The influence of multiple births on subsequent production and reproduction traits in Holstein cattle

• Main Authors: Jiří Bezdíček, Jan Říha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mendel University Press 2010-01-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis
• Subjects: multiple births; milk production; reproduction
• Online Access: https://acta.mendelu.cz/58/5/0043/
• ISSN: 1211-8516; 2464-8310

The aim of this study was to evaluate production and reproduction parameters after the birth of twins in holstein cattle (H = 100 %). Evaluation was made in terms of days open (the period between calving and conception; DO), milk production (kg of milk; % of fat, protein and lactose; kg of fat and protein; somatic cell count) and frequence of culling after the birth of twins. Milk production following the birth of twins was compared with milk production in controls matched on characteristics such as identical father, mother reaching the same breeding value of milk kg (± 10 %), evalued lactation occurring on the same farm, in the same year and period (±3 months). The goal was to pairs cows as cohorts with similar origins and production parameters under the same conditions and time. Days open after twinning in the multiple births were compared with days open in previous lactation and also with their cohorts. The data were analysed for 196 Holstein cows which gave birth to twins. The results showed a significantly (P ≤ 0.05) longer number of days open for the twin births. The prolongation was an average of 19 days. Days open through twin births was 132.62 days (sx = 62.22); in the previous lactation it was 113.54 days (sx = 63.14) and in cohorts 113.00 days (sx = 50.57). Milk production was similar in cows with twins and in cohorts (7907; 7871 kg). Average fat, protein and lactose percent in lactation was insignificantly lower in cows with twins (reduction: −0.08; −0.05; −0.02 %). Fat, protein and lactose percent was as follows in the group with twins compared to cohorts (3.72 vs. 3.80; 3.33 vs. 3.38; 4.94 vs. 4.96 %). From this arose an insignificantly lower production in kg of fat and protein (291.14 vs. 297.13; 261.49 vs. 264.74 kg). In the first three milk yield control after multiple births was found an insignificantly lower somatic cell count than in controls (149,7 thousand vs. 188.87 thousand). Frequence of culling after twin births (196 cows = 100%) were on health and reproductive grounds 78 cows (39.8 %) and for other reasons, 15 cows (7.65 %).