Liveweight Change Research Articles

Novel action of 7-O-galloyl-d-sedoheptulose isolated from Corni Fructus as a hypertriglyceridaemic agent

Abstract Objectives We investigated the lipid-lowering activity of 7-O-galloyl-d-sedoheptulose, an active component of Corni Fructus, and related mechanisms. Methods Rats were fed a high-fructose diet for 6 days, followed by treatment with 7-O-galloyl-d-sedoheptulose, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg per day, or fenofibrate (positive control). Key findings The high-fructose diet induced an increase in body weight, hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension. Administration of 7-O-galloyl-d-sedoheptulose significantly reduced the levels of triglyceride in the serum and liver (being more effective than fenofibrate) but did not lead to changes in liver weight or hepatic function, whereas fenofibrate increased the liver weight markedly. The preventive effect of 7-O-galloyl-d-sedoheptulose against the accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol was related to the up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α expression. Conclusions The present study supports the role of 7-O-galloyl-d-sedoheptulose as a promising agent against hypertriglyceridaemia without hepatic side-effects.

Live Weight Changes and Their Relationship with the Ovarian Status of Maiden Fat-Tailed Barbarine Ewes

The current study assessed the effect of the pattern of live weight change on the ovarian function of maiden Barbarine ewes at approximately 1 year of age. For this purpose, a total of 171 weaned ewe lambs (mean live weight ± s.d. 34.7±3.07 kg and mean age ± SD 196±10 days at weaning) were selected for the experiment. Adjustment of live weight variation was used. Based on the slope of the curve, animals were grouped into three classes LWCI (n=46), LWCII (n=91) and LWCIII (n=34) with live weight loss being highest in LWCI and lowest in LWCIII. Following laparoscopy at 13 months of age, the proportion of ewe lambs found cycling in LWCIII (85.3%) was higher in comparison to animals in LWCI (43.4%; P<0.001) and tended to be superior to those in LWCII (61.5%; P<0.05). Following synchronisation with progestagen of the females found cycling, levels of plasma IGF-I concentrations between 6 and 42 hrs after removal of sponges were not significantly different between the three classes of live weight, and respectively averaged 94.2, 90.8 and 89.8 µg/l for LWCI, LWCII and LWCIII females. Levels of estradiol were also not significantly different between the three groups (0.73, 0.70 and 0.67 pg/ml for LWCI, LWCII and LWCIII ewe lambs, respectively). It was concluded that, in low input systems of semi-arid and arid Tunisia, mating ewe lambs at the approximate age of 1 year is likely to lead to depressed reproductive performance particularly when the summer live weight-loss is elevated.

Odour emissions from tunnel-ventilated broiler sheds: case study of nine Queensland farms

Odour emission rates were measured from nine tunnel-ventilated broiler farms in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. At one farm, odour emission rates were measured over two sequential batches approximately weekly, while at the remaining farms, odour emission rates were measured just before the first pickup (around Day 35 of the batch) when bird liveweight was greatest and peak odour emission rates were expected. Odour samples were analysed using dynamic olfactometry (to AS/NZS 4323.3:2001), and an artificial olfaction system was used to continuously monitor odour emission rates at one farm. Odour emission rates ranged from 330 to 2960 ou/s per 1000 birds and from 0.19 to 2.12 ou/s.kg, with a significant amount of variability observed throughout the batch and throughout each sampling day. While the wide range in odour emission rates was primarily due to changes in bird liveweight and ventilation requirements, other factors were also involved. The artificial olfaction system proved useful for quantifying the range and variability of odour emission rates, especially when olfactometry analysis was impractical.

Kangal köpeklerinde dölverimi, yaşama gücü ve büyüme özellikleri

Araştırmanın amacı Ankara bölgesinde bir çiftlikte yetiştirilen Kangal köpeklerinde dölverimi, yaşama gücü ve büyüme özelliklerini belirlemektir. Araştırma, Ankara-Haymana’da 30 ergin ve163 yavru ile yürütülmüştür. Ortalama ilk östrus gösterme yaşı 408.5 gün, östrus sayısı, yaz, kış, sonbahar ve ilkbaharda sırasıyla 18,14,11 ve 7 dir. Mevsimin etkisi önemlidir. Östruslar arası süre, gebe kalanlarda 236.6, kalmayanlarda 182.6 gün; ortalama proöstrus ve östrus süreleri sırasıyla 7.5 ve 4.9; gebelik öncesi ile süt kesim sonrası ortalama canlı ağırlık değişimi 2.6 kg dır. Doğum tipinin etkisi önemlidir. Ortalama gebelik süresi 60.8 gün, östrus oranı %100, yalancı gebelik oranı %8.6, doğum oranı %91.4 bir doğumda ortalama yavru sayısı 5.9 dur. Ana yaşının etkisi önemsizdir. Ortalama ölü doğum oranı %6.7’dir ve bu oran 7-9 ve 1-3 yavrulu doğum tiplerinde sırasıyla %8.1 ve %4.7’dir ve sonbahar- kış’ta %8.0, ilkbahar-yaz’da %3.9; 5-7 yaşlı anaların yavrularında %19.2 dir. Mevsim ve ana yaşının etkisi önemlidir. Yaşama gücü 120. günde %86.8, mevsimin etkisi 30. güne kadar önemlidir. Erkek ve dişi yavrularda doğum ağırlığı sırasıyla 0.54 ve 0.52 kg, Doğum tipi, mevsim ve cinsiyetin etkileri sırasıyla 60,45 ve15.güne kadar önemli olmuştur. Yalancı gebelik oranı diğer köpek ırklarına göre çok düşük bulunmuştur

Influence of stocking rate and mixed grazing of Angora goats and Merino sheep on animal and pasture production in southern Australia. 2. Liveweight, body condition score, carcass yield and mortality

The effects of animal species (AS; Angora goats, Merino sheep, mixed-grazed goats and sheep at the ratio of 1 : 1) and stocking rate (SR; 7.5, 10 and 12.5 animals/ha) on the liveweight, body condition score, carcass yield and mortality of goats and sheep were determined in a replicated experiment on improved annual temperate pastures in southern Australia from 1981 to 1984. The pattern of liveweight change was similar for both species with growth from pasture germination in autumn until maturation in late spring followed by weight loss. In winter, sheep grew faster than goats (65 versus 10 g/day, P < 0.05). In mixed-grazed treatments between November and December goats either grew when sheep were losing weight or goats lost less weight than sheep (P < 0.01). Both AS (P < 0.001) and SR (P < 0.001) affected liveweight of sheep and an AS × SR interaction (P < 0.05) affected liveweight of goats. Mixed-grazed sheep were heavier than separately grazed sheep at all SR with a mean difference at 10 and 12.5/ha of 4.6 kg. Mixed-grazed goats at 10/ha were heavier than separately grazed goats from the end of the second year of the experiment, but at 12.5/ha, separately grazed goats maintained an advantage over mixed-grazed goats, with a 9.4-kg mean difference in December (P < 0.05). Body condition scores of goats and sheep declined with increasing SR; they were highest in late spring and were highly correlated with liveweight (r2 > 0.8). Both AS and SR affected (P < 0.001) carcass weight and GR tissue depth as a direct result of differences in liveweight. Adjusting for differences in carcass weight negated AS effects on GR tissue depth. The carcass weights of sheep and goats increased by similar amounts for each 1-kg increase in liveweight. Mortality of sheep (3.1% p.a.) was unaffected by AS or SR. An AS × SR interaction indicated mortality of separately grazed goats at 12.5/ha and mixed-grazed goats at 10 and 12.5/ha were higher (P < 0.05) than all other goat (29 versus 9%) and sheep treatments, primarily because of increased susceptibility to cold stress. Disease prevalence differed between sheep and goats. Mixed grazing of Merino sheep and Angora goats produced complementary and competitive effects depending upon the SR. Goats used summer pasture better but winter pasture less well for liveweight gain than sheep. Angora goats should not be grazed alone or mixed grazed with sheep on annual temperate pastures at SR greater than that recommended for Merino sheep and the evidence indicates a lower SR will reduce risks associated with mortality.

Antifibrotic effects of CGX, a traditional herbal formula, and its mechanisms in rats

