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Poster De Conférence Journal of Animal Science Année : 2012

Effect of rearing intensity on growth performance and on mammary tissue in Holstein yearling heifers

Résumé

Intensive growth during the first months of life influence the shaping animal’s final body weight, but if excessive, it may alter the mammary gland development and subsequent milk yield, at least during lactation one. A long-term experiment aimed at studying the effect of growth intensity from birth to insemination in Holstein dairy heifers, combined to a targeted age at first calving of 22 or 24 mo, is being conducted and includes each year 60 to 70 heifers. Preliminary results indicate that the effect of intensive growth on lactation performance could be limited. Moreover, the effect on mammary development remains to be studied. In October 2011, 3 heifers which followed the routine rearing procedure (SP) and 4 heifers which were reared according to the intensive growth program (HP) were slaughtered at one year of age. Body composition and mammary gland weight were measured and mammary tissue morphology was investigated. Average daily gain from birth to slaughter was 874 and 968 g/d for SP and HP heifers, respectively. This corresponded to an average body weight of 358 and 389 kg at 360 and 355 d of age respectively. Mammary gland weight was not significantly affected by the treatment (2.22 vs 2.02 kg for SP and HP heifers, respectively). Impact of growth intensity on lobulo-alveolar mammogenesis was studied through histological analysis of mammary tissue. Results may have implications for understanding control mechanisms that regulate parenchymal development in Holstein heifers.
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Dates et versions

hal-01210628 , version 1 (02-10-2015)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-01210628 , version 1
  • PRODINRA : 265189

Citer

Vanessa Lollivier, Frederic Dessauge, Marion Boutinaud, Yannick Le Cozler. Effect of rearing intensity on growth performance and on mammary tissue in Holstein yearling heifers. ADSA/ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Jul 2012, Phoenix, United States. ASAS - American Society of Animal Science, Journal of Animal Science, 90 (Suppl. 3), 2012, Journal of Animal Science. ⟨hal-01210628⟩
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