Multiple Correlation Analyses of Metabolic and Endocrine Profiles with Fertility in Primiparous and Multiparous Cows

Abstract

Results from 4 studies were combined (representing a total of 500 lactations) to investigate the relationships between metabolic parameters and fertility in dairy cows. Information was collected on blood metabolic traits and body condition score at 1 to 2 wk prepartum and at 2, 4, and 7 wk postpartum. Fertility traits were days to commencement of luteal activity, days to first service, days to conception, and failure to conceive. Primiparous and multiparous cows were considered separately. Initial linear regression analyses were used to determine relationships among fertility, metabolic, and endocrine traits at each time point. All metabolic and endocrine traits significantly related to fertility were included in stepwise multiple regression analyses alone (model 1), including peak milk yield and interval to commencement of luteal activity (model 2), and with the further addition of dietary group (model 3). In multiparous cows, extended calving to conception intervals were associated prepartum with greater concentrations of leptin and lesser concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and urea, and postpartum with reduced insulin-like growth factor-I at 2 wk, greater urea at 7 wk, and greater peak milk yield. In primiparous cows, extended calving to conception intervals were associated with more body condition and more urea prepartum, elevated urea postpartum, and more body condition loss by 7 wk. In conclusion, some metabolic measurements were associated with poorer fertility outcomes. Relationships between fertility and metabolic and endocrine traits varied both according to the lactation number of the cow and with the time relative to calving.

Parturition to resumption of ovarian cyclicity: comparative aspects of beef and dairy cows

“…Factors contributing to LH pulse frequency in early postpartum dairy cows In dairy cows, the major factors affecting resumption of ovulation include BCS and energy balance (yield and dry matter intake), parity, season and disease (Bulman and Lamming, 1978;Beam and Butler, 1997;Opsomer et al, 2000;Wathes et al, 2007). Energy intake, BCS and milk yield interact to affect energy balance in dairy cows.…”

Associations between lipid metabolism and fertility in the dairy cow

“…Others have shown that oestrous cycles are unlikely to resume until after the nadir in bodyweight is reached (e.g. Butler 2001;Westwood et al 2002;Wathes et al 2007d). The BCS is often used as an assessment of energy status Weeks after calving…”

The effect of polymorphism in gene of insulin-like growth factor-I on the serum periparturient concentration in Holstein dairy cows

“…In vivo, the bovine oviduct and uterus express IGF-I [26,27] . Resumption of normal cyclicity is related to circulating IGF-I concentration of the postpartum cow [2,28] . A higher IGF-I blood concentration was reported in postpartum dairy cows with normal ovulatory follicles compared to animals with abnormal ovarian activity such as persistent corpus luteum, cystic follicles and inactive ovaries [29] .…”