Evaluation of prevalence, risk factors, and therapeutic approach for subclinical endometritis and oviductal occlusion in repeat breeder Holstein cattle.

Due to the productive and economic consequences of Repeat Breeder (RB) syndrome, the objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for subclinical endometritis (SE) and oviductal occlusion (OO) in RB cows, and to make a therapeutic approach for these pathologies. In 99 RB cows, endometrial cytologies were performed to assess the presence of SE (>5 % polymorphonuclear neutrophils), and the oviductal patency was checked using the phenolsulfonphthalein test. Body condition score was evaluated, and data from each animal were obtained from on-farm software (parity, calving date, artificial insemination (AI) date, number of AI, and occurrence of postpartum diseases).

Evaluation of Anogenital Distance and Anti-Müllerian Hormone Plasmatic Concentration as Potential Phenotypes to Predict Reproductive Performance in Holstein Heifers.

Anogenital distance (AGD) is a marker of the degree of prenatal exposure to androgens in multiple species, and it has been suggested that there is an inverse association between AGD and fertility. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of AGD and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, an indirect marker of the follicular population, as predictors of future reproductive potential in Holstein cattle. The AGD was measured in 566 females from 9 dairy farms in Galicia (Spain).

Biostimulation methods based on chemical communication improve semen quality in male breeder rabbits.

Biostimulation aims to optimize reproductive parameters as part of animal management practices by modulating animal sensory systems. Chemical signals, mostly known as pheromones, have a great potential in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the influence of short-term male rabbit exposure to different biological secretions, potentially pheromone-mediated, on reproductive parameters of males.

Effect of recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment during the peripartum period on postpartum diseases, reproductive performance, and milk production in Holstein cattle.

To boost the immune function around parturition, recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rbG-CSF) has been used to increase the number of neutrophils. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify the effect of rbG-CSF administration on the incidence of postpartum pathologies, reproductive performance, and milk production during the first three months of lactation. A total of 199 Holstein cows from one herd were included and were randomly allocated into two groups: Control (n = 103) and rbG-CSF (n = 96).

Assessment of Luteal Function Using Rectal Palpation, B-Mode Ultrasonography, and Progesterone Determination to Improve Recipient Selection in Embryo Transfer Programs.

Proper selection of recipients determines the success of embryo transfer (ET) programs. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess the accuracy of rectal palpation (RP) in selecting recipients according to the size and firmness of their corpus luteum (CL) compared to ultrasonography (US) and progesterone determination (P4); to check if US or P4 provide additional information to RP with regard to selecting animals with higher odds of maintaining the pregnancy; and to verify the reliability of the presence of a cavity and the volume of the CL within the ovary (%CLOV) as predictors of the ET outcome. In Experiment 1, measurements for the largest and minor diameter (LADCL and MIDCL), CL area, and P4 at ET day were collected, as well as the RP score, in 94 heifers.

Comparison between transrectal palpation, B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography to assess luteal function in Holstein cattle.

Introduction: Over the years, the most common methods for monitoring reproductive health in cattle have varied from transrectal palpation to B-mode ultrasonography. Nowadays, some portable ultrasound equipment includes the Doppler mode. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the different methods to assess corpus luteum (CL) functionality.

Housing assessment in farms in the Northwest of Spain: main facility weaknesses and strengths.

The aim of this research communication was to examine and report the current situation of dairy farms in the province of Lugo (Galicia, Spain) regarding facility problems. We assessed the facilities of 168 free-stall dairy farms, housing in total 9228 Holstein cows in milk. Housing factors related to the resting area, circulation area, feeding area, ventilation area and milking area, as well as animal-handling features, were evaluated.

Relationship between Postpartum Metabolic Status and Subclinical Endometritis in Dairy Cattle.

The aim of this study was to verify the importance of postpartum serum levels of certain metabolic markers as risk factors for subclinical endometritis (SE). Ninety-four Holstein cows were included in the study, and examinations were carried out between 30-45 days postpartum. Rectal palpation, vaginoscopy, transrectal ultrasound, endometrial cytology, and blood sample collections were performed.

Relationship between motile sperm subpopulations identified in frozen-thawed dog semen samples and their ability to bind to the zona pellucida of canine oocytes.

Studies performed on ejaculates from several species have identified discrete subpopulations of motile sperm. In dogs, motile sperm subpopulations have also been described in fresh and frozen-thawed semen. The subpopulation of the most rapid and progressively motile sperm has been suggested to be the most likely source of fertilizing spermatozoa.

Benchmarking welfare indicators in 73 free-stall dairy farms in north-western Spain.

The aim of this study was to describe the status of body condition score (BCS), hock injuries prevalence, locomotion and body hygiene score as animal welfare measures in 73 free-stall dairy cattle farms in Lugo (Spain). A benchmarking process was established across farms: (1) the animal-based indicators were ordered from low to high values; (2) The farms were classified into three categories based on the number of indicators within less than the 25th percentile, 25th to 75th percentile and above the 75th percentile. The median prevalence of unsuitable BCS, hock injuries and clinical lameness was (median (range)) 51.

Ovulation induction in rabbit does submitted to artificial insemination by adding buserelin to the seminal dose.

This study was aimed at determining if a GnRH analogue, buserelin, could be used for ovulation induction in rabbit does submitted to artificial insemination (AI) by intravaginal administration, by adding the hormone to the seminal dose. In a first experiment, 39 secondiparous experimental does (Hyplus strain PS19, Grimaud Frères, France, of about 30 weeks of age) were divided into 3 groups of 13 does each, which at the moment of AI received the following treatments, respectively: (1) control: an intramuscular injection of buserelin (0.8 microg/doe), (2) 8 microg/doe of buserelin added to the insemination dose, and (3) 16 microg/doe of buserelin added to the insemination dose.