title: Toward improved postpartum cyclicity of primiparous dairy cows: Effects of genetic merit for production traits under contrasting feeding systems.
abstract: Milk genetic merit is known to affect commencement of luteal activity (C-LA) in dairy cows. This effect is considered to be due to energy exported in milk production. The present study aimed to identify and quantify the effects of genetic characteristics [breed and estimated breeding value (EBV) for milk yield and fat and protein contents] and feeding system on C-LA of primiparous cows. From 2006 to 2013, an experiment was conducted on 97 primiparous dairy (Holstein) and 97 primiparous dual-purpose (Normande) cows. Within breed, cows were classified into 2 groups: cows with high EBV for milk yield were included in a "milk group" and those with high EBV for fat and protein contents were included in a "content group." Within breed, exported energy in milk and body weight (BW) loss were similar for both genetic groups. Two grazing-based strategies were used, a high feeding system (maize silage in winter and grazing plus concentrate) and a low feeding system (grass silage in winter and grazing with no concentrate). Interval from calving to C-LA was studied performing survival analyses. Milk progesterone profile, milk yield, and body condition were analyzed using χ(2)-test and analysis of covariance. Holstein cows produced more milk (+1,810 kg in the high feeding system and +1,120 kg in the low feeding system) and lost more BW from wk 1 to 14 of lactation (-1.4 kg/wk) than Normande cows, whereas Normande cows had earlier C-LA than Holstein cows. Within breed, cows in the content group had earlier C-LA (associated hazard ratio=2.0) than cows in the milk group. Body weight at calving and loss from wk 1 to 14 of lactation tended to be associated with later C-LA. Cows in the high feeding system produced more milk (+2,040 kg for the Holstein cows and +1,350 kg for Normande cows) and lost less BW from wk 1 to 14 of lactation (+3.8 kg/wk) than cows in the low feeding system. No effect of feeding system or milk yield was observed on C-LA. Prolonged luteal phases were frequent (18% of cows) and were not associated with either breed or genetic group. Ovarian cycles were longer for Holstein than for Normande cows (+1.7d) because of a longer luteal phase and a longer interluteal interval. Results of the study could be useful to establish strategies to manage declining reproductive performances at genetic and environmental levels. This study showed that cows with a genetic predisposition to export milk energy through fat and protein contents had earlier C-LA than predisposed to export milk energy through yield.
authors.affiliation: INRA UMR 1348 PEGASE, F 35590 Saint-Gilles, France; Agrocampus-Ouest UMR 1348 PEGASE, F 35000 Rennes, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bedere
authors.affiliation: INRA UMR 1348 PEGASE, F 35590 Saint-Gilles, France; Agrocampus-Ouest UMR 1348 PEGASE, F 35000 Rennes, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Delaby
authors.affiliation: INRA UMR 1313 GABI, F 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ducrocq
authors.affiliation: INRA UE 326 Domaine Expérimental du Pin-au-Haras, F 61310 Exmes, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leurent-Colette
authors.affiliation: INRA UMR 1348 PEGASE, F 35590 Saint-Gilles, France; Agrocampus-Ouest UMR 1348 PEGASE, F 35000 Rennes, France. Electronic address: catherine.disenhaus@agrocampus-ouest.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Disenhaus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001947:Breeding; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005248:Feeding Methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000235:genetics*; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D019655:Quantitative Trait, Heritable; D012098:Reproduction; D012621:Seasons; D012820:Silage / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D003313:Zea mays
chemical_list: D005223:Fats; D008894:Milk Proteins; D011374:Progesterone
keywords: cyclicity; dairy cow; genetic merit; primiparous