Title:
Modern research in the reduced fertility of high yielding dairy cows: an innovative way of thinking
Author(s):
JLMR. LEROY, A. VAN SOOM, A. DE KRUIF, G. OPSOMER
Abstract:
It has frequently been reported that, along with continuously increasing milk production, dairy cow fertility has been declining. Maintaining the fertility of dairy cows is of capital importance for guaranteeing optimal milk yield and profitability. The endocrine pathways leading to this subfertility have been extensively investigated. However, disappointing fertilization rates and early embryonic mortality have recently been proposed as major factors in the problem of disappointing reproductive performance. It is suggested that oocytes and embryos are highly sensitive to any disruption in their environment caused by metabolic, dietary or other factors, which can have fatal consequences for final fertility. Because knowledge of the oocyte’s microenvironment and of oocyte and embryo quality in high yielding dairy cows is extremely limited, future research should concentrate on providing this missing knowledge.