Milk fatty acid composition and cheese texture and appearance from cows fed hay or different grazing systems on upland pastures.

The objective of this work was to compare milk fatty acid (FA) profile and texture and appearance of Cantal cheeses obtained from cows grazing 2 different upland grasslands: a highly diversified pasture (74 species) of area 12.5 ha managed under continuous mode (C), and a weakly diversified pasture (31 species) of area 7.7 ha (an old temporary grassland) managed under rotational mode (R). A control group of cows fed a hay-based diet (indoors, I) was used. Three equivalent groups of 12 Montbéliarde cows underwent the 3 treatments from May to September 2008. The cheeses were manufactured during 3 consecutive days in early June, early July, and late August (27 cheeses in all). The texture, appearance, and chemical composition of the cheeses were determined after 12 wk of ripening. Concentrations of total saturated FA and monounsaturated FA were higher and lower, respectively, in I milks compared with pasture milks. The concentrations of trans-11-C18:1 and cis-9-C18:1, and polyunsaturated FA as well as yellowness decreased during the season in C-derived milk but remained constant in R-derived milk, through a combined effect of grass development stage and the cows' grazing selection. The I cheeses were, on average, firmer, less creamy, less elastic, and less yellow than the pasture cheeses. Decreasing and increasing trends in texture firmness during the season were observed for C and R cheeses, respectively. The rind of the pasture-fed cow cheese had fewer, less intensely colored, and less prominent spots than did that of I cheeses. This difference was probably due to greater migration of fat to the rind during pressing because of the lower fat melting point of the pasture-fed cow cheeses, which had higher unsaturated FA content. The greater amounts of fat deposited on the rind of the pasture-fed cow cheeses may have partially inhibited the microbial activity responsible for rind appearance. Our trial underlines the importance of the effects of grazing management associated with vegetation type on milk and cheese characteristics.

Ultraviolet-absorbing compounds in milk are related to forage polyphenols.

The aim of this work was to characterize UV-absorbing compounds (UAC) in milk in relation to diet. In winter, 4 groups of cows each received a different diet: concentrate rich containing 35% cocksfoot hay (CCH), maize silage (MS), rye grass silage (RS), or rye grass hay (RH). In summer, 2 additional diets were given: mountain grassland hay (GH) and mountain grassland pasture (GP). Polyphenols were analyzed by HPLC and Folin reaction on forages and UAC were extracted from milks and analyzed by HPLC. In forages, the number of polyphenols was lowest in MS (57) and greatest in GP (85). Twenty-four peaks were identified, accounting for 28 to 47% peak area at 280 nm. Caffeoyl compounds and flavonoid glycosides were mainly found in RH, GH, and GP. Hydrolyzed compounds such as hydroxycinnamic acids and aglycones were found in MS and RS. Estimated amounts of polyphenols were lowest for MS (3.7 g/kg), roughly similar for CH, RS, and RH (about 15 g/kg), and greatest for GH and GP (21.6 and 35.3 g/kg, respectively). About 230 different peaks were separated in milks. Milks from RH and GP contained the lowest (87) and the greatest (127) numbers of peaks, respectively. Only 10 peaks were identified, accounting for 21 to 54% of the total spectra area. In addition to the major compound hippuric acid, phenylacetic acid, benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid benzaldehyde, catechol, and small amounts of ferulic acid were found in varying amounts depending on the diet. Flavonoids such as quercetin, luteolin, and apigenin were also present. Hippuric acid was clearly related to the presence of caffeoylquinic compounds in forages. Other identified UAC may originate essentially from forage simple polyphenols or from cell wall aromatics. Some of the several unknown compounds may also originate from the transformation of other nutrients. Estimated amounts of UAC were widely variable within each animal group. They were surprisingly high in CCH and roughly similar in all milks from preserved forages (about 3.6 mg/L), with generally greater values for GH milks, whereas the greatest amount was found in GP milks (13.3 mg/L). Hierarchical clustering clearly discriminated the 6 diets, showing that there were major differences in GP milks. Some UAC were specific to one or a group of diets. Ultraviolet-absorbing compounds are therefore a potential tool to distinguish between milks according to diet. In addition, they may have a bioactive effect on milk component conservation or on human health.

Yield and sensory properties of cheese made with milk from Holstein or Montbeliarde cows milked twice or once daily.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the milk properties and the yield and sensory properties of Cantal cheese made with milk from Holstein or Montbéliarde cows milked once or twice daily. Sixty-four grazing cows [32 Holstein (H) and 32 Montbéliarde (M) cows] in the declining phase of lactation (157 d in milk) were allocated to 1 of 2 equivalent groups milked once daily (ODM) or twice daily (TDM) for 7 wk. The full-fat raw milk collected during 24 h from the 4 groups of cows (M-TDM, M-ODM, H-TDM, and H-ODM) was pooled and processed into Cantal cheese 4 times during the last 4 wk of the experimental period. In all, 16 cheeses were made (2 milking frequencies x 2 breeds x 4 replicates) and analyzed after a ripening period of 15 and 28 wk. The results showed that for both breeds, the pooled milk content of fat, whey protein, casein, total protein, and phosphorus as well as rennet clotting time and curd firming time were significantly higher with ODM cows, whereas the casein-to-total protein ratio was lower, and lactose, urea, calcium, and free fatty acids contents of milk remained unchanged. The acidification and draining kinetics of the cheese as well as cheese yields and the chemical and rheological properties of the ripened cheese were not significantly modified by milking frequency. For both breeds, the cheeses derived from ODM cows had a slightly yellower coloration but the other sensory attributes, except for pepper odor, were not significantly affected by milking frequency, thereby demonstrating that ODM does not have an adverse effect on the sensory properties of Cantal cheese. Compared with that of Holstein cows, milk from Montbéliarde cows resulted in a higher cheese yield (+1.250 kg/100 kg of milk) and ripened cheeses with lower pH, dry matter, calcium, sodium chloride, and water-soluble nitrogen concentrations. These cheeses had also a less firm and more elastic texture, a more acidic taste, and a yogurt/whey aroma.

Plant polyphenols associated with vitamin E can reduce plasma lipoperoxidation in dairy cows given n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Diets rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) improve the nutritional value of ruminant products but also increase the risk of lipoperoxidation in plasma and tissues. The relative effectiveness of dietary antioxidants such as vitamin E (vit E) given alone or with plant extracts rich in polyphenols (PERP) containing rosemary, grape, citrus, and marigold was investigated in the plasma of mid-lactation dairy cows given diets enriched in 18:3 n-3. For a 30-d period, the animals were given a maize silage-based diet (control group C, n = 6) or the same basal diet supplemented with extruded linseed rich in 18:3 n-3 [50 g of oil/kg of diet dry matter (DM); group L, n = 6], extruded linseed + vit E (375 international units/kg of diet DM; 7,500 IU/cow per day; group LE, n = 6), or extruded linseed + vit E + PERP (10 g/kg of diet DM; group LEP, n = 5). Plasma susceptibility to lipoperoxidation was evaluated using in vitro parameters of conjugated diene formation (lag phase and maximum oxidation rate). Plasma indicators of lipoperoxidation and antioxidant status were analyzed in the 4 experimental groups as well as the fatty acid (FA) composition of total plasma lipids. At d 30, group L significantly increased plasma cholesterol esters (+57%) and phospholipids (+35%) compared with group C. It also increased plasma n-3 PUFA (4.7-fold increase) to the detriment of n-6 PUFA (-30%), leading to a higher peroxidizability index (+20%). Plasma in vitro lipoperoxidation was higher in group L (rich in 18:3 n-3) than in group C. Vitamin E alone had no effect on lipoperoxidation, whereas vit E in association with PERP lowered lipoperoxidation by increasing the resistance time against peroxidation (+47%) and by decreasing the oxidation rate (-48%) compared with group L at d 30. Surprisingly, in vivo plasma lipoperoxidation estimated by the plasma level of the major lipoperoxidation product (malondialdehyde) was not significantly increased in group L. This study shows, for the first time, that PERP supplied in association with vit E were able to reduce lipoperoxidation in lactating cows given a diet rich in 18:3 n-3, thereby helping to protect cows against the deleterious consequences of lipoperoxidation and potentially ensuring antioxidant potential for 18:3 n-3-enriched dairy products.

Addition of pasture plant essential oil in milk: influence on chemical and sensory properties of milk and cheese.

The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of the addition, to milk, of an essential oil (EO) obtained from the hydrodistillation of plants collected from a mountain natural pasture on the milk and cheese sensory properties. The EO was mainly composed of terpenoid compounds (67 of the 95 compounds identified) as well as ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, alkanes, and benzenic compounds. In milk, the addition of this EO at the concentration of 0.1 microL/L did not influence its sensory properties, whereas at 1.0 microL/L, sensory properties were modified. In cheeses, the effect of adding EO into milk was studied in an experimental dairy plant allowing the production of small Cantal-type cheeses (10 kg) in 3 vats processed in parallel. The control (C) vat contained 110 L of raw milk; in the other 2 vats, 0.1 microL/L (EO1) or 3.0 microL/L (EO30) of EO were added to 110 L of the same milk. Six replicates were performed. After 5 mo of ripening, chemical and sensory analyses were carried out on the cheeses, including determination of the volatile compounds by dynamic headspace combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The EO did not influence the sensory properties of the cheeses at the lower concentration (EO1). However, the EO30 cheeses had a more intense odor and aroma, both characterized as "mint/chlorophyll" and "thyme/oregano." These unusual odors and aromas originated directly from the EO added. In total, 152 compounds desorbing from cheese were found, of which 41 had been added with the EO; in contrast, 54 compounds of the EO were not recovered in the cheese. Few volatile compounds desorbing from cheeses, other than the added compounds, were affected by EO addition. Among them, 2-butanol, propanol, and 3-heptanone suggested a slight effect of the EO on lipid catabolism. The antimicrobial activity of terpenes is not or is only marginally involved in the explanation of the influence of the botanical composition of the meadows on the pressed cheeses sensory properties.

Variations in carotenoids, vitamins A and E, and color in cow's plasma and milk following a shift from hay diet to diets containing increasing levels of carotenoids and vitamin E.

This experiment was conducted to determine the variations in carotenoid, vitamins A and E concentrations, and color in the plasma and milk of dairy cows following a shift from a hay diet to diets containing increasing levels of carotenoids and vitamin E. This study was performed on 32 multiparous Montbéliarde dairy cows in midlactation. After a 6-wk preexperimental period on a diet based on hay and concentrates, the cows were allocated to 4 homogeneous groups, and thereafter fed for 6 wk on isoenergetic experimental diets where the hay was replaced by an experimental feed rich in carotenoids and vitamin E, consisting in 75% grass silage and 25% alfalfa protein concentrate (PX Agro Super Desialis, Châlons en Champagne, France). The hay-to-experimental feed ratios were 100/0 in group 1, 67/33 in group 2, 33/67 in group 3, and 0/100 in group 4, providing 1.6, 3.6, 5.4, and 7.4 g/d of total carotenoids, respectively. Variations in carotenoid, vitamins A and E concentrations as well as variations in color index (CI) were monitored from d -7 through to d 42 on the experimental diets. Zeaxanthin, lutein, 13-cis-beta-carotene, and all-trans-beta-carotene accounted for an average 3, 10, 9, and 78%, respectively, of total carotenoids in plasma and 0, 17, 12, and 71%, respectively, of total carotenoids in milk. The switch from preexperimental to experimental diets only slightly affected zeaxanthin, lutein, and vitamin A concentrations in plasma and milk. A rapid increase in vitamin E and beta-carotene (BC) was observed during the first week in both plasma and milk. For vitamin E, the time to reach a plateau was from 8 d (group 2) to 28 d (group 4) in plasma, and 5 d (groups 2-4) in milk. Plasma concentrations of BC had stabilized after 28 d in group 2 but were not stabilized after 42 d in groups 3 and 4, whereas milk concentrations of BC plateaued from d 21 in group 2 and d 28 in groups 3 and 4. At the end of the experimental period, BC and vitamin E concentrations in plasma and vitamin E concentrations in milk fat were linearly related to the proportion of experimental feed in the diet. In contrast, BC concentrations in milk fat did not differ between groups 2, 3, and 4, reflecting saturation at high levels of carotenoid intake (i.e., when plasma BC exceeded 5 mug/mL). These results suggested that under high-carotenoid diets, milk secretion of BC is not limited by the amount of plasma BC arriving to the mammary gland but by mechanisms involved in the BC transfer from plasma to milk. These mechanisms will need to be investigated. The BC concentrations were responsible for more than 80% of CI variations in plasma and 56% of CI variations in milk, where there was wide variability among individuals. Plasma CI appeared to be a more promising tool than milk CI as an indicator of the carotene content of the diets ingested by dairy cows.

Extra-articular subcutaneous "inverted king post-truss" ligament reconstruction for severe swan neck deformity (snapping finger).

A swan neck deformity (SND) can be well tolerated for a long time, until the appearance of a disabling "snapping finger". In its most advanced condition, the other hand is needed to initiate finger flexion. We propose a technique of extra-articular, subcutaneous ligament reconstruction with an "inverted king post-truss" configuration use in roofs and to reinforce railway bridges. An artificial ligament (MaxBraid™ polyethylene surgical suture, 5 metric, Biomet) makes a figure of eight between transosseous tunnels in the proximal and middle phalanges, crossing over top of the A3 pulley. We limited our series to severe SND cases with "snapping finger". We excluded isolated SNDs without functional disability. Eleven patients were followed for 3.4 years on average. The cause was an acute injury 8 times (7 balloon accidents), rheumatoid arthritis 2 times and overuse once (saxophone). Only one case was a poor outcome of mallet finger. The 11 patients were reassessed by a telephone survey. Two patients underwent reoperation: one for a ligament rupture, the other one for a knot that became untied. One patient had a suspected late rupture but without recurrence of the disabling snapping finger. The 11 patients considered themselves improved by the intervention. Nine patients did not notice any difference between their operated finger and the contralateral side. Return to manual activity was possible once the skin had healed. The technique is simpler than the spiral oblique retinacular ligament (SORL) reconstruction technique described by Thomson-Littler and also less demanding because it does not involve the distal interphalangeal joint. It requires only a short incision in the volar crease of the proximal interphalangeal joint. No tendon or ligament is sacrificed. Neither postoperative immobilization nor lengthy physical therapy is needed. Complications can be avoided by selecting the appropriate artificial ligament material and careful knot tying.

Variations in carotenoids, fat-soluble micronutrients, and color in cows' plasma and milk following changes in forage and feeding level.

The main aim of this work was to assess factors affecting the secretion of carotenoids in cows' milk. Our objectives were 1) to determine the kinetics of the decrease in carotenoids in plasma, milk, and adipose tissues following a switch from a high- to a low- carotenoid diet; and 2) to specify whether, during lipomobilization, the restitution of these compounds stored in the adipose tissues is sufficient to modify their secretion in milk. During the preexperimental period, 32 cows in midlactation were fed a grass silage-based diet, and were then assigned to 4 groups; 2 groups were maintained on the grass silage diet and 2 were switched to a late hay diet. For each forage diet, one group was fed according to net energy for lactation and nitrogen requirements, and the other was submitted to an energetic underfeeding, with similar forage and carotenoid intake between groups. Variations in concentration of carotenoids and color index (CI) of plasma and milk were monitored over 8 wk. Other components of nutritional interest; i.e., vitamin E (VE), vitamin A, and fatty acids, were also measured. The switch from grass silage to hay diet induced a rapid decrease in concentration of betal-carotene (BC) and VE and in the CI of plasma and milk during the first 2 wk. Pools of BC in adipose tissues also decreased by 40%. Concentrations of BC at the end of the experiment for silage and hay groups were 5.10 and 1.71 microg/mL in plasma and 0.17 and 0.07 microg/mL in milk, respectively. The energetic underfeeding did not affect BC concentration in plasma and induced a small increase in milk BC concentration, related to a decreased milk yield. In the silage group, the energetic underfeeding after 3 to 4 wk induced a decrease in CI and VE of plasma, but not of milk. The fatty acid profile in milk was modified by the change from grass silage to hay diet (C10 to C14 and linoleic acid increased; stearic and linolenic acid percentages decreased) and by underfeeding (oleic, vaccenic, and rumenic acid percentages increased). This study shows that BC and VE levels persist in midlactation cows' plasma and milk for about 2 wk. The results could not confirm a release of BC by bovine adipose tissue, but the level of underfeeding was moderate in this trial. The concentration of BC explained 58 and 40% of variation in CI of plasma and milk, respectively. These CI appear to be valuable tools for diet traceability (i.e., silage vs. hay).

Changes in terpene content in milk from pasture-fed cows.

