The use of indicators to assess the degree of mobilisation of body reserves in dairy cows in early lactation on a pasture-based diet

The accuracy of predicting energy balance (EB) using various milk, blood, and other indicators was determined in 23 Holstein-Friesian cows that were grazing pasture in very early lactation. The concentration of milk acetone was negatively correlated (r=−0.64) with EB (p<0.05) as were β-hydroxybutyrate 6 (BHBA) (r=0.76) and non-esterified fatty acids (r=0.56) in plasma, age (r=−0.49), and mean liveweight (r=−0.46). The concentration of plasma glucose was positively correlated (r=0.79) with EB (p<0.05) as were insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) (r=0.57) in plasma and change in liveweight (r=0.39). The best prediction model for EB included plasma glucose and plasma BHBA (r=0.84). Milk acetone alone (r=0.64) formed the best prediction model as an ‘on-farm’ indicator.Milk acetone concentration was correlated (r=0.89) with plasma BHBA so that a milk acetone concentration of 0.14 mmol/L was equivalent to a blood BHBA concentration of 1.2 mmol/L (critical level for identification of cows with sub-clinical ketosis). The relationship between plasma glucose and IGF-1 was curvilinear with levels of IGF-1 rapidly increasing above a plasma glucose concentration of 3.2 mmol/L. Body condition score (BCS) converged to 4 (scale 1-8) post-partum with the loss increasing rapidly when BCS at calving was above 5.5.The results of this study confirm that milk acetone may be an accurate and practical indicator for estimating EB of cows in early lactation on a predominantly pasture-based diet. Where cows may be sampled on a once-off basis, plasma glucose and plasma BHBA together explain a large portion of the variation in EB.     

Investigating the value dairy farmers place on a reduction of lameness in their herds using a willingness to pay approach

A survey was conducted to elicit dairy farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) to reduce the prevalence of lameness in their herds. A choice experiment questionnaire was administered using face-to-face interviews of 163 farmers in England and Wales. Whole herd lameness assessments by trained researchers recorded a mean lameness prevalence of nearly 24% which was substantially higher than that estimated by farmers. Farmers’ responses to a series of attitudinal questions showed that they strongly agreed that cows can suffer a lot of pain from lameness and believed that they could reduce lameness in their herds.Farmers’ mean WTP to avoid lameness amounted to UK£411 per lame cow but with considerable variation across the sample. Median WTP of UK£249 per lame cow was considered a better measure of central tendency for the sample. In addition, the survey found that farmers had a substantial WTP to avoid the inconvenience associated with lameness control (a median value of UK£97 per lame cow) but that they were generally prepared to incur greater inconvenience if it reduced lameness. The study findings suggest that farmers need a better understanding of the scale and costs of lameness in their herds and the benefits of control. To encourage action, farmers need to be convinced that lameness control measures perceived as inconvenient will be cost effective.     

The effect of hindclaw height differential and subsequent trimming on lameness in large dairy cattle herds in Canterbury,New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS: To determine if inequality in height between claws within each hindlimb of dairy cattle is a risk factor for the development of lameness and to determine the effect of preventive trimming of these claws on the subsequent risk of lameness.

METHODS: Cows (n=2,695) on three dairy farms in Canterbury, New Zealand, were examined and the height differential between their hind claws on each limb was measured. Cows were blocked by age, then breed and grouped by height differential, before being randomly assigned to either treatment or control groups. Cows in the control group were not trimmed, whilst cows in the treatment group were all trimmed according to the ‘Dutch Trimming’ method by an experienced foot trimmer. All subsequent clinical incidences of lameness were identified, recorded and classified according to five categories. The overall incidence of lameness, the effect of claw height differential on the incidence of lameness and the effect of trimming on the incidence of lameness were assessed using both GEE modelling and survival analysis.

