The interleukin-6 signal transducer receptor subunit is required for optimal in vitro bovine embryo development.

This work explored whether bovine embryo development relies on signaling from the interleukin-6 (IL6) cytokine family. This was accomplished by interrupting IL6 signal transducer (IL6ST), the common beta-subunit receptor used by the IL6 family. One series of studies cultured in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos with SC144, a pharmacological IL6ST inhibitor.

Characterizing Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentration and change over time in Holstein dairy cattle.

The objective of this study was to characterize circulating Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentrations in a population of Holstein heifers and examine the impact that life events and stage of life have on those concentrations. Virgin, Holstein heifers (n = 105) 13 ± 0.8 months old were heat detected using tail-chalk, bred via artificial insemination and pregnancy checked 32+ days later.

Overview of Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and association with fertility in female cattle.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced by granulosa cells of early-antral follicles found on the ovary. After production, it enters circulation and can be detected from a blood sample with an ELISA. Multiple works have found that circulating AMH is a reliable marker of the antral follicle population (AFP) of an animal as well as directly correlated to an animal's response to a superovulation protocol.

Influence of a bovine respiratory disease vaccine with a temperature-sensitive modified live or killed infectious bovine rhinotracheitis component on oestrous cycle parameters and anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in nulliparous heifers.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of a bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) vaccine with a temperature-sensitive modified live vaccine (MLV) infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) component on oestrous cycle parameters and the follicular pool. Twenty-four Holstein heifers (12.4 ± 0.