Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive managementrelated parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

낙농에서 젖소의 복지는 일차적으로 젖소가 건강하고 영양상태가 좋으며 질병과 부상이 없는 사 육환경을 의미한다. 최근에는 불량한 사육환경에 의해 야기되는 고통으로부터의 자유라는 개념까지 포괄하여 젖소의 복지를 추구하고 있다. 그러나 지난 10여 년간 낙농산업이 처한 경영상의 어려움 으로 인해 과밀사육이 나타나고 전염성 및 대사성 발병이 증가하고 있다. 또한 지구 온난화에 의한 고온 스트레스로 인해 낙농산업의 생산성이 저하되고 있으며 이러한 지구온난화는 앞으로도 수십 년간 지속될 것으로 전망되고 있어 사육관리에 대한 새로운 전략이 필요한 실정이다. 본 총설에서 는 젖소의 복지측면에서 대두되는 국내외의 문제점을 제시하고 여러 연구결과를 종합적으로 논하고 자 한다.