Urine Of Cows Research Articles

Investigation of the origin of prednisolone in cow urine

After a two-year period of the frequent detection of prednisolone-positive bovine urine samples in the Italian region of Lombardy, studies were initiated to investigate the source. Because the majority of positive samples were detected at the slaughterhouse, researchers hypothesised that, together with increased cortisol and cortisone, a small quantity of prednisolone could be produced by the cows in stressful situations. In the present study, three dairy cows underwent intramuscular treatments with tetracosactide hexaacetate, a synthetic analogue of adrenocorticotropic hormone, to simulate stress. The animals were slaughtered at the end of the study. The results indicated that prednisolone could be detected occasionally in the non-stressful state, but was consistently found in the urine of stressed cows (concentrations ranged from 1.01 to 4.08 ng/mL). To confirm the stress condition, urinary cortisol and cortisone were also detected at high concentrations in the urine, typically at concentrations of hundreds of nanograms per millilitre. The results of this preliminary study did not reveal the metabolic pathway responsible for prednisolone but suggested that this corticosteroid could be produced endogenously.

Determination of NABE in urine of high-yield dairy cows in early lactation in conditions of moderate heat stress

The work presents the results of investigations of the effect of moderate heat stress on the acidobasal status in high-yield dairy cows in early lactation. Improving performance in high-yield dairy cows increases their inclination toward metabolic disorders. The most likely to be affected is the acid-base balance, in particular when cows are exposed to heat stress. Investigations so far have shown that the taking of urine samples and their analysis is the best and fastest way to diagnose disorders in the acid-base balance. Investigations were carried out on 7 clinically healthy cows of the Holstein- Friesian breed in the phase of early lactation, 30 to 40 days (on days 30, 33 and 40 ) following calving during the summer period, during the month of July, when there were significant variations in daily and nightly temperatures. The cows were in the second and fourth lactation, the annual milk yield was 8000 L milk per cow. The average daily milk production in the early phase of lactation ranged from 35 to 40 L. The cows were fed mixed rations (TMR) twice daily. Lucerne hay in limited quantities was given to the cows prior to the mixed feed ration. The ration for this animal category was optimized on the grounds of the daily milk production. The balance of cations and anions in the feed ration stood at 95 mEq/kg DM. The results clearly demonstrate the cows' response to moderate heat stress through the defense parameters in urine (urine pH, NABE (net-acid-base-excretion), acids, bases, ammonium ion (NH4). The determination of the kidney NABE yields more correct data than the urine pH on acidotic conditions. The results of examinations of the urine pH do not show any digressions from physiological values and are approximately the same in all cows during the investigated periods. Normal NABE values are from 100-200 mmol/L. Burdening with acid products results in a NABE range from 0-100mmol/L, and metabolic acidosis results in NAB<0 mmol/L. NABE in the cows in this experiment revealed that the organism is burdened by acid metabolic products and it stood at 58.28?27.96 mmol/L on day 30, 69.28?29.89 mmol/L on day 33, and 60.60?26.88mmol/L on day 40. Consequently, it seems that NABE values are decreased in cases of acidosis due to stepped up H+ excretion and stepped up bicarbonate reabsorption.

Ruminal metabolism of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) lignans to the mammalian lignan enterolactone and its concentration in ruminal fluid, plasma, urine and milk of dairy cows

Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside is the main flax (Linum usitatissimum) lignan that is converted to the mammalian lignans enterodiol (ED) and enterolactone (EL) by gastrointestinal microbiota. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of ruminal microbiota and the effects of flax oil on in vivo metabolism of flax lignans and concentration of EL in biological fluids. Four rumen-cannulated dairy cows were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. There were four periods of 21 d each and four treatments utilising flax hulls (1800 g/d) and oil (400 g/d) supplements. The treatments were: (1) oil and hulls administered in the rumen and abomasal infusion of water; (2) oil and hulls administered in the abomasum; (3) oil infused in the abomasum and hulls placed in the rumen; (4) oil placed in the rumen and hulls administered in the abomasum. Samples were collected during the last week of each period and subjected to chemical analysis. The site of supplementation of oil and hulls had no effect on ruminal EL concentration. Supplementing flax oil in the rumen and the abomasum led to similar EL concentrations in urine, plasma and milk. Concentrations of EL were higher in the urine, plasma and milk of cows supplemented with hulls in the rumen than in those placed with hulls in the abomasum. The present study demonstrated that ruminal microbiota play an important role in the metabolism of flax lignans.

