Sixty-two newborn Holstein-Friesian calves were used to study the role of colostrokinin, serum cortisol, and serum thyroxine in the absorption of maternal immunoglobulin. Calves were removed from their dams prior to suckling and assigned one of four rations: colostrum, whole milk, milk plus colostral immunoglobulin, and milk plus immunoglobulin plus colostrokinin. Calves were fed their assigned ration either at birth or after twelve hours inanition. All calves were fed pooled colostrum at 24 hours postpartum. Blood samples were collected at seventeen times during the first 32 hours postpartum. Calves were born with high cortisol concentrations (88 ng/ml) which decreased (P < .05) within two hours postfeeding. Serum cortisol levels increased (P < .05) between two and three hours after calves ingested a colostral source of immunoglobulin. Time of initial feeding had no effect on the cortisol surge. No such increase was observed in neonates consuming an immunoglobulin-free milk ration. These results demonstrate that the immunoglobulin fraction of colostrum is responsible for initiating an increase in cortisol secretion by the adrenal cortex. Within four hours postpartum, serum thyroxine concentrations increased (P < .05) at least 50% in all treatment groups regardless of whether the calves were fed or fasted. After peaking at 18 μg/dL, the serum thyroxine concentrations fell gradually throughout the duration of the collection period. Colostrokinin exhibited a biphasic effect on serum immunoglobulin concentrations which was dependent on the initial time of feeding. Calves exposed to colostrokinin in 0 hour feedings had serum immunoglobulin G concentrations significantly higher (P < .05) after 16 hours postpartum than animals not fed colostrokinin. Fasted calves, exposed to colostrokinin at 12 hours postpartum, had no increase in serum immunoglobulin G concentrations following a colostrum feeding at 24 hours postpartum. Fasted calves fed a ration not containing colostrokinin exhibited a two-fold increase in serum immunoglobulin G concentrations after the 24 hour colostrum feeding. Colostrokinin did not have an immediate effect on serum immunoglobulin G concentrations, but required an approximate twelve hour period to manifest its regulatory function. The presence or absence of colostrokinin in the experimental rations did not have any effect on the cortisol or thyroxine profiles. The variable serum immunoglobulin G profiles suggest that colostrokinin is involved in the acquisition of passive immunity by the calf, but colostrokinin may have more than one physiological role.

No description available.

Since birth type showed only a low association with weaning type and preweaning gain, it is of no practical interest whether or not type at birth can be expressed by certain body proportions, which themselves are not high enough correlated with the two weaning traits to be of any predictive value. The high association between birth weight and the linear body measurements suggests that birth weight is as good a measure of a calf's merit at birth as any other birth observation. Birth weight should be considered a useful selection criterion for Angus and possibly Hereford calves, but not for Shorthorns, except that extremely small calves should not be kept as breeding stock. Neither body measurements nor type at birth can be recommended as selection criteria as their use would not be likely to result in an improvement of the more important weaning traits. / Master of Science

