Relationships between nutrient components of longissimus muscle and beef palatability traits and influence of finishing diet on beef quality

Scope and Method of Study: The first objective was to determine the influence of beef longissimus nutrient components on beef palatability traits by utilizing cattle from two related herds. Longissimus muscle (LM) samples were obtained and fabricated into steaks for trained sensory panel, Warner-Bratzler Shear force (WBS), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and healthfulness (fatty acid and mineral composition) analysis. The goal of the second study was to assess the influence of finishing diet on carcass traits, beef palatability, and color stability of LM of Angus heifers. Steaks were fabricated similarly to the correlation study with the addition of a steak for simulated retail display.Findings and Conclusions: Specific mineral concentrations did not demonstrate strong correlations with WBS, sensory traits, or TBARS, and significant correlations were not consistent between the two cattle populations. Linoleic acid (C18:2) was the only fatty acid significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with WBS in California samples, but C18:1, C18:2, C18:3n-3, C18:3n-6, and MUFA were significantly correlated with WBS in Iowa samples. There were weak correlations (P < 0.05) with C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, SFA, and MUFA in Iowa samples for initial and sustained juiciness. Specific fatty acids that demonstrated significant correlations with sensory tenderness ratings were generally weak and inconsistent between the two populations. Beef flavor was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with C14:0, C16:0, C18:1, and MUFA in both populations. Painty/fishy flavor was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with C18:2 and PUFA in California samples, but was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with the same traits in Iowa samples. There were no consistent relationships between lipid composition and livery/metallic flavor between the two populations.Carcasses from grain-fed heifers were fatter at the 12th rib and internally and had higher numerical yield grades and marbling scores than forage-finished heifers (P < 0.05). Steaks from grain-fed heifers had lower WBS values, higher tenderness ratings, higher beef and painty/fishy flavor, and lower grassy/cowy flavor than forage-fed beef (P < 0.05). Diet did not affect color, except grain-fed heifers had steaks with higher (P < 0.05) L* values than steaks from forage-fed heifers

Cytologie bij zangvogels : een nuttige diagnostische tool

Disease outbreaks in Passeriformes housed in group are often of infectious origin. Clinical signs observed are often similar and non-specific. In these cases, cytology is an invaluable tool for developing a presumptive or definitive diagnosis that can guide disease management decisions within a flock. In the first part of this review, the basic principles of cytological sampling techniques and the evaluation of the cytological findings are described. In the second part, an overview of important infectious diseases in Passeriformes is given, in which cytology may lead to a definitive or presumptive diagnosis

België ontsnapt niet aan het 'rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus-2'

Since 2016, an extensive spread of RHDV2, a virus variant of the classical rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is ongoing in the Belgian rabbit population. Both variants of the virus usually cause acute death without prior symptoms. Vaccination against both variants of the virus is possible. In Belgium, only a vaccine protecting against the classical RHDV has been registered. On their own responsibility, veterinarians are allowed to import a vaccine protecting against RHDV2 that is registered in another EU member state, in accordance with the so-called legislative waterfall-system. The current epidemiological situation warrants preventive vaccination of rabbits against RHD. It should be noted that myxomatosis is currently rather neglected in view of the increased attention for the RHDV2 spread. Myxomatosis also still causes a high mortality in both wild and domesticated rabbits. Veterinarians should correctly inform the public about the two important viral diseases in rabbits and the possibilities for prevention

Intratumoral chemotherapy in an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma in a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

An eight-year-old, female cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) was presented with anorexia, lethargy, a mass at the lower side of the wing and discoloration of the feathers. Physical examination showed an ulcerated nodular integumentary lesion of approximately 4 cm(3) ventromedial on the wing at the side of the propatagium and the humerus. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs revealed only hepatomegaly. After a stabilization period, surgical excision of the tumor was performed. Based on histopathological evaluation and bacterial culture of the surgically removed tissue, the lesion was typed as an integumentary squamous cell carcinoma with secondary bacterial infection (Corynebacterium sp). Four weeks postoperative, the tumor had recurred. Chemotherapeutic treatment was started with intratumoral carboplatin (1.5 mg/cm(3)) once a week. Because of further tumor growth after the second administration of carboplatin, resection of the mass was performed before the next infiltration. However, the bird died during anesthesia. Despite increase in tumor size, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations showed degeneration of the tumor with intercellular edema and vacuolization of the tumor cells, presumably resulting from carboplatin administration. More research is needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of the intratumoral administration of carboplatin as a treatment option in birds with integumentary squamous cell carcinoma

Research note : lyophilization of hyperimmune egg yolk : effect on antibody titer and protection of broilers against Campylobacter colonization

Oral administration of antibodies is a promising strategy against various infectious diseases. Previously, it was demonstrated that passive immunization by providing hyperimmune egg yolk through the feed reduces Campylobacter jejuni colonization in broilers. Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported bacterial foodborne zoonosis worldwide, and poultry products are the number one origin of these bacteria for human infection. To date, no effective control measures exist to limit Campylobacter colonization in the chicken's intestinal tract. Here, the effect of lyophilization of hyperimmune egg yolk on protection of broilers against C. jejuni was investigated. During an in vivo trial, broiler chickens were prophylactically given feed with lyophilized hyperimmune or non-immunized egg yolk powder starting from day 1 after hatch. At day 11, broilers were inoculated with C. jejuni according to a seeder model. Five days later, all broilers were euthanized and cecal content was examined for C. jejuni colonization. No decrease in C. jejuni colonization was found. The freeze-drying resulted in a 16-fold decrease of the antibody titer in the yolk powder compared to the fresh yolks, presumably caused by structural changes in the antibodies. In conclusion, applying freeze-dried hyperimmune egg yolk failed to protect broilers against C. jejuni colonization, possibly because lyophilization affected the antibodies' functionality