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Characterization of progesterone profiles in fall-calving Norwegian Red cows

R. T. Garmo^*,1, A. D. Martin^*, E. Thuen, Ø. Havrevoll, H. Steinshamn, E. Prestløkken^,#, Å. Randby, M. Eknæs, A. Waldmann and O. Reksen^*

^* Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep., NO-0033 Oslo, Norway
Norwegian University of Life Science, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
Nortura Rudshøgda, PO Box 70, NO-2360 Rudshøgda, Norway
Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Organic Food and Farming Division, NO-6630 Tingvoll, Norway
^# Felleskjøpets Fôrutvikling, NO-7005 Trondheim, Norway
Estonian University of Life Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, 62 Kreutzwaldi Street, 51014 Tartu, Estonia

¹ Corresponding author: Randi.T.Garmo{at}veths.no

Progesterone profiles in Norwegian Red cows were categorized, and associations between the occurrence of irregularities in the profiles and the commencement of luteal activity were investigated. The cows were managed in 3 feeding trials from 1994 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2008 at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. The cows were followed from calving, and the milk samples collected represented 502 lactations from 302 cows. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were taken 3 times weekly from 1994 throughout 1998 and from 2005 to 2008 and 2 times weekly from 1999 to 2001. Commencement of luteal activity was defined as the first day of 2 consecutive measurements of progesterone concentration 3 ng/mL not earlier than 10 d after calving. Delayed ovulation type I was defined as consistently low progesterone concentration, <3 ng/mL for 50 d postpartum. Delayed ovulation type II was defined as prolonged interluteal interval with milk progesterone measurements <3 ng/mL for 12 d between 2 luteal phases. Persistent corpus luteum (PCL) type I was defined as delayed luteolysis with milk progesterone 3 ng/mL for 19 d during the first estrous cycle postpartum. Persistent corpus luteum type II was defined as delayed luteolysis with milk progesterone 3 ng/mL for 19 d during subsequent estrous cycles before first artificial insemination. Delayed ovulation type I was present in 14.7%, delayed ovulation type II in 2.8%, PCL type I in 6.7%, and PCL type II in 3.3% of the profiles. Commencement of luteal activity was related to milk yield, parity, PCL type I, and the summated occurrence of PCL type I and II. The least squares means for the interval to commencement of luteal activity were 24.2 d when PCL type I and II were present and 29.5 d when PCL type I and II were absent. The likelihood of pregnancy to first service was not affected in cows with a history of PCL when artificial insemination was carried out at progesterone concentrations <3 ng/mL (i.e., during estrus); however, cows that had experienced PCL were more likely to be inseminated during a luteal phase. The occurrence of delayed ovulation and PCL in Norwegian Red cows was less than that reported in most other dairy populations.

Key Words: progesterone profile • fertility • pregnancy • dairy cow