Article

Analysis of Daily Body Weight of High-Producing Dairy Cows in the First One Hundred Twenty Days of Lactation and Associations with Ovarian Inactivity

October 2008
Journal of Dairy Science 91(9):3353-62

DOI:10.3168/jds.2008-1020

Source
PubMed

Authors:

Michael van Straten

Hachaklait Veterinary Services

Nahum Shpigel

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Michael Friger

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

The objective of this study was to investigate, describe, and quantify daily body weight (BW) changes in the first 120 d of lactation in high-producing dairy cows. Data included 255,287 daily BW measurements from 2,167 Israeli Holstein dairy cows originating from 7 commercial dairy farms. Individual series of measurements were first smoothed using cubic splines for generating variables representing BW changes in early lactation and further analysis of the data. To construct standard BW curves stratified by parity and adjusted for farm, mixed models for repeated measurements were fit to the smoothed data, and least squares means for day in lactation were plotted. Time-series analysis techniques using polynomial functions of day in lactation and pairs of sine and cosine functions representing 7- and 21-d cycles were performed separately on each individual series of measurements. Additionally, generalized estimating equations were used to perform similar analysis on the data set as a whole. Mean days from calving to nadir BW increased significantly from first to later parities, as did mean BW loss from calving to nadir. The first-parity cow lost 6.5% of her BW from calving to d 29 in lactation, and second-parity and greater-parity cows lost 8.5 and 8.4% of their BW to d 34 and 38 in lactation, respectively. After nadir BW was reached, first-parity cows regained relative BW at a greater rate than did older parity cows. The trend in BW was nonlinear. A 7-d cycle was present in 247 cows (11.4%) and a 21-d cycle was present in 715 cows (33.0%). Presence of a 21-d cycle was associated with a 33% reduction in the risk of being diagnosed with inactive ovaries. Fewer days from calving to nadir BW and smaller BW loss from calving to nadir, coupled with a faster post-nadir increase in relative BW in first-parity cows compared with older cows indicated a smaller energy deficit in early lactation. Association between 21-d cycles in BW and ovarian activity suggest that these cycles were physiological and related to the estrous cycle. Therefore, monitoring them could be useful for indirectly assessing ovarian activity in a herd.

Effects of energy levels and sources on plasma metabolites and live weight of Holstein cows

Article

Jan 1970

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of nutritional treatments, which differed after calving, on energy levels and sources on plasma metabolite profiles and live weight (LW) changes as an indication of the nutritional status in Holstein cows. During the dry period, pregnant heifers (n = 69) and dry cows (n = 153) from Elsenburg Research Farm were maintained under similar feeding and management conditions. After parturition, cows had ad libitum access to cultivated irrigated kikuyu-ryegrass pastures, and were assigned to three concentrate groups, according to calving date, parity, LW and the milk yield of their previous lactation. The groups were supplemented with various levels and types of concentrate, of which the energy was provided by starch and fat. The control group was offered 7 kg/cow/day of a control concentrate supplement for both primiparous and multiparous groups, while concentrates in treatment groups were fed at 11.6 and 12.6 kg/cow/day for primiparous and multiparous groups, respectively. The control supplement was a maize-based concentrate, which contained low levels of starch. The concentrate components of the treatments consisted of high starch-low fat (HSLF) and a high starch-low fat/low starch-high fat (HSLF-LSHF) combination. The HSLF supplement was a glucogenic concentrate, which contained maize as the energy source. The HSLF-LSHF supplements consisted of a glucogenic concentrate, which was offered for the first 60 days in milk (DIM) as per the HSLF treatment, and was followed from 61 DIM with a lipogenic concentrate containing wheat bran and calcium (Ca) salts of long-chain fatty acids as the energy sources. The results showed that all cows mobilized their body fat reserves, as was evident in changes in plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) before and after calving. Postpartum plasma NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) did not differ significantly between nutritional treatments in multiparous cows. However, the postpartum levels of plasma NEFA and BHB were significantly higher for the control, indicating a status of advanced negative energy balance (NEB) and possible subclinical ketosis compared with HSLF and HSLF-LSHF treatments in primiparous cows. Postpartum plasma urea levels decreased significantly in both primiparous and multiparous animals in the control group, compared with the HSLF and HSLF-LSHF groups. As affected by time, postpartum LW was significantly lowest and LW loss was significantly highest in cows that received the control supplements compared with HSLF and HSLF-LSHF supplements for primiparous and multiparous cows. In addition, LW lossnadir and the number of days to reach it significantly increased in primiparous cows that received the control concentrate, compared with those of the HSLF and HSLF- LSHF treatments. However, this trend was not observed for multiparous cows. The findings of this study showed that HSLF and HSLF-LSHF treatments improved the nutritional status, as was evident in the reduced extent of NEB and limited LW loss of dairy cows, compared with those in the control group.Keywords: Concentrate, dairy cattle, energy nutrients, nutritional status, pasture

Fatty Acid Profiles from Routine Milk Recording as a Decision Tool for Body Weight Change of Dairy Cows after Calving

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2020

Simple Summary Dairy cows mobilize their body reserves to maintain milk production after parturition. If excessive, this may be detrimental for their health and reproduction performance. Detecting cows with an important bodyweight loss early on is essential to treat or manage these cows accordingly. Routine milk recording samples were used to develop a prediction model for early lactation body reserve mobilization in commercial dairy farms using a machine-learning approach. Bodyweight loss was mainly explained by decreased short-chain fatty acids and increased C18:0 fatty acids in milk. An early warning system for cows with an important bodyweight loss may be implemented routinely. Abstract Cows mobilize body reserves during early lactation, which is reflected in the milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Milk FA can be routinely predicted by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and be, thus, used to develop an early indicator for bodyweight change (BWC) in early lactating cows in commercial dairy farms. Cow records from 165 herds in Denmark between 2015 and 2017 were used with bodyweight (BW) records at each milking from floor scales in automatic milking systems. Milk FA in monthly test-day samples was predicted by FTIR. Predictions of BWC were based on a random forest model and included parity, stage of lactation, and test day milk production and components (fat, protein, and FA). Bodyweight loss was mainly explained by decreased short-chain FA (C4:0–C10:0) and increased C18:0 FA. The root mean square error (RMSE) of prediction after cross-validation was 1.79 g/kg of BW (R² of 0.94). Model evaluation with previously unseen BWC records resulted in reduced prediction performance (RMSE of 2.33 g/kg of BW; R² of 0.31). An early warning system may be implemented for cows with a large BW loss during early lactation based on milk FA profiles, but model performance should be improved, ideally by using the full FTIR milk spectra.

Automatic estimation of body weight and body condition score in dairy cows using 3D imaging technique

Thesis

Full-text available

Oct 2010

Dorota Anglart

The main aim of this MSc thesis was to investigate the possibility of using three dimensional (3D) imaging technique for automatic estimation of body weight in dairy cows of two breeds; Swedish Holstein and the Swedish Red Breed (SRB). Reference data for validation of automatic BCS in SRB has been collected in previous studies and an important part of this study was to collect reference data on one more breed; the Swedish Holstein. Data collection lasted from April to July, 2010 and was performed at Jälla agricultural school, Uppsala. The data collection included 120 dairy cows, 70 of the SRB and 40 Swedish Holstein. Body weight and 3D images were collected automatically twice daily. Manual body condition score (BCS) as reference data was performed once a week and measurements of back fat thickness were carried out at three occasions during the data collection period. The image analysis showed that the camera had difficulties to identify the shape of the body in cows with black pigment, and therefore, only cows of SRB were included in the results. Data was analyzed by linear regression and the highest correlations were found between estimated body weight by camera and measured body weight by scale (R=0.87; P< 0.001) and BSC estimated by camera and manual BCS (R=0.84; P<0.001). A day to day variation of 5.33%, 2.83 % and 7.01 % was found for body weight estimated by camera, body weight measured by scale and automatic BCS respectively. It was concluded that estimations of body weight can be performed by the 3D imaging technique and that correlation between manual BCS and automatic BCS is in agreement with previous studies. The repeatability, precision and sensitivity of the method were good but estimation of body weight would probably be improved by including BCS, milk yield and rumen fill degree in the model. Application of this product should focus on identifying changes in physical state of the animal and could then be a powerful tool monitoring heard health and fertility.

Effects of energy levels and sources on plasma metabolites and live weight of Holstein cows

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2018

Novel Technologies: Sensors, Data and Precision Dairy Farming

Article

Full-text available

Ephraim Maltz

Increasing herd size, production per cow, economical value of the cow and increased expenses (especially food) as well as socioeconomic progression motivates technological development in the dairy industry. This includes primarily sensors that suppose to provide information that improves decision making. The fact that these sensors record and store on-line data from each cow in the herd led to precision dairy farming (PDF) that can be defined as managing the smallest production unite (the individual cow if possible) in order to enable the cows to express its genetic potential in accordance with economical goals and animal wellbeing. The PDF systems can be divided into two categories: for diagnostic and for management. The same sensor can serve both of them to alarm or elucidate a physiological event or status which improves management decision making. The difference between them is that the former has to alarm ahead or close to the event it supposes to detect and the latter can be more time tolerant. Both include sensors that generates data, a model that gives a physiological interpretation to the data, a management decision making process and finally decision execution. This paper scans novel-technology and under development sensors with special emphasis on data-information-decision making process. Five novel sensors will be described and discussed in more details including applications and possibilities. These are on-line body weight scales, on-line milk composition analyzer, behaviour sensor, rumination and heart rate sensors.

Relationships among milk yield, body weight, and reproduction in Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh cows

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2012

The objective of this study was to determine the dynamics and relative body weight (BW) changes after parturition and their relationships to milk yield in Holstein (H) and Czech Fleckvieh (F) cows, and also the relationships between their BW changes in the first 8 weeks of lactation and reproductive performance. A retrospective, observational study comprised analyses of individual cow records from a computerised herd management system. Production, body weight, and reproduction data were collected between December 2004 and February 2009 from F and H cows kept in a single experimental station. A total of 475 calving interval records (F: N = 132; H: N = 343) were included in the analysis. The data were evaluated using the mixed linear model with repeated measures, and parameters were estimated by the REML method. Whereas BW changes in F first-parity cows significantly (P < 0.01) differed from those detected in greater-parity cows during the major part of lactation, no such differences were manifested for H first-parity animals. The average BW change in weeks 1 to 8 was closely correlated with the BW change in the lactation week, with the lowest BW (NADIR) (r > 0.83, P < 0.0001) in both breeds. In H cows, the average BW change in weeks 1 to 8 and in NADIR significantly (P < 0.01) negatively correlated with the length of postpartum anoestrus, days between parturition and conception, days between first service and conception, and calving interval (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In F cows, the only significant correlations were those with days between parturition and first service (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). It was concluded that BW changes postpartum might indicate reproduction problems particularly in H cows.

The Use of Liveweight Change as an Indicator of Oestrus in a Seasonally Calving, Pasture-Fed Dairy Herd

Article

Feb 2014
REPROD DOMEST ANIM

Contents This was an observational study of 828 lactations in 542 mixed‐age dairy cows that calved seasonally in a single, pasture‐fed herd in New Zealand in 2008 and 2009. The study objectives were to: (i) document daily liveweight change (∆ LW ) before and after observed oestrus for cows subsequently diagnosed pregnant or non‐pregnant and (ii) quantify the sensitivity and specificity of ∆ LW as a test for oestrus. The sensitivity and specificity of ∆ LW when combined with other commonly used oestrous detection methods was also evaluated. In cows that conceived as a result of service at detected oestrus, liveweight loss began 1 day before the day of detection and was greatest on the day of detection (−9.6 kg, 95% CI −11.3 kg to −7.8 kg; p < 0.01) compared with LW recorded 2 days before the day of detection. In cows that did not conceive to a service at a detected oestrus, the lowest liveweights were recorded 1 day before the day oestrus was detected (−4.3 kg, 95% CI −7.7 to −0.8 kg; p = 0.02) compared with LW recorded 4 days before the day of detection. The sensitivity and specificity of ∆ LW as a means of oestrous detection were 0.42 (95% CI 0.40–0.45) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.95–0.97), respectively. When ∆ LW was combined with tail paint and visual observation, the oestrous detection sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.94, respectively. Monitoring LW change holds promise to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of oestrous detection in combination with other oestrous detection methods.

Trends and seasonality in birth frequency: A comparison of Muslim and Jewish populations in southern Israel: Daily time series analysis of 200 009 births, 1988-2005

Article

Feb 2009
HUM REPROD

The aim of this study was to assess effects of natural and artificial seasonality on reproduction in a large cohort of Muslim and Jewish women, living in the same geographic area. Population included all births between January 1988 and December 2005 (6613 daily records of 200 009 births) at the Soroka University Medical Center (southern Israel). A 'classical' time series technique based on generalized linear regression models was used. A systematic increase in the number of births during Ramadan was observed in the Muslim (P < 0.001), but not in the Jewish, population. This 'Ramadan effect', adjusted for trend and seasonal factors, was statistically significant only in Muslim multiparae (P < 0.001), where the model explained more than 48% of the variance, compared with 7% in Jewish multiparae. Seasonal birth variations in Muslim primiparae were not associated with Ramadan and were similar to those in Jewish primiparae. There were no differences in length of gestation associated with Ramadan. The findings suggest an increased conception rate following the Hajj pilgrimage, which support the hypothesis that seasonality of reproductive behavior is influenced by socio-cultural factors more than by geographic and climatic factors, and can help plan preconception interventions in Muslim populations in southern Israel.

Effect of Parity Order on Body Weight and Body Condition Score of Baggara Cattle under Traditional System in West

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate parity order on body weight and body condition score change pre and post- calving of Baggara cattle in West Kordofan State, Sudan. Forty eight cows were selected from the herd of Baggara cattle. The cows were raised on natural grazing, weighed and divided into four groups A, B, C and D, comprising of (12) cows per group according to parity order, first, second, third and fourth parity in complete randomized design. Data were analyzed by using F test for analysis of variance procedures and Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) for mean separation. The results revealed that parity order significantly (p<0.05) affected body weight at pre- calving, calving and weaning, where group D had maintained significantly (p<0.05) a heavier body weight as (295.33, 291.17 and 324.80 kg) compared with group A (277.17, 281.00 and 309 kg), B (288.83, 285.83 and 313.70 kg) and C (294.08, 289.33 and 322.30 kg. Also parity order affected (p<0.05) significantly body condition score at pre- calving, calving and weaning. However, group D had scored higher scale of body condition compared with other groups. In conclusion, Baggara cows that depended on natural grazing showed high body weight lost during lactation and minimizing the negative energy balance effects by mobilization of body fat during early lactation. Keywords: Baggara cattle, body weight, body condition score, parity order, Sudan.

Growth curves and feed intake of dairy replacement heifers

Thesis

Full-text available

Dec 2021

Marcos Busanello

Replacement dairy heifers are important in dairy herds to replace culled cows and to renew, increase, and improve genetically the herd. The growth rates of heifers are directly linked to the future performance of these animals. In addition, one of the determining factors of animal performance is feed intake. In the last few decades, just a few trials have been carried out with replacement heifers and data are even more scarce for tropical conditions. Thus, our objectives were to 1) study growth rates of dairy heifers from Holstein (HOL), Jersey (JER), and Holstein × Gyr (H×G) breeds, 2) evaluate published dry matter intake equations (DMI) for dairy heifers and, 3) estimate the nutritional requirements for different breeds in tropical conditions. For the first objective, data related to body weight, hip and withers height, and body condition score of dairy heifers from these 3 genetic groups were collected on commercial dairy farms (2,266 animals from 18 dairy farms) in different Brazilian states (MG, PR, RS, and SP). Nonlinear models were used to analyze the data. The maturation rates, average daily weight gain (ADG) to the recommended age for 1st breeding (rAge1stB) and 1st calving (rAge1stC) were estimated. Equations predicted body weight during the growth curve and mature body weight (MBW) for each genetic group. The MBW were 681, 607, and 440 kg for HOL, H×G, and JER, respectively. Maturation rates were similar for weight and hip height for HOL and H×G, however, was higher for JER, indicating an earlier maturing breed. The ADG to 1stB were 0.84, 0.53, and 0.54 kg/d for HOL, H×G, and JER, respectively, indicating that JER and HOL heifers reached ~55% of MBW at rAge1stB. The ADG from rAge1stB to rAge1stC were 0.53, 0.42, and 0.48 for HOL, H×G, and JER, respectively, indicating that all genetic groups were not reaching ~91% of MBW at rAge1stC. All groups had less ADG than ideal between 1ACA and 1PAR. Body condition score was similar for the three genetic groups. For the second objective, a metanalytical database was used from published studies (from 1998 to 2020) with dairy heifers under tropical conditions, where DMI was measured. The data were classified into two sets, being Bos taurus and crossbred Bos taurus × Bos indicus. Seven predictive DMI equations were evaluated for both data sets: two developed by Hoffman et al. (2008), two developed by Oliveira and Ferreira (2016), and the Dairy Cattle NRC (2001), Quigley et al. (1986), and Stallings et al. (1985). Statistics were used to evaluate these equations were: mean bias, slope bias, correlation coefficient of agreement, mean quadratic error of prediction, and its decomposition, among others. The results indicated that it would not be appropriate to use a same predictive DMI equation for Bos taurus and crossbred under tropical conditions. The equations developed by of Hoffman et al. (2008) for Holstein × Jersey crossbred heifers and the nonlinear equation by Oliveira and Ferreira (2016) were the best to predict the DMI of Bos taurus heifers (mean bias <0.16 kg/d), while the Stallings et al. (1985) equation was the best to predict DMI of crossbred heifers (mean bias = 0.09 kg/d). The other equations presented problems with a mean (precision) or slope bias (accuracy). For the third objective, body weight data at 3 months were simulated from the body growth equations obtained and adding a simulated ADG to achieve 91% of MBW at rAge1stC. We considered the ages of 15, 18, and 13 months (HOL, H×G, and JER, respectively) at rAge1stB and 24, 27, and 22 months (HOL, H×G, and JER, respectively) at rAge1stC. The Dairy Cattle NRC (2001) model was used as a basis for calculation incorporating the results of MBW and the evaluation of the DMI equations found in this study. The energy and protein requirements for maintenance, growth, and pregnancy were estimated for each month of life. Our study provides the adult body weight of genetic groups used for dairy production under tropical conditions of Brazil. Also, it provides the rate of body growth achieved under commercial conditions and helps to understand the necessary improvements in the management of the growth of replacement heifers. Nutritional requirements could be estimated from replacement heifer’s growth data.

Effect of late prepartum fibre-based diets on the live weight changes and reproduction of Holstein cows in the subsequent lactation period

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate two late prepartum fibre-based diets that differed in non-structural carbohydrate (NFC) and protein levels on live weight (LW) changes and fertility traits of Holstein cows until 120 days postpartum. At 30 days before calving, 120 pregnant Holsteins (heifers, n = 54 and dry cows, n = 66) from the Elsenburg herd were assigned to two nutritional treatments according to parity, expected calving date, LW, and milk production during the previous lactation. Prepartum heifers and cows were fed independently a similar type and level of a prepartum concentrate, associated with an ad libitum intake of either unchopped oat hay for the control group or a partial total mixed ration (pTMR: oat hay (48%), lucerne hay (43%) and soybean oil cake meal (9%)) for the treatment group. After parturition, cows in both the control and treatment groups were maintained on ad libitum cultivated irrigated kikuyu-ryegrass pastures, supplemented each with a post-partum concentrate of 7 kg/day from calving until 120 days in milk (DIM). As expected, young and still growing primiparous cows were significantly lighter in pre-and post-partum LW traits compared with mature multiparous cows (parity > 3). Prepartum LW of cows was similar between the control and the treatment in both parity groups. Post-partum LW of the primiparous cows differed significantly between the control and the treatment, which were 488 ± 9 and 507 ± 13 kg, respectively. However, no difference was observed in terms of post-partum LW of multiparous cows of the control and the treatment groups, which were 579 ± 10 and 579 ± 8 kg, respectively. Primiparous cows that received the prepartum oat hay-based diet showed significant decrease in post-partum LW loss changes, LW nadir , LW loss at nadir and rate of LW loss from calving to LW nadir in comparison with their counterparts on the prepartum pTMR-based diet, but these LW traits were similar in multiparous cows. Prepartum diets did not have an effect on post-partum fertility parameters of the multiparous cows, whereas primiparous cows that received the control diet recorded a significantly longer interval from calving to first service (CFS) in the subsequent lactation in comparison with their counterparts fed the treatment diet i.e. 117 ± 9 and 86 ± 8 days, respectively. Proportions of cows that were pregnant at 120 DIM were similar in the subsequent lactation between groups that received the prepartum oat hay-and pTMR-based diets in both parity groups. Further research is required to investigate different prepartum feeding periods and nutritional approaches involving various levels and sources of energy and protein nutrients to encourage post-partum metabolic and hormonal responses that benefit the fertility of dairy cows in the subsequent lactation.

Automatic recording of daily walkover liveweight of dairy cattle at pasture in the first 100 days in milk

Article

Sep 2011
J DAIRY SCI

Daily walkover liveweight (WoLW) records (n=79,697) from 463 pasture-fed dairy cows from a single dairy herd in the lower North Island of New Zealand were recorded over the first 100 d of lactation. The aims of this study were to (1) describe LW records retrieved by a standalone automatic Wo daily weighing system; (2) describe the frequency and nature of outlier LW records measured by the system and develop an approach for excluding identified outlier LW records; (3) quantify the agreement between cow LW measured using the Wo system and those measured statically; and (4) describe the autocorrelation between daily LW measurements to provide an indication of how frequently management decisions need to be reviewed to effectively monitor cow LW change in the early-lactation period. The standard deviation of daily LW measurements across parities was 17 kg, on average. A near perfect association between LW measured statically and WoLW (concordance correlation coefficient 0.99, 95% CI 0.99-1.0) was observed. After controlling for the effect of LW at calving and long-term LW change using a mixed-effects linear regression model, the autocorrelation between WoLW recorded on successive days was 0.21, decaying to zero by 8 d. This study shows that by using a standalone automatic Wo weighing system positioned in the exit race of a rotary milking parlor, it was possible to record LW of individual cows on a daily basis and, with controlled cow flow over the weighing platform (allowing for sufficient succession distance to prevent congestion), results were similar to those recorded using conventional, static weighing techniques using the same scales. Based on the autocorrelation analyses, we recommend that LW are recorded on a daily basis to allow changes in physiological status such as the onset of acute illness or estrus to be detected. For managerial purposes, such as using LW change as a guide for adjusting the herd feeding program, we recommend a 7-d decision interval to effectively monitor significant changes in cows' recorded daily LW measurements.

DYNAMICS OF MILK PRODUCTIVITY AND BODY WEIGHT OF COWS BY AGE AND PERIODS OF LACTATION

Article

Jan 2023

The research was conducted on the farms of the Stepne State Enterprise and the Agroprogres Private Enterprise (stall housing) and on the dairy complex of the Kutuzivka State Enterprise (free housing). It was established that the shape of the lactation curve of first-borns significantly differed from the classical one during untethered confinement. The average daily milk yield reached a maximum at 3-4 months and almost did not decrease until the 7th month of lactation. In older cows, fertility increased and reached a maximum at 2-3 months of lactation, and then gradually decreased. The relative increase in milk yield in comparison with the first month of lactation was 31% in first-born cows, 17% in second-calving cows, 7% in third-calving cows, and 18% in older animals, and in stall housing – 33%, 17%, 10 % and 2 %, respectively. The power of influence (η2) of the month of lactation on the fat content in milk during untethered confinement was 8.5% in first-born cows, 14.5% in the second lactation, 13.1% in the third lactation, 12.2% in older cows, and for tethered confinement 14.8%, 36.9%, 33.6%, and 11.6%, respectively (р<0.001). Similar to the fat content in milk, the protein content of cows also changed during lactation. At the same time, the influence of the month of lactation on this indicator was much smaller than on the fat content, and in some cases it was improbable for stall housing. The influence strength of the month of lactation on the daily yield of cows that were culled from the herd was 23.8% for free housing, 1.9% for body weight, and 8.0% for stall housing and 11.6 % (p<0.001). Correlation coefficients are 0.181, +0.411, and –0.223, +0.335, respectively (p<0.01). Age-related changes in the body weight of animals depended on the technology of their husbandry. In free housing, it was higher both in the sample as a whole (6%) and in animals of different lactations (3-14%). The increase in body weight of cows with age in free housing was: 31 kg in the second lactation, 71 kg in the third lactation, and 100 kg in adult cows, while in stall housing these differences were only 6, 11, 35 kg, respectively. Keywords: husbandry technology, dairy cattle, age, month of lactation, daily yield, fat content, protein content, body weight

Glycal Forte® (calcium-stabilized glycerol), a novel feed ingredient, promotes rumen function in dairy cows

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2024

Good nutritional practices are essential to support the high milk production of modern dairy cows. This requires an active rumen microbial biomass which supplies microbial protein and short-chain fatty acids to the cow. Glycal Forte® (GF) a calcium-stabilised glycerol product, increased microbial biomass in an in vitro gas production study, by some 37%. The efficacy of GF was substantiated in a trial with high-producing dairy cows fed a TMR with or without GF for 28 d. Cows fed GF showed behaviour differences. Chewing was reduced from 710 GF vs 769 for the control (CON) min/d; P= 0.01 and they spent more time in an inactive state (429 GF vs 383 CON min/d; P= 0.01). There was a statistically significant improvement in feed efficiency with GF (2.19 CON vs 2.34 GF kg ECM/kg dry matter intake (DMI); P= 0.03). Feed efficiency has an important bearing on costs and profitability of a dairy operation. Cows fed GF yielded an improved profit of

1.45 per cow per day over 28 d with an ROI of 2.23. Extrapolated to a 100 dairy cow herd for 28 d gave an additional profit of

4,060. Milk yields continued to show benefits for 70 d in milk (DIM) after the GF treatment was stopped, showed a numerical increase in milk yield of 3.2 kg/d. The benefits in rumen function continues after the feeding of GF had ceased. In summary, this trial with high-producing dairy cows was consistent with the in vitro trial data and showed that GF can improve rumen function manifested as less time chewing, more inactive time and most importantly, improved feed efficiency. This has both economic and environmental advantages in that dairy cow productivity can be enhanced solely by nutritional means

Predicting dry matter intake in mid-lactation Holstein cows using point-in-time data streams available on dairy farms

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2022
J DAIRY SCI

Quantifying dry matter intake (DMI) in lactating dairy cows is important for determining feed efficiency; however, there are no methods for economically quantifying individual cow DMI on dairy farms where cows are group-fed. Attempts have been made to model DMI using cow factors, milk production, milk infrared spectra, and behavioral sensors with reasonable success. Other data streams are available on the farm that may contribute to DMI predictions. In this study, our objective was to model DMI with multiple linear regression using data from a single point-in-time that can easily be accessed on-farm. Candidate predictor variables included cow descriptors, milk yield and composition, milk fatty acid profile, and production and efficiency predicting transmitting abilities (PTA). Observations of DMI were obtained from 350 cows across 6 cohorts using individual feed bunks. The cow to bunk ratio was 2:1, with an overall bunk occupation rate of 32% throughout the day. The following models were developed sequentially with milk data obtained from a single morning milking and other data from the same day: model B (production, metabolic body weight, body condition score, lactation category, and week of lactation), model BC [model B + fatty acid (FA) content], model BY (model B + FA yield), model BPE (model B + production and efficiency PTA), model BYP (model BY + production PTA), model BYE (model BY + efficiency PTA), and model BYPE (model BY + production and efficiency PTA). Outcome variables predicted in these models were the DMI on the previous day or current day relative to the morning milk sample. The predictions for DMI on the previous day outperformed current day DMI in every model for which they were both determined. Addition of milk FA and PTA as candidate predictor variable types to the models resulted in enhanced predictive ability, with incremental enhancements when combined. The most robust model (BYPE) included cow descriptors, protein and FA yields, and PTA for milk and residual feed intake. Model BYPE described 21 to 32% more of the variation in DMI (based on concordance correlation coefficient) than when other common DMI models were applied to the same data set. Overall, reasonable performance of models including single point-in-time cow descriptors, milk and FA production, and production and efficiency PTA commonly available to dairy farmers through dairy herd improvement programs offer an opportunity for on-farm prediction of DMI, yet further improvement may be possible.

Body growth of replacement dairy heifers from 3 distinct genetic groups from commercial Brazilian dairy herds

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022
J DAIRY SCI

Few studies have been published on the body growth of replacement dairy heifers from Jersey (JER) and Holstein × Gyr (H × G) breeds, as most of them have focused on Holstein (HOL) heifers. In addition, HOL genetics vary significantly across countries. Our goal was to study the body growth curves of 3 distinct genetic groups of heifers (HOL, H × G, and JER) using data from Brazilian commercial dairy herds. Heart girth [to estimate body weight (BW)], hip height (HH), and withers height (WH) were measured. Weights (heifers and cows) and heights (only heifers) were collected from animals in several herds for each genetic group to model and describe the growth rates, mature body weight (MBW), weights, and heights for the recommended age at first breeding (RAFB) and first calving (RAFC). The RAFB values for HOL, H × G, and JER cattle were 15, 18, and 13 mo, respectively. The RAFC values for HOL, H × G, and JER cattle were 24, 27, and 22 mo, respectively. Data were obtained from 18 dairy farms located in 4 Brazilian states and analyzed using nonlinear modeling. Data were collected from 2,266 animals: 878 HOL, 610 H × G, and 778 JER cattle. We observed different body growth patterns in each genetic group. Jersey cattle matured earlier than HOL and H × G, especially for BW and HH. Mature BW of the HOL, H × G, and JER cattle was 681, 607, and 440 kg, respectively. All genetic groups reached the recommended BW at RAFB. However, the genetic groups did not reach the recommended BW at RAFC. Average daily weight gain from weaning to RAFB was 0.84, 0.53, and 0.54 kg/d for HOL, H × G, and JER cattle, respectively. Average daily gain from RAFB to RAFC was 0.53, 0.42, and 0.48 kg/d for HOL, H × G, and JER cattle, respectively. The HH at RAFB and RAFC were 130 and 139 cm for HOL, 130 and 137 cm for H × G, and 114 and 124 cm for JER. Withers height at RAFB and RAFC were 125 and 134 cm, 125 and 134 cm, and 110 and 121 cm for HOL, H × G, and JER cattle, respectively. In general, the rearing practices were adequate to reach the recommended BW at RAFB but below the recommended BW at RAFC for all genetic groups. In addition, each genetic group demonstrated different body growth patterns, especially for BW.

Temporal variability in automatically-collected liveweight data affects estimation of dry matter intake of dairy cows

Article

Dec 2021
COMPUT ELECTRON AGR

Daily liveweight monitoring can be done using an automated weighing system. However, liveweight of dairy cows is extremely variable between and within individual cows and days due to various factors. Large variation in daily liveweight changes can be seen when measured at different times of the day, and that may affect the estimation of daily energy required by cows, and directly affect the estimation of dry matter intake. The objectives of the present study were to quantify the variation in cow’s liveweight automatically recorded in the morning and afternoon, and subsequently demonstrate the differences in estimates of dry matter intake. Morning and afternoon liveweight data from 64 primiparous and multiparous lactating Holstein-Friesian cows were used in this study. Two analyses were performed, without (raw) and with smoothing liveweight data using a spline function to minimize measurement errors and reduce the variability in liveweight over time. Dry matter intake for individual animals was estimated using back-calculation of the energy requirement from liveweight, liveweight change, milk production and milk composition. Results showed that, on average, cows were significantly heavier in the afternoon (Mean ± SD = 614.3 ± 78.20 kg) compared to morning (593.2 ± 76.08 kg; P < 0.01). In terms of variability, the residual standard deviation indicated that the afternoon liveweight had more fluctuations (P < 0.01) over the time compared to those recorded in the morning. The estimation of both individual liveweight change and dry matter intake using morning and afternoon liveweight in their raw form showed unrealistic values ranging from −110.0 to +96.0 and −337.57 to + 399.74 kg/day, respectively. The smoothing of automatically-collected liveweight data substantially reduced the variability of liveweight, liveweight change and dry matter intake. The estimated dry matter intake ranged between 1 and 5% of liveweight/day when calculated using adjusted liveweight values. Based on the residual standard deviation for estimated dry matter intake, we concluded that a single liveweight measurement per cow in the morning is adequate to adjust the automatically-collected liveweight to reduce variability in the estimated intake.

Assessment of Performance and Some Welfare Indicators of Cows in Vietnamese Smallholder Dairy Farms

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2021

Simple Summary Smallholder dairy farms are the most popular type of dairy farm in Vietnam and distribute widely from north to south in both lowland and highland regions. Currently, there are limited data on productivity and especially the welfare of cows in these systems. This study was conducted on 32 farms located across four contrasting dairy regions of Vietnam to directly estimate and compare key descriptors of productivity and welfare such as herd structure, milk yield, and responses to heat stress. Level of heat stress was determined to be the most important constraint to productivity and welfare of the cows; even in the highlands where the mildest temperatures were found. Low milk yield, body weight, and body condition were also of concern. Poor productivity and welfare were most evident in the south lowland region. However, reasonable productivity in the north lowland indicated the potential to manage high temperature and humidity to improve dairy cow welfare and productivity in Vietnam. Abstract Smallholder dairy farms (SDFs) are distributed widely across lowland and highland regions in Vietnam, but data on the productivity and welfare status of these cows remains limited. This cross-sectional study was conducted to describe and compare the productivity and welfare status of SDF cows across contrasting regions. It was conducted in autumn 2017 on 32 SDFs randomly selected from four typical but contrasting dairy regions (eight SDFs per region); a south lowland, a south highland, a north lowland, and a north highland region. Each farm was visited over a 24-h period (an afternoon followed by a morning milking and adjacent husbandry activities) to collect data of individual lactating cows (n = 345) and dry cows (n = 123), which included: milk yield and concentrations, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS, 5-point scale, 5 = very fat), inseminations per conception, and level of heat stress experienced (panting score, 4.5-point scale, 0 = no stress). The high level of heat stress (96% of lactating cows were moderate to highly heat-stressed in the afternoon), low energy corrected milk yield (15.7 kg/cow/d), low percentage of lactating cows (37.3% herd), low BW (498 and 521 kg in lactating and dry cows, respectively), and low BCS of lactating cows (2.8) were the most important productivity and welfare concerns determined and these were most serious in the south lowland. By contrast, cows in the north lowland, a relatively hot but new dairying region, performed similarly to those in the south highland; a region historically considered to be one of the most suitable for dairy cows in Vietnam due to its cool environment. This indicates the potential to mitigate heat stress through new husbandry strategies. Cows in the north highland had the highest BW (535 and 569 kg in lactating and dry cows, respectively) and the highest energy corrected milk yield (19.2 kg/cow/d). Cows in all regions were heat-stressed during the daytime, although less so in the highlands compared to the lowlands. Opportunities for research into improving the productivity and welfare of Vietnamese SDF cows are discussed.

Transition Period of the Dairy Cow Revisited: I. Homeorhesis and Its Changes by Selection and Management

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2020

Holger Martens

The transition period of the dairy cow involves the end of pregnancy, parturition, and the onset of lactation. Multifaceted and rapid changes occur during this time, and in particular, the increase of milk secretion requires the large-scale reorientation of metabolism. The underlying mechanisms of this metabolic regulation are collectively named homeorhesis, a process that governs milk production during this phase and that exhibits (A) a chronic nature, (B) the simultaneous inclusion of multiple tissues, and (C) altered responses to homeostatic signals, but (D) no direct feedback mechanisms for possible control or limitation. Priority of milk production is one important consequence of this homeorhetic regulation with possible constraints on other physiological functions. These general properties of the homeorhetic regulation of milk secretion are specifically characterized by a) milk production according milking (suckling) frequency, b) a natural but inadequate dry matter intake, c) the mobilization of fat acids + glycerol from adipose tissue and of amino acids from protein, d) the partitioning of metabolites, IgG, and dietary nutrients to the mammary gland, e) the stimulation of milk production by high protein intake, and f) a negligible negative energy balance (NEB) at low milk production. Such a combination assures the optimal milk yield for the nutrition of the calf and for its successful survival but without a metabolic challenge or health risk for the cow. However, selection for higher milk production (uncoupled from calf nutrition) and management have changed the above-listed properties, and the regulation of homeorhetic milk production of the modern high-producing dairy cow is nowadays mostly characterized by a) increasing and maximal milk production at increased milking frequency and, under certain circumstances, the uncoupling of the GH-IGF-1 axis, b) enduring insufficient dry matter intake in relation to requirement, c) the mobilization of energy (lipolysis) and release of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) above the acute requirement, d) the mobilization of amino acids, e) the partitioning of metabolites, IgG, and dietary nutrient to the mammary gland, f) the potential enhanced partitioning of energy to the mammary gland at high CP intake, g) a sudden and long-lasting NEB, and h) possibly lower weight gain or even net loss of energy during the entire lactation period. These altered and often unfavorable characteristics of high milk production are, furthermore, still regulated by homeorhesis and are thus also given top priority, lack feedback control, and possibly ensue at the expense of other functions without regard for health risks. Hence, the promotion of milk yield by breeding or management might cause metabolic overload, imbalances, or even antagonisms and makes possible health hazards evident. The high incidence of various diseases, the untimely culling rates, and the increasing number of dead cows during early lactation support the assumption of general health threats at high milk production. For this reason, more attention should be paid to the physiological mechanisms of homeorhetic-regulated milk production, its indisputable alterations by breeding and management, and the resulting health risks.

Lipolysis modulates the biosynthesis of inflammatory lipid mediators derived from linoleic acid in adipose tissue of periparturient dairy cows

Article

Nov 2019

Oxidized linoleic acid metabolites (OXLAM) are products of adipocyte lipolysis with the potential to modulate adipose tissue (AT) lipid metabolism and inflammation. In periparturient cows, linoleic acid is preferentially mobilized from AT during lipolysis by hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) compared with other polyunsaturated fatty acids. Enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions generate OXLAM from linoleic acid. Among OXLAM, 9-, 10-, and 12-hydroxy-octadecadienoic acids (HODE) are associated with pro-inflammatory responses, whereas 9- and 13-oxo-octadecadienoic acids (oxoODE) and 13-HODE can facilitate inflammation resolution and promote lipogenesis. This study evaluated the effect of HSL activity on OXLAM biosynthesis using subcutaneous AT explants collected from multiparous dairy cows at 10 d before and again at 10 and 24 d after calving. Explants were treated for 3 h without or with the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO; 1 µM; MilliporeSigma, Burlington, MA) to induce HSL activity. The contribution of HSL to OXLAM biosynthesis was determined by inhibiting its activity with CAY10499 (2 µM; Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI). After treatments, media and explants were collected for lipidomic analysis using HPLC-tandem mass spectroscopy. Results indicated that ISO increased the biosynthesis of 9-, 12-, and 13-HODE and 9-oxoODE, and this effect was reduced at 24 d after calving. Inhibiting HSL activity partially reversed ISO effects on HODE and 9-oxoODE. Our ex vivo model demonstrated for the first time a direct effect of HSL activity on the biosynthesis of OXLAM in AT, especially at 10 d before and 10 d after calving. The biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory OXLAM is limited during the first weeks after parturition and may promote AT inflammation and lipolytic responses to negative energy balance. These results indicate that HSL activity releases linoleic acid for OXLAM biosynthesis in concentrations of a magnitude that may bypass the need for the activation of phospholipases linked with the inflammatory cascade and thus supports, in part, lipolysis-driven inflammation within AT of periparturient cows.

