Cesium radioactivity in peripheral blood is linearly correlated to that in skeletal muscle: Analyses of cattle within the evacuation zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) released a large amount of radioactive substances into the environment. Furthermore, beef contaminated with radioactive cesium above the 500 Bq/kg safety standard was circulated in the food chain in 2011. Japanese consumers remain concerned about the safety of radioactively contaminated food. In our previous study, we detected a linear correlation between radioactive cesium (¹³⁷Cs) activity in blood and muscle around 500 to 2500 Bq/kg in cattle. However, it was unclear whether the correlation was maintained at a lower radioactivity close to the current safety standard of 100 Bq/kg. In this study, we evaluated 17 cattle in the FNPP evacuation zone that had a ¹³⁷Cs blood level less than 10 Bq/kg. The results showed a linear correlation between blood ¹³⁷Cs and muscle ¹³⁷Cs (Y = 28.0X, R² = 0.590) at low radioactivity concentration, indicating that cesium radioactivity in the muscle can be estimated from blood radioactivity. This technique would be useful in detecting high‐risk cattle before they enter the market, and will contribute to food safety.     

Estimation of concentration of radionuclides in skeletal muscle from blood,based on the data from abandoned animals in Fukushima

The damage caused by the earthquake on 11 March, 2011 resulted in a serious nuclear accident in Japan. Due to the damage to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP), large amounts of radioactive substances were released into the environment. In particular, one of the largest safety concerns is radioactive cesium (¹³⁴Cs and ¹³⁷Cs). Due to the FNPP nuclear accident, a 20 km area was restricted from human activity, and various types of domestic animals were left in the zone. We collected the organs and tissues from sacrificed animals to obtain scientific data to evaluate the internal deposition of radioactive compounds. At first, we found there is a strong correlation between blood ¹³⁷Cs and organ ¹³⁷Cs with data from 44 cattle, indicating that skeletal muscle is the target organ of deposition of radioactive cesium. Second, we analyzed the relationship between blood ¹³⁷Cs and muscle ¹³⁷Cs within relatively lower radioactive concentration, suggesting that estimation of concentration of ¹³⁷Cs is possible from blood concentration of ¹³⁷Cs. Finally, we developed computer software to estimate the muscle ¹³⁷Cs concentration from blood samples. Our study contributes to the food safety of livestock products.     

Radioactive cesium and potassium in cattle living in the ‘zone in preparation for the lifting of the evacuation order’ of the Fukushima nuclear accident

To contribute to the reconstruction of livestock industry in Fukushima, radioactive cesium (¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁷Cs) and potassium (⁴°K) were measured in various tissues of beef cattle living in an area where the evacuation order will be lifted in the near future. Radioactive cesium concentration was less than 100 Bq/kg in most of the samples. Skeletal muscles and kidney had the highest concentrations of radioactive cesium, whereas the liver was lowest among samples, excepting blood. Radioactive cesium concentration in the sirloin, tenderloin and top round was significantly higher than that in the neck muscle. Radioactive cesium concentration in the urine was not correlated with that in the blood, but the relationship became proportional when corrected with urinary ⁴°K. Distribution of ⁴°K was similar but not identical to that of radioactive cesium. These results suggest that it will be possible to resume livestock production in this area after the decontamination measures are completed and the evacuation order is lifted. Contamination level of living cattle can be estimated not only by blood samples but also by urine samples. If 50–100 Bq/kg of cesium is detected in the neck muscle at a slaughterhouse, the cattle should be reinspected using a sample from different muscles.     

Distribution of radioactive cesium and stable cesium in cattle kept on a highly contaminated area of Fukushima nuclear accident

Radioactivity inspection of slaughtered cattle is generally conducted using a portion of the neck muscle; however, there is limited information about the distribution of radioactive cesium in cattle. In this study, therefore, we measured not only radioactive cesium but also stable cesium in various tissues of 19 cattle that had been kept in the area highly contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear accident. Skeletal muscles showed approximately 1.5‐3.0 times higher concentration of radioactive cesium than internal organs. Radioactive cesium concentration in the tenderloin and top round was about 1.2 times as high as that in the neck muscle. The kidney showed the highest concentration of radioactive cesium among internal organs, whereas the liver was lowest. Radioactive cesium concentration in the blood was about 8% of that in the neck muscle. Characteristics of stable cesium distribution were almost the same as those of radioactive cesium. Correlation coefficient between radioactive cesium and stable cesium in tissues of individual cattle was 0.981 ± 0.012. When a suspicious level near 100 Bq/kg is detected in the neck of slaughtered cattle, re‐inspection should be conducted using a different region of muscle, for example top round, to prevent marketing of beef that violates the Food Sanitation Act.     

