• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.515-523
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• 1990

Plasma progesterone concentrations in 44 suckling Korean native cows were determined to monitor ovarian activity postpartum by radioimmunoassay. Blood samples were collected in 3 day intervals from 15 to 80 days postpartum. The ovaries and uterus were examined in 6 day intervals by rectal palpation. Results are summaried as follows: 1. The cows were qualified into four categories; Type I(normal): cyclic changes in plasma progesterone concentrations appear within 45 days postpartum(35 cows, 79.5%), Type II(cycle delayed): delayed resumption of ovarian activity by 55 days postpartum(5 cows, 11. 4%), Type III(cycle ceased with low progesterone): plasma progesterone concentrations remained low(${\leq}1ng/ml$) until 80 days postpartum(3 cows, 6.8%), Type IV(cycle ceased with high progesterone): plasma progesterone concentrations after 30 days remained high(${\geq}4.0ng/ml$) until 80 days postpartum(1 cow, 2.3%). 2. Out of the cows classified Type II and III, 7 cows had inactive ovaries and a cow had follicular cyst by rectal palpation. The cow of Type IV was diagnosed as bearing persistent corpus luteum by rectal palpation. 3. About 82% of the cows showed significant rises in plasma progesterone concentrations prior to 50 days postpartum and the cows of Type II and III resumed cycles in 31. 6(range 17~55) days after calving. However, 43.2% resumed cycles in 50 days postpartum by estrus signs. These results indicated that plasma progesterone concentrations assessed by radioimmunoassay can be utilized for monitoring postpartum ovarian activity and would be helpful for the early detection of ovarian dysfunction in the Korean native cow.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.347-354
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• 2017

Objective: The effects of the pre- and postpartum supplementation of cows with Se on their plasma P4 concentrations after calving were investigated. Methods: Thirty-four Holstein cows were used to investigate the effects of dietary selenium supplementation on the postpartum recovery of the luteal function in cows. Selenium-rich yeast (containing 300 ppm selenium) was mixed with total mixed ration fed to 17 pregnant cows from 30 days before they were due to calve (10 g yeast daily) to 100 days after calving (20 g yeast daily). The control cows (n = 17) were fed the same amount of ordinary yeast. The cows' plasma progesterone concentrations were determined every two days using an enzyme immunoassay after calving. Results: Feed intake (total digestive nutrient, crude protein), milk production, body weight and the biochemical properties of blood plasma did not differ between the two groups; however, the plasma selenium concentrations of the supplemented animals were significantly greater than those of the controls at and after calving. The postpartum plasma progesterone concentrations of the selenium-yeast-supplemented group increased earlier than those of the control group. Moreover, during the estrus cycle after the 3rd ovulation or ovulation with estrus between 60 to 80 days after calving, the selenium-supplemented cows exhibited greater progesterone concentrations than the control cows. Conclusion: Selenium supplementation promotes the postpartum progesterone production of cows.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.881-890
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• 1994

Skim milk progesterone($P_4$) profiles in 74 dairy cows were determind to monitor postpartum ovarian activity by radioimmunoassay. Milk samples were collected from each cow every 5 days from 10 to 90 days postpartum. Signs of estrus were observed twice daily, and status of the ovaries and uterus were examined every 10 days by rectal palpation. Results are summarized as follows: 1. Cows were categorized into five types by the change of skim milk $P_4$ profiles; Type I(normal) : Cyclic changes of skim milk $P_4$ profiles appeared within 20 days postpartum(12 cows, 16.2%), Type II(cycle delayed) : Cyclic changes of skim milk $P_4$ profiles appeared from 21 to 60 days postpartum(39 cows, 52.7%), Type III(cycle ceased with low $P_4$) : Onset of the estrous cycle within 20 days postpartum but ceased later with low levels of $P_4$ (7cows, 9.5%), Type IV(cycle ceased with high $P_4$) : Onset of the estrous cycle within 20 days postpartum but ceased later with high levels(>3.0 ng/ml) of skim milk $P_4$ (4 cows, 5.4%), Type V(acyclicity) : Skim milk $P_4$ concentration remained low(<1.0 ng/ml) until 80 days postpartum(12 cows, 16.2%). 2. Out of the 17 cows classified as the Type III and Type V by skim milk $P_4$ profiles, 13 cows had inactive ovaries and remaining 6 cows had single or multiple follicular cysts in their ovaries by rectal palpation. All 4 cows of Type IV had a persistent corpus luteum in their ovaries. 3. Approximately eighty percent of the cows had begun ovarian activity by 60 days postpartum and 90.6% by 90 days by skim milk $P_4$ profiles, but only 39.2% by 60 days and 71.7% by 90 days had shown visible estrus signs. The mean days from parturition to the first, second and third ovulations determined by skim milk $P_4$ profiles was $28.0{\pm}11.0$, $46.4{\pm}13.3$ and $66.4{\pm}11.5$ days and the visible estrus signs were 9.3%, 38.1%, and 48.6%, respectively. The mean days from parturition to the first visible estrus was $57.2{\pm}15.9$ days. These results indicated that milk $P_4$ profile of each Types by radioimmunoassay can be utilized for monitoring postpartum ovarian and would be useful for the early detection of ovarian dysfunction in dairy cow.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 1992

The purpose of present study was to investigate the progesterone concentrations throughout gestation and peripartum period, and the return to the first estrus postpartum for improvement of reproductive efficiency in Korean native goats. The average length of gestation was 148 days(range : 144~154 days) and the average number of live births was 2 kids(range : 1~5 kids) in 12 Korean native goats. Progesterone concentrations were measured in blood samples taken from 12 goats every 5 days during gestation period. Plasma progesterone concentrations were 0.10 ng/ml at Day 0 of pregnancy and increased gradually until Day 20(6.58 ng/ml). Then they decreased slightly from Day 30 to 40(range : 4.32~4.82 ng/ml), increased again after Day 40 and remained thereafter until Day 140(range : 4.32~10.36 ng/ml). The progesterone levels declined sharply to basal levels at parturitum. Plasma progesterone concentrations during the pestpartum were 6.98 ng/ml at 10 days, 4.86 ng/ml at 6 days 3.18 ng/ml at 2 days before parturition, and 0.10 ng/ml at parturition, respectively. The basal levels were maintained until the first estrus postpartum. The mean intervals from parturition to the first estrus postpartum on the basis of progesterone determination and estrus detection were $100{\pm}64(mean{\pm}S.D.)$ days in 7 Korean native goats.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.209-220
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• 1993

This study was attempted to investigate the processes of regression of the corpus luteum and uterus after parturition in 2∼3 multiparous Korean native goats. The concentrations of LH, prolactin and progesterone in blood plasma of native goats were measured at 5 day intervals from 10 days prepartum to 35 days postpartum. The pregnancy corpus luteum from goats at Days(D) 1, 10, 20 and 30 days of postpartum were examined by light microscopy. Changes in the uterus fo goats were studies by macroscopic and light microscopic observations during the postpartum period. Mean concentrations of plasma LH were low after parturition and the levels of plasma LH were similar during late gestation and throughout the postpartum period. Mean plasma concentrations of prolactin were 0.30 0.06 and 0.38 0.13ng/ml at Day 5 and Day 10 prepartum, respectively, but PRL levels remained slightly high for 5 weeks after kidding. Mean levels of progesterone in plasma were 0.33 0.05ng/ml on Day 1 postpartum(P<0.01). Through light microscopic survey, pregnancy corpora lutea were quite degeneration by day 10 pospartum. Microscopic changes of CL regression consisted of cytoplasmic eosinophilia and vacuolation, and pyknosis and karyorrhexis of the nucleus of luteal cells. Vascular changes were distended at the periphery ofthe CL. From macroscopic measurements of the uterus, the uteri were returned to their initial non-pregnant stage within a period of 21 dyas after parturition. Following partuition the intercaruncular epithelium was reparied by 20 days. The uterine epithelium was partially recovered in the carucle by 30 days postpartum.

• 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).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.470-474
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• 2005

The efficiency of a short-term treatment with an intravaginal device containing progesterone (CIDR) combined with pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and prostaglandin analogue ($PGF_{2\alpha}$) was evaluated for the induction of estrus, initiation of cyclic activity, and fertility in postpartum suckled yak cows. Seventy-five postpartum suckled yak cows were assigned to three treatments: (1) insertion of a CIDR intravaginal progesterone (1.9 g) (day 0), an administration of $PGF_{2\alpha}$ (0.2 mg i.m.) on day 6 and PMSG (1,000 IU i.m.) at the time of CIDR withdrawal on day 7 (CPP group, n=28); (2) an administration of $PGF_{2\alpha}$ (0.2 mg i.m.) on day 6 and PMSG (1,000 IU i.m.) on day 7 (PP group, n=21); (3) untreated animals served as the control (CG group, n=26). Seven yak bulls were placed in pastures with the cows for natural mating. Estrus rate in the CPP group (28/28) was higher (p<0.01) than in the PP group (6/21) and in the CG group (0/26) within 96 h after the end of treatment. The first service conception rate in the CPP group (21/28) was higher (p<0.01) compared with in the PP group (2/9) as judged by serum $P_4$ concentration $\geq$2.35 ng/ml on day 21 after breeding. It is concluded that a short-term progesterone treatment combined with PMSG and prostaglandin increased the proportion of yak cows that exhibited behavioral estrus with more synchronized estrus response and satisfactory conception rate in postpartum suckled yak cows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 1992

The present study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone(20$\alpha$-OHP) levels before and after parturition, 4 pluriparous goats were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein on Days, 5, 3, 2 and 1 before parturition, the day of parturition, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 after parturition. The blood samples were centraifuged and stored at -2$0^{\circ}C$ until hormone assay. The serum levels of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP were measrued by radioimmunoassay. The changes of serum progesterone level during peripartum period were characterized as a remarkable decrease. The progesterone level was 4.05$\pm$0.52ng/ml on 56 days before parturition and decreased to 2.24$\pm$0.38ng/ml on 1 day before parturition and 0.79$\pm$0.09ng/ml on the day of parturition and the basal level was maintained through 9 days of postpartum period. The serum level of 20$\alpha$-OHP during the peripartum period was 1.25$\pm$0.21ng/ml on 5 days before paturition and increased to 1.32$\pm$0.25 on 3 days and 1.59$\pm$0.24ng/ml on 1 day before parturition, and reached a peak level of 1.78$\pm$0.25ng/ml just prior to parturition and then decreased greatly to 0.31$\pm$0.03ng/ml on 1 day postpartum and the basal level was remained until 9 days postpartum. The high serum level of 20$\alpha$-OHP, which was peak just prior to parturition, was maintained for 2 days following the onset of remarkable decrease in the serum level of progesterone. From the above results, it was concluded that the enzyme 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20$\alpha$-HSD) catalyzing the conversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive steroid, 20$\alpha$-OHP was active properly in the luteal cells in Korean native goats.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.153-156
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to assess for re-breeding concentrate period in postpartum in milking cows. The 48 cows aged $3.5{\sim}5.5$ years and of $400{\sim}600\;kg$ body weight were examined every 3rd day from 15 to 36 day postpartum. Blood samples for progesterone and estradiol $17{\beta}$ hormone analyses were withdrawn from the coccygeal vein every third day until the end of the experiment. The ovarian follicular numbers were verified and measured using a multi frequency probe. The least squares means are presented for each day by GLM of SAS. The results showed that ovary lengths (right ovary; $1.64{\pm}0.62\;cm$, left ovary; $1.44{\pm}0.46\;cm$) were similar in right and left ovary activity level during estrous cycle of postpartum cows. We were judged completed uterus on day at $2.31{\pm}0.17\;cm$ level of cervix diameter. And we were monitoring started at $6.44{\pm}2.03\;cm$ from day 15 after postpartum. The results showed that mean plasma concentration of progesterone (3.28 ng/ml) in large follicle gradually increased days 30 in postpartum. And, monitoring of estradiol 176 (22.18 pg/ml) hormone during postpartum period would be useful to predict the ovarian and uterus activity for re-breeding in postpartum milking cows. From these results, we conclude that cervix diameter (mean: 2.31 cm) was very important for reproductive organ recovery standard level of postpartum milking cows, hormone secretion level ($P_4$: 3.28 ng/ml, $E_2$: 22.18 pg/ml) and body condition score ($2.5{\sim}2.75$) level about 30 days in postpartum period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.1268-1273
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• 2003

Sixty postpartum lactating Friesian cows in 3 treatments at a commercial dairy farm were used to study the effect of using progesterone supplementation with GnRH and PGF2$\alpha$ synchronization with and without timed AI on fertility during summer. Cows in treatment1($Tr_1$) and treatment2 ($Tr_1$) were fitted with progesterone releasing intravaginal device (PRID) device and injected with 10 g GnRH agonist on $51{\pm}3$ d postpartum (pp). Seven days later, PRID was removed and cows received 25 mg PGF2$\alpha$. Two days later, $Tr_1$ cows received another injection of 10 g GnRH and timed AI 16-20 h later. Control cows received only 25 mg PGF2$\alpha$ $58{\pm}3d\;pp$. $Tr_2$ and control cows were AI at detected estrus. Serum progesterone for all cows was determined on days of injection, AI and 21, 23 and 28 d postinsemination. Pregnancy rates from first AI based on serum P4 concentrations on d 21, 23 and 28 postinsemination (50, 40 and 35%) and that based on rectal palpation 40-45 d postinsemination (30, 15 and 15% for $Tr_1$, $Tr_2$ and control cows, respectively) did not differ among the three groups. Whereas, pregnancy rate at 120 d pp for $Tr_1$ (65%) was higher (p<0.05) than that in $Tr_2$ (30%) or control (30%). The overall pregnancy rate was not significantly different (90, 90 and 75% for $Tr_1$, $Tr_2$ and control, respectively). Days open for cows in $Tr_1$ ($100.3{\pm}9$) was less (p<0.03) than that in $Tr_2$ ($130.9{\pm}9$) or control ($135.1{\pm}10$). Results indicate that using PRID device with Ovsynch program had significantly increased pregnancy rate and decreased days open compared to AI at detected estrus after synchronization with GnRH, PRID and PGF2$\alpha$ or synchronization with one injection of PGF2$\alpha$.