bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experiments on the nutrition of the dairy heifer. XI. Further observations on the effect of energy intake on protein utilization
Authors: Broster W. H. , Smith T. , Siviter J. W. , Schuller E. , Broster Valerie J. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYFive experiments were made to observe the effect on nitrogen (N) utilization by young cattle of supplements of sucrose, glucose monohydrate (dextrose), and maize starch when added to basal diets of concentrates and straw. The supplements provided about 12% of the total intake of air-dry food. Twenty-four yearling Friesian heifers were used in each of two randomized block experiments to measure live-weight gain, and 6, 10 and 10 yearling Friesian steers in three changeover design experiments to measure N retention.Rates of live-weight gain and N retention were increased by all the supplements amongst which no order of superiority in benefit conferred could be established. The improvement in N retention was associated with a marked reduction in urinary N and a small increase in faecal N with supplemented rations.The proportions of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in rumen fluid were not affected by starch supplementation. Both sugars, but glucose more than sucrose, decreased the ratio of acetic to propionic acid, measured 2 h after feeding.Statistically significant multiple linear regression equations were observed between N retained and intakes of N and digestible organic matter (DOM), both as absolute amounts with live weight as a further independent variate, and as intakes/unit metabolic body size. N2and DOM × N as additional variates did not benefit the fit of the equations over the range of intakes studied.
Validation of new systems for protein evaluation in ruminants by testing the effect of urea supplementation on intake and digestibility of straw with or without sodium hydroxide treatment
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Grubb D. A. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYMilled barley straw, either untreated or treated with 70 g of NaOH/kg straw was supplemented with four levels of urea, namely 0, 6, 12 or 18 g/kg and fed ad libitum to young sheep. For the untreated straw, dry-matter intakes were (g/day) 423, 451, 441 and 463, while the digestibility of organic matter was 458, 467, 490 and 483 g/kg, respectively. For the treated straw, the intakes of dry matter were 355, 402, 531 and 567 g/day and the digestibility of organic matter was 423, 480, 589 and 628 g/kg respectively.The different responses to urea supplementation of treated and untreated straw are discussed in relation to a new system of estimating protein requirements for ruminants put forward by the Agricultural Research Council.
Organ development in relation to egg-laying capacity in the fowl
Authors: Hafez E. S. E. 
Published: March 2009

Eighty-nine Fayomi pullets were classified into three major classes High, Medium and Low according to the intensity of egg laying. Six birds in each class were slaughtered. The major body organs were dissected and weighed. The number and diameter of the visible oocytes were recorded. The dressing out percentage was obtained. The results were as follows:1. During the first year of laying, the averagenumber of eggs laid per day was 0·50, 0·42 and 0·24 eggs for the High, Medium and Low classes respectively.2. There were significant differences in the ovarian weight, length and weight of oviduct, these being highest in the High class.3. The number of visible oocytes was some 200 in all classes. There were, however, differences between classes in the maturation rate of the oocytes as measured by the differences in the diameter of successive ones.4. The weight of blood, feathers, head, wings and legs were higher in the Low than in the High; these are all early maturing organs.5. The weights of the full alimentary canal and the empty gizzard were higher in the High than in the Low, this might be accounted for by a greater appetite and to intake of feed induced by the higher egg production.6. There were no significant differences in the weight of the circulatory, excretory and respiratory organs which are needed for the physiological welfare of the birds.7. The dressing out percentage was higher in the Low and Medium than in the High. This may be due to the greater drainage of nutrients required for high egg production.
A study of the distribution of acid and alkaline phosphatase in the genital tract of the Zebu bull (Bos indicus)
Authors: Rollinson D. H. L. 
Published: March 2009

The histochemical localization of acid and alkaline glycerophosphatase (phosphomonoesterase) has been determined throughout the reproductive tract in the bull. Sections were incubated in a buffer substrate containing sodium β-glycerophosphate at pH 4·5 and pH 9·4. Duplicate sections were incubated for progressive lengths of time ranging from ½ hr. (alkaline phosphatase) to a maximum of 48 hr. (acid phosphatase).Evidence of the presence of both enzymes has been obtained in the tissues which compose the reproductive tract. In the case of acid phosphatase the reaction was predominant in the nuclei of the lining epithelial cells. In addition, a positive cellular reaction was found in the distal portions of the epithelium lining the epididymis, the ampulla of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. The reaction obtained in the testis appeared to vary with the stage of activity of the tubule.In the case of alkaline phosphatase the reaction was predominantly shown by the basement membrane and the capillaries throughout the tissues with a cellular reaction in the distal portions of the cells lining the epididymis, the ampulla of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. In the seminal vesicles the type ‘A’ cells reacted strongly while the periphery of the osmic staining vacuoles of the type ‘B’ cells also gave a positive reaction. The only activity present in the prostate was in the capillary endothelium. The spermatogenic epithelium showed a positive reaction, but no reaction was given by the interstitial cells.
Seasonal changes in plasma concentrations of proteins, urea, glucose, calcium and phosphorus in sheep grazing a hill pasture and their relationship to changes in body composition
Authors: Sykes A. R. , Field A. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe seasonal changes in plasma concentrations of albumin, globulin, transferrin, urea, Ca, P and glucose were measured in 59 Scottish Blackface sheep grazing a hill pasture. The sheep were classified according to age and state of permanent incisor dentition into four groups. Sheep were slaughtered at mating (November), mid-lactation (June) and in the late dry period (November), and the changes in plasma constituents related to changes in body composition. A protein-free supplement was offered during late pregnancy.Another group of sheep was used in the subsequent year to investigate the significance of helminth infections on such pastures.Plasma albumin concentration fell from 32·0 g/1 in all sheep in early pregnancy to 17·5–19·5 g/1 in late pregnancy and early lactation in 5½- to 6½-year-old animals. Younger animals (2½ year old) maintained higher (23·0 g/1) levels at these latter times. The extent of the decrease in plasma albumin concentration of the groups was related to the loss of N from their soft tissues during the same period.Plasma volume increased from 2·10 to 2·491 between early pregnancy and midlactation (45 and 66 ml/kg body weight respectively). The increase in volume was considered to account for the reduction in the concentration of plasma globulin which took place during this period.Plasma urea-N concentrations were extremely low (50—60mg/l) between February and April and had fallen from their highest values (240 mg/1) in August to 150 mg/1 by the following November. It is argued that the fall in albumin concentration which occurred in early pregnancy, coupled with the extremely low urea-N concentration, reflects a very low digestible crude protein intake during most of pregnancy.Transferrin concentration followed a similar seasonal pattern to urea. The concentration was extremely low in February (2·2–2·4 g/1), highest in August (3·45 g/1) and had fallen by November (3·0 g/1). The value of transferrin as a nutritional index is discussed.Regular dosing with anthelminthic of sheep on these pastures had a beneficial effect on plasma albumin concentrations, particularly during critical nutritional periods, namely late pregnancy and lactation.Plasma glucose, Ca and P concentrations were of no value in monitoring the nutritional status of the animal with respect to these nutrients.
Animal and dietary variation in the absorption and metabolism of phosphorus by sheep
Authors: Field A. C. , Woolliams J. A. , Dingwall R. A. , Munro C. S. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYIn Expt 1 the efficiency of absorption of phosphorus in feedingstuffs was compared within four sets of 18-month-old, chimaera-derived triplets; 12 feedingstuffs were evaluated in four balance trials with 32P. Seven diets consisted of a P-rich ingredient mixed with a low-P basic diet and five of hay or pelleted dried grass or lucerne. The P ingredients tested were the protein-rich meals, rape, soya-bean, maize gluten, fishmeal and rice bran, and the cereals, barley and wheat.Sets of triplets absorbed dietary P with different (P < 0·001) efficiencies; the mean values were 0·72, 0·63, 0·76 and 0·79. The availability of P differed (P < 0·001) between diets, highest values being seen with the fishmeal (0·80), barley (0·78) and wheat diets (0·78) and the lowest with rice bran (0·63) and a perennial ryegrass hay (0·64). There was no evidence for an age effect on efficiency of absorption.Endogenous faecal excretion was positively related to intake (P < 0·001) and negatively related to efficiency of absorption of dietary P. Plasma concentration was positively related (P < 0·001) to both intake and, between sets, to the efficiency of absorption.Significant urinary excretion of P generally occurred when the efficiency of absorption was greater than 0·70. Two members of a set which absorbed P with high efficiency and excreted low volumes of urine died from urethral obstruction caused by calculi.In Expt 2 an estimate of the variation in the concentration of P in plasma of 48 ewes on a barley-based diet was assessed and the values for three of the chimaera sets fell within the top quartile.Safety factors were calculated from the animal and plant variations in the efficiency of absorption of dietary P and used to determine dietary allowances for different classes of sheep.
Nodule development and nitrogen fixation in cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. as influenced by planting density
Authors: Graham P. H. , Rosas J. C. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThree cultivars of P. vulgaris, tested 39 and 69 days after planting, differed in the extent to which nitrogen (C2H2) fixation and nodule development were affected by plant density.At the 39-day harvest the climbing cultivar P590 declined in fixation from 15·1 μmol C2H4 produced/plant/h at 8·5 plants/m2, to only 4·2 μmol C2H4 produced/plant/h at 41·5 plants/m2; while the prostrate P498 showed consistently high fixation from 8·5 to 41·5 plants/m2. Variation in nitrogen fixation could be explained largely by change in nodule weight, though specific nodule activity (SNA) was affected, particularly in the cultivar P590. Since the percentage soluble carbohydrate in nodules of two varieties increased at certain planting densities while SNA decreased, some nodule dysfunction is possible.Density changes affected leaf, root and stem development in all cultivars, leaves on the lower nodes being most severely affected.At the 69-day harvest two varieties were advanced in filling the pods and showed poor nodulation and limited fixation, even at the widest plant spacings, while nodulation and nitrogen (C2H2) fixation in the third variety, which had just flowered, showed optima similar to the earlier harvest.
Using Suffolk sheep for improving lamb production from sub-tropical Egyptian sheep:1. Reproductive performance
Authors: Aboul-Naga A. M. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe present study deals with the reproductive performance of an imported Suffolk flock and the cross-bred ewes resulting from upgrading the local Ossimi sheep with the Suffolk. A total of 1738 ewe records were available for the study.No significant difference was found between Suffolk and Ossimi ewes in conception rate or proportion of multiple births. However, the Ossimi ewes (mated to Suffolk rams) weaned 25 more lambs per 100 ewes lambing than the imported ewes. The cross-bred ewes were of better reproductive performance than both pure-breds. The best Suffolk cross-bred ewes were those of 40–49 % Suffolk breeding. They weaned 21 more lambs per 100 ewes run with the rams than the local ewes. Reproductive performance of the cross-bred ewes declined with increasing Suffolk genotype above this proportion.Under the prevailing sub-tropical conditions, the Suffolk ewes have an anoestrous period of 200 days from late January to late July or August; the local ewes showed oestrous activity throughout the year, but with some irregularity.
The use of rainfall, temperature, and actual transpiration in some crop-weather investigations
Authors: Buck S. F. 
Published: March 2009

This paper reports various investigations of the effects of meteorological factors on the yields of crops in England and Wales. The investigations were undertaken primarily with the objects of seeing (a) whether variations in temperature had any direct effect on yields, and (b) whether Penman's concept of actual transpiration gave a better measure of the overall effect of rainfall than the use of a multiple regression on variates representing total rainfall and its distribution.The effect of temperature and its seasonal distribution on the yields of wheat on various plots of the classical wheat experiment on Broadbalk field at Rothamsted was studied in conjunction with rainfall and its seasonal distribution, using the regression method devised by Fisher. Variations in temperature were found to show no effects on the final yields.The relationship between actual transpiration and yield was investigated for the Broadbalk field and for sugar beet and potatoes, using average yields determined by sampling methods, for various districts in England and Wales. For sugar-beet virus yellows infection, and for potatoes blight attack, were also taken into account.No relationship between actual transpiration and wheat yields on Broadbalk field was found, but sugar beet and potatoes both showed a positive association between actual transpiration and yield except for sugar beet in the Spalding area, where there is a high-water table. Actual transpiration was in general more effective than a regression on total rainfall and its distribution accounting for variations in yield. As might be expected virus yellows and blight also account for a good deal of the variation in yield.
The utilization of food by sheep and cattle
Authors: Blaxter K. L. , Wainman F. W. 
Published: March 2009

1. The utilization of the energy of the same ration by sheep and by cattle was measured using three steers and three sheep in twenty-one and twentyfour experiments, respectively. Five different amounts of the ration were given to each steer and six different amounts to each sheep.2. No differences of any magnitude were found in the percentage losses of dietary energy in faeces, in urine or as methane if comparisons were made at comparable nutritional levels. Faecal energy losses increased and urine energy losses and methane production fell with increase in feeding level, the feeding level being defined as the ratio of food intake to that required to attain an energy retention of zero.3. The net availability of metabolizable energy for maintenance was the same in both species at 80·4%. The net availability of energy for the production of fat was 53·5 ± 1·4 in sheep and 51·4 ± 2·6 in cattle.4. The results are discussed in relation to the effect of the amount of food given on the utilization of its energy. It is pointed out that net energy per unit of food declines with increasing intake, due firstly to a decline in digestibility and secondly to the fact that oxidative processes operative at and below maintenance are more efficient processes than is the synthesis of fat.
Studies of the response of the anoestrous ewe treated with progesterone and pregnant mare serum
Authors: McDonald M. F. 
Published: March 2009

1. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of progesterone and pregnant mare serum (p.m.s.) on incidence of oestrus, macroscopic changes in the ovaries, histological appearance of the genital tract, the vaginal smear and cervical mucus of New Zealand Romney Marsh ewes in deep anoestrus. Ten animals served as controls, thirty-five received progesterone daily for 4–12 days and ten were given p.m.s. alone. The remaining fifteen ewes were treated with progesterone for 4–6 days followed by p.m.s.2. In ewes treated with progesterone alone, neither ovulation nor oestrus resulted. After p.m.s. alone six animals ovulated, while injection with both hormones caused ovulation in all 15 ewes and one was in oestrus.3. Sections cut from the mid-region of the fallopian tube, uterine horn and cervix were examined. Histological responses to progesterone and p.m.s. were found in all positions of the tract and were greatest in the ewes which had ovulated.4. In the ewes which ovulated a sequence of macroscopic and microscopic changes occurred in the vagina and these seemed similar to those associated with ovulation during the oestrous cycle.5. Crystallization patterns in cervical mucus were seen in some ewes of all groups. Accompanying ovulation the phenomenon was seen for several days but was absent during most of the luteal period. When no follicles ruptured cervical mucus patterns often persisted. In most cases the presence and absence of arborization was presumably related to follicular oestrogen and progesterone from an induced corpus luteum and was in similar time relationship to that normally accompanying ovulation in the oestrous cycle. Some inconsistency in the response of cervical mucus following hormone treatment was noted.6. No evidence was found that hormone treatment had initiated a regular cycle of ovarian activity.
Magnesium in forage plants I. Magnesium contents of different species and strains as affected by season and soil treatment
Authors: Todd J. R. 
Published: March 2009

1. Individual herbage species were grown in pots and their magnesium contents studied throughout the growing season. The effects of treatments with sulphate of ammonia, superphosphate and calcined magnesite were also investigated.2. Of the grasses studied timothy was consistently the lowest in magnesium content, the rye-grasses and cocksfoot being appreciably higher and similar. The clover species had higher magnesium contents than the grasses, especially in the spring.3. The magnesium contents of the grass species were lowest in spring and showed a marked increase as the season advanced. The corresponding increases in clover magnesium content were considerably smaller.4. The effects of sulphate of ammonia and superphosphate were slight increases in magnesium contents, but the calcined magnesite resulted in major increases in magnesium contents of both grasses and clovers.
