Causes of declining fertility in dairy cows during the warm season

Rensis, F. De; López‐Gatius, F.; García-Ispierto, Irina; Morini, G.; Scaramuzzi, Rex

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.12.024

Cited by 89 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 171 publications

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“…The success in using animal reproductive biotechniques, including artificial insemination and fixed‐time artificial insemination, is dependent on physiological events that may be affected by changes in the thermal environment conditions (De Rensis, Lopez‐Gatius, García‐Ispierto, Morini, & Scaramuzzi, ; Tusell et al, ). It is known that the exposure of sperm cells to temperature variations, often different from physiological temperature, can take place in several circumstances, either during spermatogenesis (Zhang et al, ) or in seminal collection, manipulation and cryopreservation procedures (Leahy & Gadella, ; Lymberopoulos & Khalifa, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of post‐thawing thermal environment on bovine sperm characteristics and in vitro fertility

et al. 2019

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Our aim was to evaluate the effects of three thermal environments over time on kinetics, functionality and in vitro fertility of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. Four ejaculates from five bulls (n = 20) were cryopreserved. After thawing, semen was evaluated (0 hr), incubated for 4 hr in T36.0 (36.0°C), T38.0 (38.0°C) and T39.5 (39.5°C), and analysed every hour (1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr). In vitro production of embryos was performed at 0 hr and 4 hr. Sperm motility and cell kinetics (Computer‐Assisted Sperm Analysis) were impaired after 2 hr at T38.0 and T39.5 (p < 0.05). Flow cytometry revealed an increase in the cells with injured plasma membrane to 39.5°C and a general reduction in the mitochondrial potential over time (p < 0.05). In vitro fertility was impaired in all temperatures after 4 hr, but there was no difference between 36.0°C and 38.0°C. Our results suggest that the ex situ resilience of semen at 36.0°C after thawing with no major damage to the quality is limited to 3 hr. In normothermia or in thermal stress, sperm cells present a gradual reduction of movement and functionality, which were more significant after 1 hr of incubation. The in vitro production of embryos is impaired when the semen is kept in a thermal environment ≥36.0°C for 4 hr.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of post‐thawing thermal environment on bovine sperm characteristics and in vitro fertility

et al. 2019

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“…Environmental factors such as temperature and nutrition play important roles in the level and composition of oestrus behaviours (reviewed by Orihuela, ). During the summer months, heat stress is associated with decreased fertility, which could be attributed to a variety of factors including hormonal imbalances or reduced quality of oocytes, embryos and corpora lutea (reviewed by De Rensis, Lopez‐Gatius, García‐Ispierto, Morini, & Scaramuzzi, ). Grazing‐based cattle systems should provide sufficient shade, and cattle housed indoors should similarly be provided with cooling systems such as sprinklers and ventilation that can reduce body temperature and increase fertility (Wolfenson, Flamenbaum, & Berman, ).…”

Section: Housingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The complex relationship between welfare and reproduction in cattle

Ritter

Beaver

Keyserlingk

2019

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Using reproduction parameters as indicators for cattle welfare has limitations and, at best, these parameters should only be viewed as indirect indicators of welfare. On a farm level, measures such as fertility rates emphasize biological performance of the herd but fail to consider the welfare of individual animals. Even on an individual level, the relationship between reproductive effectiveness and animal welfare is complex. Good reproductive performance does not automatically signify good welfare, as domestication and targeted breeding programmes have led to prioritization of high productive and reproductive performance in most modern farm animal species. In this review, we synthesize literature regarding cattle husbandry, reproduction, welfare and their multidimensional relationships. We argue that practices such as artificial insemination or the use of sexed semen may provide potential welfare advantages as these practices reduce the risk of disease transmission and injury or enable selection of specific beneficial traits. Furthermore, they may offer a solution to current practices jeopardizing welfare, such as the management of surplus bull calves in the dairy industry. Conversely, the animals’ ability to perform natural behaviours such as oestrous expression, an aspect arguably contributing to welfare, is often limited on commercial farms; this limitation is particularly evident in housing systems such as tie stalls where movement is restricted. Moreover, common management practices such as oestrus manipulation may lead to negative attitudes in citizens who often regard naturalness as important element of animal welfare.

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“…Heat stress is one of the most important constraints affecting fertility (De Rensis, Garcia‐Ispierto, & López‐Gatius, ; De Rensis, Garcia‐Ispierto, López‐Gatius, Morini, & Scaramuzzi, ). The fertility of high‐producing cows can be especially compromised under heat stress conditions, as milk production generates metabolic heat.…”

Section: Heat Stress and Hormone Therapiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Reproductive variables are significantly impaired during the warm period (López‐Gatius, ; García‐Ispierto, López‐Gatius, Santolaria et al., ; Garcia‐Ispierto et al., ). Causes of declining fertility in dairy cows during the warm season have been recently revised (De Rensis et al., ). Important effects of heat stress include reduced cyclicity and increased ovulation failure.…”

Section: Heat Stress and Hormone Therapiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

From pre‐ovulatory follicle palpation to the challenge of twin pregnancies: Clinical reflections following one million gynaecological examinations in dairy cows

López‐Gatius

Hunter

2017

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Contents Based on experimental studies and extensive field‐scale experience, this review offers new proposals for: (i) elevating the success of modern insemination procedures, (ii) emphasizing features of a pre‐ovulatory follicle in the context of optimum insemination timing, (iii) overcoming heat stress and its consequences using physiological processes or endocrine protocols, (iv) establishing a viable pregnancy or early pregnancy loss and (v) the challenge of twin pregnancies. In conclusion, the fertility of high‐yielding dairy cows can be further improved.

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Causes of declining fertility in dairy cows during the warm season

Cited by 89 publications

References 171 publications

Influence of post‐thawing thermal environment on bovine sperm characteristics and in vitro fertility

Influence of post‐thawing thermal environment on bovine sperm characteristics and in vitro fertility

The complex relationship between welfare and reproduction in cattle

From pre‐ovulatory follicle palpation to the challenge of twin pregnancies: Clinical reflections following one million gynaecological examinations in dairy cows

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