Serum biochemical parameters and embryo production during superovulatory treatment in dairy cattle

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Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the number of transferable embryos (TE) and various blood chemistry parameters as a reflection of the metabolic state of cows after superovulatory treatment. Forty-nine Holstein cows were subjected to superovulatory treatment for commercial embryo production. At the time of embryo harvest, individual blood samples were taken from cows for biochemical analysis. All embryos including dead ones as well as non-fertilized oocytes were counted in uterine lavage. Feed samples collected daily for a period of two weeks before embryo harvest, were analyzed for mycotoxins: vomitoxin, zearalenone and T-2 toxin. On average, cows produced 9.45 ± 5.60 embryos and oocytes of which 5.27 ± 4.20 were TE, 0.37 ± 0.80 were dead embryos and 3.82 ± 3.78 were non-fertilized oocytes. Higher concentrations of Mg and K were associated with a higher production of TE (p = 0.005 and p = 0.043, respectively) and higher activity of creatinine kinase was associated with a lower production of TE (p = 0.011).

Introduction

Genetic improvement in dairy cows has led to a dramatic increase in milk yield and this has been associated with a decrease in reproductive performance (Wall et al., 2003, Washburn et al., 2002). Embryo mortality is a significant cause of reproductive failure in cattle and part of this may be related to nutritional influence around the time of conception (Dunne et al., 2000). Blood tests from individual animals are routinely used to extract pertinent information relative to herd nutrition and help to diagnose metabolic disease problems in dairy cattle (Van Saun and Wustenberg, 1997). However, the relationship between nutrition and reproduction is complex and the response to manipulation through specific diets often shows variable and inconsistent results (Boland and Lonergan, 2003). This study was designed to verify the relationship between various biochemical parameters and the number of transferable embryos from cows after superovulatory treatment. To this effect, biochemical serum parameters of energy balance, hepatic function, acid–base balance and levels of minerals and proteins were studied in relation to transferable embryos.

Section snippets

Animals

Forty-nine clinically healthy Holstein cows (41 lactating and 8 dry) from 20 farms in Quebec, Canada with an average age of 6.6 ± 1.5 years were subjected to a superovulatory treatment for commercial embryo production. The cows were fed a total mixed ration with mineral and vitamin supplements (Vitaraux 3-13, Aliments Breton Inc., Que., Canada) with free access to fresh water and were cared for according to guidelines provided by the Canadian Council on Animal Welfare. No cow exhibited evidence

Results

The 49 cows produced an average of 9.45 ± 5.60 total embryos and oocytes of which 5.27 ± 4.20 embryos were transferable, 0.37 ± 0.80 were dead and 3.82 ± 3.78 were non-fertilized oocytes. The preliminary screening of all variables by negative binomial regression is presented in Table 1. Significant variables were Glo, Mg, P, K, CK, and CO2 and were included in the multivariate model. The number of TE was associated with serum concentration of Mg (p = 0.005), K (p = 0.04) and CK activity (p = 0.01). Higher

Discussion

In this study, we report significant correlations between the number of TE and serum Mg, and K concentrations, and CK activity. Although some investigators have provided data to support the role of Mg supplementation in fertility (Krupnik, 2002, Ingraham et al., 1987, Mulei et al., 1988), the relationship between serum Mg and embryo viability is not well described and the influence of serum Mg on reproduction is not clearly understood. In this study, higher concentrations of serum total Mg were

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