Association between body condition profiles, milk production, and reproduction performance in Holstein and Normande cows.

Body condition dynamics are known to affect the different steps of reproduction in cattle (cyclicity, estrus expression, fertilization, embryo development). This has led to a widespread idea that there is an ideal-target optimal body condition, but no clear profile has yet been identified. Here we investigated the relationships between BCS profiles and reproductive performance in dairy cows.

EFFECT OF SUSTAINED-RELEASE TRACE ELEMENT RUMINAL BOLUS ON PLASMA TRACE MINERAL PROFILES IN CAPTIVE BLESBOK ANTELOPES ().

Nutritional deficiencies in mineral metabolism have been described or suspected in managed and wild ungulate populations. In blesboks (), clinical signs of copper deficiencies have been described in the wild as well as in captivity. Plasma concentrations of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iodine (I), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) were measured over a 6-mon period by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in two groups of five apparently healthy blesboks from a single zoological collection.

Early castration in foals: Consequences on physical and behavioural development.

Background: The impact of very early castration of foals has not yet been studied despite the many positive effects observed in dogs and cats.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to compare castration at 3 days and 18 months and assess their subsequent morphological and behavioural development.

Study Design: This was a randomised, blinded clinical study.

Chronic low BPS exposure through diet impairs in vitro embryo production parameters according to metabolic status in the ewe.

Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, has been replaced by structural analogues including bisphenol S (BPS). BPA and BPS exhibited similar effects regarding reproductive functions. Moreover, metabolic status and lipid metabolism are related to female fertility and could worsen BPS effects.

Effects of the donor factors and freezing protocols on the bovine embryonic lipid profile†.

Embryo lipid profile is affected by in vitro culture conditions that lead to an increase in lipids. Efforts have been made to optimize embryo lipid composition as it is associated with their quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the diet supplementation of donor cows (n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), or the slow freezing protocols (ethylene glycol sucrose vs.