Incidences of various etiological factors responsible for repeat breeding syndrome in cattle and buffaloes

Abstract

A total of 214 repeat breeding (Cattle-183; Buffalo- 31) and 30 normal (Cattle-20; Buffaloes- 10) animals from different dairy farms were selected. All the animals were subjected to repeated (3-5 days interval) clinico-gynaecological examinations along with blood sampling atleast for 21 days. The diagnosis was made on the basis of history, clinical signs, rectal findings, body condition scores (BCS) and blood plasma progesterone (P4) profiles. Out of 183 repeat breeding cattle, 13 (7.10 %) had acquired anatomical abnormalities, 52 (28.42 %) had hormonal aberrations, 33 (18.03 %) had genital tract infections, 27 (14.75 %) were affected with poor management and 58 (31.70%) were having a combination of more than one aforesaid factors. The number of repeat breeding buffaloes in the respective categories were 2 (6.46 %), 8 (25.80 %), 8 (25.80 %), 5 (16.14 %) and 8 (25.80 %). Out of the animals repeating as a result of acquried anatomical abnormalities, 8 (61.54 %) cattle and 2 (100 %) buffaloes were repeater due to hard and kinked cervix. Out of the animals affected with hormonal aberrations, 33 (63.5 %) cattle and 8 (100%) buffaloes were exhibiting prolonged estrus period. Poor semen quality or faulty AI techniques were found to be major managemental factors in cattle (25/27) and buffaloes (2/2). In the category more than one etiological factor, the combination of genital infections and hormonal aberrations was the major contributing factor to repeat breeding (Cattle- 23/58; Buffaloes- 3/8), followed by combination of anatomical defects and hormonal aberrations (Cattle-19/58; buffaloes- 1/58); genital infection and anatomical defects (Cattle- 19/58; Buffaloes- 1/58). Hence, it was concluded that hormonal aberrations and its combination with other factors constitute the major cause of repeat breeding syndrome in dairy animals.