Low Fertility in Daughters of Bulls with 1/29 Translocation

Non-return rates at different stages after insemination were compared in daughters (n = 21,212) of five translocation heterozygous sires with all cows and heifers (n = 610,714) represented in the Norwegian Red Cattle (NRF) breeding statistics during the period October 1970 to September 1972. The daughters of the carrier bulls showed statistically significant lower non-return rates for 0–30, 30–60, 60–90, 90–120, 120–150, 150–180 and 180–270 days as compared with the control animals. The decline in non-return percentage for the daughters of translocation sires was greater than in the control animals during the period from 0–30 to 60–90 days indicating higher losses of fetuses during the early period after insemination.Daughter groups of carrier bulls consisting of adult cows only showed higher non-return rates than groups comprising both cows and heifers.     

黄牛孪生处理前后发情周期的外周血中GnRH水平

在母牛产后第1次发情后第10d，给5头发情周期正常的母牛安装颈静脉血管导管；在母牛产后第2个发情周期进行挛生处理，即在产后第2次发情后第10d注射PMSG2000IU，2d后注射氯前列烯醇0．4mg第3次发情后注射抗PMSG抗体2000IU。自第1个发情周期第10d开始，每天间隔10min连续采血2h。发情当天间隔30min采血一次，直到第3次发情结束为止。挛生处理后采血间隔时间和方法与处理前不同。应用酶免疫测定方法测定血清中促性腺激素释放激素水平。结果表明：（1）牛外周血中GnRH释放具有脉冲性；（2)PMSG处理后外周血中GnRH水平升高，表现为脉冲频率增加，脉冲峰值升高。     

The Rumen Degradation Characteristics of Whole Sugarcane for Dairy Cows and Its Application in Substituting Alfalfa,Oat Hay and Concentrate in Dairy Cows' Diets

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the rumen degradation characteristics of whole sugarcane of dairy cows and its effects of using it replacing alfalfa, oat hay and concentrates in dairy cows' diet on the rumen fermentation, nutrient apparent digestibility, blood biochemical indexes and production performance of dairy cows, in order to open up new ways to replace the increasing prices feedstuff such as alfalfa, oat hay and concentrate in dairy cows' diets with whole sugarcane. In experiment one, the in-situ test, namely the rumen nylon bag test was used to investigate the rumen degradation characteristics of various nutrients of whole sugarcane, leymus chinensis and alfalfa. Experiment two was in vivo test,repeat 3 ⅹ 3 Latin square design was conducted and Holstein dairy cows with similar body weight, parities and milk yield and permanent rumen fistula were chosen to investigate the effect of using whole sugarcane replacing 25% or 50% of imported alfalfa from the Unites States in dairy cows' diet on nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics and blood biochemical indexes of dairy cows. In experiment three, 60 Holstein dairy cows with similar parity, milk yield and milk in lactation were selected to perform production test, which aimed to explore the effects of using whole sugarcane replacing 30% alfalfa hay, 50% oat hay or 10% concentrate on the production performance, blood biochemical indexes of dairy cows and the economic benefits of dairy farms. The results showed that：1) The effective degradation rates of dry matter (DM) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of whole sugarcane were significantly higher than leymus chinensis (P<0.05), and the effective degradation rates of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and organic matter (OM) were significantly higher than leymus chinensis and alfalfa (P<0.05). 2) There was no significant effect on rumen pH, NH₃-N (except 25% group at the 4 h time point) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations of dairy cows when using 25% and 50% whole sugarcane to replace imported alfalfa from the Unites States in the diet. There was also no significant effect on DMI and digestibility of DM, CP, OM and ADF, while the digestibility of NDF in the 50% group was significantly increased (P<0.05). In 50% group, the content of serum urea nitrogen in 2 and 8 h was significantly lower than 25% group and control group (P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in the blood content of β-hydroxybutyric acid, rumen VFA and total VFA in each group at different time points. 3) After using 50%, 30% and 10% of whole sugarcane to replace oat hay, alfalfa hay and concentrate, respectively, no significant difference was detected in blood glucose, urea nitrogen, β-hydroxybutyric acid, the esterification of fatty acid (NEFA), and milk yield. Besides, combined with milk yield and feed cost, the economic benefits of each cow in the substitution groups increased by 3.28, 7.48 and 1.62 yuan per day. respectively, compared with control group. It can be seen that the whole sugarcane is a kind of high-quality roughage that can be used by dairy cows with high digestibility, and using it to replace 25% or 50% of imported alfalfa from the Unites States in dairy cows' diet does not affect the rumen fermentation characteristics and rumen apparent digestibility of nutrients of dairy cows. And using whole sugarcane replacing 30% alfalfa hay, 50% oat hay or 10% concentrate will not affect the blood biochemical indicators and production performance of dairy cows, and will also increase the economic benefits of the dairy farm.     

Correlation of Different Biochemical Parameters in Blood Sera of Healthy and Sick Cows

Metabolic diseases of cows represent the leading internal pathology in Lithuania in terms of incidence and economic impact. This paper summarizes the mineral metabolic state of milk cows, and details the influence of feeding on serum levels of calcium, nonorganic phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, glucose, total protein, and urea quantity, and correlationd among them, in healthy dry or post-calving cows as well as in cows with osteomalacia and milk fever after calving. There was less pronounced hypocalcaemia and there were only minor changes in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sodium in the serum of healthy dry and post-calving cows that had silage and mineral-vitamin supplements, compared to cows that did not have supplements and silage. There was a fall in calcium and phosphorus (to 1.89 +/- 0.12 mmol/L and 0.71 +/- 0.06 mmol/L, respectively) in the blood of cows sick with milk fever after calving, while levels of magnesium and potassium were increased. The correlation between calcium and phosphorus was r = 0.6993, p < 0.001 in the serum of sick cows. There was a fall in calcium, phosphorus and magnesium (to 1.86 +/- 0.46 mmol/L, 0.75 +/- 0.37 mmol/L, and 0.60 +/- 0.19 mmol/L, respectively) and an increase in sodium level (to 158.90 +/- 19.30 mmol/L) in the blood of cows with osteomalacia in comparison with healthy cows.     

Factors Affecting Fertility According to the Postpartum Period in Crossbred Dual-Purpose Suckling Cows in the Tropics

To determine the relationship between first service conception rate (FSC) and the postpartum period (PP), 6160 calvings from 2250 crossbred dual-purpose cows were analysed. The effects of breed predominance (BT: Bos taurus and BI: Bos indicus), season of service (dry, intermediate and humid), parity (1 or 2 and more), agroecological region (Sub-humid and Dry Tropical Forest) and milk production were studied. The postpartum period was grouped according to the calving–first service interval as G1 ≤ 60 days (n = 1889); G2 > 60 ≤ 90 days (n = 1436); G3 > 90 ≤ 120 days (n = 1030); and G4 > 120 days (n = 1805). Data were analysed by chi-squared test. The overall mean for FSC was 58.2% and was lower in G1 (p < 0.01). All PP showed a breed effect on FSC, with mean values of 61.6% and 53.3% for BI and BT, respectively. Season of service also affected FSC, which was significantly lower during the humid period: 51.2% versus 57.4% and 61.5% for the intermediate and dry periods (p < 0.01), respectively. Parity and environmental effects were not observed on FSC. Levels of milk yield did influence the FSC, which decreased from 66.7% and 61.0% for milk yields of < 1500 kg and between 1501 and 2000 kg to 46.0% in milk yields > 2000 kg (p < 0.01).     

A Cross-sectional Study of Reproductive Performance of Smallholder Dairy Cows in Coastal Tanzania

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 randomly selected smallholder farms from a mixed dairy farming system in Tanga, Tanzania, between January and April 1999. We estimated the frequency and determinants of long calving interval (LCI), retention of fetal membrane (RFM), dystocia, and abortion in smallholder crossbred cattle and explored birth trends. The mean calving interval was 500 days and birth rate was 65 per 100 cow-years. Dystocia was reported to affect 58% of calvings, and 17.2% of animals suffered RFM. Using mixed effect models, the variables associated with LCI, RFM and dystocia were breed, level of exotic blood and condition score. Zebu breeding was associated with LCI (odds ratio (OR) = 2.3, p = 0.041) and Friesian breeding with lower odds for RF (OR = 0.26, p = 0.020). Animals with higher levels of exotic blood had lower odds for evidence of dystocia (OR = 0.45, p =0.021). Evidence of dystocia was significantly associated with poor condition score (P = −1.10, p = 0.001). Our observations suggest that LCIs are common in smallholder dairy farms in this region and a likely source of economic loss. Dystocia, RFM, poor condition score and mineral deficiency were common problems and were possibly linked to LCI.     

The Diurnal Variation of Urea in Cow’s Milk and how Milk Fat Content,Storage and Preservation Affects Analysis by a Flow Injection Technique

Six Swedish Red and White dairy cows, producing 20-39 kg of 4% fat-corrected milk were given a ration balanced in energy and protein. They had access to feed from 05.15 to 09.00 and from 13.00 to 16.30 and were milked at 06.15 and 15.30. The milk was analysed for urea with a FIA technique.There was a significant diurnal variation in milk urea. The highest values were found 3–5 h after the beginning of the morning feeding and the lowest values (down to 60% of the max. values) during late night. Within 1 h after the start of the morning feeding the urea values had increased significantly, but they had decreased within the same time after the start of the afternoon feeding. Since there was a pronounced diurnal variation in the milk fat content, the urea concentration was also recalculated to concentration in the water phase of the milk. It was higher in that phase, but the pattern of the diurnal variation was not changed significantly. However, analyses on milk with a very high fat content may give misleading results.There were no important differences in the milk urea concentration of different udder quarters. When calculated as concentration in the water phase of the milk, no differences in urea concentration were found between the beginning and the end of milking. The analytical method had a good precision (coefficient of variation max. 3%). The milk urea concentration was not changed significantly after storage during 10 days at 4°C when no preservative was added; but after 17 days the milk had turned sour and the urea value had increased. When a preservative (bronopole) was added the urea concentration remained unchanged during 17 days. Deepfreezing did not influence the urea concentration.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Milk Production,Rectal Temperature,Respiratory Rate and Blood Chemistry in Holstein,Jersey and Australian Milking Zebu Cows

The effect of heat stress on changes in milk production, rectal temperature, respiratory rate and blood chemistry was evaluated in three groups of six mature Holstein, Jersey and Australian Milking Zebu (AMZ) dairy cows. These animals were subjected to a cool environment when the mean temperature-humidity index (THI) was 72+/-1.4 (dry bulb temperature of 22.2-24.4 degrees C and relative humidity of 100-60%) during the month of December. This experiment was repeated during the hotter month of July of the following year, when the mean THI was 93+/-3.1 (dry bulb temperature of 35.6-43.9 degrees C and relative humidity 95-35%). Holstein cows produced more (p <0.01) milk than AMZ and Jersey cows during the cooler months of the year and all the cows were dry during the hotter months from June until September. Heat stress increased (p<0.01) rectal temperature and respiratory rate in all three breeds. Heat stress had no effect on blood pH in Holstein and AMZ cows but lowered (p <0.01) blood pH from 7.42 to 7.34 in Jersey cows. In addition, heat stress lowered (p <0.01) blood pCO2 (kPa), bicarbonate (HCO3, mmol/L), base excess (BE, mmol/L) and plasma chloride (Cl-, mmol/L) in all three breeds. The total haemoglobin (THb, g/dl) was elevated (p <0.01) in all three breeds when they were subjected to heat stress. Heat stress increased (p<0.01) oxygen saturation (O2SAT, %) in Jersey and AMZ cows but lowered it (p <0.01) in Holstein cows. On the other hand, heat stress increased (p <0.01)pO2 (kPa) in Holstein and Jersey cows but lowered it (p <0.01) in AMZ cows. Heat stress increased (p <0.01) plasma potassium (K, mmol/L) and calcium (Ca, mmol/L) only in Holstein and Jersey cows but lowered them (p<0.01) in AMZ cows. The plasma glucose (GLU, mmol/L) increased (p<0.01) with heat stress in Holstein and AMZ cows but decreased (p <0.01) in Jersey cows. Heat stress increased (p<0.01) plasma creatinine (CR, (mol/L) but lowered (p<0.01) plasma creatinine phosphokinase (CPK, IU/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, IU/L) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN, mmol/L) in all three breeds. These results indicate that heat-stressed Holstein and AMZ cows were able to maintain their acid-base balance with a marginal change in their pH of 0.02 when their rectal temperatures increased by 0.47 and 0.38 degrees C, respectively. When heat stress increased the rectal temperature in Jersey cows by 0.70 degrees C, the pH decreased (p<0.01) from 7.42 to 7.34. However, even with this decrease 0.08 the pH is still within the lower physiological limit of 7.31.     

Screening Village N'Dama Cows in The Gambia with Respect to Milk Yield

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Changes in blood and milk lymphocyte sub-populations during acute and chronic phases of Staphylococcus aureus induced bovine mastitis

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) often causes long-lasting chronic sub-clinical udder infections in dairy cows. To investigate if this can be due to a negative impact of S. aureus on lymphocytes important for the immune defence, alterations in proportions and expression intensity of CD4+, CD8+, WC1+, B and IL-2R+ lymphocytes was studied in blood and milk, as S. aureus mastitis developed from acute clinical to chronic sub-clinical form. Six healthy dairy cows were inoculated with S. aureus in one udder quarter per cow, and one quarter per cow acted as an uninfected control. Blood samples, and milk samples from infected and non-infected quarters were collected before infection and for five weeks after infection. All infected quarters developed acute clinical mastitis, of which five turned into chronic sub-clinical mastitis. In infected quarters, the proportions of all lymphocyte sub-sets, except WC1+ cells, differed in acute phase compared to pre-infection, while the dominant finding in the chronic phase was increased expression intensities per cell. An impact on blood lymphocytes and milk lymphocytes in non-infected quarters also occurred, mainly during the chronic phase. The most prominent finding was the increased proportion and expression of B-lymphocytes in blood, infected and non-infected quarters during chronic sub-clinical mastitis. As S. aureus can invade and survive intracellularly, a preferential stimulation of B-cells, suggesting development of a humoral response, may not be sufficient to eliminate intracellular bacteria, which could explain the persistence of the infection.