It has been postulated that undernourishment could affect embryo survival through changes in the uterine environment (Abecia et al., 1995). Moreover, we have shown that undernourished ewes had higher plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations and a lower endometrial content of P4 (Lozano et al., 1998), suggesting that this lower endometrial content could be due to a decrease in the content of endometrial progesterone receptors (PR). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low and high levels of food intake on PR in different endometrial cell types.

The efficacy of melatonin implants inserted around the spring equinox to improve fertility and ovulation rate or litter size in Mediterranean ewes has been previously reported (Chemineau et al., 1996; Forcada et al., 2002a.), indicating the ability of the hormone to regulate the hypothalamic activity (Viguié et al., 1995). Moreover, a direct effect of melatonin on corpora lutea and embryonic development has been also reported (Wallace et al., 1988; Abecia et al., 2002). The use of prolific Rasa Aragonesa (RA) ewes (a Mediterranean breed) before culling as embryo donors has been previously tested in the breeding season (Forcada et al., 2002b.). The aim of this experiment was to improve embryo production during the seasonal anoestrus period in selected superovulated RA ewes at the end of their reproductive lives through the use of melatonin.

Reproductive wastage in terms of abortion, foetal loss and neonatal loss is one of the factors undermining goat productivity in Botswana. Abortion storms occur during the winter months, (Binta et al., 1996) which coincide with the dry season. Though infectious causes were found in aborting goats, these accounted for a relatively small proportion of the total number of animals aborting (Binta et al., 1998). Due to relatively few cases of abortions caused by infectious agents in Norwegian dairy goats, Hussain et al., (1996) suggested that nutritional and environmental factors might be important. The aim of study was to evaluate the nutritional effects on blood metabolites and pregnancy outcome of Tswana goats under tropical conditions.

The antibiotic use to increase the animal production can result in residual concentrations in products as meat, eggs and milk, exceeding the acceptable doses for human consumption. In Brazil nowadays, 14 antibiotics are employed as feed additive, however there are about 121 drugs used in Veterinary Medicine that contain antibiotics in their formulation. Due to amplitude and frequency of the antimicrobial resistance, it can be considered an emergent and significant question for the public health and an alert for the necessity of a global control about the use of those antibiotics. The immunoassays allow the diagnosis of these antibiotics with accessible costs and presenting good results. The aim of this work was to produce polyclonal antibodies for ciprofloxacin detection using ELISA.

It was the purpose of this study to ascertain whether concentrations of glucose (GLU), urea and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) in blood collected from the umbilical cords of newborn piglets vary according to the position of the piglet in the birth order of a litter. Umbilical cord blood is representative of the piglets status at the time of birth. It would therefore be advantageous to know whether blood withdrawn from the umbilical cord of one piglet is representative of the litter in terms of these metabolites. This study was therefore designed to test the hypotheses that position in the birth order, and time of birth relative to delivery of the first piglet in a litter, will influence GLU, urea and NEFA concentrations in umbilical cord blood.

Infection by parasites is a major cause of production losses and mortality in young calves. The problem is most prevalent during the first grazing season (Armour, 1989). Eosinophils are important cellular mediators in immunity to gastrointestinal parasites (Baker et al, 1993), but during an extreme hypersensitivity immune response, degranulating eosinophils may lead to tissue pathology which may favour parasite survival (Miller, 1996). Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influence the fatty acid composition of immune tissues and cells (Jaffrey, 1998). n-6 and n-3 fatty acids are known to influence various components of immune response via eicosanoid dependent or independent mechanisms which influence the relative proportions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, including IL-5 an important regulator of eosinophils maturation and recruitment. This study was carried out to establish the extent to which dietary n-6 or n-3 PUFA source affects the numbers of eosinophils in the gut of calves.

The balance between pro and anti-inflammatory elements of the immune system can be influenced by provision of specific dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Calder, 1998). The gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is the largest immune organ and an important regulator of tolerance and sensitivity to dietary and environmental antigens in the gut (Harbige and Fisher, 2001). Changing the fatty acid composition of the gut mucosa could influence the immune function of the GALT. This study was carried out to establish the extent to which dietary n-3 or n-6 PUFA-rich oil supplements could change the fatty acid composition of gut mucosa of the neonatal calf.

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are known to influence the fatty acid composition of immune and inflammatory cell membranes (Yaqoob et al, 1995). Changing the fatty acid composition and the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio of cell membranes has been reported to have profound effects on immune cell functionality (Blok et al, 1996). Immune responses to Cooperia onchophara, a nematode parasite that infects calves, are usually slow to develop and inappropriate. The aim of this experiment was to establish the extent to which supplementation of pre-ruminant calves with an n-6 or n-3 PUFA source may influence ex-vivo lymphocyte response to an L3 C onchophara antigen.

With the proposed ban on antibiotic growth promoters it is becoming increasingly important to provide diets to young pigs which enhance the long term health. Alternative strategies to promote health include organic acids, herbal products and natural antioxidants. These products have various proposed modes of action including improved liver function, removal of reactive oxygen species and the enhancement of the immune function. The objective of this experiment was to measure the effect of a commercial herbal mixture and Lycopene on the performance and immune function of weaned pigs.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens are responsible for mortality and morbidity in livestock, wildlife, pets and humans in many countries. However, detection is difficult with multiple infection cases and low infection rates in carrier animals. We used a macro-array-based method to simultaneously detect tick-borne pathogens.

The biodeteriorative condition commonly known as white line disease (WLD) tends to be most prevalent in parts of the world where warm humid conditions prevail e.g.USA, Japan. However, during the last decade, the UK has experienced warmer and significantly wetter summers that have led to a significant increase in the incidences of the disease amongst the British equine community. Although a variety of factors (e.g. environmental, nutritional, microbial, mechanical (see Woodall, 2002 for review)) have been implicated in the onset of the condition, scientists are still a long way from understanding the aetiology of the disease. There can be no doubt that microbial species play a large part in the biodeteriorative aspects of the disease. However, in order for microbes to gain access to and to colonise the internal structures of the hoof capsule, sites of entry must first be made available. This report looks at the role of nutritional factors and farriery regimens as the providers of such entry sites.

Hind-gut acidosis in equines is associated with a number of debilitating and often fatal metabolic disorders such as colic and laminitis. It is well known that feeding equines large amounts of cereal starch can elicit the onset of hind-gut acidosis, but the role of other dietary polysaccharides in the aetiology of these disorders is less certain. It is believed that starch causes hind-gut acidosis through its preferential and rapid fermentation in the caecum by lactate-producing bacteria causing a decline in caecal pH. The aim of this experiment was to examine the effect of three types of polysaccharide on culture lactate and pH when incubated with a pony faecal inoculum. The polysaccharides used were cellulose, cereal starch and fructan, the storage carbohydrate of temperate grasses, which has been implicated, but not proven to be the causal agent of laminitis in pastured equines (Hinkley, 1997)

Anthelmintic resistance is rapidly increasing in the tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America, indicating the necessity for studies on alternative for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep. Protein supplementation has long been known to improve the resilience and resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes (Coop and Holmes, 1996). However, such effects of protein supplementation may differ between breeds of sheep. Santa Ines young sheep show higher resistance against natural infections with gastrointestinal nematodes than Ile de France and Suffolk sheep (Amarante, 2002). The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether a high level of soybean meal in the diet could improve the resistance to Haemonchus contortus in Ile de France and Santa Ines lambs.

It is well established that the weaning process is one of the most stressful periods for a piglet, which can alter its immune function and performance. Pigs have no specified dietary requirement for vitamin C with it being provided via colostrum and endogenous production. However, during stressful periods, physiological requirements increase, and supplementation may be required. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin C supplementation in high and low stress weaning systems on performance and immune function of weaner pigs.

It is believed that there are time periods during the lifetime of an animal when inadequate nutrition may result in the animal not reaching its genetic potential. One sensitive period is during early foetal life at the time when muscle fibres are being formed from myogenic cells. The total numbers of muscle fibres for life are essentially set during this period. The aim of this study was to try and identify the ontogeny of muscle cell differentiation by quantifying the mRNA expression of ovine IGF-I, ovine IGF-II, and ovine myogenin, factors known to influence myoblast proliferation or differentiation. The aim was to gain an indication of the time period during gestation at which differentiation of the muscle cells commences. The period before differentiation (i.e. during proliferation) is potentially sensitive to external factors, such as nutrient supply. This information could be used to determine the time during pregnancy when adequate feeding is essential to ensure maximum muscle development of the offspring, and may allow the manipulation of diet to change muscle characteristics for meat production.

Clover based silages offer an opportunity for both conventional and organic upland producers to add value and improve the marketability pattern of organic hill and upland lambs. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of weaned hill lambs finished on contrasting clover based silages (SIL) supplemented with organic concentrates (CONC) containing varying ratios of wheat and beans.

Little information is available on the performance of suckled calves sired by either traditional UK beef breeds or continental beef breeds in conjunction with modern continental x dairy suckler cow genotypes. The objectives of this study were to determine gestation length, calf liveweight (LW) and pre-weaning daily liveweight gain (DLWG) from contrasting suckler dam and terminal sire breeds when managed within an upland suckler herd.

Feeding lowland sheep on straw-based systems during pregnancy is practised on many livestock/arable farms. Simple mixes of molassed sugar beet feed and distillers dark grains have been cost effective supplements for March-lambing ewes fed straw and produced satisfactory ewe and lamb performance (Chapple et al., 1998 and 2001). An ensiled mix of pressed sugar beet pulp and dried maize distillers grains (Praize, Trident Feeds) has been fed as the sole diet for finishing lambs (Pattinson et al., 2001) but there is little information on feeding Praize to pregnant ewes. The objective of this study was to compare ewe and lamb performance when March-lambing ewes were fed on a straw-based system and supplemented with either a cereal/protein home-mix, Praize or one of two dried sugar beet pulp/protein mixes.

Suckled calf production is the only financially viable cattle enterprise for the hills and uplands. The use of continental cross cows derived from the dairy herd has increased dramatically, in pursuit of faster-growing, higher-value progeny, and as a strategy to compensate for the adverse effect of the Holstein on carcass conformation. Continental sires are normally used on these types of suckler cows but the traditional Aberdeen-Angus sire is now selling at a premium and might be better suited for upland production. Previous ADAS trials have shown the potential of continental cross cows to increase calf growth rates in a hill environment (Keatinge et al., 1994), and to improve carcass quality when the progeny are finished intensively (Chapple et al., 1995). The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the performance of weaned heifers finished extensively at 22-24 months of age.

Yeasts such as strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) are now widely used as additives in ruminant nutrition to improve animal performance, health and utilization of nutritional components of their diet while at the same time avoiding nutritional disorders. Although evidence for a positive effect on animal performance has existed for many years, adoption has been slow. This is probably due to the lack of performance data indicating in which specific production situations the various products are or are not effective. Some studies indicated that the feeding of a yeast strain specifically selected to compliment high grain diets (Yea-Sacc, Alltech, Inc., USA) was effective in improving gain of yearling steers fed a 90% concentrate, 10% roughage diet once daily. So the objective of this study was to determine if this Bakery’s yeast product could positively affect Holstein neonatal calves growth and performance.