Ruminal lactic acidosis in sheep and goats.

The clinical findings in 37 sheep and goats with acute ruminal lactic acidosis included a disturbed general condition characterised by anorexia, apathy, teeth grinding and muscle twitching, ruminal stasis, and the excretion of soupy or watery faeces. The ruminal fluid of affected animals was milky, had a sour odour and a low pH. There was a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria in smears of ruminal fluid. In comparison with 10 control animals, the rumen fluid of 23 sheep with ruminal lactic acidosis had higher lactic acid and lower volatile fatty acid concentrations. In addition, the affected animals often had haemoconcentration and metabolic acidosis. Treatment included single or repeated transfer of ruminal fluid from healthy cows and, depending on the severity, the administration of antacids, yeast and chlortetracycline, and the intravenous infusion of isotonic sodium chloride and 5 per cent sodium bicarbonate solutions. Of the 37 treated sheep and goats, four died within 24 hours, and three others were euthanased after one, two and three days because their condition rapidly deteriorated. Thirty animals were discharged one to nine days after treatment. Twenty-nine of them (78.4 per cent) recovered completely but one was euthanased later.     

Ruminal metabolism of DNOC and DNBP

The metabolism of DNOG and DNBP in rumen fluid was examined in vitro after elaboration of analytical methods for quantitative determination of dinitrophenols, their 6-amino derivative and diamino-phenols. It was shown that, under anaerobic conditions, the dinitrophenols were rapidly converted into 6-amino derivatives, which successively were reduced to diamino compounds. Reduction did not take place in heat-sterilized rumen specimens, and the metabolism was inhibited by high initial concentrations of the dinitro compounds in the rumen fluid (1—4 × 10⁻³M).In vivo experiments were performed for determination of the concentrations of the dinitrophenols and their metabolites in rumen fluid and blood plasma in a cow. Ruminai metabolism was rapid like in vitro, and the parent compounds were reduced in 10—30 min. The 6-amino derivatives persisted in the rumen fluid for 1 nr., and thereafter only diaminophenols could be detected for another 8—10 hrs. At least 95 % of the absorbed DNOG or DNBP were bound to plasma proteins. 6-amino-4-nitro-o-cresol w^τas found in plasma exclusively in conjugated form, while 6-amino-4-nitro-sec.-butylphenol was free. The diamino compounds were not demonstrated in blood plasma.Severe methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis were seen after administration of DNBP. The difference in toxicity for ruminants between the two dinitrophenols is discussed on the basis of the observations reported pointing at the unconjugated 6-amino-4-nitro-sec-butylphenol as a potent inducer of methaemoglobinaemia.     

不同牧草在肉羊瘤胃中的降解特性研究

为研究不同牧草干物质(DM)及蛋白质(CP)在肉羊瘤胃中的降解规律,以3头安装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的杜×寒肉用绵公羊为试验动物,采用半体内法对13种牧草的DM和CP的降解率和降解参数进行测定。结果表明:苜蓿DM和CP在瘤胃内各个时间点的降解率最高(P<0.05);沙打旺、狗尾草、燕麦草、草地早熟禾72 h降解率显著高于其他牧草(P<0.05)。13种牧草DM的可降解部分和有效降解率的高低顺序与DM在不同时间点的降解高低顺序类似。豆科苜蓿和沙打旺CP的有效降解率最高(P<0.05);禾本科燕麦草、象草、草地早熟禾和狗尾草CP的有效降解率显著高于其他禾本科牧草(P<0.05)。苜蓿慢速降解部分的降解速率显著高于其他牧草(P<0.05)。由此得出,豆科牧草苜蓿、沙打旺DM和CP的降解率高于禾本科牧草。燕麦草、草地早熟禾、象草、狗尾草的降解率较高;冷地早熟禾、多叶老芒麦、羊草、披碱草的降解率居中;芨芨草、中华羊茅和芦苇的降解率偏低。     

Ruminal microbiota–host interaction and its effect on nutrient metabolism

Rumen microbiota has a close and intensive interaction with the ruminants. Microbiota residing in the rumen digests and ferments plant organic matters into nutrients that are subsequently utilized by the host, making ruminants a unique group of animals that can convert plant materials indigestible by humans into high-quality animal protein as meat and milk. Many studies using meta-omics technologies have demonstrated the relationships between rumen microbiome and animal phenotypes associated with nutrient metabolism. Recently, the causality and physiological mechanisms underpinning the host–microbiota interactions have attracted tremendous research interest among researchers. This review discusses the host–microbiota interactions and the factors affecting these interactions in ruminants and provides a summary of the advances in research on animal husbandry. Understanding the microbiota composition, the functions of key bacteria, and the host–microbiota interaction is crucial for the development of knowledge-based strategies to enhance animal productivity and host health.     

Ruminal protein metabolism and intestinal amino acid utilization as affected by dietary protein and carbohydrate sources in sheep.

Eight wether lambs fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design to study the effects of carbohydrate and protein sources on ruminal protein metabolism and carbohydrate fermentation and intestinal amino acid (AA) absorption. Treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial. Carbohydrate sources were corn and barley; protein sources were soybean meal (SBM) and fish meal (FM). Diets contained 15.5% CP, of which 40% was supplied by SBM or FM. Corn or barley provided 39% of dietary DM that contained equal amounts of grass hay and wheat straw. Fish meal diets produced a lower (P less than .05) ruminal NH3 concentration and resulted in less CP degradation and bacterial protein flow to the duodenum than did SBM diets. Replacing SBM with FM increased (P less than .05) ruminal digestion of all fiber fractions. In addition, cellulose and hemicellulose digestibilities in the rumen tended to increase (P greater than .05) when barley replaced corn in the FM diets. Carbohydrate x protein interactions (P less than .05) were observed for OM digestion in the rumen and AA absorption in the small intestine (percentage of AA entering); these interactions were highest for the barley-FM diet. These results suggest that feeding FM with barley, which is high in both degradable carbohydrate and protein, might benefit ruminants more than feeding FM with corn, which is high in degradable carbohydrate but relatively low in degradable protein.     

Ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleoyl methionine and calcium linoleate in sheep.

Four ruminally and duodenally cannulated Hampshire wethers were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square experiment to determine whether linoleoyl methionine and calcium linoleate would increase duodenal flow of unsaturated fatty acids (C18:2 + cis C18:1). All animals received the same basal diet plus a treatment enclosed in gelatin capsules that were placed directly in the rumen. Of the four experimental treatments, one was a control (empty capsules) and three were 5 g of fatty acid equivalent as either free linoleic acid, calcium linoleate, or linoleoyl methionine. Linoleoyl methionine had the lowest ruminal disappearance of C18:2 + cis C18:1. Ruminal loss of unsaturated fatty acids from each supplement exclusive of feed unsaturated fatty acids was 69.8, 92.9, and 94.6% for linoleoyl methionine, free linoleic acid, and calcium linoleate, respectively. Duodenal flow of methionine also was higher for linoleoyl methionine than for control, free linoleic acid, or calcium linoleate (2.5, 1.7, 2.0, and 2.5 g/d, respectively). Plasma linoleic acid was higher for linoleoyl methionine than for control or free linoleic acid but was not different from calcium linoleate (22.0, 17.8, 18.9, and 20.2% of total fatty acids, respectively). Plasma methionine levels were not different among treatments. Intestinal disappearance of unsaturated fatty acids did not differ among treatments. Linoleoyl methionine resisted ruminal biohydrogenation and was digested normally in the intestine. Calcium linoleate did not escape biohydrogenation by ruminal bacteria.     

The effect of isolation and separation on the metabolism of sheep

For experimental purposes sheep are often isolated and/or separated from their conspecifics. In an experiment carried out with 12 Flevolander sheep which were put on a standard ration, we investigated how sheep react to the shift from a loose social housing system to a confined isolated environment (respiration chamber) where they remained for at least 10 days. Moreover we determined how many shifts it takes before the metabolism of the animal is completely adapted and no longer under stress in the less ideal environment.The main and most sensitive reaction after abrupt isolation is a significant increase in metabolic rate as estimated by heat production. Further, the digestive system reacts with a significant decrease in apparent digestibility. The haematocrit (PCV) increased significantly after isolation. All the analysed or calculated physiological parameters on the apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and energy (E) and on energy balance (EB), heat production (HP) and haematocrit (PCV) are significantly different for all sheep and periods at the 0.01 level. When the animals were moved for the 4th time into the respiration chamber, the apparent digestibility of the standard ration, the EB and PCV did not differ significantly from the consecutive periods. For metabolic rate (HP) we consider the sheep adapted in the 5th period.The economic importance of keeping sheep under stress free conditions is clearly demonstrated.     

Ruminal metabolism in nonlactating cows fed whole cottonseed or extruded soybeans

Five nonlactating Holstein cows (average weight 574 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and duodenum were fed five total mixed diets at 2.14% (DM) of BW for seven 2-wk periods to estimate the ruminal degradation of protein and fatty acids in whole cottonseed (WCS) and extruded soybeans (ESB). Lanthanum was used as an indigestible marker. Ruminal propionic acid (molar proportion) was larger and butyric acid was smaller for WCS diets than for control or ESB diets. Total VFA (mM) and acetic acid (molar proportion) were similar for all diets. Duodenal flow of nonammonia nitrogen (N) was 13% higher for ESB diets than for WCS diets, but was similar for the control and diets with WCS. The percentage of intake protein that was undegraded was 19% higher for ESB diets than for WCS diets. Ruminal and total apparent digestibilities of ADF were not reduced by the addition of oil seed. In conclusion, the protein from ESB was less degraded in the rumen of cows than protein from WCS. The addition of ESB at 12.7% (DM) or WCS at 25.3% of the diet did not reduce the apparent digestibility of fiber. The unsaturated fatty acids in WCS were not protected from ruminal biohydrogenation, presumably due to mastication of the seed coat.     

Ruminal evacuation's effect on microbial activity and ruminal function

The influence of evacuating, mixing and returning ruminal contents on microbial populations, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and liquid flow rate was investigated with four ruminal-cannulated Hereford steers (247 kg avg wt). Ruminoreticular contents were sampled, then completely removed, mixed for 5 min and returned to the rumen. Subsequent samples were taken immediately, 1 h and 4 h later. Non-evacuated steers were sampled at identical time intervals either 1 d before or after evacuation. Averaged over time, there was no significant difference between evacuated and non-evacuated steers in total anaerobic, cellulolytic and facultative bacteria, protozoa, oxidation-reduction potential, VFA concentrations, and liquid flow rates. There were no treatment X time interactions and, except for holotrich protozoa and VFA, no differences from time of sampling. Ruminal evacuation does not appear disruptive to anaerobiosis or detrimental to ruminal microorganisms and digestive processes.     

Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of amitraz in ponies and sheep

Amitraz and its active metabolite BTS2 7271 were given intravenously to ponies and sheep at equimolar doses of 1 mg/kg and 0.68 mg/kg, respectively, and the plasma concentrations of amitraz and BTS27271 estimated at various times thereafter. Amitraz was hydrolysed to BTS2 7271 in both species. Amitraz was undetectable in sheep plasma after approximately 5 min but persisted in the plasma of ponies for at least 90 min. The persistence of unmetabolized amitraz in ponies may have implications for the toxicity of amitraz in that species. The primary and secondary disposition half-lives of amitraz in ponies were 2 and 39 min, respectively. BTS27271 was distributed rapidly outside the plasma in both species with a primary disposition half-life of 4.4 min in sheep and 5.9 min in ponies. The secondary disposition half-lives were 51 and 55 min, respectively. The secondary phase of the disposition of BTS27271 was similar whether BTS27271 was given directly or derived by hydrolysis from amitraz. However, significant differences were evident in the primary phase of the disposition of BTS27271. Sheep demonstrated a larger apparent volume of distribution of BTS27271 than ponies and more rapid body clearance.     

Flubendazole metabolism and biotransformation enzymes activities in healthy sheep and sheep with haemonchosis

Bártíková, H., Křížová, V., Lamka, J., Kubíček, V., Skálová, L., Szotáková, B. Flubendazole metabolism and biotransformation enzymes activities in healthy sheep and sheep with haemonchosis. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap . 33 , 56–62.
The aim of this project was to study the influence of haemonchosis, a common parasitic infection of small ruminants caused by Haemonchus contortus , on the activity of biotransformation enzymes and on in vitro flubendazole (FLU) biotransformation in liver and small intestine of lambs ( Ovis aries ). Twelve lambs were divided into three groups: non-infected animals, animals orally infected with larvae of H. contortus ISE strain for 7 weeks and for 11 weeks. At the end of the experiment, hepatic and intestinal subcellular fractions were prepared and used for assays of biotransformation enzymes activities and FLU metabolism testing. The activities of hepatic cytochromes P450, flavine monooxygenases and carbonyl-reducing enzymes were decreased in infected animals. UDP-glucuronosyl transferase activity was significantly lower (by 35%) in 11 weeks infected animals than that in control animals. When in vitro metabolism of FLU was compared in control and infected animals, significantly lower velocity of FLU reduction was found in infected animals. Slower FLU reduction may be beneficial for the haemonchosis treatment using FLU, because FLU will remain longer in the organism and could cause longer contact of parasites with FLU.     

Erythrocyte metabolism in normal and glutathione-deficient sheep.

Glucose utilization and lactate formation in erythrocytes from normal and glutathione (GSH)-deficient sheep were similar. Significant differences were observed, however, between the 2 groups of sheep in the production of 14-CO2 from erythrocytes incubated with ascorbic acid or methylene blue, or both. The greater response of normal erythrocytes compared to erythrocytes deficient in GSH suggests that there are some metabolic differences in the pentose phosphate pathway (ppp) activity of the erythrocytes. The nature and site of these differences are, however, not known. When sheep were kept in a decompression chamber for 2 weeks and subjected to a simulated altitude of 7,000 m for 12 hours/day, the erythrocytes showed a four- to six-fold increase in the activity of the ppp.     

Seasonal changes in bone metabolism in sheep

There is a great need for animal models of osteoporosis and sheep are a suitable large animal that meets most requirements. Since it is known that bone mass in humans responds to seasonal changes, this study investigated natural bone metabolism in sheep in order to better define the sheep as a model for osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular structure, biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption and estrogen were analysed over a period of 18 months. The lowest BMDs, measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), were observed during winter. Thereafter, a 5.1% increase in BMD was observed during spring and summer (P<0.05). Bone resorption markers showed a variable pattern, with higher values in spring compared to autumn (P<0.001). The physiological estrus phase during autumn was detected by serum estrogen levels. The findings show that it is necessary to take seasonal variations into account if sheep are used to establish an animal model for osteoporosis.