Repeat breeding is when a cow fails to conceive after at least 3 consecutive inseminations or natural services despite having normal estrous cycles and no clinical abnormalities. It can be caused by fertilization failure in around 15-28% of cases or early embryonic death in around 25% of cases. Main contributing factors include genetics, artificial insemination techniques, the environment, uterine infections, ovarian function, and chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo. Treatment focuses on improving nutrition, using high quality semen, appropriate timing of AI, and addressing any infections present. Prevention emphasizes proper heat detection, insemination timing, minimizing stress, and only breeding healthy animals.

1. REPEAT BREEDING
Presentation by
Madhav Rawat
8th Semester
BVSc&AH
HICAST

2. Etymology
Repeat
• Latin word: “repetere” – do or say again; attack again
• re = again; petere = to go to
Breed
• Old English: “bredan” – produce offspring; bear a child
• German: “bruten” – to brood or hatch

3. Repeat Breeding
Repeat breeding is an abnormal condition in which a cow has
normal estrous cycle, is free from palpable clinical abnormalities,
has no abnormal vaginal discharge, is less than 10 years old, has
calved at least once but has failed to conceive after at least 3 or
more consecutive inseminations/natural services.

4. Etiology
1. Fertilization Failure
2. Early Embryonic Death

5. Main Factors
Genetics
• Hereditary
• Chromosomal defects
• Inbreeding
Artificial Insemination
• Semen quality
• Insemination technique
• Estrus detection
• Insemination time

6. Environment
• High temperature
• High humidity
• Housing
• Nutrition
Uterus
• Infections
• Biochemical changes
Ovarian Function
• Delayed ovulation
• Progesterone deficiency

7. Fertilization Failure
• Accounts for about 15% of reproductive wastage in normal
cows.
• In repeat breeder cows, the fertilization failure may be higher
around 28-44%.

8. Fertilization failure may be due to
1. Abnormalities in ovulation: Anovulation & Delayed
ovulation
2. Defective ovum
3. Ageing of ovum - aged ova are viable for only for few hours
4. Inability of sperm to fertilize ovum
• Fertility of bull
• High sperm abnormality
• Low sperm quality
• Inflammation of genital tract
• Very early AI

9. 5. Inability of gametes to reach one another due to congenital
and acquired defects of the genital tract
• Congenital defects: Segmental aplasia
• Acquired defects: Ovarobursal adhesion, Hydrosalphinx, Cystic
ovary

10. Early Embryonic Death
• Accounts for about 25% of reproduction waste.
• Embryonic death occurs between 8-14 days after breeding.
• Most embryonic deaths occur before the critical stage of
pregnancy and the cow will return to estrus at normal 18-25
days interval.

11. Early Embryonic Death may be due to
1. Cytogenic abnormalities
• Critical requirement for embryo survival is the presence of
normal complement of chromosomes.
• Chromosomal aberrations – abnormal karyotypes play a role
in early embryo loss.

12. 2. Unfavorable uterine environment
Uterine environment can be affected by
Nutrition
Age of dam
Ambient temperature
Hormonal imbalance
Infections

13. Diagnosis
1. Rectal examination
2. Vaginal speculum
3. White side test
4. Endometrial cytology
5. Endometrial biopsy

14. Treatment
Bring the animal into positive energy balance
Additional concentrate, green fodder & grasses
Mineral supplement
Check the semen quality – use only high quality semen
Appropriate timing of AI & repeat AI

15. In case of delayed ovulation
• 100µg of GnRH or 1000-1500 IU of LH at AI time
• 500 mg of Progesterone on 5th day after AI
• Skip AI, administer PGF2α after 9-10 days and do fixed
AI(Estrus synchronization)

16. Prevention
Serve cows at correct time; know the sign of heat.
Milk progesterone testing is also useful. Cows in true heat
will have very low progesterone.
 Ensure better insemination technique
Don’t start serving too soon after calving. It might cause low
pregnancy rates and may cause repeat breeding.
Minimize stress at service.

17. Animals with congenital defects of ovary, fallopian tubes or
uterus should not be inseminated.
Underweight, malnourished, anaemic animals should never
be inseminated.
Only efficient trained personnel should do AI.
Never use bulls with known genital infections for AI.
Use hormonal treatments judiciously only when required.

18. Conclusion
Control of uterine infections
Correct negative energy balance
Correct timing of AI
Assure quality of semen

19. Any Queries???