A Case–Control Study of Risk Factors for Bovine Cysticercosis in Danish Cattle Herds

Bovine cysticercosis (BC) is a zoonotic, parasitic infection in cattle. Under the current EU meat inspection regulation, every single carcass from all bovines above 6 weeks of age is examined for BC. This method is costly and makes more sense in countries with higher number of BC‐infected animals than in countries with few lightly infected cases per year. The aim of the present case–control study was to quantify associations between potential herd‐level risk factors and BC in Danish cattle herds. Risk factors can be used in the design of a risk‐based meat inspection system targeted towards the animals with the highest risk of BC. Cases (n = 77) included herds that hosted at least one animal diagnosed with BC at meat inspection, from 2006 to 2010. Control herds (n = 231) consisted of randomly selected herds that had not hosted any animals diagnosed with BC between 2004 and 2010. The answers from a questionnaire and register data from the Danish Cattle Database were grouped into meaningful variables and used to investigate the risk factors for BC using a multivariable logistic regression model. Case herds were almost three times more likely than control herds to let all or most animals out grazing. Case herds were more than five times more likely than control herds to allow their animals access to risky water sources with sewage treatment plant effluent in proximity. Case herds were also more likely to share machinery or hire contractors than control herds. The risk decreased with increasing herd size probably because the larger herds generally tend to keep cattle indoors in Denmark. The results are useful to guide future data recording that can be supplied by the farmer as food chain information and then be used for differentiated meat inspection in low‐ and high‐risk groups, enabling development of risk‐based meat inspection systems.     

凹凸棒石抗菌材料对湖羊生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响

试验旨通过在湖羊全混合颗粒料中添加凹凸棒石抗菌材料,探究其对湖羊生长性能、屠宰性能和肉品质的影响。选取48只平均体重(15～20)kg、日龄(60～70日龄)的健康湖羊,公母各半,随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复4只羊。对照组饲喂全混合配方颗粒料,试验组在此基础颗粒料中添加凹凸棒石抗菌材料,饲喂80 d,试验最后一天进行屠宰,检测湖羊的生长性能、屠宰性能和肉品质。结果:试验组总增重和日增重均高于对照组(P>0.05);料重比差异不显著(P>0.05);各屠宰性能指标两组之间均差异不显著(P>0.05);试验组屠宰24 h所测pH值和肉色红度值显著低于对照组(P<0.05),滴水损失率、熟肉率和剪切力与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05)。结论:饲粮中添加凹凸棒石抗菌材料有提高湖羊的生长性能和屠宰性能的趋势,可以改善肉品质。     

Dose–responses of zinc–methionine supplements on growth,blood metabolites and gastrointestinal development in sheep

The effects of zinc–methionine (Zn‐Met) supplementation on growth, blood metabolites and gastrointestinal development were investigated in two experiments with sheep. The objective of Experiment 1 was to determine the effects of Zn‐Met supplementation on hormones and metabolites involved in growth and energy balance regulation, while Experiment 2 aimed to determine the effects of Zn‐Met on feed intake, body weight, gastrointestinal development and liver glycogen concentration in lamb. The animals were assigned to groups with different concentrations of dietary Zn‐Met (0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 g/day) in both experiments. In Experiment 1, feeding different doses of Zn‐Met increased plasma insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) concentration, but it linearly decreased plasma growth hormone (GH). No differences were observed in blood cortisol, insulin and glucose concentrations among the treatments. In Experiment 2, addition of Zn‐Met to the diets did not lead to changes in the body weights of the lambs. Both average daily gain and dry matter intake (DMI) increased linearly with increasing concentrations of dietary Zn‐Met. Lambs receiving Zn‐Met showed higher liver glycogen concentrations than the control. While significant increases were observed in the villus height and crypt depth in the duodenum and jejunum as a result of Zn‐Met supplementation, no change was detected in blood glucose concentrations (p > 0.05). Our findings suggest that dietary Zn‐Met may improve growth, energy balance and gastrointestinal development in sheep.     

