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Nevard RP, Pant SD, Broster JC, Norman ST, Stephen CP. Maternal Behavior in Beef Cattle: The Physiology, Assessment and Future Directions-A Review. Vet Sci 2022; 10:vetsci10010010. [PMID: 36669011 PMCID: PMC9863767 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine maternal behavior is known to be influenced by a variety of factors including hormonal mediation, breed, age, parity, host genetics and general management practices. Following centuries of varying levels of domestication processes, the behavior of the bovine cow has altered from that of her original wild ungulate ancestors, although many maternal instincts have remained unchanged. The influence of maternal behavior on calf health and performance is of interest to cow-calf beef production operations, as in most instances, the cow is solely responsible for rearing the calf until weaning. However, investigating the magnitude of this influence is challenging, in part because objective measurement of behavioral traits is difficult, particularly in extensive settings. In recent years, while a number of remote monitoring devices have been developed that afford opportunities for objective measurement of behavioral traits in livestock, characterization of physiological mechanisms that underlie superior maternal behavior, including identification of potential biomarkers remains elusive in cattle. Hormonal profiles during the periparturient period have been shown to influence behavioral patterns in both current and future generations in other mammalian species and may provide insights into the physiology of bovine maternal behavior. Therefore, the aim of this review is to describe general characteristics of bovine maternal behavior and the factors known to influence it, including hormonal drivers, through which cross-reference to other species is made. Current methods of measuring and assessing behavior that may also be applicable to most production settings have also been reviewed. At present, there is no known hormonal assay that can be used to measure and/or reliably predict bovine maternal behavior post-calving or across generations. Being able to objectively assess superior maternal behavior, whether that be through remote monitoring, hormonal profiling or indirectly through measuring calf performance will be beneficial to livestock industries in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rory P. Nevard
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Correspondence: (R.P.N.); (C.P.S.)
| | - Sameer D. Pant
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - John C. Broster
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
| | - Scott T. Norman
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Kallangur Veterinary Surgery, Kallangur, QLD 4503, Australia
| | - Cyril P. Stephen
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Gulbali Institute for Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia
- Correspondence: (R.P.N.); (C.P.S.)
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Mota-Rojas D, Bragaglio A, Braghieri A, Napolitano F, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mora-Medina P, Álvarez-Macías A, De Rosa G, Pacelli C, José N, Barile VL. Dairy Buffalo Behavior: Calving, Imprinting and Allosuckling. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2899. [PMID: 36359022 PMCID: PMC9658508 DOI: 10.3390/ani12212899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal behavior, in water buffalo and other ruminants, is a set of patterns of a determined species, including calving, imprinting, and suckling. This behavior is mainly triggered by hormone concentration changes and their interactions with their respective receptors in the brain, particularly oxytocin. These chemical signals also influence mother-young bonding, a critical process for neonatal survival that develops during the first postpartum hours. Currently, dairy buffalo behavior during parturition has rarely been studied. For this reason, this review aims to analyze the existing scientific evidence regarding maternal behavior in water buffalo during calving. It will address the mechanisms of imprinting, maternal care, and allosuckling strategies that may influence the survival and health of calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Andrea Bragaglio
- Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi Dell’Economia Agraria (CREA), Research Centre for Engineering and Food Processing, Via Milano 43, 24047 Treviglio, Italy
| | - Ada Braghieri
- Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Fabio Napolitano
- Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Patricia Mora-Medina
- Department of Livestock Sciences, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), FESC, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - Adolfo Álvarez-Macías
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Giuseppe De Rosa
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
| | - Corrado Pacelli
- Scuola di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università degli Studi della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Nancy José
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico
| | - Vittoria Lucia Barile
- Research Centre for Animal Production and Aquaculture, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria (CREA) (CREA), Via Salaria 31, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
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Muller J, Prada e Silva L, Fordyce G. High frequency of delayed milk delivery to neonates in tropical beef herds. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:1176-1186. [PMID: 35723934 PMCID: PMC9804315 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Beef-calf mortality rates across tropical and subtropical Australia are high, with sub-optimal nutrition in pregnant cows being the primary risk. The nutritional deficiencies associated with calf mortality are the same as those associated with reduced milk yields. Although the highest mortality risk occurs during neonatal life, the role of inadequate milk delivery to beef neonates is not well established. This study investigated the frequency of low milk delivery in tropically adapted neonatal calves and the time for their dams to initiate full lactation in five management groups of Brahman and Droughtmaster calving cows in the dry tropics of northern Queensland, Australia. Change in calf weight in the days following birth was the primary measure of milk uptake. Plasma globulin concentration was used to indicate colostrum uptake. Across management groups, data were available on 250 calves for regression analysis of average daily gain vs. globulin and on 78 for plotting calf growth profiles. Calves had one of two growth profiles, either with immediate high growth from birth (day one) or with high growth delayed until day three. The frequency of delayed growth calves (with inadequate milk intake to gain at least 0.5 kg by day three after birth) was on average 30% across management groups, with management groups ranging 25%-50%. The frequency of calves growing ≤0.2 kg/day to day three was 15%-37%, depending on management group. The frequency of calves growing ≤0.2 kg/day to day five was 7%-20%, depending on management group. Calf globulin explained only 25% of the variation in calf average daily gain. Our study shows that a third of tropically adapted calves may experience a three-day delay to initiation of full lactation by their dams. Although study conditions were relatively benign, any additional risks with milk delivery, such as those that occur widely in tropical and subtropical northern Australia, would place such calves at risk of dehydration and mortality. Calf plasma globulin should not be used as a standalone measure of adequacy of neonatal milk delivery, especially when comparing across herds. This study demonstrates a fundamental problem of high frequency in northern Australia. The underlying risks for delayed milk delivery should be considered in the quest for practical solutions to reduce tropically adapted beef-calf mortalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarud Muller
- Department of Agriculture and FisheriesCharters TowersQueenslandAustralia
| | - Luis Prada e Silva
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food InnovationThe University of QueenslandGattonQueenslandAustralia
| | - Geoffry Fordyce
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food InnovationThe University of QueenslandCharters TowersQueenslandAustralia
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Williams LR, Jackson EL, Bishop-Hurley GJ, Swain DL. Drinking frequency effects on the performance of cattle: a systematic review. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2016; 101:1076-1092. [DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. R. Williams
- School of Medical and Applied Sciences; CQUniversity; North Rockhampton Qld Australia
| | - E. L. Jackson
- School of Medical and Applied Sciences; CQUniversity; Gladstone Qld Australia
| | - G. J. Bishop-Hurley
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO); St Lucia Qld Australia
| | - D. L. Swain
- School of Medical and Applied Sciences; CQUniversity; North Rockhampton Qld Australia
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