This study was carried out to investigate the reproductive and growing performances in sow farms located in Chungnam. Data collected from a total of 15 sow farms divided into 3 farm groups for 1 year were analyzed. The results obtained were as follows; The average of sow at small and large farms were 114.25 and 487.88 heads, respectively. And then, the difference among 3 groups in sow farm was not found significantly in farrowing rate. The significant difference among 3 farm groups was significantly found(p<0.05) in total litter size. The litter size born alive at sucking in small sow farm and middle farms were 9.93, and 10.48 pigs. The difference between small and large farms in number of pigs at weaning were significantly shown 8.89, and 9.35 pigs(p<0.05), respectively. The difference among 3 sow farms for ages at weaning showed significantly (p<0.05). The cycles of farrowing rate per year in small, large and middle farms were 2.17, 2.23 and 2.32, respectively. The significant difference among 3 sow groups was found in farrowing rate(p<0.05). The growing rate up to weaning for middle farms was significantly the higher level(94.70%) than that for other farms(p<0.05). The differences among 3 farm groups for marketing weight were not significantly shown.

The reproductive disorders are the major causes of reproductive infertility in cows that affect the total annual calf crop, resulting in great economic loss in Bangladesh. The aim of the study was to find out the reproductive disorders (RD) in dairy cows that markedly influences the reproductive performances in aspect of Bangladesh. A total number of 1658 dairy cows were selected according to their body condition score (BCS) in different farms at the southern part of Bangladesh during the period of 2011 to 2012. The preliminary data (basic information) were collected directly from the dairy farmer’s record books and asking questions according to a prescribed questionnaires as well as the diagnosis of RD was presumptively confirmed on the basis of history, clinical signs and examination of animals by ultrasonography and others necessary tools. There are thirteen major reproductive disorders were identified. Overall prevalence of reproductive disorders at that area were 23%, among of these anoestrus 5.1%, repeat breeder 3.7%, metritis 4.4%, poor heat detection 1.6%, ovarian cyst 0.36%, retain placenta 4.6%, dystocia 0.97% and pyometra 0.24%. It is indicated that anoestrus and retention of placenta after calving was most hazardous cause of infertility whereas the metritis and repeat breeder were the second line of consequence. RD had shown significantly higher incidence in low BCS (≤2) than that of fair (2.5) and very good (≥3∼3.5). In conclusion, the highest RD especially anoestrus and retention of placenta is very alarming for reproductive loss which might be needed further research to identify the specific cause of these disorders for establishment a profitable dairying and dairy population.

The study was set for one year to measure the effects of concentrate supplementation on reproductive performances and semen quality in indigenous rams. The study was conducted at the Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period from May 2011 to April 2012. Forteen ram lambs (4∼5 months) were randomly divided into two equal groups (n=7); supplemented vs control. The animals of control group were maintained on natural grazing. Along with natural grazing the supplemented group was on supplemented feeding. The concentrate supplementation (Wheat bran, Crushed maize, Soy bean meal, Fish meal, DCP powder, Vitamin mineral premix, Salt) was provided @ 300 g/head /day to the supplemented group. Body weight, scrotal circumference, BCS and libido index were measured weekly. Age, body weight and scrotal circumference at puberty were recorded. Semen was collected once in a weak using artificial vagina and chilled at 5℃ for 48h for evaluation. Concentrate supplementation did not influence (p>0.05) body condition score, age, weight, scrotal circumference at puberty and libido index. Final body weight (kg), growth rate (g/d), scrotal circumference (cm) and scrotal growth rate (mm/15d) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in supplemented group of rams compared to control. Volume, concentration, motility and membrane potentiality of spermatozoa were varied significantly (p<0.05) in supplemented and control groups. However, density, mass motility, viability and sperm with normal acrosome, midpiece and tail were not differed insignificantly (p>0.05) in different observation times. It was concluded that concentrate supplementation with free grazing improved weight and scrotal circumference gain and semen production with increased quality in indigenous ram.

Pig producers have been shown keen interest of the number of spermatozoa in a semen dose since pig artificial insemination introduce. However, determining the minimal number of spermatozoa need per AI without detrimental effect on overall reproductive performances is not an easy question to answer. To increase the efficiency of semen utilization in pig AI, optimum number of spermatozoa per dose needed to determine. The objective of this study was to determine the reproductive performance and factors that affect on-farm application of low-dose semen insemination in sows. Data were collected from Darby Genetics AI studs from 4th of June to 7th of July, 2012 (n=401). The numbers of parturition were 84, 234 and 83 in sows inseminated with doses of 1.5×109, 2.0×109 and 2.5×109 spermatozoa in 100ml extender, respectively. There were no significant differences on reproductive performances such as gestation pe-riod, total born, total born alive, stillbirth and mummy in sows inseminated with different semen doses. The average number of born alive was 10.5, 11.0 and 10.4 from sows inseminated with 1.5×109, 2.0×109 and 2.5×109 sperms, re- spectively. Also, number of spermatozoa per dose did not affect litter size (p>0.10). There were no significant differ-ences of maternal genetic line difference on gestation period, total number born, number born alive, born dead and mummy. The estimated correlation coefficients of the different semen doses with total number born, number born alive, born dead and mummy were r=—0.00, —0.01, 0.02 and 0.02, respectively. Taken together, the result of this study suggested that when semen was appropriately inseminated after induced ovulation, insemination with low-dose (1.5∼2.0×109) semen dose not adversely affect sow’s fertility.

This study was carried out between 2008 and 2009 in four dairy farms to investigate the effect of feeding of whole crop barley silage on the reproductive performance of Holstein heifers. Two diets, mixed hay or whole crop barley silage separately from concentrate were fed 6-month old Holstein heifers (=37). In control group (=CON), heifers (n=16) were fed 6 kg (/head) mixed hay and 4 kg (/head) commercial diet. In whole crop barley silage group (=WBS), heifers (n=21) were fed 10 kg (/head) whole crop barley silage, 4 kg (/head) mixed hay and 2 kg (/head) commercial diet. To manage body weight gain, the body condition score of heifers were measured every month. The results obtained were as follows: 1. Body weight in CON and WBS heifers at 13-, 14-, 15- and 17-month old were 340±17.9 and 342±13.6 kg, 356±15.7 and 366±14.7 kg, 382±13.1 and 387±14.4 kg, and 429±15.0 and 417±10.3 kg, respectively. 2. Body condition score in CON and WBS heifers at 9-, 12-, 15- and 17-month old were 2.88±0.04 and 2.80±0.04, 2.88±0.04 and 2.80±0.04, 2.89±0.08 and 3.00±0.07, and 2.89±0.08 and 3.00±0.07, respectively. 3. Average age of sexual maturity in CON and WBS heifers were 437.3±9.9days and 939.6±12.5days, WBS group heifers were significantly shorter (p<0.05) than CON group heifers. 4. First-service conception rates in CON or WBS group were 81.3% (13/16) and 66.7% (14/21), respectively, and cumulative conception rate to 2nd artificial insemination were 87.5% for CON and 85.7% for WBS group. Conception rate was not different between treatments