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Brereton N, McGee M, Beltman M, Byrne CJ, Meredith D, Earley B. Effect of suckler cow breed type and parity on the development of the cow-calf bond post-partum and calf passive immunity. Ir Vet J 2024; 77:13. [PMID: 38970087 PMCID: PMC11225149 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-024-00276-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development of the cow-calf bond post-partum and passive immunity of calves from spring-calving beef × beef (B×B) and beef × dairy (B×D) cow genotypes was determined using primiparous and multiparous (Experiment 1), and primiparous and second-parity (Experiment 2) animals. In Experiment 1, calves either suckled colostrum naturally ('natural-suckling') (n = 126), or were fed colostrum, using an oesophageal-tube ('artificially-fed') (n = 26), from their dam within 1-h post-partum. In Experiment 2, all calves (n = 60) were artificially-fed colostrum from their dam. Prior to colostrum suckling/feeding, colostrum was sampled for IgG analysis. The cow-calf bond was assessed using CCTV recordings during the first 4-h post-partum. Calves were blood sampled at 48-h post-partum to determine IgG and total protein (TP) concentrations, and zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units. RESULTS There was no difference (P > 0.05) in cow licking behaviours and calf standing and suckling behaviours between the genotypes, except in Experiment 2 where B×D calves had more attempts to suckle before suckling occurred (P ≤ 0.05) compared to B×B calves. In Experiment 1, multiparous cows licked their calves sooner (P ≤ 0.05) and for longer (P < 0.01), and their calves had fewer attempts to stand (P < 0.001), stood for longer (P = 0.05), and had fewer attempts to suckle before suckling occurred (P < 0.001) than primiparous cows; there was no parity effect on cow-calf behaviour in Experiment 2. Colostrum IgG concentrations and measures of calf passive immunity did not differ (P > 0.05) between the genotypes in either Experiment. In Experiment 1, colostrum IgG concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in multiparous compared to primiparous cows and their calves had superior (P ≤ 0.05) passive immunity; no effect of parity was found in Experiment 2. Passive immunity did not differ (P > 0.05) between suckled and artificially-fed calves in Experiment 1. CONCLUSIONS Cow genotype had little effect on cow-calf behaviours, but under 'natural-suckling' conditions primiparous cows expressed maternal inexperience and their calves were less vigorous than multiparous cows. Colostrum IgG concentration and calf passive immunity measures were unaffected by genotype, but under 'natural-suckling' conditions calves from primiparous cows had lower passive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noeleen Brereton
- Teagasc, Grange, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark McGee
- Teagasc, Grange, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - Marijke Beltman
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colin J Byrne
- Teagasc, Grange, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - David Meredith
- Teagasc Rural Economy Development Programme, Dublin 15, Ashtown, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bernadette Earley
- Teagasc, Grange, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
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Barrett D, Lane E, Lozano JM, O'Keeffe K, Byrne AW. Bovine Herpes Virus Type 1 (BoHV-1) seroprevalence, risk factor and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) co-infection analysis from Ireland. Sci Rep 2024; 14:867. [PMID: 38195809 PMCID: PMC10776861 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50433-5] [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: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Surveillance of endemic pathogens is essential for disease control, providing an evidence base for policy and advice. Bovine Herpes Virus Type 1 (BoHV-1), the causative agent of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), has been found to have high seroprevalence within the Irish cattle population. The aim of the present study was to establish seroprevalence levels for culled cattle in Ireland aged < 30 months and to establish whether BVD exposure and other factors was associated with BoHV-1 exposure. We employed random effects logit models coupled with repeated bootstrap sampling to provide robust estimates. The final dataset contained results for 5273 animals tested over two study years, 2018 and 2020. The animal-level seroprevalence of BoHV-1 was 21.43% (1130/5273; 95%CI: 20.32-22.53%). Univariable analysis suggested that BoHV-1 seropositivity risk was associated with BVDV serodiagnosis status, age, sex, year sampled, herd type, herd-size, and metrics of movement into the herd. Final random-effects multivariable models suggested increased risk associated with increasing herd size of the last herd, movements made by animals during the previous year, and the year the animal was sampled. Despite BVDV status and sex being retained in the final model, repeated bootstrap sampling of the regression model to estimate biased-corrected 95%CI suggested that these associations were not robust. The overall apparent prevalence of BoHV-1 exposure for culled cattle in Ireland declined in 2020 relative to 2018 (from 23.32 to 17.61%). Herd-size and the movement of animals were found to be important factors associated with animal-level risk, but there was less statistical support for sex-based or BVDV status associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Barrett
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - E Lane
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J M Lozano
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - K O'Keeffe
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A W Byrne
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland.
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Akköse M, Buczinski S, Özbeyaz C, Kurban M, Cengiz M, Polat Y, Aslan O. Diagnostic accuracy of refractometry methods for estimating passive immunity status in neonatal beef calves. Vet Clin Pathol 2023; 52:53-63. [PMID: 36285620 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessing the inadequate transfer of passive immunity (ITPI) in beef calves is crucial because calves with ITPI are at high risk for morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of digital Brix (D-BRIX) and digital serum total protein (D-STP) refractometers to estimate different passive immunity status in beef calves and to determine the robustness of thresholds. METHODS Blood samples were collected from 202 (1-7 days old) beef calves. Serum total solid percentages, total protein concentrations, and IgG concentrations were measured with the D-BRIX refractometer, D-STP refractometer, and gold standard radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay, respectively. Data were analyzed using diagnostic test accuracy, areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve, Cohen's kappa coefficient, and misclassification costs analysis to estimate IgG concentrations <10, <16, and <24 mg/mL. RESULTS For the prediction of serum IgG concentrations <10, <16 and <24 mg/mL, the optimal cut-off values were determined to be <8.5% (Se: 100.0% (95% CI: 87.9-100.0); Sp: 94.2% [95% CI: 89.6-97.2]), <8.5% (Se: 92.1% [95% CI: 78.6-98.2]; Sp: 97.6% [95% CI: 93.9-99.3]), and <10.1% (Se: 88.8% [95% CI: 79.7-94.7]; Sp: 67.2% [95% CI: 58.1-75.4]), respectively, for the D-BRIX refractometer; and <5.2 g/dL (Se: 100.0% [95% CI: 87.9-100.0]; Sp: 93.6% [95% CI: 88.9-96.8]), <5.2 g/dL (Se: 92.1% [95% CI: 78.6-98.2]; Sp: 97.0% [95% CI: 93.0-99.0]), and <6.4 g/dL (Se: 87.5% [95% CI: 78.2-93.8]; Sp: 69.7% [95% CI: 60.7-77.7]), respectively, for the D-STP refractometer. CONCLUSIONS The digital Brix and digital serum total protein refractometers can be used as monitoring tools for assessing passive immunity transfer in neonatal beef calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Akköse
- Department of Livestock, Dalaman Agricultural Enterprise, General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises, Muğla, Dalaman, Turkey
| | - Sebastien Buczinski
- Département des Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Ceyhan Özbeyaz
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Dışkapı, Turkey
| | - Mert Kurban
- Department of Livestock, Dalaman Agricultural Enterprise, General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises, Muğla, Dalaman, Turkey
| | - Murat Cengiz
- Department of Livestock, Dalaman Agricultural Enterprise, General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises, Muğla, Dalaman, Turkey
| | - Yadigar Polat
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Vocational High School of Health Services, Kilis 7 Aralik University, Kilis, Turkey
| | - Onur Aslan
- Department of Livestock, Dalaman Agricultural Enterprise, General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises, Muğla, Dalaman, Turkey
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Rivero LA, Zhang S, Schultz LG, Adkins PRF. Gross necropsy, histopathology, and ancillary test results from neonatal beef calves submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2022; 260:1690-1696. [PMID: 35976986 DOI: 10.2460/javma.22.03.0139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal findings in gross necropsy, histopathology, and ancillary test results from neonatal beef calves submitted to a veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Samples This retrospective clinical case study was conducted by reviewing necropsy reports submitted between 2015 to 2020. Case inclusion criteria were animals had to be a bovine, 2 to 21 days of age, and a nondairy breed. Procedures Gross necropsy, histopathology, and laboratory test results were recorded. Identified lesions and abnormal test results were categorized based on body systems and infectious agent type. Age and system affected were analyzed using a 1-way ANOVA and Bonferonni pairwise comparisons. Results Overall, 1,060 reports were reviewed and 95 met the inclusion criteria. Median age of enrolled calves was 9 days (range, 2 to 21). A total of 252 lesions were identified with a median of 3 lesions/calf (range, 0 to 7) and 2 different body systems involved/calf (range, 0 to 5). The most common disorders were classified as digestive (42.1% [106/252]), respiratory (12.7% [32/252]), and multisystemic (11.1% [28/252]). With respect to age and system affected, calves with neurologic lesions were significantly younger (mean age, 5.1 days) than calves with digestive lesions (mean age 9.6 days). Clinical Relevance These data suggest a high prevalence of infectious diseases, mainly digestive, respiratory and multisystemic in origin. These findings could help guide producers and veterinarians when assessing factors contributing to neonatal beef calf loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Rivero
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Shuping Zhang
- 2Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.,3Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Loren G Schultz
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
| | - Pamela R F Adkins
- 1Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
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Wang H, Elsaadawy SA, Wu Z, Bu DP. Maternal Supply of Ruminally-Protected Lysine and Methionine During Close-Up Period Enhances Immunity and Growth Rate of Neonatal Calves. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:780731. [PMID: 34926646 PMCID: PMC8677362 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.780731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplying ruminally-protected lysine (RPL), methionine (RPM), or the two in combination (RPML) to transition dairy cows on the immunity and performance of their offspring. Eighty heifer calves (n = 20 calves per group) were assigned to four treatments based on their dam diet; basal diet (CON), a basal diet with lysine [RPL, 0.33% of dry matter (DM)], a basal diet with methionine (RPM, 0.16% DM), or with the combination (RPML). Calves were fed colostrum from their dams within 2 h of birth. Calves were then fed milk only (d 2-22), a combination of milk and milk replacer (d 23-25), and milk replacer (d 25-60). Starter feed was fed to the calves twice daily after liquid feeding. Calves blood samples were collected after calving on 0, 12, 24, and 48 h and 5 and 7 d after birth. Data were analyzed by SAS software v9.4. Providing ruminally-protected amino acids (RPAA) to transition cows improved colostrum quality compared to the CON (Brix; P < 0.01). Serum total protein concentrations were higher in calves from supplemented cows than in calves from unsupplemented cows (P < 0.01). Calves born to dams in the RPM, RPL, and RPML groups had higher plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations 0, 12, 24, and 48 h and 7 d after birth than those born to dams in the CON group (P < 0.05). The percentage of calves with adequate passive immunity transfer was increased with RPM and RPL or the two in combination (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in the percentage of calves with adequate passive immunity transfer between the RPM and RPL groups (P = 0.21). Calves from cows that receive supplemental RPAA have a greater average daily gain (ADG) than those born to cows in the CON group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that maternal supplementation with RPM or RPL or the two in combination during the periparturient period could be an alternative strategy to improve the performance of calves, especially in accelerated growth programs in calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Samy A. Elsaadawy
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohai Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Dengpan P. Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Joint Laboratory on Integrated Crop-Tree-Livestock Systems of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Beijing, China
- Hunan Co-Innovation Center of Safety Animal Production, Changsha, China
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Pisello L, Sala G, Rueca F, Passamonti F, Pravettoni D, Ranciati S, Boccardo A, Bergero D, Forte C. An exploratory cross-sectional study of the impact of farm characteristics and calf management practices on morbidity and passive transfer of immunity in 202 Chianina beef-suckler calves. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.1948806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Pisello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Sala
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Rueca
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Davide Pravettoni
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Saverio Ranciati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Statistiche Paolo Fortunati, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonio Boccardo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, University of Milan, Lodi, Italy
| | - Domenico Bergero
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Claudio Forte
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
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7
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Bragg R, Macrae A, Lycett S, Burrough E, Russell G, Corbishley A. Prevalence and risk factors associated with failure of transfer of passive immunity in spring born beef suckler calves in Great Britain. Prev Vet Med 2020; 181:105059. [PMID: 32590227 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Calves are born agammaglobulinemic and are dependent on the intake and uptake of immunoglobulins from colostrum for protection against infectious diseases in early life. Failure to absorb sufficient immunoglobulins in the correct timeframe after birth is termed failure of transfer of passive immunity (FPT). FPT has been defined as a serum IgG concentration ([sIgG]) of under 10 g/L in dairy calves, as [sIgG] over 10 g/L has