What is Repeat Breeding?

2020-05-26

When a cow repeatedly comes into heat during normal estrous cycles and fails to conceive after 3-4 natural services or artificial inseminations, these cows are called "Repeat Breeders".

Causes:

1) Hormonal imbalance or insufficient hormone secretion in the cow

2) Fertilization failure

3) Failure to detect heat at the right time

4) Uterine infections

5) Problems with artificial insemination

6) Use of poor quality semen

7) Improper timing or placement of semen

Approximately 81.87% of cases are due to infectious causes, while the remaining 18.13% are non-infectious reasons for failure to conceive.

Infectious causes:

1) Various types of microorganisms can cause this condition

2) Delayed ovulation combined with poor quality semen

3) Unfavorable uterine environment or presence of cysts/tumors/fibrosis in the uterus

4) Hormonal treatments causing ovarian cysts or other side effects

5) Congenital defects like blocked vaginal passage preventing sperm-egg union

6) Uterine infections typically occurring during natural service, unhygienic AI, or during/after parturition

Other factors influencing repeat breeding:

1) Mastitis increases repeat breeding rate and reduces production

2) Milk production levels affect repeat breeding rate

3) Number of previous calvings influences repeat breeding rate

4) Difficult calving can increase repeat breeding cases

5) Lack of treatment before first breeding may lead to repeat breeding

Diagnosis:

1) Repeat breeder cows often suffer from malnutrition

2) Cows with history of reproductive disorders may develop repeat breeding

3) Rectal palpation can diagnose repeat breeding (if uterus is swollen/painful)

Prevention strategies:

To prevent repeat breeding, proper farm environment and breeding records must be maintained. In this regard, Surjomukhi Animal Service's app can play a helpful role by maintaining AI records and farm management documentation.