黄土高原丘陵沟壑区放牧补饲和舍饲肉羊的屠宰与肉质性能比较研究

栽培草地生产系统肉羊舍饲生产利弊共存。本研究通过对比舍饲与放牧补饲条件下的肉羊屠宰及肉质性能,旨在探究肉羊优质高效生产的模式。选取80只体况相当的6月龄育肥小尾寒羊,随机分为两组（全舍饲组和放牧补饲组）,每组40只。其中舍饲组（HF）于圈舍内以全混合颗粒饲料饲喂,剩料10%的方式进行饲养。放牧补饲组（GS）白天于红豆草草地进行放牧,夜晚归牧后于圈舍进行补饲,补饲饲料与舍饲组相同。在90 d育肥试验结束后,从每个试验组选取6只接近该组平均体重的试验羊用于屠宰试验。研究发现不同饲养方式下,小尾寒羊的宰前活重、胴体重和滴水损失率均无显著差异（P>0.05）。GS组背最长肌肌纤维直径和肌纤维面积均极显著高于HF组（P<0.01）;GS组与HF组相比总不饱和脂肪酸（TUFA）、总饱和脂肪酸（SFA）含量并无显著差异（P>0.05）。GS组γ-亚麻酸（C18:3n-6）含量高于HF组（P<0.05）。HF组小尾寒羊背最长肌中缬氨酸含量低于GS组（P<0.05）,其余氨基酸含量则无显著差异（P>0.05）。由此可见,相较于全舍饲,放牧补饲可提升小尾寒羊肉营养品质,...     

Meta‐analysis of the energy and protein requirements of hair sheep raised in the tropical region of Brazil

The objective of this study was to estimate, through mathematical models, energy and protein requirements for maintenance and gain of hair sheep raised in the tropical region of Brazil. To determine the equation parameters, a meta‐analysis of seven independent experiments of nutrient requirements was performed, comprising a total of 243 experimental units (animals), which were conducted under tropical conditions, using hair sheep in growing and finishing phases and endowed of the following quantitative data for each animal: body weight (BW ), empty body weight (EBW ), average daily gain (ADG ), empty body gain (EBG ), heat production (HP ), metabolizable energy intake (MEI ), retained energy (RE ), metabolizable protein intake (MPI ) and body protein content. The regression equations generated were as follows: for Net Energy for maintenance, (NE _m): ; for Net Energy for gain, (NE _g): ; for Metabolizable Protein for maintenance,(MP _m): MPI _(g/day) = 24.8470 (±7.3646) + 560.28 (±99.6582) × EBG _(kg/day); for Net Protein for gain, (NP _g): . The NE _m requirement was 0.246 MJ EBW^?0.75 day^?1. The metabolizable energy for maintenance requirement was 0.391 MJ EBW^?0.75 day^?1. Considering an ADG of 100 g, the NE _g requirement ranged from 0.496 to 1.701 MJ/day for animals with BW ranging from 10 to 40 kg respectively. The efficiencies of use of the metabolizable energy for maintenance and gain were 0.63 and 0.36 respectively. The MP _m requirement was 3.097 g EBW^?0.75 day^?1. Considering an ADG of 100 g, the NP _g requirement ranged from 12.4 to 10.5 g/day for animals with BW ranging from 10 to 40 kg respectively. The total metabolizable energy and protein requirements were lower than those reported by the NRC and AFRC systems. Thus, our results support the hypothesis that nutrient requirements of hair sheep raised in tropical regions differ from wool sheep raised in temperate regions. Therefore, the use of the equations designed in this study is recommended.     