Plasma and erythrocyte (RBC) free amino acids and plasma peptide and serum protein amino acid concentrations and arteriovenous (A/V) differences across the hindlimbs were determined on growing Holstein steer calves (130 kg) fed purified diets containing scy protein or urea as the sole source of dietary nitrogen. Animals were fed at hourly intervals in a constantly lighted environment in order to achieve near ‘steady-state’ metabolic conditions. Experimental trials lasted 30 days with blood samples collected on day 10 and day 30 of each trial. Plasma and Plasma and RBC free amino acids were determined from filtrates obtained by deproteinization with sulfosalicylic acid. Peptide amino acids were determined from filtrates obtained by deproteinization with sulfosalicylic acid. Peptide amino acids were determined from 4N methanesulfonic acid hydrolyzed plasma filtrates. Serum proteins were grossly separated by ion-exchange chromatography. Specific protein fractions were then hydrolyzed and analyzed for amino acid concentrations. Urea resulted in the reduction of plasma free amino acid levels due to a 30% decrease in EAA and a 16% decrease in NEAA. All EAA except MET and HIS were significantly depressed. Concentrations of amino acids in blood from the RBC were generally lower of amino acids in blood from the RBC were generally lower than from plasma for all amino acids, however, HIS and ASP were always more concentrated in the RBC. Urea significantly depressed RBC concentration of THR, VAL, MET, ILE, LEU AND PHE, however, most NEAA in the RBC were unaffected by dietary treatment. Exceptions were a large increase in GLY and decrease of ALA in the RBC of urea-fed animals. Net A/V differences across the hindlimb of soy-fed animals was positive for most plasma free amino acids. GLU, GLY and CYS accounted for all of the amino acid release. Urea feeding resulted in a small negative amino acid net A/V difference due to decreased uptakes and/or increased outputs by the hindlimb of several amino acids relative to soy-fed animals. The RBC hindlimb fluxes of several amino acids were altered by dietary treatment. The BCAA changed from large outputs in soy-fed animals so essentially a zero flux in urea-fed animals. In contrast, GLY changed from a large uptake in soy treatments to a large output when urea was fed. The free amino acid data from this experiment indicate that the urea-fed calves were subject to diets deficient in total protein and amino acids rather than specific amino acid differences. Negative A/V fluxes in urea-fed calves indicate muscle protein breakdown. Time effects were generally nonsignificant although a trend towards increased amino acid output across the hindlimb in urea-fed calves was apparent at 30 days. This implies that adaptation under these conditions was not occurring but rather a more severe deficiency state was encountered over time. These data also show further interrelationships between GLY and the neutral SCAA in altered nutritional states. Plasma peptides exhibited amino acid concentrations approximately 30% greater than whole blood free amino acids. HIS was significantly depressed and a tendency for lower levels of most other amino acids was noted in urea treatments. Peptide hindlimb exchanges were variable and nonsignificant with the exceptions of GLU, LYS, HIS and VAL uptakes in soy-fed animals and ILE in urea-fed animals. Peptides may, thus, be acting as a supplemental source of several amino acids to muscle tissue. Diet had little effect on amino acid composition of blood protein fraction I (primarily globulins) and fraction II (primarily albumin). Hindlimb amino acid exchanges of both fractions in soy-fed animals were inconsistent and non-significant. In contrast, the hindlimb of urea-fed animals removed large quantities of amino acids from both fractions with fractions II making the greatest contribution. Patterns of amino acid uptake closely resemble molar ratio within each fraction indicating whole protein uptake. These data show striking evidence of increased uptake of amino acids from blood proteins in calves fed urea purified diets. This may represent adaptation by muscle tissue of the animal to protein-deficient diets. / Ph. D.

In this experiment, grazing and nursing behavior of approximately 30 cow/calf pairs was examined in two years. Sires of the Polled Hereford x Angus cows had been selected for above (+) or below (-) average expected progeny difference for yearling weight and maternal weaning weight. Calves were sired by Angus bulls of United States (US) or New Zealand (NZ) origin. Observations from dawn to dusk were conducted on five days each year, spaced throughout lactation. All nursing episodes were recorded, and every ten minutes it was noted whether each cow and calf was or was not grazing. Periods of maximum grazing activity were early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The growth genotype of the cow did not affect her grazing time. Calves of maternal (+) cows grazed longer than calves of maternal (-) cows (P< 0.10), and their grazing time was not affected by the growth genotype of their dams. In year 1, US-sired calves spent 3% more time grazing than NZ-sired calves; whereas in year 2, NZ-sired calves grazed 4% longer than US-sired calves (interaction P <.10). Also in year 1, NZ-sired calves tended to graze during several intervals of time while US-sired calves tended to graze in longer continuous bouts. This tendency was reversed during the second year (interaction P<.10). As the grazing season progressed, time spent by calves grazing increased from < 20% to approximately 60%. Cows with (+) genetic merit for maternal weaning weight were nursed a similar number of times per day as cows with (-) genetic merit. Sire origin likewise did not affect nursing behavior. / Master of Science

