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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• body condition score
• ewe
• lameness score
• teat morphology
• udder conformation

Doğum Sonrası Koyunlarda Meme Konformasyonu, Meme Başı Morfolojisi, Vücut Kondisyonu ve Topallık Skorları Arasındaki Fenotipik İlişkiler

Öz

Meme konformasyonu ve meme başı morfolojisi koyunlarda işlevsel açıdan önemli özelliklerdir; ancak bu özelliklerin vücut kondisyon skoru ve topallık skoru ile ilişkileri saha koşullarında yeterince tanımlanmamıştır. Bu kesitsel gözlemsel çalışmada, Aydın, Türkiye’de bulunan üç sürüden 118 doğum sonrası koyunda vücut kondisyon skoru (VKS), topallık skoru (TS), meme konformasyonu ve meme başı morfolojisi arasındaki fenotipik ilişkiler değerlendirildi. Vücut kondisyonu 1–5 görsel skala ile, topallık 1–5 skala ile, meme ve meme başı özellikleri ise 1–9 doğrusal puanlama sistemi kullanılarak skorlandı. Özellikler arasındaki ilişkiler Spearman korelasyon analizi ile değerlendirildi; seçilmiş değişkenler ise VKS ve TS kategorileri arasında Bonferroni düzeltmeli Kruskal–Wallis testi ile karşılaştırıldı. Meme destek özellikleri, özellikle ön meme bağlantısı (ρ=-0.627, P<0.001) ve orta bağ (ρ=-0.555, P<0.001), meme derinliği ile negatif ilişkiliydi. Meme derinliği; meme başı yerleşimi, meme başı uzunluğu ve meme başı formu ile güçlü şekilde ilişkiliydi (ρ=0.608–0.744, P<0.001). Topallık skoru, arka meme genişliği, meme derinliği ve meme başı morfolojisi özellikleri ile pozitif, ön meme bağlantısı ile negatif ilişkiliydi. Seçilmiş meme ve meme başı özellikleri VKS ve TS kategorileri arasında da farklılık gösterdi. Bu bulgular, VKS ve TS ile birlikte kullanılan doğrusal meme ve meme başı puanlamasının, saha koşullarında koyunların değerlendirilmesi için yararlı fenotipik bilgiler sağlayabileceğini göstermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• koyun
• meme başı morfolojisi
• meme konformasyonu
• topallık skoru
• vücut kondisyon skoru

Kaynakça

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