Effect of Changes in Body Weight, Body Condition and Back Fat During Last Month of Pregnancy on the Reproductive Efficiency of Bos indicus Cows in the Tropics of Costa Rica

Jaime Galindo, Carlos S. Galina, Sandra Estrada, Juan José Romero

.
Programa de Investigación en Medicina Poblacional, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Nacional Heredia, Campus Benjamín Nu?ez, Lagunilla, Costa Rica.

DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2013.31005                

Abstract

With the aim of evaluating how changes in the metabolic status in the last month of pregnancy affects reproductive efficiency, forty six Bos indicus multiparous cows (5.5 ± 2.4 parturitions), were used. Measurements of body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and dorsal back fat (BF) were taken in the last month of pregnancy, postpartum period previous to synchronization (average 50 d) and at breeding by natural mating following synchronization with a progestin (average 70 d). Average postpartum days to resumption to ovarian activity were 79.96 ± 16.5 d, and average postpartum days to conception was 88.5 ± 14 d. Days postpartum to resumption of the ovarian activity was positively correlated (0.51, P < 0.01) with days postpartum to conception, also, days postpartum to conception was positively correlated with prepartum back fat (14 d before parturition) (0.44, P < 0.05). It was observed that BF at calving which is an objective measurement had a low correlation with other productive variables such as BCS and BW (always less than 0.39). Body fat might be a more reliable indicator of the current metabolic status of the animal particularly in the last month of pregnancy when the indicators of BCS are somehow more difficult to interpret and subjective.

Keywords

Bos indicus; Cattle; Body Condition; Body Weight; Reproduction.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	I. M. Sheldon, G. S. Lewis, S. LeBlanc and R. O. Gilbert, “Defining Postpartum Uterine Disease in Cattle,” Theriogenology, Vol. 65, No. 8, 2006, pp. 1516-1530. doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.08.021
[2]	B. D. Oliveira-Filho, G. H. Toniollo, A. F. Oliveira, M. A. Viu, H. T. Ferraz, D. T. Lopes and M. L. Gambarini, “The Effect of Offering an Energy and Protein Supplement to Grazing Canchim Beef Cows Either Postpartum or Both Pre- and Postpartum on Lipid Blood Metabolites and Folliculogenesis,” Animal Reproduction Science, Vol. 121, No. 2, 2010, pp. 39-45. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.04.192
[3]	R. E. Short, R. A. Bellows, R. B. Staigmiller, J. G. Berardinelli and E. E. Custer, “Physiological Mechanisms Controlling Anestrus and Infertility in Postpartum Beef Cattle,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 68, No. 3, 1990, pp. 799-816.
[4]	S. W. Beam and W. R. Butler, “Effects of Energy Balance on Follicular Development and First Ovulation in Postpartum Dairy Cows,” Journal of Reproduction and Fertility Supplement, Vol. 54, 1999, pp. 411-424.
[5]	J. Oliver and F. Richardson, “Relationship between Conception Rate in Beef Cattle and Body Weight Change,” Proceeding Beef Cattle Production in Developing Countries, Edinburgh, 1976, pp. 154-157.
[6]	C. A. Lents, F. J. White, N. H. Ciccioli, R. P. Wettemann, L. J. Spicer, L. J. Spicer and Lalman, D. L., “Effects of Body Condition Score at Parturition and Postpartum Protein Supplementation on Estrous Behavior and Size of the Dominant Follicle in Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 86, No. 6, 2008. pp. 2549-2556. doi:10.2527/jas.2008-1114
[7]	M. L. Looper, C. A. Lents and R. P. Wettemann, “Body Condition at Parturition and Postpartum Weight Changes Do Not Influence the Incidence of Short-Lived Corpora Lutea in Postpartum Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science. Vol. 81, No. 10, 2003, pp. 2390-2394.
[8]	M. A. Crowe, “Resumption of Ovarian Cyclicity in Post- Partum Beef and Dairy Cows,” Reproduction in Domestic Animals, Vol. 43, Suppl. 5, 2008, pp. 20-28. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2008.01210.x
[9]	S. R. Silva, M. J. Gomes, A. Dias-da-Silva, L. F. Gil and J. M. Azevedo, “Estimation in Vivo of the Body and Carcass Chemical Composition of Growing Lambs by Real- Time Ultrasonography,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 83, No. 2, 2005, pp. 350-357.
[10]	M. G. Maquivar, C. S. Galina, J. R. Galindo, S. Estrada, R. Molina and G. D. Mendoza, “Effect of Protein Supplementation on Reproductive and Productive Performance in Bos indicus x Bos taurus Heifers Raised in the Humid Tropics of Costa Rica,” Tropical Animal Health and Production, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2010, pp. 555-560. doi:10.1007/s11250-009-9470-0
[11]	N. B. Pullan, “Condition Scoring of White Fulani Cattle,” Tropical Animal Health and Production, Vol. 10, No. 2, 1978, pp. 118-120. doi:10.1007/BF02235322
[12]	V. A. Rosiles, C. S. Galina, M. Maquivar, R. Molina and S. Estrada, “Ultrasonographic Screening of Embryo Development in Cattle (Bos indicus) between Days 20 and 40 of Pregnancy,” Animal Reproduction Science, Vol. 90, No. 1-2, 2005, pp. 31-37. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2005.01.006
[13]	P. I. Rekwot, D. Ogwu and E. O. Oyedipe, “Influence of Bull Biostimulation, Season and Parity on Resumption of Ovarian Activity of Zebu (Bos indicus) Cattle Following Parturition,” Animal Reproduction Science, Vol. 63, No. 1-2, 2000, pp. 1-11. doi:10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00163-9
[14]	R. Molina, C. S. Galina, M. Maquivar, S. Estrada, A. Chavez and G. S. Diaz, “Pregnancy Rate in Zebu Cows with Two Different Postpartum Intervals Exposed to a Two-Bull Rotational System,” Veterinary Research Communications, Vol. 27, No. 8, 2003, pp. 671-680. doi:10.1023/A:1027303926829
[15]	P. I. Rekwot, O. P. Akinpelumi, V. O. Sekoni, L. O. Eduvie and E. O. Oyedipe, “Effects of Nutritional Supplementation and Exposure to Bulls on Resumption of Post- Partum Ovarian Activity in Bunaji (Bos indicus) Cattle,” Veterinary Journal, Vol. 167, No. 1, 2004, pp. 67-71. doi:10.1016/S1090-0233(02)00266-6
[16]	Y. Yavas and J. S. Walton, “Postpartum Acyclicity in Suckled Beef Cows: A Review,” Theriogenology, Vol. 54, No. 1, 2000, pp. 25-55. doi:10.1016/S0093-691X(00)00323-X
[17]	P. L. Houghton, R. P. Lemenager, K. S. Hendrix, G. E. Moss and T. S. Stewart, “Effects of Body Composition, Pre- and Postpartum Energy Intake and Stage of Production of Energy Utilization by Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 68, No. 5, 1990, pp. 1447-1456.
[18]	R. C. Perry, L. R. Corah, R. C. Cochran, W. E. Beal, J. S. Stevenson, J. E. Minton, D. D. Simms and J. R. Brethour, “Influence of Dietary Energy on Follicular Development, Serum Gonadotropins, and First Postpartum Ovulation in Suckled Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 69, No. 9, 1991, pp. 3762-3773.
[19]	J. C. Spitzer, D. G. Morrison, R. P. Wettemann and L. C. Faulkner, “Reproductive Responses and Calf Birth and Weaning Weights as Affected by Body Condition at Parturition and Postpartum Weight Gain in Primiparous Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 73, No. 5, 1995, pp. 1251-1257.
[20]	G. E. Selk, R. P. Wettemann, K. S. Lusby, J. W. Oltjen, S. L. Mobley, R. J. Rasby and J. C. Garmendia, “Relationship among Weight Change, Body Condition and Reproductive performance of range beef cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 66, No. 12, 1988, pp. 3153-3159.
[21]	S. M. DeRouen, D. E. Franke, D. G. Morrison, W. E. Wyatt, D. F. Coombs, T. W. White, P. E. Humes and B. B. Greene, “Prepartum Body Condition and Weight Influences on Reproductive Performance of First-Calf Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 72, No. 5, 1994, pp. 1119-1125.
[22]	D. L. Lalman, D. H. Keisler, J. E. Williams, E. J. Scholljegerdes and D. M. Mallett, “Influence of Postpartum Weight and Body Condition Change on Duration of Anestrus by Undernourished Suckled Beef Heifers,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 75, No. 8, 1997, pp. 2003-2008.
[23]	S. L. Lake, T. R. Weston, E. J. Scholljegerdes, C. M. Murrieta, B. M. Alexander, D. C. Rule, G. E. Moss and B. W. Hess, “Effects of Postpartum Dietary Fat and Body Condition Score at Parturition on Plasma, Adipose Tissue, and Milk Fatty Acid Composition of Lactating Beef Cows,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 85, No. 3, 2007, pp. 717-730. doi:10.2527/jas.2006-353
[24]	D. Chavez, M. Maquivar, C. S. Galina, J. Galindo, R. Molina, R. Molina-Montero and S. Estrada, “Evaluation of Early Embryonic Development after Natural Mating Using Ultrasonography in Bos indicus Cows in the Humid Tropics of Costa Rica,” Veterinary Research Communications, Vol. 32, No. 5, 2008, pp. 393-400. doi:10.1007/s11259-008-9047-9
[25]	R. Jorritsma, T. Wensing, T. A. Kruip, P. L. Vos and J. P. Noordhuizen, “Metabolic Changes in Early Lactation and Impaired Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows,” Veterinary Research, Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 11-26. doi:10.1051/vetres:2002054
[26]	J. F. Roche, “The Effect of Nutritional Management of the Dairy Cow on Reproductive Efficiency,” Animal Reproduction Science, Vol. 96, No. 3-4, 2006, pp. 282-296. doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2006.08.007
[27]	D. G. Morrison, J. C. Spitzer and J. L. Perkins, “Influence of Prepartum Body Condition Score Change on Reproduction in Multiparous Beef Cows Calving in Moderate Body Condition,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 77, No. 5, 1999, pp. 1048-1054.
[28]	R. N. Funston, D. M. Larson and K. A. Vonnahme, “Effects of Maternal Nutrition on Conceptus Growth and Offspring Performance: Implications for Beef Cattle Production,” Journal of Animal Science, Vol. 88, No. 13, 2010, pp. 205-215. doi:10.2527/jas.2009-2351
[29]	S. Mosenfechtel, M. Hoedemaker, U. Eigenmann and P. Rusch, “Influence of Back Fat Thickness on the Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows,” Veterinary Record, Vol. 151, No. 13, 2002, pp. 387-388. doi:10.1136/vr.151.13.387
[30]	U. J. Schroder and R. Staufenbiel, “Invited Review: Methods to Determine Body Fat Reserves in the Dairy Cow with Special Regard to Ultrasonographic Measurement of Backfat Thickness,” Journal of Dairy Science, Vol. 89, No. 1, 2006, pp. 1-14. doi:10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72064-1
[31]	J. A. Vizcarra, R. P. Wettemann, J. C. Spitzer and D. G. Morrison, “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, Vol. 76, No. 4, 1998, pp. 927-936.