The effect of frequent milk feeding on abomasal curd formation of Holstein calves

In order to understand the effects of the automatic milk replacer feeding system on calf health, we examined the effect of frequent milk feeding on curd formation in the abomasum using ultrasonographic imaging. Eight male Holstein calves were divided into a milk-replacer group and a fresh milk group. Calves were fed twice a day to 12 days after birth (Period A). From 13 days, calves were fed six times a day (Period B). The abomasal fluid was taken by paracentesis. In both periods A and B, the fresh milk group formed bigger curds faster than the milk replacer group. The curd score of the milk replacer group in period B at 2 h was significant lower than those of both groups in period A. The pH in the abomasum was lower in period B than in period A. We could not identify the location of the abomasum in the milk replacer group during period B at almost time points. Our experiment suggests the possibility that frequent feeding of milk replacer causes incomplete hydrolysis of κ-casein as well as curd formation, thus reducing the digestibility compared to the feeding of the milk replacer twice per day or frequent feeding of fresh milk.     

不同酸化剂对哺乳仔猪增重效果的影响

在哺乳期分别对约×互仔猪灌服不同酸化剂，进行２５天试验。结果：灌服乳香酸组、下边酸组与对照组相比，哺乳仔猪平均日增重分别提高４２．３０％（Ｐ＜０．０１）和降低３３．２６％（Ｐ＜０．０１），经济效益分别增长３６．５０％和下降３６．４８％。     

Ultrasonography to investigate the effect of supplementing whole milk with complex carbohydrates and specific amino acids on curd retention in the abomasum of dairy calves

AIM: To determine whether the retention time of curd in the abomasum of calves was influenced by supplementing milk with a plant-derived carbohydrate and amino acid supplement, evaluated non-invasively using ultrasonography.

METHODS: Female dairy calves aged between 2–6 days of age were sourced from a commercial farm in March 2013. All calves were fed whole milk until weaning (4?L per day); 21 calves were supplemented with a probiotic until 18 days of age, and thereafter with a plant-derived complex carbohydrate and amino acid supplement until weaning, and 22 calves were just fed whole milk. Treatment groups were balanced for age, weight and breed. At 9–14, 24–29 and 52–57 days of age, the abomasum of each calf was examined using ultrasonography immediately before and after feeding, 1 and 2 hours after feeding, and then at 30 minute intervals until curd was no longer visible in the abomasum. Abomasal volume and curd size were recorded to assess retention time of curd in the abomasum.

RESULTS: At 9–14 days of age, mean retention time of curd in the abomasum was similar (4.6 hours) in both groups. At 24–29 days of age, when the supplemented calves had been receiving the supplement for approximately 10 days, mean curd retention time was longer by 1.4 (SE 0.28) hours in supplemented compared with unsupplemented calves (p<0.001). At 52–57 days of age, mean retention time was longer by 0.7 (SE 0.34) hours compared to unsupplemented calves (p=0.05).

CONCLUSION: Using ultrasonography, changes in abomasal content could be followed non-invasively over time and it was demonstrated that the plant-derived complex carbohydrate supplement increased the curd retention time in the abomasum. We speculate that the increased retention time enables an increased availability of nutrients following a more complete digestion of milk, thereby improving animal performance.     

甘肃黑猪血浆蛋白多态性与初生重、早期日增重关系的研究

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳 (PAGE)对 37头甘肃黑猪合成系猪的转铁蛋白 (Tf)、前白蛋白 (Pa)、脂酶 (Es)、淀粉酶 1 (Am1 )、淀粉酶 2(Am2 ) 5个蛋白质基因座的多态性进行了检测。并运用通用线性模型分析了这 5个蛋白质基因座的共 1 7种基因型对初生重、 45日龄内平均日增重的相关效应。结果表明Am1AA型具有显著提高初生重的效应 ,PaAA型具有显著提高 45日龄内平均日增重的效应。因此这 2个位点可望用于标记辅助选择。     

Effects of sex and age on behavior and weight gain in beef calves after abrupt weaning

The effects of weaning on beef calves of different ages were investigated. Forty male and 40 female calves were either weaned at 6 (W6, n = 40) or 8 (W8, n = 40) months of age. The vocalization activity and behaviors (feeding, lying and standing/walking) were observed during the first 3 days following weaning. Body weight was recorded at 6 and 8 months and 2 weeks following weaning. W6 animals vocalized more often than W8 calves and females more than males on day 1 (P < 0.05). The vocalization activity decreased at a higher rate in W8 than in W6 from days 1 to 3. On day 2, W6 calves spent less time lying and more standing/walking than W8 calves (P < 0.05). The behaviors did not differ between males and females. The average daily gain after weaning did not differ between weaning ages (P > 0.05), but W8 calves gained more from 6 to 8 months of age. In conclusion, weaning distress was more pronounced in W6 than in W8 calves. W8 calves also had a superior growth performance during 6 to 8 months of age. The effect of the calves' sex was less pronounced. Therefore, it is recommended to wean beef calves later than 6 months of age.     

