scholarly journals Cow Lying Behaviour and Bedding Quality Changes during Five Weeks on a Stand-Off Pad

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl O’Connor ◽  
Suzanne Dowling ◽  
Vanessa Cave ◽  
Jim Webster

Bedding quality and cow lying time were measured during five weeks in a normal farm practice (NFP) off-paddock system with no bedding refreshment. Two groups of 100 non-lactating dairy cows were compared to groups of 8 cows with fresh bedding (FB). The cows were on a woodchip pad for 18 h/d at a space allowance of 5.4 m2/cow, with 6 h/d on pasture for 5 weeks. Lying times were recorded continuously for 60 cows per group using accelerometers. Bedding moisture content was measured weekly. Data for each NFP group were analysed and compared with those of their respective FB group using repeated measures. The lying time declined over five weeks from 11.6 h/day during the first week to 5.6 h/day during the fifth week (SED = 0.3; F1,25 = 351.56; p < 0.001). The moisture content of the bedding increased over the five weeks and was significantly higher for both NFP groups (NFP Group 1: F5,59 = 8.33; p < 0.001; NFP Group 2: F5,61 = 5.54; p < 0.001) than those of the respective FB groups. The percentage of total time lying when in the paddock increased for the NFP groups, reaching 15% in the last week of the trial. During five weeks on a stand-off pad, bedding quality deteriorated, and cows lay down less, to such an extent that welfare was compromised.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
G. Tortorelli ◽  
A. J. Azrak ◽  
V. da Costa Andrade ◽  
R. dos Santos Ramos ◽  
A. S. Moraes ◽  
...  

Progesterone plays an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy. It is hypothesised that insufficient progesterone early in pregnancy may result in embryonic loss, and that supplemental progesterone would decrease pregnancy loss in dairy cows. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of progesterone supplementation after timed AI on pregnancy rate of dairy cows. The experiment was conducted in a single commercial herd, in Sao Paulo State (Brazil), during a period of 1 year (January–December 2016). The cows were assigned at a nonpregnancy diagnosis 32 ± 3 days after AI to 1 to 6 resynchronization treatments. They were submitted to the same fixed time AI protocol: Day 0, 0.1 mg of gonadorelin, 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate, and an intravaginal device of 1.9 g of progesterone; Day 7, 25 mg of dinoprost tromethamine; Day 8, 25 mg of dinoprost tromethamine, 1 mg of oestradiol cipionate, and device withdrawal; Day 10, AI. At Day 14, the cows were alternately arranged in 2 groups. Group 1 received a 900-mg progesterone supplementation IM injection, and Group 2 did not receive progesterone supplementation. Then, 32 ± 3 days after insemination, pregnancy diagnosis was performed by transrectal ultrasonography, and the data were tabulated. Full statistical analysis will be done at the end of the study, when more than 500 cows will be allocated to the 2 groups. From January until April 2016, 230 lactating dairy cows were submitted to the experiment. Both groups had similar average days in lactation (166), average number of lactations (1.95), and average number of inseminations (4.3). Group 1 had a pregnancy rate of 25% (29/116), and group 2 had a pregnancy rate of 15.8% (18/114) (P = 0.01, one-way ANOVA). Based on these preliminary data, pregnancy rates of lactating dairy cows may be improved with progesterone supplementation on Day 4 after insemination. These results need to be confirmed on larger numbers of cows.


2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Alberghina ◽  
G. Piccione ◽  
C. Giannetto ◽  
M. Morgante ◽  
M. Gianesella

Abstract. A study using 20 Holstein Friesian cows was conducted to investigate the influence of calf gender on metabolism during the transition period in dairy cattle. Blood samples were collected at three time points: 2–4 days prepartum (time 1), and 1 week and 2 weeks postpartum (time 2 and time 3 respectively). Serum samples obtained were analysed for total proteins, albumin, urea, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). Depending on the sex of the offspring, cows were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of cows with heifer offspring (n = 12) and Group 2 consisted of cows with bull offspring (n = 8). A two-way repeated measures ANOVA and t tests for unpaired data were used to analyse the pattern of studied parameters and differences between the two groups. The results indicate differences in metabolic parameters between the two groups. These results highlight the importance of considering fetal sex as a factor that influences maternal metabolism during the early transition period in dairy cows.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Namrata S. Rao ◽  
Abhilash Chandra ◽  
Sai Saran ◽  
Manish Raj Kulshreshta ◽  
Prabhakar Mishra ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Provision of oral protein in hemodialysis (HD) is desirable due to improved compliance to protein requirements and better nutritional status, but the risks of hypotension and underdialysis need to be considered. This study compared 2 different timings for administering oral nutritional supplements (ONS), predialysis and mid-dialysis, with respect to hemodynamics, dialysis adequacy, urea removal, and tolerability. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This single-center, prospective crossover study analyzed 72 stable patients with ESRD on twice a week maintenance HD with a mean age of 38.7 (±11.2) years and a dialysis vintage of 28.2 (±13.1) months. In the first week, all the patients received ONS (450 kcal energy, 20 g protein) 1 h prior to start of dialysis (group 1) and in the next week, the supplement was administered after 2 h of start of dialysis (group 2), with a predialysis fasting period of at least 3 h in both groups. Blood pressures, serum, and spent dialysate samples were collected and nausea occurrence was noted by severity. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Predialytic intake (group 1) was associated with higher predialysis and 1st hour blood urea, dialysis adequacy, and urea removal than group 2. Both groups achieved mean Kt/V &#x3e; 1.2, and the occurrence of symptomatic hypotensive episodes and nausea was not significantly different between the groups. On repeated measures ANOVA, changes in blood urea over time showed significant group effect. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Predialytic supplementation was associated with better dialysis adequacy and urea removal than intradialytic supplementation. However, both timings were equally tolerated and not associated with underdialysis.


2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. H. Gardner ◽  
C. K. Reynolds ◽  
R.H. Phipps ◽  
A.K. Jones ◽  
D.E. Beever

AbstractThe study compared the impact of feeding different energy supplements (barley, molassed sugar beet and fat) prior to calving and the effects of feeding supplemental fat post-partum, on subsequent production and reproductive efficiency of dairy cows. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were assigned to one of two groups, six weeks prior to expected calving date and fed a grass based total mixed ration according to ME requirements for late gestation. Group 1 was supplemented with barley (B) or molassed sugar beet feed (SB) prior to calving and was then given a high starch lactation ration. Group 2 was supplemented with either fat (F) or no supplement (C) pre partum, and was then given a similar lactation ration as Group 1 but supplemented with fat. Lactation rations were fed through to week-20 post partum and the cows were monitored during this period. Milk yield (P<0.002) and milkfat (P<0.02) production were higher and milk protein concentration (P<0.001) was lower in Group 2. The number of days to first rise in progesterone following parturition was greater (P<0.01) in Group 2. Due to the design of the study, effects of prepartum supplementation were only evaluated within each lactation ration group. Conception rate to first service was higher (P<0.001) for B than SB supplemented cows in Group 1 and higher (P<0.02) for F than C supplemented cows in Group 2. Services per conception were lower (P=0.06) for B than SB supplemented cows in Group 1 and lower (P<0.05) for F than C supplemented cows in Group 2. Overall pregnancy rates and days open were not significantly different between the groups. The data shows that pre-partum nutrition had an important role in determining subsequent fertility. Despite having negative effects early post partum, supplementing with fat did not affect overall reproductive performance but it did improve milk production.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Klawitter ◽  
Dörte Döpfer ◽  
Theo Broderick Braden ◽  
Ermias Amene ◽  
Kerstin Elisabeth Mueller

Objectives and designThis trial evaluated the effect of bandaging of acute painful ulcerative bovine digital dermatitis (DD) lesion (stage M2) in dairy cows, tested using two different topical treatments.DesignRandomised clinical trial.SettingThis study was conducted using Holstein-Friesian cows ranging in age from heifers to fourth lactation in a single dairy herd and diagnosed with acute ulcerative DD lesions (stage M2) on the first examination (week 0). Cows were randomly assigned into either a non-bandaged or bandaged group across two treatment conditions: topical chlortetracycline spray (CTC) and Intra Hoof-Fit Gel (IHF). Lesions received standardised bandaging and treatment on a weekly basis. Unhealed lesions could receive up to five repeated treatments, at weekly intervals, within a four-week period. Both M-stage and locomotion were also evaluated and scored weekly. Cows with healthily formed skin (stage M0) were deemed healed and subsequently released from the study.ResultsIn total, 163 M2 lesions were diagnosed at week 0. Bandaged M2 lesions had a significantly higher probability of cure than non-bandaged lesions regardless of treatment type (HR: 4.1; P<0.001; 95 per cent CI: 2.5 to 6.8). Most healing occurred within the first three weeks of trial. Furthermore, bandaged lesions (group 2 and group 4) were significantly less likely to progress into the chronic hyperkeratotic or proliferative stage (M4) than non-bandaged lesions in group 1 and group 3 (HR: 0.10; P<0.001; 95 per cent CI: 0.04 to 0.22). Out of concern for the cow’s wellbeing, this study investigated the effects of bandaging on locomotion. Bandaging had no effect on locomotion for either cows treated with CTC (group 1: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1–2; group 2: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1–3; P=0.3) or IHF (group 3: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1–2; group 4: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1–3; P=0.3).


