Premature farrowings caused by feeding cottonseed meal

Increasing the level of cottonseed meal (CSM) in sow diets from less than 5% to 10% increased the incidence of premature farrowings (gestation length less than 111 days) from 1.1% to 2.7% (p less than 0.001) and reduced the mean gestation length from 114.07 +/- 1.53 to 113.70 +/- 1.59 days (p less than 0.0001). Survival of piglets born prematurely was poor. After removal of CSM from the diet there was a residual effect lasting several weeks before the gestation length returned to normal. Experimental feeding of diets containing 20% and 40% CSM to small groups of sows caused significant shortening of gestation length and 3 of 26 sows fed 40% CSM farrowed prematurely. The mechanism by which CSM causes this effect has yet to be determined.     

Photosensitisation and crystal-associated cholangiohepatopathy in sheep grazing Brachiaria decumbens

Two outbreaks of photosensitivity and jaundice in sheep grazing the grass, Brachiaria decumbens. In West Java in 1983 and 1983 and 1990 are described. Aggregates of acicular clefts and crystals were present in bile canaliculi, bile ducts, Kupffer cells, hepatocytes and in kidney tubules. The number of crystals increased with the length of exposure to the plant and sheep that died had the largest accumulations. These crystalline structures have been reported before in this syndrome, but are similar to those seen in Tribulus terrestris and Panicum spp toxicities.     

Comparison of progestin-based protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation before fixed-time artificial insemination in postpartum beef cows

This experiment was designed to compare pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows resulting from fixed-time AI (FTAI) after treatment with 1 of 2 protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation. Cross-bred, suckled beef cows (n = 650) at 4 locations (n = 210; n = 158; n = 88; and n = 194) were assigned within a location to 1 of 2 protocols within age group by days postpartum and BCS. Cows assigned to the melengestrol acetate (MGA) Select treatment (MGA Select; n = 327) were fed MGA (0.5 mg x head(-1) x d(-1)) for 14 d, GnRH (100 microg of Cystorelin i.m.) was injected on d 26, and prostaglandin F2alpha (PG; 25 mg of Lutalyse i.m.) was injected on d 33. Cows assigned to the CO-Synch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol (CO-Synch + CIDR; n = 323) were fed a carrier for 14 d, were injected with GnRH and equipped with an EAZI-BREED CIDR insert (1.38 g of progesterone, Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY) 12 d after carrier removal, and PG (25 mg of Lutalyse i.m.) was injected and the CIDR were removed on d 33. Fixed-time AI was performed at 72 or 66 h after PG for the MGA Select or CO-Synch + CIDR groups, respectively. All cows were injected with GnRH (100 microg of Cystorelin i.m.) at the time of insemination. Blood samples were collected 8 and 1 d before the beginning of MGA or carrier to determine estrous cyclicity status of the cows (estrous cycling vs. anestrus) before treatment [progesterone > or = 0.5 ng/mL (MGA Select, 185/327, 57%; CO-Synch + CIDR, 177/323, 55%); P = 0.65]. There was no difference (P = 0.20) in pregnancy rate to FTAI between treatments (MGA Select, 201/327, 61%; CO-Synch + CIDR, 214/323, 66%). There was also no difference (P = 0.25) between treatments in final pregnancy rate at the end of the breeding period (MGA Select, 305/327, 93%; CO-Synch + CIDR, 308/323, 95%). These data indicate that pregnancy rates to FTAI were comparable after administration of the MGA Select or CO-Synch + CIDR protocols. Both protocols provide opportunities for beef producers to utilize AI and potentially eliminate the need to detect estrus.     

Comparison of progestin-based estrus synchronization protocols before fixed-time artificial insemination on pregnancy rate in beef heifers

The objective of the experiment was to compare pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time AI after administration of either 1 of 2 controlled internal drug release (CIDR)-based protocols. Heifers at 3 locations (location 1, n = 78; location 2, n = 61; and location 3, n = 78) were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments within reproductive tract scores (1 = immature to 5 = cycling) by age and BW. Heifers assigned to CIDR Select received a CIDR insert (1.38 g of progesterone) from d 0 to 14 followed by GnRH (100 mug, i.m.) 9 d after CIDR removal (d 23) and PGF2alpha (PG, 25 mg, i.m.) 7 d after GnRH treatment (d 30). Heifers assigned to CO-Synch + CIDR were administered GnRH and received a CIDR insert on d 23 and PG and CIDR removal on d 30. Heifers at location 1 were fitted with a HeatWatch estrus detection system transmitter from the time of PG until 24 d after fixed-time AI to allow for continuous estrus detection. Artificial insemination was performed at predetermined fixed times for heifers in both treatments at 72 or 54 h after PG for the CIDR Select and CO-Synch + CIDR groups, respectively. All heifers were administered GnRH at the time of AI. Blood samples were collected 10 d before and immediately before treatment initiation (d 0) to determine pretreatment estrous cyclicity (progesterone > or = 0.5 ng/mL). At location 1, the estrous response during the synchronized period was greater (P = 0.06; 87 vs. 69%, respectively), and the variance for interval to estrus after PG was reduced among CIDR Select- (P < 0.01) compared with CO-Synch + CIDR-treated heifers. Fixed-time AI pregnancy rates were significantly greater (P = 0.02) after the CIDR Select protocol (62%) compared with the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol (47%). In summary, the CIDR Select protocol resulted in a greater and more synchronous estrous response and significantly greater fixed-time AI pregnancy rates compared with the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol.     

CIPC and 2,6-DIPN sprout suppression of stored potatoes

A five-year storage season study using small-scale bins was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of 2,6-diisopropylnaphthlene (2,6-DIPN) in combination with isopropyl-N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate (CIPC) for sprout suppression of stored potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.). The study environment simulated a commercial operation and the storage bins held up to 4,500 kg of tubers. Russet Burbank potatoes were tested for four storage seasons, and for one season the bin space was split between Ranger Russet and Snowden potatoes. Sprout suppression was measured as percent acceptable for fresh pack (%AFP), defined as sprouts ≤3 mm in length. When 2,6-DIPN was used alone at 8.3 mg kg^-1 fw, it only provided short-term sprout suppression. Sprout suppression responses for the two chemicals were similar for Russet Burbank, Snowden and Ranger Russet. When 2,6-DIPN was used in combination with CIPC, a significant increase in sprout suppression was observed. In addition, when the two chemicals were used in combination, the amount of CIPC could be reduced by as much as 50% while still maintaining equal or better sprout suppression as compared to CIPC alone. For overall long-term sprout suppression, the best treatment was a combination of CIPC and 2,6-DIPN, each at 16.6 mg kg^-1.