The study was performed on 55 parturient crossbred
(Brown Swiss X Simmental crosses) cows, 3-8 years old, brought to the Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat,
Turkey between September 2007 and October 2008. The
cow weight was recorded before parturition, by using the
chest girth (circumference of the thoracic cavity
immediately behind the fore limbs) measurement (Bures
et al., 2008). The assessments of the BCS were made as
described by Edmonson et al. (1989). The scores were
assigned using a five-point scale (0=very thin to 5=grossly
fat). It was based on the palpation of the transverse
processes of the loin vertebrae, cranial coccygeal
vertebrae, and tuber ischii. The body conditioning was
always performed by the same person.
All the cows were pluripara and were under almost
similar breeding and feeding management. Out of these
animals, 20 cows gave normal birth with no assistance
was required, while 35 cows were admitted with dystocia
for assistance at calving. This study did not include
animals subjected to Fetotomy or Caesarian section.
Moreover, epidural anaesthesia was not used for the cows
which needed mechanical extraction.