Hemato-biochemical changes, disease incidence and live weight gain in individual versus group reared calves fed on different levels of milk and skim milk

A 2 × 3 factorial design was used to study the impact of rearing systems, individual (I) versus group (G) and different levels of milk/skim milk feeding (F1, F2 and F3) on hemato‐biochemical profile, disease incidence and average daily gain of crossbred (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) calves. Six calves were taken in each group on the basis of their birth weight and housed in individual (2.20 × 1.16 m²/calf) or in group pens (2.20 × 1.03 m²/calf). After 3 days of colostrum feeding, calves were allocated to one of three different milk feeding schedules: milk fed up to 8 weeks of age (F1), milk up to 4 weeks followed by 50% replacement by skim milk up to 6 weeks and 100% thereafter (F2) and 100% replacement of milk with skim milk after 4 weeks (F3). Calf starter and cereal green fodders were fed ad libitum from the second week of age and continued for 14 weeks. Parameters on health and disease profiles of calves (disease incidence, duration of illness, response to treatment and recovery) and weekly live weight change were recorded. Calf scour predominated (52.8%), followed by joint ill (25.0%) and respiratory infections (19.4%). The disease incidence was greater (P < 0.01) in individually housed calves (94.4 vs. 55.9%). The management of navel ill required longer recovery (7.01 days) followed by joint ill (4.87 days) and respiratory infection (4.86 days). The average daily gain during 0–14 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.01) in group‐housed calves (433 ± 22 vs. 355 ± 31 g), while the effect of feeding was not significant. Blood samples collected at 4, 8 and 14 weeks of age showed some periodic higher concentrations (but within normal range) of plasma urea and total protein in group housed calves on F2 and F3 feeding schedules in response to high protein intake. Other parameters remained non‐significantly different. Thus, group‐housed calves can be reared successfully with comparatively better performance and less illness than individually housed ones under the present health care and housing management system. However, the system should not be used as a substitute for good management, and frequent observations of calves should be an integral part of any successful rearing program.     

半胱胺对羔羊增重及羊毛生长的影响

选择 4～ 5月龄断奶雌性杂种羔羊 2 2 0只 ,随机分成对照组和添加半胱胺组 ,半胱胺组按 5 0mg/kg体重包膜保护半胱胺 ,连续添加 12 0d ,试验结束。结果显示 ,半胱胺组从试验第 4 6天体重、毛长显著高于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,整个试验期半胱胺组比对照组增重提高 17.9% (P <0 .0 5 ) ,毛长增长提高 6 .2 % (P <0 .0 5 ) ,说明半胱胺能够显著地促进断奶母羔体重增加和羊毛生长。     

日粮不同能量水平对育成鸡体增质量、血液生化指标及内脏器官发育的影晌

选用60日龄体质量均匀、健康的塞北乌骨鸡120只,随机分为I～V个试验组,每个试验组设4个重复,每个组6只乌骨鸡（雌雄各半）,探讨饲粮中添加不同水平能量（10．38,10．94,11．51,12．34,12．96MJ／kg）,对塞北乌骨鸡体增质量、血液指标和免疫器官的影响。结果表明。育成期公鸡在12．34MJ／kg时体增质量最高,母鸡在12．96MJ／kg时体增质量最高;80日龄时公鸡调节血糖的能力优于母鸡,对肝脏具有很好的保护力;LDL—C与日粮能量引起体质量的变化具有一定的相关性。总胆固醇的含量在育成期随着日粮中能量水平的增加而逐渐下降。日粮能量水平不同,对内脏器官的影响也不同,都存在不同的显著性差异。     

The effect of different combinations of local anaesthesia,sedative and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on daily growth rates of dairy calves after disbudding

AIM: To assess the effect of sedation and local anaesthesia (LA) at disbudding, and the addition of meloxicam or ketoprofen treatment, on weight gain in dairy calves following disbudding.

METHODS: Friesian-Jersey cross calves, from four dairy farms, were enrolled when 3–6 weeks old. All calves (n=271) were disbudded by veterinary personnel and randomly assigned to six groups: 136 were disbudded without sedation or LA, of which 31 received 20 mg meloxicam S/C and 75 received 150 mg ketoprofen I/M. A further 135 were disbudded with sedation (0.25 mg/kg xylazine I/M) and LA, of which 30 also received meloxicam and 75 received ketoprofen. Calves were weighed 3 days before, and 15 and 30 days after, disbudding (Day 0). Daily weight gain was analysed using mixed models and ANOVA.

RESULTS: Complete results were obtained from 263 calves. From Day ?3 to Day 15, the growth rate of calves disbudded without pain relief (0.53 (95% CI=0.47–0.60) kg/day) was less that of calves disbudded with some form of pain relief (0.65 (95% CI=0.62–0.68) kg/d; p=0.004). There was no difference between the effect of meloxicam or ketoprofen (p=1.00). An interaction between use of sedation and LA and additional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) meant that NSAID treatment did not increase growth rates in calves disbudded with sedation and LA but did increase growth rates for calves disbudded without pain relief (p<0.05). From Day 16 to Day 30 there was no effect of NSAID treatment on growth rate, but calves receiving LA and sedation grew faster (0.74 (95% CI=0.69–0.80) kg/day) than calves disbudded without LA and sedation (0.66 (95% CI=0.61–0.71) kg/day; p=0.018). From Day ?3 to Day 30, calves disbudded with sedation and LA grew faster (0.71 (95%CI=0.64–0.77) kg/day) than calves disbudded without sedation and LA (0.60 (95% CI=0.55–0.65) kg/day; p=0.011). However, addition of NSAID to sedation and LA made no further difference to growth rates (p=0.69).

CONCLUSIONS: Dairy calves disbudded with no pain relief had slower growth rates than calves receiving pain relief. From Day 15 to 30 calves given no pain relief, or NSAID alone, grew more slowly than those receiving sedation and LA at disbudding. The addition of NSAID treatment to sedation and LA did not further increase growth rates.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study adds to the evidence that pain management when disbudding is beneficial for calf productivity as well as calf welfare.     

蚯蚓粪营养组成及其对异育银鲫增重率的影响

本试验将120尾异育银鲫随机分成2组:对照组投喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中添加5%蚯蚓粪。连续投喂60d后,测定蚯蚓粪营养成分、氨基酸含量及鱼体增重率。结果表明,蚯蚓粪中含水分22.6%、粗蛋白质12.44%、粗脂肪0.86%、灰分35.88%、碳水化合物27.74%、总氨基酸6.06%、必需氨基酸为2.48%(占总氨基酸的39.81%),其中可提高适口性的天门冬氨酸、谷氨酸、丙氨酸及甘氨酸等含量也相对较多。生长试验表明:与对照组相比,饲喂5%蚯蚓粪异育银鲫增重率比对照组显著提高29.75%(P<0.05)、饵料系数显著降低23.77%(P<0.05),并降低了死亡率。     

法氏囊活性肽对鸡体增重及饲料转化率的影响

把不同剂量的法氏囊活性肽 (BS)冻干粉与传染性法氏囊病 (IBD)活苗混合后 ,对 2 1日龄SPF鸡滴鼻点眼 ,同时另选一批同样生长状态的鸡 ,在颈部皮下接种IBD细胞毒油苗 ,同时肌肉注射上述不同剂量法氏囊活性肽 ,观察法氏囊活性肽对鸡生长性能的影响。结果发现 :免疫后7d ,活苗 0 2mLBS组增长最快 ,比免疫对照组多增 82 5 % ,并且饲料报酬高。但从整个试验期看 ,0 4mLBS组增重效果较好 ,比免疫对照组多增 1 9 8% ,并且有较高的饲料转化率。而肌肉注射BS组中 ,高剂量 (0 8mL)BS组的增重效果一直很好 ,比对照组总增重平均多增 7 2 3 % ,并有较高的饲料报酬。这说明滴鼻点眼或是肌肉注射 ,BS都有促生长的作用     

