title: Intensity of oestrus signalling is the most relevant indicator for animal well-being in high-producing dairy cows.
abstract: Full signalling of oestrous behaviour is vital for proper timing of AI and good reproductive performance, currently jeopardized by shorter observations of oestrus behaviour. Alternative indicators including progesterone (P(4)) recordings on-farm are tested. Oestrous intensity of 37 heifers (H) and 30 1st-parity dairy cows (C(1)) either Swedish Red (32) or Swedish Holstein (35) with high genetic potential for milk production, was studied in relation to AI. P(4)-levels in blood or milk were monitored on-farm at 0, 7, and 20 d post-AI with a portable ELISA reader (eProCheck(800)). Avoidance distance and body condition were scored at day 7, and pregnancy diagnosed by P(4) (day 20) and trans-rectal palpation (day 50). More heifers (46%) than C(1)-cows (10%) showed standing oestrus (strongest intensity, P < 0.05), leading to higher pregnancy rate at d50 (72% versus 37% for C1, P < 0.01) and calving rate (H: 64%, C1: 33%, P < 0.05). Avoidance distances were short (<1 m), reflecting good human-animal interaction. Visually-recorded standing oestrus yielded 4.8 fold higher odds of pregnancy, respectively 4.6-fold higher odds of calving. On-farm P4-recordings had complementary value yet less accuracy. Intensity of oestrus signalling relates to animal well-being, reflected in pregnancy-to-term being a good indicator for optimal welfare in high-producing dairy cattle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 532 23 Skara, Sweden.
authors.forename: Emanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hultgren
authors.forename: Pontus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fällman
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geust
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Algers
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stilwell
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gunnarsson
authors.forename: Heriberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Martinez