Effect of environmental factors and changes in the body condition score on the onset of the breeding season in mares

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 987-995
Author(s):  
Pouya Dini ◽  
Kaatje Ducheyne ◽  
Isabel Lemahieu ◽  
Wendy Wambacq ◽  
Hilde Vandaele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Condition Score

scholarly journals Effect of body condition score and live weight of fertility of merino sheep after induction of oestrus in the out-of-breeding season

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-243
Author(s):  
P. Slavova ◽  
S. Laleva ◽  
Y. Popova
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Score Method ◽  
Concentrate Mixture

?bject of the study were merino sheep raised in the farm of the Agricultural institute - Stara Zagora. The experiment was conducted with a group of 68 animals of different ages, lambing after treated with hormonal preparation according to adopted scheme during the out-of-breeding season - in May. In the experimental group were included ewes which lambed earlier without making a selection in respect to their productivity. Animals were kept under the same conditions (stall-pasture) and fed the same rations with the concentrate mixture, rough, succulent feed and grazing in quantity and composition according to their physiological status and season from the fertilization until lambing. Hormonal pattern: setting pads for sheep type Sincro-part (30mg), removing pads after 12 days and giving ewes a PMSG injection at a dose of 500 UI, applying artificial insemination at the 50-55th hour. Body condition score and live weight of the animals were determined in 4 separate periods: 1st period (after mating), 2nd period (during pregnancy), 3rd period (after lambing), 4th period (before next mating service). Improving fertility in merino sheep is significantly influenced by the preparation of ewes for the mating by reaching the respective physiological status which is expressed by score over 2.5 according to the Body condition score method and live weight over 60 kg. Animals scored 2.75-3.50 before mating have a share of 91.18% from all the sheep in the flock and have the biggest number of lambs.

scholarly journals Relation of Automated Body Condition Scoring System and Inline Biomarkers (Milk Yield, β-Hydroxybutyrate, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Progesterone in Milk) with Cow’s Pregnancy Success

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Ramūnas Antanaitis ◽  
Vida Juozaitienė ◽  
Dovilė Malašauskienė ◽  
Mindaugas Televičius ◽  
Mingaudas Urbutis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lactate Dehydrogenase ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Time Analyzer ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Pregnancy Status ◽  
Body Condition Scoring

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the relation of automatically determined body condition score (BCS) and inline biomarkers such as β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), milk yield (MY), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and progesterone (mP4) with the pregnancy success of cows. The cows (n = 281) had 2.1 ± 0.1. lactations on average, were 151.6 ± 0.06 days postpartum, and were once tested with “Easy scan” ultrasound (IMV imaging, Scotland) at 30–35 d post-insemination. According to their reproductive status, cows were grouped into two groups: non-pregnant (n = 194 or 69.0% of cows) and pregnant (n = 87 or 31.0% of cows). Data concerning their BCS, mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected each day from the day of insemination for 7 days. The BCS was collected with body condition score camera (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden); mP4, MY, BHB, and LDH were collected with the fully automated real-time analyzer Herd Navigator™ (Lattec I/S, Hillerød, Denmark) in combination with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc., Tumba, Sweden). Of all the biomarkers, three differences between groups were significant. The body condition score (BCS) of the pregnant cows was higher (+0.49 score), the milk yield (MY) was lower (−4.36 kg), and milk progesterone in pregnant cows was (+6.11 ng/mL) higher compared to the group of non-pregnant cows (p < 0.001). The pregnancy status of the cows was associated with their BCS assessment (p < 0.001). We estimated that cows with BCS > 3.2 were 22 times more likely to have reproductive success than cows with BCS ≤ 3.2.

scholarly journals Relationships among body condition score, milk yield and reproduction in Czech Fleckvieh cows

2008 ◽  
Vol 53 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 357-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Jílek ◽  
P. Pytloun ◽  
M. Kubešová ◽  
M. Štípková ◽  
J. Bouška ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Subsequent Decrease ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Statistical Program ◽  
Cattle Reproduction

The objective of this study was to confirm the relationship among body condition score at the time around parturition, milk yield in subsequent lactation, reproductive efficiency and BCS development in Czech Fleckvieh dairy cows. The BCS and milk yield were measured once a month and the cows were divided into groups according to their BCS before and after calving. Next, data from the database of cattle reproduction of the Czech Fleckvieh herd book were used. The dataset was analyzed by multifactorial analysis of variance using procedures COOR and GLM of the statistical program SAS. Cows with lower BCS in the 1<sup>st</sup> month after calving showed an increase in both milk yield and fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) yield. No significant relationship was found between the BCS level before calving and subsequent milk yield. The body condition level in the last month before parturition influenced its subsequent decrease in the first phase of lactation. The group of cows with the highest BCS level before calving retained a high BCS level in the first five months of lactation. Adequately, the group of cows with the lowest BCS in the first month of lactation had the lowest BCS in the next four months. BCS before calving was not related to reproduction indicators, but the significant effect of BCS in the 1<sup>st</sup> month after calving on the length of calving to the first service interval was confirmed. The group of cows with BCS > 3.5 in the 1<sup>st</sup> month after calving had the most favourable reproduction indicators, also when the milk yield level was taken into account.

scholarly journals PSX-2 Growth and lactating performance of ewes fed with different energy levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Fernanda F Santos ◽  
Luciano Brochine ◽  
Vanderlei Benetel Junior ◽  
Maria Laura R Coelho ◽  
Augusto H Gameiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
The Body ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk production, body weight, and body condition score (BCS) of ewes fed with different energy levels. Seventy-one ewes were used and distributed in three treatments according to the metabolizable energy (ME, Mcal/kg) levels in the diet: CTL = according to the NRC (2007) recommendation for each stage (gestation and lactation); PLUS = CTL plus 10% of ME per kilogram of dry matter; LESS = CTL less 10% ME per kilogram of dry matter. Body weight and body condition score were evaluated a week before the expected date of parturition, a week after giving birth, and at weaning (60 days). Dairy production was evaluated at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after giving birth by the indirect method of the two weighing. The experimental design was analyzed as randomized complete blocks. There were no differences on milk production during almost all the lactation curve. Only on day 50 (P = 0.051), CTL was still at peak, while LESS and PLUS had already decreased their production. However, at 60 days, all treatments were already with low production, justifying weaning in this period. Results of weight and BCS showed a significant difference in all periods evaluates. Ewes in the PLUS diet had greater BW and BCS. The BCS before giving birth is expected to be over 3.5 and treatment LESS was the only one that did not achieve this score (2.66, 3.37, 3.83 for LESS, CTL, and PLUS, respectively). At weaning, ewes fed PLUS and CTL had BCS of 3.51 and 2.92, respectively, but treatment LESS had only 1.82. That is prejudicial for the next mating seasonal and this animal. We concluded that LESS diet interfered with the body reserves of sheep.

scholarly journals Lameness in Sheltered Cows and Its Association with Cow and Shelter Attributes

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Sharma ◽  
Clive J. C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Joint Injuries ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Carpal Joint ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

The sheltering of old, unproductive and abandoned cows in traditional cow shelters, known as gaushalas, has been practiced in India since ancient times. Cows are kept in these shelters until they die of natural causes. The welfare of the cows in these shelters was assessed through a cross-sectional study of 54 cow shelters in six states of India. A total of 1620 cows were examined to assess the prevalence of lameness in these cows, and the associated risk factors for lameness were identified through the measurement of animal-based and resource-based welfare indicators. The overall lameness prevalence was 4.2%. The majority (86%) had mild to moderate hock joint swellings but no or only mild carpal joint injuries. Approximately one-half had mild to moderate hock joint hair loss and most were free of hock joint ulcerations. Claw overgrowth was present in almost one half of the cows. Lameness prevalence was positively correlated with coat dirtiness, hock and carpal joint lesions, diarrhea and claw overgrowth scores. In a multivariate analysis, lameness prevalence increased as the Body Condition Score (BCS) decreased and was associated with increased udder dirtiness, the ulceration of the hock joint, carpal joint injuries and claw overgrowth. Resource-based indicators measured at the shelter level suggested that an absence of bedding in the sheds and an increase in the gradient of the shed flooring increased lameness. Addressing the principle risk factors identified for lameness in the sheltered cows (low body condition, dirty udders, lesions on the hock and carpal joints, overgrown claws, and a steep floor gradient) may help to reduce this serious animal welfare problem.

Effect of herbage allowance on productive and reproductive responses of primiparous beef cows grazing on Campos grassland

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martín Claramunt ◽  
Andrea Fernández-Foren ◽  
Pablo Soca
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
The Body ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Condition Score

The effects of two levels of herbage allowance (HA, kg DM/kg liveweight (LW)) on forage mass and chemical composition, cow body condition score, cow LW, stocking rate, productive and reproductive responses were evaluated during two consecutive years. Eighty primiparous spring-calving beef cows were allocated to a completely randomised block design of two HA that had an annual average of 2.5 (low) and 4.0 kg DM/kg LW (high) from –150 to 195 days postpartum. The grazing system was continuous, and the put-and-take method was employed to adjust HA. At 86 ± 12 days postpartum, all cows were submitted to calf suckling restrictions with nose plates (12 days) and dietary flushing (2 kg/cow.day of whole-rice bran for 22 days), 6 days before bull introduction. Forage mass was affected by HA (P = 0.004) and year (P = 0.014); the high HA had a greater forage mass than the low HA (1474 vs 1212 ± 86 kg DM/ha; P < 0.05), and Year 2 had a greater forage mass than Year 1 (1545 vs 1134 ± 78 kg DM/ha; P < 0.05). Stocking rate was affected by HA and season (P = 0.0004) interaction. The stocking rate during autumn and spring was greater in low than high HA, and no differences were identified in winter and summer. The body condition score was improved in high HA during autumn and resulted in a greater winter (mid-gestation) body condition score than the low HA without differences during spring-summer (postpartum). Cow LW was lower during autumn, winter and early postpartum (16 days postpartum) in low HA in Year 1 than high HA of Year 1 and high and low HA cows in Year 2. Furthermore, the probability of total pregnancies (0.88 vs 0.59 ± 0.07; P = 0.01) and the calf weight adjusted to 205 days (194 vs 175 ± 16 kg; P < 0.05) were greater in high HA. Calf weight adjusted to 205 days (Year 1: 192 vs Year 2: 177 ± 16 kg; P < 0.05) and survival curves of postpartum anoestrus (P = 0.01) were affected by year but did not affect the probability of conception, early or total pregnancies. In conclusion, the reproductive and productive responses of primiparous beef cows grazing Campos grasslands were improved in high HA and could contribute to alleviating adverse climatic conditions effects.

181 CHANGES IN THE BODY CONDITION STATUS OF DONOR MARES THROUGHOUT THE BREEDING SEASON AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH REPRODUCTION TRAITS

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
P. G. Rodrigues ◽  
C. M. Raymundo ◽  
M. C. M. G. Miranda ◽  
J. B. Bastos ◽  
J. C. DeSouza
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Follicular Phase ◽  
The Body ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Follicle Diameter

The objective was to investigate the relationship between changes in body condition on reproductive traits of donor mares in an embryo collection program. Fifty-six non-pregnant mares, 3 to 18 years old, were studied from August 2008 through April 2009. Body condition score (BC; 1-9 scale, thin to obese) was estimated monthly. Body weight and tail and rib s.c. fat depths (SF) were measured monthly. SF was determined by ultrasound. Dominant follicle diameter (DF) was measured daily during the follicular phase. Mares were artificially inseminated and embryo transfers were conducted 6 d after ovulation. Analyses were performed with SAS® (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Age classes were as follows: age 1, 3 to 6.9 (n = 17); age 2, 7 to 12.9 (n = 25), and age 3, ≥13 years (n = 14). Months in experiment were T1 to T6. BC classes were as follows: B1, <6.5; B2, 6.5 to 6.9; B3, 7.0 to 7.5; and B4, >7.5. Embryo recovery rate was compared by chi square. Effects of month and age on BC, weight, and SF were analyzed by a mixed model. Age, BC, and month fixed effects on DF diameter were analyzed by ANOVA with mare within class as the error term. Means were compared by contrasts. BC was higher (P = 0.02) in older mares (6.78 ± 0.2 and 6.93 ± 0.2 in age 1 and age 2 v. 7.25 ± 0.2 in age 3) and increased (P = 0.009) with time (from 6.79 ± 0.20 to 7.42 ± 0.26 for T1 to T6, respectively). Weight (kg) was not associated with age but increased (P = 0.03) throughout the experiment. Tail fat increased with age (P = 0.04) and decreased with increasing months on experiment (P = 0.02). DF diameter increased daily through the follicular phase (P < 0.0001) and was smaller (P < 0.05) in mares with lower body condition (33.80 ± 0.31 in BC1 v. 34.17 ± 0.31 mm in BC4). DF diameter decreased (P < 0.01) with month on study. Embryo recovery rate was not affected by age or BC but was lower (P = 0.003) in mares that ovulated follicles smaller than 40 mm compared to mares ovulating follicles greater than 40 mm. BC above 6.5 was associated with higher embryo recovery rate, which was, in turn, correlated positively with DF diameter. Thus, our results support the use of BC scoring to predict performance in equine embryo transfer programs. Body condition scoring was not a good indicator of SF under the current experimental conditions because SF decreased during the breeding season. BC scoring may indicate lean tissue gain, which may be a better indicator of reproductive efficiency in mares. FAPEMIG, CAPES, Haras El Far.

8 Evaluation of puberty induction protocol in peripubertal beef heifers prior to fixed-time AI programs

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
J. B. S. Borges ◽  
D. S. V. Luiz ◽  
P. R. L. Aguiar ◽  
C. G. B. Berlitz ◽  
G. S. Velho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
P Value ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Condition Score

Beef heifers that conceive early during their first breeding season calve earlier, wean heavier calves, and tend to continue doing so throughout the rest of their reproductive lives. Otherwise, under extensively managed systems in Southern Brazil, only a variable proportion of 2-year-old beef heifers reach puberty before the start of the breeding season. The aim of this study was to evaluate a protocol to induce puberty in peripubertal beef heifers using injectable progesterone (P4) and oestradiol cypionate (EC) to improve pregnancy per AI (P/AI) in fixed-time AI (FTAI) programs. A total of 311 Angus heifers, 24±3 months of age, 3.1±0.3 body condition score (1=emaciated; 5=obese), and 328±41kg of body weight (BW), were examined before FTAI protocol (Day −24) by transrectal ultrasonography to determine reproductive tract score (RTS; 1=prepubertal; 5=pubertal). Prepubertal heifers (RTS 1; 12.8%, 40/311) were excluded from the study. Heifers with RTS=2 (n=271) were assigned to 2 groups: P4 (RTS 2 or 3, n=100) and cyclic (RTS 4 and 5, n=171). Peripubertal heifers were treated on Day −24 with 150mg of injectable P4 IM (Sincrogest® injectable, Ourofino Animal Health, Cravinhos, Brazil) and on Day −12 received 1mg of EC IM (Sincro CP®, Ourofino Animal Health). Cyclic heifers received no hormonal treatment before FTAI protocol. On Day 0, heifers in the P4 group were evaluated again to determine RTS, body condition score, and BW. Induction of puberty was defined by the presence of a follicle &gt;8.5mm (RTS=4) or a corpus luteum (RTS=5). All heifers received an FTAI protocol consisting of 2mg of oestradiol benzoate IM (Sincrodiol®, Ourofino Animal Health) and an intravaginal progesterone implant (1 g; Sincrogest®, Ourofino Animal Health). On Day 8, heifers had implants removed and were injected with 1mg of EC and 500µg of sodium cloprostenol IM (Sincrocio®, Ourofino Animal Health). After 48h, all heifers received an FTAI. Thirty days after AI, the diagnosis of gestation was performed by ultrasonography. Statistics included chi-square and linear regression with coefficients analysed as independent variables, considering a significant P-value of 0.05. On Day 0, percentages of RTS 5, 4, and 3 in the P4 heifers were 37, 27, and 36%, respectively, resulting in 64% of puberty induction. The P/AI was similar (P=0.14) in P4-treated and cyclic heifers (59v. 50.3%, respectively). The regression analysis presented a linear and positive effect of BW on P/AI (P&lt;0.001) in cyclic heifers and a positive influence of BW on RTS (P=0.05) and RTS on P/AI (P=0.008) in P4-treated heifers. The application of RTS system associated with P4 treatment of peripubertal heifers before FTAI protocol improved ovarian activity and might have contributed to higher P/AI, comparable with that achieved in cyclic heifers.

scholarly journals Weight estimation and hormone concentrations related to body condition in Icelandic and Warmblood horses: a field study

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus Bovbjerg Jensen ◽  
Lucca Louise Rockhold ◽  
Anne-Helene Tauson
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
The Body ◽  
Neck Length ◽  
Morphometric Measurements ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Correct Determination

Abstract Background The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of different body weight formulas for estimating body weight of Icelandic and Warmblood horses, as well as to assess the associations between the variables cresty neck score, body condition score, and plasma concentrations of leptin, insulin and cortisol. A total of 81 adult (≥ 4 years of age) horses (43 Icelandic and 38 Warmblood horses) was included in this study. The following morphological measurements were collected by two examiners simultaneously; body weight; height at withers; neck length; 0.5 neck length; neck circumference; umbilical circumference, two different heart girths, as well as two different body length measurements. The horse’s body weights were measured on a weight scale, and cresty neck scores were rated along with body condition scores using both the 0 to 5 and the 1 to 9 systems. Results In general, the concordance correlation coefficient was high for most formulas, but the mean bias and slope bias deviations varied between formulas. Some simple formulas using only heart girth, or heart girth and length can be used to estimate body weight of Icelandic and Warmblood horses as good as more complex formulas using four morphometric measurements. Plasma concentrations of leptin and insulin were higher (P < 0.001) for the Icelandic than the Warmblood horses, probably reflecting higher body fat content as suggested by the differences in body condition score. Conclusions Body weight formulas only give an estimate of body weight and not a completely correct determination. Some simple and more complex formulas can be used for Icelandic horses even though they are not developed for this breed. Complex formulas using four morphometric measurements were accurate, but simple formulas using only heart girth, or heart girth and length can be used to estimate body weight and thereby be applied to weight tapes and used to estimate the body weight of both Icelandic and Warmblood horses.

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