Estimation of udder cistern size in dairy ewes by ultrasonography

Abstract

We studied the size of mammary cistern in ewes of 9 genotypes (purebred Improved Valachian (IV), purebred Tsigai (T), purebred Lacaune (LC) and their crosses with genetic proportion of specialized dairy breeds Lacaune and East Friesian (EF) - (25 %, 50 % and 75 %) were evaluated. Dana were evaluated using REML methodology and MIXED procedure (SAS/STAT). The effect of genotype showed the highest influence (P<0.001) on the length and area of the left and right udder cisterns measurements. In purebred IV ewes, the average areas of the left and right udder cisterns sizes were obtained by using the side method were (1519.39±77.212 mm2 and 1558.45±74.480 mm2). In purebred T ewes, the average areas of the left and right udder cisterns were (1438.70±70.43 mm2 and 1418.68±67.952 mm2). These were significantly smaller than in purebred LC (2694.44±71.95 mm2 and 2693.48±69.340 mm2). The udder cistern areas were significantly higher in crosses with 25 %, 50 % and 75 % genetic proportion of specialized dairy breeds LC and EF, than in purebred IV and T ewes. The analyses showed that crossbreeding of IV with LC and EF and T with LC and EF considerably increases ewe‘s cistern size.