The effects of dexamethasone TMA when used to synchronize parturition in monozygous twin dairy cows

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (76) ◽  
pp. 591 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Latent Period ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Intramuscular Injection ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Apparent Effect ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Monozygous Twin

Parturition was induced in one member from each of eight sets of monozygous twin dairy cows by intramuscular injection of 20 mg Dexamethasone trimethylacetate. The resulting gestation lengths were less (P < 0.01) than those of the untreated twin counterparts. The actual 'within' twin calving spread was reduced to nil to 32 days (mean � S.D. 9 � 12 days) from an expected range of 22 to 53 days (mean � S.D. 38 � 12 days). The drug had a variable latent period (time from injection to parturition) and had no apparent effect upon the ensuing lactation yield (P > 0.05) or the subsequent return to postpartum oestrus (P > 0.05). The induced calves had lighter birth weights (P <: 0.01) and a higher mortality (6/8) than calves-from untreated cows (no deaths). There was a significant (P < 0.01) positive correlation (r = 0.846) between gestation length and birth weight of the calf.

scholarly journals Sire Effects on Birth Weight, Gestation Length, and Pre-Weaning Growth of Beef-Cross-Dairy Calves: A Case Study in New Zealand

Dairy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-395
Author(s):  
Lucy Coleman ◽  
Penny Back ◽  
Hugh Blair ◽  
Nicolas López-Villalobos ◽  
Rebecca Hickson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Beef Breed

Production of beef-cross-dairy calves from dairy cows increases the value of non-replacement calves born to the dairy herd. The use of beef-breed sires may impact on calf birth weight, gestation length and pre-weaning growth rate of calves, which in turn influences the profitability of the dairy farm. The aim of this case study was to compare the birth weight, gestation length, and pre-weaning growth of progeny born to mixed-aged dairy cows on a single farm which were artificially bred to a selection of Angus and Hereford bulls, typical of those used over dairy herds in New Zealand. The birth weight, gestation length and pre-weaning growth of 980 calves sired by 65 sires were compared. Mean progeny birth weight (range 33.3–41.4 kg), gestation length (range 276.1–288.6 days), age at weaning (range 70.3–88.3 days) and pre-weaning ADG (range 0.63–0.76 kg/d) differed among sires (p < 0.001). There was a negative genetic correlation (−0.31) and positive phenotypic correlation (0.36) between gestation length and birth weight. Age at weaning was negatively correlated with birth weight (genetic: −0.56, phenotypic: −0.57). Bulls used in this study, and other bulls with similar genetic merit for birth weight and gestation length would be suitable for mating mixed-aged dairy cows in New Zealand.

A note on the differences between geographical areas in the gestation length and birth weight of British Friesian calves

1968 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. K. O'Connor ◽  
P. D. P. Wood ◽  
G. F. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Milk Marketing

The Milk Marketing Board's 23 artificial insemination (AI) centres which provide service in much of England and Wales are grouped into five geographical areas (Figure 1). Analyses of trials on commercial farms to study the effects of crossing Charolais bulls with dairy cows (Edwards et al. 1966), revealed significant differences between these areas in both gestation length and birth weight of crossbred calves. However, the Charolais bulls used in the trials were divided into five teams, each of three bulls, and each team was used only in a single area. Consequently, bull teams and areas were confounded. The purpose of the experiment reported here was to estimate the differences between areas in gestation length and birth weight independent of sire.

scholarly journals Influence of gestation length, seasonality, and calf sex on birth weight and placental retention in crossbred dairy cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Estevão Vieira Rezende ◽  
Igor José Reis ◽  
Carla Cristian Campos ◽  
Ricarda Maria Santos
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Retained Placenta ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Placental Membranes ◽  
The Mean

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gestation length, season at calving (autumn-winter vs. spring-summer) and calf sex on birth weight and incidence of retained placenta (RP) in crossbred lactating dairy cows. A total of 187 parturitions were evaluated in a commercial dairy farm at Alto Paranaiba region, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cows that did not release the placental membranes within the first 12 hours after calf expulsion were diagnosed with RP. At birth, calf sex was registered, and birth weight was estimated by using a weighing tape. The incidence of RP was 36.89% (69/187). The mean birth weight of the calves (41.73 kg) did not differ among the calf sexes and seasons of the year at birth (P > 0.05), but the cows with below-average gestation lengths (274.4 days) calved lighter calves. Furthermore, the season of the year at calving and calf sex had no influence on RP incidence (P > 0.05), although a higher incidence of RP was observed in cows that had shorter gestation lengths (49.44%) and calves below-average birth weights (51.76%). In conclusion, cows with shorter gestation lengths produce lighter offspring and have a high predisposition to RP.

Leucaena leucocephala as a feed for dairy cows. Direct effect on reproduction and residual effect on the calf and lactation

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 681 ◽  
Author(s):  
RI Hamilton ◽  
LE Donaldson ◽  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Leucaena Leucocephala ◽  
Cycle Length ◽  
Residual Effect ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Lactation Curve ◽  
Thyroid Glands ◽  
The Mean

Leucaena 1ericocc.phala was given for periods of 30 days to 14 months to nonlactating dairy cows in all stages of the reproductive cycle. Similar cows were fed on lucerne for comparison. Leucaena did not affect oestrous cycle length, conception rate, or gestation length. Feeding leucaena to heifers pre partum did not affect the mean yield and composition of milk over the first 9 weeks of lactation when a normal milking ration was used post part~lm, but the shape of the lactation curve was slightly flattened. Some mild incoordination and nervous symptoms occurred briefly during gestation in some cows on leucaena. Mild depilation was seen in several cows and quite extensive depilation in one. Calves from cows fed on leucaena had a significantly lower mean birth weight (19.6 kg) than control calves (25.8 kg) and one cow fed on leucaena had a still-born calf. Calf thyroid glands were enlarged and plasma protein-bound iodine levels elevated, but thyroid gland histology was normal. Basal metabolic rates and growth rates of the calves were the same in the two groups.

scholarly journals The impact of maternal genetic merit and country of origin on ewe reproductive performance, lambing performance and ewe survival

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Fetherstone ◽  
N McHugh ◽  
T M Boland ◽  
F M McGovern
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the ewe’s maternal genetic merit and country of origin (New Zealand or Ireland) on ewe reproductive, lambing and productivity traits. The study was performed over a four year period (2016 to 2019) and consisted of three genetic groups: high maternal genetic merit New Zealand (NZ), high maternal genetic merit Irish (High Irish) and low maternal genetic merit Irish (Low Irish) ewes. Each group contained 30 Suffolk and 30 Texel ewes, selected based on the respective national maternal genetic indexes; i.e. either the New Zealand Maternal Worth (New Zealand group) or the €uro-star Replacement index (Irish groups). The impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as litter size; lambing traits such as gestation length, birth weight, lambing difficulty, mothering ability, and productivity traits such as the number of lambs born and weaned were analyzed using linear mixed models. For binary traits, the impact of maternal genetic merit on reproductive traits such as conception to first AI service; lambing traits such as dystocia, perinatal lamb mortality and productivity traits such as ewe survival were analyzed using logistic regression. New Zealand ewes outperformed Low Irish ewes for conception to first AI (P&lt;0.05) and litter size (P=0.05). Irish ewes were more likely to suffer from dystocia (6.84 (High Irish) and 8.25 (Low Irish) times) compared to NZ ewes (P&lt;0.001); birth weight and perinatal mortality did not differ between groups (P&gt;0.05). Lambs born from NZ ewes were 4.67 (95% CI: 1.89 to 11.55; P&lt;0.001) and 6.54 (95% CI: 2.56 to 16.71; P&lt;0.001) times more likely to stand up and suckle unassisted relative to lambs born from High or Low Irish ewes, respectively. New Zealand and High Irish ewes had a greater number of lambs born and weaned throughout the duration of the study compared to their Low Irish counterparts (P&lt;0.001). New Zealand ewes tended to be more likely to survive from one year to the next compared to Low Irish ewes (P=0.07). Irish ewes of high maternal genetic merit outperformed their Low counterparts in total number of lambs born and weaned per ewe, but performance did not differ across other traits investigated. This highlights the importance of continuous development of the Irish maternal sheep index to ensure favourable improvements in reproductive, lambing and productivity traits at farm level. Overall, results demonstrate the suitability of NZ genetics in an Irish production system.

