Prolactin response in beef cows and heifers suckling one or two calves

Wheeler, Matthew B.; Anderson, G. B.; Munro, Coralie; Stabenfeldt, G. H.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0640243

Cited by 12 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…A role of the adrenal was implicated by some circumstantial evidence, but careful experimentation has ruled this out (Wagner and Oxenreider, 1971;Dunlap et al, 1981a,bcc;Ellicot et al, 1981;Smith et al, 1974;Whisnant et al, 1985;Faltys et al, 1987;Spicer and Zinn, 1987). Prolactin also was explored as a possible mediator but was ruled out (Smith et al, 1974;Cummins et al, 1977;Clemente et al, 1978;Schallenberger et al, 1978;Holness andJeffers, 1980 Williams andRay, 1980;Webb and Lamming, 1981;Weiss at al., 1981;Montgomery, 1982;Wheeler et al, 1982). Oxytocin was injected three times daily in an experiment, and we found no evidence that oxytocin was involved with anestrus (Short et al, 1972); this was confumed by Stewart and Stevenson (1987).…”

Section: Control Mechnnlrms Of Postpartum Anestrusmentioning

confidence: 66%

Physiological mechanisms controlling anestrus and infertility in postpartum beef cattle.

Short

Bellows

Staigmiller

et al. 1990

Journal of Animal Science

456

249

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Postpartum infertility is caused by four factors: general infertility, lack of uterine involution, short estrous cycles and anestrus. The general infertility component is common to any estrous cycle and reduces potential fertility by 20 to 30%. Incomplete uterine involution prevents fertilization during the first 20 d after calving but is not related to anestrus. Short estrous cycles prevent fertility during the first 40 d after calving by causing the cow to return to estrus before pregnancy recognition occurs. Anestrus is the major component of postpartum infertility and is affected by several minor factors: season, breed, parity, dystocia, presence of a bull, uterine palpation and carryover effects from the previous pregnancy as well as two major factors: suckling and nutrition. These major factors have direct effects on anestrus but also interact with one or more other factors to control postpartum anestrus. Physiological mechanisms associated with anestrus involve blockage of the GnRH "pulse generator" in the hypothalamus, but other pathways also must be involved because bypassing the pulse generator is not an effective treatment for all cows. The primary cause of anestrus probably is different for different stages of anestrus. The mediating mechanisms for anestrus are not involved with prolactin, oxytocin, the adrenal or direct neural input from the mammary gland but are at least partially involved with blood glucose and the endogenous opioid peptide system. Management options to decrease the impact of anestrus and infertility include: 1) restrict breeding season to less than or equal to 45 d; 2) manage nutrition so body condition score is 5 to 7 before calving; 3) minimize effects of dystocia and stimulate estrous activity with a sterile bull and estrous synchronization; and 4) judicious use of complete, partial or short-term weaning.

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Section: Control Mechnnlrms Of Postpartum Anestrusmentioning

confidence: 66%

Physiological mechanisms controlling anestrus and infertility in postpartum beef cattle.

Short

Bellows

Staigmiller

et al. 1990

Journal of Animal Science

456

249

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…It would therefore seem plausible that higher levels of prolactin would be found in cows that produced more milk as shown by [ 138 ]. Additionally, work has shown that cows suckling twin calves had higher levels of milk prolactin concentrations [ 139 ]. The previously established role in prolactin in lactogenesis, as well as the relationship between prolactin and cow efficiency indeed provides an indication for further research in this field.…”

Section: Factors Influencing Maternal Behaviormentioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal Behavior in Beef Cattle: The Physiology, Assessment and Future Directions—A Review

Nevard

Pant

Broster

et al. 2022

Veterinary Sciences

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Bovine maternal behavior is known to be influenced by a variety of factors including hormonal mediation, breed, age, parity, host genetics and general management practices. Following centuries of varying levels of domestication processes, the behavior of the bovine cow has altered from that of her original wild ungulate ancestors, although many maternal instincts have remained unchanged. The influence of maternal behavior on calf health and performance is of interest to cow-calf beef production operations, as in most instances, the cow is solely responsible for rearing the calf until weaning. However, investigating the magnitude of this influence is challenging, in part because objective measurement of behavioral traits is difficult, particularly in extensive settings. In recent years, while a number of remote monitoring devices have been developed that afford opportunities for objective measurement of behavioral traits in livestock, characterization of physiological mechanisms that underlie superior maternal behavior, including identification of potential biomarkers remains elusive in cattle. Hormonal profiles during the periparturient period have been shown to influence behavioral patterns in both current and future generations in other mammalian species and may provide insights into the physiology of bovine maternal behavior. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe general characteristics of bovine maternal behavior and the factors known to influence it, including hormonal drivers, through which cross-reference to other species is made. Current methods of measuring and assessing behavior that may also be applicable to most production settings have also been reviewed. At present, there is no known hormonal assay that can be used to measure and/or reliably predict bovine maternal behavior post-calving or across generations. Being able to objectively assess superior maternal behavior, whether that be through remote monitoring, hormonal profiling or indirectly through measuring calf performance will be beneficial to livestock industries in the future.

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