Effect of mammary stimulation on dairy cows and heifers exposed to a lactation induction protocol ()
KEYWORDS
Mammary-Stimulation; Lactation-Induction; Cows; Heifers
1. INTRODUCTION
As the populations in developing countries continue to expand, the demand for milk and milk products continues to increase. Despite this growing demand, milk production and productivity of dairy animals have either remained constant or declined in many developing countries over the last two decades, resulting in a decrease in per capita milk production and rendering these countries more food insecure [1].
A major factor limiting productivity of dairy cattle in developing countries is poor reproductive performance. No pregnancies equate to no lactation and no milk yield. Measures of reproductive performance in dairy cattle in these countries are below acceptable standards in almost every category, and have not shown any signs of improving over the last 4 decades. Milk production is dependent on the hormonal milieu created during pregnancy, so failure to get a cow or heifer pregnant will result in a large proportion of females in the herd producing at low levels during an extended lactation or nonlactating (dry) period.
Poor reproductive performance represents a significant cost to the producer. It takes a 3 - 4 year period before the heifer produces any saleable product. During this period, significant cost is incurred in managing the replacement heifer, while no income is derived from this animal. Additionally, significant cost is incurred due to culling of high producing animals that fail to get rebred, due to the cost associated with treating potential reproductive issues and that associated with rebreeding poor performing animals. Poor reproductive performance also denies the producer a calf that can be used to expand the herd, can be selected to improve the genetic composition of the herd, or can be sold to derive additional income.
Under traditional management schemes, cows that fail to conceive are culled and replaced with heifers. It has been reported that reproductive problems account for 47% of the cows culled from the dairy herd between the ages of 3 and 8 yr [2]. A more recent report estimated this figure to be 26.7% [3]. Loeffler et al. noted that it is often the highest milk producers that are at the greatest risk of failing to conceive in a timely manner, therefore, culling such cows represents a loss of some of the most profitable cows in the herd [4]. Additionally, it requires 25 to 26 months and rearing costs of $1150 US to $1350 US to bring a single heifer into production [5].
Inducing lactation in healthy cows, with good genetic merit for milk production, but who have failed to conceive may be an economically viable alternative. Net Present Value (NPV) calculations for induced cows versus replacement heifers showed that the NPV for induced cows was $520 US greater than that for replacement heifers. [6,7]. Magliaro et al. reported a higher NPV for cows induced into lactation compared to that for first-lactation cows, even when milk prices and replacement costs of heifers were 20% higher or lower [8]. The authors noted that the 20% - 60% higher NPV obtained for induced cows was a conservative estimate as their calculations did not include health-related costs associated with post-calving disorders and higher insemination costs associated with lower fertility observed in firstlactation cows. An improved method to induce nonpregnant cows into lactation could return to production valuable healthy cows that would otherwise be culled, decreasing at the same time the need for replacement heifers.
Attempts to induce lactation have resulted in variable success rates of 58% to 80% and milk yields of 50% to 106% that of natural lactation [9-11]. Several factors, including the extent of mammary development, may have a significant impact on the peak and persistency of the induced lactation, particularly in heifers. Hence, the objectives of the present study were to determine the effect on milk production, on the whole, in cows and heifers, hormonally induced into lactation; to compare the responses of cows and heifers to mammary stimulation; and to determine if these responses to stimulation are confounded by the teat volumes of the animals studied.
2. MATERIALS& METHODS
2.1. Materials
This research was approved by the ethics committee of the University of Trinidad & Tobago, BAFT Campus.
The PGF2α Lutalyse was obtained from Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, NY. The other hormones, 17β—estradiol, progesterone, reserpine and dexamethasone, were obtained from Sigma Chemicals, USA. A stock solution of the hormone medium of 17β—estradiol (12.5 mg·mL−1) and progesterone (31.25 mg·mL−1) in absolute ethanol was prepared for use in all the experiments. This solution was stored until needed in air tight containers at 4˚C.
2.2. Farms and Animals
The study was conducted during a period of twentyone (21) months on two dairy farms, The University of the West Indies Field Station, Mt. Hope and the Aripo Livestock Station located in North Central Trinidad (10˚40_N, 61˚31_W).
The animals used in this study consisted of Holstein crossed with either Jersey or the Jamaica Hope breed. Cows (N = 20) used in the study were dry for at least 45 days prior to the start of the study and had an average weight of 340 kg, with an average body condition score of 3 to 3.5 (1 - 5 scale), using the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, DEFRA (2000) Condition Scoring of Dairy Cows. The milk yield of cows in both herds was 10 to 12 kg milk/animal/day. Heifers (N = 27) were sexually mature (previously observed in heat), were at least eighteen (18) months old, and weighed more than 275 kg. One heifer (#247) was diagnosed with tick fever and subsequently died during the trial.
All animals were grazed on pasture consisting primarily of bamboo grass (Chasmanthium latifolium), pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha), tanner grass (Brachiaria radicans), kudzu (Pueraria lobata), elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and mulato grass (Brachiaria spp. hybrids). A commercial 18% crude protein (CP) concentrate was fed to them at a rate of 3 or 4 kg/day for cows or heifers respectively for 23 days during the lactation induction protocol. During the 22 weeks of milk collection (177 days) ad libitum access to concentrate was provided to the animals twice per day, resulting in a total consumption per animal of approximately 5 - 6 kg per day.
2.3. Lactation Induction Protocol
All animals were treated with a lactation induction protocol as outlined in Figure 1. Animals received intramuscularly 2 doses of PGF2α Lutalyse (25 mg), 10 days apart, prior to initiation of hormonal therapy. A
Figure 1. Lactation induction protocol and treatments.
common stock solution, containing 17β—estradiol (12.5 mg∙mL−1) and progesterone (31.25 mg·mL−1), was administered subcutaneously each day from days 1 to 7 (where day 0 is the day of the second PGF2α injection). The quantity of the stock solution required for an animal was based on its body weight (0.1 mg of 17β—estradiol and 0.25 mg of progesterone dispensed per kg body weight of the animal). On day 8 another injection of PGF2α was given. Reserpine (5 mg·day−1) and dexamethasone (20 mg·day−1) were administered on days 9 to 12 via an intramuscular route.
2.4. Treatments
Both cows and heifers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Animals (cows and heifers) assigned to treatment 1 served as control animals and received no treatment beyond the lactation induction procedures. Animals (cows and heifers) in group 2 were subjected to mammary stimulation, during which the teats of the animals were massaged for 2 to 3 minutes, each day for 12 days beginning on day 1 of the lactation induction protocol. The length and circumference of the teat of each animal was measured on days 0, 7 and 14 and the volume of each teat was estimated using its radius (r) and length (h) according to volume = πr2h. Animals induced into lactation were milked 2 times per day, once at 6 am and then again at 4 pm. Daily milk production was recorded for 22 weeks. Three cycles of experiments were completed, each for about 6 to 7 months (22 weeks of monitoring milk production), using 3 sets of different animals from two locations, the University Field Station (two cycles) and the Aripo Field Station (one cycle).
2.5. Cost Benefit Analysis
The economic benefit of using a lactation induction (LI) protocol was determined using a partial budget analysis. The milk produced was sold to Nestle Trinidad limited The total revenue, obtained, for the proportion of animals that were successfully induced to lactate, was calculated by taking into consideration, the average total (for the 22 weeks period) milk yield per cow induced, the number of weeks of production, and the average price. It was assumed that no revenue would have been obtained from these animals otherwise since they were all dry and open.
The total revenue was reduced by the total cost of treating all animals with the hormone protocol and the additional feed costs from the protein concentrate. The forage consumption by dry and lactating animals was assumed to be the same. Therefore, no additional cost was attributed to forage and the reduction in revenue for this was placed at $TT 0.00. The net profit per animal was estimated as revenue minus treatment and feed costs.
2.6. Net Present Value Calculations
Net Present Values (NPV) were calculated for 4 scenarios which compared culling and replacing a cow with retaining animals in the herd and inducing lactation through a hormonal protocol. The calculations assume an “investment” period of 22 weeks, the duration of the milk production after Lactation Induction. In the different scenarios, the costs at the beginning of the period are estimated as either 1) the costs of the hormonal treatment and extra protein supplement given to animals during the LI protocol or 2) the net cost/profit of selling an animal and acquiring a replacement. During the “investment” period, weekly net cash flows are estimated as the average profit from milk sales (of the average weekly milk yield) minus the costs of feeding the animal. Note animals in which lactation had been induced continued to get a daily protein supplement to their normal feed, which is included in the costs. At the end of the investment period, in the 23rd week of each scenario, the animal is hypothetically “sold” and the sale price is included in the calculations, which are given by Equation (1).
(1)
DR is the discount rate for the period “i”, written as a decimal. The period “i” is 1 to 22 weeks.
2.7. Statistical Analysis
The experimental data obtained in this study were analyzed statistically using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS, V.17 and the Statistical Analysis System (SAS®) software [12].
Effects of Mammary Stimulation, Parity, Location, and Time on Milk Production
A General Linear Model (GLM) Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis was used to determine the impact on weekly milk production (the dependent variable) of the independent factors of Parity (cow/heifer), Treatment (stimulation/non-stimulation), and Location (one of three cycles at two farms from which the animals in the study were drawn) and of the repeated measure Time (22 weeks). Both Multivariate and Uni-variate tests are explored to assess the impact of Time, as well as those of the interactions (two-way, three-way, and four-way) between each of the main factors and Time (within subject effects) on each animal’s weekly milk production. The between subject effects for Parity, Treatment, Location and interactions between them (three two-way and one three-way interaction) are tested using Uni-variate measures. The type IV method in the GLM procedure is used because the cell frequencies, for the layout of Parity, Treatment, and Location, as well as for the interaction effects, are unbalanced.
Chi Square tests were used to look at any possible correlations between the proportions of animals induced into lactation (yielding greater than 7 kg of milk/day at peak milk production) and Treatment or Parity. A twoway ANOVA test (for the two factors Parity and Treatment) was used to determine the main and interaction effects on volume changes of mammary glands. Independent Groups t tests were used to check the significance of any differences between the stimulated and unstimulated animals with regard to the persistency of milk production (number of weeks in milk production > 7 kg of milk/day), peak milk production, and the time from induction to peak milk production.
The effect of mammary dimensions on milk production was determined by grouping cows and heifers with high and low volume changes (approximately upper and lower 50 percentile) and analyzing (via two independent groups t tests) the effects of these groups on milk production.
3. RESULTS
Three cycles of experiments were completed, each for about 6 to 7 months (22 weeks of monitoring milk production), using 3 sets of different animals from two locations, the University Field Station (two cycles) and the Aripo Field Station (one cycle). Although animals were milked twice a day for the entire period, the quantities collected are combined into units of weekly production or even average weekly production for the purposes of analysis.
3.1. Success Rates of Lactation Induction
The mean success rates for lactation induction were 71% and 85% for cows and heifers respectively. The rates for successful lactation were not affected significantly (at α = 0.05) by Mammary Stimulation Treatment, by Parity or by the interaction between the absence/presence of stimulation and whether cows or heifers were being treated.
3.2. Factors Impacting Weekly Milk Production
The weekly milk production was 78.2 ± 5.1 kg. Milk production varied significantly (p < 0.0001) from week to week. The milk yield, averaged over all animals, increased continuously between weeks 1 - 4, remained elevated until peaking in week 9 then declined throughout the remainder of the study (Figure 2). Average overall milk yield remained above the baseline (week one) values until week 21 of lactation.
The weekly milk production values were not affected significantly (at α = 0.05) by the Treatment (“Regimen”) given to the animal. Milk production was affected, however, by which location/cycle (“Farm”) the animals were drawn from (p = 0.0002) and by Parity or “Status” (p = 0.04).
From the Multivariate tests, several interactions are significant. These include the two way interactions Week × Farm (p = 0.000), Week × Treatment (stimulation/no stimulation) – p = 0.021. These indicate that the week to week pattern varies with the location/cycle from which the animal is drawn and varies also with whether the animal’s teats are being stimulated or not. The pattern for the animals from the Aripo facility is quite distinct (Figure 3).
Their milk production remained at peak value even until the 22nd week. It would be too speculative at this point to offer an explanation for this, in the absence of more research into factors not researched in this study. The significant “Week × Stimulation Treatment” interaction is exhibited graphically by the fact that the gap between the milk yields of stimulated and un-stimulated animals changed with Time, being initially (first 12 to 13
Figure 2. Average weekly milk yields for all cows and heifers induced into lactation.
Figure 3. Impact of sample location (farm) on average weekly milk yields—all animals.
weeks) relatively large before tapering off to zero by the 22nd week . This is seen with both heifers (Figure 4) and cows (Figure 5).
