Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X

Correlation between productive life, clinical mastitis and somatic cell score with linear type traits in Holstein cows: A meta-analysis study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Soraya Rafiee 1
Ali Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi 2
Seyed Reza Miraei Ashtiani 3
Hasan Mehrabani Yeganeh 4

1 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. E-mail: Rafiee.s@ut.ac.ir

2 ,Corresponding Author, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. E-mail: Sadeghism@ut.ac.ir

3 Corresponding Author, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Email: Ashtiani@ut.ac.ir

4 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran. Email: hmehrbani@ut.ac.ir

https://doi.org/10.22059/jap.2024.379004.623800
Abstract
Objective: Linear type traits are recorded for some reasons in dairy cattle. Cows might reach to a high length of productive life and milk yield based on their ideal scores of type traits. In the dairy industry, type traits have indirect economic values due to genetic correlation with production, reproduction, clinical mastitis and length of productive life. The main object of our study was to identify type traits that have high enough genetic correlation with length of productive life, clinical mastitis and somatic cell score. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis as a statistical tool, on studies investigating the correlation between length of productive life, incidence of clinical mastitis, and somatic cell score with type traits in Holstein dairy cows.
Material and methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using the key words “genetic correlation”, “type traits”, “length of productive life”, “clinical mastitis”, “somatic cell score” , “Holstein cow” in Google Scholar search engine. Out of the 103 potentially relevant papers found, 75 studies were excluded from the analysis, because these studies did not contain appropriate data. Finally, from the search results, we prepared three real data sets in relation to genetic correlation of linear type traits with length of productive life (6 studies), clinical mastitis (8 studies), and somatic cell score (17 studies) in Holstein cows. These studies involved the total of 263065, 4716267 and 922090 animals, corresponded to length of productive life, clinical mastitis and somatic cell score, respectively. Analyses were performed using “metafor” procedure in R software package. Due to the differences in estimation methods and sample sizes in different studies, a random model was used to perform the meta-analysis and to estimate key statistics such as effect size, 95% confidence interval and measure of heterogeneity (.
Results and discussion: The obtained results from meta-analysis showed that the type traits with higher genetic correlations with length of productive life were central ligament 0.19 and udder depth 0.14. Furthermore, somatic cell score was more genetically correlated with body condition score (-0.31) and udder depth (-0.25). The largest genetic correlation of clinical mastitis estimated was with udder depth (-0.28) and teat length (-0.23). Test of heterogeneity (statistics) indicated that there was significant heterogeneity (variance among studies) at the highest level (more than 99%). Results of this study might indirectly be applicable for estimation of type traits’ economic values of Holstein cow’s selection indices.
Conclusion: Meta-analysis of genetic correlation between length of productive life, somatic cell score and clinical mastitis with linear type traits clarified that central ligament, udder depth, body condition score and  chest width could be used as indicator traits in Holstein cows breeding programs. Results suggest that central ligament and udder depth as main mammary system traits potentially might be taking into account to constract indices for selection in dairy breeding programs. Cows can produce higher amount of milk and spend higher productive period when they have achieved to ideal scores of type traits. 

Keywords

Clinical Mastitis؛ Holstein Cow؛ Meta analysis
Productive life؛ Somatic cell score
منابع
رفیعی، ثریا؛ میرائی آشتیانی، سید رضا؛ صادقی سفیدمزگی، علی و مهربانی یگانه، حسن (1403). همبستگی ژنتیکی صفات تولیدی با صفات تیپ در گاوهای هلشتاین: یک مطالعه فرا-تحلیل. نشریه علوم دامی ایران. پذیرفته شده برای چاپ.
References
Borenstein, M. (2009). Effect sizes for continuous data. The Handbook of Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis, 2nd
edition, pp. 221-235. Russell Sage Foundation, New York.
Choi, T. J.,  Seo, K. S., Kim, S., Park, B. H., Choi, J. K., Yoon, H. P., Na, S. H., Son, S. K., Kwon, O. S., & Cho, K. H. (2008). Relationship of somatic cell score and udder type traits of Holstein cattle. Journal of Animal Science  &  Technology, 50(3) 285~292, 2008.
Dadpasand, M., Zamiri, M. J., Atashi, H., & Akhlaghi, A. (2012). Genetic relationship of conformation traits with average somatic cell score at 150 and 305 days in milk in Holstein cows of Iran. Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 7340-7345. 
de Haas, Y., Janss, L.L., & Kadarmideen, H.N. (2007) Genetic and phenotypic parameters for conformation and yield traits in three Swiss dairy cattle breeds. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 124, 12-19.
Djedovi´c, R., Vukasinovic, N., Stanojevi´c, D., Bogdanovi´c, V., Ismael, H., Jankovi´c, D., Gligovi´c, N., Brka, M., & Štrbac, L. (2023). Genetic parameters for functional longevity, type traits, and production in the Serbian Holstein. Animals, 13, 534.
Duffield, T. F., Rabiee, A. R., & Lean, I. J. (2008). A meta-analysis of the impact of monensin in lactating dairy cattle. Part 1. Metabolic effects. Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 1334-1346.
Fleiss, J.L., & Berlin, J.A. (2009). Effect sizes for dichotomous data. The Handbook of Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis, 2nd edition, pp. 237-253. Russell Sage Foundation, New York.
Getu, A., & Misganaw, G. (2015). The role of conformational traits on dairy cattle production and their longevities. Open Access Library Journal, 2(3), 7.
Govignon-Gion, A., Dassonneville, R., Baloche, G., & Ducrocq, V. (2016). Multiple trait genetic evaluation of clinical mastitis in three dairy cattle breeds. Animal, 10(4), 558-565. doi:10.1017/ S1751731115002529.
Higgins, J.P., Thompson, S.G., Deeks, J.J., & Altman, D.G. (2003). Measuring inconsistency in meta-analyses. British Medical Journal, 327, 557-560.
Hu, H., Mu, T., Yanfen Ma,Y., Wang, X.P., & Ma, Y. (2021). Analysis of longevity traits in Holstein cattle: A review. Frontiers in Genetics. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.695543.
Jagusiak, W., Ptak, E., Otwinowska-Mindur, A., & Zarnecki, A. (2023). Genetic relationships of body condition score and locomotion with production, type and fertility traits in Holstein-Friesian cows. Animal. (17), 100816.
Kern, E.L., Cobuci, J.A., Costa, C.N., McManus, C.M., & Neto, J.B. (2015). Genetic association
between longevity and linear type traits of Holstein cows. Scienta Agricola, 72, 203-209.
Lund, T., Miglior, F., Dekkers, J. C. M., & Burnside, E. B. (1994). Genetic relationships between clinical mastitis, somatic cell count and udder conformation in Danish Holsteins. Livestock Production Science, 39, 243-251.
Nasrollahi, S. M., Imani, M., & Zebeli, Q. (2015). A meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of forage particle size, level, source, and preservation method on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and performance in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 98, 8926-8939.
Pérez-Cabal, M. A., & Charfeddine, N. (2013). Genetic relationship between clinical mastitis and several traits of interest in Spanish Holstein dairy cattle. Interbull bulletin, NO. 47. Nantes, France, 23 – 25.
Rabiee, A. R., & Lean, I. J. (2013). The effect of internal teat sealant products (Teatseal and Orbeseal) on intramammary infection, clinical mastitis, and somatic cell counts in lactating dairy cows: A meta-analysis. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 6915-6931.
Rafiei, S., Miraei Ashtiani, S.R., Sadeghi Sefidmazgi, A., & Mehrabani-Yeganeh, H. (2024). Correlation of production traits with linear type traits in Holstein cows: A meta-analysis. Iranian Journal of Animal Science, Accepted for Publication. (In Persian)
Rogers, G. W.,  Banos, G.,  Sander Nielsen, U., & Philipsson, J.  (1998). Genetic correlations among somatic cell scores, productive life, and type traits from the United States and udder health measures from Denmark and Sweden. Journal of Dairy Science, 81, 1445-1453.
Rupp, R., & Boichard, D. (1999). Genetic parameters for clinical mastitis, somatic cell score, production, udder type traits, and milking ease in first lactation Holsteins. Journal of Dairy Science, 82, 2198-2204.
Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi, A., Moradi-Shahrbabak, M., Nejati-Javaremi, A., Miraei-ashtiani, S. R., & Amer, P. R. (2012). Breeding objectives for Holstein dairy cattle in Iran. Journal of Dairy Science, 95, 3406-3418.
Sewalem, A., Miglior, F., Kistemaker, G. J., Sullivan, P., & Doormaal, B. J. V. (2008). Relationship between reproduction traits and functional longevity in Canadian dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, 91, 1660-1668. doi: 10.3168/jds.2007-0178.
 Sørensen, M. K., Jensen, J., & Christensen, G. (2000). Udder conformation and mastitis resistance in Danish first-lactation cows: heritabilities, genetic and environmental correlations. Journal of Animal Science, 50, 72-82.
Vacek, M., Stípková, M., Nˇemcová, E., & Bouška, J. (2006). Relationships between conformation traits and longevity of Holstein cows in the Czech Republic. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 51, 327-333.
Vries, A. D., & Marcondes, M. I. (2020). Review: overview of factors affecting productive lifespan of dairy cows. Animal, 14, s155–s164. doi: 10.1017/S1751731119003264.
Wasana, N., Cho, G., Park, S., Kim, S., & Choi, J. (2015). Genetic relationship of productive life, production and type traits of Korean Holsteins at early lactations. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science, 28 (9), 1259-1265.
Weigel, D. J., Cassell, B. G., Hoeschele, I., & Pearson, R. E. (1996). Multiple-trait prediction of transmitting abilities for herd life and estimation of economic weights using relative net income adjusted for opportunity cost. Journal of Dairy Sciences, 78, 639-647.
Wu, H. C. (2007). Relationships Between Body Type Score and FHL, 305 Milk, CI in Holstein Cow. Master Thesis/Dissertation. Shandong: Shandong Agricultural University.
Xue, X., Hu, H., Zhang, J., Ma, Y., Han, L., Hao, F., Jiang, Y., & Ma, Y. (2023). Estimation of genetic parameters for conformation traits and milk production traits in Chinese Holsteins. Animals, 13, 100.
 Zavadilová, L., Němcová, E., Štípková, M., & Bouška, J. (2009). Relationships between longevity and conformation traits in Czech Fleckvieh cows. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 54(9), 387-394.
Zavadilová, L., & Stipkova, M. (2012). Genetic correlations between longevity and conformation traits in the czech Holstein population. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 57, 125-136. doi: 10.17221/5566-CJAS.
Zink, V., Zavadilová, L., Lassen, J., Štípková, M. ,Vacek, M., & Štolc, L. (2014). Analyses of genetic relationships between linear type traits, fat-to-protein ratio, milk production traits, and somatic cell count in first-parity Czech Holstein cows. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 59(12), 539-547.
Zotto, R. D., Carnier, P., Gallo, L., Bittante, G., & Cassandro, M. (2007). Genetic relationship between body condition score, fertility, type and production traits in Brown Swiss dairy cows. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 4(3), 30-37.
Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X
Volume 26, Issue 4
Winter 2025
Pages 387-403

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us