Effects of Farming System and Body Condition Score on Fertility Performances in Synchronized Cattle Syafnir1, Hashida N.H.1,*, Noraida I., Normala T., Hassan Z.2, Fuad M.2 Centre For Foundation Studies in Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. *Correspondence auther: E-mail: nhhpasum@um.edu.my
1Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya 2Department of Veterinary Services, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the influence of farming system and body condition score (BCS) on fertility performance in 82 synchronized cattle. The study was conducted between January 2007 to December 2008 in three private farms in Gua Musang, Kelantan. All cattle were subjected to estrus synchronization with controlled intravaginal drug release (CIDR). On day 8, the cattle were given 2 mg i.m injection of estradiol benzoate (EB), 24 hours after CIDR removal. Twenty four hour after EB injection (Day 9), a single insemination of frozen-thawed semen was carried out to each of the synchronized cattle using rectovaginal method. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out on day 60 post-insemination using rectal palpation. The mean of body condition score (BCS) and percentage of pregnant cattle were significantly lower for integrated farm (3.42 ± 0.51 and 37.0±11.0%, respectively) as compared to intensive and semi-intensive farms. Present result showed that BCS affect the rate of pregnancy in synchronized cattle. There was no significantly different in the response of BCS to estrus. However, the highest BCS (<6) gave significantly higher percentage of pregnancy (73.0±12.0%) as compared to the lower BCS (3 and 4–5). Based on the present result, percentage of pregnancy had declined in association with body condition score which was related to farming system. Top Key words Farming system, Body condition score, Fertility performance, Cattle. Top |