Evaluation of Anogenital Distance and Anti-Müllerian Hormone Plasmatic Concentration as Potential Phenotypes to Predict Reproductive Performance in Holstein Heifers

Abstract

The profitability of dairy farms primarily depends on the productive and reproductive performance of cows. However, the progressive decrease in reproductive performance in dairy cattle has led to the search for new potential phenotypes to keep the most profitable animals. Consequently, this study aimed to assess whether anogenital distance or anti-Müllerian hormone plasmatic concentrations could be used as predictors of future reproductive performance in dairy cattle. The anogenital distance was measured in 566 heifers from 9 dairy farms in Galicia (Spain), and blood samples were collected. Our results showed that animals with short anogenital distance were inseminated, became pregnant, and calved earlier than animals with long anogenital distance. Additionally, it was verified that this measure showed little variation with age. However, no association was found between anti-Müllerian hormone plasmatic concentration and anogenital distance or reproductive performance, underlining the need for further studies with larger sample sizes.