Effect of passive transfer status on preweaning growth performance in dairy lambs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of passive transfer status, determined by measuring serum IgG concentration 24 hours after parturition, on preweaning growth performance in dairy lambs. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 20 healthy Sardinian dairy lambs. PROCEDURES: Serum IgG concentration was measured 24 hours after birth. Body weight was measured at birth and at the time of weaning 28 days (ie, 27 to 29 days) after birth. Mean daily gain from birth to day 28 and day 28 weight were used as measures of preweaning growth performance. Regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and measures of preweaning growth performance. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth was 24.6 +/- 17.5 mg/mL. Mean body weights at birth and weaning were 2,696 +/- 937 g and 9,253 +/- 2,116 g, respectively, and mean daily gain was 234 +/- 63 g/d. No significant association was detected between serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth and birth weight. However, serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth was significantly associated with mean daily gain (R(2) = 0.25). Each 1 mg/mL increase in serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth was associated with a 1.8 g/d increase in mean daily gain and a 60.8-g increase in day 28 weight. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that passive transfer status, determined as serum IgG concentration 24 hours after birth, was a significant source of variation in preweaning growth performance in dairy lambs.     

Effect of weaning on behavior and serum parameters in dairy goat kids

This study aimed at investigating the effects of weaning kids abruptly at an average of 55 ± 13 days of age on intake, behavioral and serum parameters and, lasted for a total of six weeks; two weeks pre-weaning and four weeks post-weaning. Sixteen single kids with equal gender were used. Kids were only allowed to stay with their mothers for suckling (45 min/period) both in the morning and in the evening period during pre-weaning. Grower concentrate and hay were offered ad libitum . The duration of the study was divided into three periods for the sampling of behavioral and serum parameters; (i) pre-weaning period lasting for two weeks (P-BW) (ii) early post-weaning period lasting for one week (P-AW1) and (iii) late post-weaning period lasting for three weeks (P-AW2). Daily weight gain of kids gradually decreased as the observation period progressed ( P  = 0.001). However concentrate feed intake increased from 0.154 kg/day in P-BW to 0.479 kg/day in P-AW1 and 0.499 kg/day in P-AW2. Water intake, rumination and standing behaviors decreased in P-AW2 ( P  < 0.001), whereas activity towards concentrate feed (CF) ( P  < 0.001) and roughage ( P  = 0.012) increased as compared to P-BW and P-AW1. Abnormal oral activity was not affected by the periods ( P  = 0.906). CF was significantly higher in females ( P  = 0.003), whereas males displayed higher lying behavior ( P  = 0.007). Glucose, total protein, urea, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol concentrations ( P  = 0.001) and ALP activity ( P  = 0.003) were significantly affected by the periods. The results of the present study suggest that behavioral and serum parameters across the periods describe changes in the nutritional conditions as a result of the transition from milk to solid feed in association with weaning.     

Effect of protein : energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance of goat kids

Two separate experiments were carried out to establish the effects of the protein:energy ratio in milk replacers on growth performance, plasma lipid concentrations and fatty acid composition in adipose tissue of male goat kids. In the first experiment there were 211 3-day- old goat kids and in the second experiment there were 121 kids aged 3-7 days. The animals were fed ad libitum for a period of 4 weeks on milk replacers containing either 11.5 or 9.5 g crude protein/MJ metabolizable energy. In essence, protein was exchanged with fat on a weight basis. Milk concentrations were increased from 160 to 190 g/l in experiment 1, from 150 to 180 g/l in experiment 2. There were significant increases in body weight and feed intake when the milk replacer with high protein : energy ratio was fed. Group mean average daily weight gain was 168 and 203 g for the groups with low and high dietary protein:energy ratio in experiment 1; for experiment 2 the values were 139 and 160 g. Average dry matter intake was 18 and 14% higher for the diet with high protein:energy ratio in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. There was no change in either feed conversion (feed:gain ratio) or energy conversion (weight gain:energy intake ratio). There were no consistent diet effects on plasma lipid concentrations. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected by that of adipose tissue. The milk replacer with high protein:energy ratio produced a small increase in the contents of myristic and palmitic acid in adipose tissue.     

