Clinical and Pathological Studies in Cattle with Hepatic Disease

West, H.J., 1997. Clinical and pathological studies in cattle with hepatic disease. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (3), 169-185In cattle with hepatic lipidosis, hepatic abscessation, leptospirosis, biliary calculi or fasciolosis, the progression of the disease was studied by serial measurements of serum total bile acid concentrations, plasma glutamate dehydrogenase, -glutamyltranserase, 5-nucleotidase and leucine aminopeptidase activities Terminalia avicennioides and by liver biopsy. Regardless of the cause of the hepatic disease, weight loss, anorexia, dullness and depression were consistent features. Signs of hepatic encephalopathy, such as blindness, head pressing, excitability, ataxia and weakness were less common and, together with pyrexia and jaundice, were grave prognostic signs. Plasma ammonia concentrations were significantly elevated compared to clinically normal cattle, but such changes were not always accompanied by a decline in plasma urea concentrations. In normal, healthy cattle, the plasma ammonia:urea concentration ratio is 9:1 and the plasma ammonia:glucose concentration is 11:1. In hepatic disease, a plasma ammonia:glucose ratio >40:1 or plasma ammonia:urea ratio >30:1, particularly with a rising total ketone body concentration and a declining glucose concentration, carried a guarded prognosis. The study suggested that other factors, such as hypokalaemia, alkalosis, short-chain volatile fatty acids, and false and true neuro-transmitters, may be important in the pathogenesis of hepatic coma in cattle.     

湖南省洞口县第二例牛尿素中毒诊治报告

1前言湖南省洞口县第二例牛尿素中毒,制做了简易竹洞针,进行左赚部套洞针(竹洞针)穿刺术放气,灌入食醋,葡萄糖输液等抢救和治疗方案。牛场存栏328头,239头中毒,发病率72.9%,治疗239头,治愈216头,治愈率90.4%,较首例牛尿素中毒病例治愈率100%,降低9.6个百分点,瘤胃膨气病病牛128头,治愈105头,治愈率82.0%,较洞口县首例牛尿素中毒病例治愈率100%,下降18.0个百分点;并对牛瘤胃膨气病最佳抢救时间和尿素养牛正确用量用法进行了探索,供同行参考。     

Indications and implications for testing of milk urea in dairy cattle: a quantitative review. Part 1. Dietary protein sources and metabolism

MILK UREA CONCENTRATIONS IN DAIRY CATTLE: There has been increased use of milk urea concentration as an indicator of dietary protein intake and protein metabolism in dairy cattle over recent years. The value of milk urea content data in predicting dietary composition, particularly for pasture-fed cattle, has not been well described. PROTEIN METABOLISM AND UREA SYNTHESIS: Many factors influence the degradation of dietary proteins in the rumen, post-ruminal protein metabolism and urea synthesis in cattle. Strong positive correlations between nitrogenous fertiliser use and the crude protein content of pastures were identified by use of meta-analysis. Similar strong positive correlations were noted between dietary protein intake, rumen ammonia and plasma urea concentrations. The costs of urea synthesis include energy losses, and importantly, the loss of endogenous amino acids, which are deaminated in the synthesis of urea. MILK UREA AS AN INDICATOR OF PROTEIN METABOLISM: Urea concentrations in blood, plasma and milk are strongly correlated. Milk is an adequate indicator of blood and plasma urea content, but non-nutritional factors may significantly influence milk urea concentrations. Recommendations for dietary protein management based on milk urea concentrations must be undertaken with care.     

Prevention of goitre in new-born lambs from kale-fed ewes

Milk urea concentrations in dairy cattle. There has been increased use of milk urea concentration as an indicator of dietary protein intake and protein metabolism in dairy cattle over recent years. The value of milk urea content data in predicting dietary composition, particularly for pasture-fed cattle, has not been well described.

