Analyses of monoclonal antibodies reacting with porcine CD5: results from the Second International Swine CD Workshop

Among the 57 monoclonal antibodies analyzed within the T-cell group, three mAbs fell within cluster T13 including the CD5a standard b53b7 (No. 174). The two new mAbs 1H6/8 (No. 058) and BB6-9G12 (No. 166) both precipitated 55 and 60 kDa proteins that were of similar molecular weights as the standard. Staining patterns on the various cell types were similar. Both new antibodies inhibited the binding of the CD5a reference mAbs b53b7 to peripheral lymphocytes. These mAbs, therefore both react with the CD5a epitope bringing the number of anti-porcine CD5 mAbs to eight, all of which appear to recognize the same epitope.     

Phosphorus deficiency in a dairy herd

Phosphorus deficiency was diagnosed in a 90 cow seasonal supply dairy herd which showed low milk production, ill-thrift, infertility and osteophagia. Serum inorganic phosphorus and pasture phosphorus levels were low, pasture Ca:P ratios high and soil phosphorus levels very low; the soil phosphate retention value was 96%. The deficiency, which had probably existed for several years, was considered to be due to inadequate annual phosphate fertiliser applications on a high phosphate retaining soil. Phosphorus deficiency may have been exacerbated by the application of lime without phosphate several months before the onset of severe clinical disease. The finding of low sodium levels in pasture samples suggested that sodium deficiency may have co-existed and contributed to the clinical picture. Treatment, comprising bone flour dusting of pasture, water trough supplementation and phosphorus-containing injections, appeared to induce ovarian activity in anoestrous cows and suppress osteophagia, though controlled treatment trials were not performed. No improvement was noted in milk production or cow condition. Increased annual super-phosphate and reduced potassium applications were recommended, together with the monitoring of pasture and soil macro elements and serum phosphorus levels. A decision on whether to supplement with sodium would be based on the results of pasture monitoring, since a direct animal test is not currently available. It is suggested that phosphorus deficiency may not be uncommon in dairy herds in some North Island districts; based on the present case, the decline in New Zealand superphosphate quality in the 1970's and recently published data which has shown a high proportion of pasture phosphorus deficient sites in some North Island areas.     

A fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy-aided methodology to determine goat dietary composition in a Mediterranean shrubland

An ecologically sound approach to the problem of brush encroachment onto Israeli rangeland might be their utilization by goats, but better knowledge of the feeding selectivity and ability of goats to thrive in encroached areas is required to devise viable production systems. Direct observation of bites could provide precise and accurate estimates of diet selection, but construction of a sufficiently large database would require too much time. The present study describes the first attempt to construct fecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations of the botanical and nutritional composition of the diet, and of the total intake of free-ranging goats, based on reference values determined with bite-count procedures. Calibration of fecal NIRS was based on 43 observations encompassing 3 goat breeds and 4 periods (spring, summer, and fall of 2004, and spring of 2005). Each observation comprised 242 min of continuous recording of the species and bite-type category selected by a single animal, on each of 2 consecutive days. The mass and chemical quality of each species and bite-type category-a total of more than 200,000 bites-were determined by using the simulated bite technique. Associated feces were scanned in the 1,100- to 2,500-nm range with a reflectance monochromator. Fecal NIRS calibrations had reasonable precision for dietary percentages of the 3 main botanical components: herbaceous vegetation (as one category; R(2) = 0.85), Phillyrea latifolia (R(2) = 0.89), and tannin-rich Pistacia lentiscus (R(2) = 0.77), with SE of cross-validation (SECV) of 7.8, 6.3, and 5.6% of DM, respectively. The R(2) values for dietary percentages of CP, NDF, IVDMD, and polyethylene glycol-binding tannins were 0.93, 0.88, 0.91, and 0.74, respectively, with SECV values of 0.9, 2.1, 4.3, and 0.9% of DM, respectively. The R(2) values for intakes of herbaceous vegetation, P. latifolia, and P. lentiscus were 0.80, 0.75, and 0.65, with SECV values of 71, 64, and 46 g of DM/d, respectively. The R(2) values for the daily nutrient intakes were below 0.60. Fecal NIRS data can be used to expand the databases of botanical and nutritional dietary composition when observed and resident animals graze simultaneously, but intakes should be calculated from fecal NIRS-predicted dietary DM composition and an independent evaluation of DMI.     

Effects of dietary supplements on the nutritive value of jack beans (canavalia ensiformis) for the young chick

1. Two experiments were conducted with young chicks to examine the efficacy of dietary supplements of amino acids, creatine and potassium acetate in the alleviation of adverse effects of auto‐claved jack beans (AJB).

2. Creatine supplementation of AJB diets markedly enhanced the efficiencies of food and nitrogen utilisation of chicks, restoring these indices to control values. The improvement in nitrogen utilisation was enhanced further on providing creatine with a mixture of 2‐aminoiso‐butyric acid, arginine and lysine.

3. Potassium acetate induced striking improvements in the nitrogen retention efficiencies of chicks fed on AJB diets.

4. Liver weights, as a proportion of body weight, generally increased on feeding AJB diets, the effects being marked with the AJB diet supplemented with arginine and lysine.

5. Hepatic urea concentrations were elevated in all groups receiving AJB. Canavanine, a toxic amino acid component of AJB, could not be detected in acid hydrolysates of livers from chicks fed this legume.

6. Temperature and the volumes of water employed in the preparation of AJB are important determinants of its nutritional value.