Serum biochemical parameters and embryo production during superovulatory treatment in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the number of transferable embryos (TE) and various blood chemistry parameters as a reflection of the metabolic state of cows after superovulatory treatment. Forty-nine Holstein cows were subjected to superovulatory treatment for commercial embryo production. At the time of embryo harvest, individual blood samples were taken from cows for biochemical analysis. All embryos including dead ones as well as non-fertilized oocytes were counted in uterine lavage. Feed samples collected daily for a period of two weeks before embryo harvest, were analyzed for mycotoxins: vomitoxin, zearalenone and T-2 toxin. On average, cows produced 9.45 ± 5.60 embryos and oocytes of which 5.27 ± 4.20 were TE, 0.37 ± 0.80 were dead embryos and 3.82 ± 3.78 were non-fertilized oocytes. Higher concentrations of Mg and K were associated with a higher production of TE (p = 0.005 and p = 0.043, respectively) and higher activity of creatinine kinase was associated with a lower production of TE (p = 0.011).     

Serum isocitrate dehydrogenase during polybrominated biphenyl toxicosis in dairy cattle

Bovine serum isocitrate dehydrogenase (sICDH) was investigated in dairy cattle as a clinical measurement indicative of hepatic injury. Conditions for optimization of isocitrate dehydrogenase assays for bovine serum are described. Assays of sICDH in normal cattle show average activities of .814 (SD = .202) units/ml serum with a range of .316 to 1.268 for 83 samples taken from 32 animals. Investigation of sICDH in pregnant dairy cattle experimentally dosed with polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) showed no discernible elevations until doses were sufficient to cause toxicosis (25,000 mg PBB/d). Cows lethally dosed with 25,000 mg PBB/d had moderate elevations of sICDH (approximately a twofold increase) concomitant with severe toxicosis in some but not all animals. This PBB dose also caused abortion or fetal death in pregnant animals; elevation of sICDH in these animals was coincident with fetal trauma. This suggests that sICDH may be influenced by fetoplacental contributions in pregnant animals. Non-pregnant cows, intoxicated with PBB, had minimal sICDH elevation as compared with 10-fold in a calf with experimentally induced hepatotoxicity (thioacetamide). This observation was consistent with histopathological findings of minimal, if any, hepatic involvement in dairy cattle lethally intoxicated with PBB. Serum isocitrate dehydrogenase appears to be a useful adjunct to the ordinary complement of serum chemistries used for clinical diagnosis; however, it does not appear to reflect exclusively hepatic injury.     

湘西黄牛超数排卵和冲胚效果与卵巢Figla基因表达水平之间的关系

利用real-time PCR和原位杂交技术分析了Figla(factor in the germline alpha)基因在湘西黄牛卵巢中的相对表达量与定位表达情况。结果显示:能冲出较多优质胚胎的湘西黄牛个体,卵巢组织中Figla基因mRNA水平的表达量要显著高于对照组(P0.05)。Figla基因mRNA在牛卵巢组织中的初级卵泡、次级卵泡和成熟的有腔卵泡都有表达。而且Figla基因在有腔卵泡的卵母细胞中的胞质中表达,但在细胞核中没有表达。结果说明:湘西黄牛超数排卵和冲胚效果与卵巢Figla基因表达水平之间存在一定的关系,Figla基因可能是卵泡和早期胚胎发育的双重关键基因。     

Effect of anthelmintic treatment of dairy cattle on milk production related to some parameters estimating nematode infection

On 31 farms, blood samples were taken from adult dairy cattle in September 1985, when pastured, and in November-December 1985, when stabled, to assess serum pepsinogen levels and level of nematode antibody titres. Faecal samples taken in September were examined to establish the presence of parasites by means of egg counts and larval identification. During the stabling period, dry cows were either treated with ivermectin or with a placebo in alternate sequence of expected calving date. As a result, 285 cows were treated with ivermectin while 242 cows served as controls. Anthelmintic treatment resulted in a significant increase in the 305-day milk production of 205.1 kg (P less than 0.01). Fat and protein percentages were not significantly influenced by anthelmintic treatment. There was a significant between-herd variation in nematode antibody titres and in pepsinogen values. The mean herd milk-production response to treatment correlated positively with the mean herd Ostertagia antibody titre measured in September 1985 (r = 0.364, P less than 0.05).     

Antimicrobial resistance in beef and dairy cattle production

Observational studies of cattle production systems usually find that cattle from conventional dairies harbor a higher prevalence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) enteric bacteria compared to organic dairies or beef-cow operations; given that dairies usually use more antimicrobials, this result is not unexpected. Experimental studies have usually verified that application of antimicrobials leads to at least a transient expansion of AMR bacterial populations in treated cattle. Nevertheless, on dairy farms the majority of antibiotics are used to treat mastitis and yet AMR remains relatively low in mastitis pathogens. Other studies have shown no correlation between antimicrobial use and prevalence of AMR bacteria including documented cases where the prevalence of AMR bacteria is non-responsive to antimicrobial applications or remains relatively high in the absence of antimicrobial use or any other obvious selective pressures. Thus, there are multi-factorial events and pressures that influence AMR bacterial populations in cattle production systems. We introduce a heuristic model that illustrates how repeated antimicrobial selection pressure can increase the probability of genetic linkage between AMR genes and niche- or growth-specific fitness traits. This linkage allows persistence of AMR bacteria at the herd level because subpopulations of AMR bacteria are able to reside long-term within the host animals even in the absence of antimicrobial selection pressure. This model highlights the need for multiple approaches to manage herd health so that the total amount of antimicrobials is limited in a manner that meets animal welfare and public health needs while reducing costs for producers and consumers over the long-term.     

Influence of factors during superovulation on embryo production in Korean Holstein cattle

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of key parameters (donor parity, milk production, post-parturient day, season and milk recording data) associated with efficiency of embryo recovery (ER) in Holstein cattle. Elite Holstein cows and heifers were selected for ER, while Holstein heifers were used as recipients. The numbers of transferable embryos (TEs) produced were not significantly different when analyzed in terms of donor parity, milk production, postparturient day and season. However, the numbers of TEs were significantly increased when the milk protein (%; P)/fat (%; F) ratio was over 0.95 and/or the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) was between 12 and 18 dl/ml. The results from ET showed no differences in pregnancy rates among Holstein heifers receiving other types, developmental stage codes and quality grades of embryos. The mean interval from ER to artificial insemination was 60.6 days. Moreover, 19 offspring that had milk recording data showed a similar milk yield performance to that of the donor cows. In conclusion, this study showed that in Holstein cows, embryos were recovered and transferred and resulted in production of viable calves. Furthermore, P/F ratio and MUN could be candidate indicators for selection of high-efficiency donor cows.     

胆碱在奶牛生产中的应用研究进展

针对胆碱的结构、性质、来源、品质鉴定方法、过瘤胃保护技术、生物学功能及其在奶牛生产中的应用作一综述。     

Milk production increase following treatment of Dutch dairy cattle with thiabendazole

Summary In a trial involving 542 dairy cattle on 28 farms, 276 were treated once with thiabendazole within two days of calving. The treated group showed an average increase in milk yielded over the non-return group of 229.8 kg during the subsequent lactation. In the treated group, total milk fat production was increased over that of the controls by 7.4 kg per cow; milk protein was increased by 6.9 kg per cow. All treatment parameter differences were highly significant at the 1% level of probability.     

Milk production increase following treatment of Dutch dairy cattle with thiabendazole

Summary

In a trial involving 542 dairy cattle on 28 farms, 276 were treated once with thiabendazole within two days of calving. The treated group showed an average increase in milk yielded over the non‐return group of 229.8 kg during the subsequent lactation.

In the treated group, total milk fat production was increased over that of the controls by 7.4 kg per cow; milk protein was increased by 6.9 kg per cow. All treatment parameter differences were highly significant at the 1% level of probability.     

日粮不同精粗比例对中产奶牛血清生化指标的影响

本课题应用随机分组试验设计,将40头中等产奶量的荷斯坦奶牛随机分为四组,Ⅰ组为对照组,Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组为试验组,四组日粮的精粗比例依次为50%:50%、40%:60%、35%:65%和30%:70%,用以研究日粮不同精粗比例对奶牛血清生化指标的影响.结果表明:随着粗饲料比例的增加,血清总蛋白、白蛋白含量呈现增加趋势;血清尿素氮含量总体上呈现降低趋势;血清谷草转氨酶活性、谷丙转氨酶活性呈现增加趋势.血清葡萄糖含量总体上呈现降低趋势,但各组之间均差异不显著(P>0.05),血清乳酸脱氢酶的活性呈现不明显的降低趋势,其中血糖(y,mmol/L)与血清乳酸脱氢酶(x,IU/L)存在显著的线性相关关系:y=0.0035x-1.48,r2=0.68,n=40,P<0.05.试验Ⅳ组血清总胆固醇含量极显著(P<0.01)高于对照Ⅰ组,显著(P<0.05)高于试验Ⅱ组.血清胰岛素水平呈现增加趋势,其中试验Ⅳ组显著(P<0.05)高于对照Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组,而其它各组之间差异不显著(P>0.05).而通过对血清胰岛素和胆固醇水平进一步统计分析发现,血清总胆固醇(y,mmol/L)水平与血清胰岛素(x,μIU/ml)水平存在着显著的线性相关:y=0.13x+1.84,r2=0.65,n=40,P<0.05.生长激素总体上均呈现增加趋势,其中各试验组的血清生长激素水平显著(P<0.05)高于对照Ⅰ组,其他各组之间差异不显著(P>0.05),进一步统计得出,血清生长激素(y,ng/ml)与粗饲料采食量(x,kg/d)之间存在显著(P<0.05)的线性相关关系:y=0.18x-3.26,r2=0.68,n=40,P<0.05.     

