Journal article
Aggressive attempted escape behavior during head-lock restraint reduced reproductive performances in Holstein heifers
Theriogenology, Vol.121, pp.147-152
11/2018
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101517
PMID: 30149260
Abstract
The objective was to determine associations between behavior during head-lock restraint and reproductive performance in dairy heifers. Behavior of 817 Holstein heifers from four farms was evaluated at feeding (Days 0 and 7) while restrained in a self-locking stanchion. All heifers were assigned a body condition score (BCS; 1, emaciated to 5, obese) on Day 0. Heifers were timed-inseminated on a maximum of three occasions to determine impact of behavior for first service pregnancy per AI (FS-P/AI) and cumulative P/AI (C-P/AI). Ovulation was synchronized with an Ovsynch synchronization protocol for first service and thereafter either Ovsynch and/or prostaglandin F2α-based protocols. More heifers displayed calm escape behavior (P < 0.05) compared with mild or aggressive escape behaviors (45.2, 28.2 and 26.6%, respectively). Adjusting for BCS (P < 0.05), FS-P/AI was greater (P < 0.05) for calm heifers compared with aggressive escape behavior, 58.0% (214/369) vs 48.2% (105/218), with FS-P/AI of heifers with mild aggressive behavior [53.5% (123/230)] intermediate and did not differ from other means. Adjusting for BCS (P < 0.0001), C-P/AI was greater (P < 0.0001) for heifers with calm compared with mild or aggressive escape behaviors [84.8% (313/369), 71.3% (164/230) and 64.7% (141/218), respectively]. Serum cortisol concentrations were not different among behavior categories, but serum substance P concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in aggressive heifers compared with mild or calm heifers, 97.1 ± 4.9, 58.4 ± 2.9 and 52.3 ± 2.6 ng/mL, respectively. In conclusion, Holstein heifers with aggressive escape behavior during head-lock restraint had significantly reduced reproductive performance.
•During headlock restraint, more heifers showed calm escape behavior.•Mean serum cortisol concentrations did not differ among heifers with aggressive, mild and calm escape behavior.•Mean serum substance P concentrations was greater in heifers that expressed aggressive compared with mild and calm escape behavior.•First service pregnancy/AI was greater in heifers that expressed calm compared with aggressive escape behavior.•Cumulative pregnancy/AI was greater for heifers that expressed calm compared with mild and aggressive escape behavior.
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Details
- Title
- Aggressive attempted escape behavior during head-lock restraint reduced reproductive performances in Holstein heifers
- Creators
- Vanmathy R Kasimanickam - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USAChase Staker - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USAHallie M Williams - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USAJohn P Kastelic - Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Calgary, AB, CanadaRamanathan K Kasimanickam - Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
- Publication Details
- Theriogenology, Vol.121, pp.147-152
- Academic Unit
- Center for Reproductive Biology; Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Department of
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Identifiers
- 99900546629001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article