Seasonal variation of the lying and standing behavior indexes of dairy cattle at different daily time periods in free‐stall housing

The lying and standing behavior of dairy cattle reveal whether dairy cattle housing is appropriate to cow comfort. Lying and standing behavior indexes, such as cow comfort index (CCI), cow stress index (CSI) and stall usage index (SUI) are often used as an indication of animal welfare. This study was performed to determine the seasonal and hourly variation of cow behavioral indexes at different daily time periods (DTP) and evaluate appropriate DTP better representing daily behavioral activity of dairy cattle in free‐stall housing (FHS) in Konya, Turkey. Animal behaviors were videotaped for a total of 24 days (576 h) over four seasons in a FHS at a commercial dairy farm from November 2007 to March 2009 using continuous video data (24 h per day). The behaviors of cows in the barn were evaluated using 60‐min scan sampling. All phenotypes were evaluated on an hourly basis during the experimental period. The results show how these indexes can be accurately evaluated by analyzing video recordings taken on DTP between 08.00–15.00 and 19.00–24.00 hours for autumn and summer and 10.00–12.00 and 20.00–22.00 hours for spring, instead of continuous observation (r > 0.93, P < 0.01). Consequently, the evaluated method provides saving time and labor to accurately analyze cow behavior instead of observations over a long time.     

Changes in lying behavior after abrupt cessation of milking and regrouping at dry-off in freestall-housed cows: A case study

The objectives of this case study were to evaluate differences between primiparous and multiparous cows in milk production over the last 10 days before abrupt cessation of routine milking to end lactation and to assess the effect of parity and milk production on changes in lying behavior around the routine on-farm practice of abrupt cessation of milking and regrouping in 1 freestall herd in Ontario (Canada). Lying behavior and milk production were monitored in 33 primiparous and 75 multiparous cows. Cows were dried-off abruptly (i.e., no longer milked) after the afternoon milking, regrouped with dry cows, and switched to high-forage diet. At the time of dry-off, cows were producing more than 20 kg/day on average. However, there was great variability across cows, with some cows producing over 35 kg/day on the day before dry-off. After removing 3 outliers, there was no difference between parities in the slope of the milk decrease over the last 10 days before dry-off. There was a negative association between the milk produced on the day before dry-off and lying time on the day of dry-off (coefficient estimate = −11.6 ± 4.7 minute/day) in primiparous cows only. Multiparous cows increased their daily lying time after dry-off; this increase leveled off 2 days after dry-off (lying time [minute/day] = 750.6 + 47.8 day − 9.9 day²). In contrast, primiparous cows decreased their daily lying time on the day of dry-off; however, daily lying time then increased until day 3 after dry-off (lying time [minute/day] = 641.6 − 11.9 day + 19.9 day²). Overall, the frequency of lying bouts increased on the day of dry-off, decreasing over the next days (lying bouts/day = 9.7 + 0.5 day − 0.3 day²). Although average lying bout duration decreased on the day of dry-off and increased over the subsequent days for all cows, the initial decrease was greater in primiparous cows (lying bout duration [minute] = 82.5 − 0.7 day + 1.8 day² and 68.0 − 3.2 day + 3.6 day² for multiparous and primiparous cows, respectively). The lying behavior diurnal patterns illustrated a decrease in lying time associated with each milking session on the 2 days before dry-off. Interestingly, similar patterns persisted after dry-off, although the magnitude of the decrease in lying time associated with each omitted milking was lower. Given that lying is a high-priority behavior in dairy cattle, these results suggest that the welfare of cows around the routine on-farm practice of abrupt cessation of milking and regrouping at dry-off, particularly after their first lactation, may be compromised.     

