Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration on serum inflammatory markers and productivity of dairy cows during the calving transition.

Dairy cattle experience inflammation during the calving transition period, and butyrate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are expected to reduce the inflammation. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration on feed intake, serum inflammatory markers, plasma metabolites, and milk production of dairy cows during the calving transition period. Eighty-three Holstein cows were used in the experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The cows were blocked by parity and calving date, and randomly assigned to a dietary butyrate or control supplement, and NSAID or a placebo oral administration. Experimental diets were iso-energetic containing calcium butyrate at 1.42% of diet dry matter (DM) or the control supplement (1.04% commercial fat supplement and 0.38% calcium carbonate of diet DM). The close-up diets contained 13.3% starch and 42.4% neutral detergent fiber on a DM basis, and were fed from 28 d before expected calving date until calving. The postpartum diets contained 22.1% starch and 34.1% neutral detergent fiber on a DM basis and were fed from calving to 24 d after calving. Oral NSAID (1 mg of meloxicam/kg of body weight) or placebo (food dye) was administered 12 to 24 h after calving. Dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration did not affect milk yield or postpartum serum concentrations of amyloid A and haptoglobin. However, butyrate-fed cows increased plasma fatty acid concentration on d -4 relative to calving (501 vs. 340 µEq/L) and tended to increase serum haptoglobin concentration (0.23 vs. 0.10 mg/mL). There was a supplement by drug interaction effect on plasma glucose concentration on d 4; in cows administered the placebo drug, butyrate supplementation decreased plasma glucose concentration compared with control-fed cows (62.8 vs. 70.1 mg/dL). Butyrate-fed cows tended to have lower milk crude protein yield compared with cows fed the control diet (1.21 vs. 1.27 kg/d). Dietary butyrate supplementation and oral NSAID administration did not have overall positive effects on production performance of dairy cows during the calving transition period.

Repeatability of anogenital distance measurements from birth to maturity and at different physiological states in female Holstein cattle.

The inverse association between anogenital distance (AGD; the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris) and fertility, its moderate heritability, and high variability reported in dairy cattle make AGD a promising candidate for further exploration as a reproductive phenotype. In addition to heritability, repeatability (i.e., consistency in measurements taken at different time points) is important for a reproductive phenotype to be considered useful in genetic selection. Therefore, our primary objective was to determine the repeatability of AGD from birth to breeding age (≈16 mo) in Holstein heifer calves, and during different stages of the estrous cycle, gestation, and lactation in Holstein cows. We also determined the associations among AGD, height (at the hip), and body weight (BW) at birth. In calves (n = 48), we recorded BW (kg) and height (cm) at birth and measured AGD (mm) at approximately 0, 2, 6, 9, 12, and 16 mo of age. In cows, AGD was measured at different stages of the estrous cycle (proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus; n = 20), gestation (30, 90, 180, and 270 d; n = 78), and lactation (30-300 d in milk in 30-d increments; n = 30). Calf height and BW at birth had a weak positive association with AGD at birth. The AGD increased linearly from birth to breeding age, but there was no association between the AGD at birth and at breeding age in heifers. Although any 2 consecutive AGD measurements were correlated, 6 mo was the earliest age at which AGD was moderately correlated (r = 0.41) with that of breeding-age heifers. The AGD was neither influenced by the different stages of estrous cycle nor lactation and remained highly repeatable (r ≥ 0.95). Although AGD measurements at 30, 90, and 180 d of gestation (126.9, 126.7, and 127.7 mm, respectively) were strongly correlated (r ≥ 0.97) with each other, AGD at 270 d of gestation (142.8 mm) differed from AGD at all earlier stages of gestation. In summary, AGD measured at birth did not reflect AGD at breeding age in heifers, but AGD measurements in cows had high repeatability at all stages of the estrous cycle, gestation, and lactation, except at 270 d of gestation. Therefore, AGD could be measured reliably at any of the aforesaid physiological states in cows due to its high repeatability, except during late gestation. The earliest gestational stage when pregnancy-associated increase in AGD occurred, however, could not be definitively established in the present study.

Associations between anogenital distance and measures of fertility in lactating North American Holstein cows: A validation study.

Anogenital distance (AGD) has been defined in dairy cows as the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris. Initial reports on nulliparous Holstein heifers and first- and second-parity Holstein cows have found inverse relationships between AGD and measures of fertility. Our primary objective was to determine the relationship between AGD and measures of fertility in a larger population of North American Holstein cows to validate our previous finding that AGD is inversely related to fertility. Secondary objectives were to determine the associations between AGD and parity, and milk yield. Using digital calipers, we measured AGD in 4,709 Holstein cows [mean ± standard deviation (SD); parity 2.3 ± 1.4; days in milk (DIM) 154 ± 94; 305-d mature equivalent (ME) milk yield 13,759 ± 2,188 kg] from 18 herds in Western Canada and 1 herd in the USA. Anogenital distance (mm) was normally distributed with a mean (±SD) of 132 ± 12, ranging from 95 to 177, and a median of 133. Anogenital distance was linearly but inversely associated with pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI1). For every 1-mm increase in AGD, the estimated probability of P/AI1 decreased by 0.8%. The optimum AGD cut-point that predicted probability of P/AI1 with sensitivity and specificity of 45 and 55%, respectively, was 129 mm. Consequently, data were categorized into either short (≤129) or long (>129) AGD groups across parities, and associations between AGD, parity (first, second, and third+), and fertility measures were determined. Rates of P/AI1 were greater (36 vs. 30%) in short- than in long-AGD cows; short-AGD cows required fewer AI per conception (2.3 vs. 2.4) and had fewer days open (137 vs. 142), and a greater proportion of short-AGD cows (67 vs. 64%) was pregnant by 150 DIM compared with long-AGD cows. The rates of pregnancy up to 150 (hazard ratio of 0.91) and 250 DIM (hazard ratio of 0.93) were smaller in long- than in short-AGD cows. Anogenital distance had a weak positive association with both parity (r = 0.22) and 305-d ME milk yield (r = 0.04). Results indicate an inverse relationship between AGD and measures of fertility in lactating cows, validating our earlier report. We infer that although selecting cows for short AGD is expected to have an adverse effect on milk yield, the anticipated gain in fertility will outweigh the small decline in milk yield, strengthening the potential of AGD as a novel reproductive phenotype for use in future breeding programs to improve fertility.

Anogenital distance is associated with postpartum estrous activity, intensity of estrous expression, ovulation, and progesterone concentrations in lactating Holstein cows.

The objectives of this retrospective observational study were to determine the associations of anogenital distance (AGD) with (a) postpartum estrous activity, (b) diameter of the preovulatory follicle, (c) intensity of estrous expression, (d) postestrus ovulation, (e) corpus luteum (CL) size, and (f) concentrations of progesterone at estrus and on d 7 after estrus. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 178; 55 primiparous, 123 multiparous) were enrolled into the study during the first postpartum week. All cows were continuously monitored by a pedometer-based automated activity monitoring (AAM) system for estrus. Postpartum estrous activity was assessed using the AAM estrus alerts, in which cows with at least one true estrus alert (i.e., a relative increase in steps from each cow's baseline detected by the AAM and the presence of at least one follicle >15 mm, a CL <20 mm, or no CL detected by ultrasound) by the first 50 d in milk (DIM) were considered to have commenced estrous activity. At the estrus alert >60 DIM, ovulation was determined by ultrasound at 24 h, 48 h, and 7 d after estrus, and blood samples were collected at estrus alert and on d 7 after estrus for progesterone analysis. The AGD was measured from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris and classified as either short- or long-AGD using 2 cut-points of 148 mm (predictive of the probability of pregnancy to first insemination; short-AGD, n = 115; long-AGD, n = 63) and 142 mm (the median AGD; short-AGD, n = 90; long-AGD, n = 88). Regardless of the cut-point used, early postpartum estrous activity by 50 DIM (67 vs. 54%), duration of estrus (11.6 vs. 9.7 h), and preovulatory follicle diameter (20 vs. 19 mm) were greater in short-AGD than in long-AGD cows. Increased peak of activity at estrus in short-AGD cows (354 vs. 258% mean relative increase) was affected by an interaction between AGD and parity in which multiparous long-AGD cows had lesser relative increase in activity than primiparous cows (217 vs. 386%, respectively). Mean progesterone concentration at estrus was lesser in short-AGD (0.47 vs. 0.61 ng/mL) than in long-AGD cows. The ovulatory response at 24 h did not differ, but at 48 h (91 vs. 78%) and on d 7 after estrus (97 vs. 84%) it was greater in short-AGD cows. Although CL diameter on d 7 after estrus did not differ, short-AGD cows had greater progesterone concentration 7 d after estrus than long-AGD cows (4.1 vs. 3.2 ng/mL, respectively). In conclusion, greater proportions of short-AGD cows commenced estrous activity by 50 DIM, had larger preovulatory follicles, exhibited greater duration of estrus, had reduced progesterone concentration at estrus, had greater ovulation rates and progesterone concentration 7 d after estrus compared with long-AGD cows, with no difference in CL size between AGD groups. Because all the differences in physiological characteristics of short-AGD cows reported herein favor improved reproductive outcomes, we infer that these are factors contributing to improved fertility reported in short-AGD cows compared with long-AGD cows.

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: II. Effects on circulating leptin, luteinizing hormone, and age at puberty.

