亚急性瘤胃酸中毒耐受性不同的奶牛血浆和乳中脂肪酸及代谢物组成分析

为比较研究对亚急性瘤胃酸中毒（SARA）耐受性不同的奶牛血浆和乳中代谢组的差异，试验选用12头装有永久性瘤胃瘘管的泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛［泌乳天数=（114±22） d］，饲喂精粗比为4∶6的全混合日粮。在试验期第20和21天晨饲后0、2、4、6、8和12 h监测瘤胃pH值，在早晚饲喂前收集奶样，晨饲6 h后采集颈静脉血，用于测定脂肪酸及代谢物组成。基于奶牛瘤胃平均pH值高低，将奶牛分为SARA易感组（SUS，瘤胃pH=5.76，n=4）和SARA耐受组（TOL，瘤胃pH=6.10，n=4）。脂肪酸测定结果分析显示，与TOL组相比，SUS组奶牛血液及乳中的碳链长度≤C16的脂肪酸含量显著增高（P<0.05），而>C16的脂肪酸的含量显著降低（P<0.05），乳中饱和脂肪酸及单不饱和脂肪酸含量均显著降低（P<0.05）。血浆代谢组结果显示， SUS组奶牛血浆中L-苯丙酮酸水平显著降低（P<0.05），而MG（18：0/0：0/0：0）、9-HODE、12（13） Ep-9-KODE、烟酰胺、异戊基肉碱、磷酸肌酸和L-谷氨酸水平显著升高（P<0.05）。乳代谢组分析结果显示，与TOL组比较，SUS组奶牛乳中的1-硬脂酰磷酸甘油丝氨酸和鞘氨醇水平显著升高（P<0.05），而甘油磷酰基乙醇胺、3-磷酸甘油和乳清酸等其他14个差异代谢物水平显著降低（P<0.05），这些差异代谢物主要涉及甘油磷脂代谢、甘油脂代谢及泛酸与辅酶A代谢等代谢途径。综上所述，SARA耐受性不同的奶牛的血浆和乳中脂肪酸及代谢物组成存在较大差异，SUS组奶牛血浆中氨基酸代谢活动增加，乳腺的乳脂从头合成能力较强，而从血液中摄取长链脂肪酸能力减弱，与此同时，易感奶牛乳中磷脂、乳清酸等营养物质水平下降，乳品质下降。     

An investigation of the possible effects of subclinical iodine deficiency on ewe fertility and perinatal lamb mortality

A controlled supplementation trial was performed in an assumed iodine-deficient Romney ewe flock in the Manawatu. Significantly more twin litters were born to iodine-supplemented ewes than to control ewes. Furthermore, the perinatal mortality rate in lambs born to iodine-supplemented dams was significantly lower than in lambs born to control dams. Ewe age and the use of different lambing paddocks for iodine-supplemented and control ewes may have been confounding factors. In both iodine-supplemented and control ewes, serum T₃ and T₄ concentration values remained above the currently used “normal” range throughout the trial period.     

Livestock disease threats associated with intensification of pastoral dairy farming

This paper provides an overview of the changes in the pasture-based dairy systems of New Zealand and Australia that may influence the health of cattle.

There are relatively few available data that can be used to quantify the effects of increased intensification of milk production on the health of cattle. There is evidence that increased production increases the risk of mastitis and culling for udder health. Increased risks of mastitis with treatment with somatotropin support these findings; however, the risk of mastitis may decrease with increased milking frequency. Larger herds with greater stocking density should increase the risk for infectious disease, but evidence to support this contention is sparse.

Very intensive grazing patterns associated with higher grass yields achieved using better cultivars and greater use of fertilisers favour nematode parasites. There is some evidence of anthelmintic resistance in both nematodes and liver fluke. Veterinarians will need to be aware of the potential for these to reduce the productivity of cattle.

There have been benefits of improved nutrition on the efficiency of energy use for dairy production. Diseases such as bloat and ketosis appear to be of lower prevalence. It also appears that mineral nutrition of pasture-fed cattle is being better addressed, with gains in the control of milk fever, hypomagnesaemia and trace-element deficiencies. However, acidosis is a condition with a high point prevalence in pasture-based dairy systems where cows are fed supplements; one study in Australia found a point prevalence of approximately 11% of cows with acidosis. There is evidence from this study that the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in pasture-based diets may need to be higher than 30% of the diet to maintain rumen stability. Laminitis and acidosis are different conditions with a similar pathogenesis, specifically highly fermentable diets. The prevalence of lameness was 28% in herds in Australia, suggesting that this condition must be a focus for preventive medical approaches, including the design of laneways, feedpads and dairies.     

