scholarly journals Effect of environmental enrichment for piglets in the nursery phase

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-160
Author(s):  
Joselaine Bortolanza Padilha-Boaretto ◽  
Priscila Michelin Groff-Urayama ◽  
Suelen Maria Einsfeld ◽  
Cleverson de Souza ◽  
Angélica Signor Mendes ◽  
...  

Objective: The effect of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of piglets in the nursery phase was evaluated.Methods: A total of 450 hybrid pigs (21 day old), including both females and uncastrated males, weighing approximately 6 kg, were distributed in a completely randomised design with 3 treatments and 3 replicates of 50 animals each. The treatments were: i) pen without environmental enrichment (control), ii) treatment consisting of continuous environmental enrichment (CEE) with rubber balls throughout the experimental period, and iii) treatment consisting of environmental enrichment with washed balls (EEWB) during the whole experimental period which were removed daily for washing. For the behavioural evaluation, 10 animals were randomly selected per replicate. The behavioural assessments were performed once a week, from 8 am to 6 pm, using images captured with a video camera. The data were submitted to non-parametric analyses, the means were compared using the Bonferroni test, and Person’s correlations were also calculated.Results: A statistical difference (p = 0.001) was observed in the B5 (playful) behaviour; the animals in the EEWB treatment group had a higher frequency of this behaviour than animals in the control treatment group. The animals in the control group showed a higher frequency of B7 behaviour (lying down) (p = 0.026) than those in the EEWB and CEE treatment groups. The animals in the control group had a higher frequency of the B9 (belly nosing) behaviour than those in the EEWB group (p = 0.015). There was a tendency towards a higher frequency of behaviour B3 (walking in the pen) (p = 0.067) when the animals received the control treatment than treatments EEWB or CEE.Conclusion: The use of an enriching object improved the animal welfare and altered the correlation between the evaluated behaviours compared to the animals that did not have environmental enrichment.

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Kesler ◽  
D. B. Faulkner ◽  
F. A. Ireland ◽  
J. Dahlquist ◽  
S. Z. El-Zarkouny ◽  
...  

Improving AI pregnancy rates in beef cattle will enhance the profitability of beef herds during these current times of increasing cost inputs by enhancing the quality of the calf crop. This experiment was aimed at determining the effect of calf removal (from CIDR removal to timed AI) during estrous cycle synchronization on AI pregnancy rates. This experiment was conduced at the Dixon Springs Research Station (Simpson, IL) during the fall 2007 breeding season. The beef cows used for this research project were crossbred Angus cows between 2 and 8 years of age that had calved in August to October of 2007. Cows were at least 45 days postpartum at the timed AI (November 2007). All cows were randomly divided into 1 of 2 treatment groups: cows in treatment group 1 (control group, n = 284) were allowed to keep their calves for the entire estrous cycle synchronization and AI program (except during brief times of treatment administration), whereas cows allotted to treatment group 2 (n = 258) had their calves removed at the time of CIDR implant removal/PGF2α treatment and returned following AI. The calves were maintained on creep feed out of sight and sound of their dams. All cows were synchronized by using the CO-Synch + CIDR protocol [CIDR (1.38 g) + GnRH (100 μg) on Day 0 and CIDR removal on Day 7 + PGF2α (25 mg)] and were inseminated at a predetermined time of 60 to 66 h post PGF2α with semen from proven bulls. At AI, cows also received an injection of GnRH (100 μg). All cows were pregnancy checked 50 to 65 days after timed AI via ultrasonography. Statistical comparisons were performed by using the chi-square test of SAS. The pregnancy rate for cows in the control treatment group was 47% (132 of 284) and was 57% (147 of 258) for the calf-removal treatment group. There was a significant increase in pregnancy rate in the treatment group (P < 0.02) that resulted in 10 more calves per 100 synchronized AI breedings. Although excellent facilities are needed to maintain calves away from their dams during this 60 to 66 h and there are additional costs for the feedings required for the calves, there is a savings in time (one calf separation from the cow is eliminated). In conclusion, removing the calves at the onset of estrous cycle synchronization can improve pregnancy rates to synchronized timed AI and can increase the ease of cattle handling during this process by reducing the number of calf removals during routine cow workings. Table 1.Pregnancy rates to single synchronized timed AI for control and calf removal treatment groups


Author(s):  
Budi Santosa ◽  
Henna Ria Sunoko ◽  
Andri Sukeksi

BACKGROUND<br />Lead acetate may inhibit the enzyme aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD) resulting in decreased heme synthesis (and consequently in anemia) but in increased number of reticulocyte cells. IR Bagendit paddy leaf water extract has a high metallothionein protein content which acts to bind to lead. The study objective was to determine whether aqueous IR Bagendit rice leaf extract dosage variations prior to lead exposure decreases reticulocyte count in lead-exposed rats.<br /> <br />METHODS<br />The study was of randomized post test only control-group design involving a sample of 28 rats, that were randomized into 4 groups consisting of 1 control group and 3 treatment groups, daily administered with aqueous IR Bagendit rice leaf extract of respectively 0.2; 0.4; 0.8 mg using a feeding tube up to week 13. Lead exposure was also given using a feeding tube to both control and treatment groups at a dose of 0.5 g/kg BW/day, up to week 13. The reticulocyte count was then examined using supravital brilliant cresyl blue staining. The reticulocyte count was determined per 1000 erythrocytes and then converted into a percentage. Kruskal Wallis test followed with Bonferroni test was conducted to figure out the differences between groups. <br /><br />RESULTS<br />Mean reticulocyte count decreased significantly, starting from the control group up to the third treatment group (15.48 ± 3.41; 12.25 ± 03.28; 10.45 ±1.47; 9.10 ± 2.35 average per unit) (p=0.02). The Bonferroni test showed that the reticulocyte count was significantly decreased in the third treatment group (p=0.004). <br /><br />CONCLUSION<br />Aqueous rice leaf extract significantly decreases reticulocytes in rats exposed to lead.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vipin K. Verma ◽  
Salma Malik ◽  
Ekta Mutneja ◽  
Anil K. Sahu ◽  
Kumari Rupashi ◽  
...  

Background: The activation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway has been shown to protect against cisplatin- induced nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress. Berberine (Ber), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities in various experimental models. Aim: To check the effect of Ber on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and to explore the involved mechanism. Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Normal, cisplatin-control, treatment groups and per se group. Normal saline and Ber (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg; p.o.) was administered to rats for 10 days. A single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (8 mg/kg) was injected on 7th day to induced nephrotoxicity. On 10th day, rats were sacrificed, the kidney was removed and stored for the estimation of various parameters. Results: As compared to cisplatin-control group, Ber pretreatment improved renal function system and preserved renal architecture. It also diminished oxidative stress by upregulating the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 proteins. In addition, Ber attenuated the cisplatin mediated inflammation and apoptosis. Furthermore, it also reduced the phosphorylation of p38/JNK and PARP/Beclin-1 expression in the kidney. Conclusion: Ber attenuated renal injury by activating Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibiting JNK/p38MAPKs/ PARP/Beclin-1 expression which prevented oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and autophagy in renal tissue.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 40-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
P M Joshi ◽  
D Patel ◽  
P D Patel

An on-farm trial for 90 days was conducted at four tribal villages to assess the effect of chelated mineral mixture (CMM) supplementation on blood biochemistry as well as hormonal and mineral status, nutrient intake and reproductive performance of the repeat breeder buffaloes (n = 24). The animals selected were randomly divided into two groups of 12 animals each. The group T1 was control group (farmer’s feeding schedule), and T2 treatment group (T1 + CMM @ 50 g/animal/day). Blood collection was done at 0, 45 and 90 days of the experiment from both the groups for assessment of blood biochemical, hormonal and mineral status of the animals. Average DM, DCP and TDN intake in repeat breeder buffaloes calculated as per information collected from farmers were statistically similar among both the groups and were as per ICAR requirements of animals. Results revealed significant (p less than 0.05) improvement in hemoglobin, serum glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, progesterone, and macro (Ca, P)–micro (Zn, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn) mineral status of chelated mineral supplemented group as compared to control animals. The number of days taken for a successful conception in repeat breeder buffaloes as well as the cost of feeding was also reduced upon supplementation of CMM in T2 as compared to T1 group. The control group recorded a 22.12% higher cost of rearing than the treatment group during the experimental period. The findings revealed the beneficial role of cheated minerals supplementation in improving health, nutritional and reproductive status of repeat breeding buffaloes.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0250311
Author(s):  
Aonan Zhang ◽  
Lin Zhu ◽  
Zhenghao Shi ◽  
Tianying Liu ◽  
Lanlan Han ◽  
...  

The soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura (Hemiptera: Aphididae) is a primary pest of soybeans and poses a serious threat to soybean production. Our studies were conducted to understand the effects of different concentrations of insecticides (imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) on A. glycines and provided critical information for its effective management. Here, we found that the mean generation time and adult and total pre-nymphiposition periods of the LC50 imidacloprid- and thiamethoxam-treatment groups were significantly longer than those of the control group, although the adult pre-nymphiposition period in LC30 imidacloprid and thiamethoxam treatment groups was significantly shorter than that of the control group. Additionally, the mean fecundity per female adult, net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase of the LC30 imidacloprid-treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group and higher than those of the LC50 imidacloprid-treatment group (P < 0.05). Moreover, both insecticides exerted stress effects on A. glycines, and specimens treated with the two insecticides at the LC50 showed a significant decrease in their growth rates relative to those treated with the insecticides at LC30. These results provide a reference for exploring the effects of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam on A. glycines population dynamics in the field and offer insight to agricultural producers on the potential of low-lethal concentrations of insecticides to stimulate insect reproduction during insecticide application.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-47
Author(s):  
Vivik Shofiah ◽  
Khairunnas Rajab

Religious values need are very imporant for convicts at LPKA Class two Pekanbaru. Religion is an obvious influenced source in issuing the meaning of life to convicts. The research objective is to know how far the influence of gratefulness training in improving life meaning of convicts at LPKA class two Pekanbaru is.The researcher used experiment approaching pre and post-test control group designwith 23 control groupsand 23 treatment groups,anddata analysis independent sample t-test was obtained score  t= 6,894 (p<0,01). Average score from treatment group are higher  (23,057) than control group average (15,6). It shows that life meaning of convicts who get gratefulness training are higher than convicts who don’t join the training. With thus, it can be concluded that gratefulness training very influence significantly to the life meaning of convicts at LPKA class 2 Pekanbaru.


2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Waters ◽  
Peggy Van Meter ◽  
William Perrotti ◽  
Salvatore Drogo ◽  
Richard J. Cyr

Many human anatomy courses are taught using cat dissection. Alternatives are available, but information regarding learning outcomes is incomplete. In 2003, ∼120 undergraduates enrolled in a human anatomy course were assigned to one of two treatment groups. In the control group, students performed cat dissections (emphasizing isolation and identification) of the muscular, digestive, and cardiovascular systems. In the experimental treatment group, students built clay sculptures of each human body system. Student learning was evaluated by using both low- and high-difficulty questions. On pre- and postexperiment control exams, there were no significant differences in student performance. On exams after a cat dissection vs. a human-clay sculpting experience, the students in the human-clay sculpting treatment group scored significantly higher than their classmates in the cat dissection group on both the low- and high-difficulty questions. Student attitudes toward dissection and taking future human anatomy courses were also measured. There were no differences in student attitudes at the beginning of the experiment; afterward, students exposed to a cat dissection experience viewed dissection more favorably than students in the human-clay sculpting treatment group. There were no treatment effects on student willingness to take future human anatomy courses. The experimental design makes it difficult to conclude precisely why students assigned to the human-clay sculpting experience performed better on exams, but as each method was performed in this particular human anatomy course, our data indicate that human-clay sculpting may be a viable alternative to cat dissection in an anatomy course in which the students focus on human anatomy.


Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Cao ◽  
Hong Yang ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Chun Wang ◽  
Can Li ◽  
...  

The Western flower thrips (WFT, Frankliniella occidentalis) is a global polyphagous pest that is often dependent on chemical control. Imidacloprid has been a commonly used chemical insecticide for effective control of WFT. Low concentrations of insecticides can have sublethal effects on individual insects. However, no more information is known about the effects of exposure at low concentrations of imidacloprid on WFT. Here, we evaluated the effects of imidacloprid at sublethal concentrations on WFT population growth parameters. We first exposed the parental generation to LC10 (56.8 mg/L) and LC25 (79.2 mg/L) concentrations of imidacloprid. We then quantified various parameters related to the development, survival, and fecundity of the F1 generation also exposed to these same concentrations. The development time of the treatment groups exposed to imidacloprid was significantly shorter than the control group, and the net reproductive rate (R0) was significantly higher for treatment groups than for the control group. For both variables, there was no significant difference between LC10 and LC25 exposure. The generational survival rate was significantly higher for the control group, followed by the LC10 treatment group and then the LC25 treatment group. However, the opposite was true for fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of WFT. In summary, exposure to low concentrations of imidacloprid was positive for the population development of WFT, which may contribute to the development of insecticide resistance and cause resurgence in WFT populations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Dey ◽  
K Ghosh ◽  
N Hazra

Growth and survival of Clarias batrachus juveniles (10-day old) fed probiotic Bacillus cereus (KR809412) encapsulated live feed (chironomid larvae) have been evaluated after differential exposure to the pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila (MTCC 1739). Catfish juveniles were stocked at a density of 30 fish per tank in five experimental groups (T1-T5) along with a control group in triplicate and fed twice @ 5% of body weight day-1 for four weeks. Groups T1 and T2 were fed probiotic-encapsulated (PR) or pathogen-inoculated (PGN) live feed respectively, for initial three weeks. During this period groups T3 (PGN-PR-PR), T4 (PR-PGN-PR), and T5 (PR-PR-PGN) were differentially exposed to the pathogen. Live feed without probiotic and pathogen was offered to the control group throughout the experimental period and all other treatment groups (T1-T5) during the 4th week. Continuous exposure to probiotics in group T1 resulted in significantly higher (P<0.05) specific growth rate (SGR, % d-1) and survivability than other groups, whereas, pathogen exposed and probiotic deprived group (T2) noticed with the lowest SGR and the highest mortality. Among other treatment groups (T3, T4 and T5), group T4 resulted in improved SGR and survivability. The coefficient (r value) of 0.867 along with regression slope suggested a positive correlation (0.01 levels) between RNA: DNA and SGR. The study might suggest protective effects of probiotic B. cereus in pathogen exposed C. batrachus juveniles.SAARC J. Agri., 16(1): 105-113 (2018)


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 ◽  
pp. 205873842092391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-na Dong ◽  
Yun Xiao ◽  
Yun-fei Li ◽  
Dong-mei Wang ◽  
Ya-ping Qu ◽  
...  

Intravenous Xuebijing (XBJ) therapy suppresses paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanism underlying this suppression remains unknown. This work aimed to analyze the miR-140-5p-induced effects of XBJ injection on PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. The mice were arbitrarily assigned to four groups. The model group was administered with PQ only. The PQ treatment group was administered with PQ and XBJ. The control group was administered with saline only. The control treatment group was administered with XBJ only. The miR-140-5p and miR-140-5p knockout animal models were overexpressed. The gene expression levels of miR-140-5p, transglutaminase-2 (TG2), β-catenin, Wnt-1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the lungs were assayed with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The levels of TGF-β1, CTGF, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hydroxyproline (Hyp) levels and pulmonary fibrosis were also scored. After 14 days of PQ induction of pulmonary fibrosis, AdCMV-miR-140-5p, and XBJ upregulated miR-140-5p expression; blocked the expressions of TG2, Wnt-1, and β-catenin; and decreased p-Smad2, p-Smad3, CTGF, MMP-9, and TGF-β1 expressions. In addition, Hyp and pulmonary fibrosis scores in XBJ-treated mice decreased. Histological results confirmed that PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in XBJ-treated lungs was attenuated. TG2 expression and the Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling pathway were suppressed by the elevated levels of miR-140-5p expression. This inhibition was pivotal in the protective effect of XBJ against PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, XBJ efficiently alleviated PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.


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