The Post‐Cervical Insemination does not Impair the Reproductive Performance of Primiparous Sows

The study evaluated the reproductive performance of primiparous sows submitted to post‐cervical insemination (PCAI) compared with cervical artificial insemination (CAI). Difficulty with catheter introduction, the occurrence of bleeding or semen backflow during insemination, and volume and sperm cell backflow up to 60 min after insemination were also evaluated. Sows were homogenously distributed, according to body weight loss in lactation, lactation length, weaned piglets, weaning‐to‐oestrus interval and total born in previous farrowing, in two treatments: PCAI (n = 165) with 1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells in 45 ml (2.4 ± 0.04 doses per sow) and CAI (n = 165) with 3 × 10⁹ sperm cells in 90 ml (2.5 ± 0.04 doses per sow). During PCAI, sows were inseminated in the absence of boars. Transabdominal real‐time ultrasonography was performed at oestrus onset, immediately before the first insemination and at 24 h after last insemination. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between treatments in farrowing rate (91.5% × 89.1%) and litter size (12.5 × 11.9 piglets born, respectively for PCAI and CAI sows). Successful passage of the intrauterine catheter in all the inseminations was possible in 86.8% (165/190) of sows initially allocated to PCAI treatment. Difficulty of introducing the catheter in at least one insemination did not affect the reproductive performance of PCAI sows (P > 0.05). Bleeding during insemination did not affect (P > 0.05) the farrowing rate in both treatments, but litter size was reduced in CAI and PCAI sows (P ≤ 0.06). Percentage of spermatozoa present in backflow within 1 h after insemination was greater in CAI than PCAI sows (P < 0.01). More than 85% of primiparous sows can be successfully post‐cervical inseminated with doses containing 1.5 × 10⁹ sperm cells in the absence of the boar during insemination without impairing the reproductive performance.     

Marine spatial plans focusing on biodiversity conservation: The case of the Aegean Sea

1. The expansion and intensification of marine uses have severe cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems and human well-being, unless they are properly managed with an ecosystem-based management approach.
2. A systematic conservation planning approach, using marxan with zones , was applied to generate alternative marine spatial plans for the Aegean Sea. Relevant human uses were included and their cumulative impact on a wide set of key biodiversity features was considered in the analysis. Different cost scenarios were developed to gain insight on the effects of the approaches used to assess socio-economic factors, and their potential impact on spatial plans.
3. The spatial plans generated differed greatly depending on the method used to estimate opportunity costs and evaluate human activities in monetary terms.
4. The vulnerability weights (the relative vulnerability of ecological features to specific human activities and their impacts) that were estimated based on a cumulative impact assessment, allowed the assessment of each zone in contributing to the achievement of conservation targets, through a transparent planning approach.
5. Results indicate that special care should be given to how socio-economic activities, their impact on the ecosystems, and related costs are incorporated into planning.
6. The proposed approach demonstrates how EU member states may effectively comply with the new Biodiversity Strategy 2030 targets, while planning for the sustainable use of their marine resources.

     

Trace elements in grass, cattle liver and sheep liver from districts surrounding Karatina, Kenya. I. Selenium

Samples of grass, cattle and sheep livers from the districts surrounding Karatina, Kenya, were analysed for their contents of selenium. The following mean values were found: Grass (n = 31): 0.19 +/- 0.17 mg Se/kg on dry matter basis, cattle liver (n = 96): 0.31 +/- 0.10 mg Se/ kg on wet weight, and sheep liver (n = 93): 0.55 +/- 0.25 mg Se/kg on wet weight. It is concluded that selenium deficiency is unlikely to occur in the districts included in this investigation.     

Risk factors associated with occurrence of nematodes in free range pigs in Busia District,Kenya

Nematode infections are a serious constraint to pig production, especially where free range pig keeping is practiced. This study investigated the epidemiology of nematodes in free range pigs in Busia District, Kenya. Three hundred and six pigs from 135 farms were sampled for faeces that were analysed for nematode eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces using the McMaster technique. The nematode eggs were also identified to genus and species based on morphology. A questionnaire on risk factors was also administered to the pig owners. The overall prevalence and mean nematode EPG were 84.2% and 2,355, respectively. The nematode eggs were identified as those belonging to Oesophagostomum spp. (75%), Strongyloides ransomi (37%), Ascaris suum (18%), Metastrongylus spp. (11%), Trichuris suis (7%) and Physocephalus sexalatus (3%). The prevalence of nematodes was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the amount of rainfall in the division of the pigs' origin (all nematodes except S. ransomi). The prevalence of nematodes was also associated with the age of the pigs. A lower burden of nematodes was associated (p < 0.05) with a history of deworming (A. suum) and the provision of night housing (S. ransomi and Metastrongylus spp.). In conclusion, this study has provided information on nematode infections and the associated risk factors for free range pigs in Busia District, which can be used when implementing integrated control measures.     

Nutrient content of Prosopis africana seeds

The proximate and mineral compositions of Prosopis africana seeds used in the preparation of a local condiment in Nigeria and as animal feed were investigated. The proximate analysis showed that protein, ash and fiber values were comparable to Parkia africana seeds. However, the crude lipid content was lower than Parkia filicoidea seeds and decorticated groundnut. Phosphorus, potassium and calcium were the major mineral elements of the seeds, thereby suggesting that they could contribute partially to the overall daily intake of these elements.     

Feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products lessens the severity of a viral–bacterial coinfection in preweaned calves

We have previously reported that supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation products (SCFP) ameliorates clinical signs and lung pathology following experimental bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection in preweaned dairy calves. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of SCFP supplementation on the metabolic and endocrine responses, and disease outcome of a viral–bacterial coinfection in preweaned calves. Twenty-seven, 1- to 2-d-old Holstein-Angus cross calves were enrolled in the study; one SCFP calf was removed from the trial during the pre-challenge phase due to complications from nephritis. Calves were assigned to two treatment groups: control or SCFP-treated, base milk replacer with 1 g/d SCFP (Smartcare, soluble formula) and calf starter top dressed with 5 g/d SCFP (NutriTek, insoluble formula). Calves were infected with BRSV on day 21, followed 6 d later by intratracheal inoculation with Pasteurella multocida (PM). Calves were euthanized on day 10 post-viral infection. Calves receiving SCFP had reduced thoracic ultrasonography scores on day 7 post-viral infection (P = 0.03) and a tendency toward reduced scores on day 10 post-viral infection (P = 0.09). Calves receiving SCFP also had less severe lung pathology scores at necropsy (P = 0.06). No differences between treatments were observed in lung viral loads (P = 0.48) or bacterial lung recovery (P = 0.34); however, there was a distinction in the lung location for PM recovery, with PM isolated more frequently from the cranial lobes in SCFP-treated calves, but more frequently from the caudal lobes of control calves. Calves treated with SCFP tended (P = 0.07) to have higher serum IL-6 concentrations following the coinfection. Calves treated with SCFP had lower concentrations of serum nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid compared with controls following experimental challenge (P = 0.03 and P = 0.08, respectively), suggesting metabolic changes favoring growth and development. There were no differences between groups in gene expression of insulin receptor, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), growth hormone receptor, or haptoglobin in the liver. Results from this study suggest that supplementing with SCFP may moderate the impact of a respiratory viral–bacterial coinfection on preweaned calves through metabolic and immune modifications.     

Metal accumulation in House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) from Thohoyandou,Limpopo province,South Africa

Studies on metal pollution (cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese and nickel) in South African terrestrial environments are severely lacking. Due to being relatively unaffected by industrialisation, the Thohoyandou region may provide data on natural levels of metals for use as baseline data. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) was chosen as a bio-indicator of metal pollution due to its abundance, non-migratory lifestyle and close association with humans. The aims were to determine the viability of using feathers as a non-lethal bio-indicator tissue compared with muscle. Plume feathers, flight feathers and muscle tissue were analysed using ICP-OES techniques. Analyses of tissue metal concentrations identified the following trend: plume feather > flight feather > muscle tissue. Within the Thohoyandou region, Magondi, which was affected by anthropogenic activities at the time of sampling, had significantly higher concentrations (p ≤ 0.05) for each of the metals, indicating potential metal contamination from various sources. Alternatively, Makonde had the lowest metal concentrations and may be an important reference site for future comparative studies. The results showed that the House Sparrow can be used as a bio-indicator organism in South African terrestrial environments. The plume feathers indicate that they are a good non-lethal tissue for determining metal pollution levels on a temporal scale, indicating recent metal exposure.