The Relationship Between Coat Color and Reproductive Performance of Dairy Cows in Algeria

The objective of the current study was to analyze the reproduction parameters of 48 dairy cows (29 Montbeliardes and 19 Normandes) and their relationship to coat color. Cows were imported from European countries and raised in the semi-arid region of Sétif in Algeria. The findings showed that the cows of the Montbéliarde breed were more fertile and of greater reproduction efficiency, compared to Normandes. Regarding the Montbéliarde breed, the intervals between calving and calving to conception were respectively 378.34 and 98.65 days, which were shorter than those of the Normandes breed (67 and 22 days, respectively). Normandes cows registered a higher number of services per conception (1.54 ± 0.9), compared to Montbeliarde cows (1.34 ± 0.55). Calving to the first service interval of the Normandes (76 days) was longer by 5 days than that of the Montbéliarde breed. The coats of Montbéliarde cows (51%) were whiter than those of Normandes (48%). A darker hair coat probably assured protectivity against thermal stress and greater efficiency of reproduction. The interval between calving in Montbéliarde cows was significantly affected by coat color; the interval between calving of cows with a colored coat was shorter (358 days) than whiter cows (400 days). For Normandes, cows with a colorful coat required fewer services per conception number (1.44). Hair works as a temperature regulator and may affect reproduction performances. The results of the current study suggest the possibility of integrating coat color into animal selection. It can be assumed that colored coats for Montbéliarde and Normande breeds appear to be related to their reproductive efficiency (interval between calving and number of services per conception, respectively).

Study on effect of hair coat color on various reproductive attributes of Cholistani service bulls

The objective of the present study was to assess the possible effect of hair coat color on various orchidometric, seminal and andrological attributes of black-coated and brown-coated Cholistani service bulls. Adult Cholistani bulls (n= 8) were grouped as black-spotted (n= 4) and brown-spotted (n=4). Semen collection was performed once weekly (2 ejaculates/collection) using artificial vagina (AV) throughout the study period (October-May). Semen samples were evaluated for various physical attributes. Body weight and orchidometric attributes of the bulls were attained using calipers. Blood sampling was performed twice weekly and serum testosterone level was deduced through automated analyzer. The scrotal circumference, Scrotal Skin Fold Thickness and Paired Testicular Volume were significantly higher (P<0.05) in black-spotted Cholistani bulls as compared to brown-spotted bulls. Similarly, the ejaculatory volume (5.8±0.1 mL) and individual sperm motility (63.3±1.4%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in black-spotted bulls. Percentage of live spermatozoa, and spermatozoa with normal morphology and acrosome was also higher in black-spotted bulls though statistically non-significant (P>0.05). Amongst post-thaw seminal attributes, percentage of live spermatozoa, and spermatozoa with normal morphology and acrosome were significantly higher (P<0.05) in black-spotted bulls. Similarly, serum testosterone level in black-spotted Cholistani bulls (6.9±0.3 ng/mL) was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to brown-spotted bulls (5.4±0.3 ng/mL). The black-spotted Cholistani service bulls showed substantially better orchidometric and seminal attributes allied with higher serum level of testosterone.

Animal-Based Indicators for On-Farm Welfare Assessment in Goats

This review describes the current state of knowledge relating to scientific literature on welfare indicators for goats. Our aim was to provide an overview of animal-based indicators for on-farm welfare assessments. We performed a literature search and extracted 96 relevant articles by title, abstract, and full-text screening. Out of these articles, similar indicators were aggregated to result in a total of 32 welfare indicators, some of which were covered in multiple articles, others in only a single one. We discuss a set of three established assessment protocols containing these indicators, as well as all individual indicators which were covered in more than one article. As single indicators, we identified lameness, body condition score (BCS), qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA), and human–animal relationship (HAR) tests with substantial evidence for sufficient validity to assess welfare in goats. A multitude of indicators (e.g., hair coat condition) was studied less intensively but was successfully used for welfare assessments. For some indicators (e.g., oblivion, lying behaviour), we highlight the need for future research to further validate them or to optimise their use in on-farm welfare assessments. Moreover, further investigations need to include kids, bucks, and meat and fibre goats, as well as extensively kept goats as the literature predominantly focuses on dairy goats in intensive production systems.

