Fitness of calves born from -produced fresh and cryopreserved embryos.

In cattle, vitrified/warmed (V/W) and frozen/thawed (F/T), -produced (IVP) embryos, differ in their physiology and survival from fresh embryos. In this study, we analyzed the effects of embryo cryopreservation techniques on the offspring. IVP embryos cultured with albumin and with or without 0.

Relationship among Sex, Skin Color, and Production Parameters of Broiler in Pectoral Myopathies.

Breast anomalies in broilers, especially wooden breast (WB) and spaghetti meat (SM), cause high economic losses to the poultry meat sector. In order to identify the parameters that have a causal effect and to reduce the incidence of these myopathies, 141,792 broilers were analyzed in a total of 1477 batches using a visual grading system. The relationship among productive parameters such as the feed conversion ratio, live weight, growth rate, and mortality, was evaluated.

Redox Biology in Transition Periods of Dairy Cattle: Role in the Health of Periparturient and Neonatal Animals.

Dairy cows undergo various transition periods throughout their productive life, which are associated with periods of increased metabolic and infectious disease susceptibility. Redox balance plays a key role in ensuring a satisfactory transition. Nevertheless, oxidative stress (OS), a consequence of redox imbalance, has been associated with an increased risk of disease in these animals.

Association of Serum Concentration of Different Trace Elements with Biomarkers of Systemic Oxidant Status in Dairy Cattle.

There has been some recent criticism about the reliability of the assays commonly used to measure oxidant status in cattle, because some recent publications suggested that the concentration of different trace elements influences the results of these assays. The aim of this study was to test the correlation in 502 bovine serum samples between the concentration of several trace elements (Br, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, V and Zn) and markers of oxidant status (reactive oxygen species (ROS) and total serum antioxidant capacity (SAC)). The Oxidative Stress index (OSi) was also calculated as ROS/SAC.

Ruminal acidosis in feedlot: from aetiology to prevention.

Acute ruminal acidosis is a metabolic status defined by decreased blood pH and bicarbonate, caused by overproduction of ruminal D-lactate. It will appear when animals ingest excessive amount of nonstructural carbohydrates with low neutral detergent fiber. Animals will show ruminal hypotony/atony with hydrorumen and a typical parakeratosis-rumenitis liver abscess complex, associated with a plethora of systemic manifestations such as diarrhea and dehydration, liver abscesses, infections of the lung, the heart, and/or the kidney, and laminitis, as well as neurologic symptoms due to both cerebrocortical necrosis and the direct effect of D-lactate on neurons.

Preliminary results in the redox balance in healthy cats: influence of age and gender.

Oxidative stress (OS) impairs organic function and is considered causally related to cellular senescence and death. This study aims to evaluate if the redox balance varies in relation to age and gender in healthy cats. To quantify the oxidative status of this species we determined the oxidative damage as serum reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM) and the total serum antioxidant capacity (SAC).

Relationship among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function during early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows.

Blood indicators are used as a tool to diagnose metabolic disorders. The present work was conducted to study the relationships among blood indicators of lipomobilization and hepatic function in high-yielding dairy cows. Two groups of Holstein cows were studied: 27 early lactation cows and 14 mid lactation cows from four different herds with similar husbandry characteristics in Galicia, Spain.

Influence of breed on blood and tissue copper status in growing and finishing steers fed diets supplemented with copper.

To evaluate the influence of breed on the accumulation of dietary copper (Cu) in tissue, and on blood parameters indicative of Cu status, ten Galician Blond, nine Holstein-Friesian and ten Galician Blond x Holstein-Friesian cross (GB x HF) steers were fed diets supplemented with 35 mg/kg DM of CuSO4 during their growing and finishing periods. Blood samples were taken monthly, and samples of liver, kidney, brain, heart, spleen and muscle were taken at slaughter. Cu concentrations were determined by ICP-AES.

The interlobular distribution of copper in the liver of beef calves on a high-copper diet.

The aims of the present study were 1) to evaluate the interlobular distribution of copper (Cu) in the liver of beef calves on a high-Cu diet, 2) to determine whether this distribution differs between Galician Blonds and Holstein Friesians, and 3) to determine whether in vivo needle biopsy provides an appropriate measure of overall hepatic Cu status. Liver biopsies were performed before slaughter on twenty-nine 10-month-old beef calves fed growing and finishing diets supplemented with 35 mg/kg of Cu sulfate (10 Galician Blonds, 9 Holstein Friesians, and 10 Galician Blond x Holstein Friesian crosses). At slaughter, samples taken from 6 regions of the liver (the internal and external faces of the right lobe; the left, caudate, and quadrate lobes; and the processus papillaris) were acid digested, and their Cu contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.

Electrocardiographic parameters in the clinically healthy Zamorano-leones donkey.

Limited information exists regarding electrocardiographic parameters in clinically healthy donkeys. The study was carried out in 75 healthy adult animals (40 females and 35 males) using the Einthoven standard II and base-apex leads. The P wave showed usually a bifid shape deflection.

Supplementation with plant extracts (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin): its effects on acid-base status and productive performance in growing/finishing bull calves.

This study investigated the in vivo effects of a commercial blend of plant extracts (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin) on blood acid-base balance and serum lactate levels in a 148-day feedlot experimentwith 24 double-muscled Belgian Blue bull calves. Animals were allotted randomly to one of two experimental groups: 1) a control group (C, no supplementation; n = 10), and 2) a group receiving dietary supplementation with a combination of plant extracts (PE, 100 mg per kg DM of concentrate; n = 14). All animals received a high-grain ration, typical of diets fed commercially to feedlot cattle in Spain, consisting mainly of barley plus other components in proportions depending on the production phase.

Effects of malate supplementation on acid-base balance and productive performance in growing/finishing bull calves fed a high-grain diet.

This study investigated the effects of malate supplementation on blood acid-base balance and serum lactate levels in a 137-day feedlot experiment with bull calves. Animals were allotted to one of two experimental groups: (1) A control group (no supplementation), and (2) a group receiving a salt of DL-malic acid. Blood pH, pCO2, HCO3-, base excess, serum L-lactate and productivity parameters were evaluated.

Toxic and trace metal concentrations in liver and kidney of dogs: influence of diet, sex, age, and pathological lesions.

The aim of this study was to provide data on the main toxic and trace metals in the liver and kidney of domestic dogs in Galicia, NW Spain and to evaluate the influence of diet, sex, age, and pathological lesions on metal accumulation. Samples of the liver and kidney from 77 male and female dogs, aged between 6 mo and 18 yr, were collected during ordinary necropsy. Samples were acid-digested and metal concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry and ICP-atomic emission spectrometry.

Effects of long-term dietary supplementation of monensin or saccharomyces cerevisiae on blood acid-base and productive performance in growing feedlot steers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two dietary supplements (monensin and a live yeast culture) on acid-base balance in steers maintained in a commercial feedlot system, considering effects over the growing period (14 to 23 weeks of age). A 63-day feedlot study was performed using 42 double-muscled Belgian Blue steers. Steers were allotted randomly to one of the three study groups: (1) control group [no supplementation, C], (2) monensin supplementation [MON] at a concentration of 30 mg/kg (DM basis), and (3) live Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain supplementation [SACC] at a dose of 500 mg/kg (DM basis).

Assessment of some blood parameters as potential markers of hepatic copper accumulation in cattle.

The increasing frequency of copper (Cu) toxicosis episodes in cattle in recent years, mainly associated with excess Cu supplementation, underscores the need to identify animals in the clinically silent phase of hepatic Cu accumulation. The aim of the study reported here was to evaluate the suitability of various blood parameters as potential early markers of hepatic Cu accumulation in cattle. Paired liver and blood samples from 70 calves aged 6 to 10 months were obtained at slaughter in a region in northwestern Spain where animals usually have hepatic Cu concentration higher than safe values.

Copper, zinc, iron, and manganese accumulation in cattle from asturias (northern Spain).

Monitoring levels of mineral concentrations in animal tissues is important for assessing the effect of contamination on animal health and safety of animal origin products in human nutrition. This study evaluated the levels of certain trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, and manganese) in cattle from an industrial and mining region in the north of Spain (Asturias). Samples of 312 animals aged 9-12 mo were collected from the whole region and analyzed after acid digestion using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

Intracellular distribution of copper and zinc in the liver of copper-exposed cattle from northwest Spain.

The intracellular distribution of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the livers of normal and moderately Cu-exposed cattle was investigated with the aim of improving understanding of the pathophysiology of Cu accumulation in cattle. At total liver Cu concentrations within the generally accepted normal range (25-100 mg/kg fresh weight) the large-granule fraction was the main subcellular compartment for Cu accumulation, followed by the cytosol and the nucleus, whereas in the microsomal fraction Cu accumulation was very low. With increasing Cu exposure, the capacity of the large-granule fraction to accumulate Cu decreased, proceeding towards a plateau (estimated at about 80 mg/kg at a projected total liver Cu concentrations of 450 mg/kg), accompanied by progressively greater Cu accumulation in the nucleus and cytosol.