Dry Period Management and Optimization of Post‐Partum Reproductive Management in Dairy Cattle

Abstract

Contents Dry period and early post‐partum management are decisive factors for fertility in lactating dairy cows. Previous studies have shown that decreased dry matter intake (DMI) and increased non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) negatively affect fertility and subsequent milk production. The traditional dry period decreases DMI prior to parturition, resulting in a decrease in energy intake. A negative energy balance increases NEFA concentration, and increased NEFA may impair the immune system, especially by decreasing neutrophil function prior to parturition. Earlier studies have shown that post‐partum health disorders, including retained placenta and metritis, were correlated with periparturient neutrophil function. In addition, decreased DMI is also linked to a reduced body condition score (BCS) in dairy cows. These events in the periparturient period negatively affect fertility. Some manipulation, such as shortening the dry period, may be a solution to increased DMI in the periparturient period, preventing post‐partum disorders and subsequent fertility issues. This article aims to explain the effects of shortening the dry period on reproduction and early post‐partum treatments to improve fertility. In addition, timed artificial insemination protocols will be discussed for use during the post‐partum period to improve fertility in dairy cows.

SPECIAL TOPICS — Mitigation of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal operations: III. A review of animal management mitigation options1

“…Use of reproductive technologies where they are available and cost effective, such as genetic and genomic selection for fertility (Tiezzi et al, 2011;Amann and DeJarnette, 2012), AI (Lopez-Gatius, 2012), genderselected semen (i.e., sexed semen; Rath and Johnson, 2008;DeJarnette et al, 2011), embryo transfer (Hansen and Block, 2004;Longergan, 2007), and estrous or ovulation synchronization (Gumen et al, 2011) increases reproductive efficiency and reduces the number of animals and GHG Ei (Garnsworthy, 2004;Bell et al, 2011). In particular, failure to use AI where it is available and cost effective results in increased numbers of animals per farm (males) and reduced genetic merit for production and reproduction traits.…”

Genetic analysis of milk β-hydroxybutyrate and its association with fat-to-protein ratio, body condition score, clinical ketosis, and displaced abomasum in early first lactation of Canadian Holsteins

“…The decreased DMI that occurs prepartum causes negative energy balance and increases NEFA and ketone body concentrations. Essentially all dairy cows experience a period of insulin resistance, reduced feed intake, negative energy balance, hypocalcemia, reduced immune function, and bacterial contamination of the uterus shortly before or in the weeks after calving (LeBlanc, 2010;Gumen et al, 2011). Ketosis can manifest clinically as a decrease in feed intake, weight loss, and a decline in milk production, but cows are more likely to suffer from subclinical ketosis.…”

Effect of reducing energy intake during the dry period on milk production, udder health, and body condition score of Jersey crossbred cows in the tropical lower Gangetic region

“…Dry period feed intake has been found highly associated with BCS of animal during dry period as well as postpartum period (Gumen et al 2011;Smith et al 2017). The cows which were overfed and over-conditioned were more on the risk of mastitis (Butler 2009) and other ailments.…”