Study on oestrous activity and reproductive efficiency of lactating baladi and crossbred cows in Egypt
Abstract: This study was conducted to compare the oestrous activity and postpartum reproductive efficiency of Baladi and crossbred (Friesian x Baladi) cows kept under the traditional conditions of small holdings in Desok village. Kafr El-Shiekh governorate Egypt. Total of 26 lactating Baladi and crossbred cows. aged 5-9 years and between 36 parities were targeted in this study. The obtained results indicated that frequent sniffing to other female, restlessness and stiffed teat (95.0.80.0 and 70.0%. respectively) were the main signs used in Baladi versus mucus discharge. frequent urination and sniffing to other female (85.0. 80.0 and 70.096. respectively) in crossbred cows. About 90% of crossbred cows did not increase their activity peak more than 6 h versus 70% of Baladi cows. Peak of oestrous activity in 65-70% of Baladi and crossbred cows occurred at early morning between 06:00 and 09:00 h versus 20% in crossbred and 15% in Baladi cows showing oestrous activity at early evening (>18:00 h). All Baladi cows versus 90% of crossbred cows exhibited oestrous activity throughout 90 days postpartum. Average number of oestrus cases per animal was greater in crossbred than in Baladi cows (1.2 vs.1.4/animal). All cows showed oestrous activity during hot versus 90% in cold season. Average number of oestrus cases per animal was greater in cold than in hot season (1.2 vs. l.4/animal). Oestrous cycle length was similar in both cow groups being 22.0 days. All oestrous cycles observed during cold season in crossbred and during hot season in Baladi cows. Average postpartum 1st service (PPFSI) interval was shorter (P<0.05) in Baladi than in crossbred cows (47.8 vs. 58.2 d). Baladi cows showed longer PPFSI in cold than in hot (49.3 vs. 46.3 d), while crossbred cows showed an opposite trend (48.3 vs. 68.0 d). Length of service period (SP) was shorter and number of services / conception (NSC) was less in Baladi cows (3.8 days and 1.14 S/C) than in crossbred cows (13.4 days and 1.42 S/C), but the differences were not significant. Average SP was shorter and NSC was less in hot (3.8 days and 1.14 S/C) than in cold (13.4 days and 1.42 S/C), but this difference was not significant. Average number of days open (DO) was shorter (p<0.05) in Baladi than in crossbred cows (51.6 vs. 71.6 d). DO tended to be insignificantly shorter in hot than in cold season (60.9 vs. 62.3 d). DO of crossbred cows tended. to be shorter in hot than in cold (68.0 vs. 75.2 d), while an opposite trend was observed in Baladi cows (49.3 vs. 53.7 d). Baladi cows showed shorter calving interval (CI) than in crossbred cows (336.5 vs. 346.6 d, P<0.05). Average CI of Baladi cows was longer in hot than in cold (328.7 vs. 324.3 d), however, it was 343.0 and 350.2 days in hot and cold for crossbred cows, respectively. Average herd pregnancy rate of cows within 90 days postpartum was higher (P<0.05) for Baladi (100%) than crossbred cows (92.3%). All Baladi cows were conceived during 60 days postpartum in cold and during 90 days postpartum in hot season. However, all crossbreds were conceived during 90 days postpartum in hot versus only 85.7% in cold season.
In conclusion, local Egyptian cows (Baladi showed better postpartum reproductive performance than crossbred cows (Baladi x Friesian), in particular in hot season. On the other hand, most reproductive measures of crossbred cows improved in hot season as compared to Friesian cows raised under summer conditions in Egypt.
Keywords: Baladi cows, crossbred cows, oestrous activity, days open, pregnancy rate.
Publication year 2007
Pages 123-148
Availability location معهد بحوث الانتاج الحيوانى- شارع نادى الصيد- الدقى - الجيزة
Availability number
Organization Name
City المنصورة
serial title Mansoura, Veterinary Medical Journal
ISSN 1110-7219
Author(s) from ARC
External authors (outside ARC)
    عبد الخالق السيد عبد الخالق جامعة المنصورة
    مصطفى ماهر محمد المغازى جامعة المنوفية
    السعيد سليمان دندوش وزارة الزراعة
Agris Categories Animal physiology - Reproduction
AGROVOC
TERMS		 Cows. Crossbreds. Egypt. Pregnancy.
Publication Type Journal
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