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Meyer AM, Redifer CA. The curse of the firstborn: Effects of dam primiparity on developmental programming in ruminant offspring. Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 265:107469. [PMID: 38705081 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The first parity, or first pregnancy, of ruminant females has negative effects on offspring during fetal, perinatal, and pre-weaning periods which ultimately lead to diminished pre-weaning productivity. Offspring born to primiparous ruminant females can have decreased fetal and pre-weaning growth, resulting in lower body weights at birth and weaning in cattle, sheep, and goats. Moreover, mortality is greater during both neonatal and pre-weaning periods. Insults during these critical developmental windows likely also have long-term consequences on first-parity offspring through developmental programming, but less research has been done to investigate effects in the post-weaning period. Many potential physiological, metabolic, and behavioral mechanisms exist for the outcomes of dam primiparity. Although competition for nutrient partitioning between maternal and fetal growth or lactation is often cited as a major contributor, we hypothesize that the most important mechanism causing most first-parity outcomes is the relative physiological inexperience of reproductive tissues such as the uterus and mammary gland during the first pregnancy and lactation, or a "first use theory" of tissues. More research is necessary to explore these areas, as well as if primiparous dams respond differently to stressors than multiparous dams, and if stress during the first parity affects subsequent parities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison M Meyer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
| | - Colby A Redifer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Duncan NB, Stoecklein KS, Foote AP, Meyer AM. Dam parity affects fetal growth, placental size, and neonatal metabolism in spring-born beef calves. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skac399. [PMID: 36478071 PMCID: PMC9883719 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine effects of dam parity on perinatal nutrient availability in beef cattle, data and samples were collected from 18 primiparous and 35 multiparous spring-calving Sim-Angus dams and their calves. Time to stand was recorded and neonatal vigor assessed. Jugular blood was collected from a subset of calves at 0 (post-standing and pre-suckling) 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of age, and blood chemistry panels were completed. Expelled placentas were dissected, dried, and weighed. Prepartum maternal circulating glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), triglycerides, and urea N were analyzed. All statistical models included the fixed effect of dam parity, and calf sex (when P ≤ 0.25) was included for calf and placental variables. Effects of sampling hour, and parity × hour were included for calf metabolites over time using repeated measures. Multiparous dams had greater body weight prepartum (P < 0.001) but similar (P = 0.25) body condition score. Maternal circulating urea N and triglycerides were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in multiparous dams pre-calving. Calves born to primiparous dams weighed 10% less (P ≤ 0.04) at birth with smaller (P ≤ 0.01) heart and abdominal girths. Cotyledonary, intercotyledonary, and total placental masses were less (P ≤ 0.05) for primiparous dams. Dam parity did not affect (P ≥ 0.58) calf time to stand, vigor score at 10 min, or rectal temperature. Serum glucose was greater (P = 0.03) at 0 h but less (P ≤ 0.04) at all other hours in calves from primiparous dams. Calves from primiparous dams had greater (P ≤ 0.02) serum NEFA at 6, 12, and 24 h although plasma triglycerides were greater (P < 0.001) at 6 h. Calves from primiparous dams had greater (P ≤ 0.04) serum urea N at 12 h and creatinine at 12 and 24 h. Plasma insulin was greater (P ≤ 0.04) in calves from multiparous dams at 12, 48, and 72 h, but parity did not affect (P ≥ 0.18) serum total protein or plasma cortisol. Serum aspartate aminotransferase was greater (P ≤ 0.04) at 6 and 24 h, creatine kinase was greater at 24 h, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase was less (P ≤ 0.04) at 6, 12, and 24 h, for calves from primiparous dams. Calves born to primiparous dams had greater (P ≤ 0.02) total bilirubin and direct bilirubin at 12 and 24 h. Data indicate that calves born to first-parity heifers had decreased perinatal nutrient availability, resulting in reduced fetal and placental growth, as well as greater energy reserve mobilization and metabolic indicators of stress as neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie B Duncan
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Katy S Stoecklein
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Andrew P Foote
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Allison M Meyer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Redifer CA, Wichman LG, Rathert-Williams AR, Freetly HC, Meyer AM. Late gestational nutrient restriction in primiparous beef females: nutrient partitioning among the dam, fetus, and colostrum during gestation. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad195. [PMID: 37314299 PMCID: PMC10400126 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fall-calving primiparous crossbred beef females [body weight (BW): 451 ± 28 (SD) kg; body condition score (BCS): 5.4 ± 0.7] were allocated by fetal sex and expected calving date to receive either 100% (control; CON; n = 13) or 70% (nutrient restricted; NR; n = 13) of metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from day 160 of gestation to calving. Heifers were individually-fed chopped poor quality hay and supplemented to meet targeted nutritional planes based on estimated hay intakes. Dam BW, BCS, backfat, and metabolic status were determined pre-treatment, every 21 d (BW and metabolic status) or 42 d (BCS and backfat) during gestation, and post-calving. At birth, calf BW and size were measured, and total colostrum from the most full rear quarter was collected pre-suckling. Data were analyzed with nutritional plane, treatment initiation date, and calf sex (when P < 0.25) as fixed effects. Gestational metabolites included day and nutritional plane × day as repeated measures. During late gestation, CON dams gained (P < 0.01) maternal (non-gravid) BW and maintained (P ≥ 0.17) BCS and backfat, while NR dams lost (P < 0.01) maternal BW, BCS, and backfat. Circulating glucose, urea N, and triglycerides were less (P ≤ 0.05) in NR dams than CON at most late gestational timepoints after treatment initiation. Circulating non-esterified fatty acids were greater (P < 0.01) in NR dams than CON. Post-calving, NR dams weighed 63.6 kg less (P < 0.01) and were 2.0 BCS less (P < 0.01) than CON. At 1 h post-calving, NR dams had less (P = 0.01) plasma glucose and tended to have less (P = 0.08) plasma triglycerides than CON. Nutrient restriction did not affect (P ≥ 0.27) gestation length, calf birth weight, or calf size at birth. Colostrum yield was 40% less (P = 0.04) in NR dams than CON. Protein and immunoglobulin concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.04), but free glucose and urea N concentrations were less (P ≤ 0.03), in colostrum of NR dams than CON. Colostrum total lactose, free glucose, and urea N were less (P ≤ 0.03) in NR dams than CON, but total protein, triglycerides, and immunoglobulins were not affected (P ≥ 0.55). In summary, beef heifers experiencing late gestational nutrient restriction prioritized partitioning nutrients to fetal growth and colostrum production over maternal growth. During undernutrition, fetal and colostral nutrient demands were largely compensated for by catabolism of maternal tissue stores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colby A Redifer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Lindsey G Wichman
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | | | - Harvey C Freetly
- USDA, ARS, Roman L Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Allison M Meyer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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Schmitt R, Pieper L, Borchardt S, Swinkels J, Gelfert CC, Staufenbiel R. Effects of a single transdermal administration of flunixin meglumine in early postpartum Holstein Friesian dairy cows: Part 2. Milk yield, culling risk, and reproductive performance. J Dairy Sci 2022; 106:641-652. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Larson-Peine JM, Heller MC, Rathert-Williams AR, Pearl KA, Duncan NB, Vander Ley BL, Meyer AM. Blood chemistry and rectal temperature changes in a population of healthy, fall-born, suckling beef calves from birth to 72 h of age. Theriogenology 2022; 188:145-155. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Baqueiro-Espinosa U, McEvoy V, Arnott G. Factors influencing ease of whelping and its relationship with maternal behaviour and puppy perinatal mortality in commercially bred dogs. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6680. [PMID: 35461375 PMCID: PMC9035175 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10707-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
For dog breeders, parturition is a critical stage in the reproductive cycle of the dam. Evidence in other mammals suggests that a difficult labour can influence maternal behaviour and offspring viability during the first hours postpartum. However, the effect of whelping difficulty on the onset of maternal behaviour has not yet been investigated in domestic dogs. Here we developed an ease of whelping (EoW) index in dams maintained within a Commercial dog Breeding Establishment (CBE) environment and investigated the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic factors (breed group according to size/weight, litter size, parity, whelping season and origin of the dam), EoW, early maternal behaviour and puppy perinatal mortality. The behaviour of 30 dams was observed throughout the whelping process, starting 24 h before delivery of the first puppy until birth of the last puppy. Parturition duration, birth interval, and behaviours indicative of distress, restlessness, and general activity were scored and included in a Principal Component Analysis to construct the EoW index. Subsequently, mother-pup interactions and puppy perinatal mortality were recorded during the first 24 and 72 h postpartum respectively. Results showed that EoW was significantly affected by whelping season, litter size and origin of the dam (whether she was born and raised within the CBE or brought in). Furthermore, mothers that experienced more difficult parturitions (higher EoW score) spent more time lying in contact with their puppies during the first 24 h postpartum. Time in contact with puppies was also significantly affected by breed group. Nursing duration was significantly affected by breed group and origin of the dam. Additionally, medium-size breed (10-20 kg) puppies were significantly less likely to experience perinatal mortality than large breeds (> 20 kg). These findings are particularly relevant for the welfare of breeding dams maintained in large-scale CBEs where the staff-to-dog ratio might be insufficient to adequately manage multiple simultaneous parturitions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Baqueiro-Espinosa
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, UK.
| | - Victoria McEvoy
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
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Bahrami-Yekdangi M, Ghorbani GR, Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi A, Mahnani A, Drackley JK, Ghaffari MH. Identification of cow-level risk factors and associations of selected blood macro-minerals at parturition with dystocia and stillbirth in Holstein dairy cows. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5929. [PMID: 35396559 PMCID: PMC8993806 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09928-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A deeper understanding of the risk factors for dystocia and stillbirth could help farmers make decisions about dairy cow management. The objectives of this study were to investigate cow-level risk factors associated with dystocia and stillbirth in a relatively large sample of dairy cows using multivariable linear regression models. The data consisted of 51,405 calving records of 14,546 Holstein cows from 3 dairy herds in Isfahan Province, Iran, collected between April 2011 and September 2017. To investigate the association between selected blood macro-minerals and the incidence of dystocia and stillbirth, blood samples were collected at the time of parturition from a random subset of these cows, which included 1311 animals. The incidence of dystocia and stillbirths averaged 14.7% and 4.3%, respectively. Results showed that calving year, calving season, dry period length, BCS, parity, calf sex, calf birth weight, twin status, and stillbirth were significantly associated with the incidence of dystocia. According to the Random Forest (RF) classifier, we found that dry period length, calf birth weight, and parity were the most important cow-level risk factors for the incidence of dystocia. Calving year, calving season, parity, twin status, dry period length, calf birth weight, calf sex, and dystocia were significantly associated with the incidence of stillbirths. The most important risk factors identified by the RF classifier for stillbirths were twin status, parity, dry period length, and calf birth weight. Also, interactions between the cow-level risk factors associated with dystocia and stillbirth were identified. The incidence of dystocia was associated with the interactions of twin status × calf birth weight and twin status × stillbirth. According to our analysis, the incidence of stillbirth is caused by interactions among several factors, such as twin status × length of dry period, twin status × calving season, and twin status × parity. The highest incidence of dystocia (21.3%) and stillbirths (5.4%) was observed in hypo-calcemic cows. In conclusion, twin status seems to be a determining factor for the incidence of stillbirths but not for dystocia. Finally, the results of this study may help the dairy industry make management decisions aimed at reducing dystocia and stillbirth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bahrami-Yekdangi
- Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), 3146618361, Karaj, Iran
| | - G R Ghorbani
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, PO Box, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
| | - A Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, PO Box, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
| | - A Mahnani
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, PO Box, 84156-83111, Isfahan, Iran
| | - J K Drackley
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - M H Ghaffari
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Bonn, 53111, Bonn, Germany.
