Relation between biochemical components in the blood of cows of various strains and the daily milk yield

During the evaluation of the biochemical components of the arterial and venous blood of cows before and after milking, an insignificantly higher content of ash was found in the blood of the cows of Black-Pied Lowland breed, as compared with the Slovak Pied breed. The difference in the activity of alkaline phosphatase was found to be significant: the higher alkaline phosphatase activity was recorded in the blood of the cows of Slovak Pied breed than in the cows of Black-Pied Lowland cattle of the same age and in the same stage of lactation. A positive relationship was found between the milk yield and albumin level in the blood of the dairy cows of Black-Pied Lowland cattle; in the same breed a negative relationship was found between venous blood before milking and the level of gamma-globulins.     

Superovulation after administration of PMSG in cows of various breeds

Superovulation response was studied to i. m. administration of 2500 and 3000 i. u. of PMSG (special product Folligon, Intervet Co.) in 67 breeding cows of the Black-Pied Lowland. Slovak Pied and Slovak Pinzgau breeds within the 9th to 12th days of their sexual cycles. The time which had elapsed from these cows' last calving ranged from 50 to 150 days and the number of their prior calvings ranged from one to ten. The best superovulation effect was obtained after the administration of 2500 i. u. PMSG in the Pinzgau breed: these cows had, on the average, 13.20 +/- 2.36 corpora lutea without non-ovulated follicles. At the PMSG dose increased to 3000 i. u., the number of yellow bodies rose to 18.11 +/- 1.12 and that of non-ovulated follicles to 3.46 +/- 0.46. In the Slovak Pied breed the average number of yellow bodies obtained after administration of 2500 i. u. PMSG was 11.74 +/- 1.27 and that of non-ovulated follicles was 0.44 +/- 0.02. At the PMSG dose of 3000 i. u., the number of yellow bodies increased to 15.49 +/- 1.62 and that of non-ovulated follicles increased up to 5.12 +/- 0.81. In the Black-Pied Lowland breed the lowest response was obtained: the i. m. administration of 2500 i. u. PMSG resulted in the formation of 9.5 +/- 0.84 yellow bodies and 1.16 +/- 0.26 non-ovulated follicles, and at the dose of 3000 i. u. the respective numbers were 13.41 +/- 0.89 and 3.07 +/- 0.39. Comparing the superovulation effect in dependence on age, the response of the cows of the Black-Pied Lowland and Slovak Pinzgau breeds to PMSG administration increases until the age of nine years (from 9.79 and 13.6 yellow bodies, respectively, on the average for the first five years to 12.71 and 17.99, respectively, in the ninth year); in the Slovak Pinzgau breed it decreases from 15.83, recorded in the first five years, to 8.28 +/- 1.68 in the ninth year. The number of non-ovulated follicles grows with age in the Slovak Pinzgau breed from 3.46 +/- 0.46 in the first five years to 3.64 between five and nine years of age and up to 4.44 +/- 0.52 after the ninth year, in the Slovak Pied breed from 0.79 to 4.21 +/- 0.38, and in the Black-Pied Lowland breed from 2.69 to 3.20 +/- 0.22 between the fifth and ninth year.     

Incidence of mastitis in cows of various breeds and their crosses-- estimation of the heredity of this disease

In a large set of cows (24,165 head), consisting prevailingly of Bohemian Pied breed, Black Pied Lowland and Holstein breeds, and of their crosses, significant differences in the incidence of mastitis were proved. Mastitis was demonstrated by the bacteriological findings in milk. The lowest mean incidence was recorded in the cows of the acclimatized Bohemian Pied breed (8.0%). As observed in the examined population, the increasing genetic proportion of solely dairy breeds results in higher demands on the environment, and the susceptibility of animals to mastitis usually increases. In three-breed crosses of this set, mastitis was found in 699 animals, i. e. in 25.4%. With respect to mastitis prevalence, a heritability estimate was performed on the basis of the first and second lactation using the method of alternative characters. In the Bohemian Pied breed, the heritability estimate was ?2 = 0.17 +/- +/- 0.08, in the Black Pied Lowland breed ?2 = 0.28 +/- 0.14.     

不同品种猪精液品质的季节性变化规律研究

在不同季节采集56头大白、长白、杜洛克公猪的精液,对精液品质进行了评定和分析。结果表明:在一年内,杜洛克和大白公猪的精液品质均以秋季最好,春季次之,夏季最差,而长白公猪的精液品质以春季最好、夏季最差;精液量有显著(P<0.05)的品种间差异,长白猪、大白猪、杜洛克猪依次降低;精子活率表现为杜洛克猪、大白猪、长白猪依次降低但差异不显著(P>0.05);精子畸形率以长白猪为最高,而在各品种间差异也不显著(P>0.05)。经综合评定,在受试的3个品种公猪中,杜洛克猪的精液品质较好,而且在夏季也优于其他2个猪种。     

Mineral levels of the arterial and venous blood in cows

The values of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium in the arterial and venous blood of cows before and after milking two to three months from calving were found to be within the standard range. The differences are not significant. In venous blood the values are lower than in arterial blood, which proves that minerals are utilized by the organisms for milk production. The values of minerals in the blood of the Slovak Spotted cows are higher than in the blood of the Black--Pied Lowland cows; they are also higher in the blood of lower-performance cows than in the blood of cows giving high milk yields. This means in practice that Black-Pied Lowland cows and high-performance cows need a higher supply of minerals to their blood stream.     

Comparison of microsatellite and blood group diversity among different genotypes of cattle

Genetic variability and relationships among five cattle breeds (Holstein, Pinzgau, Limousin, Slovak Spotted and Charolais) bred in the Slovak Republic were investigated separately using 11 microsatellite markers and 61 blood group systems. Allele frequency, heterozygosity (Ho, HE) and PIC values were investigated. F-statistics were computed separately. For microsatellite markers FIS, FIT, FST and for blood groups HS, HT, GST parameters were calculated. Microsatellite and blood group comparison showed similar results by F-statistics but some differences were marked using the other methods. Both methods were able to detect close relation between Slovak Pinzgau and Slovak Spotted cattle breeds. Their relation was confirmed by genetic distance, principal component analysis (PCA) and coefficient of admixture (mY). Important divergences between different markers used in the study were observed by the characterisation of Limousin and Charolais breeds.     

Microscopic changes in intercaruncular endometrium and ovarian follicles in cows 35 days after parturition]

Surface epithelium of intercaruncular endometrium in pluriparous cows, crossbreds of Bohemian Pied cattle with Holstein-Friesian cattle, was not coherent until day 15 after parturition, with a variable height of cells (16-64 microns). Oedematous nature of lamina propria was subsiding gradually. From day 15 to day 20 after parturition the cell height of coherent surface epithelium and uterine glands became equable and stabilized (16-32 microns), and the lamina propria assumed its cellular nature with marked infiltration of polymorphonuclears and lymphocytes. Noticeable symptoms of atresia were demonstrated to occur more frequently in ovaries in the follicular population until day 15 after parturition. From day 10 to day 25 after parturition an increasing occurrence of luteinized follicles with diameters of maximally 3 mm was demonstrated.     

不同繁殖力山羊年周期中FSH和LH分泌规律的研究

比较高繁殖力的济宁青山羊和低繁殖力的沂蒙黑山羊年周期血浆中促卵泡素（FSH）和促黄体素（LH）的分泌变化规律,分析FSH和LH与山羊繁殖力之间的关系。采用放射免疫分析法（RIA）测定血浆中FSH和LH浓度,结果表明：济宁青山羊和沂蒙黑山羊血浆中FSH和LH浓度都存在季节性变化,即秋季最高,春季次之,夏季最低;济宁青山羊和沂蒙黑山羊全年各月血浆中FSH和LH的分泌呈波浪式变化;高繁殖力的济宁青山羊各月份和4个季节血浆中FSH浓度均高于低繁殖力的沂蒙黑山羊,但尚未达到显著水平（P〉0.05）,2种山羊血浆中LH浓度各月份和4个季节基本无差别。     

品种与季节和日龄对仔猪血清中IgG含量的影响

为了探索品种、季节和日龄对仔猪血清中IgG含量的影响,将280头试验猪按不同品种/类群(久仰香猪、剑白香猪和长白猪)、不同季节和不同日龄(0、4、7、14、21、28日龄)采样、然后用双抗体夹心ELISA法(DAS-ELISA)测定其血清中IgG含量。结果表明:剑白香猪IgG含量比久仰香猪和长白猪高,差异显著(P<0.05);冬季仔猪IgG含量比其他季节高,差异极显著(P<0.01),春季与夏、秋季差异显著(P<0.05);仔猪IgG含量随日龄而增加,但从21日龄开始下降。     

金华猪繁殖性状的统计学分析

采用金华猪场1979～1999年金华猪的繁殖性能生产记录,测定了2355头金华母猪(纯繁)和金华猪(K)与约克夏(Y)、长白(L)、杜洛克(D)、汉普夏(H)杂交后代的繁殖性状。综合考虑各性状的各种固定效应,并建立各性状的固定效应模型,对其进行方差分析,计算各性状的最小二乘均数(LSM),对影响较大的固定效应在各观察水平上的LSM进行分析与比较。固定效应分析结果表明:品种、胎次、季节、年份对产活仔数、60日龄头数的影响极显著(P<0.01)。而产仔数受胎次、季节、年份的影响极显著(P<0.01)。金华猪纯繁组以及LK×D、K×L杂交组的产仔数、产活仔数较高,K×L、K×Y杂交组合的60日龄头数较高。而其他外来品种之间杂交组合的繁殖性状显著低(P<0.01)。说明金华猪具有高产的优良特性。金华猪产仔数、产活仔数随胎次逐渐递增,6～7胎达到高峰。金华猪夏季产仔数最高为15.72±1.66,显著高于秋、春、冬(P<0.01)。产活仔数春、夏、秋季无差异(P>0.05),但高于冬季(P<0.05)。1982～1987年间金华猪无论是产仔数还是产活仔数整体都维持较高的水平。     

Epidemiology, effects and control of nematode infections on Zebu crossbred, Hereford and Hereford X Brahman calves of Argentina's western pampas

Gastrointestinal parasitism of Zebu crossbred (Z), Hereford (H), and Hereford X Brahman (HB) weaned steer calves was observed from March 1985 to May 1986. Three groups of 60 calves were randomised and in each group the three breeds were equally present. Calves in GI were untreated, in GII were treated strategically and in GIII treated monthly with anthelmintic. The effects of anthelmintic treatments on the growth of cattle were assessed by comparing mean live-weight gain (MLG) responses of treated and untreated calves grazing the same permanent pasture. Worm recovery and egg counts increased from autumn to winter. After abundant July rainfalls, herbage infective larvae (L3) and worm burdens (mainly Ostertagia) reached the highest levels and Z calves presented symptoms of clinical parasitism. After high availability of L3 in spring, L3 and egg counts decreased to the end of the study. From the end of winter until summer a high percent of inhibited Ostertagia EL4 was seen. Blood samples showed reduced serum copper lower levels for GI. MLG responses of Z treated calves were significantly higher during the autumn-spring and summer-autumn periods. MLG responses of treated H calves were significant only during the winter-spring period. For HB calves there were no significant MLG responses during any period. The highest monthly treatment response was observed during winter and early spring. All strategic treatments gave significant MLG responses in spring and late summer. Initial effects of parasitism, from autumn until early spring had the greatest consequences in current and later productivity. For Z calves herbage L3, worm burdens, egg counts and MLG responses were higher than for H and HB calves. The Z breed were significantly heavier (+22.7%) at the end of the experiment in GIII than in GI. Similar trends were recorded, significantly, for H breed (+17.7%) and not statistically significant for HB (+12.7%). Under our temperate conditions it seems that H and HB calves showed greater capacity to resist nematode infection than Z calves.     

Breed performance in organic dairy farming in Northern Spain

Organic farm management combines best environmental practices, a high level of biodiversity, preservation of natural resources and high animal welfare standards. To meet these criteria, farmers must have livestock well adapted to local organic conditions and information about how different breeds and crosses perform under different conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the performance of different pure breeds and cross-breeds of cattle in organic dairy systems in Northern Spain. The data analysed were obtained from monthly records kept between 2010 and 2016 on organic farms registered in the regional milk recording system. Analysis of various traits indicated that the Holstein-Friesian breed suits the organic production system in the study region. Although the reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian cows was poorer (in terms of number of services per conception) than that of cross-breed and Brown Swiss cows, the Holstein-Friesian produced more milk and lived longer. In addition, there was no difference in calving type or calving ease between the different breed groups. The better milk fat and protein yields produced by the crosses may be useful traits for farmers interested in milk transformation. The advantage of continuing to use Holstein-Friesian cattle is that the breed is predominant worldwide, and the genealogy is well documented. If Holstein-Friesian cattle continue to be used, the main priority will be to search for well-adapted bulls (particularly for pasture-based conditions) and to elaborate a genetic merit index for organic and pasture-based systems with the aim of predicting and minimizing genotype × environment interactions.     

Seasonal variations in the concentration of antimicrobial components in milk of dairy cows

The incidence of bovine mastitis and the bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) are influenced by season, which may be associated with innate immune functions, including antimicrobial components in mammary glands. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the effect of season on antimicrobial components in milk. Rectal temperature and plasma cortisol, thyroxine, and derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d‐ROMs) were measured as stress parameters. Concentrations of lactoferrin (LF), lingual antimicrobial peptide (LAP), psoriasin (S100A7), and Immunoglobulin A (IgA) in milk were measured as indicators of innate immune function. LF and LAP concentrations were significantly lower in summer than in winter and spring, respectively, whereas the concentration of S100A7 was significantly lower in winter than in spring and autumn. The rectal temperature was significantly higher in summer than in other seasons, whereas plasma cortisol, thyroxine, and d‐ROMs did not exhibit any seasonal variation. In conclusion, even though stress parameters were not changed, the concentration of antimicrobial components, such as LF and LAP, decreased in summer, which may explain the frequent occurrence of mastitis during this season.     

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND GROSS PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES OF ONCHOCERCA GIBSONI INFECTION IN CATTLE

SUMMARY A total of 5712 cattle from 62 properties or localities in northern, central and eastern Australia were examined at abattoirs, and the presence of Onchocerca gibsoni infection was related to region, season when slaughtered, and breed, sex and age of slaughtered cattle. Additionally, these features were also related to nodule characteristics determined from macroscopic examination of all nodules in single (left or right) briskets from 1287 infected cattle selected at random from those examined in abattoirs. Infection rate was 86% and number of nodules per brisket was 3.7 ± 4.1 (Mean ± Standard Deviation). When adjusted for other variables infection rates varied from 18% in central New South Wales to a maximum of 96% in north western Queensland. Number of nodules per brisket in cattle from north western Queensland was 9 times greater than in cattle from central New South Wales. Most nodules (70%) were 1–2 cm in diameter and weighed less than 2 g. The occurrence of changes such as calcification and caseation indicated that 20–30% of nodules studied were undergoing advanced degeneration or resolution. More nodules were detected in autumn than during winter or spring and the proportions of nodules which were hard on palpation, or had thick capsules, both increased during the autumn-spring interval. Although inconclusive, breed differences observed suggested that Bos indicus and B. indicus crossbreds had slightly greater resistance to O. gibsoni infection than cattle of British breed. Infection rate and number of nodules per brisket were greater in bulls than in cows or steers but weight of nodules in steers was greater than in other groups. Percentage of animals infected, and nodule prevalence both increased with increasing age but annual increase in nodule prevalence was less in cattle over 5 years than in younger ones, suggesting development of some immunity in mature cattle.     

Seasonal modulation of puberty and the postpartum anestrus in cattle: A review

While cattle are not usually considered seasonal breeders, both age at puberty and length of the postpartum anestrus can be modified by season. Specifically, autumn and winter environments during the first six months of life hasten puberty, while the same conditions after six months delay puberty. Cows calving in the winter have delayed resumption of estrous cycles compared with summer-calving cows. Effects of season interact in a complex manner with other environmental factors affecting reproduction, including breed, nutrition, level of milk production and suckling. While some seasonal variation is undoubtedly caused by variations in management, effects of season on puberty and the postpartum anestrus can be mimicked by altering day length, suggesting that photoperiod is one of the environmental stimuli responsible for seasonal effects. The physiological mechanisms by which season alters reproduction in cattle are unclear, but may include changes in folliculogenesis, secretion of luteinizing hormone and growth rate. Based on studies of prolactin secretion, photoperiodic signals are probably transmitted via the retina and pineal. It is suggested that the existence of seasonal effects on reproduction may create the propensity for spring and summer calving.     

