Relationships between muscle growth potential,intramuscular fat content and different indicators of muscle fibre types in young Charolais bulls

Genetic selection in favor of muscle growth at the expense of fat should affect characteristics of muscles, and therefore beef quality. This study was conducted with two extreme groups of six animals selected among 64 Charolais young bulls ranked according to their genetic potential for muscle growth. Muscle characteristics were assessed in Rectus abdominis (RA, slow oxidative) and Semitendinosus (ST, fast glycolytic) muscles. Intramuscular fat content and proportions of myosin heavy chains I (slow) and IIA (fast oxido‐glycolytic) and certain indicators of oxidative metabolism (activities of citrate synthase (CS), isocitrate dehydrogenase and cytochrome‐c oxidase (COX); expression of H‐fatty acid binding protein (FABP)) were higher in RA than in ST muscle. Genetic selection for muscle growth reduced intramuscular fat content and the activities of some oxidative metabolism indicators (namely CS, COX only). The positive correlation between muscle triacylglycerol content and A‐FABP messenger RNA level (a marker of adipocyte differentiation) (r = 0.53, P < 0.05) suggests that A‐FABP may be a good marker of the ability of bovines to deposit intramuscular fat. In conclusion, the metabolic muscle characteristics which respond to the selection process in favor of muscle growth clearly differ from the muscle characteristics which allow muscle types to be differentiated.     

Interactions between the associations of parity, lactation length, and weaning-to-conception interval with subsequent litter size in swine herds using early weaning

Sixteen farms having an average lactation length between 14.9 and 18.9 days were selected based upon producers' willingness to keep records of production and lactation feed intake. Data contained 9162 subsequent litter-size records abstracted from computerized production information-system files and lactation feed-intake records. Two-way interactions between the associations of parity and lactation length, and parity and weaning-to-conception interval with subsequent litter size were found in the same statistical model. Subsequent litter size did not increase in parities 1 and 2 as lactation length increased – but subsequent litter size in sows of parities 3–6 increased. In only parity 1, sows with weaning-to-conception interval 6–12 days produced 0.5 fewer pigs at subsequent farrowing than those with weaning-to-conception interval 1–5 days. However, in multiparous sows, no difference in subsequent litter size was found between weaning-to-conception intervals 1–5 and 6–12 days.     

Quantification of surface EMG signals to monitor the effect of a Botox treatment in six healthy ponies and two horses with stringhalt: Preliminary study

Reasons for performing the study: Therapeutic options for stringhalt in horses are limited, whereas medical experiences with botulinum toxin type A (Botox) have been positive. To evaluate its effectiveness in horses, surface electromyography (sEMG) signals before and after injection need to be quantified. Hypothesis: Treatment of healthy ponies and cases with Botox should reduce muscle activity in injected muscles and reduce spastic movements without adverse side effects. Methods: Unilaterally, the extensor digitorum longus, extensor digitorum lateralis and lateral vastus muscles of 6 healthy mature Shetland ponies and 2 talented Dutch Warmblood dressage horses with stringhalt were injected (maximum of 400 iu per pony and 700 iu per case; 100 iu in 5 ml NaCl divided into 5 injections) with Botox under needle EMG guidance. Surface EMG data were evaluated using customised software, and in the individuals gait was analysed using Proreflex. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed models and independent sample t test (P<0.05). Results: Surface EMG signals were quantified using customised software. The area under the curve (integrated EMG) in time was used as variable. It became significantly reduced in injected muscles after injection of Botox in normal ponies (P<0.05). This effect was present from Day 1 until Day 84 after injection. In the 2 cases, after injection of 3 muscles, the integrated EMG in time became significantly reduced in all 3 muscles. Kinematic measurements confirmed reduction of frequency and amplitude of hyperflexing or hyperabducting strides of the affected hindlimbs. The duration of effect was also seen in the cases until around 12 weeks after injection. Conclusions and potential relevance: After EMG guided injections of Botox, sEMG signals recorded from injected muscle were reduced, which proves this to be a useful tool in statistically evaluating a treatment effect. The positive results of this pilot study encourage further research with a larger group of clinical cases.     

