Accessory Corpus Luteum in Cattle Reproduction - A Mini-Review
Keywords:
dairy cow, embryos, reproduction, repeat-breedingAbstract
In dairy cows, current methods for managing reproduction still need improvement. Future advancements will require new strategies to minimize additional interventions and maintain acceptance among veterinarians. As a result, the development of new therapies in dairy cows’ reproduction poses a significant challenge for improving reproductive performances. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in inducing accessory corpus luteum in dairy cows, but the results have been controversial. It is still uncertain whether this strategy, injecting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) early in the luteal phase following artificial insemination, can be utilized as a herd management tool to enhance reproduction. Our work suggests that implementing this strategy on the farm is feasible only for repeat-breeder dairy cows with low genetic merit for fertility. In the assisted reproductive technologies this strategy seems to improve reproduction in recipient heifers.
References
Thatcher, W.W., A 100-year review: Historical development of female reproductive physiology in dairy cattle, J. Dairy Sci., 2017,100:10272–10291, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017 -13399.
Cardoso, C.E., Wiltbank, M.C., Sartori, R., Factors that optimize reproductive efficiency in dairy herds with an emphasis on timed artificial insemination programs, Animals (Basel), 2021, 11:301, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020301.
Wiltbank, M., Lopez, H., Sartori, R., Sangsritavong, S., Gumen, A., Changes in reproductive physiology of lactating dairy cows due to elevated steroid metabolism, Theriogenology, 2006, 65, 17–29.
Robinson, R.S., Hammond, A.J., Wathes, D.C., Hunter, M.G., Mann, G.E., Corpus luteum–endometrium–em bryo interactions in the dairy cow: underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance, Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 2008, 43, 104–112.
Forde, N., Beltman, M.E., Duffy, G.B., Duffy, P., Mehta, J.P., O’Gaora, P., Roche, J.F., Lonergan, P., Crowe, M.A., Changes in the endometrial transcriptome during the bovine estrous cycle: effect of low circulating progesterone and consequences for conceptus elongation, Biology of Reproduction, 2011, 84, 266–278. https://doi.org/10.1095/ biolreprod.110.085910.
Lonergan, P., Sanchez, J.M., Symposium review: Progesterone effects on early embryo development in cattle, Journal of Dairy Science, 2020, 103 8698–8707, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18583.
Clemente, M., de la Fuente, J., Fair, T., Al Naib, A., Gutierrez-Adan, A., Roche, J.F., Rizos, D., Lonergan, P., Progesterone and conceptus elongation in cattle: a direct effect on the embryo or an indirect effect via the endometrium?, Reproduction, 2009, 138, 507–517, https://doi.org/10.1530/ REP-09-0152.
Starbuck, G.R., Darwash, A.O., Mann, G.E., Lamming, G.E., The detection and treatment of post insemination progesterone insufficiency in dairy cows, BSAP Occas. Publ., 2001, 26:447–450, https:// doi.org/10.1017/ S0263967X0003409.
Kenyon, A.G., Mendonça, L.G.D., Lopes, Jr. G., Lima, J.R., Santos, J.E.P., Chebel, R.C., Minimal progesterone concentration required for embryo survival after embryo transfer in lactating Holstein cows, Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2013, 136:223–230, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.014.
Lonergan, P., Influence of progesterone on oocyte quality and embryo development in cows, Theriogenology, 2011, 76:1594–1601, https://doi.org/10 .1016/j.theriogenology.2011.06.012.
Pursley, J.R., Martins, J.P.N., Impact of circulating con centrations of progesterone and antral age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility of high-producing lactating dairy cows, Reprod. Fertil. Dev., 2011, 24:267–271, https://doi.org/10.1071/RD11917.
Wiltbank, M. C., J.R. Pursley, The cow as an induced ovu lator: Timed AI after synchronization of ovulation, Theriogenology, 2014, 81:170–185, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.017.
Carvalho, P.D., Santos V.G., Giordano J.O., Wiltbank M.C., Fricke P.M., Development of fertility programs to achieve high 21-day pregnancy rates in high-producing dairy cows, The riogenology, 2018, 114:165–172, https://doi.org/10.1016/j .theriogenology .2018.03.037.
Monteiro, P.L., Jr. Nascimento, A.B., Pontes, G.C., Fernandes, G.O., Melo, L.F., Wiltbank, M.C., Sartori, R., Progesterone supplementation after ovulation: Effects on corpus luteum function and on fertility of dairy cows subjected to Ai Or Et, Theriogenology, 2015, 84, 1215–1224.
Steichen, M.M., Larson, J.E., Effects of supplemental progesterone using a cidr insert on pregnancy per embryo transfer of dairy heifer recipients of embryos produced in vitro, Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2019, 203, 45–51.
García-Guerra, A., Sala, R.V., Carrenho-Sala, L., Baez, G.M., Motta, J.C.L., Fosado, M., Moreno, J.F., Wiltbank, M.C., Postovu latory treatment with gnrh on day 5 reduces pregnancy loss in recipients receiving an in vitro produced expanded blastocyst, Theriogenology, 2020, 141, 202–210.
Schmitt, E.J., Barros, C.M., Fields, P.A., Fields, M.J., Diaz, T., Kluge, J.M., Thatcher, W.W., A Cellular and endocrine characterization of the original and induced corpus luteum after administration of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist or human chorionic gonadotropin on day five of the estrous cycle, J. Anim. Sci., 1996, 74, 1915–1929.
López-Gatius, F., Santolaria, P., Martino, A., Delétang, F., De Rensis, F., The effects of GnRH treatment at the time of AI and 12 days later on reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows during the warm season in northeastern Spain, Theriogenology, 2006, 65, 820-830.
Willard, S., Gandy, S., Bowers, S., Graves, K., Elias, A., Whisnant, C., The effects of GnRH administration postinsemination on serum concentrations of progesterone and pregnancy rates in dairy cattle exposed to mild summer heat stress, Theriogenology, 2003, 59, 1799-1810.
Borş, S.I., Borş, A., Abdoon, A.S.S., Economics of treatment with GnRH agonist 7-14 days after artificial insemination in repeat breeder lactating dairy cows, Reprod. Domest. Anim., 2023, 58(7):929-934, doi: 10.1111/rda.14368.
Borş, S.I., Vintilă, V., Borş, A., Floriștean, V.C., Impact of Season and OvSynch + GnRH on Day 5 After Artificial Insemination (AI) on the Heat Detection and Conception Rates of Cooled High-Yielding Holstein Cows, Animals (Basel), 2025, 9,15(6):777, doi: 10.3390/ani15060777.
Wolfenson, D., Thatcher, W.W., Badinga, L., Savio, J.D., Meidan, R., Lew, B.J., Braw-Tal, R., Berman, A., Effect of heat stress on follicular development during the estrous cycle in lactating dairy cattle, Biol. Reprod., 1995, 52, 1106–1113.
Doležel, R., Chambert, C., Musilová, D., Cech, S., Páleník, T., Induction of accessory Corpus luteum by gonadorelin in relation to the time of treatment and the follicle size in inseminated cows, Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2017, 62, 195–200.
Yan, L., Robinson, R.S., Shi, Z., Mann, G.E., Efficacy of progesterone supplementation during early pregnancy in cows: A meta-analysis, Theriogenology, 2016, 85, 1390–1398.e1.
Besbaci, M., Abdelli, A., Minviel, J.J., Belabdi, I., Kaidi, R., Raboisson, D., Association of pregnancy per artificial insemination with gonadotropin-releasing hormone and human chorionic gonadotropin administered during the luteal phase after artificial insemination in dairy cows: A meta-analysis, J. Dairy Sci., 2020, 103, 2006–2018.
Nascimento, A.B., Souza, A.H., Guenther, J.N., Costa, F.P.D., Sartori, R., Wiltbank M.C., Effects of treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin or intravaginal progest erone-releasing device after AI on circulating progesterone concentrations in lactating dairy cows, Reprod. Fertil. Dev., 2013, 25:818–824, https://doi.org/10.1071/RD12104.
Cabrera, E.M., Lauber, M.R., Peralta, E.M., Bilby, T.R., Fricke, P.M., Human chorionic gonadotropin dose response for induction of ovulation 7 days after a synchronized ovulation in lactating Holstein cows, JDS Commun, 2021, 2: 35–40, https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2020 -0024.
De Rensis, F., López-Gatius, F., García-Ispierto, I., Techakum, M., Clinical use of human chorionic gonadotropin in dairy cows: an update, Theriogenology, 2010, 73:1001–1008, https://doi.org/10 .1016/j.theriogenology.2009.11.027.
Cunha, T.O., Martinez, W., Walleser, E., Martins, J.P.N., Effects of GnRH and hCG administration during early luteal phase on estrous cycle length, expression of estrus and fertility in lactating dairy cows, Theriogenology, 2021, 173:23–31, https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.06.010.
Baez, G.M., Trevisol, E., Barletta, R.V., Cardoso, B.O., Ricci, A., Guenther, J.N., Cummings, N.E., Wiltbank, M.C., Proposal of a new model for CL regression or maintenance during pregnancy on the basis of timing of regression of contralateral, accessory CL in pregnant cows, Theriogenology, 2017, 89, 214–225, doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.09.055.
Nascimento, A.B., Bender, R.W., Souza, A.H., Ayres, H., Araujo, R.R., Guenther, J.N., Sartori, R., Wiltbank, M.C., Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin on day 5 after timed artificial insemination on fertility of lactating dairy cows, J. Dairy Sci., 2013, 96:2873–2882, https://doi .org/10.3168/jds.2012-5895.
López-Gatius, F., Santolaria, P., Yániz, J.L., Hunter, R.H.F., Progesterone supplementation during early fetal period reduces pregnancy loss in high-yielding dairy cattle, Theriogenology, 2004, 62: 1529-1535.
Villarroela, A., Martinob, A., BonDuranta, R.H., Dèletang, F., Sischoa, W.M., Effect of post insemination supplementation with PRID on pregnancy in repeat-breeder Holstein cows, Theriogenology, 2004, 61: 1513-1520.
Bech-Sàbat, G., López-Gatius, F., García-Ispierto, I., Santolaria J.P., Serrano, B., Nogareda, C., de Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Yániz, J., Pregnancy patterns during the early fetal period in high producing dairy cows treated with GnRH or progesterone, Theriogenology, 2009, 71: 920-929.
Mehni, S.B., Shabankareh, H.K., Kazemi-Bonchenari, M., Eghbali, M., The comparison of treating Holstein dairy cows with progesterone, CIDR and GnRH after insemination on serum progesterone and pregnancy rates, Reprod. Domest. Anim., 2012, 47: 131-134.
Pilz, M., Fischer-Tenhagen, C., Krueger, X., von Thiele, G., Heuwieser, W., Efficacy of progesterone inserts (CIDR) to reduce early embryonic losses in dairy cows, Tierarztliche Praxis, 2012, 40: 7-13.
Monteiro, P.L.J., Sartori, R., Canavessi, A.M.O., Melo, L.F., Motta, J.C.L., Consentini, C.E.C., Wiltbank, M.C., Accessory corpus luteum regression during pregnancy I: Timing, physiology, and P4 profiles, Reproduction, 2021, 162 473-482, https://doi.org/10.1530/REP-21-0167.
Hazano, K., Miki, T., Goto, A., Kayano, M., Haneda, S., Van Bui, D,. Miura, R., Matsui, M., Effects of the formation and regression of accessory corpus lutea during pregnancy on plasma progesterone concentration and pregnancy status in cross-bred beef heifers, Anim Reprod Sci., 2021, 232, 106825, doi: 10.1016/ j.anireprosci.2021.106825.
Bui, D.V., Haneda, S., Matsui, M., The relationship between accessory corpus luteum maintenance and pregnancy-specific protein B in pregnant Japanese Black cows, Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research, 2024, 72(1): 1–12.
Vasconcelos, J.L.M., Sá Filho, O.G., Justolin, P.L.T., Morelli, P., Aragon, F.L., Veras, M.B., Soriano, S., Effects of postbreeding gonadotropin treatments on conception rates of lactating dairy cows subjected to timed artificial insemination or embryo transfer in a tropical environment, J. Dairy Sci., 2011, 94:223–234, https://doi .org/10.3168/jds.2010-3462.
Niles, A.M., Fricke, H.P., Carvalho, P.D., Wiltbank M.C., Hernandez, L.L., Fricke, P.M., Effect of treatment with human chorionic gonado tropin 7 days after artificial insemination or at the time of embryo transfer on reproductive outcomes in nulliparous Holstein heifers, J. Dairy Sci., 2019, 102:2593–2606, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15588
El Azzi, M.S., Cardoso, J.L., Landeo, R.A., Pontes, J.H.F., de Souza, J.C., Martins, J.P.N., Effect of inducing accessory corpus luteum formation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin on the day of embryo transfer on fertility of recipient dairy heifers and lactating cows, JDS Commun, 2023, 2,4(2):155-160, doi: 10.3168/jdsc
