bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of varying dose and pattern of administration of ovine FSH on the response to superovulation in performance tested, juvenile Simmental heifers
Authors: Broadbent P.J. , Tregaskes L.D. , Dolman D.F. , Smith A.K.
Published: September 2010

The response of performance tested purebred Simmental heifers to various superovulatory treatments with ovine FSH was examined in two experiments. The heifers were 12 months old at embryo recovery, had average live weights of 468·4 kg (experiment 1) and 493·2 kg (experiment 2), and were fat (body condition score approx.4·0 to 4·5 units) at embryo recovery. In experiment 1, the effect of administering a total of 9·0 or 10·8 mg ovine FSH (Ovagen) administered as eight equal doses twice daily over 4 days was evaluated. In experiment 2, a total of 9·0 mg ovine FSH was administered either in equal doses in a level pattern or in declining doses twice daily over 4 days.

The response to the low, compared with the high, dose of ovine FSH in experiment 1 was 8·8 v. 10·5 ovulations (corpora lutea); 7·7 v. 7·7 totalova plus embryos recovered; 6·0 v. 4·1 viable embryos; 4·4 v. 3·1 grade 1 embryos (P > 0·05); and 1·7 v. 4·1 non-fertile ova(F < 0·01). In experiment 2, the response to the same total dose of ovine FSH administered in a level compared to a declining pattern was 8·5 v. 10·7 ovulations; 5·6 v. 9·6 total ova plus embryos; 3·1 v. 5·6 viable embryos; 2·5 v. 3·8 grade 1 embryos; and 1·7 v. 2·2 non-fertile ova. It was concluded that, although the differences between the treatments in the yields of viable and grade 1 embryos were not significantly different, there are practical and economic advantages to using a low rather than a high level of gonadotropin and there are no marked disadvantages in these areas to administering ovine FSH in a declining rather than a level pattern of doses.
The eye of the domesticated sheep with implications for vision
Authors: Piggins D. , Phillips C. J. C.
Published: September 2010

The eyes of eighteen female sheep (Ovis aries) were refracted and details of inter ocular distance, pupil size, shape and fundus presence recorded. The sheep eyes generally possessed very low hyperopia with little astigmatism, such physiological optics being expected to produce a well focused retinal image for objects in the middle and long distance. No evidence was found for accommodation, which would have produced a well focused ocular image for near objects. A further 10 sheep had their monocular and binocular visual fields measured. The estimated visual field suggests the existence of at least binocular vision, if not the presence of stereopsis. Given the lack of accommodation and a wide inter-ocular distance, it is likely that some degree of stereopsis exists in the animal's middle and long distance vision, but is absent in near vision. These findings support those taken from the animal's neurophysiology and observations of its visually guided behaviour.
The effects of wilting of grass prior to ensiling on the response to bacterial inoculation. 1. Silage fermentation and nutrient utilization over three harvests
Authors: Yan T. , Patterson D. C. , Gordon F. J. , Porter M. G.
Published: September 2010

Four silages were prepared from perennial ryegrass swards at each of first (primary growth), second (first regrowth) and third (second regrowth) harvests during the 1993 growing season. At each harvest the four silages included two unwilted (without and with inoculant at 2·4 l/t) and two wilted (without and with inoculant at 24 l/t). The four silages within a single harvest, were offered as the total diet at maintenance levels to 12 wether sheep for 3 weeks to determine nutrient apparent digestibilities. They were also given to 12 lactating dairy coivs together with a concentrate supplement, in a three-period change-over study with experimental periods of 8-weeks duration, to examine dry matter (DM) apparent digestibility and utilization of nitrogen (N) and energy in the diets.

Inoculation tended to improve silage fermentation with on average lower pH and ammonia-N/total-N across the three harvests, while wilting of grass prior to ensiling significantly increased silage pH fP < 0·001) and ammonia-N/total-N (P < 0·001). Neither inoculation nor wilting had any significant effect on mean nutrient apparent digestibilities, assessed through sheep, across the three harvests. However, at the second harvest inoculation significantly reduced apparent digestibilities of DM (P < 0·001) and N (P < 0·001). At this harvest, wilting also significantly decreased apparent digestibilities of DM (P<0·05) and N (P <0·01), but significantly increased apparent digestibilities of DM (P < 0·05), energy (P < 0·001) and N (F < 0·05) at the third harvest. When the silages were offered as mixed diets to dairy cattle, neither inoculation nor wilting had significant effects on digestibilities of DM, N and energy at any of the three harvests, except for wilting which significantly decreased DM apparent digestibilities (P < 0·05) at the second harvest. However, the mean apparent digestibilities of DM (P < 0·01), N (P < 0·05) and energy (P < 0·01) across the three harvests were significantly lower following wilting, and N apparent digestibility (P < 0·05) was significantly higher following inoculation. The calorimetric data indicated that inoculaton had no significant effects on either methane energy output or heat production. Wilting also had no significant effect on methane energy output, but significantly increased daily heat production (P<0·05) at the first harvest. The efficiencies of metabolizable energy utilization for lactation (k1) were similar between the four silages at each of the first and second harvests, with the average being 0·50. The results of the present study indicated that inoculation tended to improve silage fermentation and significantly increased mean N apparent digestibility of mixed diets across the three harvests, while wilting significantly reduced mean DM, N and energy apparent digestibilities of mixed diets. Neither inoculation nor wilting had significant effects on Rvalue.
Effect of bovine follicular fluid treatment and progesterone priming on luteal function in GnRH-treated seasonally anoestrous ewes
Authors: Basiouni G. F. , Khalid M. , Haresign W.
Published: September 2010

The main objective of the present experiment was to investigate whether progesterone priming eliminates defective luteal function in seasonally anoestrous ewes induced to ovulate with pulsatile GnRH treatment by synchronizing the early stages of follicle development. This was achieved by suppressing and synchronizing the early stages of follicle development with bovine follicular fluid (bFF) and then investigating whether this was sufficient to eliminate defective luteal function following the induction of ovulation with GnRH. Ewes in group 1 (no. = 10) were injected s.c. with 2 ml bFF at 8-h intervals for a period of 3 days before the start of GnRH treatment. Animals in group 2 (no. = 10), ivhich served as positive controls, were given a single i.m. injection of 20 mg progesterone 3 days before the start of GnRH treatment, while those in group 3 (no. = 10), which served as negative controls, were injected with corn oil alone at this time. Ewes in all the three groups were induced to ovulate by administration of 2-hourly injections of GnRH (250 ng per injection) for 54 h. Frequent blood samples for LH, FSH, and oestradiol were collected around the time of both progesterone/bFF injections and GnRH treatment, as well as daily thereafter to monitor luteal function.

The bFF injections given to animals in group 1 resulted in a significant (P<0·001) suppression of FSH concentrations, followed by a rebound rise in concentrations after the cessation of treatment. GnRH treatment significantly (P < 0·05) increased both mean LH pulse amplitude and overall mean LH concentrations in all the three groups, while LH pulse frequency was increased only in non-bFF-treated ewes. Plasma oestradiol concentrations 24 h after the start of GnRH treatment were significantly (P < 0·05) higher in groups 2 and 3 compared with group 1. These differences in the patterns of oestradiol concentrations over time were associated with a significant (P <0·05) delay in the onset of the pre-ovulatory LH surge in ewes treated witli bFF (group 1). However, there was no difference in either the duration or the height of pre-ovulatory LH surge between the three treatment groups. Ewes in all three treatment groups ovulated in response to GnRH treatment. However, both laparoscopic examination and plasma progesterone concentrations revealed that the incidence of normal luteal function was significantly (P < 0·05) higher in group 2 (10/10) compared with groups 1 (2/10) and 3 (4/10), with no difference between groups 1 and 3. Overall, these results suggest that progesterone priming does not eliminate defective luteal function through synchronizing early stages offollicle development.
Carbohydrate and lipid metabolism at rest and under physical and metabolic load in normal pigs and those with the genetic mutation for malignant hyperthermia
Authors: Otten W. , Eichinger H. M.
Published: September 2010

The plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, lactate, cortisol and free fatty acids were investigated in normal pigs and those with the homozygous and heterozygous genetic mutation for malignant hyperthermia (MH). Blood samples were obtained during a 24-h resting period, a glucose tolerance test and during a treadmill test with submaximal physical load conditions. The homozygous MH positive animals elicited the highest glucose concentrations and the homozygous MH negative animals the lowest at each sampling time during the 24-h period (P < 0·01). During the glucose tolerance test, the most pronounced post-prandial increase and the highest plasma concentrations of glucose were found for the homozygous MH positive animals (P < 0·01), which was associated with a late release of insulin. Increasing work loads during the treadmill test run resulted in an increase of plasma cortisol concentrations in all animals (P < 0·01), with the more pronounced increase for the homozygous and heterozygous MH positive animals. Plasma free fatty acid concentrations during the treadmill test differed between the genotypes (P < 0·05). A pronounced increase was found for the homozygous and heterozygous MH positive animals, whereas the MH negative animals provided very constant free fatty acid values, at a low level, independent of the work load. These results indicate that the genetic mutation for MH in pigs affects the metabolic pathways of the energy metabolism, resulting in higher plasma glucose concentrations at rest and higher lipolytic activities under physical load conditions.
The environmental impact of intensive systems of animal production in the lowlands
Authors: Atkinson D. , Watson C. A.
Published: September 2010

Environmental issues, linked to the production of animals in lowland farming systems, are reviewed, using pigs, poultry and dairy cattle as examples. The principal livestock production factors influencing their environmental impact are identified as the balance between different farm animal types and the husbandry practices used for these species, the variable potential which exists for the recycling of wastes and the modification of inputs to systems, the extent to which animal production can be integrated into more holistic farming systems and the impact of livestock on 'wildlife' (plant and animal) biodiversity. The production of large quantities of nitrogenous waste, resulting from the importation of large quantities of nitrogen to intensive animal production units, is identified as the major environmental problem for lowland animal production. The development of-systems which allow these waste products to be re-used at sites of primary crop production is seen as a sustainable solution to this problem.
The effect of lysine/digestible energy ratio on growth performance and nitrogen deposition of hybrid boars, gilts and castrated male pigs
Authors: Van Lunen T. A. , Cole D. J. A.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of dietary lysine/digestible energy (DE) ratio (g/MJ) on growth performance and body composition of boars, gilts and castrated males from 25 to 90 kg live weight. Twelve pigs (four of each sex) were assigned to each dietary treatment consisting of lysine/DE ratios from 0·4 to 1·4, in 0·2 g/MJ increments. Food was provided at proportionately 0·90 ad libitum and at 90 kg all pigs were slaughtered and the body composition of two pigs per sex per treatment was determined. Responses to lysine/DE ratios were similar for all sexes up to the optimum level after which daily live-weight gain (DLWG) and nitrogen deposition rate (NDR) deteriorated in gilts and castrated males. This deterioration may have been due to energy used for deamination of excess protein not being availablefor growth processes. Lipid deposition rate (LDR) remained constant from the 0·4 to 0·8 g/MJ lysine/DE ratios and then decreased sharply to a lower plateau from the 1·0 to 1·4 g/MJ lysine/DE ratios suggesting that DE levels were adequate to meet NDR requirements up to the 1·0 g/MJ lysine/DE ratio when it became limiting. The optimum lysine/DE ratio for the genotype tested from 25 to 90 kg live weight was of the order of 0·95 to 1·0 g/MJ. The maximum NDR of the genotype tested appears to be of the order of 28 to 30 g/day (175 to 187 g/day protein deposition rate).
Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins in domestic animals
Authors: Hossner K. L. , McCusker R. H. , Dodson M. V.
Published: September 2010

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins play an essential role in regulating animal growth and metabolism. The initial portion of the current review focuses on the physiological effects of the IGFs and delineates their role as regulators of animal growth and metabolism. The role of IGFs as mediators of growth hormone effects, as insulin-like metabolic regulators and as foetal growth regulators is discussed. The remainder of the review is devoted to the IGF binding proteins, their modulation of IGF action and their role in foetal and postnatal regulation of growth.
Feeding behaviour and the intake of food and water by sheep after a period of deprivation lasting 14 h
Authors: Hall S. J. G. , Schmidt B. , Broom D. M.
Published: September 2010

After 14 h of confinement in a stationary trailer, sheep were found to have lost proportionately a mean of 0·057 of their body weight. Two experiments, one with a heterogeneous flock (28·6 to 93·2 kg body weight) and the other with a more homogeneous flock (32·4 to 46·6 kg) showed very little recovery of this loss after 1 h ofad libitumfood and water. When offered familiar concentrates, sheep ate on average 1·2 kg per animal in the 1st h, water only being taken in quantity (>5·01 per animal) in the next 6 h. Hay was taken at a much lower rate (0·25 kg per animal) and less water drunk (1·51 per animal). Competitive social interactions were five times more frequent during hay feeding than during concentrate feeding. After 14 h of confinement a break of Ih is evidently insufficient for feeding and watering and could result in poor welfare. If concentrates are offered, the resulting water deficit will not be redressed within 1 h, resulting in a strong motivation to drink when no water is available. If hay is offered, the heightened level of competitive social interaction could also result in poor welfare.
Heart rate and respiratory adjustments during work of increasing intensity in Hinterwaelder and Zebu oxen
Authors: Rometsch M. , Roser U. , Becker K. , Susenbeth A.
Published: September 2010

Heart rate, ventilation measurements and gas exchange were studied in seven Hinterwaelder (Bos taurus) (494 (s.e. 16) kg) and five zebu (Bos indicusj oxen (516 (s.e. 60) kg), while the animals were standing, walking and pulling different loads. During standing, the heart rate, respiration rate, ventilation volume per min, total carbon dioxide production, total oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption per heart beat were lower in the zebu group than in the Hinterwaelder group (P < 0·05). The higher values for the Hinterwaelder were probably due to their higher metabolic rate, because of their younger age, higher level of feeding and better quality diet. The adaptation of gas exchange to higher work loads was achieved mainly by higher ventilation volumes. The composition of the expired air changed minimally. At similar levels of draught power output, the total energy expenditure minus energy expenditure of walking of the zebu oxen was lower than that of the Hinterwaelder oxen (P < 0·02). On the other hand at similar levels of heat production, the heart rate and ventilation volume per min did not differ significantly between the two breeds (P > 0·05). In spite of the differences in environment, feeding level and draught efficiency, the physiological adaptations made by the two breeds in response to work were similar.
Response of castrated male sheep to oestrogenic and androgenic compounds implanted alone or in combination
Authors: Galbraith H. , Singh S. B. , Scaife J. R.
Published: September 2010

Forty-eight Greyface wether lambs, aged about 6 months and weighing 32 kg on average were used. They were allocated to be treated, by subcutaneous implantation in the upper surface of the ear flap, with the naturally occurring steroids oestradiol-17β (O), testosterone (T) or the synthetically produced androgen trenbolone acetate (TA). Treatment groups were as follows: sham-implanted controls (C); 50 mg O (slow release formulation) (O); 40 mg TA (compressed pellets} (TA); 50 mg T (compressed pellets) (T); 15 mg O + 40 mg TA (TAO); 15 mg O + 50 mg T (TO). Combined implants were placed in close proximity under the skin of the same ear. The lambs were offered, to appetite, a good quality diet containing per kg dry matter (DM) an estimated 12-0 MJ metabolizable energy and 150 g crude protein. Comparisons were made for the main effects of O and the androgens T and TA. Main effects due to O were increased DM intake, live-weight gain (LWG) empty body weight (EBW), chilled carcass iveight (CCW), carcass crude protein (CP) deposition, plasma insulin concentrations and teat length with reductions recorded for the proportion but not weight of fat in the carcass, plasma urea and thyroxine concentrations. Treatment with androgens did not, on average, influence LWG or other indices of growth performance or carcass composition other than to produce significant increases in carcass phosphorus deposition and reduction in the depth of thorax. Significant increases in the iveight of penile tissue and reductions in teat length were recorded. There was evidence for a greater androgenic effect on penile tissue and anti-oestrogenic effect (on teat length) of TA compared with T at the concentrations used. TA also reduced the weight of the thymus gland, an effect reversed in the presence ofO.

