Comparison of three models to estimate breeding values for percentage of loin intramuscular fat in Duroc swine

Three selection models were evaluated to compare selection candidate rankings based on EBV and to evaluate subsequent effects of model-derived EBV on the selection differential and expected genetic response in the population. Data were collected from carcass- and ultrasound-derived estimates of loin i.m. fat percent (IMF) in a population of Duroc swine under selection to increase IMF. The models compared were Model 1, a two-trait animal model used in the selection experiment that included ultrasound IMF from all pigs scanned and carcass IMF from pigs slaughtered to estimate breeding values for both carcass (C1) and ultrasound IMF (U1); Model 2, a single-trait animal model that included ultrasound IMF values on all pigs scanned to estimate breeding values for ultrasound IMF (U2); and Model 3, a multiple-trait animal model including carcass IMF from slaughtered pigs and the first three principal components from a total of 10 image parameters averaged across four longitudinal ultrasound images to estimate breeding values for carcass IMF (C3). Rank correlations between breeding value estimates for U1 and C1, U1 and U2, and C1 and C3 were 0.95, 0.97, and 0.92, respectively. Other rank correlations were 0.86 or less. In the selection experiment, approximately the top 10% of boars and 50% of gilts were selected. Selection differentials for pigs in Generation 3 were greatest when ranking pigs based on C1, followed by U1, U2, and C3. In addition, selection differential and estimated response were evaluated when simulating selection of the top 1, 5, and 10% of sires and 50% of dams. Results of this analysis indicated the greatest selection differential was for selection based on C1. The greatest loss in selection differential was found for selection based on C3 when selecting the top 10 and 1% of boars and 50% of gilts. The loss in estimated response when selecting varying percentages of boars and the top 50% of gilts was greatest when selection was based on C3 (16.0 to 25.8%) and least for selection based on U1 (1.3 to 10.9%). Estimated genetic change from selection based on carcass IMF was greater than selection based on ultrasound IMF. Results show that selection based on a combination of ultrasonically predicted IMF and sib carcass IMF produced the greatest selection differentials and should lead to the greatest genetic change.     

Original Study: Comparison of three intraosseous access techniques in cats

Objective – To compare the placement feasibility and amount of bone trauma induced by 3 intraosseous (IO) access techniques in cats: an automatic impact penetration device (A), an automatic rotary insertion device (B), and a manual IO needle (C). Design – Prospective ex vivo study. Setting – University. Animals – Eighteen adult mixed breed feline cadavers. Interventions – Cadavers provided 72 total IO insertion locations divided equally between the right and left humerus and tibia. The 3 IO techniques were randomly allocated to these locations. Time to successful insertion, ease of insertion, and success rate were recorded. Each insertion site was analyzed for the number of bone fragments and defect diameter by computed tomography. Measurements and Main Results – Device B had lower time of insertion (P=0.01) compared with devices A and C. Device B had better ease of insertion scores (P<0.01) compared with devices A and C. No differences were detected between insertion sites (tibia versus humerus). No differences in the number of bone fragments, defect diameter, or success rate were detected among devices (P=0.06, 0.31, and 0.14, respectively). Conclusions – All 3 IO access methods evaluated yield acceptable results. Device B is significantly faster and easier to place in cat cadavers when compared with other methods.     

Ionophore taste preferences of dairy heifers

Two taste preference studies were conducted using six Holstein heifers in each experiment to determine preferences for no ionophore, lasalocid, or monensin in the diet. In Exp. 1, individually penned (approx. 5 mo old; 220 +/- 14 kg BW) heifers were fed a basal total mixed ration containing 46% corn silage, 46% grass haylage, and 8% soybean meal (DM basis). There were five treatments (mg/kg BW(-1)*d(-1)): 0 ionophore (control), 1 lasalocid (1L), 2 lasalocid (2L), 1 monensin (1M), or 2 monensin (2M). Ionophores were provided as part of the mineral mix that had been added to the control diet and through an ionophore-grain by-product mix to make the 2L and 2M treatments. All five diets were offered for 7 d, with the first 2 d for adaptation and the last 5 d for measurement of feed intake. The most preferred diet was then removed and the study continued with the four remaining diets. The most preferred diets were again eliminated sequentially, so that only two diets remained on d 13 and 14. Each feeding segment ranking of treatment preferences was determined based on the weight of feed refused at the end of each feeding segment. In Exp. 2, six 6-wk-old heifers (75 +/- 5 kg of BW) were individually fed either 0, 1L, or 1M in a study similar to Exp. 1, except that the most preferred diet was removed after 4 d, with the first day for adaptation and the last 3 d for measurement of feed intake. In Exp. 1, orthogonal contrasts indicated that heifers preferred the 1L and 2L diets over the 1M and 2M diets. Preferences between diet concentrations of ionophores (1 and 2 mg/kg of BW; Exp. 1) and the control and ionophore treatments did not differ, nor was there an interaction between ionophores and their concentration. Dairy heifers previously fed lasalocid prefer lasalocid over monensin when given a choice; however, heifers without previous exposure to an ionophore did not indicate a preference (Exp. 2).     

Development of porcine rapid identification method (PRIME) by modified agar-gel immunodiffusion

A porcine rapid identification method (PRIME) has been developed for detection of pork in a wide variety of meat products. The test is an adaptation of previously developed field screening immunodiffusion tests for beef and poultry detection. The PRIME test was demonstrated to be specific, sensitive, and accurate in the analysis of samples in the laboratory and in a commercial meat processing establishment.     

