Elsevier

Theriogenology

Volume 57, Issue 1, 1 January 2002, Pages 21-52
Theriogenology

Physiological classification of anovulatory conditions in cattle

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0093-691X(01)00656-2Get rights and content

Abstract

Evaluation of follicular growth patterns by ultrasound combined with measurement of circulating reproductive hormones has allowed designation of three functionally critical follicular sizes during the final stages of follicular growth: emergence (∼4 mm), deviation (∼9 mm), and ovulation (variable from 10 to 20 mm). Classification of anovulatory conditions on the basis of these three critical points is logical and provides for rational diagnosis and treatment of the underlying physiological condition. In extreme undernutrition, there is growth of follicles to emergence but not to deviation; however, the underlying pathophysiology is not defined because of relatively few scientific investigations of this condition. Anovulatory conditions with growth of follicles to deviation but not to ovulatory size have been extensively studied. Undernutrition and/or suckling can cause this anovulatory condition. It is characterized by a greater negative feedback effect of estradiol on GnRH/LH pulses than found in normally cycling cows. Another anovulatory condition that is common in high producing lactating dairy cows is characterized by growth of follicles to larger than ovulatory size, such as is observed in cows with follicular cysts. This condition is characterized by an insensitivity of the hypothalamus to the positive feedback effects of estradiol. Thus, these last two common anovulatory conditions appear to be primarily due to changes in the responsiveness of the hypothalamus to estradiol. Treatments that increase circulating progesterone concentrations can help in the treatment of these two conditions by potentially altering GnRH/LH pulses and allowing the final stages of follicular growth or resetting the hypothalamic responsiveness to the positive feedback effects of estradiol.

References (137)

  • DJ Kesler et al.

    Reproductive hormones associated with normal and abnormal changes in ovarian follicles in postpartum dairy cows

    J Dairy Sci

    (1979)
  • DJ Kesler et al.

    Reproductive hormones associated with the ovarian cyst response to GnRH

    Theriogenology

    (1979)
  • LJ Kulick et al.

    Follicular and hormonal dynamics during the first follicular wave in heifers

    Theriogenology

    (1999)
  • GE Lamming et al.

    The use of milk progesterone profiles to characterise components of subfertility in milked dairy cows

    Anim Reprod Sci

    (1998)
  • CN Lee et al.

    Induction of persistent ovarian follicular structures following administration of progesterone near the onset of estrus in dairy cattle

    J Dairy Sci

    (1988)
  • MC Lucy

    Regulation of ovarian follicular growth by somatotropin and insulin-like growth factors in cattle

    J Dairy Sci

    (2000)
  • JA McCracken et al.

    Hormone receptor control of pulsatile secretion of PGF2a from the ovine uterus during luteolysis and its abrogation in early pregnancy

    Anim Reprod Sci

    (1984)
  • S McDougall et al.

    Patterns of follicular development during periods of anovulation in pasture-fed dairy cows after calving

    Res Vet Sci

    (1995)
  • T Nakao et al.

    The effect of postpartum ovarian dysfunction and endometritis on subsequent reproductive performance in high and medium producing dairy cows

    Theriogenology

    (1992)
  • AS Nanda et al.

    Lack of LH response to oestradiol treatment in cows with cystic ovarian disease and effect of progesterone treatment or manual rupture

    Res Vet Sci

    (1991)
  • JR Pursley et al.

    Synchronization of ovulation in dairy cows using PGF and GnRH

    Theriogenology

    (1995)
  • AY Ribadu et al.

    The role of LH pulse frequency in ACTH-induced ovarian follicular cysts in heifers

    Anim Reprod Sci

    (2000)
  • B Acosta et al.

    Nursing enhances the negative effect of estrogen on LH release in the cow

    J Anim Sci

    (1983)
  • GP Adams et al.

    Follicular waves and circulating gonadotrophins in 8-month-old prepubertal heifers

    J Reprod Fertil

    (1994)
  • GP Adams et al.

    Association between surges of follicle-stimulating hormone and the emergence of follicular waves in heifers

    J Reprod Fertil

    (1992)
  • J Albrechtsen

    Sterility of cattle and methods of treatment

    The Cornell Vet

    (1917)
  • PJH Ball et al.

    The incidence of prolonged luteal function following early resumption of ovarian activity in postpartum dairy cows

    Proc Br Soc Anim Sci

    (1998)
  • B Bao et al.

    Changes in messenger ribonucleic acid encoding luteinizing hormone receptor, cytochrome P450-side chain cleavage, and aromatase are associated with recruitment and selection of bovine ovarian follicles

    Biol Reprod

    (1997)
  • B Bao et al.

    Expression of steroidogenic enzyme and gonadotropin receptor genes in bovine follicles during ovarian follicular waves: A Review

    J Anim Sci

    (1998)
  • SW Beam et al.

    Effects of energy balance on follicular development and first ovulation in postpartum dairy cows

    J Reprod Fertil

    (1999)
  • MA Beg et al.

    Follicular-fluid factors and granulosa-cell gene expression associated with follicle deviation in cattle

    Biol Reprod

    (2001)
  • EGM Bergfeld et al.

    Ovarian follicular development in prepubertal heifers is influenced by levels of dietary energy intake

    Biol Reprod

    (1994)
  • EGM Bergfeld et al.

    Changing dose of progesterone results in sudden changes in frequency of luteinizing hormone pulses and secretion of 17 beta-estradiol in bovine females

    Biol Reprod

    (1996)
  • Bierschwal CJ et al.

    Clinical response of dairy cows with ovarian cysts to GnRH

    J Anim Sci

    (1975)
  • JH Britt et al.

    Frequency of ovarian follicular cysts, reasons for culling, and fertility in Holstein-Friesian cows given gonadotropin-releasing hormone at two weeks after parturition

    Am J Vet Res

    (1977)
  • JH Britt et al.

    Ovulation, estrus and endocrine response after GnRH in early postpartum cows

    J Anim Sci

    (1974)
  • DC Bulman et al.

    Cases of prolonged luteal activity in the non-pregnant dairy cows

    Vet Rec

    (1977)
  • DC Bulman et al.

    Abnormal patterns of ovarian activity in dairy cows and their relationships with reproductive performance

    Anim Prod

    (1980)
  • TC Cantley et al.

    Hormonal responses of dairy cows with ovarian cysts to GnRH

    J Anim Sci

    (1975)
  • LE Casida et al.

    Effects of unfractionated pituitary extract uponcystic ovaries and nymphomania in cows

    J Anim Sci

    (1944)
  • DL Cook et al.

    Secretory patterns of LH and FSH during development and hypothalamic and hypophysial characteristics following development of steroid-induced ovarian follicular cysts in dairy cattle

    J Reprod Fertil

    (1991)
  • DL Cook et al.

    Fate and turnover rate of ovarian follicular cysts in dairy cattle

    J Reprod Fertil

    (1990)
  • MA Crowe et al.

    Effects of follicle-stimulating hormone with and without luteinizing hormone on serum hormone concentrations, follicle growth, and intrafollicular estradiol and aromatase activity in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-immunized heifers

    Biol Reprod

    (2001)
  • ML Day et al.

    Endocrine mechanisms of puberty in heifers. Estradiol negative feedback regulation of luteinizing hormone secretion

    Biol Reprod

    (1984)
  • ML Day et al.

    Endocrine mechanisms of puberty in heifers. Role of hypothalamo-pituitary estradiol receptors in the negative feedback of estradiol on luteinizing hormone secretion

    Biol Reprod

    (1987)
  • H Dobson et al.

    Preliminary investigations into the endocrine systems of subfertile cattle: location of a common lesion (rate limiting step)

    J Endocrinol

    (1987)
  • H Dobson et al.

    Effect of prolonged oestradiol treatment on the LH surge mechanism in ewes

    J Reprod Fertil

    (1996)
  • H Dobson et al.

    Ultrasonography and hormone profiles of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-inducedpersistent ovarian follicles (cysts) in cattle

    J Reprod Fertil

    (2000)
  • J Dufour et al.

    Corpus luteum action on ovarian follicular development after destruction of macroscopically visible follicles in ewes

    Proc Soc Exp Biol Med

    (1971)
  • HN Erb et al.

    Reproductive steroids in the bovine. VII. Changes postpartum

    J Anim Sci

    (1973)
  • Cited by (0)

    View full text