EVALUATION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS OF FRIESIANS, BUNAJI AND CROSSED COWS IN A SUBTROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Herd health fertility records of 248 cows comprising 103 Friesians, 84 Bunaji and 61 Crossbreeds in Vom from 1992-1999 were utilized to study the incidence of reproductive problems. The overall incidence of various reproductive problems was 54.4% and this was more frequent (P<0.001) in crossbred cows (72.6%) than in Friesians, (59.9%) and in Bunaji (32.7%). Second Calvers (67.1%) were more susceptible (P<0.01) to reproductive problems than heifers (56.0%) and mature cows (45.3%). The incidence of still birth (8.10%) and relative infertility (8.2%), were influenced by genotype (P<0.05); similarly genotypic differences (P<0.001) were observed in the incidence of retained placenta (7.4%). Abortion (5.6%), dystocia (12.2%) and repeat breeding (12.5%) were uniformly distributed among genotypes. Parity of dams had marked influence (P<0.001) on dystocia, still birth and retained placenta. Significant differences (P<0.0l) were also observed on the incidence of relative infertility, but the rate of dystocia (P<0.01), abortion and repeat breeding (P<0.001) varied with the years. The results emphasize the need for greater management intervention to reduce the incidence of reproductive problems in sub tropical cattle herds.