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JDS Communications Jan 2024This observational study was conducted to evaluate the effect of transition cow health on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and pregnancy loss (PL) in cows...
Association of transition cow health with pregnancy per artificial insemination and pregnancy loss in Holstein cows submitted to a Double-Ovsynch protocol for first service.
This observational study was conducted to evaluate the effect of transition cow health on pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and pregnancy loss (PL) in cows submitted to a Double-Ovsynch protocol (DO) for first service. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 15,041) from one commercial dairy farm in northern Germany between January 2015 to December 2021 were enrolled into a modified Double-Ovsynch protocol (GnRH, 7 d later PGF, 3 d later GnRH, 7 d later GnRH, 7 d later PGF, 24 h later PGF, 32 h later GnRH, and 16 to 18 h later timed artificial insemination) for first service at 72 ± 3 d in milk. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 32 and 60 d post-AI via transrectal ultrasonography. Pregnancy loss was defined as the proportion of cows diagnosed pregnant 32 d post-artificial insemination that were diagnosed nonpregnant 60 d post-artificial insemination. Health-related events (i.e., milk fever [MF], hyperketonemia [KET], retained fetal membranes [RFM], metritis, mastitis, left displaced abomasum [LDA]) were assessed by farm personnel using standard operating procedures. Multivariable logistic regression was used for testing potential associations between transition cow health event occurrence and outcome variables, including P/AI and PL. Three separate models were built for cows in first lactation, second lactation, and ≥third lactation. Overall, 20.0% (885/4,430), 34.9% (1,391/3,989), and 53.9% (3,570/6,622) of cows had at least one transition cow health event for first, second, and ≥third lactations, respectively. The most prevalent transition cow health event for first-lactation cows was metritis (10.7%; [473/4,430]), whereas second-lactation cows suffered mostly from mastitis (16.6%; [664/3,989] and KET (16.6%; [661/3,989]), and cows with ≥third lactations were mostly affected by KET (33.2%; [2,198/6,622]). We observed a negative association between inflammatory disorders (i.e., RFM, metritis, mastitis) and P/AI in all cows irrespective of parity. Metabolic disorders (i.e., MF, KET, LDA) were negatively associated with P/AI only in multiparous cows. Irrespective of parity, only uterine diseases (i.e., RFM, metritis) were significantly associated with PL. These results show that enrolling cows into a fertility protocol, such as DO, cannot overcome the carryover effects of inflammatory and metabolic disorders on P/AI and PL and highlight the importance of optimizing transition cow health as a prerequisite for achieving high fertility in a DO protocol.
PubMed: 38223393
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0397 -
Animal Bioscience Feb 2024Ruminants possess a specialized four-compartment forestomach, consisting of the reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen, the primary fermentative chamber,...
Ruminants possess a specialized four-compartment forestomach, consisting of the reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen, the primary fermentative chamber, harbours a dynamic ecosystem comprising bacteria, protozoa, fungi, archaea, and bacteriophages. These microorganisms engage in diverse ecological interactions within the rumen microbiome, primarily benefiting the host animal by deriving energy from plant material breakdown. These interactions encompass symbiosis, such as mutualism and commensalism, as well as parasitism, predation, and competition. These ecological interactions are dependent on many factors, including the production of diverse molecules, such as those involved in quorum sensing (QS). QS is a density-dependent signalling mechanism involving the release of autoinducer (AIs) compounds, when cell density increases AIs bind to receptors causing the altered expression of certain genes. These AIs are classified as mainly being N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL; commonly used by Gram-negative bacteria) or autoinducer-2 based systems (AI-2; used by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria); although other less common AI systems exist. Most of our understanding of QS at a gene-level comes from pure culture in vitro studies using bacterial pathogens, with much being unknown on a commensal bacterial and ecosystem level, especially in the context of the rumen microbiome. A small number of studies have explored QS in the rumen using 'omic' technologies, revealing a prevalence of AI-2 QS systems among rumen bacteria. Nevertheless, the implications of these signalling systems on gene regulation, rumen ecology, and ruminant characteristics are largely uncharted territory. Metatranscriptome data tracking the colonization of perennial ryegrass by rumen microbes suggest that these chemicals may influence transitions in bacterial diversity during colonization. The likelihood of undiscovered chemicals within the rumen microbial arsenal is high, with the identified chemicals representing only the tip of the iceberg. A comprehensive grasp of rumen microbial chemical signalling is crucial for addressing the challenges of food security and climate targets.
PubMed: 38186253
DOI: 10.5713/ab.23.0374 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) therapy in facilitating fundus descent and relieving postpartum breast pain compared with... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) therapy in facilitating fundus descent and relieving postpartum breast pain compared with sham treatment. A multicentre, randomised, sham-controlled, blinded trial was conducted. A cohort of 176 eligible participants, who had normal prenatal check-ups and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were recruited from three medical centres and subsequently randomized into either the LIFU or sham group. All participants received three treatment sessions, wherein LIFU signal was applied to the uterus and breast sites using coupling gel, with the absence of ultrasound signal output in the sham group. Fundal height measurement and breast pain score were performed after each treatment. The primary outcome, uterine involution, was presented by measuring the fundal height of the uterus. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, as a secondary outcome, was used to assess breast pain and determine the correlation between breast pain and fundal height as the outcome simultaneously. All participants were randomly assigned to either the LIFU group (n = 88) or sham group (n = 88), with seven individuals not completing the treatment. Overall, a statistically significant difference was noted in the rate and index of fundus descent after each treatment. The rate and index of fundus descent showed greater significance following the second treatment (rate: 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) cm/d; index: 0.15 (0.1, 0.18), P < 0.001) and third treatment (rate: 1.67 (1.33, 2.0) cm/d; index: 0.26 (0.23, 0.3), P < 0.001) in the LIFU group. VAS scores, which were based on the continuous variables for the baseline, first, second, and third treatments in the LIFU group (2.0 (2.0, 3.0), 1.0 (0.0, 2.0), 0.0 (0.0, 1.0), and 0.0 (0.0, 0.0) points, respectively), and the sham group (2.0 (2.0, 2.0), 2.0 (1.0, 2.0), 2.0 (1.0, 3.0), and 3.0 (1.0, 3.0) points, respectively), showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Meanwhile, the discrepancies in VAS score classification variables between the two groups were statistically significant. After the third treatment, a notable correlation was observed between the VAS score decrease and fundus descent rate; the more the VAS score decreased, the faster was the fundal decline rate in the LIFU group. LIFU therapy is safe and effective, contributing to the acceleration of uterine involution and the relief of postpartum breast pain.Trial ID The study has registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100049586) at 05/08/2021.
Topics: Pregnancy; Animals; Humans; Female; Mastodynia; Breast; Postpartum Period; Abomasum; Acceleration
PubMed: 38182657
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51328-9 -
Veterinary Research Forum : An... 2023Tropical or Mediterranean theileriosis in dairy cattle is widely distributed in many tropical regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the...
Tropical or Mediterranean theileriosis in dairy cattle is widely distributed in many tropical regions of the world. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proliferation status of mononuclear cells infected with schizonts in different tissues and its relationship with the pathogenesis of the parasite in cattle by histopathology, immuno-histochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood and tissue samples of eight Holstein cattle that had been lost due to theileriosis and eight healthy slaughtered cattle of the same breed were collected as a control group after necropsy. The piroplasms in the blood smears and the schizonts in the cytoplasm of the lymphocytes and macrophages of the lymph nodes were microscopically detected. Histopathologically, the proliferation of macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in lymph nodes and the heart, congestion, and bleeding in the red pulp of the spleen, portal tracts of the liver, interstitial tissue of the kidneys, multifocal necrosis and ulceration in the abomasum together with hyperemia and hemorrhages and lymphoblastic infiltration in the submucosa and lamina propria adjacent to these lesions and emphysema with ecchymotic hemorrhage in the lungs were evident. Immunohistochemistry identified the proliferated cells as mostly Cluster of Differentiation 3- Positive T lymphocytes and macrophage marker antibody 387- positive macrophages. Positive results of PCR for the 30.00 kDa gene were observed in lymph nodes, liver, lung and abomasum. It was concluded that the pathological changes were the result of schizont-infected macrophage proliferation leading to severe uncontrolled proliferation of uninfected T lymphocytes.
PubMed: 38174094
DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2023.1988500.3766 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023In the expansive domain of neuropeptide investigation, spexin (SPX) has emerged as a captivating subject, exerting a significant impact on diverse physiological...
In the expansive domain of neuropeptide investigation, spexin (SPX) has emerged as a captivating subject, exerting a significant impact on diverse physiological processes. Initially identified in mice, SPX's distribution transcends various organs, suggesting its potential regulatory roles. Despite extensive research in smaller species, a notable gap exists in our comprehension of SPX in larger mammals, particularly ruminants. Our study meticulously explores the immunolocalization of SPX within the gastrointestinal organs of bovines, with a specific focus on the abomasum, jejunum, and colon. Tissue samples from Holstein-Friesian cattle underwent careful processing, and gene mRNA expression levels, particularly and , were assessed. Intriguingly, our findings revealed that expression was highest in the jejunum, signifying a potentially critical role in this digestive segment. Immunohistochemistry further unveiled distinct patterns of SPX immunoreactivity in each examined region-abomasum, jejunum, and colon-highlighting nuanced, region-specific responses. Notably, the abomasum and jejunum predominantly exhibited positive immunoreactivity in the submucosal plexus, while the colon, in contrast, demonstrated a higher degree of immunoreactivity in myenteric plexus neurons. Our investigation, grounded in the hypothesis of ubiquitous SPX distribution in ruminants, delves deeper into the intricate role of SPX within the enteric nervous system. This study meticulously explores the spatial distribution of SPX within the myenteric and submucosal plexuses, integral components of the enteric nervous system. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of SPX's potential roles in gastrointestinal regulation in bovines, providing a unique perspective on larger mammals and enriching our comprehension of this intriguing neuropeptide's significance in various physiological processes.
PubMed: 38136826
DOI: 10.3390/ani13243789 -
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety... Dec 2023The food enzyme rennet containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats and lambs by GENENCOR...
The food enzyme rennet containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of suckling calves, goats and lambs by GENENCOR INTERNATIONAL B.V. The food enzyme is intended to be used in milk processing for cheese production. As no concerns arise from the animal source of the food enzyme or from its manufacture and based on the history of safe use and consumption, the Panel considered that toxicological data and the estimation of dietary exposure were not required. On the basis of literature data, the Panel considered that the risk of allergic reactions by dietary exposure could not be excluded, but the likelihood is low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.
PubMed: 38107376
DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8396 -
Journal of Dairy Science May 2024This study leveraged a growing dataset of producer-recorded phenotypes for mastitis, reproductive diseases (metritis and retained placenta), and metabolic diseases...
This study leveraged a growing dataset of producer-recorded phenotypes for mastitis, reproductive diseases (metritis and retained placenta), and metabolic diseases (ketosis, milk fever, and displaced abomasum) to investigate the potential presence of inbreeding depression for these disease traits. Phenotypic, pedigree, and genomic information were obtained for 354,043 and 68,292 US Holstein and Jersey cows, respectively. Total inbreeding coefficients were calculated using both pedigree and genomic information; the latter included inbreeding estimates obtained using a genomic relationship matrix and runs of homozygosity. We also generated inbreeding coefficients based on the generational inbreeding for recent and old pedigree inbreeding, for different run-of-homozygosity length classes, and for recent and old homozygous-by-descent segment-based inbreeding. Estimates on the liability scale revealed significant evidence of inbreeding depression for reproductive-disease traits, with an increase in total pedigree and genomic inbreeding showing a notable effect for recent inbreeding. However, we found inconsistent evidence for inbreeding depression for mastitis or any metabolic diseases. Notably, in Holsteins, the probability of developing displaced abomasum decreased with inbreeding, particularly for older inbreeding. Estimates of disease probability for cows with low, average, and high inbreeding levels did not significantly differ across any inbreeding coefficient and trait combination, indicating that although inbreeding may affect disease incidence, it likely plays a smaller role compared with management and environmental factors.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Cattle; Animals; Inbreeding Depression; Mammary Glands, Animal; Inbreeding; Cattle Diseases; Metabolic Diseases; Mastitis; Pedigree; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
PubMed: 38056567
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23909 -
JDS Communications Nov 2023Four lactating, ruminally cannulated Jersey cows, (mean ± standard deviation) 264 ± 54.2 d in milk and 484 ± 24.1 kg of body weight, were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin...
Four lactating, ruminally cannulated Jersey cows, (mean ± standard deviation) 264 ± 54.2 d in milk and 484 ± 24.1 kg of body weight, were arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to measure the effects of abomasal infusion of choline chloride with or without dl-Met on milk and plasma choline metabolites and plasma AA in cows fed a Met-deficient diet. Cows were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments: (1) control; no supplemental Met or choline (CON), (2) 13 g/d of choline ion delivered via abomasal infusion (CHO), (3) 13 g/d of Met delivered via abomasal infusion (MET), and (4) 13 g/d of choline and 13 g/d of Met delivered via abomasal infusion (CHO + MET). Cows received the same basal diet throughout the experiment, which was formulated to be deficient in Met (-5.0 g of Met using the NASEM, 2021, model). Periods were 7 d in length with d 1 to 2 serving as a wash-out period and cows being infused on d 3 to 7. Milk samples were collected twice daily on d 5 to 7 and were analyzed for fat, true protein, lactose, and choline metabolites including betaine, phosphocholine, and free choline using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Blood samples were collected via venipuncture of the coccygeal vein at 1100, 1300, and 1500 h on d 7 of each period and were analyzed for free AA as well as choline metabolites. Plasma Met increased in response to Met infusion and an interaction with choline and Met infusion was observed in the plasma concentration of branched-chain AA. Cows receiving choline exhibited the greatest Cho yield in milk. Milk phosphocholine yield tended to be highest when both choline and Met were infused.
PubMed: 38045899
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0359 -
JDS Communications Nov 2023Minimizing the incidence of disease on organic dairy farms is important for both economic and animal welfare purposes. The objective of this study was to estimate...
Minimizing the incidence of disease on organic dairy farms is important for both economic and animal welfare purposes. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for total disease treatment costs using producer-recorded treatments in organic Holstein dairy calves and cows. Individual cow and calf health data were collected from 16 USDA certified organic farms from across the United States. Eleven of these farms provided treatment costs for some or all of the following cow health issues (mean cost): mastitis ($46.10), milk fever ($39.05), ketosis ($29.81), metritis ($28.66), retained placenta ($45.59), displaced abomasum ($439.71), lameness ($66.36), indigestion ($22.94), respiratory ($48.35), and died ($64.98). These farms also provided the following health costs for calves (mean cost): respiratory ($56.37) and scours ($25.21). Costs included consultant fees, therapeutics, and producer labor. The total lactational health cost (HCOST) was analyzed using animal models adjusted for the fixed effects of lactation and herd and the random effect of herd-year-season of calving with animal relationships based on the blending of pedigree and genomic relationships established from 2,347 genotyped cows. Along with HCOST, the binary traits stayability and presence of disease were included in a trivariate model such that lactations absent of disease were considered to be missing HCOST. To estimate the genetic relationship between nulliparous and primiparous health costs, a 2-trait linear model was fitted for total nulliparous health costs (NHCOST) and first lactation HCOST. The most expensive cow-lactation was $643.86 and 26.5% of lactations encountered disease. The heritability for HCOST was 0.03 ± 0.01, and the repeatability was 0.21 ± 0.01. The heritability of NHCOST was 0.06 ± 0.01, and the genetic correlation between NHCOST and HCOST was 0.98 ± 0.51. Traits representing the repeated nature of disease have a genetic component that should foster improved disease resistance among organic Holstein dairy cows. However, total cost of disease did not lead to gains in genetic variation over consideration of disease traits considered as binary variables and is a more laborious phenotype to obtain, diminishing its appeal for use in routine genetic evaluations.
PubMed: 38045898
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2023-0377 -
Pasture-based fattening does not cause severe nonperforating lesions in veal calves of dairy breeds.JDS Communications Nov 2023Abomasal damage is a known health issue in intensive veal production and is associated with improper housing and feeding. Grass-based veal production could be an...
Abomasal damage is a known health issue in intensive veal production and is associated with improper housing and feeding. Grass-based veal production could be an improvement, as access to pasture allows the expression of natural behaviors, such as species-specific foraging, and thus can contribute to calf welfare. However, data on the abomasal health of grazed calves have not yet been reported. As feed composition can affect the severity of mucosal damage, we compared the abomasa of calves that grazed on 2 swards with different plant composition. From 2018 to 2020, 111 calves of 2 dairy breeds, German Holstein and Jersey, were kept in whole-day strip grazing on these swards. Calves were sampled regularly for intestinal parasites and anthelmintic drug use was recorded. The animals were slaughtered at an age of 32 ± 2 wk (mean ± standard deviation) after individually varying grazing periods of 75 ± 22 d. After slaughter, dissection revealed that 104 of the 111 abomasa displayed low-grade nonperforating lesions, which were primarily located in the pyloric part. A more severe nonperforating lesion was registered in one calf only. In 46 abomasa, we observed diffuse inflammation. This inflammation was characterized by normal mucosal rugae but with slight discoloration that varied in the degree of redness and proliferation of the mucosa. Sward composition and breed did not affect the occurrence of abomasal lesions, but treatment with anthelmintics was negatively correlated with diffuse inflammation. Compared with the abomasa of calves fed under intensive conditions, the abomasa of calves kept on pasture in this study were not as severely altered, but completely unaffected abomasa were rarely observed either. This raises the question to what extent the observed changes in the abomasum were caused by husbandry and feeding conditions or whether they correspond to the normal condition of grazing animals.
PubMed: 38045897
DOI: 10.3168/jdsc.2022-0370