Survival of embryos and calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle: a nationwide survey in Japan

To obtain data concerning the survival of embryos and calves derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in Japan, a nationwide survey was carried out in April, 2009. As a result, data concerning 3264 embryo transfers (ETs) with SCNT embryos which produced 301 calves were accumulated and their survival was analyzed. The present survey revealed that survival rates of transferred bovine embryos and produced calves derived from SCNT had not improved over a decade (1998–2007). A remarkable feature of the pregnancies with SCNT embryos was a high incidence of spontaneous abortions. When the decade was divided by the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001, significant decreases in the ‘after BSE’ period (2002–2007) were observed in the percentages of calves born (P < 0.01), calves living at birth (P < 0.05), calves living for 24 h (P < 0.05) and 6 months (P < 0.01). Abortions that occurred during 61–99 days after ETs were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the ‘after BSE’ period. Certain kinds of regeneration that occurred in oocytes during the 15–20 h of storage of bovine ovaries at 10–15°C as a part of BSE inspection might have had some negative effects on SCNT embryos when these oocytes were used as recipients of SCNT.     

Admixture analysis in relation to pedigree studies of introgression in a minority British cattle breed: the Lincoln Red

Investigation of historic population processes using molecular data has been facilitated by the use of approximate Bayesian computation (ABC), which enables the consideration of multiple alternative demographic scenarios. The Lincoln Red cattle breed provides a relatively simple example of two well‐documented admixture events. Using molecular data for this breed, we found that structure did not resolve very low (<5% levels) of introgression, possibly due to sampling limitations. We evaluated the performance of two ABC approaches (2BAD and DIYABC) against those of two earlier methodologies, ADMIX and LEADMIX, by comparing their interpretations with the conclusions drawn from herdbook analysis. The ABC methods gave credible values for the proportions of the Lincoln Red genotype that are attributable to Aberdeen Angus and Limousin, although estimates of effective population size and event timing were not realistic. We suggest ABC methods are a valuable supplement to pedigree‐based studies but that the accuracy of admixture determination is likely to diminish with increasing complexity of the admixture scenario.     

Prioritization based on neutral genetic diversity may fail to conserve important characteristics in cattle breeds

Conservation of the intraspecific genetic diversity of livestock species requires protocols that assess between-breed genetic variability and also take into account differences among individuals within breeds. Here, we focus on variation between breeds. Conservation of neutral genetic variation has been seen as promoting, through linkage processes, the retention of useful and potentially useful variation. Using public information on beef cattle breeds, with a total of 165 data sets each relating to a breed comparison of a performance variable, we have tested this paradigm by calculating the correlations between pairwise breed differences in performance and pairwise genetic distances deduced from biochemical and immunological polymorphisms, microsatellites and single-nucleotide polymorphisms. As already observed in floral and faunal biodiversity, significant positive correlations (n=54) were found, but many correlations were non-significant (n=100) or significantly negative (n=11). This implies that maximizing conserved neutral genetic variation with current techniques may conserve breed-level genetic variation in some traits but not in others and supports the view that genetic distance measurements based on neutral genetic variation are not sufficient as a determinant of conservation priority among breeds.     

Comparison of models for genetic evaluation of survival traits in dairy cattle: a simulation study.

Three models for the analysis of functional survival data in dairy cattle were compared using stochastic simulation. The simulated phenotype for survival was defined as a month after the first calving (from 1 to 100) in which a cow was involuntarily removed from the herd. Parameters for simulation were based on survival data of the Canadian Jersey population. Three different levels of heritability of survival (0.100, 0.050 and 0.025) and two levels of numbers of females per generation (2000 or 4000) were considered in the simulation. Twenty generations of random mating and selection (on a second trait, uncorrelated with survival) with 20 replicates were simulated for each scenario. Sires were evaluated for survival of their daughters by three models: proportional hazard (PH), linear multiple-trait (MT), and random regression (RR) animal models. Different models gave different ranking of sires with respect to survival of their daughters. Correlations between true and estimated breeding values for survival to five different points in a cow's lifetime after the first calving (120 and 240 days in milk after first, second, third and fourth calving) favoured the PH model, followed by the RR model evaluations. Rankings of models were independent of the heritability level, female population size and sire progeny group size (20 or 100). The RR model, however, showed a slight superiority over MT and PH models in predicting the proportion of sire's daughters that survived to the five different end-points after the first calving.     

Gene dropping analysis of founder contributions in a closed Japanese black cattle population

Gene dropping simulation was applied to Japanese Black cattle population in Hyogo prefecture, to examine the survivals of alleles originated from founder animals. In the analysis, unique alleles were assigned to founders, and the genotypes of all descendants along the actual pedigree were generated through Monte Carlo simulation following Mendelian segregation rules. By replicating this process 10 000 times, the distribution of frequencies of alleles from each founder was estimated. From the distribution, several quantities useful for the management of genetic diversity, such as the probability of allele extinction and the probability of alleles surviving at a critically low frequency were derived. The materials used were 68 781 animals born in 1955–1998 and their pedigree records traced back to the population in 1937 or before. The expected number of alleles retained in the population drastically decreased during the analyzed period, and reached to 57.9 in the population of 1998, which was only 3.3% of the total number of alleles assigned to founders. Detailed analysis of major founders with relatively high genetic contributions to the current population revealed that alleles from most of the major founders are now at high risk of future extinction. These results strongly suggest that for the management of genetic diversity, the genetic contributions of founders are not fully informative, and emphasize the importance of the detection of live animals having founder alleles with high extinction possibilities.     

An epizootic of bovine ephemeral fever in New South Wales in 2008 associated with long-distance dispersal of vectors

Objective To report the rapid transmission of bovine ephemeral fever ( BEF) virus from north-western New South Wales south to the Victorian border in January 2008 and to present data that suggests an uncommon meteorological event caused this rapid southward dispersal of vectors. Procedure The locations of reported clinical cases, data from sentinel herds and results from a survey of cattle in the southern affected area were examined to delineate the distribution of virus transmission. Synoptic weather charts for January 2008 were examined for meteorological conditions that may have favoured movement of vectors in a southerly direction. Results Cases of BEF and exposure to BEF virus in NSW were confirmed west of the Great Dividing Range, extending from the Queensland border to Finley, on the far North Coast and around the Hunter Valley. A low-pressure system moved south across the state on 18–19 January 2008, preceding the first cases of BEF in the south of NSW by 1–2 days. Conclusion Heavy rainfall in December 2007 provided a suitable environment for vector breeding, resulting in the initiation of and support for continuing BEF virus transmission in north-western NSW. The movement of a low-pressure system south across central western NSW in mid-January 2008 after the commencement of BEF virus transmission in the north-west of the state provided a vehicle for rapid southward movement of infected vectors.     

Genetic parameter estimates for prenatal and postnatal mortality in Nellore cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for prenatal (PRE) and postnatal (POS) mortality in Nellore cattle. A total of 13 141 (PRE) and 17 818 (POS) records from Nellore females were used. PRE and POS were recorded using binary scale scores: a score of ‘1’ was given to calves that were born alive (PRE) and those that were alive at weaning (POS), and a score of ‘0’ was given to calves that were not alive at or around birth (PRE), as well as to those weighed at birth but not at weaning (POS). The relationship matrix included 698 sires, 107 paternal grandsires and 69 maternal grandsires. Data were analysed using Bayesian inference and a sire–maternal grandsire threshold model, including contemporary groups as random effects, and the classes of dam age at the beginning of mating season (for PRE), and dam age at calving and birthweight (linear covariable) (for POS), as fixed effects. For both traits, the covariance between direct and maternal effects (r_D,M) was estimated (r_D,M≠ 0) or fixed at zero (r_D,M = 0). PRE and POS rates were 3.00 and 4.04%, respectively. Estimates of direct and maternal heritability were 0.07 and 0.17, respectively, for PRE, and 0.02 and 0.07, respectively, for POS, assuming r_D,M = 0. For r_D,M ≠ 0, these estimates were 0.07 and 0.12, respectively, for PRE, and 0.03 and 0.07, respectively, for POS. The correlation estimates between direct and maternal effects were ?0.71 (PRE) and ?0.33 (POS). PRE and POS show low genetic variability, indicating that these traits probably suffer major environmental influences. Additionally, our study shows that the maternal genetic component affects preweaning calf mortality twice as much (or more) as the direct genetic component. A large number of offspring per sire is necessary in progeny tests to genetically decrease calf mortality.     

Survival analysis of factors affecting culling early in the productive life of Holstein-Friesian cattle in Kenya

Holstein-Friesian cattle raised in tropical environments pose a challenge due to genotype by environment interactions which may lead to higher rates of involuntary culling and reduce profit margins obtainable. This study assessed factors influencing culling within the first three parities of Holstein-Friesian cattle raised on four large-scale farms in Kenya using a Cox proportional hazard model. Differences in length of productive life (LPL) due to differences in area of origin of sires were also assessed in an attempt to determine possible adaptations by specific genotypes to the Kenyan environment. Environmental effects of herd, year-season, parity, sire area of origin, milk yield class and stage of lactation all significantly affected LPL. Daughters of sires born in Kenya tended to have a higher risk of being culled compared to those from other countries. Part of this higher risk was linked to a higher culling of low-producing cows. Further analyses and possibilities for the inclusion of LPL in selection criteria for sires to be used in Kenya should be encouraged.     

夏季皖东牛与荷斯坦牛皮肤汗腺及其散热调节特征

为了探究夏季高温时皖东牛与荷斯坦牛皮肤组织形态和皮肤散热调节特征的差异,在30℃以上的夏日,选择皖东牛和荷斯坦牛母牛各4头,屠宰后采集颈部、肩部、背部、腹部、臀部和腿部6个部位的皮肤样本,通过HE染色切片分析皮肤的汗腺(SWG)与皮脂腺(SEG)的分布与形态,测定皮肤组织乙酰胆碱(ACh)浓度及乙酰胆碱转移酶(AChT)和酯酶(AChE)活力,采用RT-qPCR和Western blot检测皮肤组织乙酰胆碱M3受体(ACh M3R)、一氧化氮合酶(eNOs)及水通道蛋白5(AQP5)mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果:部位间比较,皖东牛与荷斯坦牛表皮厚度均为背部最厚,颈部最薄(P<0.05)。品种间比较,皖东牛平均皮肤厚度较高,平均表皮厚度较薄(P<0.05);汗腺密度与皮脂腺密度品种间无显著差异(P>0.05);皖东牛汗腺和皮脂腺的平均长度、直径、深度、体积均显著增加(P<0.05)。肩部、背部和臀部皮肤对比:夏季皖东牛和荷斯坦牛皮肤组织ACh浓度品种间无显著差异(P>0.05),部位间以臀部最高,肩部次之,背部最低(P<0.05)。ACh M3R和AQP...     

西门塔尔牛、安格斯牛杂交生产利用研究

为了探讨西门塔尔牛和安格斯牛杂交改良本地黄牛效果,采用西门塔尔牛和安格斯牛作为肉牛终端父本,分别与本地黄牛开展二元经济杂交,对杂交F1体重变化、屠宰性能数据进行了统计分析研究。结果表明：两者杂交F1均比本地黄牛生长速度快且产肉率高,可有效提高本地黄牛的屠宰性能。说明西门塔尔牛和安格斯牛改良本地黄牛杂交优势明显,可有效增加本地黄牛养殖的经济效益,值得推广。     

