Zum Einfluß von Ameisensäure,Calciumformiat und Natriumhydrogencarbonat auf die Keimzahlen der Mikroflora und deren Zusammensetzung in verschiedenen Segmenten des Gastrointestinaltraktes

Insgesamt 48 Kreuzungsferkel (DL × P) wurden nach einem Wachstumsversuch von 42 Tagen geschlachtet und der Inhalt von Duodenum, Jejunum, Ileum, Caecum und Colon auf mögliche Veränderungen der Keimzahlen von Laktobazillen/Bifidobakterien, Eubacteria, Bacteroidaceae, E. coli und Enterokokken untersucht. Als Zulagen wurden dem Futter neben einer Kontrollgruppe 1,25% Ameisensäure oder äquivalent im Säureanionengehalt 1,8% Calciumformiat (Cafo) zugelegt. Diese drei Behandlungen wurden zudem ohne bzw. mit 2% Natriumhydrogencarbonat (Puffer) versehen. Der Puffer sollte die pH-Wert-Absenkung der Ameisensäure wieder ausgleichen. Durch den Zusatz von 1,25% Ameisensäure und 1,8% Cafo wurden im Duodenum und Jejunum die Keimzahlen der Bacteroidaceae und E. coli signifikant gesenkt. Im Jejunum hatte Ameisensäure zudem verminderte Eubacteria-Keimzahlen zur Folge. Der Zusatz von Puffer I führte im Duodenum und Jejunum stets zu höheren Keimzahlen, unabhängig davon, ob er zur Kontrollration, Cafo- oder Ameisensäure-Behandlung zugelegt wurde. Im Ileuminhalt wies die Ameisensäure-Gruppe von allen Spezies die niedrigsten Keimzahlen auf. Die E. coli-Keime waren auch in der Cafo- sowie der gepufferten Ameisensäure-Gruppe nominell reduziert. Im Caecum und Colon konnten gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe keine signifikanten Veränderungen in den Keimzahlen festgestellt werden. Allgemein lagen jedoch die Laktobazillen/Bifidobakterien, Eubacteria, Bacteroidaceae und E. coli-Keime in der Ameisensäure- und Cafo-Gruppe jeweils in geringeren Keimzahlen vor.     

Evaluation of the Karras Spermdensimeter in Relation to the Neubauer Counting Chamber for Sperm Concentration Measurement in Boar Semen

The correct measurement of spermatic concentration in boar semen is one of the basic tasks routinely performed at the Swine Artificial Insemination Center (CIAS). This article explains two experiments whose objectives were: Experiment 1: This trial had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the precision of the spermdensimeter (SPM) with relation to the Neubauer count chamber (CN) which is considered the standard technique in the field and (2) to correct the scale on the SPM table. Experiment 2: This trial also had two objectives: (1) to evaluate the time and repetitions required in the SPM and (2) to compare the SPM adjusted table produced in Expt 1 with the SPM standard table. The methods in Expt 1 were used to measure total spermatic concentration in 141 boar ejaculates. The average spermatic concentrations (10(6) spermatozoids/ml) and average dose number were 229.1 and 22.6 for CN, and 283.6 and 28.0 for SPM. These results indicate that the SPM has a tendency to overestimate spermatic concentration with relation to the CN. The SPM produced a smaller coefficient of variation and needed lesser examination time than the CN (p < 0.05). The SPM adjusted table created in Expt 1 produced similar results as the SPM and CN standard tables (2.96 billion live spermatozoids/dose vs 2.36 billion live spermatozoids/dose). Incorporation and evaluation of supplemental data from other CIAS regarding the use of the SPM adjusted table in the field entitled 'Adjusted Table for Karras Spermdensimeter LPS-FMVZ-USP' would be valuable to prove its efficiency.     

The 2011 South Dakota Equitarian Survey and Comparative Analysis of Equine Welfare on a South Dakota Native American Reservation

Economic stress and geographic isolation are barriers to proper veterinary care for horses on Native American reservations. The 2011 South Dakota (SD) Equitarian Survey was distributed to 135 equine veterinarians in SD to detect perceptions of effectiveness and best methodologies for improving reservation equine welfare. There was a positive correlation (P < .005) between the perceived importance and effectiveness of increased veterinary access and the importance of free care and owner knowledge in changing the health and welfare of SD’s reservation equine population. Thirty-nine percent of respondents claimed to have an interest in providing help for reservation equines; those with no veterinary experience on reservations tended not to have interest (P = .05). Previous experience practicing on a reservation impacted how crucial they believed horse owner knowledge or awareness was in changing the health and welfare of reservation equines (P < .04). The most commonly noted health threat and strength were poor nutrition and the absence of internal disease, respectively. In a subsequent analysis, 299 horses on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation were observed for welfare indicators and divided into groups by use: saddle, production, bucking stock, and performance. Average body condition score was 5 of 9 and did not differ between the four groups. Coat (P < .001) and hoof (P < .007) conditions varied between groups, with optimal conditions in the performance and saddle horse groups, respectively. Variable hoof, coat, and vaccination practices among the groups of reservation equines present an opportunity for health care education and welfare improvement.