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Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Nov 2021Pregnancy rate per AI (PR/AI) and breeding season pregnancy rates between insemination with sexed semen (SS; at 18 hr after the onset of oestrus) and conventional semen...
Pregnancy rate per AI (PR/AI) and breeding season pregnancy rates between insemination with sexed semen (SS; at 18 hr after the onset of oestrus) and conventional semen (CS; at 12 hr after the onset of oestrus,) and offspring gender ratio between two groups were compared. Angus cross cows (n = 686, during 2019 and 2020 breeding seasons) were oestrus-synchronized using Select-Synch + CIDR protocol and were observed thrice daily for oestrus until 72 hr after PGF2α administration. Cows expressed oestrus (n = 513) were inseminated with either SS (n = 246; SexedULTRA 4M™; y chromosome-bearing sperm) or CS (n = 267). Cows (n = 173) that failed to express oestrus at 72 hr after PGF2α received 100 μg of GnRH and CS insemination concomitantly. Two weeks later, cows were penned with natural service sires (bull:cow ratio 1:25) for 45 days. Pregnancy was diagnosed 30 days after bull removal. Calves' gender was determined at birth. For cows that expressed oestrus, PR/AI did not differ (p > .1) between SS (65.0%) and CS (66.7%) groups. The overall PR/AI differed (p < .05) between SS (65.0%) and CS (56.4%) groups. The natural service PR differed (p < .001) but breeding season PR (p > .05) did not differ between SS vs. CS groups. Bull:heifer gender ratio following AI was 88:12 and 52:48 for SS and CS groups, respectively, with an overall 66:34 ratio. Bull:heifer gender ratio for the two breeding seasons was 79:21 and 52:48 for SS and CS groups, respectively, with an overall 62:38 ratio. In conclusion, the fertility of SS insemination at 18 hr after onset of oestrus was 97% of CS insemination at 12 hr after onset of oestrus. Though breeding season pregnancy did not differ between SS and groups, preferred calf gender was 25 percentage points greater for SS over CS application. The gender accuracy was 88%.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Semen; Sex Preselection; Sex Ratio
PubMed: 34407259
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14008 -
Reproduction in Domestic Animals =... Apr 2023The objectives of this study were to compare oestrous synchronization expression and conception rate following timed artificial insemination (TAI) with frozen-thawed...
The objectives of this study were to compare oestrous synchronization expression and conception rate following timed artificial insemination (TAI) with frozen-thawed X-sexed or unsexed semen in dairy and beef cows. For this study, 227 cows (dairy, n = 130 and beef, n = 97) were assigned to a 9-day Ovsynch + controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR) protocol. All cows were TAI using X-sexed or unsexed semen from 8 sires. Each semen type was obtained from 4 sires [2 dairy (Holstein Friesian) and 2 beef (Angus)]. Pregnancy detection was performed on Days 35, 65 and 95 following TAI by transrectal ultrasonography and hand palpation. The proportion of oestrus expression was higher in dairy (85.3%) cows compared with beef (65.0%) cows (p < .05). Overall, dairy (X-sexed, 61.9% and unsexed, 62.0%) cows had greater conception rates on Day 35 compared to beef (X-sexed, 56.0% and unsexed, 52.2%) cows (p < .05). Concurrently, on Day 95, overall conception rates in dairy (X-sexed, 41.4% and unsexed, 48.5%) cows were greater than beef (X-sexed, 38.0% and unsexed, 37.0%) cows (p < .05). Pregnancy/embryo losses between Days 35 and 65 in dairy (X-sexed, 33.3% and unsexed, 18.2%) cows and beef (X-sexed, 28.6% and unsexed, 29.2%) cows were recorded (p < .05). Dairy (X-sexed, 7.7% and unsexed, 8.3%) cows had higher incidence of pregnancy losses between Days 66 and 95 when compared to beef (X-sexed, 5.0% and unsexed, 0.0%) cows (p < .05). Oestrous expression and conception rates in dairy and beef cows were satisfactory. Advanced reproductive biotechnologies can successfully utilize gender-ablated semen in organized emerging cattle farming systems.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Cattle; Animals; Semen; Abortion, Veterinary; Insemination, Artificial; Reproduction; Fertilization; Estrus Synchronization; Cattle Diseases
PubMed: 36645737
DOI: 10.1111/rda.14323 -
The Journal of Reproduction and... Dec 2022The effect of confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and ultrasonography after artificial insemination (AI) on the development of the corpus luteum (CL) and...
No adverse effect of confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and ultrasonography after artificial insemination on formation, development, and function of the corpus luteum and conception rate in cows.
