Timed artificial insemination in dairy cattle

Year 2020, Vetexpo-2019, KHVD-2019, 22 - 22, 31.03.2020

Ümüt Cirit , Mehmet Ferit Özmen

Abstract

Intensive genetic selection for milk production without attention to reproductive performance has
contributed to an inverse relationship between milk production and reproduction. Therefore, estrus
detection and animal identification have become increasingly difficult in dairy herds because of rising
herd size and milk production. Poor estrus detection and low fertility to insemination at a detected estrus
are severe problems for dairy farms. The increasing size of herds necessitated the development of more
systematic programs for the management of reproduction. Because of the impact of high milk production
on reduced expression of estrus, timed artificial insemination (TAI) has become an important component
of management of reproduction in high-producing herds. With the use of TAI, the average calving interval
in USA has been reduced by 21 days over the last decade without any decrease in pregnancy rate per AI.
Over the past 20 years, numerous fixed-time AI programs have been developed. However, a TAI protocol
has not yet been developed that can be successfully implemented in all dairy farms. Many physiologic,
nutritional, cow comfort, and health issues can affect the success of these programs. Matching the use of
TAI programs with the farm conditions, goals and staff structure is probably most critical for success of
these protocols on specific dairy farms. It is much more useful for Veterinarians to learn the conditions for
the success of these synchronization programs, that is to learn the logic of TAI, instead of memorizing and
practicing of developed synchronization programs. Therefore, the factors affecting pregnancy rates of TAI
programs will be summarized in this presentation.

Keywords

dairy cattle, ovulation synchronization

References

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