Effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on body temperature, feed intake, and metabolic rate of West African dwarf goats.

Thirty-two mature dwarf goats weighing between 16 and 30 kg (22.7 +/- 3.7, SD) were used to study the effect of Trypanosoma vivax infection on rectal temperature (RT), feed intake (DMI), and metabolic rate. Sixteen of the goats were infected intravenously with 14 X 10(6) T. vivax each; the 16 others served as controls. Animals were fed at about 1.1 times maintenance. Heat production was measured from 1 wk preinfection to 6 wk postinfection. From data on successive 9-min periods, heat production was calculated per 24-h period and separately for 0700 to 2000 (day period) and for 2000 to 0700 (night period). Rectal temperature was measured twice weekly. Compared with controls, animals infected with T. vivax developed and maintained a 1 degree C higher RT and a higher metabolic rate. After the prepatent period of 5 to 7 d, during which RT remained normal, all infected goats had a period of about 7 d with constant high temperatures. After that initial episode, RT fluctuated. Heat production of infected animals was increased by 15.6 kcal.d-1.kg-.75, or about 16%. This increase in heat production was greater during the night (22 kcal.d-1.kg-.75) than during the day (14 kcal.d-1.kg-.75). After T. vivax infection, large differences in DMI among animals were apparent. In four animals, a clear relation between DMI and RT was noted, but in 12 animals no such relationship was apparent.     

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin on metabolic rate in growing pigs

Effects of recombinant porcine somatotropin (rpST) on metabolic rate were studied in two trials with 24 crossbred barrows (Yorkshire x Landrace) in each. The barrows weighed about 80 kg (SE within trials 2.2 kg) at the start of the measurements and in each trial 12 pigs received 4 mg of rpST and 12 received a placebo. The diet contained 2.57 Mcal NE/kg and 20% CP (about 1% lysine). Animals were fed approximately 2.8 times maintenance (280 kcal ME.kg-.75.d-1). Heat production (gaseous exchange of CO2 and O2) and activity were measured continuously. Heat production associated with activity was calculated from the regression of heat production on activity. Animals treated with rpST exceeded controls in rate of gain by 252 g/d (P less than .001) and in metabolic rate by 14.5 kcal.kg-.75.d-1 (P less than .01). The rpST treatment increased rectal (+ .2 degrees C) and surface (+ .8 degrees C) temperatures. Activity-related heat production in treated pigs was increased, but this was only partly related to the increase in metabolic rate with rpST. The daily patterns of total and activity-related heat production were similar between pigs in both experimental treatments.     

Effects of temperature treatments on the heat production of starving chickens

1. Heat production was measured for about 24 h at six temperatures from 2 to 35 degrees C on individually starved broilers that had been subjected to four treatments; these were acclimated or unacclimated to these temperatures, or to these temperatures for 12 h and to 22 degrees C for 12 h (alternated) during each 24-h period. 2. Response curves relating heart production and environmental temperature for the four different treatments differed significantly. Only the unacclimated birds subjected to the alternated temperatures increased heat production at 35 degrees/22 degrees C. Major effects of acclimation were observed mainly in the cold. 3. The relationship between daily endogenous nitrogen (N) excretion and heart production (mg N/kJ) was constant at the different temperatures, but acclimation and alternating temperature increased N excretion. 4. Evaporative heat loss was reduced by alternating temperature at the high temperatures, and by maintaining temperature constant in the cold.     

