Effect of chlortetracycline in a trace mineral salt mix on fertility traits in beef cattle females in Florida

The study objective was to determine the effect of chlortetracycline in an ad libitum trace-mineralized salt mix given to heifers before and(or) during bull exposure on the proportion pregnant and the time to conception in a fixed breeding period. Heifers (n = 768), 13 to 15 mo of age, were individually identified, immunized (Leptospira, Campylobacter fetus), examined (body condition score, vaginal lesion score, BW), and randomly allocated within 2 x 2 factorial blocks of treatments where trace mineral salt with and without chlortetracycline medication was provided in similar but nonadjacent pastures either before and(or) during bull exposure. The chlortetracycline feeding period was about 30 d for each. In the 2 d immediately before bull exposure, heifers were examined (body condition score, vaginal lesion score, reproductive tract evaluation) and reallocated to treatment pastures. Pregnancy was determined by per rectal palpation at 45 d following bull removal. Mineral intake was below that expected for heifer groups and, as a result, chlortetracycline intake was estimated at less than one-third of that targeted. Many heifers were not cycling reproductively at the onset of bull exposure (n = 456, 60.3%, based on a reproductive tract score < 3). Despite these limitations, heifers receiving chlortetracycline treatment before breeding had a pregnancy percentage of 65% (chlortetracycline before and during breeding 67% and chlortetracycline before breeding 61.8%) compared to those receiving no treatment before breeding (53%, P < 0.03; no chlortetracycline before or during breeding 60.4% and chlortetracycline during breeding 47.4%). Heifers receiving chlortetracycline treatment before breeding were 57% more likely to become pregnant than those not treated before breeding. Change in vaginal lesion score was associated with the proportion pregnant, but neither body condition score nor average daily gain were.