Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Stakeholders include: Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Animal Science classes and Graduate Seminar; UAF Cooperative Extension Service workshops; Alaska livestock growers and producers; Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate student training 1. Laura Starr - Current MS student 2. Jordan Richardson - Current Masters International Peace Corp Student Professional Development Attended American Society of Animals Science meeting July 2016 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presented at annual meeting of multistate regional project W2112 Improving reproductive performance of domestic ruminants Extension week each year; Fairbanks, AK Extension week each year; Delta Junction, AK Annual Artificial Insemination workshops Matanuska, AK Annual Animal Science extension workshops at Nome, Homer, Soldotna, AK What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Working under a new project - W3112
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Semen collection on reindeer bulls was accomplished using electro ejaculation. Egg yolk extender was developed following recipe according to extender used for bovine semen. Semen was evaluated, processed in straws and frozen for further anaysis and for AI at a later date.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
M.P. Shipka*, L.M. Starr, J.E. Rowell, M. Zhang, and S.S. Seefeldt, 2016. Research in agriculture with a focus on climate
change at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Circumpolar Agricultural
Conference 2016 Proceedings. Role of Agriculture in the Circumpolar Bioeconomy October 6-8, Reykjavik Iceland.
Circumpolar Agricultural Association pp 13.
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Stakeholders include: Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Animal Science classes and Graduate Seminar; UAF Cooperative Extension Service workshops; Alaska livestock growers and producers; Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate student training 1. Laura Starr - Current MS student 2. Jordan Richardson - Current Masters International Peace Corp Student Professional Development 3. Attended Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings June 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 4. Attended American Society of Animals Science meeting July 2016 5. Attended W2171Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock; January - February 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 6. Attended W3171Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock; January 2015 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Meeting: Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science Presented at annual meeting of multistate regional project W2112 Improving reproductive performance of domestic ruminants Extension week each year; Fairbanks, AK Extension week each year; Delta Junction, AK Annual Artificial Insemination workshops Matanuska, AK Annual Animal Science extension workshops at Nome, Homer, Soldotna, AK What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Working under a new project - W3112
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Estrous synchronization of reindeer is a desirable management tool that enables producers to time estrus and breeding as well as significantly reducing the period of rut among the males. Previously we have used modified cattle CIDR (CIDR-b; reducing both the wing size and the body length as per manufacturer's instructions) as a source of progesterone for application in estrous synchronization of reindeer cows. While the modified CIDR-b have successfully synchronized estrus in reindeer, delivering approximately twice normal cyclic levels of progesterone (P4) [1], they are cumbersome and time consuming to modify. Sheep CIDR (CIDR-s) have recently become commercially available in the United States. They are approximately 0.25 the size of the CIDR-b and contain 0.33 gms P4 (as opposed to bovine CIDR-s containing 1.38 gms P4). CIDR-s have been successfully used in Scandinavian reindeer and New Zealand red deer for a number of years [2-4]. However, Scandinavian reindeer are generally smaller (60-75 kg BW) [5] than North American reindeer compared to amean body weight of 117-120 kg for adult females used in this study. Preliminary data on systemic progesterone levels achieved using sheep CIDR-s in reindeer at UAF indicate circulating progesterone levels lower than normal cyclic levels (Fig. 1, unpublished information). While lower systemic progesterone levels may not interfere with estrous synchronization at the onset of the breeding season, low progesterone levels during estrous synchronization have been associated with persistent follicle development and suboptimal fertility in other domestic species [6, 7]. In the current study, the criteria for CIDR efficacy combined CIDR retention rate and pregnancy rate to the synchronized estrus. Methods: Fourteen mature female reindeer received intravaginal CIDR-s (Eazi-Breed CIDR sheep Inserts, Zoetis Animal Health) on Sept 2, 2014. CIDR-s was removed 7 d later on Sept 9, 2014. The only modification we made to these CIDR-s was to replace the plastic string with colored synthetic line. This was done to lengthen the string so it extended outside the vulva and to make the string readily visible from a distance for ease of observation. Daily visualization of the strings ensured the CIDR-s were still in place. Jugular blood samples were collected three times during the CIDR treatment period (at CIDR insertion - d1, on d4, and at CIDR removal - d 7) to evaluate systemic progesterone levels achieved during the CIDR treatment period. At CIDR removal females received 15 mg PGF2α i.m. The following day they were divided into two groups balanced for age and weight and placed in harem with a mature bull. The harems were broken up after 1 week and the females remained in a single group separated from males for the remainder of the year. In February, two females were culled and pregnancy status checked at that time. All other females remained in the herd and were observed for calving during late March and early April, 2015. Results and Discussion At CIDR removal, 1 of 14 females did not have a CIDR in place. Because it was reported in place the previous day, this female was treated with the others and put in harem. In a previous trial, 1 of 22 females lost a CIDR-s within the first 24 hr (unpublished data) indicating the importance of ensuring that the device is carefully seated well within the vagina. The short plastic string that comes attached to the CIDR-s is too short to remain visible in all females. It can disappear completely in the vagina making removal difficult and, in the previous trial, caused minor irritation in some animals. Overall the females exhibited far less discomfort with the CIDR-s than observed with the modified CIDR-b and there were only trace amounts of white mucoid exudate associated with the CIDR-s on removal compared to that previously observed when using the modified CIDR-b. This is most likely related to the much smaller size of the CIDR-s compared to the modified CIDR-b (Fig 2). Twelve of 14 females produced live calves and the remaining two were both pregnant when they were culled in Feb, giving a 100% pregnancy rate. There was a difference in gestation length between the two harems (P ≤ 0.001; 219.2 ± 1.7 d vs 212.7± 2.7 d, mean ± SD) although there was no difference in calf birth weight (P = 0.413; 7.12 ± 0.95 kg vs 6.71 ± 0.54 kg) or dam body weight at breeding (P = 0.714; 117.5 ± 10.4 kg vs 120.5 ± 12.3 kg). The difference in mean gestation length (5 d) is harder to explain. The fact that all 6 females in harem 2 had calved before any of the females in harem 1 suggests there may be a bull effect. Although they were all bred the same week, we have no information on when during that week ovulation and breeding occurred. In the early calving harem, calf births were spread over 6 d while in the later calving harem, births were clustered over 3 days. The CIDR-s are preferable to the modified CIDR-b for ease of use, reduced discomfort among the cows, and they were clearly effective at estrous synchronization. There is no evidence that the lower P4 concentration of the CIDR-s, observed in the earlier trial when compared to P4 concentration of the modified CIDR-b, creates a negative effect on pregnancy rate in reindeer. Impact: The use of commercial CIDR-s in reindeer reduces labor requirements associated with CIDR-b modification and simplifies estrous synchronization in the reindeer herd, making the technique practical for reindeer producers to improve reproductive efficiency, including timing of calf birth, in herds kept behind fence.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
M.P. Shipka*, L.M. Starr, J.E. Rowell, M. Zhang, and S.S. Seefeldt, 2016. Research in agriculture with a focus on climate change at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Circumpolar Agricultural
Conference 2016 Proceedings. Role of Agriculture in the Circumpolar Bioeconomy October 6-8, Reykjavik Iceland. Circumpolar Agricultural Association pp 13.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Shipka, MP, JE Rowell, SC Gerlach, J Greenberg, and T Paragi. (2014) Sustainable Livestock Systems for Alaska: Production, Processing, and Marketing. In: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the Circumpolar North. MP 2014-16. Seefeldt, S. and Helfferich, D. eds. Proceedings of the 8th Circumpolar Agricultural Conference & Inaugural University of the Arctic Food Summit, held 29 Sept. 3 Oct. 2013 in Girdwood, Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska: Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station. Pp 32-37.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Shipka, MP and JE Rowell. (2013). Physiological mechanisms during variable gestation length in reindeer. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 64:372-375.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Rowell, JE, MP Shipka and DH Keisler. 2013. Physiological mechanisms during variable gestation length in reindeer. J. Anim. Sci. 64:37.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Shipka, MP and JE Rowell. (2011). Comparison between modified bovine CIDR and sheep CIDR for estrus synchronization in reindeer. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 62:
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Tanino, K., Shipka, MP., Lewis, C., Sparrow, S., Stewart, J., Natcher, D., Achtymichuk, C., Furi, M., Kosteroski, B. Nair, MPM., Engler-Stringer, R. 2014. Advancing food security and sustainable agriculture in the circumpolar north. Arctic Change 2014, Ottowa, CA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Shipka, MP and JE Rowell. 2013. Review of reproductive biology and associated behavior in farmed muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). IVJornadas Uraguayas de Comportamiento Animal Libro de Resumenes (Proceedings of the 4th Uruguayan Congress on Animal Behavior) 4:19.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
JE Rowell, MP Shipka, SC Gerlach, J Greenberg, T Paragi. 2013. Sustainable Livestock Production in Alaska; Workshop Report. Published by the UAF Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. USDA Award # 2011-68004-20091. Technical Report Misc. 13-04.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2011
Citation:
Shipka, MP. 2011. Dairy goat records. LPM-00049. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
|
Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Stakeholders include: Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Animal Science classes and Graduate Seminar; UAF Cooperative Extension Service workshops; Alaska livestock growers and producers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Graduate student training 1. Laura Starr - Current MS student 2. Jordan Richardson - Current Masters International Peace Corp Student Professional Development 3. Attended Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings June 2014 4. Attended W3171Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock; January 2015 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Meeting: Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science Presented at annual meeting of multistate regional project W2112 Improving reproductive performance of domestic ruminants Extension week; Fairbanks, AK Extension week; Delta Junction, AK Artificial Insemination workshops (2) Matanuska, AK What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Reindeer Bull Management: The Effects of Depo-Provera on Aggressive Behavior, Antler Cycle, and Fertility in Farmed Reindeer Bulls The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Depo-Provera as a tool for reproductive management of farmed reindeer bulls. As part of the Management of Diversified Livestock and Reproductive Biology program within the School of Natural Resources and Extension (SNRE) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), this project specifically addresses management of reindeer bulls during the reindeer breeding season. The project will investigate the efficacy of Depo-Provera, a synthetic progestin, on male reindeer antler cycle, rut associated behaviors, feed intake and feeding behavior, and semen quality. Specifically, this project will use administration of Depo-Provera as the experimental treatment in a 2 year switchback design and will: • Compare the timing of antler cycle events (cleaning, casting and antler density) between treatment and control bulls, • Evaluate the aggressive and/or courtship behavior between treatment and control bulls, • Compare changes in daily feed intake, feeding behavior through the rut period, and weight change during rut between treatment and control bulls, and • Compare indirect measures of fertility (scrotal circumference; semen quality following electroejaculation) between treatment and control bulls. Reindeer bulls (n=10) of mixed age, located at the RGW Large Animal Research Station will be divided into 2 groups (n=5/group) balanced for age and weight and maintained in separate pens. In July when the males are still in velvet antler, the treatment group will receive an intramuscular (i.m.) injection of Depo-Provera (300 mg), with the treatment repeated in late September. Timing of antler velvet shedding and antler casting will be recorded for all males. All cast antlers will be collected and analyzed for bone density. Bi-weekly body weights will be collected and group feed intake monitored daily. At the time of feed presentation, all bulls will be observed for time until feeding begins. Courtship and aggressive behavior will be evaluated every two weeks and ranked on a scale of 1-5. A breeding age bull from each group will be placed with separate harems of estrous synchronized cows for 1 wk. After breeding has concluded and harems are dispersed, all females will be under normal herd management. Semen will be collected from bulls under anesthesia via electroejaculation in early October. Sperm count and motility will be evaluated and compared between the treated and control animals. The following year the treatment will be switched: The Depo-Provera treated group during yr 1 will be the untreated control in yr 2 and the untreated control group during yr 1 will receive treatments of Depo-Provera during yr 2 as described above. This will enable us to evaluate breeding behavior and capacity following Depo-Provera treatment with yearly controls and with each animal serving as its own control.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Estrous synchronization of reindeer is a desirable management tool that enables producers to time estrus and breeding as well as significantly reducing the period of rut among the males. Previously we have used modified cattle CIDR (CIDR-b; reducing both the wing size and the body length as per manufacturer's instructions) as a source of progesterone for application in estrous synchronization of reindeer cows. While the modified CIDR-b have successfully synchronized estrus in reindeer, delivering approximately twice normal cyclic levels of progesterone (P4) [1], they are cumbersome and time consuming to modify. Sheep CIDR (CIDR-s) have recently become commercially available in the United States. They are approximately 0.25 the size of the CIDR-b and contain 0.33 gms P4 (as opposed to bovine CIDR-s containing 1.38 gms P4). CIDR-s have been successfully used in Scandinavian reindeer and New Zealand red deer for a number of years [2-4]. However, Scandinavian reindeer are generally smaller (60-75 kg BW) [5] than North American reindeer compared to a mean body weight of 117-120 kg for adult females used in this study. Preliminary data on systemic progesterone levels achieved using sheep CIDR-s in reindeer at UAF indicate circulating progesterone levels lower than normal cyclic levels (Fig. 1, unpublished information). While lower systemic progesterone levels may not interfere with estrous synchronization at the onset of the breeding season, low progesterone levels during estrous synchronization have been associated with persistent follicle development and suboptimal fertility in other domestic species [6, 7]. In the current study, the criteria for CIDR efficacy combined CIDR retention rate and pregnancy rate to the synchronized estrus. Methods: Fourteen mature female reindeer received intravaginal CIDR-s (Eazi-Breed CIDR sheep Inserts, Zoetis Animal Health) on Sept 2, 2014. CIDR-s was removed 7 d later on Sept 9, 2014. The only modification we made to these CIDR-s was to replace the plastic string with colored synthetic line. This was done to lengthen the string so it extended outside the vulva and to make the string readily visible from a distance for ease of observation. Daily visualization of the strings ensured the CIDR-s were still in place. Jugular blood samples were collected three times during the CIDR treatment period (at CIDR insertion - d1, on d4, and at CIDR removal - d 7) to evaluate systemic progesterone levels achieved during the CIDR treatment period. At CIDR removal females received 15 mg PGF2α i.m. The following day they were divided into two groups balanced for age and weight and placed in harem with a mature bull. The harems were broken up after 1 week and the females remained in a single group separated from males for the remainder of the year. In February, two females were culled and pregnancy status checked at that time. All other females remained in the herd and were observed for calving during late March and early April, 2015. Results and Discussion At CIDR removal, 1 of 14 females did not have a CIDR in place. Because it was reported in place the previous day, this female was treated with the others and put in harem. In a previous trial, 1 of 22 females lost a CIDR-s within the first 24 hr (unpublished data) indicating the importance of ensuring that the device is carefully seated well within the vagina. The short plastic string that comes attached to the CIDR-s is too short to remain visible in all females. It can disappear completely in the vagina making removal difficult and, in the previous trial, caused minor irritation in some animals. Overall the females exhibited far less discomfort with the CIDR-s than observed with the modified CIDR-b and there were only trace amounts of white mucoid exudate associated with the CIDR-s on removal compared to that previously observed when using the modified CIDR-b. This is most likely related to the much smaller size of the CIDR-s compared to the modified CIDR-b (Fig 2). Twelve of 14 females produced live calves and the remaining two were both pregnant when they were culled in Feb, giving a 100% pregnancy rate. There was a difference in gestation length between the two harems (P ≤ 0.001; 