常年放牧皖南牛与和杂牛生长性能的比较

[目的]研究黑毛和牛改良皖南黄牛后代的生长性能及对皖南地区环境的适应能力。[方法]和杂F1代和和杂F2代为试验组,皖南牛为对照组。其中犊牛和杂牛F1代公牛17头、母牛21头,和杂F2代公牛9头、母牛11头,皖南牛公牛13头、母牛10头;6月龄及12月龄和杂牛F1代公牛15头、母牛18头,和杂F2代公牛8头,母牛9头,皖南牛公牛13头、母牛10头;18月龄和杂牛F1代公牛10头、母牛12头,和杂F2代公牛7头,母牛7头,皖南牛公牛11头、母牛8头。测定和杂牛F1代和F2代的体尺及体重等生长性能,并与皖南黄牛的生长性能进行比较。[结果]和杂牛生长发育较本地牛要快,但其增重相对其他外来肉牛品种来说仍然较慢。[结论]和牛可以作为皖南黄牛改良杂交的种质资源,提高皖南牛的生长速度,增加经济效益。     

Survey of quality defects in market beef and dairy cows and bulls sold through livestock auction markets in the Western United States: I. Incidence rates

A survey was conducted to quantify incidence of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-related defects in market beef and dairy cows and bulls selling at auction during 2 seasons in 2008. Twenty-three BQA-related traits were evaluated by 9 trained personnel during sales at 10 livestock auction markets in Idaho (n = 5; beef and dairy), California, (n = 4; dairy only), and Utah (n = 1; beef and dairy). Overall, 18,949 unique lots (8,213 beef cows, 1,036 beef bulls, 9,177 dairy cows, and 523 dairy bulls,) consisting of 23,479 animals (9,299 beef cows, 1,091 beef bulls, 12,429 dairy cows, and 660 dairy bulls) were evaluated during 125 sales (64 spring, 61 fall) for dairy and 79 sales (40 spring, 39 fall) for beef. The majority of market beef cows and bulls (60.9 and 71.3%, respectively) were predominantly black-hided, and the Holstein hide pattern was observed in 95.4 and 93.6% of market dairy cows and bulls, respectively. Market cattle weighed 548 ± 103.6 kg (beef cows), 751 ± 176.1 kg (beef bulls), 658 ± 129.7 kg (dairy cows), and 731 ± 150.8 kg (dairy bulls). Most beef cows (79.6%) weighed 455 to 726 kg, and most beef bulls (73.8%) weighed 545 to 954 kg, respectively. Among market beef cattle, 16.0% of cows and 14.5% of bulls weighed less than 455 and 545 kg, respectively, and 63.7% of dairy cows and 81.5% of dairy bulls weighed 545 to 817 kg or 545 to 954 kg, respectively. However, 19.5% of dairy cows and 13.1% of dairy bulls weighed less than 545 kg. Mean BCS for beef cattle (9-point scale) was 4.7 ± 1.2 (cows) and 5.3 ± 0.9 (bulls), and for dairy cattle (5-point scale) was 2.6 ± 0.8 (cows) and 2.9 ± 0.6 (bulls). Some 16.5% of beef cows and 4.1% of beef bulls had a BCS of 1 to 3, whereas 34.8% of dairy cows and 10.4% of dairy bulls had a BCS of 2 or less. Emaciation (beef BCS = 1, dairy BCS = 1.0) or near-emaciation (beef BCS = 2, dairy BCS = 1.5) was observed in 13.3% of dairy cows and 3.9% of beef cows. Among beef cattle, 15.1% of cows and 15.4% of bulls were considered lame. In contrast, 44.7% of dairy cows and 26.1% of dairy bulls were lame. Ocular neoplasia (cancer eye) was observed in only 0.6% of beef cows, 0.3% of beef bulls, 0.3% of dairy cows, and 0.0% of dairy bulls. However, among animals with ocular neoplasia, it was cancerous in 34.4% of beef bulls, 48.0% of dairy cows, and 73.3% of beef cows. In conclusion, numerous quality defects are present in market beef and dairy cattle selling at auction in the Western United States, which could influence their value at auction.     

母牛难产的原因及解决方法

[目的]为了寻求本地黄牛母牛难产的原因和解决方法。[方法]2013年对5081头母牛的产犊情况进行统计分析。[结果]在统计产犊的母牛中,本地母牛为4018头,西本杂母牛为1063头,难产率最高的是本地母牛×西门塔尔,难产率为7.98%,其后依次为本地母牛×利木赞（6.55%）,西本杂母牛×西门塔尔（4.65%）,本地牛×安格斯（3.1%）,难产率最低的是本地母牛×本地公牛,难产率为0.85%。[结论]可采取科学选配、控制营养等方法来减少难产的发生率;采取科学的接产方法,能有效解决难产问题。     

RADIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE IN THE DAIRY COW

Case records and radiographs of 37 dairy cows presented to the University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital with a diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture were reviewed. Signalment, history, duration of lameness prior to clinical presentation, and physical examination findings were evaluated. Survey radiographs were examined and radiographic lesions were documented. Individual cows were classified into groups (A, B, C) based on the severity of radiographic lesions, with Group A cows having minimal radiographic lesions. Cows in Groups A and B had radiographic lesions similar to Class I in beef bulls reported in another study.^3,4 An attempt was made to relate the severity of radiographic lesions with age and duration of lameness. Group A animals tended to be younger cows (x?= 4.58 years) with a short duration of lameness. Group B cows were older (x?= 7.87 years) with a somewhat longer duration of lameness. Group C cows were slightly younger (x?= 7.30 years) than Group B cows; however, their duration of lameness was much longer (x?= 57.2 weeks vs 6.35 weeks for Group B and 2.54 weeks for Group A). The pathogenesis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture and its associated lameness appeared to differ in dairy cows from beef bulls. The majority of animals in this study had radiographic lesions of mild to moderate severity (Groups A and B). In contrast, based on previous work, beef bulls had a greater tendency to be similar to our Group C designation. Beef bulls became lame with cranial cruciate ligament rupture only after severe lesions of degenerative joint disease had already occurred. It has been stated that lameness associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the beef bull is, therefore, secondary to degenerative joint disease. In contrast, the syndrome in dairy cows, as evidenced here, differs, since they often presented with cranial cruciate ligament rupture with little or no radiographic evidence of degenerative joint disease.     

Transmission and control of leptospiral infection in a beef cattle herd in southern alberta

Leptospiral antibodies were detected in unvaccinated cattle on a 17 000 hectare ranch in the arid southeast region of Alberta. Antibody to serovar hardjo was present before the breeding season in 7% of 42 yearling bulls, 86% of 29 two year old bulls and 5% of 519 cows. Pomona antibody was confined to 3.7% of the cows. Bulls were treated once with dihydrostreptomycin, 25 mg/kg. Bulls and cows were vaccinated twice at a six week interval, with pomona-hardjo-gripptotyphosa bacterin before breeding and cows were revaccinated the next year. Leptospires were demonstrated in urine, kidney and spinal fluid of vaccinated and treated cattle. New infections occurred on range in vaccinates. Eighteen months after the last vaccination, hardjo and pomona antibody prevalences in cows were 3.6 and 3.2% respectively. A group of 250 seronegative cows on the same ranch were not vaccinated. They remained seronegative throughout the 2.5 years of the study. These cows, in contrast to infected groups, were excluded from pastures adjacent to perimeter herds and grazing leases, and they were bred by artificial inseminstion. Rotation through pastures in common with infected groups, and exposure to seropositive heat detector bulls, did not result in seroconversion in these cows. The study showed the potential of range bulls to amplify and transmit hardjo infection, limitations to the value of treatment and vaccination with available agents, and the potential of management practices to maintain an uninfected herd in close proximity to cattle carrying hardjo infection.     

