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The Veterinary Quarterly Dec 2021Early detection of disease is the key to successful management of the dairy cattle which leads to timely treatment and prevention of costs associated with prolonged... (Review)
Review
Early detection of disease is the key to successful management of the dairy cattle which leads to timely treatment and prevention of costs associated with prolonged treatment and reduced milk yield. Electronic systems that allow for monitoring of physiological parameters like rumination, are now commercially available. This review paper discusses different aspects of rumination time that could be used to monitor the health and reproduction of dairy cattle. This review paper explored different areas where rumination time could be utilized in monitoring dairy cattle at calving, during the estrus period, during heat stressed conditions, and to detect diseases and transition cow disorders. In conclusion, rumination time could be used as an indicator of the health status in dairy cattle.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Estrus; Female; Lactation; Milk; Reproduction
PubMed: 34586042
DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2021.1987581 -
Endocrine Journal Jan 2022Chronic stress affects the reproductive health of mammals; however, the impact of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) level elevation during chronic stress on the...
Chronic stress affects the reproductive health of mammals; however, the impact of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) level elevation during chronic stress on the reproduction of weaned sows remains unclear. In this study, nine weaned sows with the same parturition date were randomly divided into control group (n = 4) and ACTH group (n = 5). Each group received intravenous administration of ACTH three times daily for 7 days. Blood samples were collected every 3 h after injection. A radioimmunoassay was used to measure the concentrations of cortisol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone (P) and estradiol-17β (E) in the blood. Estrus was determined according to changes in the vulva and the boar contact test. The mRNA expressions of glucocorticoid receptor, FSH receptor, LH receptor (LHR) in the corpus luteum (CL) were detected by qRT-PCR. The results showed that ACTH administration substantially delayed the initiation of estrus and the pre-ovulatory LH peak. The sows of control group ovulated within 10 days and the ovulation rate was 100%, while it was 60% in the ACTH group. Two sows of ACTH group showed pseudo-estrus. The E concentrations significantly decreased in the ACTH group at 36 h, 42 h and 66 h of the experimental period. The P concentrations in the ACTH group significantly decreased at 132, 138, and 147 h of the experimental period. ACTH significantly reduced the LHR mRNA expression in CLs. In conclusion, long-term repeated ACTH administration affects the endocrinology, estrus onset, and ovarian function of weaned sows.
Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Estradiol; Estrus; Female; Luteinizing Hormone; Mammals; Ovulation; Progesterone; Swine; Weaning
PubMed: 34456194
DOI: 10.1507/endocrj.EJ21-0184 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Aug 2022The primary objective of this study was to develop an automated infrared thermography platform (Estrus BenchMark) capable of measuring skin temperature and tail...
The primary objective of this study was to develop an automated infrared thermography platform (Estrus BenchMark) capable of measuring skin temperature and tail movements as a means of identifying cows in estrus. The secondary objective was to evaluate the accuracy of Estrus BenchMark to detect estrus compared to in-line milk progesterone (P) analysis (Herd Navigator System) in a commercial dairy herd managed under a robotic milking system. Data were collected on forty-six cows from 45 to 120 d after calving. Cows were flagged in estrus when milk P fell below 5 ng/mL. The Estrus BenchMark true positive estrus alerts (Sensitivity; Se%) were compared to Herd Navigator System estrus alerts at different time-windows (±12 h, ±24 h, ±48 h, and ±72 h) relative to the Estrus BenchMark estrus alerts for all the estrus alerts (AE) and confidence-quality estrus (CQE; >80% quality) alerts identified by Herd Navigator System. The Estrus BenchMark captured skin temperature and tail movements resulting in vulva exposure (left tail movements, LTail; right tail movements, RTail; and pooled tail movements, PTail) for each milking event. Skin temperature tended to increase when the milk P concentration (Least-Squares Means ± SE) dropped for AE (estrus day [d 0]; P; 3.51 ± 0.05 ng/mL, Skin temperature; 33.31 ± 2.38 °C) compared with d -7 (P; 20.22 ± 0.73 ng/mL; Skin temperature: 32.05 ± 3.77 °C). The increase in skin temperature, however, was significant in cows with CQE > 80% at d 0 (32.75 ± 0.29 °C) compared to d -7 (31.80 ± 0.28 °C). The prevalence of tail movements to expose vulva was greater (P = 0.01) in AE at d 0 (LTail: 62.50%; PTail; 68.75%; and RTail: 56.25%) compared with d -7 (LTail: 18.75%; PTail: 9.37%: and RTail: 9.37%), and d +4 (LTail: 9.37%; PTail: 9.37%; and RTail: 12.5%). Moreover, the higher prevalence of tail movements at d 0 was observed in cows with CQE > 80% (LTail; 65%, PTail; 80%, and RTail; 70%) compared to those with CQE < 80%. The highest Estrus BenchMark Youden index (YJ; 0.45), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR; 9.04), and Efficiency (0.77) were achieved for AE in a ±48 h window and at ±72 h window for CQE (YJ; 0.66, DOR; 25.29, and Efficiency 0.76) relative to Herd Navigator System estrus alerts. The highest Estrus BenchMark resulted in 58% estrus detection rates for AE and 80% for cows with CQE compared to the Herd Navigator System.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Estrus; Estrus Detection; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Lactation; Milk; Progesterone; Thermography; Vulva
PubMed: 35901655
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100585 -
Fertility and Sterility Oct 2005To critically review published articles on polycystic ovary (PCO) disease in rat models, with a focus on delineating its pathophysiology. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To critically review published articles on polycystic ovary (PCO) disease in rat models, with a focus on delineating its pathophysiology.
DESIGN
Review of the English-language literature published from 1966 to March 2005 was performed through PubMed search. Keywords or phrases used were persistent estrus, chronic anovulation, polycystic ovary, polycystic ovary disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Articles were also located via bibliographies of published literature.
SETTING
University Health Sciences Center.
INTERVENTION(S)
Articles on persistent estrus and PCO in rats were selected and reviewed regarding the methods for induction of PCO disease.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Changes in the reproductive cycle, ovarian morphology, hormonal parameters, and factors associated with the development of PCO disease in rat models were analyzed.
RESULT(S)
Principal methods for inducing PCO in the rat include exposure to constant light, anterior hypothalamic and amygdaloidal lesions, and the use of androgens, estrogens, antiprogestin, and mifepristone.
CONCLUSION(S)
The validated rat PCO models provide useful information on morphologic and hormonal disturbances in the pathogenesis of chronic anovulation in this condition. These studies have aimed to replicate the morphologic and hormonal characteristics observed in the human PCO syndrome. The implications of these studies to human condition are discussed.
Topics: Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Estrus; Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Rats
PubMed: 16210015
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.06.013 -
Journal of Dairy Science Dec 2015This study included 2 objectives. The first objective was to describe estrus-related changes in parameters automatically recorded by the CowManager SensOor (Agis...
This study included 2 objectives. The first objective was to describe estrus-related changes in parameters automatically recorded by the CowManager SensOor (Agis Automatisering, Harmelen, the Netherlands), DVM bolus (DVM Systems LLC, Greeley, CO), HR Tag (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel), IceQube (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, UK), and Track a Cow (Animart Inc., Beaver Dam, WI). This objective was accomplished using 35 cows in 3 groups between January and June 2013 at the University of Kentucky Coldstream Dairy. We used a modified Ovsynch with G7G protocol to partially synchronize ovulation, ending after the last PGF2α injection (d 0) to allow estrus expression. Visual observation for standing estrus was conducted for four 30-min periods at 0330, 1000, 1430, and 2200h on d 2, 3, 4, and 5. Eighteen of the 35 cows stood to be mounted at least once during the observation period. These cows were used to compare differences between the 6h before and after the first standing event (estrus) and the 2wk preceding that period (nonestrus) for all technology parameters. Differences between estrus and nonestrus were observed for CowManager SensOor minutes feeding per hour, minutes of high ear activity per hour, and minutes ruminating per hour; twice daily DVM bolus reticulorumen temperature; HR Tag neck activity per 2h and minutes ruminating per 2h; IceQube lying bouts per hour, minutes lying per hour, and number of steps per hour; and Track a Cow leg activity per hour and minutes lying per hour. No difference between estrus and nonestrus was observed for CowManager SensOor ear surface temperature per hour. The second objective of this study was to explore the estrus detection potential of machine-learning techniques using automatically collected data. Three machine-learning techniques (random forest, linear discriminant analysis, and neural network) were applied to automatically collected parameter data from the 18 cows observed in standing estrus. Machine learning accuracy for all technologies ranged from 91.0 to 100.0%. When we compared visual observation with progesterone profiles of all 32 cows, we found 65.6% accuracy. Based on these results, machine-learning techniques have potential to be applied to automatically collected technology data for estrus detection.
Topics: Animals; Automation; Behavior, Animal; Cattle; Dinoprost; Estrus; Estrus Detection; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Monitoring, Physiologic; Ovulation; Progesterone
PubMed: 26427547
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-9645 -
PloS One 2021The aim of this study was to determine the association between concentrations of progesterone (P4) during previous the estrous cycle with the intensity of spontaneous or...
The aim of this study was to determine the association between concentrations of progesterone (P4) during previous the estrous cycle with the intensity of spontaneous or estrogen-induced estrous expression and pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). A total of 1,953 AI events from lactating Holstein cows were used, consisting of 1,289 timed AI events from experiment 1 (Exp. 1) and 664 AI events from experiment 2 (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, cows were bred after a timed AI protocol based on estradiol and P4. In Exp. 2 animals were bred upon spontaneous estrus detection. In both experiments cows were continuously monitored by an automated activity monitor (AAM), in Exp.1 a relative increase of activity was calculated (i.e., percentage of increase activity at estrus compared to cow's baseline activity) and in Exp.2, activity data from each cow were computed into an index value that ranged from 0 to 100. In Exp.2 duration (hours) of estrus were calculated and defined as the total time above the threshold (35 index). The intensity of estrous expression was determined for each event and classified as either high or low intensity using the median of each experiment. Blood samples were collected for P4 analysis in Exp. 1 at -4 d, 0 d, and 7 d relative to timed AI, and in Exp. 2 immediately following estrus (0 d), 7 d, 14 d, and 21 d post-AI. Concentration of P4 was classified as greater or lower according to the median value in each experiment. Cows with lower concentrations of P4 at AI had greater estrous expression in Exp. 1 (363.6 ± 5.2 vs. 275.9 ± 8.0% relative increase) and Exp. 2 (76.7 ± 1.9 vs. 67.4 ± 4.7 index; and 12.5 ± 0.5 vs. 9.3 ± 1.8 hours). Cows with a greater intensity of estrous expression at timed AI had greater concentrations of P4 at -4 d than cows with lower intensity estrus or no estrous expression (4.6 ± 0.2 vs. 3.6 ± 0.2 vs. 3.7 ± 0.2 ng/mL). Cows with greater concentrations of P4 at -4 d had greater P/AI (32.8 ± 4.4 vs. 22.4 ± 4.5%), whereas cows with lesser concentrations of P4 at d0 for either timed AI (35.2 ± 3.4 vs. 19.6 ± 4.6%) or spontaneous estrus (31.8 ± 2.8 vs. 23.4 ± 3.2%) had greater P/AI. Cows with greater concentrations of P4 7 d post-timed AI had greater P/AI compared with cows that had lower concentration of P4 (39.1 ± 2.9 vs. 24.7 ± 2.6%). Similarly, cows that had lower concentrations of P4 at 7 d, 14 d and 21 d post-spontaneous estrus tended to have lower P/AI when compared with cows with greater concentrations of P4. Overall, concentrations of P4 prior to and at AI were associated with greater estrous intensity and P/AI at both spontaneous and timed AI events.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Estrous Cycle; Estrus; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Fertility; Insemination, Artificial; Pregnancy; Progesterone
PubMed: 34370740
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248453 -
PloS One 2020Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are a valuable animal model used in biomedical research. Like many animals, ferrets undergo significant variation in body weight...
Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) are a valuable animal model used in biomedical research. Like many animals, ferrets undergo significant variation in body weight seasonally, affected by photoperiod, and these variations complicate the use weight as an indicator of health status. To overcome this requires a better understanding of these seasonal weight changes. We provide a normative weight data set for the female ferret accounting for seasonal changes, and also investigate the effect of fluid regulation on weight change. Female ferrets (n = 39) underwent behavioural testing from May 2017 to August 2019 and were weighed daily, while housed in an animal care facility with controlled light exposure. In the winter (October to March), animals experienced 10 hours of light and 14 hours of dark, while in summer (March to October), this contingency was reversed. Individual animals varied in their body weight from approximately 700 to 1200 g. However, weights fluctuated with light cycle, with animals losing weight in summer, and gaining weight in winter such that they fluctuated between approximately 80% and 120% of their long-term average. Ferrets were weighed as part of their health assessment while experiencing water regulation for behavioural training. Water regulation superimposed additional weight changes on these seasonal fluctuations, with weight loss during the 5-day water regulation period being greater in summer than winter. Analysing the data with a Generalised Linear Model confirmed that the percentage decrease in weight per week was relatively constant throughout the summer months, while the percentage increase in body weight per week in winter decreased through the season. Finally, we noted that the timing of oestrus was reliably triggered by the increase in day length in spring. These data establish a normative benchmark for seasonal weight variation in female ferrets that can be incorporated into the health assessment of an animal's condition.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Body Water; Body Weight; Estrus; Female; Ferrets; Linear Models; Models, Animal; Models, Biological; Photoperiod; Reference Values; Seasons
PubMed: 32764762
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232733 -
Nature Communications Jan 2017Although both males and females become addicted to cocaine, females transition to addiction faster and experience greater difficulties remaining abstinent. We...
Although both males and females become addicted to cocaine, females transition to addiction faster and experience greater difficulties remaining abstinent. We demonstrate an oestrous cycle-dependent mechanism controlling increased cocaine reward in females. During oestrus, ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neuron activity is enhanced and drives post translational modifications at the dopamine transporter (DAT) to increase the ability of cocaine to inhibit its function, an effect mediated by estradiol. Female mice conditioned to associate cocaine with contextual cues during oestrus have enhanced mesolimbic responses to these cues in the absence of drug. Using chemogenetic approaches, we increase VTA activity to mechanistically link oestrous cycle-dependent enhancement of VTA firing to enhanced cocaine affinity at DAT and subsequent reward processing. These data have implications for sexual dimorphism in addiction vulnerability and define a mechanism by which cellular activity results in protein alterations that contribute to dysfunctional learning and reward processing.
Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cocaine; Conditioning, Psychological; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; Dopaminergic Neurons; Electrophysiology; Estrus; Female; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Reward; Sex Factors; Ventral Tegmental Area
PubMed: 28072417
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13877 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023The synthesis of the new energetic material 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazole, which shows excellent performance and reliable safety, has drawn attention...
The synthesis of the new energetic material 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazole, which shows excellent performance and reliable safety, has drawn attention recently. To fully characterize this material, a comprehensive analysis was performed using various techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), elemental analysis, and H and C NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, three compounds, , and , were further characterized using single X-ray diffraction. The X-ray data suggested that extensive hydrogen bonds affect molecular structure by means of intermolecular interactions. In order to evaluate the explosive properties of these synthesized compounds, detonation pressures and velocities were calculated using EXPLO5 (V6.01). These calculations were carried out utilizing experimental data, including density and heat of formation. Among the explosives tested, compounds and exhibited zero oxygen balance and demonstrated exceptional detonation properties. Compound achieved the highest recorded detonation pressure, at 34.2 GPa, while compound displayed the highest detonation velocity, at 8887 m s.
Topics: Animals; Salts; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Estrus; Explosive Agents; Ions
PubMed: 37685943
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713136 -
Animal : An International Journal of... May 2014The main objective of the implementation of artificial insemination (AI) in cattle is to produce a sustained genetic progress in the herd. Although AI is an old... (Review)
Review
The main objective of the implementation of artificial insemination (AI) in cattle is to produce a sustained genetic progress in the herd. Although AI is an old reproductive biotechnology, its widespread implementation is very recent and is mainly because of the use of protocols that allows AI without oestrus detection, commonly called fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). The development of FTAI protocols also allowed the application of AI in larger, extensively managed herds and especially in suckled cows instead of restricting the breeding programmes to the heifers. Fixed-time AI treatments are widely used in South America, with about 3 000 000 cows inseminated in the last season in Argentina and about 8 000 000 in Brazil. The objective of this review is to present and describe the various treatments available and some of the factors that may affect pregnancy rates in beef cattle.
Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Argentina; Brazil; Cattle; Estrus Synchronization; Female; Insemination, Artificial; Meat; Ovulation; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Rate; Pregnancy, Animal
PubMed: 24844128
DOI: 10.1017/S1751731114000822