219.2 ± 1.7 d vs 212.7± 2.7 d, mean ± SD) although there was no difference in calf birth weight (P = 0.413; 7.12 ± 0.95 kg vs 6.71 ± 0.54 kg) or dam body weight at breeding (P = 0.714; 117.5 ± 10.4 kg vs 120.5 ± 12.3 kg). The difference in mean gestation length (5 d) is harder to explain. The fact that all 6 females in harem 2 had calved before any of the females in harem 1 suggests there may be a bull effect. Although they were all bred the same week, we have no information on when during that week ovulation and breeding occurred. In the early calving harem, calf births were spread over 6 d while in the later calving harem, births were clustered over 3 days. The CIDR-s are preferable to the modified CIDR-b for ease of use, reduced discomfort among the cows, and they were clearly effective at estrous synchronization. There is no evidence that the lower P4 concentration of the CIDR-s, observed in the earlier trial when compared to P4 concentration of the modified CIDR-b, creates a negative effect on pregnancy rate in reindeer. References 1. Rowell, J.E., M.C. Sousa, A.M. Hirth, and M.P. Shipka. 2004. Reproductive management of reindeer in Alaska. in Proceeding of the First World Deer Veterinary Congress. 2004. Deer Branch NZVA. 2. Lindeberg, H., J. Aalto, M. Oksman, M. Nieminen, and M. Valtonen. 2003. Embryo transfer in the semi-domesticated reindeer. Theriogenology, 59:368. 3. Morrow, C.J., G.W. Asher, D.K. Berg, H.R. Tervit, P.A. Pugh, W.H. McMillan, S. Beaumont, D.R.H. Hall, and A.C.S. Bell. 1994. Embryo transfer in fallow deer (Dama dama): Superovulation, embryo recovery and laparoscopic transfer of fresh and cryopreserved embryos. Theriogenology, 42:579-590. 4. Morrow, C.J., L.M. Penfold, and B.A. Wolfe. 2009. Artificial insemination in deer and non-domestic bovids. Theriogenology, 71:149-165. 5. Kojola, I. and E. Eloranta. 1989. Influences of maternal body weight, age, and parity on sex ratio in semidoemsticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Evolution, 43:1331-1336. 6. Savio, J.D., W.W. Thatcher, G.R. Morris, K.W. Entwistle, M. Drost, and M.R. Mattiacci. 1993. Effects of induction of low plasma progesterone concentrations with a progesterone-releasing intravaginal device on follicular turnover and fertility in cattle. J.Reprod.Fertil., 98:77-84. 7. Vilariño, M., E. Rubianes, E. van Lier, and A. Menchaca. 2010. Serum progesterone concentrations, follicular development and time of ovulation using a new progesterone releasing device (DICO®) in sheep. Small Ruminant Research, 91:219-224. Impact: The use of commercial CIDR-s in reindeer reduces labor requirements associated with CIDR-b modification and simplifies estrous synchronization in the reindeer herd, making the technique practical for reindeer producers to improve reproductive efficiency, including timing of calf birth, in herds kept behind fence.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Karen Tanino, Milan Shipka, Carol Lewis, Stephen Sparrow, Terri Lynn Paulson, John Stewart, David Natcher, Connie Achtymichuk, Mike Furi, Bryan Kosteroski, M.P.M. Nair, Rachel Engler-Stringer. (2014) Advancing Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in the Circumpolar North. Arctic Change 2014, Ottawa, Canada
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Stakeholders include: Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Animal Science classes and Graduate Seminar; UAF Cooperative Extension Service workshops; Alaska livestock growers and producers Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Laura Starr - Current MS student Jordan Richardson - Current Masters International Peace Corp Student Cole Bures - Senior Thesis research student - Graduated Spring 2014 Attended Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings June 2014 Hosted and presented at W2112 Improving Reproductive Performance of Domestic Ruminants regional research project annual meeting; June 2014 Attended W3171Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock; January 2014 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The following professionally produced videos are available on-line: Body Condition Scoring: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B73WXGXyADbkQmxjUmtlZlFvbGM/view?usp=sharing Identifying Sick Livestock:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B73WXGXyADbkd1ByNzhCdDNOcEU/view?usp=sharing Medicating Livestock:https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B73WXGXyADbkTm5KZVluUkFWZDA/view?usp=sharing What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Complete sample analysis, data analysis and write up of data collected during this reporting period on estrous synchronization in reindeer Present at W2112 Improving Reproductive Performance of Domestic Ruminants regional research project annual meeting; June 2015 Attend Western Section American Society of Animal Science meetings June 2015 Assist in arranging Beef Reproduction symposium co-sponsored by W2112; June 2015 Attend W3171Germ Cell and Embryo Development and Manipulation for the Improvement of Livestock; February 2015 Initiate studies in behavioral management of reindeer bulls during breeding season
