• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of intra-uterine infusion of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on uterine involution in dairy cows with retained placenta. The LPS isolated from Bacteroides helcogenes and Fusobaoterium varium was infused at the rate of 100 ug (n=11) and 200 ug (n=11) with 30 ml of phosphate buffer saline in each cow at 20 days post-partum. The cows in conrol group (n=11) with retained placenta were infused with 30 ml phosphate buffer saline in each cow at 20 days postpartum. Cross-sectional ultrasonography was performed at days 40 postpartum to examine uterine involution and exudate in the all dairy cows in study. The cows in control group have shown 45.5, 27.3 and 27.3% gravid horn with less than 30 mm (normal), $31{\sim}50mm$ (medium) and more than 51 mm (large) in diameter. Respective average values of gravid horn diameter in cows treated with LPS 200 ug were noticed 72.7, 18.2 and 9.1%. However, the gravid horn diameter in all the cows treated with 100 ug of LPS was less than 30 mm. The 18.2, 63.6 and 54.6% cows in the control, LPS 100 ug and LPS 200 ug, respectively, have shown no exudate in uterine cavity. However, the respective rates of small amount of exudate retention in uterine cavity were 45.5, 0.0, and 9.1%. Approximately 36.4% cows in all 3 treated groups have shown minute quantity of exudate. In conclusion, the LPS intra-uterine infusion promoted postpartum uterine involution in dairy cows with retained placenta.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2002

This study was conducted to estimate the effects of environmental factors on certain reproductive traits in Korean cattle on the basis of data from Korean Cattle Improvement Areas which were surveyed from 1986 to 1995. Results obtained were summarized as follows ; 1. Least square means of the reproductive traits estimated were 466.11${\pm}$5.72 days for age at 1st service, 480.10${\pm}$6.15 days for age at 1st conception, 742.79${\pm}$7.48 days for age at 1st calving, 64.97${\pm}$1.42 days for days at 1st service postpartum, 72.06${\pm}$1.73 days for days open, 355.93${\pm}$1.92days for calving interval, 285.38${\pm}$0.42 days for gestation length and 1.21${\pm}$0.02 days for number of services for conception, respectively. 2. The ranges of the least squares means for the districts were 447.62${\pm}$5.94-490.72${\pm}$5.94 days for age at 1st service, 464.27${\pm}$6.38-505.20${\pm}$6.39 days for age at 1st conception, 721.91${\pm}$7.85-772.75${\pm}$7.80 days for age at 1st calving, 62.27${\pm}$1.55-68.97${\pm}$1.74days for days at 1st service postpartum, 69.74${\pm}$1.97-74.36${\pm}$2.27days for days open, 352.71${\pm}$2.18-359.64${\pm}$2.09 days for calving interval, 284.52${\pm}$0.42-286.04${\pm}$0.47days for gestation length and 1.11${\pm}$0.02-1.30${\pm}$0.02 days for number of services for conception, respectively. 3. Age at 1st service was latest in the cows with Basic Register and tended to be earlier for the more advanced registers. The number of services per conception tended to increase for the more advanced registers. 4. Days at 1st service postpartum was longest in the 2nd parity and tended to be shorter with the advancement of parity. The number of services per conception tended to decrease with the advancement of parity. 5. As the calving year advances from 1987 to 1995, days at 1st service postpartum, days open and calving interval tended to be longer, and number of service per conception tended to increase. 6. Days at 1st service postpartum, days open and calving interval were shorter in the cows that calved in spring and summer than in the cows that calved in fall and winter. The number of services per conception was larger in the cows that cocalved in fall and winter than the cows that calved in spring and summer.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.253-268
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• 1974

A total of 331 dairy cattle in Jeonnam area were examined for the breeding status and hematological values during the period from June to August. 1971 and 1974. The data obtained were analysed according to the status of breeding and the type of farm management. The results obtained in this work were summarized as follows: 1. 331 dairy cows were grouped as pregnant (63.81%) anestrus after parturition (12.45%), pregnancy unknown (11.48%), repeat breeder (10.32%), and others (1.94%). 2. The summery of reproductive histories and clinical examination were as follows. Average of calving interval was 16.5 months, interval from parturition to first breeding 97 days and postpartum interval to first estrus 72 days. Services per conception was 1.6 rate of postpartum estrus (60 days) 12.0%, and the rate of repent breeder 10.3%. 3. Generally, the blood values of RBC, Hb, serum total protein and A/G ratio were lower than those normal values, especially, the cows which showed abnormal values belonged to the repeat breeder and the unknown to conception group. The mean value for serum inorganic phosphorus was the normal value or hyperphosphatemia, on the other hand, the mean value for serum calcium of the repeat breeder group was the lowest than the other group. 4. Follow-up evaluations on the results of the laboratory tests strongly suggest that the problems of repeat breeder had a tendency to occur more frequently in the large herd (A and B type farm), and the Ca/P ratio of almost all the cows showed abnormal values.

• 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.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.435-441
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• 2013

This retrospective study evaluated the effects of the interval from calving to first insemination (ICFI) and days open (DO) on the reproductive performance in dairy cows. In the first analysis, data from 705 cows were grouped based on the ICFI: short (30-60 days, n=217), medium (61-90 days, n=309), and long (91-150 days, n=179). The occurrence of endometritis was greater in the long group than in short and medium groups (p<0.05). The occurrence of ovarian cysts increased with increasing ICFI (p<0.05), while body condition score (BCS) during the 5 month postpartum period was lower with increasing ICFI (p<0.01). The hazard of pregnancy by 365 days in milk (DIM) was lower (hazard ratio [HR]=0.70, p<0.0001) in the long group, but higher (HR=1.41, p<0.0001) in the short group compared with the medium group. In the second analysis, data from 436 cows were grouped based on the DO: short (30-90 days, n=154), medium (91-180 days, n=183), and long (181-360 days, n=99). The occurrence of a retained placenta was greater in the long group than in the medium group (p < 0.05). Ovarian cysts occurred more frequently in medium and long groups than in the short group (p=0.08). BCS was lower in the short group compared with medium and long groups at month 1 postpartum (p<0.05). Milk yield (kg/day) was greater in the medium group compared with the short group at months 2 to 5 postpartum (p<0.05). The hazard of first insemination by 150 DIM was lower in the long group than in the short group (HR=0.73; p<0.02). The hazard of pregnancy by 365 DIM was lower (HR=0.64, p<0.0001) in the long group than in the medium group, while the hazard did not differ between short and medium groups (p>0.05). Moreover, the culling rate was greater in the long group than in the short group (p<0.05). In conclusion, a longer ICFI and DO resulted in reduced reproductive performance in dairy cows, which was attributable to an increase in postpartum diseases, a lower BCS and a greater milk yield.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 1990

Nine Holstein cows in mid lactation period were utilized to examine the effect of recombinant bovine somatotropin (BST) of tow companies (Company A, Company B) on milk production and milk composition under the feeding conditions of Korea. Treatments were 0 (Control), 25 mg BST/day from company A (BST A) and 25 mg BST/day from company B (BST B) injected subcutaneously, once daily beginning at $200{\pm}20$ days postpartum and continuing for 28 days. Cows were fed ad libitum a total mixed diet throughout the experimental period. BST treatments increased average 4% fat corrected milk yields and milk energy output over the 28-day treatment period. However, no differences were observed in dry matter intake, gross efficiency, energy intake and percent milk energy. Although there was a tendency for increased milk fat percent, there were no differences in milk composition and yields of major milk components except for milk fat yield with BST injection. Somatic cells of all groups were also characteristic of a well managed herd. Neither mean body condition score nor body weight was significantly (p <0.05) changed before and during BST treatment. BST concentration in milk remained in the range of control animals throughout the experimental period of BST treatment. Results indicate that short-term injection of recombinant bovine somatotropin from two companies to lactating dairy cow resulted in similar increased in milk yield without alteration of major milk components or feed intake.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1093-1101
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• 2003

