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J. Dairy Sci. 87:4123-4131
© American Dairy Science Association, 2004.

Effect of Lameness on Ovarian Activity in Postpartum Holstein Cows*

E. J. Garbarino1, J. A. Hernandez1, J. K. Shearer1, C. A. Risco1 and W. W. Thatcher2

1 College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, and
2 IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610-0136

Corresponding author: J. A. Hernandez; e-mail: hernandezj{at}mail.vetmed.ufl.edu.


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
A longitudinal study was conducted to examine the relationship between lameness and delayed ovarian cyclicity during the first 60 d postpartum and days to first luteal activity during the first 300 d postpartum in Holstein cows. Two hundred thirty-eight cows from a 600-cow dairy that calved during a 12-mo period were used. Cows were classified into 1 of 6 categories of lameness during the first 35 d postpartum using a locomotion scoring system. Cows were blood-sampled weekly for detection of plasma progesterone concentrations during the first 300 d postpartum. Cows with delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity were defined as those with progesterone concentrations consistently <1 ng/mL during the first 60 d postpartum. The null hypothesis that risk of delayed cyclicity is the same in cows classified as nonlame, moderately lame, or lame (after adjusting for potential modifying or confounding effects of loss of body condition and other variables related with delayed cyclicity) was tested using logistic regression. Analysis of results of the study reported here support the hypothesis that lameness is associated with delayed ovarian activity in Holstein cows during the early postpartum period. Cows classified as lame had 3.5 times greater odds of delayed cyclicity, compared with cows classified as nonlame. Attributable proportion analysis indicated that delayed ovarian cyclicity in lame cows would be reduced by 71%, if lameness had been prevented.

Key Words: lameness • ovarian activity • postpartum • Holstein

Abbreviation key: ME = mature equivalent, OR = odds ratio, P4 = progesterone


   INTRODUCTION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Lameness is one of the top 3 health problems that cause premature culling of dairy cows in the United States. The National Animal Health Monitoring System Dairy 2002 study reported that lameness was the reason for culling 16% of dairy cows sent to slaughter (NAHMS, 2002). Overall, 10% of cows were reported affected with lameness in the previous 12 mo (NAHMS, 2002). The economic importance of lameness is reportedly attributable to cost of treatment and control methods (Shearer and Elliot, 1998; Shearer et al., 1998; Hernandez et al., 1999; 2000; Moore et al., 2001), impaired reproductive performance (Lucey et al., 1986; Lee et al., 1989; Sprecher et al., 1997; Hernandez et al., 2001; Melendez et al., 2003), decreased milk yield (Warnick et al., 2001; Green et al., 2002; Hernandez et al., 2002), increased risk of culling (Collick et al., 1989; Sprecher et al., 1997), and decreased carcass value of culled cows (Van Arendonk et al., 1984). In addition, because of the pain, discomfort, and high incidence of lameness in dairy cows, this disorder is an animal-welfare issue of concern.

Delayed ovarian cyclicity in the preservice postpartum period is a common ovarian dysfunction in dairy cows. In studies conducted in commercial dairy herds in Belgium, Canada, Japan, and the United States, for instance, 20 to 33% of study cows were reported to have delayed ovarian activity during the first 50 to 60 d postpartum (Staples et al., 1990; Etherington et al., 1991; Nakao et al., 1992; Opsomer et al., 1998, 2000; Moreira et al., 2001). Late resumption of ovarian activity postpartum has a detrimental effect on reproductive performance in dairy cows (Thatcher and Wilcox, 1973; Stevenson and Call, 1983; Lucy et al., 1992). Cows ovulating earlier postpartum have fewer services per conception and a shorter calving-to-conception interval (Lucy et al., 1992). Minimizing the interval from calving to first ovulation provides ample time for completion of multiple ovarian cycles before insemination, which in turns improves conception rates (Butler and Smith, 1989). Losses in body condition, puerperal disturbances, and ketosis have been identified as risk factors significantly associated with delayed ovarian cyclicity in dairy cows (Opsomer et al., 2000).

Previous studies have established an association between lameness and impaired reproductive performance (e.g., a prolonged calving-to-conception interval) (Lucey et al., 1986; Collick et al., 1989; Sprecher et al., 1997; Hernandez et al., 2001), but the relationship between lameness and ovarian activity in dairy cows has not been investigated using objective research methods. Results of previous studies in Florida suggest that as cows experience increasing positive energy status, there is increased ovarian follicular activity leading to early return to ovulation (Staples et al., 1990; Lucy et al., 1992). As energy status becomes more positive for cows in early postpartum, diameter of the largest follicle increases, the number of double ovulations increases, and time for detection of the first corpus luteum decreases (Lucy et al., 1991). These changes in follicle numbers and size and the number of ovulations are thought to be caused by increases in luteinizing hormone, insulin, GH, insulin-like growth factor-1, and possibly other yet-to-be-determined compounds that are activated by an improved energy status (Beam and Butler, 1998).

Clinical observations by veterinarians and dairy farmers in Florida suggest that lameness has a detrimental effect on ovarian activity in lactating dairy cows. Veterinarians and dairy farmers prefer to avoid the use of synchronization and timed-insemination protocols in lame cows because it is known that lame cows experience a more severe loss of body condition (Tranter and Morris, 1991), spend less time eating (Hassall, 1993), and are less likely to be cyclic, compared with nonlame cows, until lameness has been resolved. We hypothesized that because lame cows experience a more pronounced loss in body condition (hence a prolonged state of negative energy balance) during the early postpartum period, they are at higher risk of delayed ovarian cyclicity than nonlame cows. Under field conditions, evidence of corpus luteum function can be determined by monitoring plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations weekly during lactation, before and after diagnosis of lameness in dairy cows. The objectives of the study reported here were to examine the relationship between lameness and delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity during the first 60 d postpartum and days to first luteal phase during the first 300 d postpartum in Holstein cows.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Cows and Herd Management
Cows in this study were from a high-producing dairy herd (rolling herd average milk production, ~12,000 kg) of approximately 600 Holstein cows located in Florida. This herd was selected for the study based on a history of lameness, quality of veterinary records, and willingness of the owner to participate in the study. Cows were milked and fed a TMR 3 times/d. Cows were housed in lots equipped with sprinklers, fans, and shade cloths over the feed bunks to reduce effects of heat stress. In this farm, most of the cows are enrolled in a program to presynchronize the stage of the estrous cycle followed by synchronization of ovulation (Moreira et al., 2001). This program involves the use of 2 injections of PGF2{alpha};, the first injection is given at 30 to 35 d postpartum and the second at 44 to 49 d postpartum. Fourteen days later (58 to 63 d postpartum), cows in this group are injected with GnRH, 7 d later with PGF2{alpha}, and 2 d later with a second injection of GnRH followed by a timed AI 16 to 18 h later (68 to 73 d postpartum).

Study Design
This study was designed as a longitudinal study. Sample size calculations were made based on our estimate of the number of cows affected with delayed cyclicity increasing from 10% in nonlame cows to 30% in lame cows (type I error = 0.05; type II error = 0.20). Five hundred and sixty-three Holstein cows that calved from June 1, 2002, until May 31, 2003, were considered for inclusion in the study. Two hundred and fifty-three (45%) cows identified with an even ear-tag number were enrolled in the study as they calved (instead of cows randomly selected) to overcome logistical identification procedures and to reduce disruption of routine veterinary medical and management procedures at the study farm (it is easier to identify cows with even ear-tag numbers than cows with either even or odd numbers, as it would be expected if a random selection process had been used). Cows were classified into 1 of 6 categories of lameness during the first 35 d postpartum using a locomotion scoring system. Cows were blood-sampled weekly for detection of plasma P4 concentrations during the first 300 d postpartum. Risk of delayed cyclicity during the first 60 d postpartum and days to first luteal phase during the first 300 d postpartum were compared between cows classified as nonlame, moderately lame, or lame. In the analyses, lame cows were those that had lameness prior to resumption of ovarian cyclicity.

