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Data pertaining to 29,427 lactation records of Frieswal cows maintained at various Military Farms from 1987 to 2015 were used in the study. A prediction equation was developed for the first time for calculating the adjustment factors to mature age and various adjustment factors were calculated based on age in months. In the present study, the mature equivalent age of Frieswal cows were calculated as between 77 and 94 months of age, as the highest milk yield was produced during this age group. Results of the study also clearly indicate that the non-genetic factors like farm, season and period of calving had significant effect on the 305 day mature equivalent milk yield. So the proper management interventions should be followed to improve the performance of Frieswal cows in Military Farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out on 300 milk producing households in Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh to estimate the costs and returns from milk production at farm household level. The individual animal-wise and household-wise costs were estimated using software Milk Production Economics Analysis Package (MILKEcAP:1.0 & 2.0). The findings of the analysis revealed that the overall gross maintenance cost/animal/year in the zone was least (126.33/animal/day) in case of local cow and highest for crossbred cattle (169.51/animal/day). The variable costs accounted for nearly 3/4th of the total costs irrespective of category of animals. Feed cost accounted highest to the total costs and it was relatively higher in case of buffalo. The overall cost per litre of milk was highest (24.84) for buffalo, and lowest for crossbred cow (22.26). However, due to variability in milk yield, there were wide variability in net economic margins. The net economic margins were almost negligible (0.62/l) in local cow, comparatively higher in crossbred cow (2.55/l) and fairly good in buffalo (5.03/l). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current review is to provide the reader with an overview of the bovine hematological profile. Sample collection, bovine reference ranges, and cattle-specific characteristics of erythrocyte, leukocyte, and platelet parameters are reviewed. Furthermore, diseases associated with abnormalities in the complete blood cell count of cattle are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the results of a study that evaluated the chromium concentration in cattle feces using combinations of acid digestion and spectrophotometric quantification techniques. It noted an incomplete recovery of the fecal chromium with the use of digestion technique in phosphoric acid. Similar fecal chromium contents was indicated by the results of digestion techniques in nitric and perchloric acids and digestion in sulfuric and perchloric acids.

The article presents a study which determined the changes of body growth, blood biochemical components, and hormones caused by intensified nutrition in three Japanese Black (JB) cattle with growth retardation. It was found that the growth retarded cattle had abnormalities in their metabolic systems and lacked nutrient absorption. The growth retardation is attributed to abnormalities of the growth retarded cattle with metabolic systems, the growth hormone, growth retardation, insulin-like growth factor 1 (GH-IGF-I) axis and absorption of nutrients.

Abstract: This study investigates the influence of protein concentration in bovine pituitary extract (BPE) on the production of cartilaginous components in chitosan/gelatin (CG) scaffolds. Bovine knee chondrocytes (BKCs) in genipin-crosslinked CG scaffolds were cultured over 28 days for assessing the constructs. Scanning electron micrographs revealed that the pore structure of CG scaffolds was appropriate for cartilage tissue engineering. Also, an addition of BPE into culture medium stimulated the growth of BKCs on the pore surfaces of CG scaffolds. An increase in the protein concentration in BPE enhanced the amounts of BKCs, glycosaminoglycans and collagen. At a constant protein concentration in BPE, a scaffold prepared with a high concentration of biomaterial gels also favored the proliferation of BKCs and secretion of extracellular matrices. The histological and immunochemical staining showed chondrogenesis in the culture of BKCs using CG scaffolds and BPE-containing medium. In addition, type II collagen was synthesized in the constructs, demonstrating the chondrocytic phenotype of proliferated BKCs. Hence, combining CG scaffolds with BPE can be effectual in the regeneration of neocartilage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: The use of chemical substances in endodontics during chemical-mechanical preparation may alter the structure of dentin, mainly collagen, which contributes considerably to the mechanical properties of this structure. This study evaluated the effect of different auxiliary chemical substances during endodontic treatment in root canal walls by implementing polarized light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods: Sixty bovine incisors were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): G1, 5.25% NaOCl + 17% EDTA; G2, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel; G3, 5.25% NaOCl; G4, 17% EDTA; G5, 2% CHX + 17% EDTA; and G6, 0.9% sodium chloride solution (control). Teeth were chemomechanically prepared and fractured into two fragments. One fragment was used for PLM, and the other was used for SEM analysis. Results: Groups treated with 5.25% NaOCl, whether associated or not associated to 17% EDTA, presented a significantly different birefringence pattern compared with the control group. The results revealed that groups irrigated with 2% CHX and EDTA, independently or combined, did not present any significant differences compared with the control group. SEM analysis showed structural alterations of the root canal inorganic matrix for all groups that used 17% EDTA. Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that 5.25% NaOCl, whether associated or not associated with 17% EDTA, causes alterations in the dentin collagen. The obtained SEM images revealed demineralization areas for groups that used 17% EDTA alone or associated with other substances. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Paired liver and kidney samples from 100 free-range cattle in different parts of Jamaica were analyzed for essential and non-essential trace elements. We found significant enrichment of elements in the kidney (K) compared to the liver (L) with the K/L concentration ratios being 5.2 for Cd, 4.1 for Pb, 3.5 for Se and 2.1 for As, but the Cu contents of the kidney were significantly higher with the K/L ratio of 0.45. A large number of kidney and liver samples showed Cu concentrations in the ranges that were associated with deficiency effects in mammals. About 15% of the hepatic samples had Zn concentrations below 20μg/g, suggesting that there might be zinc insufficiency in some of the animals. Positive associations were found between the metals in both the kidney and liver. On average, the intake of Cd from consumption of both bovine kidney and liver from the island was estimated to be 5.2μg/day, equivalent to about 7% of the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI), although anyone who habitually consumed the few kidneys or livers with >40μg/g cadmium may be at some risk of exceeding the PTDI. The consumption of offal from local animals did not appear to be an important dietary source of any of the essential microelements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Apart from during the prepartal period, the main oestrogen produced by the bovine trophoblast is oestrone sulphate (E1S) which does not bind to nuclear oestrogen receptors (ER). High steroid sulphatase (StS) activities previously detected in the maternal part of bovine placentomes (caruncles) suggest the local activation of E1S (“sulphatase pathway”). Consequently, the expression pattern of StS in bovine placentomes was investigated by immunohistochemistry using an antiserum against human placental StS. Cross-reactivity for bovine StS was confirmed by Western blot yielding a single band of 62kDa in both bovine and human placenta. Immunostaining for StS was detected in caruncular epithelial cells (CEC), which was clearly related to gestational age. In animals pregnant between 100 and 284days (n =17), signals were restricted to CEC adjacent to the chorionic plate and basal primary and secondary chorionic villi. After the onset of prepartal luteolysis (days 273–282; n =3) and during active labour (n =5) overall staining intensity had increased substantially and signals occurred ubiquitously in the flattened and partially dismantled caruncular epithelium. A 2204bp full-length mRNA transcript of the bovine StS exhibiting 74% and 77% sequence identity to human StS on the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, was cloned by RACE–PCR. Real-time RT–PCR detected a 2.5-fold increase of StS-mRNA in prepartal placentomes, which, however, was not statistically significant. The co-localisation of ERα and StS in CEC is consistent with a role of placental oestrogens as regulators of caruncular growth and differentiation, and the up-regulation of carunclar StS may be involved in the marked prepartal increase of free oestrogens. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses results of a study that investigates the pathogenicity of Prototheca zopfii genotype 1 on infected bovine mammary gland of a 5-year-old Holstein cow with chronic protothecal mastitis. A description of the histopathologic features of mammary glands is given, including plasma cells, macrophage interstitial infiltrates, fibroblasts and lymphocytes. The study showed that genotype 1 elicited a granulomatous lesion in the teat of the cow which is similar to the mastitis lesion induced by Prototheca zopfii genotype 2.

A case of dystocia due to lateral deviation of head and neck and its successful management through percutaneos partial Fetotomy is reported and described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valdostana is a dual-purpose breed originally from Italy, Valle d'Aosta region. There are three Valdostana breeds that differ in their morphological characteristics, production of milk and meat and temperament. These breeds are: Valdostana Pezzata Rossa (VPR), Valdostana Pezzata Nera (VPN) and Castana (CB). Researches have been conducted in the farm SC Modern Farm S.R.L. during February 2012-May 2013 on a herd of 25 Valdostana cattle, imported from Italy. Body growth and development of young cattle was appreciated on the basis of weight and body measurements determined at different ages: at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 16 months. During the research period (487 days), average daily gain was between 0.513 kg and 0.718 kg, as follows: 0.513 for Valdostana Pezzata Rossa (VPR) with 280 kg BW, 0.575 kg for Valdostana Pezzata Nera (VPN) with 310 kg BW and 0.718 kg for Castana breed (CB) with 378 kg. Regarding the resulted morphological index of lateral body shape specific values for Valdostana breed were correlated with animals' age, as follows: 114% to VPR, 112% to VPN and 117% to CB. The results show good accommodation for all three Valdostana breeds in the new breeding climate as well as resistance to ordinary technology conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]