Udder Depth Research Articles

Associations of udder biometry with subclinical mastitis in Gir crossbred cows

The investigation was undertaken on 110 Gir crossbred cows of different order of lactation and stage of lactation maintained at Research Cum Development Project on Cattle, MPKV, Rahuri. The overall least squares means of udder length, udder width, udder depth and udder circumference were 65.23 ± 1.45, 63.24 ± 1.45, 19.03 ± 0.51 and 86.49 ± 1.50 cm respectively. The least squares analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.05) effect due to order of lactation on udder length in crossbred cows. Also, order of lactation had significant (P<0.01) effect on udder width and udder circumference. However, stage of lactation exerted non-significant influence on all udder measurement traits. In crossbred cows udder length had positive and significant (P<0.01) correlation with udder width, udder circumference and udder depth. The correlation of udder width with udder circumference and udder depth was positive and highly significant (P<0.01). There was positive and significant (P<0.01) correlation of udder circumference with udder depth. The frequencies of trough, round, goaty and pendulous type udder in crossbred cows were 63.64%, 8.18%, 11.82% and 16.36% respectively. Among 110 cows 48 (43.64%) cows were found positive for subclinical mastitis. The higher occurrence of subclinical mastitis was observed in cows having pendulous udder (66.66%) followed by goaty (53.84 %), round (44.44 %) and trough (35.71 %) shape udder. Maximum number of positive subclinical mastitis cases were found in larger udder length (>75 cm), udder width (>75 cm), udder depth (>25 cm) and udder circumference (>95 cm). Highest occurrence (78.26%) of subclinical mastitis was found in cows of sixth and above lactation. Maximum occurrence of subclinical mastitis was noted in cows which were in late (46.15%) stage of lactation followed by early (40%) and mid (37%) stage of lactation. The traits udder shape, udder length and udder depth had positive and significant association with incidence of subclinical mastitis in crossbred cows.

EFFECTS OF WEANING SYSTEM ON MILK AND EXTERNAL MAMMARY CONFORMATION TRAITS OF SICILO-SARDE TUNISIAN DAIRY EWE

A better development of the Sicilo-Sarde dairy sheep in Tunisia needs a review of its behavior by adopting early weaning and generalizing mechanical milking that involves an adaptation of the external mammary morphology (MM). Thirty ewes were divided into two groups (early and late weaning; EW and LW respectively) to study the effects of weaning system (WS) and milking time (MT) on milk and external MM traits in early milking period. MM was evaluated by six measurements and three scores of udder and teat. EW group had higher milk production (MP) and lower fat and protein amounts that increased with MT advancement (P0.001). WS did not affect MM traits (P>0.05), only teat length was higher for LW ewes (P0.05). Udder depth, teat diameter, distance between teats and teat angle score decreased with MT (P0.01). Significant interactions were noted between WS and MT for most traits studied. MP was negatively correlated with fat and protein amounts (-0.38 and -0.50 respectively) and moderately correlated with udder depth, cistern height, teat diameter (from 0.31 to 0.42). Fat and protein had negative correlation with udder depth, teat diameter and distance between teats. Higher correlation was determined between udder depth and distance between teats (r=0.60; P0.001). In conclusion, EW system allows a better start of the milk production in early milking period. Cistern height, teat length and teat angle score are the prominent traits which affect milk ability and adaptation of ewe to machine milking and consequently they must be included in selection program.

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.

Estimation of heritability and genetic correlations between milk yield and linear type traits in primiparous Holstein-Friesian cows

Estimation of genetic variability and genetic correlations between production traits (milk yield, fat yield, fat content, protein yield, and protein content) and selected type traits (angularity, fore udder height, rear udder height, front teat placement, teat length, and udder depth) was done using data sets of 10,860 first-calving Holstein-Friesian cows raised in the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Genetic variance and covariance were obtained using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method, VCE v6 software, and the multi-trait mixed [...]

