Metabolic and Endocrine Differences Between Dairy Cows That Do or Do Not Ovulate First Postpartum Dominant Follicles

Most dairy cows develop the first dominant follicle postpartum within 2 wk after calving, but only about 40% of these follicles produce sufficient estradiol to stimulate ovulation despite having normal ultrasound appearance and growth. This study aimed to characterize metabolic, endocrine, and folli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2016-01, Vol.94 (1), p.18-18
Main Authors: Cheong, Soon Hon, Sá Filho, Ocilon G, Absalón-Medina, Victor A, Pelton, Susanne H, Butler, W Ronald, Gilbert, Robert O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Androstenedione - metabolism
Animals
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Cattle
Energy Metabolism
Estradiol - metabolism
Female
Fertility
Follicular Fluid - metabolism
Glucose Tolerance Test
Insulin Resistance
Luteinizing Hormone - blood
Ovarian Follicle - physiology
Ovulation - physiology
Postpartum Period - physiology
Proteins - metabolism
Theca Cells
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Summary:Most dairy cows develop the first dominant follicle postpartum within 2 wk after calving, but only about 40% of these follicles produce sufficient estradiol to stimulate ovulation despite having normal ultrasound appearance and growth. This study aimed to characterize metabolic, endocrine, and follicular fluid profiles of cows in which the first dominant follicle postpartum will become ovulatory and those with nonovulatory follicles. Luteinizing hormone pulse frequency, follicular fluid androstenedione, and follicular fluid estradiol concentrations were lower in nonovulatory cows suggesting that the function of theca cells is impaired. In addition, nonovulatory cows had more severe negative energy balance and greater insulin resistance postpartum. This study describes for the first time the steroid hormone profile of early postpartum follicles and shows that a steroidogenic defect most likely occurs in theca cells limiting the amount of androgen precursor available for estradiol production that impairs their ovulatory outcome.
ISSN:1529-7268
DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.114.127076