Applicability of fetal thoracic aortic diameter measurement in the prediction of birth weight in Holstein-Friesian cows — Short communication

Vincze, Boglárka and Gáspárdy, András and Kovács, Levente and Albert, Ervin and Kézér, Luca and Baska, Ferenc and Szenci, Ottó (2017) Applicability of fetal thoracic aortic diameter measurement in the prediction of birth weight in Holstein-Friesian cows — Short communication. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica, 65 (1). pp. 60-65. ISSN 0236-6290

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Abstract

Transabdominal ultrasonography has been shown to be a useful and reliable method for assessing fetal well-being in horses and cattle. To test the applicability of fetal aortic diameter measurement in cattle, 44 late-term pregnant cows and heifers were examined 21 to 0 days prior to calving. Mean fetal aortic diameter was 2.07 ± 0.14 cm and mean fetal heart rate (FHR) was 109 ± 17 bpm. Three dead calves were dissected and their aortic diameter was measured in a water bath. The mean birth weight (n = 44) was 39.9 ± 5.8 kg. There was a significant negative correlation between FHR and fetal aortic diameter. However, although some studies have shown that fetal aortic diameter strongly correlates with birth weight in near-term horses and cattle, in this study there was no correlation between fetal aortic diameter and birth weight in Holstein-Friesian cows and heifers irrespective of whether the fetus was born alive or dead.

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