Digesta kinetics, energy intake, grazing behavior, and body temperature of grazing beef cattle differing in adaptation to heat

The objective of this study was to determine whether digesta kinetics, energy intake (EI, kcal ME intake x kg(-.75) x d(-1)), grazing behavior, or body temperature differed by breed, lactational state, or season of the year among cattle presumed to vary in adaptability to the subtropics. Two-year-old lactating and nonlactating Brahman x Angus (BA; n = 5, n = 5), Tuli x Angus (TA; n = 5, n = 4), and Angus (A; n = 4, n = 4) cows were used. During both early (ES) and late summer (LS), lactating cattle vs nonlactating cattle had greater gastrointestinal tract load (CM2) and EI (P < .01), although passage rate did not differ (P > .48). During LS, lactating cattle had decreased early morning rectal temperatures (P < .05) and spent more time grazing during the day compared with nonlactating cattle (P < .001). Among breeds, A had the largest CM2 (P < .01 compared with BA and P = .068 compared with TA) and accumulated the greatest heat during the day (P < .05). Due to greater daytime shading (P < .01) and less daytime grazing (P < .05), A had lower (P < .05) early morning and comparable (P > .26) late afternoon rectal temperatures compared with BA and TA. With data pooled over both grazing trials, BA cattle had the smallest CM2 (P < .01), and in ES they spent the least amount of time in the shade (P < .001). The TA spent more time in the shade than did BA (P < .001) during ES and less during LS (P < .001) and had similar (P > .28) early morning rectal temperatures compared with BA during ES and LS. During LS, TA spent more time in the sun and less time in the shade than did either A or BA (P < .001). During ES, EI did not differ among breeds (P > .50). During LS, EI for lactating A was greater than for BA and TA (P < .05), and EI for nonlactating BA was less than for A and TA (P < .05). Bite rate per minute for lactating cattle during ES was reduced (P < .03) by increased body condition score. Tuli x Angus cattle appear to be comparable to BA with respect to heat adaptation. It appears that EI demands are greater in a hot environment.     

Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes

Ecophysiological simulation models provide a quantitative method to predict the effects of management practices, plant characteristics and environmental factors on crop and weed growth and competition. The INTERCOM interplant competition model was parameterised, calibrated by monoculture data for three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes that differed in growth habit, common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and used to simulate competition of cowpea cover crops with sunflower or purslane. The simulation results were compared with observations from field competition experiments in 2003 and 2004. INTERCOM more accurately simulated actual field data for the competition of cowpea genotypes and sunflower than companion field experiments for the competition of cowpea and purslane. The validated simulation model of cowpea and sunflower at two densities was used to study the effects of cowpea growth habit on final biomass production of cowpea and sunflower. The model suggested that erect growth habit was more competitive than semi‐erect and prostrate growth habit, when cowpea genotypes were grown with sunflower. Cowpea leaf area distribution was important to higher cowpea biomass production, while cowpea height growth was important to reduce sunflower biomass. Our simulation approach is suggested as a method for crop breeders to gauge the likely success of selection for competitive crops before undertaking expensive long‐term breeding experiments.     

Hypoalbuminemia-related platelet hypersensitivity in two dogs with nephrotic syndrome

Platelet aggregation studies in 2 dogs with nephrotic syndrome disclosed increased platelet sensitivity to a low dose of adenosine diphosphate. Subsequent studies with isolated platelets and plasma indicated that a plasma factor was responsible primarily for inducing platelet hypersensitivity. The increased platelet aggregation response was corrected by increasing the albumin concentration of the plasma. The study suggested an important role for albumin in modulating platelet aggregation and may partially explain the tendency toward thrombosis noted in hypoalbuminemic dogs with nephrotic syndrome.     

An Update on the Serodiagnosis of Canine Lyme Borreliosis

The first report of canine Lyme borreliosis was published in 1984, and since that time there have been numerous reports. Clinical manifestations have varied, and serology is often used to make the diagnosis. This review is designed to inform veterinary clinicians about the current serologic tests and their limitations. In endemic areas, the fact that up to 50% of the canine population can be asymptomatic, yet seropositive, suggests that positive antibody titers do not necessarily indicate the presence of disease. Instead, the presence of a positive antibody titer should be considered evidence of exposure to the agent. Many dogs apparently are exposed to the agent of Lyme borreliosis but do not come down with the disease. Immunoblots are not able to distinguish between infection versus exposure. Newer diagnostic tests, such as antigen assays, are being evaluated. However, the fact that spirochetes have been isolated from 8% of asymptomatic dogs living in an endemic area is evidence that these tests will also need to be cautiously interpreted. Our inability to characterize the relationship between clinical signs and serology has hampered our understanding of canine Lyme disease. Presently, the diagnosis should be one of exclusion. A diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis should be considered confirmed only when other diseases are completely ruled out.     

Rocky Mountain spotted fever in dogs and its differentiation from canine ehrlichiosis

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) or ehrlichiosis was diagnosed in dogs on the basis of specific immunofluorescent testing for each disease. Comparisons between clinical and laboratory findings were made between the 2 diseases. The incidence of RMSF tended to be more seasonal and it affected younger dogs. Purebred dogs appeared to be more susceptible to both diseases. In general, RMSF had a more rapid and severe course of clinical illness than did ehrlichiosis, but acute ehrlichiosis was difficult to differentiate from RMSF. Both diseases were characterized by fever, depression, lymphadenopathy, and signs of neurologic dysfunction; petechial hemorrhages or other signs of hemorrhagic diathesis were evident only in a small proportion of cases. Anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia were more common in dogs with ehrlichiosis, whereas those with RMSF more often had leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Hypoalbuminemia was found in dogs with both diseases, but those with ehrlichiosis usually had concurrent hyperglobulinemia. High serum alkaline phosphatase activity and serum cholesterol concentration, and low serum calcium concentration were more common in dogs with RMSF than with ehrlichiosis. Rising serum titers or positive direct immunofluorescence for Rickettsia rickettsii in skin biopsy specimens were used to confirm RMSF, whereas a single serum titer for Ehrlichia canis enabled detection of ehrlichiosis. In the absence of neurologic deficits and when dogs were treated with tetracycline, dogs with RMSF made a more rapid and consistent recovery than did dogs with ehrlichiosis.     

Cryopreservation of Piau‐Breed Wild Boar Sperm: Assessment of Cooling Curves and Centrifugation Regimes

This study aimed to assess the effects of different cooling curves and centrifugation regimes used in cryopreservation protocols on the post‐thaw viability of Piau‐breed wild boar (Sus scrofa) sperm using in vitro assessment tests. Two centrifugations (800  g for 10 min and 2400  g for 3 min) and two cooling curves (conventional cooling using nitrogen vapour – freezing 1 and automated cooling using a programmed freezing machine – freezing 2) were tested. Therefore, the treatments were divided into M3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 2; M10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 2; R3 – centrifugation at 2400  g for 3 min and freezing 1; and R10 – centrifugation at 800  g for 10 min and freezing 1. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between treatments occurred post‐thawing regarding the total sperm motility means recorded. The mean values of the different treatments were not different from each other regarding the supravital staining (SV), hypo‐osmotic test (HO), sperm–egg binding assay or sperm morphology. This study showed that both the cooling curve and the centrifugation regime affected the quality of post‐thaw sperm, and centrifugation for shorter times and cooling curves using automated cooling are the most suitable for minimizing sperm injury.