Factors affecting reproductive performance of dairy cows first inseminated after five weeks postpartum

Abstract

Various factors influencing reproduction of 307 Holstein cows were evaluated. Sources of variation of several measures were estrous certainty, time of day of detected estrus and insemination, method of thawing semen, ease of cervix penetration, presence of clear mucus at insemination, service number, service sire, inseminator, age of cow, maximum ambient temperature on the service date, and milk yield. Interval to first service of older cows was longer than of younger cows and shorter for cows with higher milk yield. Conception rate was higher for inseminations before noon than after noon and tended to be lower at inseminations when milk yield was at the extremes (low or high). Rate of conception was similar for cows whether inseminated at early or later postpartum intervals. More services were required by cows that were inseminated when milk yield was at the extremes (low or high). Fewer days open were associated with fewer total services and younger age at conception. Cows inseminated with semen thawed in hot (65 degrees C, 7 to 10 s) or warm (35 degrees C, 30 s) water conceived earlier postpartum than did those inseminated with semen thawed in the cow. Submitting cows for insemination after detection of standing estrus, mounting activity, or less certain symptoms of estrus had no adverse effect on fertility or days open.