• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the reproduction efficiency and disease of Holstein heifer grazed on mixed pasture desighed with association of tall fescue and white clover cultivar (3 treatments = TI : Tall fescue Fawn + White clover Regal + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass, T2 : Tall fescue Roa + Ladino clover Regal + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass, T3 : Tall fescue Roa + White clover Tahora + Orchardgrass + Perennial ryegrass) on reproduction efficiency and disease in Holstein heifers, ftom April 1994 to November 1996. The results are as follows: 1. Erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin and packed cell volume of hematological values were $8.12\times10^6/{\mu}\ell, 9.9g/m\ell and 30.6m\ell/100m\ell$ respectively. While those were decreased to $4.84~5.93 \times10^6/{\mu}\ell, 7.0~7.8g/100m\ell and 22.8~28.3m\ell/100m\ell$, on pastuage (May-August), WBC counts was increased from $14.4\times10^3/{\mu}\ell to 14.0~18.3 \times 10^{3/\mu\ell}$ on pasturage. No significant differences were detected among the treatments on pastures. 2. Parasitemia levels increased to $14.0\pm8.2$(parasite/1,000rbc) at 1 month after pasturage. 3. At the occurrence of tirst estrus and conception, the average age of the Holstein heifers was $14.3\pm1.9$ and $17.4\pm1.5$ months, respectively, and the average interval of estrus cycle was $20.6\pm1.0$ days. Howerer, there was no significant difference on reproductive efficiency among 3 treatments. 4. The outbreak of diseases were tick bane disease, pink eye, pneumonia, mastitis, gastroentitis, waterpoisoning ringworm papillon and atosis during pasturage period(may-october). These diseases were showed no significant difference among 3 treatments. 5. In conclusion, there are no significant difference on the reproductive effeciency and disease outbreak among three treatments.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.249-254
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• 2016

It is imperious to know the reproductive parameters of the subsisting swine breed for profitable farming in Bangladesh. This study was designed to compare the reproductive parameters of sows at hilly areas between the local and crossbred at farm and backyard level. A total of 116 breedable sows were included. The data on age at puberty, litter size, birth weight, weaning weight, gestation length, interval between farrowing and number of piglets born per sow in local and crossbred sows were determined and direct questionnaire method was used for data collection. The present study revealed that age at puberty between farm and backyard system of crossbred sows was $8.88{\pm}0.153$ and $9.85{\pm}0.221$ months, respectively. The farrowing interval was shorter in crossbred sows which were kept in farming system rather than backyard system. The interval between farrowing and onset of estrus was shorter in crossbred sows. The gestation length was almost similar between backyard and farm condition. The number of litter size per sow per farrowing was $8.45{\pm}0.41$ in crossbred and $7.17{\pm}0.250$ in local pigs at backyard system. The birth weight and weaning weight were more in farm conditions than backyard system. The age at puberty in local breed was lower than the crossbred and litter size was $8.45{\pm}0.407$ in crossbred which was higher than local breed $7.17{\pm}0.250$ in backyard system. These results suggest that reproductive parameters of local sow need to be improved for better production and crossbred sows should be reared for obtaining desired productivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1638-1652
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• 2000

