Validation of handheld meters to measure blood l-lactate concentration in dairy cows and calves

In cattle, blood lactate was measured in various conditions such as parturition and dystocia. To our knowledge, to date, no handheld device has been validated for the use in cows and only one handheld device was validated for the use in calves. When determining plasma lactate concentrations blood samples have to be processed carefully. Sodium fluoride was recommended to inhibit glycolysis and to stabilize plasma lactate concentrations during transport. However, its effect on measurements conducted with electrochemical meters has not been studied. The objectives of 3 experiments were to study factors influencing measures of L-lactate in dairy cows (e.g., different anticoagulants, different methods) and to validate a handheld device (Lactate Scout, SensLab GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) to determine L-lactate concentration in dairy cows and calves. In a first approach, blood samples from 49 cows were analyzed by 2 different laboratories. Measures of L-lactate concentration were correlated between the different laboratories in both lithium heparin plasma (r=0.98) and sodium fluoride plasma (r=0.99). In a second approach, these samples were analyzed using 3 methods [Lactate Scout, Biosen C_line (EKF Diagnostics GmbH, Barleben, Germany), and commercial laboratory]. Concentrations of L-lactate measured in lithium heparin did not differ when analyzed with the Lactate Scout (0.99±0.35 mmol/L), the Biosen C_line (0.81±0.26 mmol/L), or the laboratory (1.0±0.36 mmol/L). Concentrations of L-lactate measured in sodium fluoride, however, were higher when analyzed with the Lactate Scout (1.85±0.66 mmol/L) compared with those measured with the Biosen C_line (0.92±0.37 mmol/L) and by the commercial laboratory (0.72±0.45 mmol/L). In the second and third experiments, blood samples from 173 cows and 106 calves were analyzed using the 3 methods (Lactate Scout, Biosen C_line, and commercial laboratory). L-Lactate concentrations measured with the 3 methods were correlated (cows: Lactate Scout vs. Biosen C_line: r=0.97, Lactate Scout vs. laboratory 1: r=0.98, Biosen C_line vs. laboratory 1: r=0.99; calves: Lactate Scout vs. Biosen C_line: r=0.97, Lactate Scout vs. laboratory 1: r=0.98, Biosen C_line vs. laboratory 1: r=0.99). In conclusion, Lactate Scout and Biosen C_line measure blood L-lactate concentrations reliably compared with a commercial laboratory as the reference method in dairy cows and calves. However, attention needs to be paid to the choice of anticoagulant used in sample collection

Comparison of ambient temperature, relative humidity, and temperature-humidity index between on-farm measurements and official meteorological data

The objectives of the study were to compare the climate conditions of 7 dairy farms with the climate recorded at the closest official meteorological station. Specifically, we set out to compare the ambient temperature, relative humidity, and the resulting temperature-humidity index (THI) from 7 different barns with those data obtained from the closest official meteorological stations and to compare the climate conditions between 4 different locations within 1 barn. Measures of correlation and agreement demonstrated that climate conditions differ significantly between the barn and the corresponding official meteorological stations as well as between 4 different locations inside 1 barn. The ambient temperature was higher (6.4 ± 3.6°C) in the barn than at the official meteorological station. The relative humidity was higher at the official meteorological station (0.2 ± 7.2%) than in the barn. The THI was higher (11.1 ± 6.5) in the barn than at the official meteorological station. Days with an average THI ≥ 72 were 64 and 4 out of 756 experimental d in the barn and at the official meteorological station, respectively. Also, in a comparison of 7 different barns, ambient temperature and THI were significantly higher than at the closest corresponding official meteorological station. These results indicate that climate conditions should be obtained from on-farm measurements to evaluate potential heat stress and to develop effective measures to abate heat stress of dairy cows

Agreement between rectal and vaginal temperature measured with temperature loggers in dairy cows