Serum and colostrum antibody to Pasteurella species in dairy cattle

A survey of antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica and P multocida, using a fluorometric immunoassay, was conducted on sera collected from 264 dairy cattle from 3 herds. Serum antibody titers to P haemolytica were 0 to 270 with low titers (less than 25) seen in 48.1% of the cows and heifers. Serum antibody titers to P multocida were 0 to 380 and the frequency of distribution of these titers were more even than for P haemolytica. Mean serum antibody titers to P haemolytica were significantly (P less than 0.005) higher in cattle from an open dairy herd when compared with those from 2 closed herds. Antibody titers to these organisms was determined in 7 colostrum samples. Pasteurella haemolytica antibody titers varied, depending on the whey separation technique used. Passive transfer of colostrum-derived antibody in 5 neonatal calves resulted in a maximum mean serum antibody titer at 20 hours after birth for P haemolytica and at 8 hours after birth for P multocida. Serum titers were higher overall for P multocida than for P haemolytica. Serum titers for P haemolytica declined rapidly. A significant (P less than 0.05) increase in antibody to P multocida was observed at 5 days of age.     

Effects of meloxicam on reproduction parameters in dairy cattle

This study was carried out in dairy cattle with the NSAID meloxicam to investigate possible drug effects on different reproductive parameters as well as on the progeny. Forty-one cows received intravenous injection of either meloxicam (Metacam^® 20 mg/mL solution for injection) or placebo at a dose volume of 7.5 mL/100 kg, corresponding to a dose of 1.5 mg meloxicam/kg, i.e. three times the recommended therapeutic dose. Treatment was performed in each phase of reproduction, i.e. once prior to breeding, twice shortly after breeding, once at the beginning of the second and third trimester of gestation and once at the end of the third trimester of gestation. Offspring of the cows were weighed and clinically examined for vitality at birth and after 28 days. No relevant difference between the meloxicam and control group was found in the reproductive performance of the cows or in the body weight development or vitality of the calves.     

奶牛低镁血症的诊治报告

1999年 1 0月上、中旬 ,我场先后有 1 6头奶牛出现以突发性全身肌群痉挛颤抖、后肢僵硬瘫痪为特征的疾病。现就其诊治经过报道如下。1　发病情况在牛群中断断续续零散突发 ,病牛膘情大多良好。在发病的 1 6头牛中 ,1 1头为产前发生 ,5头为产后 1～ 2周内发生。在发病瘫痪后 1 3头侧卧 ,3头趴卧。其中死亡 6头 ,淘汰 7头 ,治愈 3头。2　临床症状大多突然发病 ,不食 ,或突然滑倒瘫痪 ,呈侧卧或趴卧姿式。磨牙吐沫 ,尾肌和后肢僵硬 ,强直性痉挛 ,继而全身肌肉颤抖 ,对外界刺激敏感。严重的角弓反张 ,头弯至身体背侧 ,牙关紧闭。病牛同时还出现…     

奶牛酮病的诊治

奶牛酮病是泌乳牛在产犊后几天至几周内发生的一种代谢性疾病,以酮血症、酮尿症、酮乳症和低血糖为特征,不食,昏睡或兴奋,体重丧失,产奶量下降,偶尔发生运动失词。在实际生产中,亚临床型高于临床型酮病的发生率,并且发生酮病的多是舍饲高产母牛。     

牛炭疽病诊断与综合防制措施

炭疽病是人畜共患传染病,由炭疽杆菌引起各种家畜、野生动物感染的一种急性、热性、败血型传染病.2005年7月份以来,我国贵州、宁夏、辽宁、吉林等省份先后发生人间皮肤炭疽,对人民群众身体健康和财产构成严重威胁.我县发生的一起牛炭疽病经及时确诊和综合防制得到了有效的控制.     

