Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Thursday, September 4: The meeting was called to order by Chairman William Silvia at 8:00 am. Thursday, Sept. 4 8:00 - 8:30: Introductions and Registration Station reports: Vonnahme (NDSU collaborating with PF at UW): Linseed (flax) ND 95% rich in omega 3. Flax improves conception rate in several studies. Ambrose JDS 89:36 Oil extracted flax to women increased length of luteal phase but not menstrual cycle length. Cost a limiting factor. Fatty acid composition of milk altered (post-rumenal). No improvement in reproductive traits. PF: Titer? Possible collaborative effort. LA: Source? KV: Different mills. GAP: No farm effect would resolve milling/source issue. CL: Analyzed? Percentage within pen? PF: Yes, pen experimental unit. JW: How widespread is sales for a collaborative efforts? PF: Price and availability issues. RK: Mechanism? Embryo? PW: Fed cows, superovulated and transferred. No effect. CL: Studies that show negative effect? PF: Unknown. JS: Variability of product. PW: Monthly bunk samples and milk samples. No fluctuation. KV: Nutritionists recalculated for fluctuations. RK: Pure form of oil for cell culture? KV: Can do omega-3. Fricke (UW): Double OvSynch. Key getting follicle to ovulate to GnRH. PF: P4 influence on response to GnRH? JS: Chenault no differences. PW: Re-synch trial. Natural collaboration type of trial. Students thesis. Break Silvia (UK): Baseline and magnitude of pulses of LH decreases from 0 to 1 to 2 CIDRs. LH response to GnRH suppressed in cows with 1 or 2 CIDRs. Ovulatory response unknown. JS: Need a CL group. GAP: Dose effect of P4 on LH release. Stevenson (K-State): PF: Pfizer wants to go forward with this positive data. JS: Too many injections. Need to increase CR 10-15%. Not economical! OvSynch of value. Additions just a cost increase. PF: Interventions diminishing returns. JS: Cherry picking needs to be taken advantage of. PF: Detection of estrus still an issue. Weber (UMaine): Serum thyroid hormone levels in early lactation related to risk of culling. JS: Days relative to calving? JW: Normalized to calving by 7-day periods. LA: Calcitonin levels/Parathyroid? JW: Have not looked at it. DH: Thyroid Hormone approved to treat? JW: Dont know. Iodine supplementation. Synthroid. Milk sales issues. Lunch Comments from Administrative Advisor, Bill Ravlin, CREES Representative, Deb Hamernik. Hamernik: Discuss changes under new Farm Bill. AFRI FY2009 RFAs released later in the year. AFRI Research RFA released by end of November 2008. No submission deadlines before Feb 1, 2009. AFRI Integrated RFA released after January 1, 2009. Two panels, research and integrated. Ravlin: Bill Koshar will submit report into system. Impact statements. Leverage collaborative efforts to compete for grant dollars. DH: Questions on integrated program RFA under new system. BR: Opportunitities. BS: has group ever submitted a grant as group. No. Paul: Report industry funding for NDSU/UW collaboration. BR: Summarize these in a table. Station Reports: Ottobre (The Ohio State): Boer have lower libido than Mubende. KV: Male oriented? JO: Unknown. Anderson (ISU): New University Dairy Farm may allow collaborations on the multistate project. Krisher (University of Illinois): Families of genes that are different between gilts (poor oocytes competence) and sows. Metabolism genes. Genes involved in oxidative stress. Tools for in vivo studies. Some families of genes in common between pig and mouse. Kesler (University of Illinois): Co-Synch plus CIDR with removal of calf for 60 h increased pregnancy rates. JS: What do you feed the calves? CL/AB: Creep feed or high quality forage. JS: Geary: calf removal data influenced by parity. DK: Did look at parity. Not enough animals to break it out. CL: Does calf removal influence cycling and non-cycling animals differently. DK: Need to have the facilities for the calves. Bridges (Purdue): 5 day CIDR. Issue: Need 2 shots of prostaglandin. Can use 5 day without CIDR? Would it work in anestrous cows? Mature cows: possibly no benefit of CIDR. Too much progesterone: Mid-luteal, possible accessory CL, and CIDR. CL: Give