Ovary and ovarian bursa in dromedary camels: Clinical relevance of the topographical features

This study aimed to associate ovarian characteristics with the efficiency of clinical examination and occurrence of genital diseases in dromedary camels. The reproductive tract of 870 female camels was examined through standard transrectal palpation and by ultrasonography during the breeding season. The ovaries were examined for structures and dimensions. The follicles were categorized according to size, the thickness of the wall and contents. Follicle aspiration was carried out from females with overgrown follicles (OVGF, n = 127), and the obtained follicular fluids were examined. At the slaughterhouse, 100 genital tracts were examined in situ and after dissection. Ovarian bursae were examined for patency and the presence of fluid (ovarian hydrobursitis, OVHB). Risks associated with the development of OVGF and OVHB were identified by the logistic regression. The results showed that, due to topographical difference, the right ovary was more accessible at rectal palpation than the left ovary (98.9% vs. 96.1%, p = .0005). Time needed for rectal palpation of the right ovary was shorter than the left ovary (25.1 ± 25 s vs. 34.6 ± 34.5 s, p = .03). Significant relationships were found between OVGF and OVHB (Odds ratio = 10.5, p = .001), OVGF and clinical endometritis (Odds ratio = 21.1, p = .001), OVGF and vaginal adhesion (Odds ratio = 4.4, p = .03), and OVHB and clinical endometritis (Odds ratio = 11.3, p = .001). Ultrasonographic examination was imperative for the differentiation between active corpus luteum, old non-active corpus luteum and small luteinized follicle. In conclusion, anatomical arrangement of the ovary and ovarian bursa in dromedary camels affects the likelihood of their accessibility during clinical examination and predisposes to unusual genital disorders.     

The effect of dietary corn oil and fish oil supplementation in dogs with naturally occurring gingivitis

The aim of this randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled study was to evaluate if downregulation of the inflammatory response due to ingestion of high levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can slow down gingivitis development, and thus delay the progression of periodontal disease (PD) in dogs. To this aim, 44 client‐owned adult dogs (>1 and <8 years old) with naturally occurring PD (stages 1 and 2) were submitted to a plaque, gingivitis and calculus scoring followed by a dental cleaning procedure and collection of blood samples. The animals were then fed a canine adult maintenance diet, supplemented with either corn oil (0.00 g EPA and 0.00 g DHA) or fish oil (1.53 g EPA and 0.86 g DHA, both per 1,000 kcal ME) over the following 5 months. At the end of this period, the PD scoring and the blood sampling were repeated. The animals consuming fish oil had higher plasma levels of the longer chain (C ≥ 20) omega 3 fatty acids (p < 0.01) and similar plasma levels of alpha‐linolenic acid (p = 0.53), omega 6 fatty acids (p > 0.63) and C reactive protein (p = 0.28) then the ones consuming corn oil. There were no differences between fish oil and corn oil diet supplementation on plaque (18.2 vs. 17.8, p = 0.78), calculus (10.1 vs. 11.5, p = 0.18) or gingivitis (19.3 vs. 19.0, p = 0.77) indexes. The authors conclude that supplementation with EPA + DHA does not slow down progression of PD in dogs.     