Measurements of heat production for estimation of maintenance energy requirements of Hereford steers

This study aimed to test the hypothesis that maintenance energy requirement (MEm) can be estimated from continuous heat production measurements during a change from a near maintenance feeding level to far below maintenance for two consecutive days. The MEm of eight Hereford steers weighing 286 +/- 5 kg (mean +/- SE) was determined in a balance trial. In addition, during the 10-d collection period, the animals were kept in open-circuit respiration chambers to measure 24-h gas exchange continuously at 10-min intervals. During the balance trial, the animals were fed dried chopped grass twice daily at an estimated level of 1.2 x MEm. After termination of the collection period on the 11th d of the balance trial, the steers were offered 2 kg/d of wheat straw while only gas exchange was measured. Estimates of MEm were derived from heat production (HP) data. The analyses included values of 24-h HP, HP of the nocturnal period (0000 to 0630), HP of the nocturnal period (excluding HP caused by standing) during the grass-feeding period and 24-h HP, nocturnal HP, and nocturnal HP (excluding HP caused by standing) during the straw feeding period. The MEm predicted from estimates of HP measurements were 536 +/- 9, 470 +/- 8, 441 +/- 8, 435 +/- 8, 393 +/- 9, and 373 +/- 9 kJ.kg of BW(-0.75).d(-1), respectively, whereas MEm calculated from data of the balance trial were 416 +/- 9 kJ.kg of BW(-0.75).d(-1). Values predicted for nocturnal HP (excluding HP caused by standing) of grass fed animals, 24-h HP, and nocturnal HP during straw feeding did not differ significantly from MEm. The differences in MEm among animals were reflected by all estimates of HP, whereas the correlation with the 24-h HP during straw feeding reached 0.9 (P = 0.002). We conclude that the method described is adequate to determine MEm with a sufficient degree of accuracy.     

Whole-blood concentrations of glutathione in cattle exposed to heat stress or a combination of heat stress and endophyte-infected tall fescue toxins in controlled environmental conditions

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cattle exposed to heat stress alone or heat stress while consuming endophyte-infected fescue (EIF) have lower whole-blood (WB) concentrations of glutathione (GSH). ANIMALS: 10 Simmental cows. PROCEDURE: Cows were sequentially exposed to thermoneutral (TN; 2 weeks; 18 C, 50% relative humidity [RH]), heat stress (HS; 2 weeks; alternating 4-hour intervals at 26 and 33 C; 50% RH), and heat stress while consuming EIF (10 microg of ergovaline/kg/d; 2 weeks, HS + EIF). Blood samples were collected after each period and tested for GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentrations. RESULTS: Feed consumption was similar when data were analyzed for time points at which WB concentrations of GSH or GSSG were determined. However, significant effects of treatment, cow, days exposed to heat, cow-by-treatment interaction, and treatment-by-days exposed to heat interaction were detected when data were considered simultaneously. Mean +/- SD hematocrit for TN, HS, and HS + EIF were 35.3+/-3, 33.3+/-2, and 37.1+/-3%, respectively. Mean WBGSH concentrations for TN, HS, and HS + EIF were 3.2+/-0.65, 2.7+/-0.62, and 2.4+/-0.56 mmol/L of RBC, respectively. Reduced WBGSH concentrations were associated with reduced feed intake during the later part of each heat period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Decreased GSH and increased GSSG concentrations were evident during heat stress, especially when cattle consumed EIF These were associated with reduced feed intake during heat stress. Heat stress, reductions in feed intake, and thermoregulatory effects of EIF may induce oxidative stress in cattle.     

Effect of management strategies on reducing heat stress of feedlot cattle: feed and water intake

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate management strategies designed to decrease heat stress of cattle finished during the summer. In Exp. 1, 144 Angus crossbred yearling steers were assigned to three treatments: 1) ad libitum access to feed at 0800 (ADLIB); 2) fed at 1600 with feed amount adjusted so that no feed was available at 0800 (BKMGT); and 3) fed at 1600 at 85% of predicted ad libitum levels (LIMFD). Treatments were imposed for 23 d of an 82-d study, after which all steers were fed ad libitum at 0800. Treatment did not affect (P > 0.10) overall DMI, although ADLIB cattle tended to consume less feed. Overall water intake was decreased (P < 0.05) by 6.8 L x animal(-1) x d(-1) for LIMFD vs. ADLIB steers. In Exp. 2, 96 Angus crossbred yearling steers were assigned to three treatments: 1) control, no water application; 2) water applied to the pen surfaces between 1000 and 1200 (AM); and 3) water applied to pen surfaces between 1400 and 1600 (PM). Water intake and DMI did not differ among treatments; however, feed efficiency of AM steers was superior (P = 0.06) to that of PM steers. Conversely, marbling scores of PM steers were higher (P = 0.06) than those of AM steers. In Exp. 3, 192 crossbred steers were used to determine the effects of feeding time (0800 [AMF] vs. 1400 [PMF]), with (WET) and without (DRY) sprinkling (20 min every 1.5 h between 1000 and 1750). Feed DMI did not differ among treatments; however, water intake and marbling scores were highest (P < 0.05) for AMF/DRY steers. During these experiments, bunk scores (0 = <10% of feed delivered remaining; 1 = 10 to 50% of feed remaining; 2 = >50% of feed remaining) were assigned to each pen at various times during the day. In Exp. 1, bunk scores of BKMGT pens remained similar (P > 0.20) under varying environmental conditions, whereas LIMFD steers had lower scores (P < 0.05) as days on feed increased, even under hot environmental conditions. In Exp. 3, bunk scores of PMF/WET steers tended to be lower (P < 0.10) at 1700 and 2000 compared with PMF/ DRY pens under mild heat stress but not under severe heat stress. Alternative feeding regimens and sprinkling can alter the feed intake pattern of steers. Heat stress management strategies imposed in these experiments had minimal effects on cattle performance. Such strategies would be most useful for decreasing the susceptibility of cattle to hyperthermia and reducing related feedlot cattle deaths without adversely affecting performance.     

A new heat load index for feedlot cattle

The ability to predict the effects of extreme climatic variables on livestock is important in terms of welfare and performance. An index combining temperature and humidity (THI) has been used for more than 4 decades to assess heat stress in cattle. However, the THI does not include important climatic variables such as solar load and wind speed (WS, m/s). Likewise, it does not include management factors (the effect of shade) or animal factors (genotype differences). Over 8 summers, a total of 11,669 Bos taurus steers, 2,344 B. taurus crossbred steers, 2,142 B. taurus x Bos indicus steers, and 1,595 B. indicus steers were used to develop and test a heat load index (HLI) for feedlot cattle. A new HLI incorporating black globe (BG) temperature ( degrees C), relative humidity (RH, decimal form), and WS was initially developed by using the panting score (PS) of 2,490 Angus steers. The HLI consists of 2 parts based on a BG temperature threshold of 25 degrees C: HLI(BG>25) = 8.62 + (0.38 x RH) + (1.55 x BG) - (0.5 x WS) + e((2.4-WS)), and HLI(BG<25) = 10.66 + (0.28 x RH) + (1.3 x BG) - WS, where e is the base of the natural logarithm. A threshold HLI above which cattle of different genotypes gain body heat was developed for 7 genotypes. The threshold for unshaded black B. taurus steers was 86, and for unshaded B. indicus (100%) the threshold was 96. Threshold adjustments were developed for factors such as coat color, health status, access to shade, drinking water temperature, and manure management. Upward and downward adjustments are possible; upward adjustments occur when cattle have access to shade (+3 to +7) and downward adjustments occur when cattle are showing clinical signs of disease (-5). A related measure, the accumulated heat load (AHL) model, also was developed after the development of the HLI. The AHL is a measure of the animal's heat load balance and is determined by the duration of exposure above the threshold HLI. The THI and THI-hours (hours above a THI threshold) were compared with the HLI and AHL. The relationships between tympanic temperature and the average HLI and THI for the previous 24 h were R(2) = 0.67, P < 0.001, and R(2) = 0.26, P < 0.001, respectively. The R(2) for the relationships between HLI or AHL and PS were positive (0.93 and 0.92 for HLI and AHL, respectively, P < 0.001). The R(2) for the relationship between THI and PS was 0.61 (P < 0.001), and for THI-hours was 0.37 (P < 0.001). The HLI and the AHL were successful in predicting PS responses of different cattle genotypes during periods of high heat load.     

