Energy and protein levels in dairy cow diets to recover milk ethanol stability.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of energy and protein in the diet on the recovery of milk ethanol stability (MES) induced by feed restriction. Twelve Holstein and Holstein × Jersey crossbred cows with an average of 146 ± 50 DIM, 575.4 ± 70 kg of BW, and 18.93 ± 5.46 kg/d of milk yield were distributed in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with 3 treatments and 3 experimental periods. Each experimental period lasted 24 d, comprising 3 phases: a 13-d adaptation phase (100E+100P), a 4-d induction phase for milk ethanol instability (50E+50P), and a 7-d recovery phase for MES (3 treatments). The 3 treatments during the recovery phase consisted of 3 diets aiming to meet the requirements of energy and protein (100E+100P), only energy (100E+50P), or only protein (50E+100P). The diet during the adaptation and induction phases was common for all cows. The energy and protein levels to meet each cow's requirements were based on the group average. Restriction of energy and protein reduced DM, CP, and total digestive nutrient intake for cows fed 100E+50P and 50E+100P. The lowest BW was observed for cows fed 50E+100P, with no difference for BCS. During the induction phase, MES was reduced by 9 percentage units. Cows fed 100E+100P recovered MES in the first days of the recovery phase, whereas 100E+50P slightly improved MES, and 50E+100P had a constant decrease in MES. Cows fed 100E+50P and 50E+100P produced, respectively, 3.6 and 5.9 kg less milk than those fed 100E+100P. The 50E+100P treatment exhibited the highest milk fat content and SCS, along with the lowest milk lactose content. Protein content was higher in the 100E+100P treatment. Cows fed 50E+100P showed higher serum albumin levels compared with those on the 100E+100P treatment, not differing from the 100E+50P treatment. We concluded that the complete recovery of MES in cows with feed restrictions is possible only by supplying both the energy and protein requirements in the cows' diet. However, restricting energy intake poses a greater limitation on MES recovery compared with restricting protein.

Risk factors for the occurrence of new and chronic cases of subclinical mastitis in dairy herds in southern Brazil.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the risk factors for new and chronic subclinical intramammary infections (IMI) using the monthly somatic cells count of dairy cows. The study took place at 30 dairy herds with approximately 1,700 cows in lactation. Data characterizing the dairy farms and their milking management were obtained from a survey questionnaire. The somatic cells count values from 2 consecutive months were used to classify cows as either healthy or with new or chronic infections. A chi-squared test was used in the analysis of subclinical IMI to evaluate associations between each independent variable, followed by logistic regression to estimate the risk of a new infection in healthy cows and of chronic infection in cows with new infections. Factors increasing the odds ratio of a cow developing a new case of subclinical mastitis were (1) cows with more than 3 lactations, (2) cows with a mean hyperkeratosis score above 3, (3) cows with the udder below the hock, (4) cows with very dirty udders, and (5) milking of infected animals before healthy cows. Factors increasing the risk of a subclinical chronic infection compared with new cases of subclinical mastitis were (1) a lack of regular maintenance of milking machinery, (2) cows over 100 d in lactation, and (3) cows with the udder on or below the hock. The risk factors identified in this study can be used in IMI control programs to reduce the frequency of new and chronic cases of subclinical mastitis.

Access to shade changes behavioral and physiological attributes of dairy cows during the hot season in the subtropics.

The effect of shade on behavior and physiological attributes of grazing cows in a high altitude subtropical zone is not well established. This work aimed to investigate how social and ingestive behaviors, as well as physiological and other attributes of dairy cows such as milk production, change in a subtropical environment during the hot season either with or without free access to shade. Fourteen lactating cows were kept on pasture either with no shade or with free access to shade for 5 days and their behavior was recorded with instantaneous scan sampled every 10 min, from sunrise, 0530 h (Greenwich mean time, GMT-0200 h) to sunset, 2100 h (GMT-0200 h). Behavior traits included (1) time spent in activities such as grazing, ruminating, resting, lying, standing, walking, seeking shade and staying in the proximity to the water trough and (2) number of events such as water ingestion, aggressive interactions, as well as competition for shade and water. Physiological attributes such as heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, number of rumen movements, panting score, as well as milk yield, were evaluated. Time spent in behavioral activities, number of behavioral events and physiological attributes varied between groups (with and without access to shade). Cows with no shade showed increased respiratory and heart rates and panting score at 1300 h, higher values for time of permanence near the water trough, number of competition and aggression events for shade. On the other hand, they showed lower values for time spent resting while lying, ruminating while standing, seeking shade. Access to shade did not change time spent lying, standing, walking with the head up, ruminating while lying, resting while standing, as well as milk yield and number of ruminal movements. Significant interactions between access to shade and days of measurements were detected for time spent walking, ruminating, grazing, resting, number of water ingestion events, competition events near the water trough and for shade, as well as for rectal temperature and panting score measured at 1700 h. In the high altitude subtropical region, access to shade minimizes negative heat stress effects on behavior and physiological aspects of dairy cows.

[Pathological changes of the chemosensory function in multiple sclerosis - an MRI study]. / Pathologische Veränderungen der Chemosensorik mittels Kernspintomografie bei Multipler Sklerose - eine MRT-Studie.

PURPOSE: To examine possible causes for olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in MS patients in a prospective study with MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 MS patients (21 women, 11 men, 22 - 65 years, Ø 42 years) were examined by MRI. The olfactory bulb (OB) and olfactory brain volume was correlated with the number and volume of MS lesions in the olfactory brain and the non-olfactory brain. Olfactory testing was performed using the Threshold-Discrimination-Identification Test (TDI), and gustatory function was tested using the Taste-Strips-Test (TST). RESULTS: 33 % of the MS patients displayed olfactory dysfunction (8 % of the control group), and 17 % displayed gustatory dysfunction (5 % of the control group). There was a correlation between the olfactory brain volume and the number (r = -0.38, p < 0.05) and volume (r = -0.38, p < 0.05) of MS lesions in the olfactory brain. The olfactory brain volume correlated with the number of MS lesions in the non-olfactory brain (r = -0.48, p < 0.05). The volume of the left OB correlated with the volume of MS lesions in the olfactory brain (r = -0.42, p < 0.05), the number (r = 0.37, p < 0.05) and volume (r = 0.4, p < 0.05) of lesions in the left part of the olfactory brain and with the TST score (r = -0.45, p < 0.05). The TST score correlated with the volume of lesions in the left (r = -0.45, p < 0.05) and right part (r = -0.53, p < 0.05) of the olfactory brain. The TST score correlated with the number of lesions in the non-olfactory brain (r = -0.48, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The correlation between a higher number and volume of MS lesions in the olfactory brain with a decreased OB and olfactory brain volume could help to explain olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in MS patients. Just the left OB correlated with the number and volume of lesions in the olfactory brain. Manual segmentation was a suitable method for measuring OB and olfactory brain volume.