Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Summary of Minutes 2005 Annual Meeting of NC1006 December 1, 2006 is our deadline for the rewrite. During this meeting, we must talk about how to handle the rewrite. I. Discussion of Dairy Project. Jeff Stevenson discussed the dairy project data, presented on page 5 of his station report. Analysis of the data is problematic. Kansas data suggests that Kamar overestimates cycling cows (false positives) and underestimates non cycling cows. By ultrasound, we overestimate cows not cycling. By blood progesterone, 9% of cows were not cycling in the Kansas data set. There are three complete data sets, from Missouri, Kansas and Michigan. About another 300 cattle will be added to the data set, for a grand total of about 1100 cows. The analysis problem has to do with the model to use. Model = (time of AI)(CIDR). What to do with the cows that were identified incorrectly? Throw them out? Could analyze as 2 experiments, not cycling and cycling. Analyze those incorrectly identified separately. Well never have enough numbers to look at CIDR in what are truly anestrous cows, partly because we did not reach our goal of 1600 cows in this study. The other data published is not consistent about this question. There is so much variability between herds that contributes to the variable results. Sometimes the CIDR is beneficial, and sometimes not. Jeff reported that the first dairy study (NC113) is soon to be submitted. II. What topics do we want to address in our plan for the next 5 years? What is the most important information to get out there? What is the most critical problem? Dr. Prentiss presented to us a wish list of things that he sees at ABS that producers need. He sees compliance with the protocol as a major problem. Milo talked about time of breeding post partum. If we delay breeding post partum to 90d, it might be attractive. If we looked at the % pregnant at 150 days, would it be different if cows were bred at 40 or 90 days post partum? But, it is hard to talk people into delaying breeding due to economics. Are there sire differences in capacitation time that might affect pregnancy rates using heat detection and ovsynch? Discussion of putting together a protocol sheet like the beef cow/heifer sheet that Dave presented. Cliff felt like a major problem was what do with open cows after the first AI. How do we get the open cows pregnant? If they are open, do they automatically go into an ovsymch protocol? How do we work these cows back into the schedule? Do you start to resynch before you preg check? We discussed heat check versus resynch after the first breeding. Some pregnant cows get bred. Why are conception rates lower on resynch breedings? Selecting low fertility animals, but why are they low fertility? Why are resynch conception rates so low? Can we improve them? Richard suggested that for the next application we take advantage of our basic and applied researchers. Do different studies than breeding and preg checking experiments. Why do we accept 30% preg rate on first breeding? III. Group Classification. Do we want to be a NC or NCR group? We have to put our accomplishments into the rewrite with convincing the reviewers in mind. We must emphasize our collaborative and extension components. Many of us have research and extension components of our programs. IV. Bill Ravlins report. The rationale of impact statements is because federal dollars are threatened. President proposed complete elimination of hatch funds. Need to demonstrate a return on federal investment to sustain federal dollars. We need to show what we have accompliushed. Demonstrate the potential leveraging of funds that go into the project. We should be able to use impact statements from our annual report in the future. Bill suggested we look at how to write impact statements. We need to include all of our outside funding garnered by the group members, not only federal. Our rewrite must be done in time for the directors meeting in March 2007.Must be to regional directors office by the end of December, 2006. The group felt that we fit best with NC. V. Deb Hammerniks report. RFA is not yet out. Not a lot of new monies. If the RFA is not out by the end of next week, the deadline will be pushed back. There will be a minimum of 6 weeks between the RFA and the deadline. There has been a narrowing of program priorities. If a proposal does not fit the priorities, it may be returned without review. Talking about a collaboration with NIH, a white paper has been written about agricultural species as biomedical models. VI. Bill Kinders report. Talked to us a little more about the type of group we should consider. VII. Part II of Dairy Study. Cliff presented. CIDR post AI. Data is presented in the Minnesota station report. Minnesota, Illinois, and Kansas participated. They will publish. VIII. Beef study. Cliff presented. Early versus late calving cows, with CIDRs. CIDR helped early cows but controls caught up over the first 30 days. No difference overall in pregnancy rate. Date to conception was different, in that CIDR cows became pregnant earlier. CIDR probably has no effect on non-cycling cows, although in theory there should be. It could be that there is an effect of holding the cows out of estrous. Could be 2 offsetting effects. All the data is in for the beef project except the progesterone. Then it will be written up. The data needs to be broken into cycling and non cycling cows. For the next rewrite in beef, what are the questions? For bull bred herds, what is the main concern? Bunching up the calving season. Also advancing the calving age at weaning. Percent pregnant at the end is fine, no need to work on that. The goal is to move it up. Alter the calving distribution. More cows calving at the beginning of the calving season is advantageous. If CIDR advances the calving age only 3 days? Is that beneficial? Considering the labor and hassle of using a CIDR? Would PG do more than a CIDR? X. Project rewrite. The consensus is 2 objectives, 1 basic and one applied. Basic objective is to understand the underlying deficiencies. Applied objective includes both dairy and beef. XI. Station reports Rick, George, Joe, Rebecca, Milo, Bob, Richard.

Objective 1: Develop breeding protocols to maximize fertility in lactating cattle. Based on 4 different timings of AI after a CO-Synch + CIDR protocol, inseminations greater than 48 h after PGF2± seemed to produce the greatest conception rates. Although overall pregnancy outcomes after a not-pregnant diagnosis were similar depending on timing of GnRH and AI after PGF2±, the numerically greatest conception rates were achieved when GnRH was administered at 48 h after PGF2± and insemination occurred 24 h later. The ability of estradiol treatment to improve conception rates in cows appears to depend on the expression of estrus, parity, body condition score, and size of the ovultory follicle. Objective 2: Determine the efficacy of using the CIDR to enhance pregnancy rates at a synchronized breeding in cattle and to resynchronize the first eligible estrus in non-pregnant cows after a previous insemination. No fertility advantage was achieved by post insemination administration of progesterone via the CIDR insert. The NC-1006 dairy project shows no advantage for using the CIDR in cows identified to be noncycling based on one ultrasonographic ovarian evaluation. Best conception rates were achieved when GnRH was administered at 48 h after PGF2± and inseminations occurred 24 h later. Insertion of a CIDR between 5 and 21 days or 14 and 21 days after TAI in suckled beef cows enhances the percentage of cows that express estrus during a shorter duration. However, conception rates to the return estrus appears to be compromised compared to controls. Overall pregnancy rates after two AI services was similar among treatments regardless of whether cows received a CIDR between 5 and 21 days after TAI. Insertion of a CIDR prior to the breeding season in suckled beef cows does not enhance overall pregnancy rates, but does alter the average fetal age and the percentage of females pregnant within the first 10 days of the breeding season. Treatment of beef cows with CIDR at about 40 days post-partum provides an approach to reduce the herd calving interval, gain a more uniform calf-crop, and to breed more cows earlier during the following breeding season. Additional treatment wtih GnRH or ECP does not appear to improve the ovulatory response of that of CIDR alone. Objective 2A. The follicle from which an oocyte is derived influences developmental competence of the mammalian oocyte. We are just beginning to understand mechanisms occurring within the oocyte that impact development of the subsequent embryo. We hypothesize that in cattle, synchronization and superovulation regimens may affect not only ovarian dynamics but oocyte quality as well. In addition, implementation of these regimens must take oocyte viability into consideration as a major factor influencing subsequent embryo development, pregnancy rate and maintenance of pregnancy. We propose to examine the relationship of follicular development under the influence of the Ovsynch protocol on resultant oocyte and embryo quality. We have further elucidated the mechanisms of meiosis and cytoplasmic maturation in porcine oocytes. Glucose metabolism is critical for both the initiation of nuclear maturation, and is also reflective of developmental potential. We have isolated and identified 5 proteins that are differentially present in oocytes of low and high developmental potential, possibly