Fat Cows Research Articles

MicroRNA-19a regulates milk fat metabolism by targeting SYT1 in bovine mammary epithelial cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important post-transcriptional factors involved in the regulation of gene expression and play crucial roles in biological processes related to milk fat metabolism. Our previous study revealed that miR-19a expression was significantly higher in the mammary epithelial cells of high-milk fat cows than in those of low-milk fat cows. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these differences remain unclear. In this study, we found a high expression of miR-19a in the mammary tissues of dairy cows. The regulatory effects of miR-19a on bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were analyzed using cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assays, which demonstrated that miR-19a significantly inhibited BMEC proliferation. Transfection of the miR-19a mimic into BMECs significantly upregulated the expression of milk fat marker genes LPL, SCAP, and SREBP1, promoting triglyceride (TG) synthesis and lipid droplet formation, whereas the miR-19a inhibitor exhibited the opposite function. TargetScan and miRWalk predictions revealed that synaptotagmin 1 (SYT1) is a target gene of miR-19a. A dual luciferase reporter gene assay, RT-qPCR, and western blot analyses revealed that miR-19a directly targets the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of SYT1 and negatively regulates SYT1 expression. Functional validation revealed that overexpression of SYT1 in BMECs significantly downregulated the expression of LPL, SCAP, and SREBP1, and inhibited TG synthesis and lipid droplet formation. Conversely, the knockdown of SYT1 had the opposite effect. Altogether, miR-19a plays a crucial role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of BMECs and regulates biological processes related to TG synthesis and lipid droplet formation by suppressing SYT1 expression. These findings provide a strong foundation for further research on the functional mechanisms underlying milk fat metabolism in dairy cows.

Makna Semiotik Kisah Mimpi Raja dalam Surat Yusuf ayat 43 – 49

The purpose of this study was to find out the interpretation of the story of the King's dream in Yusuf verses 43 - 49 with Charles Sander Pierce's semiotic analysis. This study used a literary reception research method, namely reader acceptance. The problem that would be examined about the Qashas al-Qur'an/story, was the preaching of the Qur'an about matters of the past people, previous prophecies (prophecy) and events that had occurred. Data collection techniques used literature study. The results showed that the study of the king's dream interpretation in Yusuf verses 43-49 with Charles Sander Pierce's semiotic analysis was as follows. Sign was a king dreamed about seven fat cows being eaten by seven skinny cows and also seven green and dry stalks. The object was that Prophet Yusuf gave the interpretation of the king's dream and the sign user (interpreter) was the reader's interpretation of the dream interpretation by presenting images for easy understanding. About the sentence "Wa Sab'a Sunbulatin Khudrin." It mean seven green grains (wheat), seven green stalks, mayang, stalks (rice), that the word Sunbulatin was in the form of a general sentence, and not ma'rifat. While the sentence khudrin was the nature/na'at of Sunbulatin. So Sunbulatin Khudrin was the green stalk means staple food.

Effect of addition of different citrus juice on the quality of se'i made from the meat of cull Bali cows with different body condition scores

Various attempts are required to improve the quality of se’i as a traditional beef processed product from The Province of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, since the raw beef commonly used is from thin cull Bali cows. Using raw beef from fatter cows may improve the quality of se’i, but the addition of organic acids such as different citric juices may also improve the quality of se’i. This research aimed to evaluate the quality of se’i processed from beef of cull Bali cows with different body condition scores (BCS) and added citrus juice (CJ) during marination to improve aroma, reduce lipid oxidation and bac-terial contamination. A completely randomized design (CRD) with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement was assigned in this study. The first factor was the BCS of the cull cow i.e., BCS2, BCS3, and BCS4. The second factor was citrus juice, i.e. no citrus juice as control (NC), Lime juice (LJ), and Kaffir lime juice (KLJ). Results showed that the addition of KLJ improved the aroma and acceptability of se’i, but the addition of LJ failed to improve those parameters in BCS 2. In all BCS, the addition of lime or kaffir lime juice reduced the pH, residual nitrite, lipid oxidation, and the total plate count (TPC). How-ever, in BCS 4 only KLJ reduced the pH but it did not reduce the residual nitrite. In conclusion, the addition of KLJ was more effective to improve the sensory value of se’i, particularly when it was made from thin cull Bali cows (BCS 2). Meanwhile, to improve the shelf-life and the food safety of se’i as indicated by the ability to reduce the residual nitrite and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in Se'I, the addition of LJ proven to be more effective than KLJ. To produce the highest qual-ity of se’i, it is suggested to process beef from fat cull Bali cows (BCS 4) with the addition of lime juice for best sensory quality or with the addition of lime juice for longer shelf-life and minimum bac-terial contamination.

