Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-19T19:34:45.584Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Life-time organisation and management of reproduction in the dairy cow

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

D. C. Wathes ,
D.E. Beever ,
Z. Cheng ,
P.G.A. Pushpakumara  and
V.J. Taylor
D. C. Wathes
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Development Group, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1NB, U.K.
D.E. Beever
Affiliation:
Centre for Dairy Research, Department of Agriculture, University of Reading, Earley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading, RG6 6AT, UK.
Z. Cheng
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Development Group, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1NB, U.K.
P.G.A. Pushpakumara
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Development Group, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1NB, U.K.
V.J. Taylor
Affiliation:
Reproduction and Development Group, Royal Veterinary College, Boltons Park, Hawkshead Road, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 1NB, U.K.
Get access

Abstract

Achieving adequate fertility is essential in any dairy unit, but is compromised by genetic selection for increased yield. Selection has altered the somatotrophic axis and resulted in cows which mobilise more body tissue for milk production in early lactation, thus prolonging both the depth and duration of the post partum negative energy balance. Poor energy status is reflected in altered metabolic parameters including raised urea and decreased insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin concentrations, which adversely affect ovarian cyclicity and early embryo survival. Attempts to optimise the diet in terms of energy and protein content have generally been aimed at increasing milk production further rather than improving fertility. Advances in biosensor technology now provide us with the opportunity to monitor production, fertility and health parameters of each cow. Integration of this information should improve the timing for inseminations and could assist in selecting diets more suited to the needs of the individual cow. Genetic selection may in future be used to produce cows optimised for a particular type of management system. In both cases we need a greater understanding of the rules governing nutrient partitioning at different stages of the cows' life cycle to ensure that diets selected are cost effective and achieve an appropriate balance in promoting production, reproduction and health.

Type
Offered Papers
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 28: Integrated management systems for livestock , 2001 , pp. 59 - 69
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

Bar-Peled, U., Aharoni, Y., Robinzon, B., Bruckental, I., Lehrer, R., Maltz, E., Knight, C.H., Kali, J., Folman, Y., Voet, H., Gacitua, H. and Tagari, H. 1998. The effect of enhanced milk yield of dairy cows by frequent milking or suckling on intake and digestibility of the diet. Journal of Dairy Science 81:1420–1427 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bauman, D.E. and Currie, W.B. 1980. Partitioning of nutrients during pregnancy and lactation: a review of mechanisms involving homeostasis and homeorhesis. Journal of Dairy Science 63:1514–1529 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
Beever, D.E., Hattan, A., Reynolds, C.K. and Cammell, S.B. 2001. Nutrient supply to high-yielding dairy cows. British Society of Animal Science. Occasional Publiction No. 26 1: 119–131.Google Scholar
Blakesley, V.A., Scrimgeour, A., Esposito, D. and Le Roith, D. 1996. Signalling via the insulin-like growth factor I receptor: does it differ from insulin signalling? Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews 7:153–159 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Block, E. 1984. Manipulating dietary anions and cations for prepartum dairy cows to reduce incidence of milk fever. Journal of Dairy Science 67:2929–2948 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Blum, J.W., Bruckmaier, R.M. and Vacher, P-Y, 1999. Insulin-dependent whole-body glucose utilization and insulin-responses to glucose in week 9 and week 19 of lactation in dairy cows fed rumen-protected crystalline fat or free fatty acids. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 16:123–134 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bulman, D.C. and Wood, P.D.P. 1980. Abnormal patterns of ovarian activity in dairy cows and their relationships with reproductive performance. Animal Production 30: 177–188 Google Scholar
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. 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
Chilliard, Y. 1999. Metabolic adaptations and nutrient partitioning in the lactating animal. In: Biology of Lactation, pp 503–552. Ed. Martinet, J., Houdebine, L-M. and Head, H.H.. INRA, Paris. France.Google Scholar
Curtis, C.R., Erb, H.N., Sniffen, C.J., Smith, R.D. and Kronfeld, D.S. 1985. Path analysis of dry period nutrition, postpartum metabolic and reproductive disorders, and mastitis in Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 68: 2347–2360 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dalton, J.C., Nadir, S., Bame, J., Noftsinger, M. and Saacke, R.G. 2001. Towards the enhancement of pregnancy rate: the effect of insemination time on sperm transport, fertilization rate and embryo quality in dairy cattle. British Society of Animal Science. Occasional Publication No 26 1:161–174 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dann, H.M., Varga, G.A. and Putnam, D.E. 1999. Improving energy supply to late gestation and early postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 82:1765–1778 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Darwash, A.O., Lamming, G.E. and Wooliams, J.A. 1997. Estimation of genetic variation in the interval from calving to postpartum ovulation of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 80:1227–1234 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dominguez, M.M. 1995. Effects of body condition, reproductive status and breed on follicular population and oocyte quality in cows. Theriogenology 43:1405–1418 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Echternkamp, S.E., Spicer, L.J., Gregory, K.E., Canning, S.F. and Hammond, J.M. 1990. Concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I in blood and ovarian follicular fluid of cattle selected for twins. Biology of Reproduction 43: 8–14 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Esslemont, R.J., Kossaibati, M.A. and Allcock, J. 2001. Economics of fertility in dairy cows. British Society of Animal Science Occasional Publication No. 26 1: 19–29.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Everett, R.W., Armstrong, D.V. and Boyd, L.J. 1966. Genetic relationship between production and breeding efficiency. Journal of Dairy Science 49:879–886 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Foulkes, J.A., Cookson, A.D. and Sauer, M.J. 1982. Artificial insemination of cattle based on daily enzyme immunoassay of progesterone in whole milk. British Veterinary Journal 111:302–303 Google ScholarPubMed
Gardner, R.W., Schum, J.D. and Vargus, L.G. 1977. Accelerated growth and early breeding of Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 60:1941–1948 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Geisert, R.D., Lee, C.Y., Simmen, F.A., Zavy, M.T., Fliss, A.E., Bazer, F.W. and Simmen, R.C. 1991. Expression of messenger RNAs encoding insulin-like growth factor-I, -II, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 in bovine endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Biology of Reproduction 45: 975–983 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grochowska, R., Sorensen, P., Zwierzchowski, L., Snochowski, M. and Lovendahl, P. 2001. Genetic variation in stimulated GH release and in IGF-I of young dairy cattle and their associations with the leucine/valine polymorphism in the GH gene. Journal of Animal Science 79:450–476 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grummer, R.R. 1995. Impact of changes in organic nutrient metabolism on feeding the transition dairy cow. Journal of Animal Science 73:2820–2833 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hart, I.C. 1983 Endocrine control of nutrient partition in lactating ruminants. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 42:181–202 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heap, R.B., Gwyn, M., Laing, J.A. and Walters, D.E. 1973. Pregnancy diagnosis in cows: changes in milk progesterone concentration during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy measured by a rapid radioimmunoassay. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge. 81:151–157 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herrick, J. 1988. Estrus detection in the bovine. Large Animal Veterinarian 43:32–36 Google Scholar
Hunter, R.H.F and Greve, T. 1997. Could artificial insemination be more fruitful? Penalties associated with ageing eggs. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 32:137–141 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hurnik, J.F. and King, G.J. 1987. Estrous behavior in confined beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 65:431–438 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huszenicza, G., Janosi, S., Kulesar, M., Korodi, P., Dieleman, S.J., Bartyik, J., Rudas, P. and Ribiczei-Szabo, P. 1998. Gram-negative mastitis in early lactation may interfere with ovarian and certain endocrine functions and metabolisms in dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 33:147–154 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Huyler, M.T, Kincaid, R.L. and Dostal, D.F. 1999. Metabolic and yield responses of multiparous Holstein cows to prepartum rumen-undegradable protein. Journal of Dairy Science 82: 527–536.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Keller, M.L., Roberts, A.J. and Seidel, G.E. 1998. Characterisation of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins in the uterus and conceptus during early conceptus elongation in cattle. Biology of Reproduction 59: 632–642 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kiddy, C.A. 1977. Variation in physical activity as an indication of estrus in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 60:235–243 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Knight, C.H., Peaker, M. and Wilds, C.J. 1998. Local control of mammary development and function. Reviews of Reproduction 3:104–112 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kobayashi, Y., Boyd, C.K., Bracken, C.J., Lamberson, W.R., Keisler, D.H. and Lucy, M.C. 1999. Reduced growth hormone receptor (GHR) messenger ribonucleic acid in liver of periparturient cattle is caused by a specific down-regulation of GHR 1A that is associated with decreased insulin-like growth factor I. Endocrinology 140: 3947–3954 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kruip, T.A.M., Meijer, G.A.L., Rukkwamsuk, T. and Wensing, T. 1998. Effects of feed in the dry period on fertility of dairy cows post partum. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 33:164–168 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lamming, G.E., Darwash, A.O, Wathes, D.C. and Ball, P.J. 1998. The fertility of dairy cattle in the UK: current status and future research. Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society of England 159:82–93 Google Scholar
