Reproduction in Domestic Animals - Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

16 t h International Congress on Animal Reproduction
Poster Abstracts 47
P058
The effect of periparturient propylene glycol
administration on metabolism and on reproductive
performance in Holstein-Friesian cows
Kerestes, M 1 *; Faigl, V 1 ; Győrffy, A 1 ; Márton , A 2 ; Langer, D 1 , Kulcsár, M 1 ;
Gaál, T 1 ; Fébel, H 3 ; Húsvéth, F 2 ; Gabor, G 3 ; Bartha, T 1 ; Szenci, O 1 ;
Huszenicza, G 1
1Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University, Hungary; 2 Pannon
University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Keszthely, Hungary; 3 Institute of
Animal Husbandry and Nutrition, Herceghalom, Hungary
Negative energy balance in the early lactation is often accompanied
by decreased insulin secretion of the pancreatic β-cells and insulin
resistance of the peripheral tissues. In dairy practice the propyleneglycol
(1,2-propanediol, PGL) is often used for prevention of ketosis
and fatty liver. We examined the effect of periparturient PGL
supplementation on metabolic profile, liver lipid content, and on
reproductive performance in Holstein Friesian (HF) cows. The
glucose-induced insulin-response of the β-cells and the insulinsensitivity
of peripheral tissues were also investigated.
Fifty-one multiparous HF cows (previous lactation milk yield:
8042±214 kg) in a large scale dairy herd were involved in the study.
The supplemented group (n=20) received PGL powder corresponding
to daily 5.05 MJ NE, from d14 before the expected calving date till
d10 after calving, poured on the monodiet. The control group (n=30)
did not received PGL. Blood samples were taken regularly for ßOHbutyrate
(BHB), non esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, insulin,
insulin like growth hormone-I (IGF-I), thyroxine (T 4 ) and 3,3',5,
triiodtironine (T 3 ). On d7-10 after parturition in a subsequent of 16
cows (Control=10; PGL=6) liver biopsy was taken to determine the
hepatic total lipid content. After biopsy a simultaneous intravenous
glucose and insulin challenge test was performed. During the glucose
tolerance test we examined the glucose induced insulin-response area
under the curve (AUC), the glucose-clearance rate, half time of
glucose (T 1/2 ), and maximum insulin-response time. From the insulintolerance
test we measured the glucose response to the insulin.
Resumption of cyclicity was monitored by milk progesterone profiles
from samples collected 3 times per week. After pre-synchronisation of
the ovarian activity with two PGF2a injections at 12 days interval, a
GPG protocol and fixed time AI was performed.
The PGL supplementation increased the insulin concentrations and
decreased the BHB levels in the last days of pregnancy. The treatment
had no effect on blood glucose, thyroid hormone and IGF-I levels.
The parameters measured during the glucose- and insulin-tolerance
test were not changed. In cows with subclinical form ketosis the
glucose-induced insulin-response and the glucose T 1/2 were notably
lower. PGL administration had no effect on the time of the first pp
ovulation (34.1±18vs. 34±16d) and on pregnancy rate (38% vs. 32%)
of the animals. The periparturient PGL supplementation somewhat
affected the metabolic status of the cows, but its effects remained
below our expectations.
P059
Corpus luteum function and morphology in relation to
nutrition in dairy cows
Knijn, HM 1 *, Uijttewaal, MJ 1 , Dieleman, SJ 1 , van den Hurk, R 1 , Zaaijer, D 6 ,
Vos, PLAM 1
1Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The
Netherlands; 6 DAP Future Fertility Systems, The Netherlands
Anoestrus is an important problem in high yielding dairy cows, which
can have different causes, for example, a prolonged luteal phase.
Recently in veterinary practice, abnormal, large, spongy corpora lutea
(CLs) were diagnosed in non-cyclic dairy cows post partum. These
cows received a typical diet with low levels of sugar and rumen
fermentable starch, and a relatively high fraction of rumen
undegradable starch, in combination with high levels of protein. The
aim of the present study was to create a model to induce spongy CLs
by feeding this typical diet to dairy cows, and to investigate its effect
on CL morphology and function in comparison to control diet.
Twenty-four animals were selected based on parity (1-3), lactation
state (3-6 months in lactation) and normal cyclicity. All animals were
synchronized and at the end of the following cycle they were allocated
into three diet groups; rape- (high rumen fermentable protein > 18%
mainly from rape, low fermentable energy), soya- (high rumen
fermentable protein >18% mainly from soya, low fermentable energy)
and control group. Blood samples for progesterone analyses were
collected three times a week. The animals were ovariectomized at day
12 (day 0 is estrus) of the third cycle in which they were fed the 3
different diets. The obtained CLs were analysed histologically with
regards to surface and size of luteal cells using as marker 3-β-HSD
expression (a pivotal enzyme in the synthesis of progesterone).
Furthermore, the mRNA expression for IGF-1 (which stimulates the
steroidogenesis), and leptin (which is a elusive factor linking
reproduction and metabolic status) and their receptors was quantified
by Q-PCR technique.
During this trial, no spongy CLs have developed but a large variety of
both macro- and microscopic appearance of the CLs has been
observed. Remarkably, this was the first time that adipose tissue was
described in the CL, which was frequently observed near the centre or
cavity of the CL. In this respect, a significant difference (p