Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-kw2vx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-02-05T23:04:58.501Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Nutritional effects on resumption of ovarian cyclicity and conception rate in postpartum dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

W.R. Butler
W.R. Butler*
Affiliation:
Cornell University, Department of Animal Science, Ithaca, NY, USA
Get access

Abstract

Increased genetic potential for milk production has been associated with a decline in fertility of lactating cows. Following parturition the nutritional requirements increase rapidly with milk production and result in negative energy balance (NEBAL). NEBAL delays the time of first ovulation thereby affecting ovarian cycles before and during the subsequent breeding period The effects of NEBAL on reinitiation of ovulation are manifested through inhibition of LH pulse frequency and low levels of glucose, insulin and IGF-I in blood that collectively restrain oestrogen production by dominant follicles. Upregulation of LH pulses and peripheral IGF-I in association with the NEBAL nadir increases the likelihood that emerging dominant follicles will ovulate. The legacy of NEBAL is reduced fertility after insemination in conjunction with reduced serum progesterone concentrations. Diets high in crude protein support high milk yield, but may be detrimental to reproductive performance. Depending upon protein quantity and composition, serum concentrations of progesterone may be lower and the uterine luminal environment is altered. High protein intake is correlated with plasma urea concentrations that are inversely related to uterine pH and fertility. The direct effects of high dietary protein and plasma urea on embryo quality and development in cattle are inconsistent. In conclusion, the poor fertility of high producing dairy cows reflects the combined effects of a uterine environment that is dependent on progesterone, but has been rendered suboptimal for embryo development by antecedent effects of negative energy balance and may be further compromised by the effects of urea resultingfrom intake of high dietary protein.

Type
Invited Papers
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 26 , Issue 1: Fertility in the High Producing Dairy Cow , January 2001 , pp. 133 - 145
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2001

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.)

References

Adams, G.P., Matteri, R.L., Kastelic, R.P., Ko, J.C.H. and Ginther, O.J. 1993. Association between surges of follicle-stimulating hormone and the emergence of follicular waves in heifers. Journal of Reproduction andFertility, 94:177–188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Adashi, E.Y., Resnick, C.E., D'Ercole, A.J., Svoboda, M.E. and Van Wyk, J.J. 1985. Insulin-like growth factors asintraovarianregulatorsofgranulosacellgrowthandfunction. Endocrine Reviews, 6:400–420.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ahmad, N., Beam, S.W., Butler, W.R., Deaver, D.R., Duby, R.T., Elder, D.R., Fortune, J.E., Griel, L.C. Jr., Jones, L.S., Milvae, R.A., Pate, J.L., Revah, I., Schreiber, D.T. Jr., Townson, D.H., and Tsang, P.C.W. 1996. Relationship of fertility to patterns of ovarian follicular development and associated hormonal profiles in dairy cows and heifers. Journal of Animal Science, 74:1943–1952.Google Scholar
Armstrong, D.G., Gardner, J.O., Gong, J.G., Baxer, G., Hogg, C.O. and Webb, R. 1999. The effect of nutrition on steroidogenesis in cultured bovine granulosa cells. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstracts, 23: 23.Google Scholar
Armstrong, D.G. and Webb, R. 1997. Ovarian follicular dominance: the role of intraovarian growth factors and novel proteins. Reviews of Reproduction, 2:139–146.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beam, S.W. and Butler, W.R. 1997. Energy balance and ovarian follicle development prior to the first ovulation postpartum in dairy cows receiving three levels of dietary fat. Biology of Reproduction, 56:133–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beam, S.W. and Butler, W.R. 1998. Energy balance, metabolic hormones, and early postpartum follicular development in dairy cows fedprilled lipid. Journal of Dairy Science, 81:121–131.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beam, S.W. and Butler, W.R. 1999. Effects of energy balance on follicular development and first ovulation in postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement, 54:411–424.Google ScholarPubMed
Blanchard, T., Ferguson, J.D., Love, L., Takeda, T., Henderson, B., Hasler, J. and Chalupa, W. 1990. Effect of dietary crude protein type on fertilization and embryo quality in dairy cattle. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 51:905–908.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Britt, J.H. 1992. Influence of nutrition and weight loss on reproduction and early embryonic death in cattle. Proceedings of the XVII World Buiatrics Congress, St. Paul, MN, August 31-September 4., Vol. 2:143–149.Google Scholar
Burke, J.M., Staples, C.R., Risco, C.A., de la Sota, R.L. and Thatcher, W.W. 1997. Effect of ruminant grade menhaden fish meal on reproductive and productive performance of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 80:3386–3398.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, W.R. 1998. Review: Effect of protein nutrition on ovarian and uterine physiology in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 81:2533–2539.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, W.R., Calaman, J.J., and Beam, S.W. 1996. Plasma and milk urea nitrogen in relation to pregnancy rate in lactating dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Science, 74:858–865.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, W.R., Everett, R.W. and Coppock, C.E. 1981. The relationships between energy balance, milk production and ovulation in postpartum Holstein cows. Journal ofAimal Science, 53:742–748.Google ScholarPubMed
Butler, W.R. and Smith, R.D. 1989. Interrelationships between energy balance on postpartum reproductive function in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 72:767–783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Canfield, R.W. and Butler, W.R. 1990. Energy balance and pulsatile LH secretion in early postpartum dairy cattle. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 7:323–330.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Canfleld, R.W. and Butler, W.R. 1991. Energy balance, first ovulation and the effects of naloxone on LH secretion in early postpartum dairy cows. Journal ofAnimal Science, 69:740–746.Google Scholar
Canfleld, R.W., Sniffen, C.J. and Butler, W.R. 1990. Effects of excess degradable protein on postpartum reproduction and energy balance in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 73:2342–2349.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chase, C.C. Jr., Kirby, C.J., Hammond, A.C., Olson, T.A. and Lucy, M.C. 1998. Patterns of ovarian growth and development in cattle with a growth hormone receptor deficiency. Journal ofAnimal Science 76:212–219.Google ScholarPubMed
Cohick, W.S., Armstrong, J.D., Whitacre, M.D., Lucy, M.C., Harvey, R.W. and Cambell, R.M. 1996. Ovarian expression of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding proteins, and growth hormone (GH) receptor in heifers actively immunized against GH-Releasing factor. Endocrinology, 137:1670–1677.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crowe, M.A., Padmanabhan, V., Mihm, M., Beitins, I.Z. and Roche, J.F. 1998. Resumption of follicular waves in beef cows is not associated with periparturient changes in follicle-stimulating hormone heterogeneity despite major changes in steroid and luteinizing hormone concentrations. Biology of Reproduction, 58:1445–1450.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darwash, A.O., Lamming, G.E. and Wooliams, J.A. 1997. The phenotypic association between the interval to post-partum ovulation and traditional measures of fertility in dairy cattle. Animal Science, 65:9–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darwash, A.O., Lamming, G.E. and Wooliams, J.A. 1999. The potential for identifying heritable endocrine parameters associated with fertility in post-partum dairy cows. Animal Science, 68:333–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
dela Sota, R.L. Simmen, F.A., Diaz, T. and Thatcher, W.A.V. 1996. Insulin-like growth factor system in bovine first-wave dominant and subordinate follicles. Biology of Reproduction, 55:803–812.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elrod, C.C., Van Amburgh, M., and Butler, W.R. 1993. Alterations of pH in response to increased dietary protein in cattle are unique to the uterus. Journal ofAnimal Science, 71:702–706.Google ScholarPubMed
Ferguson, J.D., Galligan, D.T., Blanchard, T. and Reeves, M. 1993. Serum urea nitrogen and conception rate: the usefulness of test information. Journal of Dairy Science, 76:3742–3746.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferguson, J.D. 1991. Nutrition and reproduction in dairy cows. Veterinary Clinics of North American: Food Animal Practice, 7:483–507.Google ScholarPubMed
Findlay, P., Salamonsen, L.A. and Cherney, R.A. 1990. Endometrial function: studies using isolated cells in vitro . Oxford Review of Reproductive Biology, 12:181–223.Google ScholarPubMed
