Postnatal phenotypic stability and endocrine homeostasis in Holstein-Friesian heifers conceived via multiple ovulation and embryo transfer vs. artificial insemination.

Eszter Tóth, János Posta, Gabriella Gulyás, Levente Czeglédi, József Rátky, Renáta Knop

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Veterinary and animal science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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2 · The registry

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Eszter TóthDoctoral School of Animal Science, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.

János PostaDepartment of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.

Gabriella GulyásDepartment of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.

Levente CzeglédiDepartment of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.

József RátkyDepartment of Obstetrics and Farm Animal Medicine Clinic, University of Veterinary Science, István Street 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary.

Renáta KnopDepartment of Animal Science, Institute of Animal Science, Biotechnology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management, University of Debrecen, 4032, Debrecen, Hungary.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

While Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) is a cornerstone for accelerating genetic progress in dairy cattle, empirical data directly comparing the postnatal physiological trajectories of MOET-derived calves against conventional Artificial Insemination (AI) remain limited. This study investigated the growth dynamics, somatotropic axis (GH, IGF-1), metabolic signalling (leptin), and immunological maturation (IgG) of Holstein-Friesian heifers (n = 20) from birth through seven months of age. Calves (MOET n = 10; AI n = 10) born to heifer dams, were reared under standardized environmental, nutritional and colostrum management protocols to isolate the effects of reproductive technology. Beyond birth, no statistically significant differences in body weight were detected and body height did not differ significantly between groups across the monitoring period (P > 0.05). Similarly, serum concentrations of leptin, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 exhibited no significant divergence between groups. Serum immunoglobulin G levels showed a transient significant difference in one month old calves (P < 0.05) before leveling off by month 3. Strong positive correlations were observed between height and weight across all developmental stages (P < 0.01). These findings suggest that under controlled management conditions, MOET-derived heifers exhibit postnatal growth, endocrine profiles, and immune maturation comparable to AI-conceived counterparts, supporting the functional reliability of MOET protocols in high-performance dairy breeding.

Indexed as

Assisted reproductive technologiesDairy cattlePostnatal developmentSomatotropic axis

Identifiers

PMID42774446

DOI10.1016/j.vas.2026.100863

PMCPMC13594594

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.