prostaglandin at CIDR insertion. CL/JS: GnRH and prostaglandin at same time. Partial luteolysis but delayed structural luteolysis. Result: Short cycle. AB: Anyway that you can decrease P4 and increase LH increase pregnancy. RK: Actually increasing LH? AB: Hypothesis DK: 5 day CO-Synch without CIDR has a lot of potential impact. GAP/CL: Consistency, costs, and better protocol for heifers. CL: 5 day gives options in the case of a storm or something unplanned 5, 6, 7 day CIDR removal. Perry (SDSU collaboration with RAC at USMARC): LH but no ovulation. Why? JS: Anybody tried monoclonal LH antibodies for any species. JW: Has worked with a company. JS: Is a prepubertal heifer anestrous. GAP: Define pre versus peri? JS: Anestrous not acceptable if I was a reviewer. DH: More mucous associated with drop in pH. GAP: Not determined. Those that dont show estrus, very little mucous. 5 minutes per cow to pH on average. 6:30: Dinner Friday, Sept. 5 8:00 - 8:30: Business Meeting: Election of Secretary and selection of meeting time/place for 2009 2009 Meeting: Omaha, Aug 20, 21 Chair: Cushman Secretary: Vonnahme Member at Large: Bridges Funston (UNL): Okay with dates and location for 2009. Fetal programming: Late gestation nutrition. Supplementing not beneficial. Carcass weight and quality in supplemented steers. Feed efficiency of heifers from non-supplemented cows more efficient, maybe due to lower perceived nutrition in utero. DDG: Significant increase in AI conception rate for heifers developed on DDG. DDG on first calf heifers fewer cycling but no difference in conception. KV: Supplement arginine and increase blood flow to uterus. Arginine content of DDG? BS: Is there a large beef collaborative project? CL: Discussion potential Stevenson (K-State): RK: Progesterone positive effects JS: Possible, Inskeeps data suggests a threshold. Systemic circulation not reflective of the uterus. GB: Cost of shot of hCG JS: 10,000 unit ~$24.00. Chorulon on back order. InterVet still extracting from placentas instead of cell line. GB: How do I recommend non-approved methods to producers? PF: OvSynch not FDA approved. JW: Vet extra-label use. CL: From extension stand-point stick with reproduction task force recommendations. GAP: Can talk about it. DK: Avoid the word recommend PF: Show data do not say This is what I would do CL/GAP: Recommend? Stay with reproduction task force. JW: Immune response to hCG CL: A few years ago 3 or 4 time. JW: Within 1 season. Next year refractory. CL: GnRH not effective on smaller follicles. PF: Wiltbank hCG in dairy cattle that supports JS data. JS: Not published. Ray Nebel has it too. JS: Larger response in second service cows. 80% of dairy cows. PF: Day 28 vs. Day 33 Ultrasounds JS: When did Santos do it? PF: 28. Very meticulous. RAC: Believe that loss between 28 and 33 is what we are seeing. KV: Important window JS: d6-7, recognition of preg d 15, day 28 to 33 KV: Blood flow spike day 25 to 30 as well as recognition of pregnancy? AB: ISG15 second spike? Lamb (University of Florida): Feed Efficiency Facility available for collaborations. 440 head Grow Safe. 1/3 of pens individual water intake. PF: Sexed semen in IVF and could not improve fertility. Sperm damaged. GAP: Need to reduce bull power with AI. Cushman (USMARC in collaboration with GAP at SDSU): 12:30 Adjourn

Objective 1. To develop breeding programs to maximize pregnancy rates. Accomplishments/Outputs: Illinois Removal of calves at the onset of estrus synchronization results in a 10% increase in pregnancy rates to timed artificial insemination in beef cows. Indiana (Purdue) The 5 d CO-Synch program without the inclusion of a CIDR is an effective timed-AI protocol in mature lactating beef cows. Both the CIDR Select and the 5 d Hybrid CO-Synch + CIDR estrous synchronization programs are effective protocols to facilitate AI in beef heifers. Kansas Cows failing to be detected in estrus during 12 d after presynchronization of estrus, but treated with a progesterone insert had increased timed AI conception rates compared with controls (38 vs. 24%), but did not differ from cows inseminated after detected estrus (38%). This study demonstrates that fertility can be improved in a reduced population of cows not yet observed in estrus by applying a progesterone insert in conjunction with a timed AI protocol. Injection of beef cattle with 1,000 IU of hCG on d 7 post-TAI increased the proportion of pregnancies per AI as detected on d 34 and increased the incidence of multiple ovulations in pregnant beef cows. Injection of beef cow recipients with 1,000 IU of hCG on d 7 post-estrus (at the time of embryo transfer) increased the incidence of multiple ovulation in pregnant recipient beef cows. Insufficient replication of treatments precluded interpretation of the effects of hCG on pregnancy rates. Injection of beef cattle with 1,000 IU of hCG on d 26 post-AI had no negative effect on pregnancy rates of previously inseminated suckled beef cows diagnosed pregnant on d 33 after TAI. Although pregnancy losses between d 33 and 68 in beef cattle receiving TAI averaged 5.6% (n =837), injection of GnRH or hCG on d 26 post-AI had no effect on pregnancy losses (second month of pregnancy). Minnesota/Florida Estrus synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination may or may not have a positive economic impact on subsequent weaned calves. However, the likelihood of increased economic gain appears to be dependent on the environment to ensure that calves sired by AI sires have the necessary nutrients to realize their genetic growth potential. Treatment of hCG prior to estrous synchronization with the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol may enhance fertility, but not if hCG replaces GnRH at TAI. We determined that presynchronization with hCG appeared to influence the percentage of cows with a corpus luteum on d -7 but failed to enhance fertility. In addition, replacing GnRH with hCG at TAI appeared to suppress pregnancy rates. Insemination of superstimulated donor cows with sexed semen resulted in lower transferable embryos and an increase in unfertilized ova than those cows inseminated with conventionally frozen semen Nebraska Low input heifer development systems result in acceptable AI and final pregnancy rates. Strategic supplementation of nutrients around the time of natural service or AI breeding may increase pregnancy rates in beef heifers. Late gestation supplementation of cows grazing winter range or corn residue impact subsequent steer and heifer progeny performance. South Dakota There was no effect (P = 0.2) of cycling status on induction of ovulation by a combination of GnRH and CIDR (7 or 9 days) (29/41 and 42/72 for cycling and peripubertal heifers respectively). Ovulation was induced in more heifers when GnRH and CIDR treatments were initiated synchronously (26/38; P < 0.05) or when GnRH was given 6 h before the CIDR (28/37) than when GnRH was administered 48 h after CIDR (17/38). There was no influence (P = 0.19) of treatment on concentrations of LH during the GnRH-induced LH surge. There was a negative effect (P < 0.01) of systemic progesterone on the concentrations of LH during the GnRH-induced LH surge. There was no difference (P = 0.11) in the magnitude of the LH surge between heifers that did and did not ovulate. USDA-MARC Observation of estrus, as determined by a rubbed Estrotect patch, between Lutalyse and artificial insemination increased conception rates. Wisconsin Pretreatment with PGF2± 12 d before initiation of Resynch increased fertility 66 d after TAI for cows with serum P4 concentration > 1.0 ng/mL at the first GnRH injection of Resynch and decreased pregnancy loss from 31 to 66 d after TAI. Double Ovsynch improved fertility to first postpartum TAI compared with Presynch/Ovsynch (primiparous cows), and may improve fertility to second and greater postpartum TAI compared to a 32-d Resynch strategy. Initiation of Resynch 25 d vs. 32 d after TAI did not affect fertility to TAI in lactating Holstein cows. In addition, earlier detection of non-pregnant cows using the PAG ELISA in conjunction with a TAI resynchronization program did improve the 21-d pregnancy risk compared with TU. Although treatment of anovular cows with GnRH 4 d after TAI failed to improve fertility, variation among cows in serum P4 at the