Comparison of embryo quality in high-yielding dairy cows, in dairy heifers and in beef cows

Leroy, Jo; Opsomer, G.; Vliegher, Sarne De; Vanholder, Tom; Goossens, L.; Geldhof, Anja; Bols, P.E.J.; Kruif, Aart de; Soom, Ann Van

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.05.003

Cited by 79 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Accordingly, a field trial was arranged to compile data on the embryo quality of high-producing dairy cows in comparison with non-lactating dairy heifers and (non-lactating) beef cows. Through this field trial it was possible to investigate simultaneously the effects of milk production and breed (or genetic background) (Leroy et al, 2005b). Briefly, embryos from lactating dairy cows clearly displayed inferior quality as assessed by morphological evaluation, compared to dairy heifers or beef cows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The consequences of metabolic changes in high-yielding dairy cows on oocyte and embryo quality

Leroy

Soom

Opsomer

et al. 2008

Animal

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Unsatisfactory reproductive performance in dairy cows, such as reduced conception rates, in addition to an increased incidence of early embryonic mortality, is reported worldwide and has been associated with a period of negative energy balance (NEB) early post partum. Typically, NEB is associated with biochemical changes such as high non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), high b-hydroxybutyrate (b-OHB) and low glucose concentrations. The concentrations of these and other metabolites in the follicular fluid (FF) of high-yielding dairy cows during NEB were determined and extensively analyzed, and then were replicated in in vitro maturation models to investigate their effect on oocyte quality. The results showed that typical metabolic changes during NEB are well reflected in the FF of the dominant follicle. However, the oocyte seems to be relatively isolated from extremely elevated NEFA or very low glucose concentrations in the blood. Nevertheless, the in vitro maturation models revealed that NEB-associated high NEFA and low glucose levels in the FF are indeed toxic to the oocyte, resulting in deficient oocyte maturation and developmental competence. Induced apoptosis and necrosis in the cumulus cells was particularly obvious. Furthermore, maturation in saturated free fatty acid-rich media had a carry-over effect on embryo quality, leading to reduced cryotolerance of day 7 embryos. Only b-OHB showed an additive toxic effect in moderately hypoglycemic maturation conditions. These in vitro maturation models, based on in vivo observations, suggest that a period of NEB may hamper the fertility of high-yielding dairy cows through increased NEFA and decreased glucose concentrations in the FF directly affecting oocyte quality. In addition to oocyte quality, these results also demonstrate that embryo quality is reduced following an NEB episode. This important observation may be linked to the typical diet provided to stimulate milk yield, or to physiological adaptations sustaining the high milk production. Research into this phenomenon is ongoing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One of the major morphological characteristics evaluated in the study of Leroy et al (2005b) was embryo color. By means of a new lipid evaluation technique (Leroy et al, 2005c) it could be demonstrated that embryo color is correlated with lipid content, as has previously been suggested by others (Sata et al, 1999;Abe and Hoshi, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The consequences of metabolic changes in high-yielding dairy cows on oocyte and embryo quality

Leroy

Soom

Opsomer

et al. 2008

Animal

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“…Rizos et al (2010) also report more embryos recovered from non-lactating heifers than from lactating cows (79.0 vs 57.2%). A lower proportion of embryos reaching the blastocyst stage in all lactating cows (4%) compared to 23.2% in non-lactating heifers was also described by Leroy et al (2005). EPP -early postpartum period (up to 3.5 months); MPP -middle postpartum period (3.7-7 months); LPP -later postpartum period (above 7.5 months) The same superscript within the column means significant differences -P < 0.05 (a; b) or P < 0.01 (A; B)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 81%

“…Maillo et al (2012) studied the direct effect of lactation (lactating and dry cows) on embryo development in Holstein cows, reporting that 26.3% of total embryos developed to the blastocyst stage in the lactating cows compared to 39.6% in the nonlactating groups. Leroy et al (2005) who compared embryo quality in lactating Holstein cows, non-lactating Holstein heifers, and Belgian Blue beef cows concluded that lactating cows yielded embryos with a significantly reduced quality (only 13.1% embryos categorized as excellent vs. 62.5% in non-lactating heifers, and 55.0% in Belgian Blue cows). A lower percentage of blastocyst stage (4%) was also found in these dairy cows compared to 23.2% in heifers and 17.3% in Belgian Blues.…”

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confidence: 99%

Ovarian activity and embryo yield in relation to the postpartum period in superovulated dairy cows

et al. 2017

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The aim of this study was to evaluate superovulation response in cows at various postpartum periods (early postpartum period up to 3.5 months; middle postpartum period 3.7-7 months; later postpartum period above 7.5 months after calving). The data included observation of 55 Holstein cows superovulated at one farm in the Czech Republic during the years 2010 and 2013. Reproduction traits (dependent variable) were represented as number of the corpora lutea, number of transferable embryos, morulae, blastocysts, total number of embryos and embryo recovery. For statistical evaluation we used the PROC GLM of SAS ® with fixed effect -breeding value of milk production. The study results show significant differences (P < 0.05-0.01) in the three postpartum periods (early, middle, and later postpartum periods) and the number of corpora lutea (4.6; 7.4; 10.8), number of total embryos (3.2; 2.9; 6.5) and transferable embryos (1.8; 1.7; 4.4). Effective timing of embryo transfer in the later postpartum period resulted in greater ovarian activity and embryo yield compared to early lactation periods.

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“…The marked differences between cows and heifers justify further comparison of their calves. Previous work has demonstrated that the factor 'lactation' alters embryo quality compared with non-lactating cows (Leroy et al, 2005), and that exposure of bovine oocytes to NEB conditions in vitro affects glucose homeostasis in early embryonic stages (Van Hoeck et al, 2011 and. The difference in IGF-I corresponds to other reports (Taylor et al, 2004) and is of particular interest, since IGF-I has been proposed as a mediator between maternal energy balance and foetal development (Wathes et al, 1998;Lucy, 2008;Micke et al, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of parity and periconceptional metabolic state of Holstein–Friesian dams on the glucose metabolism and conformation in their newborn calves

Bossaert

Fransén

Langbeen

et al. 2014

Animal

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The metabolic state of pregnant mammals influences the offspring's development and risk of metabolic disease in postnatal life. The metabolic state in a lactating dairy cow differs immensely from that in a non-lactating heifer around the time of conception, but consequences for their calves are poorly understood. The hypothesis of this study was that differences in metabolic state between non-lactating heifers and lactating cows during early pregnancy would affect insulin-dependent glucose metabolism and development in their neonatal calves. Using a mixed linear model, concentrations of glucose, IGF-I and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) were compared between 13 non-lactating heifers and 16 high-yielding dairy cows in repeated blood samples obtained during the 1st month after successful insemination. Calves born from these dams were weighed and measured at birth, and subjected to intravenous glucose and insulin challenges between 7 and 14 days of age. Eight estimators of insulin-dependent glucose metabolism were determined: glucose and insulin peak concentration, area under the curve and elimination rate after glucose challenge, glucose reduction rate after insulin challenge, and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Effects of dam parity and calf sex on the metabolic and developmental traits were analysed in a two-way ANOVA. Compared with heifers, cows displayed lower glucose and IGF-I and higher NEFA concentrations during the 1st month after conception. However, these differences did not affect developmental traits and glucose homeostasis in their calves: birth weight, withers height, heart girth, and responses to glucose and insulin challenges in the calves were unaffected by their dam's parity. In conclusion, differences in the metabolic state of heifers and cows during early gestation under field conditions could not be related to their offspring's development and glucose homeostasis.

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Comparison of embryo quality in high-yielding dairy cows, in dairy heifers and in beef cows

Cited by 79 publications

References 51 publications

The consequences of metabolic changes in high-yielding dairy cows on oocyte and embryo quality

The consequences of metabolic changes in high-yielding dairy cows on oocyte and embryo quality

Ovarian activity and embryo yield in relation to the postpartum period in superovulated dairy cows

Effects of parity and periconceptional metabolic state of Holstein–Friesian dams on the glucose metabolism and conformation in their newborn calves

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