The overall objective of this study was to evaluate agreement between rectal (RT) and vaginal temperature (VT) measured with the same temperature loggers in dairy cows. Three experiments were conducted. The study began with a validation in vitro of 24 temperature loggers comparing them to a calibrated liquid-in-glass thermometer as a reference method. The association and agreement between the 24 temperature loggers with the reference method was r=0.996 (P<0.001) with a negligible coefficient of variance (0.005) between the loggers. In-vivo temperature loggers were tested in 11 healthy post-partum cows (Experiment 2) and 12 early post-partum cows with greater body temperature (Experiment 3). Temperature loggers were set to record VT and RT at 1-min intervals. To prevent rectal and vaginal straining and potential expulsion of temperature logger an epidural injection of 2.5 ml of 2% Procain was administered. Association between RT and VT was r=0.92 (P<0.001; Experiment 2) and r=0.94 (P<0.001; Experiment 3) with a negligible difference of -0.1 and 0.01 °C. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated agreement between RT and VT for healthy and early post-partum cows with greater body temperature in Experiments 2 and 3, respectively. Furthermore the intra-class correlation coefficient between RT and VT measured with identical loggers within cows of Experiments 2 and 3 also demonstrated greater agreements (P<0.001). Therefore, continuous VT monitoring with temperature loggers can be used as a measure of body temperature in dairy cows

Evaluation of data loggers for measuring lying behavior in dairy calves

Lying behavior might indicate how the animal interacts with its environment and is an important indicator of cow and calf comfort. Measuring behavior can be time consuming; therefore, behavioral recording with the help of loggers has become common. Recently, the Hobo Pendant G data logger (Onset Computer Corp., Bourne, MA) was validated for measuring lying behavior in cows but no work to date has validated this logger for measuring lying behavior in calves. The objective of this study was to test the accuracy of the Hobo Pendant G data logger for measuring total lying time and frequency of lying bouts in dairy calves. In 2 experiments (experiment 1: thirty-seven 2-h observation periods; experiment 2: nineteen 24-h observation periods), we tested the effect of 2 different recording intervals, the effect of attachment to different legs, and the effect of removing short, potentially erroneous readings. We found an excellent relationship when comparing the 30-s and 60-s recording intervals. For total lying time and bout frequency, the highest correlation was found when the logger was attached to the hind legs and recording was conducted with a 60-s sampling interval. In experiment 2, average total lying time was 1,077 ± 54 min/24 h (18.0 ± 0.9h/24h), with an average frequency of 19.4 ± 4.5 bouts per day. Predictability, sensitivity, and specificity for experiment 2 were >97% using the 60-s recording interval and removing single readings of lying or standing from the data set compared with direct observation as reference. The data logger accurately measured total lying time and bout frequency when the sampling interval was ≤ 60 s and short readings of lying and standing up to 1 min were converted into the preceding behavior. The best results were achieved by attaching the logger to the right hind leg

Endogenous and exogenous progesterone influence body temperature in dairy cows

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effect of endogenous progesterone (P4) on body temperature comparing lactating, pregnant with lactating, nonpregnant cows, and to study the effect of exogenous P4 administered via a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) insert on body temperature in lactating dairy cows. Body temperature was measured vaginally and rectally using temperature loggers and a digital thermometer, respectively. In experiment 1, 10 cyclic lactating cows (3 primiparous, 7 multiparous) and 10 lactating, pregnant cows (3 primiparous, 7 multiparous) were included. Vaginal temperatures and serum P4 concentrations were greater in pregnant cows (vaginal: 0.3±0.01°C; P4: 5.5±0.4 ng/mL) compared with nonpregnant cows. In experiment 2, estrous cycles of 14 postpartum healthy, cyclic, lactating cows (10 primiparous, 4 multiparous) were synchronized, and cows were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments (CIDR-P4 or CIDR-blank). A temperature logger was inserted 1 d after ovulation using a P4-free CIDR (CIDR-blank) and a CIDR containing 1.38g of P4 (CIDR-P4) in the control (n=7) and the P4-treated group (n=7), respectively. On d 3 after P4 treatment, vaginal temperature was 0.3±0.03°C greater compared with that on d 1 and d 5. In experiment 3, 9 cyclic multiparous lactating cows were enrolled 1±1 d after confirmed ovulation and a temperature logger inserted. Two days later, a CIDR-P4 was inserted on top of the CIDR-blank. On d 5±1 and d 7±1, respectively, the CIDR-P4 and CIDR-blank with the temperature logger were removed. During the CIDR-P4 treatment (48h), vaginal temperature was 0.2±0.05°C and 0.1±0.05°C greater than during the pre- and post-treatment periods (48h), respectively. Serum P4 concentration peaked during CIDR-P4 treatment (2.2±0.8 ng/mL) and was greater than during the pre-treatment period (0.2±0.2 ng/mL) for 48h. An increase in vaginal temperature could be due to endogenous and exogenous P4. However, a correlation between serum P4 concentrations and body temperature did not exist. Further investigations are warranted to better understand the pathways of the thermogenic effect of P4 on body temperature

Factors associated with body temperature of healthy Holstein dairy cows during the first 10 days in milk

In this prospective observational study rectal and vaginal temperature of 82 (26 primiparous, 56 multiparous) early post-partum healthy dairy cows that calved without intervention within 3 months and did not show clinical signs of infectious and metabolic diseases were continuously measured and evaluated for associations with plausible factors during the first 10 days in milk (DIM). During May, June and July mean (±SD) temperature humidity index (THI) was 60·1±5; 66·8±5·6 and 74·2±4·3, respectively. Environmental conditions had a negligible effect on body temperature (BT) during May (P<0·05). During June and July, however, the ambient temperature and THI influenced BT (P<0·05). Furthermore, plausible factors like parity, DIM, months and time of day had an effect on BT (P<0·05). Overall, primiparous cows demonstrated 0·2°C greater BT during the first 10 DIM than multiparous cows. The effect of parity, however, on BT varied between DIM according to month (P<0·001). During this 3-month study period all cows demonstrated BT rhythms; however, the amplitude of BT increased from May to July (0·3 to 0·7°C). A greater proportion of the vaginal temperature measurements exceeded a threshold tested (≥39·5°C) during July (46·8%) than in June (33·9%) and May (19·3%). Overall the percentage of BT values above a threshold of ≥39·5°C was lower during the period 6.00-10.00 compared with the remaining 20 h (P<0·05). Therefore this study concluded that the BT of healthy post-partum dairy cows during the period 1-10 DIM post partum is greater compared with the reference range of 38·6 to 39·5°C reported by others and is influenced by parity, DIM, time of day and THI. When the association between BT and THI increased the reliability of threshold levels of BT (≥39·5°C) decreased

evaluation of a system for monitoring rumination in heifers and calves

The Hi-Tag electronic rumination-monitoring system (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel), based on capturing audio recordings, provides a reasonable measure of rumination time in dairy cows, but has not been validated for milk- fed or weaned heifers. The objective of this study was to validate the Hi-Tag rumination-monitoring system in heifers and calves and to assess whether suckling from a teat interfered with recording from this system. Assessments of 2 independent observers were highly correlated (r=0.99, n=20), indicating that direct visual observations provide a useful standard. Measures from the Hi-Tag system were validated by comparing values with those from a single human observer, using observations from three 2-h intervals from 35 Holstein calves and heifers aged 4, 6, and 9 wk and 3, 6, and 9 mo, respectively. In 9 -mo-old heifers, rumination times obtained from the electronic system were highly correlated with visual observations (r=0.88, R2=0.77, n=15), and the mean difference was minor (-4±8 min/2-h interval). The accuracy of data from the automated system decreased when used on heifers less than 9 mo old. Suckling did not interfere with the electronic system (r=-0.1, n=18). These results indicate that the Hi-Tag system is an accurate tool for monitoring rumination behavior in Holstein Friesian heifers from the age of 9 mo

Body temperature around induced estrus in dairy cows

The overall objective of this study was to study the influence of induced estrus on body temperature, comparing 5 distinct intervals around induced estrus and to determine the diurnal pattern from 4 ± 1 d before to 4 ± 1 d after induced estrus. Sixteen estrous cycles of 9 postpartum dairy cows were synchronized with 2 injections of PGF(2α), 10 d apart. After the second PGF(2α) injection on d 10, temperature loggers were inserted into the vaginal cavity for a 12 ± 1-d period. Two days later, a third dose of PGF(2α) was injected to induce estrus. After confirmation of a corpus luteum, loggers were removed on d 5 ± 1. Observation of estrus, rectal palpation, and ultrasound scanning to determine ovulation were carried out every 4 ± 1h, beginning at 12h after the third PGF(2α) injection. Blood samples from the vena coccygea mediana were collected twice daily from d 11 to 12 and every 4 ± 1h after the third PGF(2α) injection until ovulation. Vaginal temperature was recorded every 5 min and averaged to hourly means for the following 5 periods: 1) 48 h preceding the third PGF(2α) injection, 2) from the third PGF(2α) injection to first signs of estrus, 3) estrus to ovulation, 4) a 4-h interval in which ovulation occurred, and 5) a 96-h post-ovulation period. High body temperatures (39.0 ± 0.5 °C) and low progesterone (P4) concentrations (<0.5 ng/mL) were observed during estrus, whereas low body temperatures were observed from PGF(2α) injection to estrus (38.6 ± 0.3 °C) and around ovulation (38.5 ± 0.2 °C), respectively. An association between body temperature and serum P4 concentrations did not exist. However, P4 concentrations on d 11 and 12 were high (5.0 ± 1.5 ng/mL) and decreased (0.9 ± 0.2 ng/mL) after ovulation. Diurnal temperature rhythms were similar before and after estrus. Vaginal temperature before estrus (d 11 and 12) was slightly (0.1 °C) higher compared with the post-ovulation period

Paul, his apostleship, the collection, and the unity of Jews and gentiles

In this dissertation the author questions an assumed consensus in New Testament scholarship, ht the history of Pauline research Paul has always been treated as a systematic theologian. Thus e.g. the understanding of Paul's concept of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles has shaped views of scholars on Paul's under- standing of his apostleship and his collection of money for the Jerusalem church. And the views on his office as apostle and on his task of the collection influenced each other. Investigating these issues the author makes four observations, a) It is Paul’s basic conviction that the eschatological people of God is a unity of Jews and Gentiles with the Jews in the first place, b) This is the underlying concept of first Paul's apostleship: his role m God's plan of salvation is to proclaim among the Gentiles their final incorporation into the people of God, and, second, Paul's collection: it is a means of expressing unity between Paul's Gentile Christian churches and the mother church in Jerusalem. Thus, it is a sign of the Gentile Christians' recognition of the prime importance of the Jews and, at the same time, of Jerusalem's recognition of the incorporation of the Gentiles into the people of God. c) However, Paul does not elaborate this basic conviction when talking about his apostleship or his collection of money d) Paul does not bring his role as an apostle into specific connection with his role as a collector of money. Thus, the author concludes that in order to establish the points Paul wishes to make he argues not on the basis of one theological system, but on the basis of several considerations and reasons. Paul, therefore, is no perfect systematic thinker, but rather a pragmatic churchman

Deliberately light interpersonal contact affects the control of head stability during walking in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

Objective: To evaluate the potential of deliberately light interpersonal touch (IPT) for reducing excessive head and trunk sway during self-paced walking in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP). Design: Quasi-experimental, proof-of-concept study with between-groups comparison. Setting: Ambulant care facility, community center. Participants: 26 individuals with CP (spastic and ataxic; GMFCS I-III; mean=9.8y; f=11, m=15) and in 39 typically developed (TD) children and adolescents (mean=10.0y; f=23, m=16). Interventions: IPT applied by a therapist to locations at the back and the head. Main Outcome Measures: As primary outcomes head and trunk sway during self-paced walking were assessed by inertial measurement units. Secondary outcomes were average step length and gait speed. Results: CP group: apex and occiput IPT reduced head velocity sway compared to thoracic IPT (both p=0.04) irrespective of individuals’ specific clinical symptoms. TD group: all testing conditions reduced head velocity sway compared to walking alone (all p≤0.03) as well as in apex and occiput IPT compared to paired walking (both p≤0.02). Conclusions: Deliberately light IPT at the apex of the head alters control of head sway in children and adolescents with CP. The effect of IPT varies as a function of contact location and acts differently in TD individuals