Reassessment of the toxicity of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) for cattle

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of administering sufficient Hypericum perforatum to cattle to deliver quadruple the reported oral toxic dose. ANIMALS: Thirty-six yearling Hereford (n = 18) and Angus (n = 18) steers. DESIGN: A series of six experiments was conducted, each using 12 animals in a 2 x 2 factorial design, with two breeds of cattle (Hereford, Angus) and two dose levels of hypericin, 1.5 mg/kg (treated group) and 0 mg/kg (control group). Each set of 12 steers was used in duplicate experiments, with all animals alternated between treated and control groups. PROCEDURES: Treated groups received finely milled H. perforatum administered orally in gelatin capsules to provide 1.5 mg hypericin/kg body weight. All cattle were then exposed to direct sunlight for 5 h per day for 5 successive days. Rectal temperatures were measured immediately before and at the end of each sunlight exposure session. Rectal temperature above 40 degrees C, together with some other clinical sign of hypericin poisoning, was considered indicative of intoxication. RESULTS: No animals developed a rectal temperature above 40 degrees C or other clinical signs of hypericin poisoning. CONCLUSIONS: While the reported bovine oral toxic dose of 3 g dried plant/kg body weight, for flowering stage, presumed narrow leaved biotype, H. perforatum, is probably correct, the corresponding dose for hypericin of 0.37 mg/kg is incorrect. Based on its known concentration in this plant the toxic dose of hypericin for partially pigmented Hereford-cross cattle is estimated at about 10.5 mg/kg body weight and more than this for fully pigmented cattle. This would imply that cattle of the former type should be about three and a half times better protected against H. perforatum toxicity than are unpigmented, wool protected, Merino sheep. Cattle, particularly if fully pigmented, may have a role in grazing management to control H. perforatum.     

The effect of shade, shearing and wool type in the protection of Merino sheep from Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) poisoning

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of shade, fleece length and wool type in the protection of sheep from Hypericum perforatum poisoning. ANIMALS: Adult Merino ewes of superfine, fine and medium wool type. DESIGN: Seventy sheep were divided into seven equal groups. During late spring and summer a series of successive, replicate experiments was conducted, each using one group and lasting 5 days. The sheep carried 14 to 24 weeks wool growth. In each experiment the treatments tested were Hypericum +, sunlight + (n = 7); Hypericum +, sun - (n = 1); Hypericum -, sun + (n = 1); Hypericum -, sun - (n = 1). Next, 24 sheep in two equal groups were used in experiments of similar design to the above. Each group consisted of nine recently (1 to 3 weeks previously) shorn and three wool covered (25 to 26 weeks growth) sheep. The treatments tested were Hypericum +, sunlight +, fleece - (n = 9); Hypericum +, sun -, fleece + (n = 1); Hypericum -, sun +, fleece + (n = 1); Hypericum -, sun -, fleece + (n = 1). PROCEDURES: Finely milled Hypericum was administered by gavage to provide 3 mg hypericin / kg body weight. Sheep were sheltered from direct sunlight or were exposed for 5 h per day for 4 successive post-treatment days. Rectal temperatures were measured immediately before and at the end of each sunlight exposure session. Rectal temperature above 40 degrees C was considered indicative of hypericin poisoning. RESULTS: After Hypericum treatment hypericin poisoning was displayed by 26.5% of woolled sheep that were exposed to sunlight, but by none of those that were fully shaded. In similarly treated but recently shorn sheep 94% displayed hypericin poisoning when exposed to sunlight. In the wool covered group the percentages of poisoned animals based on wool type were: superfine 14%, fine 28.5%, medium 33.3%. In the recently shorn group the percentage for all three approached 100%. CONCLUSIONS: A majority of Merinos with at least 14 weeks wool growth will not be poisoned by a single oral dose of 3 mg hypericin /kg, but because hypericin persists in the blood circulation for several days this safe dose will be lowered by continuous daily ingestion. Sheep with access to substantial areas of shade could safely ingest much greater amounts of hypericin. Wool removal greatly increases the risk of poisoning. Superfine Merinos with a wool cover should be able to ingest more hypericin than comparable, medium wool types, without any increased risk of poisoning. The ability of ruminant livestock to safely ingest Hypericum is probably determined more by the amount of skin protection they have against incident sunlight than by differences in hypericin metabolism and excretion capacity.     

贯叶连翘中金丝桃素纯化工艺研究

目的:本实验主要对金丝桃素的纯化工艺进行研究。方法:用无水乙醇从贯叶连翘中提取金丝桃素,再用大孔吸附树脂分离金丝桃素,后分别采用明胶水溶液法、pH值法及明胶水溶液+pH值法分离纯化金丝桃素。结果:采用明胶水溶液+pH值法样品中金丝挑素含量最高,平均含量为1.42%。结论:该方法操作简单,成本低廉,金丝桃素收率高,便于规模化生产。     

The response of Awassi and Merino sheep to primary infection with Haemonchus contortus

The possible existence of breed differences in the response of sheep to primary infection with Haemonchus contortus was examined by comparing worm establishment and pathogenic effects of the parasite in Awassi and Merino sheep of haemoglobin type B infected with 500 third stage H. contortus larvae per kg body weight. The results showed that the Merino sheep had lower faecal egg counts and worm burdens and suffered less severe clinical disturbances than sheep of the Awassi breed. This suggests that genetic resistance operates primarily at the level of worm establishment.     

The effect of feeding corn silage juices on selected indicators of metabolism in dairy cows given feed containing various proportions of silage and hay

In farm production conditions two comparative trials lasting 58 and 128 days were carried out. Acidogenic exposure to acids of silage juices, silage and haylage (lactic acid, acetic and butyric acids) in feed ration ranged from 0.33 to 2.85 mol per 100 kg live weight. It was proved that it was possible to include 9 to 10 litres of silage juices in feed ration under the condition that the total daily intake would not exceed 1.94 mol of acids per 100 kg live weight. This supplement of silage juices increased milk production. Higher amount of acid (2.65 and 2.85 mol) resulted in acidogenic and ketogenic type of silage juice enriched feed ration, which caused a more rapid decrease of lactation curve in dairy cows fed this feed ration than in those in the control group.     

Further Studies on the Presence, Qualities and Effects of the Toxic Principles from Narthecium Ossifragum Plants

Flåøyen, A., Bratberg, B., Frøslie, A., Grønstøl, H., Langseth, W., Mantle, P.G. and Von Krogh, A., 1997. Further studies on the presence, qualities and effects of the toxic principles from Narthecium ossifragum plants. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (2), 137-148One calf was dosed during one day with an aqueous extract from 3.0 kg (wet weight) of Narthecium ossifragum and another was dosed on the same day with the insoluble plant residue. The concentrations of serum creatinine and magnesium increased only in the calf dosed with the aqueous extract, while the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase increased only in the serum of the calf dosed with the plant residue, so differentiating the nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic principles as water-soluble and water-insoluble compounds, respectively.One calf was dosed with 30 g (wet weight) N. ossifragum flower stems per kg live weight during one day and another was dosed with 30 g (wet weight) N. ossifragum leaves per kg live weight on the same day. The serum creatinine and urea concentrations and also the activities of glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and -glutamyltransferase in the serum increased in the calf dosed with the flower stems, whereas there was only a slight temporary increase in the creatinine concentration in serum from the calf dosed with the leaves. However, histopathological examination of the kidneys of the calf dosed with the flower stems revealed severe tubular necrosis and degeneration. It therefore appears that both the toxic principles are present in the flower stems of N. ossifragum rather than in its leaves.The serum creatinine concentration was significantly increased in a non-ruminating calf dosed with an aqueous extract from 32 g (wet weight) N. ossifragum per kg liveweight during one day, showing the intrinsic nephrotoxicity of the plant.     

Effects of the scab mite Psoroptes ovis on the haematology and live mass of Merino and Dorper sheep

Five Merino and five Dorper sheep were artificially infested with the sheep scab mite Psoroptes ovis and the effect of infestation on their haematology, serum protein levels and live mass recorded for a period of 14 weeks. The reaction of the Merino sheep to infestation was more severe than that of the Dorper sheep. Haematological values fluctuated within the normal range during the assessment period. The mean haemoglobin concentration of the Merino sheep declined until antiparastic treatment was administered 10 weeks after infestation, after which it gradually increased. The lymphocyte counts of both breeds of sheep declined from 2 weeks to 10 weeks post-infestation, but increased after treatment, while the highest eosinophil counts were recorded in the Merino sheep at the height of the acute disease 8-10 weeks post-infestation. Serum albumin values for both breeds and serum globulin values for the Merino sheep were higher than normal during the entire 14-week observation period. A decrease in serum albumin and an increase in serum globulin concentration occurred at the height of infestation in both breeds. The mean live mass of a second group of five infested Merino sheep decreased by 6.4 kg over a 16-week period compared to a gain of 4.56 kg for five infested Dorper sheep.     

Evidence that enforced sunlight exposure can cause hyperthermia in cattle ingesting low levels of ergot of rye (Claviceps purpurea), when air temperature and humidity conditions are only moderate

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rectal temperature response of cattle, following the oral administration of ergot of rye (Claviceps purpurea), under pen conditions of enforced sunlight compared with those of enforced shade. DESIGN AND PROCEDURE: Hereford cross steers were divided into two groups of 18. One group was dosed once, on a Monday morning, with finely ground rye grass ergots at a rate of 180 mg/kg body weight and held in the sun for 7 h each day until Friday afternoon. The other group was not dosed but was similarly held in the sun during the same period. Their rectal temperatures were measured early morning and mid afternoon, from Monday to Friday inclusive. The process was repeated for each group, but this time they were held in the shade. The four treatment options were run concurrently by conducting the experiments over 6 weeks and using 3 animals in each treatment group, each week. RESULTS: The thermic response over all weeks, of the ergot treated, sunlight exposed cattle, was deemed greater than for the other groups, based on the following four parameters. The increase in rectal temperature between early morning and mid afternoon, the size of the mid afternoon rectal temperature rise, the difference between the maximum mid afternoon rectal temperature recorded by an animal in the sun compared with that recorded by the same animal in the shade, and finally the number of animals in a treatment group that recorded rectal temperatures > 40.00 degrees C. The difference in the daily increase in body temperature between the ergot treated, sun exposed cattle and the ergot treated, shaded cattle, was greater than that observed between the sun exposed and shade restricted control cattle. Nine of 18 ergot treated and sun exposed cattle developed hyperthermia; no cattle in the other three groups did. CONCLUSIONS: Some sunlight exposed cattle, dosed with a low amount of ergot of rye, can experience a body temperature elevation above the normal range, even under mild ambient temperature and humidity conditions. Sunlight exposure causes an increase in body temperature in normal cattle that is probably attributable to solar radiant heat. Ergot ingestion causes an increase in body temperature in shaded cattle that is probably attributable to ambient temperature and humidity effects. This response can be increased by sun exposure and this increase is attributable to solar radiant heat effects and possibly also solar radiation. A response to radiant heat is consistent with the known physiological effects of ingested ergot alkaloids, but a response to solar radiation is not.     

The effect of Johne's disease on production traits in Romney, Merino and Merino x Romney-cross ewes