Distribution of radioactive cesium in edible parts of cattle

After the disastrous incident of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, various agricultural, livestock and fishery products have been inspected for radioactive contamination with cesium in Japan. In this study, radioactive cesium was measured in various edible parts of cattle to verify the current inspection method for cattle, in which the neck tissues are generally used as samples. Radioactive cesium concentration in the short plate, diaphragm, liver, lung, omasum, abomasum and small intestine were lower and sirloin, tenderloin, top round meat and tongue were higher than that in the neck. There was no significant difference between the other organs (heart, kidney, lumen and reticulum) and the neck. Ninety‐five percent upper tolerance limits of the relative concentration to the neck were 1.88 for sirloin, 1.74 for tenderloin, 1.87 for top round and 1.45 for tongue. These results suggest that a safety factor of 2 is recommended for the radioactivity inspection of cattle to prevent a marketing of meat with higher cesium than the legal limit. Re‐inspection should be conducted using another part of muscle, for example, top round, when suspicious levels of 50–100 Bq/kg are detected in the neck.     

Lolitrem B residue in fat tissues of cattle consuming endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass straw.

Lolitrems are neurotoxins found in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass. Lolitrems, primarily lolitrem B, are the causative agents of ryegrass staggers in livestock. To guarantee the safety of meat produced from cattle consuming endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass, lolitrem B concentrations in tissues of Japanese Black cattle were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Lolitrem B was not detected in muscle, liver, kidney, or cerebrum of a Japanese Black cow with signs of ryegrass staggers. In contrast, perirenal fat contained 210 ppb lolitrem B. Three cows that received half as much perennial ryegrass straw as the cow with ryegrass staggers showed no clinical signs of ryegrass staggers. However, low concentrations of lolitrem B (less than 150 ppb) were detected in their fat tissue. These observations indicate that human exposure to the neurotoxic effect of lolitrem B through beef is unlikely. The amount of lolitrem B consumed by cattle can be estimated by the determination of lolitrem B in fat tissue.     

A method for estimating radioactive cesium concentrations in cattle blood using urine samples

In the region contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear accident, radioactive contamination of live cattle should be checked before slaughter. In this study, we establish a precise method for estimating radioactive cesium concentrations in cattle blood using urine samples. Blood and urine samples were collected from a total of 71 cattle on two farms in the ‘difficult‐to‐return zone’. Urine ¹³⁷Cs, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, pH , sodium, potassium, calcium, and creatinine were measured and various estimation methods for blood ¹³⁷Cs were tested. The average error rate of the estimation was 54.2% without correction. Correcting for urine creatinine, specific gravity, electrical conductivity, or potassium improved the precision of the estimation. Correcting for specific gravity using the following formula gave the most precise estimate (average error rate = 16.9%): [blood ¹³⁷Cs] = [urinary ¹³⁷Cs]/([specific gravity] ? 1)/329. Urine samples are faster to measure than blood samples because urine can be obtained in larger quantities and has a higher ¹³⁷Cs concentration than blood. These advantages of urine and the estimation precision demonstrated in our study, indicate that estimation of blood ¹³⁷Cs using urine samples is a practical means of monitoring radioactive contamination in live cattle.     

Comparison of urine and blood as a convenient and practical sample for estimating the contamination level of live cattle with radioactive cesium

Blood and urine were compared to clarify which is a better sample for estimating the concentration of radioactive cesium in muscles of live cattle. The most probable concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in muscles was 21.0 times that in blood, and the error of this estimation was 28%. The concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in blood was estimated accurately using urine samples. The estimation error did not increase so much (33%), even when the concentration of ¹³⁷Cs in muscles was estimated using urine samples. On the other hand, the maximum volume of blood that can be collected with one syringe is 50 ml, whereas it is easy to collect 1,000 ml of urine. It took at least 360 min to confirm that a cow meets the legal standard by inspecting 50 ml of blood. However, with 1,000 ml of urine, a 20 min measurement time was sufficient for this purpose. This difference in the required measurement time is critically important for practical use. In addition, urine can be collected by farmers themselves, whereas the blood collection requires a veterinarian. Therefore, urine is a more convenient and practical sample for estimating the contamination level of live cattle with radioactive cesium.     

A mathematical model of the dynamics of Mongolian livestock populations

Subsistence livestock herding is an important component of livestock production in Mongolia. However, pasture degradation, extreme weather, desertification, livestock overpopulation, infectious diseases and limited government support increasingly threaten this livelihood. To better assess these afflictions, understanding the population dynamics of livestock is critical. Towards this goal, we developed a model of Mongolian livestock populations. Using the Leslie–Gower difference equation competition model, a discrete analog of the continuous Lotka–Volterra 2-species model, Mongolian livestock population dynamics were simulated in MATLAB. The model encompasses four species and is stratified by age and sex. Calibration of parameters is accomplished using official population data from 1970 to 2010; a turbulent time period that includes the socialist to capitalist market transition and two growth periods both followed by two dzuds (severe winter storms). Herders were surveyed and herd structures were sampled for parameter and model initial value estimation. The current model simulates the Töv aimag (province) goat, sheep, cattle and horse populations. However, with more data collection, the intention would be to simulate all species populations in any aimag or soum (province subdivision). A ten-year simulation of future livestock populations predicts a more than two-fold increase in goat and sheep populations, a slight increase in cattle populations and a slight decline in horse populations. Preliminary validation with 2011 population data shows accurate estimation. Furthermore, a stable future livestock population was attained with the implementation of more than double the current culling rate. The model can be integrated in infectious disease transmission modeling, used as a tool for predicting the economic potential and support requirements of the livestock sector and used to illustrate the urgency of fostering sustainable management of livestock populations in Mongolia. This story of Mongolian pastoral life presents an excellent opportunity to study a social-ecological system as well as to contribute in creating a sustainable, healthy and efficient Mongolian livelihood.     

An analysis of the movement of dairy cattle through 2 large livestock markets in the province of Ontario, Canada

Data pertaining to the movement of dairy cattle through 2 large livestock markets in the province of Ontario were collected for 1 week per month throughout 2004. Counts and postal codes of sellers and buyers of adult dairy cattle, veal calves, and dairy calves were obtained. Three assumptions were made to represent the level of mixing among animals that could take place at the markets. We estimated the number of livestock holdings that could be exposed to a highly contagious disease agent, should infected animals have been sold through the market in the same week. The estimates ranged from 8 to 20 holdings, when assuming no mixing at the market, to 51 to 171 holdings when assuming complete mixing. These markets are important hubs in the dairy cattle movement network in Ontario and pose the risk of infecting a large number of livestock holdings should animals infected with a highly contagious disease agent pass through them.     

Historical Forage Productivity and Cost of Capital for Cow-Calf Production in California

Exposure of livestock grazing to forage productivity variation and to market fluctuations affects the risk of investment and returns from cow-calf operations, but little work has been done to empirically compare these returns to the returns that would be demanded by financial markets from assets with similar risk and return characteristics. This study uses historical forage production data from three rangeland locations in California, and cattle and hay prices, to simulate financial statements for three hypothetical cow-calf producers in the period 1988–2007. Return on investment from year to year incorporates the variability and risk associated with dependence on natural forage production. Performance is then compared to the actual performance of a diversified portfolio of assets using the Capital Asset Pricing Model, from which the theoretical cost of capital for these hypothetical grazing enterprises is derived. Much like other agricultural enterprises, cow-calf production in California has low market risk and a low theoretical cost of capital. This theoretical cost of capital is still greater than the historical return from livestock production (excluding land appreciation) in the western United States, adding further backing to the point often made in the literature that ranchers who engage in cow-calf production are receiving benefits beyond the commercial returns from livestock production alone.     

Alterations in the physiology of growth of cattle with growth-enhancing compounds.

Commonly used growth promotants such as steroidal implants and beta-adrenergic agonists have recently been implicated in the reduction of marbling scores in beef cattle. These compounds are effective at improving lean tissue deposition in cattle, thus significantly improving feed efficiency. This article discusses skeletal muscle growth and development in cattle, the process of transdifferentiation between two cell types, and how growth promotants may push a nondifferentiated cell to become a certain lineage of cells. Increased understanding of how these agents affect cellular aspects of growth and development of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue will allow cattle feeders, consultants, and researchers to instigate intervention strategies to ameliorate the reduced marbling scores. Successful strategies would allow maximal lean tissue growth and result in carcasses with optimal quality.     

