Prävalenz von Lahmheiten unterschiedlichen Grades in der Frühlaktation von Milchkühen und deren Einfluss auf Fruchtbarkeitsparameter

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel: Untersuchung des Effekts von Lahmheiten auf die Fruchtbarkeit von Milchkühen. Material und Methoden: In sieben Betrieben mit Boxenlaufstallhaltung fand in 4-wöchigen Intervallen eine Beurteilung aller Milchkühe anhand eines Locomotion Scoring Systems (Score 1: nicht lahm bis Score 5: schwer lahm) statt. Im Beobachtungszeitraum von 18 Monaten konnten von 893 Kühen im 1. und von 944 Kühen im 2., 3. und 4. Laktationsmonat (LM) der Bewegungsscore und die Fruchtbarkeitsparameter erfasst werden. Die Auswertungen beinhalteten den Vergleich der Fruchtbarkeitskennzahlen zwischen nicht lahmen Kühen (Score 1) und Kühen mit geringgradigen Lahmheiten (Score 2) oder mittelgradigen Lahmheiten (Score ≥ 3). Ergebnisse: Kühe, die unabhängig von Betrieb und Laktationsnummer im 1. LM Scores ≥ 3 aufwiesen, zeigten eine um 6 Tage längere Rastzeit (86,2 ± 35,6 vs. 80,2 ± 34,1 Tage; p = 0,002) und eine um 16 Tage längere Güstzeit (119,7 ± 51,4 vs. 103,8 ± 55,5 Tage; p = 0,048). Zudem wurden sie signifikant häufiger nicht tragend (Odds Ratio: 2,1; 95%-Konfidenzintervall: 1,095, 4,040; p = 0,026). Kühe mit Score 2 im 3. LM wiesen eine um 4 Tage (84,7 ± 35,6 vs. 80,1 ± 30,5 Tage; p = 0,026) und Kühe mit Score ≥ 3 eine um 7 Tage längere Rastzeit auf als nicht lahme Kühe (87,2 ± 34,9 vs. 80,1 ± 30,5 Tage; p = 0,002). Kühe mit geringgradiger Lahmheit im 3. LM hatten zudem eine um 18 Tage längere Güstzeit als nicht lahme Tiere (120,1 ± 55,4 vs. 102,3 ± 47,6 Tage; p = 0,016). Die längsten mittleren Rastzeiten ergaben sich bei Kühen mit Score 1 im 1. LM und Score 3 im 3. LM (94,3 ± 33,9 vs. 76,5 ± 16,0 Tage bei nicht lahmen Kühen; p = 0,046). Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Nicht nur deutliche (Score ≥ 3), sondern auch geringgradige Lahmheiten in der Frühlaktation beeinträchtigen die Reproduktionsleistung einer Herde. Eine konsequente Überwachung der Klauengesundheit und eine fachgerechte frühzeitige Behandlung geringgradig und deutlich lahmer Tiere können einen Beitrag zum Tierwohl und zur ökonomischen Effizienz einer Milchviehherde leisten.

Summary

Objective: To examine the impact of different degrees of lameness on the fertility of dairy cows. Material and methods: Seven dairy herds housed in free stall barns with cubicles were visited at 4-week intervals and all cows were examined for locomotion characteristics using a locomotion scoring system. The cows received scores from 1 (normal gait) to 5 (severely lame). During the study period of 18 months, 893 cows in the first month of lactation and 944 cows in the second, third and fourth months of lactation were evaluated. Reproductive mea - sures between non-lame cows (score 1), mild lame cows (score 2) and cows with clear lameness (score ≥ 3) were compared. Results: Independent of parity and herd effects, cows with scores ≥ 3 in the first month of lactation displayed a 6 days longer calving to first service inter val (CFSI) (86.2 ± 35.6 vs. 80.2 ± 34.1 days; p = 0.002) and a 16 days longer calving to conception interval (CCI) (119.7 ± 51.4 vs. 103.8 ± 55.5 days; p = 0.048) than non-lame cows. Additionally, the risk for non-conception was significantly higher in cows suffering from lameness in the first month of lactation (odds ratio: 2.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.095, 4.040; p = 0.026). Cows affected by mild lameness in the third month of lactation had a 4 days longer CFSI (84.7 ± 35.6 vs. 80.1 ± 30.5 days; p = 0.026) and a 18 days longer CCI (120.1 ± 55.4 vs. 102.3 ± 47.6 days; p = 0.016) than non-lame cows, while the CSFI in distinct lame cows was extended by 7 days compared to non-lame cows (87.2 ± 34.9 vs. 80.1 ± 30.5 days; p = 0.002). Cows with the score 1 in the first month and score 3 in the third month of lactation showed the longest CSFI (94.3 ± 33.9 vs. 76.5 ± 16.0 days in non-lame cows; p = 0.046). Conclusion and clinical relevance: This study suggests that both distinct and mild lameness in early lactation lead to a decline in reproduction in dairy herds. A regular determination of the lameness prevalence in dairy herds and optimizing claw health management, including early treatment of lame cows, will enhance animal welfare and reproduction efficiency.

Schlüsselwörter

Milchvieh - Bewegungsscore - Rastzeit - Güstzeit - Gesamtträchtigkeitsrate

Keywords

Dairy cow - locomotion score - calving to first service interval - calving to conception interval - overall pregnancy rate

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