Research Article

Influence of the selected hoof diseases on reproduction parameters of Polish HF cows

Teresa Nałęcz-Tarwacka, Dorota Jędrzejek

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 11(4), 2012, 79‒90

Abstract. The aim of the paper was to show the most frequently occurring limb disorders and their effect on reproduction parameters of the cows. The studies were conducted on 220 cows with the mean yield equal to 10 500 kg of milk and showed that 16% of the herd suffered from digital dermatitis, 10% had interdigital dermatitis and 7% revealed sole ulcer (Rusterholz disease). The primiparas and the cows in the third lactation suffered most frequently from hoof lesions. The three mentioned above diseases affected significantly the decrease of milk production of the cows and deterioration of reproduction indices. Ovarian cysts occurred most frequently in the cows suffering from the Ruslerholz sole ulcer (13.33%). Endometritis was most frequently (47.06%) found in case of the cows with digital dermatitis. The cows with the hoof disorders became pregnant with greater difficulties and their inter-pregnancy period was considerably prolonged.

Keywords: cows, hoof diseases, reproduction