Determination of GHG and ammonia emissions from stored dairy cattle slurry by using a floating dynamic chamber

We developed a system for measuring emissions from stored slurry by using a floating dynamic chamber. CH₄, CO₂, N₂O and NH₃ emitted from the storage tank of a dairy cattle farm in eastern Hokkaido were measured during summer 2008 (7/16–8/6), fall 2008 (10/2–10/26), spring 2009 (6/2–6/21) and winter 2009 (3/11). Average daily gas emission rates in summer, fall and spring were, respectively, 54.8, 54.2 and 34.3 g/m² for CH₄; 602, 274 and 254 g/m² for CO₂; 55.4, 68.2 and trace mg/m² for N₂O; and 0.55, 0.73 and 0.46 g/m² for NH₃. CH₄, CO₂ and NH₃ emission rates during the brief measurement period in winter were reduced to 1/4, 1/23 and 1/2, respectively, of summer emission rate levels. All gas emissions showed diurnal fluctuation and were greatest during the daytime, when the ambient temperature rose. CH₄, NH₃ and CO₂ emissions increased significantly during the daytime, and the daily emission (in grams) of each gas was positively correlated with maximum daily temperature. According to the combined spring, summer and fall measurements, the CH₄, N₂O and NH₃ annual emission factors were 1.42% (g CH₄/g volatile solids), 0.02% (g N₂O‐N/g total N) and 0.43% (g NH₃‐N/g total N), respectively.     

高寒灌丛土壤温室气体释放对添加不同形态氮素的响应

为探索不同形态氮素输入对青藏高原高寒灌丛土壤CO₂、N₂O和CH₄排放的影响,采集青藏高原东部金露梅高寒灌丛土壤,设置1个对照(CK)和3个添加不同形态氮素的处理(NH₄Cl,NH₄NO₃,KNO₃),在实验室恒温15℃下进行培养,分析了土壤CO₂、N₂O和CH₄的释放量以及土壤NH₄⁺,NO₃^-和可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量。结果表明:1)所有氮素处理抑制了高寒灌丛土壤CO₂的排放,土壤CO₂排放量与DOC浓度呈显著正相关关系;2)所有氮素处理显著增加了土壤N₂O的排放,而且以添加NO₃^--N增加的N₂O最为显著;3)高寒灌丛土壤N₂O的产生过程以反硝化作用为主;4)添加不同形态氮素对高寒灌丛土壤CH₄吸收没有显著影响。5)不同形态氮素施入后,高寒灌丛土壤温室气体全球增温潜能(GWP)顺序:KNO₃>NH₄NO₃>NH₄Cl>CK。     

The influence of different forms and concentrations of nitrogen on total nonstructural carbohydrate allocation and growth in Digitaria eriantha

Abstract

Digitaria eriantha plants were grown under controlled conditions for a period of three months, during which time they were supplied with the following forms and concentrations of nitrogen: 50 mg/1 NO₃ ^?‐N, 200 mg/1 NO₃ ^?‐N, 200 mg/1 NH₄ ⁺‐N and a combined form containing both NO₃ ^?‐N and NH₄ ⁺‐N with a nitrogen concentration of 200 mg/1. Control plants received no nitrogen.

At monthly intervals both above and below ground components were assayed for soluble and insoluble carbohydrate contents. Dry mass and leaf areas were also measured.

The nitrogen treatments were found to influence the allocation of photosynthates into either soluble or insoluble carbohydrates. In above ground tissue, the soluble carbohydrate component decreased with time, while the insoluble component increased with time. In root tissue the reverse trends were observed. Both dry mass and leaf area development were enhanced in plants supplied with nitrogen in any form. It was suggested that growth of D. eriantha was influenced by carbohydrate fluctuations.     

Effects of dietary crude protein and tannic acid on nitrogen excretion,urinary nitrogenous composition and urine nitrous oxide emissions in beef cattle

