Title | Maternal plasma oestrone sulphate concentration prior to parturition in relation to birth weight of the calf in primiparous, 2-year-old, Angus heifers |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Hickson, R E. , Kenyon P R. , Lopez-Villalobos N. , and Morris S T. |
Journal | Animal Reproduction Science |
Volume | 114 |
Issue | 1-3 |
Pagination | 301 - 305 |
Date Published | 2009 |
ISBN Number | 03784320 (ISSN) |
Keywords | dystocia |
Abstract |
Dystocia and assisted calving in primiparous heifers are persistent problems in beef herds, and incidence increases with increasing birth weight of calves. Plasma samples taken from 33 primiparous, 2-year-old, Angus heifers 2 days prior to parturition were analyzed for oestrone sulphate concentration. Additional samples taken at 4, 6, 8 and 10 days prior to parturition were analyzed for 17 of these heifers. At parturition, birth weight of the calf, post-partum live weight of the heifer, assistance at calving (n = 6) and status of the calf (stillborn (n = 4) vs. alive) were recorded. Maternal plasma oestrone sulphate concentration was stable from 10 to 4 days prior to parturition and increased between 4 and 2 days prior to parturition for non-assisted heifers. Maternal plasma oestrone sulphate concentration did not affect the probability of assistance at calving or stillbirth. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. |
URL | http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-67249142965&partnerID=40&md5=64c8c6b2ccc6f57237691bfe8571737c |