Reproductive response of yearling beef heifers to a melengestrol acetate-prostaglandin F2 alpha estrus synchronization system.

A study was designed to evaluate estrus response and fertility after treatment with melengestrol acetate (MGA) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in yearling beef heifers. Three hundred four heifers at three locations were allotted to one of two treatments: Treatment 1 served as a nonsynchronized control (CON); and heifers in Treatment 2 received .5 mg of MGA.animal-1.d-1 for 14 d and 25 mg of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) 17 d after MGA (MGA-PGF). Heifers in CON and MGA-PGF groups were artificially inseminated 12 h after observed estrus for 21 and 6 d after PGF2 alpha, respectively. Blood samples were collected from each heifer 10 d before and on the day MGA feeding began and 10 d before and on the day PGF2 alpha was administered. Heifers with concentrations of serum progesterone greater than 1 ng/mL on either date before administration of MGA or PGF2 alpha were considered pubertal. More (P = .02) prepubertal heifers that received MGA attained puberty by initiation of breeding than did CON heifers (72 vs 45%, respectively). The proportion of heifers that displayed estrus within 6 d after PGF2 alpha was greater (P less than .001) for MGA-PGF than for CON heifers (77 vs 25%, respectively) but was also influenced by location (P = .03). Conception rate at first service for MGA-PGF heifers that attained puberty during MGA feeding and before PGF2 alpha was not different (P = .50) from that of CON that attained puberty during the same period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of reproductive traits in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers: effects of postweaning energy manipulation

Reproductive traits were evaluated in Bos taurus and Bos indicus crossbred heifers that were fed different diets during the postweaning period. The study was designed in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Angus x Hereford (AH; n = 148) and Brahman x Hereford (BH; n = 148) heifers were sorted after weaning by body weight into light (LW) and heavy (HW) weight blocks. Heifers in each weight block were assigned to diets calculated to reach a target weight of 55% (LE) or 65% (HE) of their projected mature weights by the start of the breeding season. Puberty was determined after a 160-d observation period and characterized by the following criteria: 1) behavioral estrus, 2) presence of a palpable corpus luteum (d 6 to 10; estrus = d 0), and 3) rise in serum progesterone above 1 ng/ml (d 6 to 10). A higher (P = .01) proportion of AH heifers than of BH heifers reached puberty by the breeding season (93% vs 67%). Interactions of breed x weight block and energy level x weight block also contributed to this difference. Weight at puberty was heavier (P = .001) among HE than among LE heifers and greater for heifers in HW than for those in LW blocks (P = .02). Differences in prebreeding weight, body condition, average daily gain, hip height, and pelvic area were influenced selectively by breed, energy level, or weight block. Pregnancy rates were higher (P = .01) among AH than among BH heifers. Incidence and severity of dystocia was influenced by the breed x energy level interaction (P = .01). Brahman x Hereford heifers had less (P = .01) dystocia than AH heifers, HE heifers had less (P less than .02) dystocia than LE heifers, and HE-AH heifers had less (P less than .01) dystocia than LE-AH contemporaries. Subsequent duration of the postpartum interval to estrus was shorter (P = .002) among AH than among BH females. Pregnancy rates at the end of the 2nd yr were higher (P = .02) among LW than among HW females and weights were heavier (P = .001) at weaning among calves weaned from BH dams.     

The effect of quality of grass and maize silage on the intake and performance of beef cattle

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of incorporating high (HMS) and low (LMS) maturity maize silages into diets based on low (LGS) and high (HGS) feed value grass silages offered to beef cattle. Seventy-two continental cross-bred steers were used in a 14-week continuous design, randomised block experiment. The six treatments were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial design incorporating the LGS and HGS offered as the sole forage, along with each of the two grass silages offered in a 60:40 ratio (DM basis) with the HMS and LMS. All diets were supplemented with 3 kg/head/day concentrates. Total daily DM and metabolisable energy intakes were higher (P < 0.001) for diets based on HGS compared to those based on LGS. Intakes were similar (P > 0.05) between diets containing LMS and HMS, both of which were higher (P < 0.001) than diets containing grass silage as the sole forage. Highest DM intakes were recorded with a mixture of HGS and HMS (P < 0.05 or greater). Cattle offered diets containing HGS had higher live-weight gain (P < 0.05), final live weight, carcass gain and carcass weight (P < 0.001) than those offered diets containing LGS. Feed conversion efficiency, assessed on a carcass gain basis, was poorer (P < 0.05) with diets containing LGS compared with those containing HGS, though differences between diets containing either LMS or HMS and GS as the sole forage were not significant (P > 0.05).     