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 128-133
Author(s):  
E.G. Salgado-Hernández ◽  
A. Aparicio-Cecilio ◽  
F.H. Velásquez-Forero ◽  
D.A. Castillo-Mata

Parturient paresis and subclinical hypocalcemia are frequent metabolic disorders in dairy cows postpartum. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of postpartum partial milking in the first two milkings on blood serum calcium concentration in dairy cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomized into two groups. Cows of group 1 (n = 10) were partially milked at the first and second milking postpartum. Cows of group 2 (n = 10) were completely milked. Blood samples were collected from all animals 5&ndash;7 days before calving, within 30 min after calving, and 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 h after calving for determination of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations. Colostrum production was registered and sampled in the first and second milking. Concentration of Ca in colostrum was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Serum Ca and P concentrations decreased in both groups after parturition (P &lt; 0.05) and remained low during 32 h postpartum with no difference observed between groups (P &gt; 0.05). Serum concentrations of Mg were stable in all samples and no statistical difference was observed between groups (P &gt; 0.05). Colostrum production was higher in completely milked cows only in the first postpartum milking (P &lt; 0.05), but there was no difference between groups at the second milking. Total Ca secretion in colostrum was higher in the complete milking group at the first and second postpartum milking. Colostrum Ca secretion increased at the second milking with respect to the first one in both groups (P &lt; 0.05). There was no correlation between serum Ca and colostrum Ca (P &gt; 0.05). In this study, the partial milking of colostrum in the first and second milking postpartum did not prevent subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows. &nbsp;


2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gad Bar-Joseph ◽  
Yoav Guilburd ◽  
Ada Tamir ◽  
Joseph N. Guilburd

Object Deepening sedation is often needed in patients with intracranial hypertension. All widely used sedative and anesthetic agents (opioids, benzodiazepines, propofol, and barbiturates) decrease blood pressure and may therefore decrease cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP). Ketamine is a potent, safe, rapid-onset anesthetic agent that does not decrease blood pressure. However, ketamine's use in patients with traumatic brain injury and intracranial hypertension is precluded because it is widely stated that it increases intracranial pressure (ICP). Based on anecdotal clinical experience, the authors hypothesized that ketamine does not increase—but may rather decrease—ICP. Methods The authors conducted a prospective, controlled, clinical trial of data obtained in a pediatric intensive care unit of a regional trauma center. All patients were sedated and mechanically ventilated prior to inclusion in the study. Children with sustained, elevated ICP (> 18 mm Hg) resistant to first-tier therapies received a single ketamine dose (1–1.5 mg/kg) either to prevent further ICP increase during a potentially distressing intervention (Group 1) or as an additional measure to lower ICP (Group 2). Hemodynamic, ICP, and CPP values were recorded before ketamine administration, and repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare these values with those recorded every minute for 10 minutes following ketamine administration. Results The results of 82 ketamine administrations in 30 patients were analyzed. Overall, following ketamine administration, ICP decreased by 30% (from 25.8 ± 8.4 to 18.0 ± 8.5 mm Hg) (p < 0.001) and CPP increased from 54.4 ± 11.7 to 58.3 ± 13.4 mm Hg (p < 0.005). In Group 1, ICP decreased significantly following ketamine administration and increased by > 2 mm Hg during the distressing intervention in only 1 of 17 events. In Group 2, when ketamine was administered to lower persistent intracranial hypertension, ICP decreased by 33% (from 26.0 ± 9.1 to 17.5 ± 9.1 mm Hg) (p < 0.0001) following ketamine administration. Conclusions In ventilation-treated patients with intracranial hypertension, ketamine effectively decreased ICP and prevented untoward ICP elevations during potentially distressing interventions, without lowering blood pressure and CPP. These results refute the notion that ketamine increases ICP. Ketamine is a safe and effective drug for patients with traumatic brain injury and intracranial hypertension, and it can possibly be used safely in trauma emergency situations.