RESULTS: The incidence of lameness identified in any untrimmed hindlimb irrespective of diagnosis, measured at a limb level and assessing the first incidence of lameness only, was 10.0% for a 6-month period from November to drying off. The predominant lesion identified was white line disease (WLD; 7.9% incidence and 78.6% of all lameness). The overall incidence of hindlimb lameness measured at cow level for the same period was 14.5%. The risk of lameness was influenced by breed (p=0.016), age (p=0.002) and claw height differential (p=0.026). There were no significant interactions. The risk of lameness was lowest where the claw height differential was 0–2 mm. The incidence of lameness in the first 70 days following trimming was higher in older cows than in younger cows (p<0.001). Trimming did not affect lameness incidence (p=0.185). The Cox proportional hazard model demonstrated that farm (p<0.001), trimming group (p=0.021); and age (p=0.021) significantly affected the median days to lameness in the first 70 days following trimming.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hind feet with lower height differentials between claws had a lower incidence of lameness. Trimming of these feet to remove the height differential did not reduce their overall incidence of lameness, but did increase days to first lameness.     

The effect of becoming BVDV-free on fertility and udder health in Dutch dairy herds

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of BVDV-free certification of dairy herds on fertility and udder health. Cases were defined as dairy herds that had at least one BVDV-antigen positive animal, subsequently gained the BVDV-free status by participating in the BVDV-control programme of the Animal Health Service (AHS) and maintained this status for at least 2 years. Controls had an unknown status for BVDV and two controls were matched to one case by region and herd size. Data concerning fertility and milk production of all herds were provided by The Dutch Royal Cattle Syndicate (NRS). After validation, data of 79,607 cows of 392 case herds and 124,831 cows of 730 control herds were analysed on ten fertility and three udder health parameters. For the analyses all observations were aggregated at herd level. To account for the matching, differences for fertility parameters were calculated between each of the two pairs of case-control within a matching code. The analyses were performed with these differences as dependent variables. Mixed models and GEE models were used for the statistical analyses of fertility and udder health. Case herds had a significantly lower abortion rate in the BVDV-free period than controls herds (10.3% versus 11.6%, P<0.01) while there was no significant difference for the other fertility parameters. There was no effect on mastitis prevalence or bulk-milk SCC but the mastitis incidence significantly decreased for case herds in the BVDV-free period (cases 0.6 % lower than controls, P<0.05). In our study the effect of getting the BVDV-free status may have been underestimated for several reasons like an unknown status for control herds, not knowing when an acute infection occurred in case herds and not knowing the management for both cases and controls. Interestingly, both significant variables, being abortions and mastitis incidence, are parameters that are more difficult to influence by the farmer than the other parameters (e.g. calving interval).     

Effect of somatic cell count on milk and protein yields and female fertility in Tunisian Holstein dairy cows

The effects of test-day somatic cell scores (SCS) variations on milk and protein yields, and calving to first service and calving to conception intervals were studied in Tunisian Holsteins. There were 34,129, 25,700, and 18,077 test-day production records collected on first, second, and third parity cows, respectively. Records were of cows calving between 1996 and 2004 in 160 herds. Somatic cell scores and milk and protein yields were analysed using a linear model that included herd-test-day date and herd–year interactions, calving season, calving age, and calving to conception interval. Reproductive trait model included herd–year interaction, calving season, calving age, and month of insemination. Effects of SCS on milk and protein yields were studied by regressing current test-day yields on corresponding and preceding test-day SCS, while effects of SCS on fertility traits were investigated by separately regressing calving to first service and calving to conception intervals corrected for environmental and management factors on SCS corrected for actual milk yield. A cow produced around 19.0 kg (SD = 8.0 kg) and 0.6 kg (SD = 0.3 kg) milk and protein yields on a daily basis and had an average of 3.8 (SD = 2.1) SCS in the first three lactations. SCS varied consistently (p < 0.05) with herd-test-day date and herd–year interactions in all lactations. Days in milk, calving age, and calving to conception interval were all together important sources of variation (p < 0.05) for SCS mainly in the first and second parities. Test-day milk and protein yields were unfavourably affected by high SCS recorded in the same test-day and with a lesser degree by SCS observed in the nearest preceding test-day. Reduction in milk and protein productions from increased SCS varied from 0.23 to 1.76 kg and from 6 to 75 g, respectively. Likewise, increased test-day SCS lengthened both calving to first service (mean interval = 94.9 days; SD = 49.1 days) and calving to conception (mean interval = 161 days; SD = 69.6 days) intervals by 1.3 to 2.0 days for each unit increase in SCS. Using SCS in addition to milk traits as a criterion to select semen and improving veterinary care should result in increased milk and protein yields and in satisfactory fertility measures.     

Associations between sole ulcer, white line disease and digital dermatitis and the milk yield of 1824 dairy cows on 30 dairy cow farms in England and Wales from February 2003-November 2004

The milk yields of 1824 cows were used to investigate the effect of lesion-specific causes of lameness, based on farmer treatment and diagnosis of lame cows, on milk yield. A three-level hierarchical model of repeated test day yields within cows within herds was used to investigate the impact of lesion-specific causes of lameness (sole ulcer, white line disease, digital dermatitis and other causes) on milk yield before and after treatment compared with unaffected cows. Cattle which developed sole ulcer (SU) and white line disease (WLD) were higher yielding cattle before they were diagnosed. Their milk production fell to below that of the mean of unaffected cows before diagnosis and remained low after diagnosis. In cattle which developed digital dermatitis (DD) there was no significant difference in milk yield before treatment and a slightly raised milk yield immediately after treatment. The estimated milk loss attributable to SU and WLD was approximately 570 and 370 kg, respectively. These results highlight that specific types of lameness vary by herds and within herds they are associated with higher yielding cattle. Consequently lesion-specific lameness reduction programmes targeting the cow and farm specific causes of lameness might be more effective than generic recommendations. They also highlight the importance of milk loss when estimating the economic impact of SU and WLD on the farms profitability.     

体况评分与步态评分对奶牛生产性能的影响

为探究体况评分(Body Condition Score,BCS)和步态评分(Locomotion Score,LS)对奶牛泌乳性能的影响,本试验在2016年7月至8月通过对北京地区7个奶牛场近5 000头泌乳牛进行体况和步态评分并收集相关的DHI数据,采用固定模型分析BCS和LS的影响因素及场、胎次、泌乳阶段、LS和BCS对日产奶量、体细胞数及乳成分的影响。结果表明:BCS和LS对日产奶量均有极显著影响(P0.01),BCS对乳蛋白率有显著影响(P0.05);胎次对LS有极显著影响(P0.01),而对BCS无显著影响,场-测量人、泌乳阶段对BCS和LS均有极显著影响(P0.01);LS与BCS之间回归关系显著,LS较高的个体BCS较低。在生产上可以综合运用BCS和LS加强管理,提升产奶量,改善乳品质量,使牛场获得更大的经济利益。     

The effect of the maturity and prior breeding activity of rams and body condition score of ewe hoggets on the reproductive performance of ewe hoggets

Abstract

AIM: To determine the effect of age and prior use of mature rams at a given ram-to-ewe ratio, and the effect of body condition on breeding performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets.

METHODS: Ewe hoggets (n=733) aged 7–8 months were weighed and their body condition scored, then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Day 0) and joined with either four two-tooth rams (20 months of age) not used previously (n=244; Two-tooth), four mixed-aged mature rams that had not been used earlier in the season (n=244; Mature-fresh), or four mixed-aged mature rams that had been used with mature ewes immediately prior to joining with hoggets (n=245; Mature-used). The breeding period was 34 days. Ewe hoggets were identified as having been marked during the first 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, during the second 17 days only, or not marked. Hoggets were re-weighed on Day 34, and pregnancy status determined using ultrasound on Day 92. The breeding soundness of the rams was assessed on Days ?34 and ?1.

RESULTS: Semen samples obtained from the rams did not differ significantly in any of the parameters measured (p>0.05). Ewe hoggets joined with Mature-fresh rams were less likely (p<0.05) to be marked in the second 17 days of breeding only than those joined with either Two-tooth or Mature-used rams. No other breeding parameters were affected by breeding group (p>0.05). Hoggets marked in the first 17 days only were heavier (p<0.05) at Day 0 than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked. Hoggets diagnosed as twin-bearing were heavier (p<0.05) than non-pregnant or single-bearing hoggets. Those hoggets marked in the first 17 days only had a greater (p<0.05) body condition score (BCS) than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked at all. These differences were no longer apparent after correction for liveweight (LW).Correction for LW at Day 0 or change in LW during the breeding period did not affect the results for breeding performance.

CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, two-tooth rams and mature rams that had been used previously were just as suitable as mature rams that had not been used previously for breeding with ewe hoggets. Further studies are warranted to verify this result. The re-use of rams without reducing breeding performance would reduce breeding costs and may make breeding hoggets a more viable option for farmers. The BCS of ewe hoggets affected breeding performance, and can thus be used to identify those animals most suitable for breeding.     

Salmonella in breeding pigs: Shedding pattern,transmission of infection and the role of environmental contamination in Irish commercial farrow‐to‐finish herds

This study aimed to provide new insights into the epidemiology of Salmonella in pig production, focusing on potential shedding patterns in breeding pigs throughout a full production cycle and the risk of transmission of infection from the sow to her offspring. A longitudinal study was conducted on five farrow‐to‐finish commercial pig farms. In each herd, shedding of Salmonella in faeces was monitored in breeders through service, gestation and lactation. Swabs of the farrowing room floor and pools of faeces from piglets were collected on two occasions during lactation. Environmental pen swabs were also taken in the weaning and finisher houses. Salmonella isolates were serotyped, tested for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and typed by Multiple‐Locus Variable number tandem repeat Analysis (MLVA). Shedding by breeding pigs was low in all stages of the production cycle; 5% of sows shed at service, the production stage with highest risk of shedding (p < .01), 1.6% shed during gestation and 2.5% after farrowing. Salmonella was detected in 4% of piglet faecal pools in the second week post‐farrowing and 5% in the fourth week. Serotyping and AMR profiles of Salmonella isolates revealed that strains in sows and gilts were mostly different from strains isolated in weaner and finisher facilities. MLVA typing confirmed that the source of infection in piglets was in most instances the contaminated environment rather than their dam. Based on the typing results, it appears that sows do not pose a major risk in the maintenance and transmission of Salmonella to their progeny but instead the contaminated pen environment is more significant in the perpetuation of the organism on farm.     

热应激对奶牛血液中内毒素含量和抗氧化指标的影响

选用16头健康的中国荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为两个处理（夏季组和冬季组）,每个处理8个重复,每个重复1头牛。当夏季组奶牛牛舍温湿度指数（THI）〉72的时间连续达到15d,冬季组牛舍THI〈72的时间连续达到15d时,颈静脉采血15mL制备血清,检测血清中内毒素、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）的活性,以及丙二醛（MDA）的含量。结果表明：夏季热应激可导致奶牛血清内毒素、MDA含量极显著升高,SOD和GSH-Px活性极显著和显著（P〈0.05）下降。     

The effect of feed barrier design on displacements during feeding of dairy cows in small herds

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of feed barrier design on displacements in dairy cows fed only roughage diets in the bunk in small commercial dairy herds. Six Norwegian dairy herds with open barriers (OB) and six herds with individual headspace barriers (IHB) were randomly selected. Number of displacements and withdrawals without physical contact was somewhat higher, but not significantly higher, in the IHB herds than in the OB herds but the variation between herds within the type of barrier were very large. The number of pushes and buttings directed towards the front part of the body of cows was significantly higher in the OB herds than in the IHB herds whereas pushes and butts directed towards the side of cows were significantly higher in the IHB herds than in the OB herds.     

