DEVELOPMENT AND ULTRASONIC ASSESSMENT OF THE PRECISION OF BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) SYSTEM AS A PREDICTOR FOR PRODUCTION, REPRODUCTION AND HEALTH PERFORMANCE OF MURRAH BUFFALOES
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Date
2009-02
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, TIRUPATI – 517 502,A.P
Abstract
ABSTRACT:
Body Condition Score (BCS) system is a subjective scoring
method of evaluating the energy reserves of dairy animals which
provide the better understanding of biological relationship
between body fat, milk production and reproduction that helps in
adopting the optimum managemental practices to derive
maximum production and maintain better health status.
In the present study new BCS system was developed for
Murrah buffaloes. The skeletal check points were identified by
spotting out the anatomical features which enabled to assess the
fat reserves easily and by measuring the amount of fat reserves in
slaughtered animals. The scores were assigned in a 1 to 5 scale
based on the amount of fat reserves in slaughtered animals. The
skeletal check points identified were kept in order based on the
amount of carcass fat reserves and scores assigned to prepare
preliminary BCS chart in a 1 to 5 scale using 0.25 increments.
The BCS chart was further modified by correcting the demerits
and a new BCS chart in a 1 to 5 scale using 0.5 increments
examining eight skeletal check points was developed. BCS was
assigned using the chart developed and the new BCS system
developed was found to be precise and consistent.
The new BCS system developed was subjected for precision
in 10 buffaloes for each point of the 1-5 scale by ultrasonographic
measurements of body fat reserves. The ultrasonographic
measurements showed that the fat reserves were higher at the
point between tail head to pins and as the BCS increased the
amount of fat reserves also increased indicating that BCS
adequately reflected in the amount of actual fat reserves. BCS was
significantly correlated (0.86) with the carcass fat reserves as well
as ultrasonographic fat reserves (0.85) and ultrasonography has
the potential to determine fat thickness with a high degree of
accuracy.
The effect of BCS at calving on the reproductive performance
studied in 24 buffaloes in a 4 x 6 CRD showed that increase in
body weight of 80.33 kg was observed for every one unit increase
of BCSc between BCSc groups of 2.5 – 2.99 and 3.5 – 3.99 and
82.34 kg between BCSc groups of 3.0 – 3.49 and 4.0 – 4.49.
Buffaloes of BCSc above 3.5 with significantly (P < 0.01) higher
body weights showed better reproductive performance compared
to buffaloes of BCSc groups below 3.5 with less body weights. The
prepartum and weekly postpartum changes in BCS studied
showed that the buffaloes gained a BCS of 0.57 from 3 months
prepartum to one week prepartum, lost 0.17 BCS due to calving,
further showed a decline in BCS upto 9 weeks of postpartum and
then started regaining BCS gradually until 18 weeks postpartum.
The mean LBCS over the period of 18 weeks postpartum was
comparatively higher (0.75 ± 0.05) than BCS restored in the early
lactation which was shown as GBCS (0.34 ± 0.02). The difference
of 0.41 units between LBCS and GBCS was observed over a period
of 18 weeks postpartum.
Buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5 – 3.99 showed the best
reproduction performance among the four BCSc groups with less
postpartum estrus period (46.66 days), service period (58.83
days), number of service per conception (1.50) and high rate of
1st service conception (66.66%) followed by the BCSc groups of 4.0
– 4.49, 3.0 – 3.49 and 2.5 – 2.99. Buffaloes should have the target
condition scores of minimum BCS of 3.25-3.5 at three months
prepartum, 3.5-3.99 at calving, 2.75 to 3.0 at around 8 weeks
postpartum and 3.0 to 3.25 by 18 weeks postpartum so that they
can show good reproductive performance.
The resumption of ovarian activity was observed at mean
values of 47.25 ± 2.39, 42.0 ± 2.91, 29.33 ± 3.33 and 39.33 ± 4.21
days for the BCSc groups of 2.5 – 2.99, 3.0 – 3.49, 3.5 – 3.99 and
4.0 – 4.49 respectively. Buffaloes of BCSc group 3.5 – 3.99 showed
significantly (P < 0.05) earlier resumption of ovarian activity. The
breeding efficiency was significantly (P < 0.01) higher for buffaloes
of BCSc group 3.5 – 3.99.
The monthly postpartum changes in BCS showed that BCS
decreased from calving to two months of lactation and then
gradually increased. Inverse relationship was observed between
monthly BCS and milk yield.
The lactation curve characteristics studied in relation to
BCSc in 40 buffaloes in a 4 x 10 CRD, showed that the milk
production increased from calving until two months of lactation,
reaching peak production and then gradually showed a decline for
all the BCSc groups of the test herd. The total milk yield upto 18
weeks of lactation was higher for the BCSc group of 3.5 - 3.99. For
every one unit increase in BCSc, an increase of 395.27 kg in the
18 weeks lactation yield was observed. But as the BCSc exceeded
3.99 a decrease in milk yield was noticed. The predicted lactation
yield was higher for the BCSc group of 3.5-3.99. For every one
unit increase in BCSc an increase of 759.55 kg was observed in
the predicted lactation yield. But as the BCSc exceeded 3.99 the
predicted yield showed a decline. The peak milk yield was higher
for the BCSc group 3.5-3.99. For every one unit increase in BCSc,
an increase of 4.57 kg of peak yield was noticed. Further, the peak
yield and persistency index showed a decrease as BCSc exceeded
3.99. For every one unit increase in BCSc an increase of milk fat
per cent of 1.8 and 2.0 was observed at 6-8 weeks and 16-18
weeks after calving, respectively. For every one unit increase in
BCSc an increase of milk protein / SNF of 0.55 and 0.54 was
observed at 6-8 weeks and 16-18 weeks after calving respectively.
As the BCS increased from 6-8 weeks after calving to 16-18 weeks
after calving the milk components i.e., fat, protein and SNF
showed an increasing trend.
Buffaloes of BCS below 3.5 were more prone to mastitis,
anoestrum and retained placenta indicating that thin buffaloes in
negative energy balance were more susceptible to health
disorders.
Description
Keywords
BODY CONDITION SCORE; BCS; MURRAH BUFFALOES;