Hormone-Induced Lactation in Infertile Dairy Cows: A Practical Approach to Improve Productivity and Preserve Superior Genetics

Infertility is one of the major challenges affecting the profitability and sustainability of dairy farming worldwide. High-producing dairy cows suffering from repeat breeding, persistent anestrus, or other reproductive disorders are often culled prematurely despite possessing excellent genetic potential for milk production. Hormone-induced lactation has emerged as a practical and economically viable management strategy that enables such animals to re-enter milk production without becoming pregnant. The technique works by artificially recreating the hormonal changes that normally occur during late pregnancy, thereby stimulating mammary gland development and initiating milk secretion. Properly selected animals subjected to welldesigned hormonal protocols can produce commercially acceptable quantities of milk while extending their productive life and reducing replacement costs. Recent advances in dairy reproductive management have improved the success of induced lactation through refined hormonal protocols, better nutritional support, and improved animal selection. The technique has gained importance not only in organized dairy farms but also under field conditions where replacement animals are expensive or unavailable. Besides improving farm profitability, induced lactation helps conserve valuable germplasm by allowing genetically superior but infertile cows to remain productive.Vinay Kumar, Jasmer DalalDepartment of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Sciences, Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS), Hisar, Haryana, India.doi.org/10.5281/IndianVetMagazine.21394481Hormone-Induced Lactation in Infertile Dairy Cows: A Practical Approach to Improve Productivity and Preserve Superior Genetics. This article discusses the scientific basis of induced lactation, animal selection criteria, commonly used hormonal protocols, management practices, advantages, limitations, and future prospects. Practical recommendations are also provided to assist veterinarians and dairy farmers in successfully implementing this technology under field conditions.