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Trends in the fertility of dairy cows in the United Kingdom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

M.D. Royal ,
A.O. Darwash  and
G.E. Lamming
M.D. Royal
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Animal Physiology, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD
A.O. Darwash
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Animal Physiology, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD
G.E. Lamming
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Animal Physiology, The University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD
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Extract

The gain in genetic merit for milk production in the US (Foote, 1996) has been accompanied by a decline in conception to first service of approximately 0.45% per year (between 1975-1997, Butler and Smith, 1989; Beam and Butler, 1998). A similar trend is anticipated in the UK. Lamming and Darwash (1998) reported that defective ovarian function prior to insemination contributes to lower reproductive efficiency. In particular, persistent luteal activity was associated with reduced fertility and a higher incidence of late embryo mortality (embryonic death after day 16 post-insemination). The objectives of this study are firstly, to determine the current incidence of atypical ovarian hormone patterns and secondly, to make specific comparisons between the present results and those of our previous study.

Type
Programme
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 1999 , 1999 , pp. 1
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 1999

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References

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