A Holstein-Friesian dairy farm survey of postparturient factors influencing the days to first AI and days open in Hungary

Abstract

The authors monitored the postpartum period during the first seven weeks after calving at a Holstein-Friesian dairy farm in Hungary. Calvings occurred between 2013 and 2015 in three periods from June to November each year (n = 314). Data were collected from the farm record and ultrasonographic examinations were performed between 22 to 28 and 43 to 49 days in milk (DIM), respectively. The animals were followed until successful artificial insemination (AI), i.e. until becoming pregnant or until culling, but at most at 365 DIM. The prevalence of dystocia, twin calving, stillbirth rate and retained fetal membranes (RFM) was 23.2%, 3.8%, 3.5%, and 34.4%, respectively. Altogether 38.9% of the cows (n = 122) had bacterial complications of involution in the first 49 DIM. The prevalence of Grade 2 clinical (puerperal) metritis (CM) was 20.1% within 5 DIM, 10.5% between 6 to 10 DIM and 13.1% from 11 to 20 DIM, while 9.9% of the cows had clinical endometritis (CEM) between 21 and 28 DIM and 1.3% of the cows between 42 and 49 DIM, respectively. Pyometra was diagnosed in 1% of the cows between 21 and 28 DIM and 0.3% between 42 to 49 DIM, respectively. About 80% (80.6%) of the cows were inseminated at least once (n = 253). The success rate of the first AI was 26.9% (n = 68). Dystocia, twin calving, RFM, CM, CEM and cyclicity had no significant effect on the days between calving and first AI, however, according to the Kaplan-Meier analysis stillbirth significantly increased the number of days from calving to first AI (P = 0.039). According to the Kaplan- Meier analysis dystocia, twin calving, stillbirth, RFM, and cyclicity had no effect on the days open. In cows with CM developed within 5 DIM or with CEM diagnosed between 21 and 28 DIM the number of days open significantly decreased (P = 0.009 and P = 0.007, respectively), which confirms the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of uterine diseases. Similar surveys should be conducted to discover the risk factors for reproductive diseases in order to decrease the reproductive losses in dairy farms.

Prepartum Magnesium Butyrate Supplementation of Dairy Cows Improves Colostrum Yield, Calving Ease, Fertility, Early Lactation Performance and Neonatal Vitality

“…Between 2 and 10% of all calves are born dead or die within 48 h after birth [ 55 ]. The stillbirth rate found here was comparable with previous studies in different countries with similar calving technologies [ 22 , 56 , 57 ]. No significant differences were found here between groups in terms of stillbirth and mortality rates; however, neonatal vitality was greater in calves born to MgB dams compared to Control dams.…”

Albumin and other metabolic parameters as potential indicators of purulent vaginal discharge in dairy cows during the transition period

“…The prevalence of PVD in this study was 25.83%, which is similar to the prevalence in previous studies, ranging from 9.9% to 41.46% [ 1 , 6 , 25 , 46 ]. A vaginal examination with a Metricheck device has been recommended as the highest sensitivity method to diagnose PVD when compared to a vaginoscopy and gloved hand technique [ 27 , 35 ].…”

Development potential of selenium in the prevention and treatment of bovine endometritis

“…Endometritis causes decreased oestradiol secretion, slow growth of dominant follicles, and delayed ovarian cycle activity (Holt et al., 1989; Osawa, 2021). The incidence of bovine endometritis is 1.3%–20.1% in Hungarian, 4.8%–52.6% in North American, 11.4%–31.3% in Brazil, 31.9%–46.2% in Argentina, and 20%–50% in China (Buják et al., 2018; Cheong et al., 2011; Gilbert et al., 2005; Na et al., 2016; Paiano, Bonilla, et al., 2023; Plöntzke et al., 2011). Therefore, the treatment and prevention of endometritis in dairy cows must be addressed.…”