The Post‐Cervical Insemination does not Impair the Reproductive Performance of Primiparous Sows

The study evaluated the reproductive performance of primiparous sows submitted to post‐cervical insemination (PCAI) compared with cervical artificial insemination (CAI). Difficulty with catheter introduction, the occurrence of bleeding or semen backflow during insemination, and volume and sperm cell backflow up to 60 min after insemination were also evaluated. Sows were homogenously distributed, according to body weight loss in lactation, lactation length, weaned piglets, weaning‐to‐oestrus interval and total born in previous farrowing, in two treatments: PCAI (n = 165) with 1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells in 45 ml (2.4 ± 0.04 doses per sow) and CAI (n = 165) with 3 × 10⁹ sperm cells in 90 ml (2.5 ± 0.04 doses per sow). During PCAI, sows were inseminated in the absence of boars. Transabdominal real‐time ultrasonography was performed at oestrus onset, immediately before the first insemination and at 24 h after last insemination. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between treatments in farrowing rate (91.5% × 89.1%) and litter size (12.5 × 11.9 piglets born, respectively for PCAI and CAI sows). Successful passage of the intrauterine catheter in all the inseminations was possible in 86.8% (165/190) of sows initially allocated to PCAI treatment. Difficulty of introducing the catheter in at least one insemination did not affect the reproductive performance of PCAI sows (P > 0.05). Bleeding during insemination did not affect (P > 0.05) the farrowing rate in both treatments, but litter size was reduced in CAI and PCAI sows (P ≤ 0.06). Percentage of spermatozoa present in backflow within 1 h after insemination was greater in CAI than PCAI sows (P < 0.01). More than 85% of primiparous sows can be successfully post‐cervical inseminated with doses containing 1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells in the absence of the boar during insemination without impairing the reproductive performance.     

Development of a computerized systems model for health management decision support in growing hogs

A study was designed to provide decision support for health management in growing hogs. A dynamic, stochastic systems model for a confinement, continuous production hog growing enterprise (including nursery, grower and finisher phases) was developed to simulate the economic effects of disease, available floor space and feed additives using farm- specific data. Modeling techniques included: discrete and distributed (continuous) delays; triangular probability density functions; autocorrelation; table look-up functions; an alpha-beta tracker; non-linear, constrained optimization. The model was designed to be initialized with the system's current status, using an accompanying production/financial database to achieve individual-farm specificity. Initialization of rate variables required ‘reverse optimization’ of historical system performance. Model predictions are based on an adjustment approach, where changes in current performance are dictated by changes in disease rates, available floor space and feed additive use. These effects vary randomly, but are autocorrelated between production phases, between similar diseases and over time.     

Description and validation of an in situ autoperfusion method to determine nutrient absorption and metabolism in bovine small intestine

Holstein bull calves, 8 to 12 wk of age, were anesthetized with halothane gas. An approximate 20-cm section of small intestine, 60 to 90 cm proximal to the ileocecal junction was clamped to isolate blood circulation to a single set of arcuate vessels and to form an intestinal segment fitted for infusion and drainage. The vein was catheterized to allow total venous collection. Donor blood was transfused via jugular vein to replace venous drainage. This technique was evaluated in four calves by exposing the lumen to eight replications (12 or 20 min incubation, 30-min wash with 39 C saline) of 16 mM L-Met (14C-labeled). Time course appearance of Met in venous blood indicated similar rates and patterns of absorption for individual calves. There were no clinically significant alterations in jugular blood chemistry profiles across replications. Four calves were used to evaluate the effect of three isotonic perfusion media (saline, Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate and M-199 tissue culture media) on Lys and Met absorption. Venous flow rates and absorption of Lys were faster with Krebs buffer than with other media. Perfusate medium did not influence venous flow rates or absorption of Met. Effect of restricting venous flow on absorption of Lys and Met was evaluated in two calves. Flow was alternately controlled (6.5 ml/min) or allowed to flow freely (mean = 12.2 ml/min). Restricting flow decreased steady-state absorption. Light and scanning microscopy indicated maintenance of mucosal tissue integrity throughout 8 h of anesthesia. Results demonstrate validity of the in situ technique to study nutrient absorption in the young bovine.     

Detection of beef and poultry by serological field screening tests (ORBIT and PROFIT): collaborative study

Ten laboratories each analyzed 30 raw meat and raw meat product samples in a collaborative study of the ORBIT (overnight rapid bovine identification test) and PROFIT (poultry rapid overnight field identification test) serological field screening tests for the detection of beef and poultry. Versatility of the tests was shown in the analysis of whole tissue, ground, or emulsified raw meat products. Both tests were demonstrated to be reliable and were capable of detecting adulterants present at the 10% level. The method has been adopted official first action.     

Einfluß von Mg- und Ca-Mangel auf Mg- und Ca-Gehalte,Chlorophyllgehalt und Chlorophyllfluoreszenz von Fichtennadeln sowie auf die Mikromorphologie und Benetzbarkeit ihrer epicuticulären Wachse

The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency on the micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and on the wettability of spruce needles The influence of Mg- and Ca-deficiency in nutrient solution on epicuticular waxes of needles of Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) was investigated in greenhouse experiments. Spruce clones were cultivated in sand and supplied with nutrient solution. For two vegetation periods, plants of the treatment groups -Mg, -Ca and -Mg/-Ca were provided with only 15 % of the respective mineral element of the control. At the end of the second vegetation period, the nutrient deficiency was documented by reduced Mg- and/or Ca-content of the needles and changes in chlorophyll fluorescence. No effect on micromorphology of epicuticular waxes and wettability of needles of any age was observed following deficient Mg and/or Ca supply.