Higher BW Research Articles

Short-term grazing and urination behaviour of dairy cows differing in their genetic merit

ABSTRACTBreeding cows for improved production and production efficiency may have led to indirect selection for behavioural traits including grazing and urination behavioural patterns. This study investigated the relationship between genetic merit (breeding worth; BW) and grazing and urination behaviour in Holstein-Friesian × Jersey lactating dairy cows. Two groups of 12 cows were assigned into high BW (HBW; NZ$146 ± 12.8) or low BW (LBW; NZ$40 ± 11.8) groups. Cows were observed for grazing (grazing, ruminating, idling and bite rate) and urinating (frequency and duration of urination events) behaviour during the first grazing session of the day (5 h; between milking 0900–1400 h). Based on the whole grazing and urination behaviour data matrix, MANOVA and PCA procedures suggested no difference in the grazing and urination behaviour of HBW and LBW cows. Further work measuring additional traits (e.g. intake rate, bite mass, diurnal urination patterns) may be required to differentiate cows of divergent BW based on behavioural patterns.

The effect of rearing photoperiod on broiler breeder reproductive performance depended on body weight

ABSTRACTBody weight (BW) and rearing photoperiod are important factors affecting sexual maturation rate and reproductive performance in broiler breeders. The current experiment used a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments to study the interaction between BW and rearing photoperiod on reproductive performance in group housed broiler breeder hens, while minimizing variation in BW. Hens (n = 180) were fed with a precision feeding system to allocate feed individually to achieve the breeder-recommended target curve (Standard) or to a target curve that reached the 21 wk BW at 18 wk (High). Hens were on 8L:16D, 10L:14D, or 12L:12D photoschedules during rearing and were photostimulated at 21 wk with a 16L:8D photoschedule. Sexual maturity (defined as age at first egg) and individual egg production to 55 wk were recorded. At 55 wk, proportional weights of individual body components were determined by dissection. Differences were reported as significant at P ≤ 0.05. A significant interaction between BW and rearing photoschedule affected age at sexual maturity and egg production. In the High BW treatment, age at sexual maturity did not differ between hens under the 8L:16D and 10L:14D photoschedules (173 vs. 172 d, respectively). In the Standard BW treatment, the 12L:12D rearing photoperiod delayed sexual maturity compared with the 8L:16D rearing photoperiod (266 vs. 180 d, respectively). All hens on the High BW treatment laid at least 1 egg before the end of the experiment. Conversely, 3.3, 18.1, and 37.6% of Standard BW hens on the 8L:16D, 10L:14D, and 12L:12D photoschedules, respectively, never commenced egg production. At the end of the experiment, proportional breast weight was higher and proportional fatpad weight was lower in Standard compared to High BW hens (25.8 vs. 27.5% and 2.4 vs. 1.5% of BW, respectively). We conclude that increased BW partially counters the effect of longer photoschedules on sexual maturity in broiler breeders and that dissipation of the photorefractory state depends on BW.

The effect of inulin and wheat bran on intestinal health and microbiota in the early life of broiler chickens

Inulin and wheat bran were added to the starter diets of broiler chickens to investigate the potential of these ingredients to improve the host's health and growth performance, as well as the underlying mechanisms of their effects. A total of 960 1-day-old chicks were assigned to 4 treatments: control (CON), 2% inulin (IN), 10% wheat bran (WB), and 10% wheat bran +2% inulin (WB+IN). On day 11, 6 chicks per treatment were euthanized. A general linear model procedure with Tukey's multiple range test was performed to compare a series of parameters between treatments. The WB-containing treatments improved BW on day 7, day 11, day 35, and BW gain until day 11 (P < 0.05), but only the WB+IN treatment showed a lower feed conversion ratio than the CON treatment (P = 0.011). Furthermore, the WB+IN treatment showed the highest villus height in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05), and the highest jejunal ratio villus height/crypt depth (P = 0.035). The concentration of acetate in the ceca was higher in the CON treatment compared to the IN treatment (P = 0.040). The IN treatment increased the concentration (P = 0.003) and ratio (P = 0.004) of iso-butyrate compared to the WB+IN and the CON treatments (P < 0.05). A clustering result exhibited similar intestinal microbiota profiles in the chicks receiving the IN and the WB+IN diets (P > 0.05), but these profiles were different from those found in chicks receiving the WB and the CON diets (P < 0.05). In conclusion, wheat bran and the combination of wheat bran and inulin ameliorated the growth performance and gut morphology of the starter chicks, which resulted in a higher BW until day 35. Inulin, on the other hand, had a greater ability to influence the microbiota profile. The beneficial results found in relation to BW and gut morphology during the starter period suggested a synergistic effect of inulin and wheat bran.

