novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows

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fixed nodes (BU) transmit to the next fixed node in a ring format where the MU also receives these positions and measures the TDOA to determine position (Ingram et al., 2004). Investigation carried out by the collaborating group at Nottingham Geospatial Institute (NGI) has demonstrated that increasing the number of BU increases the accuracy of UWB (Xiaolin Meng, personal communication). Base unit (BU) Mobile unit (MU) Control unit (CU) Figure 4.1 BUs form a reference network between themselves in absolute positions which are known by the CU. The MU calculates its own position based on communication with the BU and reports to the CU Based on this description of UWB, it is clear that this novel technology possesses the basic credentials for an effective method of oestrous detection; accuracy, measuring and relaying position in real-time and for its proven use in harsh, obstructed environments, such as the dairy farm. 4.2.1 Initial Testing of UWB Accuracy at the Dairy Farm In order to determine the suitability of UWB for use at dairy farms preliminary tests to confirm accuracy in this particular environment were carried out. As the UWB unit was still in prototype format, with no internal battery, it needed to be connected to a battery (12 Volts Maintenance free Sealed Lead-acid Battery, RS Components, Northants, UK) for power (see Figure 4.3) and was positioned on cows in backpacks (Cassidy Covers, Ireland; see Figure 4.4). 84
Initial tests were carried out to investigate signal strength and accuracy of position within the dairy barn. The dairy farm is an environment with many obstructions; steel girders, heavy machinery and with lots of structural metal work. Furthermore the cows are milked by robots whereby the cows enter into the machine one at a time to be milked, which is an enclosed area, and may cause obstruction to the signal. Within the cow barn in each cow location (one location houses approximately 40 cows each, all milking via 1 robot, with 4 locations in total) there are cubicles for individual cows to stand or lie down in, in comfort on shavings, which are raised by 20cm. Cubicles line the centre of the barn, some may be in ideal positions for good signal quality and some may be in poor positions where there is more obstruction. Opposite the cubicles is the feed passage where cows stand with Figure 4.2 UWB unit that can be configured as either base unit, mobile unit or control unit their heads facing outwards and are fed. This is also an open area where cows stand and mainly interact with one another; therefore the accuracy of UWB in these areas must be determined. When handling cows they are taken to the management/AI stalls, which is an area behind the robots, outside of the main cow location, where up to 10 cows can be separated for handling in a controlled environment. The management/ AI stalls are behind the locations where the cows live and was therefore outside of the BU network. Positioning accuracy needs to be tested in all of the potential areas where cattle may interact, particularly areas which may relay a poor signal due to obstruction by structural components of the farm, to determine whether UWB is suitable for use at the dairy farm. Preliminary static and kinematic tests in the cow barn using small and large networks of BUs to monitor MU position demonstrated accuracy in all 3 dimensions: X and Y horizontal positioning and Z vertical positioning. Static tests are useful to determine the overall accuracy of position recorded by UWB in reference to the BU network when the MU is stationary for a period of time. Kinematic accuracy is testing the accuracy of the MU when the unit is mobile and thus changing position. To test the horizontal positioning 85
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NOVEL APPROACHES TO EXPRESSION AND
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TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS
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2.2.3 Statistical Analyses ........
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5.3 RESULTS .......................
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Furthermore, automated software was
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LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Hormonal
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LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1 Trends in
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ˚ ˚C μM 2D
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CHAPTER 1 - Introduction & Literatu
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the past 50 years and duration of o
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Oestrus growing follicle (Staigmill
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ecomes the main inhibitor of FSH an
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calf at 40-50 days post partum; inv
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al., 2006). However, aged sperm hav
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can occur within 2-3 days, but if t
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educes the incidence of problem cow
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oestradiol, the LH surge and ovulat
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The secondary signs of oestrus can
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There are also changes in normal be
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engage in more natural behaviours i
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1983). Exact explanations and mecha
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2006) and disruption of LH secretio
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1.4.3.2 Milk Yield and Nutrition Di
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influence the ability of the ovary
Page 49 and 50: cyclicity can be delayed if dietary
Page 51 and 52: indication for the optimal time to
Page 53 and 54: calving), 3) pre-breeding heat date
Page 55 and 56: 1.5.2 Physiological Changes Physiol
Page 57 and 58: 1.5.2.3 Body and Milk Temperature T
Page 59 and 60: physical activity and stage of the
Page 61 and 62: caused by the general environment t
Page 63 and 64: may be gained. This is because data
Page 65 and 66: In summary the objective was to for
Page 67 and 68: diet, with concentrates at milking.
Page 69 and 70: oestrus was defined as 3 consecutiv
Page 71 and 72: The interaction between parity and
Page 73 and 74: individual oestrus was not signific
Page 75 and 76: Table 2.4 The effects of the intera
Page 77 and 78: (361 vs. 578 points, respectively,
Page 79 and 80: oestrous expression with increasing
Page 81 and 82: the blood (Sangsritavong et al., 20
Page 83 and 84: CHAPTER 3 - Single Nucleotide Polym
Page 85 and 86: population owing to previous select
Page 87 and 88: Table 3.1 Cont. Follicle Stimulatin
Page 89 and 90: 3.2.4 Sequencing of DNA in the Labo
Page 91 and 92: was achieved. PCR products were rem
Page 93 and 94: 3.4 DISCUSSION The objectives of th
Page 95 and 96: fertility and oestrous expression.
Page 97 and 98: CHAPTER 4 - Development of a Novel
Page 99: In summary UWB seems a good option
Page 103 and 104: Therefore this demonstrates that X
Page 105 and 106: which is most important for achievi
Page 107 and 108: Figure 4.9 Horizontal - Vertical Di
Page 109 and 110: that UWB is matching the ‘truth
Page 111 and 112: mounting cow. For example height ch
Page 113 and 114: Backpack 1 st put on in AI stalls E
Page 115 and 116: Cows’ behaviour was assessed at 5
Page 117 and 118: or that the cows were in an area of
Page 119 and 120: plane, but mostly in achieving high
Page 121 and 122: Develop techniques for analysis of
Page 123 and 124: in elastic silicone moulded over a
Page 125 and 126: and time of mount, duration of moun
Page 127 and 128: observed matched with increases in
Page 129 and 130: 5.3 RESULTS Results demonstrate pos
Page 131 and 132: Figure 5.2 Graph showing mounting b
Page 133 and 134: Table 5.1 Results from POC 2 showin
Page 135 and 136: Table 5.3 Efficiency and accuracy o
Page 137 and 138: oestrus and oestrus it is clear to
Page 139 and 140: P4 Concentration, ng/ml P4 Concentr
Page 147 and 148: Activity Activity Activity Activity
Page 149 and 150: Activity Activity Activity Activity
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Activity Activity Activity Activity
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5.4 DISCUSSION The aim of this work
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averaged 70% which was lower than t
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when the cows lie down, especially
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the level of oestrous activity was
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technology larger herds must be mon
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monitoring could also monitor non-l
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antennae which could affect accurac
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predispose cows to illness e.g. met
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CHAPTER 6 - Overall Discussion & Co
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oestrus, h 2 =0.27 (Lovendahl et al
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The final section of this thesis de
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ate. By using UWB in a commercial s
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provides an insight the potential o
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BLOWEY, R. (2005) Factors associate
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ovine gonadotrophin releasing hormo
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GINTHER, O. J., KOT, K., KULICK, L.
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associated with embryonic survival
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ody condition at parturition on end
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Signs in a 24-h Tie-Stalled Dairy H
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SHERMAN, E. L., NKRUMAH, J. D., MUR
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Influence of negative energy balanc
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