A review of tissue reference values used to assess the trace element status of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)

AIMS: This paper reviews the principles for the establishment of biochemical reference criteria for assessing the trace element status of farmed livestock and summarises data for copper, selenium, vitamin B12 and iodine for farmed red deer. COPPER: Enzootic ataxia and osteochondrosis occur when liver copper concentrations are below 60 micromol/kg fresh tissue, and serum copper concentrations are below 3-4 micromol/l. Growth responses to copper supplementation have been equivocal when blood copper concentrations were 3-4 micromol/l, but were significant when mean blood copper concentrations were 0.9-4.0 micromol/l. No antler growth or bodyweight response to copper supplementation was observed when blood ferroxidase levels averaged 10-23 IU/l (equivalent to serum copper concentrations of 6-13 micromol/l) and liver copper concentrations averaged 98 mumol/kg fresh tissue. These data suggest that 'deficient', 'marginal' and 'adequate' ranges for serum copper concentrations should be 5, 5-8, and 8 micromol/l, respectively, and those for liver copper concentrations should be 60, 60-100, and 100 micromol/kg, respectively. SELENIUM: White muscle disease has been reported in young deer with blood and liver selenium concentrations of 84-140 nmol/l and 240-500 nmol/kg fresh tissue, respectively. No growth-rate response to selenium supplementation occurred in rising 1-year-old deer when blood selenium concentrations were less than 130 nmol/l, the range in which a growth-rate response would be expected in sheep. VITAMIN B12: Vitamin B12 concentrations in deer are frequently below 185 pmol/l without clinical or subclinical effects. No growth response was observed in young deer with vitamin B12 concentrations as low as 75-83 pmol/l. A growth response to cobalt/vitamin B12 supplementation occurs in lambs with serum vitamin B12 concentrations 336 pmol/l. CONCLUSIONS: Data that can be used to establish reference ranges for assessing trace element status in deer are limited. More robust reference values for farmed red deer need to be established through further studies relating biochemical data to health and performance.     

郏县红牛育种模式探讨

本文在总结郏县红牛２０年保种选育经验基础上，根据市场发展趋势及生物技术水平，提出了建立活体保种冷精胚胎保种相结合珠保种体系的技术措施，重点探讨了通过引入外血提高郏县红牛早熟性，泌乳性，肉用性的育种技术模式。     

稳步推进我国肉牛统计监测预警工作

畜禽统计监测预警工作,是涉及整个畜牧业及相关产业稳步、健康、有序发展的一项基础性、必要性、关键性工作。本文在阐述肉牛统计监测预警工作重要意义的基础上,具体分析了肉牛统计监测预警的主要内容,并结合工作开展过程中需要注意的关键问题,提出了稳步推进此项工作的建议和措施。     

Muscle characteristics and corresponding hormone concentrations in different types of cattle

Ruminants transform feed components preferentially in body mass or milk. The accretion type of cattle are apt in accreting feed as meat and fat, while the secretion type of cattle secrete metabolised feed as milk. The objective of this study was to investigate the growth- and type-related differences in muscle fibers, adipocytes, and hormones in two metabolic types of cattle. Biopsy samples of semitendinosus muscle and blood were taken at 6, 8, 10, 13, and 16 months of age from 13 bulls of each metabolic type (Charolais—CH, German Holstein—H). Postnatal growth was characterized by a nearly 2-fold increase in muscle fiber area, while a constant fiber type frequency was observed. Differences in the growth potential between CH and H bulls were not only found in a higher daily weight gain or higher weight for CH cattle, but were also caused by stronger muscle fiber growth in that cattle type. The higher muscle growth potential of CH was accompanied by lower fat accretion and metabolically linked with lower plasma concentrations of insulin, glucagon, and leptin. The amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue was directly correlated with leptin in CH and with insulin and glucagon in H bulls.     

