controlled ADR and RDR (p=0.02), and less after reentry with subintimal tracking and reentry (STAR) in ADR compared with controlled ADR (Stingray) or limited antegrade subintimal tracking (LAST) (p=0.02 and p<0.01). Conclusions Recovery of hyperemic MBF, CFR, and perfusion defect size was significant after CTO PCI and comparable between different crossing techniques. Improvement of hyperemic MBF was inferior after using the knuckle-wire subintimal crossing technique and STAR compared to other subintimal crossing and reentry techniques. Acknowledgement/Funding None

The drivers behind nature conservation cost

In order to estimate the financial resources needed to adequately fund measures to protect nature both worldwide and country by country, a number of models have been proposed that attempt to predict the variation in management costs of protected areas (PAs). Other than the size of a PA, there is no consensus among the studies of what other variables impact budget decision making. In this study, the budgets for the four districts of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), the main government agency responsible for nature conservation in Israel, were split into 37 ranger areas. The ranger areas were compared according to geophysical and ecological attributes to determine whether size or any other variable could be linked to budget size. This study’s aim is to propose a conservation cost function that will enable us to objectively predict conservation costs based on PA attributes. Predicted costs can then be compared to actual budgets to determine whether there is a gap in funding. This method can be adapted to other regions based on incorporating the characteristics specific to that region. Using linear regression, a model that included the total size of reserves (PA) in a ranger area, the number of reserves in a ranger area, and tourism’s impact was the best fit (r2 = 0.74). Surprisingly, as opposed to other studies on conservation costs, PA size had a negative impact, meaning conservation costs rose the smaller the reserve size within a ranger area. On the other hand, the number of reserves in a PA and the level of tourism both had positive impacts on budget size. This indicates the higher costs of managing multiple small reserves and protecting nature while accommodating the public. Other biological indicators appeared to have no impact on budgets, which in itself may indicate budget considerations beyond conservation objectives. This study’s uniqueness lies in the use of a wide range of variables to try to determine which are predictors of conservation costs.

Brangus cows have ovarian reserve parameters more like Brahman than Angus cows

Bos indicus females have more surface antral follicles than Bos taurus females; however, histological studies demonstrated no difference in total number of primordial follicles between these two biological types of cattle. Primordial follicle density in the ovary was less in Nelore ovaries compared to Angus ovaries, but no studies have examined the primordial follicle density in Bos indicus cross-bred females. It, therefore, was hypothesized that primordial follicle density in the ovary would decrease as percentage Bos indicus increased. Ovaries were collected from cross-bred Angus (n = 32, no Bos indicus influence), Brangus (n = 15), or Brahman (n = 9) cows and prepared for histological evaluation. There was no difference in total number of primordial follicles per ovary between breeds (P > 0.10). When numbers of primordial follicles were expressed on a per gram of ovarian tissue basis, there were fewer primordial follicles per gram of ovarian tissue in Brangus and Brahman cows than in Angus cows (P < 0.05). Brangus cows did not differ from Brahman cows in primordial follicle density (P > 0.10). Differences in primordial follicle density could indicate differences in capacity of ovarian stroma to produce factors necessary for oogonial proliferation and primordial follicle formation among breeds. Identifying these factors could improve the aprroach for culturing pre-antral follicles of cattle. Furthermore, these results explain why ultrasonographic antral follicle counts may need to be adjusted to a greater threshold to predict size of the ovarian reserve and determine ovarian reserve related reproductive traits in Bos indicus females.

Disentangling the response of fishes to recreational fishing over 30 years within a fringing coral reef reserve network

Few studies assess the effects of recreational fishing in isolation from commercial fishing. We used meta-analysis to synthesise 4444 samples from 30 years (1987–2017) of fish surveys inside and outside a large network of highly protected reserves in the Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia, where the major fishing activity is recreational. Data were collected by different agencies, using varied survey designs and sampling methods. We contrasted the relative abundance and biomass of target and non-target fish groups between fished and reserve locations. We considered the influence of, and possible interactions between, seven additional variables: age and size of reserve, one of two reserve network configurations, reef habitat type, recreational fishing activity, shore-based fishing regulations and survey method. Taxa responded differently: the abundance and biomass inside reserves relative to outside was higher for targeted lethrinids, while other targeted (and non-targeted) fish groups were indistinguishable. Reef habitat was important for explaining lethrinid response to protection, and this factor interacted with reserve size, such that larger reserves were demonstrably more effective in the back reef and lagoon habitats. There was little evidence of changes in relative abundance and biomass of fishes with reserve age, or after rezoning and expansion of the reserve network. Our study demonstrates the complexities in quantifying fishing effects, highlighting some of the key factors and interactions that likely underlie the varied results in reserve assessments that should be considered in future reserve design and assessment.

Reserve size and anthropogenic disturbance affect the density of an African leopard (Panthera pardus) meta-population

Determining correlates of density for large carnivores is important to understand their ecological requirements and develop conservation strategies. Of several earlier density studies conducted globally, relatively few addressed a scale (usually >1000 km2) that allows inference on correlates of density over heterogeneous landscapes. We deployed 164 camera trap stations covering ~2500 km2 across five areas characterized by broadly different vegetation cover in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, to investigate correlates of density for a widespread and adaptable carnivore, the leopard (Panthera pardus). We modelled data in a spatially explicit capture-recapture framework, with both biotic and abiotic covariates hypothesised to influence density. We found that leopard density increased with distance to protected area boundary (mean±SE estimated effect = 0.44±0.20), a proxy for both protected area extent and distance from surrounding human settlements. We estimated mean density at 4.22 leopards/100 km2 (85% CI = 3.33‒5.35/100 km2), with no variation across habitat types. Results indicate that protected area extent and anthropogenic disturbance limit leopard populations whereas no support was found for prey availability and trap array as drivers of leopard density. Such vulnerability is relevant to the conservation of the leopard, which is generally considered more resilient to human disturbance than other large cats. Our findings support the notion that protected areas are important to preserve viable population of leopards, increasingly so in times of unprecedented habitat fragmentation. Protection of buffer zones smoothing the abrupt impact of human activities at reserve edges also appears of critical conservation relevance.

Data-Driven Dynamic Probabilistic Reserve Sizing Based on Dynamic Bayesian Belief Networks

Due to the variability and partial unpredictability of renewable energy sources (RES), generation reserve sizing is key for managing operational risks and enhancing grid reliability. Most existing approaches for reserve sizing estimate the forecasting error for RES using either simple point forecasts, or probabilistic forecasts that assume a predefined parametric model of the underlying distribution, such as a Gaussian distribution. However, these approaches are unable to accurately model the probability of critical events that occur in the tails of the distributions, which is vital for operational risk management. Further, they do not account for multiple dynamic factors that may impact operational risk. In this paper, we introduce a data-driven dynamic probabilistic reserve sizing method based on the artificial intelligence technique of dynamic Bayesian belief networks. The method considers the actual underlying distribution of forecasting errors from the availability of conventional generators (forecasting errors of their available generation capacity), demand, RES, and prevailing conditions such as weather and market prices. In addition, we introduce a new dynamic metric for calculating the reliability level of the power grid in order to provide a real-time stochastic decision support tool for power system operators. The proposed method is demonstrated using seven years of real historical data with a granularity of 30 min from the power system in Australia, and has been implemented and is currently used by the Australian system operator.

Management of material supply of military units of the National Guard of Ukraine

The article analyzes the main functions of the management of material support of the military units of the National Guard of Ukraine, which makes it possible to outline the key aspects of the command measures to maintaining the proper level of material stocks. The scheme of organization of the material resources supply in the military units of the National Guard of Ukraine, which regulates the organization of the material stocks supply, is explored. The indicators of level of current and insurance reserves of military units are offered, allowing to determine the optimum size of material reserves of military units of the National Guard of Ukraine

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Central Bank of Iraq in Managing Foreign Reserves (2005-2017)

The management of foreign reserves is an important issue because achieving an appropriate and secure level of these reserves contributes to maintaining internal and external stability by ensuring stability in the general level of prices and maintaining the value of the local currency to prevent the flight of capital abroad. In addition to its role in the face of shocks and external crises. That is, the size of the safe reserves is considered the safety valve for the economy towards the internal and external crises that the economy can face.&#x0D; The research proved the effectiveness of the Central Bank of Iraq in the management of foreign reserves for the period (2005-2017) by achieving two objectives at the same time, which is to maintain adequate and appropriate size of these reserves in accordance with international standards and indicators adopted on the one hand, in addition to maintaining the stability of the general level of prices and reducing inflation rates , Through the stability of the local currency exchange rate, which is one of the indicators of economic stability, on the other.

Assessing the Effectiveness of the Central Bank of Iraq in Managing Foreign Reserves (2005-2017)

The management of foreign reserves is an important issue because achieving an appropriate and secure level of these reserves contributes to maintaining internal and external stability by ensuring stability in the general level of prices and maintaining the value of the local currency to prevent the flight of capital abroad. In addition to its role in the face of shocks and external crises. That is, the size of the safe reserves is considered the safety valve for the economy towards the internal and external crises that the economy can face.&#x0D; The research proved the effectiveness of the Central Bank of Iraq in the management of foreign reserves for the period (2005-2017) by achieving two objectives at the same time, which is to maintain adequate and appropriate size of these reserves in accordance with international standards and indicators adopted on the one hand, in addition to maintaining the stability of the general level of prices and reducing inflation rates , Through the stability of the local currency exchange rate, which is one of the indicators of economic stability, on the other.

Inferior fertility and higher concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone in dairy cows with longer anogenital distance

Anogenital distance (AGD), which is an indicator of prenatal androgen exposure, has been reported to have high variability and negative association with fertility in dairy cows. Prenatal exposure to androgens could influence the development of primordial follicles and size of ovarian reserve, which is related to reproduction. However, the relationship between AGD and size of ovarian reserve has not been studied. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the association between AGD and circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), as an indirect marker of ovarian reserve, and to evaluate serum AMH concentration and reproductive performance in dairy cows with short and long AGD. Anogenital distance was measured 28 to 32 d postpartum, and based on the median of AGD, cows were divided into 2 subsets including short (n = 43) and long (n = 43) AGD groups. Afterward, serum AMH was evaluated on the day of estrus in cows that were estrus-synchronized. Furthermore, reproductive data of dairy cows during the previous lactation period were collected from the herd database. Concentrations of serum AMH tended to be positively associated with length of AGD, and there was a tendency for higher serum AMH concentrations in the long (634.89 ± 74.52 pg/mL) than short (451.39 ± 45.92 pg/mL) AGD group (0.05 <P ≤ 0.10). There was a tendency for more days to first service, lower first service conception rate, and higher proportion of repeat breeders in long (99.95 ± 5.34 d, 30.23% and 32.56%, respectively) than short (89.07 ± 4.97 d, 48.84% and 16.28%, respectively) AGD cows (0.05 <P ≤ 0.10). Services per conception did not differ between short (2.30 ± 0.27) and long (2.93 ± 0.29) AGD cows (P > 0.05). Calving to conception interval was prolonged in long (194.30 ± 17.12 d) than short (147.14 ± 13.11 d) AGD cows (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, the present study revealed elevated serum AMH concentrations and poor reproductive performance in cows with longer AGD compared with cows with shorter AGD.

Movement behaviour of fish, harvesting-induced habitat degradation and the optimal size of marine reserves

Many models have assessed how marine reserves protect fish populations and—under certain conditions—simultaneously increase yield. Only recently have models considered the effects of fishing-induced habitat damage by assuming reduced population growth in fishing areas. Even though it is understood that fish movement patterns affect the functioning and design of marine reserves, fishing-induced changes in movement patterns, as a response to decreased habitat quality, have not been studied in this context. Our work explores how harvesting-induced movement behaviour of fish can affect optimal yield and size of a marine reserve. Our model is based on reaction-diffusion equations and recent advances in their application to strongly heterogeneous environments with sharp transitions in environmental conditions. We model movement behaviour in response to harvesting and habitat destruction via increased diffusion rates and increased preference for protected areas, and implement reduced reproduction as an effect of habitat degradation. We find an alternative mechanistic explanation for the empirical observation that high fish mobility may not decrease fish density inside a reserve. We also find that movement-behavioural responses of fish to harvesting can decrease the economic value of protected areas and increase their conservation value. For maximum sustainable yield, we find that a low harvesting rate and small protected area are optimal when fish show a strong preference for protected areas as a response to fishing efforts. On the other hand, a high harvesting rate and a large protected area are optimal if fish respond to harvesting by a strong increase in movement rates in fishing areas.

