Liver diseases of fattening bulls]

The authors report on occurrence, causes and diagnostics of liver affections observed in fattening bulls in Ukrainia between 1982 and 1988. For this purpose, 2747 bulls in 10 fattening plants had been controlled clinically once during the last month of their final fattening period (lasting, according to the feeding schedule, from the 4th until the 12th, or from the 6th until the 18th month of life), and 1318 of them were controlled for eventual hepatic lesions at slaughter. The authors found an increase in liver affections during the final fattening period. The type of lesion found preferentially in the different fattening plants showed a certain correlation with feeding used in these: The prevalence of liver lesions (i.e. in 87.2% of the animals controlled) were found in fattening bulls fed cereal branstraw-pellets; among these, liver abscesses were most frequent (i.e. 55.2% of all lesions observed in this group). Steatosis of the liver was prevalent in fattening bulls receiving eating offalls (i.e. 82.7% of all lesions found in that group), whereas liver cirrhosis was prevalent in fattening bulls fed with sugar beet chips-silage. In Holstein-bulls, liver lesions were about double as frequent as in Fleckvieh-bulls (i.e. 37.3 and 16.7% of the livers controlled were found involved, respectively). Diagnostical value of several clinical parameters controlled is discussed (i.e. size and sensitivity of liver percussion field, activity of SDH, LDH, AST and ALT in serum, serum concentration of vitamin A, D3-25 and E, concentration of Vitamin A in liver, and concentration of cholic acids and of their glucoconjugates in bile).     

The occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum as regards meat hygiene

Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum are phenotypically and phylogenetically closely related cyst-forming coccidia, both of which may cause abortion in livestock animals. T. gondii exhibits also zoonotic potential by causing diaplacental infections in the human fetus and harmful infections in immunosuppressed individuals. Humans get infected either by consuming inappropriately prepared cyst-containing meat or by ingesting oocysts originating from cat feces. Therefore, in order to assess infection risk we need to have knowledge on the prevalence of the parasite in consumable meat and thus slaughtered animals. So far, no data indicate any zoonotic potential for N. caninum. Due to its high economic impact in the bovine production in Switzerland, we included this parasite in the present study as well. The prevalence of both parasite species were investigated by PCR in muscle and brain samples of slaughtered bovines, sheep, pigs and horses. Comparatively, a serum sample from each animal was simultaneously tested serologically by a Toxoplasma-P30-ELISA and a Neospora-SA-ELISA. The prevalences determined by the T. gondii-PCR were the followings: adult cows 3%, young bulls 2%, young cows prior to gravidity 6%, calves 1%, sheep 6%, horses and pigs each 0%. For N. caninum, the PCR-prevalence was 2% for adult cows and 0% for all other animal groups. Conversely, the seroprevalences were much higher for both parasite species and all animal groups, with the exception of the fattening pigs. However, as T. gondii was principally detectable in bovine (cows and calves) as well as in sheep meat, the consumption of this meat harbours a potential infection risk for humans. In contrast, the lack of any parasite detectability in fattening pig and horse meat allows to consider this infection source as neglectable when compared to bovine and ovine meat.     

Effect of the polyether antibiotic "monensin" on fattening and slaughtering performance as well as protein and energy retention in bulls

In an individual feeding experiment (150-500 kg live weight) the influence of the polyether antibiotic Monensin on the fattening, slaughtering and retention performances of crossbreeding dairy bulls (genotype 31) and fattening hybrids (genotype 61) was ascertained. The supplementation of the polyether antibiotic on average resulted in a decrease by approximately equal to 11% of the dry matter and energy expenditure per kg weight gain due to a lower feed intake and a higher live weight gain. The slaughtering parameter investigated and the chemical composition of the empty body remained uninfluenced. The daily nutrient retention values were positively influenced by the Monensin supplementation since the fattening bulls of the test group required 30 days less to achieve the attempted fattening weight. The additional retention of protein, fat and energy per animal and day in the dairy bulls approximately equal to 10.9; 13.5 and 16.4% and in the fattening hybrids 1.9; 3.2 and 2.6%. Due to a higher energy retention at a lower level of feed and energy intake after Monensin supplementation an average of approximately equal to 11.3 and 15.4% resp. more of the consumed digestible protein and the digestible energy resp. were retained in the empty bodies. One can conclude that Monensin improved the utilisation of feed energy; obviously the effect of the polyether antibiotic is due to its influence on processes in the rumen or directly or indirectly on metabolism.     

