Effects of psoroptes ovis infection and its control with an ivermectin controlled-release capsule on growing sheep. 1. Evaluation of weight gain, feed consumption and carcass value

To evaluate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule (IVM-CRC) on the productivity of growing sheep infested with Psoroptes ovis 24 male and 24 female Merino landrace lambs, 5-6 months old and weighing 21.2-35.0 kg, were used. Sixteen replicates of three animals were formed based on sex and Day 0 body weight. Within each replicate animals were randomly allocated to one of three groups: untreated control; IVM-CRC on Day 0; IVM-CRC on Day 84. For treatment an IVM-CRC for sheep weighing 20-45 kg was used which is designed to deliver ivermectin at a minimum dose of 20 microg/kg per day for 100 days. The lambs were infested with 50-60 P. ovis mites each on Days 14 and 21. Mites in skin scrapings were counted on Days 70, 84, 98, 112 and 126. Body weight and feed consumption were measured every 2 weeks from Day 0 to 126. The animals were slaughtered on Day 127 and their carcasses evaluated. The IVM-CRC treatment on Day 0 prevented the establishment of P. ovis. All untreated lambs became infested. The lambs treated with an IVM-CRC on Day 84 became mite-free from Day 112 onwards. The lambs treated on Day 0 had significantly (p<0.05) greater body weight gain from Day 0 to 84 (13.9 kg) and Day 0 to 126 (20.9 kg) than the untreated controls (9.6 and 12.8 kg, respectively) and the sheep treated on Day 84 (8.4 and 14.9 kg, respectively). Feed consumption (Days 0-126) for sheep treated with the IVM-CRC on Day 0 was higher than for sheep treated on Day 84 (p<0.05) and for the untreated controls (p<0.1). The carcasses of sheep treated with the IVM-CRC on Day 0 had significantly (p<0.05) higher warm and cold weights, carcass yield, rib eye area and back fat thickness than the untreated control group and the sheep treated with the IVM-CRC on Day 84. The sheep treated with the ivermectin CRC on either Day 0 or 84 had significantly (p<0.05) better muscle scores and lower muscle pH 1h post-slaughter than the untreated controls. There was no significant (p>0.1) difference between warm and cold carcass weights, carcass yield and rib eye area between sheep treated on Day 84 and untreated controls.     

The effect of immunosuppression on protective immunity of turkey poults against infection with turkey coronavirus

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of humoral and cellular immunities on turkeys infected with turkey coronavirus (TCV). Two trials were conducted with two separate hatches of turkey poults. Turkey's were experimentally immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A (CsA) or cyclophosphamide (CY) and infected with TCV. Prior to infection, treatment with CsA selectively suppressed T cell activity as revealed by 2-3 fold decreased (p < 0.1) lymphocyte proliferation responses to a T cell mitogen, concanavalin A (Con A). Treatment with CY mainly induced B cell deficiency as indicated by significant reductions (p < 0.05) in antibody responses to sheep erythrocytes 7 days after injection. Body weight gain of turkeys treated with CY was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of untreated turkeys at 9 days post-infection (PI). Turkeys treated with CY had 1-2 fold higher immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) scores for TCV antigens (p < 0.05) in the intestine than untreated turkeys at 9 or 14 days PI. These results suggested that humoral immunity against TCV infection may be important in turkeys.     

