Correlation between carcass conformation and fat cover degree, and muscle fatty acid profile of yearling bulls depending on breed and mh-genotype

The objective was to study the relationships between the actual European beef carcass classification scale, which classifies carcasses with regard to conformation and degree of fat cover scores, and muscle fat quality, depending on breed and mh-genotype. For this purpose samples from 100 yearling bulls from “Asturiana de los Valles” (24 AV(mh/mh), 26 AV(mh/+), 25 AV (+/+)) and “Asturiana de la Montaña” (25 AM) were analysed. The results of the study showed that breed or genotype affect carcass measurement scores and muscle fatty acid profile through its important effect on animal overall fatness. Homozygous double-muscled animals produced carcasses with high conformation and low intramuscular (IM) fat content. While early-maturing and rustic AM animals produced low carcass yield and high IM fat content. The other genotypes (mh/+, +/+) showed, in general, intermediate characteristics. Referring to correlations, carcass conformation was negatively related to saturated (SFA) (r = − 0.69, P < 0.001) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) (r = − 0.69, P < 0.001) groups, and positively to polyunsaturated (PUFA) (r = 0.72), n-6 (r = 0.72), n-3 (r = 0.71) and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) (r = 0.69) groups, being all of them significant (P < 0.001). However, carcass degree of fat cover was positively related to SFA (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) and MUFA (r = 0.62, P < 0.001), and negatively to PUFA (r = − 0.61), n-6 (r = − 0.60), n-3 (r = − 0.62) and UFA (r = − 0.53) groups, being all of them significant. Moreover, simple and low-cost prediction equations were calculated for a rapid and sufficiently accurate fatty acid group (SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-6, n-3, UFA) estimation (R² > 0.46, P < 0.001). In general, meat obtained from double-muscled animals display a more appropriate IM fatty acid profile from the nutritional point of view according to actual recommendations, but it could happen the disability of these lean animals to deposit sufficient IM fat to ensure consumer overall liking or acceptability.     

Growth performance and metabolic responses in barrows fed low-protein diets supplemented with essential amino acids

This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with Lys, Met, Thr to low-protein diets on growth performance and metabolic responses in growing barrows. Seventy crossbred barrows (Duroc × Yorkshine), with an average initial body weight of 16 kg, were fed diets containing five crude protein (CP) levels (18.2, 16.5, 15.5, 14.5, and 13.6%) and 0.83% true ileal digestible lysine. On d 17 of the trial, all pigs were fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter for blood collection. On d 18 and 53, blood samples were obtained at 4 h post feeding. Reducing dietary CP concentration linearly decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, feed efficiency, longissimus muscle area (LMA), and plasma concentrations of urea N and protein, while increasing backfat thickness linearly (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the 13.6% CP diet exhibited the poorest growth performance. On d 53, dietary CP affected plasma IGF-I (quadratic, P < 0.01) and leptin (linear, P < 0.01) concentrations. Plasma leptin levels were correlated positively with backfat thickness (r = 0.76, P < 0.05) and negatively with LMA (r = − 0.64, P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between ADG and plasma IGF-I concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.05). Our results suggest that adequate provision of nonessential AA and all EAA is required for achieving maximum growth performance and reducing fat accretion in growing pigs fed low-CP diets.     

Nuclear receptor and target gene mRNA abundance in duodenum and colon of dogs with chronic enteropathies

Nuclear receptors (NR), such as constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR) and peroxisome proliferator-associated receptors alpha and gamma (PPAR, PPARγ) are mediators of inflammation and may be involved in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and food responsive diarrhea (FRD) of dogs. The present study compared mRNA abundance of NR and NR target genes [multi drug-resistance gene-1 (MDR1), multiple drug-resistance-associated proteins (MRD2, MRD3), cytochrome P450 (CYP3A12), phenol-sulfating phenol sulfotransferase (SULT1A1) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST A3-3)] in biopsies obtained from duodenum and colon of dogs with IBD and FRD and healthy control dogs (CON; n = 7 per group). Upon first presentation of dogs, mRNA levels of PPAR, PPARγ, CAR, PXR and RXR in duodenum as well as PPARγ, CAR, PXR and RXR in colon were not different among groups (P > 0.10). Although mRNA abundance of PPAR in colon of dogs with FRD was similar in both IBD and CON (P > 0.10), PPAR mRNA abundance was higher in IBD than CON (P < 0.05). Levels of mRNA of MDR1 in duodenum were higher in FRD than IBD (P < 0.05) or CON (P < 0.001). Compared with CON, abundances of mRNA for MRP2, CYP3A12 and SULT1A1 were higher in both FRD and IBD than CON (P < 0.05). Differences in mRNA levels of PPAR and MRP2 in colon and MDR1, MRP2, CYP3A12 and SULT1A1 in duodenum may be indicative for enteropathy in FRD and (or) IBD dogs relative to healthy dogs. More importantly, increased expression of MDR1 in FRD relative to IBD in duodenum may be a useful diagnostic marker to distinguish dogs with FRD from dogs with IBD.     