半胱胺对皖西白鹅增重及胴体品质的影响

在1日龄皖西白鹅的饲粮中添加100mg/kg的半胱胺,饲喂9周。试验结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组鹅体重提高了8.2%,饲料转化效率提高了11.9%,且差异显著(P<0.05)。在胴体品质上,试验组鹅胸肌重和后躯重分别比对照组增加10.5%和11.4%,腹脂下降14.8%,且差异极显著(P<0.01);双腿重和硬胸重分别提高了9.3%和8.3%,差异显著(P<0.05);半净膛重、全净膛重、翅重、翅根重和胸骨及肋骨重等指标试验组鹅也均有增加趋势,但与对照组差异均不显著(P>0.05)。试验结果表明,日粮中添加半胱胺可显著地提高了皖西白鹅增重及饲料转化效率,且对胴体品质有明显的改善作用。     

樱桃谷鸭增重和饲料转化规律的研究

樱桃谷鸭在适宜的饲养管理条件下可达较高的生产性能,７周龄平均体重３６３７．９ｇ,饲料转化比２．４６。平均日增重５周龄前逐渐上升,５周龄达到最大,为９７．６ｇ,５周龄以后增重速度迅速降低,７周龄平均只有５５．１ｇ。公鸭前两周增重速度比母鸭慢,第３周龄起超过母鸭。累计饲料转化比随周龄增加呈逐渐增加的趋势,而各周龄饲料转化比在５周龄以后迅速增加,从第５周龄的２．４０上升到第７周龄的４．８７。但将饲料转化比换算成瘦肉饲料比,７周龄（１２．４７∶１）好于６周龄（１３．６２∶１）。７周龄的屠宰性能显著好于６周龄,尤其是胸肉率达到１５．１％,比６周龄（１１．３％）提高了３．８个百分点。     

Effects of a topically applied anaesthetic on the behaviour,pain sensitivity and weight gain of dairy calves following thermocautery disbudding with a local anaesthetic

ABSTRACT

Aims: To compare the effect of a topically applied anaesthetic to no pain relief or meloxicam on the behavioural responses, pain sensitivity and weight gain of calves following disbudding with or without sedation.

Methods: A total of 364, 2–6 week-old calves from three commercial farms were systematically allocated to one of six treatment groups. All calves received a cornual nerve block prior to disbudding, with half restrained in a crate and half sedated with xylazine. Within these groups one third received no further treatment (control), one third were treated with meloxicam >10?minutes prior to disbudding and one third received a topical anaesthetic applied to the horn bud wounds following disbudding. The frequency of ear flicks, head shakes, head scratches and pain sensitivity of the wound were recorded on up to eight occasions over 24 hours after disbudding. Calves were weighed before, and 7 and 28 days after, disbudding to determine average daily weight gain (ADG).

Results: Compared to calves in the crate-control group, all other groups had reduced ear flicks at all times following disbudding (p?<?0.01). Treatment with meloxicam and topical anaesthesia in addition to sedation reduced head scratches compared to calves in the crate-control group (p?≤?0.013). At 22 hours after disbudding head shakes were reduced in sedated calves treated with topical anaesthetic compared to calves in the crate-control group (p?<?0.001). Pain sensitivity was lower in all sedated calves than unsedated calves (p?<?0.001). The ADG between Days 0–7 was 0.14 (95% CI?=?0.015–0.274) kg/day greater in sedated calves treated with meloxicam than calves in the crate-control group (p?=?0.03), and the ADG between Days 0–28 tended to be 0.06 (95% CI=?0.01–0.13) kg/day greater in sedated calves treated with topical anaesthetic than calves in the crate-control group (p?=?0.09).

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Sedation of calves for disbudding reduced the pain experienced in the following 24 hours. There was a benefit to providing calves with topical anaesthetic following disbudding on behavioural responses and pain sensitivity, which was similar to that of treating calves with meloxicam.     

Effects of parenteral supply of iron and copper on hematology, weight gain, and health in neonatal dairy calves

The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of parenteral administration of iron and copper on hematological parameters, weight gain, and health of neonatal dairy calves in the period when iron and copper deficiency could be existed. Twenty-four Holstein calves were used for the experiment and randomly assigned to four different treatments. Treatments consisted of (1) control (no injections of Fe and Cu), (2) test 1 (1000 mg Fe as fe-dextran was injected to each calf at day 2 of age), (3) test 2 (160 mg Cu as methionine-copper complex was injected to each calf at day 14 of age), and (4) test 3 (Fe and Cu were injected to each calf as mentioned previously). Blood samples were collected from all of the calves within 24-48 hours after birth and at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of age for measuring hematological parameters and within 24-48 hours after birth and at 14, 21 and 28 days of age for the determination of iron, copper, TIBC concentrations, and AST activity. Anti-coagulated blood was analyzed shortly after collection for: number of red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), heamatocrit (HCT), total leukocyte count (WBC), Platelet (Plt), MCH, MCV, MCHC, and differential leukocyte counts. The amounts of iron, copper, TIBC, and AST were measured in serum. Group had significant effects on the amounts of HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, neutrophil, weekly weight gain, and daily gain during each week (p < 0.05). Sampling time had significant effects on the amounts of RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, platelet, fibrinogen, copper, TIBC, AST, weight, weekly gain and, daily gain during each week (p < 0.05). significant interactions between sampling time and group were seen for HCT, RBC, hemoglobin, MCV, platelet, total protein, fibrinogen, iron, and TIBC (p < 0.05). Improved RBC parameters and MCV were seen in calves of group 4 (test 3) in comparing with control group. Total and daily gains were also significantly improved in test groups in comparing with control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was seen for the days of treatment between groups.     

Effect of air velocity on deep body temperature and weight gain in the broiler chicken

Tunnel ventilation has been adopted as an effective approach to combatting heat stress in poultry. Setting tunnel air velocity to levels that ensure bird comfort, while optimizing performance is an important goal. In recent years, biotelemetry has provided a way to effectively evaluate the impact of management practices on poultry physiology. In this study, we present an approach for evaluating the effects of heat stress and tunnel ventilation on poultry deep body temperature (DBT) using biotelemetry. Three consecutive experiments were conducted using 6 broilers, each at the ages of 8.6, 9.0, and 9.4 wk. Experiments spanned approximately 12 h each and led to 18 data sets. DBT responses of birds under no ventilation rose by as much as 3°C as a result of step increases in ambient temperature. Birds exposed to tunnel ventilation maintained a lower DBT by as much as 0.9°C. During experiment days, birds exposed to tunnel ventilation consistently gained weight with a percentage weight gain ranging from 1% to 11%. Birds not exposed to tunnel ventilation behaved less consistently with some gaining as much as 14% while others lost as much as 9%. Although further studies are required to derive more comprehensive and more statistically significant results, this study provided preliminary data that is needed to warrant such studies, and a stepping stone for making optimal management and risk assessment decisions that are based on physiological needs of the birds.     

The effect of porcine hydrolysed collagen on gastric ulcer scores,gastric juice pH,gastrin and amino acid concentrations in horses

Gastric ulcers are common in horses. The purpose of this study was to test the effect of porcine hydrolysed collagen (PHC) on gastric ulcer scores and gastric juice pH in horses. We hypothesise that PHC-administration will result in improved gastric lesion scores and act synergistically with omeprazole to improve treatment efficacy. Thoroughbred horses (n = 10) were studied in a 2-period, 2-treatment crossover design, where the PHC (45 g) was administered twice daily. Horses were treated for 56 days. Gastroscopy was performed and gastric juice pH measured on Days 0, 14, 28, 42, 49 and 56. Nonglandular gastric ulcer number (NGN) and severity (NGS) and glandular ulcer number (GN) and glandular severity (GS) scores were assigned by an investigator masked to treatment and serum gastrin and amino acid concentrations. By Day 42, 2 weeks after discontinuing omeprazole treatment, NGN and NGS scores returned to pretreatment values and serum gastrin was higher when compared to values measured on Day 28. By Day 49, after the feed-deprivation period, NGN and NGS were similar to pretreatment values. By Day 56, mean NGN score was significantly lower in PHC-treated horses, compared to controls. Mean gastric juice pH significantly increased in both groups on Day 28 and the pH was significantly (P = 0.0127) higher in the PHC-treated horses. Serum amino acid concentrations were not significantly different 2 h after feeding PHC and hydroxyproline was not detected. Serum gastrin concentration did not increase 2 h after feeding in the PHC-fed horses. The PHC fed to horses enhanced the effects of omeprazole on increased gastric juice pH, inhibited gastrin secretion after feeding and resulted in fewer nonglandular ulcers after long-term feeding (56 days) in stall-confined horses undergoing intermittent feeding.