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Fytoöstrogener i rödklöver och dess effekter hos grisar och idisslare
Get PDFAtt ge grovfoder till grisar är positivt då det bidrar till sysselsättning och därmed minskad stress. Den grövre strukturen med fiber är bra för fodersmältningen och minskar därför även risken för magsår. Rödklöver är en bra komponent i vallen då den är kvävefixerande och har ett högt proteininnehåll, vilket gör den till ett bra inhemskt alternativ till den importerade sojan och därmed både ekonomiskt och miljömässigt hållbar.
I rödklöver finns fytoöstrogenerna formononetin, daidzein, biochanin A och genistein. Formononetin demetyleras i djurets fodersmältningssystem till daidzein som i sin tur metaboliseras till equol. Denna liknar djurens egna hormon östradiol och kan därför binda till östradiolreceptorerna och påverka reproduktionen. Det finns gedigen forskning som visar på att reproduktionen hos idisslare som kor och får påverkas negativt av rödklöver i stora mängder. Det finns pågående forskningsprojekt som undersöker hur enkelmagade djur som grisar påverkas av rödklöver då detta ännu inte finns så väl beskrivet.
Arbetet genomfördes delvis som en litteraturstudie som visade på att rödklöver kan ha både positiva och negativa effekter hos idisslare. Hos lamm ökar foderkonsumtion, proteinintag och tillväxt vid utfodring av rödklöver. Mjölkkor har visat sig ha större foderkonsumtion, högre mjölkavkastning och en mer önskvärd mjölksammansättning. Gemensamt för kor och får är att reproduktionen kan påverkas negativt vid stora intag av rödklöver. Detta visar sig som infertilitet, livmoderframfall, sämre dräktighet, fler abortioner, oregelbundna brunstcykler och ofullständig utveckling av livmoderhals som leder till svårigheter vid födsel.
Arbetet innebar utöver litteraturstudien att sammanställa data från en pågående forskningsstudie som undersöker hur mycket av fytoöstrogenerna som återfinns i träck och urin hos suggor som utfodrats med rödklöverensilage. Försöket pågick under fyra veckor för vardera grupp och provtagning skedde en gång i veckan. Proverna analyserades med kromatografisk teknik i en UHPLC-maskin som identifierade, kvantifierade och separerade östrogenerna i provet. Analysresultaten sammanställdes och jämfördes vecka för vecka på vardera ämne. Slutsatsen av sammanställningen var att fytoöstrogener och equol förekommer i högre halt hos försöksgruppen som utfodrats med rödklöverensilage jämfört med kontrollgruppen. Detta visar på att grisar har förmågan att producera equol, men hur detta i sin tur påverkar reproduktionen behövs det mer forskning på.Giving roughage to pigs is positive as it contributes to activation and thus reduces stress. The rough structure with fiber is good for feed digestion and therefore also reduces the risk of stomach ulcers. Red clover is a good component in the silage as it is nitrogen-fixing and has a high protein content and is therefore a good domestic alternative to the imported soy, thus both economically and environmentally sustainable.
Red clover contains the phytoestrogens formononetin, daidzein, biochanin A and genistein. Formononetin is demethylated in the animals' feed digestion system to daidzein, which in turn is metabolized to equol. This is similar to the animals' own hormone estradiol and can therefore bind to the estradiol receptors and affect reproduction. There is solid research that shows that the reproduction of ruminants such as cows and sheep is negatively affected by red clover in large quantities. There are ongoing research projects that investigate how monogastric animals such as pigs are affected by red clover as this is not yet so well described.
The work was carried out partly as a literature study which showed that red clover can have both positive and negative effects in ruminants. In lambs, feed consumption, protein intake and growth increase when feeding red clover. Dairy cows have been shown to have greater feed consumption, higher milk yield and a more desirable milk composition. Common for cows and sheep is that reproduction can be negatively affected by large intakes of red clover. This manifests as infertility, uterine prolapse, poorer pregnancy, more abortions, irregular heat cycles and incomplete development of the cervix leading to birth difficulties.
In addition to the literature study, the study involved compiling data from an ongoing research study that examines how much of the phytoestrogens are found in the feces and urine of sows fed red clover silage. The experiment lasted for four weeks for each group and sampling took place once a week. The samples were analyzed by chromatographic technique in a UHPLC machine that identifies, quantificate and separates the estrogens in the sample. The analysis results have been compiled and compared week by week on each hormone. The conclusion of the compilation is that phytoestrogens and equol occur in higher levels in the experimental group fed with red clover silage compared to the control group. This shows that pigs have the ability to produce equol, but how this in turn affects reproduction needs more researc
Kroppen i kretsloppet
Get PDFEtt mer naturligt förhållningssätt till praktik rörande begravning har spridit sig de senaste decennierna i främst Europa och Nordamerika, där kristendomens dominans över processerna och platserna ratas, och nya alternativa skapas. Dessa alternativ har ofta en mer direkt kontakt mellan kropp och jord, där människan kan utgöra näring i ett biologiskt kretslopp, och kopplingen till vegetation ovan jord och ekosystem är större. I ett sekulärt land som Sverige med en befolkning som ofta beskriver en andaktsfull förbindelse till skog och natur har ändå denna linje inte anammats i någon större utsträckning, trots att det finns prototyper. Genom resonemang om varför begravningsplatsen har stagnerat, studeras dess historiska och potentiella fortsatta utveckling. Syftet med denna studie är att finna ett meningsfullt berättigande för en ny typ av gravplats i Sverige genom att undersöka alternativa – sekulära och ekologiska – förhållningsätt till vad som sker med kroppen efter döden och vad vördnad kan betyda. Animism och besjälande föreslås som en utgångspunkt i att förstå kroppen och människans roll i kretsloppet, vari den fysiska aspekten kan både konkretisera och poetisera relationen, och förhoppningsvis leda till en djupare förståelse för ekologi och ett starkare engagemang i den. Trots att vissa hinder kunde identifieras i normativa beteenden: i tystnad kring ämnet, i en skeptisk begravningsbransch och en huvudman med en religiös, traditionell agenda, så tillåter däremot lag och svensk mentalitet för skapandet av nya förebilder.A more natural approach to burial practices has spread the last couple of decades, mainly throughout Europe and North America, where Christian dominance over related processes and places are rejected, while new alternatives are being created. These alternatives have a more direct contact between body and soil where the human body can de degraded and then absorbed by roots as nutrients. In a secular country like Sweden, with a self-described devotional connection to the forest and nature, burial grounds still have not progressed in a similar fashion, even though there are prototypes. Through discussion of why this stagnation has occurred, the progression and continuation of cemeteries is studied. The purpose in which is to find a meaningful justification for a new sort of burial ground though alternative – secular and ecological – approaches to what happens to the body after death. Animism is seen as a starting point in understanding our corporeal and human role in the natural cycle, in which the physical aspect will both concretize and poetize the process, and hopefully lead to a deeper understanding of ecology and a stronger involvement in it. Though some possible hindrances were found in normative behaviour, silence around the topic, a sceptic funeral industry, and a principal manager with a religious, traditional agenda -- the law and Swedish mentality allows for paragons to be created
Filling in the Blanks
Get PDFThis thesis explores how the understanding of such an ambiguous concept as “the environment” can be communicated in Swedish development cooperation by the Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in a way that reconciles the need to deliver on policy goals while still allowing for an interpretative and participatory project design. The central research problem studied was thus how to communicate environmental understandings without explicitly doing so.
The thesis sought to address this issue by exploring how the environment is framed in Swedish development policy and how that framing is then interpreted and negotiated when development policy is implemented by actors lower down in the development hierarchy. Research questions sought to discover how the environment was understood by each actor, how such understanding was manifested through interaction with development partners, and how the Government’s original environmental framing compared to the other actors.
Framing was chosen as a conceptual tool to make such an environmental understanding clear by focusing on what aspects of reality were made visible obscured and what was considered problems and solutions. Document analysis and interviews provided the empirical material, and the frames found were compared to four different environmental narratives to better situated them into a conceptually cohesive whole.
While the Government’s framing focused on new more environmentally friendly technology, SIDA amended this by highlighting the role of structures and power relations and emphasis the need for more equal access to land and decision-making fora; the NGO was shown to have a strong farming focus and framed both environmental problems and solutions through individual actions to make livelihoods more resilient. Environmentalism for Profit was a narrative which all of these actors seemed to adhere to in different degrees.
The thesis concludes that the Government and the other actors can communicate the obscure and more explanatory part of their frames through a “communicative shadow” which is the indication of arguments or viewpoints that are not expressed but whose existence, can still be recognised by other parties in the exchange. This allows them to make their framing clear enough to follow while simultaneously leave them without the need to make normative and ideological stances motivating the frames. It thus becomes a method for filling in the blanks
Mapping the market of unrefined forest industry by-products in northern Sweden
Get PDFThe forest industry plays an important role in the climate system. The need to reduce emissions of
greenhouse gases is emergent, from a global perspective they are the driving force behind climate
change. To reduce emissions, by-products from the forest industry can substitute fossil-based
products. A global concern is the availability of by-products. And selection of business partners is
of concern for the forest industry when it comes to refining by-product assortments. In this study
the market for unrefined by-products in the four northern counties has been mapped and a balance
between supply and demand for each county has been calculated. The data was collected from saw
and pulp mills, public sources and from a transportation company. Further, the average cost of byproduct
transportation per MWh was minimized, using a linear optimization model. The results from
the optimization were then used to calculate the average transport distance for each by-product..
The results of this study indicate a deficit of by-products in Northern Sweden, and that demands are
likely to increase. In addition, the results showed a variation of by-product production between the
categories of sawmills and pulp mills. Variation was also found within the categories. The sawmill
with the highest production, produced 40 % more by-products per m3sw than the one with the least
production. The lumber yield makes a difference, but other factors are also important for share of
by-products. These include integration with district heating, efficiency and assortment mix for the
onsite sawmill boiler. Tree species and utilized technology at the supply unit, are other factors.
A key conclusion in this study is that such factors affect the prerequisites for market supply
calculations. Therefore, these factors need to be addressed, to adapt to the future market demand.
By-product users can use the results as an information base for new investments, and to improve
established business connections.
Future studies should include larger sample sizes for demand and supply units, to determine what
affects the market for and the production of by-products
Insådd fånggröda och vårplöjning
Get PDFUtlakning av kväve (N) och fosfor (P) från jordbruksmark står för nära 50 % av den totala näringstillförseln till vattenmiljöer. Det är viktigt att minska utlakningen av flera anledningar, inte minst eftersom det leder till övergödning, vilket är ett av de största miljöproblemen. I ett av SLU:s långliggande försök (R0-8410) på en mojord i Västergötland undersöktes effekterna av insådd fånggröda (engelskt rajgräs) och vårbearbetning på kväve- och fosforutlakning under en 14-årsperiod. Försöksfältet bestod av åtta separat dränerade rutor med olika behandlingar: höstplöjning, vårplöjning och vårplöjning + fånggröda. Dräneringsvattnet från rutorna mättes och vattenprover samlades in varannan vecka. Analys gjordes med avseende på totalkväve (tot-N) och totalfosfor (tot-P).
I genomsnitt minskade kväveutlakningen signifikant med 16 % i ledet med vårplöjning och 27 % med vårplöjning + fånggröda, jämfört med höstplöjning. Motsvarande siffror för fosfor var en ökning på 10 respektive 45 %. Skördenivåerna i försöket påverkades varken av insådd fånggröda eller av senarelagd bearbetning. Slutsatsen blev att senarelagd jordbearbetning från höst till vår och insådd fånggröda minskade kväveutlakningen, men ökade fosforutlakningen.Leaching of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from agricultural land accounts for almost 50 % of the total nutrient supply to aquatic environments. It is important to reduce leaching since it leads to eutrophication, which is one of the biggest environmental issues. In one of SLU:s long-term field experiments (R0-8410) on loamy sand soil in Västergötland in western Sweden, the effects of an undersown catch crop (perennial ryegrass) and spring cultivation on nitrogen and phosphorus leaching were investigated during a 14-year period. The experimental field consisted of eight separately drained plots with different treatments: autumn tillage, spring tillage, and spring tillage + catch crop. The drainage water from the plots was measured and water samples were collected every second week. Analysis was performed for total nitrogen (tot-N) and total phosphorus (tot-P).
On average, nitrogen leaching decreased significantly by 16 % with the treatment of spring tillage and 27 % with spring tillage + catch crop, compared to autumn tillage. The corresponding numbers for phosphorus were an increase of 10 and 45 %, respectively. The yield was not affected by an undersown catch crop or delayed tillage. In conclusion, delayed tillage from autumn to spring, and undersown catch crop reduced nitrogen leaching, but increased phosphorus leaching
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Swedish mink farms : morbidity, mortality and long-term effects
Get PDFSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), det virus som ger sjukdomen
COVID-19 hos människor, har sedan början av år 2020 orsakat mer än 6 miljoner dödsfall. Även
ett antal djurarter har under vissa omständigheter setts vara mottagliga för infektion med SARSCoV-2. Den amerikanska minken som hålls för pälsproduktion i ett stort antal länder i världen, har
visat sig både mottaglig för infektion med SARS-CoV-2 och kapabel att föra smittan vidare. På
minkfarmer där ett stort antal djur hålls i nära anslutning till varandra och på begränsad yta verkar
goda förutsättningar finnas för snabb smittspridning. I flertalet drabbade länder har utbrotten på
minkfarmer varit svåra att begränsa trots insatta kontrollåtgärder. I Nederländerna och Danmark har
man med stark evidens identifierat fall där infektion som överförts från människa till mink följts av
att infektion förts tillbaka från mink till människa, och då med muterade, mink-adapterade varianter
av viruset.
I Sverige påvisades det första fallet av SARS-CoV-2 hos mink i oktober 2020 och sedan dess har
smittan visats utbredd bland svenska minkbesättningar. En del minkägare i landet uppgav att de
kanske sett en ökning av mortalitet och morbiditet på sina besättningar i samband med utbrotten av
SARS-CoV-2 men inga analyser av data har genomförts ännu. Den här studien syftar till att
undersöka om, och i så fall hur, morbiditet och mortalitet hos minkar påverkades under utbrotten
med SARS-CoV-2 på svenska besättningar. Studien syftar också till att få inblick i vad det blivit av
den svenska minkproduktionen i sviterna av COVID-19 genom att undersöka på vilket sätt producenterna har påverkats av pandemin i ett längre perspektiv. För att få inblick i detta har detaljerade
data avseende dödlighet insamlade av Svensk Mink inom Minkhälsoprogrammet under pandemin,
analyserats. Genom Svensk Mink besvarade även tre minkproducenter en enkät, och slutligen hölls
en kompletterande intervju med Svensk Minks VD.
I studien har framkommit att det inte går att se en tydlig ökning i mortalitet på majoriteten av
undersökta farmer under tiden för utbrott med SARS-CoV-2. På de flesta av de undersökta farmerna
verkar den normala mortalitetsnivån vara så pass ojämn att det blir svårt för producenterna att lägga
märke till en ökning orsakad av till exempel ett virusutbrott som det med SARS-CoV-2. Det
framgick dock av enkäterna att svenska minkproducenter har levt under stor press och utstått mycket
oro under pandemin. Både nu och i framtiden finns stora utmaningar kvar, inte minst ekonomiska.
Det finns dock potential att lära sig av erfarenheterna under pandemin och i framtiden ha bättre
biosäkerhet och använda dödlighetsdata för att bättre förstå hälsoläget på olika gårdar.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent behind
COVID-19, has caused more than 6 million human deaths since the beginning of year 2020. Also,
a number of animal species have proved to be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2 under
certain circumstances. The American mink, which is bred for fur production in a large number of
countries throughout the world, has shown to be both susceptible to infection as well as capable of
further transmission of the virus. In mink farms where large numbers of animals are kept in cages
close to each other in a limited area, it appears that conditions that promote fast viral transmission
are met. In most affected countries outbreaks in mink farms have been hard to contain despite strict
control measures. In Denmark and the Netherlands, cases of transmission from human to mink have
been followed by subsequent mink-to-human transmission of the virus, in new, mutated and minkadapted forms.
In Sweden, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 in a mink was diagnosed in October 2020 and since then
the virus has proved to be widely spread among Swedish mink farms. Some mink producers have
suspected an increase in mortality and morbidity at their farms, but no analyses of data have been
carried out so far. This study examines whether mortality and morbidity in Swedish mink farms
were affected by the SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. The study also aims at getting insight into what has
become of Swedish mink production in the suites of COVID-19, by looking into how producers
have been affected by the pandemic in a longer perspective. To gain insight into the above, extended
mortality data that has been collected by Svensk Mink (the Swedish Mink association) within the
mink health program, ”Minkhälsoprogrammet”, was analyzed and three Swedish producers of mink
answered a questionnaire. Finally, an interview with the CEO of Swedish Mink was carried out.
No apparent increase in mortality was seen connected to the time of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks for
the majority of investigated mink farms. On most farms the normal mortality level seemed to be
very uneven, which makes it difficult for mink producers to notice an increase in mortality caused
by a viral outbreak like the one with SARS-CoV-2. Swedish mink producers have lived under a high
amount of pressure and endured a lot of worry during the pandemic. Big challenges remain,
particularly of economic nature. However, it is possible to take lessons from experiences during the
pandemic and in the future use increased biosecurity and utilize mortality data for a better
understanding of animal health on mink farms
Don’t go nuts over nuts : an analysis of policy to reduce water scarcity caused by nuts
Get PDFThe aim of this paper is to investigate the potential possibilities of reducing water scarcity, by targeting the water intensive consumption of nuts. Therefore, the research question is if consumption-based policies can decrease the consumption of nuts in Sweden, in order to reduce water scarcity in sensitive areas. This is of particular importance as Swedish health authorities promote nuts as a substitute to meat, creating a conflict between global sustainability goals, when aiming to curb food consumptions climate footprints, hence risk overlooking the rapidly growing issue of water scarcity. To answer the question an instore dataset was used, which provided information on snack products including nuts, and products similar to nuts. Nuts are currently seen as mainly a snack, though the risk of nuts being viewed as a main course is prevalent, as consumption is increasing. Using the Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model, consumers’ price sensitivity was estimated. The elasticities were further used to calculate demand curves for the included products. The last step was linking consumption to the environmental impact in order to examine the effect of consumption sided policies. Two scenarios were simulated to test the possible effect of policies targeting nut consumption. Scenario 1 allowed for a 10% tax on nuts, and an additional 5% subsidy was introduced on legumes in Scenario 2. The results indicate a reduced water scarcity in both scenarios, with about 5%. Implementation of a tax on nuts can be through increasing the VAT rate. However, an implementation of a subsidy on legumes may be difficult to implement because of the partly complicated nature of the policy instrument, and possible leakage. To conclude, a dietary transition away from nuts is possible by the use of consumption sided taxation
Screening of pea varieties of Sweden : for physical, chemical & functional properties
Get PDFThere is a need for improved resource efficiency in the food chain, while still producing nutritious foods with a low environmental impact. A crop with a favourable nutritional profile, while being well suited for cultivation in Swedish environmental condition is the field pea (Pisum Sativum L.). The purpose of this study was to provide information about the genetic and environmental effect on the physical, chemical and functional properties of peas.
Physical, chemical and functional properties were analysed of pea seeds of three different varieties cultivated at three different years. Moreover, an additional pea variety was studied, with samples being provided from one year only. Pasting properties, oil absorption capacity, water absorption capacity and starch content were also analysed for some pea flour fractions. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy were performed on a few whole flour samples as well as the flour fractions of selected varieties.
The results showed differences between varieties as well as by cultivation years in several of the different variables studied. For instance, there was a significant difference in the average size of seed between years as well as between varieties. The analyses of the pea flour fractions showed differences in composition and functional properties compared to the whole pea flour, although these results need to be confirmed in further studies with more samples. In conclusion, variety and year appear to affect the physical, functional and chemical properties of peas. However, the results need to be confirmed by further studies including more samples and preferably, also considering effects of different environments and storage
The senior cat and its behaviour and needs : what is age and what is disease?
Get PDFMany cat owners are not aware of how their cats change while aging nor how to differentiate illness from natural aging. This can result in unnecessary suffering and insufficient veterinary care. This study aimed to investigate the differences between illness and behavioural changes that occurs with aging and what cat owners can do to assist their older cats. This lack of knowledge can affect the cats’ welfare and the relationship between human and cat. The result of this study shows that the biggest change that affect senior cats are their functional decline in their sensory organs. This decline can be very stressful for the cat and result in new behaviours like night waking or excessive vocalization. These behaviours may also affect the owner and make them frustrated of the cat. This reaction may ruin the relationship between cat and owner and may endanger the cat’s welfare. By acquiring more knowledge of the senior cat, the owner can begin to understand the cat’s situation and behaviour and support it in many ways. The appetite of the senior cat may decrease which could be a cause of illness or olfactory decline. Thus, it is very important for the owner to keep track on the cat’s appetite and feeding behaviour. Many people may think mobility impairment and osteoarthritis are a part of natural aging in cats, though it is not. Senior cats should be able to play, move, eat/drink and groom themselves just as younger cats, just a bit slower. Any big changes that affect the senior cat considerably should be taken as a possible sign of illness and should be treated by veterinarian. More information and knowledge about senior cats should be distributed by the veterinarians to the cat owners so the cat owners can understand and support their cats in the right way. By good communication between cat and owner, their relationship can be strengthened and consequently the senior cats’ welfare and status in society can be highlighted and improved
Cervid (Cervidae) utilization of and behavior at saltlicks in the Norwegian highlands
Get PDFSaltlicks are a common management practice for both wildlife and farm animals. In the Norwegian mountain areas these are typically intended for sheep on summer pasture but are used frequently by wildlife such as deer and reindeer. In 2016 the first European case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) was found in reindeer in Nordfjella, Norway. CWD is a prion disease that causes brain damage and eventually death that is previously known from North America where multiple species of deer have been affected. Though other species of Cervidae are thought to be susceptible, CWD has so far only been found in reindeer in Norway. Saltlicks, with their high animal-density and overlap of groups and individuals are thought to be a possible contamination hotspot and a project was started as part of an action plan following the CWD findings. Wildlife cameras were placed at multiple saltlicks, providing picture material to find possible contamination routes and future management strategies. The purpose of this project was to examine the presence and behaviors of deer at the saltlicks to further investigate the spread of infection both to and from individuals. First, the pictures were sorted by area, camera, date, and species occurring. The pictures containing deer were then further sorted and labeled with specific species, group size, sex and age, and behavior. A quantitative study investigating the overlap between sheep, reindeer and other deer was also presented. The results show that deer perform behaviors at the saltlicks that can contribute to the spread and exposure of CWD, such as ‘head to ground’ where an exchange of infectious agents can occur. However, the results also show that reindeer and other deer largely utilize different saltlicks, indicating less overlap between reindeer and deer than previously thought. In theory this mean that deer are more protected against the disease than if they were to visit the same saltlicks as reindeer. Further research on species susceptibility of CWD and possible control measures is needed to better understand the possible effects of the disease and how spread can be prevented