Milkprogesterone determination to assess the state of fertility in dairy herds during the post-partum period
Elsaesser, F.; Ellendorff, F.; Smidt, D.
Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 86(2): 53-54
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0341-6593 PMID: 367745 Document Number: 147511
Progesterone concentration in milk from 170 dairy cows in two herds was measured by radioimmunoassay during the puerperal period in order to determine the first ovulation. In herd A 62% of the cows ovulated before day 35 post-partum and only 15% did not show signs of ovulation by day 50. However, in herd B, in which fertility problems were known for some time, only 16% of the animals ovulated before day 35 post-partum, and in 66% of the animals ovarian activity was still suppressed by day 50. It is concluded that the fertility status of dairy herds can be assessed by milk progesterone values.