The use of even-chain alkanes sprayed onto herbage as rate of passage markers in goats

An experiment was conducted with Saanen goats fed fresh grass ad libitum to compare ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes sprayed onto either grass leaves or stems to estimate faecal output, total mean retention time (TMRT) and parameters obtained from faecal marker concentration curves, such as k₁ (slow rate of passage), k₂ (fast rate of passage) and transit time (TT). ⁵¹Cr-mordanted grass showed the lowest fractional rates of passage (k₁ and k₂) and hence the largest value of TMRT. There were not significant (P > 0.05) differences between even-chain alkanes sprayed onto leaves or stems for k₂, TT and TMRT, but k₁ estimates were higher (P < 0.05) for stems than for sprayed leaves. Despite the marker used, TMRT values were negatively correlated with the level of dry matter intake (r = − 0.81, − 0.80 and − 0.80 for ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto leaves or stems, respectively). Average faecal outputs estimated from faecal concentrations of ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes were not different from the actual outputs but there were differences between markers in the accuracy of estimation. The highest mean square prediction error (MSPE) and the poorest correlation between observed and estimated faecal output values corresponded to even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto stems. Values estimated using ⁵¹Cr-mordanted fibre and even-chain alkanes adsorbed onto leaves were significantly correlated with faecal outputs (r = 0.94 and r = 0.92, respectively), with MSPE being greater for the latter marker.     

Intrauterine infusion of BQ-610, an endothelin type A receptor antagonist, delays luteolysis in dairy heifers

Three separate in vivo experiments were conducted to evaluate the putative role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) during luteal regression in heifers. In Experiment 1, a single intraluteal injection of 500 μg BQ-610 [(N,N-hexamethylene) carbamoyl-Leu-d-Trp (CHO)-d-Trp], a highly specific endothelin A (ET_A) receptor antagonist, did not diminish the decline in plasma progesterone following a single exogenous injection of 25 mg prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF₂) administered at midcycle of the estrous cycle. In Experiment 2, six intrauterine infusions of 500 μg BQ-610 given every 12 h on days 16–18 delayed spontaneous luteolysis, as evidenced by an extended elevation (P = 0.054) of plasma progesterone concentration. In Experiment 3, heifers were administered six intrauterine infusions of BQ-610 or saline on days 16–19, and peripheral blood samples were collected from day 11 to 16 (before infusion), hourly on days 16–19 (during infusion), and on days 20–25 (after infusion). BQ-610 treated heifers had markedly higher (P < 0.0001) levels of plasma progesterone compared with saline controls, and this effect was most notable during the infusion period (treatment by period interaction; P ≤ 0.05). Heifers infused with BQ-610 also had higher progesterone levels on day 21 (treatment by time interaction; P ≤ 0.05). Mean plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF₂ (PGFM), the primary metabolite of PGF₂, were measured in the samples collected hourly and were not different (P ≥ 0.05) between treatments. These results indicate that the in vivo antagonism of the ET_A receptor can delay functional luteolysis, and supports the theory that ET-1 regulates luteal function in ruminants.     

Effect of twinning on the feed intake, performance and health of dairy cows

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of bearing twins on the health and performance of dairy cows. Data from twin-bearing Holstein Friesian cows at the Langhill Dairy Research Centre between January 1990 and July 2002 were compared to single-bearing cows to determine if there was any significant difference in milk production, feed intakes, health and fertility. There were 122 twin births (from 104 different cows) in the Langhill herd, a rate of 4.7% during the study period.

