Research Article

Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes

Volume: 15 Number: 3 July 8, 2026
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Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes

Abstract

Udder conformation and teat morphology are functionally relevant traits in ewes, but their relationships with body condition and lameness scores remain insufficiently characterized under field conditions. This cross-sectional observational study evaluated phenotypic associations among body condition score (BCS), lameness score (LS), udder conformation, and teat morphology in 118 post-lambing ewes from three flocks in Aydin, Türkiye. Body condition was scored on a 1–5 visual scale, lameness on a 1–5 scale, and udder and teat traits using a 1–9 linear scoring system. Associations among traits were assessed using Spearman correlation analysis, and selected variables were compared across BCS and LS categories using the Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni correction. Udder support traits were negatively associated with udder depth, particularly fore udder attachment (ρ=-0.627, P<0.001) and central ligament (ρ=-0.555, P<0.001). Udder depth was strongly associated with teat placement, teat length, and teat form (ρ=0.608–0.744, P<0.001). Lameness score was positively associated with rear udder width, udder depth, and teat morphology traits, and negatively associated with fore udder attachment. Selected udder and teat traits also varied across BCS and LS categories. These findings suggest that adapted linear udder and teat scoring, combined with BCS and LS, may provide useful phenotypic information for field-based ewe evaluation.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Surgery

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 8, 2026

Submission Date

May 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 25, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
Tuna, B., Özturan, Y. A., & Akın, İ. (2026). Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, 15(3). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269
AMA
1.Tuna B, Özturan YA, Akın İ. Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15(3). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269
Chicago
Tuna, Bilginer, Yalçın Alper Özturan, and İbrahim Akın. 2026. “Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 (3). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269.
EndNote
Tuna B, Özturan YA, Akın İ (July 1, 2026) Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15 3
IEEE
[1]B. Tuna, Y. A. Özturan, and İ. Akın, “Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes”, Animal Health, Prod and Hyg, vol. 15, no. 3, July 2026, doi: 10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269.
ISNAD
Tuna, Bilginer - Özturan, Yalçın Alper - Akın, İbrahim. “Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene 15/3 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269.
JAMA
1.Tuna B, Özturan YA, Akın İ. Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026;15. doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269.
MLA
Tuna, Bilginer, et al. “Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes”. Animal Health Production and Hygiene, vol. 15, no. 3, July 2026, doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269.
Vancouver
1.Bilginer Tuna, Yalçın Alper Özturan, İbrahim Akın. Phenotypic Associations Among Udder Conformation, Teat Morphology, Body Condition, and Lameness Scores in Post-Lambing Ewes. Animal Health, Prod and Hyg. 2026 Jul. 1;15(3). doi:10.53913/aduveterinary.1952269