Infertility of the breeding bull in insemination technology

In spite of very strict breeding bull selection, especialy for A.I programes their infertility is a very serius problem in everyday practice. Especially bull semen has been marked as the main factor for unsatisfied cow fertility in the A.I.programme. The reason could be the bull semen which really may play as the spreading factor of the specific or non-specific reproductive infective disoders – IBR, IPV, BVD, Campylobacter-Vibrio fetus, brucellosis leptospirosis, tuberculosis and other reproductive diseases. Secondarily, the percentage of vitality, motility, penetration abilities, and immonological properties of bull spermatozoa also have an important role in unsuccessful bovine fecundation. That is, why it is necessary to secure professional health care for breedig bull in AI centres, becase only healthy bulls can ensure good bovine genetic transmission and progress in cattle production for today's growing population

The influence of breed and age on appearing of pyometra in bitches

Pyometra (chronic purulent inflammation of the uterus) is a frequent reproductive disorder in sexually mature bitches that usually occurs between the 4th week and the 4th month following estrus when the animal is not pregnant. The objective of this investigation was to examine the influence of the breed of bitch on the age when pyometra is diagnozed, and in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The average age of 321 examined bitches with diagnozed pyometra was 8.4 years. A statistically significant (P≤0.05) difference was established in the average age of bitches of big breeds (7.3 years) in comparison with the age of bitches of small breeds, at the time of pyometra occurrence (9.8 years). Bitches of mixed breeds were aged 8.8 years on the average when they were diagnozed with pyometra. Pyometra was diagnozed at the age between 7 and 9 years in 52% of the examined bitches of big breeds, while 51% bitches of small breeds were diagnozed with pyometra when they were considerably older (≥10 years). On the grounds of the results of these investigations, it can be concluded that the risk of pyometra occurring increases significantly after 5 years of age, but that breed has a significant effect on the age at which pyometra occurs in bitches

Diet and fertility in cattle

The diet of high-yield dairy cows process a very complex and acute problem. Much new knowledge in the area of production and preparation of feedstuffs, diet technology, and the interactions that occur between the components of the nutritive feed ration are required in order to resolve this problem. It is necessary constantly to coordinate feed norms with genetic potential which is ever changing and advanced. The observed problems must be resolved using multidisciplinary methods so that a diet can yield good health, and that health contribute to better reproduction and possibilities for more successful breeding and improved performance in cattle farming. In certain countries, thanks to their geographic position and climatic conditions which allow rainfall throughout the year, a natural green diet can be applied, which provides large numbers of green mass components, and with additives which can be supplemented relatively easily. This type of diet is not possible in our farms. It is very important to know which feedstuff components are laking for certain categories of cattle. The used ration must be constant and administered to animals of certain age or production characteristics in order to improve production results at cattle farms. A great problem occurs when diet is reduced due to dried grass and the resulting stress in animals. A 50% diet reduction in young cattle often results in the occurrence of respiratory diseases. Following 10-14 days of treatment, the disease disappears in young animals, but the energy deficit leads to the weakening (depression) of the immune system. Even a so-called high-energy diet often causes respiratory diseases. A diet deficient in proteins also affects cows after lactation, as opposed to a normative diet, and a reduced protein diet disturbs the microbial activity in the rumen and the synthesis of compounds which are important for both the cow and the calf, making room for the incidence of metabolic diseases, most often acidosis. This paper presents and integral description of cattle diet management according to phases, and a new approach to cattle diet with respect to fertility observed in reproduction over a longer time period at large diary cow farms

Analysis of factors influencing estrus cycle in dairy cows

The frequency of interestrus intervals between two inseminations during two annual period, from 1. 4. 2001 - 31. 3. 2003, on a farm with 500 Holstein-Frisian cows and milk production of 5500-6000 kg was analyzed. Periods of 1½ months of estrus cycles were presented by histograms for pregnant, nonpregnant and culled cows. Normal and multiple cycles indicate estrus detection errors, and were recorded in 26.70% / 22.73% and 33.25% / 33.77% cows, in the first and second analyzed periods, respectively. Short and prolonged estrus cycles were noted in 12.22% / 4.34%, and 10.07% / 7.36% cows, in the first and second analyzed periods respectively, and indicate nutritional disturbances and embryonal mortality. Disturbed estrus periods were found in 41.31% and 43.10% cows and heifers and were a consequence of other cumulate factors in herd sterility. Herd fertility improvement may be achieved with systematic work on prevention of ovarial dysfunction and proper records management

Servis period i antitela protiv spermatozoida kod veštački osemenjavanih krava

The aim of this study was to determine titers of antisperm antibodies (ASA) of Ig G and Ig A class in sera and cervical mucus of artificially inseminated Holstein cows in order to correlate these results with the duration of the open days period. Investigations were conducted on a total of 181 cows originating from three different dairy farms. Blood and cervical mucus samples for laboratory analyses were collected on the day of the last artificial insemination. Presence of ASA was determined by indirect immunofluorescence method (IIF) using bulls' sperm cells prepared for artificial insemination by suspending in TRIS - egg yolk or "Biociphos + " extenders prior to deep freezing. Our results strongly confirm the hypothesis that immune mechanisms may be involved in reproductive disturbances due to high levels of ASA of lg A class. In the sera and cervical mucus of cows, high levels of ASA were found in animals with longer open days period. In this study we were not able to demonstrate differences in ASA titers when sperm cells were suspended in different extenders and used for the IIF test.U ovom radu su izneti rezultati ispitivanja titra antitela Ig G i Ig A klase poreklom iz krvnog seruma i cervikalne sluzi veštački osemenjavanih holštajn krava protiv antigena spermatozoida bika. Ispitivanja su izvedena na ukupnom broju od 181 plotkinje sa tri regionalne farme muznih krava. Uzorci krvi i cervikalne sluzi su prikupljeni na dan poslednjeg veštačkog osemenjavanja. Titar antitela protiv antigena spermatozoida (ASA) je određivan metodom indirektne imunofluorescence a za izvođenje testa su korišćeni spermatozoidi suspendovani u TRIS žumanjčanom ili "Biociphos +" razređivaču. Naši rezultati potvrđuju hipotezu da su imunski mehanizmi uključeni u nastanak nekih reproduktivnih poremećaja jer su plotkinje sa visokim titrom ASA u serumu i cervikalnoj sluzi imala duži servis period. Osim toga, u ovim ispitivanjima nismo utvrdili postojanje razlika u titru ASA u zavisnosti od vrste korišćenog razređivača

Mogućnost upotrebe rt-pcr tehnike u utvrđivanju prisustva virusa goveđe virusne dijareje u spermi priplodnih bikova

The bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus is a significant health-economic pathogen in cattle which can be excreted and spread also through sperm of persistently or acutely infected bulls. Native sperm of 6 bulls, found to be negative to the BVD virus by isolating the virus and using the RT-PCR method, was experimentally infected with a tenfold dilution of the non-cytopathogen 22146 strain of the BVD virus with a titer of 105,5. This way, dilutions of the BVD virus from 10-1 to 10-6 (5 x 104 TCID/50 do 0,5 TCID/50 in 0.1 ml native sperm were obtained. From sperm infected in this way, the virus was reisolated on FTB cell culture in a microtiter plate with 96 pools in which each sample of the infected sperm was set up in three samples, and each of them was titrated to a dilution of 1:2 to 1:256. The presence of the BVD virus was proven using the technique of fluorescent antibodies in a second blind passage on FTB culture cells. For cell culture an extremely toxic effect of native sperm to a dilution of 1:64 was established. The BVD virus was reisolated from sperm in all three sperm samples with 5 x 104, 5 x 103 i 5 x 102 TCID/50, and it was not reisolated from sperm with 50, with 5, and with 0.5 TCID/50 BVD virus in 0.1 ml native sperm. At the same time, the presence of the BVD viral genome was proved using the RT-PCR method in the same samples of artificially infected native sperm of bulls. A positive re suit was established in native sperm with 5 x 104, 5 x 103, 5 x 102 and 50 TCID/50 BVD virus n 0.1 ml native sperm. The experiment proved that the RT-PCR method has advantages over the isolation of the BVD virus from samples of native sperm of bulls. These are: shortterm investigations (1 to 2 days) and greater sensitivity (10 times bigger than the isolation of the virus). The isolation of the virus takes at least 10 days, and its greater sensitivity is primarily a result of the cyrotoxic effect of native sperm of bulls on cell culture.Virus goveđe virusne dijareje (BVD-a) je značajan zdravstvenoekonomski patogen kod goveda koji može da se izlučuje i širi i putem sperme trajno i akutno inficiranih bikova. Nativna sperma šest bikova, za koju je izolacijom virusa i RT-PCR metodom utvrđeno da je negativna na BVD virus, eksperimentalno je inokulisana desetostrukim razređenjima necitopatogenim 22146 sojem BVD virusa titra 105,5. Na ovaj način dobijena su razređenja BVD virusa od 10-1 do 10-6 (5 x 104 TCID/50 do 0,5 TCID/50 BVD virusa) u 0,1 ml nativne sperme. Iz ovako inokulisane sperme obavljena je reizolacija virusa na kulturi ćelija FTB u mikrotitar ploči sa 96 bazenčića, u kojoj je svaki uzorak inficirane sperme postavljen u tri primerka, a svaki od njih je titriran od razređenja 1:2 do 1:256. Prisustvo BVD virusa je dokazano tehnikom fluorescentnih antitela u drugoj slepoj pasaži na kulturi ćelija FTB. Za kulturu ćelija je utvrđen izrazito toksičan efekat nativne sperme do razređenja 1:64. Virus BVD-a je reizolovan iz sperme u sva tri primerka uzoraka sperme sa 5 x 104, 5 x 103 i 5 x 102 TCID/50, a nije reizolovan iz sperme sa 50, sa 5 i sa 0,5 TCID/50 BVD virusa u 0,1 ml nativne sperme. Istovremeno izvedeno je dokazivanje prisustva BVD virusnog genoma RT-PCR metodom u istim uzorcima virusom inokulisane nativne sperme bikova. Pozitivan rezultat je utvrđen u nativnoj spermi sa 5 x 104, 5 x 103, 5 x 102 i 50 TCID/50 BVD virusa u 0,1 ml nativne sperme. Eksperiment je ukazao da RT-PCR metoda ima prednosti u odnosu na izolaciju BVD virusa iz uzoraka nativne sperme bikova. To su: brzina ispitivanja (jedan do dva dana) i veća osetljivost (deset puta u odnosu na izolaciju virusa). Izolacija virusa traje najmanje deset dana, a njena manja osetljivost je, pre svega, rezultat citotoksičnog efekta nativne sperme bikova na kulturu ćelija

Energetska suplementacija propilen glikolom tokom peripartalnog perioda i parametri efikasnosti reprodukcije kod mlečnih krava