Effects of kefir on coccidial oocysts excretion and performance of dairy goat kids following weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of kefir, a traditional source of probiotic, on coccidial oocysts excretion and on the performance of dairy goat kids following weaning. Twin kids were randomly allocated to one of two groups at weaning. Kids of the first group received 20 ml of kefir daily for 6 weeks (KEF), while kids in the control group were given a placebo (CON). Individual faecal samples were regularly (n = 18 per kid) taken to quantify the number of coccidial oocysts per gram of faeces (OpG). There were no differences between the groups in terms of body weight development (P > 0.05) and feed consumption. Kids of both groups were not able to consume enough feed to meet their nutrient requirements during the first 3 weeks following weaning. KEF had a lower frequency of OpG positive samples than CON (P = 0.043). Kefir did not affect the maximum oocyst excretion and age of the kids at the highest oocyst excretion (P > 0.05). KEF shed numerically 35% lower coccidial oocysts than the controls, which corresponded to a statistical tendency (P = 0.074) in lowering Log-OpG in comparison to CON. While KEF had a lower frequency of OpG positive samples and tended to shed lower OPG by around one-third, the frequency of diarrhea, level of highest oocyst excretion, and performance of the kids remained unaffected. Therefore, it is concluded that overall effects of kefir do not have a significant impact on sub-clinical infection and performance in weaned kids under relatively high-hygienic farming conditions.     

Transfer of maternal passive immunity to kids in goat herd

The efficiency of tranfer of maternal immunity and its infuence on the kids' health was observed in a herd in which kids (n=20) had whole contact with the dam (n=13). The factors associated with dam, kid and human, which influence the efficiency of passive transfer were observed. It was estimated that the single-born kids reached higher serum gamma-globulin level (mean 23.14 g/dm3) than twin kids (mean 18.2 g/dm3) (p < 0.05). The gamma-globulin level was the highest in single-born kids at 48 h, and in twin kids in 24 h of life. The IgG class antibodies to herd-homologous strains of Pasteurella multocida and Escherichia coli were estimated using ELISA in sera, colostrum and milk whey samples of dams and sera of kids. It was found that maternal antibodies specific to these two facultative pathogens decreased in kids sera rapidly and the self humoral immune response occurred within the period of observation. Two kids delivered by goats with lowest hierarchic position in the herd showed failure of passive transfer, and died at the 10th and 12th weeks of life due to chronic infections induced by both above mentioned bacterial strains.     

Effect of addition of soybean trypsin inhibitor to colostrum on immunological status in goat kids

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of soybean trypsin inhibitor (TI) on immunoglobulin G (IgG) serum levels and growth in neonatal goat kids. Twenty‐four newborn kids were fed with natural colostrum (group A), and 24 kids received the same colostrum with 1 g of TI per litre (group B). Blood samples were obtained at birth and on days 1, 2 and 4 of life to analyze serum proteins, IgG and haematological parameters. There were no clinical signs of disease and no significant differences in body weight between the groups. Haematological parameters were not affected by treatment. The peak of serum IgG was reached at 24 h of life, but no effects of soybean TI was observed on serum IgG levels. The apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was similar in both groups (group A 24.5% vs. group B 25.2%, p > 0.05). The addition of TI to colostrum did not change the concentration of serum proteins and their fractions in goat kids. The correlation between serum IgG and γ‐globulin was positive and significant (p < 0.01, r = 0.64) in group A, but not in group B (p > 0.05, r = 0.08), suggesting a negative influence of soybean TI on γ‐globulin absorption. These results show that addition of soybean TI to colostrum did not improve the performance or immunological status in goat kids.     

萨能奶山羊杂交改良海南黑山羊早期生长性能研究

测定并比较了海南黑山羊、萨能奶山羊及其F1、F2羊初生重、2月龄、4月龄、6月龄、8月龄、10月龄及周岁的体重与体高、体斜长、胸深、胸宽、胸围、腰角宽等体尺指标.结果表明:①F1、F2羊体重明显高于相应年龄的海南黑山羊,初生至周岁各个生长测定阶段体重分别比海南黑山羊提高了9.09%和11.36%、3.26%和6.70%、8.03%和5.25%、6.67%和12.27%、16.46%和20.90%、32.11%和29.77%、49.37%和51.26%,杂交效果明显;②所有类型羊平均日增重都是随着年龄的增长逐渐降低,而ADG(10月龄)有一个不同幅度的提升;③F1、F2羊各阶段平均日增重与海南黑山羊相比,随着年龄的增长其提高幅度逐渐加大,表明F1、F2羊的杂种优势是随着年龄的增加而逐步体现出来的;④体高方面,F1、F2羊与海南黑山羊相比,早期差异不大,随着年龄的增长差异逐渐增大,而体斜长各个生长阶段差异都不大,说明F1、F2体型有朝着其父本(萨能奶山羊)的方向发展的趋势.该项研究结果能为海南黑山羊的合理开发利用及杂交育种提供理论基础和科学依据.     

Effect of passive transfer status and vaccination with Escherichia coli (J5) on mortality in comingled dairy calves

The effect of vaccination with a commercially available R-mutant coliform mastitis vaccine on the survival of comingled dairy calves on a farm with endemic salmonellosis was examined. A total of 864 calves were randomly assigned to either vaccine (n = 435) or control (n = 429) groups. Passive transfer status of each calf was determined using refractometer determination of serum total protein concentration. Logistic models were developed to determine the effects of vaccine group and passive transfer status on calf survival to 100 days of age. In a model in which serum protein concentration was treated as a categorical variable, increasing serum total protein concentrations were associated with decreased mortality until these concentrations exceeded 6.0 g/dL. Calves with serum protein concentrations > 6.0 g/dL had increased risk for mortality compared with calves with serum protein concentrations > 5.5 g/dL but < or = 6.0 g/dL. This increased risk for mortality was supported by the results of a logistic model in which serum protein concentration was treated as a continuous variable. The increased risks associated with high serum protein concentration probably reflect the effect of dehydration in calves with occult disease. Neither model demonstrated any significant association between vaccination status and survival to 100 days of age. Based on these results, the routine immunization of calves cannot be recommended as a strategy to prevent mortality on farms with endemic salmonellosis.     

不同中药复方对崂山奶山羊屠宰性能的影响

本文旨在研究不同中药复方对崂山奶山羊屠宰性能的影响.试验选用体况良好、年龄相近、质量(24.09±1.25) kg的4月龄崂山奶山羊公羊20只,随机分为5组,即对照组和4个试验组,每组4只.对照组饲喂基础日粮,4个试验组在日粮中分别添加1.2％的复方紫锥菊提取物(试验I组)、自制产品2(试验Ⅱ组)、自制产品3(试验Ⅲ组)、自制产品4(试验Ⅳ组).结果表明,各中药复方均可显著提高崂山奶山羊羔羊的胴体质量和屠宰率(P＜0.05),其中试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ组崂山奶山羊胴体质量分别比对照组提高40.52％、16.38％、7.76％和29.31％,屠宰率分别比对照组提高27.80％、14.80％、11.99％和23.38％;各试验组眼肌面积均显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),分别比对照组提高20.31％、14.82％、47.31％和30.30％.表明各中药复方均可不同程度地提高崂山奶山羊羔羊屠宰性能,其中复方紫锥菊提取物效果最好,钩吻等中药复方次之,提示该2种中药饲料添加剂在羔羊育肥方面有良好的推广利用价值.     

不同蛋白水平日粮对西农萨能羊公羔肥育性能的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同蛋白水平日粮对西农萨能羊公羔肥育性能的影响。选择21只健康、体重相近的6月龄西农萨能羊公羔,随机分为3组,分别饲喂蛋白水平为19.5%、16.0%、13.4%的日粮。试验为期50 d,测定试验羊的体重、体尺、血液生化指标、屠宰性能和羊肉品质。结果显示:高蛋白组试验羊体重、日增重、胸围、体斜长最大,料重比最小(P>0.05);血浆中总蛋白、白蛋白、球蛋白、总胆固醇含量高于中、低蛋白组(P>0.05);屠宰率、净肉重、肉骨比、眼肌面积具有最大值(P>0.05);羊肉失水率最低(P>0.05)、嫩度最好(P<0.05)。经综合评定,19.5%蛋白水平日粮更有利于西农萨能羊公羔短期育肥。     

Effect of castration procedure on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goat kids

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goat kids who were castrated following the administration of xylazine. Six goat kids were used for the study. The study was performed in two periods according to a longitudinal study, with a 15-day washout period between periods. In the first period (Control group), 1 mg/kg meloxicam was administered by i.v. route to kids. In the second period (Castration group), the kids were sedated with 0.3 mg/kg xylazine and castration was performed following meloxicam administration. Plasma meloxicam concentration was analyzed using HPLC-UV, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental model. In the control group following the administration of meloxicam, mean elimination half-life (t_1/2ʎz), area under the concentration–time curve (AUC_0−∞), total body clearance (Cl_T), and volume of distribution at steady-state (V_dss) were 13.50 ± 0.62 hr, 41.10 ± 2.86 hr µg/ml, 24.43 ± 1.75 ml hr⁻¹ kg⁻¹, and 0.45 ± 0.03 L/kg, respectively. In the castration group, the t_1/2ʎz of meloxicam prolonged, AUC_0−∞ increased, and Cl_T and V_dss decreased. In conclusion, the excretion of meloxicam from the body slowed and the t_1/2ʎz was prolonged in the castrated goat kids following xylazine administration. However, there is a need to determine the pharmacodynamics of meloxicam in castrated goat kids.     