Prolific females require better nutrition and feeding practice because of larger litter size and the substantial decline in body fat. Life-time pig output will be compromised if body protein and fat are not properly managed. First litter females are especially vulnerable because they can loose ${\geq}15%$ of whole-body protein. Conservation of body protein mass during first lactation minimizes wean to estrus interval and increases second litter size (up to 1.2 pigs). The ability to influence litter-size by amino acid nutrition is a new dimension in our understanding. A P2 fat depth below 12 mm at farrow and below 10 mm at wean compromised wean to estrus interval (>2 d) and next litter size (0.5 to 1.5 pigs) in sows. It is now clear that a 'modest' excess of feed during the first 72 h of pregnancy decreases embryo viability so that the potential for an increased litter size at birth is not realized. The capacity for milk production by prolific young sows is 25% higher than the standard used previously (NRC, 1988). First litter females averaged 9.82 kg milk/d for a 21 d lactation. Second and third litter counterparts averaged 10.35 kg/d. Milk production was 95% of peak by 10 d of lactation and sows were in greatest negative energy and lysine balance during the first 6 d. Nearly 45% of the total loss in body protein occurred within the first 6 d, but this could reduced to 30-35% by using a more aggressive feeding strategy after parturition. There appear to be 2 phases in lactation for lysine need (d 2-12 vs 12-21). Feeding to the higher level alleviates the second litter size decline. The lysine requirement for lactation can be predicted with accuracy, but we are not able to predict the second limiting amino acid. Mammary uptake of valine relative to lysine and recent work with practical diets suggest that the recent NRC (1998) pattern is realistic and that threonine and valine could be co-limiting for corn-soy diets for prolific sows nursing 10-11 pigs. Empirical studies are needed to refine the ideal pattern so that synthetic lysine can be used with more confidence. Milk fat output for the elite sow is extraordinary and poses an unnecessarily high energetic cost. Methods that reduce mammary fat synthesis will benefit the sow and may enhance piglet growth.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of melengesterol acetate (MGA) and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ administrations on serum progesterone level, synchrony of estrus and conception rates in Han-woo. Firstly, ten heifers and one freematin were fed 0.5 mg MGA/day for 14 days in a grain carrier, and after 19 days of MGA feeding, a single injection of 25 mg $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ were treated. Blood samples were collected to evaluate serum progesterone concentrations from the start of feeding of MGA until the end of feeding and subsequent estrous detection and artificial insemination (AI) at 3 days intervals, and on days of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection, estrous detection, AI, and 15th and 60th days after AI. The level of progesterone in the blood began to increase from 7 days after MGA feeding, and 9 days after feeding it became 5.4 ng/ml and maintained that level thereafter. On the 33th day when the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ was injected, it reached the peak level of 7.6 ng/ml. However, 2-3 days after $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ injection, it dropped to 1.4 ng/ml drastically (p<0.05). Secondly, one hundred and ninety four Hanwoo heifers or cows were divided into two groups to compare estrous induction and conception rates: the one treated with MGA and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$, (n=104) and the other with $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment (two injections at 11 days interval, n=90). The heifers or cows treated with MGA and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ were identical to those used as above. The percentages of heifers or cows showed estrus were higher in the $MGA+PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment (91.3%) than in the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment (72.2%, p<0.05). Conception rates were also higher in the $MGA+PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment (94.2%) than in the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment (88.9%, p<0.05). The results of this experiment indicate that estrus synchronization using $MGA+PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ is more effective than that using $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ (two injections) in Hanwoo.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.504-508
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• 2002

The effects of fetal number (single or twin) on blood glucose and plasma NEFA during pregnancy and around parturition were studied on ten Alpine ${\times}$ Beetal crossbred goats in their first to third lactation. The animals were divided in-groups 1(carrying single fetus, n=4) and 2(twin fetus, n=6). The samples were drawn on day1 after estrus and then at 14 days interval (fortnight) for 10 fortnights. Around parturition the samples were taken on days -20, -15, -10, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1 prior to kidding and on day 0 and +1, +2, +3, +4, +5, +10, +15, +20 days post kidding. In twin bearing goats the blood glucose concentration continued to increase from 1st until 4th fortnight and thereafter gradually decline from 5th upto 8th fortnight. In single bearing goats there was increase in levels from 2nd upto 4th fortnight and thereafter it declined from 5th uptill 9th fortnight. The difference in sampling interval was highly significant (p<0.01) in both the groups. However the values were higher in single than in twin bearing goats. The plasma NEFA concentration was low in both the groups' upto 4th fortnight and thereafter it is continuously increased upto 9th fortnight. During prepartum period the blood glucose was higher in single than in twin bearing goats. The values were minimum on the day of kidding in both the groups. During postpartum period the values were significantly (p<0.01) higher in twin than in single fetus bearing goats. The plasma NEFA was significantly (p<0.05) higher in twin than in single fetus bearing goats. The blood glucose and plasma NEFA concentration can be used as index of nutritional status during pregnancy and around parturition in goats.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1111-1119
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to analyze post-weaning reproductive performance of Large White sows in relation to season, parity and their lactation performance under tropical conditions in Guadeloupe (French West Indies, $16^{\circ}$ Lat. N, $61^{\circ}$ Long. W.). This work was based on data recorded in the experimental unit of INRA from January 1993 to December 2003. Two seasons were determined a posteriori from climatic parameters recorded continuously in a station close to the experimental unit. Mean ambient temperature was higher during the hot season than the warm season ($26^{\circ}C$ vs. $24^{\circ}C$) but relative humidity was comparable for both seasons (i.e. 87% on average). Season had a significant effect on all reproductive parameters analyzed. Primiparous sows weaned in the hot season had a higher probability of a prolonged weaning to estrus interval, WEI (odds ratio was 4.1; p<0.01) but multiparous sows were not affected. A higher probability of a prolonged weaning to conception interval, WCI (odds ratio >2.5, p<0.01) and a lower subsequent farrowing rate (-10%, p<0.01) were found for sows weaned in the hot season. A higher daily feed intake during lactation reduced the probability of a prolonged WEI (p<0.05). Body weight and average back-fat thickness at farrowing affected WEI and WCI (p<0.05), whereas body weight and average backfat thickness change in lactation did not. This study confirms the negative effects of the hot season on primiparous reproductive performance. It also indicates that lactation performance influences sow non-productive period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.519-526
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• 2019

Objective: We determined the risk factors limiting first service conception (FSC) rate in dairy cows and their economic impact. Methods: Data were collected from 790 lactations regarding cow parity, peri- and postpartum disorders, body condition score (BCS), reproductive performance, and expenses associated with reproductive management (treatment, culling, and others). Initially, we identified the risk factors limiting FSC rate in dairy cows. Various biological and environmental factors, such as herd, cow parity, BCS at 1 month postpartum and first artificial insemination (AI), resumption of cyclicity within 1 month of calving, year, AI season, insemination at detected estrus or timed AI, peri- and postpartum disorders, and calving to first AI interval, were evaluated. Next, we evaluated the economic impact of the success or failure of FSC by comparing the expense associated with reproductive management until conception between cows that did or did not conceive at their first service. Results: Cows with BCS <3.0 had a lower probability of conceiving at first insemination (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64, p<0.05) than cows with $BCS{\geq}3.0$. Cows inseminated during summer were less likely to conceive (OR = 0.44, p<0.001) than cows inseminated during spring. Cows with peri- or postpartum disorders were less likely to conceive (OR = 0.55, p<0.001) than cows without disorders. Survival curves generated using MedCalc showed an 81 day extension in the mean interval between calving and conception in cows that failed to conceive over those that did conceive at first insemination. Cows failing conceive required additional expenditure on reproductive treatment ($55.40) and other management ($567.00) than cows that conceived at first insemination. Conclusion: Lower BCS, hot weather at first insemination, and peri- and postpartum disorders are risk factors limiting FSC, which result in an economic loss of $622.40 per dairy cow.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.768-774
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• 2016

The present study investigated the impact of parity 1 gilt body weight during late gestation (d 109) on subsequent reproductive performance of sows and performance of suckling pigs. A total of 2,404 farrowing records over 6 parities were divided into six groups on the basis of body weight (190, 200, 210, 220, 230, and 240 kg) at d 109 of gestation of 585 gilts. Significant effects (p<0.05) of body weight on sow retention rate was noticed, with the 210 kg group having the lowest culling rate and highest total number of piglets born alive over the 6 parities. With increase of body weight, a linear increase (p<0.05) in losses of body weight and backfat during the lactation period of parity 1 and a linear decrease (p<0.05) in backfat loss for parities 4 and 6 were found. Compared with light sows, heavy sows had higher (p<0.05) litter weight at birth for parities 1 and 2 and at weaning in parity 1. Sow weaning-to-estrus interval of sows was not influenced (p>0.05) by body weight. In conclusion, maintaining optimal body weight during gestation would be beneficial to sows and suckling piglets.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1989

A field survey was conducted to obtain the data on reproductive performation of Korean native cattle. The data for this study were taken from 6,461 breeding records of cows raising at general farms in 8 Hanwoo(native cattle) pure breeding areas from June, 1984 through November, 1985. The recycling rate within 30 days, 31 to 60 days, and 61 to 90 days postpartum was 7.5%, 40.0%, and 32.8%, and it amounted to 80.3%, while the non-recyling rate up to 120days postcalving was 8.4%. Conception rate according to insemination(AI) frequencies was 65.7% at 1st AI, 21.3% at 2nd AI, and 8.4% at 3rd AI, respectively. It amounted to 95.4% up to 3rd AI. Clving rate during the spring time was the highest, 39.6%, and tended to be reduced according to summer(31.6%), autumn (16.3%), and winter (12.5%). Spring and summer were the highest seasons for pregnancy and their gestation rates are 33.7% in spring and 39.2% in winter, respectively. The days from calving to estrus and conception, and calving interval of the cows, which calved two or three times, tended to be reduced. However, the more parities, the more they are extended. According to parities, gestation length and services per conception showed irregular tendencies.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 1993

The present study was conducted to examine the reproductive performance of dairy cow at alpine area. 1,515 dairy cows were managemented at above 800m of sea level around the Dea-Gwan Ryeong in Kangweon-Do. The results at this study were as follows ; 1. The average first estrus was 105.0 days after pastruation. 2. The highest percentage ofpregnancy(26.4%) and parturation(27.6%) were obtained at September to November and June to August, respectively. 3. The rate of pregnancy was 61.0%. Pregnancy rates according to insemination times of 1, 2 and 3 were 60.8, 23.5 and 9.8%, respectively and insemination time per pregnancy was 1.64. 4. Ages of first inseminatin, pregnancy and parturition of heifer were 17.9, 18.6 and 27.7 months, respectively. 5. Time of postpartum pregnancy was 133.0 days after parturition, and pregnancy period and calving interval were 279.6 and 410.3 days, respectively. 6. Six ratio of offspring was 52.1% of female versus 47.9% of male, and the proportion of twins was 0.65%. 7. The proportions of normal parturition, stillbirth and abortion were 91.9, 2.2 and 5.9%, respectively.