been associated with a decreased risk of mortality and morbidity. In beef calves, a [sIgG] of under 24 g/L has also been shown to be predictive of increased morbidity and mortality. Currently there is limited data relating to the prevalence and risk factors of FPT in the beef sector. This cross-sectional study quantified [sIgG] in 1131 blood samples taken from beef suckler calves born on 84 farms in Great Britain in spring 2018 (mean 13.5 calves sampled per farm, range 3-22). Age of calves at sampling ranged from 1 to 13 days. The estimated prevalence of calves with [sIgG] <10 g/L in this study population was 15 % (n = 145 calves), whilst 37 % (n = 396 calves) calves had a [sIgG] <24 g/L. 22 out of the 84 farms had no calves sampled with [sIgG] <10 g/L. Risk factors predictive of [sIgG] were calculated using generalised linear mixed models, with farm included as a random effect. Calving assistance was significant and increased the likelihood of [sIgG] concentrations <10 g/L and [sIgG] <24 g/L, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.66 (1.05-2.62 95 % CI) and 1.91 (1.33-2.74 95 % CI) respectively. All three levels of assistance with colostrum feeding used in this study were significant for calves having a [sIgG] <24 g/L (Lead to dam OR = 1.85 (1.11-3.06 95 % CI), Bottle/tube fed dam's colostrum OR = 2.35 (1.29-4.30 95 % CI), Bottle/tube fed artificial colostrum OR = 3.78 (1.86-7.70 95 % CI), whilst bottle/tube feeding either dam's or artificial colostrum were also significant for [sIgG] <10 g/L, OR 2.66 (1.32-5.36 95 % CI) and 2.34 (1.09-5.02 95 % CI) respectively. Male calves had a higher likelihood for [sIgG] <10 g/L, OR 1.68 (1.12-2.54 95 % CI) whereas being a twin or being born to a heifer were predictive of having a [sIgG] <24 g/L (OR 3.31 (1.64-6.71 95 % CI), OR 1.57 (1.05-2.35 95 % CI) respectively). This study raises important questions with respect to management practices around calving and highlights the need for reviewing protocols with respect to colostrum assistance and calving assistance on beef farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Bragg
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
| | - Alastair Macrae
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Samantha Lycett
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Elizabeth Burrough
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Geraldine Russell
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Alexander Corbishley
- Dairy Herd Health and Productivity Service, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Sciences and the Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK
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Todd CG, McGee M, Tiernan K, Crosson P, O'Riordan E, McClure J, Lorenz I, Earley B. An observational study on passive immunity in Irish suckler beef and dairy calves: Tests for failure of passive transfer of immunity and associations with health and performance. Prev Vet Med 2018; 159:182-195. [PMID: 30314781 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The study objectives were to: 1) evaluate the diagnostic performance of passive immunity tests for classification of failure of passive transfer (FPT) risk, based on their relationships with calf health and performance, and 2) describe the epidemiology of morbidity and mortality in suckler beef and dairy calves under Irish conditions. A total of 1392 suckler beef calves (n = 111 farms) and 2090 dairy calves (84 farms) were included in this observational study. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture. Serum samples were analysed for total IgG concentration using an ELISA assay, total protein concentration by clinical analyser (TP - CA), globulin concentration, zinc sulphate turbidity (ZST) units, total solids percentage by Brix refractometer (TS - BRIX), and total protein concentration by digital refractometer (TP - DR). Crude and cause-specific morbidity, all-cause mortality, and standardised 205-day body weight (BW) were determined. Generalised linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations between suckler beef and dairy calves for morbidity, mortality, growth and passive immunity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine optimal test cut-offs for classification of health and growth outcomes. Overall, 20% of suckler beef and 30% of dairy calves were treated for at least one disease event by 6 mo. of age. Suckler beef calves had greater odds of bovine respiratory disease (BRD; odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8, 1.2-6.5, P = 0.01), navel infection (5.1, 1.9-13.2, P < 0.001), and joint infection/lameness (3.2, 1.3-7.8, P = 0.01) during the first 6 mo. of life than dairy calves. In addition, from birth to 6 mo. of age, suckler beef calves had greater rates of navel infection (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 95% CI: 3.3, 1.3-8.4, P = 0.01), but decreased rates of diarrhoea (0.9, 0.2-0.9, P = 0.03) compared to dairy calves. Optimal test cut-offs for classification of morbidity and mortality outcomes in suckler beef calves ranged from 8 to 9 mg/ml ELISA, 56 to 61 g/l TP - CA, 26 to 40 g/l globulin, 12 to 18 ZST units, 8.4% TS - BRIX, and 5.3 to 6.3 g/dl TP - DR. Optimal test cut-offs for classification of morbidity and growth outcomes in dairy calves ranged from 10 to 12 mg/ml ELISA, 57 to 60 g/l TP - CA, 29 to 34 g/l globulin, 19 ZST units, 7.8 to 8.4% TS - BRIX, and 5.7 to 5.9 g/dl TP - DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Todd
