Gestational, Periparturient and Preweaning Growth Traits of Holstein versus Gir × Holstein F1Crossbred Dairy Calves Born to Holstein dams

The objectives of this study were to assess the gestational, periparturient and preweaning growth traits of Holstein vs Gir × Holstein (G × H F₁) crossbred dairy calves. Holstein cows (n=64) pregnant with Holstein (H × H) calves (bulls, n=16; heifers, n=18) or G × H (bulls, n=8; heifers, n=22) calves were sampled from 60 days of gestation through calving for serum progesterone (P₄) and in utero placentome sizes, and at parturition for calving ease scores (CES), calf vigour scores (CVS), and placental characteristics. Post-calving calf measures included birth weight (day 0) and body weight (kg), hip width (HW), body length (BL), wither height (WH), hip height (HH) and heart girth (HG) through 42 days of age. Serum IgG and calf vital function tests (respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT) and fecal scores) were recorded on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 of age (a.m. and p.m.). Serum gestational P₄ was higher (p<0.05) for cows with H × H than G × H calves. Placentome measurements in utero were greater (p<0.01) for H × H calves than for G × H calves, while at parturition placental characteristics did not differ (p0.10). Gestation length, CES and CVS also did not differ (p0.10) between H × H and G × H calves. Calf RR and HR were higher (p<0.05) for H × H than G × H calves at both a.m. and p.m., while RT, fecal scores and serum IgG did not differ (p0.10) between H × H and G × H calves. Birth weight did not differ (p0.10) between H × H and G × H calves within sex. Moreover, bulls did not differ (p0.10) in any of the growth measures between H × H and G × H calves, whereas H × H heifers at days 28 and 42 of age were greater (p<0.05) in all growth traits than G × H heifers. Nevertheless, the relative change in growth measures over time (days 0 to 42) did not differ (p0.10) between H × H and G × H calves. While subtle differences in gestational, early growth and vital function characteristics were observed, these data suggest very similar developmental profiles between H × H and G × H calves.     

Calf survival and reproductive performance of Holstein–Friesian cows in central Ethiopia

This study was carried out to evaluate the reproductive performance and calves survival rate of Holstein–Friesian (HF) herd in Holeta, central highland of Ethiopia. A retrospective analysis of 26 years data was carried out, from which records of 724 age at first calving (AFC), 2,022 calving intervals (CI), 2,971 breeding efficiencies (BE), 260 abortions, 111 stillbirths were derived from 795 cows. Moreover, 738 female calves’ records were also included for survival rate study. The overall least squares means of AFC, CI, and BE were 40.9 ± 0.33 months, 475 ± 2.84 days, 81.9 ± 0.26%, respectively, while the incidence rates of abortion, stillbirth, and female calves survival rate for this herd were 8.0%, 3.4%, and 77.5%, respectively. The effects of parity number and year of birth/calving on CI and BE were significant (P < 0.001). Moreover, birth year had significant (P < 0.001) effect on AFC and calves survival rate, while calving season had significant effect on BE. The reproductive performance found in this study was lower than the performance reported in many tropical regions and the genetic potential of HF breed in their origins. Moreover, higher loss due to calf mortality was observed. Thus, the centre should consider appropriate measures to improve its herd reproductive performance and calves survival rate for attaining its aspired objectives.     

Voluntary intake and milk production in F1 Holstein × zebu cows in confinement

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake and milk production in Holstein × zebu (F1) cows in feedlot. Eighteen F1 cows were used, divided into three treatments; six were Holstein × Gir (HGI), six were Holstein × Guzerat (HGU), and another six were Holstein × Nelore (HNE), which had recently calved, distributed into simple, random samples, under the same feeding conditions of corn silage and concentrate with 20% crude protein. The three-marker method was used (LIPE, titanium dioxide, and iADF) to estimate the individual intake and digestibility of the nutrients for the cows in group. The mathematical model used to establish the lactation curves was: Y = at(b)e(-ct) by Wood (Nature 216:164-165, 1967). The statistical analyses for the nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as parameters of metabolic efficiency, were performed using multiple linear regression (α = 5%). No effect (P > 0.05) of genetic group was observed for any of the variables studied. The intake and digestibility of the nutrients and the microbial nitrogen presented quadratic curves as a function of the lactation period (P < 0.05). The HGU cows exhibited an accumulated milk production of 4,946.81 kg at 305 days, whereas the HGI cows produced 4,821.78 kg. The HNE cows displayed inferior performance, with a production of 3,674.98 kg. It was concluded that, in confinement, F1 cows from different genetic groups do not exhibit different intake, digestibility, or metabolic efficiency. The HGU and HGI cows have greater cumulative production at 305 days.     

