Udder Length Research Articles

Udder Morphological Traits and Milk Yield of Chilota and Suffolk Down Sheep Breeds

Morphological traits of the whole udder (circumference, width, height, and length), teats (angle, length and width), udder cistern (teat opening and cistern height), and milk yield were measured over one lactation in a total of 18 ewes (nine Chilota and nine Suffolk Down sheep) belonging to the same experimental flock (Centro Experimental INIA Butalcura, Chiloe, Chile). Analysis of variance showed significant effects for breed, sheep within breed, and stage of lactation. Chilota ewes evidenced greater udder circumference (433 mm), udder length (86 mm), teat opening (96o), and milk yield (947 mL d -1 ) than Suffolk Down ewes (410 mm, 77 mm, 93o, and 559 mL d -1 , respectively). Udder circumference, udder width, udder length, cistern height and teat size significantly decreased throughout lactation. Repeatabilities of all traits were between 0.17 and 0.60; the highest repeatability was for udder circumference. This trait is easy to measure and had a discriminatory value for breed differentiation. In conclusion, Chilota sheep had a dairy aptitude greater than Suffolk Down sheep and similar to Spanish and Mediterranean dairy sheep breeds at beginning of their breeding programs.

Analysis of the phenotypic relationships between type traits and functional survival in Czech Fleckvieh cows

The phenotypic relationships between type traits and functional traits were analyzed in 47 786 Czech Fleckvieh cows first calved from 1994 to 2003. Functional survival was defined as the number of days from first calving to culling. All the cows were scored for conformation during the first lactation. Type information consisted of phenotypic type scores for 17 objectively scored linear type traits (with 9 classes each) and of the measurements for 6 body traits (measured in cm). The impact of the chosen conformation traits on functional longevity was estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. The statistical model included the combined time-dependent effects of lactation and stage of lactation, age of the first calving, effects of the herd of culling, effects of year-season of culling, effects of the first lactation milk yield calculated within herd-year deviation. Analysis was performed separately for each of 23 type traits. The relative culling risk was calculated for animals in each class after taking into account the previously mentioned effects. All the traits analysed showed a relationship with the functional survival. Among linear type traits, rump angle, body depth, rear legs side view and pastern, fore udder length, rear udder attachment, and teats traits exhibited an intermediate optimum. Height at the sacrum, muscularity, rump length, and rump width, hock, and hoof angle, central ligament, and udder depth tended toward a linear relationship to functional survival. Body measurement traits showed an almost linear relationship concerning longevity except for chest girth, which exhibited an intermediate optimum. Body measurement traits and body conformation traits had an impact on functional survival especially in extreme classes, e.g. extremely ascending rump. Larger, broader, muscular cows had a higher risk of being culled compared with smaller and narrower cows and, hence, a shorter length of productive live. Foot and leg traits had an important influence on functional longevity, especially rear legs side view and pastern. Among udder traits, fore udder length, rear udder attachment, and front teat placement showed a higher impact on cows’ longevity than the other analyzed udder traits.

Relationships between longevity and conformation traits in Czech Fleckvieh cows

The relationships between conformation and longevity traits were analysed in 58 493 Czech Fleckvieh cows first calved from 1994 to 2003. All cows were scored for conformation during the first lactation. Genetic correlations between longevity and conformation traits were estimated by bivariate runs using the VCE 4.0 program for variance component estimation. The values of heritability for conformation traits were in the range from 0.06 to 0.63 and for longevity traits from 0.04 to 0.05. Low or intermediate genetic relationships between recorded linear traits and longevity trait were found. The correlations were lower for functional longevity. Body measurements showed negative genetic correlations with real as well as functional longevity (–0.12 to –0.29). The dairy character negatively correlated with longevity traits (–0.18 to –0.26). The muscularity and udder showed a zero correlation with functional longevity, while the feet and legs were not correlated with real longevity. The highest positive genetic correlations between real longevity and objectively scored linear type traits were found for hock (0.24), rear udder attachment (0.28), fore udder length (0.16) and central ligament (0.11). On the contrary, the correlation between the udder depth and the milk-corrected longevity was positive (0.28) and higher than in the case of real longevity.

Udder And Teat Traits As Possible Selection Markers For Milk Yield In Local Goats Of Nigeria

This study was carried out at the Research Farm of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria (October, 2003 – May, 2006) to investigate the effects of some factors (breed, stage of gestation, body condition score and stage of lactation) on udder and teat traits with their relationships with partial daily milk yield (PDM) in goats. The goat breeds studied were Red Sokoto, Sahel and West African Dwarf. The traits studied included udder circumference (UC), udder length (UL), teat length (TL), teat height to ground (THG) and teat circumference (TC). The results showed that during pregnancy these traits were significantly (P

Relationships between external and internal udder measurements and the linear scores for udder morphology traits in dairy sheep

Udder morphology traits were measured and subjectively assessed by the use of linear scores in 266 ewes of Tsigai (T), Improved Walachian (IW) and Lacaune (LC) dairy breeds. Animals were recorded repeatedly within and between lactations, therefore 772 sets of measurements and linear scores were collected in total. Udder measurements included: udder length, udder width, rear udder depth, cistern depth, teat length, teat angle, sum of cistern cross-section areas scanned by the ultrasound technique from the side and from the bottom in a water bath. Linear scores were assessed for: udder depth, cistern depth, teat placement, teat length, udder attachment, udder cleft, and udder shape from the aspect of machine milking. Analysis of variance was conducted by the mixed procedure of SAS statistical package. The model included effects of experimental day, parity, days in milk, random effect of animal and residual error. Subsequently, correlations between random animal effects for udder measurements and linear scores were computed for individual examined breeds separately. Subjectively assessed linear scores for udder depth, cistern depth, teat position and teat size showed high correlations with actual measurements of the respective traits on udder in all examined breeds (r<sub>p</sub> = 0.65–0.80). Linear scores for cistern depth and teat position were highly correlated (r<sub>p</sub> = 0.84; 0.77 and 0.90 for T; IW and LC ewes), suggesting that they are nearly identical traits. Linear score for udder shape was significantly correlated with the linear score for udder attachment in all examined breeds (r<sub>p</sub> = 0.79; 0.80 and 0.78 for T; IW and LC). In T and IW assessments of the udder shape were also highly correlated with linear score for udder height (r<sub>p</sub> = 0.84 resp. r<sub>p</sub> = 0.79) while in LC this correlation was close to zero. In LC assessment of the udder shape was more dependent on teat position (r<sub>p</sub> = –0.37) and cistern depth (r<sub>p</sub> = –0.30).  

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG TEST-DAY MILK YIELD, SOMATIC CELL COUNT AND SOME UDDER CHARACTERISTICS OF HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN COWS

Genetic analysis of the relationship between test-day milk yield (TDM), somatic cell count and score (SCC&SCS) and ten udder-teat traits of Holstein Friesian cows was carried out using multi-trait animal model package. A total number of 3909 observations were collected on 2811 cows raised in four Egyptian dairy farms. Estimates of h 2 TDM ranged from 0.28 to 0.34, h 2 TDM increased markedly with advancing parity till the 3 rd lactation, and varied according to stage of lactation ranging between 0.14 and 0.23. Overall h 2 SCS for all parities was 0.19. The highest h 2 SCS was obtained in the 1 st parity whereas estimates of latter parities were obviously lower. Results indicated no clear effect of stage of lactation on h 2 SCS. Estimates of h 2 for udder and teat traits ranged from .29 to .54 and .46 to .61, respectively. Thus selection based on udder and teat measurements would be effective to improve these traits. Estimated correlation coefficients indicated a negative association between TDM and SCS. Genetic (rg) and phenotypic (rp) correlations among TDM and SCS showed generally low to intermediate values ranged from -.08 to -.28. There was a general trend towards slight increase in magnitude of RgTDM*SCC with advancing parity. This result may suggest that as SCC in milk increased, milk production will be in turn decreased, as a result of probable mastitis infected udder. Both rear udder width (RUW) and udder cleft (UC) showed genetically the highest positive association with TDM. This may indicate the possibility of indirect genetic improvement of TDM by selection for both RUW and UC. Estimates of RpSCS with udder traits were all negative, indicating that cows with higher, more tightly attached udders and closer teats have lower SCS. RgTDM with some udder-teat traits were positive and showed a general tendency towards increasing their magnitude with advancing parity. Other udder and teat traits showed, however, negative Rg with TDM and become greater in magnitude with advance in parity except with fore udder attachment (FUA). Udder depth showed the highest negative Rp (-.55) with TDM in the 4 th lactation. Fore udder length (FUL) showed moderate positive Rp with TDM indicating that cows with longer fore-udders tend to produce more daily milk yield. For the other udder traits, particularly teat size (TS), the estimates of Rp with TDM were moderate and favorable and showed a tendency to increase in magnitude with parity. Genetic parameters for all studied traits are possible aids for constructing selection indices for improving udder health and milk yield.

