不同海拔高度西藏高原绵羊若干血液生理特性的对比分析

本试验对海拔4500米的藏北高原那曲绵羊和海拔3000米的藏南谷地林芝绵羊进行了部分血液生理常值的对比研究。测定了红细胞总数、红细胞压积、血液总量、血红蛋白含量与电泳分析、血清蛋白含量与电泳分析等。结果表明:世居高海拔的藏北高原那曲绵羊,其红细胞总数、红细胞压积、血红蛋白、血液总量均极明显高于世居较低海拔的藏南谷地林芝绵羊(P<0.01),而其红细胞容积的立方微米数值较小,红细胞内血红蛋白的平均重量较轻。两个不同海拔高度藏绵羊血红蛋白(Hb)均含有HbA、HbB和HbC3种变异体,显现出HbAA、HbAB、HbBB和HbAC4种基因型;并发现高海拔藏绵羊HbAA、HbAC基因型频率和Hb~A、Hb~C基因频率均极显著高于较低海拔藏绵羊HbBB基因型频率和Hb~B基因频率,HbAB型频率亦随海拔高度的升高而下降。     

湖羊在西北高寒地区的生理和生化指标的测定研究

为研究湖羊在西北高寒地区的适应性,本试验选择引入天祝县的舍饲3,6,12,24月龄湖羊各12只(公、母各半),测定其夏季生理、生化指标,分析性别、月龄因子及两者交互作用对天祝地区湖羊生理、生化指标的影响。结果表明,性别因子对平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度影响显著(P<0.05),对谷草转氨酶影响极显著(P<0.01);月龄因子对呼吸、白细胞数、红细胞数、血小板数目、平均血小板体积、碱性磷酸酶和总胆固醇的影响显著(P<0.05),对体温、平均红细胞血红蛋白含量、平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度、谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶和乳酸脱氢酶的影响极显著(P<0.01);性别和月龄的交互作用对平均红细胞血红蛋白浓度和葡萄糖有显著影响(P<0.05),对乳酸脱氢酶有极显著的影响(P<0.01)。各月龄试验羊只的生理和血液生理、生化指标虽与原产地及低海拔引种地区有差异,但均在正常范围内,在当地表现出良好的适应性,为湖羊在西北高寒地区的引种及推广提供了科学依据。     

Comparison between methods for measuring fecal egg count and estimating genetic parameters for gastrointestinal parasite resistance traits in sheep

Fecal egg count (FEC) is an indicative measurement for parasite infection in sheep. Different FEC methods may show inconsistent results. Not accounting for inconsistencies can be problematic when integrating measurements from different FEC methods for genetic evaluation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the difference in means and variances between two fecal egg counting methods used in sheep—the Modified McMaster (LMMR) and the Triple Chamber McMaster (LTCM); to estimate variance components for the two FEC methods, treating them as two different traits; and to integrate FEC data from the two different methods and estimate genetic parameters for FEC and other gastrointestinal parasite resistance traits. Fecal samples were collected from a commercial Rideau-Arcott sheep farm in Ontario. Fecal egg counting was performed using both LMMR and the LTCM methods. Other parasite resistance trait records were collected from the same farm including eye score (FAMACHA), body condition score (BCS), and body weight (WT). The two FEC methods were highly genetically (0.94) and phenotypically (0.88) correlated. However, the mean and variance between the two FEC methods were significantly different (P < 0.0001). Therefore, re-scaling is required prior to integrating data from the different methods. For the multiple trait analysis, data from the two fecal egg counting methods were integrated (LFEC) by using records for the LMMR when available and replacing missing records with re-standardized LTCM records converted to the same mean and variance of LMMR. Heritability estimates were 0.12 ± 0.04, 0.07 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.06, and 0.24 ± 0.07 for LFEC egg count, FAMACHA, BCS, and WT, respectively. The estimated genetic correlations between FEC and the other parasite resistance traits were low and not significant (P > 0.05) for FAMACHA (r = 0.24 ± 0.32) and WT (r = 0.22 ± 0.19), and essentially zero for BCS (r = −0.03 ± 0.25), suggesting little to no benefit of using such traits as indicators for LFEC.     

