Days Of Calving Research Articles

Analysis of blood biochemistry and non-targeted metabolomics of endometritis in dairy cows

The incidence of bovine endometritis, which has a negative impact on the reproduction of dairy cows, has been recently increasing. In this study, the differential markers and metabolites of healthy cows and cows with endometritis were analyzed by measuring blood biochemical indicators and immune factors using biochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits combined with nontargeted metabolomics. The LC-QTOF platform was used to evaluate the serum metabolomics of healthy cows and cows with endometritis after 21–27 days of calving. The results showed that glucose, free fatty acid, calcium, sodium, albumin, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the serum of cows with endometritis than in healthy cows (P < 0.05). However, the serum potassium, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor levels were significantly higher in cows with endometritis (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum metabolome data analysis of the two groups showed that the expression of 468 metabolites was significantly different (P < 0.05), of which 291 were upregulated and 177 were downregulated. These metabolites were involved in 78 metabolic pathways, including amino acid, nucleotide, carbohydrate, lipid, and vitamin metabolism pathways; signal transduction pathways, and other biological pathways. Taken together, negative energy balance and immune activation, which are related to local abnormalities in amino acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism, were the important causes of endometritis in dairy cows. Metabolites such as glucose, carnosine, dehydroascorbic acid, L-malic acid, tetrahydrofolic acid, and UDP-glucose may be used as key indicators in the hematological diagnosis and treatment of endometritis in dairy cows.

Effect of a Dietary Essential Oil Blend in Dairy Cows during the Dry and Transition Period on Blood and Metabolic Parameters of Dams and Their Calves.

Cows face severe challenges of immunosuppression and negative energy balance during transition periods. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of essential oil blend supplementation in dairy cow's ration during dry periods on the health of the cow and calf. In the current study, 45 dry Holstein dairy cows were divided into three groups, each consisting of 15 animals. The control group was without any supplementation; the positive control group was only injected with 0.2 mg/kg levamisole (intramuscular) at 2 months before parturition and 1 month before parturition; and the treatment group was supplemented with 3 g/day for each cow essential oil blend mixed in total mixed ration (TMR). A mixed vaccine against E. coli, Rotavirus, and Coronavirus was administered to all cows before 42 days and after 21 days of calving. The day of the calving of the animal was accepted as day 0. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein of all cows at -60, -45, -30, -15, -7, 0, 1 and 2 days, and the colostrum samples were taken on days 0, 1, and 2. Blood samples were also collected from the jugular vein (V. Jugularis) of the newborn calves on days 0, 1, and 2. The results of the hematological parameters revealed no difference in the total red blood cell count, hemoglobin amount, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, MPV, and PCT values in both prenatal and postnatal blood of the cows (p > 0.05). In terms of immunological parameters, the total IgG level was significantly higher in the experimental group on the 7th day before birth compared to the other two groups, while the total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, monocyte count and granulocyte counts were found to be lower after birth (p < 0005). Blood NEFA and BHBA levels were also lower in the experimental group compared to the other two groups (p < 0.005), and the blood glucose level was not different (p > 0.05). In calves, no difference was found between the groups in any of the parameters examined (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the dietary addition of an essential oil blend during the transition period enhanced the immune status and energy metabolism of cows without any effect on the health status of newborn calves.

Lactation performance of dairy cows on feeding rumen-protected choline

The experiment was designed to assess the effect of supplemental feeding of 40 g/day rumen-protected choline (33.5% w/w) in the total mixed ration of lactating cows on nutrient intake, lactation, reproduction, feed efficiency, and feed cost during 294 days of the lactation. The study was conducted at Livestock Research Station, Anand during 2018 to 2021. A total of sixteen cows were randomly distributed into two groups of eight each based on descending order of previous standard lactation yield and lactation numbers. An intake and milk yield were calculated for 1-21 biweekly periods. The milk composition was assessed four times during lactation. The body condition score (BCS) on a 1-5 point scale with an increment of 0.25 points was measured at -21, -14, -7, 0, 7, 14, 21, 35, 49, 63, 91, and 119 days of calving. The supplemental feeding of rumen-protected choline (RPC) in T2 group resulted in lower nutrient intake, lesser insemination to conceive, and service period with higher 4% fat corrected milk (FCM) yield in dairy cows. The body condition score and milk yield persistency were higher along with improved feed efficiency and feed economics in the T2 group as compared to the T1 group. The daily feeding of 40 g RPC during -21 to 120 days of calving resulted in significantly lower nutrient intake with improved 4% FCM yield, reproductive performance, feed efficiency, and feed economics in dairy cows.

Effects of Non-genetic Factors on Production and Reproduction Traits in Tharparkar Cattle under Arid Region of Rajasthan

Background: Tharparkar is one of the important milch breed of cattle for the arid western region of India, which has the capacity to withstand harsh desert climatic conditions and has high thermo-tolerance gene (Bhat et al. 2016) with better reproductive efficiency and milk production. Methods: The present investigation was undertaken on 422 lactation record of 95 cows spread over 30 years from 1990 to 2020, available at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Various lactation and reproduction traits in Tharparkar cattle were analysed by using Linear Mixed Model methodology. Result: The overall least-square means were 1803.05±31.59 litre for 305-days lactation yield, 1915.38±36.87 litre for total lactation yield (TLY) in 313.12±4.28 days of lactation length (LL). The peak yield (PY) was 10.29±0.12 litre and days to attain peak yield was 68.12±2.16 days of calving. The least-square means of dry period (DP) and calving interval (CI) were 114.23±4.81 and 427.01±5.49 days, respectively. Significant improvement in production and reproduction traits was observed may be due to selection of high yielding animals and improving management condition of herd. Rigid culling of animals should be followed after 5th lactation onwards to make the dairy farm profitability. Non-significant effect of season of calving indicated the adaptive character against the extreme climatic conditions of the arid zone.

Effect of feeding bypass fat on production, reproduction, feed and economic efficiency of dairy cows

The dairy cows experience negative energy balance during early lactation and feeding Bypass fat in ration can produce higher milk yield, improved reproduction with better economics. An experiment was planned to evaluate feeding of total mixed ration (TMR) supplemented with Bypass fat @ 100 g/day to dairy animals for -21 to 120 days of calving. Total sixteen animals were divided to control and Bypass fat group having eight animals in each. The effect on production, reproduction and economics was evaluated for 21 biweekly periods and for 300 days of lactation. The feeding total mix ration (TMR) supplemented with 100g/day Bypass fat (98%; -21 to 120 days of calving) was resulted in daily 1.19 kg higher (p=0.050) residual whole milk, 1.21 kg daily higher (p=0.048) residual 4% FCM yield whereas improvement in whole milk, 4% fat corrected milk yield and milking days (25 days) was numerical for period of 1-21 bi-week period. An intake of dry matter and nutrient was non-significant between the groups. The better feed conversion ratio (kg/kg milk) in terms of dry matter (1.581±0.11 vs. 2.330±0.39; p=0.048) and total digestible nutrients (0.846±0.06 vs. 1.300±0.21 kg; p=0.046), improved reproduction in terms of Artificial insemination (AI)/conception (1.857±0.14 vs. 2.286±0.18; p=0.008) and service period (113.13±20.73 vs. 177.38±20.92 days; p=0.014) and better feed cost to milk income ratio (1:1.93 vs. 1:1.63) in lactating cows during standard lactation. The lower loss of body condition score of bypass fat group cows after calving resulted in better milk yield and reproduction of dairy cows.

Effect of supplementation of rumen protected choline and methionine on milk yield and composition of early lactating dairy cows

An experiment was conducted on early lactating dairy cows to study the effect of rumen protected choline (RPC) and methionine (RPM) on milk yield and composition. Fifteen crossbred dairy cows in early lactation (within 10 days of calving) were selected and randomly allotted to any one of the following three dietary treatments, T1 (Control)- with compound feed mixture containing CP- 20% and TDN- 68% , T2- T1+20g RPM and 20g RPC, T3- with compound fed mixture containing CP- 17%, TDN- 68% + 20g RPM and 20g RPC. All the experimental animals were fed as per ICAR feeding standards (ICAR, 2013). Results revealed no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in milk yield and 4 per cent fat corrected milk (FCM) yield between the three treatment groups. Among the milk constituents, animals in T3 had significantly higher milk fat (p&lt;0.05), SNF (p&lt;0.05), protein (p&lt;0.05) and total solids (p&lt;0.01) compared to those in T1 and T2. Milk urea nitrogen levels did not differ significantly among the three treatments and were within the normal range. The study showed that milk composition could be effectively improved by supplementing feed with rumen protected forms of choline and methionine in combination at lower dietary protein level without any reduction in milk yield.

Production of Polyclonal Antibodies against Pregnancy Associated Glycoprotein in Cattle

Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are considered to be a large gene family in the trophoblasts of ruminants. PAGs determination precisely, PAG-1 in serum has been as the solid ground for pregnancy diagnosis in cow. Unluckily the PAG-1 and the antigenically related PAGs show a long half-life in serum less than 8 days and can be assessed 80 to 100 das postpartum, thereafter giving false results in cows bred within 60 days of calving. This study involves using novel polyclonal antibodies after immunizing rabbits and purification of the produced antibodies. The cattle are pregnant when the PAG hormone level is measured in a high level in a serum sample from the animal. It could give a precise method of detecting pregnancy at the early with few false positive results.

IATF como alternativa para mejorar la eficiencia reproductiva de las vacas lecheras

The period of service is the time between calving and conception, the desired average interval is 85 to 115 days, when prolonged results in losses such as decreased production and decreased number of calves in the productive life of the female bovine. The aim of this study was to demonstrate to family farmers that through Fixed Time Artificial Insemination (IATF) it is possible to reduce the period of service and consequently the interval between births, thus improving the reproductive efficiency of the herd. Ten family farms were selected in the municipality of Conceição do Araguaia, southeastern Pará, 991 km from the state capital. One hundred crossbred/multiparous cows of low production were palpated to confirm voids and at least 45 days of calving. On Day 0 (intravaginal progesterone implant and 2ml intramuscular estradiol benzoate), Day 8 (implant withdrawal plus 2.5ml prostaglandin, 1.5ml Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin and 0.5ml estradiol cipionate, intramuscular), Day 10 the insemination. The pregnancy diagnosis was made 60 days after ultrasound insemination, the empty diagnosed cows were sent to bulls with their respective farms. The conception rate was based on 94 cows, since 03 cows died and 03 were slaughtered before the pregnancy diagnosis. A conception rate of 53% (50/94) was obtained, of which 60% (30/50) were calved between 45 to 60 days, while 40% (20/50) were calved for more than 120 days. It can be concluded that the TAI reduces the period of service and consequently the interval between births, also demonstrating utility in family farming herds, which may result in a greater possibility of milk / calf production / year.

Blood metabolites, body condition score, body weight and milk yield in relation to resumption of cyclicity in post-partum buffaloes

This study was designed to decipher the relationship between blood metabolites [glucose, total protein, urea, cholesterol, beta hydroxyl-butryicacic (BHBA), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and leptin], body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW) and milk yield with resumption of post-partum cyclicity in buffaloes. Pluriparous buffaloes were screened using transrectal ultrasonography from day 0 to day 90 at 10 days interval and divided into two groups: I (n=7; buffaloes ovulated &lt;30 days of calving) and II (n=7; anestrous buffaloes &gt;90 days post-partum). Blood samples were collected in both groups at day 0, 10, 20 and 30 post-partum (day 0 considered as calving day) with BW, BCS and milk production observations during first month of lactation. In cyclic buffaloes, serum albumin was higher as compared to acyclic group. In addition, leptin, BW, BCS and milk yield differed with time. Significant correlation between BHBA, IGF-1, leptin and albumin in group I was observed. In conclusion, blood metabolites (albumin, BHBA, IGF-1 and leptin) were significantly correlated with each other in cyclic post-partum buffaloes, but not in acyclic group.

Fertility and the transition dairy cow.

The transition from pregnancy to lactation (i.e. the transition period) is a time of significant metabolic challenge, with a several-fold increase in a cow's requirement for energy, protein and minerals within days of calving. A successful transition involves the initiation and coordination of changes in multiple tissues that facilitate the provision of these nutrients to the cow and, more specifically, to the mammary gland, often at the considerable expense of other tissues. Failure to coordinate the necessary changes effectively results in transition period maladaptation, which can broadly be grouped into three categories: (1) negative energy balance and metabolic diseases associated with energy metabolism; (2) immune dysfunction and inflammation; and (3) metabolic diseases associated with mineral deficiency. Because reinitiation of ovarian activity, follicle recruitment, ovulation, fertilisation and, potentially, even maternal recognition of pregnancy and implantation occur against the backdrop of this metabolic and immunological disturbance in early lactation, the role of nutrition in ensuring a smooth transition between the pregnant and lactating state is important. In this paper we integrate recent research findings with previous knowledge of the interaction between transition cow metabolism and nutrition and reproductive outcomes, and offer new insights into key elements of successful cow management to avoid transition 'maladaptation' and improve pregnancy rates.

Eating and rumination activities two weeks prepartum to one month postpartum in 100 healthy cows and cows with peripartum diseases.

Eating and rumination activities were investigated in 100 cows from 14 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum. All cows were clinically healthy at the start of the study. A pressure sensor incorporated into the noseband of a halter was used to record jaw movements, which allowed the quantification of the daily duration of eating and rumination, number of regurgitated cuds and number of chewing cycles per cud. The cows were retrospectively divided into 2 main groups healthy (n = 24) and ill cows (n = 76), and the latter were further divided into the following subgroups: cows with periparturient paresis (n = 12), retained placenta (n = 13), metritis (n = 17), primary ketosis (n = 19) and lameness (n = 6). Healthy cows had the shortest eating and rumination times on the day of calving; duration of eating decreased continually before and increased steadily after calving. In contrast, duration of rumination varied little except for a significant drop on the days of calving. Compared with healthy cows, eating times of ill cows were significantly shorter before and after calving and rumination time was reduced on days 2 to 4 postpartum. The duration of eating differed between healthy and ill cows before calving, and therefore the usefulness of eating and rumination variables for early recognition of periparturient diseases in cows requires further investigation.

Taxa de infecção pelo Herpesvírus ovino tipo 2 (OvHV-2)em rebanhos de ovinos no Distrito Federal

RESUMO: A febre catarral maligna (FCM) é uma doença causada pela infecção de bovinos pelo herpesvírus ovino tipo 2 (OvHV-2), responsável por perdas econômicas em diferentes regiões do Brasil. Neste trabalho descreve-se a detecção molecular por nested-PCR (nPCR) do OvHV-2 em amostras de secreção/esfoliação nasal e fração celular sanguínea (FCS) de ovinos provenientes de 8 propriedades do Distrito Federal. Das 188 amostras nasais analisadas, 88 (41,5%) foram positivas. Ovelhas prenhes não apresentaram diferenças na taxa de infecção em comparação com fêmeas paridas. Fêmeas recém-paridas apresentaram taxa de infecção pelo OvHV-2 maior que em animais que pariram há mais de 60 dias. Amostras de secreção/esfoliação nasal permitiram a detecção por nPCR de animais infectados com uma eficiência aproximadamente duas vezes maior que em amostras de fração celular sanguínea. No Brasil, informações epidemiológicas sobre a infecção pelo OvHV-2 nos rebanhos ovinos e fatores envolvidos no surgimento de surtos de FCM em bovinos são escassos. Este estudo pode servir de subsídio para elucidar as características da enfermidade e para novos estudos sobre a epidemiologia da doença no Distrito Federal e em outros Estados do Brasil.

