bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary energy level, addition of fat and physiological state on performance and energy balance of lactating and pregnant rabbit does
Authors: Xiccato G. , Parigi-Bini R. , Dalle Zotte A. , Carazzolo A. , Cossu M. E.
Published: September 2010

The effects of dietary energy level and added fat were studied by comparative slaughter on 60 primiparous rabbit does in different reproductive states. Nine does were slaughtered immediately after their first parturition (preliminary slaughter group) to estimate initial empty body composition. The 51 remaining does were divided into three groups and given diets differing in digestible energy (DE) content: M (11·28 MJ/kg dry matter (DM); H (12·16 MJ/kg DM); F (11·93 MJ/kg DM, obtained by the inclusion of 25 g/kg of animal fat). Thirty-six does (12 per group) were remated 3 to 4 days after parturition, after which 20 does were concurrently pregnant and lactating (LP) and gave birth a second time. At the second parturition these does were slaughtered with their new-born litters. The non-mated or non-pregnant lactating does (LN) were slaughtered at the same time. All litters from the first parturition were weaned at the 30th day of age.

The diets influenced the DE intake (3·11 v. 3·31 and 3·36 MJ/day, P < 0·05) and the milk production (171 v. 180 v. 191 glday, P < 0·05), respectively for the M, H and F diets. The high-energy diets (H and F) significantly modified the final empty body composition. The loss of body fat was proportionately 0·34, 0·36 and 0·39 of the initial body fat and the loss of energy was proportionately 0·17, 0·19 and 0·21 of the initial body energy in the M, H and F groups respectively (P > 0·05) (average of LP and LN does). The maternal diet significantly influenced the weight of the sucking litters (first parturition) at 20 days (2409 and 2454 v. 2629 g, P < 0·05).

The LP does showed lower DE intake, milk yield (from 10 to 30 days) and litter weaning weights than LN does. Between the first and the second parturition, the LP does had a loss of empty body weight and a negative protein balance (-0·06 of the initial content), while the LN does had an increase in live weight and empty body weight and a positive protein balance (+0·11 of the initial content). Both LP and LN does had a negative energy balance (−0·24 v. −0·25, respectively; P < 0·01).
Energy cost of eating long hay, straw and pelleted food in sport horses
Authors: Vernet J. , Vermorel M. , Martin-Rosset W.
Published: September 2010

Six sport horses were given 1·26 times the measured maintenance energy requirement (MEm) from each of the four following diets: H1, meadow hay in the long form (organic matter digestibility OMD = 0·541); HMI, 700g/kg the same hay and 300 g/kg pelleted maize; HSBPI, 600g/kg hay and 400g/kg pelleted dehydrated sugar-beet pulp; SCFI, 500g/kg wheat straw and 500g/kg pelleted compound food (experiment 1). In experiment 2, eight sport horses were equipped with a portable device for recording feeding behaviour and fed at 1·31 MEm diet HI (meadow hay in the long form: OMD = 0·574).Circadian energy expenditure (EE) of horses was determined by indirect calorimetry using two large open-circuit respiration chambers. Horses were continuously standing. Increase in metabolic rate (IMR) during eating was calculated from the difference between the mean EE obtained during each eatingperiod and the corresponding resting EE. The mean daily ingestion rate of hay H2 amounted to 148 (s.d. 27)mg dry matter per kg metabolic body weight per min. IMR during the two main meals averaged 0·388 (s.d. 0·059) and was not significantly different between diets H1, H2, HM1 and SCF1. Expressed per kg dry matter intake, energy cost of eating (ECE) was similar for diets H2, H1 and SCF1 but significantly lower for HSBP1 and HM1 (P<0·05). ECE of simple foods was calculated from those of the diets and of hay: proportionately 0·010, 0·042, 0·102 and 0·285 metabolizable energy intake for pelleted maize, pelleted SBP, long hay and wheat straw, respectively.
Relationships between energy balance and post-partum ovarian activity and fertility in first lactation dairy cows
Authors: Senatore E. M. , Butler W. R. , Oltenacu P. A.
Published: September 2010

Forty primiparous Holstein dairy cows were monitored from calving through 100 days in milk to evaluate the effect of energy balance in the early post-partum period on subsequent fertility. The post-partum interval to first ovulation (R2 = 0·41; P < 0·005) was lengthened by greater negative energy balance, and reduced by greater body weight at parturition or decreased body-weight loss during the experimental period. Luteal activity (R2 = 0·58; P < 0·0001), measured by plasma progesterone area under curve, was increased in the first cycle post partum by a shorter interval to first ovulation, improved energy balance during the 1st week of lactation and by decreased body-weight loss. Pregnancy status following first artificial insemination was related positively to the number of ovulations before insemination, improved energy balance during the 1st month post partum, fewer days to first ovulation and greater body weight at calving. These data suggest that energy balance and body weight are important in determining the post-partum interval to first ovulation and the subsequent fertility of first lactation dairy cotes.
Effects of the composition of grass silages on milk production and nitrogen utilization by dairy cows
Authors: Dewhurst R. J. , Mitton A. M. , Offer N. W. , Thomas C.
Published: September 2010

Sixteen varied grass silages metabolizable energy (ME): 9·76 to 11·99 MJ/kg ethanol-corrected toluene dry matter (TDM); crude protein (CP: 149 to 211 g/kg TDM; lactic acid: 3·5 to 134·7 g/kg TDM; butyric acid 0·4 to 46·7 g/kg TDM) were offered ad libitum to early-lactation dairy cows (12 per experiment) along with a fixed allocation of 7 kg/day of a standard concentrate. Four silages were offered in each of four incomplete change-over design experiments with three 21-day periods. This design meant that each cow was allocated to receive three of the four silages evaluated in that experiment. ME intake ranged from 108 to 262 MJ/day (mean 177 (s.d. 30·2)). Similar variation was obtained with milk yields (mean 26·5 (s.d. 4·36) kg/day), fat content (mean 37·7 (s.d. 5·60) g/kg) and protein content (mean 29·0 (s.d. 2·36) g/kg). Urinary purine derivative/creatinine ratio (PD/C), an index of microbial protein measured in spot samples (two per day) averaged 2·92 (s.d. 0·757) mol/mol. Allantoin made up an almost constant molar proportion of PD excretion (mean 0·876 (s.d. 0·0377)), with a small but significant (P < 0·001) decline of 0·0132 (s.d. 0·003) per unit increase in PD/C.

Maximal utilization of silage nitrogen occurred with silages having higher ME and lower CP concentrations. Urinary PD/C suggested that microbial protein yield varied in a way which would not be predicted in current schemes and that it was a major source of variation in milk protein yield under the conditions of the present experiment. Principal components regression confirmed independent effects of ME supply and MP supply (indexed by urinary PD/C) on milk protein yield. Further work should pursue the possibility of using the urinary PD/C technique to refine protein feeding at the farm level.
Effect of yeast culture on rumen fermentation, microbial protein flow from the rumen and live-weight gain in bulls given high cereal diets
Authors: El Hassan S. M. , Newbold C. J. , Edwards I. E. , Topps J. H. , Wallace R. J.
Published: September 2010

Four groups each of eight Limousin × Friesian bulls, average weight 344 kg, were offered individuallyad libitumdiets comprising: 920 g rolled barley, 50 g cane molasses, 15 g urea and 15 g minerals/vitamins mix per kg or 867·5 g rolled barley, 50 g cane molasses, 7·5 g urea, 60 g soya-bean meal and 15 g minerals/vitamins mix per kg, plus or minus yeast culture (YC, 1·5 kg/t) (all weights fresh weights), until slaughter (460 kg). Rumen samples were obtained by stomach tube. YC decreased rumen ammonia concentrations (116·7, 56·0, 74·3, 45·7 (s.e.d. 19·40) mg/l for barley/urea, barky/urea/YC, barley/soya-bean meal and barley/soya-bean meal/YC, respectively). This was associated with increases (P < 0·05) in both the total number of bacteria (2·3, 4·2, 3·5, 6·8 (s.e.d. 1·06) × 109per ml, respectively) and the protein content of rumen fluid (7·7, 9·6, 8·7, 9·0 (s.e.d. 0·59) g/l, respectively). However, the flow of microbial protein from the rumen as estimated from the appearance ofpurine derivatives in the urine was unaffected (131, 130, 129, 147 (s.e.d. 12·6) g N per day, respectively). Thus although the animals responded to the undegradable rumen protein supplied by the soya-bean meal there was no significant response in live-weight gain with YC (1·28, 1·31, 1·42, 1·48 (s.e.d. 0·081) kg/day, respectively).
Genotype × environment interactions for early growth and ultrasonic measurements in hill sheep
Authors: Bishop S. C. , Conington J. , Waterhouse A. , Simm G.
Published: September 2010

Genotype × environment and genotype × sex interactions were investigated using lines of Scottish Blackface sheep that had been divergently selected under intensive husbandry conditions for predicted carcass lean proportion, and offspring of rams from these selection lines which were reared under extensive hill conditions. Traits considered were live weight and ultrasonic fat and muscle depth. These were measured at 20 weeks of age on the intensively reared lambs and at 17 weeks of age on the extensively reared animals. Heritabilities for the two environments were 0-39 and 0-20 for fat depth, 0-36 and 0-25 for muscle depth and 0-23 and 0-12 for live weight. Genetic correlations between the environments were 0-54 (s.e. 0-17), 0-90 (s.e. 0-14) and 0-11 (s.e. 0-43) for fat depth, muscle depth and live weight, respectively. The extensive environment may be subdivided according to whether the lambs are reared on improved pasture or on the hill side. The genetic correlations (with s.e.s where estimable) between performance in these two environments were 0-70 (s.e. 0-33), 0-71 (s.e. 0-23) and 1-00 for fat depth, muscle depth and live weight. Genetic correlations between male and female performance under extensive conditions were 0-84 (s.e. 0-28), 0-99 (s.e. 0-14) and 1-00 for fat depth, muscle depth and live weight. T-or fat depth, the genetic correlations of the intensively reared lambs (males only) with extensively reared females and males were 0-37 (s.e. 0-22) and 0-67 (s.e. 0-17), respectively.
Environmental effects of low intensity systems of animal production in the hills and uplands of the UK
Authors: Milne J. A.
Published: September 2010

The extent to which grazing intensities of animal production systems in the uplands of the United Kingdom cause impacts on vegetation, soils, birds, mammals and invertebrates, and influence landscape value and water quality are reviewed. It is argued that these impacts need to be considered in an integrated manner in relation to their responses at the field and landscape scales. Evidence is presented which suggests that a range of grazing intensities is required to obtain significant benefits to the natural heritage. This suggests that new approaches are required to the mechanisms of delivering environmental benefits from grazing systems.
Ad libitumlactation feeding of sows introduced immediately before, at, or after farrowing
Authors: Neil M.
Published: September 2010

The timing for introducingad libitumlactation feeding around farrowing was studied in an experiment comprising 20 blocks of three littermate sows and a total of 1085 piglets in 90 farrowings. Sows were given 2·2 kg daily of a diet containing 12·1 MJ metabolizable energy and 120 g digestible crude protein per kgfrom service untilad libitumfeeding was introduced either 4 days before expected farrowing (treatment BEF), the farrowing day (AT), or 3 days after farrowing (AFT). BEF and AT sows had a higher total daily food consumption during the experimental period, 5 days before farrowing to weaning at 35 (±3) days, than AFT sows (7·2, 7·2 and 6·6 kg, respectively). BEF and AT sows tended to have deeper ultrasonic backfat (BF) than AFT sows. The mobilization of body reserves during lactation was modest as reflected in negligible losses of live weight (LW) and BF, low serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids and creatinine, together with increasing serum urea concentrations as well as the high proportion of sows served within 8 days after weaning (over 90% of the primiparous sows). Sow rectal temperature increased on the farrowing day but was also influenced by feeding level. No cases of agalactia post partum were diagnosed. Litter size, piglet LW, piglet mortality and creep food consumption did not differ between treatments, although there was a tendency for lower LW and increased mortality, particularly of piglets crushed by the sow, in litters of AFT sows. It can be concluded that there was no advantage in delaying the introduction ofad libitumfeeding until after farrowing.
The effect of maternal nutrition on foetal serum potency in cell culture
Authors: Thomas M. F. , Oliver M. H. , Hodgkinson S. C.
Published: September 2010

The influence of pre-slaughter nutrition on the potency of foetal serum in cell culture was studied. Ewes carrying late-gestation foetuses (120-day gestation) were either fasted for 66 h (F), fasted for 66 h but drenched with Ketol, a propylene glycol preparation, (5 × 120 ml doses; FK), given foodad libitum(A), or given foodad libitumand drenched with Ketol (5 × 120 ml doses; AK). Following slaughter foetal blood was collected for the determination of potency in cell culture using industry-standard cell culture bioassays: cloning efficiency, plating efficiency and a 96 h cell proliferation assay. Foetal serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF) concentrations were also measured. Pre-slaughter fasting or drenching with Ketol had no effect on the potency of foetal serum in any of the cell culture bioassays. Fasting significantly lowered foetal plasma IGF-1 levels (F < 0·01). Foetal IGF-2 levels were unaffected by fasting or drenching with Ketol.
Variation of heart size and its correlation with growth performance and vascular space in domestic pigs
Authors: Yang T. S. , Lin J. H.
Published: September 2010

Heart size of purebred boars (13 Landrace, 12 Yorkshire, and 14 Duroc) and crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) boars (no. =18) and gilts (no. = 24) was studied. Purebred boars were raised from 30 kg for 110 days and slaughtered. Crossbred pigs of various body weights (30 to 110 kg) were selected and their plasma and blood volume were measured before sacrifice. The variation of heart size of pigs was studied and its correlation with growth performance or to vascular space was investigated. According to the principal component analysis heart size was best expressed by its weight, followed by the thickness of the anterior ventricle septum or the thickness of the left ventricle (LV) wall. The food/gain ratio of boars during testing period was significantly correlated with some size characteristics of their heart including weight, width, and LV thickness. The back fat thickness at 100 kg was significantly negatively correlated with heart weight, heart/body weight ratio, and LV thickness. Thus, selection for growth performance would result in a bigger heart in domestic pigs. In the crossbred study, an allometry fitting of H = 12·18B0·73 (r = 0·96) was obtained between heart weight (H, g) and body weight (B, kg). The fittings of heart weight to blood/plasma volume generated values of r of between 0·79 and 0·75 in allometry models or between 0·84 and 0·80 in linear models. Thus, vascular space is no better than fractional body weight as the basis to express relative heart weight in pigs. It is suggested that the normal exponent relating heart size to body weight in growing pig is effectively 0·75, similar to the exponent of metabolic size, 0·734 or 0·75. Therefore, the size of the heart of domestic pigs varies in size proportionally with the changes of metabolism seen in terms of growth or maybe even reproduction. The wild boar, the ancestor of domestic pigs, has a heart proportionately about 0·5 bigger than modern pigs when scaled according to M0·75. The attribution of metabolic difference to the bigger heart of wild boar is uncertain and needs further elucidation. The trend to bigger hearts in domestic pigs under current selection pressure for leanness should not necessarily be interpreted as returning to a natural form but may reflect a pathophysiological change.
A comparative study of ruminal activity in Churra and Merino sheep offered alfalfa hay
Authors: Ranilla M. J. , Carro M. D. , Valdés C. , Giráldez F. J. , López S.
Published: September 2010

A study was carried out to compare the fermentation parameters and kinetics of digestion of a range of different foods in the rumen of two breeds of sheep (Churra and Merino). Ten mature sheep (five Churra and five Merino), each fitted with a rumen cannula, were used in this study. In situ rumen degradability of both dry matter (DM) and cell wall was greater in Churra than in Merino sheep, the breed differences being significant for most of the foods used in the study (P < 0·05). These differences were greater when the foods had a higher cell wall concentration and this could be related to differences in the ruminal environment. However, when the foods were incubated with rumen fluid their in vitro organic matter (OM) degradability was similar in both breeds. Rumen pH was higher (P < 0·05) and ammonia concentrations were lower (P < 0·05) in Churra than in Merino sheep. Rumen volatile fatty acid concentrations tended to be higher in Merino than in Churra sheep, though differences were only significant just before feeding (P < 0·05). The ratio acetate: propionate was higher in the Churra than Merino breed before and 12 h after feeding (P < 0·05). Protozoa numbers in rumen liquid were similar for both genotypes. The greater degradation of forages in the rumen of Churra sheep is discussed in relation to the possible higher activity of fibre-degrading micro-organisms and the greater buffering capacity of the rumen contents against fermentation acids, which could result in more favourable conditions for the microbial degradation of foods in the rumen.
The effect of dietary inclusion of sugar-beet pulp on the feeding behaviour of dry sows
Authors: Brouns F. , Edwards S. A. , English P. R.
Published: September 2010

Feeding behaviour of six sows receiving a diet with a high inclusion (500 g/kg) of sugar-beet pulp (SBP) was compared with that of six sows receiving a conventional cereal-based diet (control). The feeding rate was determined for both the rate of consumption of the daily food allowance (SBP or control diet) and of a test portion (of control diet) offered at different intervals after the daily food allowance. SBP sows consumed their daily food allowance more slowly than control sows, SBP sows also consumed the test portion more slowly than control sows, when this was offered immediately after the daily food allowance. Prolonging the time taken to eat the control diet, by presenting it in meal form, did not change the feeding rate of the test diet. Offering the test portion 2 h after the daily food allowance, increased the feeding rate of the test portion for both control and SBP sows, with a smaller but still significant treatment difference. Gastric distension appeared to be a major factor in regulating intake when feeding a diet containing SBP. The extent to which feeding rate could be used as an index of feeding motivation and the welfare consequences of using bulky diets for sows are discussed.
The effect of diet and frequency of watering on rumen degradability and outflow rate of low-quality veld hay and dry-matter apparent digestibility in steers given food at maintenance
Authors: Sibanda S. , Hatendi P. R. , Mulenga F. M. , Ndlovu P.
Published: September 2010

The effect of water restriction on rumen degradability and outflow rate of low quality veld hay and dry-matter apparent digestibility was investigated in four rumen cannulated Tuli × Friesian steers (mean weight 329 (s.d. 36·6) kg) given food at maintenance (metabolizable energy allowance (maintenance) (MJ) = 8·3 + 0·091 M). Two diets with 20: 80 (low, L) and 80:20 (high, H) roughage to concentrate ratios were used in combination with free access to water for 2·5 h once daily or once every 3rd day. A 4 × 4 Latin-square design with a 2 (diets) × 2 (watering frequencies) factorial arrangement of treatments was used.

The degradation pattern of veld hay was not affected by the type of diet and the watering frequency. Although the effective degradabilities of hay in steers given the two diets were low (177 and 258 g/kg for L and H, respectively), they were significantly different (P < 0·05) from each other. However, watering frequency did not affect the effective degradability of hay (218 and 217 g/kg). While the low roughage diet had a higher rumen outflow rate for Crmordanted hay than the high roughage diet (0·047 per h and 0·031 per h), this was not statistically significant. The same outflow rate was obtained for the two watering frequencies (0·039 per h).
Individual animal model estimates of genetic parameters for reproduction traits of landrace pigs performance tested in a commercial nucleus herd
Authors: Crump R. E. , Haley C. S. , Thompson R. , Mercer J.
Published: September 2010

Individual animal model restricted maximum likelihood was used to estimate genetic parameters for number of piglets born, number born alive, total litter weight, average piglet weight and gestation length for a commercial Landrace population undergoing selection for performance test traits. Estimates of heritabilities and repeatabilities (around 0·1 and 0·2, respectively) for number born and number born alive are in line with other published results. Heritabilities around 0·2 and repeatabilities around 0·3 were observed for average piglet weight and gestation length, while for litter weight these values were between 0·11 and 0·15 for heritabilities and around 0·2 for repeatabilities. Estimates of common litter of birth effects and maternal genetic effects were very low across all traits analysed.
Carcass and meat quality of rabbits given diets having a high level of vegetable or animal fat
Authors: Pla M. , Cervera C.
Published: September 2010

Three groups of does were fed respectively with three experimental diets: control (C), vegetable fat enriched (V) and animal fat enriched (A). Also their offspring were given their respective diets from weaning to slaughter. C was a standard commercial diet, V had 99 g vegetable fat per kg, and A had 114 g animal fat per kg. Sixty animals in the live-weight range 1·75 to 2·25 kg from each group were slaughtered at 9 weeks of age. The rabbits came from a commercial three-way cross. Animals on diets A and V had a better food conversion efficiency ratio, a lower drip loss and a dressing yield substantially better than those given diet C. Males had higher food conversion rate and smaller dressing yield. Carcass colour was not affected by the diet but rabbits given diet V showed less pale meat. Differences in the three colour parameters were found for the three diets for hot and chilled carcass fat colour. Muscular pH measured in the longissimus dorsi and biceps femoris were slightly higher for diets A and V and were also higher for males than for females. Water-holding capacity of raw meat from rabbits given diets A and V was higher than from rabbits given the control diet. Protein and moisture content of the meat of a hind leg was almost the same for the three diets but fat content was much higher in animals given diets A and V than in the control group.
Development of intramuscular fat in Wagyu beef cattle depends on adipogenic or antiadipogenic substances present in serum
Authors: Torii S. , Matsui T. , Yano H.
Published: September 2010

In blood, there are many kinds of adipogenic or antiadipogenic factors such as hormones and vitamins. In this study, adipogenic activity in sera of fattened beef cattle was evaluated using cultured mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. After the preadipocytes were grown to reach confluence, serum of fattened beef cattle was added into the culture medium (10%, vol/vol)for 3 days, and thereafter cellular sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity was determined as an index ofadipocyte differentiation. Sera were collected from 19 beef cattle (Wagyu and Wagyu × Holstein cross cattle) from three different farms at slaughter. Cellular GPDH activity was significantly different among the farms, and was affected by sex difference (i.e. sera from fattened heifers induced higher GPDH activity than those from steers). There was a positive correlation between GPDH activity and beef marbling performance (T = 0·62,P< 0·02), suggesting that serum factor(s) play a role in development of intramuscular fat deposition. Adipogenic activity was negatively correlated with serum retinol concentration (r = −0·73,P< 0·001). Neither serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol nor non-esterified fatty acid was related to adipogenic activity.

Furthermore, serum retinol concentration was negatively correlated with beef marbling performance. These data imply that retinol level in blood during the fattening period may influence intramuscular fat deposition of beef cattle through its antiadipogenic action on preadipocytes present in muscle tissues.
Predicting breeding values for herd life of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle from lifespan and type
Authors: Brotherstone S. , Veerkamp R. F. , Hill W. G.
Published: September 2010

Data comprised information on herd life from two different sources: actual lifespan and type data. The optimum way of predicting breeding values (BVs) for herd life from both these sources is a multivariate best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) analysis of lifespan and the linear type traits most closely related to it. To reduce computing requirements, we suggest a bivariate BLUP analysis, where the direct information is lifespan, measured in lactations and the indirect information is a phenotypic index of type traits weighted by their economic values. Such an index is shown to be almost as efficient as using the individual traits.

Genetic correlations between functional lifespan and the linear type traits were estimated, and based on these foot angle (rg = 0·22) udder depth (rg = 0·24) and teat length (rg = -0·44) were chosen to predict herd life. Breeding values for herd life were predicted in a BLUP analysis for around 500 000 heifers. The traits were lifespan and the phenotype index offoot angle, udder depth and teat length. For bulls with a minimum of 10 daughters BVs ranged from -0·9 lactations to +1·0 lactations, indicating a difference of approximately one lactation between the daughters of extreme bulls. For sires with at least 50 daughter records for lifespan, type information contributed little to the accuracy of herd life BVs.
Noise and vehicular motion as potential stressors during the transport of sheep
Authors: Hall S. J. G. , Kirkpatrick S. M. , Lloyd D. M. , Broom D. M.
Published: September 2010

During three journeys of 15 h in a lorry and two sets of experiments in a trailer, the relative importance of ambient noise and vehicular motion were assessed by measurements of salivary cortisol concentration, heart rate and behaviour. Mean sound levels in the lorry were approximately 96 dbA with occasional episodes at 103 dbA. Vehicular motion was assessed in terms of numbers and magnitude of acceleration events registered by a triaxial accelerometer. The three lorry journeys showed, respectively, that heart rate was correlated with vehicular motion when sheep were loosely stocked (0·41 m2 per sheep) but not when they were tightly stocked (0·28 m2 per sheep); that heart rate sometimes tended to increase when ambient sound was greater and that the effect of sound was not as consistent as that of vehicular motion. In the first trailer experiment, salivary cortisol response was the same whether sheep confined in a quiet stationary trailer (60 dbA) were or were not exposed to extra noise (90 dbA) while heart rate was higher in the former condition. In the second trailer experiment when the trailer was being towed on public roads with or without extra noise (92·3 and 100·5 dbA respectively), heart rate and salivary cortisol concentration were both elevated compared with control sheep in a pen but the extra noise had no consistent effect. The sheep showed no orientation away from the noise source, nor was there any difference in their expression of a behaviour (standing with the head below the level of the shoulders) which could indicate discomfort. Hence vehicular motion can result in poor welfare in sheep, especially at loose stocking density but ambient noise was not found to have a consistent effect.
Straw degradability as a predictor of intake and growth rate in sheep
Authors: Yalçin S. , Şehu A. , Önol A. G.
Published: September 2010

The dry-matter (DM) intake and growth rate in male lambs were predicted from rumen degradability characteristics, rumen DM losses at different times, neutral- or acid-detergent fibre (NDF or ADF) contents and DM apparent digestibility of roughages. Four different straws consisting of wheat, barley, oat and rice were each offered ad libitum to 24 Merino male lambs with 200 glday concentrate for 4 weeks to determine DM intake and growth rate. Apparent digestibilities of the straws were measured with three Merino male sheep. Measurements were made during the last 10 days of each 20-day period. The degradation characteristics of the straws were measured by incubating samples in nylon bags for 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h in the rumens of three Merino male sheep fitted with rumen cannulae. The exponential model p = a + b(l - er^) was fitted to the data. Potential degradabilities of DM (defined as a + b) and apparent digestibilities of DM ranged from 530 to 679 and 440 to 560 g/kg, respectively. The mean DM intake of the straws varied from 543 to 745 glday, the digestible DM intake from 236 to 417 glday and growth rate from 17 to 95 glday. Using the degradation characteristics A, B and c in a multiple regression analysis, the correlation coefficients with DM intake and growth rate were 0·79 and 0·70, respectively. NDF and ADF were related to DM intake (i = 0·65; r = 0·64) and growth rate (r = 0·55; r = 0·56). The correlation coefficient between DM apparent digestibility and DM intake was 0·76. It is concluded that the rumen degradation characteristics have potential for predicting intake of straws and growth rate in sheep.
Glücksspielen an der Börse: Eine verhaltenspsychologisch-mathematische Analyse
Authors: Hand Iver , Henning Peter A.
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Das Entstehen einer globalen »Aktienkultur« in den vergangenen zehn Jahren hat dazu geführt, dass eine erhebliche Anzahl von Menschen ihr Vermögen an der Börse zu vermehren suchten – und dieses dann unter erheblichen Auswirkungen auf ihre Persönlichkeit verloren.

Methodik: Die – vor allem kurzfristigen – Investments an der Börse werden sowohl verhaltenspsychologisch, als auch mathematisch untersucht.

Ergebnisse: Im Börsengeschehen treten häufig Verhaltensmuster auf, die dem klassischen pathologischen Glücksspielen sehr ähnlich sind. Nur deren extreme Ausprägungen werden publikumswirksam, es ist aber von einer erheblichen Dunkelziffer auszugehen.

Schlussfolgerungen: Die aktuelle »Aktienkultur« hat im Bereich der kurzfristigen Anlagen viele Gemeinsamkeiten mit einer Glücksspielkultur und mit rationalem ökonomischen Verhalten wenig gemeinsam. Daraus ergeben sich weitgehende Auswirkungen auf und Forderungen an die Gesellschaft.
Fahrtauglichkeit bei Substanzmissbrauch und Abhängigkeit
Authors: Brunnauer Alexander , Obermaier Franz , Laux Gerd
Published: September 2010

Ziel: In Anlehnung an die 6. Auflage der Begutachtungs-Leitlinien zur Kraftfahreignung (BLK) werden die Themenkomplexe Missbrauch und Abhängigkeit von Alkohol, Drogen und Medikamenten dargestellt und die für die klinische Praxis wichtigen Aspekte erörtert.

Ergebnisse/Schlussfolgerungen: Die Beurteilung der Fahrtüchtigkeit hat vor dem Hintergrund der Bewertung des klinischen Bildes der Grunderkrankung sowie objektivierbaren psychologischen Leistungstests zu erfolgen. Sowohl bei Alkohol- als auch bei Drogenabhängigkeit ist die Eignung zur Führung von Fahrzeugen erst bei Erreichung stabiler Abstinenz gegeben. Im Falle der Drogenabhängigkeit können unter bestimmten Umständen der Konsum von Cannabis oder eine Substitutionsbehandlung als Ausnahme gelten.
Langfristige Folgen des chronischen Cannabiskonsums
Authors: Schneider Miriam
Published: September 2010

Ziel: Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die verschiedenen möglichen Folgeschäden längerfristigen Cannabiskonsums, vor allem unter Berücksichtigung der besonderen Gefährdung Jugendlicher. Angesprochen werden neben Abhängigkeitsentwicklung und langfristigen kognitiven Störungen auch das erhöhte Risiko für die Entstehung schizophrener Psychosen. Ein besonderes Augenmerk liegt dabei unter anderem auf der Darstellung möglicher neurobiologischer und entwicklungsbedingter Grundlagen der Langzeitfolgen und auf dem Nutzen und den Einsatzmöglichkeiten von Tiermodellen.

Schlussfolgerung: Verschiedene Studien an Mensch und Tier belegen, dass die Pubertät eine äußerst sensible Entwicklungsphase für negative, dauerhafte Effekte des Cannabiskonsums darstellt und Jugendliche sich demnach einem deutlich höheren Risiko aussetzen als Erwachsene.
Kinder aus suchtbelasteten Familien im Kontext von Verfahren zu Hilfen zur Erziehung
Authors: Hinze Klaus , Jost Annemarie
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Erhebung der Zusammenhänge zwischen Hilfen zur Erziehung gemäß SGB VIII und bestehenden Alkoholbelastungen in den Herkunftsfamilien. Methodik: Gruppendiskussionen und prospektive einjährige Untersuchung in drei Jugendämtern mit standardisierten Fragebögen, ausgefüllt bei Erstellung der Hilfeplanung. Ergebnisse: In 38,6 % aller erfassten Hilfen zur Erziehung kann eine Suchtbelastung in der Herkunftsfamilie der Kinder vermutet werden. Die Kinder fallen spät auf, werden nur in Ausnahmefällen von der Suchthilfe überwiesen und häufiger stationär untergebracht. Bei Kindern mit fetalem Alkoholsyndrom werden Versorgungslücken deutlich. Schlussfolgerungen: Handlungsbedarf besteht hinsichtlich der Frühintervention, der Vernetzung zwischen Jugend- und Suchthilfe, der Abstimmung und Qualifizierung der Hilfesysteme.
Rauschtrinken und Cannabiskonsum bei jungen Erwachsenen
Authors: Matter Monika , Brodbeck Jeannette , Moggi Franz
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Konsummuster und spezifische Merkmale von Rauschtrinken und Cannabiskonsum.  Methodik: Mittels Telefoninterviews wurden 2842 junge Erwachsene befragt.  Egebnisse: Im Monat vor der Befragung konsumierten 40 % der jungen Erwachsenen Alkohol bis zur Betrunkenheit und/oder Cannabis. Zwei Drittel von ihnen waren reine Rauschtrinker oder reine Cannabiskonsumenten. Suchmittelkonsum hing mit Hedonismus und Risikobereitschaft, hochfrequenter Konsum zusätzlich mit Belastungen und geringem Gesundheitsbewusstsein zusammen. Männliche Rauschtrinker und Cannabiskonsumenten unterschieden sich nicht. Bei Frauen war eine erhöhte Risikobereitschaft spezifisch für niederfrequenten Cannabiskonsum, vermehrte Belastungen für hochfrequentes Rauschtrinken.  Schlussfolgerungen: Nur bei Frauen zeigten sich in Abhängigkeit von der Konsumfrequenz suchtmittelspezifische Merkmale.
Gesundheitsökonomische Suchtforschung in Deutschland – Gibt es Leben in der Wüste?
Authors: Joachim Salize Hans , Stamm Klaus , Merkel Silke , Mann Karl
Published: September 2010

Hintergrund: Gemessen am Forschungsoutput und der Bedeutung für Allokationsentscheidungen spielen gesundheitsökonomische Untersuchungen in der deutschsprachigen Suchtforschung nicht die Rolle, die sie angesichts der Bedeutsamkeit von Kostendaten für die Reform des Gesundheitswesens eigentlich einnehmen müssten.

  Zielsetzung:  Der Artikel fasst die in Deutschland durchgeführten gesundheitsökonomischen Studien und Erkenntnisse vor allem im Bereich Alkoholismus zusammen und benennt Ursachen und Hürden für die defizitäre Entwicklung.

  Schlussfolgerungen: Gleichzeitig wird ein Programm für eine künftige Gesundheitsökonomie in der Suchtforschung skizziert,das sich neben der Bezifferung der direkten und indirekten Kosten der wichtigsten Abhängigkeitserkrankungen vor allem auf die Analyse der Kosteneffektivität der gegenwärtig gängigen Behandlungsansätze im Suchtbereich konzentrieren sollte.
Cross-cultural evaluation of a life-skills programme to combat adolescent substance misuse
Authors: Weichold Karina , Giannotta Fabrizia , Silbereisen Rainer K. , Ciairano Silvia , Wenzel Victoria
Published: September 2010

Kulturvergleichende Evaluation eines Lebenskompetenzenprogramms gegen Substanzmissbrauch im Jugendalter

Fragestellung: Diese Studie vergleicht Prozess- und Ergebnisevaluation eines Präventionsprogramms gegen Substanzmissbrauch zwischen deutschen und italienischen Jugendlichen. Methodik: Datenanalysen basieren auf zwei Evaluationsstudien (Prä-Post-Design, Kontroll- und Versuchsgruppe).

 Ergebnisse: Die Befunde zeigen, dass das Programm in beiden Kontexten akzeptiert war und mit hoher Qualität implementiert wurde. In der deutschen und italienischen Stichprobe wurden ähnliche Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren für Substanzmissbrauch positiv beeinflusst (z. B. Bindungen an der Schule). Ebenso positiv wirkte sich das Programm auf das Einstiegsalter in den regelmäßigen Alkoholkonsum und auf das Konsumverhalten in beiden Stichproben aus.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass das Programm in beiden Ländern erfolgreich als universelle Präventionsstrategie eingesetzt werden kann.
Vermittlung in Entwöhnung nach Alkoholentzugsbehandlung
Authors: Weithmann Gerd , Hoffmann Markus
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung:

Wie kann das Kriterium »erfolgreiche Vermittlung in Entwöhnung nach Entzugsbehandlung« definiert werden?
Gibt es Prädiktoren für den Entwöhnungsantritt?

 Methodik: Bei 101 Patienten nach Alkoholentzugsbehandlung wurden Häufigkeit und Zeitpunkt des Antritts einer Entwöhnungsbehandlung ermittelt.

 Ergebnisse: Je nach Definition variierte die Vermittlungsquote in Entwöhnungsbehandlung zwischen 11 und 30 %.Merkmale, die mit der Krankheitsentwicklung und der subjektiven Belastung durch den Alkoholkonsum zusammenhingen, zeigten prädiktives Potenzial.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Eine einheitliche Definition der Vermittlungsquote wäre für die Evaluation von Entzugsbehandlungen hilfreich. Die Prädiktoren geben Hinweise auf Hilfeformen für Patientengruppen, die bisher nicht für weiterführende Maßnahmen gewonnen werden konnten.
Genetik von Alkoholmissbrauch und -abhängigkeit bei adultem ADHS
Authors: Jacob Christian P. , Lesch Klaus-Peter
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Welche genetischen Faktoren sind relevant für die putative Komorbiditätsbeziehung zwischen Alkoholmissbrauch, -abhängigkeit und adulten Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätssyndromen?

 Methodik: Aktuelle Studien werden unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Meta-Analysen dargestellt und bewertet.

 Ergebnisse: Die Gene für Serotonintransporter und Dopamin-D4-Rezeptor sind als potenzielle Kandidaten zu diskutieren. Die Datenlage ist insgesamt jedoch inkonsistent, da die Geneffekte gering bis moderat sind und kategoriale Modelle sich nicht für komplexe Störungen eignen, die entsprechend dem »Quantitative Trait Loci«-Konzept vererbt werden.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Weitere Studien unter der Einbeziehung von dimensionalen Modellen oder Endophänotypen sind notwendig.
Chronic khat use and psychotic disorders: A review of the literature and future prospects
Authors: Odenwald Michael
Published: September 2010

Chronischer Khatkonsum und psychotische Störungen: ein Literaturüberblick und Ausblick

Fragestellung: Khatblätter, die das amphetaminähnliche Kathinon enthalten, werden traditionell in afrikanischen und arabischen Ländern gekaut. In den letzten Jahrzehnten veränderte sich das Konsummuster tiefgreifend. Darauf Bezug nehmend wird hier ein Überblick über den Zusammenhang von Khatkonsum und Psychosen gegeben.

 Ergebnisse: Mehrere Falldarstellungen aber nur wenige Gruppen- und Populationsstudien behandeln das Thema. Sie sind insgesamt inkonsistent, haben methodische Probleme, berichten oft nur qualitative Ergebnisse und behandeln wichtige Fragen nicht.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Obwohl Khatkonsum häufig mit Psychosen in Zusammenhang gebracht wird, gibt es nur wenige fundierte Studien. Gesicherte Erkenntnisse sind z. B., dass exzessiver Khatgenuss zu kurzdauernden Psychosen führen kann und dass vulnerablen Personen vom Khatkonsum abgeraten werden sollte. Unklar bleibt die Richtung des Zusammenhangs zwischen Khatkonsum und unspezifischer Psychopathologie. Quantitative, kontrollierte Längsschnittstudien sind erforderlich, um psychiatrische Konsequenzen zu verstehen, und inwieweit Khat mit der Entwicklung von langdauernden Psychosen und ihrem Verlauf zusammenhängt.
Männergerechte Ziele und Angebote in der Suchttherapie – Tabu und Nachholbedarf
Authors: Edel Marcel , Klingemann Harald , Sieber Martin , Meyer Thomas
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Obwohl ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen Sucht und maskuliner Rolle besteht, gibt es bisher kaum männerspezifische Therapieangebote. Zudem fehlen empirische Grundlagen zur Gestaltung solcher Programme.

 Methodik: Die vorliegende Untersuchung bei zwei Schweizer Fachkliniken greift die Frage geschlechtsrelevanter Therapieziele und Modalitäten im Rahmen einer 2006 durchgeführten schriftlichen Befragung des Personals (n=102) und der PatientInnen (n=122) auf.

 Ergebnisse: Die Mehrheit des therapeutischen Personals befürwortet eine Einführung männerspezifischer Angebote, insbesondere reine Männergruppen mit männlichen Therapeuten. Der Vergleich von Patienten- und Therapeutenperspektive zeigt Diskrepanzen bezüglich der vorgegebenen Therapieziele auf.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Die Studie zeigt bislang tabuisierte Versorgungslücken auf und schlägt zukünftige Forschungsfelder vor.
Unmet needs and barriers to health-care utilization among young adult, problematic drug users: An exploratory study
Authors: Witteveen Ewald , C. v. Ameijden Erik J. , Prins Maria , Schippers Gerard M.
Published: September 2010

Bedarf und Hürden bei der Inanspruchnahme von Hilfsangeboten für Jugendliche mit problematischem Drogenkonsum – Eine explorative Studie

Fragestellung: Untersuchung von Bedarf und Hürden bei der Inanspruchnahme von Hilfsangeboten für Jugendliche mit problematischem Drogenkonsum in Amsterdam.

 Methodik: Qualitative Studie mit Tiefeninterviews. Die Rekrutierung der Teilnehmer erfolgte direkt (Kontakt auf der Straße; Methadon-Vergabestellen) und indirekt (Respondent-driven sampling). Beginn der Studie war 2001; die Stichprobe umfasste 50 Teilnehmer mit problematischem Konsum.

 Ergebnisse: Es zeigte sich, dass es sehr viele Bedürfnisse bei den Teilnehmern gibt, die vom Hilfesystem nicht erfüllt werden. So benötigen die Teilnehmer Sofort-Hilfe bei der Organisation von Grundbedürfnissen wie Unterkunft, Finanzen und Arbeit; die Hälfte der Teilnehmer wollte Hilfe bei der Beendigung des Drogenkonsums. Ursachen für die Schwierigkeiten das Hilfsangebot angemessen zu nutzen sind: Fehlen von persönlicher Supervision und Hilfe, die nicht an die Mitarbeit der Klienten gebunden ist; Aufsplittung der Hilfeleistungen, Wartelisten, Freiwilligkeit der Behandlung und zu hohe Konzentration auf Abstinenz.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Die Angebote waren zugänglich, aber oft nicht optimal. Die Klienten wünschen sich eine dauerhafte Zusammenarbeit mit Fachleuten. Sie beanstanden, dass eher die Patienten an die Ziele der verschiedenen Serviceangebote angepasst werden, als dass die Angebote auf sie als Individuum abgestimmt werden. Es wurde deutlich, dass es den Hilfsinstitutionen nicht gelingt eine umfassende Verantwortung für ihre Klienten zu übernehmen.
Diamorphingestützte Behandlung und Kriminalität
Authors: Löbmann Rebecca
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Im Rahmen des bundesdeutschen Modellprojekts zur Heroinabgabe an Schwerstabhängige wurde die kriminellen Aktivität der Studienteilnehmer untersucht (N=1,015). Die Hauptfragestellung war, ob die Abgabe synthetischen Heroins (Diamorphin) im Vergleich zur Methadonsubstitution zu einem stärkeren Rückgang der Kriminalität führt.

 Methodik: Es wurde ein kontrolliertes randomisiertes Studiendesign verwendet. Als Datenquellen wurden Dunkelfelddaten in Form selbstberichteter Delinquenz und Hellfelddaten in Form polizeilicher Tatverdächtigendaten herangezogen.

 Ergebnisse: Es zeigte sich ein deutlich stärkerer Rückgang der Delinquenz unter der Diamorphinbehandlung im Vergleich zur Methadonsubstitution. So nahm die selbstberichtete 12-Monatsprävalenz aller Delikte in der Heroingruppe von 78,8 % auf 45,4 % ab (P<0,000), in der Methadongruppe jedoch nur von 79,1 % auf 62,7 % (P<0,000). Die polizeilich registrierte Deliktprävalenz ging in der Heroingruppe von 41,3 % auf 30,5 % (P<0,001) zurück, in der Methadongruppe war die Veränderung nicht signifikant.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Ihre kriminalitätsmindernde Wirkung dürfte erheblich zur gesellschaftlichen Akzeptanz der Diamorphinbehandlung beitragen und ist somit ein wichtiger Gesichtspunkt in der aktuellen politischen Diskussion.
Validität von cannabisbezogenen Diagnosen in Suchtberatungsstellen
Authors: Simon Roland , Kraus Ludwig
Published: September 2010

Hintergrund: Die Diagnosestellung in ambulanten Beratungsstellen für Suchtkranke ist wiederholt kritisch hinterfragt worden. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht die Validität der Cannabis-Diagnosen (ICD-10: schädlicher Gebrauch und Abhängigkeitssyndrom), die im Rahmen der Deutschen Suchthilfestatistik (DSHS) erfasst werden.

 Methodik: Im Rahmen der Studie zu Primären Cannabisbezogenen Störungen (CARED) wurden in 52 zufällig ausgewählten ambulanten Einrichtungen der Suchthilfe n=86 Klienten, die zwischen Dezember 2002 und Dezember 2003 in Betreuung dieser Einrichtung waren, mit Hilfe eines computergestützten klinischen Interviews (CIDI) diagnostiziert. Die Ergebnisse der Validierungsdiagnose wurde mit den Diagnosen im Rahmen der Routineverfahren der DSHS verglichen.

 Ergebnisse: In 74,4  % aller Fälle wurde in der Validierungsdiagnose eine klinisch relevante Cannabisstörung festgestellt. Berücksicht man die festgestellten Fehlklassifikationen so ergeben sich rund 17.400 Zugängen mit primären Cannabisproblemen im Jahr 2005. Bei 63,9 % der Cannabisklienten wurde eine Monodiagnose festgestellt, bei 23,0 % besteht neben der Cannabisstörung eine Alkoholstörung.

 Schlussfolgerungen: Die Verwendung von ICD-10 im Rahmen der Basisdokumentation erwies sich insgesamt als brauchbar.
Die Haaranalyse auf psychoaktive Substanzen im Vergleich zur Urinuntersuchung
Authors: Skopp Gisela
Published: September 2010

Ausgangslage: Die Haaranalyse gilt, ebenso wie die gängigere Urinuntersuchung auf psychotrope Substanzen, als leicht durchführbar und interpretierbar. Zwischen beiden Matrices gibt es jedoch grundlegend verschiedene biologische, präanalytische und analytische Aspekte, um zu einem aussagekräftigen Befund zu gelangen.

 Einflussgrößen: Urin und Haar sind hoch variabel zusammengesetzt. Morphologische Schädigungen der Haarfaser durch Alterung oder haarkosmetische Behandlung gehen mit einer Abnahme der Suchtstoffkonzentration einher. Urin und Haar unterscheiden sich grundsätzlich hinsichtlich ihres Analytmusters, auf das Probenaufbereitung und Messverfahren abgestimmt sein müssen. Die bisher nicht eindeutig geklärte Inkorporation von Fremdstoffen erschwert die Interpretation eines Haarbefundes wesentlich. Die Annahme einer Wachstumsgeschwindigkeit von ca. 1 cm pro Monat ist nur eine grobe Schätzung.

 Perspektiven: Der Bezug von Haarbefund und Melaningehalt sollte weiter untersucht werden. Enzympolymorphismen könnten die Variabilität von Haarbefunden teilweise erklären. Mehrere Studien zeigten bereits, dass ein Drogenkonsum durch eine Haaruntersuchung häufiger als durch eine Urinanalyse aufgedeckt werden kann.

 Fazit: Welches Untersuchungsmaterial bevorzugt in eine Analyse eingesetzt werden soll, richtet sich vorrangig nach Verfügbarkeit und Fragestellung, wobei sich Urin und Haar aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Nachweisfenster ergänzen.