reflecting mechanisms involved in the acquisition of developmental competence. We have begun efforts to identify differentially expressed genes in oocytes of low and high quality as well. This research will allow scientists to develop markers of oocyte quality that can be used to identify oocytes before embryo transfer that will be more likely to result in healthy offspring. Objective 2C. The relationship between reproduction and nutrition has been well documented. However, little is understood about the micro effects of nutrition on embryo quality and production or on follicle development in cattle during superovulation. A 3-yr study was conducted with spring-born heifers (n = 240) to determine the effects of developing heifers to either 55 or 60% of mature BW at breeding on reproduction and calf production responses. Cow and calf production variables were evaluated through the third gestation. Spring-born heifers reached 53 or 58% of mature BW at breeding and had similar reproduction and first calf production traits. Developing spring-born heifers to 53% of mature BW did not adversely affect reproduction or calf production traits compared to developing heifers to 58% of mature BW and decreased development costs. A 3 yr experiment evaluated the effects of maternal nutrition on growth and reproductive performance of heifer calves. Supplementing cows with protein during late gestation resulted in heifers that were heavier at weaning and breeding, had higher pregnancy rates (93 vs. 80%), and calved earlier. Allowing cows to graze meadows after calving improved calf weaning weight but not heifer reproductive performance. Heifers from cows that were fed hay after calving had reduced DMI and improved residual feed intake if their dams were supplemented with protein during gestation, but ADG and G:F were not affected by dam supplementation or spring feeding strategies. Objective 2D. In addition to development of new treatments to control follicular development, a better understanding of the basic mechanisms controlling follicular development will provide future insight to new improved treatment regimens. Studies will be conducted to examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling ovarian follicular development We have sequenced a 296 base pair portion of the message for ovine SVCT1 and a 1860 base pair portion of the message for ovine SVCT2. This information will allow for the complete sequencing of ovine SVCT1 and 2, and investigation if the role of SVCT2 in luteal function and regression. Period 1 (Per1) is a clock gene thought to be involved in circadean rhythms; however, Per1 was recently identified in mouse oocyte, although no role for Per1 in ovarian function is known. We have generated primers for bovine Per1 and using real-time RT-PCR evaluated its expression in the ovine and bovine ovary and mapped it to BTA 19 where there is an ovulation rate QTL. Per1 maps 20 cM from the ovulation rate QTL and its expression is not increased in Twinner cows or Romanov sheep. Its expression in the ovary does not change with day of the estrous cycle or during activation in the bovine cortical culture. In situ hybridization confirmed that Per1 localizes to the oocyte in cattle. In a preliminary study with a very small number of seasonally anestrous ewes, Per1 expression was greatly decreased as compared to in the cycling ewe.We plan to pursue the Per1 expression work in anestrous and cycling cows and ewes with an eye toward understanding what further oocyte-specific factors might be influenced in the anestrous ruminant (i.e MATER, GDF-9, BMP-15, ZAR1). Conception rates were not improved by the addition of an injection of GnRH at time of insemination following detection in standing estrus. Therefore, there is no benefit to the addition of an injection of GnRH at time of insemination when animals have been detected in standing estrus. Preovulatory concentrations of estradiol may not only initiate standing estrus, but may play a role in fertility through regulation of the uterine environment at the time of insemination. FUTURE WORK (MN) Obtain preliminary date regarding whether tranferring sexed whole, half, or quarter embryos will yield acceptable pregnancy rates at a fixed time embryo transfer in nulliparous Holstein heifers. (MN) Determine if the superovulatory response to exogenous FSH in beef cows is enhanced by the administration of an anti-inhibin antibody. (SD) Continue to investigate how follicle size and preovulatory concentrations of estradiol can influence the uterine environment around the time of insemination. (OH) Complete the sequencing of ovine SVCT1 and 2 and compare concentrations of mRNA for SVCTs between CL before and after acquisition of luteolytic capacity. (IA) To determine if agonists/antagonists of