Relationship between body condition scores and ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat and m. longissimus dorsi in dairy cows differing in size and type

Citation
R. Schwager-suter et al., Relationship between body condition scores and ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat and m. longissimus dorsi in dairy cows differing in size and type, ANIM SCI, 71, 2000, pp. 465-470
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
ANIMAL SCIENCE
ISSN journal
13577298 → ACNP
Volume
71
Year of publication
2000
Part
3
Pages
465 - 470
Database
ISI
SICI code
1357-7298(200012)71:<465:RBBCSA>2.0.ZU;2-0
Abstract
In the present study body condition scores (BCS), ultrasound fat thickness and ultrasound m. longissimus dorsi thickness as well as body measurements and management factors were recorded repeatedly during lactation in 71 Hols tein-Friesians, 71 Jerseys and 71 Holstein-Jersey F1-crosses (first to nint h lactation) on four feeding regimens. BCS were analysed with ultrasound me asurements as explanatory variables by mixed models. A compound symmetry st ructure for the variance components was applied. The models were also teste d for an autoregressive error structure [AR(1)]. Ultrasound fat thickness a nd ultrasound m. longissimus dorsi thickness explained most of the variabil ity in BCS. Coefficients of determination were between 0.84 and 0.85. Manag ement factors such as feeding group and stage of lactation (week of taking measurements) and the breed type X lactation interaction were, although sig nificant, not relevant for the fit. Holsteins tended to have lower scores t han F1-crosses and Jerseys and younger cows tended to have higher scores th an older cows. Despite small differences between breeds, Edmonson's BCS pro ved to be consistent within each breed type; thus BCS can be applied to var ious dairy breeds.