Repeat Breeding Research Articles

Co-Triggering of Diseases During Transitional Period in Dairy Animals of Punjab

The present study was undertaken to determine the predisposition of one transitional disease on the other in various dairy animals of Punjab. For this purpose, a total of 250 respondents were randomly selected and were interviewed personally from various parts of Punjab through a structured interview schedule. Among the various transitional diseases in dairy farms, anoestrus was found to be high (59.00%) followed by mastitis (52.00%). Dystokia was found to be highly significant (p<0.01) with transitional diseases such as Retention of Placenta (ROP) and metritis. ROP had highly significant variation (p<0.01) with diseases such as dystokia, mastitis, ketosis and metritis. Anoestrus was found to be significant (p<0.05) with repeat breeding. Ketosis was found to be highly significant with anoestrus (p<0.01). Milk fever varied significantly with dystokia and ROP (p<0.05). Metritis had significance with dystokia, mastitis, anoestrus and milk fever (p<0.01). Also, repeat breeding was highly significant (p<0.01) with mastitis. Thus, it was concluded that presence of one transitional disease can predispose the dairy animal to other transitional diseases as well. Hence, farmers are educated on transitional disease management through training and other extension and advisory services.

Scopolamine administration in repeat breeder cows on the day of heat

Scopolamine is a parasympatholytic drug that can modulate uterine contractile activity. Based on the hypothesis that deficiency in uterine contractility is a cause of Repeat Breeder (RB) syndrome in cows, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of scopolamine administration in RB cows, on the day of heat, in increasing conception rates. Forty RB cows were randomly divided into treated group [T; 20 cows treated with scopolamine butylbromide 40 mg/100 kg of body weight (BW) by the intramuscular (IM) route after clinical confirmation of heat (T0)] and the control group [C; 20 cows treated with 2 mL/100 kg of BW of saline solution, IM, at T0]. Twelve hours later (T1), all of the cows were artificially inseminated (AI). Blood plasma-progesterone (P4), hydroxyproline, and prostaglandin F2α metabolite (PGFM), concentrations were assessed at T0 and T1. Additionally, the uterine tone was evaluated by transrectal palpation. Conception rates were recorded. Drug administration increased the conception rates in group T to 80% unlike group C (25%) (P < 0.0001). Higher PGFM concentration levels were registered in the treated group than in the control group. The higher PGF2α secretion in pregnant cows of the T group may have reduced the P4 levels, making conception possible. Scopolamine administration at the time of heat can improve uterine contractility. This makes it more suitable for promoting conception in RB cows, where hormonal alterations and contractile and biochemical deficits are responsible for the syndrome.

Comparative Efficacy of Serological Tests and Molecular Analysis of Bovine Brucellosis in Western Uttar Pradesh

Background: Brucellosis is a major zoonotic disease that affects people all over the world. Metritis, mastitis, repeat breeding, abortion in the last trimester of pregnancy, retention of placenta and reduced milk production are all symptoms of Brucellosis in the female bovines, whereas epididymitis, orchitis and sterility are symptoms in the male animals. In humans flu-like to undulant fever, arthritis, orchitis and epididymitis can be detected. Methods: A total of 470 bovine samples (serum, whole blood, milk samples) were taken from four districts of western Uttar Pradesh. The 262 sera samples were processed and subjected to RBPT, STAT and ELISA for the determination of seroprevalence of brucellosis and 108 whole blood samples were subjected to molecular analysis by PCR for the disease. Result: Out of 262 (203 cattle and 59 buffalo) serum samples, the seroprevalence of brucellosis in 203 cattle serum sample was found to be 11.82%, 16.25% and 8.37%. Whereas, in 59 buffalo serum samples, the seroprevalence was 3.38%, 15.25% and 0.00% by RBPT, STAT and I-ELISA respectively. Out of 108 whole blood samples, 5 were positive in molecular detection by PCR giving a prevalence rate of 1.62%.

