Body condition scoring in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas (Lama glama) - a scoping review.

Assessment of the body condition score (BCS) is an important tool to check the nutritional status of an animal, and thus can provide important information in herd management, but also in the veterinary examination of individual animals. In dairy farming, BCS has been recognized as an important parameter for a long time already, but over the years body condition scoring has also become more important for other species. Especially in South American camelids (SACs: alpacas and llamas), whose dense coat can hide a poor nutritional status for a long time, regular assessment of the BCS is recommended by different authors and organizations. To date, there are several instructions for the assessment of the BCS in SACs, which, however, differ significantly in some points. For a consistent approach, a total of 35 instructions for the BCS in SACs were compared in a scoping review. The spine, especially the lumbar vertebrae as well as the ribs were identified as the two main body sites recommended for assessing the BCS. Furthermore, the area between the front and rear leg and the pelvis were mentioned frequently; however, these body sites were discussed controversially. The paralumbar fossa, shoulder, and udder were only mentioned sporadically. Among the various scales, the 1-5 scale was mentioned most frequently, with the optimal BCS being 3. Nonetheless, physiological fluctuation due to breed, age, sex, pregnancy, and lactation have to be considered. The BCS should be assessed each time the animals are handled, but at least monthly. In contrast to body weight, the BCS reflects the nutritional status of an animal even after a single examination. The review showed that much of the available information on the assessment of BCS in SACs is based on practical experience rather than scientific evidence. Indeed, some of the assumptions made there might still have to be verified or modified.

Model-based exploration of hypokalemia in dairy cows.

Hypokalemia in dairy cows, which is characterized by too low serum potassium levels, is a severe mineral disorder that can be life threatening. In this paper, we explore different originating conditions of hypokalemia-reduced potassium intake, increased excretion, acid-base disturbances, and increased insulin-by using a dynamic mathematical model for potassium balance in non-lactating and lactating cows. The simulations confirm observations described in literature. They illustrate, for example, that changes in dietary intake or excretion highly effect intracellular potassium levels, whereas extracellular levels vary only slightly. Simulations also show that the higher the potassium content in the diet, the more potassium is excreted with urine. Application of the mathematical model assists in experimental planning and therefore contributes to the 3R strategy: reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experiments.

Magnesium homeostasis in cattle: absorption and excretion.

Magnesium (Mg2+) is an essential mineral without known specific regulatory mechanisms. In ruminants, plasma Mg2+ concentration depends primarily on the balance between Mg2+ absorption and Mg2+ excretion. The primary site of Mg2+ absorption is the rumen, where Mg2+ is apically absorbed by both potential-dependent and potential-independent uptake mechanisms, reflecting involvement of ion channels and electroneutral transporters, respectively. Transport is energised in a secondary active manner by a basolateral Na+/Mg2+ exchanger. Ruminal transport of Mg2+ is significantly influenced by a variety of factors such as high K+ concentration, sudden increases of ammonia, pH, and the concentration of SCFA. Impaired Mg2+ absorption in the rumen is not compensated for by increased transport in the small or large intestine. While renal excretion can be adjusted to compensate precisely for any surplus in Mg2+ uptake, a shortage in dietary Mg2+ cannot be compensated for either via skeletal mobilisation of Mg2+ or via up-regulation of ruminal absorption. In such situations, hypomagnesaemia will lead to decrease of a Mg2+ in the cerebrospinal fluid and clinical manifestations of tetany. Improved knowledge concerning the factors governing Mg2+ homeostasis will allow reliable recommendations for an adequate Mg2+ intake and for the avoidance of possible disturbances. Future research should clarify the molecular identity of the suggested Mg2+ transport proteins and the regulatory mechanisms controlling renal Mg excretion as parameters influencing Mg2+ homeostasis.

Calcium transport in bovine rumen epithelium as affected by luminal Ca concentrations and Ca sources.

The quantitative role of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract for Ca absorption, the respective mechanisms, and their regulation are not fully identified for ruminants, that is, cattle. In different in vitro experiments the forestomach wall has been demonstrated to be a major site for active Ca absorption in sheep and goats. In order to further clarify the role of the bovine rumen for Ca transport with special attention to luminal Ca concentrations, its ionic form, and pH, electrophysiological and unidirectional flux rate measurements were performed with isolated bovine rumen epithelial tissues. For Ca flux studies (Jms, Jsm) in vitro Ussing chamber technique was applied. Standard RT-PCR method was used to characterize TRPV6 and PMCA1 as potential contributors to transepithelial active Ca transport. At Ca concentrations of 1.2 mmol L(-1) on both sides of the tissues, Jms were higher than Jsm resulting under some conditions in significant Ca net flux rates (Jnet), indicating the presence of active Ca transport. In the absence of an electrical gradient, Jnet could significantly be stimulated in the presence of luminal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Increasing the luminal Ca concentrations up to 11.2 mmol L(-1) resulted in significant increases in Jms without influencing Jsm. Providing Ca in its form as respective chloride, formate, or propionate salts there was no significant effect on Jms. No transcripts specific for Ca channel TRPV6 could be demonstrated. Our results indicate different mechanisms for Ca absorption in bovine rumen as compared with those usually described for the small intestines.

Electrophysiological characterization of chloride secretion across the jejunum and colon of pigs as affected by age and weaning.

Hypersecretion of chloride can cause diarrhea, a disease frequently occurring in young pigs, particularly around weaning. We investigated the contribution of different channels to intestinal Cl(-) secretion as influenced by age and weaning. Jejunal and colonic epithelia from 4-month-old pigs and 4-week-old piglets were incubated in Ussing chambers and stimulated by carbachol and forskolin. Changes in short-circuit currents were taken as measure of electrogenic net Cl(-) secretion. DIDS or NPPB served to inhibit Ca-activated Cl(-)-channels and outwardly rectifying Cl(-)-channels (ORCC) or cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), respectively. Depolarizing the basolateral membrane allowed to examine the influence of K(+)-channels on Cl(-) secretion. Forskolin-stimulated Cl(-) secretion was mediated by CFTR. ORCC were not involved. Carbachol-induced Cl(-) secretion could be ascribed to an enhanced driving force due to the opening of K(+)-channels, whereas Ca-dependent Cl(-) channels seemed not to be involved. In jejunum, piglets showed higher Cl(-) secretion than pigs. Two days after weaning forskolin induced an I (sc) overshoot and a faster increase in G (t). In colon, Cl(-) secretion was neither influenced by age nor by weaning. The data suggest a disposition of porcine jejunum for a higher Cl(-) secretion in young and freshly weaned piglets, which might be a natural defense mechanism as well as a predisposing factor for diarrhea.

Very mild disease phenotype of congenic CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu cystic fibrosis mice.

BACKGROUND: A major boost to cystic fibrosis disease research was given by the generation of various mouse models using gene targeting in embryonal stem cells. Moreover, the introduction of the same mutation on different inbred strains generating congenic strains facilitated the search for modifier genes. From the original CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu mouse model with a divergent genetic background (129/Sv, C57BL/6, HsdOla:MF1) two inbred mutant mouse strains CF/1-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu and CF/3-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu had been generated using strict brother x sister mating. CF/1-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu and CF/3-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu mice were fertile and showed normal growth and lifespan. In this work the CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu insertional mutation was backcrossed from CF/3-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu onto the inbred backgrounds C57BL/6J and DBA/2J generating congenic animals in order to clarify the differential impact of the Cftr mutation and the genetic background on the disease phenotype of the cystic fibrosis mutant mice. Clinical and electrophysiological features of the two congenic strains were compared with those of CF/1-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu and CF/3-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu and wild type controls. RESULTS: Under the standardized housing conditions of the animal facility, the four mouse strains CF/1-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu, CF/3-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu, D2.129P2(CF/3)-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu and B6.129P2(CF/3)-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu exhibited normal life expectancy. Growth of congenic cystic fibrosis mice was comparable with that of wild type controls. All mice but D2.129P2(CF/3)-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu females were fertile. Short circuit current measurements revealed characteristic response profiles of the HsdOla:MF1, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J backgrounds in nose, ileum and colon. All cystic fibrosis mouse lines showed the disease-typical hyperresponsiveness to amiloride in the respiratory epithelium. The mean chloride secretory responses to carbachol or forskolin were 15-100% of those of the cognate wild type control animals. CONCLUSION: The amelioration of the clinical features and of the basic defect that had emerged during the generation of CF/3-CftrTgH(neoim)Hgu mice was retained in the congenic mice indicating that the Cftr linkage group or other loci shared between the inbred strains contain(s) the major modifier(s) of attenuation of cystic fibrosis symptoms.

Basolateral Mg2+/Na+ exchange regulates apical nonselective cation channel in sheep rumen epithelium via cytosolic Mg2+.

High potassium diets lead to an inverse regulation of sodium and magnesium absorption in ruminants, suggesting some form of cross talk. Previous Ussing chamber experiments have demonstrated a divalent sensitive Na(+) conductance in the apical membrane of ruminal epithelium. Using patch-clamped ruminal epithelial cells, we could observe a divalent sensitive, nonselective cation conductance (NSCC) with K(+) permeability > Cs(+) permeability > Na(+) permeability. Conductance increased and rectification decreased when either Mg(2+) or both Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) were removed from the internal or external solution or both. The conductance could be blocked by Ba(2+), but not by tetraethylammonium (TEA). Subsequently, we studied this conductance measured as short-circuit current (I(sc)) in Ussing chambers. Forskolin, IBMX, and theophylline are known to block both I(sc) and Na transport across ruminal epithelium in the presence of divalent cations. When the NSCC was stimulated by removing mucosal calcium, an initial decrease in I(sc) was followed by a subsequent increase. The cAMP-mediated increase in I(sc) was reduced by low serosal Na(+) and serosal addition of imipramine or serosal amiloride and depended on the availability of mucosal magnesium. Luminal amiloride had no effect. Flux studies showed that low serosal Na(+) reduced (28)Mg fluxes from mucosal to serosal. The data suggest that cAMP stimulates basolateral Na(+)/Mg(2+) exchange, reducing cytosolic Mg. This increases sodium uptake through a magnesium-sensitive NSCC in the apical membrane. Likewise, the reduction in magnesium uptake that follows ingestion of high potassium fodder may facilitate sodium absorption, as observed in studies of ruminal osmoregulation. Possibly, grass tetany (hypomagnesemia) is a side effect of this useful mechanism.