Reproductive data, such as numbers of days to the first estrus and A.I. service postpartum, number of days to conception, number of A.I. services required for conception, interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service and the average interval of A.I. service in Thai native-Friesian crossbred and pure Friesian dairy cows, were compiled in the National Dairy Training and Applied Research Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The data were analyzed statistically and the effect of milk production on these reproductive traits was investigated. The reproductive efficiency of purebred cows was obviously inferior when compared with crossbred animals, in spite of special care being given to the purebred only in order to alleviate the effect of a tropical climate and provide better feeding. However, the regression analysis between reproductive and lactational parameters revealed a definite antagonistic effect of lactation on reproduction, especially in the purebred cows, which had a larger amount of milk production and longer lactation period. If these effects of lactation were eliminated, there would be no evident difference in reproductive efficiency between purebred and crossbred cows in the conditions of this study. Among the reproductive parameters examined, the number of days to the first estrus and interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service were less affected by breed difference and the magnitude of lactation than other reasons.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2003

Progesterone levels in the blood plasma or skim milk of cows are considered to be very useful indicator fur the detection of estrus cycle and early pregnancy diagnosis. During 13 to 14 days after estrus the level of progesterone in plasma or skim milk were not different between the inseminated arid non-inseminated cows. In the pregnant cows the peak level of progesterone reached on 14th day after artificial insemination (AI), but in the absence of conceptus the level declines after the 14th day slowly, and then very rapidly towards the basal level after the 17th day. This low level persists about 4 days, including those of estrus and ovulation a highly characteristic pattern which differs so markedly from that in the pregnant cows. Progesterone levels in blood plasma or skim milk can provided a reliable diagnosis of early pregnancy and monitoring ovarian activity in cows. The mean $\pm$ standard deviation of milk urea nitrogen(MUN) and protein concentration in the cows at 9 herds were 17.7$\pm$2.35 mg/dL and 3.2$\pm$0.17%, respectively. The days of nonpregnant after parturition was shorter in the cows in which the lower level of MUN than higher level of MUN concentration.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.97-102
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• 1988

The effect of supplementary feeding on postpartum ovarian activity, reproductive performance and plasma progesterone concentrations in Cheju native cows was studies. The group with adequate nutrition had greater mean body weight than did the underfed group before and after calving. First ovulation occurred 19.5 days and first oestrus at 37.8 days postpartum in the standard group, however, there was delay in first ovulation and oestrus in the restricted group (73.4 days and 111.8 days). Progesterone concentraitons of full fed animals gradually increased from 6 weeks(0.5ng/ml) to 12 weeks(3.3ng/ml) after calving. However, progesterone concentrations of underfed animals had a slight increase in 10 weeks after dalving(0.80ng/ml).

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2014

This retrospective study evaluated the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) in milk during early lactation on reproductive performance in dairy cows. Data were collected on 774 cows from six dairy farms, including cow parity, dates of previous calving, artificial insemination, pregnancy diagnosis, incidence of postpartum endometritis, reproductive performance (the intervals from calving to first insemination and conception), milk production and SCC. Data on 774 lactations were grouped based on the average first 3 months postpartum linear somatic cell score (SCS) as T1 (< 3.0, n = 521), T2 (3.0 ${\leq}$ and < 4.0, n = 113), and T3 (${\geq}$ 4.0, n = 140) groups. The odds ratio (OR) for the probability of endometritis increased 1.6 (p < 0.05) and 3.2 times (p < 0.0001) in the T2 and T3 groups, respectively, compared with that in the T1 group. The hazard of first insemination by 150 days in milk (DIM) was lower in the T3 group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.76, p < 0.01) than in the T1 group. First insemination conception rate did not differ among the 3 groups (28.7-34.2%, p > 0.05). The hazard of pregnancy by 365 DIM in the T3 group was lower (HR: 0.75, p < 0.05 respectively) than in the T1 and T2 groups. The SCS during 4 to 7 months postpartum differed (p < 0.0001) among the 3 groups. Farm and cow parity were important risk factors for higher SCS (${\geq}$ 4.0). Multiparous cows were more likely to have a higher SCS (OR: 2.26, p = 0.0005) compared with primiparous cows. In conclusion, higher SCS (${\geq}$ 4.0) during early lactation was associated with decreased reproductive performance of dairy cows.