North Central Regional Committee Meeting

North Central Regional Committee Meeting

On Reproductive Physiology

(NCERA-57)

NCERA-57

1. Current Representatives3
2. Location of NCR-26, NCR-57 and NCERA-57 Meetings5
3. Officers (1968-2007)7
4. Experiment Station Representatives9
5. Economic Impact of NCR-57 (1976)11
6. Impact of NCR-57 (1987)13
7. Research Priorities in Animal Reproductive Research (1990)15
8. Justification for Continuation of NCR-57 (2000-04)20
9. NCR-57 Workshops
10. Seasonal Infertility – 200228
11. Boar Stud Management & AI in Swine – 200429
12. Reproductive Inefficiency of Small Litters - 200630
13. Hodgepodge31

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d:Mark/NRC 57 Historical Report 2006

Current Representatives

NCERA-57, 2006

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d:Mark/NRC 57 Historical Report 2006

Administrative Advisor – Dr. John Baker

G-100 Veterinary Medical Center

College of Veterinary Medicine

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI 48824-1314

Tel: 517-432-2388 Fax: 517-432-1037

Email:

Illinois – Dr. David Miller

Department of Animal Sciences

132 Animal Science Lab

1207 West Gregory Drive

University of Illinois

Urbana, IL 61801

Tel: 217-333-3408 Fax: 217-333-8286

Email:

Indiana – Dr. Mark A. Diekman

Department of Animal Sciences

Lilly Hall of Life Sciences, Room 2-111

915 West State Street

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054

Tel: 765-494-4829 Fax: 765-494-9346

Email:

Iowa – Dr. Lloyd L. Anderson

Department of Animal Science

2356 Kildee Hall

Iowa State University

Ames, IA 50011-3150

Tel: 515-294-5540 Fax: 515-294-4471

Email:

Kansas – Dr. Duane L. Davis

Department of Animal Sciences & Industry

253 Weber Hall

Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS 66506

Tel: 785-532-1224 Fax: 785-532-7059

Email:

Michigan - Dr. Roy N. Kirkwood

A202 Vet Medical Center

Large Animal Clinical Sciences

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI 48824

Tel: 517-432-5198

Email:

Missouri – Columbia – Dr. Timothy J. Safranski

Department of Animal Sciences

S133 Animal Science Research Center

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

Tel: 573-884-7994 Fax: 573-884-4545

Email:

Nebraska – Dr. Brett R. White

Department of Animal Science

A224; Animal Science Building

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE 68583-0908

Tel: 402-472-6438 Fax: 402-472-6362

Email:

North Carolina – Dr. William Flowers

220-B Polk Hall

Box 7621

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC 27695

Tel: 919-515-4003 Fax: 919-515-4463

Email:

Ohio – Dr. Donald G. Levis

Department of Animal Science

2029 Fyffe Road

The Ohio State University

Columbus, OH 43210

Tel: 614-292-1351 Cell: 614-404-7248

Fax: 614-292-3513

Email:

Oklahoma – Dr. Rodney D. Geisert

Animal Science Department

114E Animal Science Building

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, OK 74078

Tel: 405-744-6077 Fax: 405-744-7390

Email:

South Dakota – Dr. Jeffrey A. Clapper

108 Animal Science Complex

South Dakota State University

Brookings, SD 57007

Tel: 605-688-5417 Fax: 605-688-6170

Email:

Texas – Dr. Tom Spencer

Department of Animal Science

442 Kleberg Center

2471 TAMU

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-2471

Tel: 979-845-4896 Fax: 979-862-2662

Email:

USDA/ARS/Beltsville - Dr. H. David Guthrie

Biotechnology and Germplasma Lab

Building 200, Room 100-B, BARC-East

Beltsville, MD 20705-2350

Tel: 301-504-9020 Fax: 301-504-5123

Email:

USDA/ARS/USMARC – Dr. Joe Ford

US Meat Animal Research Center

P. O. Box 166

Clay Center, NE 68933

Tel: 402-762-4184 Fax: 402-762-4382

Email:

USDA – CSREES – Dr. Deb Hamernik

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Stop 2220

Washington, DC 20250-2220

Tel: 202-401-4202 Fax: 202-401-1602

Email:

Wisconsin – Dr. John J. Parrish

Department of Animal Sciences

1675 Observatory Drive

University of Wisconsin

Madison, WI 53706

Tel: 608-263-4324 Fax: 608-262-5157

Email:

Wyoming – Dr. Steve Ford

Department of Animal Science

P. O. Box 3684

University of Wyoming

Laramie, WY 82-71-3684

Tel: 307-766-2709 Fax: 307-766-2355

Email:

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d:Mark/NRC 57 Historical Report 2006

Location of the NCR-26, NCR-57 and NCERA-57 Committee Meetings

1961 / University of Illinois
1962 / Iowa State University
1963 / University of Missouri - Columbia
1964 / University of Nebraska
1965 / Purdue University
1966 / University of Wisconsin
1967 / University of Illinois
1968 / USDA-ARS-Beltsville
1969 / University of Minnesota
1970 / Ohio State University
1971 / Kansas State University
1972 / Michigan State University
1973 / Iowa State University
1974 / University of Nebraska
1975 / North Dakota State University
1976 / University of Missouri - Columbia
1977 / Purdue University
1978 / University of Wisconsin
1979 / Purdue University
1980 / South Dakota State University
1981 / Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center
1982 / R. L. Hruska USDA-ARS-Marc
1983 / USDA-ARS-Beltsville
1984 / University of Missouri - Lincoln
1985 / University of Illinois
1986 / University of Minnesota
1987 / Pennsylvania State University
1988 / Ohio State University
1989 / University of Nebraska
1990 / Kansas State University
1991 / North Dakota State University
1992 / Iowa State University
1993 / University of Missouri - Columbia
1994 / Oklahoma State University
1995 / University of Wisconsin
1996 / R. L. Hruska USDA-ARS-Marc
1997 / USDA-ARS-Beltsville
1998 / University of Missouri - Lincoln
1999 / Purdue University
2000 / University of Illinois
2001 / University of Missouri – Columbia
2002 / University of Nebraska
2003 / Kansas State University
2004 / Iowa State University
2005 / University of Wisconsin
2006 / North Carolina State University
2007 / Michigan State University

NCERA-57 Officers

1968 / Chair / N. L. First / 1979 / Chair / J. J. Ford
Vice-Pres / R. J. Gerrits / Vice-Pres / W. R. Dukelow
Secretary / E. F. Graham / Secretary / D. L. Davis
1969 / Chair / R. J. Gerrits / 1980 / Chair / W. R. Dukelow
Vice-Pres / E. F. Graham / Vice-Pres / D. L. Davis
Secretary / P. J. Dzuik / Secretary / B. G. Crabo
1970 / Chair / E. F. Graham / 1981 / Chair / D. L. Davis
Vice-Pres / P. J. Dzuik / Vice-Pres / B. G. Crabo
Secretary / L. L. Anderson / Secretary / M. A. Diekman
1971 / Chair / P. J. Dzuik / 1982 / Chair / B. G. Crabo
Vice-Pres / L. L. Anderson / Vice-Pres / M. A. Diekman
Secretary / G. H. Kiracofe / Secretary / B. N. Day
1972 / Chair / L. L. Anderson / 1983 / Chair / M. A. Diekman
Vice-Pres / G. H. Kiracofe / Vice-Pres / B. N. Day
Secretary / E. D. Clegg / Secretary / D. B. Killian
1973 / Chair / G. H. Kiracofe / 1984 / Chair / B. N. Day
Vice-Pres / E. D. Clegg / Vice-Pres / D. B. Killian
Secretary / V. G. Pursel / Secretary / D. R. Hagen
1974 / Chair / E. D. Clegg / 1985 / Chair / D. B. Killian
Vice-Pres / V. G. Pursel / Vice-Pres / D. R. Hagen
Secretary / J. H. Britt / Secretary / P. J. Dzuik
1975 / Chair / V. G. Pursel / 1986 / Chair / D. R. Hagen
Vice-Pres / J. H. Britt / Vice-Pres / P. J. Dzuik
Secretary / J. E. Tilton / Secretary / W. F. Pope
1976 / Chair / J. H. Britt / 1987 / Chair / P. J. Dzuik
Vice-Pres / J. E. Tilton / Vice-Pres / W. F. Pope
Secretary / F. A. Murray / Secretary / D. R. Zimmerman
1977 / Chair / J. E. Tilton / 1988 / Chair / W. F. Pope
Vice-Pres / F. A. Murray / Vice-Pres / D. R. Zimmerman
Secretary / J. J. Ford / Secretary / L. L. Anderson
1978 / Chair / F. A. Murray / 1989 / Chair / D. R. Zimmerman
Vice-Pres / J. J. Ford / Vice-Pres / L. L. Anderson
Secretary / W. R. Dukelow / Secretary / V. G. Pursel
1990 / Chair / L. L. Anderson / 2001 / Chair / S. Meredith
Vice-Pres / V. G. Pursel / Vice-Pres / L.L. Anderson
Secretary / J. J. Parrish / Secretary / M. A. Diekman
1991 / Chair / V. G. Pursel / 2002 / Chair / L. L. Anderson
Vice-Pres / J. J. Parrish / Vice-Pres / M. A. Diekman
Secretary / S. K. Webel / Secretary / T. J. Safranski
1992 / Chair / J. J. Parrish / 2003 / Chair / M. A. Diekman
Vice-Pres / S. K. Webel / Vice-Pres / T. J. Safranski
Secretary / R. D. Geisert / Secretary / B. R. White
1993 / Chair / S. K. Webel / 2004 / Chair / T. J. Safranski
Vice-Pres / R. D. Geisert / Vice-Pres / B. R. White
Secretary / J. E. Tilton / Secretary / J. J. Ford
1994 / Chair / R. D. Geisert / 2005 / Chair / B. R. White
Vice-Pres / A. J. Conley / Vice-Pres / J. J. Ford
Secretary / G. R. Foxcroft / Secretary / R. Kirkwood
1995 / Chair / A. J. Conley / 2006 / Chair / J. J. Ford
Vice-Pres / G. R. Foxcroft / Vice-Pres / R. Kirkwood
Secretary / D. J. Miller / Secretary / J. J. Parrish
1996 / Chair / G. R. Foxcroft / 2007 / Chair / R. Kirkwood
Vice-Pres / D. J. Miller / Vice-Pres / J. J. Parrish
Secretary / H. D. Guthrie / Secretary / H. D. Guthrie
1997 / Chair / D. J. Miller
Vice-Pres / H. D. Guthrie
Secretary / R. Knox
1998 / Chair / H. D. Guthrie
Vice-Pres / R. V. Knox
Secretary / D. L. Davis
1999 / Chair / R. V. Knox
Vice-Pres / D. L. Davis
Secretary / S. Meredith
2000 / Chair / D. L. Davis
Vice-Pres / S. Meredith
Secretary / L. P. Reynolds

Experiment Station Representatives

NCR-26 (Artifical Insemination of Swine, 1961-65)

NCR-57 (Reproductive Physiology, 1966-2005)

NCERA-57 (Reproduction Physiology, 2006-present)

Adminstrative Advisor / Bob Bray
Neal Jorgensen
Bill Baumgardt
Jeff Armstrong
John Baker / 1975-84
1985-93
1994-96
1997-2000
2001-Present
Illinois State University / Steve Webel
Robert Knox / 1990-94
1995-99
Iowa State University / Hassle Self
Lloyd Anderson / 1961
1962-Present
Kansas State University / Guy Kiracote
Duane Davis / 1961-77
1978-Present
Lincoln University – Missouri / Diane Killian
Steve Meredith / 1982-94
1995-2002
Michigan State University / Jack Britt
Ed Convey
William Dukelow
Roy Kirkwood / 1975-76
1977
1978-90
2004-Present
North Carolina State University / Bill Flowers / 2002
North Dakota State University / Jim Tilton
Alan Conley
Larry Reynolds / 1975-93
1994-95
1996-99
Ohio State University / E. F. Wilson
Finnie Murray
Bill Pope
Don Levis / 1975
1976-84
1985-03
2004
Oklahoma State University / Rod Geisert / 1992-2006
Penn State University / Dan Hagen
Alan Ealy / 1983-2000
2001-02
Purdue University / Eric Clegg
Mark Diekman / 1975-79
1980-Present
South Dakota State University / Lowell Slyter
Jeff Clapper / 1975-96
1997-Present
University of Alberta, Canada / George Foxcroft / 1992-96
University of Illinois / Phil Dzuik
David Miller / 1961-93
1994-Present
University of Minnesota / E. F. Graham
Bo Crabo / 1961-71
1972-95
University of Missouri / Billy Day
Randy Prather
Tim Safranski / 1979-98
1999-2000
2001-Present
University of Nebraska / Dwane Zimmerman
Brett White / 1975-99
2001-Present
University of Texas / Fuller Bazer
Tom Spencer / 1994-99
2002-Present
University of Wisconsin / Neal First
John Parrish / 1975-88
1989-Present
University of Wyoming / Steve Ford / 2002-Present
USDA-ARS-Beltsville / Vern Pursel
Dave Guthrie / 1975-94
1995-Present
USDA-ARS-MARC / Dan Laster
Joe Ford / 1972-75
1976-Present
USDA-ARS-SEA / H. Teague / 1979-88
USDA-CSREES / C. F. Sierk
J. F. Sykes
E. I. Pilchard
E. J. Splitter
D. King
L. R. Miller
H. G. Gray
M. Mirando
D. Hamernik / 1961-64
1965-71
1972-81
1982-87
1988
1989-91
1992-2000
2001
2002-Present

Economic Impact: Importance of Research to Increase Reproductive Efficiency in Livestock (Statement from NCR-57, pre-1987)

To meet the ever-growing needs of the present and projected population for meat and meat products, a great increase will be required in the number of breeding livestock with present reproduction efficiency.

Reproductive inefficiencies receive little publicity because they are not spectacular, do not pose an immediate threat to human health, and often have been viewed as innate and not subject to elimination. Losses due to reproductive inefficiency are insidious but very costly. Prolonged generation intervals due to delayed puberty, small numbers of offspring per conception, low conception rates, failure of many breeding animals to reproduce at all, embryonal deaths, and fetal deaths at parturition all contribute to reduced fertility. A disease that each year killed 25% of the nation’s cattle, sheep, or pigs would command immediate attention by the press, the consumer, the producer, and those responsible for allocating research funds. The losses from embryonal deaths in the three species mentioned are at least 25% from day of breeding to day 25 of gestation. Another 20% of young born die at birth or within a few hours from causes directly attributable to the birth process. Many females have no embryonal loss and have no loss of fetuses from parturition so these losses are not innate and part of the destiny of every animal, these losses are due to some reason. Before cures can be expected, causes and reasons must be established to form a base of knowledge.

During the course of the annual meetings of the NCR-57 committee over the past several years, discussions by the researchers in reproductive physiology on which of the many facets of reproductive physiology deserves attention and would be most likely to yield significant results, have led to designating the following areas.

Embryonal and Fetal Survival

Embryonic mortality is a significant factor in all farm livestock. Embryonic loss reduces litter size by 30% in swine, occurs in over one-fifth of all fertilized eggs in the sheep and cow, and is a major contributor to the meager 60% hatching rate in the turkey. At the present time, there is no treatment, regimen of diet or management scheme that has consistently improved embryonal survival. Because this mortality constitutes such a great proportion of total losses, it merits much greater research emphasis. Even slight increases in embryonal survival would have a tremendous impact on the reproductive efficiency of the nation’s livestock.

Control of Ovulation

Methods of controlling ovulation have been developed but remain unavailable because of low conception in some species or regulatory agencies have not approved their general use in other species.

Acceptable control of ovulation would embody the following characteristics: fertility at controlled ovulation would be as great as normal or greater; control would be precise so inseminations would be done by appointment; safe for both the animal and a potential human consumer of the animal; cost should not be prohibitive; administration should be convenient, consistent, and reliable. Control of ovulation is essential to widespread use of artificial insemination (AI) in domestic livestock. The cost, dedication, and skill necessary to check for heat accurately and obtain high conception prohibits use of AI except in special circumstances. Insemination at a certain time relative to a controlled time of ovulation has been shown to give conception rates equal to or above usual levels. Parturition could be controlled and supervised when several members of a breeding herd are at the same stage of pregnancy.

Parturition and Post-partum Recovery

Death loss associated with birth and failure of the mother to mate soon after parturition account for a substantial reduction in reproductive efficiency. Of the 150,000,000 piglets born in the USA each year, 7% or 10,500,000 are stillborn. These are normal, fully formed fetuses that were alive at the beginning of the birth process but are presented dead. These 10,500,000 deaths and other birth-related deaths within the first 48 hours of birth are a complete waste of reproductive potential.

The cow rarely conceives until 60 days after parturition, the sow must be weaned before mating, and then only after at least a 3 or 4 week lactation, the ewe often is not pregnant for 7 of the 12 months in a year. A mouse conceives within 24 hours of birth of the litter and is both pregnant and lactating most of her life. As daily feed and maintenance costs of breeding animals continues to increase so should the emphasis on reducing the number of days that animals in a breeding herd are not pregnant.

Gamete and Zygote Storage and Handling

Even though AI and embryo transfer have the potential for reducing the transmission of disease between herds, increases the number of offspring from a superior parent and facilitates transport of genes between farms, states, and continents, they are used relatively infrequently. The proportion of breeding females settled by AI is but a small fraction of the total even in cattle and is especially small in swine and sheep. Further development of the technology for semen preservation, insemination and for egg and embryo storage and transfer to overcome the present hindrances to their exploitation needs increased emphasis.

At present in the USA about one lamb is produced per ewe per year, less than one calf is produced per cow per year, and about 12 piglets per sow are produced each year.

Reproductive efficiency is quite low. Those areas discussed have tremendous unrealized potential for increased productivity. These areas need to be emphasized and supported financially. Students need to be trained in these areas in increasing numbers to take advantage of the potential increases possible. Reproductive physiology should not only be a subject of academic interest but should be in the forefront of those disciplines with goals of increased productivity.

The Impact of NCR-57 Committee on Reproductive Physiology, 1987

Since its inception in the early 1960’s, the first as the NCR-26 Committee on Swine Artificial Insemination, and then as NCR-57, the Committee has met at experiment stations on a rotating basis. The membership of the Committee has evolved gradually over the years, while retaining the initial format and emphasis. The annual meetings have served as a very useful forum for discussion of research just completed but not yet published, preliminary reports and, perhaps most importantly, an exchange of ideas on which to build existing knowledge. A perusal of early reports, and then followed by a similar examination of recent reports, vividly demonstrates the magnitude of progress made in understanding and technology that has taken place. Some of the speed and expediency by which this knowledge has been accumulated is due to the informal exchange of information and technology that occurs during the annual meetings. Thousands of dollars and research man hours have been saved by the simple process of discussion of research planned or in a yet unpublished stage by a relatively small group. Many observations and small but important techniques have been discussed that have saved many projects. Unnecessary redundancy has been avoided. The committee serves not only to save research money but to also provide a basis for more profitable and efficient production of animal products. Because one aspect of knowledge can be applied to so many units each bit has a tremendous impact on the whole. One more pig born per litter in the more than 10,000,000 farrowings in the U.S.A. would mean at least $250,000,000 more realized by the livestock producer or saved by the consumer. The stimulus derived from an open but unpublished forum carries on after the meeting, both to regular members and to graduate students and other visitors. This atmosphere is much more conducive to open discussion than the relatively fixed and formal one at national society meetings.

The problems posed by the Committee and summarized in reports such as this one have served as a helpful basis in directing programs that lead to solutions of such problems. Some of the impetus for the competitive research grant program the language and the emphasis has come from discussions and reports of our annual meeting. The recognition of the importance of research in reproductive physiology and the significance of possible breakthroughs in reproduction in the form of increased financial support has been heartening. The science of reproductive physiology is relatively new and the potential is very great. Continued and increased support is readily justified and fully warranted. Because of the diversity of mechanisms of reproduction by the many useful species, the comparative approach is necessary. The integration of the many steps from gamete production to birth requires a broad view by the scientists. Because of the nature of the subject area, research findings in reproductive physiology can not only be translated into a gradual accretion of understanding, but often has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of the animal industry. Many of these findings have been first presented and discussed at the annual meeting of NCR-57. Our level of understanding and technology has changed dramatically in just a few years. One example of the extent of change that has taken place is the routine collection of embryos at very precise stages of development from many domestic species. Studies of embryos, transfers, transgenic insertions and nuclear insertions can now be done as a matter of course. Undergraduate students with little previous experience can be expected to succeed in recovery of embryos at very specific stages by reading the recent literature. This has been possible because of studies on the endocrinology, gamete physiology and embryology that have been discussed in NCR-57 meetings. The basic endocrinology of the estrous cycle and pregnancy are far better understood than even a few years ago and are beginning to serve as a basis for application to management of animals.

We now have a base of understanding that was beyond our comprehension 25 years ago. The potential for increasing this base is even greater than it was. Hopes and dreams of even the most imaginative and innovative researchers have become commonplace and routine. Continued support for programs in reproductive physiology and encouragement in the form of providing a setting conducive to open discussion such as NCR-57 will help make those hopes and dreams a reality.