bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sodium chloride supplements increase the salt appetite and reduce stereotypies in confined cattle
Authors: Phillips C. J. C. , Youssef M. Y. I. , Chiy P. C. , Arney D. R. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe influence of prior exposure to high salt diets on the salt appetite and the exhibition of stereotyped behaviour patterns was investigated with individually penned calves and tethered dairy cows. In the first experiment one half of a group of 12 calves received concentrates with the sodium content increased from 4 to 9 g/kg by the addition of NaCl up to weaning at 6 weeks, the other half had no supplementary NaCl added to the concentrates. Adding the NaCl increased the food intake of the calves, the time spent ruminating and live weight. Stereotyped behaviour patterns, such as self-grooming, licking the pen or buckets and ear sucking were reduced by adding NaCl. Calves were tested for their salt preference at 6 months of age by adding varying quantities of NaCl to silage. Exposing calves to supplementary NaCl in the concentrate pre-weaning increased the preferred sodium concentration of silage from 3 to 9 g/kg dry matter (DM). In the second experiment 36 tethered dairy cows received either a restricted concentrate and forage diet with a mean dietary sodium concentration of 2 g/kg DM, or the same diet but with the sodium content increased to either 7 or 12 g/kg DM by adding NaCl to the concentrates. There was no effect of NaCl on feeding or ruminating behaviour but the total amount of stereotyped behaviour, including mouthing or rubbing the tethering chain or bars, self-grooming and nosing or pawing the ground, decreased with increasing salt in the diet. It is concluded that increasing the sodium content of the diet of young calves from 4 to 9 g/kg increased their subsequent salt appetite and that increasing the salt content of the diet of calves or cows in restricted housing conditions can reduce the amount of stereotyped oral behaviour.
In situ rumen degradation of dry matter and crude protein in ewes and dairy cows
Authors: Šebek L. B. J. , Evererts H. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractComparative studies were performed on the in-situ rumen degradation rate (kd) and the in-situ rumen undegradable residue (U) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in sheep and dairy cows. The effect of different treatmentsfor sheep were investigated together with the validity of using cow-based reference protein values of foods for sheep. The effect of different breeds (Texel ewes and crossbred ewes), dietary roughage: concentrate ratio and shearing (mild cold exposure) were investigated for sheep.The in-situ rumen incubations were performed in accordance with standard operational procedures which were comparable for both species. The foods under consideration were hay and concentrates. Cows displayed lower (DM 0·53 , CP 0·86) Kds than sheep for concentrates.For hay a clear trend between cows and sheep was not observed but cows displayed 0·40 lower Kds than Texel ewes and 0·30 higher Kds than crossbred ewes. For concentrates U levels did not differ between species but for hay cows had 0·45 higher U values than Texel ewes. Texel ewes showed 0·45 higher Kd and 0·35 lower U for DM and CP than crossbred ewes. Dietary roughage: concentrate ratio in sheep diets did not influence the Kds and Us of the foods under consideration. Shearing of crossbred ewes increased Kd of CP by 0·25 and reduced U for DM and CP by 0·20 and 0.24 .In conclusion different in situ rumen degradation rates were found between dairy cows and sheep. This probably makes using reference protein values of foods invalid for sheep since they are based on data for cows. Differences (Kd andU) were also found between sheep breeds and between unshorn and shorn crossbred ewes (mild cold exposure). No effect on rumen degradation kinetics could be attributed to dietary roughage: concentrate ratio.
Influence of milking and restricted suckling regimes on milk production and calf growth in temperate and tropical environments
Authors: Sandoval-Castro C.A. , Anderson S. , Leaver J.D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTwo experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of restricted suckling and milking regimes on milk yield, milk composition and calf growth. Experiment 1 was carried out in temperate conditions in the United Kingdom and experiment 2 under tropical conditions in Mexico. In experiment 1 a Latin rectangle (change-over) design with 3-week periods was used with eight Holstein Friesian cows suckling their Simmental-sired calves. Saleable milk yield (SMY), sucked milk (CSM), milk composition and calf performance were studied. The treatments were: once a day milking (a.m.) with suckling immediately after (1χAM); once a day milking (a.m.) with suckling p.m. (1χPM); twice daily milking with suckling after a.m. milking (2χAM); twice daily milking with suckling after each milking (2χ2χ). The cows were offered maize silage ad libitum and 4·3 kg dry matter (DM) per day of rapeseed meal plus minerals and vitamins. The calves had ad libitum access to concentrates (165 g crude protein (CP) per kg DM) and wheat straw. In experiment 2, 11 B. indicus χ B. taurus cows, suckling their Brahman-sired calves were used in an experiment with the same treatments and experimental design. Cows were offered star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis) hay ad libitum and 4.0 kg DM per day of concentrate (117 g CP per kg DM). The calves had ad libitum access to concentrate (151 g CP/kg DM), star grass hay and Ramon leaves. For 1χAM, 1χPM, 2χAM and 2χ2χ respectively in experiment 1, the total milk yields (TMY = SMY + CSM) were 17.9, 18.0, 16.7 and 19.5 kg/day (s.e.d. 1.11) and SMY represented 0.70, 0.45, 0.77 and 0.53 of TMY. Corresponding results for experiment 2 were 6.0, 6.2, 7.0 and 7.1 kg/day (s.e.d. 0.32) and 0.69, 0.45, 0.78 and 0.61. Effects of treatment on milk yield and composition were consistent with the feedback inhibitor of lactation theory. It was concluded that different milking and restricted suckling patterns can be used to manipulate saleable milk production and calf growth. Holstein Friesian dairy cattle in a restricted suckling system without the calf presence at milking, behaved similarly to zebu-crossbred cows by reducing milk let down at milking.
Genetic resistance to gastro-intestinal nematode parasites in Red Maasai, Dorper and Red Maasai X Dorper ewes in the sub-humid tropics
Authors: Baker R.L. , Mwamachi D.M. , Audho J.O. , Aduda E.O. , Thorpe W. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractResistance to naturally acquired gastro-intestinal (GI) nematode parasite infections (predominantly Haemonchus contortus) was studied in 166 Red Maasai, 230 Dorper and 294 crossbred (Red Maasai Х Dorper) ewes in the sub-humid coastal region of Kenya. Live weights (LWT), blood packed-cell volume (PCV) and faecal egg counts (PEC) were recorded at mating, 3 months post mating, 1 week before lambing and 1, 2 and 3 months post lambing for four separate lambings that took place between 1993 and 1996. The Red Maasai ewes were more resistant to GI nematode infections than Dorper ewes as shown by their significantly lower FEC and significantly higher PCV at most of the sampling times over the reproductive cycle. The breed difference for FEC was significant in the lactating ewes but not in the non-lactating ewes. At most sampling times, the crossbred ewes were as susceptible as the Dorper ewes in terms of both PCV and FEC, particularly at the 1 and 2 month post-lambing samplings. Resistance was also manifested by a lower proportion of ewes having to be treated with an anthelmintic and a lower mortality rate in the Red Maasai than the Dorper. The Red Maasai ewes were significantly lighter by about 1 to 2 kg than the Dorper ewes at all sampling times. There was a significant increase in FEC and decrease in PCV over the first 2 months of lactation in lactating ewes compared with non-lactating ewes. This peri-parturient increase in FEC occurred in both breeds and the crossbreds but was more marked in the susceptible Dorper ewes.
