CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOMÉTRICA DE LOS PEZONES EN VACAS CARORA Morphometric Characterization of the Teats in Carora Cows

Morphological characteristics of teats were studied in 2663 Carora Cows, from eleven dairy farms in six States of Venezuela, registered in the Carora Breeder Association. A subjective scheme of evaluation was develop to describe three different teat shapes: funnel, cylindrical and bottle and seven categories for teat-shape teat: round, pointed, plane, prolapsed, disk, inverted and mixed. Front right and left teat and rear right and left teat were observed separately prior afternoon milking. The length of the teat was measured of the base teat where attachment udder to the teat apex. The diameter of teat was measured middle high on the teat. Frequencies of teat shape were: 48.69% funnel, 32.84% cylindrical and 15.34% bottle. Frequencies of teat-end shape were: 52.65% round, 28.02% pointed, 8.72% plane, 4.3% prolapsed, 2.18% disk, 0.86% inverted and 0.12% mixed. The purpose of the investigation was to categorize in Carora cows, morphological characteristics of teat which may be of importance in order to yield milk, rate milking and the individual resistance to intramammary infections.