POSTPARTUM ANOESTRUS IN EXTENSIVELY MANAGED BEEF COWS

POSTPARTUM ANOESTRUS IN EXTENSIVELY MANAGED BEEF COWS

SOUL WASHAYA,

CLARICE P. MUDZENGI,

VIMBAI GOBVU,

TAKUDZWA MAFIGU

RATCHEL MUTORE

Cows should produce a calf every year, unfortunately, communal beef cows
face unique and numerous challenges, which often preclude achieving this goal.
In this review, we describe the lack of ovarian activity in beef cows as influenced
by endocrine, behavioral, psychological and environmental factors, in order to
promote pragmatic interventions for cattle productivity under communal produc-
tion systems. Following parturition, cows undergo a significant period of sexual
quiescence that varies widely and, nutritional deficiencies, suckling, hormonal
imbalances and stress have been implicated. The resumption of estrous cycles
postcalving in these cows exceeds the 80-day mark. This delay is predicated on the
lack of the positive feedback effects of estradiol on luteinizing hormone, circu-
lating concentrations of metabolic hormones and growth factors. These delays
decrease conception rates and increase calving to conception intervals, common in
extensively managed beef cows. The production conditions inadvertently surmise
producers to become hesitant to use assisted reproductive technologies that are
known to improve efficiencies. In addition, feed supplementation, which is nonex-
istent in such production systems, is a strategy readily leveraged by beef and dairy
producers in commercial systems. Options for treating cows with an extended PPI
are germanely going forward

IntechOpen

2024