Reproduction efficiency of Zebu and crossbred cows as measured by the inter-estrus and inter-service intervals at Bako

The study was conducted to evaluate the reproduction efficiency of zebu and crossbred cows measured by the inter-estrus and inter-service intervals using data from Bako Agricultural Research Center. The overall mean inter-estrus and inter-service intervals were 44.3 t 0.85 and 49.1 t 1.24 days, respectively. Comparison of the sire breeds indicated that the Jersey crosses had significantly (p < 0.00) the shortest inter-estrus (43.9 \B1 2.57 days) and inter-service (41.8 t 4.01 days) interval compared to the other sire breeds. The Boran and the Horro had the longest inter-estrus (51.2 t 3.10 days) and inter-service (62.2 t 2.92 days) intervals, respectively. Neither the crossbred nor the zebu cows significantly differed among each other in both traits. As a dam breed, the Homo was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from Boran in inter-estrus and inter-service intervals. Cows in the first parity had significantly (p < 0.001) the longest (55.8 t 2.61 days), while cows in the sixth parity had the shortest (40.3 t 2.25 days) inter-estrus interval, while the effect of parity on inter-service interval was not significant (p > 0.05) The first inter-service interval was significantly (p < 0.01) the longest (64.2 t 3.91 days) compared to subsequent inter-service intervals. The longest (p < 0.001) inter-service interval was observed in 1997 (68.6 t 7.32 days) and the shortest was recorded in 1998 (33.5 t 13.06 days), while the longest inter-estrus was recorded for cows that calved in 1991 (73.9 t 6.07 days) and the shortest for 1985 (30.4 t 4.17 days) Distribution of the inter-estrus and inter-service intervals into different estrus cycle length categories indicated that 43.2 and 42 % of the inter-estrus and inter-service intervals were within the normal (18 to 24 days) range of estrus cycle, while 13 and 5.6 percent were short (<1? days) and 38.8 and 45.4 percent were long (>36 days), respectively. The inter-estrus interval was significantly longer (p < 0.05) than the inter-service interval. From this study, it can be concluded that the prolonged inter-estrus and inter-service intervals could be due to poor heat detection, poor breeding and probably early embryonic mortality. Thus, improving the heat detection and breeding efficiency and identification of the causes of early embryonic mortality might enable in improvement of the overall reproductive efficiency of the farm.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Gebreyohannes, G., Tegegne, Azage, Diedhiou, M.L., Hegde, B.P.
Format:	Conference Paper biblioteca
Language:	English
Published:	Ethiopian Society of Animal Production 2003
Subjects:	cows, zebu cattle, reproductive performance, crossbreds, oestrous cycle,
Online Access:	https://hdl.handle.net/10568/51016
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!