An assessment of the risks to the health of grazing animals from the radioactive contamination of pastures

As a result of the Chernobyl accident sheep and cattle in Wales, Cumbria and Scotland became contaminated with radionuclides of caesium and iodine. In the worst case, the maximum levels of contamination were of the order of 4000 Bq/kg of caesium-137 and 2000 Bq/kg of caesium-134 in muscle and 2,000,000 Bq/kg of iodine-131 in the thyroid gland. Calculations show that the radiation dose rates to the animals from these burdens of the radionuclides of caesium would have been approximately one thousandth of the dose rate needed to cause clinical signs of damage; in the case of iodine-131 approximately 10,000 times higher levels of the nuclide would have been required to cause clinically perceptible damage to the thyroid gland. In any forseeable nuclear accident severe problems of human health would arise before any detrimental effects on livestock could be detected.     

Management of land and livestock contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls

Investigations were conducted on several small neighbouring beef cattle and sheep farms that were found to be contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The residues detected contained about 62% w/w chlorine and soil concentrations ranged from 0.35 to 1.9 mg/kg. Beef cattle and sheep grazing the contaminated land had PCB concentrations in their fat of 0.3 to 1.7 mg/kg and 0.19 to 0.45 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of PCBs in the caudal fat of cattle was 0.3 to 2 times the concentration of PCBs in the land they were grazing and was positively related to stocking rates. PCBs were present in milk fat from cattle at about the same concentration as in caudal fat, and lactation appeared to contribute to decontamination. Wool grease from sheep contained about 1 to 2 times the concentration of PCBs in subcutaneous fat. Calves of contaminated cows also became contaminated. The half-life for decontamination of PCBs in a group of 8 young female beef cattle was calculated at 13 months. PCBs were detected in pasture samples at concentrations ranging from less than 0.01 mg/kg to 0.12 mg/kg. However, PCBs were not detected in any sample of hay cut from these paddocks. In 4 sheep fed a sole ration of this hay, traces of PCBs were detected in their fat following 89 days of feeding. Grazing livestock for meat production on land contaminated with PCBs is not recommended because livestock readily acquire residues, and PCBs persist in soil and livestock for long periods. Grazing sheep for wool production on land contaminated with PCBs may be an option.     

The effect of arsenical dips on Parafilaria bovicola in artificially infected cattle in South Africa

The possible adverse effect of arsenical tick control dips on Parafilaria bovicola infections was investigated in 48 artificially infected cattle. A treatment group of 24 cattle was dipped in a plunge dip containing 1600 ppm arsenic trioxide. A control group of the same size was dipped in an organophosphate dip containing a mixture of chlorfenvinphos and dioxathion. Regular weekly to 3-weekly dipping had no effect initially on the prevalence of ovipositional blood spots of P. bovicola in either group. However, from 4 months after bleeding commenced there was a significant reduction in blood spots in the arsenic-dipped cattle and, on slaughter at 12-14 months after infection, the arsenic group had significantly fewer live worms and fewer carcass lesions. Arsenic residues in muscle samples of treated cattle were 11.6 times higher than in the controls. It is proposed that arsenic residues in the sub-cutaneous muscle layers increase with repeated dipping until a level toxic to P. bovicola is finally reached. Older cattle would therefore be refractory to infection and their carcasses at slaughter would not be affected.     

Assessment of structure and performance of cattle markets in western Kenya

Cattle markets play a major role in economic empowerment among cattle-keeping communities in developing countries. The objective of this study was to assess the structure and performance of selected cattle markets in western Kenya. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to livestock traders who visited markets and by conducting focus group interviews. Data was collected on availability of market information, price setting behavior, marketing costs, practices of traders on livestock movements, sources of working capital, and characteristic of respondents. A total of 252 questionnaires and six focus group discussions were conducted for the study. Cattle market concentration indices were analyzed by calculation of Gini coefficient and plotting of Lorenz curves. Additionally, gross marketing margins were calculated to evaluate market performance. The results from this study showed a positive marketing margin in study markets for all cattle categories, the relatively high Gini coefficient of 0.65, and Lorenz curves revealing that in some markets 20% of traders control about 48% of the market share which is an indication of high market concentration. The high Gini coefficient and positive marketing margin obtained imply that study markets were highly concentrated but profitable which is an indication of inequality in the markets. The main barriers to entry in these livestock markets included lack of adequate market information, high operational capital requirements, and high costs of transporting animals. In conclusion, cattle marketing within western Kenya is profitable. However, the high concentration index in markets and presence of entry barriers including lack of flow of information on sources of livestock for trade, mechanism of price setting within markets’ high capital outlay, may encourage poor trade practices which may compromise biosecurity standards within markets, and hence necessitating increased risk for spread of livestock diseases and even zoonoses to connected farms and systems.