Challenges for Animal Health and Production in the Tropics and Mediterranean for the next 55 years.

Tropical Animal Health and Production is a journal founded 55 years ago. It is dedicated to the publication of results of original research, investigation, and observation in all fields of animal health, welfare and production which may lead to improved health and productivity of livestock and better utilization of animal resources in tropical, subtropical and similar environments. Research is in strong alignment with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and Good Health and Well-being.

Analytical and Clinical Interference of Sample Hemolysis in Evaluating Blood Biochemical and Endocrine Parameters in Cows.

Hemolysis is a common cause of errors in laboratory tests as it affects blood parameters and leads to a positive or negative bias. This study aims to examine the relationship between the level of hemolysis (expressed as cell-free hemoglobin concentration, g/L) and the variability of metabolic and endocrine parameters and to determine the threshold level of hemolysis that causes an analytically and clinically significant bias for the twenty most frequently examined blood parameters in cows. Paired blood samples of 10 mL each were obtained from 30 cows.

The Influence of Energy Balance, Lipolysis and Ketogenesis on Metabolic Adaptation in Cows Milked Twice and Three Times Daily.

Increasing milk production requires increasing milking frequency (MF) from two times daily (2X) to three (3X) or more. High milk production leads to negative energy balance (NEB) and homeorhesis, characterized by lipolysis, ketogenesis, and endocrinological changes. The relationship among energy balance (EB), lipolysis, and ketogenesis with endocrine and metabolic parameters in blood of cows milked 2X and 3X daily was studied.

Corrigendum: Overview of Cattle Diseases Listed Under Category C, D or E in the Animal Health Law for Which Control Programmes Are in Place Within Europe.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.

Corrigendum: Overview of Slovenian Control Programmes for Selected Cattle Diseases, Listed Under Category C, D or E of the European Animal Health Law.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.

The Correlation between Extracellular Heat Shock Protein 70 and Lipid Metabolism in a Ruminant Model.

Metabolic stress in early lactation cows is characterized by lipolysis, ketogenesis, insulin resistance and inflammation because of negative energy balance and increased use of lipids for energy needs. In this study the relationship between lipid metabolite, lipid-based insulin resistance, and hepatocyte functionality indexes and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) with extracellular heat shock protein 70 (eHsp70) was investigated. The experiment included 50 cows and all parameters were measured in blood serum.

MTNR1A gene polymorphisms and reproductive recovery after seasonal anoestrus in different Mediterranean sheep breeds.

The aims of this study were 1) to investigate the effect of MTNR1A gene polymorphisms on reproductive performance in ewes of one Italian and two Slovenian dairy sheep breeds (Sarda, Istrian Premenka and Boska, respectively) which were located at different latitudes, and 2) to highlight if the different season of the male placement with females that was utilized in the different breeding systems in Sardinia (Italy) and Slovenia resulted in different effects of these polymorphisms on reproductive functions. Reproductively mature ewes (n = 100) from each breed were utilized to conduct the study. To evaluate the reproductive efficiency, lambing dates and number of lambs born were recorded per ewe; additionally, the duration in days from ram placement with ewes to lambing (DRPEL), litter size and the fertility rate were determined based on lambing dates.

Minimal Erythema Dose Determination in Holstein Friesian Cattle.

Cattle on pasture are continuously exposed to solar UV radiation, which has been associated with biological effects such as sunburn, photosensitization, squamous cell carcinoma, and cutaneous vitamin D production. The minimal erythema dose (MED) required to produce first-degree sunburn (erythema) is poorly researched in cattle. Since cattle are naturally covered with dense hair coats, the MED is influenced by the UV protection offered by the hair.

Review of guidelines for functional claw trimming and therapeutic approach to claw horn lesions in cattle.

Lameness is one of the most pressing health and welfare problems in cattle, especially on dairy farms. The most common cause of lameness is claw pathology, often due to lack of appropriate functional claw trimming. Functional claw trimming restores the physiological shape of the claws and distributes weight properly between the claws and over the claw weight-bearing surface.

Overview of Cattle Diseases Listed Under Category C, D or E in the Animal Health Law for Which Control Programmes Are in Place Within Europe.

The COST action "Standardising output-based surveillance to control non-regulated diseases of cattle in the European Union (SOUND control)," aims to harmonise the results of surveillance and control programmes (CPs) for non-EU regulated cattle diseases to facilitate safe trade and improve overall control of cattle infectious diseases. In this paper we aimed to provide an overview on the diversity of control for these diseases in Europe. A non-EU regulated cattle disease was defined as an infectious disease of cattle with no or limited control at EU level, which is not included in the European Union Animal health law Categories A or B under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2002.

The Principles of the Voluntary Programme for the Control and Elimination of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) From Infected Herds in Slovenia.

