Relation of Uterine Involution and Postpartum Interval to Reproductive Efficiency in Beef Cattle

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Abstract
Data collected on 255 service periods of purebred Hereford and Angus cows indicated that conception rate was not affected by the involutionary state of the uterus at the time of breeding. No significant breed difference in time required for uterine involution was observed. The conception rate of cows not conceiving when bred prior to involution of the uterus was apparently not impaired at the second breeding. Conception rate at first service was significantly higher for cows bred 79 days postpartum or later, than for cows bred at a shorter postpartum interval. The interval from calving to conception was significantly shorter, however, for cows bred at a postpartum interval of 79 days or less. It is suggested that the length of the postpartum interval previous to first breeding may be of greater importance in achieving satisfactory conception in beef cattle than is the involutionary state of the uterus as judged by rectal palpation.