Effect of xylanase on the performance of laying hens fed a low energy corn and soybean diet

This study was conducted to determine the effect of high- and low-activity xylanase in a corn and soybean diet on the performance of laying hens. There were 2 phases each with 4 treatment diets: positive control (PC), negative control (NC) with lower metabolizable energy (ME) and nutrient density, and 2 different xylanases supplemented to the NC diet. Phase 1 was 23-43 wk of age and phase 2 was 43-58 wk, for a total duration of 35 wk. The NC diet had a lower ME in phase 2 than phase 1. There were 72 cages with 3 Bovan White Leghorns each. Egg production (EP) was recorded daily, feed intake (FI) weekly, and average egg weights (EW) biweekly. Egg production and FI were calculated using biweekly periods, also used to determine egg mass (EM) and feed conversion (FC) with biweekly EW. BW was recorded and analyzed for weeks 0, 10, 20, and 35 of the study. Egg production did not differ among treatment groups (phase 1: P=0.47; phase 2: P=0.54). In phase 1, EW and EM were significantly lower in the NC diet with enzyme B, compared to both the PC and NC diets (P=0.019; P=0.01). The PC diet yielded higher EW than all other treatments in phase 2 (P=0.036), but no differences in EM were present (P=0.12). Baseline BW was not different (P=0.63), but hens fed the PC diet had higher BW in subsequent measurements (P≤0.05). Hens fed the PC diet had lower FI than all other treatment groups in both phases (P=0.0001), and had an improved FC than the 2 enzyme groups in phase 1 (P=0.0001) and all other treatment groups in phase 2 (P=0.0001). The enzymes did not improve the performance of the birds.

Early photostimulation at the recommended body weight reduced broiler breeder performance.

To synchronize the onset of sexual maturity in the face of high BW variation, the age at photostimulation has been increasing in the broiler breeder industry. This experiment studied the effects of increased BW and earlier photostimulation on broiler breeder reproductive performance where within-treatment BW uniformity was very high. The experiment tested BW and age at photostimulation treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Hens (n = 120) were fed with a precision feeding system to allocate feed individually following the breeder-recommended target BW (Standard) or to a 22% heavier target BW curve reaching the Standard 21 wk BW at 18 wk (High). Hens were photostimulated at either 18 wk (18WK) or 21 wk (21WK) with a 16L:8D photoschedule. Age at first egg (AFE) and individual egg production to 55 wk were recorded. Differences were reported as significant if P ≤ 0.05. The AFE was decreased and maturation interval between photostimulation and AFE was shorter for hens on the High BW treatment compared to the Standard BW treatment (178.1 vs. 194.7 d and 41.8 vs. 58.2 d, respectively). Hens on the 21WK treatment had a decreased AFE compared to the 18WK treatment (177.0 d vs. 195.9 d) and their maturation interval was shorter (30.0 d vs. 69.9 d). The CV for AFE was higher in the 18WK treatment compared to the 21WK treatment (28.2% vs. 11.2%). Total egg production was higher for hens on the High BW treatment compared to the Standard BW treatment (129.4 vs. 92.8, respectively). Total egg production was higher for hens on the 21WK treatment compared to the 18WK treatment (138.4 vs. 83.8, respectively). Egg weight of Standard BW × 18WK hens was lower compared to High BW × 18WK hens. Current recommended breeder BW may be too low for optimal sexual maturation after photostimulation. It is concluded that even when BW variation is minimized, photostimulation at 18 wk of age is not recommended.

Effect of dietary synbiotic supplement on behavioral patterns and growth performance of broiler chickens reared under heat stress

This study examined the effects of a dietary synbiotic supplement on the behavioral patterns and growth performance of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress (HS). Three hundred sixty 1-day-old male Ross 708 broiler chicks were distributed among 24 floor pens (15 chicks per pen); each pen was randomly assigned to one of 3 dietary treatments containing a synbiotic at 0 (control), 0.5 (0.5X) and 1.0 (1.0X) g/kg. From d 15 to 42, birds were exposed to HS at 32°C daily from 08:00 to 17:00. Five broiler chickens were randomly marked in each pen for behavioral observation. Instantaneous scan sampling was used to record the birds' behavioral patterns. Performance parameters were measured on d 7, 14, 28 and 42. The synbiotic fed birds exhibited more standing, sitting, walking, feeding, preening and less wing spreading and panting behaviors (P < 0.05) compared to birds fed the control diet. The synbiotic group also had higher BW, BW gain and feed intake on d 7, 14 and 42 (P < 0.05), and higher BW, feed intake and feed conversion ratio at d 28 (P < 0.01). There were no treatment effects on drinking behavior, BW gain on d 28 and feed conversion ratio on d 42 (P > 0.05). There were few dose-related differences of the synbiotic on production performance; namely, the 1.0X concentration resulted in the highest BW and feed intake on d 14 and 42 (P < 0.05), while BW gain was higher compared to the control group only on d 42 (P < 0.05). The results suggest that the synbiotic supplement may prove to be an important management tool for the broiler industry to diminish the negative effects of HS, potentially safeguarding the welfare and production of broiler chickens, particularly in areas that experience hot climates.

Effect of Probiotic Administration on Productivity and Quality of Broiler Chicken Meat

The impact of a probiotic addition to feed and litter on production results in rearing of ROSS 308 broiler chickens and meat quality were assessed. The flock was divided into three testing variants of 60 birds each, namely, probiotic added to both feed and litter (PRO-FL); the control group with no probiotic (CON), and probiotic applied to litter alone (PRO-L). The rearing period of broiler chickens was 43 days. In the course of the study daily feed consumption, BW gains, culling and wastage of birds were recorded. Productive trait parameters indicated a positive effect of the applied bacterial cultures. The highest BW was obtained from chickens of PRO-FL, receiving probiotics in both feed and litter, which were, on an average, heavier by over 500g from control (CON) birds. Chickens from the pen where the probiotic was applied to the litter (PRO-L) were also heavier, on an average, by about 350g from the control birds. Feed consumption (kg/kg BW) in individual groups was the lowest (P<0.05) in the group receiving the feed and litter (PRO-FL; 1.55) vis-a-vis only litter (PRO-L; 1.83) and the control (CON; 2.20). The highest mortality (normal) was 4% in the group receiving the probiotic only in feed, and it was 1% in the remaining two groups. There were no differences (P<0.005) in percent of the share of breast muscles and in edible and inedible parts among the testing variants of chickens. The quality of the poultry meat, i.e. colour, texture and sensory evaluation were similar among the testing variants.

Correlated responses to long-term divergent selection for 8-week body weight in female White Plymouth Rock chickens: Sexual maturity

Reported here are correlated responses for reproductive traits to long-term divergent selection (54 generations) for 8-week body weight (BW8). Comparisons involved both selected and relaxed lines. Traits measured were age at first egg (AFE), body weight at first egg (WFE), and ratio of body weight and age at first egg (WAFE). Although sexual maturity was delayed in the selected lines, the effect was more pronounced in the low than high selected and relaxed lines. Selection for low BW resulted in decreases in WFE and WAFE. Correlated responses to selection for high BW were increased WFE and WAFE. Minimum AFE, WFE, and WAFE in relation to sexual maturity were line specific and influenced by selection for BW8. WAFE provided a “yardstick” for target body weights that were optimum for successful attainment of sexual maturity and higher reproductive rates. Such may be line specific. There was opposition between relaxed and artificial selection, resulting in a higher reproductive performance and fitness for the former.

Influence of swimming time in alleviating the deleterious effects of hot summer on growing Muscovy duck performance

This experiment was conducted to observe the effects of varying swimming times (ST) of Muscovy ducks, raised in an open-sided house, in alleviating the deleterious effects of high temperature in hotter times of the day in the summer season on growth performance (body weight, average daily gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion ratio), carcass characteristics, body temperature, and some health aspects. We hypothesized that swimming times during the hottest periods of the day would show different performances. To test this hypothesis a total of 180 Muscovy ducklings were randomly distributed into 4 equal groups in a completely randomized design experiment. All groups were raised under similar housing conditions. Birds of the first group (C) were raised in the indoor system and had no access to a swimming pond. While all birds of the second, third, and fourth groups (T1, T2, and T3) had access to a swimming pond during 10:00 to 12:00 h, 12:00 to 14:00 h, and 14:00 to 16:00 h, respectively. The swimming pond (dimensions of 30 m length × 10 m width × 3 m depth with cement floor) was located in the front of the house. Vaccination and medical programs were undertaken according to the different ages under supervision of a licensed veterinarian. The obtained results indicated that swimming during 12:00 to 14:00 h improved (P < 0.05) growth performance, dressed carcass, meat tenderness, lymphocyte, heterophils/lymphocytes ratio, body temperature, and mortality rate of Muscovy ducks. However, bone measurement, plumage conditions, foot pad dermatitis, hock discoloration, breast blisters score, and blood hematocrit values were insignificantly better in the group with access to the swimming pond during 12:00 to 14:00 h. In conclusion, raising ducks during hot conditions in an open-sided house with access to a swimming pond at 12:00 to 14:00 h is highly recommended due to the high BW, better immunity, decreased mortality rate, and low body temperature of ducks which was positively reflected in the health condition.

Maternal and genetic effects on broiler bone properties during incubation period

In order to examine the differences in bone properties between fast-growing and slow-growing broiler embryos and to understand the effects of genotype and egg size on these differences, fast- and slow-growing hens and males were reciprocally crossed to create 4 egg groups: FST (laid by fast-growing hens, inseminated by fast-growing males), H-FST (fast-growing hens and slow-growing males), H-SLW (slow-growing hens and fast-growing males), and SLW (slow-growing hens and slow-growing males). Embryos (n = 8) from these 4 groups were sacrificed and weighed, and both tibiae were harvested on embryonic d (E) 17, 19, and 21. Left tibiae were tested for their whole-bone mechanical properties using a micromechanical device. Cortical bone structure and bone mineral density (BMD) were examined by micro-computed tomography of the left tibiae. Bone mineralization was evaluated by measuring BMD and ash content, while the rate and location of mineralization were evaluated by fluorochrome labeling. Osteoclastic activity and osteocyte density were evaluated by histological stains [TRAP (Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase) and H&E (Hematoxylin and Eosin), respectively]. Groups with larger eggs (FST and H-FST) had higher BW and tibia weight than groups with smaller eggs (SLW and H-SLW); however, they had a lower ratio of tibia weight to BW. Between groups with similar egg weight, stiffness, maximal load, and yield load of the bones were higher in the SLW than the H-SLW, while no differences were found between the FST and H-FST. Additionally, the tibiae of the SLW were stiffer and their osteocyte density higher than in the FST on E21 and their periosteal mineralization rate was higher between E19 and E21. No differences were found between the groups in cortical bone structure. This study demonstrates that faster growing hatchlings, especially those that hatch from relatively small eggs, have inferior bone mechanical properties in comparison to slower growing hatchlings, and suggests that fast-growing chicks hatching from small eggs are at a higher risk for developing bone pathologies. Accordingly, selection for increased egg size may lead to improved mechanical performance of the skeleton of fast-growing broilers.

The nutritional interrelationship between the growing and finishing phases in crossbred cattle raised in a tropical system

This study evaluated the nutritional interrelationship between the growing and finishing phases of crossbred cattle in determining their performance. One hundred and eight animals were used (8months old, body weight [BW] 211±20kg). During the dry season, the animals received one of the following supplements: a mineral plus urea supplement (ad libitum, MSD), a protein supplement (1g/kg BW per day, PR1), or a protein-energy supplement (5g/kg BW per day, PE). During the rainy season, the animals received one of the following supplements: a mineral without urea supplement (ad libitum, MSR), a protein supplement (1g/kg BW per day, PR2), or PE (5g/kg BW per day). The experimental design was completely randomized using a 3×3 factorial scheme (for the rainy season) and a 3×3×2 factorial scheme (for the finishing phase). The supplementation and finishing systems were considered to be the treatments, and the animals were considered to be the experimental units. Dry season supplementation did not affect the average daily gain (ADG) during the rainy season (P=0.12) or the finishing phase (P=0.73). An increase in the level of rainy season supplementation reduced ADG by 12% during the finishing phase (P<0.06). Providing PE during the dry and rainy seasons led to the animals being slaughtered 17 (P=0.06) and 30 (P<0.01) days earlier, respectively. Our results indicate that supplementation during the dry season (under poor-quality pasture conditions) does not affect the performance during the rainy season or the finishing phase. Furthermore, while providing PE during the rainy season can reduce ADG during finishing, the higher BW at the beginning of the finishing phase is sufficient to reduce the time of the finishing period.

Neonatal Hypoglycemia: Risk Factors and Outcomes.

Severe neonatal hypoglycemia (HG) leads to neurologic damage, mental retardation, epilepsy, personality disorders, impaired cardiac performance and muscle weakness. We aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of children with hypoglycemia in a random population of newborns. We investigated 84 patients (M:F=35:48) born at the University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje (hospitalized in the NICU) who were found to have hypoglycemia. In total 89.25% of the babies were premature. The mean birth weight was 1795.95 +/596.08 grams, the mean birth length was 41.92+/- 4.62 cm, while the mean gestational age was 33.05±3.19 weeks. 32 children (38.08%) were very low birth weight (<1500g), 38 (45.22%) were low birth weight (1500-2500g), while there were 8 children (9.52%) appropriate for age BW and no high BW for age patients (>4000 g). HG duration was 2.42+/-2.41 hours. In the group as a whole, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) was found in 3 children (3.57%), infections in 22 (26.18%), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in 9 patients (10.62%), intracranial haemorrhage in 2 patients (2.38%). There were no inborn errors of metabolism. There were two deaths (2.38%). Neonatal HG is a significant factor in the overall neonatal mortality. HG can also cause severe invalidity. We found that infections, LBW and low gestational age were most commonly associated with neonatal HG. However the Spearman test showed weak direct correlation, without statistical significance. Neonatal HG requires complex and team interaction of prenatal and postnatal approaches to reduce the incidence of seizures, their consequences and the overall mortality. Special consideration is to be taken in measures that avoid neonatal infections, HIE, LBW and low gestational age. Further studies on a larger population are needed to fully understand and prevent the phenomenon of HG in newborns.

Association of BW with Thromboembolic and Bleeding Outcomes in Phase III Randomized Controlled Trials of Direct Oral Anticoagulants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Association of BW with Thromboembolic and Bleeding Outcomes in Phase III Randomized Controlled Trials of Direct Oral Anticoagulants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Variations in T Cell Transcription Factor Sequence and Expression Associated with Resistance to the Sheep Nematode Teladorsagia circumcincta.

This study used selected lambs that varied in their resistance to the gastrointestinal parasite Teladorsagia circumcincta. Infection over 12 weeks identified susceptible (high adult worm count, AWC; high fecal egg count, FEC; low body weight, BW; low IgA) and resistant sheep (no/low AWC and FEC, high BW and high IgA). Resistance is mediated largely by a Th2 response and IgA and IgE antibodies, and is a heritable characteristic. The polarization of T cells and the development of appropriate immune responses is controlled by the master regulators, T-bet (TBX21), GATA-3 (GATA3), RORγt (RORC2) and RORα (RORA); and several inflammatory diseases of humans and mice are associated with allelic or transcript variants of these transcription factors. This study tested the hypothesis that resistance of sheep to T. circumcincta is associated with variations in the structure, sequence or expression levels of individual master regulator transcripts. We have identified and sequenced one variant of sheep TBX21, two variants of GATA3 and RORC2 and five variants of RORA from lymph node mRNA. Relative RT-qPCR analysis showed that TBX21, GATA3 and RORC2 were not significantly differentially-expressed between the nine most resistant (AWC, 0; FEC, 0) and the nine most susceptible sheep (AWC, mean 6078; FEC, mean 350). Absolute RT-qPCR on all 45 animals identified RORVv5 as being significantly differentially-expressed (p = 0.038) between resistant, intermediate and susceptible groups; RORCv2 was not differentially-expressed (p = 0.77). Spearman’s rank analysis showed that RORAv5 transcript copy number was significantly negatively correlated with parameters of susceptibility, AWC and FEC; and was positively correlated with BW. RORCv2 was not correlated with AWC, FEC or BW but was significantly negatively correlated with IgA antibody levels. This study identifies the full length RORA variant (RORAv5) as important in controlling the protective immune response to T. circumcincta infection in sheep.

Effects of buckwheat on lipid metabolism enzymes of liver and protein of serum in high- fat diet rat

The aim of this study was to point out the effect of buckwheat on lipid metabolism enzymes of liver and protein of serum in high- fat diet rats.Fifty male Wistar rats were assigned randomly to the following groups: control diet,high- fat diet( HFD) and low,medium,high dosage BW group. The relevant index of livers and serum were detected after 30 days.The results showed that weight of HFD group were increased and activity of HL,LPL and LPS were decreased significantly than control diet group( p < 0.05). Compared with HFD group,the increasing weight of high BW group rats were decreased( p < 0.05),activity of LPL and LPS in medium and high dosage of BW group were increased significantly( p < 0.05),activity of HL were decreased. TP and ALB of serum in these groups had no significant difference( p < 0.05). BW and HL,LPS,LPL had positive correlation through correlation analysis,LPS had highly significant positive correlation with HL( p < 0.01),LPS had significant positive correlation with LPL and HL( p < 0.05).In conclusion,BW may regulate the activity of lipid metabolism enzymes by interference high fat diet.

Effects of feed access after hatch and inclusion of fish oil and medium chain fatty acids in a pre-starter diet on broiler chicken growth performance and humoral immunity

Delayed feed and water access is known to impair growth performance of day old broiler chickens. Although effects of feed access on growth performance and immune function of broilers have been examined before, effects of dietary composition and its potential interaction with feed access are hardly investigated. This experiment aimed to determine whether moment of first feed and water access after hatch and pre-starter composition (0 to 7 days) affect growth rate and humoral immune function in broiler chickens. Direct fed chickens received feed and water directly after placement in the grow-out facility, whilst delayed fed chickens only after 48 h. Direct and delayed fed chickens received a control pre-starter diet, or a diet containing medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) or fish oil. At 21 days, chickens were immunized by injection of sheep red blood cells. The mortality rate depended on an interaction between feed access and pre-starter composition (P=0.014). Chickens with direct feed access fed the control pre-starter diet had a higher risk for mortality than chickens with delayed feed access fed the control pre-starter diet (16.4% v. 4.2%) whereas the other treatment groups were in-between. BW gain and feed intake till 25 days in direct fed chickens were higher compared with delayed fed chickens, whilst gain to feed ratio was lower. Within the direct fed chickens, the control pre-starter diet resulted in the highest BW at 28 days and the MCFA pre-starter diet the lowest (Δ=2.4%), whereas this was opposite for delayed fed chickens (Δ=3.0%; P=0.033). Provision of MCFA resulted in a 4.6% higher BW gain and a higher gain to feed ratio compared with other pre-starter diets, but only during the period it was provided (2 to 7 days). Minor treatment effects were found for humoral immune response by measuring immunoglobulins, agglutination titers, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and complement activity. Concluding, current inclusion levels of fish oil (5 g/kg) and MCFA (30 g/kg) in the pre-starter diet appear to have limited (carryover) effects on growth and development, as well as on humoral immune function.

Risk Factors for Metritis and Its Effect on Productive and Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cattle and Buffaloes

The present study evaluated the risk factors for metritis and effects of metritis on productive and reproductive performance in cattle (crossbred and Zebu) and buffaloes. Milk production and reproduction data of crossbred (n = 2549 lactations), Zebu (n = 1609 lactations), and Murrah buffaloes (n = 1604 lactations), spread over 12 years, were utilized for the study. Overall incidence of metritis was 22.56, 10.32, and 9.66 %, in crossbred cattle, Zebu cattle, and Murrah buffaloes, respectively. Estimated odds ratio (OR) for risk factors of metritis in crossbred cattle were dystocia (OR = 5.39), abortion (OR = 3.64), dead calf (OR = 4.10), retention of fetal membrane (RFM) (OR = 106.90), low calf BW (OR = 1.41), and shorter gestation length (OR = 4.12). In Zebu cattle, dystocia (OR = 3.15), abortion (OR = 2.98), dead calf (OR = 3.62), RFM (OR = 49.33), high calf BW (OR = 2.31), and shorter gestation length (OR = 2.81) were significant risk factors for metritis. Odds of metritis in buffaloes increased significantly (P < 0.05) after dystocia (OR = 6.12), abortion (OR = 11.87), dead calf (OR = 4.37), RFM (OR = 125.42), shorter gestation length (OR = 6.57), calving during summer (OR = 1.92), and lower calf BW (OR = 2.31). Metritis negatively affected milk production in cattle (P < 0.05) but not in buffaloes. Although, metritis had an inconsistent effect on days to first insemination, service period, and number of services/conception, calving interval was consistently extended in affected animals. The study identified abnormal calving, particularly RFM as potential risk factor for metritis which subsequently prolonged calving interval in both cattle and buffaloes. Milk production was negatively affected by metritis in cattle but not in buffaloes.

Analysis of Bidirectional Wireless Optical Channel Integrated with Optical Fiber

In present scenario the demands of high speed communication is increasing day by day .there are so many technique to increase the speed of communication but the most popular technique is free space optical communication also known as optical wireless channel (OWC).OWC is an high speed and large capacity type of communication system.OWC uses infrared light to convey message from transmitter to receiver.OWC is the solution of last mile problem mainly in overpopulated urban areas. On the other hand the optical fiber also plays a very important role in optical communication system due to its very low loss (0.2dB/km), light weight & high bandwidth. The low cost of cable make it the ideal solution for transporting the radio signals. In this paper it is demonstrated that integration of OWC & Optical Fiber technology makes system more advanced, cost effective, high BW & high data rate. The proposed integrated system is simulated on the Optisystem software and the analysis is made on the basis of Q-factor, BER & power received.

Effects of forage type, animal characteristics and feed intake on faecal particle size in goat, sheep, llama and cattle

Abstract The effect of forage maturity stage at harvest, animal characteristics and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) intake on mean particle size and particle size distribution in faeces from sheep and cattle fed grass silages was studied (Study I). Models for prediction of faeces characteristics from sheep and cattle and feed characteristics established from Study I were tested on faeces samples from goat, sheep, llama and cattle fed other types of forages (Study II). Study I included 112 faeces samples from 5 trials, and Study II included 90 faeces samples from 3 trials. Animals were fed ad libitum or restrictively with or without concentrate supplementation. The NDF content and acid detergent lignin (ADL) to NDF ratio of the forages ranged from 410 to 660 g/kg of dry matter (DM) and from 0.03 to 0.10, respectively, in Study I, and from 320 to 810 g/kg of DM and from 0.05 to 0.18, respectively, in Study II. The faecal samples were washed in nylon bags with a pore size of 0.01 mm and freeze dried before being sorted into 5 sieving fractions with pore sizes of 2.4–0.1 mm; particles less than 0.1 mm were collected in bottom bowl. The faecal particles were characterized by the arithmetic and geometric mean sizes, most frequent, median and the 95 percentile values. In Study I, the mean faecal particle size increased, and the proportion of small particles (SP; C : F ), and NDF intake ( p 1 mm) increased with higher BW and NDF intake ( p p C : F and forage NDF intake on particle size in faeces of grass silage-fed animals in Study I appeared to be valid to predict the geometric mean particle size in faeces from goat, sheep, llama and steers fed other forages e.g., lucerne, dried grass, grass seed straw and whole crop barley silage in Study II.

Effect of an Enzyme Blend on the Performance, Diet Metabolizability, Phosphorous Retention, and Bone Mineralization of Broilers Fed Diets Containing Defatted Rice Bran

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of an enzyme blend (EB) on the performance, diet metabolizability, phosphorus (P) retention, and bone mineralization of broilers fed diets containing 10% defatted rice bran (DRB). In total, 432 one- to 38-d-old male Cobb broilers were evaluated according to a completely randomized experimental design in 3 x 2 factorial arrangement. Three diets were tested with two nutrient reductions (NR) in the matrix (standard diet; NR I of 75 kcal/kg ME, 0.1% Ca and 0.1% available P; and NR II of 100 kcal/kg ME, 0.1% Ca and 0.1% available P) with or without the addition of an EB (200 g/t). The coefficients of total tract apparent retention (CTTAR) of the diets and P retention were determined by collecting excreta during two periods (14 to 17 and 28 to 31 d). As expected, birds fed the standard diet had higher BW, BW gain, and G:F compared to birds on the NR diets. The EB did not show any positive effects on CTTAR or on performance; however, birds fed the EB retained 6.58% more P from d 14 to 17 (p ≤ 0.07) and 8.55% from d 28 to 31 (p < 0.05). Tibiotarsus ash percentage also increased by 2.45% (p ≤ 0.06) on d 38. In diets containing 10% DRB, the enzyme blend showed biological activity improving P retention and tibiotarsus mineralization.