Early and Late Embryonic Loss of Smallholder Synchronized Dairy Cows Within Ethiopia

Bainesagn Worku,Azage Tegegne,Million Tadesse

doi:10.11648/j.cb.20200801.11

Bainesagn Worku, Azage Tegegne + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11648/j.cb.20200801.11

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Abstract

This study was carried out on 53 cows selected from smallholder dairy farmers in the Ejerie, Adea Berga and Metarobi western Shoa of Oromia in Ethiopia. All of the cows were investigated in October and November, 2015 for their cyclicity, pregnancy and mainly for early embryonic mortality determination. Milk samples were collected from the 53 of synchronized lactating cows involved in the estrus synchronization programme at the time of AI (day 0). Out of lactating cows, 33 exhibited true heat but due heat detection error, only 26 lactating cows were inseminated in day AI (Artificial Insemination). After it was confirmed that 20 lactating cows were pregnant, then they were continued for further progesterone profiling starting from day 18 to 45 day of post AI at interval of 3 days for determination of early embryonic loss based on progesterone concentration. The milk sample was analyzed by Hormonost Farmer Test. Results of the study indicated that about 60% of lactating cows maintain pregnancy until 45-day post AI whereas 15%, 15% and 10% of early pregnant lactating cow’s loss their embryo at 21st to 24th days, 27th to 30th days and 33rd day of post AI, respectively. The average progesterone concentration for pregnant cows was 24.46 ng/ml at day 21 to day 45 post AI. Based on finding of this result monitoring and evaluating reproductive traits with progesterone profiling is recommended to improve the fertility of dairy cattle. Finally, embryonic loss detection may serve as a basis for improvement of fertility of dairy cows mean while it will help for designing appropriate breeding management of dairy cattle.

Highlights

Embryo mortality refers to embryo losses during the period from fertilization to completion of the stage of differentiation, which in the cow occurs at approximately Day 45 of gestation [1]
After milk progesterone evaluation at day 10, day 18, and day 21 post artificial insemination (AI), twenty lactating cows were confirmed as pregnant and they were continued for further progesterone profiling starting from day 18 to days of post AI at interval of 3 days for determination of embryonic loss based on progesterone concentration
The milk samples were collected at day of AI, 10-12, day 18 and day 21 of post AI for early pregnancy determination based on progesterone concentration

Summary

Introduction

Embryo mortality refers to embryo losses during the period from fertilization to completion of the stage of differentiation, which in the cow occurs at approximately Day 45 of gestation [1]. Embryonic mortality (EM) is regarded as one of the causes of reproductive failure in cattle resulting in reduced pregnancy rates, slower genetic improvement and substantial financial losses to dairy production [2,3,4]. The timing of the embryonic loss is important and can have different effects on the level of production of a dairy farming enterprise [5]. Embryonic mortality occurs before day 18 post artificial insemination (AI) whereas late. Identification of non-pregnant animals at the earliest day post-breeding is of prime importance for maintaining an optimum calving interval. Several methods like non-return to estrus, rectal examination, and ultrasonography are used to diagnose pregnancy in dairy animals, determination of progesterone concentration in milk before 45 days post-breeding/AI continue to be the most common and advanced method

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