Beef cows with larger vulvar width have greater antral follicle count, viable oocytes, and higher circulating AMH.

Abstract

Owing to the low heritability of reproductive traits, the search for markers and their interrelationship that could indicate reproductively superior individuals is important in the selection process for bovine reproductive efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the possible interrelationships between the antral follicle count (AFC), vulvar-width (VW), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, fertility in Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus females. Brahman (Bos Taurus-Indicus, n = 126) and Simmental and Angus (Bos Taurus-Taurus, n = 155) cows were classified as having large (≥86 mm) and small (<86 mm) VW. From each group, one blood sample per animal was collected to determine the AMH serum concentrations. The GLIMMIX procedure in SAS^® was used to determine whether vulva width (VW) and AMH classes, associated or not with breed, could influence the age at first calving (FCA), calving to first service interval (CFSI), calving interval (CI), number of services per pregnancy (SP), and number of viable oocytes (VO). Antral follicle count (AFC) (36.10 ± 1.90 vs. 22.78 ± 1.64, for large and small VW, respectively), AMH (1.17 ± 0.07 vs. 0.48 ± 0.007 ng/mL), and viable oocytes or VO (18.86 ± 1.76 vs. 10.15 ± 1.49) were greater (P < 0.05) in the large VW than in the small VW. Brahman cows had greater AFC (36.30 ± 1.34 vs. 22.09 ± 1.67), VW (106.94 ± 15.83 vs. 69.78 ± 14.11 mm), and AMH (1.18 ± 0.07 vs. 0.42 ± 0.05 ng/mL) compared to that of taurine cows. In conclusion, VW was an efficient predictor of AFC and AMH concentrations in both genetic groups, but under the conditions of this trial no link could be detected between these variables and the reproductive indices studied.