Factors influencing conception rate after Artificial Insemination of cows in char areas of Rangpur District in Bangladesh

Abstract

Artificial Insemination (AI) is being widely used as a breeding tool although there is limited access to use it in Chars areas due to remoteness. Most of the cows of Chars areas are zebu type and producing 1-2 liters of milk per day. It is intricate to get maximum return from cattle rearing without improving fertility of cows. For increasing cattle population and milk yield per cow, crossbreeding with superior bull’s semen using Artificial Insemination (AI) technique as well as increasing conception and pregnancy rate of cows is essential to introduce in char areas. The profitability of cattle rearing mostly depends on a good conception rate after artificial insemination (AI). The efficiency of the AI technique and the fertility of cows depend on many factors. Any deficiency reduces fertility resulting in economic losses. Cow’s fertility is commonly measured by calculating the percentage of cows that one pregnant after a single service, also known as the conception per artificial insemination (PR/ FAI). A total of 184 cows were selected two chars of Rangpur District of Bangladesh to identify the potential factors such as body weight, breed, age, body condition score (BCS), season and artificial insemination(AI) technician associated with first service conception rate. Overall, service per conception was 1.8 AI was required for each pregnancy. The highest (P<0.05) pregnancy rate (57.44%) was observed in local cows than other crossbred cows. Cows of 3.1-5.0 years of old revealed higher (P<0.05) conception rate than that of the cows of 2-3 years old. The higher (P<0.05) conception rate (64.10%) was in cows of BCS 3.5 than lower BCS 2.5 cows. The conception rate was higher (P<0.05) in cows weighing between 131-150 kg (59.10%) than the other body weight. Cows showed significantly (P<0.05) higher CR (60.00%) compared to other season. The less skilled AI technician had significantly (p<0.05) poor performance to skilled AI technician (62.50%). The conception rate is commonly measured by calculating the percentage of cows that fall pregnant after a single service, also known as the pregnancy per artificial insemination (PR/ FAI), Quintela et al 2004). The work on improving fertility of heifers in the chars areas are not well documented and are relatively unknown. Considering the above facts and circumstances, this study was designed to determine the first AI conception rate in heifers of the char’s areas. i