Source: KANSAS STATE UNIV submitted to NRP
METHODS TO INCREASE REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN CATTLE
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1014097
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
NC-_old1201
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2017
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2022
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
KANSAS STATE UNIV
(N/A)
MANHATTAN,KS 66506
Performing Department
Animal Science & Industry
Non Technical Summary
Progesterone is essential for maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cows as well as inhibiting estrus expression. Peripheral concentrations of progesterone are affected by both level of milk yield and the rate of metabolism in the liver.Selection for increased milk yield during several decades has resulted in greater milk yield and the necessity to feed cows less roughage and more high energy diets to support milk secretion. High energy diets chronically increase hepatic blood flow resulting in increased clearance of progesterone, and thus, reduce concentrations of progesterone. Reduced progesterone may result in early embryonic losses, thus preventing sustainability of cows in the dairy herd and reduced revenues for the dairy producer. Our overall goal is to improved fertility in lactating dairy cows and to increase longevity of dairy cows. Sustainability of dairy operations is essential for providing dairy products rich in protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients in the human diet, particularly for normal growth of infants and children.Results of our ovulation synchronization studies are designed to increase labor efficiency of applying timed artificial inseminationprograms to dairy cows at their first insemination after calving without compromising pregnancy risk.Results of our studies will be reported in various ways. The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC; www.dcrcouncil.org) is a newly established organizationto provide leadership in terms of educating the dairy industry on critical reproductive management systems. The DCRC leadership includes myself as editor of the annual proceedings. The inaugural DCRC convention convened in Denver, CO in November 2006 with over 300 attendees present. Representatives were present from industry groups, bovine practitioners, academia, and dairy producers from across the U.S. and Canada. Data acquired by scientists in NC 1210 have and will be presented at workshops. A history of the first 10 years of the DCRC was published (Stevenson and Thatcher, 2016). Our results also are published and shared in local dairy meetings and with visitors to our KSU Dairy Teaching and Research Center.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
30134101020100%
Knowledge Area
301 - Reproductive Performance of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
Increase the efficiency and predictability of sustainable reproductive technologies and management programs for cattle. Evaluate mechanisms that regulate reproductive processes impacting production efficiency in cattle.
Project Methods
Progesterone StudiesProgesterone is essential for maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cows as well as inhibiting estrus expression. Peripheral concentrations of progesterone are affected by both level of milk yield and the rate of metabolism in the liver (Lemley and Wilson, 2010). Selection for increased milk yield during several decades has resulted in greater milk yield and the necessity to feed cows less roughage and more high energy diets to support milk secretion. Furthermore, high energy diets chronically increase hepatic blood flow resulting in increased clearance of progesterone (Sangsritavong et al., 2002). Clearance rate of progesterone is a function of hepatic blood flow and liver enzyme activity (Sangsritavong et al., 2002; Lemley and Wilson, 2010). Cytochrome P450 2C and cytochrome P450 3A are enzymes that inactivate progesterone in hepatic tissue. Therefore, decreasing liver enzymatic activity may increase peripheral concentrations of progesterone (Lemley et al., 2010).Previous research has shown that feeding a high starch diet, with glucose being a major product of starch digestion, causes an increase in insulin production resulting in decreased activity of cytochromes P450 2C and P450 3A (Lemley