Journal of animal science最新文献

{"title":"Duckweed protein as an alternative plant-based protein source for dog and cat dry diets","authors":"Ching-Yen Lin, Katherine R Kerr, Matthew R Panasevich, Leighann Daristotle, Nolan Z Frantz","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae244","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae244","url":null,"abstract":"Duckweed has attracted increasing attention as a high-quality and sustainable novel plant-based protein source. However, little research has been conducted in dogs and cats. We evaluated the effects of inclusion of duckweed protein (Lemna; MCSelect; Parabel; Vero Beach, FL) primarily in replacement of pea protein in dog diets at 0%, 5%, and 10% and cat diets at %, 10%, and 15% on stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability. We hypothesized that duckweed protein would be a viable protein source in both dog and cat diets by showing no detriment to nutritional outcomes. All feeding tests were conducted at an independent research facility (Susquehanna, PA). A standard 2-bowl palatability test over a 2-d period was conducted with adult animals (n = 30 each) to determine intake ratio between test diets (duckweed-containing diets) and control diets (0% duckweed protein). Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility was conducted with 18 adult dogs and 21 adult cats (n = 6 to 7 per diet) with 5 d of diet acclimation followed by 5 d of total fecal collection. Stool quality was evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale where 1 = non-formed or diarrhea and 5 = hard, formed. Palatability data were analyzed using paired t-test (daily consumption) and chi-square test (first choice). All other data were analyzed by ANOVA and contrast (SAS version 9.4). For cats, 10% duckweed had greater (P < 0.05) palatability than control, while no difference was observed between 15% duckweed protein and control. For dogs, 5% and 10% duckweed protein had (P < 0.05) lower palatability, demonstrating a preference to control. Both cats and dogs fed duckweed diets had acceptable stool quality (Mean = 3.4 and 3.3, respectively). No detriments in nutrient digestibility were observed in dogs fed 5% and 10% duckweed protein; however, cats fed 10% and 15% duckweed protein had (P < 0.05) lower dry matter, protein, and energy digestibility vs. control. In conclusion, the data collected indicate that duckweed can be a viable replacement for other plant-based proteins in dog diets at inclusion levels up to 10%; more development is needed for duckweed protein inclusion into cat diets.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142236647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Microencapsulated Blend Of Botanicals Supports Weaning Piglets During An Lps Challenge By Modulating Liver Inflammation And Intestinal Integrity","authors":"Andrea Bonetti, Benedetta Tugnoli, Federico Ghiselli, Grace Markley, Elizabeth Cooper, Andrea Piva, Chad H Stahl, Ester Grilli","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae277","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae277","url":null,"abstract":"This study examined the action of a blend of botanicals (BOT) against LPS-induced inflammation on cultured hepatocytes and weaning piglets. In vitro studies examined HepG2 cells treated with BOT and challenged with E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 days. BOT treatment reduced IL-6 concentration in cell culture media across time (p < 0.05) and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression on day 1 and 8 of experiment (TNFα, IL-1β; p < 0.05). BOT also increased the expression of antioxidant enzymes (GPX-2, SOD, CAT) on day 8 (p < 0.05), which was supported by lowered reactive oxygen species concentration after LPS challenge (p < 0.1). The in vivo study was conducted with 72 weaning pigs, allotted into 24 pens and divided into 3 groups: a negative control (CTR-, basal diet), a challenged control (CTR+) that received an intraperitoneal injection of E. coli O55:B5 LPS on day 14 and 16, and a challenged treated group which received a diet containing 1.5 g/Kg of microencapsulated BOT (BOT+) for the whole duration of the study. Growth performance was determined weekly and, on days 21 (one animal per pen) and 28 (remaining animals), pigs were sacrificed to collect liver and jejunal tissues. After challenge, BOT+ pigs had increased BW on day 21 (p < 0.05) and 28 (p < 0.1) compared to CTR+. Similar improvements in ADG and FCR on day 14-21 (p < 0.05) and 21-28 (p < 0.1) were also seen in BOT+ group. In the liver, compared to CTR+ pigs, BOT+ pigs downregulated the expression of TLR-4, IL-6, IFN-γ on day 21 (p < 0.05), and TLR-4, TNF-α, IL-8 on day 28 (p < 0.05). BOT+ also increased GPX-2 expression on day 21 and 28 (p < 0.05), while also upregulating SOD-1 and SOD-2 on day 21 (p < 0.05) and CAT on day 28 (p < 0.05) compared to CTR+. In the jejunum, BOT+ reduced inflammation by affecting cytokine expression (p < 0.05) and increasing the expression of tight-junction proteins, ZO-1 on day 21 and CLD-1 on day 28 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BOT+ pigs had lower crypt depth on day 21 (p < 0.1) and day 28 (p < 0.05), and increased villi to crypt ratio on day 21 and 28 (p < 0.05). By day 28, BOT+ intestinal measurements were restored to values similar to the CTR-. Finally, BOT+ also reduced mast cell activation on day 21 (p < 0.05) compared to CTR+. Considering all the findings, BOT controlled inflammatory activation and the oxidative stress in liver cells, enhanced intestinal integrity, and as a result improved the growth performance of weaning piglets challenged with LPS.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"186 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142245345","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of rifle cartridge and shot placement for euthanizing feral swine (Sus scrofa) in traps","authors":"Michael J Lavelle, Nathan P Snow, Vienna R Brown, Michael J Bodenchuk, Seth M Cook, Kurt C Vercauteren","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae278","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae278","url":null,"abstract":"Feral swine are a highly destructive invasive species around the globe. Wildlife managers commonly trap and euthanize feral swine with firearms to reduce their adverse impacts. The utility of euthanizing domestic swine with firearms has been considered when emergency situations arise such as in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak in domestic swine. Similarly, the rapid depopulation of domestic swine facilities became necessary when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted pork production in 2020. Evaluation of the effects of caliber, cartridge, size of feral swine, and shot placement on effectiveness and safety of the method is needed. We collected data from feral swine euthanized in traps on how those variables influenced the effectiveness in time to death and number of shots required and safety risks based on the occurrence of bullet pass-through (i.e., bullet exiting the pig). We tested three cartridges of two calibers (.22 long rifle, .22 Winchester magnum rimfire, and .308 Winchester) delivered from a rifle with three shot placements targeting the brain. From 570 euthanization events, we calculated an average time to death of 100.06 (SD = 29.24) seconds, with larger feral swine taking slightly longer. Most feral swine (73%) were euthanized with a single shot but averaged 1.28 (SD = 0.48) shots overall. Safety risks from pass-through shots were more common when using the .308 Winchester cartridge, and when rear and side shot placements were used. Overall, we recommend a .22 long rifle cartridge and frontal shot placement as an effective and safe option for euthanizing feral swine in traps, and likely for domestic swine of similar size and shot distances.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"158 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142245336","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Impacts of Fescue Toxicosis on the Pulmonary Arterial Pressure of Angus Cows","authors":"E B Rajo-Gomez, M Giurgis, C L Pickworth, A R Weaver, D M Foster, P Khanal, D H Poole","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae279","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae279","url":null,"abstract":"Vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels is one of the hallmark symptoms of fescue toxicosis in cattle. Thus, it was hypothesized that exposure to ergot alkaloids would increase the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP). The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between PAP and different physiological parameters of cows grazing either endophyte-infected (EI) or novel-endophyte (EN) fescue, then evaluate changes in PAP and other physiological measurements in cows exposed to EI pastures and deemed as susceptible or tolerant based on animal performance. Pregnant Angus cows at two different locations grazed either EI or EN fescue pastures for 14 consecutive weeks starting in early April of 2022. Forage measurements were collected to assess ergot alkaloid exposure throughout the study. In addition to measuring PAP, weekly measurements and blood samples were collected to evaluate physiological responses to ergot alkaloid consumption. The