A 100-Year Review: Calf nutrition and management.

The first calf paper, published in the May 1919 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science (JDS), described factors affecting birth body weight of different breeds of calves. Other studies were done on nonmilk ingredients, growth charts were developed, and early weaning was followed to conserve milk fed to calves. Calf papers did not report use of statistics to control or record variation or to determine whether treatment means were different. Many experiments were more observational than comparative. Typically fewer than 5 calves, and sometimes 1 or 2 calves, were used per treatment. During the next 20 yr, calf studies increased and included colostrum feeding, milk and milk replacer feeding, minerals and vitamins, and fats and oils. Many concepts fundamental to current knowledge and understanding of digestion, rumen development, and milk replacer formulation were developed during this period. In addition, the concept of using antibiotic growth promoters in dairy calf diets was first evaluated and developed during the 1950s. During the 20-yr period of January 1957 through December 1976, a large number of universities in the United States and 1 in Canada contributed almost 150 papers on a variety of calf-related topics. These topics included genetics, physiology of the calf, review of calf immunity, antibiotic feeding, and milk replacer ingredients. This became the golden era of calf rumen development studies, which also engendered studies of calf starter rations and ingredients. A classic review of management, feeding, and housing studies summarized research related to calf feeding and management systems up to that point with an emphasis on maintaining calf growth and health while reducing labor and feed costs. It was also during this period that metric measurements replaced English units. In the 20-yr period from 1977 to 1996, more than 400 articles on calf nutrition and management were published in JDS. With the growing research interest in calves, a paper outlining standardized procedures for conducting and reporting data from calf experiments was first published. A very active area of calf nutrition research from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s was colostrum quality, feeding, and preservation; more than 60 such research articles were published in the journal during this time. Various nonmilk protein sources were evaluated. Extensive studies were done evaluating trace and major mineral requirements in calves along with some vitamin studies. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the primary objective of most calf research was how to wean healthy, adequately grown calves at an early age-generally less than 30 d of age. This program was reviewed in a 1979 publication. Research on calf starter ingredients, nutrient composition, and additives was minimal in the 1980s and 1990s given the importance of starter intake to the success of early weaning, but the role of water intake in starter intake and growth was established. Research on issues with calves continued to increase during the last 20-yr period as evidenced by publication of more than 580 articles in JDS as well as many more in other refereed journals. In addition to papers contributed by several universities in the United States and Canada, the number of papers authored by scientists at universities and institutes in other countries increased dramatically during this period. Factors influencing colostral antibody absorption, heat treatment of colostrum, and efficacy of colostrum supplements and replacers were reported. Most studies in this period related to nutrition. Studies were published supporting greater neonatal growth rates from feeding more milk replacer but with a higher crude protein content than traditional. Protein energy effects on growth and body composition were evaluated in concert with greater growth rates. Milk and nonmilk protein sources in milk replacers along with AA supplementation were evaluated. Limited studies were done with fat sources and fatty acid supplementation along with trace minerals and fat-soluble vitamins. Waste milk feeding and heat treatment became more prevalent. Studies established starter ingredient palatability and use of forage when fed with pelleted starters. With the advent of automatic milk and milk replacer feeders, factors influencing how and when to wean were established. Research programs established factors affecting calf behavior and welfare. Several databases were evaluated along with various published studies, and established calf growth during the first 2 mo was subsequently reflected in first- and later-lactation milk production of those calves. A new area of calf research that emerged from 1997 on was the effects of maternal environment and nutrition on calf health, growth, and future productivity. From a mechanistic standpoint, the field of epigenetics seems likely to explain many of these phenomena. Some possibilities for future calf nutrition and management were elaborated.

Rectus abdominis atrophy after ventral abdominal incisions: midline versus chevron.

PURPOSE: Although many outcomes have been compared between a midline and chevron incision, this is the first study to examine rectus abdominis atrophy after these two types of incisions. METHODS: Patients undergoing open pancreaticobiliary surgery between 2007 and 2011 at our single institution were included in this study. Rectus abdominis muscle thickness was measured on both preoperative and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scans to calculate percent atrophy of the muscle after surgery. RESULTS: At average follow-up of 24.5 and 19.0 months, respectively, rectus abdominis atrophy was 18.9% greater in the chevron (n = 30) than in the midline (n = 180) group (21.8 vs. 2.9%, p < 0.0001). Half the patients with a chevron incision had >20% atrophy at follow-up compared with 10% with a midline incision [odds ratio (OR) 9.0, p < 0.0001]. No significant difference was observed in incisional hernia rates or wound infections between groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, chevron incisions resulted in seven times more atrophy of the rectus abdominis compared with midline incisions. The long-term effects of transecting the rectus abdominis and disrupting its innervation creates challenging abdominal wall pathology. Atrophy of the abdominal wall can not be readily fixed with an operation, and this significant side effect of a transverse incision should be factored into the surgeon's decision-making process when choosing a transverse over a midline incision.

Invited review: palmitic and stearic acid metabolism in lactating dairy cows.

Energy is the most limiting nutritional component in diets for high-producing dairy cows. Palmitic (C16:0) and stearic (C18:0) acids have unique and specific functions in lactating dairy cows beyond a ubiquitous energy source. This review delineates their metabolism and usage in lactating dairy cows from diet to milk production. Palmitic acid is the fatty acid (FA) found in the greatest quantity in milk fat. Dietary sources of C16:0 generally increase milk fat yield and are used as an energy source for milk production and replenishing body weight loss during periods of negative energy balance. Stearic acid is the most abundant FA available to the dairy cow and is used to a greater extent for milk production and energy balance than C16:0. However, C18:0 is also intimately involved in milk fat production. Quantifying the transfer of each FA from diet into milk fat is complicated by de novo synthesis of C16:0 and desaturation of C18:0 to oleic acid in the mammary gland. In addition, incorporation of both FA into milk fat appears to be limited by the cow's requirement to maintain fluidity of milk, which requires a balance between saturated and unsaturated FA. Oleic acid is the second most abundant FA in milk fat and likely the main unsaturated FA involved in regulating fluidity of milk. Because the mammary gland can desaturate C18:0 to oleic acid, C18:0 appears to have a more prominent role in milk production than C16:0. To understand metabolism and utilization of these FA in lactating dairy cows, we reviewed production and milk fat synthesis studies. Additional and longer lactation studies on feeding both FA to lactating dairy cows are required to better delineate their roles in optimizing milk production and milk FA composition and yield.

Effects of milk replacer program fed 2 or 4 times daily on nutrient intake and calf growth.

The aims of this study were to determine if feeding frequency (FF) of milk replacer (MR; meals/d) alters starter intake, growth, and efficiency of growth in nursery calves fed a conventional or accelerated MR. We hypothesized that smaller and more frequent MR meals would increase starter intake and growth when greater amounts of MR nutrients are fed to nursery calves. Forty-eight Holstein and Holstein-cross heifer and bull calves were assigned to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of MR and FF. Treatments included (1) standard 20% CP and 20% fat MR fed at 1.5% of body weight (BW; 2 meals/d; STD2), (2) standard 20% CP and 20% fat MR fed at 1.5% of BW (4 meals/d; STD4), (3) modified 26% CP and 18% fat MR fed at 2.0% of BW (2 meals/d; MOD2), and (4) modified 26% CP and 18% fat MR fed at 2.0% of BW (4 meals/d; MOD4; n=12). All calves were fed at 0600 and 1700 h and STD4 and MOD4 calves were fed 2 additional meals at 1100 and 1400 h, resulting in the same amount of MR offered for the 2 × and 4 × treatments. Treatments were fed from d 2 to 42 of age and all MR feeding rates were adjusted weekly to maintain MR solids intakes at 1.5 or 2.0% of BW for STD and MOD diets, respectively, and were reconstituted to 15% total solids. Milk replacer FF was reduced by 50% on d 36 and calves were weaned on d 42. Calves were housed in hutches bedded with straw and offered water and a texturized 18% CP starter ad libitum. Calf body weight and body structure were measured weekly and starter intake and fecal scores were measured daily. Through both 42 and 56 d, calves fed MOD had greater CP and fat intake, resulting in increased average daily gain, heart girth, circulating nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and muscle total lipid compared with calves fed STD diets. Calves fed MOD diets consumed less starter grain than STD calves but total dry matter intake was similar among treatments. Increased FF for STD calves resulted in greater starter intake at weaning but increasing FF of MOD calves did not have this effect. Due to differences in starter intake, total dry matter by calves through d 56 was similar across treatments. Additionally, increased FF tended to increase serum NEFA concentrations. Serum NEFA concentration was negatively correlated with starter intake. The BW of calves fed STD2 and STD4 treatments almost doubled and the BW of calves on the MOD2 and MOD4 treatments doubled by d 56. Increased FF of the conventional MR program but not accelerated MR program increased starter intake. Increased FF did not affect growth, starter intake, or gain:feed ratio.

Effects of feeding wheat straw or orchardgrass at ad libitum or restricted intake during the dry period on postpartum performance and lipid metabolism.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of forage source [wheat straw (WS) or orchardgrass hay (OG)] and total amount of diet dry matter fed [ad libitum or restricted to 70% of predicted dry matter intake (DMI)] prepartum on postpartum performance. The study design was a 2×2 factorial design with 10 cows per treatment. Treatments were WS total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum, OG TMR ad libitum, WS TMR restricted, and OG TMR restricted. The WS TMR (dry matter basis) contained 30% WS, 20.7% corn silage, 10.0% alfalfa hay, 18.2% ground corn, 16.8% soybean meal, and 4.3% molasses mineral mix (14.7% CP, 1.5 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, 37.0% neutral detergent fiber). The OG TMR contained 30% OG, 46.2% corn silage, 10.0% alfalfa hay, 9.5% soybean meal, and 4.3% molasses (14.2% CP, 1.5 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, 41.0% neutral detergent fiber). Cows received 1 lactation diet after calving (17.7% CP, 1.6 Mcal/kg of net energy for lactation, 27.3% neutral detergent fiber). Total diet DMI prepartum was higher for ad libitum than for restricted as designed, but forage source had no effect on DMI. Total tract apparent digestibilities of DM and NDF were greater for OG than for WS. Postpartum DMI expressed as a percentage of body weight for the first week of lactation was higher for ad libitum than for restricted diets. Postpartum DMI during the first 30 d of lactation was higher for OG than for WS, but no effect was observed for the amount fed prepartum. Milk yield during the first week of lactation was higher for OG than for WS; however, during the first 30 d, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield and yield of milk fat were highest for OG TMR restricted and WS TMR ad libitum. Prepartum treatments had a limited effect on pre- and postpartum lipid metabolism; however, cows fed WS TMR ad libitum had the highest postpartum ß-hydroxybutyrate. Eating behavior was observed by 10-min video scans of 24-h video surveillance for 5d pre- and postpartum. Prepartum eating time and eating bouts tended to be greater by WS than for OG, and postpartum eating time per kilogram of neutral detergent fiber intake tended to be greater for WS than for OG. Results indicate that forage source and amount of DM fed prepartum affected postpartum performance and tended to alter the behavior of cows in tie-stall barns.

Short communication: Jersey × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for body weight, body condition score, fertility, and survival during the first three lactations.

Crossbred cows (n=80) resulting from the use of Jersey (JE) semen on their pure Holstein (HO) dams were compared with pure HO cows (n=77) for body weight, body condition score, fertility, and survival during their first 3 lactations. Cows were in 2 research herds of the University of Minnesota and calved from September 2003 to June 2008. The JE × HO crossbred cows had significantly less body weight during the first (-56 kg), second (-67 kg), and third (-82 kg) lactations than pure HO cows. However, JE × HO cows had significantly greater body condition score during the first (2.94 vs. 2.84), second (2.97 vs. 2.84), and third (2.99 vs. 2.87) lactations than pure HO cows. For fertility, JE × HO cows had fewer days to first breeding during the first (-10.6d), second (-8.4d), and third (-12.3d) lactations than pure HO cows. Crossbred cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for number of services during first lactation; however, JE × HO cows had significantly fewer services (2.2) than pure HO cows (2.7) during the second lactation. Also, JE × HO cows had significantly fewer days open than pure HO cows in the first (-24 d), second (-42 d), and third (-42 d) lactations. For survival, JE × HO cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for percentage of cows calving a second time; however, a tendency existed for a higher percentage of JE × HO cows (63.8%) than pure HO cows (49.4%) to calve a third time, and a higher percentage of JE × HO cows calved a third time within 28, 34, and 40 mo of first calving than pure HO cows.

Short communication: Jersey × Holstein crossbreds compared with pure Holsteins for production, mastitis, and body measurements during the first 3 lactations.

Jersey (JE)×Holstein (HO) crossbred cows (n=76) were compared with pure HO cows (n=73) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production, somatic cell score (SCS), clinical mastitis, lifetime production, and body measurements during their first 3 lactations. Cows were in 2 research herds at the University of Minnesota and calved from September 2003 to June 2008. Best prediction was used to determine actual production for 305-d lactations as well as lifetime production (to 1,220 d in the herd after first calving) from test-day observations. During first lactation, JE×HO cows and pure HO cows were not significantly different for fat plus protein production; however, JE×HO cows had significantly lower fat plus protein production during second (-25 kg) and third (-51 kg) lactation than pure HO cows. Nevertheless, JE×HO cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for lifetime production or lifetime SCS. The JE×HO cows were not significantly different from pure HO cows for SCS and clinical mastitis during first and second lactations; however, JE×HO cows tended to have higher SCS (3.79) than pure HO cows (3.40), but significantly lower (-23.4%) clinical mastitis during third lactation. The JE×HO cows had significantly less hip height, smaller heart girth, less thurl width, and less pin width than pure HO cows during the first 3 lactations. Furthermore, JE×HO cows had significantly less udder clearance from the ground and significantly greater distance between the front teats than pure HO cows during their first 3 lactations.

Birth traits of pure Holstein calves versus Montbeliarde-sired crossbred calves.

Pure Holstein calves and Montbeliarde-sired crossbred calves from multiparous Holstein dams were compared for gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth in 2 research herds of the University of Minnesota. The Montbeliarde-sired calves from multiparous Holstein dams had significantly longer gestation lengths (283.2 d) than Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (278.4 d), and Montbeliarde-sired calves from multiparous Holstein dams had significantly greater calf weight at birth (48.3kg) compared with Holstein-sired calves from Holstein dams (43.3kg). However, calves sired by Montbeliarde bulls were not significantly different from calves sired by Holstein bulls for calving difficulty and stillbirth. In addition, Jersey x Holstein crossbred cows mated to Montbeliarde artificial insemination (AI) bulls were compared with pure Holstein cows mated to Holstein AI bulls for gestation length, calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth at their first 3 calvings. Gestation length was significantly longer for Jersey x Holstein cows bred to Montbeliarde bulls than for pure Holstein cows bred to Holstein bulls at first calving (280.3 versus 277.7 d) and second and third calving (282.2 versus 278.6 d); however, Jeresy x Holstein cows bred to Montbeliarde AI bulls were not significantly different from pure Holstein cows bred to Holstein AI bulls for calf weight at birth, calving difficulty, and stillbirth at the first 3 calvings.

Water intake and dry matter intake changes as a feeding management tool and indicator of health and estrus status in dairy cows.

This study investigates whether dry matter (DM) or water intake is affected by the presence of disease or estrus in dairy cows and whether water intake can serve as an accurate substitute for monitoring changes in DM intake (DMI). A combined cumulative sum (CUSUM) and Shewhart monitoring scheme is proposed to detect DMI changes and emerging disease or estrus. Daily readings from 35 inline water meters for 35 water cups in a tie-stall barn at the University of Minnesota were collected from September 2005 until June 2006. Two cows were assigned to each water cup. Individual DMI were recorded for each of the 70 cows on the study. All drug or hoof treatments administered to the cows along with breeding and calving events were also recorded and classified as 1 of the following 6 event categories: estrus, calving, mastitis, fever, hoof treatment, and other. Analysis of covariance was used to identify factors significantly changing intake. Only the first 150 d in milk (DIM) were considered in the analysis. Six event categories plus DIM, ambient temperature, relative humidity, and parity were entered as independents into the model. Calving, primiparity, and health events categorized as "other" were associated with decreased DM and water intake. Mastitis decreased DMI and fever negatively affected water intake. Both intakes increased with DIM, and water intake decreased with increase in humidity. Covariance analysis was used to investigate the relationship between DMI and water intake. In model 1, analysis was done for a pair of cows, whereas model 2 modeled DMI of the whole group of 70 cows. Water intake, ambient temperature, humidity, and DIM were entered as independents in both models and parity was entered in model 1. Polynomial models and 2-way interactions were also considered. Water intake, ambient temperature, DIM, and DIM(2) were kept in final models 1 and 2, and parity was kept in model 1. Final models for cow pairs and a group of 70 cows resulted in R(2) of 0.50 and 0.82, respectively. The proposed CUSUM-Shewhart DMI monitoring scheme successfully detected emerging disease even in the first week of lactation. Monitoring water intake can serve as an alternative to measurements of DMI for groups of cows and has the potential of predicting change in individual cow health and estrus status.

Crossbreds of Jersey x Holstein compared with pure Holsteins for body weight, body condition score, dry matter intake, and feed efficiency during the first one hundred fifty days of first lactation.

Jersey x Holstein crossbred (JxH) cows (n = 24) were compared with pure Holstein cows (n = 17) for body weight, body condition score, dry matter intake (DMI), and feed efficiency during the first 150 d of first lactation. Cows were housed in the University of Minnesota dairy facility at the St. Paul campus and calved from September 2004 to January 2005. The JxH cows were mated by artificial insemination with Montbeliarde bulls, and Holstein cows were mated by artificial insemination with Holstein bulls. Cows were weighed and body condition was scored every other week. Cows were individually fed a TMR twice daily, and feed refusals were measured once daily. The DMI of cows was measured daily and averaged across 7-d periods. Milk production and milk composition were from monthly Dairy Herd Improvement records. Best Prediction was used to calculate actual production (milk, fat, protein) for each cow from the 4th to 150th day of first lactation. The JxH cows had significantly less body weight (467 vs. 500 kg) and significantly higher body condition scores (2.90 vs. 2.76) than pure Holstein cows. The JxH cows had significantly less milk production (4,388 vs. 4,644 kg) during the 4th to 150th day of lactation than did pure Holstein cows. However, fat plus protein production during the first 150 d of lactation was not significantly different for JxH (302 kg) and Holstein (309 kg) cows. The JxH and pure Holstein cows did not differ significantly for daily DMI (22.0 vs. 22.7 kg, respectively), and the JxH (4.7%) and pure Holstein (4.5%) cows consumed similar DMI based on percentage of body weight. Consequently, feed efficiency for the 4th to 150th day of lactation did not differ for JxH and pure Holstein cows.

Crossbreds of Jersey x Holstein compared with pure Holsteins for production, fertility, and body and udder measurements during first lactation.

Jersey x Holstein crossbreds (JxH; n = 76) were compared with pure Holsteins (n = 73) for 305-d milk, fat, and protein production; conception rate; days open; proportion of cows pregnant within fixed intervals postpartum; and body and udder measurements during first lactation. Cows were housed at 2 research locations of the University of Minnesota and calved from September 2003 to May 2005. The JxH were mated to Montbeliarde sires, and Holstein cows were mated to Holstein sires. Best Prediction was used to determine actual production (milk, fat, and protein) for 305-d lactations with adjustment for age at calving, and records less than 305 d were projected to 305 d. The JxH (274 kg) and pure Holsteins (277 kg) were not significantly different for fat production, but JxH had significantly less milk (7,147 vs. 7,705 kg) and protein (223 vs. 238 kg) production than pure Holsteins. The JxH had significantly fewer days open than pure Holsteins (127 vs. 150 d). Also, a significantly greater proportion of JxH were pregnant at 150 and 180 d postpartum than pure Holsteins (75 vs. 59% and 77 vs. 61%, respectively). The JxH had significantly less body weight (60 kg) at calving, but significantly greater body condition (2.80 vs. 2.71). Furthermore, JxH had significantly less udder clearance from the ground to the bottom of the udder than pure Holsteins (47.7 vs. 54.6 cm), and greater distance between front teats (15.8 vs. 14.0 cm) than pure Holsteins during first lactation.

Effect of direct-fed microbials on performance, diet digestibility, and rumen characteristics of Holstein dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feeding direct-fed microbial (DFM) products containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Propionibacteria freudenreichii on the performance, nutrient digestibility, and rumen fermentation of Holstein dairy cows in midlactation. Experiments were conducted from February to May 2003. Cows were fed 1 of 3 dietary treatments: 1) 1 x 10(9) colony-forming units (cfu)/d of live L. acidophilus strain LA747 and 2 x 10(9) cfu/d of live P. freudenreichii strain PF24 (DFM1); 2) 1 x 10(9) cfu/d of live L. acidophilus strain LA747, 2 x 10(9) cfu/d of live P. freudenreichii strain PF24, and 5 x 10(8) cfu/d of L. acidophilus strain LA45 (DFM2); or 3) lactose (control). Treatments were administered by mixing 45 g of finely ground corn with 5 g of DFM products or lactose and top dressing on the total mixed rations once daily. All cows received the same total mixed ration: 12.7% alfalfa hay, 46.2% corn silage, and 41.1% concentrate on a dry matter (DM) basis. In study 1 (lactation study), 39 multiparous and 18 primiparous Holstein cows were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to treatments for 84 d. Starting on d 35, fecal grab samples were collected from each cow at 5- to 8-h intervals over 48 h for digestibility measurements. A rumen fermentation study (study 2) was conducted concurrently with the lactation study. Three rumenfistulated, multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to dietary treatments DFM1, DFM2, and control in a 3 x 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods. In study 1, there was no difference in average DM intake (23.9, 23.6, and 24.2 kg/d) or 4% fat-corrected milk (36.8, 35.3, and 36.2 kg/d) for treatments DFM1, DFM2, and control. Percentage or yield of milk components also did not differ among treatments. Feed efficiency averaged 1.52 kg of 4% fat-corrected milk/kg of DM intake and did not differ among treatments. There were no differences in apparent DM, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, or starch digestibility among treatments. In study 2, there was no difference in rumen pH and concentrations of ammonia or total volatile fatty acids measured at 0, 1, 3, and 6 h after feeding. Under the conditions of these studies, supplementing midlactation cows with DFM products containing L. acidophilus and P. freudenreichii did not affect cow performance, diet digestibility, or rumen fermentation.

Reaching impaired populations with HIV prevention programs: a clinical trial for homeless mentally ill African-American men.

This study tested an intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors in a high risk impaired population: homeless African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic men with mental illness. In a comparison group clinical trial, men were assigned to an experimental cognitive-behavioral or a control intervention and followed up over 16 months. Men were recruited from a psychiatric program in two shelters for homeless men in Nashville, Tennessee. An ethnically mixed cohort of subjects (54% African-American, 42% Caucasian and 4% Hispanic) were included in the study. Most had a chronic psychiatric disorder and a co-morbid substance abuse disorder. The 257 participants who were sexually active (130 experimental, 127 control) prior to the trial were the main target of the intervention. An experimental intervention (SexG), adapted from Susser and Associates (51), comprised 6 group sessions. The control intervention was a 6-session HIV educational program. Sexual risk behavior was the primary outcome. The experimental and control groups were compared with respect to the mean score on a sexual risk index. Complete follow-up data were obtained on 257 men (100%) for the initial six-month follow-up. These individuals have been followed for the remainder of the 16-month follow-up. This intervention, (SexG), successfully reduced sexual risk behaviors of homeless mentally ill African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic men. Similar approaches may be effective in other impaired high-risk populations.

Comparison of feeding corn silages from leafy or conventional corn hybrids to lactating dairy cows.

Three corn hybrids (Pioneer 36F30, Mycogen TMF2450, and Mycogen TMF2404) were compared for yield and quality traits, and lactation performance and apparent digestibility by Holstein cows. The three corn silages were harvested at a target of 33 to 35% dry matter. Before harvest, six corn plants were randomly selected for plant fractionation. Grain-to-stover ratios were 0.92, 0.70, and 0.95 for the 36F30, TMF2450, and TMF2404 corn plants, respectively. Fifty-two multiparous Holstein cows were placed on a 120-d lactation trial after a 21-d covariate diet. Cows were blocked by calving date and randomly assigned within block to one of three dietary treatments, containing approximately 40% (dry matter basis) corn silage. Milk yield, milk components, and dry matter intake did not differ among dietary treatments. In vitro true and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities were numerically higher for TMF2404 than the other corn silage hybrids. Apparent total-tract crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities, as measured by acid insoluble ash, were higher for TMF2450 than the other two hybrids, but starch digestibility was not different between the corn silage dietary treatments. Although small differences in nutrient content and digestibility existed among corn silage hybrids, inclusion of these leafy hybrids in lactating cow diets at 40% of the dietary dry matter did not have a significant impact on lactation performance of dairy cattle.

HIV prevention for indigenous people of the Amazon basin.

This study identifies theoretically-based predictors of condom use in a sample of 251 sexually active adults recruited from Sao Gabriel da Cachoeira and six indigneous communities of the Upper Rio Negro region of Amazonas Brazil. The information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model of AIDS-preventive behavior was used to describe the roles of HIV/AIDS knowledge, experiences with and attitudes toward condom use, peer influences, perceived vulnerability, monogamy and behavioral skills. A predictive path analytic model revealed significant predictors of more condom use including male gender, greater sexual HIV knowledge, positive experiences and attitudes about condom use, multiple partners, and greater behavioral skills. Results suggest that attention to behavioral skills for negotiating safer sex and instruction in the correct use of condoms are important elements in reducing high risk behaviors. Increasing the specific knowledge level of indigenous people regarding the complexities of sexual transmission of HIV is crucial and should be addressed. Heightening individuals' understanding of the limited protection of serial monogamy, and the need to conduct gender-specific training for behavior change to reduce transmission of HIV should be an additional goal of Brazilian health professionals. Obstacles to the implementation of the IMB HIV prevention program in Amazonas are noted and an alternative Brazilian HIV/AIDS prevention program is discussed.

Effect of feeding silages from corn hybrids selected for leafiness or grain to lactating dairy cattle.

Three corn hybrids were harvested as silage and fed to lactating dairy cows to determine performance and digestibility differences between hybrids. Corn hybrids were a grain type, a generic blend, and a leafy type. Starch content of the grain, blend, and leafy silage hybrids was 26.1, 23.8, and 23.5%, respectively. In vitro digestible dry matter of the leafy hybrid silage (69.2%) was higher than the grain (66.8%) or blend (66.7%) hybrid silage. Sixty-two Holstein cows (39 primiparous and 23 multiparous) were fed diets containing (dry matter basis) 40.6% of one of the corn silages, 10.2% alfalfa haylage, 23.5% corn grain, 7.4% whole-fuzzy cotton-seed, 13.8% protein concentrate, and 4.5% vitamin and mineral mix. Cows were assigned to their silage treatment diet 3 d after parturition and remained on the diet until wk 22 of lactation. Dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk components did not differ for cows fed the grain, leafy, or generic blend silage diets for either parity group. Digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber, and rate of passage were not different across the silage diets for either parity. Multiparous cows receiving the blend silage diet lost more weight throughout the 22-wk study than did cows on the leafy or grain silage diets. Primiparous cows receiving the blend silage diet spent more time eating than cows on either the grain or leafy silage diet. Time spent chewing did not differ among hybrids. Corn hybrid at 40% of dietary dry matter as silage did not have a major impact on dairy cattle performance in this trial.

Stress, appraisal and coping in HIV-infected African-American men and women.

With the development and utilization of the new multidrug therapies, many persons with HIV have experienced dramatic improvements in their physical condition, health self-appraisal, and psychological well-being. This treatment process has demonstrated the interrelationship of physical stress, perceived health status, and successful coping with HIV illness. The objective of this analysis is to assess the importance of perceived health for the level of mental distress in African-American men and women who have HIV disease. Interviews were completed with 255 HIV-infected black adults (age > or = 18) who were clients of AIDS care and referral centers in Tennessee. The results suggest that persons with a positive health appraisal are more effectively coping with the stresses of HIV illness. These observations have clinical implications for the care of African-Americans and others with HIV/AIDS.

Effect of concentrate source and amount in diets on plasma hormone concentrations of prepubertal heifers.

Effects of concentrate source (corn or soybean hulls) and amount (40 or 80% of DMI) on plasma hormone concentrations were evaluated for 32 prepubertal Holstein heifers in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Blood samples were collected every other day from d -4 through d 28 of the experiment and were analyzed for growth hormone, prolactin, IGF-1, and glucose. Ruminal samples were collected by esophageal tube on d 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 and were analyzed for VFA content. Serial blood samples were collected on either d 25 or 26 at 20-min intervals for 8 h and were used for profile analysis of growth hormone and prolactin. Heifers fed 80% concentrate had higher IGF-1 concentrations in serum (158.1 vs. 131.9 ng/ml) than did heifers fed 40% concentrate, and heifers fed corn tended to have higher IGF-1 concentrations than heifers fed soybean hulls. Prolactin concentrations in samples that were collected every other day were higher for heifers fed the 80% soybean hull diet than for those fed 40% concentrate diets or the 80% corn diet. Effects of source and amount of concentrate on plasma prolactin concentrations were not evident in serial samples. Concentrate source or amount had no effect on plasma growth hormone or glucose. At high concentrate intakes, the source (soybean hulls vs. corn) affected intake parameters, ruminal VFA content, and prolactin concentrations.

Self-appraised health, HIV infection, and depression in female clients of AIDS counseling centers.

The development of effective coping strategies may require that women and men with HIV have an accurate, and to the greatest extent possible, positive, perception of their own health status. This has been found to be lacking among HIV-infected persons with limited education/information, including many minority adults. The objective of this study is to test several hypotheses that predict depression and perceived health in female adults with HIV. Data were obtained from 103 HIV-infected women (age > or = 18) who sought support, counseling, and maintenance services from one of four HIV care and referral centers in the mid-South. The results emphasize that perceived health status may fulfill a psychological distress-moderating or distress-aggravating function for women with HIV/AIDS.