Publications (2)4.19 Total impact
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Article: Effects of an extract of plant flavonoids (Bioflavex(R)) on rumen fermentation and performance in heifers fed high-concentrate diets.
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ABSTRACT: To study the effects of an extract of plant flavonoids (Bioflavex(®)) in cattle fed high-concentrate diets, 2 experiments were designed. In the first experiment, the effects of Bioflavex(®) (FL) on the development of rumen acidosis was evaluated in 8 Holstein-Friesian crossbreed heifers (451 SEM 14.3 kg of BW) using a crossover design. Each experimental period lasted 22 d; from day 1 to 20, the animals were fed rye grass, on day 21 the animals were fasted and, on day 22, rumen acidosis was induced by applying 5 kg of wheat without (CTR) or with flavonoids (FL, 300 mg/kg DM) through a rumen cannula. Rumen pH was recorded continuously (from day 19 to day 22). On day 22, average rumen pH was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the FL animals (6.29 SEM 0.031) than it was in the CTR heifers (5.98 SEM 0.029). After the wheat application, the rumen VFA concentration increased (P < 0.01), the proportion of acetic acid decreased (P < 0.01), and lactate concentration (mmol/L) increased, but the increase was not as great (P = 0.09) in the FL as it was in the CTR heifers (0.41 to 1.35mmol/L; SEM 0.24). On day 22, Streptococcus bovis and Selenomonas ruminantium titers increased after the wheat application, but Megasphaera elsdenii titers increased (P < 0.05) in the FL heifers, only. In the second experiment, the effect of Bioflavex(®) (FL) on the performance and rumen fermentation in finishing heifers were evaluated. Forty-eight Fleckvieh heifers (initial BW = 317 SEM 5.34) were used in a completely randomized design. Heifers were assigned to 1 of 4 block based on their BW and, within each block, assigned to one of two pens (6 heifers/pen). In addition, 16 heifers (2/pen) were rumen cannulated. Individual BW and group consumption of concentrate and straw were recorded weekly until the animals reached the target slaughter weight. Supplementation with FL did not affect average daily gain (ADG), feed consumption, or feed conversion ratio (FCR). Rumen pH and molar proportions of propionate were higher (P < 0.01) and acetate proportion was lower in the FL (P < 0.01) than they were in the CTR heifers. Flavonoid supplementation might be effective in improving rumen fermentation and reducing the incidence of rumen acidosis. This effect of flavonoids may be partially explained by increasing the numbers of lactate-consuming microorganisms (e.g., M. elsdenii) in the rumen.Journal of Animal Science 07/2012; · 2.10 Impact Factor -
Article: Effects of ring castration with local anesthesia and analgesia in Holstein calves at 3 months of age on welfare indicators.
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ABSTRACT: Forty-seven Holstein calves (130 +/- 3.43 kg of BW and 95 +/- 1.5 d of age) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments [intact (INT), n = 23; or castrated (CAS), n = 24] to evaluate the effect of ring castration at 3 mo of age on welfare indicators. Castration was performed with local anesthesia (2% lidocaine, 3 mL in each testis and 2 mL in the scrotum) and analgesia (flunixin meglumine, intramuscularly, 3 mg/kg of BW). No local anesthesia or analgesia was used with INT calves. Serum cortisol concentration was determined at -120, 0, 30, 60, 90, and 180 min with respect to castration. At d 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49, serum haptoglobin concentration was determined, rectal body and scrotal temperatures were measured, lesions at the castration site were scored, and the activity and behavior of 18 calves (9 INT and 9 CAS) were recorded continuously for 24 h. Weekly BW and concentrate and straw DMI were recorded. To evaluate humoral immunity, at 14 d after castration, ovalbumin was injected subcutaneously and serum antibody titers against ovalbumin before the injection and at d 35 were determined. At d 49 after castration, calves were intravenously injected with ACTH, and at 0, 1, 2, and 4 h thereafter, serum cortisol and testosterone concentrations were determined. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.001) in INT than CAS calves (1.36 vs. 1.16 +/- 0.038 kg/d, respectively). Area under the curve of cortisol at castration day was reduced (P < 0.05) in CAS calves compared with INT calves (18 vs. 33 +/- 5.2 nmol/L per hour, respectively). The main scrotal lesion score observed in CAS calves throughout the study was 0, corresponding to no visible swelling, inflammation, or infection. However, scrotal lesion scores classified as 1 (swelling) were greater (P < 0.01) at 21 and 28 d after castration than at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d. Abnormal standing occurred more frequently (P < 0.001) in CAS than INT calves (2.6 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.03%, respectively) from 3 to 14 d after castration. Head turning tended (P = 0.06) to be greater at d 14 of the study in CAS than INT calves (3.0 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.04%, respectively). At d 49, 100% of CAS calves had no testes and no serum testosterone was detected. In summary, ring castration of Holstein calves performed at 3 mo of age with local anesthesia and analgesia decreased ADG and affected some behavioral traits during the first 14 d after castration. However, intake, serum cortisol and haptoglobin concentrations, rectal temperature, and humoral immunity were not altered.Journal of Animal Science 04/2010; 88(8):2789-96. · 2.10 Impact Factor
