Comparative effects of two oral rehydration solutions on milk clotting, abomasal luminal pH, and abomasal emptying rate in suckling calves

The effect of adding an oral rehydration therapy (ORT) solution containing bicarbonate, citrate, and acetate to cow's milk on milk clotting, abomasal luminal pH, and abomasal emptying rate was determined in suckling calves. Six male Holstein-Friesian calves with abomasal cannulae, 5 to 13 d of age, were used in a crossover design. Calves were fed 2 L of cow's milk alone, milk with an ORT solution containing a low bicarbonate concentration (25 mmol/L), acetate (12 mmol/L), citrate (12 mmol/L), and glycine (7 mmol/L; group BACG), or milk with an ORT solution containing formate (58 mmol/L) and acetate (15 mmol/L) in randomized order. Clotting of milk was assessed in vivo and in vitro. Abomasal luminal pH was monitored continuously. Abomasal emptying rates were determined by using the change in abomasal luminal pH, acetaminophen absorption, and glucose absorption. The addition of a BACG-ORT solution to cow's milk increased in vitro clotting time by approximately 6 min. All 3 test solutions clotted in vivo by 15 min after the beginning of suckling. The addition of a BACG-ORT solution to cow's milk increased the pH of cow's milk and abomasal fluid by approximately 0.3 pH units. The addition of a BACG-ORT or a formate and acetate-ORT solution to cow's milk increased solution osmolality and slowed the rate of abomasal emptying. We concluded that the addition of BACG-ORT solution to cow's milk did not affect milk clotting in vivo. Recommendations based on the results of in vitro studies that bicarbonate- or citrate-containing ORT solutions should not be fed concurrently with cow's milk do not appear to be relevant to in vivo conditions when 2 L of a low-bicarbonate (25 mmol/L), low-citrate (12 mmol/L) ORT solution is fed.     

Quality assessments of waste milk at a calf ranch

Nonsaleable whole milk from dairy farms is potentially an economical, nutritious source of feed for neonatal calves but it can have serious quality problems. Many calf-rearing operations that utilize this milk have no system in place to assess or manage quality problems other than pasteurization. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the quality of nonsaleable whole milk from dairy farms being used to feed neonatal calves using a set of standard milk quality monitors. In this study, nonsaleable whole milk samples from 12 dairies supplying both milk and calves to one calf ranch were collected and evaluated for total solids (TS) percentage, bacterial counts, coagulation with ethanol, somatic cell counts, and pH. Milk quality was not uniform among the farms. Bacterial counts provided relatively little useful information to assess milk quality, because most samples (9/12) had very high bacteria counts. The most variable quality finding was TS percentage. Many samples were low in TS, contributing to a low TS percentage in pooled milk being fed to calves, which created a poor nutritional product delivered to them. Although there are advantages to feeding nonsaleable whole milk to preweaned calves, there can be significant disadvantages if the quality of the product is poor. Microbial quality is an important aspect of milk, but most of the samples were highly contaminated and the need for pasteurization was assumed. Simpler and more immediate monitoring methods such as milk pH, the alcohol test, and TS could be used at the ranch to make decisions on whether to use the milk. On the study ranch, a program to evaluate the TS of nonsaleable whole milk was implemented and a chart to add solids was devised for the producer so that the neonatal calves would not be underfed nutrients. Implementing these measures will help improve the health and growth of young calves.     

Invited review: The welfare of dairy cattle—Key concepts and the role of science

Concerns about the welfare of animals typically include 3 questions: is the animal functioning well (e.g., good health, productivity, etc.), is the animal feeling well (e.g., absence of pain, etc.), and is the animal able to live according to its nature (e.g., perform natural behaviors that are thought to be important to it, such as grazing)? We review examples, primarily from our own research, showing how all 3 questions can be addressed using science. For example, we review work showing 1) how common diseases such as lameness can be better identified and prevented through improvements in the ways cows are housed and managed, 2) how pain caused by dehorning of dairy calves can be reduced, and 3) how environmental conditions affect cow preferences for indoor housing versus pasture. Disagreements about animal welfare can occur when different measures are used. For example, management systems that favor production may restrict natural behavior or can even lead to higher rates of disease. The best approaches are those that address all 3 types of concerns, for example, feeding systems for calves that allow expression of key behaviors (i.e., sucking on a teat), that avoid negative affect (i.e., hunger), and that allow for improved functioning (i.e., higher rates of body weight gain, and ultimately higher milk production).     

复肝肽口服液对大鼠四氯化碳慢性肝损伤的保护作用

目的观察复肝肽口服液(主要成分为新生牛肝活性肽)对大鼠四氯化碳(CCl4)慢性肝损伤的保护作用。方法制备大鼠CCl4慢性肝损伤模型,观察复肝肽口服液对慢性肝损伤大鼠红、白细胞数、血色素、血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、天冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)、白球蛋白比例(A/G)的影响。结果与模型对照组比较,复肝肽3个剂量组大鼠的A/G值均明显升高,肝组织病变明显减轻,高剂量组ALT、AST明显降低。结论复肝肽口服液对慢性肝损伤有明显的保护作用。     

2,2′-联咪唑硝基衍生物的合成及与DNA相互作用的研究

基于硝基咪唑类化合物有着广泛的抗微生物活性,合成了2,2′-联咪唑的单硝基NO2Hbiim和二硝基(NO2)2biim两种衍生物,通过元素分析、紫外光谱、红外光谱、热重分析对其进行了表征,并采用紫外光谱法、荧光光谱法和粘度法研究了二者与小牛胸腺DNA(ct-DNA)的相互作用。结果表明,化合物结构的共平面性对其与DNA的插入作用有较大的影响。     

2，2＇-联咪唑硝基衍生物的合成及与DNA相互作用的研究

基于硝基咪唑类化合物有着广泛的抗微生物活性,合成了2,2L联咪唑的单硝基N02Hbiim和二硝基（N02）：biim两种衍生物,通过元素分析、紫外光谱、红外光谱、热重分析对其进行了表征,并采用紫外光谱法、荧光光谱法和粘度法研究了二者与小牛胸腺DNA（ct-DNA）的相互作用。结果表明,化合物结构的共平面性对其与DNA的插入作用有较大的影响。     

Predictors of diarrhea,mortality, and weight gain in male dairy calves

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to determine the effect of an abnormal fecal consistency score on weight gain and mortality in male Holstein calves and to identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of an abnormal fecal consistency score. This study enrolled 2,616 calves entering a calf-raising facility in Ontario, Canada, between January 2018 and December 2020. Fecal consistency scores were assigned twice daily for the first 28 d following arrival, where a score of 2, indicating runny consistency, and 3, indicating watery consistency, were classified as diarrhea. Severe diarrhea was classified by a score of 3. Serum total protein was measured upon arrival and the source of the calf (i.e., whether the calf came from a drover, local farm, or auction) was recorded. Body weight measurements were also collected at arrival and at 14, 56, and 77 d after arrival. Calf mortality and disease treatment during the first 77 d were recorded. On average, calves had diarrhea for 16% (4.51 d) of the first 28 d under observation, and severe diarrhea for 7% (1.87 d) of the 28 d under observation. Using a repeated measures linear regression model, we found the proportion of days with diarrhea significantly decreased weight gain at 14, 56, and 77 d following arrival. An increased proportion of days with diarrhea increased the risk of mortality, which was determined using a Cox proportional hazards model. We also found, using 2 Cox proportional hazards models, that a higher proportion of days with an abnormal fecal score increased the hazard of antibiotic treatment. With respect to factors associated with the occurrence of abnormal fecal consistency, we found that arrival weight and the source of calves were statistically significant predictors. Specifically, for every additional kilogram of body weight at arrival, the proportion of days with diarrhea decreased by 7%. With respect to source, calves from drovers had a higher proportion of days with diarrhea compared with those sourced directly from local dairy farms. Our results highlight the substantial influence the presence of abnormal fecal consistency has on short-term weight gain, mortality risk, and morbidity risk. We also demonstrate that diarrhea occurrence can be predicted using body weight at arrival and calf source. Further research should evaluate longer-term effects of diarrhea and better understand the effect of arrival weight on neonatal calf disease risk.     

