Herbage intake of dairy cows in mixed sequential grazing with breeding ewes as followers

This study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that mixed sequential grazing of dairy cows and breeding ewes is beneficial. During the seasons of spring–summer 2013 and autumn–winter 2013–2014, 12 (spring–summer) and 16 (autumn–winter) Holstein Friesian cows and 24 gestating (spring–summer) and lactating (autumn–winter) Pelibuey ewes grazed on six (spring–summer) and nine (autumn–winter) paddocks of alfalfa and orchard grass mixed pastures. The treatments “single species cow grazing” (CowG) and “mixed sequential grazing with ewes as followers of cows” (MixG) were evaluated, under a completely randomized design with two replicates per paddock. Herbage mass on offer (HO) and residual herbage mass (RH) were estimated by cutting samples. The estimate of herbage intake (HI) of cows was based on the use of internal and external markers; the apparent HI of ewes was calculated as the difference between HO (RH of cows) and RH. Even though HO was higher in CowG, the HI of cows was higher in MixG during spring–summer and similar in both treatments during autumn–winter, implying that in MixG the effects on the cows HI of higher alfalfa proportion and herbage accumulation rate evolving from lower residual herbage mass in the previous cycle counteracted that of a higher HO in CowG. The HI of ewes was sufficient to enable satisfactory performance as breeding ewes. Thus, the benefits of mixed sequential grazing arose from higher herbage accumulation, positive changes in botanical composition, and the achievement of sheep production without negative effects on the herbage intake of cows.     

Virulence traits of avian pathogenic (APEC) and fecal (AFEC) <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> isolated from broiler chickens in Algeria

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the etiologic agent of avian colibacillosis, the most common disease responsible for chicken morbidity in the world. Although multiple virulence-associated factors were identified, their prevalence in Algeria is still poorly known. In the present research, 92 avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolates were recovered from broilers with clinical signs and lesions of colibacillosis. In addition, 32 E. coli isolates collected from feces of healthy birds (AFEC) were included for comparison. All isolates were investigated by PCR for the presence of a total of 11 virulence-associated genes described for avian pathogenic (iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, iutA, and fimC) and diarrheagenic E. coli (eae, stx, elt/est, ipaH, and aggR). The sensitivity of 39 APEC isolates to 16 antibiotics was also determined using antimicrobial pretreated microplates. Here, we report that 98% of the examined isolates host at least one of the tested virulence factors. The most prevalent genes in APEC were iutA (90.6%), ompT (86.9%), and iss (85.8%); whereas, iutA (78.1%), fimC (78.1%), and iroN (68.7%) were the highest prevalent genes in AFEC. Our data showed that none of the AFEC isolates harbor any of the tested diarrheagenic genes. Moreover, only elt/est (5.4%), stx (2.1%), and ipaH (2.1%) genes were carried by APEC isolates. We further established that ceftazodime, ceftiofur, mequindox, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and meropenem were the most efficient antibiotics against the analyzed APEC isolates. Overall, our findings provide more insights about APEC and AFEC virulence potential in Algeria which could participate in the fight against colibacillosis.     

Feeding behavior of feedlot lambs fed diets containing levels of cassava wastewater

In this study, we evaluated the effects of including cassava wastewater in the diet on the feeding behavior of feedlot lambs in 35 male uncastrated Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred lambs at an approximate age of 3 months, with an average live weight of 20.0?±?3.4 kg. Diets were formulated with hay of cassava shoots (roughage) and a concentrate based on corn and soybean, with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 50:50, plus inclusion of cassava wastewater at the levels of 0, 12, 24, 36, or 48 g/kg of the total diet. Feeding behavior was evaluated between the 46th and 52nd days of the experiment. Increasing cassava wastewater levels in the diet reduced (P?<?0.05) the intakes (kg/day) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber as well as the efficiency of rumination (g/cud and g/h) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. The other behavioral parameters were not affected by wastewater inclusion in the diet. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 48 g/kg of cassava wastewater on fresh matter of diets is not recommended for feedlot lambs.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

Acupuncture and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine for treatment of a mare with rectal paralysis

An 8‐year‐old Appaloosa mare with rectal paralysis due to a cosmetic ethanol ‘tail block’ was treated with traditional Chinese veterinary medicine treatments including acupuncture and herbal medicine. Her rectal and tail tone gradually improved after the treatment. At 4 months after initial presentation, the mare was able to produce faecal piles on a regular basis, and manual evacuations were no longer needed. Significant improvement was within 30 days of beginning treatment. At 8 months, the owner indicated that the mare had normal defaecation, was able to swish the tail from side to side and lift the tail to urinate, and had no evidence of straining to defaecate or colic.     

低温胁迫对细茎柱花草与TPRC2001-1柱花草抗寒生理指标的影响

为了探究柱花草的抗寒性,本研究以细茎柱花草(Stylosanthes guianensis var.intermedia)和TPRC2001-1柱花草(S.guianensis‘TPRC2001-1’)营养期叶片为材料,分别进行时长为0(对照)、24h和48h的低温处理,然后对其相对电导率、丙二醛、脯氨酸、可溶性糖以及可溶性蛋白的含量等指标进行测定与分析。结果表明,两种柱花草叶片的抗寒性生理指标随着低温处理时间的增加逐步上升。低温处理后,细茎柱花草的相对电导率和丙二醛含量显著低于TPRC2001-1柱花草(P0.05),而脯氨酸、可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白的含量显著高于TPRC2001-1柱花草(P0.05)。综合各项生理指标可得,两种柱花草的抗寒性强弱为细茎柱花草TPRC2001-1柱花草。     

试论我国“注水肉”监管技术体系建设

"注水肉"监管存在判定标准单一的问题,亟须建立畜禽肉监管技术体系。本文借鉴发达国家"消费理念引导"和"市场行为约束"理念,提出以"正常为主"为判定原则,从畜禽宰前管理、屠宰及市场监管多环节入手,通过畜禽行为学、组织形态学、正常肉敏感指标范围、近红外等特征图谱,以及畜禽肉水分限量等指标,提出了构建"注水肉"监管技术体系的新思路。     

2018年山东省诸城市小反刍兽疫免疫效果横断面调查

为掌握山东省诸城市小反刍兽疫的免疫效果,2018年6月采用横断面研究方法,对该市规模场和自然村（散养户）饲养羊只进行小反刍兽疫免疫效果评估。采用两阶段随机抽样方法,结合部分便利抽样,采集580份羊血清样品进行ELISA 抗体检测。结果显示：合格样品560份,合格率达96.5%;14个规模场均免疫合格,群体合格率达到100%;在抽检的16个自然村中,15个村免疫合格。结果表明,诸城市小反刍兽疫总体免疫效果良好。     

Dvl1及其突变体腺病毒载体的构建与在MSCs中表达鉴定

Dvl1及其结构缺失突变体ΔDIX（dsh and axin）和ΔDEP（dsh,Egl-10 and pleckstrin）腺病毒载体的构建并验证其在MSCs（mesenchymal stem cells）中的表达情况。将目的基因定向克隆至pAdTrack-CMV穿梭载体上,并经PmeⅠ线性化后在BJ5183细菌中与pAdEasy-1骨架质粒同源重组,获得重组腺病毒载体,在QBI-293A细胞中包装及扩增,实时荧光定量PCR和Western bolt验证Dvl1在MSCs中的表达情况。经PCR、PacⅠ单酶切鉴定及测序分析,成功构建Ad-Dvl1、Ad-ΔDIX和Ad-ΔDEP腺病毒载体,目的基因序列与GenBank报道一致,并选出150 MOI为最适感染MSCs的感染复数,成功构建了Ad-Dvl1、Ad-ΔDIX和Ad-ΔDEP腺病毒载体,并获得高滴度的病毒子,qPCR和Western blot证实Dvl1在MSCs中高表达并增加了β-catenin在细胞中的累积,为进一步研究Dvl1在MSCs迁移过程的作用奠定了基础。     

Symbiotic N<Subscript>2</Subscript> fixation and nitrate utilisation in irrigated lucerne (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Medicago sativa</Emphasis>) systems

Symbiotic N₂ fixation by lucerne (Medicago sativa) has capacity to provide significant inputs of N to agro-ecosystems, and the species has also been shown to scavenge soil mineral N and thus act as a sink for excess reactive N. The balance between these two N cycle processes was investigated in an extensive irrigated lucerne growing region where nitrate contamination of groundwater has been reported. We sampled 18 permanent pure lucerne stands under irrigation for standing dry matter, total shoot N, and N₂ fixation using ¹⁵N natural abundance along with activity of the inducible enzyme nitrate reductase as indicators of use of soil NO₃⁻ by lucerne. On average 65% of lucerne N was obtained from symbiotic N₂ fixation. Converting standing dry matter estimates to annual N₂ fixation amounts we calculated average N₂ fixation of 311 kg N/ha, including N in roots and nodules. Uptake of N from soil by lucerne was calculated to be 181 kg N/ha/year. We were not able to identify the source of this soil mineral N, although nitrate reductase activity of lucerne was higher than that of non-N₂ fixing species examined.