Relationships among early postpartum luteal activity, parity, and insemination outcomes based on in-line milk progesterone profiles in Canadian Holstein cows

- Primiparous cows had later commencement of luteal activity and less abnormal luteal phases than multiparous cows.
- An earlier commencement of luteal activity improved fertility in multiparous cows.
- Having abnormal luteal phases reduced fertility in primiparous cows.
- Having at least two luteal phases prior to first AI improved fertility.

The objectives of this retrospective study were to use in-line milk progesterone (mP4) data to investigate relationships of (1) commencement of luteal activity (CLA), and (2) luteal phase (LP) length and frequency preceding first postpartum AI, with parity and AI outcomes in Canadian Holstein cows. Starting 21 ± 1 days postpartum (DPP), levels of mP4 were assessed every 2.2 ± 2.0 d through an automated in-line milk analysis system (Herd Navigator™, DeLaval International, Tumba, Sweden) until ∼55 d after first or second AI in 748 Holstein cows from two herds. The CLA was defined as the DPP of the first of at least two consecutive samples with mP4 ≥5 ng/mL, and the period with elevated mP4 (≥5 ng/mL) was defined as the LP. Cows were categorized by CLA [earlier (≤) or later (>) than 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, and 63 DPP], and by the pattern of LP frequency preceding first AI as having or not: (1) one or more normal LP (LP length ≥7 and ≤19 d); (2) one or more abnormal LP (LP length <7 or >19 d, or interluteal period ≥12 d); and (3) two or more LP (either normal or abnormal). Outcomes of first or second AI were determined by the interval between AI and cessation of the ensuing LP as: non-pregnant (mP4-decline ≤30 d), presumed-pregnant (no mP4-decline until 55 d), or presumed-pregnancy loss (mP4-decline between 31 and ≤55 d). The odds of pregnancy per AI (P/AI) at 55 d and pregnancy loss were evaluated using generalized linear mixed models. Primiparous cows had lower odds of having CLA ≤28 DPP [Odds ratio (OR) = 0.58, P = 0.002] and one or more abnormal LP (OR = 0.73, P = 0.04) than multiparous cows. In multiparous cows, CLA ≤28 DPP decreased pregnancy loss (OR = 0.48, P = 0.05) and CLA ≤56 DPP increased P/AI (OR = 4.69, P < 0.01) compared to a later CLA. Primiparous and multiparous cows that had one or more normal LP before first AI had increased P/AI (OR = 3.85 and 3.45, respectively, P < 0.01) and reduced pregnancy loss (OR = 0.26 and 0.27, respectively, P < 0.01) than cows without a normal LP. Primiparous cows that had one or more abnormal LP had decreased P/AI (OR = 0.62, P = 0.04) and increased pregnancy loss (OR = 1.64, P = 0.04) compared to those without an abnormal LP. In summary, AI outcomes were improved in multiparous cows that had early CLA and in cows of both parity groups that had at least one normal LP before first AI. However, primiparous cows that had at least one abnormal LP had reduced AI outcomes. Relationships between early postpartum luteal activity and AI outcomes were inconsistent between primiparous and multiparous cows.