Delaval.com.co
Herd Navigator™ and reproduction management
1. Reproductive management
insemination are not in heat (O'connor 1993). Failure to detect cows
Efficient and profitable reproduction management in a dairy herd
that are in heat and breeding cows not in heat result in economic loss
requires routine and time-consuming manual heat detection and
for the producer because of extended calving intervals and additional
proper timing of artificial insemination. Failure to detect heat is a
semen expense. Research worldwide points to a loss of appr. 2 €
major factor contributing to low fertility. More than half of the heats
per open day beyond the voluntary waiting period, which in larger
are undetected on dairy farms today because of lack of time used for
herds can sum up to large monetary losses. Further, misclassified
manual heat detection, and because high yielding cows exhibit weak
reproduction failures result in inappropriate cul ings. Therefore, poor
and short lasting heat signs (Figure 1).
heat detection is costly to the producer and should be considered the critical component of reproductive management.
Figure 1.
The more time spent on manual heat detection, the higher the heat
detection rate (Eerdenburg, 2008), but in modern dairy production
there is often little time to perform manual heat detection. Therefore,
systems to monitor heat related behaviour have been developed
(activity and combined activity/picture recognition systems). The major
issue with these systems is the inferior sensitivity, because some
cows do not show increased activity at the time of heat. Also, cows not in heat may show activity, despite no heat or because they are
already pregnant.
Other solutions are to perform cowside tests for progesterone in focus
cows. The problems with cowside tests are the work load incurred
at milking, where farmers would like to concentrate on milking, and also the scarcity of test results. Further, manual heat detection
Figure 1. High producing dairy cows show short and low activity heats (Lopez et al., 2004)
and cowside tests of progesterone wil not ful y encompass heat detection, and not take in consideration other reproductive events as
In addition, research based on levels of the hormone progesterone
ovarial cysts, Post Partum Anoestrus, confirmation of pregnancy and
in milk shows that up to 15 percent of the cattle presented for
detection of abortions.
2. Herd Navigator™ and reproductive management
Right after a heat the model will ask for samples on appr. day 5, 9
The basic model layout is shown in figure 4. The model is driven
External Oestrus Detection can either be manual recording of a heat
The Herd Navigator™ concept differs greatly from traditional
and 14 in order to evaluate if the cow has become pregnant or has
by the progesterone concentrations which are smoothed in order
or activity meter input. The input will make the model perform a new
reproduction management, where the detection of heats depends
developed a follicular cyst (see section 5). Further, the model will ask
to take away natural biologically based occurrence of "noise" from
run to either confirm the observation or to reject the information.
on visual observations and/or activity meters, and the diagnosis
for frequent samples after day 18 in the heat cycle in order to find the
the progesterone measurements. A number of manual inputs to the
Manual pregnancy determination can also be made. The outputs
of other reproductive events depend on rectal examinations. The
model will assist in keeping track of the cows' reproductive status.
from the model are shown on the right side of the model, and will
reproduction cycle in the dairy cow is controlled by a number of
In particular breeding data are essential, and therefore strict data
be described in detail below. The testing of the reproduction model
The reproduction model assumes the cow to be in one of
hormones, which control the development and release of an egg
management is important, and any event, in particular breeding
showed a heat detection rate of more than 95 %.
three states (see figure 3). After calving the cow will have low
every 21 days.
should be reported to the herd management system immediately.
concentrations of progesterone, until she resumes cyclicity at 20-30
The Herd Navigator™ takes milk samples for analysis of the
days after calving. This is status 0, Post Partum Anoestrus. Once the
reproductive hormone progesterone, which is produced in the
first ovulation happens, progesterone concentrations will increase,
Figure 4.
structure called the Corpus Luteum in the ovaries. The Corpus Luteum
and the model will change to status 1, cycling, and will begin to look
is developed soon after a heat, where an oocyte (egg) is released
for the next heat. Once this has been detected, the status of the cow
Days to Next Sample
from the ovary. The corpus luteum will produce increasing amounts
changes to status 2, potentially pregnant (even if there is no AI). If on
of progesterone after the heat. In cows that have not been bred the
day 5 after the heat the model learns that the cow was not bred, the
production will cease at around 19 days after the latest heat, and a
model will switch back to status 1. If the cow was bred, the model
new heat will appear. In pregnant cows the production of progesterone
will assess the probability of a prospective pregnancy.
will continue in order to maintain the pregnancy (figure 2).
