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. 2025 Oct 30;15(11):1687.
doi: 10.3390/life15111687.

The Effects of Environmental and Management Factors on the Quality of the Corpus Luteum and Subsequent Conception Rates of Beef and Dairy Cows in South Africa

Kaylee Demont  1 , Edward Cottington Webb  1   2 , Robert Treadwell  3 , Andries Masenge  4
Affiliations

The Effects of Environmental and Management Factors on the Quality of the Corpus Luteum and Subsequent Conception Rates of Beef and Dairy Cows in South Africa

Kaylee Demont et al. Life (Basel). .

Abstract

The corpus luteum (CL) controls the success of pregnancy. The current study investigated the effects of some environmental and management factors on the development of the CL and the subsequent impact on conception rates of beef and dairy cows in South Africa. Cows (Jersey, Holstein, Nguni, Bonsmara, Tuli, Ankole, Charolais and Angus crosses) receiving an embryo were synchronized based on the breed type and status. Standing estrus was observed from day 9 to day 12 after synchronization. Embryo transfer occurred on day 18. CLs were graded based on size and consistency of each CL by an experienced veterinarian. Production type (beef versus dairy types) was marginally associated with conception after the first synchronization cycle (p = 0.065). Cows were moved between groups, and this influenced the CL (p = 0.08). Climatological factors, maximum THI (p = 0.017) and precipitation (p = 0.061) influenced the quality of the CL in dairy cows. By contrast, precipitation (p = 0.067) influenced the quality of CLs in beef cows. More attention needs to be paid to the management of maximum THI and shelter from precipitation in dairy production systems, while precipitation alone was more important in beef cows. Climate affects the corpus luteum quality of cows of different production types differently.

Keywords: beef; climatological effects; conception rate; corpus luteum; dairy; embryo transfers; management; reproduction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author Robert Treadwell was employed by the company Embrio Plus. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The authors declare that this study received funding from Embrio Plus. The funder was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article or the decision to submit it for publication.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stages of embryos considered when determining the quality of the embryo (1—morula; 2—blastocyst; 3—hatched blastocyst).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The influence of the number of group changes on the success of pregnancy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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