Congenital tremor in Holstein Friesian‐cattle

Summary

In a female family line of Holstein‐Friesian cattle a series of trembling calves was born within a period of ten years. All trembling animals were male; female calves appeared normal At necropsy of one calf severe degenerative lesions of spinal cord and brain white matter were observed Both myelin and axons were lost and some macrophages occurred within digestion chambers. Obviously degenerated neurones were not found The lesion was interpreted as a single recessive sex‐linked hereditary trait.     

Postpartum toll-like receptors and β-defensin 5 mRNA levels in the endometrium of Holstein cows

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and β-defensins are important components of the innate immune system. This study aimed to evaluate endometrial mRNA levels of TLRs (1/6, 2, 4, and 5) and β-defensin 5 in Holstein cows by quantitative real time RT-PCR. Uterine biopsies were performed from 6 to 12 h after parturition, and cows were divided into two groups: (i) cows with placental retention and clinical signs of uterine infection until 45 days postpartum (n=10) or (ii) cows with normal puerperium (n=10). All cows had detectable levels of TLRs and β-defensin 5 mRNAs, but these levels did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Levels of TLR4 mRNA had a positive and significant correlation with the time required for uterine involution in both groups.     

Udder health in relation to udder and teat morphometry in Holstein Friesian × Sahiwal crossbred dairy cows

The present investigation involved 261 Holstein Friesian (HF) × Sahiwal cows to study the udder health as well as the udder and teat morphometry. The udder health was defined on the basis of bacteriology and California mastitis test of quarter foremilk. The morphometry parameters included udder fore depth (UFD, distance from the point where the fore udder merges within the abdomen to a point in front of the fore teats at the level of the udder base), udder rear depth (URD, distance from the bottom of the vulva to the base of the rear udder), udder depth (UD, level of the udder base with respect to hock joint), height of the udder from the floor, teat length, teat diameter (at mid of the teat barrel), teat-tip to floor distance and distance between the teats. The URD, UD and height of udder from the floor showed a significant (P?<?0.05) relation to the udder health with mastitic cows having larger URD, smaller udder distance from the floor and the udder base placed below the hock joint. The cows with teat length larger than 4.5 cm and teat diameter 3.0 cm or larger had significantly more quarters affected with mastitis. Further, cows with teats placed nearer to the floor were more susceptible to mastitis (P?<?0.01). No significant differences were found between healthy and mastitic udders with respect to UFD and distance between teats. It can be concluded that selection for optimum udder and teat morphometry in breeding programmes may help to reduce susceptibility to intramammary infections in HF × Sahiwal cows.     

Polymorphism of the beta-casein gene and its associations with breeding value for production traits of Holstein–Friesian bulls

Beta-casein A1 protein variant might be one of the risk factors in the etiology of human disorders like diabetes and ischemic heart disease. However, from the practical perspective selecting for the A2 allele in dairy cattle requires knowledge of whether the A1/A2 polymorphism is associated with breeding values for production traits. A DNA fragment containing A1/A2 polymorphic region was amplified and genotyped using the PCR-ACRS (Amplification Created Restriction Site) technique in 478 Holstein–Friesian bulls yielding the allele frequencies of 0.35 and 0.65 for the A1 and the A2 variants, respectively. A linear regression model was used for testing the association between the polymorphism and breeding values for production traits and showed that the allele coding the A2 protein variant increases breeding values for milk and protein yield and decreases breeding values for fat percentage in milk. Genotyping A.I. bulls at beta-casein locus and preferring A2 allele may lead to two benefits: increasing breeding value for protein yield and decreasing frequency of A1 protein variant, being considered as risk factor for human health.     

体细胞核移植生产转fat-1基因克隆Holstein牛

为培育含ω-3多聚不饱和脂肪酸(ω-3polyunsaturated fatty acids,PUFAs)丰富的转基因奶牛新材料,本试验将fat-1基因转染到Holstein奶牛胎儿成纤维细胞,筛选获得的转基因阳性克隆细胞株,通过核移植方法构建转基因重构胚胎,比较了非转基因与转基因重构胚体外发育情况,并移植到代孕母牛子宫角。妊娠足月产下犊牛后,对犊牛进行转基因的DNA以及mRNA的表达鉴定。结果显示,非转基因与转基因重构胚囊胚率分别为32.1%和28.1%,两者之间无显著差异(P0.05)。受体母牛的妊娠率为66.7%(6/9),其中3头母牛妊娠足月(50%)。自然分娩3头克隆牛,体细胞克隆牛的效率为20%(出生小牛头数/移植胚胎数)。经PCR鉴定,这3头小牛中有1头为转fat-1基因阳性,其余2头均为阴性,转基因阳性率为33.3%。     

Genetic and Environmental Effects on the Productivity of Holstein–Friesian Cattle under the Climatic Conditions of Central Sudan

A herd of 370 Holstein–Friesian cows were maintained in Central Sudan, Khartoum for intensive dairy production during the period 1990–1996. The area is characterized by high temperatures during the day and cools down at night, with an average thermal-humidity index (THI) of 74.8. The average adjusted lactation milk yield, milk yield per day, milk yield per day of calving interval and lactation length of the animals in the herd were 5117±123 (SE) kg, 14.7±0.25 kg, 11.3±0.36 kg and 350±8.0 days, respectively. Heifers calved at 25.2±2.3 (SD) months of age. The variation was large, which suggested large environmental fluctuations. Sire variance contributed 1.35% and 19.6% to the total variance in cows and heifers, respectively, while cow within sire contributed 19%. The heritabilities of total lactation yield, 305-day yield, milk per day of lactation, milk per day of calving interval, and lactation length in heifers were 0.78±0.24, 0.36±0.34, 0.39±0.24, 0.23±0.23, and 0.23±0.22, respectively. In cows, the heritability estimates were 0.05±0.24, 0.06±0.24, 0.08±0.24, 0.00 and 0.00 for the same traits, respectively. The repeatabilities of total lactation yield, 305-day yield, milk per day, milk per day of calving interval and lactation length were 0.02±0.03, 0.22±0.03, 0.17±0.02, 0.05±0.02 and 0.00, respectively. Regression analysis showed that, for each unit increase in THI, milk yield decreased by 0.29±0.04 kg. The stress usually caused by the combined effects of temperature and humidity was not severe in this area.     

Ruminal degradation kinetics of diets with different lipid sources and its influence on intake and milk yield of early lactation crossbred Holstein × Gir cows

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The emergence of tick-borne diseases has been reported as a serious problem in public health worldwide and many aspects of its epidemiology and effects on...     

Effects of parturition and dexamethasone on DNA methylation patterns of IFN-γ and IL-4 promoters in CD4+ T-lymphocytes of Holstein dairy cows

This study investigated epigenetic mechanisms by which DNA methylation affects the function of bovine adaptive immune system cells, particularly during the peripartum period, when shifts in type 1 and type 2 immune response (IR) biases are thought to occur. Stimulation of CD4+ T-lymphocytes isolated from 5 Holstein dairy cows before and after parturition with concanavalin A (ConA) and stimulation of CD4+ T-lymphocytes isolated from 3 Holstein dairy cows in mid-lactation with ConA alone or ConA plus dexamethasone (Dex) had significant effects on production of the cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ, type 1) and interleukin 4 (IL-4, type 2) that were consistent with DNA methylation profiles of the IFN-γ gene promoter region but not consistent for the IL-4 promoter region. ConA stimulation increased the production of both cytokines before and after parturition. It decreased DNA methylation in the IFN-γ promoter region but increased for IL-4 promoter region. Parturition was associated with an increase in IFN-γ production in ConA-stimulated cells that approached significance. Overall, DNA methylation in both promoter regions increased between the prepartum and postpartum periods, although this did not correlate with secreted cytokine concentrations. Dexamethasone treated cells acted in a manner consistent with the glucocorticoid’s immunosuppressive activity, which mimicked the change at the IFN-γ promoter region observed during parturition. These results support pregnancy as type 2 IR biased, with increases of IFN-γ occurring after parturition and an increase in IL-4 production before calving. It is likely that these changes may be epigenetically controlled.     

Genetic parameters for energy balance, fat /protein ratio, body condition score and disease traits in German Holstein cows

Various health problems in dairy cows have been related to the magnitude and duration of the energy deficit post partum. Energy balance indicator traits like fat/protein ratio in milk and body condition score could be used in selection programmes to help predicting breeding values for health traits, but currently there is a lack of appropriate genetic parameters. Therefore, genetic correlations among energy balance, fat/protein ratio, and body condition score, and mastitis, claw and leg diseases, and metabolic disorders were estimated using linear and threshold models on data from 1693 primiparous cows recorded within the first 180 days in milk. Average daily energy balance, milk fat/protein ratio and body condition score were 8 MJ NEL, 1.13 and 2.94, respectively. Disease frequencies (% cows with at least one case) were 24.6% for mastitis, 9.7% for metabolic disorders and 28.2% for claw and leg diseases. Heritability estimates were 0.06, 0.30 and 0.34 for energy balance, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, respectively. For the disease traits, heritabilities ranged between 0.04 and 0.15. The genetic correlations were, in general, associated with large standard errors, but, although not significant, the results suggest that an improvement of overall health can be expected if energy balance traits are included into future breeding programmes. A low fat/protein ratio might serve as an indicator for metabolic stability and health of claw and legs. Between body condition and mastitis, a significant negative correlation of -0.40 was estimated. The study provides a new insight into the role energy balance traits can play as auxiliary traits for robustness of dairy cows. It was concluded that both, fat/protein ratio and body condition score, are potential variables to describe how well cows can adapt to the challenge of early lactation. However, the genetic parameters should be re-estimated on a more comprehensive data set.     

Presumptive bovine neonatal pancytopenia in a Holstein calf in Québec

An 18-day-old heifer was presented with fever, depression, tachycardia, tachypnea, and prolonged bleeding time. Blood tests revealed severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leucopenia. The animal was negative by PCR for bovine virus diarrhea virus antigen. The findings supported a diagnosis of bovine neonatal pancytopenia. Treatments included fresh whole blood transfusion and antibiotics. The animal recovered fully.     

Reproductive Responses of Holstein–Friesian Cattle to the Climatic Conditions of Central Sudan

Data were evaluated from a purebred Holstein herd (n = 1274) kept near Khartoum, a hot and dry area, from 1990 to 1996. The mixed model procedure in SAS was used to analyse the reproductive traits. The mean gestation length, days dry, number of services per conception, days from calving to first oestrus, days from calving to conception, calving interval and breeding efficiency were 279 days, 104 days, 4.2, 85.8 days, 208.9 days, 486.2 days and 74.9%, respectively. Factors that had significant effects (p<0.01) on all the reproductive measures under study were the year and month of calving, and parity.The heritability estimates for all traits under investigation were zero. The repeatability estimates for the numbers of services per conception, days from calving to conception, days from calving to first oestrus and calving interval were 0.21±0.021, 0.12±0.024, 0.03±0.018 and 0.00, respectively. The phenotypic correlation for calving interval with numbers of service per conception was 0.05, that with days from calving to first oestrus was 0.06 and that with days from calving to conception was 0.07. Other correlations ranged from 0.00 to 0.28. The simple correlation coefficients between production and reproductive measures ranged from –0.06 to 0.45.     

