RESUMEN
High-producing dairy cows experience a sudden and significant increase in energy requirements due to the onset of milk production in early lactation. They mobilize body reserves, mainly adipose tissue, resulting in an increased risk of production decline and the development of health disorders. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of feeding oilseeds (rapeseed) during the dry period, thereby priming dairy cows for metabolism of body fat in early lactation. Forty-three Holstein dairy cows were used, 14 were primiparous and 29 were multiparous (≥2 nd lactation). In the dry period, 8 wk before expected calving until calving, the cows were fed either a diet with a high content of rapeseed in the total mixed ration (HF) or a standard total mixed ration with a low content of fat (CON). During the first 5 wk after calving, all the cows were fed a standard low fat lactation ration. The treatments were evaluated by performance and metabolic variables in blood and liver. The dry period diet had no effects on body weight and body condition score of the cows during the dry period and in early lactation. The daily yield of milk, protein, and lactose did not differ among treatments. However, the milk fat concentration was lower and the daily milk fat production tended to be lower for the cows fed the HF diet in the dry period compared with the cows fed the CON diet. The plasma content of nonesterified fatty acids, cholesterol, and phospholipids in the dry period was increased in the HF dry period diet compared with the CON diet. The lower plasma concentration of uric acid obtained prepartum for the cows fed the HF diet may indicate a lower rumen microbial protein synthesis. Postpartum, the plasma concentration of ß-hydroxybutyric acid tended to be lower for the cows fed the HF dry period diet. The liver content of triglycerides was lower and the liver content of glycogen was higher in early lactation among the cows fed the HF dry period diet compared with the cows fed the CON diet. Based on liver glycogen, triglyceride content, and blood ß-hydroxybutyric acid concentration, it could be argued that intake of oilseeds during the dry period is a positive strategy for priming dairy cows for fat metabolism in the following early lactation.
Asunto(s)
Tejido Adiposo/metabolismo , Brassica rapa , Bovinos/fisiología , Dieta/veterinaria , Lactancia/fisiología , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/sangre , Animales , Composición Corporal , Peso Corporal , Grasas Insaturadas en la Dieta/administración & dosificación , Suplementos Dietéticos , Metabolismo Energético , Ácidos Grasos no Esterificados/análisis , Femenino , Hígado/química , Glucógeno Hepático/análisis , Necesidades Nutricionales , Periodo Periparto , Embarazo , Triglicéridos/análisisRESUMEN
Physiological imbalance (PI) is a situation in which physiological parameters deviate from the normal, and cows consequently have an increased risk of developing production diseases and reduced production or reproduction. Our objectives were to (1) determine the effect of stage of lactation and milk yield on metabolic and production responses of cows during a nutrient restriction period to experimentally increase PI; (2) identify major metabolites that relate to degree of PI; and (3) identify potential biomarkers in milk for on-farm detection of PI throughout lactation. Forty-seven Holstein cows in early [n=14; 49±22 d in milk (DIM); parity=1.6±0.5], mid (n=15; 159±39 DIM; parity=1.5±0.5), and late (n=18; 273±3 DIM; parity=1.3±0.5) lactation were used. Prior to restriction, all cows were fed the same total mixed ration ad libitum. All cows were then nutrient restricted for 4 d by supplementing the ration with 60% wheat straw to induce PI. After restriction, cows returned to full feed. Daily milk yield was recorded and composite milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, lactose, citrate, somatic cells, uric acid, alkaline phosphatase, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and milk urea nitrogen. Blood was collected daily and analyzed for metabolites: nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), BHBA, glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, and insulin. The revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI) was calculated for each cow. Liver biopsies collected before and during restriction were analyzed for triglycerides, glycogen, phospholipids, glucose, and total lipid content. A generalized linear mixed model was used to determine the effect of stage of lactation on responses during restriction. Regression analyses were used to examine the effect of pre-restriction levels on changes during restriction. Similar decreases in milk yield among groups indicate that the capacity of individual responses is dependent on milk yield but the coping strategies used are dependent on stage of lactation. Milk yield was a better predictor of feed intake than DIM. Plasma glucose decreased for all cows, and cows in early lactation had increased plasma BHBA, whereas cows in later lactation had increased NEFA during restriction. Milk citrate had the greatest increase (58%) during restriction for all cows. Results reported here identified metabolites (i.e., glucose, NEFA, BHBA, cholesterol) as predictors of PI and identified milk citrate as a promising biomarker for PI on farm.