Reproductive behavior in hair sheep rams under tropical conditions

The reproductive efficiency of sheep herds depends to a great extent on the ram. Male reproductive evaluation allows to select for the best and eliminate those with reproductive problems. The objective was to evaluate the effect of breed and age group on the reproductive behavior of hair sheep rams in the tropics of Mexico. Pelibuey (n?=?42), Blackbelly (n?=?30), Dorper (n?=?44), and Katahdin (n?=?30) rams of two age groups: young (n?=?74, 1–1.5 years old) and adult (n?=?72, 2–4 years old) were evaluated. Serving capacity (10-min duration) and breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) tests were carried out in each ram. In the first test, rams were classified as suitable and unsuitable, and in the BSE test, they were classified as satisfactory, questionable, or unsatisfactory. The response variables were analyzed using chi-square test or analyses of variance (ANOVA). ANOVA included the fixed effects of breed, age group, and their interaction. In the serving capacity test, 79.5% of the rams were considered suitable, with no breed differences (P?>?0.05). Adult rams (90.3%) had the highest proportion of suitable rams (P?<?0.05). In the BSE test, 80.2% of the rams were satisfactory; only breed being significant (P?<?0.05). Pelibuey breed had the highest proportion of satisfactory rams (91.4%). Breed × age interaction was no significant for any trait. After serving capacity and BSE tests, a high proportion of rams was found not suitable for reproduction (36.3%), which is expected to cause low fertility in the flock.

     

Fattening performance,slaughter, carcass and meat quality traits of Karayaka lambs

In order to verify the fattening performance, slaughter and carcass characteristics and to investigate the changes in some meat quality traits of Karayaka lambs weaned at 3 months of age, 39 lambs (23 males and 16 females) were used as experimental animals. The lambs were fed a concentrate mixture and alfalfa hay (120 and 168 g crude protein and 2,700 and 1,951 ME/kg, respectively) for a period of 60 days of fattening period. Male lambs were superior (p < 0.05) to female lambs in terms of daily weight gain (270.4 vs. 205.4 g; SEM = 9.46), hot and cold carcass weights (16.7 and 16.0 vs. 14.1 and 13.4 kg, respectively; SEM = 0.35), intra-muscular fat ratios (1.9% vs. 2.5%; SEM = 0.12) and dripping loss of semitendinosus muscle 3 days postmortem (8.1% vs. 10.2%; SEM = 0.36). The relative weights of some organs, the meat quality traits (pH, cooking loss, shear force, CIELab colour characteristics) and proximate analyses (dry matter, protein and ash) of longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscle samples from lambs were not affected by sex (p > 0.05). Dripping loss, pH and colour characteristics were affected by storage time (p < 0.05). These results provide a basic understanding of performance and meat quality of Karayaka sheep which may have potentials in improving sheep production using an indigenous sheep breed in Turkey.     

Milk yield did not decrease in large herds of high-producing Holstein cows in semi-arid climate of Mexico

This study aimed to determine the trends in milk production, fertility, temperature-humidity index (THI), and herd size in dairy herds from the Laguna region in northern Mexico. Records of 16 dairy herds of Holstein cows from January 2002 to December 2016 were used. Milk production was categorized in low and high levels. Milk production and fertility were analyzed using generalized equation estimation procedures by a model of repeated measures that included the effect of year, month, and productive level, an interaction for month × productive level, and herd effect was nested in productive level. For THI, a generalized linear model that included the effects of year and month was used. Dairy herds with high levels of milk production yielded more milk than those with low levels (P?<?0.001). Milk production in 2002 and 2016 was 27.4?±?0.6 and 32.3?±?0.7 L/cow/day, respectively. Fertility fluctuated throughout the study. Dairy herds with high levels of milk production recorded higher fertility than those with low levels (P?<?0.001). From October to April, THI was <?70, whereas it was >?73 from May to September, indicating that cows were in heat stress (20 h/day). The median herd size was 995 and 2569 cows in 2002 and 2016, respectively. In conclusion, in large herds, milk production increased over the years of study, whereas fertility showed a wave cycle; nonetheless, when THI was >?73, both milk production and fertility decreased.

     

Metabolisable energy intake and growth of privately owned growing dogs in comparison with official recommendations on the growth curve and energy supply

The correct assumption of metabolisable energy (ME) requirement is essential for the nutrition consultation and diet formulation. In young dogs, too high energy supply can accelerate growth and thus lead to developmental orthopaedic diseases. The aim of the present study was to collect the data on ME intake and body weight (BW) development in privately owned growing dogs in order to compare these data with the current recommendations. Our hypothesis was that the actual ME intake of healthy young dogs would be lower than the actual recommendation. The data of 493 privately owned puppies (median age at first consultation 21 weeks, the median expected mature BW 30 kg) on ME intake, actual and expected mature BW were collected and compared with recommendations of the Society of Nutrition Physiology (GfE, Meyer and Zentek and NRC). In 243 dogs, there was a follow‐up. The actual BW did not deviate systematically from the calculated expected BW (R² = .929). The ME intake significantly decreased with age (p < .05) and significantly increased with expected mature BW (p < .05). There was no significant interaction between these two parameters (p > .05). Sex had no effect on the ME intake (p > .05). The ME intake of young dogs with a history of skeletal problems or of food allergy did not differ systematically from healthy dogs of similar age and expected mature BW. The ME intake was considerably below NRC recommendations, especially in younger puppies (>8–17 weeks: 78%, >17–26 weeks: 83% of NRC recommendation). A predictive linear equation for ME intake was developed: ME intake (MJ) = (1.063 ? 0.565 × [actual BW/expected mature BW]) × actual BW^0.75.     

Effects of food processing and fibre content on the digestibility,energy intake and biochemical parameters of Blue‐and‐gold macaws (Ara ararauna L. – Aves,Psittacidae)

Considering the increased incidence of obesity and metabolic diseases in caged psittacines, the effect of fibre and food processing was evaluated in the Blue‐and‐gold macaw. Four food formulations (0%, 7%, 14% and 21% of sugarcane fibre) processed by pelleting or extrusion were studied, resulting in eight diets. To study digestibility, 48 macaws housed in pairs in cages was used in a block design. Subsequently, diets containing 0% or 21% sugarcane fibre, pelleted or extrude was fed for 4 months to evaluate energy intake and blood metabolites. A 2 × 2 × 2 (two fibre levels, two food processing methods and two genders) factorial arrangement with subplots (beginning and end) was used. When differences were detected in anova 's F test, data were submitted to polynomial contrasts in the first experiment and to orthogonal contrasts in the second experiment (p < 0.05). Fibre addition reduced protein, fat and energy (p < 0.001) digestibility in both food processing. Pelleted foods presented higher dry matter digestibility and food metabolisable energy (ME) than the extruded ones (p < 0.05). Fibre addition or the type of processing did not change ME ingestion (p > 0.05). The macaws gained body weight (p < 0.05) regardless of the diet (p > 0.05), but females fed with the high‐fibre diets did not gain weight (p > 0.05), suggesting a low food ME (12.5 kJ/g).The substitution of the original diet (sunflower seeds, fruits and cooked maize) by the experimental foods decreased the basal (12‐h fast) concentrations of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.001). The consumption of pelleted diets reduced serum glucose and cholesterol (p < 0.05). Results suggest that the pelleted diets were more beneficial and can be used to reduce blood metabolites related to metabolic disorders that are commonly observed in macaws.     

Effect of dietary protein on intake,nutrients utilization,nitrogen balance,blood metabolites,growth and puberty in growing Bhadawari buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers

Fifteen Bhadawari buffalo heifers of 207?±?9.78 kg mean body weight were randomly distributed into three dietary groups to evaluate the effect of protein level on nutrient utilization, nitrogen (N) balance, growth rate, blood metabolites, and puberty. All animals were offered wheat straw-berseem diets supplemented with concentrate mixtures of similar energy (2.7 Mcal/kg) and different protein levels (14.3–22 %). Animals of standard-protein group (SPG) were offered protein and energy as per requirement, while animals of low-protein group (LPG) and high-protein group (HPG) were fed 20 % less and 20 % more protein, respectively, than SPG. Feed dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME) intake (% body wt. and g/kg w^0.75) were similar for all three diets; however, the crude protein (CP) and digestible crude protein (DCP) intake on percent body weight and per kilogram metabolic weight was higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG than in SPG or LPG. Digestibility of CP, cellulose, and hemicellulose was higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG versus LPG. Fecal N excretion was similar, while urinary N excretion was highest (P?<?0.05) in HPG (74.83 g/day) compared with SPG (50.03 g/day) and LPG (47.88 g/day), which resulted in lower N retention in HPG than in the other dietary groups. Level of dietary N had no effect on blood metabolites viz. glucose, urea, and N. Digestible energy (DE) and ME contents of diets were identical, while DCP contents were higher (P?<?0.05) in HPG than in LPG. Feed and nutrient (CP and ME) conversion efficiency to produce a unit kilogram weight gain was identical among the dietary groups. Dietary protein level had no effect on the heifer’s weight and age at puberty. The mean growth rate of heifers at 240 days was higher (P?>?0.05) in SPG (330.8 g/day) than in LPG (296.7 g/day), while the animals gained more weight in January to March months and the lowest weight in May to July months. Protein level had no effect on conception rate of heifers. Results revealed that 20 % higher or less protein than the ICAR requirement had no significant (P?>?0.05) on feed intake, nutrient conversion efficiency for weight gain, heifer growth, and puberty; however, 20 % more protein increased urinary N loss.

     

Response of Thai indigenous crossbred chickens to various dietary protein levels at different ages

The objective of this study was to evaluate the protein requirement of Korat chicken (KRC), a slow-growing cross strain between the Thai indigenous fighting cock (Leung Hang Khoa) and the modern genotype females. Four periods were considered: from hatch to 21 days (phase 1), 22 to 42 days (phase 2), 43 to 63 days (phase 3), and 64 to 84 days of age (phase 4). A total of 3120 mixed-sex KRC were randomly allocated to 5 dietary protein levels containing 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23% with 2978 kcal of ME/kg (900 birds in phase 1); 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22% with 3151 kcal of ME/kg (780 birds in phase 2); 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20% with 3200 kcal of ME/kg (720 birds in phase 3); and 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19% with 3200 kcal of ME/kg (720 birds in phase 4) with 6 replicates in a completely randomized design. The results showed that BW, BW gain, average daily gain (ADG), and protein intake (P?<?0.05) were increased with increasing dietary protein (P?<?0.05) in all phases. However, FI, feed cost per kg of BW gain, energy intake, and blood urea nitrogen of chickens were not found to be significantly different among treatments. On the other hand, increasing dietary protein levels depressed the protein efficiency ratio of chickens from hatch to 21 and from 64 to 84 days of age (P <?0.05), and tended to decrease it from 22 to 42 (P?=?0.08) and from 43 to 63 (P =?0.07) days of age as well. According to a broken-line regression analysis, the protein requirements of chickens from hatch to 21 and from 22 to 42 days of age for maximum BW gain were 21.26 and 20.45%, respectively. While the requirements of maximum responses for BW gain and FCR in the period of 43 to 63 days of age were 18.00 and 18.04%, respectively, and in the period of 64 to 84 weeks of age were 17.94 and 18.03%, respectively.

     