Selenium Supplementation of Lactating Dairy Cows: Effect on Selenium Concentration in Blood, Milk, Urine, and Feces

The objectives were to determine effects of graded levels of selenized yeast derived from a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CNCM I-3060) on animal performance and in selenium concentrations in the blood, milk, feces, and urine of dairy cows compared with sodium selenite; and to provide preliminary data on the proportion of selenium as selenomethionine in the milk and blood. Twenty Holstein cows were used in a 5×5 Latin square design study in which all cows received the same total mixed rations, which varied only in source or concentration of dietary selenium. There were 5 experimental treatments. Total dietary selenium of treatment 1, which received no added selenium, was 0.15 mg/kg of dry matter, whereas values for treatments 2, 3, and 4, derived from selenized yeast, were 0.27, 0.33, and 0.40 mg/kg of dry matter, respectively. Treatment 5 contained 0.25mg of selenium obtained from sodium selenite/kg of dry matter. There were no significant treatment effects on animal performance, and blood chemistry and hematology showed few treatment effects. Regression analysis noted significant positive linear effects of increasing dietary selenium derived from selenized yeast on selenium concentrations in the milk, blood, urine, and feces. In addition, milk selenium results indicated improved bioavailability of selenium from selenized yeast, compared with sodium selenite. Preliminary analyses showed that compared with sodium selenite, the use of selenized yeast increased the concentration of selenomethionine in the milk and blood. There was no indication of adverse effects on cow health associated with the use of selenized yeast.

From the Urine of Sacred Cows to the Laying on of Hands and Beyond—G. Paul Moore Lecture

From the Urine of Sacred Cows to the Laying on of Hands and Beyond—G. Paul Moore Lecture

Ammonia volatilization potential: Prediction of urinary urea nitrogen output in lactating dairy cows

Abstract There is increasing political and public pressure in the USA to reduce environmental impacts, particularly on air quality, of animal feeding operations. This study determined the variability in the proportion of urinary N (UN) excreted as urea (UUN), as a potential source of volatilized ammonia, in urine of dairy cows and explored relationships between UUN concentrations and measurable cow and production variables from second lactation dairy cows on two commercial California dairy farms. Cow (i.e., body condition score, body weight, days in milk, plasma urea N, urine pH, urine-specific gravity (USG) and urine volume) and production (i.e., milk protein, milk fat and milk urea N (MUN)) data were collected. Concentrations of UUN and MUN were not associated, suggesting that MUN was a poor predictor of UUN concentration in these dairy cows. Urinary N concentrations ranged from 110 and 1236 mg N/dl, with 707 g/kg (S.D. ± 89) of UN as urea. The proportion of UN excreted as UUN did not differ between dairies, indicating a constant association regardless of potential differences in the nutritional and management conditions within the herds, thereby suggesting that UUN outputs of dairy cows may be predictable from available metabolic models that predict UN outputs. Only USG was a statistically significant predictor of UUN concentration, a relationship that may be a reflection of urea comprising a major proportion of urine solutes, as well as urine volume. This latter relation, if confirmed by future research, has practical utility as a means to predict UUN output, and NH 3 volatilization potential, within and among groups of cows thereby having important regulatory implications in the area of air quality.

Distribution of chloramphenicol residues in lactating cows following an external application

The aim of the present investigation was to demonstrate the presence of eventual chloramphenicol residues in blood plasma, urine and milk of dairy cows after topical application of a product, which contains 5% chloramphenicol in an alcohol solution and was commercially used as a spray registered for animals not intended for human consumption. The experiment was performed on two (A + B) Holstein–Frisian cows in the early lactation period. The indication for treatment with the described antibiotic solution was in the first case (cow A) a teat lesion and in the second case (cow B) skin lesions on the shoulders and the claws. Four consecutive dermal administrations inside first 41 h of the experiment were performed for both animals at the same time points. Milk, blood and urine samples were taken immediately before first treatment and in regular intervals inside applications and up to 12 days after the last application. All investigated matrices were analyzed using capillary GC-ECD after chloramphenicol derivatization. The outcome of our study confirmed our hypothesis that illegal and violative treatment (food-producing animals) of wounds with a spray containing chloramphenicol results in considerable residues of the active substance in milk, blood plasma and urine of the injured animals.

Digestibility, nutrient balance and urinary purine derivative excretion in dry yak cows fed oat hay at different levels of intake

A feeding trial was conducted at the farm of Qinghai Academy of Animal and Veterinary Science, Xining, China during 1996–1997 with three dry yak cows (initial body weight 163–197 kg, age 5–6 years) by using 3×3 Latin Square Design to determine the effect of levels of feed intake on digestion, nitrogen balance and purine derivative excretion in urine of yak cows. The animals were fed oat hay (nitrogen 13.5 g/kg dry matter (DM), metabolisable energy 8.3 MJ/kg DM), i.e., 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9 of voluntary intake (VI). Each intake treatment lasted for 17 days and the samples (feeds, faeces and urine) were collected during last 7 days of each period. The results indicate that digestibility of dietary DM, OM, NDF and ash declined when intake levels increased from 0.3 to 0.9 VI [DM, from 66.1% to 59.1% ( P<0.05); OM, from 68.1% to 59.9% ( P<0.05); NDF, from 62.1% to 54.3% ( P<0.05); and ash, from 33.9% to 11.8% ( P<0.05)]. Around 0.10 g N/kg W 0.75 was deficient daily in yak cows at 0.3 VI, and positive N balances were observed at 0.6 and 0.9 VI. Intake levels significantly ( P<0.05) affected total PD excretion in yak urine. The proportion of allantoin increased ( P<0.05) and uric acid decreased ( P<0.05) as intake level of feed increased.

Leptospiral carrier state and seroprevalence among animal population--a cross-sectional sample survey in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

A study was conducted with the objective of assessing the leptospiral carrier state and seroprevalence among animal population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A total of 494 sera samples from different domestic animals and 85 samples from rats (Rattus rattus) were tested by microscopic agglutination test using nine serogroups prevalent in these islands. Antibodies to leptospires were detected in 164 samples giving an overall seroprevalence of (33.11%). The seroprevalence was highest among cows (40.32%). Of 85 rat (Rattus rattus) samples tested for antileptospiral antibodies six (7.1%) were positive. Leptospires were isolated from kidney of two rats and urine of one cow. Isolate from urine of cow was heavily contaminated and was subsequently lost during further subculture. The two isolates were found to be pathogenic, belonging to serogroup Grippotyphosa. The isolates were further characterized by using a set of monoclonal antibodies. The agglutination patterns of isolates were similar to that of ratnapura and valbuzzi, however these did not completely match.

Model Studies on the Detectability of Genetically Modified Feeds in Milk

Detecting the use of genetically modified feeds in milk has become important, because the voluntary labeling of milk and dairy products as “GMO free” or as “organically grown” prohibits the employment of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The aim of this work was to investigate whether a DNA transfer from foodstuffs like soya and maize was analytically detectable in cow's milk after digestion and transportation via the bloodstream of dairy cows and, thus, whether milk could report for the employment of transgene feeds. Blood, milk, urine, and feces of dairy cows were examined, and foreign DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction by specifically amplifying a 226-bp fragment of the maize invertase gene and a 118-bp fragment of the soya lectin gene. An intravenous application of purified plant DNA showed a fast elimination of marker DNA in blood or its reduction below the detection limit. With feeding experiments, it could be demonstrated that a specific DNA transfer from feeds into milk was not detectable. Therefore, foreign DNA in milk cannot serve as an indicator for the employment of transgene feeds unless milk is directly contaminated with feed components or airborne feed particles.

The last outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the Czech Republic in 1995 was caused by Mycobacterium bovis subspecies caprae

The last outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the CzechRepublic was detected in 1995. Signs of diarrhoea, weight loss and occasional coughing appeared in one 14-year-old cow after giving birth for the thirteenth time. Two months after these symptoms had been observed, it had to be slaughtered and numerous tuberculous lesions were found in its lung tissue, including the pleura. Within three months after the confirmation of the infection and consecutive intra-vitam and post-mortem diagnostics, all 28 remaining head of cattle from the herd (nine cows, seven bulls, six heifers and six calves) and five pigs were slaughtered. Patho-anatomical lesions were detected in all animals indicative of tuberculosis, from which Mycobacterium bovis was cultured and identified on the basis of biochemical tests and virulence test in a guinea-pig. The culture of 33 samples of other biological material than tissues (milk and urine of cows, feeding water, scrapings from the shed, fodder and others) resulted in M. bovis being detected in three samples (scrapings from shed walls). By the spoligotyping method M. bovis subsp. caprae was found in six selected isolates originating from two cows, two heifers and two bulls. It may therefore be assumed that there was one source of infection in the herd, which was the first infected old cow. In comparison with 3 176 spoligotypes in the existing database RIVM (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands) and literary data it was found that this spoligotype was also found in Sweden, Belgium, Great Britain, Spain, Poland, Germany and the CzechRepublic. It was impossible to determine the source of M. bovis subsp. caprae of the first infected cow on the basis of results from database and from anamnestic data. Green fodder coming from the farmer&amp;rsquo;s pastures near a forest could be considered as a possible source of M. bovis from wild ruminants like red deer (Cervus elaphus), which was found infected with bovine tuberculosis in another district of the CzechRepublic in 1991.

The influence of short-term anion salt exposure on urine pH and on resistance to experimentally induced hypocalcaemia in cows.

The objective of this experiment was to induce acidification by anion salt supplementation for 2 days or 10 days and to study the prophylactic effects of such supplementation in preventing hypocalcaemia in cows. It was further attempted to monitor the extent to which any effect on the calcium-regulating mechanisms would persist following a 10-day period of acidification with anion salts. Study animals were three untreated control cows and three cows supplemented with ammonium chloride and ammonium sulphate in their ration for 2 days or 10 days through the rumen cannula. The basic ration of hay was dominated by Urochloa spp. The pH of the urine of the control cows was around 8.00 throughout the experiment and was considered normal. Anion-supplemented cows produced urine with a daily mean pH between 5.5 and 7.0, possibly due to anion salt exposure. The ability to withstand hypocalcaemic challenges was tested by a standardized intravenous infusion of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Na2EDTA). The calcium regaining time (CRT), expressed as time spent to reach 1.00 mmol/l of ionized calcium during recovery from the EDTA-induced hypocalcaemia, was used to compare cow responses. In the control cows the unexpectedly short CRT, especially during the weekly EDTA tests, could be a result of the repeated induced episodes of hypocalcaemia caused by the EDTA infusions. The improved CRT in the anion-supplemented cows may thus be interpreted as the combined effect of the repeated hypocalcaemic episodes due to EDTA infusions and probably the effect of anion-induced metabolic acidosis on endocrine-regulated calcium homeostatic mechanisms. The effect of anion salt exposure for 10 days on the improvement of calcium-regulating mechanisms was not clear due to the unexpected improvement of CRT that was exhibited by the untreated control cows as well. An on-farm trial of the effect of a 2-day or 10-day anion exposure of dry cows on calcium-regulating mechanisms is suggested.

Evaluation of microbial culture (Jeevamrit) preparation and its effect on productivity of field crops

Jeevamrit, a microbial culture, prepared especially from dung and urine of Indian cow is generally advocated for use in organic farming to meet the nutritional requirement of crops. Laboratory studies and field experiments were conducted to know the microbial composition and nutrient content of jeevamrit and its effect on the perfor- mance of rice (Oryza sativa L.)wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori &amp; Paol} and maize (Zea mays L.) wheat cropping systems. The pH of jeevamrit prepared from buffalo, Indian cow and hybrid cow decreased from 8.32, 7.89 and 7.71 at the start to 3.86, 3.65 and 3.56, respectively after 5 days of incubation. The microbial count increased from its initial values in all the cultures. The bacterial count of jeevamrit prepared from Indian cows dung and urine was highest followed by hybrid cow and buffalo, where as the fungal count was highest in jeevamrit prepared from hybrid cows dung and urine followed by Indian cow and buffalo. Jeevamrit prepared from Indian cow and hybrid cows dung and urine did not differ much in the microbial count (bacteria and fungi). The nutrient contents were 0.22, 0.04 and 0.60 g nitrogen, 0.11, 0.04 and 0.06 g phosphorus, 1.09, 0.28 and 0.75 g potassium and 0.46, 0.43 and 0.39 g sulphur in each litre of jeevamrit prepared from buffalo, Indian cow and hy- brid cows dung and urine, respectively; showing relatively higher contents of these nutrients in case of buffalo. The carbon content was more in jeevamrit prepared from dung and urine of Indian cow followed by buffalo and hy- brid cow. The field application of jeevamrit over two years (200910 and 201011) neither alone nor in combina- tion with chemical fertilizers or farmyard manure influenced the grain yield of rice, maize and wheat in ricewheat and maizewheat cropping systems indicating its inability to supply nutrients to the crops in needed quantities ei- ther directly or indirectly through mobilization of native nutrients from the soil.

