A comparison of the estrous behavior of Holstein-Friesian cows when cubicle-housed and at pasture

doi:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.08.010

Theriogenology

Volume 77, Issue 2, 15 January 2012, Pages 382-388

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.08.010 Get rights and content

Abstract

This study compared estrous behavior of dairy cows kept in cubicle housing and fed a total mixed ration diet (HOUSED treatment) with that of cows kept at pasture with concentrate supplementation (PASTURE treatment). Behavior was compared both in the 48 h around standing estrus and during the standing estrus period. The 23 spring-calving Holstein-Friesians in each treatment were observed directly three times per day for nine weeks. The occurrence of nine selected behaviors associated with estrus was recorded during 20 min observation sessions. Twelve standing estrus events from each treatment were selected for analysis of the frequency of these nine behaviours over the 48 h around standing estrus. Milk progesterone profiles were used to confirm the dates of standing estrus events. Attempting to mount other cows, sniffing the anogenital region of other cows, resting the chin on other cows, receiving chin rests and head-to-head butts all showed significant changes in frequency in the 48 h around standing estrus in both treatments, reaching a peak during standing estrus (P ≤ 0.05). Mounting other cows increased significantly in the PASTURE treatment around standing estrus (P < 0.001), but not in the HOUSED treatment. The frequency of ano-genital sniffs received by the animals in the PASTURE treatment also increased significantly around standing estrus (P < 0.01) but not in the HOUSED treatment. When the animals were in standing estrus there was a significantly higher frequency of standing to be mounted in PASTURE than in HOUSED cows (median (q1, q3) PASTURE = 2.5 (1.0, 3.0), HOUSED = 0.0 (0.0, 1.0)) (P < 0.01), but no difference in the frequency of the other eight sexual behaviors recorded. HOUSED cows did not exhibit the same increase in mounting during the standing estrus period as PASTURE cows and received fewer mounts in observation sessions during standing estrus. These results have implications for the use of estrus detection systems that rely solely on mounting behavior in cubicle-housed dairy cows.

Introduction

In dairy herds using artificial insemination, efficient and accurate detection of estrus (as an indicator of ovulation) is essential to maintain good reproductive performance [1]. Poor estrus detection can result in financial losses for the farmer and an increase in the number of cows culled due to infertility [2]. The fertility of dairy cows has declined during recent decades and a contributing factor is a decline in estrus expression, which makes estrus detection more difficult [3]. Although there are now many estrus detection aids available [4], the most widespread method of estrus detection is still visual observation by farm staff. In a recent review of estrus in cows, the authors stated that ‘detection of estrus remains a major problem despite enormous progress in the knowledge of reproductive physiology of the cow and in development of estrus detection aids’ [4].

The primary behavioral sign of estrus is that the cow stands to be mounted by another cow or a bull [5]. The period between the first and last time the cow stands to be mounted is known as standing estrus. Many estrus detection methods use standing to be mounted as the only criterion signalling that a cow is in estrus, however there are also a number of other notable behavioral changes around this time [6], [7], [8]. These include increased chin resting, ano-genital licking and sniffing, aggressive interactions [8], an increase in mounting other cows [6], and increased activity [7].

The expression, and hence detection, of standing estrus is affected by a number of factors. These include the number of animals in estrus simultaneously [9], lameness [10], [11], age, lactation [12], [13], and genetic factors [14]. Estrus expression is also affected by aspects of the animals' environment [15]. Mounting behaviour in particular is likely to be reduced indoors for a number of reasons. Firstly, studies have shown that mounting behavior is reduced on concrete surfaces compared with dirt surfaces [16], [17]. Furthermore, space is generally limited indoors and this reduces the possibility of safe mounting and dismounting particularly if the stocking density is too high [18], [19]. Conversely, higher stocking densities in barns and cubicle houses compared with pasture increases the chances of animals meeting and interacting sexually [20]. Also, because of the higher energy content of the diet fed indoors, housed animals tend to spend less time feeding than those kept at pasture, leaving them more free time for sexual behavior [21]. These two factors suggest that the frequency of non-mounting sexual behaviours could be higher for animals in cubicle housing compared with those at pasture.

