Hygiene-related and feed-related hoof diseases show different patterns of genetic correlations to clinical mastitis and female fertility

Abstract

Hoof diseases are a problem in many dairy herds. To study one aspect of the problem, genetic correlations between 4 hoof diseases, protein yield, clinical mastitis, number of inseminations, and days from calving to first insemination were estimated in first-parity Swedish Red cows using trivariate linear animal models. Occurrence of dermatitis, heel horn erosion, sole hemorrhage, and sole ulcer were reported by hoof trimmers. The data set contained about 314,000 animals with records on at least one of the traits; among these, about 64,000 animals had records on hoof diseases. Heritabilities were low for all hoof diseases (0.03 to 0.05). The hoof diseases fell into 2 groups: (1) dermatitis and heel horn erosion (i.e., diseases related to hygiene) and (2) sole hemorrhage and sole ulcer (i.e., diseases related to feeding). The genetic correlations between traits within the 2 groups were high (0.87 and 0.73, respectively), whereas the genetic correlations between traits in different groups were low (≤0.23). These results indicate that the 2 groups of hoof diseases are partly influenced by the same genes. All genetic correlations between hoof diseases and protein yield were low to moderate and unfavorable. Moderate and favorable genetic correlations were found between the feed-related hoof diseases and clinical mastitis (0.35 and 0.32), whereas the genetic correlations between the hygiene-related hoof diseases and clinical mastitis were low and not significantly different from zero. The genetic correlations between the hygiene-related hoof diseases and number of inseminations were low to moderate and favorable (0.32 and 0.22), and the genetic correlations between the feed-related hoof diseases and number of inseminations were low and not significantly different from zero. A moderate genetic correlation was found between sole ulcer and days from calving to first insemination (0.33), whereas the genetic correlations between days from calving to first insemination and sole hemorrhage and the hygiene-related hoof diseases were low and not significantly different from zero. In general, the 2 groups of hoof diseases showed different patterns of genetic correlations to the other functional traits, but both were unfavorably correlated to protein yield. A simulation study showed that inclusion of hoof diseases in the selection index will not only reduce the genetic decline in resistance to hoof diseases but also be favorable for other functional traits and improve overall genetic merit.

Genetic parameters for production, health, fertility and longevity traits in dairy cows

“…This indicates that an improvement in one trait may also lead to an improvement in the other. Buch et al (2011) reported moderate genetic correlations between mastitis with hoof diseases, sole ulcer and sole haemorrhage, in first-parity Swedish Red cows, which were 0.32 and 0.35, respectively, which were similar to estimates in this study (0.36 to 0.38). Other studies have found a relationship between locomotion with udder conformation traits, which are both type traits used as predictors of udder health and lameness (Boelling and Pollott 1998;Van Dorp et al, 2004;Onyiro and Brotherstone 2008).…”

“…In addition, with increasing age the udder depth increases caused by higher milk yields of maturer cows and by loosening of the main tendon (Fascia trunci) that holds the udder, thus likely to impede locomotion. However, SCS, a predictor of mastitis, was not significantly genetically correlated with lameness, which was similarly observed by Buch et al (2011) when examining four hoof diseases.…”

Profile and genetic parameters of dairy cattle locomotion score and lameness across lactation

“…Genetic correlations between these traits (not shown) were not statistically different from zero (P > 0.05). A positive genetic correlation between milk yield and lameness is reported in the literature (Van Dorp et al, 1998;Koenig et al, 2005;Buch et al, 2011). Our results suggest that phenotypic correlations in Figure 6 mainly illustrate an unfavourable environmental correlation; lame cows have lower feed intake and consequently, lower milk yield.…”

“…Selection for improved conformation of feet and legs is considered to result in cows less vulnerable to lameness (Koenig et al, 2005;van der Linde et al, 2010). Many authors also concluded that inclusion of specific claw health traits in a 'lameness index' would result in faster genetic progress (Koenig et al, 2005;van der Linde et al, 2010;Buch et al, 2011). Swalve et al (2008), working with sires' estimated breeding values, concluded that feet and legs conformation traits would not be of great aid in reducing lameness.…”

“…Early heritability estimates of specific foot diseases/lesions (Koenig et al, 2005;van der Waaij et al, 2005) ranged from 0.01 to 0.11; more recent ones range from 0.03 to 0.07 van der Linde et al, 2010;Buch et al, 2011). Reported genetic correlations with body condition score (Van Dorp et al, 2004; and reproductive performance (Buch et al, 2011;Zink et al, 2011) were unfavourable; on the other hand, they were favourable with milk yield and milk component traits (Van Dorp et al, 1998;Buch et al, 2011). None of these studies discriminate between before and after first calving or between different stages of lactation.…”