Bio‐Ag reutilization of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as a substrate for black soldier fly larvae,Hermetia illucens,along with poultry by‐product meal and soybean meal,as total replacement of fish meal in diets for Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

A feeding trial was conducted in a closed system with Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, juveniles (mean initial weight, 2.66 g) to examine total replacement of menhaden fish meal (FM) with distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which had been used as substrate for the production of black soldier fly larvae, Hermetia illucens, in combination with soybean meal (SBM) and poultry by‐product meal (PBM), with or without supplementation of the amino acids (AA) DL‐methionine (Met), L‐lysine (Lys) and a commercial non‐amylaceous polysaccharide enzyme (Enz) product. Fish were fed seven isoenergetic [available energy (AE) = 4.0 kcal g^?1 of diet] and isonitrogenous (350 g kg^?1 protein as‐fed basis) practical diets formulated with equivalent digestible protein levels. Diet 1 was formulated to be similar to a commercial, high‐quality, tilapia diet containing 200 g kg^?1 FM. Diets 2–5 were formulated as a 2 × 2 factorial to replace FM with similar contributions from DDGS (45%), PBM (25%) and SBM (2.1–2.9%), but to differ in supplementation of AA and/or Enz preparation. Diets 6 and 7 were formulated to investigate the effects of a 2/3 and 1/3 reduction, respectively, in DDGS contribution to the replacement protein mix, with concomitant increases in SBM, with respect to diet 3, and were balanced with Lys and Met. After 6 weeks, growth responses were slightly attenuated (P ≤ 0.05) and average daily intake (ADI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were slightly higher in tilapia fed DDGS diets 2–5 compared to those of fish fed the FM control diet 1. Growth responses were not significantly affected by the presence or absence of AA or Enz (diets 2–5), or the level of DDGS (diets 3, 7 and 6). Whole‐body proximate composition was not different among treatments. Amino acid profiles of fish fed DDGS diets were not significantly different from those of fish fed the FM control. Evidence of interaction between AA and Enz supplementation was detected in whole‐body amino acid concentrations such that AA content was higher with AA or Enz addition alone, but lower when both were added to the diet. Results suggest that DDGS replacement of FM in tilapia diets can be substantial when diets are formulated on a digestible protein basis and DDGS is combined with highly digestible animal (PBM) and plant proteins (SBM).     

Genetic analysis of resistance to root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei) in wheat

The inheritance of resistance to root‐lesion nematode was investigated in five synthetic hexaploid wheat lines and two bread wheat lines using a half‐diallel design of F₁ and F₂ crosses. The combining ability of resistance genes in the synthetic hexaploid wheat lines was compared with the performance of the bread wheat line ‘GS50a’, the source of resistance to Pratylenchus thornei used in Australian wheat breeding programmes. Replicated glasshouse trials identified P. thornei resistance as polygenic and additive in gene action. General combining ability (GCA) of the parents was more important than specific combining ability (SCA) effects in the inheritance of P. thornei resistance in both F₁ and F₂ populations. The synthetic hexaploid wheat line ‘CPI133872’ was identified as the best general combiner, however, all five synthetic hexaploid wheat lines possessed better GCA than ‘GS50a’ The synthetic hexaploid wheat lines contain novel sources of P. thornei resistance that will provide alternative and more effective sources of resistance to be utilized in wheat breeding programmes.     

Electrolytes and free fatty acids in milk during mammary involution in the cow

Measurements have been made of the concentrations of triglycerides, free fatty acids, sodium, chloride and potassium in milk samples obtained from cows during acute mammary involution and after parturition. Free fatty acid levels in milk increased more than 10-fold during involution. Their appearance did not immediately follow the cessation of milking but followed the increase in permeability of the mammary epithelium, evidenced by changes in the electrolyte content of the milk, that occurs after a delay of a few days. However, the concentration of free fatty acids did not remain high throughout the dry period but had declined to low levels before the change in permeability was reversed at the next parturition. It is concluded that the high level of free fatty acids in milk during mammary involution does not result from equilibration with an extra-mammary pool, but most likely arises from breakdown of triglycerides remaining in the gland which may be accelerated in some manner by the increase of permeability of the mammary epithelium.     

Urban domestic gardens (IX): Composition and richness of the vascular plant flora, and implications for native biodiversity

Garden floras interact with native biodiversity by providing resources for wildlife and by acting as a source of non-native species. Understanding the composition and richness of garden floras will help evaluate the relationships between these floras and the wider environment. The composition and richness of vascular plant floras were measured in a stratified sample of 61 urban, domestic gardens in Sheffield, UK, based on complete garden inventories. The entire garden flora contained 1166 species, of which 30% were native and 70% alien. Across gardens, aliens showed lower occupancy than natives, comprising 79% of the species recorded only once. The garden flora contained 146 plant families, which included 72% of the native, naturalised or recurrent casual families recorded in the wild in Britain and Ireland. Gardens contained on average 45% natives, irrespective of garden size. Garden area explained 30% of the variation in species richness within individual gardens. Doubling garden size led to an increase in species richness of 25%. The garden flora comprised 10% annuals, 63% biennial/perennials, 18% shrubs and 8% trees; shrubs were disproportionately composed of alien species. The floras of urban domestic gardens probably form the greatest source of potentially invasive alien plants. However, the plants found in domestic gardens have closer affinities with the uncultivated flora than is often perceived, and their role for wildlife in gardens deserves reassessment. Declines in garden size that result from recommendations on the density of new housing are unlikely to have major consequences for plant richness in gardens.     

Autoregressive and random regression test-day models for multiple lactations in genetic evaluation of Brazilian Holstein cattle

Autoregressive (AR) and random regression (RR) models were fitted to test-day records from the first three lactations of Brazilian Holstein cattle with the objective of comparing their efficiency for national genetic evaluations. The data comprised 4,142,740 records of milk yield (MY) and somatic cell score (SCS) from 274,335 cows belonging to 2,322 herds. Although heritabilities were similar between models and traits, additive genetic variance estimates using AR were 7.0 (MY) and 22.2% (SCS) higher than those obtained from RR model. On the other hand, residual variances were lower in both traits when estimated through AR model. The rank correlation between EBV obtained from AR and RR models was 0.96 and 0.94 (MY) and 0.97 and 0.95 (SCS), respectively, for bulls (with 10 or more daughters) and cows. Estimated annual genetic gains for bulls (cows) obtained using AR were 46.11 (49.50) kg for MY and −0.019 (−0.025) score for SCS; whereas using RR these values were 47.70 (55.56) kg and −0.022 (−0.028) score. Akaike information criterion was lower for AR in both traits. Although AR model is more parsimonious, RR model assumes genetic correlations different from the unity within and across lactations. Thus, when these correlations are relatively high, these models tend to yield to similar predictions; otherwise, they will differ more and RR model would be theoretically sounder.     

Pharmacokinetics of gallium maltolate in Lawsonia intracellularis‐infected and uninfected rabbits

Oral gallium maltolate (GaM) pharmacokinetics (PK) and intestinal tissue (IT) concentrations of elemental gallium ([Ga]) and iron ([Fe]) were investigated in a rabbit model of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). New Zealand white does (uninfected controls and EPE‐infected, n = 6/group) were given a single oral GaM dose (50 mg/kg). Serial blood samples were collected from 0 to 216 h post‐treatment (PT) and IT samples after euthanasia. Serology, qPCR, and immunohistochemistry confirmed, or excluded, EPE. Blood and IT [Ga] and [Fe] were determined using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. PK parameters were estimated through noncompartmental approaches. For all statistical comparisons on [Ga] and [Fe] α = 5%. The Ga log‐linear terminal phase rate constant was lower in EPE rabbits vs. uninfected controls [0.0116 ± 0.004 (SD) vs. 0.0171 ± 0.0028 per hour; P = 0.03]; but half‐life (59.4 ± 24.0 vs. 39.4 ± 10.8 h; P = 0.12); C_max (0.50 ± 0.21 vs. 0.59 ± 0.42 μg/mL; P = 0.45); t_max (1.75 ± 0.41 vs. 0.9 ± 0.37 h; P = 0.20); and oral clearance (6.743 ± 1.887 vs. 7.208 ± 2.565 L/h; P = 0.74) were not. IT's [Ga] and [Fe] were higher (P < 0.0001) in controls. In conclusion, although infection reduces IT [Ga] and [Fe], a 48 h GaM dosing interval is appropriate for multidose studies in EPE rabbits.     

Sensitivity of seven PCRs for early detection of koi herpesvirus in experimentally infected carp,Cyprinus carpio L., by lethal and non-lethal sampling methods

Koi herpesvirus (KHV) causes an economically important, highly infectious disease in common carp and koi, Cyprinus carpio L. Since the occurrence of mass mortalities worldwide, highly specific and sensitive molecular diagnostic methods have been developed for KHV detection. The sensitivity and reliability of these assays have essentially focused at the detection of low viral DNA copy numbers during latent or persistent infections. However, the efficacy of these assays has not been investigated with regard to low-level viraemia during acute infection stages. This study was conducted to compare the sensitivity of seven different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to detect KHV during the first hours and days post-infection (hpi; dpi), using lethal and non-lethal sampling methods. The results highlight the limitations of the assays for detecting virus during the first 4 dpi despite rapid mortality in experimentally infected carp. False-negative results were associated with time post-infection and the tissue sampled. Non-lethal sampling appears effective for KHV screening, with efficient detection in mucus samples obtained from external swabs during this early infection period (<5 dpi), while biopsies from gills and kidney were negative using the same PCR assays. Non-lethal sampling may improve the reliability of KHV detection in subclinical, acutely infected carp.     

The Anti‐Müllerian Hormone Profile is Linked with the In Vitro Embryo Production Capacity and Embryo Viability after Transfer but Cannot Predict Pregnancy Outcome

The current study investigated the possibility of using the AMH concentration as a predictor of the ability of Korean Hanwoo cows to produce cumulus‐oocyte complexes, embryos that survive after transfer as well as the pregnancy outcome of surrogates. Eight sessions of ovum pick‐up (OPU) were performed with 19 donor cows at an interval of 3–4 days. Antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte quality and in vitro embryo development were recorded for each cow. Embryos produced from cows with different AMH profiles were transferred into recipients (n = 96). Cows in the high (≥0.25 ng/ml) and intermediate (0.1≥ to <0.25 ng/ml) AMH groups had a significantly higher AFC per OPU session (20.40 ± 1.36 and 16.91 ± 1.52, respectively; mean ± standard deviation) than cows in the low AMH group (<0.1 ng/ml; 12.19 ± 2.14). In addition, more cumulus‐oocyte complexes per donor were recovered in the high (11.46 ± 1.22) and intermediate (7.38 ± 0.83) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (4.77 ± 0.44). The percentage of oocytes reached blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the intermediate (47.0%) and high (38.5%) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (32.3%). The number of embryos produced per cow was higher in the high (3.9 ± 0.2) and intermediate (6.9 ± 0.6) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (2.2 ± 0.3). The percentage of embryos that gave birth to viable calves when transferred into recipients was higher for those derived from cows in the intermediate AMH group (50.7%) than for those derived from cows in the low (35.7%) and high (36.4%) AMH groups. In conclusion, a single measurement of AMH concentration predicted the in vitro embryo production potential of donor Korean native cows before OPU and is linked with embryo viability after transfer into recipients.     

Feeding trials with vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol)-contaminated wheat: effects on swine, poultry, and dairy cattle

Nutritional and toxicologic feeding trials with 3 species of farm animals demonstrated that decreased feed consumption and reduced weight gains in pigs are the main effects of ingestion of a diet with low vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol; DON) content, eg, 2 mg of DON/kg of feed, ie, 2 ppm. The feeding trials indicated that swine can ingest up to 2 mg of DON/kg of feed without serious adverse effects. Poultry can tolerate at least 5 mg of DON/kg feed. In fact, at concentrations up to 5 mg of DON/kg feed, some beneficial effects on poultry were observed. In dairy cattle, feed consumption decreased slightly when a wheat-oats diet containing 6 mg of DON/kg was fed at the rate of 1% of body weight/day, with hay offered ad libitum. In surveys of Canadian grains carried out during the past 3 years, the DON content (maximum of 8.5 mg/kg) in eastern Canadian wheats probably was not high enough to account for reports of feed refusal, vomiting, and reproductive problems in livestock operations. This conclusion is based partly on the fact that even at the highest concentrations of DON found in wheat, formulated diets comprise, at maximum, about 70% to 80% wheat. Consequently, the actual DON content of diets fed to farm animals would be much lower.