Changes of terpene content in milk from cows grazing natural diversified upland pasture were examined in this observational trial. A homogeneous plot divided into 2 subplots was used from May 31 to July 1, 2003 (first growth) and again from October 1 to October 7, 2003 (vegetative regrowth). Each subplot was grazed by 6 dairy cows in 2 ways: strip grazing (SG), with new allocations of pasture strips at 2-d intervals, and paddock grazing (PG). The PG subplot was divided into 3 paddocks and the cows were moved to a new paddock on June 13 and June 24, 2003. Milk from the 6 cows was collected twice a week, pooled, and used for terpene analyses by dynamic headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system. Twenty mono- and 23 sesquiterpenes desorbing from the milk fat were separated. The most abundant monoterpenes were beta-pinene, alpha-pinene, gamma-terpinene, limonene, alpha-tujene, terpinolene, and alpha-phellandrene. The most abundant sesquiterpenes were beta-caryophyllene, alpha-copaene, beta-cedrene, transmuurola-4-(14)-5-diene, beta-bisabolene, and delta-cadinene. Both mono- and sesquiterpenes in SG milk increased across time with an 8-fold increase in total terpenes in milk from the beginning to the end of June. In parallel, dicotyledons, including the main terpene-rich plants, increased from 17 to 31% of total biomass of the vegetation and the development of Dactylis glomerata progressed from boot to ripening stage. The terpenes in PG milk were equivalent to those in SG milk for the first paddock at the beginning of June and remained constant or doubled for the sum of mono- and sesquiterpenes, respectively. The lower variability of the PG milk terpene content could be related to the opportunity that PG cows had to choose ingested herbage, whereas the SG cows had limited choice within the smaller allocated pasture strips. Milk from cows grazing regrowth pastures in October contained low levels of terpenes, and values were similar for PG and SG milks. Change in the sum of monoterpenes is representative of changes for most monoterpenes (except for limonene) and, conversely, the change in the sum of sesquiterpenes mainly reflected changes in beta-caryophyllene and alpha-copaene. In addition to effects of botanical composition of pasture, it appears that terpene content in milk may vary according to factors linked to grazing management that need more intensive study. Nevertheless, current results raise questions about the precision of terpenes as feed tracers.

Lipid-dependent proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Capan 1, a human pancreatic cancer cell line, is routinely grown in 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). In order to characterize the factors needed for its proliferation, FCS was replaced by a synthetic serum (Ultroser G). For Capan 1 proliferation we found that Ultroser G was as efficient as FCS. A subfraction of Ultroser G containing insulin, transferrin, and lipids was found to be responsible for that response since a combination of these compounds reproduced the growth observed with 10% FCS. Lipids stimulated cell proliferation even in the absence of other factors. Other human (MIA PaCa 2, AsPC1, Panc 1) or rat (AR4-2J) pancreatic cancer cell lines tested proliferated in the reconstituted medium containing insulin (100 ng/ml), transferrin (100 micrograms/ml), fatty acid-free albumin (1 mg/ml), and bovine serum lipids (0.7%), as in 10% FCS. Furthermore, the growth of nonpancreatic cell lines (HT29, A431, CREF) was not enhanced by lipids. Lipoproteins were found to be involved in the mitogenic response of pancreatic cells to lipids, whereas phosphatidylcholine and fatty acids were either inefficient or inhibitors (MIA PaCa2 and AR4-2J). Alkaline phosphatase and amylase content, differentiation markers for Capan 1 and AR4-2J cells, respectively, were not modified by the reconstituted medium. These data suggest that lipids, insulin, and transferrin are the essential factors for the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines, reproducing the growth effect of 10% FCS. Moreover, in the absence of most of the seric growth factors, pancreatic cells remained differentiated.

Tandem time-of-flight experiment for low energy collision studies.

We present an experiment adapted to collisional studies of cluster ions based on a laser vaporization setup coupled to a supersonic expansion. The ions are selected in a first time-of-flight, slowed down to the desired energy, and collided in an octopolar guide. The parent and fragment ions are then reaccelerated in order to be mass analyzed in a reflectron time-of-flight. An original method for the extraction of the ion that uses a double voltage pulse, is proposed. The experiment has been applied to collisions of hydrated cobalt ions. An absolute cross section of 17 A2 for the loss of one water molecule by Co(H2O)2+ in collision with neon at a center-of-mass energy of 10 eV, has been determined, with an accuracy of 10%. The threshold for this reaction has been measured at 1.5 eV and is in good agreement with the existing literature (Dalleska et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 3519). Ions that cannot be formed by conventional ligand exchange methods, can also be studied. As an example, the threshold for dehydration of the Co2(H2O)+ ion has been measured at 1.5 +/- 0.2 eV.

Providing social contacts and objects for nibbling moderates reactivity and oral behaviors in veal calves.

The aim of this work was to assess the role of social and physical enrichment in the adaptation of veal calves to their environment. We compared calves housed in individual stalls that varied in the extent of contacts they allowed between neighbors (16 calves: open partitions; 16 calves: solid partitions; 32 calves: solid and extended partitions preventing all contact). All but 16 out of the 32 isolated calves were provided with a piece of tire and a chain, objects they could easily nibble. We assessed time budget, behavioral reactions to a water throw, neuroendocrine responses to stress (ACTH challenge and catecholamine synthesis), health, and growth. Calves kept in isolation displayed more startled reactions (16 isolated calves vs 5 non-isolated calves were startled by the throw, P < .05). Calves without objects spent more time nibbling at the feeding grille (5 vs 3% time, P < .01), licking their lips and tongue-rolling (7 vs 4% time, P < .05). Social contacts and the provision of objects had no incidence on neuroendocrine measurements and growth. Contacts with neighbors resulted in a slight but nonsignificant rise in disease. Depriving calves of social contacts increases behavioral reactivity, probably because there are no peer animals through which reactions can be moderated, and the lack of adequate objects to nibble promotes self-directed activities.

Reducing veal calves' reactivity to people by providing additional human contact.

We studied the importance of the stockperson's behavior on veal calf behavior using 22 veal calves housed in individual crates. Eleven calves received minimal contact from the stockperson, and the other 11 calves were stroked and allowed to suck the stockperson's fingers after each meal during the entire fattening period (21 wk). The effects of this additional contact with the stockperson on the calves' responses to people was studied, when in their home environment (crate) or outside their home environment (singly in a novel arena). When tested in their home environment, the calves receiving additional contact withdrew less from the approach of humans (familiar or unfamiliar) (P < .05) compared with control calves. When tested outside the home environment with a human (familiar or unfamiliar) standing motionless, calves that had received additional contact interacted more frequently and for a longer time with the humans and defecated less often compared with control calves (P < .05). In conclusion, being stroked and sucking the stockperson's fingers seemed to be experienced as positive by the calf, because they reduced withdrawal from and increased approaches to familiar and unfamiliar humans in familiar and unfamiliar environments. Such a lower reactivity to people could improve ease of handling, animal performance, and animal welfare.

The impact of gentle contacts on ease of handling, welfare, and growth of calves and on quality of veal meat.

It has been demonstrated previously that regularly stroking and letting calves suck fingers leads to less avoidance and more approach behavior of the calves toward people. To examine whether these positive contacts affect the welfare and productivity of calves and the quality of veal meat we used 22 veal calves housed in individual crates. Half of them received minimal contact with the stockperson (controls), and the other half were given additional gentle contacts around meals, by stroking the calves and allowing them to suck the stockperson's fingers, during the entire fattening period (21 wk). Welfare was assessed through behavioral reactivity (reactions to handling, to surprise stimuli, and to novelty), neuroendocrine responses to stress (cortisol in response to an ACTH challenge, catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes), and health (number of medical treatments, abomasal lesions). Calf productivity was assessed through growth rates and meat quality through glycolytic potential (an estimator of resting glycogen level in muscle), pH, and color. Calves that received gentle contacts were less agitated (P < .01) and tended to defecate less (P = .08) when handled in a cart on wheels than the control calves, but no treatment effects were found in reactivity to novelty and surprise stimuli, responses to ACTH, and catecholamine synthetic potential. Calves given gentle contacts had fewer abomasal lesions than controls (0/11 vs 4/11, P = .05). The glycolytic potential of the semimembranosus muscle was higher in calves that received gentle contacts than in controls (172.6 vs 154.1 micromol/g, P < .05), but no treatment effects were observed on meat pH, meat color, or growth rates. It is concluded that gentling veal calves reduces their reactions to handling. Gentle contacts reduce the reaction to transport shown by differences in glycolytic potential. In addition, the reduction in reactions to handling and the decreased incidence of abomasal lesions can contribute to an improvement of the calves' welfare.

Does nutritive and non-nutritive sucking reduce other oral behaviors and stimulate rest in calves?

After a milk meal, bucket-fed calves show non-nutritive oral activities, including cross-sucking, and this can discourage producers from rearing them in groups. Sucking is known to induce a quiet state in humans and rats. We examined if nutritive sucking affects non-nutritive oral activities in calves, if it reduces arousal (assessed through behavior and cardiac activity), and if sucking a dry teat can compensate for the lack of nutritive sucking. In Exp. 1, the behavior and the cardiac activity of individually housed calves fed milk from a bucket were compared to those of calves fed milk through a teat. During the meal, the heart rate of bucket-fed calves was higher than that of teat-fed calves (P < 0.0001). After the meal, only bucket-fed calves displayed bar sucking. Compared to the teat-fed calves, they spent more time licking their pen or their neighbor (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05), their heart rate was less variable (P < 0.01), and they lay down with the head unsupported by the neck less quickly (latency to lie down: 51 min vs 42 min, P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, individually-housed bucket-fed and teat-fed calves were observed with or without access to a non-nutritive teat after the meal. Bucket-fed calves sucked the dry teat for longer than teat-fed calves (P < 0.001). In bucket-fed calves, access to the dry teat reduced the time spent nibbling (P < 0.01) and tended to shorten the latency to lie down (P < 0.10). In Exp. 3, group-housed bucket-fed calves were compared with group-housed calves fed with an automatic teat feeder system. Bucket-fed calves spent more time nibbling at 1 mo, but at 3 mo they spent less time nibbling and cross-sucking; they drank more milk and put on more weight. We conclude that, for calves housed individually, teat-feeding reduces non-nutritive oral activities after the meal and induces a calmer state than bucket-feeding. Providing calves with a dry teat partly compensates for the lack of nutritive sucking. For calves housed in groups, the use of an automatic teat feeder may not reduce calves' motivation for sucking. No improvement of growth was observed with teat-feeding either with a teat-bucket or with an automatic feeder.

Calves' responses to repeated social regrouping and relocation.

Because of welfare concerns and increased labor efficiency, calves are increasingly housed in groups. To reduce variability in live weight within groups, farmers frequently regroup calves according to growth rate. We assessed the consequences of repeated regrouping and relocation on the welfare of 32 male Holstein calves housed in pairs. Animals of half of the pairs (regrouped calves) were placed in a new pen with a new partner once a week for 14 wk. Animals of the other half of the pairs (control calves) stayed in the same pen with the same partner. Behavior was observed for the 3 h following four mixings and for 24 h after all relocations were finished. The functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and of the sympathetic nervous system were assessed. Calves were weighed once a week, their health was assessed daily, and abomasa were inspected when the calves were slaughtered. Calves reacted to the first mixing by interacting with the new partner and increasing their general activity (sniffing the partner in regrouped calves vs controls: 5.5 vs 2.9, P < 0.01; percentage time stepping: 3.2 vs 1.3, P < 0.001). This effect disappeared by the ninth mixing. After all relocations were completed, regrouped calves were more active at the end of the day and less active at night (P < 0.05). Cortisol responses to exogenous ACTH were higher in regrouped calves (integrated response: 6,688 vs 5,508 ng x min/mL, P < 0.01). Basal cortisol levels, ACTH responses to corticotropin-releasing hormone, activities of catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes (tyrosine hydroxylase and phenylethanolamine N-methyl transferase), and the incidence of health problems and growth rates did not differ between the two groups. Regrouped calves had fewer abomasal ulcers. Apart from the increased sensitivity of the adrenal cortex of regrouped calves to ACTH and the modification in the daily rhythm of activity, there was no clear evidence that repeated regrouping and relocation stresses calves. Aggression between calves was rare, and calves seemed to habituate to repeated mixing.

