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Effects of Serum Treated Semen, Bulls, and Herdsmen-Inseminators on Conception to First Service in Large Commercial Dairy Herds^{1, 2,}

Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6310

J. R. Mitchell

Dairy Breeding Research Center, Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802

W. N. Fleming

Sire Power, Inc., Tunkhannock, PA 18657

R. L. Darlington

Pilchuck Veterinary Clinic, Snohomish, WA 98920

ABSTRACT

Semen from each of 10 Holstein bulk was extended to 15 x 10⁶ total spermatozoa per dose in egg yolk-Tris and in egg yolk-Tris containing 20% (vol/vol) heat-treated heifer serum. Semen was used during 12 mo by 11 herdsmen-inseminators in four commercial dairy herds to inseminate 2820 Holstein cows on the first postpanum service. Percentage conception of cows free of clinical disorders at breeding was determined by rectal palpation at 30 to 60 days after insemination. Addition of serum to the extender did not influence percentage conception. A significant interaction of bull x seminal treatment was found. Least squares means of percentage conception to first service ranged from 45.3 to 59.9% among the 10 bulls. When bulls were classified as either high (>55%), average (50 to 55%), or low conception (<50%), approximately 200 first services were required to classify correctly 80 to 90% of the bulls. Least squares means of conception rates ranged from 40.1 to 62.7% among the 11 herdsmen-inseminators. 1) Addition of heat-treated homologous heifer serum to the extender does not influence conception in a predictable fashion; 2) fertility inherent to the bull significantly influences conception; and 3) inseminator skill affects conception greatly.

¹ Scientific Paper No. 6513. College of Agriculture and Home Economics Research Center, Washington State University, Project 0237.

² Supported in part by Washington State Dairy Products Commission.