Rear Teat Length Research Articles

Factor analysis for udder and teat type traits in Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows

Selecting female cows for productivity based on udder and teat traits is essential in field due to lack of available records. The objective of the present study was to reduce the dimensionality of the 17 udder and teat traits and to analyse their impact on milk productivity. The data on 256 cattle comprising 133 Sahiwal and 123 Karan Fries cows were used in this study over the years 2017-2019 from Livestock Research Centre (LRC) of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. The 17 udder and teat traits were fore udder attachment (FUA), rear udder width (RUW), rear udder height (RUH), udder balance (UB), udder depth (UD), udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), central ligament/udder cleft (CL), teat circumference (TC), fore teat length (FTL), rear teat length (RTL), distance between fore and rear teat (DFR), distance between left and right teat (DLR), shortest distance from floor to fore teat (SDFT), shortest distance from floor to rear teat (SDRT) and teat diameter (TD). In the factor analysis, first five latent factors accounted for 62.22% of total variance in udder and teat measurements for Sahiwal cows and 65.67% in Karan Fries (KF) cows, respectively. In Sahiwal cows F1 represented better udder support and wideness (wide udders, udders were supported by strong suspensory ligament), whereas in KF cows, first factor reflected better udder dimension and distance between teats (longer length, width of udder and well placed teats). Factor analysis could reduce the multicollinearity of the data. It can be concluded that inclusion of udder and teat measurements in selection index can be a reliable criteria for selecting cows for higher milk yield.

Assessment of body conformation traits and their relationship with production performance of Sahiwal cows

Linear type scoring is key component in decision making process in the herd, as it focusses on the selection of animals with higher productive potential based on their body conformation/linear traits. The present study was carried out on 150 lactating Sahiwal cattle of first to fifth parity. Measurements on linear type traits were recorded 1 h before the evening milking at three different stages of lactation. The average score point of objective linear type traits was stature 5.77±0.08, chest width 4.59±0.10, body depth 5.24±0.10, rump width 5.56±0.09, rump angle 4.48±0.08, rear legs sets 4.81±0.12, foot angle 4.84±0.10, fore udder attachment 4.85±0.11, rear udder height 5.52±0.10, udder depth 5.31±0.08, rear udder width 4.27±0.09, central ligament 4.01±0.09, fore teat length 3.49±0.10, rear teat length 3.94±0.09, teat circumference 4.20±0.11, teat diameter 4.16±0.10 and udder balance 5.25±0.11. On the other hand, average score point of subjective linear type traits (1-9 scale) was angularity 4.69±0.09, rear leg rear view 5.05±0.06, body condition score 6.53±0.08, locomotion 4.88±0.06, fore teat placement 4.41±0.07 and rear teat placement 6.28±0.08. Most of the body conformation traits in Sahiwal cattle were falling under intermediate category and of desirable type. However, some traits like stature, chest width, body depth, rump width, angularity, central ligament, rear udder height, rear udder width and fore udder attachment expressed scope for further improvement.

Relationship between Milk Yield and Udder Morphology Traits in White Fulani Cows

The study examined the relationship between milk yield and udder morphology traits in White Fulani cows. Fifty-eight apparently healthy cows in early lactation at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th parity were used in the study. The data obtained from the cows were test day milk yield (TDMY) from single milking and udder morphology traits comprising udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder depth (UD), fore teat length (FTL), rear teat length (RTL), fore teat diameter (FTD), and rear teat diameter (RTD). There was no significant effect of parity on TDMY or the udder morphology traits. Phenotypic correlations between TDMY, UL, UW, and UD were positive and significant. Notably, phenotypic correlations between UL and TDMY at different parities were the strongest. Teat measurements had no significant correlation with TDMY. Stepwise and principal component regressions were implemented to assess the relationship between milk yield and udder morphology traits. Interestingly, UL was the only trait that entered the reduced models. The results suggest a probable genetic correlation between milk yield and udder length. Therefore, since udder conformation traits are heritable, when selecting for udder length in White Fulani cows, a correlated response in milk yield is expected.

Influence of WDR41 and ANKRD31 gene polymorphism on udder and teat type traits and mastitis in Karan Fries cows

In the present study, the effect of genetic polymorphism of WD-repeat containing protein 41 (WDR41) and Ankyrin repeat domain containing protein 31 (ANKRD31) gene on 17 traits related to udder and teat type and mastitis in 123 Karan Fries cows was studied. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was used to identify the SNP (410 bp and 475 bp) in PCR amplified product of intron 4 and exon 10 in WDR41 gene. Both of them were polymorphic with Guanine to Adenine transition, and three genotypes namely AA, AG and GG were observed. In ANKRD31 gene, RFLP was used to identify the SNP in 513 bp PCR amplified product of intron 24 and two SNPs were found. We report for the first time that intron 4 and exon 10 of WDR41 gene is significantly associated with udder depth (UD), udder balance (UB), central ligament (CL), teat circumference (TC), SFF and tear diameter (TD), rear udder width (RUW), and mastitis. SNP rs110012582 in intron 24 of ANKRD31 gene is associated significantly with UD, distance between left and right teat (DLR), SFF, and SNP rs473512406 with udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), fore teat length (FTL), rear teat length (RTL), distance between fore and rear teat (DFR), DLR and mastitis. This information can augment future studies to determine the role of WDR41 and ANKRD31 genes as a candidate gene marker with desired udder and teat conformation and mastitis. Thus, it is essential to work for better udder health and prevent the incidence of mastitis in the herd.

CORRELATION BETWEEN UDDER CONFORMATION WITH DAILY MILK YIELD OF BUFFALOES

The study field was conducted to correlate milk yield with the udder dimensions of buffaloes, during lactate season 2019, a total of 72 lactating buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were chosen randomly from Baghdad (25 female) and Al-Muthanna province (47 female) (270km south of Baghdad). Parameters such as front teat length (FTL), front teat diameter (FTD), distance between front teats (FTDIS), rear teat length (RTL), rear teat diameter (RTD), distance between rear teats (RTDIS), distance between front and rear teats (FRDIS) and daily milk Yield (DMY) were calculated. Correlation coefficients between various udder measurements (FTL, FTDIS, RTDIS and FRDIS) with DMY were positive and highly significant (P≤0.01). On the other hand FTD, RTL and RTD showed non-significant correlation with DMY. We conclude from this study that udder measurements could be taken into account in buffalo improvement programs.

The Effect of Location and Parity in The Body, Udder Conformation and Milk Production Traits in Buffaloes

Seventy two adult lactating Iraqi buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were chosen randomly from two regions of Iraq, Baghdad (Abu Ghraib Ruminants Researches Station in the west of Baghdad, Iraq) and AL-Muthanna province (Alhilal township), during 2018/2019 lactating season. The effect of location and parity in the body, udder conformation and milk production traits were studied. The body conformation, body weight, udder measurements, and milk production traits were significant to high significant effected by both the location and the parity except there is the non-significant effect of location on body height at the shoulder, front teat diameter, rear teat length and rear teat diameter. Similarly non-significant effect of parity was observed on front teat diameter, rear teat length, distance between front and rear teats, fat%, lactose%, and SNF%.

Computer vision and weigh scale-based prediction of milk yield and udder traits for individual cows

The measurement of the performance of dairy cow milk production contributes to improve the productivity and profitability of dairy farms. Milk yield is used on-farm for decisions around culling, drying off, heat detection and off-farm for estimation of sire breeding values. Milk yield is measured by herd testing at multiple times through a lactation and by individual milk meters, although the rate of herd testing is decreasing and only a minority of milking systems have milk meters. The goal of this study was to develop a non-contact computer vision and/or walk-over weigh scale technology based on cow 3D images and/or weights before and after milking to determine individual cow milk yield and the lactation milk yield for individual cows. This technology could provide some of the benefits of individual milk meters, although only 1–2 sensors would be required per milking apparatus as opposed to a milk meter per bale on the milking apparatus. An algorithm was developed to estimate the udder volume before milking, udder volume after milking and the difference in udder volume before and after milking. A calibration model based on in-line milk meter measured milk yield from 20 cows was developed to predict milk yield per milking. The model based on udder volume before milking and the difference in udder volume before and after milking had a calibration R2 = 0.92 and RMSE = 0.84 L. The algorithm RMSE was inferior to the in-line milk meter (RMSE = 0.5 L for this trial). This imaging technology provides an inexpensive method to determine the milk yield of individual cows, which can be used for better on-farm management of cows in the herd. The feasibility of determining lactation yield from walk-over weigh scale measurements of each cow before and after each milking was also demonstrated, with algorithm prediction (based on a 2.5% weigh scale error) of lactation milk yield estimated to be similar to that based on two herd tests per lactation. Furthermore, the potential of image-based phenotyping of udder traits such as front/rear teat placement, teat length and teat orientation were demonstrated, with an estimated model accuracy of 94% for front/rear teat placement on a 9-point scale. Average rear teat length was 39 ± 1.5 mm and average front teat length was 49 ± 1.3 mm. This highlights the potential for using computer vision for on-farm prediction of milk performance and udder traits from dairy cows.

Direct Phenotyping and Principal Component Analysis of Type Traits Implicate Novel QTL in Bovine Mastitis through Genome-Wide Association.

Simple SummaryIt is well established that the physical conformation of a cow’s udder and teats may influence her susceptibility to mastitis, an inflammatory condition of the udder, which has 25% prevalence in the United States. Our aim was to improve the biological understanding of the genetics underlying mastitis by intensively characterizing cows for udder and teat conformation, including the novel traits of teat width and end shape, and directly associating those phenotypes with high-density genotypes for those exact same cows. We also generated a composite measure that accounts for multiple high-mastitis-risk udder and teat conformations in a single index for risk phenotypes. Using this approach, we identified novel genetic markers associated with udder and teat conformation, which may be good candidates for inclusion in national genetic evaluations for selection of mastitis-resistant cows. Mastitis is the costliest disease facing US dairy producers, and integrating genetic information regarding disease susceptibility into breeding programs may be an efficient way to mitigate economic loss, support the judicious use of antimicrobials, and improve animal welfare.Our objectives were to robustly characterize a cohort of Holstein cows for udder and teat type traits and perform high-density genome-wide association studies for those traits within the same group of animals, thereby improving the accuracy of the phenotypic measurements and genomic association study. Additionally, we sought to identify a novel udder and teat trait composite risk index to determine loci with potential pleiotropic effects related to mastitis. This approach was aimed at improving the biological understanding of the genetic factors influencing mastitis. Cows (N = 471) were genotyped on the Illumina BovineHD777k beadchip and scored for front and rear teat length, width, end shape, and placement; fore udder attachment; udder cleft; udder depth; rear udder height; and rear udder width. We used principal component analysis to create a single composite measure describing type traits previously linked to high odds of developing mastitis within our cohort of cows. Genome-wide associations were performed, and 28 genomic regions were significantly associated (Bonferroni-corrected p < 0.05). Interrogation of these genomic regions revealed a number of biologically plausible genes whicht may contribute to the development of mastitis and whose functions range from regulating cell proliferation to immune system signaling, including ZNF683, DHX9, CUX1, TNNT1, and SPRY1. Genetic investigation of the risk composite trait implicated a novel locus and candidate genes that have potentially pleiotropic effects related to mastitis.

Udder and teat conformational risk factors for elevated somatic cell count and clinical mastitis in New York Holsteins

Our primary objective was to identify udder and teat conformational risk factors associated with the occurrence of elevated somatic cell count (SCC) and clinical mastitis using a prospective cohort study design with careful assessment of exposure and disease outcomes. Mastitis prevalence was evaluated by parity across 6 sampling periods representing key physiological transitions during lactation: 0–1 day in milk (DIM), 3–5 DIM, 10–14 DIM, 50–60 DIM, 90–110 DIM, and 210–230 DIM. Cows were scored for front and rear teat length, width, end shape, and placement, fore udder attachment, udder cleft, udder depth, rear udder height, and rear udder width. Two independent multivariable logistic regression models were used to generate odds ratios (OR) for elevated SCC (≥ 200,000 cells/ml) and farm-diagnosed clinical mastitis. We identified that loose fore udder attachment (reference level: strong fore udder attachment, OR = 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2–3.8) and flat teat end shape (reference level: round teat end shape, OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–1.9) increased the odds of an elevated SCC event, whereas a negative California Mastitis Test score at 0–1 DIM decreased the odds of an elevated SCC event (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.8). Loose fore udder attachment (reference level: strong fore udder attachment, OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.3–10.7), flat teat end shape (reference level: round teat end shape, OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0–2.4), low rear udder height (reference level: intermediate rear udder height, OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 0.3–6.2), and increasing rear teat width (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2–4.4) heightened the odds of developing clinical mastitis. We identified that within our study cohort, loose fore udder attachment and flat teat ends had an important association with increased odds of both an elevated SCC event and clinical mastitis diagnosis. The identification of these udder and teat conformational risk factors for mastitis can provide farmers an effective and inexpensive tool to manage mastitis.