Reproductive function of Hungarian Mangalica boars: effect of seasons

Seasonal changes in testis volume, testosterone (T) productivity (GnRH test) and semen characteristics of Mangalica boars were studied. The biggest testis volume was measured in autumn and the smallest in winter. Significant differences were demonstrated between autumn-winter (P = 0.012) and autumn-spring (P = 0.015) in testis volume. The highest basic T concentration (Tb) was observed in autumn and the lowest in summer. The provoked T concentration (Tincr) was significantly higher in autumn than in spring (P = 0.0007). A strong correlation was observed between T concentrations and testis volume in spring. The highest ejaculate volume was measured in winter while the lowest in autumn. Significant differences were found in semen concentration as well as in the total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate between seasons. The highest number of abnormal sperm cells was observed in spring while the lowest in summer. It can be concluded that the ejaculate of the Mangalica breed tends to be of lower volume and higher sperm concentration as compared to most pig breeds. Seasonal differences could be observed in testicular measurements, testosterone production capacity and sperm morphological features; however, sperm motility remained constantly high during the study.     

Incidence and treatment of dermatitis digitalis in dairy cows

In dairy cows of the Black Pied Lowland, Bohemian Pied breeds and their crossbreds loosely in large cow houses VKK 900 on slatted floors, 24% incidence of dermatitis digitalis was recorded during the period of one year. Relations between the occurrence of this disease, age and efficiency of dairy cows, time of parturition and season of the year were studied. Therapeutical effects of several methods of treatment were evaluated and compared. No effect of age and efficiency of dairy cows, nor of the year season on the occurrence of this disease was observed. A significantly higher occurrence was proved in the period before and after parturition, when 80% of the total occurrence of digitalis dermatitis were diagnosed. During this period, however, the cows were housed in a stable with markedly worse environmental circumstance than those in production stable. 91% cases of dermatitis were diagnosed on the digits of pelvic limbs. Relapses were determined only in five dairy cows. There was no case of the disease occurring in calves reared in the prophylactorium of the calf house. Therapeutical results were best after repeated mass treatment of the digits of dairy cows in 5% formaldehyde baths. The results of this study point at a conclusion that probable pathogens of this disease are specific infection agents, or that there are more synergic pathogens. A significant pre-disposition factor are bad environmental circumstances.     

Inbreeding trends and pedigree analysis of Irish dairy and beef cattle populations

The objective of this study was to determine the inbreeding levels and to analyze the pedigree of Irish purebred populations of Charolais, Limousin, Hereford, Angus, and Simmental beef cattle, as well as the Holstein-Friesian dairy breed. Pedigree analyses included quantifying the depth of known pedigree, average generation intervals, effective population size, the effective number of founders, ancestors, and founder genomes, as well as identifying the most influential animals within the current population of each breed. The annual rate of increase in inbreeding over the past decade was 0.13% (P < 0.001) in the Hereford, 0.06% (P < 0.001) in the Simmental, and 0.10% (P < 0.001) in the Holstein-Friesian breeds. Inbreeding in the other breeds remained relatively constant over the past decade. Herefords had the greatest mean inbreeding in 2004, at 2.19%, whereas Charolais had the lowest, at 0.54%. Over half of each purebred population in 2004 was inbred to some degree; the population with the greatest proportion of animals inbred was the Hereford breed (85%). All 6 breeds displayed a generation interval of approximately 6 yr in recent years. In the pure-bred females born in 2004, the 3 most influential animals contributed between 11% (Limousin) and 24% (Hereford) of the genes. Effective population size was estimated for the Hereford, Simmental, and Holstein-Friesian only, and was 64, 127, and 75, respectively. The effective number of founders varied from 55 (Simmental) to 357 (Charolais), whereas the effective number of ancestors varied from 35 (Simmental and Hereford) to 82 (Limousin). Thus, despite the majority of animals being inbred, the inbreeding level across breeds is low but rising at a slow rate in the Hereford, Simmental, and Holstein-Friesian.     

Seroprevalence of neosporosis in beef and dairy cattle breeds in Northeast Hungary

In order to assess the seroprevalence of bovine neosporosis with indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), blood samples were collected randomly from 1063 beef and dairy cattle belonging to 12 different breeds in Northeast Hungary. Antibodies to Neospora caninum were detected in 27 (2.5%) of the animals, kept on 19 of the 42 settlements included in this survey. Since samples were collected on 50 farms, herd prevalence amounted to 38%. The percentage of cattle with seroconversion increased with age, suggesting a postnatal source of infection. The highest rate of positivity was detected in Aberdeen Angus (3.3%) and Holstein-Friesian cows (3.2%), and the lowest in Limousine (0.9%), but no breed predisposition was statistically substantiated. Neosporosis was more prevalent in dairy (3.4%) than in beef (1.9%) cattle, although the difference was not significant. Only three out of the seropositive cows, all of them Holstein-Friesians, had a history of abortion.