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Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Jun 2023Health treatments of Holstein cows ( = 2214) were recorded by the owners of eight high-performance dairy herds in Minnesota. Cows calved from March 2008 to October 2015,...
Health treatments of Holstein cows ( = 2214) were recorded by the owners of eight high-performance dairy herds in Minnesota. Cows calved from March 2008 to October 2015, and 14 types of health treatments were uniformly defined across the herds. Specific types of health treatment were subsequently assigned a cost based on the mean veterinary cost obtained from the veterinary clinics that serviced the eight herds. A fixed labor cost for time (USD 18/h) associated with specific types of health treatment was determined based on interviews with the herd owners and was added to the veterinary cost. Health treatment cost was then partitioned into five health categories: mastitis (including mastitis diagnostic test), reproduction (cystic ovary, retained placenta, and metritis), lameness (hoof treatments), metabolic (milk fever, displaced abomasum, ketosis, and digestive), and miscellaneous (respiratory, injury, and other). Lactations of cows were divided into six intervals that corresponded with stage of lactation based on days in milk. The first interval of lactation was 30 days in length, followed by four intervals of 60 days each, and the final interval started on day 271 and had variable length because it continued to the end of lactation and included the dry period. Health treatment cost was summed within each interval of lactation and subsequently across lactations by parity. Statistical analysis by parity included the fixed effects of herd, interval, and the interaction of herd and interval, with interval regarded as a repeated measure of cows. Health treatment cost was highest during the first interval for all five parities of cows and ranged from USD 22.87 for first parity to USD 38.50 for fifth parity. Reproduction treatment cost was about one-half of the total health treatment cost during the first interval in all five parities. Metabolic treatment cost during the first interval ranged from USD 3.92 (in first parity) to USD 12.34 (in third parity). Compared to the other health categories, mastitis treatment cost was most evenly distributed across intervals of lactation in all parities. Lameness treatment cost was highest during mid- or late-lactation across parities and reflected the time when cows received routine hoof trimming. Additionally, treatment cost across health categories was summed across intervals of lactation for each cow, and the total health cost of cows varied substantially from herd to herd and ranged from USD 23.38 to USD 74.60 for first parity and usually increased with parity.
PubMed: 37443859
DOI: 10.3390/ani13132061 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2023With recent advancements in artificial intelligence, fundus diseases can be classified automatically for early diagnosis, and this is an interest of many researchers....
With recent advancements in artificial intelligence, fundus diseases can be classified automatically for early diagnosis, and this is an interest of many researchers. The study aims to detect the edges of the optic cup and the optic disc of fundus images taken from glaucoma patients, which has further applications in the analysis of the cup-to-disc ratio (CDR). We apply a modified U-Net model architecture on various fundus datasets and use segmentation metrics to evaluate the model. We apply edge detection and dilation to post-process the segmentation and better visualize the optic cup and optic disc. Our model results are based on ORIGA, RIM-ONE v3, REFUGE, and Drishti-GS datasets. Our results show that our methodology obtains promising segmentation efficiency for CDR analysis.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Optic Disk; Artificial Intelligence; Glaucoma; Fundus Oculi; Abomasum
PubMed: 37430580
DOI: 10.3390/s23104668 -
EFSA Journal. European Food Safety... Jun 2023The food enzyme containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of calves and cows () by Chr. Hansen. The food enzyme is...
The food enzyme containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) and pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) is prepared from the abomasum of calves and cows () by Chr. Hansen. The food enzyme is intended to be used in milk processing for cheese production and in milk processing for the production of fermented milk products. As no concerns arise from the animal source of the food enzyme, from its manufacture, and based on the history of safe use and consumption, the Panel considered that toxicological data were unnecessary and an estimation of dietary exposure was not required. A search for the similarity of the amino acid sequences of the two proteins (chymosin and pepsin A) to those of known allergens was made and one match with pig pepsin, a respiratory allergen, was found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic reactions upon dietary exposure cannot 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: 37396876
DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8084 -
Archives of Razi Institute Apr 2023The camel is an important mammal, especially in the Middle EAST, although it has received less attention than other mammals and ruminants. Due to the lack of studies in...
The camel is an important mammal, especially in the Middle EAST, although it has received less attention than other mammals and ruminants. Due to the lack of studies in this field, the current research was designed to investigate the morphological, histological, and immunohistochemical of one-humped camel's stomach. In this study, the third chamber (abomasum) of the stomach in adult one-humped camels () were evaluated (n=12). The morphological study of the third chamber showed that it consisted of two parts, the letter J, where the front part was found to be tubular, the outer surface is smooth, swollen, and transparent, while the inner surface has longitudinal folds with a low height. The posterior part is spherical, and the inner surface is divided into two regions. Histological study showed that the abomasum consists of four layers and is lined with simple columnar epithelium. The lamina property is composed of loose connective tissue. It contains different glands that, according to their location from the abomasum, where cardiac, Fundus, and pyloric glands are found, as well as stomach cells such as neck cells, mucous cells, chief cells, and parietal cells. In contrast, the sub mucosa layer is composed of loose connective tissue. It was also observed that the muscular layer is developed and contained from two layers, a circular inner and the outer one is longitudinal. It was also noted that the fourth layer is composed of loose connective tissue. The histochemical study showed a positive response to the PAS reagent.
Topics: Animals; Abomasum; Camelus; Iraq; Epithelium
PubMed: 37396726
DOI: 10.22092/ARI.2022.359521.2441 -
Veterinary Sciences May 2023There is currently worldwide interest in phytogenic feed supplements (PFSs) because they can lead to improved animal production. The scope of the present study was to...
There is currently worldwide interest in phytogenic feed supplements (PFSs) because they can lead to improved animal production. The scope of the present study was to observe the impact of a feed supplement containing carvacrol (CAR) and limonene (LIM) on the performance and parasitological status of sheep. The feed supplement decreased the plasma levels of β-hydroxybutyrate ( < 0.001), triglycerides ( = 0.014), nonesterified fatty acids ( = 0.021), and fructosamine ( = 0.002) in lactating ewes after 42 days of supplementation, while the average live weight ( = 0.002) and average daily weight gain ( = 0.001) of their twin suckling lambs increased significantly by the end of the study. In another experiment, fattening lambs fed the same supplement showed a decrease in fecal egg number of gastrointestinal nematodes ( = 0.02) but no differences in live weight, average daily gain, or mean number of nematodes in the abomasum. The results highlighted that the inclusion of carvacrol and limonene in the feed of lactating ewes effectively increased the weight gain of the suckling lambs, presumably due to the ewes' improved energy, but further studies are needed to elucidate the effects of carvacrol and limonene against gastrointestinal parasites.
PubMed: 37368755
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10060369 -
Journal of Dairy Science Oct 2023The objective of experiment I was to evaluate the association between days in the close-up group (DINCU) and milk production, early lactation diseases, reproductive...
Associations between days in the close-up group and milk production, transition cow diseases, reproductive performance, culling, and behavior around calving of Holstein dairy cows.
The objective of experiment I was to evaluate the association between days in the close-up group (DINCU) and milk production, early lactation diseases, reproductive performance, and culling. In experiment II behavioral changes associated with DINCU were evaluated using a neck-mounted sensor (Smarttag neck, Nedap Livestock Management, Groenlo, the Netherlands). Cow-lactations of 28,813 animals from 14,155 individual cows of 2 farms in northern Germany and western Slovakia, calving between January 2015 and December 2020, were included in the study. After exclusion of cows with a gestation length <262 and >292 d and cows with >42 DINCU data from 8,794 and 19,598 nulliparous and parous cows, respectively, were available for final statistical analyses. To analyze the association between DINCU and second test-d 305-d mature-equivalent milk projection, linear mixed models were calculated. Binary data (i.e., clinical hypocalcemia, hyperketonemia, retained placenta [RP], acute puerperal metritis [APM], mastitis, left displaced abomasum [LDA], first service pregnancy risk) were analyzed using logistic regression models. To analyze the association between DINCU and culling or death during the first 300 DIM Cox proportional hazards were used. To analyze the association between DINCU and behavior 7 d before to 7 d after calving (i.e., activity, inactivity, eating, ruminating time), linear mixed models were calculated. Nulliparous cows with a short (<10 DINCU) and a long stay (>30 DINCU) in the close-up group had a lower milk production an increased risk for hyperketonemia, RP, and APM compared with nulliparous cows with DINCU between 21 to 28 d. Parous cows with a short (<10 DINCU) and a long stay (>30 DINCU) in the close-up group had a lower milk production, an increased risk for RP and mastitis, a reduced first service pregnancy risk, and an increased culling risk, compared with parous cows with DINCU between 21 to 28 d. Furthermore, the risk for clinical hypocalcemia and LDA was increased in parous cows with >30 DINCU compared with parous cows with <30 DINCU. The risk for APM was increased in parous cows with <10 DINCU compared with parous cows with >10 DINCU. In nulliparous cows no association was found between DINCU and the risk for left displaced abomasum and mastitis. In experiment II, cows with 7 and 35 DINCU had an impaired behavior around calving compared with cows with 14, 21, and 28 DINCU. During the last 7 d before parturition, these cows were more inactive and had a reduced eating and ruminating time. After calving, cows with 7 DINCU spent less time eating. In conclusion, cows with <10 DINCU and cows with >30 DINCU had a lower milk production, a higher risk to incur diseases and an impaired behavior, especially before calving.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Cattle; Animals; Milk; Hypocalcemia; Cattle Diseases; Reproduction; Lactation; Postpartum Period; Placenta, Retained; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease; Ketosis
PubMed: 37164849
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22642 -
Veterinary Journal (London, England :... 2023This study compared two surgical techniques for treating left displaced abomasum (LDA) in dairy cows. The two techniques were compared in terms of milk production at...
This study compared two surgical techniques for treating left displaced abomasum (LDA) in dairy cows. The two techniques were compared in terms of milk production at different time intervals: before surgery; on the day of the surgery; and at 8, 15 and 30 days after surgery. The surgical techniques used in this study were laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy and right flank laparotomy omentopexy. A total of 126 lactating Holstein-Friesian cows with LDA were included, 63 of which were treated with laparoscopy, and 63 with right flank laparotomy. Cows with retained foetal membranes, metritis or natural delivery (dystocia) were included and registered on field sheets for subsequent statistical analysis. Cows with clinical mastitis were excluded. A blood sample (5 mL) was obtained from the medial coccygeal vein and analyzed for total proteins, total bilirubin, total calcium, glucose, b-hydroxybutyrate, sodium, potassium, and chloride. No differences were found between the two groups of operated cows with respect to the number of lactation days, body condition score (BCS), rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate before surgery. No differences were observed between groups regarding the biochemical parameters (P > 0.05) analyzed, except for chloride, which presented lower average values in the omentopexy group (P <0.05). Return of milk yield within the study period did not differ significantly between the laparoscopy and laparotomy groups (P > 0.05), although a significant change in post-surgery time was observed. .
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Cattle; Animals; Milk; Lactation; Laparotomy; Abomasum; Chlorides; Cattle Diseases; Stomach Diseases; Laparoscopy
PubMed: 37164120
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.105991 -
Veterinary Sciences Mar 2023This study aims to describe the clinical signs and ultrasonographic and necropsy findings of the first cases of proximal (Buffalo 1) and distal (Buffalo 2) vagal...
This study aims to describe the clinical signs and ultrasonographic and necropsy findings of the first cases of proximal (Buffalo 1) and distal (Buffalo 2) vagal indigestion in two in the Brazilian Amazon biome. The clinical histories of the buffaloes were characterized by progressive weight loss, recurrent tympany, abdominal distention (apple and pear shapes), anorexia, and scant feces. Buffalo 1 was submitted to orogastric intubation, and due to the recurrent tympany, an exploratory laparotomy. Buffalo 2 was submitted to ultrasound examination, and a segment of the pylorus was shown to be adhered to the eventration by ultrasonography. Both animals produced positive results for the atropine test. In the necropsy evaluation, Buffalo 1 was shown to have dilation of the esophagus, rumen, and reticulum; the ruminal contents of animal 1 were olive green and foamy with bubbles within the ingesta. On the other hand, Buffalo 2 was shown to have distention of the forestomach and abomasum; the complex rumen-reticulum and omasum contents were semi-liquid and had a yellowish color. In animal 2, in the eventration region, there was adherence to the pyloric region. The diagnosis of vagal indigestion was based on the history, clinical signs, and ultrasound and necropsy findings, in addition to the results of the atropine test.
PubMed: 37104409
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10040254 -
Research (Washington, D.C.) 2023Newborn ruminants are considered functionally monogastric animals. The poor understanding of cellular differences between newborn and mature ruminants prevents the...
Newborn ruminants are considered functionally monogastric animals. The poor understanding of cellular differences between newborn and mature ruminants prevents the improvement of health and performance of domestic ruminants. Here, we performed the single-cell RNA sequencing on the rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon, rectum, liver, salivary gland, and mammary gland from newborn and adult cattle. A comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas covering 235,941 high-quality single cells and 78 cell types was deciphered. A Cattle Cell Landscape database (http://cattlecelllandscape.zju.edu.cn) was established to elaborately display the data and facilitate effective annotation of cattle cell types and subtypes for the broad research community. By measuring stemness states of epithelial cells in each tissue type, we revealed that the epithelial cells from newborn forestomach (rumen, reticulum, and omasum) were more transcriptionally indistinct and stochastic compared with the adult stage, which was in contrast to those of abomasum and intestinal tissues. The rapid forestomach development during the early life of calves was driven by epithelial progenitor-like cells with high DNA repair activities and methylation. Moreover, in the forestomach tissues of newborn calves, the genus was involved in regulating the transcriptional plasticity of the epithelial progenitor-like cells by DNA methylation regulation. A novel cell type, the cell, was found to be newborn-specific. It apparently plays a crucial role in stemness maintenance of its own and cholangiocytes in the hepatic microenvironment. Our results reveal that the age- and microbiota-dependent cell stemness plasticity drives the postnatal functional maturity of ruminants.
PubMed: 37040481
DOI: 10.34133/research.0025 -
Translational Animal Science Jan 2023This study evaluates the partial replacement of steam-flaked corn (SFC) with increasing dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) levels in growing-finishing diets...
Influence of level of dried distillers grains plus solubles substitution for steam-flaked corn on characteristics of growth performance, and dietary energetics of calf-fed Holstein steers during the initial 16-week growing phase: metabolizable protein versus metabolizable amino acids.
This study evaluates the partial replacement of steam-flaked corn (SFC) with increasing dried distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) levels in growing-finishing diets for calf-fed Holstein steers. Two experiments were conducted. In trial 1, 100 Holstein calves (136 ± 7 kg) were used to evaluate the effect of DDGS as a metabolizable protein source on cattle growth performance, and dietary energetics of calf-fed Holstein steers during the initial 111 d growing phase. Four dietary levels of DDGS were evaluated (10, 15, 20, and 25%, dry matter basis), replacing SFC (flake density, 0.31 kg/L). In trial 2, four Holstein steers (368 ± 20 kg) with cannulas in the rumen and proximal duodenum were used to evaluate treatment effects on characteristics of ruminal and total tract digestion of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber, nitrogen (N), and indispensable amino acid supply to the small intestine. The increasing level of DDGS did not affect ( ≥ 0.13) average daily gain, gain efficiency, and estimated dietary net energy values. Replacement of SFC with increasing levels of DDGS decreased (linear; = 0.01) ruminal OM digestion. There was no treatment effect on the flow of microbial nitrogen to the small intestine ( = 0.34) and ruminal microbial efficiency ( = 0.79). However, increasing levels of DDGS in the diet increased (linear; 0.04) flow of methionine, histidine, phenylalanine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine but did not affect ( 0.74) intestinal supply of lysine. Increasing DDGS in the diet increased (linear, < 0.01) flow of N to the small intestine but decreased (linear; < 0.01) ruminal N efficiency. Replacing SFC with DDGS increased intake and amino acid leaving the abomasum. Still, this effect was not sufficient to increase the growth performance of calf-fed Holstein during the first 111 d on feed.
PubMed: 37033300
DOI: 10.1093/tas/txad024