Effect of Maillard reaction products on ruminal and fecal acid-resistant E. coli, total coliforms, VFA profiles, and pH in steers.

Six ruminally cannulated Angus-cross steers (362 kg) were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design to determine effects of supplementing Maillard reaction products (MRP) on acid-resistant E. coli and coliform populations. Steers were fed roughage-based diets supplemented (DM basis) with either 10% soybean meal (SBM), 10% nonenzymatically browned SBM (NESBM), or 10% SBM top-dressed with 45 g of a lysine-dextrose Maillard reaction product (LD-MRP). Equal weights of dextrose, lysine hydrochloride, and deionized water were refluxed to produce the LD-MRP. The NESBM was manufactured by treating SBM with invertase enzyme, followed by heating to induce nonenzymatic browning. Steers were allowed slightly less than ad libitum access to diets fed twice daily and were adapted to their respective treatments within 10 d. On d 11, ruminal and fecal samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 h after feeding from each of the steers and transported to the laboratory for microbial analysis. Ruminal samples and feces were analyzed for pH and VFA, and both ruminal fluid and feces were tested for acid-resistant E. coli and total coliforms by incubating samples in tryptic soy broth adjusted to pH 2, 4, and 7. Ruminal pH and total VFA concentrations did not differ among treatments. The molar proportion of ruminal acetate was higher (P < 0.05) for steers receiving NESBM than for steers receiving SBM and LD-MRP. At pH 4, steers that received NESBM had lower (P < 0.05) ruminal populations of E. coli and total coliforms than steers that received SBM. No differences were observed for ruminal E. coli and total coliforms at pH 2 and 7. Fecal pH was lower (P < 0.05) for steers fed NESBM than for steers fed SBM or LD-MRP. Molar proportions of fecal acetate were lower (P < 0.05) and proportions of butyrate and isovalerate were higher (P < 0.05) for steers fed NESBM compared with steers fed SBM. Fecal E. coli at pH 4 was lower (P < 0.05) for steers fed NESBM than for steers fed LD-MRP. Fecal E. coli and total coliforms at pH 2 and 7 did not differ among treatments. Dietary MRP had limited effectiveness at decreasing acid-resistant coliforms in the rumen and feces of cattle. Acid resistance in coliforms may depend on protein availability.

Error in hematocrit of EDTA-preserved whole blood from black bears caused by delayed analysis.

Hematocrit values for K3EDTA-preserved whole blood from black bears (Ursus americanus) were found to increase during refrigerated storage causing error in delayed laboratory analysis. This error was quantified using a regression type model based on repeated hematocrit testing of 66 blood samples over time. The model proved to fit quite well and provided corrected-to-day-zero hematocrit values for 42 samples from which day-zero values were not available.

Sex identification of white-tailed deer using frozen venison.

Fluids from frozen muscle tissue taken from 449 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) were analyzed using a radioimmunoassay technique for testosterone. Comparing 309 deer sampled in early November, antlered males had significantly higher tissue testosterone levels (range = 0.18 to 16.00 ng/mL) than females (range = 0.00 to 0.18 ng/mL) while antlerless (fawn) males overlapped both groups (range = 0.00 to 0.68 ng/mL). Samples taken from 132 deer from January through August showed no differences among ages or sexes. Antlered males can be differentiated from females during the breeding season.

Hematology and serum chemistry of bobcats in northcentral Minnesota.

Hematology and serum chemistry values were determined for 27 (18 male, 9 female) wild-caught bobcats (Felis rufus Schreber) greater than or equal to 1.0 yr old from northcentral Minnesota. Most blood parameters were similar to normal values for both captive bobcats and domestic cats. Deviations from these normals were likely the result of capture stress, nutritional status, and/or reproductive condition.