Parity Class Research Articles

Assessing cortisol concentration in different matrices: predictive potential and relationship with production levels, lactation stage and parity in dairy buffaloes

Cortisol is the primary biomarker associated with the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. This research aimed at assessing the predictive potential and the relationship of cortisol concentrations in four media (blood, milk, whey and hair) with parity, lactation stage and productive classes. Multiparous (n = 30) and primiparous (n = 38) Italian Mediterranean buffaloes were used and assigned to four productive classes (based on percentiles of mature equivalent milk yield (EMY) and mature equivalent energy corrected milk (eECM)), and cortisol concentrations were measured using a in house radioimmunoassay (RIA) method. Parity did not show a significant effect on cortisol concentrations of the four media. The catabolic stage of lactation (up to 90 d in milk (DIM)) was characterised by higher cortisol concentrations compared to the second anabolic stage (beyond 150 DIM) in milk formulations. The plasmatic concentrations of cortisol were higher at the catabolic and the first anabolic stage (91–150 DIM) compared to the second anabolic (p = 0.022 and p = 0.009, respectively). Buffaloes beyond 150 DIM differed from those below 90 DIM (p < 0.001) and between 91 and 150 DIM (p < 0.05) in hair. Finally, hair cortisol concentrations were negatively correlated to EMY, mature equivalent protein content (EPC) (p < 0.01) and eECM (p < 0.05). The whey showed a potential to predict the concentrations of cortisol in whole extracted milk (R 2 = 0.31). Hence the development of a real-time automated cortisol measurement in milk could be a valuable tool in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo farming.

288 Effects of increasing water concentrations of oregano essential oil supplementation for lactating sows

Abstract The use of essential oils as a supplement for sows has gained attention in recent years to potentially improve sow and litter performance. Sows (n = 182; avg. lactation length = 19.8 d) were blocked by parity, genetics, estimated farrowing date, and randomly allotted to one of four treatments when entering the farrowing barn. Treatments included: control, 0 mL, (CON, n = 46), 31 mL (L-OEO, n = 45), 47 mL (M-OEO, n = 46), or 63 mL (H-OEO, n = 45) of oregano oil (OEO; Ecodiar Liquid, Nutrinae, Palo Alto, CA) per liter of dosing water with medicators set at 1:128 dilution. Sows were fed a corn-soybean meal-DDGS based lactation diet that met or exceeded NRC (2012) requirements. Sow body weight (BW) was recorded upon entry, 2 d post-farrowing, and weaning. Sow backfat depth (BF) and loin muscle depth (LD) ultrasound measurements, body condition score (BCS), and Knauer sow caliper measurements were collected upon entry and weaning. Sow average daily feed intake (ADFI) was recorded daily 1-wk post-farrowing, then weekly until weaning. Sow water intake was recorded daily (DWI). Individual piglet BW were recorded d 1, d 7, and weaning. Data were analyzed using Proc Mixed procedure in SAS 9.4 with treatment and rep as fixed effects, parity class (P1, P2/P3, P4+) as a covariate, and individual sow as a random effect. Lactation length and number of piglets weaned were used as covariates for weaning data. Linear, quadratic, and cubic contrasts were analyzed among treatments. Litter scouring and medication rates were analyzed using chi-square analysis in the Proc Freq procedure in SAS 9.4. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05 and trend at 0.05 &amp;lt; P ≤ 0.10. Week 3 lactation sow ADFI increased for L-OEO and H-OEO treatments but decreased for M-OEO compared with CON sows (CON: 7.29 kg/d, L-OEO: 7.60 kg/d, M-OEO: 7.03 kg/d, H-OEO: 7.55 kg/d; cubic; P = 0.0427). No differences were observed among treatments in overall lactation ADFI, DWI, changes in BF, LD, BCS, and piglet and litter growth performance. Sow BW change tended to decline and then increased as OEO increased in the water (CON: -8.79 kg, L-OEO: -6.36 kg, M-OEO: -8.03 kg, H-OEO: -10.52 kg; quadratic, P = 0.0640). There was a cubic tendency for OEO supplementation to reduce loss of caliper measurement (CON: -1.91, L-OEO: -0.98, M-OEO: -1.68, H-OEO: -1.00; P = 0.0598). Percentage of piglets treated with medications for various health issues decreased in the H-OEO supplemented group compared with the L-OEO and M-OEO supplemented groups, with CON group being intermediate and not different (CON: 7.01%, L-OEO: 9.35%, M-OEO: 9.91%, H-OEO: 4.15%; P = 0.0322). Overall, there were no significant impacts of OEO supplementation on sow and litter performance in this study. Future research is needed to determine the effectiveness of OEO in health-challenged sows and litters and the long-term effects of OEO on piglets post-weaning.

76 Effect of 0.79% top-dressed arginine supplementation at different gestation periods and seasons on the colostrum composition and productive performance of sows and piglets

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with 0.79% top-dressed arginine (Arg) at different gestation periods and seasons on the productive performance and colostrum composition of sows. A total of 320 sows were divided into 4 feeding groups (80 sows/group) under 2 different seasons (summer and winter): a control group (CO) fed a standard diet and 3 groups supplemented with 0.79% Arg either for the first 35 d of gestation (TRT35), the last 45 d of gestation (TRT45), or the entire gestation period (TRTCOM). Colostrum was collected at farrowing from 12 sows per group per season. Productive performance and individual piglet body weight (BW) were recorded at birth (d 0), d 6 of age, weaning (d 28) and 14 d post-weaning (d 14p). Data were analyzed using a general linear mixed model including diet, season, their interaction, and parity class as fixed factors. At the end of the gestation, sows from the TRTCOM group had a greater BW (P = 0.003) and average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.009) than the CO group. The diet did not influence the number of total born and total born alive piglets. The stillborn % was less in the TRT35 group than CO and TRTCOM groups (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The TRTCOM group had a greater crushed % and hypo-vital % than CO group (P &amp;lt; 0.001). Colostral IgG was reduced in the Arg groups compared with the CO group (P &amp;lt; 0.001) while no differences were found for IgA and IgM between the groups. The BW of pilets at d 0, d 6, d 28 and d 14p and ADGs were not affected by the diet; however, the TRT35 had a reduced % of low-birth BW piglets than CO (P = 0.02). The TRT45 tended to have greater % in low-birth BW piglets than CO (P = 0.051) and greater % in high-birth BW piglets than the other groups (P &amp;lt; 0.001). The sows having the gestation in summer had decreased BW at the beginning of gestation, a greater final BW and ADG (P &amp;lt; 0.001), a lower number of total born (P = 0.003), mummified % but a greater crushed % (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Piglets BW at birth, d 28 and d 14p was greater in winter. Lactose (P = 0.001) and IgG (P &amp;lt; 0.001) were greater in the winter. In conclusion, 0.79% of on top-dressed Arg had a negative effect on the productive performance of the sows during the entire gestation period. Conversely, supplementing Arg during the first 35 d of gestation led to a decrease in the percentage of stillborn and low-birth BW piglets.

PSVI-8 Effect of botanical extracts and calcium gluconate fed during lactation on sow and litter performance

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of two levels of botanical extracts and botanical extracts in combination with calcium gluconate on sow and pig performance. A total of 541 sows (average parity 2.6, range 0-8) were used in 9 weekly farrow groups. Sows were housed in individual farrow stalls 5 d before the expected farrow date where treatments diets were fed until weaning at 21 d post farrowing. Sows were fed a fortified corn, soybean meal, and corn DDGS diet meeting or exceeding NRC 2012 nutrient requirements for lactating sows. The two test ingredients were 1) botanical extracts contained a proprietary formulation of turmeric, capsicum, and black pepper oleoresins (Fytera Care, Selko USA, Indianapolis, IN), and 2) calcium gluconate replaced corn in the diet. A general gestation diet void of test ingredients was fed before housing and after weaning. Dietary treatments were: 1) basal lactation diet (CON), 2) 150 ppm botanical extracts (150TCB), 3) 200 ppm botanical extracts (200TCB), and 4) 150 botanical extracts and 1000 ppm calcium gluconate (150TCB+CaG). During lactation, sows were allowed ad libitum access to water and feed. Pigs had unlimited access to sow and water. Pigs were cross-fostered within dietary treatments within 24 h of birth to meet a minimum of 75% and maximum of 2 pigs in excess of functional teats of the sow. Excess pigs were fostered to non-treatment nurse sows. Pig mortalities were recorded daily. Weaned sows were observed for 14 d for estrus detection. Statistical analyses included a two-way ANOVA with fixed effect of dietary treatment, random effect of farrow room, and parity as a covariate. Treatment contrasts were analyzed by Student’s t-test. Sow performance measures did not significantly differ between treatments (Table). Pig mortality was significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) reduced for both 150TCB and 200TCB compared with CON and 150TCB+CaG treatments. Other pig performance measures were not significantly affected. However, treatment contrasts showed a greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) pig weaning weight for 200TCB compared with the CON. Analyzing data by parity class of 0, 1-5, 6-8 showed that piglet mortality was affected significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.02) in parities 1-5 and 6-8 but not in parity 0. Pig weaning weight tended (P &amp;lt; 0.06) to be affected in parity 0, but not in higher parity sows. Treatment contrasts showed a greater weaning weight for pigs on the 150AFP and 150TCB+CaG treatments versus CON. In conclusion, feeding botanical extracts at 150 and 200 ppm decreased pig mortality and the addition of calcium gluconate negated the improvement in mortality.

Parity and Partition of the Rational Numbers

Summary We define an extension of parity from the integers to the rational numbers. Three parity classes are found—even, odd, and “none”. Using the 2-adic valuation, we partition the rationals into subgroups with a rich algebraic structure. The natural density provides a means of distinguishing the sizes of countably infinite sets. The Calkin-Wilf tree has a remarkably simple parity pattern, with the sequence “odd/none/even” repeating indefinitely. This pattern means that the three parity classes have equal natural density in the rationals. A similar result holds for the Stern-Brocot tree.

Effects of Olea europaea L. Polyphenols on the Animal Welfare and Milk Quality in Dairy Cows.

Here, we evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with an Olea europaea L. extract on the animal welfare and milk quality of dairy cows. Thirty Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in the mid-lactation phase (90 to 210 days) were blocked into experimental groups based on parity class (namely, primiparous (P) (n = 10), secondiparous (S) (n = 10) and pluriparous (PL) (n = 10)) and received, for 60 days, Phenofeed Dry® at 500 mg/cow/day. Milk and blood samples were collected before the start of the treatment (T0), subsequently every 15 days (T1-T4) and at 45 days after the end of treatment (T5). In the serum, glucose and triglycerides, stress, the thyroid, lactation and sex hormones were measured; in the milk, lysozyme content as well as the fatty acid profile were assessed. In the whole animal, the enriched feed helped to maintain hormonal parameters in the physiological range while producing hypoglycemic (T4 vs. T0, for P and PL p < 0.001) and hypolipidemic effects (T4 vs. T0, for P p < 0.001 and for PL p < 0.01). At the milk level, it resulted in a reduction in total fat (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001) and in the saturated fatty acids (SFAs)/monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) ratio paralleled by an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001), protein content (lysozyme (T4 vs. T0, for P and PL p < 0.001)) and lactose (T5 vs. T0, for P, S and PL p < 0.001). Thus, the inclusion of natural bioactive molecules such as O. europaea L. polyphenols in the dairy cow diet may help to improve animal welfare and milk quality.

Temperature-Humidity Index Values and Their Significance on the Daily Production of Dairy Cattle in the North African Arid Region

Climate changes affect the economic viability of livestock. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the heat stress in Holstein cattle raised in the arid region of Tunisia as well as to evaluate the effect of the temperature-humidity index (THI) on daily milk production and components. For this reason, 76940 monthly individual records collected from 1995 to 2018 from 3056 Holstein cows were used. THI calculated from ambient temperature and relative humidity was used as a measure of heat stress. To study the effect of THI on milk production, a repeated measures linear mixed model was used. Results showed a significant (P<0.01) decrease in daily milk yield, daily protein, and fat content in all cow’s parity classes. For each point increase of the THI values beyond 64, milk yield, fat, and protein contains decreased by 0.32 kg, 0.09, and 0.06 %, respectively. Moreover, when the THI value varied from 64 to 85, fat content decreased by 29 %, protein by 17 %, and milk production by 30 %. Heat stress impact negatively milk production and milk components of dairy cows. These results can be a way to improve the length of productive life for Holstein dairy cattle in the hard climate. Serious management strategies are needed to improve dairy cow productivity and minimize the heat stress impact.

Risk factors differ for viable and low viable crushed piglets in free farrowing pens.

Newborn piglets have a high risk of being crushed by the sow, and this risk implies welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of differentiating between low viable (secondary crushing losses) and viable crushed (primary crushing losses) piglets for the evaluation of risk factors for crushing related to characteristics of the sow, the litter, and the environment. Eleven Swiss farmers recorded sows' production data (parity class, gestation length, numbers of live-born and stillborn piglets), data (age, sex, weight, cause of death, and signs of weakness) for every live-born piglet that died in the first week after birth (piglet loss), and ambient temperature. Piglet losses were assigned to five categorical events: piglet loss, subdivided into not crushed and crushed, the latter being further subdivided into low viable crushed and viable crushed. Piglets recorded by the farmer as crushed were assigned to the events low viable crushed and viable crushed based on the piglet's body weight and signs of weakness (diseases, malformations). Data of 9,543 live-born piglets from 740 litters were eventually used to statistically model the hazard of dying at any given time in the first week after birth due to one of these events (mixed-effects Cox model). Five potential risk factors were analyzed as co-variates: parity class, gestation length, number of live-born piglets, number of stillborn piglets, and daily number of hours with ambient temperature >30°C. We identified two risk factors for dying from the event viable crushed that were not identified as risk factors for low viable crushed, namely shorter gestation length and higher daily number of hours with ambient temperature > 30°C. Vice-versa, we identified additional live-born piglets in the litter as risk factor for low viable crushed, but not for viable crushed. Our results show the importance of differentiating between low viable and viable crushed piglets for the interpretation of risk factors for crushing losses. Therefore, we suggest that for breeding purposes and in research, this differentiation should be made.

Abstract P4-03-20: Association between reproductive factors (parity and age first full term birth) and the frequency of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer according to age at diagnosis

Abstract Background: The frequency of early estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancers (BC) decreases with increasing age at diagnosis (Partridge P, JCO 2016). Giving birth is generally considered a protective factor for the occurrence of BC in a woman’s lifetime. However, for up to more than 20 years following childbirth, BC risk may be higher. This appears to be due to an increase in hormone receptor-positive BC, especially in women older at the time of 1st childbirth (Nichols HB, Ann Int Med 2019). This means that the ER-negative BC are relatively less frequent in these 2 decades after delivery. In this study, we aimed at retrospectively investigating the impact of parity and age at first full term pregnancy (FFTP) on the frequency of ER-negative BC according to the age at diagnosis in a large institutional cohort of patients diagnosed with BC. Patients and Methods: We considered all patients diagnosed and/or treated with early BC in UZ Leuven between January 2000 and November 2020. ER-negativity was defined as &amp;lt; 1% positive cells. Age at diagnosis was subdivided in categories of 5 years. Parous women could be having a low (1 or 2 children) or high parity (&amp;gt; 2 children) and age of FFTP was arbitrarily divided into &amp;lt; or ≥ 27 years of age. BMI was considered a possible confounder and was corrected for. A logistic regression model was used for data analysis with ER-negative status as binary outcome and FFTP class and multiparity as explanatory variables. To test whether the difference in ER-negative proportions between FFTP classes depends on multiparity, we modelled the interaction between multiparity and FFTP class. Results: We included 9955 consecutive female patients after excluding missing values. 8358 out of 9955 women had at least 1 child (84%). In our study population, parity as such was not an independent variable for BC subtype. Women with a FFTP ≥ 27y as compared to those with a FFTP &amp;lt; 27y were less likely to have an ER-negative BC. The p-value for the interaction term between high parity (&amp;gt;2 children) and FFTP class equals p= 0.0044. Hence, there is statistical evidence to suggest that the differences between FFTP categories with regards to ER-negative BC may depend on multiparity. Table 1 shows a lower incidence of ER-negative BC in the FFTP ≥ 27y group compared to the FFTP &amp;lt; 27y group in case of high parity. Table 2 shows the absolute proportion. These results seem to be independent of BMI. Conclusion: Women with a FFTP at 27 years of age or older and more than 2 children have proportionally less ER-negative type breast cancers as compared to women with a FFTP before 27 years of age. This difference between FFTP classes is not observed in absence of high parity. Table 1: effect of FFTP class by multiparity Table 2: proportion of ER-negative breast cancer subtype Citation Format: Maja Vangoitsenhoven, Evert Theys, Karen Van Baelen, Annouschka Laenen, Christine Desmedt, Giuseppe Floris, Hans Wildiers, Kevin Punie, Sileny Han, Thaïs Baert, Frédéric Amant, Ann Smeets, Ines Nevelsteen, Rani Vanhoudt, Patrick Neven. Association between reproductive factors (parity and age first full term birth) and the frequency of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer according to age at diagnosis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-20.

Role of Parity and Age in Cesarean Section Rate among Women: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Hail, Saudi Arabia.

