Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-ndw9j Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T23:00:03.769Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Coupling a reproductive function model to a productive function model to simulate lifetime performance in dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2018

O. Martin ,
P. Blavy ,
M. Derks ,
N.C. Friggens  and
F. Blanc
O. Martin*
Affiliation:
UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 75005 Paris, France
P. Blavy
Affiliation:
UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 75005 Paris, France
M. Derks
Affiliation:
UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 75005 Paris, France Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1213 Herbivores, VetAgro Sup, INRA, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France Swedish University of Agricultural Science, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
N.C. Friggens
Affiliation:
UMR 0791 Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, INRA, AgroParisTech, Université Paris-Saclay, 75005 Paris, France
F. Blanc
Affiliation:
Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1213 Herbivores, VetAgro Sup, INRA, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
*
†E-mail: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Reproductive success is a key component of lifetime performance in dairy cows but is difficult to predict due to interactions with productive function. Accordingly, this study introduces a dynamic model to simulate the productive and reproductive performance of a cow during her lifetime. The cow model consists of an existing productive function model (GARUNS) which is coupled to a new reproductive function model (RFM). The GARUNS model simulates the individual productive performance of a dairy cow throughout her lifespan. It provides, with a daily time step, changes in BW and composition, fetal growth, milk yield and composition and food intake. Genetic-scaling parameters are incorporated to scale individual performance and simulate differences within and between breeds. GARUNS responds to the discrete event signals ‘conception’ and ‘death’ (of embryo or fetus) generated by RFM. In turn, RFM responds to the GARUNS outputs concerning the cow’s energetic status: the daily total processed metabolizable energy per kg BW (TPEW) and the net energy balance (EB). Reproductive function model models the reproductive system as a compartmental system transitioning between nine competence stages: prepubertal (PRPB), anestrous (ANST), anovulatory (ANOV), pre-ovulating (PREO), ovulating (OVUL), post-ovulating (PSTO), luteinizing (LUTZ), luteal (LUTL) and gestating (GEST). The transition from PRPB to ANST represents the start of reproductive activity at puberty. The cyclic path through ANST, PREO, OVUL, PSTO, LUTZ and LUTL forms the regime of ovulatory cycles, whereas ANOV and GEST are transient stages that interrupt this regime. Anovulatory refers explicitly to a stage in which ovulation cannot occur (i.e. interrupted cyclicity), whereas ANST is a pivotal stage within ovulatory cycles. Reproductive function model generates estradiol and progesterone hormonal profiles consistent with reference profiles derived from literature. Cyclicity is impacted by the GARUNS output EB and clearance of estradiol is impacted by TPEW. A farming system model was designed to describe different farm protocols of heat detection, insemination, feeding (amount and energy density), drying-off and culling. Results of model simulation (10 000 simulations of individual cows over 5000 days lifetime period, with randomly drawn genetic-scaling parameters and standard diet) are consistent with literature for reproductive performance. This model allows simulation of deviations in reproductive trajectories along physiological stages of the cow reproductive cycle. It thus provides the basis for evaluation of the relative importance of different factors affecting fertility at individual cow and herd levels across different breeds and management environments.

Keywords

cattlereproductionfertilitycyclicityherd level
Type
Research Article
Information
animal , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , March 2019 , pp. 570 - 579
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

a

Present address: Farm Technology Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

