Effects of Selective Dry Cow Treatment on Intramammary Infection Risk after Calving, Cure Risk during the Dry Period, and Antibiotic Use at Drying-Off: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Current Literature (2000–2021)

The objectives of this paper were (i) to perform a systematic review of the literature over the last 21 yr and (ii) to evaluate the efficacy of selective dry cow treatment (SDCT) vs. blanket dry cow treatment (BDCT) in dairy cows regarding the risk of intramammary infection (IMI) after calving, new IMI risk after calving, cure risk during the dry period, and a reduction in antibiotic use at drying-off by meta-analysis. The systematic search was carried out using the databases PubMed, CAB Direct, and ScienceDirect. A meta-analytical assessment was performed for each outcome of interest using random-effects models, and the relative risk (RR) for IMI and cure or the pooled proportion for antibiotic use was calculated. The final number of included studies was n = 3 for IMI risk after calving and n = 5 for new IMI risk after calving, cure risk during the dry period, and antibiotic use. The RR levels for IMI (RR, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02, 0.94–1.11; p = 0.592), new IMI (RR, 95% CI: 1.06, 0.94–1.20; p = 0.994), and cure (RR, 95% CI: 1.00, 0.97–1.02; p = 0.661) did not differ significantly between SDCT and BDCT. Substantial heterogeneity was observed between the trials regarding the pooled proportion of antibiotic use within the SDCT groups (I2 = 97.7%; p < 0.001). This meta-analysis provides evidence that SDCT seems to be an adequate alternative to BDCT regarding udder health with a simultaneous reduction in antibiotic use. Limitations might arise because of the small number of studies included

Trisomy 26 in a Holstein calf with disorders of sex development

Hypospadias occurs sporadically in male livestock and is characterized by a non-fused urethra during fetal development. In this study, perineal hypospadias, a bifid scrotum, penile hypoplasia, and bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism were diagnosed in a neonatal Holstein male calf. Septicemia was also suspected due to hypothermia, blurred conjunctivae, and loss of sucking and swallowing reflexes. Gross pathology revealed that both testicles were located intraabdominally caudally to the kidneys. Histopathological examination of the hypospadias showed a urothelium-lined mucosal fold and parts of the corpus cavernosum penis and prepuce in the subcutis. Whole genome sequencing was performed on the affected calf. Analysis of short-read coverage depth along the chromosomes identified an entire extra copy of chromosome 26. Based on the comparison of available variant calling data from the sire, the identified trisomy 26 is due to non-disjunction of homologous chromosomes during the generation of paternal gametes. We have shown for the first time an association between bovine hypospadias and trisomy 26, which adds to the understanding of variation in fetal male sexual development

Textile industry manufacturing by-products induce human melanoma cell proliferation via ERK1/2 activation

OBJECTIVES: Textiles used to make clothing can represent a source, often ignored, of chemicals potentially noxious to both skin and the whole organism. Among the most frequently produced potentially noxious chemical manufacturing by-products are formaldehyde (FA), nickel (Ni) and hexavalent chromium (Cr); they are of potential clinical interest as all are known to be carcinogenic to humans and to be potent skin sensitizers. The aim of this study was to investigate, in vitro, effects of these potentially dangerous compounds on two different melanoma cell lines. In particular, attention was focused on A375P, a poorly metastatic and low invasive cell line and SK-MEL-28, a highly metastatic cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effects of these compounds was evaluated on A375P and SK-MEL-28 cells. FA (1-5 7 10(-5) m), NiSO4 (10(-6) -10(-3) m), K2 Cr2 O7 (10(-7) -10(-6) m) effects on cell proliferation were evaluated by cell counting, while ERK pathway involvement was evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Low concentrations of the chemicals, covering a range that corresponds to commonly accepted limits in textile production, induced a significant increase in cell proliferation concomitant with transient activation of phosphorylated ERK expression. CONCLUSIONS: Data obtained suggest that increasing attention must be focused on these by-products' potentially harmful effects in chemical manufacturing of clothes and accessories, that remain for long periods of time, in contact with human skin

Laying performance characteristics, egg quality, and integument condition of Saxonian chickens and German Langshan bantams in a free-range system

SUMMARY: Indigenous poultry breeds represent an important animal genetic resource. However, their characteristics in respect of performance, product quality, and integument condition are often poorly investigated. Therefore, the local breeds Saxonian chickens (SaChi) and German Langshan bantam chickens (GLB) of different plumage colors were characterized. The high-performing hybrid strain of Lohmann brown chickens (LB) served as the control group. For each group, 60 hens and 6 roosters were studied in an extensive free-range system from 21 to 80 wk of life. The plumage and foot pad quality were scored on 9 distinct observation dates and the measurements of the egg quality were performed at 7 different time periods.The number of eggs per hen housed in the first laying year was significantly lower in the SaChi (146.4 ± 30.8) and the GLB chickens (107.8 ± 20.4) when compared to the LB chickens (295.0 ± 16.8) (P < 0.001). Regarding laying performance, we detected effects of plumage color within both local breeds (P < 0.001). Within 4/7 plumage colors, effects of the breeder were also found (P ≤ 0.037). The eggs of the local chicken breeds showed lower egg weights (P < 0.001), shell breaking strength (P ≤ 0.041), albumen consistency (P < 0.001), and a lower egg shape index (P < 0.001), but higher proportions of yolk (P < 0.001) when compared to the eggs of the LB chickens. The logistic regression models for the plumage and footpad condition demonstrated that the SaChi and GLB hens underwent less plumage loss and footpad swelling than the LB hens (P < 0.001).Overall, this study shows that the laying performance of the local breeds was significantly lower, but there were noticeable advantages in terms of egg composition and animal welfare indicators when compared to a high-performing hybrid strain. In further studies and the use in extensive production systems, the observed performance differences between plumage colors and breeders should be taken into account

Flock-level risk factors of litter condition for the occurrence of plumage damage and skin lesions in commercial laying hen farms

ABSTRACT: Plumage damage (PD) as a result of severe feather pecking (SFP) and skin lesions (SL) due to cannibalism (CA) is serious welfare, performance, and economic problems in commercial layer farms. Genetics, nutrition, and housing conditions are central complexes that contribute to the multifactorial causes of these behavioral disorders. Practical recommendations consider the quality of litter as an important criterion for the prevention of SFP, although systematic longitudinal studies providing evidence-based findings are lacking.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of litter condition on the occurrence of PD and SL in the field using a longitudinal design. Integument scoring (PD and SL; 7 times), litter scoring (structure, cake formation, litter quality, and litter height; 12 times), and laboratory litter analysis (dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and pH value; 12 times) were performed in 28 laying hen flocks with a median flock size of 12,357 birds, in barn (n = 21) or free-range systems (n = 7), during the first laying period.Binary logistic regression (BLR) models showed the association of housing type and animal age on PD and SL (P < 0.001), and of the hybrid type on PD (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant association with PD and SL was observed for several litter traits. An increase in litter height, DM, and P was associated with lower PD (P ≤ 0.022) and SL (P < 0.001). In contrast, a higher N content of the litter was associated with an increase in SL (P = 0.007). Cake formation (P < 0.001) and a low structure (P = 0.025) of the litter showed an association with higher PD.In conclusion, this study identified caked litter with less structure, low height, and low contents of DM and P as risk factors for behavioral disorders in commercial laying flocks

Relation between Feed Particle Size Distribution and Plumage Condition in Laying Hens on Commercial Farms

In this cross-sectional study, 103 complete feed samples from laying hen herds affected by plumage damage as an indirect measure for severe feather pecking (affected herds; AH, n = 37) and control herds without plumage damage (control herd; CH, n = 66) of commercial German farms were examined by dry sieve and nutrient analysis. AH showed higher percentages of particles &gt;2.50 mm (mean ± SD, CH: 11.0 ± 8.5%, AH: 24.9 ± 14.3%) and 2.00–2.50 mm (CH: 11.2 ± 5.3%, AH: 15.7 ± 5.7%), but lower proportions of fractions 1.01–1.60 mm (CH: 22.9 ± 4.9%, AH: 17.8 ± 5.7%), 0.51–1.00 mm (CH: 25.5 ± 8.2%, AH: 16.0 ± 6.8%) and ≤0.50 mm (CH: 15.4 ± 5.0%, AH: 11.0 ± 4.8%) (p &lt; 0.001). Diets of AH had a higher geometric mean diameter (GMD) compared to CH (AH: 1470.8 ± 343.9 μm; CH: 1113.3 ± 225.7 μm) (p &lt; 0.001). Contents of crude ash (CH: 130.3 ± 18.8 g/kg, AH: 115.9 ± 24.3 g/kg), lysine (CH: 8.2 ± 1.0 g/kg, AH: 7.7 ± 1.2 g/kg), methionine (CH: 3.4 ± 0.5 g/kg, AH: 3.2 ± 0.6 g/kg) and sodium (CH: 1.7 ± 0.4 g/kg, AH: 1.3 ± 0.4 g/kg) were lower in AH (p ≤ 0.041). In a logistic regression model, animal age (p = 0.041) and GMD (p &lt; 0.001) were significant factors on the occurrence of plumage damage.</jats:p