Anatomy of muzzle (Planum nasolabiole) and muzzle prints (Nasolabiogram) classification in Holstein Friesian cattle and their crosses

The muzzle and muzzle prints of 151 Holstein Friesian cattle and their crosses were described and classified, respectively. The muzzle measured about 5.5-8.8 cm long and 3.5-5.1 cm wide in female Holstein Friesian cows and 5.0-9.2 cm long and 3.0-5.3 cm wide female Holstein crosses. In male Holstein crosses, the muzzle measured 5.0-7.0 cm long and 3.0-4.1 cm wide. The philtrum was approximately 0.4-4.3 cm long in Holstein Friesian and 0.4-4.9 cm long in male and female Holstein crosses. The central depression was 0.5-2.2 cm wide in Holstein Friesian cows and 0.5-1.4 cm wide in male and female Holstein crosses. There were about 81-94 cutaneous elevations in a 2.5 x 2.5 cm area in male Holstein crosses and 48-81 in female Holstein crosses. In some animals small depressions along the dorsal border of the muzzle were also observed in muzzle prints. The muzzle prints were initially classified based on the presence and absence of median groove. The median groove was present in 66 (63.46%) Holstein crosses and in 38 (6.54%) pure Holstein Friesian. The median groove was absent in 24 (51.06%) pure Holstein Friesian and in 23 (48.44%) Holstein crosses. Out of the 107 animals classified as having median groove, two showed a pattern characterized by alternate and branched lateral lines, two with alternate and unbranched lateral lines, six with alternate and combination of branched and unbranched lateral lines. There were two animals with patterns characterized by opposite and branched lateral lines, two with opposite and unbranched lateral lines, three with a combination of alternate and opposite with unbranched lateral lines, and four with patterns classified under special category. Of the 44 animals without median groove, seven showed patterns characterized by the presence of coalesced beads and unbranched lateral lines, 16 had a combination of single and coalesced beads with unbranched lateral lines, and four had patterns classified under special category