The effect of confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and ultrasonography after artificial insemination (AI) on the development of the corpus luteum (CL) and conception rate was investigated in cows. A total of 90 clinically healthy Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were examined in this study. After AI, the cows were divided into three groups (30 cows per group). In Group I, ovulation was confirmed by rectal palpation at 24 h after AI. In Group II, ovulation was confirmed using transrectal ultrasonography 24 h after AI. In Group III, ovulation was not confirmed after AI. Day 0 was defined as the day when ovulation was confirmed in Groups I and II, and as the day after AI was performed in group III. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on days 3, 5, 7, and 14 to measure the CL diameter, tissue area, and CL blood flow area, and the ratio of CL blood flow area to CL tissue area was calculated. On the day of CL measurement, blood samples were collected to determine the plasma concentrations of progesterone (P) and estradiol-17β (E). Pregnancy was diagnosed at 28 and 60 days after AI. A high conception rate of approximately 80% was achieved in Groups I and II, in which confirmation of ovulation was conducted. There were no differences in the diameter, tissue area, or blood flow area of the CL between the three groups. These results indicate that the confirmation of ovulation by rectal palpation and transrectal ultrasonography did not affect the formation and function of the CL or conception rate.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Cattle; Animals; Estrus Synchronization; Digital Rectal Examination; Lactation; Insemination, Artificial; Corpus Luteum; Progesterone; Ultrasonography; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
PubMed: 36384967
DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-122 -
The Journal of Reproduction and... Feb 2022Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and cryopreservation of gametes/zygotes, have been developed to improve...
Assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs), such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and cryopreservation of gametes/zygotes, have been developed to improve breeding and reproduction of livestock, and for the treatment of human infertility. Their widespread use has contributed to improvements in human health and welfare. However, in dogs, only artificial insemination using frozen semen is readily available as an ART to improve breeding and control genetic diversity. A recent priority in sperm cryopreservation is the development of alternatives to egg yolk, which is widely used as a component of the sperm extender. Egg yolk can vary in composition among batches and is prone to contamination by animal pathogens. The latter can be a problem for international exchange of cryopreserved semen. Low-density lipoprotein and skim milk are promising candidates for use as extenders, to ensure fertility after artificial insemination. Although not tested for its effects on fertility following artificial insemination, polyvinyl alcohol may also be a useful alternative to egg yolk as an extender. The development of cryopreservation techniques for canine embryos lags behind that for other mammals, including humans. However, given the success of non-surgical embryo transfer in 2011, studies have sought to refine this approach for practical use. Research on sperm cryopreservation has yielded satisfactory results. However, investigation of other approaches, such as cryopreservation of oocytes and gonadal tissues, remains insufficient. Techniques for the efficient induction of estrus may aid in the development of successful canine ARTs.
Topics: Animals; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Dogs; Egg Yolk; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Semen; Semen Preservation; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 34840199
DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-111 -
PloS One 2023Early pregnancy diagnosis is key to maximise productivity of dairy herds. We previously showed that an increase in the levels of miR-26 could be detected as soon as day...
Early pregnancy diagnosis is key to maximise productivity of dairy herds. We previously showed that an increase in the levels of miR-26 could be detected as soon as day 8 of pregnancy in heifers. The aims of this study were to determine whether 1) plasma miR-26 levels would be distinctly elevated, retrospectively, early after artificial insemination in lactating cows with successful compared to failed pregnancies, 2) the early increase in miRNA levels in cows with successful pregnancy could be accounted for by changes in miRNA expression in white blood cells (WBCs), presumably induced by the effects of embryo-derived interferon tau (IFNt), and 3) plasma miRNA levels may provide a reliable early predictor of pregnancy that could be used at a herd level. Blood samples were taken from a total of 34 dairy cows (lactation number 1 to 4) before (D0) and 9 and 18 days after artificial insemination at oestrus, followed by confirmation of pregnancy status by ultrasound on D32. In addition, WBCs collected from non-pregnant cows (n = 4) were stimulated in vitro with recombinant ovine IFNt (0-100 pg/ml). Levels of miRNAs and ISG15, a known IFNt-induced gene, were quantified by qPCR. Relative to D0, a larger increase in plasma miR-26a (P = 0.04) occurred on D9 in cows later confirmed to be pregnant (n = 12) than in cows with a failed pregnancy (n = 22). Expression of miR-26a in WBCs was not affected (P>0.1) by pregnancy status or IFNt stimulation in vitro, in contrast to ISG15 expression which increased markedly (P<0.0001) both in WBC samples collected on D18 from animals later confirmed to be pregnant, and in WBCs after stimulation with IFNt in vitro. Finally, ROC analyses revealed that miR-26a on D9 or D18 could predict pregnancy outcome with much lower accuracy than WBC ISG15 on D18 (Likelihood ratio, 2.3 vs 15.4). In summary, a modest increase in plasma miR-26a levels occurs during early pregnancy in mature dairy cows which may not accounted for by changes in miRNA levels in WBCs or the effects of IFNt. Moreover, compared to ISG15, changes in miR-26a levels may not provide an accurate test for early diagnosis of pregnancy in cows.
