[ novel farm technology to quantify dairy cow cervix morphology: oestrus versus non-oestrus models]

The objective was to quantify and compare cow cervical morphology on oestrus vs. non-oestrus days using a new farm technology. The cervical tissues were videotaped using a cervixscope involving new camera equipment in four Holstein cows on multiple oestrus and non-oestrus days to score tissue morphology as altered by oestrus. The non-oestrous days were in diestrus phases. The videotaped records were processed in a computer installed with an image processing software. Cervix central positioning, movements, mucosal secretions, and clarity in the captured images were scored visually, each on a 5-point basis. Cervical regions were significantly more discrete, more mucosal, more central, and more stable on standing oestrus days than on non-oestrus days. During standing oestrus, the cervix was lucidly visible and rigidly positioned in the central end of vagina, whereas non-oestrus cervices were unstable and hardly separable from surrounding tissues. Findings demonstrate the on-farm feasibility of the novel inexpensive cervixscope as a farm management tool for quantifying cervix morphology

Effects of supplementation with sodium caseinate of early lactation diet on performance, digestibility, microbial nitrogen flow, and nitrogen efficiency in Holstein cows

Performance, digestibility of nutrients, microbial nitrogen flow [MNF] and nitrogen efficiency [NE] in early lactating Holstein cows were investigated by diet supplementation with sodium caseinate [CN]

Multiparous lactating Holstein cows [n = 15] with an average body weight of 638 kg and 21 days in milk were assigned to a completely randomized design [five cows per treatment] and fed a basal diet with different CN levels [treatments 1, 2, and 3, contained 0, 50, and 100, g/d/head CN, respectively]. The study lasted 49 days [first 14 days for adaptation and the last 35 days for collection of data]

There were no statistical differences in dry matter intake, milk yield, milk lactose yield, and protein yield with CN supplementation

3.5% fat corrected milk yield was increased by CN supplementation [P<0.05] Digestibility of ADF was increased by CN supplementation [P<0.05]

The higher level of CN affected MNF was estimated by spot urine sampling technique [P<0.05]

Predicted N excretion through urine was affected [P<0.05]; however, there was no effect of CN supply on predicted N excretion through faeces. In conclusion, the results indicated that although supplementation with CN improved MNF, negligible effects on performance of the cows were observed. Furthermore, increased milk urea nitrogen [MUN] concentration and predicted urine N excretion revealed the lower NE in early lactating dairy cows supplemented with CN compared with control treatment?

[ effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae and lactic acid producing bacteria on digestibility, rumen and blood parameters of sheep]

Various probiotic products have been used in ruminant nutrition over the past decade. Some of them had positive effects on animal production. Present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus subtilis mixture on digestibility, rumen and blood parameters of 4 fistulated varamini sheeps. Animals fed with 4 diets during 4 periods using a 2x2 factorial arrangement in a change-over design. First factor included two sources of forages [alfalfa hay and corn silage] and second factor included two levels of above probiotic mixture [0 and 5 gr/day/head]. Digestibility of diets were measured by acid insoluble ash as marker. Blood samples were taken at 0 and 4 hours after feeding via jugular vein to determine concentration of CO2, pH, LDH and Glucose. Also ruminal liquor samples were taken at 0 and 4 hours after feeding to determine rumen pH and concentration of N-NH3 and volatile fatty acids. The results showed that digestibility of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, organic matter and dry matter of diets were not significantly different among diets. However, digestibility of crude protein and ether extract in diets containing corn silage were lower and higher than alfalfa hay, respectively. There was no significant difference on blood metabolites of sheep fed various diets. Total volatile fatty acids in sheep fed microbial mixture were more than control group. Diets containing alfalfa hay had higher propionate and acetate concentrations than diets containing corn silage. Ruminal ammonia concentration decreased in sheep fed diets containing microbial mixture [P<0.05]. We concluded that present microbial mixture improved ruminal fermentation but could not significantly affect digestibility and blood metabolites of sheep

Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on ovarian function and prostaglandin secretion in lactating dairy cows

As lactating cows in severe negative energy balance have poor reproductive performance, the effect of dietary fat supplementation [fish oil, soybean oil] on PGFM secretion, ovarian function and blood metabolites is investigated. In this experiment, the effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on plasma metabolites, ovarian function and prostaglandin secretion of 20 primiparous Holstein cows was studied. The cows were randomly allocated to one of four groups that were fed either: 1] a control diet; 2] a diet with 3% [Feed dry matter basis] fish oil; 3] a diet with 3% soybean oil; or 4] a diet with 1.5% fish oil and 1.5% soybean oil. Groups were synchronized using the heat-synch method and were fed their respective diets for 35 days, allowing 14 days for dietary adaptation and 21 days for data collection. Concentration of plasma glucose, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol were not affected by the treatments, but plasma total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in cows that consumed the oil-containing diets [p < 0.05].The number of follicles, corpus luteum size and plasma estradiol, progesterone and prostaglandin F[2a] metabolite [PGFM] concentrations were similar across all treatments. However, the size of the largest follicle was significantly greater in cows that consumed a diet containing fish oil or soybean oil [p < 0.05]. These results suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids can influence both ovarian and uterine function in cows, but further studies are required to test their effects on dairy cow reproduction

[Risk factors of kernicterus; a study in 312 icteric neonates]

Kernicterus, also known as bilirubin encephalopathy, is a neurologic syndrome resulting from the deposition of unconjugated bilirubin in the basal ganglia and brainstem nuclei. Indirect bilirubin is toxic for brain. Neurologic dysfunction [BIND] that include acute phase [hyperbilirubin encephalopathy] and chronic phase [Kernicterus] resulting from hyperbilirubinemia and disruption of blood brain barrier. In this study, the association between bilirubin encephalopathy and risk factors was evaluated. In this retrospective study, 312 icteric neonates were admitted in the neonatal ward of Children's Hospital, Medical Center, Tehran, and 305 of these cases were evaluated. Patient histories were taken and physical examinations were performed. For each patient, the age, sex, birth weight, time of discharge from the hospital and risk factors were recorded, and a questionnaire was completed. In this study, of the 305 icteric neonates evaluated, 25 cases had kernicterus. Risk factors included acidosis, prematurity, hemolysis, hypoglycemia, sepsis, respiratory distress, low birth weight, ABO incompatibility and G6PD deficiency. The mean level of bilirubin in cases of kernicterus was 32 mg/dl and in the others was 20 mg/dl [p=0.001]. Kernicterus was most common among high risk neonates [p<0.001]. Birth weight less than 2,500 gm was also an important factor [p=0.04]. High-risk neonates need prompt treatment for hyperbilirubinemia compared to low risk neonates

[Lactation performance and lamb growth in ghezel breed]

To determine Lactation performance and lamb growth of Ghezel breed. Factorial 2x2. Twenty uniparous Ghezel ewes [4-5 year-old]. During the suckling period [15 weeks] milk was collected daily by a combined lamb-suckling and hand milking from weaning to the end of lactation. Average lactation length and total milk yield were 163.5+/- 23.2 days and 145.1 +/- 23.2 kg, respectively. Daily milk yield during the suckling and post weaning periods averaged 1210 +/- 140 g and 320 +/- 70 g, respectively. Peak of production was achieved at the second week of lactation and declined gradually thereafter, with an immediate sudden drop following weaning. The mothers of suckling ram lambs produced more milk compared to those suckling ewe lambs. Milk production and lactation length were higher in five years old ewes than the 4 years old ewes [P<0.05]. It seems that Ghezel ewes have a good potential for milk production. Moreover, because of the favorable Lactation of the mothers their lamb growth is satisfactory

Clinical outcome of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis [APSGN] in Iranian children

Recently, the prognosis of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis [APSGN] has been reported as improved compared with the results of previous studies. In an attempt to clarify this in Iranian children, we analyzed the clinical course of patients with APSGN. In this retrospective study, a total of 53 children diagnosed as having APSGN according to the presence of hematuria and/or proteinuria, evidence of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection, transient hypocomplementemia and absence of clinical or histological evidence of previous renal disease were studied in our department between March 1986 to September 2002. Fifty-three children, 19 females and 34 males, aged 3-13 years [mean 8.7 years] were enrolled in the study. All children had hematuria, proteinuria and decreased serum complement. There were no patients with renal dysfunction, but one case with nephritic syndrome. Forty-three [81%] had hypertension according to Second Task Force criteria. Blood pressure [BP] was normal in the remaining 10 [19%] patients. Eight children were lost for the follow-up examination. Two patients received renal biopsy. Both biopsies were abnormal showing mild changes with corresponding immunologic findings. Forty-five children were reassessed after an average of 5 months [range 1 month to 66 months]. At the last follow-up all of these children were in good physical health. The BP, serum creatinine, and complement levels were within normal limits. These findings indicated that the prognosis of APSGN during childhood is excellent, when adequately recognized and received supportive measures in the treatment, including control of high blood pressure and chemical imbalance in acute phase of disease. Additionally, according to our results, we could predict a favorable prognosis and reassure the family

pilot plant for the biogas production

Manure and Putreseible garbage are some of the main sources of pathogenic germs in countryside's. On the other hand, demand for fertilizer and energy increases in rural areas every day. To study Potential of cow manure for these requirements a 16,5m3 pilot plant was designed and constructed as fermentation tank near animal husbandry of karaj Agriculture Faculty. Some 260kg cow manure and water with the ratio of 4 and 7 was fed to fermentation tank every day. Average daily biogas production was 3.4m3, which was burned successfully in a gas range. Gas production was reduced by 86% during coldest winter days. Design for control of gas pressure and reservation of excessive gas was successful. Concentration of nitrate in sludge increased by 1.6 folds compared to row material. Some bacteria and Parasites were reduced drastically