-
Journal of Dairy Science Sep 2019The reproductive parameters of dairy cattle have continuously declined worldwide over the last 50 years. Nutritional imbalances are identified as risk factors for this...
The reproductive parameters of dairy cattle have continuously declined worldwide over the last 50 years. Nutritional imbalances are identified as risk factors for this decrease of reproductive performance. The present paper aims to quantify the decrease in the pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in the case of high milk ketones before and after AI. A total of 388,731 test-day from the Brittany Milk Recording Program in France from 226,429 cow-lactations were provided for this trial. For each test-day, information about lactation characteristics, date of AI, date of the following calving, and acetone and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) values were included. Ketones were predicted by Fourier transform mid-infrared spectroscopy using MilkoScan Foss analyzers (Foss, Hillerød, Denmark). Many thresholds were evaluated to define cows with hyperketolactia. Hyperketolactia statuses were then categorized into 1 of 4 possible classes according to the milk ketone dynamics for each AI and each threshold of acetone or BHB values (low-low, high-low, low-high, and high-high) within 20 d before and after AI. Similarly, the dynamics of udder health were characterized by changes in somatic cell counts measured at the same test day as ketone bodies. A logistic regression with a Poisson correction was performed to explain the relationship of P/AI with milk ketones and somatic cell count dynamics. Predicted acetone and BHB ranged from -0.51 to 4.92 mM (mean = 0.08 mM, SD = 0.10 mM) and -0.62 to 5.85 mM (mean = 0.07 mM, SD = 0.1 mM), respectively. Hyperketolactia defined by high acetone levels before AI was not associated with decreased P/AI, but high acetone levels after AI were associated with a >10% reduction in P/AI for all thresholds >0.10 mM. Hyperketolactia, defined by high BHB values before, after, or before and after AI, was associated with a 6 to 14% reduction in P/AI compared with cows with low BHB values. These associations are lower than those reported in previous trials in which blood ketones were used. High ketones in advanced lactation are likely to be the result of various primary disorders (secondary ketosis). Because the present work demonstrated that this situation is considered a risk factor for deteriorated reproductive performance, we suggest that high ketones in early and advanced lactation should be of interest to farm advisors.
Topics: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Animals; Cattle; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Ketones; Lactation; Milk; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31326183
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16477 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2023Development of a pen-side test to objectively determine the ideal time for artificial insemination (AI) in the sow would save producers time and money. Current processes...
Vaginal and vestibular electrical resistance as an alternative marker for optimum timing of artificial insemination with liquid-stored and frozen-thawed spermatozoa in sows.
Development of a pen-side test to objectively determine the ideal time for artificial insemination (AI) in the sow would save producers time and money. Current processes rely on identification of oestrus via subjective behavioural and physiological markers that are indicative of high blood oestrogen concentrations. This study attempted to use measurements of electrical resistance (ER) in the cervical mucus to pinpoint timing of AI accurately enough to lead to equivalent pregnancy rates as a natural mating. Thirty-six sows were divided into 3 groups and observed for signs of oestrus. Seven sows did not show any oestrus behaviour and were excluded from the study. The remaining 29 sows were inseminated via natural mating and conventional oestrus detection (n = 14), or inseminated artificially with either liquid-stored semen (n = 8) or frozen-thawed semen (n = 7) according to timing indicated from electrical resistance measurements in the vagina and vestibule. Sows that were artificially inseminated on the basis of the electrical resistance readings had a lower pregnancy rate (P = 0.034) and less piglets born alive per litter (P < 0.05) than those that were naturally mated according to a conventional oestrus detection regime. However, the pregnancy rate and total piglets born alive did not differ between the two groups that underwent artificial insemination. Change in electrical resistance in the vagina has the potential to accurately predict ovulation timing, but more work is required to refine the timing of AI in relation to the readings before the technique can be adopted by industry.
Topics: Pregnancy; Male; Animals; Swine; Female; Electric Impedance; Insemination, Artificial; Semen Preservation; Spermatozoa; Vagina
PubMed: 37495648
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38803-5 -
Scientific Reports Dec 2020Sperm preparation is critical to achieving a successful intrauterine insemination and requires the processing of a semen sample to remove white blood cells, wash away...
Sperm preparation is critical to achieving a successful intrauterine insemination and requires the processing of a semen sample to remove white blood cells, wash away seminal plasma, and reduce sample volume. We present an automated instrument capable of performing a sperm preparation starting with a diluted semen sample. We compare our device against a density gradient centrifugation by processing 0.5 mL portions of patient samples through each treatment. In 5 min of operating time, the instrument recovers an average of 86% of all sperm and 82% of progressively motile sperm from the original sample while removing white blood cells, replacing the seminal plasma, and reducing the volume of the sample to the clinically required level. In 25 min of operating time, density gradient centrifugation recovers an average of 33% of all sperm and 41% of progressively motile sperm. The automated instrument could improve access to IUI as a treatment option by allowing satellite doctor's offices to offer intrauterine insemination as an option for patients without the clinical support required by existing methods.
Topics: Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Humans; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Semen; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 33288839
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78390-3 -
Journal of Animal Science Jul 2022Recently, interest in supplementing vitamin D (Vit D) to improve aspects of health, mainly in human fertility, has emerged. Still, supplementation of Vit D above the...
Recently, interest in supplementing vitamin D (Vit D) to improve aspects of health, mainly in human fertility, has emerged. Still, supplementation of Vit D above the minimum required levels has yet to be explored in cattle despite evidence for Vit D receptors in reproductive tissues. The objective of this study was to establish if a dose-response relationship exists between Vit D exposure and success of in vitro production (IVP) of embryos and, if acute supplementation of Vit D improves pregnancy rates during timed artificial insemination (TAI) of dairy cows. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from ovaries acquired from a local abattoir and cultured in five different IVP treatments from three separate collections (Control, 50, 100, 150, and 200 ng/mL of 1,25(OH)2D3; n = 20-30 COCs/group). In Experiment 2, dairy breed cows (n = 100) were synchronized for TAI with the PresynchOvsynch protocol. Cows received 150,000 IU of Vit D (n = 48) or castor oil as control (n = 53) along with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) 24 h before TAI. Serum samples were collected before and 24 h after treatment. A small cohort of cows (n = 4) received the same treatments in two separate cycles and follicular fluid (FF) was collected after 24 h for calcidiol (25OHD) analyses. Increased concentrations of Vit D resulted in decreased rates of maturation of COC (150 and 200 ng/mL vs. control and 50 ng/mL; P = 0.01). Supplementation with 50 ng/mL resulted in greater numbers of early blastocyst and blastocyst stage embryos (P < 0.009). Pregnancy at first breeding did not differ (P = 0.13) between groups, but serum 25OHD increased in treated females after 24 h (P = 0.002). The FF 25OHD levels were reflective of serum levels, however, the observed increase in the treatment cycle (P = 0.04) was parallel to an overall increase in serum 25OHD during the entire second cycle, likely due to increased environmental sunlight exposure (March, control vs. May, treatment). A similar increase in the serum 25OHD in the lactating commercial herd maintained in covered housing was not observed, although experiments were conducted during a similar timeframe. This herd had levels of 25OHD near the low end of sufficiency according to National Research Council (NRC) guidelines. We conclude mild Vitamin D supplementation with concentrations at the higher end of NRC guidelines can improve maturation rates of recovered COCs. However, longer term supplementation may be needed to appreciate any benefits on fertility.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dinoprost; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Fertility; Fertilization; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Ovulation; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Vitamin D
PubMed: 35772760
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac168 -
Journal of Dairy Science Oct 2021The objective of this study was to characterize changes in milk yield and other physical measures during a 7-d periestrual period encompassing estrus (d 0) and during a...
The objective of this study was to characterize changes in milk yield and other physical measures during a 7-d periestrual period encompassing estrus (d 0) and during a 16-d period of expected return to estrus beginning at d 17 after artificial insemination (AI) until pregnancy status was determined on d 32. Lactating dairy cows milked thrice daily were fitted with CowManager SensOor ear tags (Agis) capable of assessing real-time eating, rumination, resting, high activity (estrus), ear-surface temperature, and heat alerts. Data were uploaded to the cloud, downloaded daily into Excel (Microsoft Corp.) spreadsheets, averaged to produce daily means for each activity, and analyzed as repeated measures relative to estrus or to d 17 after AI. Daily milk was unchanged during the periestrual period but was greater in nonpregnant cows that failed to return to estrus (NP-NR) during d 21 through 26 compared with NP cows that returned to estrus (NP-R) and pregnant (PREG) cows during that same period. Daily ear-surface temperature was greater during d 1 to 3 compared with d 0 and averaged 0.6 to 1.7°C greater from d 17 through 32 in NP-NR cows compared with NP-R and PREG cows. Daily rumination and resting times reached nadirs on d 0, with decreases occurring 48 h before estrus. Both rumination and resting times increased by 25 or 81% on the day after estrus, respectively. Rumination and resting times were less in NP-R cows during d 22 through 26 compared with NP-NR and PREG cows. In contrast, daily eating time was greatest on the day of estrus compared with 3 d before and after estrus. The NP-R cows spent more time eating during d 17 through 32 compared with NP-NR and PREG cows. High activity increased by 97% during 48 h before estrus, peaked at estrus, and decreased to a constant level during d 1 through 3. The NP-R cows had greater high activity on d 22 through 26 compared with NP-NR and PREG cows. We conclude that resting and rumination activity decreased to daily nadirs, whereas eating and high activity peaked on the day of estrus. Fertile estrus was associated with 12% greater high activity, 11% less resting time, and 6% less rumination time. In addition, cows that returned to estrus after AI had greater daily eating and high activity times and less rumination and resting time during the period of expected return to estrus after AI compared with pregnant cows and cows failing to return to estrus.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Estrus; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Milk; Pregnancy; Progesterone
PubMed: 34275627
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20325 -
The Journal of Reproduction and... Dec 2021Hormonal products have been developed for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) to improve the efficiency of swine production. Here, we evaluated the effect of an...
Hormonal products have been developed for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) to improve the efficiency of swine production. Here, we evaluated the effect of an FTAI protocol initiated during different phases of the estrous cycle on follicle development and ovulation in gilts. A total of 36 gilts were equally divided into three groups designated as the luteal (L), follicular (F), and post-ovulation (O) groups and fed with 20 mg of altrenogest for 18 days, followed by intramuscular injection of 1000 IU PMSG at 42 h after withdrawal of altrenogest, and 100 μg of GnRH after an 80-h interval. The L group had the highest number of follicles 4-6 mm in diameter, as well as corpora hemorrhagica. The mRNA expression of caspase-9 in the L group were significantly lower than those in the O and F groups (P < 0.05), while CYP11A1 and VEGF mRNA expression levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Moreover, FSHR mRNA levels were significantly higher in the O group than in the L, F, and control groups (P < 0.05). LHCGR and CYP19A1 mRNA levels were the highest in the F group (P < 0.05). Thus, the changes in the expression of genes associated with follicular development, maturation, and ovulation identified in this study indicated that initiation of the FTAI protocol during the luteal phase induced a better environment for follicle development and ovulation in gilts.
Topics: Animals; Estrous Cycle; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Ovulation; Ovulation Induction; Sus scrofa; Swine
PubMed: 34657902
DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-060 -
JNMA; Journal of the Nepal Medical... Aug 2023Intrauterine insemination is often performed as the first-line treatment option in many subfertility cases. Successful intrauterine insemination treatment among...
INTRODUCTION
Intrauterine insemination is often performed as the first-line treatment option in many subfertility cases. Successful intrauterine insemination treatment among indicated couples helps to reduce unnecessary in-vitro fertilisation treatment. Although widely practised, the data on pregnancy after intrauterine insemination treatment is limited. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of pregnancy among women undergoing intrauterine insemination in a centre.
METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a centre among women undergoing intrauterine insemination. Data from 15 May 2017 to 15 April 2021 were collected between 16 June 2022 to 1 July 2022 from the hospital records. Ethical approval was taken from the Nepal Health Research Council. Systematic sampling technique was applied to select the appropriate sample. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval.
RESULTS
Among 225 women undergoing intrauterine insemination, pregnancy was achieved in 23 (10.22%) (6.26-14.18, 95% Confidence Interval). The mean age of pregnant women was 29.17±3.34 years and the mean duration of infertility was 3.93±2.90 years. More than half of the pregnant women 13 (56.52%) had undergone insemination with the husband's semen whereas the remaining 10 women (43.48%) had undergone insemination with donor semen.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of pregnancy among women undergoing intrauterine insemination was similar to other studies done in similar settings.
KEYWORDS
artificial insemination; Nepal; pregnancy rate.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fertilization in Vitro; Insemination, Artificial; Infertility; Pregnancy Rate
PubMed: 38289818
DOI: 10.31729/jnma.8234 -
Journal of Animal Science Sep 2020Reducing the number of sperm needed to produce a litter with artificial insemination (AI) allows greater use of higher genetic merit boars. Induced ovulation with single...
Effects of the number of sperm and site of uterine semen deposition on conception rate and the number of embryos in weaned sows receiving a single fixed-time insemination.
Reducing the number of sperm needed to produce a litter with artificial insemination (AI) allows greater use of higher genetic merit boars. Induced ovulation with single fixed-time artificial insemination (SFTAI), combined with intrauterine (IUI) or deep uterine insemination (DUI), could improve fertility with low numbers of sperm. The objectives of the study were to determine the fertility effects of sperm numbers and the site of insemination. At weaning (0 h), sows (n = 534) were assigned by parity and estrus induction method (equine chorionic gonadotropin [eCG] or Control) to receive 1,200 × 106 sperm by IUI; 600, 300, or 150 × 106 sperm by IUI or DUI; or 75 × 106 sperm by DUI. At 80 h postweaning, sows received OvuGel and 26 h later a SFTAI using pooled semen. Sows were exposed to boars once daily and ultrasound was performed to determine follicle size and time of ovulation. Following SFTAI, sows were slaughtered 27 d after AI to determine pregnancy and litter traits. Data were analyzed using different models to test for effects of estrus induction, interaction of three levels of sperm (600 to 150) with two levels for site (IUI vs. DUI), and the overall effects of AI method (eight treatments). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of estrus induction on estrus (93%) within 5 d of weaning or on follicle size (6.1 mm) at OvuGel, but wean-to-estrus interval (3.8 vs. 4.0 d) was slightly reduced (P < 0.01) as was AI-to-ovulation interval (15.9 vs. 17.0 h, P = 0.04) for eCG and Control, respectively. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of estrus induction on pregnancy rate (78.6%), number of corpora lutea (CL; 21.7), or number of viable embryos (12.2). There was no effect of number of sperm or site of insemination and no interaction (P > 0.05) on pregnancy rate (range: 80.9% to 70.5%), but AI occurring after ovulation reduced the pregnancy rate (P < 0.02). The total number of embryos (range: 16.5 to 10.3) was not affected by estrus induction, number of sperm, or site of insemination (P > 0.05), but was influenced by AI treatment (P < 0.01). Treatments with a higher number of sperm (1,200 and 600) had more embryos compared with those with a lower number of sperm (300 to 75). The numbers of embryos also increased with the number of CL (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that the lower number of sperm affects litter size more than the pregnancy status. Acceptable fertility can be achieved with low numbers of sperm when using a SFTAI and uterine deposition, but AI-to-ovulation interval and ovulation rate influence final fecundity.