Two consecutive trials were carried out to study the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and tannic acid (TA) on nitrogen (N) metabolism of beef cattle and consequently, the N₂O emissions from the urine of cattle. In Trial I, eight growing castrated cattle were used as the experimental animals. Two levels of dietary CP (110.6 and 135.7 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and two levels of TA (0 and 16.9 g/kg DM) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. In Trial II, the N₂O emissions from the urine of cattle collected from Trial I were determined using the static incubation technique. An interaction between dietary CP and TA on the urinary N excretion (p < .05) was found but not on the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Increasing dietary CP level from 110.6 g/kg DM to 135.7 g/kg DM increased the total N excretion (p < .001), the N retention (p < .05) and the ratio of urinary urea‐N/urinary N (p < .01), did not affect the N use efficiency (NUE; p > .05) and shifted the N excretion from faeces to urine. Increasing the dietary CP level increased the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Dietary addition of TA decreased the urinary excretions of urea (p < .001) and shifted the N excretion from urine to faeces, did not affect the NUE of beef cattle (p > .10), and decreased the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Pyrogallol and resorcinol of the TA metabolites were detected in urine with dietary addition of TA. Feeding beef cattle with relatively low CP level and adding TA in rations are effective approaches to mitigate the N₂O‐N emissions from cattle urine.     

The effect of dicyandiamide on rumen and blood metabolites,diet digestibility and urinary excretion

The excretion of urine by dairy cows provides a source of nitrogen (N) to pasture. Excess N from urine patches can be lost through nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Dicyandiamide (DCD) inhibits nitrification in the soil and is usually applied to the pasture by blanket spreading the entire field. This study assessed the potential of pulse-dosing cows with DCD so that the DCD will be excreted in the urine and deposited directly onto the urine patches. The objective of this study was to measure the recovery of DCD in urine and faeces and to assess the effects of DCD on rumen and blood metabolites and diet digestibility. Eight non-lactating Holstein–Friesian dairy cows fitted with rumen cannulae were assigned to two treatments in a Latin square design over two periods. The two treatments used were (1) control (CON) consisting of 500 ml distilled water and (2) DCD consisting of 0.1 g DCD per kg liveweight (LW) suspended in 500 ml distilled water. Both treatments were pulse-dosed into the rumen daily for 6 days with half the volume dosed in the morning and the remainder in the afternoon. The administration of DCD into the rumen had no effect on rumen and blood metabolites, and diet digestibility when compared to the control treatment, as all were not significantly different from the control treatment and were within the normal biological range. During 6 days of dosing with DCD the average recovery of the dosed DCD in urine was 82.3%, with a further 2.1% recovered in the faeces. No DCD was recovered in the urine and faeces 10 days following the cessation of dosing. These results could provide the basis for a novel mitigation strategy to reduce NO₃⁻ leaching and N₂O emissions from urine patches in grazed grassland.     

The influence of nitrate and ammonium forms of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and osmoregulation of digitaria eriantha and Chloris gayana grown under saline conditions

Abstract

Digltaria eriantha and Chloris gayana were grown under controlled conditions for three months and were treated with a nutrient solution containing 150 mMol NaCl and the following nitrogen sources: 25 or 200 mg/l NH₄ ⁺‐N or NO₃ ^?‐N or no nitrogen. The application of nitrogen was found to stimulate growth, i.e. leaf area and dry mass in both grasses, with a greatest growth response to both NH₄ ⁺—N treatments in D. eriantha, and NH₄ ⁺‐N and NO₃ ^?—N treatments in C. gayana. Proline accumulated in both grasses, but this accumulation followed different trends in the two grasses. Soluble sugars (non‐structural) accumulated in the above ground component in D. eriantha, while in C. gayana soluble sugars accumulated predominantly in the roots, possibly as osmotica, or for storage and may thus have been available for regrowth.     

Mineral salt intake effects on faecal-N concentration and the volume and composition of beef cattle urine

The effect of mineral salts on water ingestion and urine volume in cattle has been extensively studied. However, recently, this effect has been investigated as a potential mitigator of environmental aspects related to the nitrogen (N) cycle, such as nitrate (NO₃^?) lixiviation, ammonia (NH₃) volatilisation, and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. The effect of mineral salts, particularly sodium chloride (NaCl), on urine-N concentration, urine volume, the proportion of N compounds in the urine, and faecal-N concentration has not yet been explored in field conditions with respect to environmental aspects of beef cattle production. The present study investigated the effect of dietary mineral salt rates on these parameters. A Latin square (5?×?5) experimental design was utilised with five concentrations of mineral salts in the diet: 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 8.0 g based on dry matter (DM) ingestion (g/kg DM). The nitrogen concentration in the urine and urine volume increased linearly. The total N excreted (g/day) via urine did not vary with increasing mineral salt concentrations. When evaluated, the N compounds of urine (urea-N, allantoin-N, and hippuric acid-N) also reacted to the increased mineral salt concentrations, while creatinine-N did not. Urea-N, allantoin-N, and hippuric acid-N linearly increased their proportions in total N-urine. The N concentration in faeces was not affected by mineral salt concentrations. The urine volume, concentration of N, and proportion of N compounds in the urine affected N₂O emissions and NH₃ volatilisation. Therefore, mineral salt utilisation may be an option for mitigating N pollution from beef cattle, especially for grasslands in tropical countries.

     

Production of N2 and N2O from nitrate ingested by sheep

Supplementing ruminants with nitrate reduces their enteric methane (CH₄) emissions; however, the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation achieved can be partially offset by small emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a more potent GHG. Sheep were dosed intraruminally with ¹⁵ to investigate whether dietary is a precursor of N₂O and/or di‐nitrogen gas (N₂), and to quantify the amounts of recovered as N₂O and N₂ in gas emissions from sheep adapted or not adapted to dietary . Ruminally cannulated sheep were adapted to a hay diet supplemented with (n = 3; 10 g /kg DM) or urea (n = 3; 5.3 g urea/kg DM). On the day of the experiment all sheep were dosed intraruminally with ¹⁵ and quickly moved into gas‐tight chambers to enable recovery of ¹⁵N in N₂O and N₂ to be measured. Measurements of gases accumulating in the chambers were made over 10 successive 50 min periods; this enabled the amount of N₂O produced, and the recovery of ¹⁵‐N in N₂O and N₂ to be determined over a total of 10 hr. Only 0.04% of labelled ‐N was recovered as N₂O, and this was not dependent (p > .05) on whether or not the animals had been adapted to dietary . Approximatively 3% of ¹⁵‐N was recovered as ¹⁵N₂, which was also not dependent (p > .05) on whether sheep had been adapted to . Because the kinetics of rumen ammonia (NH₃) were uncertain, the recovery of ¹⁵N from in rumen NH₃ could not accurately be quantified, but our results suggest that approximately 76% of dietary was converted to NH₃ in the rumen. We conclude that the small amount of recovered in N₂ was evidence of denitrification, previously thought not to occur in the rumen.     

The effects of dietary nitrate on plasma glucose and insulin sensitivity in sheep

Nitrate (NO₃^¯) is an effective non‐protein nitrogen source for gut microbes and reduces enteric methane (CH₄) production in ruminants. Nitrate is reduced to ammonia by rumen bacteria with nitrite (NO₂^¯) produced as an intermediate. The absorption of NO₂^¯ can cause methaemoglobinaemia in ruminants. Metabolism of NO₃^¯ and NO₂^¯ in blood and animal tissues forms nitric oxide (NO) which has profound physiological effects in ruminants and has been shown to increase glucose uptake and insulin secretion in rodents and humans. We hypothesized that absorption of small quantities of NO₂^¯ resulting from a low‐risk dose of dietary NO₃^¯ will increase insulin sensitivity (S_I) and glucose uptake in sheep. We evaluated the effect of feeding sheep with a diet supplemented with 18 g NO₃^¯/kg DM or urea (Ur) isonitrogenously to NO₃^¯, on insulin and glucose dynamics. A glucose tolerance test using an intravenous bolus of 1 ml/kg LW of 24% (w/v) glucose was conducted in twenty sheep, with 10 sheep receiving 1.8% supplementary NO₃^¯ and 10 receiving supplementary urea isonitrogenously to NO₃^¯. The MINMOD model used plasma glucose and insulin concentrations to estimate basal plasma insulin (I_b) and basal glucose concentration (G_b), insulin sensitivity (S_I), glucose effectiveness (S_G), acute insulin response (AIRg) and disposition index (DI). Nitrate supplementation had no effect on I_b (p > .05). The decrease in blood glucose occurred at the same rate in both dietary treatments (S_G; p = .60), and there was no effect of NO₃^¯ on either G_b, S_I, AIRg or DI. This experiment found that the insulin dynamics assessed using the MINMOD model were not affected by NO₃^¯ administered to fasted sheep at a low dose of 1.8% NO₃^¯ in the diet.     

