Effect of dietary inclusion of date seed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoenix dactylifera</Emphasis> L.) on intake,digestibility, milk production,and milk fatty acid profile of Holstein dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the influence of ground date seed (GDS) on intake, digestibility, and milk yield and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of lactating Holstein cows. The experimental design was a 4?×?4 replicated Latin square with eight lactating dairy cows with an average milk production of 35.5?±?1.5 kg and 75?±?5 days in milk (DIM). Dairy cows were fed one of the four treatments contained 0, 2, 4, and 6% of diet dry matter (DM) GDS in replacement of wheat bran. All diets contained the same amount of forages (alfalfa hay and corn silage). Dietary treatments had no effect on DM intake (DMI), total tract apparent digestibility, milk yield, and milk composition. Increasing GDS linearly decreased concentration of C13:0 and increased cis-9 C14:1 and trans-11 C18:1 (vaccenic acid) (P?<?0.05). A linear tendency for more C16:1 content in milk fat was observed with increasing GDS (P?=?0.06). Feeding GDS resulted in a linear decrease (P?<?0.01) in saturated FA (SFA) but increased milk fat monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and trans FA (TFA) (P?<?0.05). Therefore, low levels of GDS (up to 6%) in the diet of Holstein dairy cows can beneficially modify milk FA composition without any adverse effects on intake, digestibility, and milk yield.     

Genetic evaluation of growth in farmers’ flocks of Madras Red sheep under long-term selection in a group breeding scheme

The Network Project on Sheep Improvement (NWPSI)–Madras Red field unit is a group breeding scheme involving 198 farmers’ flocks of Madras Red sheep in which selection for growth traits and rotation of rams have been practised for over two decades. Growth data collected from these flocks were used to evaluate the performance and understand the direct and expected responses to selection based on genetic parameters. The body weight at birth (BW), weaning weight (WW), 6-month weight (6W), 9-month weight (9W), 12-month weight (YW), pre-weaning average daily gain (ADG1, birth to 3 months), post-weaning ADG2 (3–6 months), ADG3 (6–9 months), ADG4 (9–12 months) and ADG5 (3–12 months) were 2.67, 10.05, 14.56, 18.36, 21.36, 80.13, 49.05, 43.00, 34.21 and 41.18 g, respectively. Univariate analyses were carried out using animal and sire models to estimate variance components. Heritability obtained from animal model for BW was 0.36 and the values for other body weight traits were almost unity. Heritability estimate for pre-weaning ADG1 was 0.31. Very high genetic variability was observed in spite of long-term selection and this sustenance of variability is one of the main advantages of a group breeding scheme, combining several flocks of smaller size. An increasing genetic and phenotypic trend was noticed for almost all the traits studied. The expected responses calculated based on genetic parameters also indicated scope for improvement.     

Anatomical characterization of hoof growth pattern in six Iranian sheep breeds and its possible implication for trimming recommendations

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to compare hoof anatomy, hoof growth pattern, and hoof weight-bearing surface of six different Iranian sheep breeds to...     

Genomic characterization of the first oral avian papillomavirus in a colony of breeding canaries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Serinus canaria</Emphasis>)

Papillomaviruses are non-enveloped, DNA viruses that infect skin and mucosa of a wide variety of vertebrates, causing neoplasias or simply persisting asymptomatically. Avian papillomaviruses, with six fully sequenced genomes, are the second most studied group after mammalian papillomaviruses. In this study, we describe the first oral avian papillomavirus, detected in the tongue of a dead Yorkshire canary (Serinus canaria) and in oral swabs of the same bird and other two live canaries from an aviary in Madrid, Spain. Its genome is 8,071 bp and presents the canonical papillomavirus architecture with six early (E6, E7, E1, E9, E2, E4) and two late open reading frames (L1 and L2) and a long control region between L1 and E6. This new avian papillomavirus L1 gene shares a 64% pairwise identity with FcPV1 L1, so it has been classified as a new species (ScPV1) within the Ethapapillomavirus genus. Although the canary died after showing breathing problems, there is no evidence that the papillomavirus caused those symptoms so it could be part of the oral microbiota of the birds. Hence, future investigations are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of the virus.     

Haematological,biochemical and organ changes in broiler chickens fed varying levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morinda lucida</Emphasis> (brimstone) leaf meal supplementation in the diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Morinda lucida leaf meal (MLLM) on the haematology, biochemical and organ changes of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-eight day-old Marshall broiler chicks were completely randomised into 6 treatments in a 3?×?2 factorial arrangement of three levels of M. lucida leaf meal supplementation (0, 0.1 and 0.2 g/kg) with or without medication. The treatment consisted of both negative (without MLLM and routine medication) and positive (containing no MLLM but with routine medication) control groups while each treatment was replicated thrice. MLLM-supplemented diets and routine medication decreased (p?<?0.05) the white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Dietary supplementation with MLLM in combination with normal routine medication increased (p?<?0.05) total serum protein when compared with treatment group without MLLM and routine medication. Dietary supplementation with MLLM and routine medication reduced (p?<?0.05) serum creatinine concentration of the broiler chickens. Birds fed with 0.2 g/kg MLLM supplement coupled with medication and those on negative control had higher (p?<?0.05) creatinine values. Serum enzyme activities reduced (p?<?0.05) following supplementation. MLLM supplementation recorded no significant effect (p?>?0.05) on the liver, kidney, heart and gizzard. M. lucida leaf meal can be compared to routine medication for improved health status of broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion with 0.1 g/kg MLML combined with routine medication could be used in producing healthy and safe chickens.     

