Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-29T06:32:49.889Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Parturition to resumption of ovarian cyclicity: comparative aspects of beef and dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 March 2014

M. A. Crowe ,
M. G. Diskin  and
E. J. Williams
M. A. Crowe*
Affiliation:
UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre; School of Veterinary Medicine; University College Dublin; Belfield; Ireland
M. G. Diskin
Affiliation:
Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland
E. J. Williams
Affiliation:
UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre; School of Veterinary Medicine; University College Dublin; Belfield; Ireland
*
†E-mail: mark.crowe@ucd.ie
Get access

Abstract

There is a variable anoestrous period following parturition in the cow. Follicular growth generally resumes within 7 to 10 days in the majority of cows associated with a transient FSH rise that occurs within 3 to 5 days of parturition. Dairy cows that are not nutritionally stressed generally ovulate their first postpartum dominant follicle (~15 days), whereas beef suckler cows in good body condition normally have a mean of 3.2±0.2 dominant follicles (~30 days) to first ovulation; moreover, beef cows in poor body condition have a mean of 10.6±1.2 dominant follicles (~70 to 100 days) to first ovulation. The lack of ovulation of dominant follicles during the postpartum period is associated with infrequent LH pulses, with both maternal–offspring bonding and low body condition score (BCS) at calving being implicated as the predominant causes of delayed resumption of cyclicity in nursed beef cows. In dairy cows, the normal pattern of early resumption of ovulation may be delayed in high-yielding Holstein type cows generally owing to the effects of severe negative energy balance, dystocia, retained placental membranes and uterine infections. First ovulation, in both dairy and beef cows, is generally silent (i.e., no behavioural oestrus) and followed by a short inter-ovulatory interval (>70%). The key to optimizing the resumption of ovulation in both beef and dairy cows is appropriate pre-calving nutrition and management so that cows calve down in optimal body condition (BCS; 2.75 to 3.0) with postpartum body condition loss restricted to <0.5 BCS units.

Keywords

resumption of oestrous cyclesuterine healthovarybeef cowsdairy cows
Type
Full paper
Information
animal , Volume 8 , Supplement s1: New Science ‐ New Practices International Cow Fertility Conference 18‐21 May 2014, Westport, Ireland , May 2014 , pp. 40 - 53
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Adams, GP, Matteri, RL, Kastelic, JP, Ko, JCH and Ginther, OJ 1992. Association between surges in follicle-stimulating hormone and emergence of follicular waves in heifers. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 94, 177–188.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Austin, EJ, Mihm, M, Ryan, MP, Williams, DH and Roche, JF 1999. Effect of duration of dominance of the ovulatory follicle on the onset of estrus and fertility in heifers. Journal of Animal Science 77, 2219–2226.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Austin, EJ, Mihm, M, Evans, ACO, Knight, PG, Ireland, JLH, Ireland, JJ and Roche, JF 2001. Alterations in intrafollicular regulatory factors and apoptosis during selection of follicles in the first follicular wave of the bovine oestrous cycle. Biology of Reproduction 64, 839–848.Google Scholar
Bao, B and Garverick, HA 1998. Expression of steroidogenic enzyme and gonadotropin receptor genes in bovine follicles during ovarian follicular waves: a review. Journal of Animal Science 76, 1903–1921.Google Scholar
Bao, B, Garverick, HA, Smith, GW, Smith, MF, Salfen, BE and Youngquist, RS 1997. Changes in messenger ribonucleic acid encoding luteinizing hormone receptor, cytochrome P450-side chain cleavage, and aromatase are associated with recruitment and selection of bovine ovarian follicles. Biology of Reproduction 56, 1158–1168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Battaglia, DF, Krasa, HB, Padmanabhan, V, Viguie, C and Karsch, FJ 2000. Endocrine alterations that underlie endotoxin-induced disruption of the follicular phase in ewes. Biology of Reproduction 62, 45–53.Google Scholar
