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Prepubertal predictors for fertility in dairy cattle: potential use of metabolic hormones

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

C. Hayhurst*
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool, Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, South Wirral, United Kingdom
A.P.F Flint
Affiliation:
University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, United Kingdom
P. Lovendahl
Affiliation:
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Dept. of Genetics and Biotechnology, Tjele, Denmark
J.A Woolliams
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian, United Kingdom
M.D. Royal
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool, Dept. of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, South Wirral, United Kingdom
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Extract

The length and severity of negative energy balance postpartum is unfavourably correlated (genetically & phenotypically) with interval to first ovulation (de Vries & Veerkamp, 2000). During this period concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, growth hormone (GH), insulin, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and other hormones, all of which have links with many aspects of reproduction, are altered. A moderate heritability and genetic correlation between these parameters in the female and male (who is ultimately of most use for selection purposes) calf with female fertility could allow juvenile selection for fertility. With this in mind the objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of FFA, glucose, GH, insulin and IGF-1 concentration in male and female calves.

Type
Theatre Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2007

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References

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