Data Collection
Using farm records, the following data were collected for each cow: lactation number, calving date, calving season (winter months: Jan–Apr and Oct–Dec; summer months: May–Sep), dystocia (yes, no), retained placenta (yes, no), metritis (yes, no), mastitis (yes, no), ketosis (yes, no), body condition score at calving using a scale of 1 to 5 with 0.25 increments (Edmonson et al., 1989), change in body condition score in the first 47 to 53 d postpartum, use of PGF2{alpha} (Lutalyse, Pharmacia, Kalamazoo, MI) before resumption of ovarian activity (yes, no), and 305-d mature equivalent (ME) milk yield. Cows with retained fetal membranes were cows that failed to expel fetal membranes within 24 h after parturition. Cows with metritis were cows with fetid discharge from the uterus. Cows with mastitis were cows with a deviation from milk conductivity by the Afimilk system and later confirmed by foremilk stripping by the attending farm worker. Cows with ketosis were cows diagnosed with ketonuria using urine strips (Ketostix) based on sodium nitroprusside that detects acetoacetate. The range of BCS was from 1 (severe undercondition – emaciated) to 5 (severe overcondition), where a score of 3 was assigned to cows observed with a well-balanced covered frame. The change in BCS was calculated by subtracting the score at calving from that at 47 to 53 d postpartum. For loss of body condition, we chose the score at 47 to 53 d postpartum because lameness exposure was measured during the first 35 d postpartum and because cows are at high risk of reduced ovarian activity during the first and second month after calving (Opsomer et al., 2000). From DHIA records, projected 305-d ME milk yield data were collected based on production at 60 d postpartum. Levels of milk yield were defined as low (5,530 to 10,619 kg 305-d ME), medium (10,620 to 12,978 kg 305-d ME), and high (12,979 to 15,137 kg 305-d ME), based on the frequency of distribution (first, second and third, and fourth quartiles, respectively).

Diagnosis of Lameness
During the first 35 d postpartum, study cows were examined weekly (Tuesday) for diagnosis of lameness by using a locomotion scoring system described by Sprecher et al. (1997) with modifications (Table 1Go). This system was tested weekly over a 2-mo period (April–May 2002) in all lactating cows, before enrollment of the first cow in the study (June 1, 2002). After testing the locomotion scoring system in the study herd, a new category was added to include cows that were observed with an arched-back posture that was evident while standing and walking, but with a normal gait (score = 2, mildly lame). Cows were observed and scored by the same veterinarian as they walked out of the washing pen to the holding area before milking. Cows with a locomotion score of 4 or 5 were further examined on a tilt table for diagnosis and treatment of lameness, noting lesions observed and date of occurrence. Lame cows with claw lesions had white line lesions or sole ulcers and were treated with corrective foot trimming techniques (Shearer and van Amstel, 2001). Lame cows with subacute laminitis were those with yellow and red discoloration of the sole and white line, and in most cases, they had thin soles and were sensitive at examination with hoof testers (Toussaint-Raven, 1989). Lame cows with interdigital dermatitis were those with inflammation confined to the epidermis and in some cases, hyperkeratosis, which creates a roughened appearance to the interdigital skin (Blowey, 1994); a fetid serous exudate could be present, and there was mild sensitivity to pressure. This condition was frequently accompanied by cracks in the heel, heel horn erosions, with potential under-running of the heel horn (Berry, 2001).


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  		Table 1. Frequency distribution of cows classified as lame or nonlame using a locomotion scoring system.1
 
Collection of Blood Samples and Detection of Plasma P4 Concentrations
Cows were blood-sampled and scored for body condition (Edmonson et al., 1989) weekly (Thursday) for detection of plasma P4 concentrations during the first 300 d postpartum. Cows were blood-sampled via coccygeal venipuncture using Vacutainer collection tubes containing K3 EDTA (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ). Blood samples were refrigerated until and during transportation to a laboratory at the University of Florida where they were centrifuged for 20 min at 3000 rpm at room temperature for plasma harvest. Plasma samples were frozen at –20°C until tested for P4 concentrations (Coat-A-Count radioimmunoassay).