Determination of physical characteristics,chemical composition and digestion coefficients of treated lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae in goat diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of processing of lemon pulp with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on physical properties, chemical composition, digestion coefficients and blood parameters. Eight adult male Raeini goats were used in a 28‐day period. The experimental design was a completely randomised design with two treatments and four replicates. The first 21 days were for adaptation, and the last 7 days were for collecting samples. The animals were housed in individual metabolic cages equipped with a urine–faeces separator and were fed with diet containing alfalfa hay (60%) and lemon pulp (40%) at the maintenance level. Collected data were subjected to analysis of completely randomised design. With diet containing processed lemon pulp, functional specific gravity, bulk density, soluble dry matter, percentage of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre and crude ash were significantly increased and water‐holding capacity, insoluble dry matter, insoluble ash percentage of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, non‐fibrous carbohydrates and nitrogen‐free extract were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Digestion coefficient of organic matter in dry matter and metabolisable energy were also decreased in treated lemon pulp (p < 0.05). Compared with untreated lemon pulp, digestibility of crude protein and NDF was higher (p < 0.05), but digestibility of crude fat was lower (p < 0.05). In general, processing of lemon pulp with S. cerevisiae improved the physical characteristics and increased the percentage of crude protein and the digestion coefficients of protein and NDF.     

In vivo effects of meloxicam on inflammatory mediators,MMP activity and cartilage biomarkers in equine joints with acute synovitis

Reasons for performing study: Meloxicam is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug in equine practice, but little is known about its in vivo effects on joint inflammation and cartilage turnover. Objectives: To study the effects of meloxicam on biomarkers of inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and cartilage biomarkers in joints with experimental synovitis. Methods: In a 2‐period cross‐over study, synovitis was induced at T = 0 h in the L or R intercarpal joint of 6 horses by intraarticular injection of 0.5 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Horses received once daily meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg bwt per os) or placebo starting at post injection hour (PIH) 2, and clinical evaluations as well as blood and synovial fluid (SF) sampling were performed at PIH 0, 8, 24 and 168. Synovial fluid was analysed for prostaglandin E₂, bradykinin, substance P, general MMP activity, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), CS846 epitope, type II collagen cleavage fragments (C2C) and type II collagen carboxypropeptide (CPII). Concentrations in meloxicam‐ vs. placebo‐treated joints over time were compared using a linear mixed model. Results: Lipopolysaccharide injection caused marked transient synovitis without systemic effects. Meloxicam caused a significant reduction in lameness at PIH 8 and 24 and tended to reduce effusion. In addition, meloxicam significantly suppressed SF prostaglandin E₂ and substance P release at PIH 8 and bradykinin at PIH 24 compared to placebo treatment. General MMP activity at PIH 8 and 24 was significantly lower in meloxicam‐ vs. placebo‐treated joints, as were GAG, C2C and CPII concentrations at PIH 24. Conclusions: Acute transient synovitis leads to substantial increases in SF biomarkers of inflammation, MMP activity and cartilage turnover, which can be significantly suppressed by meloxicam. Potential relevance: Early oral treatment with meloxicam ameliorates not only clinical signs and joint inflammation in acute synovitis, but may also limit inflammation‐induced cartilage catabolism.     

Influence of feeding a grass hay diet during the early stage of the fattening period on growth performance,carcass characteristics,and meat production in Japanese Black steers

The present study investigated the influence of feeding a large amount of grass hay to steers from the early to middle fattening period on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat characteristics. Steers were randomly divided into grass hay‐fed (GHF, n = 6) and concentrate‐fed (CF, n = 6) groups. The dressed weight of the GHF steers was lower than that of the CF steers, but the final body weight was not significantly different between the groups. The GHF steers had decreased subcutaneous fat and rib thickness compared with the CF steers. Lipid content, monounsaturated fatty acids, and drip loss in the muscles were lower in the GHF steers than in the CF steers. Furthermore, n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in the GHF steers compared with the CF steers. The GHF steers had lower body weight during the middle fattening stage, which may have occurred as a result of muscle growth suppression caused by increased Myostatin expression; an increase in daily gain during the finishing period may have occurred as a result of muscle growth activation caused by decreased Myostatin expression. Feeding steers a grass hay‐based diet during the early fattening period possibly maintains the quantitative productivity of beef similarly to feeding a concentrate‐based diet.     

