• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.519-526
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• 2019

Objective: We determined the risk factors limiting first service conception (FSC) rate in dairy cows and their economic impact. Methods: Data were collected from 790 lactations regarding cow parity, peri- and postpartum disorders, body condition score (BCS), reproductive performance, and expenses associated with reproductive management (treatment, culling, and others). Initially, we identified the risk factors limiting FSC rate in dairy cows. Various biological and environmental factors, such as herd, cow parity, BCS at 1 month postpartum and first artificial insemination (AI), resumption of cyclicity within 1 month of calving, year, AI season, insemination at detected estrus or timed AI, peri- and postpartum disorders, and calving to first AI interval, were evaluated. Next, we evaluated the economic impact of the success or failure of FSC by comparing the expense associated with reproductive management until conception between cows that did or did not conceive at their first service. Results: Cows with BCS <3.0 had a lower probability of conceiving at first insemination (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, p<0.05) than cows with $BCS{\geq}3.0$. Cows inseminated during summer were less likely to conceive (OR = 0.44, p<0.001) than cows inseminated during spring. Cows with peri- or postpartum disorders were less likely to conceive (OR = 0.55, p<0.001) than cows without disorders. Survival curves generated using MedCalc showed an 81 day extension in the mean interval between calving and conception in cows that failed to conceive over those that did conceive at first insemination. Cows failing conceive required additional expenditure on reproductive treatment ($55.40) and other management ($567.00) than cows that conceived at first insemination. Conclusion: Lower BCS, hot weather at first insemination, and peri- and postpartum disorders are risk factors limiting FSC, which result in an economic loss of $622.40 per dairy cow.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.591-600
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• 2023

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a modified Double-Ovsynch protocol vs artificial insemination following estrus detection (AIED) for the enhancement of reproductive performance in Hanwoo cattle. Methods: Four hundred twelve Hanwoo cows were allocated to two treatment groups. The first group of cows were administered gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) on Day 36 (±0.6), prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) on Day 46 (8 to 12 days later), and GnRH on Day 49, which was followed by Ovsynch, consisting of an injection of GnRH on Day 56, PGF_2α on Day 63, and GnRH 56 h and timed AI (TAI) 16 h later (modified Double-Ovsynch group, n = 203). The second group of cows underwent AIED (AIED group, n = 209) and were designated as controls. Results: The pregnancy per AI 60 days after the first AI was higher in the modified Double-Ovsynch (68.5%) than in the AIED (56.5%) group, resulting in a higher probability of pregnancy per AI (odds ratio: 1.68, p<0.05). Moreover, cows in the modified Double-Ovsynch group were more likely (hazard ratio: 1.28, p<0.05) to be pregnant by 150 days after calving than cows in the AIED group, and this difference was associated with a lower mean number of AIs per conception (1.27 vs 1.39, p<0.05) and a shorter median interval between calving and pregnancy (72 vs 78 days, p<0.1). Conclusion: The modified Double-Ovsynch protocol, adjusted according to the herd visit schedule, can be readily used to increase the pregnancy per AI following the first AI and to shorten the interval between calving and pregnancy in beef herds.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.258-265
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• 2018

We aimed to identify the relationships between puerperal metritis (PM) and serum metabolites, uterine health, milk yield, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Blood samples from 150 Holstein dairy cows were collected just after calving, and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postpartum to measure serum concentrations of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), urea nitrogen, total cholesterol (TCH), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, and magnesium. PM was diagnosed by the presence of fever (${\geq}39.5^{\circ}C$) and a watery, fetid uterine discharge during the first 14 days after calving. Cows were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of the disease: a control group (n = 83) and a PM group (n = 67). The cows diagnosed with PM were subcutaneously administered with 2.2 mg/kg ceftiofur for 3-5 days. The serum concentrations of BHBA tended to be higher (P = 0.06) and AST was higher (P < 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group 1 week after calving, whereas serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium were lower (P < 0.05-0.0001) after calving in the PM group than in the control group. The probability of clinical endometritis was higher (odds ratio = 5.40, P < 0.001) in the PM group than in the control group. Moreover, the proportion of neutrophils in the uterus was also higher in the PM group than in the control group 4, 6, and 8 weeks after calving (P < 0.001). The mean milk yield 1 and 2 months after calving was lower (P = 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group. The hazard of pregnancy by 180 days after calving tended to be lower (hazard ratio = 0.60, P = 0.07) in the PM group than in the control group, which led to an extended mean interval between calving and pregnancy (19 days) in the PM group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PM is associated with higher postpartum concentrations of BHBA and AST, and lower concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium. Moreover, PM is associated with subsequent poor uterine health, lower milk yield, and poorer reproductive performance in dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.229-232
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• 1997

