Timing of the attraction towards the placenta and amniotic fluid by the parturient cow

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science 1997-06, Vol.53 (3), p.183-192
• Main Authors: Pinheiro Machado F, L.C., Hurnik, J.F., King, G.J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amniotic fluid; ANIMAL EMBRYOS; BEHAVIOUR; BODY FLUIDS; Cattle-behaviour; Cattle-feeding; Cattle-maternal-filial; COMPORTAMIENTO; COMPORTEMENT; COWS; EMBRIONES ANIMALES; EMBRYON ANIMAL; GESTACION; GESTATION; LIQUIDE BIOLOGIQUE; LIQUIDOS CORPORALES; PARTO; PARTURITION; PLACENTA; Placentophagia; PREGNANCY; VACA; VACHE
• ISSN: 0168-1591; 1872-9045
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01158-6

The temporal change in the attractiveness towards donor placenta and donor amniotic fluid was studied using 13 periparturient Holstein cows. Nine preference tests were video-recorded: at six months of pregnancy; at 48, 24, 12, and 6 h before expected parturition; and at 1, 4, 12, and 24 h after parturition. The preference tests were: 6 min choice between a trough containing silage or donor placental material mixed with silage, and a 4 min choice of silage alone or mixed with donor amniotic fluid. Donor placentas and amniotic fluid were collected previously from cows at parturition and stored at −18°C until needed for preference test. Each experimental cow was used as a focal animal with the following events recorded: inspecting silage trough; inspecting mixed trough; eating or licking in silage trough; eating or licking in mixed trough; not at the troughs; care giving to calf. The percentage of time of each behaviour in each test was statistically analysed using the general linear models procedure. Throughout the placenta preference test, the time inspecting the silage trough and eating in the silage trough decreased linearly ( P < 0.003), but eating in silage mixed with placenta increased linearly ( P < 0.002). A contrast comparison showed a significantly ( P < 0.001) lower time eating from the silage trough than from the mixed trough after parturition. In the preference test with amniotic fluid, the only significant change across tests was a linear decrease ( P < 0.006) in time not at the troughs. However, a contrast comparison between the preference test with amniotic fluid at 48 and 24 h before parturition versus the subsequent tests showed the cows spending more time ( P < 0.05) eating from the mixed troughs in the later tests. The results revealed that parturient cows can be attracted to donor placenta and amniotic fluid. In the case of amniotic fluid, attraction can occur even before parturition.