Can post-milking insemination increase conception rate in high-producing Holstein cows under heat stress? A retrospective study

2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (03) ◽  
pp. 254-259
Author(s):  
R. Rahbar ◽  
A. Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi ◽  
R. Abdullahpour ◽  
A. Nejati-Javaremi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
High Heat ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Dairy Animals

AbstractHeat stress, especially in countries with hot climates, is a major cause of low fertility in high-producing dairy herds. Management strategies are needed to help producers improve the reproductive performance of their dairy animals under such conditions. The current study aims to evaluate the effects of pre- and post-milking insemination on the conception rate (CR) in dairy cows. The dataset included 1294 insemination records leading to pregnancy in 708 lactating Holstein dairy cows. The GLIMMIX model procedure of SAS based on the generalized linear mixed model methodology was used to analyse the results of insemination (success or failure) as a binomial distribution with the logit link function. Differences were observed in CRs between pre- and post-milking insemination. The pregnancy odds ratio (OR) for post-milking insemination relative to that for pre-milking one was estimated at 1.90 [1.23‒2.91; 95% confidence interval (CI)]. Different levels of interaction were obtained between average daily milk production and time of insemination. In the high-producing group, the pregnancy OR for the post-milking relative to that for the pre-milking insemination was estimated at 3.53 (2.00‒6.24; 95% CI). A significant interaction effect was obtained between insemination time and the temperature-humidity index. A pregnancy OR of 2.52 (1.22‒4.14; 95% CI) was recorded for the cows inseminated after milking on days with higher levels of heat and humidity stress v. the pre-milking inseminated ones. Based on the results, post-milking insemination of high-producing cows increased CRs, especially on days with high heat and humidity stress.

scholarly journals Influence of Barn Climate, Body Postures and Milk Yield on the Respiration Rate of Dairy Cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severino Pinto ◽  
Gundula Hoffmann ◽  
Christian Ammon ◽  
Barbara Amon ◽  
Wolfgang Heuwieser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Respiration Rate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Body Postures ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to identify the influences of different climatic conditions and cow-related factors on the respiration rate (RR) of lactating dairy cows. Measurements were performed on 84 lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows (first to eighth lactation) in Brandenburg, Germany. The RR was measured hourly or twice a day with up to three randomly chosen measurement days per week between 0700 h and 1500 h (GMT + 0100 h) by counting right thoraco-abdominal movements of the cows. Simultaneously with RR measurements, cow body postures (standing vs. lying) were documented. Cows’ milk yield and days in milk were recorded daily. The ambient temperature and relative humidity of the barn were recorded every 5 min to calculate the current temperature-humidity index (THI). The data were analyzed for interactions between THI and cow-related factors (body postures and daily milk yield) on RR using a repeated measurement linear mixed model. There was a significant effect of the interaction between current THI category and body postures on RR. The RRs of cows in lying posture in the THI < 68, 68 ≤ THI < 72 and 72 ≤ THI < 80 categories (37, 46 and 53 breaths per minute (bpm), respectively) were greater than those of standing cows in the same THI categories (30, 38 and 45 bpm, respectively). For each additional kilogram of milk produced daily, an increase of 0.23±0.19 bpm in RR was observed. Including cow-related factors may help to prevent uncertainties of RR in heat stress predictions. In practical application, these factors should be included when predicting RR to evaluate heat stress on dairy farms.

scholarly journals Changes in Dairy Cow Behavior with and without Assistance at Calving

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 722
Author(s):  
Bethan Cavendish ◽  
John McDonagh ◽  
Georgios Tzimiropoulos ◽  
Kimberley R. Slinger ◽  
Zoë J. Huggett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Video Surveillance ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Generalized Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Behavioral Data ◽  
Behavioral Patterns ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Time Periods

