Former M.S. Students
Natalia Hincapie, August 2021 to December 2023.
M.S. Thesis: “Effect of hCG treatment at the time of embryo transfer on pregnancy outcomes of lactating Jersey cows receiving IVP beef embryos after a synchronized ovulation.” Treatment with 2,500 IU hCG increased progesterone and luteal volume but did not affect P/ET in lactating Jersey cows.
Elisa M. Cabrera, January 2019 to May 2021.
M.S. Thesis: “Evaluation of human chorionic gonadotropin as a replacement for gonadotropin-releasing hormone at the beginning of an Ovsynch protocol in lactating dairy cows.” In the first study, 2,500 IU hCG was determined to be the dose that optimized ovulatory response on day 7 after a synchronized ovulation and subsequent progesterone production 7 d after treatment. In the second study, replacement of the first GnRH treatment of the Breeding-Ovsynch portion of a Double-Ovsynch protocol with 2,500 IU hCG decreased P/AI at first timed AI in lactating dairy cows.
Current position: Dairy Consultant, Feed Commodities LLC, Vermont.
Megan R. Lauber, September 2018 to March 2021.
M.S. Thesis: “Strategies to optimize fertility with sexed semen in primiparous Holstein cows and nulliparous Holstein heifers.” In the first study, induction of ovulation earlier relative to timed AI decreased P/AI in primiparous Holstein cows. In the second study, fertility of nulliparous Holstein heifers inseminated with sexed semen after submission to a 5-d or CIDR-synch protocol and timed AI was greater than once-daily detection of estrus and AI after treatment with prostaglandin F2α.
Angela M. Niles, June 2016 to August 2018.
M.S. Thesis: “Manipulation of progesterone to improve fertility of Holstein dairy heifers after AI or IVF embryo transfer.” Treatment with 2,000 IU hCG on d 7 of the estrous cycle increased progesterone concentrations but did not affect P/AI or P/ET 32 d after estrus or ovulation in in Holstein dairy heifers and decreased pregnancy loss only for heifers receiving IVF embryos.
Anna E. Jones, January 2015 to May 2017.
M.S. Thesis: “Effects of protein supplementation on circulating amino acids and reproductive parameters in beef heifers.” Protein supplements affected plasma amino acid concentrations, and ovarian follicle and CL diameter. Supplementation with CSM increased plasma levels of arginine and decreased vascular resistance to blood flow within the ovarian hilus. Anna’s project was a collaboration between myself at UW-Madison and Drs. Amy Radunz and Justin Luther at UW-River Falls.
Current position: Production Manager, Genex, Shawano, WI.
Maria Jose Fuenzalida Valenzuela, May 2010 to August 2014.
M.S. Thesis: “The impact of mastitis on fertility in dairy cows.” Etiology, severity, and timing of clinical mastitis were associated with decreases in the probability of pregnancy at first AI. The severity of the case was more important than etiology; however, regardless of etiology microbiologically negative cases were not associated with reduced probability of pregnancy.
Mason C. Amundson, January 2012 to December 2013.
M.S. Thesis: “Effect of rumen-protected choline on milk production and reproduction in Holstein cows on two commercial dairy farms.” Feeding rumen-protected choline during the transition period did not improve reproductive performance of dairy cows.
Current position: Dairy Consultant, NutriQuest, Mason City, IA.
Paulo D. Carvalho, September 2012 to November 2013.
M.S. Thesis: “Relationships between fertility and postpartum changes in body condition and body weight in lactating dairy cows.” Cows that lost weight or BCS during the first 21 days post calving had poor fertility compared with cows that gained BCS during the first 21 days post calving that had exceptional fertility.
Current position: Sexing Technologies
Glaucio Lopes, Jr. July 2009 to August 2011.
M.S. Thesis: “Effect of timing of initiation of resynchronization and presynchronization with GnRH on fertility of resynchronized inseminations in lactating dairy cows.” Presynchronization with GnRH 7 d before initiation of a Resynch protocol increased fertility, whereas timing of initiation of a Resynch protocol (32 vs. 39 d after TAI) did not.
Current position: AltaU Training Manager, Alta Genetics, Watertown, Wisconsin.
Katie S. Hackbart, January 2007 to December 2008.
M.S. Thesis: “Effects of organic trace mineral supplementation on reproductive function in lactating dairy cows.” Supplementation with chelated trace minerals including Cu, Zn, Mn, and Co had no detectable effect on postpartum reproductive function or embryo quality in lactating dairy cows.
Nicholas R. Bork, September 2006 to August 2008.
Nick was a M.S. graduate student at North Dakota State University working on a collaborative Flax field trial. Nick won 1st place in the Graduate Student Paper Competition – MS Poster Division at the 2008 Midwest ASAS/ADSA meetings in Des Moines, IA (abstract 106).
M.S. Thesis: “Use of flax seed as a supplemental fat source for dairy cattle.” Supplementing rolled flaxseed during early lactation had no detectable effect on reproductive performance of dairy cows.
Current position: Standard Nutrition, Omaha, Nebraska.
Elena Silva, December 2004 to November 2006.
M.S. Thesis: “Development of strategies for resynchronizing lactating dairy cows failing to conceive to a previous artificial insemination.” Results showed that 1) administration of PGF2α 12 d before initiation of Resynch improved fertility to TAI; and 2) a pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) ELISA was an accurate method for nonpregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows.
Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, National Foundation for Fertility Research, Lone Tree, Colorado.
Ryan A. Sterry, June 2004 to August 2006.
M.S. Thesis: “Systematic reproductive management of lactating dairy cows after first postpartum timed artificial insemination.” Results showed that 1) fertility of anovular dairy cows was increased by administration of GnRH 5 d after first postpartum TAI; 2) fertility to TAI did not differ based on two different Cosynch protocols; 3) Resynch initiated 33 d after first postpartum TAI resulted in greater fertility than Resynch initiated 26 d after first postpartum TAI.
Current position: St. Croix County Dairy and Livestock Agent, University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Roy D. Wilson, July 2002 to April 2004. Co-Advised with Dr. Kent Weigel.
M.S. Thesis: “Practical on-farm implementation of in vitro embryo production and sexed semen technologies.” Conception rate of cows receiving IFV embryos created using sex-sorted semen were lower than for cows receiving either TAI or AI to a standing estrus.
Current position: Senior Vice President of Dairy Marketing, Sales & Product Development, Genex, Shawano, Wisconsin.
Humberto Rivera, July 2001 to December 2003.
M.S. Thesis: “Development of hormonal protocols for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in dairy heifers.” A protocol for synchronization of ovulation can be modified for successful implementation to manage reproduction in nonlactating dairy heifers.
Current position: International Sales Manager for Latin America, Select Sires.
Maria Costanza Cordoba, October 1998 to May 2001.
M.S. Thesis: “Synchronization of ovulation and fixed-time artificial insemination of dairy cattle in seasonal calving grazing-based dairy systems.” A hormonal protocol for timed AI failed to synchronize follicular and luteal development in lactating cows managed in a grazing-based dairy.
Current position: Genex Large Herds Consultant for Latin America.