Topics: Animals; Female; Fertility; Fertilization; Insemination, Artificial; Litter Size; Male; Ovulation Induction; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Semen; Sperm Count; Spermatozoa; Swine; Uterus; Weaning
PubMed: 32853338
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa260 -
Viruses Apr 2021Transmission of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) via artificial insemination of contaminated frozen semen from naturally infected bulls was investigated in two...
Transmission of bluetongue (BT) virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) via artificial insemination of contaminated frozen semen from naturally infected bulls was investigated in two independent experiments. Healthy, BT negative heifers were hormonally synchronized and artificially inseminated at oestrus. In total, six groups of three heifers received semen from four batches derived from three bulls naturally infected with BTV-8. Each experiment included one control heifer that was not inseminated and that remained BT negative throughout. BTV viraemia and seroconversion were determined in 8 out of 18 inseminated heifers, and BTV was isolated from five of these animals. These eight heifers only displayed mild clinical signs of BT, if any at all, but six of them experienced pregnancy loss between weeks four and eight of gestation, and five of them became BT PCR and antibody positive. The other two infected heifers gave birth at term to two healthy and BT negative calves. The BT viral load varied among the semen batches used and this had a significant impact on the infection rate, the time of onset of viraemia post artificial insemination, and the gestational stage at which pregnancy loss occurred. These results, which confirm unusual features of BTV-8 infection, should not be extrapolated to infection with other BTV strains without thorough evaluation. This study also adds weight to the hypothesis that the re-emergence of BTV-8 in France in 2015 may be attributable to the use of contaminated bovine semen.
Topics: Abortion, Veterinary; Animals; Bluetongue; Bluetongue virus; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; France; Insemination, Artificial; Male; Pregnancy; Semen; Semen Preservation; Serogroup
PubMed: 33918924
DOI: 10.3390/v13040652 -
Journal of Dairy Science Aug 2022Dairy cattle must allocate energy to milk production and reproduction. Therefore, understanding the environmental factors that affect conception rates in nulliparous and...
Dairy cattle must allocate energy to milk production and reproduction. Therefore, understanding the environmental factors that affect conception rates in nulliparous and primiparous cows is helpful in appropriate feeding management strategies before and after calving. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of environmental factors before and after the first calving on the conception rate, representing the starting point of milk production. The records of the first artificial insemination (AI) from Holstein nulliparous cows (n = 533,672) and primiparous cows (n = 516,710) in Hokkaido, Japan, were analyzed using separate multivariable logistic regression models. The mean conception rates for nulliparous and primiparous cows from 2012 to 2018 were 55.2 and 39.2%, respectively. In both nulliparous and primiparous cows, the conception rate of crossbreeding using Japanese Black (JB) semen was significantly higher than that for purebred Holstein breeding. The conception rate using sexed semen decreased in the warmer months only in nulliparous cows. Moreover, we grouped primiparous cows according to milk yield during peak lactation (PY; < 25, 25-30, 30-35, ≥35 kg) and the interval from calving to first insemination (CFI; < 60, 60-79, 80-99, ≥100 d), and evaluated their combined effect on the conception rate. Both PY and CFI strongly affected the conception rate in primiparous cows, which decreased with an increase in PY, even for the group with CFI ≥100 d; however, the conception rate increased for a CFI ≥60 d regardless of PY. Taken together, this study demonstrates the long-term effect of PY and an independent effect of CFI on the conception rate of cows. These results provide guidance for management to execute appropriate AI implementation strategies before and after lactation.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Milk; Parity; Plant Breeding; Pregnancy; Reproduction
PubMed: 35773035
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21948