The aim of this study was to characterize calving behavior of dairy cows and to compare the duration and frequency of behaviors for assisted and unassisted dairy cows at calving. Behavioral data from nine hours prior to calving were collected for 35 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Cows were continuously monitored under 24 h video surveillance. The behaviors of standing, lying, walking, shuffle, eating, drinking and contractions were recorded for each cow until birth. A generalized linear mixed model was used to assess differences in the duration and frequency of behaviors prior to calving for assisted and unassisted cows. The nine hours prior to calving was assessed in three-hour time periods. The study found that the cows spent a large proportion of their time either lying (0.49) or standing (0.35), with a higher frequency of standing (0.36) and shuffle (0.26) bouts than other behaviors during the study. There were no differences in behavior between assisted and unassisted cows. During the three-hours prior to calving, the duration and bouts of lying, including contractions, were higher than during other time periods. While changes in behavior failed to identify an association with calving assistance, the monitoring of behavioral patterns could be used as an alert to the progress of parturition.

scholarly journals Effect of heat stress on milk production and its composition of Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy cows

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmud Al Reyad ◽  
Md Abid Hasan Sarker ◽  
Md Elias Uddin ◽  
Raihan Habib ◽  
Md Harun Ur Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Mustard Oil ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Significant Difference

The aim of this research was to observe the effect of heat stress on milk yield and milk compositions of Holstein Friesian crossbred (HF) dairy cows. To fulfill the objectives, a total of 9 Holstein Friesian crossbred cows were selected for this study. Green grasses (German, Para) were supplied adlibitum and concentrate feeds (mixture of wheat bran, rice polish, mustard oil cake, di-calcium phosphate and salt) were supplied at the rate of 2.0 kg/day/cow. Management practices for all the cows were similar following the BAU Dairy farm practices. Data were collected on milk yield (l/h/d), relative humidity (%) and barn temperature (0C). The obtained temperature humidity index (THI) of July, August, September and October were 84.95, 81.99, 81.40 and 79.57, respectively. The highest THI was found in July which indicated higher heat stress during this month. A significant difference (p<0.05) in milk yield of cows was found among different months of July to October. The highest milk yield (6.10±0.50 l/h/d) was found in October among observed months. The compositions of milk such as total solids (TS), solids-not-fat (SNF), fat, protein, lactose, and ash also differed significantly (p<0.01). The highest values (%) of TS, SNF, fat, protein, lactose and ash content of milk were found in October as 12.63, 8.80, 3.83, 3.69, 4.39 and 0.72, respectively and lowest values (%) were in July as 12.20, 8.50, 3.71, 3.50, 4.30 and 0.69, respectively due to the high THI value. From these results, it is concluded that heat stress has strong effect on milk yield and milk composition of HF cows in Bangladesh. Management strategies are needed to minimize heat stress and attain optimal dairy animal performance.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 190-195

23 EFFECTS OF THE NUMBER OF SERVICES FERTILITY IN DAIRY COWS

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 118 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yamaguchi ◽  
M. Tanisawa ◽  
H. Koyama ◽  
S. Takahashi ◽  
O. Dochi
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Low Fertility ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The Third ◽  
Total Percentage ◽  
Conception Rates ◽  
Service Conception ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Rectal Palpation

In recent years, reproductive performance of dairy cows has been declining worldwide, especially among cows of high genetic merit for milk production. The cause of the low fertility may considerably vary across countries and is probably multifactorial. This problem remains unsolved. Further, the first-service conception rate of dairy cows has remarkably decreased worldwide. The number of services required for conception has increased due to the low fertility in dairy cows. However, there are few reports about the relationship between conception rates and the number of services in the current dairy cows. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the number of services affects the conception rates of dairy cows. Data concerning the conception rates was obtained for 8386 Holstein cows from 40 commercial dairy herds in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, from 2006 to 2009. The diagnosis of pregnancy was confirmed by rectal palpation between 30 and 45 days after insemination. The average interval between calving and the first-service was 87.3 days. The average milk yield was 8500 kg. Number of conducting services was from the first to the seventh service. The conception rate was analysed using chi-square test. The results are presented in Table1. The conception rate from the first to the seventh service was 40.2 to 54.0%. The conception rate at the first service was significantly low (40.2%); however, the conception rates did not significantly differ after the second-service. A similar tendency was observed during each year. Moreover, the total percentage of conceptions from the first to the third service was 83.8%. The average number of services per conception was 2.2. The results of this study indicate that the first service yielded the lowest conception rates. The conception rates after the second service did not significantly differ. Moreover, ∼84% of the dairy cows became pregnant between the first service and the third service. However, this result shows that ∼16% of the dairy cows in the herds were repeat breeding. In order to improve fertility, it is necessary to study the factors that affect the first-service conception rates of dairy cows. Moreover, to improve the conception rate of dairy cows, it is important to elucidate the cause of these problems. Table 1.The number and percentage of dairy cows conceiving at each of the services for consecutive services

scholarly journals 15 EFFECT OF SEMEN THAW METHOD ON CONCEPTION RATE IN DAIRY HEIFER HERDS

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 157 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kaproth ◽  
H. Rycroft ◽  
G. Gilbert ◽  
G. Abdel-Azim ◽  
B. Putnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Semen Quality ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Warm Water ◽  
Dairy Heifer

Semen processed with procedures permitting a flexible thaw method is used to breed millions of cows yearly. “Pocket thawing” is widely used as an alternative to warm-water thawing with such semen. To pocket thaw, a straw is retrieved from cryostorage, immediately wrapped in a folded paper towel, and moved to a thermally protected pocket for 2 to 3 min of thawing within the pocket before AI gun loading. Published field data are lacking for comparisons of such a thaw method with those for semen prepared to permit flexible-thawing. We measured the effect of warm-water or pocket thaw on conception rate in four dairy heifer herds using semen prepared with methods previously optimized for flexible-thawing success. Semen processing (Anderson S et al. 1994 J. Dairy Sci. 77, 2302–2307) includes two-step whole-milk extension, static vapor tank freezing (0.5-mL straws), and IMV Digitcool mechanical freezing (0.25-mL straws). It is unclear which specific processing steps permit flexible thawing. These procedures have been developed using breeding results from decades of field trials by professional inseminators using both pocket and warm-water thaw. Semen prepared from each of 12 sires produced equal straw units at 10 and 15 million total sperm per straw, in both 0.5- and 0.25-mL straw packages. Professional inseminators used each combination evenly over 16 months. Additional commercial semen (55% of total) from the same source was used. The thaw methods alternated weekly. Thaw effect on conception status, from 70 day non-return data for 11,215 services (67.6% conception rate), was estimated by a generalized linear mixed model. Neither thaw method nor total sperm per straw significantly affected conception rate (P = 0.658, 0.769, respectively). Bull, herd, inseminator within herd, year, season, and straw size did significantly affect conception rate (P < 0.05). No thaw method interactions with herd, sperm number, season, and straw package size were significant (P = 0.297, 0.526, 0.365, 0.723, respectively). This suggests that if semen has been prepared with procedures specific to flexible-thawing, it can be either pocket thawed or warm-water thawed within a range of herdsman or inseminator practices, season, or straw packaging choices. Even at 10 million, the lowest total sperm per straw, pocket thaw was equally as successful as warm-water thaw. We generally observe that in vitro sperm quality, as expected, is maximal for rapidly thawed straws, with slower thawing resulting in lower values. However, while it appears that conventional measures of in vitro semen quality are improved with fast thaw rates, these measures do not appear to correspond to higher in vivo fertility for semen prepared intentionally to be flexibly thawed. We conclude that, for semen prepared with procedures that permit flexible thawing, the thaw method, whether pocket or warm-water thaw, does not affect conception under commercial conditions and with routine semen handling methods. We thank the herd owners and their staff, the inseminators, and Hap Allen, Ron Hunt, Gordon Nickerson, and Bryan Krick of Genex for their help and cooperation.

504 Late-Breaking: Automatic Monitoring Systems to Detect Behavioral and Productive Variations during Heat Stress in Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 180-181
Author(s):  
Ludovica Mammi ◽  
Damiano Cavallini ◽  
Alberto Palmonari ◽  
Alessandro Concolino ◽  
Francesca Ghiaccio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Automatic Monitoring ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
Different Seasons

Abstract Aim of the project was to evaluate behavioral and productive variations of dairy cows detected by automatic monitoring systems, during different seasons. Environmental data (Temperature (T, °C), Relative Humidity, (RH, %) and Temperature and Humidity Index (THI)), were recorded inside the pens by electronic probes during 4 periods over 2 years, for a total of 473 days. Fans and sprinklers were activated at THI &gt;60. Hundred lactating and dry cows were equipped with monitoring tag (Heatime-Pro, SCR Engineers Ltd.) that recorded continuously time (min/d) spent ruminating (RT), panting (PT) and feeding (FT). Daily PT and FT data were recorded as group average [lactating (LC) or dry], while RT and milk production were extracted as individual data. Four classes of environmental stress were identified based on maximum THI: comfort (C, THI &lt; 60, 101d), moderate stress (MS, 60&lt; THI &gt;69, 92d), stress (S, 70&lt; THI &gt;75, 102d), severe stress (SS, THI &gt;75, 178d). Behavioral and productive data were compared between classes. Data were analyzed by mixed model with repeated measures, with environmental class, group (dry or lactating), parity and interactions as fixed effect. Cow was included as random effect for RT and milk production. Means comparison was performed by Tukey post hoc test. All behavioral outcomes were influenced by heat stress (P &lt; .001, table 1). Panting increased linearly with maximum THI recorded, being highest during SS days in LC (49.6 min/d, P &lt; .001). FT and RT (min/d) were lowest (P &lt; .001) during S days (206.9, FT and 473.1, RT) and RT reached the lowest values in cows within 15 DIM (456.4). Milk production was affected in multiparous cows, with a linear reduction from C to SS days (P &lt; .001). Heat stress deeply affected cows behavior and performances, despite cooling systems. Automatic monitoring of these parameters can effectively help in detecting heat stress and consequently adopt strategies to improve animal welfare.

scholarly journals Can Special Light Glasses Reduce Sleepiness and Improve Sleep of Nightshift Workers? A Placebo-Controlled Explorative Field Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariëlle P. J. Aarts ◽  
Steffen L. Hartmeyer ◽  
Kars Morsink ◽  
Helianthe S. M. Kort ◽  
Yvonne A. W. de Kort
Keyword(s):  
Field Study ◽  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Subjective Sleep Quality ◽  
Placebo Condition ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Sleep Complaints ◽  
Main Effect ◽  
Driver Sleepiness

Nightshift workers go against the natural sleep–wake rhythm. Light can shift the circadian clock but can also induce acute alertness. This placebo-controlled exploratory field study examined the effectiveness of light glasses to improve alertness while reducing the sleep complaints of hospital nurses working nightshifts. In a crossover within-subjects design, 23 nurses participated, using treatment glasses and placebo glasses. Sleepiness and sleep parameters were measured. A linear mixed model analysis on sleepiness revealed no significant main effect of the light intervention. An interaction effect was found indicating that under the placebo condition, sleepiness was significantly higher on the first nightshift than on the last night, while under the treatment condition, sleepiness remained stable across nightshift sessions. Sleepiness during the commute home also showed a significant interaction effect, demonstrating that after the first nightshift, driver sleepiness was higher for placebo than for treatment. Subjective sleep quality showed a negative main effect of treatment vs. placebo, particularly after the first nightshift. In retrospect, both types of light glasses were self-rated as effective. The use of light glasses during the nightshift may help to reduce driver sleepiness during the commute home, which is relevant, as all participants drove home by car or (motor) bike.

scholarly journals Changes in Blood Metabolites and Immune Cells in Holstein and Jersey Dairy Cows by Heat Stress

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 974
Author(s):  
Sang Seok Joo ◽  
Sang Jin Lee ◽  
Da Som Park ◽  
Dong Hyeon Kim ◽  
Bon-Hee Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
High Heat ◽  
Blood Metabolites ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Immune Cell Population ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear

Owing to increasing global temperatures, heat stress is a major problem affecting dairy cows, and abnormal metabolic responses during heat stress likely influence dairy cow immunity. However, the mechanism of this crosstalk between metabolism and immunity during heat stress remains unclear. We used two representative dairy cow breeds, Holstein and Jersey, with distinct heat-resistance characteristics. To understand metabolic and immune responses to seasonal changes, normal environmental and high-heat environmental conditions, we assessed blood metabolites and immune cell populations. In biochemistry analysis from sera, we found that variety blood metabolites were decreased in both Holstein and Jersey cows by heat stress. We assessed changes in immune cell populations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using flow cytometry. There were breed-specific differences in immune-cell population changes. Heat stress only increased the proportion of B cells (CD4–CD21+) and heat stress tended to decrease the proportion of monocytes (CD11b+CD172a+) in Holstein cows. Our findings expand the understanding of the common and specific changes in metabolism and immune response of two dairy cow breeds under heat stress conditions.

Hyperketonemia GWAS and parity-dependent SNP associations in Holstein dairy cows intensively sampled for blood β-hydroxybutyrate concentration

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 347-357
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Pralle ◽  
Nichol E. Schultz ◽  
Heather M. White ◽  
Kent A. Weigel
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
Enrichment Analysis ◽  
A Genome ◽  
Screening Protocol ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
Nuclear Polymorphism

Hyperketonemia (HYK) is a metabolic disorder that affects early postpartum dairy cows; however, there has been limited success in identifying genomic variants contributing to HYK susceptibility. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) using HYK phenotypes based on an intensive screening protocol, interrogated genotype interactions with parity group (GWIS), and evaluated the enrichment of annotated metabolic pathways. Holstein cows were enrolled into the experiment after parturition, and blood samples were collected at four timepoints between 5 and 18 days postpartum. Concentration of blood β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) was quantified cow-side via a handheld BHB meter. Cows were labeled as a HYK case when at least one blood sample had BHB ≥ 1.2 mmol/L, and all other cows were considered non-HYK controls. After quality control procedures, 1,710 cows and 58,699 genotypes were available for further analysis. The GWAS and GWIS were performed using the forward feature select linear mixed model method. There was evidence for an association between ARS-BFGL-NGS-91238 and HYK susceptibility, as well as parity-dependent associations to HYK for BovineHD0600024247 and BovineHD1400023753. Candidate genes annotated to these single nuclear polymorphism associations have been previously associated with obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver in humans and rodent models. Enrichment analysis revealed focal adhesion and axon guidance as metabolic pathways contributing to HYK etiology, while genetic variation in pathways related to insulin secretion and sensitivity may affect HYK susceptibility in a parity-dependent matter. In conclusion, the present work proposes several novel marker associations and metabolic pathways contributing to genetic risk for HYK susceptibility.

scholarly journals Relationship between Temperature-humidity Index and Milk Production of Dairy Cows in Tropical Climate

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Narmilan ◽  
N. Puvanitha ◽  
A. Sharfan Ahamed ◽  
S. Santhirakumar
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
Temperature Humidity Index ◽  
Meteorological Observatory ◽  
Humidity Index

Background: Dairy cattle in many tropical, subtropical and semi-arid regions are subject to high ambient temperature and relative humidity for extended periods of time. This compromises the ability of the lactating cows to dissipate heat, resulting in heat stress and decreasing milk production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the temperature-humidity index (THI) on milk production in cows in the study area. Methods: Data on monthly milk production (2017 to 2019) was collected from the Department of Animal Production and Health, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka and the monthly weather data (2017 to 2019) required for the study was collected from the Meteorological Observatory Station in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka. SPSS version 26 was used to analyze interaction between milk production and weather parameters. The monthly THI values were determined for each year.Result: Statistically significant negative relationship (p less than 0.05) was found between milk production and THI in 2017, 2018 and from 2017 to 2019 except 2019 due to the sudden death of cattle in Batticaloa district. Results of all three years indicated that milk production decreases as THI increases. It is concluded that the milk yield of cows is influenced significantly by heat stress during the dry season from April to August between 2017 and 2019, proper management strategies could be helpful to minimize heat stress to attain optimal performance of dairy cows.

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