In vivo mechanical and in vitro electromagnetic side-effects of a ruminal transponder in cattle

This work was undertaken to assess the long-term impacts of a ruminal transponder, used for electronic identification, on ruminal motility and on health and performance of cattle, as well as to study the electromagnetic effects on ruminal bacteria in vitro. A passive transponder (51.4 g, 67 x 17 mm) was delivered into the forestomachs of 8 calves, 32 bulls, 10 heifers, and 40 dairy cows. Final readability was 87.5% in calves, 96.9% in bulls, 90% in heifers, and 100% in cows at 481, 360, 650, and 601 d, respectively, after transponder administration. The transponder did not affect production or reproduction of cows over a 2-yr period, or performance of bulls, or mortality compared with control animals. Chewing movements per bolus were lower (P <0.01) in treated animals than in controls (49.6 vs. 52.2, 51.2 vs. 63.6, and 57.0 vs. 59.7 for bulls, heifers, and cows, respectively). Regurgitation frequency (number of boluses/10 min) tended to be greater in treated cattle: 12.4 vs. 11.3 (P = 0.07), 11.3 vs. 10.6, and 11.3 vs. 10.7 (P = 0.08) for bulls, heifers, and cows, respectively. Rumination patterns of calves fitted with transponders within the first weeks of life were similar to controls. During the experiment, 43 treated animals (8 calves, 29 bulls, and 6 cows) were slaughtered. Thirty transponders were localized in the reticulum (3 calves, 24 bulls, and 3 cows), 11 in the rumen (4 calves, 4 bulls, and 3 cows), and 2 were not recovered (1 calf and 1 bull). Within the calves, 57% of the boluses were found in the rumen. In 8 reticula (2 calves and 6 bulls) and 1 rumen (1 cow), an impression left by physical contact of the transponder was observed, although histological examination did not reveal specific lesions in the mucosa of the dystrophic areas. In strained, whole ruminal contents incubated in vitro, pH values were lower after 24 and 48 h (P <0.001) of continuous exposure to an electromagnetic field induced by the transponder-reading system. After 48 h of incubation, total bacterial numbers and NH3-N concentration were greater (P <0.001) in exposed flasks than in controls. These data indicate that the transponder may alter, via mechanical action, the reticuloruminal mucosa and rumination patterns. Furthermore, the transponder may increase, via its electromagnetic action, the growth rate and metabolic activity of ruminal bacteria.     

Survey for antibodies to leukemia (C-type) virus in cattle.

Serums from 4,394 dairy cattle in 100 herds and from 2,794 beef cattle in 50 herds were tested for antibody to the bovine (C-type) leukemia virus (BLV), using the agar gel immunodiffusion test. Reactors were found in 66% of the dairy herds (10.2% of the cattle) and in 14% of the beef herds (1.2% of the cattle). The prevalence of reactors was examined with respect to age, herd size, and sex. Few of the reactors were less than 2 years old. There was a high percentage of reactors in small dairy herds (less than 50 cattle). In 22 dairy herds (1,354 cows and 96 bulls), the rate of infection in cows was compared with that in bulls. In those herds, 13.5% of the cows and 10.4% of the bulls were reactors.     

Antibodies to bovine leukemia virus in a leukosis dairy herd and suggestions for control of the infection.

A closed herd of 765 Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle with a history of multiple cases of leukosis was tested for antibodies to bovine leukemia virus by the bovine leukemia-glycoprotein immunodiffusion test. A total of 355 animals (46.4%) were antibody positive. Prevalence was 60% in the 373 milking cows and 100% in the breeding bulls. Antibodies were present in 59% of newborn calves. Prevalence of antibodies was higher in older animals and cows in second lactation had a higher prevalence than cows in first lactation (72% vs 43%). Proposed control measures in this herd aim at preventing infection of calves, heifers and lactating cows by: 1) separating them into groups negative and positive for bovine leukemia virus antibodies, 2) not allowing calves to receive colstrum or milk from infected cows and 3) by using seronegative bulls for natural breeding tested at three month intervals. Calves should be tested after six months of age. Before this time calves of positive mothers should be treated as being positive.     

Return-to-sensibility problems after penetrating captive bolt stunning of cattle in commercial beef slaughter plants

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of penetrating captive bolt stunning of cattle in commercial beef slaughter plants and identify potential causes of a return to sensibility among stunned cattle. DESIGN: Observational study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 21 federally inspected commercial beef slaughter plants. PROCEDURE: In each plant, stunning of at least 100 cattle (19 large plants) or a minimum of 1 hour of production (2 small plants) was observed, and cattle were evaluated for signs of returning to sensibility on the bleed rail. Cattle with a limp, flaccid head, a lack of spontaneous blinking, and an absence of a righting reflex were considered insensible. RESULTS: In 17 of the 21 (81%) plants, all cattle were rendered insensible before they were hoisted onto the bleed rail. The remaining 4 plants had cattle that had signs of returning to sensibility; these cattle were restunned prior to skinning or leg removal. Of 1,826 fed steers and heifers, 3 (0.16%) had signs of returning to sensibility, whereas 8 of 692 (1.2%) bulls and cows did. Return-to-sensibility problems were attributed to storage of stunner cartridges in damp locations, poor maintenance of firing pins, inexperience of the stunner operator (ie, shooting cattle too high on the forehead), misfiring of the stunner because of a dirty trigger, and stunning of cattle with thick, heavy skulls. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that efficiency of captive bolt stunning of cattle in commercial slaughter plants can be safely and objectively assessed. Care should be taken to maintain stunners correctly, particularly when stunning bulls and cows with heavy skulls.     

Prévalence des infections à Salmonella spp. chez les bovins et les équins de l'Hôpital vétérinaire d'enseignement de la Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal.

Bacteriologic detection of Salmonella spp. from feces of animals admitted to Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montréal, in Saint-Hyacinthe was carried out during a 1-year period to estimate the prevalence of bovine and equine salmonellosis. Prevalence at the time of hospitalization was quite low: 1.4% in cattle and 1.7% in horses. Incidence was 15.1 cases/100 animal/year in cattle and 38.7 cases/100 animal/year in horses. Serotype typhimurium was the most prevalent in both species. In cattle, cases were evenly distributed over the year. In horses, a recrudescence of cases and a obviousness of transmission were apparent in April 1996.     

夏南正回交后代、反回交后代及南阳牛的体重、体尺对比研究——河南省泌阳县"南阳牛导入夏洛来杂交育种"项目技术报告(二报)

本研究把夏南杂交的正回交后代、反回交后代及南阳牛的体重、体尺作了比较分析。结果表明，初生、6、12、18及24月龄，正、反回交后代公、母牛平均体重均高于同龄同性别南阳牛，差异均极显著，正回交公牛与反回交公牛相比，平均初生重差异不显著；6、12、18月龄反回交公牛平均体重明显高于正回交公牛，差异均极显著，24月平均体重差异不显著；正回交母牛与反回交母牛相比，反回交母牛平均初生体重高于正回交母,两者差异显著，但6、12、18及24月龄平均体重差异不显著。     

Lead poisoning in cattle and its implications for food safety

The lead poisoning incidents in cattle investigated by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency between 1990 and 2003 are reviewed. Lead poisoning was most commonly encountered in young calves, but cattle of all ages were affected. The lead was derived mainly from lead paint, lead accumulator batteries and lead in soil from old mine workings. Paint was responsible for the majority of cases of poisoning in young calves; yearling animals were most at risk from discarded batteries, and adult cows were most commonly poisoned by geochemical sources of lead. There was a marked seasonal incidence, with most cases occurring after turnout in the spring and early summer.     

Isolation of Haemophilus somnus from dairy cattle in kwaZulu-Natal. An emerging cause of 'dirty cow syndrome' and infertility?

Haemophilus somnus was consistently isolated from vaginal discharges of dairy cows submitted from field cases of vaginitis, cervicitis and/or metritis in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands during the period July 1995 - December 2000 and from the East Griqualand area in November/December 2000. The purulent vaginal discharges, red granular vaginitis and cervicitis, and pain on palpation described in these cases was very similar to that reported in outbreaks of H.somnus endometritis syndrome in Australia, Europe and North America. In all the herds involved in these outbreaks, natural breeding with bulls was employed. Although there was a good cure rate in clinically-affected animals treated with tetracyclines, culling rates for chronic infertility were unacceptably high. Employment of artificial insemination in these herds improved pregnancy rates in cows that had calved previously, but many cows that had formerly been infected failed to conceive.     

Periorchitis after tetramisole treatment in bulls implanted with Setaria labiatopapillos

Thirteen mixed-breed beef bulls, 1 to 4 years old, were used to determine the effect of live and dead filarial nematodes, Setaria labiatopapillosa, placed in the vaginal cavity of the testes. When dead worms were used, granulomatous lesions developed on the tunica vaginalis parietalis in 7 of 8 testes. The lesions were similar to those seen in some clinical cases of periorchitis. Similar lesions developed in 5 of 6 testes after live worms were implanted in the vaginal cavity of the testes and tetramisole (8 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 6 days after implantation. When live worms were implanted and tetramisole was not given, lesions developed in 3 of 6 testes. It was concluded that the granulomatous reaction was a local response to dead or killed S labiatopapillosa.     

Complications of blind-stitch abomasopexy: 20 cases (1980-1985)

Over a 5-year period, 20 adult Holstein cows were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine because of complications following blind-stitch percutaneous abomasopexy for correction of left-displaced abomasum. Of the 20 cows, 16 were treated surgically, 2 were treated medically, and 2 were admitted to the pathology service for necropsy. Complications associated with the blind-stitch technique included peritonitis, cellulitis, abomasal displacement or evisceration, complete forestomach obstruction, and thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous abdominal vein. Because of the various complications associated with blind-stitch percutaneous abomasopexy, we concluded that it is not an appropriate procedure for correction of left displaced abomasum in valuable cattle, but may be used as an alternative for salvage in less valuable cows.     

Crossbreeding among British and continental European dual-purpose breeds in the coastal Pacific Northwest

From 1979 through 1987, British breed and crossbred cows were mated to Simmental, Pinzgauer or Tarentaise bulls or to Hereford-Angus crossbred bulls. Beginning in 1982, continental European crossbred females also entered the herd, to be mated for first calving to Hereford-Angus or Angus bulls and as cows to continental European or Hereford-Angus bulls. In progeny of British breed and crossbred cows, dam breed effects on birth and weaning weight were not important, but continental European crossbred calves were heavier than British crossbred contemporaries at birth and weaning. Pinzgauer- and Simmental-sired calves were heavier at birth than Tarentaise crosses, but calves sired by each of the continental breeds had similar weaning weights. Maternal heterosis was greater than direct heterosis effects on weaning weight (8% vs 5%), but only direct heterosis (13%) influenced birth weight. Within progeny of continental European crossbred cows, calves with a Tarentaise maternal grandsire were lighter at birth, with no significant difference among other maternal grandsire breeds. Maternal breed effects on weaning weight were not significant. Nevertheless, in contemporary years, continental European crossbred cows reared calves that were 10% heavier than calves reared by British crossbred cows. Pacific Northwestern cattle producers could achieve substantial increases in weaning weight from introducing inheritance from continental European dual-purpose breeds into cow herds and calf crops of British ancestry.     

