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    Methods to determine body fat reserves in the dairy cow with special regard to ultrasonographic measurement of back fat thickness (2006)

    Art
    Zeitschriftenartikel / wissenschaftlicher Beitrag
    Autoren
    Schröder, U. J.
    Staufenbiel, R.
    Quelle
    Journal of dairy science : JDS
    Bandzählung: 89
    Heftzählung: 1
    Seiten: 1 – 14
    ISSN: 0022-0302
    Sprache
    Englisch
    Verweise
    URL (Volltext): http://jds.fass.org
    Pubmed: 16357263
    Kontakt
    Nutztierklinik

    Königsweg 65
    14163 Berlin
    +49 30 838 62261
    klauentierklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

    Abstract / Zusammenfassung

    As the dairy cow uses body energy reserves in early lactation, body condition scoring has become an integral part of dairy herd management. Several methods based on visual and tactile evaluation have been developed. Problems caused by the subjectivity of these techniques have been reported. Alternative approaches to predict energy reserves or energy balance in dairy cattle include metabolic profiling and measurement of live weight, heart girth, or skinfold thickness. A less common method to assess fat reserves in body tissues is measuring backfat thickness (BFT) by using ultrasound. An ultrasound technique has been established to predict carcass quality in beef cattle. A new aspect is the application of ultrasound as a monitoring tool in dairy herd management where another location has to be evaluated. This technique has been validated by relating BFT to total body fat (TBF) content and carcass BFT. Backfat thickness also has been related to other methods of body condition scoring. Target values for the development of BFT throughout lactation are available. The relationship between BFT and TBF content is highly significant although biased by multiple factors. A change in BFT of 1 mm equates to approximately 5 kg of TBF content. Measuring BFT by ultrasound is of added value compared with other body condition scoring systems because it is objective and precise. Changes in body condition can be detected and evaluated properly.