Fertility of stallion spermatozoa isolated on albumin gradients

Fertility of stallion semen extended with bovine serum albumin (BSA) sucrose extender or cream-gelatin extender was compared. Pregnancy rates were 95% of 47 mares and 86% of 46 mares inseminated with BSA-sucrose and creamgelatin extended semen, respectively. Foaling rates and cycles per conception were not significantly different between treatment groups.Semen from 5 mature stallions was used in an attempt to isolate a population of highly motile spermatozoa. Immediately following collection, samples were evaluated for motility and forward movement. Seven to 10 ml of semen, extended 1:1 with BSA-sucrose extender, were pipetted onto BSA medium separation columns. After 1 hour incubation at 37°C, the top, middle and bottom layers were separately withdrawn from each separation column and pooled, respectively. A marked decrease (P<.001) was noted in the mean motility of spermatozoa in the top layer (35%) as compared to the mean pre-incubation motility (59%). Spermatozoa from middle and bottom layers were significantly (P<.001) more motile (70.6 and 87%) than those from the top layer and pre-incubation samples. Rate of forward movement (RFM) of spermatozoa in lower fractions was higher (P<.001) than RFM of spermatozoa in the top layer. Concentration of spermatozoa decreased (P<.001) as the concentration of BSA in the medium increased.     

Effects of insulation on the temperature within farrowing huts and the weaning weights of piglets reared on a commercial outdoor pig unit

The air temperatures inside uninsulated and insulated huts were recorded on an outdoor pig unit in the south of England between September 1997 and September 1998, and the herd's production parameters were also recorded. During the summer the temperatures inside some of the uninsulated huts exceeded 45 degrees C, but the temperatures inside the insulated huts were lower and fluctuated less. Despite the high temperatures, the weaning weight of piglets reared in the uninsulated huts were often higher than those of the piglets reared in the insulated huts, possibly as a result of the higher mortality of small piglets in the uninsulated huts, especially during the winter. The weaning weights of the piglets were higher during the summer.     

Monensin toxicity in cattle

Monensin has been tested to determine its toxicity and safety in cattle. Single dose acute toxicity and signs associated with toxicity were determined by oral gavage, 7-d oral gavage and feeding experiments with high concentrations of monensin in feed. Oral feeding studies indicated a near complete anorexia resulting from intake of sublethal amounts of monensin. In these cases, cattle recovered from the insulting dose and resumed growth and feed intake. In long-term chronic feedlot, pasture supplement, and reproduction safety studies conducted with monensin administered in the feed, the high concentrations caused cattle to show signs of mild monensin intoxication. Mortality resulted from feeding groups of cattle large quantities of monensin in small quantities of feed. Furthermore, these studies have demonstrated no detrimental effects upon reproduction. Collectively, these studies indicate that the greatest risk of intoxication occurs when cattle first receive a feed containing monensin. Mixing errors and misuse situations under actual use conditions have resulted in cases of cattle mortality. In most cases the mortality was predictable based upon the exposure in controlled studies.     

Phylogenetic characterisation of bluetongue viruses from naturally-infected insects, cattle and sheep in Australia

SUMMARY The polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of blue-tongue virus (BTV) in a number of clinical and insect samples collected in the Northern Territory of Australia. Sequence analyses of the amplified BTV genes differentiated endemic Australian and exotic viruses. Two potential exotic BTV were detected as a result of PCR analyses of blood from sentinel animals and of the insect vector, Culicoides wadai. The detection of BTV in C wadai was the first direct demonstration of the presence of BTV in this potential vector. This new technology can significantly reduce the time taken for a diagnosis from a clinical sample and increase the amount of useful information obtained on a BTV isolate by using rapid sequencing techniques. Sequence data were used to differentiate between BTV20 isolated in 1975 and two isolates of the same serotype, isolated in 1992, and indicated that the latter were probably a recent incursion into Australia from Indonesia due to their greater VP3 sequence homology to the BTV9 (Java) than to Australian BTV isolates.     

Plasma aldosterone and electrolyte concentrations in exercising thoroughbred horses fed two diets in summer and winter

In a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment conducted in summer, eight mature Thoroughbred horses received two diets, control and fat-supplemented, and were exercised at two fitness levels designed to increase daily digestible energy (DE) requirements to approximately 150% (fitness level I) and 200% (fitness level II) of maintenance. In a second experiment during the winter, horses received the two diets in a switchback design and exercised at fitness level II. After 3 wk adaptation to treatments, feed and fecal samples were collected and horses galloped a standardized exercise test (SET) designed to increase the heart rate above 185 bpm for 1200 m. Vital signs were monitored and blood samples were obtained. Feed intake increased as fitness level increased (P < .05). Horses on the fat-supplemented diet required less feed (P < .05) to meet the energy requirements at a given fitness level. Daily DE intake was higher (P < .05) for the horses exercised at fitness level II to meet the increased metabolic demands. Heart rate, respiration rate and rectal temperature all increased (P < .05) with exercise. No treatment effects were found for heart rate (P >. 10) or rectal temperature (P > .30). Horses exercised in the winter had lower (P < .05) respiration rates, indicative of less problems dissipating excess body heat. Plasma aldosterone concentrations increased (P < .05) with exercise, corresponding to an increase in plasma K concentrations. Horses exercised in the summer exhibited higher (P < .05) plasma aldosterone concentrations than horses worked in the winter. Plasma CI and Na concentrations did not change (P > .30) with any treatment or exercise, indicating that the horses were not sufficiently stressed to induce any significant dehydration.     

Growth and feed utilization by yearling horses fed added dietary fat

Twenty-four yearlings were used to evaluate the efficacy of feeding feed-grade fat to growing horses. All horses were started on trial at 13-months-of-age and were fed for 112 days. The experimental diets, containing similar nutrient-to-calorie ratios, were: 1) control (no added fat; 2) 5% added fat and; 3) 10% added fat. There was a trend for yearlings fed the 10% added fat diet to grow faster and eat less feed than those on the control diet. Data from this study indicate that feed-grade fat can be safely fed to growing horses. Feeding fat to yearlings stimulated growth and efficiency of feed utilization initially, but these effects were not maintained as the yearlings grew toward maturity.     

Evaluation of bovine viral diarrhea virus uptake by preimplantation embryos

Bovine embryos were exposed to bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus in vitro. An uptake of BVD virus by the embryos could not be detected by several assay systems. A significant decrease in the titer of BVD virus was found to occur when the virus was incubated in saline solution + 5% goat serum or minimal essential medium + 5% goat serum for 24 hours at 37 C. Since there was significant inactivation of the BVD virus during the incubation period, lack of viral infectivity of the embryos may have been due to adverse effects of the experimental environmental conditions on the virus or the embryos or upon viral-embryo interaction.     

Meal size and feeding frequency influence serum leptin concentration in yearling horses

Energy is an essential nutrient for all horses, and it is especially important in performance horses, pregnant and lactating mares, and young growing horses. A negative energy balance in horses such as these may result in unsatisfactory performance, decreased fertility, or slow growth. Therefore, ensuring adequate energy intake is an important aspect of the nutritional management of the equine. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of feeding large, carbohydrate-rich, concentrate meals on the satiety-inducing hormone, leptin. Three groups of yearling horses were rotated through 3 feeding schedules in a replicated 3x3 Latin square design. Horses were fed 2, 3, or 4 times per day (2x, 3x, and 4xfeeding schedules, respectively), each for a period of 11 d, with the total amount of daily feed held constant. Horses were weighed and BCS was determined on the first day of each period. Blood samples were collected before the morning meal on d 1, 4, and 7 of each period. Additionally, blood was sampled for the last 24 h of the 2xand 4xdietary periods. Neither weight nor BCS changed during the study (P = 0.99 and P = 0.28, respectively). Both mean and peak plasma glucose were greatest in 2xhorses (P < 0.05), as were mean areas under the curve. Serum leptin concentration increased in 2xhorses (P < 0.05), but not in horses fed 3 or 4 times daily. Leptin was elevated in horses with greater BCS (P < 0.05) and increased steadily throughout the study (P < 0.05). Data from the 24-h collection indicated that 2xhorses had fluctuations in leptin production throughout the day (P < 0.05), whereas horses fed 4 times daily did not. Overall, this study indicates that feeding horses 2 large concentrate meals daily can increase mean serum leptin concentrations and may cause fluctuations in leptin production over a 24-h period. This departure from baseline leptin concentration has the potential to affect appetite, along with numerous other physiological processes.