Field Investigation of Perinatal Mortality in Friesian Cattle Associated with Myocardial Degeneration and Necrosis

Perinatal mortality and stillbirths were investigated in an extensively managed herd of Friesian cows and heifers calving over a 2‐year period: 504 cows were calved and 215 heifers. Cows were bred to Friesian and Jersey bulls using natural service. The perinatal fetal mortality rate was 7.5% for cows and 30% for heifers. An experienced stockman managed these calvings and veterinary assistance was required only on nine occasions. All stillborn fetuses were examined post‐mortem by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Carmarthen and no infectious agent was identified on any occasion. Thyroid hyperplasia was found in two fetuses. In blood samples taken from 10 late pregnant heifers, mean glutathione peroxidase values were 7.9 ± 1.7 IU/ml Packed Cell Volume (PCV). Tissues from eight fetuses were submitted to the University of Liverpool for histopathological examination; all presented lesions consistent with myocardial degeneration and necrosis of the left ventricle. Following treatment of 205 late pregnant heifers with sodium selenite and vitamin E, the overall perinatal mortality rate in these cattle fell to below 11%.     

Vertebral body abscesses in cattle: a review of five cases

Over a 4-year period, vertebral body abscess (VBA) was diagnosed in 5 young cattle at the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine. Review of these cases indicated that laboratory findings may not support a diagnosis of VBA and that the most important basis for diagnosis of this condition is a thorough neurologic examination. In 4 cases, necropsy revealed abscesses in the lungs or thoracic cavity as well, suggesting that a history of pneumonia preceding paresis may favor the diagnosis of VBA.     

Infectious causes of infertility/abortion of cattle in Malawi

A survey to demonstrate the presence or absence in Malawi of Vibriosis, Brucellosis, Trichomoniasis and Rift Valley Fever was carried out during 1974-1976. 4,876 serum samples were collected from Zebu cattle from 231 dip tanks throughout the country and 145 serum samples were taken from exotic cattle at 14 estates. Sheath washings were collected from 295 bulls representing indigenous Zebus and 54 bulls representing exotic cattle from all parts of Malawi. 245 vaginal mucus samples were taken from exotic breeds and 106 from Malawi Zebus. Vibriosis was found in 34 indigenous bulls and in 6 exotic bulls, 11,5 pct. and 11.1 pct. respectively. 33 vaginal mucus samples from exotic cattle of 13.4 of the samples examined were positive, corresponding to 53.8 pct. of the herds examined. From Malawi Zebus 16 vaginal samples or 15.1 pct. of the samples examined were positive. 5 of the Malawi Zebus tested for Brucellosis using S.A.T. contained a minimum of 100 IU/ml.     

Peripheral circulating insulin-like growth factor-I and -II in cattle

Interrelationships between circulating concentrations of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) were investigated in 235 blood samples taken from 145 healthy beef or dairy calves, bulls and cows of different breeds and ages. Autoradiography of Western ligand blots indicated different IGF binding protein (IGFBP) profiles between sera from different categories of cattle. Each IGF radioimmunoassay was validated by determining the effects of IGFBPs, ligand and contraligand, as well as serial dilution and comparison with results obtained after molecular sieve chromatography in acid. In female cattle mean values for IGF-I varied from 5.1 nmol/l in postparturient Holstein cows to 18.5-20.5 nmol/l in growing beef heifers, while mean IGF-II concentrations ranged from 30.0 nmol/l in the cows to 14.7-15.7 nmol/l in the beef heifer calves. In male cattle mean serum IGF-I ranged widely from 8.2 nmol/l in 1-day-old Holstein calves to 67.4 nmol/l in 16-month-old Simmental-type bulls. Mean IGF-II concentrations decreased from 22.9 nmol/l in 1-day-old Holstein bull calves to 11.9 nmol/l in 12-month-old beef bulls. Thus, total molar IGF concentrations were fairly stable in female cattle (24.7-35.1 nmol/l) but extended from 27.3 nmol/l to 81.8 nmol/l in the male cattle. The tendency for a reciprocal relationship between serum concentrations of these growth factors was most obvious in the periparturient cows.