SYr~POSIU~ 961

Short. 1967. Effects of bovine ]uteinizing (43) Stabenfeldt, G. 1968. (See discussion fol-
hormone and human chorionie gonadotro- lowing D. T. Armstrong's paper, In vitro
phin on the bovine corpus luteum in vivo. synthesis of progesterone.) J. Animal Sci.,
J. Reprod. Fertility, 14:277. 27(Suppl. 1) : 209.
(38) Shemesh, M., N. Ayalon, and H. R. Lindner. (44) Trimberger, G. W., and W. Hansel. 1955.
1967. Early effect of conceptus on plasma Conception rate and ovarian function fob
progesterone level in the cow. J. Reprod. lowing oestrus control by progesterone in-
Fertility, 15: 161. jections in dairy cattle. J. Animal Sci.,
(39) Simmons, K. 1% D. E. Cochrane, and D. 14 : 739.
K. Pommerantz. 1968. Immunofluoreseent (45) Wheatley, I. S., and H. M. Radford. 1969.
studies of bovine LH. J. Animal Sci., Luteinizing hormone secretion during the
27 : 1510. estrous cycle of the ewe as determined by
(40) Sinha, Y. N., and It. A. Tucker. 1969. radioimmunoassay. J. Reprod. Fertility,
Mammary development and pituitary pro- 19 : 211.
]actin level of helfers from birth through (46) Wiltbank, J. N. 1966. Modification of ovar-
puberty and during the estrous cycle. J. ian activity in the bovine following injec-
Dairy Sci., 52: 507. tion of oestrogen and gonadotrophin.
(41) Snook, R. ]3. 1968. Immunological and bio- Ovarian regulatory mechanisms. J. Rcprod.
logical properties of antiserum to bovine Fertility, (Suppl. 1) : 1.
LH. I n Protein and Polypeptide Itor- (47) Woolever, C. A. 1964. Sodium borotritide
moues. P a r t 3. M. Margou]ies, ed. Ex- as an agent for tritium labeling in the
cerpta Medica Foundation, Louvain, Bel- assay of steroid hormones. Proc. 2nd Int.
gium. Congr. Endocrinol. Part I, p. 287.
(42) Snook, R. B., M. R. ]3runner, R. R. Saatmen, (48) Woo]ever, C. A., and A. Goldfien. 1963. A
and W. Hansel. 1969. The effect of anti- double isotrope derivative method for
sera to ovine L H in h.vsterectomized and plasma progesterone assay. Intern. .J.
intact heifers. ]3io]. Reprod., 1: 49. Appl. Radiation Isotopes, 14: 163.

Diagnosis and Prevention of Infertility in Cattle

DAVID A. MORROW
College of Veterinary Medicine
Michigan State University, East Lansing 48823

Abstract systematic herd health p r o g r a m f o r a f o u r

A systematic procedure f o r reproduction years. The p r o g r a m reduced forced culling
specialists to conduct a herd infertility f r o m disease by one-third and pernfitted the
examination is outlined and discussed. The dairyman to double selective culling f o r low
procedure involves evaluation of breeding production and poor type.
history, feeding and management practices,
and examination of health records, herd,
and laboratory results to make an objective I n f e r t i l i t y is one of the most important eco-
diagnosis. A n analysis of data f r o m a dairy nomic losses in high-producing dairy herds.
herd with a repeat breeding problem is pre- Losses are caused by retained placenta, metritis,
sented. Recmnmendations for treatment and anestrus, silent estrus, cystic follicles, repeat
prevention were made and implemented, breeding, and abortions. A n y of these conditions
and benefits to the dairyman were evaluated. may affect only an individual or a large p a r t
The etiology was attributed principally to of the herd. I n some situations, modern feeding
a phosphorus deficiency in high-producing and management practices in large herds have
cows during early lactation, but estrus predisposed to and accentuated infertility
detection also was inadequate. Implementa- problems.
tion of recommendations reduced the num- The approach to solving the herd infertility
ber of services p e r conception f r o m 2.3 to problem should be as systematic and objective
1.6. as possible. E v e n with these precautions, it is
Procedures f o r maintaining high fertility not always possible to determine the cause of
in healthy herds also are discussed and infertility. A cause of infertility was not deter-
illustrated with results f r o m a herd on a mined in 36% of 87 herds with infertility
JOURNAL OF DAII{Y SCIEI~CE VOL. 53, NO. 7
9(}~ J O U [ t N & L O F DAII~Y SCIENCe'5

problems (10). Cooperation with a team of Breeding e.~eieney and calving i~terval.
extension personnel, nutritionists, endocrinolo- Breeding efficiency frequently is measured by
gists, verterinarians, and dairymen is essential the number of services per conception and non-
to solve some herd infertility problems. return percentages. The 30-day nonreturn per-
The objective of this p a p e r is to outline centage is useful for early detection of breeding
a systematic procedure for veterinarians to problems in the herd and may indicate the
diagnose a herd infertility problem after it has condition of the reproductive tract at the time
developed, and a procedure for maintaining of first service. A 60- to 90-day nonreturn per-
high fertility in healthy herds. centage 8 to 10% less than the 30-day percent-
age suggests too many early embryonic deaths
Systematlc Procedure for Conducting or repeat breeders, or both (7). First-service
Herd Infertility Exsminations conception rate based on pregnancy diagnosis
or birth of live calves is usually 5 to 8% lower
IDENTIPY THE PROBLE~ than the 60- to 90-day nonreturn percentage
Secure the breeding history of the herd before reported by bull studs (7).
visiting the farm. The dairyman should have When the breeding efficiency in the herd is
an accurate breeding history available for each below normal, the breeding results of individual
cow, including date of parturition, complica- cows should be examined. There may be a
tions and treatments, and condition of the calf. large proportion of the cows bred two or three
Estrus and service dates should be available. times or just a small proportion of the cows
This information may reveal a major herd bred eight to ten times. The number of repeat
problem of retained fetal membranes, metritis, breeders (cows bred three or more times) should
anestrus, cystic follicles, repeat breeding, or not exceed 10% of the herd.
abortions, so that attention can be focused on a Comparison of breeding efficiency of cows
specific problem. On the other hand, the dairy- and heifers is frequently useful. I f conception
man may be concerned about a repeat-breeding rate is higher in heifers bred by natural service
problem involving only the highest-producing than in cows bred with frozen semen, time of
cow which failed to conceive on third service. breeding, quality of semen, and insemination
The herd health history, including the veterinary techniques for cows should all be considered
herd reproductive procedures as well as the as potential causes of infertility. On the other
diagnosis, treatment, and response of abnormal hand, this comparison nmy reveal breeding prob-
reproductive conditions in individual postpar- lems exclusively among the heifers.
tum cows, nmy be helpful in arriving at a F o r maxinml milk production, the calving
diagnosis for the herd. To help identify the interval should be 12 to 13 months. I f it is less
problem, the following information from the than 11 months for individual cows, they are
breeding records should be considered: bred too soon after calving. An interval longer
Abortions. retained fetal membranes, metritis~ than 13 months can result from many disease
a~d cystic follicles. Abortions are frequently an and faulty management factors.
important cause of infertility. I n one report, Frequency of postpartum estrus and nature
mycotic infections were the most commonly of vulvar discharge. Anestrus occurs in animals
diagnosed cause of abortions. However, a with pyometra, inadequate nutrition, cystic
majority of' the cases were not diagnosed (5). follicles, and pregnancy. Records of examina-
When abortions occur, the fetus and placenta tions by the local veterinarian frequently assist
should be refrigerated and submitted by the diagnosis. F o r example, when a corpus luteum
local veterinarian for laboratory examination. is found in a healthy nonpregnant cow, silent
Paired serum samples collected from the dam or unobserved estrus is indicated. The corpus
at two- or three-week intervals should be frozen luteum is usually retained beyond the normal
for serological study. duration of the estrous cycle only in the presence
Retained fetal membranes in more than 10% of pyometra or pregnancy (9). Healthy post-
of the cows and metritis manifested by a partum cows have silent estrus more frequently
purulent discharge may be an indication of early in the postpartum period. Rectal palpa-
poor hygiene at parturition. Cystic follicles tions to detect ovulation can verify this condi-
occur more frequently following complications tion. Dairymen who observe cows in estrus
at parturition (9). The most common sign as- early in the postpartum period generally are
sociated with cystic follicles before 60 days doing a good job of estrus detection. The dura-
postpartura is anestrus. Later, short irregular tion of the estrous cycle is normally 18 to 24
estrous cycles are more frequent. days except a) early in the postpartum period
J()UR~AL OF DAIR.Y SCIE~OE VOL. 53, ~ 0 . 7
 sYMPosiu.~ 963

when it is 15 to 18 days (9) and b) with acute eral health and physical condition of the herd.
uterine infections when it is 10 to 15 days (6). I f nonlaetating cows are obese, or if lactating
Short irregular intervals frequently indicate cows are emaciated 6 to 8 weeks after parturi-
cystic follicles, whereas both short and long tion, feeding practices need revision. Specific
irregular intervals may indicate poor estlaas nutrient deficiencies may be determined by com-
detection. EsLrus intervals of 40 to 45 days or paring feed intake with calculated requirements.
60 to 65 days suggest nfissed estrous periods
Estrus detection procedures. Breeding at the
or early embryonic death. Some dairymen ob-
wrong time in relation to the onset of standing
serve cows more carefully for estrus before
estrus probably is the most important cause of
breeding than after breeding.
infertility. For maximal fertility, cows should
A bloody ]ochial discharge from the vagina
be turned out at least once and preferably twice
is normal at 7 to 14 days postpartum. Vaginal
daily for observation of standing estrus. Unfor-
nmcus discharge just before and during estrus
tunately, dairymen frequently are reluctant to
should be clear. A purulent discharge at any
perform this management practice. Estrus de-
time indicates infection somewhere in the repro-
tection frequently is difficult in free-stall opera-
ductive tract. The location of the infection can
tions and requires top priority by management.
be determined by veterinary examination of
Specific individuals should take responsibility
the reproductive tract.
for this important task. Cows can be success-
Time of breeding in relation to parturition fully bred near the end of standing estrus only
and onset of estrus. To maintain a ]2-month after accurate estrus detection.
calving interval, cows should have first breeding Metestrus bleeding is a normal occurrence
at about 60 days postpartum. I f all cows are about 48 hours after the onset of estrus in
cycling at this time and bred on the first estrus approximately 40% of cows. I f they are bred
after 60 days, the interval from parturition to at the proper time near the end of estrus,
first breeding should be 70 to 75 days. The bleeding occurs about 30 homes after service.
average interval to first breeding is frequently I f metestrus bleeding occurs before 24 hours
greater than 100 days, causing ]4- to 15-month after service, the cows are bred too late. I f
calving intervals in some herds. This finding is a it occurs more than 36 hours after service, the
sign that cows may not be cycling by 60 days, or cows are bred too early during estrus.
that estrus detection is inferior. Record system. I n addition to estrous and
The duration of standing estrus is normally
breeding records, another important asset is an
12 to 18 hours and shorter in heifers than in
individual life-time health record on each cow,
older cows. Ovulation occurs :12 to 14 hours
with symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of all
after the end of estrus. Greater variation in
disease conditions.
these intervals, or cows in standing estrus the
day following insemination suggests inferior EXA~IINATION OF :HERD
estrus detection.
After the nature of the problem is identified
Source and fertility of semen. I f cows are frmn the history, feeding, and management
bred by natural service, a fertility examination practices, the members o£ the herd should be
should be performed on each bull to determine examined. All animals should be included ex-
the cause of impaired fertility. I f artificial cept those which have been confirmed pregnant
insemination is practiced, the semen should be by palpation per rectum. Nothing can be
obtained from a reputable organization where assumed when a herd is examined for infer-
it is collected and processed according to the tility. Cows which have been anestrus for 5
American Veterinary Medical Association- months after service must be examined to con-
National Association of Animal Breeders rec- firm pregnancy. Individual reproduction and
ommended procedures (1). A record of the fer- health records should be provided to the veteri-
tility of individual sires is usually available narian as each cow is palpated, and the results
from the bull stud. I f someone other than a of each examination should be recorded. A
commercial breeding technician performs the reconuuended examination procedure follows:
inseminations, his insemination methods should First, if the cow is pregnant, estimate the
be reviewed. stage of pregnancy for comparison with the
interval from last service. Frequently, cows
EVALUATION OF FEEDING AND MANAGEMENT classified as repeat breeders or reported to
PROGRAMS be anestrous are pregnant. The relationship
Feeding practices. Successful feeding man- between stage of pregnancy and interval since
agement can usually be deternfined by the gen- breeding frequently is a good index of the ac-
JOURNAL OF D.~IRY SCIE~'CE VOL. 53, NO. 7
964 J O U R N A L OF D A I R Y SCIENCE

curacy of the records. Secondly, if the cow is tions include infectious bovine rhinotracheitis,
not pregnant, determine the stage of involution bovine virus diarrhea, and shipping fever
of the reproductive tract. Relate it to that ( P L 3 ) . Blood tests for leptospirosis and bru-
normally expected for the given postpartum cellosis also may be indicated.
interval. The examiner should also search for Feed samples. Silage, hay, and grain sam-
signs of salpingitis, metritis, pyometra, cervi-
ples are analyzed for protein, total digestible
citis, or vaginitis. Thirdly, if the cow is not nutrients, calcium, phosphorus, and trace min-
pregnant and there is evidence of ovarian activ- erals.
ity, estimate the stage of the estrous cycle from
This information is used to compare the feed
the size and consistency of follicles and cor- intake of cows of varying production with
pora lutea and consistency of the uterus. Cows National Research Council requirements (2).
considered anestrous frequently have corpora This information should be correlated with re-
lutea, suggesting silent or unobserved estrus. sults of the blood tests.
The examination results should be reviewed
and evaluated to determine the nature of the EVAImATIOI~ OF II~-FORMATIOI~AND DIAGNOSIS
problem and the specific cows involved. Then
a representative group of these cows should be The history, feeding and management prac-
selected for further study. F o r example, in tices, data collected from the herd examination,
the herd with a repeat breeding problem, the and laboratory results should be evaluated to
cows selected should include both those in the establish a diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis
early postpartum period and those with three can be achieved only by critically evaluating
or more services. each of the above areas and then correlating all
information. Tabularization of observations
(e.g., Table 1) is of material assistance.
COLLECTION OF SA1M:PLES FOg LABORATORY
EXAMINATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TREATMENT AND
Uterine cultures. This procedure of collecting PREVENTIO17
uterine swabs for culture and sensitivity is to These suggestions must be realistic and eco-
determine the presence of pathogenic organisms nomical in relation to the current feeding and
in the uterus and their sensitivity to antibiotics. management practices and to the managerial
The identification and sensitivity tests are bene- capability of the dairyman. The recommenda-
ficial in making an accurate diagnosis and in tions must be designed to alleviate the present
selecting the proper treatment, respectively. infertility problem as well as to prevent future
Diagnostic tests also should be conducted for problems.
vibriosis and trichomoniasis in herds using natu-
ral service. IMPLEMENTATIOlq OF RECOMAIENDATIOlqS
Uterine biopsies. This technique of collecting This area is frequently the most difficult part
uterine biopsies for histopathological examina- of the whole procedure. I t is very important
tion may confirm the presence of endometritis, to conlmunicate clearly with the dairyman, the
an important cause of infertihty. Endometritis local veterinarian, and the county extension
may be from poor sanitation, complications or agent. Best results are achieved by indicating
contamination at the time of parturition, or reasons for carrying out sensible recommenda-
from pneumovagina during the postpartum tions as well as the resultant benefits to be
period. derived.
Blood samples. Tests performed on blood FOLI,OW-LrP EVAI,UATIObl
should include hemoglobin, protein, calcium,
phosphorus, vitamin A, and serological examina- The best way to determine if the recommen-
tion. The results of these tests detect nutritional dations are followed successfully is to have the
deficiencies or previous disease conditions in county extension agent and local veterinarian
the herd. F o r example, in blood analyses con- provide information on the herd fertility three
ducted on 1,333 dairy cows, hemoglobin values to six months after the farm visit. Failure to
below 9.8 g/100 ml were associated with anes- improve fertility indicates need for re-evalua-
trus and repeat breeding in 530 cows (4). The tion.
803 cows with normal reproductive perfor-
mance had average hemoglobin of 10.67 g/100 Systematic Examination of an Infertile Herd
ml. Phosphorus deficiency also can cause in- The systematic procedures described above
fertility (8). The routine serological examina- for conducting a herd infertility examination
JOURI~AL OF DAIRY SCIENCE ~OI~. 53, NO. 7
 sY~eosiu~ 965

TABLE 1. Results of records, clinical examinations, and laboratory tests in a herd with repeat-
breeding problem.
Criterion Goal Observed
Abortions ( % ) lto2 1
Retained placentas (%) 5 to 10 5
Metritis (%) 5 to 10 5
Cystic follicles ( % ) 5 to 15 8
Anestrus after 60 days postpartmn (%) 2to5 2
Postpartum interval to ~irs~ estrns (days) 30 to 40 45
Postpartum interval to first breeding (days) 70 to 75 74
Breeding efficiency
Services per conception (no.) 1.3 to 1.5 2.3
30-day nonreturns (%) 70 to 75 41
60-90-day nonreturns (%) 65 to 70 44
Repeat breeders ( % ) 8 to 10 43
Calving interval (months) 12 to 13 14.3
Blood values
Calcium (mg/100 ml) 9 to 12 10.3
Phosphorus (rag/100 ml) 4 to 6 4.3
Protein (g/10O ml) 7 to 8 8.5
Hemoglobin (g/100 ml) 10 to 14 13.0
Vitamin A (/~g/100 ml) 20 to 40 35

TABLE 2. Results of exanfination of selected cows on F e b r u a r y 7, 1969.

Duration of
Calving Breeding estrous
Animal Age date date cycle Remarks
(years) (days)
1 5 1/8/69 -- -- Normal postpartum tract,
corpus luteum on left
ovary.
2 3 1/14/69 -- Normal postpartum tract.
3 7 1/15/69 -- Normal postpartum tract.
4 3 ]/23/68 7/12/68 Normal reproductive tract,
declining corpus luteum
on right ovary.
8/1/68 20
9/1/68 31
10/4/68 33
11/18/68 45
5 3 2/1/68 6/19/68 Normal reproductive tract.
8/3/68 45
9/24/68 52
6 4 2/14/68 5/7/68 Normal reproductive tract,
recent ovulation on
left ovary.
5/28/68 21
6/20/68 23
8/2/68 43
8/30/68 28
9/20/68 21

JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE ¥OL. 53, NO. 7

966 JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE

are illustrated below with data from a Michi- milk produced. The concentrate contained 8.2
gan dairy herd. kg of commercial minerals (33% calcium and
12% phosphorus) and 9.0 kg of salt in 909 kg.
:IDENTIFY PROBLE~£ Salt and minerals were not available free choice.
This 61-cow Holstein herd (Table 1) had a The vitamin and mineral supplementation pro-
repeat-breeding problem primarily in the high- vided 9,200 units of vitamin A, 5,300 units of
producing cows. Average production was 5,900 vitamin D per 0.45 kg of grain and trace min-
kg of milk and 220 kg of milk fat. erals. The corn silage contained 4.5 kg of urea
One abortion occurred at 93 days of gestation per 909 kg.
during the last year. Retained fetal membranes,
metritis, and cystic follicles occurred in less than EXAMINATION OF HERD
5% of the cows, and these responded to veteri- The reproductive histories and results of re-
nary care. Repeat-breeder cows were examined productive examinations on six cows are listed
and treated 24 to 36 hours following third ser- (Table 2). The three postpartum cows (Num-
vice. Cows were not routinely examined at 30 to bers 1, 2, and 3) were producing approximately
40 days postpartum to determine the involu- 40 kg of 3.5% milk daily. The owners had de-
tionary state of the reproductive tract. I-[ow- cided to sell the other cows and had stopped
ever, they were all examined for pregnancy by breeding these three repeat breeders (Numbers
the local veterinarian at 45 to 60 days after 4, 5, and 6) several months before our visit.
service. The herd was vaccinated each spring
for leptospirosis. There had been no major
C O L L E C T I O N OF S A M P L E S FOR LABORATORY E X -
disease outbreaks in the herd in recent years.
AMINATIONS
First estrus was observed in some cows by
20 days postpartum and in nearly all cows by Uterine cultures from six cows were all nor-
45 days. Yulvar discharge was usually normal. mal and only one uterine biopsy from the same
All cows were bred on first estrus after 60 days animals showed endometritis. Blood samples
postpartum and the interval from parturition from 6 cows revealed antibodies for infectious
to first breeding averaged 74 days. There were bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine virus diarrhea,
2.3 services per conception in 54 cows. The 30- and shipping fever in 1, 4, and 4 cows, respec-
and 60- to 90-day nonreturn rates were 41 and tively.
44%, and calving interval was 14.3 months. Blood samples from six cows were analyzed
Seven nonpregnant cows sold after 33 services for calcium, phosphorus, hemoglobin, and plas-
were not included in these calculations. ma protein. All values were normal except for
All cows were bred with frozen semen by three cows 25 to 30 days postpartum which had
several different inseminating technicians. Heif- below normal blood phosphorus (Table 3). The
ers were bred by natural service and had a hay, corn silage, and grain were analyzed for
higher conception rate than the cows. calcium, phosphorus, protein, and total digesti-
ble nutrients. The daily intake was compared
EVALUATION OF FEEDING AND ~A~AGEMENT
with requirements for cows with three levels of
PROGRA~S production. The cows producing 40.9 kg of
The herd was fed hay, corn silage, and one milk in early lactation had a 12.9-g deficiency
part of grain concentrate for each three parts of in daily phosphorus intake and a 1.94-kg deft-

TABLE 3. Concentration of blood components in selected animals.

Animal Age Calcium Phosphorus Hemoglobin Plasma protein
(years) ~(mg/100 ml) (g/100 ml)
1 5 10.1 3.3 12.6 8.0
2 3 10.1 3.8 10.6 8.9
3 7 9.S 3.7 12.8 9.1
4 3 9.7 4.9 13.1 8.4
5 3 10.2 5.4 14.9 7.9
6 4 11.8 5.0 14.3 8.6
Average 4.1 10.3 4.3 13.0 8.5
Normala 9.4-12.2 4.0-6.0 8.0-14.5 7.4-10.2
a See References (2) and (3).
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENC~ VOL. 53, NO. 7
 SYMPOSIUM 967

ciency in daily energy intake. The cows pro- alized salt per 909 kg of concentrate.
ducing ]3.6 and 27.3 kg of milk daily had 2. Increase the energy intake for the higher-
intakes of calcium, phosphorus, protein, and producing cows and decrease it for the lower-
total digestible nutrients which exceeded Na- producing cows.
tional Research Council requirements for a 3. Trace-mineralized salt and dicalcium phos-
600-kg cow. phate should be provided free choice to all cows
and heifers.
EVALUATION Ol~ I)TFOR:~[ATIO~.'~ AND DIAGNOSIS 4. Record all estrous periods and breeding dates
The breeding history of the herd indicated on an estrus expectancy chart to aid detection.
repeat breeding was the major problem (Table 5. Turn out cows at ]east once daily and observe
1). Feeding and management practices were carefully for standing estrus. Cows approaching
adequate, but cows were not turned out for the date of expected estrus should be turned
estrus detection. The owner reported little out twice daily. Breed cows near the end of
problem in finding cows in estrus, but it was standing estrus.
difficult to schedule breeding near the end of 6. An individual cow lifetime health record
standing estrus. There were four cows with should be used to record the symptoms, diagno-
abnormal estrus intervals and three with 40- sis, and treatment for all reproductive and other
to 43-day intervals, suggesting silent or unob- diseases.
served estrus (Table 2). 7. Calves should be vaccinated at 8 to 10 months
Examination of the cows indicated that the of age for infectious bovine rhinotrachetitis,
reproductive tracts were normal on palpation bovine virus diarrhea, and shipping fever (PI-3
per rectum (Table 2). The uterine cultures and and Pasteurella). The serum titers indicated
biopsies were all normal except for endometritis that individual cows had been exposed to all
in one cow. The blood values were normal ex- three of these diseases.
cept for three high-producing cows (Numbers
1, 2, and 3) in early lactation which had sub- IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS
normal blood phosphorus (Table 3). The herd
had been exposed to infectious bovine rhino- The owner and local veterinarian each re-
traeheitis, bovine virus diarrhea, and shipping ceived a copy of the above recommendations
fever (PI-3) according to the serum titers, but with reasons for implementation.
there was no indication that these diseases were
FOLLOW-UP EVALUATIO~
responsible for the infertility.
The feed analyses indicated that the high- All recommendations but Number 5 were
producing cows in early lactation had a dietary instituted after the visit to the farm. Sixteen
deficiency of phosphorus and energy. Although cows were bred and 11 (69%) conceived on first
the feeding and management practices contri- service. The number of services per conception
buted to the repeat-breeding problem, the cir- for the group was 1.6. This breeding efficiency
cumstantial evidence indicated that a phosphorus was maintained for the next 12 months.
deficiency in high-producing cows during early
lactation at the approximate time of breeding Prevention of Infertility in Dairy Cattle
was responsible for the repeat-breeding prob- Postpartum diseases have important effects on
lem. This diagnosis was substantiated by sub- subsequent reproductive performance. Syste-
normal blood phosphorus in three early-lactation matic monthly veterinary examination helps pre-
cows. The deficiency in energy intake at this vent and control reproductive problems in high-
same time was not sufficient to prevent estrus. producing cattle and makes a 12- to i3-month
calving interval possible. Close observation of
RECOMMENDATIONS "FOR T R E A T M E N T AND PRE- all cows and good management and health
VENTIOI~ records also are essential. Cows should be
1. Increase the phosphorus content of the examined according to the following schedule
ration. This can be accomplished by removing for best results and maximum return from
the current mineral supplement and adding veterinary services :
9.0 kg of dicalcium phosphate (26% calcium 1. Cows with retained placenta should be ex-
and 20% phosphorus) and 4.5 kg of sodium amined and treated 24 to 72 hours postpartum.
tripolyphosphate (25% phosphorus) p e r 909 They should be re-examined once or twice prior
kg. The trace minerals previously provided by to breeding, to ensure that the uterus is free of
the commercial mineral supplement can be sup- apparent infection and has returned to normal
plied by adding 4.5 to 9.0 kg of trace-miner- size.
JOUR~rAL OF DAIRY SCIEN'CE VOL. 53, NO. 7
968 JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE

2. Cows with a purulent or fetid discharge from 6. Cows bred three or more times should be
the vulva at 15 days postpartum should be ex- examined 24 to 36 hours after service to deter-
amined and treated. The discharge is usually mine the cause of breeding difficulty.
secondary to a dystocia, retained placenta, or 7. Cows can be examined for pregnancy at 30
other calving complications and may originate to 45 days after breeding. They should be
from either the uterus, cervix, vagina, or all re-examined at 60 to 90 days to reconfirm
three areas. I f infection is not localized early pregnancy.
by veterinary diagnosis and treatment, it can Results of a preventive program of this kind
spread to adjacent genitalia, making treatment are shown for a dairy herd over a four-year
more difficult and recovery prolonged. period (Table 4). The calving interval was
3. Cows with an abnormal discharge or cloudy maintained within the goal of 12 to 13 months,
mucus during estrus should be examined to and breeding efficiency measured by services
determine if infection is present. per conception and nonreturn rates was es-
4. Cows should be examined at 25 to 40 days sentially normal.
after parturition and prior to breeding to make Forced culling of animals for disease purposes
sure that the reproductive tract is free of gross decreased from 55 to 19% during the four years
infection and undergoing involution at a normal the herd was on a reproductive health program.
rate. Treatment of most postpartum problems This decrease in forced culling permitted selec-
is easier and less costly when it is begun at tive culling of animals for reasons of low pro-
duction and poor type to increase from 33 to
this time.
69% with a concurrent 20% increase in herd
5. Cows with abnormal estrous cycles at 45 to size.
60 days postpartum should be examined. Cystic
follicles and silent or unobserved estrus are References
important causes of apparent anestrus at this (1) Anonymous. 1966. Code of minimum stan-
stage. dards for health of bulls and hygiene of

TABLE 4. Performance of a dairy herd on a veterinary reproductive health program.

Year
Criterion 1965 1966 1967 1968
Total cows (no.) 48 51 61 60
Calving interval (days) :12.4 12.4 12.7 12.4
Services/conception (no.)
Cows 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.5
Heifers 1.1 1.1 1.5 1.5
30-Day nonreturns (%)
Cows 80 82 56 65
Heifers 86 83 83 59
60- to 90-Day nonreturns (%)
Cows 63 74 62 64
Heifers 91 86 67 65
Abortions (no.) 0 0 2 1
Cows culled (%) 19 29 13 26
Reasons for culling
Low production (no.) 3 5 3 8
Poor type (no.) 0 3 2 3
Infertility (no.) ] 2 1 2
Mastitis (no.) 1 2 1 ]
Traumatic gastritis (no.) 1 1 0 0
Calving complications (no.) 2 0 0 0
Others (no.) 1 2 1 2
Use of AI-proven sires (%) 37 43 52 67

JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE ~i]'OL, 53, NO. 7

 S~MPOSlUM 969

bull studs producing semen for artificial The effect of artificial insemination with
insemination. Natl. Ass. Animal Breeders, semen contaminated with IBR-IPV virus.
Columbia, Missouri. Cornell Yet., 57: 3.
(2) Anonymous. 1966. Nutrient Requirements (7) Morrow, D. A. 1966. Analysis of herd
of Dairy Cattle. Natl. Res. Council, Pub]. performance and economic results of pre-
1349, Washington, D.C. ventive dairy herd health programs. Vet.
(3) Benjamin, M. 1965. Outline of Veterinary Med., 61 : 474.
Clinical Pathology. Iowa State University (8) Morrow, D. A. 1969. Phosphorus deficiency
Press, Ames. and infertility in dairy heifers. J. Amer.
(4) Hansel, W. H. 1968. ]~ndocrlnology for Vet. Med. Ass., 154: 761.
animal scientists. (Unpublished). Dep. (9) Morrow, D. A., S. J. Roberts, and K.
Animal Sci., Cornell University, Ithaca, McEntee. 1966. Postpartum ovarian ac-
New York. tivity and uterine involution in dairy cat-
(5) Hillman, R. B. 1 9 6 9 . Bovine mycotic tle. J. Amer. Vet. Med. Ass., 149: 1596.
placentitis in New York State. Corne]l Vet., (10) Wagner, W. D., and K. McEntee. 1960.
59 : 269. Herd approach to infertility problems in
(6) Kendrick, J. W., and K. McEntee. 1967. cattle. Cornell Vet., 50: 197.

Managing Dairy Cattle for Fertility 1

LOUIS J. BOYD
Department of Dairy, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48823

Abstract may enable mass handling of cows at

High reproductive efficiency in dairy breeding time.
herds is dependent upon good management.
Accurate records on the reproductive status
of each cow are essential for efficient man- Introduction
agement and for diagnoses by veterinarians. Much progress has been made in the last
No single nutrient is required specifically three decades in the improvement of dairy
for reproduction alone. The nutritive re- cattle fertility. Artificial insemination has
quirements for reproduction should be ade- played an important role in reduction of various
quately supplied. Current evidence fails diseases, particularly those most often spread
to show any relationship between infer- by contact of male with female (8,10). Based
tility and feeding urea at recommended on current progress (11), it appears that we
levels. may soon expect some rebel from another
Following parturition, rebreeding should important source of infertility--endocrine im-
be delayed until the reproductive tract has balances. Practical laboratory assays for hor-
fully recovered from pregnancy. Without mones involved in reproduction are currently
postpartum examinations to confirm that being developed. When these tests become
cows are ready to breed, higher fertility available clinically, they should prove to be
may be expected by waiting 60 days or extremely useful to veterinarians in the diagno-
more after caning before rebreeding. Cows sis and treatment of infertility.
and heifers should be observed carefully
Even with rapid developments in disease con-
at least twice daily for standing estrus, and
trol and hormone analyses, we still must recog-
should be inseminated near the end of
nize management as a significant factor, if we
standing estrus. Faulty estrus detection
are to achieve high fertility in our dairy herds.
and breeding at the wrong time during
Regular reproduction of cows requires individual
estrus constitute prime management errors
attention to each cow at parturition and at the
that limit reproductive efficiency.
time of breeding. Reproductive management
Current progress in hormone assays
does not appear to be as conducive to mass
should provide clinical tests for future use
handling of cows in large herds as other man-
in managing cattle reproduction and in
agement areas, such as feeding. Although in
diagnosis and treatment of infertility. It is
possible that estrus and ovulation control the future we may be able to group some of our
cows for reproductive management, it is not
1Approved for publication by the Michigan Agri- likely that we can completely escape individual
cultural Experiment Station as Journal Article no. handling of cows insofar as reproduction is
4982. concerned.
ffOUR~ALO~ DAIRYSCIENCEVOL.53, NO. 7