Measurements of hypoxia ([18F]‐FMISO, [18F]‐EF5) with positron emission tomography (PET) and perfusion using PET ([15O]‐H2O) and power Doppler ultrasonography in feline fibrosarcomas*

The aim of this study was to evaluate if hypoxia in feline fibrosarcomas can be detected. This was done using positron emission tomography (PET), two hypoxia tracers and polarographic pO₂ measurements. Of the seven cats included, five received [¹⁸F]‐fluoromisonidazole and two 2‐(2‐nitro‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐N‐(2,2,3,3,3‐pentafluoropropyl) acetamide. Perfusion was evaluated with [¹⁵O]‐H₂O (n = 4) and with contrast‐enhanced power Doppler ultrasonography (n = 5). Hypoxia was detected in three cats. Polarographic pO₂ measurements did not confirm PET results. In the ultrasonographic evaluation, low vascularity and low perfusion were seen with a peripheral vascular pattern and no perfusion in the centre of the tumour. This was in contrast to the [¹⁵O]‐H₂O scans, where central perfusion of the tumour was also found. In conclusion, it appears that hypoxia exists in this tumour type. The presence of tumour necrosis and heterogeneous hypoxia patterns in these tumours may explain the found discrepancies between the applied techniques.     

Nitrogen maintenance requirements and potential for nitrogen retention of pullets in growth phase

Experiments were conducted to estimate daily N maintenance requirements (NMRs) and the genetic potential for daily N retention (NR_maxT) of pullets in growth phase. Three nitrogen balance trials were conducted, and a total of 48 Hy‐line W‐36 pullets were used in each trial in age periods (starter: 14–28, grower: 56–70 and developer: 98–112 days). The treatments consisted of six graded levels of nitrogen in the diets (L1 = 8, L2 = 16, L3 = 24, L4 = 32, L5 = 40 and L6 = 48 g N/kg of feed), formulated using the dilution technique. The regression analyses between nitrogen intake and nitrogen excretion were performed to fit the exponential function and to determine the NMR. The daily NMRs that were estimated at 294, 331 and 355 mg/BW_kg^0.67 for the initial, grower and developer periods, respectively, were applied for further calculation of NR_maxT as the threshold value of the function between N intake and daily N balance. The NR_maxT was estimated by a statistical procedure following several iteration steps by the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm until the sum of the squares of the residual was minimized. The NR_maxT was estimated at 3,200, 2,633 and 1,826 mg/BW_kg^0.67 for starter, grower and developer periods respectively. The determined model parameters were the precondition for modelling of the amino acid requirement based on an exponential N‐utilization model and depended on performance and dietary amino acid efficiency. This procedure will be further developed and applied in the subsequent study.     

氮对千日红试管苗生长和开花诱导的影响

本文以千日红组培苗为试验材料,研究培养基中氮形态及含量对千日红试管苗生长和开花诱导的影响。结果表明,1)相对于铵态氮(NH₄⁺),硝态氮(No₃^-)作为唯一氮源更有利于千日红试管苗生长和开花诱导,但千日红在NH₄⁺和NO₃^-同时存在的培养基中表现最佳。2)在20 mmol/LNH₄⁺(NO₃^-)和5 mg/L PP₃₃₃存在的条件下,试管苗生长基本随着培养基中NO₃^-(NH₄⁺)含量的增加而增加,并在含40 mmol/L NO₃^-+20 mmol/L NH₄⁺(即MS培养基中氮含量)的培养基中株高达到最大值5.91 cm;而叶片数和开花率则随着培养基中NH₄⁺和NO₃^-含量的增加呈现先增加后下降的趋势,并在20 mmol/L NO₃^-+5 mmol/LNH₄⁺培养基中达到最大值,分别为10.7片/株和38.89%。3)氮含量及形态配比结果表明,千日红试管苗开花率在培养基中氮总量为5 mmol/L、NO₃^-/NH₄⁺为4/1时达到最大值39.95%,而株高和叶片数在氮总量为35 mmol/L,NO₃^-/NH₄⁺为4/1时达到最大值8.52 cm和13.38片/株。千日红试管苗开花率与培养基中NO₃^-/NH₄⁺显著正相关,而与氮总量及株高之间显著负相关。此外,培养基中氮含量及形态配比还显著影响无菌苗根系生长。     