Effects of sodium chloride and fat supplementation on finishing steers exposed to hot and cold conditions

Three studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental fat and salt (sodium chloride) on DMI, daily water intake (DWI), body temperature, and respiration rate (RR) in Bos taurus beef cattle. In Exp. 1 and 2, whole soybeans (SB) were used as the supplemental fat source. In Exp. 3, palm kernel meal and tallow were used. Experiment 1 (winter) and Exp. 2 (summer) were undertaken in an outside feedlot. Experiment 3 was conducted in a climate-controlled facility (mean ambient temperature = 29.9 degrees C). In Exp. 1, three diets, 1) control; 2) salt (control + 1% sodium chloride); and 3) salt-SB (control + 5% SB + 1% sodium chloride), were fed to 144 cattle (BW = 327.7 kg), using a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. In Exp. 2, 168 steers (BW = 334.1 kg) were used. In Exp. 2, the same dietary treatments were used as in Exp. 1, and a 5% SB dietary treatment was included in an incomplete 3 x 4 Latin square design. In Exp. 3, three diets, 1) control; 2) salt (control + 0.92% NaCl); and 3) salt-fat (control + 3.2% added fat + 0.92% NaCl) were fed to 12 steers (BW = 602 kg) in a replicated Latin square design. In Exp. 1, cattle fed the salt-SB diet had elevated (P < 0.05) tympanic temperature (TT; 38.83 degrees C) compared with cattle fed the control (38.56 degrees C) or salt (38.50 degrees C) diet. In Exp. 2, cattle fed the salt and salt-SB diets had less (P < 0.05) DMI and greater (P < 0.05) DWI than cattle in the control and SB treatments. Cattle fed the salt-SB diet had the greatest (P < 0.05) TT (38.89 degrees C). Those fed only the salt diet or only the SB diet had the least (P < 0.05) TT, at 38.72 and 38.78 degrees C, respectively. Under hot conditions (Exp. 3), DMI of steers fed the salt and salt-fat diets declined by approximately 40% compared with only 24% for the control cattle. During hot conditions, DWI was greatest (P < 0.05) for steers on the salt-fat diet. These steers also had the greatest (P < 0.05) mean rectal temperature (40.03 +/- 0.1 degrees C) and RR (112.7 +/- 1.7 breaths/min). The RR of steers on the control diet was the least (P < 0.05; 98.3 +/- 1.7 breaths/min). Although added salt plus fat decreased DMI under hot conditions, these data suggest that switching to diets containing the combination of added salt and fat can elevate body temperature, which would be a detriment in the summer but a benefit to the animal during winter. Nevertheless, adding salt plus fat to diets resulted in increased DWI under hot conditions. Diet ingredients or the combination of ingredients that can be used to regulate DMI may be useful to limit large increases in DMI during adverse weather events.     

Effects of factors of nutrition and husbandry on the heat production of rats and broilers. 1. Heat production of growing broiler chicks kept in groups depending on the environmental temperature

In 2 experiments with young broiler chickens, origin Tetra B, heat production was measured in dependence on ambient temperature indirectly and with the gas exchange both over 24 h and in 20-minute periods beginning on their 5th day of live. The chickens, divided into 2 X 2 groups according to sex, were constantly kept in a climatic chamber changed in to a respiration chamber during the 8- or 11-week-long experiments. The maximum variation of the temperature was between 5 and 35 degrees C. In the periods of 24-h measurements over 4 days each, the ambient temperature was changed from day to day in steps of 5 degrees C. Heat production was influenced by the age of the chickens, energy intake and ambient temperature. The results of the measurements at the same age and the same energy intake and a temperature variation between 5 and 35 degrees C can well be described by polynomes of the 3rd degree up to the 8th week of live. The thermoregulatory conditioned heat production per 1 degree C below the critical temperature decreased with the age of the chickens. In the first few weeks of life it was 20 kJ, in the 6th and 7th weeks of life 10-15 kJ and then decreased to 4-5 kJ/kg life weight 0.75.d. degrees C. Based on the temperature of minimal heat production, the heat production of 16- to 30-day-old chickens increased to 60-80% at an ambient temperature of 5 degrees C; the metabolism of chickens older than 7 weeks was only increased by about 20%. For the first 2 weeks 35 degrees C were ascertained as critical temperature, for the 3rd to 6th weeks 30 degrees C and for the 7th and 8th weeks 25 degrees C.     

Energy utilization and blood traits of ponies fed fat-supplemented diets

The digestibility and heat production values for three fats of different origin were determined. Four pony geldings (225 kg) were used in a study consisting of four successive digestion trials utilizing a 4 X 4 Latin square design. The four dietary treatments were basal alone and supplemented with 15% corn oil, blended fat or inedible tallow. The blended fat was composed of a mixture of animal and vegetable fats. A 7-d preliminary period preceded a 7-d total fecal collection period for each trial. Heat production values were obtained by indirect calorimetry and calculated from oxygen consumption data. Fat supplementation increased (P less than .05) dietary metabolizable energy from a basal value of 3,224 kcal.kg intake-1.d-1 to a mean value of 3,984 kcal.kg intake-1.d-1 for the three fat diets. No difference in heat production was observed among the diets, averaging 2,883 kcal.kg intake-1.d-1. Fats increased (P less than .05) the energy balance (metabolizable energy-heat production) approximately 88% over the basal. Corn oil and blended fat produced the greatest energy balance of the fats. Utilization of energy in fats, calculated by difference, was not different, but tended to be highest in blended fat and lowest in the corn oil. Apparent fatty acid digestibility increased (P less than .05) with the addition of fat to the basal, partially due to the dilution of endogenous fecal fat, but digestion coefficients were not different (P greater than .40) among the high fat diets.     

Feeding strategies for managing heat load in feedlot cattle

Eighty-four Bos taurus crossbred steers were used to investigate effects of level and duration of limit-feeding feedlot cattle in a hot environment. Pens (four/treatment) of steers (seven/pen) were fed feedlot finishing diets and randomly assigned to the following treatments: 1) restricted to approximately 75% of feed consumed when offered ad libitum for 21-d duration (RES21); 2) restricted to approximately 75% of ad libitum for 42-d duration (RES42); and 3) feed offered ad libitum (ADLIB). Tympanic temperatures (TT) were measured via thermistors placed in the ear canal and attached to data loggers. Restricting feed intake for both 21- and 42-d reduced tympanic temperature when compared with ADLIB treatment groups under hot environmental conditions. Temperature reductions exceeded 0.5 degrees C (P < 0.05) depending on time of day. The reduced tympanic temperature is likely due to a reduction in metabolic heat load and/or a concurrent reduction in metabolic rate. Within respective periods, no differences (P > 0.05) were found among treatments for panting or bunching score. However, different proportions of cattle were found to be bunching and panting with ADLIB cattle displaying a greater number of bunched steers that were panting when compared with the other groups. When averaged across diet treatments, dark-colored cattle had the greatest percentage of cattle showing moderate to excessive panting, while light-colored cattle displayed the least panting under thermoneutral climatic conditions. Under hot (mean daily temperature-humidity index >74) conditions, dark-colored cattle tended to bunch more (P = 0.073) and pant more (P < 0.01) than light-colored cattle. Mean TT were 0.2 to 0.6 degrees C (P < 0.05) greater for dark- vs light-colored cattle under hot conditions. Limit-feeding feedlot cattle during early summer is a successful tool for enhancing animal comfort by alleviating the combined effects of high climatic and metabolic heat load.     

Continuous measuring of heat production and activity during the course of the day in hungry growing rats

Heat production (indirect calorimetry) and motor activity were measured continuously with 4 repetitions at 8 male albino rats (24 h fasting) over 21 h (4 minute cycle of measured value registration). The average difference between maximum and minimum heat production in a 4-minute measuring period amounted to 82 +/- 14% (68 to 139%). There was a significant connection between heat production and activity. 7.9 +/- 1.2% of the heat production of the hungry rat could be ascribed to activity. In the course of the day of fasting (24 h) an average metabolism reduction of 15 kJ/kg LW0.75 could be observed.     

The effect of environmental temperature on concentrations of thyroxine and triiodothyronine after thyrotropin releasing hormone in steers

Twenty-four Angus X Hereford steers (155 +/- 4 kg) were used to examine thyroid function during exposure to ambient temperatures of 4, 18 and 32 C. Jugular cannulae were inserted after steers were acclimated to individual stalls in environmentally controlled chambers at 18 C for 3 d. The day following cannulation, ambient temperatures were changed 2 C/h for 7 h and serum samples were collected hourly. After steers were exposed to either 4, 18 or 32 C for 1 and 72 h, thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH; 50 micrograms, iv) was rapidly infused. Serum samples were collected hourly for 8 h after each treatment with TRH and every 8 h for 3 d between treatments. Rectal temperatures and respiratory were greater (P less than .05) in steers exposed to 32 C compared with steers at 4 C. During the change in environmental temperature, the concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) over time tended (P less than .10) to decrease in steers exposed to 32 C compared with those at 4 C. Concentrations of T4 and T3 after the second treatment with TRH were significantly less in steers exposed to 32 C compared with those at 4 C. The response of T4 to TRH was reduced (P less than .01) after the second treatment with TRH compared with the first for steers exposed to all three temperatures, whereas, the response of T3 was reduced (P less than .05) after the second treatment with TRH only in steers exposed to 32 C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alteration of energy metabolism of calves fed below maintenance during 6 to 14 days of age.

A study was conducted with seven groups of five to six Holstein-Friesian male calves to evaluate the effect of feeding level during 6 to 14 d of age on energy metabolism of unadapted young calves. Calves were transported at 2 to 3 d of age to their new environment. At 6 d of age measurements of heat production (HP) and ME intake started and continued over a period of 8 d. Calves were fed below (four groups) or near (three groups) the maintenance requirement (19 or 30 g of milk replacer powder.kg-.75.d-1). In contrast to ME intake, HP decreased throughout the experimental period. This decrease was larger at the low than at the high feeding level (3.1 vs .9 kcal.kg-.75.d-2; P less than .001). The relationship between HP and ME intake was estimated as HP = 91 + .318 x ME intake (kilocalories.kilogram-.75.day-1). The decrease in HP, together with the constant ME intake with time, resulted in a time-dependent relationship between HP and ME intake. Estimated basal metabolic rate and efficiency of ME utilization below maintenance decreased with time, whereas the maintenance requirement remained virtually unchanged (134 kcal.kg-.75.d-1). The influence of feeding level on energy metabolism in young calves increased with time. For at least 12 d after transportation the energy metabolism of young calves had not reached steady-state levels.     

Effects of prepartum protein nutrition and birth weight on basal metabolism in bovine neonates

Recipient beef heifers, pregnant with single demi-embryos, were paired to according to identical twin or full-sib embryo. Within pair, recipient heifers were assigned to one of two isocaloric diets containing a control or restricted level of protein (91 vs 55% of National Research Council recommendations) on d 190 of gestation. Following parturition, calves were weighed, fed 1 liter of colostrum, dried and placed in a metabolic chamber at 5 h of age for an 8-h determination of heat production (HP). Maternal body weight gains (P less than .001) during the last trimester and body condition scores at parturition (P less than .05) were reduced in heifers fed the protein-restricted diet. Calves born to heifers fed the protein-restricted diet had 11.4% lower (P less than .05) HP than calves born to control heifers (43.7 vs 49.3 kcal.kg-1.d-1). Birth weights, respiratory quotients and rectal temperatures of newborn calves were not significantly affected by prepartum protein restriction. Within treatment groups, the relationship between HP and weight was described by the equation: HP (kcal/d) = 2.30 wt1.86. The allometric exponent of 1.86 +/- .26 implied that weight-specific metabolic rate was higher rather than lower in larger weight calves. We concluded that the thermogenic ability of neonatal calves may be compromised by prepartum protein restriction and(or) small birth weights.     

Energy balances of lactating sows in relation to feeding level and stage of lactation

Twelve crossbred sows were used in an energy balance study to estimate energetic efficiency of milk production from feed. Balances were made from 7 to 14 d and from 18 to 25 d of lactation. Two feeding levels were applied (high and low). The low level (L) was meant to supply energy slightly above maintenance, with energy needed for milk to be derived from body reserves. The high level (H) was meant to supply sufficient energy for maintenance and for milk production. The low-level animals received 2.5 to 2.6 kg of feed/d and the high level animals 4.8 to 6 kg/d. The loss of weight of sows during lactation depended more on feeding level than on stage of lactation. A high level of feeding to sows resulted in heavier piglets compared with the low feeding level (significant after 10 d). At 24 d of age piglets with the high-feeding-level sows weighed 7.5 kg and those with the low-level sows, 5.7 kg. At the high level, animals excreted 1,200 to 2,800 kcal more milk energy per day than the low-level animals. Energy for milk from feed was produced with an efficiency of 67 to 69% with a maintenance requirement of 112 to 125 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) X W-.75 X d-1. Efficiency of milk production from feed was calculated as 62% and the maintenance requirement was 68 kcal. In this calculation, milk was corrected toward zero energy balance. Another way of calculating this efficiency after correcting feed toward zero energy balance resulted in estimates of 68% for efficiency and of 88 kcal ME X W-.75 X d-1 for maintenance requirement. From these data it was derived that, for each piglet, the sow needed to receive .5 to .6 kg of extra feed (ME content 3,000 kcal/kg) per day to cover milk production. Level of metabolic rate for nursing piglets was estimated as 97 kcal ME X W-.75 X d-1 for maintenance and, in addition, .195 kcal/kcal extra of milk intake above maintenance.     

Effects of slaframine on ruminant digestive function: resting salivary flow and composition in cattle

Four esophageal- and ruminal-cannulated Angus steers (avg weight, 308 kg) were used to investigate how salivation is affected by the administration of purified slaframine (SF; 1-acetoxy-6-aminooctahydroindolizine), a cholinergic secretagogue isolated from Rhizoctonia leguminicola. Steers were fed a concentrate diet at twice the net energy requirement for maintenance in hourly increments. In trial 1, a single injection of SF was administered to four steers intramuscularly at 0, 6, 12 and 24-micrograms/kg body weight (BW) in a 4 X 4 Latin-square design. Saliva was collected via esophageal cannula at 15-min intervals 30 min after each feeding, weighted, sampled and reinfused via ruminal cannula over a 10-h period. At 12- and 24-micrograms SF/kg BW, salivary flow was 31 to 43% greater (P less than .01) than at 0- or 6-micrograms SF/kg. Response peaked within the first 3 h and returned to baseline levels at 8 h. Buffering capacity and pH of saliva were not different (P greater than .10); however, osmolality and Na concentration increased and K concentration decreased (P less than .10) as salivation rates increased. Feed intake of steers did not appear affected at any level of SF administration. In trial 2, 0-, 12- and 24-micrograms SF/kg BW were repeatedly administered intramuscularly to three steers in a 3 X 3 Latin-square design at 8-h intervals for 24 h. Salivary flow was measured and sampled over the entire 24-h period, as in trial 1. Flow rates were increased 50 to 70% (P less than .01) by SF treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Variation among twin beef cattle in maintenance energy requirements

The genetic variation in energy expenditures of cattle at fasting (FHP) and maintenance (MEm) was determined by using 12 pairs of monozygous twins at 20 mo of age. The pairs were of two breed types, eight Angus x Hereford (three steers, five heifers) and four Barzona x Hereford (three steers, one heifer). The heifers were 132 +/- 13 d pregnant at the time of measurement. The pairs were fed at 1.15 x maintenance energy requirements for a minimum of 30 d prior to heat production (HP) measurements in dual indirect respiration calorimetry chambers. The diet fed was cracked corn:alfalfa hay (45:55) with a determined ME of 2.47 +/- .02 Mcal/kg DM. This diet was fed individually for 7 d prior to and during two consecutive 22-h HP measurements. The animals then were fasted for 2 d and fasting heat production measurements (FHP) were made on d 3 and 4 of the fast. Metabolizable energy required for MEm was calculated iteratively by assuming a semi-log relationship between HP and metabolizable energy intake. There were no differences (P greater than .10) in measured energy expenditures due to different breed type. The FHP and efficiency of ME use for MEm (Km) were similar between sexes, although heifers had lower (P less than .025) MEm than steers. Twin pair effects were detected for FHP (P less than .005) and MEm (P less than .05) but not for Km. Broad sense heritability estimates were calculated as the intraclass correlation between members of monozygous twin pairs. Heritability estimates for MEm, FHP, and Km were .52 +/- .22, .75 +/- .13, and .34 +/- .27, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Use of chlortetracycline for treatment of new feedlot cattle

Two 56-d shipping fever trials of similar design were conducted the same season (fall) at Kansas State University (KSU) and at Purdue University (PU) to compare various levels of chlortetracycline (0 or 350 mg X head-1 X d-1 continuously or 1, 2 or 4 g X head-1 X d-1 for the first 14 d). Weanling crossbred steer calves were utilized (210 head of Angus X Simmental, averaging 197 kg, at KSU; 268 head of Angus X Hereford, averaging 192 kg, at PU). For the first 28 d in the KSU trial (October 13 to December 8), cattle that received 4 g X head-1 X d-1 the first 14 d gained more rapidly (P less than .05) than cattle fed 350 mg X head-1 X d-1 continuously or than the controls that received no chlortetracycline (CTC; 1.05 vs .92 or .93 kg/d, respectively). Cattle that received 4 g CTC X head-1 X d-1 for the first 14 d required less (P less than .05) dry matter per kg gain than steers that received 350 mg X head-1 X d-1 continuously over the 56-d period. In the PU trial (October 6 through December 1), all CTC treatments resulted in increased feed efficiency (P less than .05) over the controls through 28 d, and the 4 g X head-1 d-1 for 14 d and 350 mg X head-1 X d-1 continuously, improved feed efficiency over the other groups for the 56-d period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of changes in frequency of reticular contractions on fluid and particulate passage rates in cattle

Four ruminally cannulated Hereford steers (531 +/- 32 kg) without weights (control; C) or with 24-kg weights (W) in the rumen were used in a double crossover design experiment to determine the effects of changes in frequency of reticular contractions at maintenance feed intakes on passage rates of particulate matter and fluid from the rumen. Duration of reticular contractions, apparent digestibilities and heat and methane productions were also determined. Weights in the rumen had no effect (P = .07) on frequency of reticular contractions before feeding; however, frequencies of reticular contractions were higher in C than in W steers during feeding (P = .03) and after feeding (P = .05). Weights in the rumen increased the average duration of contractions before feeding (P = .04), during feeding (P = .01) and after feeding (P = .05) by 12, 15 and 15%, respectively. Fractional outflow rates of ruminal and whole gastrointestinal particulate matter were 38% and 49% lower (P = .001) in C than in W steers, respectively. Weights in the rumen reduced (P = .001) methane production (liters/d) by 29%. Methane production was inversely correlated with fractional outflow rate for ruminal particulate matter (r = -.53; P = .034). Heat productions for W and C steers were 12.3 and 12.6 Mcal/d, respectively. Weights in the rumen had no effect on apparent digestibility. Duration of reticular contractions, in contrast to frequency of contractions, was the important factor influencing passage rates of both ruminal fluid and particulate matter. Methane production was decreased when passage rates were increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)