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Oestrus prediction in dairy cows using an ELISA progesterone test
The Veterinary Record
|January 10, 1987
Summary
Monitoring milk progesterone levels in cows aids in predicting estrus, improving reproductive efficiency. This practice significantly reduces calving to conception intervals and offers substantial economic benefits for dairy herds.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Reproduction
Background:
- Accurate estrus detection is crucial for efficient dairy herd management.
- Suboptimal estrus detection leads to extended calving to conception intervals and economic losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of milk progesterone assays for predicting estrus in dairy cows.
- To assess the impact of improved estrus detection on reproductive performance and economic outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Daily milk samples were collected from cows 17-24 days post-service.
- A commercially available milk progesterone test kit was utilized.
- Estrus onset was predicted based on progesterone levels.
Main Results:
- Improved estrus detection rates and accuracy were achieved through progesterone level monitoring.
- Sampling on alternate days (18, 20, 22, 24 or 19, 21, 23) yielded similar positive results.
- Calving to conception intervals decreased significantly in two herds (115 to 84 days and 85 to 74 days).
Conclusions:
- Milk progesterone assays are a valuable tool for enhancing estrus detection and reproductive management in dairy cattle.
- The economic benefits of this practice, demonstrated by favorable cost-benefit ratios (7.4:1 and 3.4:1), outweigh the implementation costs.
