| 2018-09-18 |    |
Blood Test Could Aid Cattle Health and Productivity
A simple blood test could be used in the future to predict the health and productivity of dairy cows, research shows.
Testing female calves for molecules in the blood – called microRNAs – could help predict their likelihood of developing disease, scientists say.
Scientists have found that the blood levels of certain microRNAs change dramatically during the early life of cows.
Some of these blood molecules are associated with diseases such as lameness and mastitis – inflammation of the udders – as well as with milk production.
Researchers at the Roslin Institute and Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), who carried out the study, say a procedure to identify calves that are likely to have problems later in life would benefit the dairy industry and improve animal welfare.
Levels of microRNA can be easily analysed in lab tests, and used to assess changes in tissue function. This approach is already being applied to disease diagnosis in humans.
In UK dairy herds, up to one-third of cows are affected by disease or reproductive failure. This incurs costs to farmers.
The research was published in Scientific Reports.
Dr Xavier
Donadeu, of the University
of Edinburgh’s Roslin
Institute, said:
“As shown in previous studies, these results demonstrate that blood
testing for microRNAs may be very useful as diagnostic tools in dairy
cows and potentially other livestock species. They could allow for
early selection of the healthiest animals in a herd in order to aid
productivity and animal wellbeing.”
Professor Georgios Banos, of the
SRUC, said:
“This work was funded by SRUC as a strategic topic of
priority. We are investing in scientific research on the development
of practical solutions for the improvement of livestock and farm practices.
We are already designing collaborative follow-up projects and we look
forward to exciting new outcomes.”