谷胱甘肽对肉羊生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响

选择东北细毛羊×德国肉用美利奴的杂交一代肉羊12只,分成对照组、试验Ⅰ组和Ⅱ组,每组4只,研究谷胱甘肽对肉羊生长性能、屠宰性能及肉品质的影响。试验期60 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,谷胱甘肽显著提高了肉羊的日增重(P<0.05),试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组分别提高了14.6%和11.4%;降低了肉羊的料重比(P<0.05),试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组分别降低了11.0%和8.1%。试验Ⅰ组的净肉率和GR值显著高于对照组(P<0.05),Ⅱ组的宰前活重显著高于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ组肉的剪切力显著低于对照组(P<0.05);试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组的滴水损失显著低于对照组(P<0.05),而熟肉率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),且两试验组间差异不显著(P>0.05);各试验组宰后45 min内肉的pH没有显著差异(P>0.05),但试验Ⅰ组24 h的pH极显著地高于其他2组(P<0.01)。     

The distribution pattern of Sarcocystis species,their transmission and pathogenesis in sheep in Fars Province of Iran

Of 1362 sheep examined during two years in Fars Province of Iran, 786 (57.7%) were positive for Sarcocystis spp. The prevalence was significantly higher (p<0.05) in animals owned by nomadic Assyrians (67.95%) than in those owned by local people (41.86%). More of the animals above 2 years age were infected (69.98%) than young ones (30.02%). Females had a higher prevalence of infection (61.07%) than males (38.93%) but most of the males were younger. There was no variation in the infection rate during spring, summer or autumn, but it was low in winter. The species observed were Sarcocystis gigantea, predominantly in oesophagus, S. medusiformis, mainly in diaphragm, S. tenella in the oesophagus, diaphragm, tongue and heart, and S. arieticanis in the oesophagus, tongue and occasionally in the diaphragm. In transmission studies, the prepatent period for S. gigantea and S. medusiformis and for the two microscopic species was 11–13, 10 and 8–12 days, respectively. The infection could not be transmitted to hamsters and guinea-pigs. The macroscopic species were almost non-pathogenic but were responsible for economic losses because of rejection of carcases or parts thereof at slaughter. The microscopic species caused tissue damage to the affected organs, resulting in haemorrhages, mononuclear infiltration and necrotic changes.Abbreviations DPI days post infection     

青贮杂交构树对育肥肉羊生长性能、屠宰性能及器官指数的影响

试验旨在研究不同添加比例青贮杂交构树对育肥肉羊生长性能、屠宰性能及器官指数的影响,探讨青贮杂交构树替代豆粕作为蛋白质原料饲喂肉羊的可行性.试验选取体重(26.25±1.92)kg的杜泊×湖羊F1代公羊48只,随机分为4组,每组12只羊,对照组(CG组)、试验组(LG组、MG组、HG组)分别饲喂添加0％、6％、12％和1...     

Serological patterns,antibody half-life and shedding in urine of Leptospira spp. in naturally exposed sheep

Abstract

AIMS: To determine within-farm prevalence, longitudinal pattern of exposure measured by serology, antibody titre longevity and point prevalence of shedding in urine of Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and L. interrogans serovar Pomona in naturally infected sheep on a sample of commercial farms in New Zealand.

METHODS: On eight commercial sheep farms, between September 2011 and January 2014, blood samples were collected from 115–217 ewe lambs on each farm, at intervals of 2–11 months. They were analysed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for antibodies to L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo and L. interrogans serovar Pomona, using a titre cut-point of 48. Urine from 98 animals was tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR). The half-life of antibodies was estimated in 185 sheep for serovar Hardjo and 21 for Pomona, and the seroprevalence and mean titre of animals lost to follow-up was compared with those remaining in the study.

RESULTS: Within-flock seroprevalence for serovar Hardjo reached a maximum at 17–22 months of age, ranging from 79 to 100%. Seroprevalence for serovar Pomona rose above 10% on three farms and increased to 21–54% by 4–14 months. Seroconversions occurred mainly from late autumn to early summer at 7–15 months of age. Seroprevalences ranging from 3 to 76% for serovar Hardjo and 0.5 to 15% for serovar Pomona were observed up to 3 months of age, likely due to maternally derived immunity. The half-life of antibody in response to infection was estimated to be 6.7 (95% CI=5.8–7.9) months for serovar Hardjo and 6.3 (95% CI=4.8–9.0) months for Pomona. The prevalence of sheep with urine positive for leptospires on qPCR on each farm ranged from 11 to 88%. All but one of the qPCR-positive animals were seropositive for serovar Hardjo. On two farms where Pomona exposure was observed, animals that were lost to follow-up had a higher geometric mean titre for serovar Pomona than those remaining in the study.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated seasonal exposure from autumn to early summer in young sheep, a wide range of within-flock serological and shedding prevalence, and gives an estimation of the half-life of MAT titres in sheep. More extensive data are needed to fully understand the epidemiology of leptospirosis in sheep flocks across New Zealand and, along with economic analysis, to justify and design cost-effective and efficient control measures to protect human and animal health.     

Effects of pre‐slaughter showering and ventilation on stress,meat quality and metabolite concentrations of broilers in summer

Effects of pre‐slaughter showering and ventilation on stress, meat quality and energy metabolism of broilers in summer were investigated. After transport, 84 Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into four treatment groups: (i) control group without ventilation and showering (C); (ii) 10 min ventilation without showering (VWS); (iii) 10 min showering without ventilation (SWV); (iv) 5 min showering and then 5 min ventilation (SV). Compared with the control group, plasma lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities in the other three treatment groups were (P < 0.05) lower; however, the plasma glucose level did not show any significant changes among all the groups. The breast meat in the SV group had significantly (P < 0.05) higher pH_u, glycogen content, lower L*, ΔpH, drip loss, cook loss, R‐value and lactate content than the control group; however, there was no significant difference in shear force values among all the groups. In conclusion, this study indicated broilers in the SV group showed a lower stress level and greater meat quality, which suggest that showering and ventilation after transportation may be a good measure to relieve stress caused by transport under high temperature and improve the meat quality of broilers.     

Polymorphism of inhibin βB gene and its relationship with litter size in sheep

The inhibin β_B (INHBB) gene was studied as a candidate gene for the prolificacy of Small Tail Han and Hu sheep. According to the sequence of exon 1 and 2 of bovine INHBB gene, six pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphisms of exon 1 and 2 of INHBB gene in both high (Small Tail Han and Hu sheep) and low prolificacy breeds (Dorset, Texel and German Mutton Merino sheep) by polymerase chain reaction‐single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR‐SSCP). Three pairs of primers (primers 1‐1, 1‐2 and 1‐3) were used to amplify the exon 1, and others (primers 2‐1, 2‐2 and 2‐3) to the exon 2. Only the products amplified by primer 2‐3 displayed polymorphism. For primer 2‐3, three genotypes (AA, AB and BB) were detected in Hu sheep and only AA genotype in other breeds. In Hu sheep, frequency of AA, AB and BB genotypes was 0.636, 0.046 and 0.318, respectively. Sequencing revealed 276A > G mutation (based on the amplification region of primer 2‐3) which did not cause any amino acid change because it lay in the 3′ untranslated region. The ewes with genotype BB had 0.58 (P < 0.01) lambs more than those with AA in Hu sheep.     

Temporal trends in Giardia occurrence in the Grand River and surrounding tributaries,Waterloo, Ontario (2005–2013), a retrospective analysis of surveillance data

Giardia contamination in the Grand River Watershed (south‐western Ontario, Canada) was monitored from 2005 to 2013 as part of FoodNet Canada. Our study objectives were to describe the temporal pattern of Giardia occurrence and determine whether water quality parameters and bacterial indicators could act as effective markers for Giardia occurrence. Water samples were collected monthly from the Grand River near a drinking water intake point (2005–2013) and also collected intermittently from other areas in the watershed during the study period. Samples were tested for Giardia cysts using the US EPA method 1623. Samples were also tested for chemical and microbial water quality indicators. Univariable and multivariable linear regression models were built to examine whether temporal, water quality and bacterial indicators were associated with Giardia cyst concentration. Giardia cysts were identified in 89% of samples (n = 228), with highest measured concentrations downstream of a waste water treatment plant outfall. Year and season were found to be predictors for Giardia occurrence. Concentrations were significantly higher in the winter and fall compared to the summer, and significantly higher in 2007 compared to other study years. After controlling for season, year and sampling location, dissolved oxygen was the only variable significantly associated with Giardia cyst concentration. Seasonal peaks in Giardia cyst concentrations in samples collected near the intake for the drinking water plant did not align with the seasonal peak in human Giardiasis cases in this region that are reported annually by public health authorities. This suggests that the risk of contracting Giardiasis from treated drinking water in this community is possibly low when the treatment plant is functioning adequately. Instead, waterborne exposure is likely the result of seasonal behaviours surrounding recreational water use. Therefore, the collective findings of our study are important to help inform future risk management studies and guide public health protection policies.     