Estimation of genetic parameters for predicted nitrogen use efficiency and losses in early lactation of Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of predicted N use efficiency (PNUE) and N losses (PNL) as proxies of N use and loss for Holstein cows. Furthermore, we have assessed approximate genetic correlations between PNUE, PNL, and dairy production, health, longevity, and conformation traits. These traits are considered important in many countries and are currently evaluated by the International Bull Evaluation Service (Interbull). The values of PNUE and PNL were obtained by using the combined milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum, parity, and milk yield-based prediction equations on test-day MIR records with days in milk (DIM) between 5 and 50 d. After editing, the final data set comprised 46,163 records of 21,462 cows from 154 farms in 5 countries. Each trait was divided into primiparous and multiparous (including second to fifth parity) groups. Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated by using a multitrait (2-trait, 2-parity classes) repeatability model. Herd-year-season of calving, DIM, age of calving, and parity were used as fixed effects. Random effects were defined as parity (within-parity permanent environment), nongenetic cow (across-parity permanent environment), additive genetic animal, and residual effects. The estimated heritability of PNUE and PNL in the first and later parity were 0.13, 0.12, 0.14, and 0.13, and the repeatability values were 0.49, 0.40, 0.55, and 0.43, respectively. The estimated approximate genetic correlations between PNUE and PNL were negative and high (from -0.89 to -0.53), whereas the phenotypic correlations were also negative but relatively low (from -0.45 to -0.11). At a level of reliability of more than 0.30 for all novel traits, a total of 504 bulls born after 1995 had also publishable Interbull multiple-trait across-country estimated breeding values (EBV). The approximate genetic correlations between PNUE and the other 30 traits of interest, estimated as corrected correlations between EBV of bulls, ranged from -0.46 (udder depth) to 0.47 (milk yield). Obtained results showed the complex genetic relationship between efficiency, production, and other traits: for instance, more efficient cows seem to give more milk, which is linked to deeper udders, but seem to have lower health, fertility, and longevity. Additionally, the approximate genetic correlations between PNL, lower values representing less loss of N, and the 30 other traits, were from -0.32 (angularity) to 0.57 (direct calving ease). Even if further research is needed, our results provided preliminary evidence that the PNUE and PNL traits used as proxies could be included in genetic improvement programs in Holstein cows and could help their management.

Accounting for Genetic Differences Among Unknown Parents in Bubalus bubalis: A Case Study From the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo.

The use of genetic evaluations in the Water Buffalo by means of a Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) animal model has been increased over the last two-decades across several countries. However, natural mating is still a common reproductive strategy that can increase the proportion of missing pedigree information. The inclusion of genetic groups in variance component (VC) and breeding value (EBV) estimation is a possible solution. The aim of this study was to evaluate two different genetic grouping strategies and their effects on VC and EBV for composite (n = 5) and linear (n = 10) type traits in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo (IMB) population. Type traits data from 7,714 buffalo cows plus a pedigree file including 18,831 individuals were provided by the Italian National Association of Buffalo Breeders. VCs and EBVs were estimated for each trait fitting a single-trait animal model and using the official DNA-verified pedigree. Successively, EBVs were re-estimated using modified pedigrees with two different proportion of missing genealogies (30 or 60% of buffalo with records), and two different grouping strategies, year of birth (Y30/Y60) or genetic clustering (GC30, GC60). The different set of VCs, estimated EBVs and their standard errors were compared with the results obtained using the original pedigree. Results were also compared in terms of efficiency of selection. Differences among VCs varied according to the trait and the scenario considered. The largest effect was observed for two traits, udder teat and body depth in the GC60 genetic cluster, whose heritability decreased by −0.07 and increased by +0.04, respectively. Considering buffalo cows with record, the average correlation across traits between official EBVs and EBVs from different scenarios was 0.91, 0.88, 0.84, and 0.79 for Y30, CG30, Y60, and CG60, respectively. In bulls the correlations between EBVs ranged from 0.90 for fore udder attachment and udder depth to 0.96 for stature and body length in the GC30 scenario and from 0.75 for udder depth to 0.90 for stature in the GC60 scenario. When a variable proportion of missing pedigree is present using the appropriate strategy to define genetic groups and including them in VC and EBV is a worth-while and low-demanding solution.

ASSESSMENT OF SUBCLINICAL MASTITIS EFFECTS ON LIVE WEIGHT, BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) AND EXTERNAL UDDER MEASUREMENTS OF DORPER SHEEP

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland that can be classified as clinical and subclinical mastitis. The clinical mastitis can be diagnosed based on clinical signs, whilst subclinical mastitis mostly through somatic cell count (SCC). This study was carried out to determine the subclinical mastitis effects on live weight, body condition score (BCS) and external udder traits of Dorper sheep. A total 16 Dorper ewes were selected and screened for mastitis using the Californian mastitis test (CMT). The live weight, BCS and external udder traits (i.e. udder length (UL), udder width (UW), rear udder depth (RUD), cistern depth (CD) and teat length (TL) of the ewes were measured. The subclinical mastitis did not affect the live weight and BCS of Dorper ewes. Whilst for external udder measurements; the highest average of udder length, udder width, rear udder depth and cistern depth were indicated in CMT score as strong positive which shows that the measurement values of external ewes’ udder are increased when the strength detection of CMT scores increased and vice versa. However, all of the external udder parameters measured were not statistically (P&gt;0.05) affected by the mastitis infection scores. The present results indicate that live weight, BCS and all external udder parameters did not influence the subclinical mastitis detected in the milk’s samples of the ewes. This study suggests that subclinical mastitis does not directly affected by morphology alteration of external udder traits, live weight or BCS, however it is likely affect the quality of milk produced.

Characteristics and variability of udder scores of Simmental first calving heifers

Visual assessment and recognition of milk performance traits of cows are preliminary indicators of milk yield, longevity, as well as reproductive abilities of the animal, which is very important from the aspect of economy of milk production. Deficiencies in udder traits lead to poorer production, difficult milking and premature weaning of cows from the herd. The paper examines the frequency of desirable scores for a certain trait in first-calving heifers distinguished by way of keeping (heads reared by individual producers/holdings and heads reared on the farm) and by origin (domestic and imported animals), as well as the influence of these two factors on the observed traits. Five udder traits were analyzed: front udder length, rear udder length, rear udder height, central ligament, and udder depth on a total of 954 first-calving Simmental heifers. Observed by the way of rearing, higher frequency of desirable scores for all udder traits were achieved by cows reared on the farm, while according to the origin of cows, higher frequency of desirable scores for all udder traits was achieved by imported cows compared to domestic cows. The influence of factors of housing/keeping and origin, examined by ?2 test on all examined linear scores (frequency of scores) of udder traits was statistically very highly significant (p?0.001), while the analysis of variance (F test) showed very high significance (p?0.001) of interaction of origin and method of rearing on the traits of the central ligament and the udder depth, and significance (p?0.05) on the height of the rear udder, however, no statistical significance (p&gt;0.05) of this interaction was established on other linear scores of udder traits (length of the front and rear udder).

Correlation of udder shape, size and udder size of Bushuev breed of cows with milk yield

This article examines the relationship between the shape, size and size of the udder and udder of Bushuev cows on different categories of farms and their milk yield. It was determined that the milk yield of cows belonging to the form of bowl-shaped udder in all farms was higher from 720.9 kg to 641.8 kg than their peers belonging to the form of round udder. In comparison, the udder of cows with a cup-shaped udder was 3.3 cm to 2.2 cm wider, the udder length was 9.1 cm to 7.8 cm longer, and the udder circumference was 6.3 to 8.7 cm bigger, the udder depth was 1.6 cm to 2.7 cm longer, and the nipple diameter was higher 0.06 cm to 0.35 cm, than the udder of cow belonging to a round udder. It was found that the daily milk yield in bowl-shaped udder cows was 29.3% to 25.4% higher than in their round udder-like counterparts.

Türkiye’de Yetiştirilen Siyah Alaca İneklerin Doğrusal Tip Özellikleri, Birinci Laktasyon Karlılığı ve Verim Özellikleri Arasındaki Genotopik Korelasyonlar

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, ıslah programlarında kullanılmak üzere doğrusal tip özellikleri, verim özellikleri ve birinci laktasyon karlılığı arasındaki genetik korelasyonların tespitini yapmaktır.Materyal ve Metot: Araştırma 2012-2017 yılları arasında Hatay ilinde yürütülmüştür. Araştırmada toplam 810 baş birinci laktasyonda olan inek kullanılmıştır. Genetik parametrelerinin varyans ve kovaryanslarının analizi ise Multivariate Limited Maximum Likelihood testi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir.Bulgular: Ortalama inek başına birinci laktasyon net kar, 305-gün süt verimi, ilk buzağılama yaşı, ilk tohumlamada gebe kalma oranı ve kolay doğum oranı 540 US$, 6008 kg, 793 gün, %61.6 ve %91.7 olarak belirlenmiştir. Doğrusal tip özellikleri ile verim özelliklerinin kalıtım dereceleri sırasıyla; 0.10-0.42 ve 0.04-0.39 arasında tahmin edilmiştir. Birinci laktasyon karlılığı ile doğrusal tip özellikleri arasındaki genetik korelasyonlar -0.08 ve 0.42 arasında, birinci laktasyon karlılığı ile verim özellikleri arasındaki korelasyonlar 0.06 ve 0.34. arasında tahmin edilmiştir. Birinci laktasyon karlılığı ile en yüksek korelasyonu meme merkez bağı (0.42) gösterirken, en düşük korelasyonu meme derinliği (-0.08) göstermiştir. Yine birinci laktasyon karlılığı ile en yüksek korelasyonu süt proteini verimi (0.34) gösterirken, en düşük korelasyonu ilk tohumlamada gebe kalma oranı (0.09) göstermiştir. Doğrusal tip özellikleri ile verim özellikleri arasındaki genetik korelasyonlar -0.42 (Ayak açısı ve ilk tohumlamada gebe kalma oranı) ile 0.49 (Sütçü tip özelliği ve 305-gün süt verimi) arasında değişiklik göstermiştir.Sonuç: Araştırma sonuçları, birinci laktasyondaki daha fazla sütçü tipe sahip, ön meme bağlantısı güçlü, güçlü ayak ve bacak yapısına sahip ineklerin, birinci laktasyonda daha karlı olduklarını ve süt sığırı ıslah programlarında doğrusal tip özellikleri ile verim özellikleri arasındaki bu genetik korelasyonlardan yararlanılarak, daha isabetli seleksiyon yapılabileceğini ortaya koymuştur.

Genetic parameters for clinical mastitis in Czech Holstein cattle

Genetic parameters were estimated for clinical mastitis in Czech Holstein cattle. The datasets included 14 329 cows with 28 626 lactations. Clinical mastitis was defined as 0/1 occurrence per lactation. Single- or multi-trait repeatability linear animal models were employed for estimation of (co)variances and prediction of conventional or genomic breeding values. The inclusion of the random herd-year-month effect in the model was analysed. The estimated heritability for clinical mastitis ranged from 2.10% to 2.72%, while permanent environmental variance ratios or random herd-year-month effect ratios were twice higher than heritability. In the multi-trait models, udder type traits, such as fore udder attachment, rear udder attachment, rear udder width, front teat placement and udder depth, were employed. The highest genetic correlations of clinical mastitis occurred with rear udder width (0.41) and the lowest with front teat placement (–0.10). Both the multi-trait model and the genomic model provided breeding value estimates with higher reliability. In contrast, the model with random herd-year-season effects provided breeding values with lower accuracy.

INFLUENCE OF UDDER DESCRIPTIVE LINEAR TRAITS ON COWS LIFETIME OF UKRAINIAN DAIRY BREEDS

Studies have been performed to determine the relationship between assessment of linear udder traits and lifetime of cows. Experiments were carried out in the herd of breeding farm AF "Mayak" Zolotonosha district of Cherkasy region on the number of cows of Ukrainian Red-and-White (URW) and Black-and-White (UBW) dairy breeds. Estimation of cows firstborn by conformation type was carried out according to the method of linear classification. It was found that cows with higher estimates for condition of udder morphological traits have a longer lifetime compared to animals rated lower score. The difference between cows, rated at one and nine score for trait of the front udder part attachment, was very significant and amounted 939 (URW) and 710 (UBW) days. The difference between the lowest and highest estimates on the basis of height rear udder parts attachment was 687 (URW) and 878 (UBW) days. Animals with an assessment for udder central ligament development below the average (1.4 score) were used from 1675 to 1832 (URW) and from 1535 to 1810 (UBW) days according to estimated breeds. Cows with an assessment of nine score differed by higher lifetime - 2377 days, exceeding cows with the lowest score at 702 days (URW) and 2322 days with reliable excess on 785 days (UBW). The difference between the average lifetime of cows estimated at nine score and with assessment of one score for udder depth was 618 days in cows URW and in UBW - 762 days. It has been proven that cows were used longer in the herd with estimates for front teats position from five to nine score, and a significant decrease in lifetime of cows began with an estimate for this trait from three to one score. Thus, assessment of cows Ukrainian Red-and-White and Black-and-White dairy breeds by the method of linear classification confirmed that the desired development of udder morphological traits was the key to long lifetime cows in modern technological conditions of milk production.

Analysis of the relationship between milk production, milk composition and morphological udder measurements in Wallachian sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of udder measurements for prediction of milk yield, milk components and somatic cell count in non-dairy Wallachian sheep. The study was performed on 38 ewes in the Beskids Mountains kept under extensive management on pasture. Milk production (MILK) as well as samples for milk component and somatic cell count determination were collected during two separate control days (42&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt; day and 100&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; day of lactation on average). Rear udder depth (RUD, cm), udder width (UW, cm), and teat length (TL, mm) were measured at each control day as well. Linear regressions of udder measurement characteristics showed a predictive character ability for MILK only. An increasing of 70 g MILK corresponded with a 1 cm increase of RUD (P &amp;lt; 0.01) or 1 cm increase of UW (P &amp;lt; 0.001). These positive linear relationships were supported by the positive partial correlation analysis between MILK and RUD (r = 0.503; P &amp;lt; 0.001) or MILK and UW (r = 0.627; P &amp;lt; 0.001). An increase of 1 mm TL was associated with a 10 g (P &amp;lt; 0.01) increase of MILK; however, correlations between these traits were not significant. Results of this study demonstrate an alternative way of MILK ability in non-dairy Wallachian sheep population in general. Correlation and regression analysis further estimated this expected potential in detail using udder measurement characteristics. Measurement of RUD and UW could serve as a tool for breeding and flock management in order to maintain and improve milk production; however, there was no obvious evidence for the prediction of milk composition characteristics and somatic cell count.

CONFORMATION TYPE OF FIRST-CALF COWS OF HOLSTEIN BREED EVALUATED BY THE METHOD OF LINEAR CLASSIFICATION

The research was carried out in the aspect of estimating first-calf cows of the Holstein breed (Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed with a conditional Holstein bloodline above 93.75%) by the conformation type. Estimation of the conformation type of cows was performed according to the method of linear classification according to the latest ICAR recommendations at the age of 2–4 months after calving by two systems: 9-score, with a linear description of 18 conformation body parts and 100-score system taking into account four sets of breeding traits, that characterize: expression of dairy type, body development, legs condition and morphological qualities of udder. Each conformation complex was estimated independently having its own weight in the final score of the animal: dairy type – 15%, body – 20%; legs – 25% and udder – 40%. The research base was the herd of breeding farm of the company "Ukrlandfarming" PE "Buryns'ke" Pidlisnivskyi branch in Sumy region.&#x0D; The obtained indicators of linear classification of first-born cows according to the 100-score system showed that within the four sets of traits the average level of assessment was within the range of "good with plus". Experimental animals were characterized by good development of group traits of dairy type (83.5 score), body condition (82.8 score), limbs (83.6 score), udder (83.8 score) and the final assessment (83.5 score).&#x0D; The level of estimates for development of 18 main descriptive conformation traits of first-born cows, provided by the method of linear classification, differed in significant intra-herd variability (16.5–38.1%). The estimated animals of the pedigree farm were characterized by well-defined height (6.7 score), body depth (7.2 score), angularity (7.5 score), rump angle (5.2 score) and width (6.6 score), pelvic limbs posture (7.5 score), fore (7.3 score) and rear (7.2 score) udder parts attachment, central ligament (7.5 score), udder depth (6.8 score) and locomotion (7.3 score). In general, conformation type of first-born cows had a fairly good characteristic of the descriptive traits that determine their dairy type of productivity.&#x0D; The use of the method of linear classification in the selection process of dairy cattle will be a very effective means of objective determination of the breed characteristics of the conformation type of cows. The presence of relationship between the final type assessment and the level of milk productivity will facilitate effective breeding in the selection of animals for this trait.

