Intramuscular tenderness variation within four muscles of the beef chuck

The i.m. tenderness variation was examined within four beef chuck muscles, the infraspinatus (IF), supraspinatus (SS), triceps brachii (TB), and serratus ventralis (SV). The IF, SS, TB, and SV muscles were cut into 2.5 cm thick steaks perpendicular to the long axis of the muscle. An identification tag was placed on each steak, consisting of a muscle identification number, steak number, and orientation of the steak. Steaks were vacuum-packaged and stored at -22 degrees C until subsequent analysis. Steaks were thawed at 1 degrees C and cooked on electric broilers to an internal temperature of 71 degrees C. One core was removed from each 2.5-cm x 2.5-cm section parallel to the muscle fiber and sheared once to determine Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). The SS had an overall WBSF mean of 5.43 kg (SD = 2.20 kg) with no tenderness difference (P = 0.43) among steak locations. The IF had an overall WBSF mean of 3.16 kg (SD = 1.01 kg) with no tenderness difference (P = 0.51) among steak locations. The SV had a mean WBSF value of 4.37 kg (SD = 1.27 kg) with tenderness variation (P < 0.05) among steak locations; however, tenderness variations were not dispersed in a discernible pattern. The TB had a mean WBSF value of 4.12 kg (SD = 1.26 kg) with lower (P < 0.05) shear force in the middle region of the TB, and the distal and proximal ends were tougher (P < 0.05). Results of this study provided a reasonably detailed mapping of the tenderness regions within the IF, SS, TB, and SV muscles, and this information could be used to add value to the beef chuck by cutting and marketing consistently tender regions.     

Performance of sows fed high levels of nonstarch polysaccharides during gestation and lactation over three parities

The effect of feeding sows a starch diet or a diet with a high level of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP) during gestation, lactation, or both gestation and lactation during the first three parities on reproductive performance, body weight, and backfat was studied. Four-hundred and forty-four postpuberal gilts were allotted to a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial experiment. Treatments were diet composition during gestation (including the weaning-to-estrus interval; G-Starch: 274 g/kg of starch and 123 g/kg of fermentable NSP or G-NSP: 86 g/kg of starch and 300 g/kg of fermentable NSP), diet composition during lactation (L-Starch: 293 g/kg of starch and 113 g/kg of fermentable NSP or L-NSP: 189 g/kg of starch and 216 g/kg of fermentable NSP) and group-housing system during gestation (free access stalls or electronic feeding). Both gestation diets were formulated to be isoenergetic. During lactation, sows were given free access to the lactation diets from d 6 after parturition onwards. Body weight and backfat gains during gestation were lower in sows fed the G-NSP diet than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.001). The effects were more pronounced in the electronic feeding system than in the free access stalls. These results indicate an overestimation of the energy value of fermentable NSP. Body weight and backfat losses during lactation were less in sows fed the G-NSP diet during gestation than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.05),which can be explained by a 0.4 kg/d higher (P < 0.001) feed intake during lactation of the sows fed the G-NSP diet. Sows fed the L-NSP diet lost more backfat during lactation than sows fed the L-starch diet (P < 0.05). The number of total piglets born and live-born piglets was 0.5 piglet higher in sows fed the G-NSP diet than in those fed the G-starch diet (P < 0.05). Lactation diet did not affect the number of total piglets born or live-born piglets. This study shows that, although high NSP diets negatively influence body weight and backfat thickness of the sows, it is possible to feed sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP diet during both gestation and lactation without negative effects on reproductive performance. Under the conditions of this study, feeding sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP during gestation and a high level of starch during lactation seems the most favorable feeding strategy.     

Intestinal immunomodulation by vitamin A deficiency and lactobacillus-based probiotic in Eimeria acervulina-infected broiler chickens