Topics: Pregnancy; Cattle; Animals; Female; Sheep; Pregnancy Outcome; Lactation; Retrospective Studies; Insemination, Artificial; MicroRNAs; Progesterone
PubMed: 37566616
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289342 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2023The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the association between increased physical activity at first artificial insemination (AI) and subsequent...
The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the association between increased physical activity at first artificial insemination (AI) and subsequent pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in lactating Holstein cows following spontaneous estrus or a timed AI (TAI) protocol. We also wanted to identify factors associated with the intensity of activity increase (PA) captured by automated activity monitors (AAM) and fertility. Two experiments were conducted, in which cows either were inseminated based on the alert of the AAM system (AAM cows) or received TAI following a 7-d Ovsynch protocol (TAI cows) if not inseminated within a farm-specific period after calving. Experiment 1 included 2,698 AI services from AAM cows and 1,042 AI services from TAI cows equipped with the Smarttag Neck (Nedap Livestock Management) from a dairy farm in Slovakia (farm 1). In the second experiment, 6,517 AI services from AAM cows and 1,226 AI services from TAI cows fitted with Heatime (Heatime Pro; SCR Engineers Ltd.) from 8 dairy farms in Germany (farms 2-9) were included. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed on a weekly basis by transrectal ultrasound (farms 1, 3, 7, 8) or by transrectal palpation (farms 2, 4-6, 9). Estrous intensity was represented by the peak value of the change in activity. In experiment 1, PA was categorized into low (x-factor 0-20) and high (x-factor 21-100) PA, and in experiment 2 into low (activity change = 35-89) and high (activity change = 90-100) PA. In TAI cows from both experiments, PA was additionally categorized into cows with no AAM alert. Data were analyzed separately for AAM and TAI cows using multinomial logistic regression models for PA in TAI cows and logistic regression models for PA in AAM cows and P/AI in both groups. In experiment 1, P/AI of AAM cows was greater for AI services performed with conventional frozen semen (57.6%) compared with sexed semen (47.2%), whereas type of semen only tended to be associated with P/AI in TAI cows (54.4% conventional frozen semen vs. 48.9% sexed semen). In experiment 2, P/AI was greater for fresh semen (AAM cows: 44.4% vs. TAI cows: 44.2%) compared with conventional frozen semen (AAM cows: 37.6% vs. TAI cows: 34.6%). In both experiments, pregnancy outcomes were associated with PA. In experiment 1, AAM cows with high PA (55.1%) had greater P/AI than cows with low PA (49.8%). Within TAI cows, cows with no alert (38.8%) had reduced P/AI compared with cows with low (54.2%) or high PA (61.8%). In experiment 2, AAM cows with high PA (45.8%) had greater P/AI compared with cows with low PA (36.4%). Timed AI cows with no alert (27.4%) had decreased P/AI compared with cows with low (41.1%) or high (50.8%) PA. The greatest risk factors for high PA were parity (experiment 1) and season of AI (except for TAI cows from experiment 1). We conclude that high PA at the time of AI is associated with greater odds of pregnancy for both AAM and TAI cows. In both experiments, about 2 thirds of AAM cows (experiment 1: 69.9% and experiment 2: 70.7%) reached high PA, whereas only approximately one-third or less of TAI cows (experiment 1: 37.3% and experiment 2: 23.6%) showed high PA. Although we observed similar results using 2 different AAM systems for the most part, risk factors for high PA might differ between farms and insemination type (i.e., AAM vs. TAI).
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Pregnancy; Dinoprost; Estrus; Estrus Synchronization; Fertility; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Progesterone
PubMed: 37164863
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22057 -
Animal Reproduction Science Feb 2022Semen quality is one of the criteria used for the selection of bulls with relatively greater fertility. In addition, bull fertility depends on the integrity and function...
Semen quality is one of the criteria used for the selection of bulls with relatively greater fertility. In addition, bull fertility depends on the integrity and function of all sperm structures. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine associations when there was conducting of conventional and functional techniques for the evaluation of sperm samples from bulls with known fertility history as determined when semen from these bulls was used for fixed-time artificial insemination programs. The study was designed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with one factor being breed (Angus x Nellore) and the other fertility (greater x lesser). Greater fertility groups were composed of ten Angus and 11 Nellore bulls, while lesser fertility groups were composed of ten Angus and seven Nellore bulls. Sperm were analyzed, in four cryopreserved distinct batches for each animal, for morphology, kinetics, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity and mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA integrity and oxidative status. There was no difference in characteristics commonly used in sperm quality conventional analysis. The results from functional analysis indicated an important association between mitochondrial dysfunctions, oxidative stress, and damage to sperm structures in lesser fertility bulls. Greater fertility bulls had greater sperm quality and indicators of functional cell structures. The associations, when there were evaluations using different techniques, indicate the importance of evaluation and correlation between different sperm functions to understand effects of distinct parameters on sperm fertilization capacity.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Fertility; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Oxidative Stress; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 35065462
DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.106922 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2022The objective of this study was to characterize the association between body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (ΔBCS), determined by an automated camera system at...
The objective of this study was to characterize the association between body condition score (BCS) and BCS change (ΔBCS), determined by an automated camera system at multiple time points, and the subsequent pregnancy per first artificial insemination (P/AI1) of Holstein cows. A retrospective observational study was completed using data collected from 11,393 lactations in 7,928 Holstein cows calving between April 2019 and March 2021 in a commercial dairy operation located in Colorado. Cows were classified as primiparous or multiparous. Scores generated by BCS cameras at dry-off, calving, 21 days in milk (DIM), 56 DIM, and first artificial insemination were selected for the analyses and subsequently categorized as low (≤lower quartile), moderate (interquartile range), and high (≥upper quartile). Changes in BCS were calculated by periods of interest as change from dry-off to calving (multiparous cows); change from calving to 21 DIM; change from calving to 56 DIM; and change from calving to first artificial insemination and assigned into categories as large loss of BCS (top 25% of cows losing BCS); moderate loss (bottom 75% of cows losing BCS); no change (ΔBCS = 0); or gain of BCS (ΔBCS > 0). Data were examined in primiparous and multiparous cows separately using logistic regression and time-to-event analyses. Initial univariable models were followed by multivariable models that considered calving season, occurrence of disease, and milk yield up to 60 DIM as covariables. The logistic regression analyses indicated that in both parity groups the associations between BCS category and P/AI1 were more evident at 21 DIM, 56 DIM, and first artificial insemination, with lower odds of P/AI1 in cows in the low BCS category. Likewise, cows with large loss in BCS between calving and 21 DIM, calving and 56 DIM, and calving and first artificial insemination had lower odds of P/AI1 compared with other categories of ΔBCS within the same period of interest. Similarly, survival analyses evidenced that cows in the low BCS category required more time to get pregnant. In agreement, differences in the dynamics of the average daily BCS during the first 90 DIM were evident when cows were grouped by first AI outcome (pregnant vs. nonpregnant) and by their time to pregnancy category (<90 DIM; 91-150 DIM; or >150 DIM), with cows with reduced fertility showing lower BCS up to 90 DIM. Overall, low BCS and more pronounced reductions in BCS occurring closer to first artificial insemination resulted in lower odds of pregnancy per artificial insemination.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Fertility; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Milk; Parity; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35181142
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21501 -
Veterinary Research Communications Dec 2021The aim of this study was to assess the sperm quality traits of 1- and 2-year-old ganders and the reproduction traits of 2-year-old domestic Turkish geese in natural...
The aim of this study was to assess the sperm quality traits of 1- and 2-year-old ganders and the reproduction traits of 2-year-old domestic Turkish geese in natural mating (NM) and artificial insemination (AI) conditions. The study comprised 72 two-year-old females, 12 one-year-old, and 12 two-year-old ganders. Thirty-six female geese were mated naturally (18 with 1-year-old ganders, 18 with 2-year-old ganders); the remaining thirty-six were inseminated artificially (18 with 1-year-old ganders, 18 with 2-year-old ganders). Twenty-four ganders were separated into groups (12 for NM; 12 for AI). The male:female ratio was 1:3 for NM and AI groups. Egg production, broodiness, fertility and hatching traits were determined in female geese, sperm quality traits such as semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm quality factor (eSQF: ejaculated semen SQF; dSQF: diluted semen SQF), sperm motility, and sperm morphological traits in ganders. The insemination method and gander's age did not affect egg production, AI geese showed significantly more broodiness than NM groups as the breeding months progresses (p < 0.05). Fertility was higher in the groups containing 2-year-old ganders than in those 1-year-old ganders, and NM groups compared to AI (p < 0.05). The insemination method significantly affected semen volume, sperm concentration, eSQF, sperm motility, total live sperm, normal sperm, macro-cephalic sperm, and dead sperm percentages in ganders (p < 0.05).Managing females in the NM system with ganders was able to partially suppress the broodiness behavior, possibly due to synchronization of pair-bond behaviors. Greater fertility was achieved with 2-years-old AI ganders, which had lower dSQF compared to 1-year-old NM ganders. This is a good indication that only SQF is not sufficient to achieve sustainable-desired fertility, and sexual experience is also an important factor.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Female; Geese; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Reproduction; Semen Analysis; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Spermatozoa; Turkey
PubMed: 34089129
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-021-09802-6 -
The Veterinary Record
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Administration, Intravaginal
PubMed: 37594839
DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3390