Effect of lairage duration on cattle behaviors and stockperson actions in the slaughter corridor in Simmental and Swiss Brown breeds

The aim was to investigate the effects of duration of lairage period and breed on behaviors of beef cattle and on stockperson handling actions toward cattle in the slaughter corridor. A total of 85 beef cattle (61 Simmental, 24 Brown Swiss) were allocated to 4 trial groups according to the duration of lairage period (24 h, 15 h, 1 h and no lairage). Animal behaviors and stockperson's handling actions were video recorded during the passage of animal through the slaughter corridor. Time spent in the slaughter corridor ranged between 4.64 and 16.82 min, and cattle lairaged 15 h spent more time in the slaughter corridor than the other groups (P < 0.05). Breed and lairage group had no effect on AWBEH (animal behavior) and AWACT (stockperson actions) scores and frequencies of animal behaviors, except butting. Beef cattle slaughtered without transport and lairage expressed less butting behavior compared to other lairage groups (P < 0.05). The most observed stockperson handling actions were goading, beating, tapping, and tail twisting, respectively. Cattle from L-15 group were exposed to more beating and prodding actions while cattle from L-24 h group were exposed to more pulling action. In conclusion, increasing the lairage period did not contribute to the reduction of stockperson interventions and cattle behaviors indicative of poor welfare in the slaughter corridor. Both stockperson training and facility improvements would greatly improve cattle welfare

Evaluation of the effects of dexmedetomidine on liver damage secondary to renal ischemia-reperfusion

WOS: 000543514500012Background: the aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatic protective effects of dexmedetomidine in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methodology: We selected 18 albino rats and randomly divided them into 3 equal groups (n = 6); control group (Group C), ischemia/reperfusion group (Group I/R), and Group D+I/R, in which dexmedetomidine was given and I/R was administered. the right renal pedicle was ligated to induce I/R in Group-I/R and Group-D+I/R, the left renal pedicle was clamped with an atraumatic vascular clamp to induce ischemia for 120 min and then reperfusion was performed for 120 min. in Group D+I/R, dexmedetomidine 100 mu/kg was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before the administration of before renal I/R. Histopathological changes in liver tissue, caspase-3 activity, glutathione activity, and malondialdehyde level were evaluated through serum renal and liver function tests. Results: After ischemia/reperfusion, the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione, aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and caspase-3 were increased and these parameters were observed to be improved followed by the administration of dexmedetomidine. After ischemia/reperfusion, histopathological deterioration was also observed, and less histopathological deterioration was observed in rats given dexmedetomidine. Conclusion: the effects of renal ischemia-reperfusion on hepatic tissue were evaluated histopathologically, immunologically, and biochemically. It was observed that renal and liver damage occurred after ischemia-reperfusion and dexmedetomidine reduced damages in both kidney and liver

Genetic gains in wheat in Turkey: Winter wheat for dryland conditions

Wheat breeders in Turkey have been developing new varieties since the 1920s, but few studies have evaluated the rates of genetic improvement. This study determined wheat genetic gains by evaluating 22 winter/facultative varieties released for rainfed conditions between 1931 and 2006. The study was conducted at three locations in Turkey during 2008â2012, with a total of 21 test sites. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates in 2008 and 2009 and three replicates in 2010â2012. Regression analysis was conducted to determine genetic progress over time. Mean yield across all 21 locations was 3.34 t haâ1, but varied from 1.11 t haâ1 to 6.02 t haâ1 and was highly affected by moisture stress. Annual genetic gain was 0.50% compared to Ak-702, or 0.30% compared to the first modern landmark varieties. The genetic gains in drought-affected sites were 0.75% compared to Ak-702 and 0.66% compared to the landmark varieties. Modern varieties had both improved yield potential and tolerance to moisture stress. Rht genes and rye translocations were largely absent in the varieties studied. The number of spikes per unit area decreased by 10% over the study period, but grains spikeâ1 and 1000-kernel weight increased by 10%. There were no significant increases in harvest index, grain size, or spike fertility, and no significant decrease in quality over time. Future use of Rht genes and rye translocations in breeding programs may increase yield under rainfed conditions. Keywords: Genetic gain, Rainfed wheat production, Winter wheat, Yiel