Short communication: Genetic characterization of digital cushion thickness

Oikonomou, Georgios; Banos, Georgios; Machado, V.S.; Caixeta, L. S.

doi:10.3168/jds.2013-7212

Cited by 14 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Our research group has already shown that DCT is a strong predictor of lameness and highly associated with CHDL (Bicalho et al, 2009;Machado et al, 2011). We have also recently shown that part of this relationship is heritable and therefore it could be manipulated through genetic selection (Oikonomou et al, 2014). The results of the present study provide new information regarding the role of the digital cushion because we show here that DCT is associated with sole temperature.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Association of digital cushion thickness with sole temperature measured with the use of infrared thermography

Oikonomou

Trojačanec

Ganda

et al. 2014

Journal of Dairy Science

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The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between digital cushion thickness and sole temperature measured by infrared thermography. Data were collected from 216 lactating Holstein cows at 4 to 10d in milk (DIM). Cows were locomotion scored and sole temperature was measured after claw trimming (a minimum delay of 3 min was allowed for the hoof to cool) using an infrared thermography camera. Temperature was measured at the typical ulcer site of the lateral digit of the left hind foot. Immediately after the thermographic image was obtained, the thickness of the digital cushion was measured by ultrasonography. Rumen fluid samples were collected with a stomach tube and sample pH was measured immediately after collection. Additionally, a blood sample was obtained and used for measurements of serum concentrations of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and haptoglobin. To evaluate the associations of digital cushion thickness with sole temperature, a linear regression model was built using the GLIMMIX procedure in SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Sole temperature was the response variable, and digital cushion thickness quartiles, locomotion score group, rumen fluid pH, rumen fluid sample volume, environmental temperature, age in days, and serum levels of NEFA, BHBA, and haptoglobin were fitted in the model. Only significant variables were retained in the final model. Simple linear regression scatter plots were used to illustrate associations between sole temperature (measured by infrared thermography at the typical ulcer site) and environmental temperature and between NEFA and BHBA serum levels and haptoglobin. One-way ANOVA was used to compare rumen fluid pH for different locomotion score groups and for different digital cushion quartiles. Results from the multivariable linear regression model showed that sole temperature increased as locomotion scores increased and decreased as digital cushion thickness increased. These results were adjusted for environmental temperature, which was significantly associated with sole temperature. Serum levels of NEFA, BHBA, and haptoglobin were not associated with sole temperature. However, significant correlations existed between serum levels of NEFA and haptoglobin and between serum levels of BHBA and haptoglobin. Rumen fluid pH was not associated with either locomotion score or digital cushion thickness. In conclusion, we show here that digital cushion thickness was associated with sole temperature in cows at 4 to 10 DIM.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Association of digital cushion thickness with sole temperature measured with the use of infrared thermography

Oikonomou

Trojačanec

Ganda

et al. 2014

Journal of Dairy Science

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“…However, a significant genomic effect was detected for DCT at calving, providing a moderate genomic heritability of 0.23 ± 0.12. When compared with the heritability of 0.33 obtained in a previous pedigree-based study (Oikonomou et al, 2014), our estimate was smaller but within the standard error boundaries.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 56%

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Lameness Associated Phenotypes in Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cattle

et al. 2019

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Lameness represents a significant challenge for the dairy cattle industry, resulting in economic losses and reduced animal health and welfare. The existence of underlying genomic variation for lameness associated traits has the potential to improve selection strategies by using genomic markers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify genomic regions and potential candidate genes associated with lameness traits. Lameness related lesions and digital cushion thickness were studied using records collected by our research team, farm records, and a combination of both. Genome-wide analyses were performed to identify significant genomic effects, and a combination of single SNP association analysis and regional heritability mapping was used to identify associated genomic regions. Significant genomic effects were identified for several lameness related traits: Two genomic regions were identified on chromosome 3 associated with digital dermatitis and interdigital hyperplasia, one genomic region on chromosome 23 associated with interdigital hyperplasia, and one genomic region on chromosome 2 associated with sole haemorrhage. Candidate genes in those regions are mainly related to immune response and fibroblast proliferation. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) identified in this study could enlighten the understanding of lameness pathogenesis, providing an opportunity to improve health and welfare in dairy cattle with the addition of these regions into selection programs.

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“…This will affect the time cows spend on their feet and could potentially be associated with post-calving changes in SSTT (26). Work undertaken by Oikonomou et al (27) described a heritability estimate of 0.33 for SSTT, therefore genetics may also play a role in the inconsistences presented by these two studies. Contrary to the Newsome et al (17) study where the assessor measuring SSTT was blinded to stage of lactation, we assessed SSTT knowing whether the cows were at pre-calving, fresh, or EL stage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Prospective Cohort Study on the Development of Claw Horn Disruption Lesions in Dairy Cattle; Furthering our Understanding of the Role of the Digital Cushion

et al. 2020

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Claw horn disruption lesion (CHDL) is the collective term used to describe non-infectious foot lesions such as sole ulcers (SU), sole hemorrhage (SH), and white line disease (WLD) that commonly affect dairy cattle. The potential role of the bovine digital cushion, an anatomical structure located under the pedal bone and composed mostly of adipose and connective tissue, in the aetiopathogenesis of CHDL has recently been the subject of several studies. The aim of this prospective cohort study is to identify risk factors associated with the development of CHDL and to add further evidence regarding the role of the digital cushion. In order to achieve that we collected data from 500 lactations; 455 dairy cows from 3 farms were enrolled in this study. Data were collected from each animal on three occasions: 3-4 weeks before expected calving date, 1 week post calving, and 8-10 weeks post-calving. At each occasion, sole soft tissue thickness (the combined depth of the digital cushion and corium, SSTT) was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. At 8-10 weeks post-calving foot trimming was undertaken and the presence of CHDLs was recorded. Univariable analysis was undertaken between variables of interest, before multivariable regression models were constructed. Mixed effects multivariable linear regression models were created to describe the changes in SSTT and associations with various explanatory variables. Multivariable logistic regression models with the presence of SU, SH, or WLD as an outcome were also built. SSTT was shown to decrease from calving to early lactation (EL). Primiparous animals were found to have smaller SSTT, than multiparous animals. Animals with greater BCS had greater SSTT. Cows with a SU in early lactation had lower SSTT both at pre-calving and calving inspections comparing to cows without a SU. Cows that developed mastitis within 30 days of calving had approximately four times higher odds of developing SU compared to cows that did not develop mastitis. Our study advances our understanding of animal level risk factors associated with the development of CHDL and highlights the importance of the periparturient period.

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Short communication: Genetic characterization of digital cushion thickness

Cited by 14 publications

References 31 publications

Association of digital cushion thickness with sole temperature measured with the use of infrared thermography

Association of digital cushion thickness with sole temperature measured with the use of infrared thermography

Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping for Lameness Associated Phenotypes in Holstein–Friesian Dairy Cattle

A Prospective Cohort Study on the Development of Claw Horn Disruption Lesions in Dairy Cattle; Furthering our Understanding of the Role of the Digital Cushion

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