novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows

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Chapter 5 - Proof of Concept of UWB for the Purpose of Oestrous Detection 5.1 INTRODUCTION Oestrous detection is a major contributor to poor fertility as only 50% of all cows are detected in standing oestrus (Van Eerdenburg et al., 2002), with no current improvements to this figure. Detection of oestrus is an essential prerequisite for AI, so arguably is the central event in bovine reproduction. Therefore increased oestrous detection rates are a necessity to improving dairy cow fertility and profitability of the dairy herd (Pecsok et al., 1994). In order to improve oestrous detection rates a method of oestrous detection must be developed which is both efficient and accurate at detecting oestrus (Senger, 1994); such as UWB, described in Chapter 4, which may provide a novel solution to the problem. Many attempts to develop automated methods of oestrous detection have not succeeded commercially for a variety of reasons. A possible solution to overcome the limitations of current oestrous detection techniques is to measure cow position rather than just activity. Global positioning system (GPS) is a possible solution to monitor 3D position, although GPS cannot determine a subjects’ precise position with accuracy indoors. Ultra-wide band (UWB) technology (as discussed in Chapter 4) has shown potential to accurately determine cows’ position with centimetre accuracy in the dairy barn and automatically detect both mounting and cows standing to be mounted. The position of cows and their interactions can be recorded by UWB and inferences made about their behaviour in order to detect oestrus. These behaviours can be detected in real-time, therefore can be used to determine the onset of oestrus and thus allow for accurately timed AI to coincide with ovulation and maximse conception rates. It is evident that UWB has the ability to overcome the limitations of current oestrous detection techniques. Aims of this study were to develop proof of concept of UWB to detect oestrus by focussing on: Developing software and communications to enable real time positioning and identification of cows approaching oestrus (mounting cows) and in standing oestrus (standing to be mounted) by monitoring their behaviour 104
Develop techniques for analysis of the real-time positioning information so that these data could be used in a commercial farm situation to detect oestrus, coupled with physiological measurements to confirm stage of the oestrous cycle, to confirm oestrus Develop communications to monitor a herd of several hundred cows, in real-time, to detect oestrus automatically 5.2 MATERIALS AND METHODS Three week long trials were carried out monitoring 3D cow positioning using Ultra-wide band (UWB) technology (as described in Chapter 4) for automatic detection of oestrus. In the first proof of concept trial 1 (POC 1) a UWB mobile unit (MU) was attached to a battery (12 Volts Maintenance free Sealed Lead-acid Battery, RS Components, Northants, UK) and mounted on the cow in a backpack (Cassidy Covers, Ireland; see Figure 4.4). In the second trial, proof of concept trial 2 (POC 2) and third trial, proof of concept trial 3 (POC 3), different batteries (12 Volt 22 Amp hours Tracer Lithium-Polymer Power Pack, Deben Group Industries Ltd., Suffolk, UK) were used as these had more power and required less frequent battery changes. 5.2.1 Animals Animals used in this study were Holstein Friesian dairy cows housed at Nottingham University Dairy Centre, as described in Chapter 2. In each trial 6 cows oestrous cycles were synchronised for them to come into oestrus during the trial for monitoring by UWB. Control cows were also used in each trial to compare UWB position recording between oestrus and non oestrus cows (negative control). In POC 1 three pregnant cows were monitored and 3 non-pregnant cows that did not come into oestrus as controls. In POC 2 and POC 3 two pregnant control cows were used in each trial. 5.2.2 Training All cows used in this study were trained with backpacks prior to the beginning of each trial to become familiar with the equipment and extra weight. All animals displayed natural behaviour; feeding, lying in cubicles 105
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NOVEL APPROACHES TO EXPRESSION AND
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TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
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2.2.3 Statistical Analyses ........
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5.3 RESULTS .......................
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Furthermore, automated software was
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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Hormonal
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LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1 Trends in
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ˚ ˚C μM 2D
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CHAPTER 1 - Introduction & Literatu
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the past 50 years and duration of o
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Oestrus growing follicle (Staigmill
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ecomes the main inhibitor of FSH an
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calf at 40-50 days post partum; inv
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al., 2006). However, aged sperm hav
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can occur within 2-3 days, but if t
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educes the incidence of problem cow
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oestradiol, the LH surge and ovulat
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The secondary signs of oestrus can
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There are also changes in normal be
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engage in more natural behaviours i
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1983). Exact explanations and mecha
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2006) and disruption of LH secretio
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1.4.3.2 Milk Yield and Nutrition Di
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influence the ability of the ovary
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cyclicity can be delayed if dietary
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indication for the optimal time to
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calving), 3) pre-breeding heat date
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1.5.2 Physiological Changes Physiol
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1.5.2.3 Body and Milk Temperature T
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physical activity and stage of the
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caused by the general environment t
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may be gained. This is because data
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In summary the objective was to for
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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 and 118: or that the cows were in an area of
Page 119: plane, but mostly in achieving high
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
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oestrus, h 2 =0.27 (Lovendahl et al
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The final section of this thesis de
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ate. By using UWB in a commercial s
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provides an insight the potential o
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BLOWEY, R. (2005) Factors associate
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ovine gonadotrophin releasing hormo
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GINTHER, O. J., KOT, K., KULICK, L.
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associated with embryonic survival
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ody condition at parturition on end
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Signs in a 24-h Tie-Stalled Dairy H
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SHERMAN, E. L., NKRUMAH, J. D., MUR
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Influence of negative energy balanc
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