Assessment of serum calprotectin as a marker of inflammation in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

Calprotectin (CP) is an inflammatory marker. The aim of the current study was to investigate oxidative stress and changes in CP in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). The study was divided into two groups, experimental (TRP) and healthy control group, with 10 animals in each group. Total leucocyte count, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts were higher in the TRP group compared to the control group and this increase was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in TRP group was statistically significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.001). The level of glutathione (GSH) in the TRP group was statistically significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.001). Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and CP values were higher in the TRP group and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). It was concluded as a result of ROC analysis that CP, which has similar values with SAA, can be used diagnostically to confirm the inflammatory status in cattle with TRP.

Evaluation of biomarkers of heat stress using automatic health monitoring system in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate biomarkers of heat stress (HS) from an automatic milking system (AMS), the relationships between measurements of the temperature-humidity index (THI), reticulorumen pH and temperature, and some automatic milking systems parameters in dairy cows (rumination time (RT), milk traits, body weight (BW) and consumption of concentrate (CC)) during the summer period. Lithuanian Black and White dairy cows (n=365) were selected. The cows were milked with Lely Astronaut® A3 milking robots with free traffic. Biomarkers were collected from the Lely T4C management program for analysis. The pH and temperature of the contents of the cow reticulorumen were measured using specific Smax-tec boluses. The farm zone's daily humidity and air temperature were obtained from the adjacent weather station (2 km away). According to this study, during HS, the higher THI positively cor- relates with milk lactose (ML), which increases the risk of mastitis and decreases CC, RT, BW, MY, reticulorumen pH, and F/P. Some biomarkers of HS can be milk yield, milk lactose, somatic cell count, concentrate intake, rumination time, body weight, reticulorumen pH, and milk fat - protein ratio. We can recommend monitoring these parameters in the herd management program to identify the possibility of heat stress.

Pressure measurement in the reticulum to detect different behaviors of healthy cows.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the relation between reticulorumen contractions and monitored cow behaviors. A purpose-built pressure measuring device was used and shown to be capable of detecting the known contraction patterns in the reticulorumen of four rumen-fistulated cows. Reticular pressure data was used to build a random forest algorithm, a learning algorithm based on a combination of decision trees, to detect rumination and other cow behaviors. In addition, we developed a peak-detection algorithm for rumination based on visual inspection of patterns in reticular pressure. Cow behaviors, differentiated in ruminating, eating, drinking, sleeping and 'other', as scored from video observation, were used to develop and test the algorithms. The results demonstrated that rumination of a cow can be detected by measuring pressure differences in the reticulum using either the random forest algorithm or the peak-detection algorithm. The random forest algorithm showed very robust performances for detecting rumination with an accuracy of 0.98, a sensitivity of 0.95 and a specificity of 0.99. The peak-detection algorithm could detect rumination robustly, with an accuracy of 0.92, a sensitivity of 0.97 and a specificity of 0.90. In addition, we provide proof of principle that a random forest algorithm can also detect eating, drinking and sleeping behavior from the same data with performances above 0.90 for all measures. The measurement device used in this study needed rumen-fistulated cows, but the results indicate that behavior detection using algorithms based on only measurements in the reticulum is feasible. This is promising as it may allow future wireless sensor techniques in the reticulum to continuously monitor a range of important behaviors of cows.

Comparison of pH and bacterial communities in the rumen and reticulum during fattening of Japanese Black beef cattle.

We used castrated and fistulated Japanese Black beef cattle (n = 9) to measure the pH and bacterial communities in the rumen liquid, rumen solid, and reticulum liquid during early, middle, and late fattening stages (10-14, 15-22, and 23-30 months of age, respectively). The pH was measured in the rumen and reticulum during the last 13 days of each fattening stage and was significantly lower in the rumen at the early and middle fattening stage and in the reticulum during the late stage. Sequencing analysis indicated similar bacterial compositions in the rumen and reticulum liquid fractions and stability of bacterial diversity in the rumen and reticulum liquid fractions and rumen solid fraction. By contrast, major operational taxonomic units (OTUs), such as Ruminococcus bromii strain ATCC 27255 (OTU1, OTU10, and OTU15), were differently correlated to the fermentation parameters among the rumen and reticulum liquid fractions. Therefore, the long-term feeding of Japanese Black beef cattle with a high-concentrate diet might reverse the trend of pH in the rumen and reticulum during the late fattening stage, and the bacterial communities adapted to changes in fermentation by preserving their diversity throughout fattening.

Diagnostic reliability of clinical signs in cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Clinical signs of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcer are often similar making the disorders difficult to differentiate. The goal of our study was to compare the frequency of individual clinical signs of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and cows with abomasal ulcers and determine their diagnostic significance. The frequency of the findings "rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, demeanour, signs of colic, arched back, abdominal guarding, bruxism, scleral vessels, rumen motility, foreign body tests, percussion auscultation, swinging auscultation and faecal colour" of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP, n = 503) and cows with type 1 (U1, n = 94), type 2 (U2, n = 145), type 3 (U3, n = 60), type 4 (U4, n = 87) and type 5 (U5, n = 14) abomasal ulcer were compared, and the reliability indices "diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values and positive likelihood ratio" were calculated. A total of 182 healthy cows served as controls (control group). RESULTS: None of the cows in the control group had colic, rumen atony or melena, 99% had no abnormalities in demeanor and appetite and did not have a rectal temperature of ≤38.6 or >  40.0 °C, a heart rate >  100 bpm or a respiratory rate >  55 breaths per min, and 95% did not have an arched back or bruxism. The control group was therefore ideal for comparative purposes. Many signs such as mild increase in rectal temperature, scleral congestion and positive foreign body test were non-diagnostic because they occurred in healthy as well as in ill cows. Likewise, differentiation of cows with TRP and abomasal ulcer was not possible based on single clinical variables; a detailed history and a comprehensive assessment of all clinical findings were required for this. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study serve as a guide for the veterinarian in the differentiation of cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and abomasal ulcer.

Can reticulorumen ph, temperature and cow activity registered before calving act as biomarkers of diseases after calving?

The aim of this study was to determine if reticulorumen ph, temperature and cow activity registered before calving can serve as indicators of diseases after calving.The cows were selected according to those fitting the profile of having had two or more lactations (on average 2.9±0.13 lactations), from 60 to 0 days before and the first 30 days after calving, and being clinically healthy. The clinical examination (identification of diseases after calving) was performed from 60 days before calving to 60 days after calving. Diseases after calving were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms specific to these diseases. The pH and temperature of the contents of the cow reticulorumens and cow activity were measured using specific smaX-tec boluses manufactured for animal care.We found that the highest pH and temperature before calving can serve as biomarkers of healthy cows after calving. The lowest reticulum temperature before calving can serve as an indicator of MF after calving. A positive correlation of reticulum pH and temperature before calving can serve as biomarkers of PR. Decreasing cow activity before calving can serve as an indicator of diseases after calving. For calving prognosis, temperature of the reticulorumen can be used; it decreased 6-7 days before calving.

Modeling reticular and ventral ruminal pH of lactating dairy cows using ingestion and rumination behavior.

The prevention and control of metabolic and digestive diseases is an enormous challenge in dairy farming. Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is assumed to be the most severe feed-related disorder and it impairs both animal health and economic efficiency. Currently, ruminal pH as well as variables derived from the daily pH curve are the main indicators for SARA. The objective of this study was to explain the daily pH course in the ventral rumen and reticulum of dairy cows using ingestion pattern and rumination behavior data gathered by automated data recording systems. The data of 13 ruminally fistulated lactating cows were collected at the experimental station of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (Brunswick, Germany). The data included continuous pH measurements, which were recorded simultaneously in the reticulum by pH-measuring boluses and in the ventral rumen by a separate data logger. In addition, rumination behavior was measured using jaw movement sensors, and feed and water intakes were recorded by transponder-assisted systems. Milk yield and body weight were determined during and after each milking, respectively. For statistical evaluation, the data were analyzed using time-series modeling with multiple linear mixed regressions. Before applying the developed mathematical statistical modeling, we performed a plausibility assessment to ensure data quality. The major part of the mathematical statistical modeling consisted of data preparation, where all variables were transformed into a uniform 1-min resolution. Signal transformations were used to model individual feed and water intakes as well as rumination behavior events over time. Our results indicated that diurnal pH curves of both the reticulum and ventral rumen could be predicted by the transformed feed and water intake rates. Rumination events were associated with a marginal temporal increase in pH. We observed that the pH of the ventral rumen was delayed by approximately 37 min compared with that of the reticulum, which was therefore considered in the modeling. With the models developed in this study, 67.0% of the variance of the reticular pH curves and 37.8% of the variance of the ruminal pH curves could be explained by fixed effects. We deduced that the diurnal pH course is, to a large extent, associated with the animal's individual feed intake and rumination behavior.

Diagnosis and treatment of foreign bodies swallowing syndrome in camels (Camelus dromedarius) with special reference to the role of mineral deficiency.

This study describes the clinical presentation of ruminal and reticular foreign body syndrome (RRFBS), and evaluates the effect of mineral deficiency on its occurrence in dromedary camels. Thirty dromedary camels were divided into two groups. Group 1 (control) included 10 apparently healthy she-camels. Group 2 consisted of twenty dromedary camels diagnosed with RRFBS on the basis of clinical, ultrasonographic, hematological, and biochemical examinations. Clinical findings showed decreased appetite and milk yield, tympany, and gradual body weight loss. Ultrasonographic examinations revealed the presence of hyperechoic material with variable degrees of shadowing. Hematological evaluation showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease of the total erythrocyte and lymphocyte count and a significant increase of neutrophils in the camels with RRFBS compared to the controls. Biochemical tests showed a significant elevation in the activity of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), glucose, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and a significant decrease of sodium, chloride, potassium, cobalt, iron, and selenium in the camels with RRFBS compared to the controls. Rumenotomy was performed on the 20 camels as a surgical intervention for treating the RRFBS. By the 6th month postoperatively, all surgically treated camels had completely recovered except for one with tympany and slight swelling in situ. In conclusion, trace element deficiency might play an important role in the occurrence of foreign body ingestion syndrome in dromedary camels. Moreover, clinical, ultrasonographic, hematological, and biochemical examinations are considered as tools assisting in the accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment stratagem for RRFBS in camels.

Prenatal histomorphological development of the reticulum in fallow deer (Dama dama).

The histomorphological changes occurring in the Dama dama reticulum during prenatal development have been investigated. Twenty-five Dama dama embryos were used, from the first stages of prenatal life until birth. Differentiation of the reticulum was observed at 23% gestation. By 25% gestation the reticular wall comprised three layers: an internal epithelial layer, a middle layer of pluripotential blastemic tissue and an external layer or serosa. Primary reticular crests were visible at 38% gestation. Secondary reticular crests were observed at 61% gestation. Neuroendocrine cells were detected by synaptophysin (SYP) at 35% gestation, in the lamina propria-submucosa, tunica muscularis, and serosa. Epithelial Cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) cells were observed at 35% gestation extended throughout the epithelial layers. The glial cells (vimentin -VIM- and glial fibrillary acidic protein-GFAP-markers) were discerned at 25% and 43% gestation, respectively, in myenteric and submucosal plexuses, lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, tunica muscularis, and perivascular connective tissue. The neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) markers were immunodetected at 75% and 80 gestation, respectively, in the lamina propria-submucosa, muscularis mucosae, tunica muscularis, serosa, and myenteric plexuses. The prenatal development of the fallow deer reticular mucosa evidenced a considerable precocity similar to that previously reported in goat and red deer.

Aetiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle.

Traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) in cattle is caused by ingested nails, pieces of wire, and other nonmetallic materials that injure the reticular wall. Clinical signs of acute TRP may include anorexia, fever, drop in milk production, rumen atony and tympany, abdominal pain, an arched back, a tucked up and "guarded" abdomen and spontaneous grunting, but may be obscure or absent in chronic cases. Haematological findings alone are not diagnostic, but total and differential white blood cell counts, the concentration of fibrinogen and total protein and the glutaraldehyde coagulation time may indicate inflammation associated with TRP. The clinical examination is aimed at eliciting a grunt in response to foreign body tests such as back grip, pole test or pain percussion. Inflammatory changes of the reticulum and adjacent organs and impairment of reticular motility are characteristic features of TRP and can be detected via ultrasonography. Radiography is the technique of choice for the visualisation of metallic foreign bodies and for monitoring the efficacy of a magnet. Treatment may be conservative or surgical, but in most cases initial treatment is conservative with administration of a magnet and antibiotics. If the cow fails to respond to medical treatment, surgical treatment is the next option other than euthanasia and ideally is carried out after imaging of the reticulum. If this is not feasible, a second magnet and continuation of antibiotic treatment is recommended.

The effectiveness of fibrolytic enzymes and active yeast on improving reticulorumen pH in dairy cows.

Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes (EFE) and yeast are feed supplements that improve forage digestion in rumen, but their influences on physical reticulorumen parameters are not well studied. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the EFE:endo-ß-xylanase (37x104 U/cow/day), endocellulase (45x104 U/cow/day), endo-ß-glucanase (12x104U/cow/day), and active yeast - Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM-1077 (10x109CFU/cow/day) supplements on reticulorumen pH (RpH) and temperature (RT) in dairy cows. Nine Lithuanian Red cows were allocated into three groups (3 cows/group): control group (C) - farm diet without supplementation, enzyme group (E) - farm diet supplemented with EFE, enzyme and active yeast group (EY) - farm diet supplemented with EFE and active yeast. The feeding trial lasted for 60 d. All cows were equipped with reticuloruminal telemetric pH and temperature sensor device. Data provided by the device were used to calculate the mean RpH (RpH/24h), the mean minimal RpH (minRpH/24h) and mean of the time that RpH was below the threshold value of 6.0 (RpH⟨6.0/24h, min.). The highest RpH/24h (6.37±0.22) was observed in group EY and it was by 1.62% (p⟨0.05) and 1.27% (p⟨0.001) higher as compared with groups E and C, respectively. Also minRpH/24h (6.24±0.24) was highest in group EY and values were by 0.63% (p⟨0.001) and 0.65% (p⟨0.001) higher as compared with groups C and E, respectively. The shortest duration of RpH⟨6.0/24h, was recorded in group EY, and it was by 57.76% (p⟨0.05) and 47.87% shorter as compared with groups C and E, respectively. In conclusion, feed supplementation with EFE and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM-1077 had beneficial effect on RpH.

The embryonic development of the bovine stomach revisited.

The adult anatomy and physiology of the bovine (Bos taurus) stomach have been investigated extensively. Despite the many studies, however, the early development of the stomach has not yet been fully elucidated. The goal of the present study, therefore, was to review the available literature, to visualize the embryonic and early foetal development of the bovine stomach and to shed light on unresolved issues. The stomachs of fifteen bovine embryos and eleven foetuses from 26 to 80 days of gestation were photographed both in situ and after exenteration and critical point drying. A series of photographs was obtained that yielded a contiguous and comprehensive view of all the developmental changes that occurred until the virtually final configuration of the stomach was attained. In addition, the serosal surface was studied by electron microscopy, thus revealing subtle regional differences in the lining of the peritoneal cavity. Our observations corroborate the contention that all the compartments evolve from the fusiform primordium and that no outgrowth at the level of the oesophagus occurs. The greater curvature as well as the attachment line of the dorsal mesogastrium shift to the left, which is similar to the process in monogastrians. The rumen and reticulum develop from separate protrusions, and further compartmentalization results from constrictions and bulges and not from folding. Between 55 and 60 days of gestation, the entire bovine stomach except for the abomasum eventually relocates to its final position. In summary, previously debated key issues were addressed and integrated with current findings.

An investigation into the development of right displaced abomasum by rolling 268 dairy cows with left displaced abomasum.

Right displaced abomasum (RDA) and abomasal volvulus (AV) are common diseases in cattle. However, presently there is no consensus regarding the pathogenesis and nomenclature of the different positions that the abomasum can adopt in the right side of the cow. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe the etiopathogenesis of the right displaced abomasum according to the description of the features observed in 268 cows with left displaced abomasum (LDA), which were rolled to induce the movement of the abomasum from the left side to the right (in fact, inducing an RDA in 44% of cases), to facilitate the surgical approach, and immediately surgically treated (abomasal omentopexy from the right side). The observed RDA positions matched previously published descriptions and names, and the authors propose a holistic and simpler nomenclature and a clear hypothesis on RDA etiopathogenesis. In 54.1% of the cases, the abomasum moved to a normal position after rolling. The most common RDA position observed was caudal displacement of the RDA (CdRDA; 70 out of 119 RDA cases; 26.1% of the total number of cows), followed by lateral displacement (LRDA; 32 of 119; 11.9% of all cases), cranial displacement (CrRDA; 8 of 119; 3% of the total), medial displacement (MRDA; 4 of 119; 1.5% of the total), and finally, displacement lateral to the omasum (LORDA; 3 of 119; 1.1% of the total). Adverse events directly due to the rolling procedure were mesenteric root volvulus (3 of 268), cecocolic volvulus (2 of 268) and torsion (1 of 268), and uterus torsion (2 of 10 pregnant cows); 1 abortion (1 of 10 pregnant cows) was also observed. We suggest that CdRDA is the first stage of an RDA that can become an LRDA with increasing pressure. An LRDA can become an AV if rotating counterclockwise, viewed from above. An LDA, CdRDA, or LRDA could be initial forms of LORDA and CrRDA, and occur when forestomachs are empty or when the animal stands up on its front legs first. The LORDA and CrRDA forms can lead to an omasum-abomasum volvulus (OAV) or to a reticulum-omasum-abomasum volvulus (ROAV) when pressure increases. With this study we establish, for the first time, the sequence and incidence of each RDA form and its complications, increasing knowledge of this syndrome and its pathogenesis. This understanding critically aids the surgeon's ability to accurately assess and correct this disease and to predict prognosis.

Developing and evaluating threshold-based algorithms to detect drinking behavior in dairy cows using reticulorumen temperature.

In this study, we assessed for the first time the use of a reticuloruminal temperature bolus and a thresholding method to detect drinking events and investigated different factors that can affect drinking behavior. First, we validated the detection of drinking events using 16 cows that received a reticuloruminal bolus. For this, we collected continuous drinking behavior data for 4 d using video recordings and ambient and water temperature for the same 4 d. After all the data were synchronized, we performed 2 threshold algorithms: a general-fixed threshold and a cow-day specific threshold algorithm. In the general-fixed threshold, a positive test was considered if the temperature of any cow fell below a fixed threshold; in the cow-day specific threshold, a positive test was considered when the temperature of specific cows fell below the threshold value deviations around the mean temperature of the cow for that day. The former was evaluated using a threshold varying between 35.7 and 39.5°C, and the latter using the formula µ-n10σ, where µ = mean of the temperature of each cow for one day, n = 1, 2, …, 20, and σ = standard deviation of the temperature of each cow on that day. The performance of the validation of detection using each of the threshold types was computed using different metrics, including overall accuracy, precision, recall (also known as sensitivity), F-score, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false discovery rate, false omission rate, and Cohen's kappa statistic. The findings of the first study showed that the cow-day specific threshold of n = 10 performed better (true positives = 466; false positives = 167; false negatives = 165; true negatives = 8,416) than using a general-fixed threshold of 38.1°C (true positives = 449; false positives = 181; false negatives = 182; true negatives = 8,402). With the information gained in this first study, we investigated the different factors associated with temperature drop characteristics per cow: number of drops, mean amplitude of the drop, and mean recovery time. For this, we used data from 54 cows collected for almost 1 yr to build a mixed-effect multilevel model that included days in milk, parity, average monthly milk production, and ambient temperature as explanatory variables. Cow characteristics and ambient temperature had significant effects on drinking events. Our results provide a platform for automated monitoring of drinking behavior, which has potential value in prediction of health and welfare in dairy cattle.

Ruminal fatty acid outflow in dry cows fed different sources of linoleic acid: reticulum and omasum as alternative sampling sites to abomasum.

This study was designed to determine the rumen outflow of fatty acids (FA) and biohydrogenation (BH) extent using alternative sampling sites (reticulum and omasum) to abomasum in dry cows fed different sources of FA. Four Holstein non-pregnant dry cows (≥3 parturitions, and 712 ± 125 kg BW), cannulated in the rumen and abomasum, were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment, containing the following treatments: 1) control (CON); 2) soya bean oil (SO), dietary inclusion at 30 g/kg; 3) whole raw soya beans (WS), dietary inclusion at 160 g/kg; and 4) calcium salts of FA (CSFA), dietary inclusion at 32 g/kg. Rumen outflow of nutrients was estimated using the three markers reconstitution system (cobalt-EDTA, ytterbium chloride, and indigestible neutral detergent fibre [NDF]). Diets with FA sources decreased feed intake and increased FA intake. No differences in nutrient intake and digestibility were detected among cows fed diets supplemented with different FA sources. Diets with FA sources reduced the rumen outflow of DM and NDF, hence decreasing their passage rates. In addition, SO diet reduced the ruminal outflow of DM and NDF in comparison with WS and CSFA. Omasal sampling yielded the highest values of rumen outflow of NDF and potentially degradable NDF (pdNDF), whereas the reticular and abomasal samplings yielded intermediate and least values, respectively. The interaction effect between diet and sampling site was observed for rumen outflow of majority FA (except for C16:0, C18:0, and C18:2 trans-10, cis-12) and BH extension of C18:1 cis, C18:2, and C18:3. Calculations derived from abomasal sampling revealed that WS and CSFA diets had lower BH extent of C18:1 cis and C18:2 in comparison with SO, whereas cows fed CSFA had greater BH extent of C18:3 and lower BH extent of C18:1 cis compared to those fed WS. However, the latter results were not similar when calculations were performed based on the reticular and omasal samplings. Thus, there is evidence that neither reticular nor omasal samplings are suitable for estimating rumen outflow of FA in dry cows. In addition, WS and CSFA diets can increase the abomasal flow of polyunsaturated FA in dry cows.

Evaluation of reticuloruminal pH measurements from individual cattle: Sampling strategies for the assessment of herd status.

The application of pH observations to clinical practice in dairy cattle is based on criteria derived primarily from single time-point observations more than 20 years ago. The aims of this study were to evaluate these criteria using data collected using continuous recording methods; to make recommendations that might improve their interpretation; and to determine the relationship between the number of devices deployed in a herd and the accuracy of the resulting estimate of the herd-mean reticuloruminal pH. The study made use of 815,475 observations of reticuloruminal pH values obtained from 75 cattle in three herds (one beef and two twice-daily milking herds) to assess sampling strategies for the diagnosis of sub-acute rumen acidosis (SARA), and to evaluate the ability of different numbers of bolus devices to accurately estimate the true herd-mean reticuloruminal pH value at any time. The traditional criteria for SARA provide low diagnostic utility, the probability of detection of animals with pH values below specified thresholds being affected by a strong effect of time of day and herd. The analysis suggests that regardless of time of feeding, sampling should be carried out in the late afternoon or evening to obtain a reasonable probability of detection of animals with pH values below the threshold level. The among-cow variation varied strongly between herds, but for a typical herd, if using reticuloruminal pH boluses to detect a predisposition to fermentation disorders while feeding a diet that is high in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates, it is recommended to use a minimum of nine boluses.

Changes in ruminal and reticular pH and bacterial communities in Holstein cattle fed a high-grain diet.

BACKGROUND: Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is characterized by a ruminal pH depression, and microbiota can also be affected by a higher acidity and/or dietary changes. Previous studies have revealed similar patterns in pH reduction in the rumen and reticulum, whereas changes in reticular pH and bacterial community following a high-grain diet are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in reticular pH and bacterial community structure following a high-grain diet simultaneously with those in the rumen. RESULTS: SARA was diagnosed when ruminal and reticular pH remained under 5.6 for 350 ± 14 and 312 ± 24 min/d, respectively, on the last day of the CON period. During the CON period, lower proportion of acetic acid and higher proportion of butyric acid were observed compared with the HAY period. The proportions of acetic acid and propionic acid were lower and higher, respectively, in the rumen compared with the reticulum. From 454 pyrosequencing analysis, the relative abundance of several genera differed significantly between the two periods and the two locations. During the HAY period, higher relative abundances of Prevotella, Eubacterium, Oscillibacter, and Succiniclasticum and lower relative abundances of Ruminococcus, Clostridium, and Olsenella were identified compared with the CON period. Furthermore, the relative abundance of Eubacterium was lower in the rumen compared with the reticulum. Bacterial diversity indices were significantly different between the HAY and CON periods, being higher in the HAY period. The quantitative real-time PCR showed that the copy numbers of several cellulolytic bacteria (Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus) were higher during the HAY period. CONCLUSION: A high-grain diet showed similar impacts on the pH, fermentation, and bacterial community structure in the rumen and reticulum. During the CON period, ruminal and reticular pH decreased following the high-grain challenge, and lower bacterial diversity and changes in the bacterial composition, similarity, and bacterial copy numbers were observed due to a higher acidity and dietary changes compared with the HAY period. These changes may influence the fermentative ability of the rumen and reticulum.

Effects of concentrate supplementation in early lactation on nutrient efficiency, ruminal fermentation and reticular pH of zero-grazing dairy cows with differing milk production potentials.

In Switzerland, fresh herbage is a favoured feed for dairy cows due to its high quality and availability and low production costs. However, transition and early lactation are periods characterized by an increased nutrient demand that may not be covered by herbage alone. To compare the effects of concentrate supplementation in early lactation on nutrient efficiency and ruminal fermentation, 24 multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to two performance groups according to their previous lactation milk yield: high- (8,959 ± 984 kg) and low- (6,204 ± 1,000 kg) potential cows. Within this group, cows were allocated to two treatment groups receiving either herbage ad libitum (n = 11) or herbage supplemented with concentrate (n = 13). The experiment started for each cow 2 weeks before the predicted calving date (LW-2) and lasted until lactation week (LW) 8. Milk yield and dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded daily. The reticular pH was measured continuously using a telemetric pH bolus. Milk components and ruminal fermentation traits were analysed in LW-2, LW2, LW4, LW6 and LW8. Supplemented cows (p < 0.001) and high-potential cows (p = 0.015) produced more milk than unsupplemented cows and low-potential cows, respectively. Milk acetone was affected by supplementation (p < 0.001) and milk potential (p = 0.002) and was especially high in unsupplemented, high-potential cows until LW6. Supplementation caused a decrease in herbage DMI (p < 0.001) but resulted in an increased total DMI (p < 0.001), whereas milk potential had no effect on DMI. Associated with an increasing DMI (p < 0.001), ruminal volatile fatty acid concentration (p = 0.024) increased and reticular pH (p < 0.001) decreased from LW2 until LW6. Apart from that, effects on ruminal fermentation and reticular pH were minor. In conclusion, even though apparent nutrient efficiency was high, high-potential cows without supplementation seem to struggle more with reduced nutrient availability than other cows; therefore, they appear to be more prone to metabolic stress and consequently to production diseases.

Ultrasonographic and radiographic findings in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

This study involved 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP), 494 of which underwent ultrasonographic and 484 radiographic examination of the reticulum. Ultrasonography revealed changes in the reticulum and/or peritoneum suggestive of peritonitis in 403 (83%) cattle, a decrease in the amplitude of reticular contractions in 244 (54%) and reduced or absent reticular motility in 173 (37%). A total of 536 foreign bodies were seen on 465 (96%) radiographs and a magnet was seen on 311 (64%) radiographs. Of the 536 foreign bodies, 300 (56%) were not attached to a magnet and 236 (44%) were attached. Of 300 radiographs showing foreign bodies not attached to a magnet, the foreign body was lying flat on the floor of the reticulum on 98 (18%) radiographs, was at an angle of greater than 30 degrees to the ventral aspect of the reticulum on 54 (10%), had penetrated the dorsal reticular wall on 76 (14%), had perforated the reticulum on 64 (12%) and was completely outside of the reticulum on 8 (1%) radiographs. Ultrasonography provides information about the scale and localisation of inflammatory changes of the peritoneum, and radiography allows the visualisation of ferromagnetic foreign bodies and magnets.

Clinical and laboratory findings in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis.

BACKGROUND: The study evaluated the results of clinical examination and haematological and serum biochemical analyses in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP). RESULTS: The most common clinical findings were abnormal demeanour and general condition (87%), decreased rumen motility (72%), poorly digested faeces (57%), decreased rumen fill (49%), fever (43%) and tachycardia (26%). In 58% of the cattle, at least one of three tests for reticular foreign bodies (pinching of the withers, pressure on the xiphoid and percussion of the abdominal wall) was positive, and in 42% all three tests were negative. The most common haematological findings were decreased haematocrit in 45% of cattle and leukocytosis in 42%. An increase in the concentration of fibrinogen in 69% of cattle and total protein in 64% were the main biochemical findings. The glutaraldehyde test time was decreased with coagulation occurring within 6 min in 75% of cattle. CONCLUSIONS: In many cases, a diagnosis of TRP is not possible based on individual clinical or laboratory findings because even the most common abnormalities are not seen in all cattle with TRP.