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Animals
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Reproductive Management of Ruminants—Based on Estrous Synchronization and Estrus Detection
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Reproductive Management of Ruminants—Based on Estrous Synchronization and Estrus Detection

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Reproduction".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2024 | Viewed by 5806

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Augusto M.L. Madureira

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Guest Editor
Dairy Herdsperson Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus, Ridgetown, ON N0P 2C0, Canada
Interests: reproduction physiology; estrous expression; dairy cattle management; health and transition period

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reproductive efficiency and performance have direct impacts on dairy and beef herd economics and profitability. There are technologies and synchronization protocols available that can significantly improve reproduction performance. Synchronization and resynchronization protocols have been used as an alternative breeding strategies to achieve reproductive goals and can increase pregnancy rates without the need for estrus detection. However, activity monitors have shown estrus detection rates between 75% and 90%, demonstrating the benefit of these technologies. Technologies currently used on cattle vary in which feature of physical activity they measure (e.g., walking, lying, eating) as well as in the location and technology used for these measurements (e.g., accelerometers, pedometers, neck-mounted, leg-mounted, ear tags). Furthermore, recent studies have shown improved fertility in dairy and beef cattle with greater estrous expression intensity as detected either by automated activity monitors or breeding indicators.

This Special Issue will publish original research papers and reviews that investigate means of enhancing fertility using synchronization or resynchronization protocols, estrous detection, or a combination of strategies for reproductive management of dairy and beef cattle. We invite you to share research relating to these areas that could contribute to knowledge on fertility and reproductive management in dairy and beef cattle.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Augusto M.L. Madureira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • reproduction management
  • synchronization protocols
  • estrus detection
  • automated activity monitor
  • fertility

