Stillbirths in Holstein heifers – some results from Swedish research

Gustafsson, H.; Kindahl, H.; Berglund, B.

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-49-s1-s17

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…This is 3-fold higher than the Swiss average in the last three years and also higher than that described by Bleul [6]. This high PM rate in Holstein calves may reflect the high PM rates on these high risk farms, but our results might also support an association between the introgression of North American Holstein sires' genes and high stillbirth rate [7,34,35].…”

Section: Journal Pre-proofsupporting

confidence: 48%

Evaluation of an investigative model in dairy herds with high calf perinatal mortality rates in Switzerland

et al. 2020

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The objective of this study was to evaluate an investigative model which encompassed the risk factors, incidence, timing and causes of perinatal mortality (PM) (0 to 48h) on high risk dairy farms (PM of >5% in the previous year) in Switzerland. This pilot-study was carried out on 47 predominantly Holstein PM calves from 21 dairy farms, between September 2016 and January 2018.Gross pathological examinations of calves and placentae as well as histopathological examinations of internal organs and placental tissue were performed. Further investigations included microbiological examinations: broad-spectrum bacterial and fungal culture, detection of Chlamydia abortus, Coxiella burnetii, pathogenic Leptospira spp. and Neospora caninum by real-time PCR (qPCR) and of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) by Ag-ELISA. Maternal blood samples were used for serology of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), Brucella abortus, Chlamydia abortus, Coxiella burnetii and nine pathogenic leptospiral serovars and the evaluation of trace element status. A questionnaire was completed with the farmer, which included general farm characteristics and case-related data. Inbreeding coefficients (IC) were calculated for pure-bred matings.At the farm-level, the PM rate was 10.0% (5.3-28.2%) and at the cow-level, 11.5%. These values, from high-risk farms, were approximately five-times higher than the contemporary national bovine PM rate (2.3%) in Switzerland. The risk factors associated with these high PM rates were the self-selection of high risk herds, the high proportion of primiparae in these herds (45%) and the evidence of widespread pathogenic infections on these farms (exposure: 67% of herds, 53% of dams; infection: 57% of herds, 45% of calves). The majority (68.1%) of calves died intrapartum. The most commonly diagnosed initiating/ultimate cause of death (UCOD) was infection (34%) of which Coxiella burnetii was the most frequently detected pathogen, by antigen.The most frequently diagnosed proximate cause of death (PCOD) was asphyxia (44.7%), though multiple PCOD was also common (21.3%). This study was the first detailed investigation of bovine PM in Switzerland. Infectious causes were diagnosed more frequently than expected. While the findings from these high PM Swiss herds may have limited external validity, the investigative model adopted and the detailed research Journal Pre-proof 4 methodologies employed can be replicated and re-evaluated, respectively, in future studies on PM internationally.

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Section: Journal Pre-proofsupporting

confidence: 48%

Evaluation of an investigative model in dairy herds with high calf perinatal mortality rates in Switzerland

et al. 2020

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“…A recent pilot study in Dutch dairy herds failed to link high perinatal losses with these traditional causes [ 67 ]. Recent Swedish research indicates that increased perinatal mortality in Holstein-Friesian heifers cannot be attributed to increases in difficult calving and that calf vitality may be a critical factor [ 77 ]. A genetic predisposition has been posited due to the large variation in perinatal mortality in the daughters of different sires.…”

Section: Why Do So Many Calves Die?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Do So Many Calves Die on Modern Dairy Farms and What Can We Do about Calf Welfare in the Future?

Mee

2013

Animals

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Simple SummaryHigh calf loss rates are an international welfare problem though this is often not recognised. These loss rates have increased in recent years. Improvement in calf survival rates is dependent upon re-prioritization of this problem relative to other animal health and welfare issues and creation of awareness of this prioritization. Once the problem is recognised action needs to be taken at national and at farm levels, specifically on problem farms. Data recording, research, breeding, veterinary, extension and farmer organisations all have a role to play in improving bovine neonatal survival and hence improving animal welfare in the future.AbstractPoor bovine neonatal survival rates are an international animal welfare issue. The key modifiable risk factors associated with such loss are age at first calving in primiparae, calf breed, gender and gestation length and calving management. The primary causes of mortality in the perinatal period are calving problems, in particular dystocia, defined as both difficult and abnormal calvings. Calf loss rates are rising on modern dairy farms in many countries internationally. High calf loss rates are often not recognised at national or at farm-level; recording needs to be improved. Improving bovine neonatal survival requires re-prioritization of this issue. Stakeholders need to be made cognisant of this prioritization. Actions to effect change need to occur at both national and farm-levels. National-level actions need firstly to address raising awareness of the issue. Farm-level actions need to focus on identifiable problem farms through targeted surveillance. Application of existing knowledge to alter modifiable risk factors is the key to improving calf welfare in the future. Research also has a role to play in filling knowledge gaps in particular about the ‘unexplained stillbirth’.

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“…Recently, it has been reported that management may also affect the prevalence of stillbirth (Szenci, Nagy, Takács, Mádl, & Bajcsy, ). Other causes of stillbirths not related to calving difficulties can be like maternal metabolic disorder, infection (BVD), insufficient placenta development/function or neonatal congenital malformation (Gustafsson, Kindahl, & Berglund, ). Since the viability of the calf might play an important role in stillbirth, monitoring foetal well‐being might be crucial (Kindahl et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prediction of stillbirth in Holstein‐Friesian dairy cattle by measuring metabolic and endocrine parameters during the peripartal period

Szenci

Abdelmegeid

Solymosi

et al. 2018

Reprod Domestic Animals

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The aim of this study was to determine whether measurements of certain metabolic (non-esterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, total protein, albumin, urea-nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, total calcium, inorganic phosphate and magnesium) and endocrine (cortisol, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, insulin and insulin-like growth factor) parameters in the peripartal period (2 months and 3 weeks before expected calving and within 1 hr after calving) were related to the prevalence of stillbirth in a Holstein-Friesian farm in Hungary. All together 155 dairy cattle (n = 22 primiparous, n = 133 multiparous cows) were monitored in two separate years selected randomly on the same farm. Overall, the prevalence of stillbirth was 11% (n = 17). Significantly higher stillbirth rate was detected in case of heifer calvings (OR = 8.5), and when ≥3 assistants (severe dystocia; OR = 8.9) were needed to assist at calving while the body condition score of the dams, the bodyweight and gender of the newborn calves, the percentage of posterior presentations had no significant effect on stillbirth rate. There were no significant differences between cows without and with stillbirth in case of any measured metabolic and endocrine parameters during the examined time periods. At the same time, some of the metabolic parameters (TP, AST and inorg.P) showed some significant differences among the stillbirth groups, but stillbirth could not be predicted by the measured parameters and therefore the role of metabolic and/or endocrine changes on the prevalence of stillbirth needs further elucidation.

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Stillbirths in Holstein heifers – some results from Swedish research

Cited by 10 publications

References 7 publications

Evaluation of an investigative model in dairy herds with high calf perinatal mortality rates in Switzerland

Evaluation of an investigative model in dairy herds with high calf perinatal mortality rates in Switzerland

Why Do So Many Calves Die on Modern Dairy Farms and What Can We Do about Calf Welfare in the Future?

Prediction of stillbirth in Holstein‐Friesian dairy cattle by measuring metabolic and endocrine parameters during the peripartal period

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