Factors Affecting the First Service Conception Rate of Cows in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Bangladesh

Abstract

The successful outcome of an insemination is a combination of both male and female fertility-linked factors. We investigated the first service conception rate of cows at artificial insemination (AI) in the smallholder dairy farms in Bangladesh. Frozen straws were prepared from ejaculates of Bos indicus (n = 7) and Bos indicus × Bos taurus (n = 7) AI bulls. Fertility was determined from 6101 first services in cows that were performed by 18 technicians in four regions between April 2004 and March 2005. Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation between 60 and 90 days post-insemination. The Asian version of Artificial Insemination Database Application (AIDA ASIA) was used for bulls-, cows- and AI-related data recording, and later retrieved for analysis. The mean ± SD number of inseminations performed from individual bulls and their conception rates were 436.0 ± 21.6 and 50.7 ± 1.9%, respectively. Logistic regression demonstrated body condition scores (BCS), heat detection signs, months of AI and their interactions had greatest effects (odds ratios: 1.24-16.65, p < 0.04-0.001) on first service conception rate in cows. Fertility differed (p < 0.02-0.001) between the regions, previous calving months, months of AI, BCS, parity and heat detection signs of cows. Inseminations based on mounting activity (n = 2352), genital discharge (n = 3263) and restlessness and/or other signs (n = 486) yielded a conception rate of 53.6%, 48.8% and 50.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). Conception rate between technicians ranged between 43.4% and 58.6% (p < 0.05). The days interval from calving to first service (overall mean ± SD = 153.4 ± 80.6) had relationship (p < 0.001) with BCS, months of previous calving and parity of the cows. Fertility at AI in smallholder farms can be improved by training farmers on nutrition and reproductive management of the cows.

Effects of Extruded Linseed and Soybean Dietary Supplementation on Lactation Performance, First-Service Conception Rate, and Mastitis Incidence in Holstein Dairy Cows

“…In this study, the first service conception rate ranged from 40.91% in Holstein dairy cows fed the control diet, and 44.44% in cows fed the ELS diet. This range is within the range of 26.7% to 50.7% reported by previous studies [47,48]. Our finding that the first-service conception rate of dairy cows did not alter depending on the experimental diets is consistent with previous studies that reported conception and pregnancy rates to be unchanged when diets were supplemented with linseed, saturated FA, or n-6 FA [41,49].…”

Effects of service number on conception rate in Japanese Black cattle

“…The AI number may affect CR; differences in CR between AI number groups have been reported in zebu cattle (Mollah, Gofur, Asaduzzaman, & Bhuiyan, ). In addition, other factors have been associated with CR in other beef cattle breeds and in dairy cattle, these include the following: age of heifers at first AI, parity, interval from calving to first AI, and AI season (Jeong, Choi, Kang, Hur, & Kim, ; Kruif, ; Kuhn, Hutchison, & Wiggans, ; Maufti, Alam, Sarker, Bostami, & Das, ; Sharifuzzaman, Barman, Matin, Rokonuzzaman, & Ashadul, ; Shiddiqui et al., ). Yet, there have been no studies investigating the effects of interactions between AI number and these other factors on CR in Japanese Black cattle.…”

Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Ovarain Activity and Subsequent Reproductive Characteristics during Postpartum Period in Crossbred Cows تأثیر حالة الجسم عند الولادة على النشاط المبیضى والخصائص التناسلیة اثناء فترة مابعد الولادة فى الأبقار الخلیطة

“…Furthermore, Haque et al (2015) recorded that the first service conception rate was higher in cows with 3-4 BCS than in cows with 1.5 -2 BCS values. Siddiqui et al (2013) found that in cows with BCS from 1.5 to 2.0 the conception rate from first service was lower than in cows with BCS from 2.5 to 3.5 in dairy cows. Santos (2008) suggested that the negative energy balance (NEB) reduces ovulatory cycle's recovery, oocyte and embryo quality and pregnancy establishment and maintenance in dairy cattle.…”