The complex relationship between welfare and reproduction in cattle

Using reproduction parameters as indicators for cattle welfare has limitations and, at best, these parameters should only be viewed as indirect indicators of welfare. On a farm level, measures such as fertility rates emphasize biological performance of the herd but fail to consider the welfare of individual animals. Even on an individual level, the relationship between reproductive effectiveness and animal welfare is complex. Good reproductive performance does not automatically signify good welfare, as domestication and targeted breeding programmes have led to prioritization of high productive and reproductive performance in most modern farm animal species. In this review, we synthesize literature regarding cattle husbandry, reproduction, welfare and their multidimensional relationships. We argue that practices such as artificial insemination or the use of sexed semen may provide potential welfare advantages as these practices reduce the risk of disease transmission and injury or enable selection of specific beneficial traits. Furthermore, they may offer a solution to current practices jeopardizing welfare, such as the management of surplus bull calves in the dairy industry. Conversely, the animals’ ability to perform natural behaviours such as oestrous expression, an aspect arguably contributing to welfare, is often limited on commercial farms; this limitation is particularly evident in housing systems such as tie stalls where movement is restricted. Moreover, common management practices such as oestrus manipulation may lead to negative attitudes in citizens who often regard naturalness as important element of animal welfare.     

Detection of enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV) in a sheep flock in southern Brazil

Enzootic nasal tumor (ENT) is a contagious neoplasm associated with enzootic nasal tumor virus (ENTV), which may induce disease in sheep (ENTV-1) and goats (ENTV-2). This study aimed to describe the occurrence of ENT in two Texel sheep (Ovis aries) from a 75-sheep flock, located in the city of Gravataí, southern Brazil. Animals used to be purchased from different origins, and no specific tests for disease monitoring or quarantine procedure were performed. Affected animals presented respiratory distress, anorexia with severe weight loss, and mucopurulent unilateral nasal discharge. Necropsy was performed in both animals and nasal cavity masses were observed. Histopathological analysis demonstrated an epithelial neoplasm compatible with nasal adenocarcinoma. PCR using a protocol that amplifies a 591 bp sequence of 5’LTR-gag region of ENTV1 was performed followed by DNA sequencing. Both samples were positive, and the sequences obtained presented highest identity (97%) with ENTV strain TN28 (GenBank accession number MH899613) detected in a Texel sheep from Scotland. This is the first report of ENTV-1 leading to enzootic nasal tumor in sheep in Latin America, which confirms the presence of the retrovirus in sheep flocks in the Brazilian territory.

     

Utility of two‐view vs. three‐view abdominal radiography in canines presenting with acute abdominal signs

There are clear differences in the normal radiographic appearance of the abdominal organs between a left lateral vs. a right lateral view. While a few veterinary academic institutions have transitioned to a three‐view abdominal radiographic study protocol, obtaining only two views of the canine abdomen remains the current standard in veterinary medicine. In this combined retrospective and prospective, case‐controlled study, 48 canine patients presenting with signs of acute abdomen were recruited. Four board‐certified veterinary radiologists and four general practice veterinarians with greater than 3 years of experience in small animal practice were asked to determine if 10 predetermined findings were present within the set of images and if surgery was recommended based on those findings. Image readers were unaware of the clinical history. Three‐view studies did not yield statistically significantly greater accuracy than two‐view studies when evaluating all readers together. No statistically significant associations between the availability of the third view and increased accuracy or confidence were found in evaluations of general practitioners specifically. Evaluation of three‐view radiographic examination, as compared to two‐view examination, did not have perceived or statistically significantly increased diagnostic utility. Based on our findings, there is no statistically increased utility to justify a standard three‐view abdominal radiographic examination over a two‐view study for canines presenting with signs of acute abdomen.     

Trends in the quality and hygiene parameters of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk: A three year study

Buffalo milk represents an indispensable source of nourishment in many parts of the world and it is the second most consumed milk worldwide. Buffalo milk is actually used for the production of many dairy products such as pasteurized or concentrated milk, butter, yogurt, ice‐cream, dehydrated milk products and cheeses. Due to its high nutritional value and the presence of natural bioactive substances, buffalo milk can also provide health benefits to consumers. In Italy, buffalo milk is used mainly for cheese making, mozzarella PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), which is a highly valued dairy product. This 3‐year study, carried out between 2011 and 2013, was aimed at evaluating the quality of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo milk by monitoring physico‐chemical parameters, somatic cell and total bacterial counts. A total of 51 samples of bulk milk were collected from one herd throughout the monitored period. Analysis of variance, carried out to test month, season and year main effects, highlighted remarkable seasonal effects for fat, protein and lactose content, as well as for predicted mozzarella cheese yield, and somatic cell counts. The calculation of simple correlations allowed the identification of positive correlations between estimated cheese yield and fat and protein content.     

Catheter-induced urethral trauma in cats with urethral obstruction

Fifteen cats were evaluated with urethral obstruction. Penile trauma by catheterization was the major indication for perineal urethrostomy. Ten cats had developed a urethral stricture and five had rupture of the urethra following medical management. All cats had abnormalities in penis and/or prepuce and/or scrotal sacs including hyperemia or swelling. Perineal urethrostomy was performed in all cases and they were evaluated for 6 months after surgery. Few complications were noted. Urinary tract infection was the most frequent complication observed. The clients considered their cats to have a good quality of life following surgery.     

Sperm cryopreservation of tiete tetra Brycon insignis (Characiformes): effects of cryoprotectants,extenders, thawing temperatures and activating agents on motility features

The aim of this study was to test the effects of cryoprotectants [dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and methylglycol], extenders (0.9% NaCl, 5% glucose, Beltsville Thawing Solution^? and Merck III^?), thawing temperatures (30 and 60 °C) and activating agents (0.29% NaCl and 1% NaHCO₃) on the cryopreservation process of tiete tetra Brycon insignis sperm. Sperm was loaded in 0.5 mL straws, frozen in nitrogen vapour at ?170 °C and stored in liquid nitrogen. Post‐thaw sperm quality was evaluated in terms of subjective motility rate, quality motility score (0=no movement; 5=rapidly swimming spermatozoa), duration of motility and vitality (eosin–nigrosin staining). Post‐thaw sperm motility rate was greater in methylglycol (76–88%), compared with DMSO (23–59%). In general, the highest quality motility scores were observed when sperm was thawed at 30 °C and triggered in 1% NaHCO₃ (3.5–4.3). Duration of motility was longer when triggered in 1% NaHCO₃ (95–120 s) compared with 0.29% NaCl (69–107 s). Sperm vitality was not affected by any of the parameters tested and varied from 51% to 69% intact sperm. Brycon insignis sperm frozen in methylglycol combined with any of the extenders tested and using the methods described above yields motility above 57% and that should last long enough to fertilize oocytes.     

Influence of environmental conditions on the reproductive success and recruitment of the Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi (southwestern Atlantic Ocean)

The Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi represents the dominant demersal fish and one of the main fisheries in the Argentine Sea. We analyzed over 17 years (September 1997–February 2015) of satellite surface chlorophyll concentration (CHL) and sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) data in the main spawning (SUB) and nursery (SJG) areas of the Patagonian stock of M. hubbsi. The variability observed in these environmental conditions was related to interannual differences in the reproductive success of hake. CHL values were maximum during austral spring (October–November) and minimum during winter (June–August). Blooms started in late September and lasted on average 128 and 110 days at SUB and SJG, respectively. At SUB, average CHL at the time of reproduction, the day of occurrence of the maximum chlorophyll concentration, and fall SST anomalies were significantly related to recruitment (R_VPA) a year later and to two Larval Survival Indices (LSI_SSB and LSI_TEP) considered. At SJG, R_VPA, LSI_SSB, and LSI_TEP showed negative correlations with fall (March–May) SSTA. Total egg production was not related to fall SSTA or spring phytoplankton dynamics at SUB or SJG. Significant positive trends were observed in the time series of CHL and SSTA in the study area. The trends observed in CHL represent average increases of 40.7% and 35.7% since 1997 at SUB and SJG, respectively. The potential implications of long‐term changes in environmental conditions for hake reproductive success are discussed.     

