Publications by authors named "M Beltman"

Background: Development of the cow-calf bond post-partum and passive immunity of calves from spring-calving beef × beef (B×B) and beef × dairy (B×D) cow genotypes was determined using primiparous and multiparous (Experiment 1), and primiparous and second-parity (Experiment 2) animals. In Experiment 1, calves either suckled colostrum naturally ('natural-suckling') (n = 126), or were fed colostrum, using an oesophageal-tube ('artificially-fed') (n = 26), from their dam within 1-h post-partum. In Experiment 2, all calves (n = 60) were artificially-fed colostrum from their dam.

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Background: Penile fibropapilloma is a condition caused by bovine papilloma virus and is frequently encountered in young bulls. Penile fibropapillomatosis is thought to be spread through homosexual mounting behaviour. Fibropapillomas of the penis are painful, often bleed and can impede normal intromission.

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Article Synopsis
  • Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is linked to ovarian reserve, with maternal and environmental factors influencing its levels during early fetal development in dairy heifers.
  • This study aimed to investigate if maternal growth before conception and early gestation affects AMH concentrations in female offspring, with a hypothesis that excessive growth would lead to lower AMH levels.
  • Results indicated that increasing maternal growth linked to an initial pregnancy diagnosis correlated with reduced AMH in calves, though this accounted for only a small portion of variability in AMH levels.
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Heifers that conceive early in the breeding season are key to the maintenance of a compact calving pattern in seasonal dairy herds. The purpose of this prospective observational study was to determine whether a single pre-breeding examination is useful in predicting future reproductive and calving performance in dairy heifers. This evaluation was based on a matrix of easily measurable variables which could be applied to seasonal, pasture-based dairy heifers.

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