A financial analysis of alternative management strategies of cystic follicles

Abstract

Follicular cysts are a common cause of anestrus in dairy cattle. Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GNRH) are the most common forms of treatment on dairy farms in Michigan. The two treatments, however, differ in costs per unit of treatment, response rates to treatment and intervals from treatment to estrus. A comparative analysis, using decision-tree analysis, was undertaken to determine which of the two treatments was more economical. The value of the animal, response rates to treatment, days to onset of estrus and costs of treatment and examination were incorporated in the computation of expected values. The analysis showed that it is more economical to treat with GNRH than with HCG. Withholding treatment in the hope of obtaining spontaneous recovery is the least economical option. A sensitivity analysis was performed to test how sensitive the treatment strategies are to small changes in selected model parameters.