Effects of parity, calving season, and previous lactation's milk yield on fertility of dairy cows on a commercial farm.

This study investigated the effects of parity, season, and the previous lactation's milk yield on fertility in dairy cows. A total of 5,514 calving records for Holstein cows that calved between 2016 and 2018 on a single large dairy farm in Japan were used for analysis. The proportion of cows that get pregnant by 360 days after calving was defined as the percentage of all cows eligible for breeding that became pregnant.

Customized Tracking Algorithm for Robust Cattle Detection and Tracking in Occlusion Environments.

Ensuring precise calving time prediction necessitates the adoption of an automatic and precisely accurate cattle tracking system. Nowadays, cattle tracking can be challenging due to the complexity of their environment and the potential for missed or false detections. Most existing deep-learning tracking algorithms face challenges when dealing with track-ID switch cases caused by cattle occlusion.

Cow detection and tracking system utilizing multi-feature tracking algorithm.

In modern cattle farm management systems, video-based monitoring has become important in analyzing the high-level behavior of cattle for monitoring their health and predicting calving for providing timely assistance. Conventionally, sensors have been used for detecting and tracking their activities. As the body-attached sensors cause stress, video cameras can be used as an alternative.

Prediction of 24-h and 6-h Periods before Calving Using a Multimodal Tail-Attached Device Equipped with a Thermistor and 3-Axis Accelerometer through Supervised Machine Learning.

In this study, we developed calving prediction models for 24-h and 6-h periods before calving using data on physiological (tail skin temperature) and behavioral (activity intensity, lying time, posture change, and tail raising) parameters obtained using a multimodal tail-attached device (tail sensor). The efficiencies of the models were validated under tethering (tie-stall) and untethering (free-stall and individual pen) conditions. Data were collected from 33 and 30 pregnant cattle under tethering and untethering conditions, respectively, from approximately 15 days before the expected calving date.

Theileria-free grazing of dairy heifers on grassland in Kyushu, Japan where T. orientalis was epidemic before a 7-year vacancy.

This study aimed to produce a Theileria-free grazing system for Holstein heifers reared on a dairy farm in the Hita area, Kyushu, Japan. In the grazing area, spreading of T. orientalis infection was confirmed in 2009.

Eimeria pragensis infection alters the gut microenvironment to favor extrinsic shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonization in mice.

We examined the effects of Eimeria pragensis infection on intestinal peristalsis, goblet cell proliferation and intestinal flora in C57BL/6 mice. Intestinal peristalsis was evaluated by radiography using barium at 7 days post-infection (p.i.

An Absorbing Markov Chain Model to Predict Dairy Cow Calving Time.

Abnormal behavioral changes in the regular daily mobility routine of a pregnant dairy cow can be an indicator or early sign to recognize when a calving event is imminent. Image processing technology and statistical approaches can be effectively used to achieve a more accurate result in predicting the time of calving. We hypothesize that data collected using a 360-degree camera to monitor cows before and during calving can be used to establish the daily activities of individual pregnant cows and to detect changes in their routine.

Effects of Infection on Health Status and Productivity of Dairy Cows Reared inside Barns.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of on the severity of anemia, the prevalence of disease within 21 days after calving and productivity in cows raised inside barns. This longitudinal observational study, which was conducted on a commercial dairy farm in Japan, involved 627 Holstein cows subjected to PCR analysis for . In study 1, we collected blood samples from 156 sick cows within 21 days after calving, and we found the prevalence of infection to be 65.

Activity-Integrated Hidden Markov Model to Predict Calving Time.

Accurately predicting when calving will occur can provide great value in managing a dairy farm since it provides personnel with the ability to determine whether assistance is necessary. Not providing such assistance when necessary could prolong the calving process, negatively affecting the health of both mother cow and calf. Such prolongation could lead to multiple illnesses.

A large-scale survey of Theileria orientalis infection in grazing dairy heifers in Kyushu, Japan.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Theileria orientalis infection and the influence of this disease on dairy grazing heifers in Kyushu by monitoring red blood cell (RBC) indexes, and to evaluate the efficacy of diminazene diaceturate treatment of T. orientalis-infected animals. A monthly epidemiological survey was conducted for Holstein heifers, which were reared from 10 to 16 months of age on a large commercial dairy farm and grazed on eight independent grasslands from April to November, 2009.

Epidemiological study to investigate the incidence and prevalence of clinical mastitis, peracute mastitis, metabolic disorders and peripartum disorders, on a dairy farm in a temperate zone in Japan.

Background: Our aim was to investigate the incidence and prevalence of clinical mastitis, peracute mastitis, metabolic disorders, and peripartum disorders, and to examine factors affecting the prevalence of each disease in cows raised on a large dairy farm in a temperate climate in Japan. The present study was performed on a large commercial dairy farm with approximately 2500 Holstein cows. Data were collected from 2014 to 2018, and involved 9663 calving records for 4256 cows.

Body Condition Score Estimation Based on Regression Analysis Using a 3D Camera.

The Body Condition Score (BCS) for cows indicates their energy reserves, the scoring for which ranges from very thin to overweight. These measurements are especially useful during calving, as well as early lactation. Achieving a correct BCS helps avoid calving difficulties, losses and other health problems.

Technical note: Calving prediction in dairy cattle based on continuous measurements of ventral tail base skin temperature using supervised machine learning.

In this study, we developed a calving prediction model based on continuous measurements of ventral tail base skin temperature (ST) with supervised machine learning and evaluated the predictive ability of the model in 2 dairy farms with distinct cattle management practices. The ST data were collected at 2- or 10-min intervals from 105 and 33 pregnant cattle (mean ± standard deviation: 2.2 ± 1.

Genetic characteristics of feral Misaki horses based on polymorphisms of microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA.

The Misaki horse is a Japanese native horse, known as the "feral horse of Cape Toi". In this study, we acquired the genetic information to establish their studbook, and analyzed their genetic characteristics for conservation. We genotyped 32 microsatellites and a mitochondrial D-loop region in 77 Misaki horses (80.

Hepatoprotective immune response during Trichinella spiralis infection in mice.

Infections with gastrointestinal nematodes provoke immune and inflammatory responses mediated by cytokines released from T-helper type-2 (Th2) cells. Infections with Trichinella species have been reported to differ by the host species. Previously, in rats, we observed acute liver inflammation in response to infection with Trichinella spiralis, and the rat hosts showed a series of biochemical changes characterized by a decrease in serum paraoxonase (PON) 1 activity associated with the down-regulation of hepatic PON1 synthesis.

Evaluation of the natural vertical transmission of Theileria orientalis.

Bovine theileriosis, caused by Theileria orientalis, is endemic from East Asia to Oceania. Even though the disease is mainly transmitted by Haemaphysalis ticks, the T. orientalis parasite can also be transmitted vertically.

Exploration of factors determining milk production by Holstein cows raised on a dairy farm in a temperate climate area.

In this study, we examined factors that affected milk production by cows raised in a temperate climate area. We conducted this study on a large dairy farm containing approximately 2000 Holstein cows, located in a temperate climate area. We collected 7803 calving records for 4069 cows from 2012 to 2016.

First intermediate hosts of Paragonimus spp. in Vietnam and identification of intramolluscan stages of different Paragonimus species.

Background: Members of the genus Paragonimus require at least three hosts in their life-cycles. The obligatory first intermediate hosts are freshwater snails. In Vietnam, although seven Paragonimus species have been recorded, the natural first intermediate hosts of almost all species have not been confirmed.

New hematological key for bovine leukemia virus-infected Japanese Black cattle.

The European Community's (EC) Key, which is also called Bendixen's Key, is a well-established bovine leukemia virus (BLV) diagnostic method that classifies cattle according to the absolute lymphocyte count and age. The EC Key was originally designed for dairy cattle and is not necessarily suitable for Japanese Black (JB) beef cattle. This study revealed the lymphocyte counts in the BLV-free and -infected JB cattle were significantly lower than those in the Holstein cattle.

Intrauterine infection with bovine leukemia virus in pregnant dam with high viral load.

Enzootic bovine leukemia is caused by the bovine leukemia virus (BLV). BLV is transmitted vertically or horizontally through the transfer of infected cells via direct contact, through milk, insect bites and contaminated iatrogenic procedures. However, we lacked direct evidence of intrauterine infection.

Development of LAMP assays for the molecular detection of taeniid infection in canine in Tibetan rural area.

For field-identification of taeniid cestodes in canine animals in Tibetan area, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assays for Echinococcus multilocularis, E. shiquicus, Taenia hydatigena, T. multiceps, T.

Cattle with the BoLA class II DRB3*0902 allele have significantly lower bovine leukemia proviral loads.

The bovine MHC (BoLA) class II DRB3 alleles are associated with polyclonal expansion of lymphocytes caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infection in cattle. To examine whether the DRB3*0902 allele, one of the resistance-associated alleles, is associated with the proviral load, we measured BLV proviral load of BLV-infected cattle and clarified their DRB3 alleles. Fifty-seven animals with DRB3*0902 were identified out of 835 BLV-infected cattle and had significantly lower proviral load (P<0.

Infection with Paragonimus westermani of boar-hunting dogs in Western Japan maintained via artificial feeding with wild boar meat by hunters.

Infection of boar-hunting dogs with Paragonimus westermani was investigated in Western Japan. Blood and rectal feces were collected from 441 dogs in the three districts (205 in Kinki, 131 in Chugoku and 105 in Shikoku District). In a screening ELISA for serum antibody against P.

Phylogenetic analysis of env gene of bovine leukemia virus strains spread in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan.

To understand how the latest dominant bovine leukemia virus (BLV) strains were introduced and spread in the Miyazaki prefecture, we collected blood samples from 3 geographic areas (north, central and south) and carried out sequence analysis of the BLV env gene. Two genotypes, genotype I, and III, were identified and the majority of the strains belonged to genotype I (71/74). To clarify a route of BLV introduction, we divided the strains into 20 subgenotypes based on their nucleotide sequences and performed phylogenetic analysis.

Paraoxonase-1 activity is related to Trichinella spiralis-induced hepatitis in rats.

Background: Little is known about the potential adverse effects of a chronic zoonotic nematode Trichinella spiralis infection on hepatic inflammation and its relationship to paraoxonase (PON)-1 and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities. Therefore, we aimed to examine the effects of T. spiralis infection on hepatic synthesis of PON1.