Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Thursday, August 20th, 2009 8:00 - 8:30: Introductions and Registration Room was $150. Registration is $10 per person. Dairy collaborative projects: No dairy collaborative project was done last year. Discuss collaborative efforts tomorrow. Station reports: Kansas State University (Stevenson): Use of hCG to induce accessory CL during early embryonic development: Embryo transfer recipients w and w/o 1000 IU hCG, CL were counted on d 30 and 60 of pregnancy and pregnancy diagnosis occurred. Although P4 concentrations and accessory CL numbers were greater on d 30 and 60 with hCG treatment, pregnancy rates were numerically greater (not significant) on d 30 or 60. No differences in pregnancy loss. These were just in the pregnant cows on d 30 and 60. Note that the hCG was only given to multiparous recipients that had a CL to begin with. What is the hCG availability? It is always on back order& still extracting from placentas. Is there a threat to the market? Because of the athletes?? What is the future? Not known what the antibody response is. If you make it up, make sure you refrigerate and use in 24 hr or freeze it. CIDR after breeding to increase pregnancy? No increase in circulating P4 but perhaps there is an increase in the endometrial P4 content. hCG may be better as you keep the P4 around longer than when you pull the CIDR. Exp 2. Resynch ovulation in dairy cattle with unknown pregnancy status; See design in KSU report. If GnRH is given 7 d before a pregnancy check on d 39 after AI, then there is a greater pregnancy response to GnRH compared with saline. In contrast, this is not the case if GnRH is given 7 d before a not pregnant diagnosis on d 32 after AI. Exp 3: Induction of luteolysis before TAI after Estrumate or Lutalyse: no difference in conception rate; interesting split of the cattle in their P4 profiles from hr 0, 48, 72 after PGF administration. At AI: Timed AI only (33.1) < estrus only (41.1) < TAI + estrus (52.8). Exp 4: Use of eCG to stimulate pregnancy outcome in suckled beef cattle: could increase E2 by eCG administration after dominant follicle selection  potentially by the FSH activity of eCG binding to granulosa cell FSH receptors. So far, no differences in pregnancy rates are detected in beef cattle. A dairy project is near completion. Discussion: What percentage of eCG has LH activity? Need to find out. University of Wisconsin-Madison (Fricke): Experiment 1. Effect of increasing GnRH and PGF dose during double-Ovsynch on fertility of lactating dairy cows at first postpartum TAI. In primiparous cows, double Ovsynch has a greater response than Presych-Ovsynch. In a comparison of Long vs Short schedule: long schedule cows have GnRH 7 d apart; thought is to have more P4; in the short schedule there is low P4; Short grouplow P4 vs long group; ovulation to last GnRHno difference in synchrony. If you look at double ovulations there is an increase in short schedule animals vs long; conception was decreased and there was an increase in embryonic loss in the short termbut there were more ovulations&. Best to start a synch protocol in a high P4 environment. Dose trial (2 x 2 factorial: 2 cc vs 4cc GnRH at the first GnRH injection and PGF 2 cc vs 3 cc (estrumate) at the breeding Ovsynch): no difference statistically. 2nd comparision: 2cc GnRH + 2cc PGF vs 4cc GnRH + 3cc PGF: no differences Question to the group: do we use more number of cows at one location or fewer cows at more locations. Discussion: Our role as a committee is to do these types of experiments with the only output being pregnancy rate. To do more intensive measurements is for a one site, more in depth experiment. ReSynch: testing the interval breeding 42 vs 49 days. Pregnancy rates on d 29 and 74: increased in the double Oovsych vs d32 Resynch protocol. Pregnancy loss is not different; double Ovsynch increased the presence of CL at time of first GnRH injection. P4 is increased in the double Ovsynch protocol at the time of first GnRH injection. University of Kentucky (Silvia): A comparison of physiological and endocrine parameters during the periestrual period in lactating dairy cows that did and did not conceive. Measured the difference in LH and E2, dominant follicular size, in cows that did and did not conceive. There were no differences. There were 3 NP cows had a peak of LH before the onset of estrus. So interesting point that some cows may be ovulating before onset of estrus? USDA-MARC (Cushman): Size of the ovarian reserve