Nutrition in reproduction Flashcards

1
Q

Define the concept of negative energy balance in dairy cows

A

Using more energy than is being taken in, often the case following parturition in dairy cows due to high amount of energy required for lactation

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2
Q

What is the role of cholestrol in reproduction?

A
  • Used to produce sex hormones

- Consumed in diet

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3
Q

Describe the role of insulin in reproduction

A
  • Direct action on antral follicle growth adn steroid production
  • Regulator of circulatory IGF via effects on GH receptors
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4
Q

Describe the role of IGF in reproduction

A
  • Enhances ovarian action of gonadotrophins (IGF-I)

- Direct effect on follicle growth and steroidogenesis (IGF-I and II)

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5
Q

Describe the role of leptin in reproduction

A
  • Inhibits oestradiol secretion

- Increases folliculogenesis

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6
Q

Describe the effect of selenium deficiency in reproduction

A

Deficiency leads to increased incidence of cystic ovaries

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7
Q

Describe the effects of thiomolybdate toxicity on reproduction in the cow

A
  • Causes copper deficiency
  • Gross alterations in pathology and function of pituitary
  • Ovarian somatic cell effects (decreased steroidogenesis)
  • Decreased progesterone = decreased inferon tau = decreased maternal recognition of pregnancy meaning increased pregnancy failure
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8
Q

How is puberty affected by nutrition?

A

Puberty determined by size, so need good nutrition to get to puberty

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9
Q

What are the effects of copper deficiency in bovine reproduction?

A
  • Increased age at puberty
  • Reduced conception rates
  • Failure to display oestrus behaviour
  • Irregular oestrus, ultimately anoestrus
  • Reduced feed intake and conversion efficiency
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10
Q

What are the reproductive effects of zinc deficiency?

A
  • Decreased numbers born

- Decreased birth weight

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11
Q

What are the effects of iodine deficiency on bovine reproduction?

A
  • Increased incidence of cystic ovaries
  • Lowered conception rates
  • Irregular oestrus, anoestrus
  • Abortions, still births, weak and hairless calves
  • Abnormal brain development
  • Decreased newborn viability (thyroid hormones involved in surfactant production)
  • Retained placenta
  • Increased post-natal susceptibility to hypothermia
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12
Q

Outline the practice of flushing

A
  • Sheep
  • 2 weeks prior to tupping, ewes on fresh good pasture of supplementary feed
  • Increase BCS of 2/2.5 by 0.5 (aim for BCS of 3)
  • Rising plane of nutrition
  • Aim to make sheep think can support more lambs
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13
Q

What are the effects of flushing?

A
  • Increases fecundity
  • Increases leptin, insulin
  • Decreases GH and IGF unaffected
  • Transient increase in FSH, decreased oestradiol (increased folliculogenesis so more ovulations)
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14
Q

Give some nutritional causes of pregnancy loss in the cow

A
  • Vit A, selenium, phosphorous and copper deficiencies
  • Negative energy balance
  • High intake of rumen-degradable protein (toxic effects of blood urea or ammonia on embryo)
  • Ingestion of phytooestrogens
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15
Q

Describe the effects of undernutrition in early and late gestation

A
  • Early: leads to increased placental weight

- Late: leads to decreased placental weight

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16
Q

Describe the effect of over-conditioning on parturition?

A

Being fatter increases dystocia

17
Q

Outline the effect of selenium in parturition

A
  • Important in membrane expulsion along with calcium

- Deficiency can lead to retained placenta and increased incidence of endometritis

18
Q

Outline the effects of copper deficiency post-partum

A
  • Hair pigmentation and texture affected (ginger, spectacles)
  • Reduced energy utilisation
  • Swayback
19
Q

What is the effect of zinc deficiency post-partum?

A

Pregnancy toxaemia

20
Q

Describe what happens post-partum with negative energy balance

A
  • Mobilisation of body reserves
  • Delayed return to cyclicity
  • Circulatory glucose, insulin and IGF-I reduced
  • Increase NEFAs
  • Ketosis
  • Impaired follicle development and /or luteal function
21
Q

How can being overweight affect male reproductive function?

A
  • Decreased fertility

- Fat covering testes decreasing cooling and so impairing sperm function

22
Q

Outline how nutrition can affect male reproductive function

A
  • Significant effects on hormones adn regulation of reproduction
  • Signficant effects on spermatogenesis
  • Zinc: major roles in DNA and protein replication, essential for spermatogenesis and deficiency gives decreased libido and testicular size
  • Iodine deficiency leads to decreased libido and semen quality