Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-tj2md Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-16T16:56:27.286Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Profile and genetic parameters of dairy cattle locomotion score and lameness across lactation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2013

A. Kougioumtzis ,
G. E. Valergakis ,
G. Oikonomou ,
G. Arsenos  and
G. Banos
A. Kougioumtzis
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
G. E. Valergakis*
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
G. Oikonomou
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
G. Arsenos
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
G. Banos
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece Scotland’s Rural College/Roslin Institute, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland, UK
*
†E-mail: geval@vet.auth.gr
Get access

Abstract

This study investigated the profile of locomotion score and lameness before the first calving and throughout the first (n=237) and second (n=66) lactation of 303 Holstein cows raised on a commercial farm. Weekly heritability estimates of locomotion score and lameness, and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with milk yield, body condition score, BW and reproduction traits were derived. Daughter future locomotion score and lameness predictions from their sires’ breeding values for conformation traits were also calculated. First-lactation cows were monitored weekly from 6 weeks before calving to the end of lactation. Second-lactation cows were monitored weekly throughout lactation. Cows were locomotion scored on a scale from one (sound) to five (severely lame); a score greater than or equal to two defined presence of lameness. Cows’ weekly body condition score and BW was also recorded. These records were matched to corresponding milk yield records, where the latter were 7-day averages on the week of inspection. The total number of repeated records amounted to 12 221. Data were also matched to the farm’s reproduction database, from which five traits were derived. Statistical analyses were based on uni- and bivariate random regression models. The profile analysis showed that locomotion and lameness problems in first lactation were fewer before and immediately after calving, and increased as lactation progressed. The profile of the two traits remained relatively constant across the second lactation. Highest heritability estimates were observed in the weeks before first calving (0.66 for locomotion score and 0.54 for lameness). Statistically significant genetic correlations were found for first lactation weekly locomotion score and lameness with body condition score, ranging from −0.31 to −0.65 and from −0.44 to −0.76, respectively, suggesting that cows genetically pre-disposed for high body condition score have fewer locomotion and lameness issues. Negative (favourable) phenotypic correlations between first lactation weekly locomotion score/lameness and milk yield averaged −0.27 and −0.17, respectively, and were attributed to management factors. Also a phenotypic correlation between lameness and conception rate of −0.19 indicated that lame cows were associated with lower success at conceiving. First-lactation daughter locomotion score and/or lameness predictions from sires’ estimated breeding values for conformation traits revealed a significant linear effect of rear leg side view, rear leg rear view, overall conformation, body condition score and locomotion, and a quadratic effect of foot angle.

Keywords

locomotion scorelamenessdairy cattlelactationgenetic parameters
Type
Full Paper
Information
animal , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , January 2014 , pp. 20 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amory, JR, Kloosterman, P, Barker, ZE, Wright, JL, Blowey, RW and Green, LE 2006. Risk factors for reduced locomotion in dairy cattle on nineteen farms in The Netherlands. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 1509–1515.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Archer, SC, Green, MJ and Huxley, JN 2010. Association between milk yield and serial locomotion score assessments in UK dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 9, 4045–4053.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bicalho, RC, Cheong, SH, Cramer, G and Guard, CL 2007a. Association between a visual and an automated locomotion score in lactating Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 3294–3300.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bicalho, RC, Vokey, F, Erb, HN and Guard, CL 2007b. Visual locomotion scoring in the first seventy days in milk: impact on pregnancy and survival. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 4586–4591.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Boettcher, PJ, Dekkers, JCM, Warnick, LD and Wells, SJ 1998. Genetic analysis of clinical lameness in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 1148–1156.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Buch, LH, Sorensen, AC, Lassen, J, Berg, P, Eriksson, J-A, Jakobsen, JH and Sorensen, MK 2011. Hygiene-related and feed-related hoof diseases show different patterns of genetic correlations to clinical mastitis and female fertility. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 1540–1551.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Capion, N, Thamsborg, SM and Enevoldsen, C 2008. Conformation of hind legs and lameness in Danish Holstein heifers. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 2089–2097.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cook, NB 2003. Prevalence of lameness among dairy cattle in Wisconsin as a function of housing type and stall surface. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 223, 1324–1328.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Espejo, LA and Endres, MI 2007. Herd-level risk factors for lameness in high-producing Holstein cows housed in freestall barns. Journal of Dairy Science 90, 306–314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferguson, JD, Galligan, DT and Thomsen, N 1994. Principal descriptors of body condition score in Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 77, 2695–2703.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gilmour, AR, Gogel, BJ, Cullis, BR, Welham, SJ and Thompson, R 2006. ASREML user guide, release 2.0. VSN International Ltd, Hemel Hempstead, UK.Google Scholar
Greenough, PR 2007. Bovine laminitis and lameness, 1st edition. Elsevier Limited, Philadelphia, PA, USA.Google Scholar
Haskell, MJ, Rennie, LJ, Bowell, VA, Bell, MJ and Lawrence, AB 2006. Housing system, milk production, and zero-grazing effects on lameness and leg injury in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 4259–4266.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Heinrichs, AJ, Rogers, GW and Cooper, JB 1992. Predicting bodyweight and wither height in Holstein heifers using body measurements. Journal of Dairy Science 75, 3576–3581.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holstein Association USA 2012. Linear type evaluations. Retrieved 25 November 2012 from www.holsteinusa.com.Google Scholar
International Bull Evaluation Service 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012 from www.interbull.org.Google Scholar
Koenig, S, Sharifi, AR, Wentrot, H, Landmann, D, Eise, M and Simianer, H 2005. Genetic parameters of claw and foot disorders estimated with logistic models. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 3316–3325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Laursen, MV, Boelling, D and Mark, T 2009. Genetic parameters for claw and leg health, foot and leg conformation and locomotion in Danish Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science 92, 1770–1777.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Noordhuizen, J 2012. Dairy herd health and management. A guide for veterinarians and dairy professionals. Context Products Ltd, Packington, UK.Google Scholar
NRC 2001. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle, 7th edition. National Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA.Google Scholar
Onyiro, OM and Brotherstone, S 2008. Genetic analysis of locomotion and associated conformation traits of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows managed in different housing systems. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 322–328.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Onyiro, OM, Andrews, LJ and Brotherstone, S 2008. Genetic parameters for digital dermatitis and correlations with locomotion, production, fertility traits and longevity in Holstein–Friesian dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 91, 4037–4046.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pryce, JE, Coffey, MP and Brotherstone, S 2000. The genetic relationship between calving interval, body condition score and linear type and management traits in registered Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science 83, 2664–2671.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pryce, JE, Nielsen, BL, Veerkamp, RF and Simm, G 1999. Genotype and feeding system effect and interactions for health and fertility traits in dairy cattle. Livestock Production Science 57, 193–201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rajkondawar, PG, Liu, M, Dyer, RM, Neerchal, NK, Tasch, U, Lefcourt, AM, Erez, B and Varner, MA 2006. Comparison of models to identify lame cows based on gait and lesion scores and limb movement variables. Journal of Dairy Science 89, 4267–4275.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stevenson, JS, Kobayashi, Y, Shipka, MP and Rauchholz, KC 1996. Altering conception of dairy cattle by gonadotropin-releasing hormone preceding luteolysis induced by prostaglandin F2a. Journal of Dairy Science 79, 402–410.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Swalve, HH, Alkhoder, H and Pijl, R 2008. Estimates of breeding values for sires based on diagnoses recorded at hoof trimming: Relationships with EBV for conformation traits. Interbull Bulletin 38, 87–90.Google Scholar
United States Department of Agriculture 2007. Dairy 2007, Part I: reference of dairy cattle health and management practices in the United States. USDA-APHIS-VS, CEAH, Fort Collins, CO, USA.Google Scholar
van der Linde, C, de Jong, G, Koenen, EPC and Eding, H 2010. Claw health index for Dutch cattle based on claw trimming and conformation data. Journal of Dairy Science 93, 4883–4891.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van der Waaij, EH, Holzhauer, M, Ellen, E, Kamphuis, C and de Jong, G 2005. Genetic parameters for claw disorders in Dutch dairy cattle and correlations with conformation traits. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 3672–3678.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Van Dorp, TE, Boettcher, P and Schaeffer, LR 2004. Genetics of locomotion. Livestock Production Science 90, 247–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Van Dorp, TE, Dekkers, JCM, Martin, SW and Noordhuizen, JPTM 1998. Genetic parameters of health disorders and relationships with 305-day milk yield and conformation traits of registered Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 2264–2270.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Whitaker, DA, Kelly, JM and Smith, S 2000. Disposal and disease rates in 340 British dairy herds. The Veterinary Record 146, 363–367.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zink, V, Stipkova, M and Lassen, J 2011. Genetic parameters for female fertility, locomotion, body condition score and linear type traits in Czech Holstein cattle. Journal of Dairy Science 94, 5176–5182.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zwald, NR, Weigel, KA, Chang, YM, Welper, RD and Clay, JS 2004. Genetic selection for health traits using producer-recorded data. I. Incidence rates, heritability estimates and sire breeding values. Journal of Dairy Science 87, 4287–4294.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed