Factors affecting embryo survival and strategies to reduce embryonic mortality in cattle

Bilodeau‐Goeseels, Sylvie; Kastelic, John P.

doi:10.4141/a03-029

Cited by 32 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 146 publications

(126 reference statements)

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“…Previous studies reported that the embryo transfer to the cranial third of the embryo during the embryo transfer increased the pregnancy rate (Beal, Hinshaw, & Whitman, ; Bó et al, ; Roper et al, ; Scenna et al, ). Normally the embryo reaches from the oviduct into the uterus approximately 6–8 days after fertilization (Bilodeau‐Goeseels & Kastelic, ). Therefore, in uterine flushings on day 7, embryos are mostly collected from the cranial part of the uterine horn (Gordon, ; Niemann & Wrenzycki, ; Sponchiado et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the factors that affect the pregnancy rates during embryo transfer in beef heifers

Alkan

Karaşahi̇n

Dursun

et al. 2020

Reprod Domestic Animals

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the transfer side, transfer location, cervix transfer score, type and diameter of corpus luteum (CL) during embryo transfer on pregnancy rates in beef heifers. Progesterone‐based synchronization and superovulation protocol were applied to Simmental cows used as donors (n = 168). Uterine flushings were performed on day 7 following artificial insemination. Obtained Code I (excellent or good) and II (fair) quality embryos were transferred to recipient beef heifers (n = 561). During embryo transfer, side of transfer (right or left), transfer location (the cranial or middle third of uterine horn), cervix transfer score (easy, moderate or difficult) and type (CLa, CLb and CLc) and diameter of CL were determined. Pregnancy rates following the transfer of Code I and II embryos were 44.66% and 33.07%, respectively (p < .05). The rates of pregnancy after transfers to the right and left uterine horn were 37% and 42.2%, respectively (p > .05). The pregnancy rates were 41.2%, 34.9% and 30.3% for cervix transfer scores as easy, moderate and difficult, respectively (p > .05). Pregnancy rates after transfer to the cranial third and middle third were 41.06% and 29.67%, respectively (p < .05). According to types of CL, pregnancy rates were 31.7%, 40.4% and 45.3% for CLa, CLb and CLc, respectively (p < .05). Moreover, it was found that as the CL diameter increased, the pregnancy rates increased. As a result, it was concluded that there was no effect of side of transfer and cervix transfer score, but embryo quality, transfer location, type and diameter of CL had significant effects on the pregnancy rate during embryo transfer in beef heifers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the factors that affect the pregnancy rates during embryo transfer in beef heifers

Alkan

Karaşahi̇n

Dursun

et al. 2020

Reprod Domestic Animals

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“…Acute negative energy balance in intensively managed North American cattle herds has been reported as a cause of embryo mortality (Vanroose et al, 2000;Bilodeau-Goeseels and Kastelic, 2003). Periods of acute negative energy balance occur on an annual basis in tropical regions of Australia and as a consequence could be associated with embryo mortalities in beef cattle herds in these regions.…”

Section: Extended Periods Of Low-rainfallmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of factors that impact on the capacity of beef cattle females to conceive, maintain a pregnancy and wean a calf—Implications for reproductive efficiency in northern Australia

Burns

Fordyce²,

Holroyd

2010

Animal Reproduction Science

133

128

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A review of factors that may impact on the capacity of beef cattle females, grazing semi-extensive to extensive pastures in northern Australia, to conceive, maintain a pregnancy and wean a calf was conducted. Pregnancy and weaning rates have generally been used to measure the reproductive performance of herds. However, this review recognises that reproductive efficiency and the general measures associated with it more effectively describe the economic performance of beef cattle enterprises. More specifically, reproductive efficiency is influenced by (1) pregnancy rate which is influenced by (i) age at puberty; (ii) duration of post-partum anoestrus; (iii) fertilisation failure and (iv) embryo survival; while (2) weight by number of calves per breeding female retained for mating is influenced by (i) cow survival; (ii) foetal survival; and (iii) calf survival; and (3) overall lifetime calf weight weaned per mating. These measures of reproductive efficiency are discussed in depth. Further, a range of infectious and non-infectious factors, namely, environmental, physiological, breed and genetic factors and their impact on these stages of the reproductive cycle are investigated and implications for the northern Australian beef industry are discussed. Finally, conclusions and recommendations to minimise reproductive inefficiencies based on current knowledge are presented.

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“…However, attention has recently shifted towards the widely reported fall in conception rates (Bousquet et al. ; Roche ) and a remarkably high incidence of early embryonic mortality (Mann and Lamming ; Bilodeau‐Goeseels and Kastelic ). How suboptimal maternal metabolism or nutrition in the dairy cow can affect oocyte and embryo quality has been reviewed extensively (Leroy et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Fat Supplementation and the Consequences for Oocyte and Embryo Quality: Hype or Significant Benefit for Dairy Cow Reproduction?

Leroy

Sturmey

Hoeck

et al. 2014

Reprod Domestic Animals

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In many countries, fat supplementation in the diet has become common in the dairy industry. There are several ideas as to how dietary fat could influence reproductive performance. Saturated fatty acids, such as palm oil, can increase milk yield but may aggravate negative energy balance and thus may impair fertility when fed during the first week post-partum. However, priming the lipid oxidation in the liver by feeding saturated fats during the dry period has recently been shown to be a potentially promising strategy to mitigate fat mobilization and liver accumulation post-partum. Furthermore, polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids) are fed to reduce the 'de novo' fat synthesis in the udder and thus the milk fat content, which may be of modest benefit for overall energy balance. Furthermore, omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are reported to alter follicular growth, steroid synthesis and prostaglandin metabolism in the ovary and endometrium, respectively. Omega-6 fatty acids are believed to have pro-inflammatory and thus PGF2α-stimulating properties rendering them extra value as 'nutraceutical' early post-partum, while omega-3 fatty acids can weaken this inflammatory potency, leading to a higher chance of survival of the embryo when supplemented during the periconceptual period. Unfortunately, research results rarely provide a consensus in this perspective. The consequences of these fat-feeding strategies on oocyte and embryo quality remain an intriguing issue for debate. Fat feeding may alter the microenvironment of the growing and maturing oocyte of the early and older embryo and thus may affect reproductive outcome. We recently reported that dietary-induced hyperlipidaemic conditions can be harmful for embryo development and metabolism. However, to date, research results remain somewhat conflicting most probably due to differences in fat sources used, in diet and duration of supplementation and in experimental set-up in general.

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Factors affecting embryo survival and strategies to reduce embryonic mortality in cattle

Cited by 32 publications

References 146 publications

Evaluation of the factors that affect the pregnancy rates during embryo transfer in beef heifers

Evaluation of the factors that affect the pregnancy rates during embryo transfer in beef heifers

A review of factors that impact on the capacity of beef cattle females to conceive, maintain a pregnancy and wean a calf—Implications for reproductive efficiency in northern Australia

Dietary Fat Supplementation and the Consequences for Oocyte and Embryo Quality: Hype or Significant Benefit for Dairy Cow Reproduction?

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