High constitutional nitrate status in young cattle

Nitrate or nitrite can be ingested or endogenously produced from nitric oxide. They can cause intoxication and are of general concern for health because they relate to various diseases. Our goal was to study ontogenetic and nutritional effects on the nitrate+nitrite (NO x −) status in cattle, particularly calves. NO x − concentration in blood plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, and urine was measured based on nitrate conversion by added nitrate reductase to nitrite, which was then determined by the Griess reaction. Concentrations of nitrate were the result of the difference between NO x − and nitrite values. Nitrate in blood plasma, saliva and urine was ≥97% and in cerebrospinal fluid of calves was approximately 35% of NO x −. Preprandial plasma NO x − in calves born after shortened or normal lengths of pregnancy (277 and 290 days) was 470 and 830 μmol/l, respectively, decreased within 4–7 days to 40–60 μmol/l, remained in this range up to 4 months, was ≤5 μmol/l in heifers and no longer measurable in 3–8-year-old cows. Cerebrospinal NO x − in 8-day-old calves was 14 μmol/l and approximately 11-fold lower than in blood plasma. Salivary NO x − decreased postnatally from 600 to 200 μmol/l at 2 days and to 25 μmol/l at 4 weeks. Urinary NO x − excretion decreased from 125 or 16 μmol/l per kg×24 h in 5-day-old calves to 45 or 8 μmol/kg×24 h between 10 and 115 days of life and was undetectable in urine of heifers and cows. Feeding neonatal calves no or variable amounts of colostrum, delaying colostrum intake by 24 h after birth or feeding at different feeding intensity had no effect on the NO x − status. In conclusion, the high plasma, salivary and urinary NO x − concentrations especially in newborn calves, ingesting but insignificant amounts of nitrite or nitrate, indicated marked endogenous formation of nitrate, which decreased with age. The high nitrate status may contribute to enhanced susceptibility of young calves to exogenous nitrite+nitrite ingestion.

Absorption, distribution and excretion of aflatoxin-derived ammoniation products in lactating cows

Peanut meal naturally contaminated with 3.5mg/kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was spiked with radiolabelled AFB1 (meal14C-I0) and decontaminated by a smallscale copy of an industrial ammoniation process (meal 14C-I1). During the process 15% of the radioactivity was lost, whereas 90% of the remaining radiolabel could not be extracted from the meal. In the extractable part, AFB1 accounted for 10% of the radiolabel, consistent with a total AFB1 reduction of more than 99%. No degradation products were observed in the extracts. Four lactating cows were fed with a diet containing 15% of either meal 14C-I0 or 14C-I1 for 10 days. On day 9 of this treatment, respectively 23 and 67% of the radiolabel was excreted in the urine and faeces of cows fed meal 14C-I0, as compared with 2 and 101% in the case of cows fed meal 14C-I1. Milk contained respectively 1.35 (meal 14C-I0) and 0.25% (meal 14C-I1) of the radiolabel. Milk samples taken during the equilibrium stage contained respectively 5 and 0.5 ng/ml of AFB1-derived compounds. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) accounted for 50–80% of these compounds in the case of milk from cows fed 14C-I0, as compared with 6–20% in the case of 14C-I1. AFB1 to AFM1 carry-over rates for 14C-I0 or 14

Determination of zearalenone and its metabolites in urine and tissue samples of cow and pig by LC-MS/MS

For the sensitive and selective determination of zeranol, taleranol, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol and zearalenone in animal urine and tissue a LC-MS/MS method has been developed. Sample preparation included extraction of meat samples and enzymatic digest of urine samples followed by solid-phase extraction with RP-18 columns for sample clean-up. Mass spectrometric determination was carried out with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation interface (APCI) in the multi-reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Using the negative ion mode detection limits between 0.1 and 0.5 ppb and determination limits between 0.5 and 1 ppb could be achieved. With zearalanone as internal standard, a linear range between 0.5 (1.0) and 100 ppb in urine samples (cow; pig) and between 1 and 100 ppb in meat samples (cow, calf, pig) could be established. Depending on the biological matrix and analyte standard deviations were below 8.2 %, with recovery rates between 86 and 102 % in spiked samples. The applicability of the method was demonstrated via several contaminated cow and pig urine samples.

Hypocalcemia induced by intravenous administration of disodium ethylenediaminotetraacetate and its effects on excretion of calcium in urine of cows fed a high chloride diet.