Effect of diet on preweaning performance of Sahiwal calves

The objective was to study the growth potential of Sahiwal calves given milk or milk replacer with or without concentrates. For this purpose, forty-eight Sahiwal calves were divided into four groups of 12 animals each with equal sex ratio. In each group, the calves were offered either milk or a milk replacer (MR) at a rate of 10% of their body weight adjusted weekly. In addition to this, calves were fed either a starter ration plus Egyptian clover hay (SR + H) or hay only (H) until the end of trial. The milk or MR was withdrawn gradually from day 56 until animals were weaned completely by day 84. Calves offered milk grew faster than those offered MR (357 ± 9 vs. 162 ± 9 g/day; p < 0.05) and displayed higher weaning weights (51.6 ± 0.8 vs. 35.2 ± 0.8 kg; p < 0.05). The calves offered SR + H grew faster (311 ± 9 vs. 208 ± 9 g/day; p < 0.05) and displayed higher weaning weights (48.7 ± 0.8 vs. 38.1 ± 0.8 kg; p < 0.05) than those fed H alone. Calves offered milk plus SR + H showed the highest growth rate and weaning weights (401 ± 13 g/day and 56.3 ± 1 kg, respectively). The lowest growth rate and weaning weights were observed in calves offered MR and H only (115 ± 13 g/day and 30.3 ± 1 kg, respectively). Calves offered the MR had higher number of scour days than those offered milk (13.5 vs. 3.3). The feeding of whole milk in combination with the starter ration and hay resulted in superior growth rates, higher weaning weights, and healthier calves than the other feeding regimens.     

药草复方制剂对奶山羊体增重和免疫指标的影响

为了研究不同药草复方对奶山羊生长性能及血清生化指标的影响,试验选用体况良好、体重相近(24.09±1.25)kg的4月龄崂山奶山羊公羊16只,随机分为4组,即对照组和3个试验组,每组4个重复。对照组饲喂基础日粮,3个试验组在日粮中分别添加1.2%的复方紫锥菊提取物(试验Ⅰ组)、四君子散(试验Ⅱ组)、强壮散(试验Ⅲ组)。结果:(1)就平均日增重和料重比两项综合来看,试验I组的效果更为明显;(2)各中药复方均可提高奶山羊血清中免疫球蛋白G的含量,且复方紫锥菊提取物还可提高血清中免疫球蛋白A的含量。结果表明,自制各药草复方不仅可提高羊只的体增重,而且还可提高其免疫力,效果以复方紫锥菊提取物制剂为最好。     

A case of scours in goat kids

Extract

Madam: — Automatic feeders are commonly used to rear goat kids. The efficiency of these factors should be considered when investigating the cause of scours in kids as the following case illustrates.     

Effect of supplemental dietary slow‐release urea on growth performance and physiological status of dairy heifers

We examined the effect of supplemental dietary slow‐release urea on the growth performance and physiological status of 16 dairy Holstein heifers (10 months of age, 322 ± 10 kg). The heifers were offered a formulated isocaloric and isonitrogenous 70:30 roughage : concentrate ration and were assigned randomly to one of four levels of slow‐release urea supplementation (0% [U₀], 1% [U₁], 1.5% [U_1.5] and 2% [U₂] dry matter [DM]). The total study lasted 95 days, which included a 20 days adaptation period. Dry matter intake (DMI) of U₂ was lower than the intakes of U₀ and U₁ (p < .05), while average daily gains (ADG) of U₁ and U_1.5 were higher than U₀ and U₂ (p < .05). Rumen volatile fatty acids concentration did not differ among the four treatments, while ammonia nitrogen concentration increased with an increase in urea level (p < .05). Serum blood urea nitrogen concentration was lower in U_1.5 than in U₀ and U₂ while serum free fatty acids concentration in U₂ was higher than in the other three treatments (p < .05). We concluded that the addition of urea at a level of 1.5 to 2.0% DM resulted in a reduction in DMI but the addition of 1.0%–1.5% urea resulted in the highest ADG, with no negative effects on rumen fermentation and health status of the calves.