ACCESSORY CORPUS LUTEUM IN CATTLE ASSISTED REPRODUCTION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1199/jn47qk40Keywords:
accessory corpus luteum, dairy cows, embryos, reproductive biotechnologiesAbstract
In dairy cows, current methods for managing reproduction still need improvement. Future advancements will require new strategies to minimize additional interventions and maintain acceptance among veterinarians. As a result, the development of new therapies in dairy cows’ reproduction acts for a significant challenge for improving reproductive performances. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in inducing accessory corpus luteum (aCL) formation in dairy cows, but the results have been inconsistent. It is still uncertain whether this strategy, of injecting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in the luteal phase following artificial insemination (AI), can be utilized as a herd management tool to enhance reproduction. Overall, our research supports the idea that giving GnRH agonists during the days 7–14 after AI to repeat breeder (RB) cows increases their fertility and farm profitability. The GnRH agonist treatment improved the odds that pregnant cows would develop an aCL, which could improve their fertility. The UW-DairyRepro$ decision support tool utilized in our study demonstrated that by implementing this approach, the net present value can be increased by US dollars (US$)30.2/RB cow/year. Therefore , our work suggests that implementing this strategy on the farm is feasible only for repeat-breeder dairy cows with low genetic merit for fertility. However, in the assisted reproductive technologies this strategy seems to improve reproduction in recipient heifers.References
Baez G.M., Trevisol E., Barletta R.V., Cardoso B.O., Ricci A., Guenther J.N., Cummings N.E., Wiltbank M.C., Proposal of a new model for CL regression or maintenance during pregnancy on the basis of timing of regression of contralateral, accessory CL in pregnant cows, 2017, Theriogenology, 89, 214–225, doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.09.055
Bech-Sàbat G., López-Gatius F., García-Ispierto I., Santolaria J.P., Serrano B., Nogareda C., de Sousa N.M., Beckers J.F., Yániz J., Pregnancy patterns during the early fetal period in high producing dairy cows treated with GnRH or progesterone, 2009, Theriogenology, 71: 920-929
Besbaci M., Abdelli A., Minviel J.J., Belabdi I., Kaidi R., Raboisson D., Association of pregnancy per artificial insemination with gonadotropin-releasing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin administered during the luteal phase after artificial insemination in dairy cows: A meta-analysis, 2020, J. Dairy Sci., 103, 2006–2018
Borş S.I., Borş A., Abdoon A.S.S., Economics of treatment with GnRH agonist 7-14 days after artificial insemination in repeat breeder lactating dairy cows, 2023, Reprod. Domest. Anim., 58(7):929-934, doi: 10.1111/rda.14368
Borş S.I., Vintilă V., Borş A., Floriștean V.C., Impact of Season and OvSynch + GnRH on Day 5 After Artificial Insemination (AI) on the Heat Detection and Conception Rates of Cooled High-Yielding Holstein Cows, 2025, Animals (Basel), 9;15(6):777, doi: 10.3390/ani15060777
Bui D.V., Haneda S., Matsui M., The relationship between accessory corpus luteum maintenance and pregnancy-specific protein B in pregnant Japanese Black cows, 2024, Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research, 72(1): 1–12
Cabrera E.M., Lauber M.R., Peralta E.M, Bilby Fricke P.M., Human chorionic T.R. gonadotropin dose response for induction of ovulation 7 days after a synchronized ovulation in lactating Holstein cows, 2021, JDS Commun, 2:35–40, https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2020 -0024
Cardoso C.E., Wiltbank M.C., Sartori R., Factors that optimize reproductive efficiency in dairy herds with an emphasis on timed artificial insemination programs, 2021, Animals (Basel), 11:301, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020301
Carvalho P.D., Santos V.G., Giordano J.O., Wiltbank M.C., Fricke P.M., Development of fertility programs to achieve high 21-day pregnancy rates in high-producing dairy cows, 2018, Theriogenology, 114:165–172, https://doi.org/10.1016/j .theriogenology .2018.03.037
Clemente M., de la Fuente J., Fair T., Al Naib A., Gutierrez-Adan A., Roche J.F., Rizos D., Lonergan P., Progesterone and conceptus elongation in cattle: a direct effect on the embryo or an indirect effect via the endometrium?, 2009, Reproduction, 138, 507–517, https://doi.org/10.1530/ REP-09-0152
Cunha T.O., Martinez W., Walleser E., Martins J.P.N., Effects of GnRH and hCG administration during early luteal phase on estrous cycle length, expression of estrus and fertility in lactating dairy cows, 2021, Theriogenology, 173:23–31, https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.06.010
De Rensis F., López-Gatius F., García-Ispierto I., Techakum M., Clinical use of human chorionic gonadotropin in dairy cows: an update, 2010, Theriogenology, 73:1001–1008, https://doi.org/10 .1016/j.theriogenology.2009.11.027
Doležel R., Chambert C., Musilová D., Cech S., Páleník T., Induction of accessory Corpus luteum by gonadorelin in relation to the time of treatment and the follicle size in inseminated cows, 2017, Czech J. Anim. Sci., 62, 195–200
El Azzi M.S., Cardoso J.L., Landeo R.A., Pontes J.H.F., de Souza J.C., Martins J.P.N., Effect of inducing accessory corpus luteum formation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin on the day of embryo transfer on fertility of recipient dairy heifers and lactating cows, 2023, JDS Commun, 2,4(2):155-160, doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2022- 0286
Forde N., Beltman M.E., Duffy G.B., Duffy P., Mehta J.P., O’Gaora P., Roche J.F., Lonergan P., Crowe M.A., Changes in the endometrial transcriptome during the bovine estrous cycle: effect of low circulating progesterone and consequences for conceptus elongation, 2011, Biology of Reproduction, 84 266–278, https://doi.org/10.1095/ biolreprod.110.085910
García-Guerra A., Sala R.V., Carrenho-Sala L., Baez G.M., Motta J.C.L., Fosado M., Moreno J.F., Wiltbank M.C., Postovulatory treatment with gnrh on day 5 reduces pregnancy loss in recipients receiving an in vitro produced expanded blastocyst, 2020, Theriogenology, 141, 202–210
Hazano K., Miki T., Goto A., Kayano M., Haneda S., Van Bui D., Miura R., Matsui M., Effects of the formation and regression of accessory corpus lutea during pregnancy on plasma progesterone concentration and pregnancy status in cross-bred beef heifers, Anim Reprod Sci., 2021, 232, 106825, doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2021.106825, https:// doi.org/10.1017/ S0263967X0003409
Kenyon A.G., Mendonça L.G.D., Lopes Jr. G., Lima J.R., Santos J.E.P., Chebel R.C., Minimal progesterone concentration required for embryo survival after embryo transfer in lactating Holstein cows, Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2013, 136:223–230, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.014
Lonergan P., Influence of progesterone on oocyte quality and embryo development in cows, Theriogenology, 2011, 76:1594–1601, https://doi.org/10 .1016/j.theriogenology.2011.06.012
Lonergan P., Sanchez J.M., Symposium review: Progesterone effects on early embryo development in cattle, Journal of Dairy Science, 2020, 103 8698–8707, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18583
López-Gatius F., Santolaria P., Martino A., Delétang F., De Rensis F., The effects of GnRH treatment at the time of AI and 12 days later on reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows during the warm season in northeastern Spain, Theriogenology, 2006, 65, 820-830
López-Gatius F., Santolaria P., Yániz J.L., Hunter R.H.F., Progesterone supplementation during early fetal period reduces pregnancy loss in high-yielding dairy cattle, Theriogenology, 2004, 62: 1529-1535
Mehni S.B., Shabankareh H.K., Kazemi-Bonchenari M., Eghbali M., The comparison of treating Holstein dairy cows with progesterone, CIDR and GnRH after insemination on serum progesterone and pregnancy rates, Reprod. Domest. Anim., 2012, 47: 131-134
Monteiro P.L.Jr., Nascimento A.B., Pontes G.C., Fernandes G.O., Melo L.F., Wiltbank M.C., Sartori R., Progesterone supplementation after ovulation: Effects on corpus luteum function and on fertility of dairy cows subjected to Ai Or Et, Theriogenology, 2015, 84, 1215–1224
Monteiro P.L.Jr., Sartori R., Canavessi A.M.O., Melo L.F., Motta J.C.L., Consentini C.E.C., Wiltbank M.C., Accessory corpus luteum regression during pregnancy I: Timing, physiology and P4 profiles, Reproduction, 2021, 162 473-482, https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-21-0167
Nascimento A.B., Bender R.W., Souza A.H., Ayres H., Araujo R.R., Guenther J.N., Sartori R., Wiltbank M.C., Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin on day 5 after timed artificial insemination on fertility of lactating dairy cows, J. Dairy Sci., 2013, 96:2873–2882, https://doi .org/10.3168/jds.2012-5895
Nascimento A.B., Souza A.H., Guenther J.N., Costa F.P.D., Sartori R., Wiltbank M.C., Effects of treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin or intravaginal progesterone-releasing device after AI on circulating progesterone concentrations in lactating dairy cows, Reprod. Fertil. Dev., 2013, 25:818–824, https://doi.org/10.1071/RD12104
Niles A.M., Fricke H.P., Carvalho P.D., Wiltbank M.C., Hernandez L.L., Fricke P.M., Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonado tropin 7 days after artificial insemination or at the time of embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes in nulliparous Holstein heifers, J. Dairy Sci., 2019, 102:2593–2606, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15588
Pilz M., Fischer-Tenhagen C., Krueger X., von Thiele G., Heuwieser W., Efficacy of progesterone inserts (CIDR) to reduce early embryonic losses in dairy cows, Tierarztliche Praxis, 2012, 40: 7-13
Pursley J.R., Martins J.P.N., Impact of circulating concentrations of progesterone and antral age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility of high-producing lactating dairy cows, Reprod. Fertil. Dev., 2011, 24:267–271, https://doi.org/10.1071/RD11917
Robinson R.S., Hammond A.J., Wathes D.C., Hunter M.G., Mann G.E., Corpus luteum–endometrium–embryo interactions in the dairy cow: underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance, Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 2008, 43, 104–112
Schmitt E.J., Barros C.M., Fields P.A., Fields M.J., Diaz T., Kluge J.M., Thatcher W.W., A Cellular and endocrine characterization of the original and induced corpus luteum after administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or human chorionic gonadotropin on day five of the estrous cycle, J. Anim. Sci., 1996, 74, 1915–1929
Starbuck G.R., Darwash A.O., Mann G.E., Lamming G.E., The detection and treatment of post insemination progesterone insufficiency in dairy cows, BSAP Occas. Publ., 2001, 26:447–450
Steichen M.M., Larson J.E., Effects of supplemental progesterone using a CIDR insert on pregnancy per embryo transfer of dairy heifer recipients of embryos produced in vitro, Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2019, 203, 45–51
Thatcher W.W., A 100-year review: Historical development of female reproductive physiology in dairy cattle, J. Dairy Sci., 2017,100:10272–10291, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017 -13399
Vasconcelos J.L.M., Sá Filho O.G., Justolin P.L.T., Morelli P., Aragon F.L., Veras M.B., Soriano S., Effects of postbreeding gonadotropin treatments on conception rates of lactating dairy cows subjected to timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in a tropical environment, J. Dairy Sci., 2011, 94:223–234, https://doi .org/10.3168/jds.2010-3462
Villarroela A., Martinob A., BonDuranta R.H., Dèletang F., Sischoa W.M., Effect of postinsemination supplementation with PRID on pregnancy in repeat-breeder Holstein cows, Theriogenology, 2004, 61: 1513-1520
Willard S., Gandy S., Bowers S., Graves K., Elias A., Whisnant C., The effects of GnRH administration postinsemination on serum concentrations of progesterone and pregnancy rates in dairy cattle exposed to mild summer heat stress, Theriogenology, 2003, 59, 1799-1810
Wiltbank M. C., and J. R. Pursley, The cow as an induced ovulator: Timed AI after synchronization of ovulation, Theriogenology, 2014, 81:170–185, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.017
Wiltbank M., Lopez H., Sartori R., Sangsritavong S., Gumen A., Changes in reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows due to elevated steroid metabolism, Theriogenology, 2006, 65, 17–29
Wolfenson D., Thatcher W.W., Badinga L., Savio J.D., Meidan R., Lew B.J., Braw-Tal R., Berman A., Effect of heat stress on follicular development during the estrous cycle in lactating dairy cattle, Biol. Reprod., 1995, 52, 1106–1113
Yan L., Robinson R.S., Shi Z., Mann G.E., Efficacy of progesterone supplementation during early pregnancy in cows: A meta-analysis, Theriogenology, 2016, 85, 1390–1398.e1