Subacute butyric acid exposure in cattle. 4. Clinical influence and effect on the carbohydrate-fat metabolism and liver function of cows

Eleven cows in late lactation were exposed to butyric acid for three weeks and were compared to five controls. Two intraruminal doses were daily applied, that is 1.0 g/kg B.W. of butyric acid to six animals and 1.0 g/kg B.W. of sodium butyrate to another five. Decline in milk yield was clinically recorded in response to butyric acid, while muscle tremor and diarrhoea resulted additionally from sodium butyrate. Behaviours of the clinico-chemical parameters of beta-OH-butyrate, glucose, free fatty acids, bilirubin, ASAT, gamma-GT, AP, and cholesterol were comparable to those in fattening bulls. Liver damage was not safely established. Some of the clinico-chemical alterations were more strongly pronounced after administration of sodium butyrate. One cow fell ill with ketosis under butyric acid load.     

Breeding objectives for beef cattle used in different production systems: 2. Model application to production systems with the Charolais breed

A general bio-economic model for beef cattle production was used to define breeding objectives for Charolais cattle to be utilized in a variety of linked production systems. Economic weights were calculated for 16 traits (some with both direct and maternal components) in three production systems (pure-breeding and terminal crossing with beef or dairy cows) and two marketing strategies (sale or fattening of weaned surplus calves). Economic weights for the total breeding objective were calculated as weighted averages, where weights were numbers of cows expected to be mated with Charolais bulls in each production system and marketing strategy. Results suggest that the direct component of calving performance and cow longevity were of primary economic importance in all systems. Conception rate of cows and weaning weight reached about 50% of the standardized economic weight of calving performance in purebred systems with sale of weaned calves, whereas in purebred systems with fattening the economic importance of the direct component of cow conception rate, losses at calving, mature weight of cows, weaning weight, and fattening traits were of equal importance (each approximately about 20% that of calving performance). In terminal crossing systems, weaning weight was important when calves were sold at weaning, and fattening traits were important for systems selling fattened animals. The bio-economic model performed well under the conditions of this demonstration and could easily be customized for other applications.     

Bone mineral changes in growing, pregnant and lactating cattle

Bone mineral content (BMC) was determined in one or two coccygeal vertebrae by dichromatic photon absorptiometry in two sets of cattle: A. This set consisted of six fattening bulls. Their increases of BMC and weights were closely correlated. However, BMC increased slightly more than weight. B. There were 28 cows in this set. BMC was measured during lactation and pregnancy. It was found that BMC increased during the dry period and decreased during early lactation. There were great individual variations in BMC, and the skeletal turnover seemed to be great.     

Factors affecting the hypocalcaemic response to protamine.

The hypocalcaemic response to protamine, as a measure of bone resorption rate, was studied in cattle and sheep. Three groups of calves were studied (1–3 days, 2–3 weeks and 4 months old). The oldest calves showed the greatest response, indicating a more rapid skeletal turnover in these animals, probably related to a higher growing rate. A group of cows was tested at 2 occasions, near parturition and 2–3 weeks after parturition. The decrease in plasma calcium was small near parturition, while a profound drop was obtained 2–3 weeks post partum, which supports earlier findings that bone resorption is more or less blocked in parturient cows. Young pregnant ewes showed the same degree of hypocalcaemia as adult pregnant ewes but the recovery was more rapid in the young animals. Young rams were given protamine before and after diethylstilboestrol treatment. No differences in calcium response were obtained. Varying plasma phosphate responses were obtained. A pronounced hyperphosphataemia was found in the adult pregnant ewes. Diethylstilboestrol caused hypermagnesaemia in the rams.     

Effect of castration at 10 months of age on growth physiology and behavior of male feral beef cattle

This study compared the growth performance, plasma testosterone and cortisol levels around castration at 10 months of age, and plasma insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐I concentration and flight speed, in intact bulls and steers from 10 to 21 months of age in a feral Spanish breed. Fourteen bulls (366.5 ± 48.5 kg live weight) were assigned at random to one of two treatments: surgically castrated (steers) or intact (bulls), and submitted to an identical fattening period. Steers reared until heavy live weights (21 months of age) grew slowly and had lower plasma IGF‐I concentrations than intact bulls. These differences were mainly highlighted the month after surgery (11 months of age) and the last part of the fattening period (from 19 to 21 months of age). After surgical castration (11 and 12 months of age), steers showed a tendency to display greater flight speed values than intact bulls but baseline plasma cortisol concentration did not differ between groups at this time. At the end, steers and bulls reached nearly similar temperament, as flight speed did not differ between them. The results confirm the role of IGF‐I as a key anabolic hormone in male beef cattle and thus it may reflect growth differences due to altered sex steroids production.     

青年牛健康生长的饲养管理要点

青年牛又称初孕牛,是指妊娠后到初次产犊前的母牛(16月龄至初产),体重一般在200～400 kg阶段的牛。青年牛培育的目标体重大于550 kg,临产体况评分3～3.75,首次产犊时间24～25月龄。该阶段的青年母牛还处于生长发育阶段,饲养上除考虑胎儿生长发育外,还应考虑其自身的生长发育所需的营养。根据体况和胎儿发育阶段,合理控制精饲料饲喂量,防止过肥或过瘦,体况评分在2.75～3.25分为宜,过肥会导致难产及产后综合征的发生。青年牛也是牛骨架拉大成型的关键期,如果因营养供给和管理失当,将导致肉牛育肥(体重400～750 kg以上)饲草料转化率低、增重差、消化系统失衡的后果,并严重影响育肥企业的经济收益。因此,本文从养好青年牛的重要性、影响青年牛阶段健康的主要因素、青年牛的饲养和管理以及防止青年牛饲养管理步入误区的主要措施等几方面进行论述,以期为养牛企业在实际生产中的应用提供技术参考。     

西藏农区淘汰母牛短期育肥的关键技术

在西藏农区收购的淘汰母牛短期育肥的前期处理直接关系到育肥效果,如育肥前缓解应激后的瘤胃取铁、塑料袋的排除、驱虫及健胃等环节至关重要;在短期育肥过程中合理的草料搭配和良好的饲养环境,可提高育肥牛动物福利和育肥效果,进而提升育肥经济效益。     

不同饲养方式下钙、磷对新疆褐牛生产性能的影响

[目的]对比不同饲养方式对新疆褐牛生产发育的影响.[方法]选取16月龄左右的青年新疆褐牛68头,分为散栏组和栓系组.青年牛为试验对象分别于10月、11月、12月、次年1月和2月进行体型外貌的线性评定及体尺指标测定,并定期采集血样.[结果]在两种饲养方式中自由采食散栏饲养能提高青年新疆褐牛日增重（P＜0.01）,散栏全期青年牛平均日增重845.58 g显著高于栓系的619.11 g,提高了36.58％,散栏在12、1、2月份日增重显著高于栓系,分别高出13.61％,32.32％,53.47％.散栏式饲养显著提高了青年牛血清磷含量（P＜0.01）,在12、1、2月份分别高出栓系组0.62％,7.89％,14.29％了,而栓系式饲养的青年牛血清磷含量逐步下降.在两组青年牛之间血清钙含量影响不大,两组血清钙差异不显著（P＞0.05）.自由散栏饲养方式在全期生长中的速度较快,体斜长,胸围,胸深,胸宽,腰角宽,腰高,坐骨宽,髋宽等基本处于继续增长趋势.[结论]散栏饲养方式能显著提高青年新疆褐牛的日增重,同时还能加快其体高,胸围,体长等体尺的生长,散栏饲养血清钙、磷含量显著高于栓系饲养.     