and how this impacts fertility: animals with less than 100,000 oocytes Reproductive tract scores and ovarian reserve; lower follicle cows have smaller ovaries. Antral follicle counts (AFC): low AFC has smaller ovary sizes; birth wt is smaller and percent pregnant is lower. Heifers who are smaller at birth have a decreased AFC. Reproductive tract score was lower in the lower AFC heifers. High AFC heifers have increased progesterone during the cycle ; larger endometrial area as well. Stage of the cycle does not really affect the AFC. Perhaps the increase in fertility in the offspring from the protein supplementation in cows of Funston can correlate with the AFC? Cushman is looking at this with some experiments being carried on at MARC. GH receptor deficient Brahman, they have fewer antral follicles; decreased serum IGF-1, and decreased serum progesterone. Pregnancy rates decline at 6 yr of age. Serum IGF-I decreases with the increasing age. Hypothesis: Clock gene (Period 1) and StAR will be decreased in old vs young cows (< and > 6 yrs). Age impacts AFC, CL weight, P4 (younger is better). Period 1 is increased in young cows. Star and HSD are not different. Comments from Administrative Advisor, Bill Ravlin, CSREES Representative, Adele Turzillo. Bill Ravlin: Midterm review must be submitted to NCRA DirectorsOffice NLT Feb 15, 2010 so it can be reviewed for the March 2010 meeting. Need to make sure that the collaborations are documented. Joint projects are very useful for the review. Provide a funding summary for the review to provide leverage for the continuation of the project. Report the value of the animals that we are using. Contributions for these projects, also grants and contracts. Bill will email us to get the information he needs to complete this report. Make sure that you provide good impact statements. Provide information to OMB by CRIS forms and impact statements. Output is papers, talks, etc.; impact answers the question Who cares. Impacts on the mission; impacts on the discipline; impacts on the environment, what are the social impacts The next re-write should include that we are training the next round of animal scientists. Adele Turzillo: CSREES will cease in 40 daysnow will be called NIFANational Institute of Food Agriculture. October 1st. Director will be presidentially appointed. There will be a transition team. There has been input by the stakeholders for the running of the new institute. FY2010 funding highlights: in the handout. Competitive programs: NRI=AFRI; for the non-integrated program: 60% fundamental 30% must be done by multidisciplinary teams; 40% applied research. Integrated solutions for animal agriculture program: need a letter of intent. These are reviewed internally. Adele reviews Hatch proposals.2 common reasons for not signing off: if your hatch project is related to a multi-state project, the objectives must match. The other has to have an approved IACUC approval. University of Florida (Lamb): in November or December would like to have a Summit for the integrated program and for the research proposal. Project 1. Administration of hCG 7 d after TAI of suckled beef cows hCG increased pregnancy rates. Lamb is recommending that you use it: more CL, more total CL volume on d 14, and more progesterone in circulation. Impacts of handling cattle with synch protocols and keeping them consistent in studies was discussed. Project 2: Effects of 66 hr temporary calf removal on calf wt gain and pregnancy rates between CIDR removal and TAI in estrous synchronized suckled beef cows exposed to the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol. Increased pregnancy rates by 7% (not statistically different)weigh the calvesthey do not catch back up  so it is a problem with the calf or with the dams mammary gland. Range in calf age? Experiment 3: Embryo quality from superovulated cows treated with NHNFIimmune product. Immune product bolus + FSH (n=35-37); increased the percentage of grade 1 embryos; doesnt know what this product is& Experiment 4: Effects of supplemental progesterone during culture on the development, metabolism, and numbers of cells of bovine embryos produced by IVM, IVF and culture. Progesterone did not effect the development of the embryos. Are there progesterone receptors on the conceptus? University of Illinois (Krisher): Kesler is retiring Sept 15th Maternal age alters fetal and placental development and the expression of methylated genes. Old mice appear to have impaired regulation of genes necessary for