Studies on the efficiency of mating in the sheep I. The effect of paddock size and number of rams
Authors: Lindsay D. R. , Robinson T. J. 
Published: March 2009

A factorial experiment is described in which seventy-two spayed crossbred ewes were used in four successive tests at intervals of 15 days in a study of factors affecting the detection of oestrus. Variates introduced in each test were: (a) number of rams to eighteen ewes (one or three); (b) size of mating paddock (17 acres or ⅕ acre); (c) dose of oestrogen (oestradiol benzoate, ODB: 10·0, 15·6, 24·4 μg.).All ewes were primed with progesterone for 12 days prior to ODB injection and joining. The number of ewes detected in oestrus and the mean number of ewes served per ram were recorded.In the four successive tests, thirty-two, fortyseven, forty-six and forty-one ewes were served (P < 0·05). Three rams working together detected ninety-eight ewes in oestrus while rams working individually detected sixty-eight (P < 0·001). Size of mating paddock had no significant effect (17 acres, 89; Jacre, 77).The mean number of ewes marked per ram when used singly was indistinguishable from the mean number when rams were in groups of three (8·5 and 9·3). This resulted in multiple coverage of oestrous ewes when group joined (average 2·3 rams per ewe).
Some effects of seed size and spacing on the yield and grading of two maincrop potato varieties: II. Bulking rate
Authors: Wurr D. C. E. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYData are presented from two experiments which examined the effect of three seed sizes and three within-row spacings on the bulking rate of graded potatoes from the two early mainorop varieties Pentland Crown and Maris Piper.There were significant linear and quadratic regressions of yield on time and there were significant effects of all main treatments on the bulking rate of the crop. Differences in yield between the levels of each treatment depended upon the time of harvest and the size of tubers considered.
The effect of supplementary and fertilizer sulphur on voluntary intake, digestibility, retention time in the rumen, and site of digestion of pangola grass in sheep
Authors: Rees M. C. , Minson D. J. , Smith F. W. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYPangola grass grown with and without sulphur fertilizer was cut as a 7-week regrowth to measure voluntary intake and digestibility by sheep. To determine the extent of a simple sulphur deficiency half the sheep on each feed were supplemented with 0·6 gsulphur daily. Retention time of feed in the reticulo-rumen and proportion of feed digested anterior to the duodenum was also determined.Sulphur fertilizer increased the sulphur content of the pasture from 0·09 to 0·15%, voluntary intake of dry matter from 44·4 to 64·1 g/kg W0·75/day and dry-matter digestibility from 55·2 to 60·2%. Sulphur fertilizer reduced the retention time in the reticulo-rumen by 16% and increased the extent of dry-matter digestion before the duodenum from 13 to 34%.Feeding a sulphur supplement increased dry-matter digestibility of the low sulphur feed to that found with sulphur fertilized pangola grass but only accounted for 63% of the difference in voluntary intake.It was concluded that fertilizer sulphur leads to large increases in both voluntary intake and digestibility of sulphur deficient grass and that the improvement in nutritive value may be more than can be achieved by feeding a sulphur supplement.
Observations on the effect of environmental temperature and environment at moult on the heat production and energy requirements of hens and cockerels of a White Leghorn strain
Authors: O'Neill S. J. B. , Jackson N. 
Published: March 2009

SUMMARYThe heat production of hens and cockerels of a White Leghorn strain (‘H & N’) was measured after acclimation to environmental temperatures of 16, 23, 27 and 33 °C. No difference in fasting heat production was found between 16 and 23 °C for well-feathered hens in the first few months after moult though there were substantial reductions at 27 °C and above. Both hens and cockerels showed a trend of increasing net availability of metabolizable energy with increasing environmental temperature though this was non-significant. There were significant reductions between 16 and 27 °C in the metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance for both sexes.Results are also given for the heat production of laying hens exposed to short daylight periods and high or low environmental temperatures. Although the mean fasting heat production of the high-temperature group was greater, the difference was not statistically significant.