Brucellosis and associated risk factors in dairy cattle of eastern Ethiopia

Knowing the status of Bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors is a crucial step in formulating evidence based control scheme. In this study, a total of 967 dairy cows from 307 dairy farms in eastern Ethiopia were serologically tested for Brucella antibodies. The screening was done first using RBPT and positive samples were subsequently subjected to CFT for confirmation. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from 307 dairy cattle owners or attendants to assess their awareness and routine practice. The data were run using univariable logistic regression analysis using STATA version 11.0 for Windows. Accordingly, herd and individual animal seroprevalence were found to be 6.8% (95% CI?=?4.28–10.28) and 1.3% (95% CI?=?0.72–2.29), respectively. The prevalence of sero-reactors among local breeds was observed to be higher compared to cross breed (p?<?0.05). Herd level analysis of the risk factors indicated that in farms with large herd size (>20 animals), the odds ratio (OR)?=?9.13, p?=?0.00, CI?=?3.01–27.69 of having brucellosis was 9.13 times higher than smaller size herds (<20 animals). Intensively managed herds had shown the highest seroprevalence (20.8%) than extensive (6.7%) and semi-intensive (4.2%). Experience of dairy handlers about the disease that cause abortion in late pregnancy was significantly associated (p?<?0.001) with the occurrence of brucellosis in the herds. However, about 91% of the dairy cattle owners/attendants lack awareness about disease(s) that causes abortion in late pregnancy. Similarly risk of having brucellosis in those herds experiencing abortion was 6.3 times higher (OR?=?6.3, p?<?0.001, CI?=?2.50–15.92). This study identified some of the handling practices for aborted and retained fetal materials to be risky. Therefore, the study highlights the need of comprehensive brucellosis surveillance in animal and human and institutions of public education and on farm biosafety measures in shaping proper disease control scheme.

     

Effect of scrotal bifurcation on breeding soundness traits in Beetal bucks during summer season

Relationship of scrotal bifurcation or splitness with breeding soundness traits was investigated in 15 Beetal bucks (17–20 months of age and 48.72?±?1.57 kg mean BW). Breeding soundness traits of conjoined/unsplit (n?=?6) scrotal bucks was compared with split (n?=?9) scrotal bucks having lengthwise >?1 in. bifurcation. Two consecutive semen ejaculations per buck were collected at monthly interval during summer season (April to June 2018) using intact buck as teaser and sexual behavior was simultaneously recorded. Scrotal morphometry parameters, i.e., scrotal circumference, scrotal volume, scrotal skin thickness, testis length, width, and thickness were also recorded. Bucks with split scrotum had relatively more scrotal dimensions (scrotal circumference (P?<?0.01), scrotal volume (P?<?0.01), testis length (P?<?0.01)) than conjoined scrotal bucks. Among various semen attributes, semen volume of first ejaculate (P?<?0.01), second ejaculate (P?<?0.05), mean semen volume (P?<?0.01), total sperm count of first ejaculate, and mean sperm count of both ejaculates were more (P?<?0.01) in split scrotal bucks. However, scrotal bifurcation had no influence on sexual behavior of bucks. It is concluded that Beetal bucks with split scrotum had relatively better breeding efficiency traits than conjoined scrotal bucks.

     

Serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Laikipia County,Kenya

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are an important protein source for people in semi‐arid and arid regions of Africa. In Kenya, camel populations have grown dramatically in the past few decades resulting in the potential for increased disease transmission between humans and camels. An estimated four million Kenyans drink unpasteurized camel milk, which poses a disease risk. We evaluated the seroprevalence of a significant zoonotic pathogen, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), among 334 camels from nine herds in Laikipia County, Kenya. Serum testing revealed 18.6% positive seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (n = 344). Increasing camel age was positively associated with C. burnetii seroprevalence (OR = 5.36). Our study confirmed that camels living in Laikipia County, Kenya, have been exposed to the zoonotic pathogen, C. burnetii. Further research to evaluate the role of camels in disease transmission to other livestock, wildlife and humans in Kenya should be conducted.     

Comparative nutrient utilization,growth, and rumen enzyme profile of mithun (Bos frontalis) and Tho-tho cattle (Bos indicus) fed on tree-leaves-based ration

A study was conducted to compare the nutrient utilization, growth, and rumen enzyme profile of mithun (Bos frontalis) and Tho-tho cattle (Bos indicus) reared in the same feeding and managemental conditions. For the purpose, male mithun (n = 8) and male Tho-tho cattle (n = 8) of 1.5 years age, selected from the farm of National Research Centre on Mithun, Nagaland, India, were fed on mixed-tree-leaves-based ration as per the requirement of NRC (2001) for cattle for 12 months. Average daily gain (ADG), average dry matter intake (DMI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for all animals were recorded. A metabolic trial was conducted at 6 months of the experiment to assess the digestibility coefficient of different nutrients and nutritive value of ration. At 12 months of the experiment, rumen liquor was collected from all animals and analyzed for rumen enzyme profiles, viz., carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase, α-amylase, β-glucosidase, α-glucosidase, urease, and protease. It was found that ADG (507.8 g vs 392.8 g), DM intake (6.59 vs 5.85 kg/day) and DMI/W^0.75 (98.75 g vs 91.00 g/day), crude protein intake (780 vs 700 g/day), and total digestible nutrient intake (3.65 vs 3.32 kg/day) were higher (p < 0.05) in mithun than cattle. The nitrogen balance was higher and FCR was better (p < 0.05) in mithun compared with cattle. The digestibility coefficient of different nutrients was similar (p > 0.05) between the species. The microbial enzyme profiles of mithun and cattle were not different (p > 0.05). The better growth performance of mithun than cattle as found in the present study clearly indicates that the mithun has higher genetic potential for growth than Tho-tho cattle of north-eastern hilly region of India.     

Inotropic and lusitropic effects of incremental doses of dobutamine in dogs with right ventricular apical pacing‐induced cardiac dysfunction

This study aimed to assess the effects of incremental doses of dobutamine on diastolic function in healthy and rapid ventricular apical pacing (RVAP)‐induced cardiac dysfunction anesthetized dogs. Inotropic and lusitropic effects of dobutamine (2, 4, 8, and 12 μg kg^?1 min^?1) were assessed through left ventricle (LV) pressure–volume relation and Doppler echocardiography in six female dogs before and after 8 weeks of RVAP. Peak rate of LV pressure fall (?dP/dt_min) improved with doses >4 μg kg^?1 min^?1 in healthy (4,490 ± 970 vs. 3,265 ± 471 mmHg/s, p < 0.05) and >8 μg kg^?1 min^?1 in RVAP dogs (3,385 ± 1,122 vs. 1,864 ± 849 mmHg/s, p < 0.05) while the time constant of relaxation (tau) reduced with doses >4 μg kg^?1 min^?1 in both groups (healthy: 24.0 ± 3.7 vs. 28.2 ± 4.9 ms; RVAP: 32.6 ± 8.5 vs. 37.5 ± 11.4 ms, p < 0.05) comparing with baseline. Indices of relaxation (?dP/dt_min and tau) suggested preserved lusitropic response in contrast with markedly reduced indices of contractility in the RVAP group compared with healthy group at same infusion rates. Doppler echocardiography showed significant reduction of elastic recoil in failing hearts. The results of this study demonstrated maximal positive lusitropic effects of dobutamine at a dose of 8 μg kg^?1 min^?1 in ventricular pacing‐induced cardiac dysfunction without further impairment of ventricular filling.     

Energetic efficiency of milk synthesis in dual-purpose cows grazing tropical pastures

The aim of this study was to assess the energetic efficiency of milk synthesis by grazing dual-purpose cows with or without a starch-based supplement in tropical South Mexico. Forty-six Holstein × Zebu cows were used in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors analysed were diet (supplemented, unsupplemented), age (young: 1–2 calvings, mature: >3 calvings) and day of lactation (21 and 84 days post-calving). The supplement represented about 30% of estimated dry matter (DM) intake. Grass intake was measured using the n-alkane technique at 21 and 84 days post-calving when calculations of efficiency were performed. Efficiency for milk synthesis was reported as feed conversion efficiency (FCE, kilograms of milk per kilogram of DM intake), gross energetic efficiency (GEE, milk energy output/metabolisable energy (ME) intake) and efficiency of ME use for lactation (k _l, adjusted to zero energy balance). There were no interactions between factors. FCE and GEE were not different between diets, but supplemented cows had a lower (p < 0.01) k _l value (0.62) than unsupplemented cows (0.67), suggesting a diverted partition of nutrients towards body tissue. Mature cows were more efficient (p < 0.001) than young cows in terms of FCE (1.13 vs 0.87) and GEE (0.34 vs 0.26), but equal in terms of k _l (0.65). FCE (1.10 vs 0.90) and GEE (0.34 vs 0.27) were both higher on day 21 compared with day 84 post-calving, with a trend for a higher k _l in early lactation. Dual-purpose cows used tropical grasses efficiently for milk synthesis, and higher milk yield observed in supplemented cows was due to a higher intake of nutrients rather than a higher energetic efficiency.     

Inclusion of intensively manipulated silage in total mixed ration to growing pigs – influence on silage consumption,nutrient digestibility and pig behaviour

ABSTRACT

This study investigated how intensively manipulated grass/clover silage (finer structure than chopped silage) fed in total mixed ration (TMR), influenced feed consumption, total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) and pig behaviour. Ten Yorkshire x Hampshire (YH) pigs were included in a digestibility experiment and 64 YH pigs in a behaviour experiment. Pigs received TMR with 20% dry matter inclusion of either intensively manipulated (SI) or chopped silage (SC). Behaviour was registered with instantaneous and continuous sampling. SI pigs consumed more silage (p?=?0.001) and spent more time eating from the through (p?<?0.01), however no significant difference in TTAD was found (p?>?0.05). Less social interactions prior to feeding (p?=?0.029) and less rooting after feeding (p?<?0.05) were found among SI pigs, indicating SI pigs being more satisfied for a longer time after feeding. We conclude that TMR with intensively manipulated silage benefits feed consumption and increases the opportunities for pigs perform feed-related behaviours.     

Optimization of recovery and maturation methods for cumulus-oocyte complexes in jennies

Embryo production in donkeys is inefficient compared with that in other livestock. Obtaining a sufficient number of MII oocytes is the first step to solving this problem. In this study, the number, morphology and maturation rates of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from abattoir-derived ovaries or live jennies were compared. The diameter of follicles from abattoir-derived ovaries was measured and divided into group 1 (2–6 mm), group 2 (6–10 mm), group 3 (10–20 mm), group 4 (20–28 mm) and group 5 (>28 mm). The results showed that the number of follicles per ovary in group 2 (3.6 ± 0.28) and 3 (4.2 ± 0.90) was higher than that in the other groups (p < .05). The recovery rate in group 3 was higher than group 1 (48.8% vs. 26.8%, p = .00), but lower than group 5 (48.8% vs. 76.5%, p = .025). The percentage of grade A COCs in group 3 was higher than group 2 (59.3% vs. 39.5%, p = .00) and group 1 (59.3% vs. 26.7%, p = .00). Moreover, the percentage of grade A COCs in group 4 (55.0%, p = .710) and group 5 (46.2%, p = .351) was reduced compared with that in group 3. From the above results, the developing follicles (group ovum pick-up [OPU], 10–20 mm) and preovulation follicles (group OPU-Preov, >35 mm) were aspirated from live jennies using OPU. Although there was no difference in the recovery rates of COCs between group 3 and OPU (48.8% vs. 43.0%, p = .184), the percentage of grades A COCs in group OPU was higher than group 3 (72.5% vs. 59.3%, p = .036). There was no difference in the maturation rate between group 3 and OPU (60.3% vs. 69.3%, p = .171) after the COCs matured in vitro. The rates of recovery (72.2%) and maturation (92.3%) in group OPU-Preov were higher than those in other groups (p < .05). Moreover, the effects of maturation time and serum type on maturation rates were evaluated in groups B44 (44 h, FBS), B36 (36 h, FBS) and D44 (44 h, foetal donkey serum, FDS). These results indicated that the maturation rate in group B36 was lower than group B44 (13.1% vs. 47.0%, p = .00) and group D44 (13.1% vs. 53.3%, p = .00). In conclusion, the quality of donkey COCs from OPU was higher than that from abattoir-derived ovaries, the suitable time of donkey in vitro maturation (IVM) was 44 h, and FBS could be replaced with FDS in donkey IVM medium.     

