Preliminary findings of altered follicular activity in Holstein cows with coagulation factor XI deficiency

• Published in: Veterinary research communications 1995, Vol.19 (6), p.463-471
• Main Authors: Liptrap, R.M. (Guelph Univ., Guelph, Ont. (Canada). Dept. of Biomedical Sciences), Gentry, P.A, Ross, M.L, Cummings, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal productions; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; BLOOD COAGULATION; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - genetics; Cattle Diseases - metabolism; Cattle Diseases - physiopathology; CICLO ESTRAL; COAGULACION SANGUINEA; COAGULATION SANGUINE; COWS; CYCLE OESTRAL; DEFICIENCY DISEASES; Dinoprost - analogs & derivatives; Dinoprost - blood; ENFERMEDADES CARENCIALES; Estradiol - blood; Estrus - metabolism; Estrus - physiology; Factor XI - genetics; Factor XI - metabolism; Factor XI Deficiency - physiopathology; Factor XI Deficiency - veterinary; Female; FOLICULOS OVARICOS; FOLLICULE OVARIEN; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genes, Recessive; Homozygote; MALADIE DE CARENCE; OCYTOCINE; OESTROUS CYCLE; Ovarian Follicle - metabolism; Ovarian Follicle - physiopathology; OVARIAN FOLLICLES; OXITOCINA; OXYTOCIN; Oxytocin - blood; PROGESTERONA; PROGESTERONE; Progesterone - blood; PROSTAGLANDINAS; PROSTAGLANDINE; PROSTAGLANDINS; Terrestrial animal productions; VACA; VACHE; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0165-7380; 1573-7446
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01839334

Factor XI (F XI) deficiency is an autosomal recessive coagulopathy found in Holstein cattle. Affected animals have a 50% greater prevalence of repeat breeding. Therefore, several parameters describing ovarian function were studied. Daily blood sampling revealed that progesterone concentrations were slower to decline from a peak at day 16 (p < 0.01) to values less than 3 nmol/L in F XI-deficient cows (5.14 +/- 0.69 days (mean +/- SD) versus 4.05 +/- 0.63 days in control animals), resulting in an oestrous cycle length of 24.7 +/- 2.1 days compared to 22.9 +/- 3.0 days, respectively. This was not due to an alteration in the availability of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) or oxytocin (OT) involved in luteolysis. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were seen between normal (n = 7) and F XI-deficient (n = 7) cows in the peak values or the area under the curve for the pulse in 13,14-dihydro-15-keto PGF2 alpha in response to OT challenge or in the parameters describing the pulse of ovarian OT secretion after PGF2 alpha injection (n = 7 for each) between days 12 and 14. Ovulatory follicular development was assessed by ultrasound monitoring and plasma 17 beta-oestradiol values at 8-h intervals after a luteolytic injection of cloprostenol (n = 6 for each). Follicular diameter was smaller (p < 0.05) and accompanied by lower peak oestradiol values near the time of ovulation in F XI-deficient cows. The results suggest that the oestrous cycle in F XI-deficient cows is characterized by a slower process of luteolysis that may be associated with smaller follicular development.