Smart sensors in Thai dairy reproduction: A case study.

Background And Aim: Movement activity sensors are known for their potential to boost the reproductive performance of dairy cows. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these sensors on three Thai dairy farms (MK, NF, and CC), each using different sensor brands. We focused on reproductive performance at these farms and expanded our evaluation to include farmer satisfaction with sensor technology on five farms (MK, NF, CC, AP, and IP), allowing for a thorough analysis of both operational outcomes and user feedback.

Behavioral Adaptations in Tropical Dairy Cows: Insights into Calving Day Predictions.

This study examined changes in the activity patterns of tropical dairy cows during the transition period to assess their potential for predicting calving days. This study used the AfiTag-II biosensor to monitor activity, rest time, rest per bout, and restlessness ratio in 298 prepartum and 347 postpartum Holstein Friesian cows across three lactation groups (1, 2, and ≥3). The data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models in SPSS, and five machine learning models, including random forest, decision tree, gradient boosting, Naïve Bayes, and neural networks, were used to predict the calving day, with their performance evaluated via ROC curves and AUC metrics.

De novo reconstruction of a functional in vivo-like equine endometrium using collagen-based tissue engineering.

To better understand molecular aspects of equine endometrial function, there is a need for advanced in vitro culture systems that more closely imitate the intricate 3-dimensional (3D) in vivo endometrial structure than current techniques. However, development of a 3D in vitro model of this complex tissue is challenging. This study aimed to develop an in vitro 3D endometrial tissue (3D-ET) with an epithelial cell phenotype optimized by treatment with a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor.

In Vitro Effects of Short-Term and Long-Term Heat Exposures on the Immune Response and Prostaglandin Biosynthesis in Bovine Endometrial Cells.

Worldwide heat stress (HS) conditions have a negative impact on dairy cow fertility. However, understanding of the effect of heat stress on endometrial functions is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of differential heat exposure conditions on the immune response and prostaglandin biosynthesis of bovine endometrium challenged with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

On-farm lambing outcomes after transfer of vitrified and slow frozen embryos.

The aim of the present study was to determine the most suitable embryonic stage and embryo freezing technique for commercial implementation of frozen embryo trading by small-scale sheep producers. There was a 2 × 2 factorial design utilized for conducting the study consisting of two embryo stages (2-8 cells or morula/blastocyst) and two cryopreservation protocols (vitrification or slow-freezing). For the in vivo produced embryos, there were treatments of crossbred donor ewes to induce superovulation.

Treatment with chemical delipidation forskolin prior to cryopreservation improves the survival rates of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and bovine (Bos indicus) in vitro produced embryos.

The cryopreservation of embryos is a technology developed for long-term genetic preservation. However, high sensitivity to low temperatures due to a large number of intracellular lipids within ruminant embryos compromises the success of this technique. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of using of lipolytic chemical agent forskolin, during in vitro producing of buffalo and bovine embryos on lipid contents, cryotolerance and subsequent developmental competence of these embryos.

Comparison of the ovarian and uterine reproductive parameters, and the ovarian mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR between the prepubertal and adult female cats.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the ovarian and uterine characteristics along with the ovarian mRNA and protein expression of LHR and FSHR between the pre-pubertal and adult female cats. The uterine horns and ovaries were collected from pre-pubertal and adult female cats at their follicular, luteal and interoestrous stages of the oestrous cycle (n = 6/group). Endometrial and myometrial thickness, uterine gland diameter, ovarian weight and type of follicles were analysed.

GnRH-agonist implants suppress reproductive function and affects ovarian LHR and FSHR expression in prepubertal female cats.

Effect of a GnRH-agonist (deslorelin) was studied on reproductive function and ovarian luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) expression in prepubertal female cats that were either implanted with 4.7-mg deslorelin (implanted: n = 6) or not (controls: n = 18) or ovariohysterectomized at prepubertal age (prepubertal OVH: n = 6). Body weights, fecal estradiol, and sexual behavior of implanted and control cats were monitored for 48 weeks followed by collection of ovaries and uteri.

GnRH-agonist implantation of prepubertal male cats affects their reproductive performance and testicular LH receptor and FSH receptor expression.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of GnRH-agonist implantation in prepubertal tomcats on sexual behavior, reproductive performance, and expression of testicular LH receptor (LHR) and FSH receptor (FSHR) and also to compare the testicular characteristics, LHR and FSHR expression between prepubertal and adult tomcats. In experiment 1, 3-month-old tomcats (n = 6/group) were either treated with or left without 4.7 mg deslorelin implants.

Relationships between Circulating Urea Concentrations and Endometrial Function in Postpartum Dairy Cows.

Both high and low circulating urea concentrations, a product of protein metabolism, are associated with decreased fertility in dairy cows through poorly defined mechanisms. The rate of involution and the endometrial ability to mount an adequate innate immune response after calving are both critical for subsequent fertility. Study 1 used microarray analysis to identify genes whose endometrial expression 2 weeks postpartum correlated significantly with the mean plasma urea per cow, ranging from 3.

Influence of energy balance on the antimicrobial peptides S100A8 and S100A9 in the endometrium of the post-partum dairy cow.

Uterine inflammation occurs after calving in association with extensive endometrial remodelling and bacterial contamination. If the inflammation persists, it leads to reduced fertility. Chronic endometritis is highly prevalent in high-yielding cows that experience negative energy balance (NEB) in early lactation.

Time course of defense mechanisms in bovine endometrium in response to lipopolysaccharide.

Endometritis caused by uterine infection after calving reduces fertility and causes major economic losses to the dairy industry. This study investigated the time course of an inflammatory response in bovine endometrium triggered by exposure to bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mixed endometrial epithelial and stromal cells (9:1 ratio) were grown to confluence as a model system and treated with an optimized dose of 100 ng/ml LPS in vitro.

A review of advances in the use of the GnRH agonist deslorelin in control of reproduction.

The prevention of breeding in animals using GnRH analogues has been the object of research over many years. Recently, a new drug delivery formulation was developed which enabled the development of products that could be commercialised for veterinary use. The formulation has now been approved in certain countries for use in male dogs, and applications are being expanded to cover repeat usage, extended duration, use in females, other indications and other animal species.