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Body composition and performance of autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows during lactation: non-carcass component weights

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2017

M.J. Gibb
Affiliation:
A.F.R.C. Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 SLR
W.E. Ivings
Affiliation:
A.F.R.C. Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 SLR
J.D. Sutton
Affiliation:
A.F.R.C. Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 SLR
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Extract

In order to understand the complex changes associated with lactation in the dairy cow it is necessary to assess the contribution of the non-carcass components. It has been shown with sheep (Cowan, Robinson, Greenhalgh and McHattie, 1979) that a number of tissues may be mobilised during lactation with a redistribution of tissues particularly towards the gut and udder, and that diet may have a significant effect. Butler-Hogg, Wood and Bines (1985), using Friesian dairy cows showed changes in the weights of guts, internal fat depots (omental, mesenteric and perinephric) and liver with stage of lactation although the number of stages examined was somewhat limited. The present experiment investigates changes in non-carcass component weights at 9 points over the first 29 weeks of lactation and with 3 levels of concentrate supplementation.

Type
Dairy Cow Metabolism and Nutrition
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1992

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References

Butler-Hogg, B.W., Wood, J.D. and Bines, J.A. (1985). Fat partitioning in British Friesian cows: the influence of physiological state on dissected body composition. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 104: 519528.Google Scholar
Cowan, R.T., Robinson, J.J., Greenhalgh, J.F.D. and McHattie, I. (1979). Body composition changes in lactating ewes estimated by serial slaughter and deuterium dilution. Animal Production 29: 8190.Google Scholar
Sutton, J.D., Aston, K., Beever, D.E. and Fisher, W.J. (1992). Body composition and performance of autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian dairy cows during lactation: Food intake, milk constituent output and live weight. Summaries BSAP Winter meeting.Google Scholar