Correlation between energy balance and fertility in Finnish dairy cows

The effect of serum glucose, ASAT and urea on reproductive performance was studied in 45 Finnish dairy cows from 8 different herds. Blood samples were taken a month before calving as well as 2 weeks and 2 months after calving. Serum urea, ASAT and glucose were used as indicators of metabolic and energy balance. Glucose and ASAT concentrations were significantly correlated with fertility 2 weeks after calving, but not before calving or 2 months after calving. Antepartum, 60% of the cows had a low urea level; at 2 weeks and at 2 months postpartum 89% and 65%, respectively had low levels of urea. The cows were divided into groups as follows: low or high (greater than or equal to 2.9 mmol/l) glucose level and low or high (greater than or equal to 2.5 mmol/l) urea level. Low levels of glucose and/or urea in puerperium were associated with poor fertility. The intervals from calving to first insemination and conception were shorter in the group with high glucose and high urea than in the group with low values. The cows with the shortest intervals from calving to first insemination and conception showed adequate metabolic balance (high levels of urea and glucose). Clinical ketosis had an adverse affect on intervals from calving to first insemination and on conception. Intervals from calving to first insemination and to conception were significantly (p less than 0.01) longer in ketotic cows than in non-ketotic ones. Liver damage, reflected as elevated activity of ASAT, was associated with poor fertility. If shorter calving intervals are desired, adequate energy balance in puerperium is essential.