Main causes of pregnancy losses in beef cattle: Systematic review and meta-analysis
German Holguin-Sanabria; Deisy Johana Díaz Sánchez; Daniele Zago; Julio Otavio Jardim Barcellos
Abstract
Keywords
References
Albertini S, Gricio E, Abreu L, Penteado L, Albertini H, Chaparro A, Baruselli P. Identification of factors associated with pregnancy loss in lactating crossbred beef cows. Theriogenology. 2026;260:117931.
Alvarez RH, Pugliesi G, Natal FLN, Rocha CC, Ataide GA Jr, Melo AJF, Otzuk IP, Oliveira CA, Humblot P. Reproductive performance of Bos indicus beef cows treated with different doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin at the end of a progesterone-estrogen based protocol for fixed-time artificial insemination. Theriogenology. 2018;118:150-6.
Andreotti R, Barros JC, Pereira AR, Oshiro LM, Cunha RC, Figueiredo LF No. Association between seropositivity for Neospora caninum and reproductive performance of beef heifers in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 2010;19(2):119-23.
Aono FH, Cooke RF, Alfieri AA, Vasconcelos JLM. Effects of vaccination against reproductive diseases on reproductive performance of beef cows submitted to fixed-timed AI in Brazilian cow-calf operations. Theriogenology. 2013;79(2):242-8.
Ayres H, Ferreira RM, Torres-Júnior JRS, Demétrio CGB, Sá MF Fo, Gimenes LU, Penteado L, D’Occhio MJ, Baruselli PS. Inferences of body energy reserves on conception rate of suckled Zebu beef cows subjected to timed artificial insemination followed by natural mating. Theriogenology. 2014;82(4):529-36.
Azevedo JB, Silva GS, Rocha PS, Pitchenin LC, Dutra V, Nakazato L, et al. Presence of Ureaplasma diversum in the genital tracts of female dairy cattle in Mato Grosso State, Brazil. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2017;49(2):311-6.
Bazer FW, Spencer TE, Ott TL. Interferon tau: a novel pregnancy recognition signal. Am J Reprod Immunol. 1997;37(6):412-20.
Bazer FW, Wang X, Johnson GA, Wu G. Select nutrients and their effects on conceptus development in mammals. Anim Nutr. 2015;1(3):85-95.
Beal WE, Perry RC, Corah LR. The use of ultrasound in monitoring reproductive physiology of beef cattle. J Anim Sci. 1992;70(3):924-9.
Bertolini M, Bertolini LR, Gerger RPC, Batchelder CA, Anderson GB. Developmental problems during pregnancy after in vitro embryo manipulations. Rev Bras Reprod Anim. 2007;31(3):391-405.
Bondurant RH. Venereal diseases of cattle: natural history, diagnosis, and the role of vaccines in their control. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2005;21(2):383-408.
Borenstein M, Hedges LV, Higgins JPT, Rothstein HR. Introduction to meta-analysis. Chichester (UK): John Wiley & Sons Ltd; 2009.
Brooks K, Burns G, Spencer TE. Conceptus elongation in ruminants: roles of progesterone, prostaglandin, interferon tau and cortisol. J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2014;5(1):53.
Burke JM, Rorie RW, Piper EL, Jackson WG. Reproductive responses to grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue by postpartum beef cows. Theriogenology. 2001;56(2):357-69.
Burns MG, Buttrey BS, Dobbins CA, Martel CA, Olson KC, Lamb GC, Stevenson JS. Evaluation of human chorionic gonadotropin as a replacement for gonadotropin-releasing hormone in ovulation-synchronization protocols before fixed timed artificial insemination in beef cattle. J Anim Sci. 2008;86(10):2539-48.
Canozzi MEA, Mederos A, Manteca X, Turner SP, McManus C, Zago D, Barcellos JOJ. A meta-analysis of cortisol concentration, vocalization, and average daily gain associated with castration in beef cattle. Res Vet Sci. 2017;114:430-43.
Carter F, Forde N, Duffy P, Wade M, Fair T, Crowe MA, Evans ACO, Kenny DA, Roche JF, Lonergan P. Effect of increasing progesterone concentration from Day 3 of pregnancy on subsequent embryo survival and development in beef heifers. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2008;20(3):368-75.