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Redfearn A, McNally J, Brewer H, Doyle E, Schmoelzl S. Using Pen-Side Measurable Blood Parameters to Predict or Identify Dystocic Lambing Events. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020206. [PMID: 35205072 PMCID: PMC8869090 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Prolonged or non-progressive labour is the greatest risk factor for loss of newborn lambs in Australia and poses significant welfare and economic concerns worldwide. In this study, we set out to investigate whether pen-side technology could be used to predict which ewes would be at risk of prolonged labour. In our pilot trial, we found potentially useful markers. We next developed a sampling protocol by looking at changes in candidate markers over time in normal lambing events. Finally, we searched for blood markers that could distinguish between normal and difficult lambing events, sampling pre-birth (estimated one week before birth), at birth (within 3 h) and post-birth (16–26 h). Possible predictors of lambing difficulty were chloride, haematocrit and haemoglobin, sampled one week before birth; creatinine, sampled at birth; and acid–base related parameters after birth. In conclusion, we found that pen-side analysis of blood markers showed promise in identifying dystocic lambing events. More information is required to decide whether pen-side diagnostics could be useful to identify and predict dystocic lambing in the future. Abstract Dystocia is the greatest contributor to neonatal lamb mortality in Australia and poses significant welfare and economic concerns worldwide. In this study, we set out to investigate whether pen-side analysis technology could be employed to detect blood parameters predictive of dystocic labour events in sheep. In a pilot trial, we collected and analysed blood samples in pen-side assays for glucose, lactate, pH, pCO2, pO2, base excess, HCO3, TCO2, sO2, lactate, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, urea nitrogen, creatinine, haematocrit, haemoglobin and anion gap. From the pilot data, we identified creatinine, TCO2, chloride and calcium as potentially useful markers. To develop a time course and to establish variability of the selected blood parameters, a time series of samples was collected from 12 ewes, from mid-gestation to 48 h after birth. For the main trial, blood samples were collected at mid- and late gestation for glucose determination and for the full set of blood parameters at three time points before, at and after birth. Possible predictors of lambing difficulty were chloride, haematocrit and haemoglobin, sampled one week before birth; creatinine, sampled at birth; and blood pH and base excess after birth. In conclusion, we found that pen-side analysis of blood markers showed promise in identifying dystocic lambing events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amellia Redfearn
- FD McMaster Laboratory, Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (A.R.); (J.M.); (H.B.)
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;
| | - Jody McNally
- FD McMaster Laboratory, Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (A.R.); (J.M.); (H.B.)
| | - Heather Brewer
- FD McMaster Laboratory, Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (A.R.); (J.M.); (H.B.)
| | - Emma Doyle
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;
| | - Sabine Schmoelzl
- FD McMaster Laboratory, Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia; (A.R.); (J.M.); (H.B.)
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia;
- Correspondence:
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Kovács L, Kézér FL, Bodó S, Ruff F, Palme R, Szenci O. Salivary cortisol as a non-invasive approach to assess stress in dystocic dairy calves. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6200. [PMID: 33737596 PMCID: PMC7973751 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The intensity and the magnitude of saliva cortisol responses were investigated during the first 48 h following birth in newborn dairy calves which underwent normal (eutocic, EUT, n = 88) and difficult (dystocic, DYS, n = 70) calvings. The effects of parity and body condition of the dam, the duration of parturition, the time spent licking the calf, the sex and birth weight of the calf were also analyzed. Neonatal salivary cortisol concentrations were influenced neither by factors related to the dam (parity, body condition) nor the calf (sex, birth weight). The duration of parturition and the time spent licking the calf also had no effect on salivary cortisol levels. Salivary cortisol concentrations increased rapidly after delivery in both groups to reach their peak levels at 45 and 60 min after delivery in EUT and DYS calves, respectively supporting that the birth process means considerable stress for calves and the immediate postnatal period also appears to be stressful for newborn calves. DYS calves exhibited higher salivary cortisol concentrations compared to EUT ones for 0 (P = 0.022), 15 (P = 0.016), 30 (P = 0.007), 45 (P = 0.003), 60 (P = 0.001) and 120 min (P = 0.001), and for 24 h (P = 0.040), respectively. Peak levels of salivary cortisol and the cortisol release into saliva calculated as AUC were higher in DYS than in EUT calves for the 48-h of the sampling period (P = 0.009 and P = 0.003, respectively). The greater magnitude of saliva cortisol levels in DYS calves compared to EUT ones suggest that difficult parturition means severe stress for bovine neonates and salivary cortisol could be an opportunity for non-invasive assessment of stress during the early neonatal period in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levente Kovács
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor utca 40, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary.
- Bovine Research Division, Bona Adventure Ltd, Peres utca 44, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary.
| | - Fruzsina Luca Kézér
- Bovine Research Division, Bona Adventure Ltd, Peres utca 44, Gödöllő, 2100, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Bodó
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Guba Sándor utca 40, Kaposvár, 7400, Hungary
| | - Ferenc Ruff
- Department of Methodology, Hungarian Central Statistical Office, Keleti Károly utca 5-7, Budapest, 1024, Hungary
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Experimental Endocrinology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ottó Szenci
- Department of Obstetrics and Food Animal Medicine Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine, István utca 2, Budapest, 1078, Hungary
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Vilela Pires B, de Freitas LA, Voltareli da Silva G, Brasil Garcia Pimenta Neves Pereira Lima S, dos Santos Gonçalves Cyrillo JN, Bonvino Stafuzza N, Pereira de Lima ML, Paro de Paz CC. Influence of calf vigour and suckling assistance from birth to weaning in Guzerá beef cattle. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/an20056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Maternal ability, cow nutrition, and calf sex are factors that affect beef cattle production in extensive systems. The Guzerá cattle is an important breed in Brazil, where satisfactory growth rates are reported; however, studies on post-parturition calf and cow behaviour are scarce.
