Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics
This study investigated the effects of MUN and climatological factors on the inter calving period (ICP), reproductive performance (RP%), and reproductive index (RI) in Holstein Friesian (<i>n</i> = 1177) and Jersey cows (<i>n</i> = 3305) in different seasons in the subtropics...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3068 |
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| author | Edward Cottington Webb Elandri de Bruyn |
| author_facet | Edward Cottington Webb Elandri de Bruyn |
| author_sort | Edward Cottington Webb |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the effects of MUN and climatological factors on the inter calving period (ICP), reproductive performance (RP%), and reproductive index (RI) in Holstein Friesian (<i>n</i> = 1177) and Jersey cows (<i>n</i> = 3305) in different seasons in the subtropics. Threshold values for MUN on the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics remain controversial due to complex environmental interactions, especially with high environmental temperatures. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from the National Milk Recording scheme of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa. The results confirm that MUN influences the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics. MUN concentrations exceeding 18.1 ± 4.28 mg/dL in Holstein Friesian cows and 13.0 ± 4.70 mg/dL in Jersey cows extended the inter calving period (ICP), and decreased RP% and RI. Jersey cows have a lower threshold MUN concentration compared to Holstein Friesian cows, but they are not adversely affected by high humidity or temperatures, while Holstein Friesian cows are. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:36:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-24731439fbe048f695675643d4fd68c4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T04:36:36Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-24731439fbe048f695675643d4fd68c42023-12-03T13:27:07ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-10-011111306810.3390/ani11113068Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the SubtropicsEdward Cottington Webb0Elandri de Bruyn1Production Animal Physiology Research Group, Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South AfricaProduction Animal Physiology Research Group, Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South AfricaThis study investigated the effects of MUN and climatological factors on the inter calving period (ICP), reproductive performance (RP%), and reproductive index (RI) in Holstein Friesian (<i>n</i> = 1177) and Jersey cows (<i>n</i> = 3305) in different seasons in the subtropics. Threshold values for MUN on the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics remain controversial due to complex environmental interactions, especially with high environmental temperatures. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from the National Milk Recording scheme of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa. The results confirm that MUN influences the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics. MUN concentrations exceeding 18.1 ± 4.28 mg/dL in Holstein Friesian cows and 13.0 ± 4.70 mg/dL in Jersey cows extended the inter calving period (ICP), and decreased RP% and RI. Jersey cows have a lower threshold MUN concentration compared to Holstein Friesian cows, but they are not adversely affected by high humidity or temperatures, while Holstein Friesian cows are.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3068dairyMUNureareproductionseasonsubtropics |
| spellingShingle | Edward Cottington Webb Elandri de Bruyn Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics Animals dairy MUN urea reproduction season subtropics |
| title | Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics |
| title_full | Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics |
| title_short | Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics |
| title_sort | effects of milk urea nitrogen mun and climatological factors on reproduction efficiency of holstein friesian and jersey cows in the subtropics |
| topic | dairy MUN urea reproduction season subtropics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/11/3068 |
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