影响奶牛产犊间隔的因素分析

对江苏省徐州市某奶牛场约800头荷斯坦奶牛1998到1999年产犊间隔与产犊季节、产奶量、产犊胎次、犊牛初生重、犊牛性别等基础资料进行统计分析,结果表明:产犊季节对产犊间隔有极显著的影响(P<0.01);奶牛的产奶量对产犊间隔也有极显著的影响(P<0.01);产犊胎次、犊牛初生重及犊牛性别对产犊间隔无显著影响(P>0.05)。     

Predictive ability of models for calving difficulty in US Holsteins

The performance of alternative threshold models for analyzing calving difficulty (CD) in Holstein cows was evaluated in terms of predictive ability. Four models were considered, with CD classified into either three or four categories and analysed either as a single trait or jointly with gestation length (GL). The data contained GL and CD records from 90 393 primiparous cows, sired by 1122 bulls and distributed over 935 herd-calving year classes.
Predictive ability of each model was evaluated using four criteria: mean squared error of the difference between observed and predicted CD scores; a Kullback-Leibler divergence measure between the observed and predicted distributions of CD scores; Pearson's correlation between observed and predicted CD scores and ability to correctly classify bulls as above or below average for incidence of CD.
In general, the four models had similar predictive abilities. The joint analysis of CD with GL produced little, if any, improvement in predictive ability over univariate models. In light of the small difference in predictive ability between models treating CD with three or four categories and considering that a greater number of categories can provide more information, analysis of CD classified into four categories seems warranted.     

Experimental lead-poisoning in dogs

Extract

It has long been established that antibodies to the major anaerobic infections in sheep are transferred to the suckled lamb in the colostrum or first milk. Effective absorption of such antibodies from the gastro-intestinal tract takes place during the first fifteen hours of life; hence, in order to acquire protection the lamb must have suckled during this period. The degree of protection available in the colostrum will depend on the success of the immunization procedures in the ewe.     

Antibiotics: Their application in veterinary practice

A 3-week-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for weakness and cyanosis. A pansystolic regurgitant murmur and other physical findings suggested that the foal developed pulmonary oedema as a consequence of congenital heart disease. A large atria1 septal defect, a high ventricular septal defect and dysplasia of the atrioventricular valves were visualised echocardiographically. A persistent common atrioventricular canal was observed at necropsy.     

Effect of forage type on claw horn lesion development in dairy heifers

In a continuous design study the claw health of 54 Holstein-Friesian heifer calves was recorded from three months of age until six months after first calving (30 months of age). Pre-calving heifers were either fed a wet, fermented grass silage-based diet (WF) or a dry, unfermented straw and concentrate based diet (DU), apart from grazing during their first summer. Approximately one month before calving both groups were fed a silage-based diet and afterwards all received a silage and concentrate lactation ration. Claws were examined four times during rearing, once pre-calving, and four times during lactation. Both white line and sole lesions were significantly worse for WF than DU both during rearing and throughout first lactation although the effect was not as consistent over time for white line lesions. It is concluded that for optimal claw health youngstock diets should not be heavily based on wet grass silage (less than 25% DM).     

Comparison of two methods of detecting purulent vaginal discharge in postpartum dairy cows and effect of intrauterine cephapirin on reproductive performance

Objective   Part 1: compare the use of a Metricheck™ device (a stainless steel probe with a semi-spherical rubber cup attached at one end) to sample the contents of the anterior vagina with a vaginal speculum examination for the diagnosis of pus in the vagina of postpartum dairy cows and to investigate the association of that pus with reproductive performance. Part 2: assess the effect of a single intrauterine infusion of 500 mg cephapirin in cows diagnosed with vaginal purulent or mucopurulent discharge 7 to 28 days after calving on reproductive performance.
Procedure   Six herds were visited fortnightly to examine cows that had calved between 7 and 28 days (n = 423) with both the Metricheck device and a vaginal speculum to score, by each method, the vaginal discharge from 0 (clear or absent) to 3 (purulent) for each animal included in the study. Half of the cows that had a positive discharge score (1 to 3 by either examination method) were then treated with an intrauterine infusion of 500 mg of cephapirin. The relationship between Metricheck score, vaginoscopy score, treatment and reproductive performance was assessed.
Results   There was a substantial measure of agreement between each method when scores were analysed by status. Cows that were positive with either method had inferior reproductive performance compared with cows with a score of zero. Treatment of cows diagnosed with a purulent or mucopurulent discharge with intrauterine cephapirin improved reproductive performance in both the vaginoscopy and Metricheck groups.     

Reproduction and Lactational Performance of Cattle in a Smallholder Dairy System in Zimbabwe

A study was conducted in two adjacent locations. Nharira (communal) and Lancashire (small-scale commercial) farming areas in Zimbabwe to characterize the breeds and evaluate the reproductive and lactation performance of dairy cattle under smallholder management. The types of cows identified were Friesian, Jersey and Red Dane, and an indigenous Sanga breed called the Mashona and its crossbreds. Both sectors used more exotic and crossbred cows than indigenous cows. The mean monthly weights of the dairy cows were higher in Lancashire than in Nharira and the calving intervals were longer in Nharira than in Lancashire. The mean age at first calving was higher and the mean total lactation yields were greater in Nharira than in Lancashire, but the mean 305-day lactation yields were not significantly different. The mean lactation lengths were longer for the cows from Nharira. It was concluded that the reproductive and lactation performances were low. The calving intervals were extended, probably owing to suboptimal nutrition and heat stress, particularly during the dry season, and to poor management practices, such as delayed mating due to the poor availability of bulls.     

奶牛繁殖的遗传学和基因组学研究进展

繁殖性状是奶牛生产的重要经济性状。繁殖性状属于数量性状,受多基因的调节和环境的影响,并且遗传力低(一般不到0.05)。采用传统的选择方法提高奶牛繁殖力很难奏效,而基因组学的发展为有效提高繁殖力提供了可能。介绍了繁殖性状的遗传变异、繁殖性状与产奶量的关系,传统育种和基因辅助育种策略,奶牛繁殖的功能基因组学和基因组选择的研究进展和发展前景,特别是基因组和蛋白质组学的研究有望提高遗传选择的效率,预计在不久的将来,能对改善奶牛的繁殖性能发挥重要作用。