Abstract
Simple Summary:Whether electro-acupuncture can contribute to reduced antibiotic use in dairy farming depends, among other things, on effects of time and production factors on the impedance values (IVs) at acupuncture points (APs). We measured the IV at 24 APs located left (L) and right (R) of the bladder (BL) and stomach (ST) meridians. The effect of time of measurement (assessed on six cows in one herd) was confirmed for seven APs, and of production factors (analyzed using 108 cows in three herds) for seven APs. We recommend BL19R, BL20R and BL46-02L as reference values, and BL14L, BL16L and BL17L for diagnostics, and ten other APs for further study. :This study evaluated the effect of hour and day of measurement, and of production factors on the impedance values (IVs) at 24 acupuncture points (APs). This is a first step in assessing whether electro-acupuncture can contribute to reduced antibiotic use in dairy farming. The APs studied were left (L) and right (R) points of the bladder (BL) and stomach (ST) meridians. The effect of time was measured in a 3x3 Latin square on six cows in one herd. The effect of production factors was analyzed using 108 cows from three herds for two months. The effect of time excludes BL 14R, 16R, 21R, 22R, 30R, 46-02R, 43-01L and 30L, and ST18 bilaterally for diagnostic use. The contribution of parity, age or lactation period to monthly models of BL21R, 18R and 15R, and ST18R exclude these for diagnostic use. Of the remaining APs, BL19R, BL20R and BL46-02L showed stable IVs and are recommended for reference measurements. APs BL14L, BL16L and BL17L are recommended for diagnostics, and BL 16R, 17R, 18R, 23R, 30R, 15L, 20L, 22L and 29L need further study. Factors contributing to the variation in the IV of several APs were: milk robot, number of inseminations, body condition score, days of the preceding lactation, kg milk and kg milk fat of current and preceding month and preceding year, and milk cell count and urea content.
Highlights
A pilot study [1] showed that the impedance values (IVs or electrical resistance) at six measured acupuncture points (APs) were lower in dairy cattle herds classified as healthy and robust than in herds with chronic health problems
We recommend pursuing the identification of normal values, effect of time, and of the most appropriate APs related to dairy cow performance, and to do so while developing and testing diagnostic and treatment equipment for use while the cow is standing in a milk parlor
It would be worthwhile to investigate other as yet untested APs on the spleen and liver meridians
Summary
A pilot study [1] showed that the impedance values (IVs or electrical resistance) at six measured acupuncture points (APs) were lower in dairy cattle herds classified as healthy and robust than in herds with chronic health problems. The relationship was confirmed by the negative correlation between the IVs at five out of the six APs (BL15, BL49 and BL52, bilaterally), the innate immune response, and body condition score. Before EAP can be used for diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to identify the normal IVs of the APs and the APs whose IVs vary only slightly in response to physiological conditions, such as stage of lactation, and time effects, such as the diurnal rhythm. We designed two experiments: the first was to ascertain whether or not the IVs at 24 selected APs vary diurnally, and the second was to identify the normal IVs and the APs that vary in response to farm and physiological conditions
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
