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Wagemann-Fluxá CA, Kelton DF, DeVries TJ. Associations of cow- and herd-level factors during the dry period with indicators of udder health in early-lactation cows milked by automated milking systems. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:459-475. [PMID: 37690715 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23796] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
This observational study aimed to determine the association of cow-level factors and herd-level housing and management practices during the dry period with indicators of udder health in early-lactation cows in automated milking system (AMS) herds. Data were collected from 166 commercial AMS dairy farms (mean ± standard deviation = 116 ± 111 milking cows; range = 39 to 1,200) across Canada between October 2018 and September 2020. Information on herd demographics, housing, and management practices was obtained on each farm using 2 surveys. On each farm, we selected all cows that had available Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) somatic cell count (SCC) data for their last milk test before dry-off (>250 d in milk) and their first milk test after calving (5-45 d in milk). Data from 14,007 cows were included after excluding cows with a dry period of <30 d and >120 d. Using the SCC data, we calculated for each cow the somatic cell score (SCS) for the last milk test before dry-off (PreSCS) and the first milk test after calving (PostSCS), which we then averaged per herd at a test-day level. Intramammary infection (IMI) was estimated using cow SCC data. Each cow was classified as not infected (SCC <200,000 cells/mL) or infected (SCC ≥200,000 cells/mL) at her last milk test before dry-off and her first milk test after calving. Based on this classification, cows were further categorized as never infected, always infected, new IMI, or cured IMI. At the cow level, a higher PostSCS was associated with longer dry periods. The odds of having a new IMI were higher for cows of higher parity and that had lower 305-d milk yield before dry-off. Cows with lower parity were more likely to cure an IMI. At the herd level, a higher 305-d milk yield before dry-off was associated with a lower incidence of new IMI and a higher incidence of cured IMI. Separating cows into a different pen as preparation for dry-off tended to be associated with a lower PostSCS and incidence of new IMI. At dry-off, herds that used teat sealants and blanket antibiotic dry cow therapy also had lower PostSCS. During the dry period, housing cows in different groups was associated with a higher PostSCS and a lower incidence of cured IMI, while housing cows in both pack pens and stalls compared with only pack pens was associated with a lower incidence of new IMI. Finally, placing cows onto the AMS to be milked one or more days after calving tended to be associated with a lower PostSCS compared with placing them in the AMS within the first day postpartum. In summary, indicators of udder health in early-lactation cows in AMS herds were associated with several cow-level factors and herd-level housing and management practices before dry-off, at dry-off, during the dry period, and at the beginning of lactation. Thus, if some of the associations identified are causal, AMS producers may be able to improve udder health through modifications of housing and management practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Wagemann-Fluxá
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - D F Kelton
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada
| | - T J DeVries
- Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1 Canada.
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Daros RR, Weary DM, von Keyserlingk MA. Invited review: Risk factors for transition period disease in intensive grazing and housed dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:4734-4748. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Moraes JGN, Silva PRB, Mendonça LGD, Okada CTC, Chebel RC. Risk factors for purulent vaginal discharge and its association with reproductive performance of lactating Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:12816-12829. [PMID: 34482979 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite the rapid growth in popularity of the Jersey breed, most research on dairy cows in the United States has been done with the Holstein breed. Postpartum uterine diseases negatively influence reproductive performance of dairy cows and limited data are available regarding predisposing factors for uterine diseases in Jersey cows. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence and risk factors for purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) and its effect on fertility of lactating Jersey cows. This was a retrospective observational study with data collected from 3,822 Jersey cows. The Metricheck device was used for PVD diagnosis, and positive cases (≥50% of pus in exudate) were further classified for severity using the following 4 categories based on the amount of pus observed: 50 to 60% pus in exudate, 60 to 90% pus in exudate, 90 to 100% pus in exudate, and 90 to 100% pus in exudate + uterine fluid detected by palpation per rectum. Univariable and multivariable regression analyzes were conducted to dissect the risk factors for PVD and severity of PVD in Jerseys cows. The major risk factors for PVD were calving-related problems, retained fetal membrane, metritis, and days in the close-up diet. A subgroup of cows (n = 740) was scored for body condition and locomotion scores and had blood sampled in the peripartum for determination of plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate. In the multivariable analysis that considered data collected for the subgroup of cows, peripartum nonesterified fatty acids, postpartum β-hydroxybutyrate, and peripartum locomotion and body condition scores were not retained in the reduced model of predictors of PVD. Not surprisingly, pregnancy per artificial insemination following the first and second services was reduced in cows diagnosed with PVD compared with cows without PVD. In addition, PVD was associated with increased odds of pregnancy loss after the first service and reduced hazard of pregnancy by 305 d in milk. The stratification of PVD severity according to the amount of pus observed and the consistency of the uterus was meaningful, as observed by the differences in reproductive outcomes between cows with diverging amounts of pus in the retrieved exudate. Risk factors for PVD in Jersey cows was similar to previously reported for Holstein cows, and a strong detrimental effect of PVD on fertility was also observed in Jersey cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G N Moraes
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078; Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108.
| | - P R B Silva
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108
| | - L G D Mendonça
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108
| | - C T C Okada
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108
| | - R C Chebel
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55108; Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610
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Hubbard AJ, Foster MJ, Daigle CL. Impact of social mixing on beef and dairy cattle—A scoping review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Chebel RC. Associations between days on close-up diets and immune responses prepartum, metabolites peripartum, and risk of postpartum diseases in Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci 2021; 104:7135-7153. [PMID: 33773790 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-19700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nutritional strategies during the final weeks prepartum, the close-up period, aim to reduce immune suppression and metabolic imbalances. This paper reports results of 2 observational studies. Data from 2 previous experiments (study 1) were used to investigate the associations between days fed close-up diets (DINCUD) and uterine diseases (n = 1,230). In study 2, retrospective data from animals not used in study 1 (n = 11,962) were used to investigate the associations between DINCUD and removal from the herd and long-term reproductive and productive responses. Nulliparous (lactation = 0) and parous (lactation ≥1) cows were moved to close-up pens 28 d before expected calving date, but only parous cows were fed rations with negative dietary cation-anion difference. In study 1, study personnel diagnosed retained fetal membranes, metritis, and acute metritis postpartum. Length of the close-up period was tested for its linear and quadratic effects. The β-coefficients from the multivariable analyses were used to calculate the predicted outcome for each cow. In addition, the mean (±SEM) for cows with <10, 28 ± 3, and 42 ± 3 DINCUD are reported. Metritis was associated with the interaction between DINCUD and parity-diet (nulliparous: <10 d = 31.8 ± 9.2, 28 ± 3 d = 21.8 ± 0.7, 42 ± 3 d = 29.8 ± 2.1%; parous: <10 d = 81.7 ± 2.9, 28 ± 3 d = 11.1 ± 0.3, 42 ± 3 d = 14.8 ± 1.3%). The interaction between DINCUD and parity-diet was associated with total energy-corrected milk yield (nulliparous: ≤10 d = 7.91 ± 0.03, 28 ± 3 d = 8.17 ± 0.01, 42 ± 3 d = 8.15 ± 0.01 kg × 103; parous: ≤10 d = 7.99 ± 0.05, 28 ± 3 d = 9.79 ± 0.01, 42 ± 3 d = 9.52 ± 0.03 kg × 103) and percentage of cows pregnant by 305 days in milk (DIM; nulliparous: ≤10 d = 80.4 ± 0.4, 28 ± 3 d = 83.3 ± 0.1, 42 ± 3 d = 82.8 ± 0.2%; parous: ≤10 d = 59.5 ± 0.7, 28 ± 3 d = 78.3 ± 0.1, 42 ± 3 d = 73.1 ± 0.5%). Furthermore, the interaction between DINCUD and parity-diet was associated with removal from the herd by 305 DIM (nulliparous: ≤10 d = 27.0 ± 0.5, 28 ± 3 d = 20.7 ± 0.1, 42 ± 3 d = 21.8 ± 0.1%; parous: ≤10 d = 45.1 ± 0.7, 28 ± 3 d = 31.1 ± 0.1, 42 ± 3 d = 28.1 ± 0.3%). Jersey cows that are managed to achieve 28 DINCUD may have reduced odds of uterine diseases and improved reproductive and productive performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo C Chebel
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences and Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32608.
