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Pelvic dimensions in phenotypically double-muscled Belgian Blue cows
I Kolkman1, G Hoflack, S Aerts
1Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan, Merelbeke, Belgium. iris.kolkman@ugent.be
Reproduction in Domestic Animals = Zuchthygiene
|September 29, 2011
Summary
Belgian Blue cattle with larger body and pelvic measurements are more likely to calve naturally. Heart girth and withers height correlate strongly with pelvic dimensions, aiding breeders in selecting cows for vaginal calving and reducing caesarean sections.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Veterinary Medicine
- Genetics
Background:
- Belgian Blue cattle often require caesarean sections (CS) for calving due to potential dystocia.
- Understanding anatomical predictors of calving ease is crucial for breed improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare external anatomical measurements with internal pelvic dimensions in Belgian Blue cattle.
- To identify external indicators that predict successful vaginal calving (per vaginam).
Main Methods:
- Measured external dimensions (withers height, heart girth, tuber coxae distance, tuber ischiadicum distance) in 507 Belgian Blue cattle.
- Correlated external measurements with internal pelvic width, height, and area.
- Compared measurements between cows that calved vaginally and those requiring CS.
Main Results:
- Cows calving vaginally had significantly larger withers height, tuber coxae distance, tuber ischiadicum distance, pelvic height, and pelvic area.
- Heart girth and withers height showed strong positive correlations with internal pelvic measurements (r = 0.67-0.74).
- Tuber coxae distance also showed moderate correlation with pelvic measurements (r = 0.58-0.63).
Conclusions:
- External measurements, particularly heart girth and withers height, can predict pelvic dimensions and calving ease in Belgian Blue cattle.
- Incorporating these measurements into estimated breeding values (EBVs) can aid selection for vaginal calving.
- This selection strategy may reduce the breed's reliance on caesarean sections, preserving unique breed characteristics.