appropriate placental and fetal development. Was this their first pregnancy? In porcine ovaries, leptin alone in IVF/IVM procedures results in no differences. Absence of glucose has a negative effect on maturation of the oocyte. Depending upon the amount of glucose in the media, leptin appears to influence maturation. Microarray work: glutaredoxin pathway genes are expressed in porcine oocytes-- Unpublished work: Model for PCOS with the Ossabaw swine: When fed a diet that induces metabolic syndrome, these pigs had increased triglycerides, cholesterol, and androstendione. May be a good model for this important biomedical problem. Talked about these cool embryo chambers, where communication between embryos could be investigated. South Dakota State University (Perry): Project 1: Influencing initiating luteal regression just before GnRH initiation of a new follicular wave and synchrony of estrus (development of the PG-CIDR protocol). There was a shift in the distribution of estrus in virgin beef heifers following PGFthose on the PG-CIDR exhibited estrus ~6 h sooner than those with just the CIDR. There is a decreased variation in the concentrations of circulating P4 in the PG-CIDR vs CIDR heifers. The PG-CIDR protocol was also compared with the 5-d CIDR protocol. George demonstrated an overall increased in pregnancy rates with the PG-CIDR vs 5-d CIDR. Project 2: Uterine biopsy worklooking at mRNA expression in high E2 and low E2 cattle. The relative gene expression of different factors was determined on different days of the estrous cycle from the endometrium. If there was a difference in the factor of interest between the high and low E2 cows, it appeared at estrus (d 0). Question raised: Are you sure you are getting caruncular tissue? There is variation between caruncular and intercaruncular tissue? Project 3: Influence of blood sulfate concentrations on uterine pH. Feeding distillers grains increases sulfur concentrations. However, there is also an increase with higher protein and high sulfur diets. A protein- sulfur study needs to be done to tease apart some of the differences found. Collaboration between SDSU and NDSU is being discussed. North Dakota State University (Vonnahme): Project 1: Does linseed meal (which contains high phytoestrogens levels) during the later part of gestation influence growth and puberty of the offspring? It does not seem to be a problem. This bi-product can be used as a supplement during pregnancy. Project 2: Short term oilseed supplementation around breeding and its impacts on pregnancy rates. We did not find any positive effects on pregnancy rates with either a whole soybean or flaxseed supplementation. Interestingly, the number of heifers that exhibited estrus activity (by HeatWatch) was increased in the fat supplementation groups compared with the Control group (no fat added in the diet). Project 3: Restriction during pregnancy in multiparous cows seems to affect the vascular reactivity of the placental vessels more after the cattle have been realimented. This suggests that there is perhaps some placental programming that may impact future growth of the calf. Friday, August 21st, 2009 8:00 - 8:30: Business Meeting: Election of Secretary and selection of meeting time/place for 2010 2010 Meeting: Anchorage, Alaska on the 2nd and 3rd-- preceding the 8th Ruminant Reproduction Symposium (Hilton Hotel) in September 3rd (welcoming reception) through the 7, 2010. Chair: Vonnahme Secretary: Bridges Member at Large: Rick Funston with the meeting in North Platte Next on the list: Jamie Larson Purdue (Bridges): Project 1: Investigation of an alternative method to synchronize estrus in beef heifers; wanting to reduce progesterone during the follicular wave as this may increase fertility in beef heifers. A multi-location trial was conducted comparing the CIDR 5d, CIDR-7d and a modified protocol. Pregnancy rate to CIDR-7d was reduced compared with the 5 d and modified protocol. No ovulation data was collected. Project 2: Impact of progesterone concentrations during the development of the follicular wave on the dominant follicule. In the Low P4 group, there was an increase in follicular size at CIDR removal, but not at ovulation. Project 3: Use of a double dose of PGF in the 5-d CO-Synch + CIDR program in beef cowsPGF was given either 2 or 8 h apart. No difference in pregnancy rate. So potentially we can run cows through the chute once Discussion of the group: What is the difference between cows and heifers: Lactating cow is breathing moremore