Relationship between haemoglobin types and productivity of Thai indigenous and Simmental × Brahman crossbred cattle

The relationship between the haemoglobin (Hb) type and reproduction and body weight was estimated in two different cattle breeds including 59 Thai indigenous and 51 Simmental × Brahman crossbred cows. Haemoglobin type was measured using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Five haemoglobin types were present in indigenous cattle: HbAA (35.59%), HbAB (28.81%), HbAC (20.34%), HbBB (11.6%) and HbBC (3.39%). In the Simmental × Brahman crossbred cattle, three haemoglobin types, 50.98% HbAA, 45.10% HbAB and 3.92% HbBB, were present. The results revealed that Thai indigenous cows with HbAB type were heavier at birth, however, the best growth performance was recorded in HbAC animals. In contrast, calves carrying HbBB type were the lightest animals at birth and were the youngest group at first calving. This group of Thai indigenous cows was more than 4 months younger at first calving than the heifers with HbAA type. Simmental × Brahman crossbred cows with HbAA type were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than the animals with HbAB type at birth as well as on days 200, 400 and 600 of age. Whereas, the animals with HbAB type gave birth to their first calf at a significantly (P < 0.05) younger age than those with HbAA type.     

Effects of species and sex on plasma hormone and metabolite concentrations in crossbred Brahman cattle and crossbred water buffalo

Buffalo meat is tasty and indistinguishable from beef, and has been described as being lean and low in cholesterol in comparison with beef. However, little is known about the plasma hormone and metabolic profiles related to fat metabolism in buffalo, and how their levels are affected by species and sex. In this study levels of plasma hormones and metabolites were compared between species and sexes. Ten growing crossbred Brahman cattle and ten growing crossbred buffaloes (five males and five females in each), with an average age of 22 months were used. The animals were fed on an experimental diet composed of corn silage, brewer's spent grain and a concentrate mixture at a 50:30:20 ratio on a dry matter basis during a fattening period of 6 months. Blood samples were collected every month during the experiment, and were analysed for plasma leptin, insulin, glucose, triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) concentrations. Plasma leptin, insulin and TC concentrations increased during fattening and were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cattle than in buffaloes. These concentrations in cattle showed a big difference between sexes in comparison with buffaloes, and were higher in females than in males. The plasma glucose and TG concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) between cattle and buffaloes.

The crude fat content of longissimus muscle was significantly higher in cattle than in buffalo. Differences in body fat deposition seem to have an influence on plasma leptin, insulin and TC concentrations differently between cattle and buffaloes.     

Direct and maternal genetic effects on preweaning characters of Brahman, Hereford and Brahman-Hereford crossbred cattle

Birth weight, preweaning gain and weaning weight (adjusted 180-d weight) data, collected at McGregor, Texas, were analyzed for genetic differences. Breedtypes represented in the data were Brahman, Hereford and various Brahman-Hereford crosses. Preweaning gain was calculated as adjusted 180-d weight less birth weight. All statistical models included effects of dam age, year, season and sex. Analyses were performed using a breedtype model and a regression model that redefined breedtype as direct additive, direct heterotic, maternal additive and maternal heterotic effects. Brahman dams produced calves with lightest birth weights. Brahman-sired calves were heaviest at birth compared with those by other sire breedtypes. The estimated Brahman direct additive effect on birth weight was 4.6 kg greater than Hereford. The Brahman maternal additive effect was 7.5 kg less than Hereford. Direct and maternal heterotic effects on birth weight were 2.2 and .6 kg, respectively. Calves from F1 dams had larger preweaning gains than those of the other breedtypes. The Brahman direct additive effect on preweaning gain was 17.7 kg less than Hereford and the Brahman maternal additive effect was 20 kg greater than Hereford. Direct and maternal heterotic effects on preweaning gain were 19.6 and 19.5 kg, respectively. Results of weaning weight analyses were similar to preweaning gain analyses. The largest effects on weaning weight were direct and maternal heterosis, which were 21.6 and 19.8 kg, respectively.     