The impact of MK‐467 on plasma drug concentrations,sedation and cardiopulmonary changes in sheep treated with intramuscular medetomidine and atipamezole for reversal

The effect of MK‐467, a peripheral α₂‐adrenoceptor antagonist, on plasma drug concentrations, sedation and cardiopulmonary changes induced by intramuscular (IM) medetomidine was investigated in eight sheep. Additionally, the interactions with atipamezole (ATI) used for reversal were also evaluated. Each animal was treated four times in a randomized prospective crossover design with 2‐week washout periods. Medetomidine (MED) 30 μg/kg alone or combined in the same syringe with MK‐467 300 μg/kg (MMK) was injected intramuscular, followed by ATI 150 μg/kg (MED + ATI and MMK + ATI) or saline intramuscular 30 min later. Plasma was analysed for drug concentrations, and sedation was subjectively assessed with a visual analogue scale. Systemic haemodynamics and blood gases were measured before treatments and at intervals thereafter. With MK‐467, medetomidine plasma concentrations were threefold higher prior to ATI, which was associated with more profound sedation and shorter onset. No significant differences were observed in early cardiopulmonary changes between treatments. Atipamezole reversed the medetomidine‐related cardiopulmonary changes after both treatments. Sedation scores decreased more rapidly when MK‐467 was included. In this study, MK‐467 appeared to have a pronounced effect on the plasma concentration and central effects of medetomidine, with minor cardiopulmonary improvement.     

Effects of supplementing low‐quality roughages with tree foliages on digestibility,nitrogen utilization and rumen characteristics in sheep: a meta‐analysis

Thirty‐six published studies containing 219 treatment means and 1069 sheep were included in the dataset for meta‐analysis to elucidate responses of foliage supplementation on digestibility, nitrogen balance and rumen parameters. Major predictive variables were percentages of foliages in diets (FL), crude protein (CP) in foliages (FCP), NDF in foliages (FNDF), NDF in basal forages (BNDF), CP in basal forages (BCP), CP in total diets (DCP) and foliage CP intake (FCPI). Organic matter digestibility increased linearly (p = 0.10) with increasing FL, but responded quadratically to DCP (p = 0.021) and BCP (p < 0.001), with maximal OM digestibility occurred at 14.6% of CP in diets (R² = 0.12). The digestibility of CP was affected by FL (p = 0.01), FCPI (p < 0.026), FCP (p < 0.001), FNDF (p < 0.001) and DCP (p < 0.032) positively and quadratically, and maximal response was at 14.1% DCP (p < 0.001), 51% FL (p < 0.001), 29% FCP (p < 0.001) and FCPI of 122 g/day (p < 0.001). The digestibility of NDF increased quadratically (p = 0.09) with increasing FL, peaking at 16% foliage levels, decreased quadratically (p = 0.001) with increasing FNDF and decreased linearly (p = 0.048) with increasing FCPI. Digestible OM and CP intakes were the highest at 37.2% and 42.1% FL, respectively. Fecal N excretion increased linearly with increasing FL (p < 0.001) and DCP (p < 0.001, R² = 0.66). However, FCPI (p = 0.082), FCP (p = 0.003) and BCP (p < 0.001) affected fecal N excretion positively and quadratically. Urinary N excretion increased linearly (p < 0.001) with increasing FL (R² = 0.45), FCPI (R² = 0.79), FCP (R² = 0.51), BCP (R² = 0.72) and DCP (R² = 0.77). Rumen NH₃ concentration was affected positively and quadratically (p = 0.023) by FL with a peak rumen NH₃ level of 160 mg/l at 17.3% FL. However, rumen NH₃ concentration (mg/l) increased linearly with increasing FCP (p = 0.001), FCPI (p = 0.01) and DCP (p < 0.001). In conclusion, catalytic foliage supplementation at low levels, preferably, at 16% may enhance nutrient utilization, while foliage levels up to 42% may result greater performance of sheep fed on low‐quality roughages.     