Herd and individual animal risks associated with bovine tuberculosis skin test positivity in cattle in herds in south west England

The aim of this study was to investigate the cattle—exposure factors associated with the risk of a bovine animal reacting to a bovine tuberculosis (bTB) skin test at a whole herd test. There were 148 study farms enrolled. These were located in six counties of the south west of England in an area considered endemic for bovine tuberculosis (bTB): 24% were restocked after foot and mouth disease (FMD) in 2001; all farms were located within the Randomised Badger Culling Trial (RBCT) area. Data on cattle on these farms were sourced from the bTB Vetnet database from 1996 to 2004 and from the British Cattle Movement Scheme database. Individual animal records were created that included data on whether or not an animal became a reactor at a full-herd bTB test between 1 June 2001 and 19 August 2004, their prior exposure to cattle with bTB (defined by presence at a bTB test where at least one reactor was detected), whether the animal was homebred, the farm history of bTB and the farm restocking status. Data from 144 farms were used, 4 farms had no data.Cattle were more likely to react to the bTB skin test when they had been present at a previous bTB herd test (or tests) where other cattle had reacted to the skin test. This positively correlated with age and the number of bTB tests an animal had had. Cattle on restocked farms were less likely to react to the skin test compared with cattle on continuously stocked farms. These results highlight the likely importance of exposure to infected cattle at a previous test as a source of infection to cattle that subsequently became reactors and suggest that there was a lower risk of exposure to bTB to cattle in newly formed herds.     

Reference ranges of hematology and lymphocyte subsets in healthy Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) and Holstein dairy cattle

There are no accurate reference ranges for hematology parameters and lymphocyte subsets in Korean native beef cattle (Hanwoo). This study was performed to establish reliable reference ranges of hematology and lymphocyte subsets using a large number of Hanwoo cattle (n = 350) and to compare differences between Hanwoo and Holstein dairy cattle (n = 334). Additionally, age‐related changes in lymphocyte subsets were studied. Bovine leukocyte subpopulation analysis was performed using mono or dual color flow cytometry. The leukocyte subpopulations investigated in healthy cattle included: CD2⁺ cells, sIgM⁺ cells, MHC class II⁺ cells, CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells, CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells, and WC1⁺ cells. Although Hanwoo and Holstein cattle are the same species, results showed several differences in hematology and lymphocyte subsets between Hanwoo and Holstein cattle. This study is the first report to establish reference ranges of hematology and lymphocyte subsets in adult Hanwoo cattle.     

Effectiveness of seed dispersal by ants in a Neotropical tree

Seed dispersal and subsequent recruitment is the template on which forest regeneration takes place. Hence, considering the scale over which ecological processes occur is key for understanding the overall impact of various dispersal agents. To explore leafcutter ant (Atta colombica) dispersal effectiveness in space and time, seed movement and subsequent recruitment of a large‐seeded predominately vertebrate‐dispersed tree, Simarouba amara (Aubl. Simaroubaceae), was investigated on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. At each of 218 reproductive‐sized adults (≥20 cm diameter at breast height), presence or absence of a leafcutter ant colony was noted, with extensive checks for Atta activity taking place at or in close proximity to seed and seedling transects, which extended 4 cardinal directions for 30 m from each reproductive female tree (n= 74). Only at 2 S. amara trees were nests observed, and in these areas a dense S. amara seedling carpet was observed. Although nearby nest and dump sites might increase local S. amara recruitment in the short term, mortality at these sites is complete or nearly so. Hence, the seed dispersal effectiveness by leafcutter ants appears to be ephemeral and likely contributes inconsequentially to the long‐term recruitment and distribution patterns of the species. This finding highlights the importance of evaluating disperser effectiveness at ecologically relevant spatiotemporal scales.     