Constraints of buffalo farming in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu, India

A study was conducted to identify the constraints perceived by the buffalo farmers in Kallakurichi district of Tamil Nadu. For this study, data were collected from the randomly selected buffalo farmers by using a structured interview schedule. The present study indicated that the major constraints faced by buffalo dairy farmers were high cost of concentrates (63.82% Garrett score), followed by high capital investment in animal housing (53.64% Garrett score), Low conception rate (58.92% Garrett score) repeat breeding (60.20% Garrett score), lower milk price 64.34% Garrett score), Unavailability of credit facilities from government side (50.80% Garrett score), high cost involved in veterinary care (56.28% Garrett score) and reproductive disorders (48.70% Garrett score).

Seroprevalence of Bovine Leptospirosis using Indirect ELISA

Background: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial disease causing abortion, stillbirths and loss of milk production in livestock resulting in huge economic losses. Leptospirosis in cattle has been under-reported and under-diagnosed in India due to non-specific symptoms, complex laboratory tests, fastidious nature of bacterium and lack of proper diagnostic facilities. Scanty data pertaining to epidemiological status of leptospirosis is available in land locked states of India including Madhya Pradesh, thus to fulfil the gap, the current work was conducted to investigate seroprevalence of leptospirosis in cattle. Methods: In the present study, cattle with a history of repeat breeding, abortion, haemogalactia and mastitis, were screened from various organized and unorganized farms of Jabalpur. A total of 300 blood samples were collected from suspected cattle and serum was separated. Enzyme linked Immune-sorbent assay was done as per the guidelines. Result: The seroprevalence of leptospirosis among suspected cases was 48.67 per cent, it was significantly higher in organized sector in cattle with the history of abortion followed by repeat breeding. High seropositivity was reported in older cattle.

Expression of Hormones, Cytokines, and Antioxidants in Heat-Stressed Subfertile Female Dromedaries.

Simple SummaryHeat stress imposes a high burden on domestic animals’ productive and reproductive performance. Due to the long hot summer, drought, and shortage of green fodders, camels raised in the desert suffer a lot of reproductive inefficiencies. This animal represents one of the main wealth sources for the desert inhabitants. Several fertility disorders have been discovered, leading to frequent breeding without pregnancy. This study aimed at exploring blood metabolites such as metabolic and reproductive hormones, cytokines, and antioxidants to be monitored as bio-indictors for subfertility in female camels. The results confirmed that none of the tested metabolic hormones and glucose revealed differences among fertile and subfertile females. However, FSH, inhibin, IL-ß, nitrous oxide, and glutathione revealed remarkable differences between fertile and subfertile females, which would be reliable tools to predict subfertility statuses in this animal. IL-ß revealed higher levels in the cases with genital inflammations. The normal profiles in control females revealed the highest FSH, and the lowest inhibin were vice versa in all subfertile females. Nonetheless, nitrous oxide and glutathione would also be reliable bio-indicators for judging the fertility status.The prevailing hot climate imposes heavy burdens on the productivity of the camel, goat, and sheep herds raised in the Gulf desert. Due to the lack of a reliable indicator for the various subfertility statuses in camel females, this study aimed to investigate the expression of inhibin, TGFά, ILß, FSH, sex and metabolic hormones, and antioxidants for the fertility status in camel females. Eighty-two subfertile and five fertile females were admitted to the university clinic with the complaint of repeat breeding with failed conception. The animal’s genital tracts were examined for reproductive soundness. Blood samples were withdrawn for hormonal, cytokines, and antioxidants determinations. Subfertile females were categorized into six groups; endometritis (EN, 28), inactive ovaries (IO, 20), ovarian hydrobursitis (BU, 19), vaginal adhesions (VA, 7), salpingitis (SA, 4), and cervicitis (CE, 4). Results revealed a significant increase in inhibin in all groups compared to control (68.2, 66.4, 61.8. 58.8, 58.3, 55.8, and 36 pg/mL, in CE, VA, IO, BU, EN, SA, and CON, respectively). TGFά, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and progesterone were not different among groups, whereas IL-ß differed among groups. FSH, estradiol, nitrous oxide, and glutathione were higher in CON compared with other groups. In conclusion, reproductive failures in camel females are reflected in the imbalances of endocrine, cytokines, and antioxidants bio-indicators.

