Prepartum and peripartum reproductive performance of dairy heifers freshening at young ages. 1991

N A Simerl, and C J Wilcox, and W W Thatcher, and F G Martin
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.

Reproductive performance of five breeds (81% Holstein or Jersey) in the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station herd was evaluated from data collected over 20 yr. Data represented 1144 parturitions after gestations greater than 250 d with all twin births excluded. Number of services per conception was not affected by age at first insemination. Mean age of exposure to first service was 414 d; mean age at first parturition was 25.8 mo. Overall, 39.7% of heifers calved at 23 mo or less. Intermediate ages, 24 to 27 mo, comprised 33.9% of heifers, whereas 26.4% of heifers calved at greater than or equal to 28 mo. Overall incidences of problems at parturition were retained fetal membranes, 3.6%; dystocia, 3.8%; metritis, 10.5%; and stillbirth, 11.5%. Frequencies of stillbirth and retained fetal membranes apparently were not affected by age, but metritis increased linearly with age at first parturition. Holsteins experience higher incidences of all problems than did Jerseys. Heritability (from paternal half-sib correlation) of birth weights and gestation lengths were .31 and .24; genetic correlation was .14. Heritabilities of occurrence of stillbirth, retained fetal membranes, metritis, and dystocia were negative and considered to be 0. Heritabilities of age at first service, days from first service to conception, number of services, and age at first parturition were .22, .11, .05, and .43. Dairy producers can consider reducing age at first parturition to at least 22 mo, under environmental and management conditions of this study, without increased frequencies of problems at parturition.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007744 Obstetric Labor Complications Medical problems associated with OBSTETRIC LABOR, such as BREECH PRESENTATION; PREMATURE OBSTETRIC LABOR; HEMORRHAGE; or others. These complications can affect the well-being of the mother, the FETUS, or both. Complications, Labor,Labor Complications,Complication, Labor,Complication, Obstetric Labor,Complications, Obstetric Labor,Labor Complication,Labor Complication, Obstetric,Labor Complications, Obstetric,Obstetric Labor Complication
D010922 Placenta Diseases Pathological processes or abnormal functions of the PLACENTA. Placenta Disorders,Placental Diseases,Disease, Placenta,Disease, Placental,Diseases, Placenta,Diseases, Placental,Disorder, Placenta,Disorders, Placenta,Placenta Disease,Placenta Disorder,Placental Disease
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D012098 Reproduction The total process by which organisms produce offspring. (Stedman, 25th ed) Human Reproductive Index,Human Reproductive Indexes,Reproductive Period,Human Reproductive Indices,Index, Human Reproductive,Indexes, Human Reproductive,Indices, Human Reproductive,Period, Reproductive,Periods, Reproductive,Reproductive Index, Human,Reproductive Indices, Human,Reproductive Periods
D001947 Breeding The production of offspring by selective mating or HYBRIDIZATION, GENETIC in animals or plants. Breedings
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002418 Cattle Diseases Diseases of domestic cattle of the genus Bos. It includes diseases of cows, yaks, and zebus. Bovine Diseases,Bovine Disease,Cattle Disease,Disease, Bovine,Disease, Cattle,Diseases, Bovine,Diseases, Cattle
D004420 Dystocia Slow or difficult OBSTETRIC LABOR or CHILDBIRTH. Dystocias
D004716 Endometritis Inflammation of the ENDOMETRIUM, usually caused by intrauterine infections. Endometritis is the most common cause of postpartum fever. Endomyometritis
D005260 Female Females

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