Conception rate and abortions in cattle are influenced by numerous infectious agents and nutritional management. Most often, repeat breeding and abortions are caused by disease. Professional assistance in testing of fetuses, placentas, and blood samples is essential to diagnose infectious diseases.
Dietary deficiencies and malnutrition in cows continue to be major causes of reproductive failures. Abnormalities of the reproductive tract (ovaries and uterus) and starvation of the embryo or fetus are commonly associated with inadequate intake of protein, energy, minerals, or vitamins. These reproductive problems occur in a stressed cowherd on poor-quality forage or short grazing without provisions of hay and nutrient supplements.
Heat stress is another factor that contributes to reproductive failure. Heat stress can cause abortion up to the first 45 days of pregnancy. Often, heat stress results in embryonic loss in the first week of pregnancy and cows that repeat breed. Cows also can abort pregnancies if they are heat stressed between days 25 to 45 of pregnancy.
