Udder health of dairy cows is related to their productivity and welfare. The period from dry-off to calving and early lactation is crucial. Ultrasonography is a useful and practical tool for the examination of the mammary parenchyma and blood flow. This observational study investigated the relationship between udder echotexture features, blood flow volume (BFVol) in the milk vein, milk somatic cell count (SCC) and daily milk yield (DMY) from late lactation, throughout the dry period and consecutive early lactation. Seventeen repeated measurements were performed on twenty-one Holstein cows. The udder parenchyma was examined with B-mode ultrasonography. Udder echotexture was studied using 15 features: Numerical Pixel Value (NPV), Pixel Standard Deviation (PSD), Skewness, Excess, Contrast, Homogeneity, Correlation, Entropy, Run Percentage, Long-Run Emphasis, Grey Value Distribution, Runlength Distribution, Gradient Mean Value, Gradient Variance and Percentage of Non-zero Gradients. Blood flow in the milk vein was examined with spectral Doppler. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to investigate relationships between BFVol, udder echotexture features, SCC and DMY throughout the study period. Our models showed that a 1 kg increase in DMY was associated with a significant increase of 0.25 L/min in the expected BFVol and that a 1,000,000-cells/mL increase in SCC was associated with a significant BFVol decrease of 0.49 L/min, keeping all other variables constant. Multivariable models showed significant associations between DMY and NPV, between PSD and Long-Run Emphasis, and between SCC and NPV, PSD, Gradient Mean Value, Homogeneity, Gradient Variance and Entropy. In conclusion, udder echotexture and BFVol in the milk vein are related to SCC and milk yield. Ultrasonography can be used for the comprehensive assessment of udder health in support of precision dairy farming.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10252054PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani13111779DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

blood flow
16
udder echotexture
16
milk yield
12
milk vein
12
udder
8
dairy cows
8
somatic cell
8
cell count
8
dry period
8
udder health
8

Similar Publications

Clinical Outcomes in A Multi-center Cohort Involving 919 Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia-associated Acute Pancreatitis.

Am J Gastroenterol

January 2025

Center for Biomarker Discovery and Validation, National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine (PUMCH), Institute of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objectives: Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP) is one of the most common etiologies of acute pancreatitis (AP) worldwide. Compared to other etiologies, patients with HTG-AP may develop more severe AP, but previous studies yielded controversial conclusion due to the lack of adequate adjustment for the confounders. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the possibility and risk factors of developing severe AP in HTG-AP.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a critical ophthalmic emergency with a high risk of significant visual impairment. While traditional treatment aims to promptly restore blood flow to the retina, recent research has investigated the potential benefits of anticoagulation therapy for managing this condition. This paper reviews current literature and clinical trials investigating the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapies, such as systemic heparinization and direct oral anticoagulants and aspirin, in treating RAO.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is widely used to treat carotid artery stenosis (CAS). However, the effects of CEA on unilateral CAS-induced cognitive impairment and the underlying mechanism remain poorly understood.

Methods And Results: Thirteen patients diagnosed with unilateral severe CAS underwent pre- and post-CEA assessments, including fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging, cognitive assessments, and routine blood tests before and after CEA.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) commonly have autonomic dysreflexia (AD) with increased sympathetic activity. After SCI, individuals have decreased baroreflex sensitivity and increased vascular responsiveness.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between baroreflex and blood vessel sensitivity with AD symptoms.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The first evidence that Orthopoxvirus induced the expansion and the recall of effector innate Vδ2T-cells was described in a macaque model. Although, an engagement of αβ T-cells specific response in patients infected with human monkeypox (Mpox) was demonstrated, little is known about the role of γδ T-cells during Mpox infection. IFN-γ-producing γδ T-cells in the resistance to poxviruses may a key role in inducing a protective type 1 memory immunity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!