Control on the size of porphyry copper reserves in the North Balkhash–West Junggar Metallogenic Belt

The North Balkhash–West Junggar Metallogenic Belt is one of the most important areas within the Central Asian Metallogenic Domain. The belt comprises the North Balkhash and West Junggar regions, which have significantly different Cu reserves. We present mineral geochemistry, whole-rock major and trace element chemistry, zircon Hf and O isotope compositions, and zircon trace element chemistry, on the basis of which we conclude that porphyry copper deposits within the belt formed by different processes. We interpret ore-related magmas in the West Junggar region to have formed in an immature arc setting by the partial melting of lower crust (30–40 km), with some mantle input and sediments contamination. In contrast, ore-related magmas within the North Balkhash region are interpreted to have formed in a mature arc setting by the partial melting of lower crust (~40 km), with mantle input and possible upper-crustal contamination. The oxygen fugacities of ore-related intrusions within the North Balkhash region are typically higher than those within the West Junggar region. A high magmatic water content is considered to be important, but not sufficient, for the formation of large porphyry copper deposits. Thicker crust and high oxygen fugacity are the two main reasons for the higher Cu reserves in the North Balkhash region compared with the West Junggar region.

Physiology and endocrinology symposium: Anti-Müllerian hormone: a biomarker for the ovarian reserve, ovarian function, and fertility in dairy cows.

This review summarizes studies we conducted to test the hypothesis that size of the ovarian reserve (number of healthy follicles and oocytes in ovaries) positively impacts ovarian function and fertility in cattle. Key results, primarily in Bos taurus dairy cattle, show that antral follicle count (AFC) during follicular waves is highly variable between individuals, but very highly repeatable within individuals. Cycling heifers with low (≤15 follicles ≥3 mm, ~20% of a herd) vs. a high AFC (≥25, ~20% of a herd) have a smaller ovarian reserve, higher FSH but lower anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), androstenedione, estradiol, and progesterone concentrations. Moreover, cattle with low AFC have a thinner endometrium, decreased response of granulosal, thecal, or luteal cells to FSH or LH and a poorer response to superovulation compared to cattle with high AFC. Interestingly, cows with a very high AFC as heifers have reduced fertility, fewer lactations, and shorter herd longevity, whereas cows with a low vs. intermediate AFC have reduced fertility, fewer lactations, and shorter herd longevity. Anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations are static within individuals but highly positively correlated with AFC, but fertility is not correlated with circulating AMH concentration in heifers and dairy cows with low vs. a higher AMH as heifers have reduced fertility and a shorter herd longevity. Anti-Müllerian hormone concentrations in dairy heifers are a moderately heritable trait (36%), and negatively impacted by inadequate maternal nutrition during early pregnancy or high maternal somatic cell count. We conclude that genetic or environmental manipulations of AMH could enhance size of the ovarian reserve and ovarian function, thereby improving fertility, response to superovulation, and longevity in dairy cows.

Метод реальных опционов в оценке стоимости месторождений

Income approach based on the method of discounted cash flows (DCF) seems to be the main instrument to evaluate economic efficiency of investment projects when developing oil and gas fields. However, at early stages of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources, uncertainty and risks of investors are very high, which limits the use of traditional methods. It is necessary to develop valuation tools accounting high uncertainty of input data on the exploitation of oil and natural gas resources, flexibility of their development by formation of rational production strategy with volatility of the operating parameters such as the world oil prices and the size and value of oil and gas reserves. In this article presents the real options approach which accounts the potential of flexible and adaptive project management providing advantages in assessing development projects as compared to the traditional income methods. Implementation of this method is exemplified by the case of oil and gas fields in the east of the Siberian platform.

