Ventral midline caesarean section for dystocia secondary to failure to dilate the cervix in three alpacas

Three alpacas that presented with dystocia characterised by failure of the cervix to dilate, underwent caesarean section. Surgery on each animal was performed through a ventral midline incision under general anaesthesia. Two live crias were delivered and one cria was dead at delivery. All three alpacas had retained foetal membranes for a period of 12 h to 4 d and one developed uterine prolapse, which was replaced using sedation and epidural anaesthesia. There were no complications associated with the surgical procedure and all three alpacas went on to have confirmed pregnancies. Caesarean section through a ventral midline incision should be considered an alternative for treatment of difficult dystocias in alpacas.     

Variation in the colour of broiler breast fillets in the UK

1. The normal range in colour of broiler breast muscle was assessed using an objective (instrumental) measure of colour in portioned breast fillets at a commercial processing plant. In addition, the relationship between colour and ultimate muscle pH (pH(ult)) was also examined. 2. Considerable variation in colour was evident although minimal inter-flock variation was found. The exceptions were 2 free range flocks which produced breast fillets significantly lighter and less red. 3. Extremes of colour are likely to be discriminated against at the point of purchase. 4. A clear relationship between pH(ult) and L* values was found which provides more evidence for the existence of a PSE like condition in broiler breast meat.     

Further assessment of the dietary lysine requirement of finishing gilts

A cooperative research study involving 635 gilts was conducted at eight research stations to further estimate the lysine requirement of finishing gilts. Dietary crude protein levels of the five dietary treatments ranged from 16.0 to 24.4% with calculated lysine levels of .80, .95, 1.10, 1.25, or 1.40%. Each station contributed a minimum of two replicate pens of pigs per treatment. Average initial and final weights were 53.6 and 116.4 kg, respectively. At the end of the experimental period, pigs were killed and hot carcass weight, 10th-rib fat depth, and longissimus muscle area were measured. Carcass fat-free lean percentage and fat-free lean gain were estimated from these data. Daily lysine intakes averaged 21.8, 25.9, 30.5, 34.3, and 37.8 g/d for the five treatment groups, respectively. Increasing the dietary lysine from .80 to .95% numerically increased weight gain and gain:feed, but these increases were not maintained at higher levels of dietary lysine. Overall, rate and efficiency of gain decreased (cubic, P < .01) with increasing dietary lysine. Carcasses were leaner at the two higher levels of dietary lysine as evidenced by reduced 10th rib backfat (linear, P < .01), increased longissimus area (quadratic, P < .04), and increased percentage of estimated fat-free lean (linear, P < .01). Carcass fat-free lean gain was not influenced by dietary lysine except for a small numerical improvement (P < .11) at the .95% level of dietary lysine that paralleled the improvement in body weight gain. The results indicate that the dietary lysine requirement of finishing gilts with a mean carcass fat-free lean growth rate of 306 g/d from 54 to 116 kg body weight is probably no higher than .80% of the diet to achieve maximum rate and efficiency of body weight gain and carcass lean growth rate. The results also indicate that higher dietary lysine levels may increase carcass leanness in finishing gilts, possibly due to reduced intake of NE. Whether this response is due to the effects of lysine alone, protein (i.e., other amino acids), or soybean meal is unknown.     

Metabolize methionine and lysine requirements of growing cattle

Two growth studies were conducted to determine the Met and Lys requirements of growing cattle. In each 84-d trial, steer calves were fed individually diets containing 44% sorghum silage, 44% corn cobs, and 12% supplement (DM basis) at an equal percentage of BW. In Trial 1, 95 crossbred steers (251 kg) were supplemented with urea or meat and bone meal (MBM). Incremental amounts of rumen-protected Met were added to MBM to provide 0, .45, .9, 1.35, 3, and 6 g/d metabolizable Met. In Trial 2, 60 steers (210 kg) were supplemented with urea or corn gluten meal (CGM). Incremental amounts of rumen-protected Lys were added to CGM to provide 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 g/d metabolizable Lys. Supplementation with MBM and CGM increased the supply of metabolizable protein to the animal. Steers fed MBM plus 0 Met gained 49 g/d more than steers fed urea, whereas steers fed CGM plus 0 Lys gained 150 g/d more than steers fed urea. Supplementation of rumen-protected Met and Lys improved ADG in steers fed MBM and CGM, respectively (P < .10). Nonlinear analysis, comparing gain vs supplemental Met and Lys intake, predicted supplemental Met and Lys requirements of 2.9 and .9 g/d, respectively. This amount of additional Met promoted .13 kg/ d gain greater than MBM alone, and this amount of additional Lys promoted .10 kg/d gain greater than the CGM alone. Metabolizable Met and Lys requirements were predicted from Level 1 of NRC (1996) calculated metabolizable protein supply, amino acid analysis of abomasal contents, and the maximum response to supplemental AA. Steers gaining .39 kg/d required 11.6 g/ d Met or 3. 1% of the metabolizable protein requirement, whereas steers gaining .56 kg/d required 22.5 g/d Lys or 5.7% of the metabolizable protein requirement.     

Effects of mimosine on fiber shedding, follicle activity, and fiber regrowth in Spanish goats

Ten 2-yr-old Spanish wethers (58.2 +/- 7.21 kg BW) were used to determine effects of 2-d intravenous infusion of mimosine (beginning on January 8) on fiber shedding, follicle activity, and fiber regrowth. Primary and secondary follicle activity on d 0 were 43 +/- 6.2% and 96 +/- 1.7%, respectively. Five wethers were infused with mimosine at 120 mg/(kg BW x d) and the other five received saline. At 7 to 10 d after the start of infusion, all five goats infused with mimosine exhibited shedding, whereas shedding by controls was not observed. Cashmere fiber shedding score (5-point scale: 1 = no shedding, 5 = excessive shedding) on d 4 was greater for mimosine goats than for controls (1.2 vs 2.0; P < .001), and shedding score for wethers receiving mimosine was greater (P < .05) on d 12, 16, and 20 than on d 0 and 4 (4.1 to 4.6 vs 1.4 and 2.0). Guard hair shedding score for goats receiving mimosine was greatest (P < .01) among the days after infusion for d 12 and greater (P < .01) on d 16 than on d 0 and 4. Nonetheless, cashmere fiber yield from combed fleece of mimosine goats (average of 73%) was much greater than for a clipping of the uncombed side (average of 28%) when the cashmere fiber shedding score exceeded 4.0. Secondary follicle activity on d 12 was lower (P < .01) for mimosine than for control wethers (6.8 vs 67.7%), and secondary follicle activity for mimosine-infused goats on d 12 was lower (P < .01) than on d 0 (98.9%), 4 (98.3%), and 20 (99.5%). Mimosine infusion resulted in no detectable fiber regrowth in wk 4 to 7 after the start of infusion, but regrowth rate in the following two 4-wk periods was similar for mimosine and control wethers. In conclusion, 2-d intravenous infusion of mimosine at 120 mg/(kg BW x d) in the winter induced cashmere shedding but had less effect on guard hairs, suggesting future potential use of chemicals such as mimosine to remove cashmere fiber.     

Effects of dietary carbohydrates and buffering capacity on nutrient digestibility and manure characteristics in finishing pigs

A 2 x 3 factorial experiment was conducted with 24 finishing pigs (Yorkshire x [Finnish Landrace x Dutch Landrace]) to determine the effects of dietary buffering capacity (BC) and carbohydrate sources on apparent total tract digestibility (TD), N retention, and manure characteristics. Twelve of these pigs were fitted with steered ileo-cecal value cannulas to measure the apparent ileal digestibility (ID) of N. Experimental variables were two levels of BC (High = 600 mEq/kg and Low = 530 mEq/kg) and three dietary carbohydrates (tapioca [28%], soybean hulls [25%], and sugar beet pulp [25%]). The two levels of BC were achieved by adjusting the amounts of alkalogenic limestone and acidogenic Ca sulfate in the diet. Pigs were fed twice daily at 2.4 x maintenance requirement for metabolizable energy (418 kJ ME/BW(0.75)). Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. Feces and urine were collected over 5 d for nutrient balance and in vitro measurements of pH and ammonia emission over 7 d. No significant interactions between BC and dietary carbohydrates on the ID, TD, N retention, or manure characteristics were observed. Lowering BC with Ca sulfate did not affect digestibility of most nutrients, except for a negative impact on the TD of Ca (P = 0.015) and Mg (P = 0.003). Although all pigs receiving Ca sulfate had more acidic urine (by 0.49 pH units; P = 0.001), ammonia emission from manure was not lowered, irrespective of the carbohydrate source. Carbohydrates affected significantly the ID and TD of most nutrients, whereas N retention remained similar (P > 0.10). Urinary N:fecal N ratios in manure of pigs fed diets with tapioca, soybean hulls, and beet pulp were 2.09, 1.35, and 1.67, respectively. These ratios corresponded with in vitro ammonia emission (169, 125, and 148 mmol/7 d; P = 0.023). In conclusion, these results indicate that the acidification of urine in pigs fed Ca sulfate in the presence of NSP-rich carbohydrates was achieved. However, acidity of manure and ammonia emission were not affected. The addition of NSP from soybean hulls and(or) sugar beet pulp reduced ratios of urinary:fecal N, and thereby ammonia emission.     

Variability among sources and laboratories in analyses of wheat middlings. NCR-42 Committee on Swine Nutrition

A cooperative research study was conducted by members of a regional committee (North Central Regional Committee on Swine Nutrition [NCR-42]) to assess the variability in nutrient composition (DM, CP, Ca, P, Se, NDF, and amino acids) of 14 sources of wheat middlings from 13 states (mostly in the Midwest). A second objective was to assess the analytical variability in nutrient assays among 20 laboratories (labs; 14 experiment station labs and six commercial labs). Wheat middlings were obtained from each participating station's feed mill. The bulk density of the middlings ranged from 289 to 365 g/L. The number of labs that analyzed samples were as follows: DM and CP, 20; Ca, 16; P, 15; Se, 7; NDF, 10; and amino acids, 9. Each lab used its own analytical procedures. The middlings averaged 89.6% DM, 16.2% CP, .12% Ca, .97% P, 36.9% NDF, .53 mg/kg Se, .66% lysine, .19% tryptophan, .54% threonine, .25% methionine, .34% cystine, .50% isoleucine, and .73% valine. As expected, there was considerable variation in nutrient composition among the 14 sources (P < .01), especially for Ca (.08 to .30%) and Se (.05 to 1.07 mg/kg). "Heavy" middlings (high bulk density, >335 g/L), having a greater proportion of flour attached to the bran, were lower in CP, lysine, P, and NDF than "light" middlings (<310 g/L), having cleaner bran, resulting in negative correlations between bulk density and CP (r = -.61), lysine (r = -.59), P (r = -.54), and NDF (r = -.81). Each 1-percentage-point increase in CP in the wheat middlings was associated with .0235 (r2 = .61) and 2.1 (r2 = .39)-percentage-point increases in lysine and NDF, respectively. Lysine content was associated with NDF, CP, and bulk density of wheat middlings (r2 = .88). There was considerable variation among laboratories (P < .01) in analysis of all nutrients. The CV among sources (100 x sigmaS/mean) was greater than among labs (100 x sigmaL/mean) for CP, Ca, P, Se, and NDF, but the CV among labs was greater than that among sources for DM and all of the amino acids except lysine and phenylalanine.     

Regional brain monoamine concentrations and their alterations in bovine hypomagnesaemic tetany experimentally induced by a magnesium-deficient diet

Monoamines are important brain neurotransmitters. An investigation was carried out to determine if hypomagnesaemic tetany was associated with alterations in regional brain monoamine concentrations in bovines. The results, established in cows with normal magnesium status, demonstrated that regional differences existed in the distribution and concentration of brain monoamines in the adult bovine, which were similar to those in other species. In magnesium-deficient cows, severe hypomagnesaemia and lowered cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) magnesium concentrations were associated with significant alterations in monoamine concentrations in some brain regions. Alterations in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations in the corpus striatum, and dopamine (DA) in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum were recorded. These regions play an important role in both voluntary and involuntary motor function, and therefore these alterations may play a role in the aetiology of hypomagnesaemic tetany. However, there was no significant change in DA concentrations in the corpus striatum (the main dopaminergic region in the brain) associated with hypomagnesaemia. In addition, a significantly lower norepinephrine (NE) concentration in the corpus striatum of hypomagnesaemic animals was also recorded. Norephinephrine is generally excitatory and therefore lowered NE concentrations would be expected to result in depression rather than stimulation of motor function.     

Retrospective study of the relationships between age, inflammation and the isolation of bacteria from the lower respiratory tract of thoroughbred horses

A total of 1235 tracheal aspirates taken from 724 thoroughbreds in race training, aged from two to 10 years, were examined cytologically and bacteriologically. An inflammation scoring system on a scale of 0 to 9 was devised to allow the severity of lower airway disease to be assessed from the cytological results. The inflammation scores were closely related to the isolation of bacteria (P<0.001), and the most common bacterial isolates were Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pasteurella/Actinobacillus-like species. Lower airway disease was less common in older horses (P = 0.031), and the groups at highest risk were the two- and four-year-olds. Lower airway inflammation was more common in the four-year-olds at National Hunt yards than in the four-year-olds at flat racing yards (P = 0.040, odds ratio = 3.80).     

Interleukin-6 expression in gut of parasite challenged sheep

Following challenge with Trichosirongylus colubrifonizis, increased numbers of T-cells and immunoglobulin responses are seen in the intestine of sheep immunised by repeated infection with live worms. IL-6 mRNA expression in the small intestine from T. colubriformis-immunised and naive sheep was determined by in situ hybridisation, whereas CD4(+), IgA(+), IgG(+) cells in the gut were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. There was constitutive expression of IL-6 mRNA by cells in the naive gut, and the number of these cells was increased by parasite challenge. There were corresponding increases in numbers of CD4(+) and TCR gamma/delta(+) T-cells and IgG(+) B-cells. Our data are consistent with a role for IL-6, perhaps produced by CD4(+) and/or TCR gamma/delta(+) T-cells or B-cells, in B-cell terminal differentiation. Infiltration of B-cells, particularly IgG(+) B-cells, may reflect parasite immunity in the host.