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IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DAIRY HERD INDEX, INTRAUTERINE HORMONE DELIVERY OR INSEMINATION TECHNIQUE IN LACTATING COWS

Bas, Santiago
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1365425549

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Comparative and Veterinary Medicine.
Improving reproductive performance of dairy cattle is paramount to maximize productivity and sustainability of dairy operations. The present dissertation includes three specific aims containing a series of five experiments (Chapters) aimed at improving reproductive performance in lactating dairy cows. The first specific aim (Chapters 3 and 4) evaluated the effectiveness of using protective plastic sheaths to minimize vaginal contamination of the AI catheter at the time of AI and pregnancies per AI in lactating dairy cows inseminated with or without the use plastic sheaths. In addition, the economic benefit of using plastic sheaths within a herd was estimated (Chapter 4). Using plastic sheaths at the time of AI resulted in reduced contamination of the AI catheter and improved pregnancies per AI for second or greater services in lactating dairy cows. Additionally, the use of plastic sheaths increased herd profitability by improving overall pregnancies per AI at a minimal cost. This first specific aim show the importance of reducing bacterial contamination at the time of AI, which should not be disregarded by AI technicians, in order to achieve consistent reproductive outcomes over time. Specific aim 2 (Chapters 5 and 6) assessed the LH profile and the ovulatory response following the intrauterine administration of GnRH alone (100 vs 200 µg) or with the addition of glycerol (7% v/v). The first experiment (Chapter 5) was designed to iii assess the LH profile and the ovulatory response following the intrauterine administration of GnRH (100 µg) in lactating dairy cows. Findings from this study revealed that GnRH administered intramuscularly resulted in higher serum LH concentrations when compared to cows receiving GnRH via the intrauterine route. Interestingly, despite the lower concentration of LH, cows receiving GnRH through the intrauterine route were able to ovulate. These results served as the basis for a subsequent study (Chapter 6) designed to enhance GnRH absorption after intrauterine administration. Thus, the study presented in chapter 6 was performed to evaluate whether the intrauterine administration of 200 µg of GnRH plus glycerol would result in the preovulatory release of LH comparable to the intramuscular administration of 100 µg of GnRH in lactating dairy cattle. Findings showed that increasing the concentration of GnRH (200 µg) and addition of glycerol (7% v/v) to enhance GnRH absorption did not result in increased release of LH when compared to cows receiving GnRH (100 µg) through the intramuscular route. However, despite the lower concentrations of LH, ovulation was observed in cows where GnRH was infused into the uterus. Thus, based on these results, delivery of GnRH through the intrauterine route can be regarded as a potential alternative to minimize the number of injections that dairy cows receive during synchronization protocols.
Gustavo Schuenemann (Advisor)
220 p.
Animal Sciences; Veterinary Services

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Bas, S. (2013). IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DAIRY HERD INDEX, INTRAUTERINE HORMONE DELIVERY OR INSEMINATION TECHNIQUE IN LACTATING COWS [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1365425549

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Bas, Santiago. IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DAIRY HERD INDEX, INTRAUTERINE HORMONE DELIVERY OR INSEMINATION TECHNIQUE IN LACTATING COWS. 2013. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1365425549.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Bas, Santiago. "IMPROVING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A DAIRY HERD INDEX, INTRAUTERINE HORMONE DELIVERY OR INSEMINATION TECHNIQUE IN LACTATING COWS." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1365425549

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.