Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the effects of clinical mastitis (CM) on reproductive performance in high-milk?producing cows before the service period. The data of Holstein Friesian cows (n = 550) in a commercial farm was retrospectively evaluated. The diagnosis of CM was made by the presence of visible abnormalities in milk or symptoms of inflammation of one or more of the quarters. Cows were checked to detect CM prior to each milking. Calving to first service interval (CFSI), calving to conception interval (CCI), and services per conception (SC) were evaluated as reproductive parameters. Calving to first service interval (83.68 ± 3.18 vs. 74.57 ± 1.08; P < 0.05) and CCI (168.48 ± 8.59 vs. 132.86 ± 3.44; P < 0.001) were prolonged by 11.77% and 26.81%, respectively, and the number of SC (3.16 ± 0.21 vs. 2.42 ± 0.09; P < 0.001) was increased by 30.58% in cows experiencing CM. The culling candidate rate in nonpregnant cows was higher in the mastitis group (4.35%; 6/132) than in the healthy group (0.48%; 2/418). Calving season, time period of CM, and lactation number were not associated with the negative effects of mastitis in reproductive performance (P > 0.05). In conclusion, CM in early lactation has an adverse impact on reproductive performance in high-milk?producing dairy cows. The negative effects of CM on CFSI, CCI, and SC were not interrelated with calving season, the timing of CM, or parity.
Highlights
The most important targets in dairy farms around the world are high reproductive performance and milk yield
Prolonged Calving to first service interval (CFSI) and conception interval (CCI) and increased services per conception (SC) were observed in the mastitis group, compared to the healthy group (Table 1)
According to the obtained results, for animals that experienced mastitis within the period prior to the voluntary waiting period, the CFSI, CCI, and SC increased by 11.77%, 26.81%, and 30.58%, respectively
Summary
The most important targets in dairy farms around the world are high reproductive performance and milk yield. Problems occurring in the periparturient period as a consequence of higher metabolism in high-milk– producing dairy cows, cause an increase in the incidence of infectious/inflammatory diseases and a decrease in reproductive performance [1,2]. Inflammatory diseases [3], low body condition scores (BCS), and negative energy balance [4] occurring prior to the insemination period are factors that reduce the rate of pregnancy. The pregnancy rates seen in the 1970s of 50%–60% at postpartum first insemination decreased to 35%–45% in the 2000s [5,6]. Infectious diseases have particular importance in reproductive performance due to their high prevalence during the early postpartum period and their direct relationship with feeding-BCS and metabolic changes [3].
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