no abstract provided by author / Master of Science

Master of Science

Master of Science

Antibiotics are routinely used in modern livestock production systems to treat and prevent disease as well as to enhance livestock production and/or outputs. This widespread use of antibiotics has led to a growing worldwide interest in antibioticfree animal production. The addition of feed supplements such as nucleotides to improve intestinal health as well as the early development of the immune system needs to be investigated as an environmentally-friendly nutritional management activity. In this study four (4) groups of newborn Holstein calves (n=24) were evaluated after being treated as follows: Group 1 (Negative control), Group 2 (Investigational Veterinary Product (IVP) 1 – Oral supplement containing nucleotides, vitamins, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, pre-biotics and trace-minerals), Group 3 (IVP 2 – Oral supplement containing nucleotides only at concentration and dosage equal to IVP1) and Group 4 (IVP 3 - Parenteral glucocorticoids). Results of the study indicated that: Pre-colostral Serum IgG titres – After titration of the serum the anti-BVDV results showed no difference between the study groups. All calves recorded a SP ratio of zero value (0.00 ± 0.2) indicating that they had not been nursed by their mothers prior to the start of the study. This was an entrance requirement for the calves to be enrolled into the study. Apparent Efficiency of Absorption % (AEA%) – Literature shows that an AEA% result of between 20%-30% is good and 35% is excellent. The AEA% recorded for this study fell within this range although there was no statistically significant difference shown between the groups. In spite of a strictly controlled study protocol, 7 of the 24 calves (29%) still suffered from FPT in this study. The result falls within the range of 19% - 37% reported on United States of America (USA) farms by Doepel and Bartier in 2014. Serum cortisol - When compared to the control group, there were no statistical significant difference evident for group 2 and group 3. However, the difference between the Glucocorticoid – Group 4 and the control and other groups was statistically significant (P = 0.0001; table 12) at the various time intervals. It was also evident that the inclusion of parenteral glucocorticoids (group 4) may have assisted in prolonging the natural “gut closure”. Gut closure – a positive 2 point linear regression forecast line indicated an increasing trend in IgG absorption post-24 hours for group number 4 whilst groups 1, 2 and 3 each had a negative 2 point linear regression forecast line (figure 23). Weight / ADG (D42) - Group 2 showed a statistically significant increase in mean D42 weight (P = 0.0042) of 59.167 kg ± 3.545 kg when compared to the other study groups and compared to the control group (P = 0.0227). A comparison of the relative increase in mass of groups indicated that Group 2 efficiently achieved this result with a statistically significant ADG of 0.536 kg (P = 0.014) compared to the other study groups and compared to the control group (P = 0.022). In addition, weight / FCR – FCR was calculated for all groups as follows: G1 – 4.000 kg, G2 - 2.593 kg, G3 – 2.703 kg and G4 - 3.012 kg feed required for the production of 1 kg meat. The results indicated that the group 2 feed input was the most economical followed by groups 3, 4 and control respectively. In conclusion, it is evident that a nutritional supplement containing nucleotides, vitamins, trace- minerals, essential fatty acids, essential amino acids and pre-biotics may contribute significantly to important economic indicators such as weight gain, ADG and FCR on a commercial dairy farm. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Science)

Thesis (MScAgric)--University Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters as well as to evaluate the influence of some genetic factors on preweaning growth traits in a multi breed beef cattle population. These preweaning growth traits were birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and average daily gain (ADG). Three aspects were addressed in this particular study; namely the Estimation of (co)variance components and genetic parameters, the effect of sire breeds and dam genotypes and the contribution of Charolais and Angus breeding levels on weaning traits in a multibreed beef cattle herd. Variance components and resulting genetic parameters of BW, WW and ADG in the population were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedures. Four different unitrait and multitrait animal models were fitted ranging from a simple model with the animal direct effects as the only random effect to the model allowing for both genetic and permanent maternal environmental effects. The model that included directgenetic and permanent maternal environmental effects generally best described the data analysed. The simple model ignoring maternal effects most likely inflated direct heritability estimates. Direct heritability estimates were 0.11, 0.19, and 0.15 for BW, WW and ADG, respectively, fitting a multitrait model that comprised of both the genetic and maternal environmental effects. Under this comprehensive model, maternal heritabilties were low under both analyses, ranging from 0.02 to 0.10. Permanent maternal environmental effects were more important than maternal additive genetic effects for WW and ADG. Direct and maternal genetic correlations range from 0.42 to 0.44 for BW, -0.22 to -0.25 for WW and -0.17 to -0.23 for ADG, while the corresponding estimates ofunitrait analysis varied from 0.58 to 0.61 for BW, -0.43 to-0.53 for WW and -0.49 to -0.79 for ADG. The effect of Charolais and Hereford sires and dam breed genotypes on BW and WW in calves of Hereford, F I, two and three breed rotational as well as terminal crosses among the Charolais, Hereford, Angus and Bonsmara breeds were investigated. BW and WW of the Charolais sired calves were significantly (P<O.OOl) heavier than the Hereford sired calves. Angus dams produced calves of smaller (P<0.05) BW than those of purebred and crossbred dams. The majority of the crossbred dams were not significantly different in BW of calves. With regard to WW, with the exception of 3/4H1I4A, all crossbred dams were superior (P<0.05) to Angus and Hereford dams. Calves of crossbred dams were on the average 8% heavier at weaning than calves of purebred dams. Crossbred dams, with intermediate Charolais contribution tend to wean heavier calves. Data collected were also analysed to determine the optimum breeding levels of Charolais and Angus, fitting a unitrait animal model. Further, the estimated heritabilities were subsequently used to predict direct and maternal breeding values (Best linear unbiased predictions) for individual animals. Best linear unbiased estimates (BLUEs) were also calculated for the traits. BLUEs, direct and maternal breeding values per genetic group estimated were regressed on proportions of Charolais and Angus breeding, respectively. BLUEs of BW, WW and ADG increased with increasing the proportion of Charolais while they decreased with increasing Angus breeding levels. In general, maternal breeding values increased with increasing the proportions of both breeds. Direct breeding values of Charolais increased and reached maximum values at 35, 38, and 45% proportion of Charolais for BW, WW and ADG, respectively. No optimal Angus proportion was found within these specific environmental conditions. In this herd it may be suggested that increasing the proportion of Charolais to intermediate levels would tend to improve the performances of preweaning traits. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om genetiese parameters in 'n meerras vleisbeeskudde te beraam, sowel as om die invloed van sekere genetiese faktore te evalueer. Die voorspeense groei-eienskappe het geboortegewig (BW), speengewig (WW) en gemiddelde daaglikse toename (ADG) ingesluit. Drie aspekte is in dié betrokke studie ondersoek, naamlik; die beraming van (ko )variansiekomponente en genetiese parameters, die invloed van ras van vader en moedergenotipe en die invloed van Charolais en Angus bydrae op speeneienskappe in 'n meerras vleisbeeskudde. Variansiekomponente en afgeleide genetiese parameters vir BW, WW en ADG in die kudde is met behulp van die Beperkte Maksimum Waarskynlikheidsprosedure (REML) beraam. Vier verskillende enkel- en meereienskapmodelle is gepas, wat vanaf 'n eenvoudige model wat slegs die direkte effek as enigste toevallige effek, tot dié model waarin beide die genetiese en permanente mateme omgewingseffekte ingesluit is. Die model wat beide die direkte en permanente mateme effekte ingesluit het, het die data die beste gepas. Die eenvoudige model, wat die mateme effekte nie insluit nie, het in alle waarskynlikheid die direkte oorerflikhede oorberaam. Die direkte oorerflikheidsberamingsas onderskeidlik 0.11, 0.19 en 0.15 vir BW, WW en ADG met dié meereienskapmodel wat beide genetiese en mateme effekte ingesluit het. Met die omvattende model was die mateme oorerflikhede laag en het van 0.02 tot 0.10 gewissel. Die permanente mateme omgewingseffekte was belangriker as die direkte mateme effekte vir WW en ADG. Die genetiese korrelasies tussen direkte en mateme effekte het vir BW tussen 0.42 en 0.44, vir WW tussen -0.22 en -0.25 en vir ADG tussen -0.49 en -0.79 gewissel. Die invloed van Charolais en Hereford bulle en moederrasgenotipes op BW en WW van Hereford, F 1, twee- en drieras rotasie sowel as terminale kruisings tussen die Charolais, Hereford, Angus en Bonsmara is ondersoek. BW en WW van kalwers van Charolais bulle was betekenisvol (P<O.OOl) swaarder as kalwers van Hereford bulle. Angus koeie het kalwers met laer (P<0.05) BW as die van ander suiwer en kruisraskoeie geproduseer. Kalwers van die meerderheid kruisraskoeie het egter nie in BW verskil nie. Wat WW betref, maar met die uitsondering van %HYtA, was alle kruisraskoeie beter (P<0.05) as beide Angus en Hereford koeie. Kalwers van kruisraskoeie was gemiddeld 8 % swaarder met speen as kalwers van suiwerraskoeie. Kruisraskoeie met intermediêre vlakke van Charolaisbydrae het geneig om die swaarste kalwers te speen. Die data is verder ook geanaliseer om die optimum vlakke van Charolais en Angus, deur die passing van 'n enkeleienskap dieremodel, te bepaal. Die beraamde oorerflikhede is vervolgens gebruik om direkte en mateme teelwaardes (Beste liniêre onsydige voospellers ) vir individuele diere te voorspel. Beste liniêre onsydige beramings (BLUE's) is ook vir elke eienskap bereken. Die regressies van BLUE's, direkte en mateme teelwaardes per genetiese groep bereken, is vervolgens op proporsie Charolais en Angus bydraes onderskeidelik gepas. BLUE's vir BW, WW en ADG het met toename In Charolaisproporsie toegeneem, terwyl dit met toename in Angusbydrae afgeneem het. In die algemeen het mateme teelwaardes met toename in die bydrae van beide rasse toegeneem. Direkte teelwaardes van die Charolais het toegeneem en maksimum waardes by 35, 38 en 45 % proporsie Charolais vir onderskeidelik BW, WW en ADG bereik. Vir die Angus is geen optimum proporsie in dié spesifieke omgewing gevind nie. In dié kudde word intermediêre Charolais vlakke vir die verbetering van voorspeense eienskappe aanbeveel.