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Chebel RC. Predicting the risk of retained fetal membranes and metritis in dairy cows according to prepartum hemogram and immune and metabolic status. Prev Vet Med 2020; 187:105204. [PMID: 33257005 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Uterine diseases affect a significant proportion of dairy cows, causing significant economic losses. Immune and metabolic statuses are associated with the risk of retained fetal membranes (RFM) and metritis. The hypothesis of this study was that it is possible to use such responses to predict the risk of RFM and metritis. Data from cows (Jersey = 143, Holstein = 116) previously used in four experiments were used. Cow factors [parity, BCS change from -28 to 0 d relative to calving, calf sex, calving problems (twins, stillbirth, dystocia)] were evaluated for their association with the risk of RFM and metritis. Blood samples collected in the last week of gestation were used to measure polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and expression of CD18 and CD62L, total blood count, haptoglobin optical density, and concentrations of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate. Cows were treated with egg ovalbumin at -21, -7, and 7 d relative to calving and blood samples were used to determine the anti-ovalbumin IgG optical density. Univariable analyses were carried out to identify variables associated with the risk of RFM and metritis. The significant (P ≤ 0.15) variables were included in multivariable models from which variables with P > 0.15 were removed in a backward stepwise fashion. Risk of RFM was reduced in the absence of calving problems [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 0.13 (0.02, 0.86)], when intensity of phagocytosis [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.50 (0.25, 1.04)] and expression of CD62L [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.71 (0.46, 1.09)] by polymorphonuclear leukocyte were greater, and when prepartum non-esterified fatty acid concentration was lower [AOR (95 % CI) = 8.71 (0.49, 153.84)]. Calf sex [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.35 (0.10, 1.25)], calving problem [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.14 (0.02, 1.08)], PMNL phagocytosis intensity [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.72 (0.47, 1.11)], polymorphonuclear leukocyte intensity of expression CD18 [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.78 (0.60, 1.00)] and CD62L [AOR (95 % CI) = 0.77 (0.60, 0.98)], and haptoglobin optical density [AOR (95 % CI) = 1.16 (0.97, 1.39)] were associated with metritis. Indexes generated from the estimates of the multivariable analyses to predict the risk of RFM [area under the curve = 0.77 (95 % CI = 0.70 to 0.84)] and metritis [area under the curve = 0.76 (95 % CI = 0.70, 0.81)] demonstrated that polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, non-esterified fatty acid concentration, and haptoglobin optical density prepartum may be used as predictors of uterine diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo C Chebel
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA; Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
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Mazer K, Knickerbocker P, Kutina K, Huzzey J. Changes in behavior and fecal cortisol metabolites when dairy cattle are regrouped in pairs versus individually after calving. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:4681-4690. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Review: Relationships between metabolism and neutrophil function in dairy cows in the peripartum period. Animal 2020; 14:s44-s54. [PMID: 32024567 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731119003227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspects of neutrophil function are diminished or dysregulated in dairy cows in the weeks just before and after calving, which appears to be an important contributor to the occurrence of retained placenta, mastitis, metritis and endometritis. The timing and mechanisms by which specific elements of neutrophil function are impaired are only partially understood. Oxidative burst capacity is the element of neutrophil function most consistently shown to be impaired in the week after calving, but that observation may partially be biased because oxidative burst has been studied more than other functions. There is sufficient evidence to conclude that the availability of calcium and glucose, and exposure to elevated concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids or β-hydroxybutyrate affect some aspects of neutrophil function. However, these factors have mostly been studied in isolation and their effects are not consistent. Social stressors such as a competitive environment for feeding or lying space should plausibly impair innate immune function, but when studied under controlled conditions such effects have generally not been produced. Similarly, treatment with recombinant bovine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor consistently produces large increases in circulating neutrophil count with modest improvements in function, but this does not consistently reduce the incidence of clinical diseases thought to be importantly attributable to impaired innate immunity. Research is now needed that considers the interactions among known and putative risk factors for impaired neutrophil function in dairy cows in the transition period.