地塞米松和饲粮能量水平对肉仔鸡能量采食及神经肽Y基因表达的影响

本试验旨在探讨注射地塞米松(DEX)模拟应激状态下,应激和饲粮能量水平对肉仔鸡能量采食的影响。选取体重相近的180只23日龄的雄性爱拔益加(AA)肉鸡随机分成6组,每组3个重复,每个重复10只鸡。试验采用2×3析因设计,因素为DEX[处理(注射DEX2 mg/kg)、未处理(注射等剂量生理盐水)]和饲粮能量水平[高能(HE)、低能(LE)以及高能、低能自由采食(H-LE)]。预试期5 d,正试期7 d。结果表明:1)DEX处理极显著降低了肉仔鸡的采食量和体增重(P<0.01),极显著提高了耗料增重比、耗能增重比、腹脂率以及血浆葡萄糖、甘油三酯和尿酸的浓度(P<0.01),显著提高了肠道指数(P<0.05)。2)采用LE饲粮体增重(P<0.05)、腹脂率(P<0.01)显著低于其他2种饲粮,耗料增重比显著低于HE饲粮(P<0.05);采用HE饲粮耗能增重比极显著高于其他2种饲粮(P<0.01);采用H-LE饲粮神经肽Y(NPY)基因表达量显著高于LE饲粮(P<0.05)。3)DEX、饲粮能量水平对耗料增重比(P<0.05)和耗能增重比(P<0.01)的影响存在显著的互作效应。结果提示,DEX应激可使肉仔鸡血浆中葡萄糖、尿酸和甘油三酯的浓度升高;DEX应激和HE饲粮均能增加脂肪在腹部沉积,提高耗料增重比和耗能增重比;H-LE饲粮能上调肉仔鸡下丘脑NPY基因表达。     

Influence of dietary supplementation of prebiotics (mannanoligosaccharide) on the performance of crossbred calves

Thirty-six Holstein cross calves 5 days of age in their preruminant stage were used to study the effect of feeding prebiotic (mannanoligosaccharide) on their performance up to the age of 2 months. Treatment and control groups consisted of 18 calves each. Treatment group was supplemented with 4 g prebiotic (mannanoligosaccharide)/calf/day. Performance was evaluated by measuring average body weight (BW) gain, feed intake [dry matter (DM), total digestible nutrient (TDN) and crude protein(CP)], feed conversion efficiency (DM, TDN, and CP), fecal score, fecal coliform count and feeding cost. Body weight measured weekly, feed intake measured twice daily, proximate analysis of feeds and fodders analyzed weekly, fecal score monitored daily and fecal coliform count done weekly. There was a significant increase in average body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency; and a significant decrease in severity of scours as measured by fecal score and fecal coliform count in the treatment group compared with control group (P < 0.01). Feed cost/kg BW gain was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to control group (P < 0.01). The results suggest that prebiotic (mannanoligosaccharide) can be supplemented to the calves for better performance.     

Field trials evaluating ivermectin controlled-release capsules for weaner sheep and for breeding ewes

Objective To confirm the efficacy of ivermectin released from a controlled-release capsule administered to young sheep and to breeding ewes under field conditions. Design Randomised field trials. Procedure In each of ten field trials 25 weaned lambs were treated with ivermectin controlled-release capsules and 25 remained untreated. Eight similar field trials were conducted using adult ewes. Efficacy against infections of gastrointestinal nematodes was assessed by faecal egg counts and faecal larval culture. Body weights were recorded and faecal soiling of the breech wool (dags) was assessed. Results Nematode faecal egg counts in the two groups were not different (P = 0.13) before treatment in the weaner trials or before treatment in the ewe trials (P = 0.49), but thereafter eggs in the untreated sheep persisted, whereas counts in sheep given capsules were negligible (P ≤ 0.01). In the weaner trials, dag scores for the two groups were not different at the start of the trials (P = 0.18) but at the end, untreated sheep had significantly more dags (P = 0.04) than treated sheep. In the ewe trials, dag scores remained low in both groups. Weaners treated with the capsule gained 1.4 kg (95% CL: 0.7, 3.1) more weight over the 16 week trial period compared to untreated weaners (P = 0.01). Both groups of ewes lost weight as a result of parturition but the mean loss by week 16 was greater for untreated (3.7 kg) (95% CL: -5.1,-2.2) than for treated ewes (1.8 kg) (95% CL: -3.3, -0.4). The mean change in ewe body weight for the two groups was however not significant (P = 0.07). Differentiation of nematode larvae recovered from cultures of faeces from untreated animals indicated that the capsules were effective against the common parasites of sheep. Conclusion The capsule was efficacious against gastrointestinal nematodes judging from faecal egg counts. It has the potential to significantly reduce contamination of pasture with nematode eggs. Treated weaners had less dags for 16 weeks and gained more weight than untreated weaners.     

