• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.565-570
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• 1989

The influence of age at first calving on the milk production of crossbred dairy cows produced under major dairy cattle crossbreeding projects in Pakistan was studied from the year 1974 to 1980. These animals were bred and raised at the Livestock Production Research Institute, Bahadarnagar (LPRI), Livestock Experiment Station, Karachi (LES) and the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (UAF). Local Sahiwal (SWL) cattle were crossed with the European breeds, Holstein Friesian (HF) and Jersey (J) at LPRI and UAF. At LES, native Red Sindhi (RS) were crossed with the HF and J breeds. At LES and UAF, the crossbred progeny, thus, produced comprised of halfbreds only while at LPRI 3/4 HF, 3/4 J, 1/4 HF and 1/4 J groups were also available for this study. The average age at first calving was considerably higher among the native breeds. At LES, the RS calved for the first time at an age of approximately 56 months. Corresponding values for SWLs at LPRI and UAF were 44 and 64 months, respectively. The 1/2 HF and 1/2 J crossbreds calved first at the age of approximately 25, 26, 34, 36, 37 and 38 months at LPRI, LES and UAF respectively. For 3/4 HF, 3/4 K, 1/4 HF and 1/4 J groups of LPRI the average age at first calving was 29, 26, 34 and 33 months. Considerable differences in age at first calving between the crossbreds and native breeds were observed. Due to early maturity, the former attained the peak level of milk production in third lactation whereas the latter groups, because of late maturity, reached this level in their fourth lactation. This study suggested that early maturity in Zebu cattle (Box indicus) could be induced through crossbreeding with European cattle (Bos Taurus).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.1516-1519
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• 2001

The data consisted of 369 lactation records for calvings over a sixteen-year period (1972-1987) and included only cows that had normal milk records. The data were analysed using a linear model containing the fixed effects of parity, year of calving and season of calving. The least squares means${\pm}$S.E. were $1,273{\pm}58.4kg$ for milk yield, and for post-partum body weight (kg) at 2, 3 and 4 months after calving were $343.40{\pm}3.96$, $346.10{\pm}4.10$ and $352.54{\pm}4.26$, respectively. With the exception of season of calving, the effects of parity and year of calving were significant (p<0.01) on the performance of the animals. Thus, the mean-milk yields 1162, 1351 and 1350, were similar for pre-, peak- and post rainy seasons, respectively. On the other hand, as parity increased from 1 to 3, milk yield also increased, but thereafter, there was a gradual decline in milk yield. Similarly, post-partum body weight also increased with parity. However, no consistent pattern for year effect was observed which probably was a reflection of the variation in climatic conditions, or forage quality and/or availability. The phenotypic correlations between milk yield and post-partum body weights were negative and small (ranging from -0.01 to -0.08). However, high milk production in cows was associated with longer calving interval. The implications from the phenotypic correlations are suggestive of one or two possibilities. Firstly, selection for increased body weight may actually result in decreased milk yield. Also, a substantial genetic antagonism may exist between milk yield and fertility in the crossbred cows. Therefore, it is important that selection to improve milk production should take into consideration the reproductive performance of the cows.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Information Technology
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.127-137
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• 2018

Parturition is an important event for farmers as it provides economic gains for the farms. Thus, the effective management of parturition is essential to farm management. In particular, the unit price of cattle is higher than other livestock and the productivity of cattle is closely associated to farm income. In addition, 42% of calving occurs in the nighttime so accurate parturition predictions are all the more important. In this paper, we propose a method that accurately predicts the calving date by applying core body temperature of cattle to deep learning. The body temperature of cattle can be measured without being influenced by the ambient environment by applying an ingestible bio-sensor in the cattle's rumen. By experiment on cattle, we confirmed this method to be more accurate for predicting calving dates than existing parturition prediction methods, showing an average of 3 hour 40 minute error. This proposed method is expected to reduce the economic damages of farms by accurately predicting calving times and assisting in successful parturitions.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1013-1023
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• 2022

Body condition score (BCS) at calving is a vital indicator of the effectiveness of the beginning of lactation in dairy animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of BCS at calving on milk production and transition success in dairy buffaloes. Thirty-six (36) Nili Ravi buffaloes were enrolled at 40 days of expected calving and followed through 90 days of lactation. The buffaloes were categorized into three groups according to their BCS (on a scale of 1-5 with 0.25 increments) as follows: 1) low, buffaloes with BCS ≤ 3.0; 2) medium, buffaloes with BCS 3.25-3.5; and 3) high, buffaloes with BCS ≥ 3.75. All buffaloes were fed a similar diet ad libitum. The lactation diet had increased concentrate allowance according to milk yield. The results revealed that the BCS at calving did not affect milk yield; however, fat percentage (fat%) was lower in the low-BCS group. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the treatment groups, although post-calving BCS loss was greater in the high-BCS group compared to the medium- and the low-BCS groups. Similarly, the buffaloes in the high-BCS group had higher non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration compared to the low- and medium-BCS groups. No cases of metabolic disorders were observed during the study. The present results suggest that the buffaloes in the medium-BCS group appeared to perform better compared to the low- and the high-BCS groups with respect to milk fat% and blood NEFA concentration.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.258-265
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• 2018

We aimed to identify the relationships between puerperal metritis (PM) and serum metabolites, uterine health, milk yield, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Blood samples from 150 Holstein dairy cows were collected just after calving, and at 1, 2, and 4 weeks postpartum to measure serum concentrations of ${\beta}$-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), urea nitrogen, total cholesterol (TCH), albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, and magnesium. PM was diagnosed by the presence of fever (${\geq}39.5^{\circ}C$) and a watery, fetid uterine discharge during the first 14 days after calving. Cows were divided into two groups on the basis of the presence or absence of the disease: a control group (n = 83) and a PM group (n = 67). The cows diagnosed with PM were subcutaneously administered with 2.2 mg/kg ceftiofur for 3-5 days. The serum concentrations of BHBA tended to be higher (P = 0.06) and AST was higher (P < 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group 1 week after calving, whereas serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium were lower (P < 0.05-0.0001) after calving in the PM group than in the control group. The probability of clinical endometritis was higher (odds ratio = 5.40, P < 0.001) in the PM group than in the control group. Moreover, the proportion of neutrophils in the uterus was also higher in the PM group than in the control group 4, 6, and 8 weeks after calving (P < 0.001). The mean milk yield 1 and 2 months after calving was lower (P = 0.05) in the PM group than in the control group. The hazard of pregnancy by 180 days after calving tended to be lower (hazard ratio = 0.60, P = 0.07) in the PM group than in the control group, which led to an extended mean interval between calving and pregnancy (19 days) in the PM group (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PM is associated with higher postpartum concentrations of BHBA and AST, and lower concentrations of urea nitrogen, TCH, albumin, calcium, and magnesium. Moreover, PM is associated with subsequent poor uterine health, lower milk yield, and poorer reproductive performance in dairy cows.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.17.1-17.10
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• 2024

This study examined the colostrum nutritive composition, immunoglobulin (Ig), and microbial community in Holstein and Jersey dairy cows according to the time after calving. The experiment used seven Holstein and three Jersey dairy cows. Colostrum was collected immediately after calf calving, 12, and 24 hours, and stored at -80℃ until analysis. An analysis of the nutritive composition in colostrum was performed using LactoScop. The immune indicators were analyzed using an ELISA Kit, and the microbial community was assessed using a Macrogen Inc. The protein level was high in all colostrum samples from Holstein dairy cows compared with Jersey dairy cows, but there was no significant difference according to the time after calving. Immune index analysis revealed high IgG and IgA concentrations in the colostrum of Holstein cows immediately after calving and 12 and 24 hours after calving, but the differences were not significant. The microbial community at the genus level revealed Staphylococcus to be predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Holstein dairy cows and Enterococcus in Jersey dairy cows 12 hours after calving. Pseudomonas was predominant at a high rate in the colostrum of Jersey lactating cows immediately and 12 hours after calving. Chryseobacterium was predominant at a high rate in Holstein dairy cows 12 and 24 hours after calving. In conclusion, these results are expected to be used as research data on the correlation between quality, immunity, and microbial community in the colostrum.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2004

Data from five Hanwoo breeding farms were collected to analyze the effects of parity, season, nutrition and reproduction on body conditions of heifers and cows and to analyze the relationships of body conditions with reproductive performances and body growth. Analytic models included farms and parity which were run through SAS to estimate least squares means and correlation coeflicients between traits body condition scores(BCS) of I(very emaciated) through 9(very obese) scale at service and at calving. calving interval, days to rebreeding, gestation length. number of services per conception. Overall averages were 4.55 for BCS at service, 5.42 for BCS at calving. 406.7days of calving interval, 287.7days of gestation length, 66.2days from calving 10 first service and 1.78 times of services per conception. Number of services per conception was 1.50${\sim}$1.74 times for the cows of BCS 5 or under and 2.00${\sim}$3.00 for those of BCS 6 or higher. Body weight of calves from cows observed averaged 23.3kg at birth and 70.7kg at weaning. 57 percent of cows showed BCS 4${\sim}$5 at service while 46 percent of those showed 5${\sim}$6 at calving. Estimated phenotypic correlation coefficients of BCS at service with BCS at calving, calving interval, gestation length, number of services per conception were low but positive: 0.16, 0.26. 0.08 and 0.06. respectively. Phenotypic correlations of BCS at calving with calving interval, gestation length and number of services per conception were estimated to be also low and positive: 0.10, 0.13 and 0.10. respectively. However, phenotypic correlations between calving interval and gestation length, and between gestation length and number of services per conception were negative but low as - 0.11 and- 0.13 each.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.369-378
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• 2016

