Comparison of real-time ultrasonic measurements of rump fat thickness by different operators (short paper)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of measuring rump fat depth (P8) by different operator persons on real-time ultrasonic scans (equipment: Falco 100, Pie Medical) of Holstein Friesian and Hungarian Simmental fattening bulls (n=62, age: 403±36.38 days, live weight: 476.90±56.72 kg). The bulls were kept in small groups, on deep litter, and fed on silage and concentrate. Ultrasonic measurements for P8 were carried out manually, twice on the same pictures (P8A, P8B, P8C, P8D), by four independent operator persons (A, B, C, D). Results of fat depth measured by the different persons on the different occasions were as follows: P8: „A”: 0.4793±0.0157 cm; „B”: 0.4821±0.0131 cm; „C”: 0.4611±0.0153 cm; „D”: 0.4929±0.0180 cm. ANOVA did not confirm any significant effect of operator persons on measurements for P8 (P>0.10). Low, medium and high positive correlations were calculated between results of the measurements of operators (n=62, A-B: r=0.53, P<0.001; A−C: r=0.67, P<0.001; A−D: r=0.71, P<0.001; B−C: r=0.52, P<0.001; B−D: r=0.47, P<0.001, C−D: r=0.60, P<0.001). Correlations looser than 0.50 give reason to establish „eye-equalizing training” in measurements of P8.