Exposure of growing and adult captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) to dietary isoflavones: twenty years later

Dietary isoflavones are associated with oestrogenic and anti‐oestrogenic effects, and have been linked to infertility in cheetahs. This study aimed to determine the isoflavone content of commercially prepared diets consumed by captive cheetahs. Sixteen international zoological facilities provided diets, and the isoflavone content of each diet was determined by acid hydrolysis and HPLC quantification. Proximate nutritional composition was also determined. Over half the diets analysed contained detectable concentrations of isoflavones, whereby total isoflavone content ranged from 1.75–183 mg/kg dry matter. The zoo‐specific diets were calculated to deliver a median isoflavone dose of 0.07 mg/kg body weight (BW) and a maximum of 1.95 mg/kg BW to captive cheetahs. On a metabolic body weight basis this equates to a maximum of 4.90–5.43 mg/kg^0.75. Some diets prepared for hand‐rearing neonatal cheetahs could expose neonates to doses of up to 4.24 mg/kg BW (or 4.24–6.33 mg/kg^0.75 for cubs under 3 months of age). Only one of six zoo‐specific diets was found to deliver isoflavones in doses shown to possess biological activity in other species. Therefore, on average, dietary isoflavones were not found in commercially prepared diets consumed by captive cheetahs in concentrations predicted to cause physiological changes. However, a small proportion of these diets, including hand‐rearing formulas, contained elevated isoflavones concentrations which may influence cheetah fertility, behaviour or other physiological parameters.     

CASE REPORT: Bilateral vision loss in a captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

The following case report describes a 1‐year‐old female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) with bilateral blindness and unresponsive pupils. For comparison, a second healthy 2.5‐year‐old male cheetah without visual deficits was also examined. Clinical examination of both animals included biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and electroretinography. The young female cheetah showed no menace response, no direct or indirect pupillary light reflex, and no dazzle reflex in either eye. Fundus lesions, as detected by indirect ophthalmoscopy, are described for the female animal. In both eyes, the fundus color was green/turquoise/yellow with multiple hyperpigmented linear lesions in the tapetal area around the optic nerve. The optic nerve head was dark gray and about half the normal size suggesting bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia and retinal dysplasia or differentially optic nerve atrophy and chorioretinal scarring. The ERG had low amplitudes in the right eye but appeared normal in the left eye compared with the male cheetah. Blood levels did not suggest current taurine deficiency. This is addressed to some degree in the discussion. Bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia or optic nerve atrophy is a rare anomaly in cats and has not yet been described in a cheetah.     

Diseases of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in South Africa: a 20-year retrospective survey.

As part of an ongoing study to determine the basis for high prevalences of veno-occlusive disease, glomerulosclerosis, and chronic lymphoplasmacytic gastritis in cheetahs, a retrospective pathology survey of captive cheetahs in the Republic of South Africa (RSA) was conducted. The RSA population was selected because its genetic composition and captive management were similar to those of the cheetah population in U.S. zoos, in which these diseases are common. For this study, archived pathology materials at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in Onderstepoort and the Faculty of Veterinary Science, MEDUNSA, from 69 cheetahs that died between 1975 and 1995 were reviewed, and prevalences of common lesions were compared with those in the U.S. population. Gastritis associated with Helicobacter-like organisms was the most prevalent disease, accounting for close to 40% of the mortalities, including several cheetahs < 3 yr old. Glomerulosclerosis and veno-occlusive disease also were major causes of mortality in RSA cheetahs. RSA cheetahs also had adrenal cortical hyperplasia, cardiac fibrosis, lymphocytic depletion of the spleen, systemic amyloidosis, and splenic myelolipomas. The presence in the captive RSA cheetah population of the same unusual diseases that are common in U.S. cheetahs suggests a species predilection to develop these diseases in captivity.     

Evaluation of long-term sedation in cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) with perphenazine enanthate and zuclopenthixol acetate.

Two long-acting neuroleptics were used to tranquilize nine captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus). Perphenazine enanthate (3.0 mg/kg) and zuclopenthixol acetate (0.6 mg/kg) were each administered to separate groups of three cheetahs in a double blind trial. Both products were administered together to a third group of three animals at the same dosages. Behavioral effect, duration of effect, and possible side effects were observed by a predefined protocol. Under standardized holding conditions, the cheetahs were observed 5 days before drug administration and 14 days after administration. Daily activity was defined and statistically evaluated by a U-test. A significant reduction of activity was observed after administration in all three trials. Zuclopenthixol acetate at 0.6 mg/kg alone and in combination with perphenazine enanthate caused inappetence, ataxia, extra pyramidal reactions, akathisia, and prolapse of the third eyelid. Zuclopenthixol acetate should not be used in cheetahs. Perphenazine enanthate did not cause inappetence, reduced appetite, or any of the previously mentioned side effects when used alone. It produced satisfactory tranquilization and is suitable and safe for cheetahs at 3.0 mg/kg. This dosage should be varied depending on health, age, and temperament of the individual cheetah.     

Simultaneous Bayesian estimation of genetic parameters for curves of weight,feed intake,and residual feed intake in beef cattle

Rates of gain and feed efficiency are important traits in most breeding programs for growing farm animals. The rate of gain (GAIN) is usually expressed over a certain age period and feed efficiency is often expressed as residual feed intake (RFI), defined as observed feed intake (FI) minus expected feed intake based on live weight (WGT) and GAIN. However, the basic traits recorded are always WGT and FI and other traits are derived from these basic records. The aim of this study was to develop a procedure for simultaneous analysis of the basic records and then derive linear traits related to feed efficiency without retorting to any approximation. A bivariate longitudinal random regression model was employed on 13,791 individual longitudinal records of WGT and FI from 2,827 bulls of six different beef breeds tested for their own performance in the period from 7 to 13 mo of age. Genetic and permanent environmental covariance functions for curves of WGT and FI were estimated using Gibbs sampling. Genetic and permanent covariance functions for curves of GAIN were estimated from the first derivative of the function for WGT and finally the covariance functions were extended to curves for RFI, based on the conditional distribution of FI given WGT and GAIN. Furthermore, the covariance functions were extended to include GAIN and RFI defined over different periods of the performance test. These periods included the whole test period as normally used when predicting breeding values for GAIN and RFI for beef bulls. Based on the presented method, breeding values and genetic parameters for derived traits such as GAIN and RFI defined longitudinally or integrated over (parts of) of the test period can be obtained from a joint analysis of the basic records. The resulting covariance functions for WGT, FI, GAIN, and RFI are usually singular but the method presented here does not suffer from the estimation problems associated with defining these traits individually before the genetic analysis. All the results are thus estimated simultaneously, and the set of parameters is consistent.     

微囊化与非微囊化胆囊收缩素卵黄抗体对小鼠促生长免疫效果的比较研究

试验选用70只健康小鼠随机分为7组,每组10只。试验1~7组分别为口服0 mg/kg胆囊收缩素（cholecystokinin,CCK）对照组、口服0 mg/kg空囊组、口服1 mg/kg CCK-卵黄抗体（yolk immunoglobulin,IgY）-低剂量微囊组、口服5 mg/kg CCK-IgY-高剂量微囊组、注射0 mg/kg CCK对照组、注射1 mg/kg CCK-IgY-低剂量非微囊组、注射3 mg/kg CCK-IgY-高剂量非微囊组。单笼饲养,试验期40 d。以小鼠体重、日采食量及血液中CCK抗体D值为评价指标,对CCK-IgY及其微胶囊进行促生长及免疫效果比较研究。结果表明,从试验全期来看,试验3组平均体重和平均日采食量均极显著高于试验4组（P<0.01）,但与试验1组相比差异不显著（P>0.05）;随着注射CCK-IgY剂量的增加,D值也随之升高,试验7组D值极显著高于试验5组（P<0.01）,而CCK-IgY微囊组均未达到与注射一致的效果。口服微囊化CCK-IgY和腹腔注射非微囊化CCK-IgY均可刺激机体产生相应的免疫应答反应,腹腔注射非微囊化CCK-IgY具有较明显的促生长效果,但CCK-IgY微囊饲喂效果不够明显,需进一步研究。     

巴音布鲁克羊生长规律的研究

选择0～6月龄的纯种巴音布鲁克羊羔羊和巴音布鲁克羊经济杂交羔羊,在自然放牧状态下,观察羔羊生长规律及经济杂交效果。通过对母羊妊娠后期进行补饲,研究补饲对羔羊产后生长的影响。结果表明,巴音布鲁克羊从出生到6月龄的过程中,2～3月龄增长最快,其次是1～2月龄、0～1月龄;4～5月龄体重下降,5～6月龄又开始增加。妊娠后期母羊补饲对羔羊产后生长没有明显影响,经济杂交羔羊杂交优势明显,公、母羔羊累计生长体重均极显著高于纯种巴音布鲁克羔羊。所以根据羔羊生长规律,加强羔羊生长高峰期营养和管理,是提高巴音布鲁克羊经济效益的重要措施。     

长大长与杜长嵊杂交组合猪肥育效果的比较

在我公司现有的饲养条件下，对40头内元猪和40头外元猪进行了肥育比较试验，结果表明长大长猪料重比2.87∶1，杜长嵊猪2.83∶1；长大长猪日增重452g，杜长嵊猪日增重460g；成活率杜长嵊猪100%，长大长猪95%；；杜长嵊猪的肉质等级也比长大长猪略高。     

Longitudinal analysis of body weight and average daily feed intake during the feedlot test period in Angus cattle

The objectives of this study were to compare different models for analysing body weight (BW) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) data collected during a 70-day feedlot test period and to explore whether genetic parameters change over time to evaluate the implications of selection response. (Co)variance components were estimated using repeatability and random regression models in 2,071 Angus steers. Models included fixed effects of contemporary group, defined as herd–year–observation_date–age, with additive genetic and permanent environmental components as random effects. Models were assessed based on the log likelihood, Akaike's information criterion and the Bayesian information criterion. For both traits, random regression models (RRMs) presented a better fit, indicating that genetic parameters change over the test period. Using a two-trait RRM, the heritability from day 1 up to day 70 for BW increased from 0.40 to 0.50, while for ADFI, it decreased from 0.44 to 0.33. The genetic correlation increased from 0.53 at day 1 up to 0.79 at day 70. Selection based on an index assuming no change in genetic parameters would yield a 2.78%–3.13% lower selection response compared to an index using parameters estimated with RRMs and assuming these genetic parameters are correct. Results imply that it may be beneficial to implement RRMs to account for the change of parameters across the feedlot period in feed efficiency traits.     

4种配合饲料对育肥猪生长性能及经济效益的影响

试验旨在研究猪场自配小麦型饲料、自配玉米型饲料和商品配合颗粒饲料对肉猪生长性能的影响。采用对比试验设计,选用108头育肥猪随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复9头猪。A组饲喂玉米型基础料+A型预混料,B组饲喂小麦型基础料+B型小麦专用预混料,C组饲喂玉米型基础料+C型预混料,D组饲喂D型生长育肥猪配合饲料,试验期31 d。结果显示,各组间平均日采食量、日增重和料重比差异均不显著（P>0.05）;A组增重饲料成本与其他3组之间差异均不显著（P>0.05）,B组与C、D组之间均差异显著（P<0.05）,C、D组之间差异不显著（P>0.05）。综合分析得出,B组获得的经济效益最高,每头平均利润达473.07元。     

法氏囊活性肽对鸡体增重及饲料转化率的影响

把不同剂量的法氏囊活性肽 (BS)冻干粉与传染性法氏囊病 (IBD)活苗混合后 ,对 2 1日龄SPF鸡滴鼻点眼 ,同时另选一批同样生长状态的鸡 ,在颈部皮下接种IBD细胞毒油苗 ,同时肌肉注射上述不同剂量法氏囊活性肽 ,观察法氏囊活性肽对鸡生长性能的影响。结果发现 :免疫后7d ,活苗 0 2mLBS组增长最快 ,比免疫对照组多增 82 5 % ,并且饲料报酬高。但从整个试验期看 ,0 4mLBS组增重效果较好 ,比免疫对照组多增 1 9 8% ,并且有较高的饲料转化率。而肌肉注射BS组中 ,高剂量 (0 8mL)BS组的增重效果一直很好 ,比对照组总增重平均多增 7 2 3 % ,并有较高的饲料报酬。这说明滴鼻点眼或是肌肉注射 ,BS都有促生长的作用     

Performance of free suckling dairy calves in an automatic milking system and their behaviour at weaning

Abstract

The performance of dairy calves allowed to suckle freely (FS) until eight weeks of age in a cubicle system with automatic milking was compared to automatic teat-feeding with low milk (LM) or high milk (HM) substitute allowances. Weight gain and feed intake of FS (n = 13), LM (n = 23) and HM (n = 22) calves were recorded until two weeks after abrupt weaning, and their behaviour was studied during weaning. FS calves had higher weight gain, but much lower solid feed intake until weaning, than LM and HM calves and their advantage in weight remained throughout the study despite very low post-weaning gain. During the first 24 hours after weaning, FS calves displayed more behavioural signs of stress. However, at 72 hours after weaning, behaviour was similar for all treatments. Methods to stimulate solid feed intake before weaning need to be developed to draw advantage of the FS system.     

Effects of short photoperiod on energy intake,thermogenesis, and reproduction in desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii)

Desert hamsters (Phodopus roborovskii) are the least known species in the genus Phodopus with respect to ecology and physiology, and deserve scientific attention, particularly because of their small body size. Here, the responses of energy metabolism and reproductive function to short photoperiods in desert hamsters were investigated. Male and female desert hamsters were acclimated to either long day (LD) (L:D 16:8 h) or short day (SD) photoperiods (L:D 8:16 h) for three months, and then the females were transferred back to an LD photoperiod for a further five months, while at the end of the SD acclimation the males were killed and measurements were taken for serum leptin as well as molecular markers for thermogenesis. We found that like the other two species from the genus Phodopus, the desert hamsters under SD decreased body mass, increased adaptive thermogenesis as indicated by elevated mitochondrial protein content and uncoupling protein‐1 content in brown adipose tissue, and suppressed reproduction compared to those under LD. However, different from the other two species, desert hamsters did not show any differences in energy intake or serum leptin concentration between LD and SD. These data suggest that different species from the same genus respond in different ways to the environmental signals, and the desert adapted species are not as sensitive to change in photoperiod as the other two species.     

Effects of dietary energy density and supplemental rumen undegradable protein on intake,viscera, and carcass composition of lambs recovering from nutritional restriction

Variation in nutrition is a key determinant of growth, body composition, and the ability of animals to perform to their genetic potential. Depending on the quality of feed available, animals may be able to overcome negative effects of prior nutritional restriction, increasing intake and rates of tissue gain, but full compensation may not occur. A 2 × 3 × 4 factorial serial slaughter study was conducted to examine the effects of prior nutritional restriction, dietary energy density, and supplemental rumen undegradable protein (RUP) on intake, growth, and body composition of lambs. After an initial slaughter (n = 8), 124 4-mo-old Merino cross wethers (28.4 ± 1.8 kg) were assigned to either restricted (LO, 500 g/d) or unrestricted (HI, 1500 g/d) intake of lucerne and oat pellets. After 8 wk, eight lambs/group were slaughtered and tissue weights and chemical composition were measured. Remaining lambs were randomly assigned to a factorial combination of dietary energy density (7.8, 9.2, and 10.7 MJ/kg DM) and supplemental RUP (0, 30, 60, and 90 g/d) and fed ad libitum for a 12- to 13-wk experimental period before slaughter and analysis. By week 3 of the experimental period, lambs fed the same level of energy had similar DMI (g/d) and MEI (MJ/d) (P > 0.05), regardless of prior level of nutrition. Restricted-refed (LO) lambs had higher rates of fat and protein gain than HI lambs (P < 0.05) but had similar visceral masses (P > 0.05). However, LO lambs were lighter and leaner at slaughter, with proportionally larger rumens and livers (P < 0.05). Tissue masses increased with increasing dietary energy density, as did DMI, energy and nitrogen (N) retention (% intake), and rates of protein and fat gain (P < 0.05). The liver increased proportionally with increasing dietary energy density and RUP (P < 0.05), but rumen size decreased relative to the empty body as dietary energy density increased (P < 0.05) and did not respond to RUP (P > 0.05). Fat deposition was greatest in lambs fed 60 g/d supplemental RUP (P < 0.05). However, lambs fed 90 g/d were as lean as lambs that did not receive supplement (P0, P > 0.05), with poorer nitrogen retention and proportionally heavier livers than P0 lambs (P < 0.05). In general, visceral protein was the first tissue to respond to increased intake during refeeding, followed by non-visceral protein and fat, highlighting the influence of differences in tissue response over time on animal performance and body composition.     

Metabolisable energy intake and growth of privately owned growing dogs in comparison with official recommendations on the growth curve and energy supply

The correct assumption of metabolisable energy (ME) requirement is essential for the nutrition consultation and diet formulation. In young dogs, too high energy supply can accelerate growth and thus lead to developmental orthopaedic diseases. The aim of the present study was to collect the data on ME intake and body weight (BW) development in privately owned growing dogs in order to compare these data with the current recommendations. Our hypothesis was that the actual ME intake of healthy young dogs would be lower than the actual recommendation. The data of 493 privately owned puppies (median age at first consultation 21 weeks, the median expected mature BW 30 kg) on ME intake, actual and expected mature BW were collected and compared with recommendations of the Society of Nutrition Physiology (GfE, Meyer and Zentek and NRC). In 243 dogs, there was a follow‐up. The actual BW did not deviate systematically from the calculated expected BW (R² = .929). The ME intake significantly decreased with age (p < .05) and significantly increased with expected mature BW (p < .05). There was no significant interaction between these two parameters (p > .05). Sex had no effect on the ME intake (p > .05). The ME intake of young dogs with a history of skeletal problems or of food allergy did not differ systematically from healthy dogs of similar age and expected mature BW. The ME intake was considerably below NRC recommendations, especially in younger puppies (>8–17 weeks: 78%, >17–26 weeks: 83% of NRC recommendation). A predictive linear equation for ME intake was developed: ME intake (MJ) = (1.063 ? 0.565 × [actual BW/expected mature BW]) × actual BW^0.75.     

Forage intake and weight gain of ewes is affected by roughage mixes during winter in northeastern China

We studied the effect of dietary roughage species and their combinations on forage intake and growth rate of ewes during winter in a pastoral‐farming area of northeast China. Twenty‐five Northeast crossbred ewes (fine‐wool sheep × Small‐tailed Han sheep) were randomly selected and divided into five groups (G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5). During a 30 day feeding trial, each group of ewes were offered the same basal diet (composed of 0.36 kg chopped maize stalk (10 mm), 0.14 kg corn meal, 0.05 kg soybean meal and 1.2 g NaCl) and one of the five supplementary roughage mixes, namely 100% Leymus chinensis hay (G1), 100% Vigna radiata stalk (G2), L. chinensis hay plus Suaeda glauca (G3), V. radiata stalk plus S. glauca (G4) and L. chinensis hay plus V. radiata stalk and S. glauca (G5). The results showed that roughage mixes had significant influences on daily roughage intake and daily weight gain of ewes. Ewes had greater daily roughage intake when supplemented with three species of roughage compared to the roughage with one species; however, there was no significant difference between G1 and G2, G3 and G4, or between G4 and G5. The average daily gain of ewes was also greater when they were supplemented with the roughage combination of L. chinensis, V. radiata stalk and S. glauca. No difference in average daily weight gain was observed between the G4 and G5 treatments (P > 0.05). The lowest average daily weight gain was observed when the ewes were supplemented with V. radiata stalk alone (G2) (P < 0.05). The results indicated that supplying ewes with various roughages simultaneously in winter could improve their forage intake and average daily weight gain compared to offering the ewes only one type of dietary roughage. Further, feeding roughage supplements containing a diverse mix of roughage species represents one method for increasing roughage utilization in livestock production during winter in the pastoral‐farming areas of northeastern China.     

