scholarly journals Physiological Parameters of Endurance Horses Pre- Compared to Post-Race, Correlated with Performance: A Two Race Study from Scandinavia

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Larsson ◽  
P. H. Pilborg ◽  
M. Johansen ◽  
M. T. Christophersen ◽  
A. Holte ◽  
...  

Few studies have investigated the physiological parameters of endurance horses in Scandinavia. Hence, this two race study has focused on the effects of endurance racing in terms of equine clinicopathological blood parameters, heart score, and fluid use. Race A involved 15 horses (120 km). Two pre- and one post-race blood samples were taken, body condition score was assessed in triplicate pre-race, and an ECG was used to determine heart score. Race B involved 16 horses (65–120 km). One pre- and two post-race blood samples were taken. For both races, horse data as well as fluid intake estimates and cooling water were noted. Race A showed that blood haematocrit, albumin, sodium, and triglycerides increased significantly with endurance racing, whilst chloride, glucose, iron, and potassium decreased significantly. In race B, blood creatinine, cholesterol, and inorganic phosphate continued to increase significantly during the first post-race sampling period compared to pre-race levels, whilst iron, which decreased significantly during the race, increased significantly over the two post-race sampling periods. It is concluded that whilst no correlation between heart score and speed was observed, a significant correlation exists between experience and changes in blood parameters with endurance racing and between fluid intake and average speed.

1970 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 339-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ortiz ◽  
E. M. Kesler ◽  
G. H. Watrous ◽  
W. H. Cloninger

An objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between body condition of the dairy cow and susceptibility of milk to rancidity. Initial milk samples were obtained from 166 cows in Spring, 1969, and all animals were retested after an interval of two months. Additional observations included the effects of stage of lactation, level of milk production, and herd effects. Each cow was evaluated for body condition, at the times when milk samples were obtained, by a method based on measures of weight and skeletal size and by a subjective scoring system. Spontaneous rancidity of the milk fat was allowed to develop upon storage for 48 hr; and induced rancidity was brought about by controlled agitation. As measured by acid degree values (ADV) the treatments imposed on the milk samples were successful in simulating development of spontaneous and induced lipolysis of the milk fat. However, the magnitude of the ADV was not related to body condition score. It is concluded that in well-fed herds, such as those used in this experiment, body condition of the cow does not influence the susceptibility of her milk to rancidity. These data may not apply under conditions of poor feeding and management. Advancing stage of lactation was associated with increases in both spontaneous and induced rancidity. This was indicated by positive correlations between days in milk and ADV, and by significantly higher values in the second sampling period than in the first. There was a negative correlation between the amount of milk produced and ADV. This may have been related to the decline in milk flow which accompanied advancing lactation. An unexplained herd difference existed with respect to the susceptibility of milk to induced rancidity.


2020 ◽  
pp. 8-12

Introduction: Vivisection could lead to the derailment of vital body functions and hence severe health consequences. The effect of multiple vivisections on haematobiochemical parameters of dogs was investigated with a perspective to improve animal welfare. Methods: Fifteen healthy Nigerian indigenous dogs that were to be used for student wet-labs were recruited for this study. The dogs were acclimatized for four weeks and then exposed to four (4) weeks (bi-weekly) vivisection. Complete physical examination and blood sampling were carried out on days 0, 14, and 28 post-vivisection. Blood samples were analysed for blood and serum biochemical profiles. Results: Post-vivisections results were compared to pre-vivisection results using ANOVA. Physical examination also reveals loss of body weight, body condition score, decreased skin elasticity, sunken eyeballs, dry oral and nasal mucous membrane, as well as percent dehydration on post-vivisection parameters. Findings also revealed a decrease in haematocrit, haemoglobin, and erythrocyte count (p < 0.05), coupled with hyperproteinaemia, hyperalbuminemia, and azotaemia (p < 0.05) which are generally accepted as indices for dehydration. Significance: Conclusively, the reported anaemia and dehydration in this study could potentiate serious adverse medical effects and it was therefore recommended that the use of animals for multiple surgical procedures should be guided by standard surgical protocols with a perspective of improving animal welfare.


1987 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
S. M. Rhind ◽  
A. J. F. Russel ◽  
T. K. Whyte ◽  
Alison J. McBean ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to examine factors affecting the length of the post-partum anoestrous period and associated effects on LH, FSH and prolactin. Forty-six cows (24 Hereford × Friesian and 22 Blue-Grey) ranging in body condition score at calving from 1·50 to 2·75 were used. They were individually fed chopped barley straw and concentrate at either 50 (low) or 91 (high) MJ metabolizable energy per day from calving. At 34 days post partum half the cows were separated from their calves for 48 h. The duration of the post-partum anoestrous period was estimated from progesterone concentrations in thrice weekly blood samples. Blood samples were collected every 20 min for 10 h periods immediately prior to calf separation, during the last 10 h of calf separation and 1 week later. All samples were analysed for LH, and every third sample was analysed for FSH and prolactin.There were no significant effects of genotype, feeding level or calf separation on the length of the post-partum anoestrous period. There was a negative association between body condition score at calving and the length of the anoestrous period, with each unit increase in body condition score reducing the anoestrous period by 43 (s.e. 20) days. There was some evidence that feeding level affected the number of thin cows (body condition score ≤2·25 at calving) which were still acyclic at the end of the experiment, but not the number of fat cows (body condition score ≥2·5 at calving).FSH levels were not affected by any of the factors examined. Prolactin concentrations were higher in fatter cows, in cows on the higher level of feeding and in Blue-Grey cows. Prolactin concentrations decreased during the period of calf separation. Genotype and feeding level had no effect on LH concentration or LH pulse frequency. LH pulse frequency was increased (P < 0·05) during the period of calf separation, but there was no effect 1 week later. There was a significant positive relationship between LH puise frequency and body condition score at calving in two of the three sampling periods.It is suggested that the effect of body condition on the duration of the post-partum anoestrous period i s mediated through effects on LH pulse frequency.


2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1327-1334 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. F. Moreira ◽  
E. J. Facury Filho ◽  
R. M. Meneses ◽  
F. L. M. Mendonça ◽  
J. A. M. Lima ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe used 31 crossbreed dairy cows to compare the energetic profile in summer and winter. Blood samples were taken weekly prepartum, at calving and on days 2, 5, 10, 15, 21 and 30 postpartum. All metabolic indicators analyzed were influenced by the physiological status. The glucose concentrations were higher during winter while the triglyceride concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were higher in the summer. The season influenced the concentrations of cholesterol, AST and GGT, showing a different pattern between summer and winter. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hidroxibutirate (BHB) were not influenced by the season. Cows that calved during winter had a greater body condition score (BCS) and lost more BCS until calving. During summer, 32.26% of the animals and 29.03% during winter had NEFA concentrations above the optimum level and 22.58% of the animals in summer and 19.35% in the winter had subclinical ketosis at some point during the transition period, making then more susceptible to diseases.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2033
Author(s):  
Amirul Faiz Mohd Azmi ◽  
Hafandi Ahmad ◽  
Norhariani Mohd Nor ◽  
Yong-Meng Goh ◽  
Mohd Zamri-Saad ◽  
...  

With the increase in the global buffalo herd, the use of supplementation in the ruminant feeding has become an important area for many researchers who are looking for an isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet to improve production parameters. In order to improve the performance of the Asian water buffalo, the optimal balance of all nutrients, including energy and protein, are important as macronutrients. Dietary supplementation is one of the alternatives to enhance the essential nutrient content in the buffalo diet and to improve the rumen metabolism of the animal. Researchers have found that supplementation of concentrate and rumen bypass fat could change growth performance and carcass traits without causing any adverse effects on the buffalo growth. Some studies showed that dry matter intake, body condition score and some blood parameters and hormones related to growth responded positively to concentrate and rumen bypass fat supplementation. In addition, changes of feeding management by adding the supplement to the ruminant basal diet helped to increase the profit of the local farmers due to the increased performance and productivity of the animals. Nevertheless, the effects of dietary supplementation on the performance of ruminants are inconsistent. Thus, its long-term effects on the health and productivity of buffaloes still need to be further investigated.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan Braga Paiano ◽  
Daniela Becker Birgel ◽  
Rüdiger Daniel Ollhoff ◽  
Eduardo Harry Birgel Junior

Background: Lameness in dairy cows is classified as a gait change caused by multifactorial process. The phase of the peripartum causes intense physiological changes for the adaptation of late gestation and onset of lactation. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in the biochemical profile and productive performance in dairy cows with lameness during postpartum period.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted at the University of São Paulo farm, in Pirassununga, São Paulo State, Brazil, from January to March 2017. A total, of 48 multiparous (2 to 3 lactations and 3-4 years old) dairy cows, that had the milk production of 9,200 kg/ dairy cow in a period of 305 days in the previous lactation, were included in the study. All cows were managed under the same conditions and nutritional regimen. Evaluation of body condition score was performed by a single person on -18, -12, -8, -5, and -2 days before parturition, at parturition, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition. Milk production was recorded on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition and saved in the software program. Blood samples were performed on -18, -12, -8, -5, and -2 days before parturition, at parturition, and on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition. Blood samples were assayed for albumin, calcium, cholesterol, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamil-transferase and total protein concentrations. Dairy cows were divided into a lame group (11) and normal group (37) based on locomotion score from parturition to seven days postpartum. Lame cows was classified if their score was > 2, and normal cows was classified if their score was ≤ 2 and free of any disease. Dairy cows that suffer by any health disorder other than lameness were excluded from this study. Cow diagnosed with lameness outside the diagnostic period were excluded from this study. The averages of the milk production, body condition score and biochemical profile were compared with the Tukey’s test. Lame cows showed lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of albumin (on days -18 -12, -8, -5, -2 relative to parturition, at parturition, and on days 7, 14, 21, 45 and 60 after parturition) calcium (on days -18, -12, -8, -5 and -2 before parturition, and on days 7, 14, 21, 45 and 60 after parturition), cholesterol (on days -12, -8, -5 before parturition and on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition) than normal cows. Cow with lameness showed higher (P < 0.05) concentration of triglyceride (on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition), non-esterified fatty acids (on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition) and β-hydroxybutyrate (on days -12, -5 and -2 before parturition, at parturition, and on days 1, 14, 21 and 30 after parturition) than normal group. Cows with lameness presented higher (P < 0.05) values of body condition score on days -18, -12 and -8 before parturition, and lower (P < 0.05) values on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition than normal cows. Milk production was lower (P < 0.05) for cows with lameness (on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition) than normal cows.Discussion: The overall prevalence of lameness in the evaluated period was 22.92% (11/48). Among lame cows, 07 presented laminitis, 02 had interdigital hyperplasia and 02 had sole ulcer. Our findings prove that the biochemical profile and productivity of dairy cows during the peripartum and postpartum period were affected by lameness at the early lactation. 


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Cuadra EJ

Eighteen cycling Holstein heifers were allotted at random by weight and body condition score to one of two treatments to evaluate the effects of GnRH on luteal response when injected 48 hours (h) after the first injection in a 10 day interval between two i njections of PGF2α . Heifers in the control group (n=9) received an injection of saline 48 h after the first injection of PGF2α; however, heifers in the μg) 48treatmenthafter group n=9) received an injection of GnRH (100 the first injection of PGF2α. Heife rs were checked for estrus 3 times daily for 60 minutes each time. Blood samples were collected for analysis of progesterone on d ays 0 (first injection of PGF2α), 2 (48 h after the fi rst injection), 10 ( at the second injection of PGF2) and at day 17 (7 days a fte r the second injection of PGF2α ). Plasma samples were analyzed fo r concentration of progesterone via radioimmunoassay to evaluate luteal cell function. Concentrations of progesterone did not differ between the control heifers and treatment animals at any day of the study. However, heifers treated with GnRH showed a significant decline in concentration of progesterone from day 0 to day 2 in a luteal response to the injection; nevertheless, concentrations of progesterone increased significantly from day 2 t o day 10. Thus, this data demonstrated that injecting GnRH 48 h after PGF2α either speeds up formation of new corpus luteum or prevents full regression of the corpus luteum present prior to the first injection of PGF2α.


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