The change of dry matter intake, milk yield and bone turnover in primiparous cows compared to multiparous cows during early lactation

Data from six primiparous and nine multiparous Holstein cows were used to clarify the difference of Ca and P mobilization between primiparous and multiparous cows during early lactation. The dry matter intake (DMI) of primiparous cows was lower (P < 0.01) than those of multiparous cows. Milk yield was lower in primiparous cows at 7, 14, 21 (P < 0.01), and 28 days (P < 0.05) after parturition. There was no significant difference in milk Ca and P concentrations between primiparous and multiparous cows. There were no significant differences in plasma Ca and P concentrations between primiparous and multiparous cows. The plasma P level at 7 days postpartum in primiparous cows was lower (P < 0.05) than 28 days postpartum. The concentration of plasma osteocalcin (OC) measured as bone formation marker of primiparous cows was significantly higher than multiparous cows (P < 0.01) at 21 and 28 days postpartum. The urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) as bone resorption marker of primiparous cows tended to be higher (P < 0.10) than multiparous cows at 21 days after parturition and decreased to the same level as that of multiparae toward the peak lactation. These results show that Ca and P mobilization of primiparous cows are more active than multiparous cows.     

Spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat: a case report

A 5-month-old intact female mixed cat presented with repetitive paraplegia and drainage of pus from the back despite continuous antibiotic medication. Neurologic examination was consistent with below T3-L3 myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a contrast-enhanced mass in the L1-3 spinal canal, and bone fragments in the T13 and L1 spinal canal. Spinal epidural empyema was suspected, and hemilaminectomy was performed for T12-L2 on the right side and T11-12 on the left side. Bone fragments were diagnosed as sequestrum infected with Bacteroides sp. The cat recovered enough to ambulate next day. One month after surgery, there was no deficit in neurological function. This is the first report of spinal epidural empyema concurrent with sequestrum in a cat.     

Relationship between ovarian ultrasonographic findings on the seventh post-estrus day and plasma progesterone concentration,nutritional metabolic factors,and pregnancy outcome in dairy cows

To improve the accuracy of ultrasonographic assessment of luteal function, we investigated the relationship between ovarian ultrasonographic findings on Day 7 (Day 1 = ovulation) and plasma progesterone (P₄) concentration, nutritional metabolic factors, and pregnancy outcome. A total of 47 spontaneous estrus events were investigated in 38 lactating Holstein cows (artificial insemination, n = 31; embryo transfer, n = 16). Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on Days 0 and 7 to measure the pre-ovulatory follicle area on Day 0 and the luteal tissue area (LTA), luteal blood flow area (LBF), relative LBF (rLBF) (= LBF/LTA), and dominant follicle area (DFA) on Day 7. Blood samples were collected on Day 7 to measure plasma P₄, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin, and metabolites. Plasma P₄ concentration was positively correlated with LTA but was not associated with LBF or rLBF. Plasma P₄ concentration was positively correlated with blood glucose and IGF-I and negatively correlated with blood urea nitrogen and free fatty acid, and no significant relationship was found between the ultrasonographic findings of the corpus luteum (CL) and these blood metabolites. Pregnant cows had smaller DFA than non-pregnant cows. In conclusion, LTA measurement can help predict plasma P₄ concentration, but it was difficult to detect variations in plasma P₄ concentration in relation to changes in energy status by evaluating the CL ultrasonographically. A combined assessment of CL and first-wave dominant follicle may be important in evaluating fertility.     

Somatic cell and innate immune responses in mammary glands of lactating cows to intramammary infusion of Bifidobacterium breve at pre-drying off period

Intramammary infusion of Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve)-induced somatic cell (SC) counts, chemiluminescent response (CL), lactoferrin (LF) concentrations and mastitis-causing pathogens from quarters with subclinical mastitis were measured to evaluate innate immune response of mammary glands in dairy cows at 3 to 4 weeks before drying off. SC counts in 7 quarters of 7 control cows and 5 quarters of 6 cows with mastitis increased markedly on day 1 and SC values in control cows were significantly (P<0.05) increased and returned to pre-infusion levels on day 5 after B. breve-infusion. CL values in both groups increased markedly on day 1 and then decreased after B. breve-infusion; however, CL values in cows with mastitis did not return to normal levels on day 5 and at postpartum. The CL values were highly correlated with their SC counts in milk from both groups. LF concentrations increased toward day 3 after B. breve-infusion and were higher in cows with mastitis. B. breve-infusion eliminated 16.6% (1/6) of pathogens from 6 quarters with chronic subclinical mastitis. B. breve-induced SC responses in quarters from 3 cows with mastitis showed characteristic patterns of recovery, persistent and new infections. B. breve-induced SC counts in quarters from the cows in the pre-drying off were lower (25.7–70.6%) than those of the cows in mid-lactation. The intrinsic innate immune response in cows on pre-drying off may be decreased and appears to be insufficient to eliminate pathogens from mammary gland in the pre-drying off.     

