Balasundaram Balakrishnan

Evaluation of Functional Traits in Karan Fries Cows: a Genetic Approach to Reproductive Disorders Balasundaram Balakrishnan

Functional traits are the characters of an animal which increase the efficiency not by higher output of product but by reduced cost of input. Udder and reproductive disorders are the imperative functional traits which causes major losses in milk production. Reproduction disorders affect the herd life, reproductive efficiency of cows and are responsible for removal of the cow from the herd. Crossbred cows appear to be more prone to infections and disorders as compared to indigenous breeds. Karan Fries cow is a crossbred of Holstein Friesian and Tharparkar (India) developed at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India. Incidence of abortion, still birth, dystocia, retained foetal membrane, metritis, endometritis, anoestrus, repeat breeding, pyometra and other reproductive disorders in Karan Fries cows were evaluated. Production and reproduction performance traits were found to be influenced by reproductive disorders. Repeatability of anoestrus and abortion were moderate to high in second and third lactation. Metritis was the most severe reproduction disorder. Overall incidence of reproduction disorders was lower in F1 than interbred genetic group of Karan Fries cows.