Reproduction is a complex process in which individuals produce their offspring to perpetuate life. Breeding efficiency depends on the normal function of the reproductive system. Reproductive disorders are the most common problems affecting the reproductive efficiency and productivity of dairy cows. Although, major reproductive disorders are greatly responsible for high economic losses in dairy herds, there is a scarcity the research done and consistent information on the prevalence and relative importance of these problems causing infertility in dairy herds in the West Shoa Zone. Therefore, the current study was conducted in the West Shoa Zone of Oromia regional state to assess the major reproductive disorders of dairy cows in the areas. These districts, namely Adeaberga, Ambo, and Walmera were purposively selected based on their accessibility and potential for dairy production. A total of 180 dairy producers (60 households from each) were randomly selected for individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The major reproductive disorders found were 82.2% repeat breeding, 22.2% calf mortality, 27.2% retention of the fetal membrane, 23.3% abortion and 16.3% stillbirth. The prevalence of reproductive problems showed a significant difference within the woredas. The prevalence of repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane and calf mortality were severe in Walmera districts compared to the remaining two districts whereas the prevalence of abortion and stillbirth were severe in Adeaberga. Repeat breeding shows a higher prevalence whereas the stillbirth rates show a lower prevalence. The ultimate goal of dairy herd production is to increase milk yield and manipulate early first service and calving, lower the calving interval and days open and decrease the number of services per conception. However, repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane, abortion, calf mortality and stillbirth were the major causes of infertility in dairy cows in the study areas. Proper breeding strategies and keeping the health conditions of dairy cattle should be employed to ensure improvements in fertility traits.
Published in | Science Research (Volume 12, Issue 3) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11 |
Page(s) | 38-46 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Dairy, Herds, Infertility, Prevalence, Reproductive Disorders, West Shoa Zone
2.1. Description of Study Areas
2.2. Study Design and Population
2.3. Sample size and Sampling Procedures
2.4. Data Analysis
3.1. Household Characteristics
Parameters | Study areas | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Education’s level | Walmera | Adeaberga | Ambo | Total | ||||
N | % | N | % | N | % | N | % | |
Illiterate | 22 | 36.7 | 32 | 53.3 | 12 | 20 | 66 | 36.7 |
Read and write | 15 | 25 | 16 | 26.7 | 17 | 28.3 | 48 | 26.7 |
Primary School | 16 | 26.7 | 9 | 15 | 17 | 28.3 | 42 | 23.3 |
Secondary school | 7 | 11.6 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11.7 | 17 | 9.4 |
Higher Education | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6.7 | 4 | 2.2 |
Diploma | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1.7 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
Gender of HH head | ||||||||
Male | 52 | 86.7 | 56 | 93.3 | 50 | 83.3 | 158 | 87.8 |
Female | 8 | 13.3 | 4 | 6.7 | 10 | 16.7 | 22 | 12.2 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
Parameters | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Study areas | Age of the respondents | Male (Family size) | Female (Family size) | Overall mean |
Walmera | 44.7±10.1 | 3.4±1.1 | 3.3±1.3 | 6.7±1.6 |
Adeaberga | 46.5±10.5 | 3.7±1.5 | 3.4±1.6 | 7.1±2.7 |
Ambo | 45.4±11.2 | 3.2±1.6 | 3.4±1.3 | 6.7±2.2 |
Total | 45.5±10.6 | 3.4±1.4 | 3.4±1.4 | 6.8±2.2 |
Parameters | Study areas | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Major Occupation | Walmera | Adeaberga | Ambo | Total | ||||
N | % | N | % | N | % | N | % | |
Farmers | 51 | 85 | 47 | 78.3 | 37 | 61.7 | 135 | 75 |
Business man | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3.3 | 5 | 2.8 |
Employed | 1 | 1.7 | 1 | 1.7 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 4.4 |
Retired | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.7 | 2 | 3.3 | 3 | 1.7 |
Farmers and business man | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.7 | 1 | 1.7 | 2 | 1.1 |
Pensions | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3.3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 2.8 |
Dairy producers | 8 | 13.3 | 5 | 8.3 | 9 | 15 | 22 | 12.2 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
3.2. Mating System
Parameters | Study areas | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Types of mating | Walmera | Adeaberga | Ambo | Total | ||||
N | % | N | % | N | % | N | % | |
Natural mating only | 1 | 1.7 | 5 | 8.3 | 4 | 6.6 | 10 | 5.6 |
AI only | 17 | 28.3 | 19 | 31.7 | 28 | 46.7 | 64 | 35.6 |
Both AI and Natural mating | 42 | 70 | 36 | 60 | 28 | 46.7 | 106 | 58.9 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
3.3. Major Reproductive Disorders
Parameters | Study areas | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Walmera | Adeaberga | Ambo | Total | |||||
N | % | N | % | N | % | N | % | |
Repeat breeding | ||||||||
Yes | 54 | 90 | 45 | 75 | 49 | 81.2 | 148 | 82.2 |
No | 6 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 11 | 18.8 | 32 | 17.8 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
Calf mortality | ||||||||
Yes | 19 | 31.7 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 21.7 | 41 | 22.8 |
No | 41 | 68.3 | 51 | 85 | 47 | 78.3 | 139 | 77.2 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
Retained fetal membrane | ||||||||
Yes | 20 | 33.3 | 11 | 18.3 | 18 | 30 | 49 | 27.2 |
No | 40 | 66.7 | 49 | 81.7 | 42 | 70 | 131 | 72.8 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
Abortion | ||||||||
Yes | 17 | 28.3 | 18 | 30 | 7 | 11.7 | 42 | 23.3 |
No | 43 | 71.7 | 42 | 70 | 57 | 88.3 | 138 | 76.7 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
Stillbirth | ||||||||
Yes | 6 | 10 | 14 | 23.3 | 10 | 16.7 | 30 | 16.7 |
No | 54 | 90 | 46 | 76.7 | 50 | 83.3 | 150 | 83.3 |
Total | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 60 | 100 | 180 | 100 |
4.1. Household Characteristics
4.2. Mating System
4.3. Major Reproductive Disorders
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APA Style
Wake, G. T., Babura, M. D. (2024). Major Reproductive Disorders Causing Infertility of Dairy Herds in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Science Research, 12(3), 38-46. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11
ACS Style
Wake, G. T.; Babura, M. D. Major Reproductive Disorders Causing Infertility of Dairy Herds in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Sci. Res. 2024, 12(3), 38-46. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11
AMA Style
Wake GT, Babura MD. Major Reproductive Disorders Causing Infertility of Dairy Herds in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Sci Res. 2024;12(3):38-46. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11
@article{10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11, author = {Gemeda Tuntuna Wake and Mosisa Dire Babura}, title = {Major Reproductive Disorders Causing Infertility of Dairy Herds in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia }, journal = {Science Research}, volume = {12}, number = {3}, pages = {38-46}, doi = {10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sr.20241203.11}, abstract = {Reproduction is a complex process in which individuals produce their offspring to perpetuate life. Breeding efficiency depends on the normal function of the reproductive system. Reproductive disorders are the most common problems affecting the reproductive efficiency and productivity of dairy cows. Although, major reproductive disorders are greatly responsible for high economic losses in dairy herds, there is a scarcity the research done and consistent information on the prevalence and relative importance of these problems causing infertility in dairy herds in the West Shoa Zone. Therefore, the current study was conducted in the West Shoa Zone of Oromia regional state to assess the major reproductive disorders of dairy cows in the areas. These districts, namely Adeaberga, Ambo, and Walmera were purposively selected based on their accessibility and potential for dairy production. A total of 180 dairy producers (60 households from each) were randomly selected for individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The major reproductive disorders found were 82.2% repeat breeding, 22.2% calf mortality, 27.2% retention of the fetal membrane, 23.3% abortion and 16.3% stillbirth. The prevalence of reproductive problems showed a significant difference within the woredas. The prevalence of repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane and calf mortality were severe in Walmera districts compared to the remaining two districts whereas the prevalence of abortion and stillbirth were severe in Adeaberga. Repeat breeding shows a higher prevalence whereas the stillbirth rates show a lower prevalence. The ultimate goal of dairy herd production is to increase milk yield and manipulate early first service and calving, lower the calving interval and days open and decrease the number of services per conception. However, repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane, abortion, calf mortality and stillbirth were the major causes of infertility in dairy cows in the study areas. Proper breeding strategies and keeping the health conditions of dairy cattle should be employed to ensure improvements in fertility traits. }, year = {2024} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Major Reproductive Disorders Causing Infertility of Dairy Herds in West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia AU - Gemeda Tuntuna Wake AU - Mosisa Dire Babura Y1 - 2024/05/10 PY - 2024 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11 DO - 10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11 T2 - Science Research JF - Science Research JO - Science Research SP - 38 EP - 46 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2329-0927 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20241203.11 AB - Reproduction is a complex process in which individuals produce their offspring to perpetuate life. Breeding efficiency depends on the normal function of the reproductive system. Reproductive disorders are the most common problems affecting the reproductive efficiency and productivity of dairy cows. Although, major reproductive disorders are greatly responsible for high economic losses in dairy herds, there is a scarcity the research done and consistent information on the prevalence and relative importance of these problems causing infertility in dairy herds in the West Shoa Zone. Therefore, the current study was conducted in the West Shoa Zone of Oromia regional state to assess the major reproductive disorders of dairy cows in the areas. These districts, namely Adeaberga, Ambo, and Walmera were purposively selected based on their accessibility and potential for dairy production. A total of 180 dairy producers (60 households from each) were randomly selected for individual interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. The major reproductive disorders found were 82.2% repeat breeding, 22.2% calf mortality, 27.2% retention of the fetal membrane, 23.3% abortion and 16.3% stillbirth. The prevalence of reproductive problems showed a significant difference within the woredas. The prevalence of repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane and calf mortality were severe in Walmera districts compared to the remaining two districts whereas the prevalence of abortion and stillbirth were severe in Adeaberga. Repeat breeding shows a higher prevalence whereas the stillbirth rates show a lower prevalence. The ultimate goal of dairy herd production is to increase milk yield and manipulate early first service and calving, lower the calving interval and days open and decrease the number of services per conception. However, repeat breeding, retained fetal membrane, abortion, calf mortality and stillbirth were the major causes of infertility in dairy cows in the study areas. Proper breeding strategies and keeping the health conditions of dairy cattle should be employed to ensure improvements in fertility traits. VL - 12 IS - 3 ER -