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Improving reproductive management in muskoxen: Historical records have been assessed for determination of individual coefficient of inbreeding and hair samples have been collected and sent to the genetic service laboratory at University of California Davis to assess capability of determination of relatedness of individual animals. Significantly (p<0.05) more males than females were born over the 27 years at the Large Animal Research Station (LARS). The survival rates between males and females for the sample population did not differ (P>0.05) . Sex ratio of these calves surviving to 2 years old are almost equal (64% males and 68% females). From a total of 204 live births, 170 had a COI above 0. Calf survival was not related to COI (P>0.05). Sex of the calf did not differ with COI (P>0.05). Microsatellite analysis indicated a high degree of homozygosity among the alleles examined. UC Davis analysis looked at 52 microsatellite markers, 16 of the 52 had no correlation with the muskox. In 23 markers only 2 of the 5 samples tested exhibited heterozygosity. A recent male acquisition had 42% heterozygosity, a LARS female had .03% heterozyosity while the remaining 3 (1 female and 2 calves) had 0% heterozygosity. Estrous synchronization techniques for reindeer farming: CIDR retention was confirmed at each handling. Retention rates were 100% for the CIDR-g. Plasma progesterone will be analyzed later this year and following spring calving, genetic testing to confirm sires will be used to evaluate the post-synchronization conception rate. Production of producer oriented animal health videos: Scripts were developed cooperatively by Dr Lisa Lunn, Extension Veterinarian and Dr Milan Shipka Extension Livestock Specialist at UAF. Animals located at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm, a part of the Alaska Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, were used to film Dr Lunn as she read the scripts. The You tube video shoots were directed by Dr Shipka and shot using professional videographic services. Three final videos were professionally produced.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Lunn, L and MP Shipka. 2015. Livestock body condition scoring with Dr. Lisa Lunn. Jeff Fay videographer/editor. UAF Cooperative Extension Service and USDA WSARE. Available online at http://youtu.be/cah4w9g5ptE
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Shipka, MP, JE Rowell, SC Gerlach, J Greenberg, and T Paragi. (2014) Sustainable Livestock Systems for Alaska: Production, Processing, and Marketing. In: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the Circumpolar North. MP 2014-16. Seefeldt, S. and Helfferich, D. eds. Proceedings of the 8th Circumpolar Agricultural Conference & Inaugural University of the Arctic Food Summit, held 29 Sept. 3 Oct. 2013 in Girdwood, Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska: Agricultural & Forestry Experiment Station. Pp 32-37.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Shipka, MP and JE Rowell. 2013. Holistic range management and low stress animal handling with Dr. Ben Bartlett. Jeff Fay videographer/editor. UAF Cooperative Extension Service and USDA WSARE. Available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0lKGfrRe7I
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Seefeldt, SS and MP Shipka. 2014. Plant breeding for Alaska with Jim Myers. Jeff Fay videographer/editor. UAF Cooperative Extension Service and USDA WSARE. Available online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvKXfVHyW_o
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Lunn, L and MP Shipka. 2015. Identifying sick livestock with Dr. Lisa Lunn. Jeff Fay videographer/editor. UAF Cooperative Extension Service and USDA WSARE. Available online at http://youtu.be/hfE78N_xFBg
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Lunn, L and MP Shipka. 2015. Medicating livestock with Dr. Lisa Lunn. Jeff Fay videographer/editor. UAF Cooperative Extension Service and USDA WSARE. Available online at http://youtu.be/6tOQe1x6CWk
|
Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Animal Science classes and Graduate Seminar; UAF Cooperative Extension Service workshops on animal reproduction held in Homer, Fairbanks, and Delta Junction, Alaska Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? One senior thesis student research project How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Meetings of the Alaska Diversified Livestock Association, Extension classes in Fairbanks, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Kenai/Soldotna, and Homer What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Complete regression analysis of data collected to date.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Purpose: To improve reproductive management in muskoxen with particular reference to calf survival and growth. The annual breeding activity of muskoxen from several decades identified widespread reproductive failure that could be related reproductive management issues, especially herd inbreeding. In muskoxen, reproductive failure and the increasing incidence of stillbirths, abortions, and neonatal deaths holds potential to be associated with inbreeding coefficient of the offspring. Approach: Using historic and current herd records, the coefficients of inbreeding of individuals in or formerly a part of a muskox herd are being analyzed in order to determine any association with reproduction success, calf survival and calf growth rate. The inbreeding coefficient of individual animals from records of the UAF RG White Large Animal Research Station (LARS) will be compared between pregnancies resulting in normal calf births and pregnancies resulting in abortions, stillbirths, early neonatal death within 24 hours after birth. In addition, the Coefficients of inbreeding of surviving individuals will be examined by regression analysis where growth rate during the first 150 days of life is the dependent variable and the animals own coefficient of inbreeding is the independent variable. Progress: Historical record are being assessed for determination of individual coefficient of inbreeding and hair samples have been collected and sent the genetic service laboratory at University of California Davis to assess capability of determination of relatedness of individual animals. Results: Data analysis in process.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
JE Rowell, MP Shipka, SC Gerlach, J Greenberg, T Paragi. 2013. Sustainable Livestock Production in Alaska; Workshop Report. Published by the UAF Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. USDA Award # 2011-68004-20091. Technical Report Misc. 13-04.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Shipka, MP and JE Rowell. 2013. Physiological mechanisms during variable gestation length in reindeer. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 64:372-375
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0lKGfrRe7I
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Shipka, MP, JE Rowell, SC Gerlach, J Greenberg, and T Paragi. (in press) Sustainable Livestock Systems for Alaska: Production, Processing, and Marketing. Proceedings of the 8th Circumpolar Agriculture Conference and the Inaugural Northern Food Summit.
|
Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research objectives are to increase understanding of the reproductive biology of high latitude ruminant species and to improve reproductive management of domestic ruminants on Alaska farms. Projects accomplished 2006-2012 have focused on simplifying breeding management, validating the use of commercially available products (Cystorelin, a GNRH analogue, controlled internal drug release [CIDRg, and modified CIDRb] device) in reindeer and musk oxen, and understanding the reproductive biology of reindeer and musk oxen. Major project results have included identification and verification of variable gestation length in reindeer and successful application of artificial insemination (AI) using frozen thawed semen in farmed Alaska reindeer, resulting in the birth of the first verifiable report of a reindeer calf sired by AI (using frozen-thawed semen) anywhere in the world. Our early work concerning variation in gestation length in reindeer indicated that early bred animals had a significantly longer gestation compared to later bred herdmates. Our work has also demonstrated that systemic progesterone concentrations are significantly higher during the first 6 wk post conception in late bred reindeer compared to early bred herdmates. We hypothesized that seasonal influences could be stimulating higher systemic progesterone production which, in turn, could affect the rate of early blastocyst/embryo development. Ten female reindeer slated for culling provided an opportunity to collect reindeer embryos at 6 wk post-conception from reindeer bred early (late Aug) and late (early Sept). At the time of collection, fundamental developmental criteria were measured (crown-rump length, trunk diameter, weight, and morphological indices described for domestic species). Whole specimen differential staining was conducted to visualize and compare the extent of cartilage and bone development. Using the above criteria we did not detect any evidence of differential growth at this early stage of development that could be related to the difference in breeding date. Although the sample size was small, the results do suggest that variability in gestation length most likely occurs at a later stage of pregnancy. Results from research work on variable gestation length in reindeer and initial AI protocols for frozen-thawed semen were reported at the American Society of Animal Science, Western Section