Effect of Musculoskeletal Disorders on the Reproductive Performance of Holstein Zebu Cross Dairy Cows

Abstract

Two farms with a relatively better record keeping practice were selected to study the effect of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) on reproductive and lactation performance. The dairy cows found in these farms were categorized into positive or negative to any form of MSD based on their health record and clinical findings. Reproductive performance was measured from CI, CFS, CCI, DALC, NSPC and NSALC. Further, lactation performance was also measured from average daily milk yield, total milk yield and lactation length. Out of the 92 cows, 23.9% were found to be positive for one form of MSD. The mean (±SEM) for CI, CFS, CCI, DALC NSPC and NSALC for the positive cows were 560.9±37.87, 186.2±12.81, 383.3±59.69, 313.6±35.69, 4.30±0.52, and 3.3±0.27, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in CI, CFS, CCI NSPC and NSALC between MSD positive and MSD negative cows. The average daily milk yield, total milk yield and lactation length were in the order of 9.7±0.5 L, 3890.7±249.3 L and 413.1±17.54 days, respectively with a significant difference (P<0.05) in milk production between  MSD positive MSD negative cows. Lactation length was unaffected by MSD. This study clearly showed MSD has a direct impact on the reproductive performance dairy cows and significantly influence milk production, which could be the reason for lack of improvement in the urban smallholder dairy industry in Ethiopia.

Keywords: MSD, Reproductive performance, Dairy cows