A prospective cohort study of factors associated with the digital cushion thickness in dairy cattle.

Key factors such as stage of lactation, parity, and body fat reserves have been associated with the digital cushion thickness (DCT), however, there are discrepancies between the results of previously published studies. The objective of this study was to examine the association of stage of lactation, body fat reserves, parity, and lesion incidence with DCT in a large cohort of intensively monitored cows. Across 4 UK farms, 2,352 cows were prospectively enrolled and assessed at 4 time points: before calving (T1-Precalving), immediately after calving (T2-Calving), in early lactation (T3-Early), and in late lactation (T4-Late). At each time point, BCS was recorded, the presence of sole lesions (sole ulcers and sole hemorrhage) and white line lesions was assessed by veterinarians, and an ultrasound image was taken to retrospectively measure the backfat thickness (BFT) in the pelvic region and the digital cushion on the hind left lateral claw. Mixed effects multivariable linear regression models, with the cow as a random effect, were fit to examine the association between the explanatory variables and DCT. The explanatory variables tested were farm, parity, stage of lactation, BCS, BFT, height, the presence of a lesion at the time of measurement, the chronicity of a lesion during early lactation, the predicted maximum daily milk yield, and the rate of milk production rise in early lactation. Stage of lactation and farm were both associated with DCT; however, an interaction was present, and this DCT pattern of change was farm-dependent. Two distinct patterns emerged; one indicated the nadir to occur shortly after calving, the other indicated the nadir to occur during early lactation. Neither BFT nor BCS were significantly associated with DCT. Heifers displayed thinner digital cushions compared with multiparous cows; however, this effect was dependent on the stage of lactation, with heifers having a thinner digital cushion up until late lactation, by which time DCT was commensurate with multiparous animals. Sole lesions and white line lesions at the time of measurement were associated with DCT (sole lesion: estimate = -0.07 mm, 95% CI = -0.14-0.00; white line lesion: estimate = 0.28 mm, 95% CI = 0.15-0.42).

A Prospective Cohort Study on the Periparturient Muscle Tissue Mobilisation in High Producing Dairy Cows.

Excessive periparturient fat mobilisation and its association with dairy cattle health and fertility is well documented; however, the role of muscle mobilisation has not been studied extensively. The objectives of this study were to (i) investigate the changes in the thickness of the longissimus dorsi muscle in high producing dairy cows during the periparturient period, (ii) identify factors associated with these changes, and (iii) describe their possible associations with cattle reproductive performance. Data were collected from a total of 500 lactations from 455 cows on three different UK farms. Muscle thickness (MT) (Longissimus dorsi) and back fat thickness (BFT) measurements were collected at three different time-points during the periparturient period using ultrasonography. Body condition score (BCS) was also assessed at the same time-points and blood samples were collected for the measurement of non-esterified fatty acids. Farm fertility records were used and genomically estimated breeding values were also available. Associations between variables were analysed with the use of multivariable linear and logistic regression models; Cox proportional hazard analysis was used for fertility outcomes. Muscle thickness decreased pre- to post-calving on all three farms, though they were notable between farm differences. Those animals with a lower BCS pre-calving had a higher MT loss; significant fat mobilisation occurred between the calving and early lactation period. Muscle thickness changes and fat mobilisation were not associated in this study. An increased time to first service was described for those animals that mobilised more muscle tissue. Our study advances the understanding of periparturient muscle tissue mobilisation in dairy cattle and highlights its potential associations with cattle fertility.