In the context of the global increase in the rate of cesarean deliveries, with an associated higher morbidity and mortality, this study aimed to investigate the role of maternal age and parity in the cesarean section rate among women in the Hail Region of Saudi Arabia. This retrospective cohort study used data collected from the labor ward of the Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Hail, over a period of 8 months, forming a cohort of 500 women. Women were categorized into four different parity classes. The results revealed that there was no significant relationship between cesarean deliveries and maternal age (p-value, 0.07). There was no significant difference in the mode of delivery between the study's parity cohort group. A significant increase in cesarean deliveries was noticed among obese women with a BMI between 35-39.9 (52.14%). This increase was even greater among those with a BMI above 40 (63.83%). Fetal distress, malpresentation and abruptio placenta were the most significant indications for CS among all age groups (p-value 0.000, 0.021, and 0.048, respectively). Conclusions: The number of cesarean deliveries has no association with parity or age. However, there was a statistically significant association with BMI, a perineal tear after previous vaginal delivery, and a history of diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes. The most reported reasons for CS were fetal distress, malpresentation, and abruptio placenta among all age groups.

Effect of voluntary waiting period on metabolism of dairy cows during different phases of the lactation.

An extended calving interval (CInt) by extending the voluntary waiting period (VWP) could be associated with altered metabolism in dairy cows. The aim of this study was first to evaluate the effects of VWP on metabolism and body condition during the first 305 d after the first calving in the experiment (calving 1), around the end of the VWP, and during pregnancy (280 d before calving 2). Second, the effects of the VWP on metabolism were determined from 2 wk before until 6 wk after calving 2. Third, individual cow characteristics were used to predict milk production and body condition of cows after different VWP. Holstein-Friesian cows (N = 154, 41 primiparous [PP], 113 multiparous [MP]) were blocked for parity, milk production, and lactation persistency, randomly assigned to a VWP of 50, 125, or 200 d (VWP50, VWP125, or VWP200) and followed from calving 1 until 6 wk after calving 2. In the first 6 wk after calving 1 and from 2 wk before until 6 wk after calving 2, weekly plasma samples were analyzed for nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). From wk 7 after calving 1 until 2 wk before calving 2, insulin and IGF-1 were analyzed every 2 wk. Fat- and protein-corrected milk (FPCM) and body weight (BW) gain were measured weekly. Cows were divided in two parity classes based on calving 1 (PP and MP) and remained in these classes after calving 2. During pregnancy, MP cows in VWP200 had greater plasma insulin and IGF-1 concentration and lower FPCM compared with MP cows in VWP125 (insulin: 18.5 vs. 13.9 µU/mL, CI 13.0-19.7, P < 0.01; IGF-1: 198.5 vs. 175.3 ng/mL ± 5.3, P = 0.04; FPCM: 22.6 vs. 30.0 kg/d ± 0.8, P < 0.01) or VWP50 (insulin: 15.8 µU/mL, P < 0.01; IGF-1: 178.2 ng/mL, P < 0.01; FPCM: 26.6 kg/d, P < 0.01) and had a greater daily BW gain compared with cows in VWP50 (3.6 vs. 2.5 kg/d ± 0.2; P < 0.01). After calving 2, MP cows in VWP200 had greater plasma NEFA concentration (0.41 mmol/liter) compared with MP cows in VWP125 (0.30 mmol/liter, P = 0.04) or VWP50 (0.26 mmol/liter, P < 0.01). For PP cows, the VWP did not affect FPCM or body condition during the first lactation in the experiment, or metabolism after calving 2. Independent of the VWP, higher milk production and lower body condition before insemination were associated with higher milk production and lower body condition at the end of the lactation. Variation in these characteristics among cows could call for an individual approach for an extended VWP.

Feeding behavior in relation to ovarian cyclicity in cows with no or a short dry period

The objective of this study was to investigate relations between feeding behavior (FB) variables focusing on intake of the basal ration during 3 wk prepartum until 3 wk postpartum, and postpartum onset of luteal activity (OLA) in dairy cows subjected to no (0-d) or a short (30-d) dry period (DP). Feeding behavior of the basal ration intake (concentrate intake excluded) was continuously recorded by computerized feeders for 123 dairy cows and analyzed from 3 wk prepartum to 3 wk postpartum. Cows were subjected to a DP length: 0-d DP (n = 81), or 30-d DP (n = 42). Milk progesterone concentration was determined 3 times per week until 100 DIM to determine OLA, which was classified as early OLA (<21 DIM) and late OLA (≥21 DIM). Relations between FB and OLA class were analyzed using mixed models. During 3 wk prepartum, FB differed between parity class (parity 2 or ≥3 after calving). Cows with a 30-d DP prepartum, regardless of their OLA class, had more visits per meal, higher meal duration, total meal time, total daily feeding time, and lower feed intake and feeding rate compared with cows with 0-d DP. During the first 2 d postpartum, cows with OLA <21 had more visits per day and visits per meal compared with cows with OLA ≥21. During the first 3 wk postpartum, cows within the 30-d DP group with OLA <21 had greater meal size, feed intake, and feeding rate compared with cows with OLA ≥21 of this group. Cows within the 0-d DP group with OLA <21 had higher meal duration, total daily meal time, total daily feeding time, and meal size, but a lower feeding rate compared with cows with OLA ≥21 of this group. Concluding from the current study, cows with OLA <21 had a postpartum FB that reflected a cow with faster recovery from parturition and better adaptation to onset of lactation compared with OLA ≥21. No or a short DP affected prepartum FB, suggesting that prepartum management affects FB. This study provides evidence of different FB between cows with different timing of resumption of ovarian cyclicity.

Multiple-trait random regression modeling of feed efficiency in US Holsteins

Residual feed intake (RFI) and feed saved (FS) are important feed efficiency traits that have been increasingly considered in genetic improvement programs. Future sustainability of these genetic evaluations will depend upon greater flexibility to accommodate sparsely recorded dry matter intake (DMI) records on many more cows, especially from commercial environments. Recent multiple-trait random regression (MTRR) modeling developments have facilitated days in milk (DIM)-specific inferences on RFI and FS, particularly in modeling the effect of change in metabolic body weight (MBW). The MTRR analyses, using daily data on the core traits of DMI, MBW, and milk energy (MilkE), were conducted separately for 2,532 primiparous and 2,379 multiparous US Holstein cows from 50 to 200 DIM. Estimated MTRR variance components were used to derive genetic RFI and FS and DIM-specific genetic partial regressions of DMI on MBW, MilkE, and change in MBW. Estimated daily heritabilities of RFI and FS varied across lactation for both primiparous (0.05-0.07 and 0.11-0.17, respectively) and multiparous (0.03-0.13 and 0.10-0.17, respectively) cows. Genetic correlations of RFI across DIM varied (>0.05) widely compared with FS (>0.54) within either parity class. Heritability estimates based on average lactation-wise measures were substantially larger than daily heritabilities, ranging from 0.17 to 0.25 for RFI and from 0.35 to 0.41 for FS. The partial genetic regression coefficients of DMI on MBW (0.11 to 0.16 kg/kg0.75 for primiparous and 0.12 to 0.14 kg/kg0.75 for multiparous cows) and of DMI on MilkE (0.45 to 0.68 kg/Mcal for primiparous and 0.36 to 0.61 kg/Mcal for multiparous cows) also varied across lactation. In spite of the computational challenges encountered with MTRR, the model potentially facilitates an efficient strategy for harnessing more data involving a wide variety of data recording scenarios for genetic evaluations on feed efficiency.

Effect of Heat Waves on Some Italian Brown Swiss Dairy Cows' Production Patterns

Climate change is impacting worldwide efficiency and welfare standards in livestock production systems. Considering the sensibility to heat stress reported for different milk production patterns in Italian Brown Swiss, this study aims to evaluate the effect of heat waves (HWs)of different lengths on some milk production traits (fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, protein and fat yield, protein percentage, cheese production at 24 h, and cheese yield). A 10-year dataset (2009–2018), containing 202,776 test-day records from 23,296 Brown Swiss cows, was used. The dataset was merged both with the daily maximum temperature–humidity index (THI) recorded by weather stations and with the daily maximum THI threshold for each trait in Italian Brown Swiss cows. The study considered 4 different HWs according to their length: 2, 3, 4, and 5 consecutive days before the test-day over the weighted THI threshold. Milk production traits were determined as the difference in losses compared to those after only 1 day before the test-day over the weighted maximum THI. All traits showed to be affected by HWs. Particularly, protein percentage losses increased from −0.047% to −0.070% after 2 consecutive days over the daily THI threshold, reaching −0.10% to −0.14% after 5 days (p &amp;lt; 0.01), showing a worsening trend with the increasing length of HWs. First parity cows showed to be more sensitive to HWs than other parity classes, recording greater losses after shorter HWs, compared to multiparous cows, for protein yield and, consequently, for cheese production at 24 h. This suggests a less efficient metabolic response to heat stress and exposure time in primiparous, compared to multiparous cows, probably due to their incomplete growth process that overlaps milk production, making it more difficult for them to dissipate heat. Although actions to mitigate heat stress are always needed in livestock, this study points out that often time exposure to warm periods worsens milk production traits in Brown Swiss cows.

Contribution of economic and nutritional context to overweight/obesity dynamics in Indian women from 1998 to 2016: a multilevel analysis of national survey data

BackgroundOverweight/obesity increased dramatically among Indian women since 2000. We evaluated the independent contributions of economic and nutrition context to the changing distribution of overweight/obesity among women from 1998 to 2016...

Short communication: Variance and autocorrelation of deviations in daily milk yield are related with clinical mastitis in dairy cows

Daily milk production, and fluctuations therein, can provide information on health and resilience of dairy cows. We studied variance and autocorrelation of deviations in daily milk yield in relation to the occurrence of clinical mastitis (no, early or later in lactation). Individual lactation curves were fitted to 305-d lactations of 414 dairy cows using quantile regression. Log-transformed variance (lnVar) and autocorrelation of the quantile residuals of daily milk yield (predicted – observed) were evaluated for intervals until 30 and until 305 days in milk (DIM). Cows were classified as having no mastitis (n = 249), early mastitis that first occurred before 30 DIM (n = 29); or later mastitis (n = 136). Subsequently, linear models were used to assess effects of mastitis and parity class (primiparous or multiparous) on lnVar and autocorrelations; and logistic regression analyses were performed to predict mastitis from lnVar or autocorrelation and parity. From 10 to 30 DIM, lnVar was greater for cows with early mastitis than for cows with no or late mastitis, and autocorrelation tended to be lower for cows with early mastitis than for cows with no mastitis. The lnVar and autocorrelation from 10 to 30 DIM were not predictive of late mastitis. From 10 to 305 DIM, lnVar was greater and autocorrelation was lower for both cows with early and late mastitis than for cows with no mastitis; and both were predictive of having mastitis in the 305-d lactation. Primiparous cows had lower lnVar than multiparous cows. In cows without mastitis, autocorrelation values were positively correlated with lnVar. Results confirm that increased lnVar is associated with clinical mastitis.

Effects of hybridization and spin–orbit coupling to induce odd-frequency pairing in two-band superconductors

The effect of spin-independent hybridization potential and spin–orbit coupling on two-band superconductor with equal-time s-wave interband pairing order parameter is investigated theoretically. To study symmetry classes in two-band superconductors, the Gor’kov equations are solved analytically. By defining spin-singlet and spin-triplet s-wave order parameter due to two-band degree of freedom, the symmetry classes of Cooper pair are studied. For spin singlet case, it is shown that spin-independent hybridization generates Cooper pair that belongs to even-frequency spin singlet even-momentum even-band parity (ESEE) symmetry class for both intraband and interband pairing correlations. For spin-triplet order parameter, intraband pairing correlation generates odd-frequency spin triplet even-momentum even-band parity (OTEE) symmetry class, whereas interband pairing correlation generates even-frequency spin-triplet even-momentum odd-band parity (ETEO) class. For the spin singlet, spin–orbit coupling generates pairing correlation that belongs to odd-frequency spin-singlet odd-momentum even-band parity (OSOE) symmetry class and even-frequency spin-singlet even-momentum even-band parity (ESEE) for intraband and interband pairing correlation, respectively. In the spin-triplet case for intraband and interband correlation, spin–orbit coupling generates even-frequency spin-triplet odd-momentum even-band parity (ETOE) and even-frequency spin-triplet even-momentum odd-band parity (ETEO), respectively. Our results are in agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies.

Associations of intimate partner violence and financial adversity with familial homelessness in pregnant and postpartum women: A 7-year prospective study of the ALSPAC cohort.

To determine whether emotional and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and financial adversity increase risk of incident homelessness in pregnancy and the post-partum period. Data were drawn from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which starting in 1990 mailed questionnaires to 14,735 mothers in the UK, over 7 years from pregnancy onwards. Marginal structural models and multiple imputation were used to address time-varying confounding of the primary variables, testing for interaction between concurrent emotional/physical IPV and financial adversity, and adjusted for baseline age, ethnicity, education, partner's alcohol use, parity, depression, and social class. Emotional IPV (HR 1.44 (1.13,1.84)), physical IPV (HR 2.05 (1.21,3.49)), and financial adversity (HR 1.59 (1.44,1.77)) each predicted a multiplicative increase in the discrete-time hazard of incident homelessness. We identified joint effects for concurrent emotional IPV and financial adversity (HR 2.09 (1.35,3.22)) and concurrent physical IPV and financial adversity (HR 2.79 (1.21,6.44)). We further identified a temporary decline in self-reported physical IPV among mothers during pregnancy and up to 8 months post-partum. Emotional and physical IPV and financial adversity independently and jointly increase the risk of incident homelessness. The effects of emotional and physical IPV are comparable to or greater than the risk of financial adversity. Homelessness prevention policies should consider IPV victims as high-risk, regardless of financial status. Furthermore, self-reported physical IPV declines temporarily during pregnancy and up to 8 months post-partum. Screening for IPV in this period may miss high-risk individuals.

Protein profile of cow milk from multibreed herds and its relationship with milk coagulation properties

The aims of this study were to estimate the effect of cow breed on milk protein profile, and to assess the relationship between protein profile and milk coagulation properties (MCP) predicted with mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS). The dataset included 173,841 test-day observations of 12,533 specialised (Holstein-Friesian [HF] and Brown Swiss [BS]) and dual-purpose cows (Simmental [SI] and Alpine Grey) sampled in 488 multi-breed herds. Fixed effects considered in the mixed model were breed, month of sampling, parity class, stage of lactation, and first-order interactions and random effects were cow nested within breed, herd and the residual. BS had the greatest casein (CN) fractions content and SI the greatest whey fractions content. A lesser clear pattern was observed when considering the proportion of protein fractions. Longer rennet coagulation, longer curd-firming time and firmer curd were observed for Alpine Grey, HF and BS, respectively. Regarding the index of milk aptitude to coagulate (IAC), BS and SI had the greatest value and HF and Alpine Grey (AG) the lowest one. Weak relationships were estimated between protein fractions and MCP. For whey proteins, all the analysed traits were optimised at β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) concentrations next to the maximum of the physiological range and at α-lactalbumin (α-LA) concentrations at the minimum level. For CNs, all the analysed traits were optimised at α-CN and β-CN concentrations closer to the minimum level and at κ-CN concentration at intermediate levels. Results highlighted the lower efficiency of HF milk for cheese manufacturing compared to the other breeds. Highlights Breed, month of sampling, parity order, stage of lactation and their interactions were important to explain the variability of milk protein fractions and coagulation traits. Brown Swiss (BS) had the greatest casein (CN) fractions content and Simmental (SI) the greatest whey fractions content. Longer rennet coagulation was observed for Alpine Grey, whereas firmer curd was observed for BS. Coagulation properties were optimised in milk with low concentration of α-CN and β-CN and for intermediate levels of κ-casein.

Fertility and milk production on commercial dairy farms with customized lactation lengths

Drying-off, calving, and start of lactation are critical transition events for a dairy cow. As a consequence, most animal health issues occur during these periods. By extending the voluntary waiting period for first insemination after calving, calving interval (CInt) can be extended, with possible positive effects for fertility and health. Some cows might be better suited for an extended CInt than others, due to differences in milk yield level, lactation persistency, or health status, which would justify a customized CInt based on individual cow characteristics. This study aims to investigate 13 farms with customized CInt, with respect to calving to first service interval (CFSI), accomplished CInt, services per conception (SC), conception rate at first artificial insemination (CR1AI), peak yield, lactation persistency, 305-d yield, and effective lactation yield. In total, 4,858 complete lactations of Holstein Friesian cows between 2014 and 2019 from the 13 farms were grouped by parity (1 or 2+) and CFSI (CFSI class; CFSI-1 < 84; 84 ≤ CFSI-2 < 140; 140 ≤ CFSI-3 < 196; 196 ≤ CFSI-4 < 252, CFSI-5 ≥ 252 d) or CInt (CInt class; CInt-1 < 364; 364 ≤ CInt-2 < 420; 420 ≤ CInt-3 < 476; 476 ≤ CInt-4 < 532, CInt-5 ≥ 532 d). Cow inseminations, available for 11 out of 13 farms (3,597 complete lactations), were grouped by parity (1 and 2+) and CFSI class or CInt class. The fertility and milk production characteristics were analyzed with generalized and general linear mixed models. The CFSI class was not associated with SC, but extended CInt class was associated with increased SC (CInt-1-5; 1.11-3.70 SC). More than 50% of cows in the CFSI class <84 d ended up in longer than expected CInt (>364 d), showing that these cows were not able to conceive for the desired CInt. More than 50% of cows in CInt classes 3 and higher (CInt ≥ 420 d) had an earlier first insemination before successful insemination (CFSI class 1; <196 d), showing that these extended CInt classes consisted of both cows with an extended waiting period for first insemination and cows that failed to conceive at earlier insemination(s). On most farms, lactation persistency was greatest in CInt class 1 (<364 d), probably related to the low peak yield in this class. When this shortest CInt class was excluded, persistency increased with extended CInt classes on most farms. Although at the majority of farms 305-d yield was greater in CInt ≥ 532 d, effective lactation yield at most farms was greatest in CInt from 364 to 531 d, especially for multiparous cows. Based on the results of this study, a CInt between 364 and 531 days seems most optimal for milk production, when high-yielding cows were selected.