Effects of housing, parturition and diet change on the biochemistry and biomechanics of the support structures of the hoof of dairy heifers.
Vet J
; 174(2): 277-87, 2007 Sep.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17110142
ABSTRACT
This study investigated effects of housing, diet and parturition on the biochemistry, biomechanics and pathology of feet of maiden, pregnant and lactating dairy heifers. Strength/laxity, laminar morphology, connective tissue (CT) biochemistry and sole lesions were assessed. Although no animals became clinically lame, severity of sole lesions was significantly greater in heifers housed in cubicles vs. straw yards, and in lactating/pregnant heifers vs. maidens. These effects were additive. Cubicle housing and parturition each increased CT metabolism (and were additive), and altered CT composition. Similarly, both impaired the biomechanical resilience of the hoof. There were no effects for diet. The results indicate that parturition/lactation causes non-inflammatory changes in CT that impair resilience of the feet to external stresses associated with poor housing. This "parturition effect" appears to be unrelated to change in diet and relatively brief, unless exacerbated by additional stresses of housing. Thus heifer lameness may be significantly reduced through short-term, low-cost improvements in husbandry around the time of calving.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Preñez
/
Enfermedades de los Bovinos
/
Industria Lechera
/
Parto
/
Enfermedades del Pie
/
Pezuñas y Garras
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Vet J
Asunto de la revista:
MEDICINA VETERINARIA
Año:
2007
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido