INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES RESEARCH

(Formerly Tamil Nadu Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences)

Vol. 49 November - December 2020 No. 6

Full length articles

1. Effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder on production performance and 1-8
egg quality characteristics of laying hen
Bharathidhasan
2. Gross morphological and morphometric studies on the sternum of Victorian 9-16
crowned pigeon (Goura victoria)
O.R. Sathyamoorthy, K. Nagarajan, Sabiha Hayath Basha and S. Ushakumary
3. Effects of different extraction conditions on yield of anthocyanin content from 17-26
Moringa oleifera leaves
R. Baghya Nisha, Rita Narayanan, R. Palani Dorai, D. Baskaran, and C. Valli
4. Prevalence and molecular characterization of major Culicoides species found 27-37
in selected parts of Tamil Nadu
T. Duraisamy, M. Parthiban, Y. Krishnamohan Reddy, P. Raja, B. Rubinibala
and K. Brindha
5. Haematological and biochemical indices of broilers fed diet with 38-46
Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM)
L. Murali, K. Naga Raja Kumari, D. Narendra Nath and D. Srinivas Kumar
6. 3UHGLVSRVLQJIDFWRUVLQÀXHQFLQJRFFXUUHQFHRIGRZQHUFRZV\QGURPHLQ 
dairy animals in selected districts of Tamil Nadu
96HQWKLONXPDU$0RKDPHG6D¿XOODKDQG*.DWKLUDYDQ

Short Communication
7. Effect of genetic makeup and season on fertility and hatchability of chicken 55-59
varieties of rural farming
D. Gandhimathi, M. Murugan and S.C. Edwin
8. Management of dystocia due to fetal anasarca with ascites and hydrocephalus in 60-62
a cow: A case report
M. Palanisamy, S. Manokaran, M. Selvaraju, K. Ravikumar and S. Prakash
9. Development and evaluation of japanese quail egg pickle product to ensure 63-68
food and nutrition security
M. Vimalarani and P.R. Nisha
 PREDISPOSING FACTORS INFLUENCING OCCURRENCE OF
DOWNER COW SYNDROME IN DAIRY ANIMALS IN SELECTED
DISTRICTS OF TAMIL NADU
V. Senthilkumar1 $0RKDPHG6D¿XOODK2 and G. Kathiravan3
'HSDUWPHQWRI$QLPDO+XVEDQGU\(FRQRPLFV
Veterinary College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT
$VWXG\ZDVFRQGXFWHGWRDVVHVVWKHIDFWRUVLQÀXHQFLQJWKHRFFXUUHQFHRIGRZQHUFRZ
V\QGURPH LQ 7DPLO 1DGX )RU WKLV SULPDU\ GDWD IURP WKH  GDLU\ IDUPHUV  FRZ DQG
EXIIDORIDUPHUVIURP1DPDNNDODQG.DUXUGLVWULFWVRI7DPLO1DGXKDYLQJGRZQHUFRZ
syndrome affected dairy animals were collected. Using logistic regression model, Wald
VWDWLVWLFZHUHREWDLQHGIRUWKHLQGHSHQGHQWYDULDEOHVZKLFKLQGLFDWHGWKDWWKHFRHI¿FLHQWV
for parity, stage of lactation, summer and winter season, previous occurrence of metabolic
diseases, feeding of green fodder, feeding of concentrate, proximity to parturition (near term)
DQGVSHFLHVRIGDLU\DQLPDOZHUHREVHUYHGVLJQL¿FDQW7KHORJRGGVRIWKHDQLPDOJRLQJWREH
affected by downer cow syndrome enhanced by 8.199 and 4.581, when parity and mid-stage
RIODFWDWLRQZHUHFKDQJHGIURPWR7KHVH¿QGLQJVVXJJHVWHGWKDWPRUHFRQFHQWUDWLRQRQ
these factors were warranted to minimise the risk of incidence of downer cow syndrome in
bovines.

Key words: Downer cow syndrome, Logistic regression, Metabolic diseases, Probability
INTRODUCTION The milk production has increased from
176.3 million tonnes in 2017-18 to 187.7
India has a huge livestock population million tonnes in 2018-19 registering a
comprising of 535.82 million of which growth of 6.5 per cent. Also, the per capita
192.52 million cattle, 109.85 million availability of milk has increased from
buffaloes, 148.88 million goats, 74.26 233gm/day in 2004-05 to 394gm/day in
million sheep and accounts for about 57.3 2018-19 (BAHS, 2019).
per cent of the world’s buffalo population.
*corresponding author, The livestock sector particularly dairy
email: [email protected] IDUPLQJSOD\VDVLJQL¿FDQWUROHLQVHFXULQJ
1
Assistant Professor the livelihood of rural farmers by providing
2
Professor and Head, TANUVAS-Regional Research
income and employment generation in rural
and Educational Centre, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu,
India areas. However, this sector is facing several
3
Professor and Head, Department of Animal disease problems due to introduction of
Husbandry Economics, Madras Veterinary College, H[RWLF JHUP SODVP IRU KLJKHU SURGXFWLYLW\
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

,QG-9HW $QLP6FL5HV1RY'HF 47

 Senthilkumar et al.

and changing global climate which cause may be in the same. Downer cow syndrome
huge economic loss resulting from mortality KDV QR XQLYHUVDO GH¿QLWLRQ :H IDYRXU WKH
and low productivity of animals (Singh and GH¿QLWLRQ XVHG E\ &R[ et al. (1986), who
Shivprasad, 2008). Dairy animals suffer stated that downer cow is the one down for
from many diseases; some of these diseases at least 24 hours without apparent reason
are common with other livestock species, for being down. Hypothesis of the present
ZKLOH D IHZ DUH VSHFL¿F WR GDLU\ DQLPDOV study is that the dairy animal, feeding
There are several metabolic disorders practices, post-partum disorders and
LGHQWL¿HG LQ GDLU\ FRZV GXULQJ WKH ¿UVW other management factors have positive
month immediately after parturition. In LQÀXHQFH RQ WKH LQFLGHQFH RI GRZQHU FRZ
dairy farming, metabolic diseases such syndrome, while the economic losses due
as ketosis, milk fever and downer cow to the occurrence of downer cow syndrome
V\QGURPHDUHWKHPRVWFRPPRQH[SHQVLYH KDYHWKHQHJDWLYHLQÀXHQFHRQSUR¿WDELOLW\
disease entities in such lactating dairy of dairy farming. In the present study, it
animals (Kaneene and Scott, 1990). is employed to estimate the probability of
a particular dairy animal is affected with
Among different metabolic diseases, downer cow syndrome or not.
downer cow syndrome is occurring in
dairy animals mostly near parturient MATERIALS AND METHODS
and management is economically most
important, as it results in not only reduction Namakkal and Karur districts of
in production but also loss of animals Tamil Nadu were purposively selected
(Thirunavukkarasu et al., 2010). In Australia for the present study, as these districts
)HQZLFNGRZQHUFRZLVGH¿QHGDV DUH H[SHULHQFLQJ IUHTXHQW RFFXUUHQFH RI
any cow with milk fever that did not get downer cow syndrome in dairy animals. A
XS ZLWKLQ  PLQXWHV RI ¿UVW WUHDWPHQW total of 67 (60 cow and 07 buffalo) downer
with intravenous calcium, Bjorsell et al. cow syndrome affected dairy animals
(1969) from Sweden considered a downer were selected through purposive sampling
cow to be one that had not risen within 24 technique from these districts. From the
KRXUVDIWHU¿UVWWUHDWPHQWZLWKFDOFLXPIRU dairy farmers so selected, the data were
milk fever. Different terminologies used collected during the months of October
to describe this syndrome are ‘downers’, 2012 and June 2013 by personal interview
‘alert downers’, ‘atypical milk fever’ or method, using pretested interview schedule.
‘creeper cows’ and ‘fat cow syndrome’ The data collected from the sample
(Morrow, 1976 and Morrow et al., 1979). respondents included information on
Downer cow diseases are more complicated breed, parity, stage of lactation, frequency
resulting from hypocalcaemia with muscle, of occurrence, stage of calving, feeding
tendon or nerve injuries (Littledike et al., practices, milk yield, disease occurrence
1981). Other syndromes in this disease and post-partum disorders were collected.
FRPSOH[ DUH QRW DV HDV\ WR FKDUDFWHUL]H The data so collected were analysed by
indeed, various combinations of diseases using of logistic regression model.

