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PubMed2004

Luteolysis, onset of estrus, and ovulation in Holstein heifers given prostaglandin F2alpha concurrent with, or 24 hours prior to, removal of an intravaginal, progesterone-releasing device.

The objective was to determine the effects of giving prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF) concurrent with, or 24 h before, removal of an intravaginal, progesterone-releasing (controlled internal drug release [CIDR]) device, on luteolysis, the synchrony of estrus and ovulation. Eighteen postpubertal Holstein heifers were given a CIDR and 100 microg gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and equally allocated to 3 groups. The PGF was given concurrently with CIDR removal after 7 or 8 d (groups D7/D7 and D8/D8, respectively) or given 1-d before removal of CIDR after 8 d (group D7/D8). There was no difference (P > 0.75) among groups in the intervals (h) from CIDR removal to onset of standing estrus and to ovulation (49.3 h+/-6.2 h and 77.5 h+/-9.0 h, respectively; least squares means+/-standard error of means). We also determined if stage of the estrus cycle influenced the synchrony of estrus or ovulation. In heifers in metestrus at CIDR insertion (versus those at estrus or diestrus), intervals from CIDR removal to estrus and to ovulation were longer by 33.4 h (P < 0.05) and 38.5 h (P = 0.01), respectively. However, the interval from standing estrus to ovulation was not affected. Giving PGF concurrent with CIDR removal did not affect luteal regression, the synchrony of estrus, and ovulation; but heifers in metestrus at the initiation of treatment had longer intervals from CIDR removal to estrus and ovulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Behavioral effects of interleukin-1 beta: modulation by gender, estrus cycle, and progesterone.

Endogenous release or exogenous administration of the cytokine Interleukin-1 (IL-1) produces several behavioral alterations, including suppression of locomotion and exploration. Because there are bidirectional interactions between IL-1 and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, we investigated possible differences between males and females in various phases of the estrus cycle in the behavioral effects of IL-1. In addition, we assessed the role of progesterone in mediating estrus cycle-dependent differences in these effects. Female rats in either the estrus or the non-estrus phase of their cycle and male rats were injected with either IL-1 beta (2 or 5 micrograms/kg) or saline. Activity in the open field test was measured 2 h later by counting the number of line crossings and rearings. In saline-injected rats, nonestrus females performed less line crossings than estrus females. IL-1 produced a significant dose-dependent reduction of line crossing in males and estrus females. In contrast, in nonestrus females the lower dose of IL-1 had no effect, and the effect of the higher dose was significantly smaller in nonestrus than in estrus females. The higher dose of IL-1 suppressed rearing in all three groups, but the effect of the lower dose on the number of rearings was significant only in estrus females. In a second experiment, ovariectomized females were injected with either progesterone (2 mg/rat) or oil, followed 2 h later by an injection of either IL-1 beta (2 micrograms/kg) or saline. Activity was measured continuously by a biotelemetric system. IL-1 reduced activity in progesterone-treated ovariectomized females but not in oil-injected controls. These findings suggest that changes in progesterone secretion along the estrus cycle modulate the behavioral responsiveness to IL-1 in female rats.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Is slow follicular growth the cause of silent estrus in water buffaloes?

The present experiment was conducted to study the growth profile of the ovulatory follicle in relation to the expression of estrus following administration of PGF(2alpha) to subestrus buffaloes. After detection of a mature corpus luteum by examination per rectum, confirmed by ultrasound scanning, subestrus buffaloes (n=20) were treated (Day 0) with single dose of Dinoprost tromethamin (25 mg, i.m.). Blood samples were collected at 0, 24 and 48 h after treatment for estimation of plasma progesterone concentration. Growth profile of the ovulatory follicle was monitored daily through ultrasound scanning starting from Day 0 until ovulation and the regression profile of CL was monitored at 0, 24 and 48 h of treatment. Estrus was detected by exposure to a fertile buffalo bull three times a day until expression of overt estrus or ovulation. Behavioral estrus was recorded in 14 animals and 6 animals ovulated silently. Sixteen animals including six animals with silent estrus ovulated from the dominant follicle present at treatment (Group A) and remaining four animals ovulated from the dominant follicle of succeeding follicular wave (Group B). The intervals from treatment to estrus (6.5+/-0.25 versus 3.2+/-0.27 days, P<0.001) and treatment to ovulation (7.5+/-0.25 versus 5.4+/-0.46 days, P<0.005) were significantly longer in animals of Group B compared with animals of Group A. Significant differences were observed in growth profile of the ovulatory follicle between animals of Groups A and B with respect to size of the follicle on Day 0 (9.8+/-0.7 versus 5.3+/-0.45 mm, P<0.001), daily growth rate (0.97+/-0.07 versus 1.6+/-0.2 mm/day, P<0.01) and increase in diameter (4.1+/-0.6 versus 7.8+/-0.7 mm, P<0.01). The animals with silent estrus (subgroup A-2) had significantly smaller diameter of the ovulatory follicle on Day 0 (7.7+/-0.4 versus 11.0+/-0.7 mm, P<0.005), its daily growth rate was significantly slower (0.7+/-0.02 versus 1.1+/-0.1 mm/day, P<0.01) and they recorded significantly longer interval from treatment to ovulation (7.3+/-0.56 versus 4.2+/-0.27 days, P<0.001) compared with the animals that showed overt estrus (subgroup A-1). The corpus luteum area (CL area) and plasma progesterone (P(4)) concentration declined continuously from 0 to 48 h after PGF(2alpha) treatment in the animals of both the Groups A and B. Non-significant differences were observed in mean CL area and plasma P(4) concentration at 0, 24 and 48 h post-treatment between animals of Groups A and B and also between animals of subgroups A-1 and A-2. The small size and the slow growth rate of the ovulatory follicle were identified as the possible cause of silent estrus in subestrus buffaloes after PGF(2alpha) treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Effect of exogenous gonadotropins on the weaning-to-estrus interval in sows.

The efficacy of PG 600 (400 IU PMSG and 200 IU hCG) for accelerating the onset of estrus was determined for sows weaned during the summer. Yorkshire sows (average parity = 4.6), nursing 8.6 +/- 0.2 pigs (mean +/- SEM) were weaned after 27.7 +/- 0.4 d of lactation and were treated intramuscularly with either PG 600 (n = 35) or with 0.9% saline (n = 35). Sows were checked for estrus once daily in the presence of a mature boar. Treatment with PG 600 increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of sows in estrus within 7 d after weaning (97.1 vs 82.9%). Relative to controls, sows given PG 600 expressed estrus sooner (3.8 +/- 0.1 d vs 4.5 +/- 0.1 d; P < 0.01). Sows exhibiting estrus within 7 d after treatments were artificially inseminated 0 and 24 h after first exhibiting estrus. The percentage of inseminated sows that farrowed tended to be higher (P < 0.07) for control than for PG 600-treated sows (96.6 vs 82.3%). The number of pigs born live was similar (P > 0.1) for sows treated with PG 600 and with saline, and was 12.7 +/- 0.6 and 11.7 +/- 0.7, respectively. Pigs farrowed by saline-treated sows, however, tended to be heavier (P < 0.09) than pigs farrowed by sows treated with PG 600 (1.49 +/- 0.06 kg vs 1.34 +/- 0.06 kg). In summary, PG 600 accelerated the onset of estrus in sows weaned during the summer. Sows mated during the induced estrus, however, tended to have a lower farrowing rate and farrowed lighter pigs than control sows inseminated during a natural estrus occurring within 7 d after weaning.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Estrus cycle and gastric lesions in individual- and group-stressed female rats.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of the estrus cycle on the development of cold restraint-induced gastric lesions in single- and group-stressed female rats. Therefore, adult female Wistar rats, in different phases of the estrus cycle (proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus), were restrained individually or in groups (two, three, six or nine rats) and exposed to a temperature of 4 degrees C for 2 h. The comparison between stressed female rats in different phases of the estrus cycle indicated that gastric pathology was significantly higher in estrus phase as compared to the other phases of the estrus cycle. The intensity of stress-induced gastric pathology was either not changed (estrus), moderately decreased (proestrus and metestrus) or highly decreased (diestrus) by increasing the number of concomitantly exposed rats to cold restraint. The vulnerability to cold restraint-induced stress ulcer rose as followed: proestrus < metestrus < diestrus < estrus. It could be concluded that female rats are more vulnerable to cold restraint-induced stress ulcer in estrus period and that in this phase, social interaction did not made any significant influence on the stress induced gastric lesions.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of estrus induction and subsequent fertility with two different intravaginal devices in ewes during the non-breeding season.

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effect of estrus induction by controlled internal drug release (CIDR) and intravaginal cream containing 500 mg progesterone (P cream) in ewes during the non-breeding season. In the first experiment, twenty-four ewes were randomly grouped for two treatments with the different intravaginal devices for 12 days: Group A was the CIDR group and Group B was the P cream group. Blood was collected from all treated ewes, and progesterone (P(4)), estradiol 17-beta (E(2)) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were measured by enzyme immunoassay. In the second experiment, the conception rates from natural mating, estrus-detected AI (inseminated 12 h after estrus detection), or fixed-time AI (inseminated 42 h after removal of an intravaginal device) in 127 ewes treated with CIDR or P cream were compared. In Experiment 1, the rate of estrus induction and the time of estrus onset after device removal were 91.7% and 36.3 +/- 15.7 h in Group A, and 100% and 35.0 +/- 12.6 h in Group B, respectively. There were no significant differences between the devices. The mean plasma P(4) concentration in Group B was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than Group A between day -9 and day -1 (Day 0: the day of device removal). However, no significant differences were found in the mean E(2) concentrations of the two groups after treatment. The mean time of estrus onset in ewes with an observed LH surge and the time of LH surge after treatment were 23.3 +/- 8.7 h and 30.3 +/- 5.0 h for Group A and 27.6 +/- 6.5 and 26.3 +/- 8.0 h for Group B, respectively, and there were no significant differences. However, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was found in the mean time from the time of estrus onset to LH surge between Group A (6.4 +/- 6.7 h) and Group B (-1.3 +/- 4.1 h). In Experiment 2, the conception rates for natural mating, estrus-detected AI, and fixed-time AI were 55.0, 29.4, and 25.0% for Group A and 40.7, 25.0, and 42.1% for Group B, respectively, and there were no significant differences. These results suggest that the effect of induction of estrus and ovulation and the rate of conception after treatment were comparable to CIDR even though the plasma P(4) concentration of the P cream method tended to be low during the insertion period.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed1992

Influence of an agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (buserelin) on estrus synchronization and fertility in beef cows.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of sequential treatment with buserelin (a GnRH agonist) and cloprostenol (a prostaglandin F2 alpha analog) on estrous response and fertility in beef cattle with different ovarian conditions. On d 0 (1st d of treatment), the control group (n = 52, 10 heifers and 42 cows) and the GnRH group (n = 48, 10 heifers and 38 cows) received 2 mL of saline or 2 mL of Receptal (8 micrograms of buserelin), respectively. On d 6, all cows that had not exhibited spontaneous estrus were given i.m. 500 micrograms of cloprostenol (PGF). Ultrasonography on d 0 and assays of progesterone in blood on d -11, 0, and 6 were used to identify follicular and luteal status of animals. Cattle were observed for estrus from d 0 to 10. Cows showing estrus were bred artificially 12 h after onset of estrus. Over the 10-d period, the number of cows detected in estrus and pregnancy and conception rates were identical for the two groups. However, between d 0 and 6, the proportion of cows exhibiting estrus was lower (P less than .01) in the GnRH group than in the control group. Between d 6 and 10, the synchronization rate and precision of estrus were greater (P less than .01) in the buserelin-treated group than in the control group. Conception rate and interval from PGF injection to onset of estrus were not different between the two treatment groups. Presence of a large (greater than 10 mm) follicle on d 0 enhanced synchronization rate and precision of estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Estrus synchronization of beef cattle with a combination of melengestrol acetate and an injection of progesterone and 17beta-estradiol.