Effect of supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or β-glucans on performance,feeding behaviour and immune status of Holstein Friesian bull calves during the pre-and post-weaning periods

Background: Previous research in both calves and other species has suggested n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids(PUFA) and β-glucans may have positive effects on immune function. This experiment measured performance,behaviour, metabolite and immunological responses to pre-weaning supplementation of dairy bull calves with n-3 PUFA in the form of fish oil and β-glucans derived from seaweed extract. 44 Holstein Friesian bull calves, aged 13.7± 2.5 d and weighing 48.0 ± 5.8 kg were artificially reared using an electronic feeding system. Each calf was offered5 L(120 g/L) per day of milk replacer(MR) and assigned to one of four treatments included in the MR,(1) Control(CON);(2) 40 g n-3 PUFA per day(FO);(3) 1 g β-glucans per day(GL) and(4) 40 g n-3 PUFA per day 1 g/d β-glucans(FOGL) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Milk replacer and concentrate was offered from d 0–62(pre-weaning),while concentrate provision continued for a further 31 d post-weaning period. Individual daily feed intake and feeding behaviour was recorded throughout, while bodyweight and blood analyte data were collected at regular intervals.Results: Overall mean concentrate DMI from d 0–93 was 1.39, 1.27, 1.00 and 0.72 kg/d for CON, FO, GL and FOGL calves, respectively(SEM = 0.037; P 0.0001). Calves supplemented with GL were significantly lighter(P 0.0001) at both weaning(d 62) and turnout to pasture(d 93) than un-supplemented calves, with a similar effect(P 0.0001)evident for calves receiving FO compared to un-supplemented contemporaries. Supplementation with GL reduced the number of unrewarded visits where milk was not consumed(P 0.0001) while supplementation with FO increased mean drinking speed(P 0.0001). Supplementation with GL resulted in greater concentrations of haptoglobin(P = 0.034), greater serum osmolality(P = 0.021) and lower lymphocyte levels(P = 0.027). In addition,cells from GL supplemented calves exhibited a lower response than un-supplemented contemporaries to both Phytohaemagglutinin A stimulated IFN-γ(P = 0.019) and Concanavalin A stimulated IFN-γ(P = 0.012) following in vitro challenges.Conclusions: Pre-weaning supplementation of bull calves with either n-3 PUFA or β-glucan resulted in reduced voluntary feed intake of concentrate and consequently poorer pre-weaning calf performance. There was no evidence for any beneficial effect of either supplementation strategy on calves' immune responses.     

Genetic variation in serological response to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and its association with performance in Irish Holstein–Friesian dairy cows

Paratuberculosis, also referred to as Johne's disease, is a contagious and chronic disease in ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Few estimates of the genetic variation in measures of susceptibility to MAP are available in the literature and even less have attempted to elucidate the genetic associations between measures of susceptibility to MAP and performance in dairy cattle. The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic variation in serological response to MAP in 4789 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows from 44 Irish dairy herds, and to quantify its genetic association with performance traits measured in the first three lactations of genetically related animals. Univariate mixed linear and threshold animal models were used to estimate variance components and genetic correlations were estimated using bivariate animal linear mixed models; MAP serological response was treated as a continuous variable and dichotomous variable. The prevalence of MAP in the sample population was 4.4%. This figure cannot be extrapolated to the national dairy herd as the sample population was biased towards herds with increased likelihood of MAP infection. Estimates of heritability for MAP serological response varied from 0.07 to 0.15 depending on the model of analysis and whether serological response was treated as continuous or binary; standard errors varied from 0.024 to 0.062. Genetic correlations between MAP serological response and lactation milk, fat and protein yield were negative or close to zero although not always more than two standard errors from zero; stronger negative genetic correlations were evident in older parity animals. Serological response to MAP was not genetically correlated with milk fat concentration but was positively genetically correlated with milk protein concentration in first lactation and negatively correlated with calving interval. There was little or no genetic association between serological response to MAP and survival. Results from this study corroborate previous international suggestions that selection for reduced serological response to MAP is possible, although this does not necessarily imply a concurrent selection for either reduced prevalence of clinical disease or increased resistance to MAP infection.