Does feeding frequency during lactation affect sows' body condition, reproduction and production performance?

The present study investigated whether a three-times compared to two-times feeding frequency during lactation affects sows' body condition, reproductive performance as well as growth performance of the piglets . In a commercial farm, eight groups (8-10 animals) with a total number of 68 sows were included in the study. During lactation, four groups received feed two times (treatment 2DF) and four groups three times daily (treatment 3DF). Within treatments, sows were classified into young (<2 parities) and old (≥3 parities). Body condition score (BCS), shoulder lesions, return to estrus rate and piglet's growth performance were recorded. The 3DF sows had a higher (p < 0.05) feed intake and less shoulder lesions (p < 0.05) than 2DF animals. Return to estrus rate in the 3DF treatment was 0% for young and 29% for old sows. In the 2DF treatment return to estrus rate was 20% for young and 5% for old sows. In conclusion, three-times versus two-times daily feeding frequency during lactation increased feed intake and had a positive effect on sows' BCS and the frequency of shoulder lesions, while it also reduced incidents of return to estrus rate in young sows.

Establishment of gastro-intestinal helminth infections in free-range chickens: a longitudinal on farm study.

The objective of this study was to monitor establishment and development of gastro-intestinal helminth infections in chickens over two production years (PY) on a free-range farm in Lower Saxony, Germany. The data were collected between July 2010 and June 2011 (PY1) and July 2011 and January 2013 (PY2), respectively. During PY1, Lohmann Brown classic (LB classic, N = 450) was tested, while in PY2 two different genotypes (230 LB classic, 230 LB plus) were used. The hens were kept in two mobile stalls that were moved to a new position at regular intervals. In both PY1 and PY2, 20 individual faecal samples per stall were randomly collected at monthly intervals in order to calculate the number of internal parasite eggs per gram of faeces (EPG). At the end of the laying periods, approximately 10% (N = 42) or more than 50% (N = 265) of hens were subjected to post-mortem parasitological examinations in PY1 and PY2, respectively. No parasite eggs were found in the faecal samples during PY1, whereas almost all of the hens (97.6%) were infected with Heterakis gallinarum (36 worms/hen) at the end of the period. In PY2, nematode eggs in faeces were found from the third month onwards at a low level, increasing considerably towards the final three months. There was no significant difference between the two genotypes of brown hens neither for EPG (P = 0.456) or for overall prevalence (P = 0.177). Mortality rate ranged from 18.3 to 27.4% but did not differ significantly between genotypes or production years. Average worm burden was 207 worms/hen in PY2. The most prevalent species were H. gallinarum (98.5%) followed by Ascaridia galli (96.2%) and Capillaria spp. (86.1%). Furthermore, three Capillaria species, C. obsignata, C. bursata and C. caudinflata were differentiated. In conclusion chickens kept on free-range farms are exposed to high risks of nematode infections and have high mortality rates with no obvious link to parasite infections. Once the farm environment is contaminated with the nematode eggs, establishment and further spread of nematodes to the hens is a matter of time. This will latest be the case in the second production period, even if the hens are kept in a rotation system and in small herd sizes. This underlines the importance of nematode infections in all free-range systems.

[Dry matter intake of South American camelids and its effects on the composition of feed rations]. / Trockensubstanzaufnahme von Neuwelt- kameliden und deren Bedeutung für die Rationsgestaltung.

The number of South American camelids (SAC) is increasing in Germany since decades. Due to a lack of scientifically based publications the knowledge about feeding SACs is still poor. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the dry matter intake (DMI) of SACs as a basis for calculations of feed rations. Previous studies proposed a DMI of up to 3% of the body weight (BW) (Vaughan und Gauly, 2011). In the present study, eight llamas (Llama glama) were allocated to two groups of four animals each. The two groups were fed with hay of different qualities over a total period often weeks, which was divided into two runs of five weeks each. During the first run, group 1 was fed with hay 1 (15.1% crude protein; 8.5% crude ash; 3.1% crude fat; 52.6% NDF per kg DM) and group 2 with hay 2 (6.6% crude protein; 6.2% crude ash; 2.1% crude fat; 64.3% NDF per kg DM). After five weeks the groups were changed and group 1 received hay 2 and group 2 received hay 1. BW was measured at the start and end of each run (week zero, five and ten). The hay quality affected the DMI, but the animals did not compensate a lower feed quality with an increased DMI. The total DMI was 1.26% and 0.89% of the BW for hay 1 and hay 2, respectively, which was lower than expected in both groups. In conclusion, calculations of feed rations for SACs should be adjusted to the present findings of a lower DMI capability.

Isoflurane-anaesthesia used for piglet-castration: a bacteriological assessment of the anaesthetic device.

Castration of piglets with the use of isoflurane-anaesthesia in combination with an analgesic has been proven to be a welfare-friendly approach. However, castration is performed with an equipped anaesthetic device which is not profitable for small farms. Thus, this study aimed at investigating whether sharing the anaesthetic device among farms results in an elevated risk of bacteriological contamination and further spreading in spite of a thorough disinfection. The study included two groups of organic farms. Piglets (n = 1579) were anaesthetised with isoflurane supplied from an equipped device and castrated. Stationary anaesthetic devices were used in the first group of farms, whereas farms in the second group shared one device. Each farm was visited four times and the colony forming units (CFU) of total mesophilic bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli were determined. Sampling took place before castration and after disinfection, and included snout masks, retaining fixtures, pedals and wheels of the device (n = 376). The results indicated presence of Staphylococcus species in 56.5% and 40.3% of samples obtained from farms using stationary and shared devices, respectively. MRSA was detected in 2.4% of the samples and only one pathogenic Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (Stx2e, F18) could be detected. Bacterial counts were lower on the shared device than on the stationary devices (p = 0.038), particularly on restraining fixtures (p < 0.05). In both groups wheels were the most and pedals the least contaminated materials (p < 0.05). It is concluded that sharing an anaesthetic device on several farms does not increase bacteriological contamination after a thorough disinfection and thus imposing no additional hygiene risk to farms with similar hygienic conditions.

Gastrointestinal nematode infections in German sheep.

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and variation of natural gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in lambs according to birth type, gender and breed based on individual faecal egg counts (FEC) from various regions in Germany. A total of 3,924 lambs (3 to 15 months old) with different genetic backgrounds (Merinoland, German Blackhead Mutton, Rhoen, Texel and Merino long-wool) were individually sampled during the grazing period between 2006 and 2008. Furthermore, pooled faecal samples from each of the farms were cultured in order to differentiate the third-stage larvae of the nematode spp. Sixty-three percent of the lambs were infected with GIN. The infections were mostly low to moderate and involved several nematode species. The Trichostrongylus spp. was the predominant species based on the percentage of larvae in faecal cultures. Only 11.4% of the lambs were free of Eimeria oocysts. Tapeworm eggs were encountered in 13.2% of all samples. The prevalence of GIN infections varied significantly (P < 0.001) among farms. A significantly higher FEC (P < 0.05) was observed in multiple-born lambs when compared with singletons. Moreover, male lambs were more susceptible to infection than females (P < 0.001). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between breeds regarding FEC. Inter-individual variations were higher than inter-breed differences, which may indicate the possibility of selection within these breeds for parasites resistance as described in earlier studies.

Frequency of Salmonella detection in a broiler flock depending on different litter materials--a field study.

During the fattening period of a broiler flock four different litter materials (peat, chopped straw, shavings, silage) were tested simultaneously.The separated sections were tested for the presence of Salmonella bacteria using the sock-sampling method as described in the regulation EC No. 646/2007 with slight modifications in the sampling technique and the laboratory protocol. In addition, some chemical and physical parameters regarding litter quality and house climate were analysed. Samples were taken at day 0 (housing of animals), day 14, and day 30. At the end of the fattening period Salmonella Paratyphi B (d-tartrate +), representing a common strain in German broiler flocks, were isolated from culture. According to the various types of bedding materials some differences in the frequency of Salmonella detection were found. With three samples out of six samples being positive, wood shavings showed the highest Salmonella prevalence, followed by peat with two positive results. Corn silage was found to be a suitable alternative for common litter materials and revealed only one positive sample. Chopped straw was found to be free of Salmonella in our study. However, the latter had a higher risk for negative side effects concerning animal health and house climate. The study showed that the choice of an appropriate litter material might be of considerable importance in order to decrease the Salmonella burden within poultry flocks.

[Comparative behaviour studies in horses infested with flying insects treated with insecticide or repellent substances]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen des Verhaltens von Pferden bei Fluginsektenbefall unter Einwirkung zweier befallsreduzierender Präparate.

The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of flying insects (Order Diptera) on the behaviour of grazing horses in relation to the use of insecticide and repellent substances. The investigations were done between June and August in 2008 in 3 periods of 7 days each. As insecticide and repellent two substances were used: "Well-care emulsion" (Co. Essex Tierarznei, München, GER) containing Permethrin and "Bremsen-Frei-Plus" (Co. Dr. Schaette AG, Bad Waldsee, GER) based on etheric oils. Both groups were compared with a non treated control group in a crossover-design. Each group (n = 3-5) was used alternately as control and treatment group. Several climate parameters were taken during the study. Furthermore, the number of insects per animal was estimated at certain times. Once per observation period insects were caught using Malaise traps and differentiated by species. The proportion of horse relevant species of the genera Diptera, especially Culex pipiens and Musca autumnalis, caught was 9% on an average. There was no correlation between the number of Tabanidae caught in the Malaise traps and the number observed near by the horses. Behaviour parameters like tailswishing, headshaking, stamping, skintwitching, snapping at the body, and moving were observed more frequently with increasing insect infestation. When horses were infested with a high number of flying insects, feeding activity was significant lower, whereas locomotion activity was significant higher. Both substances had positive effects for about 50 hours after application with no apparent difference between the substances. However, a lower frequency of headshaking and tailswishing could be observed in the Permethrin treated horses.

Tandem affinity depletion: a combination of affinity fractionation and immunoaffinity depletion allows the detection of low-abundance components in the complex proteomes of body fluids.

Protein biomarker discovery in the low concentration range of human body fluids requires the enrichment of the proteins of interest. Here we report on a tandem affinity strategy: In the first step, we isolated a human plasma glyco-subproteome of healthy individuals by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin affinity chromatography. In the second step, the proteins of this subproteome were used to raise antibodies in llama (Lama glama). The heavy-chain fraction of the llama antibodies was used to deplete from the WGA lectin binding fraction all proteins normally found in human plasma. In this way, we selectively enriched the glycoprotein, CEA, a known cancer marker which had been spiked into normal plasma. As a proof of concept, we applied this method to the analysis of plasma sample from colon cancer patients. We could demonstrate the selective enrichment of CEA by a factor of 600-800.

Is the FAMACHA chart suitable for every breed? Correlations between FAMACHA scores and different traits of mucosa colour in naturally parasite infected sheep breeds.

Infections with gastrointestinal nematodes, in particular Haemonchus contortus, are worldwide one of the most important factors causing high economic losses in sheep production. Different methods for detecting infections with H. contortus have been described, such as, e.g. the FAMACHA system, which categorises the colour of the conjunctivae from red to pale. When H. contortus is not the predominant parasite, the FAMACHA chart might not be suitable to detect nematode infections, because of the lack of a blood feeding parasite. Otherwise breed-specific differences in the colour of the mucosa could be responsible for the limitations of the FAMACHA system. The aim of the study was to compare different methods of measuring mucosa colour in the German sheep breeds Black Head Mutton (BH) and Leine sheep (LE). In a total of 232 6-months-old lambs, the colour of mucosa was measured using the FAMACHA chart (conjunctivae) as well as the colour analyser Minolta Chroma Meter CR-200b (gingivae). Faeces and blood samples were taken at the same time to determine faecal egg counts per gram faeces (FEC) and the packed cell volume (PCV), respectively. Lambs grazed on contaminated pastures and no anthelmintic treatment was used. Lambs were moderately infected with gastrointestinal nematodes with no significant difference between the two breeds (P>0.05). The prevalence of H. contortus was 23%, based on larvae differentiation of coproculture. There was no significant correlation between FEC and PCV, nor FEC and FAMACHA (P>0.05). Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between the BH and LE lambs with regard to the colour measurement traits Chroma, hue-angle and FAMACHA. Beside the relatively low parasite pressure, these differences in the mucosa colour between the two breeds could be responsible for the limitations of the FAMACHA chart as a useful indicator of a nematode infection. Measuring the colour of the mucosa by using a colour analyser seems to be more suitable to detect less developed anaemic situations in sheep (PCV> or =0.27l/l), as shown by significant correlation coefficients between PCV and Chroma and HA, respectively. It can be concluded, that the measurement of mucosa colour with a colour analyser is more sensitive in detecting anaemic states in sheep, compared to the FAMACHA chart. However, because the colour analyser is not suited for measurements in the field, an adaptation of the FAMACHA colour scales for different sheep breeds might be required.