Udder Length Research Articles

Morphometric characterization of udder and teat of Jennies

The present study was conducted in eight districts of Marathwada region, Maharashtra, India. A pre-survey was carried to find the maximum available population of donkeys in the respective area. Two hundred two (202) female donkeys were selected for the study. The data was collected based on morphometry of udder, teat, physiological status, pregnancy, lactation, and milk composition. Udder traits such as udder length, udder depth, udder width, udder circumference and teat traits such as teat length and teat diameter were found highly significant in lactating Jennies when compared with dry and pregnant females. The milk composition parameters were milk fat (MF), milk protein (MP), milk solid not fat (MSNF), total solid (TS), odour (O) and test (T): 1.31±0.08, 1±0.01, 6.93±0.03, 8.31±0.09% and 4593±120 per ml, respectively, for overall lactating jennet population.

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.

Association Between Body and Udder Measurement Traits and Milk Yield of Holstein Cows

The association between body and udder measurements can be used towards the improvement of milk yield. Hence, this study aimed to identify the udder measurement traits and body measurement traits that may be used by farmers to increase milk yield of Holstein cows. The study was conducted at Limpopo Dairy Farm in Makhado Local Municipality at Louis Trichardt, Limpopo Province, South Africa where a total of 50 lactating Holstein cows were used. Pearson’s correlation technique was used for data analysis. Findings between body measurement traits and milk yield showed that milk yield had a highly positive significant (p ˂ 0.01) correlation with rump height (r = 0.55), and positive significant (p < 0.05) with withers height (r = 0.44) and body length (r = 0.42). Results between udder measurement traits and milk yield showed that milk yield had a highly positive significant (p < 0.01) correlation with udder length before milking (r = 0.57), udder circumference before milking (r = 0.55) and udder circumference after milking (r = 0.51) The results also showed that milk yield had a positive significant (p < 0.05) correlation with teat diameter before milking (r = 0.30), teat length before milking (r = 0.31), teat circumference before milking (r = 0.36) and udder length after milking (0.47). The findings imply that all traits correlated with milk yield can be used to enhance milk yield of Holstein cows through selection during breeding. Vol. 10, No. 3, December 2023: 335-340

Effects of Parity on Udder and Teat Traits among Three Breeds of Cattle Raised Extensively in Nigeria

Selection of dairy cows traditionally among farmers using phenotypic traits is a major problem in the northern part of Nigeria. This work studied udder and teat traits of cows based on three parities (parity 1, 2 and 3). The knowledge of the relationship between the physical characteristics of the udder and teats with milk yield as selection indices would improve performance in dairy cattle. A total of 270 cows comprising 90 each of Sokoto Gudali, White Fulani and Red Bororo were used in this study. Each breed was further divided into 3 groups of thirty cows according to parity (Parity 1, 2, and 3). Udder traits measured were udder width (UW), udder length (UL) and udder depth (UD) while teat traits were front teat length (FTL), hind teat length (HTL), distance between front and hind teat (DBFHT), distance within front teat (DWFT), distance within hind teat (DWHT). Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that in Sokoto Gudali, Parity 2 and 3 were similar and significantly (p<0.05) superior in FTL (6.570.43cm and 6.710.42cm) and DBFHT (9.500.50cm and 9.280.47cm) respectively whereas parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) low in FTL (5.330.32cm) and DBFHT (8.300.49cm). Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) low in HTL (5.250.31cm) and UD (42.900.54cm) whereas parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) superior in HTL (7.070.60cm) and UD (49.140.34cm). In White Fulani cows, Parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) higher in DWFT (9.900.37cm), UW (29.100.43cm) and UL (28.300.44cm). Parity 1 and parity 2 were statistically similar and significantly (p<0.05) lower in DWFT, UW and UL as 7.400.40cm and 8.100.27cm, 26.000.59cm and 27.000.49cm and 26.000.59cm and 26.800.41cm respectively. In Red Bororo cows, Parity 2 and Parity 3 were statistically similar and significantly (p<0.05) higher in FTL and HTL as 6.200.29cm 5.60030cm and 6.130.52cm and 5.500.43cm respectively whereas Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) lower in FTL (4.500.31cm) and HTL (4.00021cm). Parity 3 was significantly (p<0.05) superior in UW 27.630.03cm whereas Parity 1 was significantly (p<0.05) low in UW 23.800.47cm. The study discovered that Parity had a significant effect on udder and teat traits in all three breeds studied.

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.

