Effects of growth hormone gene polymorphism on lipogenic gene expression levels in diaphragm tissues of Japanese black heifers.

Two SNPs, i.e. L127V and T172M, of bovine growth hormone (GH) causing the presence of GH gene haplotypes A, B, and C was previously shown to alter intramuscular fatty acid (FA) composition in Japanese Black (JB) heifers.

Association between energy status early postpartum and subsequent embryonic mortality in high-yielding recipient cows.

High-yielding Holstein-Friesian recipients (n = 43) were used in order to investigate the relation between energy balance status during the early postpartum period and subsequent embryonic mortality after transferring good-quality frozen embryos. Blood samples were collected during the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh weeks postpartum in order to measure energy status indicators. These indicators include β hydroxyl butyric acid (BHBA), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), total cholesterol (T-chol), glucose and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).

Changes in beef sensory traits as somatic-cell-cloned Japanese black steers increased in age from 20 to 30 months.

Changes in sensory traits of longissimus muscle (LM) from 20-30-month-old cattle were investigated using somatic cell clones of Japanese black steers slaughtered at 20-, 25- and 30-months-old (n=3, 4 and 4 respectively). The fat content of LM samples at 20, 25 and 30 months were 23.7, 38.

Evaluation of reproductive tract infection during early post-partum period and its relationship with subsequent reproductive performance in high milk producing dairy cows.

Clinically normal Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 43) were used to establish a relationship between the evaluations of the uterine condition by vaginoscopy, Metricheck, endometrial cytology (EC) and ultrasonography (US) during post-partum period (pp), and subsequent reproductive performance. The uterine status of the selected cows was evaluated by EC, Metricheck, US and vaginoscopy on a weekly basis from the third week (W3) to the seventh week (W7) pp. The animals were bred after a voluntary waiting period of 45-60 days pp and diagnosed for pregnancy status at 45 days after breeding by US.

Impact of ovarian and uterine conditions on some diagnostic tests output of endometritis in postpartum high-yielding dairy cows.

The effect of ovarian predominating structures and uterine condition on the result of some diagnostic tools for the evaluation of endometritis was studied in postpartum (pp) Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 58). Endometrial cytology (EC) and the evaluation of vaginal mucus by vaginoscopy or Metricheck were performed weekly from week 3 to 7 pp. The ovarian studies involved the predominating structures including cystic follicles with plasma progesterone (P(4) ; more or <1 ng/ml; >23 mm), corpus luteum (CL), pre-ovulatory follicles (10-23 mm) and small follicles (<10 mm).

Whole-genome association study for fatty acid composition of oleic acid in Japanese Black cattle.

Fatty acid composition, especially oleic acid (C18:1), plays an important role in the eating quality of meat in Japanese Black cattle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify loci associated with C18:1 in the intramuscular fat of the trapezius muscles in Japanese Black cattle using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. We also evaluated the relationship between C18:1 and three fatty acid synthesis genes, fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1.

Association between evaluation of the reproductive tract by various diagnostic tests and restoration of ovarian cyclicity in high-producing dairy cows.

The uterine condition of clinically normal postpartum Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (n = 45) was evaluated once weekly (Weeks 3 to 7) by endometrial cytology, vaginal mucus collection device (VMCD), vaginoscopy, and ultrasonography to establish a relationship with postpartum resumption of ovulatory cycles. The time of first detection of the corpus luteum (CL) by ultrasonography and plasma progesterone concentration >or=1 ng/mL was recorded. By 49 d postpartum, 78% of the cows (n=35) had resumed ovarian function (CL group), whereas the remainder (n=10) had no CL (NCL group).

Effect of synchronisation of ovulation on ovarian profile and days open in holstein cows diagnosed as nonpregnant 26 days after timed artificial insemination.

The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of a second protocol of ovulation synchronisation starting on day 26 after timed artificial insemination on ovarian profile and days open in dairy cows diagnosed as nonpregnant. Ninety-four Holstein-Friesian cows received intramuscular injections of a GnRH analogue (GnRH), 100 microg fertirelin, on day 0 and a prostaglandin F(2alpha) analogue (PG), 5 mg etyprostontromethamine, on day 7. GnRH was again administered 48 h after the PG injection, and timed artificial insemination was performed 16 to 20 h later (Ovsynch/TAI).

Short communication: a field study on the relationship between body condition and embryo production in superovulated Holstein yearling heifers.

We conducted a field survey to estimate the relationship between embryo production and the body condition score (BCS) on a 5-point scale, as well as blood concentrations of insulin and glucose, in superovulated Holstein yearling heifers housed in a free-stall barn. They were provided total mixed rations to meet the nutrient requirements. The daily ration was divided between 2 feeding times, utilizing stanchions to separate heifers to avoid social status preventing inferior heifers from having enough feed.