Vincze B, Gáspárdy A, Kovács L, Albert E, Kézér L, Baska F, Szenci O. Applicability of fetal thoracic aortic diameter measurement in the prediction of birth weight in Holstein-Friesian cows - Short communication.
Acta Vet Hung 2017;
65:60-65. [PMID:
28244331 DOI:
10.1556/004.2017.006]
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Abstract
Transabdominal ultrasonography has been shown to be a useful and reliable method for assessing fetal well-being in horses and cattle. To test the applicability of fetal aortic diameter measurement in cattle, 44 late-term pregnant cows and heifers were examined 21 to 0 days prior to calving. Mean fetal aortic diameter was 2.07 ± 0.14 cm and mean fetal heart rate (FHR) was 109 ± 17 bpm. Three dead calves were dissected and their aortic diameter was measured in a water bath. The mean birth weight (n = 44) was 39.9 ± 5.8 kg. There was a significant negative correlation between FHR and fetal aortic diameter. However, although some studies have shown that fetal aortic diameter strongly correlates with birth weight in near-term horses and cattle, in this study there was no correlation between fetal aortic diameter and birth weight in Holstein-Friesian cows and heifers irrespective of whether the fetus was born alive or dead.
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