Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?

The study aimed to explore if milkability parameters could reliably predict the dimensions of teat structures and their milking-induced changes. Ultrasonography repeatedly measured the teat structures of 48 Holstein cows from mid to late lactation. We found that milking-induced changes in each struc...

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Main Authors: Iveta Szencziová, Matúš Gašparík, Jaromír Ducháček, Eva Tóthová Tarová, Melinda Nagy, Luděk Stádník, Mária Mičiaková, Radim Codl
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3610
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author Iveta Szencziová
Matúš Gašparík
Jaromír Ducháček
Eva Tóthová Tarová
Melinda Nagy
Luděk Stádník
Mária Mičiaková
Radim Codl
author_facet Iveta Szencziová
Matúš Gašparík
Jaromír Ducháček
Eva Tóthová Tarová
Melinda Nagy
Luděk Stádník
Mária Mičiaková
Radim Codl
author_sort Iveta Szencziová
collection DOAJ
description The study aimed to explore if milkability parameters could reliably predict the dimensions of teat structures and their milking-induced changes. Ultrasonography repeatedly measured the teat structures of 48 Holstein cows from mid to late lactation. We found that milking-induced changes in each structure are affected by different milkability parameters. Regression models for teat canal change and length change were significant, and variability was found to be 46.03% and 21.50%, respectively. Similarly, the teat structure’s dimensions significantly affected milkability parameters, which differed for each structure. However, regression models only explained between 3.36% (teat length) and 7.59% (cistern) of variability. The prediction potential, performed based on milkability, is limited if the initial dimensions of structures are not provided. If teat dimensions were measured at the beginning of the production life, automatically collected milkability data could be used to calculate milking-induced changes incurred with each milking and the development of teat dimensions over the production life. If perfected, this tool could provide alerts about critical milking-induced changes and risky teat conformation traits, as they have a proven effect on udder health and are reliable indicators of milking effectiveness.
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spelling doaj-art-1616efe5bfba447ab5fe44b4167589ed2025-08-20T02:00:55ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-12-011424361010.3390/ani14243610Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?Iveta Szencziová0Matúš Gašparík1Jaromír Ducháček2Eva Tóthová Tarová3Melinda Nagy4Luděk Stádník5Mária Mičiaková6Radim Codl7Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, J. Selye University in Komárno, Bratislavská cesta 3322, 945 01 Komárno, SlovakiaDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech RepublicDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Education, J. Selye University in Komárno, Bratislavská cesta 3322, 945 01 Komárno, SlovakiaDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Education, J. Selye University in Komárno, Bratislavská cesta 3322, 945 01 Komárno, SlovakiaDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech RepublicInstitute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, SlovakiaDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech RepublicThe study aimed to explore if milkability parameters could reliably predict the dimensions of teat structures and their milking-induced changes. Ultrasonography repeatedly measured the teat structures of 48 Holstein cows from mid to late lactation. We found that milking-induced changes in each structure are affected by different milkability parameters. Regression models for teat canal change and length change were significant, and variability was found to be 46.03% and 21.50%, respectively. Similarly, the teat structure’s dimensions significantly affected milkability parameters, which differed for each structure. However, regression models only explained between 3.36% (teat length) and 7.59% (cistern) of variability. The prediction potential, performed based on milkability, is limited if the initial dimensions of structures are not provided. If teat dimensions were measured at the beginning of the production life, automatically collected milkability data could be used to calculate milking-induced changes incurred with each milking and the development of teat dimensions over the production life. If perfected, this tool could provide alerts about critical milking-induced changes and risky teat conformation traits, as they have a proven effect on udder health and are reliable indicators of milking effectiveness.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3610dairy cowsmilkabilityteat canaludder healthultrasonographyprecision agriculture
spellingShingle Iveta Szencziová
Matúš Gašparík
Jaromír Ducháček
Eva Tóthová Tarová
Melinda Nagy
Luděk Stádník
Mária Mičiaková
Radim Codl
Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
Animals
dairy cows
milkability
teat canal
udder health
ultrasonography
precision agriculture
title Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
title_full Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
title_fullStr Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
title_full_unstemmed Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
title_short Could Milkability Parameters Serve as a Reliable Tool to Predict the Morphology of Teat Structures and Their Milking-Induced Changes?
title_sort could milkability parameters serve as a reliable tool to predict the morphology of teat structures and their milking induced changes
topic dairy cows
milkability
teat canal
udder health
ultrasonography
precision agriculture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/24/3610
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