Fertility and parturition parameters in beef type heifers

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Uysal A., Tohumcu V., Uysal S., Hayırlı A., Cengiz M.

TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION, cilt.57, sa.5, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 57 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11250-025-04505-5
  • Dergi Adı: TROPICAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND PRODUCTION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Veterinary Science Database
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study compared fertility and parturition parameters in Limousin (L) and Charolais (C) heifers to identify the breed most suitable for beef production. A total of 234 L and 76 C Hungarian-origin heifers, aged 9-11 months, were managed under standardized housing and feeding conditions at Dogan Farm. Parturitions were categorized based on the time of day (day: 07:00-19:00; night) and season (cold, cool, hot). Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA and Chi-square tests Results showed that C heifers required significantly more inseminations to conceive (C: 3.39 +/- 0.22, L: 2.32 +/- 0.10, P < 0.0001), indicating lower reproductive efficiency. Additionally, C calves were significantly heavier at birth than L calves (C: 46.1 +/- 0.8 kg, L: 40.2 +/- 0.3 kg, P < 0.0001), with male calves being generally heavier than females (M: 43.7 +/- 0.5 kg, F: 39.5 +/- 0.3 kg, P < 0.0001). The incidence of dystocia was higher in C heifers (63.16%) compared to L heifers (41.88%), while L heifers experienced greater parturition ease (58.12% vs. 36.84%; X-2 = 10.4244, P < 0.0054).