Accuracy of assay procedures was determined by measuring known quantities of exogenous progesterone (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 ng/mL) in cow’s plasma in 7 different assays. Recovery of added (x) vs. measured (y) P4 concentrations were described by linear regression (y = 0.57 + 0.93x; R2 = 0.89). The regression intercept value (0.57 ng/mL) represented original P4 concentrations measured in a plasma pool before addition of exogenous masses.

The radioactive displacement curve for different volumes of plasma pool containing 8 ng/mL of P4 (i.e., 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 ng/mL) were examined as 2 separate logit plots (y = ln of Bound/Free and x = log10 of µL or ng/mL) that were linear. Heterogeneity of regression was examined by determining whether fitting 2 separate linear regressions was a significantly better fit than fitting a single pooled linear regression. The linear regression lines for plasma and P4 standards were not heterogeneous, indicating that the slopes were not different (yP = 0.60 to 1.44x, R2 = 0.99; ys = 0.21 to 1.61x, R2 = 0.99; where yp and ys = ln B/F, x = log10 of assay volume or log10 standard P4 concentrations, respectively).

Coefficients of variation were calculated from a reference sample (luteal phase) and duplicated samples obtained from all assays. Duplicated plasma concentrations of P4 were categorized into high (≥3.0 ng/mL; n = 359), medium (≥1.0 and <3.0 ng/mL; n = 128), and low (≥0.3 and <1.0 ng/mL; n = 52), and the coefficients of variation were 12.4, 12.4, and 14.2%, respectively. Inter- and intraassay coefficients of variation for the luteal phase reference sample were 8.9 and 8.34%, respectively.

Outcomes
The main outcome of interest was resumption of ovarian cyclicity during the first 60 d postpartum. Cows with evidence of normal ovarian cyclicity during the first 60 d postpartum were those with: (1) weekly plasma P4 concentrations >1 ng/mL for 2 or 3 consecutive samples and followed by a decline in P4; or (2) P4 concentration >1 ng/mL followed by a marked decrease after a PGF2{alpha} injection and this followed by an increase in P4 concentration. Cows with a delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity were those with concentrations of P4 consistently <1 ng/mL during the first 60 d post partum (Staples et al., 1990). A follow-up period of 60 d postpartum was chosen because an Ovsynch protocol was initiated at 58 to 63 d postpartum, which was the end of the voluntary waiting period in the study farm. A secondary outcome of interest was time (d) to first luteal phase, which was defined as the first rise in P4 above 1 ng/mL during the first 300 d postpartum.

Statistical Analyses
The null hypothesis that risk of delayed cyclicity is the same in cows classified as nonlame, moderately lame, or lame was tested by using logistic regression. In the analysis, nonlame cows were those with a score of 3 for 1 wk only or scores of ≤2. The rationale for classifying cows with a score ≤2 as nonlame in the analysis was that their gait seemed normal. Cows classified as moderately lame were those with a score of 3 on 2 consecutive weeks to reduce the risk of misclassification. Lame cows were those classified at least once with a locomotion score = 4 or 5. Additional independent variables (lactation number, calving season, milk yield, dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, mastitis, ketosis, BCS at calving and loss of body condition, use of PGF2{alpha}) were examined in the analysis to address possible modifying or confounding effects that these factors might have had on risk of delayed cyclicity. We examined the association between body-condition loss of 0.50 and 0.75 points and delayed cyclicity. Because the associated odds ratio (OR) was similar, we used the BCS loss of 0.75 in the analysis. We did not examine the association between a BCS loss of ≥1.0 point, because the frequency of cows in that category was low (n = 9). Stepwise forward regression was used, and a variable had to be significant at the 0.20 level before it could enter the model. A variable remained in the model when its significance level was P < 0.10. Variables for lactation number and calving season were forced into the model because they can affect ovarian activity (Stevenson and Britt, 1979; Fonseca et al., 1983; Savio et al., 1990; Lucy et al., 1992; Jonsson et al., 1997; Moreira et al., 2001). In the final model, adjusted OR and 95% confidence intervals were reported. In this study, the OR was used as an epidemiologic measure of association between a variable (i.e., lameness) and the outcome of interest (i.e., delayed cyclicity). In each variable, the reference category had an OR = 1. An adjusted OR >1.0 indicates that the probability of delayed cyclicity increased, compared with cows in the reference category. The model’s goodness of fit was explored using the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit {chi}2 statistic and standardized residuals. The attributable proportion was estimated as (OR –1)/OR and interpreted to represent the proportion of lame cows that experienced delayed ovarian cyclicity because of lameness (Martin et al., 1987).

