63 research outputs found
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
Presence of Escherichia coli, Trueperella pyogenes, α-hemolytic streptococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococci and prevalence of subclinical endometritis
Subclinical endometritis (SCE) has a severe negative effect on reproductive
performance of dairy cows. Different studies have shown a wide variety of cut
points for the polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte (PMNL) percentage to
define SCE and differing sampling times. Possible risk factors for SCE, such
as low body condition score, hyperketonemia, and increased haptoglobin
concentrations have been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine
the relationship between bacterial findings in the uterus and PMNL in the
early postpartum period and to compare 2 classification schemes for the
diagnosis of SCE. Cytological and bacteriological samples from the uterus were
taken from 149 cows at 2 consecutive times postpartum [10±1 and 24±1d in milk
(DIM)] and additionally, 131 cows were sampled at 21 to 27 DIM. For sample
collection, the cytobrush technique was used and vaginal discharge was
examined by vaginoscopy. Polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte cut points
were set at 5, 10, and 18%. Cows positive with α-hemolytic streptococci at
10±1 DIM had significant higher PMNL percentages at 21 to 27 DIM and greater
median days to pregnancy (193.5d) than cows not infected (123.0d). Cows with
Trueperella pyogenes at 10±1 DIM had higher odds (5.2) of having more than 18%
PMNL at 21 to 27 DIM compared with cows without infection. Escherichia coli
had no effect on the prevalence of SCE regardless of the cut point.
Primiparous cows with more than 18% PMNL had greater median days to pregnancy
(144.5 d) than cows with less than 5% (80.0d) or cows between 5 and 18% PMNL
(68.0d). Cows between 5 and 18% PMNL or 10 and 18% PMNL showed the best
reproductive performance. The results demonstrate that an early infection with
α-hemolytic streptococci increased the PMNL percentage 2wk later and that 18%
PMNL at 21 to 27 DIM was a predictive cut point for primiparous cows to
diagnose animals with or without SCE
Comparison of Immediate Blanket Treatment versus a Delayed Pathogen-Based Treatment Protocol for Clinical Mastitis Using an On-Farm Culture Test at a Commercial German Dairy Farm
The objective of this study was to compare immediate intramammary antimicrobial treatment of mild and moderate cases of clinical mastitis (CM) with a selective treatment protocol based on on-farm culture results using Accumast®. The study was conducted at a 2600 cow commercial farm in Northeast Germany. Using a randomized design, mild and moderate clinical mastitis cases were assigned to either the blanket therapy (BT) or pathogen-based therapy (SELECT) group. Overall, 468 cases were used for final analyses (BT = 236; SELECT = 232). The percentage of cases assigned to the blanket and pathogen-based groups that received intramammary therapy were 100 and 69.9%, respectively. Implementation of a pathogen-based treatment protocol for mild and moderate CM cases resulted in no significant difference in post-event milk production, somatic cell count, survival to 30 d, and days spent in the hospital compared with a blanket therapy protocol. Cows in the SELECT group had reduced odds of being culled within 60 d post CM (odds ratio = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.31–0.93; p = 0.027). The use of a pathogen-based treatment protocol using an on-farm culture system has the potential to efficiently reduce antimicrobial use without negative effects on health
Evaluation of transrectal examination of cervical diameter by palpation in dairy cows
The objective of the study was to evaluate the reliability of a manual
assessment of cervical diameter through palpation. In an in vivo trial, 64
Holstein-Friesian cows between 2 and 5d in milk (DIM) and between 21 and 27
DIM were examined by transrectal palpation by 3 investigators. For calculation
of sensitivity and specificity, ultrasound-generated measurements were used as
reference standard; a cervix >7.5 cm was categorized as large. The Pearson
coefficient of correlation between the results of the 3 investigators and
ultrasound-generated measurements was moderate (r=0.71, 0.74, and 0.51). The
estimates generated by palpation by the 3 different investigators did not
differ and were similar to measurements obtained by ultrasound. The
coefficient of variation (CV) between the investigators and ultrasound was
high (20.9, 18.7, and 32.0%). The mean difference between the investigators
and the ultrasound was 0.60 cm (95% confidence interval: -2.4 to 3.6).
Sensitivity was 28.6, 42.9, and 42.9%, and specificity was 100, 96.2, and
92.6% for the ability of the 3 investigators, respectively, to detect the
7.5-cm cutoff by palpation. Overall sensitivity and specificity for all 3
investigators, considering ultrasound as the reference, were 37.5 and 96.2%,
respectively. In vitro, 24 wooden cylinders were used to represent cervical
diameter and to examine the reliability, as well as sensitivity and
specificity, of manual assessment of different diameters. The Pearson
coefficient of correlation between the results of the investigators (n=11) and
the actual diameters of the cylinders was 0.78. The CV between the
investigators and the cylinders was 27.8%. The variation in the results was
greater for cylinders with a larger diameter (3.5-cm diameter: mean ± standard
deviation = 2.6 ± 0.9 cm; 10.5-cm diameter: mean ± standard deviation = 13.2 ±
4.0 cm). The estimate obtained by palpation for the 7.5-cm cylinder was 7.4 ±
2.1cm. Sensitivity was 79.4% and specificity 92.5%. After training one group
of investigators, sensitivity and specificity improved to 85.9 and 94.4%,
respectively. Transrectal palpation of the cervical diameter shows moderate
repeatability and correlation and high variation between the investigators and
the reference standards. Variability increased with larger diameters
Luteal Presence and Ovarian Response at the Beginning of a Timed Artificial Insemination Protocol for Lactating Dairy Cows Affect Fertility: A Meta-Analysis
Progesterone (P4) concentration during follicular growth has a major impact on fertility response in timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols. Luteal presence at the beginning of a TAI protocol and ovarian response after the first gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection (G1) affect P4 concentration and subsequently pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). A systematic review of the literature and meta-analytical assessment was performed with the objective of evaluating the magnitude of the effect of luteal presence and ovarian response at the beginning of a TAI protocol on P/AI in lactating dairy cows. We considered only studies using synchronisation protocols consisting of GnRH and prostaglandin F (2 alpha). The time interval between G1 and prostaglandin F (2 alpha) (PGF (2 alpha)) had to range from 5 to 7 d. The time interval between the PGF (2 alpha) injection and G2 had to range from 48 to 72 h. We used 28 controlled experiments from 27 published manuscripts including 16,489 cows with the objective of evaluating the effect size of having a functional corpus luteum (CL) at G1 on P/AI. Information regarding ovulatory response after G1 was available for 5676 cows. In a subset of cows (n = 4291), information was available for luteal presence and ovulatory response at the initiation of the TAI protocol. A functional CL at G1 increased (p < 0.001) the relative risk of conceiving (RR (relative risk) = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.21-1.45) in lactating dairy cows. Ovulation after G1 increased (p < 0.001) the relative risk of conceiving (RR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.20-1.38) in lactating dairy cows. The effect of ovulatory response on P/AI after G1 was affected by luteal presence at G1. In summary, there was a clear benefit on P/AI for cows starting a TAI protocol with a functional CL (+10.5 percentage units) and cows ovulating at the beginning of a TAI protocol (+11.0 percentage units)
a meta-analysis
The objective of the conducted meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of the
treatment of bovine endometritis with PGF(2α) by statistical means. Postpartum
uterine infections have a high prevalence and a very negative effect on
reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Because of a wide discordance
between research results, a meta-analysis of the efficacy of the treatment of
bovine endometritis with PGF(2α) was conducted. A comprehensive literature
search was performed using online databases to reveal a total of 2,307
references. In addition, 5 articles were retrieved by reviewing citations.
After applying specific exclusion criteria and evaluating specific evidence
parameters, 5 publications, comprising 6 trials, were eligible for being
analyzed by means of meta-analysis. Data for each trial were extracted and
analyzed using meta-analysis software Review Manager (version 5.1; The Nordic
Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark). Estimated effect sizes of PGF(2α) were
calculated on calving to first service and calving to conception interval.
Prostaglandin F(2α) treatment of cows with chronic endometritis had a negative
effect on both reproductive performance parameters. Heterogeneity was
substantial for calving to first service and calving to conception interval
[I(2) (measure of variation beyond chance)=100 and 87%, respectively];
therefore, random-effects models were used. Sensitivity analysis as well as
subgroup analysis showed that the performance of randomization was influential
in modifying effect size of PGF(2α) treatment. The funnel plot illustrated a
publication bias toward smaller studies that reported a prolonged calving to
conception interval after a PGF(2α) treatment. We conclude that the
investigation of this subject by means of meta-analysis did not reveal an
improvement of reproductive performance of cows with endometritis after
treatment with PGF(2α). Furthermore, there is a shortage of comparable high
quality studies investigating reproductive performance after PGF(2α) treatment
of cows with chronic endometritis
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
quality and comparability of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of prostaglandin F2α for the treatment of bovine endometritis
The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality and comparability of
published literature, and to summarize the effect of prostaglandin F(2α)
(PGF(2α)) for the treatment of endometritis. It has been postulated that there
is a dearth of high-level evidence-based research results in veterinary
medicine. Also, there is a marked variation in the quality of studies in
veterinary and animal science. Post-partum uterine infections occur commonly
in dairy cattle and are reported to have a negative impact on reproductive
performance. A comprehensive literature search was conducted utilizing online
databases revealing a total of 2723 references. After applying specific
exclusion criteria, a total of 68 trials were eligible for further analysis.
These articles were evaluated utilizing specific parameters listed in an
evaluation form such as randomization and the involvement of control groups.
The analysis revealed that more than half of the trials (51·5%) were at least
20 years old. Furthermore, we found that about one third (36·8%) of all trials
were controlled and randomized, while 3 of those (4·4%) were also blinded. Of
those trials which calculated a calving-to-conception interval (n=30), 50% of
the authors claimed an improvement, which was statistically significant in
23·3% of the cases. We conclude that there is a wide discrepancy between
research results investigating the efficacy of PGF(2α)
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