scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF LINEAR CONFORMATION TRAITS CHARACTERIZING THE BODY STATE, ON THE VIABILITY OF COWS UKRAINIAN BROWN DAIRY BREED

2019 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. I. Ladyka ◽  
L. M. Hmelnychyi ◽  
S. L. Hmelnychyi

In the aspect of the search for predictors of longevity of dairy cattle animals, the dependence of longevity of Ukrainian brown dairy cows on indicators of descriptive conformation type traits has been investigated. We studied the linear type traits of the exterior of first-calf cows in the leading farms of the Sumy region, characterizing the state of the body development. According to the results of this research was determined, a reliable dependence of the cows longevity on the level of assessment of the descriptive conformation type traits: chest width, body depth, angularity, rump angle and width, and body condition score. The correlative variability of the relationship between cow’s longevity and these features was depending on the level of assessment of specific type trait of body structure of the animal. Dependence of the cows longevity on the development of chest width was different by curvilinear variability. The longer life of cows was found in animals with an estimate for the development of this type trait at 4–6 scores that averaged 2.726–2.895 days with the best 5 scores. When comparing the group of animals with an average 5 scores with the groups having 6–9 scores, a significant difference was found in favor of the first, ranging from 169 (P < 0.01) to 561 days (P < 0.001). Studies on the dependence of the longevity of brown cattle cows on the value of body depth assessment have shown that the most longevity was inherent in animals estimated by type trait development at 7–9 scores, with the highest rate in 2.856 days and estimate – 7 scores. The type trait of angularity similar to deep-chested and was also directly related to the cow's longevity. Cows with excessive angularity and the highest lifetime (2.713–2.855 days) were estimated by the higher scores (7–9) with the best evaluation results in 8 scores. A significant decrease in cows longevity was observed with a decrease in the assessment for this trait starting from 6 scores (-244 days; P < 0.05) to 1 (-701 days; P < 0.001) compared with the best result of 8 scores. The desired state of the linear trait development, the rump angle, was within the average assessment level of 5 scores, which similar to the optimal sacrum slope between the extreme points on the conditionally drawn line at the level of the top point of hip bones and the ischial hump, which was 2–4 cm. Deviations towards the assessment of the rump angle to 1 score (raised) or 9 scores (sloped) are the disadvantages of the body structure. The study of this trait has shown the curvilinear nature of the relationship between estimates for the state of rump angle and longevity of cows. Cows with an optimal 5 scores rating had the highest longevity of 2.796 days, while with increasing and decreasing estimates, the number of days of life of cows decreased. The longevity of cows of brown cattle was determined on the level of assessment for the trait of the rear width. Cows with a maximum estimate for the state of this descriptive trait in 9 scores were used for 575 days longer compared to animals rated at 1 score (P < 0.001). According to the results of research of animals by the trait of body condition, it was found that the degree of fatness was associated with the longevity of brown cattle in the opposite direction. That is, a thinner animals, which are valued lower scores, and used to live much longer. The influence of body condition score on the longevity of animals was confirmed by the highly reliable difference between the maximum (9 scores) and the minimum (1 score) estimates, which was 457 days (P < 0.001). A significant decrease of the longevity was observed in cows with an assessment of body condition in 6–9 scores. Thus, the existence of a correlative variability between estimates of descriptive traits of conformation type and the longevity of cows of Ukrainian brown breeds was determined. Each of the estimated type traits of the body structure correlates with the longevity of cows with varying variability within the classification scores in accordance with their desired development. Thus, the selection of animals for the desired development of linear traits at the age of the first lactation allows them to be used as indirect predictors to increase the duration of use of cows.

Author(s):  
R. Stavetska ◽  
Y. Dynko ◽  
M. Bushtruk ◽  
I. Starostenko ◽  
O. Babenko ◽  
...  

It has been experimentally proven that the strength and direction of the connection between the linear type traits evaluation of the Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed cows and their body build depends on the type of the build and the sign of the exterior. The study was conducted in 2018 on a breeding plant of the Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed SPC named Shchorsa in Kiev region (n=89). Differentiation of cows on types of their body build was conducted by the method proposed by Chernenko (low-capacity, mid-capacity and high-capacity types) and Kolesnik (by the massiveness index – on the friable and dense, the bone index – delicate and rough, the wide-breast and wide-rump indices – on narrow-body and wide-body types). It was found that the cow-heiferswere well-developed, had intermediate stature and optimum body condition score, deep body, and wide, slight slope rump. They alsohad desirable rear legs, set and foot angle but some toe-out, the udder was well-balanced. Under the good total score of the exterior of studied cows there were some animals with short stature (134– 136 cm), very wide rump, straight rear legs side view and toe-out, extremely steep foot angle, loose fore udder attachment, deep udder below hocks and front teat placement inside of quarter. The degree of development of the studied linear traits of cow-heifers confirms their in-herd variability. The variability of the exterior traits varies from 10,7 % (body depth) to 38,6 % (stature). In addition to the stature of a significant variability was characterized of angularity (22,4 %), rear legs set (22,5 %), body condition score (21,8 %), as well as traits that describe udder: rear udder attachment (31,4 %), udder depth (32,6 %) and front and rear teat position (31,3 % and 25,1 %, respectively). The high variability of linear traits indicates the possibility of effective their selection. As a result of the research, it has been established that the strength and direction of the correlations between the linear type traits evaluation of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy breed cows and the type of their body build depends on the type of the body build and the linear trait. The low-, mid- and high-capacity bodies build types (according to Chernenko) reliably correlate with chest width (r=0,58) and body depth (r=0,48), rear legs rear view (r=0,30), the central ligament (r=0,28), udder depth (r =-0,22) and teat length (r=0,25), P˂0,01–0,001. Friable and dense bodies build (according to Kolesnik) were most strongly associated with stature (r=-0,28), chest width (r =-0,70), and body depth (r=-0,38), as well as with rear legs rear view (r=-0,23), P˂0,05...0,001; delicate and rough bodies build – with stature (r=-0,51), angularity (r=-0,22),rump width (r=-0,35), udder depth (r=-0,27) and rear udder attachment (r =0,20), P ˂ 0,05–0,001; narrow-body and wide-body types – with chest width (r=0,30) and rump width (r=0,23), P˂0,05–0,01. Linear type trait evaluation of cows depends on the body build. The strength and direction of the correlations between types of body build and linear traits showed that the most informative is the classification of the body build by low-, mid- and high-capacity according to Chernenko – on the average η2x=17,5 %. The less informative – by narrow-body and wide-body types according to Kolesnik – η2x=7,6 %. The classification of cows on delicate-rough, narrow-body and wide-body types (according to Kolesnik) according to informativeness and reliability can have the intermediate position – η2x=10,0–11,5 %. The strongest influence on the body build has the cows’ height (η2x=27,9 % on average for all studied types of body build), chest width (η2x=33,5 %), body depth (η2x=21,8 %), rump width (η2x=24,1 %) and rear legs (η2x=18,7 %). Key words: cows, linear type trait evaluation, body build, correlation, power of influence.


Author(s):  
Hilal Tozlu Çelik ◽  
Fatih Ahmet Aslan ◽  
Yeliz Kaşko Arıcı ◽  
Metehan Eser Kahveci ◽  
İbrahim Kiper

In this study, it was aimed to determine the number of pregnancies and infants by B-Mod Real Time 3.5 MHz linear transabdominal probe ultrasonography device on the 50th day of pregnancy in 126 head Karayaka sheep. In addition, the relationship between body condition score and fry birth weight was tried to be determined on the 50th day of pregnancy and sheep age. The findings obtained by ultrasonography device were compared with the lambing records. In this study, the accuracy of ultrasound examination was 84% and sensitivity was 93%. The correlation coefficient between the average body condition score of the sheep on the 50th day of pregnancy and birth weight of the offspring was calculated as 0.234 and it was found to be statistically significant. It was determined that there was a significant relationship between the sheep age and the body condition score at the 50th day of pregnancy.


Author(s):  
Anitha Alapati ◽  
Sarjan Rao Kapa ◽  
Suresh Jeepalyam

Background: Body condition score (BCS) system is a subjective method to assess the body fat reserves particularly over the bony prominences like back and pelvic region. It is based on evaluation of the outer appearance of the animal that interacts with its body fat reserves and therefore is directly influenced by energy balance. Studies on the relationship between BCS and postpartum performance were meager in buffaloes. Hence, the present work was carried out to study the relationship between BCS at calving and postpartum performance in Murrah buffaloes. Methods: The effect of body condition score at calving (BCSc) on the postpartum performance was studied in 24 Murrah buffaloes grouped based on BCS, maintained at Buffalo Research Station during 2018-19. Result: The study showed that buffaloes of BCSc above 3.5 with significantly (P less than 0.01) higher body weights showed better reproductive performance compared to buffaloes of BCSc groups below 3.5 with less body weights. The prepartum and weekly postpartum changes in BCS studied showed that the buffaloes gained a BCS of 0.57 from 3 months prepartum to one week prepartum, lost 0.17 BCS due to calving, further showed a decline in BCS up to 9 weeks of postpartum and then started regaining BCS gradually until 18 weeks postpartum. The mean LBCS over the period of 18 weeks postpartum was comparatively higher (0.75±0.05) than BCS restored in the early lactation which was shown as GBCS (0.34±0.02). Buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5-3.99 showed the best reproduction performance among the four BCSc groups with less postpartum estrus period (46.66 days), service period (58.83 days), number of service per conception (1.50) and high rate of 1st service conception (66.66%).


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 3797
Author(s):  
Narjara Rodrigues Gentil ◽  
Anselmo Domingos Ferreira Santos ◽  
Mikaele Alexandre Pereira ◽  
Mariana Santos Lima ◽  
José Cláudio Torres Guimarães ◽  
...  

This study aims to validate, by means of subcutaneous rump fat thickness (RFT), the suitability of the visual evaluation of body condition score (BCS) to indicate the body condition of crossbred dairy cows (Holstein x Zebu) during the transition period and early lactation. Animals were selected according to lactation period and distributed into three groups: PP (0 to 4 weeks antepartum; n = 30), L4 (0 to 4 weeks postpartum; n = 15), and L + 5 (5 to 14 weeks postpartum; n = 63). The relationship among RFT, BCS, and body weight (BW) was investigated using correlation and regression analyses. The variables BCS, RFT, and BW were different among the three groups (P < 0.05). The correlations between BCS and RFT were higher in groups PP and L + 5 (r = 0.78 and r = 0.71 respectively). However, the L4 group showed a weak correlation (r = -0.04). The regression models were able to explain how much RFT varies because of changes in BCS, with coefficients of determination equal to 0.61 for PP and 0.51 for L + 5 group. In conclusion, BCS can be considered a good predictor of RFT for crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows in antepartum and postpartum for over 5 weeks of lactation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Młynek ◽  
Beata Głowińska

This study examined the relationship of body condition and chewing time (CT) with body weight (BW), the level of cocaine-and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), leptin and energy metabolites in cows until reaching the lactation peak. The results showed the greatest loss of BW between days 11 and 45 of lactation and a decrease in the body condition score (BCS) until day 75. Chewing time showed an increase from day 45 with the highest values after lactation peak. The CART and leptin concentrations demonstrate a reduction of both indices (P < 0.05) between days 11 and 75. The function of leptin as a factor positively correlating with BW and BCS was found. In the heaviest individuals and those with higher BCS, the blood leptin levels were higher. The results of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) indicate that cows with the lowest BCS had the most intensive energy transformation. This led to a higher BHBA concentration compared to the cows with high BCS (P < 0.05). The obtained results show that CART was most strongly negatively associated with CT (P < 0.05). For leptin, the tendency was the opposite and the correlation with CT was not significant. The results suggest that CT may be stronger regulated by CART, which has anorectic properties, than by appetite inhibiting leptin. Significant decrease of body condition during lactation is a great problem for dairy farmers. The explanation of the issue of the participation of CART and leptin in the regulation of body’s energy homeostasis may therefore be of importance for milk production.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eufracia De R. Salazar-Cuytun ◽  
Alfonso J. Chay-Canul ◽  
Martin Ptácek ◽  
Ricardo A. García-Herrera ◽  
Flor De María Rivera-Alegría ◽  
...  

