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A protein of relative molecular mass of approximately 25,000 was purified from bovine colostrum by cation-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The N-terminus of the protein matched the sequence predicted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information for the bovine homolog of human neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, a glycoprotein of relative molecular mass 25,000 belonging to the family of lipocalins. The protein was further designated as bovine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (bNGAL). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE of enzymically deglycosylated bNGAL indicated that the intact protein bears one N-linked glycan. Monosaccharide and mass spectrometric analyses of released N-linked carbohydrates revealed the presences of complex- and hybrid-type glycans, with galactose substituted with N-acetylgalactosamine. This substitution is typical for glycoproteins expressed in the bovine mammary gland. A specific ELISA revealed bNGAL concentrations in plasma and mature milk of about 0.05 and 1 µg/mL, respectively, whereas values as high as 51 µg/mL were measured in colostrum. Thus, we have isolated and characterized a novel bovine (milk) protein that is a new member of the lipocalin family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reason for Performing Study: Foals stand and walk immediately after birth, but insight into the subsequent longitudinal development of their gait kinetics in the early juvenile phase and the possible influence of osteochondrosis thereon is lacking., Objectives: To quantify gait kinetics in foals during the first half year of life, taking into account their osteochondrosis status., Study Design: Prospective, cohort study performed at a single stud farm., Methods: Pressure plate measurements at walk and trot from 11 Dutch Warmblood foals during the first 24 weeks of life were used to determine body mass normalised peak vertical force, normalised vertical impulse and stance duration. Coefficients of variation of peak vertical force and stance duration were used as measures for gait maturity. Radiographs of tarsocrural and femoropatellar joints were taken at age 4-6 weeks and after 6 months to check for osteochondrosis. A linear mixed model was used to determine the effects of age, limb, presence of osteochondrosis and speed on gait parameters., Results: Mean walking and trotting velocity increased over time as did stance duration and normalised vertical impulse, normalised peak vertical force values however remained relatively constant. During the first weeks of their life only the coefficient of variation of stance duration decreased significantly, while the coefficient of variation of peak vertical force did not. None of the foals was visibly lame, but the presence of osteochondrosis resulted in a temporarily but significantly reduced normalised peak vertical force., Main Limitations: This study is a relatively small sample size of one breed from a single stud farm. A stand-alone pressure plate was used and body mass was estimated rather than measured., Conclusions: Despite being precocious, foals need time to mature their gait. During growth, velocity at walk and trot increases, but normalised peak vertical force remains relatively constant. Although not visibly lame, a temporary reduction in normalised peak vertical force was detected in osteochondrosis positive foals using a pressure plate., (© 2016 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.)

In a cattle herd problems were noticed during 1.5 years, characterised by emaciation and loss of milk production with lower fat- and protein%, tenesmus, central nervous symptoms (aggression, circling and blindness), diarrhoea, eczema solare and death. Clinical, laboratory and post mortem examinations did not reveal a specific cause at first. An intoxication was suspected based on the clinical symptoms, the course of the disease in sick animals and severe liver cirrhosis found in a sudden death cow: The animals were fed grassilage derived from an air force base on which an overwhelming amount of tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) was present. On subsequent microscopic examination of the livers of 11 slaughtered clinically healthy animals all of these showed fibrosis in varying extension. Cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver and the clinical symptoms are all features of chronic pyrrolyzidine alkaloidosis. Tansy ragwort poisoning has not been diagnosed in the Netherlands for years. The rise in cases is due to more extensive use of land.