Screening and Conjoint Analysis of Key lncRNAs for Milk Fat Metabolism in Dairy Cows.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important regulatory role in various biological processes as a key regulatory factor. However, the complete expression profile of lncRNAs in dairy cows and its function in milk fat synthesis are unknown. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to research the whole genome expression of lncRNAs and mRNA transcripts in high and low milk fat percentage (MFP) bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs), and joint analysis was carried out. We identified a total of 47 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 38 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs, Padj <0.05), enrichment analysis screened out 11 candidate DEGs that may regulate milk fat metabolism. Downregulated differential gene ENPP2 (The expression level in BMECs of high milk fat dairy cows was lower than that of low milk fat cows) and upregulated differential gene BCAT1 are more likely to participate in the milk fat metabolism, and its function needs further experiments verification. The enrichment analysis of target genes predicted by DELs identified 7 cis (co-localization) and 10 trans (co-expression) candidate target genes related to milk lipid metabolism, corresponding to a total of 18 DELs. Among them, the targeting relationship between long intervening/intergenic noncoding RNA (lincRNA) TCONS_00082721 and FABP4 is worthy of attention. One hundred and fifty-six competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) interaction regulation networks related to milk fat metabolism were constructed based on the expression information of DELs, differential microRNAs (miRNAs), and lipid metabolism-related target genes. The regulatory network centered on miR-145 will be the focus of subsequent experimental research. The ceRNAs regulatory network related to TCONS_00082721 and TCONS_00172817 are more likely to be involved in milk fat synthesis. These results will provide new ways to understand the complex biology of dairy cow milk fat synthesis and provide valuable information for breed improvement of Chinese Holstein cow.

The relationship between body condition score, thyroxin, and health condition and serum energy indices, insulin like growth factor-1, and lipids profile over the transition period in Holstein dairy cows.

Lipid mobilization increases significantly in cows around the time of calving; a correlation between excessive blood NEFA concentrations, oxidative stress, and impaired health status in transition dairy cattle was observed. The relationship between serum thyroxin (T4) values and energy indices and lipid profile in all cows, non-fat cows (NFCs), fat cows (FCs), healthy, and diseased animals were estimated in the present study. Blood samples were obtained from fifty multiparous cows on -14, +10, +20, and +30 days relative to parturition. They had similar diets and were kept under the same management conditions. NEFA and BHBA values increased significantly on the 10th day of calving. Inversely, glucose, T4, triglyceride, LDL-C, and VLDL-C decreased significantly ten days after calving. There was a significant negative correlation between serum T4 and NEFA for all cows and FCs. Serum T4 and BHBA values had a significant negative correlation in NFCs, FCs, healthy, and diseased cows. In addition, serum T4 and fructosamine had a significant negative relationship in FCs and a significant positive correlation in diseased cows. Serum T4 values had a significant negative correlation with cholesterol, HDL-C, and a positive correlation with triglyceride and VLDL-C for all cows, NFCs, FCs, and healthy cows. The data emphasized the effects of negative energy balance during the transition period on serum lipids profile and thyroid function. In addition, the correlation between T4 and energy and lipids indices may indicate a possible effect of health and body condition status on thyroid responses.

National farm assurance scheme demonstrates welfare outcome improvements for sustainable intensification of dairy production

ABSTRACT Animal welfare is a key pillar of sustainability in livestock farming but can be challenging to deliver improvements when productivity is high. In October 2013, the Red Tractor UK national dairy assurance scheme introduced welfare outcome monitoring on its 11,500 farms, covering 95% of UK milk produced. Here we show that 98 farm assurance assessors achieved high levels of agreement with a gold standard and report data they collected for three years from 248,689 cows, typically 10 cows per farm, during 19,899 audits. Between 2013 and 2014, and 2015 and 2016, the estimated national prevalence fell significantly for lameness (from 10.0% to 7.9%), dirtiness (from 12.4% to 9.2%), ‘hairloss, lesions and swellings’ (from 9.3% to 6.5%), and fat cows (from 2.4% to 1.9%). This occurred at a time when milk yield per cow increased. We have demonstrated an effective implementation strategy suitable for uptake internationally to align with societal sustainability goals.

Editor's Column: “I set this matter down … to inform myself”: Steinbeck's Travels with Charley in Search of America as Private Discourse

Editor's Column: “I set this matter down … to inform myself”: Steinbeck's <i>Travels with Charley in Search of America</i> as Private Discourse

The effects of dry period body condition score on some trace minerals, oxidative, and inflammatory indicators in transition dairy cows

Context Body condition score (BCS) management throughout the dry period to calving is one of the strategies that can ensure optimal overall health and high milk yield after parturition. Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of BCS during the dry period on serum concentrations of some trace elements, oxidative, and inflammatory indices during the transition period of Holstein cows. Methods Fifty multiparous cows were classified based on their dry BCS (scale of 1 to 5) at the beginning of dry period as non-fat (NFC) (BCS &amp;lt;3.75; BCS minimum: 3; BCS maximum: 3.5, BCS means: 3.36; n = 25), and fat (FC) (BCS ≥ 3.75; BCS maximum: 4.25, means: 3.87; n = 25) groups, and received similar diet and kept under same management condition. Sampling was performed at 14 ± 2 days before expected calving date and 10, 20 and 30 days after calving. Key results FC had lower zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) concentrations. Furthermore, iron (Fe) concentrations were significantly higher in FC in comparison with NFC –14 days before parturition. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and haptoglobin (Hp) elevated significantly in FC 20 days after calving, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in NFC on day 14 before calving. Its activities increased significantly in FC on day30thof lactation. In addition, the highest serum ferric reducing antioxidants power (FRAP) and copper (Cu) and the lowest serum paraoxonase 1(PON1) and iron (Fe) concentrations were observed on day 20th of lactation. Conclusion Serum Zn, Mn, and Cr amounts were significantly affected by BCS. Furthermore, fat cows had more extensively endogenous antioxidant and inflammatory responses. Implication Our data highlights the fact that although all cellular metabolic, oxidative and inflammatory processes varied at different times of transition period, fat cows are more susceptible to metabolic and health disorders than non-fat animals.

Bta-miR-152 affects intracellular triglyceride content by targeting the UCP3 gene.

According to our previous studies, bta-miR-152, PRKAA1 and UCP3 are differentially expressed in mammary gland tissues of high milk fat and low milk fat cows, and the trend in bta-miR-152 expression is opposite from those of PRKAA1 and UCP3. To further identify the function and regulatory mechanism of bta-miR-152 in milk fat metabolism, we investigated the effect of bta-miR-152 on cellular triglyceride content in bovine mammary epithelial cells cultured in vitro, on the basis of bta-miR-152 overexpression and inhibition assays. The target genes of bta-miR-152 were identified through qPCR, Western blotting and dual luciferase reporter gene detection. Compared with that in the control group, the expression of UCP3 was significantly lower in the bta-miR-152 mimic group, the expression of PRKAA1 was decreased, and the intracellular TAG content was significantly increased. After transfection with bta-miR-152 inhibitor, the expression of UCP3 increased significantly, and the expression of PRKAA1 decreased, but the difference was not significant; in addition, the intracellular TAG content decreased significantly. Therefore, we concluded that bta-miR-152 affects the intracellular TAG content by targeting UCP3.

INFLUENCE OF GENOTYPIC AND PARATHIPIC FACTORS ON THE TRAITS OF MILK PRODUCTION OF COWS UKRAINIAN RED-AND-WHITE DAIRY BREED

The research was carried out to study the influence of genotypic and paratypical factors on the traits of milk production of cows Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed LLC "Mena-Avangard" Chernihiv region. In the conditions of pedigree herd, studied four groups of crossbred animals with conditional share heredity of Holstein breed: I – &lt; 62.5%; ІІ – 62.6–75.0; III – 75.0–87.5 and IV – 87.6 and &gt; .&#x0D; According to results of researches cow’s crossbred groups of breeding herd Ukrainian Red-and-White breed with a different conditional blood by Holstein breed, was found reliable influence of heredity of improving breed on the level of milk yield and output of milk fat in the dynamics of estimated lactation. Cow’s milk yield with each heredity increase of improver breed grew respectively by 12.5% within crossbred groups. Thus, when comparing cow's group of Holstein blood &lt; 62.5% with their counterparts with blood 62.6–75.0%, advantage was 301 kg in favor of the latter with reliable difference at P &lt; 0.01. Next blood increase to 75.0–87.5% led to a corresponding increase in yield at 262 kg (P &lt; 0.01). Animals with heredity Holstein breed 87.6% higher than the previous generation dominated with a high difference 345 kg of milk (P &lt; 0.001). The blood flow of Holstein breed by 25% resulted in increased milk yield of first-calf cows by 908 kg (P &lt; 0.001). The fat content in milk through this crossing the blood decreased only 0.05% and was not confirmed by reliability, whereas milk fat yield increased with a high significance difference of 31.9 kg (P &lt; 0.001).&#x0D; According to results of one-factor dispersion analysis, was found that value of yield and output level of milk fat in the first lactation cows of Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed, respectively, by 5.5–6.2 and 4.7–9.2%, depend on paratypical factors (year and season of birth and year and season of the first calving), as confirmed by high reliability according to Fisher's criterion.&#x0D; The level of milk yield and milk fat cows in first lactation significantly - correspondingly 25.3 and 15.8%, depending on the conditional share of heredity Holstein breed. However, the highest rates of influence on yield level and milk fat of the first-calf cows were obtained by size of comprehensive selection index of cow's mother (57.1 and 44.7%), average breeding value of mother for milk yield (64.4 and 45.4%), and for milk fat (53.5 and 38.9%).&#x0D; With high reliability on indicators of milk production influencing standardized breeding value parent by quantity of milk yield and milk fat (= 0.283 and 0.178).&#x0D; Calculations show that dispersion of traits development of yield and milk fat of cows first-calf due to the influence of heredity of sires used lines and is respectively 15.7 and 10.9%. Fisher's criterion reliability by these indicators exceed the threshold of the third level (P &lt; 0.001).&#x0D; Thus, the power of influence heredity of Holstein breed, selection indexes of mothers and parents of cows and father lines on the milk yield level and milk yield output indicating the possibility of effective breeding of the studied dairy cattle by selection of ancestors with a high estimation of selection indices and pedigree value.

Pengharaman Lemak Hewani Bagi Bani Israil Sebagai Hukuman (Kajian Surat Al-An�am Ayat 146 Dalam Perspektif Sains Modern)

This paper seeks to explore and uncover the secrets behind the prohibition of eating pure fat on cows and goats for the Jewish people as a form of punishment that they are punished with obstructed from got goodness contained in These types of foods. To answer the question about the secret of goodness are contained in fat cows and goats this implicitly presupposed by the second verse, then carried out study of the content and benefits of fat especially for health through the perspective of health science and the nutrition science and nutrition or modern. As a result, a large number of current research found that animal fats have myriad benefits and benefits for health. At the same time, this fact is proved for the umpteenth time the truth of the revelation of the Glorious Qur'an, with all sources of knowledge it contains.

Throwing Our Weight Around: Fat Girls, Protest, and Civil Unrest

Throwing Our Weight Around: Fat Girls, Protest, and Civil Unrest

Responses of body fat mobilization to isoproterenol or epinephrine challenge in adult cows: influence of energy level, breed, and body fatness.

The sustainability of livestock production systems facing climatic or economic changes is linked in part to the potential of the female ruminants to adapt to feeding constraints through metabolic and hormonal regulation, notably responses of body fat mobilization, depending on adipose tissue (AT) lipolysis. Our hypothesis was that these responses could change according to genotype (breed) and body fatness. Six fat, nonpregnant, nonlactating Charolais cows, six fat Holstein cows, and six lean Holstein cows were used in a 2 × 2 crossover design with two treatments (underfeeding or overfeeding, at 62% [low] or 128% [high] of maintenance energy requirements [MER], respectively) and two periods. Isoproterenol (ISO, a nonselective β-adrenergic agonist) or epinephrine (EPI, a β- and α2-adrenergic agonist) was injected (6 nmol/kg of lean mass). Blood samples were collected regularly from -20 to 75 min after the injection and then were analyzed for NEFA, glycerol, glucose, and L-lactate. Underfeeding greatly increased (P < 0.001) basal plasma NEFA concentrations (+467%, +264%, and +600% for fat Charolais, fat Holstein, and lean Holstein cows, respectively). For each drug, underfed cows had higher NEFA or glycerol responses to adrenergic challenges than overfed cows. Fat Charolais cows had higher basal plasma NEFA (P < 0.05) concentrations (+64.9%) than fat Holstein cows. The plasma NEFA or glycerol response at 5 min (P < 0.05) was higher for fat Charolais than for fat Holstein cows, whatever the injected drug. Basal plasma lactate concentration and lactate response to ISO or EPI were higher (P < 0.05) for fat Charolais cows than for fat Holstein cows. Fat Holstein cows had higher (P < 0.01) basal glycerol (+18.4%) than lean Holstein cows. This increase could be linked to the increased AT mass. ISO increased more lipolytic responses in fat than in lean Holstein cows, whereas EPI increased more these responses in lean than in fat Holstein cows (drug × fatness interaction), suggesting an increased antilipolytic effect due to α2-AR stimulation in fat cows. Breed had a significant effect on basal and stimulated fat mobilization as well as lactate concentrations, suggesting that the Charolais breed could be more sensitive to stress.