Milk production variations between rear and fore udder-halves in Barela dromedary camel

A number of twenty Barela camels were selected from herds present in Thal desert to study the variations from fore and rear part of the udder. The she-camels of 35 parity numbers in early to mid-stage lactation (1–12 months) were selected. All animals were milked twice daily on equal time intervals. The animals were allowed grazing/browsing daily for 10 hr while supplemented with gram straw when back to home. Twice watering was done. The fore and rear half measurements of udder include teat length, width, distance between teats, udder depth and side-wise distance. Regarding results the depth of rear quarters (cm) was found to be 29.36 ± 2.85 (P < 0.05) deep than fore quarters (25.85 ± 2.98). Teat length, width and distance between fore and rear teats were found significantly different (P < 0.05) while side-wise distance between teats (right & left) was found non-significant. The rear teats were found to be longer and thicker than the fore teats. The data regarding milk production and composition showed that rear-half produced significantly as 56.5% of total milk production and the fore-half 43.5%. The rear quarters produced more milk (P < 0.05) as 4.22 ± 0.85 than 3.27 ± 0.73 kg in fore quarters. The rear quarter milk was richer in fats, proteins and total solids percentage as 2.44 ± 0.22, 2.16 ± 0.26 and 2.16 ± 0.26 than 1.92 ± 0.26, 1.53 ± 0.22 and 6.02 ± 0.24 respectively in fore quarters. The fore quarter scored higher (P < 0.05) in lactose percentage as 2.83 ± 0.42 than 2.13 ± 0.31% in rear quarter. The nutrients from rear quarter milk were greater than fore quarter milk. The results could be used for future recommendations about calf feeding programs of camel husbandry in Pakistan.

FEATURES OF CONFORMATION TYPE OF COWS BROWN CATTLE OF SUMY REGION ESTIMATED BY THE METHOD OF LINEAR CLASSIFICATION

Researches cows firstborn of Lebedynsk, Ukrainian Brown dairy, Brown Swiss, estimated by the method of linear classification were carried out on livestock population in Sumy region. The interbreed variability was installed according to assessment by 100-score system of linear classification and by 18 descriptive traits of 9-score scale. Traits of dairy type were better expressed in cows of Swiss breed (83.5 score) against 80.4 and 81.8 scores in peers of Lebedynsk and Ukrainian Brown dairy. The traits of cows' body didn't differ in significant variability when comparing the tested breeds and were within the error of average value (83.6-83.9 scores). The average assessment of cows firstborn of Brown Swiss breed for udder morphological traits at the level of 83.1 scores exceeded animals assessments of Lebedynsk (80.4 scores) and Ukrainian Brown dairy (81.8 scores) breeds. Descriptive traits, in contrast to the group, have a significant level of variability, regardless of the assessed breed. High and reliable relationships were established between the assessment of group traits and the amount of milk yield during the first lactation, that characterize dairy type (0.222-0.433; (P &lt;0.001), body development (0.392-0.412; P &lt;0.001) and udder (0.364 -0.484; P &lt;0.001). The correlation coefficients between the final assessment of type and milk yield in animals of the experimental breeds were in the range of 0.377-0.378 (P &lt;0.001). A positive correlation was observed for almost all individual descriptive traits of conformation and milk yield within the experimental breeds, with the exception of udder depth (-0.119 ... -0.085), teat length (-0.044 ... -0.115) and body condition (-0.256 ... -0.303). According to the results of a linear assessment of Brown cows, the best indicators of conformation type were in Brown Swiss, characterizing it as a specialized dairy type. Lebedynsk cattle, according to the traits of linear classification, approached the combined type, and Ukrainian Brown dairy cattle occupied an intermediate position between scores of Lebedynsk and Swiss breeds with characteristic traits of dairy type.

Post-lambing maternal effects in hair ewes fed omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the late gestation

Soybean oil (SBO) is rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and its dietary supplementation during late gestation to ewes improves colostrum production and lamb pre-weaning growth; however, little is known about the long-term maternal effects after lambing. So, aim was to determine the effects of dietary inclusion level of SBO (0 [control], 30 and 60 g kg-1 dry matter) during late pregnancy on udder size, milk secretion, and dam metabolism during the first 60 d post-lambing. Thirty Katahdin x Pelibuey multiparous ewes (100 d of gestation) were blocked and randomly assigned within each block to three treatments. After lambing, ewes were fed the same lactation diet until 60 d post-lambing and study variables were measured on this period every 10 d. Solids non-fat in milk from control ewes were lower at day 10 and greater at day 20 compared to milk from SBO-fed ewes, although opposite effects were observed for lactose content on those days. Udder volume, depth and width increased linearly as the SBO level increased. Body status, physiological variables, milk production and serum analyte concentrations were unaffected by SBO. It was concluded that feeding hair ewes in late gestation with diets including SBO improves udder size, and solids non-fat and lactose content in milk, without affecting dam metabolism, during the post-lambing period.

Appraisal of Linear Type Traits in Simmental Cows Reared on High Altitude of Eastern Turkey

The study was carried out to investigate the magnitude of non-genetic factors influencing linear type traits and to estimate phenotypic correlations among these traits in Simmental cows. The 16 linear type traits were recorded for 148 Simmental cows reared in a private farm in Eastern Turkey. A statistical model used in this research included fixed effects of stage of lactation, parity, season at time of classification and classifier. The age at time of classification was included to the statistical model as co-variable. Parity, stage of lactation, season at time of classification and classifier effect was significant (P<0.01-0.05) for chest width, angularity, teat placement side view, body depth. Parity, stage of lactation, season at time of classification effect was significant (P<0.01-0.05) for rear leg rear view, rump width, suspensory ligament and udder depth. Linear and quadratic effects of age at time of classification were also significant (P<0.01-0.05) for rump width, rump angle, teat placement rear view, foot angle, suspensory ligament and udder depth. Phenotypic correlations among linear type traits were in low to medium range.

Udder Morphometry and Its Relationship with Intramammary Infections and Somatic Cell Count in Serrana Goats.

Simple SummaryThe present study aimed to characterize the external morphological traits of the mammary gland and their relationships with the presence of intramammary infection and the somatic cell count (SCC) of Serrana goats, Transmontano ecotype. Bifurcated pendular udders, with vertical loose teats and located close to each other, are more likely to have intramammary infection, and have the highest SCC. The udder shape, symmetry, degree of suspension and degree of separation parameters have shown to be significantly different depending on SCC.The external morphological traits of the mammary gland, and their relationships with somatic cell count (SCC) and the presence of intramammary infection (IMI), were studied in 30 Serrana goats, Transmontano ecotype. Globular-shaped udders were the most predominant, with slightly separated and symmetrical halves, presenting some degree of suspension. Funnel-shaped teats were the most prevalent shape with an opening of 120° to 160° degrees. Significant differences were observed between healthy group and the coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS)-infected group for udder cleft, teat perimeter and distance between teats parameters; and between healthy group and CNS or Staphylococcus aureus groups for degree of separation, teat shape and udder shape (p < 0.05). The udder shape, symmetry, degree of suspension and degree of separation parameters showed to be different depending on SCC (p < 0.05). The udder perimeter and udder depth traits showed differences between the lowest and the middle SCC group. We concluded that bifurcated pendular udders, with vertical loose teats and located close to each other, are more likely to have IMI, and have the highest SCC. The inclusion in breeding programs of certain mammary conformation traits would not only help to improve milk production, but would also decrease the susceptibility to IMI of the herd.

Cow's functional traits and physiological status and their relation with milk yield and milk quality in a compost bedded pack barn system

ABSTRACT We aimed to determine the relationship of milk yield, milk composition, and somatic cell score (SCS) with functional traits (lameness score, udder cleanliness score, udder depth, and teat end hyperkeratosis score) and physiological status (parity and days in milk (DIM) of cows housed in compost bedded pack barn system (CBP) using multivariate analysis. Data were collected in September and October of 2017 and evaluated using factor and cluster analysis. Four factors were formed, with the first factor showing the [...]