Treating infertility, a common problem in cattle
INDIA - Infertility in cattle accounts for major economic losses in dairy farming and dairy industry in India. Maintaining an infertile animal is an economic burden and in most countries such animals are driven to slaughterhouses.
21 December 2006
1 minute read
In cattle, nearly 10-30 per cent of lactations may be affected by infertility and reproductive disorders. To attain good fertility or high calving rate both the male and female animals should be well fed and free from diseases.
Many reasons
The causes of infertility are many and can be complex. Infertility or failure to conceive and give birth to a young one can be due to malnutrition, infections, congenital defects, management errors and ovulatory or hormonal imbalances in the female, according to Dr. Cecilia Joseph, Associate Professor,Department of Clinics, Madras Veterinary College,Chennai.
Sexual cycle
Both cows and buffaloes have the sexual cycle (oestrus) once in 18-21 days for 18-24 hours. But in buffaloes, the cycle is silent posing a big problem to the farmers.
Successful heat deduction is possible only when the animals can be properly identified when they come in oestrus (heat), proper maintenance of records and proper training of staff.
The farmers should closely monitor the animals 4-5 times from early morning to late night. Poor heat deduction can cause increased levels of infertility.
Considerable skill is needed to deduct the animals in heat for visible signs. Farmers who maintain good records and spend more time watching the animals obtain better results.
Source: The Hindu
