# Presentation: 483433

## Reproduction data in USDA database

## History

| Pre-1997 | Days pregnant reported with lactation records |
| --- | --- |
| 1997 – | Earliest breeding information from specific breeding records |
| 2003 – | Pregnancy diagnosis code added to lactation records |
|  | Format 5 for reproduction data
All reported breeding events stored |

## Format 5 reproductive events

| Code | Definition |
| --- | --- |
| H | Observed in estrus (heat) but not inseminated |
| S | Synchronized estrus event (injection or other methods) |
| A | Artificial insemination (includes service sire ID) |
| N | Natural service breeding (includes service sire ID) |
| E | Embryo donation |
| I | Embryo implantation (reporting sire of embryo) |
| J | Embryo implantation (reporting dam of embryo) |
| P | Confirmed pregnant |
| O | Confirmed not pregnant (open) |
| X | Cow given “do not breed” designation |
| Proposed | Inseminator ID |

## Database design

**Record key **
**Cow, calving, herd**
**Record fields **
**Status and production data**
**Up to 50 test-day segments**
**Up to 50 reproductive events**

## Integration of lactation source data

**Breeding events from current lactation records stored**
**Different event type used (B)**** **
**Pregnancy confirmation and estimated date derived from subsequent test date**
**Service sire derived from progeny**

## Current reproduction data

**Lactation or heifer ID/breeding records **
**2,336,621 cows calving in 2003**
**304,183 heifers born in 2002**
**67% include pregnancy confirmation**
**Most confirmations are affirmative**
**76% confirmed pregnant**
**24% confirmed not pregnant**

## Current reproduction data

**Reproductive  record (format 5)**
**Reporting from 2 DRPCs**
**57% of all cows**
**Reporting herds with 10+ calvings  **
**71% reported data in format 5   **
**24% reported breeding dates only (format 4) **
**81% reported either pregnancy confirmation (format 4) or diagnosis (format 5)**

## Current reproduction data

**Cows**
**86% include at least 1 breeding  **
**Mean number of breedings: 2.1**
**Heifers**
**82% include at least 1 breeding **
**Mean number of breedings: 1.5**

## Format 5 data

**89% of breedings include service sire**
**Almost no estrus synchronization**
**Very few embryo transfers**
**As either donor or recipient**

## Uses

**Daughter pregnancy rate evaluation  **
**Pregnancy status used to improve estimates of days open for lactations without subsequent calving **
**Pedigree validation**
**Planned evaluation of male fertility**
**Research resource**

## Service sire vs. calf sire

**111,546 Holsteins **
**Born June**** ****–**** ****December 2004**
**Registry status 75**** ****–100%  **
**Not embryo transfer  **
**Sire and dam reported **** **
**Comparison**** **
**Match: 48.7%  **
**Service sire unknown: 49.3%  **
**Sires different: 2.0%**

## Resolution of differences

**Allow breeds to query AIPL database prior to issuance of registration:**
**Dam's calving date**
**Dam's service sire**
**Calf pedigree**
**Benefits:**
**Use of data recorded closest to event**
**Conflicts resolved prior to registration**
**Conflicts between breed and DHI reduced**

## Summary

**Extensive set of reproduction information collected**
**High proportion of recent cows have some data**
**Used to improve DPR**
**May add to accuracy of sire identification**
**Data for planned male fertility evaluation**