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 809 KiB  
Article
A Subovulatory Dose of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) May Sustain Terminal Follicle Development and Reproductive Efficiency during Anestrus in Sheep
by José Francisco Cox, Albert Carrasco, Felipe Navarrete, Antonio Bocic, Fernando Saravia and Jesús Dorado
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071096 - 04 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1274
Abstract
The study tested the hypothesis that a single administration of hCG supports the LH-dependent phase of terminal follicular development in synchronized sheep during anestrus, using eCG as a functional reference. Using a clinical approach, four experiments were designed to achieve the following: (1) [...] Read more.
The study tested the hypothesis that a single administration of hCG supports the LH-dependent phase of terminal follicular development in synchronized sheep during anestrus, using eCG as a functional reference. Using a clinical approach, four experiments were designed to achieve the following: (1) Identify the inhibitory influence of anestrus on reproduction efficiency; (2) Assess the potential of hCG to keep functional blood concentrations after a single dose; (3) Characterize the effect of different doses of hCG on reproductive functional markers; (4) To compare the ability of hCG to that of eCG to support follicular development and fertility based on the same markers. The results showed that anestrus seems to affect follicular and luteal function under LH dependency as FSH-dependent markers are not compromised; hCG maintains higher blood concentrations than controls for at least 48 h; hCG improves follicular development and ovulatory rates compared to controls and at standards comparable to a breeding season; and ewes treated with hCG exhibit similar performance to those treated with eCG. Our results conclude that hCG can be used to support follicular function during anestrus in sheep, aiming to perfect its regulation in assisted reproduction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Management of Ruminants—Based on Estrous Synchronization and Estrus Detection)
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15 pages, 941 KiB  
Article
Timing of Artificial Insemination Using Sexed or Conventional Semen Based on Automated Activity Monitoring of Estrus in Holstein Heifers
by Christie Marie Tippenhauer, Jan-Lukas Plenio, Augusto Madureira, Wolfgang Heuwieser and Stefan Borchardt
Animals 2023, 13(19), 2994; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13192994 - 22 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1128
Abstract
Investigations on the optimum timing of artificial insemination (AI) following automated activity monitoring (AAM) depending on different types of semen in heifers are limited and in part show controversial results. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to determine the association between [...] Read more.
Investigations on the optimum timing of artificial insemination (AI) following automated activity monitoring (AAM) depending on different types of semen in heifers are limited and in part show controversial results. Therefore, the objective of this observational study was to determine the association between the timing of AI using different characteristics of estrus (i.e., the onset, peak, and end of estrus) and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in Holstein heifers. Heifers were fitted with a neck-mounted AAM system and inseminated with frozen conventional and sexed semen. The pregnancy per AI (n = 4159) from 2858 heifers from six commercial dairy farms in Germany inseminated upon the alert of an AAM system was evaluated. Estrous intensity was classified based on peak activity into low (35 to 89 index value) and high (90 to 100 index value). We detected a quadratic association between the interval from the onset of estrus to AI and P/AI (p = 0.02). The greatest P/AI was observed for heifers inseminated from 9 to 32 h after the onset of estrus. The intervals from the peak of activity to AI and the end of estrus to AI were not associated with P/AI (p ≥ 0.05). Heifers inseminated with frozen conventional semen (50.1%) had a greater P/AI compared with heifers inseminated with frozen sexed semen (43.3%; p = 0.03). There were no interactions between the intervals from the onset, peak, or end of estrus to AI or the type of semen and the P/AI (p ≥ 0.05). The pregnancy per AI was not associated with estrous intensity (50.5% for low intensity vs. 53.0% for high intensity; p = 0.37). In conclusion, inseminating heifers between 9 and 32 h after the onset of estrus, as detected by the AAM, optimized the P/AI regardless of semen type. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Management of Ruminants—Based on Estrous Synchronization and Estrus Detection)
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15 pages, 1414 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone versus Estrogen-Based Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination Protocols in Grazing Bos taurus Suckled Beef Cows
by Luis B. Ferré, Julian Jaeschke, Juliana Gatti, Gerardo Baladón, Ezequiel Bellocq, Gustavo Fernández, Ramiro Rearte, Michael E. Kjelland, Marcos G. Colazo and Jordan M. Thomas
Animals 2023, 13(17), 2803; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13172803 - 04 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1243
Abstract
Fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols for beef cattle in South America are primarily based on estradiol esters and intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices (IVPD). The objective of this study was to determine the optimal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-based protocol as an alternative to the use of [...] Read more.
Fixed-timed artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols for beef cattle in South America are primarily based on estradiol esters and intravaginal progesterone-releasing devices (IVPD). The objective of this study was to determine the optimal gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-based protocol as an alternative to the use of estrogen-based protocols in grazing Bos taurus suckling beef cows. All cows received an IVPD on the day of protocol initiation and prostaglandin F2α (PG) plus equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) treatments at the time of IVPD removal. In Experiment 1, cows (n = 235) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (i) 7-day estradiol = 2 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) at IVPD insertion on Day 9 and 1 mg of estradiol cypionate (ECP) at IVPD removal on Day 2; (ii) 7-day GnRH = 10 µg of GnRH at IVPD insertion on Day 10, IVPD removal on Day 3 and GnRH at FTAI; (iii) 7 & 7 estradiol = PG at IVPD insertion on Day 16, EB on Day 9 and ECP at IVPD removal on Day 2; (iv) 7 & 7 GnRH = PG at IVPD insertion on Day 17, GnRH on Day 10, IVPD removal on Day 3 and GnRH at FTAI. In Experiment 2, cows (n = 462) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (i) 6-day estradiol = EB at IVPD insertion on Day 9, IVPD removal on Day 3 and GnRH at FTAI; (ii) 7-day estradiol; (iii) 7-day GnRH; (iv) 7 & 7 GnRH. In Experiment 1, plasma progesterone concentrations and percentage of cows with a corpus luteum (CL) at IVPD removal, and pregnancy per AI (P/AI) were greater for cows subjected to GnRH-based protocols compared with cows subjected to estrogen-based protocols (p < 0.01). In Experiment 2, cows subjected to the 7 & 7 GnRH protocol had the greatest P/AI (p < 0.01). In summary, GnRH-based FTAI protocols resulted in similar or greater P/AI compared to estrogen-based FTAI protocols in grazing postpartum Bos taurus suckled beef cows. The greatest P/AI was attained with the 7 & 7 GnRH protocol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Management of Ruminants—Based on Estrous Synchronization and Estrus Detection)
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11 pages, 1611 KiB  
Article
Periovulatory Hormonal Profiles after Estrus Induction and Conception Rate by Fixed-Time AI in Payoya Goats during the Anestrous Season
by Francisco A. Arrebola, Rafael Torres-Martell, Olga González-Casquet, Cesar A. Meza-Herrera and Carlos C. Pérez-Marín
Animals 2022, 12(20), 2853; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12202853 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1503
Abstract
Sexual activity in domestic goats is positively influenced by reducing the photoperiod. Various protocols have therefore been developed in goats for the induction and synchronization of estrus during those months in which their sexual activity is reduced. The present observational study evaluates the [...] Read more.
Sexual activity in domestic goats is positively influenced by reducing the photoperiod. Various protocols have therefore been developed in goats for the induction and synchronization of estrus during those months in which their sexual activity is reduced. The present observational study evaluates the periovulatory hormonal profile in Payoya goats (n = 24), during a non-favorable photoperiod (i.e., spring), being treated for estrus induction. The treatment comprised the vaginal insertion of sponges impregnated with progestogen (fluorogestone acetate, FGA), together with cloprostenol and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG), 48 h before the end of the treatment. When the treatment ended, the plasma concentrations of the LH, FSH, progesterone and estradiol were determined. The goats were inseminated 46 h after the sponge withdrawal, and a pregnancy diagnosis was carried out 40–45 days after the insemination. Various parameters were monitored, such as the peaks of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol, and their respective intervals, in reference to the time of the sponge withdrawal. The conception rate was 62.5%, and the kidding rate was 50%. The results record the hormonal release pattern after the estrus synchronization treatment based on the FGA, and the differences between the pregnant and non-pregnant goats. The findings suggest that the LH peak produced after the estrus synchronization treatment, both in terms of the amplitude and the time of increment, is involved in the reproductive failure detected. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reproductive Management of Ruminants—Based on Estrous Synchronization and Estrus Detection)
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