title: Comparison of the calving-to-conception interval in dairy cows with different degrees of lameness during the prebreeding postpartum period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare calving-to-conception intervals among cows classified as nonlame, moderately lame, or lame during the prebreeding postpartum period and to examine the relationship between severity of lameness and time to conception in cows that were classified as lame.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  499 Holstein cows.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cows in the prebreeding postpartum period were classified as nonlame, moderately lame, or lame by use of a 6-point locomotion scoring system. Time to conception (days) was compared among cows. A low, medium, or high cumulative locomotion score was assigned to lame cows, and time to conception among those cows was compared. Cows classified as lame were examined on a tilt table for diagnosis and treatment of lameness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  154 (31%), 214 (43%), and 131 (26%) cows were classified as nonlame, moderately lame, and lame, respectively. Most cows classified as lame had laminitis (54%) or disorders of the claw (33%). Median time to conception was 36 to 50 days longer in lame cows than in nonlame cows. Among lame cows, the median time to conception was 66 days longer in cows with high cumulative locomotion scores than in cows with low scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonlame cows became pregnant more quickly than lame cows. Lame cows with low cumulative locomotion scores during the prebreeding postpartum period became pregnant sooner than lame cows with high scores. Early diagnosis and intervention may mitigate the effects of lameness and improve reproductive performance in lame dairy cows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0136, USA.
authors.forename: Jorge A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: Eduardo J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Garbarino
authors.forename: Jan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Risco
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Thatcher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006724:Hoof and Claw / Q000473:pathology*; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors