Transient stray voltage: Is it detrimental to growth performance,health status and welfare of market pigs?

The effects of transient stray voltage associated with an alternating current were evaluated in growing-finishing pigs from 9 to 22 weeks of age. Seventy-two pigs were assigned to 9 blocks of 8 animals each. In each block, the following treatments were randomly distributed: a constant voltage differential created between the feeder or drinker and the metallic floor (woven wire), at a level of 0 volt plus 2-volt pulses (0 V–2 V), 2 volts plus 3-volt pulses (2 V–5 V), 5 volts plus 3-volt pulses (5 V–8 V), and a control treatment without any voltage differential (0 V–0 V). The constant voltage was applied 24 h per day. The pulses of 3 s duration were in the form of an increase in the amplitude of the constant 60-Hz signal. One pulse appeared every 20, 40 and 100 s during the hour following feed distribution and every 60, 120 and 300 s during the rest of the day. The animals were fedad libitum and received fresh feed twice per day. Once during the 2-week periods at 9–10, 13–14, 17–18 and 21–22 weeks of age, the behaviour of the pigs was recorded during the hour following the two daily feed distributions. Animal weights and blood samples were taken every 2 weeks, from 9 to 21 weeks of age. No significant effect of transient stray voltage on any of the variables measured for the feeding, drinking, sitting or lying activities was found (p>0.05). At 9–10 weeks of age, the number of rooting bouts was higher for the 5 V–8 V treatment (p=0.03) and the number of events of butting the penmate was higher for the 2 V–5 V treatment (p=0.05). Although the water and feed intake did not differ between treatments (p0.39), the average daily gain of the control group was lower than that of treated groups (p=0.04) at 9 and 10 weeks of age, while the pigs submitted to a 2 V–5 V treatment had a higher daily gain than the pigs in the other treatment groups (p=0.05) at 17 and 18 weeks of age. Finally, the frequency of gastric ulceration and the metabolic profile were not affected by the treatments (p>0.05) except for the CO₂ and total protein concentrations (p0.04), where treatment effects were inconsistent among ages. Consequently, under the experimental conditions of the present study, no major impact of transient stray voltage on the health, growth or welfare of fattening pigs was observed.     

Evaluation of feedstuffs and pig diets. Energy or nutrient‐based evaluation systems? II. proposal for a new nutrient‐based evaluation system

A new nutrient‐based evaluation system for feedstuffs and pig diets is proposed. The proposed system is based on (i) an identification of those organic nutrient fractions that, according to their absorption, metabolism and utilization, are relevant for determining the value of the feed, and (ii) biochemically‐based calculations of the potential physiological value of these fractions. The system is further based on a flexible stepwise evaluation in which the fundamental properties of the feed are related to its utilization in actual situations. Step 1 is characterized by single feedstuffs according to the digestible amounts of those nutrient fractions which are relevant for feed formulation, i.e. essential amino acids, other N‐compounds, ileal digestible carbohydrates, fermentable carbohydrates, fatty acids and other lipid compounds. Step 2 involves complete diets with three complementary properties, measured according to their potential value for the pig: protein value (i.e. amount of digestible ideal protein), “fat value”; (i.e. amount of digestible triacylglycerols) and the “complemental energy value”; (i.e. potential metabolic energy generated directly from the residual digestible nutrient fractions). Step 3 predicts the production value, either a standardized value determined by standard mathematical equations, or the actual value determined by the use of computerized pig models.     

The 2001 Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award. Teaching the basic sciences to veterinary students: science or art or both? One teacher's journey into self-examination

Veterinary faculty do not often get the chance to reflect on their own teaching practices. Recent circumstances dictated that the author perform such a self-analysis. This article represents the fruits of that reflection process. A personal philosophy of teaching is presented, along with impressions of the student experience. Using these as a guide, ideas are presented about the package of material that should be delivered to the students, how that package should be delivered, and some special tools to aid delivery. A personal wish list of items that might lead to a better teaching experience is also included. Although the teaching game plan presented here is unlikely to be the best strategy, it is hoped that it may provide some helpful hints for other instructors of veterinary medicine or, at least, stimulate further thinking about how the teaching and learning experience can be improved for both teacher and student.     

Compromised neutrophil function and bovine E. coli mastitis: Is C5a the missing link?

During early lactation, dairy cow are prone to developing severe mastitis in responses to intramammary Escherichia coli infections. These severe inflammatory responses have been correlated with reduced neutrophil function during the periparturient period. However, the causative mechanism of neutrophil dysfunction has not been elucidated. Studies in murine sepsis models have shown that during sepsis neutrophils are functionally paralysed due to the presence of high concentrations of complement factor 5a (C5a). In this review, we hypothesize that C5a as a critical early mediator in the development of severe E. coli mastitis. Furthermore, preliminary data suggest that crosstalk between C5a and TLR4 signalling in neutrophils may provide a positive feedback mechanism that may be involved in the pathogenesis of a severe mastitis response. Finally, we focus on the therapeutic potential of disrupting the C5a signalling pathway as an important strategy for treatment of severe E. coli mastitis in dairy cattle.