Searchable, peer-reviewed, open-access proceedings from bioscience and biomedical conferences

bp0003rdr27 | Regulation of Gonadal Function | REDR1994

Immunological manipulation of ovulation rate for twinning in cattle

Hillard MA , Wilkins JF , Cummins LJ , Bindon BM , Tsonis CG , Findlay JK , O’Shea T

Unlike in sheep, in which immunization against androstenedione causes mild and reasonably controlled increased ovulation rate, in similar studies cattle showed highly variable responses ranging from increased ovulation rate and fertility through to anovulation/anoestrus or superovulation. As a consequence, interest in manipulation of ovulation rate through this approach has declined and is now focused on immunological manipulation of endogenous inhibin following successful stu...

bp0008rdr14 | Challenges in Optimization of Reproductive Performance | REDR2014

Optimizing productive and reproductive performance in the grazing cow

Butler Stephen T , Cummins Sean B , Herlihy Mary M , Hutchinson Ian A , Moore Stephen G

Abstract. The efficiency of milk production in pasture-based systems is heavily influenced by calving pattern, necessitating excellent reproductive performance in a short breeding season. Where grazed pasture is the major component of the diet, cows are underfed relative to their intake potential. A number of studies have identified body condition score measurements that are related to likelihood of both submission and conception. In general, fertility variabl...

bp0001redr6 | (1) | REDR1980

The effect of intrauterine gonadectomy on fetal and neonatal gonadotrophin secretion in the lamb

Bremner WJ , Cumming IA , Williams DM , de Kretser DM , Lee VWK

Summary. In Exp. 1, sheep fetuses (2 male and 3 female) were gonadectomized between Days 70 and 120 of gestation and their blood LH and FSH levels were compared to those of control animals (4 male, 6 female) at regular times during the first year after birth. In Exp. 2. fetuses (3 male and 5 female) were gonadectomized between Days 50 and 60 of gestation and gonadotrophin levels at Day 90 of gestation were compared to those of control fetuses of the same age. ...

bp0001redr11 | (1) | REDR1980

Effects of LH-RH infusion, castration and cryptorchidism on gonadotrophin and testosterone secretion in developing rams

Lee VWK , Bremner WJ , Cumming IA , de Kretser DM , Findlay JK

Summary. The relationship between the pituitary gland and testis in rams was studied from birth to sexual maturity. The concentrations of LH, FSH and testosterone increased between 5 and 7 weeks of age; the rise was not correlated with any specific cytological change in the testis. An augmented pituitary response to LH-RH was demonstrated as levels of gonadotrophin increased. It is unclear whether this change in sensitivity plays a role in initiation of the pu...