Our hypothesis was that estrus synchronization in beef cattle using melengestrol acetate (MGA) and an injection of progesterone (P4) and 17beta-estradiol (E2) to regress dominant ovarian follicles would improve pregnancy rate (number conceived/number in group) to AI compared with feeding only MGA or injecting PGF2alpha. During 2 yr, peripubertal heifers (n = 52) and cows (n = 327) received either 1) MGA for 18 d (d 0 = 1st d of MGA) plus an injection of P4 and E2 in sesame oil (vehicle) on d 11 to regress persistent ovarian follicles (MGA+P4), 2) MGA for 18 d plus vehicle on d 11 (MGA), or 3) two injections of PGF2alpha 10 d apart (d 7 and 17, PG). Concentration of P4 was assessed in blood samples obtained on d 0, 7, and 17 to indicate estrual status (anestrual or estrual) during treatment to induce estrus synchrony. Observations for detection of estrus occurred every 6 h for 180 h following treatment cessation. Females showing estrus were inseminated 6 to 12 h after estrus detection. Conception to AI was determined by ultrasonography 35 to 40 d later. Conception rate was greater (P < .05) in females in the PG than in those in the MGA group but did not differ from conception rate of females in the MGA+P4 group. Among anestrual females, estrus synchrony rates were greatest (P < .10) among females treated with MGA+P4. Among females that were estrual before treatment cessation, estrus synchrony rates were greater (P < .10) among females treated with MGA+P4 or PG than among those given MGA. Pregnancy rates were greater (P < .05) among females that were anestrual before treatment cessation and treated with MGA or MGA+P4 than among those treated with PG. Estrus synchronization using MGA+P4 and E2 differentially improves estrus synchronization and pregnancy rates among anestrual and estrual beef cattle while maintaining conception rates similar to those of PGF2alpha-treated females.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Improved synchrony of estrus and ovulation with the addition of GnRH to a melengestrol acetate-prostaglandin F2alpha synchronization treatment in beef heifers.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of a GnRH injection within a melengestrol acetate (MGA)-PGF2alpha (PGF) estrus synchronization protocol on follicular dynamics and synchronization of estrus. Pubertal crossbred beef heifers (n = 34) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Both treatment groups were fed MGA (0.5 mg x hd(-1) x d(-1)) for 14 d and injected (i.m.) with PGF (25 mg of Lutalyse) 19 d after MGA withdrawal. Melengestrol acetate was delivered in a feed supplement of 1.8 kg x hd(-1) x d(-1). Seventeen heifers received an injection of GnRH (100 microg Cystorelin) 12 d after MGA withdrawal and 7 d before PGF. The control group (n = 17) received only MGA-PGF. Estrus was detected four times/d for 7 d beginning on the day PGF was injected. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed daily on eight heifers from each treatment to monitor ovarian activity and characterize changes in follicular dynamics after MGA withdrawal and until ovulation after PGF. Each of the GnRH-treated heifers either ovulated or had a luteinized dominant follicle following GnRH and subsequently initiated a new follicular wave (8/8, 100%). All GnRH-treated heifers (17/17, 100%) and 94% of controls (16/17) exhibited estrus after PGF. Estrus was exhibited over a 132-h period (12 to 144 h) for control heifers compared with 60 h (48 to 108 h) for GnRH-treated heifers. The peak synchronized period for both treatments was between 48 and 72 h after PGF, during which time 76% (13/17) of the GnRH-treated heifers exhibited estrus compared with 63% (10/16) for controls. Seventy-one percent (12/17) of the GnRH-treated heifers exhibited estrus from 48 to 60 h after PGF, compared with 38% (6/16) for controls (P < 0.05). In summary, injection of GnRH within a 14- to 19-d MGA-PGF protocol increased the synchrony of estrus during the synchronized period and concentrated the period of detected estrus. This protocol may offer potential for the fixed-time insemination of replacement beef heifers.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1986

Synchronization of estrus in postpartum beef cows with melengestrol acetate and prostaglandin F2 alpha.

At the beginning of the breeding season, most beef herds consist of a population of cyclic and anestrous postpartum cows. To be most effective and economical, an estrous synchronization method for postpartum beef cows must be capable of synchronizing estrus in cyclic cows and inducing estrus in anestrous cows. In the first of two experiments, the combination of melengestrol acetate (MGA) fed for 9 d and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) administered on the last day of MGA feeding synchronized estrus in cyclic cows (94%) and induced estrus in anestrous cows (66%) as effectively as combining PGF2 alpha with a progestin implant (97 and 75%, respectively). In the second experiment, MGA treatment was necessary for 7 d prior to administering PGF2 alpha to maximize the expression of estrus in cyclic and anestrous cows. In both experiments the proportion of cows exhibiting a synchronized estrus and the pregnancy rates tended to be higher for cows that were cyclic prior to treatment. However, the MGA-PGF2 alpha treatments consistently induced estrus in more than 50% of the anestrous cows and approximately one-third of the cows that were anestrous prior to treatment conceived during the synchronized breeding period. The MGA-PGF2 alpha treatment was 33 to 46% less expensive than a comparable estrous synchronization method that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If feeding MGA and administering PGF2 alpha is approved, it may be the treatment of choice for synchronizing estrus in cyclic cows and inducing estrus in anestrous cows when supplemental feeding is feasible.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Pregnancy rates of beef heifers bred either on puberal or third estrus.

The objective of this study was to determine if pregnancy rates (PR) differed between beef heifers bred to fertile bulls on either their puberal (E1, n = 89) or third (E3, n = 67) estrus. Heifers were obtained from two lactations (Manhattan, L1; and Miles City, L2), and the experiment was conducted at Miles City. Heifers were assigned randomly within location to either E1 or E3. Heifers were fed to gain .56 kg.head-1 X d-1 and observed twice daily for estrus. After exhibiting first estrus (puberty) and breeding, each heifer in E1 was palpated rectally on d 6, 9 and 12 +/- 1 d (estrus = d 0) for the presence of a corpus luteum, and a venous blood sample was collected for assay of progesterone by radioimmunoassay. Heifers in E3 were palpated and bled on the same schedule as heifers in E1 after first estrus and after being bred to a fertile bull at third estrus. Pregnancy rates were determined by rectal palpation at approximately 38 d post-breeding. Location of origin did not affect (P greater than .10) weight at puberty or weight at breeding; however, heifers from L1 were younger (P less than .05) than heifers from L2 at puberty and breeding. Pregnancy rates were 57 and 78% for heifers in E1 and E3, respectively (P less than .05). Weight at breeding did not influence (P greater than .10) pregnancy rates. The probability of heifers in E1 becoming pregnant increased (P less than .05) with increasing age, while age was not a factor (P greater than .10) for heifers in E3. These results indicated that fertility of puberal estrus in beef heifers is lower than third estrus. Higher fertility of third estrus may be related to maturational changes associated with cycling activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effects of progesterone intravaginal devices on synchronization of estrus in postpartum dairy cows.

Effects of two intravaginal treatments of progesterone on the synchronization of behavioral estrus were compared in three groups of lactating dairy cows at 7 to 8 wk postpartum. Group 1 had progesterone-releasing intravaginal devices with attached estradiol benzoate capsules inserted for 12 d. Groups 2 and 3 had controlled internal drug release devices, containing progesterone alone, inserted for 9 or 12 d. Behavioral estrus was detected as early as 24, 32, and 36 h after removal of the devices in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Estrus was better synchronized and the proportion of cows showing estrus after device removal was greater in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3. After removal of devices, mean milk progesterone of all cows that did not show estrus was higher than that of cows that showed estrus. In groups 1, 2, and 3, 1 of 7, 7 of 12, and 4 of 12 cows not showing estrus had high milk progesterone after removal of the devices, indicating the presence of functional corpora lutea. In cows not displaying estrus milk progesterone concentrations decreased, indicating these cows were cyclic, although behavioral estrus was absent.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A field study on estrus detection in lactating beef cattle.

Estrus detection efficacy and heat detection protocol were studied by means of a field study carried out on 878 lactating beef cows in 60 French herds. Average herd size was 48, and 75% of the farmers partly or exclusively used artificial insemination. The cows were calved between October 1992 and March 1993. Estrus was recorded daily by the farmers. Cycling status was determined by progesterone radioimmuno-assay 2 months after calving. The relationship between the estrus detection protocol and the delay period from calving to first observed estrus was analysed using survival curves and the Cox proportional hazard model, adjusting for confounders. Seventy-one percent of the cows were seen in estrus by the farmers; the interval between calving and the first observed estrus ranged from 9 days to more than 5 months and the median was 56 days. Two months after calving, 44% of the cycling cows had not been seen in heat by the farmers and 11% of the non-cycling cows had been reported to have been in estrus. The heat detection protocol varied widely between farmers, depending on the considered estrus signs, schedule and time spent looking for signs. Two factors were significantly related to a shorter interval from calving to first observed heat: the use of artificial insemination (which relates to the farmer's interest in heat detection) and an overall daily time spent for heat detection greater than 1 h. Cows in tie stalls had a delayed interval to the first observed estrus. These results show that many farmers did not adapt their reproduction practice sufficiently to an earlier calving period. There is room for improvement since in many cases the heat detection protocol does not match the required standards for optimal heat detection.

Anestrus↗
PubMed2003

Peripheral plasma progesterone concentration in relation to estrus expression in Sahiwal cows.

The present study investigated the changes in peripheral plasma progesterone levels in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cows. Out of a total of five estrus, three were accompanied by overt signs whereas the remaining two were silent estrus. In cows with overt estrus, plasma progesterone concentrations during periestrus, early luteal, midluteal and late luteal phase were 0.40 +/- 0.02, 0.74 +/- 0.10, 1.94 +/- 0.22 and 0.63 +/- 0.16 ng/ml, respectively and the corresponding values in cows with silent estrus being 0.47 +/- 0.03, 0.94 +/- 0.08, 1.39 +/- 0.13 and 0.95 +/- 0.19 ng/ml, respectively. The overall plasma progesterone levels in cows that exhibited overt estrus was 1.23 +/- 0.99 ng/ml as against 1.08 +/- 0.09 ng/ml in silent estrus. It was concluded that progesterone levels were lower (P > 0.05) in cows that exhibited silent estrus compared to overt estrus.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Enzyme activity in bovine cervical mucus during spontaneous and induced estrus.

The purpose of the present research was to compare the enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha-amylase, alpha-manosidase, beta-N-acetyloglucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, and beta-galactosidase in the cervical mucus of cows during spontaneous and induced estrus. Friesian cows (n = 106) were assigned to 4 groups: 1) no treatment; 2) progesterone releasing intervaginal device (PRID) for 12 days plus pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) at the removal of the PRID; 3) PGF2alpha 2 doses 11 days apart; and 4) PRID for 7 days plus PGF2alpha 1 dose, 24 hours before removal of the PRID. Fourteen cows were excluded from the trial because of an inadequate quantity of cervical mucus collected or a lost PRID. The cows from the 3 induced estrus groups were artificially inseminated (AI) twice, while those with spontaneous estrus received only a single AI. Cervical mucus samples were collected from all cows 5 to 30 min before the first AI. The results are summarized as follows: 1) ALP and alpha-amylase activity for spontaneous estrus were similar to those for induced estrus; 2) LDH activity levels during spontaneous estrus were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than that in the P4 and P4+PGF2alpha induced estrus groups; and 3) glycosidases' activity was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the spontaneous estrus group than that in the induced estrous groups. In conclusion, the activity of most enzymes in the cervical mucus of cows, in the present study, was significantly different between the spontaneous and the induced estrus groups.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed2004

Peripheral plasma FSH concentration in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cattle (Bos indicus).

An experiment was conducted to investigate the changes in peripheral plasma FSH concentrations in relation to expression of estrus in Sahiwal cows. Out of total five estrus, three were accompanied by overt signs whereas rest two were silent estrus. In cows with overt estrus, plasma FSH concentrations during periestrus, early luteal, midluteal and late luteal phase were 1.65+/-0.34, 1.67+/-0.21, 1.58+/-0.18 and 1.69+/-0.31 ng/ml, respectively and the corresponding values in cows with silent estrus being 0.68+/-0.39, 0.50+/-0.12, 0.75+/-0.13 and 0.46+/-0.12 ng/ml, respectively. The overall plasma FSH levels in cows that exhibited overt estrus was 1.63+/-0.82 ng/ml as against 0.64+/-0.55 ng/ml in silent estrus. It was concluded that FSH levels were higher (P<0.01) in cows that exhibited overt estrus compared to silent estrus.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Effects of P.G. 600 on the onset of estrus and ovulation rate in gilts treated with Regu-mate.

Three experiments assessed the onset of estrus and ovulation rate in gilts treated with gonadotropins after the withdrawal of an orally active progestin. In Exp. 1, all cycling gilts received the progestin (Regu-mate; Intervet America Inc., Millsboro, DE) at a rate of 15 mg/d for 18 d. Twenty-four hours after the last feeding of Regu-mate, 32 gilts received an i.m. injection of 400 I.U. PMSG and 200 I.U. hCG (P.G. 600, Intervet America, Inc.), and 32 gilts received an i.m. injection of deionized water. The percentage of gilts displaying estrus < or = 7 d (P = 0.64) and the injection-to-estrus interval (P = 0.37) were similar for P.G. 600-treated gilts (93.8% and 4.1 +/- 0.1 d) and controls (90.6% and 4.3 +/- 0.1 d). Ovulation rate was greater (P < 0.01) in P.G. 600-treated gilts (28.8 +/- 1.1) compared with controls (17.4 +/- 1.1). In Exp. 2, 58 cycling gilts received Regu-mate (15 mg/d) for 18 d. Twenty-four hours after Regu-mate withdrawal, gilts received i.m. P.G. 600 or water (n = 29/treatment). Gilts were bred via AI 12 and 24 h after first detection of estrus. The percentage of gilts displaying estrus < or = 7 d (P = 0.45) and the injection-to-estrus interval (P = 0.27) were similar for P.G. 600-treated gilts (82.7% and 4.0 +/- 0.1 d) and controls (89.7% and 4.2 +/- 0.1 d). Ovulation rate was greater (P < 0.01) in P.G. 600-treated gilts (26.2 +/- 1.8) compared with controls (18.1 +/- 1.7). Pregnancy rate (P = 0.71) and the number of live embryos at d 30 postmating (P = 0.40) were similar for P.G. 600-treated gilts (91.7% and 15.6 +/- 1.2) and controls (88.5% and 14.1 +/- 1.2). In Exp. 3, prepubertal gilts (142.6 +/- 0.7 d of age) received Regumate (15 mg/d) (n = 20) or a control diet not including Regu-mate (n = 20) for 18 d. Twenty-four hours after Regu-mate withdrawal, all gilts received i.m. P.G. 600. The percentage of gilts displaying estrus < or = 7 d (P = 0.49) and the P.G. 600-to-estrus interval (P = 0.69) were similar for Regu-mate-fed gilts (95% and 4.3 +/- 0.2 d) and controls (88.9% and 4.2 +/- 0.2 d). Ovulation rate was similar (P = 0.38) for Regu-mate fed gilts (16.6 +/-1.6) and controls (14.4 +/- 1.8). In cycling gilts, administration of P.G. 600 after withdrawal of Regu-mate increased ovulation rate, but not litter size at d 30 postmating. There was no beneficial effect of Regu-mate pretreatment on the response to P.G. 600 in prepubertal gilts.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The male effect, mounting behavior, and the onset of estrus in farmed muskoxen.

Muskox farming is an emerging industry in Alaska. For such an endeavor to succeed, it is necessary to develop fundamental husbandry tools specifically for this species. This study examined the role of the bull in the onset of seasonal ovarian activity and the synchrony of estrus and tested the efficacy of a radiotelemetric estrus detection system. Twenty parous female muskoxen, ranging in age from 4 to 15 yr, were divided into three groups (balanced by age and body weight). Groups received early bull exposure (EBE; August 1, n = 7), late bull exposure (LBE; August 22, n = 6), or remained physically isolated from a bull (NBE; n = 7). Just before bull introduction, radiotelemetry transmitters were attached to the rump of muskox cows in the EBE and LBE groups. Plasma samples were collected from all the cows twice weekly and analyzed for progesterone (P4). The mean date of onset of seasonal ovarian activity was earlier in the EBE and LBE groups than in the NBE group (P < 0.001) and was earlier in EBE (P < 0.021) than in LBE. All EBE and LBE cows conceived to the first fertile cycle, giving 100% fertility. The time interval for the onset of ovarian activity between the first and last cow within each group was 7 d in the EBE group, 12 d in the LBE group, and 24 d in the NBE group. Radiotelemetry correctly identified estrus 95% of the time (18 of 19 instances). Mean length of estrus for each cow, calculated from the time of first mount until last mount, was 771 +/- 98 min (range = 4 to 1,508 min). Mean number of mounts during estrus was 8.89 +/- 1.29 (range = 3 to 25 mounts). Length of estrus at the first short cycle did not differ from the length of the first fertile estrus between, or within, individuals. Estrous behavior was initiated more frequently during the night (2300 to 0500; P < 0.05). Bull introduction can be used as a simple, low-cost management tool for synchronizing estrus in farmed muskoxen. Radiotelemetry was an effective tool for identifying breeding behavior in this species.

Animal Husbandry↗