Effect of Pregnancy on Body Hair Growth in Dairy Cattle

January 2012 in “ Charles Sturt University Research Output (CRO) ”

Shahbaz Khan, Nobuko ISHIKAWA, T. Hattori, Atsushi Tajima, M. S. Qureshi

TLDR Pregnancy increases hair growth in dairy cattle.

The study investigated the effect of pregnancy on body hair growth in Holstein Friesian dairy cattle, using three early pregnant and two post-parturition cows. Hair samples from the neck, thoracic, and back areas were collected twice a week over two months to measure hair weight and diameter. Results showed an increase in hair diameter and weight as pregnancy progressed, with a decrease in hair weight after parturition. A consistent increase in diameter and weight along individual fibers from tip to end was noted in pregnant cows, with a significant correlation between hair fiber diameter and weight. The study concluded that pregnancy status affected hair growth in dairy cattle.

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