Beam, SW and Butler, WR 1997. Energy balance and ovarian follicle development prior to the first ovulation postpartum in dairy cows receiving three levels of dietary fat. Biology of Reproduction 56, 133–142.Google Scholar
Beam, SW and Butler, WR 1999. Effects of energy balance on follicular development and first ovulation in post-partum dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement 54, 411–424.Google Scholar
Buckley, F, O’Sullivan, K, Mee, JF, Evans, RD and Dillon, P 2003. Relationships among milk yield, body condition, cow weight, and reproduction in spring-calved Holstein-Friesians. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 2308–2319.Google Scholar
Bulman, DC and Lamming, GE 1978. Milk progesterone levels in relation to conception, repeat breeding and factors influencing acyclicity in dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 54, 447–458.Google Scholar
Burke, CR, Kay, JK, Phyn, CVC, Meier, S, Lee, JM and Roche, JR 2010. Short communication: effects of dietary nonstructural carbohydrates pre- and postpartum on reproduction of grazing dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 4292–4296.Google Scholar
Bromfield, JJ and Sheldon, IM 2013. Lipopolysaccharide reduces the primordial follicle pool in the bovine ovarian cortex ex vivo and in the murine ovary in vivo. Biology of Reproduction 88, 98.Google Scholar
Canfield, RW and Butler, WR 1990. Energy balance and pulsatile LH secretion in early postpartum dairy cattle. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 7, 323–330.Google Scholar
Canty, MJ, Boland, MP, Evans, ACO and Crowe, MA 2006. Alterations in follicular IGFBP-2, -3 and -4 mRNA expression and intrafollicular IGFBP concentrations during the first follicle wave in beef heifers. Animal Reproduction Science 93, 199–217.Google Scholar
Crowe, MA 2008. Resumption of ovarian cyclicity in postpartum beef and dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 43 (Suppl. 5), 20–28.Google Scholar
Crowe, MA, Goulding, D, Baguisi, A, Boland, MP and Roche, JF 1993. Induced ovulation of the first postpartum dominant follicle in beef suckler cows using a GnRH analogue. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 99, 551–555.Google Scholar
Crowe, MA, Padmanabhan, V, Mihm, M, Beitins, IZ and Roche, JF 1998. Resumption of follicular waves in beef cows is not associated with periparturient changes in follicle-stimulating hormone heterogeneity despite major changes in steroid and luteinizing hormone concentrations. Biology of Reproduction 58, 1445–1450.Google Scholar
Diskin, MG, Murphy, JJ and Sreenan, JM 2006. Embryo survival in dairy cows managed under pastoral conditions. Animal Reproduction Science 96, 297–311.Google Scholar
Duffy, P, Crowe, MA, Boland, MP and Roche, JF 2000. Effect of exogenous LH pulses on the fate of the first dominant follicle in postpartum beef cows nursing calves. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 118, 9–17.Google Scholar
Edwards, S, Roche, JF and Niswender, GD 1983. Response of suckling beef cows to multiple, low-dose injections of Gn-RH with or without progesterone pretreatment. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 69, 65–72.Google Scholar
Fagan, JG and Roche, JF 1986. Reproductive activity in postpartum dairy cows based on progesterone concentrations in milk or rectal examination. Irish Veterinary Journal 40, 124–131.Google Scholar
Forde, N, Beltman, M, Lonergan, P, Diskin, M, Roche, JF, Crowe, MA 2011. Oestrous cycles in Bos taurus cattle. Animal Reproduction Science 124, 163–169.Google Scholar
Fouladi-Nashta, AA, Gutteriez, CG, Garnsworthy, PC and Webb, R 2005. Effects of dietary carbohydrate source on oocyte/embryo quality and development in high-yielding, lactating dairy cattle. Proceedings 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction, 24 to 27 July 2005, Quebec, Canada, pp. 135–136 (Abstract).Google Scholar
