Background: Anogenital distance (AGD), which is a marker of prenatal exposure to androgens, has been found negatively associated with fertility in cattle. Prenatal exposure to androgens could influence the development of metabolic system in offspring, which could potentially impact postpartum reproductive performance in dairy cows. However, limited information is available about the relationship between AGD and postpartum metabolic status in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows.
Objectives: Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess various metabolic indicators as well as milk production and first service conception risk (FSCR) in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows considering their lengths of AGD.
Methods: For this purpose, AGD was measured on day 14 postpartum (n = 174), using which cows were classified into cows with short and long AGD. Concomitantly, blood samples were collected in a subset of cows (n = 126) for evaluation of glucose, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA). In addition, data of BCS (on Days 0, 10 and 60 postpartum), milk production and components (during the first, second and third months of lactation), and FSCR were retrieved from the database of the herd.
Results: The results showed that most of metabolic indicators, milk production and FSCR were comparable between cows with short and long AGD (P > 0.10). Additionally, it was revealed that primiparous cows had better metabolic status and less milk production as compared with multiparous cows (P < 0.05). FSCR also tended to be greater in primiparous than multiparous cows (0.05 < P < 0.10).
Conclusion: In conclusion, the present study implied that different levels of prenatal exposure to androgens resulting in various lengths of AGD would not influence development of metabolic system in dairy cows. In addition, the present study implicated that less milk production in primiparous cows could lead to greater postpartum metabolic status, and in turn, better reproductive performance in these cows as compared with multiparous cows.