The objectives were to investigate the effects of differing planes of pre- and postweaning nutrition on prepubertal serum leptin concentrations, LH profiles, and age at puberty in Holstein heifers. Thirty-six Holstein calves were randomly assigned to either a low (5 L) or high (10 L of whole milk/d) preweaning plane of nutrition from 1 to 7 wk of age, a transition diet (a dry total mixed ration with 85% of concentrate) from wk 8 to 10, and to either a low (70%) or high (85% of concentrate dry total mixed ration) postweaning plane from 11 to 25 wk of age. Serum leptin concentrations were measured every 2 wk from 1 to 25 wk of age, and LH profiles were determined both at wk 15 and 25 based on sequential blood samples taken every 12 min over 10 h. Starting at 26 wk of age, ovaries were examined weekly by transrectal ultrasonography until first ovulation (puberty) was confirmed. Heifers that received the high preweaning plane diet had greater mean (± standard error; SE) leptin concentrations during the preweaning phase than those fed the low plane (2.9 ± 0.1 vs. 2.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL). During the postweaning phase, mean circulating leptin was greater in heifers fed the high compared with the low postweaning diet [3.2 ng/mL (95% confidence interval; CI = 2.7 to 3.4) vs. 2.5 ng/mL (95% CI = 2.3 to 2.8)]. Mean (± SE) amplitude (2.1 ± 0.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1 ng/mL), peak (2.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 ng/mL), and duration (35.6 ± 2.1 vs. 28.7 ± 2.0 min) of LH pulses assessed at wk 15 were greater in heifers offered the high than those offered the low preweaning plane, but no nutritional effects were observed on LH pulses at wk 25. Mean (± SE) age at puberty was 250 ± 9 d and was not influenced by planes of nutrition. However, the likelihood of attaining puberty by 30 wk of age was greater (hazard ratio = 3.8; 95% CI = 1.0 to 14.4) in heifers fed the high postweaning plane compared with the low plane. Heifers achieving puberty by 30 wk also had greater leptin concentrations from wk 1 to 25, whereas for every 1 ng/mL increase in circulating leptin at wk 15 and 25, days to puberty were estimated to decrease by 22 d (95% CI = 1 to 44) and 13 d (95% CI = 1 to 24), respectively. Increasing the preweaning plane from 5 to 10 L/d of whole milk increased serum leptin concentrations at wk 1, 3, and 5 and LH pulse amplitude, peak, and duration at wk 15. Increasing the postweaning plane from 70 to 85% of concentrate resulted in greater circulating leptin concentrations, which may be linked to an earlier onset of puberty.

Relationship of anogenital distance with fertility in nulliparous Holstein heifers.

Anogenital distance (AGD), defined as the distance from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris, in lactating dairy cows of first and second parity, has been reported to be inversely related to fertility and moderately heritable. Thus, AGD may be a useful reproductive phenotype for future genetic selection to improve fertility. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize AGD in nulliparous dairy heifers; and (2) determine if the inverse relationship between AGD and fertility, found in lactating dairy cows, is also evident in nulliparous heifers. We measured AGD in 1,692 Holstein heifers from 16 herds in Western Canada (Alberta and British Columbia) and one herd in the United States (Washington State). Data were analyzed using MEANS, UNIVARIATE, LOGISTIC, ROC, GLIMMIX, and LIFETEST procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Mean (±standard deviation) age at AGD measurement was 13.9 ± 1.5 mo, and AGD was normally distributed with a mean of 107.3 ± 10.5 mm, ranging from 69 to 142 mm. With every 1-mm increase in AGD, the predicted probability of pregnancy was reduced by 1.9%. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimum threshold AGD that predicted the probability of pregnancy. Based on the optimum threshold AGD, data from heifers were categorized into short (≤110 mm) and long (>110 mm) AGD groups, and associations between AGD groups and fertility measures were determined. Heifers with short AGD required fewer services per conception (1.5 vs. 1.7) than heifers with long AGD. Consequently, heifers with short AGD conceived earlier (448.4 vs. 454.3 d) and had greater pregnancy to first AI than those with long AGD (58.3 vs. 49.6%). Moreover, heifers with long AGD had reduced hazard (hazard ratio of 0.59) for pregnancy up to 450 d of life compared with those with short AGD. In summary, AGD was normally distributed and highly variable in the population. In addition, an inverse relationship between AGD and fertility measures in nulliparous heifers was evident, confirming an earlier report of a similar relationship in lactating dairy cows. These findings strengthen the potential for AGD to be used as a fertility trait and management tool in future selection programs.

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: I. Effects on feed intake, growth efficiency, and metabolic and development indicators.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on feed and metabolizable energy (ME) intake, growth, concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in blood and rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) from birth to 25 wk of age in Holstein heifers. Heifer calves (n = 36) were randomly assigned to receive either a low (5 L/d of whole milk) or high (10 L/d of whole milk) preweaning plane of nutrition from 1 to 7 wk of age, and either a low (70% concentrate dry total mixed ration) or high (85% concentrate dry total mixed ration) postweaning plane of nutrition from 11 to 25 wk of age. From birth to 25 wk of age, feed intake was recorded daily, and body measures were obtained weekly. Circulating hormone and metabolite concentrations were measured biweekly and total ruminal VFA, fecal starch, and body condition were assessed monthly. Overall, average daily gain and body weight were greater for heifers offered increased planes of nutrition during both the pre- and postweaning phases. Heifers offered the high preweaning plane had greater milk intake (7.7 ± 0.1 vs. 4.5 ± 0.1 L/d) but lower starter intake (0.3 ± 0.04 vs. 0.7 ± 0.04 kg/d) during the preweaning phase than those offered the low plane. High preweaning plane heifers also had greater ME intake from wk 1 to 7, but less ME intake at wk 9 (5.3 ± 0.3 vs. 6.6 ± 0.2 Mcal/kg) than those offered the low plane. Furthermore, overall glucose (118.8 ± 2.9 vs. 110.1 ± 2.9 mg/dL) and IGF-1 (101.6 ± 3.6 vs. 75.9 ± 3.6 ng/mL) concentrations were greater for high versus low preweaning plane heifers, although circulating insulin and BHB did not differ between preweaning plane groups. However, heifers offered the high preweaning plane had reduced total rumen VFA concentrations compared with heifers offered the low plane in the preweaning phase (47.3 ± 2.0 vs. 55.6 ± 2.1 mM). During the postweaning phase, dry matter intake and ME were consistently greater in heifers offered the high postweaning plane. Overall insulin (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.8 ± 0.1 ng/mL), glucose (97.1 ± 0.6 vs. 92.1 ± 0.6 ng/mL), IGF-1 (178.0 ± 4.8 vs. 155.8 ± 4.8 ng/mL), and BHB concentrations (8.8 ± 0.2 vs. 8.1 ± 0.2 ng/mL) were greater in heifers offered the high than the low postweaning plane. In addition, heifers offered the high postweaning plane had increased VFA concentrations in the postweaning phase (73.4 ± 1.3 vs. 63.9 ± 1.3 mM) compared with heifers offered the low postweaning plane. The results indicated that increasing the pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition along with energy levels positively influenced several indicators associated with heifer development before 25 wk of age. Nevertheless, there was limited interaction in growth and development indicators between the 2 phases.

Cutaneous involvement of multiple myeloma.

Cutaneous multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare disease. It can be primary or secondary in origin. The secondary type is further classified into specific and nonspecific types. The specific type is uncommon and is known as a secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma. We report a case of secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma in a 58-year-old man who had a history of plasma cell tumour of the lung and multiple myeloma. He achieved complete remission after the completion of chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). However, five months later, he developed multiple erythematous nodules on the whole body. Skin biopsy revealed diffuse neoplastic cells infiltrate in the reticular dermis with sparing of the upper papillary dermis and epidermis. The neoplastic cells were monotonous and homogenous with variable degrees of cytological atypia. Occasional cells showed distinctive plasma cell features. Plasma cell lineage was confirmed with CD138. The cells were immunoreactive to Kappa. Ki-67 was greater than 90%. They were non-immunoreactive to CD45, CD3, CD20, CD79 alpha and CK AE1/AE3. The findings were consistent with secondary cutaneous plasmacytoma. Our case illustrates that MM may present with nonspecific dermatological manifestations. As specific cutaneous involvement of MM is very uncommon; a high degree of clinical suspicion, detailed medical history and histopathological examination are required to arrive at an early diagnosis.

Determination of Strong-Phase Parameters in D→K_{S,L}

We report the most precise measurements to date of the strong-phase parameters between D^{0} and D[over ¯]^{0} decays to K_{S,L}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} using a sample of 2.93 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. Our results provide the key inputs for a binned model-independent determination of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa angle γ/ϕ_{3} with B decays. Using our results, the decay model sensitivity to the γ/ϕ_{3} measurement is expected to be between 0.7° and 1.2°, approximately a factor of three smaller than that achievable with previous measurements, based on the studies of the simulated data. The improved precision of this work ensures that measurements of γ/ϕ_{3} will not be limited by knowledge of strong phases for the next decade. Furthermore, our results provide critical input for other flavor-physics investigations, including charm mixing, other measurements of CP violation, and the measurement of strong-phase parameters for other D-decay modes.

Technical note: Validation of an automated in-line milk progesterone analysis system to diagnose pregnancy in dairy cattle.

The in-line milk analysis system (IMAS) is an automated biosensor technology that samples and quantifies milk progesterone concentrations (P4c) at frequent intervals starting early postpartum until pregnancy. The objective was to validate the use of pregnancy notifications (PregN) generated by an IMAS based on P4c profiles after artificial insemination (AI) to determine pregnancy and nonpregnancy status in dairy cows. Records of 1,821 AI events from 715 Holstein cows that had milk P4c (ng/mL) measured every 2.2 ± 1.9 d (mean ± standard deviation) between 24.5 ± 8.2 and 173.4 ± 49.3 d in milk through a real-time IMAS (Herd Navigator, DeLaval International, Tumba, Sweden) were evaluated. Based on variations in adjusted milk P4c (< vs. ≥ the 5.0 ng/mL threshold), the system determined the sampling frequency, onset and cessation of luteal phases, and pregnancy. If a luteal phase initiated (P4c increased to ≥5.0 ng/mL) after AI and remained uninterrupted, a PregN was generated starting at (mean ± standard deviation) 31.0 ± 4.3 d until 53.4 ± 7.9 d after AI, when sampling stopped, unless a decline in P4c (to <5.0 ng/mL) occurred indicating nonpregnancy and imminent estrus. The assessment of IMAS PregN at 4 weekly intervals was tested, and a confirmed calving occurrence between 262 and 296 d after AI, with no other subsequent AI recorded, was the gold standard for pregnancy. In total, 14.1 (256/1,821), 41.0 (746/1,821), and 50.7% (924/1,821) of AI events were followed by a decline in P4c before 19, 23, and 30 d after AI, respectively. Frequency of the last 3 sampling events preceding P4c decline was greater if P4c decline occurred between 18 and 25 d after AI (1.4 ± 0.5 samples per day) compared with before 17 or beyond 26 d after AI (1.0 ± 0.5 samples per day). At 30 ± 3 (27 to 33) d after AI, PregN occurred in 46.8% (853/1,821) of AI events, of which 15.2% (130/853) had a decline in P4c between 30 and 55 d after AI and 17.1% (146/853) was later confirmed nonpregnant based on the gold standard. A total of 40.7% (742/1,821) of AI events was confirmed pregnant by the gold standard, which was no different than the proportion of PregN at 51 ± 3 (48 to 54) d (40.9%; 744/1,821). At any time point between 27 and 54 d after AI, sensitivity and negative predictive values for PregN were greater than 95.0 and 96.0%, respectively, whereas specificity values were less than 90.0% for PregN before 40 d but greater than 94.0% for PregN beyond 41 d after AI. In conclusion, IMAS is able to diagnose pregnancy based on P4c profiles with high precision and determine early nonpregnancy based on the spontaneous cessation of the luteal phase. However, for accuracy greater than 95.0%, pregnancy declaration based on IMAS notifications alone should occur no earlier than 41 d after AI.

Using in-line milk progesterone data to characterize parameters of luteal activity and their association with fertility in Holstein cows.

Our objectives were to characterize parameters of luteal activity based on milk progesterone concentration (P4c) data from before and after artificial insemination (AI) and to evaluate their potential association with fertility in Holstein cows. Records of AI events (n = 4,353) and of milk P4c (n = 158,961) obtained through an in-line milk analysis system (Herd Navigator, DeLaval International, Tumba, Sweden) from 1,891 lactations of 1,423 Holstein cows were evaluated. Milk P4c (ng/mL) were measured every 2.2 ± 1.9 d (mean ± standard deviation) between 23.6 ± 7.3 and 185.3 ± 56.7 d in milk. Variations in milk P4c of consecutive records were used to determine onset of luteal phase (increase in P4c from <5.0 to ≥5.0 ng/mL), luteal phase length (period, in days, of P4c ≥5.0 ng/mL), cessation of luteal phase (decline from ≥5.0 to <5.0 ng/mL, designated as P4c-decline), and pregnancy (AI followed by a luteal phase that remained uninterrupted until 50 d post-AI). The length of the luteal phase preceding AI, the highest P4c (P4c peak) during the luteal phase preceding AI, the lowest P4c preceding AI (P4c pre-AI) that followed a P4c-decline, and the interval between P4c-decline and AI were evaluated, as well as the interval between AI and onset of luteal phase, and P4c at early diestrus (4.5 ± 0.6 d post-AI), mid diestrus (10.0 ± 0.6 d post-AI), and late diestrus (14.1 ± 0.6 d post-AI). Data were analyzed using logistic regressions, and comparisons made based on quartiles and cut-points established by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Overall probability of pregnancy was 32.0%. Parameters associated with reduced probability of pregnancy (represented as percentage points decrease in the probability of pregnancy) were (1) luteal phase length >14.4 d (7.6% decrease), (2) P4c peak ≤24.7 ng/mL (4.5% decrease), (3) P4c pre-AI >0.5 ng/mL (5.5% decrease), (4) interval between P4c-decline and AI of >1.6 d (4.0% decrease), (5) interval between AI and onset of luteal phase of <7 or >11 d (9.3 and 12.1% decrease, respectively), and (6) P4c at early diestrus ≤0.7 or >3.5 ng/mL (15.2 and 6.7% decrease, respectively), (7) P4c at mid diestrus ≤12.4 ng/mL (12.5% decrease), and (8) P4c at late diestrus ≤22.7 ng/mL (9.7% decrease). The parameters of luteal activity associated with reduced probability of pregnancy established here could be used as benchmarks while developing recommendations to improve reproductive performance in herds using in-line milk progesterone monitoring.

Carryover effects of pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on reproductive tract development and estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the carryover effects of differing pre- and postweaning planes of nutrition on prepubertal reproductive tract development and postpubertal estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers. Heifer calves (n = 36) were randomly assigned to receive either a low or a high (5 or 10 L of whole milk/d, respectively) preweaning diet from 1 to 7 wk of age and either a low or a high (70 or 85% of concentrate dry total mixed ration, respectively) postweaning diet from 11 to 25 wk of age. Starting at wk 26 of age, heifers were subjected to weekly transrectal ultrasonography until wk 33 or until first ovulation to assess endometrial thickness and ovarian follicular count and size in the prepubertal phase. In a subset of heifers (n = 28), ovarian ultrasonography continued weekly until at least the second ovulation was confirmed; thereafter, ovarian dynamics (through ultrasonography) and blood progesterone (P4) were assessed every 2 d throughout 1 complete estrous cycle in the postpubertal phase. In the prepubertal phase, endometrial thickness (12.0 ± 0.4 vs. 10.8 ± 0.3 mm) and largest follicle size (11.8 ± 0.3 vs. 10.9 ± 0.2 mm) were greater in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet. Furthermore, the number of class 2 (6-9 mm) follicles was greater in heifers fed the high preweaning diet than in those fed the low preweaning diet (1.6 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.1), whereas the number of class 3 (>9 mm) follicles was greater in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet (1.2 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1). In the postpubertal phase, overall corpus luteum and P4 dynamics did not differ among pre- or postweaning treatments; however, P4 at 4 d preceding luteolysis was lesser in heifers fed the high postweaning diet than in those fed the low postweaning diet (6.1 ± 0.4 vs. 7.7 ± 0.4 ng/mL). In addition, compared with heifers fed the low postweaning diet, those fed the high postweaning diet had a greater number of antral follicles (31.4 ± 2.2 vs. 21.4 ± 2.3) and tended to have more class 3 follicles (3.6 ± 0.3 vs. 2.7 ± 0.3). Results indicate positive carryover effects of increasing the preweaning plane of nutrition from 5 to 10 L of whole milk/d on prepubertal follicular growth in Holstein heifers. Furthermore, an increased postweaning plane of nutrition (85 vs. 70% of concentrate dry total mixed ration) advanced reproductive development through greater endometrial thickness and follicular growth in the prepubertal phase and increased the population of antral follicles in the postpubertal estrous cycle.

Effects of supplementing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product during the periparturient period on performance of dairy cows fed fresh diets differing in starch content.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP; NutriTek, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA) during the periparturient period (d -28 ± 3 to 44 ± 3 relative to calving) on dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility, and postpartum ovarian activity of dairy cows fed fresh diets varying in starch content. From d 28 ± 3 before the expected calving date until d 44 ± 3 after calving, 117 Holstein cows were fed diets with SCFP (SCFP; n = 59) or without (control, CON; n = 58). A common, basal, controlled-energy close-up diet (net energy for lactation: 1.43 Mcal/kg; 13.8% starch) was fed before calving. Cows within each treatment (CON or SCFP) were fed either a low- (LS; 22.1% starch) or high-starch (HS; 28.3% starch) diet from d 1 to 23 ± 3 after calving (fresh period), resulting in 4 treatment groups: LS-CON (n = 30), LS-SCFP (n = 29), HS-CON (n = 28), and HS-SCFP (n = 30). All cows were fed the HS diets from d 24 ± 3 to 44 ± 3 after calving (post-fresh period). Cows were assigned to treatment balanced for parity, body condition score, body weight, and expected calving date. Milk yield was higher for cows fed the LS diets compared with those fed the HS diets during the fresh period (34.1 vs. 32.1 kg/d), whereas DMI and 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield (FCM) were not affected by dietary starch content, and LS cows tended to lose more body condition than HS cows (-0.42 vs. -0.35 per 21 d) during the fresh period. Overall DMI during the close-up and fresh periods did not differ between SCFP and CON cows. However, SCFP supplementation transiently increased DMI on d 1 (13.0 vs. 11.9 kg/d) and 5 (15.5 vs. 14.1 kg/d) after calving compared with CON. During the post-fresh period, SCFP cows tended to eat less than CON cows (19.8 vs. 20.6 kg/d) but had similar 3.5% FCM (44.9 vs. 43.6 kg/d), resulting in greater feed efficiency for SCFP cows (FCM/DMI; 2.27 vs. 2.13). Neither starch content of fresh diets nor SCFP supplementation affected the interval from calving to first ovulation or the incidence of double ovulation. These findings suggest that feeding low-starch diets during the fresh period can increase milk production of dairy cows during the fresh period, and that supplementation of SCFP may increase feed intake around calving and feed efficiency in the post-fresh period.

Infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics associated with estrus indicators and ovulation in estrus-synchronized dairy cows housed in tiestalls.

Most Canadian dairy herds operate in tiestall housing (61%), where average estrus detection rates may be lower than 54%. The objective of this study was to evaluate infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics as indicators of estrus in dairy cows. Eighteen cyclic multiparous cows (Synch) were subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol, and 18 pregnant cows (control) received a sham protocol on the same schedule and frequency as the cyclic cow treatment. A decline in plasma concentrations of progesterone and the appearance of a dominant follicle using transrectal ultrasonography were used as indirect indicators of estrus, and the disappearance of a dominant follicle was used to confirm ovulation. All cows were monitored via visual cameras to determine the frequency of treading, drinking, neighbor interaction, tail movement, lying, and shifting behaviors. Infrared thermograms were recorded at the eye, muzzle, cheek, neck, front right foot, front left foot, rump, flank, vulva area, tail head, and withers. To evaluate the accuracy of behavioral and thermal parameters, a predefined minimum acceptable value (i.e., threshold) for estrus alerts (>0.30 Youden J index and >0.60 area under the curve) was used. Ovulation was confirmed in 14 (77.7%) out of 18 Synch cows. Eye, cheek, neck, rump, flank, vulva area, and wither thermograms exhibited higher temperatures at 48 h [cycle threshold (Δt) = +0.30 to 1.20°C] and 24 h before ovulation compared with 4 d prior to ovulation (Δt = 0.06 to 0.11°C) and during ovulation day (Δt = 0.03 to 0.32°C) in the Synch group. In addition, control cows exhibited greater treading activity per day compared with Synch cows (20.84 ± 0.39 vs. 16.35 events/5 min ± 0.34), and tail movement frequency was greater in Synch cows compared with control cows (14.84 ± 2.7 vs. 10.11 ± 4.7 events/5 min). However, within Synch cows, tail movement was the only behavior that significantly increased in frequency 2 d before ovulation (11.81 ± 1.71 events/5 min) followed by a decrease in frequency 1 d before ovulation (4.67 ± 1.05 events/5 min) compared with ovulation day (0 d; 6.10 ± 1.25 events/5 min) and during luteolysis (3 d before ovulation; 6.01 ± 1.25 events/5 min). Upon evaluation of all variables (thermograms and behavior frequencies) as estrus indicators at 48 and 24 h before ovulation, treading and tail movements before milking and 9 thermal locations satisfied the predefined minimum acceptable value for estrus alerts. This study demonstrates that fluctuations in radiated temperature measured at specific anatomical locations and the frequency of tail movements and treading behaviors can be used as a noninvasive estrus alerts in multiparous cows housed in a tiestall system.

Anti-Müllerian hormone in grazing dairy cows: Identification of factors affecting plasma concentration, relationship with phenotypic fertility, and genome-wide associations.

The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize the distribution and variability of plasma anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration; (2) evaluate factors associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH; (3) examine the associations between categories of plasma AMH and reproductive outcomes [pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI), and pregnancy rates within 21, 42, and 84 d after the mating start date (MSD)]; (4) estimate pedigree and genomic heritability for plasma AMH; and (5) identify and validate SNP associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH. Plasma AMH concentration (pg/mL) was determined from a blood sample collected (mean ± standard deviation) 10 ± 2 d after first insemination at detected estrus (IDE) in 2,628 first- and second-parity Irish dairy cows. Overall, plasma AMH had a positively skewed distribution with mean (± standard deviation), median, minimum, and maximum concentrations of 326 ± 231, 268, 15, and 2,863 pg/mL, respectively. Plasma AMH was greatest for Jersey, followed by Holstein × Jersey, Holstein × Norwegian Red, and Holstein cows (410, 332, 284, and 257 pg/mL, respectively). Second-parity cows had greater plasma AMH than first-parity cows (333 vs. 301 pg/mL, respectively). Samples collected at 7 and 8 d after first IDE had lesser plasma AMH than those collected on d 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 after first IDE (291 and 297 vs. 317, 319, 331, 337, and 320 pg/mL). Plasma AMH was not associated with either body condition score at first IDE or the interval from calving to MSD. Cows were categorized into low (≤150 pg/mL; n = 526; lowest 20%), intermediate (>150 to ≤461 pg/mL; n = 1,576; intermediate 60%), and high AMH (>461 pg/mL; n = 526; highest 20%) groups based on plasma AMH, and associations with reproductive outcomes were tested. Cows with high and intermediate plasma AMH had 1.42- and 1.51-times-greater odds of becoming pregnant within 84 d after the MSD than those with low plasma AMH (90.3 and 90.8 vs. 86.8%, respectively); however, P/AI and pregnancy rate within 21 and 42 d after the MSD did not differ among AMH categories. Plasma AMH was moderately heritable (pedigree heritability of 0.40 ± 0.06 and genomic heritability of 0.45 ± 0.05), and 68 SNP across Bos taurus autosomes 7 and 11 were associated with phenotypic variation in plasma AMH. Out of 68 SNP, 42 were located in a single quantitative trait locus on Bos taurus autosome 11 that harbored 6 previously identified candidate genes (NR5A1, HSPA5, CRB2, DENND1A, NDUFA8, and PTGS) linked to fertility-related phenotypes in dairy cows.

The relationship between anogenital distance and fertility, and genome-wide associations for anogenital distance in Irish Holstein-Friesian cows.

The evaluation of anogenital distance (AGD), the distance from the center of the anus to base of the clitoris, as a potential fertility trait for genetic selection in dairy cows has generated recent interest. The objectives of this cross-sectional observational study were to (1) characterize the distribution and variability of AGD, (2) determine factors associated with AGD, (3) estimate heritability for AGD, (4) identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with phenotypic variation of AGD, and (5) validate the relationship between categories of AGD and fertility in Irish Holstein-Friesian cows. Anogenital distance was measured using digital calipers in 1,180 Holstein cows (mean ± standard deviation: 225 ± 79 d in milk) from 10 dairy herds located in Munster, Ireland. In addition, age (yr), weight (kg), height at hip (cm), and body condition score (BCS) at the time of AGD measurement were determined in a subset of 281 cows. Genotype information available from 908 cows was subsequently imputed to the Illumina Bovine High Density BeadChip (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) for genome-wide association analysis of phenotypic variation in AGD. Overall, AGD had a normal distribution and high variability (mean ± standard deviation; 119.2 ± 11.6 mm). Anogenital distance was weakly but positively associated with cow age, hip height, and body weight, and negatively associated with BCS; the phenotypic variation in AGD that was explainable by these variables was small (coefficient of determination; R2 = 0.09, 0.06, 0.10, and 0.02, respectively). The estimated heritability for AGD was 0.37 (standard error of mean ± 0.08). Six SNP of suggestive significance were identified on Bos taurus autosomes 6, 15, 20, and 26; however, none of these SNP was related to previously identified candidate genes for fertility. Cows were categorized into quartiles (Q1; 86 to 111 mm; n = 311, Q2; 112 to 120 mm; n = 330; Q3; 121 to 127 mm; n = 265, and Q4; 128 to 160 mm; n = 274) based on AGD and the association with reproductive outcomes examined (21-d submission rate, pregnancy to first AI, pregnancy rate within 21, 42 and 84-d after the farm mating start date, and number of times bred). None of the reproductive variables differed significantly between AGD categories. In summary, despite identification of high variability and moderate heritability for AGD in Irish Holstein-Friesian cows, reproductive outcomes did not differ between categories of AGD. This latter result differs from our previous finding of an inverse relationship between AGD and pregnancy outcomes in first- and second-parity Canadian Holstein cows, emphasizing the need to test and validate this new phenotype in diverse cow populations.

