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novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows

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2006) <strong>and</strong> disruption <strong>of</strong> LH secretion (Dobson et al., 2008). Those <strong>cows</strong><br />

with production diseases post partum may also be susceptible <strong>to</strong> lameness<br />

<strong>and</strong> mastitis (Roche, 2006). Hence oestrous <strong>expression</strong> may be affected<br />

due <strong>to</strong> the stress caused by production diseases.<br />

1.4.2.3 Stress<br />

Many fac<strong>to</strong>rs particularly related <strong>to</strong> environment <strong>and</strong> health can evoke a<br />

stress response <strong>in</strong> <strong>cows</strong> (see Section 1.4). In general, stress causes<br />

disruption <strong>to</strong> the hormonal equilibrium, reduc<strong>in</strong>g the LH surge <strong>and</strong> affect<strong>in</strong>g<br />

oestradiol production <strong>and</strong> period <strong>of</strong> exposure, thus decreas<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

<strong>expression</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>oestrus</strong> (Dobson et al., 2008). Cows are vulnerable <strong>to</strong> the<br />

effects <strong>of</strong> stress as the oestrous cycle is controlled by positive feedback<br />

mechanisms <strong>and</strong> so hormonal balance <strong>and</strong> control is very sensitive.<br />

Therefore dramatic shifts <strong>in</strong> hormone levels can have large responses<br />

(Liptrap, 1993).<br />

Activation <strong>of</strong> the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis occurs <strong>in</strong> response <strong>to</strong><br />

stressful situations (Allrich, 1994), which can cause a cortisol response.<br />

Cortisol produced <strong>in</strong> response <strong>to</strong> stress blocks the LH surge <strong>and</strong> prevents<br />

ovarian steroidogenesis. Therefore oestradiol production for <strong>oestrus</strong> is<br />

<strong>in</strong>hibited (Liptrap, 1993). To our knowledge there have been no<br />

experimental studies <strong>in</strong>vestigat<strong>in</strong>g long term activation <strong>of</strong> the<br />

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, short term adm<strong>in</strong>istration <strong>of</strong><br />

synthetic corticoids has been shown <strong>to</strong> prevent the <strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> oestradiol<br />

that <strong>in</strong>duces oestrous behaviour. On adm<strong>in</strong>istration <strong>of</strong> adrenocorticotrophic<br />

hormone (ACTH) LH pulse frequency, oestradiol production <strong>and</strong> the LH<br />

surge are decreased (Dobson et al., 2008). Another study has reported<br />

that when cortisol is adm<strong>in</strong>istered, <strong>to</strong> mimic the stress response, <strong>to</strong>gether<br />

with physiological concentrations <strong>of</strong> oestradiol the time <strong>of</strong> st<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>oestrus</strong><br />

is shortened. St<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>oestrus</strong> was either delayed or <strong>in</strong>hibited entirely<br />

(Allrich, 1994). It was also reported that low progesterone levels as a<br />

result <strong>of</strong> stress, result <strong>in</strong> lower <strong>in</strong>tensity <strong>of</strong> <strong>expression</strong> (Walker et al.,<br />

2008b).<br />

1.4.3 Milk Yield, Nutrition <strong>and</strong> Genetics<br />

L<strong>in</strong>ks between the reproductive <strong>and</strong> soma<strong>to</strong>tropic axes have been<br />

associated with subfertility <strong>in</strong> the modern <strong>dairy</strong> cow through nutritional <strong>and</strong><br />

metabolic <strong>in</strong>teractions. These communicate through the liver, pancreas <strong>and</strong><br />

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