Changes in biochemical indicators in dairy cows induced by extremely low temperatures

The objective of the experiment was to find out the effect of extremely low temperatures on the biochemical characteristics of the cows. Twenty-one dairy cows were used as the experimental material. The experimental group (n = 12) was kept loose in an open barn without thermal insulation and the control group (n = 9) was kept in an insulated cow-house. The winter season included two periods of extremely low temperatures: from the 3rd to the 21st of January 1985 the average minimum temperature in the open barn was -12.6 degrees C and the lowest temperature was -19 degrees C, and in the period from the 8th to the 20th of February 1985 the average minimum temperature was -13.1 degrees C and the lowest recorded temperature was also -19 degrees C. At the beginning of hypothermic stress, the concentration of non-esterified acids and total proteins increased in the cows of the experimental group; potassiaemia was decreased in this group. Cholesterolaemia and glycaemia increased during the long-continued exposure to low temperatures. The activity of the thyroid gland was increased at all measurements.     

The effect of low temperatures on biochemical indicators in the blood of calves]

Twenty calves, heifers of the Holstein-Friesian breed and crossbreds with the Slovak Pied breed, were divided into two groups at the average age of 19 days. The trial group was kept outdoors in wooden hutches and the control group was housed in an insulated building. Blood was sampled at the age of 20, 33, 48 and 60 days at the outdoor temperatures of 3 degrees C, -2 degrees C, -5 degrees C and -8 degrees C. The calves kept in hutches where temperatures were always lower than in the insulated calf-house had the higher level of nonesterified fatty acids in all observations. The largest, highly significant difference was determined at the age of 60 days at the outdoor temperature of -8 degrees C (271 mumol/l vs. 224 mumol/l), and the significance of differences was also observed in the first and third blood samplings at the temperatures of 3 degrees C and -5 degrees C. The differences were highly significant in the first group between the first and fourth, and second and fourth samplings. In the calves kept in the insulated building the difference was significant between the first and fourth observation because the content of free fatty acids was also gradually increasing in this case (Tab. I). Glycaemia values were also higher in the calves kept in hutches (Tab. II). The most noticeable (significant) difference was determined at the age of 48 days at the outdoor temperature of -5 degrees C (4.3 mmol/l vs. 3.9 mmol/l). Significant differences within the group were recorded only in calves from the trial group kept in hutches. Insulin concentrations increased gradually with the older age of animals (Tab. II). At the age of 20 days the values were identical in fact in both groups and the highest concentrations were recorded at the age of 60 days. The differences between the groups were not significant, the largest difference was observed at the end of milk feeding period at the age of 60 days (19 microUI/l in calves from hutches and 15.6 microUI/l in calves from the insulated building). Triiodothyronine concentrations decreased from the starting values of 0.8 nmol/l and 0.76 nmol/l in both groups at the age of 33 days to the values of 0.61 and 0.62 nmol/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Therapy of hypodermyiasis in heifers from the economic point of view]

The test set of animals consisted of sixty one- to two-year-old heifers of the Slovak Spotted and Pinzgau breeds kept at three sites. The Hypocid preparation (containing 40% trichlorphon) in the dose of 15 ml per 100 kg of live weight was applied to these cows by the lavage method in the sacrolumbar region of the spine in 1973. Another group, consisting of 58 heifers, was left untreated as controls. In the experimental period extending over 158, 150 and 120 days at different sites (143 days on an average), weight gains and the health condition of the experimental and control animals were checked in monthly intervals. The average extensity of invasion in the control heifers was 79.31% and the intensity of invasion was 14.58%. The extenseffectiveness of Hypocid (EE) was 97.90% and the intenseffectiveness of the preparation (IE) was 99.99%. The results prove a negative effect of hypodermatosis on the weight gains of untreated heifers and high profitability of the therapy: after subtraction of the costs of therapy the savings were 1.74, 3.88 and 2.25 crowns per kg gain per day (2.62 crowns on an average). The veterinary measures gave the following savings per each crown expended: 2,243.55; 3,066.85 and 922.83 crowns (depending on site).     

Endocrine profiles, haematology and pregnancy outcomes of late pregnant Holstein dairy heifers sired by bulls giving a high or low incidence of stillbirth

The high incidence of stillbirth in Swedish Holstein heifers has increased continuously during the last 15 years to an average of 11% today. The pathological reasons behind the increased incidence of stillbirth are unknown. The present experiment was undertaken to investigate possible causes of stillbirth and to study possible physiological markers for predicting stillbirth. Twenty Swedish Holstein dairy heifers sired by bulls with breeding values for a high risk of stillbirth (n = 12) (experimental group) and a low risk of stillbirth (n = 8) (control group, group B) were selected based on information in the Swedish AI-data base. The experimental group consisted of 2 subgroups of heifers (groups A1 and A2) inseminated with 2 different bulls with 3.5% and 9% higher stillbirth rates than the average, and the control group consisted of heifers pregnant with 5 different bulls with 0%-6% lower stillbirth rates than the average. The bull used for group A1 had also calving difficulties due to large calves as compared to the bull in group A2 showing no calving difficulties. The heifers were supervised from 6-7 months of pregnancy up to birth, and the pregnancies and parturitions were compared between groups regarding hormonal levels, haematology, placental characteristics and calf viability. In group A1, 1 stillborn, 1 weak and 4 normal calves were recorded. In group A2, 2 stillborn and 4 normal calves were registered. All animals in the control group gave birth to a normal living calf without any assistance. The weak calf showed deviating profiles of body temperature, saturated oxygen and heart rates, compared with the normal living calves. No differences of the placentome thickness, measured in vivo by ultrasonography were seen between the groups. The number of leukocytes and differential cell counts in groups A1 and A2 followed the profiles found in the control group. In group A1, a slight decrease of oestrone sulphate (E1SO4) levels was found in the animal delivering a stillborn calf from the first 24-h blood sampling at 6 weeks to the second at 3 weeks prior to delivery, while the levels of E1SO4 at both periods in the animal delivering a weak calf followed the profile in animals delivering a normal living calf. During late pregnancy and at the time of parturition, the levels of E1SO4 and PAGs in animals delivering a stillborn or weak calf (from group A1) followed the normal profiles found in animals delivering a normal living calf. In group A2, low levels of E1SO4 and pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) over 24 h at both 3 and 6 weeks prior to parturition (< 1.5 nmol/L) were recorded in animals delivering a stillborn calf. During late pregnancy and parturition, the levels of E1SO4 and PAGs were slightly lower during 30-50 days prior to delivery and increased with a lower magnitude at the time of parturition. In conclusion, our results indicate that the aetiology behind stillbirth varies depending on the AI-bulls used and is associated with dystocia or low viability of the calves. Deviating profiles of oestrone sulphate (E1SO4) and pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in animals delivering a stillborn calf not caused by dystocia were observed, suggesting placental dysfunction as a possible factor. The finding suggests that the analyses of E1SO4 and PAGs could be used for monitoring foetal well-being in animals with a high risk of stillbirth at term.     

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in bioaerosols after depopulation and cleaning of two cattle barns

Settled dust samples were collected on a commercial dairy farm in the Netherlands with a high prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) (barn A) and on a Dutch experimental cattle farm (barn B) stocked with cattle confirmed to be MAP shedders. Barns were sampled while animals were present, after both barns were destocked and cleaned by cold high-pressure cleaning, and after being kept empty for two weeks (barn A) or after additional disinfection (barn B). MAP DNA was detected by IS900 real-time PCR and viable MAP were detected by liquid culture. MAP DNA was detected in 78 per cent of samples from barn A and 86 per cent of samples from barn B collected while animals were still present. Viable MAP was detected in six of nine samples from barn A and in three of seven samples from barn B. After cold high-pressure cleaning, viable MAP could be detected in only two samples from each barn. After leaving barn A empty for two weeks, and following additional disinfection of barn B, no viable MAP could be detected in any settled dust sample.     

Health status of cattle in relation to the time of year

The periodicity of morbidity rate in heifers and dairy cows kept on pasture (278 animals) and in stables (187 animals) was studied in relation to macroclimatic conditions under the assumption of two peaks per annum. The following conditions were used as the parameters of morbidity: purulent inflammations of uterus, sterility, lesions of the female tract and sepsis, dystocia, retention of placenta, mastitis, foot diseases and lying down after parturition. No significant differences were found between the studied groups of animals. A statistically significant up to highly significant dependence was found between the health of the heifers and cows and macroclimatic conditions both in stables and on pasture; an increase in morbidity rate was recorded in spring and autumn.     

Activity Behavior of Horses Housed in Different Open Barn Systems

Housing conditions do not frequently meet the natural needs of horses. German and Swiss studies have shown that merely 16% of horses are kept in group housing systems, but even these vary greatly with different effects on horses’ behavior. The objective of the survey was to determine whether horses show increased activity in barns with various options for movements and functional elements. Free movement stables allow horses to live within a herd, to decide whether to be outside or inside the herd, and to enable them fresh air supply. Data from 25 horses kept in three different open barns (O1–O3) were compared with that from two active barns with functional elements (active barn 1 and active barn 2), for example, automatic feeder, with five horses each. Activity-Lying-Temperature-pedometers fastened to a rear leg of each horse were used to measure activity. Animal data were recorded throughout a test period of 10 days per barn. The results showed a median of 46 to 68 mean daily activity impulses per 10 minutes for horses in stables O1 to O3. In stables active barn 1 to active barn 2, this measure was exceeded considerably with medians of 77 and 151. The activity impulses in the stable systems were significantly different at an error level of α = 0.05. These results support previous studies and show that activity of horses depends on their opportunities for moving. The sectioning of a stable, placement of functional elements, and feeding frequency have considerable effects on the activity level of the horse. It is useful to integrate different functional areas in a group housing system.     

高温季节羔羊育肥舍环境参数研究

利用中原农区（山东东营、河南洛阳、河北衡水）三个国家肉羊试验站同类型半开放式羊舍,取中伏10d高温时段（14∶00）,测得羔羊育肥羊舍内平均温度（30.34±1.16）℃,平均湿度71.9%;测得舍外平均温度（31.89±2.88）℃,湿度70.2%。舍内比舍外低1.55℃（P〉0.05）,湿度增加1.7%（P〉0.05）。而同步测得本试验羊场（济南）同类型羊舍与三个试验站的平均温度、湿度相吻合。极端温度舍外温度40.3℃时,开放式羊舍内达到38.2℃,半开放式羊舍内35.5℃,密闭式（空调）舍保持在24.4℃,比开放式羊舍降低13.8℃（P〈0.01）,比半开放式羊舍降低11.1℃（P〈0.01）。在极端温度条件下,开放式羊舍中鲁西黑头羊公羔呼吸次数达到94次/min,而半开放式羊舍中的鲁西黑头羊公羔为62次/min（P〈0.05）。综合分析,夏季农区羔羊育肥最好选择半开放式羊舍。     

Determination of delta aminolevulinic acid in the urine of cows in acute mass lead poisoning

The concentration of delta aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in the urine of dead heifers (n = 3), diseased cows (n = 13) and clinically healthy cows (n = 29) was determined in the course of acute mass intoxication with lead. At the same time, the content of lead was determined in kidney, liver, in rumen contents of dead heifers and in the beet pulp fed to the animals. The ALA concentrations were converted to values per uniform specific weight of urine and per gram of creatinine secreted with urine. As found, the determination of ALA concentration per gram of creatinine is diagnostically insignificant in the case of lead poisoning. The average ALA values in the urine of the dead and clinically diseased cows (221.0, 119.9 and 72.3 mumol per litre) markedly differed from the average values of ALA concentrations in the urine of the clinically healthy animals (41.2, 32.8 and 25.6 mumol per litre). Owing to the wide variability of the determined ALA concentration in urine it appeared useful in cases of suspicion of lead poisoning of cattle to determine ALA concentration in the urine of the group of clinically diseased animals and in the group of clinically healthy animals in order to compare ALA secretion with urine in the two groups. A 2.9-fold average increase of ALA in the urine of clinically diseased animals, compared with the ALA values in the urine of clinically healthy animals, already testifies to lead intoxication.     

Impact of eprinomectin on grazing behaviour and performance in dairy cattle with sub-clinical gastrointestinal nematode infections under continuous stocking management

Forty spring-calving cows and heifers (20 of each) were allowed to acquire infection with gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes naturally during grazing. The control group (10 cows and 10 heifers) were compared with 20 similar animals treated with eprinomectin in order to evaluate the effect of GI nematodes on grazing behaviour, milk production, body condition score and live weight. The animals were paired according to parity and milk yield during the week prior to treatment, then within replicate pair randomly allocated to a different treatment group. The grazing area was sub-divided into 20 replicated paddocks of equivalent size and topography. Grazing pairs of either control or treated animals were randomly assigned to each paddock over the duration of the study (one pair per paddock). Grazing behaviour was recorded for both groups over a 10-day period commencing 4 days after treatment with eprinomectin. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk quality was recorded weekly. Live weight and body condition score were recorded on the day of allocation, the day of initial treatment and thereafter at weekly intervals until the end of the 4-week trial. Faecal samples were collected from each animal prior to, and after, allocation and submitted for counts of nematode eggs. Additional faecal samples were taken at the end of the study for culture and nematode identification. Individual faecal samples were also analysed for residual digestibility. Pasture samples for nematode larval counts were taken at the same time as faecal sampling. The parasitological results showed low levels of faecal nematode egg output throughout the study, with the heifers having higher counts than the cows. Faecal culture yielded species of Ostertagia, Cooperia, and Trichostrongylus. Pasture larval levels were very low throughout with no value exceeding 68 larvae/kg dry matter (DM) of herbage. There were significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatment on grazing time, eating time, total bites, total grazing jaw movements (TGJM), idling time and mean meal duration. Treated cows and heifers grazed for 47 and 50 min longer per day, respectively, than controls (P = 0.016). Mean meal duration was extended as a result of anthelmintic treatment by 11 and 38 min, in cows and heifers, respectively (P = 0.012). There were no significant (P > 0.05) treatment effects on ruminating time or residual faecal digestibility, but idling time was significantly reduced in both treated cows and heifers, by 50 and 110 min, respectively (P = 0.010). In the treated cattle, there was an increase in solids-corrected milk yield compared with the control cattle, which was significant (P < 0.05) in weeks 2 and 3 after treatment. The response was particularly marked in heifers, where the difference in yield between treated and controls was up to 2.35 kg/day. The differences in live weight gain and condition score over 28 days post-treatment were significant (P < 0.05) in both cows and heifers, in favour of the treated animals.     

Peroral administration of zinc sulfate to pregnant cows and its effect on selected metabolic indicators in the dam-calf lineage

A comparative trial was conducted with the oral administration of zinc sulphate to pregnant cows and heifers aimed at influencing the selected metabolic parameters in the dam-calf line. The total daily ZnSO4.7H2O dose of 3 g (680 mg Zn++) was given to dry standing cows and heifers for 35 days on an average (15-65) before the expected date of calving. The breeding conditions in the stock were problematic: losses of calves suffered in the last half-a-year period were higher than 30% of born calves; the main causes of this high mortality were coli-septicaemia and coli-enteritis. As compared with the eight control animals, the experimental cows and heifers (12 head) exhibited a transient increase in zincaemia, followed by a tendency to proteinaemia; aspartate aminotransferase activity increased, total immunoglobulins remained unchanged, and decreases were recorded in the activities of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase and aldolase. On the other hand, the concentration of total bilirubin tended to increase. In 77% of the cows and first-calvers of the experimental group the quality of colostrum complied with the standard; in the case of the control animals this proportion was 83%. Significant zincaemia occurred in the calves of the experimental cows between the first and 14th day of their age; no differences from the control calves were recorded in immunoglobulinaemia, proteinaemia, albuminaemia and in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and creatine phosphokinase. On the other hand, aspartate aminotransferase activity tended to grow and alkaline phosphatase activity tended to sink. Neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia disappeared within the first 14 days of age in both the experimental and the control calves. The results failed to show clearly that the intention to increase the values of the studied parameters of immunopoiesis was met.     

Evaluation of the basal and post-adrenocorticotrophic hormone serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs

Serum concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone and cortisol were measured before and after the administration of exogenous adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) to three groups of dogs: 27 healthy dogs (group 1), 19 dogs with non-adrenal illness (group 2) and 46 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (group 3). The median (range) post-ACTH concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone were 5.0 (22.2 to 16.8), 6.9 (2.0 to 36.2) and 14.4 (1.7 to 71) nmol/litre in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There were no significant differences in the basal or post-ACTH concentrations of cortisol or 17-hydroxyprogesterone between groups 1 and 2. The post-ACTH concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone in group 3 were significantly (P<0.001) greater than those in groups 1 and 2 combined. The area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) for the post-ACTH concentration of cortisol (0.94) was significantly greater than that for the post-ACTH concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone (0.76). Using a two-graph ROC analysis, a cut-off of 8.5 nmol/litre was found to maximise both the sensitivity and specificity of the post-ACTH concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism at 71 per cent. With a cut-off of 4.5 nmol/litre the sensitivity increased to 90 per cent but the specificity decreased to 40 per cent; with a cut-off of 16.7 nmol/litre the specificity increased to 90 per cent but the sensitivity decreased to 47 per cent.     

Effect of hypodermyiasis in cattle on milk-production indicators in 1st-calvers]

We investigated the effect of hypodermosis on the quantitative and some qualitative indicators of milk from 20 experimental and 18 control first-calvers of the Pinzgau cattle breed. The experiment took place at two experimental localities in mountainous pastures of the Central-Slovakian region. In the experimental animals, treated with Hypocid, the production of milk per dairy cow increased on an average by 115.98 kg, i.e. 24.83%, over the experimental period of 61 days (May, June) with an average invasion intensity of 5.94 larvas in control animals. Milk fat production increased on an average by 7.20 kg, i.e. 34.97%. Production recalculated to FCM milk amounted on an average to 31.61%. The profitability of treating hypodermosis with the Hypocid preparation is expressed by the average savings of 0.40 Kcs per litre of milk per day.     

Serum non-esterified fatty acids and plasma glycerol as indicators of fat mobilization in pregnant sheep subjected to cold stress

Fifteen pregnant ewes in an open barn were kept on a constant hay diet during the whole gestation period. The ewes were shorn as usually in fall and spring. The serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and the plasma glycerol (PG) content were followed during the gestation.The body weight, NEFA and PG values were rather constant during the first 2 months of gestation (NEFA: 430 ± 175 µeq./l serum, PG: 39 ± 19 µmol/1 plasma) indicating an adequate feeding during this period. NEFA and PG showed thereafter a parallel increase and reached maximal values at the first sampling after shearing which coincided with a marked drop in environmental temperature. NEFA was then 450 % and PG about 340 % of the normal values, indicating a strong increase in fat mobilization in this period. The shearing reduces the isolation property of the fur considerably, and the ewes have to produce extra heat to maintain the normal body temperature at low environmental temperatures. The metabolic rate after shearing was estimated to have been 2–4 times the basal rate at the temperatures in the barn. This strong increase in the metabolic rate was not compensated by an increased food intake, but resulted in increased fat mobilization.     

Synchronisation of oestrus and fertility in buffaloes using a prostaglandin analogue

Cloprostenol, a prostaglandin analogue, was administered intramuscularly to a total of 35 cycling buffalo cows and heifers in two doses, each of 0.5 mg, given 11 days apart. Out of five cows and 12 heifers subjected to observations after the second injection of cloprostenol (day 0), all except one heifer responded. Signs of oestrus were most marked on days 3 or 4. Eighteen treated heifers were kept with buffalo bulls for four days after the second injection while a control group of nine heifers was kept with bulls for 21 days. The first-service conception rate, diagnosed by rectal palpation at 60 days, was 33 1/3 per cent in both groups. Twelve treated heifers were artificially inseminated at 72 and 96 hours after the second injection of cloprostenol, using fresh semen diluted in egg yolk--citrate extender. The first service conception rate at 60 days was 30 per cent.     

饲养管理对哺乳仔猪成活率与断奶重的影响

将60头八眉猪二元待产母猪随机分成实验组和对照组,每组30头,实验组在预产期前30d在母猪的饲料中添加适量的营养物质,基础喂量为每天每头2kg,每产一头仔猪增加0.25kg,仔猪生出后1～3日龄保温箱的温度控制在30～32℃,4～7日龄为28～30℃,8～28日龄圈舍温度控制在22 ～ 25℃.对照组产前30d在饲料中不添加含蛋白质饲料,每天每头饲喂3.5kg.仔猪出生1～7日龄保温箱的温度控制在28 ～30℃,8～28日龄分娩舍温度控制在20～25℃.结果表明,实验组28日龄成活率和断奶重明显高于对照组,差异均显著（P＜0.05）.     

北方寒区散栏育肥牛舍配套工艺及环境评价

[目的]为了发挥肉牛在北方冬季环境条件下其最佳生产潜力。[方法]设计了散栏保温牛舍和开放式散栏牛舍2种类型畜舍形式,分别在牛舍中心距离地面0.5m和1.5m处进行温度、湿度测定。[结果]舍内平均湿度为100%,最低温度为-0.6℃,育肥牛平均日增重达到0.83kg/头。[结论]散栏式牛舍冬季湿度大、温度低,牛只采食自由性较大,可改为采用颈杠式,固定床位,设有分隔栏方式,减少温湿度蒸发,同时可避免争食现象。     

The effect of beta-carotene on thyroxine and cholesterol levels in pregnant heifers before and after parturition

Thyroxine (T4) and cholesterol concentrations and their dynamic changes and differences were studied in 20 pregnant heifers 10 days before calving until 56 days after calving. Ten control heifers were fed the feed ration for pregnant heifers according to Czechoslovak Standard CSN 46 7070. The feed ration given to another ten (experimental) heifers was fortified with 300 mg of synthetic beta-carotene per head/day within the period of five months before insemination, during pregnancy and till the 56th day after parturition. As suggested by the regression function of straight line, no obvious differences were recorded in the dynamic changes of T4 before parturition and during the first days after parturition. T4 concentrations had a generally descending tendency in both groups, the lowest values being recorded in the 48th hour in the experimental group and the 24th hour in the control. A marked increase of T4 concentrations with the values significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental group was observed between the 21st and 35th day after calving. A medium increase of cholesterol concentrations was found in the heifers given rations fortified with beta-carotene. No significant differences in cholesterol concentrations were observed between the two groups, except in the 72nd hour and the seventh day. Significant T4: cholesterol correlations were recorded in the experimental animals in the first and second hours, on the 42nd day (P less than 0.05), and in the 72nd hour (P less than 0.001); in the control group these observations were made the seventh day before calving and in the sixth hour and on the 14th, 21st and 56th days (P less than 0.05) after calving. It is inferred from the results that beta-carotene interferes with the activity of the thyroid gland and the production of its hormones, and that the increases or decreases of the activity of this gland, caused by beta-carotene, influence the metabolism of cholesterol in the body.     

Effects of long-term exposure to a 400-kV, 50-Hz transmission line on estrous and fertility in cows

During recent years, concerns about high-voltage transmission lines have included possible direct influence on fertility of livestock reared near them. The objective of this study was to investigate, by an experimental design, the influence on reproductive performance in cows of a continuous long-term exposure to high-voltage AC transmission lines.The study comprised one exposed and one control group of 58 Swedish Red and White breed heifers each. Exposed animals were kept in three 44-m-wide enclosures beneath a 400-kV, 50-Hz transmission line, while control animals were kept in three similar enclosures off the line, each approximately 0.7 ha. The animals were put into the enclosures in the beginning of June and the inseminations started 24 days thereafter. The exposure time was, on an average, 120 days continuously.In the exposed group, the average exposure to the unperturbed electric field was measured and calculated to be 4 kV/m and that of the magnetic field to be 2 μT.Estrous was detected by systematic observations. Inseminations were carried out according to ordinary AI regions by the local AI centre, with semen from one single ejaculate.The parameters studied expressed length and regularity of the estrous cycle, mid-cycle plasma progesterone level, intensity of estrous, number of inseminations per pregnancy and proportion of animals conceiving. Also the proportion of fetuses showing heart activity shortly after slaughter of the dam was studied. None of the parameters were found to be influenced by the exposure of the heifers to the 400-kV, 50-Hz transmission line.     

Effects of environmental temperature on heat production associated with food intake and on abdominal temperature in laying hens.

An experiment was carried out to verify the relationship between the heat production associated with food intake and environmental temperature. Four laying hens were trained to eat two meals per day and were kept under artificial illumination with dark, dim and light periods. 2. Metabolic heat production was measured using two open-circuit respiratory chambers. Abdominal temperatures were measured, using thermocouples, at environmental temperatures of 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32 and 36 degrees C and at food intakes of 90, 60, 30 and 0 g/d. 3. The rate of heat production was dependent on both environmental temperature and food intake. Increasing environmental temperature resulted in a decrease in total metabolic rate at any food intake, indicating that heat production associated with food intake was not directly linked with thermoregulation at low environmental temperatures. 4. Abdominal temperature varied little with either food intake or environmental temperature below 28 degrees C. Above 28 degrees C, abdominal temperature increased with both environmental temperature and quantity of food, indicating that the heat production associated with food intake adds to the heat load at high environmental temperatures. 5. Both heat production and abdominal temperature declined with decreasing light intensity and increased before feeding time. These effects were considered to result from changes in physical activity.