The incidence of twinning was higher in high genetic merit cows (select genetic line cows) and increased with parity (r = 0.870, P < 0.01). Compared to a single-bearing cow, a twin pregnancy was associated with a shorter gestation period, an increased chance of a retained placenta after calving and a poorer body condition score post-calving. The post-calving condition score of twin-bearing cows was negatively correlated with the total weight of calves born (r = − 0.235, P < 0.05). Twin-calving cows also had significantly more dystocia, a higher chance of having a dead calf, an increased number of days from calving to their first observed heat and number of days from calving to their first service. Dystocia was positively correlated with the number of dead calves at birth (r = 0.309, P < 0.01) and with the total weight of calves born (r = 0.211, P < 0.05). Twin-bearing cows on a low-concentrate diet had an increased chance of having metritis and/or endometritis compared to single-bearing cows on the same diet. There was no significant difference in the reason for culling or the time at which cows were culled post-calving, however, twin-bearing cows on a low-concentrate diet were 3.2 times more likely to be culled than a single-bearing cow, with cows on a high-concentrate diet having equally high levels of culling. There were no significant differences between twin- and single-producing cows' mean daily feed intakes, daily milk yields, total milk yields and milk fat and protein compositions during early, mid and late lactation pre and postpartum on a low- or high-concentrate diet. The body condition and drying off period of twin pregnant cows should be managed to avoid post-calving health and performance problems.     

Effect of chicken egg yolk antibody against adipose tissue plasma membranes on carcass composition and lipogenic hormones and enzymes in pigs

Chicken egg yolk antibody against pig adipose tissue plasma membranes (AIgY) was raised and used in the present experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary AIgY supplementation on pig growth and carcass composition. 160 crossbred (Duroc–Jersey × Landrace·Meishan) pigs, with initial live body weight of 27.5 ± 2.4 kg, were treated with AIgY or non-immunized control egg yolk powder (NIgY) at the inclusion level of 75 mg/kg diet. Following a 104-day trial, the pigs were slaughtered for analyzing the carcass and meat quality traits. The perirenal, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat depots were weighed and the diameter of adipocytes from different fat depots was measured with histological methods. Serum concentrations of insulin and leptin as well as the activities of malic enzyme (ME) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in adipose tissue were measured. Dietary supplementation of AIgY enhanced average daily gain and feed efficiency by 13.03% (P < 0.01) and 7.49%, respectively, with no influence on feed consumption. AIgY increased the lean mass by 10.3% (P < 0.01) without affecting the dressing percentage. Backfat thickness at 6th–7th rib and the weights of perirenal, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat depots were reduced by 24.14% (P < 0.01), 27.27% (P < 0.05), 20.42% (P < 0.01) and 29.21% (P < 0.01), respectively. Dietary supplementation of AIgY reduced the size of adipocytes in all the three fat pads (P < 0.05). The meat color was improved whereas the marbling score, the intramuscular fat content, and pH₄₅ of the longissimus muscle remained unaffected. Serum concentration of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) was significantly increased (P < 0.01) while urea-N content was reduced (P < 0.05). No alterations were detected for the serum levels of triacylglycerides (TG) and glucose. Serum concentrations of insulin and leptin were decreased by 26.19% (P < 0.05) and 26.53% (P < 0.05), respectively. LPL activity in adipose tissue was depressed significantly (P < 0.05) without affecting ME activity. This study demonstrates that dietary supplementation of AIgY can effectively improve growth and carcass composition of pigs and the changes of serum insulin and leptin levels as well as the tissue LPL activity may be involved in the acting mechanism.     

Mammary uptake and excretion of prostanoids in relation to mammary blood flow and milk yield during pregnancy-lactation and somatotropin treatment in dairy goats

Mammary arterious − venous differences (A − V) and excretion into milk of four prostanoids were related to changes in milk yield and milk vein blood velocity (MBV) in goats at different stages of pregnancy and lactation, and during somatotropin (ST) treatment in mid-lactation. Arterial concentrations and mammary A − V for the vasodilators prostacyclin (PGI₂) and prostaglandin (PG) E₂ (measured as 6-keto-PGF₁ and bicyclic PGE₂, respectively) decreased from late pregnancy to lactation. A − V were negatively correlated to MBV (r = −0.32 to −0.34). Arterial concentrations of the vasoconstrictors PGF₂ and TXA₂ (measured as TXB₂) changed similarly, but no A − V across the mammary gland were found. The vasodilator to vasoconstrictor ratio in plasma was around 1:1, and in skimmed milk around 0.29–0.49 due to significantly higher TXB₂ levels in milk compared to plasma. Close linear correlations were established between milk yield and excretion of TXB₂ into milk (r = 0.80, P < 0.001), and between MBV and PGE₂ excretion into milk (r = 0.69, P < 0.001). ST treatment stimulated MBV and mammary prostanoid supply, and decreased prostanoid concentration in milk vein plasma. The high arterial levels of prostaglandins during pregnancy most likely reflected uterine synthesis. Our results support a role for PGI₂ and PGE₂ in local mammary blood flow regulation during lactation. Increased mammary uptake of these two prostanoids may be involved in the mammary blood flow response to ST. TXA₂ may be synthesized by mammary epithelial as well as vascular cells, and TXA₂ may be an important factor in regulation of mammary function.     