Maternal age influences the number of primordial follicles in the ovaries of yearling Angus heifers

The number of antral follicles detectable by ultrasonography in heifers is influenced by age of the dam, because daughters of primiparous cows have fewer antral follicles than daughters of mature cows. We, therefore, hypothesized that heifers with primiparous dams would have fewer primordial follicles in their ovaries than heifers born to mature (4+ y) cows. Angus heifers (n = 464) were submitted for ultrasonographic evaluation of antral follicle number at 325, 355, and 385 d of age. Ovaries were collected from a random subset of heifers (n = 79) and processed for histological evaluation to determine number of primordial follicles. A greater percentage of heifers with primiparous dams had a corpus luteum at first ultrasonographic examination; however, a greater percentage of heifers with multiparous dams had ovulated by the start of breeding (P < 0.01). Heifers with primiparous dams had fewer antral follicles detectable by ultrasonography (P < 0.01). Heifers with primparous dams had fewer surface antral follicles on their ovaries (P < 0.01), and the number of primordial follicles per histological section was less for heifers with primiparous dams (P = 0.02). These data indicate that the lesser number of antral follicles detectable by ultrasonography in heifers with primparous dams is due to less ovarian follicle reserves. Selecting replacement heifers from mature dams may result in daughters with greater fertility and reproductive longevity; however, further research is necessary to determine if interactions between size of the ovarian follicle reserve and age at puberty influence fertility and reproductive longevity in replacement heifers.

125 Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH): a biomarker for the ovarian reserve, ovarian function and fertility in dairy cows.

This presentation summarizes studies we conducted to test the hypothesis that size of the ovarian reserve (number of healthy follicles and oocytes in ovaries) positively impacts ovarian function and fertility in cattle. Key results primarily in dairy cattle show: 1) Antral follicle count (AFC) during follicular waves is highly variable between individuals but very highly repeatable within individuals. 2) Cycling heifers with low (≤ 15 follicles ≥3 mm, ~20% of a herd) vs a high (≥25 AFC, ~20% of a herd) have: i) a smaller ovarian reserve; ii) higher FSH but lower AMH, androstenedione, estradiol and progesterone concentrations and a thinner endometrium; iii) decreased response of granulosal, thecal or luteal cells to FSH or LH; and iv) a poorer response to superovulation. 3) Cows with a very high AFC as heifers have reduced fertility, fewer lactations and shorter herd longevity. 4) Cows with a low vs intermediate AFC have reduced fertility, fewer lactations and shorter herd longevity. 5) AMH concentrations are static within individuals but highly positively correlated with AFC. 6) A single AMH measurement is highly positive correlated with the average of multiple AMH measurements on different days of the cycle and AFC. 7) Fertility is not correlated with circulating AMH concentration in heifers. 8) Dairy cows with low vs a higher AMH as heifers have reduced fertility and a shorter herd longevity. 9) AMH concentrations in dairy heifers is a moderately heritable trait (36%), and negatively impacted by inadequate maternal nutrition during early pregnancy or high maternal somatic cell count. We conclude that genetic or environmental manipulations of AMH could enhance size of the ovarian reserve and ovarian function, thereby improving fertility, response to superovulation and longevity in dairy cows. Research support: NRI Grants no. 2004-35203-14781 and 2007-35203-18178; AFRI Grants 2013-67015-20962; MSU’s AgBioResearch; and Green Meadow Farms, Inc.

Reserve Design: Unintended Consequences and the Demise of Boston’s Walk Zones

We show that in the presence of admissions reserves, the effect of the precedence order (i.e., the order in which different types of seats are filled) is comparable to the effect of adjusting reserve sizes. Either lowering the precedence of reserve seats at a school or increasing the school’s reserve size weakly increases reserve-group assignment at that school. Using data from Boston Public Schools, we show that reserve and precedence adjustments have similar quantitative effects. Transparency about these issues—in particular, how precedence unintentionally undermined intended policy—led to the elimination of walk zone reserves in Boston’s public school match.