Source: UNIV OF WISCONSIN submitted to
METHODS TO INCREASE REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN CATTLE (NC1038)
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0231440
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
NC-_old1201
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2012
Project End Date
Jan 28, 2016
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
21 N PARK ST STE 6401
MADISON,WI 53715-1218
Performing Department
Dairy Science
Non Technical Summary
Within a dairy herd, total milk production is determined by the proportion of cows producing milk at any given time and the level of milk production of the individual cows within the herd. Both of these factors are dramatically affected by reproductive efficiency or the rate at which cows become pregnant within the herd. Two factors that determine the rate at which cows become pregnant are the artificial insemination (AI) service rate (i.e., management's ability to inseminate nonpregnant cows thereby giving them a chance to conceive) and the conception rate (i.e., the proportion of inseminated cows that actually conceive). The development of Ovsynch, a hormonal protocol that synchronizes follicular development, luteal regression, and ovulation thereby allowing for timed artificial insemination (TAI) without the need to detect estrus radically changed reproductive management by providing dairy managers a practical and effective tool for improving AI service rate. The Specific Aim of this proposal is to develop and assess management strategies to improve reproductive efficiency in lactating dairy cows. This Specific Aim will be addressed through four experiments under two objectives. Objective 1 (Experiments 1, 2 and 3) is to develop management strategies to resynchronize cows failing to conceive to a previous AI. Objective 2 (Experiment 4) is to assess an electronic activity monitor for detecting estrous behavior in lactating dairy cows.
Animal Health Component
60%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
60%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
3013410102040%
3053410102020%
3073410102040%
Knowledge Area
305 - Animal Physiological Processes; 307 - Animal Management Systems; 301 - Reproductive Performance of Animals;

Subject Of Investigation
3410 - Dairy cattle, live animal;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;
Goals / Objectives
Determine mechanisms that regulate reproductive processes impacting production efficiency in cattle. Increase the efficiency and predictability of sustainable reproductive management programs for cattle.
Project Methods
Experiment 1: Characterization of ovarian and endocrine events after a synchronized ovulation in lactating dairy cows. Lactating Holstein cows will be allocated weekly to breeding groups to be scheduled for Double Ovsynch for first postpartum TAI. On the day of scheduled TAI, cows will be randomly assigned to each of two treatments to receive either no insemination (control) or TAI 16 h after the final GnRH injection of the protocol. To evaluate follicular and luteal dynamics after treatment, cows will undergo thrice weekly (MWF) transrectal ultrasonography for 32 days after treatment. Blood samples will be collected thrice weekly at each ultrasound examination. Cows will also be evaluated for behavioral estrus using rump-mounted, pressure-activated heatmount detectors during this time. Serum samples will be stored frozen until assayed for progesterone using a using a solid-phase, no-extraction RIA and for estradiol 17-β concentrations by using previously validated RIA's. Continuous variables will be statistically analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Experiment 2: Optimization of presynchronization methods for resynchronization of ovulation in lactating dairy cows. Lactating Holstein cows will receive a hormonal protocol for first TAI (as specified by the farm) and will be randomly assigned to one of three Resynch treatments: 1) initiation of the first GnRH injection of Resynch 7-d after an initial GnRH injection; 2) initiation of the first GnRH injection of Resynch 6-d after an initial GnRH injection; and 3) a non-presynchronized Resynch protocol (control). Blood samples will be collected from all cows at the first GnRH injection of the Resynch protocols to determine the progesterone concentration at initiation of Resynch, a factor we have shown to be highly related to fertility (Fricke et al., 2003; Silva et al., 2007a). Ultrasound and blood samples will be collected from a subset of cows in each treatment at the pre-GnRH injection, at the first GnRH injection, the first PGF2α injection, the second GnRH injection, and 7 d after that TAI to determine the ovarian responses to the protocols. Pregnancy status will be evaluated for all cows 32 and 60 d after Resynch TAI using transrectal ultrasonography to assess conception rate and pregnancy loss. Procedure LOGISTIC of SAS will be used to analyze the effect of treatment, parity, and the two-way interaction on conception rate using a backward selection procedure with treatment retained as a fixed factor in each of the models.

Progress 10/01/12 to 01/28/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Dairy farmers, dairy veterinarians, AI industry, county ag agents, dairy nutritionists. Changes/Problems:Due to REEport not allowing for end date changes to be back dated at the time of this report, the actual end date of this project is 9/30/2015. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Ph.D. students were trained during the course of this project. In addition, numerous workshops for veterinarians and dairy professionals were conducted. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results from current and ongoing research have been used to make recommendations to stakeholders and their consultants regarding implementation of systematic synchronization and resynchronization systems for lactating dairy cows as well as timing and methods for pregnancy diagnosis. Data generated in these projects has been published in scientific journals and included in numerous extension proceedings in Wisconsin, the U.S., and throughout the world. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Accomplishments: Use of accelerometer systems for detection of estrus in lactating dairy cows can reduce the amount of synchronization to a point; however, some level of synchronization is required to deal with cows failing to be detected in estrus. From an economic perspective, the three strategies compared for first AI using accelerometers with or without various levels of synchronization resulted in similar economic outcomes. Use of transrectal ultrasonography to determine pregnancy status too soon after insemination is a major cause of pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows due to a high rate of false positive outcomes. We recommend that bovine practitioners not conduct pregnancy diagnosis using transrectal ultrasonography until they can reliably detect the embryo and heartbeat, which is generally > 30 d post insemination. Presynchronization with a modified Ovsynch protocol increased P/AI by increasing synchrony to the Ovsynch56 protocol particularly during heat stress compared to presynchronization with a single injection of GnRH. A single dose of long-acting rbFSH (either 100 µg of A-rbFSH or 50 µg of B-rbFSH but not 50 µg of A-rbFSH) induced superovulation and produced the same quantity of good-quality embryos compared to pituitary-derived FSH. Presynchronization with GnRH 6 d before beginning an Ovsynch protocol increased P4 at the PGF injection of an Ovsynch protocol, and a second PGF injection 24 h after the first decreased P4 at TAI resulting in more P/AI in resynchronized cows. Cows maintaining their original CL for 32 d after TAI were initially pregnant but underwent pregnancy loss based on residual serum PAG levels at 24 and 32 d after TAI. Low relative PAG levels in both milk and serum resulted in NP and RC outcomes in pregnant cows using these assays and that both parity and milk production affected relative PAG levels in milk and serum. Manipulating the reproductive cycle to achieve optimal progesterone during an Ovsynch protocol dramatically increases in fertility in lactating dairy cows. Manipulating progesterone at the first GnRH treatment of an Ovsynch protocol dramatically increased ovulatory response to GnRH but had a minimal effect on fertility. Addition of a second PGF2α treatment during an Ovsynch protocol dramatically increases fertility to timed AI, whereas reducing the duration of the protocol from 7 to 5 d does not. Cows that lost BCS before calving lost more back fat, had fewer P/AI, and had more health events during the first 120 d of lactation.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Ricci, A., P. D. Carvalho, M. C. Amundson, R. H. Fourdraine, L. Vincenti, and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Factors associated with pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels in plasma and milk of Holstein cows during early pregnancy and their effect on the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis. J. Dairy Sci. 98:2502-2514.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carvalho, P. D., M. J. Fuenzalida, A. Ricci, A. H. Souza, R. V. Barletta, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Modifications to Ovsynch improve fertility during resynchronization: Evaluation of presynchronization with GnRH 6 days before Ovsynch and addition of a second prostaglandin F2? treatment. J. Dairy Sci. 98:87418752.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carvalho, P. D., M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Progesterone concentration at each treatment during an Ovsynch protocol affects fertility to timed AI in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):92.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carvalho, P. D., M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Manipulation of progesterone to increase ovulatory response to the first GnRH treatment of an Ovsynch protocol in lactating dairy cows receiving first timed artificial insemination. J. Dairy Sci. 98:88008813.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carvalho, P. D., M. J. Fuenzalida, V. G. Santos, A. Ricci, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Progesterone concentration at initiation of an Ovsynch protocol and a second prostaglandin F2 treatment affect luteal regression and fertility to timed AI in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):811.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carvalho, P. D., M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Hormonal manipulation of progesterone before initiation of an Ovsynch protocol to increase ovulatory response to the first GnRH treatment in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):811.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Carvalho, P. D. and P. M. Fricke. 2015. Association between changes in body condition score and back fat thickness during the transition period with fertility and health events in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 98(Suppl. 2):102.


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Results from these experiments are valuable to a diverse audience including dairy scientists, reproductive physiologists, dairy farmers, county Extension agents, and veterinarians. Data have been communicated to the research community through scientific abstracts presented at national meetings and through scientific papers published in peer-reviewed research journals. Applied results have been formulated into management recommendations and communicated to end users through the PI's Extension program in dairy cattle reproduction which includes state, regional, national, and international meetings, and articles published in national and regional trade magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Results from this project have been used in continuing education programs to train and update bovine practitioners in the industry with the latest research in dairy cattle reproduction. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results from current and ongoing research have been used to make recommendations to stakeholders and their consultants regarding implementation of systematic synchronization and resynchronization systems for lactating dairy cows as well as timing and methods for pregnancy diagnosis. Data generated in these projects has been published in scientific journals and included in numerous extension proceedings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We are currently working on projects in three main areas: 1. the effect of mastitis on pregnancy loss and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows 2. development and optimization of hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation 3. the role of progesterone before and after ovulation on fertility in lactating dairy cows.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Presynchronization with GnRH 6 d before beginning an Ovsynch protocol increased P4 at the PGF injection of an Ovsynch protocol, and a second PGF injection 24 h after the first decreased P4 at TAI resulting in more P/AI in resynchronized cows. We found that: 1. Cows maintaining their original CL for 32 d after TAI were initially pregnant, but underwent pregnancy loss based on residual serum PAG levels at 24 and 32 d after TAI. 2. Low relative PAG levels in both milk and serum resulted in NP and RC outcomes in pregnant cows using these assays and that both parity and milk production affected relative PAG levels in milk and serum. 3. Both clinical and subclinical mastitis influenced P/AI and differences in P/AI were observed among etiologies and clinical presentation.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: 7. Fricke, P. M., J. O. Giordano, A. Valenza, G. Lopes Jr., M. C. Amundson, and P. D. Carvalho. 2014. Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows managed for first service using timed artificial insemination with or without detection of estrus using an activity monitoring system. J. Dairy Sci. 97:2771-2781.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: 6. Carvalho, P. D., A. H. Souza, M. C. Amundson, K. S. Hackbart, M. J. Fuenzalida, M. M. Herlihy, H. Ayres, A. R. Dresch, L. M. Vieira, J. N. Guenther, P. M. Fricke, R. D. Shaver, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2014. Association between fertility and postpartum changes in body condition and body weight in dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 97:3666-3683.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: 3. Carvalho, P. D., K. S. Hackbart, R. W. Bender, G. M. Baez, A. R. Dresch, J. N. Guenther, A. H. Souza, and P. M. Fricke. 2014. Use of a single injection of long-acting recombinant bovine FSH to superovulate Holstein heifers: a preliminary study. Theriogenology 82:481-489.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2. Carvalho, P. D., J. N. Guenther, M. J. Fuenzalida, M. C. Amundson, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2014. Presynchronization using a modified Ovsynch protocol or a single GnRH injection 7 d before an Ovsynch-56 protocol for submission of lactating dairy cows for first timed AI. J. Dairy Sci. 97:6305-6315.


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Results from these experiments are valuable to a diverse audience including dairy scientists, reproductive physiologists, dairy farmers, county Extension agents, and veterinarians. Data have been communicated to the research community through scientific abstracts presented at national meetings and through scientific papers published in peer-reviewed research journals. Applied results have been formulated into management recommendations and communicated to end users through the PI’s Extension program in dairy cattle reproduction which includes state, regional, national, and international meetings, and articles published in national and regional trade magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In 2013, we held two reproductive workshops for 60 bovine practitioners to disseminate these results. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? In 2013, 24 extension meetings were held in Wisconsin with over 500 dairy farmers, industry representatives and bovine practitioners in attendance. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? We are completing several new projects that modify sycnhronization protocols to see whether we can improve fertility in dairy cows. We will continue to hold extension and bovine practitioner meetings throughout 2014 to further disseminate results.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1) Presynchronization with a modified Ovsynch protocol increased P/AI by increasing synchrony to the Ovsynch56 protocol particularly during heat stress compared to presynchronization with a single injection of GnRH. 2) Addition of a CIDR insert to supplement progesterone during a resynchronization protocol increased fertility for cows initiating resynchronization 39 days after AI but not 32 d after AI. 3) Despite an increase in ovulatory response to GnRH1 and luteal regression to PGF, there were only marginal effects of increasing the dose of GnRH or PGF on fertility to TAI after a Double-Ovsynch protocol. 4) The major effect of using a chemical test for nonpregnancy diagnosis is the potential of decreasing the inter breeding interval. Moreover, inaccuracy of the CT and additional pregnancy loss due to earlier testing resulted in smaller economic differences than when using transrectal palpation or transrectal ultrasonograpny for nonpregnancy diagnosis 8 d later.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Giordano, J. O., P. M. Fricke, S. Bas, R. Pawlisch, J. N. Guenther, A. B. Nascimento, and M. C. Wiltbank. 2013. Effect of increasing GnRH and PGF2? dose during Double-Ovsynch on ovulatory response, luteal regression, and fertility of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 80:773-783.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Lopes, G. Jr., J. O. Giordano, A. Valenza, M. M. Herlihy, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2013. Effect of timing of initiation of resynchronization and presynchronization with GnRH on fertility of resynchronized inseminations in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 96:3788-3798.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Giordano, J. O., P. M. Fricke, and V. E. Cabrera. 2013. Economics of resynchronization strategies including chemical tests to identify non-pregnant cows. J. Dairy Sci. 96:949-961.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Bilby, T. R., R.G.S. Bruno, K. J. Lager, R. C. Chebel, J.G.N. Moraes, P. M. Fricke, G. Lopes, Jr., J. O. Giordano, J. E. P. Santos, F. S. Lima, S. L. Pulley, and J. S. Stevenson. 2013. Supplemental progesterone and timing of resynchronization on pregnancy outcomes in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 96:7032-7042.


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Use of accelerometer systems for detection of estrus in lactating dairy cows can reduce the amount of synchronization to a point; however, some level of synchronization is required to deal with cows failing to be detected in estrus. From an economic perspective, the three strategies compared for first AI using accelerometers with or without various levels of synchronization resulted in similar economic outcomes. Use of transrectal ultrasonography to determine pregnancy status too soon after insemination is a major cause of pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows due to a high rate of false positive outcomes. We recommend that bovine practitioners not conduct pregnancy diagnosis using transrectal ultrasonography until they can reliably detect the embryo and heartbeat, which is generally > 30 d post insemination. PARTICIPANTS: Personnel from the University of Wisconsin-Madison include: P. M. Fricke (Project Leader), M. C. Wiltbank (Professor), J. O. Giordano, A. Valenza, M. C. Amundson, P. Carvalho, G. Lops, Jr. (Grad students). Several collaborating commercial farms are also involved in these and future projects. TARGET AUDIENCES: Results from the experiments in this proposal will be valuable to a diverse audience including dairy scientists, reproductive physiologists, dairy farmers, county Extension agents, and veterinarians. Data will be communicated to the research community through scientific abstracts presented at regional and national meetings and through scientific papers published in peer-reviewed research journals. Applied results will be formulated into management recommendations and communicated to end users through the PI's Extension program in dairy cattle reproduction which includes state, regional, national, and international meetings, and articles published in national and regional trade magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
We are currently working on projects in four main areas: 1) the effect of mastitis on pregnancy loss and reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows; 2) the effect of rumen-protected choline on milk production and reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows; 3) use of rbFSH for superovulation in dairy cattle; and 4) development and optimization of hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation. Results from current and ongoing research have been used to make recommendations to stakeholders and their consultants regarding implementation of systematic synchronization and resynchronization systems for lactating dairy cows as well as timing and methods for pregnancy diagnosis. Data generated in these projects has been published in scientific journals and included in numerous extension proceedings.

Publications

  • Fricke, P. M., A. Valenza, J. O. Giordano, M. C. Amundson, and G. Lopes Jr. 2012. Reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows managed for first service using timed artificial insemination with or without detection of estrus using an accelerometer system. J. Dairy Sci. 95(Suppl. 2):74.
  • Giordano, J. O., and P. M. Fricke. 2012. Accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis outcomes using transrectal ultrasonograpny 29 days after artificial insemination in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 95(Suppl. 2):75.
  • Valenza, A., J. O. Giordano, G. Lopes Jr., L. Vincenti, M. C. Amundson, and P. M. Fricke. 2012. Assessment of an accelerometer system for detection of estrus and for treatment with GnRH at the time of insemination in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 95:7115-7127.
  • Giordano, J. O., A. S. Kalantari, P. M. Fricke, M. C. Wiltbank, and V. E. Cabrera. 2012. A daily herd Markov-chain model to study the reproductive and economic impact of reproductive programs combining timed artificial insemination and estrous detection. J. Dairy Sci. 95:5442-5460.