Indian Journal of Animal Research

  • Chief EditorK.M.L. Pathak

  • Print ISSN 0367-6722

  • Online ISSN 0976-0555

  • NAAS Rating 6.43

  • SJR 0.263

  • Impact Factor 0.5 (2023)

Frequency :
Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December)
Indexing Services :
Science Citation Index Expanded, BIOSIS Preview, ISI Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, Scopus, AGRICOLA, Google Scholar, CrossRef, CAB Abstracting Journals, Chemical Abstracts, Indian Science Abstracts, EBSCO Indexing Services, Index Copernicus
Submit

Research Article

Indian Journal of Animal Research, volume 56 issue 8 (august 2022) : 928-932

Using Pelvic Areas and Linear Body Measurements in the Selection for Reduced Dystocia Rates in Sussex Heifers

L. Bila, P.J. Fourie, T.L. Tyasi
1Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Private Bag X1292, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa.
Cite article:- Bila L., Fourie P.J., Tyasi T.L. (2022). Using Pelvic Areas and Linear Body Measurements in the Selection for Reduced Dystocia Rates in Sussex Heifers. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 56(8): 928-932. doi: 10.18805/IJAR.B-1303.

ABSTRACT

Background: Dystocia in cattle is a global problem which causes many health issues and economical losses in the beef cattle industry. However, to the greatest of our knowledge, use of pelvic areas and linear body measurements in South African Sussex heifers has not yet been reported on literature. Hence, the aim of this study was to use pelvic areas and linear body measurements in the selection of replacement Sussex heifers to reduce dystocia amongst heifers, while improving ease of calving.
Methods: One hundred eighty-six first calf Sussex heifers 24 months old, weighing approximately 437 kg were used for this study. A number of six, two-year-old bulls, weighing approximately 800 kg were used for mating the 135 heifers during the first trial with a bull to cow ratio of (1:35; 1:35, 1;35 and 1:30). The second trial consisted of 51 heifers with a number two, two-year-old bulls respectively, with a bull to cow ratio of (1:30 and 1:21).
Result: A significant correlation between calving eases score and calf gender, r = -0.35 was revealed. The chances of a heifer to experience dystocia were more when a male calf was born. Birth weight, revealed that higher the birth weight higher the probability of a heifer to experience dystocia. It can be concluded that pelvic measurements in Sussex heifers may be a valuable tool to reduce dystocia.

REFERENCES

  1. Abdela, N. and Ahmed, W.M., (2016). Risk factors and economic impact of dystocia in dairy cows: A systematic review. J. Reprod. Infertility. 7: 63-74.
  2. Anderson, L.H. and Bullock, K.D. (1994). Pelvic measurements and calving difficulty. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, ASC-142, USA.
  3. Briedenhann, J. (2010). Verbeterjoukoeikudde. Meet pelvis virkalwingsgemak. Chronicle. December 2010, pp. 12-18.
  4. Deutscher, G.H. (1991). Pelvic measurements for reducing calving difficulty Rev.ed. Beef Cattle Handbook, Cooperative Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  5. Fourie, P.J., Neser, F.W., Olivier, J. and Van der Westhuizen, C. (2002). Relationship between production performance, visual appraisal and body measurements of young Dorper rams. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 4: 256-262.
  6. Holm, D.E., Webb, E.C. and Thoompson, P.N. (2014). A new application of pelvis area data as culling tool to aid in the management of dystocia in heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 2296-2303.
  7. Johanson, J.M. and Berger, P.J. (2003). Birth weight as a predictor of calving ease and perinatal mortality in Holstein cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 86: 3745-3755.
  8. Kolkman, I., Hoflack, G., Aerts, S., Murray, R.D., Opsomer, G. and Lips, D. (2009). Evaluation of the Rice pelvimeter for measuring pelvic area indouble muscled Belgian Blue cows. Livest. Sci. 121: 259-266.
  9. Mee, J.F. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for dystocia in dairy cattle: A review. Vet. J. 176(1): 93-101.
  10. Mellor, D.J. and Diesch, T.J. (2006). Onset of science: The potential for suffering in fatal and new born farm animals. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 100: 48-57.
  11. Micke, G.T., Sullivan, P., Rolls, B., Hasell, R., Greer, S., Norman, M. and Perry, V. (2010). Dystocia in 3-year-old beef heifers; Relationship to maternal nutrient intake during early-and mid-gestation, pelvic area and hormonal indicators of placental function. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 118(2): 163-170.
  12. Murray, R.T., Cartwright, D., Downham, M., Murray, R.D. and DeKruif, A. (2002). Comparison of external and internal pelvic measurementsof Belgian Blue cattle from sample herds in Belgium and the UnitedKingdom. Reproduction in Domestic Animals. 37(1): 1-7.
  13. Nogalski, Z., and Mordas, W. (2012). Pelvic parameters in Holstein-Friesian and Jersey heifers in relation to their calving. Pak. Vet. J. 32: 507-510.
  14. Van Der Merwe, H. (2017). Be smart, measure pelvic openings of cows and bulls. Brangus, Trust The Genes, Trust Brangus. Brangus. 32-33.
  15. Van Donkersgoed, J. (1997). Pelvimetry. In: R.S. Youngquist, editor, Current therapy in large animal theriogenology W.B. Saunders, St. Louis, MO. p. 306-309.
  16. Van Nieuwenhuizen, G.E., Vernooij, J.C.M., Holm, D. and Webb, E.C. (2017). The relationship between pelvis size and age, breed, gender, body measurements and reproductive status of South African beef cattle. Research Project Veterinary Medicine Utrecht University: University of Pretoria, South Africa. 37: 54-723.
  17. Van Rooyen, I, Fourie, P.J. and Schwalbach, L. (2012). Relationship between pelvic and linear body measurements in Dorper ewes. S. Afr. J. Anim. Sci. 42(5): 498-502.
  18. Van Zyl, P.L. (2008). February 7. Pelvic measurements and dimensions. (Cited by Van Rooyen et al., 2012) Heilbron, Free State, South Africa.
  19. Zaborski, D., Grzesiak, W., Szatkowska, I., Dybys, A., Muszynska, M. and Jedrzejczak, M., (2009). Factors affecting dystocia in cattle. Reprod. Domest. Anim. 44: 540-551.
In this Article
    Contact us
    Follow us

    Editorial Board

    View all (0)