Factors affecting sperm survival in cervical mucus and pregnancy rates of Ovsynch-treated Holstein cows

• Published in: Scientia agriculturae Bohemica Vol. 39; no. 1
• Main Authors: Stadnik, L.,Ceska Zemedelska Univ., Prague (Czech Republic). Katedra Specialni Zootechniky, Jezkova, A.,Ceska Zemedelska Univ., Prague (Czech Republic). Katedra Specialni Zootechniky, Vacek, M.,Ceska Zemedelska Univ., Prague (Czech Republic). Katedra Specialni Zootechniky
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2008
• Subjects: ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION; DAIRY COWS; ESPERMATOZOO; GESTACION; GESTATION; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_15998; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_24894; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_26767; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_4961; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_4972; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6166; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_638; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6508; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_6510; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7287; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7538; INSEMINACION ARTIFICIAL; INSEMINATION ARTIFICIELLE; MILK YIELD; MOCO; MOUVEMENT; MOVEMENT; MOVIMIENTO; MUCUS; PERFORMANCE DE REPRODUCTION; PREGNANCY; RENDEMENT LAITIER; RENDIMIENTO LECHERO; REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS; REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE; REPRODUCTIVIDAD; SEASONAL VARIATION; SPERMATOZOA; SPERMATOZOIDE; SUPERVIVENCIA; SURVIE; SURVIVAL; TRASTORNOS DE LA REPRODUCCION; TROUBLE DE LA REPRODUCTION; VACAS LECHERAS; VACHE LAITIERE; VARIACION ESTACIONAL; VARIATION SAISONNIERE
• ISSN: 1211-3174; 1805-9430

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of insemination year, insemination season, parity, number of AI, days in milk, fat corrected milk production in the 1st 100 lactation days, disease occurrence (retained placenta, endometritis, or cysts) and their influence on sperm motility (SM) during 30, 60 and 90 minutes of the cervical mucus survival test (n=381) or pregnancy rates (PR) in Ovsynch-treated Holstein cows (n=314). Insemination year had a significant effect on sperm motility (P less than 0.0001). Significant differences related to the insemination season were determined during the entire test time. Cows inseminated from 15th May to 14th September demonstrated the lowest SM and PR, too. Highest sperm survival ability in primiparous cows (P less than 0.05-0.01) was not confirmed by significantly better conception. The highest PR was detected in cows inseminated from 144 to 168 days of lactation. The lowest fat corrected milk production during the first 100 lactation days was significantly related to the lowest SM at the beginning of the survival test. Cows with retained placenta after calving had lower SM (P less than 0.05) and worse PR by 5.86%. Cyst occurrence signif. lowered the PR (by 13.61%), the occurrence of multiple cysts during lactation signif. decreased the pregnancy rate (by 20.53%). The best SM after 30 minutes signified the highest motility in the 60th or 90th minute as well. Significantly higher PR was determined in cows with higher SM after 30 and 60 minutes of test.