Pre-TAI protocol strategies to increase reproductive efficiency in beef and dairy cows

Ovulation synchronization protocols are well established in beef and dairy cows. However, the protocol response rate is around 70-90%. In beef cows, factors such as inadequate nutrition and calf presence negatively impact the response of progesterone (P4)/estradiol-based ovulation synchronization protocols by interfering with GnRH release and consequently reducing LH pulsatility and final follicular development. In dairy cows, protocols based on GnRH and prostaglandin (Ovsynch) are the most widely used in the world. However, the efficiency of Ovsynch is dependent on the presence of a large follicle at the time of administration of the first GnRH. In these ovulation synchronization protocols, pre-synchronization protocols (Prostaglandins, Double Ovsynch and P4synch) are usually attempted in an effort to increase responses. Thus, the objective of this review was to discuss pre-ovulation synchronization strategies (administration of injectable P4 or energetic/protein supplementation or presynchronization with intra-vaginal progesterone devices) aiming to increase the LH pulsatility in beef cows or induce the formation of a GnRH-responsive follicle at the beginning of the Ovsynch protocol in dairy cows.

Pre-TAI protocol strategies to increase reproductive efficiency in beef and dairy cows

Ovulation synchronization protocols are well established in beef and dairy cows. However, the protocol response rate is around 70-90%. In beef cows, factors such as inadequate nutrition and calf presence negatively impact the response of progesterone (P4)/estradiol-based ovulation synchronization protocols by interfering with GnRH release and consequently reducing LH pulsatility and final follicular development. In dairy cows, protocols based on GnRH and prostaglandin (Ovsynch) are the most widely used in the world. However, the efficiency of Ovsynch is dependent on the presence of a large follicle at the time of administration of the first GnRH. In these ovulation synchronization protocols, pre-synchronization protocols (Prostaglandins, Double Ovsynch and P4synch) are usually attempted in an effort to increase responses. Thus, the objective of this review was to discuss pre-ovulation synchronization strategies (administration of injectable P4 or energetic/protein supplementation or presynchronization with intra-vaginal progesterone devices) aiming to increase the LH pulsatility in beef cows or induce the formation of a GnRH-responsive follicle at the beginning of the Ovsynch protocol in dairy cows.(AU)

Physiological bases for understanding estrous cycle differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus

Background: Although there is some information in the literature discussing differences of the estrous cycle of Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle, most of the data derive from studies performed in temperate climate countries, under environmental and nutritional conditions very different than those found in tropical countries. Moreover, the physiological basis for understanding the differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus estrous cycles are still unknown. This review explores the physiological and metabolic bases for understanding the key differences between the Bos taurus and Bos indicus estrous cycle. Moreover, it presents recent results of studies that have directly compared reproductive variables between Zebu and European cattle. Review: The knowledge of reproductive physiology, especially the differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus, is important for the development and application of different techniques of reproductive management in cattle. In this regard, overall, Bos indicus have a greater number of small ovarian follicles and ovulatory follicles are smaller as compared to Bos taurus. Consequently, Zebu cattle also have smaller corpus luteum (CL). Nevertheless, circulating concentrations of steroid and metabolic hormones are not necessarily higher in European cattle. In fact, some studies have shown that despite ovulating smaller follicles and having smaller CL, Bos indicus cows or heifers have higher circulating concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, insulin and IGF-I compared to Bos taurus females. In addition, there are also substantial differences between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in relation to follicle size at the time of selection of the dominant follicle. Conclusion: Data from very recent studies performed in Brazil have corroborated results from previous reports that have observed substantial differences in the estrous cycle variables of Bos indicus versus Bos taurus cattle. Those differences are probably related to distinct metabolism and metabolic hormone concentrations between Zebu and European cattle. This increased knowledge will allow for the establishment of more adequate reproductive management protocols in both breeds of cattle.

Diferenças fisiológicas reprodutivas entre Bos taurus e Bos indicus

A função ovariana e as concentrações circulantes dos hormônios reprodutivos e metabólicos foram comparadas em vacas Bos taurus e Bos indicus sob as mesmas condições climáticas e nutricionais. Vacas secas das raças Nelore (n=12) e Holandês Preto e Branco (HPB; n=12) foram mantidas em baias individuais, recebendo dieta de manutenção de acordo com o NRC (2000). O ECC e o PC se mantiveram em 3,1±0,1 e 2,8±0,2 (escala de 1 a 5) e 508±17 e 575±20 kg, para Nelore e HPB, respectivamente. Após 21 dias de adaptação, o estro foi sincronizado e os animais monitorados diariamente durante um intervalo ovulatório, através de ultrassonografia ovariana, usando um transdutor linear de 7,5 MHz. Durante a primeira onda folicular, os exames ultrassonográficos foram realizados duas vezes ao dia. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas uma vez ao dia para dosagens hormonais. Os resultados foram analisados pelo procedimento Mixed do SAS (P<0,05) e apresentados como média dos quadrados mínimos ± EP. Foi observado que 80% das vacas Nelore e 60% das vacas HPB apresentaram três ondas de crescimento folicular durante o ciclo estral. Todas as demais apresentaram duas ondas. O comprimento médio do ciclo estral foi similar entre Nelore e HPB (23 dias; variando de 21 a 26). Foram observadas diferenças substanciais quanto ao número de folículos antrais entre Nelore e HPB. À emergência da onda, o número de folículos de 2 a 5 mm presentes nos ovários foi de 42,7±5,9 para Nelore (variando de 25 a 100) e 19,7±3,2 para HPB (variando de 5 a 40). O desvio folicular ocorreu, em média, 2,3 dias após a ovulação, independente de raça, quando o maior folículo atingiu 7,0±0,2 e 8,9±0,4 mm de diâmetro em Nelore e HPB, respectivamente. O diâmetro máximo do folículo ovulatório (15,7±0,3 vs 13,4±0,3 mm), assim como o volume...

Influência da ingestão de matéria seca e da condição corporal na produção in vitro de embriões bovinos

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da condição corporal e/ou da alta ingestão de matéria seca (AIMS) na produção in vivo de embriões de fêmeas bovinas superovuladas. Em um primeiro experimento, 14 vacas Simental x Nelore não-lactantes com elevado escore de condição corporal (ECC) foram divididas em grupos de Manutenção=M ou alta ingestão de matéria seca=AIMS. As vacas do grupo AIMS receberam dieta com 180% da manutenção, entre 7 dias antes do início da superovulação (SOV) e o final das aplicações de FSH. O grupo M recebeu dieta de manutenção. O número de folículos recrutados e ovulados não diferiu entre os grupos (P>0,10). Entretanto, os números de estruturas totais e embriões viáveis colhidos foram maiores no grupo M (P<0,05). Em um segundo experimento avaliou-se a influência do ECC associado ou não da AIMS na produção embrionária em 36 novilhas Nelore. AIMS ocorreu por 14 dias antes do início da SOV. Após colheita, os embriões viáveis foram congelados para posterior cultivo até eclosão. Não houve diferença entre os grupos na população folicular ao início da SOV, na resposta superestimulatória ou superovulatória, nem no número ou qualidade dos embriões colhidos. As novilhas com ECC tiveram insulina mais alta. Os embriões dos animais com >ECC apresentaram diâmetro, taxas de eclosão e expressão relativa de mRNA do gene BAX superiores após cultivo do que os coletados no grupo com

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of body condition and/or high dry matter intake (flushing) on in vivo embryo production in superovulated female cattle. A first experiment used 14 non-lactating Nelore x Simmental cows with a high body condition score (BCS) divided into Maintenance=M or Flushing=F groups. Seven days prior to onset of superovulation (SOV) until the last day of treatment with FSH, group F cows were fed a diet to achieve 180% of maintenance. Group M cows were fed a maintenance diet. The number of recruited or ovulated follicles did not differ between groups (P>0.10). However, the total number of embryos/ova and the number of viable embryos recovered were greater in the M group (P<0.05). A second study investigated whether differences in BCS, associated or not with nutritional flushing, influence the embryo production in 36 Nelore heifers. Nutritional flushing was conducted during 14 days prior to the onset of SOV. After recovery, viable embryos were frozen to be subsequently cultured until hatching. There was no difference among groups for follicle population at onset of SOV, superstimulatory or superovulatory responses, nor number or quality of recovered embryos. Heifers with BCS had grater insulin. Embryos collected from >BCS heifers had greater diameter, hatching rates and relative expression of the BAX gene mRNA than the ones recovered from