Abstract

SALAZAR-CUYTUN, Eufracia del R. et al. Relationship between body mass index and body condition score in Pelibuey ewes. Ecosistemas y recur. agropecuarios [online]. 2020, vol.7, n.2, 00004.  Epub Dec 22, 2020. ISSN 2007-901X.  https://doi.org/10.19136/era.a7n2.2474.

The objective of the current study was to relate body mass index (BMI) and body condition score (BCS) in Pelibuey ewes in order to predict BMI based on a well-known method for estimating BCS. Body weight (BW), withers height (WH), body length (BL) and BCS were measured in 402 ewes. The relationships were investigated by regression models. The BMI and BCS had a strong relationship (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). The linear regression for predicting BMI from BCS was as follows: BMI (kg m-2) = 8.38 (± 0.189***) + 1.70 (± 0.064***) xBCS(R 2 = 0.65, MSE: 2.56, RMSE: 1.60, p < 0.0001 and n = 402). In conclusion, BMI can be used as an indicator of the degree of obesity and body fat reserves in non-pregnant and non-lactating Pelibuey ewes under field conditions.

Keywords : Body mass index; body measurements; body fat; energy reserves.

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