scholarly journals Reproductivity, Productivity and Management System of Indigenous Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Cows in Costal Areas of Pirojpur and Borguna District of Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
MR Karim ◽  
MZ Hossain ◽  
MR Islam ◽  
MS Parvin ◽  
MA Matin
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Management System ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Twenty five buffalo cows of Mothbaria Upazila of Pirojpur district and another twenty five indigenous buffalo cows of Pathorghata Upazila of Borguna district of Bangladesh were randomly selected and interviewed to collect data on reproductivity (gestation length, birth weight, age of first calving, post partum heat and calving interval), productivity (lactation length and daily milk yield) and management system (general management, housing, feeding, calf rearing and treatment facilities) of indigenous buffalo cows using pre-tested questionnaire during the period from January to June 2010. The reproductive parameters including gestation length, birth weight, age of first calving, post partum heat and calving interval of Mothbaria Upazila of Pirojpur district were 319.56 ± 5.93 days, 24.28 ± 4 kilograms, 50.88 ± 1.71 months, 153.6 ± 6.13 days, 547.92 ± 10.88 days respectively whereas in case of Pathorghata Upazila of Borguna district these parameters were 319.12 ± 4.69 days, 24.12 ± 3.6 kilograms, 51 ± 1.8 months, 153.44 ± 6.78 days, 547.24 ± 14.32 days respectively. The productive parameters including lactation length and daily milk yield of Mothbaria Upazila of Pirojpur district were 286.12 ± 11.27 days and 3.33 ± 0.68 liters/day respectively while in case of Pathorghata Upazila of Borguna district these parameters 290.44 ± 10.92 days and 3.43 ± 0.744 liters/day respectively. So, reproduction and production are almost regular comparing with other published reports with the exception of age of first calving which is almost 12 months later than the buffaloes of other countries. It could be concluded that the buffalo owners of these areas do not follow any scientific method of buffalo husbandry; they just follow traditional rearing system. The farmers mostly use buffaloes for draught purpose in these costal areas.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v24i1-2.19113 Progress. Agric. 24(1&2): 117 - 122, 2013

Gestation length, birth weight and growth rates of pure-bred indigenous goats and their crosses in Kenya

1988 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Ruvuna ◽  
T. C. Cartwright ◽  
H. Blackburn ◽  
M. Okeyo ◽  
S. Chema
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
East African ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Cross Breeding ◽  
Indigenous Goats

SummaryData on gestation period of 701 indigenous East African and Galla does and pre- and postweaning growth of 810 pure-bred and cross-bred kids were analysed by least squares statistical analysis. Breeds of kids were East African, Galla, Toggenburg × East African, Toggenburg × Galla, Anglo-Nubian × East African and Anglo-Nubian × Galla. Average gestation length was 149 days and was significantly (P < 0·05) affected by type of birth of the kid, year–month of kidding, and age of dam. Does carrying twins had shorter gestation length than does carrying singles. Sex and breed of kid did not have significant effect on gestation length.Significant (P < 0·05) factors affecting birth weight, weight at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 210 and 270 days of age, and preweaning growth rate were breed and sex of kid, type of birth, year–month and age of dam. Male kids grew faster and were heavier than females. Kids born single were heavier and grew faster than twin-born kids. Kids from dams less than 3 years old weighed less than kids from older dams. Cross-bred kids had higher preweaning growth rates than indigenous pure-bred kids. The Anglo-Nubian × Galla cross was heaviest while the East African ranked lowest. The results point to importance of cross-breeding with temperate breeds to increase growth rates of indigenous goats. Comparison of Toggenburg and Anglo-Nubian sires for cross-breeding showed both buck breeds produced kids with roughly equal growth rates. Evaluation of indigenous Galla and East African dams for cross-breeding showed Galla dams produced heavier kids than East African but preweaning growth rates were not significantly different.