Effects of short-term treatment with somidobove (recombinantly produced bovine somatotropin, BST) on estrous cyclicity and fertility were studied in dairy buffaloes. Twenty buffaloes of Nili-Ravi breed calving during the same season were assigned to either control (n=8) or treated group (n=12). The buffaloes of treated group received single infection (prolonged release) of 320 mg of somidobove on day-60 postpartum. The mean values for interval to first postpartum estrus, first service conception rate, services per conception, service period and calving interval for the treated group were 96.4 days, 66.7%, 1.70, 164 days and 473 days, respectively. The corresponding values for the control group were 92.5 days, 62.5%, 1.87, 135 days and 439 days. Means of all variables did not differ between control and treated group (p > 0.05). Three buffaloes of the control and four buffaloes of the treated group did not conceive at first service. Out of these, two buffaloes of control and one buffalo of treated group exhibited normal estrous cycles. It is concluded from these data that short term BST-treatment has no adverse effect on reproductive functions of dairy buffaloes.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.189-193
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• 2015

Calculating break-even price of calf production is closely associated with reproductive efficiency. To determine the price, we need data from reproduction records including number of claves weaned, number of cows exposed for breeding, and annual cash coast per cow, and average weaning or market weight of claves sold and retained. Unfortunately, the data were not available in Korea native cow (Hanwoo). To evaluate the performance and the price, we collected calving interval from about 60,000 cows for last 10 years and estimated reproductive performance. Calving interval was increased 4.3% and pregnancy rate was decreased about 1.4~2.8% year-on-year. Increases in growth rates of number of cow and semen per calf supported the low reproductive performance. Finally, break-even price was calculated using estimated percent calf crop and demonstrated that growth rate of break-even price is larger than that of annual cash per cow, suggesting cow-calf profitability and financial efficiency in Korea native cow (Hanwoo) is getting worse.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of days open on subsequent reproductive performance following to estrus synchronization in the 114 lactating dairy cows. The animals were divided into two groups according to the time of estrus synchronization; viz, ${\leq}$ 85 days, and > 85 days postpartum, respectively. The estrus synchronization protocol consisted of insertion of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device containing 1.9 g progesterone with an injection of 250 ${\mu}g$ gonadorelin (Day 0), an injection of $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and removal of the device on Day 7, an injection of 250 ${\mu}g$ GnRH on Day 9, and TAI 17 h later. Pregnancy diagnosis was determined at 30 to 60 days after TAI using both ultrasonography and rectal palpation. The body condition score (BCS) gradually increased over the postpartum period. In estrus synchronized cows until 85 days, conception rate on first service, number of service per conception, interval from estrus synchronization to conception, and interval from calving to conception were not significantly different among two farms (P>0.05). In estrus synchronized cows after 85 days postpartum, conception rate on first service, number of service per conception and interval from calving to conception were significantly different ($P{\leq}0.05$) between herds A and B (26.8 vs 50.0%; $2.1{\pm}1.35$ vs $1.37{\pm}0.54$ times, $237.3{\pm}97.8$ vs $164.7{\pm}69.3$ days, respectively). In estrus synchronized cows after 85 days postpartum interval from estrus synchronization to conception was greater (P<0.01) in herd B than in herd A ($63.6{\pm}57.4$ vs $26.1{\pm}24.9$). These results indicate that the time of estrus synchronization for maximized the reproductive performance is before 85 days postpartum and feeding and management is important factor for high reproductive performance.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.1025-1030
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• 1999

Fifth one Nili-Ravi dairy buffaloes in their last two months of gestation, were selected in NWFP Pakistan. Rectal palpation was carried out fortnightly, until the occurrence of first estrus. Ovulation was confirmed per rectum and milk progesterone levels (MPL). Body condition score (BCS)was recorded weekly. Milk samples were collected weekly for MPL and blood samples fortnightly for metabolites analysis. Milk yield was recorded and samples were collected for milk fat. The buffaloes calving during the normal breeding season (NBS, August to January)had short (p<0.01) postpartum estrus interval of $55.95{\pm}4.90$ days versus $91.15{\pm}11.61 $ days in the buffaloes calving during the low breeding season (LBS, February to July). MPL in the LBS calvers remained lower than NBS calves (p<0.01). The incidence of silent ovulation was higher during LBS as compared to NBS (70.6% versus 29.4%). MPL showed a pattern opposite to atmospheric temperature. In NBS calvers serum glucose levels were higher (p<0.01) and magnesium levels were lower (p<0.01) than LBS calvers. Higher serum urea was found in summer and spring than that autumn and winter (p<0.05). The reproductive performance in buffaloes calving in the LBS coincided with a low BCS (p<0.01). Fat corrected milk production (FCM) was higher in NBS than LBS (p<0.01) calvers.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 1981

Holstein-Friesian cows(n=284) were given $100{\mu}g$ of gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH) or saline solution by intramuscular injection at 10 to 22 days after parturition, and were investigated their reproductive performance and frequency of ovarian cysts. Among them 28 cystic cows were injected with $150{\mu}g$ of GnRH intramuscularly and examined the recovery rate. The results obtained in this study were summarized as follows: 1. The interval from calving to 1st ovulation was reduced from 28.2 days in controls to 16.5 days for cows given GnRH (p<0.01). 2. The intervals from calving to 1st estrus and from calving to conception were extended significantly in control group (p<0.05). 3. Inseminations per conception and conception rate at 1st insemination did not reveal difference between two groups. 4. Frequency of ovarian cysts was reduced from 14.0% in control to 4.20% for cows given GnRH (p<0.05). 5. Of the 28 cystic cows receiving $150{\mu}g$ of GnRH, 23(82.1%) responded to 1st treatment and returned to estrus $24.2{\pm}4.3$ days after treatment. 6. These data provide evidence for reduction in infertility and reproductive disorders in early postpartum dairy cows given GnRH as a prophylactic.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.358-366
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• 2001

To investigate the compositions of Holstein colostrums, samples were collected at 12 hour-interval after 12hrs postpartum. Milk protein, milk fat, SNF and total solid content of the colostum rapidly decreased from 12 hours to 48 hours after calving whereas lactose was the lowest at 12 hours after calving. Ash content was not shown to changes during lactation periods. Immunoglobulin G(IgG) concentration was also significantly(p<0.05) high in both primiparous and multiparous colostrum collected at 12 and 24 hours after calving. IgG concentration of primiparous and multiparous colostrums at 12 hours after calving was 44mg/ml and 44.27mg/ml, respectively. There was no apparent difference in IgG level between primipara and multipara. Fatty acid composition of colostral lipid was not shown to changes during lactation period. However, lauric acid, myristic acid and total saturated, fatty acid were slightly decreased in multiparous colostral lipid. Capric acid, myristic acid and palmitoleic acid composition in primiparous colostral lipid were slightly higher than those of multiparous colostral lipid throughout all lactation periods.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 1986

The results from a survery on the reproduction of a, pp.oximately 500 dairy cows raised in four different farming areas including Cheju city, Jochun, Hallim and Sung-up are summarized as follows; 1. At the occurrence of first estrus, the average age of the heifers was 15.1 months (330 Kg/B.W.), and at first conception 18.0 months (354Kg/B.W.). There was no regional differences. 2. The average interval of the estrous cycle was 20.4 days. And the repetition of esturs after unsuccessful insemination occurred on an average of 1.6 times, especially 2.0 times in the herds of the Jochun district. 3. The ages at the first calving were similar to the data recorded for the domestic mainland's herds at 27.1 months. But some regional differences were recognized within the four districts: i.e. 28.6 (Cheju city), 27.4(Jochun), 27.1(Hallim) and 25.3 months (Sung-up). There was no significant differences in sex ratio of newborns at 50.4%(♂) and 49.6%(♀). 4. The intervals of esturs recurrence and the following conception after calving were 80.0 and 95.8 days respectively. In the followsing conception intervals after cavling, 90.6-97.4 days were average for the herds of Cheju city and Jochun districts, 62.4-69.7 days for those of Hallim and Sung-up districts. 5. The average gestation period was 279.8 days, and was almost identical in the four districts. 6. The calving intervals was 377.7 days in average, and it was shorter than the data recorded for the domestic mainland's herds. Also it was reduce gradually according to the calving frequency.