Protein metabolism and urea synthesis. Many factors influence the degradation of dietary proteins in the rumen, post-ruminal protein metabolism and urea synthesis in cattle. Strong positive correlations between nitrogenous fertiliser use and the crude protein content of pastures were identified by use of meta-analysis. Similar strong positive correlations were noted between dietary protein intake, rumen ammonia and plasma urea concentrations. The costs of urea synthesis include energy losses, and importantly, the loss of endogenous amino acids, which are deaminated in the synthesis of urea.

Milk urea as an indictor of protein metabolism. Urea concentrations in blood, plasma and milk are strongly correlated. Milk is an adequate indicator of blood and plasma urea content, but non-nutritional factors may significantly influence milk urea concentrations. Recommendations for dietary protein management based on milk urea concentrations must be undertaken with care.     

Influence of dietary crude protein concentration and source on potential ammonia emissions from beef cattle manure

Emissions of ammonia, as well as other gases and particulates, to the atmosphere are a growing concern of livestock producers, the general public, and regulators. The concentration and ruminal degradability of CP in beef cattle diets may affect urinary and fecal excretion of N and thus may affect ammonia emissions from beef cattle feed yards. To determine the effects of dietary CP concentration and degradability on potential ammonia emissions, 54 steers were randomly assigned to nine dietary treatments in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments consisted of three dietary CP concentrations (11.5, 13, and 14.5%) and three supplemental urea:cottonseed meal ratios (100:0, 50:50, and 0:100 of supplemental N). Steers were confined to tie stalls, and feces and urine excreted were collected and frozen after approximately 30, 75, and 120 d on feed. One percent of daily urine and feces excretion were added to polyethylene chambers containing 1,550 g of soil. Chambers were sealed, and ammonia emissions were trapped in an acid solution for 7 d using a vacuum system. As the protein concentration in the diet increased from 11.5 to 13%, in vitro daily ammonia emissions increased (P < 0.01) 60 to 200%, due primarily to increased urinary N excretion. As days on feed increased, in vitro ammonia emissions also increased (P < 0.01). Potential ammonia losses were highly correlated (P < 0.01) to urinary N (r2 = 0.69), urinary urea-N (r2 = 0.58) excretion, serum urea-N concentration (r2 = 0.52), and intake of degradable protein N (r2 = 0.23). Although dietary composition can affect daily ammonia losses, daily ammonia emissions must be balanced with effects on animal performance to determine optimal protein concentrations and forms in the diet.     

Effects of adding urea on fermentation quality of pruned persimmon branch silage and its digestibility,preference, nitrogen balance and rumen fermentation in beef cattle

Four cattle were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to study digestibility, ruminal fermentation, nitrogen retention and preference of ensiling pruned persimmon branch (PPB) chips treated with urea. After 60 days of ensiling, urea‐treated PPB showed higher (P < 0.05) pH, acetic acid and ammonia‐N levels than no‐urea PPB. Both urea‐treated PPB and rice straw diets showed higher (P < 0.05) apparent digestibility and digestible nutrient content in cattle than no‐urea PPB diet. Neither mold nor yeast was detected in any urea‐treated PPB. Urinary and fecal excretion as well as nitrogen retention in cattle fed urea‐treated PPB were higher (P < 0.05) than in those fed no‐urea PPB and rice straw. With the exception that ruminal ammonia‐N levels in cattle fed urea‐treated PPB were higher (P < 0.05) than in those given no‐urea PPB and rice straw, ruminal pH, volatile fatty acid concentrations, and the acetic : propionic acid ratio of rumen content were unaffected by diets. The rank order of preference was rice straw > low‐urea > no‐urea > high‐urea. The results suggested that urea treatment of PPB inhibited growth of mold and yeast during silage storage, enhanced its digestibility and had nutritive value almost equivalent to that of rice straw.     

Results of metabolic profile test in Japanese black cattle with growth retardation

To evaluate the nutriture of Japanese black cattle with growth retardation, a metabolic profile test was carried out in 8 cattle with growth retardation and in 10 cattle with normal growth. During our observation for 1 month before blood sampling, the cattle with growth retardation ingested their forage completely. They showed lower low-density lipoprotein and albumin concentrations, and higher urea nitrogen, actoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations than the control. There were no significant differences in glucose, free fatty acid, total cholesterol, ammonia, inorganic phosphorus, and calcium concentrations between the cattle with growth retardation and the control. These data suggested that the cattle with growth retardation subjected to energy-negative condition in spite of their good forage intake.     

Condensed Tannin in Drinking Water Reduces Greenhouse Gas Precursor Urea in Sheep and Cattle Urine

Ingestion of small amounts of condensed tannin (CT) by ruminants may provide benefits including reduction of ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions by reducing urine urea excretion. However, providing grazing ruminants with sufficient amounts of CT-containing forages is difficult, and an alternative may be to provide CT in their drinking water. We conducted three trials to determine if urine urea levels in sheep and cattle decrease after they drink water containing CT. In two initial trials, blood serum urea was measured as a surrogate for urine urea when lambs or steers drank tap water containing low to higher amounts of quebracho tannin (QT). Serum urea concentration was measured after lambs drank the treatments for 7 d or steers for 4–6 d. Lambs consumed pellets (16% crude protein [CP] as fed) at 3.5% of body weight, and steers were fed cubes (15% CP as fed) at 3% of body weight. Mean serum urea concentration in sheep was reduced when they consumed water with QT (P = 0.03) and was also reduced for cattle (P < 0.001). In a third trial with a Latin-square design, four wethers were fed pellets (22% CP, DM basis) and given tap water or tap water with low, medium, or high amounts of QT, and their urine urea excretion was measured. There was a linear effect of QT intake on daily urine urea excretion as a percentage of nitrogen intake (P = 0.03). Reductions in daily urea excretion as a percentage of nitrogen intake were 3.5%, 6.6%, and 12.6%, respectively, for the low, medium, and high QT intake. Small amounts of QT in the drinking water of grazing ruminants can reduce their urine urea excretion.     

A review of ectoparasites and their effect on cattle production.

Losses in livestock production due to ectoparasite infestations exceed $2.26 billion annually. Over 50 species of ectoparasites infest cattle throughout the United States. The horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), is the most important and widespread of the five to six major pest species of pastured cattle in the southern region. Results from the examination of production traits from cattle under ectoparasite burdens have been variable, ranging from no effect to significant reductions in weight gains. Because of this inconsistency, specific physiological and nutritional responses in cattle infested or not infested with horn flies have been examined. Data have shown significant differences in nitrogen retention, blood cortisol concentrations, vital signs, water consumption, and urine production. Implications are that total energy balance is altered when an animal is exposed to ectoparasite infestations, thereby resulting in decreased productivity.     

Renal reabsorption of magnesium and calcium by cattle with renal tubular dysplasia

The concentrations of magnesium and calcium in the serum and urine and their rates of clearance were determined in cattle with renal tubular dysplasia, an autosomal recessive hereditary disease associated with a deletion of the paracellin-1 gene in Japanese Black cattle. There were no significant differences in the serum or urine magnesium concentrations between normal cattle and cattle which were heterozygous or homozygous for the condition. Serum calcium concentrations tended to be lower in the homozygous cattle, and the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly higher in the homozygous cattle. The ratio of magnesium:creatinine and the fractional excretion of magnesium were higher in cattle with the disease than in normal cattle. There were no significant differences in urine calcium concentration, the calcium:creatinine ratio, and fractional excretion of calcium between normal cattle and cattle which were homozygous or heterozygous for the condition. The creatinine clearance was significantly lower in the homozygous cattle than in normal cattle. The clearance, excretion rate, reabsorption rate and reabsorption rate:clearance ratio of magnesium in cattle with renal tubular dysplasia were significantly lower than in normal cattle. The clearance rate and reabsorption rate of calcium were also significantly lower in the affected cattle, but the excretion rate and reabsorption rate:clearance of calcium were not different between the normal cattle and the cattle homozygous for the condition. In cattle with the condition the rate of reabsorption of magnesium by the kidneys was low, but the rate of reabsorption of calcium was normal.     

Effects of dietary crude protein and tannic acid on nitrogen excretion,urinary nitrogenous composition and urine nitrous oxide emissions in beef cattle

Two consecutive trials were carried out to study the effects of dietary crude protein (CP) and tannic acid (TA) on nitrogen (N) metabolism of beef cattle and consequently, the N₂O emissions from the urine of cattle. In Trial I, eight growing castrated cattle were used as the experimental animals. Two levels of dietary CP (110.6 and 135.7 g/kg dry matter [DM]) and two levels of TA (0 and 16.9 g/kg DM) were allocated in a replicated 2 × 2 crossover design. In Trial II, the N₂O emissions from the urine of cattle collected from Trial I were determined using the static incubation technique. An interaction between dietary CP and TA on the urinary N excretion (p < .05) was found but not on the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Increasing dietary CP level from 110.6 g/kg DM to 135.7 g/kg DM increased the total N excretion (p < .001), the N retention (p < .05) and the ratio of urinary urea‐N/urinary N (p < .01), did not affect the N use efficiency (NUE; p > .05) and shifted the N excretion from faeces to urine. Increasing the dietary CP level increased the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Dietary addition of TA decreased the urinary excretions of urea (p < .001) and shifted the N excretion from urine to faeces, did not affect the NUE of beef cattle (p > .10), and decreased the N₂O‐N emission of cattle urine. Pyrogallol and resorcinol of the TA metabolites were detected in urine with dietary addition of TA. Feeding beef cattle with relatively low CP level and adding TA in rations are effective approaches to mitigate the N₂O‐N emissions from cattle urine.     

The fibrinogen concentration in blood of dairy cows and its influence on the interpretation of the glutaraldehyde and formol-gel test reactions.

It has earlier been shown that the formol-gel test on serum and glutaraldehyde test on whole blood are simple and rapid methods for evaluation or the immunoglobulin status in the cow. Both tests function as coagulation tests in which aldehyde groups oross-link basic blood globulins at their NH₂-groups, forming polymerisates. The glutaraldehyde has in whole blood the capacity to polymerize not only immunoglobulins but also fibrinogen.This investigation was made in order to study whether the fibrinogen level may influence the result of the glutaraldehyde test, so revealing any differences between the results of that and the formol-gel test carried out on serum. In 92 cows with a variety of clinical disorders (most of them with inflammatory processes) the total protein, albumin, total globulin concentration and albumin/globulin ratio in serum and fibrinogen concentration in plasma were recorded. The material was grouped according to glutaraldehyde and formol-gel test reactions.It is shown that increases in the fibrinogen level have an effect on the results of the glutaraldehyde test. A positive glutaraldehyde test in more acute processes is ascribed to a heavy rise of plasma fibrinogen in its capacity of acute-phase protein. A positive glutaraldehyde test in chronic diseases may be viewed as a result of interaction between high immunoglobulin concentrations and elevated fibrinogen concentration.In conclusion the fibrinogen and immunoglobulin status of blood is important to assess in many diseases of cattle. The semiquantitative tests described for field use can separately, or especially in parallel use, provide valuable information about the character and development of a disease and may be regarded as good substitutes for the sedimentation rate (SR), which is not demonstrable in cattle. kw|Keywords|k]bovine fibrinogen; k]bovine serum proteins; k]formol-gel reaction; k]glutaraldehyde test; k]acute and chronic inflammations     

