Association Between ETFA Genotype and Activity of Superoxide Dismutase,Catalase and Glutathione Peroxidase in Cryopreserved Sperm of Holstein–Friesian Bulls

The aim of this study was to determine whether C/T missense mutation within the ETFA gene is associated with sperm antioxidant enzymatic activity. One hundred and twenty Holstein–Friesian bulls were genotyped by the PCR‐RFLP technique (MwoI). Commercial straws of frozen‐thawed semen were used to evaluate the activity of three antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Among all bulls investigated, genotype CT was the most frequent (44.2%), in comparison with CC (42.5%) and TT (13.3%). Significant differences in glutathione peroxidase activity were observed between homozygous individuals (CC vs TT) with heterozygous CT having intermediate values. Dismutase activity was significantly associated with ETFA genotype, although only bulls with the CT genotype were significantly different from bulls carrying the CC genotype. The activity of catalase showed a similar trend (but was not statistically significant). In conclusion, we found that bulls with the ETFA TT genotype produce sperm with the highest glutathione peroxidase activity and can therefore be more efficiently protected from reactive oxygen. The mechanism of this interaction needs to be elucidated in future research.     

Effect of health status on fattening performance in young crossbred polish Holstein‐Friesian × Limousin Bulls and steers

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of disease incidence on selected parameters of cattle fattening performance and carcass quality, and the fatty acid profile of beef. The experimental materials comprised 16 bulls and 16 steers, Polish Holstein‐Friesian × Limousin crossbreeds (including 10 healthy and six treated animals of each category). At 5 weeks of age, bloodless castration was carried out using a rubber elastrator. The calves were fed milk replacer provided in automatic feeding stations. Until 540 days of age, the animals were fattened in an Animal Research Laboratory equipped with the Roughage Intake Control (RIC) system (Insentec, the Netherlands). In comparison with healthy (untreated) bulls and steers, sick (treated) animals had lower average body weight at 180 days of age, by 37 kg (P ≤ 0.05) and lower average final body weight at 540 days of age, by 56 kg (P ≤ 0.05). Sick animals were characterized by lower feed intake and worse feed efficiency (not statistically significant differences). Hot carcass weight reached 318 kg in healthy animals and 258 kg in treated bulls (P ≤ 0.05). In treated steers, the percentage of lean meat and bones in the three‐rib section was higher and the percentage of fat was lower, compared with their healthy counterparts (P ≤ 0.01). There was a category × health status interaction for carcass tissue composition. There were no significant influences of type of sickness on analyzed traits. In comparison with healthy steers, intramuscular fat of Musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) from treated steers had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐6 and n‐3) and a lower content of conjugated linoleic acid.     

Economic weights of production and functional traits for Holstein‐Friesian cattle in Hungary

A bio‐economic model was used to estimate economic values of 15 milk production, functional, growth and carcass traits for Hungarian Holstein‐Friesian cattle. The calculations were carried out for the situation in Hungary from 2000 to 2007, assuming no production quotas. The marginal economic values were defined as partial derivatives of the profit function with respect to each trait in a production system with dairy cow herds and with sales of surplus male calves. The economic weights for maternal and direct components of traits were calculated multiplying the marginal economic values by the number of discounted expression summed over a 25‐year investment period for 2‐year‐old bulls (candidates for selection). The standardized economic weight (economic weight × genetic standard deviation) of the trait or trait component expressed as percentage of the sum of the standardized economic weights for all traits and trait components represented the relative economic importance of this trait or trait component. The highest relative economic importance was obtained for milk yield (25%), followed by productive lifetime of cows (23%), protein yield and the direct component of a cow’s total conception rate (9% each), the maternal effect of the total conception rate of cows and the somatic cell score (approximately 7% each), fat yield (5%) and mature weight of cows and daily gain in rearing of calves (approximately 4% each). Other functional traits (clinical mastitis incidence, calving difficulty score, total conception rate of heifers and calf mortality) reached a relative economic importance between 0.5% and 2%. Birth weight and dressing percentage were least important (<0.5%). Based on these results, the inclusion of productive lifetime and cow fertility in the breeding programme for Holstein‐Friesian cattle in Hungary is advisable.     

