Maternal Behavior in Beef Cattle: The Physiology, Assessment and Future Directions—A Review

Abstract

Bovine maternal behavior is known to be influenced by a variety of factors including hormonal mediation, breed, age, parity, host genetics and general management practices. Following centuries of varying levels of domestication processes, the behavior of the bovine cow has altered from that of her original wild ungulate ancestors, although many maternal instincts have remained unchanged. The influence of maternal behavior on calf health and performance is of interest to cow-calf beef production operations, as in most instances, the cow is solely responsible for rearing the calf until weaning. However, investigating the magnitude of this influence is challenging, in part because objective measurement of behavioral traits is difficult, particularly in extensive settings. In recent years, while a number of remote monitoring devices have been developed that afford opportunities for objective measurement of behavioral traits in livestock, characterization of physiological mechanisms that underlie superior maternal behavior, including identification of potential biomarkers remains elusive in cattle. Hormonal profiles during the periparturient period have been shown to influence behavioral patterns in both current and future generations in other mammalian species and may provide insights into the physiology of bovine maternal behavior. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe general characteristics of bovine maternal behavior and the factors known to influence it, including hormonal drivers, through which cross-reference to other species is made. Current methods of measuring and assessing behavior that may also be applicable to most production settings have also been reviewed. At present, there is no known hormonal assay that can be used to measure and/or reliably predict bovine maternal behavior post-calving or across generations. Being able to objectively assess superior maternal behavior, whether that be through remote monitoring, hormonal profiling or indirectly through measuring calf performance will be beneficial to livestock industries in the future.

The Role of Oxytocin in Domestic Animal’s Maternal Care: Parturition, Bonding, and Lactation

“…Maternal care is a series of species-specific behavioral patterns to ensure the offspring’s survival [ 78 ]. They include interactions such as nursing, attention, and protection of the neonate [ 20 ].…”

“…According to the species in question, the results can be variable regarding the function of the OXT. Although OXT and other biomarkers such as PRL, AVP, or cortisone are used to study maternal behavior, some limitations exist [ 78 ], as Ogi et al [ 7 ] reported in 25 Labrador Retriever dogs. They found no association between salivary OXT levels and maternal behaviors, except for sniffing or poking the newborn.…”

A protein-coding gene expression atlas from the brain of pregnant and non-pregnant goats

“…This gene is responsible for the synthesis of dopamine, essential for a healthy pregnancy (Gratz et al, 2018). Dopamine is a key modulator of maternal behavior in rodents, partly because it inhibits the pituitary release of prolactin which modulates lactation, corpora lutea function (in certain species), and maternal behavior (Nevard et al, 2022).…”

Genomic Selection for Dairy Cattle Behaviour Considering Novel Traits in a Changing Technical Production Environment

“…Breed differences seem to exist for dopamine secretion, with significantly higher levels in Simmental compared to Brahman and Nguni cattle [111]. The neurotransmitters noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin are involved in maternal behaviour in non-bovine species [112]. However, the role of neurotransmitters and their interplay with other hormones around the time of parturition in dairy cows is currently unknown.…”

“…Instead, Coria-Avila et al [59] showed that maternal behaviour (e.g., licking and nursing) is evoked by changes in the progesterone-estradiol (P4/E2) ratio, and by the oxytocin concentration. Besides progesterone and estradiol, the hormones oxytocin and prolactin are crucial to regulating maternal behaviour during the periparturient period [112]. Oxytocin is secreted from the posterior pituitary gland of the brain, while prolactin is produced by the anterior pituitary gland.…”