In a 2 X 2 factorial study, a broiler starter ration was amended for vitamin A (control, C; deficient, A) and probiotic status (-, P) to investigate their modulatory effects onthe host immune system. Birds were inoculated orally with Eimeria acervulina (EA) oocysts, and disease susceptibility was evaluated by assessment of fecal oocyst shedding. Humoral and local cellular mediated immunity were assessed by evaluation of antibody and cytokine (interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] and interleukin-2 [IL-2]) levels in sera and intestinal secretions on a 3-day interval after inoculation. Fecal oocyst shedding was highest (P < 0.05) in A- birds, followed by AP, C-, and CP birds. Feeding the probiotic reduced shed oocysts by 20% in A fed birds and by 26% in C fed birds. Intestinal IFN-gamma was relatively constant in all treatment groups except for A-, where it declined steadily and was lower (P < 0.05) from day 6 on. Serum IFN-gamma levels fluctuated within each treatment and over time were not revealing. Intestinal IL-2 was highest in CP birds at 3 and 9 days postinfection (DPI) and lowest in A- birds at 3, 9, and 12 DPI (P < 0.05); no difference between treatments was found at 6 DPI (P > 0.05). Eimeria-specific intestinal antibody (Ab) level was constant (P > 0.05) in C- birds but increased with time (P < 0.05) in A-, AP, and CP birds. Serum Ab levels were also constant in A- and CP birds but increased (P < 0.05) in C- and AP birds after 6 DPI. The data demonstrate for the first time a probiotic-enhanced immunity in vitamin A deficient birds. This study is also the first to demonstrate the probiotic effect on local cell-mediated immunity of chickens, best manifested by apparent lower intestinal invasion and development by EA, on the basis of higher IL-2 secretion and lower EA oocyst production.     

Immunization of Pups with Maternally Derived Antibodies to Canine Parvovirus (CPV) Using a Modified‐Live Variant(CPV‐2b)

The results of vaccination trials carried out on pups with maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to canine parvovirus (CPV), using a modified‐live CPV‐2b variant vaccine (29‐97/40 strain), are reported. The vaccine was able to overcome the obstacle of MDA, and to elicit protective immunity in 100% of the pups whose antibody titres were 1:10–1:40, 83% of the pups with titres of 1:80, 57% of the pups with titres of 1:160, and even in 60% of the pups with antibody titres of 1:320.     

Disodium-fosfomycin pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in post weaning piglets

Disodium-fosfomycin pharmacokinetics has been studied in different species after oral, intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. At present there are neither documented clinical experiences of the use of fosfomycin in pigs nor any published studies in weaning piglets, although it is a period of high incidence of infectious diseases. The pharmacokinetics and the bioavailability of sodium fosfomycin were studied in post weaning piglets after intravenous and intramuscular administration of 15 mg/kg of body weight. Plasma concentrations were measured by a high-performance liquid ms/ms. After IV administration the area under the fosfomycin concentration:time curve in plasma was AUC_(0–12) of 120.00 ± 23.12 μg h/ml and the volume of distribution (Vd) of 273.00 ± 40.70 ml/kg. The elimination was rapid with a plasma clearance of 131.50 ± 30.07 ml/kg/h and a T_1/2 of 1.54 ± 0.40 h. Peak serum concentration (C_max), T_max, AUC_(0–12) and bioavailability for the IM administration were 43.00 ± 4.10 μg/ml, 0.75 ± 0.00 h, 99.00 ± 0.70 μg h/ml and 85.5 ± 9.90% respectively. Different authors have determined a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₀) ranging from 0.25 μg/ml for Streptococcus sp. and 0.5 μg/ml for Escherichia coli. Considering the above, and according to the values of plasma concentration vs time profiles observed in this study, effective plasma concentrations of fosfomycin for sensitive bacteria can be obtained following IV and IM administration of 15 mg/kg in piglets.     

Separation by carrier-free electrophoresis of subpopulations of bovine alveolar macrophages

Carrier-free electrophoresis was used to separate subpopulations of bovine alveolar macrophages according to their electrical surface charges. The electrophoretic mobility of the macrophages changed significantly as a function of the time of cultivation in vitro. After 20 h, three subgroups were identified which differed in their specific contents of lysosomal hydrolases, alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase, and alkaline phosphodiesterase. By comparing the findings with results from the literature it was concluded that the subgroups correspond to different stages of maturation and that the fraction moving fastest may be the most mature fraction. The results were not influenced by phagocytosis and the presence or absence of Ca2+.     

The effect of granulosa cells on maturation, fertilization and cleavage in vitro

Addition of granulosa cells (GC) (1.10(6)/ml) affected maturation of non-ovulatory oocytes of cattle and caused delay in nuclear maturation (60.8 versus 35.3 or 37.1 percent). In vitro use of pre-incubated GC in the process of maturation led to higher rates of fertilisation (49.4 versus 25.2 or 21.0 percent) and of cleavage (29.6 versus 13.3 or 9.1 percent). No explanation has yet been found for different oocyte behaviours in response to use of fresh or pre-incubated GC. Transfer of seven embryos from maturation with GC as well as in vitro fertilisation and development to four recipients resulted in the birth of one female calf.