AIM: To quantify the effects of clinical Johne's disease on the performance of Romney, Merino and Merino x Romney-cross ewes. METHODS: The performance of ewes was compared using eight birth cohorts (1971-1978). Merino and Merino-cross genotypes included New Zealand Merino and Australian Superfine Merino sources. Intensive monitoring of Johne's disease was undertaken over the production years 1975-1982. Positive diagnostic evidence of Johne's disease was established post mortem from lesions of granulomatous enteritis associated with high numbers of acid-fast bacilli. Over years, data on a total of 2,341 Romney ewes and 1,292 Merino and Merino x Romney-cross ewes were recorded, consisting of annual records of liveweight (LWT), greasy fleece weight (FWT), number of lambs born per ewe per year (NLB), and lifetime productivity of ewes. RESULTS: A total of 82 (3.5%) Romney ewes and 62 (4.8%) Merino and Merino x Romney-cross ewes were diagnosed with clinical Johne's disease over the 8-year monitoring period, equivalent to 0.9% and 1.2% annual cases for these breeds, respectively, of the ewes present at mating. The percentage of clinical cases (p<0.04) and the age at death from Johne's disease (p<0.02) were lower for Romneys than for Superfine Merinos. The mean age of death from Johne's disease was 3.41 (standard error (SE) 0.06) years, lower than the mean disposal age from the flock of 5.03 (SE 0.02) years for clinically normal ewes (p<0.001). In their final year of production, ewes with clinical Johne's disease had lower LWT by 5.3 kg (10.5% of the mean; p<0.001), lower annual FWT by 0.54 (SE 0.10) kg (14.2%; p<0.001), fewer NLB by 0.15 (SE 0.07) lambs (13%; p<0.05), and lower litter weaning weights by 3.6 (SE 1.3) kg (15%; p<0.01) compared with clinically normal ewes. The size of the production losses associated with Johne's disease depended on the age to which ewes survived. Considering all production years of ewes (up to 8 years), the total weight of lambs weaned by ewes with clinical Johne's disease was 30.9 (SE 3.4) kg lower (46%; p<0.001) than the total from clinically normal ewes. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical Johne's disease led to significant losses in LWT, FWT, NLB, and in the lifetime production of ewes, amounting overall to a 46% reduction in productivity (p<0.001). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Productivity losses from clinical cases of Johne's disease would be of considerable economic importance in flocks with a high incidence of the disease. The lack of good diagnostic tests for Johne's disease in the live animal, and the lack of active surveillance programmes, has made it difficult to establish the true prevalence of Johne's disease in sheep flocks in New Zealand, and its economic consequences.     

甘肃高山细毛羊育种现状及发展前景

甘肃高山细毛羊是以新疆细毛羊和高加索细毛羊为父本、以当地藏羊和蒙古羊为母本,经过杂交改良(1943～1957年)、横交固定(1958～1965年)和选育提高(1966～1980)三个阶段培育而成的我国第一个高原型细毛羊品种。从育成至今经过了30年的选育提高,为了改善和提高品种质量,先后10次从国内外引进澳洲美利奴、中国美利奴、新西兰美利奴、超细型中国美利奴、超细型澳洲美利奴等外血对品种进行换血改造。目前该品种质量发生了很大变化。2009年种公羊平均体重达到95.77kg,比1980年品种育成时提高了20.77kg,成年母羊平均体重达到49.55kg,比1980年育成时提高了9.55kg。种公羊平均毛长达到10.79cm,比1980年育成时提高了2.59cm,母羊平均毛长达到9.39cm,比1980年育成时提高了1.8cm。公羊平均剪毛量达到10.32kg,比1980年育成时提高了2.8kg,母羊平均剪毛量达到4.56kg,比1980年育成时提高了0.46kg。羊毛细度从1980年的以64支为主体发展为目前的以66支和70支为主体。以甘肃高山细毛羊为遗传基础,先后育成中国美利奴高山型新类群、甘肃高山细毛羊优质毛品系、甘肃高山细毛羊肉用类群、甘肃高山细毛羊超细品系。     

6月龄德美×内细F_2与内蒙古细毛羊羔羊屠宰性能对比

为探讨德国美利奴羊与内蒙古细毛羊杂交F2公羔的产肉性能和经济效益,对6月龄德美×内细杂交F2公羔和内蒙古细毛羊公羔进行了屠宰对比试验。结果表明：德美×内细F2公羔平均活重、胴体重、净肉重较同月龄内蒙古细毛羊分别增加了5.97、4.19和3.35 kg,分别提高21.36%、34.26%和37.35%;屠宰率和净肉率分别提高10.65%和13.24%,且差异均极显著（P〈0.01）。说明德国美利奴羊与内蒙古细毛羊杂交能显著提高产肉性能。     

6月龄德美×内细F2与内蒙古细毛羊羔羊屠宰性能对比

为探讨德国美利奴羊与内蒙古细毛羊杂交F2公羔的产肉性能和经济效益,对6月龄德美×内细杂交F2公羔和内蒙古细毛羊公羔进行了屠宰对比试验。结果表明:德美×内细F2公羔平均活重、胴体重、净肉重较同月龄内蒙古细毛羊分别增加了5.97、4.19和3.35 kg,分别提高21.36%、34.26%和37.35%;屠宰率和净肉率分别提高10.65%和13.24%,且差异均极显著(P<0.01)。说明德国美利奴羊与内蒙古细毛羊杂交能显著提高产肉性能。     