Kilis Keçilerinde Süt Verimi ve Meme Sarkıklığı Arasındaki İlişkiler

Bu çalışma; Kilis keçilerinin süt verimi ile meme sarkıklığı arasında herhangi bir ilişki olup olmadığının belirlenmesi için yapılmıştır. Çalışma, Kilis’in Polateli ilçesinde bir işletmede yetiştirilen 73 baş Kilis keçisi üzerinde yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla keçilerden Meme Üst Yüksekliği (MÜY), Sarnıç Derinliği (SD), Meme Derinliği (MD), Meme Başları Arası Mesafe (MBAM), Meme Alt Yüksekliği (MAY) ve Meme Başı Yüksekliği (MBY) gibi bazı meme ölçüleri alınmış ve keçilerin bir günlük süt verimleri (GSV) tespit edilmiştir. Bu meme ölçülerine ait en küçük kareler ortalamaları sırasıyla; 47.66±0.36 cm, 21.35±0.58 cm, 15.53±0.47 cm, 21.59±0.57 cm, 26.31±0.59 cm ve 23.67±0.60 cm olarak belirlenmiştir. GSV ise 687.09±32.37 g olarak hesaplanmıştır. Keçinin yaşı bu özelliklerden sadece MÜY üzerine etkiliyken, doğum tipinin ise MÜY ve MD özelliklerini etkilediği belirlenmiştir (P

Conformation and morphological features of the udder of fi rst-calf heifers depending on their belonging to genealogical line

The object of research was the fi rst-calf heifers of Black-and-White breed. The purpose of the work was to assess the conformation and morphological features of the udder of fi rst-calf heifers depending on their belonging to genealogical line. Three groups were formed per 30 heads in each for 2–3 months of on the fi rst lactation depending on belonging to the genealogical line. The 1st group included the daughters of sires of the line Wes Back Idial 1013415, the 2nd group of line Montwik Chieftain 95679, the 3rd group of line Refl ection Sovereign 198998. The research was carried out in CJSC “Konstantinovo” in the Penza district of the Penza region. It was found on the base of a linear evaluation of the conformation of the fi rst-calf heifers that the cows of the line Refl ection Sovereign 198998 turned out to be taller, which also had an advantage in the largest number of indicators, namely, the strength of the physique, the position of the pelvis, muscularity, the setting of the hind limbs, the angle of the hoof, the width of the rear udder parts and the length of the teats. The cows of the line Montwick Chieftain 95679 turned out to be more close to the optimal indicators of the linear assessment and diff ered in many ways such as trunk depth, hind limb positioning, hoof angle, length of the anterior udder parts, height of attachment of the posterior udder parts, udder cleft, location of the anterior teats, teats length. The decrease in udder length was more signifi cant in cows of the line Wes Back Ideal 1013415 and Refl ection Sovereign 198998. The characteristics of cows of Black-and-White holsteinezied breed taking into account the methodology of linear evaluation of the udder and its decline indicators, gives a confi dent understanding and judgment about the use of animals in dairy cattle breeding of individual groups formed depending on the belonging to genealogical line, having high indicators close to livestock standards.

Phenotypic biodiversity characterization of dromedary camels and hybrids in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is one of the rare camel countries with rich camel biodiversity where different dromedary camels, Bactrian camels, and hybrid types are cohabiting at the same territories during centuries. Several data on phenotype biodiversity of local camels are available, mostly published during Soviet Union time using few body quantitative measurements. Unfortunately, those data are not sufficient to place the local breeds among the world camel population. The aim of this study was to describe detailed phenotype parameters of dromedary camels and hybrids in Kazakhstan and to compare our animals with the other camel populations in the world. As the whole, six camel farms were visited, located in different regions of southern Kazakhstan. In total, 185 female camels (Aruana breed camels and hybrids) were described by the phenotype questionnaire. There was a significant effect of "breed" on the different parameters except udder depth and body length. Most of the measurements were lower in Aruana compared to hybrids. The discriminating factorial analysis confirmed the clear separation between the breed based on their body measurements with a total of 95% of well-classed. The main discriminating parameters (allowing distinguishing the populations) were in the order: (i) the length of the head, (ii) the neck length, (iii) the neck circumference, (iv) the teat length, and (v) the udder length.

Udder, teat, and milk vein measurements of Indian dromedary camel and its relationship with milkability traits.

The economic viability of the camel in the current scenario can be ensured by improving its dairy potential. The study on the udder and teat characteristics of dromedary camel and understanding its relationship with milk yield and milkability can be of great value in establishing camel as a dairy animal. The present study was conducted on 45 lactating she-camels of four Indian camel breeds, viz., Bikaneri, Jaisalmeri, Kachchhi, and Mewari, stationed at ICAR-NRCC Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. The udder, teat, and milk vein measurements traits, factors affecting these traits and their relationship with milkability traits, were studied in hand-milked Indian dromedary camel. The means ± S.E. of teat lengths (TL), namely, left fore (LF), left rear (LR), right fore (RF), and right rear (RR), were observed as 52.21 ± 1.66, 58.52 ± 2.11, 50.13 ± 1.74, and 54.37 ± 1.82mm, respectively. The means ± S.E. of teat diameter (TD), namely, left fore, left rear, right fore, and right rear teat diameters, were observed as 42.44 ± 1.60, 46.01 ± 1.68, 39.29 ± 1.31, and 45.20 ± 1.56mm, respectively. The means ± S.E for udder depth, udder length, udder height from the ground, milk vein diameter, and milk vein length were observed as 25.44 ± 0.42, 37.29 ± 0.80, 114.80 ± 0.80, 2.02 ± 0.08, and 88.70 ± 0.96cm, respectively. Udder and milk vein measurements did not differ significantly between breeds. Kachchhi breed has largest teat length and diameter. The breed differences were significant (p ≤ 0.05) for TL-LF, TL-RF, and TD-RR only. The effect of parity was non-significant on udder, teat, and milk vein measurement traits except TD-RR (p ≤ 0.05); however, second parity animals had higher values for all the studied traits except udder height from ground. Positive and highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) correlation of milk yield was observed with the majority of udder, teat, and milk vein measurements, milking time, and milk flow rate, while a negative correlation was found with udder height from ground and milk let-down time. It can be concluded that udder characteristics are influenced by various genetic and non-genetic factors and its relationship with milk yield and milkability can be used for selection and dairy management purposes.

Determination of Linear Udder Traits of Norduz Sheep

Background: A limited number of studies in non-dairy sheep breeds have investigated the assessment of udder morphology on a linear scale. The aim of this study was to use the linear scoring approach to determine the morphological udder traits of non-dairy Norduz ewes. Methods: Udder traits were measured once in mid-lactation (approximately 90 days) for each ewe before the milking. Udder measurements included the following traits: udder width, udder circumference, udder length, udder depth, teat diameter, teat length, the distance between two teats and teat height from the ground. Linear scoring was done after the udder measurements were taken. Result: Linear udder scores for teat placement, udder depth, the degree of separation of two halves and the degree of udder suspension were found as 4.10, 6.88, 3.15 and 7.54, respectively. Measurements related to udder size were positively and significantly correlated with each other. As a result, the 9-point linear scale utilized in this study was found to be appropriate for evaluating the udder shape of Norduz ewes. However, it would be beneficial to develop an uncomplicated, easy and practical linear scale that accurately evaluates udder morphology for non-dairy breeds.

Korelasi Antara Ukuran Tubuh dan Karakteristik Ambing Terhadap Produksi Susu Kambing Saanen di Daerah Tropis

The aim of this research was to determine the correlation between udder and body size of Saanen goats on milk production in BBPTU-HPT Baturraden. Total of 61 lactating Saanen goats were used in this study. The size of the udder was measured including the width and length of the udder, the inner and outer circusmference of the udder, the shape and volume of the udder, the length, circumference and direction of the nipple. Body measurements were measured including chest circumference, ear length and width, and body length and height. Body and udder characteristics were assessed once before milking while milk production was measured each milking. Data were analyzed using regression analysis. The correlation between body length, chest circumference, height, ear length, ear width, and neck wattle with milk production were 1.0%, 0.0%, 4.1%, 5.1%, 2.1 %, and 0.0% respectively. The correlation between udder volume, udder outer circumference, udder inner circumference, udder width, udder length, nipple circumference, and nipple length with milk production were 54.5%, 49.4%, 41.4%, 55.9,%, 10.9%, 24.2%, and 28.4% respectively. Saanen goat milk production had a correlation with udder characteristics but had no correlation with body size.

Morphological and functional traits and main disadvantages of the udder in cows of Black-and-White breed

The object of research was the first-calf cows of Black-and-White breed. The groups were formed taking into account the part of blood of Holstein breed. The 1st group included animals with the part of blood than 50 % (an average of 37 % in the group), the 2nd with the part of blood of 50 % and the 3rd more than 50 % (an average of 63 % in the group). An increase in the part of blood in animals in the farm to 63 % had a positive effect on changing the shape of the udder. Thus, in the group of low the part of blood animals there were 78,2 % of cows with a cup-shaped shape and 21,8 % with a rounded one. Among half-blood cows with the cup-shaped udder accounted for 92,2 %, and with the rounded one it was 7,8 %, among the high part of blood it was 94,8 and 5,2 %%, respectively. In terms of udder length and depth measurements, cows with the high part of blood outperformed cows with the low part of blood by 2,5 cm (р < 0,01) and 2,1 cm (р < 0,01), respectively. In terms of udder decline, the difference between these groups of animals was 5,7 abs.% (р < 0,01) in favor of animals with the higher proportion of Holstein breed blood. First-calf cows with half part of blood and the high part of blood of Holstein breed were ahead of their herd mates with the low part of blood in terms of the rate of milk speed out the difference was 0,3 kg/min (р < 0,05) and 0,4 kg/min (р < 0,001), respectively. The most common udder defect (10 %)was narrow rear teats, while in the group with the high part of blood cows its occurrence was the lowest 6,7 %. The sum of the frequencies of udder defects in cows with the high part of blood was 16,7 % versus 23,3 % in the other two groups. We recommend to use purebred Holstein sires for mating with low-blood heifers and cows, and using sires with the part of blood of Holstein breed of 62 to 75 % or breeding “inter se” on heifers and cows with the higher proportion of blood of Holstein breed.

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.

​Discriminant Analysis to Characterize Mastitis Resistant and Susceptible Karan Fries Cows and Response Operating Characteristics Curve for Comparing Regression/ Discriminant Model

Background: The profitability in the dairy enterprises is strongly affected by udder health and, to a minor extent, by morphometry. The present study was conducted to differentiate mastitis susceptible and resistant animals based on udder and teat type traits infrequently exist. Methods: The study was undertaken in ICAR-NDRI, Karnal of Haryana. A discriminate model was applied to differentiate mastitis susceptible and resistant Karan Fries cows for the study. For meeting the objective; 123 Karan Fries cows were subjected to developing a reliable mathematical function/equation (discriminant functions) for the provision of maximum separation among the mastitis resistant and susceptible animals. The hypothesis was designed to know if these udder and type traits appeal to mastitis-resistant and susceptible animals. The hypothesis for testing the equality of covariance matrices was depicted as: H0: ∑1 = ∑2 Vrs H1: At least one pair of sigma’s ∑ is different. Result: The model included contributory factors such as fore udder length, central ligament, udder balance, shortest distance of floor from fore teat (SDFT), shortest distance of floor from rear teat (SDRT), fore udder attachment (FUA), teat direction, Rear legs rearview, Hock development, udder depth, and udder width constructed and was found to demonstrate 69.1 per cent accuracy with p less than 0.001 and the Karan Fries functions at group centroids are -0.169 and 0.443 respectively for mastitis resistant and mastitis infected animals. The model will facilitate 92.1 per cent of the cases to correctly classify for mastitis resistant animals and the remaining 7.9 per cent being misclassified into the mastitis group.

Genetic Profiling of PHKA2 Gene and its Association with Udder Type Traits in Indian Dairy Cattle

Background: The experiment aimed to investigate polymorphisms in exon 2 of the PHKA2 gene and investigate the relationship between identified single nucleotide polymorphism and udder type traits in Sahiwal cows. Udder morphometry is being used as a forecaster of production performance in cows since older times. Finding the variants associated with these traits in largely variable region of PHKA2 gene can prove to be highly beneficial. Methods: DNA isolated from Sahiwal cows was analysed by DNA sequencing. Nine udder type and five teat types were measured for each animal according to procedure followed by International committee of animal recording (2012). Result: Three SNPs g.124497381C greater than T, X:124497248 G greater than A and X:124497189 C greater than T were identified. Recessive homozygotes were negligible as mutant allele exhibited very low ranging frequency (from 0.02 to 0.08) for the targeted loci. Identified point mutation g.124497381C greater than T was found to be significantly (p less than 0.05) associated with distance between teats and central ligament, SNP X: 124497248G greater than A with rear udder width, fore udder attachment, udder depth, udder length and teat length (p less than 0.05) and SNP X: 124497189 C greater than T with udder length and rear udder height (p less than 0.05). Interaction of identified SNPs and udder traits highlighted the gene’s potential as a candidate gene for selecting for conformation traits in Indian Sahiwal cattle.

The Development of udder Measurements during Gestation in the Maghrebi She-Camel

The udders were followed by monthly observation and measurement starting from the day of mating (Dm = 0d) in 13 pregnant Maghrebi she-camels. They were classified according to the multiple parities into three classes (1-2 parities), (3-4 parities) and (5-6 parities). These measurements included: udder length, udder horizontal circumference, udder semi-vertical circumference, udder depth, udder size, udder height, teat length, teat diameter, and distance between teats. In all different udder measurements, the differences were ascending, from (1-2 parities) to (5-6 parities). Those differences varied between significant and non-significant according to the convergence between the multiple parities classes. The measurements did not agree with each other on a constant rate of increase in growth rates. Each measure differed from the rest of the measurements in its rates of increase between multiple parities classes. The differences were very clear in some of the measurements, while they diminished in others. No significant increase was observed in udder measurements during gestation, which were divided into five stages. The results of the study indicated that the effect the multiple parities in the Maghrebi she-camels had a significant impact on the udder measurements of all Types, much greater than the effect of the stages of one gestation on those measurements.

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.

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>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.

Evaluation of Udder traits in West African Dwarf Goats

Udder traits of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and factors influencing them were studied using 185 does located in South Western Nigeria. Traits evaluated were udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC) and udder volume (UV). Others were teat length (TL), teat width (TW), teat circumference (TC) distance between teats (DT) and height of teat from the ground (HTG). Udder length was significantly (P<0.001) influenced by age, lactation status and liveweight. The increase in UL with age was quadratic. Lactating does had longer udders than non-lactating does by 1.93cm. Effects of lactation status and live weight on UW were highly significant (P<0.001). Lactating does had wider udders (10.40±0.30 cm) than non-lactating does (8.66 ± 0.27 cm). Udder circumference was significantly (P < 0.001) influenced by lactation status and liveweight. Lactating does had UC of 27.69 ± 2.51 cm compared to 23.79 ± 0.40 cm in non-lactating does. Age, lactation status and liveweight had significant (P<0.05) effects on UV. The increase in UV with age was significant, rising froin 637.98 ± 49.69 cm3 at 1-2 years to 934.51 ± 75.90cm3 at above 4 years. Lactating does had larger UV (923.43 ± 39.97 cm3) (P<0.001) than non-lactating does (617.61 ± 33.00 cm3). The mean values for the udder traits adjusted to that of 3-4 years old lactating doe, were for UL, 11.6 ± 0.17 cm; UW, (9.42 ± 0.13cm; UC, 25.69 ± 0.44cm and UV, 817.93 ± 25.92 cm3. Others were 2.19± 0.03, 1.09 ± 0.02, 3.40 ± 0.05, 8.87±0.12 and 16.14±0.23 cm for TL, TW, TC, DT and HTG respectively. This study showed that age, lactation status and liveweight are major factors influencing udder traits in West African Dwarf goats. A major advantage of this study is the provision of some basic information on udder Traits of West African Dwarf goats.

Changes in udder size and liveweight of West African Dwarf, Red Sokoto and Sahel goats during lactation and their phenotypic relationship with partial daily milk yield

Changes in udder size and liveweight (LWT) of ten West African Dwarf (WAD), three Red Sokoto (RS) and three Sahel goats during lactation and their phenotypic relationship with partial daily milk yield (PDM) were studied. Udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC), udder volume (UV), distance between teats (DBT), teat height to ground (THG), teat length (TL), teat width (TW), teat circumference (TC) and LWT of does were determined weekly for 12 weeks of lactation commencing from 4 days post partum. There was increase in udder size arising from increases in all udder dimensions (except THG) of WAD from 1st - 3rd week of lactation and RS and Sahel from 1st- 2nd week of lactation when they peaked and thereafter declined up to 12 weeks of lactation. Partial daily milk yield followed the same pattern as the udder dimensions, Sahel dues had the largest udder size with highest average PDM, except for TC' which was largest in RS does. The WAD does had the smallest udder size with lowest average PDM. Largest size of udder was obtained on the day of peak milk yield. The correlation between udder dimensions, LWT and PDM were obtained with UL (r = 0.23), UW (r = 0.30), UC (r = 0.52), UV (r = 0,50), DBT (r = 0.57), THG (r = -0.32), TL (r = 0.09). TW (r = 0.226), TC (* = 0.36) and LWT (r = 0.50). Since, UW, UC, UV, DBT, TC and LUT of lactating goats showed significantly high correlation to average PDM, they could be good indicators of milk yield requiring further investigation as genetic markers.