Physiological and practical effects of progesterone on reproduction in dairy cattle (original) (raw)
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Reproduction, fertility, and development, 2011
This manuscript reviews the effect of progesterone (P4) during timed AI protocols in lactating dairy cows. Circulating P4 is determined by a balance between P4 production, primarily by the corpus luteum (CL), and P4 metabolism, primarily by the liver. In dairy cattle, the volume of luteal tissue is a primary determinant of P4 production; however, inadequate circulating P4 is generally due to high P4 metabolism resulting from extremely elevated liver blood flow. Three sections in this manuscript summarise the role of P4 concentrations before breeding, near the time of breeding and after breeding. During timed AI protocols, elevations in P4 are generally achieved by ovulation, resulting in an accessory CL, or by supplementation with exogenous P4. Elevating P4 before timed AI has been found to decrease double ovulation and increase fertility to the timed AI. Slight elevations in circulating P4 can dramatically reduce fertility, with inadequate luteolysis to the prostaglandin F2α treatm...
International Journal of Livestock Research, 2017
Progesterone (P 4) is a steroid hormone primarily secreted by the Corpus luteum (CL). Adequate circulating P 4 concentration is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Exposure to insufficient circulating level of P 4 during the growth of the ovulatory follicle is one of the important factors that affect fertility in high producing animals. P 4 has a negative feedback effect on LH secretion and it is believed that sub-luteal phase plasma P 4 concentrations result in elevated LH pulse-frequency. There is a linear trend for the number of LH pulses to decrease concurrently with the increase in P 4 concentrations as the estrous cycle progresses. These changes in LH pulse frequency are supposed to be associated with alterations in the process of follicular maturation and subsequent embryo survival. Beneficial effects of increased progesterone level during growth of dominant follicle or following AI can be documented from the current literature. P 4 concentration during the development of dominant follicle (DF) influences the fertility since the DF of first and second wave use to grow under different P 4 environment. Further a slight increase in circulating level of progesterone near the time of artificial insemination (AI) is highly detrimental for fertility. So, a control of follicle and CL development through utilization of various hormonal regimens is routinely done now a days to further enhance the reproductive performance of dairy animals. Taking into account above all facts, the present review highlights the progesterone manipulation strategies to improve bovine fertility.
Positive and negative effects of progesterone during timed AI protocols in lactating dairy cattle
2012
Circulating concentration of progesterone (P4) is determined by a balance between P4 production, primarily by corpus luteum (CL), and P4 metabolism, primarily by liver. The volume of large luteal cells in the CL is a primary factor regulating P4 production. Rate of P4 metabolism is generally determined by liver blood flow and can be of critical importance in determining circulating P4 concentrations, particularly in dairy cattle. During timed AI protocols, elevations in P4 are achieved by increasing number of CL by ovulation of accessory CL or by supplementation with exogenous P4. Dietary manipulations, such as fat supplementation, can also be used to alter circulating P4. Elevating P4 prior to the timed AI generally decreases double ovulation and can increase fertility to the timed AI. This appears to be an effect of P4 during the follicular wave that produces the future ovulatory follicle, possibly by altering the oocyte and subsequent embryo. Near the time of AI, slight elevations in circulating P4 can dramatically reduce fertility. The etiology of slight elevations in P4 near AI is inadequate luteolysis to the prostaglandin F2α (PGF) treatment prior to timed AI. After AI, circulating P4 is critical for embryo growth and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Many studies have attempted to improve fertility by elevating P4 after timed AI. Combining results of these studies indicated only marginal fertility benefits of <5%. In conclusion, previous research has provided substantial insight into the effects of supplemental P4 on fertility and there is increasing insight into the mechanisms regulating circulating P4 concentrations and actions. Understanding this prior research can focus future research on P4 manipulation to improve timed AI protocols.
Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 2019
Progesterone (P4) supplementation in early diestrus advances changes in the endometrial transcriptome, stimulates embryonic development, but advances onset of luteolysis. Ocurrence of luteolysis before D16 post-mating can be detrimental to fertility. However, a potential counteracting role of the elongating conceptus on early luteolysis is understood poorly. Aim was to evaluate the effect of AI (i.e. pregnancy) on the temporal dynamics of luteolysis of cows supplemented with P4. Non-suckled beef cows were inseminated at 12h after estrus (D0: ovulation) or were not inseminated (no-AI). On D3, the AI cows were assigned to receive a single dose of 150 mg of injectable long-acting P4 per via intramuscular (AI+iP4; n=23) and the no-AI cows were assigned to receive iP4 (iP4; n=21) or saline (Control, n=22). Corpus luteum (CL) development and regression were determined by ultrasonography (US) between D3 and D21. Plasma P4 concentrations were measured on D3 and every other day from D9 to D21. Pregnancy status was determined by US (D28-D32). iP4 supplementation reduced luteal development (D5 to D10) compared to the Control group and increased incidence of luteolysis between D14 and D15. On D15, proportion of cows that underwent luteolysis and plasma P4 concentrations were contrasting between the iP4 group (47.6; 2.10±0.47) and the Control group (13.6; 4.40±0.46) and intermediate in the AI+iP4 group, respectively (26.1%; 3.70±0.45 ng/mL; P<0.05). The AI effects were due to the pregnant cows (n=7). Considering non-pregnant cows only, proportion of early luteolysis of AI+iP4 group (37.5%) was similar to the iP4 group. Pregnancy was not established in cows having a shortened luteal lifespan. Indeed, interval to luteolysis of AI+iP4 group (15.50±0.66 d) was similar to the iP4 group (16.38±0.46 d), but smaller than Control group (17.38±0.40 d; P=0.05). In conclusion, effect of AI on extending luteal lifespan occurred exclusively in cows that maintained pregnancy.
Domestic Animal Endocrinology, 2019
Progesterone (P4) supplementation in early diestrus advances changes in the endometrial transcriptome, stimulates embryonic development, but advances onset of luteolysis. Ocurrence of luteolysis before D16 post-mating can be detrimental to fertility. However, a potential counteracting role of the elongating conceptus on early luteolysis is understood poorly. Aim was to evaluate the effect of AI (i.e. pregnancy) on the temporal dynamics of luteolysis of cows supplemented with P4. Non-suckled beef cows were inseminated at 12h after estrus (D0: ovulation) or were not inseminated (no-AI). On D3, the AI cows were assigned to receive a single dose of 150 mg of injectable long-acting P4 per via intramuscular (AI+iP4; n=23) and the no-AI cows were assigned to receive iP4 (iP4; n=21) or saline (Control, n=22). Corpus luteum (CL) development and regression were determined by ultrasonography (US) between D3 and D21. Plasma P4 concentrations were measured on D3 and every other day from D9 to D21. Pregnancy status was determined by US (D28-D32). iP4 supplementation reduced luteal development (D5 to D10) compared to the Control group and increased incidence of luteolysis between D14 and D15. On D15, proportion of cows that underwent luteolysis and plasma P4 concentrations were contrasting between the iP4 group (47.6; 2.10±0.47) and the Control group (13.6; 4.40±0.46) and intermediate in the AI+iP4 group, respectively (26.1%; 3.70±0.45 ng/mL; P<0.05). The AI effects were due to the pregnant cows (n=7). Considering non-pregnant cows only, proportion of early luteolysis of AI+iP4 group (37.5%) was similar to the iP4 group. Pregnancy was not established in cows having a shortened luteal lifespan. Indeed, interval to luteolysis of AI+iP4 group (15.50±0.66 d) was similar to the iP4 group (16.38±0.46 d), but smaller than Control group (17.38±0.40 d; P=0.05). In conclusion, effect of AI on extending luteal lifespan occurred exclusively in cows that maintained pregnancy.
Biology of …, 1989
The objectives of this experiment were to determine if subnormal levels ofprogesterone (F4) indicative of luteal insufficiency influence (1)pulsaale release of luteinizing hormone (LII), (2) the interval to the preovulatory surge of LH after removal of P4. and (3) the secretion of P4 during the estrous cycle subsequent to administration of subnormal levels of P4. On Day 5 (Day = 0 day of estrus) of the estrous cycle, cows received P4-releasing intravaginal devices (PRID) to produce normal (2 PRIDs; n = 7) or subnormal (0.5 PRID; n =6) concentrations of P4. Five cows served as controls. On Day 10, serial blood samples were coil ected from all cows. Collection of blood samples was again initiated on Day 17 in cows receiving PRIDs. The PRIDs were removed and blood collection continued for 78 h. Daily blood samples were collected from all animals for 42 days subsequent to estrus (estrous cycles I and 2, respectively). During estrous cycle), mean concentration of P4 was lower (p<O.O5) andfrequency ofpulses of LII was higher (p<O.OS) in cows receiving subnormal P4 than in cows receiving normal P4 and control cows. Plasma concentrations of estradiol (E2) were higher (pczO.O5) on Days 9-16 of estrous cycle 1 in cows receiving subnormal P4 than in cows receiving normalP4 or in control cows. Concentrations of E2 were greater (p.<O.OS) at 6, 18, and 30 hfollowing removal of PRIDs in cows receiving subnormal P4 than in cows receiving normal P4. Onset of the preovulasory surge of LII occurred 17.) ± 2 h earlier (p<O.O5) in cows receiving subnormal P4 than in cows receiving normal P4. During estrous cycle 2, mean P4 and duration of the luteal phase were not different (p>O.O5) between cows in the three treatment groups. We conclude that consequences of luteal phase insufficiency on fertility may involve altered ovarian folliculogenesis modulated by associated alterations in secretion of LH.
PLOS ONE, 2021
The aim of this study was to determine the association between concentrations of progesterone (P4) during previous the estrous cycle with the intensity of spontaneous or estrogen-induced estrous expression and pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). A total of 1,953 AI events from lactating Holstein cows were used, consisting of 1,289 timed AI events from experiment 1 (Exp. 1) and 664 AI events from experiment 2 (Exp. 2). In Exp. 1, cows were bred after a timed AI protocol based on estradiol and P4. In Exp. 2 animals were bred upon spontaneous estrus detection. In both experiments cows were continuously monitored by an automated activity monitor (AAM), in Exp.1 a relative increase of activity was calculated (i.e., percentage of increase activity at estrus compared to cow’s baseline activity) and in Exp.2, activity data from each cow were computed into an index value that ranged from 0 to 100. In Exp.2 duration (hours) of estrus were calculated and defined as the total time abo...
Theriogenology, 2005
The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect using two doses of progesterone (P4) releasing devices in two different programs on reproductive performance of anestrous dairy cows. Cows (n = 1555) not detected in estrus by 10 d before the planned start of the seasonal breeding program and in which no CL was palpable were treated with an intravaginal P4-releasing device ('Single'; 1.56gofP4)oramodifieddevicewithtriplethenormalP4dose(′Triple′;1.56 g of P4) or a modified device with triple the normal P4 dose ('Triple'; 1.56gofP4)oramodifieddevicewithtriplethenormalP4dose(′Triple′;4.7 g of P4). The devices were in place for either 6 d ('Short') or 8 d ('Long'), with 1 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) given 24 h after device removal. The 'Long' program also included treatment with 2 mg EB at device insertion. The Long program resulted in a higher first service conception rate (RR = 1.18 (95% CI = 1.03-1.33); P = 0.02), but had no effect on the 28-d, 56-d or final pregnancy rate compared to the Short program. There were no effects of dose of P4 on any outcome. In conclusion, the Long compared to the Short program, but not the dose of P4, improved first service conception rates in anestrous cows. #
The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2013
The current research aimed to further study the delayed post-ovulatory progesterone (P4) rise in Thai-Holstein dairy heifers in the points of an association with endocrine events around oestrus (experiment 1), effects on conception rate and possibility for P4 supplement post-insemination (experiment 2). In experiment 1, the P4 levels in the delayed P4 heifers reached 1 ng/ml later than in the normal ones (6.8±0.4 vs 3.3±1.5 days after oestrus, resp.) (p = 0.053). At ovulation the pre-ovulatory follicles of the delayed P4 were smaller than of the normal P4 heifers (11.8±0.5 vs 13.1±0.2 mm, resp.) (p = 0.013). The levels of LH at their surges in the delayed P4 were lower than in the normal P4 animals (1.1±0.1 vs 1.8±0.2 ng/l, resp.) (p = 0.044), while the OE2 levels on the day of oestrus were not different (30.5±1.5 vs 28.8±1.3 pmol/l, resp.) (p ≥ 0.05). In experiment 2, within the control group (no exogenous P4 supplement), the delayed P4 heifers yielded lower conception rate compared to the normal P4 ones (40% vs 68.75%, resp.) (p < 0.001). In the treatment group, at 8 hours following P4 supplement, the levels of P4 significantly increased from 0.73±0.92 to 2.57±0.73 ng/ml (p < 0.001) and at 48 hours after cessation of P4 supplement, the P4 levels declined from 3.01±0.79 to 2.56±1.39 ng/ml (p = 0.0996). The heifers in the treatment group had higher conception rate (62.85%) compared with the delayed P4 control heifers (40%, p < 0.001) and with the overall control ones (52.43%, p = 0.0416), but not different if compare to the normal P4 control heifers (68.5%, p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, the delayed postovulatory P4 rise in Thai-Holstein dairy heifers showed a strong connection with the smaller pre-ovulatory follicle and the lower levels of LH at their surges. The negative effects of the delayed post-ovulatory P4 rise on pregnancy were clearly confirmed. Moreover, supplementation with P4 on day 3 to day 7 after oestrus enhanced conception rates.