• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.476-484
• /
• 2015

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for linear type traits, as well as milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY) and protein yield (PY) in 18,831 Holstein cows reared in 495 herds in Brazil. Restricted maximum likelihood with a bivariate model was used for estimation genetic parameters, including fixed effects of herd-year of classification, period of classification, classifier and stage of lactation for linear type traits and herd-year of calving, season of calving and lactation order effects for production traits. The age of cow at calving was fitted as a covariate (with linear and quadratic terms), common to both models. Heritability estimates varied from 0.09 to 0.38 for linear type traits and from 0.17 to 0.24 for production traits, indicating sufficient genetic variability to achieve genetic gain through selection. In general, estimates of genetic correlations between type and production traits were low, except for udder texture and angularity that showed positive genetic correlations (>0.29) with MY, FY, and PY. Udder depth had the highest negative genetic correlation (-0.30) with production traits. Selection for final score, commonly used by farmers as a practical selection tool to improve type traits, does not lead to significant improvements in production traits, thus the use of selection indices that consider both sets of traits (production and type) seems to be the most adequate to carry out genetic selection of animals in the Brazilian herd.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.367-371
• /
• 2013

This study was carried out to estimate the average inbreeding coefficients and effective population size (EPS) and to seek alternatives on the problems of Holstein cattle in Korea. The data used in this study was obtained from the Korean Animal Improvement Association (KAIA) and 635,268 heads of Holstein records out of 1,872,195 Holstein registration data were used for the analysis. The average inbreeding coefficients were estimated at a range of 0.11 to 1.07%. The average inbreeding coefficients at the $14^{th}$, $19^{th}$ and $22^{nd}$ generation were estimated at 0.43%, 0.92% and 1.07%, respectively. The estimated inbreeding coefficients within the range of 0%, 0 to 6.25%, 6.25 to 12.5%, 12.5 to 25%, and >25% were observed in 50.5%, 48.3%, 0.8%, 0.1%, and 0.3% of the animals, respectively. The estimated effective population size (EPS) was 619 heads from the $8^{th}$ to $22^{nd}$ generation, and 922 heads from the $19^{th}$ to $22^{nd}$ generation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2006

Bovine viral leukosis is a viral disease of cattle characterized by the development of tumors in the lymphatic tissue. A female Holstein, 3-year-old, was submitted for diagnosis at the Diagnostic laboratory, Chonbuk National University. Clinical sign of the affected animal showed emaciation, enlargement of superficial lymph node and mild diarrhea. Remarkable lesions were enlargement of many internal lymph nodes. Histopathology revealed excessive neoplastic lymphoid cells characteristic of BVL infection. Subsequently, serums from all cattle were collected and serological examination was done where a 85% seropositive rate was detected using ELISA test. ELISA method showed a comparatively 75% higher detection rate than the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test (85% vs 40%). Serologically positive cattle were variably detected in all ages from under 1 year to over 6 year of age. Hematological examination consistently showed leukocytosis and a differential lymphocytosis of seropositive cattle. Detailed comparative pathological and serological data diagnosed the presence of bovine viral leukosis.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.328-332
• /
• 2005

The effect of k-casein (k-CN) variant on milk production traits (milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage and protein percentage) was estimated for 568 Holstein cows in the first lactation. The k-CN valiant were determined by PCR-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique at the DNA level. Single trait linear model was used for the statistical analysis of the data. Result of this study indicated that k-CN variant affected significantly milk yield (P<0.05) and protein yield (P<0.01). Animals with the BB variant produced 622kg milk more and had protein yield higher by 32kg compared with animals with the AA variant No associations between the k-CN variants and other milk production trait were found. Therefore, milk and protein yield may be improved through milk protein typing by increasing the frequencies of k-CN B variant in dairy cattle population. In cheese making, it will be also preferable to have milk with the B variant of k-CN, which gives higher yield having a better quality than the A variant milk.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.72-81
• /
• 1981

This study was conducted to determine the differences in the growth and milk production performance of Holstein Crossbreds (Korean Native Cattle(♀)${\times}$Holstein(♂)) and Korean Native Cattle produced at the Livestock Experiment Station of the Office of Rural Developement from 1973 to 1978. The number of heifers and cows used in this experiment were 15 head of Korean Native Cattle and 11 head pf Holstein Crossbreds Cattle. Body weight and body measurements were taken at birth, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of age, however, body measurements were not taken at birth. Milk production was checked from the 11 th day to 180th day after calving. The data was analyzed using the least square procedure in order to estimate the effect of the mating group, year of birth, calving season and parity. The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1. The body weights of the Holstein Crossbreds were heavier than the body weights of purebred Korean Native Cattle. The body weight of the Holstein Crossbreds averaged 28.09kg, 146.64kg, 254.48kg, 392.04kg and 454.46kg at birth, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of age, respectively. However, the body weights of purebreds Korean Native Cattle averaged 22.45kg, 132.82kg, 220.68kg, 363.54kg and 365.54kg at the same ages. 2. The year of birth affected on body weight at each point during the growing stage, except birth, heifers born in the spring and autumn were heavier than the others, but calving season did not affect on body weight during the growing stage except at birth and 6 months. 3. Parity showed significant differences on body weight in the growing stage. Calves from the 5th parity had a tendency to be heavier than the other calves. 4. The year of birth, calving season and parity at calving had no affect on the change of body measurements, but the wither height, hip height, chest depth, chest girth and hip width were significantly greater in the Holstein Crossbreds at 24 months of age. 5. Mating groups had a significant affect on milk production during the growing stage. Year of birth and calving season did not affect milk production, but parity was significant from 11 days after calving. 6. The least-squares means used to determine the daily milk production were 3.60 and 8.26kg/day for Korean Native Cattle and the Holstein Crossbreds, respectively.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.539-545
• /
• 2021

Objective: Endometritis is a major disease, that causes infertility in cattle, and is usually categorized as clinical or subclinical endometritis (SCE). The nutritional condition during the dry period is important for recovery after the last stage of the lactation period, and for postpartum production and reproduction. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between nutritional and metabolic characteristics in the dry period, and the risk of postpartum SCE. Methods: Multiparous Holstein dairy cows (n = 25, raised in a tied stall) were used. Endometrial cytological analysis was performed around 30 days post-partum, with 5% to 14% polymorphonuclear (PMN) as a cut-off point to define SCE. Serum levels of glucose, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were measured in the cows at the dry period to evaluate energy status, protein metabolism, and mineral metabolism. Results: The incidence of SCE in the cows was 60.0% (n = 15/25) and the mean PMN% in postpartum cows diagnosed as SCE was 8.05%±2.6%. Overall, 17 and 8 samples were collected from the cows in the far-off and close-up periods, respectively. The serum concentration of BHBA in the far-off period and serum glucose concentration in the closeup period were correlated with postpartum PMN% (r = 0.62, p<0.01; r = -0.74, p<0.05, respectively). Serum levels of calcium and magnesium in the dry period were associated with the incidence of postpartum SCE (healthy vs SCE cows, p<0.05). Conclusion: Blood levels of glucose, BHBA, calcium, and magnesium in dry periods could be useful parameters for predicting the risk of postpartum SCE. The present study also suggests that management in the close-up period is essential for promoting recovery from calving fatigue.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2001

1. About fifty thousand of cattle embryos were transferred and 16000 ET-calves were born in 1999. Eighty percents of embryos were collected from Japanese Black beef donors and transferred to dairy Holstein heifers and cows. Since 1985, we have achieved in bovine in vitro fertilization using immature oocytes collected from ovaries of slaughterhouse. Now over 8000 embryos fertilized by Japanese Black bull, as Kitaguni 7~8 or Mitsufuku, famousbulls as high marbling score of progeny tests were sold to dairy farmers and transferred to their dairy cattle every year. 2. Embryo splitting for identical twins is demonstrated an useful tool to supply a bull for semen collection and a steer for beef performance test. According to the data of Dr. Hashiyada(2001), 296 pairs of split-half embryos were transferred to recipients and 98 gave births of 112 calves (23 pairs of identical twins and 66 singletons). 3. A blastomere-nuclear-transferred cloned calf was born in 1990 by a joint research with Drs. Tsunoda, National Institute of Animal Industry (NIAI) and Ushijima, Chiba Prefectural Farm Animal Center. The fruits of this technology were applied to the production of a calf from a cell of long-term-cultured inner cell mass (1988, Itoh et al, ZEN-NOH Central Research Institute for Feed and Livestock) and a cloned calf from three-successive-cloning (1997, Tsunoda et al.). According to the survey of MAFF of Japan, over 500 calves were born until this year and a glaf of them were already brought to the market for beef. 4. After the report of "Dolly", in February 1997, the first somatic cell clone female calves were born in July 1998 as the fruits of the joint research organized by Dr. Tsunoda in Kinki University (Kato et al, 2000). The male calves were born in August and September 1998 by the collaboration with NIAI and Kagoshima Prefecture. Then 244 calves, four pigs and a kid of goat were now born in 36 institutes of Japan. 5. Somatic cell cloning in farm animal production will bring us as effective reproductive method of elite-dairy- cows, super-cows and excellent bulls. The effect of making copy farm animal is also related to the reservation of genetic resources and re-creation of a male bull from a castrated steer of excellent marbling beef. Cloning of genetically modified animals is most promising to making pig organs transplant to people and providing protein drugs in milk of pig, goat and cattle. 6. Farm animal cloning is one of the most dreamful technologies of 21th century. It is necessary to develop this technology more efficient and stable as realistic technology of the farm animal production. We are making researches related to the best condition of donor cells for high productivity of cloning, genetic analysis of cloned animals, growth and performance abilities of clone cattle and pathological and genetical analysis of high rates of abortion and stillbirth of clone calves (about 30% of periparutum mortality). 7. It is requested in the report of Ministry of Health, labor and Welfare to make clear that carbon-copy cattle(somatic cell clone cattle) are safe and heathy for a commercial market since the somatic cell cloning is a completely new technology. Fattened beef steers (well-proved normal growth) and milking cows(shown a good fertility) are now provided for the assessment of food safety.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.10
• /
• pp.1542-1549
• /
• 2018

Objective: Because lactation periods in dairy cows lengthen with increasing total milk production, it is important to predict individual productivities after 305 days in milk (DIM) to determine the optimal lactation period. We therefore examined whether the random regression (RR) coefficient from 306 to 450 DIM (M2) can be predicted from those during the first 305 DIM (M1) by using a RR model. Methods: We analyzed test-day milk records from 85,690 Holstein cows in their first lactations and 131,727 cows in their later (second to fifth) lactations. Data in M1 and M2 were analyzed separately by using different single-trait RR animal models. We then performed a multiple regression analysis of the RR coefficients of M2 on those of M1 during the first and later lactations. Results: The first-order Legendre polynomials were practical covariates of RR for the milk yields of M2. All RR coefficients for the additive genetic (AG) effect and the intercept for the permanent environmental (PE) effect of M2 had moderate to strong correlations with the intercept for the AG effect of M1. The coefficients of determination for multiple regression of the combined intercepts for the AG and PE effects of M2 on the coefficients for the AG effect of M1 were moderate to high. The daily milk yields of M2 predicted by using the RR coefficients for the AG effect of M1 were highly correlated with those obtained by using the coefficients of M2. Conclusion: Milk production after 305 DIM can be predicted by using the RR coefficient estimates of the AG effect during the first 305 DIM.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.93-96
• /
• 2016

This retrospective study evaluated the effect of age at first calving on the productive and reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cattle. Data were collected on 2,297 lactations from 19 dairy farms, including dates of birth, insemination, pregnancy, calving, and lactation and milk production (305-day milk yield at first lactation and lifetime milk yield). Lactation data were grouped based on age at first calving into the early (< 24 months, n = 414), moderate (24 ${\leq}$ and ${\leq}$ 28 months, n = 1,268), and late (> 28 months, n = 615) groups. The 305-day milk yield at first lactation was higher (p < 0.005) in the late group (8,461.9 kg) than in the early (8,130.8 kg) and moderate (8,261.9 kg) groups. Lifetime days in milk were shorter (p < 0.01) in the early group (1,045.7) than in the moderate (1,143.1) and late (1,110.7) groups, whereas the lifetime milk yield was higher (p < 0.05) in the moderate group (34,171.8 kg) than in the early group (31,791.6 kg). The second calving interval (days) differed (p < 0.0001) between the early (416.9), moderate (438.9), and late (455.3) groups. The culling rate at the first and second lactations tended to be higher (p = 0.08) in the early group (31.2%) than in the moderate group (26.0%), whereas it was intermediate in the late group (29.3%). In conclusion, dairy heifers aged 24-28 months at first calving showed a higher productive performance through an increased lifetime milk yield and a decreased culling rate.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.558-566
• /
• 2021

Objective: Objectives were to estimate energy and protein requirements of dairy crossbred steers, as well as to evaluate equations previously described in the literature (HH46 and CS16) to predict the carcass and empty body chemical composition of crossbred dairy cattle. Methods: Thirty-three Holstein×Zebu steers, aged 19±1 months old, with an initial shrunk body weight (BW) of 324±7.7 kg, were randomly divided into three groups: reference group (n = 5), maintenance level (1.17% BW; n = 4), and the remaining 24 steers were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 treatments. Treatments were: intake restricted to 85% of ad libitum feed intake for either 0, 28, 42, or 84 d of an 84-d finishing period. Results: The net energy and the metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance were 0.083 Mcal/EBW0.75/d and 4.40 g/EBW0.75, respectively. The net energy (NEG) and protein (NPG) requirements for growth can be estimated with the following equations: NEG (Mcal/kg EBG) = $0.2973_{({\pm}0.1212)}{\times}EBW^{0.4336_{({\pm}0.1002)}$ and NPG (g/d) = 183.6(±22.5333)×EBG-2.0693(±4.7254)×RE, where EBW, empty BW; EBG, empty body gain; and RE, retained energy. Crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) chemical contents in carcass, and all the chemical components in the empty body were precisely and accurately estimated by CS16 equations. However, water content in carcass was better predicted by HH46 equation. Conclusion: The equations proposed in this study can be used for estimating the energy and protein requirements of crossbred dairy steers. The CS16 equations were the best estimator for CP and EE chemical contents in carcass, and all chemical components in the empty body of crossbred dairy steers, whereas water in carcass was better estimated using the HH46 equations.