Bovine Reproduction Flashcards
Energy after calving
High milking demand so if not adequate, conception rates fall
Energy in cow during gestation
Must be adequate during the last 60 days of gestation or she will be late returning to estrus
Cow reproduction
Poly estrous and cycle every 21 days
Estrus lasts 18 hours and ovulated 12 hours after end of estrus
Extenders
Allow more inseminations to be performed from one collection
Gestation
280 days or 9 months
Pregnancy checked
Determined by rectal palpation
Dairy cows are checked 5-9 weeks after breeding
Freemartin
The female offspring of a male/female twin pregnancy
Infertile with masculinization behavior and nonfunctional ovaries
Neonatal care
Starvation and hypothermia are leading causes of mortality in calves less than 3 days old
Colostrum
Concentration of IgG is lower in dairy breeds than in beef breeds so dairy cows need more colostrum
Serum level
1000 g/dL is normal
Calf scours
Diarrhea
May occur in the absence of septicemia, especially in calves older than 4 days
Pneumonia in calves
Older than 4 weeks
