Effects of body condition score on fertility and some reproductive performance in holstein dairy cows

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This study conducted to evaluate the effects of body condition score at artificial insemination (AI) on fertility and some reproductive performance. In this study, the total of 110 Holstein cows at different body condition score (BCS) were used. The cows in oestrus were fertilized by artificial insemination. The diameters of preovulatory follicles were determined using ultrasound. In addition, serum progesterone levels were determined. The pregnancy diagnosis in cows was performed using ultrasound at 30-40 days after insemination. Initially, the rates of pregnancy following insemination were 26.6, 34.2, 43.3, 45.0 and 42.8 %, in the 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, ≥ 3.5 BCS groups (p 0.05) whereas the index of insemination and pregnancy were 2.79 and 3.07. Average of postpartum – first insemination time (day) was 85.05 and at 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, ≥3.5 body condition score were 95.22, 83.89, 84.00, 91.05, 63.86 (p 0.05). The diameter (cm) of the mean pre-ovulatory follicles were not different in BCS groups, which was found 1.48. In conclusion; Low and high BCS at AI was not associated significantly with postpartum-first insemination time, first insemination pregnancy rate, pregnancy and artificial insemination index.

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Artificial insemination , body condition score , Holstein cow , fertility , reproductive parameters

Veterinary Journal of Ankara University

115

Veterinary Journal of Ankara University