Garcia-Bojaul, C.M., Staples, C.R., Thatcher, W.W. and Drost, M. 1994. Protein intake and development of ovarian follicles and embryos of superovulated nonlactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 77:2537–2548.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garrett, J.E., Geisert, R.D., Zavy, M.T. and Morgan, G.L. 1988. Evidence for maternal regulation of early conceptus growth and development in beef cattle. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 84:437–446.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gath, V., Lonergan, P., Boland, M.P. and O'Cailaghan, D. 1999. Effects of diet type on establishment of pregnany and embryo development in beef heifers. Theriogenology, 51:224 (abst.)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gilbert, R.O. and Shin, S.T. 1997. The effect of urea and steroid hormones on cultured bovine adult and fetal endometrial cells. Proceedings Conference for Research Workers on Animal Disease, Chicago, IL.(Abst.).Google Scholar
Ginther, O.J., Kot, K., Kulick, L.J., Martin, S. and Wiltbank, M.C. 1996. Relationships between FSH and ovarian follicular waves during the last six months of pregnancy in cattle. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 108:271–279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gong, J.G., Baxter, G., Bramley, T.A. and Webb, R. 1997. Enhancement of ovarian follicle development in heifers by treatment with recombinant bovine somatotrophin: a dose-response study. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 110:91–97.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gutiérrez, C.G., Oldham, J., Bramley, T.A., Gong, J.G., Campbell, B.K. and Webb, R. 1997. The recruitment of ovarian follicles is enhanced by increased dietary intake in heifers. Journal ofAnimal Science 75:1876–1884.Google ScholarPubMed
Jolly, P.D., McDougall, S., Fitzpatrick, L.A., Macmillan, K.L. and Entwistle, K. 1995. Physiological effects of undernutrition on postpartum anestrous in cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement, 49:477–492.Google Scholar
Kendrick, K.W., Bailey, T.L., Garst, A.S., Pryor, A.W., Ahmadzadeh, A., Akers, R.M., Eyestone, W.E., Pearson, R.E. and Gwazdauskas, F.C. 1999. Effects of energy balance on hormones, ovarian activity, and recovered oocytes in lactating Holstein cows using transvaginal follicular aspiration. Journal of Dairy Science, 82:1731–1740.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kruip, Th.A.M., Meijer, G.A.L., Rukkwamsuk, Th. And Wensing, Th. 1999. Investigation into the mechanisms of reduction in fertility of high yielding cows. Proceedings l0th International Conference Production diseases in Farm Animals, Utrecht, 1998, 183–190.Google Scholar
Kurz, S.G., Dyer, R.M., Hu, Y, Wright, M.D. and Day, M.I. 1990. Regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion in prepubertal heifers fed an energy-deficient diet. Biology of Reproduction., 43:450–456.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lamming, G.E. and Mann, G.E. 1995. A dual role for progesterone in the control of cyclicity in ruminants. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement, 49:561–566.Google ScholarPubMed
Lamming, G.E., Peters, A.R., Riley, G.M. and Fisher, M.W. 1982. Endocrine regulation of postpartum function. Current Topics of Veterinary Medicine Animal Science, 20:148–172.Google Scholar
Lamming, G.E., Wathes, D.C. and Peters, A.R. 1981. Endocrine patterns of the post-partum cow. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, Supplement, 30:155–170.Google ScholarPubMed
Larson, S.F., Butler, W.R. and Currie, W.B. 1997. Reduced fertility associated with low progesteronev postbreeding and increased milk urea nitrogen in lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 80:1288–1295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lucy, M.C., Beck, J., Staples, C.R., Head, H.H. De La Sota, R.L. and Thatcher, W.W. 1992a. Follicular dynamics, plasma metabolites, hormones and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in lactating cows with positive or negative energy balance during the preovulatory period. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 32:331–341.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lucy, M.C., Staples, C.R., Thatcher, W.W., Erickson, P.S., Cleale, R.M., Firkins, J.L., Clark, J.H., Murphy, M.R. and Brodie, B.O. 1992b. Influence of diet composition, dry-matter intake, milk production and energy balance on time of post-partum ovulation and fertility in dairy cows. Animal Production 54:323–331.Google Scholar
Lucy, M.C., Staples, C.R., Michel, F.M. and Thatcher, W.W. 1991. Energy balance and size and number of ovarian follicles detected by ultrasonography in early postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 74:473–482.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mann, G.E., Mann, S.J. and Lamming, G.E. 1996. The inter-relationship between the maternal hormone environment and the embryo during the early stages of pregnancy in the cow. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstracts, 17:55.Google Scholar
