Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2022, 67(2):39-46 | DOI: 10.17221/187/2021-CJAS

Cow metabolic status assessed from fat/protein ratio in milk affected ovarian response and number of transferable embryos after superovulationOriginal Paper

Luděk Stádník, Jaromír Ducháček ORCID...*, Jan Pytlík, Matúš Gašparík, Radim Codl, Marek Vrhel
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague-Suchdol, Czech Republic

This work aimed to evaluate the quantity and the quality of flushed embryos based on the metabolic status of dairy cows, lactation number, and size of the ovaries. Fifty-nine Holstein cows on 1st to 5th lactation were enrolled in the experiment. Monitoring took place during the period from October to November and from March to June. Cows with corpus luteum were included for the hormonal treatment - superovulation and timed insemination. The cow was inseminated, resp. re-inseminated, during the induced heat with insemination doses from one bull from the same batch. Embryo flushing was performed on the 7th day after the first insemination. We isolated individual embryos after flushing, and morphologically evaluated them under a stereo microscope. The metabolic status of tested cows was determined based on the ratio between fat and protein in milk around the period of embryo flushing (< 1.1; 1.1-1.3; > 1.3). Data about fat and protein content were taken from milking parlour records. Data were evaluated in SAS v9.4 with GLM procedure. The results of our study showed that there is a significant relationship between the fat/protein ratio and the total number of flushed embryos, resp. the number of transferable embryos. The highest number of flushed and transferable embryos were collected from the group of cows with fat/protein ratio between 1.1-1.3. The fat/protein ratio within these values represents cows in an optimal metabolic state. We also observed a significant positive relationship between the size of the ovaries and the number of flushed and transferable embryos. Lactation number did not significantly affect monitored parameters. The assessment of the fat/protein ratio might become a useful tool for the evaluation of cows selected for embryo transfer. Our findings could be used to improve the efficacy of the superovulation system, with the aim to extract the maximum number of transferable embryos.

Keywords: corpus luteum; Holstein; embryo flushing; lactation number; ovary size

Published: February 6, 2022  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Stádník L, Ducháček J, Pytlík J, Gašparík M, Codl R, Vrhel M. Cow metabolic status assessed from fat/protein ratio in milk affected ovarian response and number of transferable embryos after superovulation. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 2022;67(2):39-46. doi: 10.17221/187/2021-CJAS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Ammoun I, Encinas T, Veiga-Lopez A, Ros J, Contreras I, Gonzalez A, Cocero M, McNeilly A, Gonzalez-Bulnes A. Effect of breed on kinetics of ovine FSH and ovarian response in superovulated sheep. Theriogenology. 2006 Sep 1;66(4):896-905. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    2. Armstrong DG, McEvoy TG, Baxter G, Robinson JJ, Hogg CO, Woad KJ, Webb R, Sinclair KD. Effect of dietary energy and protein on bovine follicular dynamics and embryo production in vitro: Associations with the ovarian insulinlike growth factor system. Biol Reprod. 2001 Jun 1; 64(6):1624-32. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Barati F, Niasari-Naslaji A, Bolourchi A, Sarhaddi F, Razavi K, Naghzali E, Thatcher WW. Superovulatory response of Sistani cattle to three different doses of FSH during winter and summer. Theriogenology. 2006 Sep 15;66(5):1149-55. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Beam SW, Butler WR. Energy balance and ovarian follicle development prior to the first ovulation postpartum in dairy cows receiving three levels of dietary fat. Biol Reprod. 1997 Jan 1;56(1):133-42. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Beam SW, Butler WR. Effects of energy balance on follicular development and first ovulation in postpartum dairy cows. J Reprod Fertil. 1999 Feb;54 Suppl:411-24. Go to PubMed...
    6. Becker JC, Heins BJ, Hansen LB. Costs for health care in Holstein cows selected for large versus small body size. J Dairy Sci. 2012 Sep 1;95(9):5384-92. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Bezdicek J, Makarevich A, Stadnik L, Kubovicova E, Louda F, Hegedusova Z, Holasek R, Duchacek J, Stupka R. Analysis of factors affecting the quantity and quality of embryo production in superovulated cows. Zuchtungskunde. 2015 Jul;87(4):249-64.
    8. Bezdicek J, Nesvadbova A, Makarevich A, Kubovicova E. Relationship between the animal body condition and reproduction: The biotechnological aspects. Arch Anim Breed. 2020 Jul 1;63(1):203-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Bezdicek J, Nesvadbova A, Makarevich A, Kubovicova E. Negative impact of heat stress on reproduction in cows: Animal husbandry and biotechnological viewpoints: A review. Czech J Anim Sci. 2021 Jul 28;66(8):293-301. Go to original source...
    10. Cejna V, Chladek G. The importance of monitoring changes in milk fat to milk protein ratio in Holstein cows during lactation. J Cent Eur Agric. 2005 Jul;6(4):539-46.
    11. Duchacek J, Stadnik J, Ptacek M, Beran J, Okrouhla M, Gasparik M. Negative energy balance influences nutritional quality of milk from Czech Fleckvieh cows due changes in proportion of fatty acids. Animals. 2020 Mar 27; 10(4): 11 p. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Ferraz PA, Burnley C, Karanja J, Viera-Neto A, Santos JEP, Chebel RC, Galvao KN. Factors affecting the success of a large embryo transfer program in Holstein cattle in a commercial herd in the southeast region of the United States. Theriogenology. 2016 Oct 15;86(7):1834-41. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Gross JJ, Bruckmaier RM. Metabolic challenges in lactating dairy cows and their assessment via established and novel indicators in milk. Animal. 2019 Jul;13(S1):s75-81. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Gross J, van Dorland HA, Bruckmaier RM, Schwarz FJ. Performance and metabolic profile of dairy cows during a lactational and deliberately induced negative energy balance by feed restriction with subsequent realimentation. J Dairy Sci. 2011 Apr 1;94(4):1820-30. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    15. Heuer C, Schukken YH, Dobbelaar P. Postpartum body condition score and results from the first test day milk as predictors of disease, fertility, yield, and culling in commercial dairy herds. J Dairy Sci. 1999 Feb 1;82(2):295-304. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Chagas LM, Bass JJ, Blache D, Burke CR, Kay JK, Lindsay DR, Lucy MC, Martin GB, Meier S, Rhodes FM, Roche JR, Thatcher WW, Webb R. Invited reviw: New perspectives on the roles of nutrition and metabolic priorities in the subfertility of high-producing dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2007 Sep 1;90(9):4022-32. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Chrenek P, Kubovicova E, Olexikova L, Makarevich AV, Toporcerova S, Ostro A. Effect of body condition and season on yield and quality of in vitro produced bovine embryos. Zygote. 2015 Dec;23(6):893-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Jolly PD, McDougall S, Fitzpatrick LA, Macmillan KL, Entwistle KW. Physiological-effects of undernutrition on postpartum anestrus in cows. J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 1995 Jan 1;49 Suppl:477-92. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Kasimanickam R, Kasimanickam V, Kastelic JP, Ramsey K. Metabolic biomarkers, body condition, uterine inflammation and response to superovulation in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology. 2020 Apr 1;146:71-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Kleen JL, Hooijer GA, Rehage J, Noordhuizen JPTM. Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA): A review. J Vet Med A. 2003 Oct;50(8):406-14. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Kubovicova E, Makarevich A, Stadnik L, Holasek R, Hegedusova Z. Effect of body condition and season on the yield and quality of cattle embryos. J Microbiol Biotechnol Food Sci. 2013 Jun;2(Spec issue 1):1426-35.
    22. Kuznicka E, Rant W, Radzik-Rant A, Kunowska-Slosarz M, Balcerak M. The ovulation rate, plasma progesterone and estradiol concentration, and litter size of a local ewe breed kept in a barn vs. those kept under an overhead shelter. Arch Anim Breed. 2016 Mar 15;59(1):145-50. Go to original source...
    23. Leroy JLMR, de Bie J, Jordaens L, Desmet K, Smits A, Marei WFA, Bols PEJ, Van Hoeck V. Negative energy balance and metabolic stress in relation to oocyte and embryo quality: An update on possible pathways reducing fertility in dairy cows. Proceedings of the 31th Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE); 2017 Aug 17-19; Cabo de Santo Agostinho, PE, Brazil. Anim Reprod. 14(3): p. 497-506. Go to original source...
    24. Maillo V, Rizos D, Besenfelder U, Havlicek V, Kelly AK, Garret M, Lonergan P. Influence of lactation on metabolic characteristics and embryo development in postpartum Holstein dairy cows. J Dairy Sci. 2012 Jul 1;95(7):3865-76. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    25. Makarevich AV, Stadnik L, Kubovicova E, Hegedusova Z, Holasek R, Louda F, Beran J, Nejdlova M. Quality of preimplantation embryos recovered in vivo from dairy cows in relation to their body condition. Zygote. 2016 Jun; 24(3):378-88. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    26. Noya A, Casasus I, Rodriguez-Sanchez JA, Ferrer J, Sanz A. A negative energy balance during the peri-implantational period reduces dam IGF-1 but does not alter progesterone or pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) or fertility in suckled cows. Domest Anim Endocrinol. 2020 Jul 1;72: 10 p. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Sartori R, Bastos MR, Witbank MC. Factors affecting fertilization and early embryo quality in single- and superovulated dairy cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2009 Dec 8; 22(1):151-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Stadnik L, Beran J, Hegedusova Z, Kubovicova E, Louda F, Makarevich A, Nejedlova M. Zvyseni efektivnosti embryotransferu u holstynskyh dojnic vyuzitim hodnoceni jejich telesne kondice [Increasing the efficiency of embryo transfer in Holstein dairy cows by evaluating their physical condition]. Prague, Czech Republic: CZU Prague; 2013. 34 p.
    29. Stadnik L, Bezdicek J, Makarevich A, Kubovicova E, Louda F, Fellnerova I, Hegedusova Z, Holasek R. Ovarian activity and embryo yield in relation to the postpartum period in superovulated dairy cows. Acta Vet Brno. 2017 Apr 9;86(1):51-7. Go to original source...
    30. Walsh SW, Williams EJ, Evans ACO. A review of the causes of poor fertility in high milk producing dairy cows. Anim Reprod Sci. 2011 Feb 1;123(3-4):127-38. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content