American Society of Animal Science, Canadian Society of Animal Science Association. Publication of research results has resulted in two book chapters, four scientific journal articles, two scientific abstracts, and one Experiment Station circular. Results were also presented as an invited talk at the 8th International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium during Sept 2010. Results were incorporated into annual producer association meetings (Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association), numerous workshop presentations, individual farm consultations sessions and incorporated into animal science classes (NRM 320 Animal Science) and were presented in Graduate Seminar (NRM 692). PARTICIPANTS: MP Shipka; JE Rowell; University of Alaska Fairbanks Veterinary Services TARGET AUDIENCES: Alaska Diversified Livestock Association; Kawerak Reindeer Herders Association; School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences Animal Science classes and Graduate Seminar; UAF Cooperative Extension Service workshops on animal reproduction held in Homer, Fairbanks, and Delta Junction, Alaska PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Demonstration of new reproductive management techniques in reindeer and musk oxen has improved bull and cow management during the fall breeding season allowing enhanced safety to animals and humans responsible for animal care and well being. Demonstration of a seasonal effect on gestation length in reindeer directly impacts reproductive management of captive reindeer in terms of timing breeding programs and concentrating effort at calving. Understanding the underlying hormonal mechanisms is the first step in evaluating physiological consequences or advantages of breeding early or late in the season. The predictable nature of seasonal gestation plasticity allows accurate prediction of calving times and thus enables concentration of manpower during the vulnerable calving period. This may improve calf survival and subsequent herd productivity. This change in knowledge is information that can be used immediately by reindeer farmers, even if they only know the approximate time of breeding. Artificial insemination technology has the potential to overcome logistic barriers to expanding the reindeer industry in Alaska. Many unique aspects of this industry must be considered in customizing AI technology before it can be implemented. The use of frozen-thawed semen is a necessary prerequisite before commercial application can be considered. Free ranging reindeer cannot be easily handled multiple times at predictable intervals without incurring a great deal of stress to the animals and cost to the producer. It is therefore imperative to streamline the synchronization and breeding protocol without reducing productivity below acceptable levels. Knowledge extension and outreach via animal science classes and workshop presentations to producer groups has familiarized Alaskans with reindeer and musk oxen reproductive management in general and AI technology specifically. It has generated a growing interest in reproductive management techniques as evidenced through stakeholder feedback.
Publications
- Shipka, M.P, and Rowell J.E. 2010. Gestation length in farmed Reindeer. In Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants VII. Ed M.C. Lucy, J.L. Pate, M.F. Smith and T.E. Spencer. Society of Reproduction and Fertility Volume 67. Proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Reproduction in Domestic Ruminants. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, UK.
- Blake, J.E., Rowell, J.E. and Shipka, M.P. 2007. Chapter 131; Reindeer Reproductive Management. pp 970- 974 In: Current Therapy In Theriogenology. 2nd Edition. (Eds) R.S. Youngquist. W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA
- Rowell, J.E. and M.P. Shipka. (2009). Variation in gestation length among captive reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Therio 72:190-197
- Rowell, J.E., M.C. Sousa, and M.P. Shipka. (2007). Estrous synchronization in captive muskoxen. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 87:535-538.
- Shipka, M.P.. J.E. Rowell, and A.E. Young. 2007. Relationship of dam's body weight, milk components, and milk energy density to reindeer calf growth rate. Proceedings of the Western Section of the American Society of Animal Science 58:126-130.
- Shipka, M.P., J.E. Rowell, and M.C. Sousa. 2007. Steroid hormone secretion during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in farmed Alaskan reindeer. J. Anim. Sci. 85:944-951.
- Shipka, MP, J.E. Rowell and S. Bychawski. 2010. Artificial Insemination in Reindeer Using Frozen-Thawed Semen. J. Anim. Sci. suppl. 1 88:124
- Shipka, M.P. and J.E. Rowell. (2006) Gestation length in Alaskan reindeer. J. Anim. Sci. suppl. 1 84:58
- Shipka, M.P. and J.E. Rowell. 2007. Reproductive management of Alaskan livestock. Circular # 134. Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
|
|