McEvoy, T.G., Robinson, J.J. Aitken, R.P., Findlay, P.A. and Robertson, I.S. 1997. Dietary excesses of urea influence the viability and metabolism of preimplantion sheep embryos and may affect fetal growth among survivors. Animal Reproduction Science, 47:71–90.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McGuire, M.A., Bauman, D.E., Dwyer, D.A. and Cohick, W.S. 1995. Nutritional modulation of the somatotrophin/insulin-like growth factor system: response to feed deprivation in lactating cows. Journal of Nutrition, 125:493–502.Google ScholarPubMed
Medina, C.L., Nagatani, S., Darling, T.A., Bucholtz, D.C., Tsukamura, H., Maeda, K.I. and Foster, D.L. 1998. Glucose availability modulates the timing of the luteinizing hormone surge in the ewe. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 10:785–792.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nolan, R., O'Callaghan, D., Duby, R.T., Lonergan, P. and Boland, M.P. 1998. The influence of short-term nutrient changes on follicle growth and embryo production following superovulation in beef heifers. Theriogenology, 50:1263–1274.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'Callaghan, D.O. and Boland, M.P. 1999. Nutritional effects on ovulation, embryo development and the establishment of pregnancy in ruminants. Animal Science, 68:299–314.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Parr, R.A., Davis, I.F., Miles, M.A. and Squires, T.J. 1993. Feed intake affects metabolic clearance rate of progesterone in sheep. Research in Veterinary Science, 55:306–310.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Price, C.A. and Silva, J.M. 1999. Intracellular regulation of P450 aromatase by FSH and insulin in bovine granulosa cells. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstracts, 23:8.Google Scholar
Rabiee, A.R., Lean, I.J., Gooden, J.M., Miller, B.G. and Scaramuzzi, R.J. 1997. An evaluation of transovarian uptake of metabolites using arterio-venous difference methods in dairy cattle. Animal Reproduction Science, 48:9–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rhodes, F.M., Clark, B.A., Nation, D.P., Taufa, V.K., MacMillan, K.L., Day, M.L., Day, A.M. and McDougall, S. 1998. Factors influencing the prevalence of postpartum anoestrus in New Zealand dairy cows. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, 58:79–81.Google Scholar
Risco, C.A., Drost, M., Archbald, L., Moreira, F., de la Sota, R.L., Burke, J., and Thatcher, W. 1998. Timed artificial insemination in dairy cattle - Part I. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian, 20(suppl. 10): 280–287.Google Scholar
Ronge, H., Blum, J., Clement, C., Jans, F., Leuenberger, H. and Binder, H. 1988. Somatomedin C in dairy cows related to energy and protein supply and to milk production. Animal Production, 47:165–183.Google Scholar
Rutter, L.M. and Manns, J.G. 1987. Hypoglycemia alters pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in the postpartum beefcow. Journal of Animal Science, 64:479–488.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Savio, J.D., Boland, M.P., Hynes, N. and Roche, J.F. 1990. Resumption of follicular activity in the early post-partum period of dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 88:569–579.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shaham-Albalancy, A., Nyska, A., Kaim, M., Rosenberg, M., Folman, Y. and Wolfenson, D. 1997. Delayed effect of progesterone on endometrial morphology in dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 48:159–174.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shelton, K., Gayerie De Abreu, M.F., Hunter, M.G., Parkinson, T.J., and Lamming, G.E. 1990. Luteal in adequacy during the early luteal phase of subfertile cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 90: 1–10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Simpson, R.B., Chase, C.C. Jr., Spicer, L.J., Vernon, R.K., Hammond, A.C. and Rae, D.O. 1994. Effect of exogenous insulin on plasma and follicular insulin-like growth factor I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein activity, follicular oestradiol and progesterone, and follicular growth in superovulated Angus and Brahman cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 102:483–492.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, M.C.A., and Wallace, J.M. 1998. Influence of early post partum ovulation on the re-establishment of pregnancy in multiparous and primiparous dairy cattle. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 10:207–216.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spicer, L.J. and Echternkamp, S.E. 1995. The ovarian insulin and insulin-like growth factor system with an emphasis on domestic animals. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 12:223–245.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Spicer, L.J., Alpizar, E. and Echternkamp, S.E. 1993. Effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor I, and gonadotropins on bovine granuloosa cell proliferation, progesterone production, estradiol production and(or) insulin-like growth factor-I. production. Journal of Animal Science, 71:1232–1241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Spicer, L.J., Tucker, W.B., Adams, G.D. 1990. Insulin-like growth factor-I in dairy cows: relationships among energy balance, body condition, ovarian activity and estrous behavior. J Dairy Sci, 73:929-37.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stagg, K., Diskin, M.G., Sreenan, J.M. and Roche, J.F. 1995. Follicular development in long-term anoestrous suckler beef cows fed two levels of energy postpartum. Animal Reproduction Science, 38:49–61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stagg, K., Spicer, L.J., Sreenan, J.M., Roche, J.F. and Diskin, M.G. 1998. Effect of calf isolation on follicular wave dynamics, gonadotropin and metabolic hormone changes, and interval to first ovulation in beef cows fed either of two energy levels postpartum. Biology of Reproduction, 59:777–783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Staples, C.R., Garcia-Bojalil, C.M., Oldick, B.S., Thatcher, W.W. and Risco, C.A. 1993. Protein intake and reproductive performance of dairy cows: A review, a suggested mechanism, and blood and milk urea measurements. Proceedings of the 4th Annual Florida Ruminant Nutrition Symposium, University of Florida, Gainesville, pp. 37–52.Google Scholar
Staples, C.R., Thatcher, W.W. and Clark, J.H. 1990. Relationship between ovarian activity and energy status during the early postpartum period of high producing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 73:938–947.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stevenson, J.S. and Britt, J.H. 1979. Relationship among luteinzing hormone, estradiol, progesterone, glucocorticoids, milk yield, body weight and postpartum ovarian activity in Holstein cows. Journal of Animal Science 48:570–576.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stevenson, J.S., Kobayashi, Y. and Thompson, K.E. 1999. Reproductive performance of dairy cows in various programmed breeding systems including ovsynch and combinations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2α.Journal of Dairy Science, 82:506–515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stewart, R.E., Spicer, L.J., Hamilton, T.D., Keefer, B.E., Dawson, L.J., Morgan, G.L. and Echternkamp, S.E. 1996. Levels of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins, luteinizing hormone and IGF-I receptors, and steroids in dominant follicles during the first follicular wave in cattle exhibiting regular estrous cycles. Endocrinology, 137:2842–2850.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Villa-Godoy, A., Hughes, T.L., Emery, R.S., Chapin, L.T., Fogwell, R.L. 1988. Association between energy balance and luteal function in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci, 71:1063-72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Villa-Godoy, A., Hughes, T.L., Emery, R., S., Enright, W.J., Ealy, A.D., Zinn, S.A. and Fogwell, R.L. 1990. Energy balance and body condition influence luteal function in holstein heifers. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 7:135–148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westwood, C.T., Lean, I.J. and Kellaway, R.C.. 1998a. Indications and implications for testing of milk urea in dairy cattle: A quantitative review. Part 1. Dietary protein sources and metabolism. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 46:87–96.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Westwood, C.T., Lean, I.J. and Kellaway, R.C.. 1998b. Indications and implications for testing of milk urea in dairy cattle: A quantitative review. Part 2. Effect of dietary protein on reproductive performance. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 46:123–140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitaker, D.A., Smith, E.J., da Rosa, G.O. and Kelly, J.M. 1993. Some effects of nutrition and management on the fertility of dairy cattle. The Veterinary Record, 133:61–64.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Williams, S.A., Gould, G.W., Campbell, B.K., Baird, D.T., Lyall, H. and Scaramuzzi, R.J. 1998. The detection of GLUT4 in sheep antral follicles and the measurement of glucose uptake by the sheep ovary. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstracts, 22: 9.Google Scholar
Wittwer, F.G., Gallardo, P., Reyes, J., and Optiz, H. 1999. Bulk milk urea concentrations and their relationship with cow fertility in grazing dairy herds in southern Chile. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 38:159–166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed