Short Communication: A Field Study on the Relationship Between Body Condition and Embryo Production in Superovulated Holstein Yearling Heifers

Abstract

We conducted a field survey to estimate the relationship between embryo production and the body condition score (BCS) on a 5-point scale, as well as blood concentrations of insulin and glucose, in superovulated Holstein yearling heifers housed in a free-stall barn. They were provided total mixed rations to meet the nutrient requirements. The daily ration was divided between 2 feeding times, utilizing stanchions to separate heifers to avoid social status preventing inferior heifers from having enough feed. The recovered fluid after uterine flushing from heifers (n = 88, 13 mo old) was examined microscopically for the morphological grade and the development stage. The number of heifers in which BCS was 2.75, 3.00, 3.25, and 3.50 was 6, 35, 40, and 7, respectively. The 3.50 BCS heifers produced fewer excellent grade embryos than 3.00 or 3.25 BCS heifers significantly. The 3.50 BCS heifers produced significantly more morula than 2.75, 3.00, or 3.25 BCS heifers. In contrast, 2.75 BCS heifers produced more blastocysts than 3.25 or 3.50 BCS heifers. The 3.50 BCS heifers were hyperinsulinemic. Our results suggested no significant effect of BCS around 3.00 on embryo production, whereas 3.50 BCS heifers may have poorer embryo production.

Increased ectopic fat cells in the longitudinal muscularis layer of the oviduct isthmus in obese Japanese Black cows

“…Our previous study on ovarian function by using superovulation (Kadokawa et al . ) demonstrated that obese embryo donors produced fewer excellent‐grade embryos than did lean and normal donors. Their embryos also exhibited slower development in the oviduct.…”

“…In our previous field study, we estimated the relationship between embryo quality and a five‐point body condition score (BCS) (Kadokawa et al . ) in Holstein heifers; the study revealed that obese donors produced fewer excellent‐grade, transferable embryos than did control donors after superovulation. In addition, this study showed that the collected embryos exhibited delays in development, as indicated by an increased number of morulas and a decreased number of blastocysts (Kadokawa et al .…”

“…In addition, this study showed that the collected embryos exhibited delays in development, as indicated by an increased number of morulas and a decreased number of blastocysts (Kadokawa et al . ). Therefore, obesity may be an important factor in the suppression of reproduction in cattle.…”

Produção de embriões e fisiologia ovariana em vacas nelore sob diferentes níveis nutricionais

“…Na primeira semana, a correlação era nula (r = 0,024 ± 0,02), entretanto na última semana a correlação foi forte e negativa (r = -0,71 ± 0,31), indicando efeito deletério e crônico do nível de insulina por longos períodos. Novilhas com alto ECC apresentaram menor quantidade de embriões grau 1 e 2 (Kadokawa, Tameoka et al, 2008).…”

“…Mulheres diabéticas têm menor concepção e produção in vitro de embriões (Valckx, De Pauw et al, 2012). De maneira similar (Kadokawa, Tameoka et al, 2008) demonstraram que novilhas hiperinsulinêmicas superovuladas tiveram menor número de embriões produzidos.…”