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The objective of this study was to determine the association between circulating (Progesterone, oestradiol-17β and P4/E2 ratio) concentrations and embryonic loss in Friesian cows under Egyptian condition. On day 25 by both progesterone (P4) level and sonography, 65.71% (69/105) cows continued their gestation normally and 17.14% (18/105) cows didn't conceive. While, 17.14% (18/105) of inseminated cows showed high progesterone level firstly and decline before day 25 suspecting early pregnancy loss, EPL. Also, 5 cows (7.25%) of the pregnant cows lost their feti from day 25 to day 45 (late pregnancy loss, LPL) were detected. Blood progesterone concentrations (P4 ) increased significantly in cows diagnosed pregnant (P<0.05) compared to low P4 in cows lost pregnancy (8.03 & 8.98 ng/ml vs. 4.4 & 4.9 ng/ml respectively), starting from day 4 to day 7after AI. Cows with LPL showed increasing P4 concentration in the first 25 days and got down on days 28 and 40 accompanied with embryonic loss. concentrations of estradiol were increased significantly(P<0.05) in cows with EPL starting from days 4 to 21 after AI compared to cows diagnosed pregnant. P4/E2 ratio was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cows diagnosed pregnant starting from days 4 to 40 after AI compared to cows loss their embryos early from days 4 to 25 after mating, while LPL cows has highest P4/E2 ratio during 25 days post AI and declined on days 28 to 40 in Friesian cows. It can concluded that the percentage of EPL was 17.14% and the percentage LPL was 7.25% during the first 45 days post mating in Friesian dairy cows raised in Sakha Experimental Station. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen multiparous Friesian cows with live body weight (LBW) of 510-532 kg and 2-4 parities were used at 45 days prepartum and continues until 120 days post-partum and divided into three similar groups (5 in each group) for study the effect of Spirulina additive on their productive and reproductive performance. Group 1 was unsupplemented which was served as control (G1), or supplemented with Spirulina and their media at the levels of 1 ml (low level) or 2 ml (high level) / kg LBW in drinking water for tested treatments G2 and G3, respectively. Spirulina was grown in a modified Zarrouk,s medium for 21 days. Results showed that digestibility of all nutrients and feeding values of G3 were significant higher (P<0.05) than those of either of G1 or G2, and also all values of these items were significant higher than those of G1. Total DMI was insignificant increased with G2 and significant increased with G3 compared with that of G1. Ruminal pH values did not significant affected by treatments, while TVFA's was increased significantly with increasing Spirulina supplement in dietary treatments and NH3-N values had an inverse trend among treatments. Most blood biochemical and haematological parameters were markedly increased with increasing the algae level in drinking water of cows. Live body weight and body condition score decreased gradually until reach 90, 75 and 60 days and increased thereafter for G1, G2 and G3, respectively. Group 3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the highest daily yield of actual milk and 4%- FCM, colostrum and milk composition, feed and economic efficiencies and the lowest electrical conductivity in milk. Concerning reproductive traits, cows in G3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) the short periods from parturition until the first estrus and insemination, as well as days open, the highest conception rate and the lowest number of service per conception. In conclusion, cows supplemented with Spirulina and their media at the level of 2 ml/kg LBW in drinking water showed the best results concerning productive performance and body condition score as well as post-partum reproductive traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]