Feasibility and Reliability of the AWIN Welfare Assessment Protocol for Dairy Goats in Semi-extensive Farming Conditions

The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and reliability of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol for welfare assessment of dairy goats when applied to semi-extensive farming conditions. We recruited 13 farms located in the NW Italian Alps where three assessors individually and independently applied a modified version of the AWIN welfare assessment protocol for goats integrated with some indicators derived from the AWIN welfare assessment protocol for sheep. The applied protocol consisted of nine individual-level (body condition score, hair coat condition, abscesses, overgrown claws, udder asymmetry, fecal soiling, nasal discharge, ocular discharge, and improper disbudding) and seven group-level (severe lameness, Qualitative Behavior Assessment-QBA, thermal stress, oblivion, Familiar Human Approach Test-FHAT, synchrony at grazing, synchrony at resting) animal-based indicators. On most farms, the level of welfare was good. Many of the considered welfare problems (overgrown claws, fecal soiling, discharges, and thermal stress) were never recorded. However, oblivion, severe lameness, hair coat condition and abscesses were detected on some farms, with percentages ranging from 5 to 35%. The mean percentage of animals with normal body condition was 67.9 ± 5.7. The level of synchronization during resting was on average low (14.3 ± 7.2%). The application of the whole protocol required more than 4 h/farm and 3 min/goat. The inter-observer reliability varied from excellent (udder asymmetry, overgrown claws, discharges, synchrony at resting, use of shelter) to acceptable (abscesses, fecal soiling, and oblivion), but insufficient for hair coat condition, improper disbudding, synchrony at grazing, QBA. Differences in background of the assessors and feasibility constraints (i.e., use of binoculars in unfenced pastures, individual-level assessment conducted during the morning milking in narrow and dark pens, difficulties when using the scan and instantaneous sampling method due to the high number of animals that moved at the same time) can affect the reliability of data collection. Extensive training seems necessary for properly scoring animals when applying the QBA, whereas the FHAT to evaluate the Human-Animal Relationship of goats at pasture seems promising but needs to be validated. Indicators that evaluate the synchrony of activities require to be validated to identify the best moment to perform the observations during the day.

Welfare of Native Goat Breeds in Serbia—Emphasis on Parasitological Infections

Native goat breeds in Serbia has been recognized as an important element of regional agrobiodiversity and play an important role in the safeguarding of cultural and traditional heritage. The aim of this study was to identify the main welfare issues likely to be encountered in extensive goat farming systems with an emphasis on parasitological infections. The study was conducted during the winter season on four small farms of native Balkan and Serbian white goats. For welfare assessment, animal-based indicators from AWIN protocol for goats were used. All fecal samples for parasites were qualitatively and quantitatively examined. The main welfare issues identified were poor hair coat condition (62.79%), dirty and light soiling hindquarters (31.40%), thin body condition score (26.74%), abscesses (19.78%), and udder asymmetry (18.60%). In addition, an important and prevalent welfare problem identified across all farms was parasite infection and weak significant (p &lt; 0.001) correlation between certain parasites (Strongylidae, Moniezia spp., Buxtonella sulcate, and Protostrongylidae) and welfare indicators such as poor hair coat condition and nasal discharge. The results of this study provided the first overview and valuable insight into the impact of extensive systems on the welfare of native goats in the Balcan region.

Effect of the Silvopastoral System on the Thermal Comfort of Lambs in a Subtropical Climate: A Preliminary Study

The silvopastoral system has the potential to alleviate the negative impacts of heat stress on livestock. Through a preliminary study, we assessed the thermal environment experienced by hair coat lambs, as well as the impacts on their bio-thermal and behavioural responses, when either kept in either the silvopastoral system, or exposed to full sun. Twelve hair coat lambs (Dorper × Santa Ines) were randomly assigned to a silvopastoral system or full sun exposure during the summer (from January to February 2017). Parameters, including air temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and ground surface temperature, were measured daily for both thermal environments. From 14:00 to 16:00, lambs kept in silvopastoral areas experienced lower levels of air temperature, radiant heat load, and ground surface temperature. Consequently, they had a lower hair coat surface and lower body rectal temperatures. Lambs exposed to a shaded environment spent more time grazing and walking, and less time standing at rest. In conclusion, lambs kept in a silvopastoral system experienced lower levels of radiant heat load and ground surface temperature. In addition, the animals showed a reduced requirement for evaporative cooling and expressed behaviours that indicated a comfortable thermal environment.