益生菌剂、异麦芽寡糖对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响

本试验研究在玉米-豆粕型基础日粮中添加益生菌剂、异麦芽寡糖对肉仔鸡生产性能的影响.结果表明与空白对照组相比,益生菌剂、异麦芽寡糖显著提高了肉仔鸡的体增重,改善了饲料效率(P＜0.05)益生菌组,日增重提高了3.1%,饲料效率提高了6.63%;异麦芽寡糖组,日增重提高了4.4%,饲料效率提高了1.1%.益生菌剂和异麦芽寡糖联合应用,日增重提高了4.9%,饲料效率提高了4.42%(P＜0.05),且效果优于畜禽常用抗生素-金霉素,是比较理想的抗生素替代品,益生菌剂和异麦芽寡糖的联合应用效果优于单独使用,但与单独使用的效果差异不显著(P＞0.05).     

Vitamin B12 Supplementation to Mink (Mustela vison) in the Prevention of Feed-Induced Iron Deficiency Anaemia: I. Effect on Growth Performance and Fur Quality Characteristics

Abstract

Vitamin B₁₂ supplementation in the prevention of feed-induced iron deficiency anaemia was evaluated with six treatment groups of mink kits, comprising a control group and five groups fed an anaemiogenic diet either unsupplemented, supplemented with vitamin B₁₂ orally, or by intramuscular injection, with iron therapy by ferrous fumarate and cysteine, and iron therapy plus vitamin B₁₂ orally. Unsupplemented animals showed symptoms of anaemia including poor growth performance, achromotrichia and poor fur quality. Oral vitamin B₁₂ supplementation, but not injections, had some effect in preventing anaemia, indicating an influence on intestinal iron absorption. Iron therapy completely prevented the occurrence of anaemia, and simultaneous addition of vitamin B₁₂ had no further positive effect.     

暖季放牧条件下对羔羊采食量、消化及体增重的研究

试验于2008年5月15日—9月28日选用55只4月龄哈萨克公羔羊在新疆伊犁哈萨克自治州昭苏马场特克斯河北岸天然草场放牧,进行体重及体尺测定,其中20只羊进行消化试验。结果表明,整个试验期,放牧羔羊的生长发育随牧草和季节变化呈现出波动性,出现2个生长高峰(5月龄和7月龄)。体重总体呈上升趋势。7、8月龄间羔羊平均体重有显著差异（P<0.05）,其余各月龄间差异极显著（P<0.01）。试验期各月龄羔羊平均日增重依次为（187.8±55.7） g、（100.1±44.7） g、（174.6±45.2） g和（82.1±36.0） g。放牧羔羊各项体尺指标相对增长幅度5月龄高于6月龄、7月龄高于8月龄;放牧羔羊体尺累积增长幅度从大到小排列为胸围、体长、体高、胸深、胸宽、管围。放牧羔羊DM、OM、CP消化率5月龄均极显著高于4月龄（P<0.01）。DM消化率5~7月龄在下降,5、7月龄间差异极显著（P<0.01）;OM消化率6月龄和7月龄基本持平,8月龄时达到最大值,但5~8月龄羔羊各月龄间差异不显著;CP消化率5~8月龄在持续下降,7、8月龄间差异不显著,其余各月龄间差异极显著（P<0.01）。