Eating and rumination behaviour in Brahman grade cattle and crossbred water buffalo fed on high roughage diet

The purpose of this study is to compare feeding and other behavior and nutrient digestibility of tropical grade Brahman (body weight (BW) = 231 kg ± 12.4; n = 3) and crossbred water buffalo (BW = 300 kg ± 13.9; n = 3). This experiment on digestibility and measures of muscles of mastication utilized one‐way, and animal behavior two‐way, analysis of variance, respectively. Two video camcorders were installed in each pair of buffalo and Brahman for 24 h period programmed on the 107th, 109th and 111th days of the digestion trials. Frequency and duration of feeding, meal intake, rumination, bolus, chews, drinking, defecating, standing and lying were recorded daily. Muscle diameter of Digastricus, Masseter and Pterygoid and different regions of the tongue were sampled and measured under light microscope using a standard micrometer. Buffalo obtained significantly higher intake of dry matter, roughage, crude protein, total digestible nutrient and metabolized energy than Brahman. This was supported by longer meal duration (P ≤ 0.05), and shorter meal breaks (P ≤ 0.05) of buffalo than Brahman. The diameter of the muscles for mastication was bigger (P ≤ 0.05) in buffalo than in Brahman, which is indicative of stronger chewing ability. Briefly, lesser and slower chewing action; higher intake of roughage and crude protein; and longer resting behavior of crossbred water buffalo than Brahman are all indicative of better digestive and metabolic performance of the buffalo under high roughage feeding conditions.     

Evaluation of crossbred Brahman and continental European beef cattle in a subtropical environment for birth and weaning traits

A total of 528 birth and 475 weaning records collected over a 3-yr period were analyzed to evaluate the productivity of several beef cattle breed crosses. The calves were produced by artificial insemination using 17 Brahman, 15 Chianina, 15 Maine Anjou and 16 Simmental sires bred to Angus and Hereford dams varying in age from 3 to 11 yr. Breed-of-sire effects were important (P less than .05 to P less than .001) for gestation length, birth weight, conformation score and condition score, but were not observed for birth weight adjusted for gestation length, percentage calving assistance, survival rate or weaning weight. Brahman crosses had the longest gestation lengths, being 4.7 d longer than Simmental crosses, which were the shortest in length. Chianina crosses were the heaviest at birth and experienced the most calving difficulty. Simmental crosses had the highest survival rate. Although breed-of-sire differences were observed in conformation score, the difference was less than one-third of a grade between the highest-scoring Simmental crosses and the lowest-scoring Brahman and Chianina crosses. Brahman crosses had the highest condition scores, being approximately one-third of a grade higher than the lowest-ranking Chianina crosses. Differences among the sire breeds for weaning weight were surprisingly small, varying only 3 kg from the heaviest to lightest breed-of-sire groups. Angus dams had shorter gestation lengths (P less than .001) and produced calves that weighed more at weaning (P less than .001) and scored higher for conformation (P less than .001) and condition (P less than .001) score than Hereford dams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

精补料能量对西杂肉牛育肥性能和成本的影响

选择40头体重接近(400.8±32.1)kg的周岁西杂肉牛随机分为4个试验组,饲喂从5.27 MJ/kg到5.90 MJ/kg增重净能的4组精补料,经过150 d育肥试验全部屠宰测定,探讨4组增重净能精补料饲喂杂交肉牛的育肥性能和成本。结果表明,饲喂增重净能5.90 MJ/kg和5.69 MJ/kg精补料的杂交肉牛总增重、净肉增重、料重比和料肉比均优于饲喂增重净能5.27 MJ/kg和5.48 MJ/kg精补料的杂交肉牛;饲喂增重净能5.90 MJ/kg和5.69 MJ/kg精补料的杂交肉牛单位增重成本比增重净能5.27 MJ/kg和5.48 MJ/kg的平均降低11.71%,单位净肉增重成本平均降低17.33%;饲喂增重净能5.90 MJ/kg精补料的各项试验指标最好,饲喂增重净能5.27 MJ/kg精补料的最差(P0.05,P0.01)。由此结论,高增重净能的精补料明显提高杂交肉牛育肥和产肉性能、改善总增重和净肉增重的饲料效率和成本。     

Clinical, diagnostic and biochemical features of generalised glycogenosis type II in Brahman cattle

SUMMARY Clinical, diagnostic and biochemical features of generalised glycogenosis are described In 96 Brahman-type calves. Typically the calves were presented when about 6 months of age, with III-thrift and muscular weakness as the most common signs. Acidic α-glucosidase activity was reduced in peripheral blood lymphocytes and skeletal muscle. Muscle glycogen concentration was consistently higher in affected animals than In clinically normal cattle. Other observations in affected calves Included elevation of serum aspartate amlnotransferase and creatine kinase activities and excessive amounts of high molecular weight oligosaccharides in urine. Fine cytoplasmic vacuolation of neurones In the brain and spinal cord, skeletal muscle, myocardlum and of Purkinje fibres were consistent histological observations. Periodic acid-Schlff staining revealed the presence of glycogen-like material In peripheral blood lymphocytes of all affected calves, Indicating that this is a useful aid for the diagnosis of glycogenosis. While 3 of the 96 calves showed somewhat different clinical signs, the similarity of pathology and the biochemical and clinical evidence in the remainder suggested that, In these animals, the disease was expressed as a single syndrome.     

全株青贮玉米对西门塔尔杂交牛生产性能、表观消化率及血液生化指标的影响

选择体重350 kg左右健康的西门塔尔杂交公牛45头随机分为3组,分别饲喂3种不同日粮,其中试验Ⅰ组(精料+玉米秸秆黄贮)、试验Ⅱ组(精料+全株青贮玉米)和试验Ⅲ组(精料+添加剂全株青贮玉米),试验期140 d。结果表明,试验Ⅲ组的日增重极显著地高于试验Ⅰ组(P<0.01)和试验Ⅱ组(P<0.01),分别比试验Ⅰ组、试验Ⅱ组高出90.35%、24.00%。试验Ⅰ组干物质采食量极显著高于试验Ⅱ组(P<0.01)和Ⅲ组(P<0.01),试验Ⅱ组和试验Ⅲ组的干物质采食量无显著差异。试验Ⅲ组和试验Ⅱ组料重比极显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.01)。试验Ⅲ组和试验Ⅱ组的粗蛋白的表观消化率显著高于试验Ⅰ组(P<0.05),试验Ⅲ组粗蛋白表观消化率极显著高于试验Ⅰ组(P<0.01);中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维的表观消化率Ⅲ组显著高于试验Ⅰ组(P<0.05)。肉牛血清中游离脂肪酸、瘦素的含量试验Ⅰ组显著高于Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组(P<0.05)。肉牛血清中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ浓度试验Ⅱ组、试验Ⅲ组显著高于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),试验Ⅱ组与试验Ⅲ组差异显著(P<0.05)。试验Ⅲ组的头均日收益比试验Ⅰ组、试验Ⅱ组分别高22.21和9.27元。综上所述,添加剂全株青贮玉米的育肥效果和经济效益最好。     

精补料增重净能对西杂肉牛育肥性能和成本的影响

选择48头体重相近([192.90±26.38)kg]的8～10月龄西门塔尔杂交肉牛随机分为4个试验组,通过添加大豆油饲喂按等同梯度从5.94 MJ/kg递增到6.57 MJ/kg增重净能的等同蛋白质和必需氨基酸的精补料,探讨4组高增重净能的精补料饲喂杂交肉牛的育肥性能和成本。150 d育肥试验的结果表明,饲喂6.36 MJ/kg增重净能精补料3和5.94 MJ/kg精补料1的杂交肉牛全期日增重分别为1.26 kg和1.19 kg,精料重比分别为2.95和3.16,增重耗精料成本占摄入成本分别为79.53%和84.51%(P<0.05、P<0.01),显著差异来自精补料增重净能的二元曲线效应;饲喂6.57 MJ/kg增重净能精补料4和6.15 MJ/kg精补料2的杂交肉牛全期育肥性能在数据上优于精补料1和低于精补料3(P>0.05)。由此结论,在饲喂黄贮玉米秸秆条件下,6.36 MJ/kg增重净能的精补料3明显提高杂交肉牛育肥性能、饲料效率和育肥利润空间;过高增重净能的精补料4没有表现出最佳育肥效果。     

Blood biochemical profiles in induced aflatoxicosis of cockerels

1. Experimental intoxication induced in cockerels with varying doses of aflatoxin fed at the rate of 2.5 μg, 5.0 μg, and 10.0 μg per g of food resulted in appreciable changes in blood biochemical profiles.

2. At all doses the aflatoxin caused decreases in serum total proteins, albumin: globulin ratio, serum total cholesterol, serum calcium and phosphorus and increases in serum globulins, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino trans‐ferase (AST) concentrations.

3. No changes in serum bilirubin were observed.

4. Possible mechanisms for such blood biochemical changes are discussed and related to liver cellular damage caused by the aflatoxin toxicity.     

Evaluation of feed conversion in steers from a diallel of Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford, and Brahman beef cattle

A total of 269 steers produced in a four-breed diallel mating design of Simmental, Limousin, Polled Hereford, and Brahman breeds were evaluated for the unadjusted and maintenance-adjusted total feed intake to total weight gain ratio. Time on feed ranged from 184 to 251 d. Covariate adjustments were made separately for age- and 12th rib fat-constant end points. Purebred, general combining ability, and maternal effects and heterosis were estimated. Effects of year, breed of dam, slaughter group, and days on feed accounted for most of the variation in feed conversion. Significantly higher unadjusted cumulative feed/gain ratios were found for steers from Brahman sires and for those from Simmental, Limousin, and Brahman dams. Adjustment to either fat- or age-constant values did not rerank breed groups, but a small reduction in the differences between these groups was detected for fat-constant efficiency. For maintenance-adjusted feed intake, progeny of Simmental and Limousin dams were less efficient than those of Polled Hereford and Brahman dams. Negative values for general combining ability, maternal effects, and heterosis would indicate less feed required per unit of weight gain. General combining ability for Polled Hereford crosses was negative and significant for cumulative feed/gain ratios, but no difference among dam breeds was found for the maintenance-adjusted ratio. Maternal effects for Limousin dams were positive and significant for all maintenance-adjusted ratios. Heterosis estimates for specific breed crosses were generally negative and ranged from -.87 to .22.     

Blood and ruminal fluid profiles in carbohydrate-foundered cattle.

The relationships of acetylhistamine and histamine to the clinical signs of carbohydrate-induced acidosis were investigated in beef steers. Blood pH and plasma L-lactic acid decreased and serum sodium, serum potassium, ruminal fluid L-lactic acid, ruminal fluid histamine, and ruminal fluid and blood acetylhistamine increased in carbohydrate-engorged steers as compared with the changes in the steers while feeding on pasture (forage-fed steers). Twelve to 14 hours after the steers had become engorged, clinical signs of laminitis ("feedlot founder") were observed in three of six steers. These signs appeared 4 to 6 hours after blood acetylhistamine attained maximal concentration (2.9997 +/- 1.7054 microgram of histamine base/ml of blood) and blood pH decreased to 7.260 +/- 0.026 at 8 hours after engorgement. Blood histamine value reached 0.1298 +/- 0.1095 microgram of histamine base/ml 4 hours after engorgement (8 to 10 hours before the appearance of clinical illness), but had reached maximal concentration 32 hours after engorgement (0.3300 +/- 0.028 microgram of histamine base/ml of blood).     

柠条与玉米芯添加比例对西杂牛增重 和血液生化指标的影响研究

为研究不同粗饲料组合对西杂牛日增重和血液生化指标的影响,试验采用完全随机试验设计,选择健康、体重相近的育肥牛30头,随机分为3个处理,每个处理10个重复,每个重复1头牛。3个处理分别是:试验1组:40%精料+10%苜蓿+20%秸秆+15%柠条+15%玉米芯;试验2组:40%精料+10%苜蓿+20%秸秆+30%柠条;对照组:40%精料+10%苜蓿+20%秸秆+30%玉米芯。结果表明:试验1组、试验2组、对照组平均日增重分别为1.44、1.36、1.32 kg,且试验1组和试验2组分别比对照组提高9.09%、3.03%,各组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。总蛋白、球蛋白和白蛋白水平,试验1组显著高于试验2组和对照组(P<0.05),而其他两组间差异不显著(P>0.05);尿素氮水平,试验1组显著低于试验2组和对照组(P<0.05),而其他组间差异不显著(P>0.05);碱性磷酸酶以对照组最高,为110.50 U/l,显著高于试验1组和试验2组(P<0.05),且试验1组与试验2组无显著差异(P>0.05)。血糖、钙、磷水平各组均差异不显著(P>0.05)。综合考虑西杂牛日增重和血液生化指标,试验1组能够提高肉牛日增重,改善血清总蛋白、球蛋白、白蛋白水平,降低尿素氮、碱性磷酸酶水平,并维持机体正常生理功能。说明饲喂以40%精料+10%苜蓿+20%秸秆+15%柠条+15%玉米芯的全混合日粮组合效果最优。     

Birth and weaning traits in crossbred cattle from Hereford, Angus, Brahman, Boran, Tuli, and Belgian Blue sires

The objective of this study was to characterize breeds representing diverse biological types for birth and weaning traits in crossbred cattle. Gestation length, calving difficulty, percentage of unassisted calving, percentage of perinatal survival, percentage of survival from birth to weaning, birth weight, BW at 200 d, and ADG were measured in 2,500 calves born and 2,395 calves weaned. Calves were obtained by mating Hereford, Angus, and MARC III (one-fourth Hereford, one-fourth Angus, one-fourth Pinzgauer, and one-fourth Red Poll) mature cows to Hereford or Angus (British breed), Brahman, Tuli, Boran, and Belgian Blue sires. Calves were born during the spring seasons of 1992, 1993, and 1994. Sire breed was significant for all traits (P < 0.002). Offspring from British breeds and the Belgian Blue breed had the shortest gestation length (285 d) when compared with progeny from other sire breeds (average of 291 d). Calving difficulty was greater in offspring from Brahman sires (1.24), whereas the offspring of Tuli sires had the least amount of calving difficulty (1.00). Offspring from all sire breeds had similar perinatal survival and survival from birth to weaning (average of 97.2 and 96.2%, respectively), with the exception of offspring from Brahman sires, which had less (92.8 and 90.4%, respectively). Progeny of Brahman sires were heaviest at birth (45.7 kg), followed by offspring from British breed, Boran, and Belgian Blue sires (average of 42.4 kg). The lightest offspring at birth were from Tuli sires (38.6 kg). Progeny derived from Brahman sires were the heaviest at 200 d (246 kg), and they grew faster (1.00 kg/d) than offspring from any other group. The progeny of British breeds and the Belgian Blue breed had an intermediate BW at 200 d (238 kg) and an intermediate ADG (average of 0.98 kg/d). The progeny of Boran and Tuli sires were the lightest at 200 d (227 kg) and had the least ADG (0.93 kg/d). Male calves had a longer gestation length, had a greater incidence of calving difficulty, had greater mortality to weaning, were heavier, and grew faster than female calves. Sire breed effects can be optimized by selection and use of appropriate crossbreeding systems.     

Comparison of carcass and meat characteristics of Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study was conducted to determine and compare the live traits, carcass yield and the physical, chemical, processing and sensory properties of meat from 20 Brahman grade cattle (crossbred cattle) and crossbred water buffalo (Philippine carabao × Murrah, Bulgarian or Indian) with an average age and weight of 29 months and 434 kg, respectively. The animals were fed a similar diet for 180 days before slaughter. A survey was performed to establish consumer meat preference between the two species. Live weights before slaughter of the two species were found to be different (P < 0.05) with the crossbred water buffalo showing higher bodyweight. However, the crossbred water buffalo had a lower (P < 0.05) dressing yield based on hot carcass weight and chilled carcass weight. The lower dressing yield of crossbred water buffalo can be attributed to its higher (P < 0.05) weights of edible and non‐edible slaughter by‐products. The chilled carcass yield of the forequarters and hindquarters from crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo were comparable when expressed as percent of live weight and chilled carcass weight. The estimated lean yield was higher in crossbred cattle than crossbred water buffalo. Crude protein, ash, fat, cholesterol, myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic and insoluble protein contents of the beef and carabao meat were all similar. Water holding capacity, pH, muscle fiber diameter, tenderness, firmness and marbling score in carabeef were all comparable to the beef. Redness was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in carabeef than the beef as measured with a color meter. The consumer meat preference survey showed that 55.9% selected the beef while 44.1% preferred carabeef. The color and amount of fat on the outside of the beef sample were primary in buyer selection.     

西门塔尔牛、安格斯牛杂交生产利用研究

为了探讨西门塔尔牛和安格斯牛杂交改良本地黄牛效果,采用西门塔尔牛和安格斯牛作为肉牛终端父本,分别与本地黄牛开展二元经济杂交,对杂交F1体重变化、屠宰性能数据进行了统计分析研究。结果表明：两者杂交F1均比本地黄牛生长速度快且产肉率高,可有效提高本地黄牛的屠宰性能。说明西门塔尔牛和安格斯牛改良本地黄牛杂交优势明显,可有效增加本地黄牛养殖的经济效益,值得推广。     

Differences in prevalence of tuberculosis in indigenous and crossbred cattle under extensive and intensive management systems in Tanga Region of Tanzania

A cross-sectional study was conducted between May 2003 and January 2004 on 130 households and 655 (246 indigenous and 409 crossbred) cattle to determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and assess risk factors associated with prevalence in smallholder dairy and traditionally managed herds in the Tanga region of North-eastern Tanzania. Random sampling, single intradermal tuberculin (SIT), comparative intradermal tuberculin (SCIT) tests and a questionnaire were used to gather individual animal and herd level information. From 642 animal tested by SIT, 35 (5.4%) were positive reactors for tuberculosis. Out of those 35 bTB positive reactors, eight (1.25%) proved to be positive reactors for tuberculosis upon further testing by SCIT. Based on the SCIT test, individual animal prevalences of bTB in the smallholder dairy and traditionally managed cattle was 2% and 0%, respectively. The corresponding overall herd prevalence was 5.7% and 0%, respectively. In conclusion, bTB prevalence seems low; however, its potential risk to public health is of concern; underscoring the need for further research, active surveillance to better understand the epidemiology of the disease in different cattle production systems in Tanzania.