scholarly journals Effects of Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) and Climatological Factors on Reproduction Efficiency of Holstein Friesian and Jersey Cows in the Subtropics

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3068
Author(s):  
Edward Cottington Webb ◽  
Elandri de Bruyn
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Agricultural Research Council ◽  
Environmental Interactions ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Milk Urea ◽  
Environmental Temperatures ◽  
Jersey Cows ◽  
Friesian Cows

This study investigated the effects of MUN and climatological factors on the inter calving period (ICP), reproductive performance (RP%), and reproductive index (RI) in Holstein Friesian (n = 1177) and Jersey cows (n = 3305) in different seasons in the subtropics. Threshold values for MUN on the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics remain controversial due to complex environmental interactions, especially with high environmental temperatures. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data obtained from the National Milk Recording scheme of the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in South Africa. The results confirm that MUN influences the reproduction of dairy cows in the subtropics. MUN concentrations exceeding 18.1 ± 4.28 mg/dL in Holstein Friesian cows and 13.0 ± 4.70 mg/dL in Jersey cows extended the inter calving period (ICP), and decreased RP% and RI. Jersey cows have a lower threshold MUN concentration compared to Holstein Friesian cows, but they are not adversely affected by high humidity or temperatures, while Holstein Friesian cows are.

scholarly journals Flow Cytometric Assessment of the Viability and Functionality of Uterine Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Postpartum Dairy Cows

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1081
Author(s):  
Leen Lietaer ◽  
Kristel Demeyere ◽  
Stijn Heirbaut ◽  
Evelyne Meyer ◽  
Geert Opsomer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Uterine Health ◽  
Intracellular Proteolysis ◽  
Friesian Cows

Postpartum dairy cows experience impaired peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) functionality, which has been associated with reproductive tract inflammatory diseases. However, it has not been elucidated yet whether endometrial PMN functionality is (equally) impaired. We developed a method for endometrial PMN isolation and flow cytometric assessment of their viability and functionality. We also evaluated PMN immunolabeling, using a specific bovine granulocyte marker, CH138A. Blood and endometrial cytobrush samples were collected in duplicate from seventeen clinically healthy Holstein-Friesian cows between 9 and 37 days in milk. The proportion of viable, apoptotic, and necrotic PMN in endometrial samples roughly ranged from 10 to 80%, indicating highly dynamic endometrial PMN populations in the postpartum uteri. Endometrial PMN functionality testing revealed that PMN immunolabeling increased the accuracy, although this protocol might influence the median fluorescence intensity of the sample. Phagocytosis seemed the most stable and reliable endometrial PMN function and could be assessed satisfactorily without prior CH138A immunolabeling. However, the interpretation of oxidative burst and intracellular proteolysis tests remains challenging. The correlation between peripheral and endometrial PMN functionality was poor. Further research is warranted to unravel the role of uterine PMN viability and functionality in bovine uterine health.

Acidogenicity of feeds for dairy cows. 2. Production responses

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 206-206
Author(s):  
R.J. Dewhurst ◽  
D. Wadhwa ◽  
L.P. Borgida ◽  
D.W.R. Davies ◽  
W.J. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Latin Squares ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
Lactation Performance ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

Falling prices for cereals and beneficial effects on milk protein concentrations may promote greater inclusions of rapidly fermented ingredients in dairy rations. There is, however, a limit to the inclusion of these feeds into dairy rations beyond which performance declines due to sub-acidosis and related disorders. The feed compounder will need to be able to set limits on levels of feeding concentrates according to these risks. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeds of different acidogenicity (Wadhwa et al., 1998) on lactation performance of dairy cows offered diets based on grass- or maize-silage.Twelve multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in the third month of lactation were used for this experiment. The experimental design involved adaptation and covariance recording on a standard diet (grass silage and 10 kg concentrates per day), followed by three 21-day experimental periods arranged as four 3x3 Latin Squares. The Latin Squares were constrained to a single forage to avoid difficulties in changeovers between grass silage and maize silage.

