Field evidence of metabolic stress in dairy cows?

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
W. R. Ward ◽  
C. S. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Energy Deficit ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Elevated Blood ◽  
Field Evidence ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Beta Hydroxybutyrate

AbstractThe authors review their experiences of metabolic profiles in dairy herds, with a view to assessing whether metabolic stress is a problem in Great Britain at present. Many cows show elevated blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration, indicating energy deficit, or elevated urea levels, indicating an imbalance between energy and protein in the rumen but at present there is no evidence that high-yielding cows in commercial herds show more metabolic stress than low-yielding cows. The authors suggest that more cows could suffer metabolic stress in the future, unless farmers’ ability to feed and manage dairy cows develops as rapidly as genetic selection for high milk yield.

Associations of PrP genotypes with live weight and slaughter traits in an experimental flock of Swaledale sheep in Great Britain

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 607-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Y. N. Man ◽  
S. Brotherstone ◽  
B. G. Merrell ◽  
W. A. Murray ◽  
B. Villanueva
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Maternal Effects ◽  
Mixed Models ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Eradication Programme ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Selection For

AbstractPolymorphisms at codons 136, 154 and 171 of the gene encoding the prion protein (PrP) are associated with susceptibility to classical scrapie in sheep. Genetic selection for scrapie resistance based on PrP genotypes is central to the scrapie eradication programme in Great Britain but there are concerns about how this may affect other economically important traits. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations of PrP genotypes with live weight and slaughter traits in a hill sheep breed in Great Britain. Data used were from an experimental flock of Swaledale sheep in which the alleles ARR, ARQ, AHQ and VRQ were present. About 1450 genotyped lambs with birth, marking and weaning weights, and 620 with slaughter records were used for the study. Mixed models with various fixed effects and random direct genetic and maternal effects were tested to determine the appropriate model to use for each trait. None of the differences in lamb performance between PrP genotypes consistently reached significance. Therefore, this study does not support existence of significant relationships between PrP genotype and lamb performance traits in this breed.

Genetics of food intake, live weight, condition score and energy balance

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 63-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Veerkamp ◽  
E. P. C. Koenen
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Weight Change ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Food Utilization ◽  
Score Change ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Selection For

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to investigate genetic variation for traits that are part of the food utilization complex and to investigate the scope for future genetic improvement of traits possibly linked to metabolic stress: live weight (change), condition score (change) and energy balance. Many aspects of the food utilization complex appear to be heritable and are affected by genetic selection for yield. In general, genetic selection for yield increases intake and body tissue mobilization and energy balance is expected to decrease. However, unfavourable effects of genetic selection can be compensated for by measuring additional traits to be included in breeding programmes. Food intake, live weight (change) and condition score (change) are all potential options. Which traits should be measured, at what lactation stages and in which (nutritional) environment will merely depend on the coheritability with health and fertility, the genetic correlation with milk yield and the cost of measuring the trait effectively in a breeding programme.

scholarly journals Short Communication: Genetic Selection for Milk Production Increases Plasma Ghrelin in Dairy Cows

2006 ◽  
Vol 89 (9) ◽  
pp. 3471-3475 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.R. Roche ◽  
A.J Sheahan ◽  
L.M. Chagas ◽  
D.P. Berry
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Short Communication ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Selection For

Options to reduce vulnerability to metabolic stress by genetic selection

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 119-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Pryce ◽  
P. Løvendahl
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Breeding Goals ◽  
High Yields

AbstractGenetic selection for milk production has been very successful. However to achieve high yields, the metabolic load on dairy cows is believed to be substantial. If the size of this load is large enough then the animal may become ‘metabolically stressed’. Signs of this may include some sort of distortion of normal physiological function. There is evidence from both population studies and research herds to suggest that intense selection for milk yield has led to a deterioration in some aspects of health and fertility. Genetic correlation estimates between production and measures of fertility are unfavourable. As an example, calving intervals of high merit animals from Langhill are on average 12 days longer than those of average genetic merit, which is mostly due to a delay in days to first heat. It is suggested that some aspects of health and fertility problems in high genetic merit animals are a consequence, in part, of so-called metabolic stress. Future breeding goals should be broadened to include a broad spectrum of traits related to efficient milk production, in addition to either health and fertility traits themselves, or traits believed to be precursors of them, such as those related to metabolic stress. The complexity and subjectivity of metabolic stress and its components makes it very difficult to include in future breeding goals. However, traits related to energy balance, such as some measures of condition score, dry-matter intake and live weight may be useful in breeding programmes where one of the goals is to alleviate metabolic stress.

Contribution of altitude and Alpine origin of forage to the influence of Alpine sojourn of cows on intake, nitrogen conversion, metabolic stress and milk synthesis

2004 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Leiber ◽  
M. Kreuzer ◽  
B. Jörg ◽  
H. Leuenberger ◽  
H. -R. Wettstein
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Energy Deficit ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Glucose Levels

AbstractA two-factorial experiment was conducted in order to quantify and distinguish the influences of altitude and forage origin on metabolism and milk synthesis of dairy cows kept at Alpine locations. Each of four experimental groups comprised six dairy cows in early to mid lactation which were kept tethered in barns at altitudes of either 2000 (Alpine) or 400 m above sea level (a.s.l.) (lowland). Two groups (Alpine and lowland) received hay ad libitum, a third group kept in the lowlands was pair-fed to the Alpine group and a control group was offered silages and concentrates according to milk yield. Two hay types, with origin either from 2000 or 400 m a.s.l., were offered to all hay-alone groups following a change-over design over three 21-day periods. Transferring cows to high altitude triggered a complex adaptation process, which resulted in depressions of food intake at the beginning of the experiment and changed plasma levels of metabolic traits indicating an energy deficit. On average over the entire experiment, high altitude sojourn elevated plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and decreased plasma glucose levels. Yields of milk and of main milk constituents were not significantly affected, but milk protein content was reduced in both the Alpine and in the pair-fed group. No generally elevated maintenance requirements as a consequence of hypoxia were found. Hay-alone feeding caused a co-limitation of net energy and absorbable protein in both hay types which was almost completely compensated by a reduction of milk yield. The hay of Alpine origin had a lower digestibility and crude protein content than the lowland hay which resulted in changes in blood plasma traits and a further suppression of milk yield and milk protein and lactose contents. Due to the low N content of the Alpine hay, N utilization for milk protein synthesis remained similar to that found with lowland hay, and manure N of these cows contained the lowest proportion of easily-volatile urine N. In conclusion, forage origin in conjunction with diet type seems to explain the major part of the adverse effects that the Alpine sojourn exerts on lactating dairy cows while the effects of hypoxia appear to be of lesser importance.

scholarly journals Molecular Markers for Metabolic Adaptation in Dairy Cows: SNAI2 Gene Variations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.V. Vasudhar Bhat ◽  
M. Shynu ◽  
P.D. Divya ◽  
Akshatha G. Desai ◽  
G.H. Akhil
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Molecular Markers ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Promoter Region ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Metabolic Adaptation ◽  
Exonic Region ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Pregnant State ◽  
Concentration Methods

Background: Healthy transition from non-lactating pregnant state to non-pregnant lactating state is an important in the profitability of dairying. Though feeding and managemental practices play an important role in the adaptation to transition, animals kept on similar feeding and management exhibit differences in adaptation indicating an underlying genetic cause. In the present study, the sequence of gene SNAI2, which is considered to have an effect on metabolic adaptability has been compared among animals with apparently varying adaptability, as indicated by their β-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) concentration. Methods: During the period from August 2018 to May 2019, blood was collected and serum was separated from 30 pregnant cross bred (belonging to Sunandini genetic group of cross bred cattle of Kerala) dairy cows at fortnightly intervals from four weeks before the predicted day of parturition until four weeks after parturition. Concentration of BHBA was determined. Based on BHBA concentration the animals were sorted into two groups (High BHBA and low BHBA) using cluster analysis. Blood was collected, DNA extracted and SNAI2 gene amplified using custom synthesised primers. Amplicons from representative animals of each group were sequenced. The sequences obtained were aligned and compared using clustal-ω. Result: The comparison of the sequence of SNAI2 gene amongst the animals having high BHBA and those with low BHBA revealed two variations between the groups, one at promoter region, 61 bp upstream to the gene and other was at exonic region at 1560 bp. In silico structural analysis revealed difference in protein structure. The changes observed in the gene SNAI2 between the sets of animals grouped based on BHBA has to be studied on a larger population to ascertain the suitability of them being used as markers of genetic selection for metabolic adaptability, which in turn can increase the profitability of dairying.

Behavioural consequences of the genetic selection for health and fertility or ‘robustness’ in dairy cows: responsiveness to novelty and human interaction

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 42-42
Author(s):  
J. Gibbons ◽  
R. Donald ◽  
R. Turl ◽  
L. Maggs ◽  
E. Wall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social And Physical Environment ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Body Energy

Modern dairy cows appear to be less ‘robust’ or adaptable than in the past, as typified by high involuntary culling and poorer health. This could be addressed by the use of broader breeding goals and breeding indices that include traits that are likely to improve fertility and health. Body energy balance and growth rate in the first lactation are traits that are likely to underlie health and fertility and have been included in an index of robustness (Wall et al., 2006). However, we need to ensure that the inclusion of these new traits does not have any unforeseen effects on animal behaviour, which may reduce the welfare of the individual or the group she is housed in. Selection to improve body condition may mean that the animals seek increased access to feed. It may be hypothesised that this could lead them to be more aggressive at the feed-trough. Alternatively, they may increase their feed intake by becoming unresponsive to the social and physical environment, and feeding outwith the peak feeding period. This could mean that they become less responsive to their environment and possibly become harder to handle. The aim of this experiment was to compare the behaviour of daughters of bulls which scored high on the functionality sub-index of the robustness index (‘high functionality’ bulls) with daughters of bulls which scored low (‘low functionality’ bulls) on this sub-index. Specifically, we investigated the responsiveness to the environment, by assessing reactions to a novel object and to an unfamiliar person.

scholarly journals Genetic selection for hoof health traits and cow mobility scores can accelerate the rate of genetic gain in producer-scored lameness in dairy cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 101 (11) ◽  
pp. 10034-10047 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C. Ring ◽  
A.J. Twomey ◽  
N. Byrne ◽  
M.M. Kelleher ◽  
T. Pabiou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Selection For
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