Reliability of sampling strategies for measuring dairy cattle welfare on commercial farms

Our objective was to evaluate how the proportion of high-producing lactating cows sampled on each farm and the selection method affect prevalence estimates for animal-based measures. We assessed the entire high-producing pen (days in milk <100; range = 81-241 cows) on 10 California farms using measures from the Welfare Quality Protocol for Cattle. Cows were restrained in head locks and visually evaluated for body condition, dirtiness, skin alterations (hair loss, lesions, or swelling), discharge (ocular, nasal, vulvar), diarrhea, and impaired respiration. Lameness was scored upon release. Prevalence was calculated as a percentage of assessed cows. The most common conditions were dirty hindquarters (33.5 ± 10.7%, mean ± standard deviation) and lesions or swelling on the carpal joint (34.4 ± 7.0%) and hock (26.4 ± 16.7%). Diarrhea (8.0 ± 5.8%), lameness (moderate = 7.3 ± 4.7%, severe = 2.2 ± 2.2%), and neck (5.8 ± 12.6%), flank (4.5 ± 5.0%), or hindquarter alterations (5.5 ± 3.9%) were less common. Very fat cows, vulvar discharge, and impaired respiration were rare (≤1%) and were excluded from further analysis. Four sampling strategies were used to generate 20 estimates for each animal-based measure. The strategies were (1) selecting every 10th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 2 of 3, or 3 of 4 cows at the feed bunk (7 estimates/measure); (2) randomly selecting 7 matching proportions of the pen; (3) randomly selecting cows using 3 sample size calculations from the Welfare Quality Protocol; and (4) selecting the first, middle, or final third of cows exiting the milking parlor. Estimates were compared with true values using regression analysis and were considered accurate if they met 3 criteria: the coefficient of determination was ≥0.9 and the slope and intercept did not differ significantly from 1 and 0, respectively. All estimates met the slope and intercept criteria, whereas the coefficient of determination increased when more cows were sampled. All estimates were accurate for neck alterations, ocular discharge (22.2 ± 27.4%), and carpal joint hair loss (14.1 ± 17.4%). Selecting a third of the milking order or using the Welfare Quality sample size calculations failed to accurately estimate all measures simultaneously. However, all estimates were accurate when selecting at least 2 of every 3 cows locked at the feed bunk. Using restraint position at the feed bunk did not differ systematically from computer-selecting the same proportion of cows randomly, and the former may be a simpler approach for welfare assessments.

INFLUENCE BODY MEASUREMENTS COWS UKRAINIAN BLACK-AND-WHITE DAIRY BREED AFTER THE FIRST CALVING ON THE FORMATION OF FURTHER MILK PRODUCTIVITI

