Nutritional controls of beef cow reproduction

The livestock industry and animal scientists have long recognized the importance of proper nutrition for cattle to achieve reproductive success. Timely resumption of estrus following parturition is a major milestone that a cow must reach for optimal reproduction. Dynamic interplay among all strata of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian axis occurs during the cow’s transition from postpartum anestrus to reproductive competence. The reproductive axis integrates a milieu of nutritionally related signals that directly or indirectly affect reproduction. Directing nutritional inputs toward anabolic processes is critical to stimulating key events that promote reproductive success. Although prepartum and postpartum energy balance are the most important factors affecting duration of the