Repeat breeding: prevalence and potential causes in dairy cows at different milk pocket areas of Bangladesh

Abstract The objective of this study was to figure out the prevalence and probable causes of repeat breeding (RB) in dairy cows. Hence, a cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly selected 265 dairy farms in Sirajganj, Bogura, Rangpur, Satkhira, and Munshiganj districts of Bangladesh from December 2018 to February 2019. Data were collected through a direct interview method using a survey questionnaire. The reproductive organs of repeat breeder cows were examined for anatomical defects, pathological, infectious, functional reasons, and genital tract abnormalities. Additionally, the influence of nutrition, season, and age on the frequency of RB was recorded. Of the 3824 cows examined, the prevalence of RB was 28%. In this study, 98% of RB cases were exhibited in crossbred cows (Holstein-Friesian, 73%) than the indigenous (2%) cows. The prevalence of RB was significantly highest (P <0.01) in Satkhira (44.35%) and the lowest in the Munshiganj district (15.87%). Data indicated that a major proportion of cows significantly (P <0.05) faced RB problems due to functional causes (30.11%), followed by pathological (24.68%), genital tract abnormalities (18.79%), infectious (14.53%), and anatomical deformities (11.89%). Furthermore, the cows were remarkably (P <0.001) affected in RB during the summer season and nutritional deficient diseases like milk fever (70%). Age (3-7 years) had a significant (P <0.001) effect on the RB occurrence (90%) in crossbred cows. However, particular focus should be given to systematic breeding, balanced nutrition, artificial inseminator efficiency, and hygienic inseminating tools to reduce RB incidence in high-yielding crossbred cows.