Study on diarrhea in young calves. 2. Pathomorphological studies in clinically healthy calves and in calves with diarrhea

Pathological-anatomical and histological investigations were performed in 49 calves aged from 1 to 18 days, 26 of them being affected by diarrhoea, 23 being without clinical signs. In both the groups above all rhinitis, gastritis and typhlocolitis could be observed, thus the affection could be characterized as rhinogastrocolitis. Significant differences only existed between diarrhoea affected and clinical incospicuous calves concerning the macroscopic signs of the colon, periportal infiltrates of the liver and thymus in involution. The peak of inflammatory reaction is in general reached at the 7. to 10. day of life. In concordance with bacteriological findings the results refer to an affection not due to coli infection. Virus etiology may not be excluded and has to be examined in further studies.     

Genetic parameters and effect of selection for body weight in lines of mink (Neovison vison) on ad libitum and restricted feeding

Abstract

Selection was performed for high November weight on ad libitum (AL) and restricted feeding (RF) in mink in two generations. A farm fed line (FF) was maintained as a control. The estimates of heritability for November weight were large (0.62, 0.52, and 0.73 in males and 0.68, 0.51, and 0.60 in females in the FF-, AL-, and RF-line). The results indicate that selection on AL feeding increased appetite and thereby improved feed conversion ratio while selection on RF improved feed utilization. Furthermore, the results suggest that selection for August weight produces lean mink while selection for November weight produces fat mink.     

Milk feeding and utilization of nutrients in clinically healthy calves and in calves with diarrhea

Digestibility of nutrients was determined in healthy calves and in those with diarrhoea at the age of two and three weeks. The total collection of feces and indigestible marker methods (with Cr2O3) were used. High equality of results and statistically non-significant differences between the method of a total collection of feces and indigestible marker one in the suckling calves (Tab. II) confirm the suitability of using these two methods to determine digestibility. Based on the composition and commercially recommended feeding guide of milk replacer, it is clear that it has lower digestible energy, Zn and Fe intake. Slightly higher digestible crude protein and Mg intake, optimum Ca and P intake, all these values were calculated for 1 kg of live weight (Tab. I). Nutrient contents is responsible for nutrient ratio which is unbalanced and for low contents of digestible energy (76.5 KJ per g of digestible crude protein) instead of recommended values of 100-110 KJ per of digestible crude protein in milk replacer in suckling calves. In six clinically healthy calves fed with milk replacer Laktavit twice a day, an apparent digestibility of organic matter was found to be 95.7 +/- 1.8%, crude protein 93.5 +/- 1.8%, fat 94.5 +/- 1.4%, carbohydrates 97.2 +/- 1.5%, Ca absorption was 86.5 +/- 2.8%, P 95.3 +/- 2.9%. There was a depressed absorption for Mg 43.4 +/- 6.8%, Fe 24.2 +/- 4.3% and Zn 36.8 +/- 3.5% (Tab. III).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Studies on diarrhea of young calves. 1. Quantitative analysis of the gastrointestinal flora in clinically healthy calves and in calves with diarrhea]

Quantitative composition of gastro-intestinal-flora was determined in 23 clinically healthy calves and the course of germ spreading was followed up. In comparison with these healthy animals in 25 diarrhoea affected calves at the age of 4 to 17 days there could be observed signigicant differences only in few parts of the gastro-intestinal-tract concerning the quantitative composition of germ flora. Only in 3 animals enterotoxin producing E coli strains could be detected.     

Effect of restricted and ad libitum feeding on semen production and fertility in broiler breeder males

1. The effect of food restriction on the quality of semen production and fertility in broiler breeder males was studied.

2. Seventy‐two Ross broiler breeder males, from 20 to 54 weeks of age, were divided into 4 groups and fed as follows: group 1 = 110 g/bird/d; group 2 = 120 g/ bird/d; group 3 = 130 g/bird/d; group 4 = ad libitum.

3. Body weight, sperm quality (volume, concentration, % motility and % live cells) and fertility were measured. The birds were slaughtered at 55 weeks of age; the abdominal fat pad and testicles were weighed.

4. Groups 2 and 3 produced the highest volume of semen. The quality of semen was very similar in all the restricted groups.

5. Males fed ad libitum produced semen with the best motility and percentage of live cells. Groups 3 and 4 showed the best fertility percentage (79%) against group 1 and 2 (59 and 72% respectively).     

Effect of restricted suckling on milk yield,milk composition and udder health in cows and behaviour and weight gain in calves,in dual-purpose cattle in the tropics

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of restricted suckling (RS) in dual-purpose cows and calves compared to artificial rearing (AR). Twelve Holstein-Zebu cows with calves were assigned to each treatment. Cows were milked once daily in the morning with calves present to stimulate milk let-down. RS calves suckled 30 min after milking and 30 min in the afternoon, whereas AR calves were milk-fed from nipple bottles. The daily saleable milk yield was higher in RS than in AR cows (p < 0.01; 7.44 vs 6.50 kg/day), whereas RS cows had lower milk-fat content (p < 0.001). AR cows had higher California Mastitis Test scores (p < 0.001) and lower lactose content (p < 0.001) compared to RS cows, which indicates an improved udder health in RS cows. AR calves displayed more ‘cross-suck’ during suckling/milk feeding (p < 0.001) and during observations of general behaviour (p < 0.05), and more ‘lick and sniff interior’ during milking (p < 0.05) and suckling/milk feeding (p < 0.01), compared to RS calves. During observations of general behaviour the RS calves were more often observed to ‘walk’ (p < 0.01) and ‘lick self’ (p < 0.05) and less frequently to ‘eat concentrate’ (p < 0.05) than AR calves. Results support the hypothesis that RS increases milk yield, influences milk composition and improves udder health in cows, and decreases abnormal sucking in calves.     

Effect of trehalose supplementation in milk replacer on the incidence of diarrhea and fecal microbiota in preweaned calves

Trehalose, a nonreducing disaccharide consisting of d-glucose with α,α-1,1 linkage, was evaluated as a functional material to improve the gut environment in preweaned calves. In experiment 1, 173 calves were divided into two groups; the trehalose group was fed trehalose at 30 g/animal/d with milk replacer during the suckling period, and the control group was fed nonsupplemented milk replacer. Medication frequency was lower in the trehalose group (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, calves (n = 20) were divided into two groups (control group [n = 10] and trehalose group [n = 10]) based on their body weight and reared under the same feeding regimens as in experiment 1. Fresh feces were collected from individual animals at the beginning of the trial (average age 11 d), 3 wk after trehalose feeding (experimental day 22), and 1 d before weaning, and the fecal score was recorded daily. Fecal samples were analyzed for fermentation parameters and microbiota. The fecal score was significantly lower in the trehalose group than in the control group in the early stage (at an age of 14 to 18 d; P < 0.05) of the suckling period. Calves fed trehalose tended to have a higher proportion of fecal butyrate on day 22 than calves in the control group (P = 0.08). Population sizes of Clostridium spp. were significantly lower (P = 0.036), whereas those of Dialister spp. and Eubacterium spp. tended to be higher in the feces of calves in the trehalose group on day 22 (P = 0.060 and P = 0.083). These observations indicate that trehalose feeding modulated the gut environment and partially contributed to the reduction in medication frequency observed in experiment 1.     

Mode of action of proteinase inhibitors in rats. 2. Effect of leupeptin on N-balance and biological half-life in ad lib feeding

During a 15-day period, growing Wistar rats (75 g) were fed ad lib. a whole-egg diet containing 10% crude protein (control group) and the same diet + a daily subcutaneous injection of 1 mg of leupeptin per animal (experimental group), respectively. To investigate the influence of the peptide aldehyde leupeptin on the M-metabolism, N-balance trials were carried out between the 1st and the 6th, and the 10th and the 15th experimental days. Leupeptine was not found to influence the true N-digestibility. However, the intermediary N-utilization, characterized by the biological value of the dietary protein, deteriorated in comparison with the control group. The peptide aldehyde under study resulted in an extension of the biological half-life of the proteins in the tissue of the small and large intestine. It was measured via the decline of radioactivity in protein following application of L-guanidino-14 C-arginine and L-(4,5-3H)-leucine. The amino acid utilization appears to have been increased as well. In connection with previous studies (SIMON et al., 1976) i, which, under somewhat different experimental conditions, leupeptine resulted in a higher intermediary N-utilization, the mentioned agent is supposed to be able to influence N-utilization. However, additional studies are required to make statements regarding the influence of dosis and metabolic situation.     

Body weight and selected hematologic and biochemical parameters in calves fed various diets during milk feeding]

The objective of the present paper was to obtain haematological and biochemical parameters of calves during their milk feeding. Another goal was to compare a current feed ration containing the commercial feed mixture Biosan with two alternative rations comprising skimmed milk and fat supplement. The effect of milk drink acidification and the effect of the physical form of fat added to skimmed milk were investigated. the calves were divided into six groups, by 6 to 8 calves each (P1-Biosan, PP1-acid variant, P2-skimmed milk+fat concentrate powder KMKS, PP2-acid variant, P3-skimmed milk+fat paste, PP3-acid variant). The highest average daily liveweight gains were recorded in calves fed on unacidified skimmed milk with fat paste supplement (1.074 kg)-Tab. I. The highest average daily liveweight gains were observed in calves fed on fat paste enriched milk drink (P3) while the calves administered milk with fat concentrate powder (P2) had only slightly higher average daily weight gains than the calves on Biosan diet (group P1). The growth of daily weight gains as a result of diets containing acidified milk (PP1 and PP2) is also a positive finding; this growth is even statistically significant in the former case (P < 0.05). The calves showed hypohaemoglobinaemia from the beginning of the experiment (51.3-69.0 g/l) and the low haematocrit value (0.29-0.43 l/l), Tab. II, while the plasma iron level was paradoxically high (Tab. V).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

饲喂含常规大豆蛋白代乳料对犊牛生长性能和血液生化参数的影响

选择18头刚出生的荷斯坦奶犊牛,分为A、B、C组,每组6头,公母各半。研究去皮豆粕(DSM)和全脂大豆(FFS)替代50%乳源蛋白对犊牛血液生化指标和犊牛生产性能的影响。结果表明,36d时犊牛血清总胆红素、直接胆红素、间接胆红素含量以及γ-谷氨酰转移酶、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶活性趋势为DSM替代组(A组)>FFS替代组(B组)>全乳组(C组)(P>0.05);与C组比较,A、B组血清白蛋白含量极显著降低(P<0.01),A组碱性磷酸酶活性显著升高(P<0.05);同期A组和B组犊牛的体重分别比C组低8.08%和5.33%,C组犊牛的胸围、体高、体斜长均大于A、B组,可见DSM和FFS对36d犊牛的肝脏功能和生长性能有一定的不良影响。96d时,各组犊牛血液生化指标无显著差异。365d时,A、B组犊牛的各项生长指标与C组相近,犊牛的补偿生长作用足可弥补DSM和FFS对犊牛早期生长造成的影响,哺乳期用含DSM、FFS的代乳料可低成本培育犊牛。     

代乳粉对羔羊生产性能、体尺和腹泻率的影响

试验旨在研究代乳粉对羔羊的增质量、体尺和腹泻率的影响,并优选出适宜的羔羊代乳粉营养水平。选择80只健康的小尾寒羊羔羊,采用单因子方差分析,将羔羊随机分为4组进行试验。初生羔羊吃足初乳,于5d后分组,采用逐渐替代法,将母乳转换成3种不同营养水平的代乳粉,分别哺喂3组羔羊,另1组为对照组(喂纯羊乳)。结果表明1)试验1组的只均日增质量为193g,明显高于对照组的151.25g和试验3组的107g,差异显著;试验2组的只均日增质量为160.5g,与其他3组相比差异不显著。2)试验1组羔羊的体斜长和胸围较对照组增加2.18%和1.67%,差异不显著,试验3组的体高、体斜长和胸围均显著低于试验1组和对照组,差异显著。3)试验1组和试验3组羔羊的腹泻率均为0,明显低于对照组的7.32%;试验2组羔羊腹泻率为7.93%,高于对照组。早期断奶羔羊平均每日每只适宜进食的消化能和粗蛋白分别为9.21MJ和106.92g,哺喂营养适宜的代乳粉(试验1组)能促进早期断奶羔羊的生长发育,降低腹泻率。     

The digestibility of milk substitutes with various soybean products in young calves

Digestibility trials were performed to study the suitability of mixtures made up of treated soybean and whey powder for replacing skim milk powder. Three different milk replacers were used, the replacers T-18/II and T-18/III containing Plyllac preparations manufactured by different technologies. When using the T-18 preparation with 18% fat content it was found that the protein source may contain 25% Plyllac preparation and 11% sweet whey powder. In two cases, at the age of 5 and 7 weeks, the digestibility of the crude protein in the T-18/II preparation was found to deteriorate significantly. For this reason, the authors suggest this milk replacer to be used from the 5th week of life. Trials were performed with 3 milk replacers (lactine preparations) containing Plyllac preparations of different manufacturing technology (35%), treated soybean (10%) and sweet whey powder (10%). It was found that the use of Plyllac preparations, i.e. of treated soybean in larger amounts causes the nutrient digestibility, mainly that of crude protein, to be significantly lower at the age of 3 and 5 weeks than that at the age of 7 to 9 weeks. No significant differences were found in the digestibility of the various Plyllac preparations manufactured by different technologies. The milk replacer lactine is recommended for use from the 5th week of life on.     

Effect of body weight loss and feeding regimen on the performance of moulted breeder layers

1. The effects of body weight loss (0.20, 0.25 or 0–30) during the period of food withdrawal and the subsequent feeding of cracked grain for 3 weeks, pullet grower ration for 3 weeks or layer ration immediately after the period of food withdrawal and their interactions on the second cycle performance of breeder layers were investigated.

2. Hens losing 0.30 of their initial body weight (BWL) produced more hatching eggs and chicks than those which lost 0.20 BW.

3. Hens fed on cracked grain produced fewest non‐hatching eggs, most chicks and the most efficient food utilisation.

4. The interactions showed that hens which lost 0.20 BW and were fed on layers ration produced most eggs. When number of chicks hatching was the criterion then hens losing 0.25 to 0.30 BW which were fed on cracked grain for 3 weeks gave the best performance.     

Development of rumen fermentation in calves during milk feeding]

The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the rumen fluid were increasing with the age of the animals (Fig. 1). A significant increase in the concentrations of total VFA (P less than 0.01) from 70.93 to 90.71 mmol/l was observed in the age period of 5-7 weeks and a highly significant increase (P less than 0.001) in the age period of 9-11 age. At the average age of seven weeks the lower boundary of the reference value range (80-120 mmol) of the total VFA concentrations in the rumen fluid as mentioned for adult animals was exceeded in the experimental calves. As to this parameter in individual calves, the level of the total VFA concentrations in the rumen fluid of adult animals was not reached in 50% of calves at the age of three weeks, in 80% of calves at the age of five weeks, in 20% of calves at the age of seven weeks and in 10% calves at the age of nine weeks. At the age of 11 weeks the concentrations of total VFA reached the level of adult animals in all experimental animals (Fig. 2). The molar proportion of acetate (Fig 3) decreased from 74.04 mol% at the age of three weeks to 67.54 mol% at the age of 11 weeks, and the propionate proportion increased from 16.73 to 19.53 mol% within the same interval.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of unrestricted milk feeding on the growth and health of Jersey calves

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding high milk volumes on the growth rate, health and cross-sucking behaviour in group-fed Jersey calves. Three-day-old heifers (n = 120) in a seasonal calving dairy herd were randomly assigned to one of 6 treatment groups. Three groups received high milk volumes (HMV), consisting of ad libitum milk or milk replacer feeding twice a day, while 3 groups received restricted milk volumes (RMV), consisting of 2 l twice daily, during the pre-weaning period. After a pre-weaning period during which feeding was reduced to once daily, all calves were weaned at 42 days and monitored until 60 days of age. Adjusting for birth mass, birth date, dam parity and sire, average daily mass gain (ADG), both pre-weaning (days 0-42) and overall (days 0-60), was higher in HMV than in RMV calves (P < 0.001). After weaning, growth rates showed no differences and at 60 days of age the HMV calves maintained a 6.74 kg advantage in mean body mass (P < 0.001). The mean intake of dry starter feed was higher in RMV than in HMV calves. Overall feed conversion rate of HMV calves was 9.6 % better than RMV calves. However, the variable cost per kg mass gain was 12 % higher for HMV calves. In the RMV groups 75 % of calves showed cross-sucking behaviour pre-weaning and 18 % post-weaning, whereas in HMV calves the proportions were 2 % and 7 %, respectively. There was no significant effect of milk volume on the incidence of diarrhoea. We conclude that the feeding of high volumes of milk to Jersey calves has a positive effect on growth rate, without compromising health or reducing solid feed intake after weaning. However, the higher cost of such a feeding system may limit its implementation.