The Week × Parity interaction did not affect significantly (at α = 0.05) the milk yield. Graphically we can note that milk production from cows, both stimulated and un-stimulated, remained elevated above week 1 levels till the 22nd week (Figure 5) but for heifers, as seen in Figure 4, yields reverted to their week one levels after week 16. This resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher milk yields in cows than in heifers from weeks 8 to 22. Still, when the 22 week period is tested the Week × Parity interaction is not significant. This is probably due to a large within group (error) variance when the entire 22 week period is considered.
The Week × Parity × Stimulation Treatment 3-way interaction effect is significant (p = 0.029). This can be deduced graphically by Figure 6 where all the plots are seen to cross each other or from the combined information provided by Figures 4 and 5. Milk production from week to week was similar in treated (HS) and un-treated (HNS) heifers across all weeks (Figure 4), but the week —treatment pattern of milk production was different for treated (CS) and un-treated cows (CNS)—Figure 5. This is a physical manifestation of the significant 3-way interaction effect because the two-way interaction of Time × Stimulation is different for the two Parity levels, cow or heifer.
The other 3-way interactions are either not significant for any of the 4 Multivariate tests (Week × Farm × Parity) or not significant for at least one of the 4 tests (Week × Farm × Treatment). This may be because the strong Week × Farm 2-way interaction, common to both of these is not altered when it is observed under different
Figure 4. Impact of mammary stimulation on the milk yields of induced heifers (HS and HNS represent stimulated and non-stimulated heifers respectively).
Figure 5. Impact of mammary stimulation on the milk yields of induced cows.
Figure 6. Impact of mammary stimulation and parity on weekly milk yield.
conditions of Parity or of Treatment.
3.3. Peak and Persistency of Milk Production
Peak milk production (101.6 ± 5.9) was not affected significantly (at α = 0.05) by Mammary Stimulation or by Parity. The average time over all animals from lactation induction to peak milk production was 9.1 ± 2.2 weeks. Heifers (at 8.2 ± 1.0 weeks) tended to reach peak milk production slightly earlier, but not significantly so (p = 0.1), than cows (10.7 ± 1.3 weeks).
The persistency of milk production was 16.9 ± 2.4 weeks and was not affected significantly (at α = 0.05) by Mammary Stimulation or by Parity
3.4. Mammary Dimensions
Teat volumes, at the start of the treatment (day 1) and at day 7 are detailed in Table 1 for cows and heifers which had been randomly assigned to both the treatment and control groups. In spite of random assignment, the average initial teat volumes for cows in the two groups were not equivalent. The overall teat volume at the start (day 1) of mammary stimulation was 15.5 ± 8 mm3. However, the average teat volume of all cows (25 ± 2.4 mm3) was significantly larger (p < 0.001) than the average for all heifers (10.4 ± 1.7 mm3).
Further, the teats of cows (average volume = 31.2 mm3) assigned to the control group (no stimulation) were significantly higher (p =0.04) than those in the group assigned to be given mammary stimulation (average volume = 18.8 mm3). In heifers, there was no appreciable difference initially in the teat volumes of the animals in the treatment (stimulation) or control (no stimulation) groups. This disparity between the initial teat volumes of cows and heifers in the stimulated and un-stimulated groups is confirmed by the just significant (p = 0.05) Parity × Treatment interaction effect seen for the day 1 data (Table 1). Note, however, this result is only a reflection of the group assignment and not of the impact of any factor. It shows simply that at the beginning of the experiment, the groups were not equivalent.
These same patterns (significant differences between untreated and treated cows but not among heifers) are repeated for the day 7 data. The teat volumes for all animals increased from day 1 to day 7. However, the largest percentage changes were in the groups of un-stimulated cows (74.3%) and of stimulated heifers (68.3%)—Table 1.
From the statistical analysis of the impact of teat volumes on milk production, animals with larger teat volumes gave higher mean milk yields on both day 1 (p = 0.09) and day 7 (p = 0.01). The weekly milk production for induced animals with high teat volumes (un-stimulated) was 87.5 ± 6.1 (day 1) and 87.6 ± 6.5 (day 7). For those animals with low teat volumes, the weekly milk yields were 71.9 ± 6.7 (day 1) and 73.7 ± 6.7 kg (day 7).