Aims
This study aimed to identify the influence of vigour at birth (ability to stand and suckle without assistance) and human assistance in colostrum intake (HA) on the haematological profile, cortisol concentration, and growth until weaning of Guzerá beef calf.
Methods
The following traits were observed in 73 male and 83 female calves: cow age at calving, sex, birthweight, vigour, HA, haematological profile, cortisol concentration, bodyweight at 120 days (W120), weaning weight, average daily gain and mortality. Variance analysis was performed using the general linear model procedure of the SAS software.
Key results
Haematocrit (P = 0.04) and red blood cells (P = 0.004) were higher in calves requiring HA. Cortisol was also higher (P = 0.03) in calves that required HA (81.34 ng/mL × 59.40 ng/mL). The weaning weight and average daily gain were higher (P < 0.05) in calves that did not require HA and showed good vigour (200.38 kg and 0.83 kg/day respectively) than in calves that required HA and showed good vigour (163.7 kg and 0.68 kg/day respectively). The mortality rate was higher in calves that showed poor vigour at birth (25%).
Conclusions
Both vigour and the need for HA are important traits that should be evaluated during the development of newborn calves. These assessments in the herd can contribute to minimise the mortality rate and maximise the health and weight gain until weaning of beef calves.
Implications
Few studies have reported the role of vigour and colostrum intake in the development of calves. Despite the difficulty of human interference in extensive cattle farming, the calf vigour combined with human assistance at birth can minimise the losses and increase the performance of beef cattle.
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Ahmed MH, Wilkens MR, Ganter M, Breves G. Serum parameters related to mineral homeostasis and energy metabolism in ewes kept on different dietary magnesium supply during the transition period. Res Vet Sci 2020; 134:19-26. [PMID: 33278756 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of dietary magnesium supplementation on mineral status and intermediary metabolism of ewes during the transition period (TP). For this purpose, 19 pregnant ewes (2nd and 3rd lactation) were divided into a control group (Con, n = 9) kept on a daily magnesium intake of approximately 3.0 g ante-partum (a.p.) and 5.0 g post-partum (p.p.), and a magnesium group (Mg, n = 10, 4.2 g a.p., 7.7 g p.p.). Blood was collected at day (d) 30 a.p., d 14 a.p., d 1 p.p., d 14 p.p. and d 30 p.p., respectively. Serum levels of total magnesium were not affected by the treatment. In Con animals, serum levels of total calcium and phosphate were lower at d 1 p.p. in comparison to d 30 a.p. (P ≤ 0.05). Only in Con ewes, serum glucose levels showed significant fluctuations throughout the entire observation period (P ˂ 0.05) and were correlated negatively with those of beta-hydroxybutyrate (r2: 0.70; P < 0.01, r2: 0.76; P < 0.01) and positively with insulin (r2: 0.46; P < 0.05, r2: 0.59; P < 0.05) on d 30 and 14 a.p., respectively. At d 30 p.p., serum insulin levels were lower in the Mg group compared to the Con group (P < 0.05). As serum concentrations of calcium, phosphate and glucose seemed more stable throughout the TP, magnesium supplementation might be an approach to promote metabolic health in ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona H Ahmed
- Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover D-30173, Germany
| | - Mirja R Wilkens
- Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover D-30173, Germany.
| | - Martin Ganter
- Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover D-30173, Germany
| | - Gerhard Breves
- Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, Hannover D-30173, Germany
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von Kuhlberg MK, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Gottschalk J, Wagner T, Herrmann N, Einspanier A. The effects of a training program using a phantom to accustom heifers to the automatic milking system. J Dairy Sci 2020; 104:928-936. [PMID: 33162088 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The introduction of heifers into the automatic milking system (AMS) can be associated with considerable stress for both animals and farm employees, as completely inexperienced heifers initially do not independently enter the unknown milking robot. This study investigated whether training heifers on an AMS phantom provides the possibility of preparing heifers for the following lactation at the AMS. For this purpose, 77 Holstein-Friesian heifers were randomly assigned to one of 2 experimental groups: control (CON) or phantom (PHAN). Four weeks before calving, the PHAN group was given free access to the phantom, which was similar to the actual milking robot, so that they could explore it and be positively conditioned by feeding concentrate in the phantom. The heifers of the CON group had no contact with the phantom or the AMS before the first milking at the AMS. The milking frequency per animal per day was recorded, and the proportion of animals that had to be fetched for milking was determined, to evaluate how the animals accepted the AMS after calving. To assess the stress level of the animals before and after introduction into the AMS, fecal cortisol concentrations and rumination times of the animals were measured. Additionally, lactation performance characteristics (milk yield, milk flow, electrical conductivity of milk, and milk composition) were recorded for 77 animals. The animals trained on the phantom showed a higher milking frequency (DIM 7: 2.70 ± 0.14 visits/d) than the control animals (DIM 7: 2.41 ± 0.14 visits/d) between the 4th and 10th day of lactation. In addition, between d 1 and d 5, the proportion of animals that had to be fetched for milking was lower in PHAN (DIM 1: 35.18 ± 4.16%) than in CON (DIM 1: 48.03 ± 4.46%). The PHAN heifers had unexpectedly high fecal cortisol levels (1 wk prepartum: 43.50 ± 0.93 ng/g of feces), although not considerably elevated compared with CON (1 wk prepartum: 40.76 ± 1.05 ng/g of feces). Training on the phantom had no appreciable influence on rumination time and lactation performance parameters. The increased number of milking visits and the reduced proportion of animals that had to be fetched into the AMS for milking indicate that training on the phantom prepares the animals well for being milked in the AMS. Therefore, training heifers on the phantom offers the possibility to facilitate the start into early lactation for the animals, providing a valuable contribution to improvement of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K von Kuhlberg
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - M Wensch-Dorendorf
- Biometrics and Informatics in Agriculture Group, Institute for Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - J Gottschalk
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - T Wagner
- Agricultural Society Ruppendorf AG, 01774 Klingenberg, Germany
| | - N Herrmann
- MAP Meißener Agricultural Products AG, 01561 Priestewitz, Germany
| | - A Einspanier
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Veterinary Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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13
