Pre-breeding examination in heifers

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Published: 12-04-2018

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Rita Payan-Carreira
CECAV, Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Universidade deTrás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801Vila Real, Portugal
Portugal
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5225-4510
Gustavo Paixão
CECAV, Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Universidade deTrás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801Vila Real, Portugal
Portugal
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9753-8370
Miguel Quaresma
CECAV, Centro de Ciência Animal e Veterinária, Universidade deTrás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801Vila Real, PortugalHospital Veterinário da Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e AltoDouro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portuga
Portugal
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2309-4575
Mercedes Camiña García
Departamento de Fisiologia, Facultad de Veterinaria Universidadede Santiago de Compostela, Espanha
Spain
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0179-7280
No 13 (2017), Original articles
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15304/rr.id5057
Submitted: 11-04-2018 Accepted: 11-04-2018 Published: 12-04-2018
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Abstract

Replacement heifers represent a long-term investment in cattle production, whether in dairy or beef systems, whose characteristics will affect the farm performance and economic success in the future, thereby deserving the farmer´s full attention. Still, only few farmers integrate the pre-breeding exam of replacement heifers in the farm´s reproductive management, particularly in beef cattle production. The pre-breeding exam is a crucial procedure, designed to guarantee the reproductive soundness of young females intend to be used in reproduction. In particular, the pre-breeding exam will allow to exclude the existence of congenital abnormalities of the genital tract that would compromise the heifer´ reproductive success. Depending on the breed, the pre-breeding exam can be performed at 12 to 14 months of age, or up to 30 to 60 days before the start of the reproductive season. A careful evaluation of those heifers allows not only to exclude the existence of congenital abnormalities, but also to assess
the maturity of the genital tract and to ensure a decent performance in their first reproductive season. Breed should be taken into account, as it determines important reproductive traits, like age at puberty. This work intends to revise the diverse steps of the pre-breeding exam in replacement heifers and to determine the female´ estimated fertility.

Keywords:

gynecological examination, reproductive soundness examination, potential fertility, female, cattle
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References

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