Aim CGX is a modification of a traditional herbal medicine for “liver cleaning,” which is used to treat various chronic liver disorders in oriental clinics. This study investigated the antifibrotic effects and associated mechanisms of CGX. Materials and methods Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN; 10 mg kg −1, ip) injection on 3 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks. CGX (100 or 200 mg kg −1, po) was administrated once a day for 4 weeks. Three cell lines (HepG2, RAW 264.7, and HSC-T6) were used to examine its mechanisms. Results CGX treatment dramatically ameliorated the change in liver and spleen weight and serum albumin ( p < 0.01), aspartate transaminase ( p < 0.01), alanine transaminase ( p < 0.01), alkaline phosphatase ( p < 0.01), and total bilirubin ( p < 0.01) levels. Histopathologically, CGX administration decreased necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen accumulation. The antifibrotic effects of CGX were confirmed from hydroxyproline determination and the reduction in the numbers of activated hepatic stellate cells. In addition, antioxidant proteins, glutathione content, and glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were maintained in the CGX-treated groups compared with the DMN group. CGX downregulated fibrosis-related genes (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, connective tissue growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor-beta) and decreased the protein levels of profibrotic cytokines (transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor-beta) in liver tissues. In the cell line-based studies, CGX showed supportive effects, such as the protection of hepatocytes from CCl 4-toxicity, inhibition of NO production in RAW 264.7 cells, and inactivation of hepatic stellate cells. Conclusion These results demonstrated the antifibrotic effects of CGX and the corresponding mechanisms associated with sustaining the antioxidative system and inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation via the downregulation of fibrogenic cytokines.

The effect of the maturity and prior breeding activity of rams and body condition score of ewe hoggets on the reproductive performance of ewe hoggets

AIM: To determine the effect of age and prior use of mature rams at a given ram-to-ewe ratio, and the effect of body condition on breeding performance and pregnancy rate of ewe hoggets. METHODS: Ewe hoggets (n=733) aged 7–8 months were weighed and their body condition scored, then randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Day 0) and joined with either four two-tooth rams (20 months of age) not used previously (n=244; Two-tooth), four mixed-aged mature rams that had not been used earlier in the season (n=244; Mature-fresh), or four mixed-aged mature rams that had been used with mature ewes immediately prior to joining with hoggets (n=245; Mature-used). The breeding period was 34 days. Ewe hoggets were identified as having been marked during the first 17 days only, during both 17-day periods, during the second 17 days only, or not marked. Hoggets were re-weighed on Day 34, and pregnancy status determined using ultrasound on Day 92. The breeding soundness of the rams was assessed on Days −34 and −1. RESULTS: Semen samples obtained from the rams did not differ significantly in any of the parameters measured (p>0.05). Ewe hoggets joined with Mature-fresh rams were less likely (p<0.05) to be marked in the second 17 days of breeding only than those joined with either Two-tooth or Mature-used rams. No other breeding parameters were affected by breeding group (p>0.05). Hoggets marked in the first 17 days only were heavier (p<0.05) at Day 0 than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked. Hoggets diagnosed as twin-bearing were heavier (p<0.05) than non-pregnant or single-bearing hoggets. Those hoggets marked in the first 17 days only had a greater (p<0.05) body condition score (BCS) than those marked in the second 17 days only or not marked at all. These differences were no longer apparent after correction for liveweight (LW).Correction for LW at Day 0 or change in LW during the breeding period did not affect the results for breeding performance. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of this study, two-tooth rams and mature rams that had been used previously were just as suitable as mature rams that had not been used previously for breeding with ewe hoggets. Further studies are warranted to verify this result. The re-use of rams without reducing breeding performance would reduce breeding costs and may make breeding hoggets a more viable option for farmers. The BCS of ewe hoggets affected breeding performance, and can thus be used to identify those animals most suitable for breeding.

Toxicodynamics of subacute co-exposure to groundwater contaminant arsenic and analgesic–antipyretic drug acetaminophen in rats

Arsenic is an environmental contaminant, while acetaminophen is an extensively used nonsteroidal analgesic–antipyretic drug. We evaluated whether subacute co-exposure to arsenic and acetaminophen would produce more toxicity than that caused by exposure to either of the xenobiotics in rats. Toxicity was evaluated through changes in body weight, feed consumption, liver weight and microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in liver. Arsenic had no effect on body weight and feed consumption. Acetaminophen-mediated decrease in body weight was attenuated in the co-exposed rats. Acetaminophen alone or its co-administration with arsenic decreased feed consumption. Arsenic reduced acetaminophen-mediated increase in the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. The co-exposure caused lesser lipid peroxidation than the individual exposure. Arsenic or acetaminophen given alone depleted GSH and decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione- S-transferase and these effects remained mostly unaffected after co-exposure. The results suggest that co-exposure to arsenic and acetaminophen may be less hazardous than their independent exposure in rats.

Allocation of feed based on individual dairy cow live weight changes: I: Feed intake and live weight changes during lactation

Based on individual cow live weight changes, feeding strategies were designed for individual feeding of dairy cows in loose-housing systems and examined in a four-year production trial including 115 Danish Red (DR), 91 Danish Holstein (DH) and 93 Danish Jersey (DJ). Cows were kept in a dairy system based on automatic milking (AMS). The objective was to examine the relationship between feed intake and live weight changes in response to the three feeding strategies examined. All cows were allowed a combination of a mixed ration (MR) and individually separately offered concentrate (ISC) in the AMS. Cows were randomly assigned to one of three feeding strategies; MR1, MR2-E or MR2-L. Cows fed according to the MR1 strategy were allowed one medium energy ration during the whole lactation. Cows on the MR2 strategies were allowed a high energy ration during early lactation, followed by an early (MR2-E) or late (MR2-L) change to a low energy ration. The early and late change was defined as a live weight gain after live weight minimum of 15 and 35 kg respectively for DR/DH and 11 and 25 kg respectively for DJ. Peak energy intake obtained by primiparous cows and cows of DJ was not significantly higher in response to feeding the MR2 strategies. Early reduction (MR2-E strategy) caused a significant longer duration of the total period of mobilization compared to late reduction (MR2-L) within multiparous DR and DH cows. It indicates that early reduction of ration energy concentration forced these cows into a second period of mobilization, whereas cows continued to gain live weight in response to late reduction of ration energy concentration. In general results from the present experiment indicate that feeding according to live weight can be used to manipulate the extent and the duration of the mobilization period especially within multiparous cows. The different results obtained in response to early and late reduction of ration energy concentration suggest that transition from mobilization to deposition conditions is a reversible process only as long as cows are not fully adapted to deposition metabolism. Additionally the results suggest that the transition period from mobilization to deposition is relatively short.

Allocation of feed based on individual dairy cow live weight changes: II: Effect on milk production

Based on individual cow live weight gain, feeding strategies were designed for individual feeding of dairy cows in loose-housing systems, and examined in a four-year production trial including 115 Danish Red (DR), 91 Danish Holstein (DH), and 93 Danish Jersey (DJ). The objective of the present paper was to examine the milk yield obtained in response to three feeding strategies. The interrelationship between feed intake and live weight changes is presented in a companion paper. Cows were stalled in a loose-housing system based on automatic milking, automatic recording of feed intake and automatic weighing of the cows. All cows had 3 kg of individually separately offered concentrate (ISC) in addition to a mixed ration (MR). Cows were either allowed a medium energy MR during whole lactation (strategy MR1) or a high energy MR during early lactation, which was reduced to a low energy MR either early or late (strategy MR2-E and MR2-L). The early and late changes were defined as a live weight gain after live weight minimum at 15 and 35 kg, respectively, for DR/DH and 11 and 25 kg, respectively, for DJ. When MR energy concentration was changed, cows on the MR2 strategies were offered 3 kg per day of extra concentrate. The total allowance of 6 kg ISC was stepwise reduced to 3 kg per day as live weight continued to increase until 50 and 35 kg for DR/DH and DJ, respectively. Compared to feeding the MR1 strategy, the analysis showed that feeding the MR2 strategies did not significantly affect milk yield within primiparous DR and DH or within any DJ, as total lactation feed energy intake within these groups of cows was not significantly affected by the feeding strategy. Results obtained for multiparous DH showed that it is possible to increase milk yield without reducing the milk:feed ratio, when MR2 strategies were applied compared to the MR1 strategy. Feeding high energy rations during early lactation caused a higher peak feed energy intake within multiparous cows of DH and DR, but only multiparous DH obtained higher peak ECM yield in response to higher feed energy intake in early lactation. Across breed the results suggested that cows offered the MR2-E strategy might obtain higher lactation ECM yield compared to cows offered the MR2-L strategy due to a higher ECM yield persistency obtained by cows offered the MR2-E strategy. Results on feed intake and live weight changes presented in a companion paper indicated, that cows offered the MR2 strategies obtained a lower extent of mobilization compared to cows offered the MR1 strategy, and feeding the MR2-E strategy significantly increased duration of the mobilization period, which might have increased MR2-E cows' ability to maintain a high milk production during mid lactation.

Parasitological and clinical responses of lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus (L 3) with and without ivermectin treatment

Haemonchus contortus is one of the most important parasites that infects sheep and exerts its pathogenic effects by sucking blood, causing disturbances of organ-functions and thus inducing alterations in various normal physiological parameters. Changes in live body weight, faecal egg count, kinetics of circulating eosinophils and PCV value were studied at weekly interval for a period of 84 days in 18 lambs of local breed after infection with a single dose of 5000 H. contortus (L 3). In the two groups of lambs infected with nematodes both non-treated and treated with ivermectin (HcNT and HcIT), similar egg excretion patterns was observed starting from third week after infection, with a regular increase in FEC. Examination of whole abomasum of each animal revealed no developmental stage of nematode from treated and control lambs on day 84. The total mean number of H. contortus worms recovered at necropsy from abomasa of untreated infected lambs (group HcNT) was 2576.2 (±221.0). The significant loss of body weight, development of heavy worm burden and severe anaemia as indicated by reduced PCV in untreated infected lambs indicated high susceptibility of the lambs to H. contortus. On the other hand, complete absence of the parasite, improved PCV value and body weight after treatment of infected animals (HcIT) proved 100% efficacy of ivermectin against H. contortus.

The effects of dietary betaine supplementation on fatty liver performance, serum parameters, histological changes, methylation status and the mRNA expression level of Spot14α in Landes goose fatty liver

We evaluated the effects of betaine supplementation on liver weight, liver/body weight, serum parameters and morphological changes. Compared with the control and overfed groups, the geese that were fed the betaine diet showed increased liver weight and decreased abdominal adipose tissue weight compared with the overfeeding groups. Betaine treatment also significantly increased ChE, HDL, LDH and ALT levels ( P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Decreased macrovesicular steatosis and increased microvesicular steatosis were observed in the betaine-treated group, and the lipid was well-distributed in the betaine supplement group. The expression of S14α mRNA in the livers of the betaine-treated geese was higher than that in the control or the overfed geese. We performed sodium bisulfite sequencing of the individual alleles of this region (between + 374 and − 8 base pairs relative to the transcription start site), containing 33 CpG dinucleotides. In the overfed group expressing higher S14α transcripts, the average methylation at the 33 CpGs sites was 87.9%. This contrasted with 69.6% in the control group that showed lower expression of the S14α gene ( P < 0.01). However, no significant change in methylation in the transcription start site was found between the betaine-treated geese (82.6%) and the overfed geese (87.9%). These results indicate that the DNA methylation pattern in the S14α gene transcription start site may not be related to the expression of S14α transcript in response to betaine supplementation.

Novel action of 7-&lt;I&gt;O&lt;/I&gt;-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose isolated from Corni Fructus as a hypertriglyceridaemic agent

We investigated the lipid-lowering activity of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose, an active component of Corni Fructus, and related mechanisms. Rats were fed a high-fructose diet for 6 days, followed by treatment with 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose, 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg per day, or fenofibrate (positive control). The high-fructose diet induced an increase in body weight, hypertriglyceridaemia, hyperglycaemia and hypertension. Administration of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose significantly reduced the levels of triglyceride in the serum and liver (being more effective than fenofibrate) but did not lead to changes in liver weight or hepatic function, whereas fenofibrate increased the liver weight markedly. The preventive effect of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose against the accumulation of triglyceride and cholesterol was related to the up-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha expression. The present study supports the role of 7-O-galloyl-D-sedoheptulose as a promising agent against hypertriglyceridaemia without hepatic side-effects.

Differential developmental toxicities of di‐n‐hexyl phthalate and dicyclohexyl phthalate administered orally to rats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the developmental toxic potential of di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) in rats. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to DnHP or DCHP at doses of 0 (olive oil), 250, 500 and 750 mg kg(-1) per day, by gavage, on gestational days (GD) 6-20. Maternal food consumption and body weight gain were significantly reduced at 750 mg kg(-1) per day of DnHP and at the two high doses of DCHP. Slight changes in liver weight associated with peroxisomal enzyme induction were seen in dams treated with DnHP or DCHP. DnHP caused dose-related developmental toxic effects, including marked embryo mortality at 750 mg kg(-1) per day, and presence of malformations (mainly cleft palate, eye defects and axial skeleton abnormalities) and significant decreases in fetal weight at 500 and 750 mg kg(-1) per day. Significant delay of ossification and increase in the incidence of skeletal variants (e.g. supernumerary lumbar ribs) also appeared at 250 mg kg(-1) per day. DCHP produced fetal growth retardation at 750 mg kg(-1) per day, as evidenced by significant reduction of fetal weight. DnHP and DCHP induced a significant and dose-related decrease in the anogenital distance of male fetuses at all doses, and there was a significant increase in the incidence of male fetuses with undescended testis at 500 and 750 mg kg(-1) per day of DnHP. In conclusion, DnHP showed clear embryolethality and teratogenicity, but not DCHP. There was evidence that both phthalates could alter the development of the male reproductive system after in utero exposure, DnHP being much more potent than DCHP.

Changes in liver weight are independent of hepatic lipid content in guinea pigs fed a high‐cholesterol low‐carbohydrate diet

We have used high cholesterol (HC) diets to study mechanisms of atherosclerosis in the guinea pig and shown that low carbohydrate diets (LCD) mitigate aortic cholesterol accumulation and inflammatory expression. We have also shown that HC diets induce fatty liver in guinea pigs. We evaluated whether LCD could improve hepatic steatosis in guinea pigs. Male Hartley guinea pigs were fed a HC diet (0.25g/100g) and randomly assigned (n=10/group) to consume either a LCD or high‐carbohydrate diet (HCD) for 12 wk. Plasma and whole livers were collected for lipid analysis. Plasma LDL cholesterol was lower in animals fed the LCD (P &lt; 0.01) diet while plasma triglycerides (TG) were higher (P &lt; 0.05). There were no differences in plasma free fatty acids or plasma glucose between groups. However, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) was lower in the LCD group (P &lt; 0.01). Liver weight was 40% higher in the LCD compared to the HCD group. Interestingly despite the increased liver weight in LCD there were no differences in hepatic TG, cholesterol or non‐esterified fatty acids between groups. Histological analysis performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed there were no differences in hepatic lipid accumulation or steatosis between groups. Collectively these results suggest that in the presence of a HC‐LCD, the increase in liver mass is unrelated to lipid accumulation. An increased number of hepatocytes through an accelerated regenerative process may be responsible for these observations in the LCD group.

Hemato‐biochemical changes, disease incidence and live weight gain in individual versus group reared calves fed on different levels of milk and skim milk

A 2 x 3 factorial design was used to study the impact of rearing systems, individual (I) versus group (G) and different levels of milk/skim milk feeding (F1, F2 and F3) on hemato-biochemical profile, disease incidence and average daily gain of crossbred (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) calves. Six calves were taken in each group on the basis of their birth weight and housed in individual (2.20 x 1.16 m(2)/calf) or in group pens (2.20 x 1.03 m(2)/calf). After 3 days of colostrum feeding, calves were allocated to one of three different milk feeding schedules: milk fed up to 8 weeks of age (F1), milk up to 4 weeks followed by 50% replacement by skim milk up to 6 weeks and 100% thereafter (F2) and 100% replacement of milk with skim milk after 4 weeks (F3). Calf starter and cereal green fodders were fed ad libitum from the second week of age and continued for 14 weeks. Parameters on health and disease profiles of calves (disease incidence, duration of illness, response to treatment and recovery) and weekly live weight change were recorded. Calf scour predominated (52.8%), followed by joint ill (25.0%) and respiratory infections (19.4%). The disease incidence was greater (P < 0.01) in individually housed calves (94.4 vs. 55.9%). The management of navel ill required longer recovery (7.01 days) followed by joint ill (4.87 days) and respiratory infection (4.86 days). The average daily gain during 0-14 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.01) in group-housed calves (433 +/- 22 vs. 355 +/- 31 g), while the effect of feeding was not significant. Blood samples collected at 4, 8 and 14 weeks of age showed some periodic higher concentrations (but within normal range) of plasma urea and total protein in group housed calves on F2 and F3 feeding schedules in response to high protein intake. Other parameters remained non-significantly different. Thus, group-housed calves can be reared successfully with comparatively better performance and less illness than individually housed ones under the present health care and housing management system. However, the system should not be used as a substitute for good management, and frequent observations of calves should be an integral part of any successful rearing program.

Effects of inclusion of whole-crop pea silages differing in their tannin content on the performance of dairy cows fed high or low protein concentrates

The effect of including high or low tannin forage peas as an alternative to soyabean meal on performance and N efficiency was investigated using 18 dairy cows in two Latin square design studies. Two varieties of forage pea; Racer (coloured flowers; high tannin) and Croma (white flowers; low tannin), were ensiled 12 weeks post sowing. The in situ degradability characteristics of the pea silages were determined using 4 cannulated sheep. The low tannin forage had a higher soluble N ( a) fraction and a greater extent of degradation ( a + b), resulting in a greater amount of N being predicted to be released in the rumen than the high tannin forage. In experiment 1, cows were fed one of three treatments in each of 3 periods of 28 d duration in a Latin square design; grass silage/whole-crop wheat (0.50:0.50, DM basis) and 8 kg/d of a high protein concentrate (GWH); grass silage/whole-crop wheat/high tannin forage pea silage (0.25:0.25:0.50 respectively, DM basis) and 8 kg/d of a high protein concentrate (HTH) or 8 kg/d of a low protein supplement (HTL). The inclusion of forage peas increased ( P < 0.05) DM intake by 1.2 kg DM/d, but there was no effect of dietary treatment on milk yield (average of 23.0 kg/d), composition or live weight change. The efficiency of use of dietary N (N output in milk/N intake) was highest ( P < 0.001) in cows when fed GWH (0.289) and lowest in HTH (0.234). In experiment 2, cows were fed one of three treatments in each of 3 periods of 28 d duration in a Latin square design; grass silage/whole-crop wheat (0.50:0.50, DM basis) and 8 kg/d of a high protein concentrate (GWH); grass silage/whole-crop wheat/low tannin forage pea silage (0.25:0.25:0.5 respectively, DM basis) and 8 kg/d of a high protein concentrate (LTH) or 8 kg/d of a low protein concentrate (LTL). Compared with GWH, the inclusion of forage peas increased ( P < 0.05) DM intake by 2.0 kg/d, but there was no effect of dietary treatment on milk yield (average of 24.5 kg/d). Milk fat content was highest ( P < 0.05) in cows when fed LTL (45.7 g/kg) and lowest in LTH (41.9 g/kg), but there was no effect ( P > 0.05) of treatment on daily fat yield or any other milk component. The efficiency of dietary N use was highest ( P < 0.001) in cows when fed GWH (0.300) and lowest in LTH (0.234). It is concluded that either high or low tannin forage pea silages can replace approximately 1.1 kg/d of soyabean meal in the diet of mid-late lactation dairy cows without affecting animal performance, but N efficiency for milk production is decreased.

Effects of Sago Palm Pith as Replacement for Corn Grain on Intake, Rumen Fermentation Characteristics and Microbial N Supply of Cattle Fed Paspalum plicatulum Hay

To investigate the effects of sago palm pith (SPP) substitution of corn in the diets on intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, nitrogen balance and microbial N Supply, five ruminally fistulated Southern indigenous cattle (mean initial BW = 226±5 kg) were randomly assigned to a 5x5 Latin Square Design to receive five diets, T 1 = concentrate with 0% SPP, T 2 = 25% SPP, T 3 = 50% SPP, T 4 = 75% SPP and T 5 = 100% SPP, of dietary dry matter, respectively. Plicatulum hay (PH) was offered ad libitum as the roughage. A metabolism trial lasted for 21 days during which liveweight changes and feed intakes were measured. Based on this experiment, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) among treatments groups regarding total DM intake (OMI, NDFI and ADFI) and digestion coefficients of nutrients (DM, OM, CP, NDF and ADF), while total DM intake (% BW) was significantly (p 0.05), whereas NH 3 -N, blood urea nitrogen and molar proportion of propionate concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) higher as higher levels of SPP were incorporated into diets. The amount ofN absorption, N retention and microbial protein synthesis were similar among treatments. These results indicate that SPP can be included in diets for Southern indigenous cattle to supply up to 100% of supplemental corn when fed with PH without negative impact on animal performance and it was a good approach in exploiting the use of local feed resources for beef cattle production.

Effects of Stocking Rate and Heather Supplementation on Gastrointestinal Nematode Infections and Host Performance in Naturally-Infected Cashmere Goats

The aim of this study, performed on 62 adult dry cashmere goats grazing upland perennial ryegrass–white clover pastures and naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes , was to investigate the effects of stocking rate (SR: 24 vs. 38 goats · ha -1 ) and tannin-containing heather supplementation (H: Calluna vulgaris [L.] Hull, Erica spp.) vs. nonsupplementation on parasite burden, fecal egg counts (FEC), and live weight (LW) changes. Goats were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement and grazed continuously from May to October. Six goats per treatment were slaughtered at the end of the grazing period, and adult worms in the abomasum and small and large intestines of each animal were recovered, counted, and identified. FEC was affected by SR ( P < 0.01) but not by H. However, the SR × H interaction was significant ( P < 0.05). FEC increased ( P < 0.001) along the grazing season in all treatments, and the SR × time interaction was significant ( P < 0.001). In general, mean total worm counts in abomasum and small intestine tended to be higher under high SR, although the differences were only significant ( P < 0.01) in Trichostrongylus spp. counts. In goats managed under the high SR, the mean of total Teladorsagia circumcincta counts was lower ( P < 0.01) in supplemented animals, but no differences were recorded for Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina , Oesophagostomum columbianum , and Trichuris ovis . The goats gained more LW ( P < 0.001) under low SR and when they were heather-supplemented. No significant SR × H interaction was found for LW change. In conclusion, high stocking rate increases the infectivity risk of pasture and the supplementation of grazing goats with heather contributing to improve animals' performance. Notwithstanding, the effect of heather availability on nematode FEC reduction could be highly dependent on the climatic conditions. Con el fin de estudiar el efecto de la carga animal (CA: 24 vs. 38 cabras/ha) y la suplementación con brezo (SB: Calluna vulgaris [L.] Hull, Erica spp.) vs. no brezo en las parasitosis por nematodos gastrointestinales del ganado caprino y su repercusión en las variaciones de peso, se manejaron 62 cabras cachemir adultas sin cría en pastoreo continuo de mayo a octubre en potreros de rye–grass y trébol blanco. Las cabras se distribuyeron en cuatro grupos según un diseño factorial 2 × 2. Al finalizar el pastoreo se sacrificaron seis cabras por tratamiento para contar el número de vermes en abomaso e intestino delgado y grueso, e identificarlos. El recuento fecal de huevos de nematodos fue afectado por la carga animal ( P < 0.01), pero no por la suplementacion; sin embargo se encontró una interacción significativa ( P < 0.05) entre CA × SB. La cantidad de huevos se incrementó ( P < 0.001) durante la estación de pastoreo en todos los tratamientos y la interacción CA × Tiempo resultó significativa ( P < 0.001). En general, el recuento de vermes en abomaso, intestino delgado y grueso tendió a ser mayor en los animales manejados en carga alta, aunque las diferencias fueron significativas ( P < 0.01) solo para Trichostrongylus spp. En carga alta, la media total de Teladorsagia circumcincta fue menor ( P < 0.01) en las cabras suplementadas, pero no se observaron diferencias para Trichostrongylus spp., Chabertia ovina , Oesophagostomum columbianum , y Trichuris ovis . Las ganancias de peso fueron mayores ( P < 0.001) en las cabras en carga baja y en las suplementadas, no observándose interacción CA × SB. En conclusión, en carga alta se observa un mayor riesgo de infección parasitaria, y la suplementación con brezo contribuye a mejorar las variaciones de peso de las cabras, aunque su efecto sobre los nematodos gastrointestinales podría depender de las condiciones climáticas.

Effect of dietary protein content on animal production and blood metabolites of dairy cows during lactation

Ninety autumn-calving Holstein dairy cows [45 primiparous and 45 multiparous (mean parity, 3.1)] were allocated to 1 of 3 dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations: 173, 144, or 114g of CP/kg of DM, from calving until d 150 of lactation. On d 151, half of the animals in each treatment were allocated an alternative dietary protein concentration. Half of the animals receiving 114g of CP/kg of DM went onto 144g of CP/kg of DM; half of the animals receiving 144g of CP/kg of DM went onto 173g of CP/kg of DM; and half of the animals receiving 173g of CP/kg of DM went onto 144g of CP/kg of DM, with the remaining animals staying on their original treatment. This resulted in 6 treatments in the mid to late lactation period: 114/114, 144/144, 173/173, 114/144, 144/173, and 173/144g of CP/kg of DM. An increase in dietary CP concentration significantly increased milk, fat, and protein yield in early lactation (d 1 to 150). Dry matter intake was also increased with increased dietary protein concentration; however, this was not significant between 144 and 173g of CP/kg of DM. Increased dietary CP significantly increased plasma urea, albumin, and total protein concentrations but had no significant effect on NEFA, leptin, or IGF-1 concentrations. Decreasing the dietary CP concentration in mid-late lactation (d 151 to 305) from 173 to 144 g/kg of DM had no significant effect on milk yield, dry matter intake, or milk fat and protein yield, compared with animals that remained on 173g of CP/kg of DM throughout lactation. Increasing dietary CP concentration from 144 to 173 g/kg of DM significantly increased dry matter intake compared with animals that remained on the 144g of CP/kg of DM throughout lactation. There were no significant dietary treatment effects on live weight or body condition score change throughout the experiment. Results of this study indicate that high protein diets (up to 173g of CP/kg of DM) improved feed intake and animal performance in early lactation (up to d 150), but thereafter, protein concentration can be reduced to 144g of CP/kg of DM with no detrimental effects on animal performance.