Udder Shapes and their Relationship with Udder size in Red Sokovo and West African Dwardf Goats

One hundred and thirty Red Sokoto (RS) and one hundred and eight-five West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were evaluated for the effects of udder shape on udder size. Effects of udder shape were highly significant (P<0.01) on udder size in both breeds of goats. Udder characteristics measured included udder length (UL), Udder width (UW), udder circumference (UC) and distance between teats (DT). Bowl shaped udder was significantly (P<0.01) superior in size to cylindrical, round and funnel shaped udders in the two breeds. In RS goats values of UL and UC for bowl udder were 14.52 ± 0.31 and 28.87 ± 0.52 cm respectively, while corresponding lower values obtained for cylindrical shape were; 12.94 ± 0.33 and 24.39 ± 0.55 cm; and round udder 12.01 ± 1.54 and 24.64 ± 2.54 cm and funnel udder 12.06 ± 0.66 and 22.83 ± 1.08cm respectively. For WAD goats UL and UC values recorded for bowl udder were 13.30 ± 0.89 and 28.80 ± 1.31cm respectively. Results obtained for cylindrical udder, were 10.78 ± 0.90 and 22.18 ± 1.35cm and for funnel udder 11.30 ± 1.87 and 16.26 ± 3.65cm respectively. These results showed that bowl shaped udder was larger than other types of udder in the indigenous goats and hence suggest larger capacity for milk production. Keywords: Udder shapes, Red Sokoto and West African Dwarf goats

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 liveweight on UW were highly significant (P<0.001). Lactating does had wider udders (10.46­+ 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 + 0.51 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 from 637.98 + 49.69 cm3 at 1-2 years to 934.51 + 75.90 cm3 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 (+ s.e.m) 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 + 0.13 cm; 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. Keywords: Udder traits, West African Dwarf goats

Genetic Parameters Associated with Type Traits Scored on an Ordered Scale During Second and Fourth Lactation

Sixty subjective and linearized type scores were recorded on 3730 and 1397 Holstein cows during second and fourth lactations. For genetic parameters the data were analyzed by paternal half-sister analysis within parity. The second and fourth lactations data represented 99 and 53 sires. Of six functional traits, milking speed had the highest heritability for second (.11) and fourth (.13) lactation. Feet and leg traits generally had the lowest heritabilities in second (range 0 to 10%) and fourth (range 0 to 15%) lactation. Largest heritabilities in second lactation were head length (.18), udder depth (.17), height (.17), and body length (.14). In fourth lactation the largest heritability was for head length (.24). Most phenotypic correlations were near zero. However, some udder traits and traits associated with body size had moderate correlations. The largest phenotypic correlation in second lactation was between body length and height (.55). Udder depth had large genetic correlations with many traits (e.g., fore udder length, fore udder smoothness, rear udder height, rear teat placement, width of hips, height). In second lactation, the largest phenotypic correlations involving udder depth were for depth and fore udder smoothness (.34) and depth and rear udder balance (.28).

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.

Development of and Fluid Accumulation in Mammary Glands of Freemartins Administered Estradiol, Estrone, or Testosterone

Eighteen Holstein freemartins acquired at 1 wk of age were assigned to a control and to four treatment groups, but only two of the groups received hormone the first 50 wk. Testosterone administered for the first 50 wk appeared to inhibit teat growth whereas estrone stimulated teat and udder length. At 50 wk of age, implants releasing daily approximately 12.9μg of testosterone, 2.9μg of estrone, or 2.6μg of estradiol-17β per kg of body weight were implanted for 6 wk. One of three testosterone-treated and 9 of 11 estrogen-treated animals exhibited increased udder development associated with fluid accumulation. The 10 animals with fluid accumulation in the udders were milked once 39 days after implanting. The fluid contained 15.0% total solids, 4.1% fat, and 7.0% protein, values which are between those for normal milk and colostrum. These studies support the concept that administration of low concentrations of estrogens alone, released continuously from implants, were capable of stimulating fluid secretion in mammary glands of animals that had no detectable gonadal luteal tissue.