Effects of Parity on Udder and Teat Traits among Three Breeds of Cattle Raised Extensively in Nigeria

Abstract

Selection of dairy cows traditionally among farmers using phenotypic traits is a major problem in the northern part of Nigeria. This work studied udder and teat traits of cows based on three parities (parity 1, 2 and 3). The knowledge of the relationship between the physical characteristics of the udder and teats with milk yield as selection indices would improve performance in dairy cattle. A total of 270 cows comprising 90 each of Sokoto Gudali, White Fulani and Red Bororo were used in this study. Each breed was further divided into 3 groups of thirty cows according to parity (Parity 1, 2, and 3). Udder traits measured were udder width (UW), udder length (UL) and udder depth (UD) while teat traits were front teat length (FTL), hind teat length (HTL), distance between front and hind teat (DBFHT), distance within front teat (DWFT), distance within hind teat (DWHT). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that in Sokoto Gudali, Parity 2 and 3 were similar and significantly (p<0.05) superior in FTL (6.570.43cm and 6.710.42cm) and DBFHT (9.500.50cm and 9.280.47cm) respectively whereas parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) low in FTL (5.330.32cm) and DBFHT (8.300.49cm). Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) low in HTL (5.250.31cm) and UD (42.900.54cm) whereas parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) superior in HTL (7.070.60cm) and UD (49.140.34cm). In White Fulani cows, Parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in DWFT (9.900.37cm), UW (29.100.43cm) and UL (28.300.44cm). Parity 1 and parity 2 were statistically similar and significantly (p<0.05) lower in DWFT, UW and UL as 7.400.40cm and 8.100.27cm, 26.000.59cm and 27.000.49cm and 26.000.59cm and 26.800.41cm respectively. In Red Bororo cows, Parity 2 and Parity 3 were statistically similar and significantly (p<0.05) higher in FTL and HTL as 6.200.29cm 5.60030cm and 6.130.52cm and 5.500.43cm respectively whereas Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower in FTL (4.500.31cm) and HTL (4.00021cm). Parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) superior in UW 27.630.03cm whereas Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) low in UW 23.800.47cm. The study discovered that Parity had a significant effect on udder and teat traits in all three breeds studied.