Effects of parity and body condition at parturition on endocrine and reproductive parameters of the cow

Abstract

The effect of parity (multiparous vs primiparous) and body condition score (BCS; <3.0 or $ 3.0, lean vs fat) at parturition on metabolic and endocrine profiles from 1 month before to 2 months after parturition were studied in 42 Holstein cows grazing on improved pastures. BCS and milk production were determined every 2 weeks. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), insulin, IGF-I, leptin, thyroxine (T4) and 3,3 0 ,5-tri-iodothyroinine (T3) were determined in plasma every 10 days. Progesterone was determined three times per week after parturition. Primiparous cows had a lower BCS during the early postpartum period and produced less milk than multiparous animals. Primiparous cows had higher NEFA concentrations and they presented more samples with BHB concentrations of >1 mmol/l than multiparous cows. Multiparous cows had higher T3, T4 and IGF-I concentrations, while fat cows had higher leptin and IGF-I concentrations. All hormone concentrations were diminished in the first week postpartum. Primiparous cows and fat cows presented a steeper decay of IGF-I and leptin around parturition than multiparous cows and lean cows. While thyroid hormones and IGF-I showed increasing concentrations from approximately day 30, leptin concentrations remained low until the end of the experimental period. The initiation of ovarian cyclicity was delayed in primiparous cows and especially in primiparous lean cows, consistent with longer intervals from parturition to first service and to conception. The endocrine signals most likely to inform the reproductive axis regarding a negative energy balance were IGF-I and leptin.

Increased body condition score through increased lean muscle, but not fat deposition, is associated with reduced reproductive response to oestrus induction in beef cows

“…In beef cows with low BCS (BCS ⩽ 4: scale 1 to 9) the relationship between serum leptin concentrations (2.5-3.4 ng/ml) and reproductive function is not resolvable Konigsson et al, 2008;Guzmán et al, 2012). Furthermore, similar to what was observed for the control cows in this study, in lean dairy cows (BCS ⩽ 3: scale 1 to 5) the increase in BCS did not correlate with changes with leptin concentrations (Meikle et al, 2004). Together these data provide evidence that in cows with low body fat, due to low BCS or β-adrenergic receptor agonist treatment, serum concentrations of leptin are below a putative threshold of action and may not participate in the mechanisms which function to facilitate reproductive function.…”

Trend analysis of plasma insulin level around parturition in relation to parity in Saanen goats1

“…This difference in the pattern of plasma insulin between primiparous and multiparous goats around parturition represents the striking result obtained in the present study. In dairy cows, plasma insulin levels start to decrease before parturition and the lowest concentrations are found at calving and then they rise soon after and are fully recovered 30 d postpartum, without differences between primiparous and multiparous subjects (Meikle et al, 2004). Adrien et al (2012) also reported a decrease in plasma insulin concentration at calving in both primiparous and multiparous dairy cows and considered this decrease as a metabolic adaptation to cope with the energy demands of lactation.…”

Nutritional sub-fertility in the dairy cow: towards improved reproductive management through a better biological understanding

“…Higher leutinizing harmone (LH) pulse frequencies have also been reported in fatter cows (score 2.95 relative to score 2.35; Wright et al, 1990). Meikle et al (2004) observed that lean dairy heifers (score 2.3) also took longer to resume cyclicity than fatter heifers (score 3.3) even though the lean heifers had lower body mobilisation in early lactation. However, this effect was not observed in multiparous cows.…”