Effects of supplementation of maize silage diets with extruded linseed, vitamin E and plant extracts rich in polyphenols, and morning v. evening milking on milk fatty acid profiles in Holstein and Montbéliarde cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on dairy performance and milk fatty acid (FA) composition of (i) supplementation with extruded linseed (EL), (ii) supplementation with synthetic or natural antioxidants, namely vitamin E and plant extracts rich in polyphenols (PERP), (iii) cow breed (Holstein v. Montbéliarde) and (iv) time of milking (morning v. evening). After a 3-week pre-experimental period 24 lactating cows (12 Holstein and 12 Montbéliarde) were divided up into four groups of six cows: the first group received a daily control diet (diet C) based on maize silage. The second group received the same diet supplemented with EL (diet EL, fat level approximately 5% of dietary dry matter (DM)). The third group received the EL diet plus 375 IU/kg diet DM of vitamin E (diet ELE). The fourth group received the ELE diet plus 10 g/kg diet DM of a PERP mixture (diet ELEP). Compared with the diet C, feeding EL-rich diets led to lower concentrations of total saturated FA (SFA) and higher concentrations of stearic and oleic acids, each trans and cis isomer of 18:1 (except c12-18:1), non-conjugated isomers of 18:2, some isomers (c9t11-, c9c11- and t11t13-) of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and 18:3n-3. The vitamin E supplementation had no effect on milk yield, milk fat or protein percentage and only moderate effects on milk concentrations of FA (increase in 16:0, decreases in 18:0 and t6/7/8-18:1). The addition of PERP to vitamin E did not modify milk yield or composition and slightly altered milk FA composition (decrease in total saturated FA (SFA) and increase in monounsaturated FA (MUFA)). The minor effects of vitamin E may be partly linked to the fact that no milk fat depression occurred with the EL diet. During both periods the Holstein cows had higher milk production, milk fat and protein yields, and milk percentages of 4:0 and 18:3n-3, and lower percentages of odd-branched chain FA (OBCFA) than the Montbéliarde cows. During the experimental period the Holstein cows had lower percentages of total cis 18:1, and c9,c11-CLA, and higher percentages of 6:0, 8:0, t12-, t16/c14- and t13/14-18:1, and 18:2n-6 than Montbéliarde cows because of several significant interactions between breed and diet. Also, the total SFA percentage was higher for morning than for evening milkings, whereas those of MUFA, total cis 18:1, OBCFA and 18:2n-6 were lower. Extruded linseed supplementation had higher effect on milk FA composition than antioxidants, breed or time of milking.

[Roseland® prosthesis: quality of life's studies about 68 patients with a mean followed-up of 43.8 months]. / Prothèse Roseland®: étude de qualité de vie de 68 patients avec un recul moyen de 43,8 mois.

OBJECTIVES: Roseland® prosthesis is a ball and socket prosthesis, physiological and not anatomical. This study wants to demonstrate by a quality life questionnaire (quick DASH described by Dubert et al., 2001) that Roseland® prosthesis gives to patients a trapeziometacarpal joint native capacities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An exterior examinator reviewed prospectively 68 patients having a mean age of 61.1 years at surgery with 11 bilateral cases that is 79 prothesis. With a mean follow-up of 43.8 months, we value by Kapandji's opposition, first comisssural openning, quality of life and patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: Three patients have been excuded: two of them had got post-traumatic dislocation: one trapezium fracture, one unknown reason. The third patient had got osteophytis with "came" effects. We keep 65 patients with 84,6% satisfying and very satisfaying. 75,4% of patients have a capacity of 80% and more of their joint, 40% of them had got 100%. DISCUSSION: Roseland® prosthesis has good results because it agrees with already known principles as on its own concept: rotula prothesis gives three axes mobility, as on its own conception: metarcarpal stem with a palmar "T" shaped against rotation and bone saving, a cup with equatorial ring to prevent burying of the spongy bone. Componenents are recovered by hydroxyapatite to favour osteo-integration with less loosening than ciment. An accurate technique avoids dislocations traps: trapezium implant centring, internal osteophytis removal. An accurate indication: trapeziometarpal joint osteoarthritis only (second degree's Dell classification). CONCLUSION: Roseland® prosthesis reproduces a satisfactory and functional joint for 84,6% of cases. These good results can be obtained by accurate indication (Dell II) and contra-indication (osteoarthritis around trapezium except trapeziometacarpal of course).

Pins and rubber traction system for intra-articular proximal interphalangeal joint fractures revisited.

The Pins and Rubber Traction System (PRTS) can be used to treat proximal interphalangeal intra-articular fractures. Our experience is that outcomes are not always excellent and that many patients have reduced joint function or residual deformities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reasons behind the poorer outcomes of some of the patients treated with this system. A retrospective clinical and radiological evaluation was performed on 15 patients after a minimum of 2 years' follow-up. The mean interphalangeal joint flexion range was 66 degrees (range 0-100) in our series. The review of the literature shows an average active interphalangeal joint flexion of 78 degrees (range 64-95). Reasons for this difference include preoperative delay, technical deficiencies, the learning curve, a lack in postoperative physiotherapy and degenerative changes due to the longer follow-up. Although the Pins and Rubber Traction System seems a simple procedure, a learning curve is necessary to avoid pitfalls.