References

Alban, L, Agger, JF and Lawson, LG 1996. Lameness in tied Danish dairy cattle: the possible influence of housing systems, management, milk yield, and prior incidents of lameness. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 29, 135–149.Google Scholar
Aungier, SPM, Roche, JF, Diskin, MG and Crowe, MA 2014. Risk factors that affect reproductive target achievement in fertile dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 97, 3472–3487.Google Scholar
Boer, HMT, Röblitz, S, Stötzel, C, Veerkamp, RF, Kemp, B and Woelders, H 2011. Mechanisms regulating follicle wave patterns in the bovine estrous cycle investigated with a mathematical model. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 5987–6000.Google Scholar
Brun-Lafleur, L, Cutullic, E, Faverdin, P, Delaby, L and Disenhaus, C 2013. An individual reproduction model sensitive to milk yield and body condition in Holstein dairy cows. Animal 7, 1332–1343.Google Scholar
Canfield, RW, Sniffen, CJ and Butler, WR 1990. Effects of excess degradable protein on postpartum reproduction and energy balance in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 73, 2342–2349.Google Scholar
Capper, JL, Cady, RA and Bauman, DE 2009. The environmental impact of dairy production: 1944 compared with 2007. Journal of Animal Science 87, 2160–2167.Google Scholar
Clément, F 2016. Multiscale mathematical modeling of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. Theriogenology 86, 11–21.Google Scholar
Clément, F and Monniaux, D 2013. Multiscale modelling of ovarian follicular selection. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology 113, 398–408.Google Scholar
Crowe, MA, Diskin, MG and Williams, EJ 2014. Parturition to resumption of ovarian cyclicity: comparative aspects of beef and dairy cows. Animal 8, 40–53.Google Scholar
Diskin, MG, Parr, MH and Morris, DG 2012. Embryo death in cattle: an update. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 24, 244–251.Google Scholar
Dupont, J, Scaramuzzi, RJ and Reverchon, M 2014. The effect of nutrition and metabolic status on the development of follicles, oocytes and embryos in ruminants. Animal 8, 1031–1044.Google Scholar
Fenwick, MA, Fitzpatrick, R, Kenny, DA, Diskin, MG, Patton, J, Murphy, JJ and Wathes, DC 2008. Interrelationships between negative energy balance (NEB) and IGF regulation in liver of lactating dairy cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 34, 31–44.Google Scholar
Fréret, S, Ponsart, C, Rai, DB, Jeanguyot, N, Paccard, P and Humblot, P 2006. Rencontres Recherches Ruminants 13, 281–284.Google Scholar
Gaillard, C, Martin, O, Blavy, P, Friggens, NC, Sehested, J and Phuong, HN 2016. Prediction of the lifetime productive and reproductive performance of Holstein cows managed for different lactation durations, using a model of lifetime nutrient partitioning. Journal of Dairy Science 99, 9126–9135.Google Scholar
Garnsworthy PC, Sinclair KD, Webb R 2008. Integration of physiological mechanisms that influence fertility in dairy cows. Animal 2, 1144–1152. Google Scholar
Grala, TM, Lucy, MC, Phyn, CVC, Sheahan, AJ, Lee, JM and Roche, JR 2011. Somatotropic axis and concentrate supplementation in grazing dairy cows of genetically diverse origin. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 303–315.Google Scholar
Le Mézec, P, Barbat-Leterrier, A, Barbier, S, Gion, A and Ponsart, C 2010. Fertilité des principales races laitières – Bilan 1999-2008. Retrieved on 4 September 2017 from http://fcoinfo.fr/IMG/pdf/Fertilite_des_principales_races_laitieres_-_Bilan_1999_-_2008_P._Le_Mezec_Avril_2010.pdf.Google Scholar
Ledoux, D, Touze, JL, Richard, C, Ponter, AA, Bosc, MJ and Grimard, B 2011. Abnormal patterns of resumption of cyclicity after calving in Holstein cows: risk factors, relationships with the ultrasound appearance of the ovaries and with gestation failure after AI. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire 162, 98–106.Google Scholar
Leroy, JLMR, Opsomer, G, Van Soom, A, Goovaerts, IGF and Bols, PEJ 2008a. Reduced fertility in high-yielding dairy cows: are the oocyte and embryo in danger? part I – the importance of negative energy balance and altered corpus luteum function to the reduction of oocyte and embryo quality in high-yielding dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43, 612–622.Google Scholar