(postppartum anoestrus)
- Risk of Prolonged Anoestrus
- Days to Next Sampling
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
(oestrus cycling)
- Risk of Luteal Cysts
- Risk of Follicular Cysts
- Oestrus- Likelihood of Successful AI- Timing of AI
- Days to Next Sampling
Days from Calving
Days from oestrus
(potentially pregnant)
Figure 2. Milk progesterone concentrations before and after oestrus (day
Figure 3. The three states of reproduction of the cow. Status=0 is the
Likelihood of Being Pregnant
0) for cows which did (solid line, filled squares) or did not (stiplled line,
Days to Next Sampling
post partum anoestrus period. When the cow moved to status=1 the
open circles) conceive at that oestrus. (Friggens et al., 2007).
cow has commenced cyclicity, and in Status=2 the cow is potentially
pregnant.From here she can either stay in status=2 because she is pregnant, or fall back to Status=1.
Herd Navigator™ will take milk samples for progesterone analyses
Figure 4. Overview of the model to predict reproductive status.
to the progesterone input. Inputs and outputs are circled. The arrow
at varying intervals during the heat cycle, with particular emphasis
With Herd Navigator™, the sampling schedule will start 20 days
The biological module with components for each of the three
leaving "days to next sample" indicates that this value is fed back to
on the period up to a new heat event. The model will not be able to
before the end of the Voluntary Waiting Period, in order for the model
reproductive Statuses is shown within the stippled box, the statistical
the milk sampling software.
pick up the first heat event in early lactation, where progesterone
to assess the present state of the cow.
module generating smoothed progesterone values is shown adjacent
concentrations will go from very low concentrations and then rise. This heat is not used by the farmer, but the model will now know that the heat took place and look for the next heat around 21 days later.
One should be aware that cows are biologically different creatures.
4. Heat detection
5. Follicular cyst alarms
6. Luteal cyst alarms
Some cows will exhibit heat signs where the progesterone
Once progesterone concentrations have dropped below 5 ng/ml,
In some cows the heat event will be followed by continuing low
In some cows in early lactation, the normal regression of the corpus
concentration is not very low. This can be seen from figure 5. In
the reproduction model will issue a heat alarm. At the same time
concentrations of progesterone (happening in an average of 15 %
luteum doesn't take place as expected at the end of a heat cycle
these cases, Herd Navigator™ will not issue a heat alarm. If the
the model will also issue a Likelihood of successful insemination
of heats), indicating that there was no ovulation taking place (figure
(figure 8). This happens in approximately 5 % of the cows. This
heat has been observed, a look at the progesterone curve will
(0-100%). This figure has been computed in the model on the basis
7). The majority of these cows will not exhibit clinical signs of the
means that the persistent corpus luteum produces high amounts
acknowledge the observation. On the other hand, an observed
of maximum progesterone concentration in previous cycle, previous
follicular cyst, and hence being classified as "silent heat cows" in
of progesterone, and the progesterone curve stays high. The
heat where there is no drop in progesterone can be rejected. These
cycle length, oocyte quality and uterine environment. A likelihood
traditional herd management. With Herd Navigator™, these cows will
reproduction model expects a new heat 21 days after the latest heat,
observations typically occur in cows that were bred in the previous
below 10 % is a non-productive heat, and the cow should not be
be detected, and a risk value higher than 90 % (default risk value
and if progesterone is still high on day 25, the model will issue a
heat, and are now pregnant. These cows should not be inseminated.
for an alarm) will appear on day 10 after the heat alarm, allowing
luteal cyst alarm.
early diagnosis and treatment (hormone treatment that will cause an
Based on the experience from test herds, the insemination shall
ovulation). Based on the experience from testing, the heat following
Figure 8.
Figure 5.
take place 24-36 hours after the heat alarm. A heat alarm occurring
the treatment should not be used for breeding, as the conception
after the morning milking should result in an insemination the next
rate is very low.
day, and a heat alarm after the evening milking should result in an insemination the day after tomorrow. Figure 6 shows the ideal timing
In very high producing animals, naturally occurring low values of
Lutein cyst period
of events around a heat alarm.
progesterone can occur in early lactation, and until the daily milk yield drops to less than 40 kg. The chances of conception in these cows are very low, and we advise that the insemination Standard Operating
Figure 6.
Procedure (SOP) for these cows should be not to inseminate until milk yield has dropped.
Herd Navigator™ alarm
Figure 7.
Ovulation Bleeding
Figure 8. Progesterone curve indicating a luteal cyst (DelPro user
interface). There is a heat alarm November 20, 2009, followed by a luteal
Figure 5. An example of a progesterone profile showing a high
cyst. The cow was treated, and a new heat alarm came December 28,
progesterone oestrus. In this case the reproduction model will not issue a
followed by an insemination.
heat alarm (Friggens et al, 2008).
Sperm life in female tract
The luteal cyst is often accompanied by an inflammation of the uterus
3. Start of progesterone measurements
(endometritis). Therefore, these cows should be rectally examined
In most herds commencement of breeding will not start immediately
Figure 6. Timing of events during a heat. Note that the Herd Navigator™
and treated with luteolytic hormone (pr
after calving. This is especially the case in herds with high
heat alarm will take place approximately 12 hours before the onset of the
If Herd Navigator™ issues a luteal cyst alarm in cows that were
producing cows, where commencement of cyclicity can occur long
standing heat, and hence the proper time of insemination will be 24-36
Figure 7. Progesterone curve indicating a follicular cyst (DelPro
bred, the cow should be examined for pregnancy at the earliest
after calving. Therefore, in the user interface settings of start of
hours later (Redrawn from O'Connor, 1993).
user interface), There is a heat alarm January 5th, followed by low
convenience. If the cow is pregnant, the pregnancy should be
progesterone measurements can be set manually in order to suit
progesterone values: The red triangle indicates a heat alarm, and the blue
reported to the system, as this will remove the luteal cyst alarm.
the needs of the particular herd. We recommend a start time of
diamond indicates an insemination.
This will happen from time to time, either because of a mistimed AI
20 days before the end of the Voluntary Waiting Period, in order to
or late reporting of the insemination, or due to a slow development
have the reproduction model pick up the status of the cows before
in progesterone, which makes the reproduction model assume that
the first breeding. Further, a Standard Operations Procedure (SOP)
the chance of a pregnancy is low. We advise that in case of a luteal
can be built in the user interface, allowing for herd specific rules of
cyst alarm after breeding, the cow should be manually checked for
insemination, based on Days from Calving and actual daily milk yield
pregnancy. In the herd management system, filters are available to
(see section 10).
sort potentially pregnant cows from luteal cyst cows.
7. Post Partum Anoestrus alarms
8. Pregnancy attentions
10. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for insemination
Dairy cows are expected to resume cyclicity 20-30 days after calving.
In cows that were bred, the reproductive model will follow the
In the modern dairy herd the voluntary waiting period may depend
If the progesterone measurements start at day 40 after calving, the
development in progesterone. If at day 30 after breeding the
on lactation number and the present milk yield of cows. The
first Post Partum Anoestrus alarm will be issued on day 50, allowing
progesterone concentration is high, the model will assume that the
lactation curve is very flat, which makes it less important to breed
time for the model to recognize the development in progesterone
cow is pregnant, and issue a pregnancy attention.
cows early in lactation. Further, the very high milk yield in early
(figure 9). In some cases progesterone concentration might be low
The system will now follow the cow for additional 25 days to
lactation is compromising normal ovarial function. Therefore, many
in the first measurement days because the cow is in the middle of a
check for pregnancy. During this period, 95 % of all cases of early
Herd Navigator™ users chose to develop SOPs that takes into
heat period, and hence the alarm would be inappropriate.
embryonic death and abortions will have taken place, and the cow is
consideration these factors. In the user interface one can develop
most certainly pregnant (Forar et al., 1996).
SOPs suited for the herd policies for breeding. In case a heat alarm doesn't meet the criteria for an insemination it will be shown, but
Figure 9.
If the user suspects or observes an abortion after this time, and the
there will be no "insemination" instruction with the alarm. In figure 10
cow is still in the measurement window (typically 40-240 days after
is shown a typical example of an insemination SOP.
calving), the system will restart progesterone measurements on the cow, in order to prepare for a rebreeding.
Figure 10.
9. Early Embryonic Loss/Abortion alarms
In some cases (10-20 %) a pregnant cow will loose the embryo
and revert to heat. The majority of these events happens around
day 30 in pregnancy and can be caused by a number of factors, including mistimed insemination and a no-viable foetus. In traditional
reproductive management these events will be classified as
"prolonged heat cycles", i.e. heats in the period 25-35 days since the
Figure 9. An example of a Post Partum Anoestrus cow. The cow is supposed to commence cyclicity, but still up to 70 days after calving
The Herd Navigator™ will detect these events and issue an Early
there is no increase in progesterone concentrations. At 70 days after
Embryonic Loss or Abortion alarm, in order for the user to know
calving the first ovulation took place, and the cow became cyclic.
that the cow was pregnant, but lost the foetus. The experience
from Herd Navigator™ herds shows that the heat coming right after
Likelihood of success
such an event should not be used for breeding, as the chances for
at Insemination > 40%
conception are low (around 15 %).
In case of a Post Partum Anoestrus alarm the cow should be
examined at the earliest convenience to determine whether she is
Inseminate 24-48
hours after alarm
not cycling or to determine if a follicular cyst is causing the alarm. In case of a true Post Partum Anoestrus very little can be done except waiting for the animal to commence cyclicity, and any attempts to breed the animal upon heat activity is non-productive.
Figure 10. Example of a reproduction SOP. The SOP takes into consideration days in milk and the likelihood of success for insemination. The SOP can be developed in the user interface.
• Eerdenburg, F.J.C.M. 2008. Oestrus detection i n dairy cattle - How to beat a bull.
Veterinary Quarterly. Vol. 30, Supp. 1.
• Forar, A.L., J.M. Gay, D.D. Hancock & C.C. Gay. 1996. Fetal loss frequency in ten Holstein
dairy herds. Theriogenology, 45, 1505-1513.
• Friggens, N.C. & M.G.G. Chagunda. 2005. Prediction of the reproductive status of cattle
on the basis of milk progesterone measures: model description. Theriogenology 64,
• Friggens, N.C.; M. Bjerring, C. Ridder, S. Højsgaard & T. Larsen. 2008. Improved
Detection of Reproductive Status in Dairy Cows Using Milk Progesterone
• Measurements. Reprod. Dom. Anim. 43 (Suppl. 2), 113–121.
• Lopez, H., LD Satter and MC Wiltbank. 2004. Relationship between level of milk
production and estrous behaviour of lactating dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Sci.
• O'Connor, M.L. 1993. Heat Detection and Timing of Insemination for Cattle. Penn State
College of Agricultural Sciences. Extension Circular 402, 19 pp. S & M. Trinderup ( 2010):
[Delevopment of monitors for digestive and metabolic disorders]. Report from Agrotech
A/S, Udkærsvej 15, DK-8200 Århus N., Denmark, 22 pp.
is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. and DeLaval is a registered trade/service mark of DeLaval Holding AB.
The manufacturer reserves the right to make design changes. 53571175-201111
Source: http://delaval.com.co/PageFiles/171203/53571175_HN_Reproduktion%20managementLOWRES.pdf
Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo53(1):39-44, January-February, 2011doi: 10.1590/S0036-46652011000100007 ANTEMORTEM DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN RABIES IN A VETERINARIAN INFECTED WHEN HANDLING A HERBIVORE IN MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL Mariana Gontijo de BRITO(1), Talita Leal CHAMONE(1), Fernando José da SILVA(2), Marcelo Yohito WADA(3), Alexandre Braga de MIRANDA(4),
Microbiology (2007), 153, 1394–1404 ScbA from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) hashomology to fatty acid synthases and is able tosynthesize c-butyrolactones Nai-Hua Hsiao,13 Johannes So¨ding,2 Dirk Linke,2 Corinna Lange,3Christian Hertweck,3 Wolfgang Wohlleben1 and Eriko Takano13 Mikrobiologie/Biotechnologie, Eberhard-Karls-Universita¨t Tu¨bingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28,