Effects of pH on contractility of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) intestinal muscle in vitro

Extreme acid-base imbalances in salmonids have been shown to impact on gastrointestinal motility. Changes in pH are known to affect cardiac and skeletal muscle in fish and mammalian intestinal smooth muscle preparations. This study was conducted to determine if the contractility of rainbow trout intestinal muscle was sensitive to pH fluctuations and to begin the investigation into the mechanisms by which pH affected contractility. Isolated duplicate or triplicate segments of rainbow trout intestine were suspended in organ baths containing modified Krebs-Henseleit solution. The pH was adjusted by varying the concentration of CO₂ aerating the solution and with HCl or lactic acid. Contractility was determined as response to the administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin), KCl, and transmural stimulation within the pH range of 6.3 to 8.5. Optimum pH for proximal segments was 7.85 while the range was much wider for distal segments. Decreasing the pH with CO₂ resulted in a greater inhibition of smooth muscle contractility than when the pH was decreased in 100% O₂ with either HCl or lactic acid, particularly when the tissues are stimulated electrically. This effect was ameliorated as the fish attained sexual maturity, although the mechanisms involved were not clear. The Cl^-/HCO ₃ ^- exchanger appeared to be involved in recovery from acidotic stress, particularly at pH levels below 6.5. The role played by the Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger is still unclear. Although contractility was inhibited in the presence of the amiloride analog EIPA (5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride), whether the inhibition was due to blockage of ion transport or to cytosolic effects is yet to be determined.     

Metabolic acidosis in healthy mules under general anaesthesia with halothane

ObjectiveTo report the severe metabolic acidosis identified in a group of 11 healthy mules anaesthetized with halothane for castration.Study designData generated from a prospective study.AnimalsEleven mules aged 2.5–8 years, weighing 230–315 kg and 11 horses aged 1.5–3.5 years, weighing 315–480 kg.MethodsAnimals were anaesthetized for castration as part of an electroencephalographic study. Preanaesthetic medication was acepromazine (0.03 mg kg^?1) administered through a preplaced jugular venous catheter. Anaesthesia was induced 30–90 minutes later with intravenous thiopental (10 mg kg^?1). After orotracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with halothane vaporised in oxygen. The animals’ lungs were ventilated to maintain the end-tidal CO₂ concentration between 3.9 and 4.5 kPa (29–34 mmHg). Anaesthetic monitoring included invasive blood pressure measurement via the auricular artery (mules) and submandibular branch of the facial artery (horses). Arterial blood gas samples were drawn from these catheters at three time points during surgery and pH, PaCO₂, base excess (ecf) and HCO₃^? were measured. Values were compared between groups using a Mann–Whitney test. p was taken as <0.05. Results are reported as median (range).ResultsPaCO₂ did not differ between groups but pH was significantly lower in mules [7.178 (7.00–7.29)] compared to horses [7.367 (7.24–7.43)] (p = 0.0002). HCO₃^? values were significantly lower in the mules [16.6 (13.0–22.3) mM] compared to horses [23.7 (20.9–23.7) mM] (p = 0.0001), whilst base excess (ecf) was significantly more negative in the mules [?11.4 (?1.27 to ?16) mM] compared to horses [?1.3 (?5.8 to +2.4) mM] (p = 0.0004).Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis in healthy mules, which may have prompted intervention with drug therapies in a clinical arena. It is probable that the acidosis existed prior to anaesthesia and caused by diet, but other possible causes are considered.     

Oxidative response of neutrophils to platelet-activating factor is altered during acute ruminal acidosis induced by oligofructose in heifers

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is one of the main mechanisms used to kill microbes during innate immune response. D-lactic acid, which is augmented during acute ruminal acidosis, reduces platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced ROS production and L-selectin shedding in bovine neutrophils in vitro. This study was conducted to investigate whether acute ruminal acidosis induced by acute oligofructose overload in heifers interferes with ROS production and L-selectin shedding in blood neutrophils. Blood neutrophils and plasma were obtained by jugular venipuncture, while ruminal samples were collected using rumenocentesis. Lactic acid from plasma and ruminal samples was measured by HPLC. PAF-induced ROS production and L-selectin shedding were measured in vitro in bovine neutrophils by a luminol chemiluminescence assay and flow cytometry, respectively. A significant increase in ruminal and plasma lactic acid was recorded in these animals. Specifically, a decrease in PAF-induced ROS production was observed 8 h after oligofructose overload, and this was sustained until 48 h post oligofructose overload. A reduction in PAF-induced L-selectin shedding was observed at 16 h and 32 h post oligofructose overload. Overall, the results indicated that neutrophil PAF responses were altered in heifers with ruminal acidosis, suggesting a potential dysfunction of the innate immune response.     

A cow‐level association of ruminal pH on body condition score,serum beta‐hydroxybutyrate and postpartum disorders in Thai dairy cattle

Subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows occurs when ruminal pH is below about 5.5. However, the exact threshold level of ruminal pH affecting cow health is still in debate. This investigation was carried out in 505 cows within 31 farms. The postpartum disorders, including dystocia, retained placenta, anestrus, cystic ovary, metritis, clinical mastitis and lameness, were analyzed. Ruminal pH, serum beta‐hydroxy butyrate (SBHB), serum urea nitrogen and body condition score (BCS) were measured once during the 3 to 6 weeks postpartum, while BCS was determined once more at 1 week before calving. Ruminal pH was determinded by ruminocentesis technique. The ruminal pH was evaluated to study the association with BCS, SBHB and postpartum disorders using linear regression in a generalized linear mixed model with farm as a random effect. The results show that low ruminal pH was associated with dystocia, metritis and lameness. Moreover, a low ruminal pH can be found in cows with a high loss of BCS after calving and also in cows with low SBHB postpartum. These findings confirmed the feasibility of the ruminocentesis technique and the association of low ruminal pH on various postpartum disorders at the individual cow level. However, the consequences of low ruminal pH on dairy cow health still needs more exploration for a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms.