PMID:18359584

Citation	Kawashima, C, Kida, K, Schweigert, FJ and Miyamoto, A (2009) Relationship between plasma beta-carotene concentrations during the peripartum period and ovulation in the first follicular wave postpartum in dairy cows. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 111:105-11
Abstract	Beta-carotene functions independently of vitamin A in the reproductive performance of dairy cows. The concentrations of beta-carotene in plasma decrease during the dry period, and reach a nadir in about the first week postpartum. This coincides with a negative energy balance, which affects the onset of the first ovulation in early postpartum cows. Thus, we hypothesised that plasma beta-carotene concentrations during the peripartum period may affect ovulation in the first follicular wave postpartum in dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in the profiles of plasma beta-carotene concentrations during the peripartum period in ovulatory and anovulatory cows during the first follicular wave postpartum. We used 22 multiparous Holstein cows, which were fed a total mixed ration consisting of grass, corn silage and concentrate, and collected blood samples for beta-carotene and progesterone analysis from week 3 prepartum to week 3 postpartum when the period of day 0-6 after parturition was regarded as the parturient week (week 0). The first ovulation was confirmed using the profile of plasma progesterone concentrations and colour Doppler ultrasound. Thirteen cows ovulated during the first postpartum follicular wave. Parity, the dry-off period, calving interval, mastitis episodes, and actual 305 days' milk yield during the previous lactation, and milk composition in the last month during the previous lactation in this study did not differ between ovulatory and anovulatory cows. Differences in the plasma beta-carotene profile were observed between ovulatory and anovulatory cows. Plasma beta-carotene concentrations at week 3 prepartum were greater in ovulatory cows (2.97+/-0.24 mg/L) than in anovulatory cows (1.53+/-0.14 mg/L; P<0.001), after that its concentrations in ovulatory cows decreased and reached the lowest level at week 1 postpartum, although its concentrations in anovulatory cows remained unchanged. No differences in plasma beta-carotene concentrations between the two groups were observed postpartum. The present study indicates for the first time that the lower beta-carotene concentrations in plasma during the prepartum period is associated with anovulation during the first follicular wave postpartum.
Links	PubMed Online version:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.02.008
Keywords	Animals; Cattle/blood; Cattle/physiology; Female; Ovarian Follicle/physiology; Ovarian Follicle/ultrasonography; Ovulation/physiology; Postpartum Period/blood; Progesterone/blood; beta Carotene/blood
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Annotations

Gene product	Qualifier	GO Term	Evidence Code	with/from	Aspect	Extension	Notes	Status
BACPE:A7LKG4	Contributes to	GO:0050660: flavin adenine dinucleotide binding	ECO:0000314:		F		Refer to Figure 4 in PMID 18359234 to show SDS-PAGE done to show the relationship between NDH-2A and NDH-2B	complete CACAO 10164

References

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