von Keyserlingk Marina A G, Weary Daniel M
Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4.
Horm Behav. 2007 Jun;52(1):106-13. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2007.03.015. Epub 2007 Mar 31.
We provide a critical summary of the literature on maternal behavior in cattle. The studies we review increase our basic understanding of this behavior and provide insights into practical problems in cattle production. When domesticated cattle are permitted to rear their young, the behaviors associated with maternal care are for the most part similar to those observed in wild ungulates. These behaviors allow the cow to bond with her calf, protect and provide it with nourishment and ultimately break down this bond at weaning. Different commercial production systems have emphasized different maternal behaviors, some being viewed as advantageous while others are considered a hindrance. Extensive production systems (most beef cattle production) place the responsibility of rearing the newborn largely on the cow and risk factors that affect the maternal bonding process (e.g. cross licking) remain important practical challenges. Most dairy cattle production discourages all aspects of maternal behavior with the exception of milk production, but changing consumer demand (e.g. increases in organic production) will make an understanding of maternal behavior in this system a priority in years to come.
我们对有关母牛母性行为的文献进行了批判性总结。我们所综述的研究增进了我们对这种行为的基本理解，并为养牛生产中的实际问题提供了见解。当允许家养母牛哺育其幼崽时，与母性照料相关的行为在很大程度上与在野生有蹄类动物中观察到的行为相似。这些行为使母牛能够与它的小牛建立联系，保护并为其提供营养，并最终在断奶时打破这种联系。不同的商业生产系统强调了不同的母性行为，有些被视为有利的，而另一些则被认为是一种障碍。粗放型生产系统（大多数肉牛生产）将养育新生牛犊的责任主要放在母牛身上，而影响母性联系过程的风险因素（例如相互舔舐）仍然是重要的实际挑战。除了产奶之外，大多数奶牛生产都不鼓励母性行为的各个方面，但消费者需求的变化（例如有机生产的增加）将使了解该系统中的母性行为在未来几年成为优先事项。
