Members of the NE1727 Multistate Research Project: Influence of Ovary, Uterus, and Embryo on Pregnancy Success in Ruminants have compiled a set of manuscripts that represents their past and current efforts defining the importance of oocyte quality, follicle growth and the corpus luteum (CL) to pregnancy success (Bishop et al., 2022).

Ovum pickup and in-vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos have quickly become commercial options for generating large quantities of transferable bovine embryos from genetically elite sires and dams. However, 2 limitations in this process still exist.

The animal production industry is responsible for providing products like meat, dairy, and egg products to the growing human population of the world. Within each sector, there are production practices that can improve the overall productivity of the animals and contribute to their welfare.

Vitamin D is an important hormone that among other things, contributes to bone health, immunity, and reproduction. Recently, research has linked vitamin D to fertility in other species (primates), and therefore the objectives of the current research were to determine if mild supplementation with Vitamin D impacted fertility in female cattle.

This review focuses on intrafollicular changes that occur within the dominant follicle from luteolysis to the LH surge and discusses recent advancements in the literature related to how such changes support oocyte competence.

Choline is an essential nutrient important for lipid metabolism in the liver of many mammals. In the present study, fourteen overweight cats had their commercial extruded cat food top-dressed with different amounts of choline chloride supplement.

This study aimed at investigating joint genomic evaluation by combining data from multiple pig populations. Genomic evaluation is commonly applied in the pig industry to select the best animals to be the parents for the next generation.

Neonatal piglets suffer from severe birth oxidative stress due to the immaturity of their antioxidant system. In vitro and in vivo studies have now shown that the function of the antioxidant system can be modulated by bamboo leaf extract (BLE).

Aberrant light exposure (such as light at night and super-intensity light) induces sleep disturbances and mood disorders, as well as major depressive disorder. In poultry, photoperiod is an important factor affecting the growth and behavior of broiler chickens.

Cereal grains such as corn, wheat, and barley are widely used as an energy source in swine diets. However, due to their recent soaring prices, it is necessary to use alternative feedstuffs for swine. New commercial hybrid rye with improved ergot resistance and higher yield has been developed.

After weaning, piglets undergo various kinds of stress that limit feed intake and nutrient digestibility. Much of the effects are strongest at the still-developing gastrointestinal tract where active feed digestion and nutrient uptake takes place.

Animal performance is determined by the combined effects of both prior and current nutrition. The present study used a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial to examine the effects of prior feeding level (HI or LO) on subsequent ad-libitum intake of diets varying in energy density (7.8, 9.2, 10.7 MJ/kg DM) and level of supplemental rumen undegradable protein (RUP; 0, 30, 60, and 90g/d).

In regions with soils deficient in selenium (Se), producers should supplement this trace mineral to the diet of forage-grazing cattle. We previously reported that circulating concentrations of progesterone (P4) are affected by the form of Se supplemented to cows.

Extremes in body condition affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes in beef cows. Much research has been done in women and dairy cows to evaluate body condition’s effect on oocyte and embryo quality, pregnancy rates, and pregnancy outcomes.

Reproductive efficiency is necessary for the financial and environmental sustainability of cattle production. A critical component of this efficiency is the maintenance of pregnancy. The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient ovarian endocrine gland that produces progesterone—the hormone that maintains pregnancy in all mammals.

Early pregnancy losses are common in cattle. This review describes how critical the interplay between the developing conceptus (embryo and extraembryonic membranes) and endometrium is to maintaining pregnancies in cattle and other ruminants.

The corpus luteum (CL) forms on the ovary from the cellular remnants of the follicle following ovulation. The function of the CL is to produce progesterone that is required for successful pregnancy.

The United States Senate Agricultural Committee has passed the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act (S. 4030), a bill that would establish pricing mechanisms for live animal purchases.

A new study by researchers at Ohio State University found that human cells currently do not absorb the same level of nutrients from plant-based protein as they do from meat from animals. While plant-based proteins have risen in popularity, this study shines a light on how the body reacts differently when compared to meat.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are calling for nominations for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC). ASAS President-Elect Teresa Davis was a 2020-2025 member of the DGAC.