Characterization of ruminal dynamics in Holstein dairy cows during the periparturient period

We used four pregnant Holstein cows to delineate ruminal adaptations as cows transitioned from one lactation to the next. Cows were fed typical diets through far-off and close-up dry periods and lactation. We measured ruminal characteristics on day 72 (late lactation), 51 (far-off dry), 23 and 9 (close-up dry) prepartum and on days 6, 20, 34, 48, 62, 76 and 90 postpartum (early lactation). Measurements included: ruminal fill (weight of actual contents), ruminal capacity (volume of rumen when fully filled), digestibilities and ruminal passage rates. Ruminal capacity tended to increase linearly during early lactation but was stable during dry and transition periods. Both total and liquid fill decreased linearly during the dry period, increased across parturition, and increased linearly through early lactation. Dry matter fill decreased as cows were fed the close-up diet at day 23 prepartum then increased near parturition and continued to increase across early lactation. Solid passage rate was greatest when cows were fed the close-up diet, and decreased throughout the transition period. In lactation, solid passage rate responded quadratically with peak at day 48 followed by decreases through day 90 postpartum. Liquid passage increased linearly across the transition period. Total tract organic matter digestibilities increased linearly over the dry period with significant increases prior to or immediately after parturition, then they remained relatively stable over early lactation until they increased at day 90. Fibre digestibilities demonstrated quadratic responses over early lactation, being higher on day 6 and day 90 than at other times. Starch digestibilities decreased linearly across both the dry and transition periods with decreases in lactation until day 62 followed by increases until day 90. High producing lactating dairy cows go through a multitude of ruminal adaptations, in terms of digestion, passage, capacity and fill, as they transition from one lactation to the next.     

The influence of concentrate‐rich diet on daily sleep and lying postures of Japanese black cows

Sleep is one of the essential behaviors in mammalian health and welfare. In this study, we focused on how concentrate‐rich diets (Conc) can influence the sleep of cattle. We hypothesized that Conc would suppress the daily sleep of cows because of behavioral frustration according to shorter eating and rumination. We subjected six Japanese black cows according to crossover experimental design. There were two diet treatments. In the Conc group, 70% of required TDN was supplied by concentrate and 30% by grass silage. On the other hand, in roughage fed group (Rough), all required TDN was supplied by grass silage. Maintenance behaviors, postures of cows, and sleep posture were measured by electronic devices. Cows fed with Conc spent less time in eating and rumination and spent more time in rest than Rough. However, contrary to our hypothesis, cows fed with Conc showed longer daily sleep posture duration (96.2 min/day vs. 69.1 min/day) and more frequent sleep posture bouts (15.4 times/day vs. 11.1 times/day) than Rough. We discussed about following possible explanations why cows fed with Conc slept longer as satisfaction, illness, displacement behavior, and shifting sleep posture.     

Effects of pre‐partum milking of dairy cows on calcium metabolism at start of milking and at calving

This experiment studied the effect of pre‐partal milk removal on calcium metabolism at start of milking and at calving. Nine cows of the Swedish Red breed were milked for 1–7 days pre‐partum. The average milk yield at the first milking was 4.8 l, and the average yield the last day prior to calving was 13.4 l. Five cows were used as control cows and were only milked post‐partum. Samples of plasma and urine were taken to determine the effect of pre‐partum milking and calving on levels of calcium, magnesium, parathyroid hormone and plasma C‐terminal crosslinked telopeptide of type 1‐collagen (CTx), used as a marker of bone resorption. Pre‐partum milking resulted in a decrease in plasma calcium that was evident 2 days after the first milking. Parathyroid hormone increased at the same time, and CTx started to increase from 24 h after the first milking. There were no effects on plasma magnesium or urinary output of calcium or magnesium. The first week after calving, there were no differences between pre‐partum milked cows and control cows in plasma or urine variables, or in milk yield. In conclusion, pre‐partum milking activated the calcium‐restoring mechanisms but did not improve calcium status at calving.     

日粮添加碳酸氢钠对荷斯坦奶牛生产性能的影响

选择体重、胎次、泌乳期、乳脂率和产奶量基本一致的健康无病的中国荷斯坦奶牛30头,随机分成3组,分别为试验组Ⅰ,Ⅱ和对照组。试验组Ⅰ,Ⅱ奶牛日粮每日每头分别添加130、150g碳酸氢钠,对照组奶牛日粮每日每头分别添加110g碳酸氢钠,试验期28d。结果表明,试验组Ⅰ干物质采食量、粪便pH比对照组高1.41%、0.20(P0.05),非脂乳固体比对照组低0.4(P0.05);试验组Ⅱ干物质采食量、产奶量、4%标准乳、粪便pH分别比对照组高2.04%、2.01%、2.68%、0.42(P0.05),乳脂率高0.13%(P0.05),乳蛋白、非乳脂固体分别低0.36%、0.51%(P0.05)。另外,碳酸氢钠的增加使得牛乳中体细胞数显著降低,且与乳脂肪呈显著负相关(P0.05),而与乳蛋白质呈显著正相关(P0.05)。由此可知,在每头奶牛日粮中添加150g碳酸氢钠的范围内,随着日粮中碳酸氢钠的增加,能显著改善荷斯坦奶牛的生产性能,有效预防奶牛瘤胃酸中毒。     

Safety of standardized Macleaya cordata extract in an eighty‐four‐day dietary study in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of a standardized Macleaya cordata Extract Product (MCEP) containing the quaternary benzophenanthridine alkaloids, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, when fed to dairy cows. Thirty‐six dairy cows were randomized into three groups with twelve cows/treatment in two replica pens for each treatment group: control (C) without MCEP added to feed, treatment 1 (SANG‐1000) with MCEP added to feed at 1,000 mg/animal/day (1.5 mg/kg bw/day) and treatment 2 (SANG‐10000) with MCEP added to feed at 10,000 mg/animal/day (15.5 mg MCEP/kg bw/day). After two weeks of acclimation, animals were observed for an 84‐day experimental period, with body weight, feed intake and milk production measured daily. Milk composition was analysed every two weeks. Haematological analyses were performed on Day 0 and Day 84, and clinical chemistry analyses were performed on Day 84 of the study. There was no statistically significant difference (p > .10) among the three groups on body condition score, milk production or milk composition over the study period. There were no significant differences in body weight gain or feed consumption among the three groups. Animals in the SANG‐10000 group had significantly higher mean corpuscular volume (MCV) than the C group (p < .1) and lower mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) than the SANG‐1000 group (p < .1). Concentrations of sanguinarine and chelerythrine in milk samples collected on Day 84 were below the detection limit (LOD) as measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS). In conclusion, this study presents compelling data supporting the hypothesis that the test product MCEP, when included in the TMR at up to 10,000 mg/animal/day (15.5 mg MCEP/kg bw/day), is well tolerated by dairy cows.     

Risk factors for and reproductive outcomes of phantom cows on New Zealand dairy farms

AIMS: To determine some of the risk factors for cows not observed in oestrus within 35–42 days of an unsuccessful artificial insemination (AI; phantom cows), and the reproductive outcomes and effect of treatment of phantom cows.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over 2 years, in dairy herds from the Waikato (n=10) and Canterbury (n=4) regions of New Zealand, pregnancy diagnosis was carried out 35–42 days after AI on cows that had been inseminated in the first 3 weeks after the start of mating (PSM) but had not been seen returning to oestrus. Risk factors for phantom cows were analysed using a generalised linear mixed effect model.

In Year 1, all phantom cows were left untreated. In Year 2, phantom cows were categorised as having a corpus luteum (CL) (CL+ n=120), or having ovarian follicles ≥10 (n=101) or <10 (n=40)?mm in diameter. Cows with a CL were treated with cloprostenol or untreated and placed with bulls. Cows with no CL received intravaginal progesterone (P4) for 7 days, with injection of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on Days 0 and 9, and cloprostenol on Day 7 followed by AI. Pregnancy diagnosis of all cows took place 100–120 days after PSM and interval to conception and final pregnancy rate determined.