Evaluation of different hormonal treatments on oestral and ovarian responses in Moroccan Beni Arouss goats during anoestrus and breeding season

The efficacy of eight combinations of fluorogestone acetate (FGA, 20 or 40 mg as intravaginal device during 11 days), equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG, 300 or 500 UI injected 48 hr before FGA removal) and prostaglandin F_2α (cloprostenol, 0 or 50 μg injected 48 hr before FGA removal) aiming at induction and synchronization of oestrus and ovulation was evaluated during the anoestrus season in spring and during the breeding season in autumn in adult Beni Arouss goats. Oestrous behaviour was recorded between 12 and 60 hr after FGA removal. Blood samplings allowing to assess onset of the pre‐ovulatory LH surge and increase of progesterone as sign of an active corpus luteum were performed, respectively, between 20 and 60 hr and 3, 5, 8 and 15 days after FGA removal. No season‐related differences (spring vs. autumn) were observed for oestrous response (95% vs. 93%), pre‐ovulatory LH surge (94% vs. 84%) and luteal response after 3–8 and 11–15 days post‐treatment (respectively 92% vs. 66% and 92% vs. 98%). The onset of oestrus (21 [13–53] vs. 32 [12–54] hr) and LH surge (26 [20–60] vs. 38 [22–60] hr) occurred significantly later in autumn. FGA (40 vs. 20 mg) in autumn significantly delayed the onset of oestrus (36 [16–54] vs. 23 [12–47] hr) and LH surge (44 [26–58] vs. 33 [22–60] hr). Significant treatment‐related differences were recorded for onset of LH surge (earliest for 20 mg FGA, 300 IU eCG, 50 μg PGF_2α) and onset of luteal phase (latest for 40 mg FGA, 300 IU eCG, 50 μg PGF_2α). In conclusion, the hormone combinations tested appeared equally effective in terms of oestrous and ovulation rates. Season has influenced significantly the onset of oestrus and LH surge, and the high dose regimen of FGA delayed the ovarian response in autumn.     

Effects of heat stress on the endometrial epidermal growth factor profile and fertility in dairy cows

The endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile is an indicator of uterine function and fertility in cattle. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of heat stress on the endometrial EGF profile and fertility in lactating Holstein cows. The endometrial EGF profiles of 365 cows in the Hokkaido and Kyushu regions were examined between June and September (heat stress period, n = 211) and between October and January (control period, n = 154). EGF profiles were investigated using uterine endometrial tissues obtained by biopsy 3 days after estrus (Day 3). The proportion of cows with an altered EGF profile was higher between June and September than between October and January (41.2 vs. 16.2%, P < 0.05). The effects of rectal temperature on Days 0 and 3 on the endometrial EGF profile were also assessed in cows (n = 79) between June and September in the Kyushu region. A single embryo was transferred to cow on Day 7 to evaluate fertility (n = 67). Regardless of the rectal temperature on Day 3, the proportion of cows with an altered EGF profile was higher (64.1 vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05) and the pregnancy rate after embryo transfer (ET) was lower (26.7 vs. 51.4%, P < 0.05) in cows with a rectal temperature ≥ 39.5°C on Day 0 than in cows with a rectal temperature < 39.5°C on Day 0. The present results indicate that alterations in the endometrial EGF profile induced by an elevated body temperature on Day 0 contributed to reductions in fertility in lactating dairy cows during the heat stress period.     

The effects of farm management practices on liver fluke prevalence and the current internal parasite control measures employed on Irish dairy farms

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola hepatica is responsible for major production losses in cattle farms. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of farm management practices on liver fluke prevalence on Irish dairy farms and to document the current control measures against parasitic diseases. In total, 369 dairy farms throughout Ireland were sampled from October to December 2013, each providing a single bulk tank milk (BTM) sample for liver fluke antibody-detection ELISA testing and completing a questionnaire on their farm management. The analysis of samples showed that cows on 78% (n = 288) of dairy farms had been exposed to liver fluke. There was a difference (P < 0.05) between farms where cows were positive or negative for liver fluke antibodies in (a) the total number of adult dairy cows in herds, (b) the number of adult dairy cows contributing to BTM samples, and (c) the size of the total area of grassland, with positive farms having larger numbers in each case. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between positive and negative farms in (a) the grazing of dry cows together with replacement cows, (b) whether or not grazed grassland was mowed for conservation, (c) the type of drinking water provision system, (d) spreading of cattle manure on grassland or (e) for grazing season length (GSL; mean = 262.5 days). Also, there were differences (P < 0.001) between drainage statuses for GSL with farms on good drainage having longer GSL than moderately drained farms. The GSL for dairy cows on farms with good drainage was 11 days longer than for those with moderate drainage (P < 0.001). The percentage of farmers that used an active ingredient during the non-lactating period against liver fluke, gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworm, and rumen fluke was 96%, 85%, 77% and 90%, respectively. Albendazole was the most frequently used active ingredient for treatment against gastrointestinal nematodes (57%), liver fluke (40%) and lungworm (47%), respectively. There was a difference (P < 0.05) in the use of triclabendazole and albendazole between positive and negative farms, with triclabendazole use being more common in positive farms. This study highlighted differences in dairy management practices between Irish farms with dairy herds exposed or not exposed to liver fluke and stressed the need of fine-scale mapping of the disease patterns even at farm level to increase the accuracy of risk models. Also, comprehensive advice and professional support services to farmers on appropriate farm management practices are very important for an effective anthelmintic control strategy.     

克鲁伦河流域生长季有效温水组合对草原群落生物量的影响

利用克鲁伦河流域1958-2005年近半个世纪的逐日气温与降水量观测资料及23年(1983-2005)草原群落干物质产量资料,探讨了“有效积温”和“有效降水量”的变化规律及温水组合与草原群落生物量的相关性,得出近50年间>10℃的有效积温呈明显的上升趋势,其距平值年际间变化差异显著,具有明显的波动性。生长季降水量的增减虽无明显规律,但其距平值的变化呈上升趋势,时间尺度上波动性较大。1983-2005年期间,>10℃有效积温与有效降水量之间呈正相关关系(R=0.620 5),群落生物量与观测年>10℃的有效积温呈正相关性但不明显,与有效降水量之间呈显著的正相关关系(R=0.704 8,P<0.001)。群落生物量(Y)与有效降水量(X₁)和>10℃有效积温(X₂)之间的二元线性回归方程为Y=71.409+0.334X₁ -0.020X₂ ,R=0.717 (P<0.001)。合理的水热配置最有利于植被的生长,有效温水组合共同影响着半干旱区草原群落的生产力。     

季节对延边黄牛卵母细胞质量及体细胞核移植胚胎发育的影响

研究季节对延边黄牛卵巢质量和卵母细胞的数量、质量、体外成熟以及核移植重组胚发育的影响。持续1年采集延边黄牛卵巢,分级卵巢,抽取卵巢表面直径2～8mm的卵泡内的卵母细胞,收集后进行体外成熟和重组胚的体外培养。结果表明,1级卵巢的比例在春冬季时明显高于秋季（P〈0．05）,2级卵巢的比例在春夏季高于冬季（P〈0．05）,秋季的3级卵巢比例最高,与其他季节有显著差异（P〈0．05）;在秋冬季,平均每个卵巢拣出卵母细胞数高于春夏季（P〈0．05）,成熟率上,秋季显著高于春夏季（P〈0．05）,但与冬季并无差异且其他各组间无显著差异（P〉0．05）;卵裂率上,秋季与春季有差异（P〈0．05）,但与其他季节无显著差异（P〉0．05）,囊胚率上,各组之间均无显著差异（P〉0．05）。通过研究发现,季节对延边黄牛卵母细胞的可用回收数量及其质量都会产生影响且秋季为延边黄牛体细胞核移植实验最适合季节。     