A survey of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from wild sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Japan

We examined the antimicrobial susceptibility of 848 Escherichia coli isolates from 237 feces samples of wild sika deer (Cervus nippon) captured between 2016 and 2019 in 39 of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Five of the 237 wild sika deer (2.1%) carried E. coli with resistance to at least one antimicrobial, and all the resistant isolates showed resistance to tetracycline. The resistant isolates contained antimicrobial resistance genes that were similar to those in E. coli derived from humans and farm animals. Although wild sika deer are not currently likely to be a source for the transmission of antimicrobial resistance in Japan, they can potentially mediate antimicrobial resistance spread by coming into contact with humans, animals, and their surroundings.     

Treatment of cow-waste slurry by a microbial fuel cell and the properties of the treated slurry as a liquid manure

Resource recycling and the proper treatment of animal waste to reduce its environmental impact are currently important issues for the livestock industry. A microbial fuel cell (MFC), a new type of bioreactor, is expected to play roles in both waste‐water purification and energy recovery. However, the generation of electricity from cow waste has not yet been examined. In this study, using an MFC, we examined the possibility of generating electricity from dairy‐cow waste slurry, and analyzed the properties of the treated slurry as liquid manure for resource recycling. The MFC treatment of the slurry generated electricity in a dose‐dependent manner, and the maximum power output by the MFC from a 1 g of chemical oxygen demand/L slurry was 0.34 mW/m². After the MFC treatment, 84% of the biological oxygen demand in the slurry was removed and three essential fertilizer elements (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) were retained at 84, 70, and 91% levels, respectively. The amount of ammonia nitrogen in the slurry, as an element of fast‐release fertilizer, was increased by 1.9‐fold. Although the treated slurry displayed properties that made it preferable as liquid manure, further studies to improve the electrical power output by the MFC are required for practical use.     

Differences between carcass grades in some morphological, behavioral and physiological measurements at early and middle stages of fattening in crossbred steers

The differential variables for carcass grades were identified from morphological, behavioral and physiological measurements of young steers at a commercial farm. Thirty‐five Japanese Black × Holstein steers aged 6–10 months were randomly assigned to three pens. The steers had free access to ryegrass hay and a restricted amount of concentrate diet for the first 6 months of trial. They were then given oat straw ad libitum and an additional concentrate diet until slaughter. Behavioral observations (15 categories) were carried out once every 2 weeks for 2 h after feeding. Bodyweight was measured, blood sampled (for seven metabolic hormones and five metabolites), ultrasonic scanning conducted and physical measurements taken (10 parts for each animal) in months 1, 3 and 5 (early fattening stage, EFS) and in months 7, 9 and 11 (middle fattening stage, MFS) of the trial. Temperament scores during these procedures, entry order into restraint stalls, social rank and average daily gain were also assessed. A factor analysis and one‐way anova were used to identify clusters of variables which had different factor scores between carcass grades. As for the carcass yields, a cluster of chest girth and depth, bodyweight, withers and hip height, and rump length (P < 0.01), and a cluster of the frequency of scratching the body with facilities (P < 0.05) were identified as differential variables in the EFS. In the MFS, a cluster of concentrations of cortisol and epinephrine, and the frequency of eating straw were identified (P < 0.10). As for the carcass quality grade, a cluster of social rank, triglyceride concentration and the frequencies of stand‐chewing cud and eating hay, and a cluster of the frequency of investigating facilities (both P < 0.10) were identified in the EFS. In the MFS, a cluster of hip height, bodyweight, cannon circumference, chest depth, withers height and chest girth, and a cluster of the frequencies of eating a concentrate diet and stand‐chewing the cud, and social rank (both P < 0.10) were identified. In conclusion, bodyweight, chest girth and depth, withers and hip height were identified as good differential variables for future carcass grades of young steers. Facility enrichment that encourages steers to eat hay in the EFS, and to eat a concentrate diet in and after the MFS would be effective in upgrading carcass grades. High incidence of investigating and scratching the body with facilities and stand‐chewing the cud might lead to lower carcass grades.     

Variations in the morphology of Rhizomucor pusillus in granulomatous lesions of a Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus)

This report presents a new case of mucormycosis encountered in penguin characterized by morphological variation of hyphae and presence of sporangia with numerous sporangiospores. A 4.5-year-old Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) died after exhibiting anorexia, poor nutritional condition and dyspnea. Multiple nodular lesions were observed in the thoracic and abdominal regions. Histopathologically, hyphae of various sizes were seen in the lungs, air sac and nodular lesions. Myriad sporangiospores and several sporangia were observed in/around the bronchi or parabronchi. The very narrow and short hyphae in the nodules were not consistent with the characteristics of Mucorales. However, for most hyphae, including those in the nodules, sporangiospores and sporangia, immunohistochemistry revealed Mucorales-positive reactions. In addition, these fungi were identified as Rhizomucor pusillus by gene analysis.