In this study, the incomplete gamma function, an exponential function, a mixed-log function and a polynomial function were evaluated to describe the lactation curve in Moroccan Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Data from 1990 to 1999, comprising 77130 monthly milk yields of 6029 dairy cows in 280 dairy herds, were used. Edits were carried out by considering the lactation length (5 d and

The signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) genes are responsive to a wide range of cytokines, growth factors, and hormones, and thus control important biological processes. In humans, STAT4 mutations have been identified as genetic markers for rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and primary Sjögren's syndrome, whereas little research has been conducted on bovine...

The objective of this study was to evaluate four mathematical models with regards to their fit to lactation curves of Holstein cows from herds raised in the southwestern region of the state of Parana, Brazil. Initially, 42,281 milk production records from 2005 to 2011 were obtained from "Associação Paranaense de Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Holandesa (APCBRH)". Data lacking dates of drying and ...

We previously showed that telomere lengths of 10 somatic cell cloned cows were significantly shorter than normal. In this study, we investigated growth, reproduction, and lactation in these animals to determine if shortened telomeres have any effect on these characteristics. Six Holstein and 4 Jersey cloned cows, derived from oviduct cells, were reared under general group feeding. Body weights ...

The aim in this study was to estimate variance components and heritability of different longevity measures related to productive life and survival at a specified age, using linear and threshold models, to specify the more appropriate measure to express longevity in Brazilian Holstein cows. Production and reproduction records of Holstein cows were collected from 1991 to 2010, for cows born betwe...

Standard Lactation Curves were derived for South African Holstein and Jersey cows, using 20 herd-, 18 ageand six season classes. Six herd classes were below and 13 above the average production level for both breeds. A standard lactation curve was estimated for each combination of herd-, ageand season class, which resulted in 2 160 curves per trait per breed. Variation in Holstein yields was muc...

this study utilized daily records of 2000 egyptian holstein dairy cows. the productive, reproductive and economic data during a whole lactation season were recorded for healthy and mastitis cows. two risk factors for mastitis were included, parity and season of calving. mastitis cows had significant (p

The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence, risk factors and consequent effect of dystocia on lactation performance in Holstein dairy cows in Iran. The data set consisted of 55,577 calving records on 30,879 Holstein cows in 30 dairy herds for the period March 2000 to April 2009. Factors affecting dystocia were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression models through t...

Pedigree information of 3972 Holstein cows and bulls, from 1961 to 2008, was used to calculate inbreeding coefficients and their effects on production traits and subclinical mastitis of dairy farm cows inAzerbaijan province,Iran. Inbreeding was included in a linear mixed model as a class variable. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED of SAS by MIVQUE method. Results showed that average inbre...

The milk production, energy balance (EB), endocrine and metabolite profiles of 10 New Zealand Holstein Friesian (NZ) cows and 10 North American Holstein Friesian (NA) cows were compared. The NA cows had greater peak milk yields and total lactation milk yields (7387 v. 6208 kg; s.e.d. = 359), lower milk fat and similar protein concentrations compared with the NZ cows. Body weight (BW) was greate...