Experimental studies on the impact of an increased dose of anionic salts on the metabolism of dairy cows

Summary

This study was initiated to investigate the influence of a daily dose of anionic salts (AS) above the valid upper limit at present on metabolism of dairy cows. Eleven non‐pregnant and non‐lactating Holstein‐Friesian crossbred cows with a permanent rumen cannula were used in a study with a controlled feeding design. The initial daily dose was 2500 meq/day, which resulted in a Dietary Cation Anion Difference (DCAD) of ‐211 meq/kg dry matter. Every seven days, the daily dose was raised by 500 meq. If a cow stopped eating, the application of AS was stopped and these cows were monitored over the next seven days. On day 30 another batch of hay, having the same DCAD but higher concentrations of minerals and energy, was fed. Blood and urine samples were taken to monitor acid‐base balance and calcium concentrations. Acid‐base balance was strongly influenced by AS. Blood pH dropped steadily and reached values around 7.23. Urine pH dropped quickly below 6 and remained at that level regardless of the increased dosage of AS. Net acid base excretion (NABE) fell continuously with the increase of the dosage of AS and reached values below ‐200 mmol/l. Calcium concentrations in the serum were nearly stable, but those in urine increased sharply and remained on an elevated level with increasing doses of AS. A few days before the individual cow's refusal of feed intake, calcium excretion in urine decreased. The majority of cows stopped eating while consuming a diet containing 3500 to 4000 meq AS except two animals who consumed up to 6000 meq/day AS but they received the better hay in the second half of the treatment period. In this time pH in blood increased slowly. NABE remained stable on a low level at ‐100 mmol/l. The results showed that with an increasing amount of AS fed the risk of clinical acidosis increased. The decreasing urine concentrations of calcium indicate a breakdown of the compensation capability of the single cow. Besides the dose of AS fed, the quality of the feed stuff might be another factor concerning the tolerance of cows against AS.     

犬的免疫介导疾病的诊断和治疗

我们经常能看到一些犬表现出干燥和皮屑剥落的皮肤,变薄变稀的皮毛,泪流不止,足部过度舔,慢性腹泻,多动,不能长胖或情绪波动.这些症状最常见的诊断是跳蚤过敏性皮炎,环境过敏或饮食中缺乏脂肪酸.通常多作为治疗皮肤疾病的原因前往看兽医.然而,所有这些症状往往指向一种免疫介导缺陷的障碍—不活跃的免疫系统（免疫缺陷）,或过度活跃的免疫系统（自身免疫性疾病）.繁育者将带有隐蔽免疫介导缺陷的犬用于育种繁殖,将带来一些亚临床性质的问题.而一些兽医对此类问题的出现并不很了解,忽略了涉及免疫系统的缺陷和自身免疫性疾病的对症治疗.本文提供了先天的和适应性免疫的实际概述,并介绍这些宿主的防御机制是如何涉及健康和疾病的.     

Discussion on bovine leptospiral abortion

Extract

The outbreak to be described occurred in the autumn of 1957 in a mob of 18-month-old wether hoggets. The property concerned was situated in the Wairarapa close to Masterton, and consisted of light stony soil with pastures that were poor and largely run out. The hoggets had been purchased 9 months previously and had been grazed on the property throughout this time.     

Soil chemical properties and microbial biomass after 16 years of no-tillage farming on the Loess Plateau, China

Data from a 16-year field experiment conducted in Shanxi, on the Chinese Loess Plateau, were used to compare the long-term effects of no-tillage with straw cover (NTSC) and traditional tillage with straw removal (TTSR) in a winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) monoculture. Long-term no-tillage with straw cover increased SOM by 21.7% and TN by 51.0% at 0–10 cm depth and available P by 97.3% at 0–5 cm depth compared to traditional tillage. Soil microbial biomass C and N increased by 135.3% and 104.4% with NTSC compared to TTSR for 0–10 cm depth, respectively. Under NTSC, the metabolic quotient (CO₂ evolved per unit of MBC) decreased by 45.1% on average in the top 10 cm soil layer, which suggests that TTSR produced a microbial pool that was more metabolically active than under NTSC. Consequently, winter wheat yield was about 15.5% higher under NTSC than under TTSR. The data collected from our 16-year experiment show that NTSC is a more sustainable farming system which can improve soil chemical properties, microbial biomass and activity, and thus increase crop yield in the rainfed dryland farming areas of northern China. The soil processes responsible for the improved yields and soil quality, in particular soil organic matter, require further research.