scholarly journals Effect of feeding urea-molasses blocks with incorporated fenbendazole on grazing dairy heifers naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes

Author(s):  
R.M. Waruiru ◽  
C.O. Onyando ◽  
R.O. Machuka

Between June 1999 and August 2000, the effects of feeding medicated urea-molasses supplement blocks on the growth of dairy heifers in a marginal area of central Kenya were assessed by comparing the live-weight gain of supplemented and unsupplemented heifers grazing the same pasture. Thirty-nine heifers with an average age of 9.6 months were initially treated orally with albendazole (10 mg / kg body weight) and assigned to 3 groups : group I was fed urea-molasses blocks with incorporated fenbendazole (MUMB), group II was fed urea-molasses blocks (UMB) and group III heifers (control) received no block supplementation (NBS). Body weights of the heifers and faecal egg counts (FECs) were measured monthly and larval cultures were made of positive faecal samples of each group. The mean cumulative live-weight responses of the MUMB and UMB groups were significantly greater than the NBS group (P < 0.05). However, at the end of the experimental period, the mean weight gain of the MUMB group did not differ from that of the UMB group (P >0.05). The FECs were moderate to low in all groups and decreased progressively with increasing age of the animals; FECs for the urea-molasses-supplemented groups remained significantly lower than those of the NBS group throughout the experimental period (P <0.05). Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus were the predominant nematode genera found in the heifers, but Cooperia, Bunostomum and Oesophagostomum were also present. These results indicate that feeding of urea-molasses blocks substantially reduced production losses attributable to nematode infection of young grazing cattle, and confirms previous observations that well-fed animals are better able to overcome the effects of helminth infections.

1968 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Peart

SUMMARYData collected from mid-pregnancy until the 5th week of lactation were used to select three nearly uniform groups each of nine ewes suckling single lambs. After 4 weeks of lactation, experimental treatments were applied to these selected groups as follows: Group I. Both ewes and lambs fed ad lib.throughout. Group II. Ewes fed ad lib. throughout. Lambs offered one-third the quantity of solid food being consumed by group I lambs. Group III. Food intake of ewes restricted to 9·2 g D.o.M./kg, based on their mid-pregnancy live weights. Lambs fed ad lib. throughout. The effects of these treatments were assessed in terms of milk production, food intakes and live-weight changes of ewes, and the solid food intake and growth rates of lambs. Mean total milk production of ewes of groups I and II remained similar until the 8th lactation week, but during the 8–12 week period milk production of the ewes in group II was 6·17 kg greater than that of ewes in group I. The data suggest this difference was due to a reduced intake of milk by the lambs suckling the ewes in group I during the weaning process. From week 4 the milk yield of group III ewes declined rapidly and though these ewes drew on body reserves for milk production, this process could not sustain milk yields. The average daily live-weight gains of lambs of groups I and III were both significantly greater than that of group II, and the gain of group I lambs was significantly greater than that of group III. All groups of ewes made similar live-weight gains during early lactation and after 4 weeks each group had attained a mean value of about 60 kg. Groups I and II continued to gain weight and during week 12 their respective mean weights were 67 and 65 kg. This difference was not statistically significant. The mean live weight of group III ewes declined rapidly after week 4, reaching a minimum value of 41·5 kg. The mean daily intake of dry matter by ewes of all groups reached a maximum value of about 2·9 kg/ewe in lactation week 3 and declined to about 2·6 kg in week 4. Intakes by ewes in groups I and II were almost identical throughout. During the period of restricted feeding the mean daily intake of group III ewes was 0·58 kg dry matter/ewe. During week 5 the mean daily intakes of solid food dry matter by lambs of groups I, II and III were 44, 32 and 158 g respectively. These increased to 1230, 418 and 1537 g respectively during week 12.


1967 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Broster ◽  
Valarie J. Tuck

1. Forty-five Friesian first calf heifers were used in an experiment to study the effect on milk production of two levels of feeding in the last 6 months of pregnancy and two levels of feeding in the first 8 weeks of lactation.2. In each of two years herbage was rationed daily at different rates to two groups of pregnant heifers from late April until they calved in the autumn. The mean daily rations were 3·5 lb herbage dry matter and 2·4 lb herbage dry matter per 100 lb live weight for the two groups. The mean daily amounts consumed were 2·1 and 1·8 lb herbage dry matter per 100 lb live weight respectively.3. The rates of gross live-weight gain during the period April to August were 2·2 and 1·7 lb/day for the two groups respectively. Estimated as the net gain of the dam alone, the rates of live-weight increase during the experimental period were 0·89 and 0·49 lb/day respectively, amounting to a mean difference in live weight after calving of 57 lb between the groups.


Author(s):  
Sandeep M Gaikwad ◽  
Sarita U Gulavane ◽  
Umesh B Kumbhar ◽  
Raju R Shelar ◽  
Ravindra J Choudhari

Total 40 pregnant bitches with known history of breeding; irrespective of age, parity belonging to different breeds were classified into normal gestation (NG) and threatened abortion (TA) and further divided into four groups (n=10) according to dam’s body weight (Group I-NG, >25kg BW; Group II- NG, Lessthan25kg BW; Group III- TA, >25kg BW and Group IV- TALessthan25 kg BW). In impending abortion conventional treatment of antibiotics and progesterone was given for 7 days and 15/20 bitches parturited. The puppies were evaluated at birth, at 30 minutes and at 60 minutes after birth by using Apgar scoring System. The mean Apgar scores at birth, 30, 60 minutes were 7.33 ± 0.22, 9.19 ± 0.23, 10.55 ± 0.12; 6.53 ± 0.16, 9.26 ± 0.20, 10.88 ± 0.12; 6.28 ± 0.20, 7.88 ± 0.21, 9.35 ± 0.18 and 5.39 ± 0.15, 7.36 ± 0.21, 9.81 ± 0.19, respectively in group I, II, III and IV. The Apgar scores of the puppies at birth, 30 and 60 minutes were significantly higher in normal gestation than in threatened abortion irrespective of body weights. At birth 6.54, 86.27, 7.19 and 17.17, 82.83,0 per cent puppies from normal gestation and threatened abortion had low, medium and high Apgar scores, respectively. At 60 minutes, 0, 10.79, 89.21 and 0, 41.46, 58.54 per cent puppies had low, medium, high scores in normal gestation and threatened abortion, respectively.


1970 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. McCullough

SUMMARYConcentrate diets supplemented with 5, 20 and 40% high- and low-quality hay were given ad libitum to British Friesian steers from 9 weeks of age to slaughter.The performance of the animals was studied over 91 kg weight ranges from 91 to 363 kg live weight and from 9 weeks of age to slaughter. In the whole experimental period the daily live-weight gain was significantly greater on diets containing high-quality hay. There was also an increase in the daily live-weight gain in each of the weight ranges studied on diets supplemented with high-quality hay but this increase was not significant at the stage of growth from 272 to 363 kg live weight. As the level of concentrate in the diet increased there was a significant increase in the daily live-weight gain at each stage of growth studied and over the complete experimental period.The mean feed conversion ratio was greater for diets containing low-quality hay. Except during the stage of growth from 272 to 363 kg live weight the proportion of hay in the diet significantly affected the mean concentrate conversion ratio. With increasing levels of hay in the diet there was a significant increase in the total dry-matter conversion ratio.The conversion ratio of metabolizable energy was also increased on diets containing low-quality hay. The proportion of concentrate in the diet significantly affected the conversion ratio of metabolizable energy at all stages of growth studied.There were significant differences in the killing-out percentages, weight and contents of the reticulo-rumen and the omasum plus abomasum expressed as a percentage of empty body weight, with increasing levels of hay in the diet. These measurements were not significantly affected by the quality of hay in the diet.Indirect measurements of carcass composition indicated that the level of hay in the diet tended to affect the amount of fat in the carcass but the amount of lean was similar at the different ratios of concentrate to hay. The ratios of the weight of separable lean to the weight of separable bone in the 9–10–11th rib cut were similar at different levels of hay supplementation. The organoleptic appraisal of sample joints indicated that carcass quality was satisfactory.


Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (4) ◽  
pp. 783-794 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Freret ◽  
B Grimard ◽  
A A Ponter ◽  
C Joly ◽  
C Ponsart ◽  
...  

The aim of our study was to test whether a reduction in dietary intake could improve in vitro embryo production in superovulated overfed dairy heifers. Cumulus–oocyte complexes of 16 Prim’ Holstein heifers (14 ± 1 months old) were collected by ovum pick-up (OPU), every 2 weeks following superovulation treatment with 250 μg FSH, before being matured and fertilized in vitro. Embryos were cultured in Synthetic Oviduct Fluid medium for 7 days. Heifers were fed with hay, soybean meal, barley, minerals and vitamins. From OPU 1 to 4 (period 1), all heifers received individually for 8 weeks a diet formulated for a 1000 g/day live-weight gain. From OPU 5 to 8 (period 2), the heifers were allocated to one of two diets (1000 or 600 g/day) for 8 weeks. Heifers’ growth rates were monitored and plasma concentrations of metabolites, metabolic and reproductive hormones were measured each week. Mean live-weight gain observed during period 1 was 950 ± 80 g/day (n = 16). In period 2 it was 730 ± 70 (n = 8) and 1300 ± 70 g/day (n = 8) for restricted and overfed groups respectively. When comparing period 1 and period 2 within groups, significant differences were found. In the restricted group, a higher blastocyst rate, greater proportions of grade 1–3 and grade 1 embryos, associated with higher estradiol at OPU and lower glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate, were observed in period 2 compared with period 1. Moreover, after 6 weeks of dietary restriction (OPU 7), numbers of day 7 total embryos, blastocysts and grade 1–3 embryos had significantly increased. On the contrary, in the overfed group, we observed more <8 mm follicles 2 days before superovulation treatment, higher insulin and IGF-I and lower nonesterified fatty acids in period 2 compared with period 1 (no significant difference between periods for embryo production). After 6 weeks of 1300 g/day live-weight gain (OPU 7), embryo production began to decrease. Whatever the group, oocyte collection did not differ between period 1 and 2. These data suggest that following a period of overfeeding, a short-term dietary intake restriction (6 weeks in our study) may improve blastocyst production and embryo quality when they are low. However, nutritional recommendations aiming to optimize both follicular growth and embryonic development may be different.


2004 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 413-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cetin Kaymak ◽  
Ela Kadioglu ◽  
Hulya Basar ◽  
Semra Sardas

In this study, genotoxic effects of repeated sevoflurane anaesthesia were investigated in rabbits with or without antioxidant supplementation. Twenty-one New Zealand male rabbits were included in the study and randomized into three groups as: placebo treated (Group I), vitamin E supplemented (Group II) and selenium supplemented (Group III). Vitamin E and selenium were given intraperitoneally for 15 days before anaesthesia treatment. Anaesthesia was administered using 3% sevoflurane in 4 L/min oxygen for a 3-hour period and continued for 3 days. Blood samples were collected before anaesthesia (Sample 1), after the first, second and third days of sevoflurane administration (Sample 2, Sample 3 and Sample 4 respectively) and the last samples were taken 5 days after the last sevoflurane administration (Sample 5). Genotoxic damage was examined using the comet assay. The degree of damage is assessed by grading the cells into three categories of no migration (NM), low migration (LM) and high migration (HM) depending on the fraction of DNA pulled out into the tail under the influence of the electric field. The number of comets in each sample was calculated (1 × number of comets in category NM + 2 × number of comets in category LM + 3 ×number of comets in category HM) and expressed as the total comet score (TCS), which summarizes the damage frequencies. In Group I, a significant increase in the mean TCSs was observed for Samples 3 and 4 as compared with Sample 1. However, there were no significant differences between Samples 1, 2 and 5. The mean TCS of Sample 4 was significantly higher than Sample 1, 2 and 3 in Group II. Group III demonstrated no significant mean TCSs for any experimental conditions. Statistical differences were also observed between the groups with significant P values. This experimental study points out the presence of DNA damage with repeated sevoflurane anaesthesia and the genoprotective role of antioxidant supplementation on DNA damage in mononuclear leukocytes of rabbits by highly sensitive comet assay.


1998 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 538-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Andresen ◽  
S. Radmer ◽  
D. Banzer

Objective: the clinical value of spinal quantitative CT (sQCT) and the structural patterns of the vertebral bone were studied Material and Methods: sQCT was performed on 246 patients with a mean age of 57 years for whom conventional lateral radiographies of the thoracic and lumbar spine were available. All patients were suffering from back pain of unknown etiology. the bone mineral density (BMD) of the midvertebral section of 3 lumbar vertebral bodies was determined by means of single-energy-(SE)-weighted QCT (85 kV). Spongiosa architecture and density profile analyses were made in the axial images. This was contrasted to BMD values ascertained in SE QCT. the mean BMD was compared to the number of fractures and the patients were divided into three groups: group I — no fracture; group II — one fracture; and group III 1 fracture Results: the mean BMD was: 134.3 (74.1–187.5) mg hydroxyapatite (HA)/ml in group I; 79.6 (58.6–114.3) mg HA/ml in group II; and 52.4 (13.1–79.1)mg HA/ml in group III. A significant deterioration in spongiosa structure was found with increasing demineralization: strongly rarefied patterns predominated in the fracture groups II and III Conclusion: sQCT provides a good risk assessment of the occurrence of vertebral body insufficiency fractures


1960 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Wodzicka

The monthly wool growth of three groups of rams was studied at Beltsville, Maryland. Group I received natural daylight (at 38° 53' N.) and was shorn monthly. Group II had a 7:17 hours of daylight to hours of darkness rhythm and was shorn every 6 months, once in winter and once in summer. Group III received natural daylight and was likewise shorn every 6 months. The rams of all groups produced more wool in summer than in winter. This difference was significant (P<0.001). The mean body weight and food intake were both greater in the winter months, which indicated that the seasonal rhythm of wool growth was not a consequence of poorer feeding in winter. The rams which were shorn monthly (group I) grew considerably more wool than the other two groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. The short-day treatment of group II did not increase the annual wool production nor decrease the seasonal rhythm of wool growth. The balance of evidence from this and other experiments indicates that temperature rather than light controls the seasonal rhythm of wool growth.


Author(s):  
A. Prasanth Babu ◽  
P. Jagapathi Ramayya ◽  
Y. Nagamalleswari ◽  
Makkena Sreenu ◽  
K. Lakshmi Kavitha

Background: Affections of eye commonly encountered in all the species of animals. If these not treated in time, the vision may be hampered, this may impair the physical ability, utility and productivity of animals leading to economic loss to the animal owners. Corneal dystrophies like basement membrane dystrophy, stromal dystrophy, endothelial dystrophy, corneal erosions and corneal ulcerations etc., seen in the aged buffaloes. The current study was carried out to establish basic data and to provide authentic information to the clinicians on ageing changes in eyes of buffaloes.Methods: The study on age related changes in the cornea was conducted on 63 eye balls of locally available buffaloes of different breeds in and around Proddatur. These buffaloes were categorized into 3 groups based on their age i.e., group I (1-5 yrs), group II (6-10 yrs) and group III (11 yrs and above) buffaloes. The eyeballs were isolated and fixed with Davidson’s fluid. The paraffin sections of cornea were subjected for routine histological study.Result: The mean total thickness (µm) of cornea was increased from group I to III animals and it was 747.22±13.57, 853.33±11.05 and 897.22±8.06. Hence, The mean thickness (µm) of all five layers of cornea increased with advancement of age. Superficial corneal epithelial layer was made up of non keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with 6 to 7 layers at early age and 12-14 layers of cells in adult animals. The mean thickness (µm) of corneal epithelium in group I to III animals was 117.04±3.37, 122.59±2.23 and 133.71±3.55 respectively. Bowman’s membrane of cornea was measured 12.97±0.86, 17.22±0.55 and 18.71±0.68 in group I, II and III animals respectively. The mean thickness (µm) of corneal stroma in group I to III animals was 600.75±10.33, 672.22±10.46 and 690.00±5.32 respectively. This was mainly due to progressive increase in number of collagenous lamellae. The keratocytes became thin in old animals. Thickness of posterior band zone (PBZ) of Descemet’s membrane was increased with advancement of age. The mean thickness (µm) of Descemet’s membrane and endothelium together was in group I, II and III animals was 16.48±0.91, 41.29±2.25 and 54.82±1.44 respectively. The corneal endothelial cells were enlarged and increased in size in old buffaloes. The age related pigmentation was also noticed in epithelium and stroma of cornea in animals of group III. Density of sub basal nerve plexuses between the stroma and the corneal epithelium was not altered with advancement of age.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 520-528
Author(s):  
Thiago Vinicius Costa NASCIMENTO ◽  
Daniel Maia NOGUEIRA ◽  
Nilton de Brito CAVALCANTE

Summary Native fruits from Caatinga vegetation can be an important alternative to improve the productive performance of kids in the semi-arid region of Brazil. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementation with Umbuzeiro fruits in natura over the weight gain and anthelmintic control of kids kept in Buffel grass pasture in the semi-arid zone of Pernambuco, Brazil. Twenty-four castrated, crossbreed kids were allocated into three treatments: 1) Control (n = 8) fed exclusively with Buffel grass; 2) Umbu 1x (n = 8) fed with fruits once a week and 3) Umbu 3x (n = 8) fed with fruits for three times a week. The following parameters were evaluated: variation of body weight, faecal egg counts (FEC) and coproculture. Overall, the average consumption of Umbu fruits in natura was 1.48 kg/animal/day, which corresponded to 133.5 g daily dry matter intake (DMI/animal/day). There were no significant difference (P>0.05) for any parameters evaluated. During the experimental period, the overall daily weight gain was variable between 108.75 to 116.70 g/animal/day and the average FEC was 436 eggs. In the present study, the goat kids supplemented with fresh umbu fruits showed a good productive performance, however the supplementation with umbu did not control the infestation of gastrointestinal nematodes in kids.


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