Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Science, School of veterinary science, shiraz university

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz university

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and quantify risk factors associated with repeat breeder (RB) syndrome in Isfahan Holstein dairy cows. Calving and insemination data of parities 1 to 7 on 91727 Holstein dairy cows from 62 herds collected during 1993 to 2013 were used. Cows failed to conceive after three or more regularly spaced services in the absence of detectable abnormalities regarded as RB. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to quantify risk factor associated with repeat breeding. Least squares mean number of services per conception were 2.15 ± 0.15 and 2.54 ± 0.15 for normal and RB cows, and uncorrected values were 2.73 and 3.28 for normal and RB cows, respectively. Herd, milk yield, season of calving and season of first insemination, dystocia, stillbirth, abortion and days from calving to first service were the major factors affecting RB syndrome. Average incidence of repeat breeding was 43.7% (27.8-55.2%). Dystocia and stillbirth increased the odds of being RB by 39% and 11%, respectively (P< 0.01). Risk of being RB in high producing cows increased by 79% compared to cows with low milk yield (P< 0.01). Odds of being RB increased by 28% in cows that was RB in previous parity. Fat yield and length of dry period had no significant effect on being RB. Considering at least 75 days distance between calving and first service, insemination in cool seasons, decreasing dystocia and improving reproduction management of high producing cows, could reduce RB syndrome.

Keywords

1.      Båge R, Gustafsson H, Forsberg M, Larsson B and Rodriguez- Martinez H (1997). Suprabasal progesterone levels in repeat breeder heifers during the pro and oestrous period. Theriogenology 1(47): 141.
2.      Bartlett PC, Kirk JH and Mather E (1986). Repeated insemination in Michigan Holstein Friesian cattle: incidence, descriptive epidemiology and estimated economic impact. Theriogenology 26(3): 309-322.
3.      Black JR and Lloyd JW (1992). Epidemiological and economic study of the repeat breeder syndrome in Michigan dairy cattle. II. Economic modeling. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 14(1-2): 99-114.
4.      Brooks G (1998). Fertility of repeat breeder cows in subsequent lactations. Veterinary Record 143: 615-616.
5.      Bonneville-Hѐbert A, Bouchard E, Tremblay DD and Lefebvre R (2011). Effect of reproductive disorders and parity on repeat breeder status and culling of dairy cows in Quebec. The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research 75(2): 147-151.
6.      Cassandro M (2014). Genetic aspects of fertility traits in dairy cattle – review. Acta Agraria Kapos váriensis 18(1): 11-23.
7.      De Kruif A (1977) Repeat breeders – A survey and study of cows upon fourth insemination. Bovine Practitioner  11: 6-8.
8.      De Vries M and Veerkamp R (2000). Energy balance of dairy cattle in relation to milk production variables and fertility. Journal of Dairy Science 83(1): 62-69.
9.      Ferreira, RM, Ayres H, Chiaratti MR, Ferraz ML, Araújo AB, Rodrigues CA, Watanabe YF, Vireque AA, Joaquim DC, Smith LC, Meirelles FV and Baruselli PS (2011). The low fertility of repeat-breeder cows during summer heat stress related to a low oocyte competence to develop into blastocysts. Journal of Dairy Science 94(2): 2383-2392.
10.   Ghiasi H, Pakdel A, Nejati-Javaremi A and González-Recio O (2015) Fertility subindex for improving fertility performance in Iranian Holstein cows. Tropical Animal Health and Production 47(1): 67-71.
11.   Gustafsson H (1985) Characteristics of embryos from repeat breeder and virgin heifers. Theriogenology 23(3): 487-498.
12.   Gustafsson H and Emanuelsson U (2002) Characterization of the repeat breeding syndrome. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 43(2): 115-125.
13.   Lafi, SQ and Kaneene JB (1992) Epidemiological and economic study of the repeat breeder syndrome in Michigan dairy cattle. I. Epidemiological modeling.  Preventive Veterinary Medicine 14(1-2): 87-98.
14.   Lof E Gustafsson H and Emanuelson U (2014) Factors influencing the chance of cows being pregnant 30 days after the herd voluntary waiting period. Journal of Dairy Science 97(4): 2071-2080.
15.   Mandefro M and Negash G (2014) Repeat breeder syndrome in dairy cows: Influence of breed and age on its prevalence. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 10(4): 200-203.
16.   Maurer RR and Echternkamp SE (1985) Repeat breeder females in beef cattle: influences and causes.Journal of Animal Science 61(3): 642- 636.
17.   Moss N, Lean IJ Reid SW and Hodgson DR (2002) Risk factors for repeat-breeder syndrome in New South Wales dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 54(2): 91-103.
18.   O´Farrel KJ, Langley OH, Hartigan PJ, Sreenan JM (1983). Fertilization and embryonic survival rates in dairy cows culled as repeat breeders. Veterinary Record 112(5): 95-97.
19.   Piccardi, M, Capitaine Funes A, Balzarini M and Bó GA (2013). Some factors affecting the number of days open in Argentinean dairy herds. Theriogenology 79(5): 760-765.
20.   Pothmann H, Prunner I, Wagener K, Jaureguliberry M, De la Sota RL, Erber R, Aurich C, Ehling-Schulz M and Drillich M (2015) The prevalence of subclinical endometritis and intrauterine infections in repeat breeder cows. Theriogenology 83(3): 1249-1253.
 
 
21.     Pryce JE, Woolaston R., Berry DP, Wall E, Winters M, Bulter R and Shaffer M (2014). World trends in dairy cow fertility. Proceeding 10th World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock. Vancouver, BC, Canada, August17-22.
22.   Ropstad, E (2001) Progesterone concentrations in milk fat at first insemination – effects on non-return and repeat-breeding. Animal Reproduction Science 65(1-2): 33-41.
23.   Talukder SP, Celi KL Kerrisk SC, Garcia and Dhand NK (2015) Factors affecting reproductive performance of dairy cows in a pasture-based, automatic milk in research farm: retrospective, single-cohort study. Animal Production Science 55 (1): 31-41
24.   Yusuf MNakao TRanasinghe RBGautam GLong STYoshida CKoike K and Hayashi A (2010) Reproductive performance of repeat breeders in dairy herds. Theriogenology 73(9): 1220-1229.
25.   Yusuf M, Rahim LM Asja MA and Wahyudi A (2012). The incidence of repeat breeding in dairy cows under tropical condition. Media Peternakan 35(1): 28-31.