Association between hyperketolactia and production in early-lactating dairy cows

Study aims were to investigate associations of hyperketolactia (HYKL) status of Holstein dairy cows between 6 and 60 d in milk (DIM), defined by milk acetone (mACE) and β-hydroxybutyrate (mBHB) content, with daily milk yield and composition. Milk samples (∼5.0 million) were collected over a 5-yr period (2014–2019) within the milk recording system in Poland. Concentrations of mACE and mBHB determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to categorize samples into 4 ketolactia groups. Based on threshold values of ≥0.15 mmol/L mACE and ≥0.10 mmol/L mBHB, ketolactia groups were normoketolactia (NKL; mACE <0.15 mmol/L and mBHB <0.10 mmol/L), BHB hyperketolactia (HYKLBHB; mACE <0.15 mmol/L and mBHB ≥0.10 mmol/L), ACE hyperketolactia (HYKLACE; mACE ≥0.15 mmol/L and mBHB <0.10 mmol/L), and ACE and BHB hyperketolactia (HYKLACEBHB; mACE ≥0.15 mmol/L and mBHB ≥0.10 mmol/L). To investigate ketolactia association with production outcomes, a linear model was developed, including ketolactia group, DIM, parity, their interactions, year-season as fixed effects, and random effects of herd and cow. Among all milk samples, 31.2% were classified as HYKL, and of these, 52.6%, 39.6%, and 7.8% were HYKLACEBHB, HYKLBHB, and HYKLACE, respectively. Ketolactia groups differed for all traits studied in all parities and DIM. Among HYKL groups, lowest milk yield was found in HYKLACEBHB cows, except for 6 to 30 DIM in first- and second-lactation cows. Milk yield of HYKLBHB cows was higher than that of NKL cows until 20 to 30 DIM, and then it was lower than NKL cows. Milk yield of HYKLACE cows was mostly lower than NKL cows. Energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield of HYKLACEBHB cows was higher than that of NKL cows until 30 to 35 DIM for second lactation and third lactation or greater, and in the whole study period for first lactation. The yield of ECM for HYKLBHB cows was mostly higher than that of NKL cows, whereas HYKLACE cows had higher ECM than NKL cows until 15 to 25 DIM and then was lower for the HYKLACE group. Milk composition differed among HYKL groups. Highest milk fat (MF) and lowest milk lactose (ML) contents were observed in HYKLACEBHB cows. Cows in HYKLACEBHB and HYKLBHB groups had higher MF and lower milk protein (MP; except in 6–8 DIM in first lactation) and ML content than NKL cows. Milk fat content was higher in HYKLACE than NKL cows in first lactation and during the first 30 to 40 DIM in older cows. Lactose content was lower in HYKLACE than in NKL cows within 30 to 40 DIM; afterward it was higher in NKL cows. Lower MP content was found in HYKLACE than in NKL cows, except during 6 to 9 DIM for cows in first lactation and third lactation or greater. In conclusion, HYKL is associated with altered milk production in all parities, but a range of these negative relations depends on ketone status addressing both ACE and BHB contents. Further research is needed to ascertain underpinning biochemical defects of HYKL from elevated ACE, alone or in combination with BHB, during early lactation

A "hair-raising" history of alopecia areata

YesA 3500‐year‐old papyrus from ancient Egypt provides a list of treatments for many diseases including “bite hair loss,” most likely alopecia areata (AA). The treatment of AA remained largely unchanged for over 1500 years. In 30 CE, Celsus described AA presenting as scalp alopecia in spots or the “windings of a snake” and suggested treatment with caustic compounds and scarification. The first “modern” description of AA came in 1813, though treatment still largely employed caustic agents. From the mid‐19th century onwards, various hypotheses of AA development were put forward including infectious microbes (1843), nerve defects (1858), physical trauma and psychological stress (1881), focal inflammation (1891), diseased teeth (1902), toxins (1912) and endocrine disorders (1913). The 1950s brought new treatment developments with the first use of corticosteroid compounds (1952), and the first suggestion that AA was an autoimmune disease (1958). Research progressively shifted towards identifying hair follicle‐specific autoantibodies (1995). The potential role of lymphocytes in AA was made implicit with immunohistological studies (1980s). However, studies confirming their functional role were not published until the development of rodent models (1990s). Genetic studies, particularly genome‐wide association studies, have now come to the forefront and open up a new era of AA investigation (2000s). Today, AA research is actively focused on genetics, the microbiome, dietary modulators, the role of atopy, immune cell types in AA pathogenesis, primary antigenic targets, mechanisms by which immune cells influence hair growth, and of course the development of new treatments based on these discoveries.Alopecia UK

The use of supramolecular structures as protein ligands

Congo red dye as well as other eagerly self-assembling organic molecules which form rod-like or ribbon-like supramolecular structures in water solutions, appears to represent a new class of protein ligands with possible wide-ranging medical applications. Such molecules associate with proteins as integral clusters and preferentially penetrate into areas of low molecular stability. Abnormal, partly unfolded proteins are the main binding target for such ligands, while well packed molecules are generally inaccessible. Of particular interest is the observation that local susceptibility for binding supramolecular ligands may be promoted in some proteins as a consequence of function-derived structural changes, and that such complexation may alter the activity profile of target proteins. Examples are presented in this paper

Associations between the breeding values of Holstein-Friesian bulls and longevity and culling reasons of their daughters

Taking into account functional traits in the breeding practice should lead to a longer productive life of cows. However, despite the increased contribution of these traits in bull selection indices, their daughters are frequently culled as early as the 2nd or 3rd lactation. The problem is whether and to what extent the genetic potential of animals is realized in the production practice. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the associations between the breeding value (BV) of bulls and their daughters for cow longevity and culling reasons in the Holstein-Friesian cattle population in Poland. Data for 532 062 cows culled in 2012, 2015, and 2018 were analyzed. A majority of 5 045 cow sires originated from Poland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United States. The highest variation in the contribution of culling reasons was for the cows culled at the age of 2–4 years. The contribution of the culling reasons, analyzed in relation to the cow culling age, remained similar and the only exception was culling because of old age, for which a significant increase was observed only for the culling age of at least 9 years (13.8%), which was reached by only 7.3% of the cows. The sires were characterized by generally high BV for conformation and reproductive traits. However, they had, at most, the average genetic potential for functional longevity. There were a number of beneficial associations found between the BV of bulls and the distribution of culling reasons in their daughters. For example, it concerns relations between the somatic cell score in milk and culling due to udder diseases and low milk yield, between the interval from calving to first insemination and low milk yield, between the protein yield and old age, or between the BV for certain conformation traits (size, udder) and cow culling due to age. In these cases, as the BV increased for a given trait, the contribution of the corresponding cow culling reason tended to decrease. Our study showed that it seems reasonable to consider Holstein-Friesian cows aged at least 9 years at culling to be long-living animals. This is primarily evidenced by the rapid increase in the culling due to old age in relation to younger cows. Nowadays the above age limit can be suggested as a criterion of longevity for Holstein-Friesian cows but the criterion should be updated to the relation genotype-environment-economy that tends to change over time

Genetic relationships of body condition score and locomotion with production, type and fertility traits in Holstein-Friesian cows

New traits are sought to add in breeding goals to prevent worsening health and fertility of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for body condition score (BCS) and locomotion (LOC) and their relationship with other type traits, milk and fertility traits, and to show genetic trends for BCS and LOC in Polish Holstein-Friesian population. Data on 317 028 Holstein-Friesian cows, born from 2010 through 2015 in 11 792 herds, were collected. All cows were scored for BCS and 43% of them for LOC. All records comprised lactational yields of milk, fat and protein, content of fat and protein and somatic cell count from the first three lactations, stature, five composite and 16 linear conformation traits, and four fertility traits. Genetic parameters were estimated using a Bayesian method with Gibbs Sampling, generating 100 000 samples in each of four steps: BCS and LOC with five composite conformation traits, BCS and LOC with 16 linear conformation traits, BCS and LOC with production traits, and BCS and LOC with four fertility traits. The linear model for BCS and LOC contained fixed effects of herd-year-season-classifier and lactation stage, fixed linear and quadratic regressions on age at calving, fixed linear regression on the percentage of Holstein-Friesian genes, and random additive genetic effect. Breeding values for BCS and LOC were calculated using the same model as used for estimation of genetic parameters. Genetic trends for BCS and LOC, defined as regression coefficients of mean breeding value on birth year, were examined. BCS was a moderately heritable trait (0.19) and was genetically correlated with non-return rate until 56 days after first insemination for cows (−0.32) and with days open (−0.22), so selection for BCS might have a favourable correlated effect on fertility. LOC, lowly heritable (0.06), was relatively strongly genetically correlated with feet-and-legs traits (from 0.48 to 0.93, ignoring sign) and could be included in a selection subindex for feet-and-legs. The positive trend for LOC indicated substantial progress towards the highest genetic value (optimum at the end of the scale), while the small trend for BCS showed a tendency to stabilise the average value in the middle of the scale (optimum for BCS). The estimates of the genetic parameters for BCS and LOC indicate that both traits could contribute to more effective selection to improve fertility (BCS) and legs health (LOC) in the Polish dairy cattle population

Wpływ różnych czynników na poziom alfa1-antytrypsyny u żrebiąt pełnej krwi angielskiej

Acute phase proteins (APP) are an integral part of the acute phase response. Alpha 1 antitrypsin is considered to be one of the most important acute-phase protein activated by trauma, stress, or inflammatory processes. The objective of the present study was to estimate the impact of various factors (sex, month of life and sire effect) on concentration of alpha 1 antitrypsin in serum of Thoroughbred foals. A total of 624 samples, collected from 39 foals were obtained in monthly intervals from first to 16 month of life and measured by STIC method (specific trypsin inhibitory captivity). The obtained results indicated the significant impact of analyzed age periods on the AAT level. Furthermore, the variation in AAT level in analyzed periods corresponded to significant changes in foals diet and maintaining. Alpha 1 antitrypsin concentration was also affected by sire effects and sex of foals. In the most investigated age periods, the impact of sire on alpha 1 antitrypsin content in serum of his progeny has been shown. The obtained results might be useful in explanation of differences in serum AAT concentration in foals during early ontogenesis which probably is a critical period that has an influence on racing performance of young horses.Wpływ różnych czynników na poziom alfa-1-antytrypsyny u źrebiąt pełnej krwi angielskiej. Białka ostrej fazy (APP) są integralną częścią tzw.: odpowiedzi ostrej fazy na stan zapalny. Alfa-1-antytrypsyna (ATT) jest uważana za jedno najważniejszych białek ostrej fazy aktywowane przez uraz, stres lub procesy zapalne. W związku z tym celem niniejszego badania była ocena wpływu różnych czynników (płeć, miesiąc życia i ojciec) na stężenia ATT w surowicy krwi źrebiąt pełnej krwi angielskiej. Materiał do badań stanowiło 624 próbek kri, zebranych od 39 źrebiąt będących potomstwem czterech ogierów, uzyskanych w odstępach miesięcznych od pierwszego do 16 miesiąca życia. Stężenie ATT oznaczono metodą STIC. Uzyskane wyniki wskazały na znaczący wpływ wieku źrebiąt na poziom AAT. Co więcej, różnice w poziomie AAT w analizowanych okresach przypadały w okresach znaczących zmian u źrebiąt. Ponadto w większości badanych okresów, wykazano wpływ ojca na stężenie ATT u potomstwa. Uzyskane wyniki mogą być przydatne w celu wyjaśnienia różnic w koncentracji AAT w surowicy krwi u źrebiąt w okresie wczesnej ontogenezy która jest krytycznym okresem, mającym wpływ na wyniki użytkowe młodych koni

The use of cellulase and filter bag technique to predict digestibility of forages

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