Association of rumen fill score and energy status during the close‐up dry period with conception at first artificial insemination in dairy cows

Abstract

Recent studies have shown significant associations between prepartum energy status and postpartum fertility in dairy cows; therefore, the assessment of energy status by blood metabolites and metabolic hormones and suitable improvement of management during the prepartum period may enhance reproductive performance. Rumen fill score (RFS) is associated with feed intake; however, it is unknown whether RFS is also related to blood parameters. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between RFS and energy status during the prepartum period, and their associations with conception at first artificial insemination (AI) after parturition. In 42 multiparous Holstein cows, RFS assessment and blood sampling were carried out twice a week during 3 weeks of the peripartum period. Ovarian cycles until AI were evaluated by measuring milk progesterone levels. Before calving, positive correlations were observed between RFS and total cholesterol, and RFS did not change in pregnant cows at first AI after parturition, whereas in non-pregnant cows, RFS decreased gradually as the calving day approached. After calving, non-pregnant cows showed lower energy status compared with pregnant cows, and some non-pregnant cows showed anovulation and cessation of estrous cycle. In conclusion, RFS during the close-up dry period is related to real-time energy status, and is associated with postpartum energy status and conception at first AI in dairy cows. © 2016 Japanese Society of Animal Science.

Relationships between Biological Factors during the Voluntary Waiting Period and Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows

“…The present finding that the mean milk yields 4 and 8 weeks after calving did not differ between the pregnant and non-pregnant groups is also consistent with the findings of previous studies (9,26). Thus, it is likely that the provision of a favorable environment for high-yielding cows would enable them to maintain good reproductive performance (12).…”

“…In the present study, we compared the serum metabolite profiles of cows that did or did not become pregnant by 120 days postpartum. The AST and GT activities in the nonpregnant group were higher than those in the pregnant group between calving and 2 weeks postpartum, which is consistent with the findings of a previous study (9). These high enzyme activities imply the presence of liver damage related to fatty liver, which arises because of severe negative energy balance (NEB) during early lactation (19,27).…”

Association between Anti-Müllerian Hormone Concentration and Inflammation Markers in Serum during the Peripartum Period in Dairy Cows

“…Blood samples were collected by caudal venipuncture at 2–3 h after morning feeding. Additionally, the body condition score (BCS) was evaluated on a 5-point scale with increments of 0.25, as described by Ferguson et al [ 24 ], concomitant with the rumen fill score (RFS), recorded as described by Kawashima et al [ 25 ] at D-14 and D28. The samples were immediately placed in a box on ice for cooling and protection from light and were transported to a laboratory.…”

Association of milk production level and milk urea content with date and efficiency of the first insemination service in cows

“…A negative energy balance in early lactation, especially in Association of milk production level and milk urea content with date and effi ciency of the fi rst insemination service in cows ZYGMUNT GIL, KRZYSZTOF ADAMCZYK, JUSTYNA ŻYCHLIŃSKA--BUCZEK, JOANNA POKORSKA Faculty of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow high-yielding cows, is considered one of the reasons for negative correlations between the milk yield level and reproductive parameters (Butler 2003, Reist et al 2003, Wathes et al 2007, Kawashima et al 2017. Kawashima et al (2016) observed lower energy status in non-pregnant cows compared to those that became pregnant in early lactation. This status was also found to be related to conception at fi rst artifi cial insemination.…”