Alternative formulations for gilthead seabream diets: Towards a more sustainable production

To support the expected increase in aquaculture production during the next years, a wider range of alternative ingredients to fishmeal is needed, towards contributing to an increase in production sustainability. This study aimed to test diets formulated with non‐conventional feed ingredients on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) growth performance, feed utilization, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nutrient outputs to the environment. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated: a control diet (CTRL) similar to a commercial feed and three experimental diets containing, as main protein sources, plant by‐products, glutens and concentrates (PLANT); processed animal proteins (PAP); or micro/macroalgae, insect meals and yeast (EMERG). Diets were tested in triplicate during 80 days. The EMERG treatment resulted in lower fish growth performance, higher FCR and lower nutrient and energy retentions than the other treatments. The lowest protein digestibility was found for the EMERG diet, which caused increased nitrogen losses. The PLANT and PAP treatments resulted in better fish growth performance, higher nutrient and energy retentions, and lower FCR than the CTRL treatment. The significant improvement in FCR found for fish fed PLANT and PAP diets and the high protein digestibility of these diets contribute towards minimizing the environmental impacts of seabream production.     

High fry production rates using post-thaw silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) spermatozoa under farming conditions

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is not endemic to Cuba, and egg fertilization is totally artificial; males produce spermatozoa only between March and October. Cryopreservation of silver carp spermatozoa would reduce the number of males needed, minimize handling stress through less frequent stripping, and facilitate artificial propagation when eggs are available. The effects on motility and fry production from eggs fertilized with thawed sperm under farm-conditions were examined in this study. Five, seven and ten percent of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol and methanol were tested as cryoprotectants. DMSO was a more suitable cryoprotectant than methanol or glycerol. The effect of equilibration time on the motility rate at 10% DMSO was evaluated. Hatching rates equal to the control (P>0.01) were obtained under farm conditions with frozen spermatozoa, stored even for a year in liquid nitrogen, with a final DMSO concentration of 10%. Cryopreservation offers a useful routine method for sperm storage and silver carp handling. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the production of fry from post-thaw silver carp spermatozoa under farming conditions.     

Effect of treatment with atenolol on 5-year survival in cats with preclinical (asymptomatic) hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of treatment with atenolol on 5-year survival in cats with preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Animals63 Client-owned cats with preclinical HCM and 31 healthy control cats.MethodsProspective, observational, open-label, clinical cohort study. Cats with HCM were diagnosed by echocardiography, treated with atenolol (6.25–12.5 mg q12h, PO; n = 42) or untreated (n = 21), and were observed for 5 years after enrollment. The study end point was death from any cause. Cats of similar body weight, age, gender, and breed without evidence of heart disease were studied concurrently and served as controls.ResultsDuring the observational period, 27 cats with HCM died; 14 (22%) due to cardiac disease and 13 (21%) due to non-cardiac disease. Ten control cats (32%) died of non-cardiac disease. There was no significant difference (P = 0.307) in all-cause mortality between control and HCM. Cardiac mortality was higher in cats with HCM compared to control cats (P = 0.005). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (P = 0.729) and cardiac mortality (P = 0.897) between cats with HCM treated or untreated with atenolol. Age and left atrial size at diagnosis were the only predictors of 5-year outcome.ConclusionsOur study failed to demonstrate an effect of atenolol on 5-year survival in cats with preclinical HCM.     

A statistical framework to combine multivariate spatial data and physical models for Hurricane surface wind prediction

Storm surge is the onshore rush of seawater associated with hurricane force winds. Storm surge can compound the effects of inland flooding caused by rainfall, leading to loss of property and loss of life for residents of coastal areas. Numerical ocean models are essential for predicting which coastal areas are most likely to be impacted by storm surge. These numerical physics-based models are driven primarily by the surface wind forcings which are currently specified by a deterministic formula. Although these equations incorporate important physical knowledge about the structure of hurricane surface wind fields, they cannot always capture the asymmetric and dynamic nature of a hurricane. This article develops a new multivariate spatial statistical framework to improve the estimation of these wind field inputs while accounting for potential bias in the observations. We find that this spatial model consistently improves parameter estimation and prediction for surface wind data for a case study of Hurricane Charley of 2004 when compared to the original physical model. These methods are also shown to improve storm surge estimates when used as the forcing fields for a numerical three-dimensional coastal ocean model.     

European reference method of in vivo determination of metabolisable energy in poultry: reproducibility, effect of age, comparison with predicted values

1. Apparent metabolisable energy corrected to zero-nitrogen retention (AMEn) was measured using the European reference procedure in 9 European laboratories. Seven pelleted diets were evaluated. AMEn was measured with adult cockerels and young birds. 2. Between-laboratory standard deviations were for dry matter (DM) 12.5 g/kg, gross energy 0.085 MJ/kg DM, Kjeldahl nitrogen 0.768 g/kg DM, AMEn (adults) 0.256 MJ/kg DM, and AMEn (young) 0.337 MJ/kg DM. Corresponding coefficients of variation between laboratories were 1.42, 0.45, 2.15, 1.88 and 2.60% respectively. 3. AMEn values of experimental diets were always significantly lower when measured with young birds. This effect was more pronounced when diets contained added fat. 4. Tallow or soyabean oil were incorporated into two basal diets at 40 g/kg inclusion rate. No significant differences were observed between AMEn values of either diet with adults or young birds, suggesting that AMEn energy values of these fats are indistinguishable at this inclusion rate. 5. Similar AMEn values were obtained in young birds by estimating nitrogen accretion, either by the difference between intake and excreta nitrogen or by measuring body weight gain. Determined AMEn values were very similar to those predicted using three different regression equations.     

Effects of dairy husbandry practices and farm types on raw milk quality collected by different categories of dairy processors in the Peruvian Andes

In developing countries, milk quality is often mismanaged in relation to husbandry practices, collection logistics, and the production of small batches. This paper investigates how the management of milk quality from farm to dairy processor impacts on both chemical and hygienic indicators, in a context characterized by farm scale diversity, the co-existence of formal and informal markets, and high milk demand. It is based on an analysis of the chemical and hygienic quality of milk samples collected over a 12-month period from 20 farms and three dairy processors. Data from the farmers’ husbandry practices and the logistics of milk collection were also collected. A large range of quality profiles and farming practices were observed. This diversity is explained by rainfall and temperature pattern, farm size which affects hygienic quality, and lack of efficient logistics between farms and dairy processors. The findings indicate that in a context of high demand for milk and poor private and public regulations, milk quality is impacted upon by poor stakeholders’ management practices.     

Plasma Cardiac Troponin I Concentration and Cardiac Death in Cats with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background

The use of cardiac biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis of occult and symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats has been established. There is limited data describing their prognostic utility in cats with HCM.

Hypothesis

Circulating concentrations of N‐terminal B‐type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) predict cardiac death in cats with HCM.

Animals

Forty‐one cats diagnosed with HCM at a veterinary teaching hospital, between February 2010 and May 2011.

Methods

Prospective investigational study. Plasma samples were collected from cats diagnosed with HCM and concentrations of NTproBNP and cTnI were analyzed at a commercial laboratory. Echocardiographic measurements from the day of blood sampling were recorded. Long‐term outcome data were obtained. Associations with time to cardiac death were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

When controlling for the presence/absence of heart failure and echocardiographic measures of left atrial size and function, cTnI > 0.7 ng/mL was independently associated with time to cardiac death. In univariable analysis, NTproBNP > 250 pmol/L was associated with cardiac death (P = .023), but this did not remain significant (P = .951) when controlling for the effect of clinical signs or left atrial size/function.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Plasma concentration of cTnI (cutoff >0.7 ng/mL) is a predictor of cardiac death in cats with HCM that is independent of the presence of heart failure or left atrial dilatation.