Suppression of Cheatgrass by Perennial Bunchgrasses

Long-term control of the invasive annual grass cheatgrass is predicated on its biological suppression. Perennial grasses vary in their suppressive ability. We compared the ability of a non-native grass (“Hycrest” crested wheatgrass) and two native grasses (Snake River wheatgrass and bluebunch wheatgrass) to suppress cheatgrass. In a greenhouse in separate tubs, 5 replicates of each perennial grass were established for 96 d, on which two seeds of cheatgrass, 15 cm apart, were then sown in a semicircular pattern at distances of 10 cm, 30 cm, and 80 cm from the established perennial bunchgrasses. Water was not limiting. After 60 d growth, cheatgrass plants were harvested, dried, weight recorded, and tissue C and N quantified. Soil N availability was quantified at each location where cheatgrass was sown, both before sowing and after harvest. Relative to cheatgrass grown at 80 cm, all perennial grasses significantly reduced aboveground biomass at 30 cm (68% average reduction) and at 10 cm (98% average reduction). Sown at 10 cm from established perennial grasses, cheatgrass aboveground biomass was inversely related with perennial grass root mass per unit volume of soil. All cheatgrass sown at 10 cm from “Hycrest” crested wheatgrass died within 38 d. Before sowing of cheatgrass, soil 10 cm from established perennial grasses had significantly less mineral N than soil taken at 30 cm and 80 cm. Relative to cheatgrass tissue N for plants grown at 80 cm, cheatgrass nearest to the established perennial grasses contained significantly less tissue N. All perennial grasses inhibited the NO₂⁻ to NO₃⁻ nitrification step; for “Hycrest” crested wheatgrass, soil taken at 10 cm from the plant had a molar proportion of NO₂⁻ in the NO₂⁻ + NO₃⁻ pool of > 90%. In summary, a combination of reduced nitrogen availability, occupation of soil space by perennial roots, and attenuation of the nitrogen cycle all contributed to suppression of cheatgrass.     

Investigation into the durability of washed rice straw for equine bedding and the repetitive use of washing water

The present experiment investigated durability during the repetitive use of washed rice straw, as bedding material, and washing water as a model study. Residual nitrogen levels, elasticity, and water suction rates for washed rice straw‐adhered urea were measured. In addition, outflow levels of nitrogen and mineral ions (Na⁺, NO₂^‐ + NO₃^‐, SO₄^2?, PO₄^3?, Cl^‐) for washing water were measured to determine durability. Nitrogen levels of rice straw significantly (P < 0.05) decreased after two washings. There was no significant change in elasticity of repetitively used rice straw. Suction rates of rice straw after the second and third washings increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the first time. With regard to the number of washings, the mineral ion outflow level in the washing water for nitrogen, Na⁺, NO₂^‐ + NO₃^‐ and PO₄^3? after each washing was not significant. However, nitrogen outflow level tended to decrease after the third washing. SO₄^‐ and Cl^‐ did significantly decrease (P < 0.05) with the number of washings. In this study, it was considered that rice straw and washing water could be used repetitively three times. Furthermore, in order to maintain effluent standards, washing water from the first washing needs to be processed in a septic tank.     

Effects of bilateral arytenoid cartilage stenting on canine laryngeal resistance ex vivo

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Nitinol stents for bilateral arytenoid lateralization on canine laryngeal resistance. Study Design: Ex vivo experimental study. Animals: Canine cadaver larynges (n=7). Methods: Laryngeal resistance was calculated in all specimens with the epiglottis in open and closed positions. Bilateral arytenoid stenting was performed, rima glottidis width measured, and laryngeal resistance calculated. The effects of stenting on laryngeal resistance were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Calculated laryngeal resistance in the 3 stented groups, 2 cm (0.034±0.059 cmH₂O/L/s), 3 cm (0.034±0.059 cmH₂O/L/s), and 4 cm (0.034±0.059 cm H₂O/L/s), was significantly decreased versus the control (unstented) group (0.947±0.624 cmH₂O/L/s; P=.0098) with an epiglottis in the normal position. Calculated laryngeal resistance in the 3 stented groups, 2 cm (43.407±17.348 cm H₂O/L/s), 3 cm (70.659±34.705 cmH₂O/L/s), and 4 cm (92.637±44.509 cm H₂O/L/s), was significantly increased versus the control (unstented) group (29.561±14.499 cm H₂O/L/s) (P=.0185) with an epiglottis in the closed position. The width of the rima glottidis correlated with the size of the stent (r=0.95, P<.001). Conclusions: Bilateral arytenoid stenting significantly reduced calculated laryngeal resistance with an open epiglottis. Stenting resulted in a significant increase in laryngeal resistance versus the control with a closed epiglottis. Use of bilateral arytenoid stenting in clinical cases of laryngeal paralysis may provide an adequate decrease in open‐epiglottis airway resistance to alleviate clinical signs, while increasing closed‐epiglottis airway resistance. This could potentially lead to a decrease in the risk of postoperative aspiration pneumonia.     