Comparison of Computer-assisted Sperm Motility Analysis Parameters in Semen from Belgian Blue and Holstein–Friesian Bulls

Subjective microscopic sperm motility results have recently been demonstrated to differ between Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls. However, such assessments are rather imprecise. In the present study, sperm motility was assessed objectively by means of the Hamilton Thorne CEROS version 12.2c computer-assisted sperm motility analyser (CASA), and differences between the BB and HF breed could also be demonstrated. Higher percentages of both totally (p < 0.0001) and progressively (p < 0.0001) motile spermatozoa were encountered in the HF breed compared with the BB breed. Furthermore, a lower kinetic efficiency of the BB spermatozoa, evidenced by a lower beat cross-frequency (p = 0.0007) combined with a higher lateral head displacement (p = 0.0015), was the basis for the lower velocity of BB sperm cells. Additionally, BB spermatozoa move less straight forward, resulting in a lower straightness (p < 0.0001). No sperm motility differences were observed between age groups within the BB breed. The breed differences were observed in the examined bull populations residing at AI centres, in Belgium for the BB bulls and in the Netherlands for the HF bulls. However, these bull populations are selected for fertility. A similar pattern was observed in an unselected bull population of both breeds, although these differences were mostly non-significant for the different CASA parameters. Nevertheless, these data suggest that a genetic component might be responsible for the observed sperm motility breed differences.     

Pharmacokinetics and milk secretion of gabapentin and meloxicam co‐administered orally in Holstein‐Friesian cows

Malreddy, P. R., Coetzee, J. F., KuKanich, B., Gehring, R. Pharmacokinetics and milk secretion of gabapentin and meloxicam co‐administered orally in Holstein‐Friesian cows. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap.  36 , 14–20. Management of neuropathic pain in dairy cattle could be achieved by combination therapy of gabapentin, a GABA analog and meloxicam, an nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. This study was designed to determine specifically the depletion of these drugs into milk. Six animals received meloxicam at 1 mg/kg and gabapentin at 10 mg/kg, while another group (n = 6) received meloxicam at 1 mg/kg and gabapentin at 20 mg/kg. Plasma and milk drug concentrations were determined over 7 days postadministration by HPLC/MS followed by noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analyses. The mean (±SD) plasma C_max and T_max for meloxicam (2.89 ± 0.48 μg/mL and 11.33 ± 4.12 h) were not much different from gabapentin at 10 mg/kg (2.87 ± 0.2 μg/mL and 8 ± 0 h). The mean (±SD) milk C_max for meloxicam (0.41 ± 80.16 μg/mL) was comparable to gabapentin at 10 mg/kg (0.63 ± 0.13 μg/mL and 12 ± 6.69 h). The mean plasma and milk C_max for gabapentin at 20 mg/kg P.O. were almost double the values at 10 mg/kg. The mean (±SD) milk to plasma ratio for meloxicam (0.14 ± 0.04) was lower than for gabapentin (0.23 ± 0.06). The results of this study suggest that milk from treated cows will have low drug residue concentration soon after plasma drug concentrations have fallen below effective levels.     

Effect of wheat processing on rumen characteristics and rumen parameters in Holstein‐Friesian calves

In this experiment, effect of wheat processing on rumen conditions and development were investigated. Fifty‐six neonatal Holstein‐Friesian calves (22 male and 34 female) were fed calf starters and post‐weaning diets containing 35 (pre‐weaning) and 21.90% (post‐weaning) popped wheat (PW), steam‐flaked wheat (SFW), dry‐rolled wheat (DRW) or ground wheat (GW) till 12 weeks of age. Calves were weaned at the end of 9th week, and a post‐weaning‐specific starter diets were fed for 1 month. Rumen liquor was analysed in days 30, 60 and 90 of the experiment to determine volatile fatty acids (VFA), pH and ammonia nitrogen concentrations. Twelve male calves (three calves/treatment) were slaughtered, and digestive tract was emptied. Forestomach empty weight and rumen parameters were assessed. Results indicated that calves received PW had the highest total VFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, ammonia nitrogen, rumen wall thickness, papilla width and density. Calves fed DRW experienced the lowest rumen pH throughout the experiment probably because high proportion of fine particles in GW. Calves consuming PW apparently had more functional rumen in comparison with other groups.     

Effects of supplementary concentrate level in winter, and subsequent finishing on pasture or indoors, on performance and carcass traits of Holstein–Friesian, Aberdeen Angus × Holstein–Friesian and Belgian Blue × Holstein–Friesian steers

Pure bred Holstein–Friesian (FR) and beef breed × FR male calves are used for beef production in Ireland. Beef breeds used for crossbreeding on FR cows include Aberdeen Angus (AA) and Belgian Blue (BB) which represent extremes in terms of maturity. The objective of this study was to compare spring-born steers of FR, AA and BB breed types, offered two feeding levels in their second winter, and subsequently finished on pasture or on a high concentrate diet indoors. Seventy-two steers (24 per breed type) were managed together to the end of their second grazing season. They were then blocked on weight within breed type and assigned to a 3 (FR, AA and BB breed types) × 2 (winter feeding levels) × 2 (finishing systems) factorial experiment. The two winter feeding levels were grass silage ad libitum plus mean daily concentrate levels of 0.91 (L) or 4.0 (H) kg dry matter for 113 days. The two finishing systems were pasture or concentrates ad libitum for a mean period of 94 days. Mean slaughter and carcass weights for FR, AA and BB were 634, 644 and 642 (s.e. 8.1), and 313, 326 and 340 (s.e. 4.7) kg, respectively. Other than bone proportion which was lower for AA, there were few differences in ribs joint composition or in m. longissimus chemical composition between FR and AA. BB had less fat and more muscle in the ribs joint, and more moisture and protein, and less lipid in m. longissimus than both FR and AA. Compared with L, the H winter feeding level increased slaughter weight and carcass weight by 24 and 15 kg, respectively. Indoor finished animals were 63 kg live weight and 39 kg carcass weight heavier than those finished at pasture. They also had more fat and less muscle and bone in the ribs joint and more lipid and less moisture in m. longissimus. It is concluded that except for BB finished at pasture all carcasses were commercially acceptable. Despite the excellent finishing performance on concentrates, this system is not profitable at current concentrate and beef prices.     

Effect of environmental factors on fertility of Holstein–Friesian cattle in Japan

We investigated the environmental factors in Japan, including meteorological conditions, on the fertility of a European cattle breed, Holstein–Friesian, by examining conception rates in different regions. First artificial insemination and associated conception details were recorded for 69,952 Holstein female cattle. In general, meteorological conditions vary considerably according to latitude in Japanese islands. Conception rates were higher in the Northern (above 37°N) than the Southern (below 37°N) region (61.3% vs. 53.3%). All the factors analyzed in the statistical model, including insemination year, region, month, AI technician, service sire and interaction between region and month, had significant effects on the conception rate. In the Southern region, conception rates were lower in the summer months (average temperature, 27.8 °C, and maximum temperature, 32.3 °C). However, this seasonal decline was not observed in the Northern region (average temperature, 23.7 °C, and maximum temperature, 28.4 °C). Regression analysis of conception rate in relation to temperature showed highly significant negative regression coefficients (− 0.66 to − 0.63% per °C; p < 0.001) in the Southern region, but non-significant coefficients in the Northern region. Humidity had a minimal effect on conception rate in both regions. Our data collectively suggest that 37°N latitude is a threshold that affects Holstein–Friesian conception rates in Japan.     

Effects of a novel missense polymorphism within the SIGLEC5 gene on fertility traits in Holstein‐Friesian cattle

The aim of the study was to find functional polymorphism within two exons of the SIGLEC5 (sialic acid‐binding Ig‐like lectin‐5) gene and to examine its effects on the production and fertility traits of cows and bulls. Two hundred seventytwo Holstein‐Friesian cows and 574 bulls were included in the study. Novel missense polymorphism (A > G) within exon 3 causing substitution of amino acid arginine by glutamate in position 260 of SIGLEC5 protein (R260Q) was identified by sequencing and digestion by restriction enzyme Msp I. Basic production and fertility traits of cows and estimated breeding values (EBV) of bulls were analysed. The study demonstrated a significant association of SIGLEC5 R260Q polymorphism with days open and calving interval in cows as well as with breeding value for calving interval in bulls. An opposite effect of SIGLEC5 alleles for production and fertility traits was observed: the allele G increased the breeding value for the protein yield, while the allele A increased the breeding value for the calving interval. The current study suggests the involvement of SIGLEC5 R260Q polymorphism in biological processes related to fertility traits. This finding can be applied as a biomarker for a genetic improvement programme in Holstein‐Friesian cattle.     