The effect of feeding salmon oil to sows throughout pregnancy on pre-weaning mortality of piglets

2001 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Rooke ◽  
A.G. Sinclair ◽  
S.A. Edwards ◽  
R. Cordoba ◽  
S. Pkiyach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Nutritional Study ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Long Chain

AbstractSalmon oil (16·5 kg /t), a source of long-chain polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids, was included in diets offered to multiparous sows during pregnancy and lactation to measure responses in pre-weaning mortality and performance of piglets in two studies. The first study, carried out under commercial conditions, included 196 sows which were offered salmon oil and control diets from immediately post service until weaning. The same diets were also offered to 10 sows per treatment from day 58 of pregnancy in a controlled nutritional study which measured the effects of salmon oil on piglet tissue fatty acid composition. Offering salmon oil to the sow significantly increased gestation length and decreased individual piglet birth weight but had no effect on litter size at birth. Overall, salmon oil reduced pre-weaning mortality from 11·7% to 10·2% mainly by reducing the incidence of deaths from crushing by the sow. More detailed analysis of mortality using a general linear mixed model and 2294 piglet records, demonstrated that the incidence of pre-weaning mortality was significantly decreased with increasing individual piglet birth weight and by inclusion of salmon oil in the diet; the incidence of mortality increased with average piglet birth weight in a litter. Salmon oil inclusion had no effect on weight of litter weaned, sow lactation food intake or subsequent reproductive performance. In both studies, dietary salmon oil increased the proportions of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in colostrum to a similar extent. In the nutritional study, inclusion of salmon oil reduced the proportions of 20: 4 n-6 in piglet liver and brain at birth and increased the proportions of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, despite reducing piglet birth weight, offering sows salmon oil reduced pre-weaning mortality of piglets. The nutritional study showed that the amount and type of marine oil used may not have been optimal.

scholarly journals Impact Of Genotypes And Parity On Reproductive And Productive Attributes In Dairy Cattle Of Natore District, Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
M Saiful Islam ◽  
Susanta Kumar Kundu
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Daily Milk ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

Impact of genotypes and parity on some vital reproductive and productive attributes in the local (L×L, n = 100) and four crossbred cows (L×F, L×SL, L×JR and L×S; n = 318) raised in randomly selected smallholder dairy farms scattered all over Natore District and adjacent areas have been assessed during a period from September 2007 to June 2010. With regard to reproductive attributes, significant differences existed among the cattle genotypes (P<0.05) except for gestation length (GL) and age at weaning (AW). The lowest age at puberty (AP) was found for L×F (21.42±0.37 months), while the highest for L×L (31.67±0.74 months). In terms of productivity, L×F cows produced the highest daily milk yield (DMY; 6.22±0.13 L), coupled with the highest total lactation yield (TLY; 2163.43±47.77 L), while L×L produced the lowest values (1.49±0.04 L and 416.40±12.3 L, respectively) for the traits. The effect of parity on both reproductive and productive attributes showed that the middle-aged dairy cows of the 3rd and 4th parities performed better than the younger (1st and 2nd parities) or the older (5th and beyond) ones. Considering the overall performance, the L×F cows could be ranked as the best genotype followed by their L×SL, L×JR, L×S and L×L counterparts in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9727 JLES 2011 6: 91-96

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