Association of maximum voluntary dietary intake of freeze-dried garlic with Heinz body anemia in horses

OBJECTIVE: To characterize hematologic and clinical consequences of chronic dietary consumption of freeze-dried garlic at maximum voluntary intake in horses. ANIMALS: 4 healthy sex- and age-matched horses. PROCEDURE: An initial garlic dose (0.05 g/kg, twice daily) was fed to 2 horses in a molasses carrier as part of their normal ration and was gradually increased to maximum voluntary intake (0.25 g/kg, twice daily) over 41 days. Dietary supplementation then continued for a total of 71 days. Two control horses were fed molasses with no garlic with their ration. Blood samples were collected weekly and analyzed for hematologic and biochemical changes, including the presence of Heinz bodies. Recovery of affected blood values was followed for 5 weeks after termination of dietary supplementation with garlic. RESULTS: At a daily dose of > 0.2 g/kg, horses fed garlic developed hematologic and biochemical indications of Heinz body anemia, as characterized by increases in Heinz body score (HBS), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelet count, and serum unconjugated and total bilirubin concentrations and decreases in RBC count, blood hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and serum haptoglobin concentration. Recovery from anemia was largely complete within 5 weeks after termination of dietary supplementation with garlic. Heinz body score and MCV remained high at the end of the 5-week recovery period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses will voluntarily consume sufficient quantities of garlic to cause Heinz body anemia. The potential for garlic toxicosis exists when horses are chronically fed garlic. Further study is required to determine the safe dietary dose of garlic in horses.     

Locomotion Score and Its Impacts on Production Performance and Blood Routine Indexes in Chinese Holstein

To investigate the influencing factors of locomotion score (LS) and its impacts on production performance and blood routine index in Holstein,body condition score (BCS),LS and DHI (dairy herd improvement) of 1 486 lactating cows from two dairy farms,and the blood routine indexes of 101 lactating cows from one farm in Beijing were measured.The fixed model was used to analyze the impacts of herd,parity and lactation stage on LS,and the impacts of LS and BCS on daily milk yield,somatic cell score,milk composition and blood routine indexes in dairy cows.The results showed that both parity and lactation stage had significant impacts on LS.The LS increased with the increase of parit,the LS increased by 0.71 from first lactation to fifth and above lactation.The LS of cow in lactation stage Ⅲ(100-199 d) and Ⅵ (after 350 d) were significantly higher than cow in stage Ⅱ (45-99 d)(P<0.05),and both were higher than 2.The LS had no significant impacts on daily milk yield,milk composition and somatic cell score (P>0.05).However,the milk yield of the cow with LS≥4 was the lowest,and a decrease of 2.29 kg was found compared with the cow with LS=1.Among the various blood routine indexes,LS had significant impacts on red blood cell count,hemoglobin content,mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lymphocyte count (P<0.05),and had no significant impacts on white blood cell count (P>0.05).With the increase of LS,the red blood cell count,hemoglobin content,mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lymphocyte count of cows decreased with different extents.There were some problems on the body immunity and hematopoiesis of cows with poor LS.In dairy farm,regular evaluation of LS could be used to find the management problems of feet and legs,which had a great significance to reduce the loss of production performance and early culling caused by hoof disease.     

中国荷斯坦牛步态评分及其对生产性能和血常规指标的影响

为探究荷斯坦牛步态评分（locomotion score,LS）影响因素及其对生产性能和血常规指标的影响,本研究收集测定了北京地区2个规模化牧场1 486头泌乳牛的体况评分（body condition score,BCS）、LS和DHI（dairy herd improvement）数据,并测定了101头泌乳牛的血常规指标。采用固定模型分析了牧场、胎次和泌乳阶段对LS的影响,以及LS和BCS等因素对日产奶量、体细胞评分、乳成分和血常规指标的影响。结果表明,试验牛的胎次和泌乳阶段均对LS有极显著影响,LS随胎次的升高而增加,从1胎至5胎及以上,LS升高了0.71分;泌乳阶段Ⅲ（100~199 d）、Ⅵ（350 d以后）的LS均显著高于阶段Ⅱ（45~99 d）（P<0.05）,且均高于2分。LS对日产奶量、乳成分和体细胞评分均无显著影响（P>0.05）,但LS≥4分的奶牛日产奶量最低,较LS=1分的奶牛日产奶量降低了2.29 kg。各项血常规指标中,LS对奶牛红细胞数、血红蛋白含量、红细胞平均血红蛋白浓度、淋巴细胞数均有显著影响（P<0.05）,而对白细胞数无显著影响（P>0.05）。随LS升高,奶牛红细胞数、淋巴细胞数、血红蛋白含量和红细胞平均血红蛋白浓度均表现出不同程度的降低。LS较差的奶牛,其机体的免疫力和造血功能会受到不同程度的影响。在规模化牧场中,定期评估牛群的LS能及时发现牛群肢蹄管理的问题,对减少因肢蹄问题引起的生产性能损失和过早淘汰等具有重要意义。     

Changes in the body condition scores of Nigerian West African Dwarf sheep experimentally infected with mixed infections of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis

Weekly changes in body condition scores and body weights were determined in West African Dwarf sheep following trickle exposure to weekly escalating mixed infections with Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis starting with single doses of 500 infective larvae (L(3)) at wk1, 1000 L(3) at wk2, 2000 L(3) at wk3 and 4000 L(3) at wk4. Thirty-three animals were randomly assigned to two groups namely, Group 1 (n=27) and Group 2 (n=6). Group 1 animals were used for experimental infections and Group 2 animals served as uninfected controls. Body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW), faecal egg counts (FEC) per gram of faeces and worm burden (Wb) were determined using standard procedures. Lambs in group 1 with epg ≤ 1000 were classified as strong responders (n=16), those with epg between 1000 and 10,000 as intermediate (n=5) and lambs with epg>10,000 on any sampling day were classified as weak responders (n=6). Based on this classification, the mean epg of lambs classified as strong responders was significantly lower (P<0.001) than the epg of lambs classified as weak responders. The body condition scores and body weights of the strong responder lambs were comparable with those of the uninfected control and they were significantly higher than those of the weak and intermediate responders from wk5 till the end of the experiment. There was an inverse and significant relationship between the average BCS of days 56 and 59 and the average FEC of days 56 and 59 (r(s)=-572; P=0.017; n=27) as well as with Wb (r(s)=-531; P=0.028; n=27). We concluded that changes in the body scores are good indicators of the intensity of gastrointestinal nematode infection in the Nigerian WAD sheep.     

A 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in F344 rats

2-(l-Menthoxy)ethanol has been frequently employed as a flavoring agent; however, data regarding 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol toxicity remain limited. We performed a 13-week subchronic toxicity study of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol in male and female F344 rats, with doses of 0, 15, 60, or 250 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day orally administered by gavage using corn oil as the vehicle. No significant toxicological changes in general condition, body weight, or food intake were observed in any groups. The hematological assessment showed decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin and increased platelet count in the male 250 mg/kg group. Serum biochemistry revealed elevated total cholesterol in the 250 mg/kg group of male and female rats, reduced triglyceride in the female 250 mg/kg group, and increased total protein in the male 250 mg/kg group, indicating effects on lipid metabolism and protein synthesis. For organ weights, absolute and relative weights of the liver and adrenal glands were increased in the 250 mg/kg group of both sexes and the male 250 mg/kg group, respectively. Histopathological analysis showed chronic nephropathy in the male 15 mg/kg or higher groups, with increased absolute and relative kidney weights, as well as elevated serum creatinine, in the male 60 and 250 mg/kg groups. However, eosinophilic granules containing α_2u-globulin were identified in proximal tubules, suggesting α_2u-globulin nephropathy specific to male rats and without toxicological significance. These results indicated that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-(l-menthoxy)ethanol was 60 mg/kg BW/day for both sexes.     

不同海拔高度西藏高原牦牛若干血液生理常值的比较

本试验对西藏藏北高原那曲(海拔4500米)牦牛,藏南河谷林芝(海拔3000米)牦牛进行了某些高原生理特性对比研究。测定了红细胞总数、红细胞压积、血液总量、血红蛋白含量及其电泳分析、血清蛋白含量及其电泳分析等。测定结果表明,生活在高海拔的藏北那曲牦牛,其红细胞总数、红细胞压积、血液总量、血红蛋白均极明显地高于较低海拔的藏南河谷牦牛,而其红细胞容积的立方微米数值较小,红细胞内血红蛋白的平均重量较轻,并发现变异血红蛋白(A_3)。根据本文分析,其主要归因于高海拔、低氧压。雄性牦牛的变异血红蛋白数量高于雄牦牛,差异极显著(P相似文献   

Accuracy of the FAMACHA system for on-farm use by sheep and goat producers in the southeastern United States

FAMACHA is a practical on-farm system designed to provide small ruminant producers a tool for improving their management of Haemonchus contortus infections. Although this system has become very popular and widely accepted by small ruminant producers in many regions of the southern United States, there is very limited data reported on the effectiveness of the FAMACHA system when performed by farmers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the FAMACHA system for on-farm use by small ruminant producers during the summer season. Small ruminant producers from Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and Puerto Rico were trained to use the FAMACHA system by veterinarians and scientists experienced with this method. FAMACHA scores were assigned at least every 2 weeks by producers to weaned and mature sheep (n=552) and goats (n=676) of various breeds and ages between April and September 2004. At intervals that varied among farms from 2 to 8 weeks, researchers determined body condition scores (BCS; 1=thin and 5=fat) and collected blood and feces from a group of animals selected randomly to determine packed cell volume (PCV) and fecal egg counts (FEC). Two separate anemia thresholds were evaluated; these were defined by either FAMACHA score (>or=3 versus >or=4) or PCV (or=3 were considered anemic and PCV cutoff was or=3 were considered anemic and PCV cutoff was 相似文献   

Parasitism by Oestrus ovis: influence of sheep breed and nematode infections

Previous studies showed that Santa Ines (SI) hair sheep were more resistant to gastrointestinal nematode infections (GIN) than Ile de France (IF) sheep. The present experiment aimed to evaluate if that reported resistance difference against GIN also occurred against Oestrus ovis infestation and also to evaluate the influence of O. ovis infestation on the gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) infections. SI (n=12) and IF (n=12) young male lambs were weaned at 2 months of age and moved to a paddock (0.3 ha) with Brachiaria decumbens grass, where they also received concentrate ration. The animals were kept together during the experimental period (September to early December 2009). Fecal and blood samples were taken from all animals every 2 weeks and body weight and nasal discharge score (oestrosis clinic signs) were recorded on the same occasion. In early December 2009, all lambs were sacrificed and O. ovis larvae and GIN were recovered, counted and identified according to the larval stage. All animals were infested by different larval instars of O. ovis without any statistical difference between breeds (P>0.05). The SI lambs had an average of 24.8 larvae, and the intensity of infection ranged between 14 and 39 larvae, while the IF lambs showed an average of 23.5 larvae with the minimum and maximum from 11 to 36 larvae, respectively. SI lambs presented the lowest nematode fecal egg counts (FECs) and the lowest mean numbers of Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Strongyloides papillosus, however, there was no significant differences between group means (P>0.05). Inverse relationship between numbers of O. ovis larvae and gastrointestinal nematodes was observed in both breeds. SI sheep showed a significant increase in blood eosinophils and total IgE serum levels and these variables were negatively correlated with nematode FEC. A negative correlation was observed between total IgE serum level and H. contortus burden in both breeds. In conclusion, there was no breed difference regarding O. ovis infestation and in each breed, animals with more nasal bot fly larvae tended to display smaller worm burden.     

Selected health and management issues facing working donkeys presented for veterinary treatment in rural Mexico: some possible risk factors and potential intervention strategies

The examination of 216 donkeys presented for treatment at the Donkey Sanctuary–World Horse Welfare–Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico mobile clinics revealed a number of health and welfare problems. A general overview of the donkeys’ health was made and showed that the median body condition score (BCS) in this population was 2.5. Underweight animals only accounted for 26% of the population. Females, 0–5-year-olds and >21-year-olds, were more likely to be underweight. When analysed, there was no correlation between faecal worm egg count (FEC) and BCS. The prevalence of strongyle infection as assessed by FEC was shown to be 80% with a median FEC of 600 eggs per gramme. Donkeys were assessed for body lesions and showed a high prevalence (71%), particularly in the facial region (54%). Analysis showed that mature animals (6–15 years old) were at increased risk of body lesions compared to older animals (16+ years old) as were donkeys with dental disease and those in particular villages. Risk factor analysis for lesions of the face showed that stallions and geldings are at increased risk as were donkeys wearing halters made from nylon rope. This study has identified areas for further investigation and potential areas where targeted interventions may be made to improve the health and welfare of working donkeys in Mexico.     

Evaluation of Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

Hematophagous gastrointestinal parasites cause significant economic losses in small ruminant grazing systems. The growing reports of multi-drug resistant parasites call for intensive research on alternative treatments for anthelmintics to help small ruminants cope with these parasites. Two-month-old lambs with mean body weight (BW) of 22.5 kg were experimentally infected with a multidrug-resistant Haemonchus contortus strain. Infected animals were dosed orally with Cymbopogon schoenanthus essential oil to evaluate its anthelmintic potential. Eighteen animals were allocated into three groups of six animals, and each received one of the following treatments: Group 1 - control (10 mL of water), Group 2 - C. schoenanthus essential oil (180 mg/kg BW); and Group 3 - C. schoenanthus essential oil (360 mg/kg BW). Animals received the oil once a day for 3 consecutive days. Lambs were evaluated clinically for blood biochemistry before, at 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after treatment, and then were euthanized to assess the total worm burden. No statistically significant reduction in fecal egg count, packed cell volume or total worm count was observed after treatments. Also, no statistical difference among group means for blood levels of urea, creatinine, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase was found. Larval development assay (LDA) and egg hatch assay (EHA) were performed from feces of treated animals at 1, 5, 10 and 15 days after essential oil administration. An inhibition in LDA was observed 1 day after the 3-day treatment in larvae from feces of animals treated with 360 mg/kg essential oil. In conclusion, the essential oil at the doses of 180 mg/kg and 360 mg/kg was safe to sheep, but failed as an anthelmintic treatment when applied to young sheep artificially infected with a multidrug-resistant H. contortus strain.     

Effect of Brazilian red propolis administration on hematological, biochemical variables and parasitic response of Santa Inês ewes during and after flushing period

Brazilian red propolis was administered orally to Santa Inês ewes, and evaluation was made of general health and hematological, biochemical, and parasitic responses during and after flushing. Thirty mature, nonlactating, nonpregnant Santa Inês ewes (40?±?2 kg and 2.5 years old) were grazing tropical pasture (Brachiaria decumbens and Pennisetum purpureum) and, as flushing after synchronization, were supplemented with a concentrate–roughage mixture at a rate of 4 % body weight (BW). Ewes were divided according to BW and fecal egg count (FEC) into two groups (n?=?15 each): control and propolis that received propolis ethanolic extract at rates of, respectively, 0 and 3 g/ewe/day. The treatments lasted 21 days until the end of flushing period. BW and body condition score (BCS) were recorded, and blood and fecal samples were taken weekly for 8 weeks. Mean values of BW and BCS were not (P?>?0.05) affected by propolis administration. Propolis increased (P?<?0.01) total leukocytes (WBC), but no significant differences were observed for other hematological parameters. Propolis increased (P?<?0.01) total protein and globulin concentrations and decreased (P?<?0.01) triglycerides, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Propolis decreased (P?<?0.05) FEC. Propolis administration had good impact on ewe health and may be a promising feed additive during critical periods such as flushing.     

Predicting early lactation energy balance in primiparous Red Dairy Cattle using milk and body traits

Abstract

The relationship of milk fat–protein ratio (FP), body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW) and their changes (ΔBCS, ΔBW) to energy balance (EB) in early lactation, and usefulness of the traits for predicting of EB of primiparous Finnish Red Dairy Cattle were studied. BW on the first test-day after calving correlated negatively (r=?0.30; P<0.02) with EB, suggesting large loss of body reserves for heavier cows. FP correlated significantly (r=?0.37) with EB on the first but not on the other test-days. Thus, when a single measure of FP is used to predict EB, records on the first test-day after calving seem to be the most appropriate. Milk FP was a better predictor of EB than BCS, BW or their changes. The accuracies of predictions were moderate; the best prediction explained 39.4% of EB variation. The low accuracy was suggested to be caused by imprecision in estimation of the EB.     

Prediction of empty body composition of double-muscled beef cows

Twenty-four nonlactating and nonpregnant Belgian Blue double-muscled cows, with diverging parities (one to seven), body conditions and body weights (436 to 903 kg), were used to investigate empty body (EB) composition. Direct measurements of EB composition, such as water, fat, protein, ash and energy, were carried out after slaughter. EB weight (EBW) averaged 624.7 kg and consisted of 393.3 kg water, 122.3 kg protein, 84.5 kg fat and 24.6 kg ash and was characterized by an energy content of 6158 MJ. Relationships between body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), chest girth, dressing percentage, carcass grading score, EBW, rib-cut components and EB composition were determined. Significant regression equations (P<0.001) with a coefficient of determination (R²) of more than 0.9 were obtained between BW or BW and BCS and EB water, EB fat and EB energy. The prediction of EB ash was less accurate (R²<0.75). The relationship could further be improved by inclusion of carcass characteristics and rib-cut components (R²>0.95). Energy contents of EB lipids and protein amounted to 39.3 and 23.2 MJ/kg. EB protein (197 g/kg) was higher in the present double-muscled cows than reported for non-double-muscled animals, while EB fat (126 g/kg) and EB energy (9.5 MJ/kg) were lower. One BCS unit corresponded with 26.7 kg EB fat (P<0.001; R²=0.659). It can be concluded that simple live animal measurements as BW and BCS can be considered as potentially useful predictors of EB composition in double-muscled cows. Theoretical calculations based on the present observed data indicated that body reserves were lower in Belgian Blue double-muscled cows than in most other breeds. Body reserve tissue may be limited in young primiparous suckling cows so that energy restriction may be detrimental for reproductive performance.     

The effects of body weight,body condition score,sex, and age on serum fructosamine concentrations in clinically healthy cats

Background: Serum fructosamine (SF) concentrations depend on plasma glucose concentrations and are used to evaluate glycemic control in animals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the strong association between obesity and DM, the effects of body weight (BW) and body condition on SF concentrations in clinically healthy cats have not been reported. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of BW, body condition score (BCS), sex, and age on SF concentrations in healthy cats. Methods: BW, BCS, and SF concentrations were determined in 84 clinically healthy client‐owned cats (50 neutered males, 33 spayed females, and 1 intact female) of known age. The cats were enrolled prospectively in the study. Results: Mean BW, median BCS, and mean SF concentrations for the 84 cats were 5.4 kg, 5/9, and 268.7±45.5 μmol/L (range 197–399), respectively. BW was weakly but significantly correlated with SF (r=.26; P=.02), whereas BCS was not. Cats weighing >5.4 kg and cats with BCS>5/9 had higher mean SF concentrations compared with cats weighing <5.4 kg and cats with BCS <5/9, respectively. Cats categorized as normal weight to obese by BW (BW≥4.0 kg) had higher mean SF concentrations compared with cats categorized as lean (BW<4.0 kg). For domestic shorthair cats, the same was true for BCS: cats with BCS≥4/9 had higher mean fructosamine concentrations than those with BCS<4/9. Male cats had significantly higher mean SF concentrations compared with female cats (285.1±45.3 vs 244.5±33.9 μmol/L, P<.001). Age did not affect mean SF concentrations. Conclusions: BW is positively correlated with SF concentration, and lean cats have lower SF concentrations than normal and obese cats. In contrast to previous reports, mean SF concentrations were higher in male cats than in female cats, even when males and females were matched based on BW, BCS, and age.     

Seasonal changes in nutritional status and reproductive performance of Zebu cows kept under a traditional agro-pastoral system in Tanzania

The objectives of this study were to assess changes in nutritional status/body condition score, percentage pregnancy and calving rate in Zebu cows and to establish the relationship between body condition score loss and postpartum interval to resumption of ovarian activity. A total of 198 cows and postpubertal heifers of the Tanzanian Shorthorn Zebu kept under a traditional management system were randomly selected from 200 smallholder herds. Factors investigated during bi-weekly visits include body condition score (BCS), heart-girth circumference, milk yield and reproductive status of the animals, pregnancy/non-pregnancy and cyclicity/non-cyclicity. Local weather conditions and dates of occurrence of other reproductive events such as calving were also recorded. Calvings occurred all year round but with a strong seasonal distribution characterized by annual peaks observed between April and July. The annual calving pattern was closely related to rainfall, with peak precipitation occurring a few months before peak calving. The overall percentage pregnancy varied from 30% to 50% throughout the year. Postpartum cows exhibited minimum mean BCS and heart-girth circumference 12–14 weeks after calving, and cows with BCS loss >1 point exhibited the longest time interval from calving to onset of ovarian activity.     

Influence of trotting and galloping exercises on erythrogram of andalusian horse stallions

Possible alterations in the erythrogram and in red blood cell volume indices were studied in ten Andalusian stallions subjected to two different types of exercise (trotting and galloping). For this purpose, the changes in these blood parameters were measured during resting, immediately after the exercise finished, and at 5, 10 and 30 min. of recovery.From the results it was deduced that the red blood cell count (RBC), the hematocrit value (PCV) and the concentration of hemoglobin (HB) increased significantly (p≤0.05) after finishing both types of exercise, with a greater increase with galloping. The return to baseline values was faster for trotting than for galloping. However, the RBC volume indices (mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) did not undergo any significant changes with either type of exercise.     

Is the Santa Inês sheep a typical non-seasonal breeder in the Brazilian Southeast?

This study aimed to characterize the annual reproductive cycle of Santa Inês sheep in the Fluminense lowland region (latitude 22° 27′ 45″ south, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) between September 2011 and August 2012. Ten ewes were maintained in a semi-intensive system under natural photoperiods with access to pasture and shelter. Blood samples were collected every 2 weeks to determine plasma progesterone concentrations. The body condition score (BCS) was determined each month. There was no seasonal variation in the plasma progesterone concentration from the months of September to January, April, and May to August. In the months of February and April, the plasma hormone levels were higher than August to November. Seventy percent (7/10) of the sheep studied had short seasonal anestrus. The periods of anestrus were concentrated between the months of September and December (spring season) in 85.7 % (6/7) of the cases evaluated. In these cases, 57.1 % (4/7) also had short periods of reproductive inactivity during other months of the year. The progesterone values obtained in the spring corroborate the higher reproductive anestrus observed in this season. Higher plasma progesterone values were found in summer and autumn with reduction in the winter to lower values in the spring. No changes in the BCS during the study period were observed. Under the studied conditions, the Santa Inês sheep showed a low degree of reproductive seasonality. However, some individual ewes had seasonal anestrus during the spring. Further studies that include management techniques are needed to improve reproductive efficiency without hormone therapy in this breed under tropical conditions.