Complex Relationships between Milking-Induced Changes in Teat Structures and Their Pre-Milking Dimensions in Holstein...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Dairy Husbandry

Background:

• Milking-induced teat tissue changes are crucial for udder health.
• Understanding teat morphology's impact on these changes is essential for optimizing milking practices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between teat structure dimensions and their short-term response to milking.
• To determine optimal teat dimensions for minimizing milking-induced teat tissue alterations.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasonography was used to measure teat structures (length, canal length, barrel/apex thickness, wall/cistern width) in 38 Holstein cows.
• Measurements were taken before and after milking at three lactation stages (beginning, middle, end).

Main Results:

• Milking-induced changes in teat structures were significantly dependent on pre-milking dimensions.
• Teat barrel thickness and cistern width changes were influenced by all measured structures.
• Favorable changes were observed in teats with medium length, medium barrel/apex thickness, medium canal length, wider cisterns, and thinner walls.

Conclusions:

• Teat morphology plays a significant role in the short-term response to milking.
• Specific teat dimensions (medium length, thickness, canal length; wider cisterns; thinner walls) are associated with more favorable milking-induced changes.
• Findings can inform dairy management, milking equipment design, and machine settings to improve animal health and welfare.