The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of two energy supplements based on propylene glycol in dairy cows diet on ovarian and follicular morphology, conception, insemination index and length of service period. A total number of 60 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, parity between 2-8, with an average milk production of 7000 kg/305 days of lactation were divided into three experimental groups (20 dairy cows per group). The first group of dairy cows was supplemented daily with 'Energy-plus' (O1 group; 200 mL propylene-glycol supplement) and the second group was supplemented with 'Ketal' (O2 group; 160 mL propylene-glycol supplement), two weeks before partus until 30 days post partum. The third experimental group were non supplemented dairy cows (O3, control group). Ultrasound examination of the reproductive system using real time echo camera Falco VET 100 (ESAOTE PieMedical, Holland, B-shaped scan with linear-array endorectal 5-8 MHz probe) was conducted on every animal starting from day 40 postpartum. The diameters of the ovaries (left and right) and of the dominant follicle(s) were recorded. Ultrasound testing was repeated on day 50 and 60 postpartum only in cows which in the meantime were not inseminated. Reproduction efficiency parameters (conception rate, number of inseminations and length of service period) were recorded individually. The statistical significance of the differences between groups was tested using ANOVA with LSD test at the level of significance p lt 0.05, chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (the length of service period). There was no significant impact of the propylene glycol supplementation on the ovarian and follicular morphology at the first ultrasound examination. At the second ultrasound examination there was a significant difference between left ovarian dominant follicle diameter in the control and supplemented dairy cows (1.67±0.53 vs 1.12±0.29 and 1.11±0.35 cm, p lt 0.05, O3 vs O1 and O2, respectively). The cumulative percentage of conception after the first and second insemination was 60%, 81% and 25% in groups O1, O2 and O3, respectively (p lt 0.05, chi-square test). The insemination index was lowest in group O2 and statistically significant differences were found between groups O2 and O3 (1.69±0.79 : 3.38±1.36, respectively, p lt 0,05). The length of the service period was significantly (p lt 0.05, LSD test) shorter in the O2 group (100±35 days) compared to groups O1 and O3 (168±59 and 157±52 days, respectively), that was confirmed by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of days open periods. The use of propylene glycol supplement in dairy cows diet during peripartal period induced higher percentage of pregnancy rates after the first and second insemination, significantly shortened the length of the service period and reduced the insemination index.Cilj ovog rada je bio da se ispita uticaj primene dva tipa energetskih dodataka u ishrani mlečnih krava na bazi propilen glikola na morfologiju jajnika i folikula, koncepciju, indeks osemenjavanja i dužinu servis perioda. U ogled je bilo uključeno ukupno 60 krava Holštajn Frizijske rase, u toku 2-8 laktacije, sa prosečnom proizvodnjom mleka od 7000 kg/305 dana laktacije, koje su bile podeljene u tri ogledne grupe (20 krava po grupi). Prva grupa mlečnih krava (O1) je svakodnevno suplementirana peroralnom aplikacijom 200 mL 'Energy-plus', druga grupa krava (O2) suplementirana je sa 160 mL 'Ketal-a', počevši od dve nedelje pre partusa do 30 dana nakon partusa. Treću grupu mlečnih krava (O3, kontrola) su predstavljale netretirane životinje. Ultrazvučni pregled reproduktivnog sistema vršen je sa uređajem Falco VET 100 (ESAOTE PieMedical, Holland), linearnom endorektalnom sondom od 5-8 MHz kod svake životinje najmanje dva puta počevši od 40 dana posle partusa. Ultrazvučni pregled je ponovljen sa 50 i/ili 60 dana posle partusa kod krava koje nisu u međuvremenu osemenjene. U toku svakog pregleda su registrovani prečnik oba jajnika i dominantnog folikula. Kod svake ogledne životinje su određeni parametri efikasnosti reprodukcije: stepen koncepcije, indeks osemenjavanja i servis period. Statistička značajnost razlika srednjih vrednosti dobijenih parametara određivana je ANOVA metodom i LSD testom na nivou značajnosti od p lt 0.05, hi-kvadrat testom i Kaplan-Majerovom analizom (dužina servis perioda). Rezultati prvog ultrazvučnog pregleda su ukazali da nema statistički značajnih razlika u morfologiji jajnika i dominantnog folikula između suplementiranih grupa u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu krava. Rezultati drugog ultrazvučnog pregleda su ukazali da postoji statistički značajna razlika između srednjih vrednosti prečnika dominantnog folikula na levom jajniku kod kontrolne grupe krava u odnosu na suplementirane životinje (1,67±0,53:1,12±0,29 i 1,11±0,35 cm, p lt 0.05, O3:O1 i O2). Zbirne vrednosti procenta koncepcije nakon prvog i drugog osemenjavanja bile su statistički značajno više kod suplementiranih krava u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu životinja (60% : 81% : 25%; O1:O2:O3, p lt 0,05, hi-kvadrat test). Najniža vrednost indeksa osemenjavanja je utvrđena kod ogledne grupe krava suplentirane Ketal-om (1.69±0.79), koja je bila značajno viša u odnosu na kontrolnu grupu krava (3.38±1.36, p lt 0,05). Dužina servis perioda je bila najmanja kod grupe krava suplementiranih Ketal-om (100±35 days) i značajno se razlikovala u odnosu na ostale ogledne grupe (168±59 i 157±52 dana, O1 i O2), što je potvrđeno Kaplan Majerovom analizom. Energetska suplementacija mlečnih krava propilen glikolom tokom peripartalnog perioda može dovesti do povećanja procenta gravidnih krava nakon prvog i drugog osemenjavanja, smanjenja vrednosti indeksa osemenjavanja i skraćenja dužine servis perioda