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Cook NB. Designing Facilities for the Adult Dairy Cow During the Nonlactation and Early Lactation Period. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2019; 35:125-138. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Proudfoot KL. Maternal Behavior and Design of the Maternity Pen. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2019; 35:111-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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Miltenburg CL, Duffield TF, Bienzle D, Scholtz EL, LeBlanc SJ. The effect of prepartum feeding and lying space on metabolic health and immune function. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:5294-5306. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Broucek J, Uhrincat M, Mihina S, Soch M, Mrekajova A, Hanus A. Dairy Cows Produce Less Milk and Modify Their Behaviour during the Transition between Tie-Stall to Free-Stall. Animals (Basel) 2017; 7:ani7030016. [PMID: 28273810 PMCID: PMC5366835 DOI: 10.3390/ani7030016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transfer of cattle to an unknown barn may result in a reduction in its welfare. Housing and management practices can result in signs of stress that include a long-term suppression of milk efficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of moving cows from the stanchion-stall housing to free-stall housing on their behaviour and production. The Holstein cows were moved into the new facility with free-stall housing from the old barn with stanchion-stall housing. Cows lay down up to ten hours (596.3 ± 282.7 min) after removing. The cows in their second lactation and open cows tended to lie sooner after removing than cows in their first lactation and pregnant cows. The times of total lying and rumination were increasing from the first day to the tenth day after removing (23.76 ± 7.20 kg vs. 30.97 ± 7.26 kg, p < 0.001). Cows produced 23.3% less milk at the first day following the transfer than at the last day prior to moving (p < 0.001). Loss of milk was gradually reduced and maximum production was achieved on the 14th day. The difference was found in milk losses due to the shift between cows on the first and second lactation (p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that removing from the tie-stall barn with a pipeline milking system into the barn with free-stall housing and a milking parlour caused a decline in the cows' milk production. However, when the cows are moved to a better environment, they rapidly adapt to the change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Broucek
- Research Institute of Animal Production Nitra, 951 41 Luzianky, Slovakia.
| | - Michal Uhrincat
- Research Institute of Animal Production Nitra, 951 41 Luzianky, Slovakia.
| | - Stefan Mihina
- Faculty of Engineering, Slovak Agriculture University Nitra, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia.
| | - Miloslav Soch
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia Ceske Budejovice, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Andrea Mrekajova
- Research Institute of Animal Production Nitra, 951 41 Luzianky, Slovakia.
| | - Anton Hanus
- Research Institute of Animal Production Nitra, 951 41 Luzianky, Slovakia.
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Chebel RC, Silva PR, Endres MI, Ballou MA, Luchterhand KL. Social stressors and their effects on immunity and health of periparturient dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:3217-3228. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Effects of prepartum stocking density on innate and adaptive leukocyte responses and serum and hair cortisol concentrations. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2016; 169:39-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2015.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Social stress as a cause of diseases in farm animals: Current knowledge and future directions. Vet J 2015; 206:15-21. [PMID: 26160470 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2015.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Revised: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, biomedical research has established a strong linkage between psychosocial stress and disease risk in humans, which has transformed the understanding of stress and the role it plays in human lives. This research has led to personalized medicine where a reduction in daily life stress is a main goal for many people with debilitating illnesses. This review describes the supporting evidence that social stress also plays a critical role in farm animal disease prevention, and may be a mediator by which common management practices can increase disease risk. There is evidence that social factors, including deprivation of social contact ('social isolation'), reducing space allowance ('crowding') and disturbing social order ('social instability') trigger physiological and behavioral indicators of stress in livestock. Less research exists, however, linking management practices that trigger social stress with higher disease risk. Suggestions are offered for future research opportunities, and practical, evidence-based recommendations are made for reducing the negative effects of social isolation, instability and crowding. The current evidence that social factors contribute to disease risk in farm animals is not as convincing as the human literature, but remains a promising and important area for future research.
