Ultrasonographic Monitoring of Nuclear Transferred Fetal Weight during the Final Stage of Gestation in Holstein Cows

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Dystocia or stillbirth accompanied by Large Offspring Syndrome (LOS) occurs rather frequently in Holstein nuclear transferred calves. In regard to prophylaxes, nuclear transferred Holstein fetuses were monitored with ultrasonography during the final stage of gestation. Fetal weight was estimated weekly based on the fetal metacarpal width using ultrasonography. Fourteen Holstein cows pregnant with Holstein nuclear transferred fetuses were the subjects of this experiment. The fetal weight was estimated by measuring the fetal metacarpal width during the last month of gestation according to the expected date of parturition. Measurements were performed on a weekly basis. The ultrasound-estimated metacarpal width and body weight of 13 of the fetuses in the last week of gestation (30.2 ± 2.2 mm, 50.0 ± 4.7 kg) were similar to the actual measurement immediately after birth (30.0 ± 2.1 mm, 51.2 ± 5.5 kg). These results indicate that ultrasonographic monitoring within a week of parturition to is accurate for estimating fetal weight. Prediction of LOS with ultrasonography contributes to reliable a diagnostic method that minimizes syndrome-related gyneco-obstetric complications at parturition with the aid of appropriate treatments. KEY WORDS: birth weight, Holstein, metacarpal width, nuclear transfer, ultrasonography.J. Vet. Med. Sci. 67(8): 807-811, 2005 The first nuclear transferred calf was born in 1987 [7]. Nuclear transfer technology is expected to assist in the promotion of the Japanese livestock industry. It is already being applied to genetically modified cattle that produce biopharmaceuticals in milk in the United States [1]. However, there are great losses from the parturient problems, such as dystocia and stillbirth caused by large offsprings [3,12,13]. We believe that the survival rate after birth would be lowered while the rate of dystocia and stillbirth would be higher in Holstein nuclear transferred calves with Large Offspring Syndrome (LOS) [9]. Therefore, monitoring the fetal weight during the final stage of gestation would be important. Positive correlations have been identified between the width of the metacarpus or metatarsus and the birth weight of Holstein calves soon after birth [10], and this might enable to anticipation of the risk of dystocia by measurement of the width of metacarpus or metatarsus before parturition.In this study, the metacarpal width or metatarsal width of Holstein nuclear transfer fetuses were measured with ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, and these were verified to see whether birth weight or dystocia in Holstein calves could be estimated during the final stage of gestation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals:The method of producing Holstein nuclear transfer calves and the judgment of dystocia were based on data reported previously [9]. Donor nuclei originating from somatic cells for nuclear transfer embryos were derived from femoral region myocytes. Out of 1,700 cattle, including 680 dairy cows, at a farm, fourteen Holstein cows pregnant with Holstein nuclear transferre...

Fetal metacarpal/metatarsal bone thickness as possible predictor of dystocia in Holstein cows

“…Phenotypic correlation (r p ) between fetal metacarpal/metatarsal thickness and calf birth weight based on raw data. The thick (red) horizontal line at 3.0 cm indicates the threshold value of metacarpus/metatarsus thickness obtained by Takahashi et al (2005). Color version available online.…”

“…After reentering the rectum with the 5-to 8-MHz linear-array transducer, the measurement of fetal MC/MT thickness was performed using a portable veterinary ultrasound machine (Mindray M5 Vet, Mindray Medical International Ltd., Shenzhen, China). The thickness of the bone was measured as described by Takahashi et al (2005). In each case, the thickness was measured 3 times and the mean value was saved into the machine's database ( Figure 1).…”

“…Takahashi et al (2001) found a strong association between metacarpal widths and calf birth weight measured immediately after birth. Later, fetal metacarpal/metatarsal (MC/MT) width was found to be a useful parameter for estimating birth weight in calves (Takahashi et al, 2005).…”

Correlation of foetal body weight by coronet width measurement using ultrasonography in prepartum cows: a pilot study

“…However, the coronet circumference of a calf can be determined only during or after parturition. A regression formula for the body weight of the calves at birth from the width of the site (skin to skin), where the metacarpus or metatarsus is located, was demonstrated in Holstein calves 7 . However, the monitoring site is located farther than the coronet and cannot be precisely identified owing to the lack of landmarks.…”

Consequences of assisted reproductive techniques on the embryonic epigenome in cattle

“…Other phenotypes include large tongues, umbilical hernias, muscle and skeleton malformation, abnormal organ growth, allantois development defects, abnormal placental vasculature and even increased early embryo or fetus death rates (van Wagtendonk-de Leeuw et al 1998;Farin et al 2006). The large size of the offspring can result in dystocia and stillbirth (Takahashi et al 2005), therefore affecting the dam and offspring and bringing financial loss to producers. Although the actual incidence of LOS in production systems is not known, two experimental accounts in ruminants suggest that approximately 25% of fetuses may develop into large-sized offspring (Carolan et al 1995;Chen et al 2015).…”