The productivity cow dairy breed largely depends on the careful evaluation and selection of animals by milk production and the type of exterior. The estimation of animals by measuring of body plays an important role in plant-breeding work in the process of further improvement of the newly formed Ukrainian dairy breeds by the type. It’s because exterior is one of the main signs of breeding dairy cattle together with indicators of milk production, reproductive ability and productive longevity.&#x0D; The aim of research was to investigate the formation of milk productivity of cows black and white dairy cattle based on their body measurements after the first calving.&#x0D; The research was done on animals Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed in the «Milk River» farm in the Sokal and Brody offices breeding reproducers «Breeder» Lviv region and plant-breeding «Yamnytsya» Ivano-Frankivsk region.&#x0D; The body measurements of first calving cows (height at withers and depth of chest, breast width, chest girth, scythe body length, the width of the pelvic bones and metacarpus circumference cow) and milk productivity (the milk yield, fat content in milk and milk fat) cows first, second, third&#x0D; and better lactation were studied by the materials zoo technical accounting. The force of influence on performance metrics was calculated by Single-factor disperse analysis method. The results of research were treated by variational statistics by G.F. Lakin.&#x0D; Established that the milk yield of cows Ukrainian black-and-white dairy cattle depends on body measurements after the first calving. The cows Ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed in Western Ukraine that after the first calving had a height at the withers 134-136,9 cm, depth of chest – 76 cm or more, chest width – 47 cm or more, chest girth by shoulder blades – 196-203,9 cm, scythe body length – 160-164,9 cm, the width of the pelvic bones – 53 cm and metacarpus circumference cow –19-20,4 cm, are the most productive.&#x0D; Animals with these measurements of the body most of the largest number of yield milk and milk fat had probable advantage over cows with other indicators of these measurements. By the fat&#x0D; content in milk by the first, second, third and better lactation there was no significant difference between animals with different body measurements after the first calving in most cases.&#x0D; Among the studied parameters milk productivity of cows and measurements of their bodies after first calving we found varying strength and direction of correlation. The correlation coefficients between body measurements firstborns and yield milk by the first, second, third and better lactation were positive and depended on measurements and lactation ranged from +0,297 to +0,478.&#x0D; Between such measurements of firstborns, as the height at the withers, the depth of chest, width of chest, chest girth in blades, the width of the pelvic bones and with fat content in milk for the first, second, third and better lactation correlation coefficients were though low, but positive, and dependently on measurements and lactation were within +0,026 – +0,109. The correlation coefficients between the oblique body length after the first calving cows and fat content in milk were negative (-0,045 – -0,005) and between metacarpus circumference and fat ranged from negative to positive values (-0,038 – +0,017).&#x0D; The correlation coefficients between measurements body in firstborn and milk fat yield in the first, second, third and better lactation were positive and dependently on measurements and lactation ranged from +0,288 to +0,473.&#x0D; The likely positive correlation coefficient between soundings article body and yield milk and milk fat yield indicates that selection of cows by exterior will ensure the effectiveness of selection by milk productivity.&#x0D; The impact of body measurements cows after first calving on the milk yield value dependently on lactation yield was 7,6-22,9 %, on the yield of milk fat – 7,1-22,9 %. The greatest influence on these indicators were height at the withers, the depth of the chest, chest girth shoulder blades and scythe body length, somewhat lower impact had breast width and the width of the pelvic bones and lowest – metacarpus circumference.&#x0D; The impact of body measurements cows after first calving on the fat content in milk was negligible and, dependently on measurements and lactation ranged from 0,1 to 1,6 %.

A prospective cohort study of digital cushion and corium thickness. Part 1: Associations with body condition, lesion incidence, and proximity to calving

Claw horn disruption lesions (CHDL) are a major cause of lameness in dairy cattle and are likely a result of excessive forces being applied to the germinal epithelium that produces the claw horn. The digital cushion is a connective tissue structure, containing depots of adipose tissue, that sits beneath the distal phalanx and has been shown to be thicker in fatter cows. Body condition score (BCS) loss is a risk factor for CHDL, and one possible explanation is that fat is mobilized from the digital cushion during negative energy balance, causing the digital cushion to thin and lose force-dissipating capacity, leading to disruption of claw horn growth. This prospective cohort study investigated the association between measures of body fat and sole soft tissue (SST) thickness (a combined measure of the corium and digital cushion beneath the distal phalanx) in a longitudinal manner. The SST of 179 cows in 2 high-yielding dairy herds were measured at 5 assessment points between 8 wk before and 35 wk postcalving. The BCS, back fat thickness (BFT), and lesion incidence were recorded. Data were analyzed in a 4-level mixed effects regression model, with the outcome being SST thickness beneath the flexor tuberosity of the distal phalanx. Data from 827 assessment points were available for analysis. The overall mean of SST was 4.99 mm (standard deviation: 0.95). The SST was thickest 8 wk before calving (5.22 mm, standard deviation: 0.91) and thinnest 1 wk postcalving (4.68 mm, standard deviation: 0.87), suggesting an effect of calving on SST. The BFT was positively correlated with SST in the model with a small effect size (a 10 mm decrease in BFT corresponded with a 0.13 mm decrease in SST), yet the nadir of BFT was 11.0 mm at 9 to 17 wk postcalving (when SST was ∼4.95 mm), rather than occurring with the nadir of SST immediately after calving. The SST also varied with other variables [e.g., cows that developed a sole ulcer or severe sole hemorrhage during the study had thinner SST (-0.24 mm)], except when a sole ulcer was present, when it was thicker (+0.53 mm). Cows that developed lesions had a thinner digital cushion before the lesion occurrence, which became thickened with sole ulcer presence, perhaps representing inflammation. Furthermore, although BFT was correlated with SST over time, SST may also have been influenced by other factors such as integrity of the suspensory apparatus, which could have a major effect on CHDL. Measures of body fat likely contributed to having thin SST, but other factors including calving, herd, and lesion presence also had an effect.

Applying animal-based welfare assessments on New Zealand dairy farms: feasibility and a comparison with United Kingdom data

AIMS: To assess the feasibility of applying animal-based welfare assessments developed for use in Europe on New Zealand dairy farms; in particular, to identify measures which could be evaluated during a single visit at milking time alongside whole herd locomotion scoring.METHODS: A protocol for animal welfare assessment, developed in the United Kingdom (UK), was evaluated. Measures that were suitable for use on pasture-based dairy farms in New Zealand were then assessed for practicability on 59 farms across New Zealand, during and immediately after milking, alongside whole herd locomotion scoring. Where data were collected the results were compared to those from a UK study of 53 dairy farms.RESULTS: Thirteen observations of the physical condition of cows were considered suitable for measurement, excluding observations related to hock lesions as they are rarely observed on pasture-based farms. Five of these measures were not assessed as there was not time to do so during milking alongside whole herd locomotion scoring. Thus, the prevalence of dirty flanks, hind limbs and udders, dull coat, thick hairy coat, significant hair loss, very fat cows (body condition score (BCS) ≥7 on 1–10 scale) and very thin cows (BCS≤3), were recorded. Three measures of behaviour were considered suitable for measurement on-farm, but only locomotion score was practicable and was measured. Farmer-estimates for the incidence of mastitis, lameness, sudden death, milk fever and other diseases were also obtained.Overall, dirty flanks, dirty udders and estimated milk fever incidence were more prevalent in this study than in the UK. The prevalence of thin and fat cows, lame cows and estimated mastitis incidence were much lower in the present study than on UK farms.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Animal-based assessments can be used on dairy farms in New Zealand, but need to be modified from those developed for housed cows.Welfare on these farms was generally good compared to those in the UK, but these results need to be confirmed on more farms using a wider range of assessments than proved practicable in this study.

Effect of prill fat supplementation on hormones, milk production and energy metabolites during mid lactation in crossbred cows

Materials and Methods The ability of the dairy cows to increase daily energy intake depends on the net energy density of the diet. The daily Dry Matter Intake (DMI) is highly regulated by animal nutrient requirements, metabolic states, and the type and temporal absorption of fuels. Fat supplements from different sources, its form and type has different hypophagic effects [1]. Previous reports indicate that feeding of fatty acid (FA) supplements including calcium salts of palm FA linearly decreases DMI with increasing dietary concentration, whereas hydrogenated FA had no effect on DMI [2,3]. However, dietary fat feeding induces decrease in milk protein concentration in animals. Milk yield changes in by pass fat cows could be due to the changes in ruminal fermentation, endocrine signaling, or mammary nutrient metabolism [4]. A linear decrease in milk crude protein (CP) yield with abomasal unsaturated fatty acid (FA) infusion [2] and a decrease in milk casein yield with C18 unsaturated FA infusion compared with saturated FA [4] indicated that FA profile has an important role in fat-stimulated decreased milk protein. The maintenance of lactation of dairy cows depends on the balanced feeding during postpartum period. It has been found that hydrogenated palm oil triglyceride provide a better energy supply for high-yielding dairy cows in negative energy balance than calcium soaps of palm oil fatty acids around calving [4]. Prill fat is a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil and contains more than 85% palmitic acid with high melting point. Due to this reason it does not melt at low pH, by pass rumen degradation and is digested in small intestine by lipase enzyme. Prill fat is prepared by liquefying mixture of fatty acid by spraying it under pressure into a cooled atmosphere. prill fat remain inert in the rumen and resist hydrolysis and association with the bacterial cells of feed particles. Thus total supplemented energy in diet of a lactating animal is available for the productive processes. Considering the importance of prill fat as an energy source in diet of lactating animals, the present experiment was conducted to find out the effect of prill fat supplementation on plasma hormones and milk production in crossbred cows so that this technology, if proved beneficial, could be used to augment lactation under field and farm conditions.