The objectives of this study were to detect the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body condition score (BCS) in Pelibuey ewes to predict BMI based on well-known BCS estimation. The body weight (BW), withers height, (WH), body length (BL) and BCS were determined in 402 ewes. The BMI was calculated as: BMI = (BW (kg)/WH (m)/ BL (m))/10. Relationships were estimated by means of regression models using PROC REG of the SAS. The BMI and the BCS showed a high relationship; correlation coefficient (r) of 0.80 (P<0.001). The linear regression for BMI prediction was as followed: BMI (kg/m2) = 8.38 (±0.189***) + 1.70 (±0.064***) × BCS (R2 = 0.65, MSE: 2.56; RMSE: 1.60; P <.0001 and n = 402). The BMI could be used as an indicator of the degree of obesity in non-pregnant and non-lactating Pelibuey ewes under field conditions.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Michaela Kranepuhl ◽  
Detlef May ◽  
Edna Hillmann ◽  
Lorenz Gygax

Abstract This research communication describes the relationship between the occurrence of lameness and body condition score (BCS) in a sample of 288 cows from a single farm that were repeatedly scored in the course of 9 months while controlling for confounding variables. The relationship between BCS and lameness was evaluated using generalised linear mixed-effects models. It was found that the proportion of lame cows was higher with decreasing but also with increasing BCS, increased with lactation number and decreased with time since the last claw trimming. This is likely to reflect the importance of sufficient body condition in the prevention of lameness but also raises the question of the impact of overcondition on lameness and the influence of claw trimming events on the assessment of lameness. A stronger focus on BCS might allow improved management of lameness that is still one of the major problems in housed cows.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Ramūnas Antanaitis ◽  
Vida Juozaitienė ◽  
Dovilė Malašauskienė ◽  
Mindaugas Televičius ◽  
Mingaudas Urbutis ◽  
...  

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relation of automatically determined body condition score (BCS) and inline biomarkers such as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), milk yield (MY), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and progesterone (mP4) with the pregnancy success of cows. The cows (n = 281) had 2.1 ± 0.1. lactations on average, were 151.6 ± 0.06 days postpartum, and were once tested with “Easy scan” ultrasound (IMV imaging, Scotland) at 30–35 d post-insemination. According to their reproductive status, cows were grouped into two groups: non-pregnant (n = 194 or 69.0% of cows) and pregnant (n = 87 or 31.0% of cows). Data concerning their BCS, mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected each day from the day of insemination for 7 days. The BCS was collected with body condition score camera (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden); mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected with the fully automated real-time analyzer Herd Navigator™ (Lattec I/S, Hillerød, Denmark) in combination with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden). Of all the biomarkers, three differences between groups were significant. The body condition score (BCS) of the pregnant cows was higher (+0.49 score), the milk yield (MY) was lower (−4.36 kg), and milk progesterone in pregnant cows was (+6.11 ng/mL) higher compared to the group of non-pregnant cows (p < 0.001). The pregnancy status of the cows was associated with their BCS assessment (p < 0.001). We estimated that cows with BCS > 3.2 were 22 times more likely to have reproductive success than cows with BCS ≤ 3.2.


2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 357-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Jílek ◽  
P. Pytloun ◽  
M. Kubešová ◽  
M. Štípková ◽  
J. Bouška ◽  
...  

The objective of this study was to confirm the relationship among body condition score at the time around parturition, milk yield in subsequent lactation, reproductive efficiency and BCS development in Czech Fleckvieh dairy cows. The BCS and milk yield were measured once a month and the cows were divided into groups according to their BCS before and after calving. Next, data from the database of cattle reproduction of the Czech Fleckvieh herd book were used. The dataset was analyzed by multifactorial analysis of variance using procedures COOR and GLM of the statistical program SAS. Cows with lower BCS in the 1<sup>st</sup> month after calving showed an increase in both milk yield and fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) yield. No significant relationship was found between the BCS level before calving and subsequent milk yield. The body condition level in the last month before parturition influenced its subsequent decrease in the first phase of lactation. The group of cows with the highest BCS level before calving retained a high BCS level in the first five months of lactation. Adequately, the group of cows with the lowest BCS in the first month of lactation had the lowest BCS in the next four months. BCS before calving was not related to reproduction indicators, but the significant effect of BCS in the 1<sup>st</sup> month after calving on the length of calving to the first service interval was confirmed. The group of cows with BCS > 3.5 in the 1<sup>st</sup> month after calving had the most favourable reproduction indicators, also when the milk yield level was taken into account.


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