Intermittent positive pressure ventilation with constant positive end-expiratory pressure and alveolar recruitment manoeuvre during inhalation anaesthesia in horses undergoing surgery for colic, and its influence on the early recovery period

Objective To compare, ventilation using intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) with constant positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) and alveolar recruitment manoeuvres (RM) to classical IPPV without PEEP on gas exchange during anaesthesia and early recovery. Study design Prospective randomized study. Animals Twenty‐four warm‐blood horses, weight mean 548 ± SD 49 kg undergoing surgery for colic. Methods Premedication, induction and maintenance (isoflurane in oxygen) were identical in all horses. Group C (n = 12) was ventilated using conventional IPPV, inspiratory pressure (PIP) 35–45 cmH₂O; group RM (n = 12) using similar IPPV with constant PEEP (10 cmH₂O) and intermittent RMs (three consecutive breaths PIP 60, 80 then 60 cmH₂O, held for 10–12 seconds). RMs were applied as required to maintain arterial oxygen tension (PaO₂) at >400 mmHg (53.3 kPa). Physiological parameters were recorded intraoperatively. Arterial blood gases were measured intra‐ and postoperatively. Recovery times and quality of recovery were measured or scored. Results Statistically significant findings were that horses in group RM had an overall higher PaO₂ (432 ± 101 mmHg) than those in group C (187 ± 112 mmHg) at all time points including during the early recovery period. Recovery time to standing position was significantly shorter in group RM (49.6 ± 20.7 minutes) than group C (70.7 ± 24.9). Other measured parameters did not differ significantly. The median (range) of number of RMs required to maintain PaO₂ above 400 mmHg per anaesthetic was 3 (1–8). Conclusion Ventilation using IPPV with constant PEEP and RM improved arterial oxygenation lasting into the early recovery period in conjunction with faster recovery of similar quality. However this ventilation mode was not able to open up the lung completely and to keep it open without repeated recruitment. Clinical relevance This mode of ventilation may provide a clinically practicable method of improving oxygenation in anaesthetized horses.     

饲粮类型和肥育后期不添加维生素和微量矿物元素对猪生长性能、胴体和肌肉品质、粪中矿物元素排泄的影响

本研究共开展两个试验,探讨饲粮类型和不添加维生素和微量矿物元素对猪肥育后期生长性能、胴体和肌肉品质、粪中微量矿物元素排泄的影响。在试验1中,选用128头平均体重(78.5±4.6)kg的肥育猪,根据体重和性别分成4组,每组4圈(重复),每个重复8头猪。四组试验猪的试验处理为2×2因子设计,即两种类型(玉米-豆粕型和玉米-杂粕型)饲粮和添加或不添加维生素/微量矿物元素预混料。在试验2中,选用112头平均体重(90.3±6.3)kg的肥育猪,根据体重和性别分成4组,每组4圈(重复),每个重复7头猪。试验处理同试验1。结果显示,在79~110kg肥育期中(试验1),采食玉米-豆粕型饲粮的猪的增重速度和采食量显著高于采食玉米-杂粕型饲粮的猪(P<0.01或0.05)。在90~105kg肥育期中(试验2),采食玉米-豆粕型饲粮的猪的增重速度仍然高于采食玉米-杂粕型饲粮的猪(P<0.05)。但是,维生素和微量矿物元素添加与否对生长性能无显著影响(P>0.05)。饲粮类型和不添加维生素和微量矿物元素对胴体和肌肉品质均无显著影响(P>0.05)。粪中微量矿物元素含量不受饲粮类型的影响(P>0.05),但不添加维生素和微量矿物元素时,粪中铜、铁、锰的含量显著降低(P<0.01),粪中锌含量也有降低的趋势(P>0.05)。对于生长性能、胴体和肌肉品质以及微量矿物元素排泄量,饲粮类型×维生素/微量矿物元素预混料的交互作用不显著(P>0.05)。结果表明,在猪的肥育后期(最后约25~40d),在玉米-豆粕型和玉米-杂粕型饲粮中可不添加维生素和微量矿物元素,从而可降低饲料成本和减少微量矿物元素的排泄。     

留膜留茬免耕栽培对旱作玉米田土壤养分、微生物数量及酶活性的影响

为了探讨不同耕作和覆盖方式对陇东黄土旱塬农田耕层土壤养分、土壤容重、酶活性及微生物数量的影响。采用随机区组设计,设置留膜留茬免耕栽培(T)和全膜双垄沟播栽培(CK)2个处理,测定不同生育时期0~10 cm、10~20 cm、20~40 cm 3个土层土壤养分含量、水解酶(蔗糖酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶)活性及微生物(细菌、放线菌、真菌)数量等指标。结果表明:与 CK 相比,留膜留茬免耕栽培显著(P<0.05)提高了收获期表层(0~10 cm)土壤有机质、全量磷钾及速效磷钾含量,随土层深度增加,有机质及全量和速效磷钾含量均呈递减趋势。碱解氮含量在0~20 cm土层降低,在20~40 cm土层出现聚集。留膜留茬免耕栽培显著(P<0.05)增加了0~10 cm、10~20 cm、20~30 cm土层土壤容重,增幅为7.1%~12.4%。不同耕作方式玉米0~40 cm土层微生物数量为细菌>放线菌>真菌。耕作方式对不同土层各生育期土壤微生物数量整体上影响显著(P<0.05),为T>CK。同一生育期随土层深度增加,土壤微生物数量整体上呈减少趋势,以表层(0~10 cm)最高,为T>CK。与CK相比,T的细菌和真菌在苗期、拔节期、抽雄期、灌浆期、收获期分别增加23.7%、64.5%、7.6%、44.0%、5.6%和31.1%、91.7%、85.7%、10.5%、33.3%。放线菌在苗期、拔节期、收获期分别增加79.8%、15.1%、17.6%,抽雄期、灌浆期分别减少17.2%、33.2%。耕作方式对不同土层各生育期土壤酶活性整体上影响显著(P<0.05),为T>CK。同一生育期随土层深度增加,酶活性逐渐降低,以表层(0~10 cm)最高,T效果优于CK,与CK相比,T的蔗糖酶、脲酶、磷酸酶、过氧化氢酶在玉米全生育期增幅分别为4.7%~126.1%、9.8%~47.0%、5.4%~33.7%、2.3%~43.2%。相关分析表明:土壤酶活性之间呈显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)相关,细菌与蔗糖酶显著(P<0.05)相关,与磷酸酶极显著(P<0.01)相关,放线菌与土壤酶活性呈显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)相关,表明土壤微生物数量与酶活性能较好地反映土壤肥力水平。因此,留膜留茬免耕栽培在旱作农田条件下有利于土壤有机质及磷钾养分含量、酶活性及微生物数量的提高。     

Recovery from mild Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection in young and aged C57BL/6 mice with intact flora estimated by fecal shedding,locomotor activity and grip strength

Escherichia coli 0157:H7 is a food-borne pathogen that can cause severe complications in vulnerable populations. Mouse infection models of E. coli 0157:H7 are usually developed under severe animal suffering classification by depleting the normal flora, in which age plays a role.ObjectiveTo develop a refined method for longitudinal monitoring of E. coli 0157:H7 in young and old mice with intact flora.MethodsWe applied discriminant analysis and computed composite standardized scores from 19 variables obtained from physiological parameters, analysis of locomotor activity, grip strength measurement and fecal shedding in 16 aged and 16 young C57BL/6 mice after two mild oral challenges of E. coli 0157:H7. The resulting scores were validated in another experiment performed in 24 aged and 24 young mice including a group (8 aged and 8 young mice) treated with oxytetracycline.ResultsWe show that our scores are significantly affected in the post-infection period and that can be used to measure and compare the recovery time after a treatment. The scores are most sensitive when separately developed in young and aged mice.ConclusionsWe developed a method that minimizes the level of animal suffering and that can be applied in preclinical testing of new therapies.