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Population study of abortion in cattle with special reference to genetic factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

W. V. S. Wijeratne  and
D. L. Stewart
W. V. S. Wijeratne
Affiliation:
Central Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, New Haw, Weybridge, Surrey
D. L. Stewart
Affiliation:
Reading Cattle Breeding Centre, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Shinfield, Reading, Berkshire
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Summary

The incidence of abortions over a period of eight years was studied in 107 393 progeny of 100 bulls belonging to five dairy and three beef breeds of cattle. The calving records related to the first four artificial inseminations on females with fresh or frozen semen.

The average frequency of abortion was 2·12%. Differences in rates of abortion between the breeds of sire were statistically significant although this may be confounded with the breed of dam. The highest incidence was from matings by bulls of the Channel Island breeds and the least from matings to Ayrshire bulls.

The rates of abortion increased with the number of inseminations necessary for conception.

There was a slightly higher incidence of abortions among twin births than among singles.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , May 1971 , pp. 229 - 235
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1971

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References

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