M.R. Cameron^a, S.P. Hart^a, T. Sahlu^a,2, C. Gilchrist^a, S.W. Coleman^b, A.L. Goetsch^a

^aE (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research
Langston University,
P.O. Box 730, Langston, OK 73050, USA

^bGrazinglands Research Laboratory
USDA, ARS, El Reno, OK, 73036, USA

(Received May 3, 2001; accepted July 31, 2001)

Abstract

Cameron, M.R., Hart, S.P., Sahlu, T., Gilchrist, C., Coleman, S.W. and Goetsch, A.L. 2001. Effects of gender and age on performance and harvest traits of Boer × Spanish goats. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 141-155.

Sixty Boer × Spanish goats were used to determine effects of gender and age on performance and harvest traits. Wethers, females and males (16.8, 15.6 and 16.9 kg initial body weight, respectively) consumed a high concentrate diet from 116 to 340 d of age, with harvest at 56-d intervals. Average dry matter intake for the entire experiment was lowest among genders for females (674, 534 and 682 g/d; P<0.05) and average daily gain was greater for males and wethers than for females (119, 89 and 138 g/d for wethers, females and males, respectively; P<0.05). Dressing percentage was similar among genders and lowest among ages at 116 d (41.7, 48.5, 49.9, 51.3 and 50.9% for 116, 172, 228, 284 and 340 d, respectively; P<0.05). Internal fat mass was lower (P<0.05) for males than for wethers and females (5.1, 6.9 and 7.0% empty body weight, respectively) and increased with age (2.3, 5.4, 6.3, 7.7 and 9.9% empty body weight; 0.32, 1.08, 1.60, 2.77 and 4.08 kg at 116, 172, 228 and 340 d of age, respectively). Carcass scores and grades were similar among genders. Among genders, males had the greatest (P<0.05) carcass percentages of separable bone (27.1, 27.0 and 29.4%) and lean (50.1, 49.7 and 54.1%) and were lowest in fat (18.0, 19.5 and 12.7% for wethers, females and males, respectively). Carcasses were having 38.9, 29.9, 27.0, 22.6 and 20.7% bone; 6.7, 18.3, 15.1, 21.0 and 22.4% fat; and 49.4, 48.5, 50.9, 53.9 and 53.8% lean at 116, 172, 228, 284 and 340 d, respectively. In summary, differences among genders of Boer crossbred goats in performance and harvest traits were not influenced by age between approximately 4 and 11 mo. However, changes in carcass characteristics differed between 4 and 6 mo of age more than from 6 to 11 mo; and mass of internal fat increased with age and was nearly as great as that of carcass fat at each age.

T. Nakanishi¹, A. Ohgushi¹, T. Yamashita¹, K. Sashihara¹, T. Takagi¹, E. Dobashi¹, T. Kamegai², M. Kasai², T. Yoshimatsu¹, M. Furuse^1,*

¹Laboratory of Advanced Animal and Marine Bioresources
Division of Animal and Marine Bioresources Science
Graduate School of Bioresources and Bioenvironmental Sciences
Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan

²Rinoru Oil Mills Co. Ltd.
Nagoya 455-0028, Japan

(Received March 21, 2001; accepted August 1, 2001)

Abstract

Nakanishi, T., Ohgushi, A., Yamashita, T., Sashihara, K., Takagi, T., Dobashi, E., Kamegai, T., Kasai, M., Yoshimatsu, T. and Furuse, M. 2001. Effect of orally administered conjugated linoleic acids on behaviors and tissue fatty acid compositions in mice. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 157-170.

To compare the influences of the oral administration of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) on behaviors and fatty acid composition of some tissues with those of linoleic acid (LA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), mice (8-week old) were orally administered with oils containing high levels of CLA, DHA or LA for 4 weeks (6 days per week, 0.2 ml per day). Control group was administered with saline. Behavioral tests such as locomotor activity, swim test, elevated plus maze test and biting test were done on the commencement of the study (0 week) and 2 and 4 weeks after treatments. No significant changes were observed in all the parameters. Oral CLA increased the liver weight and reduced the epididymal white adipose tissue weight. The ratio of arachidonic acid to total fatty acids was significantly increased by LA and decreased by CLA compared with the control, especially in the liver. Small amounts of CLA were detected in the brain of mice administered with CLA or LA groups, but not detected in mice of the control and DHA groups. The level of DHA in the brain was not altered by DHA administration. It is concluded that oral administration of CLA influenced some tissues but not behaviours of mice at least after growth.

M. Nath*, B.P. Singh, V.K. Saxena, R.V. Singh, A.K. Dev Roy

Central Avian Research Institute
Izatnagar, Bareilly-243 122, India

(Revised received May 9, 2001; accepted June 16, 2001)

Abstract

Nath, M., Singh, B.P., Saxena, V.K., Singh, R.V. and Dev Roy, A.K. 2001. Genetic analysis of concanavalin_A response in broilers. J. Appl. Anim. Res. 20: 171-180.

To evaluate the crossbreeding parameters in respect to in vivo mitogen response in broiler, a complete 4´4 diallel design was followed using four synthetic broiler lines namely Coloured Synthetic Male Line (CSML), White Synthetic Male Line (WSML), Coloured Synthetic Female Line (CSFL) and Naked Neck Line (NNL). The in vivo cell-mediated immune response to the mitogen concanavalin-A (Con-A) was evaluated injecting 0.1ml of Con-A (1mg Con-A in 1ml of phosphate buffer saline) inter-digitally and the foot index was calculated. The results indicated that both additive and non-additive genetic variation attributed to minor genes at many loci is important for the genetic control of in vivo Con-A response in chicken. Total non-additive components of variance also showed significant amount of heterosis in crossbred progenies. Therefore, it may be concluded that the exploitation of non-additive component of variance is possible for improvement in cell- mediated immunity in broilers.

R. Foroughbackch, R.G. Ramirez, L.A. Hauad, J. Alba-Avila, C.G. García-Castillo¹, R. Morales-Rodriguez

Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León
Apartado Postal 142, Sucursal F, San Nicolás de los Garza
L.L. 66450, México

¹Departmento de Ganaderia
Colegio de Posgraduados, Montecillo, Estado de México

(Revised received March 7, 2001; accepted March 24, 2001)

Abstract

Foroughbackch, R., Ramirez, R.G., Hauad, L.A. and Alba-Avila, J., García-Castillo, C.G. and Morales-Rodriguez, R. 2001. Dry matter, crude protein and cell wall digestion of total plant leaves and stems in Llano buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 181-188.

To estimate and compare seasonally, the chemical composition and in situ digestibility of nutrients in total plant (TP) leaves (L) and stems (S) of Llano buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), plants were harvested from a two-ha pasture of Martin, N.L. County, Mexico during fall (1998), winter, spring and summer (1999). The in sacco technique was used to measure the rate and extent of digestion of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and cell wall (CW) of TP, L and S, using rumen cannulated sheep. Effective degradability of DM (EDDM), CP (EDCP) and CW (EDCW) was also estimated. Crude protein was significantly higher and CW significantly lower in summer than in other seasons. Moreover, lignin was significantly lower in summer than in other seasons. Effective degradability DM, EDCP and EDCW were also significantly higher in summer. In all seasons, L fraction resulted with higher nutrient digestion than S fraction. It is recommended that only during the summer season livestock can graze Llano buffelgrass because of its high nutritional quality.

J.S. Jonker¹, D.G. Fox, L.E. Chase, D.J.R. Cherney²

Department of Animal Science
Cornell University
Ithaca, N.Y. 14853-4801, USA

(Received March 5, 2001; accepted September 11, 2001)

Abstract

Jonker, J.S., Fox, D.G., Chase, L.E. and Cherney, D.J.R. 2001. Effects of variations in grass protein fractions and degradation rates on metabolizable protein allowable milk production. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 189-196.

Effects of variation of grass forage protein fractions (soluble intake protein, acid detergent fibre insoluble protein and neutral detergent fibre insoluble protein), as measured from producer submitted samples over a 12 month period and protein degradation rates (B1, B2 and B3) on metabolizable protein allowable milk production were estimated with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System Model (CNCPS). A one standard deviation increase from the average soluble intake protein for grass forage resulted in a 5-13 per cent decrease in metabolizable protein allowable milk. A 10 per cent decrease in metabolizable protein allowable milk was predicted with a one standard deviation increase from the average acid detergent fibre insoluble protein for the grass forage. Up to a 20 per cent increase in metabolizable protein allowable milk was predicted with a one standard deviation increase from the average neutral detergent fibre insoluble protein for grass forage. Metabolizable protein allowable milk was relatively insensitive to changes in protein degradation rates compared to changes in protein fractions. Accurate forage protein fraction values are needed to effectively utilize the CNCPS model.

M. Rocca¹, N. Nicoli Aldini¹, R. Giardino^1,2,*, P. Caliceti³

¹Department of Experimental Surgery
Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute
Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna - Italy

²Chair of Surgical Pathophysiology
University of Bologna
Bologna - Italy

³Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
University of Padova
Padova, Italy

(Received February 9, 2001; accepted October 6, 2001)

Abstract

Rocca, M., Nicoli Aldini, N., Giardino, R. and Caliceti, P. 2001. Prevention of muscle and nerve damage after a prolonged ischemia/reperfusion syndrome: an experimental animal model. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 197-204.

An experimental rat model of limb replantation was developed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of SOD and mPEG-SOD (native and modified with polyethylene glycole superoxide dismutase) or PAcM-SOD (polyacriloilmorpholine superoxide dismutase) in preventing ischemia-reperfusion damage. In particular, the current research focused on the technical procedure employed for the study of the newly activated motor end-plates after ischemia/reperfusion injury. The experiment was carried out on 60 Wistar rats, randomly divided into four groups, submitted to 4 hours and 30 minutes of ischemia of the left hindlimb, followed by reperfusion. Results showed a better limb survival in the mPEG-SOD group (87%) in comparison to other three groups (p<0.05).

Tesfaye Lemma¹, Abubeker Hassen^2*, Mulugeta Kebede¹, Girma Aboma¹, Ulfina Galmesa¹

¹Bako Research Centre
P.O.Box 03, Bako, Ethiopia

²Adami Tulu Research Centre
P.O.Box 35, Zeway, Ethiopia.

(Revised received August 4, 2001; accepted August 31, 2001)

Abstract

Lemma, T., Hassen, A., Kebede, M., Aboma, G. and Galmesa, U. 2001. Effect of pre-market feeding of maize stover and concentrate on fattening performance, carcass trait and market value of grazing Horro cows. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 205-212.

To evaluate the effects of maize residue (stover) and concentrate supplementation on fattening performance, carcass trait and market value, 21 Horro cows (>12 yr) were divided into three groups and randomly allocated to three treatments viz. T₁: 8h grazing alone, T₂: T₁+ ad lib maize residue (stover) supplement, T₃: T₂+ 3 kg concentrate/head/day, respectively, in a completely randomised design. Slaughter weights (SW), average daily live weight gain (ADG) kidney fat and market value per unit of live weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher for cows on T₃ than those either in T₂ or T₁. A significant and positive association was recorded for slaughter weight of the cows with carcass weight, omental fat and estimated market price of the cows. Though the highest gross return was obtained from cows on T₃, the net return per Ethiopian Birr (ETB) invested in T₃ was lower than T₂. It was concluded that pre-market supplementation with maize stover and concentrate improves the fattening ability of old Horro cows. However, the price of concentrate supplement should be reduced to increase the net return.

Pharmacokinetics of Gentamicin in Renally-Impaired Goats Following Intravenous Administration  

A.H. Ahmad, L.D. Sharma

Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
College of Veterinary Sciences
G.B.Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
Pantnagar-263 145, India

(Revised received March 24, 2001; accepted August 10, 2001)

Abstract

Ahmad, A.H. and Sharma, L.D. 2001. Pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in renally-impaired goats following intravenous administration. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20:213-220.

The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin was studied in goats given a single intravenous dose (5 mg/kg) of uranyl nitrate for renal impairment. Gentamicin was injected intravenously (5 mg/kg) on the 7th day after injection of uranyl nitrate, when the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations rose significantly. An elimination half-life (t_1/2-ß) of 425 min. was observed. The plasma clearance (Cl) in renally-impaired goats was 0.3 ml/min. kg. The volume of distribution was 187 ml/kg. The area under the curve was 16625 µg.min/ml. A dose of 2.5 mg/kg every 24 h was calculated in renally impaired goats based on the pharmacokinetic parameters in present study.

G. Giavaresi, M. Fini, L. Martini, N. Nicoli Aldini, M. Rocca, P. Torricelli, R. Giardino*

Servizio di Chirurgia Sperimentale
Istituto di Ricerca Codivilla-Putti, IOR
Via di Barbiano, 1/10

40136 Bologna, Italy

*Chair of Surgical Pathophysiology
University of Bologna
Bologna, Italy

(Received February 9, 2001; accepted October 10, 2001)

Abstract

Giavaresi, G., Fini, M., Martini, L., Nicoli Aldini, N., Rocca, M., Torricelli, P. and Giardino, R. 2001. Histomorphometric characterization of cancellous and cortical bone in an ovariectomized sheep model. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 221-232.

The ovariectomized sheep has been proposed as a model of human osteoporosis, showing high bone turnover, increased osteoclastic activity, perforation of trabeculae and endosteal resorption. To improve scientific knowledge on this large-size osteopenic animal model, 15 crossbred sheep (4±1 years, 80±5 kg) were divided in 3 groups of 5 animals each: 1) Baseline Group, where animals were sacrificed at the beginning of the study as controls; 2) OVX Group, where animals were bilaterally ovariectomized; 3) SHAM Group, where the operation was simulated. OVX and SHAM animals were sacrificed 24 months after surgery. A histomorphometric analysis was performed on cancellous (iliac crest, and 4th and 5th lumbar vertebral bodies) and cortical (femoral and tibial middiaphyses) bone. In the OVX Group, results showed generalised and significant resorption of cancellous bone in the iliac crest and lumbar vertebrae, as well as significant resorption of cortical bone in the tibia. The cancellous bone of the vertebral bodies appeared to be more sensitive to the estrogen-deficiency than the iliac crest and the same can be said for the tibial middiaphyseal cortical bone versus the femoral one. In conclusion, our results seem to support the use of an ovariectomized sheep model for pharmacological and surgical studies on osteoporosis. However, differences in bone reaction to estrogen-deficiency at different anatomical sites should be taken into account and do require further investigations.