Pregnancy‐Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) Profile of Holstein–Friesian Cows as Compared to Dual‐Purpose and Beef Cows

Pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are produced by mono‐ and binucleate trophoblast cells in the ruminant placenta. PAG appears in maternal blood and, from approximately 4 weeks after fertilization onward, may serve as a reliable means of diagnosing pregnancy. A range of factors are said to affect plasma PAG concentrations, such as number and sex of foetus, mass of calf and placenta, level of milk production and genetic constitution. In this study, PAG pregnancy profiles of a dual‐purpose (Simmental) and two beef breeds (Uckermark and Aubrac) are compared with the profile of the specialized dairy breed Holstein–Friesian. Holstein–Friesian cows were sampled weekly; the levels of the other breeds were presented at 3‐week intervals. The overall significant breed difference (p = 0.013) was founded on deviations during the initial 3 weeks of pregnancy and from 23 weeks onward. During the period critical for the detection of pregnancy, between four and 22 weeks, agreement between PAG levels of various breeds was close (p > 0.05). No significant effect of body mass of cow or calf (relative to mass of dam) was detected. These findings imply that the PAG pregnancy test may be executed uniformly irrespective of breed or type of cow, affirming the suitability of the test as a valuable asset for the cattle industry.     

Comparison of heritabilities of dairy traits in Australian Holstein‐Friesian cattle from genomic and pedigree data and implications for genomic evaluations

The reliability of genomic evaluations depends on the proportion of genetic variation explained by the DNA markers. In this study, we have estimated the proportion of variance in daughter trait deviations (DTDs) of dairy bulls explained by 45 993 genome wide single‐nucleotide poly‐ morphism (SNP) markers for 29 traits in Australian Holstein‐Friesian dairy cattle. We compare these proportions to the proportion of variance in DTDs explained by the additive relationship matrix derived from the pedigree, as well as the sum of variance explained by both pedigree and marker information when these were fitted simultaneously. The propor‐ tion of genetic variance in DTDs relative to the total genetic variance (the total genetic variance explained by the genomic relationships and pedigree relationships when both were fitted simultaneously) varied from 32% for fertility to approximately 80% for milk yield traits. When fitting genomic and pedigree relationships simultaneously, the variance unexplained (i.e. the residual variance) in DTDs of the total variance for most traits was reduced compared to fitting either individually, suggesting that there is not complete overlap between the effects. The proportion of genetic variance accounted by the genomic relationships can be used to modify the blending equations used to calculate genomic estimated breeding value (GEBV) from direct genomic breeding value (DGV) and parent average. Our results, from a validation population of young dairy bulls with DTD, suggest that this modification can improve the reliability of GEBV by up to 5%.     

Immotile Short‐Tail Sperm Defect in Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) Breed Bulls

This case study reported the presence of short tail sperm defect in the semen of three Nelore breed bulls. The sperm presented 0% of motility in the three animals evaluated and a total of 70%, 61% and 34% of pathologies of the intermediate piece of the tail respectively for animals 1, 2 and 3. It was identified that animals 2 and 3 had high degree of inbreeding, although no relationship was found with animal 1. Animal 2 was the only one that presented inbreeding coefficient (6.25%). His half‐sib (animal 3) and animal 1, from the same herd, had shown no inbreeding, showing that inheritance is not the only determinant factor for its incidence on Nelore males.     

Pregnancy‐Induced ISG‐15 and MX‐1 Gene Expression is Detected in the Liver of Holstein–Friesian Heifers During Late Peri‐Implantation Period

The bovine embryonic signal interferon‐τ (IFN‐τ) produced by the trophoblast is known to pass through the uterine fluid towards the endometrium and further into the maternal blood, where IFN‐τ induces specific expression of interferon‐stimulated gene expression (ISG), for example in peripheral leucocytes. In sheep, it was shown experimentally by administration of IFN‐τ that ISG is also detectable in the liver. The objective was to test whether ISG can be detected in liver biopsy specimens from Holstein–Friesian heifers during early pregnancy. Liver biopsies were taken on day 18 from pregnant and non‐pregnant heifers (n = 19), and the interferon‐stimulated protein 15 kDa (ISG‐15) and myxovirus‐resistance protein‐1 (MX‐1) gene expression was detected. The expression of both MX‐1 (p: 24.33 ± 7.40 vs np: 9.00 ± 4.02) and ISG‐15 (p: 43.73 ± 23.22 vs 7.83 ± 3.63) was higher in pregnant compared to non‐pregnant heifers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, pregnancy induced ISG‐15 and MX‐1 gene expression in the liver already at day 18 in cattle.     

Effect of Orally Administered Cisapride,Bethanechol, and Erythromycin on the Apparent Efficiency of Colostral IgG Absorption in Neonatal Holstein‐Friesian Calves

Objective

To evaluate the effect of orally administered cisapride, bethanechol, and erythromycin on the absorption of colostral IgG in dairy calves.

