Factors Affecting Reproductive Performance (Other factors) Flashcards
Recording
Most reproductive events are dates
Records helps in :
1. Monitoring and evaluating reproductive performance
2. Anticipation of next events (e.g. heat , dry off dates and calving dates)
Paper records (e.g. heat expectancy charts) and printouts of computerized records are used to list cows that are …
expected to enter estrus each day (DairyComp 365)
Heat Stress
The thermoneutral zone for dairy cows is 5-25 C
THI > 68 heat stress begins
Heat stress negatively affects :
1. Follicular growth
2. Ovulation
3. Expression of estrus
4. The establishment of pregnancy
The thermoneutral zone for dairy cows is …
5-25 C
Temperature humidity index (THI) > …. heat stress begins
68
Heat Stress Other effects
- Decreased Feed intake
- Negative energy balance
- Decreased GnRH – Low FSH & LH
- Decreased estradiol secretion
- Low P4 from CL
- High uterine temperature
- Poor estrus expression
- Prolonged follicular dominance
- Low fertilization rate
- Poor embryo quality
- Compromised uterine environment
- Embryonic loss
Mitigation of heat stress
- Cooling cows by providing fresh cool drinking water, shade, water sprays; fans, and tunnel ventilation
- Use Curtains
- Controlled breeding (hormone treatments)
- Using heat-tolerant breeds and genetic selection for heat tolerance
Timing of Insemination or Service
- Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP)
- Timing relative to ovulation
A. Artificial insemination
B. Using a bull
Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP)
50 d (after normal calving), 60 d (after a problem calving e.g RFM or uterine infection)
The aims of VWP are
- To provide enough time for the reproductive tract to recover from the effects of pregnancy (uterine involution usually takes 6 weeks)
- The cow is not in excessive NEB (most severe the firsts weeks of lactation)
Estrus
15 hours
Sperm viability
18 - 24 h (maybe 48 h)
Sperm transport
6 h
Optimal time to inseminate
End of estrus
Ova viability
8 - 10 h (maybe 20 h)
Ovulation
24 – 32 h from onset
Cows should be inseminated during the ….
last half of estrus (towards end of estrus)