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Effect of suckling on reproductive activities of Bunaji cows during the postpartum period

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

L. O. Eduvie  and
P. M. Dawuda
L. O. Eduvie
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
P. M. Dawuda
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
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Summary

Forty-one cows were used to determine calving intervals, intervals from calving to conception and pregnancy rates at 60–90 days postpartum for suckled and nonsuckled Bunaji cows. Twelve of the cows (six suckled and six non-suckled) were used to study the serum progesterone concentrations during the postpartum period. The mean intervals from calving to conception were 232·5 and 72·6 with calving intervals of 512·5 and 352·6 days for suckled and non-suckled cows, respectively. Pregnancy rates at 60–90 days postpartum were 21·1 and 72·7% for suckled and non-suckled animals, respectively. The overall mean calving interval and interval from calving to conception for all cows were 426·7 and 146·7 days, respectively, with a conception rate of 48·8%.

Based on serum content of progesterone and rectal palpation of ovaries, one of six suckled cows resumed ovarian activities within the first 90 days of calving with peak progesterone of 0·7 ng/ml. Four of six non-suckled cows resumed cyclic activities and conceived within the same period. Two of the four cows conceived at the first postpartum cycle and the remaining two conceived at the second cycle. The serum progesterone concentrations of the cows ranged from 0·1 to 6·9 ng/ml during the nonfertile cycle and 0·1 to 15 ng/ml at pregnancy. It is concluded that suckling interfered with ovarian activities and thus conception during the postpartum period, resulting in a prolonged calving interval.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 107 , Issue 2 , October 1986 , pp. 235 - 238
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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