Reproductive diseases and disorders of dairy cows in the Gazipur district

Reproductive diseases and disorders of dairy cows significantly reduce their productivity which is of great concern to dairy producers because most reproductive disorders adversely affect future fertility. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of reproductive diseases and disorders in dairy cows at Gazipur Sadar Upazila of Bangladesh. A total of 2430 dairy cows from total 150 small (&lt;10 dairy cows) and large scale (&gt;10 dairy cows) dairy farms were studied using predesigned questionnaires during January 2016 to December 2018. Twenty reproductive diseases and disorders were diagnosed. Among them, the major reproductive diseases and disorders were anestrous, mastitis, repeat breeding, metritis, retained placenta, and the minor problems were heat detection diseases and disorders. Total incidence of reproductive diseases and disorders was 21.51%, among the major reproductive diseases and disorders, incidence of anoestrus 6.79%, mastitis 3.66%, repeat breeding 3.20%, metritis 2.34%, retained placenta 1.31% and heat detection 1.06%. The highest occurrence of reproductive disease was anoestrus in dairy cows with low body condition score (BCS ≤ 2) than that with fair (2.5) and good (≥3-3.5) body condition scores. Anoestrus, mastitis, and repeat breeder should get top priority considering reproductive diseases and disorders research to gain more knowledge to control them in the study area context. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2022, 47(1): 95-101

Genetic structure of some candidate genes of repeat breeder syndrome in Egyptian buffaloes

BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the association between polymorphisms in three genes: leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), and BMP4, and incidence of repeat breeding in Egyptian buffaloes. MethodsDNA was extracted from 160 female buffaloes, involving 108 fertile and 52 repeat breeders. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Sequence analysis and alignment were performed by employing NCBI/BLAST/blastn suite, to identify SNPs among different patterns and alleles. We utilized PredictSNP software to predict the non-synonymous SNPs influences on protein function. Moreover, the conservation score of the amino acids within the target proteins was computed by ConSurf server. ResultsThe genotyping results showed that LEP and BMP4 genes were monomorphic (CC, GG) in all tested fertile and repeat breeder buffaloes. Leptin gene sequencing showed a non-synonymous C73T SNP, replacing R to C at position 25 within the leptin polypeptide (position 4 in the mature form; R4C) which is a neutral mutation, not affecting function or structure of LEP protein. For LEPR, one synonymous SNP (T102C) and two non-synonymous SNPs (A106G and C146A), triggering V967A and G954C replacements, respectively in LEPR protein. Moreover, they are neutral mutations. Sequencing results of BMP4 showed HinfI restriction site indicate fixed GG genotype (CC genotype in the anti-sense strand) in all sequenced samples. No SNPs were observed within the amplified region. ConclusionGenotyping and sequencing results of the surveyed three genes revealed that there is no association between these genes mutations and the incidence of repeat breeding in Egyptian buffaloes.

Ovarian Cyst Disease in Cattle: Bioanalysis of Associated Hormones

Ovarian cysts are structures that appear on ovaries, their size reaches 2.5 cm in diameter or greater remainingfor 10 days or more if they are untreated. They are classified into three major categories includes follicularcysts, luteinized follicular cysts, and cystic corpora luteal result in failure of reproduction in dairy cows. Thereisasignificant depression in the mean values of FSH and LH in the repeat breeder cows (infected group) whencompared with the normal cows (control group). There is a significant elevation in the mean values of theprolactin hormone in the repeat breeder cows. In recommendation, balanced feeding to dairy cows with highmilk production would decrease the risk factors associated with cystic ovary syndrome.