Comparison of protocols to synchronize estrus and ovulation in estrous-cycling and prepubertal beef heifers

The objective of the experiment was to compare follicular dynamics, ovulatory response to GnRH, and synchrony of estrus and ovulation among estrous-cycling and prepubertal beef heifers synchronized with a controlled internal drug-release (CIDR)- based or GnRH-PGF(2alpha) (PG) protocol. Estrous-cycling beef heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (C1, C2, C3, C4), and prepubertal beef heifers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments (P1, P2) by age and BW. Blood samples were taken 10 and 1 d before treatment to confirm estrous cyclicity status (progesterone > or =0.5 ng/mL estrous cycling). The CIDR Select (C1, n = 12; P1, n = 14)-treated heifers received a CIDR insert (1.38 g of progesterone) from d 0 to 14, GnRH (100 microg, i.m.) on d 23, and PG (25 mg, i.m.) on d 30. Select Synch + CIDR (C2, n = 12; P2, n = 11)-treated heifers received a CIDR insert and GnRH on d 23 and PG at CIDR removal on d 30. The CIDR-PG (C3, n = 12)-treated heifers received a CIDR insert on d 23 and PG at CIDR removal on d 30. Select Synch (C4, n = 12)-treated heifers received GnRH on d 23 and PG on d 30. HeatWatch transmitters were fitted at CIDR removal (C1, C2, C3, P1, and P2) or at GnRH administration (C4) for estrus detection. Ultrasound was used to determine the response to GnRH and the timing of ovulation after estrus. Among the estrous-cycling heifers, ovulatory response to GnRH and estrous response did not differ (P > 0.05). Among the prepubertal heifers, more (P = 0.02) P1 heifers responded to GnRH than P2 heifers, but estrous response did not differ (P > 0.05). Among the estrous-cycling heifers, variance for interval to estrus after PG was reduced (P < 0.05) for C1 compared with each of the other treatments, and C3 [corrected] was reduced (P < 0.05) compared with C2 [corrected] Variance for interval to ovulation after PG was reduced (P < 0.05) for C1 compared with each of the other treatments. Among the prepubertal heifers, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in variance for interval to estrus or ovulation. Results from C1 and P1 (T1) and C2 and P2 (T2) were combined to compare T1 and T2 among mixed groups of estrous-cycling and prepubertal heifers. Response to GnRH was greater (P < 0.01; 81% T1 and 39% T2), and variances for interval to estrus and ovulation for T1 were reduced (P < 0.01) compared with T2. In summary, CIDR Select improved (P < 0.01) the synchrony of estrus and ovulation compared with Select Synch + CIDR.     

Oxygen Concentration and Cysteamine Supplementation During In vitro Production of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Embryos Affect mRNA Expression of BCL‐2, BCL‐XL,MCL‐1, BAX and BID

This study examined the effects of O₂ concentration (5% vs 20%) during in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC) or supplementation of IVM and IVC media with cysteamine (50 and 100 μm , respectively; IVM, IVF and IVC carried out in 20% O₂), on blastocyst rate and relative mRNA abundance of some apoptosis‐related genes measured by real‐time qPCR in immature and in vitro‐matured buffalo oocytes and in embryos at 2‐, 4‐, 8‐ to 16‐cell, morula and blastocyst stages. The blastocyst rate was significantly higher (p < 0.05) while the percentage of TUNEL‐positive cells was significantly lower (p < 0.05) under 5% O₂ than that under 20% O₂. The mRNA expression of anti‐apoptotic genes BCL‐2 and MCL‐1 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and that of pro‐apoptotic genes BAX and BID was lower (p < 0.05) under 5% O₂ than that under 20% O₂ concentration at many embryonic stages. Following cysteamine supplementation, the blastocyst rate and the relative mRNA abundance of BCL‐XL and MCL‐1 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and that of BAX but not BID was lower (p < 0.05) at many stages of embryonic development, although it did not affect the percentage of TUNEL positive cells in the blastocysts significantly. The mRNA expression pattern of these genes during embryonic development was different in 5% vs 20% O₂ groups and in cysteamine supplemented vs controls. At the 8‐ to 16‐cell stage, where developmental block occurs in buffalo, the relative mRNA abundance of BCL‐2 and MCL‐1 was highest under 5% O₂ concentration and that of BAX and BID was highest (p < 0.05) under 20% O₂ concentration. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms through which beneficial effects of low O₂ concentration and cysteamine supplementation are mediated during in vitro embryo production is through an increase in the expression of anti‐apoptotic and a decrease in the expression of pro‐apoptotic genes.     

Intestinal metabolism of weaned piglets fed a typical United States or European diet with or without supplementation of tributyrin and lactitol

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of supplementation of a microencapsulated blend of tributyrin and lactitol (TL) to a standard European (EU) diet without antibiotic growth promoters on intestinal metabolism and mucosa development of weaned piglets and to compare it with a standard US diet containing animal proteins, zinc oxide, copper sulfate, and carbadox. Ninety piglets weaned at 21 d were divided into 3 dietary groups consisting of 5 replicates each: 1) US diet supplemented with 55 mg/kg of carbadox, and 2.5% each of plasma proteins and spray-dried blood cells in the first phase, 3,055 mg/kg of Zn in the first and second phases, and 180 mg/kg of Cu in the third phase; 2) EU diet based on vegetable proteins and no antibiotics; and 3) the same EU diet supplemented with 3,000 mg/kg of microencapsulated TL. The study was divided into 3 phases: 0 to 7, 8 to 21, and 22 to 35 d. On d 7, 21, and 35, animals were weighed, and feed consumption and efficiency were determined. On d 14 and 35, one pig per pen was killed, and the intestinal contents and mucosa from the proximal, middle, distal jejunum and the ileum were sampled. Intestinal wall sections were fixed for histological analysis, and intestinal content was used for VFA, ammonia, and polyamine analysis. Throughout the study (d 0 to 35), the US diet had greater ADG and ADFI than the EU diet (P < 0.05). The EU diet supplemented with TL tended to have 11% greater ADG (P = 0.17). Feeding the EU diet caused a reduction in proximal and middle jejunum villi length by 10% (P < 0.05) and an increase in crypt size in proximal jejunum (P < 0.05) compared with the US diet, probably due to an increased rate of cell loss and crypt cell production. The TL supplementation resulted in longer villi along the jejunum and less deep crypts in the proximal jejunum (+15.9 and -8.9%, respectively; P < 0.05) than the unsupplemented EU diet. The TL diet increased the concentrations of cadaverine and putrescine in the small intestine (P < 0.05) and seemed to increase cadaverine, histamine, putrescine, and spermine in the large intestine by 1.5- to 10-fold compared with the US or EU diet. In conclusion, although the US diet had a greater effect on growth performance and mucosal trophic status than the EU diets, the supplementation with slowly released TL seemed to be an effective tool to partially overcome the adverse effects of vegetable protein diets.     

2015 ACVIM Small Animal Consensus Statement on Seizure Management in Dogs

This report represents a scientific and working clinical consensus statement on seizure management in dogs based on current literature and clinical expertise. The goal was to establish guidelines for a predetermined, concise, and logical sequential approach to chronic seizure management starting with seizure identification and diagnosis (not included in this report), reviewing decision‐making, treatment strategies, focusing on issues related to chronic antiepileptic drug treatment response and monitoring, and guidelines to enhance patient response and quality of life. Ultimately, we hope to provide a foundation for ongoing and future clinical epilepsy research in veterinary medicine.     

Effects of tilling no-till soil on losses of atrazine and glyphosate to runoff water under variable intensity simulated rainfall

Herbicides released through agricultural activities to surface waters and drinking water systems represent a risk to human and environmental health, as well as a cost to municipalities for removal. This study focuses on the viability of glyphosate tolerant cropping systems as an alternative to atrazine-based systems, and the impact of tilling historically no-till ground on the runoff pollution potential of these systems. Variable intensity field rainfall simulations were performed on 2 m long × 1 m wide plots within a field in first-year disk and harrow following no-till (CT), and within a long-term no-tilled (NT) field, both treated with atrazine and glyphosate according to label. Rainfall sequence was: 50 mm h⁻¹ for 50 min followed by 75 mm h⁻¹ for 15 min, 25 mm h⁻¹ for 15 min, and 100 mm h⁻¹ for 15 min. Runoff was collected at regular time intervals during two simulated rainfall events and analyzed for herbicide concentration, sediment content, and volume. Maximum glyphosate concentration in runoff was 233 μg L⁻¹ for NT and 180 μg L⁻¹ for CT (approximately 33% and 26% of the maximum contaminant limit (MCL) for glyphosate (700 μg L⁻¹), respectively, while maximum atrazine concentrations in runoff was 303 μg L⁻¹ for NT and 79 μg L⁻¹ for CT (approximately 100 times and 26 times the atrazine MCL (3 μg L⁻¹)). Atrazine concentration and loading were significantly higher in runoff from NT plots than from CT plots, whereas glyphosate concentration and loading were impacted by tillage treatment to a much lesser degree. Results suggest that glyphosate-based weed management may represent a lower drinking water risk than atrazine-based weed management, especially in NT systems.