Analysis of the management records of 181 Japanese Black beef calves (93 females and 88 males) indicated birth weight was significantly greater in calves with a visually thick umbilical cord. Additionally, birth weight was positively related to average daily gain during the fattening period, as well as to carcass weight. The measured umbilical cord thickness was also positively related to birth weight. Supplementation of vitamin E, a stimulator of vasodilation and angiogenesis, to the dams tended to increase birth weight but did not affect the umbilical cord thickness of their calves. Activation of stromal cells in the umbilical cord was responsible for the thickening of the umbilical cord. The present study demonstrates that the umbilical cord thickness is a crucial factor for the intrauterine growth of calves. Birth weight is not solely determined by the umbilical cord thickness but is regulated by the maternal status of vitamin E. A feeding program to thicken the umbilical cord or to improve vitamin E nutrition could be useful for efficient beef production in Japanese Black beef cattle.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.