Seasonality in resumption of ovarian activity and reproductive performance of postpartum Holstein cows
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- SAKAGUCHI Minoru
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, School of Veterinary Medicine, KITASATO University, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
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- KUSAKA Hiromi
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, School of Veterinary Medicine, KITASATO University, Aomori 034-8628, Japan
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- YAMAZAKI Takeshi
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Hokkaido 062-0045, Japan
抄録
<p> It has been suggested that domestication has turned cattle from seasonal breeders to annual breeders. This study examined the seasonal differences in early postpartum ovulation and subsequent reproductive performance in 542 Holstein cows. Cows displaying corpora lutea in the ovary at 26 days postpartum were defined as early ovulators. Factors affecting the occurrence of early ovulation were analyzed, and subsequent reproductive traits were compared between cows with and without early ovulation. During the summer season, 70.6% of calving cows showed early ovulation, whereas 48.7, 39.2, and 47.2% presented this condition in autumn, winter, and spring, respectively (P < 0.01). Third parity cows showed early ovulation more often than their first parity counterparts (P < 0.05). Cows with a 2.50 to 3.00 or > 3.00 body condition score (BCS) more frequently became early ovulators than those with BCSs < 2.50 (P < 0.01). Calving year was a risk factor, and uterine abnormalities were also often risk factors for early ovulation. The survival analysis showed that seasonal differences in the occurrence of early ovulation did not completely affect the time to first service and pregnancy. Proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that calving year, parity, and early ovulation were risk factors for the time to first service and that calving year was a risk factor for the time to pregnancy. In conclusion, domesticated dairy cows maintain seasonality in postpartum ovarian activity but not in subsequent fertility.</p>
収録刊行物
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- Journal of Reproduction and Development
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Journal of Reproduction and Development 69 (1), 25-31, 2023
公益社団法人 日本繁殖生物学会