Colazo MG, Kastelic JP, Whittaker PR, Gavaga QA, Wilde R, Mapletoft RJ. Fertility in beef cattle given a new or previously used CIDR insert and estradiol, with or without progesterone. Anim Reprod Sci. 2004;81(1-2):25-34.
Cooke RF, Schubach KM, Marques RS, Peres RFG, Silva LGT, Carvalho RS, Cipriano RS, Bohnert DW, Pires AV, Vasconcelos JLM. Effects of temperament on physiological, productive, and reproductive responses in beef cows. J Anim Sci. 2017;95(1):1-8.
Cordeiro MB, Peres MS, de Souza JM, Gaspar P, Barbiere F, Sá MF Fo, Maturana M Fo, Dinardi RN, Nogueira GP, Mesquita FS, Pugliesi G, Martins T, Binelli M, Membrive CMB. Supplementation with sunflower seed increases circulating cholesterol concentrations and potentially impacts on the pregnancy rates in Bos indicus beef cattle. Theriogenology. 2015;83(9):1461-8.
Couto SRB, Guerson YB, Caparelli NMPM, Andrade JPN, Jacob JCF, Barbero RP, Mello MRB. Impact of progesterone supplementation on morphofunctional aspects of the corpus luteum, pregnancy and gestational loss in Nelore cows. Anim Reprod. 2022;19(2):e22018.
DerSimonian R, Laird N. Meta-analysis in clinical trials. Control Clin Trials. 1986;7(3):177-88.
Diskin MG, Morris DG. Embryonic and early foetal losses in cattle and other ruminants. Reprod Domest Anim. 2008;43(Suppl 2):260-7.
Diskin MG, Parr MH, Morris DG. Embryo death in cattle: an update. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2011;24(1):244-51.
Diskin MG, Sreenan JM. Fertilization and embryonic mortality rates in beef heifers after artificial insemination. J Reprod Fertil. 1980;59(2):463-8.
Diskin MG, Waters SM, Parr MH, Kenny DA. Pregnancy losses in cattle: potential for improvement. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2016;28(1-2):83-93.
Dobbins CA, Eborn DR, Tenhouse DE, Breiner RM, Johnson SK, Marston TT, Stevenson JS. Insemination timing affects pregnancy rates in beef cows treated with CO-Synch protocol including an intravaginal progesterone insert. Theriogenology. 2009;72(7):1009-16.
Dobson H, Tebble JE, Smith RF, Ward WR. Is stress really all that important? Theriogenology. 2001;55(1):65-73.
Dunne LD, Diskin MG, Sreenan JM. Embryo and foetal loss in beef heifers between day 14 of gestation and full term. Anim Reprod Sci. 2000;58(1-2):39-44.
Duval S, Tweedie R. Trim and fill: a simple funnel-plot–based method of testing and adjusting for publication bias in meta-analysis. Biometrics. 2000;56(2):455-63.
Ferreira LCL, Cooke RF, Marques RS, Fernandes HJ, Fernandes CE, Stelato R, Franco GL, Lemos RAA. Effects of vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease virus on reproductive performance of beef cows. J Anim Sci. 2016;94(1):401-5.
Ferreira LCL, Fernandes HJ, Silva AG, Fernandes CE, Dutra IS, Pupin RC, Lemos RAA. Impact of vaccination on the reproductive performance of multiparous Nellore cows. Pesq Vet Bras. 2018;38(3):456-61.
Franco G, Reese ST, Poole RK, Rhinehart JD, Thompson KE, Cooke RF, Pohler KG. Sire contribution to pregnancy loss in different periods of embryonic and fetal development of beef cows. Theriogenology. 2020;154:84-91.
Franco GA, Peres RFG, Martins CFG, Reese ST, Vasconcelos JLM, Pohler KG. Sire contribution to pregnancy loss and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein production in Nelore cows. J Anim Sci. 2018;96(2):632-40.
Higgins JPT, Green S, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Version 5.1.0. London: The Cochrane Collaboration; 2011 [cited 2024 Feb 10]. Available from:
Higgins JPT, Thompson SG, Deeks JJ, Altman DG. Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. BMJ. 2003;327(7414):557-60.
Inskeep EK, Dailey RA. Embryonic death in cattle. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract. 2005;21(2):437-61.
King BD, Bo GA, Kirkwood RN, Guenther CL, Cohen RDH, Mapletoft RJ. The effect of zeranol implants on growth and pregnancy loss in beef heifers. Can J Anim Sci. 1994;74(1):73-6.
Klein BG. Cunningham tratado de fisiologia veterinária. 5th ed. Rio de Janeiro: Elsevier; 2015.
Larson JE, Lamb GC, Stevenson JS, Johnson SK, Day ML, Geary TW, Kesler DJ, DeJarnette JM, Schrick FN, DiCostanzo A, Arseneau JD. Synchronization of estrus in suckled beef cows for detected estrus and artificial insemination and timed artificial insemination using gonadotropin-releasing hormone, prostaglandin F2alpha, and progesterone. J Anim Sci. 2006;84(2):332-42.
LeMaster CT, Taylor RK, Ricks RE, Long NM. The effects of late gestation maternal nutrient restriction with or without protein supplementation on endocrine regulation of newborn and postnatal beef calves. Theriogenology. 2017;87:64-71.
Lima ACN, Pereira ETN, Almeida IC, Xavier ED, Oliveira DCF, Almeida AC. Reproductive disorders and reconception of beef cows subjected to timed artificial insemination. Cienc Anim Bras. 2022;23:e70384.
Lonergan P, Forde N, Spencer T. Role of progesterone in embryo development in cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2016;28(1-2):66-74.
Lopes CN, Scarpa AB, Cappellozza BI, Cooke RF, Vasconcelos JLM. Effects of rumen-protected polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on reproductive performance of Bos indicus beef cows. J Anim Sci. 2009;87(12):3935-43.
Lucy MC, Evans TJ, Poock SE. Lymphocytic foci in the endometrium of pregnant dairy cows: characterization and association with reduced placental weight and embryonic loss. Theriogenology. 2016;86(7):1711-9.
Magopa TL, Mphaphathi ML, Ledwaba MR, Thema MA, Mulaudzi T, Nedambale TL. Influence of body condition score and lactation status on oestrus response and pregnancy rate in dairy and beef cows inseminated with sex-sorted or non-sex-sorted semen. Anim Reprod. 2022;19(2):e22221.
Martinez MF, Kastelic JP, Adams GP, Mapletoft RJ. The use of a progesterone-releasing device (CIDR-B) or melengestrol acetate with GnRH, LH, or estradiol benzoate for fixed-time AI in beef heifers. J Anim Sci. 2002;80(7):1746-51.
Maturana M Fo, Mello BP, Lemes KM, Gonçalvez RL, Lollato JPM, Pugliesi G, Madureira EH, Gonella-Diaza AM, Membrive CMB. Effects of mineral and vitamin supplementation on pregnancy rates in Nelore cattle submitted to FTAI programs with different reactivity scores. Livest Sci. 2024;279:105378.
Maurer RR, Chenault JR. Fertilization failure and embryonic mortality in parous and nonparous beef cattle. J Anim Sci. 1983;56(5):1186-9.
Mederos A, Waddell L, Sánchez J, Kelton D, Peregrine AS, Menzies P, VanLeeuwen J, Rajić A. A systematic review-meta-analysis of primary research investigating the effect of selected alternative treatments on gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep under field conditions. Prev Vet Med. 2012;104(1-2):1-14.
Meneghetti M, Sá OG Fo, Peres RFG, Lamb GC, Vasconcelos JLM. Fixed-time artificial insemination with estradiol and progesterone for Bos indicus cows I: basis for development of protocols. Theriogenology. 2009;72(2):179-89.
Meyer MD, Hansen PJ, Thatcher WW, Drost M, Badinga L, Roberts RM, Li J, Ott TL, Bazer FW. Extension of corpus luteum lifespan and reduction of uterine secretion of prostaglandin F2α of cows in response to recombinant interferon-τ. J Dairy Sci. 1995;78(9):1921-31.
Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG, PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151(4):264-9, W64.
Noakes DE. Fertilidade e obstetrícia em bovinos. São Paulo: Livraria Varela; 1991. 139 p.
Northrop EJ, Rich JJJ, Rhoades JR, Perry GA. Comparison of two bovine serum pregnancy tests in detection of artificial insemination pregnancies and pregnancy loss in beef cattle. PLoS One. 2019;14(1):e0211179.
Noya A, Casasús I, Ferrer J, Sanz A. Effects of developmental programming caused by maternal nutrient intake on postnatal performance of beef heifers and their calves. Animals (Basel). 2019;9(12):1072.
Oliveira RV Fo, Franco GA, Reese ST, Dantas FG, Fontes PLP, Cooke RF, Rhinehart JD, Thompson KW, Pohler KG. Using pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAG) for pregnancy detection at day 24 of gestation in beef cattle. Theriogenology. 2020;141:128-33.
Parr MH, Mullen MP, Crowe MA, Roche JF, Lonergan P, Evans ACO, Diskin MG. Relationship between pregnancy per artificial insemination and early luteal concentrations of progesterone and establishment of repeatability estimates for these traits in Holstein-Friesian heifers. J Dairy Sci. 2012;95(5):2390-6.
Parr RA, Squires TJ, White CL, Hynd PI. Nutritional regulation of pregnancy establishment and embryo survival in ruminants. Anim Reprod Sci. 2015;155:96-102.
Perry GA, Smith MF, Lucy MC, Green JA, Parks TE, MacNeil MD, Roberts AJ, Geary TW. Relationship between follicle size at insemination and pregnancy success. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2005;102(14):5268-73.
Perry GA, Smith MF, Lucy MC, Roberts AJ, MacNeil MD, Geary TW. Effect of ovulatory follicle size at time of GnRH injection or standing estrus on pregnancy rates and embryonic/fetal mortality in beef cattle. In: Proceedings of the Western Section; 2003; Champaign. Champaign: American Society of Animal Science; 2003. vol. 54, p. 281-4.
Perry GA, Smith MF, Roberts AJ, MacNeil MD, Geary TW. Relationship between size of the ovulatory follicle and pregnancy success in beef heifers. J Anim Sci. 2007;85(3):684-9.
Pessoa JDS, Rolin ST Fo, Ribeiro HFL, Garcia OS, Nunes KDB, Amorim BSD. Embryonic loss in cows submitted to timed AI in the northeast of Para. Ciênc Anim. 2012;22:239-41.
Pohler KG, Geary TW, Johnson CL, Atkins JA, Jinks EM, Busch DC, Green JA, MacNeil MD, Smith MF. Circulating bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins are associated with late embryonic/fetal survival but not ovulatory follicle size in suckled beef cows. J Anim Sci. 2013;91(9):4158-67.
Pohler KG, Pereira MHC, Lopes FR, Lawrence JC, Keisler DH, Smith MF, Vasconcelos JLM, Green JA. Circulating concentrations of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and late embryonic mortality in lactating dairy herds. J Dairy Sci. 2016;99(2):1584-94.
Prado CP, Cooke RF, Munhoz AK, Munhoz SK, de Sousa MCG, da Silva VMP, Pohler KG, Vasconcelos JLM. Characterizing pregnancy losses in Bos indicus beef females receiving a fixed-timed artificial insemination protocol. Theriogenology. 2024;215:144-50.
Radigonda VL, Pereira GR, Favaro PC, Barca FA Jr, Borges MHF, Galdioli VHG, Koetz C Jr. Infrared thermography relationship between the temperature of the vulvar skin, ovarian activity, and pregnancy rates in Braford cows. Trop Anim Health Prod. 2017;49(8):1787-91.
Reece WO, editor. Dukes: fisiologia dos animais domésticos. 12th ed. Rio de Janeiro: Guanabara Koogan; 2006.
Reese ST, Franco GA, Poole RK, Hood R, Fernandez Montero L, Cooke RF, et al. Pregnancy loss in beef cattle: a meta-analysis. Anim Reprod Sci. 2020;212:106251.
Richardson RD, Mortimer RG, Whittier JC. Comparison of fetal losses from diagnosis of pregnancy using ultrasonography or rectal palpation in beef heifers by novice or experienced technicians. Prof Anim Sci. 2010;26(4):341-6.
Rodriguez AM, Guzmán CF, López Valiente SO, Maletti E, Cantón GJ, Maresca S. Efecto de la vacunación contra el virus de la fiebre aftosa sobre la pérdida de preñez en un rodeo de bovinos para carne. RIA Rev Investig Agropecu. 2020;46(3):306-9.
Sá MF Fo, Crespilho AM, Santos JEP, Perry GA, Baruselli PS. Ovarian follicle diameter at timed insemination and estrous response influence likelihood of ovulation and pregnancy after estrous synchronization with progesterone or progestin-based protocols in suckled Bos indicus cows. Anim Reprod Sci. 2010;120(1-4):23-30.
Sá MF Fo, Marques MO, Girotto R, Santos FA, Sala RV, Barbuio JP, Baruselli PS. Resynchronization with unknown pregnancy status using progestin-based timed artificial insemination protocol in beef cattle. Theriogenology. 2014;81(2):284-90.
Sá OG Fo, Meneghetti M, Peres RFG, Lamb GC, Vasconcelos JLM. Fixed-time artificial insemination with estradiol and progesterone for Bos indicus cows II: strategies and factors affecting fertility. Theriogenology. 2009;72(2):210-8.
Sanhueza JM, Heuer C, West D. Contribution of Leptospira, Neospora caninum and bovine viral diarrhea virus to fetal loss of beef cattle in New Zealand. Prev Vet Med. 2013;112(1-2):90-8.
Santos JEP, Thatcher WW, Chebel RC, Cerri RLA, Galvão KN. The effect of embryonic death rates in cattle on the efficacy of estrus synchronization programs. Anim Reprod Sci. 2004;82-83:513-35.
Shirasuna K, Matsumoto H, Matsuyama S, Kimura K, Bollwein H, Miyamoto A. Possible role of interferon tau on the bovine corpus luteum and neutrophils during the early pregnancy. Reproduction. 2015;150(3):217-25.
Smith BD, Poliakiwski B, Polanco O, Singleton S, de Melo GD, Muntari M, Oliveira RV Fo, Pohler KG. Decisive points for pregnancy losses in beef cattle. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2022;35(2):70-83.
Spencer TE, Johnson GA, Bazer FW, Burghardt RC, Palmarini M. Pregnancy recognition and conceptus implantation in domestic ruminants: roles of progesterone, interferons and endogenous retroviruses. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2007;19(1):65-78.
Vieira CC, Pinto HF, Buss V, de Freitas BG, Guerreiro BM, Leivas FG, Pugliesi G, Mesquita FS. Resynchronization of follicular wave using long-acting injectable progesterone or estradiol benzoate at 14 days post-timed AI in Bos taurus × Bos indicus beef heifers. Theriogenology. 2021;176:194-9.
Willett EL, Ohms JI, Frank AH, Bryner JH, Bartlett DE. Non-return rate and embryonic mortality from inseminations of bulls with Vibrio fetus. J Dairy Sci. 1955;38(12):1369-74.
Wiltbank MC, Baez GM, Garcia-Guerra A, Toledo MZ, Monteiro PLJ, Melo LF, Ochoa JC, Santos JEP, Sartori R. Pivotal periods for pregnancy loss during the first trimester of gestation in lactating dairy cows. Theriogenology. 2016;86(1):239-53.
Wu G, Bazer FW, Wallace JM, Spencer TE. Board-invited review: intrauterine growth retardation: implications for the animal sciences. J Anim Sci. 2006;84(9):2316-37.
Zobel R, Tkalčić S, Pipal I, Buić V. Incidence and factors associated with early pregnancy losses in Simmental dairy cows. Anim Reprod Sci. 2011;127(3-4):121-5.
Submitted date:
10/05/2026
Accepted date:
07/13/2026
Facebook
LinkedIn
Mendeley
Reddit
Email