Matching grass supply to grazing patterns for dairy cows under strip-grazing management

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 49-49
Author(s):  
R.J. Orr ◽  
S.M. Rutter ◽  
P.D. Penning ◽  
N.H. Yarrow ◽  
L.D. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Strip Grazing ◽  
Friesian Cows

Grazed herbage is the cheapest feed available for dairy cows but total intake of nutrients from grazed pasture alone is generally insufficient to allow high yielding dairy cows to reach their production potential. Cows have their main daily meal following afternoon milking in the period up to sunset (e.g. Rook et al., 1994 ). In addition, both the DM content and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration of grass increase over the day (e.g. Orr et al., 1997) due to the loss of moisture and the accumulation of the products of photosynthesis. Based on this evidence, this study tested the hypothesis that dairy cows receiving strip-grazing allocations following the afternoon rather than the morning milking would show higher intake rates and consequently higher milk yields.Twenty Holstein-Friesian cows (median calving date 10 February 1997) were each supplemented with 4 kg concentrates day-1 and strip-grazed a perennial ryegrass pasture in four groups of 5 cows.

Comparison of reproductive responses after PGF2α and GnRH-PGF2α oestrous synchronisation schemes in Holstein cows

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 467-470
Author(s):  
J.F. Cox ◽  
F. Saravia ◽  
O. Torrealba ◽  
A. Zavala ◽  
A. Lobos
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Corpus Luteum ◽  
Detection Efficiency ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Reproductive Response ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Breeding Schemes ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractControlled breeding schemes for oestrous detection constitutes a proactive technical response that balances the infrastructural requirement for a profitable dairy operation and the demands for optimal animal performance. The present study compared (a) the reproductive response of a treatment based on a short vs longer-acting PGF2α analogue (tiaprost vs luprostiol), and (b) the reproductive response after a treatment of GnRH-PGF2α vs PGF2α alone for synchronizing dairy cows. Holstein-Friesian cows averaging 9000 kg milk/lactation and fed according to their requirements were used in the study. Cows were cyclic, at least 60 days post partum and were clinically sound before being considered for the experiments. In Experiment 1, animals were synchronised using an i.m. injection of either 15 mg of luprostiol or 0.75 mg of tiaprost, based on ultrasonic diagnosis of a corpus luteum. Animals were inseminated at observed oestrus. In Experiment 2, cows were synchronised, at random, by either an injection of 10pg ofbuserelin (day 0) followed by 0.75 mg of tiaprost at day 7 (GnRH-PGF2α) orjust 0.75 mg of tiaprost (PGF2α). For both treatments only cows with an ultrasonically detected corpus luteum were treated. Animals were inseminated at oestrus. At the time of treatment and again 3 days later, milk samples were collected and assayed for progesterone by RIA. Cows with progesterone concentrations >1 ng/ml were considered to have corpus luteum. Luteolysis was considered to have occurred when concentrations of progesterone were > 1 ng/ml at day 0 and <0.8 ng/ml at day 3. In Experiment 1, both analogues gave similar results in terms of induced luteolysis [luprostiol: 36/39 (92.3%) vs tiaprost: 36/41 (87.8%)], oestrous detection efficiency [luprostiol: 26/36 (72.2%) vs tiaprost: 30/36 (83.3%], oestrous distribution [day 2, 3 and 4, respectively: luprostiol: 26.9%, 50.0%, 19.2% vs tiaprost: 36.7%, 50.0%, 13.3%], and conception rates [luprostiol: 12/25 (48.0%) vs tiaprost: 14/28 (50.0%); P>0.05]. In Experiment 2, oestrous detection efficiency, interval to oestrus and conception rate were similar between treatments [97/149 (65.1%), 71.1 h, 43/95 (45.3%) for PGF2α vs 130/188 (69.1%), 68.2h, 65/126 (51.6%) for GnRH-PGF2α, respectively]. However the oestrous distribution was more concentrated in GnRH-PGF2α treated animals (P<0.01).

The effect of sward surface height on grazing behaviour by lactating holstein-friesian cows

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
M. J. Gibb ◽  
A. J. Rook ◽  
C. A. Huckle ◽  
R. Nuthall
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Grazing Behaviour ◽  
Friesian Cows

Sward surface height (SSH) has been shown to have an effect on the performance of dairy cows. However, to understand precisely how cows adapt to such differing sward conditions, it is necessary to study the interactions between bite mass, biting rate, and thus intake rate, and time spent grazing. An experiment was therefore designed to examine grazing behaviour and intake by lactating cows at three sward heights.