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Menichetti BT, Piñeiro JM, Barragan AA, Relling AE, Garcia-Guerra A, Schuenemann GM. Association of prepartum lying time with nonesterified fatty acids and stillbirth in prepartum dairy heifers and cows. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:11782-11794. [PMID: 33222861 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to assess the association of prepartum lying time (LT) and the coefficient of variation (CV) of LT within 7 d before calving with prepartum serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration at 7 ± 3 d prepartum (dpp) and stillbirth. Prepartum pregnant Holstein heifers and cows from 3 dairy herds were used (n = 1,044). Animals were housed in freestall barns using a prepartum pen 21 d before the expected calving date and were moved into a contiguous maternity pen at parturition. Monthly, cohorts of 20 to 36 animals (heifers and cows combined) were enrolled at each farm and electronic data loggers (IceQube, IceRobotics, Edinburgh, UK) were fitted to the hind leg of individual animals to assess their behavioral activity. Stillbirth was defined as a calf born dead or died during the first 24 h after parturition in dams with normal gestation length. The LT was recorded for the last 7 dpp to assess differences among dams with stillbirth versus those with a calf born alive. Mean LT within 7 d before blood NEFA collection was assessed to determine the association with prepartum serum NEFA at 7 ± 3 dpp. Blood samples for the assessment of serum NEFA concentration were collected from prepartum animals at 14 ± 3 and at 7 ± 3 dpp. Blood samples for total serum calcium concentration were collected from postpartum cows within 48 h after parturition to assess differences among cows with stillbirth versus those with a calf born alive. Data were analyzed using CORR, MIXED, or GLIMMIX procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Dams experiencing dystocic births had a greater proportion of stillbirth, but herd, parity, and season did not have an effect. Dams with a stillborn calf had reduced LT and increased CV of LT within the last 7 dpp compared with dams with a calf born alive, regardless of parity. Multiparous cows with a stillborn calf had higher prepartum serum NEFA concentration compared with multiparous cows with a calf born alive, but this did not differ for first-calf heifers. Regardless of parity, the proportion of postpartum cows with hypocalcemia was higher for dams with a stillborn calf compared with those with a calf born alive. Regardless of parity, LT of prepartum dams was strongly correlated with the CV of LT (as LT increased, the CV decreased), and prepartum dams with a mean LT between 11 and 15 h/d had the lowest serum NEFA concentration compared with dams with LT of 8 to 10 or >16 h/d. Serum NEFA concentrations at 7 ± 3 dpp was positively correlated with the CV of LT within 7 d before blood sample. These results show that the dam's prepartum LT and its consistency over time are associated with prepartum serum NEFA and calf survival at calving.
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Affiliation(s)
- B T Menichetti
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - J M Piñeiro
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - A A Barragan
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - A E Relling
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster 44691
| | - A Garcia-Guerra
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - G M Schuenemann
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
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14
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Barragan AA, Bauman LM, Schuenemann GM, Velez J, Lakritz J, Coetzee JF, Gonzalez JDR, Piñeiro JM, Menichetti B, Bas S. Administration of acetylsalicylic acid after parturition in lactating dairy cows under certified organic management: Part II. Biomarkers of nociception, inflammation, and stress. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:11713-11722. [PMID: 33010916 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective was to assess the effect of oral administration of acetylsalicylic acid after calving on the concentrations of substance P (SP), haptoglobin (HP), and cortisol in lactating dairy cows. Holstein dairy cows (n = 152) from 3 organic herds were included. At parturition, cows were blocked by parity [multiparous (MULT) and primiparous (PRIM)] and calving ease [eutocia (EUT) and dystocia (DYS)] and were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: aspirin (ASP; n = 76), in which within 12 h after parturition cows received 4 treatments with acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg; 2 boluses) at 12-h intervals, or placebo (PLC; n = 76), in which within 12 h after parturition cows received 4 consecutive treatments with gelatin capsules (2 capsules) containing water 12 h apart. Blood samples were collected immediately before treatment and at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 168 h (7 DIM) for assessment of circulating concentration of SP, HP, and cortisol. Based on farm records, cows were classified in the following clinical disease categories: no clinical disease event (NO-EVT), a single clinical disease event (SI-EVT), and more than 1 clinical disease event (MU-EVT). The study data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using mixed multiple linear and logistic regression models. With regard to HP, there was a tendency for an interaction between treatment and parity, where MULT cows treated with ASP had lower concentration of HP compared with MULT cows treated with PLC (ASP = 124.33 ± 6.83 µg/mL; PLC = 143.9 ± 7.24 µg/mL). Analysis by calving ease showed that cows with DYS had higher concentrations of HP (DYS = 159.17 ± 5.97 µg/mL; EUT = 138.72 ± 6.22 µg/mL) and SP (only at 168 h; DYS = 64.99 pg/mL, 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.68-2.81; EUT = 60.33 pg/mL, 95% CI: 2.91-3.06) after calving compared with EUT cows. Regardless of treatment, PRIM cows had higher concentrations of SP (MULT = 55.11 pg/mL, 95% CI: 1.27-1.30; PRIM = 57.62 pg/mL, 95% CI: 1.99-2.06), HP (MULT = 134.14 ± 4.96 µg/mL; PRIM = 163.75 ± 7.76 µg/mL), and cortisol (MULT = 18.65 µg/mL, 95% CI: 1.02-1.05; PRIM = 21.92 µg/mL, 95% CI: 1.67-1.74) compared with MULT cows. In addition, cows that experienced SI-EVT or MU-EVT had higher concentrations of HP (NO-EVT = 134.13 ± 5.95 µg/mL; SI-EVT = 142.68 ± 7.32 µg/mL; MU-EVT = 170.03 ± 9.42 µg/mL) and cortisol (NO-EVT = 17.86 µg/mL, 95% CI: 1.20-1.24; SI-EVT = 21.01 µg/mL, 95% CI: 1.61-1.67; MU-EVT = 22.01 µg/mL, 95% CI: 2.08-2.18) compared with cows with NO-EVT recorded. Results from this study suggest that a short-duration anti-inflammatory therapy after calving reduced HP in MULT cows but may not have effects on SP and cortisol concentrations. Calving ease and parity affected the concentrations of markers of inflammation, nociception, and stress regardless of treatment. Further research is warranted to assess anti-inflammatory strategies aimed at decreasing inflammation and stress in DYS and PRIM cows and therefore improve welfare and performance of these high-priority groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Barragan
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - L M Bauman
- Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - G M Schuenemann
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - J Velez
- Aurora Organic Farms, Platteville, CO 80651
| | - J Lakritz
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - J F Coetzee
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506
| | | | - J M Piñeiro
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - B Menichetti
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210
| | - S Bas
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
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Stress effects on the regulation of parturition in different domestic animal species. Anim Reprod Sci 2019; 207:153-161. [PMID: 31054786 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes current knowledge on stress-like responses in parturient animals and their role for the onset and fine-tuning of parturition. The antepartum maternal cortisol increase is part of the endocrine changes that initiate parturition but a further increase in cortisol release during labor indicates a stress response. During the last minutes of delivery, sinus arrhythmias occur in 80% of foaling mares and 60% of calving cows. Expulsion of the neonate is thus characterized by parasympathetic dominance. In late-pregnant cows transported by road, cortisol concentrations increased but relations between transport stress and abortion remain unclear. In mares, transport not only elicited a stress response but also advanced the time of foaling. Transferring parturient rats, mice and pigs after birth of the first pup or piglet, respectively, to a stressful environment prolonged the time until delivery of the next littermate. In rats and pigs, this was caused by an increased opioidergic tone that restrained oxytocin release. In mice, a stress-induced delay of subsequent deliveries was caused by increased sympathoadrenal activity. When foaling mares were transferred to an uncomfortable stable at fetal membrane rupture, time until complete birth of the foal was doubled. As in mice, increased sympathetic activity was the mechanism delaying the progress of foaling. An increased sympathetic activity is also present in parturient cows disturbed during an early stage of calving. In equine and bovine neonates, the immediate postnatal period is characterised by high sympathetic activity and an increase in cortisol concentration, indicating a pronounced stress-like response.
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16
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Effects of Dietary Rumen-Protected Betaine Supplementation on Performance of Postpartum Dairy Cows and Immunity of Newborn Calves. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9040167. [PMID: 30991647 PMCID: PMC6523976 DOI: 10.3390/ani9040167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Betaine plays an important role in growth, lactation, protein synthesis, and fat metabolism in animals, but there are few studies on transition dairy cows and newborn calves. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected betaine supplementation from four weeks before expected calving to six weeks postpartum regarding the lactation performance and blood metabolites of dairy cows and immunity of newborn calves. The results suggested that betaine supplementation tended to increase fat mobilization of postpartum dairy cows. Furthermore, compared to the control calves, the betaine calves had greater plasma total protein and globulin concentrations, which indicates that the immunity of the betaine calves might have improved. Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of rumen-protected betaine supplementation on performance of postpartum dairy cows and immunity of newborn calves. Twenty-four multiparous Holstein dairy cows were randomly divided into the control (CON, n = 12) and rumen-protected betaine (BET, n = 12) groups after blocking by parity and milk yield during the previous lactation cycle. The cows were fed a basal total mixed ration diet without BET (CON) or with BET at 20 g/d per cow (BET) from four weeks before expected calving to six weeks postpartum. The results showed that betaine supplementation had no effect on dry matter intake and milk yield of the cows. The BET cows tended to increase feed efficiency (energy-corrected milk/dry matter intake) and body weight loss postpartum compared to the CON cows. The plasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations of the BET cows were greater at d seven after calving than those of the CON cows. Moreover, compared to the CON calves, the BET calves had greater plasma total protein and globulin concentrations. The plasma glucose concentrations of the BET calves tended to decrease relative to CON cows. In conclusion, rumen-protected betaine supplementation from four weeks before expected calving tended to increase fat mobilization of postpartum dairy cows, and might improve the immunity of newborn calves.
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17
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Vannucchi CI, Silva LG, Lúcio CF, Veiga GAL. Oxidative stress and acid-base balance during the transition period of neonatal Holstein calves submitted to different calving times and obstetric assistance. J Dairy Sci 2018; 102:1542-1550. [PMID: 30594373 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During the neonatal period, constant adaptations to the extrauterine environment are required. These adaptations are made impossible or hindered when unexpected obstetrical events take place. This study aimed to identify clinical changes of vitality, metabolic and acid-base balance, and oxidative stress of newborn calves born to assisted dams that experienced different durations of calving. A prospective and observational study was conducted with 44 Holstein calves allocated to 3 groups according to the duration of calving: 2 h (n = 16), 2-4 h (n = 16), and >4 h (n = 12), and to 2 subgroups: spontaneous calving (n = 22) and assisted calving (n = 22). We observed that obstetric assistance was beneficial when calving lasted more than 4 h, because 100% of assisted calves had a high Apgar score (≥7) at 5 min, similar to that of spontaneously born calves after 2 h of calving. Rectal temperature of all calves remained within normal values, albeit with a reduction at 20 min of life. Calves born after a calving time >4 h had the highest rectal temperatures, especially those that required obstetrical assistance. There was a progressive increase in blood oxygenation with time, but calves in the >4 h group showed the highest partial pressure of carbon dioxide at birth, whereas calves in the 2 h and 2-4 h groups had lower values. A decrease in partial pressure of CO2 was observed at 120 min in the 2-4 h and >4 h groups. In the 2-4 h group, calves with obstetrical assistance had higher oxidative stress (measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) at 120 min of life compared with that at birth. In spontaneously born calves, TBARS increased only after 240 min. In the >4 h group, TBARS increased progressively with time, regardless of obstetrical subgroup. Calves born spontaneously within the 2 h group had higher TBARS values at birth than calves in the >4 h group with obstetrical assistance. Calves in the >4 h group showed higher levels of glutathione peroxidase (an antioxidant enzyme) at birth than those in the remaining groups. Glutathione peroxidase decreased at 120 min in the >4 h group and at 240 min for the 2 h and 2-4 h groups. In conclusion, obstetric assistance did not improve neonatal vitality and blood oxygenation when calving lasted less than 2 h. Calves born after 2 h of calving showed decreased vitality, hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and increased antioxidant status (glutathione peroxidase).
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila I Vannucchi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 05508-270.
| | - Liege G Silva
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 05508-270
| | - Cristina F Lúcio
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 05508-270
| | - Gisele A L Veiga
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil 05508-270
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18
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Alonge S, Melandri M. Effect of delivery management on first-week neonatal outcome: How to improve it in Great Danes. Theriogenology 2018; 125:310-316. [PMID: 30502623 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
A different incidence of neonatal complications has been reported in several species according to the duration of the various labour stages and the type of delivery. Trauma associated with dystocia may result in the release of neonatal catecholamines and cortisol that negatively affect neonatal metabolism, thus survival. Aim of the present study was to assess how the first-week neonatal outcome is affected by a different management of parturition. Clinical records of 46 Great Dane litters from 8 different kennels were evaluated retrospectively. Data were grouped in 3 categories: vaginal delivery (VD), emergency C-section (ES), planned C-section (PS). The risk of stillbirth, early neonatal mortality and perinatal mortality was calculated at puppy and at litter level in each group. Data were statistically compared by the ANOVA and Chi-Square test (p < 0.05). Seventy-eight puppies were naturally delivered (VD), 120 experienced dystocia at birth that required emergency C-section (ES) and 105 came from planned C-section (PS). No statistical difference in neonatal bodyweight and litter size was observed among groups. In PS, both stillbirth and neonatal mortality resulted significantly lower than in VD and ES, resulting in the lowest observed perinatal mortality. The number of litters with stillbirth was significantly higher in ES than VD and PS. The number of litters with neonatal mortality resulted significantly lower in PS than VD and ES. The overall perinatal mortality in VD resulted statistically influenced from both stillbirth and neonatal mortality, while it resulted strongly affected by the high stillbirth in ES. No difference was observed for PS perinatal mortality. Present results, reporting a high incidence of dystocia as well as high perinatal and neonatal mortality, lead us to evaluate the opportunity to plan an elective C-section in Great Dane bitches, in order to minimize perinatal mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Alonge
- Società Veterinaria "Il Melograno" Srl, Sesto Calende, Varese, Italy.
| | - Monica Melandri
- Società Veterinaria "Il Melograno" Srl, Sesto Calende, Varese, Italy.
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19
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Gladden N, McKeegan D, Viora L, Ellis KA. Postpartum ketoprofen treatment does not alter stress biomarkers in cows and calves experiencing assisted and unassisted parturition: a randomised controlled trial. Vet Rec 2018; 183:414. [PMID: 29960984 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Dystocia is considered painful and stressful for both the dam and the calf, although systematic evidence of this is limited. Few studies have investigated biochemical markers of stress and pain postpartum and whether any adverse effects are ameliorated by administration of analgesia. In this study, cow-calf pairs experiencing both mild to moderate farmer assistance and no assistance at parturition were randomly assigned to either treatment or placebo group in a two-by-two design (animals subject to veterinary intervention were excluded). The treatments were the NSAID ketoprofen or saline, administered within three hours of parturition. Blood samples taken in the immediate postpartum period, and at 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days after parturition, were analysed for plasma concentrations of creatine kinase and cortisol (cows and calves) and plasma L-lactate and total protein concentration (calves). Stress biomarkers were highest in the immediate postpartum period and declined over time (P<0.05). Cow plasma cortisol was higher in animals experiencing assisted parturition in the immediate postpartum period (P=0.023); by 24 hours no difference was evident. Intervention with NSAID analgesia did not result in beneficial changes in stress biomarkers. Based on biomarkers alone, this suggests limited benefits of NSAID treatment in unassisted or mild to moderately assisted parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Gladden
- Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dorothy McKeegan
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lorenzo Viora
- Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, UK
| | - Kathryn Amanda Ellis
- Scottish Centre for Production Animal Health and Food Safety, University of Glasgow School of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, UK
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20
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Jacometo C, Zhou Z, Luchini D, Trevisi E, Corrêa M, Loor J. Maternal rumen-protected methionine supplementation and its effect on blood and liver biomarkers of energy metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress in neonatal Holstein calves. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:6753-6763. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Fowden AL, Valenzuela OA, Vaughan OR, Jellyman JK, Forhead AJ. Glucocorticoid programming of intrauterine development. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2016; 56 Suppl:S121-32. [PMID: 27345310 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are important environmental and maturational signals during intrauterine development. Toward term, the maturational rise in fetal glucocorticoid receptor concentrations decreases fetal growth and induces differentiation of key tissues essential for neonatal survival. When cortisol levels rise earlier in gestation as a result of suboptimal conditions for fetal growth, the switch from tissue accretion to differentiation is initiated prematurely, which alters the phenotype that develops from the genotype inherited at conception. Although this improves the chances of survival should delivery occur, it also has functional consequences for the offspring long after birth. Glucocorticoids are, therefore, also programming signals that permanently alter tissue structure and function during intrauterine development to optimize offspring fitness. However, if the postnatal environmental conditions differ from those signaled in utero, the phenotypical outcome of early-life glucocorticoid receptor overexposure may become maladaptive and lead to physiological dysfunction in the adult. This review focuses on the role of GCs in developmental programming, primarily in farm species. It examines the factors influencing GC bioavailability in utero and the effects that GCs have on the development of fetal tissues and organ systems, both at term and earlier in gestation. It also discusses the windows of susceptibility to GC overexposure in early life together with the molecular mechanisms and long-term consequences of GC programming with particular emphasis on the cardiovascular, metabolic, and endocrine phenotype of the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Fowden
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
| | - O A Valenzuela
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - O R Vaughan
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - J K Jellyman
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-University of California Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - A J Forhead
- Centre for Trophoblast and Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK; Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
