Differences in Reproductive Performance, Embryo Development, Interferon-tau Secretion by the Conceptus and Luteal Function in Ewe Lambs Synchronized in Oestrus before or after the Spontaneous Onset of Luteal Activity Preceding Puberty

In mid-September, 1 month before the insertion of intravaginal pessaries to induce sexual activity, blood samples were collected every 4 days from 16 ewe lambs aged 7 months, in order to determine the incidence of ovulations by measurement of plasma progesterone concentrations. It has been studied whether the response to a progestagen treatment of ewe lambs apparently close to puberty could be modified by the onset of the ovarian events preceding puberty. The effect of the presence or absence of ovulations prior to progestagen treatment on the potential reproductive performance (fertility, litter size and fecundity), embryo development [embryo quality and interferon-tau (IFNτ) secretion], luteal function (progesterone secretion in vitro ) and endometrial progesterone content was studied in seven ovulating (Ov+) and nine nonovulating ewe lambs (Ov−) on day 14 after mating. The best potential reproductive results were obtained with Ov+ animals, although these differences could not be initially attributed to either different progesterone secretion in vitro or concentration of endometrial progesterone. Irrespective of the experimental groups, secretion of progesterone by luteal tissue from ewe lambs with normal embryos was significantly greater (p<0.05) than that of animals with abnormal embryos or with no embryos. Normal embryos secreted a higher amount of IFN-τ than those embryos classified as abnormal (p<0.07). In conclusion, ewe lambs which exhibit luteal activity before puberty have the highest levels of reproductive performances after a progestagen treatment. Corpora lutea from ewe lambs with normal embryos had higher rates of progesterone secretion in vitro and their embryos had a higher IFN-τ production by the embryos, indicating greater capacity for subsequent development.     

The possible role of methionine in the detoxification of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) tannins in chick diets

1. A metabolism trial was designed to investigate the role of methionine as a specific detoxifying agent of the condensed tannins present in faba beans (Vicia faba L.).

2. A 5 x 5 factorial approach was employed where 5 concentrations of dietary methionine were obtained (ranging from 3.9 to 12.15 g/kg diet dry matter) by the addition of DL‐methionine, and 5 concentrations of condensed tannins (ranging from 0.5 to 19.7 g/kg diet dry matter) by altering the ratio of tannin‐free and tannin‐containing faba bean hulls added to a basal diet.

3. The intake of condensed tannins had a significant, depressive effect on apparent available nitrogen (P< 0.001) and nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AME_n ) (P< 0.001). There was no interaction between methionine and tannin (P>0.05). Thus the depressive effect of tannin was independent of methionine levels in the diet.

4. Methionine does not act as a specific detoxifier of faba bean condensed tannins.     

Evaluation of vegetable protein in canine diets: Assessment of performance and apparent ileal amino acid digestibility using a broiler model

Recent technological advances in the human food industry with respect to meat processing have decreased the availability of animal proteins to the pet food industry which typically formulates diets with an excess of animal protein. In the long term, this is not sustainable; thus, alternative protein sources need to be investigated. This study examined three canine diets, comparing a typical animal protein‐based diet (control) with two experimental diets where the animal protein was substituted in part with vegetable protein (formulated based either on total protein or amino acid content) using a broiler model. Each diet was fed to six cages each containing two birds from day 15, 18 cages in total (36 birds). Excreta were collected from days 19 to 21. On day 23, birds were euthanized and weighed, and their ileal digesta were collected and pooled for each cage. In addition, one leg per cage was collected for evaluation of muscle mass. Results showed no significant difference in animal performance (feed intake or live weight gain) or muscle to leg proportion across the diets. Birds fed the control diet and the diet balanced for amino acid content exhibited the greatest coefficients of apparent metabolizability for nitrogen (p < .001). Birds fed the diets that contained partial replacement of animal with vegetable protein generally had greater ileal digestibility of amino acids compared to birds fed the control (animal protein) diet. Analysis of excreta showed no dietary difference in terms of dry matter content; however, birds fed the diet balanced for total protein and the diet balanced for amino acid content had significantly greater excreta nitrogen than the control (p = .038). Overall, the study suggests vegetable proteins when formulated based on amino acid content are a viable alternative to animal proteins in canine diets.     

Caecal intussusceptions in horses: a New Zealand perspective

Objective To establish the prevalence of intussusceptions involving the caecum in a population of horses admitted to a university hospital for colic. Design Retrospective clinical study Methods Medical records of all horses admitted to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1991 and 2004 were examined for information of those horses diagnosed with an intussusception involving the caecum. Results A total of 135 horses were admitted for colic surgery during the study period and 61 horses had a diagnosis of ileocaecal (37), caecocaecal (5) or caecocolic intussusception (19) made either at surgery or necropsy. Of the horses with ileocaecal intussusception, 32 had an incomplete hand-sewn ileocaecostomy without reduction and 29 survived to discharge. All the horses with caecocaecal intussusceptions were diagnosed preoperatively via rectal examination and/or transabdominal ultrasound: 2 were euthanased at surgery and 3 survived to discharge. In the 19 horses with caecocolic intussusceptions, manually reduction at surgery was performed in 6 and 5 of them survived to discharge. A typhlectomy was performed via a colotomy in 6 horses, 3 of which survived to discharge. Conclusions The high prevalence of intussusceptions involving the caecum seen at this referral centre may indicate a higher prevalence in New Zealand than is reported elsewhere in the world. Clinical relevance Intussusceptions involving the caecum should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses presenting with chronic low-grade colic. Transabdominal ultrasound is useful for identifying caecocaecal and caecocolic intussusceptions. Hand-sewn side-to-side incomplete ileocaecostomy is a quick, effective and safe method of surgical treatment of ileocaecal intussusceptions.     

Interactions between fats of differing chemical content: apparent availability of fatty acids

1. Tallow (A) and rape oil (E) were obtained for evaluation. They were blended in the ratios A95:E5, A90:E10 and A80:E20. The three blends together with the two pure fats were each included at 40, 80 and 120 g/kg into a basal diet. 2. The experimental diets were evaluated for apparent availability (g/kg) of the fatty acids palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1) and linoleic (C18:2) using 6 replicates of a cage of two male broiler chicks 14 d old and 8 replicates of a cage of one Rhode Island cross cockerel approximately 1 year old. Diets were fed for 72 h then removed for 24 h. This was followed by a 48 h period when food was available ad libitum and a further 24 h starvation. A total collection of excreta was undertaken for the latter 72 h period. 3. Evaluation of apparent available fatty acid (AAFA g/kg fatty acid) was achieved by linear regression. 4. All results indicated a progressive increase in AAFA with both chicks and adults for C16:0 and C18:0 with increasing proportions of the more unsaturated rape oil in the fat blends and for C18:1 and C18:2 with chicks. 5. Evaluation of AAFA by quadratic regression indicated an additional effect of rate of inclusion for C16:0 and C18:0 with chicks and adults and for C18:1 with chicks.     

A cross-sectional study of risk factors for obesity in cats in New Zealand

This study was done to identify risk factors for obesity in an urban cat population in New Zealand. A door-to-door survey (conducted within the city limits of Palmerston North) obtained information on the diet, health and behaviour of 202 cats. One hundred and eighty-two of these cats were weighed and their back and leg lengths were measured. The interviewer's assessment of the body condition of each cat was the dependent variable used in this study. Variables that were identified as significant (p< or =0.1) following univariable analysis were grouped into one of the three models for stepwise logistic multiple regression (one each for cat characteristics, environmental and management variables and feeding variables). A combined logistic-regression analysis was performed on the significant variables identified from the three component models. In the combined model, only three variables were significant: the presence of dogs in a household (decreased odds of obesity), longer leg length and owners underestimating cats' body condition (both increased odds).