CHROMIC OXIDE IN DIGESTIBILITY STUDIES WITH LACTATING DAIRY COWS

1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-388
Author(s):  
A. L. Hoogendoorn ◽  
C. M. Grieve
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Conventional Method ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Chromic Oxide ◽  
Daily Administration ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

Chromic oxide (Cr2O3) in paper pellets was used as an indicator for digestibility studies with four Holstein-Friesian cows fed rations composed of different roughage to concentrate ratios. Cows A and B received one pellet, or 3.46 g of Cr2O3, whereas cows C and D received three pellets, or 10.38 g of Cr2O3, daily.Recovery of Cr2O3 in the feces varied from 84 to 103% for animals A and B and from 92 to 95% for animals C and D. The coefficients of apparent digestion of dry matter were lower (P < 0.01) when the Cr2O3 method was used instead of the conventional method. When samples were taken at 0500, 0900, 1300 and 1700 hours, the Cr2O3 method gave average estimates of digestibility for animal pairs A, B and C, D that were 94.2 and 97.5% of those obtained by the conventional method. Standard deviations for both the Cr2O3 and conventional methods were relatively high.Excretion patterns of Cr2O3 were not signicantly correlated with those of crude protein, phosphorus and calcium. The average concentrations of crude protein, phosphorus and calcium in compounded feces samples collected at 0500, 0900, 1300 and 1700 hours were 101.3, 100.6 and 96.7% of those in samples of the total excretions.The daily administration of 10.38 g of Cr2O3 at 0900 hours for eight days, and the collection of fecal grab samples at 0500, 0900, 1300 and 1700 hours daily during the last five days seemed satisfactory for estimating apparent digestibility of dry matter.

Effect of timing of protein supplementation on the performance of lactating dairy cows

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 337
Author(s):  
B. C. Granzin
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Protein Supplementation ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows ◽  
And Control ◽  
Friesian Cows

Two experiments were undertaken to determine the effect of timing of protein supplementation on performance of grazing, lactating Holstein–Friesian cows fed maize silage and grain-based concentrate. In experiment 1, 36 cows were fed 0.8 kg DM/day of solvent-extracted cottonseed meal (CSM) either as 1 meal at 1200 hours with maize silage (CSM 1200) or at 1530 hours with concentrate (CSM 1530), or in 2 meals at 0600 and 1530 hours with concentrate (CSM 600 + 1530). In experiment 2, 36 cows were either fed no CSM (control) or fed 1.0 kg DM/day as either CSM 1200 or CSM 600 + 1530. In experiment 1, daily yields of 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) and milk fat for CSM 600 + 1530 were significantly higher than for CSM 1530 with respective means of 22.8 v. 20.7 L and 895 v. 804 g. Daily yields of FCM and milk fat for CSM 1200 were intermediate (21.7 L and 841 g/cow, respectively). A similar trend for daily protein yield per cow was noted (712, 695 and 666 g for CSM 600 + 1530, 1200 and 1530, respectively). In experiment 2, milk yield differed numerically between CSM 600 + 1530 and other treatments, with means (± s.e.d.) of 24.7 ± 0.78, 22.9 ± 0.78 and 22.9 ± 0.78 L/cow.day for CSM 600 + 1530, CSM 1200 and control, respectively. Mean (± s.e.d.) net energy requirements for milk production and liveweight change tended to be lower for the control (68 ± 3.6 MJ/cow.day) as opposed to CSM 600 + 1530 (79 ± 3.6 MJ/cow.day) and CSM 1200 (76 ± 3.6 MJ/cow.day). Cumulative time where rumen degradable nitrogen:rumen degradable dry matter was less than 22 g/kg were 2, 2 and 3 h for CSM 600 + 1530, CSM 1200 and CSM 1530, respectively, in experiment 1, and 6, 4 and 2 h for the control, 1200 and CSM 600 + 1530, respectively, in experiment 2. No differences in rumen ammonia-N concentrations were noted between treatments in experiment 1. In experiment 2, a significantly lower mean (± s.e.d.) rumen ammonia-N concentration was recorded for the control at 1530 hours (62 ± 14.1 mg/dL) in comparison to CSM 600 + 1530 (114 ± 14.1 mg/dL) and CSM 1200 (119 ± 14.1 mg/dL). These experiments show that for grazing dairy cows supplemented with maize silage and grain-based concentrate, feeding a daily aliquot of CSM as 2 meals at 0600 and 1530 hours rather than 1 meal at 1200 or 1530 hours improves milk production.

Digestibility and nitrogen balance in dairy cows given diets of grass silage and whole crop wheat

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
J D Sutton ◽  
A L Abdalla ◽  
R H Phipps ◽  
S B Cammell ◽  
D J Humphries
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Fresh Weight ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
Low Efficiency ◽  
Friesian Cows

Whole crop wheat (WCW) appears to offer an attractive alternative forage to grass silage for dairy cows, particularly in those areas where maize silage cannot be grown. However in previous feeding trials the inclusion of WCW with grass silage has increased food intake but has not led to a corresponding increase in milk yield (Phipps et al,1993). As part of a programme to try to overcome the low efficiency of diets containing WCW, the present experiment was designed to examine the effects on feed intake and digestibility and milk production of the step-wise replacement of GS by urea-treated WCW.Winter wheat (cv Hussar), harvested at 620g DM/kg fresh weight and preserved with 20 or 40 g urea/kg DM (WCW-2, WCW-4) was compared with first-cut perennial ryegrass silage (GS). Six multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in mid-lactation were offered six diets over three 4-week periods in an incomplete change-over design. Diets were 6kg DM concentrates daily with forages ad lib. Treatments (DM basis) were GS alone, 2:1 GS:WCW-2 or WCW-4, 1:2 GS: WCW-2 or WCW-4, and WCW-4 alone. Feed intake and milk production were measured in weeks 3 and 4 and digestibility in week 4.

Matching grass supply to grazing patterns for dairy cows under strip-grazing management

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 49-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Orr ◽  
S.M. Rutter ◽  
P.D. Penning ◽  
N.H. Yarrow ◽  
L.D. Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Production Potential ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Strip Grazing ◽  
Friesian Cows

Grazed herbage is the cheapest feed available for dairy cows but total intake of nutrients from grazed pasture alone is generally insufficient to allow high yielding dairy cows to reach their production potential. Cows have their main daily meal following afternoon milking in the period up to sunset (e.g. Rook et al., 1994 ). In addition, both the DM content and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration of grass increase over the day (e.g. Orr et al., 1997) due to the loss of moisture and the accumulation of the products of photosynthesis. Based on this evidence, this study tested the hypothesis that dairy cows receiving strip-grazing allocations following the afternoon rather than the morning milking would show higher intake rates and consequently higher milk yields.Twenty Holstein-Friesian cows (median calving date 10 February 1997) were each supplemented with 4 kg concentrates day-1 and strip-grazed a perennial ryegrass pasture in four groups of 5 cows.

The effects of raising post-oestrus progesterone concentrations on luteal activity in post-partum dairy cows

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Darwash ◽  
G. L. Ward ◽  
G. E. Lamming ◽  
J. A. Woolliams
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Untreated Control ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Phase Length ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractIn order to investigate the rationale of manipulating post-ovulation progesterone (P4) concentrations, luteal activity was measured in 10 Holstein-Friesian cows treated with a progesterone-releasing device (CIDR, 1·9 g P4) inserted on the morning of day 2 post-oestrus for a period of 7 days and compared with 10 untreated control animals. Milk samples were collected daily during afternoon milking from 7 days pre- to 24 days post-oestrus and P4 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). The milk P4 profiles were used to assess the effects of early post-oestrus P4 elevation on five intervals of the luteal phase. In the treated (T) and control (C) animals, the mean interval from oestrus to P4 rise (≥3 μg/l), was 2·38 (s.e. 0·18) and 4·90 (s.e. 0·28) days, respectively, (P < 0·01). The mean interval from oestrus to the attainment of peak P4 concentrations was not significantly different (P > 0·05) between the T (14·75 (s.e. 1-62) days) and С (14·30 (s.e. 0·70) days) animals, with cows in the T group showing a more variable (F7 9 = 4-30, P < 0·05) interval to the occurrence of the peak. The interval from peak P4 to corpus luteum (CL) regression (when P4 fell below ≥3 μg/l) was not significantly different between the T (4·13 (s.e. 1·30 days) and С (5·60 (s.e. 0·88) days) groups. Furthermore, CIDR insertion did not alter luteal phase length, number of days with P4 concentrations ≥3 μg/l (T = 16·50 (s.e. 0·80) v.C = 15·00 (s.e. 0·47) days) or the interval from oestrus to CL regression (T = 18·88 (s.e. 0·79) v.C = 19·90 (s.e. 0·41) days). We conclude that treatment with CIDR 2 days after oestrus successfully increased the availability of P4 to cows without significantly affecting luteal phase characteristics.

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