The effect of neomycin inclusion in milk replacer on the health,growth, and performance of male Holstein calves during preweaning

The prophylactic use of oral antimicrobials, such as neomycin, in milk replacer (MR) or whole milk is a common practice in calf-rearing that is thought to aid in preventing disease. Heavy reliance on antimicrobials is of concern not only because of the development of antimicrobial resistance, but also because of the potentially negative effects on health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of neomycin on calf health and growth performance. One hundred and sixty calves (approximately 3–10 d of age), distributed across 2 experimental periods, were stratified by body weight (BW) and serum total protein, and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: control (CON; nonmedicated MR, n = 60), short-term antibiotic (ST; neomycin mixed in MR from d 1–14, n = 50), or long-term antibiotic (LT; neomycin in ?MR from d 1–28, n = 50). Arrival BW (47.69 ± 0.87 kg) and serum total protein (5.67 ± 0.09 g/dL) were not different between treatment groups. Neomycin in ST and LT was dosed in MR at a rate of 20 mg/kg of BW and was adjusted weekly according to BW. Calf BW was measured weekly for 49 d, and health indicators (fecal score, attitude score, respiratory score, and rectal temperature), MR intake, starter intake, and the use of additional electrolytes and antimicrobials were recorded daily. Calves in the CON group experienced a higher proportion of days with diarrhea (20.32 ± 0.02%) compared with ST (14.70 ± 0.02%) or LT (13.80 ± 0.02%) calves, as well as longer bouts of diarrhea (7.45 ± 0.38 d, 5.69 ± 0.46 d, and 5.62 ± 0.45 d for CON, ST, and LT calves, respectively). Calves in the CON group also experienced higher fecal scores (score of 0.64 ± 0.04) than ST (score of 0.53 ± 0.04) or LT (score of 0.49 ± 0.04) calves, especially at d 7. However, no differences were observed in other health-related measures. The time to reach first diarrhea and first respiratory illness was not different between treatments, nor was the time to recover from respiratory illness. The time to intervention with additional electrolytes or antimicrobials was not different between treatment groups. Furthermore, growth performance, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were not different. No differences were found when comparing ST and LT, except in the defined daily dose of total antimicrobials received. Calves in the LT group received a higher overall dose than ST calves, and both ST and LT calves received a higher dose than CON calves, which received no prophylactic antimicrobials. Given that there were no differences in performance variables and no additional health benefits aside from reduced fecal scores in calves fed neomycin, current practices involving the use of antimicrobials on dairy and veal operations need to be considered more prudently.     

Prevalence of disorders in preweaned dairy calves from 731 dairies in Germany: A cross-sectional study

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of disorders in preweaned calves in 3 regions in Germany, exemplary for structural diversity in dairy farming. A farm visit was performed on a single occasion on 731 dairy farms in the northern, eastern, and southern regions of Germany between December 2016 and July 2019. Farms differed in herd size, geographical location, and management. In the northern region, the farms had a median of 90 milking cows and were often run as full-time family businesses, partly with external workers. The eastern region tended to have larger farms (a median of 251 milking cows), which were often large-scale agricultural enterprises with employees. In the southern region, the farms had a median of 39 milking cows and were often traditional family businesses, some of these being part-time businesses. Clinical examinations were performed on 14,164 preweaned dairy calves (median 12 calves per farm) by trained veterinarians. A complete data set was available for 13,656 calves. Almost half (42.0%) of the evaluated calves were classified as being affected by at least 1 of the common calf disorders. Omphalitis (O, 20.9%; n = 2,876) and diarrhea (D, 18.5%; n = 2,670) were the most frequently recorded diagnoses, whereas respiratory diseases (RD) were observed to a lesser extent (8.7%; n = 1,100). A striking feature was the fact that 7.1% (n = 987) of the calves were affected by more than 1 disorder at the same time (multimorbidity, M). The following combinations of disorders were frequently observed: O and D (n = 596), O and RD (n = 164), and D and RD (n = 140). Disorders such as O and D, as well as M, were predominantly observed in calves aged 2 wk. A gradual increase in the frequency of RD was observed with age. For all disorders except RD, male calves were more often affected than females. Omphalitis was predominantly diagnosed in the summer months, whereas RD, D, and M were more common in the fall. We detected several statistically significant differences in the prevalence of clinical signs and disorders in preweaned dairy calves between the 3 exemplary regions. The prevalence of RD was higher in the south (10.8%) than in the north (8.2%) and east (7.4%). In the north (33.2%), O was observed more frequently than in the other regions (east: 18.9%; south: 10.5%), whereas D was found less frequently in the north (13.8%) than in the east (21.6%) and south (20.0%).     

Short- and long-term effects of initial serum total protein,average starter feed intake during the last week of the preweaning period,and rearing body gain on primiparous dairy heifers' performance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of initial serum total protein (STP) concentration, average starter feed intake (SI) during the last week of the preweaning period, and average daily gain (ADG) on the growth, fertility, and performance of Holstein heifers during their first lactation. Eighty-four female Holstein dairy calves were weaned at d 56 of age and then the study continued until the end of the first lactation. Growth performance, including body weight, ADG, withers height, and its change were analyzed monthly from 3 to 450 d of life, and reproduction data and performance in the first lactation of primiparous dairy heifers over a 4-yr period (2015 to 2019) were recorded. In the first 24 h of life, calves received 4 L of colostrum (<2 h and <12 h after birth); on d 2 and 3: 2 feedings/d of 2 L of transition milk; from d 4 to 49: 6 L/d of milk replacer (150 g of powder/L as-fed) in 3 feedings; and from d 50 to 56: 2 L/d of milk replacer in 1 feeding. The calves were fed pelleted starter feed from d 4 to 56, and after that from 8 wk until 3 mo of age, a dry total mixed ration with an 85:15 ratio of weaning pelleted starter to straw. From 3 to 7 mo and from 8 mo of age to calving, the total mixed ration contained 16.9% and ~14.0% crude protein, respectively, on a dry matter basis and ~2.40 Mcal of metabolizable energy/kg on a dry matter basis. The results of the current study showed that the initial STP concentration of primiparous dairy heifers was associated with improved growth performance, especially greater body weight and withers height. In addition, with increasing levels of initial STP concentration, age at first estrus, artificial insemination (AI) service, pregnancy, and calving was decreased by 16, 18, 25, and 25 d, respectively. Initial STP concentration was positively correlated with milk production and increased total milk yield and yield of energy-corrected milk by about 1,558 kg and 1,149 kg during first lactation. Calves with higher average starter feed intake during the last week of the preweaning period had better growth performance, which in turn was positively associated with fertility parameters, accelerated first estrus (by 17 d), and reduced age at AI service (by 13 d). Preweaning ADG was favorably associated with fertility performance of heifers, with faster occurrence of first estrus and a reduction in age at AI service, pregnancy, and calving. Also, increasing preweaning ADG increased milk yield, energy-corrected milk, and 4% fat-corrected milk at 305 DIM by about 829, 754, and 763 kg at first lactation of primiparous heifers. These results indicate that in the rearing period, particular attention should be paid to the initial STP concentration, average SI during the last week of this period, and rearing ADG to increase growth, fertility, and performance in the first lactation of primiparous dairy heifers.