Embryonic mortality in cattle - A review

Cattle is one of the major livestock species for milk production, contributing significantly to the economy of our country and continuous milk production needs regular conception and successful calf crop production. World-over, for dairy economy, there is emphasis on one calf per year per cattle. Successful calving follows survival of the conceptus through embryonic and fetal development. Embryonic mortality is a major source of economic loss with mortality rate upto 40% in animal production through repeat breeding and increased cost of artificial insemination, cost of treatment, extended calving intervals and prolonged dry period resulting in reduced milk production.