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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Livestock Bio-Systems » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #383150
Research Project: Improving Livestock Production by Developing Reproductive and Precision Management Technologies

Location: Livestock Bio-Systems

Title: Prenatal transportation stress does not impact ovarian follicle count in Brahman offspring

Author
item QUAIL, LACEY - Texas A&M University
item RANDEL, RONALD - Texas Agrilife Research
item WELSH JR., THOMAS - Texas A&M University
item D'OREY BRANCO, RUI - Texas A&M University
item NEUNDORFF, DONALD - Texas Agrilife Research
item Cushman, Robert - Bob
item YAKE, HANNAH - University Of Tennessee
item PERRY, GEORGE - Texas Agrilife Research

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2021
Publication Date: 11/3/2021
Citation: Quail, L.K., Randel, R.D., Welsh Jr., T.H., D'Orey Branco, R., Neundorff, D.A., Cushman, R.A., Yake, H.K., Perry, G.A. 2021. Prenatal transportation stress does not impact ovarian follicle count in Brahman offspring [abstract]. Journal of Animal Science. 99(Supplement 3):126. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab235.229.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab235.229

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Calves from transported dams had greater concentrations of plasma cortisol when restrained and cleared plasma cortisol at a slower rate than calves from non-transported dams. Considering this hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis effect, investigation of other parameters influencing reproduction is warranted in offspring exposed to prenatal transportation stress. The purpose was to determine impact of prenatal transportation stress on offspring ovarian follicle count. Brahman cows were transported for 2 h on d 60, 80, 120, and 140 (± 5 d) of gestation. Offspring from transported (Stressed, n = 19) or non-transported (Control, n = 15) dams were slaughtered at 5 yr (Replication 1, n = 14) or ovariectomized at 8 yr (Replication 2, n = 20). A cross-section of ovary was collected, serially sectioned, and stained. Numbers of total, primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles were determined per section. Total ovarian follicle count for each stage was calculated using ovary dimensions. The MIXED procedure of SAS was used to analyze ovarian follicle count with treatment, replicate, and the interaction as fixed effects. Total ovarian follicle count decreased with age (P < 0.01; R1 = 383,663, R2 = 154,560); however, there was no difference in total ovarian follicle count between offspring due to treatment (P = 0.17; S = 221,813, C = 316,409). Similarly, there was no difference in primordial (P = 0.22; S = 127,300, C = 188,304), primary (P = 0.28; S = 58,610, C = 77,237), or antral (P = 0.48; S = 23,202, C = 28,695) follicle count between offspring due to treatment. Fewer secondary follicles were observed in Stressed offspring compared to Control offspring (P = 0.03). These results suggest that the ovarian follicular reserve, AFC, and potential fertility of cows may not be impacted by exposure to prenatal transportation stress.