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Journal of Dairy Science Apr 2021The objective of this study was to identify changes in prepartum behavior associated with the incidence of postpartum diseases in dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows...
The objective of this study was to identify changes in prepartum behavior associated with the incidence of postpartum diseases in dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 489) were monitored with accelerometers for 3 wk prepartum. Accelerometers measured steps, time at the feed bunk, frequency of meals, lying bouts, and lying time. Postpartum health was monitored from 0 to 30 d in milk and cases of metritis, mastitis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum (DA), ketosis, and hypocalcemia were recorded. A multivariate linear mixed model was used to assess differences in behavior between diseased and not diagnosed diseased cows. A multivariate logistic regression was used to predict the occurrence of diseases. Predictors were selected using a manual backward stepwise selection process of variables until all remaining predictors had a P < 0.10. Models were submitted to a leave-one-out cross-validation process, and sensitivity, specificity, false discovery rate, and false omission rate were calculated. On average, over the 3-wk prepartum period, cows not diagnosed diseased (n = 345) took 1,613 ± 38 steps, spent 181 ± 7.1 min at the feed bunk, had 8.3 ± 0.17 meals, had 9.8 ± 0.32 lying bouts, and spent 742 ± 11.3 min lying per day. Behavior of diseased cows (n = 144) did not differ from those not diagnosed diseased. However, differences for specific diseases were observed, being significant in the week prepartum. When considering changes in behavior for only the week before calving, cows with metritis had more lying bouts (+21%), cows with DA had fewer meals (-24%) and tended to take fewer steps (-18%), and cows with ketosis had fewer meals (-22%) and spent less time at the feed bunk (-40%). Prediction models with the best outcomes were found for DA and ketosis using data of the prepartum week only. The model for DA included time at the feed bunk. Cross-validation resulted in a 80% sensitivity, 58.1% specificity, 59.2% accuracy, 91.2% false discovery rate, and 1.7% false omission rate. The model for ketosis included time at the feed bunk and number of meals. Cross-validation resulted in 64.3% sensitivity, 59.3% specificity, 59.5% accuracy, 93.0% false discovery rate, and 2.8% false omission rate. Prepartum behavior of cows affected with metritis, DA, and ketosis was different from that of cows not diagnosed with diseases. Prediction equations were able to classify cows at high or low risk of ketosis and DA and can be used in taking management decisions, but the high false discovery rates requires further refinement.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; Ketosis; Lactation; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Puerperal Disorders
PubMed: 33516551
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18792 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Jan 2021Hypocalcaemia is a common metabolic disorder of post-parturient dairy cows; enhancement of our knowledge regarding Ca dynamics would improve cow health and welfare. This...
Hypocalcaemia is a common metabolic disorder of post-parturient dairy cows; enhancement of our knowledge regarding Ca dynamics would improve cow health and welfare. This study investigated the presence of time- and severity-related subclinical hypocalcaemia (SCHCa) patterns in Holstein cows after calving and their association with diseases during the first week of lactation. A total of 938 cows from nine herds were blood sampled on days 1, 2, 4 and 8 post-partum, and serum Ca concentration was measured with atomic absorption. Subclinical ketosis (serum β-hydroxybutyrate≥1.2 mmol/L) and cases of retained foetal membranes, metritis (MET), mastitis, ketosis and displaced abomasum (DA) were recorded. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the SCHCa cut-off was identified at serum Ca ≤ 2.09 mmol/L. Hierarchical and two-step cluster analysis classified cows to seven clusters based on test day cow Ca records and overall SCHCa status. Two clusters (NORM and HIGH) included 318 normocalcaemic cows and five clusters (SCH-1 to -5) those that were at least once subclinically hypocalcaemic (n = 620). A second ROC analysis was performed in order to distinguish mild from severe cases of SCHCa in these 620 cows; this cut-off was identified at 1.93 mmol/L. The associated risk of disease with Ca clustership was assessed with generalized linear mixed models. Overall incidence of SCHCa was 66.1%. Clusters SCH-1 and SCH-2 included cows with short-term SCHCa of day 1 and day 2, respectively, while SCH-3 included cows with severe and prolonged SCHCa extending to day 4 and beyond. Clusters SCH-4 and SCH-5 included cows with delayed SCHCa, which culminated on days 4 and 8, respectively. Compared to NORM cows in HIGH had lower risk of MET and no cases of DA. Cows in SCH-3 had higher risk of being diagnosed with retained foetal membranes, DA or any disease during the study period. Cows in SCH-5 had higher risk of being diagnosed with ketosis, subclinical ketosis or any disease. In conclusion, there are multiple normocalcaemic and hypocalcaemic patterns that are differently associated with disease risk.
Topics: 3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Female; Hypocalcemia; Ketosis; Lactation; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33515993
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100017 -
Animal Bioscience Feb 2023We determined the impact of maintaining pasture-based dairy cows and calves together over 100 days on cow milk production, cow and calf behavior, and calf liveweight and...
OBJECTIVE
We determined the impact of maintaining pasture-based dairy cows and calves together over 100 days on cow milk production, cow and calf behavior, and calf liveweight and carcass quality.
METHODS
Six Holstein-Friesian cows and their male calves were monitored for 106±8.6 days. Cows were temporarily separated twice a day for milking with calves remaining in the paddock. Cow and calf behaviors were recorded via scan sampling at 6 different timepoints, for the first 7 days and twice a week thereafter. Calves were weighed weekly and immediately processed for meat quality and rumen development analysis at 106±8.6 days. Daily cow milk yields were collected from enrollment until 109±8.6 days (3 days post-weaning).
RESULTS
The average daily gain of calves was 1.4±0.73 kg/d, with an average carcass dressing percentage of 59%. Calves had the greatest frequency of observed close proximity to cow and suckling in the first two weeks and decreased with experiment duration. During separation for milking, cow vocalizations and attempts to return to their calf decreased over time. Reticulorumen weight was on target for calf age, but as a proportion of total stomach weight was lower than industry averages of calves the same age due to the larger abomasum. Cows produced an average of 12±7.6 kg of milk yield per day over the 3-days before the calves were weaned and increased to mean of 31±8.3 kg/d the 3 days after weaning, indicating a consumption of close to 20 kg per calf per day.
CONCLUSION
The impact of a pasture-based cow-calf rearing system on cow and calf behavior and the potential for high levels of calf liveweight gain when provided ad-libitum milk and feed were determined. Further research is required to determine the practicality of replicating such systems with large herds and impact on reared calves post-weaning.
PubMed: 35798037
DOI: 10.5713/ab.22.0135 -
Journal of Animal Science Sep 2020This study assessed the relative bioavailability of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in cattle. Seven ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (initial body weight of 280 kg) were...
This study assessed the relative bioavailability of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in cattle. Seven ruminally cannulated Holstein steers (initial body weight of 280 kg) were used in an experiment with a 5 × 5 Latin square design; the two additional steers received a treatment sequence identical to two steers in the Latin square. Treatments were: control (no GAA, water infusion), ruminal infusion of 10 or 20 g/d GAA, and abomasal infusion of 10 or 20 g/d GAA, with all infusions delivered continuously. Periods were 7 d in length, and on day 7, blood and urine samples were collected to determine the concentrations of GAA and its associated metabolites. Plasma creatine concentrations increased linearly (P < 0.01) with GAA infusion to the abomasum and tended to increase linearly (P = 0.06) when GAA was infused ruminally. Urinary creatine concentrations increased linearly with increasing amounts of GAA infused in the abomasum (P < 0.01) and the rumen (P < 0.05). There were no significant effects of GAA infusion to either the abomasum or rumen on plasma or urinary concentrations of GAA. Plasma creatinine concentrations were not affected by GAA infusion to the abomasum or rumen. Urinary creatinine concentrations decreased when GAA was infused abomasally (P < 0.05). Because plasma and urinary creatine concentrations yielded the statistically strongest linear responses, they were selected as the primary response criteria for quantifying ruminal escape of GAA. Calculated by slope-ratio methodology, estimates for the ruminal escape of GAA based on plasma creatine and urinary creatine concentrations were 47% and 49%, respectively. Ruminally infused GAA was about half as effective as abomasally infused GAA in elevating plasma and urinary concentrations of creatine.
Topics: Abomasum; Animals; Biological Availability; Cattle; Creatine; Glycine; Rumen
PubMed: 32845973
DOI: 10.1093/jas/skaa282 -
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional... Feb 2023This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of quebracho extract tannins (Schinopsis lorenzii) (EQ) included in the basal diet (DB) on the count of eggs...
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of quebracho extract tannins (Schinopsis lorenzii) (EQ) included in the basal diet (DB) on the count of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), count of parasites in the abomasum, hematological, and immunological parameters in lambs naturally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Forty-eight lambs were evaluated for 42 days and divided into four groups (n = 12): CONT- lambs that received DB without EQ supplementation; G1%- DB with EQ at 1% of dry matter intake (DMI) level; G3%- DB with EQ at the 3% of DMI level; G6%- DB with EQ at the 6% DMI level. For EPG counts, feces were collected weekly. For counting abomasal parasites, at the end of the experiment (D42) half of the lambs in each group were slaughtered. For hematological and immunological analysis, venous blood samples were collected at D0, D21, and D42 to perform the erythrocyte count, mean cell volume (MCV), hematocrit, differential leukocyte count, total plasma protein dosage, and serum IgA class anti-H. contortus using an indirect enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). In the EPG count, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the groups compared with the control. Analysis of the abomasal parasite count showed Haemonchus contortus in its entirety; however, there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the number of males, females, and total parasites. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed in erythrocyte count, MCV, hematocrit, and total plasma protein. The average total leukocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts showed no difference (p > 0.05). However, the averages of segmented neutrophils in the G1% and G3% groups presented a reduction in the percentage of cells (p < 0.05) between D21 and D42. Regarding the lymphocyte count, a difference was observed in the CONT and G3% groups at D21 and D42 (p < 0.05), when compared to D0. The analyses of the average absorbance of anti-Haemonchus contortus serum IgA showed no difference (p > 0.05), when the groups were analyzed over time or when compared between them. It can be concluded that the inclusion of different doses of tannins from EQ did not alter the parasitological, hematological, and immunological parameters of lambs infected with H. contortus.
Topics: Female; Male; Sheep; Animals; Tannins; Haemonchus; Sheep, Domestic; Parasitic Diseases; Blood Proteins; Immunoglobulin A; Haemonchiasis; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 36725160
DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2023.100833 -
Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia May 2022In most mammals, leptin plays central and peripheral roles in a wide range of metabolic activities including feed consumption and digestion, energy expenditure and the...
In most mammals, leptin plays central and peripheral roles in a wide range of metabolic activities including feed consumption and digestion, energy expenditure and the regulation of carbohydrate-fat accumulation. Ghrelin is a strong appetite-stimulating hormone, while obestatin has the opposite effect of ghrelin. The latter is released during feeding, causing a sense of satiety. This study aimed to reveal if the metabolic hormones, as well as OB-R and GHS-R, were present in bull and ram abomasums. Streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method was implemented to determine the expressions and localizations of metabolic hormones and their receptors, and obestatin. Immunoreactivity for leptin and obestatin was present in the cytoplasms of luminal and glandular cells, while smooth muscle cells were immunoreactant for ghrelin, in both bull and ram abomasums. Immunoreactivity for OB-R was present in luminal and glandular cell, parietal cell cytoplasms, and blood vessels. Immunoreactivity for GHS-R, on the other hand, was found in glandular epithelial cell cytoplasms and parietal cell cytoplasms, in both bull and ram abomasums. Leptin immunoreactivity was detected in the glandular epithelial cells and stroma, and particularly in the parietal cells. Ghrelin immunoreactivity was not observed in glandular epithelial cells. Obestatin immunoreactivity was found intensely in the bull abomasum, while moderate immunoreactivity was observed in the ram abomasums. As such, leptin, ghrelin and obestatin hormones were expressed in bull and ram abomasums, similar to the abomasums of other species. It is believed that these hormones play important roles in the digestive system activities and the regulation of energy in bulls and rams.
Topics: Abomasum; Animals; Cattle; Ghrelin; Leptin; Male; Sheep; Sheep, Domestic
PubMed: 35288975
DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12801 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021Gastrointestinal (GI) infections in sheep have significant implications for animal health, welfare and productivity, as well as being a source of zoonotic pathogens....
Gastrointestinal (GI) infections in sheep have significant implications for animal health, welfare and productivity, as well as being a source of zoonotic pathogens. Interactions between pathogens and epithelial cells at the mucosal surface play a key role in determining the outcome of GI infections; however, the inaccessibility of the GI tract significantly limits the ability to study such interactions in detail. We therefore developed ovine epithelial organoids representing physiologically important gastric and intestinal sites of infection, specifically the abomasum (analogous to the stomach in monogastrics) and ileum. We show that both abomasal and ileal organoids form self-organising three-dimensional structures with a single epithelial layer and a central lumen that are stable in culture over serial passage. We performed RNA-seq analysis on abomasal and ileal tissue from multiple animals and on organoids across multiple passages and show the transcript profile of both abomasal and ileal organoids cultured under identical conditions are reflective of the tissue from which they were derived and that the transcript profile in organoids is stable over at least five serial passages. In addition, we demonstrate that the organoids can be successfully cryopreserved and resuscitated, allowing long-term storage of organoid lines, thereby reducing the number of animals required as a source of tissue. We also report the first published observations of a helminth infecting gastric and intestinal organoids by challenge with the sheep parasitic nematode , demonstrating the utility of these organoids for pathogen co-culture experiments. Finally, the polarity in the abomasal and ileal organoids can be inverted to make the apical surface directly accessible to pathogens or their products, here shown by infection of apical-out organoids with the zoonotic enteric bacterial pathogen serovar Typhimurium. In summary, we report a simple and reliable culture system for generation and maintenance of small ruminant intestinal and gastric organoids. In line with 3Rs principals, use of such organoids will reduce and replace animals in host-pathogen research.
Topics: Animals; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Intestines; Organoids; Ruminants; Sheep; Stomach
PubMed: 34568096
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.733811 -
Journal of Dairy Science Oct 2023We evaluated the effects of infusing an exogenous emulsifier (polysorbates-C18:1) either into the rumen or abomasum on fatty acid (FA) digestibility and production...
We evaluated the effects of infusing an exogenous emulsifier (polysorbates-C18:1) either into the rumen or abomasum on fatty acid (FA) digestibility and production responses of lactating dairy cows. Nine ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows (170 ± 13.6 d in milk) were assigned to a treatment sequence in replicated 3 × 3 Latin squares with 18-d periods consisting of 7 d of washout and 11 d of infusion. Treatments were abomasal infusions of water carrier only into the rumen and abomasum (control, CON), 30 g/d polysorbate-C18:1 (T80) infused into the rumen (RUM), or 30 g/d T80 infused into the abomasum (ABO). Emulsifiers were dissolved in water and delivered at 6-h intervals (total daily infusion was divided into 4 equal infusions per day). Cows were fed the same diet that contained [% diet dry matter (DM)] 32.2% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 16.1% crude protein, 26.5% starch, and 3.41% FA (including 1.96% FA from a saturated FA supplement containing 28.0% C16:0 and 54.6% C18:0). Two orthogonal contrasts were evaluated: (1) the overall effect of T80 {CON vs. average of the T80 infusions [1/2 (ABO + RUM)]}, and (2) the effect of ABO versus RUM infusion. Compared with CON, infusing T80 increased the digestibilities of NDF (2.85 percentage units), total (4.35 percentage units), 16-carbon (3.25 percentage units), and 18-carbon FA (4.60 percentage units), and tended to increase DM digestibility and total and 18-carbon FA absorption. Compared with RUM, ABO decreased the intakes of total (28 g/d), 16-carbon (7 g/d), and 18-carbon FA (19 g/d); tended to increase the digestibility of total and 18-carbon FA; and had no effect on the absorption of total, 16-carbon, or 18-carbon FA. Production responses did not change among our treatments. In conclusion, infusing 30 g/d polysorbates-C18:1 increased NDF and total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA digestibility. Compared with RUM, ABO tended to increase the digestibilities of total and 18-carbon FA; however, this may be related to the fact that ABO reduced the intakes of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA, not necessarily due to better emulsifying action per se. In summary, ABO and RUM both improved FA absorption.
Topics: Female; Cattle; Animals; Fatty Acids; Lactation; Abomasum; Rumen; Polysorbates; Digestion; Animal Feed; Diet; Milk; Emulsifying Agents
PubMed: 37500432
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23143 -
Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe G,... Aug 2023The manager of a large dairy herd (total confinement, total mixed ration feeding, 10130 kg milk sold per cow and year) requested a workup of a digestive disorder...
The manager of a large dairy herd (total confinement, total mixed ration feeding, 10130 kg milk sold per cow and year) requested a workup of a digestive disorder problem that had been ongoing for several years. The cows were at all stages of lactation, and the incidence proportion (events/100 cows at risk) of digestive disorders was approximately 5 to 10%. The clinical picture included an abnormal demeanor of varying severity and signs that differed among the cows. The latter included decreased milk production and physical activity, low body condition score, abnormal rumen motility and stratification, small intestinal dilatation, diarrhea, undigested fiber particles in the feces, fever and abdominal pain.The following approach was used to investigate the digestive disorder problem:1. The herd was assessed for production levels, housing requirements, feeding protocols and animal health management. The latter comprised evaluation of different animal scores, metabolic profile analysis, diagnosis of disease, culling records and slaughter data. The results revealed risk factors concerning the feeding and animal health monitoring, (e. g. in dry matter intake and silage quality management, disease detection and diagnosis in fresh cows). The assessment also identified a high occurrence of digestive disorders of unknown origin.2. Fifteen cows that represented the ongoing digestive disorder problem were selected to undergo clinical examination, hematological analysis, urinalysis, and ultrasonography of the ventral abdomen. The clinical examinations revealed different digestive disorders, which were mainly inflammatory in nature, in all the cows. Eight cows had localized reticuloperitonitis and 13 had left displaced abomasum with different degrees of displacement and adhesions between the abomasum and reticulum attributable to reticuloperitonitis.Our results revealed a multifactorial problem caused by several risk factors relating to animal health and feeding management protocols that resulted in different types of digestive disorders. The wires from damaged tires used to hold the pit silo tarps in place were identified as a possible traumatic cause of the reticuloperitonitis. Treatment, prevention and follow-up of the different conditions were discussed.
PubMed: 37343587
DOI: 10.1055/a-2087-8359 -
JDS Communications Jul 2022A previously developed abomasal infusion device was modified for easy and successful placement of infusion lines into the abomasum of dairy cows. Similar to the original...
A previously developed abomasal infusion device was modified for easy and successful placement of infusion lines into the abomasum of dairy cows. Similar to the original device, the modified device consists of 2 pieces: an insertion tool and a delivery tool. Updates include streamlining both the insertion and delivery tools by slightly altering dimensions and design, then smoothing all rough edges. The primary changes include a parallel cut along the entire length of the insertion and delivery tools and encasement of the infusion line inside both tools, allowing for smoother insertion through the reticulum-omasum orifice and into the omasum and abomasum. Additionally, increasing the outside diameter of the delivery tool to reduce the gap between the delivery tool and insertion tool, increasing the length of the tools, and making a loop of cord attached to the insertion tool facilitate insertion and easy ejection of the flange into the abomasum. By using this modified device, placement of abomasal infusion lines (including flange) was more successful.
PubMed: 36338021
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2021-0201