Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-g4j75 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-11T19:05:55.409Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Declining fertility in dairy cattle: changes in traditional and endocrine parameters of fertility

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2016

M. D. Royal ,
A. O. Darwash ,
A. P. F. Flint ,
R. Webb ,
J. A. Woolliams  and
G. E. Lamming
M. D. Royal
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD
A. O. Darwash
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD
A. P. F. Flint
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD
R. Webb
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD
J. A. Woolliams
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS
G. E. Lamming
Affiliation:
Cattle Fertility Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD
Get access

Abstract

Reproductive performance of 714 Holstein Friesian dairy cows was monitored between October 1995 and June 1998 using thrice weekly milk progesterone determinations. Defined endocrine parameters such as interval to post-partum commencement of luteal activity, inter-ovulatory interval and length of luteal and inter-luteal intervals were used with a number of traditional measures of reproductive performance to investigate the current status of fertility in a sample of United Kingdom dairy herds. A comparison of the results of the 1995 to 1998 trial with those of a previous (1975 to 1982) milk progesterone database, which included 2503 lactations in British Friesian cows monitored using a similar milk sampling protocol, revealed a decline infertility between these periods.

Between 1975-1982 and 1995-1998, pregnancy rate to first service declined from 55·6% to 39·7% (P < 0·001), at a derived average rate approaching 1% per year. This decline was associated with an increase (P < 0·001) in the proportion of animals with one or more atypical ovarian hormone patterns from 32% to 44%. There was a significant (P < 0·001) increase in the incidence of delayed luteolysis during the first cycle post partum (delayed luteolysis type I; 7·3% to 18·2%) and during subsequent cycles (delayed luteolysis type II; 6·4% to 16·8%), although the incidence of prolonged anovulation post partům (delayed ovulation type I; 10·9% to 12·9%) and prolonged inter-luteal intervals (delayed ovulation type II; 12·9% to 10·6%) did not alter significantly. These changes resulted in an increase in mean luteal phase length from 12·9 (s.e. 0·09) to 14·8 (s.e. 0·17) days and an increase in inter-ovulatory interval from 20·2 (s.e. 0·1) to 22·3 (s.e. 0·2) days. The decline infertility was also reflected in traditional measures of fertility since although interval to first service remained relatively unchanged (74·0 (s.e. 0·4) to 77·6 (s.e. 1·1) days) calving interval lengthened from 370 (s.e. 2·2) to 390 (s.e. 2·5) days. Collectively these changes may have contributed to the decline in pregnancy rates observed over the last 20 years.

Keywords

dairy cowsfertilityovariesprogesterone
Type
Reproduction
Information
Animal Science , Volume 70 , Issue 3 , June 2000 , pp. 487 - 501
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 2000

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

Agricultural and Food Research Council. 1993. Energy and protein requirements of ruminants. CAB International, Wallingford, UK.Google Scholar
Arendonk, J. A. M. van, Hovenier, R. and Boer, W. 1989. Phenotypic and genetic association between fertility and production in dairy cows. Livestock Production Science 21: 1–12.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asdell, S. A., Dealba, J. and Roberts, S. J. 1949. Studies on the oestrous cycle of dairy cattle: cycle length, size of corpus luteum, and endometrial changes. Cornell Veterinarian 39: 389–402.Google Scholar
Bagnato, A. and Oltenacu, P. A. 1993. Genetic studies of fertility traits and production in different parities in Italian Friesian cattle. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics 110: 126–134.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ball, P. J. H. and McEwan, E. E. A. 1998. The incidence of prolonged luteal function following early resumption of ovarian activity in postpartum dairy cows. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, 1998, p. 187 (abstr.).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beam, S. W. and Butler, W. R. 1998. Energy balance, metabolic hormones, and early postpartum follicular development in dairy cows fed prilled lipid. Journal of Dairy Science 81: 121–131.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beam, S. W. and Butler, W. R. 1999. Energy balance effects on follicular development and first ovulation in post-partum cows. Journal of Reproduction ami Fertility, Supplement 54: 411–424.Google Scholar
Bulman, D. C. 1977. Progesterone levels and fertility of lactating cows. Ph.D. thesis, University of Nottingham.Google Scholar
Bulman, D. C. and Lamming, G. E. 1978. Milk progesterone levels in relation to conception, repeat breeding and factors influencing acyclicity in dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 54: 447–458.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bulman, D. C. and Wood, P. D. P. 1980. Abnormal patterns of ovarian activity in dairy cows and their relationships with reproductive performance. Animal Production 30: 177–188.Google Scholar
Butler, W. R. and Smith, R. D. 1989. Interrelationships between energy balance and postpartum reproductive function in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 72: 767–783.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Campos, M. S., Wilcox, C. J., Beceril, C. M. and Diz, A. 1994. Genetic parameters for yield and reproductive traits of Holstein and Jersey cattle in Florida. Journal of Dairy Science 77: 867–873.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Darwash, A. O., Lamming, G. E. and Woolliams, J. A. 1997a. Estimation of genetic variation in the interval from calving to postpartum ovulation of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 80: 1227–1234.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Darwash, A. O., Lamming, G. E. and Woolliams, J. A. 1997b. The phenotypic association between the interval to post-partum ovulation and traditional measures of fertility in dairy cattle. Journal of Animal Science 65: 9–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darwash, A. O., Lamming, G. E. and Woolliams, J. A. 1999. The potential for identifying heritable endocrine parameters associated with fertility in postpartum dairy cows. Animal Science 68: 333–347.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Erb, H. N., Smith, R. D., Oltenacu, P. A., Guard, C. L., Hillman, R. B., Powers, P. A., Smith, M. C. and White, M.E. 1985. Path model of reproductive disorders and performance, milk fever, mastitis, milk yield and culling in Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 68: 3337–3349.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Esslemont, R.J. 1992. Measuring dairy herd fertility. Veterinary Record 131: 209–212.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Esslemont, R. J. and Kossaibati, M. A. 1996. Decision support systems for fertility management in dairy herds: past, present and future. Proceedings of the Nottingham Cattle Fertility Conference, 17 th September. Google Scholar
Esslemont, R. J. and Peeler, E. J. 1993. The scope for raising margins in dairy herds by improving fertility and health. British Veterinary Journal 149: 537–547.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fonseca, E. A., Britt, J. H., McDaniel, B. T., Wilk, J. C. and Rakes, A. H. 1983. Reproductive traits of Holstein and Jerseys. Effects of age, milk yield and clinical abnormalities on involution of cervix and uterus, ovulation, oestrous cycles, detection of oestrus, conception rate and days open. Journal of Dairy Science 66: 1128–1147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Foote, R. H. 1996. Review: dairy cattle reproductive physiology research and management — past progress and future prospects. Journal of Dairy Science 79: 980–990.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gaines, J. D., Thomas, C. B., and Eicker, S. 1993. The inter-oestrus interval profile of a dairy herd: how useful is it? Veterinary Medicine 88: 665–671.Google Scholar
Gordon, I. 1996. Controlled reproduction in cattle and buffaloes. CAB International, UK.Google Scholar
Grosshans, T., Xu, Z. Z., Burton, L. J., Johnson, D. L. and Macmillan, K.L. 1997. Performance and genetic parameters for fertility of seasonal dairy cows in New Zealand. Livestock Production Science 51: 290–297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, L. B., Freeman, A. E. and Berger, P. J. 1983. Yield and fertility relationships in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 66: 293–305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hoekstra, J., Lugt, A. W. van der, Werf, J. H. J. van der and Ouweljes, W. 1994. Genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk production and fertility traits in upgraded dairy cattle. Livestock Production Science 40: 225–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holmes, C. W., Grainger, C., Davey, A. W. F., Brookes, I. M., Ngarmsak, S. and Mitchell, K. D. 1987. Efficiency of milk production by Freisian cows of high or low breeding index. Proceedings of the fourth animal science congress of the Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies, Hamilton, New Zealand, p. 148.Google Scholar