饲养管理方式对甘南牦牛繁殖力及杂交后代影响的研究

[目的]为了研究加强种公牛和母牦牛的饲养管理对母牦牛的繁殖效果和杂交后代生长发育的影响.[方法]本试验用大通牦牛和其冻精杂交甘南牦牛,通过对试验组的种公牛、母牦牛和杂交后代进行补饲、延长放牧时间和提前断奶等措施,研究了203头母牦牛的繁殖效果和其杂交后代的生长发育情况.[结果]表明,自然交配试验组发情率、受胎率、繁殖成活率分别比对照组提高9.19%、11.03%、14.10%,流产率和犊牛死亡率降低3.3%、3.87%;人工授精组发情率、受胎率、繁殖成活率分别提高6.74%、5.48%、10.52%,流产率和犊牛死亡率降低4.07%、4.62%.加强母牦牛的饲养管理,所产犊牛的初生重比传统饲养管理条件下母牦牛所产的犊牛初生重公母分别增加2.92 kg和2.07 kg,提高19.80%和14.22%.6月龄体重分别增加12.82 kg和12.23 kg,提高17.45%和16.88%.[结论] 用大通牦牛改良甘南牦牛,采用人工授精和自然交配都有良好的效果,加强种公牛、母牦牛饲养管理是提高牛群繁殖力的有效方法,对后代生长发育影响明显.     

Survey of quality defects in market beef and dairy cows and bulls sold through livestock auction markets in the Western United States: I. Incidence rates

A survey was conducted to quantify incidence of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-related defects in market beef and dairy cows and bulls selling at auction during 2 seasons in 2008. Twenty-three BQA-related traits were evaluated by 9 trained personnel during sales at 10 livestock auction markets in Idaho (n = 5; beef and dairy), California, (n = 4; dairy only), and Utah (n = 1; beef and dairy). Overall, 18,949 unique lots (8,213 beef cows, 1,036 beef bulls, 9,177 dairy cows, and 523 dairy bulls,) consisting of 23,479 animals (9,299 beef cows, 1,091 beef bulls, 12,429 dairy cows, and 660 dairy bulls) were evaluated during 125 sales (64 spring, 61 fall) for dairy and 79 sales (40 spring, 39 fall) for beef. The majority of market beef cows and bulls (60.9 and 71.3%, respectively) were predominantly black-hided, and the Holstein hide pattern was observed in 95.4 and 93.6% of market dairy cows and bulls, respectively. Market cattle weighed 548 ± 103.6 kg (beef cows), 751 ± 176.1 kg (beef bulls), 658 ± 129.7 kg (dairy cows), and 731 ± 150.8 kg (dairy bulls). Most beef cows (79.6%) weighed 455 to 726 kg, and most beef bulls (73.8%) weighed 545 to 954 kg, respectively. Among market beef cattle, 16.0% of cows and 14.5% of bulls weighed less than 455 and 545 kg, respectively, and 63.7% of dairy cows and 81.5% of dairy bulls weighed 545 to 817 kg or 545 to 954 kg, respectively. However, 19.5% of dairy cows and 13.1% of dairy bulls weighed less than 545 kg. Mean BCS for beef cattle (9-point scale) was 4.7 ± 1.2 (cows) and 5.3 ± 0.9 (bulls), and for dairy cattle (5-point scale) was 2.6 ± 0.8 (cows) and 2.9 ± 0.6 (bulls). Some 16.5% of beef cows and 4.1% of beef bulls had a BCS of 1 to 3, whereas 34.8% of dairy cows and 10.4% of dairy bulls had a BCS of 2 or less. Emaciation (beef BCS = 1, dairy BCS = 1.0) or near-emaciation (beef BCS = 2, dairy BCS = 1.5) was observed in 13.3% of dairy cows and 3.9% of beef cows. Among beef cattle, 15.1% of cows and 15.4% of bulls were considered lame. In contrast, 44.7% of dairy cows and 26.1% of dairy bulls were lame. Ocular neoplasia (cancer eye) was observed in only 0.6% of beef cows, 0.3% of beef bulls, 0.3% of dairy cows, and 0.0% of dairy bulls. However, among animals with ocular neoplasia, it was cancerous in 34.4% of beef bulls, 48.0% of dairy cows, and 73.3% of beef cows. In conclusion, numerous quality defects are present in market beef and dairy cattle selling at auction in the Western United States, which could influence their value at auction.     

Epidemiologic and economic analyses of an unusually long epizootic of trichomoniasis in a large California dairy herd

An epizootic of trichomoniasis in a large California dairy herd caused an estimated economic loss of $66,538 ($665/infected cow). Greatest losses were caused by infertility (about 50% of losses caused by excess days open). The disease continued in the herd, despite culling older bulls and replacing them with young uninfected bulls and despite institution of an artificial insemination (AI) breeding program for 2 high-production strings. The AI breeder's practice of checking for estrus by vaginal examination was implicated in the spread of the disease. Of 5 cows that became infected before or at conception, 1 had the infection throughout the gestation period and into the next lactation. The prevalence of trichomoniasis in the herd (estimated on the basis of culture results) was 10.67%. The culture method had a calculated sensitivity of only 58.7%. Of 940 cows in the herd, 132 aborted during the epizootic (8 aborted twice); 45 abortions would have been expected in a dairy herd of this size in the absence of trichomoniasis. In high-density mass-bred herds, conditions and/or management practices may be conducive for trichomoniasis transmission, and generally recommended control programs should be adjusted on such dairies. In particular, dairy operators should not assume that culling older bulls and replacing them with young uninfected bulls and that institution of an AI program will be effective in limiting the spread of the disease. Moreover, a diagnostic test with improved sensitivity would greatly assist in the identification of infected cows.     

The protozoa population in the rumen of fattening bulls fed varying feed and the effect of artificial transfer of protozoa]

High protozoa concentrations were found in the ruminal fluid of fattening bulls weighing 400 kg which were raised for the first five months of age in a large-size calf-raising plant. The ruminal fluid of these bulls, however, contained no protozoa of the group Holotricha. If the animals were fed a mixture of concentrates and pelleted straw (pH 6, 12.5 mMole of volatile fatty acids per 100 ml) 1 ml of the ruminal fluid was found to contain 827,000 protozoa whereas if the animals received rations rich in concentrates (pH 5.8, 14 mMole of volatile fatty acids) 1 ml of ruminal fluid contained only 578,000. Through protozoa transfer carried out by infusing 41 of a mixture of ruminal fluid from other cows per animal it was possible to settle other species, viz. Isotricha, Dasytricha and Ophryoscolex; this, in turn, produced a concomitant decrease in the number of Entodinium and a noticeable decline in the total protozoa population. Further work will be necessary to find out whether it would be advisable to influence the protozoa population of growing cattle kept in large-size cow plants in similar ways as described above.     

The effect of straw-bedded loose houses or tie stalls on the performances of finishing bulls

During six consecutive years the impact of the housing type on the performances of bulls was investigated with eight different diets. In total 261 fattening young Belgian white-blue bulls were involved; 127 animals were tied in straw-bedded stalls, and 134 bulls were kept in loose houses on straw bedding. Both groups were housed in the same closed uninsulated stable.With two of the eight diets the tied animals had a slightly, but not significantly, higher daily liveweight gain than the loose-housed bulls. The average difference was 68 g per day higher for loose-housed animals, 1160 g compared with 1092 g per day for the tied animals. The higher weight gain was demonstrated during almost the whole experimental period, and was significantly different (P < 0.01).The daily feed intake was always higher for the loose housed animals; the mean daily starch unit intake per kg W^{0 · 75} was 58.5 units for the loose-housed bulls versus 52.2 units for the tied ones. The feed conversion for the tied animals was 4.51 starch equivalent versus 4.79 for loose-housed animals.The dressing percentage was not dependent of the housing system, although the weight loss by fasting before slaughtering was 0.5% higher for loose housed animals than for tied animals; the difference was significant (P < 0.01). The mean weight loss by fasting was 2.5 and 2.0%, respectively.     

The corkscrew sperm defect in Danish bulls--a possible indicator of nuclear fallout?

