Considerations for gastrointestinal cannulation (rumen,duodenum and ileum) in sheep with a ruminal,a simple t-type and a modified t-type cannula

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of simultaneous application of three cannulations and to test the effectiveness of a modified T-type cannula compared to simple T-type cannula. A ruminal, a simple T-type and a modified T-type duodenal and an ilial cannula were used in sheep. No complication was encountered in ruminal cannulation. Although no grafts were used, leakage of digesta was not seen for at least five months in T-type cannula and seven months in modified T-type cannula after surgery. Fibrous tissue grew between the serosa of the intestine and the peritoneum. No erosion of the tissue between intestine and body wall was observed after slaughter. Especially ilial digesta was easily obtained from modified T-type cannula.     

Atrial cannulation for long-term sequential blood collection in gilts

Polyvinyl chloride tubing (ID, 1.27 mm; OD, 2.29 mm) was placed via the jugular vein into the right atrium of thirty-five 120- to 200-day-old gilts. Catheters remained patent for 14 to 88 days (mean, 41 days). The major cause of loss of function was damage inflicted by the gilt (20 catheters), whereas only 3 catheters lost patency because of blockage. Using a pulley and counterweight system the exteriorized end of the catheter was suspended above the gilt, facilitating blood collection and minimizing disturbance of the gilts.     

Technique for long-term ileal cannulation in ponies.

A T-cannula was fitted permanently into the ileum of ten mature ponies to quantify the role of the prececal and postileal segments of the digestive tract in equine nutrition studies. The ponies were anesthetized, positioned in left lateral recumbency, and the distal small intestine was exteriorized through a right paralumbar incision. A silastic T-cannula was inserted through a 2-cm longitudinal incision into the lumen of the ileum, on the antimesenteric surface, and sutured to the ileum. The stem of the cannula was exteriorized through a 2-cm circular skin incision, 6 cm caudal to the 16th rib. Nine ponies were alive with functional cannulas after six months. Primary complications associated with cannulation of the ileum were clinical signs of depression and dehydration produced by leakage of intestinal contents around the stem of the cannula. These complications were resolved with fluid and electrolyte therapy.     

Turning and walking by gilts in modified gestation crates

Mated gilts in gestation crates designed specially so gilts could turn or walk at will did turn around and walk. In Exp. 1, in crates 2.1 m long, flared at one end and pointed at the other, and 56 or 61 cm wide at center, gilts' turning frequency averaged 11.2 turns/d. Neither feeder nor waterer location, independent of the other, influenced turning frequency. Most turns apparently were not motivated by any obvious external stimulus. Narrowing crates from 61 to 56 cm reduced turning rate from 12.9/d to 8.9/d. Gilts spent more time facing the feeder when it was at the flared end (F; 66.1%) than when it was at the pointed end (P; 49.4%). Turning was followed by standing or lying, without simultaneous eating or drinking, 65.3% of the time. A greater proportion of turns were succeeded by eating or drinking when feeder and waterer were located in opposite ends of the crate (39.2%) instead of in the same end (29.7%). As a result of turns followed by only standing or lying, gilts were oriented head by head 52.9% of the times. Mean time of day for turning was 1016 in wide crates and 0855 in narrow crates. Also, mean turning time with waterer at P vs at F was 1012 vs 0928. In Exp. 2, a 2 X 2 factorial arrangement of treatments compared crates that were either 2.1 m or 3.4 m long and had either flared or rectangular ends. Neither length nor shape affected gilts' total daily duration of standing. Gilts stood up 8.3 times/d in rectangular crates, 13.9 times/d in flared.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of increasing dietary standardized ileal digestible lysine for gilts grown in a commercial finishing environment

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of increasing dietary standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys on growing and finishing gilts. Diets in all 3 experiments were corn-soybean meal-based and contained 0.15% l-Lys?HCl and 3% added fat from choice white grease. Desired SID Lys concentrations were achieved by altering levels of corn and soybean meal in the diet. Each experiment consisted of 6 treatments with 7 pens per treatment and approximately 27 gilts (PIC 337 × 1050) per pen. In Exp. 1, 1,085 gilts (initially 38.2 kg) were fed diets formulated to contain SID Lys concentrations of 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2% for 28 d, which were analyzed to be total Lys concentrations of 0.78, 0.86, 0.99, 1.06, 1.14, and 1.24%, respectively. As SID Lys increased, ADG and G:F improved (quadratic, P < 0.003) with optimal performance reached at the SID Lys level of 1.1% or SID Lys:ME ratio of 3.16 g/Mcal. Broken-line analysis indicated breakpoints of 1.03 and 1.05% SID Lys for ADG and G:F, respectively. Gilts in this trial required approximately 21.8 g of SID Lys intake per kilogram of BW gain from 38 to 65 kg. In Exp. 2, 1,092 (initially 55.2 kg) gilts were fed diets formulated to contain SID Lys concentrations of 0.66, 0.74, 0.82, 0.90, 0.98, or 1.06% for 28 d, which were analyzed to be total Lys concentrations of 0.75, 0.73, 0.84, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.97%, respectively. Both ADG (quadratic, P = 0.12) and G:F improved (linear, P < 0.001) as SID Lys increased, with broken-line analysis of ADG indicating a requirement estimate of 0.90%, which corresponds to a SID Lys:ME ratio of 2.58 g/Mcal. Gilts in this trial required approximately 19.6 g of SID Lys per kilogram of BW gain from 55 to 80 kg. In Exp. 3, 1,080 gilts (initially 84.1 kg) were fed diets formulated to contain SID Lys concentrations of 0.54, 0.61, 0.68, 0.75, 0.82, or 0.89% for 29 d, which were analyzed to be total Lys concentrations of 0.62, 0.92, 0.79, 0.99, 0.93, and 1.07%, respectively. As the SID Lys concentration increased, ADG and G:F improved (linear, P < 0.001), and performance responses were maximized at the greatest SID Lys level of 0.89% or SID Lys:ME ratio of 2.55 g/Mcal of ME. Gilts in this trial required 23.0 g of SID Lys per kg of BW gain from 85 to 110 kg. The ideal SID Lys:ME ratio was based on the requirement determined by broken-line analysis in Exp. 1, 2, and 3, with the greatest level being tested in Exp. 3. This equation, SID Lys:ME ratio = -0.011 × BW, kg + 3.617, estimates the optimal SID Lys:ME ratios for growth of gilts (PIC 337 × 1050) in this commercial finishing environment. These studies showed growth performance advantages to increasing SID Lys for growing and finishing gilts over previously reported optimal levels, particularly in the later finishing stages.     

The influence of gestation feeding strategy on body composition of gilts at farrowing and response to dietary protein in a modified lactation

Previous experiments have indicated that reproductive function in lean, modern genotypes may be more dependent on body protein mass than, as previously believed, on body lipid reserves. This was investigated in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, involving 60 first-parity sows, comparing three pregnancy feeding strategies and two lactation diets. During pregnancy, sows were fed either a basal diet (5 g lysine/kg, 13 MJ of DE/kg [C]) or the same quantity of basal diet + energy source [E], or additional basal diet supplying both protein and energy [A]. The level of supplement for E and A was adjusted weekly to achieve a backfat thickness measurement (P2 position) of 28 mm at farrowing. Isoenergetic lactation diets were fed to appetite and provided either high (180 g CP/kg, 9 g lysine/kg [H]) or low lysine (120 g CP/kg, 6 g lysine/kg [L]). From d 21 of lactation, sows were separated from their litters and housed next to a boar for 8 h each day; final weaning occurred on d 31. Pregnancy treatment differences in backfat and weight were achieved, with C sows having less backfat on d 1 of lactation than E and A sows (E = 28.1, A = 28.0, C = 22.7 kg, P < 0.001). Sows fed additional basal diet were heavier than E sows, which were heavier than C sows (E = 190, A = 201, C = 178 kg, P < 0.001). Average feed intake over lactation showed a pregnancy feeding effect, with E sows eating less than A or C sows (E = 4.9, A = 5.2, C = 5.4 kg/d, P < 0.005). Total lactation weight loss was affected by pregnancy feeding (E = 18.0, A = 19.0, C = 8.4 kg, P < 0.05) and by lactation diet (L = 19.0, H = 11.3 kg, P < 0.05), whereas total lactation backfat loss was affected only by pregnancy treatment (E = 6.9, A = 6.5, C = 4.6 mm, P < 0.05). No pregnancy treatment or lactation diet effects were observed for litter performance. Lactation diet affected weaning-to-estrus interval, with more sows on the H diet coming into estrus within 6 d of partial weaning (P < 0.05), but there was no pregnancy treatment effect. Therefore, voluntary feed intake during lactation was suppressed by increased fat reserves at a limited body protein mass but not when body protein mass was also increased. Partial weaning-to-estrus interval was increased by reduced dietary protein.     

小母猪的选留和育肥期的饲养管理

小母猪的选育和育肥期的饲养管理对其终生繁殖性能有着至关重要的作用，做好小母猪的前期选育和育肥期的饲养管理，可以在很大程度上提高小母猪的生产、繁殖性能及延长使用年限。１小母猪的选留 在后备母猪转入育肥群进行育肥阶段，作为养猪生产者必须做好对后备猪的选留。当仔猪达到２８或３５日龄，体重达７．５ｋｇ以上时进行第一次筛选。首先参考其父母代生产成绩，无遗传缺陷，同胞数不少于７头，有效乳头至少６对以上发育良好且对称或均匀，不少于３对在脐部之前的，无瞎奶和赘生小乳头，阴户端正，体躯匀称，肢蹄健壮，前胸和后臀丰…     

Placement of a long term tracheal cannula in a Thoroughbred racehorse with bilateral laryngeal dysfunction

A Thoroughbred horse with bilateral laryngeal dysfunction was treated by placement of a long term tracheal cannula in order to restore full athletic function. The horse initially presented with right-sided arytenoid dysfunction that was considered to be due to a congenital malformation of the laryngeal cartilage. This was corrected by a right-sided laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy. The horse re-presented 1 year later with idiopathic left laryngeal hemiplegia. The decision was made to place a long-term tracheal cannula due to the low success rate and high complication rate associated with other surgeries used to correct bilateral arytenoid dysfunction. A three-piece tracheotomy cannula and stopper were positioned under general anaesthesia. The horse rapidly adjusted to the tracheal cannula and no post-surgical complications were encountered. The horse resumed training 4 weeks postoperatively. Due to the rules governing racing in Australia the horse was exported to New Zealand where he continued his racing career. It was concluded that tracheotomy is a straightforward technique associated with minimal complications and can provide an excellent prognosis for return of full airway function in racing horses. It is recognised that many issues need to be considered prior to more general acceptance of this technique, including assessment of animal welfare issues and public perception. In appropriate cases consideration should be given to using long term placement of a tracheotomy cannula as a treatment option to restore maximal airflow in horses with upper airway obstruction.     

Estimation of the optimum standardized ileal digestible total sulfur amino acid to lysine ratio in late finishing gilts fed low protein diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids

A total of 90 gilts were used to investigate the effects of various standard ileal digestible (SID) total sulfur amino acid (TSAA) to lysine (Lys) ratios on the performance and carcass characteristics of late finishing gilts receiving low crude protein (CP) diets supplemented with crystalline amino acids (CAA). Graded levels of crystalline methionine (Met) (0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.8 or 1.1 g/kg) were added to the basal diet to produce diets providing SID TSAA to Lys ratios of 0.48, 0.53, 0.58, 0.63 or 0.68. At the termination of the experiment, 30 gilts (one pig per pen) with an average body weight (BW) of 120 kg were killed to evaluate carcass traits. Increasing the SID TSAA to Lys ratio increased average daily gain (ADG) (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05), improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) and decreased serum urea nitrogen (SUN) concentration (linear and quadratic effect, P < 0.05) of finishing gilts. No effects were obtained for carcass traits. The optimum SID TSAA to Lys ratios to maximize ADG as well as to minimize FCR and SUN levels were 0.57, 0.58 and 0.53 using a linear‐break point model and 0.64, 0.62 and 0.61 using a quadratic model.     

Control of oestrus and ovulation in peri-pubertal gilts with allyltrenbolone or a combination of natural gonadotrophins

One-hundred-and-twenty large white X landrace gilts were allocated at random to one of three treatment groups. Treatment A gilts were given an orally active progestogen, allyltrenbolone (Regumate; Hoechst UK) once daily for 18 days from 185 days of age. Treatment B gilts were given a subcutaneous injection of gonadotrophins (400 iu pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin, 200 iu human chorionic gonadotrophin). (PG600; Intervet Laboratories) at 203 days of age. Treatment C gilts received no exogenous hormones. All the gilts were housed in groups of 10 from 153 days of age, and up to 203 days of age were isolated from boars. From 203 days each group of 10 gilts was subdivided into two groups of five, a boar was accommodated in a pen adjacent to each group of five and daily contact with it was allowed for one hour. Eight gilts in treatment A, five gilts in treatment B and seven gilts in treatment C failed to exhibit oestrus before 233 days of age (P greater than 0.05). The intervals from exposure to the boar to the onset of oestrus for treatments A, B and C were 8.5, 5.5 and 11.0 days respectively (P less than 0.001). Gonadotrophin treatment significantly reduced the time taken by gilts to show oestrus and the variability within the group was significantly less than that in the other two groups. There were no significant differences between the groups in the mean size of their litters.     

The effectiveness of vaccinating gilts against parvoviruses in a herd with endemic parvovirus infection

An inactivated vaccine against swine parvovirosis with a lipoid adjuvant was tested in a herd infested with parvoviruses. The titre of the haemagglutination-inhibition antibodies was studied at the time of the first pregnancy in two groups of gilts included in the herd at the age of 7.5 months - one group vaccinated, the other left untreated. In the vaccinated group the geometrical means of the titres were significantly higher than in the non-vaccinated group throughout the time of study. The difference in the average number of piglets per litter between the two groups was evaluated after parturition. On an average, the gilts of the vaccinated group had 1.5 more live pigs per litter (P less than 0.05). As also found, when the antibody titre increases by log 10, the number of piglets per litter increases by 1.55. On the basis of the results the vaccination of gilts against swine parvovirosis in endemically infested herds is considered an efficient preventive measure having a high economic effect.