Specific Infectious Diseases that Limit Bovine Reproduction

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief overview of the major infectious diseases that limit reproduction in dairy cattle. In addition, a more detailed discussion of 4 reproductive diseases causing much concern among dairymen and practitioners will be presented. These 4 reproductive diseases are leptospirosis, ureaplasma, mycoplasma, and chlamydia. Evidence was presented to show that L. hardjo does not lower conception rate. Evaluation of dairymen's records suggests that conception rate drops during the acute phase of urea plasma granular-vulvitis. Controlled trials using experimental inoculation of ureaplasma, mycoplasma, and
chlamydia organisms at the time of breeding are needed to more clearly define the role of these organisms on
conception rate.