Asunto(s)
Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales/fisiología , Lactancia/fisiología , Leche/metabolismo , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/análisis , Ácido 3-Hidroxibutírico/sangre , Animales , Glucemia/análisis , Nitrógeno de la Urea Sanguínea , Bovinos/metabolismo , Bovinos/fisiología , Dieta/veterinaria , Ácidos Grasos no Esterificados/sangre , Femenino , Insulina/análisis , Hígado/química , Leche/química , Proteínas de la Leche/análisis , Trastornos Nutricionales/veterinaria , Paridad , EmbarazoRESUMEN
In cattle, percutaneous needle liver biopsy is used for scientific examination of liver metabolism. The impact of the biopsy procedure is, however, poorly investigated. Our aim was to examine the behaviour of dairy cows during and after liver biopsy. Data were collected from 18 dry cows. Percutaneous needle liver biopsies (after administration of local anaesthesia (2% Procaine)) and blood samples were taken during restraining. During the control treatment, animals were restrained and blood sampled. During the biopsy procedure, cows showed increased restlessness (P=0.008), frequency of head shaking (P=0.016), and decreased rumination (P=0.064). After biopsies, tail pressing (P=0.016) and time spent perching (P=0.058) increased. Time spent upright (P=0.10) and number of leg movements (P=0.033) increased during the night as compared to controls. Thus, liver biopsy induced behavioural changes for up to 19 h--and particularly for behaviour previously associated with pain. Even though the exact welfare impact of percutaneous needle liver biopsies in cows is not known, and the magnitude of the behavioural changes was limited, pain always has negative effects on animal welfare. Therefore, if the present biopsy procedure--involving several biopsy passes--is to be used, improvement of the anaesthetic protocol as well as the inclusion of analgesics should be considered.
Asunto(s)
Conducta Animal , Hígado/patología , Bienestar del Animal , Animales , Biopsia con Aguja/métodos , Biopsia con Aguja/veterinaria , Bovinos , Femenino , Dolor/etiología , Dolor/veterinariaRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to investigate if adult mink females characterised as having a high or low residual feed intake (RFI) differed in their response to feed restriction with regard to activity, body weight loss and physiological parameters. For RFI-High, the activity was higher prior to the expected feeding time both in the cases of restrictive and ad libitum feeding indicating a changed RFI-High feeding motivation and a higher risk of developing stereotypic activity. The body weight gain and the feed consumption were higher for RFI-High than for RFI-Low when feeding ad libitum indicating that RFI-High has a higher growth potential and/or a higher energy requirement than RFI-Low. Signs of immunosuppression were shown in connection with restrictive feeding compared to ad libitum feeding, and RFI-High females seemed to be more susceptible to immunosuppression than RFI-Low females. Based on the present results, mink characterised as RFI-Low would be preferable as breeders because they involve lower feed costs and seem to be less susceptible to immunosuppression. They also seem to have less risk of developing stereotypic activity, which is beneficial for the welfare.
Asunto(s)
Alimentación Animal , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Peso Corporal/fisiología , Visón/sangre , Visón/fisiología , Actividad Motora/fisiología , Animales , Restricción Calórica , Dieta/veterinaria , Femenino , Visón/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Aortic vascular prosthetic graft infection (AVPGI) with Staphylococcus aureus is a feared post-operative complication. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical signs and potential biomarkers of infection in a porcine AVPGI model. The biomarkers evaluated were: C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, white blood cells (WBC), major histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) density, lymphocyte CD4:CD8 ratio and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in vitro responsiveness. Sixteen pigs were included in the study, and randomly assigned into four groups (n = 4): "SHAM" pigs had their infra-renal aorta exposed by laparotomy; "CLEAN" pigs had an aortic graft inserted; "LOW" and "HIGH" pigs had an aortic graft inserted and, subsequently, S. aureus were inoculated on the graft material (5 × 10(4) colony-forming units [CFU] and 1 × 10(6) CFU, respectively). Biomarkers were evaluated prior to surgery and on day 2, 5, 7, and 14 post-operatively in blood samples. Of all biomarkers evaluated, CRP was superior for diagnosing S. aureus AVPGI in pigs, with a sensitivity of 0.86 and a specificity of 0.75.
Asunto(s)
Aorta , Biomarcadores , Prótesis Vascular/efectos adversos , Prótesis Vascular/microbiología , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/diagnóstico , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/diagnóstico , Staphylococcus aureus , Animales , Aorta/microbiología , Aorta/cirugía , Implantación de Prótesis Vascular , Proteína C-Reactiva/análisis , Relación CD4-CD8 , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Fibrinógeno/análisis , Citometría de Flujo , Leucocitos/fisiología , Infecciones Relacionadas con Prótesis/microbiología , Distribución Aleatoria , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/microbiología , Staphylococcus aureus/patogenicidad , Porcinos , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/análisisRESUMEN
Provision of additional floor heating (33 to 34 degrees C) at birth and during the early postnatal hours is favorable for newborn piglets of domestic sows (Sus scrofa). We investigated whether this relatively high temperature influenced sow behavior and physiology around farrowing. One-half of 28 second-parity pregnant sows were randomly chosen to be exposed to floor heating 12 h after onset of nest building and until 48 h after birth of the first piglet (heat treatment), whereas the rest of the sows entered the control group (control treatment) with no floor heating. Hourly blood sampling from 8 h before and until 24 h after the birth of the first piglet was used for investigation of temporal changes in plasma concentrations of oxytocin, cortisol, and ACTH. In addition, occurrence and duration of sow postures were recorded -8 to +48 h relative to the birth of the first piglet. There was a clear temporal development in sow behavior and hormone concentrations (ACTH, cortisol, and oxytocin) across parturition (P < 0.001), independent of treatment. In general, hormone concentrations increased from the start to the end of farrowing. The observed oxytocin increase and peak late in farrowing coincided with the passive phase where sows lie laterally with an overall reduced activity. Floor heating increased the mean concentration of cortisol (P = 0.02; estimated as 29% greater than in controls) and tended to increase the mean concentration of ACTH (P = 0.08; estimated as 17% greater than in controls), but we did not find any treatment effect on mean oxytocin concentrations, the course of parturition, or the behavior of sows. Behavioral thermoregulation may, however, have lost some function for the sows because the floor was fully heated in our study. In addition, exposure to heat decreased the between-sow variation of plasma oxytocin (approximately 31% less relative to control) and ACTH (approximately 46% less relative to control). Whether this decreased variation may be indicative of acute stress or linked to other biological events is unclear. In conclusion, inescapable floor heating (around 33.5 degrees C) may be considered a stressor for sows around farrowing, giving rise to elevated plasma concentrations of cortisol, but without concurrent changes in oxytocin or behavioral activity.
Asunto(s)
Conducta Animal/fisiología , Ambiente , Hormonas/sangre , Calor , Oxitocina/sangre , Porcinos/fisiología , Hormona Adrenocorticotrópica/sangre , Animales , Femenino , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Periodo Posparto , Embarazo , Porcinos/sangre , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to study whether floor heating from 12h after onset of nest building until 48 h after birth of the first piglet had any effect on measures related to body temperature, water consumption, stress response and immune competence in loose-housed sows (n=23). In conclusion, the present results indicate that floor heating for a limited period around parturition did not compromise physiological and immunological parameters, water intake and body temperature in loose-housed sows. The water intake peaked the day before parturition and the body temperature peaked on the day of parturition. A cortisol peak at parturition, a transient rise in the number of leucocytes and neutrophils and a transient reduction in the number of lymphocytes, erythrocytes and in the PCV value were observed. Around and after parturition some non-specific immunological variables seemed to be stimulated while others seemed to be compromised.
Asunto(s)
Temperatura Corporal/fisiología , Ingestión de Líquidos/fisiología , Vivienda para Animales , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Porcinos/fisiología , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Recuento de Células Sanguíneas/veterinaria , Femenino , Pisos y Cubiertas de Piso , Citometría de Flujo/veterinaria , Hematócrito/veterinaria , Calor , Lectina de Unión a Manosa/sangre , Parto/fisiología , Embarazo , Estrés Fisiológico/fisiología , Porcinos/inmunología , Receptor Toll-Like 4/sangreRESUMEN
The effect of the content of protein and fat in the feed on the development of fatty infiltration of the liver in the period from weaning until pelting was measured in two groups of male scanblack mink (Mustela vision) fed 20% and 45%, respectively, of metabolizable energy (ME) from protein. Furthermore, plasma activity of alanine-aminotransferase and the content of specifically chosen clinical-chemical variables in the blood were measured. At pelting time in December, the liver weights were absolutely and relatively heavier to body weight and had a considerably higher fat content at 20% of ME from protein than at 45% of ME from protein. From August to pelting time, the activity of alanine-aminotransferase in plasma was higher at a low protein level than at a higher protein level in the feed. It is concluded that the content of protein and fat in the feed affects the incidence of hepatic fatty infiltration in mink. In the growth period, it is possible, based on plasma activity of alanine-aminotransferase, to select animals with histological fatty infiltration of the liver.
Asunto(s)
Alanina Transaminasa/sangre , Grasas de la Dieta/farmacología , Proteínas en la Dieta/farmacología , Hígado/patología , Visón/metabolismo , Alimentación Animal , Animales , Ácidos y Sales Biliares/sangre , Grasas de la Dieta/análisis , Proteínas en la Dieta/análisis , Lípidos/análisis , Hígado/química , MasculinoRESUMEN
In a farm-raised, adult female blue fox (Alopex lagopus) it was observed that apparently the winter coat was shed abnormally. Furthermore, the individual was never recorded as being on heat. Comparative histological and clinical-chemical examinations showed that the winter coat cycle was postponed approximately 6 months, and that the hair growth therefore took place in the spring. At first a kind of biological summer coat was produced, and then a biological mature winter coat. This was compared with and partly documented by changes in plasma estradiol and cortisol profiles. It could be concluded that the hair growth cycle and the plasma estradiol profile showed an abnormal seasonal variation in the abnormal fox. The two variables seemed, however, to be correlated as in a normal animal.
Asunto(s)
Estradiol/sangre , Zorros/fisiología , Cabello/crecimiento & desarrollo , Hidrocortisona/sangre , Animales , Femenino , Estaciones del AñoRESUMEN
1. The normal values of hematological and clinical-chemical variables in plasma of 21 males and 27 females of beech marten (Martes foina) have been illustrated and compared to corresponding normal values in mink (Mustela vison) and ferret (Mustela putorius). 2. The number of erythrocytes, the hematocrit value, and the hemoglobin concentration were higher in male than in female beech marten. 3. Divergences according to age in the investigated variables have been found. 4. The erythrocytes in beech marten are clearly smaller in size and volume and have a lower mean corpuscular hemoglobin than the erythrocytes in mink and ferret.
Asunto(s)
Carnívoros/sangre , Animales , Femenino , Hurones/sangre , Pruebas Hematológicas , Masculino , Visón/sangre , Valores de ReferenciaRESUMEN
Plasma samples of 412 minks, including 20 families and representing 15 lines, have been investigated by isoelectric focusing for the enzyme esterase (ES). The observed variation of the enzyme may be explained as a result of one locus with at least seven codominant alleles. The segregation of six alleles assumed for the locus in 20 families supports this genetic model. Genetic divergence among the lines is observed and may be due to founder effect and/or selection.