Animals

Twenty‐four healthy neonatal Holstein‐Friesian calves.

Procedures

Calves were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 0.9% NaCl solution (2 mL, PO; negative control); erythromycin lactobionate (20 mg/kg BW, PO; anticipated to be a positive control); cisapride (0.5 mg/kg BW, PO); bethanechol chloride (0.5 mg/kg BW, PO). Calves were fed 3 L of pooled bovine colostrum containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg) by suckling and oroesophageal intubation 30 minutes after each treatment was administered. Jugular venous blood samples were obtained periodically after the start of feeding and plasma total IgG, protein, acetaminophen, and glucose concentrations determined. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by the time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.

Results

Oral administration of cisapride facilitated the absorption of colostral IgG and protein. The effect of cisapride on abomasal emptying rate could not be evaluated because cisapride appeared to interfere with acetaminophen metabolism. Based on the total IgG and total protein concentration‐time relationships, the beneficial effects of cisapride appeared to occur early after oral administration and were transient.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Additional studies appear indicated to characterize the effect of cisapride dose on the magnitude and duration of its effect on facilitating the absorption of colostral IgG and protein. Identification of a nonantimicrobial method for increasing abomasal emptying rate, such as cisapride, will potentially provide a practical and effective method for facilitating transfer of passive immunity in colostrum‐fed dairy calves.     

Congenital Thymic Aplasia in a Holstein‐Israeli female Calf

An unusual case of congenital thymic aplasia in a Holstein‐Israeli female calf is described. The most prominent clinical findings were diarrhoea and weakness. At necropsy, the only significant pathological finding was the marked decrease in thymus size. Histologically, this organ was composed of loose connective tissue in which a few lymphocytes were scattered randomly.     

Pregnancy Rates in Lactating Holstein–Friesian Cows after Artificial Insemination with Sexed Sperm

The effects of artificial insemination (AI) using sexed sperm on pregnancy rates have seldom been studied in lactating dairy cows on commercial dairy farms. We evaluated pregnancy results after AI of 306 lactating dairy cows, of which 157 were inseminated with 2x10(6) frozen/thawed sexed sperm and 149 with 15x10(6) frozen/thawed unsexed sperm. The average pregnancy and calving rates were 21.0% and 20% for the sexed-sperm AIs and 46% and 45% for the unseparated control-sperm AIs respectively (p<0.001). The proportion of female calves derived from sexed-sperm AI was 82% compared with 49% for control AI (p<0.01). The proportion of live and healthy calves in single births was 100% for sexed-sperm AI and 97% for control AI (p>0.05). Our results indicate that AI with low-dose sexed sperm under field conditions in commercial dairy herds without oestrus synchronization results in significantly reduced pregnancy rates compared with normal-dose AI. Improved insemination strategies combined with increased sperm doses are needed before the use of sexed sperm can be of any significant benefit for the dairy and beef industry.     

Effect of strain of Holstein–Friesian and feed system on calving performance, blood parameters and overall survival

The objective of the present study was to quantify the effect of strain of Holstein–Friesian and pasture-based feeding system on calving performance, blood parameters and overall survival within a seasonal calving milk production system. The three strains of Holstein–Friesian compared were high production North American (HP), selected entirely for milk production, high durability North American (HD), selected based on milk production, fertility and muscularity traits, and New Zealand (NZ) selected from a seasonal calving pasture-based system. The three feed systems compared were a high grass allowance feed system typical of spring calving herds in Ireland (MP; control); an increased stocking rate system (HS) and an increased concentrate supplementation system (HC). Data comprised up to 585 lactations on 240 cows. Data were analysed using linear mixed models, generalised estimating equations and survival analysis. Strain of Holstein–Friesian had no significant effect on calving difficulty or rate of stillbirths while the effect of feed system on calving difficulty and rate of stillbirths approached significance. Strain of Holstein–Friesian had no significant effect on plasma metabolite or hormone concentrations around parturition, with the exception of urea concentration. At the beginning of the breeding season the NZ strain had lower plasma concentrations of NEFA (0.20 mmol/l) and higher IGF-I (86.8 ng/ml) than the HD (0.24 mmol/l and 66.9 ng/ml, respectively) and HP (0.26 mmol/l and 64.0 ng/ml, respectively) strains. The higher IGF-I concentration of the NZ strain was maintained during the breeding season. The NZ and HD strains survived longer than the HP strain with median survival days post-first calving of 1372, 1367 and 1033 respectively, while feed system had no significant effect on overall survival rate over the study period.