novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows

More documents

Recommendations

Info

meant that for future trials the maximum number of cows could only be 12; 12 MU and 8 BU, sampling at 2Hz, relaying precise position at twice per second. 4.3.3.3 24 Hour Trial The purpose of the 24 hour trial was to ensure natural behaviour occurred in all cows whilst wearing the backpacks, and to test whether recording by UWB could continue for a longer period of time. Initially 15 cows were involved in a 24 hour trial, although due to units ‘dropping out’ (because of the maximum UWB unit number as discussed above); the positioning data of only 12 cows was recorded over 24 hours. Importantly monitoring of the 12 cows for 24 hours continued without problem, except for battery power failing and the need to change batteries to ensure the MUs continued to communicate position in order to obtain, as much data as possible. Data from this trial confirmed that UWB position of 12 cows can be recorded continuously, and that all cows display natural behaviour when wearing the backpacks. Data from the 24 hour trial was also analysed via an automated script, and results compared against CCTV records (as detailed in section 4.3.3.1). During this trial no cow showed oestrus. However, 4 incidences of false mounting were reported upon script analysis, involving only 6 cows; therefore maximum number of 2 mounts occurred, according to the script, per cow. This data was therefore not indicative of oestrus due to the insignificant number of mounts occurring in a 24 period, and mounts were confirmed as false positives by post-trial CCTV analysis. In summary, 12 cows can be monitored accurately using UWB, even in positions where signal quality may be poor. UWB is capable of recording precise cow movements and importantly oestrous behaviour, recording changes in height and the positional relationship between 2 cows engaging in this activity. 4.4 CONCLUSION The aim of this work was to develop UWB as a novel technology with the potential to monitor oestrous detection in dairy cows. Particular challenges were the environment of the dairy which could affect accuracy of position. Optimising BU positioning led to precise positioning in 3 dimensions, 2 to 3cm accuracy in horizontal axes and approximate 10cm accuracy in vertical 102
plane, but mostly in achieving higher precision. Most importantly these data have demonstrated that oestrus can be detected in dairy cows; identify the mounting cow and the cow standing to be mounted. Limitations of this work arose due to the prototype set up of UWB, although equipment had been tested and problems resolved to ensure the capability for longer– term monitoring of dairy cows. The results from the preliminary tests provide definitive evidence that UWB could be used for the purpose of oestrous detection. Future work would be to develop proof of concept trials to test UWB for the purpose of oestrous detection, monitoring dairy cow behaviour continuously, in real-time for automated detection of oestrus. 103
Page 1 and 2:
NOVEL APPROACHES TO EXPRESSION AND
Page 3 and 4:
TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 5 and 6:
2.2.3 Statistical Analyses ........
Page 7 and 8:
5.3 RESULTS .......................
Page 9 and 10:
Furthermore, automated software was
Page 11 and 12:
LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Hormonal
Page 13 and 14:
LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1 Trends in
Page 15 and 16:
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ˚ ˚C μM 2D
Page 17 and 18:
CHAPTER 1 - Introduction & Literatu
Page 19 and 20:
the past 50 years and duration of o
Page 21 and 22:
Oestrus growing follicle (Staigmill
Page 23 and 24:
ecomes the main inhibitor of FSH an
Page 25 and 26:
calf at 40-50 days post partum; inv
Page 27 and 28:
al., 2006). However, aged sperm hav
Page 29 and 30:
can occur within 2-3 days, but if t
Page 31 and 32:
educes the incidence of problem cow
Page 33 and 34:
oestradiol, the LH surge and ovulat
Page 35 and 36:
The secondary signs of oestrus can
Page 37 and 38:
There are also changes in normal be
Page 39 and 40:
engage in more natural behaviours i
Page 41 and 42:
1983). Exact explanations and mecha
Page 43 and 44:
2006) and disruption of LH secretio
Page 45 and 46:
1.4.3.2 Milk Yield and Nutrition Di
Page 47 and 48:
influence the ability of the ovary
Page 49 and 50:
cyclicity can be delayed if dietary
Page 51 and 52:
indication for the optimal time to
Page 53 and 54:
calving), 3) pre-breeding heat date
Page 55 and 56:
1.5.2 Physiological Changes Physiol
Page 57 and 58:
1.5.2.3 Body and Milk Temperature T
Page 59 and 60:
physical activity and stage of the
Page 61 and 62:
caused by the general environment t
Page 63 and 64:
may be gained. This is because data
Page 65 and 66:
In summary the objective was to for
Page 67 and 68: diet, with concentrates at milking.
Page 69 and 70: oestrus was defined as 3 consecutiv
Page 71 and 72: The interaction between parity and
Page 73 and 74: individual oestrus was not signific
Page 75 and 76: Table 2.4 The effects of the intera
Page 77 and 78: (361 vs. 578 points, respectively,
Page 79 and 80: oestrous expression with increasing
Page 81 and 82: the blood (Sangsritavong et al., 20
Page 83 and 84: CHAPTER 3 - Single Nucleotide Polym
Page 85 and 86: population owing to previous select
Page 87 and 88: Table 3.1 Cont. Follicle Stimulatin
Page 89 and 90: 3.2.4 Sequencing of DNA in the Labo
Page 91 and 92: was achieved. PCR products were rem
Page 93 and 94: 3.4 DISCUSSION The objectives of th
Page 95 and 96: fertility and oestrous expression.
Page 97 and 98: CHAPTER 4 - Development of a Novel
Page 99 and 100: In summary UWB seems a good option
Page 101 and 102: Initial tests were carried out to i
Page 103 and 104: Therefore this demonstrates that X
Page 105 and 106: which is most important for achievi
Page 107 and 108: Figure 4.9 Horizontal - Vertical Di
Page 109 and 110: that UWB is matching the ‘truth
Page 111 and 112: mounting cow. For example height ch
Page 113 and 114: Backpack 1 st put on in AI stalls E
Page 115 and 116: Cows’ behaviour was assessed at 5
Page 117: or that the cows were in an area of
Page 121 and 122: Develop techniques for analysis of
Page 123 and 124: in elastic silicone moulded over a
Page 125 and 126: and time of mount, duration of moun
Page 127 and 128: observed matched with increases in
Page 129 and 130: 5.3 RESULTS Results demonstrate pos
Page 131 and 132: Figure 5.2 Graph showing mounting b
Page 133 and 134: Table 5.1 Results from POC 2 showin
Page 135 and 136: Table 5.3 Efficiency and accuracy o
Page 137 and 138: oestrus and oestrus it is clear to
Page 139 and 140: P4 Concentration, ng/ml P4 Concentr
Page 147 and 148: Activity Activity Activity Activity
Page 153 and 154: 5.4 DISCUSSION The aim of this work
Page 155 and 156: averaged 70% which was lower than t
Page 157 and 158: when the cows lie down, especially
Page 159 and 160: the level of oestrous activity was
Page 161 and 162: technology larger herds must be mon
Page 163 and 164: monitoring could also monitor non-l
Page 165 and 166: antennae which could affect accurac
Page 167 and 168: predispose cows to illness e.g. met
Page 169 and 170:
CHAPTER 6 - Overall Discussion & Co
Page 171 and 172:
oestrus, h 2 =0.27 (Lovendahl et al
Page 173 and 174:
The final section of this thesis de
Page 175 and 176:
ate. By using UWB in a commercial s
Page 177 and 178:
provides an insight the potential o
Page 179 and 180:
BLOWEY, R. (2005) Factors associate
Page 181 and 182:
ovine gonadotrophin releasing hormo
Page 183 and 184:
GINTHER, O. J., KOT, K., KULICK, L.
Page 185 and 186:
associated with embryonic survival
Page 187 and 188:
ody condition at parturition on end
Page 189 and 190:
Signs in a 24-h Tie-Stalled Dairy H
Page 191 and 192:
SHERMAN, E. L., NKRUMAH, J. D., MUR
Page 193 and 194:
Influence of negative energy balanc
show all

novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?