Evaluation of the electrolyte status in hyperprolific sows on the farrowing process under different housing conditions.

In order to expand previous knowledge about the farrowing process of hyperprolific sows, the effect of calcium, magnesium and phosphor concentration in the blood and the importance of husbandry were examined. The study was performed in a small educational agriculture institution in Germany comprising 61 sows of a hyperprolific hybrid line (BHZP db.Viktoria). The sows were either kept in farrowing crates (n = 36) or pens (n = 25). Blood samples were taken every 30 min during the farrowing process, using a central venous catheter (Cavafix Certo®, 16G, 32 cm, B. Braun SE, Melsungen, Germany) placed in an ear vein. Samples for ionized calcium concentration (Caion) were analyzed directly using epoc® BGEM test cards (Alere GmbH, Cologne, Germany). Samples for total calcium (Catot), magnesium (Mg) and phosphor concentration (Pi) were deep-frozen (minus 80 °C, Innova® U202, Eppendorf SE, Hamburg, Germany) for photometric analysis at a later date. With an average farrowing duration of 267.6 ± 108.1 min (min. 71, max. 602 min), an average of 17.2 ± 4.2 piglets were born. Eutocic farrowing duration was 193.1 ± 75.2a minutes. Dystocic farrowing duration was 324.9 ± 94.1b minutes (a:b p < 0.0001). Farrowing duration did not differ between housing conditions (277.1 ± 117.4 min in crates, 275.0 ± 99.0 min in pens, p > 0.05). Dystocic farrowings were characterized by the occurrence of (at least) one time lapse of more than 60 min without piglet expulsion. In general, 35 of 61 sows suffered from dystocic parturition and received obstetrical intervention. 20 of 36 (55.6%) crate housed sows and 15 of 25 (60%) sows in pens experienced dystocic parturition (p > 0.05). Catot measured at the beginning of the expulsion stage had a prognostic value for the rest of the farrowing process. Above a threshold value of 2.385 mmol/l, eutocic parturition could be expected, while sows with a lower Catot value generally suffered from dystocic farrowings. Also, sows with eutocia had significantly higher Catot values during parturition than sows with dystocia (p = 0.001). The beginning of the lactation period was characterized by a rise in Caion (1.17 ± 0.04 to 1.21 ± 0.06 mmol/l; p < 0.0001). Mg was significantly higher before than during farrowing (p = 0.0003). During parturition, Mg decreased gradually from 0.86 ± 0.1 to 0.84 ± 0.1 mmol/l. Afterwards, Mg values showed an 18.45% increase. Sows without farrowing complications showed significantly higher Mg than those suffering from dystocia (p = 0.024). The same significant trend was observed for Pi (p = 0.002). The deficiencies in Catot/ion, Mg and Pi led to insufficient contractions and thus to farrowing problems. Parturition in the pen showed a general positive effect on the well-being of the sows and a stabilizing influence on the metabolic conditions compared to parturition in the crate. Sows in pens had higher Catot (p = 0.055) and Mg (p = 0.0004). In conclusion, the results provide clear evidence that a large proportion of hyperprolific sows suffer from previously unknown deficiencies electrolyte homeostasis around and during parturition, which is reflected by the large number of dystocic farrowings and the deficiencies in electrolyte concentrations during dystocia.

Effects of different feeding levels during a 14-week preweaning phase in dairy heifer calves on telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number in blood.

Telomeres cap the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, and the telomere length (TL) is related to cellular age. The mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) reflects the abundance of mitochondria in a cell. In addition to generating energy, mitochondria are also the main producers of reactive oxygen species, which in turn can accelerate TL attrition and impair mitochondrial function. Nutrition in early life could influence mtDNAcn and TL in later life. In the present study, we investigated the effects of feeding different levels of milk replacer (MR) on TL shortening and energetic status by examining mtDNAcn of heifers during their first year of life. In this study, whole blood samples were obtained from German Holstein heifer calves 36 to 48 h after birth (wk 1) and at wk 12 and wk 16 of life (n = 37), as well as from 31 calves when reaching 1 yr of age. Calves were fed either a high level of MR (14% solids) at 10 L/d (1.4 kg of MR/d; n = 18) or a restrictive low level at 5.7 L/d (0.8 kg of MR/d; n = 19) until linear weaning in wk 13 to 14 of life. Additional whole blood samples were taken from their respective dams 36 to 48 h after calving. Relative TL (qT) and mtDNAcn in cells from whole blood were measured by multiplex quantitative PCR. The greatest qT values were observed in neonates (36-48 h after birth), with decreasing qT values thereafter. Delta qT values were calculated as ΔqT = qT (first year of life) - initial qT (36-48 h after birth). We found no effect of the feeding regimen on qT values, but qT decreased with age. The mtDNAcn was lowest in neonates, increased until wk 12 of life, and then remained at a constant level until after weaning (wk 16). After the first year of life, mtDNAcn was decreased and returned to levels comparable to those of the neonatal stage. No differences in mtDNAcn were detectable between feeding groups within each time point. When comparing the values of qT and mtDNAcn between the calves and their dams after calving (36-48 h after birth and after calving), greater values were observed in calves than in dams. Delta qT values were negative in all but 2 calves (on the restricted diet), indicating that the change in TL with age was not uniform among individual animals, whereas no difference in mean ΔqT values occurred between the feeding groups. Additional analyses of the correlation between qT, mtDNAcn, and various indicators of oxidative status from birth until wk 16 of life did not indicate major interactions between oxidative status, qT and mtDNAcn. The results of this study support an age-dependent decrease of TL in calves independent of the MR feeding level and show the dynamic changes of mtDNAcn in early life.

Effects of restricted dietary phosphorus supply during the dry period on productivity and metabolism in dairy cows.

Phosphorus in bovine nutrition is under ongoing scrutiny because of concerns with excessive amounts of P excreted in manure contributing to environmental pollution. Feeding rations with excessive P content, however, still remains common practice, particularly during the transition period, as limited P supply in late gestation and early lactation is thought to present a risk for health and productivity of high-yielding dairy cows. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of restricted P supply during the last 4 wk of pregnancy on Ca and P homeostasis during the transition period in high-yielding dairy cows, and to identify possible effects on metabolism and productivity throughout the following lactation. Thirty late-pregnant multiparous dairy cows were randomly assigned to either a dry cow diet with low (LP) or adequate P (AP) content [0.16 and 0.30% P in dry matter (DM), respectively] to be fed in the 4 wk before calving. After calving all cows received the same ration with adequate P content (0.46% P in DM). Blood, milk, and liver tissue samples were obtained during the dry period and the following lactation, DM intake (DMI), body weight, milk production, and disease occurrence were monitored. Plasma was assayed for the concentrations of P, Ca, Na, and K, metabolic parameters, and liver enzyme activities. Liver tissue was analyzed for mineral, triglyceride, cholesterol, and water contents. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to identify treatment, time, and treatment × time interaction effects. Cows fed LP had lower plasma P concentrations ([Pi]) than AP cows during restricted P feeding, reaching a nadir of 1.1 mmol/L immediately before calving. After calving, plasma [Pi] of LP cows was at or above the level of AP cows and within the reference range for cattle. Symptoms assumed to be associated with hypophosphatemia were not observed, but plasma Ca was higher from 1 wk before to 1 wk after calving in LP cows, which was associated with a numerically lower incidence of clinical and subclinical hypocalcemia in LP cows. Both treatments had a similar 305-d milk yield (12,112 ± 1,298 kg for LP and 12,229 ± 1,758 kg for AP cows) and similar DMI. Plasma and liver tissue biochemical analysis did not reveal treatment effects on energy, protein, or lipid metabolism. The results reported here indicate that restricted dietary P supply during the dry period positively affected the Ca homeostasis of periparturient dairy cows but did not reveal negative effects on DMI, milk production, or metabolic activity in the following lactation. Restriction of P during the dry period was associated with hypophosphatemia antepartum but neither exacerbated postparturient hypophosphatemia, which is commonly observed in fresh cows, nor was associated with any clinical or subclinical indication of P deficiency in early lactation.

[Critical retrospective evaluation of the treatment of 400 patients with laryngeal cancer]. / Kritische Rückschau auf die Behandlung von 400 Patienten mit Larynxkarzinom.

This retrospective study deals with the outcome of 401 patients with laryngeal carcinoma who were treated between 1975 and 1986 either by operation alone or by operation and irradiation. The patients as a group, the concepts of treatment, and the course of disease as found retrospectively are described. T and N categories are compared with the respective pT and pN categories: T and pT categories corresponded in 83.3% of the cases while there was only a 67.4% correspondence between each N and pN category. The survival rates using the Kaplan-Meier estimation according to the localization and extension of laryngeal tumor, pN category and method of resection are discussed in detail.