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Reproductive efficiency in grazing lactating dairy cows under a programmed reproductive management system
D Cavestany1, H Betancour, J E Blanc
1INIA La Estanzuela and Department of Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary, Montevideo, Uruguay. daniel.cavestany@gmail.com
Australian Veterinary Journal
|April 3, 2007
Summary
A reproductive management program improved dairy cow submission and conception rates. Fertility was higher with prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) synchronized heat compared to Ovsynch/timed artificial insemination (TAI).
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Animal Reproduction
- Dairy Science
Background:
- Optimizing reproductive efficiency is crucial in pasture-based dairy systems.
- Seasonal breeding programs require effective management strategies for Holstein cows.
- Hormonal protocols like Ovsynch/TAI and prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) are used to manage estrus cycles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of a combined reproductive management program using Ovsynch/TAI and PG F(2alpha) treatments.
- To compare the reproductive performance of treated Holstein dairy cows with a control group in a pasture-based system.
- To evaluate the impact of different hormonal interventions on submission, conception, and pregnancy rates.
Main Methods:
- A field trial involving 1177 Holstein cows across 8 commercial dairy farms.
- Random allocation of cows into control (heat detection/AI) and treatment groups.
- Treatment groups received Ovsynch/TAI for cows >50 days postpartum or PG F(2alpha) with estrus detection for cows 40-50 days postpartum.
Main Results:
- The treatment group showed significantly higher submission (84.9% vs. 55.1%) and conception rates (51.0% vs. 46.1%).
- Pregnancy rates were similar between groups (38.5% vs. 28.2%) due to farm variations.
- Within the treatment group, cows inseminated after PG F(2alpha) synchronization had higher conception (51.4% vs. 32.6%) and pregnancy rates (37.8% vs. 32.6%) than those under Ovsynch/TAI.
Conclusions:
- Programmed reproductive management can enhance reproductive efficiency in seasonal dairy breeding.
- The protocol increases submission and conception rates at key reproductive periods.
- Fertility is superior when cows are bred following PG F(2alpha)-synchronized estrus compared to Ovsynch/TAI.
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