Incidence of Error in Oestrus Detection Based on Secondary Oestrus Signs in a 24-h Tie-Stalled Dairy Herd with Low Fertility

Oestrus detection error and conception rates after AI based only on secondary oestrus signs were evaluated in a high yielding, 24-h tie-stalled dairy herd with low fertility, using milk progesterone profiles. Oestrus detection was based on the secondary oestrus signs such as restlessness, swelling, congestion of vulva and clear mucus discharge. Sixty eight AI conducted after observing the secondary oestrus signs in 44 animals were included in the study. Of the 68 AI, 53 (77.9%) were conducted in the follicular phase, and 13 (19.1%) and 2 (2.9%) were carried out in the luteal phase and during pregnancy, respectively. The overall error in oestrus detection based on milk progesterone profiles was 22.1%. The oestrus detection error did not differ significantly among different secondary oestrus signs. None of the AI conducted in the luteal phase resulted in conception, whereas 20.8% of AI conducted in the follicular phase resulted in conception. No significant difference in the conception rates among the groups of cows with different secondary oestrus signs was shown. The high incidence of oestrus detection error in this study might have been caused by the detection of cows in oestrus based only on secondary oestrus signs due to the confinement of animals. In conclusion, there was a high incidence of heat detection error in the 24-h tie-stalled dairy herd and oestrus detection based only on secondary oestrus signs resulted in low conception rate.     

Towards an Automated Detection of Oestrus in Dairy Cattle

Heat detection is a key factor in the profitability of dairy herds. However, this detection demands a significant part of the breeder’s working time and is made difficult by the short duration and the discrete behavioural changes associated with oestrus in modern dairy cows. Progress has been made in monitoring cow with electronics, biosensors and computer. As a result, automated heat detection systems have been developed. Currently available tools are automated detectors of standing heat, activity‐metres and automated in‐line systems measuring milk progesterone. Camera‐software systems and monitoring of body temperature are being developed and may also be used as heat detection tools. The heat detection rate of most systems is above 80% with a specificity of detection generally higher than 90%. The accuracy, however, may vary considerably depending on the tool and model developed. The initial investment of several thousands of euros required for these automated systems becomes a source of profit in large herds, provided the recorded data are properly managed.     

Evaluation of Oestrous Detection in Dairy Cattle Comparing an Automated Activity Monitoring System to Visual Observation

The objective of the study was to evaluate an automated activity monitoring (AAM) system for oestrous detection in dairy cows. Specifically, we set out to determine the oestrous detection efficiency and accuracy of the AAM system and to compare reproductive performance of cows detected either by AAM, by visual observation (VO) or by at least 1 of the 2 methods (EOM). A total of 1004 potential cow‐periods from 348 cows were analysed. Oestrous detection rates (EDR) were calculated for 21 day (VWP+21), 42 day (VWP+42), and 63 day (VWP+63) after voluntary waiting period (VWP). Oestrous detection rate did not differ between AAM (42.1%) and VO (37.3%) during VWP+21 (p > 0.05) but was significantly higher in EOM (56.3%, p < 0.05). Oestrous detection by AAM achieved an efficiency (number of correctly detected oestruses/total number of cow‐periods*100) of 35.6% and an accuracy (number of correctly detected oestruses/(number of true+ false oestruses)*100) of 83.8%. Visual observation resulted in an efficiency of 34.3% and accuracy of 75.1%. Pregnancy rate at 200 DIM was higher in AAM (66.8%) and EOM (68.8%) than in VO (57.1%, p < 0.05). Cows detected by AAM (p < 0.05) showed a 1.37 times greater risk to conceive than cows detected by VO as the reference (p < 0.05). The results show that an automated activity monitoring system can support oestrous detection in dairy cattle. The exclusive use of such a system, however, cannot be recommended.     

奶牛群亚急性食盐中毒的诊治报告

1 发病情况及症状 1999年12月6日,我场的2号和3号成母牛舍的167头牛发生腹泻,紧接着整个场除产房外的各舍牛群及附近奶牛个体养殖户喂养的奶牛也出现腹泻,来势十分迅猛。发病开始就采取氯霉素、土霉素、磺胺类、洛美沙星、氧氟沙星等配合葡萄糖生理盐水静注或单独注射,同时投喂多种抗菌止痢药剂,但无一例好转,病情不仅未能控制,部分牛只腹泻程度还在加剧,新发病牛只不断出现,至12月8日下午,腹泻牛已达598头,占全场牛只数的90％左右。     

Aquagrams of Raw Milk for Oestrus Detection in Dairy Cows

The purpose of this research was to develop rapid and cost‐effective method for oestrus detection in dairy cows by means of near infrared spectroscopy and aquaphotomics, using raw milk from individual cows. We found that aquaphotomics approach showed consistent specific water spectral pattern of milk at the oestrus periods of the investigated Holstein cows. Characteristic changes were detected especially in foremilk collected at morning milking. They were reflected in calculated aquagrams of milk spectra where distinctive spectral pattern of oestrus showed increased light absorbance of strongly hydrogen‐bonded water. Results showed that monitoring of raw milk near infrared spectra provides an opportunity for analysing hormone levels indirectly, through the changes of water spectral pattern caused by complex physiological changes related to fertile periods.     

Post-partum Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Dairy Cattle on Smallholder Farms in Sub-humid Coastal Tanzania

The objective of this study was to monitor the reproductive performance of dairy cows in smallholder farms under the Tanga Dairy Development Project (TDDP). The findings can be used to improve reproductive efficiency. Dates of oestrus, artificial insemination (AI) or service by bull and calving were recorded, and pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation. Daily milk yields, monthly body condition score (BCS) measured on the scale of 1-9, feed availability, calf rearing, and diseases were also recorded. Milk progesterone (P4) concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 1327 sequential samples collected between day 15 and 120 in 46 post-partum Zebu x Friesian crossbred dairy cows. The mean interval from calving to first P4 rise above 2 nmol/L (cyclicity) was 66.1 +/- 6.8 days. Resumption of ovarian activity postpartum was early (< 60 days) in 45%, and late (> 60 days) in 55% of the cows. In about 45% of the cows the first post-partum ovarian cycles were short (< 14 days) and had low P4 concentrations. Oestrus was missed once or several times in 34.7% of the cows, most likely indicating poor oestrus detection, silent oestrus, or farmers deliberately not taking or reporting their cows for insemination. The mean interval to conception was within 130 days postpartum. Average daily milk production was 5.7 +/- 2.2 L and the mean BCS Was 3.1 +/- 1.3. Both milk production and BCS had no clear influence on the measured reproduction parameters. Clinical uterine involution was complete within 29 +/- 2.6 days of calving in the majority of cows. Progesterone profiles and rectal palpation revealed various causes of infertility, which included anoestrus, silent oestrus, irregular oestrous cycles, and infection of the uterus. The major causes of animal culling, death, slaughter or sales include tick-borne diseases and trypanosomiasis, which have high prevalences in the area, infertility, low productivity and old age. Greater attention should be focused on reproduction and its interaction with nutrition and disease control.     

奶牛养殖小区繁殖力低的原因及提高措施

随着奶业的发展,奶牛养殖小区的建设逐渐增多,饲养规模也不断扩大,但由于饲养、管理、繁殖等技术的应用不到位,使奶牛繁殖力低下,极大地影响了奶业的健康发展。文章就影响奶牛繁殖力低下的原因进行分析,并提出相应的防治措施。     

The Use of Liveweight Change as an Indicator of Oestrus in a Seasonally Calving,Pasture‐Fed Dairy Herd

This was an observational study of 828 lactations in 542 mixed‐age dairy cows that calved seasonally in a single, pasture‐fed herd in New Zealand in 2008 and 2009. The study objectives were to: (i) document daily liveweight change (?LW) before and after observed oestrus for cows subsequently diagnosed pregnant or non‐pregnant and (ii) quantify the sensitivity and specificity of ?LW as a test for oestrus. The sensitivity and specificity of ?LW when combined with other commonly used oestrous detection methods was also evaluated. In cows that conceived as a result of service at detected oestrus, liveweight loss began 1 day before the day of detection and was greatest on the day of detection (?9.6 kg, 95% CI ?11.3 kg to ?7.8 kg; p < 0.01) compared with LW recorded 2 days before the day of detection. In cows that did not conceive to a service at a detected oestrus, the lowest liveweights were recorded 1 day before the day oestrus was detected (?4.3 kg, 95% CI ?7.7 to ?0.8 kg; p = 0.02) compared with LW recorded 4 days before the day of detection. The sensitivity and specificity of ?LW as a means of oestrous detection were 0.42 (95% CI 0.40–0.45) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.95–0.97), respectively. When ?LW was combined with tail paint and visual observation, the oestrous detection sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 and 0.94, respectively. Monitoring LW change holds promise to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of oestrous detection in combination with other oestrous detection methods.     