passage through the lungsPGF metabolism Timing of ovulation is slow in really old cows BCS and wt of heifers Double ovulation? Ovulation to GnRH is greater in the cow than to heifer 2 injections will limit the 5 d CIDRdoesnt seem to be the case. More resistance to fall breeders due to decreasing day light Additional project Allen is working on: Evaluation of luteal blood flow following PGF administration: How long do accessory CL liveif the heifers/cows do not get pregnant? So are accessory less responsive to endogenous PGF? Papers by Tiponin with dairy females, giving GnRH late in the cycle and they do unpredictable things. GnRH and PGF at the same time, get a fall of P4 Fields with Brahma heifers do not respond The timing between the normal and accessory CLthey regress earlier than a normal CLthey can regresss earlier than a normal CL (spontaneous). The composition of the CL may be different depending upon the reagent used to induce ovulation. Low P4 may reset the uterine environment. Accessory CL have a cavityblood vessels terminate near the periphery of the CL 20% of cows that do not get bred probably have this accessory CL phenomenon. Economics behind AI- do these 20% not get pregnant until the accessory CL regressso this may be phenomenon may also be the case in natural bred cows&. What is the physiology of the timed AI cows& how does this work? The Ohio State University (Ottobre) Project 1: Vitamin C and the CL: Ascorbic acid is a free radical scavenger. PGF decreases vitamin C. Does oxidative stress impact the timing on the regression of the dominant follicle? Why does the CL have so much Vitamin Cit is also really high in the adrenal gland&. During steroidogenesisit may be important for this process. In the pig, release of vit C into the circulation occurs upon regression. Venous levels were not different in the sheep as Joe has seen in the pig. Vit C is not high in the folliclelevels are far higher& Citrus pulp has a component that decreases p4 catabolism University of Nebraska (Funston): Projects are to investigate the role of different production systems on heifer adaptability and potential longevity in the herd. Supplementation with DDGS; Varibility of DDGS for these supplementation trials and for producers. Low input systems for the heifer As of today, there are no negative effects of these low input systems George data confirms Ricks data Change in nutritiondoes this influence embryonic loss? Or retard embryonic development? Gain at different increments in heifers life: gain from weaning to breeding is not significant; her gain from birth to 2 mo and 2 to 6 months& these are pubertal. Perhaps this programs the gonadotropin axis? Pat Hoffman& Chung Parks datamaybe more milk related Wiltbank: for birth to weaning is most important for the onset of puberty Iowa State University (Anderson): GH secretion in cell culturepituitary gland challenged with the GH secretagogue (692585); looking histologically with EM and IHCGH with immunogold antibody. No release of vesicle contentgold is released. Those with complete release have no gold left. There is a track to the membranethe amount of GH released is variable. The porosome--the application in biology and medicine on the release of GH in different tissues. Collin ScanesVP of research in University of Wisconsin Milwakee; Looking at chicken somatotropeslook at this in the USDA impact sitepicked up for a story there. Matt Wilson and Lloyd had a  managing prenatal development to enhance livestock productivity. Working with Matt Lucy and use of RU486 in progesterone receptors in pigs during early pregnancy. Discussion on collaborative projects: How many people will attend Lambs integrated and research proposal: everyone was; an economist is already selected. Need a Rural sociologist for the project. Look into your university system regarding rural sociologist. Lamb will email everyone the time that would work best for the meeting. 11:30 Adjourn