Risk factors for repeat breeder dairy cows and their impacts on reproductive performance

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for repeat breeder dairy cows and their impact on reproductive performance. The characteristics of 1,504 cows, including their peripartum health, nutrition, production, and reproduction, were collected. Cows with metabolic disorder were significantly more likely (odds ratio [OR], 2.47; p &lt; 0.001) and cows with clinical endometritis tended to be more likely (OR, 1.35; p &lt; 0.1) to become repeat breeders than cows without metabolic disorder and clinical endometritis, respectively. Cows initially inseminated &gt; 80 days after calving were less likely (OR, 0.78; p &lt; 0.05) to become repeat breeders than cows initially inseminated ≤ 80 days after calving. As a result, repeat breeding in dairy cows resulted in a 90 day longer (p &lt; 0.0001) mean interval from calving to pregnancy. In conclusion, postpartum metabolic disorder, clinical endometritis, and a short interval from calving to initial insemination were risk factors for repeat breeder dairy cows, resulting in a severely impaired reproductive performance.

Diagnostic and therapeutic management of subclinical endometritis in dairy bovine: A Review

Subclinical endometritis (SCE) is one of the major causes of repeat breeding syndrome in dairy bovines, characterized by the presence of polymorpho nuclear (PMN) cells within uterine cytology sample during early postpartum period. In dairy bovines, on an average 20-53 % animals suffer from SCE between 20 and 60 days post-calving due to variable risk factors. Among various diagnostic techniques, cytotape method of sample collection is comparatively superior to cytobrush and other techniques for early diagnosis of SCE in dairy bovine. A variable result of conventional therapy for successful management of uterine infections justifies the interest in stimulation of uterine defence mechanism to combat uterine infections. Natural resources particularly phyto-medicines can help to overcome the losses due to SCE in dairy bovines. Proper understanding of risk factors for SCE and its early identification followed by timely therapeutic interventions can minimize the losses incurred by the farmers in dairy bovines owing to SCE.

Cross-Sectional Study of Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Bovine Brucellosis in Selected Districts of Jimma Zone, South Western Oromia, Ethiopia.

Bovine brucellosis is one of the most widespread but neglected zoonotic diseases in developing countries where it is an endemic and growing problem causing public health impacts. Developing a cost-effective control strategy of the disease can only be guaranteed by knowledge of the disease epidemiology that defines its risk profiles. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate epidemiological aspects of bovine brucellosis in selected districts of Jimma zone. A cross-sectional study with multistage sampling techniques was conducted on 424 cattle to evaluate its seroprevalence. Likewise, 114 households were included for the investigation of risk factors. SPSS version 20 for data analysis and C-ELISA test for antibody detection were used. Moreover, the chi-square test for univariable analysis and logistic regression model for multivariable analysis were employed to assess association between seropositivity and risk factors. From this study, 3.3% (95% CI: 1.82-5.48) and 12.3% (95% CI: 6.88-19.75) seroprevalence of the disease was detected with the highest proportion found at Kersa district (6.5 (95% CI: 1.37-17.90) and (21.4 (95% CI: 4.66-50.80)) followed by Seka Chokorsa (1.76 (95% CI: 0.37-5.07) and (6.7 (95% CI: 1.40-18.27)) and Mana (1.75 (95% CI: 0.21-6.20) and (7.1 (95% CI: 0.88-23.50)) at individual animals and herd levels, respectively. Cattle of poor body condition, pregnant, and cows with history of abortion and repeat breeding were found 4.8 (95% CI: 2.00-22.74), 4.3 (95% CI: 1.43-13.04), 3.3 (95% CI: 1.07-10.21), and 2.7 (95% CI: 1.86-8.15) times more likely seropositive than their counterparts, respectively. Besides these, mixed feeding style was highly associated with seropositive reactors than separate feeding (AOR = 8.3; 95% CI: 1.76-38.99). These findings depicted substantial areas to be addressed in implementation of appropriate and immediate control actions and establishment of intervention mechanisms of bovine brucellosis.

Ovarian luteal category at the time of exogenous progesterone treatment alters pre-ovulatory follicle size and pregnancy outcome but not initial GnRH treatment in repeat-breeder crossbred dairy heifers submitted to the 7-day fixed-time AI protocol

Repeat breeding is a substantial problem in heifer and cow breeding leading to greater infertility for female dairy herds. The aim of present study was to investigate the impact of corpus luteum (CL) presence and category and the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration concurrent with exogenous progesterone (P4) treatment on the largest follicle (LF) size and pregnancy rate (PR) in repeat-breeder crossbred dairy heifers submitted to the fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) protocol. Heifers (n= 243) were synchronised with (+GnRH) or without (–GnRH) first GnRH in the 7-day P4-GnRH-prostaglandin F2α-based programme. Each GnRH group was divided on presence of CL into two groups (+CL and –CL) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The PR was similar among –GnRH–CL (20.7%), –GnRH+CL (68.8%), +GnRH–CL (30.4%), and +GnRH+CL (68.3%) groups. However, presence of CL in heifers produced a 43.6% increase in PR compared to PR of heifers without CL (odds ratio = 6.550). Heifers bearing large-sized CL had greater large-sized LF on the day of fixed-time AI and PR. Plasma P4 concentration was positively related with CL diameter (r= 0.845; p < 0.001). The diameter of ovarian LF on the day of fixed-time AI was positively associated with P4 concentrations (r= 0.512; p < 0.001). We highlight that ovarian CL presence and category at the time of exogenous P4 treatment alters pre-ovulatory follicle size and PR but not initial GnRH treatment in repeat-breeder crossbred dairy heifers submitted to service with the 7-day fixed-time AI programme.

PATHOGENESIS, TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF BOVINE CLINICAL ENDOMETRITIS: A REVIEW

Clinical endometritis is a common uterine disease of bovine caused by various pathogenic bacteria, owing to reduce the reproductive efficiency, infertility and huge economic losses to the livestock farmer. It has already been reported that endometritis affects reproductive performance of livestock by delaying service interval, reduce conception rate, and repeat breeding. Contamination during artificial insemination, dystocia, unhygienic handling of parturition, multiple birth and abortion are the predisposing factors related to endometritis in cattle. Additionally, several microorganisms have been frequently isolated such as Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Actinomyces pyogenes and Bacteroides species. Due to lack of awareness regarding the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating condition, farmers usually cull exaggerated animals even having better genetic potential. The present review summarizes the contemporary understanding about the quantifiable importance of endometritis, including aetiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and its control. Moreover, present work will researchers, veterinarians and dairy farmers in early diagnosis and treatment this menace to minimize economic losses and also safeguard high milk yielding animal.

Investigation of constraints to health and production of cattle in North-East Bangladesh

The study was designed to investigate the constraints to health and productivity of dairy farms and their possible remedies in Sadar Upazila (sub-district) of Sylhet, Sreemangal Upazila at Moulavi Bazar, Chatak and South Sunamgonj Upazila at Sunamgonj districts. Ninety dairy farms including marginal and small (2-10 cows), medium (11-25 cows) and large (&gt;25 cows) of urban, suburban and rural areas were randomly selected for multistage sampling. Farmers were interviewed using pre-tested questionnaire. The major constraints were high price of concentrate, poor knowledge of feeding, scarcity of forage, weak recording system, cost of high yielding well-adapted milking cows, prolonged postpartum anoestrus, repeat breeding, incorrect timing of AI, mastitis, low pregnancy rate, lack of milk co-operative, weak milk marketing and high veterinary cost. To overcome the current situation government should give incentives on cattle feed and credit facility with soft interest to the farmers; DLS and other organizations should arrange effective training on dairy farm management. The Bangladesh Veterinarian (2020) 37(1 - 2): 1-13

Longitudinal effect of repeat breeding in Japanese Black beef cattle at a low parity on subsequent fertility in commercial cow–calf operations

