Nutritional approaches to slow late finishing pig growth: implications on carcass composition and pork quality

Although pork producers typically aim to optimize growth rates, occasionally it is necessary to slow growth, such as when harvest facility capacity is limited. In finishing pigs, numerous dietary strategies can be used to slow growth so pigs are at optimal slaughter body weights when harvest facility capacity and/or access is restored. However, the impact of these diets on pork carcass quality is largely unknown. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dietary strategies to slow growth in late finishing pigs and evaluate their effects on carcass composition and pork quality. Mixed-sex pigs (n = 897; 125 ± 2 kg BW) were randomly allotted across 48 pens and assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments (n = 8 pens/treatment): (1) Control diet representative of a typical finisher diet (CON); (2) diet containing 3% calcium chloride (CaCl₂); (3) diet containing 97% corn and no soybean meal (Corn); (4) diet deficient in isoleucine (LowIle); (5) diet containing 15% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) from soybean hulls (15% NDF); and (6) diet containing 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF). Over 42 d, pen body weights and feed disappearance were collected. Pigs were harvested in 3 groups (14, 28, and 42 d on feed) and carcass data collected. From the harvest group, 1 loin was collected from 120 randomly selected carcasses (20 loins/treatment) to evaluate pork quality traits. Overall, ADG was reduced in CaCl₂, Corn, and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). However, ADFI was only reduced in CaCl₂ and 20% NDF pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Feed efficiency was reduced in CaCl₂ and Corn pigs compared with CON (P < 0.001). Hot carcass weights were reduced in CaCl₂ pigs at all harvest dates (P < 0.001) and were reduced in Corn and 20% NDF pigs at days 28 and 42 compared with CON pigs (P < 0.001). In general, CaCl₂ and 20% NDF diets resulted in leaner carcasses, whereas the Corn diet increased backfat by 42 d on test (P < 0.05). Loin pH was reduced and star probe increased in CaCl₂ pigs compared with CON pigs (P < 0.05); no treatments differed from CON pigs regarding drip loss, cook loss, color, firmness, or marbling (P ≥ 0.117). Overall, these data indicate that several dietary strategies can slow finishing pig growth without evidence of behavioral vices. However, changes to carcass composition and quality were also observed, indicating quality should be taken into consideration when choosing diets to slow growth.     

Molecular cloning,purification and immunogenicity of recombinant Brucella abortus 544 malate dehydrogenase protein

The Brucella mdh gene was successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli. The purified recombinant malate dehydrogenase protein (rMDH) was reactive to Brucella-positive bovine serum in the early stage, but not reactive in the middle or late stage, and was reactive to Brucella-positive mouse serum in the late stage, but not in the early or middle stage of infection. In addition, rMDH did not react with Brucella-negative bovine or mouse sera. These results suggest that rMDH has the potential for use as a specific antigen in serological diagnosis for early detection of bovine brucellosis.     

Response of healthy dogs to infusions of human serum albumin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and immunologic response in healthy dogs to infusions of human serum albumin (HSA). ANIMALS: 9 healthy purpose-bred mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: Each dog was administered a 25% HSA solution once or twice. Various physical examination and laboratory variables were serially evaluated. Antibody against HSA was assayed before and after infusion by use of an ELISA. Intradermal testing was also conducted. A repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman repeated-measures ANOVA on ranks was used to compare results for the variables. RESULTS: Adverse clinical reactions were observed after the first or second infusion in 3 dogs. Anaphylactoid reactions were observed in 1 of 9 dogs during the first infusion and in 2 of 2 dogs administered a second infusion. Two dogs developed severe edema and urticaria 6 or 7 days after an initial infusion. All dogs developed anti-HSA antibodies. Positive responses for ID tests were observed in 8 of 9 dogs. Short-term increases were detected in blood protein, total bilirubin, and calcium concentrations after HSA infusion. Serum cholesterol concentrations and platelet counts decreased after HSA infusion. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of HSA resulted in profound reactions in 2 of 9 dogs administered a single infusion and in 2 of 2 dogs administered a second infusion. This indicates that there is risk of life-threatening adverse reactions to HSA infusion in healthy dogs.     

Comparison of three methods of temperature measurement in hypothermic, euthermic, and hyperthermic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and accuracy of a predictive rectal thermometer, an infrared auricular thermometer designed for veterinary use, and a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip for measurement of core body temperature over various temperature conditions in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 8 purpose-bred dogs. PROCEDURES: A minimum of 7 days prior to study commencement, a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip was implanted in 1 of 3 locations (interscapular, lateral aspect of shoulder, or sacral region) in each dog. For comparison with temperatures measured via rectal thermometer, infrared auricular thermometer, and microchip, core body temperature was measured via a thermistor-tipped pulmonary artery (TTPA) catheter. Hypothermia was induced during anesthesia at the time of TTPA catheter placement; on 3 occasions after placement of the catheter, hyperthermia was induced via administration of a low dose of endotoxin. Near-simultaneous duplicate temperature measurements were recorded from the TTPA catheter, the rectal thermometer, auricular thermometer, and subcutaneous microchips during hypothermia, euthermia, and hyperthermia. Reliability (variability) of temperature measurement for each device and agreement between each device measurement and core body temperature were assessed. RESULTS: Variability between duplicate near-simultaneous temperature measurements was greatest for the auricular thermometer and least for the TTPA catheter. Measurements obtained by use of the rectal thermometer were in closest agreement with core body temperature; for all other devices, temperature readings typically underestimated core body temperature. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Among the 3 methods of temperature measurement, rectal thermometry provided the most accurate estimation of core body temperature in dogs.     

Integration of pre- and postharvest treatments for the control of black spot caused by Alternaria alternata in stored persimmon fruit

In Israel, black spot caused by Alternaria alternata is the main postharvest factor that impairs the quality and reduces the storability of persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki cv. Triumph). The fungus infects the fruit in the orchard and remains quiescent until harvest. After harvest, the pathogen slowly colonizes the fruit during storage at 0 °C, which elicits black spot symptom development 2–3 months after storage entry. A commercial postharvest dip treatment in chlorine at 500 mg L^?1, released from sodium troclosene tablets, effectively controlled black spot in fruit stored for up to 2 months. However, decay incidence increased as the length of storage was extended beyond 2.5 months. The long incubation period that precedes black spot symptom development after harvest enabled the development of a series of integrative approaches for application at the pre- and postharvest stages, in combination with the commercial chlorine dip treatment, to improve the control of black spot disease. Preharvest treatments included treatment with the cytokinin-like N₁-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N₃-phenylurea (CPPU) 30 d after fruit set, or a single spray with the curative fungicide polyoxin B 14 d before harvest, and when one of these was applied in combination with the postharvest chlorine dip treatment, the black spot infected area was reduced by 3 and 60%, respectively, compared with the chlorine dip alone. At the postharvest stage, fogging during storage, or post-storage on-line spraying with sodium troclosene, when applied in combination with the postharvest chlorine dip, improved the percentage of marketable fruit by 2 or 10%, respectively, compared with the chlorine dip alone. The results indicate that postharvest pathogens that show a slow colonization pattern might enable the integration of pre- and postharvest disease control methods to improve quality and reduce postharvest disease development.     

A 9-year monitoring study of diseases on potato seed tubers imported to Israel

Potato seed tubers are imported annually to Israel from northern Europe. Although the seed is registered as certified, a survey carried out over a 9-year period indicated that most lots were affected by latent or active bacterial and fungal infections. Latent infection byErwinia carotovora subsp.atroseptica, the causal agent of blackleg, at a level of 10³ cells/g peel, was present in 30% of the lots in most years. Black scurf caused byRhizoctonia solani was present in 20–70% of the imported lots, with a moderate to high level of infection in all years except 1985. In contrast, although many lots were affected by powdery scab, common scab, and Fusarium dry rot in most years, disease incidence within lots was generally low. The gangrene pathogen (Phoma exigua) was rarely detected. The survey findings are of marked importance, due to the extensive use of soil fumigation in Israeli agriculture.     

Laboratory studies with antifeedants against larvae of Boarmia (Ascotis) selenaria on alfalfa

The antifeedant effect of five organotin compounds (fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, fentin chloride, cyhexatin and fenbutatin oxide) and of three other compounds known to possess antifeeding activity (guazatine triacetate, 4′-chloroacetophenone isobutyrylhydrazone and thiram) was investigated by feeding treated alfalfa to larvae of Boarmia selenaria. The three fentins and cyhexatin were highly active at 0.1 g litre^?1, the order of activity at this concentration being fentin chloride > fentin hydroxide > fentin acetate ? cyhexatin, whereas the other compounds were practically inactive at either this or a somewhat higher concentration (0.5 g litre^?1). Guazatine triacetate had a concentration-independent antifeedant effect at much higher concentrations (5–20 g litre^?1).     

Effects of monoamines formed in the cecum of horses on equine digital blood vessels and platelets

OBJECTIVE: To determine in vitro vasoactive potency of monoamines formed in the cecum and found in the systemic circulation of horses. SAMPLE POPULATION: Segments of digital blood vessels obtained from 6 healthy mixed-breed horses and ponies euthanatized at an abattoir and platelets isolated from 4 healthy ponies. PROCEDURE: Paired rings of digital artery and vein from the same horse were examined, and isometric tension was recorded. Concentration-response curves for tryptamine (TRP), tyramine (TYR), phenylethylamine (PEA), isoamylamine (IAA), and isobutylamine (IBA) were obtained. Vasoconstrictor mechanisms were investigated for TRP and TYR by the use of antagonists. Washed platelets loaded with [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were incubated with monoamines; the amount of radioactivity displaced after 30 minutes was estimated. RESULTS: TRP, TYR, and PEA were potent constrictors of arteries and veins, with TRP and TYR being more potent in veins than arteries. Constrictions induced by TYR were inhibited by benextramine (alpha-antagonist) and nisoxetine (neuronal-uptake blocker), whereas TRP responses were inhibited by ketanserin (5-HT receptor antagonist). All 5 amines displaced 5-HT from platelets with the order of potency being TYR > TRP > PEA > IAA > IBA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Amines from the equine cecum cause digital vasoconstriction. The most potent (TRP and TYR) cause selective venoconstriction. Tyrosine activates predominantly alpha-adrenoceptors through the release of neuronal norepinephrine, whereas TRP activates 5-HT receptors. All amines tested released 5-HT from platelets. Amines formed in the cecum and released into the systemic circulation warrant additional investigation as trigger factors for digital ischemia and subsequent laminitis.