Body condition scoring (BCS) in corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and comparison to pre-existing body condition index (BCI) for snakes

In the veterinary profession, the body condition score (BCS) plays an important role in the assessment of patients. It is a subjective, tactile method of evaluating body fat and muscle mass and is used in numerous species. Recognizing obesity (or the contrary, emaciation) is important for veterinarians treating reptiles and could be facilitated by a BCS. An existing form of body condition assessment already used is the body condition index (BCI), where the residuals from a regression of body mass on body length are calculated. Therefore, the goal of this study was to provide practitioners with a BCS system for corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and to test it against the BCI. A total of 22 corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus), stationed at the “Auffangstation für Reptilien” in Munich (reptile rescue centre, RRC), were subject of this study. Each had the following measurements taken: body weight (BW), snout–tail tip length (STL), snout–vent length (SVL) and circumference in the middle (C). Manual palpation of spine, area between vertebral spinous and transverse process, ribs and neck of each snake was performed by three veterinarians and assigned to specific scores by each examiner. A BCS (mean of examiners’ scores) was given to each snake according to manual palpation. The BCS system was chosen to be out of 5 in 0.5-point steps with 2.5 considered as ideal BCS. In the studied snakes, the BCS ranged from 1.5 to 3.5, with a median of 2.5. The median BW was 309 g (75–967 g), the median STL was 123 cm (79–153 cm), the median SVL was 104 cm (73–133 cm) and the median C was 7.5 cm (4.3–11 cm). BCS and BCI were positively correlated. A BCS includes a manual palpation of the animal and thus gives the examiner additional information to the objectively measured/calculated index.     

Effects of Diet and Weight Gain on Body Condition Scoring in Thoroughbred Geldings

In the horse, the body condition score (BCS) system to assess subcutaneous fat deposition is a useful tool for making feeding management decisions. The system includes assessing fat deposition at six body areas (neck, withers, shoulders, ribs, loin, and tail head) and was developed in Quarter Horse mares. It has not been tested for use on other breeds or genders, possibly compromising the system's ability to describe fat accretion in other classes of horse. The objective of this study was to examine the ability of the previously developed fat accretion characteristics to describe fat deposition in mature Thoroughbred (TB) geldings. An additional goal was to determine whether fewer body areas could be used. Fifteen mature TB geldings were fed for weight gain over an 8-month period on one of two diets and were independently assessed for BCS on a monthly basis by two judges. BCS was determined by averaging the scores that were assigned to each of the six body areas. Fat accretion characteristics were also recorded. Across both diets, the neck area scored significantly higher than the withers and loin (P < 0.05) throughout the study. A BCS derived only from the body areas of neck, shoulders, ribs, and tailhead was found to accurately predict the six body area−derived mean BCS. The results of this study provide justification for modifications of the BCS system for use in TB geldings and also demonstrated that fewer body areas can be used to accurately predict mean BCS.     

Record keeping,genetic selection,educational experience and farm management effects on average milk yield per cow,milk fat percentage,bacterial score and bulk tank somatic cell count of dairy farms in the Central region of Thailand

A study was conducted to estimate the record keeping, genetic selection, educational, and farm management effects on average milk yield per cow (AYC), milk fat percentage, bacterial score, and bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) of dairy farms in the central region of Thailand. Farms were located in the provinces of Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchisima and were members of the Muaklek dairy cooperative. Records from individual animals were unavailable. Thus, farm records of milk yield, milk fat percentage, bacterial score, and BTCCC were collected from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2006. Additional record keeping, genetic selection, education, and farm management information was collected through a questionnaire in May of 2006. Data from the Muaklek dairy cooperative and the questionnaire were then merged by a farm identification number. A single trait mixed model was used to analyze AYC, milk fat percentage, and BTSCC, while a log linear model was used to analyze bacterial score. Results showed that farms that kept records on individual animals had higher (P < 0.05) milk fat percentages and lower bacterial scores than farms that did not. Farms that used genetic information (EBV) and phenotypes when selecting sires were higher (P < 0.05) for milk fat percentage than farms that used only phenotypes and personal opinion. Farms milking cows with a single unit milking machine and by hand, had higher (P < 0.05) bacterial scores and BTSCC than farms using only a single or multi unit machine. Overall farms that kept individual animal records, used EBV when selecting sires, used a single method for collecting milk, and used family labor achieved higher performance from their herds than farms that did not.     

Research on the Effect of Plant Combination Types on the Shear Strength of the Root-soil Composite System of Alpine Grassland in the Source Region of the Yellow River北大核心CSCD

In this study,an alpine grassland in Henan County,Qinghai Province,in the source region of the Yellow River,was selected as the study area. The shear strength of root-soil composite system characteristics of 6 different plant combination types of grassland were explored by field investigation and sampling and indoor tests,which aimed to provide a theoretical basis for preventing and controlling soil erosion and shallow landslide caused by grassland degradation. The test results showed that the shear strength of root-soil composite system of 6 different combinations was a increasing trend with the decrease of altitude. Namely,the shear strength of the root-soil composite system of Stipa purpurea Griseb. + Kobresia pygmaea C. B. Clarke at the top of the sunny slope was 27.76 kPa and the value of Elymus nutans Griseb. at the bottom of the sunny slope was 37.53 kPa. The reasons why the shear strength of 6 kinds of combinations varied from large to small with the decrease of altitude were related to their density,moisture content,root content and dry weight of roots in the root-soil composite system samples. That is,the root content of composite system at the top,middle and bottom of the sunny slope were 6.2%,5.5% and 16.2%,respectively. The values at the top,middle and bottom of the shady slope were 8.0%,11.4% and 31.6%,respectively. © 2019 China Agricultural University. All rights reserved.     

我国猪萎缩性鼻炎流行现状调查

为了解我国猪萎缩性鼻炎的流行现状,采用鼻甲骨病变评分方法对我国12个省市24个规模化养殖场的上市猪及死淘猪的鼻甲骨病变状况进行诊断评估。数据显示:100%的猪场感染萎缩性鼻炎,97.81%的样品出现鼻甲骨病变情况。结果表明,猪萎缩性鼻炎在我国广泛流行,且北方及东部地区感染情况更为严重,急需加强防控。     

Effect of environmental factors and changes in the body condition score on the onset of the breeding season in mares

Several methods have been proposed to advance the onset of the breeding season in horses. Most of them are based on the exposure to an artificial lighting period combined with hormonal treatments. Mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod are most often housed indoors where the ambient temperature is often higher than the outside temperature. Mares held in barns are also exposed to different daylight intensities than horses kept outside, depending on the architecture. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of ambient temperature, daylight intensity and changes in body condition score (BCS) on the timing of first ovulation after winter anestrus in mares exposed to an artificial photoperiod. Mares (n = 211) were housed in barns with different ambient temperature and daylight exposure but with the same artificial photoperiod exposure (except for a natural photoperiod control group). Artificial photoperiod as well as an increase in BCS over the winter significantly advanced the first spring ovulation. The BCS at the start and end of the anestrus period did not have an effect on the interval to first ovulation and neither did the modest increase in ambient temperature in the barn. However, a higher light intensity during the daytime significantly advanced the first spring ovulation. The results of this study suggest that exposure to more sunlight advances the onset of the breeding season. This effect is likely mediated through the biological effect of short wavelength blue light and its impact on melatonin suppression and biological rhythms. We suggest that greater/direct exposure to the blue light component of daylight improves the response to the artificial photoperiod. The results of the present study can further assist to optimize the conditions that lead to an efficient spring transition of breeding mares.     

Effect of a short duration feed withdrawal followed by full feeding on marbling fat in beef carcasses

The effect of feed withdrawal for 48 h, prior to initiation of the finishing (fattening) period (75 d) on carcass marbling fat was studied in 120 European × British cross-bred heifers with an average weight of 585 ± 39 kg. Heifers were randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment with two dietary management treatments, where half the heifers were provided the feed components of steam rolled barley and barley silage either free choice or as a total mixed ration (TMR) containing 87% steam rolled barley and 13% barley silage with ad libitum vitamins and minerals via salt blocks for all animals. Within each dietary management treatment, 30 heifers were denied feed (water was available) for 48 h prior to the two week adaptation to the high grain diet preceding the 75 d finishing period. At the end of the 48 h feed denial blood samples were collected from the jugular vein prior to feeding for determination of glucose and insulin concentrations, which indicated that 48 h feed withdrawal consistently decreased (P = 0.0001) plasma concentrations of both glucose and insulin but the ratios of the concentrations of glucose to insulin were not affected. At slaughter samples of subcutaneous fat from the brisket (BF) and skirt muscle (pars costalis diaphragmatis; PCD) were procured for determination of chemical fat content, fat dissected from the muscle and for enumeration of adipocytes, less than 35 μm in diameter and to determine the average cell size in the dissected fat and from the BF by flow-cytometry of adipocytes fixed in osmium tetroxide. The carcass characteristics were also obtained. Although no differences due feed withdrawal for 48 h were evident for carcass weight, percent lean (saleable) meat yield, rib eye area, average fat cover, fat content of PCD or BF, the US marbling score was increased (P = 0.048) and the amount of dissected fat from the muscle tended to be higher (P = 0.107), thus 81% of the carcasses graded “US Choice” or “Canada AAA,” or displayed at least a “small” amount of intramuscular fat as compared (P = 0.0807) to 68% of the heifers not denied feed. Based on more than three years of weekly prices of carcasses that graded “Canada AAA” and “Canada AA,” these experimental results suggested that the expected price of a finished heifer could increase by $4.61 Canadian if a 48 h feed withdrawal was imposed prior to initiation of the finishing phase. Although significant differences in adipocyte numbers due to a single time 48 h feed withdrawal prior to initiation of the finishing phase were not detected, the carcass quality factors were affected leading to an odds ratio of 1.84 times in favour of cattle carcasses to grade “Canada AAA” than if fed continuously.