Genetic structure and diversity among sheep breeds in the United States: identification of the major gene pools

Understanding existing levels of genetic diversity of sheep breeds facilitates in situ and ex situ conservation activities. A comprehensive evaluation of US sheep breeds has not been previously performed; therefore, we evaluated the genetic diversity among and within 28 US sheep breeds. Both major and minor breeds were included in the analysis and consisted of 666 animals from 222 producers located in 38 states. The level of within-breed genetic diversity was variable and not dependent upon status of a breed as a major or minor breed. Bayesian cluster analysis indicated the breeds were grouped more by physiological differences (meat vs. wool production) rather than geographic origin. Results suggest several actionable items to improve in situ and ex situ conservation. The results clearly identify breeds in need of increased in situ and ex situ management (e.g., Hog Island and Karakul) and allow several suggestions for in situ management of flocks. Conversely, several of the breeds appear genetically similar and therefore require less emphasis on collecting germplasm samples for the gene bank. Commercially important breeds (e.g., Rambouillet and Suffolk) were found to have substantial variation, which should enable breeders to proceed, unencumbered by genetic diversity concerns, with selection strategies that maximize profit.     

Effect of reducing dietary mineral content on growth performance, water intake, excreta dry matter content and blood parameters of broilers

1. The objective of this study was to investigate whether it is possible to reduce phosphorus (P) excretion by feeding a lower level of dietary P than that currently recommended, without compromising welfare, and whether this is sensitive to the level of dietary calcium (Ca). 2. A randomised complete block design was used with a total of 224 1-d-old male chicks of a commercial genotype in two batches. Chicks had a 10-d adaptation period. After this, they were moved to cages and allocated to one of 4 dietary treatments (4 and 3 birds per cage in batch 1 and 2, respectively). A standard level of Ca and P (8.3 and 6.6 g/kg, respectively) was compared with three lower levels of Ca (7.3, 6.3 and 5.3 g/kg) all at the same reduced level of P (5.5 g/kg). Records were made of live weight of birds on an individual basis and feed and water consumption on a cage basis. Every 7 d, the dry matter (DM) content of a sample of mixed excreta from each cage was measured. Birds were slaughtered and samples taken for analysis of plasma mineral content, retention of N, Ca and P and tibia bone strength. 3. The initial reduction in dietary mineral level did not adversely affect performance or bone strength. However, decreasing dietary Ca level below 7.3 g/kg, at constant P, led to reduced feed consumption and bone strength. Dietary treatment had no significant overall effect on water intake, water : feed ratio, excreta DM content, Ca and P retention or metabolisability of DM. There was no significant correlation between mean plasma Ca or P level and DM content of rectal digesta. 4. In conclusion, reducing dietary P from 6.6 to 5.5 g/kg to reduce potential environmental impact of broiler production had an adverse effect on bird welfare when the level of Ca was reduced below 7.3 g/kg, as a result of decreased feed intake in the early growth period and reduced skeletal strength.     

Congenital ocular anomalies and ventricular septal defect in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A 5-wk-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was clinically diagnosed with bilateral corneal dermoids, incomplete congenital cataracts, a left persistent hyaloid artery (PHA), and a ventricular septal defect (VSD). The corneal dermoids were removed by lamellar keratectomy, and vision improved in the left eye. Thirteen months after dermoid surgery, the calf was presented for enlargement of the right eye. Glaucoma was confirmed in the right eye, and corneal fibrosis and cataract were noted in the left eye. Persistence of the VSD was confirmed by cardiac ultrasonography. The calf was euthanized, and necropsy findings confirmed VSD. Histopathologic examination revealed bilateral corneal thinning and fibrosis, cataracts with retrolental fibroplasia, and retinal dysplasia. Additional changes in the right globe were anterior segment dysgenesis, ruptured lens capsule, chronic phacoclastic uveitis, and retinal separation. The PHA was confirmed in the left eye.     

Effects of thyroxine and growth hormone treatment of dairy cows on milk yield, cardiac output and mammary blood flow

Four cows received thyroxine injections (T4; 20 mg/d) and three cows received growth hormone injections (GH; 44 mg/d) for 4 d during successive 16-d experimental periods. Measurement was made of milk yield, protein yield, mammary tyrosine and phenylalanine uptake, blood plasma hormone concentrations, mammary blood flow and cardiac output. Milk yield increased by 25% with T4 and 21% with GH treatment. Milk protein content tended to decline during T4 treatment and increase following GH treatment. Cardiac output increased by 8.9 liter/min (20%) and 4.6 liter/min (10%) with T4 and GH injection. Mammary blood flow (half-udder) increased from 3.6 to 4.9 liter/min (35%) and from 3.3 to 4.4 liter/min (33%) with T4 and GH treatment, respectively. These increases calculated on a whole-udder basis, accounted for 28% (T4) and 48% (GH) of the increases in cardiac output. The proportion of cardiac output perfusing the (whole) udder increased to 19.1% (T4) and 18.7% (GH), increases of 17 and 30%, respectively. Heart rate increased with T4 (but not GH treatment) from 80 to 115/min. Ratio of blood flow to milk yield was not changed by either treatment. The proportion of cardiac output perfusing the udder likely plays a major role in facilitating the partitioning of nutrients for milk synthesis.     

Detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Infection in Pigs

It is difficult to control the spread of porcine haemophilus pleuropneumonia caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae because there is no sensitive and specific way to accurately determine whether or not a pig herd is infected. This paper reports bacteriological and serological techniques used to detect A. pleuropneumoniae infection in pigs from a herd with endemic disease.

The bacteria were isolated from the anterior nasal mucosa of grower pigs, but not from younger or older pigs. Bacteriological culture of several tissues from the respiratory tract showed that nine of ten young finishing pigs were infected, but culture of lung tissue from slaughtered hogs detected infection in only 39 of 288 (13.5%). Both cooler storage temperature and use of selective medium prolonged the time that lung tissue could be stored and the organism still recovered. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detected serotype-specific antibodies in serum of infected pigs.