Evidence supports the theory that a diet that is rich in nonmetabolizable anions fed to dairy cows during the dry period reduces the risk of hypocalcemic paresis puerperalis. When cows are fed a diet that is rich in anions instead of cations, more Ca is absorbed in the intestine and excreted in urine. We hypothesized that, in cows fed a diet that was rich in anions, the increased flow of Ca through the body could be drained to support the maintenance of plasma Ca concentration around parturition. The hypothesis was tested by binding plasma Ca through intravenous administration of Na2-EDTA and measuring excretion of Ca in urine. In a 2-period x 14-d crossover study, six, nonpregnant, nonlactating, multiparous cows were fed either a diet that was rich in cations (dietary cation-anion difference = +332 meq/kg of dry matter) or rich in anions (dietary cation-anion difference = -230 meq/kg of dry matter). On the last day of each feeding period, Na2-EDTA was infused intravenously until the amount of plasma Ca that was not bound to EDTA reached approximately 1 mmol/L. The amount of EDTA that could be infused was significantly greater when the cows were fed the diet that was rich in anions. During the infusion of Na2-EDTA the rate of Ca excretion in urine dropped to almost 0 when the diet that was rich in anions was fed. After feeding the diet that was rich in cations, excretion of Ca in urine was negligible and was not reduced further by Na2-EDTA infusion. Thus, in cows fed a diet that was rich in anions, the Ca intended for excretion with urine can be used when plasma Ca is under stress as would occur at the onset of lactation. However, the amount of Ca derived from plasma, interstitial fluid, and the skeleton during Na2-EDTA infusion was quantitatively much more important to the supply of Ca than was the reduction in excretion of Ca in urine. Most likely, this relationship would also be true when the production of colostrum begins.

N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity in urine of cows with renal parenchymal lesions

Abstract Objective To measure N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in urine of cows with renal diseases and to correlate values for NAG activity with renal lesions. Animals 8 lactating Holstein cows and a Japanese Shorthorn cow, all of which had renal disease. Procedure Urine samples were collected, and urinary NAG activity and creatinine concentration were measured. The NAG activity was expressed as units per gram of creatinine (NAG index). Cows were euthanatized, necropsy was performed, and correlations between results for urinary NAG index and histopathologic findings for the kidneys were evaluated. Results The NAG activity and NAG index in urine samples obtained from cows with interstitial nephritis were high, ranging from 4.2 to 13.6 U/L and 3.5 to 23.0 U/g, respectively. A cow with renal amyloidosis also had high values for urinary NAG activity and NAG index. Histologic examination of the kidneys revealed various kinds of parenchymal lesions. However, urinary NAG index in cows with enzootic bovine leukosis was low. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Cows with renal diseases had high urinary NAG indexes that correlated well with their renal lesions, except for cows with enzootic bovine leukosis. Therefore, measurement of NAG index in urine samples has the potential to provide new perspectives on clinical diagnosis of renal disease in cattle. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60: 410-413)

Analysis of Metabolites of 4-methyl 2-sulfanilamido-oxazole Sulfamethoxazole Excreted in the Urine of Cows

Analysis of Metabolites of 4-methyl 2-sulfanilamido-oxazole Sulfamethoxazole Excreted in the Urine of Cows

Effect of Diet on Milk Allantoin and Its Relationship with Urinary Allantoin in Dairy Cows

The present study examined the effects of diet on the concentration and excretion of allantoin in milk and the relationship between allantoin in milk and urine of dairy cows. Results are reported from three experiments. In Experiment 1, four diets with two different protein percentages and two different rumen degradabilities were fed to 12 cows in a continuous trial. In Experiment 2, four diets with different protein balance values in the rumen were fed to four cows in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. In Experiment 3, four diets with different contents of concentrate and fat were fed to four cows in two incomplete 2 × 2 Latin squares. The excretion of allantoin N in milk increased as dry matter intake increased (Experiment 1) and as the concentrate in the diet increased (Experiment 3). In Experiments 1 and 3, the excretion of allantoin in milk was correlated with its concentration in milk and with its excretion in urine. In the three experiments, allantoin excretion in milk was closely correlated with milk yield. The amount of allantoin secreted in milk represented a small proportion (0.63 to 1.34%) of the total excretion in urine and milk. The proportion of allantoin secreted in milk was negatively correlated with the urinary excretion of allantoin in Experiments 2 and 3 and positively correlated with the excretion of allantoin in milk in Experiment 1. In Experiments 1 and 2, the proportion of allantoin excreted in milk was not constant but increased as milk yield increased.