贯叶连翘引种驯化过程中生理生化特性、活性物质含量及抗氧化能力的变化

为了探明贯叶连翘引种驯化过程中生长适应能力以及活性物质的变化,以野生和栽培盛花期植株为材料,分别对生理生化特性、活性物质含量以及抗氧化能力进行了测定与分析,结果表明,栽培贯叶连翘的净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度、叶绿素含量和根系活力均高于野生植株,尤其是其盛花期和地上部分干重分别较野生植株提前了7 d和提高了16.67%。总黄酮和金丝桃素含量在栽培和野生植株同一器官中无显著差异;总酚类在野生花中的含量显著高于栽培花,而叶中的含量则相反;野生和栽培植株各器官中,总黄酮和酚类化合物含量在叶和花中的含量显著大于茎,而金丝桃素的含量表现为花>叶>茎。野生和栽培各器官抗氧化能力为叶>花>茎,其中,野生和栽培叶、茎提取液的抗氧化能力无显著差异,而栽培花的抗氧化能力显著大于野生花。以上研究结果表明,贯叶连翘野生转栽培后,不仅具有较好的生长适应能力,而且主要活性物质的积累量及抗氧化能力并未显著降低。该研究结果将对贯叶连翘种植栽培以及保护野生资源具有重要的参考价值和实践意义。     

内蒙古鄂尔多斯市澳美型细毛羊冷冻胚胎移植技术应用效果

通过冷冻胚胎移植技术,2007年和2008年前后分2批在鄂尔多斯细毛羊种羊场实施纯种澳美型细毛羊冷冻胚胎移植,共有371只（2007年266只,2008年105只）受体羊做了冷冻胚胎移植,共生产澳美型细毛羊羔羊106只（2007年70只,2008年36只）。其中公羔60只,母羔46只;受胎率分别为26.32%和37.14%;羔羊初生重为公羔（4.73±0.41）kg/只、母羔（4.54±0.43）kg/只和公羔（4.60±0.68）kg/只、母羔（4.45±0.55）kg/只。经过调查鉴定,用冷冻胚移植技术获得羔羊106只,经培养共获得纯种澳美型细毛羊106只,补充了优质澳美型细毛羊种羊的数量,大大增加了纯种澳美型细毛羊的种源数量、节省了引种费用、缩短了鄂尔多斯细毛羊改良世代间隔和选育提高周期,起到了加速优良种畜繁殖速度、迅速扩大种源的科技效应。     

The effect of live weight gain and live weight loss on body composition of Merino wethers: dissected muscle, fat, and bone.

Sheep were slaughtered after live weight gain (LWG) and live weight loss (LWL) to evaluate the effect of different periods of normal and retarded growth on dissected carcass components. Thirty-five Merino wether sheep were allowed ad libitum access to the experimental diet of 80% alfalfa chaff and 20% cereal grain (17.23% CP and 18.10 MJ/kg of GE) to grow from 23.0 to 33.0 kg live weight and then fed to lose 10 kg at 133 g/d. Five animals were slaughtered at live weights of 23.0, 26.3, 29.6, and 33.0 kg during LWG and 29.6, 26.3, and 23.0 kg during LWL. Fleece-free empty BW was similar in both LWG and LWL animals at all common slaughter weights because of the lesser and greater weights of the alimentary tract contents and the fleece, respectively, in the LWL animals. Carcass weight or dissected side weight was greater in LWL animals at each common slaughter weight but significantly so (P less than .05) at the 23.0 kg live weight only. Total side muscle weight was similar in LWG and LWL animals at each common slaughter weight, but the proportion of muscle in the dissected side weight was lower (P less than .05) in LWL animals at 23.0 kg live weight. Total side fat, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, and kidney and channel fat weights were all greater in LWL animals at each common slaughter weight, but significantly so (P less than .05) at the 23.0 kg live weight only. Total side bone weight was higher at both 26.3 kg (P less than .01) and 23.0 kg (P less than .05) in the LWL animals. Weight loss in young sheep mobilized more weight of muscle than fat from the carcass, whereas bone weight was constant.     

The effect of feeding zeolite (clinoptilolite) on the health status of sheep

Under the experimental conditions of a clinic, zeolite from the N. Hrabovec locality was studied as to its effect on the health condition of sheep. Zeolite was added to the feed mixture at a rate of 0.15 g per 1 kg of live weight daily for three months. The trials were performed with five sheep of the Merino breed. Five sheep were used as controls. No differences were found in the health condition and general behaviour of sheep fed zeolite and sheep of the control group. Neither were substantial differences observed in the indices of the other parameters under study--actual and total acidity, content of volatile fatty acids in rumen contents, blood picture, content of macroelements and microelements, nor in the transaminase activity of blood serum and acid-base homeostasis in blood. Before the zeolite supplementation of feed ration is introduced in practice, detailed studies should be conducted and the optimum zeolite dose should be determined.     

Concentration of free amino acids in the blood plasma of sheep with different amounts of nitrogen in the feed

Trials were conducted with four adult sheep of the Merino breed, live weight 45 to 50 kg, fed two diets with different nitrogen levels (7.6 g nitrogen per day as protein or 24 g nitrogen per day with an addition of 17.4 g urea nitrogen to 7.6 g nitrogen as protein). The following findings were obtained: the concentration of free amino acids in blood plasma in the 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th and 22nd weeks from the beginning of feeding with both diets was lower, in most of the analyzed amino acids, three hours after feeding than before feeding. The results show that at an increased intake of urea nitrogen the concentration increases of the free amino acids lysine, serine, glutamic acid, glycine, valine and isoleucine before feeding. Three hours after feeding these differences are less pronounced. An increase is only recorded in the concentration of arginine, glutamic acid and glycine, whereas the concentration of alanine decreases.     

中国美利奴羊（新疆型）产毛性状的相关及通径分析

利用998只中国美利奴羊（新疆型）周岁资料，应用通径分析方法研究了中国美利奴羊（新疆型）羊毛长度、剪毛后体重、毛弯曲分、毛油汗分和羊毛纤维直径对产毛量的影响程度，结果表明：这5个性状与产毛量的表型相关系数分别为0.5552、0.7048、-0.0759、-0.0917和-0.0105；对产毛量的直接通径系数分别为0.2103、0.6447、-0.0105、0.0324和0.1141。可见，剪毛后体重是影响中国美利奴羊（新疆型）产毛量的主要因素。     

Resistance of sheep to poisoning by The plant, Marticaria nigellifolia DC

The plant, Matricaria nigellifolia, was dosed to 2 sheep to reinvestigate whether or not sheep are susceptible to pushing disease ("stootsiekte"). Each sheep received a total dose of 370 g/kg of the milled, dried plant from a batch that had caused pushing disease in cattle when given at doses as low as 10 g/kg. Neither of the sheep developed clinical disease over the trial period of 60 days, and necropsies revealed no macro- or microscopical lesions. Sheep are apparently resistant to pushing disease, which supports previous findings.     

Some physiopathological features of experimental Homeria glauca (Wood & Evans) N. E. Br. poisoning in Merino sheep

Five Merino sheep were dosed 3 g/kg of dry, finely-milled Homeria glauca (Natal yellow tulp) plant material. An electrocardiogram was recorded and the arterial and central venous blood pressure, blood gases, haematological variables, plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl- and PO4(2-) ) and a variety of serum enzymes and chemical constituents were measured hourly until death (3 sheep) or until sheep were in extremis (2 sheep). Heart rate rose progressively as a result of sinus and, later, ventricular tachycardia. Systolic blood pressure rose, but there was little change in the mean and diastolic arterial pressures and central venous pressure. There was progressive hypoxaemia, hypercarbia and acidaemia with depletion of plasma bicarbonate. Haemoconcentration, hyperkalaemia and hypochloraemia were found along with rising serum creatinine and plasma glucose. Rises in serum enzymes indicated widespread tissue damage. Electrocardiographic recordings were being made at the moment of death in 3 of the 5 sheep. In these 3 sheep the cause of death was ventricular fibrillation.