In Slovenia, the control of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infections started in 1994. Since 2014, a voluntary programme has been running according to the national rules that prescribe the conditions for recognising, acquiring, and maintaining a BVDV-free status for an individual herd. The principle is based on periodical laboratory testing and preventive measures that need to be strictly implemented in a herd.

Overview of Slovenian Control Programmes for Cattle Diseases Not Regulated by the European Union.

The European Union (EU) regulates the control of cattle diseases listed in categories A and B of the Animal Health Law (AHL). However, the control of other cattle diseases that have no, or limited EU regulation, is left to each member state. Slovenia has five control programmes (CPs) for non-EU regulated cattle diseases: bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL), bluetongue and anthrax.

Review of Infections With Bovine Herpesvirus 1 in Slovenia.

In the 1950s, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV) disease was clinically detected and documented in cattle for the first time in Slovenia. The bovine herpes virus 1 (BoHV-1) was confirmed several times from infected herds by virus isolation on cell cultures. To keep the IC virus-free, high biosecurity measures were introduced.

Domestic animal proteomics in the 21st century: A global retrospective and viewpoint analysis.

Animal production and health are of significant economic importance, particularly regarding the world food supply. Animal and veterinary sciences have evolved immensely in the past six decades, particularly in genetics, nutrition, housing, management and health. To address major challenges such as those posed by climate change or metabolic disorders, it is of utmost importance to use state-of-the-art research tools.

Biochemical Bone Markers During the Transition Period Are Not Influenced by Parenteral Treatment With a High Dose of Cholecalciferol but Can Predict Milk Fever in Dairy Cows.

Despite being studied extensively, there are still many knowledge gaps in milk fever prevention and it is still a prevalent disease. Various interventions have been used in its prevention; however, none has proven to be entirely effective. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of high dose vitamin D parenteral (intramuscularly) administration and the mechanism of its action by studying blood minerals and biochemical bone markers.

Management practices that influence the welfare of calves on small family farms.

In this Research Reflection we review management practices in small family farms with less than 100 cows. Small farms represent the majority of farms in the EU and the world, and they are of great importance for the economy of a country. On cattle farms, the welfare of calves is of primary importance for the profitability of the herd, and poor management is one of the main factors influencing calf health and survival.

Welfare assessment in dairy cows using hair cortisol as a part of monitoring protocols.

Welfare of dairy cows can be assessed using welfare assessment protocols consisting of resource, management and animal-based measures. Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol is one of the best-known protocols, which depends almost entirely on animal-based measures. To gain more objective and rapid welfare assessment, new techniques have been developed to measure welfare of animals, such as hair cortisol concentration.

Coronaviruses in cattle.

Bovine coronaviruses are spread all over the world. They cause two types of clinical manifestations in cattle either an enteric, calf diarrhoea and winter dysentery in adult cattle, or respiratory in all age groups of cattle. The role of coronaviruses in respiratory infections is still a hot topic of discussion since they have been isolated from sick as well as healthy animals and replication of disease is rarely successful.

Identifying "Vulnerable Agricultural Populations" at Risk for Occupational Injuries and Illnesses: A European Perspective.

A common understanding of the term "vulnerable populations" in the European agricultural context is needed. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to identify vulnerable populations working in European agriculture. Participatory dialogue with members of the Safety Culture and Risk Management in Agriculture (SACURIMA) network was used to identify and build consensus on the major vulnerable groups of people who work in European agriculture.

Reproductive performance in three Slovenian sheep breeds with different alleles for the MTNR1A gene.

The aim of the research was to describe the polymorphisms of the MTNR1A gene in three Slovenian sheep breeds, and determine whether these polymorphisms affect reproductive performance. A total of 100 Bovška, 110 Istrian Pramenka, and 108 Jezersko-Solčavska ewes, were used. The rams were placed with the ewes on 10 October (Bovška), and 20 September (Istrian Pramenka).

Identification of small and large genomic candidate variants in bovine pulmonary hypoplasia and anasarca syndrome.

The pulmonary hypoplasia and anasarca syndrome (PHA) is a congenital lethal disorder, which until now has been reported in cattle and sheep. PHA is characterized by extensive subcutaneous fetal edema combined with hypoplasia or aplasia of the lungs and dysplasia of the lymphatic system. PHA is assumed to be of genetic etiology.

Congenital hypotrichosis in a Simmental cross heifer.

Background: Congenital hypotrichosis is defined as a less than normal amount of hair, obvious at birth or in the first weeks of life. Causes are nongenetic or genetic.

Objectives: To describe the clinical presentation and histological features of a novel form of hypotrichosis in a heifer.

Detection of tetracycline and other antimicrobial residues in milk from cows with clinical mastitis treated by combination therapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine tetracycline and other antimicrobial residues in milk from dairy cows treated for clinical mastitis. Data on cow health and drugs used were obtained from the farm veterinarians. A milk sample from each affected udder quarter of each cow was taken for bacterial identification before treatment.