Effects of blue monochromatic light directed at one eye of pregnant horse mares on gestation, parturition and foal maturity

Blue light directed at one eye advances the equine ovulatory season but can also advance foaling. In this study, effects of blue LED light on pregnancy outcome were assessed. Twenty mares with singleton pregnancies were studied over two consecutive years in a cross-over design. In one year, mares received an extended photoperiod using 50 lux of blue LED light (468 nm) directed at a single eye from 08:00 until 23:00 daily via head-worn light masks starting mid-December and in the other year remained untreated as controls. Gestation was shorter in blue LED light-treated (333.2+/- 1.0 days, +/- SEM) than in control pregnancies (337.9+/-1.8 days, p<0.05). Colostral IgG content was lower in treated than in control pregnancies (p<0.05) but was adequate to ensure sufficient IgG transfer to newborn foals with a single exception. Foals born to blue LED light-treated mares had lower wither heights (102.5+/-1.1 vs. 105.2+/-1.0 cm, p<0.01), similar weights (55.0+/-1.3 vs. 55.5+/-1.1 kg) and took less time to stand after birth than control foals (39+/-3 vs. 56+/-4 min, p<0.05). The neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, was higher in foals born to blue LED light-treated mares than controls (3.2+/-0.2 vs. 2.7+/-0.2; p<0.05). Foals born to blue LED light-treated mares had reduced hair length compared to controls (13.1+/-0.8 vs. 20.9+/-0.1 mm; p<0.001) and hair regrowth in treated mares was reduced (p<0.05). Maternal plasma prolactin concentration was increased in treated mares (p=0.05) and peaked at foaling (p<0.001). In conclusion, blue LED light directed at one eye advanced foaling and influenced height, hair coat and maturity in foals.

MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF BOS INDICUS, BOS TAURUS AND CROSSBRED WEANED HEIFERS TO SEASONAL VARIATIONS

Animals kept in extensive production systems are constantly exposed to the effects of climatic aspects, which could favour thermal discomfort, decreasing productive and reproductive performances. Utilisation of Bos taurus crosses with Bos indicus animals is increasing in the tropics aimed at improving production and it is now well known how these animals respond in such environment. The objective was to characterize the morpho-physiological thermoregulation responses of weaned heifers from four different genetic groups to infer regarding the different degrees of adaptation to heat under tropical conditions Forty-eight, pasture-kept, 6-month-old, weaned heifers from four distinct genetic groups: (1) Nellore; (2) Senepol; (3) Angus x Nellore; and, (4) ¼ Brahman x ¼ Nellore x ½ Senepol (Tri-cross) were evaluated. Skin, hair coat and rectal temperatures; sweating rate; respiratory and heart rates; visual analysis of hair and hair coat colour; hair coat temperature and thickness; and length, diameter, density and number of hairs were evaluated. In addition, the temperature-humidity index, black-globe temperature and humidity index, and radiant thermal load were determined. Angus x Nellore animals presented the lowest (P=0.008) respiratory rate. Rectal temperature did differ (P=0.001) between seasons. Angus x Nellore heifers showed the greatest (P=0.001) values for the morphological measures in the evaluated months, coinciding with thermal comfort indexes above those considered comfortable for cattle. Nellore (Bos indicus), Brahman x Nellore x Senepol, and Senepol (B. taurus) present the best adaptive traits in savanna. The utilisation of B. indicus animals or adapted breed confers desirable morphological characteristics for the tropical environment.

43 Cow Performance and Lameness Are Affected by Housing in Drylots vs Pasture During the Summer

The objective was to compare the performance of cows housed in drylots or on pasture. Spring-calving, Simmental × Angus cow-calf pairs (n = 108; 77 ± 18 days postpartum) were stratified by age, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), calving date, and calf sex. Cows were allotted into six groups which were randomly assigned to drylot or pasture. Drylot cows were limit-fed a ration consisting of corn silage, dried distillers grain, corn stalks, cracked corn, and a corn-based supplement to meet protein and energy requirements. Cows on pasture were rotationally grazed with access to free-choice mineral. Cows were artificially inseminated on day 0. Cow BW, BCS, hair coat scores, locomotion scores, and lameness treatments were evaluated throughout the 110-day experiment. Milk production and composition were evaluated on day 56. Data were analyzed using the MIXED and GLIMMIX (binary data) procedures of SAS. Artificial insemination and overall pregnancy rates did not differ (P ≥ 0.79) between groups. Drylot cows were 22 and 51 kg heavier (P ≤ 0.02) than pasture cows on days 83 and 110, respectively. Drylot cow BCS was greater (P = 0.03) on day 110. Hair coat scores were more desirable (P = 0.03) in drylot cows than pasture cows on day 110. Drylot cows had greater (P = 0.04) milk production than pasture cows. Pasture cows had greater (P ≤ 0.03) milk protein content and milk urea nitrogen. Although locomotion scores did not differ (P ≥ 0.45) on days 0 and 34, they were less desirable (P = 0.02) for the drylot cows on day 110. A greater (P = 0.02) percentage of drylot cows (33%) were treated for lameness than pasture cows (7%). Housing cows in drylots increased BW, BCS, and milk production, but resulted in poorer locomotion scores and increased lameness treatments.