Divakar Ambrose, PhD, MVSc, BVSc

Research Scientist, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept

Contact Overview Courses Publications

Contact

Research Scientist, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept

Email: dambrose@ualberta.ca

Overview

Area of Study / Keywords

Dairy cattle; Reproductive physiology & management; Anogenital distance and fertility in cattle

About

Degree

PhD, University of British Columbia

MVSc,, BVSc, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University

Job/Research Area

Reproductive Physiology & Management – Dairy Cattle

Research

Research emphasis is on strategies that improve reproductive efficiency in dairy cattle. Primary focus is on endocrine and nutritional factors that influence reproductive outcome, applied embryo technologies, and reproductive ultrasonography. Research interests include: control of ovarian function (synchronization of estrus and ovulation), improving estrus detection efficiency through electronic aids, role of dietary fatty acids on fertility, strategies to reduce early embryonic mortality, postpartum reproductive management (cystic ovarian and anestrous conditions), corpus luteum function, and novel reproductive phenotypes as fertility markers.

Teaching

Graduate Seminar (AFNS 601)

Applied Dairy Production Science (ANSC 472)

Courses

AN SC 472 - Applied Dairy Production Science

Examination of the structure of the dairy industry, evaluation of management practices to optimize production efficiency and animal well-being, and integration of nutritional, physiological, and biochemical processes involved in production of quality milk. Laboratories emphasize practical applications, field trips, and discussion. Prerequisite: (AN SC 101 or 200), AN SC 260 and 310, or consent of instructor.

Fall Term 2025

AN SC 473 - Dairy Challenge

A team-based capstone course to train students to participate in the North American Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge programs held in the US or equivalent local programs. Students will work in groups to gain integrative and experiential learning and develop skills related to comprehensive evaluation of dairy operations and consulting presentation. Prerequisite: AN SC 461, AN SC 472 and consent of instructor.

Winter Term 2026

Browse more courses taught by Divakar Ambrose

Featured Publications

Superovulatory response, anti-Müllerian hormone concentration and antral follicle count in Holstein cattle with short or long anogenital distance

I. Rajesh, M.G. Colazo, M. Gobikrushanth, J.E. Carrelli, M. Oba, D.J. Ambrose

Theriogenology. 2022 November; 195 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.10.036

Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration on uterine inflammation and interval to first ovulation in postpartum dairy cows

L.A. Engelking, M. Gobikrushanth, M. Oba, D. J. Ambrose

JDS Communications. 2022 June; 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0207

Evaluating automated infrared thermography and vulva exposure tracking as components of an estrus detection platform in a commercial dairy herd

Perez-Marquez H.J., A. Schaefer, H. Von Gaza, D.J. Ambrose; C.J. Bench; N. Cook

Animal . 2022 June; 10.1016/j.animal.2021.51044

Anogenital distance is associated with resumption of cyclicity, intensity of estrous expression, ovulation, and progesterone concentrations in lactating Holstein cows.

A.M.L.Augusto, T.A.Burnett, J.E.Carrelli, M.Gobikrushanth, R.L.A.Cerri, D.J.Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2022 June; 10.3168/jds.2022-21897

Associations between anogenital distance and measures of fertility in lactating North American Holstein cows: A validation study

J. E. Carrelli, M. Gobikrushanth, M. Corpron, W. Sandberg, I. Rajesh, A. Ahmadzadeh, M. Oba, and D. J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2022 May; 105 10.3168/jds.2021-20827

Effects of dietary butyrate supplementation and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration on serum inflammatory markers and productivity of dairy cows during the calving transition

L.A. Engelking, D. J. Ambrose, M. Oba

Journal of Dairy Science. 2022 March; 105 10.3168/jds.2021-21553

Repeatability of anogenital distance measurements from birth to maturity and at different physiological states in female Holstein cattle

Rajesh, I., M. Gobikrushanth, J. E. Carrelli, M. Oba, D. J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2022 January; 105 10.3168/jds.2021-21419

Evaluation of infrared thermography combined with behavior biometrics for estrus detection in naturally cycling dairy cows

H.J. Perez Marquez, D.J. Ambrose, A. L. Schaefer, N. J. Cook, C. J. Bench

Animal. 2021 June; 15 (7):100205 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100205