RESULTS: Overall, of cows inseminated in the first 3 weeks after PSM that did not return to oestrus, 610/6,734 (9.1%) were phantom cows. From the final multivariable analysis, treatment for anoestrus, BCS ≤4.0 at mating, being 2 or >6 years of age, and pure-bred, and decreasing interval between calving and mating, until 98 days post calving, were associated with increased odds of being a phantom cow. Compared to all other groups of cows, phantom cows had a longer interval to conception (p<0.001) and a lower final pregnancy rate (p<0.001).

Treatment of CL+ cows or cows with follicles ≥10?mm did not affect reproductive outcomes (p>0.3). For cows with follicles <10?mm treatment decreased the final percentage not pregnant (3/27; 11%; p=0.01) and interval to conception (21 days; p=0.02) compared with controls (7/13; 54% and 37 days, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Risk factors for phantom cows were identified that could be manipulated to reduce the number of phantom cows in a herd, in particular increasing BCS. Treatment of the majority of phantom cows did not improve reproductive performance.     

Hair cortisol levels of lactating dairy cows in cold‐ and warm‐temperate regions in Japan

We compared the hair cortisol levels of lactating dairy cows in a cold‐ and a warm‐temperate region out of four climatic zones in Japan. We simultaneously investigated the effects of calving number, lactation period and month of hair sampling. Hair of nine Holstein lactating cows chosen from each region (i.e. 18 cows per sampling) was sampled in March, June, September and December. Number of calvings (1, 2, ≥3) and lactation duration (early: <100, middle: 101–200, and late: >201 days) were balanced between regions. Cortisol was extracted from hair by methanol, and its level was determined with a cortisol immunoassay kit. A multi‐way analysis of variance revealed that the effects of month of hair sampling (P < 0.001) and its combination with region (P < 0.05) were significant. In a multiple comparison test, significant differences (P < 0.01) in hair cortisol level (pg/mg of hair) were found between June (13.0 ± 1.0) and the other 3 months, and between September (1.6 ± 0.2) and December (4.5 ± 0.3). The rise in cortisol level from March to June was more intense in the cold‐temperate region. These results demonstrate the necessity of considering seasonal variations in each climatic region when we use hair cortisol level as an indicator of stress.     

Evaluation of the potential effects of abortion on the productive performance of Iranian Holstein dairy cows

Calving records from the Animal Breeding Center of Iran collected from January 1983 to December 2007 and comprising 1 163 594 Holstein calving events from 2552 herds were used to evaluate the potential effect of abortion occurrence on 305‐day milk yield, milk fat yield, fat percentage of milk and milk protein yield in Iranian Holsteins. Statistical analyses of production traits were performed using a linear mixed model procedure. Normal‐calved cows had greater 305‐day milk production, fat yield and protein yield of milk than abortive‐calved cows (P < 0.05). However, abortive‐calved cows had the greater milk fat percentage than normal calved cows (P < 0.05). The linear and quadratic effects of age of dam were significant on all of the studied traits (P < 0.05). The results of regression analysis showed that increase in the quadratic effect of age can cause an increase in the fat percentage of milk for all calvings including normal and abortive calvings. Because abortion is one of the most important conditions that limit a cow's ability to produce, maintaining the general health of cattle is important in minimizing the risk of abortion problems.     

不同生理状态乳牛卵巢卵母细胞基因的差异表达

为了研究不同生理状态下的卵巢卵母细胞基因的表达情况，采集乳牛的卵巢，分离了卵母细胞，以单个卵母细胞的mRNA作为模板，用设计的随机引物和锚定引物，采用一步法RT-PCR扩增了卵母细胞基因。经聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测，发现有功能黄体和无黄体卵巢卵母细胞基因的电泳条带之间无明显差异，对一条明显差异条带进行回收、纯化，将纯化的PCR产物连接到T载体，阳性克隆经鉴定后，进行测序和同源性比较。结果显示，与体外培养的牛早期胚胎的一条序列具有很高的同源性。     

Influence of the duration of calving and obstetric assistance on the placental retention index in Holstein dairy cows

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of duration of calving and obstetric assistance on retained placenta incidence of high milk production Holstein cows. Experimental groups were determined according to the duration of the expulsive phase of calving: 2 h (n = 16), 2‐4 h (n = 16) and >4 h (n = 12), and additionally allocated in two sub‐groups: spontaneous calving (n = 22) and intervention calving (n = 22). Diagnosis of retained placenta was considered with a threshold of 8 h after the expulsive phase. Cows without obstetric intervention, with labor duration of 2 h, presented reduced time needed for placental release, in comparison to those with obstetric assistance. In the 2–4 h group and >4 h, there was no statistical difference. The 2 h and 2–4 h groups with intervention and the spontaneous >4 h group were considered retained placenta groups. On the other hand, performing obstetric intervention when calving period was superior to 4 h nulled the occurrence of retention of fetal membranes. As a conclusion, obstetric assistance predisposes placental retention to calving with <2 h of duration in dairy cows. Conversely, when calving is more than 4 h, performing fetal extraction has a beneficial influence on preventing retained placenta.     

Heritability and genetic correlations between rumination time and production traits in Holstein dairy cows during different lactation phases

So far, rumination has been used as a proxy for monitoring dairy cow health at farm level. However, investigating its genetic aspects as well as its correlation with other important productive traits may turn this management tool into a new informative selection criterion. However, scientific evidences on genetic correlation among rumination time (RT) and milk production and milk composition are still scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the heritability of RT across three lactation phases and its genetic correlation with milk production, milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC). Results of our study showed that heritability for RT was 0.34 and was constant across lactation. The mean genetic correlations between RT and milk production and composition traits were 0.07 (milk production), ?0.07 (protein yield), ?0.31 (fat yield), and ?0.32 (fat/protein ratio). The mean genetic correlation between RT and the SCC was 0.05.     

挤奶频率对奶牛生产性能的影响

文章介绍了挤奶频率对奶牛泌乳性能、繁殖性能、健康与福利等方面的影响。     

Superovulation protocols for dairy cows bred with SexedULTRA™ sex‐sorted semen

The objective was to compare embryo yield and quality in lactating dairy cows superovulated (SO) with varying amounts of gonadotropins and FSH:LH ratios and inseminated with SexedULTRA? sex‐sorted semen. The SO treatments (n = 77) involved 3 protocols: groups F700 and F1000 were given total doses of 700 and 1,000 IU of Folltropin (FSH:LH ratio 49:1), respectively, whereas group F700P300 was given 700 IU of Folltropin + 300 IU of Pluset (FSH:LH ratio 1:1). Cows were artificially inseminated 3 times over a 10‐hr interval with frozen‐thawed SexedULTRA? sex‐sorted semen (total of 10 × 10⁶ sex‐sorted sperm), starting 18 hr after onset of oestrus, with embryos/ova recovered 7 d after oestrus. Total number of recovered structures and transferable embryos were lower (p < 0.05) in F700 (4.7 ± 3.0 and 1.9 ± 1.7, respectively; mean ± SD) compared to F1000 (8.1 ± 3.8 and 4.4 ± 2.6) and F700P300 (8.5 ± 6.4 and 4.5 ± 3.3). Percentage of cows ovulating >50% of follicles ≥0.8 cm in diameter was lower (p < 0.05) in F700 (35.5%) than in F1000 (82.4%) and F700P300 (73.1%). Percentage of unfertilized oocytes was higher (p < 0.05) in F700 (45.0% vs. 27.7% for F1000 and 29.0% for F700P300) whereas percentage of morulae was higher (p < 0.05) in F1000 (19.3% vs. 8.7% for F700 and 12.2% for F700P300). Embryo quality was similar among groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, embryo production in lactating dairy cows was improved by increasing total dose of gonadotropins from 700 to 1,000 IU, with SexedULTRA? sex‐sorted semen yielding satisfactory fertilization rates and embryo quality.     

青贮金针菇对荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃发酵、甲烷排放及原生动物数量的影响

文章旨在研究不同水平青贮金针菇及尿素对奶牛养分消化率、瘤胃发酵、甲烷排放及原生动物数量的影响。试验选择15头荷斯坦奶牛[(542±68)kg],随机分为5组,每组3个重复,每个重复1头牛。试验一共设计5种日粮,对照组饲喂基础日粮,各处理组分别在基础饲粮中添加青贮金针菇,处理1组(90%青贮金针菇,10%玉米秸秆),处理2组(90%青贮金针菇,9%玉米秸秆,1%尿素),处理3组(80%青贮金针菇,20%玉米秸秆),处理4组(80%青贮金针菇,19%玉米秸秆,1%尿素)。试验期分为2周适应期和1周数据收集期。饲粮中添加青贮金针菇较对照组显著提高了酸性洗涤木质素的摄入量(P<0.05);金针菇添加水平和尿素对干物质和其他营养素的摄入量无显著影响(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,在处理组日粮中添加青贮金针菇显著增加总短链脂肪酸(SCFA)和丙酸含量(P<0.05),但乙酸含量及乙酸与丙酸比值显著降低(P<0.05)。添加青贮金针菇和尿素对短链脂肪酸含量有显著影响(P<0.05)。日粮添加80%青贮金针菇和1%尿素时,乙酸浓度显著高于未添加尿素组(P<0.05);青贮金针菇日粮添加尿素显著降低了瘤胃丁酸含量(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,在日粮中添加青贮金针菇可显著降低瘤胃原生动物总数(P<0.05)。饲粮中添加青贮金针菇可导致荷斯坦奶牛瘤胃原生动物总数逐步减少(P<0.05)。青贮金针菇日粮组中螺旋体数量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。饲喂青贮金针菇的荷斯坦奶牛较对照组显著降低了甲烷排放量(P<0.05)。综上所述,用金针菇废弃底物与尿素、玉米秸秆混合日粮可以提高奶牛日粮的营养价值,日粮添加青贮金针菇显著降低了奶牛瘤胃原生动物种群和肠道甲烷排放量。     

Long‐term impact of puerperal metritis on the profiles of peripheral blood leukocytes in peripartum dairy cows

To determine the effects of puerperal metritis on the immune response, changes in the differential peripheral blood leukocyte counts were analyzed during the peripartum period in cows with or without metritis. Multiparous Holstein cows were examined for uterine health disorders and classified into two groups: healthy (n = 11) or metritis (n = 5) cows. The lymphocyte and monocyte counts and the proportion of CD8⁺ lymphocytes were higher in cows with metritis compared to healthy cows. Moreover, the effects of puerperal metritis on the lymphocyte counts and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio persisted weeks after the uterine inflammation had self‐resolved. Taken together, the findings of the present study indicate the possible long‐term alterations of systemic immune responses in cows with puerperal uterine inflammation. © 2015 Japanese Society of Animal Science     

Effect of nutrient levels during the far‐off period on postpartum productivity in dairy cows

The present study aimed to determine the effects of differing nutrient levels during the far‐off period on postpartum metabolism and milk production in lactating cows. Twenty‐six multiparous cows were assigned to three dietary treatments in the far‐off period: a low‐energy diet (L, n = 9, 80% intake of the total digestible nutrients requirement), a moderate‐energy diet (M, n = 8, 105%) and a high‐energy diet (H, n = 9, 130%). During the close‐up period, all cows were provided with 105% intake. After parturition, all cows were fed a lactation diet. The BCS recovery was slow, and low milk yield was found in the H group. In the L group, BCS recovery was favorable after parturition, and lactation persistence was increased. The L group had low rumen endotoxin activity and a high initial ovulation rate after parturition. These findings indicate that a high‐energy diet during the far‐off period has a deleterious effect on milk production. In contrast, the restricted diet in the far‐off period increased adaptability with respect to peri‐parturition metabolic changes, improved the post‐parturition nutritional state, and increased milk production. Furthermore, it suggests that the nutrient levels in the far‐off period affect rumen endotoxin activity and reproductive function after parturition.