Fourichon, C, Seegers, H and Malher, X 1999. Effects of disease on reproduction in the dairy cow. A meta-analysis. Theriogenology 53, 1729–1759.Google Scholar
Freret, S, Grimard, B, Ponter, AA, Joly, C, Ponsart, C and Humblot, P 2006. Reduction of body-weight gain enhances in vitro embryo production in overfed superovulated dairy heifers. Reproduction 31, 783–794.Google Scholar
Friggens, NC, Disenhaus, C and Petit, HV 2010. Nutritional sub-fertility in the dairy cow: towards improved reproductive management through a better biological understanding. Animal 4, 1197–1213.Google Scholar
Garnsworthy, PC, Lock, A, Mann, GE, Sinclair, KD and Webb, R 2008a. Nutrition, metabolism, and fertility in dairy cows: 1. Dietary energy source and ovarian function. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 3814–3823.Google Scholar
Garnsworthy, PC, Sinclair, KD and Webb, R 2008b. Integration of physiological mechanisms that influence fertility in dairy cows. Animal 2, 1144–1152.Google Scholar
Garnsworthy, PC, Fouladi-Nashta, AA, Mann, GE, Sinclair, KD and Webb, R 2009. Effect of diet induced changes in plasma insulin concentrations during the early post partum period on pregnancy rate in dairy cows. Reproduction 137, 759–768.Google Scholar
Gazal, OS, Leshin, LS, Stanko, RL, Thomas, MG, Keisler, DH, Anderson, LL and Williams, GL 1998. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion into third-ventricle cerebrospinal fluid of cattle: correspondence with the tonic and surge release of luteinizing hormone and its tonic inhibition by suckling and neuropeptide Y. Biology of Reproduction 59, 676–683.Google Scholar
Ginther, OJ, Knopf, L and Kastelic, JP 1989. Ovarian follicular dynamics in heifers during early pregnancy. Biology of Reproduction 41, 247–254.Google Scholar
Ginther, OJ, Kot, K, Kulick, LJ, Martin, S and Wiltbank, MC 1996. Relationship between FSH and ovarian follicular waves during the last six months of pregnancy in cattle. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 108, 271–279.Google Scholar
Gong, JG, Lee, WJ, Garnsworthy, PC and Webb, R 2002. Effect of dietary-induced increases in circulating insulin concentrations during the early post-partum period on reproductive function in dairy cows. Reproduction 123, 419–427.Google Scholar
Gong, JG, Moghaddam, A, Baxter, G, Garnsworthy, PC, Webb, R and Armstrong, DG 2001. Effect of feeding a diet to increase circulating insulin concentrations on LH secretion during the early post-partum period in dairy cows. Reproduction Abstract Series 27, Abstract No. 15.Google Scholar
Griffith, MK and Williams, GL 1996. Roles of maternal vision and olfaction in suckling-mediated inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion. Expression of maternal selectivity, and lactational performance of beef cows.. Biology of Reproduction 54, 761–768.Google Scholar
Grimard, B, Touze, JL, Laigre, P and Thomeret, F 2005. Abnormal patterns of resumption of ovarian postpartum cyclicity in Prim’ Holstein dairy cows: risk factors ad consequences on reproductive efficiency. Reproduction in Domestic Animals (Abstract) 40, 342.Google Scholar
Gröhn, YT and Rajala-Schult, PJ 2000. Epidemiology of reproductive performance in dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 60/61, 605–614.Google Scholar
Grummer, RR, Mashek, DG and Hayirli, A 2004. Dry matter intake and energy balance in the transition period. Veterinary Clinics of North America (Food Animal) 20, 447–470.Google Scholar
Gümen, A, Sartori, R, Costa, FM and Wiltbank, MC 2002. A GnRH/LH surge without subsequent progesterone exposure can induce development of follicular cysts. Journal of Dairy Science 85, 43–50.Google Scholar
Hatler, TB, Hayes, SH, Laranja de Fonseca, LF and Silvia, WJ 2003. Relationship between endogenous progesterone and follicular dynamics in lactating dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts. Biology of Reproduction 69, 218–223.Google Scholar
Herath, S, Williams, EJ, Lilly, ST, Gilbert, RO, Dobson, H, Bryant, CE and Sheldon, IM 2007. Ovarian follicular cells have innate immune capabilities that modulate their endocrine function. Reproduction 134, 683–693.Google Scholar
