Alimentary infertility in female cattle: I – prevalence, the relationship between feeding and reproductive ability (Overview)

Among the many causes of reproductive dysfunction in female cattle leading to infertility, feeding factors occupy an important place. Moreover, the state of nutrient deficiency nowadays determines the main etiologic factor of decreased reproductive ability of cows and heifers. Literature review shows that feeding cows and heifers is directly related to reproduction. It is shown that the causes of the alimentary form of infertility in female cattle can be various situations, unbalanced daily ration, deficiency or excess of one or more elements and even type of feed. At the same time, nutritional factors can cause infertility in combination with others. The relationship between nutrition and reproductive performance offers significant potential for optimizing reproductive performance in cattle. By manipulating nutrient intake, livestock producers can strive to maintain reproductive performance. Therefore, uncovering and better understanding the complex interactions between feeding and various reproductive processes is important to address the increasing challenges associated with declining fertility in cattle. Numerous reviews indicate that feeding affects reproduction, but the precise mechanisms by which feeding mediates the reproductive process remain largely unclear. The main problem is that the degree of excess, deficiency or imbalance required to alter reproduction is still unclear. The best recommendation is to establish a feeding program for dairy cows that is balanced in all nutrients and meets all known nutrient requirements. However, further research is needed on the role of feed substances in the manifestation of sexual function in cows and heifers. A complete understanding of how feeding affects reproduction may provide an alternative approach.