Lamming, G. E. and Bulman, D. C. 1976. The use of milk progesterone radioimmunoassay in the diagnosis and treatment of subfertility in dairy cows. British Veterinary Journal 132: 507–517.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lamming, G. E. and Darwash, A. O. 1998. The use of milk progesterone profiles to characterise components of subfertility in milked dairy cows. Animal Reproduction Science 52: 175–190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lucy, M. C., Staples, C. R., Thatcher, W. W., Erickson, P. S., Cleale, R. M., Firkins, J. L., Clark, J. H., Murphy, M. R. and Brodie, B. O. 1992. Influence of diet composition, dry-matter intake, milk production and energy balance on time of post-partum ovulation and fertility in dairy cows. Animal Production 54: 323–331.Google Scholar
Macmillan, K. L., Lean, I. J. and Westwood, C. T. 1996. The effects of lactation on the fertility of dairy cows. Australian Veterinary Journal 73: 141–147.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Milk Marketing Board. 1976. Dairy facts and figures. Milk Marketing Board, Thames Ditton, Surrey.Google Scholar
Nakao, T., Moriyoshi, M. and Kawata, T. 1992. The effect of postpartum ovarian dysfunction and endometritis on subsequent reproductive performance in high and medium producing dairy cows. Theriogenology 37: 341–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nash, J. G., Ball, L. and Olsen, J. D. 1980. Effects on reproductive performance of administration of GnRH to early postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science 50: 1017–1021.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
National Dairy Council. 1997. Dairy facts and figures. National Dairy Council, 5-7 John Princes Street, London WIM OAP.Google Scholar
Nebel, R. L. and McGilliard, M. L. 1993. Interactions of high milk yield and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 76: 3257–3268.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Noakes, D. E., Wallace, L. M. and Smith, G. R. 1990. Pyometra in a Friesian heifer: bacteriological and endometrial changes. Veterinary Record 126: 509.Google Scholar
Oltenacu, P. A., Frick, A. and Lindhe, B. 1991. Relationship of fertility to milk yield in Swedish cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 74: 264–268.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Opsomer, G., Corun, M., Deluyker, H. and deKruif, A. 1998. An analysis of ovarian dysfunction in high yielding dairy cows after calving based on progesterone profiles. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 33: 193–204.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Poso, J. and Mantysaari, E. A. 1996. Genetic relationships between reproductive disorders, operational days open and milk yield. Livestock Production Science 46: 41–48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pryce, J. E., Esslemont, R. J., Thompson, R., Veerkamp, R. F., Kossaibati, M. A. and Simm, G. 1998. Estimation of genetic parameters using health, fertility and production data from a management recording system for dairy cattle. Animal Science 66: 577–584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pryce, J. E., Wilson, L. A. and Visscher, P. M. 1999. Effects of selection for production on maiden heifer fertility traits. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, 1999, p. 49 (abstr.).Google Scholar
Pursley, J. R., Wiltbank, M. C., Stevenson, J. S., Ottobre, J. S., Garverick, H. A. and Anderson, L. L. 1997. Pregnancy rates per artificial insemination for cows and heifers inseminated at a synchronised ovulation or synchronised oestrus. Journal of Dairy Science 80: 295–300.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sauer, M. J., Foulkes, J. A., Worsfold, A. and Morris, B. A. 1986. Use of progesterone 11-glucuronide-alkaline phosphate conjugate in a sensitive microtitre-plate enzyme immunoassay of progesterone in milk and its application to pregnancy testing in dairy cattle. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 76: 375–391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Savio, J. D., Boland, M. P. and Roche, J. F. 1990. Development of dominant follicles and length of ovarian cycles in postpartum dairy cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 88: 581–591.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Senatore, E. M., Butler, W. R. and Oltenacu, P. A. 1996. Relationships between energy balance and post-partum ovarian activity and fertility in first lactation dairy cows. Animal Science 62: 17–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, M. C. A. and Wallace, J. M. 1998. Influence of early post-partum ovulation on the re-establishment of pregnancy in multiparous and primiparous dairy cattle. Reproduction, Fertility and Development 10: 207–216.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, R. D., Pomerantz, A. J., Beai, W. E., McCann, J. P., Pilbeam, T. E. and Hansel, W. 1984. Insemination of Holstein heifers at a preset time after oestrous-cycle synchronization using progesterone and prostaglandin. Journal of Animal Science 58: 792–800.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Staples, C. R., Thatcher, W. W. and Clark, J. H. 1990. Relationship between ovarian activity and energy status during the early post-partum period of high producing cows. Journal of Dairy Science 73: 938–947.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stevenson, J. S. and Britt, J. H. 1979. Relationships among luteinizing hormone, oestradiol, progesterone, glucocorticoids, milk yield, body weight and postpartum ovarian activity in Holstein cows. Journal of Animal Science 48: 570–577.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stevenson, J. S. and Call, E. P. 1983. Influence of early oestrus, ovulation, and insemination on fertility in postpartum Holstein dairy cows. Theriogenology 19: 367–375.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stott, A. W., Veerkamp, R. F. and Wassell, T. R. 1999. The economics of fertility in the dairy herd. Animal Science 68: 49–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thatcher, W. W., Meyer, M. D. and Danet-Desnoyers, G. 1995. Maternal recognition of pregnancy. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, Supplement 49: 15–28.Google ScholarPubMed
Thatcher, W. W. and Wilcox, C. J. 1973. Postpartum oestrus as an indicator of reproductive status in the dairy cow7 . Journal of Dairy Science 56: 608–610.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Trimberger, G.W. 1954. Conception rates in dairy cattle from services at various intervals after parturition. Journal of Dairy Science 37: 1042–1049.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Veerkamp, R. F., Oldenbroek, J. K., Gaast, H. J. van der and Werf, J. H. J. van der. 2000. Genetic correlation between days until start of luteal activity and milk yield, energy balance and live weight. Journal of Dairy Science In press.Google Scholar