bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary energy level and source on foetal development and energy balance in concurrently pregnant and lactating primiparous rabbit does
Authors: Fortun-Lamothe L. , Lebas F.
Published: September 2010

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of dietary energy level and source on foetal growth and survival and mobilization of body stores in concurrently pregnant and lactating primiparous rabbit does. Does were given a moderate-energy diet (≍9·9 MJ digestible energy (DE) per kg dry matter (DM); group M, no. = 23) or a high-energy diet (-12·2 MJ DE per kg DM). In this latter case, additional energy came from starch (group S, no. = 23) or starch and fat (group F, no. = 22). Primiparous rabbit does were mated within 12 h after parturition and were slaughtered on day 28 of gestation-lactation. During the first 21 days, the DE intake and milk production were higher in the group F than in the groups S and M (P < 0·05). On day 28 of pregnancy, the weight of adipose tissues and liver, as well as the lipid content of the carcass, were higher in the groups S and F than in the group M (P < 0·05). Foetal survival and weight were similar in the three groups. These results indicate that increased energy level of the diet did not improve foetal survival or growth in concurrently pregnant and lactating primiparous does. On the contrary, it could reduce the mobilization offat stores, especially if the energy source is starch.
Factors affecting posture-changing in loose-housed and confined gestating sows
Authors: Marchant J. N. , Broom D. M.
Published: September 2010

The time taken to lie down and stand up was determined for dry sows from different housing systems and related to physical and genetic parameters. In experiment 1, the times taken to lie down by 32 sows in two dry-sow housing conditions were measured. Sows housed long-term in stalls took longer to lie down than group-housed sows (20·42 v. 9·28 s, P < 0·001). Group-housed sows took longer to lie down in the open than to lie down against a wall (11·07 v. 7·48 s, P = 0·004). The length of time taken for stall-housed sows to lie down had strongest association with body length (P = 0·033, R2 = 0·718). The length of time taken for group-housed sows to lie down in the open had strongest association with the proportional weight of the extensor carpi radialis, (P = 0·001, R2 = 0·915). In experiment 2, the times taken for 30 sows in stalls to lie down and stand up were measured and genotype differences investigated. There were no differences between genotypes in total times taken to stand up or lie down, but total times taken to stand up quickly and lie down had strongest association with body length (P = 0·032, R2 = 0·185, and P < 0·001, R2 = 0·574 respectively). The results indicate that sows housed long-term in gestation stalls experience difficulty of movement when standing up quickly and lying down. Although the chronic effects of lack of exercise and the acute effects offloor type may contribute to this difficulty, the major factor is likely to be space restriction as the times taken to lie down and stand up quickly both increase as body length, and hence dynamic space requirement, increases. Lying down in an unrestricted environment is under muscular control and the degree of control depends on the proportion of muscle weight to total body weight. The factors affecting lying down and standing up should be considered when designing dry-sow and farrowing accommodation.
The effects of ewe live weight and body condition score around mating on production from four sheep breeds in extensive grazing systems in Uruguay
Authors: Gonzalez R. E. , Labuonora D. , Russel A. J. E.
Published: September 2010

Ewe live iveights were recorded 4 weeks prior to mating, at the beginning of mating and 22 to 23 days later over a period of 3 years in a flock of some 300 breeding ewes comprising approximately equal numbers of Australian Merino, Ideal (Polwarth), Merilin and Corriedale breeds in a pastorally based grazing system in Uruguay. Multiple-bearing ewes were generally heavier than single-bearing ewes which in turn were heavier than ewes which did not conceive, these differences being greatest in 3- and 4-year-old ewes (i.e. in their second and third breeding seasons). Body condition scores of non-pregnant ewes were lower than those of pregnant ewes, particularly in the 3-and 4-year-old age groups. Ewe live weights achieved prior to, during and at the end of the mating period and the body condition score achieved 4 weeks prior to mating all had significant influences on the number of lambs born (P < 0·01) but there were no significant effects of changes in either live weight or body condition over the 4 weeks prior to mating or during the mating period. The effect of body condition score over the range from 2·0 to 4·0 was to increase the proportions of single- and multiple-bearing ewes and to decrease the proportion of non-pregnant ewes such that the number of lambs born per ewe mated increased from 0·94 to 1·38. Fleece weights differed significantly between breeds, Corriedales having the heaviest fleeces and Merilins the lightest (4·26 and 3·22 kg respectively). Wool production was also significantly and positively affected by age (P < 0·01) and by ewe weight at mating (P < 0·01). The results demonstrate the importance of giving preferential nutritional treatment to younger ewes to ensure a satisfactory subsequent lambing performance and improved wool production.
Muscle and hepatic fatty acid profiles and α-tocopherol status in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) given diets varying in oxidative state and vitamin E inclusion level
Authors: Baker R. T. M. , Davies S. J.
Published: September 2010

On termination of a 56-day feeding trial, the effect of dietary oxidized oil and all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate on fatty acid and α-tocopherol status of juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinusj muscle and liver was investigated. Clarias of mean initial weight 15·8 (s.e. 0·29) g were given food at -proportionately 0·03 body weight per day on diets of two oxidative states (fresh or oxidized) at two levels of supplemental α-tocopheryl acetate (20 or 100 mg/kg dry matter).

As well as having a significant detrimental effect on final body weight (P < 0·001), oxidation of the dietary lipid source was responsible for decreasing muscle but not hepatic polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUTAs). Liver tissue was suspected of actively synthesizing longer chain PUT As in response to consumption of oxidized oils, as indicated by decreases in the proportions of linoleate (18:2 n-6) and linolenate (18:3 n-3) and the increased abundance of eicosatetraenoic acid (20:4 n-6, arachidonate) and docosahexaenoic acid (22: 6 n-3, DHA). This phenomenon has not been described in fish nutrition and therefore possible mechanisms are discussed. Additionally, oxidized oils in catfish diets caused significant depletion of a-tocopherol from both muscle and liver (P < 0·05).

Modulation of the effects of oxidized lipids was achieved at the higher dietary tocopherol concentration. Appearance of an unknown aliphatic compound (equivalent chain length (ECL) = 13·1), believed to be a product of lipid peroxidation, demonstrated that catfish given rancid/low-tocopherol diets had been subjected to heightened oxidative nutritional stress. Values obtained for this peak were significantly correlated with dietary regime (P < 0·02), Once more, dietary α-tocopheryl acetate moderated this effect. It was concluded that elevated inclusion of all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate into diets for African catfish could abrogate the effects of oxidized dietary lipids on muscle and liver fatty acids and α-tocopherol.
Short time effect of zinc bacitracin and heavy fouling with faeces plus urine on boar taint
Authors: Hansen L. L. , Larsen A. E. , Jensen B. B. , Hansen-Møller J.
Published: September 2010

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of a short-term addition of an antibiotic food additive (50 mg zinc bacitracin per kg food) on skatole concentration in faeces, blood (vena jugularis) and backfat of boars kept under two housing conditions at summer temperatures. They were kept clean or were heavily fouled with faeces plus urine. The experimental material consisted of six litters in each of four replicates, in total 24 litters, each litter of four boars. Fourteen days before slaughter the boars were distributed to the four treatments in four equally large pens according to litter and start weight. Two pens had a wholly slatted floor and two pens had a concrete floor, and each pen held six boars allowing 0·6 m2 per boar. All boars were kept at high pig house temperatures (22°C). In the two wholly slatted-floor pens the boars were kept very clean and in the two concrete floor pens boars were kept heavily fouled with faeces and urine during the final 14 days before slaughter. Boars in half the pens of both floor types were given an antibiotic food additive (50 mg zinc bacitracin per kg food) in the last week before slaughter.

Administration of the food additive zinc bacitracin significantly decreased the skatole level in blood and backfat in both clean and dirty boars when used for 3 and 7 days before slaughter. The experiment further confirmed that boars at high stocking rate and lying in copious amounts of warm faeces and urine at temperatures of 25°C or more, for at least a week, had higher indole and skatole levels in blood and subcutaneous fat than pigs which were kept clean. The androstenone concentration in backfat was not significantly influenced by either of the two treatments. A highly significant correlation between skatole in blood (vena jugularis) and in backfat was found at the day of slaughter (r = 0·98).
Eating quality of beef from different sire breeds
Authors: Homer D. B. , Cuthbertson A. , Homer D. L. M. , McMenamin P.
Published: September 2010

Three hundred and eight cattle, comprising steers and heifers from continental and British crosses were finished on an 18-month beef production system at Warren Farm, Lambourn, Berkshire and slaughtered across a range of fatness levels. The eating quality of roasting joints (semimembranosus.) and sirloin steaks (longissimus thoracis et lumborumj was evaluated and the chemical composition of the lean tissue was taken on a subset of the samples. Results suggested that the greatest differences between the breeds was in the joints. There were significant (P < 0·01) differences in the lipid, moisture and collagen contents of the lean tissue of the joints from the different sire breeds. The Belgian Blue sire progeny had significantly lower lipid content than the Charolais or Aberdeen Angus crosses, and significantly lower collagen content than the Aberdeen Angus cross. In addition joints from Belgian Blue crosses were more tender than joints from other breed crosses. Although the lipid and moisture contents of the steaks from different sire crosses were significantly different there was no evidence of differences in eating quality. Perhaps surprisingly there were no significant relationships between the eating quality and chemical composition between or within breed. Irrespective of breed, carcass fatness influenced the juiciness of both the joints and the steaks although the response was different for continental crosses and British crosses and depended on carcass sex. Over and above this response, steer meat was generally more juicy than heifer meat.
Estimation of the energy expenditure from heart rate measurements in working oxen
Authors: Rometsch M. , Roser U. , Becker K. , Susenbeth A.
Published: September 2010

The heart rate (fH) and the energy expenditure (EE) of seven Hintenvaelder (Bos taurus) draught oxen and three zebu (Bos indicusj oxen were measured, while the animals were standing, walking and pulling different loads. Linear regressions for all animals relating EE to fHwere highly significant (P < 0·001). The standard errors of the estimate expressed as a percentage of the mean EE (PE) ranged from ±6·7% to ±10·5%. Two animals with PE ±13·7% and ±17·1% were beyond that range. One year later, fHand EE were measured on six of the original seven Hinterwaelder oxen while the animals were standing and walking on a treadmill, on the level and at gradients of 3%, 6% and 9%. In the two experiments mean slope and mean intercept of the regressions of EE on fHwere not different (P > 0·05). Irrespective of the kind of work (draught work or lifting work),fHallows a reliable prediction to be made of the EE of working oxen.
Effect of ammoniation or protein supplementation of barley straw on digestion and purine derivative excretion in sheep
Authors: Mawuenyegah P. O. , Warly L. , Harumoto T. , Fujihara T.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of ammonia treatment or soya-bean meal supplementation on rumen and lower tract digestion and urinary purine-derivative excretion in sheep given barley straw-based diets. Four wethers each fitted with simple rumen and duodenal cannulae were randomly allocated to four diets in a 4×4 Latin-square design. The diets were, untreated barley straw + molasses meal (diet 1), ammonia-treated barley straw + molasses meal (diet 2), untreated barley straw + soya-bean meal + molasses meal (diet 3) and ammonia-treated barley straw + soya-bean meal + molasses meal (diet 4). Dry-matter (DM) intake, total tract neutral- and acid-detergent fibre apparent digestibility and faecal nitrogen (N) output were higher for diets 2 and 4. Microbial protein yield, determined from total urinary purine-derivative excretion, was also high in sheep on diets 2 and 4. However, supplementation with soya-bean meal in diet 4 reduced DM and fibre digestion but increased intake and microbial synthesis. Despite the lower microbial protein synthesis for diet 3, total tract N digestion was high for the diet, an indication of higher nutrient absorption in the lower tract. The above results indicated that there was a substantial increase in rumen microbial N yield from ammoniated straw-based diets. However, not all the N was made available to the animals. Some of the microbial N absorbed in the lower tract may have been overestimated by the use of the purine derivative-microbial N evaluation method. On the other hand, when protein supplements were given the amount of microbial protein available to the ruminant through absorption in the lower tract may have been underestimated by urinary purine derivatives.
Free amino acid concentrations in plasma, muscle and liver as indirect measures of protein adequacy in growing chickens
Authors: Fernández-Fígares I. , Prieto C. , Nieto R. , Aguilera J. F.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of changes in either the quality or the quantity of dietary protein intake on the free essential amino acid profiles in plasma, muscle or liver of growing chickens. Following a randomized paired-feeding design based on metabolic body weight (kg M0·75), White Rock male broilers were allocated to one of three isoenergetic (14·5 kJ metabolizable energy per g dry matter (DM)) semisynthetic diets containing different levels of protein (60, 120, 180 or 240 g/kg DM). All diets were based on soya-bean meal, as the sole source of protein, either unsupplemented (diets S) or supplemented with 20 g/kg L-lysine (diets SL) or 2 g/kg DL-methionine (diets SM). Samples of blood, biceps muscle and liver were taken and amino acid analysis was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. Plasma was only adequate to detect the effect of the supplementation with methionine to balance the dietary amino acid (AA) profile. Plasma concentrations of free methionine significantly increased as a result of the supplementation with methionine (P < 0·001) and remained unaffected by the amount of protein ingested. When lysine was added to diets S to induce an AA imbalance, a significant increase in muscle concentrations of free valine, isoleucine and phenylalanine (P <0·05) and a significant decrease in liver concentrations of free arginine and phenylalanine were observed (P<0·05). The supplementation with DL-methionine gave rise to a significant fall in the concentrations of free histidine, glycine and threonine (P < 0·05) and increased those of isoleucine and methionine in the skeletal muscle (P < 0·05), while in liver it significantly lowered the concentrations of free arginine, valine, leucine, phenylalanine and methionine (P < 0·001 to P < 0·05) and raised that of free glycine (P < 0·001). The ratios lysine: phenylalanine, lysine: valine and methionine: glycine in muscle together with that of methionine: glycine in liver seem to be appropriate indexes of the adequacy of the dietary AA profile to requirements.
Relationships between body condition score, body weight and internal fat deposits in Latxa ewes
Authors: Oregui L. M. , Gabiña D. , Vicente M. S. , Bravo M. V. , Treacher T.
Published: September 2010

The relationships between body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS) and internal fat deposits were studied in Latxa dairy ewes. In 2 years, the BW and BCS of 20% of the ewes in 14 flocks were recorded at the beginning of the mating period (pre-mating), and in the 1st month of lactation (post lambing). BW increased with age (BW = 54·05 × (1-e−0·988 × age), and the mature weight was not reached until 4 years, after which weight did not differ between pre-mating and post-lambing periods. Body condition score, however, differed between the two periods. The regression coefficients (b) of BW on BCS, when flock-year and age were included in the regressions, differed significantly (P < 0·05) in the pre-mating and post-lambing periods, and were 5·3 (s.e. 0·31) and 6·3 (s.e. 0·43) kg per unit BCS, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) were 0·77 and 0·71 respectively, compared with 0·42 and 0·38 when the flock-year and age of the ewes were not included in the regression.

Thirty-seven of these ewes, with BCS between 0·75 and 4·00, were slaughtered, the weights of omental, mesenteric and kidney and channel fat recorded, and the lumbar fat thickness assessed at the last rib. The regressions between the weight of fat deposits and lumbar fat thickness and BW and BCS fitted to semi-logarithmic equations, except for mesenteric fat, in which the relationship was linear. Body condition score was a better predictor than BW for individual fat deposits, with proportionately 0·81 to 0·83 of the variation in the weight of the deposits accounted for by variation in BCS and 0·57 to 070 by variation in BW.
Assigning pedigree beef performance records to contemporary groups taking account of within-herd calving patterns
Authors: Crump R. E. , Wray N. R. , Thompson R. , Simm G.
Published: September 2010

A method is described for assigning beef cattle performance records to within-herd management effects (contemporary groups) retrospectively, using information on the recording date and herd. This method takes account of the within-herd calving pattern. The objective of developing a method of assigning records to contemporary groups was to maximize the contemporary group size while ensuring as far as possible that records in any contemporary group were subject to the same management.

A simple method for assessing the effectiveness of different strategies for assigning records to contemporary groups is proposed, based on investigating the balance between the effects of contemporary group size upon the heritability and the accuracy of mass selection.

The results of a study of different contemporary grouping strategies in the Simmental breed are reported.
Increased winter growth in male red deer calves under an extended photoperiod
Authors: Webster J. R. , Corsor I. D. , Littlejohn R. P. , Suttie J. M.
Published: September 2010

The growth of male red deer slows during the first winter of life before increasing again during spring. This study aimed to determine if this period of slow growth could be minimized using artificial photoperiods during autumn and winter (10 April (week 1) to 11 September (week 23), southern hemisphere). Four groups of deer (no. = 10) were housed indoors as follows. Two groups were placed on a winter solstice photoperiod (8·5 light (L): 15·5 dark (D)) and given either a natural increase in photoperiod to 11·25L: 12·75D (WSN) or held on 8·5L: 15·5D for 7 weeks followed by an abrupt increase to 11·25L: 12·75D (WSH). One group was exposed to a summer solstice photoperiod of 16L: 8D (SS) and one group exposed to a natural photoperiodic pattern (IC). A fifth group of deer (no. = 10) was maintained outside on a gravelled enclosure under natural changes in photoperiod (OC). All groups were given a diet containing 160 g protein per kg and 11·0 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter (DM)ad libitum. All animals were weighed weekly and group food intake recorded daily. Metatarsal length was measured at weeks 3,17 and 22 from the start of treatments.

The major differences occurred between SS and the other groups. After a period of slower growth (weeks 1 to 5, SS = 88 g/dayv.168 g/day other groups, s.e.d. 31·2,P< 0·05), SS grew more rapidly from week 10 (P < 0·01). As a result, SS was heaviest from week 17 (P < 0·05) until the end of the experiment (P < 0·01). The mean growth rate of SS animals from weeks 10 to 23 was 346 g/day compared with 173 g/day (s.e.d. 15·3;P< 0·001) for the other groups. Over the whole experiment, SS animals gained 42·3 kg live weight, compared with 31·1 kg for WSN, 26·6 kg for WSH, 25·1 kg for OC and 23·7 kg for IC (s.e.d. 2·08 kgP< 0·01). The DM intake of SS from week 9 until the end of the experiment averaged 2·04 kg DM per head per day compared with 1·48 (s.e. 0·041) kg DM per head per day for the mean of the other groups. Metatarsal length increased more in SS than the other groups (P < 0·001) between weeks 3 and 17 and was longest in SS at weeks 17 and 22 (P < 0·01). Exposure to a 16L: 8D photoperiod during winter advanced the rapid growth of red deer calves normally associated with spring and summer. This response may be used to advance slaughter dates for venison production.
Behavioural comparison of transgenic and control sheep: movement order, behaviour on pasture and in covered pens
Authors: Hughes B. O. , Hughes G. S. , Waddington D. , Appleby M. C.
Published: September 2010

Because of the evidence that growth hormone gene transfer in pigs and mice can result in widespread pathological changes and more general concerns that transgenesis techniques themselves may have deleterious effects, a study was undertaken to compare the behaviour of two populations of immature female sheep, one of transgenic and one of control animals. The gene transferred was that for human alpha-1 antitrypsin factor. In the first part of the study the behaviour of 25 transgenic (T) and 25 control (C) sheep was compared in three separate situations: competition for a limited quantity of supplementary concentrate, six categories of normal behaviour on pasture and movement order when driven through a crush. With two minor exceptions (idling and ‘other’ behaviour in focally sampled animals), none of the differences observed between the two populations was significant and in most cases the mean values observed for T and C sheep were very similar. In the second part 25 T and 25 C sheep (different individuals from those in part 1) were compared in straw-littered covered pens for both normal behaviour and competition for a complete diet provided in a trough. The only significant differences in the seven categories of normal behaviour were a lower incidence of idling and ‘other’ behaviour in T sheep. There was a difference between T and C sheep in their social interaction under very competitive conditions (the T sheep reached food less quickly). The behavioural differences found in this study were all slight. Overall, the findings suggest that the gene transferred had no detectable deleterious effects on the normal behaviour of immature animals.
The effects of dietary nitrogen sources and levels on rumen fermentation, nutrient degradation and digestion and rumen microbial activity by wether sheep given a high level of molasses
Authors: Yan T. , Offer N. W. , Roberts D. J.
Published: September 2010

A 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment with 3-week experimental periods was conducted with four wether sheep, each fitted with a permanent rumen cannula, to evaluate the effects of dietary protein sources and levels on fermentation and microbial activity in the rumen. Four complete diets were offered each containing (g/kg dry matter (DM)) molasses 248, grass silage 200 and barley straw 260. The control diet (C) also contained barley and soya-bean meal and the other three diets were supplemented with urea (CU), soya-bean meal (CS), and soya-bean meal and fish meal (CSF), respectively. This gave foods of similar concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME) and estimated fermentable ME (10·6 and 9·8 MJ/kg DM, respectively), but different levels (g/kg DM) of estimated effective rumen degraded dietary protein (ERDP) and digestible undegraded protein (DUP) (ERDP/DUP, 84/17, 109/17, 116/38 and 119/54 for diets C, CU, CS and CSF, respectively).

No clinical symptoms of ill health in the animals due to the feeding of molasses were observed during the experiment. The average pH values of rumen liquors obtained at various sampling times post feeding for diets C, CU, CS and CSF were 6·40, 6·49, 6·62 and 6·47 (s.e.d. 0·06 P < 0·05) respectively and average ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were 63, 81, 90 and 113 mg/l (s.e.d. 14·9, P < 0·02) respectively. The average concentrations of total volatile fatty acids in the rumen liquor were similar across the four treatments. The molar proportions of propionate and butyrate were higher for the diet C than for the other three diets (P < 0·05), while acetate was lower (P < 0·05). Supplementing with true protein (P < 0·05), but not with urea (P > 0·05), increased the molar proportions of isobutyrate and isovalerate. Whole tract apparent digestibilities of DM and organic matter did not differ significantly across the four treatments, but neutral-detergent fibre apparent digestibility (0·677, 0·672, 0·716 and 0·728 (s.e.d. 0·017) g/kg DM for diets C, CU, CS and CSF respectively) and the proportions of hay DM that disappeared in the rumen during 24 h incubation (0·223, 0·238, 0·284 and 0·271 (s.e.d. 0·019) g/kg DM) were significantly lower for diets C and CU than CS and CSF (P < 0·05). Urinary excretion of purine derivative nitrogen was similar across the four treatments. The results obtained from the present study indicate that there were no significant differences in the microbial crude protein synthesis in the rumen when a diet containing molasses was supplemented with urea or true protein. However, the supplementation of this control diet with true protein, but not with urea, did stimulate the degradation of hay DM in the rumen and the digestion of dietary fibre in the whole tract.
Relationships between ovulation rate, prenatal survival and litter size in French Large White pigs
Authors: Blasco A. , Gogué J. , Bidanel J. P.
Published: September 2010

The relationship between total number born (TNB), ovulation rate (CL) and prenatal survival was analysed in a French Large White population. The left ovary had a significantly (P < 0·01) higher ovulation rate (7·9) than the right ovary (6·9). Prenatal survival showed an ovum wastage of 35 or 37% depending on whether referred to total number born or number born alive. No differences between parities were found in these traits. There was a negative relationship between ovulation rate at both sides (v = −0·34). There was a negative relationship between CL and prenatal survival (r = −0·37), a low correlation between CL and TNB (i = 0·19), and a high positive correlation between prenatal survival and TNB (i = 0·82). Litter size showed a quadratic relationship with ovulation rate, and the individual variation for each class of ovulation rate was found to be high. The relationship between prenatal survival and ovulation rate was found to be linear, and a high individual variation for each class of litter size was also found. The relationships between prenatal survival and litter size were quadratic, but depended much less on individual variation.
Assessment of blood neutrophil oxidative burst activity in dairy cows during the period of parturition
Authors: Moreira da Silva F. , Burvenich C. , Massart Leën A. M. , Brossé L.
Published: September 2010

Bovine blood neutrophil oxidative burst activity, the total leukocyte count and its differentiation, as well as progesterone, glucose and cortisol levels were studied on 10 cows from 1 week prior to calving until 8 weeks after parturition.

From day –7 before parturition a decrease in the metabolic oxidative burst activity of neutrophils was observed, reaching the lowest value 3 days after calving (0·28 (s.e. 0·06) nmol/l H2O2per min 106 neutrophils) (P<0·01). Thereafter, values increased with a maximum of activity 26 days after parturition (0·57 (s.e. 0·05) nmol/H202 per min per 106 neutrophils). At the end of the experiment the neutrophils H2O2-productionwas comparable to values observed on day–7.

The maximum total leukocyte count was observed on the day of parturition (8, 108 (s.e. 370) leukocytes per /A blood) (P<0·01) returning to normal levels about 3 weeks after calving. Lymphocytes and neutrophils showed a trend analogous to that of the total leukocytes. Eosinophils and monocytes did not change during the entire period. With the rapid increase of circulating neutrophils observed on the calving day, a marked left shift was observed with a maximum number of immature neutrophils (48·6%) observed on day +3 (1477 (s.e. 242) immature neutrophils per fjl blood) (P<0·01), reaching normal values about 4 weeks after parturition.

A significant increase (F < 0·01) of plasma glucose was found on the day of parturition (91·4 (s.e. 6·8) mg per 100 ml plasma), while the levels of cortisol reached their maximum 3 days after calving (22·05 (s.e. 8·46) nglml plasma).

Progesterone levels averaged 4·07 (s.e. 1·21) jigll 7 days before calving, declining precipitously to 0·06 (s.e. 0·45) Hg/l 3 days after calving (F < 0·01), remaining very low for a period of about 3 weeks. Minimum and maximum anoestrus post-partum were 22 and 57 days, respectively.

Despite great hormonal variation observed in the peripartum period, no significant correlation was found between measured hormones and the oxidative burst activity of neutrophils.
Behavioural and physiological responses of sheep of different breeds to supplementary feeding, social mixing and taming, in the context of transport
Authors: Hall S. J. G. , Kirkpatrick S. M. , Broom D. M.
Published: September 2010

Three experiments investigated differences between sheep breeds in response to supplementary feeding and very close confinement with familiar and unfamiliar sheep; and differences between individuals in response to a taming procedure prior to transport in a trailer. The first two experiments were with a mixed flock of Clun Forest lambs and crossbred lambs from Orkney. An initial tendency to feed with others of the same breed diminished over 3 weeks. Responses of heart rate and salivary cortisol concentration when one sheep (the visitor) was penned in an enclosure of 1 m2 with three other sheep of the same or the other breed (the trio group), did not depend on whether the visitor and the trio group were of the same or different breed. Clun Forest sheep showed little response while Orkney sheep showed increased heart rate and some elevation of salivary cortisol concentration. In the third experiment, 34 Beulah Speckled Face ewes were divided into two groups one of which was subjected to a taming procedure over a period of 3 weeks. Response of salivary cortisol concentration to subsequent journeys of 2h in a livestock trailer did not differ between tamed and untamed sheep. There were individual differences in the response to taming and this was correlated with the cortisol response during transport, in that those sheep which responded most to taming showed the least elevation during transport.
Responses in the growth of body components of finishing lambs to additional metabolizable energy supplied from either grass silage or concentrates
Authors: Steen R. W. J. , Johnston S. D. , Kilpatrick D. J. , Chestnutt D. M. B.
Published: September 2010

Two experiments involving 213 finishing lambs were carried out to examine the responses in growth rate and carcass composition to the addition ofmetabolizable energy (ME) to a mixed diet in theform ofeither grass silage concentrate. In the second experiment the performance of lambs offered silage only was also compared at equal intake with the performance of lambs given mixed diets. On average the silages contained 224 g dry matter (DM) per kg; 148 g crude protein (CP) per kg DM; 86 g ammonia-nitrogen per kg total nitrogen and 723 g digestible organic matter per kg DM. Concentrates were based on barley and soya-bean meal and contained 181 g CP per DM. Responses in carcass weight gain when additional ME was added to mixed silagelconcentrate diets in theform ofgrass silage and concentrates were 9·2 and 10·2 (s.e. 0·90) gIM] respectively in experiment 1 and 9·8 and 10-(s.e. 0·33) g/MJ respectively in experiment 2, and responses in energy retention in experiment 2 were 0·34 and 0-(s.e. 0·012) MJ/M] respectively. However carcass gain and energy retention sustained by a silage only diet were only 0·67 and 0·70 respectively of those sustained by a high-concentrate diet at the same ME intake. The diet did not significantly affect body or carcass composition.
Effects of growth hormone administration on the body composition and hormone levels of genetically fat sheep
Authors: Francis S. M. , Jopson N. B. , Littlejohn R. P. , Stuart S. K. , Veenvliet B. A. , Young M. J. , Suttie J. M.
Published: September 2010

Coopworth sheep selected for low (lean) or high (fat) backfat have large differences in plasma GH profiles. Fat genotype ram lambs (5 months old) were treated with growth hormone (GH) to simulate the plasma GH profiles of lean sheep and investigate whether exogenous GH could modify carcass fatness. For 77 days, bovine GH was administered at 25 Uglkg live weight per day either as a single, daily subcutaneous bolus (fat bolus) or via portable pulsatile infusion pumps (fat pump) which delivered GH solution at 90-min intervals into a jugular catheter. Measurements of body composition were made by computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonic scanning during the trial, with linear carcass measurements and proximate analysis undertaken at the end of the experiment.

Before treatments began, mean plasma GH levels were lower (P< 0·01) in fat control (0·34 ugll) than in lean lambs (1·1 μg/l). Several weeks after the start of the trial, mean plasma GH had increased in both fat bolus (1·2 μg/l) and fat pump (0·45 μg/l) treatment lambs with major changes in the pulsatility relative to the fat control lambs. Although these changes were maintained in the fat bolus lambs, by the end of the trial there was no significant difference in mean plasma GH between fat pump and fat control sheep. Throughout the trial, plasma 1GF-1 levels were higher in fat bolus, fat pump and lean lambs than in fat control lambs. Analysis of body composition data over the GH treatment period revealed that the slope of the allometric equation for total fat relative to empty body weight was lower in the fat bolus lambs (1·07) than in the lean lambs (1·50) with fat control and fat pump treatment lambs intermediate (1·30 and 1·36, respectively). Subcutaneous fat was later maturing in lean lambs than in fat control and bolus treatment lambs when regressed against total fat, with the fat pump treatment lambs being intermediate. Linear carcass measurements revealed changes due to GH administration in the distribution of subcutaneous fat and eye muscle dimensions.

It is concluded that sheep from the fat genotype show physiological responses to exogenous GH. Increasing plasma GH levels of fat sheep increased plasma IGF-1 and had variable effects on carcass fatness. The change in body composition may be affected by the mode of administration of exogenous GH.
Effect of dietary fermentable fibre from pressed sugar-beet pulp silage on ammonia emission from slurry of growing-finishing pigs
Authors: Canh T. T. , Schrama J. W. , Aarnink A. J. A. , Verstegen M. W. A. , van't Klooster C. E. , Heetkamp M. J. W.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary fermentable fibre on the pH and ammonia emission from slurry of growing-finishing pigs. Commercial crossbred barrows with initial body weight of 45 kg were used. Pigs were housed in two climate chambers. Twelve groups of 14 barrows were assigned to one of four diets. The diets differed in the content of fermentable fibre by adjusting the amount of sugar-beet pulp silage (SBPS). The control diet contained no SBPS. In the other three diets tapioca was replaced with three levels (50, 100 and 150 g/kg dry matter (DM)) of SBPS. After a 13-day adaptation period, the slurry was collected in a slurry channel for 7 days. A sample of this slurry was placed in a laboratory system to measure the pH and ammonia emission for a period of 7 days.

The total volatile fatty acid (VTA) and DM concentration of the slurry increased as tapioca was replaced by SBPS. The ammonium concentration was not influenced by SBPS. For each 50 g/kg increase of SBPS, the pH of the slurry decreased by 0·45 units and ammonia emission decreased approximately by 0·15.

It is concluded that increasing the level of fermentable fibre in the diet of growing-finishing pigs increases slurry VFA concentration. This consequently decreases the pH and ammonia emission from the slurry.
Kutane Lymphome
Authors: Schad Karin , Baumann Conzett Katrin , Cozzio Antonio
Published: August 2010

Die Gruppe der kutanen Lymphome umfasst eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Erkrankungen mit klonaler Vermehrung von T- oder B-Lymphozyten mit einer Inzidenz von 1 Erkrankung auf 100000 Einwohner/Jahr. Diese lymphoproliferativen Erkrankungen treten definitionsgemäß initial in der Haut auf und bleiben über einen Zeitraum von mindestens 6 Monaten auf die Haut beschränkt. Diese primär kutanen Lymphome gehören zu den extranodalen Non-Hodgkin Lymphomen. Die Unterscheidung zu den sekundär kutanen Lymphomen mit kutanen Manifestationen von disseminierten, primär nodalen oder extrakutanen Lymphomen ist prognostisch und therapeutisch wichtig. Die neue WHO/EORTC Klassifikation hat insbesondere klinische, aber auch histologische sowie immunphänotypische Daten zur Erkennung der kutanen Lymphome vorgelegt; die Abtrennung der primär kutanen Lymphome von den nodalen Lymphomen mit gleicher oder ähnlicher Zytomorphologie und Histologie trägt dazu bei, die Überbehandlung von Hautlymphompatienten zu verhindern. Die Behandlung dieser Erkrankungen erfolgt stufenweise. In den frühen Stadien sind topische Therapien indiziert wie Externa mit Kortikosteroiden oder Lichttherapien. Bei fortgeschrittenen Stadien kommen immunmodulatorische Medikamente zum Einsatz wie Interferon oder Vitamin A-Derivate wie Bexaroten. Chemotherapeutische Ansätze sind den fortgeschrittenen Stadien vorbehalten. Patienten mit kutanen Lymphomen sollten engmaschig in damit erfahrenen Therapiezentren in Zusammenarbeit mit niedergelassenen Ärzten betreut werden, da kurative Behandlungen noch nicht bekannt sind. Deshalb sind experimentelle Therapieansätze in fortgeschrittenen Stadien analog zur Situation beim malignen Melanom wichtig. Bei der Behandlung dieser chronischen Erkrankungen mit manchmal jahrzehntelangem Verlauf ist zudem dem Aspekt der Lebensqualität große Beachtung zu schenken.
Konsum von Cannabis, Ecstasy und Amphetaminen: Gibt es einen suchtspezifischen Hilfebedarf?
Authors: Tossmann Peter
Published: September 2010

Ziel: Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage nach dem suchtspezifischen Hilfebedarf von Konsumenten von Cannabis, Ecstasy und Amphetaminen.

Methodik: Mit Hilfe eines Erhebungsinstruments wurden in städtischen und ländlichen Regionen des Freistaats Sachsen N=437 aktuelle Konsumenten illegaler Drogen befragt. Die Rekrutierung der Stichprobe erfolgte durch Interviewerinnen, die teilweise institutionelle, teilweise öffentliche Zugänge nutzten.

Ergebnisse: Obwohl ein vergleichsweise hoher Anteil aktueller Konsumenten von Cannabis, Ecstasy und Amphetaminen eine substanzspezifische Abhängigkeit nach DSM-IV aufwies, nutzen nur wenige untersuchte Personen entsprechende Hilfen. Dies wird vor allem mit vergleichsweise kleinen subjektiven Belastungen durch suchtspezifische Problemlagen begründet.

Schlussfolgerungen: Zielgruppennahe Maßnahmen der Sekundärprävention und der Frühintervention sollten entwickelt und evaluiert werden.
Cannabispsychosen – Vom eigenständigen Krankheitsbild zum Komorbiditätsmodell
Authors: Caspari Dieter , Wobrock Thomas
Published: September 2010

Ziel: Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über die Entwicklung von Konzepten zu psychotischen Störungen bei Cannabiskonsumenten und diskutiert insbesondere die Zusammenhänge zwischen Cannabiskonsum und schizophrenen Störungen.

Methode: Ein Rückblick über relevante Arbeiten zur Thematik zeigt, dass die psychiatrische und psychopathologische Beschäftigung mit Cannabis und seinen Wirkungen in Deutschland eine lange Tradition hat, die bis zum Anfang des letzten Jahrhunderts zurückreicht. Nach Beginn der Drogenwelle in Deutschland Ende der sechziger Jahre des letzten Jahrhunderts wurde den psychotischen Störungen bei Drogenkonsumenten vermehrt Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet.

Ergebnisse: Nach ersten empirischen Untersuchungen wurde das Konzept einer Drogen- und speziell Cannabispsychose eingeführt. Als Folge von psychopathologischen Vergleichs- und klinischen Verlaufsuntersuchungen etablierte sich im Weiteren für die längerdauernden psychotischen Störungen zunehmend das Modell der Komorbidität von schizophrenen Störungen und Cannabismissbrauch.

Schlussfolgerung: Letztlich verstärkten klinische, experimentelle und vor allem epidemiologische Untersuchungen der letzten Jahre die Hinweise darauf, dass Cannabis als eigenständiger Risikofaktor für schizophrene Erkrankungen anzusehen ist.
Kritische Betrachtungen über den aktuellen Stand der Behandlung von Tabakabhängigen
Authors: Petry Jörg
Published: September 2010

Tabakrauchen stellt das wichtigste verhütbare Sterberisiko in Deutschland dar. Die Unzulänglichkeiten der Entgiftungs- und Entwöhnungsmethoden bei Tabakabhängigkeit werden diskutiert. Eine enge Indikation der genannten Nikotinersatztherapie wird befürwortet. Der Selbstkontrollansatz als traditionelle Kernstrategie der Raucherentwöhnung wird in Frage gestellt. Eine Vielzahl negativer Faktoren bestimmt die geringe Behandlungseffektivität.
Deutsche Übersetzung des WHO ASSIST Screening-Fragebogens
Authors: Schütz Christian G. , Daamen Marcel , van Niekerk Corinna
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Bisher gibt es für den deutschsprachigen Raum noch kein etabliertes Instrument, das ein umfassendes Screening des Substanzkonsums in allen verbreiteten Substanzkategorien erlaubt. Die Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) hat einen standardisierten Fragebogen zur schnellen und einfachen Erfassung von Suchtmittelkonsum und seiner negativen Auswirkungen entwickelt, den »Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test« ((WHO ASSIST). Während der WHO ASSIST bereits in mehrere Sprachen übersetzt wurde (z. B. spanisch, portugiesisch), lag eine deutsche Version bislang nicht vor.  Methodik: Der Fragebogen wurde nach Vorgaben der WHO ins Deutsche übersetzt, und die Tauglichkeit der Übersetzung an Patienten aus der Allgemeinmedizin und einer Suchtstation praktisch überprüft.  Ergebnisse: Die Pilotuntersuchung zeigte, dass die Übersetzung grundsätzlich praktikabel ist. Anschließende Kurzbefragungen zur Verständlichkeit der Items erlaubten es, die Formulierungen an einigen Stellen weiter zu verbessern.  Schlussfolgerungen: Mit dem deutschen WHO ASSIST liegt nun ein Screening-Fragebogen zur parallelen Erfassung des Suchtmittelkonsums in allen wichtigen Substanzkategorien vor. Als nächster Schritt ist eine direkte Überprüfung der psychometrischen Eigenschaften der deutschen Version notwendig. Die Vorbefunde aus internationalen Studien lassen gute Reliabilitäts- und Validitätswerte erwarten.
Alkoholabhängigkeit: Sozialversicherungsrechtlicher Schutz und Eigenverantwortung im Wandel der Zeit
Authors: Ernst Krasney Otto
Published: September 2010

Ziel: In einem Überblick wird die Entwicklung der Rechtsprechung zunächst des Reichsversicherungsamtes und später des Bundessozialgerichts zur Anerkennung der Alkoholabhängigkeit als Krankheit im Sinne des Sozialrechts – vornehmlich des Sozialversicherungsrechts – und gesetzliche Leistungsbeschränkungen bei Fällen fehlender Eigenverantwortung aufgezeigt.  Methodik: Geprüft wird in einer Textanalyse, inwieweit sich die Entwicklungen in Rechtsprechung und Gesetzgebung entsprechen und welche Resonanz sie in der Rechtspraxis gefunden haben.  Ergebnisse: Die Rechtsprechung hat durch die Anerkennung der Abhängigkeit als Krankheit im Sinne des Sozialrechts die Abhängigen wie alle anderen Kranken in den sozialversicherungsrechtlichen Schutz einbezogen.  Schlussfolgerungen: Mit der Gleichstellung der Abhängigkeit als Krankheit ist der erforderliche Wandel abgeschlossen. Es gilt nun, in Zeiten der Sparzwänge einem möglichen Rückschritt vorzubeugen.
Die Situation von russischsprachigen Drogenabhängigen in Hamburg aus Expertensicht
Authors: Haasen Christian , Rangue Anna , Blätter Andrea , Reimer Jens
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Russischsprachige Drogenabhängige sind in Deutschland im Suchthilfesystem unterrepräsentiert, jedoch ihr Anteil an den Drogentoten ist aus bisher unerklärten Gründen überproportional gestiegen. Methode: In einer Expertenbefragung wurden Interviews mit 10 Mitarbeitern des Drogenhilfesystems in Hamburg durchgeführt, um über die Situation der russischsprachigen Drogenabhängigen Erkenntnisse zu gewinnen und daraus Verbesserungsvorschläge für das Suchthilfesystem abzuleiten.  Ergebnisse: Zum Konsumverhalten werden Beobachtungen beschrieben, die die Vermutungen eines exzessiven Konsums bestätigen. Dabei ist vor allem der frühe Einstieg in den intravenösen Konsum alarmierend. Weiterhin ist der gemeinsame Gebrauch von Spritzen und anderen Utensilien als hohes Risiko für Infektionskrankheiten zu werten.  Schlussfolgerungen: Aus Expertensicht müssen Maßnahmen erfolgen, die zu einer verbesserten Information der Betroffenen, einem kultursensibleren Umgang des Hilfesystems und zu einer Prävention durch verbesserte Integration führen.
Kosten-Effektivitätsberechnungen von Alkohol-Entzugsbehandlungen: Kritische Anmerkungen
Authors: Kremer Georg , Driessen Martin
Published: September 2010

 Hintergrund:  Die bisherige Datenlage zur Kosteneffektivität von Entzugsbehandlungen Alkoholabhängiger zeigt, dass die Analyse von Kosten und Wirksamkeit die differenzierte Betrachtung mindestens dreier Merkmalsbereiche erfordert:

Dauer und Intensität der Interventionen,

Setting,

Schweregrad der Erkrankung.

  Zielsetzung:  Diese Aspekte sollen auf Basis einer Recherche über klinische Studien der Jahre 1995–2005 hinsichtlich ihrer Relevanz für eine angemessene Versorgungsplanung in Deutschland diskutiert werden.

  Ergebnisse:  Die Effektivität ausreichend langer und integrierter Ansätze der Entzugsbehandlung ist für den stationären und ambulanten Bereich belegt. Unter Berücksichtigung der Heterogenität der Zielgruppe (von Patienten mit einer beginnenden Alkoholabhängigkeit bis hin zu chronisch mehrfachbeeinträchtigten Abhängigkeitskranken) sind heterogene Behandlungsangebote zu entwickeln.

  Schlussfolgerungen: Eine isolierte Betrachtung der ökonomischen Kosten einzelner Entzugsbehandlungen ist unangemessen. Auf der Basis einer ambulanten Steuerung erscheinen inhaltlich heterogen und strukturell flexibel gestaltete Gesamtbehandlungsangebote bedarfsgerecht und erfolgversprechend.