Putting the pieces together: Recent growth,nutritional condition,and mortality of Engraulis anchoita larvae in the Southwest Atlantic

Dynamics of clupeiform fish populations such as anchovy are frequently impacted by environmental variations which can affect the success of the species recruitment. Herein, we have analyzed recent otolith growth rate, RNA/DNA nutritional condition index (sRD), and mortality rate of argentine anchovy larvae Engraulis anchoita from three different nursery areas in the Southwest Atlantic. We have evaluated the relationship between the environmental variables (abundance of copepod nauplii, temperature, chlorophyll‐a concentration, and abundance of E. anchoita larvae) and larval endogenous variables (size, weight, age, and otolith radius) to sRD and recent growth rate. Fast larval growth rates were observed toward the northern sector of the studied area, characterized by higher temperature. High values of sRD were associated with higher nauplii abundance in the proximity of coastal fronts. The larvae with the lowest growths and lowest minimum values of nutritional condition coincided with the area where there was less abundance of nauplii and higher larval mortality. Larval size and nauplii abundance were positive explanatory factors for both recent growth rate and sRD index. Temperature had a positive effect on recent growth rate and a negative effect on sRD index. This condition index was poorly explained in terms of model fit in comparison with the growth model. The results herein provided could be significant to better understand the recruitment of the species, as to determining favorable areas for the growth and survival of anchovy larvae.     

Autochthonous probiotic as growth promoter and immunomodulator for Astyanax bimaculatus cultured in water recirculation system

This work aimed to evaluate the probiotic Lactobacillus spp. in the microbiota of Astyanax bimaculatus reared in a water recirculation system. The experiment was randomized, using 800 postlarvae distributed into eight polyethylene containers, separated into two treatments, in quadruplicate: supplementation with Lactobacillus spp. (Probiotic) and no supplementation (Control). After 90 days of culture, 13 fish per container were anaesthetized. Three of these underwent microbiological evaluation, and haematological analyses were carried out on five. Immunological assessment was performed on another five fish. Zootechnical parameters were evaluated for all animals. In the microbiological evaluation, the probiotic group presented higher counts of lactic acid bacteria, but lower counts of Vibrio spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Staphylococcus spp., when compared with control. After haematological analysis, the supplemented group presented low haematimetric indices of Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCHC and MCH, respectively) and higher amounts of total leucocytes, thrombocytes and circulating monocytes when compared with control. The immunological profile did not differ between treatments. In the zootechnical performance, probiotic group presented higher productivity, survival and apparent food efficiency when compared with control. Therefore, when Lactobacillus spp. was supplemented in the diet of A. bimaculatus, immunocompetence and the zootechnical performance of animals increased.     

Relationships between individual movement,trophic position and growth of juvenile pike (Esox lucius)

Variation in movement between individuals can have important ecological effects on populations and ecosystems, yet the factors driving differences in movement and their consequences remain poorly understood. Here, individual variability in the movements of juvenile (age 0 +  and 1 +  year) pike Esox lucius was assessed using passive integrated transponder (PIT) telemetry in off‐channel nursery areas over a 26‐ month period. Differences in the movement patterns of individuals were tested against their body sizes, ages, growth rates and trophic positions using data collected through a combination of catch‐and‐release sampling and stable isotope analyses. Results revealed that variation in movement between individuals was affected by age, with 1 +  individuals moving more than individuals of age 0 + , but not length. Individuals whose TP was low on their initial capture event moved significantly less than those with a higher initial TP. Individuals that moved more grew faster and achieved a higher final TP. These results suggest that higher activity (i.e., increased movement) increases resource acquisition that enhances growth rates, which could ultimately maximise individual performances.