Reproductive Traits of Holsteins and Jerseys. Effects of Age, Milk Yield, and Clinical Abnormalities on Involution of Cervix and Uterus, Ovulation, Estrous Cycles, Detection of Estrus, Conception Rate, and Days Open

Abstract

Two hundred and twelve Holstein and Jersey cows were in a study to determine factors that affected reproductive traits. First ovulation occurred about 3 wk postpartum, and interval to first ovulation was greater in cows that had clinical abnormalities postpartum than in normal cows. Jerseys producing more milk ovulated sooner postpartum than lower producing herdmates. Involution of cervix and uterus occurred later postpartum in cows that had clinical problems postpartum. Involution of genital tract occurred later postpartum in older cows and sooner postpartum in cows that had higher milk yields. Duration of first postpartum estrous cycle was 4 days less than for second postpartum cycle. Percentages of estrous cycles detected by standing estrus were 43 and 73% for Holsteins and Jerseys. Estrous detection rates were highest for cows that produced slightly above the mean milk yield and did not differ between cows in highest and lowest milk production quartiles. First detected estrus and days to first insemination occurred later postpartum in Holsteins as milk yield deviation from herdmates increased, regardless of sign. In Jerseys, days to first insemination and days open increased linearly as milk yield increased. Days to first insemination and conception were greater in cows with postpartum clinical problems. Conception rate at first insemination postpartum increased in proportion to concentration of progesterone in blood samples collected during 12 days before first insemination. Overall, clinical problems at parturition and postpartum lowered reproductive performance in both breeds. There was a slight antagonism between milk yield and reproductive performance (days open) in Jerseys but not in Holsteins.

Environmental effects on progesterone profile measures of dairy cow fertility

“…Opsomer et al (1998) observed a considerably later first ovulation in first parity compared with earlier studies (e.g. Fonseca et al, 1983). An increase of atypical patterns in milk progesterone profiles has also been observed by Royal et al (2000) comparing data from 1975 to 1982 with those from more recent years (1995)(1996)(1997)(1998).…”

Physiological and practical effects of progesterone on reproduction in dairy cattle

“…In addition, concentrations of P4 12 days before first AI had a positive relationship with conception rate at first AI in lactating Holstein and Jersey dairy cattle (Fonseca et al, 1983). Similarly, concentrations of P4 on the day of PGF2α-induced luteolysis had a positive linear correlation with subsequent fertility (Diskin et al, 2006).…”

Nutritional sub-fertility in the dairy cow: towards improved reproductive management through a better biological understanding

“…Although delayed first ovulation is clearly related to body condition score at calving and energy balance of early lactation, it is not as clearly related to milk production. Depending on the experiment but not on herd yield, greater Review: nutritional sub-fertility in the dairy cow milk yield increased the delay to first ovulation and/or to the day of commencement of luteal activity (C-LA) (Petersson et al, 2006), decreased it (Fonseca et al, 1983;Garbarino et al, 2004) or had no effect (Staples et al, 1990;Darwash et al, 1997;Gumen et al, 2005;Lopez et al, 2005;Pedernera et al, 2008). The effect of milk yield may also be approached by breed differences.…”

“…The effect of milk yield may also be approached by breed differences. There are significant differences between breeds in the distribution of the beginning of corpus luteum activity (Fonseca et al, 1983;Disenhaus et al, 2009). Compared with other breeds, a higher proportion of Holstein cows have a very short delay in C-LA (,20 days postpartum (pp)) or a very long delay in C-LA (.80 days pp), leading to discrepancies from the average C-LA value.…”