M. A. Al-Shaikh^*, H.H. Mogawer

Department of Animal Production
College of Agriculture
King Saud University
P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

(Received February 20, 2001; accepted September 17, 2001)

Abstract

Al-Shaikh, M.A. and Mogawer, H.H. 2001. Factors affecting body weight of Aardi goat kids in Saudi Arabia. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 233-238.

To study the effects of dam weight, litter size and kid sex on birth weight and weight gain from birth to weaning, 34 male and 36 female Aardi goat kids, from 40 dams were reared under identical conditions. Weight gains at 3, 6 and 10 weeks of age were higher in kids born to heavy than to medium or light weight dams and there was a strong correlation between dam's weight and weight gain in respective kids (r=0.41). Litter size significantly affected birth weights, but neither weight nor average daily weight gain were affected during subsequent intervals. Male kids consistently had higher body weights and daily weight gain than female ones. Correlation coefficient between birth weight and weaning weight was 0.41, which could be used as an indicator to heavy weaning weight.

Nega Tolla, Hailu Dadhi, Temesgen Tadese

Adami Tulu Research Center
P.O.Box 178, Ziway, Ethiopia

(Revised received June 20, 2001; accepted July 24, 2001)

Abstract

Tolla, N., Dadhi, H. and Tadese, T. 2001. Supplemental value of noug seed cake (Guizotia abyssinica) and linseed cake (Linum usitataissimum) on growth performance of crossbred (Borana x Jersey) bull and heifer calves fed on Haricot bean straw. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 239-244.

To study comparative supplemental values of noug seed cake (Guizotia abyssinica) and linseed cake (Linum usitataissimum) on growth performance and profitability of young bull and heifer calves fed on basal diet of Haricot bean straw (HBS), thirty crossbred (Borana x Jersey) bull (15) and heifer (15) calves were randomly allocated to three treatments of Haricot bean straw alone, supplemented with either noug seed cake or linseed cake in a 3 x 2 factorial design for 94 days feeding trial. Both supplementations had significant (P<0.05) effect on HBS intake. The interaction between treatment and sex on average daily weight gain (ADG) was highly significant (P<0.01). Animals supplemented with LSC gained more weight (34% and 471%) than those supplemented with NSC and the control group, respectively. Supplementing LSC was less profitable (Eth. Birr. 327) than NSC (Eth. Birr. 435). Higher PD fraction was observed for animals supplemented with LSC. It was concluded that despite its cost being triple of that of NSC, supplementing poor quality basal diet of Haricot bean straw with LSC can support faster daily live weight gain than NSC but it is not superior to NSC in profitability.

K. Çelik¹, M. Denli, M. Ertürk², O. Öztürkcan, F. Doran³

Department of Animal Science
Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey

(Revised received July 20, 2001; accepted August 1, 2001)

Abstract

Çelik, K., Denli, M., Ertürk, M., Öztürkcan, O. and Doran, F. 2001. Evaluation of dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) compounds in the feed to reduce aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) residues and toxicity to Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 245-250.

To study the effects of dry yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as adsorbent when given aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) on the weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, pathological alterations and serum parameters, 200 Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 groups in an experiment lasting 35 days, when the birds were slaughtered. The probiotic was given in group 1; 0.1 per cent with 100 µg AFB₁ added daily in the concentrate feed; 2nd group was given 0.2 per cent probiotic with 100 µg AFB₁, 3rd group 100 µg AFB₁ without adsorbent and 4th group served as control. The livers and spleens were swollen and congested in group 1 and 3. Serum GOT, GPT and ALK.P were elevated in group 3 compared with the probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) groups (P<0.01). No statistical differences were found between groups in serum AFP levels (P<0.01).

J.E. Onu

Department of Veterinary Anatomy
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Usmanu Danfodiyo University
P.M.B. 2346, Sokoto, Nigeria

(Received March 17, 2001; accepted July 26, 2001)

Abstract

Onu, J.E. 2001. Fasciolosis and bovine liver condemnation in Sokoto metropolitan abattoir. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 251-254.

A nine-year (1991-1999) retrospective evaluation of records was conducted in Sokoto metropolitan abattoir to assess the prevalence of bovine liver condemnation due to fasciolosis. A total of 308,999 bovine livers were presented for examination during the period, of which 6.7 per cent were infected and totally condemned. The cost of the condemned livers was estimated to be about N6,389,999.00. The implications of the disease on cattle production and measures to prevent and control the condition are discussed.