不同季节不同生产因素对荷斯坦奶牛性控冻精人工输精受胎率的影响

为研究不同季节、不同胎次、不同发情方式及不同泌乳天数等因素对奶牛单个情期受胎率的影响,选取2169头奶牛进行统计分析。结果显示,奶牛秋冬季配种受胎率较春夏季高,冬季情期受胎率显著高于春、夏两季（P＜0.05）,初产奶牛情期受胎率高于经产奶牛（P＜0.01）,自然发情情期受胎率极显著高于同期发情药物处理奶牛（P＜0.01）,不同泌乳阶段对受胎率影响不大（P＞0.05）。     

Monitoring of libido and semen quality parameters in melatonin‐treated French alpine bucks during the non‐breeding season

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous melatonin on libido and semen quality parameters in bucks during the non‐breeding season. Twelve bucks of the French alpine breed from 1.5 to 4 years of age were assigned into melatonin (MG) and control (CG) groups, with 6 bucks in each group. The experimental period was 3 months (March–May), divided into six periods of 15 days each. The bucks in the MG group received four melatonin implants at the end of March. Two semen samples were taken from the bucks by artificial vagina once per week and their libido estimated. Volume and spermatozoa concentration, their mass motility and motility, proportion of live and total abnormal and forms with abnormal head and tail were determined in the obtained ejaculate samples. The total number of spermatozoa and functional spermatozoa fraction in the ejaculate was also calculated. The MG bucks had significantly higher mass motility and motility of spermatozoa in the first half of April, and a higher proportion of live spermatozoa in the first and second half of April (p < .05). Differences in libido intensity were not significant. The results indicated that the application of melatonin significantly improved the qualitative parameters of semen in bucks, as seen in increased mass motility, motility of spermatozoa and proportion of live spermatozoa shortly following melatonin insertion. Therefore, the results of the current study are novel regarding the use of melatonin treatment during the non‐breeding season to improve the qualitative parameters of ejaculates in bucks.     

Effect of environmental factors and changes in the body condition score on the onset of the breeding season in mares

Several methods have been proposed to advance the onset of the breeding season in horses. Most of them are based on the exposure to an artificial lighting period combined with hormonal treatments. Mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod are most often housed indoors where the ambient temperature is often higher than the outside temperature. Mares held in barns are also exposed to different daylight intensities than horses kept outside, depending on the architecture. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of ambient temperature, daylight intensity and changes in body condition score (BCS) on the timing of first ovulation after winter anestrus in mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod. Mares (n = 211) were housed in barns with different ambient temperature and daylight exposure but with the same artificial photoperiod exposure (except for a natural photoperiod control group). Artificial photoperiod as well as an increase in BCS over the winter significantly advanced the first spring ovulation. The BCS at the start and end of the anestrus period did not have an effect on the interval to first ovulation and neither did the modest increase in ambient temperature in the barn. However, a higher light intensity during the daytime significantly advanced the first spring ovulation. The results of this study suggest that exposure to more sunlight advances the onset of the breeding season. This effect is likely mediated through the biological effect of short wavelength blue light and its impact on melatonin suppression and biological rhythms. We suggest that greater/direct exposure to the blue light component of daylight improves the response to the artificial photoperiod. The results of the present study can further assist to optimize the conditions that lead to an efficient spring transition of breeding mares.     

The effects of liveweight loss and milk production on the risk of lameness in a seasonally calving,pasture fed dairy herd in New Zealand

Dairy herd managers have attempted to increase and maintain profits by selectively breeding dairy cattle for high production. Selection for milk production may have resulted in a tendency for greater liveweight (LW) loss postpartum. This study aimed to: (1) determine if excessive LW loss and milk yield in the first 50 days in milk (DIM) was associated with the development of lameness after 50 DIM, and (2) estimate the incidence risk of lameness in this herd attributable to excessive liveweight loss. The dataset comprised details from 564 mixed age cows from a single, seasonally calving, pasture fed dairy herd in New Zealand.