Relationship between body condition score, blood metabolites and oxidative stress in transition period and reproductive performance of dairy cows

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗThe aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between prepartum body condition score (BCS), blood metabolites (Glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate; BHB), oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde; MDA, Glutathione peroxidase; GSH-Px) in transition period and some reproductive parameters in Holstein dairy cows. Fifty cows were divided into two groups [low-BCS = 2.75-3.0 (n=25); adequate-BCS = 3.25-3.75 (n=25)] according to BCS on the 21st day before expected calving. BCS was also recorded at 0 and +21 days after calving. Blood samples collected at -21, 0 and +21 days from calving for MDA and GSH-Px analysis as well as at -21, +14 and +21 days of postpartum for glucose and BHB. Data on reproductive parameters obtained from farm records were also collected. MDA concentrations were higher in group of low-BCS compared to group of adequate-BCS at -21 and 0 d related to calving (p<0.05). GSH-Px activity was lower in group of low-BCS than adequate one during the transition period (p<0.05). Low-BCS group also showed higher concentrations of BHB at +14 and +21 days after calving. During the transition period, low-BCS group had lower glucose concentrations compared to adequate one (p<0.05). Adequate-BCS group of cows showed shorter intervals of calving to first estrus (p<0.01) and calving to conception (p<0.01). In conclusion, cows with lower BCS at the prepartum period had worse metabolic and oxidative balance during the transition period. This situation also was associated with worse reproductive performance in cows

Preserved cognitive functions with age are determined by domain-dependent shifts in network responsivity

Healthy ageing has disparate effects on different cognitive domains. The neural basis of these differences, however, is largely unknown. We investigated this question by using Independent Components Analysis to obtain functional brain components from 98 healthy participants aged 23-87 years from the population-based Cam-CAN cohort. Participants performed two cognitive tasks that show age-related decrease (fluid intelligence and object naming) and a syntactic comprehension task that shows age-related preservation. We report that activation of task-positive neural components predicts inter-individual differences in performance in each task across the adult lifespan. Furthermore, only the two tasks that show performance declines with age show age-related decreases in task-positive activation of neural components and decreasing default mode (DM) suppression. Our results suggest that distributed, multi-component brain responsivity supports cognition across the adult lifespan, and the maintenance of this, along with maintained DM deactivation, characterizes successful ageing and may explain differential ageing trajectories across cognitive domains

Multiple determinants of lifespan memory differences

Memory problems are among the most common complaints as people grow older. Using structural equation modeling of commensurate scores of anterograde memory from a large (N = 315), population-derived sample (www.cam-can.org), we provide evidence for three memory factors that are supported by distinct brain regions and show differential sensitivity to age. Associative memory and item memory are dramatically affected by age, even after adjusting for education level and fluid intelligence, whereas visual priming is not. Associative memory and item memory are differentially affected by emotional valence, and the age-related decline in associative memory is faster for negative than for positive or neutral stimuli. Gray-matter volume in the hippocampus, parahippocampus and fusiform cortex, and a white-matter index for the fornix, uncinate fasciculus and inferior longitudinal fasciculus, show differential contributions to the three memory factors. Together, these data demonstrate the extent to which differential ageing of the brain leads to differential patterns of memory loss

Exploring patterns of response across the lifespan: The Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN) study

Background: With declining rates of participation in epidemiological studies there is an important need to attempt to understand what factors might affect response. This study examines the pattern of response at different adult ages within a contemporary cross-sectional population-based cohort, the Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience (Cam-CAN). // Methods: Using logistic regression, we investigated associations between age, gender and Townsend deprivation level for both participants and non-participants. Weighted estimates of the odds ratios with confidence intervals for each demographic characteristic were calculated. Reasons given for refusal were grouped into three broad categories: ‘active’, ‘passive’ and illness preventing interview. // Results: An association of age and participation was found, with individuals in middle age groups more likely to participate (age group 48–57 OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.5–2.2 and age group 58–67 OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7–2.4). Overall, there was no difference in participation between men and women. An association with deprivation was found, with those living in the most deprived areas being the least willing to participate (fifth quintile OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.5–0.7). An interaction between age and gender was found whereby younger women and older men were more likely to agree to participate (p = 0.01). // Conclusion: Our findings highlight some of the factors affecting recruitment into epidemiological studies in the UK and suggest that targeted age-specific recruitment strategies might be needed to increase participation rates in future cohort investigations

Unusual cases of vaginal prolapse concurrent with cystocele in two dogs

Ergin, Irem/0000-0003-2373-5133; YAZLIK, Murat Onur/0000-0002-0039-5597; Polat, Mert/0000-0003-4029-1247WOS: 000360297400006A 2-year-old non pregnant Anatolian shepherd (case 1) and 3-year-old, pregnant pit bull terrier (case 2) each presented with a history of dysuria and a mass prolapsed from the vulva. Vaginal prolapse and retroflexion of the urinary bladder were diagnosed in both cases according to clinical and diagnostic examinations. Foetal stress was detected on ultrasonography and caesarean section was performed in case 2. The urinary bladder was replaced in the normal anatomic position and cystopexy was performed via a midline laparotomy in each dog, and an ovariohysterectomy (OHE) was performed to prevent recurrence of vaginal prolapse. Surgical amputation of the prolapsed vagina was performed after the cystopexy and OHE. This case report demonstrates the possibility of severe vaginal prolapse concurrent with cystocele in bitches

Rumination Time and Physical Activity Monitoring, Milk Yield Changes Around Estrus and First Service Pregnancy Rate in Dairy Cows Assigned to Voluntary Waiting Period

YAZLIK, Murat Onur/0000-0002-0039-5597WOS: 000444016700003In high milk-yielding dairy cows, the energy balance challenges in early lactation and impact reproductive performance often affects estrus intensity, duration and detection. This study determined the role of a voluntary waiting period on rumination time, physical activity and milk yield changes during the peri-estrus period in the first service and further fertility in high-yielding dairy cows. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a relationship between voluntary waiting period and estrus-related parameters. This study was conducted on 145 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows aged 2 to 6 years of age. Cows were assigned a short voluntary waiting period, 45 to 70 day in milk (SVWP; n=73), and the long voluntary waiting period, 71 to 95 day in milk (LVWP; n=72). Rumination time, physical activity and milk yield changes around estrus in the first service were detected by an automated monitoring system. Artificial insemination procedures were performed between 45 to 70 days in milk for SVWP and 71 to 95 days in milk for LVWP. The barn's daily temperature and humidity index (THI) was recorded throughout the study period and was <72. Basal rumination time were significantly lower in SVWP (376.82 +/- 74.58 min/clay) than LVWP group at the day of estrus (352,07 +/- 68.90 min/day) (P<0.01). First service pregnancy rate was 23.72% and 38.46% in short and long voluntary waiting period, respectively (p<0.05). Physical activity intensity and milk yield changes were similar among groups during the peri-estrus period and on the day of estrus. The results indicated that the short voluntary waiting period was associated with the lower basal rumination time around estrus and lower first service pregnancy rate

Associations between leptin, body condition score, and energy metabolites in Holstein primiparous and multiparous cows from 2 to 8 weeks postpartum

PEKCAN, MERT/0000-0003-3084-125X; YAZLIK, Murat Onur/0000-0002-0039-5597WOS: 000403793400004The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum leptin and body condition score (BCS) during the postpartum period in Holstein cows. We also explored the potential associations with other metabolic traits and fertility parameters. Primiparous and multiparous cows were subjected to leptin analysis on calving day. Starting at the second week postpartum, cows underwent seven weeks of weekly monitoring of serum concentrations of NEFA, BHB, leptin, cholesterol, AST, and bilirubin. During study, BCS changes were recorded, and the genital tract was assessed by ultrasonography and some fertility parameters were evaluated. During the study period, primiparous cows showed a lower mean BCS (P < 0.05). Leptin concentrations between calving and 8 weeks postpartum were higher in multiparous cows than primiparous cows (P < 0.001). Between postpartum weeks 2 and 8, primiparous cows showed higher concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and AST and lower cholesterol concentrations. Multiparous cows showed greater largest follicle diameters and ovulated earlier. Primiparous cows showed higher intervals of calving-to-first insemination and calving-to-conception, more insemination indices for the conception. Improved cow metabolic and reproductive performance was associated with lower concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and AST; higher concentrations of leptin and cholesterol; and greater BCS change during the early postpartum period. Delayed ovarian activity in primiparous cows might be caused by lower postpartum concentrations of leptin and cholesterol

