Repeat breeding syndrome in crossbred dairy cows of Bangladesh: some important characteristics and influential factors

Jayonta Bhattacharjee,J Bhattacharjee

doi:10.33109/vjvmjd03

Abstract

Background: Repeat breeding syndrome (RBS), an important reproductive disorder of dairy cattle, results in high economic losses in the dairy industry. The study was conducted to determine the factors of repeat breeding in crossbred dairy cows at selected areas of Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 592 breedable cows from 34 farms were examined from Mymensingh and Chittagong district. Seventy cows were identified as repeat breeder cows and another 23 cows were randomly selected as healthy control cows for the study. Results: The number of calving, the interval between first post-partum heat and last service date, number of services failed and consecutive services failed, the number of medications given, and number of suckling were found significantly higher in repeat breeder cows compared to normal healthy cows. Body weight and Body condition score (BCS) were significantly lower in repeat breeder cows compared to normal healthy cows. There were no significant differences in the estrus cycle length and concentrate feeding in both repeat breeder and healthy cows. The lowest occurrence of repeat breeder was recorded in cows fed with a larger amount of green grass. Remarkably, the highest occurrence of repeat breeder was recorded in cows fed with a significant amount of straw. Conclusion: The identified features of repeat breeding syndrome will help in disseminating awareness on factors affecting the occurrence of repeat breeding syndrome in crossbred cows.

Highlights

Materials and MethodsIn Bangladesh, many peoples live in rural areas with agriculture and dairying as their main component of livelihood
The number of calving, the interval between first post-partum heat and last service date, number of services failed and consecutive services failed, the number of medications given, and number of suckling were found significantly higher in repeat breeder cows compared to normal healthy cows
Body weight and Body condition score (BCS) were significantly lower in repeat breeder cows compared to normal healthy cows

Summary

Introduction

Materials and MethodsIn Bangladesh, many peoples live in rural areas with agriculture and dairying as their main component of livelihood. Poor conception rate, prolonged inter-calving interval, and repeat breeding syndrome have been identified as major constraints of profitable dairy farming in Bangladesh (Alam and Gosh, 1988; Shamsuddin et al, 2001). As repeat breeding is a multifactorial disease, many risk factors such as the breed of cows, herd size, body condition score, age, and parity may influence the occurrence of repeat breeding in cows. Other factors such as milk production, lactation length, inter-calving interval, suckling, and managerial factors may affect the occurrence of repeat breeding in cows.

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Results

Conclusion