Variability in concentrations of zinc in serum and feed when using zinc oxide as a supplement for the prevention of facial eczema

AIMS: To determine the variability of concentrations of Zn in feed, when used as a supplement to prevent facial eczema, and to determine the variability in concentrations of Zn in serum between cows and herds that are being supplemented with ZnO in feed, using in-shed feeders or on a feed pad.

METHODS: Sixteen commercial dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand were enrolled, that were supplementing cows with ZnO in the feed using either an automatic in-shed feeder (ASF) or a feed pad (FP) using a feed-out or mixer wagon. On each farm 10 cows were selected by the farmer, that were assumed to be representative of the age and liveweight of the herd. Four hours after supplement feeding, each cow was weighed and a blood sample collected for measurement of concentrations of Zn in serum. Three samples of feed were collected from each farm for Zn analysis, from the beginning, middle and end of the feed being distributed. Levene’s test for homoscedasticity was used to analyse whether there were differences in variation of individual concentrations of Zn in serum, and in the feed, between the two feeding systems. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between age, feeding method or liveweight and concentrations of Zn in serum, after accounting for the variability between farms.

RESULTS: Of the 163 cows sampled, concentrations of Zn in serum were between 20–35?µmol/L in 75/163 (46 (95% CI=38–54)%) cows; were <20?µmol/L in 71/163 (44 (95% CI=36–52)%) cows, and >35?µmol/L in 17/163 (10 (95% CI=6–16)%) cows. The variation in concentrations of Zn in serum in individual cows differed between farms (p<0.001), and the variability was greater for cows fed using a FP than ASF (p<0.001). There was no difference in the variation of concentrations of Zn in feed between the two feeding methods (p=0.54), but concentrations of Zn in serum were associated with the amount of Zn offered in feed (p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICIAL RELEVENCE: There was significant variability between farms in the concentrations of Zn in the serum of cows being supplemented with ZnO in feed. Only 46% of cows sampled had concentrations of Zn between 20–35?µmol/L. Effective management of facial eczema should include monitoring Zn in the feed and in serum to ensure cows are receiving the correct dose they require.     

牧草新品种黔草1号高羊茅的选育

黔草1号高羊茅是利用贵州地方野生资源作亲本,采用改良混合选择法,经10余年的选育研究育成的新品种。该品种抗逆性强、适应性广、坪用性好、耐践踏、持续性好、绿期长,返青期比引进品种凌志提前7 d,枯黄期晚3 d;种子成熟期集中,种子平均产量比对照品种高20%以上。适应我国长江中下游低山、丘陵等地区种植,是运动场草坪、环境绿化、生态治理的优良草种。     

INTRATHORACIC SURGERY IN LARGE ANIMALS

The techniques for successful intrathoracic surgery are similar in all species. Basic surgical and anesthetic principles apply in large animals, but special consideration must be given to mechanical problems.     

Physiological Responses of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to Crowding and Anesthesia with AQUI-S™

Abstract.— Following exposure to the anesthetic AQUI-S™, plasma cortisol concentration in immature rainbow trout was measured as (mean) 293 ± 48 ng/ mL, which was significantly ( P > 0.05) higher than the mean concentration in resting fish. Cortisol concentrations remained significantly ( P > 0.05) elevated for at least 24 h after treatment. This was accompanied by a significant increase and decrease in hematocrit and plasma potassium, respectively. These perturbations continued for at least 48 h following recovery from anesthesia. Plasma concentrations of total protein and sodium remained unchanged following anesthesia with AQUI-S™. Crowding stress is commonly encountered by fish during manipulation in aquaculture situations. Anesthetising fish prior to, and during, manipulation may reduce the associated stress. Changes in cortisol values resulting from crowding (30 min; 0.1 kg/L) during anesthesia with AQUI-S™ were not appreciably different from those in fish crowded without anesthesia. Thus, anesthesia with AQUI-S™ at the recommended dose of 17 mg/L did not appear to be effective for alleviating the stress of crowding under the conditions of our experiments.     

Red cell population distributions in healthy dogs

Red blood cells population distributions were studied in puppies and in mature beagle dogs using the Coulter Channelyzer C-1000. Weekly measurements over a period of six months indicated that only minor fluctuations in population distribution indices occurred. Normal range studies showed that although mean cell volume was similar in young and older dogs, young dogs showed an approximately 12.5 per cent greater volume range due to an increased presence of both larger and smaller cells. The red cell population distributions conformed to a single log normal distribution. A mild anaemia was induced in mature dogs. Compensation for this led to transient changes from the usual log normal shape of the red cell population distribution.