Acta Univ. Agric. Silvic. Mendelianae Brun. 2012, 60(5), 39-48 | DOI: 10.11118/actaun201260050039

Relationships between changes in Holstein cow's body condition, acetone and urea content in milk and cervical mucus and sperm survival

Jan Beran, Luděk Stádník, Jaromír Ducháček, Monika Okrouhlá
Katedra speciální zootechniky, Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze, Kamýcká 129, 165 21, Praha 6 - Suchdol, Česká republika

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationship between changes in Holstein cow's body condition score (BCS), acetone and urea content in the milk and cervical mucus (CM) and sperm survival in CM. At insemination, samples of milk and CM were collected from 64 Holstein cows. Content of acetone and urea were determined. Sperm motility was assessed subjectively at the beginning and after 30, 60 and 90 minutes of the short-term heat test in CM. Data about evaluation of cow's BCS were taken from farm evidence. The data set was analyzed using SAS/STAT software. Effect of change in cow's BCS one month before insemination was significant only in relation to the acetone content in milk (P < 0.05). Higher values of acetone and urea content were found in the CM compared to milk. Higher levels of both metabolites were detected in primiparous cows and in cows on the third and subsequent lactation, resp. in cows inseminated 3 times and more. The highest values of both metabolites negatively affected sperm survival during the short-term heat test, especially after 90 minutes (P < 0.05-0.01). Significant decreases (P < 0.05-0.01) were detected in cows with the highest level of acetone and urea.

Keywords: Holstein, NEB, BCS, acetone, urea, sperm survival, cervical mucus
Grants and funding:

This research was funded by "S" grant of MSMT CR, by Project No. NAZV QI91A061 and by "SGS" grant of FAPPZ, CULS Prague (21320/1312/213183).

Received: May 2, 2012; Prepublished online: July 24, 2013; Published: July 30, 2013  Show citation

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Beran, J., Stádník, L., Ducháček, J., & Okrouhlá, M. (2012). Relationships between changes in Holstein cow's body condition, acetone and urea content in milk and cervical mucus and sperm survival. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 60(5), 39-48. doi: 10.11118/actaun201260050039
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