PSXIII-17 Supplementing organic-complexed or inorganic Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn to beef cows during gestation: post-weaning responses of offspring reared as replacement heifers or feeder cattle

Beef cows and their progeny were used to evaluate the effects of supplementing organic-complexed or inorganic Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn during gestation: on offspring reared as replacement heifers or feeder cattle. Non-lactating, pregnant beef cows (n = 190) were ranked by parity, pregnancy type, body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS), at 117 ± 2.2 d of gestation (d 0) and assigned to receive a supplement containing: 1) sulfate sources of Cu, Co, Mn, and Zn (INR; n = 95) or 2) an organic complexed source of Cu, Mn, Co, and Zn (AAC; Availa®4; Zinpro Corporation, Eden Prairie, MN; n = 95). From d 0 to calving, cows were maintained in a single pasture and individually offered treatments three times a week. Calves were weaned at 6 mo of age (d 367) and preconditioned for 45-d. Heifer puberty status was verified weekly (d 437 to d 619) based on plasma progesterone concentrations. Steer calves were shipped to a commercial feedlot on d 493, where they were managed as a single group until slaughter (d 724). Plasma cortisol concentration was greater (P = 0.05) in AAC calves at weaning but tended to be less (P = 0.10) on d 370 compared with INR calves. Mean plasma haptoglobin concentration was greater (P = 0.03) in INR vs. AAC calves during preconditioning, and no treatment effects were noted (P = 0.76) for preconditioning average daily gain (ADG). Puberty attainment was hastened in AAC heifers during the experiment (treatment × day; P < 0.01), despite similar (P = 0.39) ADG between treatments from d 412 to 620. No treatment effects were detected (P ≥ 0.24) for steer ADG from d 412 until slaughter, nor for carcass quality traits. Therefore, supplementing Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn as organic complexed instead of sulfate sources to beef cows during the last 5 mo of gestation did not improve performance of steer progeny until slaughter, but hastened puberty attainment in female progeny reared as replacement heifers.

Potential Benefits to Dairy Cow Welfare of Using a Ceftiofur–Ketoprofen Combination Drug for the Treatment of Inflammatory Disease Associated with Pyrexia: A Field Clinical Trial on Acute Puerperal Metritis

This study aimed at investigating the benefits of using a drug combining ceftiofur and ketoprofen in a single injection on dairy cow welfare in the case of inflammatory disease with pyrexia, such as acute puerperal metritis (APM). Cows of an Italian dairy farm were examined between 5 and 14 days of calving: those with APM were randomly treated either with combined ceftiofur–ketoprofen (CD) or ceftiofur alone (C), starting from Day 0, and an equal number of healthy cows served as a control (CTR). Clinical examination and blood sampling were performed until Day 7 in each group according to specific schedules. Daily cow activity was recorded until Day 14 and daily milk production until Day 30. Additional data on fertility were collected until 120 days in milk (DIM). Data of 20 cows per group were analyzed. Body temperature and haptoglobin concentration dropped between Day 0 and 4 in both CD and C, approaching the level of CTR. The cure rate at Day 7 (body temperature < 39.0 °C) was 65 (CD) and 55% (C), without statistical difference. Neither cow activity nor milk production differed among the three groups. Reproductive performances in both CD and C were similar to CTR, but CD cows were 2.8 times more likely to be pregnant within 120 DIM than C, becoming pregnant about 14 days sooner. Both treatments (CD and C) have been effective in bringing the cows back to health conditions (CTR), and further studies would be needed to confirm the positive effect observed for CD on days open of the affected cows.

Standardized Aronia Melanocarpa Extract Regulates Redox Status In Patients Receiving Hemodialysis With Anemia

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of one-month consumption of polyphenol-rich standardized Aronia melanocarpa extract (SAE) on redox status in anemic hemodialysis patients. The study included 30 patients (Hb < 110g/l, hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration > 3 months; > 3 times week). Patients were treated with commercially available SAE in a dose of 30 ml/day, for 30 days. After finishing the treatment blood samples were taken in order to evaluate the effects of SAE on redox status. Several parameters of anemia and inflammation were also followed. After the completion of the treatment, the levels of superoxide anion radical and nitrites significantly dropped, while the antioxidant capacity improved via elevation of catalase and reduced glutathione. Proven antioxidant effect was followed by beneficial effects on anemia parameters (increased hemoglobin and haptoglobin concentration, decreased ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase concentration), but SAE consumption didn`t improve inflammatory status, except for minor decrease in C-reactive protein. The consumption of SAE regulates redox status (reduce the productions of pro-oxidative molecules and increase antioxidant defense) and has beneficial effects on anemia parameters. SAE could be considered as supportive therapy in patients receiving hemodialysis which are prone to oxidative stress caused by both chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis procedure. Additionally, it could potentially be a good choice for supplementation of anemic hemodialysis patients. TRN: NCT04208451 December 23, 2019 “retrospectively registered”

Concentration of C-reactive protein and haptoglobin in cows with subclinical endometritis

Acute phase proteins are blood components synthesized by hepatocytes, basic function of which is to defend the organism as part of the immune response to inflammation, trauma, infection, stress, neoplasia. They trigger a complex systemic reaction in order to restore homeostasis recovery of the organism. Proinflammatory cytokines increase their activity in response to the effect of pathogenic microorganisms which are intense stimulants to the production of acute phase proteins. It is known that postpartum uterine contamination is common among many cows. Normally, infections and inflammations are eliminated by the immune response of the uterus. However, about 40% of dairy cattle develop clinical metritis. The aim of this study was to determine changes of C-reactive protein and haptoglobin concentration in healthy cows and with subclinical endometritis. The study was conductedat NNVTS "Komarnivsʹkyy" Horodok district, Lviv region. Two groups of cows of Ukrainian blackand-white dairy breed, aged from 4 to 7 years old, were investigated. The control group included twenty (n = 20) clinically healthy cows. Experimental group included twenty (n = 20) cows with subclinical endometritis. It was found that in the blood serum of healthy cows C-reactive protein concentration was 11,25±1,07 µg/ml. Significant increase (P˂0,001) of C-reactive protein concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (72,57±18,11 µg/ml) was observed. In the blood serum of healthy cows haptoglobin concentration was 22,5±5,50 mg/l. Significant increase (P ˂0,001) of C-reactive protein concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (72,57±18,11 µg/ml) was observed. In the blood serum of healthy cows haptoglobin concentration was 22,5±5,50 mg/l. Significant increase (P ˂0,001) of C-reactive protein concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (72,57±18,11 µg/ml) was observed. In the blood serum of healthy cows haptoglobin concentration was 22,5±5,50 mg/l. Significant increase (P <0,001) of haptoglobin concentration in cows with subclinical endometritis (771,5±122,66 mg/l) was observed. The presented study shows that in cows with subclinical endometritis, increase of C-reactive protein and haptoglobin was observed. Determination of concentration of these proteins can be an informative indicator of subclinical inflammatory process in the uterus of cows. In future research it is important to determine change of IL and TNF-a expression depending on the condition of the uterus. Key words: acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin, subclinical endometritis, dairy cattle, uterus.

PSXII-9 The effects of DFM plus tannins on measures of immunity and growth performance of weaned beef calves

A two-year study was conducted to determine the effects of direct-fed microbials plus tannins (DFM + TN) on weaned calf performance and indicators of innate immune response. Angus calves (n = 142 year 1; 143 year 2) were weaned at 6 months of age, transferred to a feedlot, and fed one of two diets for 42 days: a ration with added DFM + TN (2×108 Propionibacterium acidipropionici; 5×107 CFU/hd/day Lactobacillus animalis; 5×107 CFU/hd/day Bifidobacterium animalis; and tannins 15 g/hd/day) or a ration with no added DFM +TN (CON). Body weights were taken on consecutive days and averaged at the beginning and ending of the study, while single day weights were taken on d 14, and 28. Upon completion of the feeding study (year 2), calves (n = 72) were transported to Laramie, WY (204 km), where blood samples were taken on d 0, 2, 4, 7, and 9 relative to transportation to measure plasma haptoglobin. Data were compared among groups using a categorical response mixed model. The model included the fixed effect of treatment group and the data were measured repeatedly. DFM + TN calves had lower overall (P = 0.001) F:G and tended to have greater ADG (P = 0.15) and lower F:G (P = 0.12) during the first 28 days and greater overall ADG (P = 0.06) and greater (P = 0.11) total gain overall. There was a tendency (P = 0.09) for a treatment x day effect for DFM + TN calves to have lower plasma haptoglobin concentration on day 0 and 4 than CON calves. Weaned calves fed DFM + Tannins tended to have greater growth performance during the first 42 days post weaning and tended to have a reduction in plasma haptoglobin concentrations, suggesting a reduction in stress and a positive impact on calf growth.

273 Impacts of Flunixin Meglumine injection on pain responses of either rubber ring castrated and tail docked or surgically castrated and docked lambs

Our hypothesis was that administering Flunixin Meglumine (FM) to lambs that were either rubber ring castrated and docked or surgically castrated and emasculator docked would decrease behavioral stress, serum cortisol and haptoglobin concentration, but increase average daily gain. Rambouillet ram lambs (n = 181) were allocated with a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatment combinations included rubber ring castration and tail docking (RR; placement of rubber band at distal end of caudal fold and around the base of the testicles) or surgical castration (SC; surgical scissors removing the lower third of the scrotum and testicles removed manually) and emasculator docking (crushing the tail at the distal end of the caudal fold, followed by cutting of the tail) on ram lambs with administration of saline (S) or FM (2.2 mg/kg of BW; RR-S, RR-FM, SC-S, SC-FM). Ram lambs were castrated at 12.5 ± 5.5 days of age and observed for behavioral changes such as lying down, leg extension and walking for 180 min in 30-min increments. Blood samples were taken at -30, 30, 90- and 140-minutes post-treatment to observe cortisol and haptoglobin levels. Behavioral traits, physiological traits, and average daily gain were analyzed in PROC GENMOD (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). A treatment x time interaction (P &lt; 0.001) occurred for lamb pain behavioral scale, where scores at 30, 60, and 180 minutes after castration and docking exhibited differences among treatments. Average daily gain was not affected by a treatment x time interaction (P = 0.22) or treatment (P = 0.50) main effect. Serum cortisol concentration exhibited a treatment x time interaction (P = 0.002). The SC-FM lambs had lower cortisol concentrations (P = 0.004) than all other treatments at 90 min post-treatment, with the SC-S lambs having higher concentrations (P &lt; 0.001) at 140 min post-treatment. Haptoglobin concentration did not exhibit a treatment x time interaction (P = 0.99); however, treatment and age were significant (P &lt; 0.004). The RR-S lambs had an increase concentration of haptoglobin with SC-FM lambs being intermediate. Overall, results indicate that the method of castration and docking in lambs affected short lived behavioral and physiological stress, with the administration of FM decreasing stress regardless of castration and docking method.

Comparison of laparotomic omentopexy vs. laparoscopic abomasopexy treatments of left displaced abomasum in dairy cows under field conditions: biochemical analysis

The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the effects of the two methods (laparoscopic or laparotomic) of LDA (left displaced abomasum) correction under field conditions by means of survival rate and biochemical profile evaluation. Holstein cows from one farm with LDA over a 20-month period were included in the study. Cows underwent laparoscopic abomasopexy (Janowitz’s method, LS) or a laparotomic right flank omentopexy (Dirksen’s method, LT). Blood samples for biochemical analysis were taken just prior to surgery (D1) and on days 10 (D10) and 30 (D30) following surgery. Blood profiles of healthy cows identified from the farm’s routine transition cow monitoring program were used as control (C). Aiming to minimize disruptive effects of quite a long period of data collection, the cows’ biochemical profile was evaluated in three orthogonal comparisons: LS cows vs. control group, LT cows vs. control group, and LS cows vs. LT cows. The rate of animal survival was similar for both methods (loss of about 11% until 30 days after treatment). Most of the blood parameters from LS and LT groups were comparable in all three sampling terms indicating continual organism recovery. At D10 the difference of higher cholesterol concentration and lower haptoglobin concentration were favourable for the LS group (P < 0.05). Total protein, calcium, magnesium and albumin showed more positive dynamics in the LS group too. This proves previous laboratory and clinical indices of expediency of LDA laparoscopy treatment under field conditions.

Effects of Low-Stress Weaning on Calf Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare the influence of two low stress weaning methods with conventional weaning on post-weaning performance and carcass characteristics of beef steers.Materials and MethodsAngus × Simmental crossbred steer calves (n = 90) from a single source were stratified by body weight and dam age into three groups; one treatment was randomly assigned to each group: ABRUPT (calves isolated from dams on the day of weaning), FENCE (calves separated from dams via a barbed wire fence for 7 d prior to completely weaning), and NOSE (nose-flap inserted and calves remained with dams for 7 d prior to completely weaning). At d +7 post-weaning calves were transported to a commercial feedlot where they received standard step-up and finishing rations typical for a Northern Plains feedlot. To understand the influence of each weaning method on haptoglobin (an acute-phase protein), blood samples were collected via coccygeal venipuncture at d –7 (PreTreat), 0 (Weaning), and +7 (PostWean) from a subsample of calves (n = 10 per treatment) and analyzed using a bovine haptoglobin ELISA kit. Body weights (BW) were recorded on study d –34 (PreWean), –7 (PreTreat), 0 (Weaning), 7 (PostWean), 32 (Receiving), 175 (Ultrasound), and 253 (Final) and average daily gains (ADG) were calculated between each time period. On d 175 post-weaning BW were recorded, and ultrasound fat thickness and intramuscular fat were determined and utilized to project marketing dates. Carcass measurements were recorded at the time of harvest and included hot carcass weight, 12th rib backfat, ribeye area, USDA Yield Grade and Quality Grade, and marbling score. Haptoglobin, BW, and ADG data were analyzed as repeated measures using the ante-dependence covariance structure in the MIXED procedure of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC) for effects of weaning treatment, day, and their interaction; birth weight was included as a covariate for ADG and BW. Carcass traits were analyzed for the effect of weaning treatment using the MIXED procedure. Separation of least-squares means was performed using LSD with a Tukey’s adjustment and assuming an α level of 0.05.ResultsWeaning method interacted (P < 0.0001) with time period for ADG and BW. Calf BW increased in all treatments until the PostWean period, wherein BW decreased (P < 0.0001) in ABRUPT and NOSE and was maintained (P > 0.05) in FENCE. From the Receiving to Final time periods BW increased similarly (P > 0.05) for all treatments. Calf ADG was greater (P < 0.01) in calves in the NOSE treatment at Weaning than ABRUPT or FENCE. In the PostWean period, the FENCE calves had ADG that was not different (P > 0.05) than zero but was greater (P < 0.0001) than the negative ADG of ABRUPT and NOSE calves. During the Receiving period ADG was greater (P < 0.05) for ABRUPT compared to NOSE and FENCE. Time influenced (P < 0.001) haptoglobin concentration. No difference in haptoglobin was observed between the PreTreat and Weaning or PostWean periods; however, haptoglobin concentration was greater (P < 0.001) at PostWean compared to Weaning. Weaning method did not influence (P > 0.05) carcass measurements.ConclusionCollectively these data suggest low stress weaning methods do not significantly improve post-weaning growth performance or carcass merit compared to calves weaned using conventional methods.

Acute phase proteins in bitches subjected to conventional and minimally invasive ovariohysterectomy

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate and to compare the possible inflammatory changes by screening acute phase proteins concentrations in healthy bitches subjected to ovariohysterectomy. Minimally invasive and conventional (laparotomy) ovariohysterectomies were performed in 17 client-owned adult female mixed breed dogs. Nine animals were subjected to minimally invasive and eight animals to conventional ovariohysterectomy. Blood samples were taken before surgery, 24, 48 hours, and seven days postoperatively. Serum C-reactive concentration was determined by a commercial ELISA kit and serum haptoglobin concentration was measured via hemoglobin binding assay, both previously validated for use in dogs. As the data did not meet the normal distribution criteria, the nonparametric Kruskall-Wallis was performed to compare quantitative variables between groups. One-way ANOVA and the Friedman test were used for multiple comparisons between time points, with a P<0.05 considered significant. C-reactive protein concentration was significantly different (P<0.0001) at 24 hours postoperatively between groups. There was no significant difference in haptoglobin concentration between groups. C-reactive protein and haptoglobin concentrations were significantly different at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively for minimally invasive and conventional ovariohisterectomies. These findings provided an overview of the short-term inflammatory effects produced by minimally invasive and conventional ovariohysterectomies.