Zinc, Copper, and Manganese Homeostasis and Potential Trace Metal Accumulation in Dairy Cows: Longitudinal Study from Late Lactation to Subsequent Mid-Lactation.

BACKGROUND: Trace metals are supplemented in cattle to prevent nutrient deficiencies. Levels supplemented to mitigate worst-case basal supply and availability scenarios can, however, result in trace metal intakes far above the nutritional requirements of dairy cows with high feed intakes. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated Zn, Mn, and Cu balance in dairy cows from late lactation through the subsequent mid-lactation, a period of 24 wk characterized by large changes in dry matter intake. METHODS: Twelve Holstein dairy cows were housed in a tie-stall from 10 wk before to 16 wk after parturition and fed 1 unique lactation diet when lactating and a dry cow diet otherwise. After 2 wk of adaptation to the facility and diet, Zn, Mn, and Cu balances were determined at weekly intervals, by calculating the difference between total intakes and complete fecal, urinary, and milk outputs, with the latter 3 fluxes quantified over a 48-h period. Repeated measure mixed models were used to evaluate the effects on trace mineral balances over time. RESULTS: The Mn and Cu balances of cows were not significantly different from 0 mg/d between 8 wk prepartum and calving (P ≥ 0.54), when dietary intake was the lowest of the period evaluated. However, when dietary intake was highest, between wk 6 and 16 postpartum, positive Mn and Cu balances were observed (80 and 20 mg/d, respectively, P ≤ 0.05). Cows were in positive Zn balance throughout the study except during the first 3 wk after calving during which the Zn balance was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Large adaptations occur in trace metal homeostasis in transition cows in response to changes in dietary intake. High dry matter intakes, associated with high milk production of dairy cows, combined with current Zn, Mn, and Cu supplementation practices may exceed regulatory homeostatic mechanisms resulting in potential body accumulation of Zn, Mn, and Cu.

Mineral and vitamin supplementation on sheep farms: a survey of practices and farmer knowledge.

Mineral and vitamin (MV) supplementation is a routine management practice in many pasture-based systems of prime lamb production. The aim of the current study was to establish the MV supplementation practices on Irish sheep farms and farmer's knowledge and opinions in relation to supplementation strategies and MV deficiencies. A survey, consisting of 22 questions, was administered to all farmers participating in the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS) in 2016 which had a sheep enterprise (n = 177). The Teagasc NFS is a stratified random sample of farms with each farm assigned a weighting factor so the results are representative of the national population of farms. Sixty-nine percent of respondents supplemented their flocks with MV in addition to concentrate feed. Twenty-two percent supplemented based on laboratory analysis results (soil, herbage, blood, or tissue analysis). Thirteen percent supplemented based on veterinary advice with only 30% of this advice based on laboratory analysis results. Sixty-five percent supplemented for reasons other than laboratory analysis or veterinary advice; mainly due to tradition and previous experience. The most common stages to supplement ewes were pregnancy (78%), lactation (61%), and pre-mating (50%). Fifty-one percent supplemented lambs post weaning. Mineral buckets (free access solidified molasses-based licks containing MV and in plastic containers) and drenching (oral dosing with MV containing liquid) were the most common methods of supplementing ewes and lambs, respectively. Generic MV products (containing multiple minerals and vitamins) were the most commonly used followed by cobalt only products. Ease of use/labor requirements and cost were the most important factors influencing choice of supplementation method. Forty-six percent rated their level of knowledge on mineral requirements of sheep as "limited or no education/knowledge". Supplementation with MV did not increase (P > 0.05) ewe productivity (number of lambs reared/ewe joined) or gross margin/ewe. It is concluded that most supplementation decisions in sheep production systems are undertaken in the absence of veterinary advice or laboratory results, therefore are not evidence based. Knowledge transfer activities need to be designed to communicate best practice as regards MV supplementation.

Evaluation of the solubility of a range of copper sources and the effects of iron & sulphur on copper solubility under rumen simulated conditions.

BACKGROUND: Antagonisms exist in vivo which inhibit copper bioavailability in ruminants. Although the antagonism between iron, sulphur and copper has been well observed in vivo in practice the mechanism by which it acts has not yet been elucidated, nor the compound it creates identified. This results in problems when trying to optimise supplementation to prevent the interaction from occurring or provide a copper source which is able to negate its effects. This work aims to establish if the antagonism between sulphur, iron and copper could be elicited under in vitro rumen replicated conditions and using a range of copper sources to investigate any differences in their participation in the interaction. METHODS: Rumen simulated conditions were used to test solubility as a proxy for bioavailability of different copper sources. Sources from ionic, hydroxy and organic compounds were tested in de-ionised water and warmed, strained rumen fluid which mimicked duration, agitation, temperature and pH of the rumen. RESULTS: All copper sources were less soluble in rumen fluid than in de-ionised water. The addition of sulphide, alone or as part of a sulphur mix with sulphate produced a pronounced reduction in solubility on each of the copper sources. The most soluble were the greatest affected. CONCLUSION: There was no indication that an in insoluble compound containing copper and iron was formed under these conditions. The intricacy of the in vivo rumen is required to elicit the reaction between copper, iron and sulphur.

A reconnaissance survey of farmers' awareness of hypomagnesaemic tetany in UK cattle and sheep farms.

Hypomagnesaemic tetany (HypoMgT) in ruminants is a physiological disorder caused by inadequate intake or impaired absorption of magnesium (Mg) in the gut. If it is not detected and treated in time, HypoMgT can cause the death of the affected animal. A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted from July 2016-2017 to assess farmers' awareness of HypoMgT in cattle and sheep in the UK. The questionnaire was distributed to farmers at farm business events and agricultural shows, and through a collaborative group of independent veterinary practices to their clients. Farmers were asked about (i) the incidence of presumed HypoMgT (PHT); (ii) their strategies to treat or prevent HypoMgT; (iii) mineral tests on animals, forage and soil, and (iv) farm enterprise type. A total of 285 responses were received from 82 cattle, 157 mixed cattle and sheep, and 46 sheep farmers, of whom 39% reported HypoMgT in their livestock, affecting 1-30 animals. Treatment and/or prevention against HypoMgT was reported by 96% respondents with PHT and 79% of those without. Mineral tests on animal, forage, and soil was conducted by 24%, 53%, and 66% of the respondents, respectively, regardless of PHT. There was a highly significant association between the use of interventions to tackle HypoMgT and the incidence of PHT (p < 0.01). The top three treatment/prevention strategies used were reported as being free access supplementation (149), in feed supplementation (59) and direct to animal treatments (drenches, boluses and injections) (45) although these did vary by farm type. Although some (9) reported using Mg-lime, no other pasture management interventions were reported (e.g., Mg-fertilisation or sward composition). Generally, the results indicate that UK farmers are aware of the risks of HypoMgT. A more integrated soil-forage-animal assessment may improve the effectiveness of tackling HypoMgT and help highlight the root causes of the problem.

Linking theory to practice in an undergraduate veterinary curriculum: students' perspectives.

Facilitated clinical relevance (FCR) at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science is a small-group educational model that promotes student-centered learning. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine students' opinions of FCR as a learning approach compared with other teaching methods; and (2) to establish if gender, year of study, or prior exposure to FCR were predictors of attitude. Questionnaires were distributed to undergraduate veterinary students (N = 185) in the first and second year of study. Students' opinions were assessed by noting their degree of agreement with seven statements using a seven-point Likert-type scale. A total of 162 students (87.6%) completed the survey instrument. The findings indicate that FCR is highly valued among the students. The majority of students regarded FCR as directly relevant for clinical preparation because it helps them to integrate pre-clinical and clinical knowledge and skills in veterinary medicine. However, commonly identified challenges were peer dominance, less cooperative facilitators, and coping with the ambiguity of knowledge and reasoning. No significant differences were detected in attitude between students in the tested variables (p > 0.05). However, being in the first year of study, being male, and having prior exposure to FCR was found to predict a negative attitude (p < 0.006). To increase students' satisfaction, effective strategies must be designed and implemented to provide support for struggling individuals.

A review of the effects of supplementary nutrition in the ewe on the concentrations of reproductive and metabolic hormones and the mechanisms that regulate folliculogenesis and ovulation rate.

This paper discusses the phenomenon of nutritional flushing in ewes whereby increased nutrition stimulates folliculogenesis and ovulation rate. In addition the paper reviews recent findings on the effects of increased levels of nutrition on the blood concentrations of reproductive and metabolic hormones in the ewe and some of the intraovarian changes that take place in response to nutritional stimulation. Finally, in the paper, we propose a model of the physiological mechanism for the nutritional stimulation of folliculogenesis and we review how closely the model fits recent published and unpublished evidence examining the mechanism of flushing. Nutritional stimulation alters the blood concentrations of some metabolic hormones. By using short-term models of nutritional flushing, we have shown that as the blood concentrations of insulin and leptin increase that of growth hormone decreases while that of IGF-I appears unaffected by the nutritional flushing. Nutritional flushing also alters the blood concentrations of some reproductive hormones. Again, using the same model, we have shown that there is a transient increase in FSH and a decrease in oestradiol concentrations in the blood. The changes in oestradiol are particularly evident in the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. In the ovary, the effect of nutrition is to stimulate folliculogenesis. These changes are associated with intra-follicular alterations in the insulin-glucose, IGF and leptin metabolic systems. The stimulation of these intra-follicular systems leads to a suppression in follicular oestradiol production. The consequence of these direct actions on the follicle is a reduced negative feedback to the hypothalamic-pituitary system and increased FSH secretion that leads to a stimulation of folliculogenesis.

Defining endometrial growth during the menstrual cycle with three-dimensional ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: To define the changes in endometrial morphometry that occur during the normal menstrual cycle and to examine the discriminatory power of volumetric analysis over conventional two-dimensional measurements in quantifying the effect of compounding factors on endometrial growth. DESIGN: The design was that of a longitudinal observational study. Subjects were seen on an alternate-day basis until ovulation and then every four days until the next menstrual period. SETTING: A University teaching hospital. POPULATION: Thirty women with regular cycles and acceptable "normal", menstrual patterns. METHODS: Three-dimensional ultrasound data were acquired and subsequently analysed by a single observer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Endometrial thickness and volume. RESULTS: Both endometrial volume and thickness increased significantly during the follicular phase (P < 0.001), reaching a plateau around the time of ovulation and remaining relatively stable throughout the luteal phase. These changes in endometrial thickness and volume were highly correlated (R(2)= 0.767; P < 0.001). Parity was associated with a significantly greater endometrial volume than nulliparity (4.159 vs 2.234 cm(3); P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study has defined the relative and absolute changes in endometrial growth, both in terms of thickness and volume, throughout the normal menstrual cycle. These data provide a reference for future three-dimensional studies investigating menstrual disorders, pathophysiological change and subfertility.