Broiler responses to digestible threonine at different ages: a neural networks approach

Three experiments were conducted with broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of digestible threonine (DThr) and crude protein (CP) on their performance at three different phases of age: 1–14, 15–28 and 29–42 days. The measured traits included the following: average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass crude protein (CCP), body lipid (BL), feather weight gain (FWG), protein deposited in feather (FCP), carcass plus feather protein (CFCP), carcass Thr deposition (CDThr) and nitrogen excretion (NE). A dilution technique was used to create seven diets (with eight replicates) increasing the DThr content from 1.5 to 10 g/kg of diet for phase 1, 1.3–8.9 g/kg of diet for phase 2, and 1.2–8.2 g/kg of diet for phase 3. Data measured were imported into neural networks (NNs) to: (i) predict the measured traits in response to DThr and CP, (ii) rank the importance of DThr and CP on these traits through sensitivity analysis and (iii) find the optimal levels of DThr and CP that lead to the desired (maximum or minimum) responses. For each trait investigated, 50 different random groups of data were generated using a bootstrapping method. These 50 data groups were then used to develop 50 separate NNs which were subsequently combined to construct the final ensemble NN model. In general, accuracy of the models constructed was acceptable, although models of high (ADG, FCR, CFCP, BL, DThr and NE; 0.64 ≤ R² ≤ 0.99) and low (CCP, FWG and FCP; 0.26 ≤ R² ≤ 0.79) accuracy were obtained. All models developed showed the greatest sensitivity to DThr. This may be explained by the dilution technique diet preparation used in these experiments. Optimization results showed decreases in optimal values of DThr and CP with increasing age for all traits. The highest level of DThr was suggested for minimum BL, followed by minimum FCR, maximum ADG, maximum CFCP, minimum NE and maximum CCP respectively. Results showed that the optimal values of DThr for minimum FCR in phases 1–3 were 8.5, 7.4 and 6.4 g/kg of diet, while these values for maximum ADG were 8.2, 7.2 and 6.4 g/kg of diet respectively.     

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of neosporosis in beef and dairy cattle in Italy

A cross-sectional serological survey for Neospora caninum was carried out on beef and dairy cattle in southern and northern Italy. A total of 111 herds and 1140 animals were tested using an ELISA assay (CHEKIT-Neospora) to detect anti-N. caninum antibodies. Management and individual data were collected and analysed both by linear and logistic multiple-regression models in order to find good predictors of the cattle seroprevalence and anti-N. caninum antibody level. At least one seropositive animal was found in 49 herds (44.1%), of which 31 (39.7%) from southern Italy and 18 (54.5%) from northern Italy. A total of 126 head of cattle (11%) were found to be seropositive and the seroprevalence was lower in southern (8.7%) than in northern Italy (16%). One of the best predictors of neosporosis seroprevalence in this study was the practice of self-rearing replacement heifers. Further risk factors were linked to higher stocking density, i.e. animals farmed in large herds and with no summer or permanent grazing practices were more likely to be seropositive than others. Farms with two or more dogs had higher herd seropositivity than farms with one or no dogs and this factor interacted significantly with the farm size and presence of poultry. Among individual characteristics, seropositivity was higher in animals sampled in mid- or late-pregnancy compared to animals either in early pregnancy or not pregnant. There was a significant interaction between the factors for pregnancy status and grazing practices. None of the epidemiological data recorded was a good predictor of the anti-N. caninum antibody level.     

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics of five-eighths Girolando Cows

The objective of this study was to examine the follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows by observing the number of follicular development waves, days of emergence of those waves, diameters of the dominant and largest subordinate follicles and the processes of follicular selection and dominance. Ovarian follicle dynamics were monitored for 24 oestrous cycles in 12 cows, of 4 to 10 years of age, presenting regular oestrous cycles and with body scores between 3 and 4. Ovaries were observed daily for two consecutive oestrous cycles and follicles were measured with ultrasonographic equipment. The dominant follicle was considered to be that which presented a diameter ≥ 10 mm for three consecutive days and on the day of wave emergence, when a group of follicles measuring 3–5 mm in diameter would appear. Of the 24 cycles monitored, 62.5% presented two waves of follicular development and 37.5% presented three waves. The cycles presenting two waves had an average duration of 20 days, with the emergence of the waves on days 1 and 9, whereas the cycles presenting three waves had an average duration of 22 days, with emergences on days 1, 10 and 16. For cycles with two waves, both the first and second dominant follicles reached an average size of 13.8 mm, with the first regressing on day 10 and the second ovulating around day 20. For cycles with three waves, the dominant follicles of the first and second waves reached maximum diameters of 11.8 and 12 mm, respectively, with the first regressing on day 11 and the second regressing on day 17. The third dominant follicle reached a maximum diameter of 12.4 mm on day 20, and ovulated on day 22. These results lead to the conclusion that the follicular dynamics of five-eighths Girolando cows are characterized by the presence of two to three waves of follicular growth.     

Atresia in temperate basses: cloning of hatching enzyme (choriolysin) homologues from atretic ovaries

Partial cDNAs encoding homologues of choriolysin were cloned from striped bass embryos and from atretic ovaries of white perch. Among these clones, one of the ovarian homologues may be a candidate bio-marker for detecting onset of atresia. Early detection of atresia may allow affected broodfish to be reproduced before they undergo complete reproductive failure.     

Immunoproteomic analysis of the protective response obtained with subunit and commercial vaccines against Glässer's disease in pigs

An immunoproteomic analysis of the protective response of subunit and commercial vaccines in colostrum-deprived pigs against Glässer's disease was carried out. A mixture of proteins with affinity to porcine transferrin (PAPT) from Haemophilus parasuis Nagasaki strain (serovar 5) was inoculated intramuscularly (PAPT_M) and intratracheally (PAPT_Cp), along with a commercial bacterin. PAPT were separated using 2 dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) gels and with them, 2DE Western blots were carried out. A total of 17 spots were identified as positive with sera of pigs from any of the three vaccinated groups, the highest number of immunoreactive proteins being detected in those having received PAPT_Cp. Among them, six proteins (FKBP-type peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, neuraminidase exo-α-sialidase, xanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid synthetase, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were found to be novel immunogens in H. parasuis. These proteins showed a high potential as candidates in future subunit vaccines against Glässer's disease. The three experimental groups developed specific systemic total IgG (IgGt), IgG1, IgG2 and IgM antibodies after immunizations. In addition, those receiving PAPT_Cp yielded a serum IgA response.     

Microbiological Quantitative Risk Assessment and Food Safety: An Update

Veterinary Research Communications -