The Relationship Between Body Condition Score and Reproductive Performance

¹ Animal Biology Division, Scottish Agricultural College, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between measures of body condition score collected from calving until wk 26 of lactation and reproductive measures (calving interval, days to first heat, days to first service, and conception at first service). Since 1973 sires of cows at the Langhill Dairy Cattle Research Centre have been selected for either high (selection line) or average (control line) genetic merit for fat plus protein. The data included 1211 records from 534 cows calving from 1988 to 1999. At first calving, cows were randomly assigned to one of two ad libitum diets: one that was relatively high in concentrates (3000 kg/yr) and one that was relatively low in concentrates (1500 kg/yr). Selection line cows were on average thinner and lost more condition in early lactation than control line cows. Cows that lost condition, those that were thinner than average at wk 10 of lactation and those that were thinner on average over the first 10 wk, had poorer reproductive performance. This effect was greatest in the selection line. Line x diet interaction effects were not statistically significant. Genetic correlations between body condition score and reproductive measures were unfavorable and ranged from –0.04 to –0.54. The relationship between body condition score and production was strong, but, even after adjusting for yield, an unfavorable relationship still exists between body condition score and fertility. Body condition score could be used as a management and selection tool to improve reproductive performance.

Key Words: fertility • body condition score • energy balance

Submitted on January 18, 2000
Accepted on December 20, 2000

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. R. Roche, N. C. Friggens, J. K. Kay, M. W. Fisher, K. J. Stafford, and D. P. Berry Invited review: Body condition score and its association with dairy cow productivity, health, and welfare J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2009; 92(12): 5769 - 5801. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. L. Bamber, G. E. Shook, M. C. Wiltbank, J. E. P. Santos, and P. M. Fricke Genetic parameters for anovulation and pregnancy loss in dairy cattle J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2009; 92(11): 5739 - 5753. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. G. Colazo, A. Hayirli, L. Doepel, and D. J. Ambrose Reproductive performance of dairy cows is influenced by prepartum feed restriction and dietary fatty acid source J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2009; 92(6): 2562 - 2571. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. T. Garmo, E. Ropstad, O. Havrevoll, E. Thuen, H. Steinshamn, A. Waldmann, and O. Reksen Commencement of luteal activity in three different selection lines for milk yield and fertility in Norwegian Red cows J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2009; 92(5): 2159 - 2165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Bewley and M. M. Schutz Review: An Interdisciplinary Review of Body Condition Scoring for Dairy Cattle Professional Animal Scientist, December 1, 2008; 24(6): 507 - 529. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. A. Pfister, K. E. Panter, D. R. Gardner, D. Cook, and K. D. Welch Effect of body condition on consumption of pine needles (Pinus ponderosa) by beef cows J Anim Sci, December 1, 2008; 86(12): 3608 - 3616. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Oikonomou, G. Arsenos, G. E. Valergakis, A. Tsiaras, D. Zygoyiannis, and G. Banos Genetic Relationship of Body Energy and Blood Metabolites with Reproduction in Holstein Cows J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2008; 91(11): 4323 - 4332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Bertoni, E. Trevisi, X. Han, and M. Bionaz Effects of Inflammatory Conditions on Liver Activity in Puerperium Period and Consequences for Performance in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3300 - 3310. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. M. Bewley, A. M. Peacock, O. Lewis, R. E. Boyce, D. J. Roberts, M. P. Coffey, S. J. Kenyon, and M. M. Schutz Potential for Estimation of Body Condition Scores in Dairy Cattle from Digital Images J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2008; 91(9): 3439 - 3453. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. J. Windig, B. Beerda, and R. F. Veerkamp Relationship Between Milk Progesterone Profiles and Genetic Merit for Milk Production, Milking Frequency, and Feeding Regimen in Dairy Cattle J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2008; 91(7): 2874 - 2884. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Negussie, I. Stranden, and E. A. Mantysaari Genetic Association of Clinical Mastitis with Test-Day Somatic Cell Score and Milk Yield During First Lactation of Finnish Ayrshire Cows J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2008; 91(3): 1189 - 1197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Dal Zotto, M. De Marchi, C. Dalvit, M. Cassandro, L. Gallo, P. Carnier, and G. Bittante Heritabilities and Genetic Correlations of Body Condition Score and Calving Interval with Yield, Somatic Cell Score, and Linear Type Traits in Brown Swiss Cattle J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2007; 90(12): 5737 - 5743. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. C. Friggens, P. Berg, P. Theilgaard, I. R. Korsgaard, K. L. Ingvartsen, P. Lovendahl, and J. Jensen Breed and Parity Effects on Energy Balance Profiles Through Lactation: Evidence of Genetically Driven Body Energy Change J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2007; 90(11): 5291 - 5305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. C. Wathes, N. Bourne, Z. Cheng, G. E. Mann, V. J. Taylor, and M. P. Coffey Multiple Correlation Analyses of Metabolic and Endocrine Profiles with Fertility in Primiparous and Multiparous Cows J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2007; 90(3): 1310 - 1325. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Patton, D. A. Kenny, S. McNamara, J. F. Mee, F. P. O'Mara, M. G. Diskin, and J. J. Murphy Relationships Among Milk Production, Energy Balance, Plasma Analytes, and Reproduction in Holstein-Friesian Cows J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2007; 90(2): 649 - 658. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. R. Roche, K. A. Macdonald, C. R. Burke, J. M. Lee, and D. P. Berry Associations Among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, and Reproductive Performance in Seasonal-Calving Dairy Cattle J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2007; 90(1): 376 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E. Pryce and B. L. Harris Genetics of body condition score in New Zealand dairy cows. J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2006; 89(11): 4424 - 4432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. G. Mitchell, G. W. Rogers, C. D. Dechow, J. E. Vallimont, J. B. Cooper, U. Sander-Nielsen, and J. S. Clay Milk Urea Nitrogen Concentration: Heritability and Genetic Correlations with Reproductive Performance and Disease J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2005; 88(12): 4434 - 4440. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Wall, M. P. Coffey, and S. Brotherstone Body Trait Profiles in Holstein-Friesians Modeled Using Random Regression J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2005; 88(10): 3663 - 3671. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Dechow, G. W. Rogers, L. Klei, T. J. Lawlor, and P. M. VanRaden Body Condition Scores and Dairy Form Evaluations as Indicators of Days Open in US Holsteins J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2004; 87(10): 3534 - 3541. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Banos, S. Brotherstone, and M. P. Coffey Evaluation of Body Condition Score Measured Throughout Lactation as an Indicator of Fertility in Dairy Cattle J Dairy Sci, August 1, 2004; 87(8): 2669 - 2676. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. E. Cerosaletti, D. G. Fox, and L. E. Chase Phosphorus Reduction Through Precision Feeding of Dairy Cattle J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2004; 87(7): 2314 - 2323. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. A. Weigel Improving the Reproductive Efficiency of Dairy Cattle through Genetic Selection J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2004; 87(13_suppl): E86 - 92. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. H. van der Waaij A resource allocation model describing consequences of artificial selection under metabolic stress J Anim Sci, April 1, 2004; 82(4): 973 - 981. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Dechow, G. W. Rogers, L. Klei, and T. J. Lawlor Heritability and Correlations for Body Condition Score and Dairy Form Within and Across Lactation and Age J Dairy Sci, March 1, 2004; 87(3): 717 - 728. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Kearney, M. M. Schutz, and P. J. Boettcher Genotype x Environment Interaction for Grazing vs. Confinement. II. Health and Reproduction Traits J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2004; 87(2): 510 - 516. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. N. Kadarmideen and S. Wegmann Genetic Parameters for Body Condition Score and its Relationship with Type and Production Traits in Swiss Holsteins J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2003; 86(11): 3685 - 3693. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. P. Berry, F. Buckley, P. Dillon, R. D. Evans, M. Rath, and R. F. Veerkamp Genetic Parameters for Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Milk Yield, and Fertility Estimated Using Random Regression Models J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2003; 86(11): 3704 - 3717. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Buckley, K. O'Sullivan, J. F. Mee, R. D. Evans, and P. Dillon Relationships Among Milk Yield, Body Condition, Cow Weight, and Reproduction in Spring-Calved Holstein-Friesians J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2003; 86(7): 2308 - 2319. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. P. Berry, F. Buckley, P. Dillon, R. D. Evans, M. Rath, and R. F. Veerkamp Genetic Relationships among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Milk Yield, and Fertility in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2003; 86(6): 2193 - 2204. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. P. Coffey, G. Simm, W. G. Hill, and S. Brotherstone Genetic Evaluations of Dairy Bulls for Daughter Energy Balance Profiles Using Linear Type Scores and Body Condition Score Analyzed Using Random Regression J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2003; 86(6): 2205 - 2212. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Dechow, G. W. Rogers, and J. S. Clay Heritability and Correlations Among Body Condition Score Loss, Body Condition Score, Production and Reproductive Performance J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2002; 85(11): 3062 - 3070. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. P. Berry, F. Buckley, P. Dillon, R. D. Evans, M. Rath, and R. F. Veerkamp Genetic Parameters for Level and Change of Body Condition Score and Body Weight in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, August 1, 2002; 85(8): 2030 - 2039. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]