Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the bovine leptin gene and their association with carcass and efficiency traits, and endocrine profiles, in female Angus cows

One hundred and fifty female Angus cattle were genotyped for the bovine leptin gene SNPs UASMS1, UASMS2, E2FB and E2JW. Net Feed Intake (NFI) Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and E2JW SNP data was also acquired from 169 Angus cattle that originated from Trangie Research Station, NSW, and were selected for a divergence in feed efficiency. The E2JW SNP was associated with NFI, NFI EBV and P8 fatness. The UASMS1 and UASMS2 SNPs were associated with circulating leptin concentrations. These particular associations have not been reported previously but similar associations have reported in North American studies. The inconsistent associations suggest that these SNPs are not good candidates for marker-assisted selection for NFI. Also, the investigation of associations with endocrine profiles that reflect body composition such as leptin, requires genotyping of a larger number of Australian cattle than was possible in this experiment

Non-minimal coupling of the scalar field and inflation

We study the prescriptions for the coupling constant of a scalar field to the Ricci curvature of spacetime in specific gravity and scalar field theories. The results are applied to the most popular inflationary scenarios of the universe; their theoretical consistency and certain observational constraints are discussed.Comment: 23 pages, LaTex, no figures, to appear in Physical Review

PCR-based identification of spiral bacteria in healthy and ulcerated swine stomachs

Oesophagogastric ulcer (OGU) is a common condition in pigs, and may result in reduced production. Complications arising from oesophagogastric ulcer are one of the leading causes of death in post- weaning pigs (1). There are numerous predisposing causes of OGU, but their precise mode of action remains unclear (2). Recently, Helicobacter pylorus has been shown to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease in humans (3). Over the past few years many studies have attempted to clarify the link between the presence of spiral bacteria in the gastric mucosa and occurrence of OGU in swine (4,5,6). Conflicting results have been obtained. The objective of this study was to investigate spiral bacteria populations in the gastric mucosa of macroscopically healthy and ulcerated stomachs from Australian pigs

Prevalence of gastric lesions in Western Australian pig herds: an abattoir survey

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of OGU in pigs from Western Australia (WA) at a commercial abattoir. The hypothesis tested was that the prevalence of lesions would be similar to those reported in other Australian states

Evaluation of some dietary treatments designed to reduce the incidence of swine dysentery

Swine dysentery (SD) is an infectious diarrhoeal disease of pigs caused by the bacterium Serpulina hyodysenteriae. Apart from the spirochaete, vigorous hindgut fermentation, particularly associated with two common dietary components - resistant starch (RS) and soluble non-starch polysaccharides (sNSP) - is linked to a higher incidence of SD (2, 3). The mechanism is unclear, but is assumed to act through modifications to the intestinal microflora, which in tum react with the spirochaete. Wheat, as a commonly used grain in pig production, is rich both in RS and sNSP, but some dietary treatments can increase the availability of these components in the small intestine, limiting the amount of substrate reaching the hindgut for fermentation. Extrusion causes gelatinisation of RS, whilst addition of enzymes (xylanases) to the diet can hydrolyse sNSP prior to its arrival in the large intestine. The aim of this study was to increase the digestibility of RS and sNSP in the small intestine by applying specific treatments to wheat -based diets, thereby reducing both hindgut fermentation and the incidence of SD

The prevalence and molecular epidemiology of Serpulina pilosicoli in pigs in the eastern highlands of Papua New Guinea

Serpulina pilosicoli is the causative agent of intestinal spirochaetosis (IS), a diarrhoeic condition characterised by the end-on attachment of the spirochaetes to the epithelium of the large intestine. A previous study of porcine isolates of S. pilosicoli using pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) indicated a high genetic diversity of isolates, although these were collected from a range of geographical locations (1). Although a number of epidemiological studies of S. pilosicoli in pigs have been made in western countries (2, 3), none have been performed in other regions of the world. An epidemiological study was carried out in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, in order to determine the epidemiology of S. pilosicoli in villagers and domestic animals. The study centered upon European Large White-Landrace pigs in an intensive commercial piggery, and an indigenous species of pig, Sus scrofa papuensis, which were found in nearby villages, and reared under non-intensive conditions

Effect of roughage quality and fermentable energy/protein on intake, performance and nitrogen excretion in cattle fed export diets

High levels of ammonia emissions have been recorded on board vessels carrying live cattle for export from Australia to the Middle East (1). Ammonia emission can be decreased by manipulating N intake (2). The objective of this study was to investigate the best combination of roughage source (straw vs hay), barley, level of protein inclusion (18% vs 30%) and type of protein supplement (lupins vs canola meal) to provide an alternative low-N residue diet to the diets currently used in the trade, while preserving feed intake and liveweight gain