Validation of a Commercial Automated Body Condition Scoring System on a Commercial Dairy Farm

Article

Full-text available

May 2019

Simple Summary The evaluation and implementation of an automated body condition scoring technology for dairy cattle. Body condition scoring in cattle is an effective tool to assess body reserves of individual animals. On-farm body condition scoring requires training and time to appropriately evaluate the animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of an automated body condition scoring technology compared to conventional manual scoring. We found that the automated body condition scoring technology was highly correlated with manual scoring. The system was accurate for a body condition scoring (BCS) between 3.0 and 3.75, with a lower error rate compared to the standard detection threshold of 0.25 for manual scoring. However, the system was found to be in a different range of scores and was inaccurate at determining under- and over-conditioned cattle compared to manual scoring. Abstract Body condition scoring (BCS) is the management practice of assessing body reserves of individual animals by visual or tactile estimation of subcutaneous fat and muscle. Both high and low BCS can negatively impact milk production, disease, and reproduction. Visual or tactile estimation of subcutaneous fat reserves in dairy cattle relies on their body shape or thickness of fat layers and muscle on key areas of the body. Although manual BCS has proven beneficial, consistent qualitative scoring can be difficult to implement. The desirable BCS range for dairy cows varies within lactation and should be monitored at multiple time points throughout lactation for the most impact, a practice that can be hard to implement. However, a commercial automatic BCS camera is currently available for dairy cattle (DeLaval Body Condition Scoring, BCS DeLaval International AB, Tumba, Sweden). The objective of this study was to validate the implementation of an automated BCS system in a commercial setting and compare agreement of the automated body condition scores with conventional manual scoring. The study was conducted on a commercial farm in Indiana, USA, in April 2017. Three trained staff members scored 343 cows manually using a 1 to 5 BCS scale, with 0.25 increments. Pearson’s correlations (0.85, scorer 1 vs. 2; 0.87, scorer 2 vs. 3; and 0.86, scorer 1 vs. 3) and Cohen’s Kappa coefficients (0.62, scorer 1 vs. 2; 0.66, scorer 2 vs. 3; and 0.66, scorer 1 vs. 3) were calculated to assess interobserver reliability, with the correlations being 0.85, 0.87, and 0.86. The automated camera BCS scores were compared with the averaged manual scores. The mean BCS were 3.39 ± 0.32 and 3.27 ± 0.27 (mean ± SD) for manual and automatic camera scores, respectively. We found that the automated body condition scoring technology was strongly correlated with the manual scores, with a correlation of 0.78. The automated BCS camera system accuracy was equivalent to manual scoring, with a mean error of −0.1 BCS and within the acceptable manual error threshold of 0.25 BCS between BCS (3.00 to 3.75) but was less accurate for cows with high (>3.75) or low (<3.00) BCS scores compared to manual scorers. A Bland–Altman plot was constructed which demonstrated a bias in the high and low automated BCS scoring. The initial findings show that the BCS camera system provides accurate BCS between 3.00 to 3.75 but tends to be inaccurate at determining the magnitude of low and high BCS scores. However, the results are promising, as an automated system may encourage more producers to adopt BCS into their practices to detect early signs of BCS change for individual cattle. Future algorithm and software development is likely to increase the accuracy in automated BCS scoring.

Prediction of metabolic clusters in early-lactation dairy cows using models based on milk biomarkers

Article

Mar 2019
J DAIRY SCI

The aim of this study was to describe metabolism of early-lactation dairy cows by clustering cows based on glucose, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), free fatty acid, and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) using the k-means method. Predictive models for metabolic clusters were created and validated using 3 sets of milk biomarkers (milk metabolites and enzymes, glycans on the immunogamma globulin fraction of milk, and Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra of milk). Metabolic clusters are used to identify dairy cows with a balanced or imbalanced metabolic profile. Around 14 and 35 d in milk, serum or plasma concentrations of BHB, free fatty acids, glucose, and IGF-I were determined. Cows with a favorable metabolic profile were grouped together in what was referred to as the “balanced” group (n = 43) and were compared with cows in what was referred to as the “other balanced” group (n = 64). Cows with an unfavorable metabolic profile were grouped in what was referred to as the “imbalanced” group (n = 19) and compared with cows in what was referred to as the “other imbalanced” group (n = 88). Glucose and IGF-I were higher in balanced compared with other balanced cows. Free fatty acids and BHB were lower in balanced compared with other balanced cows. Glucose and IGF-I were lower in imbalanced compared with other imbalanced cows. Free fatty acids and BHB were higher in imbalanced cows. Metabolic clusters were related to production parameters. There was a trend for a higher daily increase in fat- and protein-corrected milk yield in balanced cows, whereas that of imbalanced cows was higher. Dry matter intake and the daily increase in dry matter intake were higher in balanced cows and lower in imbalanced cows. Energy balance was continuously higher in balanced cows and lower in imbalanced cows. Weekly or twice-weekly milk samples were taken and milk metabolites and enzymes (milk glucose, glucose- 6-phosphate, BHB, lactate dehydrogenase, N-acetyl-β- d-glucosaminidase, isocitrate), immunogamma globulin glycans (19 peaks), and Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra (1,060 wavelengths reduced to 15 principal components) were determined. Milk biomarkers with or without additional cow information (days in milk, parity, milk yield features) were used to create predictive models for the metabolic clusters. Accuracy for prediction of balanced (80%) and imbalanced (88%) cows was highest using milk metabolites and enzymes combined with days in milk and parity. The results and models of the present study are part of the GplusE project and identify novel milk-based phenotypes that may be used as predictors for metabolic and performance traits in early-lactation dairy cows.

Prediction of metabolic clusters in early-lactation dairy cows using models based on milk biomarkers

Article

Mar 2019

The aim of this study was to describe metabolism of early-lactation dairy cows by clustering cows based on glucose, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), free fatty acid, and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) using the k-means method. Predictive models for metabolic clusters were created and validated using 3 sets of milk biomarkers (milk metabolites and enzymes, glycans on the immunogamma globulin fraction of milk, and Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra of milk). Metabolic clusters are used to identify dairy cows with a balanced or imbalanced metabolic profile. Around 14 and 35 d in milk, serum or plasma concentrations of BHB, free fatty acids, glucose, and IGF-I were determined. Cows with a favorable metabolic profile were grouped together in what was referred to as the “balanced” group (n = 43) and were compared with cows in what was referred to as the “other balanced” group (n = 64). Cows with an unfavorable metabolic profile were grouped in what was referred to as the “imbalanced” group (n = 19) and compared with cows in what was referred to as the “other imbalanced” group (n = 88). Glucose and IGF-I were higher in balanced compared with other balanced cows. Free fatty acids and BHB were lower in balanced compared with other balanced cows. Glucose and IGF-I were lower in imbalanced compared with other imbalanced cows. Free fatty acids and BHB were higher in imbalanced cows. Metabolic clusters were related to production parameters. There was a trend for a higher daily increase in fat- and protein-corrected milk yield in balanced cows, whereas that of imbalanced cows was higher. Dry matter intake and the daily increase in dry matter intake were higher in balanced cows and lower in imbalanced cows. Energy balance was continuously higher in balanced cows and lower in imbalanced cows. Weekly or twice-weekly milk samples were taken and milk metabolites and enzymes (milk glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, BHB, lactate dehydrogenase, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, isocitrate), immunogamma globulin glycans (19 peaks), and Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra (1,060 wavelengths reduced to 15 principal components) were determined. Milk biomarkers with or without additional cow information (days in milk, parity, milk yield features) were used to create predictive models for the metabolic clusters. Accuracy for prediction of balanced (80%) and imbalanced (88%) cows was highest using milk metabolites and enzymes combined with days in milk and parity. The results and models of the present study are part of the GplusE project and identify novel milk-based phenotypes that may be used as predictors for metabolic and performance traits in early-lactation dairy cows.

Role of Fatty Acids in Milk Fat and the Influence of Selected Factors on Their Variability—A Review

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2018
MOLECULES

Fatty acids (FAs) of milk fat are considered to be important nutritional components of the diets of a significant portion of the human population and substantially affect human health. With regard to dairy farming, the FA profile is also seen as an important factor in the technological quality of raw milk. In this sense, making targeted modifications to the FA profile has the potential to significantly contribute to the production of dairy products with higher added value. Thus, FAs also have economic importance. Current developments in analytical methods and their increasing efficiency enable the study of FA profiles not only for scientific purposes but also in terms of practical technological applications. It is important to study the sources of variability of FAs in milk, which include population genetics, type of farming, and targeted animal nutrition. It is equally important to study the health and technological impacts of FAs. This review summarizes current knowledge in the field regarding sources of FA variability, including the impact of factors such as: animal nutrition, seasonal feed changes, type of animal farming (conventional and organic), genetic parameters (influence of breed), animal individuality, lactation, and milk yield. Potential practical applications (to improve food technology and consumer health) of FA profile information are also reviewed.

Pre- and postpartum effects of starch and fat in dairy cows: A review

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2018

This review discusses the effects of starch and fat before and after calving on metabolism, energy balance (EB), milk production, and reproduction in dairy cows. The shift in dairy cows from a pregnant non-lactating state to a non-pregnant lactating state induces physiological changes, which affect the metabolic and endocrinal axes to redirect body energy stores towards the mammary gland for milk production. Overfeeding high starch and fat levels during the dry period after calving may result in cows failing to adapt to the negative energy balance (NEB) because of major liver and rumen dysfunction. Alternatively, keeping dry cows on high-forage/low-energy diets adjusts dry matter intake (DMI) to optimize the rumen function and decrease the severity of the NEB during transition. These periparturient biological improvements in dairy cows showed real benefits such as fewer postpartum health complications (e.g. milk fever, ketosis, mastitis, metritis), decreased body condition loss and improved reproductive axis in the subsequent lactation. Adding dietary starch and/or fat to diets of dairy cows following parturition increased milk yield. In addition, milk protein of dairy cows increased with glucogenic diets, but decreased with lipogenic diets. Inversely, milk fat usually increases after feeding lipogenic diets, but it decreases when feeding glucogenic diets to dairy cows. Glucogenic and lipogenic nutrients can affect the cow's metabolism and its EB status positively, as is evidenced by plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, amino acids, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), growth hormone (GH), gonadotropin hormones, and progesterone (P4) levels. These metabolites (NEFA, BHB, glucose, amino acids) and hormones (insulin, IGF-I, GH, P4) have been shown to affect folliculogenesis, ovulation, conception, and pregnancy success. Feeding a starch-based diet to dairy cows can lead to acidosis and increase glucose and insulin levels, while decreasing NEFA and BHB levels. Furthermore, an insulinogenic diet favours an early resumption of ovarian activity, but has adverse effects on the quality of oocytes. In contrast, keeping dairy cows on a fat-based diet elevates NEFA and BHB levels and decreases glucose and insulin levels. Additionally, a lipogenic diet increases the plasma P4 levels and improves the quality of oocytes. These evidences suggest that reproductive performances in dairy cows can be enhanced by feeding an insulinogenic diet until the resumption of the ovarian cycle then switching to a lipogenic diet from mating period onwards. Since long-term field studies on fertility are limited and the reproduction process in dairy cows is multi-factorial, further research is needed on the pre- and postpartum effects of starch and/or fat as well as their combinations on reproduction axis and thus to draw conclusions on reproductive performances.

Investigation of negative energy balance and postpartum anoestrus in an intensive dairy farm from the Chinese province of Heilongjiang

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2017

The aim of this investigation was to determine the relationship between postpartum anoestrus and negative energy balance in an intensive dairy farm from the Heilongjiang Province, China. At 14 to 21 d after parturition, 100 cows were randomly selected and their plasma indices, including β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, and glucose were measured. Cows were assigned to a positive energy balance group (n = 37) and a negative energy balance group (n = 36) based on their β-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations (> 1.20 mmol/l). The two groups of cows were examined by B-mode ultrasonography and rectal examination from 60 to 90 d after parturition to identify the ovarian status of oestrous and anoestrous animals. The incidences of negative energy balance and positive energy balance were 49 and 57%, respectively, from14 to 21 d after parturition. From 60 to 90 d after parturition, 94.4% of the negative energy balance group were in anoestrus and 5.6% were in oestrus, while 62.2% of the positive energy balance group were in anoestrus and 37.8% were in oestrus. Furthermore, the proportion of inactive ovaries in the negative energy balance group was 61.8%. In conclusion, the negative energy balance is an important factor causing inactive ovaries in high-yielding dairy cows. © 2017, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.

