日粮中添加不同抗氧化剂对奶牛血液生化指标的影响

选用２０头荷斯坦干乳母牛，随机分为４个组，研究日粮中添加二氢吡啶和维生素Ｅ对奶牛血液中一些主要生化指标的影响。结果表明，日粮中添加二氢吡啶、维生素Ｅ或两者同时添加，能使产后母牛血清中谷草转氨酶（ＧＯＴ）活性显著降低而碱性磷酸酶（ＡＫＰ）活性显著提高，谷丙转氨酶（ＧＰＴ）活性和血糖浓度有所升高，而血清总蛋白浓度有所下降，对乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）、血总脂和血钙含量无明显影响。     

二氢吡啶和维生素E对奶牛应用效果研究

选用２０头荷斯坦干乳母牛，随机分为４组，每组５头，研究饲喂抗氧化剂二氢吡啶或雄生素Ｅ对奶牛泌乳性能的影响。结果表明，日粮中添加抗氧化剂不影响奶牛的干物质采食量。饲喂二氢吡啶或二氢吡啶＋维生素Ｅ可以显著提高奶牛的产奶量（Ｐ＜０．０５）。各组之间乳脂肪和乳蛋白含量差异不显著。     

绿原酸对育肥猪生长性能、血清生化及免疫指标的影响

本研究旨在探究日粮中添加绿原酸对育肥猪生长性能、血清生化及免疫指标的影响。试验将60头健康状况良好的120日龄育肥猪随机分为4组，每组3个重复，每个重复5头。分别向基础日粮中添加0、400、800、1600?mg/kg绿原酸作为试验日粮。试验持续70?d（预饲期7?d，正试期63?d）。试验结果表明，日粮中添加800和1600?mg/kg绿原酸可显著提高育肥猪终末体重和平均日增重（P <0.05），显著降低育肥猪料重比（P <0.05）；日粮中添加800和1600?mg/kg绿原酸显著提高育肥猪血清总蛋白和白蛋白含量（P <0.05），显著降低尿素氮含量（P <0.05），对血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、甘油三酯和总胆固醇含量无显著影响（P> 0.05）；日粮中添加800和1600?mg/kg绿原酸可显著提高育肥猪血清IgG含量（P <0.05），对血清IgA含量无显著影响（P> 0.05），日粮中添加1600?mg/kg可显著降低TNF-α、IL-6和IL-10含量（P <0.05）。综上所述，日粮添加绿原酸能显著提高育肥猪的...     

γ-氨基丁酸与VC对热应激状态下马岗肉鹅生长性能及血清生化指标的影响

旨在研究γ-氨基丁酸与VC对热应激状态下马岗肉鹅生长性能与血清生化指标的影响。挑取240只45日龄健康的马岗肉鹅,按体重一致原则随机分为3个组,包括对照组（饲喂基础日粮）和2个试验组（在基础日粮中分别添加100 mg/kg γ-氨基丁酸、100 mg/kg的VC）。结果表明：与对照组相比,在基础日粮中添加γ-氨基丁酸、VC均显著提高马岗肉鹅的日均增重（P〈0.05）、日均采食量（P〈0.05）,显著降低马岗肉鹅料重比（P〈0.05）;且同γ-氨基丁酸添加组相比,VC添加组马岗肉鹅的日均增重更加明显（P〈0.05）,料重比显著降低（P〈0.05）。在血清生化指标方面,同对照组相比,基础日粮中添加γ-氨基丁酸、VC均显著降低血清中乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、谷丙转氨酶（GPT）、谷草转氨酶（GOT）、碱性磷酸酶（AKP）活性及丙二醛（MDA）、尿素氮（BUN）含量（P〈0.05）;显著提高血清总抗氧化能力（T-AOC）和超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、总蛋白（TP）浓度和三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）水平（P〈0.05）;而谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH-Px）活性及四碘甲状腺原氨酸（T4）水平,各组间差异不显著（P〉0.05）。综上提示,饲粮中添加100 mg/kg γ-氨基丁酸、100 mg/kgVC均可提高热应激马岗肉鹅生长性能;提高热应激马岗肉鹅血清SOD、T-AOC活性,减少MDA含量;降低热应激马岗肉鹅血清LDH、GOT、GPT及AKP活性及促进T3的分泌。     

日粮添加维生素E对平坝灰鹅血液生化及屠宰性能的影响

文章旨在研究日粮添加维生素E对平坝灰鹅屠宰性能及血液生化的影响。试验将同批孵化的1日龄健康平坝灰鹅96只分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复8只。在基础饲料中分别添加0（对照组）、60、80和100mg/kg的维生素E,试验为期74d。分别测定其血液生化指标和屠宰性能。试验结果表明,日粮添加不同水平维生素E对74日龄平坝灰鹅各组血清中白蛋白（ALB）、甘油三酯（TG）、总蛋白（TP）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL）、胆碱酯酶（CHE）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、尿素氮（BUN）的含量均无显著影响（P> 0.05）。80和100mg/kg组TP显著高于对照组（P <0.05）;100mg/kg组GSH、ALP、T-SOD、IgG的含量显著高于对照组（P <0.05）。结论 ：在日粮中添加维生素E可提高血清TP、IgG和T-SOD活性,有利于提高平坝灰鹅免疫性能,但对平坝灰鹅屠宰性能均无明显影响。     

玉米脱水酒精糟及其可溶物和维生素 Ｅ水平对肥育猪生长性能、胴体和肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中玉米脱水酒精糟及其可溶物（ＤＤＧＳ）和维生素 Ｅ（ＶＥ）水平对肥育猪生长性能、胴体和肉品质的影响。采用 ３×２两因子完全随机试验设计,设 ３个玉米ＤＤＧＳ水平（０、１５％、３０％）和 ２个维生素 Ｅ水平（１０、２１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）。选取平均体重为（６０±２）ｋｇ的“杜 ×长 ×大”三元杂交肥育猪 ４８头（公母各占 １／２）,按性别、体重随机分为 ６个组,每个组 ８个重复,每个重复 １头猪。试验期为 ４２ｄ。结果表明：１）玉米 ＤＤＧＳ水平对肥育猪平均日增重和料重比无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）,对平均日采食量影响极显著（Ｐ＝０．００６）,维生素 Ｅ水平及玉米 ＤＤＧＳ和维生素 Ｅ的互作对生长性能无显著影响（Ｐ＞０．０５）;２）玉米 ＤＤＧＳ和维生素Ｅ水平及其互作对胴体重、屠宰率、胴体斜长、背膘厚度、板油率和眼肌面积等胴体品质评定指标影响均不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）,胴体脂肪碘值随饲粮中玉米 ＤＤＧＳ水平的提高而极显著升高（Ｐ＝０．００１）;３）玉米 ＤＤＧＳ水平对肌肉 ｐＨ、肉色、剪切力、滴水损失和大理石评分影响均不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）,饲粮中添加 ２１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ可显著降低肌肉剪切力和滴水损失（Ｐ＜０．０５）。可见,在肥育猪基础饲粮中添加 １５％ ～３０％玉米 ＤＤＧＳ和 ２１０ｍｇ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ对其生长性能、胴体和肉品质无显著负影响。     

饲粮不同维生素 Ｅ水平对鹅生产性能、胴体品质、血清生化指标和生殖激素含量的影响

本试验以 ０～１２周龄肝用型鹅为研究对象,通过探讨饲粮不同维生素 Ｅ水平对青农灰鹅生产性能、胴体品质、血清生化指标和生殖激素含量的影响,确定育雏、育成期鹅维生素 Ｅ的需要量。试验选择 １日龄青农灰鹅 １８０只,随机分为 ６个处理,每个处理 ３个重复,每个重复 １０只。试验鹅饲喂在玉米 －豆粕型饲粮的基础上分别添加 ０（对照组）、５、１０、２０、４０、８０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ的饲粮,试验期为 １２周。结果表明：１）与对照组相比,饲粮添加 ４０、８０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ可显著提高 ０～４周龄鹅平均日增重和平均日采食量（Ｐ＜０．０５）,饲粮添加 ４０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ可显著提高 ５～１２周龄鹅平均日增重和平均日采食量（Ｐ＜０．０５）。２）饲粮添加 ４０、８０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ可显著降低 １２周龄鹅胸肌剪切力和失水率（Ｐ＜０．０５）,饲粮添加 ８０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ可显著提高 １２周龄鹅半净膛率和胸肌率（Ｐ＜０．０５）。３）提高饲粮维生素 Ｅ水平可显著提高 ４周龄鹅血清尿素氮含量（Ｐ＜０．０５）,显著降低１２周龄鹅血清尿素氮含量（Ｐ＜０．０１）,饲粮添加４０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ可显著提高 ４周龄和 １２周龄鹅血清碱性磷酸酶活性（Ｐ＜０．０５）。４）与对照组相比,４０、８０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ组１２周龄母鹅血清中雌二醇含量显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,促卵泡素含量显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）。２０、４０、８０ＩＵ／ｋｇ维生素 Ｅ组 １２周龄公鹅血清中雌二醇、睾酮含量均显著升高（Ｐ＜０．０５）,促卵泡素含量显著降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）。本研究结论如下：１）维生素 Ｅ对鹅的生产性能、胴体品质、血清中尿酸、尿素氮、生殖激素含量和碱性磷酸酶活性具有一定调控作用;２）根据建立的回归方程确定肝用型鹅饲粮维生素 Ｅ最适添加量为：０～４周龄４２．９８ＩＵ／ｋｇ,５～１２周龄 ３８．９２～４３．４１ＩＵ／ｋｇ;３）根据鹅血清中生殖激素含量的变化确定饲粮维生素 Ｅ最低添加量为２０ＩＵ／ｋｇ。     

复合氨基酸维生素对育肥肉牛血清生化指标及免疫球蛋白含量的影响北大核心

试验旨在探讨日粮中添加不同组合的复合氨基酸与维生素添加剂对育肥肉牛血清生化指标及免疫球蛋白的影响。试验选取日龄相近、体重(485.82±12.50) kg的健康育肥西门塔尔杂交牛12头,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复1头牛。对照组肉牛饲喂基础日粮;试验A组在基础日粮中添加5 g/kg精氨酸+15 g/kg谷氨酰胺;试验B组日粮中添加5 g/kg精氨酸+70 mg/kg复合维生素;试验C组日粮中添加15 g/kg谷氨酰胺+70 mg/kg复合维生素。试验期45 d。结果显示,试验A组肉牛血清总蛋白、球蛋白、总胆红素、总胆汁酸、甘油三酯、肌酐、尿素氮、镁含量及谷草转氨酶、γ-谷氨酰基转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、肌酸激酶活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验B组肉牛血清总蛋白、球蛋白、甘油三酯、尿素氮、无机磷含量及谷草转氨酶、γ-谷氨酰基转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、总胆汁酸、肌酸激酶、淀粉酶活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验C组肉牛血清总蛋白、球蛋白、总胆红素、尿素氮、镁含量及γ-谷氨酰基转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、总胆汁酸、肌酸激酶、淀粉酶活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);各试验组肉牛血清谷丙转氨酶活性及胆固醇、葡萄糖含量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05);试验A组肉牛血清免疫球蛋白M和免疫球蛋白A含量均显著高于其他组(P<0.05)。研究表明,育肥肉牛日粮中添加复合氨基酸与维生素对肉牛血清生化指标产生一定影响,精氨酸+谷氨酰胺能够提高育肥牛机体免疫力。     

枯草芽孢杆菌对断奶仔猪生长性能和血清生化指标的影响

为研究日粮中添加不同剂量枯草芽孢杆菌对断奶仔猪生长性能和血清生化指标的影响,选健康、体重接近（7.58 kg±0.23 kg）的"杜×长×大"三元杂交仔猪96头,随机分为4个处理组,每个处理组3个重复,每重复8头猪,其中处理1组为对照组,不添加枯草芽孢杆菌;其他3个处理组分别为试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组,分别在基础日粮中添加0.1%、0.2%、0.4%的枯草芽孢杆菌制剂。试验期为40 d。结果显示,试验Ⅱ组的末重、平均日增重和平均日采食量均显著高于对照组（P< 0.05）,但料重比差异不显著（P> 0.05）;日粮中添加枯草芽孢杆菌对断奶仔猪血清总蛋白、白蛋白、碱性磷酸酶、谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶的影响均差异不显著（P> 0.05）,而试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ组试验猪血清尿素氮含量显著低于对照组（P< 0.05）;日粮中添加枯草芽孢杆菌对断奶仔猪血清IgA、IgM和IgG含量的影响均差异不显著（P> 0.05）;日粮中添加0.2%枯草芽孢杆菌显著提高断奶仔猪血清超氧化物歧化酶活性（P< 0.05）。结果表明,在海南气候条件下,以试验Ⅱ组效果最好,建议生产中断奶仔猪日粮中枯草芽孢杆菌添加量为0.2%。     

日粮维生素E,抗坏血酸水平对肉仔鸡生长及免疫功能的影响

试验用ＡｒｂｏｒＡｃｒｅ肉仔鸡６７２只，随机分成７个处理，每处理９６只，雌雄各半。２×３因子设计，其中维生素Ｅ２个水平分别为２０、８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ；抗坏血酸３个水平依次为２００、４００和８００ｍｇ／ｋｇ。另外设一个不添加维生素Ｅ和抗坏血酸的对照组。试验期分为０～２周龄和３～４周龄两个阶段。试验结果表明，提高日粮维生素Ｅ水平（８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）对肉仔鸡体内抗坏血酸的合成有促进作用，抗坏血酸对维生素Ｅ的作用不明显。随着日龄的增加，肉仔鸡血清维生素Ｅ的含量呈下降趋势，日粮尽早添加维生素Ｅ可以减缓血清维生素Ｅ的下降；肉仔鸡体内可以合成一定量的抗坏血酸，合成能力随日龄的增加而增强。日粮高水平的维生素Ｅ（８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）可提高２８日龄肉仔鸡血液淋巴细胞转化率和血清新城疫抗体滴度，抗坏血酸对肉仔鸡细胞及体液免疫功能影响不显著。     

Serum paraoxonase activity in dairy cows during pregnancy

Preparturient dairy cows are at high risk of metabolic and reproductive disorders and oxidative stress is considered to be involved in these events. We investigated the serum paraoxonase activity in dairy cows during pregnancy and alterations in lipid and lipoprotein patterns in this period. The relation between paraoxonase activity and HDL-cholesterol concentration was also compared. The study was carried out on 76 pregnant lactating and 26 pregnant dry Holstein dairy cows. The serum paraoxonase activity was determined by the method of hydrolysing of paraoxon, while triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were measured by the enzymatic kit methods. A significantly higher serum triglyceride concentration (P<0.001) was observed in dry cows compared to lactating cows. The total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.001) in dry cows than in lactating ones. In dry cows, paraoxonase activity was significantly lower than in those lactating (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in paraoxonase/HDL-cholesterol ratio between the investigated groups. It seems that the lower HDL concentration could be one of the causes of reduced paraoxonase activity considering the role of HDL as a carrier of most paraoxonase molecules in the blood. A decreased serum paraoxonase activity could diminish the effectiveness and total capacity of the whole antioxidative system during prepartum period in dairy cattle.     

Evaluation of ornithine carbamoyl transferase and other serum and liver-derived analytes in diagnosis of fatty liver and postsurgical outcome of left-displaced abomasum in dairy cows

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate postsurgical outcome in dairy cows with left-displaced abomasum (LDA) with regard to severity of fatty liver and assess the usefulness of preoperative determination of serum ornithine carbamoyl transferase (OCT) activity, bile acids concentration, and other variables for evaluating liver function during the postsurgical convalescence period. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 68 Holstein cows. PROCEDURES: Blood and liver biopsy specimens were obtained during standing LDA surgery. Liver tissue was examined histologically and classified by severity of fatty change. Serum activities of liver-derived enzymes and concentrations of total lipids, triglycerides, bile acids, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, bilirubin, and nonesterified fatty acids were determined. RESULTS: Most cows with LDA and cows with severe fatty liver were detected within the first month after calving. Postsurgical outcome was related to severity of fatty liver. All cows that died had severe fatty liver. Serum activities of OCT, aspartate aminotransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase and serum total bilirubin concentration were sensitive indicators of fatty liver. Serum bile acids concentration was not an accurate indicator of fatty liver. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Postsurgical outcome of cows undergoing surgery to correct LDA was related to fatty liver severity. Assessment of serum activities of OCT, aspartate aminotransferase, and glutamate dehydrogenase and serum total bilirubin concentration is recommended for diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows with LDA, whereas determination of bile acids concentration is not. The strong correlation between OCT activity and degree of hepatocellular damage supports use of this enzyme for assessing severity of fatty liver and predicting postsurgical outcome in cows with LDA.     

颈静脉灌注精氨酸对泌乳中期奶牛血清生化和免疫指标的影响

本文旨在研究颈静脉灌注精氨酸对泌乳中期奶牛血清生化和免疫指标的影响。采用3×3复式拉丁方试验设计,选择6头体重、胎次、泌乳期、泌乳量和体况基本一致的荷斯坦奶牛为试验动物,随机分为3组(每组2头),分别为酪蛋白组(对照组)、精氨酸组(灌注37.66 g/d)、丙氨酸组(与精氨酸组等氮,灌注77.24 g/d);每个试验期为22 d(7 d灌注+15 d间隔),在每个试验灌注期的最后1 d晨饲前采血,测定血清生化和免疫指标。结果表明:精氨酸组的奶牛血清中总蛋白、免疫球蛋白G(Ig G)、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)浓度要显著高于其他2组(P0.05),白球比、白细胞介素1(IL-1)浓度显著高于丙氨酸组(P0.05),但是牛奶中体细胞数显著低于其他2组(P0.05),而血清中谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶活性,免疫球蛋白A(Ig A)、免疫球蛋白E(Ig E)、白细胞介素6(IL-6)浓度在组间无显著差异(P0.05)。综上,灌注精氨酸能够通过提高血清总蛋白、Ig G及IL-1、TNF-α的浓度,从而一定程度上增强泌乳奶牛机体的免疫力和胎儿的被动免疫力。     

Lactoferrin Concentration in Milk of Bovine Clinical Mastitis

The lactoferrin (LF) concentration in the milk from dairy cows with clinical mastitis was determined to evaluate the relationship between the LF concentration (LFC) in milk and the non-specific defensive capability of the udder. The mean LFC in 368 milk samples from 319 cows with clinical mastitis was significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of normal cows. The mean LFC in milk from quarters infected with Mycoplasma bovis or Staphylococcus aureus was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of quarters infected with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). In Escherichia coli mastitis, the level of LFC in milk from cows with peracute mastitis was significantly lower (p<0.01) than that from cows with acute mastitis. In cases of mastitis due to E. coli, the mean LFC in milk from cows that needed more than 10 days to recover from the mastitis or were not cured was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that for cows which took less than 10 days to be cured. The mean LFC in milk from cows with peracute E. coli mastitis was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that for cows with mastitis associated with environmental streptococci or CNS, although these low LF levels were somewhat increased after 46 h from the occurrence of mastitis. These results suggest that the decreased levels of LF in peracute E. coli mastitis may be associated with the progress of inflammation in the early phase of mastitis.     

Changes in the profile of liver enzymes in newborn calves induced by experimental,subclinical acidosis in pregnant cows and osmotic diarrhoea

Experimental, subclinical acidosis was induced by oral administration of sacharose during the last 2 months of pregnancy in 15 cows. Seven cows and their newborn calves were used as a control group. The liver enzyme activities in the serum and the blood acid-base status were determined in the 15 calves from the cows in the experimental group. Mannitol was administered orally to 8 calves from the experimental group to induce osmotic diarrhoea. It was concluded that subclinical acidosis in pregnant cows alters the biochemical liver profile of their newborn calves, affecting the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, beta glucuronidase, glutamate dehydrogenase and bilirubin activities in the serum, which are associated with oedematous changes to the hepatocytes. Diarrhoea was accompanied by an increase in the alkaline phosphatase and gammaglutamyl transferase activities and a decrease in the total protein concentration in the serum. These changes were apparently related to the numerous necrotic foci in the liver and the proliferation of the Kuppfer cells. It would appear from these results that the liver damage in the newborn calves was associated with the subclinical, metabolic acidosis in their dams and that osmotic diarrhoea occurring in the neonatal period additionally impaired the liver function.Abbreviations ALP alkaline phosphatase - ALT alanine transaminase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - GR betaglucuronidase - bw body weight - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - GD glutamate dehydrogenase - GGT gammaglutamyl transferase - IU international unit     

二氢吡啶对雌性黄鳝繁殖性能的影响

在每千克黄鳝饲料中添加150 mg二氢吡啶,饲喂亲雌鳝鱼40 d,以雌鳝的性腺成熟系数、一级卵细胞数、二级卵细胞数、绝对怀卵量、孵化率、各组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)含量等为指标,研究二氢吡啶对雌鳝繁殖性能的影响。结果表明,试验组的性成熟系数、绝对怀卵量、孵化率明显高于对照组,雌鳝的绝对怀卵量提高13.24%,孵化率提高了20.64%;卵巢、肝脏以及肌肉各组织中SOD活性和MDA含量显著降低。此结果说明了二氢吡啶可改善雌性黄鳝的繁殖性能,改善卵的质量,提高孵化率,同时具有抗氧化作用,防止脂质的氧化酸败。     

Effect of exogenous estradiol on plasma concentrations of somatotropin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein activity, and metabolites in ovariectomized angus and braham cows

To determine the effect of breed and estradiol-17β on selected hormones and metabolites, ovariectomized (3 mo) Angus (n = 14) and Brahman (n = 12) cows were paired by age and body weight and randomly assigned as either nonimplanted controls (CON) or implanted with estradiol (E2) for 45 d. After Day 7 and through Day 42, plasma concentration of somatotropin was greater for E2 than CON cows (treatment X day, P < 0.05). During an intensive blood sampling on Day 36, E2 cows tended (P < 0.10) to have greater somatotropin pulse amplitudes than CON cows, but other parameters of somatotropin release were not affected (P > 0.10) by E2 treatment. The effect of breed was apparent on Day 36 as Brahman cows had greater (P < 0.05) somatotropin pulse amplitude, basal secretion, and mean concentration than Angus cows. Overall, plasma concentration of IGF-I was greater (P < 0.01) for E2 than CON cows (158.3 vs. 104.2 ng/ml) and was greater for Brahman than Angus cows (164.1 vs. 98.4 ng/ml). However, there was a trend (P < 0.10) for a treatment X breed X day interaction for IGF-I (i.e., the magnitude of increase in IGF-I concentration was greater in E2-Angus than E2-Brahman cows). After Day 7 and through Day 42, total plasma IGF binding protein (IGFBP) activity was greater (P < 0.01) for E2 than CON cows. Ligand blotting revealed at least five forms of IGFBP activity, and E2 cows had greater (P < 0.05) binding activity of IGFBP-3 and the 30- and 32-kDa IGFBP than CON cows. Brahman cows had greater (P < 0.05) IGFBP-3 and the 32-kDa IGFBP than Angus cows. After Day 14 and through Day 42, concentration of urea nitrogen (PUN) was greater (P < 0.001) for CON than E2 cows (treatment X day, P < 0.001). Brahman had greater (P < 0.01) PUN than Angus cows (16.6 vs. 14.2 mg/dl). Plasma concentration of glucose was greater (P < 0.01) for E2 than CON cows (78.9 vs. 76.4 mg/dl) but was not affected (P > 0.10) by breed. In summary, these data suggest that some, but not all, of the positive effects of estradiol on peripheral concentration of IGF-I and IGFBP activity can be attributed to increased somatotropin. Moreover, breed influenced basal and E2-induced secretion of somatotropin and IGF-I such that differences between Brahman and Angus cows in plasma IGF-I concentrations were abated within 3 wk of estradiol implantation. Thus, breed influences the metabolite and hormonal response of cattle to estrogenic implants.     

Neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel meal in the diet of White Leghorn layers

1. Neem kernel meal (NKM) was incorporated into a standard layer diet at 0, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg, replacing parts of the soyabean meal and deoiled rice bran. Each diet was offered to 18 White Leghorn layers (25 weeks, 50% egg production) in individual cages for a period of 12 weeks. 2. Results indicated significantly lower food intakes (P<0.01), rates of egg production and egg weights in birds fed on the diets with NKM at 150 and 200 g/kg. Fertility and hatchability were also adversely affected by the higher inclusion rates of NKM. 3. Except for lower egg shell weight and shell thickness (P<0.05) in hens fed NKM at 150 and 200 g/kg, the internal egg quality characteristics were comparable in all groups. 4. Feeding NKM beyond 100 g/kg to laying hens significantly (P<0.01) reduced the content of haemoglobin, erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, serum calcium and uric acid concentrations. However, the leucocyte count, plasma glucose concentration and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase activity were unaltered. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in birds fed NKM at 200 g/kg. 5. Thus NKM at 100 g/kg in a layer diet would appear to be safe and cost-effective.     

Acute-phase protein concentration and metabolic status affect the outcome of treatment in cows with clinical and subclinical endometritis

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of acute-phase protein concentration and metabolic status in the establishment and resistance of clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) in dairy cows. We also characterised the treatment-related changes in the concentration of acute-phase proteins and metabolic variables in dairy cows affected by CE and SE. Cows of the SE and CE groups presented a significantly higher β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), haptoglobin and total sialic acid (TSA) concentrations compared with a healthy group of animals. A significantly lower serum calcium concentration, and a significantly higher serum aspartate aminotransferase activity in the CE group, were observed when compared with SE and healthy groups. The comparison of parameters before treatment indicated that cows suffering from CE or SE with lower concentrations of hepatic and inflammatory markers showed a better response to further treatment, and endometritis was not detected in the second examination. Moreover, decreased concentrations of BHB, acute-phase proteins and hepatic markers were observed after successful treatment for endometritis in CE and SE cows. The results obtained in this study suggest that improved liver function and a decrease in the acute-phase protein concentration might favour the resolution of endometritis after treatment.     

The efficacy of bovine lactoferrin in the treatment of cows with experimentally induced Escherichia coli mastitis

The effect of bovine lactoferrin (Lf) was studied in experimental Escherichia coli mastitis, using enrofloxacin as a comparator. Mastitis was induced in six clinically healthy primiparous dairy cows by infusing 1500 colony-forming units of E. coli into a single udder quarter. The challenge was repeated into a contralateral quarter of the same cows 3 weeks later. At the first challenge, three cows were treated with 1.5 g of bovine lactoferrin intramammarily three times (12, 20 and 36 h postchallenge, PC), and the other three cows received 5 mg/kg of enrofloxacin (Baytril) parenterally (12, 36 and 60 h PC). Flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg) was administered to all cows twice at 24-h intervals. During the second challenge, the treatments for the two groups were reversed. Intramammary challenge with E. coli produced clinical mastitis in all cows, but the severity of the disease varied markedly. No statistically significant differences between treatment groups were observed in clinical signs such as rectal temperature, rumen motility and general attitude. Milk somatic cell count, daily milk yield and bacterial counts in cows treated with Lf and those receiving enrofloxacin also did not differ significantly. However, a trend for a more rapid elimination of bacteria was seen in the cows treated with enrofloxacin. Milk NAGase activity also decreased significantly faster in the group treated with enrofloxacin. The concentration of lipopolysaccharide in milk compared with the number of bacteria was significantly lower in Lf than in enrofloxacin-treated cows (20 h PC).