Hostname: page-component-77c89778f8-rkxrd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-23T12:04:22.309Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Relationship between puberty in heifers and the cessation of luteal activity after nutritional restriction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. A. Vizcarra ,
R. P. Wettemann  and
D. K. Bishop
J. A. Vizcarra
Affiliation:
Animal Science Department, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater 74078-0425, USA
R. P. Wettemann
Affiliation:
Animal Science Department, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater 74078-0425, USA
D. K. Bishop
Affiliation:
Animal Science Department, Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, Stillwater 74078-0425, USA
Get access

Abstract

The relationship between puberty and the cessation of luteal activity after nutritional restriction was evaluated in 15 Angus × Hereford heifers. Heifers attained puberty at a body weight of 297 (s.e. 6) kg and a body condition score (BCS) of 5·5 (s.e. 0·1) on a scale of 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese). After 154 (s.e. 16) days of nutritional restriction, heifers became anoestrus at a weight of 273 (s.e. 8) kg and a BCS of 3·0 (s.e. 0·2). The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between date of-puberty and date of cessation of luteal activity was (r = –0·49; P < 0·06). This indicates that the heifers that attained puberty first were the last to cease luteal activity during nutritional restriction.

Keywords

anoestrusheifersnutritionpuberty
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 61 , Issue 3 , December 1995 , pp. 507 - 510
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Arije, G. F. and Wiltbank, J. N. 1971. Age and weight at puberty in Hereford heifers. Journal of Animal Science 33: 401–406.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bishop, D. K. and Wettemann, R. P. 1993. Pulsatile infusion of GnRH initiates luteal activity in nutritional anestrous beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 71: 2714–2720.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bishop, D. K., Wettemann, R. P. and Spicer, L. J. 1994. Body energy reserves influence the onset of luteal activity after early weaning of beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 72: 2703–2708.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Collier, R. J., Doelger, S. G., Head, H. H., Thatcher, W. W. and Wilcox, C. J. 1982. Effects of heat stress during pregnancy on maternal hormone concentrations, calf birth weight and postpartum milk yield of Holstein cows. Journal of Animal Science 54: 309–319.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Day, M. L., Imakawa, K., Zalesky, D. D., Kittok, R. J. and Kinder, J. E. 1986. Effects of restriction of dietary energy intake during the prepubertal period on secretion of luteinizing hormone and responsiveness of the pituitary to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone in heifers. Journal of Animal Science 62: 1641–1648.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grass, J. A., Hansen, P. J., Rutledge, J. J. and Hauser, E. R. 1982. Genotype × environmental interactions on reproductive traits of bovine females. 1. Age at puberty as influenced by breed, breed of sire, dietary regimen and season. Journal of Animal Science 55: 1441–1457.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, P. J., Kamwanja, L. A. and Hauser, E. R. 1983. Photoperiod influences age at puberty of heifers. Journal of Animal Science 57: 985–992.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hotovy, S. K., Johnson, K. A., Johnson, D. E., Carstens, G. E., Bourdon, R. M. and Seidel, G. E. 1991. Variation among twin beef cattle in maintenance energy requirements. Journal of Animal Science 69: 940–946.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Imakawa, K., Day, M. L., Garcia-Winder, M., Zalesky, D. D., Kittok, R. J., Schanbacher, B. D. and Kinder, J. R. 1986. Endocrine changes during restoration of estrous cycles following induction of anestrous by restricted nutrient intake in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science 63: 565–571.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kurz, S. G., Dyer, R. M, Hu, Y., Wright, M. D. and Day, M. L. 1990. Regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion in prepubertal heifers fed an energy-deficient diet. Biology of Reproduction 43: 450–456.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Little, W., Mallinson, C. B., Gibbons, D. N. and Rowlands, G. J. 1981. Effects of plane of nutrition and season of birth on the age and body weight at puberty of British Friesian heifers. Animal Production 33: 273–279.Google Scholar
National Research Council. 1976. Nutritional requirements of beef cattle. 5th ed. National Research Council, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Patterson, D. J., Corah, L. R., Brethour, J. R., Higgins, J. J., Kiracofe, G. H. and Stevenson, . 1992. Evaluation of reproductive traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers: relationship of age at puberty to length of the postpartum interval to estrus. Journal of Animal Science 70: 1994–1999.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Patterson, D. J., Corah, L. R., Brethour, J. R., Spire, M. F., Higgins, J. J., Kiracofe, G. H., Stevenson, J. S. and Simms, D. D. 1991. Evaluation of reproductive traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers: effects of postweaning energy manipulation. Journal of Animal Science 69: 2349–2361.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Richards, M. W., Wetteman, R. P. and Schoenemann, H. M. 1989. Nutritional anestrous in beef cows: body weight change, body condition, luteinizing hormone in serum and ovarian activity. Journal of Animal Science 67: 1520–1526.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Roberson, M. S., Ansotegui, R. P., Berandinelli, J. G., Whitman, R. W. and Mclnerney, M. J. 1987. Influence of biostimulation by mature bulls on occurrence of puberty in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science 64: 1601–1605.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Selk, G. E., Wettemann, R. P., Lusby, K. S., Oltjen, J. W., Mobley, S. L., Rasby, R. J. and Garmendia, J. C. 1988. Relationships among weight change, body condition and reproductive performance of range beef cows. Journal of Animal Science 66: 3153–3159.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Short, R. E., Bellows, R. A., Staigmiller, R. B., Berardinelli, J. G. and Custer, E. E. 1990. Physiological mechanisms controlling anestrus and infertility in postpartum beef cattle. Journal of Animal Science 68: 799–816.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Steel, R. G. D. and Torrie, J. H. 1980. Principles and procedures of statistics: a biometrical approach. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, New York.Google Scholar
Wagner, J. J., Lusby, K. S., Oltjen, J. W., Rakestraw, J., Wettemann, R. P. and Walters, L. E. 1988. Carcass composition in mature Hereford cows: estimation and effect on daily metabolizable energy requirement during winter. Journal of Animal Science 66: 603–612.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wiltbank, J. N., Gregory, K. E., Swiger, L. A., Ingalls, J. E., Rothlisberger, J. A. and Koch, R. M. 1966. Effects of heterosis on age and weight at puberty in beef heifers. Journal of Animal Science 25: 744–751.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wiltbank, J. N., Kasson, C. W. and Ingalls, J. E. 1969. Puberty in crossbreed and straight breed beef cattle on two levels of feed. Journal of Animal Science 29: 602–605.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wright, I. A., Rhind, S. M., Russel, A. J. F., Whyte, T. K., McBean, A. J. and McMillen, S. R. 1987. Effects of body condition, food intake and temporary calf separation on the duration of the post-partum anoestrus period and associated LH, FSH and prolactin concentrations in beef cows. Animal Production 45: 395–402.Google Scholar