The postweaning rise of tonic luteinizing hormone secretion in anestrous cows is not prevented by chronic milking or the physical presence of the calf.

Abstract

The objective of the following study was to examine the ability of frequent milking, the physical presence of the calf, and their combination to prevent a postweaning rise in tonic luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, estrus, and ovulation. Thirty Hereford cows were allowed to suckle their calves ad libitum until 17-21 days post partum and confirmed as anestrus. They were then assigned alternately by order of calving to 1 of 5 treatment groups: (1) Suckled (S) ad libitum; (2) Nonsuckled (NS)--calf removed for 102 h; (3) Nonsuckled--calf present (NSC)--calf remained with cow, but muzzled to prevent suckling for 102 h; (4) Nonsuckled--milked 8 times a day (NSM)--calf removed for 102 h and cow hand-milked for 10 min every 2 h from 0700 to 2100 h; (5) Nonsuckled--calf present--milked 8 times a day (NSMC)--combination of 3 and 4. Luteinizing hormone secretion patterns, estrous activity, and ovulation were monitored throughout the experiment. Prior to treatment (Day 0), mean pulse frequency (pulses/6 h), mean concentrations (ng/ml), and median concentrations (ng/ml) of LH did not differ (p greater than 0.45) between groups, and were 0.7 +/- 0.15, 2.8 +/- 0.14, and 2.6 +/- 0.11, respectively. Marked rises (p less than 0.01--p less than 0.03) in LH pulse frequency were observed in all groups except S between 48 and 54 h after onset of treatment. Mean and median concentrations of LH were lower (p less than 0.02) in S cows than in all other groups at 48-54 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)