Dermatosparaxis in two White Dorper lambs

Abstract

CASE HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: Two White Dorper lambs from the North Island of New Zealand, 2 and 4 weeks of age, were presented with large skin flaps hanging from the flanks, separation of skin from the subcutis over mobile joints, and de-gloving injuries of the limbs and tail. The lambs were subject to euthanasia on humane grounds.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Large skin tears with associated haemorrhage, periarticular S/C oedema and generalised skin fragility were observed in both lambs at post-mortem examination. Histology of the affected skin revealed diffuse hyalinisation of dermal collagen compared with control lambs, protein-filled peri-adnexal clefts and areas of deep dermal and S/C granulation tissue consistent with previous separation of skin from the subcutis. Analysis of hair follicles, collected from one of the lambs, using a commercially available genetic test in Australia was consistent with the lamb being homozygous for the mutation responsible for ovine dermatosparaxis.

DIAGNOSIS: Likely dermatosparaxis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings strongly suggest that the mutation responsible for dermatosparaxis in White Dorper sheep is present in New Zealand. Dermatosparaxis should be considered when investigating skin fragility in lambs with White Dorper genetics. Confirmation of the disorder is possible through genetic analysis of hair follicles.     

In vivo measurement of flatulence and nutrient digestibility in dogs fed poultry by-product meal, conventional soybean meal, and low-oligosaccharide low-phytate soybean meal

OBJECTIVE: To determine an optimal window for determining peak flatulence and evaluate the effects of oligosaccharides and supplemental beta-mannanase in soybean meal-based diets on nutrient availability and flatulence. ANIMALS: 6 dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were used in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments in a 6 x 6 Latin square experiment to evaluate the digestibility, flatulence, and fecal odor metabolites of low-oligosaccharide low-phytate soybean meal (LLM), conventional soybean meal (SBM), and poultry by-product (PBP) meal diets with or without supplemental beta-mannanase (5 g/kg). RESULTS: Enzyme supplementation had no effect on total tract dry matter (DM), nitrogen digestibility, or digestible energy; however, differences between protein sources did exist for total tract DM digestibility and digestible energy. The PBP meal had higher DM digestibility and digestible energy (mean, 0.913 and 4,255 cal/g), compared with soy-based diets (mean, 0.870 and 4,049 cal/g). No differences were detected for any treatment regardless of protein source or addition of supplemental enzyme for any flatulence components analyzed. No differences were detected for all fecal odor metabolites regardless of addition of supplemental enzyme; however, differences between protein sources were detected. The PBP meal had lower concentrations of carboxylic acids and esters and higher concentrations of heterocycles, phenols, thio and sulfides, ketones, alcohols, and indoles than LLM and SBM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diets containing < 22.4 g of stachyose/kg and < 2 g of raffinose/kg did not alter digestibility or increase flatulence in dogs.     

Compatibility between livestock databases used for quantitative biosecurity response in New Zealand

AIM: To characterise New Zealand's livestock biosecurity databases, and investigate their compatibility and capacity to provide a single integrated data source for quantitative outbreak analysis.

METHODS: Contemporary snapshots of the data in three national livestock biosecurity databases, AgriBase, FarmsOnLine (FOL) and the National Animal Identification and Tracing Scheme (NAIT), were obtained on 16 September, 1 September and 30 April 2014, respectively, and loaded into a relational database. A frequency table of animal numbers per farm was calculated for the AgriBase and FOL datasets. A two dimensional kernel density estimate was calculated for farms reporting the presence of cattle, pigs, deer, and small ruminants in each database and the ratio of farm densities for AgriBase versus FOL calculated. The extent to which records in the three databases could be matched and linked was quantified, and the level of agreement amongst them for the presence of different species on properties assessed using Cohen's kappa statistic.

RESULTS: AgriBase contained fewer records than FOL, but recorded animal numbers present on each farm, whereas FOL contained more records, but captured only presence/absence of animals. The ratio of farm densities in AgriBase relative to FOL for pigs and deer was reasonably homogeneous across New Zealand, with AgriBase having a farm density approximately 80% of FOL. For cattle and small ruminants, there was considerable heterogeneity, with AgriBase showing a density of cattle farms in the Central Otago region that was 20% of FOL, and a density of small ruminant farms in the central West Coast area that was twice that of FOL. Only 37% of records in FOL could be linked to AgriBase, but the level of agreement for the presence of different species between these databases was substantial (kappa >0.6). Both NAIT and FOL shared common farm identifiers which could be used to georeference animal movements, and there was a fair to substantial agreement (kappa 0.32–0.69) between these databases for the presence of cattle and deer on properties.

CONCLUSIONS: The three databases broadly agreed with each other, but important differences existed in both species composition and spatial coverage which raises concern over their accuracy. Importantly, they cannot be reliably linked together to provide a single picture of New Zealand's livestock industry, limiting the ability to use advanced quantitative techniques to provide effective decision support during disease outbreaks. We recommend that a single integrated database be developed, with alignment of resources and legislation for its upkeep.     

Pregnancy Rates in Angus Cross Beef Cows Bred at Observed Oestrus With or Without Second GnRH Administration in Fixed‐Time Progesterone‐Supplemented Ovsynch and CO‐Synch Protocols

Crossbred cows (n = 1073) from five locations had oestrous cycles synchronized with 100 μg of GnRH IM and insertion of controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) on Day 0 followed by 25 mg of PGF_2α IM and CIDR removal on Day 7. Kamar^® patches were placed on all cows at CIDR removal. Cows were observed three times daily for oestrus after PGF_2α administration. In the Ovsynch‐CIDR group, cows detected in oestrus (n = 193) within 48 h after PGF_2α were inseminated using the AM–PM rule. Among these cows, 80 received and 113 did not receive a second GnRH at 48 h after PGF_2α. Cows (n = 345) not detected in oestrus received a second GnRH at 48 h after PGF_2α on Day 9, and fixed‐time AI 16 h after the GnRH on Day 10. In the CO‐Synch‐CIDR group, cows detected in oestrus (n = 224) within 48 h after PGF_2α were inseminated using the AM–PM rule. Among these cows, 79 received and 145 did not receive a second GnRH at 64 h after PGF_2α. Cows (n = 311) not detected in oestrus received a second GnRH on Day 10 at the time of AI, 64 h after PGF_2α. The AI pregnancy rates were not different between the Ovsynch‐CIDR and CO‐Synch‐CIDR groups (p = 0.48). There were no differences in the AI pregnancy rates for cows inseminated at a fixed time (p = 0.26) or at detected oestrus (p = 0.79) between the treatment groups. Among cows inseminated in oestrus, there were no differences in the AI pregnancy rates between cows that received or did not receive the second GnRH (p = 0.47). In conclusion, acceptable AI pregnancy rates can be achieved with or without inclusion of oestrus detection in the Ovsynch‐CIDR and CO‐Synch‐CIDR protocols. Among cows detected in oestrus, cows that received a second GnRH yielded similar pregnancy rates when compared with cows that did not receive the second GnRH.     

Fertility of Angus cross beef heifers after GnRH treatment on day 23 and timing of insemination in 14‐day CIDR protocol

This study compared artificial insemination pregnancy rate (AI‐PR) between 14‐day CIDR‐GnRH‐PGF2α‐GnRH and CIDR‐PGF2α‐GnRH synchronization protocol with two fixed AI times (56 or 72 hr after PGF2α). On day 0, heifers (n = 1311) from nine locations assigned body condition score (BCS: 1, emaciated; 9, obese), reproductive tract score (RTS: 1, immature, acyclic; 5, mature, cyclic) and temperament score (0, calm; and 1, excited) and fitted with a controlled internal drug release (CIDR, 1.38 g of progesterone) insert for 14 days. Within herd, heifers were randomly assigned either to no‐GnRH group (n = 635) or to GnRH group (n = 676), and heifers in GnRH group received 100 μg of GnRH (gonadorelin hydrochloride, IM) on day 23. All heifers received 25 mg of PGF2α (dinoprost, IM) on day 30 and oestrous detection aids at the same time. Heifers were observed for oestrus thrice daily until AI. Within GnRH groups, heifers were randomly assigned to either AI‐56 or AI‐72 groups. Heifers in AI‐56 group (n = 667) were inseminated at 56 hr (day 32 PM), and heifers in AI‐72 group (n = 644) were inseminated at 72 hr (day 33 AM) after PGF2α administration. All heifers were given 100 μg of GnRH concurrently at the time AI. Controlling for BCS (p < .05), RTS (p < .05), oestrous expression (p < .001), temperament (p < .001) and GnRH treatment by time of insemination (p < .001), the AI‐PR differed between GnRH treatment [GnRH (Yes – 60.9% (412/676) vs. No – 55.1% (350/635); p < .05)] and insemination time [AI‐56 – 54.6% (364/667) vs. AI‐72 – 61.8% (398/644); (p < .01)] groups. The GnRH treatment by AI time interaction influenced AI‐PR (GnRH56 – 61.0% (208/341); GnRH72 – 60.9% (204/335); No‐GnRH56 – 47.9% (156/326); No‐GnRH72 – 62.8% (194/309); p < .001). In conclusion, 14‐day CIDR synchronization protocol for FTAI required inclusion of GnRH on day 23 if inseminations were to be performed at 56 hr after PGF2α in order to achieve greater AI‐PR.