White Heifers Research Articles

Holstein heifers in desert climate: effect of coat color on physiological variables and prediction of rectal temperature.

Two hundred Holstein heifers were divided by hair coat color in black (n1 = 60), white (n2 = 62), and mixed (n3 = 78) to accomplish two objectives: (1) to compare physiological variables using an analysis of variance, and (2) to construct regression equations to predict rectal temperature. In each heifer, rectal temperature (RT), respiration frequency (RF), and body surface temperatures (obtained with infrared thermography in eye, nose, forehead, head, neck, ear, shoulder, flank, belly, leg, loin, rump, and vulva) were measured. Black heifers had more RF and RT (P < 0.01) than mixed and white coat heifers; white heifers had similar RT than mixed color heifers, but they exhibited less RF (P < 0.05). In general, black and mixed coat color heifers had higher BST (P < 0.01) than white heifers in the majority of the anatomical regions measured. For black coat heifers, the best regression model to predict RT included three predictor variables: [RT = 35.59 - 0.013 (RH) + 0.045 (RF) + 0.019 (TEar); R2 = 71%]. For white coat heifers, the best model included two predictor variables: [RT = 35.29 + 0.035 (RF) + 0.033 (TForehead); R2 = 71%]; and for mixed coat color heifers, the best model included two predictor variables: [RT = 35.07 + 0.022 (RF) + 0.038 (THead); R2 = 44%]. Heifers with dark hair coat color showed higher physiological constants than white heifers; the prediction of rectal temperature was more precise in heifers with well-defined hair coat color. Physiological and climatic variables, along with infrared thermography, represent an appropriate combination to predict rectal temperature in Holstein heifers with predominant white or black hair coat color.

Functional reserves of the testosterone-synthesizing system in the blood of heifers of different breeds

Purpose: Ihe research was conducted to study the functional reserves of the testosterone-synthesizing system of heifers at the 6th month of pregnancy.Materials and methods. The response of the testosterone-synthesizing system of heifers of different breeds to stimulation with chorionic gonadotropin was studied. For the experiment, three breeds of heifers were used (Holstein black-and-white, Simmental and Aberdeen-Angus) and crossbred heifers obtained from crossing the Simmental and Aberdeen-Angus breeds. They were formed into 4 groups of 10 heads in each group by breed and had the same pregnancy period. To assess the functional reserves of the testosterone-synthesizing system, chorionic gonadotropin HCG was injected intramuscularly at a dose of 3-4 thousand m.e. depending on the live weight of the animal at the 6th month of pregnancy. HCG was administered to the heifers three times with an interval of 72 hours. Blood for the determination of testosterone levels was taken before the administration of HCG and 2.12.24, 48 and 72 hours after each administration.Results. It has been established that Aberdeen-Angus breed heifers and crossbred animals that have a higher activity index of the testosterone-synthesizing system have higher functional reserves of the testosterone-synthesizing system in relation to non-heifers of Holstein black-and-white and Simmental breeds. After triple stimulation, the testosterone concentration in black-and-white heifers increased 2.3 times, and in Simmental 2.6 times, in Aberdeen-Angus and crossbreeds 2.9 times.The calculation of the activity index of the testosterone-synthesizing system in black—and—white heifers was 1.3, in the Simmental breed 1.59, Aberdeen-Angus - 1.91, in crossbreeds - 1.92. Conclusion. Thus, the functional loads carried out showed that the higher functional reserves of the testosterone- synthesizing system were possessed by heifers belonging to the Aberdeen-Angus breed and crossbreeds (Aberdeen-Angus x Simmental), which have a higher index of activity of the testosterone-synthesizing system in relation to the heifers of the black-and-white and Simmental breeds.