et al., 2010). Insulin, a metabolic mediator between nutrition and reproduction (Vieira et al., 2010), is secreted in response to increased concentrations of circulating glucose. Previous research also indicated that insulin can effectively decrease progesterone clearance in vivo (Moriel et al., 2008; Lemley et al., 2010). Glucose is a key nutrient required during lactation for milk synthesis and maintenance of other body tissues including those involved in reproduction (Bell, 1995; Lucy et al., 2013). In a ruminant, dietary glucose is rapidly converted to volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and then oxidized as an energy source in body tissues (Lucy et al., 2013). Because most glucose is converted into VFAs in the rumen, a cow must synthesize glucose de novo via gluconeogenesis in the liver (Drackley et al., 2001; Lucy et al., 2013). An early lactation cow can only achieve 85% of her glucose requirement via gluconeogenesis, which leaves her lacking approximately 500 g of glucose daily to meet demands for maintenance and milk synthesis (Drackley et al., 2001; Lucy et al., 2013). The extensive demand for glucose by the mammary gland for milk synthesis may decrease the amount of glucose readily available to other body tissues including those tissues involved in reproductive processes (Wathes et al., 2001; Green et al., 2012; Garverick et al., 2013). rumen-protected glucose should facilitate more glucose being delivered to the small intestine for absorption without relying solely on its de novo synthesis in the liver. Because circulating glucose induces secretion of insulin, the resulting increase in insulin may decrease the activity of hepatic enzymes involved in clearance of progesterone (Lemley et al., 2010), and thus, increase peripheral concentrations of progesterone. Increased concentrations of progesterone during the estrous cycle before insemination at estrus (Fonseca et al., 1983) or during the 7 to 10 days preceding a timed insemination (Stevenson, 2016) are predictive of subsequent pregnancy risk in lactating dairy cows. Therefore, research is warranted to determine if feeding rumen-protected glucose can increase peripheral concentrations of progesterone and indirectly improve pregnancy risk.We hypothesize that cows fed rumen-protected or rumen-degradable glucose precursors will have increased peripheral concentrations of insulin, glucose, and progesterone, and decreased enzymatic activity of cytochrome P450 2A and 3C. Cows will be stratified by parity and assigned randomly to four dietary supplements on day 0 (15 cows per treatment) consisting of (1) 0 kg (control); (2) 1 kg; (3) 2 kg; or (4) 4 kg of rumen-protected glucose. All cows will be provided the appropriate daily dose in 4 kg of top-dressed feed, blended in the upper 1/3 of the TMR. Daily supplement containing less than the 4-kg dose of rumen-protected glucose will be mixed into a concentrate mix of rolled corn and soybean meal formulated to make all diets (including supplements) isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. The total diet will be formulated to meet nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cows producing 45 kg per day of 3.5% fat-corrected milk (NRC, 2001).Ovulation SynchronizationStudiesLactating dairy cows (n = 400) will be assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial experiment consisting of four treatments. The main effects are duration (5 or 7 days) of synchronization program (Ovsynch; GnRH [G-1] followed in 5 or 7 days by PGF2alpha plusGnRH [G-2] at 56 h after the first or only PGF2alpha treatment followed by timed artificial insemination [TAI] in 16 h)and dose-frequency of PGF2alpha administered as two doses of 25 mg 24 h apart or one dose of 50 mg (5 or 7 days after G-1). The four treatments will be: (1) 5-day Ovsynch + 2 x 25 mg PGF2alpha; (2) 5-day Ovsynch + 1 x 50 mg PGF2alpha; (3) 7-day Ovsynch + 2 x 25 mg PGF2alpha; and (4) 7-day Ovsynch + 1 x 50 mg PGF2alpha. Blood will be collected before G-1, PGF2alpha (0 h), and at 24, 48 and 72 hto assess concentrations of progesterone and luteolysis. Ovarian structures will be measured and mapped using transrectal ultrasonography before G-1, and at 0 and 48 h. Pregnancy diagnosis will be assess at 31 and 59 d after TAI. Futher studies will follow in commercial dairy herds to assess prengnancy risk in a larger population of dairy cows.

Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20

Outputs
Target Audience:Dairy managers and producers of milk Fellow scientists Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Ten popular press articles were authored by the project director in Hoard's Dairyman to share research from this and other NIFA projects dealing with reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows.? What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Continue work on goals

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Implementeda shortened ovulation-synchronization program in cows diagnosed not pregnant can reduce inter-insemination intervalby 7 days in dairy cows having a viable corpus luteum at a not pregnant diagnosis.With accurate palpation of a viable corpus luteum in dairy cows diagnosed not pregnant, theshortened version of ovulation synchronization produces subsequent pregnancy risk after a fixed-time insemination that does not differ from pregnancy risk after a traditional Ovsynch program. Determined that the probability of healthy cows ovulating during the first month of lactation istwo-fold greater than in cows having transition disease (metritis, digestive disorders, ketosis, hypocalcemia, calving problems, mastitis, and lameness). Transition diseases negatively impact early postpartum ovulation risk and is associated with measurable and predictable changes in periparturient physical activity and postpartum metabolic profiles. Supplementation with a rumen-protected glucose product caused a linear increase in crude protein intake and milk urea nitrogenwith increasing dose of product, but did not impact concentrations of progesterone, milk yield, or dry matter intake.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 5. Atanasov*, B., N. Adamov, I. Celeska, K. Ilievska, B. Angelovski, Z. Trbogazov, F. Davkov, T. Dovenski, G. Opsomer, and J.S. Stevenson. 2020. Modification of the standard 7-day Ovsynch protocol to increase the luteolytic and synchronization risks in dairy cows. Macedonian Vet. Review 43:161-167.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 6. Stevenson, J. S.*, S. Banuelos, and L. G. D. Mendon�a. 2020. Transition dairy cow health is associated with first postpartum ovulation risk, metabolic status, milk production, rumination, and physical activity. J. Dairy Sci. 103:95739586.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: 7. Sauls-Hiesterman, J. A., S. Banuelos, B. Atanasov, B. J. Bradford, and J. S. Stevenson*. 2020. Physiologic responses to feeding rumen-protected glucose to lactating dairy cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106346. Epub 2020 Apr 4. PMID: 32414460.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2021 Citation: 2. Stevenson, J. S.* and J. A. Sauls-Hiesterman. 2021. Resynchronizing the first eligible estrus in dairy cattle after a prior insemination and fertility of the prior insemination after gonadotropin-releasing hormone and progesterone. J. Dairy Sci. In review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2021 Citation: 3. Atanasov, B., T. Dovenski, I. Celeska, and J. S. Stevenson*. 2021. Luteolysis and pregnancy per insemination after modifying the standard 7-day Ovsynch program in Holstein-Friesian and Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci. In review.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2021 Citation: 4. Sauls-Hiesterman, J. A., K. E. Olagaray, S. E. Sivinski, B. J. Bradford, and J. S. Stevenson*. 2020. Relationships of metabolites and hormones in follicular fluid and blood serum in transition dairy cows supplemented with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product. Theriogenology. In review.
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2020 Citation: Cerri, R. L. A., and J. S. Stevenson. 2020. Chapter 16. Reproductive Technologies. Pages 103-108 in Dairy Cattle Fertility, J. S. Stevenson, ed. Hoards Dairyman, Fort Atkinson, WI.


Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19

Outputs
Target Audience:Dairy managers and producers of milk Beef seedstock and cow-calf producers Fellow scientists Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Ten popular press articles were authored by the project director in Hoard's Dairyman to share research from this and other NIFA projects dealing with reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?1. Research will continue to address how to efficiently reinseminate non-pregnant dairy cows to reduce inter-insemination intervals and increase pregnancy outcomes by resynchronizing the first eligible estrus after insemination in non-pregnant cows. 2. Research addressing luteolytic success in cows submitted for first postparum AI based on differing ovulation synchronization programs of varying duration of 7 days (one or two doses of prostaglandin F2 alpha) or 8 days (only one dose) is underway here and in North Macedonia with a collaborating scientist. Ovualtion is synchronized before first postpartum insemination.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? To improve the efficicency and success of the breeding program in dairy operations utilizing artificial insemination, pregnancy outcomes must be maximized. Good health of cows is essential to establishing pregnancy in a timely fashion after calving. Studies defining factors that impact the success of the breeding program must include the overall health of dairy cows as they transition from late pregnancy before calving and during the first few weeks of lactation (i.e., transition period). The current studies provide insight to the importance and value of activity monitors that measure eating, rumination, and inactive times; all of which can serve as health alerts to management. Assessment of various metabolites highlight the impact of both clinical and subclinical disease. In spite of the impact disease, good managment prevented a significany depression in fertility at first insemination of diseased vs. healthy cows. Goal #2. Evaluate mechanisms that regulate reproductive processes impacxting production efficiency in cattle. Study 1. Fifteen transition dairy cows bearing CowSensor ear tags were monitored during 14 days before and after calving to assess temperature and behavior outcomes recorded by the sensors, in addition to actual individual dry matter and as-fed feed intake. The sensors--compared with reported visual observation studies--underestimated eating and resting times, but rumination time was estimated reasonably accurately. Expected changes in rumination (decreased acutely before calving and increased linearly to day 14) and general activity (increased acutely just before calving) were observed. More studies are warranted to determine how to use these activity monitors in detecting health disorders of cows that affect milk yield. Study 2. Health status of 160 lactating cows was monitored by assessing blood metabolites on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 after calving, in addition measures of physical activity during 20 days surrounding parturition. Cows with clinical disease (any with diagnosis of ketosis, metritis, mastitis, respiratory disease, or milk fever during the first 60 days in milk) were compared with outcomes in healthy cows. Expected differences were observed between health status groups for serum concentrations of free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, haptoglobin, and calcium, but not for plasma glucose. Daily postpartum rumination and eating times were decreased in diseased cows and they spent more time resting or being inactive. Body condition scores decreased more in diseased cows, whereas body weight and milk yield were unaffected by health status. Despite early and proportionally more ovulations during the prebreeding period in healthy cows, pregnancy rate at first service and days to conception were not affected by health status, likely because of good health care of all cows having both clinical and subclinical disease.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Scanavez, A. L. A., L. G. D. Mendonca, J. S. Stevenson, and A. G. Arruda.2019. Evaluation of seasonal patterns and herd-level traits associated with insemination risk in large dairy herds in Kansas. PLoS ONE 05/2019; 14(5):e0217080.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sauls-Hiesterman, J. A., B, E, Voelz, and J. S. Stevenson. 2019. A shortened resynchronization treatment for dairy cows. Theriogenology 141:105-112.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. I can support these New Years resolutions. Hoards Dairyman 164:2, January 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. An A to Z guide detailing dairy cattle fertility. Hoards Dairyman 164:97, February 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. Herd checks and A.I.-patterns are evolving. Hoards Dairyman 164:160, March 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. The right ovary is dominant. Hoards Dairyman 164:232, April 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. Quicker AI breeding is possible. Hoards Dairyman 164:277, May 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. Cows without a corpus luteum can still be fertile. Hoards Dairyman 164:359, June, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. Sexed semen has changed breeding strategies. Hoards Dairyman 164:427, August 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. We have so much to learn about reproductive failures. Hoards Dairyman 164:532, September 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. The whodunit biology of heat. Hoards Dairyman 164:594, October 10, 2019.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. Insemination risk varies throughout the year. Hoards Dairyman 164:672, November, 2019.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Sauls-Hiesterman, J. A. 2019. Nutritional and hormonal strategies to improve fertility in lactating dairy cows. PhD dissertation, Kansas State University. Manhattan.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2019. Spatial relationships of ovarian follicles and luteal structures in dairy cows subjected to ovulation synchronization: Progesterone, and risks for luteolysis, ovulation, and pregnancy. J. Dairy Sci. 102:5686-5698.


Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Dairy managers and producers of milk Beef seedstock and cow-calf producers Fellow scientists Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Ten popular press articiles were authored by the project director in Hoard's Dairyman to share research from this and other NIFA projects dealing with reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows. Invited conference talk (Macedonia) and seminar ((Universtiy of Missouri) were presented to other scientists. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Goals for Next Year 1. Research will continue addressing how to efficiency reinseminate non-pregnant dairy cows to reduce inter-insemination intervals and increase pregnancy outcomes. 2. Research examining metabolic measures (Beta-hydroxy butyrate, glucose, free-fatty acids, and haptoglobin) of postpartum transition dairy cows as predictors of early estrus (assessed by accelorometer) and ovulation activity (assessed by multiple progesterone sampling), and pregnancy outcome. In addition, physical measures of rumination, eating, general activity, resting, and ear temperature will be correlated to metabolic measures and reproductive outcomes. 3. Research addressing luteolytic success in cows submitted for first postparum AI based on differing ovulation synchronization programs of varying duration.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Study 1. Relationships of metabolites and hormones in follicular fluid (FF) and blood serum (BS) in transition dairy cows supplemented with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP). Free fatty acids (FFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, and steroid concentrations in FF and BS, and luteal status were examined in cows individually fed SCFP (NutriTek, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) from -4 through +7 wk after calving (wk 0). Holsteins (n = 48) were assigned to control or SCFP diets (45 and 32% NDF, 14 and 19% starch pre- and postpartum, respectively). Blood was collected at -4, -2, +1, +2, +5, and +7 wk for FFA and BHB analyses. Milk yield and DM intake were measured daily. Blood was collected before injections of GnRH, prostaglandin F2α, and GnRH at 32 ± 3, 39 ± 3, and 42 ± 3 DIM, respectively, to synchronize ovulation before dominant follicle recovery (DFR) by transvaginal aspiration at 49 ± 3 DIM (d 7 post-GnRH). Luteal status (high progesterone [P4] > 1 ng/mL) was determined on 32 ± 3 DIM. Blood collected before DFR and in FF after DFR was assayed for FFA, BHB, glucose, P4, androstenedione, and estradiol concentrations. After DFR, cows were inseminated at a fixed time at 70 ± 3 DIM and pregnancy was diagnosed 32 d later. Treatment did not affect the percentage of cows with high progesterone (> 1 ng/mL; cycling) by 32 ± 3 days in milk, days in milk to the first corpus luteum, or pregnancy per AI. Treatment did not affect milk yield or DM intake. Metabolites and hormonal concentrations did not differ between treatments in BS or FF at any sampling time. Concentrations of FFA in BS were greater (P < 0.01) at -4 and +1 wk in cows with low compared with high P4 by 32 DIM. Cows with low P4 also had greater (P < 0.05) BHB in BS at +2 and +5 wk compared with cows with high P4. Cows with low compared with high P4 had greater (P < 0.05) BHB in BS and FF at +7 wk. Cows conceiving to AI had less (P = 0.03) BHB in BS at +1 wk and less (P = 0.05) FFA in BS at +7 wk than cows that did not conceive. Concentrations of BHB (r = 0.61; P < 0.001) and glucose (r = 0.56; P = 0.003) in BS and FF were correlated positively. Differences in BHB and FFA in BS were predictive of luteal and pregnancy status, and BHB and glucose in BS reflected that in FF of the dominant follicle. No effect of SCFP was detected. Study 2. Physiologic responses to feeding rumen-protected glucose (RPG) to lactating dairy cows. We hypothesized that supplementing RPG would increase concentrations of glucose and insulin resulting in decreased activity of liver cytochromes P450 2C and P450 3A, thus increasing blood progesterone. Estrus and ovulation were synchronized in 62 Holstein cows using GnRH and PGF2α (d 0 =ovulation; 60 ± 3 DIM). Cows were milked thrice daily and assigned randomly to be fed individually a TMR supplemented with 0, 1, 2, or 4 kg of a RPG product (Grain States Soya Inc.; West Point, NE) top-dressed into the diet beginning on d -3. Blood was collected pre-feeding and 8 h after feeding on d 0, 2, and 4 to determine glucose and insulin concentrations and daily from d 2 through 12 to assess progesterone. Blood was collected every 4 h for 24 h on d 8 to assess a circadian pattern in progesterone. Diameter of the corpus luteum (CL) was determined by ultrasonography on d 10. On d 8, feed intake (FI; P = 0.68), ECM (P = 0.72), ECM:FI (P = 0.52), somatic cell count (P = 0.64) and percentages of milk fat (P = 0.56) and lactose (P = 0.81) did not differ among treatments. Milk percentages of protein differed (P = 0.01) among treatments and percentages of milk solids (P = 0.04) and protein (P = 0.004) decreased linearly with increasing dose of RPG. Neither pre-feeding (P = 0.42) nor post-feeding (P = 0.57) concentrations of glucose differed among treatments; however, post-feeding glucose decreased (P = 0.01) from d 0 through 4. Pre-feeding insulin (P = 0.35) did not differ among treatments, but a post-feeding concave up quadratic (P = 0.06) response of insulin was detected among treatments. Volume of the CL on d 10 did not differ (P = 0.49) among treatments. Milk urea nitrogen increased linearly (P < 0.001) with dose and pregnancy risk at first AI decreased linearly (P = 0.01) with increasing dose. Concentrations of progesterone increased (P < 0.01) from d 2 to 11 but were unaffected by treatment (P = 0.77). The pattern of progesterone on d 8 fit a 4th-order polynomial curve (R2 = 0.97) with all concentrations during the 24-h period differing (P < 0.05) from the last sample concentration. We conclude that the rumen-protected glucose product did not affect progesterone concentrations. Study 3. Resynchronization treatments in dairy cows at non-pregnancy diagnosis (NPD) based on corpus luteum (CL) status We tested: (1) a shortened version of Ovsynch (OVS: GnRH1-7 d-PGF2α-24 h- PGF2α-32 h-GnRH2-16 h-AI) that excluded GnRH1 for resynchronization in cows bearing a CL at NPD; (2) the value of including progesterone (P4) + OVS in absence of a CL compared with presence of a CL + OVS; and (3) the accuracy of detecting a functional CL by transrectal ultrasonography. Lactating Holsteins (n = 1,589) in 3 herds were enrolled in 3 treatments at NPD (32 ± 3 d after AI). Cows bearing a visually detected CL were assigned randomly to OVS or Short Synch (SS; PGF2α-24 h-PGF2α-32 h-GnRH2-16 h-AI), whereas cows with no CL were assigned to OVS + CIDR insert (CIDR). Blood collected at NPD (d 0) determined accuracy of treatment assignment based on P4 (functional CL cut point > 1 ng/mL). In 1 herd, ovaries of 108 SS cows were scanned at d 0, 2 d after PGF2α, and 6 d after AI and on d 0, 7, 9, and 16 in OVS (n = 97) and CIDR (n = 68) cows to determine follicle diameter and ovulation risk. Treatment contrasts were made: OVS vs. CIDR and OVS vs SS. Ovulation risk after GnRH1 was greater (P = 0.04) for CIDR (40.3%) than OVS (27.1%) cows. Dominant follicle diameter before PGF2α was greater (P = 0.05) for SS than OVS cows and P4 was less (P < 0.01) in CIDR compared with OVS cows. No differences were detected for luteolysis after PGF2α (> 96.6%) and ovulation risk after GnRH2 was 94.2, 91.7, and 85.2% for SS, OVS, and CIDR, respectively. Accuracy of treatment assignment was 59.6, 79.5, and 82.4% for CIDR, OVS, and SS cows, respectively. Technicians were more (P < 0.01) accurate in detecting a functional than non-functional CL. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in all cows was greater (P = 0.03) when P4 was ≥ 1 ng/mL at d 0. With herd as a random effect, P/AI was greater (P = 0.02) for OVS than SS but did not differ from CIDR at 32 d (29.6% [n=644], 21.5% [n=676], and 25.9% [n=269]), respectively. When cows within treatment were retrospectively categorized based on P4 cut point, P/AI did not differ among treatments (30.2% [OVS; n=511], 27.4% [SS; n=562], and 25.3% [CIDR; n=164]). Short synch is a viable option when CL status can be accurately detected.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S., J A. Sauls, L. G. D. Mendonça, and B. E. Voelz. 2018. Dose-frequency of prostaglandin F2alpha administration to dairy cows exposed to presynchronization and either five- or seven-day Ovsynch program durations: Ovulatory and luteolytic risks. J. Dairy Sci. 101:9575-9590.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hill, S. L., K. C. Olson, J. R. Jaeger, and J. S. Stevenson. 2018. Serum and plasma metabolites associated with postpartum ovulation and pregnancy risks in suckled beef cows subjected to artificial insemination. J. Anim. Sci. 96:258-272.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sauls, J. A., B. E. Voelz, L. G. D. Mendonça, and J. S. Stevenson. 2018. Additional small dose of prostaglandin F2? at timed AI fails to improve pregnancy risk of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 110:27-33.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2018. Spatial relationships of dominant and preovulatory follicles and luteal structures in dairy cows exposed to hormonal synchronization: Progesterone, and risks for luteolysis, ovulation, and pregnancy, J. Dairy Sci.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Mendonça, L. G. D., L. S. Rocha, B. E. Voelz, G. T. Lima, A. L. A. Scanavez, and J. S. Stevenson. 2018. Presynchronization strategy using prostaglandin F2alpha, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and detection of estrus to improve fertility in a resynchronization program for dairy cows. Theriogenology 124:39-47.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Voelz, B. E., F. Scortegagna, L. Rocha, J. S. Stevenson, and L. G. D. Mendonça. 2018. Response of lactating dairy cows with or without purulent vaginal discharge to gonadotropin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2?. J. Anim. Sci. 96:56-65.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: 1Stevenson, J. S. We have an improved perspective on fertility. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:31. January 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. Here⿿s your checklist for A.I. success. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:89. February 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. Give cows a place to ⿿moo⿝. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:162. March 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. No weight loss plan needed here. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:240-241. April 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. By most measures, fertility has improved. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:295. May 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. Accurate CL detection drives breeding programs. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:378. June, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S.Prostaglandin interactions help determine pregnancy status. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:459. August 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. Are you selling milk, beef, or both? Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:526, September 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. Oddities in moo biology. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:584, October 10, 2018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. Straws, straws, and more on A.I. straws. Hoard⿿s Dairyman 163:659, November 10, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2018. Physiological and management advances enhancing adoption of applied reproductive management procedures in dairy cattle. Page 25 in Proc. Joint Meet. 5th Int. Vet-Istanbul Group Cong. and 8th Int. Sci. Meet. Days Vet. Med. ⿿ 2018. 23-27 September, 2018.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S. 2018. Split-timed artificial insemination options for suckled beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 96(Suppl. S2):23.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Stevenson, J. S., J. A. Sauls, L. G. D. Mendonça, and B. E. Voelz. 2018. Dose-frequency of prostaglandin F2? administration to dairy cows exposed to presynchronization and either five- or seven-day Ovsynch program durations: Ovulatory, luteolytic, and pregnancy risks. J. Dairy Sci. 101 (Suppl. 2):71 (Abstr.).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sauls, J. A., K. E. Olagaray, S. E. Sivinski, B. J. Bradford, and J. S. Stevenson. 2018. Relationships of metabolites and hormones in follicular fluid and blood serum in transition dairy cows supplemented with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product. J. Dairy Sci. 101 (Suppl. 2):270 (Abstr.).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sauls, J. A., B. E. Voelz, K. C. Dhuyvetter, and J. S. Stevenson. 2018. Resynchronization treatments in dairy cows at non-pregnancy diagnosis based on the presence or absence of a corpus luteum. J. Dairy Sci. 101 (Suppl. 2):342 (Abstr.).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Sauls, J. A., S. Banuelos, B. Atanasov, L. H. Baumgard, B. J. Bradford, and J. S. Stevenson. 2018. Physiologic responses to feeding rumen-protected glucose to lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 101 (Suppl. 2):71 (Abstr.).