Evaluation of the sample needed to accurately estimate outcome-based measurements of dairy welfare on farm

Dairy welfare assessment programs are becoming more common on US farms. Outcome-based measurements, such as locomotion, hock lesion, hygiene, and body condition scores (BCS), are included in these assessments. The objective of the current study was to investigate the proportion of cows in the pen or subsamples of pens on a farm needed to provide an accurate estimate of the previously mentioned measurements. In experiment 1, we evaluated cows in 52 high pens (50 farms) for lameness using a 1- to 5-scale locomotion scoring system (1=normal and 5=severely lame; 24.4 and 6% of animals were scored ≥3 or ≥4, respectively). Cows were also given a BCS using a 1- to 5-scale, where 1=emaciated and 5=obese; cows were rarely thin (BCS ≤2; 0.10% of cows) or fat (BCS ≥4; 0.11% of cows). Hygiene scores were assessed on a 1- to 5-scale with 1=clean and 5=severely dirty; 54.9% of cows had a hygiene score ≥3. Hock injuries were classified as 1=no lesion, 2=mild lesion, and 3=severe lesion; 10.6% of cows had a score of 3. Subsets of data were created with 10 replicates of random sampling that represented 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, and 3% of the cows measured/pen. In experiment 2, we scored the same outcome measures on all cows in lactating pens from 12 farms and evaluated using pen subsamples: high; high and fresh; high, fresh, and hospital; and high, low, and hospital. For both experiments, the association between the estimates derived from all subsamples and entire pen (experiment 1) or herd (experiment 2) prevalence was evaluated using linear regression. To be considered a good estimate, 3 criteria must be met: R2>0.9, slope =1, and intercept=0. In experiment 1, on average, recording 15% of the pen represented the percentage of clinically lame cows (score ≥3), whereas 30% needed to be measured to estimate severe lameness (score ≥4). Only 15% of the pen was needed to estimate the percentage of the herd with a hygiene score ≥3, whereas 30% to estimate the prevalence of severe hock lesions. Estimating very thin and fat cows required that 70 to 80% of the pen be measured. In experiment 2, none of the pen subsamples met our criteria for accurate estimates of herd prevalence. In conclusion, we found that both a higher percentage of the pen must be sampled to generate accurate values for relatively rare parameters and that the population measured plays an important role in prevalence estimates.

Thin and fat cows, and the nonlinear genetic relationship between body condition score and fertility

Thin and fat cows are often credited for low fertility, but body condition score (BCS) has been traditionally treated as a linear trait when genetic correlations with reproductive performance have been estimated. The aims of this study were to assess genetic parameters for fertility, production, and body condition traits in the Brown Swiss population reared in the Alps (Bolzano-Bozen Province, Italy), and to investigate the possible nonlinearity among BCS and other traits by analyzing fat and thin cows. Records of BCS measured on a 5-point scale were preadjusted for year-season and days in milk at scoring, and were considered positive (1) for fat cows if they exceeded the value of 1 residual standard deviation or null (0) otherwise, whereas positive values for thin cows were imputed to records below −1 residual standard deviation. Fertility indicators measured on first- and second-parity cows were interval from parturition to first service, interval from first service to conception, interval from parturition to conception, number of inseminations to conception, conception at first service, and nonreturn rate at 56d after first service. Production traits were peak milk yield, lactation milk yield, and lactation length. Data were from 1,413 herds and included 16,324 records of BCS, fertility, and production for first-parity, and 10,086 fertility records for second-parity cows. Animals calved from 2002 to 2007 and were progeny of 420 artificial insemination bulls. Genetic parameters for the aforementioned traits were obtained under univariate and bivariate threshold and censored linear sire models implemented in a Bayesian framework. Posterior means of heritabilities for BCS, fat cows, and thin cows were 0.141, 0.122, and 0.115, respectively. Genetic correlations of body condition traits with contemporary production were moderate to high and were between −0.556 and 0.623. Body condition score was moderately related to fertility in first (−0.280 to 0.497) and second (−0.392 to 0.248) lactation. The fat cow trait was scarcely related to fertility, particularly in first-parity cows (−0.203 to 0.281). Finally, the genetic relationships between thin cows and fertility were higher than those between BCS and fertility, both in first (−0.456 to 0.431) and second (−0.335 to 0.524) lactation. Body condition score can be considered a predictor of fertility, and it could be included in evaluation either as linear measure or as thin cow. In the second case, the genetic relationship with fertility was stronger, exacerbating the poorest body condition and considering the possible nonlinearity between fertility and energy reserves of the cow.