Ketosis often occurs during the postpartum transition period in dairy cows, leading to economic and welfare problems. Previously, ketosis was reported to be associated with hematological and serum ...biochemical parameters. However, the association between the parameters on the calving date and ketosis during the postpartum transition period remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate this association. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of Holstein cows on the calving date and β-hydroxybutyrate was tested once every 3 days (8 times in 21 days). The cows were divided into three groups: non-ketosis, subclinical ketosis, and clinical ketosis. The clinical ketosis group significantly had the highest values of mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, β-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acids, and total bilirubin, but the lowest values of red cell distribution width, the counts of white blood cell, monocyte, and eosinophil, albumin, alanine transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and amylase. In contrast, the non-ketosis group showed the opposite results (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these parameters are associated with the development and severity of ketosis. Our findings suggest that these parameters on the calving date may be useful indicators to identify dairy Holstein cow susceptible to ketosis during the transition period.
Background
Ketosis is a common metabolic disorder during the post‐partum transition period of dairy cattle. How the method of reproduction, parturition time, and calf birth weight affect the ...occurrence of ketosis on dairy herds remains elusive.
Objectives
This study investigated factors associated with the severity of ketosis.
Methods
We divided 186 Holstein cows into three classifications based on the highest β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration during the post‐partum transition period, namely non‐ketosis (<1.2 mmol/L, n = 94), subclinical ketosis (1.2–2.9 mmol/L, n = 58), and clinical ketosis (≥3.0 mmol/L, n = 34). We evaluated characteristics of cows associated with the severity of ketosis.
Results
Ketosis was not associated with the method of reproduction, parturition time, pregnancy wastage, premature delivery, retained placenta, and type of calf. Cows calving in spring and especially summer were at higher risk of severe ketosis (p < 0.01). Cows with increased body condition score (BCS) at parturition, age, lactation number, and calving interval were more likely to develop severe ketosis (p < 0.05). Cows with clinical ketosis produced most milk (29.9 ± 1.0 kg) from days four to six, whereas cows without ketosis produced the least (21.3 ± 0.8 kg) (p < 0.001). Heavier calf birth weight resulted in high risk of severe ketosis (p < 0.01), due to increased milk yield during the early lactation.
Conclusions
The severity of ketosis is associated with the calving season, BCS at parturition, age, lactation number, calving interval, milk yield in the early lactation period, and calf birth weight. Nonetheless, it was not associated with the method of reproduction, parturition time, pregnancy wastage, premature delivery, retained placenta, and type of calf. This study is the first to investigate the associations between ketosis and calf birth weight. Our findings could help predict cows at risk of ketosis and take precautions.
This study investigated characteristics of Holstein cows associated with the severity of ketosis during the post‐partum transition period. The severity of ketosis is associated with the calving season, BCS at parturition, age, lactation number, calving interval, milk yield in the early lactation period, and calf birth weight. This study is the first to investigate the associations between ketosis and calf birth weight.
Currently, ketosis has no fully satisfactory resolution in dairy cows. Here, we investigated the effect of levocarnitine or vitamin B complex and E with selenium on clinically ketotic cows ...(β-hydroxybutyrate ≥ 3.0 mmol/L and decreased milk yield), fed glycerin. In total, 18 cases of Holstein cows with clinical ketosis during the postpartum transition period were randomly assigned to three treatments (6 cases per group): (1) levocarnitine (C+G), (2) vitamin B complex and E with selenium (VBES+G), and (3) levocarnitine and vitamin B complex and E with selenium (C+VBES+G). All groups were administered glycerin. Treatments were administered daily for 4 days. Blood sampling was performed on the onset day of ketosis (day 0), day 4, and day 6. β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), milk yield (MY), and serum biochemical values were measured. Half of the animals in C+G failed to overcome clinical ketosis. VBES+G treatment ameliorated BHBA (
p
< 0.05), MY, and glucose on day 4. However, ketosis was exacerbated following the discontinuation of the treatment. C+VBES+G treatment improved BHBA, glucose (
p
< 0.05), and MY and reduced ketotic cases on days 4 and 6 with greater improvements compared to the others. In conclusion, combined treatment with levocarnitine, vitamin B complex and E with selenium, and glycerin may have the therapeutic effect on clinical ketosis.
To improve reproductive performance in cattle, the accurate detection of estrus and optimization of insemination relative to ovulation are necessary. However, poor heat detection by farm staff leads ...to a decreased conception rate, thus inflicting economic damage to the beef and dairy industries. This study aimed to develop monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that can specifically bind to the bovine lactoferrin (bLF) protein, which we have previously demonstrated to be overexpressed in bovine cervical mucus during estrus. Female rats were intraperitoneally immunized with bLF protein as the antigen. Anti-bLF mAbs were then purified by affinity chromatography, and their binding affinity for the bLF antigen was examined using ELISA. We found a high binding affinity between mAbs and bLF. Finally, we developed a rapid bovine heat detection kit using the anti-bLF mAbs that we generated and tested on cervical mucus from 12 cows (estrous synchronization, n = 2; natural cycling, n = 10). We found that the kits accurately detected estrus. Overall, our fabricated heat detection kit based on rat anti-bLF mAbs could pave the way for the development of potent tools for heat detection devices for dairy cattle, thereby preventing economic loss.
Feed ingredients used in swine diets contain various levels and availabilities of nutrients. Nutritional precision evaluation of each ingredient is necessary for formulating diets of pigs. ...Especially, phosphorous (P) is one of important nutrients for metabolism. However, current data of P digestibility were most apparent digestibility. Therefore, this study was aimed to estimate the coefficient of total tract standardized digestibility (CTTSD) of P in cereals and various co-products used in pig diet. Twelve barrows (initial BW ± SD, 46.70 ± 3.21 kg) were used in this experiment. The experimental design was a 12 × 8 incomplete Latin square with 12 diets and 8 periods. Experimental diets were consisted of barley, wheat, lupine kernel (LK), soybean meal (SBM), almond meal (AM), corn gluten meal (CGM), corn gluten feed from China (CGF-C), corn gluten feed from Korea (CGF-C), wheat bran (WB), rice bran (RB), lupine hull (LH) and P-free diet. The CTTAD of Ca was higher in AM than RB and CGF-K. The LK and CGM showed greater CTTSD of P than RB and LH. In conclusion, our results indicated that the cereals and co-products as P sources were the ideally used as an ingredient in mixed diets of the growing-finishing pigs.
Closely correlated expression patterns between ubiquitin specific peptidase
9X-linked (USP9X) and adherens junction formation factor (Afadin) in mouse
testis development suggests that Usp9x regulates ...the deubiquitination of Af-6
(also known as Afadin, AFDN), and subsequently, the cell adhesion dynamics
during gametogenesis. However, this relationship has not yet been tested in
other domestic animals. The study was examined the temporal and spatial
expression patterns of porcine USP9X and AFDN from the pre-pubertal to adult
stages using real time-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we detected
the transcripts of USP9X and AFDN in the testis of 1-, 6- and 12-months old
boar, respectively. USP9X and AFDN were found to have similar expressions
patterns, with basal expression after 1 month followed by a significant
up-regulation from 6 months (puberty) onwards. In addition, neither the AFDN or
USP9X proteins were detected in spermatogenic cells but they were expressed in
the leydig cells and sertoli cells. USP9X was detected around the basal lamina
during pre-puberty, and predominantly expressed in the leydig cells at puberty.
Finally, in adult testis, USP9X was increased at the sertoli cell-cell interface
and the sertoli cell-spermatid interface. In summary, closely correlated
expression patterns between USP9X and AFDN in boar testis supports the previous
findings in mice. Furthermore, the junction connections between the sertoli
cells may be regulated by the ubiquitination process mediated via USP9X.
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of floor space allowance on productivity of sows. A total of 48 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; 220.64 ± 5.18 kg average initial body weight) were ...randomly assigned to four treatments (floor space allowance of 1.9 m2, 2.1 m2, 2.3 m2, 2.5 m2). Diets were titrated or exceeded the nutrient requirements for sows recommended by Nutrient Requirements of Swine of National Research Council. All sows were moved to floor space allocation six weeks after artificial insemination and transferred to farrowing crates at 107 days of gestation. There were no differences in sow performance, reproductive performance of sows in treatments. However, the total solids (%) and protein (%) of colostrum composition of sows in 2.3 m2 was less than that of sows in 1.9 m2 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the floor space allowance of 1.9 ~ 2.5 m2 (0.2m2 intervals) did not show a difference in sow productivity, and colostrum composition showed a positive effect at 1.9 m2. An experiment to investigate sow productivity by applying a larger area than a space allowance of 2.5 m2 is necessary.
Closely correlated expression patterns between ubiquitin specific peptidase 9X-linked (USP9X) and adherens junction formation factor (Afadin) in mouse testis development suggests that Usp9x regulates ...the deubiquitination of Af-6 (also known as Afadin, AFDN), and subsequently, the cell adhesion dynamics during gametogenesis. However, this relationship has not yet been tested in other domestic animals. The study was examined the temporal and spatial expression patterns of porcine USP9X and AFDN from the pre-pubertal to adult stages using real time-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we detected the transcripts of USP9X and AFDN in the testis of 1-, 6- and 12-months old boar, respectively. USP9X and AFDN were found to have similar expressions patterns, with basal expression after 1 month followed by a significant up-regulation from 6 months (puberty) onwards. In addition, neither the AFDN or USP9X proteins were detected in spermatogenic cells but they were expressed in the leydig cells and sertoli cells. USP9X was detected around the basal lamina during pre-puberty, and predominantly expressed in the leydig cells at puberty. Finally, in adult testis, USP9X was increased at the sertoli cell-cell interface and the sertoli cell-spermatid interface. In summary, closely correlated expression patterns between USP9X and AFDN in boar testis supports the previous findings in mice. Furthermore, the junction connections between the sertoli cells may be regulated by the ubiquitination process mediated via USP9X.
A wide range of techniques have been developed to separate X or Y- chromosome-bearing sperm. In particular, bovine semen sex-sorted by using flow cytometry based on differences in the amount of DNA ...between X and Y chromosome bearing sperm is used in dairy farms. The first piglets were produced using sex-sorted sperm 30 years ago. However, sexed sperm have not been commercially available in pigs because the flow cytometry technique is not capable of sorting the high number of sperm required for porcine artificial insemination (AI), and the prolonged exposure to an electrical filed might damage to the DNA in sperm. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a boar sperm sorting method based on magnetic nanoparticles. A flow cytometer assay verified the efficacy of the magnetic nanoparticles (> 90% of sex-sorted sperm). In addition, a duplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay using sex chromosome specific genes including SRY (sex-determining region Y; male), ZFY (zinc finger protein Y-linked; male), and ZFX (zinc finger protein X-linked; female) showed that in vitro fertilized porcine embryos by X and Y-chromosome bearing sperm were 100% female (40/40) and 72% female (35/48), respectively, at 8-cell or morula stages, suggesting that the sex-sorted sperm were fertile. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the sex-sorted method based on magnetic nanoparticles can be utilized for porcine sex-sorted AI.
The early neonatal development of boars is characterized by significant testicular production of androgens and estrogens, including an anabolic steroid hormone, 19‐nortestosterone. The present study ...was conducted to determine the expression and presence of steroidogenic and steroid hormone metabolism—related enzymes in the testes of neonatal and 4‐month‐old prepubertal pigs. Quantitative analyses with real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were utilized to reveal mRNA and protein expression, respectively. The localization of the molecules in the testes was determined by immunohistochemistry. mRNA expressions of the molecules tested were mostly significantly increased between 1 and 3 weeks of age and decreased at 4 months of age, compared with those at 0 weeks of age. The protein levels of cytochrome P450 aromatase and carbonyl reductase 1 were significantly increased between 1 and 3 weeks of age and decreased at 4 months of age. However, protein expression patterns of other molecules differed from those of mRNA expression, which implied the existence of posttranscriptional gene regulation. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that all of the molecules were present in Leydig cells of the pig testis, regardless of age, except cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage in germ cells and 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 on the blood‐testis barrier at 4 months of age. Aldose reductase and 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were localized in both Leydig and Sertoli cells. We postulate that marked rises in the expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the pig testis during early neonatal development could be associated with peak production of 19‐nortestosterone, thus eventually leading to the early growth of male pigs.
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