An evaluation of the success of MOET in two breeds of hill sheep maintained under normal systems of hill flock management
Authors: Bari F. , Khalid M. , Haresign W. , Merrell B. , Murray A. , Richards R.I.W. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study was undertaken to investigate factors affecting the success of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) in Scottish Blackface (no. = 120) and Welsh Mountain (no. = 120) ewes, over a period of 2 years using a laparoscopic procedure for both embryo recovery and transfer. Superovulation was induced with ovine FSH, with 98 to 100% of ewes of both the breeds responding to the treatment. The overall mean superovulatory responses were 15⋅0 (s.e. 0⋅8) and 12⋅5 (s.e. 0⋅7) for Scottish Blackface and 15⋅3 (s.e. 0⋅9) and 12·8 (s.e. 0⋅8) for Welsh Mountain ewes in years 1 and 2, respectively. However, there was a wide degree of variation in superovulatory responses within each breed, with a range of 3 to 29 in Scottish Blackface and 1 to 40 in Welsh Mountain ewes. The mean embryo recovery rate was 71⋅9 (s.e. 3⋅5) % and 69⋅6 (s.e. 3⋅4) % for Scottish Blackface and 57⋅5 (s.e. 4⋅1) % and 60⋅6 (s.e. 3⋅6) % for Welsh Mountain ewes in years 1 and 2, respectively. The mean number of embryos recovered from Welsh Mountain ewes was significantly (P < 0⋅05) lower than that from Scottish Blackface ewes in both years. The lower mean number of embryos recovered in year 2 for both breeds was entirely a reflexion of the lower superovulatory responses in year 2. A significant (P < 0⋅001) relationship was observed between superovulatory response and the number of embryos recovered for both breeds. Some 77% and 72% of Scottish Blackface ewes and 65% and 73% of Welsh Mountain ewes yielded four or more transferable embryos in years 1 and 2, respectively. Neither the mean number nor the mean percentage of transferable embryos per donor ewe differed between breeds or years. A significant (P < 0⋅001) negative relationship was observed between the time of onset of oestrus and both superovulatory response and number of embryos recovered in Scottish Blackface ewes only. Embryo quality was affected by the time of onset of oestrus. In both breeds, the highest proportion of grade 1+2 embryos and the lowest proportion of unfertilized/degenerate embryos occurred in the middle range time, with a reduction in the proportion of grade 1+2 embryos in ewes that came into oestrus either early <19 h) or late (>30 h) after sponge removal. Only one embryo was transferred to each recipient and the embryo survival rates were 76⋅8% and 74⋅6% (Scottish Blackface), and 69⋅6% and 87⋅3% (Welsh Mountain) for years 1 and 2, respectively. Overall the results of this study suggest that MOET is as successful in hill ewes as has been reported for lowland breeds, even without making any major concessions to their hill status.
Association between non-parturient post-partum hypocalcaemia and the interval from calving to first ovulation in Holstein-Friesian cows
Authors: Jonsson N.N. , Pepper P.M. , Daniel R.C.W. , McGowan M.C. , Fulkerson W. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study was undertaken to quantify the effect of episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia on the interval from calving to first ovulation. It incorporated three separate surveys during early lactation of 44 and 60 cows at Mutdapilly Research Station and 56 cows at Wollongbar Agricultural Institute. Twenty-five, 37 and 39% of cows respectively, experienced episodes later than 3 days after calving, of non-parturient post-partum hypocalcaemia, when plasma calcium concentration fell below 2⋅00 mmolll. Episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia did not affect the interval to first post-partum ovulation in the two experiments conducted at Mutdapilly Research Station but ovulation was significantly delayed in cows that experienced episodes of subclinical hypocalcaemia at Wollongbar Agricultural Institute.
Effect of concentrate feeding on milk yield and body-weight change of Awassi ewes and the growth of their lambs
Authors: Al Jassim R.A.M. , Aziz D.I. , Zorah K. , Black J.L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe response of Awassi ewes to graded amounts of supplementary concentrate diet was examined for the first 12 weeks of lactation. The growth rate of lambs and their health status were also investigated. Seventy-five ewes were divided into three equal groups and given a basal roughage diet of shredded wheat straw at a rate of 750 g dry matter (DM) per ewe per day supplemented with a concentrate diet at three amounts, 950 g (low), 1150 g (medium) and 1350 g (high) of DM per ewe per day starting at the beginning of lactation. Ewes were adapted to the diet by feeding daily at a rate of 200 g per ewe during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. The concentrate was estimated to contain 11⋅8 MJ of metabolizable energy and 182 g of crude protein per kg DM. Ewes and their offspring were housed in a partly enclosed yard. Lambs remained with their dams continuously except for the days of milk yield measurements, when they were separated from the dam for 11 or 12 h. The ewes were examined for subclinical mastitis and the incidence of scouring in lambs was recorded.Ewes given the high level of concentrate produced more (P < 0⋅05) milk but differences between medium and low groups were significant only up to week 4 of lactation. Total milk yields during the 9 weeks test period were 58⋅5, 70⋅4 and 93⋅3 kg for the low, medium and high groups, respectively. Ewes suckling twins produced more (P < 0⋅05) milk than ewes suckling singles. The rate of weight loss was lower (P < 0⋅01) for ewes given the high feeding regime; these regained their immediate post-lambing body weight by week 10. Sex of lambs and litter size had no effect on body weight loss but ewes nursing twins tended to loose more weight during the 12 weeks suckling period. Lamb growth rates were similar (P > 0⋅05) across treatments. The daily intake of concentrate by the ewes did not affect the incidence of scouring in lambs or mastitis in ewes.On both economical and biological grounds it is recommended to offer concentrate during the first 9 weeks of lactation at levels >950 g per ewe per day in order to produce an appreciable yield of milk and restore a positive energy balance early in the ewe lactation period.
Two growth models to estimate economic values for food intake capacity in
pigs
Authors: Rohr P. von , Hofer A. , Künzi N. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Economic values for average ad libitum food intake
capacity (FIC) were estimated with two different
linear-plateau models. One model based on a constant minimum fat to protein
deposition ratio (Rmin). The other model relied on a
constant minimum marginal ratio between fat and protein deposition
(MR). Economic values were used to define aggregate
genotypes where the driving variables of the growth models were considered as
traits. The consequences of a possible implementation of such aggregate genotypes
were evaluated with a comparison of the expected selection responses for the
different traits.
Economic values for the traits under the two models indicated the same
direction of selection and differed only slightly in their magnitude. For a
FIC below its optimum,
FIC had a positive and
Rmin or MR a negative,
economic value. In this situation the maximum protein deposition rate Pdmax had no
influence on the production costs and therefore an economic value of zero.
Selection emphasis is then mainly put on FIC which
leads to an increase in average daily gain (ADG). If
FIC is above its optimum, economic values for
FIC were negative, positive for Pdmax and equal to
zero for Rmin or MR.
Practically no differences between the selection responses under the two growth
models were observed.
The use of growth models to estimate economic values for
FIC allowed to attribute a positive economic value
to this trait if it is below its optimum. This is not possible when economic
values are estimated with an economic production model.
Genotype with nutrition interactions for carcass composition and meat quality in pig genotypes selected for components of efficient lean growth rate
Authors: Cameron N. D. , Penman J. C. , Fisken A. C. , Nute G. R. , Perry A. M. , Wood J. D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractGenotype with nutrition interactions in carcass composition and meat quality traits were examined by testing pigs from four selection lines and a control line on isoenergetic diets, which differed in lysine: energy content. The selected lines resulted from seven generations of selection for high daily food intake, lean food conversion ratio (LFC) and lean growth rate onad-libitumor restricted (LGS) feeding regimes in a Large White population. There were 128 pigs in the study, with 24 pigs per selection line and 32 pigs from a control line. During performance test, 30 to 90 kg, pigs were offered one of three isoenergetic diets, 14·0 MJ digestible energy (DE) per kg dry matter, which differed in ileal digestible lysine: digestible energy (A: 0·40 , C: 0·76 and E: 1·12 g lysine per MJ DE) onad-libitumor restricted (0.75 g/gad-libitumdaily food intake) feeding regimes.For the majority of performance test, carcass composition and meat quality traits there was no evidence of a genotype with diet or genotype with feeding regime interaction. The selection line with feeding regime interactions for average daily gain, daily food intake and rates of lean and subcutaneous fat deposition were primarily due to no feeding regime effect for the LFC selection line. Selection for high LFC had reducedad-libitumdaily food intake to such an extent that it was not significantly different from daily food intake on a restricted feeding regime, unlike other selection lines in the study. A selection line with feeding regime interaction was detected for muscle рH24hand muscle reflectance, which resulted from the LGS selection line. LGS pigs offered food ad libitum had higher muscle рH24hand lower muscle reflectance than LGS pigs given food at a restricted level, while there was no effect of feeding regime for the other selection lines.The general absence of genotype with nutrition interactions for traits measured in the study indicated that the ranking of genotypes for performance test traits, carcass composition and meat quality traits will not be dependent on diet or feeding regime. Genotype specific nutritional inputs will also not be required for identification of pigs of high genetic merit, within a genotype. However, diet and feeding regime had significant effects on carcass composition and meat quality traits, such that the estimated mean value of a genotype will be dependent on the diet or feeding regime used to evaluate the genotype.
Comparative evaluation of the meat quality of beef cattle breeds of Indian,
African and European origins
Authors: Gazzola C. , O’Neill C. J. , Frisch J. E. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
The aim of this study was to rank diverse beef cattle genotypes for meat
quality characteristics and to determine whether that ranking changed depending on
the environment in which the animals were finished. Breed groups, ranging from
100% Bos indicus to 100% Bos taurus content, were derived from Indian zebu
(Brahman), African zebu (Boran), British breeds (Hereford-Shorthorn), continental
breeds (Charolais and Simmental) and Sanga (Tuli and Belmont Red). Heavy steers
(>600 kg) were raised in a tropical environment and finished either on pasture
or in a feedlot.
For striploins (longissimus) from feedlot finished steers, cooking loss was
greatest for zebu (Z) steaks, least for British (B) steaks (P < 0·001), and
intermediate for the other breeds. For striploins from pasture finished steers and
eye rounds (semitendinosus) from both pasture finished and feedlot finished
steers, there were no breed differences in cooking loss.
For both feedlot finished and pasture finished steers, striploin steaks from
B steers were most tender, and Sanga (S) and zebu × continental cross (ZC) steaks
were more tender than Z steaks. Warner-Bratzler initial yields suggested that the
lower toughness of these breeds was due to lower myofibrillar toughness. Peak
force minus initial yield suggested a smaller, opposite effect of increasing
connective tissue toughness associated with increasing Bos taurus content. This
breed effect on connective tissue toughness was more prominent in the eye round
samples. In the feedlot finished steers, Z eye round was as tender as B eye round.
In pasture finished steers, Z eye round had a peak force 1·3 kg lower than B in
contrast to the results for striploin where Z was 1·2 kg higher than B. Sanga eye
round followed the same trend as B relative to Z but to a lesser extent. From the
feedlot, S eye round was more tender than Z eye round and from pasture, S eye
round was the same as Z eye round. There was no evidence of heterosis f or any
meat quality attribute.
These results are best explained in terms of a model incorporating
differential effects of breed on the myofibrillar and connective tissue components
of toughness. The implications of this study are that the tenderness of grilling
and roasting cuts of meat from the predominantly Brahman-based beef herd of
northern Australia can be improved through crossbreeding with any of the taurine
breeds studied.
Water intake and excretion, urinary solute excretion and some stress
indicators in mink (Mustela vison): 1. Effect of ambient temperature and
quantitative water supply to adult males
Authors: Tauson A.-H. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Thermal environment and water supply are factors which are supposed to
influence the performance and well being of farm-raised mink but conclusive
literature data are still very limited. The present series of experiments was
conducted in order to quantify effects of thermal environment on water intake and
excretion, urinary solute excretion and estimate possible stress reactions. Water
intake and excretion, urinary osmolality and urinary excretion of sodium (Na),
potassium (K), cortisol and catecholamines were studied in a balanced Latin-square
design experiment with six adult male mink, kept at three different ambient
temperatures (Ta); (5°C, 20 °C and close to 35 °C) and given
three different water supplies (E: extra water in the food; N: normal ad libitum
drinking water supply; R: restricted, free access to drinking water twice daily).
The experiment comprised nine periods, each of 3 days. Food apparent
digestibility, intake of metabolizable energy (ME), metabolic and evaporative
water, oxidation of nutrients and ME requirement for maintenance
(MEm) were calculated. Water intake was strongly affected
by Ta, with dietary water being the major source at 5°C and
20 °C, its importance being profoundly exceeded by drinking water at 35 °C. Water
excretion in urine was highest at the lowest Ta and lowest at
the highest Ta. Restriction of access to drinking water
resulted in lower total water intake, and excretion, mainly by decreased urinary
volume, reflected by increased urinary osmolality and increased solute
concentration. ME intake decreased as Ta increased but
urinary and total water output per kJ ME was not significantly affected by
Ta or water supply. Excretion of Na and К per kJ ME mainly
monitored urinary water excretion, being highest under conditions when urine
production was highest. Metabolic water made up 0·14 to 0·17 of the total water
intake and evaporative loss increased from about 50 to 125 g/kg live weight
(M)0·75 as Ta increased.
MEm was lowest (534 kJ/kg M0·75) at
20 °C, and highest (647 kJ/kg M0·75) at 35 °C. Cortisol
excretion generally tended to increase when water supply was restricted, the
increase being significant at 35 °C. This, in combination with outer signs of
distress in the animals, emphasized that this high temperature in combination with
limited access to drinking water exposed the animals to a very stressful situation
but rectal temperature remained normal, indicating intact temperature regulation
mechanisms.