Volume 54 (2011) 6, 567-675
Arch Tierz 54 (2011) 6, 567-675 (preprint)
Hypothalamic orexin A expression and the involvement of AMPK and PPAR-gamma signalling in energy restricted dairy cows
Björn Kuhla, Solvig Görs and Cornelia C. Metges
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 567-579 PDF
A number of circuits controlling feed intake have been identified in rodents in which circulating dietary metabolites are detected by the brainstem and the hypothalamus converting these input signals to anorexic responses. Dietary metabolites used by dairy cows, however, are not identical with those of rodents calling for the elucidation of feedingrelated pathways in ruminants. In the present study we examined potentially relevant plasma metabolites and hypothalamic signalling pathways in ad libitum and restrictively fed early lactating dairy cows. 60 h feed energy restriction led to significantly increased non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), Gln, Gly, His, and 3-Me-histine but decreased Asp, Asn, beta-Ala, Tyr, and Trp concentrations. In immunohistochemical studies, we found that feed energy restriction is associated with elevated numbers of parvocellular but not magnocellular orexin A neurons in the lateral, dorsomedial and posterior hypothalamic area. In parvocellular orexin A neurons we determined complete colocalisation with cFOS in energy restricted cows. In the majority of orexin A neurons we further found colocalisation with activated adenosine monophosphate activated kinase (AMPK) as well as with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ). Feed restriction also induced activation (phosphorylation) of AMPK and increased expression of PPARγ when Western Blots were normalized to β-actin. These results suggest that orexin A associated with AMPK and PPARγ signalling is involved in the control of energy homeostasis of dairy cows.
Effect of rank, group size and number of group changes ante partum on the occurrence of milk ejection disorders in primiparous cows – a field study
Katrin Heidig, Steffi Geidel and Otto Kaufmann
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 580-593 PDF
In the present study causes for the development of milk ejection disorders (MED) in primiparous cows of two herds were investigated. We hypothesised that MED are provoked by social problems within the herd that appear close to calving. Data were collected on 67 heifers of herd A and 60 heifers of herd B. In herd A, heifers were introduced into existing groups of cows 2-4 weeks prior to calving. They were kept in a group housing system with deep bedding. All animals were hornless. In herd B, heifers were kept separated from the cows from 2-4 weeks a.p. in a three-row cubicle barn. In contrast to herd A, all animals had horns. The animals´ reactions regarding the milking process and MED were analysed during the first four milkings p.p. We evaluated the correlation between social rank, group size and frequency of group changes in the antepartal period and the occurrence of MED. 12 % of the animals in herd A and 47 % of the animals in herd B showed MED. In herd A, lowranking heifers had significantly more often MED than higher-ranking heifers. A correlation between low rank, increasing strain due to rank order fights and increasing frequency of MED can be assumed here. In herd B, a correlation between stocking rate and frequency of MED could be observed.
Effect of temperament of Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows on milk production traits and somatic cell count (Short Communication)
Martina Orbán, Katalin Kovácsné Gaál, Ferenc Pajor, Andrea Szentléleki, Péter Póti, János Tőzsér and László Gulyás
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 594-599 PDF
The aim of present study was to investigate the relationships between temperament score and milk production, as well as somatic cell count in a herd of Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds. The temperament of 283 Jersey and 69 Holstein Friesian cows were assessed (scored) by the temperament score test (behaviour of animals was assessed in a 5-score system (1: calm, 5: nervous) while spending 30 s on the scale during weighing). The daily milk yield, fat, protein content and somatic cell count were also investigated in this study. Our investigation did not reveal any correlation between daily milk yield and temperament score. But milk somatic cell count was showed positive moderate relation with the temperament scores of Jersey (rrank=0.67; P=0.0001) and Holstein Friesian (rrank=0.66; P=0.0001) cows. Calmer cows had lower somatic cell count (Jersey: 135.40×103/cm3; Holstein Friesian: 176.07×103/cm3) compared to the more temperamental cows (Jersey: 540.44×103/cm3; P=0.0001; Holstein Friesian: 744.91×103/cm3; P=0.0001, resp.).