Analysis of plasma taken from the vein contralateral to the site of implantation showed that O concentrations were reduced in the presence of TA and T, and that O had no effect on the concentrations of androgens measured. Concentrations ofT and 17 β-hydroxy-trenbolone in blood were of a similar order, which for T is typical of postpubertal entire male sheep.

The results suggest that O treatment was effective in promoting growth and carcass CP deposition which was not increased by T or TA, despite the presence of these androgens at biologically active concentrations in blood. This effect appears to differ from the additive effects frequently obtained for castrated male cattle.
A comparison of the optical probe HGP and the ultrasonic devices Renco and Pie Medical for estimation of the lean meat proportion in pig carcasses
Authors: Hulsegge B. , Merkus G. S. M.
Published: September 2010

Fat (and muscle) thickness measurements were carried out in five slaughterhouses on 174 selected carcasses to compare the Hennessy Grading Probe (HGP) with the Renco Lean-Meater (Renco) and Pie Medical ultrasonic devices for their ability to predict the lean meat proportion of pig carcasses. The day after selection, all left carcass sides were dissected according to the simplified European Union (EU) reference method. In addition 44 of these sides were further dissected according to the full EU reference method.

In a further set of slaughterhouses it was found impossible to measure fat thickness with the Renco and Pie Medical ultrasonic device due to extreme singeing of the carcasses. From the five slaughterhouses, between third and fourth from last rib, 6 cm off the dorsal mid line, observations on fat thickness with HGP and Pie Medical were similar but observations with Renco were significantly lower (F < 0·001). Correlations between fat thickness measurements taken with HGP, Renco and Pie Medical all exceeded 0·95.

In terms of residual standard deviations of prediction formulae, the HGP performed highly better than Renco or Pie Medical (23·7, 25·1 and 24·9 g/kg respectively). These results, together with practical problems, make the use of ultrasonic measurements under practical conditions at present less feasible than using the HGP.
Interactions among tannins, supplementation and polyethylene glycol in goats given oak leaves: effects on digestion and food intake
Authors: Silanikove N. , Gilboa N. , Nitsan Z.
Published: September 2010

Effects were studied on food intake and diet apparent digestibility of giving to goats once daily a basal diet rich in tannin from inclusion of leaves of Quercus calliprinos either supplemented with a high carbohydrate or a high protein food. Also interactions with polyethylene glycol (PEG) were investigated. The results of the present work confirmed our presumption that the content of tannin in some Mediterranean browse is so high that it may negatively affect the utilization of protein in supplementary foods. Neutralizing the tannins with once-daily provision of PEG proved to be an effective means of preventing the negative effect. Providing 10 g/day PEG to goats given Quercus calliprinos leaves ad libitum and supplemented with 300 g/day concentrates containing 160 g crude protein per kg DM increased digestible crude protein intake by 50 g/day. When the concentrate food was given to goats, leaf dry-matter intake decreased significantly (from 664 to 565 g/day) and the goats lost weight rapidly. Therefore, supplementing tannin-rich leaves with concentrate food is recommended only if done in combination with PEG. High protein supplementation increased leaf (from 664 to 844 g/day) and digestible protein intakes (from 4·8 to 92·3 g/day) but a considerable portion of the protein supplementation was wasted due to interaction with tannins. PEG may allow economies in the use of such high-cost foods due to the greater efficiency of protein utilization (digestible crude protein intake increased from 92·3 to 122 g/day) of the supplementary food and to increased intake and protein utilization of the basal leaf diet (from 844 to 1023 g/day).
Prediction of voluntary intake and digestibility of maize silages given to sheep from morphological and chemical composition, in vitro digestibility or rumen degradation characteristics
Authors: Ferret A. , Gasa J. , Plaixats J. , Casañas F. , Bosch L. , Nuez F.
Published: September 2010

Eleven maize silages with crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) ranging from 77 to 93 and 359 to 542 g/kg dry matter (DM) respectively, were used to study the relationship between ear content, chemical composition, fermentative characteristics, in vitro DM digestibility and ruminal degradation characteristics, on the one hand, and the voluntary DM intake by sheep or in vivo organic matter apparent digestibility (OM digestibility), on the other.

The silages were offered ad libitum to mature ewes given a daily supplement of 85 g of soya-bean meal. DM intake varied from 41·1 to 68·6 g DM per kg M0·75 daily. OM digestibility and NDF apparent digestibility were measured, using the same ewes in a period subsequent to that of voluntary intake measurement. The silages, in this case, were offered at a feeding level of 1·2 maintenance. OM digestibility and NDF apparent digestibility ranged from 0·622 to 0·757 and from 0·377 to 0·605, respectively. Rumen DM disappearance was measured by incubating samples in nylon bags in the rumen of three silage-fed rumen-cannulated wethers for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and by fitting the exponential model to the results. Potential degradabilities (defined as a + b) for DM ranged from 728 to 815 g/kg.

Accurate prediction of DM intake (r = 0·93; P < 0·01; residual s.d. = 3·9) and OM digestibility (r = 0·86; P < 0·01; residual s.d. = 0·022) was achieved using the soluble fraction (a) and the insoluble but fermentable matter (B) and the insoluble but potentially degradable fraction (b), respectively. However, looking for a compromise between accuracy and simplicity, reliability and inexpensiveness, ear content is proposed as a predictor of OM digestibility (r = 0·85; P < 0·01) and the pH and acetic acid concentration of the silages may be used as a predictor of DM intake (r = 0·80; P < 0·05).
Effect of body condition and energy utilization on the length of post-partum anoestrus in PRID-treated and untreated post-partumBos indicus(Zebu) cattle
Authors: Mukasa-Mugerwa E. , Anindo D. , Lahlou-Kassi A. , Umunna N. N. , Tegegne A.
Published: September 2010

Forty-five Bos indicus (zebu) cows were blocked by body condition (BC) score at calving and allocated by body weight (BW) to three treatments: untreated controls (CON), and progesterone-releasing intra-vaginal device (PRID)-treated at either 45 (T45) or 60 days (T60) post partum. Cows were given food individually and blood-sampled three times a week for progesterone. Calves sucked twice a day and were weighed weekly. PRIDs resulted in only 21% of cows responding at 60 days and they did not reduce anoestrus (PPI) or calving interval (CI) (P > 0·05). Dry matter (DM) and metabolizable energy (ME) intake were 7·1 (s.e. 0·6) kg and 54·3 (s.e. 4·6) MJ/day, respectively. BC score and BW at calving, and ME intake influenced cow and calf average daily gain ranging from −580 to 625 and 331 to 868 g/day, respectively. Milk yield during the first 4 months was 507 (s.e. 97) l. Cows gained 25 kg per unit increase in condition but lost 50 kg for a unit decline. CI (mean 14·2, range 10 to 24 months) was inversely related to BC score at calving (r = −0·31) and was delayed by a long PPI (r = 0·51), ranging from 38 to 297 days. Most (95%) cows experienced one or more ‘silent ovulations’ before first oestrus, the number extending PPI length (r = 0·49,P< 0·001). Efficiency of ME utilization was higher for smaller cows of 240 (s.e. 28) kg at calving. It is concluded that: (1) PRID treatment before 60 days post partum is unlikely to reduce anoestrus in Boran zebu cattle; (2) given adequate energy intake zebu cattle in thin condition at calving initially replenish body reserves at the cost of lactation and experience more ‘silent’ ovarian activity before returning to oestrus; (3) cows in good condition at calving express maximum lactation potential, mobilizing their own body reserves to support milk production, yet resume oestrous activity earlier despite weight losses to support higher milk yields.
Detection of silent oestrus in dairy cows by milk temperature measurement
Authors: Gil Z , Szarek J. , Kural J.
Published: September 2010

Milk temperature was measured automatically during milking with a view to detecting silent oestrus in dairy cows. A total of 38 silent oestrous periods were studied, based mainly on ovulation and milk progesterone levels together with visual observation.

In 78·9% of silent oestrous periods, a significant increase in milk temperature amounting to a mean of 0·6 (s.e. 0·07)°C was found, and this was highly correlated (r = 0·90) with an increased body temperature. In most silent oestrous periods increases in milk and body temperatures and ovulation with milk progesterone levels below 2 μg/l were found, the oestrous cycles being characterized by typical progesterone profiles. In some cows increases in milk and body temperatures and ovulation during a silent oestrous period were associated with non-typical progesterone profiles although most of these occurred shortly after parturition.
Genetic parameters for a simple predictor of the lifespan of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle and its relationship to production
Authors: Brotherstone S. , Veerkamp R. F. , Hill W. G.
Published: September 2010

The herd life of dairy cows was approximated by a single lifespan value based on the geometric distribution and accounting for the number of lactations each cow had completed or, if still in the herd, was expected to complete. For cows which had completed lactation n, but had not had time to complete lactation n + 1, the probability of survival from lactation n to complete lactation n + 1, from n + 1 to n + 2 etc. was incorporated, utilizing average population survival probabilities.

Formulae for the genetic variance in lifespan, its heritability and the genetic regression of breeding value on phenotype, the latter found to be independent of the amount of information included in the phenotype, are derived and checked by simulation.

From an analysis of 25227 dairy cows, each with the opportunity to complete five lactations, the heritability of lifespan was 0·06 and its genetic correlation with survival to complete three, four and five lactations ranged from 0·90 to 0·96, for both complete and incomplete survival information, showing that the lifespan trait appears to account adequately for missing observations. Genetic correlations between lifespan and first lactation yield traits were around 0·50, whilst the corresponding phenotypic correlations were approximately 0·13.
Effects of amount offered and chopping on intake and selection of sorghum stover by Ethiopian sheep and cattle
Authors: Osafo E. L. K. , Owen E. , Said A. N. , Gill M. , Sherington J.
Published: September 2010

Experiment 1, with rams (17·0 kg initial weight (M)), and experiment 2, with steers (203 kg M), involved 2 × 2 arrangements of treatments to compare the effect of doubling the amount of stover offered (25 or 50 g/kg M daily) and chopping (unchopped or chopped), upon intake, selection and live-weight change. The stover used was a non-bird-resistant, local variety (Dinkamash). The particle length distribution of the chopped stover (produced by a tractor-driven chaff cutter) was: <4·5 mm, 0·148; 4·5 to 8 mm, 0·157; 8 to 12 mm, 0·181; 12 to 20 mm, 0·269; 20 to 33 mm, 0·168; 33 to 54 mm, 0·040; 54 to 90 mm, 0·003; >90mm, 0·034. The stover was supplemented with minerals and cottonseed cake (sheep, 0·1 kg dry matter (DM) per day; cattle, 0·76 kg DM per day). Experiment 1, over 56 days, involved 48 Menz Highland, 18-month-old, rams, with four replicate pens containing three rams. Experiment 2, over 49 days, used 32, individually penned, Friesian × zebu yearling steers. With rams, doubling the amount offered and chopping increased intake, and the effects were additive (unchopped: 0·98v.2·24; chopped: 1·08v.1·60 (s.e. 0·071) kg DM per pen per day). With steers, there was an amount × chopping interaction (P < 0·05) (unchopped: 3·7v.4·7 chopped: 3·6v.3·9 (s.e. 0·16) kg DM per day), with chopping reducing intake of stover offered at 50 g/kg M per day. Increased intakes were associated with increased growth rate. In both experiments refused stover contained less leaf-plus-sheath than offered stover but the difference was more pronounced in rams compared with steers indicating the superior selective ability of the rams. In rams offered unchopped stover, the increase in stover intake with increasing amount offered was accounted for by a proportional 1·03 unit increase in consumption of leaf-plus-sheath and a 0·06 unit reduction in intake of stem. Doubling the amount of unchopped stover offered increased intake of both rams and steers by 0·27 unit. Chopping stover was clearly beneficial for rams but not for steers. Doubling the amount of stover offered is a simple excess-feeding strategy to apply. Excess feeding also increases the proportion of stover refused from about 0·2 to 0·5, thus generating an uneaten residue available for other purposes, e.g. mulch or compost.
Individual animal model estimates of genetic parameters for performance test traits of male and female landrace pigs tested in a commercial nucleus herd
Authors: Crump R. E. , Haley C. S. , Thompson R. , Mercer J.
Published: September 2010

Estimates of heritabilities, common litter of birth effects and additive maternal genetic effects were produced for ultrasonic backfat depth, average daily food intake, average daily gain and food conversion ratio of Landrace boars and gilts. Boars and gilts were performance tested under different regimes. A bivariate derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood procedure was used to estimate genetic correlations between the performance test traits as recorded in the two sexes.

Heritability estimates from the analysis including the common litter of birth effect tended to be towards the low end of the range of recently published estimates. This may reflect either population specific effects, such as effects of long-term selection, or the use of an individual animal model.

Estimates of the common litter of birth effect were around 0·05, and generally had a significant effect upon the fit of the model, while additive maternal genetic effect estimates were negligible. Therefore, it is expected that omission of maternal effects from models for evaluation by best linear unbiased prediction will not hinder genetic progress. Inclusion of common litter of birth effects would be recommended, although this result may not hold for populations given food ad libitum.

The estimates of genetic correlations between performance test traits of boars and gilts indicate that the levels of genotype-environment interaction (G × E) and genotype-sex interaction were low across most traits and data sets, with all genetic correlation estimates lying between 0·8 and 1·0. The lowest estimates of the genetic correlations, which were observed in data sets where the environments appeared to differ most, indicate that G × E interactions may be a problem in populations where males and females are subject to test regimes with greater differences than those seen here.
The influence of dietary energy source and dietary protein level on milk protein concentration from dairy cows
Authors: Moorby J. M. , Dewhurst R. J. , Thomas C. , Marsden S.
Published: September 2010

To investigate the effects of energy source and protein level of diets on milk protein content, 12 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square change-over experiment with 4-week periods. Four diets were offered, withad libitumsilage as proportionately 0·40 of the diet, and the remaining 0·60 as one of four concentrates, two based on barley and two on molassed sugar-beet pulp. Two protein levels were achieved by altering the amounts of digestible undegraded protein in the concentrates, with all diets formulated to supply equal quantities of rumen degradable protein. There was no effect of diet on dry-matter intakes. Both starch and high dietary protein levels significantly increased milk protein concentration (P< 0·05), but had no effects on milk fat and lactose concentrations. Mean milk yields were significantly higher (P< 0·05) with increased dietary protein. Dietary protein significantly affected the yields of milk protein (P< 0·01) and lactose (P< 0·05) but not that of fat. Urinary allantoin excretion was significantly greater with both high protein (P< 0·05) and starch-based diets (P< 0·05). No significant interaction effects were found. It is concluded that dietary effects were due largely to differences in supply of rumen degradable protein; increases in milk protein concentration were therefore brought about by increasing the protein supply to the animal.
Productivity of grazing Angus steers of different structural size
Authors: Romera A. J. , Mezzadra C. A. , Villarreal E. L. , Brizuela M. A. , Corva P. M.
Published: September 2010

With the objective of studying the response patterns of two biotypes of different body (structural) size to stocking rate (SR) in terms of individual growth rate (ADG), meat production per ha (PROD) and backfat thickness (BFT) under grazing conditions, 64 steers of two biotypes of the Angus breed of different body size were used: small-sized (SB: frame score of 1·3 (s.d. 0·7)) and medium-sized (MB: 2·9 (s.d. 0·6)). Four levels of SR were applied (1·8, 2·3, 2·8 and 3·3 steers per ha). The experiment lasted 241 days (April to December). Animals were weighed every 14 days, forage availability (FA) was estimated on four occasions and BFT was recorded at the end of the experiment (between 12th and 13th ribs). There were no differences between biotypes in ADG. SB tended to be earlier maturing showing higher BFT (4·39 v. 3·97 mm; P = 0·22). ADG was affected by SR and was higher at lower SR (0·612, 0·529, 0·414 and 0·375 kg/day, for 1·8, 2·3, 2·8 and 3·3 steers per ha, respectively). Individual average daily gain of the MB was more variable across the seasons of the year. None of the variables showed effects of the biotype × SR interaction but differences in ADG between biotypes as a function of the SR were observed as a trend (P = 0·29). Despite the difference in frame score between biotypes it was not possible to associate it with consistent differences in the response variables. Individual productivity (potential) of MB was not reflected in a greater productivity per surface unit. The data from this experiment do not allow the choice of a particular biotype in order to optimize the productivity of the pastoral production systems.
Effect of intake level during milk-feeding period and protein content in the post-weaning diet on performance and body composition in growing lambs
Authors: Manso T. , Mantecón A. R. , Castro T. , Iason G. R.
Published: September 2010

The effect of intake level during the milk-feeding period and dietary protein content during the post-weaning period on performance, weight of components of the digestive tract and carcass and non-carcass chemical composition was investigated in 28 Churra lambs. A 2 × 2 factorial design was used with two intake levels during the milk-feeding period (Lmilk: 0·9 and Hmilk: 1·5 MJ gross energy per kg M0·75daily) and two concentrate supplements (Lprotein:barley grain and Hprotein: barley grain plus 200 g/kg fish meal) during the post-weaningperiod. After selecting an initial slaughter group of four 2-day-old lambs, 12 lambs were assigned randomly to each of two intake levels during a 4-week milk-feeding period and given food individually. Four lambs from each intake level were slaughtered at weaning (30 days old) and the remaining 16 were weaned between 30 and 49 days old (weaning period). Eight lambs from each nutritional regimen during the milk-feeding period were further divided into two equal groups and given food individuallyad libitumwith hay and the post-weaning concentrate, according to the experimental design until thefinal slaughter weight (20 kg) (post-weaning period). Lmitk lambs showed a capacity to grow as well as the Hmilkduring the weaning and post-weaning period and there were no differences (P> 0·05) in dry-matter intake and food conversion ratio among treatments. Before weaning, the weight of the reticulo-rumen was not affected by the intake level during the milk-feeding period. The most affected component of the gastrointestinal tract was the small intestine as proportion of the digestive tract which was lower in Lmilklambs (P< 0·05). At 20 kg live weight, the relative size of the reticulo-rumen was greater (P< 0·01) and the abomasum (P< 0·05) and large intestine (P< 0·01) were smaller in lambs which were given the Hprotein concentrate after weaning. The organic matter apparent digestibility (OMD,P< 0·05) and crude protein apparent digestibility (CPD,P< 0·05) of the post-weaning diets was greater in Lmilklambs and the Hproteinpost-weaning diet was associated with a greater dry-matter apparent digestibility, OMD and CPD when lambs were close to final slaughter weight. At 20 kg live weight, the proportion of protein in the carcass of Lmilklambs was greater (P< 0·05) than in Hmilklambs. The greater growth of the reticulo-rumen of the Lmilklambs might have increased solid food intake after the milk-feeding period, led to greater CPD of post-weaning diets and had consequences in terms of carcass composition.
Effect of different protein and limiting amino acid levels coupled with a supplement of chromium picolinate on lipid metabolism and carcass characteristics of pigs
Authors: Lien T-F , Wu C-P , Lin B-H , Wang B-J , Lu J-J , Shiao T-Y
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the response of different dietary protein and limiting amino acid concentrations coupled with a supplement of chromium in growing-finishing pigs. Sixty Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc bacon type pigs with an initial live weight of 33·08 (s.d. 4·80) kg were randomly assigned into six groups with an equal number of males and females. They were given diets containing proportionately 1·0, 1·1 or 1·2 of the National Research Council recommendation of crude protein and limiting amino acid (lysine and methionine) levels and coupled with supplementing chromium at 0 or 200 ng/kg in the form of chromium picolinate (Crpic). The experiment was completed when the pigs' live weight reached 120 kg. Experiment results indicated that different nutrient levels or Crpic supplement did not significantly affect pig growth (P> 0·05). However, both nutrient levels and Crpic supplementation increased y-globulin concentration (P< 0·05). In addition, Crpic supplement not only significantly reduced the backfat thickness, serum insulin level and VLDL-C + LDL-C concentration (P< 0·05) but also increased the loin-eye area and HDL-C concentration of pigs (P< 0·05). On the other hand, the particle sizes of HDL and VLDL were decreased and increased (P< 0·05), respectively. In addition, Crpic supplement increased the activities of adipose tissue lipogenesis related enzymes such as fatty acid synthetase, ATP-citrate cleavage enzyme and NADP-malic dehydrogenase (P< 0·05 to 0·001). In a similar manner, Crpic supplement increased the activities of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase and serum lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (P< 0·05). However, the interactions of nutrient levels × Crpic supplementation were insignificant (P> 0·05). Results in this study demonstrated that chromium picolinate supplement created a beneficial effect but supplements of chromium coupled with high dietary protein and limiting amino acid levels were unnecessary for bacon-type pigs.
Konsumtypen bei Freizeitdrogenkonsumenten in Österreich
Authors: Eggerth Alexander , Keller-Ressel Martin , Lachout Sophie , Schmid Rainer
Published: September 2010

Ziel: Identifikation von Konsumtrends und möglichen charakteristischen Konsumtypen in Bezug auf Freizeitdrogen innerhalb der Gruppe der (Rave)Partybesucher. Methodik: Sekundäranalyse der von der Einrichtung ChEck iT! auf Ravepartys erhobenen Fragebogendaten aus den Jahren 1998 und 2001 bis 2003 (N=838). Clusteranalyse auf Basis der Angaben zur Konsumfrequenz bei einzelnen Substanzen in den letzten 30 Tagen. Ergebnisse: Es konnten vier charakteristische Konsumtypen identifiziert werden. Insbesondere die Gruppe der »Cannabiskonsumenten mit Gelegenheitskonsum anderer Freizeitdrogen« gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung. Schlussfolgerungen: Mit sekundärpräventiven Vor-Ort-Angeboten können die einzelnen Gruppen erreicht werden. Zumindest für zwei der beschrieben Gruppen erscheint die Entwicklung von weiterführenden Betreuungsangeboten notwendig.
Die chronische Hepatitis-C-Infektion: Häufigkeit, Verlauf und Stand der Behandlungsmöglichkeiten bei Patienten mit intravenöser Drogenabhängigkeit
Authors: Schäfer Martin , Berg Thomas
Published: September 2010

Ziel: Übersicht zur Problematik der chronischen Hepatitis-C-Virus-(HCV)-Infektion bei Patienten mit intravenöser Drogenabhängigkeit. Methodik: Zusammenfassung und Interpretation aktueller Studien zur Epidemiologie und Therapie. Ergebnisse: HCV-infizierte drogenabhängige Patienten werden häufig von einer Therapie mit (Peg)-Interferon-alpha und Ribavirin ausgeschlossen. Studien der letzten Jahre zeigen jedoch, dass insbesondere bei Patienten in Methadonsubstitution Heilungsraten erzielt werden können, die vergleichbar sind mit langfristigen Ansprechraten in Kollektiven ohne Suchterkrankung. Schlussfolgerungen: Chronisch HCV-infizierte Patienten mit einer Drogenabhängigkeit müssen bei individueller Therapieentscheidung und interdisziplinärer Betreuung nicht von einer antiviralen Therapie ausgeschlossen werden. Weitere prospektive Studien werden jedoch benötigt.
Betreuung von Patienten mit Alkoholabhängigkeit in »Schwerpunktpraxen Sucht« in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Authors: Röske Kathrin , Riedel Jeannette , John Ulrich , Hapke Ulfert
Published: September 2010

Fragestellung: Kann die Betreuung von alkoholabhängigen Patienten durch spezialisierte niedergelassene Ärzte die Alkoholsymptomatik verbessern?  Methode: Im Rahmen des Modellprojektes »Schwerpunktpraxen Sucht« in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern wurden in den 9 beteiligten Praxen 597 Patienten schriftlich zu ihrer Alkoholsymptomatik befragt, 36 %wurden nach 12 Monaten erneut befragt. Ergebnisse: Zur Nachbefragung waren die Patienten weniger schwer alkoholabhängig (SESA; M = 46,7, SD = 27,6 vs. M = 50,8, SD = 26,3; p = 0,02) und hatten im Mittel weniger körperliche und psychische Symptome (p < 0,01); 82 % hatten Kontakt zu mindestens einer Suchthilfeeinrichtung.  Schlussfolgerungen: Die Betreuung Alkoholabhängiger in »Schwerpunktpraxen Sucht« stabilisiert den Allgemeinzustand und fördert die Inanspruchnahme suchtspezifischer Hilfen. Niedergelassene Ärzte stellen in ländlichen Regionen eine signifikante Ergänzung der Suchtkrankenhilfe dar.
Ergebnisse der stationären Entzugsbehandlung von Benzodiazepinen bei Methadonsubstituierten
Authors: Specka Michael , Scherbaum Norbert
Published: September 2010

Ziel: Es wird untersucht, ob bei Patient/innen in Methadon-Substitutionsbehandlung, die Benzodiazepin-(BZD)-Beigebrauch betreiben, durch stationäre Entzugbehandlung ein vollständiger Entzug und anhaltende Abstinenz von BZD erreicht wird.  Methodik: Analysiert wurden die Daten von 52 Patient/innen zweier Methadonambulanzen, die sich elektiv einer BZD-Entzugsbehandlung unterzogen. Substanzkonsum wurde anhand von Urinkontrollen bestimmt. Nachbeobachtungszeit war drei Monate.
 Ergebnisse: Ein drogenfreier Urin wurde in 79 % der Fälle erreicht. Über drei Monate BZD-abstinent in Methadonbehandlung verblieben 13 %.Einen Rückfall in anhaltenden BZD-Konsum erlitten 46 %.Die durchschnittliche Rate BZD-positiver Urine sank von 79 % (SD 30 %) vor Entzugsbehandlung auf 61% (SD 38 %) nachher.  Schlussfolgerungen: Das Ziel eines BZD-Entzugs kann durch die stationäre Behandlung erreicht werden. Nach dem Entzug wurde vollständige Abstinenz nur von einer Minderheit beibehalten, und ein großer Teil der Behandelten wurde anhaltend rückfällig. Zusätzliche Behandlungsmaßnahmen innerhalb der Substitutionsbehandlung sind notwendig, wenn der Erfolg der Entzugsbehandlung aufrechterhalten werden soll.