Improving the reproductive traits of Hanwoo might decrease their production cost. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of environmental factors [registration grade (basic, pedigree or advanced), birth year, birth season, parity, delivery year, and delivery season] on various reproductive traits (age at 1st service, age at 1st conception, age for 1st calving, days at 1st service postpartum, non-pregnant condition period, calving interval, gestation length, and number of services for conception) in Hanwoo (primiparous 12,219 heads, multiparous 10,471 heads). All data was acquired from Gyeongnam province areas which were surveyed from 2007 to 2015. All environmental factors significantly influenced (p < 0.01) reproductive traits of primiparous cows but, but not all environmental factors influenced multiparous cows. Primiparous cows registered as advanced grade showed significantly lower age at 1st service (by 15.36 days), age at 1st conception (by 8.66 days), and age for 1st calving (by 8.77 days) (p < 0.01) than those registered as basic grades. Age at 1st service, age at 1st conception and age for 1st calving were not significantly related to birth year in primiparous cows. As delivery years advanced from 2005 to 2012, all durations associated to reproductive traits tended to be shorter. Days at 1st service postpartum, non-pregnant condition period, and calving interval tended to be shortened as parity increased. Days at 1st service postpartum, days open, calving interval, and gestation in multiparous cows calved in winter were shorter than those in summer. The registration grade was not a effected with reproductive traits in Hanwoo.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2024

Background: This study focused on reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, specifically the environmental factors affecting gestation length and birth weight. Methods: The records of 1,540 cows calved at the Hanwoo Research Institute from 2015 to 2023 were examined. This study analyzed two populations, line-breeding Hanwoo (LBH) and general Hanwoo (GH), with all cows undergoing estrus synchronization and artificial insemination. The R software was used to compare the differences between the two populations and analyze the environmental factors affecting each trait. Results: The results showed that the average gestation length for LBH was 283.28 ± 5.93 days, which was significantly shorter than that of the GH, which had an average of 285.63 ± 6.21 days (p < 0.001). The average birth weight of LBH calves was 25.10 ± 3.69 kg, significantly lighter than GH calves, which weighed 27.26 ± 4.11 kg on average (p < 0.001). Analysis of environmental factors revealed significant differences in the gestation length of LBH based on dam parity, year, and season of calving. However, no significant differences were observed based on calf sex. For LBH, birth weight showed significant differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and sex of the calf, but not the season of calving. In GH, gestation length varied with dam parity and calving season, but not with calving year or calf sex. The GH birth weight showed differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and calf sex, but not the season of calving. Conclusions: Reproductive traits in the Hanwoo cattle industry are economically vital but are heavily influenced by environmental factors due to their low heritability. An accurate evaluation of the genetic potential of these traits requires an analysis of the environmental factors affecting them. The results of this study serve as foundational data for predicting the potential for genetic improvement in the gestation length and birth weight of Hanwoo cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2002

The breeding data relating to Hariana herd spread over 18 years (1979-96) were analysed to estimate genetic, phenotypic and environmental changes in characters of economic importance which might have taken place during the several years of selective breeding practiced in the herd. The average genetic changes in a given character were estimated by four methods. The phenotypic trends observed for different economic traits were not significant. On changing the method of estimation, magnitude and direction of genetic trends changed. Comparison of estimates of genetic trends by different methods showed that adjustments for biases due to non-random allotment of dams with respect to their age and merit suggested by Powell and Freeman (1974) were useful for increasing the precision of the estimates. Hence, this method was found to be the best method for estimation of genetic trends. The estimate of genetic trends by this method were 4.03${\pm}$6.21 days, 3.24${\pm}$5.33 kg, 0.15${\pm}$0.43 days, 0.09${\pm}$0.59 days, 0.01${\pm}$0.02 kg and 0.01${\pm}$0.01 kg for age at first calving, first lactation milk yield, first lactation length, first calving interval, first lactation milk yield per day lactation length and first lactation milk yield per day of calving interval, respectively.