48 ,QG-9HW $QLP6FL5HV1RY'HF

 3UHGLVSRVLQJIDFWRUVLQÀXHQFLQJRFFXUUHQFHLQGDLU\DQLPDOVLQVHOHFWHGGLVWULFWVRI7DPLO1DGX

It is also used to predict whether an or, equivalently

event will occur or not, as well as identifying
the variables in making the prediction. It is
used in estimating empirical values of the
parameters in a qualitative response model.
Logistic regression model predicts the log
odds for a dependent variable as an additive or, simply =
function of the independent variables Where,
(Grohn et al., 1991).
, i ±WKHFRHI¿FLHQWVWREHHVWLPDWHG
The logistic regression model is from the data;
the technique of choice for analyzing
binary response variable in veterinary e – the base of the natural logarithms,
epidemiology (Dyke and Patterson, 1952). DSSUR[LPDWHO\DQG
Logistic regression analysis was used to
test possible risk factors for development Z – the linear combination such that
of metabolic diseases in dairy animals
by Hosmer and Lemeshow (2000). In the
present study, it is employed to estimate
the probability of a particular dairy animal The probability of the event not
affected with downer cow syndrome or not. occurring is estimated as
Logistic regression analysis was carried
out using SPSS for Window: Release 10.0 Prob (no event) = 1 – Prob (event)
(2000). The following logistic regression
model is used in this study. The probability estimates will always
be between 0 and 1, regardless of the value
Prob (event) or Pi = E(Y = 1/Vi) of Z. Table 1 shows the description of
variables used in logistic regression analysis
= for downer cow syndrome in dairy animals.
i = 1,2,3,……….,14

,QG-9HW $QLP6FL5HV1RY'HF 49

 Senthilkumar et al.

Table 1. Description of variables used in logistic regression analysis for downer cow
syndrome in dairy animals
Explanatory variables Levels 6SHFL¿FDWLRQV Xi

Breed Non-descript; Crossbred cow / 1-Crossbred Cow/ Graded X1

Graded buffalo Buffalo; 0-Otherwise

Parity (Order of lactation) Continuous In number of calving X2

Stage of lactationa Early stage; Mid stage; Late 1-if Mid; 0-Otherwise X3
stage
1-if Late; 0-Otherwise X4

Average daily milk yield Continuous Litres per day X5

Post-partum disorders Present; Absent 1-if Present; 0-Otherwise X6

(metritis and retained foetal
membrane)

Seasonb Summer; Winter; Monsoon 1-if Summer; 0-Otherwise X7

1-if Winter; 0-Otherwise X8

General appearance Debilitated, Healthy 1-if Debilitated; X9

0-Otherwise

Previous occurrence of Present; Absent 1-if Present; 0-Otherwise X10

metabolic diseases

Green fodder feeding Not practiced; Practiced 1-if Not practiced; X11
0-Otherwise

Concentrate feeding Not practiced; Practiced 1-if Not practiced; X12

0-Otherwise

Supplementation with mineral Not practiced; Practiced 1-if Not practiced; X13
PL[WXUH 0-Otherwise

3UR[LPLW\WRSDUWXULWLRQQHDU Yes; No 1-if Yes; 0-Otherwise X14

term)

Species of dairy animal Cow; Buffalo 1-if Cow; 0-Otherwise X15

UHIHUHQFHFDWHJRU\(DUO\ODFWDWLRQ b reference category: monsoon.

a

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Table 2. Parameters estimated for the logistic regression model for downer cow
syndrome
S. Estimated Standard Wald R
Variables Exp (B)
No. FRHI¿FLHQW error statistic statistic
1. Breed 23.208 2715.293 0.000 0.993 1.199
2. Parity (Order of lactation) 2.104 0.618 11.592** 0.001 8.199
3. Stage of lactation 2 1.522 0.660 5.311* 0.021 4.581
4. Stage of lactation 3 2.305 0.626 13.541** 0.000 10.026
5. Average daily milk yield 0.051 0.043 1.430 0.232 1.053
6. Post-partum disorders
(metritis and retained foetal 1.698 0.971 3.058 0.080 5.464
membrane)
7. Season summer 1.353 0.468 8.369** 0.004 3.868
8. Season winter -1.194 0.475 6.319* 0.012 0.303
9. Previous occurrence of
2.575 0.750 11.781** 0.001 13.137
metabolic diseases
10. Green fodder feeding 3.304 0.822 16.144** 0.000 27.228
11. Concentrate feeding 5.320 0.871 37.312** 0.000 204.392
12. Supplementation with
-3.728 2.333 2.553 0.110 0.024
PLQHUDOPL[WXUH
13. 3UR[LPLW\WRSDUWXULWLRQ
2.196 0.838 6.872** 0.009 8.987
(near term)
14. Species of dairy animal 4.019 0.964 17.401** 0.000 55.669
15. Constant -40.598 2715.295 0.000 0.988 0.000
VLJQL¿FDQWS
*

VLJQL¿FDQWS
**

Degree of freedom for each variable is 1

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION membrane) and supplementation of mineral
PL[WXUHDQGZHUHIRXQGWREHLQVLJQL¿FDQW
Table 2 displays the results of the as per Wald statistic.
logistic regression model for downer cow
syndrome. From the table, Wald statistic As it is viewed from the table, it
obtained for the independent variables was evident that R statistics for all the
LQGLFDWHG WKDW WKH FRHI¿FLHQWV IRU SDULW\ YDULDEOHV FKRVHQ ZHUH SRVLWLYH H[FHSW IRU
stage of lactation, summer and winter QRQVXSSOHPHQWDWLRQ RI PLQHUDO PL[WXUH
season, previous occurrence of metabolic DQGZLQWHUVHDVRQEXWQRQVLJQL¿FDQW7KH
diseases, feeding of green fodder, feeding LQFUHDVH LQ YDOXH RI VLJQL¿FDQW YDULDEOHV
RI FRQFHQWUDWH SUR[LPLW\ WR SDUWXULWLRQ would increase the occurrence of downer
(near term) and species of dairy animal cow with respect their odd ratios as shown
ZHUHREVHUYHGVLJQL¿FDQW7KHFRHI¿FLHQWV in the table. The logit model estimated in
for the variables breed, milk yield, post- terms of log of the odds as it below:
partum disorders (metritis and retained fetal

,QG-9HW $QLP6FL5HV1RY'HF 51

 Senthilkumar et al.

Prob (downer) Pi
Log --------------------------- = log ----------
Prob (non-downer) 1-Pi

= - 40.598 + 23.208V1 + 2.104V2** + 1.522V3* + 2.305V4** + 0.051V5+ 1.698V6+1.353V7** -

1.194V8* + 2.575V9** + 3.304V10** + 5.320V11**- 3.728V12 + 2.196 V13** + 4.019 V14**
The log odds of the animal going ZHUH IRXQG WR EH QRQVLJQL¿FDQW ,W LV LQ
to be affected by downer cow syndrome agreement with the authors Morrow et al.
enhanced by 8.199 and 4.581, when parity (1979). Since it is easier to think of odds
and mid stage of lactation were changed rather than log odds, the logistic regression
from 0 to 1 (in ceteris paribus). Similarly, equation can be written in terms of odds as:
when other indicator variables viz., late - (-40.598 + 23.208V1 + 2.104V2** + 1.522V3* + 2.305V4** +
stage of lactation, summer season, previous 0.051V5 + 1.698V6 + 1.353V7** - 1.194V8* + 2.575V9** +
occurrence of metabolic diseases, green 3.304V10** + 5.320V11**- 3.728V12 + 2.196 V13** + 4.019
fodder feeding, concentrate feeding,
V14**)
SUR[LPLW\ WR SDUWXULWLRQ QHDU WHUP DQG
species of dairy animal for being affected Pi
by the downer cow syndrome were to the ----- = e
tune of 10.026, 3.868, 13.137, 27.228, 1- Pi
204.392, 8.987 and 55.669 respectively.
The comparisons of prediction for
The same parameters were used by the
downer cow syndrome to the observed
authors Thirunavukkarasu et al. (2010).
outcomes are presented in Table 3.
7KH QHJDWLYH FRHI¿FLHQW YDULDEOH ZLQWHU
season indicated that change in season as It could be seen from the table that
winter leads to the downer cow syndrome 946 observations not affected by downer
occurrence being less likely (0.303 cow syndrome (99.60 per cent of the non-
times) to occur. The other variables, such affected animals) were correctly predicted
as milk yield, post-partum disorders by the model not to have downer cow
(metritis and retained fetal membrane) syndrome. Similarly, 52 animals affected
DQG VXSSOHPHQWDWLRQ ZLWK PLQHUDO PL[WXUH by downer cow syndrome (80.50 per cent

Table 3 Comparison of prediction of the logistic regression analysis to the observed

RXWFRPHVFODVVL¿FDWLRQWDEOHIRUGRZQHUFRZV\QGURPH
Predicted Per cent
Observed
Non affected (0) Affected (1) correct
Non affected (0) 946 4 99.60
Affected (1) 13 52 80.00
Overall 959 56 98.30

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to the total animal affected by downer cow Downer cow occurrence in Minnesota
syndrome) were correctly predicted to be dairy herds. Preventive Veterinary
affected by downer cow syndrome. Overall, Medicine, 4: 249.
98.30 per cent of the observations were
Dyke, G.V. and Patterson, H.D. (1952).
FRUUHFWO\FODVVL¿HG
Analysis of factorial arrangements
when the data are proportions.
CONCLUSION
Biometrics, 8: 1-12.
The study found that parity, stage Fenwick, D.C (1969). Parturient paresis
of lactation, summer and winter season, (milk fever) of cows: The response to
previous occurrence of metabolic diseases, treatment and the effect of the duration
feeding of green fodder, feeding of of symptoms. Australian Veterinary
FRQFHQWUDWH SUR[LPLW\ WR SDUWXULWLRQ QHDU Journal, 45: 111.
term) and species of dairy animal were
WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW IDFWRUV WKDW LQÀXHQFHG Grohn, Y.T., Fubini, S.L. and Smith,
the occurrence of downer cow syndrome D.F. (1991). Using a multiple
LQ WKH VWXG\ DUHD 7KH FRHI¿FLHQWV IRU WKH logistic regression model to predict
variables breed, milk yield, post-partum prognosis of cows with right abomasal
disorders (metritis and retained fetal displacement or abomasal volvulus.
membrane) and supplementation of mineral Bovine Practitioner, 26: 133-134.
PL[WXUHDQGZHUHIRXQGWREHLQVLJQL¿FDQW Hosmer, J.R.D.W. and Lemeshow, S.
DV SHU :DOG VWDWLVWLF 7KHVH ¿QGLQJV LQVLVW (2000). In: Applied logistic regression.
the importance of downer cow syndrome John Wiley and Sons. Inc., New York.
among dairy stock holders and bring to PP. 175-180.
lime light the various causes of downer cow
syndrome to avoid huge economic loss in Kaneene, J.B. and Scott, H.Hd. (1990).
dairy animals. The national animal health monitoring
system in Michigan. III. Cost estimates
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