Improving the nutritional quality and shelf life of broiler meat by feeding diets supplemented with fermented pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by-products

1. Four experimental diets containing 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% fermented pomegranate by-products (FPB) were supplied to 320d-old broilers to evaluate the effects of FPB on growth performance, nutritional composition, fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of meat.

2. Dietary supplementation of FPB linearly increased the weight gain and feed intake of broilers with linear reduction in feed conversion ratio.

3. The crude protein, iron, magnesium, and sodium content were linearly higher, whereas cholesterol was linearly lower in the breast meat of FPB-supplemented broilers. In thigh meat, linearly lower ether extract and cholesterol with higher moisture was noted in response to increasing levels of FPB.

4. The proportion of saturated fatty acids was both linearly and quadratically lower in breast and thigh meat, whereas those of monounsaturated fatty acids of breast (linear and quadratic) and n-3 fatty acids of breast and thigh (linear) meat was higher in the FPB-supplemented broilers. The n-6/n-3 ratio of breast meat was linearly lower in response to FPB supplementation. The hypocholesterolaemic to hypercholesterolaemic ratio of thigh meat was higher in the FPB-supplemented groups.

5. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and pH value were lower in the breast and thigh meat of FPB-supplemented broilers.

6. Thus, additive supplementation of the diet with up to 2% FPB improved the nutritional quality, fatty acid profile and shelf life of broiler meat.     

石榴花蜂蜜成分分析

分别采集2011年和2012年云南省蒙自市石榴花期生产的24个蜂蜜样品,对各主要指标进行检测。测定结果表明蜂蜜样品中水分(21.92±1.64)%;淀粉酶值(18.79±6.10)mL/(g·h);酸度(14.13±1.67)(1mol/LNaOH)mL/kg;还原糖(74.20±1.49)%;葡萄糖(38.00±1.05)%;蔗糖(2.26±1.28)%;总糖(76.58±2.75)%;灰分(0.06±0.03)%。通过对两年生产的石榴花蜂蜜各指标含量进行差异性分析,结果都不显著(P>0.05)。     

Haemolytic anaemia in cattle in NSW associated with Theileria infections

Several outbreaks of anaemia, jaundice, abortion and mortality in cattle in New South Wales were attributed to the intracellular parasite, Theileria buffeli . Disease occurred predominantly in periparturient animals that had been moved from inland to coastal areas. Diagnosis was made via exclusion of other causes of haemolytic anaemia and observation of the parasite in blood smears. Treatments included both registered and non-registered products. There is a possibility of a new strain of Theileria sp. in Australia and the possible vectors encountered in NSW are discussed.     

Clinical,pathologic, and toxicologic characterization of Salvia reflexa (lance-leaf sage) poisoning in cattle fed contaminated hay

Salvia reflexa (lance-leaf sage)-contaminated alfalfa hay was fed to ~500 mixed-breed beef cattle. Within hours of exposure, nearly half of the cattle developed lethargy, anorexia, depression, and recumbency, followed by bellowing, colic, and death. Even though the uneaten contaminated hay was removed the first day, nearly 100 animals died within the first 48 h. Three of these cattle were examined postmortem, and tissues and hay samples were collected for microscopic and chemical analysis. Several days later, a smaller number of the clinically poisoned cattle developed neurologic disease with aberrant behavior, aggression, icterus, blindness, exhaustion, and death. A total of 165 cattle were fatally poisoned. Poisoned cattle had swollen, dark, mottled livers that had a prominent nutmeg-like lobular pattern on cut section. Histologically, there was severe centrilobular-to-panlobular hepatic necrosis with marked hepatocellular swelling, degeneration, and necrosis. The surviving cattle developed liver disease characterized by altered serum biochemical analyses and microscopic hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis. In subsequent biopsies and analysis, these lesions resolved within 6–7 mo. After confirming toxicity of the hay in cattle, goats, and mice, followed by a mouse bioassay–guided chemical fractionation process, Salvia reflexa was identified as the contaminant in the hay responsible for the hepatotoxicity. S. reflexa has not been reported previously to cause fatal hepatotoxicity in livestock in North America, to our knowledge.     

Genome-wide association study identifies genomic loci associated with flight reaction in cattle

Lower flight reaction is closely related to higher production in cattle, but the genetic basis of lower flight reaction is not clearly understood. Here, we sampled a total of 45 Brahman cattles and 166 Yunling cattles with flight distance (FD), and 73 Brahman cattles and 288 Yunling cattles with crush score (CS) and flight speed (FS), whereas there were 45 Brahman cattles and 161 Yunling cattles with all three traits. The FD, CS and FS in Brahman cattle were significantly lower than those in Yunling cattle. The flight reaction traits had negative correlation with conformational traits (e.g., body weight, withers height and body length). Based on SNPs derived from a subset of 162 whole genomes (25 Brahman genomes and 100 Yunling genomes with FD, 30 Brahman and 131 Yunling genomes with CS and FS), genome-wide association study with mixed linear model was performed to test potential associations between flight reaction traits and genomic variants. We identified five, two and two genomic loci suggestively associated with FD, CS and FS, respectively. Five out of five candidate genes for FD (LOC789753, LRP6, CTIF, SLC9A9 and ZEB1) were reported to be related to Alzheimer's disease representing cognitive impairment in human, which was consistent with the finding that cognitive-behavioural intervention decreased the FD of cows to human. In CS, a very strong association locus was assigned to CDH8, a cadherin involved in synaptic adhesion, axon outgrowth and guidance, whose deletion was associated with autism spectrum disorder. In FS, a very strong association locus was assigned to GABRG2, a gamma-aminobutyric acid (a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain) receptor, whose polymorphisms were associated with suicidal behaviour in schizophrenia patients. Our findings will provide targets for molecular-marker selection and genetic manipulation of cattle improvement to meeting the growing demand for lower flight reaction to human.     

Reduced risk of acute poisoning in Australian cattle from used motor oils after introduction of lead-free petrol

Lead (Pb) poisoning of cattle has been relatively common in Australia and sump oil has been identified as an important cause of Pb toxicity for cattle because they seem to have a tendency to drink it. Lead-free petrol has been available in Australia since 1975, so the aim of this study was to assess the current risk to cattle from drinking used automotive oils. Sump or gear box oil was collected from 56 vehicles being serviced. The low levels of Pb found suggest that the removal of leaded petrol from the Australian market as a public health measure has benefited cattle by eliminating the risk of acute poisoning from used engine oil.     

Effect of dietary pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) and Aloe vera gel (Aloe barbadensis miller) supplementation on testicular antioxidant biomarkers and spermatogenesis enzymes in mature V-Line rabbit bucks

Rabbit meat is considered as an economic source of white meat, increasing its production is limited by the buck fertility, since one rabbit can be used to inseminate up to 15 female. The aim of the current study is to enhance male rabbit fertility by using dietary antioxidants including Aloe vera gel ( AVG ) and pomegranate peels ( PP ). In a 60 days experiment, 48 V-Line 5-month-old rabbit bucks of average body weight (2,300 ± 20) kg were allocated into four dietary treatments (n = 12/group) as follow: CON (fed on control diet), ALOE (received AVG in drinking water; 500 mg/L drinking water), POM3 (fed on basal diet + 3% of pomegranate) and POM5 (fed on basal diet + 5% of pomegranate). Semen samples were collected at d30 and d60 of the experiment and used for analysis of semen quality. Sexual behaviour was reported in terms of latency to first mating and ejaculation interval. At the end of the experiment, six bucks were euthanized from each group, blood samples were collected and used for testosterone level determination and testicular tissue samples were collected and used for key antioxidant and spermatogenesis enzymes assessment, and testes histopathological evaluation. The UNIVARIATE procedures of SAS 9.4 were used to analyse the data, significance was declared at p ≤.05. PP supplementation improved percentage of progressive motile sperms while AVG negatively impacted it (p = .04), sperm concentration and metabolically active sperm cells were the highest in PP and lowest in ALOE supplemented bucks (p = .01 and .01; respectively). Testicular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) decreased in AVG supplemented group (p = .01 and .02; respectively). From our findings, AVG in its fresh form decreased fertility of rabbit bucks, while PP is potent fertility boosting for rabbit bucks.     

Hepatotoxicosis in dogs consuming a diet of camel meat contaminated with indospicine

Background Four dogs presented with clinical signs of severe hepatic disease after consuming a commercial camel meat diet. Methods Laboratory investigation revealed evidence of severe liver disease, including markedly increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and total bilirubin concentration, and prolonged clotting times. Results Two dogs deteriorated despite supportive therapy and were euthanased. Histologically, both livers appeared similar, with the main lesion being extensive periacinar necrosis and haemorrhage. Indospicine, a toxic amino acid of plant origin, was detected in the serum and/or plasma from all four dogs, as well as in tissues of a dog that was necropsied and in a sample of the camel meat fed to this animal. Serum biochemistry tests using blood samples collected from 15 additional dogs identified as having eaten the diet detected indospicine was in the serum of 14 and 3 had increased ALT activity. One of the latter dogs subsequently developed clinical signs of severe liver disease and was euthanased. Conclusion To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report of the detection of indospicine residues in camel meat and the occurrence of severe, sometimes fatal, liver disease in dogs that consumed this contaminated meat.     

Reference ranges of hematology and lymphocyte subsets in healthy Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) and Holstein dairy cattle

There are no accurate reference ranges for hematology parameters and lymphocyte subsets in Korean native beef cattle (Hanwoo). This study was performed to establish reliable reference ranges of hematology and lymphocyte subsets using a large number of Hanwoo cattle (n = 350) and to compare differences between Hanwoo and Holstein dairy cattle (n = 334). Additionally, age‐related changes in lymphocyte subsets were studied. Bovine leukocyte subpopulation analysis was performed using mono or dual color flow cytometry. The leukocyte subpopulations investigated in healthy cattle included: CD2⁺ cells, sIgM⁺ cells, MHC class II⁺ cells, CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells, and WC1⁺ cells. Although Hanwoo and Holstein cattle are the same species, results showed several differences in hematology and lymphocyte subsets between Hanwoo and Holstein cattle. This study is the first report to establish reference ranges of hematology and lymphocyte subsets in adult Hanwoo cattle.     

Cyanide poisoning in cattle from Dysphania glomulifera (red crumbweed): using the internet for rapid plant identification and diagnostic advice

A 300-strong Angus-Brahman cattle herd near Springsure, central Queensland, was being fed Acacia shirleyi (lancewood) browse during drought and crossed a 5-hectare, previously burnt area with an almost pure growth of Dysphania glomulifera subspecies glomulifera (red crumbweed) on their way to drinking water. Forty cows died of cyanide poisoning over 2 days before further access to the plant was prevented. A digital image of a plant specimen made on a flat-bed scanner and transmitted by email was used to identify D glomulifera. Specific advice on the plant's poisonous properties and management of the case was then provided by email within 2 hours of an initial telephone call by the field veterinarian to the laboratory some 600 km away. The conventional method using physical transport of a pressed dried plant specimen to confirm the identification took 5 days. D glomulifera was identified in the rumen of one of two cows necropsied. The cyanogenic potential of D glomulifera measured 4 days after collection from the site of cattle deaths was 18,600 mg HCN/kg in dry matter. The lethal dose of D glomulifera for a 420 kg cow was estimated as 150 to 190 g wet weight. The plant also contained 4.8% KNO3 equivalent in dry matter, but nitrate-nitrite poisoning was not involved in the deaths.     

Risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium parvum infection in cattle

A 2-year, cross-sectional study was conducted to identify risk factors for Cryptosporidium sp. infection in bovine farms in central Italy. Faecal samples were collected on 248 farms, from 2024 calves and analysed using ELISA and immunofluorescent assay (IFA) commercial kits. In all 101 samples confirmed to be positive with IFA, the aetiological agent was identified as Cryptosporidium parvumand a large genetic variability was detected by subtype analysis. The prevalence of farm infection ranged from 3.4% to 35.6%. Univariate analysis showed a number of putative risk factors, including the type of farm, stalling of calves, late supply of colostrum, number of heads and contact between calves and adults. However, multivariate analysis confirmed that the higher risk for calves was associated with housing calves separately from their dams, a characteristic practice of dairy herd, whereas calves being nursed by their dams, a characteristic of cow-calf herd resulted as a protective factor.     

Environmental and maternal factors associated with gross placental morphology in dairy cattle

This article reports on a study of gross placental morphology of 282 expelled placentas from 89 primi‐ and 193 multiparous Holstein dams immediately after calving and examines associations with environmental factors such as typical herd features and season of calving, and maternal factors such as age at calving, level of milk yield at conception and cumulative amount of milk produced during gestation. The highest correlation between calf measurements and placental characteristics was found between the weight of the calf and the total cotyledonary surface (r = .643; p < .001), confirming the high importance of the cotyledonary surface available for nutrient transfer to the developing foetus. Younger age in adolescent and smaller heart girth in multiparous dams were associated with a higher cotyledon number, suggesting placental compensation in dams with lower capacities in terms of dry matter intake. No significant association between milk yield during gestation in multiparous animals and gross placental morphometrics could be detected, indicating that factors such as the amount of milk produced during gestation affect placental development less than foetal weight close to term. Therefore, placental growth may be sustained at the expense of other tissues in an attempt to maintain pregnancy and minimize the adverse consequences for the foetus. This study offers evidence concerning factors affecting the placental surface size for nutrient transfer from dam to calf in dairy cattle based on gross morphometrics, but needs confirmation from studies in which this surface size is more profoundly assessed by measuring the branches present in the cotyledonary villi.     

Clinical and pathological findings associated with congenital hypovitaminosis A in extensively grazed beef cattle

Objective   To determine the cause of exceptionally high mortality (41.4%) in perinatal calves on a beef cattle property 50 km south-west of Julia Creek in north-western Queensland.
Design   Investigations were based on clinical assessment of affected calves and laboratory analysis of pre- and postmortem specimens taken from 12 calves aged from 6 to 36 h of age.
Methods   Associations between gross and histopathological findings and biochemical analyses conducted on serum and tissue samples were examined in relation to clinical observations.
Results   Clinical signs varied, but commonly included mild to severe ataxia, difficulty finding a teat and sucking, blindness (partial or complete, as judged by avoidance of obstacles) and depression with prominent drooping of the head. Gross and histopathological findings included herniation of the cerebellar vermis through the foramen magnum, squamous metaplasia of interlobular ducts in the parotid salivary glands and Wallerian degeneration of the optic nerves. Biochemical analysis of serum and liver samples available from four of the calves revealed low or undetectable levels of both vitamin A and vitamin E.
Conclusion   Although vitamin E is known to have a sparing effect on vitamin A, the role (if any) played by deficiency of this vitamin was uncertain. The combination of clinical signs, postmortem findings, histopathological features and biochemical findings indicate that gestational vitamin A deficiency was highly likely to have been an important contributor to perinatal calf mortalities in this herd.     

Serum-gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AspAT) activities in adult cattle with chronic Fasciola hepatica infection

Sera from adult cattle with fluke-infected and normal livers were analyzed for γ-GT and AspAT activities. The analyses revealed no significant increases in either γ-GT or AspAT values of the animals with fascioliasis as compared with the non-infected animals. The advanced chronic stage of the infection characterized by hepatic fibrosis, limited injury of parenchyma and low fluke burdens may explain the lack of enzymatic increase.