Fescue Toxicosis Selection Method (FTSM) was used for a post hoc analysis to identify cattle as either tolerant (EI-TOL) or susceptible (EI-SUS) when challenged with ergot alkaloid exposure. Data were analyzed using a MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures. Cows grazing on EN pastures had greater mean PAP values than EI cows, (P < 0.01), whereas a location effect was identified when comparing both EI-TOL and EI-SUS groups (P < 0.01). Cows exposed to EN pastures had greater ADG (P = 0.04) and progesterone (P4) concentrations (P < 0.01), and lower hair shedding scores (HSS; P < 0.01) than EI cows. The EI-TOL cows tended to have greater final BW, ADG, and had lower HSS (P < 0.01) than EI-SUS cows. While cattle consuming EI tall fescue exhibited classical physiological changes, the decrease in PAP of cattle consuming EI fescue was unexpected and contradicts the initial hypothesis. Furthermore, the FTSM provides a means to identify animals with superior performance in spite of the chronic exposure to ergot alkaloids. Continued investigations examining the interaction between ergot alkaloid exposure on cardiovascular parameters will lead to a fuller understanding of the disease, and are pivotal for developing innovative strategies that enhance best management practices to help guarantee the sustainability of the U.S. beef industry.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142236666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zearalenone Triggers Programmed Cell Death and Impairs Milk Fat Synthesis via the AKT-mTOR-PPARγ-ACSL4 Pathway in Bovine Mammary Epithelial Cells","authors":"Zifeng Ma, Qiao Li, Hongmei Xu, Yueyue Li, Shujin Wang, Yan Xiong, Daoliang Lan, Jian Li, Xianrong Xiong, Wei Fu","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae276","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae276","url":null,"abstract":"Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin from Fusarium fungi, impairs fertility and milk production in female animals, however, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using the bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T) as the model, this study investigated the impacts of ZEN on programmed cell death (PCD) and milk fat synthesis, and explored the underlying mechanism. We found that 10 ng/mL prolactin (PRL) notably enhanced the differentiation of MAC-T cells, promoting the expression of genes related to the synthesis of milk fat, protein, and lactose. Next, the toxic effects of different doses of ZEN on the differentiated MAC-T with PRL treatment were determined. 10 μM and 20 μM ZEN significantly reduced cell viability, induced oxidative stress, and triggered PCD (e.g. apoptosis and necrosis). Notably, ZEN exposure downregulated the mRNA/protein levels of critical factors involving in milk fat synthesis by disrupting the AKT-mTOR-PPARγ-ACSL4 pathway. Interestingly, melatonin (MT), known for its antioxidant properties, protected against the above ZEN-induced effects by enhancing the binding of PPARγ to the promoter regions of ACSL4, which led to the upregulated expression of ACSL4 gene. These results underscored the potential of MT to mitigate the adverse effects of ZEN on mammary cells, highlighting a way for potential therapeutic intervention.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142236646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the effects of shrimp hydrolysate as a dietary ingredient in healthy adult Beagle dogs","authors":"Joana Guilherme-Fernandes, António J M Fonseca, Tiago Aires, Sofia A C Lima, Margarida R G Maia, Ana R J Cabrita","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae280","url":null,"abstract":"To be more sustainable, the pet food industry could increase inclusion of animal by-products from the human food chain and fish hydrolysates have been reported to benefit dogs’ health. However, there is limited research on the impact of alternative marine hydrolysates in dog food. The current study evaluated the effects of including shrimp hydrolysate as replacement for wheat gluten (experimental diet) in an extruded complete diet (control diet) on diet palatability, intake, digestibility, fecal characteristics and metabolites, oral volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) and coat quality in dogs. Palatability of diets was assessed in a two-bowl test, conducted with twelve healthy adult Beagle dogs. No differences were observed in first approach, first taste or intake ratio. A randomized block design lasting 12 weeks were performed with 12 dogs distributed into six blocks, according to sex and body weight; one dog from each block was randomly allocated to each