Subclinical ketosis in post-partum dairy cows fed a predominantly pasture-based diet: defining cut-points for diagnosis using concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate in blood and determining prevalence

AIMS: Firstly, to define, in dairy cows in the first 5 weeks post-calving fed a predominantly pasture-based diet, cut-points of concentrations of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) in blood, above which there were associations with purulent vaginal discharge (PVD), reduced pregnancy rates (PR) and decreased milk production, in order to better define subclinical ketosis (SCK) in such cattle; and secondly, to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for SCK.METHODS: An observational field study was conducted in 565 cows from 15 spring-calving and predominantly pasture-fed dairy herds in two regions of New Zealand during the 2010– 2011 dairy season. Within each herd, a cohort of randomly selected cows (approximately 40 per herd) was blood sampled to determine concentrations of BHBA on six occasions at weekly intervals starting within 5 days of calving. The key outcome variables were the presence/absence of PVD at 5 weeks post-calving, PR after 6 weeks (6-week PR) and after the completion of the breeding season (final PR), and mean daily milk solids production.RESULTS: Two cut-points for defining SCK were identified: firstly concentration of BHBA in blood ≥1.2 mmol/L within 5 days post-calving, which was associated with an increased diagnosis of PVD (24 vs. 8%); and secondly concentration of BHBA in blood ≥1.2 mmol/L at any stage within 5 weeks post-calving, which was associated with decreased 6-week PR (78 vs. 85%). The mean herd-level incidence of SCK within 5 weeks post-calving was 68 (min 12; max 100)% and large variations existed between herds in peak prevalence of SCK and the interval post-calving at which such peaks occurred. Cows >8 years of age and cows losing body condition were at increased risk of SCK within 5 weeks of calving.CONCLUSIONS: Cows with concentration of BHBA in blood ≥1.2 mmol/L in early lactation had a higher risk of PVD and lower 6-week PR. Cow and herd-level prevalence of SCK varied widely in early lactation.CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subclinical ketosis is common and is significantly associated with reproductive performance in mainly pasture-fed New Zealand dairy cattle. Controlling SCK may therefore result in improvements in herd reproductive performance. However considerable variation exists among herds in the incidence of SCK and in the timing of peak prevalence which means that herd-specific monitoring programmes are required to define herd SCK status accurately.

Development of a predictive model for daughter pregnancy rate and standardization of voluntary waiting period in Murrah buffalo

A predictive model for daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) in Indian Murrah buffaloes has been developed. The data pertaining to first lactation reproduction traits, viz., age at first calving (AFC), first service period (FSP), and number of services per first conception (NS/FCON) of 719 Murrah buffaloes calved from 1985 to 2010 at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal (Haryana), India were adjusted against significant environmental influence. First lactation reproduction records of 474 Murrah buffaloes were used for determining voluntary waiting period (VWP) and estimating DPR. Seven simple and multiple regression models in each case were developed where the buffaloes had their first insemination after 63 days (DPR 63), 84 days (DPR 84), and 105 days (DPR 105) of first calving. Among the seven models (I to VII) for DPR 63, DPR 84, and DPR 105, model II, having only FSP as an independent reproduction variable, was found to be the best prediction model, based on the four statistical criterions (high coefficient of determination (R 2), low mean sum of squares due to error (MSSe), conceptual predictive (CP) value, and Bayesian information criterion (BIC)). Three linear equations were developed using model II, viz., DPR 63 = 0.0033 (274 − FSP), DPR 84 = 0.0027 (332 − FSP), and DPR 105 = 0.0027 (310 − FSP). The average errors for the prediction of DPR 63, DPR 84, and DPR 105 were 1, 13, and 8 %, respectively. Therefore, 63 days of VWP is the optimum period for getting the best DPR in Indian Murrah buffaloes.

Antlers on the Arctic Refuge: capturing multi-generational patterns of calving ground use from bones on the landscape

Bone accumulations faithfully record historical ecological data on animal communities, and owing to millennial-scale bone survival on high-latitude landscapes, have exceptional potential for extending records on arctic ecosystems. For the Porcupine Caribou Herd, maintaining access to calving grounds on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR, Alaska) is a central management concern. However, variability in calving ground geography over the 30+ years of monitoring suggests establishing the impacts of climate change and potential petroleum development on future calving success could benefit from extended temporal perspectives. Using accumulations of female antlers (shed within days of calving) and neonatal skeletons, we test if caribou calving grounds develop measureable and characteristic bone accumulations and if skeletal data may be helpful in establishing a fuller, historically integrated understanding of landscape and habitat needs. Bone surveys of an important ANWR calving area reveal abundant shed antlers (reaching 10(3) km(-2)) and high proportional abundance of newborn skeletal individuals (up to 60% neonate). Openly vegetated riparian terraces, which compose less than 10 per cent of ANWR calving grounds, yield significantly higher antler concentrations than more abundant habitats traditionally viewed as primary calving terrain. Differences between habitats appear robust to potential differences in bone visibility. The distribution of antler weathering stages mirrors known multi-decadal calving histories and highlights portions of the antler accumulation that probably significantly extends records of calving activity. Death assemblages offer historically integrated ecological data valuable for the management and conservation of faunas across polar latitudes.

Zachowanie sie cielat w pierwszych tygodniach zycia

Behavioural observations were conducted on 20 calves (10 bull calves and 10 heifer calves). The first series of observations was made in the first 4 days of life, and the second after a month (within 30 to 33 days of calving). Time from birth to first unassisted standing (standing on all extended legs) ranged from 16 minutes (heifers) to 158 minutes (bulls) for normal calving. Calves born from normal parturitions stood up after an average of 81 minutes and those born from difficult parturitions after 302 minutes. Calves that required assistance at calving showed shorter standing and longer lying time. In the first 4 days of life and after a month, both male and female calves were more often in left lateral recumbency when resting. Heifer calves more often visited the feeder while bull calves more often consumed concentrates, water and hay.

Association of gammaherpesviruses and bacteria with clinical metritis in a dairy herd

BACTERIAL contamination of the uterus is very common after parturition and is followed by metritis in up to 40 per cent of dairy cows (Borsberry and Dobson 1989, Sheldon and...

Use of equine chorionic gonadotrophin in synchronised AI of seasonal-breeding, pasture-based, anoestrous dairy cattle

In seasonally calving dairy areas, a critical index of efficiency and profitability is the ability to maintain a short annual calving spread. In essence, this means that all cows need to conceive within 90 days of calving. Anovulatory anoestrus (AA) is a major barrier to reproductive performance under these conditions and the successful treatment of AA is an important aspect of reproductive intervention. The present paper reviews regimens used to treat AA in New Zealand and reports on a large-scale field trial investigating the effects of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) within a proven efficacious treatment protocol. The administration of eCG at the time of removal of a progesterone-releasing device in an 8-day, oestradiol benzoate (EB)-based treatment protocol increased the percentage of cows in calf after 7 and 28 days of breeding. The interaction between cow age and treatment with eCG was significant, with cows over 5 years of age having higher conception rates (P = 0.002) and 7 day in-calf rates (P = 0.002) than cows on a standard 8-day treatment protocol without eCG. The addition of eCG to a standard 8-day EB/progesterone protocol can improve reproductive success in seasonally calving AA dairy cows.

Associations between genetic merit for milk production and animal parameters and the fertility performance of dairy cows

Relationships between genetic merit for milk production and animal parameters and various parameters of reproductive performance were examined using multilevel binary response analysis in a study of 19 dairy herds for three successive years, representing approximately 2500 cows per year. The proportion of cows intended for rebreeding that were back in-calf again within 100 days of calving (ICR-100) and the proportion of cows that reappeared again with 365 (RR-365) and 400 days (RR-400) of a previous calving were considered in addition to the traditional measures of reproductive performance. Each 100-kg increase in genetic merit for milk yield was associated with an increased interval to first service (IFS) and calving index (CI) of 1.4 ( P < 0.001) and 1.8 days ( P < 0.001), respectively, a 0.5% increase ( P < 0.05) in calving rate to first insemination (CR-1) and 0.8% increase in RR-400. Each £10 increase in £PIN (the economically weighted yield selection index used in the UK that takes account of butterfat and protein yields) was associated with an increased IFS and CI of 1.5 ( P < 0.001) and 3.0 days ( P < 0.001), respectively. Cows with increased genetic merit for milk yield and £PIN were more likely to re-calve (RR-overall; P < 0.001). Each 1000-kg increase in 305-day milk yield was associated with an increased IFS and CI of 3.2 ( P < 0.001) and 7.8 days ( P < 0.001), respectively, and a 13.6 ( P < 0.001), 22.4 ( P < 0.001), 19.9 ( P < 0.001) and 19.0% ( P < 0.001) decrease in CR-1, ICR-100, RR-365 and RR-400, respectively. A 10-kg increase in maximum yield was associated with a 6.6-day increase in CI ( P < 0.001) and a 14.9 ( P < 0.001), 18.3 ( P < 0.001), 9.6 ( P < 0.05) and 14.2% ( P < 0.001) decrease in CR-1, ICR-100, RR-365 and RR-400, respectively. Fertility performance was also associated with season of calving, lactation number and dystocia score. Level of production had a larger effect on fertility performance than genetic merit for milk production suggesting that infertility at an individual cow level is more likely to be associated with increased production and an inability to meet the nutritional requirements of the cow.

Hemato-biochemical andclinico-epidemiological aspects of parturient hemoglobinuria in Nili-Ravi buffaloes

For this study, 60 buffaloes suffering from parturient hemoglobinuria (PHU) were randomly selected from field cases occurring in three districts of Punjab, Pakistan and simultaneously, 60 clinically healthy buffaloes of similar description from the same localities were included for case control study. Clinico-epidemiological data were collected. Blood/serum samples from all buffaloes were collected and analyzed. The most prominent clinical sign was passing of red to coffee colored urine. Milk production was reduced and respiration and pulse rates were significantly accelerated. Ruminal motility was significantly weak and reduced along with characteristic straining while defecating. The case fatality was 15%. A significantly high occurrence of PHU was observed in the winter season (41.8%). Maximum number of affected buffaloes (25.0%) was in 4th lactation. Twenty-seven (45.0%) buffaloes developed hemoglobinuria in the post calving period and majority (59.3%) of these were within 1-23 days of calving. Of the 33 (55.0%) PHU affected pregnant buffaloes, 18 (54.6%) were in their third trimester. The highest cases of PHU were observed in buffaloes producing 10 or more liters of milk/day (42.5%). Recurrence of PHU was observed in 18.3% buffaloes. Mean values of total erythrocyte counts, hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume were lower (P<0.001), while erythrocyte sediment rate was higher (P<0.001) in PHU affected buffaloes as compared to the values in healthy buffaloes. Neutrophils were significantly higher, while lymphocytes and erythrocytic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were lower, in PHU affected buffaloes than in healthy buffaloes. Serum phosphorus, copper and selenium were significantly (P<0.001) lower, whereas potassium, iron and molybdenum (P<0.001) were higher in buffaloes suffering from PHU than healthy buffaloes.