1979 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-118
Author(s):  
Carl P. Gabbard ◽  
Charles H. Shea

Three groups of 4-yr.-old children were asked to complete a form perception assessment instrument prior to, 1 hr. after, and 1 wk. following a treatment. Group 1 participated in a movement-based form perception program, while Group 2 was instructed using a traditional classroom method. A third group which acted as control participated in unrelated movement activities. A repeated-measures analysis of variance gave a main effect of tests and an interaction of groups × tests. Group 2 displayed significantly higher performance on the posttest than Group 1; however, after 7 wk. the performance of Group 2 had decreased to a level below that of Groups 1 and 3, which remained stable.


2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Branko Atanasov ◽  
Ljupco Mickov ◽  
Igor Esmerov ◽  
Ksenija Ilievska ◽  
Martin Nikolovski ◽  
...  

AbstractPostpartum anestrus is a physiological phenomenon in high-producing dairy cows. Static ovaries have been related as major contributors for its occurrence causing a significant reproductive problem to the dairy industry. Different treatment methods have been employed with inconsistent rate of success in initiation of cyclicity, requiring further investigations in order to achieve satisfactory results. The aim of the present study was to compare the ovarian response in cows diagnosed with static ovaries, more than 60 days postpartum using two different hormonal treatment (GnRH and eCG) methods. A total of 58 acyclic cows (no CL, follicles<8mm, P4<0.5ng/mL) were randomly divided into three groups: GnRH (Group 1, n=23), eCG (Group 2, n=23) and Controls (n=12), and allocated thereafter, into subgroups according to the applied doses of GnRH (100μg or 250μg); eCG (750 IU or 1000 IU) whilst control group cows were left untreated. Daily follicular growth rate and treatment respond interval were estimated based on repeated ultrasound examinations. Blood serum P4 sampling was done on d -7, d-0 (start of the experiment) and on d 7 after ovulation. Resumption of cyclic activity occurred in 55.17% (32/58) of the treated cows, 56.52% in Group 1; 60.86% in Group 2 and 41.66% in the control group. Overall, the follicular growth rate was similar between the trials group and significant with regard to the cows in the control group (p<0.05). eCG or GnRH treated cows responded significantly faster 6.85±0.2 and 7.84±0.2 days, respectively, in comparison to the control group cows (17±0.7 days, p<0.001). Treatment with a single dose of GnRH or eCG caused resumption of follicular growth and ovulation following luteogenesis (forming CL) without significant changes in P4 concentrations on day 7 after ovulation (p>0.05). Cows in Group 2 had significantly higher incidence of multiple ovulations than cows in Group 1 (p<0.05). The eCG treatment resulted in a faster response and higher ovulation rate compared to GnRH treatment. In conclusion, both treatments have shown acceptable results in resumption of cyclicity in dairy cows with static ovaries.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 142-148
Author(s):  
Menelik M H Lee ◽  
Chao Ngan Chan ◽  
Betty Y T Lau ◽  
Teresa W L Ma

IntroductionCurrent evidence suggests annual training in the management of shoulder dystocia is adequate. The aim of this trial is to test our hypothesis that skills start to decline at 6 months after training and further decline at 12 months.MethodsIn this randomised, single-blinded study, 13 obstetricians and 51 midwives were randomly assigned to attend a 1-hour mixed lecture and simulation session on shoulder dystocia management. Training was conducted on group 2 at month ‘0’ and on group 1 at month ‘6’. Their knowledge scores (primary outcome) were assessed before (pre-training), immediately after the training (at-training) and retested at month ‘12’ (post-training).ResultsTwo-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed a statistically significant interaction between the testing time frame (pre-training, at-training and post-training) on the score (p<0.001), but no significant interaction between the groups on the score (p=0.458).Compared to pre-training, the score increased after the simulation training (at-training) in both group 1 (8.69 vs 14.34, p<0.001) and group 2 (9.53 vs 14.66, p< 0.001), but decreased at 6 months post- training in group 1 (14.34 vs 11.71, p<0.001) and at 12 months post-training in group 2 (14.66 vs 11.96, p< 0.001). However the score was better than before the training. There was no significant difference in the post –training score (11.71vs 11.96, p=0.684) between both groups.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that simulation training results in short-term and long-term improvement in shoulder dystocia management however knowledge degrades over time. Ongoing training is suggested at a minimum of 12 months’ interval for all members of the obstetrics team including midwives and doctors.


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