PGF2± injection of Ovsynch dramatically affected fertility of anovular dairy cows. Use of exogenous P4 during TAI protocols improved fertility of lactating dairy cows not previously observed in estrus. Objective 2. To characterize physiological mechanisms that regulate ovarian and uterine functions. Illinois In vitro oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo culture to the blastocyst stage is possible in springbok, under semi-defined conditions. A high fat/high fructose diet affects progesterone production, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, glucose tolerance, ovary size and oocyte quality in Ossabaw pigs. Using ala-gln instead of gln was beneficial to oocyte IVM and increased oocyte maturation percentage. Including ala-gln instead of gln may result in increased developmental competence after fertilization by reducing ammonium buildup during the maturation period. Gene expression in porcine oocytes is significantly affected by maternal age as puberty approaches, as well as follicle size, and may be the basis for differences observed in developmental competence. Porcine oocytes can be successfully matured in defined maturation media without gonadotropins, when the media contains fetuin, recombumin and EGF. There are deleterious effects of ammonium on both nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation in vitro. Gene expression is altered in oocytes matured in vitro compared to those in vivo. Iowa There are subsets of the chicken somatotrope population in the anterior pituitary gland that differ in their ability to respond to various secretagogues. Mild fatty liver is detrimental to health and reproduction of dairy cows and exogenous glucagon decreases some of these detrimental effects. There is regional specificity of cellular transformation or interconversion within the anterior pituitary gland to facilitate GH and PRL secretion as the need for endocrine regulation during the rapid growth period in the young pig. Genistein may not affect the acute production of estradiol by bovine follicles, but may alter the long-term response to gonadotropin-stimulated estradiol production. Kentucky Two CIDRs implanted in lactating dairy cows produce approximately 2 ng progesterone/ml in the systemic circulation. 2 ng progesterone/ml is not enough to significantly reduce LH pulsatility and thereby avoid the problem of persistent follicles. A single CIDR strongly suppresses the responsiveness of the pituitary gland to GnRH. Maine In dairy cows, T4 and T3 concentrations decreased from the euthyroid to the hypothyroid range from Day -45 until just after freshening. T3 concentrations subsequently increased into the euthyroid range by Day 20 postpartum. T4 concentrations had not reached euthyroid levels by the end of the sampling period. T3 concentrations on days -25 t0 +25 postpartum were significantly (P <0.01) and inversely related to positive died/cull outcomes. T4 concentrations below 3.2 mg/ dL (lowest 40% of all samples) from 0 to 25 days postpartum were associated with a significantly higher death/cull rate during the same lactation than samples with T4 concentrations greater than 3.2 mg/ dL (P =0.003). North Dakota Feeding linseed meal enhanced uptake of progesterone from CIDRs and clearance of progesterone after CIDR removal when fed to ewes. Feeding flax increased the concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma. Reports of increased pregnancy rates in dairy cows fed flax may relate to P4 metabolism. Feeding oilseeds to beef during the time of estrus synchronization will not only increase the energy density of the diet but will provide key fatty acids that may enhance the recognition of pregnancy by the dam. South Dakota At time of AI, cows that had initiated estrus had decreased (P = 0.01) uterine pH compared to cows not in estrus (6.78 ± 0.03 and 6.89 ± 0.03, respectively). Cows that had initiated estrus by 18 h after AI had decreased (P < 0.01) uterine pH at time of AI compared to cows that did not initiate estrus (6.78 ± 0.02 and 6.96 ± 0.04, respectively). Cows that initiated estrus prior to AI had increased (P = 0.05) pregnancy success (52% vs. 38%) compared to cows that had not initiated estrus by AI. Cows that initiated estrus by 18 h after AI tended to have increased (P = 0.078) pregnancy success (43% vs. 32%) compared to cows that did not initiate estrus. Uterine pH at AI had an approximately linear effect on pregnancy success within the observed pH range. As uterine pH increased pregnancy success decreased (P = 0.076, logistics regression). Cows with high endogenous E2 had larger follicles (P = 0.02) on day 0 of the experiment than cows with low estradiol (15.0 ± 0.67 vs 12.3 ± 0.73 mm, respectively). Circulating concentrations of progesterone were similar (P = 0.95) between highE2 and lowE2 cows on day 0 (0.43 ± 0.05 and 0.43 ± 0.06 ng/mL, respectively), but were different (P = 0.02) on day 16 (3.52± 0.56 and 1.44 ± 0.62 ng/mL, respectively). Concentrations of progesterone increased (P < 0.0001) from day 0 to day 16 in highE2 cows, but only tended (P = 0.12) to increase in lowE2 cows. Relative expression of uterine milk protein precursor was greater (P = 0.04) in highE2 cows compared to lowE2 cows on day 0 (12.51 ± 3.07 vs. 2.10 ± 3.37, respectively). However, expression decreased (P = 0.002) from day 0 to day 16 in highE2 cows, and there was no difference (P = 0.95) in uterine milk protein precursor expression between highE2 and lowE2 cows on day 16 (1.11 ± 0.21 vs. 1.13 ± 0.34, respectively. Relative expression of inhibin beta A was greater (P = 0.03) in highE2 cows compared to lowE2 cows on day 0 (8.81 ± 1.64 vs. 2.82 ± 1.80, respectively), and expression decreased (P = 0.002) in highE2 cows from day 0 to 16. On day 16, there was no difference (P = 0.74) in inhibin beta A expression between highE2 and lowE2 cows (0.28 ± 0.03 vs. 0.29 ± 0.05, respectively). Expression of proenkephalin was not detectable in either highE2 or lowE2 cows on day 0. However, relative expression of proenkephalin on day 16 was greater (P = 0.02) in highE2 cows (10.40 ± 1.95) compared to lowE2 cows (2.70 ± 2.49). Relative expression of oxytocin receptor decreased (P < 0.001) from day 0 to 16 in both highE2 (10.24 ± 1.43 and 1.31 ± 0.49, respectively) and lowE2 cows (9.77 ± 1.10 and 1.03 ± 0.48, respectively), but there was no difference between highE2 and lowE2 cows (P = 0.66 and P = 0.51) on day 0 or 16, respectively. Relative expression of estradiol receptor alpha decreased (P < 0.01) from day 0 to 16 in both highE2 (10.14 ± 1.52 and 4.57 ± 0.50, respectively) and lowE2 cows (13.45 ± 1.73 and 5.35 ± 0.76, respectively). However, there was no difference between highE2 and lowE2 cows (P = 0.16 and P = 0.37) on day 0 or 16, respectively. Relative expression of nuclear progesterone receptor decreased (P < 0.0001) from day 0 to 16 in both highE2 (13.28 ± 0.95 and 2.43 ± 0.34, respectively) and lowE2 cows (13.21 ± 1.09 and 2.66 ± 0.52, respectively); however, there was no difference between highE2 and lowE2 cows (P = 0.96 and P = 0.69) at either time point. USDA-MARC A decreased antral follicle number was associated with decreased conception rates to artificial insemination in 7- but not 8-year-old cows. Cows that were open in two consecutive years had fewer antral follicles than cows that were open one year and conceived in the next year. Preliminary analysis of SNP Chip data using PLINK has identified a candidate region flanking anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) on bovine chromosome 7 that associates with antral follicle counts in heifers. Evidence from both the ultrasonography and the ovaries collected at necropsy suggests that antral follicle counts begin to decline earlier than described in previous reports (Erickson, 1966). Period 1 mRNA levels were elevated in the ovarian cortex of cows that did not demonstrate estrus during the synchronization procedure, but not in adipose. MicroRNAs are expressed in bovine oocytes and may play a role in coordinating mRNA stability and translation during oogenesis. Wisconsin Feeding 0.85 kg flaxseed/cow/d (DM basis) can alter the fatty acid profile of milk while maintaining milk yield and composition in on-farm dairy applications, however, reproductive performance of dairy cows was not affected. Supplementing organic trace minerals had no effect on DMI or health events and only affected milk production later in lactation, BW at 1 month post calving, and BW change f

