• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to i) investigate genetic performance for linear type traits of individual Holstein dairy cows, especially focusing on comparative traits, and to estimate genetic variances for these traits using actual data, and ii) compare genetic performance and improvement of progeny by birth country of the cows. Linear type traits defined with five comparative traits on this study were general stature composite (GSC), dairy capacity composite (DCC), body size composite (BSC), foot and leg composite (FLC), and udder composite (UDC). These traits were scored from 1 to 6 with 1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, 4 = good plus, 5 = very good and 6 = excellent. Final scores (FS) were also included in this study. Data used was collected from the years 2000 to 2004 by the Korea Animal Improvement Association (KAIA). Only data of more than five tested cows by herd appraisal date and by sires having more than ten daughters were included to increase the reliability of the data analyses. A total of 30,204 records of the selected traits, which was collected from 26,701 individuals having pedigree information were used. Herd appraisal date, year of age, lactation stage (grouped by month), and time lagged for milking (in hours) were assumed as fixed effects on the model. Animal additive genetic effects considering pedigree relationship and residual errors were assumed with random effects. Year of age at appraisal date was classified from one to nine years of age, assigning the value of nine years of age for animals that were greater than or equal to nine years of age. From our results, the estimate for heritability was 0.463, 0.346, 0.473, 0.290, and 0.430 on GSC, DCC, BSC, FLC and UDC, respectively. The estimate for FS heritability was 0.539. The greatest breeding values for GSC were estimated for Canada, with the breeding values for American lines increasing for 10 years starting in 1989 but tending to decrease after that until 2004. For DCC, the breeding values for American and Canadian lines showed similar patterns until 1999, after which the breeding values for the American lines declined sharply. For BSC, data from Korea, Canada and the USA followed similar trends overall except when the breeding values of the American lines decreased starting in 1999. Overall, the methods used to evaluate genetic performance in this study were acceptable and allowed for the discovery of differences by country of genetic origin, likely due in part to the American use of selection indexes based primarily on milk yield traits until methods for evaluating other traits began to emerge.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.497-504
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• 2008

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to report prevalence and to identify risk factors of subclinical mastitis of dairy cattle in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Among 325 dairy farms of the district 12 farms(3.7%) were selected conveniently for this study. All the dairy cows of the 12 farms were selected for sample collection. Fresh milk samples from each of the selected dairy cows were collected aseptically in separate sterilized test tube as RF, RH, LF and LH quarter of the udder. Rapid modified White Side Test(WST) was used to detect subclinical mastitis(SCM). Results of WST and data derived from filled in questionnaire were entered in Microsoft Excel 2003 and transferred to $STATA^{(R)}$, version 8.0/Intercooled(Stata Corporation, Texas, USA, 2003). The overall prevalence of SCM and its distribution in different categories of variables in cow and their exact binomial 95% confidence intervals were calculated in $STATA^{(R)}$. Simple bivariable associations among independent variables were investigated by $x^2$ test in $STATA^{(R)}$. Multiple logistic regression analysis with backward elimination method was used to identify risk factors of SCM. To identify significant variation in quarter SCM, linear regression analysis was performed after arcsine transformation of the data. The overall prevalence of SCM found in this study is 54%. Dairy cows with teat lesions had significantly increased SCM(OR=12342, P value=0.000, 95% CI=762, 199798) than others without teat lesions. The Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwal breed has significantly decreased(OR=0.18, p=0.03, 95% CI 0.04, 0.85) SCM than other breeds. The prevalence of SCM found in this study is in agreement with others. The injury in the teat increases the probability of getting infected with microbes and thereby mastitis. If the prevalence of teat lesion can be decreased the probability of subclinical mastitis will also be decreased. The negatively associated Holstein Friesian X Jersey X Sahiwall breed may help in planning mastitis control program if this finding can be validated by a more powerful case-control or cohort study design.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the milk quality produced from dairy farms in Jeju province and to analyze the variety of pathogenes and the number of somatic cells in the milk. Data were collected from 262 lactating cows from 8 farms of three regions and the results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. The average daily milk yields and milk fat contents from June and October were 22.3 kg and 3.7%, respectively. 2. The average number of bacterial counts in raw milk was 1.5${\times}10^4$/ml, but that in farm A was over 3.0${\times}10^4$/ml. 3. The somatic cell counts were 2.5${\times}10^5$/ml in average and those in farm G and H were higher than those in other farms. Their distribution in 262 lactating cows from June to October was as follows; less than 2.0${\times}10^4$ /ml in 68.8% of cows, 2.0-5.0${\times}10^4$/ml in 18.8% of cows and more than 5.0${\times}10^4$/ml in 12.4% of cows. 4. Of the 113 isolates (compartments of cow udder) from mastitic milk, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 47, Streptococcus ogalatiae in 17 and Bacillus in 12. 5. The average monthly income of the farmers was 407 thousand won/head, and that in farm A or E was higher than that of farm H (456-475 thousand won vs. 314 thousand won) In conclusion, to improve income dairy farmers should reduce the somatic cell counts in the milk and mastitis infection through regular disinfection and inspection.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.788-794
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• 2013

Mastitis set apart as clinical and sub clinical is a disease complex of dairy cattle, with sub clinical being the most important economically. Of late, laboratories showed interest in developing biochemical markers to diagnose sub clinical mastitis (SCM) in herds. Many workers reported noteworthy alternation of acute phase proteins (APPs) and nitric oxide, (measured as nitrate+nitrite = NOx) in milk due to intra-mammary inflammation. But, the literature on validation of these parameters as indicators of SCM, particularly in riverine milch buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk is inadequate. Hence, the present study focused on comparing several APPs viz. ${\alpha}_1$-anti trypsin, ${\alpha}_1$-acid glycoprotein, fibrinogen and NOx as indicators of SCM in buffalo milk. These components in milk were estimated using standardized analytical protocols. Somatic cell count (SCC) was done microscopically. Microbial culture was done on 5% ovine blood agar. Of the 776 buffaloes (3,096 quarters) sampled, only 347 buffaloes comprising 496 quarters were found positive for SCM i.e. milk culture showed growth in blood agar with $SCC{\geq}2{\times}10^5$ cells/ml of milk. The cultural examination revealed Gram positive bacteria as the most prevalent etiological agent. It was observed that ${\alpha}_1$-anti trypsin and NOx had a highly significant (p<0.01) increase in SCM milk, whereas, the increase of ${\alpha}_1$-acid glycoprotein in infected milk was significant (p<0.05). Fibrinogen was below detection level in both healthy and SCM milk. The percent sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, predictive values and likelihood ratios were calculated taking bacterial culture examination and $SCC{\geq}2{\times}10^5$ cells/ml of milk as the benchmark. Udder profile correlation coefficient was also used. Allowing for statistical and epidemiological analysis, it was concluded that ${\alpha}_1$-anti trypsin indicates SCM irrespective of etiology, whereas ${\alpha}_1$-acid glycoprotein better diagnosed SCM caused by gram positive bacteria. NOx did not prove to be a good indicator of SCM. It is recommended measuring both ${\alpha}_1$-anti trypsin and ${\alpha}_1$-acid glycoprotein in milk to diagnose SCM in buffalo irrespective of etiology.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.343-348
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• 2004

The objective of the present study was to determine the plasma level of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in relation to mammary blood flow and milk yield including biological variables of relevance to milk synthesis in two different types of crossbred Holstein cattle at 3 different stages of lactation. Eight heifers were 87.5% HF and eight 50% HF animals were selected for the experiments. The three stages of lactation tested were: early lactation (30 days postpartum), mid-lactation (120 days postpartum) and late lactation (210 days postpartum). Animals in each group were fed a concentrate and rice straw treated with 5% urea as the source of roughage throughout the experiments. In early lactation, mammary blood flow and milk yield of 87.5% HF animals were significantly higher than those of 50% HF animals. In mid- and late lactation, both mammary blood flow and milk yield showed a proportional decrease from the early lactating period of 87.5% HF animals. The trends for persistency were observed in 50% HF animals as for udder blood flow and milk yield throughout the experimental periods. The plasma glucose level of the 50% HF animals was significantly higher than those of 87.5% HF animals in both early and mid-lactation. The concentrations of arterial plasma free fatty acids ($C_{16}\;to\;C_{18}$) were higher in 50% HF animals as compared with 87.5% HF animals in all periods of study. In early lactation, the concentration of plasma growth hormone (GH) of 87.5% HF animals was higher than those of the 50% HF animals, thereafter the mean level of plasma growth hormone declined in both mid- and late lactation. The concentration of plasma IGF-I of 50% HF animals was significantly higher than those of 87.5% HF animals in all stages of lactation. There were no differences among stages of lactation for the levels of plasma IGF-I, insulin and growth hormone in 50% HF animals. In 87.5% HF animals, the plasma levels of both IGF-I and insulin were lower in early lactating period while it showed an increase during mid- and late lactation. The present results indicated that the regulatory role for the higher mammary blood flow and milk yield during lactation in 87.5% HF are not mediated via the higher level of circulating IGF-I. Differences in mammary blood flow and milk yield between 50% HF and 87.5% HF animals are in part due to a higher concentration of circulating growth hormone. The lower level of circulating growth hormone in 50% HF animals would be regulated by higher levels of IGF-I, free fatty acid and glucose in plasma.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.691-696
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• 2005

Suckling piglets must avoid positions with high air velocity because they don’t have hypodermic fat. Therefore this study examined the effects of air ejection on the behaviors of sows and their piglets. Compressed air was released for 5s at 5s intervals between floor and udder of sows only when they were standing or sitting. Sixteen multiparous crossbred(Landrace×Yorkshire) sows and their piglets were used. Behaviors of sixteen sows and their piglets were recorded for 4 days postpartum, using the LED lamp(wavelength:950nm), CCD camera(Samsung SDC-411), multiplexer(Samsung SDM-080), and time lapsed VCR(Samsung SRV-30). The videotapes were scanned every 30s to obtain an instantaneous behavioral sample. The sow’s standing and sitting rates between control group(CG) and air ejection group(AEG) were not significantly different(P＞0.05). This means that air ejection does not affect the behavior of sows. Frequency of the suckling piglets’ behaviors closely related to the crushing by sows was lower in AEG than in CG(P＜0.05). These results suggest that air ejection may be available for reduction of the crushing of suckling piglets by sows.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.450-456
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• 2009

This study evaluated the efficacy of topical eprinomectin (0.5% pour-on solution, $Eprinex^{(R)}$, Merial) against Chorioptes texanus (C texanus) infestation in dairy cows reared in Korea. Dairy cows naturally infected with C texanus showed skin lesions as alopecia, erythema, excoriations and crusts on the tail head, the caudal folds, the back of udder and the rump area. Fourteen adult Holstein dairy cows with chorioptic mange at National Institute of Animal Science were selected on the basis of gross lesion and microscopic examination. Experimental dairy cows infected with chorioptic mange were treated with eprinomectin ($Eprinex^{(R)}$, Merial, France) at the rate of 1 ml /10 kg/BW. Evaluation of therapeutic effect is based on mite counts and gross lesion at weekly interval for 6 weeks. Milk yields were measured every day and calculate at the mean of milk yield at weekly interval. Mange mites absolutely removed after 1 week of topical eprinomectin against C. texanus infestation on dairy cows. The skin lesion of dairy cows infested with C. texanus recovered normal status after 6 weeks of eprinomectin treatment. After eprinomectin treatment, return to the normal level of milk yields in diary cows infested with C. texanus has indirectly indicated that C. texanus infestation have negative effect on productivity of dairy farm. However, it would be suggested that the investigation of actual condition and the effective control method of C. texanus infestation of dairy farms in Korea should be studied in the future.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 1984

In this study lactating female rabbits and strains of coliforms previously isolated from the cases of acute and chronic mastitis in dairy cattle were employed. The pathological changes were observed on the mastitis experimentally induced with the coliform strains and the mamary glands after infusions of E. coli suspension together with dexamethasone, dextran iron or transferrin were grossly and microscopically observed. From the results reported, the following points are concluded. In the bacterial suspension-infused groups by E. coli, K. pneumoniae and Ent. aerogenes, respectively, the affected quarters of udder showed grossly swelling, hyperemia, hemorrhage, focal necrosis and firmness. The microscopic findings of early stage of the mastitis were appearance of large numbers of heterophils in the glandular lumina and ducts accompanied by degeneration, necrosis and desquamation of epithelial cells and also infiltration of heterophils, hemorrhage and edema in the interstitial tissue and destruction of alveoli. Later, proliferation of fibroblasts, plasma cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils and macrophages appeared in the glandular tissue and with these cells necrotic foci of glandular tissue were surrounded by highly proliferated connective tissue. In addition, granulomatous inflammatory changes could be observed in the glandular tissue from the 7th day after infusion. The difference of the inflammatory response among the groups did not recognized. In the groups infused with dexamethasone and E. coli suspension the inflammatory response was slighter at the inflammatory change with alveolar destruction and hemorrhage was more rapid and severer than E. coli alone. Also in the groups infused with dextran iron and E. coli suspension the inflammatory change was more rapid and severer than E. coli alone and the histological changes were not recognized in the groups infused with dextran iron alone. Reaction of the iron staining was diffusely strong positive within the glandular alveolar lumina in the groups of dextran iron alone, hut was slightly positive toward epithelial cells in the groups of dextran iron and E. coli infusion. In the group infused with transferrin and E. coli suspension, the inflammatory response was tighter, but the peroxidase activity of the heterophils in the glandular lumina was more or less stronger than E. coli alone.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.517-524
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to investigate the environmental effects on duration time of milk flow, peak milk flow, and average milk flow in teats, and to estimate their relationships with milk yields in morning and evening milking, and to provide fimdamental information for the further study on their relationships with clinical mastitis and somatic cell in milk. A total of 6,768 milking records were studied in 72 Holstein cows. The influences of season, parity, lactation month, and milking interval on characteristics of milk flow considering in linear model were significant(p<.05). Duration of milk flow was longest at milking in fall, past first parity and second month of lactation, and with milking interval over than 13.5hrs. Average milk flow rate and peak milk flow rate were highest at milking in summer, past first parity and 8${\sim}$10 months of lactation, and with milking interval over than 13.5hrs. Milk flow rate was positively correlated to milk yield, and negatively correlated to the duration of milk flow. However duration milk flow was positively correlated to the milk yield with high level of correlation coefficient(+.60). For the establishment of optimum selection criteria on these traits, other aspects such as the udder health, disease and respective economic weights of milk flow characteristics in this study must be considered to develop the indices.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.137-144
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• 2017

A diverse of recommendation has been made for the structure and management of dairy cows, despite demanding research, the relationship between lactation number and various factors is yet to be established. The present study was aimed to investigate the covariance among lactation number, growth performance, calving interval, and milk production was considered to increase an efficiency of selection schemes and to manage more efficiently Holstein dairy cows that have been raised on small-scale family farms in Republic of Korea. For that purpose, the data were observed from 850 Holstein dairy cows, which a total of 3929 milking, since April 2016 - January 2017. We measured the body weight, height, age, calving interval, and milk production of the each dairy cow. Also, information about the date of lactation, calving interval, and milk production was recorded using an automatic milking system(AMS) with identification numbers. Milk production was calculated per udder quarter in the AMS. Our study results showed the increased average body weight(p>0.05) in 1, 2, 3, and $4^{th}$ lactating dairy cows and afterwards, we noticed the tendency on the average body weight(p<0.05) per lactation progressed. There was no significant difference noticed on height measurement of dairy cows. From the processing data of 850 Holstein dairy cows, the lactation number 1 and 7 had a greater calving interval with significantly lowered milk production, and the lactation number 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 had significantly lowered the calving interval(p<0.05) with a greater milk production. From our study results, we evidenced that there is a significant relationship between the lactation number, growth performance, calving interval, and milk yield, and the maximum production of milk occurring in the $3^{rd}$ and $4^{th}$ lactation dairy cows. The achieved results from this study can be used by the small-scale farmers to encourage the structure and management of growth performance, calving interval, and milk yield in Holstein dairy cows in Korea.