Abstract:

In this study, the relationships between post-calving body condition and reproductive characteristics were investigated in 55 Holstein Friesian cows. Cows were divided into two groups according to their body condition scores (BCS) as the first (BCS<3) and the second group (BCS≥3). In the first and second cow groups, body condition score at 1st month after calving (BS1: 2.82, 3.36), body condition score at 5th month after calving (BS5: 3.21, 3.57), decrease in body condition score between dry period and calving at the 1th month after postpartum period (DECREASE: 1.23, 0.80), increase in body condition score between 1st and 5th months of lactation (INCREASE1: 0.39, 0.21) and the increase in body condition score between the 1st and 7th months of lactation (INCREASE2: 0.93, 0.64), and differences were found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). In the first and second group cows, the period of first heat (ICS), the period of service (SP), the number of inseminations per pregnancy (GBTS) and the rate of conception at the first insemination (ITCR), were found to be 43.55, 38.30 days; 88.83, 77.31 days; 2.21, 1.73 and 54.88%, 69.87%, respectively. Significant and negative correlations were found between body condition score at 1st month post calving (BS1) and decrease in body condition score in the 1st month between dry period and post calving (DECREASE) and BCSs and ICS, GBTS, ITGCR, SP, and GKO60 (pregnancy rate on the 60th day post calving). The results of the study revealed that during calving, cows with moderate body condition had better reproductive performance.

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