11 Prediction of birth weight in Japanese Black calves by measuring forelimb leg width
H. Kataoka A , T. Nishisouzu B , K. Imai A B and O. Dochi A BA Rakuno Gakuen University Graduate School, Ebestu, Hokkaido, Japan
B Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 34(2) 239-240 https://doi.org/10.1071/RDv34n2Ab11
Published: 7 December 2021
© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the IETS
Dystocia in cattle reduces postpartum fertility and leads to the loss of calves, thereby negatively impacting livestock farming. One of the main causes of dystocia is the larger size of fetuses relative to the birth canal of the dam. Hence, Caesarean delivery should be selected for large calves. Decisions on whether to perform Caesarean section should be made promptly to minimise the damage to the dam and calves; the prediction of the size of the calves will prove extremely helpful in this context. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the width of the forelimb leg of Japanese Black (JB) newborn calves and predict their birthweight (BW). Sixty-six JB newborn calves (25 males and 41 females) were evaluated, with BW being measured within 1 h after calving. Both sides of the width of the forelimb leg at four sites (distal phalanx (DP), middle phalanx (MP), proximal phalanx (PP), and metacarpal body (MB)) were measured using a caliper from the front side within 1 day postpartum. The relationship between forelimb leg width and BW was determined using correlation coefficients and ANOVA. Mean BWs were not significantly different between males (mean: 36.1 kg; range: 22.8–47.6 kg) and females (35.3 kg; 26.6–53.0 kg). The correlation coefficient (r2) between BW and each measurement site was highest in PP (0.83) followed by MP (0.81), DP (0.69), and MB (0.35). Moreover, the correlation coefficient between thickness and birthweight was low in all sites. The calves were divided into four groups according to BW: <30 kg (A), 30–35 kg (B), 35–40 kg (C), and ≥40 kg (D); and the width of each site was compared among groups. The widths of DP, MP, and PP were significantly different among all groups (P = <0.0010 to 0.0275), whereas MB width in group D was significantly greater than in the other groups (P = 0.0040 to 0.0239). These results indicate that BW can be estimated by measuring forelimb width of the fetuses. In addition, PP and DP were shown to be most suitable for estimating BW in JB calves.
