Association between the duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy rate in beef heifers
in ReproductionSearch for other papers by M. Mihm in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by A. Baguisi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by M. P. Boland in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by J. F. Roche in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
After luteolysis, subluteal concentrations of progesterone or treatment with a synthetic progestagen result in an extended period of dominance (persistence) of the dominant follicle in cattle. Two experiments studied (1) the relationship between the duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy rate and (2) the ability of a persistent dominant follicle to ovulate and form a normal functioning corpus luteum. In Expt 1, beef heifers were either untreated (n = 30) or given a synthetic progestagen implant (3 mg norgestomet) for 12 days starting on day 16 of their cycle (n = 32). The mean duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle differed (P < 0.05) between treated and control heifers (10.8 ± 1.2 and 3.3 ± 0.8 days, respectively) and 20 of 26 control and 7 of 30 treated heifers were diagnosed pregnant 28 days after artificial insemination (P < 0.01). In Expt 2, on the first day of dominance of the second dominant follicle, heifers received either a PGF2α analogue alone (controls; n = 18), or prostaglandin and a norgestomet implant for 6 (T6; n = 19) or 10 days (T10; n = 20). Increases in the duration of dominance of the second dominant follicle (controls, 4.1 ± 0.2 days; T6, 8.6 ± 0.2 days; T10, 12.1 ± 0.2 days; P < 0.05) resulted in a decrease in pregnancy rate (controls, 14 of 16; T6, 11 of 19; T10, 0 of 13; P ≤ 0.05). Progesterone concentrations on days 7 and 12 and the area of luteal tissue on day 12 after artificial insemination were not different (P > 0.05) between treatments. It is concluded that (1) treatment with a synthetic progestagen towards the end of the luteal phase causes a variable extension of the period of dominance of the ovulatory follicle with a significant reduction in pregnancy rate, (2) the persistent dominant follicle can ovulate and form a functional corpus luteum, and (3) the pregnancy rate is sequentially decreased as the duration of dominance increases from 4 to 8 days, and is further significantly reduced if the duration of dominance exceeds 10 days.
Reproduction is committed to supporting researchers in demonstrating the impact of their articles published in the journal.
The two types of article metrics we measure are (i) more traditional full-text views and pdf downloads, and (ii) Altmetric data, which shows the wider impact of articles in a range of non-traditional sources, such as social media.
More information is on the Reasons to publish page.
| Sept 2018 onwards | Past Year | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Text Views | 326 | 168 | 11 |
| PDF Downloads | 314 | 134 | 6 |
Online ISSN: 1741-7899
Print ISSN: 1470-1626
Strengthening biomedical communities
to advance science and health
CONTACT US
Bioscientifica Ltd | Starling House | 1600 Bristol Parkway North | Bristol BS34 8YU | UK
Bioscientifica Ltd | Registered in England no 3190519