Ground transport stress affects bacteria in the rumen of beef cattle: A real‐time PCR analysis

Transport stress syndrome often appears in beef cattle during ground transportation, leading to changes in their capacity to digest food due to changes in rumen microbiota. The present study aimed to analyze bacteria before and after cattle transport. Eight Xianan beef cattle were transported over 1000 km. Rumen fluid and blood were sampled before and after transport. Real‐time PCR was used to quantify rumen bacteria. Cortisol and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) were measured. Cortisol and ACTH were increased on day 1 after transportation and decreased by day 3. Cellulolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens), Ruminococcus amylophilus and Prevotella albensis were increased at 6 h and declined by 15 days after transport. There was a significant reduction in Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens, Prevotella bryantii, Prevotella ruminicola and Anaerovibrio lipolytica after transport. Rumen concentration of acetic acid increased after transport, while rumen pH and concentrations of propionic and butyric acids were decreased. Body weight decreased by 3 days and increased by 15 days after transportation. Using real‐time PCR analysis, we detected changes in bacteria in the rumen of beef cattle after transport, which might affect the growth of cattle after transport.     

Impact of regulatory perturbations to disease spread through cattle movements in Great Britain

During the past decade the British livestock industry has suffered from several major pathogen outbreaks, and a variety of regulatory and disease control measures have been applied to the movement of livestock with the express aim of mitigating the spread of infection. The Rapid Analysis and Detection of Animal-related Risks (RADAR) project, which has been collecting data on the movement of cattle since 1998, provides a relatively comprehensive record of how these policies have influenced the movement of cattle between animal holdings, markets, and slaughterhouses in Britain. Many previous studies have focused on the properties of the network that can be derived from these movements--treating farms as nodes and movements as directed (and potentially weighted) edges in the network. However, of far greater importance is how these policy changes have influenced the potential spread of infectious diseases. Here we use a stochastic fully individual-based model of cattle in Britain to assess how the epidemic potential has varied from 2000 to 2009 as the pattern of movements has changed in response to legislation and market forces. Our simulations show that the majority of policy changes lead to significant decreases in the epidemic potential (measured in multiple ways), but that this potential then increases through time as cattle farmers modify their behaviour in response. Our results suggest that the cattle industry is likely to experience boom-bust dynamics, with the actions that farmers take during epidemic-free periods to maximise their profitability likely to increase the potential for large-scale epidemics to occur.     

牛肺疫的诊断与防控对策研究

牛肺疫是比较常见的一种牛接触性传染病症,严重危害着牛机体。随着近些年国内畜牧业的迅猛发展,牛养殖场规模与数量随之不断扩大,我国养殖业呈现繁荣发展局面。然而,牛养殖期间也会突发各种疫病,带给畜牧生产巨大的经济损失。所以,有效的牛肺疫诊断防控措施对我国养殖业的发展极具重要意义。     

Disease incidence in ranch and pastoral livestock herds around Lake Mburo National Park,in South Western Uganda

A longitudinal study was done to monitor incidence of livestock diseases in ranch and pastoral herds around Lake Mburo National Park, in South-western Uganda with a high level of wildlife (impala and zebra) and livestock (cattle and goats) interactions. East Coast Fever (ECF), abortions, helminthosis and starvation due to drought were major livestock disease problems encountered. ECF was a major disease affecting mainly calves, causing mortality both in ranch (8.5%) and pastoral (8.2%) herds. Meanwhile, drought was a more serious in pastoral than ranch herds (p < 0.05), killing 28.5 % and 5.8% of adult female cattle in respective production systems. Other endemic diseases found and controlled by vaccination were FMD, CBPP and blackquarter. In both cattle and goats helminthosis was causing mortalities, 3.3% and 0.8% among calves in pastoral and ranches respectively; and 4.8% and 6.9% among kids and sub-adult goats respectively. Many cases of abortions occurred among pastoral herds. In conclusion, the disease incidence among livestock was the same or relatively low as compared to other areas without wildlife.     