青稞替代玉米对育肥牦牛生产性能和肉品质的影响

本试验旨在研究青稞替代玉米对育肥牦牛生产性能、屠宰性能、养分表观消化率及肉品质的影响。采用2×3交叉设计,以日粮类型(玉米、60%青稞+40%玉米)和不同精粗比(30∶70、40∶60和50∶50)为两因素,选取36头年龄4周岁左右、体重为(144±21.0)kg的麦洼公牦牛,随机分为6组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头牛。预饲期15d,正试期180d。结果表明:1)日粮类型及精粗比对牦牛生产性能无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)青稞-玉米组的净肉率显著高于玉米组(P<0.05),但屠宰率和眼肌面积无显著差异(P>0.05);精粗比对屠宰性能无显著影响(P>0.05);日粮类型和精粗比二因素对眼肌面积的互作影响显著(P<0.05),以青稞-玉米(40∶60)组效果最优。3)日粮类型对养分表观消化率无显著影响(P>0.05);与30∶70相比,40∶60和50∶50极显著提高了有机物(OM)和总能(GE)的表观消化率(P<0.01)、显著提高了粗蛋白(CP)的表观消化率(P<0.05);日粮类型和精粗比二因素对GE、OM和粗脂肪(EE)的表观消化率有显著的互作影响(P<0.05),以玉米(40∶60)组效果最佳。4)青稞-玉米组和玉米组背最长肌亮度值(L*)、红度值(a*)、pH值均无显著差异(P>0.05),但青稞-玉米组的黄度值(b*)和滴水损失显著低于玉米组(P<0.05)、蒸煮损失极显著低于玉米组(P<0.01);随着精粗比的升高,蒸煮损失有逐渐降低的趋势(P=0.075)。5)日粮类型对背最长肌的嫩度无显著影响(P>0.05);随着精粗比的升高,剪切力逐渐减小(P>0.05),肌纤维直径有减小的趋势(P=0.059),肌纤维密度显著增加(P<0.05),肌纤维面积显著减小(P<0.05)。综上所述,以青稞替代日粮中60%的玉米能够提高育肥牦牛的屠宰性能,改善牦牛肉的品质;日粮精粗比为40∶60时饲喂效果最佳。     

Effect of dietary energy on digestibilities,rumen fermentation,urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites in Tibetan and small‐tailed Han sheep

Tibetan sheep are indigenous to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, graze the grassland all year round without supplementation and are well‐adapted to the harsh conditions. Small‐tailed Han sheep were introduced to the plateau and are raised mainly in feedlots. Based on their different backgrounds, we hypothesized that the ability to cope with poor diets would be better in Tibetan than in Han sheep. To test our prediction, we examined the effect of dietary energy on apparent digestibilities, rumen fermentation, urinary purine derivatives and serum metabolites by using a 4 × 4 Latin square design in each sheep breed. Four diets were formulated to be low in crude protein (~7%) but to differ in metabolizable energy concentration. Average daily gain was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01) and increased linearly with an increase in energy intake (p < 0.001). The digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, and neutral and acid detergent fibres were greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.05). Ruminal pH was lower (p < 0.05), while volatile fatty acids (VFAs), urea‐N, ammonia‐N and soluble protein‐N concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in Tibetan than in Han sheep. As a molar proportion of total VFA, acetate decreased (p < 0.001) with an increase in dietary energy whereas propionate and butyrate increased (p < 0.05). Urinary purine derivative excretion was greater in Tibetan than in Han sheep (p < 0.01), as was microbial nitrogen production; both parameters increased with dietary energy (p < 0.01). Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 increased (p < 0.05) as energy level increased, while non‐esterified fatty acids and growth hormone decreased (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Tibetan sheep were better able to cope with low‐protein, low‐energy diets and, consequently, our prediction was supported.