Accomplishments/Outputs: Objective 1: To develop breeding programs to maximize pregnancy rates. Florida: Administration of 1,000 IU of hCG to suckled beef cows 7 days after insemination increased volume of luteal tissue on day 14 and concentrations of progesterone on day 14 and 23 after timed-AI. Treatment with hCG tended to increase pregnancy rates at 5 locations from 1.1 to 27 percentage points compared with saline. For cows exposed to temporary weaning, no difference in pregnancy rates were noted compared to controls. However, calf weight gain was greater for control than calves exposed to temporary calf removal. The number of transferable embryos collected per flush was not increased in cows treated with Nutrition Horizons Factor Immune product; however, the quality of transferable embryos was improved after embryo donor cows received Nutrition Horizons Factor Immune product prior to embryo collection. Administration of progesterone at 1 ng/mL or 100 ng/mL during the culture of in vitro produced embryos may have slight affects on embryo characteristics; however, there appears to be no advantage of supplementing progesterone to in vitro embryos to enhance cleavage rates, development to blastocysts, and metabolic characteristics. Illinois: In a 5 day CO-Synch protocol the addition of a CIDR improved pregnancy rates and calving rates. Indiana (Purdue): Conception to AI was greater in heifers synchronized with a modified 7 day Select Synch or a 5 day Select Synch Protocol as compared to the standard 7 day Select Synch Protocol. Reducing the concentration of progesterone during the development of the follicular wave resulted in a slight increase in size of the dominant follicle during proestrus, but did not impact size of the dominant follicle at ovulation. Kansas: Injection of hCG on d 7 post-estrus (at the time of embryo transfer) induced ovulation and increased concentrations of progesterone pregnant recipient beef cows. Although insufficient replication of treatments prevented detection of greater pregnancy rates after hCG treatment, a numerically (6.4 percentage points or a 11.5% increase) greater proportion of recipients were pregnant after hCG treatment. When ultrasound is used to diagnose pregnancies at earlier post-AI intervals (d 29 to 35), reinitiating a resynchronized ovulation program with a GnRH injection in cows of unknown pregnancy status 7 d before a not-pregnant diagnosis seems to be contraindicated because resulting pregnancies per AI were not improved. For herds in which pregnancy diagnosis is made at a later post-AI interval (d 36 to 42), either by transrectal ultrasound or palpation, initiating the resynchronization program requires GnRH to improve resulting fixed-time pregnancies per AI. Changing the timing of the second GnRH to 56 h after PGF2a and inseminating 16 h later (72 h post-PGF2a) clearly improved fixed-time pregnancies per AI compared with concurrent insemination and GnRH treatment at 72 h. Because treating pregnant cows with GnRH 7 d before pregnancy status is known did not negatively affect subsequent pregnancy maintenance assessed 6 wk later, its use to initiate resynchronization 7 d before cows are diagnosed not pregnant after d 35 since last AI is justified. Administration of FSH-like activity of eCG failed to improve fixed-time AI pregnancy rates in suckled beef cattle, and may have had a negative effect. Nebraska (ARS-USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center): We have identified antral follicle counts as a phenotype that when combined with the traditional reproductive tract score improves the diagnostic capability for predicting heifer fertility immediately before the breeding season. Because age at puberty, heifer pregnancy rate, and reproductive longevity are genetically correlated these should be highly profitable replacement heifers. Ultrasonography is currently the most cost effective method for identifying heifers with low antral follicle counts. Nebraska (UNL West Central Research and Extension Center): Compared with steers from non-supplemented cows, steers from protein supplemented cows had greater marbling scores and a greater proportion graded USDA Choice or greater. Protein supplementation of dams increased the value of calves at weaning and of steers at slaughter regardless of winter grazing treatment. Calf birth and weaning weight were increased by grazing corn residue during the winter. Calf weaning BW was increased by protein supplementation of the dam if the dam grazed on winter range. Compared with steers from non-supplemented cows, steer progeny from protein supplemented cows had a greater quality grade with no effect on yield grade. These data support a late gestation dam nutrition effect on calf production via fetal programming. Wet corn gluten feed in postpartum primiparous beef cow diets improved cow ADG prior to breeding and dried distillers grains plus solubles increased 205 day weaning BW of female offspring. Both dried distillers grains plus solubles and wet corn gluten feed are acceptable supplements for primiparous cows and