Comparison of Oestrous Intensity between Natural Oestrus and Oestrus Induced with Ovsynch Based Treatments in Japanese Black Cows

The aim of this study was to examine the possible differences of oestrous intensity between natural oestrus and induced oestrus using the walking activity measuring device. Walking activity was used as an evaluation index of oestrous intensity. A total of 27 Japanese Black cows, more than 40 days after calving and clinically normal, were randomly assigned to three groups. Walking activity was recorded using a commercially available computerized pedometer system. The treatment groups consisted of an Ovsynch (n = 8) and a controlled internal drugs releasing device (CIDR) + Ovsynch (n = 9) group. The control group (n = 10) received no treatment. Walking activity was examined in all groups. Timed artificial insemination (timed AI) was performed at 16 hours after the onset of oestrus in the control group and at 24 h after second administration of GnRH in the treatment groups. Duration of oestrus had a tendency to be shorter in both the Ovsynch and the CIDR + Ovsynch groups when compared with the control group. The time required from the onset of oestrus to the time showing the highest number of steps of walking (the time to peak) showed a tendency to be shorter in CIDR + Ovsynch group. The number of steps of walking at peak and overall walking activities were significantly lower in both treatment groups than in the control group. Both activity and super-activity periods of time in the treatment groups were shorter than the control group. No difference was observed in the conception rate between the control (50.0%; 10/20), Ovsynch (50.0%; 4/8) and CIDR + Ovsynch groups (66.7%; 6/9). This study demonstrates that the oestrous intensity of cows in oestrus was different between natural oestrus and induced oestrus and also between the methods of the synchronization, but no difference was observed in the conception rate among the three groups.     

Post-partum Reproductive Performance of Sanga Cattle in Smallholder Peri-urban Dairy Herds in the Accra Plains of Ghana

The reproductive performance of 76 Sanga cows was studied from February 1995 to July 1996 in smallholder peri-urban dairy systems in the coastal savanna zone of the Accra plains of Ghana. The interval from calving to resumption of cyclic ovarian activity was 101±7 days; that from calving to conception was 152±4 days; gestation length was 292±16 days; and the calving interval was 444±16 days. The effects of location, season of calving, parity, body condition score and sex of calf were studied. Calving to cycling interval was significantly shorter in the dry season than in the wet season, and decreased significantly with increasing body condition score. Calving to conception interval was affected only by location. Gestation length was not affected by any of the variables studied. Calving interval was affected by location, season of calving, parity and body condition score. It is concluded that long post-partum anoestrus leads to prolonged calving intervals and poor reproductive performance. Feed supplementation to improve the nutritional status and body condition score of cows and early weaning of calves could be introduced to enhance reproductive performance.     

Urolithiasis in a Herd of Beef Cattle Associated with Oxalate Ingestion

An unusually high incidence of urinary calculi in a group of feeder cattle is described. Necropsy findings in one affected animal suggested that oxalates in the feed, specifically in fescue (Festuca spp.) seed screenings, may have been the cause. Low dietary calcium and decreased water intake by the cattle appear to have been predisposing factors. Control measures are discussed.     

用多重PCR方法检测奶牛场麻雀中分枝杆菌感染情况

目的：利用可以鉴别分支杆菌属中结核分枝杆菌、牛分支杆菌、非结核分枝杆菌多重PCR方法,检测奶牛场麻雀组织中分支杆菌感染情况。方法根据结核分枝杆菌种特异基因目的片段MTP40、分枝杆菌属特异基因32kD、结核分枝杆菌复合群特异基因IS6110插入序列,设计合成三对特异性引物,扩增对32kD的506bp、MTP40的396bp和IS6110的984bp片段,以此方法检测奶牛场麻雀肺组织中分支杆菌感染情况,并对阳性结果的目的片段进行克隆测序。结果在分析的21份麻雀肺组织中,检测出2例非结核分枝杆菌阳性病料,阳性率9.52%。2例阳性样本PCR扩增得到的片段与GenBank收录的32kD基因同源性分别为95.8%和97.2%。结论麻雀肺组织中存在分支杆菌感染阳性病例提示该牛场中生物体内存在分支杆菌潜伏感染,并可能导致奶牛的潜伏感染以及干扰结核检疫。     