Relationship of anogenital distance with fertility in nulliparous Holstein heifers

J.E. Carrelli, M. Gobikrushanth, M. Corpron, I. Rajesh, W. Sandberg, M.G. Colazo, A. Ahmadzadeh, M. Oba, and D.J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science . 2021 April; 104 10.3168/jds.2020-19940

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: II. Effects on circulating leptin, luteinizing hormone, and age at puberty

T.C. Bruinjé, J.P. Rosadiuk, F. Moslemipur, H. Sauerwein, M.A. Steele, D.J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2020 October; 104 10.3168/jds.2020-18810

Differing planes of pre- and postweaning phase nutrition in Holstein heifers: I. Effects on feed intake, growth efficiency, and metabolic and development indicators

J.P. Rosadiuk, T.C. Bruinjé, F. Moslemipur, A.J. Fischer-Tlustos, D.L. Renaud, D.J Ambrose, M.A. Steele

Journal of Dairy Science. 2020 October; 104

Prostaglandin F2ɑ induced luteolysis is delayed but not prevented by acute administration of luteotropic drugs in lactating non-pregnant Holstein cows

D.J. Ambrose*, M.G. Colazo, M. Gobikrushanth

Clinical Theriogenology. 2019 December; 11 (4):599-606

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in grazing dairy cows: Identification of factors affecting plasma concentration, relationship with phenotypic fertility, and genome-wide associations

M. Gobikrushanth, D. C. Purfield, E. R. Canadas, M. M. Herlihy, J. Kenneally, M. Murray, F. J. Kearney, M. Colazo, D.J. Ambrose, S.T. Butler

Journal of Dairy Science. 2019 September; 102 10.3168/jds.2019-16979

Carryover effects of pre- and post-weaning planes of nutrition on reproductive tract development and estrous cycle characteristics in Holstein heifers

T.C. Bruinjé, J.P. Rosadiuk, F. Moslemipur, J.E. Carrelli, M.A. Steele, D.J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2019 September; 102 10.3168/jds.2019-16249

Infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics associated with estrus indicators and ovulation in estrus synchronized dairy cows housed in tie-stalls

H. J. Perez Marquez, D. J. Ambrose, A. L. Schaefer, N. J. Cook, C. J. Bench

Journal of Dairy Science. 2019 March; 102 10.3168/jds.2018-15221

Effects of supplementing a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product during periparturient period on performance of dairy cows fed fresh diets differing in starch content

W. Shi, C. E. Knoblock, K. V. Murphy, T. C. Bruinjé, I. Yoon, D. J. Ambrose, M. Oba

Journal of Dairy Science. 2019 February; 102 10.3168/jds.2018-15307

Validation of an automated in-line milk progesterone analysis system to diagnose pregnancy in dairy cattle

T. C. Bruinjé, D. J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2019 February; 102 10.3168/jds.2018-15692

The effects of amount of milk fed, and starter intake, on performance of group-housed dairy heifers during the weaning transition

J. Haisan, M. A. Steele, D. J. Ambrose, M. Oba

Professional Animal Scientist. 2019 January; 35 10.15232/aas.2018-01812

The relationship between anogenital distance and fertility, and genome-wide associations for anogenital distance in Irish Holstein-Friesian cows

Gobikrushanth M, Bruinjé T. C., Colazo M. G., Ambrose D. J., and Butler S. T

Journal of Dairy Science. 2018 December; 102 10.3168/jds.2018-15552

Morphology, membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function in sperm of crossbred beef bulls selected for residual feed intake.

T.C. Bruinjé, , P. Ponce-Barajas, A. Dourey, M. G. Colazo, T. Caldwell, Z. Wang, S. P. Miller, D. J. Ambrose

Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 2018 December; 10.1139/cjas-2018-0103

Using in-line milk progesterone data to characterize parameters of luteal activity and their association with fertility in Holstein cows

T.C. Bruinjé, M.G. Colazo, E.S. Ribeiro, M. Gobikrushanth, D.J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2018 October; 102 10.3168/jds.2018-14654

Characterization of anogenital distance and its relationship to fertility in lactating Holstein cows

M. Gobikrushanth, T. C. Bruinjé, M. G. Colazo, S. T. Butler, and D. J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2017 December; 100 10.3168/jds.2017-13033

Dynamics of pre- and post-insemination progesterone profiles and insemination outcomes determined by an in-line milk analysis system in primiparous and multiparous Canadian Holstein cows.

T.C. Bruinje, M. Gobikrushanth, M.G. Colazo, D.J. Ambrose

Theriogenology. 2017 October; 102 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.024

Relationships among early postpartum luteal activity, parity, and insemination outcomes based on in-line milk progesterone profiles in Canadian Holstein cows.

T. C. Bruinjé, M. G. Colazo, M. Gobikrushanth, D. J. Ambrose

Theriogenology. 2017 September; 100 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.05.021

Dairy cows continuously-housed in tie-stalls failed to manifest activity changes during estrus

C.A. Felton, M.G. Colazo, P. Ponce-Barajas, C.J. Bench, D.J. Ambrose

Canadian Journal of Animal Science. 2012 January; 92

Neither duration of progesterone insert nor initial GnRH treatment affected pregnancy per timed-insemination in dairy heifers subjected to a Co-synch protocol

M.G. Colazo, D.J. Ambrose

Theriogenology. 2011 January; 76

Relationships between endometrial cytology and interval to first ovulation, and pregnancy in postpartum dairy cows in a single herd

A. Dourey, M.G. Colazo, P. Ponce-Barajas, D.J. Ambrose

Research in Veterinary Science. 2011 January; 91

The applications of timed artificial insemination and timed embryo transfer in reproductive management of dairy cattle

D.J. Ambrose, M.G. Colazo, J.P. Kastelic

Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia. 2010 January; 39

Plasma luteinizing hormone concentrations in cows given repeated treatments or three different doses of gonadotropin releasing hormone

M.G. Colazo, T. O. Ree, D.G.V. Emmanuel, D.J. Ambrose

Theriogenology. 2009 January; 71

The effect of porcine luteinizing hormone on synchronization of ovulation and corpus luteum development in beef and dairy cattle

T.O. Ree, M.G. Colazo, A.G.A. Lamont, J.P. Kastelic, M.K. Dyck, R.J. Mapletoft, B.N. Ametaj, D.J. Ambrose

Theriogenology. 2009 January; 72

Reproductive performance of dairy cows is influenced by prepartum feed restriction and dietary fatty acid source

M.G. Colazo, A. Hayirli, L. Doepel, D.J. Ambrose

Journal of Dairy Science. 2009 January; 92

Pregnancy rates to timed AI in Holstein heifers given prostaglandin F2a concurrent with, or 24 h prior to, removal of an intravaginal progesterone-releasing insert

D.J. Ambrose, D.G.V. Emmanuel, M.G. Colazo, J.P. Kastelic

Journal of Dairy Science. 2008 January; 91

Mixed-breed twin production by contralateral direct transfer of male embryos to beef cow recipients bred to GnRH-based, fixed-time AI

J.A. Small, D.J. Ambrose, R. Rajamahendran, J.P. Kastelic

Livestock Science. 2008 January; 118

Diets enriched in unsaturated fatty acids enhance early embryonic development in lactating Holstein cows

G. Thangavelu, M.G. Colazo, D.J. Ambrose, M. Oba, E.K. Okine and M.K. Dyck

Theriogenology. 2007 January; 68

Lower pregnancy losses in lactating dairy cows fed a diet enriched in a-linolenic acid

D.J. Ambrose, J.P. Kastelic, R. Corbett, P.A. Day, J.A. Small, H.V. Petit, P. Zalkovic

Journal of Dairy Science. 2006 January; 89

Progesterone (CIDR)- based timed AI protocols using GnRH, porcine LH or estradiol cypionate for dairy heifers: Ovarian and endocrine responses and pregnancy rates

D.J. Ambrose, J.P. Kastelic, R. Rajamahendran, M. Aali, N. Dinn

Theriogenology. 2005 January; 64

Ovarian and endocrine responses associated with the treatment of cystic ovarian follicles in dairy cows with gonadotropin releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2a, with or without exogenous progesterone

D.J. Ambrose, E.J-P. Schmitt, F. L. Lopes, R.C. Mattos, W.W. Thatcher

Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2004 January; 45

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