diet. Fecal characteristics and metabolites were measured in weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12, VSC and coat quality in weeks 4, 8 and 12, and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and energy in week 12. The inclusion of shrimp hydrolysate did not affect intake, but increased fecal output (dry matter, DM, basis, P < 0.05). Fecal butyrate concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in dogs fed the experimental diet. The inclusion of shrimp hydrolysate did not affect ATTD of nutrients and energy, and VSC. Both diets promoted high coat quality. The experimental diet decreased gloss and general evaluation scores in week 4 (P < 0.05), but improved scale score in weeks 4 and 12 (P < 0.05). Overall, the findings indicate the potential of including shrimp hydrolysate in diets for dogs, fostering a more sustainable industry.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"34 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142245334","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"438 DNA methylation patterns and transcriptional regulation during pig fetal skeletal muscle development","authors":"Catherine W Ernst","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae234.119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.119","url":null,"abstract":"Fetal development is controlled by a complex cascade of highly regulated and coordinated gene expression patterns. Epigenetic mechanisms have important roles in regulating development and differentiation. Among such mechanisms, DNA methylation exhibits context-specific associations with gene expression and has been shown to be highly dynamic during developmental processes. We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) to assess DNA methylation in pig longissimus dorsi muscle at 41- and 70-d gestation (dg), as well as RNA- and small RNA-sequencing to identify coordinated changes in methylation and expression between myogenic stages. We identified 45,739 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between stages, and the majority (n = 34,232) were hypomethylated at 70 vs. 41 dg. Developmental DMRs exhibited feature-specific enrichment in gene regulatory regions, as well as in regions proximal to micro-RNAs (miRNAs) that have known roles in myogenesis. Integration of methylation and transcriptomic data revealed strong associations between differential gene methylation and transcript abundance. We surveyed myogenic regulatory factor (MRF) genes to determine if differential methylation was present in expected genomic regions. Within the MYF5 and MYF6 locus, MYF5 was significantly promoter-hypermethylated at 70 dg, whereas MYF6 was significantly hypomethylated upstream of its transcription start site. MYF5 is the earliest MRF to be expressed and primarily functions in myoblast proliferation and determination, while MYF6 functions in muscle cell differentiation. Thus, these patterns were consistent with expected downregulation of MYF5 and upregulation of MYF6 as muscle development progresses and demonstrate that differential methylation is evident at myogenic transcription factors. Differential miRNA methylation was significantly negatively correlated with abundance, and dynamic expression of assayed miRNAs persisted postnatally. Motif analysis revealed significant enrichment of myogenic regulatory factor motifs among hypomethylated regions, suggesting that DNA hypomethylation may function to increase accessibility of muscle-specific transcription factors. We also show that developmental DMRs are enriched for GWAS SNPs associated with muscle physiology and meat quality traits, demonstrating the potential for epigenetic processes to influence phenotypic diversity. Our results enhance understanding of DNA methylation dynamics in pig fetal skeletal muscle and reveal putative cis-regulatory elements governed by epigenetic processes during porcine myogenesis.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"440 The effects of reducing dietary nutrient density after the second dose of GnRF immunization (Improvest) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of gilts and intact males","authors":"Benjamin M Bohrer, Blaine Hansen, Steve Pollmann, Jose Landero, Malachy Young","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae234.294","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.294","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives were to determine the effects of reducing dietary nutrient density after the second dose of GnRF immunization (Improvest; Zoetis Inc.) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Pigs (n = 1,008) were fed in five diet phases during the 102-d grow-finish period. Diets were formulated to meet 100% of recommended SID Lys to net energy established by PIC (2021) for physically castrated (PC) barrows/non-immunized gilts (regular diet), while diets for GnRF-immunized pigs were formulated with 120% SID lysine than PC barrows/ non-immunized gilts (nutrient-dense diet). During diet phase-4 (2 d after the second GnRF analogue dose), SID lysine and vitamins/trace minerals for the nutrient-dense diet were either maintained at 100% or reduced to 95% or 90%. During diet phase-5 (18 d after second GnRF analogue dose), SID lysine and vitamins/trace minerals nutrient-dense diet were either maintained at 100% or reduced to 90% or 80%. The study consisted of six pen replications (21 pigs/pen) of the following eight treatments: CON-NEG: traditional mixed-sex pigs (PC barrows and non-immunized gilts) that received the regular diet; CON-POS: traditional mixed-sex pigs that received the nutrient-dense diet; I-MALE-100: immunized males (I-MALES) that received the nutrient-dense diet with 100% density; I-MALE-95/90: I-MALES that received the nutrient-dense diet with 95% density during diet phase-4 and 90% density during diet phase-5; I-MALE-90/80 I-MALES that received the nutrient-dense diet with 90% density during diet phase-4 and 80% density during diet phase-5; I-FEM-100: immunized females (I-FEM) that received the nutrient-dense diet with 100% density; I-FEM-95/90: I-FEM that received the nutrient-dense diet with 95% density during diet phase-4 and 90% density during diet phase-5; I-FEM-90/80: I-FEM that received the nutrient-dense diet with 90% density during diet phase-4 and 80% density during diet phase-5. Data were analyzed with PROC MIXED of SAS, with pen serving as the experimental unit. In addition, linear effects of diet dilution for I-MALE and I-FEM pigs were tested using contrast statements. There were not significant linear effects of diet dilution for gain:feed or hot carcass weight in either the I-MALE (P > 0.28) or I-FEM (P > 0.78) pigs. For the overall period, gain:feed was improved by 7.4% for I-MALE pigs compared with the CON-NEG pigs and was improved by 1.6% for the I-FEM pigs compared with the CON-NEG pigs. Hot carcass weight was 3.6 kg greater for the I-MALE pigs compared with the CON-NEG pigs and 1.6 kg greater for the I-FEM pigs compared with the CON-NEG pigs. The results would suggest that removing nutrients during the post-second dose period of GnRF immunization does not negatively affect growth performance or carcass characteristics, while both I-MALE and I-FEM pigs are more efficient and heavier when compared with traditional mixed sex pigs.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"6 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PSII-7 Development and assessment of a mobility scoring system for beef cattle","authors":"Paula Olivares Guzman, Karen S Schwartzkopf-Genswein, Danisa Bescucci, Jose Ortiz Guluarte, Hardeep S Ryait, Majid Mohajerani, Robert Sutherland, Joyce Van Donkersgoed","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae234.490","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.490","url":null,"abstract":"Lameness is a disruption of normal gait due to infection, injury, or abnormal conformation, causing pain and discomfort. Several scoring systems have been developed to determine lameness severity; a key indicator in deciding if an animal is fit to withstand transport. However, most scoring systems were developed for dairy cattle and may not be suited for use in feedlot cattle due to the large genetic variation between beef breeds as well as the highly variable environment in which they are housed. Lack of consistency when scoring lameness and reduced ability to detect early lame cattle can result in poor animal welfare and increased costs. The objectives of this study were 1) to develop a mobility scoring system that aids in transport decisions for beef cattle, and 2) to determine observer repeatability using this scoring system. Over a 7-mo period, video cameras were placed in an alley to record the ambulation of individual cattle exiting the processing barn at 4 commercial feedlots in Southern Alberta. Cameras were set to record whole-body videos of cattle walking, running, or trotting. Five researchers trained to use this mobility scoring system, individually evaluated 174 cattle from the collected videos, for fitness for transport and the presence/absence of gait abnormalities: shortness of stride, stiffness (mild, moderate, or severe), limp (mild, moderate, or severe), hip hike, head dropped, head bob, arched back, non-weight bearing, or reluctance to move. The mobility scoring system used was a modified (NCBA and Zinpro) 4-point scale (0-3) for locomotion: 0) an animal with no gait abnormalities; 1) an animal with mild stiffness and shortness of stride; 2) an animal with difficulty taking some steps and one or more of the following: severe stiffness, limp favoring affected limb, limps with a head bob when walking but still bears weight; and 3) an animal reluctant or unable to move, bearing little or no weight on affected limb, the head of the animal is dropped and back arched with pronounced head bob and severe limp detected, or incoordination. Fitness for transport was scored as fit, compromised, or unfit according to the humane transportation guidelines of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A kappa statistic was calculated to assess inter-observer reliability for both mobility and transport fitness scoring systems as well as gait abnormalities. The combined mobility scores had substantial agreement between observers (Κ = 0.63; P < 0.001). Mobility score of 2 had the highest agreement among all variables (Κ = 0.88; P < 0.001), followed by head bob (Κ = 0.85; P < 0.001), and arched back (Κ = 0.76; P < 0.001). Results of this study will aid in the development of a mobility score that improves industry stakeholder agreement regarding lameness severity and transport loading decisions.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PSIV-15 Effect of transient fetal bovine viral diarrhea virus infection on postnatal growth, estimated dry matter digestibility, glucose concentrations, and carcass characteristics","authors":"Alexandra C Miller, Huey Yi Loh, Erlene Chek, Octavio Guimaraes, Tyler A Thomas, Meghan P Thorndyke, Hana Van Campen, Jess N Kincade, Thomas R Hansen, Terry E Engle","doi":"10.1093/jas/skae234.525","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.525","url":null,"abstract":"Fetal infection of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) before d 125 to 150 of gestation results in the birth of immunotolerant, persistently infected (PI) calves. Infection of BVDV during late gestation results in transient fetal infections (TI). Unvaccinated, yearling Hereford heifers (n = 25), seronegative for antibodies to BVDV1 and BVDV2, were bred by artificial insemination with X chromosome-bearing sperm from an Angus sire to examine the impact of TI on postnatal growth, estimated dry matter digestibility, blood glucose concentrations, and carcass characteristics. On d 175 of pregnancy, heifers were intranasally inoculated with either DMEM + 2% horse serum (sham control) to generate control calves or 4.0 log TCID50 noncytopathic type2 BVDV to generate TI calves. All sham-inoculated control dams remained seronegative, and all BVDV-inoculated dams seroconverted by d 14 post-inoculation. Sham-inoculated control dams (n = 12) and BVDV-inoculated dams (n = 12) gave birth to live calves. All control offspring were seronegative, and all TI offspring were seropositive for antibodies to type 2 BVDV at birth. All offspring were raised on pasture until weaning. At weaning, all calves were transported to our feedlot research facility, housed in one group feedlot pen, and transitioned to a high-energy concentrate-based diet until reaching an approximate BW of 600 kg. Upon arrival at the feedlot, all animals received a standard heifer growth implant, a modified live viral vaccine containing IBR-BRSV-PI3 and were dewormed. Heifer BW and jugular blood samples were collected every 28 d. On d 84 of the feeding period, titanium dioxide was added to the diet of 12, age-paired, individually fed, heifers (3 control and 3 TI heifers; approximately 1 yr of age) for 28 d and used to estimate dry matter digestibility. After approximately 280 d on feed heifers were transported to a USDA-inspected abattoir and harvested. The TI heifers had lighter birth weights (P < 0.03) and final BW (P < 0.04) when compared with control heifers. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.01) in control compared with TI heifers. Blood glucose concentrations were similar between control and TI heifers at all sampling time points. Dry matter intake of individually fed heifers was similar across treatments. TI heifers had a 2.2% lesser (P < 0.05) dry matter digestibility and lighter (P < 0.01) hot carcass weights compared with controls. These data suggest that TI fetal BVDV infection negatively impacts growth throughout the feeding period, possibly by impacting gastrointestinal tract function. This research was supported by USDA-NIFA Grant # 2019-67015-29866.","PeriodicalId":14895,"journal":{"name":"Journal of animal science","volume":"61 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142233322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}