新疆某肉牛养殖场不同架子牛育肥模式的经济效益分析

本研究通过对新疆某肉牛养殖场架子牛育肥经济效益的调研分析,旨在为新疆肉牛养殖从业者选择架子牛育肥模式提供理论参考。购入高、低初始重的新疆褐牛与本地土牛杂交架子牛各24头,分为高成本高初始重组(HH组)、低成本高初始重组(LH组)、高成本低初始重组(HL组)、低成本低初始重组(LL组),每组12头牛,育肥周期为7-9个月,每月称重并记录结果,并对数据进行分析。单因素方差分析结果显示,LL组末重极显著低于其它3组(P<0.01),HH组末重显著高于LH组和HL组(P＜0.05);育肥期平均日增重LL组显著低于其它3组(P＜0.05),HH组、LH组和HL组虽然差异不显著(P>0.05),但是HH组和HL组日增重大于LH组。经济效益分析结果显示,成本利润率HL组>HH组>LL组>LH组。相关性分析结果显示,成本利润率与平均日增重呈极显著正相关关系(P<0.01),与日饲喂成本呈现显著正相关关系(P<0.05)。本研究发现,在架子牛育肥过程中,高饲喂成本投入可以获得更高的经济效益,选择低初始重的架子牛进行短期高营养水平育肥,比选择高初始重的架子牛育肥经济效益更好。     

An outbreak of sarcocystosis in a cattle herd.

In a cattle herd, 3 steers had anorexia and variable emaciation; 1 showed additional muscle stiffness, pyrexia, became recumbent and was killed in extremis. Gross changes in tissue specimens from this steer included grey-white foci in the skeletal muscle and a thickened, fibrous pleura. By histology interstitial pneumonia, myocarditis and necrotizing myositis were seen. There were wide-spread vascular lesions with endothelial damage, thrombosis and periarterial infiltrations. Sarcocystis-like schizonts were found in several organs, and different stages of thin-walled sarcocysts were seen in the myocardium. Examination of organs of 6 other steers in the same herd slaughtered 2 months later showed myocarditis, myositis, interstitial pneumonia and occasional vascular occlusions. There were a few schizonts in the spleen and lungs, and thin-walled sarcocysts were seen in the myocardium and skeletal muscle. It is concluded that development of vascular lesions probably represents an important step in the pathogenesis of sarcocystosis.     

Endozoochorous seed dispersal by golden snub-nosed monkeys in a temperate forest

Seed dispersal is essential for plant recruitment and the maintenance of biodiversity. Colobine monkeys are primarily folivorous, but they also consume fruits and are often assumed to be seed predators. Although they are known to be epizoochorous seed dispersers, their role as endozoochorous seed dispersers needs reassessment. We examined potential endozoochory in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) at Dalongtan in Shennongjia National Park, central China, by assessing potential germination of ingested seeds (n = 1806, 9 species) from fecal samples. Intact seeds were in almost all fecal samples (ranging from 5–130 seeds), and ingested seeds were from small seeded species (seed width <4.5 mm). The 2 most abundant species were Actinidia arguta (73%) and Rosa caudata (15%). The fruits of A. arguta were unripe when ingested (i.e. effective seed predation) and the ingested seeds did not germinate in the trials. Therefore, ingestion of unripe seeds does not lead to effective seed dispersal. However, germination rates of defecated R. caudata (9%) were greater than control seeds (6% and 0%), demonstrating potential endozoochorous seed dispersal. Thus, colobine monkeys do indeed disperse mainly small-seeded from multi-seeded fruits through potential endozoochory and this process enhances the recruitment of seedlings.     

Modelling the demographics of the Irish cattle population

In recent years, national authorities have committed very substantial resources to the creation and maintenance of databases capable of recording important animal event data, such as births, deaths and movements. This has primarily been driven by the need to ensure the quality and safety of animal products. However, it can also be used to assist policy makers in decision making. Despite the abundance of animal event data, as yet there is little published information about the use of these data to better understand the demography of cattle populations. This study reports the development of, and outputs from, a demographic model using data routinely collected from the Irish cattle population. The demographic model was based on a series of life tables detailing age-specific probabilities of survival up to a maximum of 17 years. These outputs were used to determine characteristics of the Irish cattle population, including estimated mortality rates, life expectancies and age profiles, and estimated cattle numbers by age and date. Separate life tables were developed for each of the 204 monthly birth cohorts born between January 1989 and December 2005. Within the Irish cattle population, the peak estimated mortality rate occurs at 29–33 months. The estimated life expectancy at birth of cattle in Ireland was 42 months. When the survival rates for all the cohorts within a population are calculated, then it is possible to use these rates as a model for determining future population size and answering cohort specific queries.     

牛非结核分枝杆菌分离与鉴定

本试验对从吉林省不同区域的7个城市采集的503份牛颌下淋巴结样品和497份牛肠系膜淋巴结样品进行非结核分枝杆菌的流行情况的调查,样品均采自结核(副结核)变态反应阴性牛只,调查中得到阳性样品25份,阳性率2.5%,其中颌下淋巴结阳性率1.59%,肠系膜淋巴结阳性率3.42%,成功分离扩增培养出14株非结核分枝杆菌,并进行了分类鉴别,得到母牛分枝杆菌1株,龟分枝杆菌脓肿亚种2株,苏加分枝杆菌2株,偶发分枝杆菌1株,蟾蜍分枝杆菌6株,胞内分枝杆菌2株.调查结果表明:非结核分枝杆菌单独感染的情况不容乐观,应加强对非结核分枝杆菌的检验检疫工作.     

Sustainability and welfare of Podolian cattle

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sustainability and welfare of extensively farmed Podolian cattle. A trained interviewer visited 50 farms and filled in a checklist which included four cards corresponding to the following animal categories: calves, replacements, feeders and adults. The analysis of the farming system showed that animals were able to express their main behavioural patterns. In addition, recorded animal-related variables indicated that Podolian cattle could benefit from high standards of welfare. Sustainability of the Podolian farming system in terms of human edible returns was evaluated for two production systems producing 10-month-old calves (10 month) and 18-month-old young bulls (18 month), respectively. Edible returns for humans were low when all animal intakes were considered for both production systems. However, if returns were computed using not only the amount of food used by the animals but also consumable by humans, yields were much higher for 18-month systems [103% crude protein (CP) and 37.1% gross energy (GE)] and so high that they could not be computed for 10-month systems. These results indicate either a low degree of competition (18-month system) or no competition (10-month system) between humans and Podolian cattle. Perceptions of sustainability and welfare of Podolian cattle may promote a favourable positioning of products in premium-price markets and help preserving this breed and the related traditional farming system.     

Cumulative discounted expressions of dairy and beef traits in cattle production systems

Gene-flow methodology was used to calculate the cumulative discounted expressions (CDE) for annual/lactation, replacement heifer, cull cow, birth, yearling, and slaughter traits in alternative cattle production systems. Generic equations were presented and parameters representing dairy-beef production systems in Ireland and Brazil were inputted. Cumulative discounted expressions using input parameters from a hypothetical purebred dairy production system with poor cow longevity were also calculated. Cumulative discounted expressions were calculated assuming either an initial purebred or crossbred mating within each production system. Absolute and relative differences in CDE existed among trait categories across the three alternative production systems investigated. For example, the CDE of beef-related traits accruing from an initial purebred mating ranged from 0.42 to 0.75 CDE of an annual/lactation trait across the three contrasting systems investigated which differed in various input parameters. Such variation may alter the relative emphasis of traits on overall profitability thereby contributing to genotype by environment interactions. The results of this study highlight the necessity to consider auxiliary traits in sire selection over and above those representing the principal intended use of the sire. This was particularly so for integrated dairy-beef cattle production systems.