Postnatal changes in electromyographic signals during piglet growth, and in relation to muscle fibre types

This study uses non-invasive evoked surface electromyography (SEMG) to investigate postnatal muscle development in pigs, and to assess any correlation between recorded signal parameters and muscle fibre types in two different skeletal muscles. Four litters (n = 43) of Large White × Landrace pigs were used. Evoked SEMG measurements were taken on days 2, 5, 14, 26, 60 and 151 post partum from m. Longissimus dorsi (LD) and on days 14, 26, 60 and 151 post partum from m. Biceps femoris (BF). A third of each litter was slaughtered at days 27, 61 and 153 post partum. Biopsy samples for LD and BF were taken to categorize muscle fibre types. For LD there was a significant increase in compound muscle action potential (CMAP) parameters from day 2 to day 5 post partum, whilst for BF significant increases occurred from days 14 to 26 post partum. Fibre type development in both muscles showed a significant decrease in type IIA fibre number (P < 0.001) and an increase in type IIB fibre number (P < 0.001). Analysis of CMAP parameters in relation to fibre type percentages showed significant positive correlations between percentage of type I fibres in BF and CMAP Area (r = 0.71; P = 0.05), SlopeL (r = 0.79; P = 0.02) and Corr Peak (r = 0.78; P = 0.02) and a negative correlation with SlopeT (r = 0.89; P = 0.003) at day 151. A greater CMAP Area and Corr Peak as well as steeper leading and trailing slopes were on the other hand correlated to fewer type IIB fibres.

It is concluded that 1) changes in the evoked CMAP are muscle-specific during early postnatal development in the pig, and 2) in spite of a small sample size, the correlations between CMAP signal parameters and fibre type percentages warrant further investigation.     

Diet-induced milk fat depression: Association with changes in milk fatty acid composition and fluidity of milk fat

This experiment was designed to examine changes in milk fatty acids during fish oil-induced milk fat depression (MFD) and to test the theory that these changes are related to milk fat fluidity. The experiment was divided into three periods: 1) Baseline: all cows (n = 12) received a high fiber diet without fish oil (FO) for 12 days; 2) Treatment: 4 cows/group received the following treatments for 21 days: a) Low fiber diet without FO (LF), b) High fiber diet + FO (HF + FO) and c) Low fiber diet + FO (LF + FO); 3) Post-treatment: cows returned to the baseline diet and were monitored for 12 days. FO was included at 1.6% DM and HF and LF diets had 40 and 26% NDF, respectively. Milk fat content and yield were unchanged by the LF diet, but were reduced by FO diets at both dietary fiber levels and recovered in the post-treatment period. FO diets caused a pronounced reduction in stearic and oleic acid concentrations in milk fat and an equally pronounced increase in trans-18:1 fatty acid concentrations. Milk fat mean melting point (MMP) was correlated with MFD (r = 0.73) and with milk oleic acid concentration (r = − 0.92). The ratio of oleic:stearic in milk fat increased gradually and consistently in response to FO. Trans-C18:1 isomers with double bounds at carbon ≤ 10 increased with greater MFD and those with double bonds at carbon ≥ 11 decreased with greater MFD. Trans-9 cis-11 CLA explained more than 80% of MFD and was strongly correlated with trans-10 C18:1. Maintenance of MMP below 39–40 °C suggests that the mammary gland was able to secrete only milk fat with adequate fluidity and that MFD could be an adaptation mechanism to prevent secretion of milk with higher MMP.     

Changes in hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs fed betaine

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary betaine supplementation on carcass characteristics, hormones, growth factor and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs. Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (Seghers × Seghers × Duroc) weighing about 55 kg were divided into two groups, each with three replicates of eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts) per replicate, and fed corn–soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0 and 0.125% betaine for 42 days. At trial termination, two pigs (one barrow and one gilt) weighing about 90 kg were selected from each replicate and slaughtered for analyses. The results showed that betaine increased carcass lean percentage and longissimus muscle area by 5.19% (P < 0.01) and 17.85% (P < 0.01), respectively, and decreased carcass fat percentage and average backfat thickness by 13.07% (P < 0.01) and 10.30% (P < 0.05), respectively. Serum growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor I, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and insulin levels in pigs fed betaine were elevated by 45.61% (P < 0.01), 55.50% (P < 0.01), 57.95% (P < 0.01), 51.80% (P < 0.01) and 42.34% (P < 0.05), respectively. Fatty acid synthase activity in the 10th rib subcutaneous adipose tissue was decreased by 24.35% (P < 0.05) with betaine supplementation, whereas hormone-sensitive lipase activity was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, serum free fatty acids concentration in betaine-fed pigs was 25.75% higher compared to controls (P < 0.01). The study suggested that betaine could induce changes in hormones and growth factor in finishing pigs, and therefore could inhibit fat synthesis through reducing lipogenic enzymes activities and promote fat degradation by increasing hormone-sensitive lipase activity, with a resultant decrease in adipose tissue mass and improvement in carcass characteristics.     

Impacts of a modified farrowing pen design on sow and litter performances and air quality during two seasons

The impacts of using a modified farrowing pen (MOD) on the performance of sows and their litters and on ambient air quality over a hot and a cool season were evaluated. Primiparous Yorkshire × Landrace sows farrowed either during the months of February and March (thermoneutralily, TN) or June and July (heat-stress, HS). Temperatures within each season were controlled to 21 and 29 °C, respectively, for TN and HS. Animals from each group were assigned to a standard farrowing crate (STD; TN, n = 17; HS, n = 16) or a MOD pen (TN, n = 19; HS, n = 19). The MOD pen consisted of a STD crate with a 1.5 × 1.6-m comfort zone in the back, equipped with rubber floor mats, a feeder and a nipple waterer. Litter size was standardized to 10 or 11. No creep feed was provided and piglets were weighed weekly. Sows were weighed on days 2 and 22. Feed intake of sows was monitored daily, a milk sample was obtained on day 21 for compositional analyses and jugular blood samples were collected on days 2 and 21 to measure prolactin, IGF-I and urea. Sows consumed less feed (3.4 vs. 4.7 ± 0.1 kg/day, P < 0.001) in a hot than in a cool season and, at 29 °C, sows in MOD pens consumed more feed (3.9 vs. 3.0 ± 0.2 kg/day, P < 0.01) than sows in STD pens. Sow lactation weight loss was greater (− 26.4 vs. − 19.1 ± 1.9 kg, P < 0.05) for sows in STD than MOD pens in a hot season. The reduction in prolactin concentrations from days 2 to 22 of lactation tended to be greater (P = 0.08) in a hot season for sows in STD pens. Concentrations of urea and IGF-I increased as lactation advanced (P < 0.01) and IGF-I was lower for HS compared to TN sows on both days (P < 0.01), whereas urea was greater for HS sows on day 2 only (P < 0.01). Milk DM was less in a hot than in a cool season (P < 0.01). Average piglet weight gain was reduced in a hot compared to a cool season during the second week of lactation (P < 0.05) and this reduction was less in MOD than STD pens during the third week of lactation (P < 0.01). During a hot season, even though not significant, average weight gain of piglets from days 2 to 21 of lactation was reduced by 6.0% in MOD pens compared to 9.7% in STD pens.     

A comparison of the direct and residual response of dairy cows to once or twice-daily milking, in late lactation

Two experiments were undertaken to examine the direct and residual responses of late lactation (mean of 232 days calved) autumn calving dairy cows (Experiment 1), and late lactation (mean of 240 days calved) spring calving dairy cows (Experiment 2), to once-daily milking. Experiments 1 and 2 involved 50 and 44 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows respectively. In each of the two experiments, cows were milked either once daily (ODM) or twice daily (TDM), during the late lactation period (mean of 79 and 66 days in Experiments 1 and 2 respectively). Cows in Experiment 1 were managed within a grazing system, and were offered 3.0 kg of concentrate/day, while cows in Experiment 2 were housed, and offered grass silage supplemented with 6.0 kg concentrate/day. Forty-one cows from Experiment 1, and 32 cows from Experiment 2, completed the first eight weeks of the subsequent lactation on a twice-daily milking regime. Food intakes were not measured in Experiment 1, while treatment had no significant effect on dry matter intake in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). In each of Experiments 1 and 2, total milk output was increased with twice-daily milking (P ≤ 0.05), while milk fat (P ≤ 0.01) and protein (P < 0.001) concentrations increased with once-daily milking. Somatic cell counts were higher with animals milked once daily in Experiment 1 (P < 0.001), while not being significantly affected by milking frequency in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). Milking frequency had no significant effect on cow live weight or on cow condition score at the point of drying off in either Experiment (P > 0.05). Milking time per cow during morning milking was unaffected by treatment in either experiment, while total daily milking time per cow (morning and evening combined) was significantly longer with the TDM treatment (P < 0.001). In Experiment 1, milk flow rates during the morning milking were higher with animals on the ODM treatment, compared to those on TDM treatment (P < 0.001), while being unaffected by treatment in Experiment 2 (P > 0.05). Neither daily milk yield, milk fat content, milk protein content, or somatic cell count during the subsequent lactation, were affected by previous lactation milking frequency in either of Experiments 1 or 2 (P > 0.05).     

Effects of additional zinc and phytase on zinc availability in piglets and chicks fed diets containing different amounts of phytates

Two maize based diets containing 2.3 g phytic P and 38 mg Zn/kg (P+) or 1.3 g phytic P and 25 mg Zn/kg (P−) were formulated. A third diet (P+/Phytase) was P+ supplemented with 3-phytase (500 FTU/kg). Each of these three basal diets, supplemented or not with 15 mg Zn/kg, was given during 20 days to weaned piglets and to 1-day-old chicks. Chicks fed the P− diets were removed from the data set because of an abnormally low feed intake.

In piglets, added Zn increased bone (P < 0.05) and plasma Zn (P < 0.01) irrespective of the basal diet (basal diet × Zn, P > 0.05). Supplementing P+ with phytase was more efficient in improving these indicators of Zn status than replacing P+ by P−. In chicks, supplemental Zn improved Zn status in a higher extent when added to P+ than to P+/Phytase (basal diet × Zn, P < 0.05). Phytase increased Zn status in a lesser extent than 15 ppm supplemental Zn. More Zn was soluble in gizzard than in stomach which corresponded to the differences in pH (4.2 vs 5.0). Phytase increased soluble Zn in stomach (P < 0.05) but not in gizzard. These results suggest a higher availability of Zn in chicks than in piglets in the absence of phytase. This may explain the higher efficacy of phytase for improved Zn availability in piglets than in chicks.     

Cooling and feeding strategies to reduce heat load of grain-fed beef cattle in intensive housing

Six Murray Grey × Hereford yearling steers were used to determine the effect of two cooling treatments (ENV) (day cooled (0600–1400) or night cooled (1400–2200), and two dietary treatments (DIET) – control (CON) no added fat or added fat (FAT) – on rectal temperature, respiration rate and dry matter intake (DMI). Cattle were exposed to 2 d of thermoneutral conditions followed by four hot days in a controlled climate facility. This was replicated 6 times. Steers were given a 10 d rest in outside pens between each replication. Sprinklers (2.84 L min^− 1; 5 min on, 20 min off) and fans (continuous; 2 m s^− 1) were used when ambient temperature (T_A) ≥ 28 °C. Rectal temperature (5 min intervals) and respiration rate (hourly) were measured for 12 × 24 h periods on hot days (2 per replication). Individual DMI over two time periods (PER) (period 1; 0600–1500, and period 2; 1500–0600) and daily metabolisable energy (ME) intakes were also recorded. Steers fed FAT had greater (P < 0.05) DMI then the CON steers during day cooling. However, there were no DIET or PER differences for DMI during night cooling. DMI of FAT and CON fed steers during night cooling was similar to the DMI of the FAT fed steers during day cooling. Overall DMI was greater during night cooling (DMI from both diets pooled). There were PER differences for DMI, with more (P < 0.05) feed consumed during period 2 irrespective of ENV or DIET. ME intake was 22.9% greater (P < 0.05) for the FAT fed steers during day cooling then for the CON fed steers. There were no DIET effects on ME intake during night cooling. DIET had no effect (P > 0.05) on respiration rate however differences were seen for rectal temperature. Mean rectal temperature for the FAT steers was lower (P < 0.05) than the mean of the CON steers, however there were no within ENV differences. Day cooled cattle had a higher (P < 0.05) respiration rates (71.8 breaths/min; bpm) than the night cooled steers (65.3 bpm). There were no differences for rectal temperature. However, day cooled steers had lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperature and respiration rate than the night cooled steers during the day — which corresponded with the day cooling period. Night cooling appears to be beneficial in lowering mean rectal temperature and respiration rate, and in maintaining DMI. There is no suggestion that feeding fat will replace the need for supplementary measures to alleviate heat exposure of confined cattle. However feeding fat may be worthwhile in maintenance DMI when combined with strategies involving day cooling.     

Sward characteristics, grass dry matter intake and milk production performance is affected by timing of spring grazing and subsequent stocking rate

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of contrasting spring grazing dates (GD) and stocking rate (SR) on sward characteristics, grass dry matter intake and milk production performance of autumn calving dairy cows during the spring period. Two swards were created by grazing in March (early grazing; E) or by delaying first grazing until mid-April (late grazing; L). Two stocking rates, high (H; 5.5) and medium (M; 4.5) were applied across each sward. Forty eight autumn calving Holstein cows (160 ± 35 days in milk) were assigned to one of four (n = 12) different grazing treatments. The experiment began on April 17th and finished after 2 grazing rotations on June 20th. Later spring grazing significantly increased herbage mass (kg DM/ha) above ground level (+ 933, P < 0.05) and > 50 mm (+ 738, P < 0.05). Compressed sward height (+ 22.1 mm, P < 0.05), extended tiller height (+ 73 mm, P < 0.001) and pseudostem height (+ 35 mm, P < 0.001) were also significantly higher for later grazed swards. In the grazing horizon (> 80 mm— extended tiller height), later grazed swards had significantly lower leaf proportion (− 0.09, P < 0.05) and higher dead material (+ 0.05, P < 0.001). Daily herbage allowance (> 50 mm) was on average 12.7, 15.9, 18.2 and 21.9 kg DM/cow for EH, EM, LH and LM, respectively. Daily leaf allowance (> 80 mm) was 10.1, 12.3, 13.3 and 14.5 kg DM/cow for EH, EM, LH and LM, respectively. The EM (16.2 kg DM/cow), LH (+ 0.1 kg) and LM (0.8 kg) treatments all had similar grass DM intake, however there was evidence of an interaction (P < 0.10) between GD and SR, this was due to the low grass DM intake of the EH (13.9 kg DM/cow) treatment. When expressed as UFL (Fill unit) intake the EM treatment recorded the highest value. There was a significant interaction between GD and SR (P < 0.01) for milk, protein yield, 4% fat corrected milk yield (P < 0.05) and protein concentration (P < 0.001). Cows grazing the EM treatment produced 23.9 kg of milk, 876 and 685 g of fat and protein yield. The difference in milk production (cow/day) between EM and EH treatments was + 3.6 kg milk, + 98 g fat and + 107 g protein. The production yield difference between LM and LH treatments was + 1.1 kg milk, + 27 g fat and + 29 g protein in favour of the LM treatment (23.9 kg of milk, 877 and 687 g fat and protein yield). Herbage quality and morphological characteristics are clearly improved with early spring grazing as herbage mass is reduced on subsequent rotations. Swards grazed in early spring allow higher grass utilisation and high milk production performance when grazed at a medium stocking rate. Improved milk production from herbage can be achieved provided herbage mass and allowance are maintained at levels where herbage quality decreases are minimised.     

The relationship within and between production performance and meat quality characteristics in pigs from three different genetic lines

