High-concentrate diets and polyunsaturated oils alter trans and conjugated isomers in bovine rumen, blood, and milk.

Three Holstein cows were fed a high-concentrate diet (65:35 concentrate to forage) supplemented with either 5% sunflower oil (SO), 5% linseed oil (LO), or 2.5% fish oil (FO) to examine effects on biohydrogenation and fatty acid profiles in rumen, blood plasma, and milk. Diets were fed in a 3 x 3 Latin square with 4-wk periods with grass hay as the forage. Milk yield, dry matter intake, and percentages of milk fat (2.64) and protein (3.22) did not differ. All diets resulted in incomplete hydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids as indicated by the profiles of 18:1 isomers, conjugated 18:2 isomers, nonconjugated 18:2 isomers, and 18:0 in ruminal fluid. Percentages of 8:0-14:0 and 16:0 in milk fat were greater with FO. Percentage and yield of trans10,cis12-18:2 were small and greater in cows fed SO (0.14%, 0.57 g/d) than FO (0.03%, 0.15 g/d) or LO (0.04%, 0.12 g/d). Percentage and yield of trans10-18:1, however, increased with FO (6.16%) and SO (6.47%) compared with LO (1.65%). Dietary FO doubled percentage of cis11-18:1 in rumen, plasma, and milk fat. Despite a lack of difference in ruminal percentage of trans11-18:1 (10.5%), cows fed FO had greater plasma trans11-18:1 (116 vs. 61.5 microg/mL) but this response did not result in greater trans11-18:1 percentage in milk fat, which averaged 5.41% across diets. Percentage (2.2%) and yield (14.3 g/d) of cis9,trans11-18:2 in milk fat did not differ due to oils. Unique responses to feeding LO included greater than 2-fold increases in percentages of trans13+14-18:1, trans15-18:1, trans16-18:1, cis15-18:1, cis9,trans12-18:2 and trans11,cis15 -18:2 in umen, plasma, and milk, and cis9,trans13-18:2 in plasma and milk. Ruminal 18:0 percentage had the highest positive correlation with milk fat content (r = 0.82) across all diets. When compared with previous data with cows fed high-concentrate diets without oil supplementation, results suggest that greater production of trans10-18:1, cis11-18:1, and trans11,cis15-18:2 coupled with low production of 18:0 in the rumen may be associated with low milk fat content when feeding high-concentrate diets and fish oil. In contrast, SO or LO could lead to low milk fat content by increasing ruminal trans10-18:1 (SO) or trans11,cis15-18:2 and trans9,trans12-18:2 (LO) along with a reduction in mammary synthesis of 8:0-16:0. Simultaneous increases in ruminal trans11-18:1 with fish oil, at a fraction of sunflower oil supplementation, may represent an effective strategy to maintain cis9,trans11-18:2 synthesis in mammary while reducing milk fat output and sparing energy.

Relationship among trans and conjugated fatty acids and bovine milk fat yield due to dietary concentrate and linseed oil.

