Clinical Overview of Luteal Deficiency in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Luteal deficiency is defined as reduced progesterone (P4) steroidogenesis by the corpus luteum (CL), either in the amount or duration, or both. This work provides a clinical overview of the current understanding of luteal deficiency and its association with low fertility in dairy cows. Low plasma P4 concentrations during the luteal phase post-artificial insemination (AI) are associated with lower conception rates. Treatments post-AI with P4, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) improve fertility in some conditions. Sub-luteal function during the late embryonic period (at pregnancy diagnosis, i.e., 28–34 days post-AI), is just one factor among other factors associated with pregnancy loss. Treatment with P4 in cows with one CL favors pregnancy maintenance, while GnRH treatment does the same in cows carrying twins. The diagnosis of sub-luteal function can be made clinically on the basis of plasma or milk P4 concentrations. Automated in-line milk P4 analysis systems to diagnose luteal activity emerge as a very interesting tool in dairy herds. Monitoring plasma or milk P4 concentrations with the help of Doppler ultrasonography to assess the CL function would allow individualizing the luteal phase support.

Economics of treatment with GnRH agonist 7–14 days after artificial insemination in repeat breeder lactating dairy cows

“…Some studies have associated pregnancy failure in cattle after AI with lower circulating concentrations of P4. (López‐Gatius & Garcia‐Ispierto, 2022). Progesterone secretion per unit of luteal tissue was decreased in luteal cells from CL of subfertile cows when compared with cells from cyclic and pregnant cows (Shelton et al, 1990).…”

Anti‐Müllerian hormone: A novel biomarker for detecting bovine freemartinism

“…In these females, the development of the Müllerian duct is impeded due to the earlier maturation of male organs during pregnancy. Consequently, the ovarian capacity of freemartin animals is anticipated to be diminished (Alacam, 2015; Cabrera & Fricke, 2021; Long, 1990; López‐Gatius & Garcia‐Ispierto, 2023; Senünver & Nak, 2015; Short, 1970). The current understanding of bovine freemartinism is limited, prompting an investigation into whether AMH could serve as a biomarker.…”

“…It is noteworthy that vascular anastomoses are estimated to develop in up to 97% of bovine twin pregnancies (Esteves et al., 2012). For this reason, it is crucial for businesses to efficiently and practically identify freemartin animals in herd management, animal transactions, import–export activities, and various other operational considerations (Cabrera & Fricke, 2021; Kertz et al., 2023; López‐Gatius & Garcia‐Ispierto, 2023).…”

“…AMH is a widely utilized marker for ovarian reserve in cattle (Alward & Bohlen, 2020; Jazmín et al., 2023; Mossa et al., 2017; Mossa & Ireland, 2019; Umer et al., 2019). In Freemartin heifers, the development of genital organs is suppressed during pregnancy, resulting in anticipated minimal ovarian reserves in these animals (Alacam, 2015; Cabrera & Fricke, 2021; Kertz et al., 2023; Long, 1990; López‐Gatius & Garcia‐Ispierto, 2023; Senünver & Nak, 2015; Short, 1970). Considering the preceding background, the objective of this study is threefold: (i) to compare the AMH levels between cyclic heifers and Freemartin heifers that have reached adulthood within the same age group of the Holstein breed, (ii) to ascertain whether AMH can serve as a reliable biomarker for identifying adult Freemartin animals, and (iii) to establish the threshold and reference values of serum AMH levels for Freemartin animals, should it be employed as a marker.…”

Effect of one or two fixed glutamate doses on follicular development, ovarian-intraovarian blood flow, ovulatory rate, and corpus luteum quality in goats with a low body condition score

“…Follicles with large diameters are known to produce more estrogen, intensify the behavioral symptoms of estrus, produce larger CLs with the ability to produce higher concentrations of P4 ( Hameed et al, 2020 ; Oosthuizen et al, 2020 ), and are characterized by higher vascular activity ( López-Gatius and Garcia-Ispierto, 2022 ). These changes may have occurred in the supplemented groups because of the effect of glutamate on follicular development.…”