Ninety-six pigs from Large White (LW), Synthetic Genex 3000 (SG) and Meishan-derived dam line (M) genetic lines, each with a mean live body weight (BW) of 20.7 ± 4.2 kg, were used to investigate the relationship that exist between production performance and meat quality parameters for these three genotypes. The animals were assigned to pens in groups of eight and slaughtered at 109.6 ± 3.78 kg BW. At the end of the trial, the LW pigs had the highest (P < 0.001) average daily feed intake and average daily gain and protein deposition rates, the M pigs showed (P < 0.001) the worst feed conversion, the highest daily backfat gain and the lowest residual energy intake, and the SG pigs had the lowest (P < 0.001) daily fat deposition rate. The longissimus muscle of the M pigs had higher a (P < 0.01) and b (P < 0.05) values than the LW pigs, with the SG pigs in between. The M loins also had the highest (P < 0.01) shear force value, which may be explained by the lower (P < 0.01) soluble collagen content. In spite of their lowest fat deposition rate, the highest (P < 0.001) intramuscular fat content was measured in the SG loins, and the highest (P < 0.01) protein content was found in the M loins. Eight canonical correlations were obtained between performance and meat quality data, with the first three correlation coefficients of 0.87, 0.66 and 0.64 being significant. Performance and meat quality data were related to a certain extent. Pigs with a higher average daily feed intake also had a higher average daily gain, an average protein deposition rate, residual energy intake and gain-to-feed ratio, and lower meat dry matter, intramuscular fat, a values and pigment content. Body water content seems to be higher in fast-growing pigs. Furthermore, fast-growing pigs also have lower intramuscular fat, a values and pigment content. However, there is some indication that the magnitude of these correlations can be breed-dependent. The differences among the studied genotypes are much higher in terms of growth performance than in terms of meat quality traits.     

Real-time RT-PCR quantification of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A mRNA abundance in bovine granulosa and theca cells: effects of hormones in vitro

Ovarian follicular growth and dominance are controlled by a series of hormonal and intraovarian events including a decrease in intrafollicular IGF-binding proteins −2, −4 and −5 levels. Proteolytic enzymes such as pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) degrade IGFBPs and increase bioavailability of IGF-I and -II during follicular development. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of IGF-I, IGF-II, insulin (INS), LH, FSH, estradiol (E2), leptin or cortisol on ovarian PAPP-A mRNA levels. Granulosa (GC) from small (SM) (1–5 mm) and large (LG) (8–22 mm) follicles as well as theca cells (TC) from LG follicles were collected from bovine ovaries and cultured for 48 h in medium containing 10% FCS and then treated with various hormones in serum-free medium for an additional 24 h. Cells were treated with various concentrations (3–500 ng/ml) and combinations of IGF-I, IGF-II, FSH, LH, E2, INS, leptin and (or) cortisol for 24 h (Experiments 1–10). PAPP-A mRNA levels were measured using quantitative real-time RT-PCR. In SM-GC and LG-GC, none of the treatments significantly affected (P > 0.10) PAPP-A mRNA abundance. In LG-TC, IGF-I, LH or cortisol did not affect (P > 0.10) PAPP-A mRNA levels, whereas INS with or without LH decreased (P < 0.05) PAPP-A mRNA. E2 alone decreased PAPP-A mRNA levels in LG-TC, and E2 amplified the insulin-induced inhibition of PAPP-A mRNA abundance in LG-TC. We conclude that control of PAPP-A mRNA abundance in granulosa and theca cells differs, and that E2 may be part of an intraovarian negative feedback system which may reduce the bioavailable IGFs in the theca layer during growth and selection of follicles.     

Microbial activity in the gut of piglets: II. Effect of fibre source and enzyme supplementation

Twenty four Duroc × Landrace male piglets, aged 21 days, were assigned to 1 of 4 experimental diets. Diets 1 and 2 contained 150 g kg^− 1 wheat bran and diets 3 and 4 contained 90 g kg^− 1 maize cobs as the major fibre source. All diets contained 480 g kg^− 1 wheat and 200 g kg^− 1 soybean meal. Diets 2 and 4 were supplemented with the following enzyme complex: 800 U/kg cellulase, 1800 U/kg glucanase and 2600 U/kg xylanase.

The replacement of wheat bran by maize cobs increased the acetic (P < 0.05) and decreased the butyric acid production (P < 0.05) in the cecum. Piglets fed diets with maize cobs had lower (P < 0.05) levels of butyric acid in the colon than those fed wheat bran.

The xylanolytic, pectinolytic and cellulolytic enzyme activities were higher (P < 0.05) in the cecum and colon of piglets fed the wheat bran based diets. The supplementation of the diet with the enzyme complex did not significantly affect the levels of short chain fatty acids formed in the small intestine and there was a non significant increase of the levels of acetic, propionic and butyric acids in the cecum and colon of piglets (P < 0.10). No interactions were present between fibre sources and enzyme addition.

The results suggest that the enzyme supplementation of the diet did not bring significant benefits to the animals and that when maize cobs replaces wheat bran in diets it negatively affects butyric acid production and fibre-degrading enzyme activity in the hindgut of piglets.