PPAR³ can influence follicular and/or luteal development in cattle, and investigate how activation of PPAR³ via dietary nutrients may affect the ovarian cycle and early embryonic survival. (NE MARC) Pursue the Per1 expression in anestrous and cycling cows and ewes with an eye toward understanding what further oocyte-specific factors might be influenced in the anestrous ruminant (i.e MATER, GDF-9, BMP-15, ZAR1). We (KS) have begun testing various different Presynch-like treatments with the objective to increase the proportion of cows on days 5 to 10 of the estrous cycle at the time the Ovsynch protocol is then applied. We (KS) have a study ongoing in which we are examining ovarian and fertility responses in replacement heifers presynchronized to five stages of the estrous cycle and then treated with various CIDR-based systems with and without upfront GnRH injections and Lutalyse injections at 0 or 24 h before CIDR insert removal. We (KS) have completed testing of various treatments after more than 2800 inseminations that should increase progesterone in vivo with the hypothesis that increasing progesterone during the early luteal phase will improve fertility. Our station (IN) plans to continue to examine oocyte competency. We plan to continue our metabolic, genomic and proteomic approached to further elucidate mechanisms of oocyte developmental competence. We also plan to use mice as a model organism in our genomic work. (NE) Research is currently being conducted to determine if feeding MGA to heifers before placing with bulls will increase pregnancy rates when heifers are developed to 50% of mature weight at breeding. Research is continuing on the effect of late gestation dam nutrition and subsequent growth and reproductive performance in heifer calves. Cows will be either grazed on winter range or cornstalks with or without protein supplementation in late gestation. Subsequent growth and reproductive performance of heifer calves will be evaluated. Research is being planned to evaluate low input heifer development systems and subsequent reproductive performance. Heifer calves will be developed on winter range or cornstalks with protein supplementation, or in the feedlot. Target breeding weights for heifers developed in the feedlot will be approximately 65% of mature weight, heifers developed on cornstalks and winter range are expected to be lighter. Heifers will be synchronized with MGA/PGF, observed for estrus and artificially inseminated. Heifers will be placed with bulls for approximately 45 d after AI. (MI) Develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for quantification of Y-chromosome bearing sperm in cattle.

OHIO Conference Proceedings Ceddia, R.P., M.P. Wick, and J.S. Ottobre. 2005. Sodium dependent vitamin C transporter in the sheep corpus luteum: sequence analysis. In: Society for the Study of Reproduction 38th Annual Meeting. Biol. Reprod. Special Issue. July 24-27, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Abstract W513. p.195. NEBRASKA Handbooks, Technical Bulletins, Theses, Dissertations, and Circulars Harris, H.L. 2005. Utilization of soybeans or corn milling co-products in beef heifer development diets. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln. Stalker, L.A. 2005. Protein and energy supplements in range beef production systems. Ph.D. Diss., Univ. Nebraska, Lincoln. Harris, H.L., A.S. Cupp, K.W. Creighton, R.L. Davis, J.R. Teichert, and R.N. Funston. 2005. Reproductive response in heifers fed soybeans during post weaning development. NE Beef Report. Martin, J.L., K.A.Vonnahme, G.P. Lardy, D.C. Adams, R.N. Funston. 2006. Effects of dam nutrition on growth and reproductive performance of heifer calves. NE Beef Report (in press) Journal Articles and Abstracts Funston, R.N. and G.H. Deutscher. 2004. Comparison of target breeding weight and breeding date for replacement beef heifers and effects on subsequent reproduction and calf performance. J. Anim. Sci. 82:3094. Funston, R.N., R.J. Lipsey, T.W. Geary, and R.P. Ansotegui. 2004. Evaluation of three estrous synchronization protocols in beef heifers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 20:384. Harris, H.L., A.S. Cupp, and R.N. Funston. 2004. Altered reproductive response in beef heifers fed soybeans during late pubertal development. J. Anim. Sci. 82 (Suppl. 2):86. Funston, R.N., R.J. Lipsey, T.W. Geary, and A.J. Roberts. 2005. Effect of administration of human chorionic gonadotropin after artificial insemination on concentrations of progesterone and conception rates in beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 83:1403. Conference Proceedings Olson, J.L., A.J. Roberts, R.P. Ansotegui, J.A. Paterson, and R.N. Funston. 2004. Efficacy of an intravaginal progesterone insert and an injection of PGF2± to advance date of breeding in postpartum beef cows while utilizing natural service. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 55:11. Funston, R.N. 2004. Nutrition and reproduction interactions. Proc. Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. North Platte, NE. Pp. 132-146. Stalker, L.A., D.C. Adams, T.J. Klopfenstein, and R.N. Funston. 2005. Effects of pre- and postpartum nutrition on reproduction in spring calving cows and calf feedlot performance. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:40. Harris, H.L., A.S. Cupp, and R.N. Funston. 2005. Utilization of whole soybeans or corn milling co-products in beef heifer development diets. Proc. West. Sec. Am. Soc. Anim. Sci. 56:317. Electronic Publications Funston, R.N. 2004. Fat supplementation and reproduction in beef females. J. Anim. Sci. 82(E. Suppl): E154-E161. INDIANA Journal Articles Herrick, J.R., Behboodi, E., Memili, E., Blash, S., Echelard, Y., Krisher, R.L. In press. Metabolism, protein content and in vitro embryonic development of goat cumulus-oocyte complexes matured with physiological concentrations of glucose and L-lactate. Mol. Reprod. Dev. Abstracts Krisher, R.L. 2005. Inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway results in meiotic arrest in porcine oocytes that can be overcome by the addition of pathway cofactors and end products. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 17:293 (abstr. 287). Tubman, L., Peter, A., Krisher, R.L. 2005. Effect of energy substrates on metabolism and meiosis of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation. Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 17:301 (abstr. 301). Paczkowski, M., Terry, D., Krisher, R. 2005. Differential Protein Expression of In Vitro Matured Porcine Oocytes Derived from Gilts and Sows. Biol. Reprod. Special Issue 2005 abstr. 526:197. Tubman, L., Peter, A., Krisher, R.L. In Press. Pentose phosphate pathway activity controls nuclear maturation of porcine oocytes. Reproduction, Fertility and Development. KANSAS Books and Articles Within Edited Books Stevenson, J. S., and D. L. Davis. 2004. Estrus Synchronization: Cattle. A. W. Bell and W. G. Pond (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Animal Science, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 349-352. Davis, D. L. and J. S. Stevenson. 2004. Estrus Synchronization: Horses, Pigs, Sheep, and Goats. A. W. Bell and W. G. Pond (Ed.) Encyclopedia of Animal Science, Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 353-355 Stevenson, J. S. 2005. Breeding strategies to optimize reproductive efficiency in dairy herds. Vet. Clinics No. Amer. Food Anim. Pract. 21(2):349-365. Handbooks, Technical Bulletins, Theses, Dissertations, and Circulars Portaluppi, M. A. 2004. Pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows after presynchronization of estrous cycles and variations of the Ovsynch protocol. M.S. Thesis, Kansas State Univ., Manhattan. Journal Articles and Abstracts Portaluppi, M. A., and J. S. Stevenson. 2005. Pregnancy rates in lactating dairy cows after presynchronization of estrous cycles and variations of the Ovsynch protocol. J. Dairy Sci. 88:914-921. Stevenson, J. S., and A. P. Phatak. 2005. Inseminations at estrus induced by presynchronization before application of synchronized estrus and ovulation. J. Dairy Sci. 88:399-405. Stevenson, J. S., and S. M. Tiffany. 2004. Resynchronizing estrus and ovulation after not-pregnant diagnosis and various ovarian states including cysts. J. Dairy Sci. 87:3658-3664. IOWA Journal Articles and Abstracts SCANES, C.G., S. JEFTINIJA, A. GLAVASKI-JOKSIMOVIC, J. PROUDMAN, C. ARÁMBURO and L.L. ANDERSON. 2005. The anterior pituitary gland: lessons from livestock. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Farm Animal Endocrinology, July 4-6, 2004, Budapest, Hungary. DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY 29:23-33. ANDERSON, L.L., S. JEFTINIJA, C.G. SCANES, M.H. STROMER, J.-S. LEE, K. JEFTINIJA and A. GLAVASKI-JOKSIMOVIC. 2005. Physiology of ghrelin and related peptides. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Farm Animal Endocrinology, July 4-6, 2004, Budapest, Hungary. DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY 29:111-144. WILHELMS, K.W., S.A. CUTLER, J.A. PROUDMAN, L.L. ANDERSON and C.G. SCANES. 2005. Effects of atrazine on sexual maturation in female Japanese quail induced by photostimulation or exogenous gonadotropin. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY (In press). WILHELMS, K.W., S.A. CUTLER, J.A. PROUDMAN, L.L. ANDERSON and C.G. SCANES. 2005. Atrazine and the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in the sexually maturing precocial bird: studies in male Japanese quail. TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES 86:152-160. BOHAN, M.M., G. JANDA, L. ANDERSON, A. TRENKLE and D. BEITZ. 