Is the temperament of crossbred dairy cows related to milk cortisol and oxytocin concentrations, milk yield, and quality?

ABSTRACT: Reactive dairy cows are more susceptible to stress, and this may result in negative effects on milk yield and quality. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between temperament traits and concentration of milk cortisol and oxytocin, milk yield, milkability, and milk quality in Holstein-Gyr cows. Temperament traits were assessed in 76 Holstein-Gyr cows in the milking parlor (by scoring milking reactivity and recording the numbers of steps and kicks during pre-milking udder preparation and when fitting the milking cluster) and during handling in the corral (by measuring the time to enter in the squeeze chute, ET and flight speed, FS). Milk samples were collected for milk quality (% fat, % protein, % lactose, and somatic cell count, SCC), and milk cortisol and oxytocin.

SUBMITTER: Marcal-Pedroza MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10234520 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature