Determination of backfat thickness with transrectal ultrasonography in cattle

The purpose of this study is to determine the Body Condition Score (BCS), which is subjectively measured in dairy cattle with inspection and palpation of backfat thickness, objectively by using transrectal ultrasonography examination method after delivery. Forty-four cows, randomly selected, average 650 kg live weight, 2 - 6 lactation from 350 dairy cattle have been used. Cows have been separated into two groups according to BCS; which are: group 1 (n = 22) (BCS ≤ 3) and group 2 (n=22) (BCS ˃ 3). In previous studies, subcutaneous fat thickness has been determined by examining body thickness using ultrasonographic imaging above the skin. In the transrectal ultrasound examination; A hand-held probe was inserted from the rectum after rectum is cleared, it was pushed forward inside the cavum pelvis, and measurements were performed on the fat tissue between the muscle and skin layers by scanning vertically using the probe on the sacral region between the upper parts of last lumbar vertebrae, sacrum and tuber coxae. Corresponding images resulting from the examination were saved on the ultrasonography device and evaluated after being transferred in software. In the result of this study, backfat thickness of BCS ≤ 3 and BCS ˃ 3 groups were determined according to ultrasonography examination, and a difference was observed between groups (p < 0.05). 305- day milk yield between the groups and TMR analysis have been determined in this study and no difference has been determined between groups (p ˃ 0,05)