Effect of a long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid–enriched diet on adipose tissue lipid profiles and gene expression in Holstein dairy cows

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2016
J DAIRY SCI

The objective of this study was to determine whether fish oil supplement has an effect on adipose tissue lipid profiles and gene expression in postpartum dairy cows. Holstein cows were supplemented with either long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA; protected fish oil) or control PUFA (n-6; toasted soybeans) for 2 mo after calving (n = 23 per diet). These cows showed no difference in milk production or metabolic parameters, but exhibited a tendency toward a decrease in early embryo mortality rate after artificial insemination. We hypothesized that, in addition to this effect, modifications in adipose tissue (AT) gene expression and lipid profiles would occur in response to diet. Subcutaneous AT samples were thus collected from the dewlaps of n-3 and n-6 dairy cows at 1 mo antepartum, and 1 wk, 2 mo, and 5 mo postpartum for the analysis of lipids and gene expression. Lipid profiles were obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in both positive and negative modes. We found 37 lipid species in the 200 to 1,200 m/z range, which differed between the n-3 and control groups, suggesting that the n-3 supplement affected the lipid composition through the enrichment of lipids integrating long-chain PUFA from fish oil sources: eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid. Moreover, a decrease in triacylglycerolipids was observed in AT of n-3 supplemented cows. The expression of 44 genes involved in fatty acid metabolism and the adipokine system was assessed by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Hierarchical clustering, according to either postpartum stage or diet, enabled us to group genes exhibiting similar kinetic properties during lactation or by those that varied in similar ways after n-3 supplementation, respectively. Among the genes exhibiting a dietary effect, FABP4, LIPE, CD36, and PLIN1 were overexpressed in n-3 AT samples compared with the control, suggesting an increase in lipolysis due to n-3 supplementation, which was reflected on lipolytic activity at the protein level (i.e., protein expression of fatty acid binding protein 4, phosphorylated perilipin 1, and phosphorylated hormone-sensitive lipase). This increase in lipolysis is relevant to the decrease in triglycerides observed in these samples. Gene expression analyses between n-3 and control AT samples also suggested that the n-3 diet could modulate the secretory functions of AT, possibly by affecting adipokine expression; however, this has to be confirmed at the protein level.

More Milk per Cow Performance and Limitations from the Perspective of the Physiologist

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2011
TIERAERZTL UMSCHAU

Holger Martens

Changes of muscle fibre profile and fat cell size around first parturition in cows differing in lactation performance

Article

Mar 2015
LIVEST SCI

Potential Utilization of Automatic Cows Weighing for Evaluation of Health and Nutritional Condition of Herd

Article

Oct 2011

Weight of cows affects a large number of factors. Regular weighing and data processing can detect differences that may indicate disorders requiring nursing interventions, e.g. nutritional deficiencies, incorrect fetal development and health problems. The current weighing systems operate as stationary -the animal is fixed, identified and weighed. However, the procedure is time consuming and operation, and that is way this system is used minimally. That implies the need of complete automation of all activities associated with the weighing, which enables introduction of pass – through weight. The aim of this thesis was to develop a methodology for evaluating health and nutritional status of the herd based on data from an automated system for weighing a live weight of dairy cows. There was used in the weighing unit for milking robots Astronaut A3 (Lely company) to obtain weight data of individual cows. There were selected dairy cows with the longest period of lactation or already drying off, and especially dairy cows with various health problems for study. Limiting values of weight changes were established after assembling a general equation of mass curve. In the sphere of the diseases there was manifested only ketosis in the weight curve with a loss of 10.2 kg / day (38% weight loss). Additionally, the completion of growth during the first 2 periodes of lactations and weight gain due to advanced pregnancy were confirmed. The maximum daily weight difference recorded in healthy animals was 7 %, equivalent to 40 -45 kg. The results of the study will be applied for compiling algorithm that will be implemented in the complete management system of cattle breeding, monitoring the dairy cows every day and highlight possible deviations exceeding of physiological changes in weight.

Influence of estrus on dry matter intake, water intake and BW of dairy cows

Article

Full-text available

May 2014
ANIMAL

The objectives of this study were to analyze whether dry matter intake (DMI), water intake (WI) and BW were influenced by estrus. A second objective was to determine whether correlations exist among these traits in non-estrous days. Data collection included 34 Holstein-Friesian cows from the research farm 'Haus Riswick' of the Agricultural Chamber North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. On an individual basis, daily DMI and daily WI were measured automatically by a scale in the feeding trough and a WI monitoring system, respectively. BW was determined by a walk-through scale fitted with two gates - one in front and one behind the scale floor. Data were analyzed around cow's estrus with day 0 (the day of artificial insemination leading to conception). Means during the reference period, defined as days -3 to -1 and 1 to 3, were compared with the means during estrus (day 0). DMI, WI and BW were affected by estrus. Of all cows, 85.3% and 66.7% had reduced DMI and WI, respectively, on day 0 compared with the reference period. Lower BW was detected in 69.2% of all cows relative to the reference period. During the reference period, average DMI, WI and BW were 23.0, 86.6 and 654.8 kg. A minimum DMI of 20.4 kg and a minimum BW of 644.2 kg were detected on the day of estrus, whereas the minimum WI occurred on the day before estrus. After estrus, DMI, WI and BW returned to baseline values. Intake of concentrated feed did not seem to be influenced by estrus. Positive correlations existed between daily DMI and daily WI (r=0.63) as well as between cows' daily BW and daily WI (r=0.23). The results warrant further investigations to determine whether monitoring of DMI, WI and BW may assist in predicting estrus.

Effect of energy sources on the milk production and reproduction of lactating Holstein cows

Article

Dec 2015

Effect of Double-Ovsynch and Presynch-Ovsynch on postpartum ovarian cysts and inactive ovary in high-yielding dairy cows

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2024

Introduction Optimizing the management of dairy cattle reproduction can reduce postpartum ovarian disease in high-yielding dairy cows and thus enhance ranch economic benefit. The hypothesis of this study was that the Double-Ovsynch (DO) protocol in high-producing dairy cows would result in a lower incidence of follicular cysts but a higher incidence of luteal cysts compared to those undergoing the Presynch-Ovsynch (PS) protocol. Methods In this experiment, 384 cows (204 primiparous and 180 multiparous) were allocated to the DO group, which followed the protocol: GnRH-7d-PGF2α-3d-GnRH-7d-Ovsynch-56 h (GnRH-7d-PGF2α-56 h-GnRH-16hTAI), starting on 39 ± 3 days in milk (DIM). Additionally, 359 cows (176 primiparous and 183 multiparous) were assigned to the PS group, which followed the protocol: PGF2α-14d-PGF2α-12d-Ovsynch-56 h, starting on 31 ± 3 DIM. In DO, B-mode ultrasound examinations were conducted 1 day after the GnRH-7d-PGF2α-3d-GnRH protocol to diagnose the presence of ovarian diseases followed by reexamination after 7 days of suspected cases. In PS, B-mode ultrasound examinations were conducted 1 day after the PGF2α-14d-PGF2α protocol to diagnose the presence of ovarian diseases followed by reexamination after 7 days. For all cows confirmed to having ovarian diseases, a second B-mode ultrasound examination was conducted at the time of the second GnRH and timed artificial insemination (TAI). If the ovary showed a normal developing follicle in combination with normal ovulation, the ovarian disease was considered to be cured. Results The current study revealed no significant difference in the overall incidence and cure rate of postpartum ovarian diseases between DO and PS (incidence rate: 3.9% vs. 6.7%, cure rate: 50% vs. 41.7%, DO vs. PS). Also, there was no significant difference in the incidence and cure rate of luteal cysts between DO and PS (incidence rate: 2.9% vs. 2.2%, cure rate: 50.0% vs. 50.0%). The incidence of follicular cysts was significantly lower in the DO group than in the PS group (0.8% vs. 2.8%, DO vs. PS, p = 0.037), but there was no significant difference in the cure rates (66.7% vs. 50%). The occurrence of inactive ovary was lower in DO compared to PS (0.2% vs. 1.7%, p = 0.047). There was no significant difference in the pregnancy rate between the DO and PS groups (48.2% vs. 41.8%), although the DO group had a higher rate. What is different from our assumption is that PS did not effectively reduce the incidence of postpartum luteal cysts.

Analysis of long-term dynamics of reproductive characteristics of sows of the large white breed

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023

In the field of pig breeding, the main goal is to increase the level of fertility and survival of piglets in order to maximize the size of the nest both at birth and at weaning per sow per year. The purpose of this study was to determine the features of the long-term dynamics of the main reproductive features of sows of the large white breed using time series analysis, as well as the role of climatic factors (primarily, temperature) in the manifestation of these dynamics. For the analysis, we used primary data on sows of the large white breed, which were kept in the conditions of Tavriyski svini LLC (Skadovsky district, Kherson region, Ukraine) during 2007-2017. The presence of a trend was determined using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. In addition, autocorrelation coefficients were estimated for lags from 1 to 45 months. to detect the presence and duration of cycles. It was established that during the research period there was a negative trend in relation to the total number of piglets at birth and, conversely, a positive trend in relation to the average weight of one piglet at birth and weaning. In addition, pronounced cyclicity of changes was revealed for the time series of the average weight of one piglet at birth and the average weight of one piglet at weaning. It was established that a higher temperature in the winter months led to a decrease in the average weight of one piglet at birth, but contributed to an increase in the number of piglets at weaning. Significant temperature deviations from the optimum (in either direction) in March-May led to a decrease in the fertility of sows due to an increase in the number and proportion of stillborn piglets in the nest. Kramarenko et al.

Short-term liveweight changes of dairy cows measured by stationary and walk-over weighing scales

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2021
J DAIRY SCI

Monitoring and detecting individual cows' liveweight (LW) and liveweight change (LWC) are important for estimation of nutritional requirements and health management, and could be useful to measure short-term feed intake, water consumption, defecation, and urination. Walk-over weighing (WOW) systems can facilitate measurements of LW for these purposes, providing automated LW recorded at different times of the day. We conducted a field study to (1) quantify the contribution of feed and water intake, as well as urine and feces excretions, to short-term LWC and (2) determine the feasibility of stationary and WOW scales to detect subtle changes in LW as a result of feed and water intake, urination, and defecation. In this experiment, 10 cows walked through a WOW system and then stood individually on a stationary scale collecting weights at 10 and 3.3 Hz, respectively. Cows were offered 4 kg of feed and 10 kg of water on the stationary scale. For each animal, LW before and after eating and drinking was then calculated using different approaches. Liveweight change was calculated as the difference between the initial and final LW before and after eating and drinking for each statistical measure. The weights of feed intake, water consumption, urination, and defecation were measured and used as predictors of LWC. Urine and feces were collected from individual cows while the cow was on the scale, using a container, and weighed separately. The agreement between LWC measured using either stationary or WOW scales was assessed to determine the sensitivity of the scales to detect subtle changes in LW using the coefficient of determination (R²), Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and mean bias. The prediction model showed that most of the regression coefficients were not significantly different from +1.0 for feed and water, or −1.0 for urine and feces. The R² and CCC values demonstrated a satisfactory agreement between calculated and stationary LWC and values ranged from 0.60 to 0.92 and 0.71 to 0.94, respectively. A moderate agreement was achieved between calculated and automated LWC with R² and Lin's CCC values of 0.45 to 0.63 and 0.60 to 0.74, respectively. Therefore, results demonstrated that new algorithms and data processing methods need to be continuously explored and improved to obtain accurate measurements of LW to measure changes in LW, especially from WOW scales.

A mobile and automated walk-over-weighing system for a close and remote monitoring of liveweight in sheep

Article

Oct 2018
COMPUT ELECTRON AGR

Dynamics of live weight in cows during the early lactation

Article

May 2012
ZUCHTUNGSKUNDE

Data on live weight (measured daily with the Gravitor scale in the automatic milking system Astronaut A3) of 70 cows from 2 farms were available almost completely from calving until week 8 of lactation taking into account the parity number. The cows were classified concerning the postpartal live weight loss (above or below average) and the service period and number of inseminations per pregnancy were calculated in both groups. On average of all cows, live weight was decreased from 581 ± 61 kg after calving to 576 ± 59 kg on average of first week. The lowest live weight (532 ±55 kg) was reached after 42 ± 27 days of lactation. Primiparous cows had the largest loss in body weight (9.7%, p = 0.059) and multiparous cows in the 2nd and 3rd lactation the lowest (6.9%) with significant differences between the herds (9.5, 6.2% respectively, p < 0.01). In tendency cows with a loss in body weight above average had a longer service period (141 ± 11 days) and needed more inseminations per pregnancy (1.91 ± 0.2) than cows with a loss in body weight below average (119 ± 10 days, 1.46 ± 0.2 inseminations respectively). Taking into account the effect of farm the differentiation regarding service period (152 vs 104 days) as well as number of inseminations (2.14 vs 1.25) was more pronounced.