Effects of dietary protein level on growth performance and nitrogen excretion of dairy heifers.

ObjectiveProtein supplementation is costly and can result in excess nitrogen (N) excretion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding different levels of dietary protein on average daily gain, body size, rumen fermentation, and nitrogen excretion of 8 to 10 month-old Holstein heifers.MethodsThirty-six Holstein heifers were divided into 12 blocks according to age (273±6.2 d) and were randomly assigned to diets containing a low (10.2% dry matter [DM]), medium (11.9% DM), or high (13.5% DM) level of dietary crude protein (CP). All diets contained approximately 70% roughage and 30% concentrate with similar dietary metabolizable energy (ME) content (2.47 Mcal/kg).ResultsDry matter intake did not differ among the treatments, and average daily gain increased with the increasing dietary protein, 0.79, 0.95, 0.97 kg/d for low, medium, and high group, respectively. Body height increased linearly with increasing dietary CP but no other significant differences in body dimensions were found among the treatments. The increased ratios of dietary CP improved the rate of rear teat length growth remarkably (p<0.05). There was no difference in rumen pH or ruminal major volatile fatty acid (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) concentration among the 3 diets, but rumen ammonia-N concentration increased with the higher dietary CP (p<0.05). Increasing N intake led to increased total N excretion; urinary N excretion was significantly increased (p<0.05) but fecal N excretion was similar among the treatments.ConclusionThese data suggest that the diet containing 11.9% CP (ME 2.47 Mcal/kg) could meet the maintenance and growth requirements of 9 to 11 month-old Holstein heifers gaining approximately 0.9 kg/d.

Relationship between external and internal udder and teat measurements of machine milked dromedary camels.

This study aims to determine the relationship between internal and external udder and teat measurements and evaluate their correlation with milk yield and milk partitioning in the udder of dromedary camels. Six Maghrebi camels reared under intensive conditions were monitored at early, middle, and late lactation. Udder measurements included udder depth, udder horizontal circumference, fore and rear teat length and diameter. Besides, scans of the left fore and rear quarters were taken in duplicate before morning milking (16h) using an oxytocin receptor blocking agent (Atosiban) to determine teat and gland distension before milk ejection. Cisternal and alveolar milk volumes were then evaluated. Correlation coefficients were calculated between the performed udder external and ultrasonographical measurements and cisternal and daily milk production on the measurement day. Significant effect of lactation stage was observed in all measured traits. All internal and external measurements decreased significantly at late lactation as well as cisternal and total milk yield. The quarter cisternal area averaged 16.3 ± 2.2cm(2) and decreased about three times at late lactation compared to early and middle lactation. All external and internal measurements were positively and highly correlated (P < 0.001). The knowledge of the relationship between udder internal and external morphological traits would permit to predict udder cisternal storage capacity and can ultimately be adopted to improve milk storage capacity of dromedary camels.

Siyah Alaca İneklerde Meme Ölçülerinin Somatik Hücre Sayısı ve Günlük Süt Verimi Üzerine Etkisi

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of udder measurements group on somatic cell count (SCC) and daily milk production. Milk samples and udder measurements were collected monthly from 79 lactating Holstein cows on commercial dairy in the province of Niğde. In the study, front teat length (FTL), rear teat length (RTL), front teat diameter (FTD), rear teat diameter (RTD), distance between front teats (DBFT), distance between rear teats (DBRT), front udder height, (FTH), rear udder height (RUH), distance between front and rear teats (DBST) were obtained in before afternoon milking. Udder measurements were divided into 5 groups according to the measurements. The effect of DBFT, DBRT, FTH, RTD, FTD and DBRT groups on daily milk production were statistically significant, while FTH, RUH and DBRT were found non-significant. The effect of udder measurements groups on SCC was found not significant, except rear teat diameter (RTD). Average daily milk production and SCC were estimated as 28.25 kg/day and 274.90 cell/ml, respectively. In conclusion, it can be said that the distance between teats, teat’s diameter and front udder height of Holstein cattle is important factor for milk yield of Holstein dairy cattle. Also, SCC is effected by rear teat diameter.

Intercorrelations Among Milk Production Traits and Body and Udder Measurements in Holstein Heifers

Data from 1341 Holstein heifers of 71 sires were used to study heritabilities of and genetic and phenotypic correlations among milk production traits (308-d milk, front and rear half yields), body measurements (heart girth, withers height, body length, and rump length), udder measurements (front teat length and diameter, rear teat length and diameter, teat distance and udder height), and age at first calving. Genetic and phenotypic parameters were estimated by the multitrait restricted maximum likelihood method. Multitrait estimates of heritability ranged from .37 to .47 for first lactation yield traits, from .19 to .51 for body measurements, and from .08 to .41 for udder measurements. Age at first calving averaged 22.3 mo with a heritability estimate of .11. Milk production traits were all positively correlated with body measurements, suggesting that high producing heifers would be taller, larger, and longer than low producing heifers. Multitrait estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations between udder height and yield traits were all negative, suggesting that high producing heifers tend to have lower udders. Of four body measurements studied, rump length showed the greatest genetic correlations with yield traits. Among six udder measurements, udder height exhibited the highest degree of associations with yield traits. Thus, rump length and udder height merit greater attention for prediction of lactational performance.

Genetic Parameters and Environmental Factors Associated with Type Traits Scored on an Ordered Scale During First Lactation

Sixty subjective and linearized type data were recorded on 7375 first lactation Holstein cows. Data were analyzed by paternal half-sister analysis for genetic parameters. One hundred and six sires were represented. Two kinds of heritability estimates were obtained; the first was a method 3-derived estimate for the raw scale and the second was a “nonlinear method 3”-derived estimate for an underlying scale. Whenever estimates of heritability on the raw scale were positive, larger estimates were generally obtained on the underlying scale. Some udder traits (e.g., depth, rear length, rear balance, teat placement, rear teat length, rear width) had underlying heritabilities between 10 to 30%. Suspensory strength and teat shape had no genetic variation. Of feet and leg traits only set (.14) and cleanness of hocks (.09) had heritabilities above 6%. Some functional traits (milking speed, edema) had heritabilities near 11%. Disposition, mastitis score, and milk letdown had no genetic variation. Most body traits (e.g., pin and hip width, length and levelness of rump, rib spring) had heritabilities between 15 and 30%. Method 3 phenotypic and genetic correlations were computed for the raw scale. Most phenotypic correlations were near zero. Traits associated with size or skeletal dimension had positive phenotypic and genetic correlations. Fore udder length, rear udder width, and rear udder height had positive genetic correlations (range .21 to .43). Udder depth had moderate genetic correlations with most udder traits, teat traits and body traits. The statistical models included describer, stage of lactation, and calendar month of description effects. In general, describer effects were the largest and most significant kind of environmental effect. Stage of lactation effects occasionally showed consistent trends. Month effects appeared to be unpredictable.

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG UDDER MEASUREMENTS, MILKING SPEED, MILK YIELD AND CMT SCORES IN YOUNG DAIRY COWS

Heritabilities, phenotypic and genetic correlations among udder measurements (front teat length, front teat diameter, rear teat length, rear teat diameter, teat distance, udder height), milking speed, and milk yield were estimated for a Holstein line (H) and an Ayrshire-based line (A). Data from 1159 first lactation heifers in the National Cooperative Dairy Cattle Breeding Project were used. A subset of these data from 385 cows measured for the above traits plus California Mastitis Test (CMT) Score were analyzed to estimate relationships among udder measurements, milking speed, milk yield, and CMT score. Front teats were on the average 0.7 cm longer than rear teats. Heritability estimates of udder measurements, milking speed, and milk yield were moderate and ranged from 24% to 57% for the H line, 22% to 61% for the A line and 16% to 51% for the subset of data, except for teat distance in the H line which had a heritability of 5%. Heritability of CMT score was zero. Udders that were closer to the ground tended to have longer and wider teats. High-producing cows milked faster, had lower CMT score, and had udders closer to the ground than low producing cows. Genetic correlations of udder measurements with milking speed and milk yield were small and nonsignificant except for front teat diameter and teat distance which were negatively correlated with milk yield in H line heifers. Key words: Udder measurements, milking speed, milk yield, CMT score, dairy cattle