2005. Effect of dietary macronutrients on appetite-related hormones in blood on body composition of lean and obese rats. FASEB J. 19:A76. (San Diego) ANDERSON, L.L., A. GLAVASKI-JOKSIMOVIC, K. JEFTINIJA, C.G. SCANES and S. JEFTINIJA. 2005. Effect of motilin on calcium transient in isolated porcine pituitary cells. 35th Annual Meeting of the SOCIETY FOR NEUROSCIENCE, November 12-16, 2005. PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETY FOR NEUROSCIENCE Abstract 433. (Washington, D.C.) LEE, J.-S., M.H. STROMER, S. JEFTINIJA, K. JEFTINIJA, C.G. SCANES and L.L. ANDERSON. 2005. Immunocytochemical distribution of somatotrophs, mammotrophs and mammosomatotrophs in porcine anterior pituitary. 45th Annual Meeting of the AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR CELL BIOLOGY, December 10-14, 2005, Moscone Convention Center. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL 14:Suppl.1: (San Francisco) Tinfo, Nicole and Komar, Carolyn M. (2005) A role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor in cell survival, not steroid production, in luteal tissue from the rat. In preparation. Banerjee, J., Long, M. J. and Komar, C. M. (2005) Effects of LH on PPAR in the rat ovary before and after the gonadotropin surge. Reproduction. In press Komar, C. M. (2005) Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and ovarian function - implications for regulating steroidogenesis, differentiation, and tissue remodeling. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 31: 41 Komar, C. M. (2005) Initiation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor expression in the neonatal rat ovary. Biology of Reproduction. 73 (Suppl 1) #463. Conference Proceedings Pugh, M.L., M.B. Moreira, G.R. Gilbert and C.R. Youngs. 2004. Influence of prostaglandin F2a synthesis inhibitors on pregnancy rate of embryo transfer recipient heifers. Proc. 15th Int'l. Cong. Anim. Reprod. 2:399. Youngs, C.R., A.M. Powers-Meyer, M.G. Wonderlich and M.B. Moreira. 2004. The effect of cloprostenol or dinoprost, administered at two different sites, on the expression of estrus in postpartum dairy cattle. Proc. 15th Int'l. Cong. Anim. Reprod. 1:60. Electronic Publications Godke, R.A. and C.R. Youngs. 2004. Biotechnology: Embryo Technology for Cattle. In (W. Pond, Ed.) Encyclopedia of Animal Science (on-line). Marcel Dekker, New York, NY, DOI:10.1081/E-EAS 120019483, pp. 136-138. MICHIGAN Books and Articles Within Edited Books Pursley, J. R. and Bello, N. M. 2004. Synchronization of ovulation strategies in dairy cattle using PGF2a and GnRH. Submitted. Current Therapy in Large Animal Theriogenolgy. Journal Articles and Abstracts Li, Q., L. J. Baake, J. R. Pursley, and G. W. Smith. 2004. Localization and temporal regulation of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 3 and 4 in bovine preovulatory follicles. Reproduction, Nov; 128(5): 555-564. Bakke, L.B., Q. Li, C.A. Cassar, M.P.D. Dow, J.R. Pursley and G.W. Smith. 2004. Gonadotropin surge induced differential upregulation of collagenase-1 (MMP-1) and collagenase-3 (MMP-13) mRNA and protein in bovine preovulatory follicles. Biol. of Reprod. 71:605-612. Peters, M.W., J.R. Pursley and G. W. Smith. 2004. Inhibition of intrafollicular PGE2 synthesis and ovulation following ultrasound-mediated intrafollicular injection of the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398 in cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1656-1662. Macfarlane, M., B. Macfarlane, and J. R. Pursley. 2004. Effect of prolonged in vivo incubation of sperm from high and low fertility bulls on pregnancy survival in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):368. (Abstr.) Macfarlane, M., B. Macfarlane, and J. R. Pursley. 2004. Prolonged in vivo incubation of sperm affects fertility of lactating dairy cows and gender ratio of resulting offspring. J. Dairy Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):370. (Abstr.) Pursley, J. R. 2004. Deep uterine horn AI improves fertility of lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):372. (Abstr.) M.G .Diskin1, R Pursley2, D.A. Kenny3 J.F Mee4 and J.M. Sreenan1. 2004. The effect of deep intrauterine placement of semen on conception rate in dairy cows. Teagasc Research Centre, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland. 2Dept. of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1225, USA. 3Faculty of Agriculture, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. 4Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy Co. Cork, Ireland. J. Dairy Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):257. (Abstr.) Conference Proceedings Pursley, JR. 2004. Preventing pregnancy losses in lactating dairy cows. Michigan Veterinary Conference. Electronic Publications Pursley, JR. 2004. Ovsynch: Common Questions Answered. Michigan Dairy Review. Volume 9, No. 2. Pursley, JR. 2004. Seven Surefire Ways to Improve Fertility of Dairy Cows. Michigan Dairy Review. Volume 9, No. 4. NEBRASKA / MARC Journal Articles and Abstracts Cushman, R. A., M. F. Allan, G. D. Snowder, R. M. Thallman, and S. E. Echternkamp. 2005. Evaluation of ovulation rate and ovarian phenotype in puberal heifers from a cattle population selected for increased ovulation rate. J Anim Sci 83: 1839-1844. Gigli, I., R. A. Cushman, C. M. Wahl, and J. E. Fortune. 2005. Evidence for a role for anti-mullerian hormone in the suppression of follicle activation in mouse ovaries and bovine ovarian cortex grafted beneath the chick chorioallantoic membrane. Mol Reprod Dev 71: 480-488. Cushman RA, Allan MF, Christenson RK, Echternkamp SE. Differential gene expression in the ovarian cortex of cattle selected for multiple ovulations. Biol Reprod 2005; 72(Suppl 1):483. Echternkamp SE, Cushman RA, Christenson RK. Increased mRNA expression for FSH receptor in small antral follicles in the ovarian cortex of twin-producing cattle. Biol Reprod 2005; 72(Suppl 1):53. Cushman RA, Allan MF, Snowder GD, Thallman RM, Echternkamp SE. Evaluation of ovulation rate and ovarian phenotype in puberal heifers from a cattle population selected for multiple births. J Anim Sci 2005; 83(Suppl 1):229. Snowder GD, Cushman RA, Allan MF, Thallman, Echternkamp SE. Heritability estimates for bilateral ovulations in heifers. J Anim Sci 2005; 83(Suppl 1):18. SOUTH DAKOTA Journal Articles Perry, G. A., M. F. Smith, M. C. Lucy, J.A. Green, Parks, T. E., A. J. Roberts, M. D. MacNeil and T. W. Geary. 2005. Relationship between follicle size at ovulation and pregnancy success in beef cattle. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 102(14):5268-5273. Perry, G. A., W. V. Welshons, R. C. Bott and M. F. Smith. 2005. Basis of melengestrol acetate action as a progestin. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 28(2):146-161. Abstracts Perry, G. A., and D. C. Busch. 2005. Effect of ovulatory follicle size and standing estrus on estradiol concentrations, LH surge, and ovulation. J. Anim. Sci. 83(suppl 1): 217 (abstr 306) Salverson, R. R., H. H. Patterson, G. A. Perry, and M. L. Gibson. 2005. Evaluation of performance and costs of two heifer development systems. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl 2): 128 (abstr 111) Patterson H. H., P. S. Johnson, G. A. Perry, and R. N. Gates. 2005. Effects of sulfates in water on performance of cow-calf pairs. J. Anim. Sci. 83 (Suppl. 2):130 (abstr 117) Burkhart M. N., H. A. Garverick, J. L. Juengel, P. Smith, D. A. Heath, G. A. Perry, and M. F. Smith. 2005. Localization of proteins encoding estrogen receptors (ER) ± and ² during later development of bovine fetal ovaries. Bio. Reprod. abstr 463 Garverick H. A., J. L. Juengel, P. Smith, D. A. Heath, M. N. Burkhart, J. L. Schenk, M. F. Smith, G. A. Perry, and K. P. McNatty. 2005. mRNA and protein expression of P450 aromatase (arom) and estrogen receptors (ER) ± and ² during early development of bovine fetal ovaries. Bio. Reprod. abstr 467 Conference Proceedings Salverson, R. R., H. H. Patterson, G. A. Perry, and M. L. Gibson. 2005. Evaluation of performance and costs of two heifer development systems. Proceedings of the Western Section American Society of Animal Science. La Cruces, NM, June 22-24 2005 56:409-412. Patterson H. H., P. S. Johnson, G. A. Perry, and R. N. Gates. 2005. Effects of sulfates in water on performance of cow-calf pairs. Proceedings of the Western Section American Society of Animal Science. La Cruces NM, June 22-24 2005 56:451-453. Perry, G. A. Fertility of natural vs synchronized estrus. Proceedings of the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Workshop. North Platte, NE. September 1-2, 2004. p. 86-98. Patterson, D. J., F. N. Kojima, J. E. Stegner, G. A. Perry, D. J. Schafer, and M. F. Smith. 2004. Review of estrus synchronization systems: MGA. Proceedings of the Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Workshop. North Platte, NE. September 1-2, 2004. p. 53-73. WISCONSIN Journal articles Lopez H, Caraviello DZ, Satter LD, Fricke PM, Wiltbank MC. Relationship between level of milk production and multiple ovulations in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2005;88:2783-2793. Lopez H, Sartori R, Wiltbank MC, 2005. Reproductive hormones and follicular growth during development of one or multiple dominant follicles. Biology of Reproduction 72:788-795. Gumen A, Wiltbank MC, 2005. Length of progesterone exposure needed to resolve large follicle anovular condition in dairy cows. Theriogenology 63:202-218. Rastani RR, Grummer RR, Sertics SJ, Gumen A, Wiltbank MC, Mashek DG, Schwab MC, 2005. Reducing dry period length to simplify feeding transition cows: Milk production energy balance, and metabolic profiles. Journal of Dairy Science 88:1004-1014. Diaz FJ, Wiltbank MC, 2005. Acquisition of luteolytic capacity involves differential regulation by prostaglandin F2a of genes involved in progesterone biosynthesis in the porcine corpus luteum. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 28:172-189. Lopez H, Satter LD, Wiltbank MC, 2004. A brief report on the relationship between level of milk production and estrous behavior of lactating diary cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 88:359-363. Mattos R, Staples CR, Arteche A, Wiltbank MC, Diaz FJ, Jenkins TC, Thatcher WW, 2004. The effects of feeding fish oil on uterine secretion of PGF2a, milk composition, and metabolic status of periparturient Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87:921-932. Sartori R, Haughian JM, Shaver RD, Rosa GJM, Wiltbank MC, 2004. Comparison of ovarian function and circulating steroids in estrous cycles of Holstein heifers and lactating cows. Journal of Dairy Science 87:905-920. Gibson TC, Phernetton TM, Wiltbank MC, Magness RR, 2004. Development and use of an ovarian synchronization model to study the effects of endogenous estrogen and nitric oxide on uterine blood flow during ovarian cycles in sheep. Biology of Reproduction 70:1886-1894. Lopez H, Satter LD, Wiltbank MC, 2004. Relationship between level of milk production and estrous behavior of lactating dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 81:209-223. Haughian JM, Ginther OJ, Kot K, Wiltbank MC, 2004. Relationships between FSH patterns and follicular dynamics and the temporal associations among hormones in natural and GnRH-induced gonadotropin surges in heifers. Reproduction 127:23-33. Lopez H, Wu Z, Satter LD, Wiltbank MC, 2004. Effect of dietary phosphorus concentration on estrous behavior of lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology 61:437-445. Lopez H, Kanitz FD, Moreira VR, Wiltbank MC, Satter LD, 2004. Effect of dietary phosphorus on performance of lactating diary cows: Milk production and cow health. Journal of Dairy Science 87:139-145. Lopez H, Kanitz FD, Moreira VR, Satter LD, Wiltbank MC, 2004. Reproductive performance of dairy cows fed two concentrations of phosphorus. Journal of Dairy Science 87:146-157. Diaz FJ, Wiltbank MC, 2004. Acquisition of luteolytic capacity: Changes in prostaglandin F2a regulation of steroid hormone receptor and estradiol biosynthesis in pig corpora lutea. Biology of Reproduction 70:1333-1339. MINNESOTA Journal Articles: Larson, J.E., G.C. Lamb, J.S. Stevenson, S.K. Johnson, M.L. Day, T.W. Geary, D.J. Kesler, J.M. DeJarnette, F.N. Schrick, A. DiCostanzo, and J.D. Arseneau. 2005. Synchronization of estrus in suckled beef cows for detected estrus and artificial insemination and (or) timed AI using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), prostaglandin F2a (PG), and progesterone (CIDR): J. Anim. Sci. 83 (In Press #E2005-333). Lamb, G.C., J.A. Cartmill, and J.S. Stevenson. 2004. Effectiveness of Select Synch (Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2a) for synchronizing estrus in replacement beef heifers. Prof. Anim. Sci. 20:27-33. Wheaton, J.E., G.C. Lamb. 2005. Induction of cyclicity in postpartum anestrous beef cows using progesterone, GnRH and estradiol cypionate (ECP). Theriogenology (Submitted). Book Chapters Fricke, P.M. and G.C. Lamb. 2005. Potential Applications and Pitfalls of Reproductive Ultrasonography in Bovine Practice. In: Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice pp 419-436. Elsevier Inc. Philadelphia, PA. Conference Proceedings Lamb, G.C. 2004. Estrus synchronization systems  CIDR. In: Proc. Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. North Platte, NE. Pp 75-85. Lamb, G.C. 2004. Beef estrous synchronization systems. In: Proc. NAAB 58th Technical Conference. Lamb G.C. 2004. Synchronization of estrus in embryo transfer recipients using CIDRs and GnRH. In: Proc. AETA Annual Conference (In press). Lamb, G.C. 2004. Factors influencing reproductive efficiency in beef herds. In: Proc. VIII Conference Focusing on Production and Reproduction of Cattle. Uberlandia, Brazil. Pp 161-173. Lamb, G.C. 2004. Estrous synchronization using the CIDR and GnRH. In: Proc. VIII Conference Focusing on Production and Reproduction of Cattle. Uberlandia, Brazil. Pp 215-224. Lamb, G.C. 2004. Donor and recipient factors affecting embryo transfer programs. In: Proc. VIII Conference Focusing on Production and Reproduction of Cattle. Uberlandia, Brazil. Pp 247-255. Lamb, G.C. and P.M. Fricke. 2004. Ultrasound  Early Pregnancy Diagnosis and Fetal Sexing. In: Proc. Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle. North Platte, NE. Pp 219-229.