Major management factors associated with reproductive performance and disorders in cows at Rajshahi region of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: The present study was conducted with the objective of assessing major factors that affect the reproductive performance and disorders of dairy cows in Rajshahi region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from January 2014 to June 2015. Data on herd size, feed quality, breeding, grazing, management system, reproductive disorders, age at puberty, age at firs calving, post-partum heat period, service per conception, days open and calving interval of 500 cows were collected from farm owners by administering a questionnaire. We recorded the important diseases contacting farmers by mobile phone and visiting the farms. The effect of farm size, rearing system, feed quality and preventive measure on reproductive performance were evaluated by analysis of variance and Duncan multiple range test. Unpaired T-test was used to compare the reproductive performance according to breeding. Chi-square test was used to compare between two categories of a dichotomous outcome.. Results: The age at puberty, age at first calving, post-partum heat period, service per conception, days open and calving interval were 26.42±0.22 m, 35.48±0.22 m, 121.85±3.48 days, 1.93±0.04, 136.80±3.57 days and 401.04±3.94 days, respectively. Farm size had significant effect (P<0.05) on all reproductive traits (RT) except on service per conception and days open. The best reproductive performance (RP) was found in small size farm, good quality of feed, AI breeding method and preventive measure by veterinarian. Among the disorders, anoestrus, abortion, repeat breeding, retained placenta were most prevalent followed by dystocia, mastitis, vaginal prolapse, pyometra, metritis, uterine prolapse, milk fever, and still birth. The highest prevalence of reproductive disorders (RD) was found in intensive rearing system (39.8%). The prevalence of all RDs was higher in artificially inseminated cows (59.6%) than those bred by natural service (19.0%). Conclusion: The study revealed a lower RP of dairy cows and higher prevalence of RDs. The better reproductive performance was recorded in small than large and medium farms. Good quality of feed should be offered to dairy cow for better reproductive performance. Artificial insemination should also be preferred than natural service for better reproductive performance. Measures to control reproductive diseases should be undertaken in large herds and intensive housing system.