Effect of agro-ecological zone,season of birth and sex on pre-weaning performance of Nguni calves in Limpopo Province,South Africa

The study was conducted to determine the effect of agro-ecological zone, season of birth and sex on Nguni calves’ pre-weaning performance. Production indices such as birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), pre-weaning average daily gain (P-ADG) and pre-weaning gain (P-WG) were assessed in the different agro-ecological zones. Herd records on performance of 826 Nguni calves’ from nine Nguni herds representing different agro-ecological zones: arid zone (n?=?217); semi-arid zone (n?=?296); dry sub-humid zone (n?=?118) and humid zone (n?=?195) were used for the analysis of pre-weaning calf performance. General linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS (2013) was used to analyse data, whereas mean separation was conducted using Tukey’s HSD test. Agro-ecological zone had a great influence (P?<?0.01) on performance levels arising from pasture conditions which were dependent on rain, temperature, topography and soil type. Fluctuations in WW, P-ADG and P-WG performance across agro-ecological zones depicted the sensitivity of Nguni calves’ to postnatal stress. Calves’ in humid zone had higher performance with 121.21 kg for WW, 96.83 kg for P-WG and 0.477 kg/day for P-ADG. The lowest WW (114.51 kg), P-WG (89.98 kg) and P-ADG (0.438 kg/day) were observed in arid zone. Male calves were heavier at weaning (128.18 kg), P-ADG (0.503 kg/day) and total gain (103.03 kg); however, similar BW of 25 kg was observed for both male and female calves. Season had a significant (P?<?0.05) effect on BW, P-ADG and P-WG. The P-ADG was 0.461 kg/day for calves born in summer and 0.449 kg/day for calves born in winter season. Calves born in summer gained 94.69 kg and calves born in winter gained 92.10 kg. Summer calves gained 2.59 kg more than winter calves. Summer heifer calves performed poorly whilst summer male calves outperformed heifer calves in terms of WW, P-WG and P-ADG. Pre-weaned calves in humid zone outperformed all calves in other agro-ecological zones. It was concluded that acceptable levels of growth are achievable from Nguni cattle under the different agro-ecological zones of Limpopo province, South Africa.

     

The phenotypic relationship between residual intake and gain and other feed efficiency traits in Nellore cattle

This study aimed to compare feed efficiency measures of Nellore beef cattle on different residual intake and gain (RIG) classes. We used data from 610 animals weighing on average 236.33 kg and average of 283 days of age from feedlot performance tests carried out between 2005 and 2012. Animals were grouped based on RIG into three different classes: high RIG (>?mean?+?0.5 standard deviation (SD), most efficient; n?=?193), medium RIG (mean?±?0.5 SD; n?=?235), and low RIG (<?mean – 0.5 SD, least efficient; n?=?182). Residual feed intake (RFI), residual gain (RG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed efficiency (FE), relative growth rate (RGR), and Kleiber ratio (KR) of animals in each RIG class were compared by Tukey test at 1% of probability. Phenotypic correlations between variables were evaluated as well. Animals on high RIG class showed lower dry matter intake (P?<?0.01) and higher average daily gain (P?<?0.01) than low RIG animals. Consequently, high RIG animals had lower FCR (P?<?0.01) and higher FE (P?<?0.01) than those animals in low RIG class. The most efficient animals based on RIG were also the most efficient animals based on RG and RFI. RIG was negatively correlated to dry matter intake (P?<?0.01) and FCR (P?<?0.01), and a positive correlation was found between RIG and FE (P?<?0.01). Therefore, RIG appears to be a good parameter to select animals with reduced dry matter intake and high productive performance.