Why Are Infertility and Repeat Breeding Increasing on Dairy Farms?
A review article published in Pakistan Veterinary Journal explains how nutrition, infections, calving problems, ovarian disorders, heat stress, poor management and diagnostic gaps can reduce fertility in cattle.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Real Problem Is Bigger Than Semen or AI Timing
Repeat breeding is often not a single-cause problem. It may be linked with uterine infection, poor oocyte quality, hormonal disturbance, wrong insemination timing, semen handling issues, heat stress, mineral imbalance and weak farm records. A cow that fails to conceive repeatedly needs a full reproductive investigation, not just another insemination.
Top Highlights
Delayed conception, repeat breeding and longer calving intervals directly affect milk production cycles and farm economics.
Dystocia, retained fetal membranes, uterine infections, ovarian dysfunction, repeat breeding and anestrus often overlap.
Ultrasonography, molecular diagnostics, hormonal testing and herd-level reproductive records can support early detection and targeted intervention.
About the Original Article
Original Article Title:
A Review of Obstetric and Gynaecological Challenges in Cattle Reproduction
Journal: Pakistan Veterinary Journal
Publication Details: Pak Vet J, 2026, 46(5): 1066-1080
DOI: 10.29261/pakvetj/2026.097
Authors: Dinara Zainettinova, Mardan Julanov, Dosmukan Gabdullin, Pierre Sans, Zhanat Amanova, Zhanna Sametova, Damir Khussainov, Adilbek Zholdasbekov, Arailym Niyatova, Aigerim Kozhayeva, Askhat Zhumabayev, Aizhuz Tolegenova and Baktiyar Nartay.
Affiliations: Shakarim University, Kazakhstan; Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Kazakhstan; Zhangir Khan West Kazakhstan Agrarian Technical University, Kazakhstan; Communauté d’universités et établissements de Toulouse, France; Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems, National Holding QazBioPharm, Kazakhstan; West Kazakhstan Innovative-Technological University, Kazakhstan; and K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University, Kazakhstan.
Why This Review Matters for Dairy Farms
Infertility and repeat breeding are among the most costly reproductive problems on dairy farms. A cow that does not conceive after repeated inseminations increases treatment cost, extends the calving interval and reduces overall farm productivity.
The review article explains that cattle reproduction should not be viewed as a single event linked only with insemination. Reproductive success depends on the entire cycle, including pre-calving nutrition, calving management, uterine health, ovarian function, heat detection, semen handling, disease control and post-calving recovery.
Key Message for Farmers
If a cow is coming into heat again and again but not becoming pregnant, the problem may not be semen alone. The uterus, ovaries, body condition, heat stress, mineral status, infection history and insemination timing must also be checked.
Major Reproductive Problems Discussed
Dystocia and Calving Problems
Dystocia means difficult calving. It may occur due to oversized calf, small pelvic size, abnormal fetal position, weak uterine contractions, poor sire selection or inadequate calving supervision. It can affect both the dam and calf and may lead to retained fetal membranes, uterine infection and delayed reproductive recovery.
Retained Fetal Membranes
Retained fetal membranes, commonly known as retained placenta, can increase the risk of uterine contamination after calving. Mineral imbalance, metabolic stress, dystocia and weak immunity may contribute to this condition.
Uterine Infections
Metritis and endometritis can disturb uterine recovery and reduce conception chances. In many cases, a cow may show heat and may be inseminated, but the uterus may not be healthy enough to support pregnancy.
Ovarian Dysfunction and Anestrus
Ovarian problems can cause irregular heat, silent heat, delayed ovulation or absence of visible estrus. These issues may be linked with negative energy balance, metabolic stress, hormonal disturbance, heat stress and nutritional deficiencies.
Why Repeat Breeding Happens
Repeat breeding is a complex reproductive problem. It usually refers to cows that show apparently normal estrous cycles but fail to conceive after repeated inseminations.
