• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2003

The objective of this study were to investigate the effects of Se and Vit. E administration at last month or two month before parturition on the reproductive function of dams and developmental ability of calves. On developmental ability of calves obtained afier Se and Vit. E administration at the last month of pregnancing periods, the birth weight were significantly higher in administration groups than in control group(P<0.05). However, the weaning weight, average daily gain and weaning age were not significantly difference in all experimental groups. In the comparision of reproductive function in dams, estrus postpartum was faster in treatment groups than control groups(P>0.05). However, the number of A.1 service fur conception were lower groups injected than control group(P>0.05), there were not significantly differences in all experimental groups. The developmental ability of calves obtained after Se and Vit. E administration at two months before parturition were also examined. The birth weight, weaning weight, average daily gain and weaning age were higher in treatment groups than control group, but there were not significantly differences in all experimental groups. In reproductive function of dams, the days to 1 st estrus postpartum was slightly faster injected groups than control group(P>0.05). Number of A.I. service for conception in each groups were lower in treatment groups than control group.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2004

This study is illustrated that 1) the effects of DEHP administration on body weight, sex ratio and litter size on 19 days in the prenatal period 2) the effects of reproductive organ weight and blood hematological values on 25 days postpartum in pregnant mice. DEHP was administrated to pregnant mice by intraperitoneal injection at 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 10.0mg/kg B.W from day 1 to day 16 in the gestation period with 5 times at 3 days interval. There were no significantly differences in the material body weight, litter size and sex ratio on 19 days in the prenatal period. The body weight of the fatal male mice was slightly lower in 1.0 and 10.0mg DEHP groups than in any other groups. The reproductive organ weight and hematological values in dam mice on 25 days postpartum were not affected by DEHP administration. The histological evaluation of ovary in dam mice on 25 days after dilivery was not different in all experimental groups, but the endometriosis and edema of uterus in dam mice were significantly decreased in 0.5mg DEHP group than that of control group.These results indicate that the administration of low concentration of DEHP was not affected on reproductive characteristic and blood hematological values in pregnant mice.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.177-184
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• 2020

Objectives : Postpartum depression is known to occur in 10-15% of mothers. The concentration of cytokine varies depending on stress, depression, pregnancy and general medical conditions. We hypothesized that the concentration of cytokines may be related to reproduction and childbirth, and that women with postpartum depression would show alterations in cytokines levels. Methods : A total of 104 pregnant women were selected as subjects, and 60 non-pregnant women were selected as normal controls. Symptoms of depression were evaluated in the pregnant study subjects using the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The pregnant subjects were divided into three groups perinatal non-depression controls (n=61), postpartum depression-recovery (n=18), and postpartum depression (n=25). Results : The plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1 was higher in the pregnant group than in non-pregnant controls (TGF-β1 ; p<0.01, IGF-1 ; p=0.026). At 24 weeks of pregnancy and 6 weeks of delivery, there were no significant differences in the plasma concentration of TGF-β1, IGF-1, β-NGF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α between the three groups. There was no statistically significant difference in all three groups during the course of depression in pregnant women. Conclusions : This study found significant difference in plasma cytokines concentrations between non-pregnant controls and perinatal non-depression controls.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1236-1240
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of early weaning on body weight change, milk production and the return to estrus in Awassi ewes. Twenty multiparous winter-lambing Awassi ewes were randomly assigned to either suckled (S, n=10) or non-suckled (NS, n=10) groups in a completely randomized design. Lambs in the NS group were removed from their dams on day 2 postpartum (PP). Animal body weights (BW) and body condition scores (BCS) were recorded at the beginning of the study and every 3 weeks thereafter until the end of the experiment. Milk production was estimated by machine milking at weekly intervals for 4 weeks beginning on d 11 PP. Blood samples were collected from each ewe every third day for 4 weeks beginning on day 15 PP. Initial body weight was similar for both treatments. By the end of the experiment, NS ewes gained an average of 1.8${\pm}$1.0 kg while S ewes lost an average of 7.0${\pm}$1.0 kg (p<0.001). Body condition scores followed a trend similar to that observed for BW and was greater (p<0.001) in the NS ewes. Significant correlation existed (p<0.01) between BW and BCS (r=0.77). The first milk production recording for both suckled and non-suckled was similar. Later recordings, however, showed that the S group had greater milk production (p<0.01) compared with the NS group. Lambs in the NS group were heavier (p<0.05) than those in the S group on d 10 PP. By the end of the study, lamb weights in the NS group were significantly lower (p<0.001) when compared with S group. The first rise in plasma progesterone ($P_{4}$) occurred earlier (p<0.05) in the NS than S ewes (day 27.0${\pm}$2.2 vs. 34.0${\pm}$2.2 postpartum, respectively). All of the NS ewes (10/10) and 60% (6/10) of the S ewes expressed estrus following ram introduction (p<0.05). Results of the current study indicate that non-suckled ewes gained more weight and displayed ovarian activity earlier than suckled ewes. Early lamb removal can be used to obtain biannual lambing in Awassi sheep.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.103-107
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• 1992

The present study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone levels in pre and post partum by the PGF2$\alpha$ administration to control artificial parturition in Korean native goats. A total of 24 goats were offered for this experiment. The animals were divided into 4 goats per treatment by the administration time(142, 145 or 148 day of pregnancy). Blood samples were taken from jagular vein pre-post partum by the PGF2$\alpha$ intramuscular administration. The progesterone in serum was assayed by radioimmunoassay. The serum progesterone level in late-pregnant goats averaged 4.85$\pm$0.55ng/ml, 4.05$\pm$0.47ng/ml or 2.76$\pm$0.25ng/ml on 142, 145 or 148 days of gestation. After the intramuscular injection with PGF2$\alpha$ for inducing parturition, it decreased remarkably to below 1.0ng/ml and to the base level(0.4~0.6ng/ml) at day 1 after parturition. And then this base level of progesterone was maintained until the final examination at 9 days of postpartum. No significant difference was found in the serum levels of progesterone between the doses treated for parturition induction. It was concluded that exogenous PGF2$\alpha$, administrated intramuscularly, induced premature parturition with causing withdrawal of progesterone levels for triggering luteolysis.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.30-34
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• 2019

Milk fever is a metabolic disease with manifestation of clinical signs due to hypocalcemia, which usually occurs within 48-72 h after delivery. However, even after a successful treatment of milk fever, recurrence of milk fever may occur, and studies on recurrent milk fever are still lacking. Accordingly, the present study was conducted for the purpose of identifying the characteristics of recurrent milk fever according to farm, season, parity, and dystocia that can cause physiological changes in the mother during peri- and postpartum periods. The analysis results showed that the incidence rate of initial and recurrent milk fever according to breeding farm was 5.7%-14.1% and 3.1%-7.2%, respectively, demonstrating a positive correlation between the initial and recurrent milk fever (r = 0.613, p < 0.01). With respect to season, the incidence rate of initial and recurrent milk fever during summer was 12.3% and 7.5%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of other seasons (p < 0.05). In addition, the recurrence rate, the ratio of recurrence relative to initial milk fever, was highest during summer with 62.7%. Regarding parity, the incidence rate of initial and recurrent milk fever in 3rd parity was 11.1% and 5.8%, respectively, which was significantly higher than in 1st and 2nd parity (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the recurrence rate in 4th parity was 64.1%, showing a pattern of increase in incidence rate with increase in parity. Finally, there were no differences in the incidence rate of initial and recurrent milk fever according to eutocia and dystocia. The findings indicated that the incidence rate of initial milk fever should be reduced to effectively prevent the recurrent milk fever, while animals with 3rd parity or higher should be expected to occur high rate of recurrent milk fever, especially during summer, and the necessary preparations should be made for intensive treatment of such individuals.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2001

These experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the administration of exogenous PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ on hormone concentrations and follicular development in early postpartum(pp) Korean native goats. 1. Plasma PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treated goals showed a gradual increase from a low on day 2 (GR-1 : 10 day-treatment group: 6.35$\pm$0.5 and GR-2; 4 day-treatment group: 0.22$\pm$0.2 pg/$m\ell$, respectively) to reach a peak of 21.18$\pm$1.6 or 4.21 $\pm$0.4 pg/$m\ell$ on day 4 after treatment of PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$. 2. Plasma PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations in GR-1 goats averaged 9.08 $\pm$1.2 pg/$m\ell$ compared with 5.44$\pm$ 1.8 pg/$m\ell$ in GR-2 goats the day before treatment of PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$. Mean PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations thereafter remained low during the treatment period but PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ concentrations did not differ between the two group. 3. Plasma concentrations of estradiol-17 $\beta$ (E,) in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ - treated group were decreased gradually until 2 days after PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment but mean $E_2$ concentrations began to increase on 3 days and were Inaximal on the 4 days after treatment. 4. Plasma lulenizing hormone (LH) concentrations in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ - treated goats were slightly higher than in controls but mean LH concentrations did not differ between the two treatment groups. 5. Plasma prolactin (PRL) concentrations were suppressed in both GR-1(10 day-treatment group) and GR-2(4 day-treatment group) goats compared to saline controls but mean PRL concentrations remained lower in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treated animals during post-treatment period. 6. The mean number of small and medium follicles present when PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ was administrated was similar in all does but the increase in number of large follicles($\geq$4mm) tended to be higher in PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treated group than controls. These results suggest that concentrations of PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ and estradiol-17$\beta$ were positively correlared with follicular diameter. We conclude that PG $F_{2{\alpha}}$ treatment stimulates follicular development similarly in both GR-1 and GR-2 group.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-30
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• 1985

The study was carried out to find out the changes of the sex hormone levels in the milk of Holstein cows during the reproductive stages such as the estrous cycle, pregnancy and periparturient period. The FSH, LH, estradiol-17$\beta$ and progesterone from the milk samples were assayed by radioimmunoassay methods. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. The levels of progesterone and estradiol-17$\beta$ were similar among inter-quarters, but they were higher in after milking than before milking times, with no statistical significance. 2. The milk progesterone levels during the estrous cycles reached a peak mean level of 3.55$\pm$0.26ng/$m\ell$ at 15 days after estrus and they did not show any differences among the length of estrous cycles. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels during the estrous cycles showed a peak level of 36.40$\pm$2.38pg/$m\ell$ at estrus, and decreased(17.20$\pm$0.46 pg/$m\ell$ to 18.65$\pm$1.26pg/$m\ell$) at luteal phase. 3. The FSH levels during the estrous cycles ranged from 2.25$\pm$0.23mIU/$m\ell$ to 4.35$\pm$0.24mIU/$m\ell$ showing significant changes. The LH levels during the estrous cycles gradually increased and remained a peak level of 10.90$\pm$0.36mIU/$m\ell$ from 20 to 25 days after estrus. 4. The progesterone levels during the pregnancy were decreased from 30 to 60 days after artificial insemination, and therafter continuously increased until 240 days. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels during the pregnancy were 24.56$\pm$1.19pg/$m\ell$ at day 30 after artificial inseminaton, and increased rapidly until 180 days. The levles were agagin decreased by 26.17$\pm$3.03pg/$m\ell$ until 210 days and markedly increased by 68.00$\pm$8.70pg/$m\ell$ until 240 days. 5. The prolactin levels during the pregnancy were 31.27$\pm$2.31ng/$m\ell$ and 42.60$\pm$2.37ng/$m\ell$ at day 150 and 240 after artificial insemination respectively. The LH levels during the pregnancy reached a peak of 27.47$\pm$7.90mIU/$m\ell$ at day 30 after artificial insemination, and thereafter gradually decreased. 6. The progesterone levels during the periparturient period reached a peak of 4.61$\pm$0.34ng/$m\ell$ at day 3 prepartum, and thereafter gradually decreased, and showed 2.05$\pm$0.60ng/$m\ell$ at day 7 postpartum. The estradiol-17$\beta$ levels during the periparturient period showed high level from 207.23$\pm$6.04pg/$m\ell$ at day 1 prepartum to 239.90$\pm$13.90pg/$m\ell$ at day 2 prepartum, and thereafter began to decline and reached 51.87$\pm$1.72pg/$m\ell$ at by 7 postpartum. 7. The prolactin levels during the periparturient period showed relatively higher level at the time of parturition. The LH levels during the periparturient period rnage from 6.32$\pm$0.32mIU/$m\ell$ to 13.90$\pm$1.37mIU/$m\ell$ showing significant changes. 8. The progesterone levels(4.6$\pm$0.8ng/$m\ell$) of the pregnant cows were significantly higher than those (1.84$\pm$1.4ng/$m\ell$) of nonpregnant cows. The cows of artificial insemination from 61 to 90 days after parturition showed higher progesterone levels. 9. During 20 to 25 days after artificial insemination, the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis from milk progesterone levels were 94.4% for nonpregnant cows(<2.3ng/$m\ell$), and 75.0% for pregnant cows( 3.2ng/$m\ell$). The average overall accuracy of pregnancy prediction for nonpregnant and pregnant cows 83.3% 10. The results obtained this study suggest that the understanding of the endocrinological mechanisms by means of milk hormone analysis during the estrous cycle, pregnancy and parturition would give the basic information needed for increasing efficiency of reproduction. This study would not only provide an accurate method of the early pregnancy diagnosis by milk progesterone levels but also contribute to the research of providing the method of detecting of FSH levels in milk, which was difficult in blood serum.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.213-218
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of abnormal ovarian cycle postpartum on subsequent reproductive performance of Holstein cows. The cows were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if followed by regular ovarian cycles. Total 58.8 percentage of the cows(l14/194) had normal resumption of ovarian cyclicity(resumption within 40 days after calving), and 41.2%(80/194) had delayed resumption(resumption did not occur until >40 days after calving). Delayed resumption Type I(one or more ovarian cycles with luteal phase >20 days, i.e. prolonged luteal phase; 17.5%) and delayed resumption Type II(first ovulation did net occur until $\geq$40 days after calving, i.e. anovulation 22.7%) were the most common types of delayed resumptions. When compared with cows with a normal ovarian cycle, the cows of delayed resumption Type I had a lower 100 days AI submission conception and pregnancy rates(84.2% vs 40.0%; p<0.01, 24.0% vs 21.4% and 20.2% vs 11.1%, respectively), and longer intervals to first AI and to conception($64.7{\pm}2.79$ days vs $105.7{\pm}7.48$ days and $105.1{\pm}7.16$ days vs $133.7{\pm}11.17$ days, respectively; p<0.01). Similarly, when compared with cows with normal ovarian cycles, the cows of delayed resumption Type II had lower 100 days conception and pregnancy rates(24.0% vs 20.0% and 20.2% vs 16.3%, respectively), and longer intervals to first AI and to conception($64.7{\pm}2.79$ days vs $72.6{\pm}4.45$ days and $105.1{\pm}7.16$ days vs $120.8{\pm}12.33$ days, respectively). In conclusion, abnormal ovarian cycles postpartum adversely affected reproductive performance, including AI submission rate, pregnancy rate, interval to first AI, and calving to conception interval in Holstein cows.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.258-265
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• 2018