The null hypothesis that number of days postpartum to first luteal phase did not differ among groups of cows classified as nonlame, moderately lame, or lame was tested by use of the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (because the dependent variable failed to meet assumptions of parametric testing) and multiple ANOVA for the dependent variable of days to first luteal phase (ranked data) while simultaneously adjusting for variables related to ovarian cyclicity (i.e., lactation number, calving season, ketosis, and milk yield). Significance was set at P ≤ 0.05.


   RESULTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Risk of Delayed Cyclicity
All 253 cows enrolled in the study were followed up successfully during the 60-d study period. Two hundred and thirty-eight (94%) cows met the criteria for ovarian cyclicity and were used in this study. A total of 101 of 238 (42%) cows were classified as moderately lame (locomotion score = 3) and 41 (17%) as lame (score = 4). The mean number of days postpartum when cows were classified as lame was 15 d. The most common lesions observed in lame cows (score = 4) were subacute laminitis (26/41 = 63%), and claw lesions such as sole ulcers and white line disease (9/41 = 22%). The overall incidence of delayed cyclicity was 11%. The incidence of delayed cyclicity was higher in cows classified as moderately lame (14/101; 14%) or lame (7/41; 17%), compared with nonlame cows (6/96; 6%). In the univariable analysis, cows classified as lame had 3.09 times greater odds of delayed cyclicity, compared with non-lame cows (OR = 3.09; 95% CI = 0.97 to 9.83) (P = 0.05) (Table 2Go). In addition, cows classified as moderately lame tended to have greater odds of delayed cyclicity, compared with nonlame cows (OR = 2.41; 95% CI = 0.90 to 6.55; P = 0.08).


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  		Table 2. Descriptive statistics and unadjusted odds ratios (OR) for risk of delayed cyclicity in postpartum Holstein cows.
 
Cows treated with PGF2{alpha} (before they were recognized as cycling by P4 analysis) were identified. Some cows were treated with PGF22{alpha} for a uterine condition or as part of a synchronization program, but all cows were treated before they started cycling. Results of the univariable analysis revealed that treatment with PGF22{alpha} was not associated with delayed cyclicity (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.38 to 1.95; P = 0.70) (Table 2Go). Thus, this variable was not included in the multivariable analysis.

In the multivariable analysis, lameness, lactation number, season, ketosis, and milk yield were retained in the final modeling process (Table 3Go). Addition of 2-way interaction terms did not contribute to the final model for risk of delayed cyclicity, and these terms were removed from the model. Cows classified as lame had 3.50 times greater odds of delayed cyclicity, compared with nonlame cows (OR = 3.50; 95% CI = 1.00 to 12.21; P = 0.04). The attributable proportion of cows that experienced delayed ovarian cyclicity associated with lameness was 0.71. In addition, cows classified as moderately lame tended to have greater odds of delayed cyclicity, compared with nonlame cows (OR = 2.14; 95% CI = 0.74 to 6.14; P = 0.15). Finally, ketosis was, by itself, a risk factor for delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.08 to 7.06; P = 0.03). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic was 2.45 (8 degrees of freedom; P = 0.96) and indicated that the overall fit of the model was very good. Examination of standardized residuals revealed that cows with the 3 largest residuals may have experienced delayed cyclicity due to mechanisms not included in the final model. Two cows, calved in the winter, were in their first lactation and were classified as nonlame, nonketotic, and medium-milk producing cows. The third cow, calved in the summer, was in its first lactation and was classified as a moderately lame, nonketotic, and high-milk producing cow. When those 3 cows were removed from the model based on the full data set and the model was refit to the remaining study cows, the adjusted OR for cows classified as lame or moderately lame moved away from the null (i.e., OR = 6.19, 95% CI = 1.51 to 25.30, P = 0.01 and OR = 2.94, 95% CI = 0.86 to 10.05, P = 0.08, respectively). This suggests that the model based on the full data set provided conservative estimates of the effects of lameness on delayed cyclicity.


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  		Table 3. Final logistic regression model for risk of delayed cyclicity in postpartum Holstein cows.
 
Days to First Luteal Phase
Overall, the median interval from calving to first luteal phase in the study population was 31 d. Intervals were longer (P ≤ 0.05) in cows classified as lame (median = 36 d; range = 17 to 97 d) or moderately lame (median = 32 d; range = 4 to 146 d), compared with nonlame cows (median = 29 d; range = 2 to 172 d).


   DISCUSSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Analysis of results of the study reported here support the hypothesis that lameness has a detrimental effect on ovarian activity in Holstein cows during the early postpartum period. Cows classified as lame (score = 4) had 3.5 times greater odds of delayed cyclicity than nonlame cows (score ≤2) (OR = 3.50; 95% CI = 1.00 to 12.21; P = 0.04). Attributable proportion analysis indicated that delayed ovarian cyclicity in lame cows would be reduced by 71% if lameness had been prevented. This inference is further supported by the fact that the interval from calving to first luteal phase was longer (P < 0.05) in lame cows (median = 36 d), compared with nonlame cows (29 d). To our knowledge, only one previous study has examined the relationship between lameness and ovarian activity. In a study conducted in 335 dairy cows on 6 high-producing dairy herds in Belgium, cows diagnosed with clinical mastitis, severe lameness, or pneumonia by farmers were at higher risk of delayed cyclicity, compared with cows classified as clinically healthy (Opsomer et al., 2000). However, the actual number of cows affected with clinical mastitis, severe lameness, or pneumonia was not reported.

Although cows classified as moderately lame (score = 3) in the current study did not have significantly greater odds of delayed cyclicity than nonlame cows, the relationship was numerically in the same direction as for lame cows with a score of 4. Because median intervals from calving to first luteal phase were progressively longer with increasing degree of lameness, intervention to attenuate lameness at early stages is important. Without the use of a locomotion scoring system, moderately lame cows may not be recognized as lame by veterinarians or farm workers. Preventive measures such as examination of cows’ feet and use of corrective foot trimming techniques should be targeted at moderately lame cows, as they represented 42% of the study population.

The incidence of cows classified as moderately lame (score = 3) and lame (score = 4) during the first 35 d postpartum was 42 and 17%, respectively. In a previous study conducted in 66 dairy cows on one farm in Michigan (Sprecher et al., 1997), a 5-point locomotion scoring system was used for diagnosis of lameness. In the Michigan study, 27 (49%) cows and 14 (24%) cows were classified as moderately lame and lame, respectively. Results from that study are difficult to directly compare with results of the present study because the 5-point system used in the Michigan study did not include cows with an arched-back posture that was evident while standing and walking, but with normally appearing gaits. In our study, such cows were classified as mildly lame (score = 2; n = 76, or 32%). The possibility that cows classified as mildly lame (score = 2) in our study perhaps should have been classified as moderately lame (score = 3) is not likely, as the incidence of delayed cyclicity was lower in cows with score = 2 (3/76 or 4%), compared with cows with a score = 3 (14/101 or 14%). If cows with a locomotion score = 2 were misclassified, we would have expected an incidence of delayed cyclicity similar to that observed in cows classified with a locomotion score = 3.

Although we established an association between lameness and delayed ovarian cyclicity, we failed to identify loss of body condition (or a modifying effect of lameness and loss of body condition) as a significant risk factor associated with delayed cyclicity. A loss in BCS ≥0.75 points in the first 50 d postpartum did not significantly delay cyclicity, compared with cows that loss body condition <0.75 points (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 0.63 to 4.03; P = 0.32). The observed incidence of delayed cyclicity in the study population was low (11%), compared with other studies (23 to 29%) reported in the literature (Humboldt and Thibier, 1980; Bartlett et al., 1987; Staples et al., 1990), creating a sample size limitation. Among 335 dairy cows in Belgium, cows losing more in body condition during the first and second month after calving were at higher risk of delayed cyclicity (Opsomer et al., 2000).

In our study, ketosis was, by itself, a risk factor for delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity (OR = 2.76; 95% CI = 1.08 to 7.06; P = 0.03). This result is in agreement with a study conducted in 84 dairy cows on 8 farms in Switzerland (Reist et al., 2000), where blood serum and milk ketone body concentrations during the first 6 wk postpartum were higher in cows classified as late responders (i.e., cows started postpartum ovarian cyclicity after 30 d) than in early responders, with no significant differences in BCS between groups. It is possible that lameness and ketosis may additionally interact with each other to affect risk of delayed cyclicity, but sample size was too small in the present study to adequately detect such an interaction. Lameness can depress DM intake (Hassall et al., 1993; Galindo and Broom, 2002) resulting in negative energy balance. It is well accepted that negative energy balance contributes to increased ketone body formation and delays the onset of ovarian activity (Reist et al., 2000). A negative energy balance postpartum not only contributes to increase ketogenesis, but also delays the onset of ovarian cyclicity, especially if energy deficiency is prolonged (Butler and Smith, 1989; Staples et al., 1990; Lucy et al., 1992). Furthermore, results of the study reported here revealed that the risk of delayed cyclicity was lower in high-milk producing cows, compared with medium- or low-milk producing cows. Results of previous studies suggest that low-milk producing cows are associated with inferior DMI, a more negative energy balance, and are less likely to restore ovarian activity during the first 63 d postpartum, compared with high-milk producing cows (Staples et al., 1990; Lucy et al., 1992).


   CONCLUSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 
Analysis of results of the study reported here supports the hypothesis that lameness has a detrimental effect on ovarian activity in Holstein cows during the early postpartum period. The locomotion scoring system used in this study is a useful management tool that veterinarians and dairy farmers can adopt for early detection of lameness in dairy cows.


   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
 
The authors thank Nelly Amador, Julie Oakley, Marie-Joelle Thatcher, and Shawn Ward for technical assistance, and Condale Dairy for allowing the use of study cows and for their valuable assistance throughout the study.


   FOOTNOTES
 
* This study was supported in part by the USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program (Grant No. FLAV-CO-00227) and the Florida Dairy Check-Off Program, and the UF College of Veterinary Medicine. Back

Received for publication February 12, 2004. Accepted for publication August 19, 2004.


   REFERENCES
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 REFERENCES
 


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Beam, S. W., and W. R. Butler. 1998. Energy balance, metabolic hormones, and early postpartum follicular development in dairy cows fed prilled lipid. J. Dairy Sci. 81:121–131.[Abstract]

Berry, S. L. 2001. Interdigital dermatitis. Pages 134–135 in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. Vol. 17. D. Anderson, ed. Saunders, Philadelphia, PA.

Blowey, R. W. 1994. Interdigital causes of lameness. Pages 142–154 in Proc. of the 8th International Symposium on Disorders of the Ruminant Digit. Banff, Canada.

Butler, W. R., and R. D. Smith. 1989. Interrelationships between energy balance and postpartum reproductive function in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 72:767–783.

Collick, D. W., W. R. Ward, and H. Dobson. 1989. Associations between types of lameness and fertility. Vet. Rec. 125:103–106.[Abstract]

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