According to the review, possible contributing factors include subclinical uterine infection, poor oocyte quality, hormonal imbalance, inappropriate insemination timing, semen quality, semen handling, nutrition gaps and heat stress. This is why repeat breeding should be investigated through a complete reproductive check instead of repeating insemination without diagnosis.
Main Causes Behind Infertility and Repeat Breeding
| Cause | How It Affects Fertility | Farm Action |
|---|---|---|
| Uterine infection | Reduces uterine health and may disturb embryo implantation. | Post-calving examination and early veterinary care. |
| Poor nutrition | Negative energy balance can affect ovarian activity and immunity. | Balanced ration, minerals and proper transition feeding. |
| Mineral imbalance | May increase risk of retained placenta and weak reproductive recovery. | Monitor calcium, phosphorus, selenium and vitamin support. |
| Heat stress | Can reduce feed intake, disturb hormones and reduce heat expression. | Shade, ventilation, cooling and clean water availability. |
| Wrong AI timing | May reduce the chance of fertilization even when the cow is cycling. | Improve heat detection and maintain breeding records. |
| Semen handling issues | Poor handling can reduce semen quality before insemination. | Follow proper thawing, hygiene and AI protocols. |
Role of Nutrition in Cattle Fertility
Nutrition is one of the strongest factors affecting reproductive performance. The transition period before and after calving is especially important. If a cow enters negative energy balance after calving, ovarian function, immunity and conception chances may be affected.
Balanced ration, body condition monitoring, mineral supplementation, clean water, feed intake and metabolic disease prevention should be treated as part of reproductive management, not only as feeding management.
Modern Diagnosis and Emerging Technologies
The review highlights the importance of modern diagnostic tools in cattle reproduction. Ultrasonography can help veterinarians evaluate ovarian structures, uterine health, pregnancy status and post-calving recovery. Molecular diagnostic tools can support the identification of infectious causes, while hormonal tests can help assess endocrine status.
The article also discusses the direction of modern reproductive management, including activity monitoring, rumination sensors, automated estrus detection, artificial intelligence-based fertility prediction, genomic selection, embryo transfer and IVF.
VNV Insight
For Pakistan’s dairy industry, the key lesson is clear: infertility and repeat breeding should be managed through a herd-level approach. Farms must connect transition cow nutrition, mineral balance, clean calving, uterine health, heat detection, semen handling, disease screening, veterinary diagnosis and proper records. A repeat breeder cow should not simply be inseminated again and again without identifying the hidden cause.
Practical Takeaways for Farmers and Veterinarians
Why This Article Is Important
This review article places cattle reproduction at the center of farm profitability. It explains that reproductive failure is usually not caused by one factor. Instead, it is the result of several connected biological, nutritional, infectious and management-related factors.
For dairy farmers, veterinarians and breeding professionals, the message is practical: better fertility requires prevention, early diagnosis, good farm management and evidence-based reproductive decisions.
Original Source and Full Article Links
This VNV article is a journalistic summary and industry-focused explainer based on the original review article published in Pakistan Veterinary Journal. Readers who want to read the original scientific text can visit the official links below.
Read Official Abstract Page Download Full PDF Open DOI Link View PVJ Issue Archive
Citation
Zainettinova D, Julanov M, Gabdullin D, Sans P, Amanova Z, Sametova Z, Khussainov D, Zholdasbekov A, Niyatova A, Kozhayeva A, Zhumabayev A, Tolegenova A and Nartay B, 2026. A review of obstetric and gynaecological challenges in cattle reproduction. Pak Vet J, 46(5): 1066-1080. DOI: 10.29261/pakvetj/2026.097
Editorial Note
This article has been prepared by The Veterinary News & Views as a journalistic research highlight and industry-focused explainer. The original scientific work, authorship and publication credit belong to the authors and Pakistan Veterinary Journal. No tables, figures or full article text from the original publication have been reproduced.
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