Influence of monensin on the performance of cattle

Performance data on nearly 16,000 head of cattle that were used in trials to document effects of monensin on feedlot cattle were summarized. Cattle fed monensin-containing diets gained 1.6% faster, consumed 6.4% less feed and required 7.5% less feed/100 kg gain than cattle fed control diets. Monensin resulted in the greatest improvement in feed/gain at 2.9 Mcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg diet dry matter (DM). Within the range of monensin concentrations used in the trials that were summarized (31.8 +/- 7.5 mg/kg DM), high monensin concentrations did not improve feed/gain over that obtained with lower concentrations. Carcass characteristics were not significantly influenced by monensin. Responses of cattle to monensin and implants were additive. Energy metabolism data suggested that monensin improved digestibility of DM, reduced fasting heat production and increased dietary net energy maintenance (NEm) values more than it increased net energy gain (NEg) values. Data showing the response of cattle to monensin when fed various dietary protein concentrations or sources of supplemental N suggested that monensin had a protein sparing effect. Monensin has also been shown to reduce lactic acid production, aid in the control of coccidia and bloat and to be toxic to face and horn fly larva in feces of monensin-fed cattle. In pasture trials, monensin improved daily gains. When fed to beef cows, monensin reduced amounts of feed required to maintain cow weight.     

Clinical and ultrasonographic findings, diagnosis and treatment of pyelonephritis in 17 cows

The goal of the present study was to describe the clinical, haematological and ultrasonographic findings and treatment of 17 cattle with pyelonephritis. Fifteen cattle had an abnormal general condition, which varied in severity; five animals had signs of colic. The urine was brownish-red in 11 animals and cloudy in 13. Clumps of purulent material were seen in the urine of nine animals and clots of blood in two. The specific gravity was lower than normal in 13 animals and ranged from 1.005 to 1.020. A urine test strip revealed protein in 16 animals, blood in 16 and leukocytes in 12. Bacteriological examination of urine yielded Corynebacterium renale in 11 animals, Arcanobacter pyogenes in two and Escherichia coli in one. Rectal examination revealed abnormalities of the urinary tract in 11 animals; there was dilatation of the left ureter and/or enlargement of the left kidney in eight cases, and dilatation of the right ureter and/or enlargement of the right kidney in three others. The most frequent abnormal haematological finding was an increase in the serum concentrations of total protein, fibrinogen, urea and creatinine, a decreased haematocrit and a positive glutaraldehyde test. In 13 animals, ultrasonography via the rectum and right flank using a 5.0MHz transducer revealed dilatation of the right or left ureter, cystic lesions in one or both kidneys and dilatation of the renal sinus. Eight animals were euthanased or slaughtered at the owners' request or because of a poor prognosis. Nine (53%) animals were successfully treated; five received antibiotics and four underwent unilateral nephrectomy and antibiotic therapy. The treated animals were clinically healthy when discharged from the clinic 10-21 days after admission. A follow-up via telephone 8-24 months later revealed that none had experienced complications and all were in full production. In cattle with severe unilateral pyelonephritis, unilateral nephrectomy is the treatment of choice.     

Salt (sodium) deficiency in dairy cattle: polyuria and polydipsia as prominent clinical features.

Polyuria in a herd of forty-five dairy cattle was the chief complaint in the first case. Polydipsia was the principle sign in a second case involving one dairy cow. Less conspicuous clinical findings included salt hunger, pica, weight loss and decreased milk production. Clinicopathologic investigation included monitoring the concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloiride in urine, parotid saliva and plasma. These analyses indicated a primary sodium deficiency which responded to sodium chloride ad libitum.     

新疆地区荷斯坦干奶牛与泌乳牛四季NH3排放量变化的研究

试验于2011年7月～2012年7月在同一栋牛舍内对20头干奶牛和20头泌乳牛分别进行了四季氨气排放量测定,每个季节根据气象信息所提供的当地气温,分别在季前、季中、季末共选取气温相近的18d,分别对干奶牛（9d）与泌乳牛（9d）进行监测。通过测定不同时间段牛舍内NH3的浓度,把3次实测值进行累加,计算出24h奶牛NH3的排放值。结果表明,四季试验期间干奶牛舍内平均NH3排放量是6．42g／（头·d）,四季泌乳牛舍内平均NH、排放量是10．62g／（头·d）。四季温度的变化对奶牛排放NH3有一定的影响。奶牛NH3的排放量与奶牛的采食量、饲料配方和饲料中CP水平有关,一头体重500kg左右的奶牛一年产生约3．6kg的氨气：     

Relation of feedlot performance and certain physiological responses to the metabolizable protein and urea content of cattle diets

An experiment was conducted to test the accuracy of the metabolizable protein system in predicting the amount of urea that would be useful in a corn-based cattle diet. Treatment diets included a basal, low-protein (7.8% CP) negative control (NC) with no supplemental N and a positive control (PC) that contained soybean meal. Urea was added to the NC diet in quantities calculated to be either 25% deficient (LU), equal to (MU) or 25% in excess (HU) of the urea fermentation potential ( UFP ). In vitro rumen fermentation studies were used to determine sequential ammonia production and digestible dry matter content of the diets. In a growth trial, 12 individually-fed Angus, Hereford and Angus X Hereford steers weighing an average of 213 kg were assigned randomly to each treatment diet. At the conclusion of the 112-d trial, rumen ammonia and jugular blood urea N (BUN) concentrations were determined on two steers from each treatment before feeding and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h postfeeding. In vitro ammonia concentrations of the NC and PC treatments were lower (P less than .05) than that of urea containing diets. In vivo rumen ammonia concentrations at 1 h postfeeding and BUN levels at 3 h postfeeding were low for both the NC and PC diets compared with urea-containing diets. Both of these values increased with each successive increase of added urea to the NC diet. During the initial 70 d of the growth trial, daily gains were improved (P less than .05) by addition of urea up to the MU level, which fulfilled the calculated UFP .(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of ammonia‐generating diet on ovine serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels,serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell functions

This study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of ammonia‐generating diet on serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell growth and secretion parameters in ewes (Ovis aries). Ewes were fed with 14% CP diet (control) or ammonia‐generating diet or ammonia‐generating diet plus soluble sugar. The serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea level, serum oestrogen and progesterone levels and granulosa cell (obtained from ovaries of slaughtered ewes) growth parameters and secretory activities were estimated. Ammonia‐generating diet (high‐protein diet) increased the serum ammonia and urea concentration. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the ammonia concentration in serum with comparable levels as in control group; however, the urea level in the same group was higher than that observed in control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the follicular fluid ammonia concentration; however, the level was significantly higher compared to control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar brought down the follicular fluid urea level comparable to that observed in control group. Oestrogen and progesterone levels remained unchanged in ewes fed with different types of diet. Oestrogen and progesterone secretion were significantly lowered from granulosa cells recovered from ewes fed with high ammonia‐generating diet. Low metabolic activity and high incidence of apoptosis were observed in granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of ewes fed with ammonia‐generating diet.     

Peanut by-products fed to cattle.

Peanut by-products supply substantial quantities of feedstuffs to beef cattle grown in the same region where peanuts are produced. Included in the list of products fed to cattle are peanuts and peanut meal, peanut skins, peanut hulls, peanut hay, and silages. Residual peanut hay is by far the most widely used peanut by-product fed to beef cattle, and if it is properly harvested with minimal leaf shatter, it is comparable to good-quality grass hays in nutrient content. Peanut skins are often included in small quantities in cattle and pet foods, supplying both protein and energy. High tannin content of peanut skins can cause severe performance depressions in beef cattle if peanut skins are included at levels higher than 10% of the diet, unless diets contain relatively high CP (above 15% CP), or additional N sources are added such as ammonia or urea. Because dairy cattle diets are often above 16% CP in the total dietary DM, peanut skins may increase milk production when added at levels up to 16% of the dry matter. Peanut hulls are effectively used as a roughage source at levels up to 20% of beef finishing diets, for bedding in dairy cattle loafing sheds (if tested and found to contain low aflatoxin levels), and in a variety of manufactured products. Peanut hulls are economically priced because of their quantity, their inherent high fiber, and low CP content, and they should not be fed as a primary feedstuffs for beef cattle. Peanut by-products are generally priced below other by-products, and they can be incorporated into a variety of supplements and diets for cow herds, growing-finishing cattle, and dairy cattle.