216 research outputs found
Parametri genetici dell'accrescimento, della muscolosità e di alcune misure somatiche rilevati su torelli di razza marchigiana, chianina e romagnola in performance test
No full textChanges of plasma fatty acids in four lipid classes to understand energy metabolism at different levels of non-esterified fatty acid (Nefa) in dairy cows
No full textThe transition period is a central moment in dairy cows breeding because metabolic disorders may occur in relation to a dramatic increase in energy demand. This research aimed to identify new biomarkers for the diagnosis of hyperketonemia in bovine in early lactation phase with different value of plasmatic non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). The profile of plasma fatty acids (FAs) divided into four lipid classes was evaluated using thin layer chromatography and gas chromatographic techniques (TLC-GC). A group of 60 multiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were recruited in the present study. Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein and NEFA and the β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) were evaluated. All animals were divided in 2 groups based on NEFA, NEFA0 group had as mean value 0.24 ± 0.12 mEq/L and NEFA1 group had as mean value 0.87 ± 0.23 mEq/L. Plasma FA concentrations were analyzed separately in free fatty acids, cholesterol esters, phospholipids and triglycerides. Six FAs demonstrated a predictive value in the hyperketonemic dairy cows. In the free fatty acid class, the predictive FAs were C14:0 (AUC = 0.77), C18:1 ω 9 (AUC = 0.72), C18:1 ω 7 (AUC = 0.70) and C18:3 ω 3 (AUC = 0.68). In the phospholipids class the predictive parameters were C12:0 (AUC = 0.78) and C8:0 (AUC = 0.73). In cholesterol, esters and triglycerides lipidic classes no FA had a predictive function
Effect of total mixed ration processing time on ration consistency and beef cattle performance during the early fattening period
No full textThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of processingtime ofthe total mixed ration (TMR) on its physical and chemical characteristics, consistency over time, dry matter intake (DMI), rumination, activity, feed conversion ratio(FCR) and performance of beef cattle. The trial was conducted on 98 charolais bulls (476 ± 36 kg) which were randomly assigned to two groups (1: 54 animals in 6 pens; 2: 44 animals in 5 pens).The two groupswere fed rations with the same composition, but that were mixed for a short (20 min)mixing time (SMT) or for a 10 minutes longer mixing time (LMT). The trial lasted 60 days and was divided into 2 periods (P1 and P2). After P1 the Journal Pre-proof 2diets were exchangedbetween groups according to a cross-over design. Animals were assessed for average daily weight gain (ADG), DMI,FCR, rumination and activity. All data were submitted to a mixed ANOVA model using the pen as random effect and period, mixing time and their interaction as fixed effects. The differences on TMR composition betweenpens andconsecutive days within each diet,were tested througha GLM model using pen and day as fixed effects. A One-way ANOVA model was used to test the significance of the differences in activity and rumination between pens, within each diet, using the pen as fixed effect. The LMT rationhad a lower particle geometric mean length (GML) compared with SMT (4.12 vs. 5.08 mm; P< 0.001). Bulls raised withthe LMT showed a significantly higher ADG (1.96 vs. 1.87 kg/day; P=0.035) and a lower conversion ratio (4.97 vs. 5.39; P=0.036) compared with animals raised with SMT. Average daily rumination time and activity level did not differ between mixing time and were 381 minutes and 494 binary digits, respectively, but LMT bulls showed a lower (0.083 vs. 0.095; P=0.012) index of dishomogeneity in activity (DA) and a lower sorting activity against long particles (99.8 vs. 96.3%; P= 0.005). The variation of TMR composition between one day and another was significant (P< 0.001) for both neutral detergent fibre (aNDF) and starch in SMT, whereas in LMT it showed a tendency to significance (P=0.056)only for neutral detergent fibre.These results indicate that LMT improved consistency of TMR over time, ADG, FCR and reduced feed sorting
Thermographic Screening of Beef Cattle Metatarsal Growth Plate Lesions
No full textLameness represents one of the main causes of decreased productive performance and impaired animal welfare in the bovine industry. Young beef bulls are predisposed to develop diseases of the growing skeleton, especially growth plate lesions. Early diagnosis is indispensable for ensuring correct treatment, fast recovery and reduction losses. However, when dealing with beef cattle, this is not always possible. Fast and reliable diagnostic imaging techniques are necessary to improve dealing with lameness in beef animals. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential of thermographic imaging as a non-invasive tool for rapidly screening beef bulls for the presence of growth plate lesions. Here, 20 Charolais and Limousine beef bulls affected by growth plate lesions in one of the rear limbs were selected. IRT was performed on both hind limbs using a digital infrared camera (ThermaCam T420 Model, Flir Systems, Boston, MA, USA), prior to radiographic imaging and clinical examination. The temperature of healthy and affected limbs was measured in two regions: The area correspondent to the growth plate (AR01) and the whole area of the metatarsus (AR02). Growth plate lesions were found to increase the maximum, mean, and minimum temperatures in AR01; and the mean and maximum temperatures in AR02, therefore, indicating the potential of IRT as a reliable, practical tool for screening growth plate lesions in beef bulls
Influenza di fattori diversi dall'indice di selezione nella formazione del prezzo del seme di tori frisoni italiani.
No full textA Survey of Dog Owners’ Attitudes toward Treats
No full textCommercially available dog treats have become very popular and a common part of the pet’s diet, yet very little is known about peoples’ opinions and feeding habits; therefore, a survey was shared on a popular social network. Most of the self-selected interviewed owners (n = 1833, 83%) use treats regularly, mainly to reward their dog’s behavior or during training-sports activities. Owners usually buy several types of treats, of which biscuits and dental care sticks are the most common, and usually hand out one to five pieces to their dogs every day. Most owners read the labels of the treats to seek the ingredients list and the claimed health benefits; contrarily, many owners look for non-nutritional values, such as flavor (n = 321, 18%), brand (n = 72, 4%) or shape (n = 46, 3%). Seventy-five percent of the owners (n = 1369) follow the feeding instructions provided by the producers on the label. Treat feeding is a common practice among dog owners and there is great variability among regimens (e.g., types and quantities provided). Understanding the owner’s attitudes could help veterinarians educate them to manage treats in the dog’s diet
Satisfaction, behavior and health problems in whippets and miniature Italian greyhounds, as reported by their caretakers
No full textGiven the relative scarcity of research focusing on non-rescue sighthound behavior, the present exploratory study aimed to investigate the presence of, and factors associated with, behavioral complaints and owner satisfaction in Italian greyhounds and whippets, using an online questionnaire. Some other behavioral characteristics (such as being challenging, gentle, or reliable), deemed likely to be important for satisfaction and/or cited in the breed standards, were likewise analyzed, and possible predictors of owner satisfaction with the dogs were investigated. The survey yielded answers for 326 dogs (164 whippets, 162 Italian greyhounds) given by a convenience sample of 268 caretakers. Compared to whippets, Italian greyhounds were reported more often to show aggressive behavior toward people (11.7% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.05), fear of people (13.6% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.05) and of dogs/other animals (10.5% vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001), separation distress (29.8% vs. 19.1%, P < 0.05) and house soiling (43.7% vs. 11.1%; P < 0.001) and less often to show predatory behavior (56.2% vs. 79.9%, P < 0.001). Age of the dog was the most often significant predictor among those
studied, with older dogs being reported as showing less fear of people (P < 0.001), fear of dogs/other animals (P < 0.01), predatory behavior (P < 0.05), “disobedience/lack of cooperation” (P < 0.001), and “miscellaneous
other issues” (P < 0.01). Intact females were reported as to be less challenging/demanding (P < 0.010), and to show stereotypies less often (P < 0.001) than other dogs. Dogs being scored the maximum score on satisfaction-related questions were associated with them being reliable, not challenging, and not being reported as showing out-of-context fear of other dogs and other animals (all P < 0.05)
Fonti di variazione dell'accrescimento giornaliero di torelli di razza Chianina, Marchigiana e Romagnola in prova di performance
No full textVentriculomegaly in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with Chiari-like malformation: relationship with clinical and imaging findings
No full textQualitative Behaviour Assessment for zoo-housed polar bears (Ursus maritimus): Intra- and inter-day consistency and association to other indicators of welfare
No full textContemporary zoos house polar bears (Ursus maritimus) to serve the conservation efforts of these institutions. However, evidence of behavioural problems in captivity has highlighted the need for methods to assess polar bear welfare, why valid and feasible animal-based welfare indicators are a prerequisite. Qualitative Behaviour Assessment (QBA) has been used to assess emotional state in various species. This study therefore aimed to assess the ability of QBA to discern emotional state in zoo-housed polar bears, and further to investigate its validity through associations to behavioural and health-related indicators, as well as intra- and inter-day consistency of QBA scores. A list of 24 terms was developed by reviewing the literature and on-site assessments. Reliability of the list was tested through Kendall's W between two assessors (Inter-OR), as well as over time (Intra-OR), based on videos. QBAs and behavioural observations were collected on 22 polar bears from nine zoos in four European countries, repeated within days (three times) and across days (four days). Behavioural observations were summarized as percentage of time spent in the respective categories, whereas behavioural diversity was expressed by the Shannon Index. Health-related indicators were expressed as an overall dichotomous value (presence/ absence). Principal component analysis revealed two main components categorised as valence (PC1, 29.5%) and arousal (PC2, 15.1%). Reliability was met for both PCs, with a W of 0.82 for PC1 and 0.68 for PC2 for Inter-OR, and 0.92 for PC1 and 0.89 for PC2 for Intra-OR. PC1 was significantly positively associated with behavioural diversity (p = 0.006), environmental interaction (p = 0.006) and rest (p = 0.005), and inversely with stereotypic behaviour (p < 0.001) and general activity level (p = 0.003). PC2 was significantly positively associated with stereotypic behaviour (p < 0.001), environmental interaction (p = 0.040) and general activity level (p < 0.001), and inversely with awake inactivity (p = 0.002). Valence scores revealed no significant effect of time of day nor day, however a significant effect was found between early to mid-day on arousal scores (p = 0.015). The results provide evidence of sensitivity and some evidence of validity by associations of QBA with other welfare indicators. QBA may therefore potentially serve to assess emotional state in polar bears, needing only to be carried out once in the short term. Although the proposed list may benefit from additional validation and reliability testing, this study takes the first step towards a standardised QBA for polar bears
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