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Silva PRB, Dresch AR, Machado KS, Moraes JGN, Lobeck-Luchterhand K, Nishimura TK, Ferreira MA, Endres MI, Chebel RC. Prepartum stocking density: effects on metabolic, health, reproductive, and productive responses. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:5521-32. [PMID: 24952785 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives of the current experiment were to determine the effects of 2 prepartum stocking densities on milk yield, concentration of metabolites during the peripartum period, and health and reproductive parameters of dairy cows. Jersey cows enrolled in the experiment at 254±3 d of gestation were balanced for parity (nulliparous vs. parous) and previous lactation projected 305-d mature equivalent milk yield (parous) and assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: 80% headlock stocking density (80SD; 38 animals/48 headlocks) and 100% headlock stocking density (100SD; 48 animals/48 headlocks). The number of experimental units was 8 (4 replicates and 2 pens/treatment per replicate). In total, 154 nulliparous and 184 parous animals were enrolled in the 80SD treatment and 186 nulliparous and 232 parous animals were enrolled in the 100SD treatment. At the start of each replicate, treatments were switched within pen. Cows were milked thrice daily and monthly milk yield, fat and protein content, and somatic cell count data were recorded up to 155 d postpartum. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration was measured weekly, from -18±3 to 17±3 d relative to calving, and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate was measured weekly, from 1±2 to 17±3 d relative to calving. Cows were examined 1, 4±1, 7±1, 10±1, and 13±1 d relative to calving for diagnosis of uterine diseases. Blood was sampled for determination of progesterone concentration and resumption of ovarian cycles 35±3 and 45±3 d relative to calving. Average headlock (74.1±0.4 vs. 94.5±0.3%) and stall (80.8±0.4 vs. 103.1±0.4%) stocking density was lower for the 80SD treatment compared with the 100SD treatment. Treatment did not affect incidence of retained fetal membranes (80SD=5.1, 100SD=7.8%), metritis (80SD=21.2, 100SD=16.7%), acute metritis (80SD=9.9, 100SD=9.4%), and vaginal purulent discharge (80SD=5.8, 100SD=7.9%). Concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids (80SD=251.5±6.1, 100SD=245.9±5.6μmol/L) and β-hydroxybutyrate (80SD=508.2±14.3, 100SD=490.9±13.6μmol/L) were not different between treatments. Treatment had no effect on percentage of cows removed from the herd on the first 60 d postpartum (80SD=6.1, 100SD=5.1%) and on rate of removal from the herd up to 305 d postpartum 80SD=referent, 100SD [adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)]=1.02 (0.75, 1.38). Percentages of cows pregnant to first (80SD=41.9, 100SD=48.4%) and second (80SD=49.3, 100SD=42.0%) postpartum AI were not different between treatments. Finally, treatment did not affect energy-corrected milk yield up to 155 d postpartum (80SD=33.8±0.5, 100SD=33.4±0.5kg/d). In herds with weekly or twice weekly movement of new cows to the prepartum pen and separate housing of nulliparous and parous animals, a target stocking density of 100% of headlocks on the day of movement is not expected to affect health, metabolic, reproductive, and productive parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R B Silva
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108; Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - A R Dresch
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - K S Machado
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - J G N Moraes
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | | | - T K Nishimura
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - M A Ferreira
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - M I Endres
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108
| | - R C Chebel
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108; Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108.
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