This study was carried out as part of a project comparing the welfare and production characteristics of dairy cows kept in a year-round cubicle housing system (zero grazing) with those of cows managed in a pasture-based system [22]. The aim of this study was to compare the sexual ethogram of cows in the 48 h around standing estrus kept in a pasture-based system with those kept in a cubicle housing system. It was hypothesized that the frequency of estrous behaviors that involved mounting (attempted mounting, mounting and standing to be mounted) would be decreased, while the frequency of other non-mounting sexual behaviors such as ano-genital licking and sniffing, chin resting and head-to-head butting would be increased in the cubicle house compared with at pasture.

Section snippets

Animals and treatments

This study was conducted between 26^th March and 1^st June 2008 at Moorepark Research Farm, Teagasc, Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork in the South of Ireland (55°10′ N, 8°16′ W). A total of 46 (12 primiparous, 34 pluriparous) spring-calving Holstein-Friesian cows were selected from the Moorepark herd. The pregnant animals were blocked and paired according to genetic merit for milk production, parity, expected calving date and body condition score and assigned randomly

Results

Table 2 shows the median frequency of each behavior in seven observation sessions around standing estrus for 12 standing estrus events in each treatment. There was no difference between the two treatments in the parity of the twelve animals used (mean ± SD; HOUSED = 3 ± 1.47, PASTURE = 2.5 ± 1.38; P = 0.401) or the mean rank of ovulation preceding the standing estrus event (HOUSED = 1.8 ± 0.84, PASTURE = 2.0 ± 0.74; P = 0.610). In the HOUSED treatment there were significant changes over the seven

Discussion

During the 48 h around standing estrus there were two behaviors for which there was a change of frequency in the pastured animals but not the housed animals—mounting other cows and receiving ano-genital sniffs. Although there was no increase in mounting in the 48 h around standing estrus by the housed animals, there was an increase in attempted mounts. This may indicate that a higher proportion of the mounts that were initiated in the cubicle house were unsuccessful, not necessarily because the

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the Irish Dairy Levy Research Fund. The authors thank John Paul Murphy and Jonathon Kenneally of Teagasc and Catia Lourenco from Oporto University, Portugal for their technical assistance and the Moorepark farm staff for their care of the experimental animals.

