Lupin and cowpea supplements for growth, wool production, and reproduction in rams

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 447 ◽  
Author(s):  
CC Pomares ◽  
DB Galloway ◽  
JHG Holmes ◽  
IJ Clarke ◽  
AJ Tilbrook
Keyword(s):  
Volume Concentration ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Wool Growth ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Testicular Size ◽  
Australian Merino

Lupins and cowpeas were fed at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% liveweight (LW) to groups of 6 or 7 South Australian Merino rams for 11 weeks as supplements to a maintenance diet of grass hay. Productive and reproductive parameters were examined. Supplementation at all levels of either grain increased (P<0.001) LW, condition score, backfat thickness, and wool growth, with rams showing similar responses when given cowpeas and lupins. The weights of the pancreas of rams decreased (P<0.01) as the levels of supplementation increased. Semen characteristics (volume, concentration, motility, etc.) and response to freezing did not differ between the diets. Feeding either legume increased (P<0.001) testicular size, lupins giving a slightly greater response than cowpeas. Sperm production per g testicular tissue was not significantly altered. Increasing levels of either supplement increased (P<0.001) the weights of the seminal vesicles, more (P<0.01) so with lupins. The same effects occurred with the weight of epididymides except for rams fed cowpeas at the highest level. Histologically, the testes revealed an increase (P<0.001) in the number of round spermatogenic cell nuclei and the cross-sectional diameter of stage 8 tubules in rams after legume grain supplementation at 2.0% LW compared with controls. The response was higher in lupin-fed rams (P<0.05). Plasma luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in rams fed at maintenance or with lupins or cowpeas at 2.0% LW. Rams responded equally to all legumes. Concentrations of LH in peripheral blood increased (P<0.001) by 140% and FSH concentrations were elevated (P<0.01) 4-fold. Cowpeas, a tropical grain legume similar in nutrient composition to lupins, have similar potential when used as a supplement to improve productive and reproductive capabilities of Merino rams.

178 Relationships Between Sow Blood Glucose Levels on Day of Farrowing and Sow and Litter Parameters

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Brian P Yeich ◽  
Rafael Ovidio Bautista Rivas ◽  
Naomi C Willard ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Jenny R Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
Blood Glucose Levels ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
Condition Score

Abstract Low blood glucose levels at the start of farrowing have been associated with increased farrowing duration and stillbirth rate. This study evaluated changes in sow blood glucose (BG) on the day of farrowing and investigated relationships between sow and litter parameters and BG. The study was carried out over 12 h from 0600h (time of last feeding) on the day sows were induced to farrow (d 115 of gestation) as a cross-sectional survey using 42 sows/gilts of which 32 farrowed. Blood samples (1.2 μL) were collected from an ear vein of each sow every 2 h from 0600 h; glucose was measured using a glucometer (Accuchek Aviva; Roche Diabetes Care, Inc., Indianapolis, IN). Sow parameters recorded included parity, body condition score (BCS: 1 = extremely thin to 5 = extremely fat), number of piglets born, total litter birth weight, and farrowing duration. Linear relationships between sow parameters and BG were developed using PROC REG of SAS. Sows that farrowed had similar (P &gt; 0.05) BG to those that did not (84.4 vs. 86.8 mg/dL; SEM 1.76). Regression relationships between sow parameters and BG were generally weak (adjusted R2 ≤ 0.20). There was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of time after feeding, time after start of farrowing, or time interval between piglet births on BG. Average BG levels increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) with sow BCS (7.6 mg/dL/BCS; SE 2.63) but decreased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) with sow parity (-2.5 mg/dL/litter; SE 0.96), litter size (-0.8 mg/dL/piglet; SE 0.28), litter weight (-0.06 mg/dL/kg; SE 0.26), and farrowing duration (-1.8 mg/dL/h; SE 0.82). In contrast to previous research, changes in BG from last feed to start of farrowing (which ranged from 0 to 9 h) and relationship with other sow and litter parameters were relatively limited.

scholarly journals Characterization of Seminiferous Epithelium Stages in the Wild Javan Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak) Using the Tubular Morphology Method

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sri Wahyuni ◽  
Gholib Gholib ◽  
I Ketut Mudite Adnyane ◽  
Muhammad Agil ◽  
Hamny Hamny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Seminiferous Epithelium ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Diplotene Stage ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Muntiacus Muntjak ◽  
Tubular Morphology

Stages of the seminiferous epithelium of the testis of the wild Javan muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak) in hard antler period were characterized based on the tubular morphology method. The number and the relative frequencies of seminiferous epithelium stages and the morphometry of germinal cell nuclei were identified microscopically. We identified eight stages of seminiferous epithelium in testicular tissue of the Javan muntjac and found that the relative frequencies of stages I to VIII were 14.87, 15.12, 17.75, 6.87, 7.37, 12.37, 13, and 12.62%, respectively. The diameter of the nuclei of germinal cells varied in each stage of seminiferous epithelium. Diplotene-stage primary spermatocytes had prominent and large nuclei ~8.97 ± 1.0 μm in stages III and IV. Pachytene primary spermatocytes appeared in most stages, except stage IV, whereas leptotene- and diplotene-stage primary spermatocytes were found in stages I and II, and III and IV, respectively. Round spermatids were observed in stages IV to VIII and in stage I but were absent in stages II and III, while elongated spermatids were observed in all stages except stage I. Our findings show that the stages of seminiferous epithelium in the Javan muntjac are similar to those found in neotropical cervids, small ruminants, and other domestic animals.

Estimation of risk factors associated with difficult birth in ewes

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Horton ◽  
R. Corkrey ◽  
G. N. Hinch
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Cause Of Deaths ◽  
Ease Score ◽  
Very High ◽  
Australian Merino

In eight closely recorded Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks, all lamb deaths were examined and the cause of deaths identified if possible. Dystocia was identified as one of the major causes of lamb death and this study examined factors that could be used to identify ewes at high risk of dystocia, either to avoid dystocia or to assist with early intervention where possible. Dystocia was least common in lambs of ~4.8 kg, but there was a higher risk at both lower and higher birthweights. Dystocia with both low and high birthweight was more common in older ewes, ranging from negligible low birthweight dystocia in ewes less than 3 years old at lambing, to 5% in older ewes. Low birthweight dystocia increased with increasing litter size, with 40% dystocia in ewes at least 4 years of age with triplets. In contrast, high birthweight dystocia was not affected by litter size. A previous record of low birthweight dystocia was a risk factor for future low birthweight dystocia, but the same relationship was not observed for high birthweight dystocia. A high lambing ease score (difficult birth) with high birthweight was a risk factor for future high birthweight dystocia, but this was not the case for low birthweight dystocia. These differences between the risk factors for low and high birthweight dystocia suggest that they have different causes. High ewe liveweight and condition score during pregnancy may be additional indicators of the risk of dystocia, particularly for ewes with high liveweight in the first 60 days of pregnancy. For most ewes dystocia was difficult to predict, but there was a small proportion of ewes with a very high risk of dystocia and if these could be identified in advance they could be monitored much more closely than the rest of the flock.

Modification of spermatozoa quality in mature small ruminants

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. B. Martin ◽  
T. Jorre de St Jorre ◽  
F. A. Al Mohsen ◽  
I. A. Malecki
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Cell Loss ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
The Other ◽  
Sperm Production ◽  
Testicular Mass ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Sperm Survival ◽  
Sperm Output

This review is based largely, but not entirely, on the assumption that gamete quality is directly linked to sperm output and thus testicular mass, an approach made necessary by the absence of a large body of data on factors that affect gamete quality in ruminants. On the other hand, there is a change in the efficiency of sperm production per gram of testicular tissue when the testis is growing or shrinking, a clear indicator of changes in the rates of cell loss during the process of spermatogenesis, probably through apoptosis. We therefore postulate that the spermatozoa that do survive when the testis is shrinking are of a lower quality than those that are produced when the testis is growing and the rate of sperm survival is increasing. In adult small ruminants in particular, testicular mass and sperm production are highly labile and can be manipulated by management of photoperiod (melatonin), nutrition, genetics and behaviour (‘mating pressure’). Importantly, these factors do not act independently of each other – rather, the outcomes in terms of sperm production are dictated by interactions. It therefore seems likely that spermatozoa quality will be affected by these same factors, but definitive answers await detailed studies.

scholarly journals Lameness in Sheltered Cows and Its Association with Cow and Shelter Attributes

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind Sharma ◽  
Clive J. C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
The Body ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Joint Injuries ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Carpal Joint ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

The sheltering of old, unproductive and abandoned cows in traditional cow shelters, known as gaushalas, has been practiced in India since ancient times. Cows are kept in these shelters until they die of natural causes. The welfare of the cows in these shelters was assessed through a cross-sectional study of 54 cow shelters in six states of India. A total of 1620 cows were examined to assess the prevalence of lameness in these cows, and the associated risk factors for lameness were identified through the measurement of animal-based and resource-based welfare indicators. The overall lameness prevalence was 4.2%. The majority (86%) had mild to moderate hock joint swellings but no or only mild carpal joint injuries. Approximately one-half had mild to moderate hock joint hair loss and most were free of hock joint ulcerations. Claw overgrowth was present in almost one half of the cows. Lameness prevalence was positively correlated with coat dirtiness, hock and carpal joint lesions, diarrhea and claw overgrowth scores. In a multivariate analysis, lameness prevalence increased as the Body Condition Score (BCS) decreased and was associated with increased udder dirtiness, the ulceration of the hock joint, carpal joint injuries and claw overgrowth. Resource-based indicators measured at the shelter level suggested that an absence of bedding in the sheds and an increase in the gradient of the shed flooring increased lameness. Addressing the principle risk factors identified for lameness in the sheltered cows (low body condition, dirty udders, lesions on the hock and carpal joints, overgrown claws, and a steep floor gradient) may help to reduce this serious animal welfare problem.

The influence of level of feed intake on sperm-producing capacity of testicular tissue in the ram

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
CM Oldham ◽  
NR Adams ◽  
PB Gherardi ◽  
DR Lindsay ◽  
JB Mackintosh
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Seminiferous Tubules ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Sperm Production

The experiment examined the effect of supplementing a roughage diet with lupin grain on the capacity of testicular tissue to produce spermatozoa. Changes in testicle size were estimated by comparative palpation. At the end of the experiment the rams were castrated and the morphology of the testes and their capacity to produce sperm were studied. At the highest level of feed intake, liveweight increased by 32% and testicle volume by 67% during the feeding period of 9 weeks. Rams on a diet that reduced testicle size produced 18 x l06 sperm/g testis per day, and those on a diet that increased testicle size produced 26 x l06 sperm/g testis per day. Those rams whose testes were increasing in size at castration had significantly larger seminiferous tubules, which occupied a significantly greater proportion of the testicle volume, than rams fed on diets that reduced the size of their testes. The variation in rates of sperm production, together with the large differences in testicle weight, resulted in wide differences in total sperm production among rams fed on different diets.

Developmental hormonal profiles accompanying the neonatal hypothyroidism-induced increase in adult testicular size and sperm production in the rat.

Endocrinology ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 559-565
Author(s):  
J D Kirby ◽  
A E Jetton ◽  
P S Cooke ◽  
R A Hess ◽  
D Bunick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Production ◽  
Neonatal Hypothyroidism ◽  
Hormonal Profiles ◽  
Testicular Size

Growth equations for skeletal muscle derived from the cytonuclear ratio and growth constraining supplementary functions

1999 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Z. Roux
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Muscle Fibres ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Mass Growth ◽  
Growth Constraints ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Almost All

AbstractFor purely hypertrophic muscle it is postulated that the growth rate in number of nuclei is proportional to the cytoplasmic mass per nucleus multiplied by a growth constraining supplementary function. Growth constraint depends on the distance from any one of the limit number of nuclei, the limit muscle mass or the limit cytoplasmic mass per nucleus. Furthermore, theory and evidence are presented for a power (allometric) relationship between total number of nuclei (n) and muscle mass (m) given by the equation n = gmh. Evidence points to two clusters of values for h, one in the vicinity of h = 2/3 and the other h = 1/2. Both may depend on a linear relationship between number of nuclei inside muscle fibre and fibre cross-sectional area. The difference between the two situations can be derived from basic assumptions on either local or systemic diffusion mediated control of the number or division of satellite cell nuclei, leading directly to values of h either equal to 2/3 or V2. For likely values of h and suitable choices of growth constraints, almost all well known growth functions in the literature are derived as potentially applicable to total number of nuclei, or muscle mass or their ratio. Muscle mass growth will show a sigmoidal form for h = 1. This explains sigmoidal growth in body mass as it is mostly dominated by muscle mass. A possible linear growth phase before maturity is explicable from the cessation of either length (h = 1) or nuclear (h = 0) growth in muscle fibres, while cytoplasmic growth continues to maturity. Furthermore, two rat examples indicate that whole body protein growth can be described by the equations derived for muscle mass growth.

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