Milk antibodies against Ostertagia ostertagi: relationships with milk IgG and production parameters in lactating dairy cattle

The present study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between milk optical density ratios (ODRs) from an indirect Ostertagia ostertagi ELISA, total milk IgG levels and milk production and then establish a correction factor to adjust ODR. Five hundred and sixty composite milk samples collected from 358 cows on four dairy herds in June and August 2002 were used in this analysis. The average ODR was 0.34. A positive correlation was found between ODR and IgG values in milk, days in milk, age and log transformed somatic cell counts (SCC). However, ODR was negatively correlated with milk production. The IgG levels and ODR values were constant from 30 to 200 days in milk. However, ODRs increased from 200 days until the end of the lactation. After controlling for age, season, herd and SCC, an increase in milk production of 13 kg/day was associated with a reduction in ODR values of 0.052. The results of the present study suggest that ODR values are not greatly influenced by production factors. ODR follow the same pattern as the IgG variation across lactation and could be adjusted in order to compare ODR values obtained from high producing cows with those obtained from low producing animals.     

香兰素对泌乳前期奶牛产奶性能及血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究香兰素对奶牛干物质采食量、产奶量、乳成分及血清生化指标的影响,为香兰素在奶牛生产上的开发应用提供科学依据。选取40头健康的荷斯坦奶牛进行配对,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组20头,在相同的条件下饲养。对照组饲喂牛场全混合日粮,试验组在对照组日粮基础上添加10 g/d香兰素,预试期7 d,试验期70 d。结果表明:日粮添加10 g/d香兰素对奶牛泌乳前期的干物质采食量、产奶性能无显著影响(P0.05);日粮中添加10 g/d香兰素对泌乳前期奶牛的乳成分无显著影响(P0.05);日粮中添加10 g/d香兰素对血清生化指标无显著影响(P0.05)。得出结论:在日粮中添加10 g/d香兰素对泌乳前期奶牛的生产性能及血清生化指标无显著影响。     

不同水平互花米草提取物对泌乳奶牛生产性能和血清生化指标的影响

文章旨在研究饲粮中添加互花米草提取物对奶牛产奶性能及血清生化指标的影响。试验选取体重(550±25) kg、胎次2～3胎、泌乳期(110±24) d及泌乳(24.2±4.2) kg/d的泌乳期荷斯坦奶牛90头,采用完全随机区组设计分为6组,每组15头,进行为期60 d的饲养试验,其中预试期10 d,正试期50 d。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,处理组分别在基础饲粮中每天添加5、10、25、50 g/d和100 g/d的互花米草提取物。结果表明:整个试验期间,处理组的采食量、产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、总固形物含量、乳尿素氮含量以及血清谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶、谷氨酰胺基转移酶、α-羟丁酸脱氢酶、乳酸脱氢酶、总蛋白、球蛋白和肌酐含量与对照组相比均无显著差异(P>0.05);5～50 g/d组乳糖率和白蛋白含量显著高于100 g/d组(P<0.05)。互花米草提取物添加量5～50 g/d组体细胞数显著低于对照组和100 g/d组(P<0.05)。50 g/d组尿素氮浓度显著高于100 g/d组(P<0.05);而该组尿酸浓度显著低于5 g/d组(P<0.05)。50 g/d组葡萄糖浓度显著高于对照组、5 g/d和10 g/d组(P<0.05)。试验条件下,饲粮中添加100 g/d范围内的互花米草提取物对奶牛产奶性能没有明显影响,但50 g/d组可以提高乳糖率和血糖浓度,降低体细胞数,是适宜的添加剂量。     

Effect of different hand-milking techniques on milk production and teat treatment in Zebu dairy cattle

The aim of the study was to test three different hand-milking techniques (“pull down”, “thumb in”, and “full hand grip”) and their effects on milk production and teat treatment. This is important since milk production in many tropical areas still rely on hand-milking. The study was carried out at a peri-urban farm in the Bobo-Dioulasso area in Burkina Faso. Twelve indigenous Zebu cows in early lactation were used in the study. The sequences of the treatments (hand-milking techniques) and the milkers were balanced for carry-over effects between successive periods and days, respectively. The sequences were constructed by using special Latin squares. Yield and composition of saleable milk was not affected by milking technique but there were differences between the milkers in milk yield. There was also a significant interaction for saleable milk yield between milker and milking technique. Hemoglobin in milk was measured as an indicator of teat damage. The hemoglobin content was numerically higher in post-milking strip milk samples than in saleable milk. It was concluded that the amount of milk removed depends mainly on the milker and how well the milking technique works for the individual milker. No effect of milking technique was observed on teat treatment.