Impact of Lameness on Uterine Health, Reproductive Performances and Hormonal Profile of Zebu X Friesian Crossbred Dairy Cows In and Around Jimma Town Dairy Farms, Ethiopia

Longitudinal observation study was conducted from January 2020 to July 2021 in and around Jimma town dairy farms, Ethiopia. The goal of this study was to examine the first-service conception and pregnancy rates of cows classified as non-lame, mildly lame, moderately lame, lame, and severely lame. In addition, the link between lameness and subclinical endometritis was investigated. Finally, we wanted to look at progesterone and cortisol hormones to see if they had anything to do with lameness. Every month, cows were evaluated for lameness using a 5 points locomotor scoring system. The cytobrush approach was used to detect subclinical endometritis. The electrochemiluminescence immunoassay "ECLIA" was used to measure progesterone and cortisol levels in cow blood serum. Cows that were clinically lame had a lower Conception Rate at First Services (CRFS) than cows that were never lame or mildly lame, although the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). When compared to cows that had never been lame and slightly lame cows, clinically lame cows had a lower Pregnancy Rate at First Services (PRFS). This difference was significant (P<0.05). Lameness can be influenced by a variety of circumstances, including parity and physical condition. Lameness was found to be strongly linked to subclinical endometritis (P=0.035). Lameness caused a decrease in progesterone levels and an increase in cortisol concentration. In conclusion significant associations were found in this study between different degrees of lameness and fertility. Reducing lameness should be part of the management plan used to improve fertility of dairy cows.