Evaluation of walking activity data during pregnancy as an indicator of pregnancy loss in dairy cattle
This study evaluates whether sudden increases in walking activity (activity peaks) detected by pedometers in pregnant dairy cows are indicative of pregnancy loss,. Analyzing data from 537 pregnancies, the authors determined that activity peaks frequently occur in pregnant cows and should not be misinterpreted as false estrous alerts or signs of abortion.
Prevalence and Frequency of Activity Peaks
This table provides the statistical breakdown of activity spikes observed across the herd over a 4-year period. It highlights that 14.4% (77 out of 537) of the monitored pregnancies displayed at least one sudden increase in walking activity, with affected cows showing an average of 1.53 peaks and a maximum of 13 peaks during a single pregnancy.
Visual Demonstration of Non-Estrous Activity Spikes
This figure charts the daily walking activity of a specific cow to visualize the study's central finding,. It demonstrates that substantial activity peaks can occur well after a cow has been inseminated (day 106, black arrow) and confirmed pregnant (day 138, grey arrow), serving as visual proof that high activity does not necessarily signal that a pregnancy has been lost.
