Effect Of Parity Research Articles

Interactions between maternal parity and feed additives drive the composition of pig gut microbiomes in the post-weaning period

BackgroundNursery pigs undergo stressors in the post-weaning period that result in production and welfare challenges. These challenges disproportionately impact the offspring of primiparous sows compared to those of multiparous counterparts. Little is known regarding potential interactions between parity and feed additives in the post-weaning period and their effects on nursery pig microbiomes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal parity on sow and offspring microbiomes and the influence of sow parity on pig fecal microbiome and performance in response to a prebiotic post-weaning. At weaning, piglets were allotted into three treatment groups: a standard nursery diet including pharmacological doses of Zn and Cu (Con), a group fed a commercial prebiotic only (Preb) based on an Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, and a group fed the same prebiotic plus Zn and Cu (Preb + ZnCu).ResultsAlthough there were no differences in vaginal microbiome composition between primiparous and multiparous sows, fecal microbiome composition was different (R2 = 0.02, P = 0.03). The fecal microbiomes of primiparous offspring displayed significantly higher bacterial diversity compared to multiparous offspring at d 0 and d 21 postweaning (P < 0.01), with differences in community composition observed at d 21 (R2 = 0.03, P = 0.04). When analyzing the effects of maternal parity within each treatment, only the Preb diet triggered significant microbiome distinctions between primiparous and multiparous offspring (d 21: R2 = 0.13, P = 0.01; d 42: R2 = 0.19, P = 0.001). Compositional differences in pig fecal microbiomes between treatments were observed only at d 21 (R2 = 0.12, P = 0.001). Pigs in the Con group gained significantly more weight throughout the nursery period when compared to those in the Preb + ZnCu group.ConclusionsNursery pig gut microbiome composition was influenced by supplementation with an Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, with varying effects on performance when combined with pharmacological levels of Zn and Cu or for offspring of different maternal parity groups. These results indicate that the development of nursery pig gut microbiomes is shaped by maternal parity and potential interactions with the effects of dietary feed additives.

High oleic soybean oil maintains milk fat and increases apparent total-tract fat digestibility and fat deposition in lactating dairy cows

Due to the bioactive properties of oleic acid, the objective of this study was to feed high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) to lactating cows and evaluate milk production, body composition, and apparent total-tract digestibility variables. Thirty Holstein cows (n = 16 primiparous, n = 14 multiparous at 87 ± 26 DIM at the start of the trial) were used in a crossover design with periods lasting 21 d. The treatments were a control (CON) diet with no added soybean oil and a HOSO diet with 1.5% diet DM of high oleic soybean oil. Dry matter and milk production data were collected the last 7 d of each period, and milk composition was collected the last 3 d of each period. Fecal samples were collected 6 times during the last 3 d of each period. Body weights were collected on the last 3 d of each period after the morning milking and ultrasound scans of the longissimus dorsi on the last day of each period. Compared with CON, HOSO did not affect DMI, milk production, and milk component yields. However, a parity effect was observed with multiparous cows having increased DMI (5.9 kg/d), milk production (11.2 kg/d), and component yields, with no treatment by parity interactions. Milk fat concentration tended to be greater for HOSO cows. Body weight data tended to have an interaction between treatment and parity, with multiparous HOSO cows having increased BW compared with CON and no effect on primiparous cows. Similar treatment by parity effects were observed for BCS. Compared with CON, HOSO increased fat depth by 0.44 mm and apparent total-tract fat digestibility by 12 percentage units. The results of this study indicated no detrimental effects of HOSO on milk production parameters with an increase in milk fat concentration, fat digestibility, and deposition compared with a control diet.

Temporal disposition of pelvic girdle, vagina and vulva in relation to urovagina in cycling and pregnant-postpartum cows.

Urovagina (UV) is less studied in cows. The vaginal contents, constrictor vestibule muscle activity, circulating progesterone, pelvic girdle, vagina and vulva angles were compared on Days 0 and 14 within and between UV (UV group; n = 36) and normal (N group; n = 36) cows. The oestrous duration was compared among the groups. Parameters for various UV severities were also compared. Another set of pregnant-postpartum cows (P-PP group; n = 31) underwent monthly evaluations for UV and the angles from the third month of pregnancy until the second month postpartum. The effect of age, parity and body condition score on UV severities on Day 0, and parity on angles in the P-PP group was evaluated. Different variables were correlated in different groups. The UV group was repeat breeder, exhibited prolonged oestrus and reduced progesterone on Day 14. The latter increased with UV severity on Day 0. On Day 14, severe form of UV was more prevalent. The UV severity increased with parity. In the UV group, a cranioventral pelvic girdle on Day 0 became more cranioventral on Day 14 and was correlated with the vagina moving from a caudodorsal position on Day 0 to a cranioventral position on Day 14. In the P-PP group, the pelvic girdle and vagina remained caudodorsal and UV was undetectable throughout the study. Vagina and vulva displayed a parity-by-month interaction in the P-PP group. To summarize, the UV characteristics were influenced by the oestrous cycle stage, pelvic girdle angles, and parity.

Effects of maternal and perinatal factors on human milk fat globule membrane proteome: A data independent acquisition approach

Milk fat globule membrane proteins (MFGMP) are essential for supporting infants’ growth and development. The composition of MFGMP may vary depending on maternal and perinatal factors. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of parity, maternal age, and mode of delivery on MFGMP. This study attempts to address this knowledge gap by utilizing a data-independent acquisition (DIA) approach to perform proteomics comparisons of human MFGMP. Mature human milk (MHM) was collected from Chinese women with different parities (multiparous vs. primiparous, MP vs. PP), maternal reproductive ages (age ≥30 vs. age <30, MA1 vs. MA2), and delivery modes (cesarean delivery vs. vaginal delivery, CD vs. VD). We found variations in MFGMP between different cohorts. Differentially expressed proteins (DEP) in MHM of primiparous and multiparous women were mostly related to innate immune response which provides the first line of defense against pathogens. Higher abundances of these DEP were found in the MHM of multiparous women. Meanwhile, DEP in MHM of women with different delivery modes were primarily related to inflammatory response and innate immune response. We postulate that upregulation of the defense response-related DEP in MHM of women who had cesarean delivery was in relation to modulation of the cesarean delivery-induced inflammatory response and to strengthen the immune defense of newborns.

Determining the predictive impact of donor parity on the outcomes of human leukocyte antigen matched hematopoietic stem cell transplants: a retrospective, single-center study.

Donor choosing remains to play a pivotal role in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Numerous criteria beyond HLA compatibility impact the selection of a suitable donor. We evaluated the effect of donor parity on transplant outcomes in a large homogeneously treated population that received an HLA-matched allo-HSCT between 2010 and 2021 at our center. All patients were transplanted from a peripheral blood stem cell source following a myeloablative Busulfan-based conditioning and an identical protocol for graftversus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen. A total of 1103 allo-HSCT recipients were included. 188 (17%) had transplants from parous female donors, whereas 621 (56.30%) and 294 (26.70%) received transplants from male and nulliparous female donors, respectively. HSCTs from parous female donors compared to male and nulliparous females were associated with a significantly higher incidence of grade III-IV acute (a) GVHD (55.27% vs. 11.34 and 10.84%) and extensive chronic (c) GVHD (64.32% vs. 15.52 and 13.65%), as well as lower relapse incidence (RI). This study finds that while parous female donors are associated with higher incidences of grade III-IV aGVHD and extensive cGVHD post-allo-HSCT, the advantages, such as a lower RI, outweigh the risks. The results of our study provide valuable insights for donor selection.

A comparative analysis of gastrointestinal tract barrier function and immune markers in gilt vs. sow progeny at birth and weaning.

Progeny born to primiparous sows (gilt progeny; GP) have lower birth, weaning and slaughter weights than sow progeny (SP). GP also have reduced gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, as evidenced by lower organ weights. Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to quantify changes in GIT barrier function that occur in birth and weaning, representing two major challenges to the young piglet. The effects of parity (GP vs. SP) in GIT barrier integrity function were quantified at four timepoints: birth (~0h), 24h after birth (24h), 1-d preweaning (PrW), and 1-d postweaning (PoW) in commercially reared piglets. Due to inherent differences between newborn and weanling pigs, the results were analyzed in two cohorts, birth (0 vs. 24h, n = 31) and weaning (PrW vs. PoW, n = 40). Samples of the stomach, jejunum, ileum, and colon were excised after euthanasia and barrier integrity was quantified by measuring transepithelial resistance (TER), macromolecular permeability, the abundance of inflammatory proteins (IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and tight junction proteins (claudin-2 and -3). Papp was characterized using a dual tracer approach comprising 4 KDa fluorescein isothiocyanate (FD4) and 150kDa tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (T150)-labeled dextrans. Characteristic effects of the initiation of feeding and weaning were observed on the GIT with the initiation of feeding, such as increasing TER and reducing Papp at 24h, consistent with mucosal growth (P = 0.058) This was accompanied by increased cytokine abundance as evidenced by elevations in TNF-α and IL-1β. However, GP had increased IL-8 abundance (P = 0.011 and 0.063 for jejunum and ileum respectively) at birth than 24h overall. In the weaning cohort, jejunal and ileal permeability to FD4 was higher in GP (P = 0.05 and 0.022, respectively) while only higher ileal T150 was observed in GP (P = 0.032). Ileal claudin-2 abundance tended to be higher in SP overall (P = 0.063), but GP ileal claudin-2 expression was upregulated weaning while no change was observed in SP (P = 0.043). Finally, other than a higher jejunal TNF-α abundance observed in SP (P = 0.016), no other effect of parity was observed on inflammatory markers in the weaning cohort. The results from this study indicate that the GIT of GP have poorer adaptation to early life events, with the response to weaning, being more challenging which is likely to contribute to poorer postweaning growth.

Psychosocial dimensions of access and their association with contraceptive use and intention to use.

Several studies suggest that psychosocial accessibility appears to be the key remaining hurdle to contraceptive use when issues of geographic and financial accessibility have been resolved. To date, the literature has considered various dimensions of psychosocial accessibility, which are not well measured by the two main sources of contraceptive data (DHS and PMA2020). In a previous paper, we have designed a framework that outlines four subdimensions of cognitive and psychosocial access and their theoretical relationship to contraceptive use and intention to use. This paper aims to study the associations between the four dimensions of access to contraception with the contraceptive use and intention to use. It also aims to explore the mediation effect of these four dimensions of access in the relationships between classical individual characteristics and contraceptive use and intention to use. The data we used came from the 6th round of the PMA2020 survey in Burkina Faso in 2018-19. This survey included 2,763 households (98.4% response rate) and 3329 women (97.7% response rate). In addition to PMA's core questions, this survey collected data on psychosocial accessibility. Each group of questions was added to address one dimension. We use a multilevel generalized structural equation and mediation modeling to test the associations between psychosocial accessibility and contraceptive use while controlling for some individual and contextual characteristics. Approval, contraceptive knowledge, and agency were associated with contraceptive use, while fears of side effects were not. Approval and agency explain part of the effects of education and parity on contraceptive use. Exposure to family planning messages had a positive impact on women's contraceptive agency. FP messages can help enhance women's contraceptive agency, and then, contraceptive use, regardless of age and parity. The analysis highlights the mediator effects of contraceptive approval and agency on the association between parity and education with contraceptive use.

The effect of parity, breastfeeding history, and duration on clinical and pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients.

The study is aimed to determine the relationship between the delivery and breastfeeding history of the patients and the clinicopathological properties of breast cancer. A questionnaire was utilized for the study, which included the age of diagnosis, the number of children at the time of diagnosis, the age of the children, and the breastfeeding period of each child. The study included 828 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 47 years for parous women and 42 years for nonparous women (p < 0.001). The tumor size of the patients diagnosed within the breastfeeding period was significantly larger compared to the other patients. Estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity were lower in patients diagnosed during breastfeeding. Additionally, the mean number of positive lymph nodes, dissected lymph nodes, and positive lymph node/dissected lymph node ratio in parous and breastfed patients with a nonmetastatic disease were statistically significantly higher in multivariable analysis than those patients who were nulliparous and have not breastfed. Breast cancer is seen at a later age in patients who are parous than those who have never given birth. Patients who are parous and have breastfed tend to present with a higher stage of the disease.

Effects of parity, calving season, and previous lactation's milk yield on fertility of dairy cows on a commercial farm.

This study investigated the effects of parity, season, and the previous lactation's milk yield on fertility in dairy cows. A total of 5,514 calving records for Holstein cows that calved between 2016 and 2018 on a single large dairy farm in Japan were used for analysis. The proportion of cows that get pregnant by 360 days after calving was defined as the percentage of all cows eligible for breeding that became pregnant. In the all-cow model, pregnancy probability associated with both parity and calving season (p < 0.05). Pregnancy probability decreased with an increase in parity, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.75 (1.58-1.94) for parity 1, 1.25 (1.13-1.39) for parity 2, 1.15 (1.04-1.29) for parity 3, and 1.13 (1.00-1.27) for parity 4, relative to parity ≥5. In terms of calving season, the lowest pregnancy probability was found in spring, and the HRs relative to spring were 1.16 (1.07-1.26) for summer, 1.35 (1.24-1.47) for autumn, and 1.17 (1.07-1.27) for winter. In the multiparous-cow model, pregnancy probability associated with the previous lactation's milk yield (p < 0.05), but not with parity or calving season. Cows with high and middle previous milk yields had lower pregnancy probabilities than those with low milk yields.

Reproductive losses in beef cattle rearing on extensive system production: Effects of genotype and parity

Reproductive losses in beef cattle rearing on extensive system production: Effects of genotype and parity

Variations in colostrum metabolite profiles in association with sow parity

Abstract Information about the full spectrum of metabolites present in porcine colostrum and factors that influence metabolite abundances is still incomplete. Parity number appears to modulate the concentration of single metabolites in colostrum. This study aimed to 1) characterize the metabolome composition and 2) assess the effect of parity on metabolite profiles in porcine colostrum. Sows (n = 20) were divided into three parity groups: A) sows in parity 1 and 2 (n = 8), B) sows in parity 3 and 4 (n = 6), and C) sows in parity 5 and 6 (n = 6). Colostrum was collected within 12 h after parturition. A total of 125 metabolites were identified using targeted reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and anion-exchange chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography additionally identified 19 fatty acids (FAs). Across parities, colostrum was rich in creatine and creatinine, 1,3-dioleyl-2-palmitatoylglycerol, 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol, and sialyllactose. Alterations in colostrum concentrations were found for eight metabolites among parity groups (P &amp;lt; 0.05) but the effects were not linear. For instance, colostrum from parity group C comprised 75.4% more valine but 15.7%, 34.1%, and 47.9% less citric, pyruvic, and pyroglutamic acid, respectively, compared to group A (P &amp;lt; 0.05). By contrast, colostrum from parity group B contained 39.5% more spermidine than from group A (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Of the FAs, C18:1, C16:0, and C18:2 n6 were the main FAs across parities. Parity affected four FAs (C18:3n3, C14:1, C17:0ai, and C17:1), including 43.1% less α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3) in colostrum from parity group C compared to groups A and B (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Signature feature ranking identified 1-stearoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine and the secondary bile acid hyodeoxycholic acid as the most discriminative metabolites, showing a higher variable importance in the projection score in colostrum from parity group A than from groups B and C. Overall, results provided a comprehensive overview about the metabolome composition of sow colostrum. The consequences of the changes in colostrum metabolites with increasing parity for the nutrient supply of the piglets should be investigated in the future. The knowledge gained in this study could be used to optimize feeding strategies for sows.

Evaluation of pregnancy associated glycoproteins assays for on farm determination of pregnancy status in beef cattle.

Transrectal ultrasonography is known as the gold standard for pregnancy detection, but requires costly equipment and technical skills; therefore, access to an inexpensive and more user-friendly method with similar accuracy could benefit cattle producers. Detection of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins can accurately determine pregnancy in ruminants; however, usually requires specialized equipment for the assay. Thus, the objectives of these studies were to 1) validate the IDEXX Alertys OnFarm Pregnancy Test (lateral flow) and compare the accuracy of all three commercial PAG assays to transrectal ultrasonography and 2) to determine the postpartum interval necessary for clearance of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins from the previous pregnancy to avoid false positives. In study 1, blood samples from previously identified pregnant Bos taurus females from six different herds (nulliparous n = 1,205 and multiparous n = 1,539; samples collected between d 27 to 285 of gestation over a three-year period) were utilized. In study 2, postpartum females (primiparous n = 48 and multiparous n = 66) from one herd were utilized: (n = 1,066; samples collected weekly for up to 12 weeks postpartum). In study 1, level of agreement between different methods of pregnancy detection was determined by Pearson's correlation and Kappa scores. In study 2, data were analyzed as a repeated measure using the MIXED procedure of SAS with main effects of parity, days postpartum (dpp), and parity by days postpartum, then data were analyzed further using the REG procedure of SAS. In study 1, transrectal ultrasonography and lateral flow were positively correlated (r = 0.77; P <0.01), with 92.4% agreement. In study 2, the abundance of absorbance of PAGs rapidly decreased from 0 to 50 days postpartum, then continued to gradually decrease (P <0.01; r = 0.90). Prior to 42 days postpartum, PAG concentrations were sufficiently elevated resulting in false positive readings in all assays. In conclusion, there is very good agreement between transrectal ultrasonography and PAG assays, but likelihood of false positive results are highif assays are performed fewer than 42 days postpartum.

Parity affects mammary development in late-pregnant swine.

The goal of this project was to determine whether various measures of mammary development differed between gilts and multiparous sows at the end of gestation. During gestation, Yorkshire × Landrace gilts (n = 19) and sows (second and third gestations, n = 17) were fed one daily meal of a conventional corn-based diet, where the amount fed was based on body weight (BW) and backfat thickness (BF) at mating. On day 110 ± 1 of gestation, a jugular blood sample was obtained from all gilts and sows to measure insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), glucose, free fatty acids, and urea. On that same day, BW and BF were measured and animals were euthanized. Mammary glands from one side of the udder were dissected for compositional analyses. The fifth gland of the contralateral row of mammary glands was sampled for histology and immunohistochemical localization of Ki67. There was less total parenchyma (1,437.4 vs. 2,004.7 ± 127.1g; P < 0.001) and total extraparenchymal tissue (1,691.0 vs. 2,407.0 ± 125.3g; P < 0.001) in mammary glands of gilts compared to those from sows. When these values were expressed per kg BW (226.0 and 284.0 ± 2.7kg for gilts and sows, respectively), parenchymal mass did not differ (P > 0.10), while extraparenchymal tissue weight tended to be less in gilts than sows (P = 0.07). All components within the parenchyma differed by parity (P < 0.001). Specifically, parenchymal tissue from gilts contained a greater proportion of fat and dry matter (DM), a lower proportion of protein, and lower concentrations of DNA (6.59 vs. 9.35 ± 0.53mg/g DM) and RNA (7.76 vs. 12.33 ± 0.70mg/g DM) than that from sows. On the other hand, the circumference of alveolar lumens was greater in gilts than sows (P < 0.001), while the percentage of epithelial cells that were positive for Ki67, a marker of cell proliferation, was greater in sows than gilts (P < 0.05). Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 were greater in gilts than in multiparous sows (45.0 vs. 27.3 ± 2.8ng/mL, P < 0.001). None of the other blood variables were changed by parity. Results show a marked effect of parity on mammary gland development in swine. At the end of gestation, the mammary glands of gilts had less parenchyma with lower epithelial proliferation than glands from multiparous sows. These differences could alter the response of mammary tissue to various nutritional or endocrine signals. This information is crucial for the development of management strategies designed to maximize sow milk yield.

A Scoping Review of Unmet Family Planning Needs in Young Couple: Effects of Socio-Demographic Factors, Parity, and Health Services

Abstract Introduction: Young couples who have become mothers and do not have sufficient knowledge about family planning but are in the unmet need group for family planning have a higher risk of experiencing pregnancy complications. Pregnancy complications can lead to an increased risk of maternal mortality and morbidity. Purpose: This study explored the factors influencing the unmet need for family planning among young couples using the rapid review method. Methods: This scoping review study was sourced from ScienceDirect, Pubmed, and Wiley Online Library databases for article searches from 2010-2021. The primary study refers to young couples with unmet needs for a family planning group and explores its determinants, adapting the PRISMA-ScR 2020 checklist framework. Results: 14 articles met the inclusion criteria from 1,020 articles. The review found two determinants of unmet need for family planning among young couples: sociodemographic and health factors. Sociodemographic factors were divided into ten factors: age, place of residence, community culture, maternal motivation to participate in family planning, maternal autonomy in decision-making, knowledge, religion, marital status, economic status, and desire for family planning. Health factors are divided into two categories, namely parity and health services. Conclusion: The study found similar reasons for women's unmet family planning needs. The unmet need for family planning among young couples is common in developing countries. Latar Belakang: Pasangan muda yang telah menjadi Ibu dan tidak memiliki pengetahuan yang cukup tentang keluarga berencana, namun menjadi kelompok unmet need KB memiliki risiko lebih tinggi mengalami komplikasi kehamilan. Komplikasi kehamilan dapat menjadi penyebab peningkatan risiko kematian dan morbiditas ibu. Tujuan: Studi ini bertujuan mengeksplor faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi unmet need KB pada pasangan muda dengan metode rapid review. Metode: Studi scoping review ini bersumber dari ScienceDirect, Pubmed, dan Wiley Online Library, sebagai database untuk pencarian artikel dengan rentang waktu 2010-2021. Kajian utama studi ini mengacu pasangan muda yang menjadi kelompok unmet need KB dan mengeskplorasi determinannya, mengadaptasi kerangka checklist PRISMA-ScR 2020. Hasil: Artikel ditemukan 14 yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dari seleksi 1.020 artikel. Kajian telah menemukan dua faktor penentu unmet need KB pada pasangan muda, yaitu faktor sosio-demografi dan kesehatan. Faktor sosiodemografi dibagi menjadi 10 faktor yaitu umur, tempat tinggal, budaya masyarakat, motivasi ibu untuk megikuti Keluarga Berencana, otonomi ibu dalam pengambilan keputusan, pengetahuan, agama, status perkawinan, status ekonomi dan keinginan berKB. Sedangkan faktor kesehatan dibagi menjadi dua yaitu paritas dan pelayanan kesehatan. Simpulan: Studi menemukan alasan yang sama pada setiap perempuan yang kebutuhannya tidak terpenuhi padahal mereka membutuhkannya. Unmet need KB pada pasangan muda banyak dijumpai di negara-negara berkembang. Keadaan ini mengindikasikan bahwa fokus kontrasepsi di negara-negara berkembang harus ditingkatkan pada perempuan muda.

Effects of parity, seasonal heat stress, and colostrum collection time postpartum on colostrum quality of Holstein cattle in an arid region.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of parity (primiparous vs. multiparous), seasonal heat stress at calving (summer vs. winter), and time postpartum on some parameters associated with colostrum quality in Holstein cows reared in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem. Forty-seven cows (11 primiparous and 36 multiparous) expected to calve during summer, and 46 cows during winter (14 primiparous and 32 multiparous) were randomly selected. Management and feeding before and after parturition were similar for cows in both seasons. After parturition, colostrum from all cows was evaluated for volume, weight, temperature, density, and content of fat, protein, solids non-fat (SNF), and immunoglobulins (IGG). Data were analyzed with a model that included effects of parity status, calving season, and time postpartum, as well as all interactions. Colostrum produced in summer was warmer (P < 0.01) by almost 6°C than winter colostrum, while colostrum from multiparous was warmer (P = 0.02) by 1.2°C than that produced by primiparous cows. Colostrum volume and weight were not impacted by parity, calving season or time postpartum. Density, protein, and SNF content in colostrum were higher (P < 0.01) in multiparous vs. primiparous cows, as well as at parturition (0h postpartum) than at 12h postpartum (P < 0.01). At calving (0h), spring colostrum had higher fat content (P < 0.01) and lower (P < 0.01) IGG concentration than that collected in summer, and no difference (P > 0.05) between seasons was observed for these components at 12h postpartum. Multiparous cows produced colostrum with higher (P < 0.01) IGG concentrations than primiparous cows. In conclusion, only 0-h colostrum and that from multiparous cows was categorized as "Excellent," meanwhile the colostrum produced under summer heat stress was characterized as "Good" with reduced fat content. While the lacteal secretion collected at 12 post-partum still classified as colostrum, substantially lower contents of IGG, protein, fat, and SNF decreased its classification to "Poor" from the classification of "Excellent" at 0h postpartum.

The production and reproductive traits among different goat breeds in southwestern region of Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, a comprehensive study was conducted over one year to compare the reproductive and productive performance of Black Bengal, Jamunapari, and crossbred goats. The study involved a sample size of 226 goats and provided insightful information on the distinctive capabilities of each type of goat breeds. Most of the doe were 21–30 months of age, and their weight was 21–30 kg. The feed supply for the doe was concentrated green grass, whereas the kids got supplementary feed like rice bran. Among the reproductive traits, age at puberty, age of first kidding, and age of the first conception were significantly (P&lt;0.001) higher in Jamunapari goats, whereas aerial kidding intervals were found in 263.77 ± 54.26 days in crossbreeds. Postpartum heat periods were highest at 68.50 ± 5.53 days in Jamunapari goats at 1st and 2nd parity, though at 3rd parity, 22.96 ± 26.66 days were uppermost in Black Bengal. There was no significant effect of parity on lactation length or milk production. Though Jamunapari goats show the highest lactation length at 1st and 2nd parity, at 3rd parity, 2.56 ± 2.89 kg was the largest in Black Bengals. The mortality of kids was high in the second parity in Black Bengal and crossbreeds, whereas in Jamunapari, it was higher in the first and second parities. The mortality rate of kids under 20 days was high, which gradually decreased with the advancement of age. Different periparturient and postpartum diseases, like abortion, dystocia, retained placenta, etc., decreased the reproductive performance of goats. The Black Bengal goat exhibited superior productive and reproductive performance to Jamunapari and crossbred goats. The study's findings suggest that, in the southwestern region of Bangladesh, prioritizing Black Bengal goats for breeding programs could potentially enhance both productive and reproductive traits compared to Jamunapari and crossbred goats. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2023, 8 (3), 78-87

Effect of rumen-protected choline on dairy cow metabolism, immunity, lactation performance, and vaginal discharge microbiome

Rumen-protected choline (RPC) promotes benefits in milk production, immunity, and health in dairy cows by optimizing lipid metabolism during transition period management and early lactation. However, the RPC success in dairy cows depends on choline bioavailability, which is affected by the type of protection used in rumen-protected choline. Therefore, our objectives were to determine the effects of a novel RPC on dry matter intake (DMI), identify markers of metabolism and immunity, and evaluate lactation performance. Dry Holstein (n = 48) cows at 245 ± 3 d of gestation were blocked by parity and assigned to control or RPC treatment within each block. Cows enrolled in the RPC treatment received 15 g/d of CholiGEM (Kemin Industries, Cavriago RE, Italy) from 21 d prepartum and 30 g/d of CholiGEM from calving to 21 d postpartum. During the transition period, DMI was measured daily, and blood was sampled weekly for energy-related metabolites such as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), glucose, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), as well as immune function markers such as haptoglobin (Hp) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LPB). Vaginal discharge samples were collected at the calving and 7 d postpartum and stored in microcentrifuge tubes at -80°C until 16S rRNA sequencing. The main responses of body condition score, body weight, DMI, milk yield, milk components, and immune function markers were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with the effects of treatment, time, parity, and relevant covariates added to the models. The relative abundance of microbiome α-diversity was evaluated by 3 indexes (Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson) and β-diversity by principal coordinate analysis and permutational multivariate ANOVA. We found no differences in DMI in the pre- and postpartum periods. Cows fed RPC increased the yields of energy- and 3.5% fat-corrected milk and fat yield in primiparous and multiparous cows, with an interaction between treatment and parity for these lactation variables. However, we found no differences in milk protein and lactose up to 150 DIM between treatments. Glucose, NEFA, and BHB had no differences between the treatments. However, RPC decreased BHB numerically (control = 1.07 ± 0.13 vs. RPC = 0.63 ± 0.13) in multiparous on the third week postpartum and tended to reduce the incidence of subclinical ketosis (12.7% vs. 4.2%). No effects for Hp and LPB were found in cows fed RPC. Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indexes were lower at calving in the RPC treatment than in the Control. However, no differences were found 7 d later for Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indexes. The vaginal discharge microbiome was altered in cows fed RPC at 7 d postpartum. Fusobacterium, a common pathogen associated with metritis, was reduced in cows fed RPC. Rumen-protected choline enhanced lactation performance and health and altered the vaginal discharge microbiome which is a potential proxy for uterine healthy in dairy cows. The current study's findings corroborate that RPC is a tool to support adaptation to lactation and shed light on opportunities for further research in reproductive health.

Short-term responses of meat ewes facing an acute nutritional challenge in early-mid lactation.

Simulating a consequence of a climate change event on feed availability, responses of Mediterranean meat ewes facing an acute undernutritional challenge (CHA; i.e., fed only low nutritional value cereal straw) were evaluated at a sensitive physiological stage (i.e., early suckling). Forty Romane ewes were chosen at early-mid pregnancy (around 2 mo) according to parity (20 primiparous, PRIM; 20 multiparous, MULT); feed efficiency genetic line of their sires (residual feed intake [RFI]; efficient, RFI-, n = 10 per parity; inefficient, RFI+, n = 10 per parity); litter size (i.e., bearing twins, diagnosed by ultrasonography); body weight (BW, kg) and body condition score (BCS) (initial BW and BCS [mean ± SD]: 51.6 ± 7.41kg; 2.5 ± 0.20, respectively; representing flock' averages per parity). Effects on dry matter intake (DMI), ewes' BW and BCS, subcutaneous dorsal fat thickness (DFT), energy metabolism (plasma non-esterified fatty acids [NEFA], β-hydroxybutyrate (β-OHB), glucose, urea, triiodothyronine [T3]), and lambs' growth (BW and average daily gain [ADG]; g/d) were examined before, during and after CHA. Individuals' profiles of the response-recovery to CHA were described using a piecewise mixed-effects model. The fixed effect of parity and genetic line and the random effect of individual (ewe) were considered. A linear mixed-effects model was fitted to explore the effects on lambs' growth. The 2-d straw-only CHA had significant effects on most of the recorded parameters. Meaningful drops and recoveries were observed on ewes' DMI, BW, and DFT with effect on postchallenge levels. BW, BCS, DFT, or DMI were also affected by parity (MULT > PRIM) but not by genetic line. Plasma NEFA, β-OHB, glucose, urea, and T3 responded well to CHA with drops in T3, urea, and glucose levels, whereas NEFA and β-OHB significantly increased after CHA. MULT ewes presented sharper β-OHB recovery from CHA than PRIM (P ≤ 0.05). With this study, we provide tangible and necessary data for an emerging field of research. Our results give new insights into how such a short and abrupt CHA affects some key zootechnical and physiological parameters, and to what extent the impacts of CHA and the ewes' response-recovery are influenced. It also revealed potential between-individual differences in the adaptive capacities of ewes, which require further exploration.

Associations of parity and lactation stage with the order cows enter the milking parlor

To explore the effect of lactation stage and parity on the milking order of cows, we collected milking order data of all lactating cows (n = 251) over a period of 12 wk in one commercial Swedish dairy cow herd using a herringbone milking parlor. Cows were kept in 2 housing groups (G1 and G2) and moved from G1 to G2 at approximately mid lactation. Two analyses were conducted to investigate if lactation stage (early: 2–49 d in milk, mid: 50–179 d in milk, and late ≥180 d in milk) and parity are associated with the entrance order to the parlor or a preference of entering a new milking line first. In G1 and G2, cows in first parity entered the milking parlor earlier than cows in higher parities. In addition, in G1 cows in early lactation entered the milking parlor earlier than cows in later lactation. Similar effects were observed for the preference of entering a new milking line first. No effect of mid versus late lactation could be observed in either G1 or G2. The study also found that cows tend to keep their rank within the milking order constant. The results of the study indicate that cows of presumably lower hierarchy (first parity and early lactation) leave the waiting area earlier compared with other cows. This should be considered when planning grouping strategies and preventive measures against mastitis pathogen transmission.

EFFECT OF NON-GENETIC FACTORS ON PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE IN CROSSBRED COWS MAINTAINED AT LIVESTOCK EXPERIMENT STATION, QADIRABAD DISTRICT SAHIWAL

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of non-genetic factors such as the period of calving, season of calving, and parity on economically important productive and reproductive traits in crossbred cows (Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal) maintained at livestock experiment station Qadirabad Sahiwal, Pakistan. The study ranged from 1995 to 2014 (20 years). The duration of 20 years was divided into 4 periods (P1, P2, P3, and P4) with each period consisting of five years. Each year was further divided into three seasons winter (November-February), summer (March- June), and spring (July-October) based on geo-climatic conditions prevailing in the region. The parameters used as indicators of reproductive performance in this study were age at first calving (AFC), days open (DO), dry period (DP) and calving interval (CI). The overall least squares mean and standard errors for these reproductive parameters were 1235.23±45.81, 202.08±6.75, 178.4±6.85 and 482±5.97 days, respectively. While productive parameters were lactation milk yield 305 d(LMY), daily milk yield, and Lactation length (LL), and the least squares mean and standard errors of these were 2471.44±78.44 kg,8.07±0.27kg and306.22±4.84 days, respectively. Twenty years (20) data of 641 lactation records of crossbred cows representing the variance analyses indicated that significant (P≤0.05) effect of season of calving on age at first calving (AFC), days open (DO), lactation length (LL), and lactation milk yield (LMY). Least-squares means illustrated that the period of calving also significantly (P≤0.00) affects lactation milk yield (LMY) lactation length (LL) and dry period (DP). Similarly, a significant (P≤0.00) effect of parity on lactation milk yield (LMY), dry period (DP), days open (DO), and calving interval (CI) was noted. It is therefore concluded that the reproductive and productive performance of these crossbred cows is affected by some non-genetic factors and breeders must consider the season of calving, period of calving and parity in the management program because they greatly affect the farm productivity and profitability and they must select animals with higher breeding values to be the parent of the next generation.