Use of corticosterone and ampicillin for treatment of Streptococcus faecalis infection in chickens

Chickens were selectively bred for either high-antibody (HA) or low-antibody (LA) response to sheep erythrocytes. From 6 to 31 days after Streptococcus faecalis challenge exposure, LA-line chickens maintained a greater percentage of the prechallenge-exposure body weight and had lower heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio than did HA-line chickens. The optimal dose of corticosterone (30 mg/kg of feed) was effective in maintaining postchallenge-exposure body weight greater than that of controls. Ampicillin (20 mg/d) alone was ineffective in almost all experiments. Treatment with 30 mg of corticosterone/kg of feed plus ampicillin resulted in increased body weight response to S faecalis infection when treatment was initiated 1 day before or 2 days after challenge exposure. Treatment with corticosterone was more effective in HA- than in LA-line chickens. Treatment before challenge exposure was more effective than treatment 2 days after challenge exposure.     

Effect of dietary L-carnitine supplementation on growth performance of piglets from control sows or sows treated with L-carnitine during pregnancy and lactation

Previous studies showed that supplementation of sows' diets with L-carnitine increases body weights of their piglets at birth. This study was performed to investigate whether piglets of sows treated with L-carnitine differ in their growth potential from that of piglets of untreated control sows after weaning. It was also investigated whether supplementation of piglets' diets with L-carnitine improves their growth after weaning. In two trials, piglets of the first litters of primiparous sows (trial 1) and the second litters of the same sows (trial 2) were divided into four groups: group 1, piglets of control sows, fed a control diet; group 2, piglets of control sows fed a diet supplemented with 30 mg L-carnitine/kg; group 3, piglets of L-carnitine-treated sows, fed a control diet; group 4, piglets of L-carnitine-treated sows fed a diet supplemented with 30 mg L-carnitine/kg. Mean initial body weights of the piglets of the four groups were identical. They were 8.5 kg in trial 1 and 12.5 kg in trial 2. Diets were fed ad libitum over a period of 35 days. Piglets from sows treated with L-carnitine did not differ in body weight gains, feed intake and gain : feed ratio from those of control sows. In trial 1, piglets supplemented with L-carnitine had higher body weight gains (p < 0.005) and showed a tendency towards a higher gain : feed ratio (p = 0.09) than piglets fed the control diets. In trial 2, no significant difference in these parameters emerged between piglets fed the diet supplemented with L-carnitine and those fed the control diet. In conclusion, this study shows that dietary L-carnitine treatment of sows does not improve the growth potential of their piglets after weaning under the conditions of equal initial body weights. The study also shows that L-carnitine supplementation of their diets improves the growth performance in light piglets of primiparous sows.     

低蛋白质日粮对育肥绵羊生长性能、胴体性状及肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响

本研究旨在研究降低全混合日粮蛋白质水平对育肥期绵羊生长性能、胴体性状及肌肉脂肪酸组成的影响.试验将32只平均体重为(38.14±0.45)kg的育肥期绵羊随机分为2组,每组8个重复,每个重复2头.两组绵羊在为期10周的试验期中分别饲喂蛋白质水平为13.5％和8.5％的全混合日粮.结果:将全混合日粮蛋白质水平从13.5％...     

膨化玉米秸秆发酵饲料对肉羊育肥效果的影响

为研究膨化玉米秸秆发酵饲料对肉羊育肥的效果,选取杂交绵羊(南非美利奴羊×东北细毛羊)16只,随机分为2组,每组8只,每只为一个重复。对照组以干玉米秸秆为粗饲料来源,试验组以膨化玉米秸秆发酵饲料为粗饲料来源,两组精料相同,每天每只1 000 g。日粮均以先精后粗的方式饲喂。试验共计90 d。试验结束后每组随机选择3只羊进行屠宰。结果表明:(1)试验组干物质采食量比对照组提高20%(P<0.05),净增重比对照组提高14.16%(P>0.05);(2)试验组羊血液中总蛋白含量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而尿素氮含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),其他血液指标两组间未见显著性差异(P>0.05);(3)试验组瘤胃食靡中的滤纸酶活性和果胶酶活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),木聚糖酶活性两组间未见显著性差异(P>0.05)。     

小麦秸秆处理方式对绵羊生长性能、瘤胃发酵性能及经济效益的影响

文章旨在评估不同小麦秸秆处理方式对干物质体外降解动力学及绵羊生长性能和瘤胃发酵性能的影响。试验将平均初始体重为（51.26±0.07）kg的24头绵羊随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复2头羊。3组绵羊每天采食体重1%的基础浓缩料,对照组自由采食未处理的小麦秸秆,处理组绵羊分别采食2.5%氨水处理的小麦秸秆和5×108 CFU酵母菌处理的小麦秸秆,试验共进行10周。结果：氨化秸秆与酵母处理秸秆组干物质体外降解动力学参数B较小麦秸秆组分别显著提高11.04%和13.63%（P＜0.05）,而氨化秸秆组干物质体外降解动力学参数A+B较小麦秸秆组显著提高11.45%（P＜0.05）。氨化秸秆组干物质降解效率显著高于未处理的小麦秸秆组（P＜0.05）。与小麦秸秆组相比,氨化秸秆和酵母秸秆组绵羊的平均日增重分别显著提高9.12%和13.11%（P＜0.05）。氨化小麦秸秆组绵羊的能量和蛋白质摄入量最高（P＜0.05）。氨化小麦秸秆组绵羊瘤胃发酵0～8 h的氨氮浓度均最高（P＜0.05）,而酵母秸秆组绵羊瘤胃液体外发酵2 h后的挥发性脂肪酸浓度较小麦秸秆组显著提高32.84%（P＜0.05）,体外发酵4 h后的挥发性脂肪酸浓度显著高于其他两组（P＜0.05）。结论：氨水和酵母菌处理提高小麦秸秆的水不溶性物质（B组分）降解率和绵羊的平均日增重,同时氨水处理小麦秸秆提高了绵羊代谢能、蛋白质摄入量和瘤胃氨氮浓度。     

云南半细毛羊生产性能测定

为探索云南半细毛羊在长期繁衍后有无种质退化现象。选择体重在14kg左右的云南半细毛羊春羔22只进行放牧饲养试验,以测定其生产性能及对牧草营养物质的利用效率。结果发现云南半细毛羊增重是生长后期高于生长前期;日采食量是生长前期略高于后期;每增重1g所需要采食牧草量生长后期低于生长前期;对采食牧草营养物质的消化率,其生长后期均小于前期;血清生化指标则是后期高于前期;血清生长激素和胰岛素的含量生长前期均高于生长后期,但甲状腺激素（T3、T4）则生长前期低于生长后期。从性别角度看,母羊的增重和采食牧草量低于公羊,但每增重1g所需要采食牧草量生长前期公羊低于母羊,后期公羊高于母羊;血清生化指标是母羊高于公羊,血清中的生长激素和甲状腺激素母羊含量均比公羊高,而胰岛素的含量则是在生长前期,母羊低于公羊,而在生长后期母羊高于公羊。说明母羊虽然营养物质合成较快,但其营养物质大部分都用在了氧化供能上,也就是说其基础代谢较为旺盛,而且公羊虽然营养物质合成较慢,但其基础代谢较缓慢,所以表现其体重增加比母羊快。     

Effects of supplemental feed with or without ionophores on lambs and Angora kid goats on rangeland

Effects of supplemental feed and of ionophore concentration in supplemental feed on gastrointestinal rate parameters, forage intake and weight gain were measured in individually supplemented grazing lambs and Angora kid goats. The 12 dietary treatments included negative control (NC; grazed forage only), positive control (PC; grazing plus 13.6 g supplement DM/kg.75), and PC plus monensin or lasalocid, each at 33, 66, 99, 132 or 165 mg/kg in the supplement. Gastrointestinal fill, retention time, turnover rate and fecal output were estimated by applying a single-compartment model to the fecal excretion of a single dose of ytterbium. Forage digestibility was estimated from forage and fecal concentrations of indigestible fiber. Supplemental feed increased digestibility of forage and total intake in sheep but had no effect on forage intake. In goats, supplemental feed did not increase digestibility of forage but decreased forage intake. Supplemental feed increased weight gain in both species. Increasing the monensin concentration in supplemental feed reduced supplement intake greatly in sheep and slightly in goats. Lasalocid did not affect intake of supplement by either sheep or goats. Overall, ionophores had minimal effects on the response criteria. Because feed intake and digestibility were not affected, any increase in gain or efficiency in lambs or kid goats on rangeland from consumption of ionophores must be a result of their therapeutic value or of improved physiological efficiency.     

微生物菌剂处理全株玉米青贮及花生秧添加对小尾寒羊生长性能及养分消化率的影响

本试验旨在研究微生物菌剂处理制作全株玉米青贮和花生秧添加对小尾寒羊生长性能及养分消化率的影响。试验采用2×2析因试验设计,两因素是青贮处理(NFK和ZKY菌剂青贮)、花生秧添加水平(0和17.5%)。选用3月龄、初始体重(21.38±1.26)kg的小尾寒羊公羊80只,随机分成4组,每组5个圈栏,每圈栏4只羊。结果表明:与ZKY青贮组相比,NFK青贮组干物质采食量(DMI)有升高趋势(P=0.062),羊只净收益提高了2.1%~13.3%;随着花生秧的添加,DMI显著提高(P0.05),耗料增重比(F/G)有升高趋势(P=0.064),粗蛋白(CP)、粗脂肪(EE)消化率显著降低(P0.05),中性洗涤纤维(NDF)消化率有提高趋势(P=0.094)。综上所述,NFK青贮对小尾寒羊饲喂效果(尤其是增重及经济效益)优于ZKY青贮;添加花生秧在一定范围内可增加羊只增重收益,考虑到饲料成本、饲料转化效率及经济效益,建议当日粮添加花生秧时选择NFK菌剂处理青贮,反之选择ZKY菌剂。     

Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide in the treatment of sheep experimentally infected with Ehrlichia ruminantium

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical response of sheep experimentally infected with Ehrlichia ruminantium to treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). ANIMALS: 32 Merino crossbred sheep. PROCEDURES: 16 sheep were infected with E ruminantium; 8 of these were treated twice daily with a 10% solution of DMSO (1 g/kg, i.v.) in polyionic fluid for 3 consecutive days. Treatment was initiated 2 days after the onset of clinical disease. Eight uninfected control sheep were similarly treated with DMSO. Placebo treatments (polyionic fluid administrations) were given to 8 infected and 8 uninfected sheep. Arterial and venous blood samples for blood gas and total plasma protein concentration measurements were collected daily (data from 5 days before until 6 days after onset of clinical disease were analyzed); physiologic variables and food consumption were also monitored. Gross pathologic findings and cytologic confirmation of the disease were recorded for the 16 infected sheep. RESULTS: Infected sheep treated with DMSO were able to maintain pulmonary gas exchange and had reduced pleural effusion and plasma protein loss, compared with infected untreated sheep that became hypoxic. Infected treated sheep developed an uncompensated metabolic acidosis. Uninfected treated sheep had reduced appetite, whereas uninfected untreated sheep maintained normal food intake. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of DMSO treatment in sheep with experimentally induced heartwater disease indicated that administration of this agent, in combination with specific antimicrobial treatment, may be of some benefit in treatment of naturally occurring disease.     

Water intake of weaned piglets from three to seven weeks old

One hundred and two large white cross landrace piglets weaned at 21 (+/- 1) days old were randomly allocated to one of two commercial early weaning diets for a four week growth trial. The piglets were housed in groups of between six and 10. After initial moderate restriction the piglets were fed ad libitum. Food intakes and weight gains were recorded weekly. Water consumption of individual pens of piglets was recorded daily. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on mean daily feed intake, daily liveweight gain or food conversion ratio. The relationship between water and food intake, piglet weight and daily gain was examined using regression and multiple regression analyses. Water intake was related to all these parameters, with daily feed intake being the best single predictor of water intake. The relationship was described by the equation: water intake (litres/day) = 0.149 + 3.053 feed intake (kg/day).     

Efficacy of toltrazuril in the prevention of coccidiosis in naturally infected lambs on pasture

The efficacy of toltrazuril (Bay Vi 9142) in preventing ovine coccidiosis due to an infection acquired immediately after turnout on pasture was evaluated by comparing the faecal consistency, weight gain, and oocyst output of treated and untreated lambs in 3 trials. The lambs were either given a single treatment with toltrazuril at 15 or 20 mg/kg, or they were given a dose of 10 mg/kg on 2 separate days. A single treatment with toltrazuril at 20 mg/kg on day 10 after turnout on pasture almost completely prevented coccidiosis in 2 trials. In a third trial the acute phase of a severe Nematodirus battus infection coincided with the outbreak of coccidiosis, and thus partly masked the clinical effect of the anticoccidial treatment. In lambs treated with toltrazuril at 15 mg/kg on day 10 after turnout, the coccidial infection caused a softening of the faeces, but the lambs were not severely affected by the coccidia. In lambs given a dose of 10 mg/kg of toltrazuril twice, either on days 10 and 11 after turnout, or on days 10 and 20, the coccidial infection caused a softening af the faeces, including some cases of diarrhoea. Oocyst production due to the initial coccidial infection on pasture was markedly reduced by all treatments with toltrazuril. The reduction was most pronounced after a dose of 20 mg/kg. Lambs treated with single doses of 15 or 20 mg/kg of toltrazuril had a better weight gain than the untreated controls in 2 of the trials. Lambs treated with toltrazuril on day 10 after turnout were partially resistant to the coccidial reinfection acquired immediately after treatment, and they had a similar level of immunity as the untreated controls to the subsequent reinfection on pasture.     

单宁与饲用纤维素酶对湖羊生长性能、血液生化指标、屠宰性能及器官发育的影响

试验旨在比较研究日粮中添加单宁与饲用纤维素酶对湖羊生长性能、血液生化指标、屠宰性能及器官发育的影响。选取3月龄生长发育良好、平均体重（18.36±1.65） kg的肉用公湖羊72只,随机分成对照组（CK）和3个处理组,每组18只湖羊。对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理组分别在基础日粮中加入0.1%单宁（T）、0.1%饲用纤维素酶（FC）和0.1%单宁+0.1%饲用纤维素酶（M）,试验共94 d,其中过渡期7 d,预饲期7 d,正饲期80 d。结果表明：①FC组和M组湖羊终末体重、平均日增重（ADG）显著高于CK组（P<0.05）,FC组湖羊料重比（F/G）显著低于CK组（P<0.05）,各组间湖羊平均日采食量（ADFI）均无显著差异（P>0.05）。②3个处理组湖羊的白球比显著低于CK组（P<0.05）,球蛋白、总蛋白含量和碱性磷酸酶活性均显著高于CK组（P<0.05）;各组之间湖羊的白蛋白、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、葡萄糖含量和谷丙转氨酶活性均无显著差异（P>0.05）。③FC组湖羊宰前活重显著高于CK组（P<0.05）,FC组和M组湖羊胴体重显著高于CK组（P<0.05）,M组湖羊屠宰率显著高于CK组（P<0.05）,T组湖羊背膘厚显著低于CK组（P<0.05）,FC组和M组湖羊GR值显著高于CK组（P<0.05）,各组间湖羊的净肉率、骨肉比和眼肌面积均无显著差异（P>0.05）。④除各处理组湖羊蹄重均显著高于CK组（P<0.05）外,各组湖羊头重和毛皮重、肝脏重、肺脏重、肾脏重、心脏重及蹄器官指数、内脏器官指数均无显著差异（P>0.05）。综合试验结果,在日粮中同时添加饲用纤维素酶和单宁可以提高湖羊的平均日增重和屠宰率,降低料肉比,提高湖羊的免疫力,对器官发育无不良影响。本试验结果可为单宁和饲用纤维素在反刍动物生产中的应用提供理论依据。     

Effectiveness of a non-surgical alternative to the Mules operation in sheep

Objective To measure changes to the perineal bare area, local tissue reaction and healing responses of young sheep, following intradermal administration of cetrimide and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), with and without ethanol, to the breech and tail. Method A needle‐less injector was used to deposit formulations containing 40 g/L cetrimide and 30 g/L PVP (group 2) or 20 g/L cetrimide, 30 g/L PVP and 15 g/L ethanol (group 3), within the dermis of the tail and the region surrounding the perineal bare breech area of groups (N = 8) of Merino weaner sheep. The dimensions of the perineal bare area (length, width and diagonal distances left and right) and tail width were recorded before and at intervals after treatment for 60 days. Observations of swelling and bruising and scab formation at the treatment sites were recorded for up to 35 days after treatment. Rectal temperatures were monitored for up to 35 days after treatment and bodyweight for up to 60 days after treatment. An untreated control group (group 1) was included. Results Comparison of day ‐3 and day 35 measurement data showed that both treated groups had significantly (P < 0.05) wider breech bare areas compared to the untreated controls and that group 2 sheep had significantly (P < 0.05) longer breech bare areas compared to group 3 sheep or to the untreated controls, which were not significantly different. At this time scabs were still firmly in place on many treated sheep. At day 35 there was no increase in tail bare area caused by either treatment. By day 60 there was no significant difference between the treated and control groups in either the breech or tail regions indicating that the changes present at day 35, were not permanent. Mean weight gain in the groups throughout the 60‐day interval was unaffected by treatment. Intradermal treatment was associated with a significant elevation in body temperature. This effect lasted for 3 days and was associated with signs of discomfort and depressed appearance in at least some of the treated sheep. Bruising was mild to severe in all treated sheep within two days of treatment but was not evident in any sheep by day 21. Mild to moderate swelling was also associated with treatment but was not uniform across sheep in the groups. The tail of one sheep was severely swollen for several days. Swelling remained obvious in most treated sheep until day 14 but was not present at day 21. Conclusion Under the conditions of this study intradermal injection of cetrimide had no permanent effect on bare area measurements on the breech or the amount of wool‐bearing skin on the tail. It also caused signs of discomfort and pain that raise welfare concerns.     

微贮笋壳对湖羊生长性能、肉品质及血液生理生化指标的影响

试验旨在研究微贮笋壳替代花生秧对湖羊生长性能、肉品质、血清生化指标和血常规的影响。选取2月龄、体重(12.41±0.21)kg的健康公湖羊18只,随机分为3组,每组6只。对照组以花生秧为粗料(占比60%),试验组分别以微贮笋壳和花生秧(各占30%)、微贮笋壳(占比60%)为粗料,预试期10d,正试期60 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,微贮笋壳部分替代花生秧对湖羊日增重、耗料增重比以及生理生化指标无显著影响,而微贮笋壳完全替代花生秧能提高湖羊平均日增重(P<0.05)、降低耗料增重比(P<0.05),有降低血清胆固醇含量(P=0.065)和血糖含量(P=0.092)的趋势,不影响肝肾功能以及其他血清生化和血常规指标。综上所述,微贮笋壳替代花生秧能提高湖羊生长性能,有降低血清胆固醇和血糖的作用,不影响湖羊健康状况。     

纤维素复合酶制剂处理玉米秸秆饲喂肉牛增重效果研究

[目的]为了验证纤维素复合酶饲喂肉牛的效果.[方法]选择临床健康的2岁～2.5岁的西门塔尔杂种公牛40头,按年龄、体重、相同或相近的原则,配对分为对照组和试验组,每组20头.试验组饲喂用0.1％纤维素复合酶制剂处理过的青贮玉米秸秆,对照组饲喂未处理的青贮玉米秸秆,经80 d饲喂.[结果]表明:试验组牛头均增重119.3...