Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2pzkn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-19T14:25:36.500Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Strategic milk progesterone testing for the detection of silent oestrus and anovulation in dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

M. E. Williams  and
B. J. McLeod
M. E. Williams
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Animal Physiology, AFRC Institute for Grassland and Animal Production, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5LR, UK
B. J. McLeod
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology and Animal Physiology, AFRC Institute for Grassland and Animal Production, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5LR, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Dairy cows were inseminated on the basis of oestrus detection alone (Control, n = 206) or in conjunction with milk progesterone profiles (Experimental, n = 204). Milk samples were taken at 4–5 day intervals to determine oestrous cyclicity and on alternate days (at strategic times) to determine the time of ovulation. Progesterone profiles were consulted routinely as an aid to oestrus detection, and also to identify and aid diagnosis of cows with reproductive disorders. Cycling cows not observed in oestrus were inseminated on the basis of their progesterone profile alone. Animals showing oestrus within 2 days of a progesterone-timed insemination were inseminated again. In Experiments 1 and 2, inseminations were given from Day 42 post partum, but AI was delayed (mean time of 68±1·1 days after calving) in Experiment 3.

The median interval from calving to first insemination was not significantly different between Experimental and Control groups, but the time of conception was earlier (P < 0·05) and the median calving interval shorter (P < 0·05) in progesterone-monitored cows in Expts 1 and 3. In addition, the percentage of cows served within 21 days of the start of the service period was greater (P < 0·05) in Experimental groups in Expts 1 and 2. This was reflected by an increase in the proportion (P < 0·05) of cows pregnant by 85 and 100 days after calving. The frequency with which the interservice interval equated to the length of the oestrous cycle was increased (P < 0·01) by progesterone testing (84·1% and 53·9% in Experimental and Control cows, respectively). Conception rates did not differ significantly between groups, but the number of double inseminations (P < 0·001) and thus the mean number of inseminations/conception (P < 0·01) were greater in progesterone-monitored cows. Conception rate was lower (P < 0·05) in cows that failed to show oestrus, and to the first insemination in double-inseminated cows.

Progesterone testing reduced (by 44–66%, P < 0·01) the number of cows presented for veterinary examination and the mean time of presentation (P < 0·05), and also influenced the diagnosis made.

Type
Animals
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 118 , Issue 2 , April 1992 , pp. 237 - 244
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Ball, P. J. H. & Jackson, N. W. (1979). The fertility of dairy cows inseminated on the basis of milk progesterone measurements. British Veterinary Journal 135, 537–540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eddy, R. G. & Clark, P. J. (1987). Oestrus prediction in dairy cows using ELIZA progesterone test. Veterinary Record 120, 31–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Esslemont, R. J. (1973). Oestrus behaviour in dairy cows. Veterinary Record 93, 252–253.Google Scholar
Esslemont, R. J. & Bryant, M. J. (1976). Oestrus behaviour in a herd of dairy cows. Veterinary Record 99, 472–475.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Foulkes, J. A. (1986). Improving oestrus detection through milk progesterone testing. State Veterinary Journal 40, 31–39.Google Scholar
Foulkes, J. A. & Goodey, R. G. (1988). Fertility of Friesian dairy cows after insemination on the second, third and fourth days of low milk progesterone concentrations. Veterinary Record 122, 135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Foulkes, J. A., Cookson, A. D. & Sauer, M. J. (1982). Artificial insemination of cattle based on daily enzyme immunoassay of progesterone in whole milk. Veterinary Record 111, 302–303.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laing, J. A. & Heap, R. B. (1971). The concentration of progesterone in the milk of cows during the reproductive cycle. British Veterinary Journal 127, xix–xxii.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McLeod, B. J. & Williams, M. E. (1991). The incidence of ovarian dysfunction in post partum dairy cows and the effectiveness of its clinical diagnosis and treatment. Veterinary Record 128, 121–124.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McLeod, B. J., Foulkes, J. A., Williams, M. E. & Weller, R. F. (1991). Predicting the time of ovulation in dairy cows using on-farm milk progesterone kits. Animal Production, 52, 1–9.Google Scholar
Morant, S. V. (1983). The stochastic properties of calving patterns in dairy herds. PhD thesis, University of Reading.Google Scholar