254例奶牛难产及救治

奶牛难产是产科病中常见病，多年来接助难产牛254例，其中经临床病志统计危重症124例，从中可按胎次、难产性质区分：一胎发生62例，占52％；2－4胎次发生36例，占28％；5胎次以上的26例，占22％。产道性难产24例，占19.4%；产力性难产37例，占29.8%；胎儿性难产63例，占50.8%。     

奶牛瘤胃酸中毒的诊治

瘤胃酸中毒是由于奶牛采食过量谷物精料,于瘤胃内产生大量乳酸等物质,引起以前胃机能障碍为主要症状的一种疾病。该病以前胃机能障碍、消化紊乱、中枢神经兴奋性先增高后抑制、脱水、卧地不起、休克、毒血症和高死亡率为特征。通过采用中西医结合进行治疗,可取得良好的效果。     

Epidemiological and Bacteriological Aspects of Mastitis Associated with Yellow‐Jacket Wasps (Vespula germanica) in a Dairy Cattle Herd

The German wasp, Vespula germanica has been observed to injure teats of dairy cows, causing lesions that are associated with clinical and subclinical mastitis. The presence of skin lesions on the teats, caused by the wasps, was recorded in a dairy cattle herd located in the Samaria foothills during July–October 1999. Wasp‐inflicted injuries were found in 43.6% (58 of 133) of the adult cows and 1.4% (one of 71) of the first‐calving cows. They were located in 42.4% of cows (n = 25) on all quarters, 18 cows (30.5%) had lesions on the front quarters and 27.1% (n = 16) of cows on the hind quarters only. Clinical and subclinical mastitis were diagnosed in 61% (36 of 59) and 28.8% (17 of 59), respectively, of the injured adult and first‐calving cows. The most common bacterial isolates from the mastitic cows were Staphylococcus aureus 45.1% (n = 14), Streptococcus dysgalactiae 16.1% (n = 5), Streptococcus spp. 19.4% (n = 7) and others 13.9% (n = 5). The loss of milk production was estimated at 300 kg milk for each cow injured by wasps and exhibiting clinical mastitis. An increase in the bulk‐milk somatic cell count, from 186 × 10³ at 1 month prior to the outbreak to a peak of 1200 × 10³ in the post‐outbreak month, was noted. The culling rate reached 13.6% (eight of 59) of the affected cows. In summary, the considerable economic losses caused by the wasp infestation resulted from decreased milk production and a decline in milk quality, culling of affected cows, and increased demand for use of drugs and veterinary care.     

奶牛真胃变位的诊断与治疗

真胃变位(abomasal displacement)是指真胃正常解剖学位置发生改变,引起消化功能障碍,导致营养失调的消化系统疾病。真胃变位是奶牛常见疾病,多发于高产奶牛分娩前后,一般情况下多发生左方变位,在断奶前一般发生右方变位。该病主要造成奶牛的淘汰率增加,生产能力下降,治疗费用增多,给奶牛养殖业造成严重损失。本文介绍在富宁兰养殖场实习期间遇到的奶牛真胃变位病例,并从发病原因、临床症状、诊断、治疗、预防等几个方面进行总结,以期为有效防治奶牛真胃变位提供参考。     

性控精液对奶牛人工授精情期受胎率及性比例的影响

本试验用经流式细胞分离仪分离的富含X精子的性控精液及常规精液对奶牛进行人工授精.结果表明:试验组(性控精液)与对照组(常规精液)情期受胎率分别为54.81%(74/135)和60.61%(40/66),两者之间差异不显著(P＞0.05).试验组所产犊牛母犊率为97.14%(34/35).试验表明,通过控制母牛输精部位及时间,可使性控精液的受胎率接近常规精液水平.用性控精液进行人工授精所产后代的母犊率远远高于常规精液.