A Brucellosis Disease Control Strategy for the Kakheti Region of the Country of Georgia: An Agent‐Based Model

Brucellosis has been reported in livestock and humans in the country of Georgia with Brucella melitensis as the most common species causing disease. Georgia lacked sufficient data to assess effectiveness of the various potential control measures utilizing a reliable population‐based simulation model of animal‐to‐human transmission of this infection. Therefore, an agent‐based model was built using data from previous studies to evaluate the effect of an animal‐level infection control programme on human incidence and sheep flock and cattle herd prevalence of brucellosis in the Kakheti region of Georgia. This model simulated the patterns of interaction of human–animal workers, sheep flocks and cattle herds with various infection control measures and returned population‐based data. The model simulates the use of control measures needed for herd and flock prevalence to fall below 2%. As per the model output, shepherds had the greatest disease reduction as a result of the infection control programme. Cattle had the greatest influence on the incidence of human disease. Control strategies should include all susceptible animal species, sheep and cattle, identify the species of brucellosis present in the cattle population and should be conducted at the municipality level. This approach can be considered as a model to other countries and regions when assessment of control strategies is needed but data are scattered.     

Advances and prospects for management of TB transmission between badgers and cattle

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is the most serious endemic disease facing the livestock industry in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (RoI), where its management has been confounded by the presence of persistent infection in the Eurasian badger (Meles meles). Field evidence suggests that the social structure of badger populations can have an important influence on disease dynamics, and on the outcome of management interventions. Recent, large-scale badger culling experiments in the UK and RoI had complex epidemiological outcomes. In the UK, proactive culling led to reduced bTB incidence in cattle herds inside culled areas, but a temporary increase in adjacent areas. Reactive culling in response to herd breakdowns was associated with an increase in the incidence of bTB in cattle. In contrast, badger culling in RoI was reported to have only beneficial effects on bTB incidence in cattle. The reasons for these differences are not clear. The complexity of the evidence base for culling is highlighted by the different management approaches currently being adopted by the different authorities of the UK and RoI. It is generally accepted that a holistic approach to bTB management, which targets both cattle and wildlife, is necessary. Consequently recent research activities have also focussed on cattle and badger vaccines, and biosecurity on farms. This paper describes recent advances in our understanding of the epidemiology of bTB in badgers and the consequences of culling, and current research to develop approaches for the vaccination of badgers, and methods of managing the risks of contact between badgers and cattle in farm buildings.     

一例人间炭疽病例的溯源调查及处置

2021年6月20日,陕西省汉中市南郑区农业农村局接到同级卫健部门通报,一名牛羊屠宰人员被确诊患有皮肤炭疽。为查清该病例的病原来源以及病原污染面和畜间发病情况,南郑区动物疾病预防控制中心组织相关专业人员立即对关联的屠宰和养殖环节进行了溯源。综合历史资料、调查结果以及实验室检测结果,认为本次人间炭疽疫情的来源可能为被屠宰的病牛。洪水将过往炭疽病原带出,牛通过采食被污染的水、草感染。因非法屠宰病牛导致出现一定的病原传播。通过采取限制移动、监测、对环境及污染区域严格消毒等措施,经后期检测,证实疫情得到彻底控制。该起疫情警示,要加强牛羊养殖、屠宰从业人员的健康宣传及牛羊屠宰行业的管理,加大对非法屠宰、经营、运输病死畜禽行为的查处力度,以确保牛羊肉消费安全。     

Effect of Astragalus Polysaccharides on Short-distance Transport Stress in Beef Cattle

To study the effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on short-distance transport stress in beef cattle,15 healthy and 12-month-old Simmental crossbred beef cattle were selected and randomly divided into control group,transport stress group and Astragalus polysaccharide test group with 5 cattles in each group.The cattles in Astragalus polysaccharide test group were fed with 10 g/d per head Astragalus polysaccharide during the experimental period.The cattles both in transport stress group and Astragalus polysaccharide test group were transported for 3 h at the speed of 60 km/h, and blood samples were collected and used for measuring some biochemical parameters. The daily gain and morbidity were measured simultaneously. The results showed that,in transport stress group,serum Na⁺ increased significantly in 1 d after transportation comparing to before transportation (P<0.05). serum Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl^- showed no significant difference during the experimental period in control group and Astragalus polysaccharide test group (P>0.05).After transport (1 and 7 d),blood Na⁺/K⁺-ATP activities were extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01), SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while serum MDA contentswere significantly increased (P<0.05) in transport stress group comparing with that at 1 d before transport.These indicators of the control and Astragalus polysaccharide test group showed no significantly difference during the experimental period (P>0.05); 7 d average daily gain after transportation of control group and Astragalus polysaccharide test group were extremely significantly higher than transport stress group (P<0.01), incidence rates of respiratory and gastrointestinal of Astragalus polysaccharide test group was lower than transport stress group. The results demonstrated that Astragalus polysaccharide could be applied to the transport stress for prevention and treatment in beef cattle.     

黄芪多糖缓解肉牛短途运输应激的效果研究

为了研究黄芪多糖缓解肉牛短途运输应激的效果,选择15头（12月龄、体重250 kg左右）健康西门塔尔杂交肉牛,随机分至对照组、运输应激组和黄芪多糖处理组中,每组5头牛,黄芪多糖处理组牛给予10 g/（d·头）的黄芪多糖,运输应激组和黄芪多糖处理组进行3 h的60 km/h模拟公路运输。运输前1 d及运输后1、7 d采集所有试验牛的血样,测定相关生化指标,同时统计肉牛日增重和发病率。结果表明,运输应激组肉牛血清Na⁺在运输后1 d显著升高（P<0.05）,对照组和黄芪多糖处理组在试验期间各时间点血清Na⁺、K⁺、Ca²⁺和Cl^-无显著差异（P>0.05）;运输应激组在运输后1、7 d的Na⁺/K⁺-ATP酶活性均极显著低于运输前1 d（P<0.01）,血清SOD活性、GSH-Px活性均显著低于运输前1 d（P<0.05）,运输后1、7 d血清MDA含量均显著高于运输前1 d（P<0.05）,对照组和黄芪多糖处理组上述指标在试验期间均无显著变化（P>0.05）;对照组和黄芪多糖处理组运输后7 d平均日增重均极显著高于运输应激组（P<0.01）,黄芪多糖处理组的呼吸道和消化道发病率均低于运输应激组。综上,黄芪多糖对肉牛短途运输应激防治具有一定的应用价值。     

BCG vaccination against tuberculosis in European badgers (Meles meles): a review

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant animal health problem in many parts of the world, and reservoirs of infection in wild animals complicate disease control efforts in farmed livestock, particularly cattle. Badgers (Meles meles) are a significant wildlife reservoir of Mycobacterium bovis infection for cattle in the United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland (ROI). Vaccination of badgers using an M. bovis strain bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine could potentially be an option in the national TB eradication strategy. Wildlife vaccination has been used successfully for other diseases in wildlife species, and may have a role to play in reducing M. bovis transmission at the wildlife-livestock interface. Research to date has provided evidence that BCG is protective in badgers, and a parenteral badger BCG vaccine has been licensed in the UK. Further research is required to develop effective strategies for vaccine deployment and to determine the effect of badger vaccination on cattle TB incidence.     

Spatiotemporal interactions between wild boar and cattle: implications for cross-species disease transmission

Controlling infectious diseases at the wildlife/livestock interface is often difficult because the ecological processes driving transmission between wildlife reservoirs and sympatric livestock populations are poorly understood. Thus, assessing how animals use their environment and how this affects interspecific interactions is an important factor in determining the local risk for disease transmission and maintenance. We used data from concurrently monitored GPS-collared domestic cattle and wild boar (Sus scrofa) to assess spatiotemporal interactions and associated implications for bovine tuberculosis (TB) transmission in a complex ecological and epidemiological system, Doñana National Park (DNP, South Spain). We found that fine-scale spatial overlap of cattle and wild boar was seasonally high in some habitats. In general, spatial interactions between the two species were highest in the marsh-shrub ecotone and at permanent water sources, whereas shrub-woodlands and seasonal grass-marshlands were areas with lower predicted relative interactions. Wild boar and cattle generally used different resources during winter and spring in DNP. Conversely, limited differences in resource selection during summer and autumn, when food and water availability were limiting, resulted in negligible spatial segregation and thus probably high encounter rates. The spatial gradient in potential overlap between the two species across DNP corresponded well with the spatial variation in the observed incidence of TB in cattle and prevalence of TB in wild boar. We suggest that the marsh-shrub ecotone and permanent water sources act as important points of TB transmission in our system, particularly during summer and autumn. Targeted management actions are suggested to reduce potential interactions between cattle and wild boar in order to prevent disease transmission and design effective control strategies.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13567-014-0122-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

建立实时荧光定量PCR方法监测运输应激对肉牛3种瘤胃细菌的影响

旨在建立一种有效的定量方法监测肉牛在运输前后瘤胃内3种主要细菌的变化,本试验选用8头体质量相近的健康夏南牛,在运输前、运输中6h、运输后1、3、7、15d时间段采集瘤胃液。分别以黄化瘤胃球菌、嗜淀粉瘤胃杆菌、脂解厌氧弧杆菌的16SrRNA序列设计引物,运用Real-time PCR技术研究运输应激对肉牛以上3种瘤胃微生物的影响。结果显示,与运输前相比,黄化瘤胃球菌在运输中6h、运后1d浓度显著升高（P〈0.05）。嗜淀粉瘤胃杆菌在运后3d浓度升高到运输前的13.86倍,随后逐渐降低,15d时为运输前8.42倍。脂解厌氧弧杆菌在运输后3d数量出现极显著的降低（P〈0.05）,在7、15d逐渐恢复。结果表明,运输应激对黄化瘤胃球菌影响不大;脂解厌氧弧杆菌在运输应激后出现显著的降低,运输后半月内逐渐恢复正常水平。嗜淀粉瘤胃杆菌则呈现明显的上升趋势。采用Real-time PCR方法对瘤胃细菌进行定量可以快速有效的反映出运输应激对菌的数量变化趋势。     

Free-ranging livestock altered the spatiotemporal behavior of the endangered North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) and its prey and intensified human–leopard conflicts

Widespread distribution of livestock in the natural habitats of large carnivores may negatively impact carnivore populations by reducing wild prey availability and increasing human–carnivore conflicts. In this study, we used camera-trapping data collected in the temperate forests of the Taihang Mountains in North China during 2016–2019 to examine whether and how free-ranging cattle affected habitat use and Diel activity patterns of the endangered North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) and its 2 wild prey species, Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Residents were also interviewed to record livestock depredation events by leopards during 2015–2019. We found that roe deer spatially avoided sites frequented by cattle, but wild boar did not. In the growing seasons, leopards shared habitats with cattle and tended to increase their diurnal activities where cattle were present. All 3 study species exhibited fine-scale spatial-temporal segregation to cattle. Leopards selectively preyed on calves over adult cattle and livestock depredation frequency was positively correlated with the detection rates of cattle and wild prey, but not that of leopard. These findings not only show that through behavioral adaption large carnivores and their ungulate prey may persist under livestock disturbance, but also highlight how important proper livestock management is for conserving North Chinese leopards in this region. To enhance livestock management and mitigate human–leopard conflicts, we recommend specific actions, such as better guarding of free-ranging cattle or adoption of a captive farming system.     

黄腐酸在畜禽生产中的应用及研究现状

从近年来研究现状出发,介绍了黄腐酸的功能特点、来源以及在猪、奶牛、鸡等畜禽生产中的应用,归纳出在畜禽生产中应用黄腐酸可增强动物食欲,改善健康状况,增强抵抗力,提高生产性能、饲料利用率和胴体品质,降低氨排放量。提出黄腐酸作为饲料添加剂应用于绿色畜牧业生产具有广阔前景。     

Application of ultrasound for genetic improvement.

Genetic improvement programs for livestock would be enhanced by the ability to accurately and easily measure body composition of live animals or to make measurements at anatomical reference points that can be used to accurately predict body composition. Advances in ultrasonic technology, such as real-time imagery and portable ultrasound units, have renewed interest among animal scientists working with genetic improvement programs and the livestock industry groups they serve. Ultrasound has been used for more than 30 yr and, for swine, has been demonstrated to improve significantly the accuracy of predicting body composition. However, many studies have shown less success in improving prediction of body composition from the use of ultrasonics to measure live beef cattle and sheep. The swine industry probably will be the first to benefit measurably from use of ultrasound technology in large-scale genetic improvement programs for carcass merit. Considerable research and development is needed before ultrasound technology can be effectively used in similar large-scale programs in the beef cattle and sheep industries.     

A survey to investigate movements off sheep and cattle farms in New Zealand, with reference to the potential transmission of foot-and-mouth disease

AIM: To quantify the numbers and extent of movements off sheep and cattle farms in New Zealand, in order to construct more realistic simulation models to investigate how infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) might spread. METHODS: Farmers from 500 randomly selected farms, comprising 100 from each of the following sectors, viz beef, dairy, grazing/dairy heifer rearing, sheep, and mixed sheep and beef, were asked to fill in diaries in which they recorded the movements of all animals, products, people, vehicles and equipment coming on to or leaving their farms during two separate 3-week periods, representing relatively 'busy' and 'quiet' times of the year with respect to livestock movements. Where possible, the destination of each movement was identified and geo-coded, to allow the distance travelled to be calculated. Each movement was then classified according to the risk of transfer of FMD virus (FMDV), should the disease have been present on the study farm at the time of the movement. The data were then analysed to establish movement frequencies and distributions of distances travelled, by the different pastoral livestock sectors. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventeen farmers returned one or more diaries. One hundred and ninety-three farmers completed a Busy-period diary, recording a total of 12,052 movements off their farms, a crude average of 62.4 per 3-week period, or 2.97 per day. Of these, 4.0% involved the transport of livestock, equating to 0.12 livestock consignments per day. In contrast, 186 Quiet-period diaries were returned, recording a total of 10,885 movements off, representing a crude average of 58.5 during the 3-week period, or 2.78 per day. Of these, 2.1% involved livestock, equating to 0.06 livestock consignments per day. The mean and median distances travelled during the Busy periods were 30.9 km and 13.1 km, respectively (range 0-1,167 km). In comparison, the mean and median distances travelled during Quiet periods were 41.3 and 14 km, respectively (range 0.4-1,203 km). CONCLUSIONS: People, vehicles, livestock and other items can travel off pastoral livestock farms in New Zealand to other farms either directly or via saleyards over extensive distances. This has implications for the potential spread of infectious diseases such as FMD. Movement parameters intended for use in the InterSpread Plus inter-farm simulation model of FMD were established, which will facilitate the prediction of likely spread and efficacy of controls in the unlikely event of a real-life outbreak.     

牛胃肠炎发生原因及防治

胃肠炎是家畜生长中的常见病和高发病,牛具有很高的发病率。造成胃肠炎发生的原因是饲养管理不到位、饲料营养价值较差,饲料不足,牛出现营养不良,身体抵抗能力下降,使消化机能变差,进入消化道中的饲料不能很好的吸收,肠鸣音大,饲料随着肠道的蠕动排出体外。临床上主要表现为腹泻、身体脱水、生长发育不良。由于牛胃肠炎的发生机理还不明确,病因比较复杂,在疾病诊治期间应尝试明确实际的发病愿意,对动物进行对症防治,确保牛健康生长。该文主要论述牛胃肠炎的发生原因和防治措施。     

两种抗生素对长途运输肉牛的抗应激和促生长作用及对比研究

为了探讨延胡索酸泰妙菌素、泰乐菌素对经长途运输后肉牛的抗应激和促生长作用及效果,试验将经长途运输后的27头肉牛随机分为试验1组、试验2组和对照组,每组9头,试验1组和试验2组肉牛运后10 d内每天分别灌服延胡索酸泰妙菌素和肌肉注射泰乐菌素,对照组不做任何处理。结果表明:试验1组肉牛发病率比对照组低8.89%,且平均每头牛体重增长量比对照组多7.150 kg;试验2组肉牛发病率比对照组低15.01%,且平均每头牛体重增长量比对照组多8.710 kg。说明延胡索酸泰妙菌素、泰乐菌素对经长途运输后肉牛的抗应激和促生长均有一定作用,且后者的作用效果优于前者。     

肉牛引进过程的操作技术规范

肉牛购进过程中存在的实际问题,可能给养牛企业和养牛户造成极大的损失。本文分别从购进牛只的选购目标、健康状况、饲养方式及疫病监测方面提出具体措施;新购牛在当地先需要一个隔离稳定观察期,并做好运输前各项准备工作;提出在运输环节中,对人员、车辆、消毒、草料及饮水准备,饲喂细节、抗应激处理、装车密度、运输过程中的注意事项等;运到后圈舍消毒、隔离观察、饲喂和饮水的过渡方法,强化免疫接种,等待牛群稳定后才可进入繁育或者育肥环节。     

CEBPA基因的生物学效应及其在畜禽生产中的研究进展

增强子结合蛋白α(CEBPA)是CCAAT/增强子结合蛋白家族中的一员,CEBPA基因对脂肪细胞分化、发育和脂肪沉积有重要作用。在人类中,CEBPA基因异常表达可能导致肥胖、糖尿病以及白血病等疾病;在畜牧生产上,CEBPA基因的表达对牛、羊、猪和禽类的生长与脂肪沉积有重要影响。本文对CEBPA基因的分布、结构和功能进行总结,并对近几年CEBPA基因在疾病和畜禽生产方面的研究进展进行综述。