Tropical tanniniferous legumes used as an option to mitigate sheep enteric methane emission

This study presents the first results from Brazil using SF₆ tracer technique adapted from cattle to evaluate the capability of condensed tannin (CT) present in three tropical legume forages, Leucaena leucocephala (LEU), Styzolobium aterrimum (STA), and Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth (MIM) to reduce enteric CH₄ production in Santa Inês sheep. Twelve male lambs [27.88?±?2.85 kg body weight (BW)] were allocated in individual metabolic cages for 20-day adaptation followed by 6 days for measuring dry matter intake (DMI) and CH₄ emission. All lambs received water, mineral supplement, and Cynodon dactylon v. coast-cross hay ad libitum. The treatments consisted of soybean meal (710 g/kg) and ground corn (290 g/kg) [control (CON)]; soybean meal (150 g/kg), ground corn (30 g/kg), and Leucaena hay (820 g/kg) (LEU); soybean meal (160 g/kg), ground corn (150 g/kg), and Mucuna hay (690 g/kg) (STA); and soybean meal (280 g/kg), ground corn (190 g/kg), and Mimosa hay (530 g/kg) (MIM); all calculated to provide 40 g/kg CT (except for CON). DMI (in grams of DMI per kilogram BW per day) was lower for LEU (22.0) than CON (29.3), STA (31.2), and MIM (31.6). The LEU group showed emission of 7.8 g CH₄/day, significantly lower than CON (10.5 g CH₄/day), STA (10.4 g CH₄/day), and MIM (11.3 g CH₄/day). However, when the CH₄ emission per DMI was considered, there were no significant differences among treatments (0.37, 0.36, 0.33, and 0.35 g CH₄/g DMI/kg BW/day, respectively, for CON, LEU, STA, and MIM). The sheep receiving STA had shown a tendency (p?=?0.15) to reduce methane emission when compared to the CON group. Therefore, it is suggested that tropical tanniniferous legumes may have potential to reduce CH₄ emission in sheep, but more research is warranted to confirm these results.     

Body development, carcass, and meat quality of confined lambs fed increasing levels of whole rice meal

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of whole rice meal (WRM) inclusion in the concentrate upon body development, carcass traits, and meat quality of lambs. Twenty-four castrated lambs with an average initial body weight of 17.90?±?2.72 kg were randomly blocked according to two genetic groups (Corriedale and Texel by Corriedale crossbreds). Three isocaloric (11.3 MJ/kg of metabolizable energy) and isonitrogenous (17 % crude protein) diets were offered to the animals for 74 days. Diets consisted of 40 % forage and 60 % concentrate diet, on a dry matter basis, with 0, 15, or 30 % of WRM inclusion into the concentrate. Body growth (after slaughter), carcass, and meat traits were evaluated on each animal. Results obtained indicated that genotype did not affect body growth, carcass, and meat traits except for yellowness. No significant interaction between diet and genotype were detected. Inclusion of up to 30 % WRM did not significantly (P?>?0.05) affect body growth, carcass, and meat traits, except for meat color. Meat luminosity progressively increased (36.32?+?0.055X) while redness (15.13???0.03X) decreased with the inclusion of WRM in the diet, but still remained within acceptable values. The study indicates that WRM may be included up to 30 % in the concentrate replacing corn without adverse effects upon body development, carcass traits, and meat quality of lambs.     

Brazilian foot and mouth disease status and meat exportation to the European Union

The aim of this study was to define the differences between the Brazilian states that export and do not export meat to the European Union (EU) and to identify the variables that are important to meet the export requirements. Infrastructure and computerization of the control of animal transit in Brazil that impact on regional health status were evaluated and linked to other variables such as status for foot and mouth disease (FMD) and qualification to export meat to EU. Variables related to transit control of bovines implemented by the state agencies of animal health and inspection in each Brazilian state were evaluated. Using a discriminant analysis, four variables were selected that explained the variation between Brazilian states that were “free” and “not free” of FMD while another four were selected to explain the variation between the zones “approved” and “not approved” to export meat to the EU, including number of official veterinarians, total transit of bovines and buffaloes, total number of animal transit certificates issued for bovine and buffaloes at the state or zone level, and total number of municipalities in the state or zone. It was possible to correctly discriminate between “free” and “not free” FMD states or zones. Variables related to animal transit are important in assessing the state for the classification of animal health situation and for EU approval for the exportation of meat.     

Short-wave solar radiation level willingly tolerated by lactating Holstein cows in an equatorial semi-arid environment

The amount of short-wave solar radiation willingly tolerated by lactating Holstein cows on pasture was determined in an equatorial semi-arid environment. The study was carried out on a dairy farm located in Limoeiro do Norte, CE, northeastern Brazil. The observed behaviours were as follows: grazing, under the sun, under the shade, standing, lying, ruminating, idling and wallowing in the water. The behaviours were recorded using instantaneous scan sampling at regular intervals of 15 min from 0600 to 1800 hours over 5 days. On all sampling days, the meteorological variables, including local short-wave solar radiation (R _S-W, W m^?2), were recorded. The R _S-W data were divided into five levels. The sun exposure was more frequent under low (100 %) and moderately low (97 %) levels, when R _S-W remained below 500 W m^?2. The grazing was more intense under low (100 %) and moderately low (93 %) levels. Above 500 W m^?2, the grazing time significantly decreased (11 %). The cows avoided grazing under high (0 %) and very high (0 %) levels, when R _S-W exceeded 700 W m^?2. The ruminating behaviour was more frequent under high (33 %) and very high (37 %) levels, in which the highest averages of R _S-W were recorded (815 and 958 W m^?2, respectively). The standing posture was more frequent under low (100 %) and moderately low (97 %) levels. Therefore, the critical R _S-W level that motivates cows to stop grazing and seek shade was in the interval between 500 and 700 W m^?2.     

Ketoprofen and phenylbutazone attenuation of PAF-induced lung inflammation in calves

The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate which arachidonic acid metabolites contributed to platelet-activating factor (PAF) induced pulmonary dysfunction; and (2) to compare the effect of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, phenylbutazone and ketoprofen in a model of PAF-induced reversible lung inflammation in six calves. In placebo and phenylbutazone groups, PAF infusion induced significant dysfunctions in the pattern of breathing, mechanics of breathing and gas exchange. These dysfunctions were prevented by ketoprofen pretreatment, except for the mechanics of breathing which was moderately but significantly altered by the PAF challenge. In all calves, leukotriene (LT) B4 plasma concentrations did not significantly increase above baseline values at any time. Prostaglandin (PG) E2 plasma concentrations showed a minor significant increase in phenylbutazone pretreated calves (55.8 +/- 25.8 pg/mL from 36.7 +/- 16.13 pg/mL). Thromboxane (TX) B2 plasma concentration was significantly increased during PAF challenge in placebo- and phenylbutazone-pretreated groups, but not in ketoprofen-pretreated calves (1580.0 +/- 1370 from 42.7 +/- 10.7 pg/mL; 2340 +/- 477 from 63 +/- 32 pg/mL; and 36.5 +/- 4.12 from 39.3 +/- 12.0 pg/mL, respectively). These data suggest that TXA2 is an important cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid produced in response to PAF and that ketoprofen (intramuscular injection, 3 mg/kg) is more effective than phenylbutazone (intramuscular injection, 10 mg/kg) in preventing respiratory dysfunctions induced by the PAF challenge 30 min after drug administration. Ketoprofen did not suppress totally the PAF-induced changes in mechanics of breathing, which suggests that PAF or a secondary release of mediators could have a direct action on airway smooth muscle.     

Detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella</Emphasis> sp. infection through serological,microbiological, and molecular methods applied to buffaloes in Maranhão State,Brazil

The aim of the current study is to diagnose Brucella spp. infection using methods such as serology, bacterial isolation, and molecular analysis in buffaloes bred in Maranhão State. In order to do so, 390 samples of buffalo serum were subjected to serological tests, to Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and to 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) combined with slow agglutination test (SAT). Vaginal swabs were collected from seropositive animals and subjected to bacterial isolation and to generic PCR. According to the serological test, 16 animals had a positive reaction to the confirmatory test (2-ME/SAT). As for bacterial isolation, three samples resulted in the isolation of Brucella spp.-characteristic colonies, which were confirmed through PCR. These results confirmed Brucella spp. infection in the buffalo herd from Maranhão State.     

Performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mimosa tenuiflora</Emphasis> (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass hay

This study evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Twenty-eight Santa Inês male lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 20.3 ± 1.49 kg(mean ± SD) were allocated in individual stalls and distributed in a completely random design with four treatments (0, 20, 40, and 60 g/100 g total DM M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay in diet) with seven replications. M. tenuiflora hay at the level of 20% dry matter (DM) total replacing Buffel grass hay increased final weight (P = 0.006), total weight gain (P < 0.001), average daily weight gain (ADWG; P < 0.001), DM intake (P < 0.001), and feed efficiency (P < 0.001). Intake of crude protein, NDF_ap, ADF_ap, ash, ether extract, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients presented a positive quadratic effect with M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay and 40 g/100 g total DM level presented greater intake. There were positive quadratic effects by M. tenuiflora hay inclusion at 20 g/100 g total DM level on slaughtering weight (P = 0.005), hot carcass weight (P = 0.002), cold carcass weight (P = 0.002), empty body weight (P = 0.001), hot carcass yield (P = 0.002), cold carcass yield (P = 0.003), and increase linear on biological yield (P = 0.003). There was no influence on cooling weight loss (P = 0.284). M. tenuiflora hay may be included in lamb diets at amounts up to 20 g/100 g total DM substitution of Buffel grass hay because increase in the nutrients intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics.     

Disposition of marbofloxacin in vulture (Gyps fulvus) after intravenous administration of a single dose

The pharmacokinetics properties of marbofloxacin were studied in adult Eurassian Griffon vulture after single-dose intravenous (IV) administration of 2 mg/kg. Drug concentration in plasma was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography and the data obtained were subjected to compartmental and non-compartmental kinetic analysis. Marbofloxacin presented a volume of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) of 1.51 ± 0.22 L and total plasma clearance (Cl) of 0.109 ± 0.023 L/h kg. The permanence of this drug was long in vultures (T_1/2λ = 12.51 ± 2.52 h; MRT_∞ = 13.54 ± 2.29 h). The optimal dose of marbofloxacin estimated is 2.73 mg/kg per day for the treatment of infections in vultures with MIC₉₀ = 0.2 μg/mL.     

Ciclosporin A therapy is associated with disturbances in glucose metabolism in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The effect of ciclosporin A (CsA) on glucose homeostasis was investigated in 16 dogs with atopic dermatitis by determining plasma glucose, serum fructosamine and insulin concentrations, and serial insulin and glucose concentrations following a glucagon stimulation test, before and 6 weeks after CsA therapy at 5 mg/kg once daily. All dogs completed the study. Following CsA treatment, the median serum fructosamine concentrations were significantly higher (pretreatment 227.5 μmol/L; post-treatment 246.5 μmol/L; P = 0.001; reference range 162-310 μmol/L). Based on analyses of the areas under concentration-time curves (AUC) pre- and post-CsA treatment, plasma glucose concentrations were significantly higher (AUC without baseline correction 31.0 mmol/L/min greater; P = 0.021) and serum insulin concentrations were significantly lower (AUC without baseline correction 217.1 μIU/mL/min lower; P = 0.044) following CsA treatment. Peak glucose concentrations after glucagon stimulation test were significantly higher following CsA treatment (10.75 versus 12.05 mmol/L; P = 0.021), but there was no significant difference in peak serum insulin (52.0 versus 35.0 μIU/mL; P = 0.052). There was a negative correlation between baseline uncorrected insulin AUC and trough serum log CsA concentrations (r = -0.70, P = 0.005). The administration of CsA to dogs with atopic dermatitis leads to disturbances in glucose homeostasis. The clinical significance of this is unclear, but it should be taken into account when considering CsA treatment in dogs that already have such impairments.