Effects on fatty acid profiles and milk fat yield due to dietary concentrate and supplemental 18:3n-3 were evaluated in 4 lactating Holstein cows fed a low- (35:65 concentrate:forage; L) or high- (65:35; H) concentrate diet without (LC, HC) added oil or with linseed oil (LCO, HCO) at 3% of DM. A 4 x 4 Latin square with four 4-wk periods was used. Milk yield and dry matter intake averaged 26.7 and 20.2 kg/d, respectively, across treatments. Plasma acetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate decreased, whereas glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, and leptin increased with high-concentrate diets. Milk fat percentage was lower in cows fed high-concentrate diets (2.31 vs. 3.38), resulting in decreases in yield of 11 (HC) and 42% (HCO). Reduced yields of 8:0-16:0 and cis9-18:1 fatty acids accounted for 69 and 17%, respectively, of the decrease in milk fat yield with HC vs. LC (-90 g/d), and for 26 and 33%, respectively, of the decrease with HCO vs. LCO (-400 g/d). Total trans-18:1 yield increased by 25 (HCO) and 59 (LCO) g/d with oil addition. Trans10-18:1 yield was 5-fold greater with high-concentrate diets. Trans11-18:1 increased by 13 (HCO) and 19 (LCO) g/d with oil addition. Trans13+14-18:1 yield increased by 9 (HCO) and 18 (LCO) g/d with linseed oil. Yield of total conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in milk averaged 6 g/d with LC or HC compared with 14 g/d with LCO or HCO. Cis9,trans11-CLA yield was not affected by concentrate level but increased by 147% in response to oil. Feeding oil increased yields of trans11,cis13-, trans11,trans13-, and trans,trans-CLA, primarily with LCO. Trans10,cis12-CLA yield (average of 0.08 g/d) was not affected by treatments. Yield of trans11,cis15-18:2 was 1 g/d in cows fed LC or HC and 10 g/d with LCO or HCO. Yields of cis9,trans11-18:2, cis9,trans12-18:2, and cis9,trans13-18:2 were positively correlated (r = 0.74 to 0.94) with yields of trans11-18:1, trans12-18:1, and trans13+14-18:1, respectively. Plasma concentrations of biohydrogenation intermediates with concentrate or linseed oil level followed similar changes as those in milk fat. Milk fat depression was observed when HC induced an increase in trans10-18:1 yield. A correlation of 0.84 across 31 comparisons from 13 published studies, including the present one, was found among the increase in percentage of trans10-18:1 in milk fat and decreased milk fat yield. We observed, however, more drastic milk fat depression when HCO increased yields of total trans-18:1, trans11,cis15-18:2, trans isomers of 18:3, and reduced yields of 18:0 plus cis9-18:1.

Bovine immunoglobulin G, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin and serum albumin in colostrum and milk during the early post partum period.

Colostrum and milk samples from 60 Holstein-Friesian cows were analysed for concentrations and yields of immunoglobulin G (IgG), beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg), alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-la) and serum albumin (BSA) throughout the first 16 milkings post partum (8 d of lactation) using a single radial immunodiffusion assay. Concentrations (mg/ml, means +/- SD) at first milking were IgG 59.8 +/- 28.5, beta-lg 14.3 +/- 4.6, alpha-la 2.04 +/- 0.6, BSA 1.21 +/- 0.44. Large variations were recorded for IgG concentrations (15.3-176.2 mg/ml) and yields (0.2-925 g). Cows in their first lactation produced significantly lower concentrations and yields of colostral IgG than cows in later lactations. A colostral yield of IgG below the 100 g required to prevent calf hypo-gamma-globulinaemia was found in 18.3% of the cows. The concentrations of IgG, beta-lg and BSA dropped abruptly in subsequent milkings and alpha-la concentration decreased slowly. The mean IgG concentration was < 2 mg/ml after eight milkings and < 1 mg/ml after fifteen milkings. However, IgG concentration did not differ significantly, at the 1% level, during milkings 11-15. The results were tabulated to make it possible to calculate the excess of whey proteins that would be obtained if early milks were illegally added to the milk supply.

Anatomical reconstruction of fragments of burned human bones: a necessary means for forensic identification.

The aim of any forensic inquiry concerning accidental or criminal cremations is to identify the victims. This identification depends on an essential approach: a careful collection and ultrasonic cleaning of the fragments and splinters of burned bones, and reconstruction--as far as possible--of bone specimens, which implies that forensic anthropologists are well experienced in the field of burned bones.

Experimental single controlled study of burned bones: contribution of scanning electron microscopy.

Burned bones were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The samples were cut from a maxillary-mandibular block taken during an autopsy. These fragments were heated in a furnace under controlled temperature conditions for 60 minutes. The temperatures ranged from 150 to 1150 degrees Celsius. The results are as following: (i) there are significant alterations of the bone, more and more obvious as the temperature increases, (ii) it appears to be difficult to establish a precise correlation between the temperature and the scanning electron microscopy patterns.

A fully three-dimensional method for facial reconstruction based on deformable models.

Two facial models corresponding to two deceased subjects have been manually created and the two corresponding skulls have been dissected and skeletonized. These pairs of skull/ facial data have been scanned with a CT scanner, and the computed geometric three-dimensional models of both skulls and facial tissue have been built. One set of skull/facial data will be used as a reference set whereas the second set is used as ground truth for validating our method. After a semi-automatic face-skull registration, we apply an original computing global parametric transformation T that turns the reference skull into the skull to be reconstructed. This algorithm is based upon salient lines of the skull called crest lines: more precisely the crest lines of the first skull are matched to the crest lines of the second skull by an iterative closest point algorithm. Then we apply this algorithm to the reference face to obtain the "unknown" face to be reconstructed. The reliability and difficulties of this original technique are then discussed.

Contribution of microscopic plant anatomy to postmortem bone dating.

The authors describe a microscopical method of studying plant anatomy for estimating the age of vegetal organs which can help to date bones. This procedure was not based on counting the number of annual rings, as usually, but on demonstrating a completely primary structure without development of secondary formations; this material was considered as a part of a young root system whose development would correspond to about one year. The usefulness and limits of this procedure are discussed.

Identification by frontal sinus pattern in forensic anthropology.

The authors report forensic cases from the literature, as well as two personal homicide cases, of identification through comparison of frontal sinus radiographs. A general discussion about identification using frontal sinus X-rays is presented, pointing out the reliability of the method, in reference to the uniqueness of the frontal sinus in humans, but also some difficulties, especially in reference to the distance, orientation and angle of the X-ray technique.

Facial casting as a method to help identify severely disfigured corpses.

The authors apply a previously reported method for facial casting of severely disfigured corpses, which allowed a three-dimensional cast to be made. This method involved several stages: face restoration, casting by elastomer, then three-dimensional positive image building. This technique seems to be useful in all cases of severe disfiguration of the face, particularly by trauma.

Method for identifying putrefied corpses by facial casting.

The authors developed an original method for casting the face of putrefied corpses, which allowed a three-dimensional facial cast of an individual to be made. This method used several stages: face restoration by subcutaneous injections of specific materials, casting by elastomer, then three-dimensional positive image building. This technique enabled the person to be recognized and then identified, and seems to be useful in such difficult cases.

An experimental methodology for the study of postmortem changes in toxic concentrations of drugs, using secobarbital as an example.

Postmortem changes in alcohol and drug concentrations are well known today. The authors used an HPLC assay of barbiturates in postmortem tissue, and developed a rat model in order to evidence postmortem changes in toxics concentrations. Postmortem changes in secobarbital concentrations were evidenced using a rat-secobarbital model. This work emphasizes the difficulty of postmortem toxicology, as concentrations found at the time of autopsy may be different from concentrations at the time of death.

Intoxication from Veratrum album.

Two new cases of Veratrum poisoning are described. Clinical symptoms occurred quickly, within 30 min. Vomiting, a fall in blood pressure and bradycardia were observed. The outcome was favourable in both cases, producing a cure without sequellae. Examination of the literature showed that such cases are nearly always accidental, resulting from the difficulty in distinguishing Veratrum album and Gentiana.

Milking of cows in late pregnancy: milk production during this period and during the succeeding lactation.

Fifteen lactating cows were milked throughout pregnancy, and the effects on milk performance were studied during this period and during the succeeding lactation, relative to 11 conventionally managed cows (2 months dry before calving) as controls. During the last 2 months of pregnancy, only nine cows did not dry off spontaneously. Protein and fat concentrations in milk increased rapidly, but the concentration of lactose, corrected for milk yield, did not change. The ratios of individual caseins to total protein decreased with the quantity of milk produced, but only for yields below approximately 6 kg/d. The relative proportion of kappa-casein tended to decrease in the last milkings. During the succeeding lactation (first 15 weeks after calving and first 6 weeks of grazing) continuously milked cows yielded 4 kg milk/d less than the cows of the other group. The protein content of their milk was higher (2-3 g/kg depending on the period) than that of the control group, and the lactose content tended (P less than 0.10) to be lower. Changes in the relative proportions of nitrogenous fractions with time were not different in the two groups. Differences between the two groups in the concentration of protein in milk, and in the concentration of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids in the plasma, suggest a better energy balance for the continuously milked cows during the succeeding lactation.

Acute arsenic intoxication: forensic and toxicologic aspects (an observation).

The authors report on an acute suicidal arsenic intoxication (di-arsenic-trioxide). Death can occur one week after ingestion, despite intensive care. The forensic, anatomopathological and toxicologic aspects are reported. Forty titrations are realized at the level of the biologic fluid in viscera, by absorption spectrophotometry. These data are compared with those in standing literature, especially with the rates determined in normal subjects, following simple environmental impregnation.

Slow release somatotropin in dairy heifers and cows fed two levels of energy concentrate. 1. Performance and body condition.

Fifty-two Holstein dairy cows (27 primiparous) were used in a 2 x 2 factorial design during wk 9 to 39 of lactation to assess the effects of slow release recombinant bST (500 mg injected at 14-d intervals) and the effects of the level of energy concentrate in the diet on dairy performance. After a winter period, cows were turned out to pasture at wk 24 of lactation. During winter, cows given low concentrate (2.5 vs. 5.4 kg DM/d) ate significantly more corn silage (13.9 vs. 11.9 kg DM/d), so that treatment had no significant effect on any measured parameter. The milk yield of bST-supplemented cows increased by 2.1 kg/d (11.0%) throughout the total experimental period. The response did not differ according to parity. Milk fat content and SCC were not altered, but milk protein was lower (.8 g/kg) from cows receiving bST during winter, and lactose increased (.5 g/kg). Lactation curves of bST-supplemented cows showed a cyclic response in milk production. Gross efficiency of milk yield was improved (.18 units) by bST administration without change in diet digestibility. No difference due to bST was found in the health or reproduction of cows. Live weight change did not differ among the groups. Multiparous cows gained body condition (bST-supplemented animals gained less than controls: .1 vs. .7 point on a five-point scale; NS). Control primiparous cows gained body condition (.1 point) but bST-supplemented cows significantly lost body condition (1.4 point).

Duodenal rapeseed oil infusion in early and midlactation cows. 1. Intestinal apparent digestibility of fatty acids and lipids.

Rapeseed oil was infused continuously into the duodenum of lactating dairy cows. Five separate trials were conducted with differences in amount of oil infused (1.0 to 1.5 kg/d), in lactation stage (early to late), and in basal diet (corn or grass silages). The effects of lecithin addition (9 g/d) also were studied. Oil infusion did not affect the apparent digestibility of defatted organic matter. Fatty acid, ether extract, and total lipid digestibilities in control cows were 62 to 82%, 72 to 76%, and 59 to 73%, respectively. Intestinal apparent digestibilities of oil fatty acid and ether extract fractions were estimated to be 63 to 74% and 67 to 81%, respectively. Intestinal apparent digestibility of oil total lipids was only 20 to 57% due to a significant increase in nonfatty acid lipid excretion (160 to 750 g/d above control cows), which sharply decreased the energy value of the infused oil. Lecithin did not modify apparent digestibility in oil-infused cows.

Post mortem kinetics of secobarbital.

Post-mortem changes in barbiturate concentrations were evidenced using a rat-secobarbital model. The method used for the extraction and HPLC assay of barbiturates is suitable for all biologic fluids and post-mortem tissues. Kinetic data obtained is of excellent quality. Various modelization constants were defined. This experimental work emphasizes the difficulty of post-mortem toxicology, as concentrations found at the time of autopsy may be different from concentrations at the time of death, in blood as well as in tissues.

[Use of urea as a marker of body water in Friesian cows]. / Utilisation de l'urée comme marqueur de l'eau corporelle chez des vaches Pie-noires.

Urea was used as a marker body water. Twelve catheterized dairy cows were injected with urea for 3 consecutive days. Equilibrium between injected and endogenous urea was obtained at 35.9 min over the 3 d. Different models to estimate urea space (EU) were compared with body water estimated at slaughter. The standard error was minimum when using the mean of EU on the 3 daily estimates obtained at 20 min. However, repeatability of EU measurement was low.