Comparative Study of Nitrogen Metabolism and the Nitrogen Maintenance Requirement in Lohmann Brown Roosters and Layers

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary protein level on nitrogen retention and compare nitrogen metabolism in Lohmann Brown adult roosters and layers. The nitrogen maintenance requirement (N_m) was determined based on the nitrogen balance. Thirty Lohmann Brown adult roosters and 30 laying hens at 27 weeks of age were randomly divided into five groups of six birds per group. The birds were fed with one of five diets containing 10.46%, 11.77%, 13.79%, 16.77% or 18.29% of crude protein. Nitrogen intake, nitrogen retention and nitrogen retention efficiency were higher in roosters than in laying hens, and the average nitrogen retention rate for groups fed with CP level of 11.77%, 13.79%, 16.77% and 18.29% was improved by 9.14%. The nitrogen maintenance requirement for Lohmann Brown roosters and laying hens at 27 weeks of age were 0.4245 g/d and 0.5059 g/d, respectively, and Nm based on average body weight (BW) and metabolic body weight (BW^0.75) was 0.2364 g/kg BW and 0.2739 g/kg BW^0.75 for laying hens and 0.2754 g/kg BW and 0.3208 g/kg BW^0.75 for roosters, respectively. The regression equations for daily N gain (N_B, protein accretion) vs. daily N intake (N_I) for Lohmann Brown layers and roosters were N_B = 0.3743N_I–0.1589 (R² = 0.79) and N_B = 0.6228N_I–0.3151 (R² = 0.85), respectively. The results of this study indicate that nitrogen intake and nitrogen retention at the same dietary CP level were higher in roosters than in laying hens.     

Effect of aeration in reducing phytotoxicity in anaerobic digestion liquor of swine manure

Numerous reports have accumulated concerning the quality of solid compost. In contrast, there are few for the residue of anaerobic digestion. In this study, the fertilizer value of anaerobic digestion liquor (ADL) was evaluated, and the effect of aeration on the reduction of the phytotoxicity was examined by a germination assay. Low or high aeration (100 or 400 mL/min) was added to 3 L of ADL obtained from a mixture of pig manure and garbage by using 5‐L jar fermenters under a controlled temperature of 30°C. During the 14‐day aeration period, a high aeration rate improved the germination index (GI) score from 5.7% to nearly 80%, while a low aeration rate did not. Although organic matter decomposition, determined as chemical oxygen demand, did not differ with aeration intensity, remarkable differences were observed in the time course of changes in pH, electric conductivity and ammonium‐nitrogen (NH₄‐N) and total nitrogen (T‐N) content. Among these parameters, the NH₄‐N concentration correlated highly with the GI score (r = 0.986). The primary phytotoxic element in ADL was considered to be NH₄‐N, and the stripping of ammonia (NH₃) by high aeration resulted in the improvement of the GI score. Although the ratio of major nutrients N : P₂O₅ : K₂O (1:0.41:0.94) in ADL was at nearly same level as conventional liquid fertilizer, special attention should be paid to the high concentration of NH₃ when drawing up a fertilization plan.     

Efficacy assessment of an intramammary treatment with a new recrystallized enrofloxacin vs ceftiofur and parenteral enrofloxacin in dairy cows with nonsevere clinical mastitis

A recrystallized form of enrofloxacin as dehydrate‐HCl (enro‐C) was assessed for bacteriological and clinical cure efficacies in Holstein‐Friesian cows affected of nonsevere clinical mastitis. Treatments were enro‐C_susp (n = 81), treated with a pharmaceutical suspension of enro‐C/quarter; group enro‐C_pd (n = 80) treated as above, but using enro‐C powder suspended in water; group CF (n = 65), treated with ceftiofur HCl/quarter; and group enro_R (n = 66), treated with standard enrofloxacin solution (5 mg/kg, intramuscular). Cows had a mean milk production of 31 L/day and were 2‐3 lactational periods old. Treatments were administered every 24 hr for 3 days. Groups treated with enro‐C exhibited statistically significant (p > .05) better clinical cure as compared to groups treated with CF or enro_R (95.06%, 96.25%, 67.79%, and 57.55%, for enro‐C_susp, enro‐C_pd, CF, and enro_R, respectively). In contrast, probability of bacteriological cure was not statistically different among treatments. Yet, the outstanding clinical and bacteriological cure rates obtained for enro‐C for nonsevere cases of mastitis is superior to previously reported data for parenteral enrofloxacin and other antibacterial‐intramammary treatments. Impact of using enro‐C on the rate and pattern of bacterial resistance, somatic cell counts and milk electric conductivity, must be studied. Also, the use of enro‐C for complicated cases of mastitis should be studied and milk withdrawal times must be accurately established.     

Effects of suture tension during unilateral cricoarytenoid lateralization on canine laryngeal resistance in vitro

Objective— To evaluate the effect of abduction suture tension for unilateral arytenoid lateralization on laryngeal resistance. Study Design— Experimental study. Animals— Canine cadaver larynges (n=16). Methods— Laryngeal resistance was calculated in all specimens with the epiglottis in open and closed positions. Left cricoarytenoid lateralization was performed under low or high suture tension, and laryngeal resistance was re‐calculated. The effects of suture tension on laryngeal resistance were evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. Results— Cricoarytenoid lateralization under low or high suture tension significantly reduced laryngeal resistance with the epiglottis in an open or closed position. There was no difference in laryngeal resistance with an open epiglottis between the low‐tension (1.00±0.0001 cm H₂O/L/s) and high‐tension (1.10±0.35 cm H₂O/L/s) groups (P=.33). The low‐tension group (22.80±14.20 cm H₂O/L/s) had significantly greater laryngeal resistance than the high‐tension group (8.45±4.00 cm H₂O/L/s) with a closed epiglottis (P=.016). There was no difference in laryngeal resistance with a closed epiglottis for the low‐tension group before (34.30±36.50 cm H₂O/L/s) and after (22.80±14.20 cm H₂O/L/s; P=.42) arytenoid lateralization. Conclusions— Cricoarytenoid lateralization under low suture tension significantly reduced laryngeal resistance with an open epiglottis, but resulted in a significantly greater resistance with a closed epiglottis than cricoarytenoid lateralization under high suture tension. Clinical Relevance— Clinically, use of a low‐tension suture for cricoarytenoid lateralization may provide an adequate decrease in open‐epiglottis laryngeal resistance to alleviate clinical signs, while maintaining enough closed‐epiglottis laryngeal resistance to reduce the risk of postoperative aspiration pneumonia.     

The effects of L‐659,066, a peripheral α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist,and verapamil on the cardiovascular influences of dexmedetomidine in conscious sheep

Raekallio M. R., Honkavaara J. M., Vainio O. M. The effects of L‐659,066, a peripheral α₂‐adrenoceptor antagonist, and verapamil on the cardiovascular influences of dexmedetomidine in conscious sheep. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 33 , 434–438. We investigated whether administration of L‐659,066, a peripheral α₂‐adrenoceptor antagonist, or verapamil, a calcium‐channel antagonist, would prevent the cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine. Eleven sheep received three intravenous treatments with a randomized, cross‐over design: dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg, DEX); DEX with L‐659,066 (250 μg/kg, DEX + L); and verapamil (0.05 mg/kg) 10 min prior to DEX (Ver + DEX). Haemodynamics were recorded at intervals upto 40 min. Acute increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) (106 ± 10.7 to 120.8 ± 11.7 mmHg), central venous pressure (CVP) (3.3 ± 3.2 to 14.7 ± 5.0 mmHg) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) (1579 ± 338 to 2301 ± 523 dyne s/cm⁵), and decreases in cardiac output (CO) (5.36 ± 0.87 to 3.93 ± 1.30 L/min) and heart rate (HR) (88.6 ± 15.3 to 49.7 ± 5.5/min) were detected with DEX. The peak SVR remained lower after Ver + DEX (1835 ± 226 dyne s/cm⁵) than DEX alone, but the other parameters did not significantly differ between these treatments. 2 min after drug delivery, differences between DEX and DEX + L were statistically significant for all measured haemodynamic parameters. With DEX + L, an early decrease in MAP (99.9 ± 6.8 to 89.3 ± 6.6 mmHg) was detected, and DEX + L induced a slight but significant increase in CVP and a decrease in HR at the end of the observation period, while SVR and CO did not significantly change. All animals were assessed as deeply sedated from 2–20 min with no differences between treatments. L‐659,066 has great potential for clinical use to prevent the cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine mediated by peripheral α₂‐adrenoceptors, whereas the effects of verapamil were marginal.