Effects of liveweight gain during pregnancy of 15‐month‐old Angus heifers on dystocia and birth weight, body dimensions, estimated milk intake and weaning weight of the calves

Kenyon, P. R.; López‐Villalobos, N.; Morris, S. T.

doi:10.1080/00288230809510445

Cited by 11 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Thus, the nutritional regimens were instigated at exactly the same time points in gestation and were controlled with heifers being fed individually from 60 days before AI and throughout gestation until term. This is similar to previous fetal programming studies reported by (Sullivan et al 2009;Micke et al 2010a) but not others (Cafe et al 2006;Greenwood and Cafe 2007;Hickson et al 2008;Long et al 2009Long et al , 2012. Furthermore, in these latter three studies, realimentation of the restricted heifers was applied so that all calved at similar weight.…”

Section: Nutritional Interventionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Fetal programming in 2-year-old calving heifers: peri-conception and first trimester protein restriction alters fetal growth in a gender-specific manner

Copping¹,

Hoare²,

Callaghan³

et al. 2014

Anim. Prod. Sci.

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Abstract. Protein restriction in early bovine gestation affects post-natal reproduction and production traits in progeny. This experiment evaluated the effects of dietary protein restriction during the peri-conception period and first trimester in yearling heifers on conceptus growth and development; this period of dietary intervention being earlier than any previous bovine fetal programming studies. Three-hundred and sixty primiparous 12-month-old Santa Gertrudis heifers were individually fed high [14% crude protein (CP)] or low (7% CP) diets for 60 days before conception. At 23 days postconception (dpc), each high (HPERI) or low (LPERI) group was again split into high (HPOST) or low (LPOST) protein groups yielding four treatment groups in a 2 · 2 factorial design. From the end of the first trimester of gestation (98dpc), the pregnant heifers were individually fed a 12% CP diet until parturition. Forty-six fetuses were excised at 98dpc. Sixty-four heifers went on to calve. Conceptus development was assessed via transrectal ultrasound from 36dpc, fetal necropsy at 98dpc and live calf measures at term. At 36dpc, HPERI diet increased fetal crown-rump length (CRL) (P < 0.05) and at the 60dpc scan, biparietal diameter (BPD) tended to be increased by HPOST diet (P < 0.1) though the greater effect upon BPD was still the HPERI diet (P < 0.05). At 60dpc, BPD in the male fetus was affected by the peri-conception diet (P < 0.05), while in females, BPD was not different among nutritional groups. These ultrasound measures of fetal growth were validated by measures of the excised fetus at 98dpc. Fetal weight was heavier (P < 0.01) in those whose mothers were fed the HPOST diet than their LPOST counterparts. Males fetuses were heavier than female fetuses (P < 0.001). Fetal CRL was increased by HPERI diet (P < 0.05) and tended to be increased by HPOST diet (P < 0.1). Fetal BPD tended to be increased by HPERI diet (P < 0.1). In males, BPD tended to be increased in those fetuses whose mothers were fed HPERI (P < 0.1). For females, maternal nutrition during PERI or POST did not affect BPD at 98dpc (P > 0.1). At term, no dietary effect on birthweight was observed (P > 0.1) and males were not heavier than females (P > 0.1). These results suggest that maternal protein intake during the peri-conception (-60 to 23dpc) and first trimester (24-98dpc) may influence early conceptus growth and development in the bovine. The long-term effects on offspring metabolism and post-natal development of this dietary intervention are yet to be determined.

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Section: Nutritional Interventionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Fetal programming in 2-year-old calving heifers: peri-conception and first trimester protein restriction alters fetal growth in a gender-specific manner

Copping¹,

Hoare²,

Callaghan³

et al. 2014

Anim. Prod. Sci.

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show abstract

“…However, the present study did not show a relationship between the prevalence of dystocia and reproduction outcomes. Interestingly, the prevalence of dystocia was unrelated to BCS, as also shown for pastoral beef cows by Hickson [ 57 ]. The prevalence of abortion was also low (1.5%), well below the 3% industry target [ 49 ] and was unrelated to any other parameters of reproductive performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

Effect of Animal Welfare on the Reproductive Performance of Extensive Pasture-Based Beef Cows in New Zealand

Kaurivi

Laven

Parkinson

et al. 2020

Veterinary Sciences

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One key area where animal welfare may relate to productivity is through reproductive performance. This study assesses welfare on 25 extensively managed pastoral New Zealand beef farms, and explores the relationship between welfare and reproductive performance. Relationships between welfare measures and key reproductive performance indicators (pregnancy rate, weaning rate, mating period and bull: cow ratio) are investigated using an exploratory principal components analysis and linear regression model. Seven welfare measures (thinness, poor rumen fill, dirtiness, blindness, mortality, health checks of pregnant cows and yarding frequency/year) showed a potential influence on reproductive performance, and lameness was retained individually as a potential measure. Mean pregnancy rates, in both 2018 (PD18) and 2017 (PD17), were ~91% and mean weaning rate was 84%. Of the welfare measures, only lameness had a direct association with pregnancy rate, as well as a confounding effect on the association between mating period and pregnancy rate. The bull: cow ration (mean 1:31) and reproductive conditions (dystocia, abortion, vaginal prolapse) did not influence pregnancy and weaning rates. In the study population, there was no clear association between welfare and reproductive performance, except for the confounding effects of lameness.

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“…However, the present study did not show a relationship between the prevalence of dystocia and reproduction outcomes. Interestingly, the prevalence of dystocia was unrelated to BCS, as also shown for pastoral beef cows by Hickson [53]. The prevalence of abortion was also low (1.5%), well below the 3% industry target [45] and was unrelated to any other parameters of reproductive performance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Effect of Animal Welfare Quality on the Reproductive Performance of Extensive Pasture-Based Beef Cows in New Zealand

Kaurivi¹,

Laven²,

Parkinson³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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One key area where animal welfare may relate to productivity is through reproductive performance. Welfare was assessed on 25 extensively managed pastoral New Zealand beef farms and the relationship between welfare and reproductive performance was explored. Relationships between welfare measures and key reproductive performance indicators (pregnancy rate, weaning rate, mating period and bull: cow ratio) were investigated using an exploratory Principal Components Analysis and linear regression model. Seven welfare measures (thinness, poor rumen fill, dirtiness, blindness, mortality, health checks of pregnant cows and yarding frequency/year) showed potential influence on reproductive performance, and lameness was retained individually as a potential measure. Mean pregnancy rates in both 2018 (PD18) and 2017 (PD17) were ~91% and mean weaning rate was 84%. Of the welfare measures, only lameness had a direct association with pregnancy rate, as well as confounding effect on the association between mating period and pregnancy rate. The bull: cow ration (mean 1:31) and reproductive conditions (dystocia, abortion, vaginal prolapse) did not influence pregnancy and weaning rates. In the study population there was no clear association between welfare and reproductive performance, except for the confounding effects of lameness.

show abstract

Effects of liveweight gain during pregnancy of 15‐month‐old Angus heifers on dystocia and birth weight, body dimensions, estimated milk intake and weaning weight of the calves

Cited by 11 publications

References 27 publications

Fetal programming in 2-year-old calving heifers: peri-conception and first trimester protein restriction alters fetal growth in a gender-specific manner

Fetal programming in 2-year-old calving heifers: peri-conception and first trimester protein restriction alters fetal growth in a gender-specific manner

Effect of Animal Welfare on the Reproductive Performance of Extensive Pasture-Based Beef Cows in New Zealand

Effect of Animal Welfare Quality on the Reproductive Performance of Extensive Pasture-Based Beef Cows in New Zealand

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