Risk factors and indicators of reduced welfare of grazing dairy cows from selected smallholder dairy farms in Midlands Province,Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s smallholder dairying faces many challenges that affect the welfare of dairy cows; however, the status of this welfare has not yet been determined. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Midlands Province on 41 active smallholder dairy farms with 86 cows in winter and summer to determine the risk factors and indicators to impaired cow welfare. These objectives were achieved using farmer questionnaires and direct observations. Eleven percent of the observed cows were severely lame in summer while only 5% were severely lame in winter. Lameness was significantly associated with season, absence of shade, breed, and low dipping frequency; 58% of the cows had low body condition scores (BC?<?3) and this low BC was associated with low frequency of protein (p?=?0.002) and vitamin (p?=?0.012) supplementation recorded in more than 52% of the farms visited. In winter, only 11% of the observed cows were heavily soiled (score 3), while in summer 64% of the cows were heavily soiled and this was associated with slurry accumulation in more than 80% of the observed cattle pens as well as the study season (p?<?0.001). A quarter (26%) of the studied animals had visible teat lesions on the teat skin and this was associated with the type of lubricant used (p?=?0.011). Only 34% of the cows allowed an approaching stockman to touch them and this was associated with shouting (p?=?0.012) and whipping of cows (p?=?0.002). The study concluded that welfare of dairy cows was poor in most of the smallholder dairy farms studied.     

Lipopolysaccharide and cytokines modulate leukotriene (LT)B4 and LTC4 production by porcine endometrial endothelial cells

Uterine inflammatory response is mediated by inflammatory mediators including eicosanoids and cytokines produced by immune and endometrial cells. Interactions between lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokines, and leukotrienes (LTs) in endothelium, important for the host defence during the inflammation, are unknown. We studied the effect of LPS, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 on 5‐lipooxygenase (5‐LO), LTA₄ hydrolase (LTAH) and LTC₄ synthase (LTCS) mRNA and protein expression, LTB₄ and LTC₄ release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and cell viability. For 24 hr, cells were exposed to LPS (10 or 100 ng/ml of medium) and cytokines (each 1 or 10 ng/ml). 5‐LO mRNA/protein expression augmented after incubation with larger doses of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐4 and IL‐10 and smaller dose of IL‐1β. Larger dose of TNF‐α, smaller doses of LPS and IL‐1β and both doses of IL‐10 increased LTAH mRNA/protein expression. LTAH protein content was up‐regulated by larger dose of LPS, but it was reduced in response to both doses of IL‐4. LTCS mRNA expression was elevated by larger doses of LPS, IL‐4 and IL‐10 or both doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. LTCS protein level increased after treatment with both doses of IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10, smaller dose of LPS and larger dose of TNF‐α. Both doses of LPS and larger doses of TNF‐α and IL‐10 increased LTB₄ release. LPS, IL‐1β and IL‐10 at smaller doses, or TNF‐α and IL‐4 at larger doses stimulated LTC₄ release. Smaller doses of TNF‐α and IL‐1β or both doses of IL‐4 enhanced the cell viability. This work provides new insight on the participation of LPS, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐4 and IL‐10 in LTB₄ and LTC₄ production/release from porcine endometrial endothelial cells, and the effect of above factors on these cells viability. The used cellular model gives the possibility to further establish the interactions between inflammatory mediators.     

Secondary sexual traits and semen characteristic of chicken germline chimeras

Birds obtained by embryo engineering are used to study embryo development and to produce transgenic birds. As this method of producing birds still generate strong emotions of the public opinion head ornaments, testes and semen characteristics of sex chimera roosters were examined to check whether they differ from chickens obtained by non‐manipulated methods. Measurements of head ornaments, testes and semen were correlated with each other. Semen quality factor (SQF) was calculated, as well as the level of fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of bilateral traits (wattles and testes). Positive correlation was found for comb width and wattle length and comb thickness and sperm concentration. Semen characteristics and FA did not exceed the level encounter in other chicken lines. Results obtained indicate that germline chimeras are similar in appearance of secondary sexual traits, and semen and testes characteristics to chickens produced in non‐manipulated way.     

Accessory nictitating membrane in a Lipizzaner colt

A 2‐year‐old Lipizzaner colt presented for removal of a mass over the left eye. The colt had no blepharospasm or significant ocular discharge, but the cornea underlying the mass was mildly oedematous. The mass protruded from the conjunctiva at the dorsotemporal aspect of the globe and was covered in normal conjunctiva. It had a gross appearance similar to the cartilaginous flap of a nictitating membrane, but in an aberrant location. It was moveable to cover the dorsal aspect of the cornea when the globe was retropulsed. Excision of the mass under general anaesthesia was elected. Histopathology supported a diagnosis of an accessory nictitating membrane, consisting of a cartilaginous band surrounded by glandular epithelium. The colt recovered from surgery without complication and no problems were reported by the owner at 8.5 months post‐operatively. To the author's knowledge, there have not been previous reports of accessory or ectopic nictitating membranes in equine or other species.