Reference values of Schirmer tear test in sheep and the effect of season on the test results

The aim of this study was to determine the reference range of Schirmer tear test (STT) values in sheep using Greek indigenous and mixed breeds and to investigate the potential effect of breed and season on these values. Ninety (30 Chios, 30 Florina and 30 Lacaune mixed breed) ewes aged 2 years or more were used for the study. The aqueous portion of the tear film was measured using Schirmer tear test (STT) commercial strips bilaterally by the same investigator with the animal in standing position. The average STT value recorded was 18.45 ± 3.93 mm/min and the range 10.8–26.2 mm/min. STT was significantly affected by the season and the recorded values were significantly higher in summer compared to winter. The breed had no significant effect on tear secretion. The results of the present study provide a reference range of STT values in sheep and indicate that tear secretion is significantly affected by the season

In-field evaluation of clinoptilolite feeding efficacy on the reduction of milk aflatoxin M1 concentration in dairy cattle

Abstract Background Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite with high adsorption capacity for polar mycotoxins such as aflatoxins. The efficacy of clinoptilolite in ameliorating the toxic effects of aflatoxicosis has been proven in monogastric animals, but there is no such evidence for ruminants. The aim of this study was to evaluate, under field conditions, whether the dietary administration of clinoptilolite in dairy cows could reduce the concentration of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in bulk-tank milk, in farms with higher than or close to 0.05 μg/kg of milk (European maximum allowed residual level). An objective of the present study was also to investigate the effect of particle size of clinoptilolite on aflatoxin binding. Methods Fifteen commercial Greek dairy herds with AFM1 concentrations in bulk tank milk ≥0.05 μg/kg were selected. Bulk tank milk AFM1 was determined prior to the onset and on day 7 of the experiment. Clinoptilolite was added in the total mixed rations of all farms at the rate of 200 g per animal per day, throughout this period. Two different particle sizes of clinoptilolite were used; less than 0.15 mm in 9 farms (LC group) and less than 0.8 mm in 6 farms (HC group). Results Clinoptilolite administration significantly reduced AFM1 concentrations in milk in all farms tested at an average rate of 56.2 % (SD: 15.11). The mean milk AFM1 concentration recorded on Day 7 was significantly (P < 0.001) lower compared to that of Day 0 (0.036 ± 0.0061 vs. 0.078 ± 0.0074 μg/kg). In LC group farms the reduction of milk AFM1 concentration was significantly higher than HC group farms (0.046 ± 0.0074 vs. 0.036 ± 0.0061 μg/kg, P = 0.002). As indicated by the Pearson correlation, there was a significant and strong linear correlation among the milk AFM1 concentrations on Days 0 and 7 (R = 0.95, P < 0.001). Conclusions Dietary administration of clinoptilolite, especially of smallest particle size, at the rate of 200 g per cow per day can effectively reduce milk AFM1 concentration in dairy cattle and can be used as a preventive measure for the amelioration of the risks associated with the presence of aflatoxins in the milk of dairy cows

The role of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase in the diagnosis of subclinical intramammary infections in dairy sheep and goats

The objective was to investigate the changes occurring in the activities of the enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in sheep and goat milk as a result of subclinical intramammary infections (IMI) and to evaluate the use of these enzymes for the diagnosis of subclinical IMI in dairy sheep and goats. A total of 206 samples of sheep milk and 162 samples of goat milk, obtained from equal udder halves, were used in the study. For each species they were divided into two groups: a no-infection group and a subclinical infection group. Activities of LDH, ALP and AST were significantly higher in the subclinical infection group than in the no-infection group (P<0.05) in both sheep (LDH: 350.42 +/- 11.25 v. 120.91 +/- 4.41; ALP: 2773.43 +/- 105.18 v. 2189 +/- 94.24; AST: 29.57 +/- 0.74 v. 17.32 +/- 0.46) and goats (LDH: 354.07 +/- 13.33 v. 103.79 +/- 3.75; ALP: 311.13 +/- 25.74 v. 137.24 +/- 19.62; AST: 27.59 +/- 6.42 v. 15.87 +/- 0.45). The activity of LDH was identified as indicator for subclinical IMI in both sheep and goats. The Optimum cut-off values for LDH activity, offering the highest diagnostic sensitivity (DSn) and diagnostic specificity (DSp), determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, were at 197 U/l, 185 U/l and 197 U/l for sheep, goats and both species, respectively. DSn for sheep, goats and both species at these cut-off values was 92.8%, 98.2% and 94.0%, whereas DSp was 95.4%, 96.3% and 96.3%, respectively. It was concluded that the determination of LDH activity in milk serum is a sensitive and reliable method for the detection of subclinical IMI in dairy sheep and goats

EuroSheep: co-construction approaches to understand main needs of sheep farmers and define innovative solutions to improve the sector’s profitability

In EuroSheep, co-construction approaches are used to exchange knowledge and experience among sheep farmers, veterinarians, advisors and researchers. The aim is to engage stakeholders in a network that facilitates a better understanding of the sector needs and best practices. The main objectives are to improve sheep health, nutrition, and profitability. Stakeholders of the 8 country’s involved use both National and Transnational workshops to connect. In each country, farmers’ needs were identified, and relevant solutions cross-exchanged by the other countries. Currently, 45 of the 96 technical solutions created have stakeholder feedback on the benefits, and overall acceptance, these solutions were followed by a sustainability analysis. To increase farmer uptake, 26 factsheets, 53 ’tips and tricks’ and videos were produced

EuroSheep: Cost benefit and Sustainability analysis of Health and Nutrition Best Practices

Within EuroSheep project, Best Practices (BP) answering sheep health and nutrition issues were suggested by partner countries and implemented by farmers in other partner countries to assess their suitability. Alongside this assessment, Cost-Benefit (CB) and Sustainability analyses (SA) were performed by the countries provided the 51 BP selected by stakeholders. CB analysis included additional costs of implementing the identified BP at farm level and/or savings in production costs and monetary benefits. SA assessed the impact of the identified BPs on environmental issues. The CB and SA templates included a description of farm/situation in which the analyses were performed. As several indicators such as energy consumption, farm inputs and productivity rates were common, the SA template was developed as a complement to the CB. Additional indicators refer to benefits, as animal welfare, better work environment, free time, etc. On the 51 BP analysed, 55% lead to an increase in working time, but 27% decrease feeding costs and 37% medicine costs. Most, 88%, lead to an increase of the outputs (meat or dairy). Regarding the SA, the 78% of BP increase the feed efficiency, 88% have a positive impact of animal welfare and 53% a positive impact on the atmosphere.<br/

EuroSheep: co-construction approaches to understand main needs of sheep farmers and define innovative solutions to improve the sector’s profitability

In EuroSheep, co-construction approaches are used to exchange knowledge and experience among sheep farmers, veterinarians, advisors and researchers. The aim is to engage stakeholders in a network that facilitates a better understanding of the sector needs and best practices. The main objectives are to improve sheep health, nutrition, and profitability. Stakeholders of the 8 country’s involved use both National and Transnational workshops to connect. In each country, farmers’ needs were identified, and relevant solutions cross-exchanged by the other countries. Currently, 45 of the 96 technical solutions created have stakeholder feedback on the benefits, and overall acceptance, these solutions were followed by a sustainability analysis. To increase farmer uptake, 26 factsheets, 53 ’tips and tricks’ and videos were produced

EuroSheep: Cost benefit and Sustainability analysis of Health and Nutrition Best Practices

Within EuroSheep project, Best Practices (BP) answering sheep health and nutrition issues were suggested by partner countries and implemented by farmers in other partner countries to assess their suitability. Alongside this assessment, Cost-Benefit (CB) and Sustainability analyses (SA) were performed by the countries provided the 51 BP selected by stakeholders. CB analysis included additional costs of implementing the identified BP at farm level and/or savings in production costs and monetary benefits. SA assessed the impact of the identified BPs on environmental issues. The CB and SA templates included a description of farm/situation in which the analyses were performed. As several indicators such as energy consumption, farm inputs and productivity rates were common, the SA template was developed as a complement to the CB. Additional indicators refer to benefits, as animal welfare, better work environment, free time, etc. On the 51 BP analysed, 55% lead to an increase in working time, but 27% decrease feeding costs and 37% medicine costs. Most, 88%, lead to an increase of the outputs (meat or dairy). Regarding the SA, the 78% of BP increase the feed efficiency, 88% have a positive impact of animal welfare and 53% a positive impact on the atmosphere.<br/