Aplasia segmentar uterina em ovelhas

The complete absence of one of the uterine horns, named segmental uterine aplasia or unicorn uterus, occurs due to deficiency in the development of segments of the paramesonephric or Mullerian ducts. It is a congenital or hereditary anomaly of the female reproductive tract caused by recessive genes, which occurrence is unusual. In cows, this malformation was initially called “white heifer disease”, comprising an alteration in the Mullerian ducts in association with the white skin gene that causes aplasia of the uterus, cervix and vagina. Two pieces of sheep reproductive system from a slaughterhouse under federal inspection in the state of Bahia, Brazil, were received for pathological diagnosis. The collection, dissection and macroscopic analysis were carried out. In the macroscopic evaluation, uterine segmental aplasia was identified in both cases, with complete absence of the left uterine horns. Both had agenesis of the uterine tubes associated with the absence of internal bifurcation of the uterine horns. Animals that have a unicorn uterus often have reduced fertility which consequently leads to losses to sheep farming.

Behavior of antioxidant parameters in young cattle during the course of the year

To analyze the behavior of antioxidant parameters in young cattle over 1 year and to detect possible health-related deficits during certain periods. Every 2 months over the course of 1 year, six healthy 12-month-old Holstein Friesian/German black and white heifers underwent a clinical examination and blood samples were obtained. The 36 animals were kept in tie-stalls during September, November, January, March and July, and solely at pasture in May. The antioxidant parameters superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), hematocrit and the metabolic parameters β-hydroxybutyrate, bilirubin, cholesterol, protein, albumin, urea, haptoglobin, calcium, inorganic phosphate, iron, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, glutamate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase were determined. The GPX activities in September and January were significantly lower than those from March till July. The TEAC concentrations were in particular lower in January and significantly lower in March than in September and November. Differing SOD activities were not statistically significant. The correlation between SOD and GPX during the entire period was significant as well as between SOD and TEAC throughout the year except in January, whereas GPX and the TEAC only significantly correlated in November and from March till July. Albumin significantly correlated with the TEAC. The metabolic parameters were within the physiological range at all times, except urea in November and July and phosphate in May. The young cattle showed significantly reduced GPX activities from September to January, and reduced TEAC concentrations particularly in January and March. Decreased GPX activity is indicative of a low selenium supply. Among other disadvantages, this is unfavorable for the development of heifers. A reduced provision with antioxidant agents, particularly vitamin E and β-carotene, is indicated by the TEAC and has negative effects that are comparable to those caused by a lack of selenium. In terms of health prophylaxis, particularly during winter, specific attention should be given to the supply of sufficient trace elements and good quality silage.

Age at first conception of high yielding cows

Black and White low land dairy cattle have very pronounced ability for high production of milk. Fertility is the major trait of cattle and key factor in successful milk production. Fertility traits have pronounced variability and low heritability value. Fertility is regularly limiting factor in attempts to increase the milk yield. Age of dairy cattle at first conception is one of the major reproduction properties. Age of calves at first calving depends mainly on age at first conception. Previous researches have indicated what would be the optimum age at first conception of Black and White heifers. Age at first conception is determined by the date of birth and date of first conception. Knowledge of the strength of the environment factors on age at first conception in high yielding cows is important from the aspect of their inclusion into the model. According to the significance of individual systematic factors, their objective assessment was carried out for the purpose of accurate evaluation of obtained results. Objective of this paper is to study the age at first conception of high yielding Black and white cows through major systematic influences, by applying adequate methodology. Cows comprising the studied sample (n=331) belong to European type of Black and White dairy cattle in final stage of improving of this breed with Holstein-Friesian breed. Average age of dairy cattle at first conception was 491.19?9.36 days or 16.15?0.31 months. According to cows? the values were following: 479.31 days (&gt; 73% HF), 486.12 days (58-73%HF) and 508.14 days (&lt; 58% HF).

Towards positional identification of susceptibility loci for White Heifer disease in Belgian Blue Cattle

Towards positional identification of susceptibility loci for White Heifer disease in Belgian Blue Cattle

Case of Pregnancy in Two Cows with Unicorn Horn of the Uterus either by Artificial Insemination at Ipsilateral or Embryo Transfer at Contralateral Corpus Luteum in the Ovary

Two Holstein heifers and a cow were diagnosed with White Heifer Disease by ultrasonography. Case 1 was a 14 month-old heifer with aplasia of both sides of the uterine horn. In case 2, a primiparous cow and case 3, an 18 month-old heifer, both showed aplasia of the right uterine horn. Case 2 became pregnant by artificial insemination at ipsilateral ovulatory follicle and corpus luteum in the left ovary, while case 3 became pregnant by embryo transfer at 7 days after oestrus with contralateral corpus luteum in the right ovary.

Roles of tumor necrosis factor-alpha of the estrous cycle in cattle: an in vivo study.

We have suggested in a previous in vitro study that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) plays a role in the initiation of luteolysis in cattle. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of different doses of TNFalpha on the estrous cycle in cattle by observing the standing behavior and measuring peripheral concentrations of progesterone (P4) during the estrous cycle. Moreover, we evaluated the secretion of P4, oxytocin (OT), nitric oxide (NO), and luteolytic (prostaglandin F2alpha [PGF2alpha] and leukotriene C4 [LTC4]) and luteotropic (PGE2) metabolites of arachidonic acid in peripheral blood plasma as parameters of TNFalpha actions. Mature Holstein/Polish black and white heifers (n = 36) were treated on Day 14 of the estrous cycle (Day 0 = estrus) by infusion into the aorta abdominalis of saline (n = 8), an analogue of PGF2alpha (cloprostenol, 100 microg; n = 3) or saline with TNFalpha at doses of 0.1 (n = 3), 1 (n = 8), 10 (n = 8), 25 (n = 3), or 50 microg (n = 3) per animal. Peripheral blood samples were collected frequently before, during, and up to 4 h after TNFalpha treatment. After Day 15 of the estrous cycle, blood was collected once daily until Day 22 following the first estrus. Lower doses of TNFalpha (0.1 and 1 microg) decreased the P4 level during the estrous cycle and consequently resulted in shortening of the estrous cycle (18.8 +/- 0.9 and 18.0 +/- 0.7 days, respectively) compared with the control (22.3 +/- 0.3 days, P < 0.05). One microgram of TNFalpha increased the PGF2alpha (P < 0.001) and NO (P < 0.001) concentrations and decreased OT secretion (P < 0.01). Higher doses of TNFalpha (10, 25, 50 microg) stimulated synthesis of P4 (P < 0.001) and PGE2 (P < 0.001), inhibited LTC4 secreton (P < 0.05), and consequently resulted in prolongation of the estrous cycle (throughout 30 days, P < 0.05). Altogether, the results suggest that low concentrations of TNFalpha cause luteolysis, whereas high concentrations of TNFalpha activate corpus luteum function and prolong the estrous cycle in cattle.

Administration of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor counteracts prostaglandin F2-induced luteolysis in cattle.

The objective of this study was to determine whether nitric oxide (NO) is produced locally in the bovine corpus luteum (CL) and whether NO mediates prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-induced regression of the bovine CL in vivo. The local production of NO was determined in early I, early II, mid, late, and regressed stages of CL by determining NADPH-d activity and the presence of inducible and endothelial NO synthase immunolabeling. To determine whether inhibition of NO production counteracts the PGF2alpha-induced regression of the CL, saline (10 ml/h; n = 10) or a nonselective NOS inhibitor (Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester dihydrochloride [L-NAME]; 400 mg/h; n = 9) was infused for 2 h on Day 15 of the estrous cycle into the aorta abdominalis of Holstein/Polish Black and White heifers. After 30 min of infusion, saline or cloprostenol, an analogue of PGF2alpha (aPGF2alpha; 100 microg) was injected into the aorta abdominalis of animals infused with saline or L-NAME. NADPH-diaphorase activity was present in bovine CL, with the highest activity at mid and late luteal stages (P < 0.05). Inducible and endothelial NO synthases were observed with the strongest immunolabeling in the late CL (P < 0.05). Injection of aPGF2alpha increased nitrite/nitrate concentrations (P < 0.01) and inhibited P4 secretion (P < 0.05) in heifers that were infused with saline. Infusion of L-NAME stimulated P4 secretion (P < 0.05) and concomitantly inhibited plasma concentrations of nitrite/nitrate (P < 0.05). Concentrations of P4 in heifers infused with L-NAME and injected with aPGF2alpha were higher (P < 0.05) than in animals injected only with aPGF2alpha. The PGF2alpha analogue shortened the cycle length compared with that of saline (17.5 +/- 0.22 days vs. 21.5 +/- 0.65 days P < 0.05). L-NAME blocked the luteolytic action of the aPGF2alpha (22.6 +/- 1.07 days vs. 17.5 +/- 0.22 days, P < 0.05). These results suggest that NO is produced in the bovine CL. NO inhibits luteal steroidogenesis and it may be one of the components of an autocrine/paracrine luteolytic cascade induced by PGF2alpha.

A possible dominant white gene in Jersey cattle

A white heifer ("Snow") was born in 1991 from coloured registered Jersey parents. She produced six calves sired by coloured Jersey bulls: three white bull calves, two white heifer calves, and one coloured bull calf. One of the white bull calves was mated with 40 Hereford × Friesian yearling heifers (white face, predominantly black body with some white patches). The 38 resulting calves included 16 white and 22 coloured calves. Twelve of the 16 white calves were heifers and four were bulls. Red or black spotting was recorded on some white calves. The results are consistent with an autosomal dominant mutant causing the white phenotype. The mutation appears to have arisen spontaneously in Snow, then passing to her white progeny and white grand-progeny. The white individuals varied from entirely white in a few cases, to most having some residual small areas of red or black pigmentation in patterns not typical of other reported white spotting patterns of cattle.

A possible dominant white gene in Jersey cattle.

A white heifer ("Snow") was born in 1991 from coloured registered Jersey parents. She produced six calves sired by coloured Jersey bulls: three white bull calves, two white heifer calves, and one coloured bull calf. One of the white bull calves was mated with 40 Hereford × Friesian yearling heifers (white face, predominantly black body with some white patches). The 38 resulting calves included 16 white and 22 coloured calves. Twelve of the 16 white calves were heifers and four were bulls. Red or black spotting was recorded on some white calves. The results are consistent with an autosomal dominant mutant causing the white phenotype. The mutation appears to have arisen spontaneously in Snow, then passing to her white progeny and white grand-progeny. The white individuals varied from entirely white in a few cases, to most having some residual small areas of red or black pigmentation in patterns not typical of other reported white spotting patterns of cattle.

Microsatellite mapping of the bovine roan locus: a major determinant of White Heifer disease.

In the Belgian Blue Cattle breed, coat color variation is mainly under the influence of a single autosomal locus, the roan locus, characterized by a pair of codominant alleles: r+ (black) and R (white). Heterozygous r+R animals have intermingled black and white hairs, yielding the "blue" phenotype typical of the breed. Major interest for the roan locus stems from its pleiotropic effect on fertility, owing to the critical role of the R allele in the determinism of White Heifer Disease. We describe the linkage mapping of the roan locus to bovine Chromosome (Chr) 5, in the interval between microsatellite markers BPI and AGLA293, with an associated lodscore of 11.2. Moreover, we map a candidate gene, the Steel locus coding for the mast cell growth factor, to bovine Chr 5.

The effect of age at tethering on behaviour of heifer calves

The aims of the study were to investigate the behavioural consequences of tethering and to investigate the behavioural changes after tethering in calves of two different age groups. Thirty-six Danish Black and White heifer calves were housed in individual pens from birth. Eighteen of the calves were tethered in individual stalls at 12 weeks of age, and 18 calves were tethered at 23 weeks of age. The calves assigned to late tethering were housed in groups of three in deep litter pens from 12 to 23 weeks of age. From 24 h video recordings, collected in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after tethering in all calves, and in the eighth weeks after grouping in calves assigned to late tethering, the behaviour of individual calves was recorded instantaneously at 5 min intervals. In addition, the number of lying periods was counted. At the same age (i.e. 8 weeks after tethering and grouping, respectively) tethered calves spent more time lying down (62% vs. 56%, P < 0.01), and more time ruminating (35% vs. 29%, P < 0.01). Tethered calves also performed more biting fixtures (1% vs. 0%, P < 0.001), and more grooming behaviour (3% vs. 2%, P < 0.01). Analysis of behaviour in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after tethering showed that the calves of the two age groups responded differently to tethering with respect to the duration of lying down ( P < 0.001). In the calves tethered at 23 weeks of age, the duration of lying down increased throughout the period of observation (43%, 56%, 61% and 64% of the 24 h period in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after tethering, respectively). In the calves tethered at 12 weeks of age the duration of lying down only increased from the first week until the second week after tethering (49%, 65%, 64% and 62% of the 24 h period in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after tethering). In calves tethered at 23 weeks of age the number of lying periods increased (7, 8, 10 and 11 lying periods per 24 h in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after tethering, P < 0.001), but no change in the number of lying periods was found in calves tethered at 12 weeks of age (10, 11, 10 and 10 lying periods per 24 h in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after tethering). The results on resting behaviour suggest that calves tethered at a late age have more initial problems changing position in the tie-stall, and suffer a reduction in lying time for longer than calves tethered at an early age. No difference between age groups in response to tethering was found for feeding, ruminating, oral and grooming behaviour.

Stereotypies and cortisol secretion in heifers subjected to tethering

The aims of this study were to assess the effect of tethering on environmentally induced stereotypies and urine cortisol concentration in Swedish Red and White heifers, and to analyse a possible relationship between the performance of stereotypies and cortisol concentration. Three groups of heifers ( N=14) with oral stereotypies, mainly consisting of tongue-rolling, were studied during three consecutive autumns. Recordings of the duration and frequency of stereotypies were made from the second and third day after the heifers had been transferred from pasture and tethered indoors, and for 7 weeks thereafter. The four heifers from the previous year were also subjected to urine collection to determine total 24-h concentration of cortisol during Weeks 1–8 post-tethering. An adrenalcorticoid response test was conducted after 8 weeks of tethering. Exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was administered to heifers with, and without, stereotypies. All 14 heifers from the three cohorts showed the same pattern concerning time allocated to stereotypies during the 8 weeks post-tethering. From a zero-level in pasture, they increased the time spent performing stereotypies until Week 4, whereafter the stereotypy level decreased. The heifers all had similar patterns of cortisol concentrations during the observation period. The cortisol concentration was high during the first week after tethering (on average, 84.25 nmol l −1), but from the second week onwards the concentration was decreased. The ACTH test showed no difference in adrenal status between tethered heifers with, or without, stereotypies. There was no indication that individual variation in cortisol level was associated with the performance of stereotypies. This study shows that tethering after a grazing period leads to increased levels of stereotypies and high urine levels of cortisol.

Purin- und Pyrimidinmetaboliten zur Beurteilung des Pansenstoffwechsels: HPLC-Analysen in Milch und Blutplasma

In milk and blood plasma samples of 6 German Simmental and 12 German Black and White heifers it was investigated, whether purine and pyrimidine compounds are suitable indicators of the microbial protein synthesis in the rumen. Therefore the secreted quantities in milk and the concentration in blood plasma are correlated with energy intake. The results indicated significant correlation coefficients for both the secretion quantity of allantoin in milk (r = 0.942) and the concentration of allantoin in blood plasma (r = 0.694). Other investigated compounds appeared more suitable for evaluating the mammary gland metabolism (uridine-lactose synthesis, pseudouridine-protein synthesis). In an experiment with 7 male castrated pigmy goats subjected to a four-day fasting period the decrease of plasma allantoin, which was already apparent after 12 hours of fasting, was closely correlated with the increase of plasma free fatty acids.

The effect on performance of different energy concentrations in complete rations for first lactation cows before and after calving

Fifty-two Danish Black and White heifers were fed different complete rations in a two factor experiment. Over the last two months before calving (Period 1) the heifers were fed two different rations, one with small and one with high amounts of bulky feed. The rations were fed in a way that gave the same energy intake for both groups measured as Scandinavian feed units (1 FU = the energy value of 1 kg of barley). From calving until 24th week of lactation (Period 2), the cows were allotted 3 complete rations containing different energy concentrations 0.82 (ration L), 0.93 (ration H), and 1.05 (ration HH) FU per kg dry matter. From the 25th to 36th week of lactation (Period 3) all cows received ration L. An increase in the energy concentration in the complete rations in Period 2 had a highly significant effect ( P < 0.001) on feed intake, milk production, and daily gain of the three groups. Feed intake was 12.95, 14.39 and 15.79 kg DM/day, milk production reached 17.9, 20.5 and 22.1 kg fat-corrected milk (FCM)/day, and daily gain was + 22 + 182, and + 331 g/day, for the three groups respectively. No significant effects were found on milk composition. In Period 3 where all groups were fed ration L, the feed intake of the two groups fed ration H and HH in Period 2, decreased very quickly to the level of ration L. The decrease in feed consumption was followed by a decrease in milk production. Feeding before calving with a ration containing a high proportion of bulky feed had a small positive effect (not significant) on feed intake and milk production in the following lactation of 0.6 kg DM/day and 0.5 kg FCM/day, compared to a ration with a low proportion of bulky feed.

Reproductive performance of dairy cows from parturition to conception

A total of 5,49 6 calvings of Black and White and Red and White breeds was recorded in 7 Pedigree Herds. The preliminary description of data covers some of the fertility traits, calf mortality and dystocia. Birth weight and gestation length were also analysed. Overall twinning rate was z. 3 p. ioo. The number of inseminations per calving was i.gi for Black and White cows and 2.07 for Red and White cows. Difficult calvings were more frequent in heifers: i3 p. ioo in Black and White heifers, 21 p. 100 in Red and White heifers, and about 3 p. 100 in cow sof

Two cases of abnormal genital tracts in cattle and a discussion of their origins.

Abstract Extract When the developmental complexities of the urogenital system are considered, it is remarkable that the incidence of abnormalities in the urogenital tract is so low, and that such anomalies appear to be one of the least important factors affecting fertility in the domestic animals. A number of defects of the bovine reproductive system have been described (Williams, 1939 Williams, W. L. 1939. The Diseases of the Genital Organs of Domestic Animals, 25–25. Ithaca: Williams. [Google Scholar]; Spriggs, 1946 Spriggs, D. N. 1946. White heifer disease. Vet. Rec., 58: 405–409. 415–8 [Google Scholar]; Settergren and Galloway, 1965 Ginther, O. J. 1965. Segmental aplasia of the Mülleerian ducts (white heifer disease) in a white shorthorn heifer. J. Amer. vet. med. Assn., 146: 133–137. [Google Scholar]). An important groupof these is due to abnormal paramesonephric (Müllerian) duct development, namely, uterus unicornis and uterus didelphys. One of the specimens to be described here showed atresia of the left uterine cornu and may be considered one of the unicornis group, whereas the other, of a type undescribed by the authors mentioned, involved the whole of the early embryonic cloaca.

White heifer disease in a herd of dairy shorthorns

The incidence of white heifer disease in a herd of Shorthorns is described. The disease is far commoner in white animals and somewhat commoner in roan than in red. White animals that were daughters of white seem to be more susceptible than white that are the daughters of roan. From the comparison of the frequency of the gener in registered heifer calves with that in their parents, it was concluded that up to registration there was selection againstr. This could be accounted for by the inviability or lack of registration of white calves apparent from the deficiency of whites in the offspring of roan by roan matings. After registration, roan animals are favoured by breeders. For this latter preference, no basis could be found either in milk production or longevity.