Risk factors associated with abnormal parturition and their effects on production and reproductive performance in Frieswal cattle of India

Abstract

Records of 1024 Frieswal cows maintained at the Military Farm, Meerut, India over a period of 20 years from 1989 to 2008, sired by 91 bulls were included in the present study to assess the incidence and risk factors associated with abnormal parturition like dystocia, stillbirth, premature birth and abortion. The overall incidence of abnormal parturition in this herd of Frieswal was 14.01%, out of which 7.91, 3.99, 1.12 and 0.99% correspond to stillbirth, abortion, dystocia and premature birth. Wald Chi square analysis revealed season of calving (p<0.04), period of calving (p<0.0001) and parity (p<0.0008) influenced normal calving. The effect of abnormal parturition on the total milk yield, lactation length, calving interval and dry period was also assessed along with other non-genetic factors viz., season, period of calving and parity. A reduction in milk yield was observed (p<0.01) in animals which had undergone abnormal parturition (2723.75± 67.88 kg) in comparison to normally calved animals (3310.08± 35.36 kg). The dry period was also found to be longer in abnormally calved animals (127.18±4.63 days) than normal ones (117.75±2.39 days). Regular monitoring and better reproductive management will surely reduce the incidence of abnormal parturition, and thereby increase the production and reproductive performance of the animals.