Primena indirektne imunofluorescence u određivanju antigenskih karakteristika spermatozoida bika

Our investigations were conducted in order to evaluate variations in anti-sperm antibodies in rabbits sera. Rabbits were previously immunized with TRIS - egg yolk extender, Biociphos plus extender (IMV, France) and with content of insemination straws prepared with same extenders. We investigated sperm cells from ejaculates of 12 black and white spotted bulls by indirect immunofluorescence method. Both extenders and content of insemination straws were capable in raising antibody production. Titer of antibodies had the highest values when sperm cells from insemination straws were used for the test. .U ovom radu su izneti rezultati ispitivanja varijacija u titru antitela protiv spermatozoida bika i razređivača za spermu bikova u serumu kunića imunizovanih TRIS žumanjčanim razređivačem, razređivačem Biociphos plus (IMV, France) i sadržajem pajeta za VO krava pripremljenim pomoću njih. Ispitivanja su vršena metodom indirektne imuno-fluorescence a ukupno je testirano 12 bikova crno-bele šarene rase. Postignuti rezultati ukazuju da oba razređivača dovode do nastanka antitela kod kunića a da je titar antitela na antigene spermatozoida značajno viši kada se za izvođenje testa koriste spermatozoidi iz pajeta za VO

Analiza faktora koji utiču na tok estralnog ciklusa visokomlečnih krava

U radu je prikazana analiza učestalosti intervala između dva osemenjavanja u dva godišnja perioda, od 1. 4. 2001. do 31. 3. 2003. godine na farmi sa 500 crno-belih holštajn-frizijskih krava, sa proizvodnjom mleka od 5500 do 6000 kg mleka. Histogramima su predstavljeni ciklusi od po mesec i po dana sa polnim ciklusima kod steonih, nesteonih i isključenih krava. Normalni i višestruki polni ciklusi ukazuju na greške u otkrivanju estrusa, kod 26,70 posto / 22,73 posto i kod 33,25 posto / 33,77 posto krava, u prvom / drugom analiziranom periodu. Skraćeni i produženi polni ciklusi zabeleženi su kod 12,22 posto i 4,34 posto, odnosno kod 10,07 posto i 7,36 posto krava i junica, a predstavljaju indikator poreme}aja u ishrani i držanju, odnosno pokazatelj su povećanog stepena embrionalnog mortaliteta. Poremećeni polni ciklusi su ustanovljeni kod 41,31 posto i 43,10 posto krava i junica i kumulacija su ostalih činilaca stadnog steriliteta. Planskim radom na prevenciji poremećaja funkcije jajnika i dobrom evidencijom, postiže se bolja plodnost zapata.The frequency of interestrus intervals between two inseminations during two annual period, from 1. 4. 2001 - 31. 3. 2003, on a farm with 500 Holstein-Frisian cows and milk production of 5500-6000 kg was analyzed. Periods of 1½ months of estrus cycles were presented by histograms for pregnant, nonpregnant and culled cows. Normal and multiple cycles indicate estrus detection errors, and were recorded in 26.70% / 22.73% and 33.25% / 33.77% cows, in the first and second analysed periods, respectively. Short and prolonged estrus cycles were noted in 12.22% / 4.34%, and 10.07% / 7.36% cows, in the first and second analysed periods respectively, and indicate nutritional disturbances and embryonal mortality. Disturbed estrus periods were found in 41.31% and 43.10% cows and heifers and were a consequence of other cumulate factors in herd sterility. Herd fertility improvement may be achieved with systematic work on prevention of ovarial disfunction and proper records managemen