Leroy, JLMR, Van Soom, A, Opsomer, G, Goovaerts, IGF and Bols, PEJ 2008b. Reduced fertility in high-yielding dairy cows: are the oocyte and embryo in danger? part II – mechanisms linking nutrition and reduced oocyte and embryo quality in high-yielding dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43, 623–632.Google Scholar
Martin, O 2009. Systemic modelling of ruminant female performance. Application to dairy cows. PhD thesis, AgroParisTech, Paris, France.Google Scholar
Martin, O, Blanc, F, Agabriel, J, Disenhaus, C, Dupont, J, Fréret, S, Elis, S, Gatien, J, Salvetti, P and Friggens, NC 2012. A bovine reproductive physiology model (RPM) to predict interactions between nutritional status and reproductive management. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 92, 557–558.Google Scholar
Martin, O, Friggens, NC, Dupont, J, Salvetti, P, Fréret, S, Rame, C, Elis, S, Gatien, J, Disenhaus, C and Blanc, F 2013. Data-derived reference profiles with corepresentation of progesterone, estradiol, LH, and FSH dynamics during the bovine estrous cycle. Theriogenology 79, 331–343.Google Scholar
Martin, O and Sauvant, D 2010a. A teleonomic model describing performance (body, milk and intake) during growth and over repeated reproductive cycles throughout the lifespan of dairy cattle. 1. Trajectories of life function priorities and genetic scaling. Animal 4, 2030–2047.Google Scholar
Martin, O and Sauvant, D 2010b. A teleonomic model describing performance (body, milk and intake) during growth and over repeated reproductive cycles throughout the lifespan of dairy cattle. 2. Voluntary intake and energy partitioning. Animal 4, 2048–2056.Google Scholar
McCracken, JA, Custer, EE and Lamsa, JC 1999. Luteolysis: a neuroendocrine-mediated event. Physiological Reviews 79, 263–323.Google Scholar
McNamara JP and Shields SL 2013. Reproduction during lactation of dairy cattle: integrating nutritional aspects of reproductive control in a systems research approach. Animal Frontiers 3, 76–83. Google Scholar
Oltenacu, P and Broom, D 2010. The impact of genetic selection for increased milk yield on the welfare of dairy cows. Animal Welfare 19, 39–49.Google Scholar
Phuong, HN, Blavy, P, Martin, O, Schmidely, P and Friggens, NC 2015a. Modelling impacts of performance on the probability of reproducing, and thereby on productive lifespan, allow prediction of lifetime efficiency in dairy cows. Animal 10, 106–116.Google Scholar
Phuong, HN, Martin, O, de Boer, IJM, Ingvartsen, KL, Schmidely, P and Friggens, NC 2015b. Deriving estimates of individual variability in genetic potentials of performance traits for 3 dairy breeds, using a model of lifetime nutrient partitioning. Journal of Dairy Science 98, 618–632.Google Scholar
Pryce, JE, Coffey, MP and Brotherstone, S 2000. The genetic relationship between calving interval, body condition score and linear type and management traits in registered Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 2664–2671.Google Scholar
Pryce, JE, Nielsen, BL, Veerkamp, RF and Simm, G 1999. Genotype and feeding system effects and interactions for health and fertility traits in dairy cattle. Livestock Production Science 57, 193–202.Google Scholar
Sartori, R, Bastos, MR and Wiltbank, MC. 2010. Factors affecting fertilisation and early embryo quality in single and superovulated dairy cattle. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22, 151–158.Google Scholar
Sangsritavong, S, Combs, DK, Sartori, R, Armentano, LE and Wiltbank, MC 2002. High feed intake increases liver blood flow and metabolism of progesterone and estradiol-17beta in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 2831–2842.Google Scholar
Walsh, SW, Williams, EJ and Evans, ACO 2011. A review of the causes of poor fertility in high milk producing dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 123, 127–138.Google Scholar
Wathes, DC, Fenwick, M, Cheng, Z, Bourne, N, Llewellyn, S, Morris, DG, Kenny, D, Murphy, J and Fitzpatrick, R 2007. Influence of negative energy balance on cyclicity and fertility in the high producing dairy cow. Theriogenology 68, 232–241.Google Scholar
Zeigler, B 1976. Theory of modeling and simulation. Wiley Interscience, New York, NY, USA.Google Scholar
Supplementary material: File

Martin et al. supplementary material

Martin et al. supplementary material 1

Download Martin et al. supplementary material(File)
File 1.5 MB