Stevenson, J.S., Tenhouse, D.E., Krisher, R.L., Lamb, G.C., Larson, J.E., Dahlen, C.R., Pursley, J.R., Bello, N.M., Fricke, P.M., Wiltbank, M.C., Brusveen, D.J., Burkhart, M., Youngquist, R.S., Garverick, H.A. 2008. Detection of anovulation by heatmount detectors and transrectal ultrasonography before treatment with progesterone in a timed insemination protocol. Journal of Dairy Science. 91:2901-2915. Lamb, G.C., C.R. Dahlen, K. A. Vonnehamme, G. R. Hansen, J. D. Arseneau, G. A. Perry, R.S. Walker, J. Clement, J. D. Arthington. 2008. Influence of a CIDR prior to bull-breeding on pregnancy rates and subsequent calving distribution. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (In Press Published Ahead available at: http//:doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.08.012). Illinois Miles, J.R., Blomberg, L.A., Krisher, R.L., Everts, R.E., Sonstegard, T.S., Van Tassell, C.P., Zuelke, K.A. (2008) Comparative transcriptome analysis of in vivo- and in vitro-produced porcine blastocysts by small amplified RNA-serial analysis of gene expression (SAR-SAGE). Molecular Reproduction and Development. 75:976-988. Indiana Bridges, G.A., L.A. Hesler, D.E. Grum, M.L. Mussard, C.L. Gasser, M.L. Day. 2008. Decreasing the interval between GnRH and PGF from 7 to 5 days and lengthening proestrus increases timed-AI pregnancy rates in beef cows. Theriogenology 69:843-851. Portillo, G.E., G.A. Bridges, J.W. de Araujo, M.K.V. Shaw, F.N. Schrick, W.W. Thatcher, J.V. Yelich. 2008. Response to GnRH on day 6 of the estrous cycle is diminished as the percentage of Bos indicus breeding increases in Angus, Brangus and Brahman x Angus heifers. Animal Reprod. Sci. 103:38-51. Iowa Molina, J.R., A.M. Benoit, S. Lkhagvadorj and L.L. Anderson. 2008. Hypothalamic deafferentation in prepuberal beef heifers: effects of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and estradiol benzoate on luteinizing hormone secretion. Livestock Sci. (In press). Benoit, A.M., J.R. Molina, S. Lkhagvadorj and L.L. Anderson. 2008. Prolactin secretion after hypothalamic deafferentation in beef calves: response to haloperidol, a-methyl-r-tyrosine, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and ovariectomy. Anim. Reprod. Sci. (In press). Kansas Stevenson, J.S. 2008. Progesterone, follicular, and estrual responses to progesterone-based estrus and ovulation synchronization protocols at five stages of the estrous cycle J. Dairy Sci. 91:in press. Burns, M. G., B. S. Buttrey, C. A. Dobbins, C. A. Martel, KC Olson, G. C. Lamb, and J. S. Stevenson. 2008. Evaluation of hCG as a replacement for GnRH in ovulation-synchronization protocols before fixed TAI in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 86:in press. Stevenson, J.S., S. M. Tiffany, and E. K. Inskeep. 2008. Maintenance of pregnancy in dairy cattle after treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin or gonadotropin-releasing hormone. J. Dairy Sci. 91:3092-3101. Kentucky Hatler, T.B., S.H. Hayes, D.L. Ray, P.S. Reames and W.J. Silvia. 2008. Effect of subluteal concentrations of progesterone on luteinizing hormone and ovulation in lactating dairy cows. The Veterinary Journal 177: 360-368 Minnesota/Florida Burns, M.G., B.S. Buttery, C.A. Dobbins, C.A. Martel, K.C. Olson, G.C. Lamb, and J.S. Stevenson. 2008. Evaluation of hCG as a replacement for GnRH in ovulation-synchronization protocols before fixed timed AI in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. (In Press. Published Ahead available at http://jas.fass.org/cgi/reprint/jas.2008-1122v1.pdf). Cooke, R. F., J. D. Arthington, D. B. Araujo, G. C. Lamb, and A. D. Ealy. 2008. Effects of supplementation frequency on performance, reproductive, and metabolic responses of Brahman-crossbred females. J. Anim. Sci. (In Press. Published Ahead available at http://jas.fass.org/cgi/reprint/jas.2008-0978v1.pdf). Lamb, G.C., D.R. Brown, J.E. Larson, C.R. Dahlen, N. DiLorenzo, J.D. Arthington, and A. DiCostanzo. 2008. Effect of organic or inorganic trace mineral supplementation on follicular response, ovulation, and embryo production in superovulated angus heifers. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 106:221-231. Santos, N.R., G.C. Lamb, D.R. Brown, R.O. Gilbert. 2008. Postpartum endometrial cytology in beef cows. Theriogenology (Accepted: THERIO-D-06-00210). Nebraska Harris, H.L., A.S. Cupp, A.J. Roberts, and R.N. Funston. 2008. Utilization of soybeans or corn milling co-products in beef heifer development diets. J. Anim. Sci. 86:476482 Martin, J.L., K. W. Creighton, J.A. Musgrave, T.J. Klopfenstein, R.T. Clark, D. C. Adams, and R. N. Funston. 2008. Effect of pre-breeding body weight or progestin exposure before breeding on beef heifer performance through the second breeding season. J. Anim. Sci. 86:451459. North Dakota Galbreath, C.W., E.J. Scholljegerdes, G.P. Lardy, K.G. Odde, M.E. Wilson, J.W. Schroeder, K.A. Vonnahme. 2008. Effect of feeding flax or linseed meal on progesterone clearance rate in ovariectomized ewes. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 35:164-169. South Dakota G. A. Perry, and B. L. Perry. 2008. Effects of standing estrus and supplemental estradiol on changes in uterine pH during a fixed-time AI protocol. J. Anim. Sci. Epub ahead of print July 18, 2008. C. E. Engel, H. H. Patterson, and G. A. Perry. 2008. Effect of dried corn distillers grains plus solubles compared to soybean hulls, in late gestation heifer diets, on animal and reproductive performance. J. Anim. Sci.86:1697-1708. G. A. Perry, and B. L. Perry. 2008. Effect of preovulatory concentrations of estradiol and initiation of standing estrus on uterine pH in beef cows. Domestic Anim. Endo. 34:333-338 USDA-MARC Cushman RA, Allan MF, Kuehn LA. Characterization of biological types of cattle: indicator traits of fertility in beef cattle. Rev Bras Zoo 2008; 37:116-121. Wisconsin Silva, E., R. A. Sterry, D. Kolb, M. C. Wiltbank, and P. M. Fricke. 2007. Effect of pretreatment with prostaglandin F2± before resynchronization of ovulation on fertility of lactating Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 90:5509-5517. Silva, E., R. A. Sterry, D. Kolb, N. Mathialagan, M. F. McGrath, J. M. Ballam, and P. M. Fricke. 2007. Accuracy of a pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) ELISA to determine pregnancy status of lactating dairy cows twenty-seven days after timed AI. J. Dairy Sci. 90:4612-4622. Sterry, R. A., E. Silva, D. Kolb, and P. M. Fricke. 2008. Effect of GnRH administered four days after synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination on fertility of anovular lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology (accepted 08-03-08). Abstracts Bork, N. R., G. P. Lardy, J. W. Schroeder, K. A. Vonnahme, P. M. Fricke, K. B. Koch, M. L. Bauer, and K. G. Odde. 2008. Reproductive performance of cows fed rolled flaxseed on two commercial dairies. J. Dairy Sci. 91(E-Suppl. 1):78. Bork, N. R., G. P. Lardy, J. W. Schroeder, K. A. Vonnahme, P. 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(2008) In vitro maturation alters gene expression in mouse oocytes. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 20(1):82 (abst. 3). Yuan, Y., Krisher, R.L. (2008) The presence of ammonium in chemically defined maturation medium inhibits porcine oocyte nuclear maturation and subsequent embryonic development in vitro. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 20(1):208-209 (abst. 257). Iowa Dekkers, J.C.M., W. Cai, S. Lkhagvadorj, O. Couture, C.K. Tuggle, D. Nettleson and L.L. Anderson. 2008. Genetic aspects of residual feed intake in pigs. 41st Annual Meeting of ASAS Midwestern Section-ADSA Midwest Branch Meeting, March 17-19, 2008, Polk County Convention Center, Des Moines, IA, No. 46, p. 15. Kansas Stevenson, J. S. 2008. Ovarian and fertility responses of Holstein heifers after GnRH, progesterone, PGF2a at five stages of the estrous cycle. J. Dairy. Sci. 91(E. Suppl. 1):581 (Abstr.). Minnesota/Florida Lamb. G.C. 2008. Reproductive management of cycling and non-cycling Bos Taurus beef heifers in the USA. Reprod. Domestic. 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