The characteristic corkscrew defect in the middle piece of the bull sperm was observed by the author in two infertile bulls in 1958 and described the following year. Since then the spermiograms of all Danish A.I. bulls (about 1200) have been examined yearly, and a total of 60 cases showing more than 2% corkscrew sperms in their semen have been recorded. The sperm defect was found mostly in older bulls and was often accompanied by testis degeneration. The Red Danish breed seems to be highly predisposed. The cause of the defect and the testis degeneration is obsecure. However, by comparing the curves for nuclear fallout during the observation period and the number of cases observed, there seems to be some correlation. It is striking that the maximum of ten new cases of the corkscrew defect was found in the peak year for nuclear testing in the atmosphere (1962), when a total of at least 133 tests were performed, thus polluting grassland all over the world. Since 1963, when a partial test ban treaty came into force, most nuclear testing has been done underground. From that time the number of yearly cases of the corkscrew defect in the Danish bull population has decreased and the defect is now practically non-existent. Attempts to produce the condition experimentally by feeding young bulls with the fission product Iodine131 have so far been negative.     

Comparison of two cattle production systems in Pabna district Bangladesh

In Pabna district, Bangladesh there are two cattle production systems: a draught-oriented system with local Deshi cattle and more milk-oriented production with Pabna Milking Cow (PMC) stock. Deshi animals are smaller than PMC animals. More PMC cows are milked than Deshi cows and the milk off-take of PMC cows is much higher. The calving interval in Deshi cows is one year longer than in PMC cows. The great majority of the bullocks and the bulls are used as draught animals. More than 80% of the Deshi cows also have to work compared with only about half of the PMC cows. The milk off-take of cows used for draught work is 30% less than that of other cows. One of the major differences between the two systems is that PMC cows have access to grazing along the rivers. These areas are increasingly taken up for cropping and the traditional Pabna milk production farming system is gradually being replaced.     

Effects of dietary acidity on calcium balance and mobilisation, bone morphology and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D in prepartal dairy cows

The effect of an acid or alkali diet was investigated in 14 mature dairy cows during the last 28 days of pregnancy. The acid diet reduced the incidence of parturient hypocalcaemia compared with the alkali diet and was associated with higher blood ionised calcium and plasma chloride concentrations and lower blood pH and acid-base excess before parturition. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations before parturition were increased by the acid diet but the concentrations of parathyroid hormone and intact 1–86 parathyroid-hormone-related peptide were unaffected. The estimated fractional calcium absorption and calcium mobilisation rate during an ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid infusion were increased by the acid diet 14 days before parturition. Cortical bone remodelling occurred in all the animals during late pregnancy but was particularly evident in the cows given the acid diet. The data suggest that an acid diet ameliorates parturient hypocalcaemia by enhancing calcium mobilisation before parturition by increasing calcium absorption and bone resorption, these increases possibly being mediated by increases in the plasma concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.     

Carcass dissection and commercial meat yield in Piemontese and Belgian Blue double-muscled young bulls

To study the differences in meat yield in hypertrophied cattle, a commercial dissection trial was carried out on 48 carcasses obtained from 24 Piemontese (P: 12 reared with a restricted feeding, P-R, and 12 fed ad libitum, P-L), and 24 Belgian Blue (B: 12 reared with a restricted feeding, BB-R, and 12 fed ad libitum, BB-L) young bulls. The animals were reared under the same environmental condition and slaughtered at the same age and fattening degree. During commercial dissection, the weights of the retail cuts were recorded. Three fore-quarter meat cuts were heavier in P than in BB, while nine meat cuts (two from fore-quarter and seven from hind-quarter), hind-quarter meat and prime quality meat were heavier in BB than in P. Fat weight was higher in BB than in P, whereas meat production as a percentage of carcass side weight was higher in P than in BB. Only one hind-quarter meat cut was heavier in the ad libitum (L) than in the restricted (R) group, whereas meat yield was higher in R than in L. In comparing the meat yield in carcass sides of P-R, P-L, BB-R and BB-L fed young bulls, four meat cuts (one from fore-quarter and three from hind-quarter), hind-quarter, prime quality and 3rd quality meat were heavier in BB-L (P ≤ 0.05), while one shoulder cut and fore-quarter were heavier in P-R group.