Herath, S, Lilly, ST, Fischer, DP, Williams, EJ, Dobson, H, Bryant, CE and Sheldon, IM 2009. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide induces an endocrine switch from prostaglandin F2α to prostaglandin E2 in bovine endometrium. Endocrinology 150, 1912–1920.Google Scholar
Huszenicza, G, Fodor, M, Gacs, M, Kulcsar, M, Dohmen, MJW and Vamos, M 1999. Uterine bacteriology, resumption of cyclic ovarian activity and fertility in postpartum cows kept in large-scale dairy herds. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 34, 237–245.Google Scholar
Huszenicza, G, Janosi, S, Kulcsar, M, Korodi, P, Reiczigel, J, Katai, L, Paters, AR and de Rensis, F 2005. Effects of clinical mastitis on ovarian function in post-partum dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 40, 199–204.Google Scholar
Imakawa, K, Day, ML, Garcia-Winder, M, Zalesky, DD, Kittok, RJ, Schanbacher, KD and Kinder, JE 1986. Endocrine changes during restoration of oestrous cycles following induction of anoestrus by restricted nutrient intake in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science 63, 565–571.Google Scholar
Ireland, JJ and Roche, JF 1987. Hypothesis regarding development of dominant follicles during a bovine estrous cycle. In Follicular growth and ovulation rate in farm animals (ed. JF Roche and D O’Callaghan), pp. 1–18. Martinus Nijhoff, The Netherlands.Google Scholar
Kile, JP, Alexander, BM, Moss, GE, Hallford, DM and Nett, TM 1991. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone overrides the negative effect of reduced dietary energy on gonadotrophin synthesis and secretion in ewes. Endocrinology 128, 843–849.Google Scholar
Kyle, SD, Callahan, CJ and Allrich, RD 1992. Effect of progesterone on the expression of estrus at the first postpartum ovulation in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 75, 1456–1460.Google Scholar
Lamming, GE and Darwash, AO 1998. The use of milk progesterone profiles to characterize components of subfertility in milked dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 52, 175–190.Google Scholar
Lane, EA, Austin, EJ and Crowe, MA 2008. Oestrous synchronisation in cattle – current options following the EU regulations restricting use of oestrogenic compounds in food producing animals: a review. Animal Reproduction Science 109, 1–16.Google Scholar
Leroy, JLMR, Van Soom, A, Opsomer, G and Bols, REJ 2008. The consequences of metabolic changes in high-yielding diary cows on oocyte and embryo quality. Animal 2, 1120–1127.Google Scholar
López-Gatius, F, Santolaria, P, Yániz, J, French, M and López-Béjar, M 2002. Risk factors for postpartum ovarian cysts and their spontaneous recovery or persistence in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 58, 1623–1632.Google Scholar
Lucy, MC 2001. Reproductive loss in high-producing dairy cattle: where will it end? Journal of Dairy Science 84, 1277–1293.Google Scholar
Mackey, DR, Sreenan, JM, Roche, JF and Diskin, MG 2000. The effect of progesterone alone or in combination with estradiol on follicular dynamics, gonadotropin profiles, and estrus in beef cows following calf isolation and restricted suckling. Journal of Animal Science 78, 1917–1929.Google Scholar
Maizon, DO, Oltenacu, PA, Gröhn, YT, Strawderman, RL and Emanuelson, U 2004. Effects of diseases on reproductive performance in Swedish red and white dairy cattle. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 66, 113–126.Google Scholar
Mateus, L, Lopes da Costa, LL, Bernardo, F and Silva, JR 2002. Influence of puerperal uterine infection on uterine involution and postpartum ovarian activity in dairy cows. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 37, 31–35.Google Scholar
Mateus, L, Lopes da Costa, LL, Diniz, P and Ziecik, AJ 2003. Relationship between endotoxin and prostaglandin (PGE2 and PGFM) concentrations and ovarian function in dairy cows with puerperal endometritis. Animal Reproduction Science 76, 143–154.Google Scholar
Matton, P, Adelakoun, V, Couture, Y and Dufour, J 1981. Growth and replacement of the bovine ovarian follicles during the estrous cycle. Journal of Animal Science 52, 813–818.Google Scholar
Mawhinney, S, Roche, JF and Gosling, JP 1979. The effects of oestradiol benzoate (OB) and gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) on reproductive activity in beef cows at different intervals post partum. Annales de biologie animale, biochimie, biophysique 19 1575–1587.Google Scholar
Mayne, CS, McCoy, MA, Lennox, SD, Mackey, DR, Verner, M, Catney, DC, McCaughey, WJ, Wylie, AR, Kennedy, BW and Gordon, FJ 2002. Fertility of dairy cows in Northern Ireland. Veterinary Record 150, 707–713.Google Scholar
Moenter, SM, Caraty, A, Locatelli, A and Karsch, FJ 1991. Pattern of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion leading up to ovulation in the ewe: existence of a preovulatory GnRH surge. Endocrinology 129, 1175–1182.Google Scholar
Monget, P and Martin, GB 1997. Involvement of insulin-like growth factors in the interactions between nutrition and reproduction in female mammals. Human Reproduction 12 (suppl. 1), 33–52.Google Scholar
Mulligan, FJ, O’Grady, L, Rice, DA and Doherty, MA 2006. A herd health approach to dairy cow nutrition and production diseases of the transition cow. Animal Reproduction Science 96, 331–353.Google Scholar
Mulvehill, P and Sreenan, JM 1977. Improvement of fertility in postpartum beef cows by treatment with PMSG and progestagen. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 50, 323–325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murphy, MG, Boland, MP and Roche, JF 1990. Pattern of follicular growth and resumption of ovarian activity in post-partum beef suckler cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 90, 523–533.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Murphy, MG, Enright, WJ, Crowe, MA, McConnell, K, Spicer, LJ, Boland, MP and Roche, JF 1991. Effect of dietary intake on pattern of growth of dominant follicles during the oestrous cycle in beef heifers. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 92, 333–338.Google Scholar
Myers, TR, Myers, DA, Gregg, DW and Moss, GE 1989. Endogenous opioid suppression of release of luteinizing hormone during suckling in postpartum anestrous beef cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 6, 183–190.Google Scholar
Nakao, T, Tomita, M, Kanbayashi, H, Takagi, H, Abe, T, Takeuchi, Y, Ochiai, H, Moriyoshi, M and Kawata, K 1991. Comparisons of several dosages of a GnRH analog with the standard dose of hCG in the treatment of follicular cysts in dairy cows. Theriogenology 38, 137–145.Google Scholar
Nett, TM, Cermak, D, Braden, T, Manns, J and Niswender, GD 1987. Pituitary receptors for GnRH and estradiol, and pituitary content of gonadotropins in beef cows. I Changes during the estrous cycle. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 4, 123–132.Google Scholar
Opsomer, G, Coryn, M, Deluyker, H and de Kruif, A 1998. An analysis of ovarian dysfunction in high yielding dairy cows after calving based on progesterone profiles. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 33, 193–204.Google Scholar
Opsomer, G, Grohn, YT, Hertl, J, Coryn, M, Deluyker, H and de Kruif, A 2000. Risk factors for post partum ovarian dysfunction in high producing dairy cows in Belgium: a field study. Theriogenology 53, 841–857.Google Scholar
Overton, TR and Waldron, MR 2004. Nutritional management of transitions dairy cows: strategies to optimize metabolic health. Journal of Dairy Science 87, E105–E119.Google Scholar
Peter, AT, Bosu, WT and DeDecker, RJ 1989. Suppression of preovulatory luteinising hormone surges in heifers after intrauterine infusions of E. coli endotoxin. American Journal of Veterinary Research 50, 368–373.Google Scholar
Peter, AT, Bosu, WT, Liptrap, RM and Cummings, E 1989. Temporal changes in serum prostaglandin F(2alpha) and oxytocin in dairy cows with short luteal phases after the first postpartum ovulation. Theriogenology 32, 277–284.Google Scholar
Petersson, KJ, Strandberg, E, Gustafsson, H and Berglund, B 2006. Environmental effects on progesterone profile measures of dairy cow fertility. Animal Reproduction Science 91, 201–214.Google Scholar
Rajakoski, E 1960. The ovarian follicular system in sexually mature heifers with special reference to seasonal, cyclical and left-right variations. Acta Endocrinology 51, 1–68.Google Scholar
Rasby, RJ, Wettemann, RP, Geisert, RD, Wagner, JJ and Lusby, KS 1991. Influence of nutrition and body condition on pituitary, ovarian, and thyroid function of non-lactating beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 69, 2073–2080.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rasby, RJ, Wettemann, RP, Harms, PG, Lusby, KS and Wagner, JJ 1992. GnRH in the infundibular stalk-median eminence is related to percentage body fat in carcasses of beef cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 9, 71–76.Google Scholar
Rhodes, FM, McDougall, S, Burke, CR, Verkerk, GA and Macmillan, KL 2003. Invited review: treatment of cows with an extended postpartum anestrous interval. Journal of Dairy Science 86, 1876–1918.Google Scholar
Richards, MW, Wettemann, RP and Schoenemann, HM 1989. Nutritional anestrus in beef cows: concentrations of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids in plasma and insulin in serum. Journal of Animal Science 67, 2354–2362.Google Scholar
Richards, MW, Wettemann, RP, Spicer, LJ and Morgan, GL 1991. Nutritional anestrus in beef cows: effects of body condition and ovariectomy on serum luteinizing hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I. Biology of Reproduction 44, 961–966.Google Scholar
Riley, GM, Peters, AR and Lamming, GE 1981. Induction of pulsatile LH release and ovulation in post partum cyclic beef cows by repeated small doses of GnRH. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 63, 559–565.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roche, JF, Crowe, MA and Boland, MP 1992. Postpartum anoestrus in dairy and beef cows. Animal Reproduction Science 28, 371–378.Google Scholar
Royal, MD, Darwash, AO, Flint, APF, Webb, R, Woolliams, JA and Lamming, GE 2000. Declining fertility in dairy cattle: changes in traditional and endocrine parameters of fertility. Animal Science 70, 487–501.Google Scholar
Ryan, M, Mihm, M and Roche, JF 1998. Effect of GnRH given before or after dominance on gonadotrophin response and the fate of that follicle wave in postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Abstract Series 21, 28.Google Scholar
Sakaguchi, M, Sasamoto, Y, Suzuki, T, Takahashi, Y and Yamada, Y 2004. Postpartum ovarian follicular dynamics and estrous activity in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 2114–2121.Google Scholar
Santos, NR, Lamb, GC, Brown, DR and Gilbert, RO 2009. Postpartum endometrial cytology in beef cows. Theriogenology 7, 739–745.Google Scholar
Sartori, R, Haughian, JM, Shaver, RD, Rosa, GJM and Wiltbank, MC 2004. Comparison of ovarian function and circulating steroids in estrous cycles of Holstein heifers and lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 905–920.Google Scholar
Savio, JD, Boland, MP and Roche, JF 1990a. Development of dominant follicles and length of ovarian cycles in post-partum dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 88, 581–591.Google Scholar
Savio, JD, Boland, MP, Hynes, N and Roche, JF 1990b. Resumption of follicular activity in the early post-partum period of dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 88, 569–579.Google Scholar
Savio, JD, Keenan, L, Boland, MP and Roche, JF 1988. Pattern of dominant follicles during the oestrous cycle of heifers. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 83, 663–671.Google Scholar
Sheldon, IM, Noakes, DE, Rycroft, AN, Pfeiffer, DU and Dobson, H 2002. Influence of uterine bacterial contamination after parturition on ovarian dominant follicle selection and follicle growth and function in cattle. Reproduction 123, 837–845.Google Scholar
Sheldon, IM, Cronin, J, Goetz, L, Donofrio, G and Schuberth, HJ 2009. Defining postpartum uterine disease and the mechanisms of infection and immunity in the female reproductive tract in cattle. Biology of Reproduction 81, 1025–1032.Google Scholar
Shrestha, HK, Nakao, T, Higaki, T, Suzuki, T and Akita, M 2004a. Resumption of postpartum ovarian cyclicity in high-producing Holstein cows. Theriogenology 61, 637–649.Google Scholar
Shrestha, HK, Nakao, T, Higaki, T, Suzuki, T and Akita, M 2004b. Effects of abnormal ovarian cycles during pre-service period postpartum on subsequent reproductive performance of high-producing Holstein cows. Theriogenology 61, 1559–1571.Google Scholar
Silveira, PA, Spoon, RA, Ryan, DP and Williams, GL 1993. Evidence for maternal behavior as a requisite link in suckling-mediated anovulation in cows. Biology of Reproduction 49, 1338–1346.Google Scholar
Sinclair, KD, Revilla, R, Roche, JF, Quintans, G, Sanz, A, Mackey, DR and Diskin, MG 2002. Ovulation of the first dominant follicle arising after day 21 postpartum in suckling beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 75, 115–126.Google Scholar
Sirois, J and Fortune, JE 1988. Ovarian follicular dynamics during the estrous cycle in heifers monitored by real-time ultrasonography. Biology of Reproduction 39, 308–317.Google Scholar
Skinner, DC, Malpaux, B, Delaleu, B and Caraty, A 1995. Luteinising hormone (LH)-releasing hormone in third ventricular cerebrospinal fluid of ewe: correlation with LH pulses and the LH surge. Endocrinology 136, 3230–3237.Google Scholar
Skinner, DC, Caraty, A, Malpaux, B and Evans, NP 1997. Simultaneous measurement of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the third ventricle cerebrospinal fluid and hypophyseal portal blood of the ewe. Endocrinology 138, 4699–4704.Google Scholar
Stagg, K, Diskin, MG, Sreenan, JM and Roche, JF 1995. Follicular development in long-term anoestrous suckler beef cows fed two levels of energy postpartum. Animal Reproduction Science 38, 49–61.Google Scholar
Stagg, K, Spicer, LJ, Sreenan, JM, Roche, JF and Diskin, MG 1998. Effect of calf isolation on follicular wave dynamics, gonadotrophin, and metabolic hormone changes, and interval to first ovulation in beef cows fed either of two energy levels postpartum. Biology of Reproduction 59, 777–783.Google Scholar
Stewart, RE, Spicer, LJ, Hamilton, TD and Keefer, BE 1995. Effects of insulin-like growth factor I and insulin on proliferation and on basal and luteinizing hormone-induced steroidogenesis of bovine thecal cells: involvement of glucose and receptors for insulin-like growth factor I and luteinizing hormone. Journal of Animal Science 73, 3719–3731.Google Scholar
Sunderland, SJ, Crowe, MA, Boland, MP, Roche, JF and Ireland, JJ 1994. Selection, dominance and atresia of follicles during the oestrous cycle of heifers. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 101, 547–555.Google Scholar
Suzuki, C, Yoshioka, K, Iwamura, S and Hirose, H 2001. Endotoxin induces delayed ovulation following endocrine aberration during the proestrous phase in Holstein heifers. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 20, 267–278.Google Scholar
Tatman, WR, Judkins, MB, Dunn, TG and Moss, GE 1990. Luteinising hormone in nutrient-restricted ovariectomised ewes. Journal of Animal Science 68, 1097–1102.Google Scholar
Taylor, VJ, Beever, DE, Bryant, MJ and Wathes, DC 2003. Metabolic profiles and progesterone cycles in first lactation dairy cows. Theriogenology 59, 1661–1677.Google Scholar
Taylor, VJ, Beever, DE, Bryant, MJ and Wathes, DC 2006. Pre-pubertal measurements of the somatotrophic axis as predictors of milk production in Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 31, 1–18.Google Scholar
Van Knegsel, ATM, van den Brand, H, Dijkstra, J, Tamminga, S and Kemp, B 2005. Effect of dietary energy source on energy balance, production, metabolic disorders and reproduction in lactating dairy cattle. Reproduction, Nutrition, Development 45, 665–688.Google Scholar
Vanholder, T, Leroy, JLMR, Dewulf, J, Duchateau, L, Coryn, M, deKruif, A and Opsomer, G 2005. Hormonal and metabolic profiles of high-yielding dairy cows prior to ovarian cyst formation or first ovulation post-partum. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 40, 460–467.Google Scholar
Vizcarra, JA, Wettemann, RP, Spitzer, JC and Morrison, DG 1998. Body condition at parturition and postpartum weight gain influence luteal activity and concentrations of glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acids in plasma of primiparous beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 76, 927–936.Google Scholar
Walters, DL, Short, RE, Convey, EM, Staigmiller, RB, Dunn, TG and Kaltenbach, CC 1982. Pituitary and ovarian function in postpartum beef cows. II. Endocrine changes prior to ovulation in suckled and nonsuckled postpartum cows compared to cycling cows. Biology of Reproduction 26, 647–654.Google Scholar
Wathes, DC, Bourne, N, Cheng, Z, Mann, GE, Taylor, VJ and Coffey, MP 2007. Multiple correlation analyses of metabolic and endocrine profiles with fertility in primiparous and multiparous cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 1310–1325.Google Scholar
Webb, R, Garnsworthy, PC, Gong, J-C and Armstrong, DG 2004. Control of follicular growth: local interactions and nutritional influences. Journal of Animal Science 82, E63–E74.Google Scholar
Whisnant, CS, Kiser, TE, Thompson, FN and Hall, JB 1985. Effect of nutrition on the LH response to calf removal and GnRH. Theriogenology 24, 565–573.Google Scholar
Williams, CY, Harris, TG, Battaglia, DF, Viguié, C and Karsch, FJ 2001. Endotoxin inhibits pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone. Endocrinology 142, 1915–1922.Google Scholar
Williams, GL, Mcvey, WR and Hunter, JF 1993. Mammary somatosensory pathways are not required for suckling-mediated inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion and delay of ovulation of cows. Biology of Reproduction 49, 1328–1337.Google Scholar
Williams, EJ, Fischer, DP, Noakes, DE, England, GC, Rycroft, A, Dobson, H and Sheldon, IM 2007. The relationship between uterine pathogen growth density and ovarian function in the postpartum dairy cow. Theriogenology 68, 549–559.Google Scholar
Williams, EJ, Fischer, DP, Noakes, DE, England, GC, Rycroft, A, Dobson, H and Sheldon, IM 2007. Uterine infection perturbs ovarian function in the postpartum dairy cow. Theriogenology 68, 549–559.Google Scholar
Williams, EJ, Sibley, K, Miller, AN, Lane, EA, Fishwick, J, Nash, DM, Herath, S, England, GC, Dobson, H and Sheldon, IM 2008a. The effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide and tumor necrosis factor alpha on ovarian function. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 60, 462–473.Google Scholar
Williams, EJ, Herath, S, England, GC, Dobson, H, Bryant, CE and Sheldon, IM 2008b. Effect of Escherichia coli infection of the bovine uterus from the whole animal to the cell. Animal 2, 1153–1157.Google Scholar
Wolfenson, D, Inbar, G, Roth, Z, Kaim, M, Bloch, A and Braw-Tal, R 2004. Follicular dynamics and concentrations of steroids and gonadotropins in lactating cows and nulliparous heifers. Theriogenology 62, 1042–1055.Google Scholar
Xiao, E, Xia-Zhang, L, Barth, A, Zhu, J and Ferrin, M 1998. Stress and the menstrual cycle: relevance of cycle quality in the short and long-term response to a 5-day endotoxin challenge during the follicular phase in the rhesus monkey. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Meabolism 83, 2454–2460.Google Scholar
Xu, ZZ, Garverick, HA, Smith, GW, Smith, ME, Hamilton, SA and Youngquist, RS 1995. Expression of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone receptor messenger ribonucleic acids in bovine follicles during the first follicular wave. Biology of Reproduction 52, 464–469.Google Scholar
Zollers, WG Jr, Garverick, HA, Smith, MF, Moffatt, RJ, Salfen, BE and Youngquist, RS 1993. Concentrations of progesterone and oxytocin receptors in endometrium of postpartum cows expected to have a short or normal oestrous cycle. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 97, 329–3337.Google Scholar
Zulu, VC, Nakao, T and Sawamukai, Y 2002a. Insulin-like growth factor-I as a possible hormonal mediator of nutritional regulation of reproduction in cattle. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 64, 657–665.Google Scholar
Zulu, VC, Sawamukai, Y, Nakada, D, Kida, K and Moriyoshi, M 2002b. Relationship among insulin-like growth factor-I blood metabolites and postpartum ovarian function in dairy cows. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 64, 879–885.Google Scholar