Evaluation of the relationship between milk glutathione peroxidase activity, milk composition and various parameters of subclinical mastitis under seasonal variations

The aims of this study were to evaluate the Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in milk, and various milk parameters [milk fat, milk protein, milk solids non-fat (SNF), somatic cell count (SCC), total bacteria count (TBC), electrical conductivity (EC)] in healthy dairy cows during lactation, and to demonstrate the significant correlations between GSH-Px activity, milk composition, SCC, TBC and EC under seasonal variations. The cows calving in January were assigned into the winter group (n = 30) while the other cows calving in August were assigned into the summer group (n = 30). Milk samples were collected weekly during lactation, and monthly average values of the parameters were determined. Although milk GSH-Px activity was variable during lactation, it was significantly higher in the winter group compared to the summer group of cows during the first five months of lactation (P<0.001). However, between the 6th and 10th months of lactation, GSH-Px activity was significantly higher in the summer group (P<0.001). In both groups of cows, GSH-Px activity was negatively correlated with SCC, TBC and EC during lactation. No correlation was found between GSH-Px activity and milk composition. In conclusion, the alteration of milk GSH-Px levels could be used as a diagnostic tool for monitoring udder health due to its relationship with the parameters of subclinical mastitis. Furthermore, cows calving in winter had higher GSH-Px activity than those calving in summer, especially during the first few months of lactation. These findings indicate that milk GSH-Px activity in cows during lactation could be influenced by seasonal variations.Ciljevi ovog istraživanja bili su, tijekom laktacje zdravih krava, procijeniti aktivnost glutation peroksidaze (GSH-Px) u mlijeku te odrediti različite druge sastojke (mliječnu masti, mliječne bjelančevine, bezmasnu suhu tvar, broj somatskih stanica (SCC), ukupan broj bakterija (TBC), električnu provodljivost (EC) i prikazati značajnost korelacija između aktivnosti GSH-Px, sastava mlijeka, SCC, TBC i EC u uvjetima različitih sezona. Krave oteljene u siječnju raspoređene su u zimsku skupinu (n = 30), dok su ostale krave oteljene u kolovozu dodijeljene ljetnoj skupini (n = 30). Tijekom laktacije, uzorci mlijeka su prikupljani jednom tjedno i na temelju toga za svaki pokazatelj utvrđene su prosječne mjesečne vrijednosti. Iako je aktivnost GSH-Px u mlijeku tijekom laktacije bila varijabilna, krave iz zimske skupine imale su u prvih pet mjesci značajno (P<0,001) višu aktivnost GSH-Px u odnosu na krave iz ljetne skupine. Međutim, između 6. i 10. mjeseca laktacije, aktivnost GSH-Px bila je znatno viša u ljetnoj skupini krava (P<0,001). U obje skupine krava aktivnost GSH-Px bila je negativno povezana sa SCC, TBC i EC tijekom laktacije. Nije pronađena korelacija između aktivnosti GSH-Px i sastava mlijeka. Zaključno, na temelju njezinog odnosa s pokazateljima supkliničkog mastitisa, promjenjivost razine GSH-Px u mlijeku mogla bi se koristiti kao dijagnostički alat u praćenju zdravlja vimena. Nadalje, krave oteljene zimi imale su veću aktivnost GSH-Px od onih oteljenih ljeti, posebno tijekom prvih nekoliko mjeseci laktacije. Ovi rezultati upućuju na to da bi aktivnost GSH-Px u mlijeku krava tijekom laktacije mogla biti pod utjecajem sezonskih promjena