Repeat breeding (RB) has been defined as failure to conceive from three or more regularly spaced services in the absence of detectable abnormalities, and cause economic loss on the farm owing to a declining conception rate. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive characteristics of RB in Japanese Black cattle by assessing the longitudinal effect of RB at a low parity on subsequent fertility raised in commercial cow–calf operations. Data used in this study were collected from 764 farms in Miyazaki. Data from 2005 until 2014 comprised 158,945 AI records with 80,453 parity records for 22,565 cows. The effect of RB at heifers and parities 1 and 2 cows on subsequent fertility and survival on four consecutive parities was investigated. The results showed that cows with the number of inseminations to conception (INS) of ≥4 at a low parity had a higher probability of being RB again at subsequent parities compared with cattle with INS 1 or 2. Additionally, the degree of the negative effect of an INS ≥4 on fertility and survival increased as they became older. On the other hand, cows with an INS of 2 had similar fertility and survival with those with an INS of 1. In summary, this study suggests that repeat breeders at a low parity have a higher probability of RB again at subsequent parities compared with cattle with INS 1 or 2, and the negative effect of an INS ≥4 increases as parity increases.

Reproductive and Productive Performance of Crossbred and Terai Cattle in Bardiya District of Nepal

To compare the reproductive and productive performance of exotic crossbreds and indigenous Terai cattle under farmers' management condition, a household survey was carried out in 218 households of Bardiya, Nepal. Total of 262 cows [Jersey cross (n=107), Holstein cross (n=24) and indigenous Terai cattle (n=131)] were considered to determine the production and reproduction parameters. The age at first calving in months was the lowest in Jersey crossbred (27.8±1.8) followed by Holstein cross (29.5±4.0) and Terai cattle (45.7±3) (P&lt;0.05). However, the number of services per conception, calving to conception interval (in months) and inter-calving interval (in months) were shorter in Terai cattle (1.3±0.7, 3.4±1.4 and 12.6±1.9) compared to Jersey cross (1.7±1.3, 4.4±2.2 and 13.5±3.1) and Holstein cross (1.8±0.9, 5.7±2.8 and 14.9±4.7), respectively (P&lt;0.05). Total 6.5% of cattle had a history of reproductive problems; Incidence of repeat breeding tended (P&lt;0.1)) to be higher in Jersey cross (8.4%) and Holstein cross (8.3%) than in Terai cattle (3.0%). Daily peak milk yield (L/day) was significantly lower in Terai cattle (1.7±1.1) than Jersey cross (13.5±3.1) and Holstein cross (14.9±4.7). The lactation length (months) was significantly shorter in Terai cattle than exotic crossbreds. Consequently, the length of dry period (in months) was significantly longer in Terai cattle (5.2±2.1) than in Jersey cross (2.5±0.9) and Holstein cross (2.2±0.7). The reproductive performance parameters in exotic crossbred cows under the farmers' management condition were satisfactory; however, their productivity was low. Thus, the good reproductive traits and variations in productivity of Terai cattle can be utilized in cross breeding programs.

Major reproductive disorders and seroprevalence of brucellosis in dairy cows of Kembata-Tembaro zone, Southern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2016 to May 2017 in Kembata-Tembaro Zone, Ethiopia to estimate the prevalence of major reproductive disorders and brucellosis in dairy cattle. A total of 733 dairy cows were selected from Kedida-Gambella and Damboya districts by a systematic random sampling technique. Clinical examination for reproductive disorders (n=733 cows) was carried out to investigate reproductive problems. From each cow, about 10 ml blood sample was collected and serum separated. Serum samples were screened for Brucella antibody by Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and positive samples were further tested by Complement Fixation Test (CFT). Results showed that the overall seroprevalence of brucellosis using RBPT and CFT were 2.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15 – 3.35%) and 0.8% (95% CL 0.2-1.5%)., respectively. About 61% of the study cows had exhibited one or more of the reproductive disorders. The major reproductive disorders identified during this study were anoestrus (34.2%), repeat breeding (19.8%), dystocia (12.4%), retained placenta (8.5%), metritis (4.8%), abortion (3.8%), vaginal prolapse (1.8%) and stillbirth (0.9%). Reproductive disorders were significantly associated with the management system, body condition, watering point, and age of the animals (p&lt; 0.05). Accordingly, the disorders were more frequent in the extensive management system, in cows with poor body conditions, and among those using communal watering points. The problems of reproductive disorders were found to increase with age, especially in cows older than eight years of age. The overall seroprevalence of brucellosis reflects a low level of Brucella infection in the study area. In general, reproductive disorders are widely prevalent in dairy cows of the study area and undoubtedly hinder the production performances of dairy farms. Thus, there is a need for further study on the causes of clinical reproductive disorders in the study areas.

Study on Factors Affecting Estrus Synchronization in Smallholder Dairy Farming Systems of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Background Reproductive biotechnology, such as estrus synchronization, can quickly boost the genetics of local cattle breeds, shorten generational cycles, and spread genetic material within populations of breeding animals. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 154 purposively selected smallholder dairy owners using a semistructured questionnaire to assess factors that influence the success of estrus synchronization in smallholder dairy farms located in Agula, Wukro, and Enderta districts, Northern Ethiopia. Results The estrus synchronization programme was positively accepted by 39.6% of illiterate participants. However, the education level and marital status of the participants had no significant association (p > 0.05) between the different study sites. On the other hand, approximately 10% of interviewees did not have awareness of dairy cattle estrus synchronization technology at the time of implementation, whereas 36 (23.4%) farmers who were aware of estrus synchronization gave negative feedback on the technology. Factors such as breed, management system, feed type, feeding, and watering frequency significantly varied (p < 0.05) among the three study sites, whereas the breeding practice had no significant association (p > 0.05) within these districts. The cause of failure during AI, awareness about synchronization, satisfaction with the AI, and estrus synchronization service have a significant variation (p < 0.05) within the three districts. On the other hand, the cause of AI failure, awareness about AI programs, source of synchronization information, and AI programs had no significant association (p > 0.05) with study sites. Anestrous (30.5%) and repeat breeders (38.9%) were among the causes of the low conception rate during the synchronization program. There were no significant variations in terms of AI program constraints in the three districts. Conclusion AI technicians and farm owners need continuous training to improve their heat detection skills, increase their knowledge, and obtain a successful program.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with repeat breeding of beef cattle in Sleman Regency, Indonesia.

Background and Aim:Various management practices may cause the occurrence of reproductive failure indicated by repeat breeding in beef cattle. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and the risk factors of repeat breeding in beef cattle in Sleman Regency, Indonesia.Materials and Methods:Observational and cross-sectional studies were used to determine the prevalence and the risk factors of repeat breeding. Sampling was conducted using a multistage cluster design. The sample size was determined using a sampling formula (n=4 PQ/L2). Questionnaire and interview data were evaluated descriptively. Chi-square analysis and odds ratio (OR) test were conducted to determine the association and association strength with a confidence level of 95%. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis through multivariate logistic regression test was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.0 software.Results:The results indicated that the prevalence of repeat breeding in beef cattle in the Sleman Regency was 30.4%. Multivariate analysis indicated that risk factors that significantly affected the repeat breeding were breeding experience (p=0.000; OR=3.378), knowledge of estrus cycle (p=0.000; OR=5.263), feed type (p=0.001; OR=6.061), feeding frequency (p=0.003; OR=2.77), shed hygiene (p=0.33; OR=2,381), and drainage system (p=0.000; OR=4,484).Conclusion:Various husbandry management significantly influence the incidence of repeat breeding in beef cattle in Sleman Regency with the type of feed, which was the highest risk factor. Hay should not be used as the main feed source since it might increase the incidence of repeat breeding. However, the other environmental factors such as season and presence of infection or parasite also need to be investigated further.