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - M McGee
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - K Tiernan
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland; School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Crosson
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - E O'Riordan
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland
| | - J McClure
- Irish Cattle Breeding Federation, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - I Lorenz
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Co. Dublin, Ireland; Bavarian Animal Health Service, Poing, Germany
| | - B Earley
- Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland.
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Cuttance EL, Mason WA, Laven RA, Denholm KS, Yang D. Calf and colostrum management practices on New Zealand dairy farms and their associations with concentrations of total protein in calf serum. N Z Vet J 2018; 66:126-131. [DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2018.1431159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- EL Cuttance
- VetEnt, 49 Benson Road, Te Awamutu, New Zealand
| | - WA Mason
- VetEnt, 49 Benson Road, Te Awamutu, New Zealand
| | - RA Laven
- IVABS, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - KS Denholm
- Cognosco, Anexa FVC, 25 Moorhouse St, Morrinsville, New Zealand
| | - D Yang
- IVABS, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Fenlon C, O'Grady L, Butler S, Doherty ML, Dunnion J. The creation and evaluation of a model to simulate the probability of conception in seasonal-calving pasture-based dairy heifers. Ir Vet J 2017; 70:32. [PMID: 29201347 PMCID: PMC5700694 DOI: 10.1186/s13620-017-0110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Herd fertility in pasture-based dairy farms is a key driver of farm economics. Models for predicting nulliparous reproductive outcomes are rare, but age, genetics, weight, and BCS have been identified as factors influencing heifer conception. The aim of this study was to create a simulation model of heifer conception to service with thorough evaluation. Methods Artificial Insemination service records from two research herds and ten commercial herds were provided to build and evaluate the models. All were managed as spring-calving pasture-based systems. The factors studied were related to age, genetics, and time of service. The data were split into training and testing sets and bootstrapping was used to train the models. Logistic regression (with and without random effects) and generalised additive modelling were selected as the model-building techniques. Two types of evaluation were used to test the predictive ability of the models: discrimination and calibration. Discrimination, which includes sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and ROC analysis, measures a model’s ability to distinguish between positive and negative outcomes. Calibration measures the accuracy of the predicted probabilities with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit, calibration plot and calibration error. Results After data cleaning and the removal of services with missing values, 1396 services remained to train the models and 597 were left for testing. Age, breed, genetic predicted transmitting ability for calving interval, month and year were significant in the multivariate models. The regression models also included an interaction between age and month. Year within herd was a random effect in the mixed regression model. Overall prediction accuracy was between 77.1% and 78.9%. All three models had very high sensitivity, but low specificity. The two regression models were very well-calibrated. The mean absolute calibration errors were all below 4%. Conclusion Because the models were not adept at identifying unsuccessful services, they are not suggested for use in predicting the outcome of individual heifer services. Instead, they are useful for the comparison of services with different covariate values or as sub-models in whole-farm simulations. The mixed regression model was identified as the best model for prediction, as the random effects can be ignored and the other variables can be easily obtained or simulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Fenlon
- UCD School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Luke O'Grady
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Stephen Butler
- Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland
| | - Michael L Doherty
- UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - John Dunnion
- UCD School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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