Abstract:
This study analyzes the effect of environmental conditions on the pregnancy rate of dairy cows, a sector of significant economic importance in Brazil. Pregnancy losses can be as high as 60% and occur due to heat stress, inadequate management and genetic problems. Animal welfare, which is related to temperature, humidity and ventilation, is essential for reproduction. Heat stress can impair ovulation and semen quality, leading to a decrease in the conception rate. Transrectal ultrasound is an essential tool that allows the evaluation of the uterus and ovaries and allows early diagnosis of pregnancy. The study highlights that the conception rate is a key rate for reproductive efficiency, but adverse environmental factors can impair it. Environmental conditions such as heat stress, relative humidity and management environment are analyzed. Heat stress causes an increase in the body temperature of cows, impairing hormonal function and egg maturation. High relative humidity aggravates the effects. An adequate management environment, ventilation and access to water can minimize the effects. Ultrasound can be used for follicular monitoring and early diagnosis of pregnancy, allowing medical interventions and adjustments in reproductive management with an emphasis on optimizing practices, improving reproductive efficiency. Ultrasound allows follicular monitoring, enabling verification of the quality of ovarian follicles and detection of failures in the estrous cycle and ovulation. In addition, it allows early diagnosis of pregnancy, enabling rapid and accurate medical intervention, and adjustment of reproductive management according to the physiological conditions of the cows. In short, the study aims to verify whether variations in environmental conditions interfere with the reproductive health of dairy cows. To this end, ultrasound is used as a crucial tool in this assessment, with the aim of optimizing management practices and improving reproductive efficiency.