Native pig (Moo Lat) breeds in Lao PDR (Short Communication)
Soukanh Keonouchanh, Istvan Egerszegi, Jozsef Ratky, Bouahom Bounthong, Noboru Manabe and Klaus-Peter Brüssow
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 600-606 PDF
Pig production continues to be an important livelihood activity in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) which base on traditional methods. However, it is increasingly affected by social and market pressures. More than 80 % of pig herds are native breeds and belong to smallholders with combined keeping systems. Based on a national field survey, the native pigs have been characterized and classified in four phenotypes. The native pig types and their local distribution are described. Most of them have short ears, black colour and potbelly. Their production performance, i.e. growth rates and daily weight gain is lower and the carcass fat considerably higher than that of exotic (i.e. in Lao terms »modern, intensive«) breeds. However, they require lower inputs and have excellent adaptation traits.
Effect of growth promoters (probiotics) supplementation on performance, rumen activity and some blood constituents in growing lambs
Hany Hillal, Gamal El-Sayaad and Mohamed Abdella
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 607-617 PDF
The current study examined the effects of probiotics (Pronifer and More-yeast) supplementation to growing lambs. 25 crossbred (Osimi×Rahmani) growing lambs of about 6-8 months age and an average initial live body weight of 25 kg were used. Lambs divided into five groups (5 lambs for each group) and the experimental period lasted for 169 days. The control group T1 received concentrate feed mixture (CFM), group T2 and T3 received 1.5 and 3 kg Pronifer/Mg (megagram) CFM and group T4 and T5 received 2.5 and 5 kg More-yeast/ Mg CFM, respectively. Rumen liquor and blood samples were taken and digestibility trial was conducted at the end of the experiment. Results showed higher digestibility values for crude protein (P<0.05) in T3 and T4 when compared to control. Nutritive ratio was lower (P<0.05) in groups T3 and T4 than in group T2. More-yeast supplementation improved dry matter intake (P<0.001), while a reverse trend was observed with Pronifer supplementation. All treatments had little effect on ruminal liquor except ruminal ammonia concentration in T5 was lower (P<0.05) than other treatments. The differences in most blood plasma parameters due to treatment effect were not significant, except plasma urea and globulin concentrations increased (P<0.05) with T5 treatment. The obtained results appear to indicate that Moreyeast supplementation improved lambs performance and digestibility, whereas, Pronifer supplementation enhanced digestibility.
Novel single nucleotide polymorphisms of GnRHR gene and their association with litter size in goats
Guang Li, He-Pin Wu, Ming-Zhe Fu and Zhan-Qin Zhou
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 618-624 PDF
In the present study, the polymorphisms of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene were analysed as a genetic marker candidate for litter size in 720 individuals from Shaanan goats (SG) and Boer goats (BG). Two alleles (A and C), two observed genotypes (AA and AC), and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. The frequencies of alleles A and C in two goat breeds were 0.78-0.82 and 0.18-0.22, respectively. The SNP locus was in Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium in two goat breeds (P<0.05). In addition, comparisons between the nucleotide sequences of AA and AC genotypes showed one mutation (T>A) at exon 2. The results showed that AA genotype was associated with better litter size in SG and BG breeds. Therefore, these results suggest that GnRHR gene is a strong candidate gene that affects litter size in goats.
Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing rabbits housed in cages or open-air park
Victor Pinheiro, Divanildo Outor-Monteiro, Severiano Silva, José Silva and José Luís Mourão
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 625-635 PDF
The study was carried out to investigate the effects of two housing systems on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing rabbits during the terminal fattening period. The rabbits were lodged in conventional cages between 35 and 59 days of age (growing period). At this age, they were moved into two different housing systems until they were 87 days of age (fattening period). During the fattening period, 48 rabbits were housed in 12 wire cages (0.5×0.6×0.35 m) and 48 rabbits were housed in one open-air pasture pen (20×9 m). At 87 days, 12 rabbits per treatment were slaughtered and the carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated. During the fattening period, the rabbits reared in cages had significantly higher live weights (3062 vs. 2705 g), weight gains (45.9 vs. 34.2 g·d-1) and feed intakes (163.4 vs. 110.2 g·d-1) than those reared in pens. The rabbits in the open-air group had a lower percentage of dissectible fat (1.35 vs. 4.19%), a higher proportion of hind part (34.9 vs. 33.1%), and less hind leg muscle (79.3 vs. 81.9%) than caged rabbits. The m. biceps femoris of the rabbits in the open-air group had a higher cooking loss (3.64 vs. 3.02%), Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (4.26 vs. 3.29 kg·cm-2), and myoglobin concentration (0.41 vs. 0.32 mg·g-1) than caged rabbits. The housing system had no effect on the dressing out percentage, viscera proportion, and ultimate pH. Open-air housing system reduces the growth of rabbits and the fat content of carcasses and increases the redness colour of meat.
Behavioural responses, traumatic injuries and live weight losses in ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks transported by road during hot-dry conditions
Ndazo Salka Minka and Joseph Olusegun Ayo
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 636-648 PDF
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of six-hour road transportation on behavioural activities, live weight and traumatic injuries of 40 (20 males and 20 females) ostrich chicks age 3.5 months. The average weight of the birds was 27.7 kg. Four separate journeys were conducted and each vehicle was loaded with 10 ostriches. The behavioural events, environmental data, live weights and traumatic injuries were recorded before, during and after transportation. The result showed that the most stressful behaviours exhibited by the chicks during transportation were hyperventilation (66.7±21.2%), wing fluffing (65±12.0%), and prolonged standing (60±15.3%). The most frequent behaviours per hour of the journey were beak opening (5.9±1.8 bouts), elimination (5.3±2.3 bouts) and pecking (5.6±2.8 bouts). The chicks spent 27.0±11.8, 18.2±1.0, and 17.5±0.1 min per hour of the journey, standing, restless and lying down, respectively. 15.0±2.3% of the chicks sustained mild injuries during handling and loading. The birds lost 6.5±1.4% of their live weight after transportation. The relationships between the journey period, temperature humidity index (THI) and stressful behaviours of wing fluffing, pecking, hyperventilation (beak opening) and lying down recorded during the transportation was positive and significant (P<0.01), while behaviours of standing, elimination and restlessness were negatively and significantly (P<0.01) correlated. Student's t-test and Pearson’s correlation test were employed in the statistical analysis. The results suggest that THI of 33-40°C constitutes moderate risk, while that of 47°C and above may result in severe stressful behaviours, and this may be considered as recommended ranges and limits of thermal load values in transported chicks. In conclusion, six hours road transportation during hot-dry conditions and the introduction of ostrich chicks into a new environment post-transportation induce behavioural stress.
Effect of duck genotype on leg muscle properties
Janina Wołoszyn, Andrzej Okruszek, Agnieszka Orkusz, Monika Wereńska, Juliusz Książkiewicz and Halina Grajeta
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 649-660 PDF
The research objective was to compare the nutritive value and some functional properties of duck leg muscles from different flocks. A total of 80 drakes out of three conservative flocks (cross-breeds Pekin type – SB, Miniduck – K2, Pekin originated from Danish Pekin duck – P8) and one maternal breeding strain (P66) aged seven weeks, were used for comparison. The content of protein, lipids, moisture, essential amino acids, fatty acids and cholesterol were estimated. The investigation of functional properties has covered: the determination of the colour parameters – L*, a* b*, colour difference between individual flocks, total haem pigments’ content, sensory evaluation of raw muscles’ colour intensity in 10 point scale; pH24; water holding capacity; cooking loss and shear force. Comparing the basic chemical and amino acid composition, cholesterol content and profile of fatty acids, it could be concluded that the P66 leg muscles coming from a selected breeding strain, are the most favourable from the nutritional point of view. It is evident too, that muscles from all the examined flocks have been characterized by a high nutritional value. Taking into consideration the functional properties, it was concluded that the muscles from the investigated flocks varied in colour and analysed traits. The ducks of K2 had the best functional properties. The advantages of K2 in comparison to the other ducks are: darker colour typical of waterfowl meat, lower cooking loss, higher water holding capacity and lower shear force.
Generalized linear models with random effects for the description of data with excess zeros
Norbert Mielenz, Katrin Thamm, Michael Bulang and Joachim Spilke
Arch Tierz 54 (2011), 661-675 PDF
In this paper count data with excess zeros and repeated observations per subject are evaluated. If the number of values observed for the zero event in the trial substantially exceeds the expected number (derived from the Poisson or from the negative binomial distribution), then there is an excess of zeros. Hurdle and zero-inflated models with random effects are available in order to evaluate this type of data. In this paper both model approaches are presented and are used for the evaluation of the number of visits to the feeder per cow per hour. Finally, for the analysis of the target trait a hurdle model with random effects based on a negative binomial distribution was used. This analysis was derived from a detailed comparison of models and was needed because of a simpler computer implementation. For improved interpretation of the results, the levels of the explanatory factors (for example, the classes of lactation) were not averaged in the link scale, but rather in the response scale. The deciding explanatory variables for the pattern of visiting activities in the 24-hour cycle are the milking and cleaning times at hours 4, 7, 12 and 20. The highly significant differences in the visiting frequencies of cows of the first lactation and those of higher lactations were explained by competition for access to the feeder and thus to the feed.