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Relationships between body condition score (BCS), biochemical blood parameters and pregnancy rates in Prim'Holstein cows under subtropical conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

E. Tillard ,
S. Nabeneza ,
B. Faye  and
P. Humblot
E. Tillard
Affiliation:
CIRAD EMVT, 7, Chemin Irat, Ligne Paradis, 97410 Saint-Pierre (Ile de La Réunion)
S. Nabeneza
Affiliation:
CIRAD EMVT, 7, Chemin Irat, Ligne Paradis, 97410 Saint-Pierre (Ile de La Réunion)
B. Faye
Affiliation:
CIRAD EMVT, BP 5035, Campus de Baillarguet, 34032 Montpellier Cédex I (France)
P. Humblot
Affiliation:
UNCEIA, Services Techniques, BP 65, 13 RueJouet, 94703 Maisons Alfort, (France)
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Abstract

The relationships between body condition score (BCS), metabolic measurements and pregnancy rates were studied from 214 cows belonging to 6 herds located in Reunion Island between January and December 1998. BCS (0 to 5 scale) and biochemical blood parameters were measured before calving, 0-30, 60-90 and 120-150 days post-partum. Pregnancy status was also checked precisely after 171 AI's (n=104 cows) by EIA progesterone determination in milk 23 to 24 days after AI and pregnancy specific protein B (PSPB) measurements 30 to 45 days after AI and was further confirmed by rectal palpation by 60 days post AI. A preliminary analysis led to determine 3 groups of herds according to their pregnancy rates (40%, 26% and 14.5% respectively for group 1, 2 and 3 cows). Significant differences between the 3 groups were found for BCS, glucose and urea (p < 0.0001) and a significant main effect of the post-partum stage was observed as well (p < 0.0001). Mean BCS were not different in the 3 groups before calving but were higher in group 1 cows than in group 2 and 3 cows at all other stages studied. A similar trend was found for urea. Glucose concentrations were severely depressed in group 3 cows when compared to group 1 and 2 cows whatever the stage studied. These results sugggest that variables illustrating negative energy balance (BCS decrease and low glucose concentrations) or deficit in nitrogen supply (urea concentrations) on a herd basis are related to poor pregnancy rates.

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Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 26 , Issue 2: Fertility in the High-Producing Dairy Cow , September 2001 , pp. 385 - 388
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2001

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