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22
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Ali A, Derar D, Tharwat M, Zeitoun MM, Alsobyil FA. Dystocia in dromedary camels: Prevalence, forms, risks and hematobiochemical changes. Anim Reprod Sci 2016; 170:149-56. [PMID: 27211280 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of dystocia in camel herds, its forms in primi- and multipara, the risks to fetus and dam, and the associated hematobiochemical changes. A total of 1890 calvings were surveyed for the prevalence of dystocia. Cases with dystocia (n=107) were examined for causes and treated with traction, fetotomy or Cesarean section. Logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors. The dependent variables were the fetal and maternal mortality, while the independent variables were parity, duration of dystocia, causes of dystocia, and method of treatment. Blood samples were collected from all dystocia camels and six controls for hematology and concentrations of serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), estradiol-17β (E2), progesterone (P4), total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The overall prevalence of dystocia was 8.6%. Risk of dystocia was higher in camels managed in an intensive system than in those in a free system (Odds ratio=1.9, P=0.0003) and higher in primipara than in multipara (Odds ratio 1.7, P=0.005). Abnormal posture was the most important cause of dystocia (51.4%). Uterine torsion was the second most important cause (23.4%) and was mainly observed in multipara (P=0.0006). Dystocia was linked to high fetal mortality (87.9%). A significant relationship was found between fetal death and duration of dystocia (Odds ratio=8.04, P=0.005). The percentage of dam mortality was 17.8%. Significant associations were detected between dam mortality rate and the duration of dystocia (Odds ratio=4.74, P=0.03) and fetal viability (Odds ratio=5.82, P=0.02). Increasing duration of dystocia was associated with significant increases in SAA, Hp, BUN and AST, but with decreases in E2 (P<0.05). After a transient period of elevation, the white blood cell and neutrophil counts decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion, abnormal posture and uterine torsion were found to be the common causes of dystocia in dromedary camels, and fetal and maternal deaths were mainly associated with the duration of dystocia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Ali
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Derar Derar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia; Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, 71526 Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Tharwat
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia; Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.
| | - Moustafa M Zeitoun
- Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Fahd A Alsobyil
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, 51452 Qassim, Saudi Arabia.
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23
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Ghoneim IM, Waheed MM, Al-Eknah MM, Al-Raja'a A. Effect of dystocia on some hormonal and biochemical parameters in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). Theriogenology 2016; 86:894-8. [PMID: 27068358 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2015] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The present study compared some of the hormonal and biochemical constituents of serum from eutocic and dystocic one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius). Sera were harvested from eutocic (n = 9) and dystocic (n = 20) camels within the first 15 minutes after delivery. Although there were no differences in the concentrations of estradiol-17β (E2) and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) between the eutocic and the dystocic animals, the level of progesterone (P4) and cortisol was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in animals that experienced dystocia than those that had a normal birth. There were no differences between the concentrations of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, calcium, cholesterol, creatine kinase, creatinine, or magnesium (Mg) in eutocic and dystocic animals. The nitric oxide concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the serum from animals with dystocia than those that had normal births. By contrast, the serum concentrations of glucose, phosphorus (P), and triglycerides were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in eutocic camels compared with dystocic camels. As the delayed decline of P4 is reported to be the major hormonal difference between eutocic and dystocic camels, we propose that the insensitivity of corpus luteum to luteolytic action may be a cause of dystocia. Moreover, stress and hormonal changes may affect the metabolic traits in dystocia camels.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M Ghoneim
- Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - M M Waheed
- Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - M M Al-Eknah
- Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - A Al-Raja'a
- Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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24
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Nagel C, Trenk L, Aurich C, Ille N, Pichler M, Drillich M, Pohl W, Aurich J. Sympathoadrenal balance and physiological stress response in cattle at spontaneous and PGF2α-induced calving. Theriogenology 2015; 85:979-985. [PMID: 26699278 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Increased cortisol release in parturient cows may either represent a stress response or is part of the endocrine changes that initiate calving. Acute stress elicits an increase in heart rate and decrease in heart rate variability (HRV). Therefore, we analyzed cortisol concentration, heart rate and HRV variables standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (SDRR) and root mean square of successive beat-to-beat intervals (RMSSD) in dairy cows allowed to calve spontaneously (SPON, n = 6) or with PGF2α-induced preterm parturition (PG, n = 6). We hypothesized that calving is a stressor, but induced parturition is less stressful than term calving. Saliva collection for cortisol analysis and electrocardiogram recordings for heart rate and HRV analysis were performed from 32 hours before to 18.3 ± 0.7 hours after delivery. Cortisol concentration increased in SPON and PG cows, peaked 15 minutes after delivery (P < 0.001) but was higher in SPON versus PG cows (P < 0.001) during and within 2 hours after calving. Heart rate peaked during the expulsive phase of labor and was higher in SPON than in PG cows (time × group P < 0.01). The standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval and RMSSD peaked at the end of the expulsive phase of labor (P < 0.001), indicating high vagal activity. Standard deviation of beat-to-beat interval (P < 0.01) and RMSSD (P < 0.05) were higher in SPON versus PG cows. Based on physiological stress parameters, calving is perceived as stressful but expulsion of the calf is associated with a transiently increased vagal tone which may enhance uterine contractility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Nagel
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Lisa Trenk
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Aurich
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Natascha Ille
- Centre for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Pichler
- Clinical Unit for Heard Health Management in Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marc Drillich
- Clinical Unit for Heard Health Management in Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Vienna, Austria
| | - Werner Pohl
- Kremesberg Research and Teaching Farm, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörg Aurich
- Division for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni, Vienna, Austria
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