Effect of twin birth calvings on milk production, reproductive performance, and survival of lactating cows

Abstract

Twin birth was associated with decreased survival, milk production, and reproductive performance. Having at least 1 dead twin was even more detrimental than having live twins and resulted in decreased milk production and reproductive performance of lactating cows.

Effects of main reproductive and health problems on the performance of dairy cows: a review

“…Meyer et al (2000) reported that calving difficulty, gestation length of 15 to 12 d below the mean, and male calves were important risk factors for stillbirth. Bicalho et al (2007) and Meyer et al (2001) reported a significant decreasing trend in the incidence of stillbirth by parity in Holstein dairy cows. Also, different studies indicated that male calves had significantly more stillbirths than heifer calves (Mee, 1991;Heins et al, 2006;Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh et al, 2008).…”

“…This allows dairy producers to select among their herd's potential dams and produce dairy replacement heifers from only the genetically superior animals and promotes enhanced rates of genetic gains (De Vries et al, 2008). However, most authors today would agree that twin pregnancies are undesirable in a dairy herd (Bicalho et al, 2007;López-Gatius et al, 2009;Andreu-Vázquez et al, 2012). However, twin birth is disadvantageous for most beef and dairy producers because of its association with a number of unfavorable effects, including lower potential calf survival, increased culling rate and poorer cow reproductive performance (Fricke, 2001;Bell & Roberts, 2007;Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh et al, 2008Andreu-Vázquez et al, 2012).…”

“…For example, the risk of pregnancy loss during the first trimester of gestation for cows carrying twins is three to nine times higher than for cows carrying singletons (López-Gatius et al, 2002, 2009López-Gatius & García-Ispierto, 2010). Higher milk production related to twinning is controversial (Beerepoot et al, 1992;Bicalho et al, 2007;Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh, 2010b), and this possible benefit will never outweigh the higher incidence of dystocia, stillbirths, and retained placenta (Beerepoot et al, 1992;Echternkamp & Gregory, 1999). Wiltbank et al (2000) proposed that high milk production increases steroid metabolism as a result of an increased blood flow to the digestive tract and the liver.…”

“…A possible explanation for reduction in milk production after twin calvings was probably due to increase in the incidences of metabolic disorders experienced by cows calving twins during the early stages of lactation. In effect, longer calving to conception intervals and higher culling rates have been reported for cows delivering twins compared with cows delivering singletons (Bicalho et al, 2007). The interval from calving to conception (days open) is a summary measure that is influenced by several factors (i.e., voluntary waiting period, estrus detection rate, conception rate) such that it is an intermediate factor and should not be considered a control point in the management of the incidence of twins.…”

“…The overall incidence of calf stillbirth in Holstein cows of Iran was reported to be 4.9% and varied among herds from 2.9 to 9.8% (Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh et al, 2008). The incidence of stillbirth parturition in dairy cows seems to have increased in recent years (Meyer et al, 2000(Meyer et al, , 2001Hansen et al, 2004;Bicalho et al, 2007;Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh et al, 2008). During the past 20 years an increase from about 6 to 10.3% has occurred in the incidence of stillbirth in the USA .…”