Analysis of daily body weight of dairy cows in early lactation and associations withproductive and reproductive performance

Article

Full-text available

May 2015
REV BRAS ZOOTECN

The objective of this study was to describe daily body weight (BW) changes in the first 100 days of lactation in confined dairy cows and to associate BW loss with productive and reproductive performance. Data included 26,344 daily BW measurements of 372 Holsteins calving between June 2011 and June 2012 in a commercial herd in the South of Brazil. Cows were automatically weighed and were assigned according to parity. Individual measurements were smoothed using cubic splines, generating nadir BW, days to nadir BW and the BW loss (absolute and relative values). This approach used days in milk (DIM) as a single smoothing variable. Body weight at calving differed across parities: 570.5, 653.5, and 699.9 kg, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd and subsequent parities, respectively. Body weight at nadir also differed across parities: 521.5, 608.8, and 647.3 kg, respectively. Mean days from calving BW to nadir BW and mean loss of BW (kg) from calving to nadir BW did not differ across parities, but relative BW change (kg/100 kg) was larger in animals in first parity (-8.4 kg/100 kg) than second parity (-6.6 kg/100 kg). However, cows in first parity had more chances for good reproduction than cows in third and subsequent parities (44.0% vs. 30.7%, respectively). There was no difference in the probability of adequate reproduction (pregnant until 180 DIM) among cows with low, medium, or high milk yield. Furthermore, cows with low and medium BW loss (below 60 kg of BW change) showed more likelihood to adequate reproduction than cows with high BW loss (above 60 kg of BW): 45.5 and 45.8% vs. 24.4%, respectively. Improvements in fertility of dairy cows should be achieved by minimizing body weight loss in early lactation.

The effect of liveweight change on reproductive performance in a seasonally calving, pasture fed dairy herd

Conference Paper

Jun 2010
LIVEST SCI

This was a prospective cohort study of 930 lactations in 595 mixed aged dairy cows that calved between 1 July and 24 October of 2008 and 1 July and 24 October 2009 in a single dairy herd in the lower North Island of New Zealand. Parametric accelerated failure time models based on the log-normal distribution were used to identify and quantify the effect of factors influencing the time it took for cows to conceive after the Planned Start of Mating (PSM) date. A focus of this study was to quantify the effect of liveweight change in the first 4 weeks after calving (Delta LWpp) and liveweight change in the period from PSM-21 days to PSM (Delta LWBpsm) on PSM to conception intervals. Parity, calving to PSM interval, Delta LWBpsm, milk protein percentage, breed, clinical mastitis, the presence of a fertility treatment and season was associated with PSM to conception intervals. PSM to conception intervals for cows with zero or positive Delta LWBpsm was 74% of those for cows with negative Delta LWBpsm (TR 0.74.95% Cl 0.48 to 1.00; P= 0.05). The findings of this study are consistent with those reported in the literature and better define the impact of long- and short-term liveweight changes on reproductive performance, providing the opportunity to design feeding programmes to minimise the impact of LW loss (used as a proxy for negative energy balance) on reproductive failure in pasture fed dairy herds.

En analys av foderkostnader i mjölkproduktion

Article

Jan 2010

Richard Nygren

The genetic relationship of body weight and early-lactation health disorders in two experimental herds

Article

Mar 2010
J DAIRY SCI

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for body weight (BW) and BW change (BWC) and genetic correlations of BW and BWC with diseases and genomic predicted transmitting abilities (PTA) of productive and conformation traits of Holsteins during the first 120 DIM. Daily BW data were from the Afiweigh cow body weighing system (SAE Afikim, Kibbutz Afikim, Israel), which records BW as a cow exits the milking parlor. Disease categories included metabolic diseases, ketosis, infectious diseases, mastitis, reproductive diseases, and other diseases. Edited data included 68,914 and 11,615 daily BW observations from 441 Pennsylvania State University and 72 Virginia Tech Holstein cows, respectively. Two-trait random regression models were used to estimate relationships between BW, BWC, and diseases at 25, 38, and 58 mo of age at calving. Fixed effects for BW were age at calving nested within lactation group, week of lactation, and herd date; random effects for BW included animal, permanent environment, and error. Fixed effects for disease were herd-year-season of calving and age at calving nested within lactation group; random effects for disease were animal, permanent environment (for mastitis only), and error. Correlations of PTA for BW and BWC with genomic PTA for productive and type traits were also estimated with data from 117 cows. Heritability estimates for daily BW ranged from 0.34 to 0.63. Greater BW and less BWC were favorably correlated with ketosis, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and other diseases. The genetic correlation estimate between BW and ketosis was strongest at 60 DIM (-0.51), and genetic correlation estimates at 60 DIM with metabolic diseases (-0.52), infectious diseases (-0.81), and other diseases (-0.48) followed the same trend as ketosis. The genetic correlation estimate between BWC and ketosis was strongest for the change from 5 to 20 DIM (0.70) and was similar for metabolic diseases (0.37), infectious diseases (0.74), and other diseases (0.49). Correlations of BW and BWC with reproductive diseases tended to be in the reverse direction of those reported for ketosis. A larger PTA for BW was significantly correlated with smaller genomic PTA for milk yield, dairy form, rear udder height, and udder cleft. Predicted transmitting ability for BWC was negatively correlated with genomic PTA for protein percentage, strength, and hip width (ranging from -0.26 to -0.13 across lactation) and was positively correlated with dairy form, rear udder height, and udder cleft (ranging from 0.20 to 0.37 across lactation). Selection for reduced BW loss can be implemented with automated body weighing systems and may be successful in decreasing disease incidence in the early stages of lactation.

Events of elevated somatic cell counts in high-producing dairy cows are associated with daily body weight loss in early lactation

Article

Sep 2009
J DAIRY SCI

The objective of this study was to determine associations between body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) variables indicating a more severe negative energy balance in early lactation and events of somatic cell counts (SCC) >250,000 cells/mL and SCC >400,000 cells/mL in dairy cows. We studied lactations from 634 primiparous and 1,086 multiparous Israeli Holstein dairy cows originating from 7 commercial dairy farms. Generalized mixed models with a random herd effect were used to quantify the effects of BW and BCS variables in early lactation on events of elevated SCC. Data were analyzed using 2 different approaches. In the first approach, only first events in a lactation were taken into account, whereas in the second approach, all events in a lactation were analyzed and repeated events from the same cow were accounted for. Although no associations were found between the different BW and BCS variables and first events of elevated SCC, associations were present between these variables and events of elevated SCC when all events were analyzed. The cumulative incidence of a lactation with multiple events of SCC >250,000 cells/mL was 8.8 and 27.7% for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The odds of an event of SCC >250,000 cells/mL were 25% greater for cows belonging to the upper quartile in relative BW loss from calving to nadir BW (loss >12.3, 15.0, and 15.7% for first-, second-, and third- parity and greater cows, respectively) compared with cows losing less relative BW. Odds of an event were 44% greater for cows with ketosis when compared with cows without. The cumulative incidence of a lactation with multiple events of SCC >400,000 cells/mL was 4.1 and 14.3% for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The odds of an event of SCC >400,000 cells/mL were 43% greater for cows belonging to the upper quartile in relative BW loss from calving to nadir BW compared with cows losing less relative BW. Odds of an event were 33% greater for cows with ketosis when compared with cows without. Assuming that extreme BW loss and ketosis in early lactation indicate a more severe negative energy balance, our findings support the hypothesis that greater negative energy balance in early lactation predisposes dairy cows to udder inflammation. Considering the fact that many of the events were recurring, we stress the importance of including all events in the analysis and postulate the possibility of long-term detrimental effects of negative energy balance on udder health.

Associations among patterns in daily body weight, body condition scoring, and reproductive performance in high-producing dairy cows

Article

Sep 2009
J DAIRY SCI

The objective was to investigate the associations between body condition scores (BCS) and daily body weight (BW) in the first 150 d of lactation (DIM) and reproductive performance in high-producing dairy cows. Data included automated daily BW measurements and BCS of 2,020 Israeli Holstein cows from 7 commercial farms. Individual BW series were smoothed using penalized cubic splines, and variables representing BW patterns were generated. The presence of 7- and 21-d cycles in BW was determined using time-series analysis. Associations between BW and BCS and conception at first artificial insemination (AI) were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Multivariate survival analysis was used for associations between BW and BCS and the calving-to-first AI interval, first AI-to-conception interval, and calving-to-conception interval. First-parity cows that lost >or=12% and second-parity cows that lost >or=15% of their BW from calving to nadir BW were less likely to conceive at first AI. Cows without 7-d cycles in BW were 1.48 times more likely to conceive at first AI relative to cows with 7-d cycles. The odds of conceiving at first AI increased by 53% for each additional unit in BCS from 40 to 60 DIM. In the multivariate survival analysis, a BCS of <or=2.5 between 40 and 60 DIM, the percentage of BW lost from calving to nadir BW, and a BW loss of >or=7% from calving to 10 DIM were associated with reduced reproductive performance. The presence of 21-d cycles in BW was associated with high reproductive performance in first-parity [odds ratio (OR) = 1.18] and second-parity cows (OR = 1.22). The presence of 7-d cycles in BW was associated with low reproductive performance in first-parity cows (OR = 0.77), but not in older cows. Based on previous findings and on the associations found in this study, we postulate that 21-d cycles are probably related to the sexual cycle and could be used as a proxy for assessing ovarian activity. Variables representing relative BW loss (%) were better predictors for impaired reproductive performance than those representing absolute BW loss (kg) and may be more suitable for estimating individual adaptation to negative energy balance in herds for which automated daily BW is available.

Metabolic changes in early lactation and impaired reproductive performance in dairy cows

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2003

This review addresses the suggestion that the decline in dairy reproductive performance, as increasingly observed these days, may be due to a hampered process of metabolic adaptation in early lactating cows. In our opinion, adaptation to the negative energy balance is a gradual process. Because almost all cows do adapt in the long run, it is not possible to classify animals as adapted or non-adapted. The use of risk factors is more appropriate in this case and is discussed in this review. Among them are the body condition score and its derivatives, feed intake, the calculated negative energy balance, and metabolic parameters like the plasma concentration of insulin or the triacylglycerol content in the liver. Moreover, factors that play a role in the link between declined reproductive performance and the metabolic situation of the cow during the early lactating period are discussed. Among these are insulin, insulin-like growth factors, leptin, neuropeptide Y, non-esterified fatty acids, thyroïd hormones, urea, and ammonia.

Interrelationships Between Energy Balance and Postpartum Reproductive Function in Dairy Cattle

Article

Full-text available

Apr 1989

Genetic improvement of dairy cows has markedly increased milk yield over the last three decades. Increased production has been associated with reduced conception rates (66% in 1951 versus 40 to 50% since 1975). Because conception rate in dairy heifers has remained higher, the metabolic demands of higher production may be related to the decline in reproductive performance in cows. During early lactation, increasing dietary intake fails to keep pace with rising milk production. The resultant negative energy balance and rate of mobilization of body reserves appear directly related to the postpartum interval to first ovulation and lower conception rate. Delays in the onset of normal ovarian activity, thus limiting the number of estrous cycles before breeding, may account for the observed decrease in fertility. Negative energy balance probably acts similarly to undernutrition and may manifest in delayed ovarian activity by impinging on pulsatile secretion of LH. Lower availability of glucose and insulin may also decrease LH pulsatility or limit ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropins. Alternatively, release of endogenous opioids in association with increasing feed intake or other lactational hormone responses may provide neural or pituitary inhibition of the pulsatile LH production that is requisite for ovarian follicular development.

Plasma progesterone and body weight in the pregnant and non-pregnant kowari, Dasyuroides byrnei (Marsupialia:Dasyuridae)

Article

Full-text available

Mar 1989

Terry P Fletcher

Female kowaris are seasonal breeders (May-November) with a gestation of 32.5 +/- 1.8 days (mean +/- s.d., n = 35). The oestrus cycle including pregnancy is 59.0 +/- 6.7 days in duration (mean +/- s.d., n = 12) and is not significantly different from the non-pregnant cycle of 60.3 +/- 7.1 days (mean +/- s.d., n = 15) (P greater than 0.1). Animals maintained on a fixed diet show an increase and fall in body weight before oestrus and again at the end of the oestrous cycle or a pregnancy; these changes correlate closely with progesterone concentration. Plasma progesterone concentration and body weight were measured in six kowaris undergoing an oestrous cycle then a pregnancy in the breeding season of 1981. The basal concentration (mean +/- s.d.) of progesterone prior to the breeding season was 0.35 +/- 0.21 ng mL-1. There were mean rises of 1.84 +/- 1.1 and 2.47 +/- 1.5 ng mL-1, respectively, before the first and second oestrous periods which had declined to near basal levels by the day of oestrus. Peak values of 9.9-11.5 ng mL-1 were measured between days 23 and 30 of oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The pattern of changes in body weight and plasma progesterone concentration was similar in pregnant and non-pregnant animals but the decline in weight and progesterone occurred earlier in pregnant kowaris.

Selection for Economic Efficiency of Dairy Cattle Using Information on Live Weight and Feed Intake: A Review

Article

Full-text available

May 1998

Roel F Veerkamp

The objective of this study was to review some of the latest evidence of genetic variation in feed intake and feed utilization and to determine how this variation might be used. The most important sources of genetic variation in gross efficiency are likely to be the quantities of feed eaten and used for yield or maintenance and the extent to which body tissue is mobilized. Accounting for just one of these components when selection is for improved feed efficiency might result in undesirable genetic changes. For example, in an ad libitum feeding system, the heritability of body condition score is reported to be 0.43 for heifers; genetic correlations of body condition score with milk production and live weight were -0.46 and 0.66, respectively. Also, the genetic correlation between milk yield and live weight depends on lactation stage. For example, over the first 26 wk of lactation, this correlation was reported to be -0.09, but, after genetic adjustment for body condition score, the correlation was 0.29. When economic values are being derived, energy norms or genetic correlations can be used, and double counting of the feed costs needs to be avoided. An index that contained linear type traits, however, gave high accuracy of selection. Hence, although there appears to be great potential to improve economic efficiency by selecting for feed intake and live weight or by possible indicator traits, there is still uncertainty about some of the genetic parameters, especially among traits related to health, reproduction, and energy balance.

Modeling of Energy Balance in Early Lactation and the Effect of Energy Deficits in Early Lactation on First Detected Estrus Postpartum in Dairy Cows

Article

Full-text available

Oct 1999

The general pattern of energy balance in early lactation was modeled. For this purpose, several lactation curves were investigated. The best fitting curve was fit in a random regression model that provided predicted energy balance curves for all lactations. By use of these curves, total energy deficit per lactation, postpartum interval of return to positive energy balance, and nadir of energy balance was determined. In predicted energy balances, nadir of energy balance was present, but variation in postpartum interval to nadir was small. First lactation cows had a smaller energy deficit in early lactation than did older cows. Differences among cows in nadir and total energy deficits in early lactation were large. Both were related to the postpartum interval to first detected estrus with a larger energy deficit and a smaller nadir corresponding to a larger postpartum interval to first detected estrus. From this study, it can be concluded that large energy deficits in early lactation delay first detected estrus.

Energy Balance of Dairy Cattle in Relation to Milk Production Variables and Fertility

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2000

Variables derived from milk yield records were investigated to find an easy to measure and readily available indicator of the energy balance status of a lactating cow. Weekly energy balances during the first 180 d in milk (DIM) were calculated from weekly yield, live weight, and energy intake records for 470 first lactation heifers. The energy balance curve for each cow was estimated using a random regression model. From each curve, three measures were calculated to describe the energy balance status: 1) total energy deficit in early lactation, 2) interval for return to positive energy balance, and 3) lowest value (nadir) for energy balance. Mean energy deficit per lactation was 776.8 MJ of NE(L)/d, interval for return to positive energy balance was 41.47 d, and nadir was -33.72 MJ of NE(L)/d. Regression analysis to relate these variables to interval to start of luteal activity (measured using progesterone profiles) showed that a low nadir of energy balance was related to delayed resumption of luteal activity. In general, a 10 MJ of NE(L)/d lower nadir of energy balance corresponded to a delay of ovulation of 1.25 d. A relatively strong decrease in fat percentage during early lactation was significantly correlated with lower nadir of energy balance, larger energy deficit, and later return to positive energy balance. The maximal correlation was between nadir of energy balance and a decrease of milk fat percentage. This correlation remained above 0.60 throughout the first 26 DIM but dropped to 0.14 at 180 DIM. Large decreases in milk fat percentage were related to high initial fat percentages at the start of lactation and slightly lower fat percentages later during lactation. Hence, we concluded that a decrease in fat percentage during early lactation might serve as an indicator of energy balance.

Invited Review: Pathology, Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Fatty Liver in Dairy Cows

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2004

Fatty liver (i.e., hepatic lipidosis) is a major metabolic disorder of many dairy cows in early lactation and is associated with decreased health status and reproductive performance. In severe cases, milk production and feed intake are decreased. Therefore, a practical preventative or an efficacious treatment of fatty liver could save millions of dollars yearly in treatment, replacement, and production losses for dairy farmers. Fatty liver develops when the hepatic uptake of lipids exceeds the oxidation and secretion of lipids by the liver, which usually is preceded by high concentrations of plasma NEFA mobilized from adipose tissue. Excess lipids are stored as triacylglycerol in the liver and are associated with decreased metabolic functions of the liver. Liver can be categorized into normal liver or mild, moderate, or severe fatty liver; the latter can be subdivided further into nonencephalopathic severe fatty liver and hepatic encephalopathy. Insufficient or unbalanced dietary intake, obesity, and elevated estrogen concentrations are involved in the etiology of fatty liver, which is associated with greater incidence of dystocia, diseases, infections, and inflammations. Because even mild fatty liver is associated with decreased health status and reproductive performance of dairy cows, prevention of fatty liver by supplying cows with sufficient nutrients and a clean and health-promoting environment in the peripartal period would reduce production losses of cows more than would any treatment of fatty liver. This, however, might not be enough for cows that are obese or do not eat well, had calving difficulties or twins, have metabolic or infectious diseases, or are in severe negative energy balance because of high milk production immediately after calving. Potential and commonly used preventatives, as well as treatments, are discussed in the review. Currently, detection of fatty liver is possible only by minor surgery. Ultrasonic techniques offer a potential tool to noninvasively detect fatty liver. Future gene-array and proteomic studies may provide means to detect early molecular events in the etiology of fatty liver plus their connection with immune function and reproductive performance so that more effective treatments and preventatives of fatty liver can be developed. Such advances hopefully will make fatty liver a problem of the past.

The body weight of the dairy cow: III. Use for on-line management of individual cows

Article

Jun 1997
Livest Prod Sci

Ephraim Maltz

This paper presents possible practical management applications of dairy cows' body weight (BW) data. Daily BW and milk yield (MY) data of 80 primiparous and 128 multiparous cows were collected during complete lactations in a commercial dairy and analyzed in relation to health problems, nutrition and milking frequency (MF). The criteria for health problems were established on half of the total events, and checked on the other half. Approximately 50% of health problems were identified by BW changes up to 3 days prior to the MY drop that set off the health alarm. Physiological criteria for cows to be transferred from recommended post-partum (pp) total mixed ration (TMR) to a normal recommended TMR of higher or lower density, were quantified by changes in coefficients of a 10-days-running linear regression of 3-days-running average daily BW and MY data as dependent variables, and day pp as the independent variable. These criteria were set as rules that were incorporated into a fuzzy logic (FL) expert system (ES) which was applied to the second half of the data set. In all cases the transfer decision was within 2 days of the time calculated individually for each cow. A similar technique was used to define criteria to reduce high MF after calving in order to: (a) prevent metabolic stress, and (b) decrease MF after achieving sufficient pp stimulus for the carry-over effect. It is concluded that daily BW data are valuable as information to improve both diagnosis and management decision making.

Energy metabolism of dairy cows fed on grass

Article

Jun 2002
Livest Prod Sci

Production performance of grass-fed dairy cows is often lower than expected from the estimated energy supply. To explain the overestimation of the energy content of grass for dairy cows, data from energy balance trials from three different laboratories (Wageningen, Lelystad and Hillsborough) were collected. The trials in Wageningen and Lelystad were carried out in the 1970s and those in Hillsborough in the 1990s. Regression analyses were carried out with the complete data set as well as per laboratory to identify differences per laboratory. Average net maintenance requirements per kg3/4 (NEm) were 0.573 MJ, whereas the efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for lactation (kl) was 0.777. When NEm was fixed at the presently used value of 0.293 MJ/kg3/4, kl was 0.60. Between-laboratory NEm varied between 0.294 (Lelystad) and 0.786 MJ/kg3/4 (Hillsborough), whereas kl varied between 0.57 (Lelystad) and 0.84 (Hillsborough). For Wageningen and Hillsborough, NEm was high, whilst kl was also high. With the intercept fixed at 0.293 MJ/kg3/4, efficiency varied between 0.53 (Hillsborough) and 0.62 (Wageningen). The kl and NEm are interrelated. Based on these data we surmise that the maintenance requirements for grass-fed dairy cows are 10% higher than presently assumed, with no change in kl.

The body weight of the dairy cow: I. Introductory study into body weight changes in dairy cows as a management aid

Article

Jun 1997
Livest Prod Sci

The possibilities to use the dairy cows' body weight (BW) and its changes for diagnostic and management purposes were studied. BW data of dairy cows were obtained during the day from visiting computer-controlled feeding stations. These data were analyzed on a daily and weekly basis in relation to other performance data that were also recorded on a daily basis. The analysis showed that BW, being sensitive to dry matter intake (DMI), responds to reproductive and clinical events by detectable changes. Analyzing BW data in relation to those on milk yield (MY), allow to characterize physiological stages during lactation that can be of help in making management decisions. Possibilities to build models that use daily BW and MY data to estimate DMI, and significant physiological stages are presented and discussed in respect to their feasibility as decision-making aids.

Consumption of food, body weight, perineal colour and levels of progesterone in the serum of cyclic female chincillas

Article

Dec 1980

Venous blood of eight cyclic female chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger) was collected twice weekly during all stages of the oestrous cycle and levels of progesterone were determined by radioimmunoassay. Consumption of food, body weight and perineal colour were also monitored in 25 cyclic female chinchillas. Cyclic trends were significant for feed consumption (P < 0.01), colour of the perineum (P < 0.001) and body weight (P < 0.001). Analysis of data used a standardized cycle of 36 days which was arranged according to vaginal perforation. This was subdivided into six periods with 6 days in each. Values of progesterone in the serum ranged from 0.07 to 6.27 ng/ml (n = 64 samples, each in duplicate), and the period of 6 days with the lowest mean progesterone value was that which included the first day of vaginal perforation. The pattern of fluctuations of progesterone resembled that of another hystricomorph rodent, the guinea-pig.

Physiological Changes at Parturition and Their Relationship to Metabolic Disorders

Article

Aug 1997

Most of the metabolic diseases of dairy cows-milk fever, ketosis, retained placenta, and displacement of the abomasum-occur within the first 2 wk of lactation. The etiology of many of those metabolic diseases that are not clinically apparent during the first 2 wk of lactation, such as laminitis, can be traced back to insults that occurred during early lactation. In addition to metabolic disease, the overwhelming majority of infectious disease, in particular mastitis, becomes clinically apparent during the first 2 wk of lactation. Three basic physiological functions must be maintained during the periparturient period if disease is to be avoided: adaptation of the rumen to lactation diets that are high in energy density, maintenance of normocalcemia, and maintenance of a strong immune system. The incidence of both metabolic and infectious diseases is greatly increased whenever one or more of these physiological functions are impaired. This paper discusses the etiological role of each of these factors in the development of common diseases encountered during the periparturient period.

Weight change with oral contraceptive use and during the menstrual cycle: Results of daily measurements

Article

Jan 1999
CONTRACEPTION

Michael J Rosenberg

Although weight gain is among the most common complaints of women using oral contraceptives (OC) and a frequent reason for discontinuation, studies demonstrate little basis for this perception. We explored this issue by analyzing the daily weights of 128 women during four cycles of triphasic OC use. The mean weight at the end of the fourth cycle of use was the same as baseline weight (average weight change, 0.0 pounds). The largest proportion of women, 52%, remained within 2 pounds (0.9 kg) of their starting weight, and 72% of women had either no weight change or a loss. Over each menstrual cycle, regular but minor weight shifts were observed, with the mean weight rising by one-half pound (0.2 kg) during the first weeks of each cycle and falling by the same amount during the last few days. These results emphasize the lack of association of OC use with weight gain but OC may be blamed at least in part, based on cyclic fluctuations. Counseling should emphasize weight gain as a misperception and stress the fact that a highly effective and safe form of contraception should not be ruled out or discontinued because of concern about weight.

Estimation of Energy Balance at the Individual and Herd Level Using Blood and Milk Traits in High-Yielding Dairy Cows

Article

Dec 2002

This study aimed to estimate individual and herd-level energy balance (EB) using blood and milk traits in 90 multiparous high-yielding Holstein cows, held on a research farm, from wk 1 to 10 postpartum (p.p.) and to investigate the precision of prediction with successively decreased data sets simulating smaller herd sizes and with pooled samples. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and BW were measured daily from parturition through wk 10 p.p. Milk composition was determined 4 times per week, and milk acetone was measured weekly. Blood samples for the determination of metabolites, hormones, electrolytes, and enzyme activities were taken weekly from wk 1 to 10 p.p. between 0730 and 0900. Body condition scores and ultrasonic measurements of backfat thickness and fat depth in the pelvic area were evaluated in wk 1, 4, and 8 p.p. Concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, urea, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine (T4) in blood plasma and of lactose and urea in milk were positively correlated with EB, whereas concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), creatinine, albumin, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and growth hormone and enzyme activities in blood, and concentrations of fat, protein, fat:lactose ratio, and acetone in milk were negatively correlated with EB. Leptin concentration was not correlated to EB over the first 10 wk p.p. To estimate EB linear mixed-effects, models were developed by backward selection procedures. The most informative traits for estimation of EB were the fat:lactose ratio in milk and NEFA and T4 concentrations in blood. The precision of estimation of EB in individual cows was low. Using blood in addition to milk traits did not result in higher precision of estimation of herd-level EB, and decreasing sample sizes considerably lowered the precision of EB prediction. Estimation of overall mean herd-level EB over the first 10 wk p.p. using pooled samples was precise even with small sample sizes, but does not consider the level of EB in particular weeks. In conclusion, estimation of herd-level EB at individual weeks using milk traits only has practical implication with herd sizes of > or = 100 cows if calving is highly seasonal and of or = 400 cows if calving is uniformly distributed. Using blood in addition to milk traits does not improve precision of estimation of herd-level EB, regardless of sample size.

Postpartum reproductive function: Association with energy, metabolic and endocrine status in high yielding dairy cows

Article

May 2003
THERIOGENOLOGY

This study evaluated the effect of metabolic, endocrine and energy status on onset of ovarian cycle, days open (DO), and conception at first service in 90 multiparous Holstein cows, housed at a research farm. Dry matter intake, milk yield and body weight were measured daily from Week 2 antepartum (a.p.) to Week 20 postpartum (p.p.). Milk composition was determined four times per week and milk acetone was measured weekly. Blood samples for the determination of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol, creatinine, albumin, urea, beta-hydroxybutyrate, leptin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, growth hormone, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T(3)), and thyroxine (T(4)) were taken 2 weeks a.p., in Weeks 1-16, and 20 p.p. between 7:30 and 9:00 h. The onset of ovarian cycle was specified by weekly gynecological examination and by skim milk progesterone determination by radioimmunoassay (twice per week). Energy balance (EB) traits were calculated and expressed as accumulated negative EB from calving to EB equilibrium, EB nadir (EBN), rate of EB recovery after EBN (EBR), and time from calving to EBN and to EB equilibrium, respectively. The onset of ovarian cycle p.p. was not related to EB. However, a low degree of EBN and a fast EBR were associated with fewer DO, and EB at first service was positively related to conception. High plasma levels of T(3) and T(4) p.p. were associated with an early start of ovarian cycle, and high concentrations of glucose and cholesterol with a short calving to conception interval. Conception at first service was positively related to EB at first service and progesterone concentration 10-13 days after first service. In conclusion, thyroid hormones may play an important role in resumption of ovarian cyclicity p.p., and a good energy status enhances the chance of conception at first service and shortens DO.

Relationships Among Milk Yield, Body Condition, Cow Weight, and Reproduction in Spring-Calved Holstein-Friesians

Article

Jul 2003

Relationships among milk production, body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and reproduction were studied using logistic regression on data from 6433 spring-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in 74 commercial herds. Multivariate models were adjusted for herd, breeding value for milk yield, proportion of Holstein-Friesian genes, lactation number, calving period, and degree of calving assistance. Significant associations between reproductive measures and components of energy balance were identified. Higher 200-d milk protein content and higher protein-to-fat ratio at start of breeding were associated with increased likelihood of submission for breeding in the first 21 d of the breeding season (SR21). High 100-d cumulative milk yield as a proportion of estimated 305-d milk yield (low persistency) was associated with a lower likelihood of pregnancy to first service (PREG1), whereas cows reaching peak milk yields earlier tended to have higher PREG1. Cows that reached nadir milk protein content relatively late in lactation had lower PREG1. Milk yield at first service and 305-d milk protein content were positively associated with the likelihood of pregnancy after 42 d of breeding (PR42). Higher 305-d milk lactose content was associated with increased PREG1 and PR42. Mean BCS at 60 to 100 d of lactation was positively associated with both SR21 and PR42, whereas nadir BCS was positively associated with PREG1. Cows with precalving BCS > 3.0 that also lost > 0.5 BCS unit by first service had lower PR42. More BW gain for 90 d after start of breeding was associated with higher SR21 and PREG1; more BW gain for 90 d after first service was associated with higher PR42. Milk protein and lactose content, BCS, and BW changes are important tools to identify cows at risk of poor reproduction.

Use of threshold serum and milk ketone concentrations to identify risk for ketosis and endometritis in high-yielding dairy cows

Article

Feb 2003

To use threshold concentrations of acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate in milk and serum, respectively; identify risk for ketosis and endometritis; and assess analyses of blood and milk samples as predictors of risk for ketosis in high-yielding dairy cows. 90 multiparous Holstein cows. At intervals before and after parturition, blood samples were obtained for determination of glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, leptin, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Samples of milk were obtained at similar intervals after parturition for determination of fat content and concentrations of acetone, protein, and lactose. Reproductive examination of each cow was performed weekly. For each cow, threshold concentrations of acetone and beta-hydroxybutyrate were calculated as 75th and 90th percentiles of maximum postpartum concentrations of acetone in milk (0.40 and 0.87 mmol/L) and beta-hydroxybutyrate in serum (2.30 and 3.51 mmol/L). Significant decrease in milk production (442 to 654 kg of energy-corrected milk/305-day period per cow) was associated with acetone or beta-hydroxybutyrate in excess of threshold values. Milk acetone concentrations > 0.40 mmol/L were associated with 3.2 times higher risk for endometritis. Low plasma glucose, high serum beta-hydroxybutyrate, and high milk acetone concentrations during week 1 after parturition were indicators of increased risk for ketosis later during lactation. Determination of milk acetone concentration during the week after parturition may identify cows at risk for ketosis and endometritis; with appropriate interventions, development of disease and production losses may be reduced.

Metabolic Predictors of Displaced Abomasum in Dairy Cattle

Article

Jan 2005

The objective of this field study was to identify metabolic tests available in clinical practice that identified cows at increased risk of left displaced abomasum (LDA). A technician visited 1044 cows in 20 herds weekly from 1 wk before expected calving until 1 wk postpartum. Cows were assigned a body condition score and samples were collected at each visit for measurement of serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), cholesterol, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, urea, calcium, and phosphorus, and a milk sample was collected postpartum for measurement of BHBA. The probability of LDA was modeled with multivariable logistic regression accounting for clustering. There were 53 cases of LDA (incidence risk = 5.1%) and the median time of diagnosis was 11 d in milk. In cows with LDA, mean NEFA concentrations began to diverge from the mean in cows without LDA 14 d before calving, whereas mean serum BHBA concentrations did not diverge until the day of calving. Prepartum, only NEFA concentration was associated with risk of subsequent LDA. Between 0 and 6 d before calving, cows with NEFA concentration > or =0.5 mEq/L were 3.6 times more likely to develop LDA after calving. For prospective application, among samples taken 4 to 10 d before expected calving, the optimum NEFA cut-point remained 0.5 mEq/L. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio (LR) were 46%, 82%, and 2.6, respectively. Between 1 and 7 d postpartum, retained placenta, metritis, and increasing serum concentrations of BHBA and NEFA were associated with increased risk of subsequent LDA. However, considered separately, postpartum serum BHBA was a more sensitive and specific test than NEFA concentration. The odds of LDA were 8 times greater in cows with serum BHBA > or =1200 micromol/L (LR = 3.5). Cows with milk BHBA concentration > or =200 micromol/L were 3.4 times more likely to develop LDA. Serum calcium concentration was not associated with LDA. Strategic use of metabolic tests to monitor transition dairy cows should focus on NEFA in the last week prepartum and BHBA in the first week postpartum.

Associations Among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, and Reproductive Performance in Seasonal-Calving Dairy Cattle

Article

Feb 2007
J DAIRY SCI

The objective of the present study was to identify and quantify relationships between body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) in dairy cows with reproduction variables in pasture-based, seasonal-calving dairy herds. Over 2,500 lactation records from 897 spring-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used in the analyses. Eleven BCS- and 11 BW-related variables were generated, including observations at calving, nadir, planned start of mating (PSM), and first service, as well as days to nadir and the amount and rate of change between periods. The binary reproductive variables were cycling by PSM, mated in the first 21 d from PSM, pregnant to first service, and pregnant in the first 21, 42, and 84 d of the seasonal mating period. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify BCS and BW variables that significantly affected the probability of a successful reproductive outcome. After adjusting for the fixed effect of year of calving, parity (for cycling by PSM only), and the interval from calving to either first service or PSM, reproductive performance was found to be significantly affected by BW or BCS at key points, and by BCS and BW change during lactation. All reproductive response measures were negatively affected when BCS and BW measures indicated an increased severity and duration of the postpartum negative energy balance. In particular, cycling by PSM was positively associated with calving BCS, whereas pregnancy at 21, 42, and 84 d post-PSM were positively associated with nadir BCS and BW gain post-PSM, and negatively associated with BCS loss between calving and nadir. The results highlight the important role that BCS and BW loss has on reproductive performance, especially in seasonal-calving dairy systems because of the short period between calving and PSM.

Associations Among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Somatic Cell Count, and Clinical Mastitis in Seasonally Calving Dairy Cattle

Article

Mar 2007
J DAIRY SCI

The objective of this study was to determine if an association existed among body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW), and udder health, as indicated by somatic cell score (SCS) and cases of clinical mastitis (CM). The data consisted of 2,635 lactations from Holstein-Friesian (n = 523) and Jersey (n = 374) cows in a seasonal calving pasture-based research herd between the years 1986 and 2000, inclusive. Increased BCS at calving was associated with reduced SCS in first- and second-parity cows, and greater SCS in cows of third parity or greater. This relationship persisted for most BCS traits throughout lactation. Body weight was positively associated with SCS, although the effect was greater in Jersey cows than in Holstein-Friesians. Increased BCS and BW loss in early lactation were associated with lower SCS and a reduced probability of a high test-day SCC. Body condition score was not significantly related to CM with the exception of a curvilinear relationship between the daily rate of BCS change to nadir and CM in early lactation. Several BW variables were positively associated with a greater likelihood of CM. Nevertheless, most associations with udder health lacked biological significance within the ranges of BCS and BW generally observed on-farm. Results are important in assuring the public that modern dairy systems, where cows are subjected to substantial amounts of BCS mobilization in early lactation, do not unduly compromise cow udder health.

Body Condition Score and Body Weight Effects on Dystocia and Stillbirths and Consequent Effects on Postcalving Performance

Article

Oct 2007
J DAIRY SCI

The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of periparturient body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW) related traits on the incidence of calving dystocia and stillbirths, and to determine any consequent effect of dystocia and stillbirths on BCS, BW, milk production, udder health, and fertility in grazing Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Up to 2,384 lactation records with data on calving dystocia or stillbirths were available from one research herd across 15 yr. Mixed models and generalized estimating equations were used to quantify all effects. Body condition score or BW 8 wk precalving or at calving, or change precalving did not significantly affect the odds of a difficult calving or stillbirth. Cows that experienced dystocia lost, on average, more BCS and BW between calving and nadir and had significantly reduced nadir BCS and BW. Incidence of stillbirths did not affect BCS in early lactation, although BW loss postpartum was greater following a stillbirth. A dystocia or stillbirth event was associated with reduced 60-d milk yield (42 and 52 kg less milk produced following a difficult calving or a stillbirth, respectively). The effect of stillbirth on milk yield was independent of dystocia. Cows that experienced dystocia had reduced milk concentration of fat, protein, and lactose, whereas average somatic cell score (natural logarithm of somatic cell count) in the first 60-d postpartum was elevated. There was no significant effect of dystocia or stillbirth on clinical mastitis, but pregnancy rates to first service and throughout the 12-wk breeding season were compromised in cows that had experienced difficulty at calving. The significance of the effects of stillbirth on somatic cell score and reduced fertility were mediated through its association with dystocia. In conclusion, periparturient BCS and BW within the range observed in the current study did not significantly affect incidence of dystocia and stillbirth, but these events negatively affected cow performance in early lactation.

The effect of body weight change on conception Time Series: A Biostatistical Introduction

Jan 1990

C Dechow
J Vallimont
Connor Diggle

Dechow, C., J. Vallimont, and M. O'Connor. 2004. The effect of body weight change on conception. J. Dairy Sci. 87(Suppl. 1):374. (Abstr.) Diggle, P. 1990. Time Series: A Biostatistical Introduction. Oxford University Press, New York, NY.

User's Guide Version 9

Jan 2006

Sas
Institute

SAS Institute. 2006. User's Guide Version 9.1: Statistics. SAS Institute, Cary, NC.

The relationship between bodyweight change and disease incidence in early lactation

Jan 2006

E Marion
C Dechow
J Appuhamy
B Cassell

Marion, E., C. Dechow, J. Appuhamy, and B. Cassell. 2006. The relationship between bodyweight change and disease incidence in early lactation. J. Dairy Sci. 89(Suppl. 1):211. (Abstr.)

The relationship between bodyweight change and disease incidence in early lactation

Jan 2006
211

Marion

The effect of body weight change on conception

Jan 2004
374

Dechow

Analysis of Daily Body Weight of High-Producing Dairy Cows in the First One Hundred Twenty Days of Lactation and Associations with Ovarian Inactivity

Abstract

No full-text available

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