Publications > Animal Science > 2003 > Volume 76 Part 2 > View abstract

Animal Science Abstract

Estimating internal pelvic sizes using external body measurements in the double-muscled Belgian Blue beef breed

F. Coopman^1,A, S. de Smet², N. Gengler³, A. Haegeman¹, K. Jacobs¹, M. van Poucke¹, H. Laevens⁴, A. van Zeveren¹ and A. F. Groen⁵

^AE-mail: Frank.Coopman@rug.ac.be

¹Department of Animal Nutrition, Genetics, Breeding and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
²Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Proefhoevestraat 10, 9090 Melle, Belgium
³Animal Science Unit, Gembloux Agricultural University, B-5030 Gembloux, Belgium
⁴Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
⁵Animal Breeding and Genetics Group, Wageningen, Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands

Abstract

In the double-muscled (DM) Belgian Blue beef (BBB) breed, caesarean section (CS) is being applied systematically as a management tool to prevent dystocia. As a matter of fact, CS is the only possible way of calving in the breed. High birth weight and a relatively small pelvic area are the main causes of dystocia and, in the DM-BBB breed, the reasons for the systematically applied CS. Selection for lower birth weight and larger pelvic sizes might reduce dystocia and routine CS. Few data on inner pelvic sizes of pedigree animals are available. Using external measurements to estimate the inner pelvic sizes might be an option to resolve this problem. In this study, animals of the DM-BBB breed were measured and weighed on farms and in abattoirs. External and internal pelvic sizes increased with live weight and age of the animals. Gender had a significant influence on inner pelvic traits. Increased muscular conformation was associated with decreased inner pelvic dimensions. Models with weight, gender, age, withers height and outer pelvic width (TcTc) can be used to estimate inner pelvic sizes (R2 between 0.35 and 0.77). The estimated inner pelvic sizes can then be used to genetically evaluate pelvic traits in the DM-BBB breed. Improving weight, withers height and TcTc width in combination with lowering muscular conformation may help to decrease the high rate of caesarean section in the DM-BBB.

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