Ishrana i plodnost goveda

The diet of high-yield dairy cows process a very complex and acute problem. Much new knowledge in the area of production and preparation of feedstuffs, diet technology, and the interactions that occur between the components of the nutritive feed ration are required in order to resolve this problem. It is necessary constantly to coordinate feed norms with genetic potential which is ever changing and advanced. The observed problems must be resolved using multidisciplinary methods so that a diet can yield good health, and that health contribute to better reproduction and possibilities for more successful breeding and improved performance in cattle farming. In certain countries, thanks to their geographic position and climatic conditions which allow rainfall throughout the year, a natural green diet can be applied, which provides large numbers of green mass components, and with additives which can be supplemented relatively easily. This type of diet is not possible in our farms. It is very important to know which feedstuff components are laking for certain categories of cattle. The used ration must be constant and administered to animals of certain age or production characteristics in order to improve production results at cattle farms. A great problem occurs when diet is reduced due to dried grass and the resulting stress in animals. A 50% diet reduction in young cattle often results in the occurrence of respiratory diseases. Following 10-14 days of treatment, the disease disappears in young animals, but the energy deficit leads to the weakening (depression) of the immune system. Even a so-called high-energy diet often causes respiratory diseases. A diet deficient in proteins also affects cows after lactation, as opposed to a normative diet, and a reduced protein diet disturbs the microbial activity in the rumen and the synthesis of compounds which are important for both the cow and the calf, making room for the incidence of metabolic diseases, most often acidosis. This paper presents and integral description of cattle diet management according to phases, and a new approach to cattle diet with respect to fertility observed in reproduction over a longer time period at large diary cow farms.Ishrana visoko-mlečnih krava predstavlja veoma složen i aktuelan problem. Da bi se takav problem rešio potrebno je mnogo novih saznanja iz oblasti proizvodnje i pripreme hraniva, tehnologije ishrane, kao i interakcija koje nastaju između komponenti hranljivog obroka. Potrebno je da se permanentno usklađuju normativi ishrane sa genetskim potencijalom koji se stalno menja i unapređuje. Uočene probleme treba rešavati multidisciplinarno kako bi se trojstvo ishrane ispoljilo preko zdravlja, a zdravlje doprinelo boljoj reprodukciji krava i mogućnosti uspešnijeg gajenja i veće reprodukcije u govedarstvu. U pojedinim zemljama, zahvaljujući geografskom položaju i klimatskim uslovima koje omogućuju padavine tokom cele godine, može da se koristi sistem ishrane „prirodna zelena ishrana” uz veliki broj komponenata zelene mase i dodacima koji relativno lako mogu da se dodaju. Ovakav način ishrane na našim farmama nije moguć. Vrlo je važno da se zna koje su to komponente hraniva koje nedostaju za određenu kategoriju goveda. Obrok koji se koristi mora da bude konstantan i da se daje životinjama određenog uzrasta ili proizvodnih svojstava radi poboljšanja proizvodnih rezultata na farmi goveda. Veliki problem nastaje kod redukovane ishrane u zasušenju krava i nastanka stresa kao posledica takve ishrane. Redukcija hrane od 50 posto kod mladih goveda ima kao posledicu vrlo često pojavljivanje respiratornih oboljenja. Posle lečenja od 10 do 14 dana bolest kod mladih goveda prolazi, ali deficit energije uzrokuje slabljenje („depresija”) imunskog sistema. Često i ishrana sa „visokom energijom” prouzrokuje respiratorna oboljenja. Deficitarna proteinska ishrana takođe uzrokuje kod krava u zasušenju u odnosu na normiranu ishranu, a redukovana proteinska ishrana remeti mikrobijalnu aktivnost u buragu i sintezu važnih jedinjenja za kravu i tele, pa omogućava nastajanje metaboličkih oboljenja, najčešće acidozu. U ovome radu dat je celovit opis menadžmenta ishrane goveda po fazama i novi pristup ishrani goveda u odnosu na plodnost koja je zapažena u reprodukciji u dužem vremenskom periodu na velikim farmama mlečnih krava