may improve beef production sustainability. Supplemental nutrition during the periconceptual period was of limited value. However, injection of PGF in a 25 d breeding season improves synchrony of calving and increases steer calf weaning BW and value. Development grazing corn residue reduces ADG before breeding without sacrificing final pregnancy rate. Development grazing on winter range increases milk production, but does not increase weaning BW. Grazing corn residue during heifer development reduces cost compared to the dry lot. Grazing corn residue or winter range is suitable for heifer development at similar cost. Heifers grazing corn residue post weaning gain more and are more efficient while grazing CR as pregnant heifers. The benefit of grazing corn residue post weaning is most pronounced compared to heifers developed in the dry lot. These data provide evidence of an adaptive response to grazing low quality forages and may be beneficial in the critical period leading up to the first calving season. Estrous synchronization with a single injection of prostaglandin F2± resulted in more cows giving birth earlier, even though the breeding season was 15 d shorter. Calves born earlier in the season are heavier at weaning and produce a heavier, more valuable carcass. South Dakota: More heifers treated with PG-CIDR (P = 0.06) initiated a new follicular wave at the initiation of treatment compared to CIDR treated heifers. Interval to estrus following CIDR removal did not differ between treatments (55.7 ± 2.1 and 63.3 ± 5.1 h, respectively); however, the variance for the interval to estrus was reduced (P < 0.01) in PG-CIDR (46.3) treated heifers compared to CIDR (291.6) heifers. There was a treatment time and treatment by time interaction (P = 0.005) on circulating concentrations of progesterone. There was a treatment by time interaction on concentrations of estradiol. Estradiol was increased at time of CIDR insertion among PG-CIDR treated heifers compared to CIDR heifers. Overall pregnancy success was 51% (94/184) for the 5-day CIDR and 62% (131/212) for the PG-CIDR group. Wisconsin: Increasing the dose of prostaglandin and/or GnRH analogs used during the Breeding Ovsynch of Double Ovsynch did not statistically affect fertility in lactating dairy cows. Double Ovsynch used as a resynchronization strategy improved fertility compared to a 32-d Resynch strategy but resulted in a 7 d increase in the interval between TAI. Reducing dry period length appeared to increase reproductive efficiency in older cows perhaps by shortening time to first ovulation, reducing numbers of anovular cows, and improving fertility. Objective 2: To characterize physiological mechanisms that regulate ovarian and uterine functions. Illinois: We have determined that cellular redox pathways play a major role in porcine oocyte developmental competence. We have demonstrated that the Ossabaw mini-pig displays many of the diagnostic symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) characterized in women, and thus may be an excellent animal model for study of the disease. Currently, no animal model exists that exemplifies both the reproductive and metabolic aspects of the disease. Iowa: The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR³) has been detected in ovarian tissue from cattle, indicating that this transcription factor may modulate gene expression allowing for the cyclic functioning of the ovary. The high expression of PPAR³ affects progesterone secretion and luteal formation. Increased ovarian progesterone secretion in cattle will prevent lost income associated with reproductive losses for the producer and increased profitability. In a complementary series of three animal experiments, genes and pathways important in feed intake and feed efficiency in growing pigs were investigated by evaluating differences in gene expression in pigs that differed in residual feed intake or genotype for the Melanocortin 4 receptor gene (MC4R), or that were subjected to feed restriction, fasting, or ICV injection with an MC4R agonist (MSH). No conclusive differences were identified between pigs that differed in residual feed intake or MC4R genotype. The lipid metabolic pathway was, however, found to be involved in both pigs that differed in residual feed intake and pigs subjected to feed restriction. Strong transcriptional responses to fasting and feed restriction were identified in liver and fat, and corroborated by changes in blood metabolites. Pathway analyses indicated a switch to a conservation mode of energy by down-regulating lipid and steroid synthesis in both tissues. Fasting increased expression of genes involved in glucose sparing pathways in liver, and in extracellular matrix pathways in fat. Feed restriction altered expression of immune response genes and of cell cycle/apoptotosis pathways. Involvement of transcription factors such as PPARG, SREBF1 and CEBPA in regulating expression of genes that responded to fasting or feed restriction was confirmed and several additional transcription factors that are not known to be involved in energy homeostatic responses, such as ESR1, were implicated. Strong transcriptional responses to injection with MSH were identified. In the hypothalamus, genes involved in cell communication, nucleotide metabolism, and signal transduction were down-regulated, while in both the liver and fat, energy-intensive biosynthetic and catabolic processes were down-regulated in response to MSH, suggesting a metabolic shift toward energy conservation. To enable statistical analysis of the above data, several statistical methods were developed and applied, including methods for joint analysis of the data from related experiments, comparison of alternate normalization methods, model choice and comparison, estimation of the underlying number of genes that are differentially expressed, uncovering hidden design variables, and joint analysis of groups of genes. In addition, methods for design of microarray experiments that consider the impact of micro-array processing variables were developed. An open-source web application, ANEXdb (http://www.anexdb.org), was developed that supports integrated access to novel data bases with microarray expression (ExpressDB) and EST annotation (AnnotDB) data. AnnotDB houses a novel assembly of ~2.5 million porcine expressed sequences that has been annotated and mapped to probes on the Affymetrix porcine microarray. The porcine expressed sequences were also mined to identify over 2 million SNPs, along with many deletions and insertions. Results of these studies were presented at several national and international scientific conferences, including an invited presentation at the American Association of Animal Science Midwest meeting. Several scientific papers have been published and are in preparation. Kentucky: We failed to detect any dramatic difference in endocrine or other physiological parameters between lactating dairy cows that conceived and those that did not. This included differences in follicle size at ovulation, duration of estrus, the maximum concentration of estradiol or LH achieved during the periestrual period. There was a tendency for the onset of estrus to occur late relative to the time of the LH surge in cows that failed to conceive. This would lead to a delay insemination relative to the time of ovulation; however, this effect was relatively modest and seems unlikely to be an adequate explanation for the failure to conceive. Nebraska (ARS-USDA U.S. Meat Animal Research Center): Reproductive ageing in beef cows is associated with decreased follicle numbers, decreased serum progesterone concentrations, and changes in ovarian gene expression. Genes associated with ovarian ageing are candidates as genetic markers of stayability in beef cows. North Dakota: Supplementation of linseed meal during late gestation does not appear to impact growth rate in calves or the onset of puberty in heifer calves. Conception to a timed artificial insemination program was not enhanced when oilseeds were fed to primiparous beef heifers during estrous synchronization and continuing past day 18 relative to artificial insemination. Data suggest that fetal and maternal portions of the placenta respond differently to restriction and realimentation. Moreover, we may be affecting the development of either vascular smooth muscle cell development in the caruncular bed, or its ability to constrict in the presence of adrenergic or angiotensin agents. Further work needs to be done to confirm the ability of the placenta to alter blood flow during bouts of nutrient restriction. Ohio: There is no evidence to suggest that the sheep contains a truncated version of SCVT2 as observed in the human. There is evidence that the 3' end of SVCT2 is approximately 1800 base pairs, however sequencing is needed. South Dakota: Concentrations of estradiol on day 0 and 5 were greater in highE2 cows compared to lowE2 cows but did not differ between treatments on days 10 and 16. Concentrations of progesterone did not differ between treatments on day 0 or 10 but tended to be and were greater in highE2 compared to lowE2 cows. Expression of estrogen receptor ± decreased from day 5 to day 10 in highE2 cows but was similar in lowE2 cows. Expression of estrogen receptor ² did not differ between days 5 and 10 or between treatments. Expression of progesterone receptor was greater on day 5 compared to day 10 but did not differ between treatments. Oxytocin receptor expression decreased from day 5 to 10 in both treatments. Expression was greater on day 5 in highE2 cows compared to lowE2 cows but did not differ on day 10. Expression of uterine milk protein precursor, period 1, and inhibin bA did not differ between treatments or between days 5 and 10. Expression of proenkephalin did not differ between treatments on day 5 but expression increased from day 5 to 10 in highE2 cows but not in lowE2 cows. Blood urea nitrogen concentrations increased in animals fed the higher protein high sulfur diet but were not different between the animals fed the low and medium sulfur diets. Sulfate concentrations increased from d 7 to 11 in LOW, MED, and HIGH heifers. Uterine pH tended to decrease among LOW heifers, and decreased from d 7 to 11 in MED and HIGH. There was a significant positive correlation between time and sulfate concentrations. There was a significant negative correlation between sulfate concentrations and uterine pH.

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Impact of long-term genetic selection for age at puberty on postpartum reproductive physiology in cows. J. Anim. Sci.: Accepted. K.C. Culp, S.L. Lake, R.P. Lemenager, M.C. Claeys, P. J. Gunn, M. Van Emon, R.P. Aria1, G A. Bridges. 2009. Efficacy of the 5 day CO-Synch estrous synchronization protocol with or without the inclusion of a CIDR in beef cows. J. Anim. Sci.: Accepted. P.J. Gunn, K.C. Culp, S.L. Lake, R.P. Arias, R.P. Lemenager, K. Heaton, G.A. Bridges. 2009. Comparison of the CIDR Select and 5 day CO-Synch + CIDR protocols for synchronizing estrus in beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci.: Accepted. L.A. Souto, M. Maquivar, M.L. Mussard, G.A. Bridges, D.G. Grum, M.L. Day. Fertility and luteal regression with the 5-d CIDR synchronization programs in postpartum beef cows using differing luteolytic treatments. J. Anim. Sci.: Accepted. Lkhagvadorj, S., L. Qu, W. Cai, O.P. Couture, Y. Wang, C.R. Barb, G.J. Hausman, R. Rekaya, D.S. Nettleton, L.L. Anderson, J.C.M. Dekkers and C.K. Tuggle. 2008. Use of transcriptional profiling to understand genetic mechanisms responding to fasting in pigs. 41st Annual Meeting of ASAS Midwestern SectionADSA Midwest Branch Meeting, March 17-19, 2008, Polk County Convention Center, Des Moines, Iowa. Abstract no. 113, p. 36-37. (Des Moines) Lkhagvadorj, S., L. Qu, W. Cai, O.P. Couture, Y. Wang, C.R. Barb, G.J. Hausman, R. Rekaya, D. Nettleton, L.L. Anderson, J.C.M. Dekkers and C.K. Tuggle. 2008. Sterol regulatory transcription factor-1: key regulator of fasting response in the adipose tissue in pigs? Experimental Biology 2008. FASEB J. 22:1205.6. (San Diego) Lkhagvadorj, S., L. Qu, W. Cai, O.P. Couture, C.R. Barb, G.J. Hausman, D. Nettleton, L.L. Anderson, J.C.M. Dekkers and C.K. Tuggle. 2009. Leptin mediates discriminate response to feed restriction in feed efficient pigs. Experimental Biology 2009. FASEB J. 23:1375 (New Orleans). Dahlen, C. R., S. L. Bird, C. A. Martel, KC Olson, J. S. Stevenson, and G. C. Lamb. 2009. Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 7 days after insemination of suckled beef cows. J. Anim. Sci. 87(E-Suppl. 2):373 (Abstr.). Perry GA, Perry BL, Cushman RA. Association between preovulatory concentrations of estradiol and expression of uterine milk protein precursor, inhibin bA, period 1, proenkephalin, and receptors for oxytocin, progesterone, and estradiol. (SSR, 2009). Cushman RA, Echternkamp SE. Influence of reproductive ageing of the cow on luteal function and Period 1 mRNA expression. (SSR, 2009). Echternkamp SE, Hays WG, Jones SA, Cushman RA. Comparison of two protocols to achieve pregnancy to fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) in suckled beef cows. (ASAS 2009). Lemley, C. O., K. A. Vonnahme, K. M. Krause, and M. E. Wilson. 2009. Cytochrome P450 activity, liver blood flow and progesterone clearance in dairy cows fed a high starch versus a high fiber diet. American Society of Animal Sciences annual meeting. Accepted. Reynolds, L. P., J. S. Caton, K. A. 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