We aimed to identify the relationships between puerperal metritis (PM) and serum metabolites, uterine health, milk yield, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Blood samples from 150 Holstein dairy cows were collected just after calving, and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postpartum to measure serum concentrations of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), urea nitrogen, total cholesterol (TCH), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, and magnesium. PM was diagnosed by the presence of fever (${\geq}39.5^{\circ}C$) and a watery, fetid uterine discharge during the first 14 days after calving. Cows were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of the disease: a control group (n = 83) and a PM group (n = 67). The cows diagnosed with PM were subcutaneously administered with 2.2 mg/kg ceftiofur for 3-5 days. The serum concentrations of BHBA tended to be higher (P = 0.06) and AST was higher (P < 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group 1 week after calving, whereas serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium were lower (P < 0.05-0.0001) after calving in the PM group than in the control group. The probability of clinical endometritis was higher (odds ratio = 5.40, P < 0.001) in the PM group than in the control group. Moreover, the proportion of neutrophils in the uterus was also higher in the PM group than in the control group 4, 6, and 8 weeks after calving (P < 0.001). The mean milk yield 1 and 2 months after calving was lower (P = 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group. The hazard of pregnancy by 180 days after calving tended to be lower (hazard ratio = 0.60, P = 0.07) in the PM group than in the control group, which led to an extended mean interval between calving and pregnancy (19 days) in the PM group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PM is associated with higher postpartum concentrations of BHBA and AST, and lower concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium. Moreover, PM is associated with subsequent poor uterine health, lower milk yield, and poorer reproductive performance in dairy cows.