3.5. Economic Analysis of Lactation Induction
The additional revenue derived from lactation induction of all animals over the 22 weeks was $208,130.55 TT or $ 4428.31 TT per animal treated (Table 2). The overall additional cost incurred was estimated to be $104,434.00 TT or $2222.00 TT per animal treated. The net profit derived from lactation induction was $2206.31 TT per animal treated (Table 2).
In addition to the above approach the Net Present Values (NPV) of animals, given three possible scenarios, were calculated. These include the situations where:
1) a cow, instead of being culled, is induced into lactation, after which milk is collected for 22 weeks. In the 23rd week, the animal is sold;
2) a heifer is induced into lactation, after which milk is collected for 22 weeks before the animal is sold in the 23rd week; and 3) a cow is sold and a new replacement cow is purchased at the very beginning of the period. The replace-
Table 1. Effect of mammary stimulation and parity on the teat volumes of animals treated with an LI protocol.
Table 2. Economic analysis of the impact of using the LI protocol.
ment cow gets pregnant immediately (or never) and is sold in the 23rd week.
Induced animals incur a cost from the Lactation Induction Protocol treatment during which they are given both hormones and a protein concentrate. Their usual feed is enhanced with protein concentrate throughout the milking period. They earn money weekly, however, from the milk that is sold. In Table 3 are summarized the NPV amounts for the scenarios above.
4. DISCUSSION
4.1. Lactation Induction Success Rate
Artificial induction of lactation with the current protocol yielded an average overall success rate of 78%. The success rates achieved in the current study are similar to those reported in previous studies [13,14]. The success rate for heifers (85%) was less than that (97%) reported previously [15]. The success rate for cows (71%) was somewhat lower than the 90% rate reported by Jewel [14]. The lower success rates in this study may be related to the more restrictive requirement used here for an animal to be considered induced.
In the present study lactation was considered to have been induced in an animal if the peak milk production was greater than 7 kg/day, which is 33% - 50% of the peak daily milk yield for un-treated cattle in Trinidad. Conversely, Jewel [14], among others, used a relatively less conservative milk yield of 5 and 9 kg/day for Jersey
Table 3. NPV values for induced and culled animals.
and Holstein cattle respectively, representing only 20% of the peak yield in un-treated, naturally-induced lactations in cattle in the regions under study.
4.2. Weekly and Peak Milk Yields
The mean and peak weekly milk yields of induced animals were 78 kg and 102 kg or approximately 11 and 15 kg/day respectively. Mammary simulation did not affect overall milk yields (the main effect is not significant) but tended to maintain milk yields above basal (week 1) levels for a significantly longer period of time (The Time × Stimulation interaction effect is significant with p = 0.021). Given the teat volume results, detailed in Table 1, it is possible that the mammary gland development due to stimulation may have been inadequate and somewhat delayed resulting in only small impacts on milk production later in lactation.
The daily and peak milk yields of induced animals were similar to or greater than the average daily or peak milk yields reported for cattle in several tropical countries [16-18]. However, in those studies milk yield of induced cows and heifers was only 48% - 68% of the yield of comparable animals in the same herd. The relatively better production (11 kg and 15 kg daily for average and peak yields) of induced animals in this study, compared to the expected values (10 kg daily) for animals in Trinidad & Tobago, might be related to the improved management received by these animals relative to herd mates. Additionally, it should be noted that the lactation induction procedure used in this study and others, while adequate to support low levels of milk production, may not be sufficient to induce all the changes associated with pregnancy and to support the high levels of milk production observed in dairy cows in Temperate regions, where milk yields are much higher usually than in the Tropics.
In some previous lactation-induction studies, peak milk yields were reached 7 to 8 weeks into lactation [10]; [19]. In those studies the peak milk yield for cows induced into lactation did not occur until 30 to 60 days after milking was initiated. However, Smith & Schanbacher [10] reported a rapid daily increase in milk yield during the first 10 to 12 days following induction of lactation with an estrogen/progesterone protocol. Those results were consistent with the findings from this study, in which rapid increases were also noticed in the first two weeks. The time to peak milk production for unstimulated cows was 8.7 ± 1.8 weeks and 12.7 ± 1.8 weeks for the stimulated animals. Heifers in the stimulated group reached peak milk production earlier (7.8 ± 1.3 weeks) whereas those in the un-stimulated group reached peak milk production in 8.4 ± 1.4 weeks. In all cases, though, that initial rapid jump in milk yield resulted in values that were very close to peak by the 3 or 4th week—Figure 2.
4.3. Mammary Dimensions
The mean teat volume at the start of mammary stimulation (day 1) was 15.5 ± 8 mm3 and was significantly higher in cows than heifers (10.4 ± 1.7 mm3). Volumes were also higher in the cows assigned to the control group (no stimulation) than in those assigned to be stimulated. There was very little difference in the mean teat volumes at day 1 for heifers in the treatment (stimulation) and in the control groups (Table 1).
The mean teat volumes for animals in all groups grew by day 7. However, the largest teat volume changes occurred in the group of un-stimulated cows (74.3%) and in the group of stimulated heifers (68.3%). The pattern observed for cows at day 1 persisted up to day 7 in that the mean teat volume in stimulated cows lagged even further behind that in the un-stimulated group (only 59% teat volume increase for the former compared to 74.3% for the latter). In the case of heifers, the difference in mean teat volumes by day 7, between treated (stimulated) and control (no stimulation) groups, was marked, although not statistically significant, probably because of the within group variances. The two groups had equivalent mean teat volumes initially but the change by day 7 for the stimulated group of heifers was 20% larger than that for the un-stimulated group (68.3% as opposed to 46.7%).
The positive impact of Mammary Stimulation on the teat volume in heifers (as opposed to the smaller impact with cows) may possibly be due to the contribution of Growth Factors. The results in this study corroborate the findings by Massague & Chen [20]. These researchers associated the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) with a growth factor which is expressed during bovine mammary development and which may prove to be especially important during a critical period of mammary development in heifers. The teat stimulation employed in this study may have caused the Transforming Growth Factors in heifers to be expressed, resulting in enhanced mammary development.
Further, as stated by Purup et al. [21], pre-pubertal mammary development is controlled through the combined actions of Growth Hormone (GH), Estrogen (E) and locally derived Growth Factors such as insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-I), whereas allometric growth in heifers is dependent on ovarian secretions. Stimulation may have had no effect on cows because according to Topper & Freeman [22], the majority of bovine mammary development occurs during pregnancy when mammogenic hormones, such as Growth Hormone, Estrogen and Progesterone, stimulate proliferation of mammary epithelial cells and subsequent formation of mature alveoli. Therefore, in this study there should have been little mammary development for the animals already exposed to a pregnancy.
4.4. Impact of Teat Volumes on Milk Production
Cows in both groups—treatment and control—showed initial mean teat volumes that were larger than those for heifers. This is expected because heifers should not have complete involution of the mammary glands, resulting in the smaller teat volumes observed. As stated before, by day 7 the mean weekly milk production for animals with high teat volumes (87.6 kg) was significantly (p = 0.01) different from the mean (73.7 kg) for those with lower teat volumes. On day 1, at the start of treatment, the mean milk yields for the two groups were different (87.5 kg and 71.9 kg for animals with high and low teat volumes respectively) but that difference was not found to be significant at the 5% critical level (p = 0.09). (This is probably due to larger “within group” variances in teat volumes on day 1 as opposed to day 7 which would have led to a larger pooled standard error and so a smaller test statistic). These findings were similar to those obtained from studies done with Awassi sheep [23]. According to those authors, udder measurements from one study to the next and between flocks/herds vary considerably, partly depending on when the measurements were taken, relative to the milking period, and on the time of milking.
In this study, mammary dimensions were taken on day 1, day 7 and day 14 and the results obtained were comparable to those of McKusick et al. [24], who assessed a US population of East Friesan sheep. They found that ewes with greater udder circumferences and udder lengths had greater commercial milk yields. This study showed that there were variations in mammary dimensions among the heifers and cows which resulted in an increase in milk produced from those animals having greater teat circumference and length.
For both cows and heifers, the stimulated animals gave lower yields than those whose teats were un-stimulated but with cows the effect is far more marked (Figures 4 and 5). The un-stimulated cows also had larger teat volumes than those which were not stimulated. The heifers showed no significant difference in teat volumes but the un-stimulated animals still appeared to have a marginally better milk yield, although showing a smaller effect and for fewer weeks in the 22-week period than that seen for cows. (This difference in the stimulation/non-stimulation pattern over time seen with cows and heifers was outlined before when it was pointed out that the 3-way interaction of Parity × Treatment × Time was significant).
These results were in synch with those of other studies [25-28].
It has been suggested that the morphology traits such as udder circumference, udder shape, teat length and teat width are moderately heritable and are significantly correlated with milk yield [28-32].
4.5. Economics of Lactation Induction
The average daily milk production for dairy cattle in Trinidad, Jamaica and other tropical countries is approximately 10 kg/day. Therefore, the mean weekly milk production of 78 kg obtained by lactation induced animals in this study is higher than the average milk production obtained naturally and considerably more than would be obtained for heifers and cows that otherwise would not be lactating or would be producing only very small quantities of milk.
The comparatively high level of milk production and the high success rate of the lactation induction protocol used in this study contributed to the high profit per animal obtained. Magliaro et al. [8] found a significantly higher ($500.00 US) NPV for induced cows than that for first-lactation cows. Kensinger [7] found it more profitable to induce lactation in non-breeder cows than to purchase replacement heifers or to cull non-lactating cows. However, Macrina et al. [15] found no economic benefit in using lactation induction in heifers. The high fertility of dairy heifers in temperate regions in this last study might have led to the estimation of no beneficial effects of lactation induction.
In this study, the NPV values calculated support the conclusions of Magliaro et al. [8]. A cow induced into lactation should earn $1095 TT more profit than a replacement cow, if it becomes pregnant, and $3967 TT more than one that does not ($1US = $6.40 TT). Even an induced heifer can be $2053 TT more profitable than a replacement cow that remains open (Table 3).
5. CONCLUSIONS
The results from this study suggest that induction of lactation is possible in dairy cattle and heifers in the Tropics if commercial hormones are readily available. The average success rate of 78%, while a bit lower than those observed in other studies, should be considered very good, given the more stringent requirements used for “success” (>7 kg/day , where the average milk yield is 10 kg/day for cattle in Trinidad & Tobago). Milk yields from the induced animals rose quickly in the first 2 to 3 weeks, rising almost to peak which was achieved between 8 and 13 weeks for most animals in the study.
The daily mean (11 kg) and peak (15 kg) yields for the induced animals in this study compared very favourably with the daily average of 10 kg for untreated cattle in the region. Persistency, which averaged 16.9 weeks ± 2.4 weeks, was excellent, lasting till almost 21 weeks for many animals and, in others (especially those from the Aripo facility), for all 22 weeks.
The average weekly milk yield was affected significantly (at α = 0.05) by “Parity” (cows yielded more than heifers) and by “Farm” (the location—Aripo or University Field Station in 1st or 2nd cycle—from which the animals were drawn). It was not affected by “Stimulation”. This last result though belies some other interesting results. Although the main effect of “Stimulation” was not significant, other results suggest that Stimulation may play a part. Teat volumes were found, as in other studies, to be correlated with milk yield. Heifers showed the better teat volume response to stimulation.
Stimulation may have caused the expression of Transforming Growth Factors in heifers, promoting enhanced teat volumes, and in the process, larger milk yields. So stimulation does have an indirect impact, the importance of which may have been masked (main effect not significant) by the initial (day 1) within groups variance in teat volumes in the stimulated and un-stimulated groups. The two-way interactions with Time are worth noting. The significant “Week × Stimulation” interaction suggests that the effects of stimulation vary with time, as would be expected if stimulation is operating through its impact on teat volumes for heifers, in particular. The significant Week × Farm interaction will need more study before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Economic analysis of the results suggests, from the straightforward approach of costs versus revenue, that a profit of $2206.31 TT per animal is generated by hormonal Lactation Induction. NPV analysis for different scenarios, estimates that cows exposed to a LI protocol can generate from $1195 TT to $3967 TT more profit than a replacement cow, depending on whether the replacement for the culled animal becomes pregnant or not.
The Lactation Induction technique can be used as a management tool to assist farmers in re-introducing culled animals with good genetics for milk production back into the productive herd without any losses incurred. It provides additional opportunities at rebreeding. With this technology, there is a potential to increase income by reducing the number of replacement heifers and the retention in the herd of cows of high genetic merit.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors thank the farms staff of the Aripo Livestock Station and the University of the West Indies Field Station, Trinidad West-Indies.