Laven, R.A. and Drew, S.B. 1999. Dietary protein and the reproductive performance of cows. The Veterinary Record 145:687–695 Google ScholarPubMed
Lee, B.K., Lin, G.F., Crooker, B.A. Murtaugh, M.P., Hansen, L.B. and Chester-Jones, H. 1996. Association of somatotropin (bST) gene polymorphism at the 5th exon with selection for milk yield in Holstein cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 13:373–381 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lehrer, A.R, Lewis, G.S. and Aizinbud, E. 1992. Oestrus detection in cattle: recent developments. Animal Reproduction Science 28:355–361 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lewis, G.S. and Newman, S.K. 1984. Changes throughout estrous cycles of variables that might indicate estrus in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 67:146–152 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lind, O., Ipema, A.H., de., Koning C., Mottram, T.T. and Hermann, H.J. 2000. Automatic milking. Bulletin of the International Dairy Federation 348:3–14 Google Scholar
Little, W. and Kay, R.M. 1979. The effects of rapid rearing and early calving on the subsequent performance of dairy heifers. Animal Production 29:131–142 Google Scholar
Lovendahl, P., Woolliams, J.A., and Sinnet-Smith, P.A. 1991. Response of growth hormone to various doses of growth hormone releasing factor and thyrotropin releasing hormone administered separately and in combination to dairy calves. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 71:1045–1052 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lucy, M.C., Hauser, S.D., Eppard, P.J., Krivi, G.G., Clark, J.H., Bauman, D.E. and Collier, R.J. 1993. Variants of somatotropin in cattle: gene frequencies in major dairy breeds and associated milk production. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 10:325–333 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mallard, B.A., Wagter, L.C., Ireland, M.J and Dekkers, J.C. 1997. Effects of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I and cortisol on periparturient antibody response profiles of dairy cattle. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 60:61–76 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mann, G.E., Lamming, G.E., Robinson, R.S and Wathes, D.C. 1999. The regulation of interferon τ production and uterine hormone receptors during early pregnancy. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 54: 317–328 Google ScholarPubMed
Marchant, J.M., Schofield, C.P. and White, R.P. 1999. Pig growth and confirmation monitoring using image analysis. Animal Science 68:141–150 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mottram, T.T. and Masson, L. 2001. Dumb animals and smart machines: the implications of modern milking systems for integrated management of dairy cows. This proceedingsCrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mottram, T.T., Dobbelaar, P., Schukken, Y.H., Hobbs, P.J. and Bartlett, P.N. 1999. An experiment to determine the feasibility of automatically detecting hyperketonaemia in dairy cows. Livestock Production Science 61: 7–11 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Musser, J.M., Aderson, K.L., Caballero, M., Amaya, D. and Maroto-Puga, J. 1998. Evaluation of a hand-held electrical conductivity meter for detection of subclinical mastitis in cattle. American Journal of Veterinary Research 59:1087–1091 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Oltner, R. and Wiktorsson, G. 1983. Urea concentrations in milk and blood as influenced by feeding varying amounts of protein and energy to dairy cows. Livestock Production Science 10:457–467 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Opsomer, G., Coryn, M., Deluyker, H. and de Kruif, A. 1998. An analysis of ovarian dysfunction in high yielding dairy cows after calving based on progesterone profiles. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 33:193–204 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Peters, A.R. and Lamming, G.E. 1990. Lactational anoestrus in farm animals. Oxford Reviews of Reproductive Biology 12:245–288 Google ScholarPubMed
Pushpakumara, P.G.A., Robinson, R.S., Denmers, K.J., Mann, G.E., Sinclair, K.D., Webb, R and Wathes, D.C. 2000 Expression of IGF binding proteins (IGFBP)-1, -3 and –5 mRNAs in bovine oviduct. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstract Series 26:Abstr 15Google Scholar
Roberson, M.S., Stumpf, T.T., Wolfe, M.W., Cupp, A.S., Kojina, N., Weth, L.A. and Kinder, J.E. 1992. Circulating gonadotrophins during a period of restricted energy intake in relation to body condition in heifers. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 96:461–469 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, R.S., Mann, G.E., Gadd, T.S., Lamming, G.E. and Wathes, D.C. 2000. The expression of the IGF system in the bovine uterus throughout the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology 165: 231–243 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roche, J.F. and Diskin, M.G. 2001. Resumption of reproductive activity in the early postpartum period of cows. British Society of Animal Science Occasional Publication No. 26 1: 31–42 CrossRefGoogle 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
Sabour, M.P. and Lin, C.Y. 1996. Association of bovine growth hormone genetic variants with milk production traits in Holstein cattle. Animal Genetics 27:101–119 Google Scholar
Senger, P.L. 1994. The estrus detection problem: new concepts technologies and possibilities. Journal of Dairy Science 77:2745–2753 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, J.W. and Legates, J.E. 1962. Relation of days open and days dry to lactation milk and fat yields. Journal of Dairy Science 45:1192–1198 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snijders, S.E.M., Dillon, P., O'Callaghan, D. and Boland, M.P. 2000. Effect of genetic merit, milk yield, body condition and lactation number on in vitro oocyte development in dairy cows. Theriogenology 53:981–989 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
Sreenan, J.M., Diskin, M.G. and Morris, D.G. 2001. Embryo survival rate in cattle: a major limitation to the achievement of high fertility. British Society of Animal Science. Occasional Publication No. 26 1:93–104 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Staples, C.R., Burke, J.M., Thatcher, W.W. 1998 Influence of supplemental fats on reproductive tissues and performance of lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science 81: 856–871 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stevenson, J.S. 2001. A review of oestrous behaviour and detection in dairy cows. British Society of Animal Science. Occasional Publication No 26 1:43–62 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Taylor, V.J. 2001 The growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis in relation to fertility in high yielding dairy cows. PhD thesis. University of London.Google Scholar
Taylor, V.J., Beever, D.E. and Wathes, D.C. 2000. Plasma IGF-I, energy balance status and ovarian function in dairy cows producing average and high milk yields in the early post partum period. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstract Series 26:Abstr 91CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thissen, J-P., Ketelslegers, J-M. and Underwood, L.E. 1994. Nutritional regulation of the insulin-like growth factors. Endocrine Reviews 15:80–101.Google ScholarPubMed
Van Amburgh, M.E., Galton, D.M., Bauman, D.E., Everett, R.W., Fox, D.G., Chase, L.E. and Erb, H.N. 1998. Effects of three prepubertal body growth rates on performance of Holstein heifers during first lactation. Journal of Dairy Science 81:527–538 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vandehaar, M.J., Yousif, G., Sharma, B.K., Herdt, T.H., Emery, R.S., Allen, M.S. and Liesman, J.S. 1999. Effect of energy and protein density of prepartum diets on fat and protein metabolism of dairy cattle in the periparturient period. Journal Dairy Science 82:1282–1295 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Saun, R.J. 1991. Dry cow nutrition: The key to improving fresh cow performance. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 7: 599–620 Google ScholarPubMed
Wallace, J.M., Bourke, D.A. and Aitken, R.P. 1999. Nutrition and fetal growth: paradoxical effects in the overnourished adolescent sheep. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 54:385–399 Google ScholarPubMed
Walton, J.S., Veenhuizin, L.P. and King, G.J. 1987. Relationships between time of day, estrous behavior and the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge in Holstein cows after treatment with cloprostenol. Journal of Dairy Science 70:1652–1663 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wathes, D.C. 1992. Embryonic mortality and the uterine environment. Journal of Endocrinology 134:321–325 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wathes, D.C., Reynolds, T.S., Robinson, R.S. and Stevenson, K.R. 1998. Role of the insulin-like growth factor system in uterine function and placental development in ruminants. Journal of Dairy Science 81:1778–1789 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitelaw, F.G., Milne, J.S. Orskov, E.R. and Smith, J.W. 1986. The nitrogen and energy metabolism of lactating cows given abomasal infusions of casein. British Journal of Nutrition 55:537–556 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Watson, A.J., Westhusin, M.E. and Winger, Q.A. 1999. IGF paracrine and autocrine interactions between conceptus and oviduct. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 54: 303–315 Google ScholarPubMed
Webb, R., Garnsworthy, P.C., Gong, J.G., Robinson, R.S. and Wathes, D.C. 1999 Consequences for reproductive function of metabolic adaption to load. Occasional Publications of the British Society of Animal Science 24:99–112 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitaker, D.A., Kelly, J.M. and Smith, S. 2000. Disposal and disease rates in 340 British dairy herds. Veterinary Record 146:363–367 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woolliams, J.A., Angus, K.D., and Wilson, S.B. 1993. Endogenous pulsing and stimulated release of growth hormone in dairy calves of high and low genetic merit. Animal Production 56:1–8.Google Scholar
Wu, Z., Fisher, R.J., Pola, C.E. and Schwab, C.G. 1997. Lactational performance of cows fed low or high rumenally undegradeable protein prepartum and supplemental methionine and lysine postpartum. Journal of Dairy Science 80:722–729 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed