641
FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS AND UTERINE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATIONS WITH PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE TRAITS IN IRISH DAIRY COWS
A total of 9,675 reproductive ultrasound records from 8,174 dairy cows were used to estimate the association between production and performance traits with detailed reproductive phenotypes. Cows with greater phenotypic milk yield had a greater likelihood of multiple ovulations and cystic ovaries, whereas greater fat and total solid yield had a reduced likelihood of cyclicity. Greater genetic potential for milk and protein yield was associated with a greater odds of multiple ovulations. Increased genetic potential for milk reduced the likelihood of cyclicity. Genetic potential for highest SCS had a lower likelihood of multiple ovulations, but increased odds of anestrous and poor uterine health. Cows with genetic merit for superior reproductive performance and survival were less likely to have multiple ovulations, cystic ovaries and poor uterine health and were more likely to be cyclic, relative to cows with inferior genetic merit.
Keywords:
reproduction
phenotypic
genotypic
