Production performance of dairy cattle administered recombinantly derived bovine somatotropin (USAN, Somavubove) daily: a dose range study.

Herds (n = 9) were used on which cattle (n = 598) received 0, 4.3, 8.6, 12.9 or 17.2 mg of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST; USAN, Somavubove) daily from about 75 d postpartum until lactation end. Minimum effective dose to increase (3.5% fat corrected milk) FCM of cows (multiparous) compared with controls is 2.0 mg rbST/d and maximum is 16.6 mg/d. Minimum effective dose to increase FCM of heifers (primiparous) is 5.0 mg rbST/d while the maximum is 16.7 mg/d. Dosing of 4.3 to 13.2 mg rbST/d enhances efficiency of FCM production in cows. Milk fat, protein, calcium and phosphorus were not effected by rbST except for instances of transient changes. Lactose was greatest in heifers given 12.9 mg rbST/d. Days of lost milk, incidents of mastitis, and somatic cell counts were not affected by rbST. Cows given 12.9 or 17.2 mg of rbST had reduced pregnancy and conception rates, whereas heifers did not. Total services, first service conception rate, services per conception, days open and days to first AI (artificial insemination) were not affected by rbST. Days between AI were greater in cows given 17.2 mg rbST/d. Restoration of body weight and condition occurred at slower rates in rbST-dosed cows. Heifers given 8.6 or 12.9 mg rbST/d gained more weight than controls. Net energy and protein balance was reduced (less so in heifers) near start of rbST but recovered as intakes increased. Cattle given rbST produce more milk than controls and should be managed accordingly.

In vitro response of Haemonchus contortus larvae harvested during different times of the patent period to anthelmintics.

Three commercially available ruminant anthelmintics and an investigational drug were evaluated for effects on the motor function/motility of third stage (ensheathed) Haemonchus contortus. Helminth ova were collected at one, five, nine and 13 weeks during the patent period, cultured to the third larval stage and assayed for sensitivity to four different drugs. All four drugs (100 and 10 micrograms ml-1) significantly affected the motility of third stage H contortus larvae cultured from eggs passed at each of the times examined. However, the investigational drug (p-toluoyl chloride phenylhydrazone, 10 micrograms ml-1) had a significantly greater effect on the motility of larvae harvested at 13 weeks than those cultured at nine weeks (32 per cent difference). No other significant differences in the motility response during the patent period were observed.

Amitraz: a tick and flea repellent and tick detachment drug.

A topical formulation of amitraz (Mitaban Liquid Concentrate, The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.A.) was evaluated as a tick repellent and detachment agent, and flea repellent. The diluted liquid concentrate (250 p.p.m. active drug) was topically applied as a single treatment to dogs; the concentration was identical to the rate recommended for treatment of demodicosis and scabies. Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) and American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) populations were eliminated and repelled. Repellent activity (92-95%) was observed against R. sanguineus for 2 weeks post-treatment; the treatment was moderately active (63%) during the third week, and at 4 weeks post-treatment the drug was inactive. Established R. sanguineus populations were also treated, and the diluted liquid concentrate had 100% tick-detachment efficacy. Repellent activity (99%) was also detected against D. variabilis; the activity was monitored for only 7 days. The ectoparasiticide had low to moderate flea (Ctenocephalides felis) repellent activity (42%) for 4 days post-treatment; thereafter the treatment was ineffective. Side-effects were not observed in any of the dogs treated with amitraz, or the placebo.

Effects of bovine somatotropin on dry matter intake, milk yield and body temperature in Holstein and Jersey cows during heat stress.

Thirty-one lactating Holstein and Jersey cows were used to determine the effect of daily injections of 0 or 20 mg of recombinant bST in hot, humid weather. The comparison period lasted 80 d, from mid-June through August. The maximum and minimum ambient temperature and relative humidity averaged 34.6 and 22.2 degrees C and 100 and 59.8%, respectively. Body temperatures of somatotropin-treated Holsteins were elevated over controls by .2 and .3 degrees C at the a.m. and p.m. milkings, respectively, whereas corresponding treatment effects for Jerseys were .5 and .6 degrees C, thus demonstrating a breed by treatment interaction. The response of milk and FCM yields and apparent efficiency of production to somatotropin administration depended on the level of production prior to treatment. Cows at low pretreatment production increased milk and FCM yields to a greater degree than did cows at higher production. A breed by treatment interaction showed that Holsteins increased milk and FCM yields more than Jerseys upon administration of somatotropin. Intake of DM was not affected by treatment. Cows administered bST lost BW and condition score. Greater heat stress was associated with the higher milk production of cows administered bST.

Development of a novel in vitro equine anthelmintic assay.

An in vitro assay involving the use of a horse strongyle (Strongylus edentatus) and the micromotility meter has been developed to test for equine anthelmintic activity. Three commercially available equine anthelmintics (dichlorvos, ivermectin, and pyrantel pamoate) and an investigational drug (p-toluoyl chloride phenylhydrazone) were evaluated in this assay at four concentrations. After a 24-h incubation, greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml of all four drug treatments significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) reduced the motility of ensheathed L-3 S. edentatus larvae, thereby indicating anthelmintic activity. Pyrantel pamoate also reduced motility at 1 microgram/ml, while the hydrazone significantly increased movement at this level. At 0.1 microgram/ml, none of the treatments significantly reduced motility; one treatment (dichlorvos) significantly increased larval motility. Incubation for 48 h resulted in significant activity (reduction in motility) at greater than or equal to 1 microgram/ml with two drugs (ivermectin, pyrantel pamoate); dichlorvos and the hydrazone reduced motility at greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/ml. None of the treatments significantly reduced motility at the lowest concentration (0.1 microgram/ml); however, at 48 h, two treatments (dichlorvos, hydrazone) significantly increased motility at the lowest concentration (0.1 microgram/ml). The in vitro S. edentatus motility assay proved to be sensitive, accurate and rapid. This assay system should be a valuable addition to tests used to identify potential equine anthelmintics, monitor helminth resistance to drugs, and perhaps define the kinetics and mode of action for drugs.