Precision Study of η

Using a low background data sample of 9.7×10^{5} J/ψ→γη^{'}, η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} events, which are 2 orders of magnitude larger than those from the previous experiments, recorded with the BESIII detector at BEPCII, the decay dynamics of η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} are studied with both model-dependent and model-independent approaches. The contributions of ω and the ρ(770)-ω interference are observed for the first time in the decays η^{'}→γπ^{+}π^{-} in both approaches. Additionally, a contribution from the box anomaly or the ρ(1450) resonance is required in the model-dependent approach, while the process specific part of the decay amplitude is determined in the model-independent approach.

Short communication: The effects of offering a high or low plane of milk preweaning on insulin-like growth factor and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in dairy heifer calves.

Although positive effects on growth have been shown when calves are placed on high planes of nutrition, little information exists regarding the effect of this feeding strategy on insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a hormone whose fundamental action is to stimulate growth, and its binding proteins during the preweaning period. The objective of this study was to characterize IGF-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) concentrations in plasma during the pre- and immediate postweaning period, when calves were offered a high or low plane of whole milk. Twenty-six female Holstein calves were randomly assigned to either a high (HI; 10 L/d; n = 13) or low (LO; 5 L/d; n = 13) plane of milk following colostrum feeding at d 3 of life. Calves were fed their respective diet as whole milk until d 48 when a 10-d weaning transition began. During this transition, milk was reduced by 10% per day such that all calves received no milk on d 59 of life. Blood samples were collected bi-weekly to measure IGF-1 and IGFBP in plasma. Calves fed HI gained more body weight than calves fed LO during the preweaning period (d 1-48 of life; 0.90 vs. 0.65 kg/d); however, no differences in average daily gain or metabolizable energy intake during the weaning transition (d 48-58 of life) or postweaning period (d 59-70 of life) occurred. Concentrations of IGF-1 were higher in HI calves during the preweaning period, which was associated with high levels of IGFBP-3 at wk 5 and lower IGFBP-2 during each measured time point preweaning as compared with LO. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 was lower in HI calves only during wk 1, and IGFBP-5 was not affected by the dietary treatment. Overall, offering a high plane of nutrition was associated with changes in plasma IGF-1 and IGFBP that would indicate greater growth and development preweaning but not necessarily postweaning.

The relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration and reproductive performance, and genome-wide associations for serum IGF-1 in Holstein cows.

The objectives of this study were to determine (1) factors associated with serum concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1); (2) the relationship between serum IGF-1 concentration during the first week postpartum and ovarian cyclicity status by 35 d postpartum (DPP); (3) an optimum serum IGF-1 concentration threshold predictive of pregnancy to first artificial insemination (P/AI), including its diagnostic values; (4) the associations among categories of serum IGF-1 concentration and reproductive outcomes (P/AI and pregnancy risk up to 150 and 250 DPP); and (5) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated with phenotypic variation in serum IGF-1 concentration in dairy cows. Serum IGF-1 concentration was determined at 7 (±2.4; ±standard error of the mean) DPP in 647 lactating Holstein cows (213 primiparous, 434 multiparous) from 7 herds in Alberta, Canada. The overall mean, median, minimum, and maximum serum IGF-1 concentrations during the first week postpartum were 37.8 (±1.23), 31.0, 20.0, and 225.0 ng/mL, respectively. Herd, age, parity, precalving body condition score, and season of blood sampling were all identified as factors associated with serum IGF-1 concentrations. Although serum IGF-1 concentration during the first week postpartum had no association with ovarian cyclicity status by 35 DPP in primiparous cows, it was greater in cyclic than in acyclic multiparous cows (32.2 vs. 27.4 ng/mL, respectively). The optimum serum IGF-1 thresholds predictive of P/AI were 85.0 ng/mL (sensitivity = 31.9%; specificity = 89.1%) and 31.0 ng/mL (sensitivity = 45.5%; specificity = 66.9%) for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. When cows were grouped into either high or low IGF-1 categories (greater or less than or equal to 85.0 ng/mL for primiparous cows and greater or less than or equal to 31.0 ng/mL for multiparous cows, respectively), primiparous cows with high IGF-1 had 4.43 times greater odds of P/AI and a tendency for higher pregnancy risk up to 150 DPP than those with low IGF-1, but not up to 250 DPP. Likewise, multiparous cows with high IGF-1 had 1.61 times greater odds of P/AI than those with low IGF-1. Pregnancy risk up to 150 and 250 DPP, however, did not differ between IGF-1 categories in multiparous cows. Moreover, 37 SNP across 10 Bos taurus autosomes were associated with variation in serum IGF-1 concentration, and 4 previously identified candidate genes related to fertility that were in linkage disequilibrium with some of these SNP were also identified.