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Reduced fertility associated with fatty liver in high-yielding dairy cows

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Abstract

In a group of 20 high-yielding dairy cows, 10 with mild and 10 with severe fatty liver one week after calving, there was an association between fatty liver and reduced fertility. The 10 cows with severe fatty liver had a significantly longer calving interval to the next lactation compared to the cows with mild fatty liver. In addition there was a significant positive correlation between the amount of fat in the liver and calving interval. The results support the concept that liver dysfunction at calving adversely affects subsequent fertility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Council, Institute for Research on Animal Diseases, Compton, RG16 ONN, Newbury, Berks, UK

    I. M. Reid, C. J. Roberts & R. Manston

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  1. I. M. Reid
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  2. C. J. Roberts
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  3. R. Manston
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Reid, I.M., Roberts, C.J. & Manston, R. Reduced fertility associated with fatty liver in high-yielding dairy cows. Vet Res Commun 3, 231–236 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02268972

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02268972

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