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Progesterone and Embryo Survival in the Cow

  • Chapter
Embryonic Mortality in Farm Animals

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science ((CTVM,volume 34))

Abstract

Embryonic mortality accounts for the major portion of reproductive failure in all domestic animals. Progesterone, secreted by the Corpus Luteum is essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Progesterone level in the cycle preceeding insemination does not seem to affect embryonic survival. Following insemination, progesterone level increases in pregnant cows with most evidence suggesting a divergence as early as Day 10– between pregnant and non-pregnant cows. While it is presumed that this increase arises from a luteotrophic embryonic signal there is not direct evidence to substantiate this before Day 16. Progesterone supplementation has increased embryo survival in both normal and repeat breeder cows though the number of animals are limited in individual experiments. The administration of hCG during the luteal phase significantly increased the number of corpora lutea and the circulating progesterone level but not embryo survival rates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Agricultural Institute, Belclare, Tuam, Galway, Ireland

    M. G. Diskin & J. M. Sreenan

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  1. M. G. Diskin
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  2. J. M. Sreenan
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  1. Western Research Centre, The Agricultural Institute, Belclare, Tuan, Eire

    J. M. Sreenan  & M. G. Diskin  & 

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© 1986 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg

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Diskin, M.G., Sreenan, J.M. (1986). Progesterone and Embryo Survival in the Cow. In: Sreenan, J.M., Diskin, M.G. (eds) Embryonic Mortality in Farm Animals. Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 34. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5038-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-5038-2_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8732-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-5038-2

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