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Anogenital distance is associated with postpartum estrous activity, intensity of estrous expression, ovulation, and progesterone concentrations in lactating Holstein cows
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The objectives of this retrospective observational study were to determine the associations of anogenital distance (AGD) with (a) postpartum estrous activity, (b) diameter of the preovulatory follicle, (c) intensity of estrous expression, (d) postestrus ovulation, (e) corpus luteum (CL) size, and (f) concentrations of progesterone at estrus and on d 7 after estrus. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 178; 55 primiparous, 123 multiparous) were enrolled into the study during the first postpartum week. All cows were continuously monitored by a pedometer-based automated activity monitoring (AAM) system for estrus. Postpartum estrous activity was assessed using the AAM estrus alerts, in which cows with at least one true estrus alert (i.e., a relative increase in steps from each cow's baseline detected by the AAM and the presence of at least one follicle >15 mm, a CL <20 mm, or no CL detected by ultrasound) by the first 50 d in milk (DIM) were considered to have commenced estrous activity. At the estrus alert >60 DIM, ovulation was determined by ultrasound at 24 h, 48 h, and 7 d after estrus, and blood samples were collected at estrus alert and on d 7 after estrus for progesterone analysis. The AGD was measured from the center of the anus to the base of the clitoris and classified as either short- or long-AGD using 2 cut-points of 148 mm (predictive of the probability of pregnancy to first insemination; short-AGD, n = 115; long-AGD, n = 63) and 142 mm (the median AGD; short-AGD, n = 90; long-AGD, n = 88). Regardless of the cut-point used, early postpartum estrous activity by 50 DIM (67 vs. 54%), duration of estrus (11.6 vs. 9.7 h), and preovulatory follicle diameter (20 vs. 19 mm) were greater in short-AGD than in long-AGD cows. Increased peak of activity at estrus in short-AGD cows (354 vs. 258% mean relative increase) was affected by an interaction between AGD and parity in which multiparous long-AGD cows had lesser relative increase in activity than primiparous cows (217 vs. 386%, respectively). Mean progesterone concentration at estrus was lesser in short-AGD (0.47 vs. 0.61 ng/mL) than in long-AGD cows. The ovulatory response at 24 h did not differ, but at 48 h (91 vs. 78%) and on d 7 after estrus (97 vs. 84%) it was greater in short-AGD cows. Although CL diameter on d 7 after estrus did not differ, short-AGD cows had greater progesterone concentration 7 d after estrus than long-AGD cows (4.1 vs. 3.2 ng/mL, respectively). In conclusion, greater proportions of short-AGD cows commenced estrous activity by 50 DIM, had larger preovulatory follicles, exhibited greater duration of estrus, had reduced progesterone concentration at estrus, had greater ovulation rates and progesterone concentration 7 d after estrus compared with long-AGD cows, with no difference in CL size between AGD groups. Because all the differences in physiological characteristics of short-AGD cows reported herein favor improved reproductive outcomes, we infer that these are factors contributing to improved fertility reported in short-AGD cows compared with long-AGD cows.
Occurrence and greater intensity of estrus in recipient lactating dairy cows improve pregnancy per embryo transfer
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Citation Excerpt :
However, this behavior in lactating dairy cows is reduced (Rivera et al., 2010). The decrease in this behavior has been associated with high milk production (Lopez et al., 2004), freestall systems and the size of the herd (Britt et al., 1986; Palmer et al., 2012; Stevenson and Britt, 2017). Estrus behavior is induced once E2 concentrations reach an individual threshold.
The aim of this study was to determine the association between occurrence and intensity of estrous expression with pregnancy success in recipient lactating dairy cows subjected to embryo transfer (ET). Two observational studies were conducted. Holstein cows were synchronized using the same timed ET protocol, based on estradiol and progesterone in both experiments. At 9 d after the end of the timed ET protocol only animals that had ovulated were implanted with a 7-d embryo [experiment 1 (Exp. 1); n = 1,401 ET events from 1,045 cows, and experiment 2 (Exp. 2); n = 1,147 ET events from 657 cows]. Embryos were produced in vivo (Exp. 1 and Exp. 2) and in vitro (only Exp. 2), then transferred to recipient cows as fresh or frozen-thawed. Pregnancy was confirmed at 29 and 58 d after the end of timed ET protocol. In Exp. 1, animals had their estrous expression monitored through a tail chalk applied on the tail head of the cows and evaluated daily for chalk removal (no estrus: 100% of chalk remaining; estrus: <50% of chalk remaining). In Exp. 2, cows were continuously monitored by a leg-mounted automated activity monitor. Estrous expression was quantified using the relative increase in physical activity at estrus in relation to the days before estrus. Estrous expression was classified as no estrus [<100% relative increase in activity (RI)], weak intensity (100–299% RI), and strong intensity (≥300% RI). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance using mixed linear regression models (GLIMMIX) in SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). A total of 65.2% (914/1,401) and 89.2% (1,019/1,142) of cows from Exp. 1 and Exp. 2, respectively, displayed estrus at the end of the ovulation synchronization protocol. In Exp. 1, cows expressing estrus before to ET had greater pregnancy per ET than those that did not [41.0 ± 2.3% (381/914) vs. 31.5 ± 2.9% (151/487), respectively]. Similarly, in Exp. 2, cows classified in the strong intensity group had greater pregnancy per ET compared with cows in the weak intensity and no estrus groups [41.3 ± 2.2% (213/571) vs. 32.7 ± 2.7% (115/353) vs. 11.3 ± 3.5% (26/218), respectively]. There was no effect of ET type on pregnancy per ET in Exp. 1. However, in Exp. 2, cows that received an in vivo-produced embryo, either fresh or frozen, had greater pregnancy per ET compared with cows that received in vitro-produced embryo. Cows receiving embryos in the early blastocyst and blastocyst stage had greater fertility compared with cows receiving embryos in the morula stage. There was an interaction between the occurrence of estrus and the stage of embryo development on pregnancy per ET, cows which displayed estrus and received a morula or early blastocyst had greater pregnancy per ET than cows that did not display estrus. In conclusion, the occurrence and the intensity of estrous expression improved pregnancy per ET in recipient lactating dairy cows and thus could be used as a tool to assist in the decision making of reproduction strategies in dairy farms.
Dairy farmers’ heterogeneous preferences for animal welfare-enhancing flooring properties: A mixed logit approach applied in Sweden
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Claw and leg disorders associated with lameness are considered to be one of the most important animal welfare issues in dairy production , and is the major cause of mortality due to on-farm euthanasia (Alvåsen et al., 2014). Slippery floors impede the cows' movement and the dissipation of heat (Palmer et al., 2012; Telezhenko et al., 2017). Thus, inappropriate flooring systems may cause both lameness and impair reproduction, contributing to major economic losses in milk production (Hogeveen et al., 2017).
In this paper, we examine preferences for flooring properties that enhance animal welfare in dairy cattle barns among a sample of Swedish dairy farmers. The findings reveal that respondents differ in their choice of flooring properties that improve farm animal welfare. The findings also show that they consider low-slip risk and the softness of floors to be the most important properties. Findings from a latent variable model revealed that floor packaging and installation, workability and animal welfare are important factors that explain the respondents’ preferences for different types of floors. The findings demonstrate that dairy farmers who prefer soft, low-slip and less abrasive floors are influenced by the way the floors are incorporated and installed into the building design, the ease with which other tasks can be performed after installing the flooring and the welfare that the specific flooring provides for the animals. The findings contribute relevant insights that are needed for the promotion and adoption of farm management practices that improve animal welfare.
Monitoring estrous activity in pasture-based dairy cows
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Citation Excerpt :
The relative differences in activity between the studies may be explained by differences in genetics, environment and milk production. Mounting behaviour during estrus is reduced in cows managed in free-stall housing compared with pasture [9] and in cows producing ≥ 39.5 kg milk per d compared with cows producing < 39.5 kg milk per d [10]. In support of this, total milk yield during the first five weeks of lactation was negatively associated with duration of FlashMate activity (P = 0.04) and with duration of MooMonitor activity (P = 0.05).
Correctly identifying cows in estrus and inseminating them at the optimal time are critical components of reproductive management. Technologies for detecting cows in estrus have developed from tail paint in the 1970’s to automated activity monitors and mount detectors in recent decades. The objectives of this study were to identify animal characteristics associated with estrous behaviour, measured using a mount detector (FlashMate; Farmshed Labs) and an accelerometer-based activity monitor (Moomonitor, Dairymaster), to examine the relationship between estrous behaviour measured by both devices, and to examine the characteristics associated with pregnancy per AI. Four hundred and sixty eight lactating dairy cows managed on three research farms were enrolled and data were available from 465 cows and 369 cows with Moomonitor and FlashMate data, respectively. Of 234 cows that provided both Moomonitor and FlashMate data, the mean (±SEM) onset of device activation occurred 1.1 (±0.4) h earlier with the Moomonitor compared with the FlashMate. The mean (±SD) duration of Moomonitor activity and FlashMate activity was 17.2 ± 6.1 h and 8.7 ± 5.8 h, respectively. The duration of Moomonitor activity and FlashMate activity was negatively associated with total milk yield during the first five weeks of lactation. The duration of FlashMate activity, but not the duration of Moomonitor activity was positively associated with days in milk. Pregnancy per AI was positively associated with BCS, days in milk, the duration of FlashMate activity and the interval from the onset of Moomonitor and FlashMate activity to AI. Inseminating cows ≤2 h after FlashMate activation or ≤4 h after Moomonitor activation was associated with reduced odds of pregnancy compared with later timing of AI. Overall, 55% of cows received mounts for ≤8 h, highlighting the need for ≥3 periods of estrous observation daily or the use of estrous detection aids that continuously monitor cows. Finally, the study reiterated the importance of maximising body condition score and days in milk at breeding to increase behavioural expression of estrus and pregnancy per AI.
How German dairy farmers perceive advantages and disadvantages of grazing and how it relates to their milk production systems
2018, Livestock Science
Citation Excerpt :
Increasing herd sizes is another concern and grazing of large grazing herds is challenging and can cause damage to the sward and paths, particularly in areas with heavy soils and high rainfall. Advantages of grazing include better animal health (Washburn et al., 2002), in particular less incidences of mastitis (Hanson et al., 2013), less claw diseases (Armbrecht et al., 2018), and fewer problems with fertility (Palmer et al., 2012); generally, animal welfare is improved which was confirmed by Burow et al. (2013) who applied the welfare quality protocol (Welfare Quality, 2012). In addition, grazing farms have lower labor costs (Dartt et al., 1999; White et al., 2002) and lower feed costs (White et al., 2002; Tozer et al., 2003; Fontaneli et al., 2005).
Dairy farming in Europe and in Germany in particular, is characterized by a growing trend towards all-year-housing. Along with that the proportion of grass products as sources of energy for dairy cows is decreasing. On the other hand, society and politics strongly advocate grazing resulting in the introduction of pasture-milk programs. Little is known of the dairy farmers’ perception of grazing and it is not clear what role their attitude towards grazing plays in their decision-making and how this is related to farm structure. To investigate these questions, we conducted a survey with face-to-face interviews on three types of German dairy farms: i.) grazing farms (n = 17), ii) exercise-pasture farms (n = 19), and iii) all-year-housing farms (n = 18). On grazing farms, pasture contributes significantly to the ration of the cows (0.2 ha grassland with 0.1 ha as pasture per cow and year; at least 6 hours of grazing on 120 days per year). Exercise-pasture farms offer their cows a much more restricted access to rather small pastures. All-year-housing farms have no grazing for dairy at all but feed their cows grass silage and hay.
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We also discuss the influence of the human tendency to avoid cognitive dissonance on farmers’ responses. We conclude that in developing concepts to promote grazing, the differing attitudes and perceptions of dairy farmers and the interaction with differing farm structures need to be considered.
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This study assessed the slip resistance of different types of solid flooring in cattle housing using a range of technical tests and gait analysis. Dynamic and static coefficient of friction, skid resistance, and abrasiveness were tested on concrete flooring with a smooth finish, a grooved pattern, or a tamped pattern, acid-resistant mastic asphalt, soft rubber mats, and a worn slatted concrete floor. Coefficients of friction and skid resistance were tested under clean and slurry-soiled conditions. Linear kinematic variables were assessed in 40 cows with trackway measurements after the cows passed over the floors in a straight walk. All gait variables were assessed as deviations from those obtained on the slatted concrete floor, which was used as a baseline. The coefficient of friction tests divided the floors into 3 categories: concrete flooring, which had a low coefficient of friction (0.29–0.41); mastic asphalt flooring, which had medium values (0.38–0.45); and rubber mats, which had high values (0.49–0.57). The highest abrasion (g/10 m) was on the asphalt flooring (4.48), and the concrete flooring with a tamped pattern had significantly higher abrasiveness (2.77) than the other concrete floors (1.26–1.60). Lowest values on the skid-resistance tests (dry/wet) were for smooth concrete (79/35) and mastic asphalt (65/47), especially with a slurry layer on the surface. Gait analysis mainly differentiated floors with higher friction and abrasion by longer strides and better tracking. Step asymmetry was lower on floors with high skid-resistance values. The most secure cow gait, in almost every aspect, was observed on soft rubber mats. Relationships between gait variables and physical floor characteristics ranged from average to weak (partial correlations 0.54–0.16). Thus, none of the physical characteristics alone was informative enough to characterize slip resistance. With reference to gait analysis, the abrasiveness of the hard surfaces was more informative than the coefficient of friction, but the effect of pattern was better detected by skid-resistance measurements. Consequently, several physical characteristics are needed to objectively describe the slip resistance of cattle floors. Soft rubber mats gave better tracking than hard, solid floors, even with a grooved surface or a tamped pattern.

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Research articleA comparison of the estrous behavior of Holstein-Friesian cows when cubicle-housed and at pasture

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Animals and treatments

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgments

Factors affecting reproductive performance in Ontario dairy herds

Theriogenology

Time of ovulation in relation to mounting activity in dairy cattle

J Dairy Sci

Temporal trends in reproductive performance in Irish dairy herds and associated risk factors

Ir Vet J

When is a cow in estrus?Clinical and practical aspects

Theriogenology

Reproduction in Cattle

Mounting behavior as affected by stage of estrous cycle in Holstein heifers

J Dairy Sci

The increase in activity during oestrus in dairy cows

Appl Anim Behav Sci

A proposition for an updated behavioral characterisation of the oestrus period in dairy cows

Appl Anim Behav Sci

Estrous and related behavior in postpartum Holstein cows

Appl Anim Ethol

Effect of lameness on estrous behavior in crossbred cows

Theriogenology

Chronic stress, hormone profiles and estrus intensity in dairy cattle

Horm Behav

Interrelationships with estrous behavior and conception in dairy cattle

J Dairy Sci

Walking activity at estrus and subsequent fertility in dairy cows

Theriogenology

Genetic and environmental correlations among female fertility traits, and between the ability to show oestrus and milk production in dairy cattle

Acta Agric Scand A

Estrus detection and subsequent reproduction in dairy cows continuously housed indoors

J Dairy Sci

Determinants of Estrous Behavior in Lactating Holstein Cows

J Dairy Sci

Research article
A comparison of the estrous behavior of Holstein-Friesian cows when cubicle-housed and at pasture