The study aimed to explore if milkability parameters could reliably predict the dimensions of teat structures and their milking-induced changes. Ultrasonography repeatedly measured the teat structures of 48 Holstein cows from mid to late lactation. We found that milking-induced changes in each structure are affected by different milkability parameters. Regression models for teat canal change and length change were significant, and variability was found to be 46.03% and 21.50%, respectively. Similarly, the teat structure's dimensions significantly affected milkability parameters, which differed for each structure. However, regression models only explained between 3.36% (teat length) and 7.59% (cistern) of variability. The prediction potential, performed based on milkability, is limited if the initial dimensions of structures are not provided. If teat dimensions were measured at the beginning of the production life, automatically collected milkability data could be used to calculate milking-induced changes incurred with each milking and the development of teat dimensions over the production life. If perfected, this tool could provide alerts about critical milking-induced changes and risky teat conformation traits, as they have a proven effect on udder health and are reliable indicators of milking effectiveness.

• Klíčová slova
• dairy cows, milkability, precision agriculture, teat canal, udder health, ultrasonography,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

The main objective of this research communication was to explore the extent of milkability changes caused by the incidence of clinical mastitis. Our second objective was to investigate if the milkability of cows shortly before mastitis incidence significantly differed in comparison with healthy cows. Milk yield, milking time, average milk flow, partial milk flows and the occurrence of bimodal milk flows were monitored during the first 120 d in milk for all cows that calved on the farm during the experimental period (n = 127). A veterinarian diagnosed 27 cows with clinical mastitis, while the remaining healthy cows served as a control group. The period surrounding the mastitis was monitored in a timeline from 2 weeks before to 4 weeks after the diagnosis. We did not observe any significant differences in milkability between the healthy cows and the cows in the pre-mastitis period, which suggests that monitoring these might not be useful for early mastitis detection. Milk yield and milk flow were significantly decreased in the week of mastitis diagnosis compared to the pre-mastitis period. Milking time was not affected in the week of diagnosis, but was significantly increased in the following week, because milk yield returned to pre-mastitis values, but average milk flow was still significantly decreased. Milk yield was normalized to pre-mastitis values as the first of monitored parameters. Milk flow returned to pre-mastitis values in the fourth week after mastitis diagnosis. Milking time was the only parameter that was significantly affected up to a month after diagnosis. Our results showed that milkability changes caused by mastitis are significant and should not be ignored. The ability to adjust milking settings for cows diagnosed with mastitis could become a useful tool for improving mastitis treatment.

• Klíčová slova
• Dairy cow, milk flow, milk yield, milking settings, udder health,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

This study analyses udder measurements in Lacaune ewes, with a particular focus on the effects of the control year (2022-2023) and lactation order on various udder traits. The number of Lacaune ewes included in the study ranged from 57 to 86 for various variables, while the number of control measurements was between 49 and 111. Significant year-on-year variations were observed in teat size and position, with teats generally decreasing in size with age. The control year had a significant impact on udder length, width, and depth, as well as teat length and angle. Our findings indicate that optimal teat angles for milking are around 45°. The order of lactation (parity) had a significant impact on udder size, particularly udder depth and length, which increased by the third lactation. The older ewes exhibited longer teats and a more horizontal teat position, indicative of larger udder cisterns. The results of the udder cistern measurements taken using different methods showed that cistern size tends to increase with age. It was found that larger cisterns correlate with higher milk yields and faster milk letdown. Although the impact of lactation order on cistern measurements was not statistically significant, the 'from the bottom' method proved more effective for assessing cistern size. There was considerable variation in the milkability parameters, including machine-milked and total milk yield. The correlation between udder attachment and milk production was significant, which highlights the importance of a strong udder attachment for efficient milk yield. A notable positive correlation between udder width and milk production indicates that wider udders yield more milk in shorter periods. The study findings indicate that larger udder cisterns, particularly on the left side, are associated with greater milk production. As ewes age and progress through lactations, udder morphology improves, facilitating better milkability. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of specific udder traits in the selection of ewes with enhanced milk production potential for the Lacaune breed.

Diese Studie analysiert Eutermessungen bei Lacaune-Mutterschafen. Die Auswirkungen der Laktationsreihenfolge während den Kontrolljahren von 2022 und 2023 auf verschiedene Eutermerkmale wurden untersucht. Die Anzahl der in die Studie einbezogenen Lacaune-Mutterschafe lag für verschiedene Parameter zwischen 57 und 86 Tieren, während die Anzahl der Kontrollmessungen zwischen 49 und 111 lag. Es wurden erhebliche jährliche Schwankungen bei der Zitzengrösse und -position beobachtet, wobei die Zitzengrösse im Allgemeinen mit zunehmendem Alter abnahm. Das Kontrolljahr hatte einen erheblichen Einfluss auf Euterlänge, -breite und -tiefe sowie auf Zitzenlänge und -winkel. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass optimale Zitzenwinkel zum Melken bei etwa 45° liegen. Die Laktationsreihenfolge (Parität) hatte einen erheblichen Einfluss auf die Eutergrösse, insbesondere auf die Eutertiefe und -länge, die ab der dritten Laktation zunahmen. Die älteren Mutterschafe wiesen längere Zitzen und eine horizontalere Zitzenposition auf, was auf grössere Euterzisternen deutet. Die Euterzisternenmessungen wurden mit verschiedenen Methoden durchgeführt und zeigten, dass die Zisternengrösse mit zunehmendem Alter tendenziell zunimmt. Grössere Zisternen gehen mit einer höheren Milchleistung und einer schnelleren Milchabgabe einher. Obwohl der Einfluss der Laktationsreihenfolge auf die Zisternenmessungen statistisch nicht signifikant war, erwies sich die Methode «von unten» als effektiver für die Beurteilung der Zisternengrösse. Es gab erhebliche Unterschiede bei den Melkbarkeitsparametern, einschliesslich maschinell gemolkener Milch und Gesamtmilchleistung. Der Zusammenhang zwischen der Euterbefestigung und der Milchproduktion war signifikant, was die Bedeutung einer starken Euterbefestigung für eine effiziente Milchleistung unterstreicht. Eine bemerkenswerte positive Korrelation zwischen Euterbreite und Milchproduktion weist darauf hin, dass breitere Euter in kürzeren Zeiträumen mehr Milch liefern. Grössere Euterzisternen, insbesondere auf der linken Seite, sind mit einer höheren Milchproduktion verbunden. Mit zunehmendem Alter der Mutterschafe und fortschreitender Laktation verbessert sich die Eutermorphologie, was eine bessere Melkbarkeit ermöglicht. Diese Ergebnisse liefern eine wissenschaftliche Grundlage für die Verwendung spezifischer Eutermerkmale bei der Auswahl von Mutterschafen mit erhöhtem Milchproduktionspotenzial für die Lacaune-Rasse.

• Klíčová slova
• Brebis laitière, Dairy sheep, Euter, Mammary gland, Milchdrüse, Milchschafe, Pecore da latte, Udder, Ultraschall, Ultrasonography, ecografia, glande mammaire, mamelle, mammella, ­ghiandola mammaria, échographie,
• MeSH
• laktace * fyziologie   MeSH
• mléčné žlázy zvířat * anatomie a histologie   fyziologie   MeSH
• mlékárenství MeSH
• mléko * metabolismus   MeSH
• ovce fyziologie   anatomie a histologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH