Effect of sorghum ergot (Claviceps africana) on the performance of steers (Bos taurus) in a feedlot

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry J. Blaney ◽  
Stuart R. McLennan ◽  
Jim F. Kidd ◽  
John A. Connell ◽  
Ross A. McKenzie ◽  
...  

The effect of ergot (Claviceps africana) in naturally infected sorghum was assessed in feedlot rations. Thirty-two Hereford steers (Bos taurus) in individual pens with access to shade were adapted to feedlot conditions and then offered one of four rations containing 0, 4.4, 8.8 or 17.6 mg/kg of ergot alkaloids (84% dihydroergosine, 10% dihydroelymoclavine and 6% festuclavine), equivalent to ~0, 10, 20 or 40 g/kg ergot (sclerotia/sphacelia) in the rations. These rations were withdrawn at noon on the second day because of severe hyperthermia and almost complete feed refusal in ergot-fed steers. After recovery on ergot-free rations for 5 days, treatment groups were incrementally introduced, over a further 3–12 days, to rations containing 0, 1.1, 2.2 or 4.4 mg/kg of alkaloids (~0, 2.5, 5 or 10 g/kg ergot, respectively). Relative exposure to ergot was maintained, so that the zero- (control), low-, medium- and high-ergot groups remained so. Steers were individually fed ad libitum, and water was freely available. Steers in all ergot-fed groups had significantly elevated rectal temperatures at 0800–1000 hours, even when the temperature–humidity index was only moderate (~70), and displayed other signs of hyperthermia (increased respiration rate, mouth breathing, excessive salivation and urination), as the temperature–humidity index increased to 73–79 during the day. Plasma prolactin was significantly reduced in ergot-fed groups. Voluntary feed intakes (liveweight basis) of the ergot-fed groups were significantly reduced, averaging 94, 86 and 86%, respectively, of the feed intakes of the control group. Hair coats were rough. While the control steers grew from a mean initial liveweight of 275 kg to a suitable slaughter weight of 455 kg in 17 weeks (growth rate 1.45 kg/day), ergot-fed groups gained only 0.77–1.10 kg/day and took at least 5 weeks longer to reach the slaughter weight, despite removal of ergot at the same time as control steers were sent to slaughter. Sorghum ergot, even at low concentrations (1.1 mg alkaloids/kg feed) is severely detrimental to the performance of steers in the feedlot.

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Stuart R. McLennan ◽  
Barry J. Blaney ◽  
Vivienne J. Doogan ◽  
Jeff A. Downing

Two experiments tested the tolerance of steers (Bos taurus) to sorghum ergot (Claviceps africana) during cooler months in south-east Queensland. Sorghum grain containing 2.8% ergot and 28 mg/kg ergot alkaloids (84% dihydroergosine, 10% dihydroelymoclavine, 6% festuclavine) was incorporated into feedlot rations. In a previous study in summer–autumn, ergot (1.1–4.4 mg alkaloids/kg ration) severely reduced performance in steers when the temperature–humidity index (THI; dry bulb temperature °C + 0.36 dew-point temperature °C + 41.2) was ~70, whereas a THI of ~79 was tolerated by steers fed ergot-free rations. Experiment 1 was conducted in winter–spring, with rations containing 0, 2.8, 5.6, 8.2 or 11.2 mg ergot alkaloids/kg ration. All ergot inclusions depressed feed intake (14% average reduction) and growth rate (34% average reduction), even when the weekly average daily THI was less than 65. Rectal temperatures were occasionally elevated in ergot-fed steers (P < 0.05), primarily when the THI exceeded ~65. All ergot inclusions depressed plasma prolactin concentrations in steers. Experiment 2 was predominantly carried out in winter, with weekly average daily THI <65 throughout the experiment. Rations containing 0, 0.28, 0.55 or 1.1 mg ergot alkaloids/kg were fed for 4 weeks but produced no significant effect on feed intakes and growth rates of steers. Alkaloid concentrations were then changed to 0, 2.1, 4.3 and 1.1 mg/kg, respectively. Subsequently, feed intakes declined by 17.5% (P < 0.05), and growth rates by 28% (P > 0.05) in the group receiving 4.3 mg/kg alkaloid, compared with Controls. Plasma prolactin concentrations were depressed, relative to the Controls, by dietary alkaloid inclusion greater than 1.1 mg/kg, with alkaloid intake of 4.3 mg/kg causing the greatest reduction (P < 0.05). Cattle performance in these studies shows steers can tolerate up to ~2 mg ergot alkaloid/kg (0.2% ergot) in feedlot rations under low THI conditions (< ~60–65), but previous findings indicate a much lower threshold will apply at higher THI (>65).


2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 1199-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Correa-Calderón ◽  
M. Morales ◽  
L. Avendaño ◽  
C. Leyva ◽  
F. Rivera ◽  
...  

The effects of a cooling system on productive efficiency and welfare of Holstein steers were evaluated during the summer. Sixty steers in the finishing phase were randomly allotted to one of two treatment-groups. Animals of control group were only provided with shade (non-cooled group) and a group of animals under a cooling system were installed in the shaded area (cooled group), which were operated daily from 09am to 6pm during the 69d of the study. The averages of environmental temperature and relative humidity were 35.4°C and 35.3%, respectively, with a temperature-humidity index average of 81.4 during the study. Individual body weight was recorded every two weeks, while body surface temperature and respiratory frequency were recorded three times per week. Blood samples were biweekly taken from coccygeal vein for determination of T3 and T4. The average daily gain in the cooled group gain (1.46kg/d) was similar (P=0.21) to non-cooled group (1.37kg/d). Body surface temperature (35.9ºC vs 38.7ºC) and respiratory frequency per minute (77 vs 104) were lower (P<0.01) in the cooled group than in non-cooled group, respectively. Triiodotironine levels were similar (P=0.30) in cooled (0.80ng/mL) and non-cooled (0.87ng/mL) groups, while, tiroxine level was lower (P<0.01) in cooled group (44.0ng/mL) compared to non-cooled group (56.6ng/mL). The cooling system did not improve productive parameters but the welfare in the cooled group was increased.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 1691-1698
Author(s):  
Na Yeon Kim ◽  
Sang Ho Moon ◽  
Seong Jin Kim ◽  
Eun Kyung Kim ◽  
Mirae Oh ◽  
...  

Objective: The study sought to estimate the relationship between body surface temperature (BST) and temperature humidity index (THI) and to present the validity of THI as a heat stress index in the field.Methods: Eight Hanwoo heifers (20 to 32 month) were examined in a field trial, with a space allowance of 10 m2 per head. The BST was measured using an infrared thermographic camera. The BST of five body regions (eyes, hindquarters, nose, part of horns, and ears), ambient temperature (AT), and relative humidity (RH) were measured 7 times daily (07, 09, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 h) during each season with three replicates.Results: The THI ranged 34.0 to 56.9 during spring (AT, –1.0°C to 13.4°C), 75.1 to 84.7 during summer (AT, 24.9°C to 33.6°C), 55.8 to 70.9 during autumn (AT, 13.0°C to 26.0°C) and 17.5 to 39.2 during winter (AT, –10.4°C to 1.0°C). In the regression analysis, the coefficient of determination (R2) between THI and BST was 0.88, 0.72, 0.83, 0.86, and 0.85 for the eyes, hindquarters, nose, part of horn, and ears area, respectively. This indicates that BST has a strong correlation with AT and RH. Expression equations were estimated as Y (THI) = 31.54+0.1085X (BST of eyes) and Y (THI) = 30.48+0.1147X (BST of hindquarters) by simple linear regression analysis in this experiment.Conclusion: Consequently, the upper bound for heat stress estimation can be specified ranging from THI of 65 (eyes) to 70 (hindquarters). From this we can expect a precise feeding system for Korean native cattle in the field.


Author(s):  
В.Н. Сахаров ◽  
П.Ф. Литвицкий ◽  
Е.И. Алексеева ◽  
Н.А. Маянский ◽  
Р.Ш. Закиров

Цель исследования - изучение перепрограммирования мононуклеарных лейкоцитов на модели системного ювенильного идиопатического артрита (сЮИА), воспроизводимой у крыс Wistar с использованием полного адъюванта Фрейнда и липополисахарида. Методика. сЮИА воспроизведен у 6-месячных крыс-самцов Wistar. На 40-е сут. эксперимента животные были разделены на 3 группы: 1-я группа - контроль; 2-я - группа доксициклина; 3-я - группа дексаметазона. Взятие проб крови у животных проводили на нулевые, 41-е и 55-е сут. Мононуклеарные клетки периферической крови выделяли гравиметрически, после чего окрашивали их на маркеры и внутриклеточные цитокины. Дифференцировали моноциты (CD3-CD4+) и Т-хелперы (CD3+CD4+). Анализировали динамику внутриклеточной экспрессии интерлейкина IL-4 (рассматривали как маркер про-М2 фенотипа, так как в случае выделения из клетки ИЛ-4 служит стимулятором М2 поляризации макрофагов) и IFN-g (как маркер про-М1 фенотипа) по данным проточной цитофлуориметрии. Применяли непараметрический статистический тест Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon в программе R для статистической обработки данных. Результаты и заключение. При моделировании сЮИА выявлено закономерное изменение фенотипа моноцитов. Применение же доксициклина и дексаметазона приводило к более ранней поляризации их по про-М2-пути в отношении моноцитов (на 41-е сут.) в сравнении с контролем. Про-М1 эффект (на 55-е сут., в сравнении с контролем) выявлен также в группах доксициклина и дексаметазона. У животных разных групп обнаружены характерные динамические изменения внутриклеточной экспрессии цитокинов. Важно, что различная направленность поляризации фенотипа при сЮИА и применении препаратов наблюдается не только у моноцитов, но и у Т-хелперов. The study objective was to evaluate targeted reprogramming of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) modeled in 6-month-old male Wistar rats by co-administration of complete Freund’s adjuvant and lipopolysaccharide. Methods. On day 40 of the experiment, rats were divided into three groups: control, doxycycline, and dexamethasone groups. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 41, and 55. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated gravimetrically and stained for markers and cytokines. Monocytes (CD3-CD4+) and T-helpers (CD3+CD4+) were differentiated as target cells. IL-4 was considered a marker for the pro-M2 phenotype since IL-4 can activate M2 macrophage polarization; IFN-g was considered a marker for the pro-M1 phenotype. Time-related changes in the intracellular expression of IL-4 and IFN-g were studied using flow cytometry. Data were analyzed using nonparametric statistical tests (Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon) in the R environment for statistical computing. Results and conclusions. Monocytes (like macrophages) underwent reprogramming during the development of modeled sJIA disease. In monocytes of doxycycline and dexamethasone treatment groups, pro-M2 effects were observed earlier (day 41) than in the control group. Pro-M1 effects were observed in monocytes of doxycycline and dexamethasone groups on day 55, as compared with the control group. Characteristic time-related changes of intracellular cytokine expression were described for different groups. Importantly, the differently directed phenotype polarization was observed in sJIA and treatment groups for both monocytes and T-helpers.


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.


Author(s):  
J. P. Lakher ◽  
M. K. Awasthi ◽  
J. R. Khan ◽  
M. R. Poyam

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Ovsynch and Ovsynch plus protocol in postpartum (day 60) Sahiwal cows (n=18). Animals were randomly divided into three equal groups, viz., Ovsynch group Ovsynch plus group and Control group. Animals of group I (n = 6) were treated with traditional Ovsynch protocol. The animals (n = 6) of group II were treated with Ovsynch plus protocol which consisted of an initial intramuscular injection of eCG (Folligon) @ 250 IU on day 60 postpartum followed 3 days later by GPG (Ovsynch) protocol. In group-III Control, no treatment was given to animals (n = 6). Treated animals were inseminated at a fixed time between 14 and 20 hrs after second GnRH injection, irrespective of estrus detection. Blood samples were collected from each animal on days 50 and 60 postpartum to determine the status of cyclicity in animals based on serum concentrations of progesterone (P4). A third blood sample was collected on the day of prostaglandin treatment to determine the response of first GnRH injection. Four animals each were cyclic, and two were acyclic in both treatment groups. Four animals each responded to first GnRH treatment in both treatment groups. Similarly, two animals each got conceived giving conception rate of 50% (2/4) in each treatment. In the control group, one out of 6 animals got conceived yielding 16.66 % conception rate (1/6) during the study period. It may be thus concluded that Ovsynch and Ovsynch plus protocol may be used during the early postpartum period to improve the reproductive efficiency in postpartum Sahiwal cows.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Daehyun Kim ◽  
Joonho Moon ◽  
Jaejung Ha ◽  
Doyoon Kim ◽  
Junkoo Yi

Vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease is the most common method for preventing the spread of the disease; the negative effects include miscarriage, early embryo death, lower milk production, and decreased growth of fattening cattle. Therefore, in this study, we analyze the side effects of vaccination by determining the acute immune response and ovulation rate after vaccinating cows for foot-and-mouth disease. The test axis was synchronized with ovulation using 100 Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) cows from the Gyeongsangbuk-do Livestock Research Institute; only individuals with estrus confirmed by ovarian ultrasound were used for the test. All test axes were artificially inseminated 21 days after the previous estrus date. The control group was administered 0.9% normal saline, the negative control was injected intramuscularly with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.5 µg/kg), and the test group was administered a foot-and-mouth disease virus vaccine (FMDV vaccine; bioaftogen, O and A serotypes, inactivated vaccine) 2, 9, and 16 days before artificial insemination. White blood cells and neutrophils increased significantly 1 day after vaccination, and body temperature in the rumen increased for 16 h after vaccination. Ovulation was detected 1 day after artificial fertilization by ovarian ultrasound. The ovulation rates were as follows: control 89%, LPS 60%, FMDV vaccine (−2 d) 50%, FMDV vaccine (−9 d) 75%, and FMDV vaccine (−16 d) 75%. In particular, the FMDV vaccine (−2 d) test group confirmed that ovulation was delayed for 4 days after artificial insemination. In addition, it was confirmed that it took 9 days after inoculation for the plasma contents of haptoglobin and serum amyloid A to recover to the normal range as the main acute immune response factors. The conception rate of the FMDV vaccine (−2 d) group was 20%, which was significantly lower than that of the other test groups.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuel M. Doroteu ◽  
Joao H. M. Viana ◽  
Jair A. Ferreira Junior ◽  
Juliana T. A. Macedo ◽  
Rodrigo A. Oliveira ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare testicle morpho-functional characteristics in bulls undergoing a single or two immunizations against GnRH. Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) bulls were randomly allocated into three experimental groups: G1 (n=12), a single 400 μg dose of anti-GnRH vaccine on day 0; G2 (n=11), a first 400 μg dose of anti-GnRH vaccine on day 0 followed by a second (boost) dose 30 days later; and control group (CG, n=12), 1 mL saline 0.9% at day 0. Every 30 days, from day 0 until slaughter at day 90, the bulls were weighed and underwent testicular biometry, semen collection and analysis, and blood sample collection for testosterone measurement. Immediately after slaughter, the testicles were removed and transport at 15°C to the laboratory for histopathological analysis. There was a decrease in testicular height (P=0.0476), width (P=0.0021), and in scrotal circumference (P=0.0001), after either a single (G1) or two (G2) immunizations against GnRH. Both G1 and G2 had lower testosterone concentrations than CG from day 60 on (P<0.01), but in G2, it was also lower than in G1 at day 90 (P=0.0006). All sperm parameters were affected by active immunization against GnRH (P<0.05), and in G2, averages were lesser (P<0.05) than in G1 from day 60 on. No signs of seminiferous tubule degeneration were found in any sample from the CG, contrasting with 75.0% and 100.0% of the samples from G1 and G2, respectively. In summary, immunocastration affected testicle morpho-functional characteristics in bulls in a time- and dose-dependent way.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina D. Moon ◽  
Luis Carvalho ◽  
Michelle R. Kirk ◽  
Alan F. McCulloch ◽  
Sandra Kittelmann ◽  
...  

AbstractAnthelmintic treatment of adult ewes is widely practiced to remove parasite burdens in the expectation of increased ruminant productivity. However, the broad activity spectra of many anthelmintic compounds raises the possibility of impacts on the rumen microbiota. To investigate this, 300 grazing ewes were allocated to treatment groups that included a 100-day controlled release capsule (CRC) containing albendazole and abamectin, a long-acting moxidectin injection (LAI), and a non-treated control group (CON). Rumen bacterial, archaeal and protozoal communities at day 0 were analysed to identify 36 sheep per treatment with similar starting compositions. Microbiota profiles, including those for the rumen fungi, were then generated for the selected sheep at days 0, 35 and 77. The CRC treatment significantly impacted the archaeal community, and was associated with increased relative abundances of Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, Methanosphaera sp. ISO3-F5, and Methanomassiliicoccaceae Group 12 sp. ISO4-H5 compared to the control group. In contrast, the LAI treatment increased the relative abundances of members of the Veillonellaceae and resulted in minor changes to the bacterial and fungal communities by day 77. Overall, the anthelmintic treatments resulted in few, but highly significant, changes to the rumen microbiota composition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Luis Emilio Fazzio ◽  
Santiago José Raggio ◽  
Juan Facundo Romero ◽  
Juver Membrebe ◽  
Antonio Humberto Hamad Minervino

A safety study on ketoprofen 10% was carried out on pigs using a different dosing and treatment scheme. Forty healthy crossbreed pigs with similar age, weight, and body condition score were distributed into five treatment groups. The pigs were intramuscularly injected once with different doses of ketoprofen: 3 mg/kg (group 1X), 6 mg/kg (group 2X), 9 mg/kg (group 3X). In addition, the 3 mg/kg dosis was administered on three consecutive days (group 1X ext.). Intramuscular injections of saline solution were used in control group (CTL). The pigs were clinically examined throughout the trial and blood samples were taken for hematological and biochemical evaluation on days −4 (before treatment), +3, +7, and +14 (the end of the trial). Any unusual behaviour or clinical signs were reported as potential toxic effects of ketoprofen. Serum measurements showed that none of the ketoprofen doses produced changes in renal or hepatic biochemical parameters, liver enzymes, or total bilirubin. Likewise, hematological assessment indicated no altered parameters or hematocrit percentage in the study groups. These results demonstrate that ketoprofen has no adverse effects in pigs when the doses and scheme evaluated in this study are applied.


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