High-level competition exercise and related fatigue are associated with stride and jumping characteristics in eventing horses.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and related injuries to the musculoskeletal system are among the most frequent reasons for the withdrawal of high-level eventing horses from the sport. The safety of both horse and rider is very important, and early detection of fatigue is crucial. OBJECTIVES: To investigate elite eventing horses in competitive events focusing on biomechanical, cardiovascular and metabolic variables across the cross-country test and to identify their potential associations with fatigue. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational exploratory field study. METHODS: Observations on 54 cross-country tests of 33 horses at five competitive, high-level events were evaluated using sternal accelerometric analysis of stride parameters between and at the jumps. Blood lactate concentration and heart rate were determined 10 min after finishing. The differences in kinematic parameters between the course start and end were analysed with mixed models for repeated measures. Associations between blood lactate and heart rate recovery with the kinematic variables were quantified with Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: We observed numerous stride characteristics between the jumps and the jumps changing over time during the courses. Blood lactate concentrations were positively correlated with the mean maximal strike power at the jumps in the last minute of the course (r = 0.41; p < 0.001), and the latter was negatively correlated with the mean stride height over the jumps (r = -0.41; p = 0.003). MAIN LIMITATIONS: The sample contained horses of varying breeds, sexes and ages, and different horses participated in different events. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several kinematic changes during a cross-country test depending on event, speed and fatigue.

Evaluation of compressor fatigue at 150 compressions per minute during cardiopulmonary resuscitation using a large dog manikin.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether CPR providers can perform chest compressions (CC) appropriately at a rate of 150 compressions per minute during a 2-minute cycle and to identify the presence of rescuer fatigue. DESIGN: High fidelity simulator study. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: Sixty subjects, 30 women and 30 men. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects performed CC at 150 compressions per minute on a dog manikin for 2 minutes. Real-time depth of compressions, compression release, and compression rate were measured using a CPR training device. Demographic data from the subjects were analyzed alongside data obtained from the monitoring device. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Only 38.3% of participants were able to perform CC with appropriate depth and release at 150 compressions per minute during a 2-minute cycle. There was a decay in the quality of CC between the first and the second minute. The number of compressions and percentage of compressions with correct release were similar among various genders, ages, and professions. In contrast, the percentage of compressions with correct depth was significantly higher among individuals with higher body mass index (correlation coefficient [r] = 0.293; P = 0.023) and higher biceps brachii muscle circumference during muscle contraction (r = 0.423; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that increasing the compression rate to 150 compressions per minute in large dogs using the thoracic pump technique might not be viable because most participants were not able to sustain enough appropriate CC. Rescuer fatigue affects compression depth at this rate, leading to a decay in CPR quality.

A narrative review of occupational scheduling that impacts fatigue and recovery relevant to veterinarian well-being.

Background: Sleep insufficiency is a worldwide affliction with serious implications for mental and physical health. Occupational factors play a large role in determining sleep habits. Healthcare workers are particularly susceptible to job-mediated sleep insufficiency and inadequate rest in general. Little is published on sleep practices among veterinarians, and overall recognition of the impacts of inadequate rest within the veterinary profession is poor. Objectives and procedures: This review describes occupational factors affecting sufficiency of rest and recovery, reviews veterinary-specific and relevant adjacent literature pertaining to sleep patterns, and discusses potential solutions for addressing occupational schedules contributing to sleep insufficiency and inadequate rest. Online databases were searched to extract contemporary literature pertaining to sleep, insufficient rest, and occupational factors, with a focus on veterinary medicine and other healthcare sectors. Results: Occupational factors leading to inadequate rest among healthcare workers include excessive workloads, extended workdays, cumulative days of heavy work hours, and after-hours on-call duty. These factors are prevalent within the veterinary profession and may contribute to widespread insufficient rest and the resulting negative impacts on health and well-being among veterinarians. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Sufficient sleep quantity and quality are critical to physical and mental health and are negatively affected by many aspects of the veterinary profession. Critical review of current strategies employed in clinical practice is essential to promote professional fulfillment, health, and well-being among veterinarians.

Un examen narratif des horaires de travail qui ont un impact sur la fatigue et la récupération en rapport avec le bien-être des vétérinaires. Mise en contexte: L'insuffisance de sommeil est une affection mondiale avec de graves implications pour la santé mentale et physique. Les facteurs liés à l'emploi jouent un rôle important dans la détermination des habitudes de sommeil. Les travailleurs de la santé sont particulièrement sensibles à l'insuffisance de sommeil liée au travail et au repos inadéquat en général. Il y a peu de publications sur les pratiques de sommeil chez les vétérinaires, et la reconnaissance globale des impacts d'un repos inadéquat au sein de la profession vétérinaire est faible. Objectifs et procédures: Cette revue décrit les facteurs professionnels affectant la quantité suffisante de repos et de la récupération, passe en revue la littérature spécifique aux vétérinaires ainsi que celle adjacente pertinente concernant les habitudes de sommeil, et discute des solutions potentielles pour traiter les horaires professionnels contribuant à l'insuffisance de sommeil et au repos inadéquat. Des bases de données en ligne ont été consultées pour extraire la littérature contemporaine relative au sommeil, au repos insuffisant et aux facteurs liés à l'emploi, en mettant l'accent sur la médecine vétérinaire et d'autres secteurs de la santé. Résultats: Les facteurs liés à l'emploi entraînant un repos insuffisant chez les travailleurs de la santé comprennent les charges de travail excessives, les journées de travail prolongées, les jours cumulés d'heures de travail pénibles et les gardes après les heures normales de travail. Ces facteurs sont répandus au sein de la profession vétérinaire et peuvent contribuer à un repos insuffisant généralisé et aux impacts négatifs qui en résultent sur la santé et le bien-être des vétérinaires. Conclusion et pertinence clinique: Une quantité et une qualité de sommeil suffisantes sont essentielles à la santé physique et mentale et sont négativement affectées par de nombreux aspects de la profession vétérinaire. L'examen critique des stratégies actuelles utilisées dans la pratique clinique est essentiel pour promouvoir l'épanouissement professionnel, la santé et le bien-être des vétérinaires.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

A narrative review of the pathophysiology and impacts of insufficient and disrupted sleep.

Background: Despite substantial ramifications of insufficient sleep on mental and physical health and general well-being, many individuals are unaware of what constitutes sufficient sleep, or of the short- and long-term extent of sleep deficiency effects, including those that may not be perceived as fatigue. Objectives and procedures: This review describes the physiology of sleep, defines healthy standards, reviews the pathophysiology and health hazards of acute and chronic sleep insufficiency, and offers concepts for improving individual sleep hygiene. Online databases were searched to extract literature pertaining to sleep, sleep insufficiency, fatigue, and health, with emphasis on literature published in the preceding 5 years. Results: The detrimental effects of acute and chronic sleep loss vary in their range and impact. Individuals often obtain a substandard quantity of sleep, a problem that is poorly recognized by individuals and society. This lack of recognition perpetuates a culture in which sleep insufficiency is accepted, resulting in serious and substantial negative impacts on mental and physical health. Conclusion and clinical relevance: Sleep management is one of the most fundamental and changeable aspects of personal health. Improving awareness of the important physiological roles of sleep, healthy sleep habits, and the consequence of insufficient sleep is essential in promoting general well-being and mental and physical health.

Un examen narratif de la physiopathologie et des impacts d'un sommeil insuffisant et perturbé. Contexte: Malgré les ramifications importantes d'un manque de sommeil sur la santé mentale et physique et le bien-être général, de nombreuses personnes ignorent ce qui constitue un sommeil suffisant ou l'étendue à court et à long terme des effets du manque de sommeil, y compris ceux qui peuvent ne pas être perçus comme de la fatigue. Objectifs et procédures: Cette revue décrit la physiologie du sommeil, définit des normes de santé, passe en revue la physiopathologie et les risques pour la santé de l'insuffisance de sommeil aiguë et chronique et propose des concepts pour améliorer l'hygiène individuelle du sommeil. Des bases de données en ligne ont été consultées pour extraire la littérature relative au sommeil, à l'insuffisance de sommeil, à la fatigue et à la santé, en mettant l'accent sur la littérature publiée au cours des 5 années précédentes. Résultats: Les effets néfastes de la perte de sommeil aiguë et chronique varient dans leur portée et leur impact. Les individus obtiennent souvent une quantité de sommeil inférieure aux normes, un problème mal reconnu par les individus et la société. Ce manque de reconnaissance perpétue une culture dans laquelle l'insuffisance de sommeil est acceptée, entraînant des impacts négatifs graves et substantiels sur la santé mentale et physique. Conclusion et pertinence clinique: La gestion du sommeil est l'un des aspects les plus fondamentaux et les plus imprévisibles de la santé personnelle. Améliorer la prise de conscience des rôles physiologiques importants du sommeil, des habitudes de sommeil saines et des conséquences d'un sommeil insuffisant est essentiel pour promouvoir le bien-être général et la santé mentale et physique.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Cross-sectional survey of sleep, fatigue and mental health in veterinary anaesthesia personnel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sleep quality, prevalence of fatigue and depressive symptoms in veterinary anaesthesia personnel. STUDY DESIGN: Anonymous online voluntary survey. METHODS: Sleep quality, fatigue, depressive symptoms and self-perceived burnout were scored using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and single-item burnout measure, respectively. Demographic data and questions about work-related fatigue, out-of-hours duty, transport and rest periods were included. PSQI, FSS and PHQ-9 scores were compared using Spearman rank correlation tests. RESULTS: Responses from 393 participants were obtained from an estimated population of 1374 including diplomates of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary An(a)esthesia and Analgesia (43.9%), residency-trained veterinarians (15.6%), residents-in-training (13.8%) and veterinary technicians and nurses (12.0%), from 32 countries. Most were employed in clinical university teaching hospitals (54.2%) or clinical private practice (41.5%). PSQI scores > 5 were reported by 71.2% of respondents, with 52.4% reporting insufficient sleep to meet their job demands. Many showed high or borderline fatigue (56.4%), and 74.7% reported mistakes due to work-related fatigue. Major depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) were found in 42.7%, with 19.2% reporting they had thought about suicide or self-harm in the previous 2 weeks. Over half (54.8%) met the criteria for burnout and more veterinary nurses and technicians suffered from burnout than other roles, with 79.6% of this group affected (p < 0.001). Scores for PSQI and FSS [r (388) = 0.40, p < 0.001]; PSQI and PHQ-9 [r (389) = 0.23, p < 0.001]; and FSS and PHQ-9 [r (387) = 0.24, p < 0.001] were all positively correlated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This survey demonstrates a high prevalence of poor sleep, fatigue, depressive symptoms and burnout in veterinary anaesthesia personnel, and more should be done to improve the health of those in the profession.

A feline case of multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncommon neoplasm in cats. There is no established standard of treatment due to the rare occurrence of this disease in cats. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that serves as the first-line drug for MM in humans, but its effectiveness currently is unknown in feline MM. We present here the case report of a feline MM that exhibited a favorable response to bortezomib. CASE PRESENTATION: The case was an 11-year-old non-castrated male domestic cat with light-chain MM presenting with clinical symptoms (anorexia, fatigue, and vomiting), mild azotemia, and pancytopenia. The cat failed on melphalan with prednisolone (MP), so bortezomib (Velcade) was initiated on Day 88. A total of 6 cycles of the treatment was performed, with each treatment cycle consisting of twice-weekly subcutaneous administration for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest. The dose of bortezomib was 0.7 mg/m2 for first week and 1.0 mg/m2 for second week in the first cycle. A dose of 0.7 mg/m2 was used for subsequent cycles. Prednisolone was used concomitantly in the first 2 cycles. Following treatment with bortezomib, clinical symptoms disappeared and a decrease in serum globulin and recovery of pancytopenia were noted. A monoclonal gammopathy, overproduction of serum immunoglobulin light chain, and Bence-Jones proteinuria that existed at diagnosis were undetectable on Day 123. A monoclonal gammopathy also was not detectable at the end of the bortezomib treatment (Day 213). Anorexia, fatigue, and marked bone marrow toxicity were experienced when bortezomib was administrated at a dose of 1.0 mg/m2, while no recognizable toxicity was observed at a dose of 0.7 mg/m2 throughout the treatment period. The case was placed on follow-up and there was no evidence of relapse as of Day 243. CONCLUSIONS: Bortezomib was effective and durable for the treatment of this case of feline MM after failure with MP. Bortezomib was well-tolerated in this cat at a dose of 0.7 mg/m2, but not at 1.0 mg/m2. Bortezomib appears to be a drug worthy of further study for the treatment of feline MM.

The effects of feeding and transport length on the welfare of white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum) during long-distance translocations: a preliminary study.

Translocation is a valuable conservation tool, but poses significant risks for the transported rhinoceroses. Interventions reducing these risks are required to ensure positive welfare during transportation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of journey duration and feeding during the transport of white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum simum). A total of 32 animals were transported by road during two events, five days apart. Fifteen rhinoceroses in the first transport event (37.0 ± 2.4 hr duration) were not fed, while 17 rhinoceroses in the second event (32.2 ± 1.5 hr duration) were offered lucerne. Blood samples were collected at capture and after transport for the evaluation of changes in serum clinical chemistry analytes. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare differences between the groups. In all rhinoceroses, transport resulted in changes in serum electrolyte, metabolite and enzyme concentrations, indicating a loss in total body water, nutritional shifts, stress and fatigue. Fed rhinoceroses, transported over a shorter time, displayed greater changes in osmolality (p < 0.006), serum sodium and chloride concentrations (p = 0.005 and = 0.001, respectively) indicating a greater degree of total body water loss than non-fed rhinoceroses. Feeding and a shorter transport duration reduced, but did not prevent, nutritional challenges. A greater increase in the muscle enzymes CK and AST (p = 0.027 and = 0.001, respectively), indicated greater fatigue in non-fed rhinoceroses transported over a longer time. Further work to distinguish the effects of feeding and journey duration is required to better understand the role feeding may play in mitigating welfare challenges during rhinoceros translocation.

Dynamic Metabolic Response, Clotting Times and Peripheral Indices of Central Fatigue in Horse Competing in a 44 Km Endurance Race.

A deep knowledge on metabolic response of athlete horse to exercise is of paramount importance for the development of optimal training programs to attain equilibrium between good performance and animal welfare. This study investigated the dynamic change of metabolic, clotting times and peripheral indices of central fatigue in horses competing in an official 44 km endurance race.  From 6 horses blood samples were collected at rest (TPRE), within 5 minutes from the end of race (TPE5), after 30, 60 minutes after the end of race (TPE30 and TPE60) to investigate the values of blood lactate, glucose, platelets (PLTs), serum leucine, isoleucine, valine, tryptophan, the ratio between tryptophan and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) levels (Try/BCAAs), total proteins, non-esterified fatty acids, plasma thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen (Fb). Lactate, PLTs, non-esterified fatty acids, BCAAs and Try/BCAAs showed higher values at TPE5, TPE30and TPE60than TPRE(P < .0001); glucose showed lower values at TPE5, TPE30and TPE60than TPRE(P < .0001). Higher TT values were found at TPE5, TPE30and TPE60than TPRE, and at TPE5than TPE30 and TPE60(P < .0001); Fb was higher at TPE5than TPRE, T PE30and TPE60(P < .0001). This survey confirms that horses performing prolonged physical exercise experienced glycolysis, lipid mobilization and amino acid metabolism to provide substrates as fuel for muscle contraction.

Effects of Fatigue on Stride Parameters in Thoroughbred Racehorses During Races.

Exercise intensity during races is considerably high. To understand how Thoroughbreds adapt to fatigue conditions, stride parameters for the first and second lap of the race (2400-m, turf) were compared. A high-speed video system was set in a right lateral position about 20 m before the finishing post, with a field view width of about 16 m. The stride frequency, the length between each limb (hind step, diagonal step, fore step, and airborne step), and stride length were measured and analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model. Compared with the first lap, the mean ± standard deviation values in the second lap for running speed (17.3 ± 1.3 to 16.0 ± 0.9 m/s, P < .01), stride frequency (2.34 ± 0.08 to 2.21 ± 0.09 strides/s, P < .01) and stride length (7.42 ± 0.52 to 7.25 ± 0.38 m, P = .04) significantly decreased. Furthermore, significant changes (P < .01) were observed in the diagonal step length (2.32 ± 0.34 to 1.88 ± 0.23 m), hind step (1.19 ± 0.09 to 1.26 ± 0.10 m) and airborne step length (2.43 ± 0.25 to 2.61 ± 0.18 m). When controlled for speed, stride frequency (P = .02) and diagonal step length (P < .01) decreased, while the length of the hind step (P < .01), fore step (P < .01), airborne step (P < .01), and stride (P = .02) increased with fatigue in the second lap. These results suggest that horses could not extend their body when fatigued.

Metabonomic analysis of hypophosphatemic laying fatigue syndrome in laying hens.

Laying fatigue syndrome (LFS) is a common disease in poultry, which is characterized by low egg laying rate, increased broken and soft shell egg rate and osteoporosis, and even death of poultry. Insufficient phosphorus content in feed is one of the major causes of LFS. In this study, a total of 22-week-old Roman white shell hens were randomly divided into two groups, including control (group C) and low dietary phosphorus (group P) groups. The hens of groups C and P were fed with a full mixed diet and a mixed diet containing 0.18% available phosphorus content, respectively. At 25, 29 and 34 weeks, the production performance of hens was detected and the serum samples of hens were collected to detect the changes of serum phosphorus, calcium, osteopelectin (OPG), parathyroid hormone (PTH), estradiol (E2), tartaric acid-resistant phosphatase (TRACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The keels were removed and x-rayed. In addition, all serum samples were tested by LC-MS metabolomics. Our results showed that low dietary phosphorus decreased the production performance, phosphorus content, and E2 and OPG levels, while increased calcium and PTH levels, and ALP and TRACP activities in laying hens. The hens of group P had bent keels. Besides, small molecular metabolites in serum were enriched in 10 pathways and 17 metabolites were significantly different according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. Our results showed that low phosphorus diet could induce LFS. Also, 17 metabolites detected by metabonomics can be used as biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and early warning of hypophosphatemic laying fatigue syndrome (HLFS). This study provides a scientific basis for the early prevention and treatment of HLFS.

Analytical characterization of trace elements (zinc, copper, cadmium, lead and selenium) in saliva of pigs under common pathological conditions in the field: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This study is focused on the measurement of trace elements (zinc, copper, cadmium, lead and selenium) in the saliva of pigs in order to study their levels on different porcine pathological conditions in the field. The experiment involved 15 pigs without clinical signs of disease and 42 diseased pigs (suffering from lameness, rectal prolapse, fatigue or growth rate retardation). Individual saliva samples were collected, allowing the pigs to chew a sponge each for trace element quantifications through atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Since this is the first report on the measurements of trace elements in porcine saliva, a routine analytical validation study was performed for the quantification of all the studied elements. Moreover, the acute phase proteins C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoblobin (Hp), the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were quantified in the saliva samples for the animal's health status assessment. RESULTS: Modifications in the levels of acute phase proteins or ADA were only recorded in animals with lameness and rectal prolapse and those with fatigue respectively. Moreover, TAC level changes were observed in pigs with growth-rate retardation. However, alterations in the levels of two or more trace elements were reported for all the different groups of diseased pigs with evident variations within pathologies. CONCLUSIONS: The salivary quantification of trace elements could be considered as a complementary tool to acute phase proteins, TAC and ADA determinations for disease detection and differentiation in the pig and should be explored in greater depth.

Effect of Fatigue on Equine Metacarpophalangeal Joint Kinematics-A Single Horse Pilot Study.

The objective was to validate a scientific method for characterizing equine metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) motion in the nonfatigued and fatigued states using a single horse at trot, slow canter, and fast canter. One healthy Thoroughbred gelding exercised on a treadmill to exhaustion (fatigued state) (heart rate >190 BPM and blood lactate >10 mmol/L) while bilateral MCPJ angular data were acquired using electrogoniometry. Blood lactate and heart rate reflected transition from nonfatigued to fatigued states with increasing exercise duration and treadmill speed. Electrogoniometry consistently demonstrated: increase in mean MCPJ maximum extension angle with onset of fatigue; altered extension and flexion angular velocities with onset of fatigue; and increasing stride duration and decreasing stride frequency with onset of fatigue. The method allowed a preliminary but comprehensive characterization of the dynamic relationship between MCPJ kinematics and fatigue, prompting the need for multisubject studies that may enhance our ability to moderate exercise-related distal limb injury in equine athletes.

Effect of work on body language of ranch horses in Brazil.

The horses' responses to exercise are commonly monitored using physiological variables, nonetheless physical and mental states can also be expressed through body language. The aims of this study were: (i) to identify how facial expressions and other behavioural variables change in ranch horses after a routine workday, and (ii) to investigate if these changes can be used as indicators of physical tiredness by relating them to known variables of physical fitness and workload. Fourteen crossbred ranch horses were assessed pre- and post-workday on two farms, recording the body language, physiological and workload variables. Statistical analysis consisted of four stages: (i) comparisons between the sampling times (pre- vs post-workday) using linear mixed-effects models with repeated measures and a paired Wilcoxon test; (ii) selection of the most powerful variables by applying Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test and principal components analyses (PCA); (iii) evaluations of the relationships within these selected variables utilizing PCA and Spearman rank coefficients; and (iv) identifying a critical level of the most robust behavioural indicators using a non-hierarchical cluster analysis. Results showed that after a workday the horses increased the frequency/duration of body language indicative of resting. They also decreased the frequency/duration of body language indicative of attention and movements to avoid flies. However, some of these behaviours are also shown when horses are in pain, leading us to suggest that some ranch horses were probably experiencing a combination of of tiredness and slight soreness. Of particular interest, because of the ease with which it can be assessed on the farm and generalized to other situations, we suggest that the frequency of shifting weight between the forelegs has potential to be used as an indicator of physical tiredness in horses. The results can also be used in the development of tools to improve the welfare of ranch horses as well as horses used in other activities, although more research is needed to validate this assumption.

The hot water extract and active components nicotinamide and guanosine of the leather carp Cyprinus carpio nudis improve exercise performance in mice.

We identified the main active, exercise performance-enhancing compounds in a hot water extract of the leather carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus, as nicotinamide and guanosine. Mice were fed casein (30 mg/ml) enriched with nicotinamide (0.1 mg/ml) and guanosine (0.05 mg/ml) once daily for a week at 10 µl/g body weight. Swimming endurance (57%) and forelimb grip strength (21%) were increased significantly. The diet had little effect on body weight. After the swimming exercise, the blood glucose and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly higher (137% and 131%, respectively) than in the saline controls. The blood lactate level was 90% of that in the controls. The estimated amount of nicotinamide in the carp fillet was 26.2 mg/kg. These results suggest that the triple combination of casein with nicotinamide and guanosine improves exercise performance and delays the onset of fatigue, supporting the traditional use of carp extract in healthcare as a tonic soup. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The triple-combination of casein (30 mg/ml) + nicotinamide (0.1 mg/ml) + guanosine (0.05 mg/ml) significantly enhanced the exercise performance and anti-fatigue in mice, supporting the traditional use of carp extract in healthcare as a tonic soup.

Parity Influences the Demeanor of Sows in Group Housing.

Across the globe, producers are moving from individual housing to group housing for sows during gestation. Producers typically group sows of a range of parities together, although the impacts are largely unknown. This study examined the behavioral expression at mixing for young, midparity, and older sows. Ten mixed-parity groups were filmed at mixing on a commercial piggery. One-minute clips were edited from continuous footage where focal sows of known parity could be identified, and scored for qualitative behavioral expression. Parity 2 and 6 sows were more calm/tired than Parity 4 sows, who were more active/energetic. Parity 2 sows were more curious/inquisitive than Parity 4 and 6 sows, who were more anxious/frustrated. Correlations between qualitative behavioral expression and activity indicated sows scored as more calm/tired spent a greater proportion of time standing, while sows scored as more active/energetic spent more time performing avoidance behavior. Different body language is likely to reflect physical or affective differences in how sows cope with mixing.

Lactate minimum underestimates the maximal lactate steady-state in swimming mice.

The intensity of lactate minimum (LM) has presented a good estimate of the intensity of maximal lactate steady-state (MLSS); however, this relationship has not yet been verified in the mouse model. We proposed validating the LM protocol for swimming mice by investigating the relationship among intensities of LM and MLSS as well as differences between sexes, in terms of aerobic capacity. Nineteen mice (male: 10, female: 9) were submitted to the evaluation protocols for LM and MLSS. The LM protocol consisted of hyperlactatemia induction (30 s exercise (13% body mass (bm)), 30 s resting pause and exhaustive exercise (13% bm), 9 min resting pause and incremental test). The LM underestimated MLSS (mice: 17.6%; male: 13.5%; female: 21.6%). Pearson's analysis showed a strong correlation among intensities of MLSS and LM (male (r = 0.67, p = 0.033); female (r = 0.86, p = 0.003)), but without agreement between protocols. The Bland-Altman analysis showed that bias was higher for females (1.5 (0.98) % bm; mean (MLSS and LM): 4.4%-6.4% bm) as compared with males (0.84 (1.24) % bm; mean (MLSS and LM): 4.5%-7.5% bm). The error associated with the estimated of intensity for males was lower when compared with the range of means for MLSS and LM. Therefore, the LM test could be used to determine individual aerobic intensity for males (considering the bias) but not females. Furthermore, the females supported higher intensities than the males. The differences in body mass between sexes could not explain the higher intensities supported by the females.

Cattle handling technique can induce fatigued cattle syndrome in cattle not fed a beta adrenergic agonist.

Angus crossbred steers (n = 40; 563 ± 44 kg) were used to examine the effects of handling method and fat thickness on the blood chemistry and physiology of market steers. Steers were blocked by backfat (BF) thickness and were randomly assigned to treatment groups: low-stress handling (LSH) and aggressive handling (AH). Cattle were then ran¬domly assigned to one of 5 blocks containing 4 steers from the LSH and AH treatments. Steers in the LSH treatment were walked and AH cattle were run through a course of 1,540 m. Blood samples were obtained via jugular venipuncture before handling (BASE), at 770 m (LAP1), at 1,540 m (LAP2), and at1 h (1H) and 2 h (2H) after finishing the course. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma lactate (LAC), creatinine kinase (CK), base excess (BE), blood pH (pH), serum cortisol (CORT) concentrations, and venous carbon dioxide (PvCO2) and oxygen (PvO2) pressures. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (TEMP) were measured at the same intervals. Cattle in the AH treatment had greater ( < 0.05) LAC than those in LSH at BASE (4.1 vs. 3.0 mmol/L), LAP1 (16.5 vs. 2.3 mmol/L), LAP2 (22.3 vs. 2.4 mmol/L), 1H (7.2 vs. 2.7 mmol/L), and 2H (4.0 vs. 2.5 mmol/L), respectively. Creatinine kinase and RR were not different (P > 0.14). Blood pH in AH cattle was decreased compared with that in LSH cattle ( < 0.05) at LAP1 (7.25 vs. 7.45) and LAP2 (7.19 vs. 7.48) but was not different ( > 0.13) at BASE, 1H, or 2H. Heart rate and TEMP were increased in AH cattle compared to LSH ( > 0.01). Serum cortisol was increased ( < 0.05) in AH compared to that in LSH cattle at LAP1 (87.5 vs. 58.9 nmol/L), LAP2 (144.4 vs. 93.1 nmol/L), and 1H (113.5 vs. 53.1 nmol/L). Although RR was not differ¬ent between LSH and AH, PvCO2 was decreased in AH compared to that in LSH ( < 0.05) at LAP2 (30.6 vs. 39.3 mmHg) and PvO2 was increased at LAP1 (42.7 vs. 33.5 mmHg) and at LAP2 (51.5 vs. 36.6 mmHg). Lactate was increased in AH cattle in the thicker BF group at 1H ( < 0.05), and blood pH was decreased at LAP1, LAP2, and 1H ( < 0.05) compared to the thinner BF cohorts. Four AH steers became exhausted (EXH) and did not complete the course. Increased CK, decreased PvCO2, and muscle tremors occurred in EXH steers compared to non-exhausted AH cohorts. Results of this study show that AH causes physiologic and blood chemistry changes in steers, which can be potentially detrimental to cattle, emphasizing the need for low-stress handling practices.

Description of a novel fatigue syndrome of finished feedlot cattle following transportation.

Ensuring appropriate animal welfare is a high priority for the beef industry, and poorly defined abnormalities in the mobility of cattle at abattoirs have gained considerable attention recently. During the summer of 2013, abattoirs throughout the United States reported concerns about nonambulatory or slow and difficult to move cattle and cattle that sloughed hoof walls. This report describes various cattle that developed these mobility problems soon after arrival at an abattoir. Affected cattle had various clinical signs including tachypnea with an abdominal component to breathing, lameness, and reluctance to move. Some cattle sloughed 1 or more hoof walls while in lairage pens and were euthanized. Other cattle recovered after being rested overnight. Affected cattle had serum lactate concentration and creatine kinase activity increased from reference ranges. Histologic findings included diffuse necrosis of the epidermal laminae with degenerate collagen and perivascular infiltration of neutrophils in the underlying deep dermis, and were similar for digits that had and had not sloughed the hoof wall. With the exception of the sloughed hoof walls, the clinical signs and serum biochemical abnormalities observed in affected cattle were similar to those observed in pigs with fatigued pig syndrome, and we propose that fatigued cattle syndrome be used to describe such cattle. Although anecdotal evidence generated concern that cattle fed the ß-adrenergic receptor agonist zilpaterol hydrochloride were at greater risk of developing mobility problems, compared with cattle not fed zilpaterol, this condition is likely multifactorial. Strategies to prevent this condition are needed to protect the welfare of cattle.