Validation of body condition score as a predictor of subcutaneous fat in Nelore (Bos indicus) cows

Autor(es)

Ayres, Henderson ^[1] ; Ferreira, Roberta Machado ^[1] ; de Souza Torres-Junior, Jose Ribamar ^{[1, 2]} ; Borges Demetrio, Clarice Garcia ^[3] ; de Lima, Cesar Goncalves ^[4] ; Baruselli, Pietro Sampaio ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, FMVZ, Dept Anim Reprod, BR-09500900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rural Amazonia, UDP UFRA, Parauapebas, PA - Brazil

^[3] USP, ESALQ, Dept Ciencias Exatas, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil

^[4] USP, FZEA, Dept Ciencias Basicas, Pirassununga, SP - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: LIVESTOCK SCIENCE; v. 123, n. 2-3, p. 175-179, AUG 2009.
• Citações Web of Science: 60

Resumo

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship among body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and rump fat thickness (RFAT) measured by ultrasonography, and validate the relationship between BCS and RFAT over the time. Two hundred sixty and six Nelore cows had their BW, BCS and RFAT evaluated at five different moments during the production cycle: M1) weaning: M2) parturition, M3) 42 days post-partum; M4) 82 days postpartum and M5) 112 days post-partum. A BCS value was attributed for each cow following a I to 5 points scale. Ultrasonographic images for RFAT measurement were obtained using a 3.5 MHz linear transducer. Images were immediately analyzed as soon as they were formed and frozen. Body condition scores and ultrasound measurements were collected on the same day by a single trained technician. The relationship between BCS and RFAT values was investigated by regression models. The analysis of similarity among the five obtained models was performed using the proc MIXED from SAS and the correlations among variables were analyzed with proc CORR from SAS. The BCS was able to predict RFAT in Nelore cows in all different moments evaluated. Also, it was shown that BCS presented high correlation (r=0.82 to 0.93) and relationship (R(2) = 0.73 to 0.92) with RFAT. However, both BCS and RFAT showed low correlation (r=0.37 to 0.50) and relationship (R(2) = 0.13 to 0.25) with BW. The BCS classification by visual method using a 1 to 5 point scale, was able to predict the RFAT in Nelore cows over the time. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 05/57425-7 - Efeito da quantidade de gordura subcutânea, da condição e do peso corporal durante o pré e pós-parto na atividade ovariana após parto e na eficiência reprodutiva de vacas Nelores (Bos indicus) inseminadas em tempo fixo
• Beneficiário: Henderson Ayres
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado