Two microarray designs were developed and produced to screen for multiple bovine pathogens commonly found in the cattle industry today. The first microarray was designed, built, and processed in-house using conventional material and equipment and targeted Pasteurella multocida, Manheimia haemolytica, Histophilus somni, and Arcanobacterium pyogenes. For each pathogen, 12 perfect-match oligonucleotide probes, which were also designed in-house, targeted different sections of the respective 16S ribosomal genes, and were coupled with 12 corresponding mismatched probes for background. These arrays were able to produce distinct hybridization patterns for each pathogen that were easily visible without the need for computer analysis. However, the need for PCR amplification of the 16S gene prior to hybridization motivated us to explore more efficient array options. The second designed microarray, a custom Affymetrix GeneChip, targeted Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Salmonella dublin in addition to the previously mentioned pathogens and was more successful in overall performance than the "in-house" arrays. In addition to the 16S gene, oligonucleotide probes targeted other genes (from 2 to >4500, depending on whether the genome was sequenced) that were unique to each pathogen. This array also differed from the "in-house" arrays in that mismatched probes were not designed. The different probe sets performed at different detection limits as P. multocida, A. pyogenes, S. typhimurium, and S. dublin were detected with as little as 250ng of hybridized genomic DNA (gDNA), while M. haemolytica, H. somni, and E. coli required as much as 1μg gDNA. These pathogens were also spiked into bovine tissue to simulate multiorgan infections in which they were individually detected with the microarray design.

The upper Colorado River drainage system yields approximately 104,000 acre-feet of silt annually to the Colorado River. In an attempt to reduce the silt load, federal land management agencies have installed numerous land surface treatments. A study was conducted to measure the economic benefits of the land treatments near Cisco, Utah, and to compare them to the treatment costs and to develop predictive criteria for estimating the optimum intensity of treatment. The economic evaluation was done in a benefit-cost framework and the criteria for estimating optimum intensity of treatment was done in a production-function framework. The land treatments were found to be effective in retaining silt, but treatment apparently resulted in decreased livestock carrying capacity. Over-all, the land treatments were found to be uneconomical.

Thirty-seven Columbia and Cormo Crossbred July-weaned weather lambs were utilized in this study. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate feed efficiency, average daily gain, feed cost per pound of gain, wool growth per day and per pound of grain, and average wool fiber diameter and distribution of fiber population of the wool. Lambs were raised to a uniform market weight of between 115 and 125 pounds and slaughtered to evaluate carcass weight, backfat thickness, loin eye area, internal body fat, leg circumference, dressing percentage, untrimmed wholesale cuts, trimmed retail cuts, and yield and quality grades. Suffok x Cormo/Rambouillet lambs were most efficient (P

"A cooperative bull association", according to the United States Department of Agriculture, is "a farmers' organlzation formed for the purpose of joint ownership, use, and exchange of high class, purebred dairy bulls." The members of the association are divided into three or more groups of neighboring farmers, each group being known as a block. A block may consist of one herd or several herds and contains from 40 to 60 cows. One bull is used in each block, and in order to prevent inbreeding, each bull is moved to another block every two years. If all the bulls live and are kept until each has made one complete circuit, no new bulls need to be purchased for six or more years, or as long as these bulls continue to be serviceable. During this time, each member will have had the use of a high class, purebred bull. A similar organization to this has been known in Europe for a number of years. The first bull association was started in the United States by the Michigan Agricultural College in 1908 and since that time the movement has spread throughout our whole country, and in 1925 the United States Department of Agriculture reported 220 associations containing 1003 bulls. Each association had an average of 31.1 members, 4.6 bulls, 40.9 purebred cows, and 157.7 grade cows. There was an average of 6.8 members and 43 cows per bull. Of the 39 states reporting associations at that time , Idaho ranked first wlth32 associations and Utah fifth, with 14. From the "Summary of Bull Associations in United States, January 1, 1929," we find that there has been some increase over 1925. The report gives 339 active associations with 6353 members owning 1569 bulls. Texas, instead of Idaho, is now on lead with 57 associations and Utah is reported as having 18 associations with 77 bulls.

Feline immunodeficiency virus is a retrovirus of domestic cats causing significant lifelong infection. Infection has also been detected in nondomestic species, including African lions. It is endemic in certain populations in east and southern Africa. Infection leads to immunologic dysfunction and immunosuppressive disease in domestic cats; however, little research exists about the pathogenic effects of infection in lions and its epidemiological impact on free-ranging and captive populations. Little is known about the lentivirus in these populations at the molecular and host level. Analysis of the virus from these populations is necessary for development of detection assays that are both sensitive and specific. Whole-blood and serum samples were collected opportunistically from free ranging lions in Kruger National Park, South Africa, and from Hlane Royal National Park, Swaziland. Whole-blood and serum samples were also collected from captive exotic felids in RSA andUS and domestic cats in RSA. A nested polymerase chain reaction assay was performed on all whole-blood samples, and all positive products were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. Serum samples were tested for cross-reactive antibodies to domestic feline lentivirus antigens and cross-reactive antibodies to puma lentivirus synthetic envelope peptide antigen. Serum samples were tested for feline haptoglobins and feline alpha-one acid glycoproteins by radial immunodiffusion. This research represents the first epidemiological study of the lion lentivirus among free-ranging lions of Kruger National Park and the first epidemiological study comparing genetic material to antibody-based methods of lentivirus detection on lions in RSA. The polymerase chain reaction assay was successful in amplifying the lion lentivirus from African lions. The conservation management of free-ranging lions must consider the infectious agents to which they are susceptible. No conclusions can be drawn from this investigation with respect to the potential virulence or pathogenic distinctions between viral subtypes, as little is known about the definitive consequences of lion lentivirus infection in African lions. Immunologic studies may uncover potential differences in immune expression among lentivirus-positive and -negative individuals with regard to increased resistance or increased susceptibility to infection or pathogenicity. To this end, lion lentivirus infection status could also be compared to the infection status of bovine tuberculosis.

Two experiments examined growth performance and physiological measures of stress in pre- and postweaned Angus steers (313 ± 24.5 kg; n = 48/Exp.), where steers were fitted with (YD) or without (ND) an anti-suckling device (Exp. 1), or provided (YS) or not provided (NS) a grain supplement (Exp. 2) for 7 d and weaned by fenceline (FS) or total separation (TS). Steers in Exp. 1 were weighed and bled on d 0, 3, 7 10, 14, 21, and 42, and in Exp. 2, on d 0, 7, 10, 14, and 21 and provided a grain supplement on d 7-21. In Exp. 1, weight gain was not different (P = 0.74) between ND and YD steers during preweaning. The YD-FS steers lost weight (P = 0.01) by d 10 compared with YD-TS steers. Hematocrit (Hct) increased (P = 0.04) in YD but not ND steers on d 3. Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (N:L) increased (P < 0.01) in all steers by d 7. Cortisol values in YD-FS steers were higher (P < 0.05) compared with YD-TS steers on d 10 and 21. The ND-FS steers had higher (P = 0.04) interferon-gamma (IFN) concentrations on d 10 compared with all YD steers. Haptoglobin (HAP) values increased (P < 0.01) in all steers by d 3. The FS steers had higher (P < 0.01) ceruloplasmin (CER) values by d 10 than TS steers regardless of preweaning treatment. Ovalbumin-specific IgG increased (P < 0.01) in all steers 10 d following its administration. In Exp. 2, NS-TS steers lost weight (P < 0.01) between d 7 and 10 compared with the remaining steers. The YS steers had higher cortisol, N:L and CER on d 7 compared with NS steers. Moreover, NS steers had higher (P < 0.01) Hct on d 10 than YS steers. Based upon physiological and growth performance data, it may be concluded that use of an anti-suckling device prior to weaning does not improve the animals’ well-being and, providing a grain supplement beginning 7 d prior to weaning may temper the animals’ stress response due to weaning when total separation is employed.

There has been a recent surge in the number of people using reclaimed water systems for personal use. Because of this, it is getting more and more important for easy-to-use and cost effective disinfectants on the market for consumer application. This study looked at the efficacy of three disinfectants, trichloromelamine, ozone and acetic acid, for their ability to reduce the number of waterborne pathogens. Four samples of TCM were tested in a 10mL contaminated water:1mL TCM solution ratio and plated for both total plate counts and to check for generic E.coli. It was found that one of the four samples of TCM (TCM 3) was able to not only give a percent reduction of 92.54%, but it also killed the E.coli that was present in the water. TCM1 had an average percent reduction of 98.77, TCM2's percent reduction was 97.34, and TCM4's: 87.64. This was not the most effective disinfectant, however. Similar tests were done with ozone, ozone that was mixed with brine water, and ozone that was mixed with acetic acid, as well as pure acetic acid. Ozonated brine water, and ozone mixed with acetic acid were both nearly 100% effective at reducing bacterial load in the water samples (99.989 and 100%, respectively). The pure ozone was not nearly as effective, with a percent reduction of 85.7%. These results indicate that TCM and ozone could possibly be effective tools for the consumer to use to disinfect water holding tanks, however, more testing needs to be done in order to find out exactly how effective these products are in the long term, as well as to find the contact time needed for effective kill by TCM.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rutgers University, 2008. / "Graduate Program in Animal Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (p. 48-51).

Master of Science / Animal Sciences and Industry / Lindsey E. Hulbert / Rapid responses in milk production to changes in dairy cow management, nutrition, and health give producers feedback to help optimize the production and health of dairy cattle. On the contrary, a producer waits up to two years before the investments in calf growth and health are observed thru lactation. Even so, performance, health, and immune status during this time play a large role in subsequent cow production and performance. A recent report from the USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System estimated that 7.6 to 8.0% of dairy heifers die prior to weaning and 1.7 to 1.9% die post-weaning (2010). The cost of feed, housing, and management with no return in milk production make for substantial replacement-heifer cost. Therefore, management strategies to improve calf health, performance, and immune function are needed. Prebiotic supplementation has gained interest in recent years as a method to improve gastrointestinal health and immune function in livestock. It has been provided that prebiotic supplementation may be most effective in times of stress or increased pathogen exposure throughout the calf’s lifetime (McGuirk, 2010; Heinrichs et al., 2009; Morrison et al., 2010). Multiple studies have researched the effect of prebiotics around the time of weaning, but to the author’s knowledge, none have focused on prebiotic’s effects during the transition from individual housing prior to weaning to commingled housing post-weaning which may also be a time of stress or increased pathogen exposure. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the effects of prebiotic supplementation of mannan-oligosaccharide and beta-glucan during this commingling phase. The results indicate that prebiotic supplementation alters feeding behavior, modulates neutrophil function, and increases antibody response during this time. The purpose of industry-based research, such as studies on prebiotics and other methods to improve calf health and performance, is to provide producers with tools to advance and improve their operations. In this respect, it is beneficial to learn what producers’ needs are and what they are interested in improving. An extension survey was conducted to establish priorities, need, and management practices of Kansas dairy producers. The results of the survey indicate that nearly half of the producers (49.3%) are interested in extension programs focused on calf/heifer management. Similarly, over half (54.8%) of the producers responded that they are interested in improving calf/heifer management in the next 5 years. The death loss observed as well as the results of the survey display a need and a producer desire to improve calf management, warranting research on prebiotics and further methods to continue to improve calf health and performance

Equine laminitis is a devastating condition that results in the failure of the tissue responsible for suspending the skeleton within the hoof capsule. The digital laminae is composed of two interdigitated layers, the dermal lamellae surrounding the distal pedal bone, and the epidermal lamellae, which interfaces with the hoof wall. During laminitis, these layers separate, allowing for rotation and sinking of the pedal bone. While there are multiple diseases and physiological conditions associated with the development of laminitis, including sepsis, metabolic syndrome, and unequal weight bearing, the exact cause remains elusive. Prior work by our research group identified the metalloprotease ADAMTS-4 as a potential early instigator of disease. The data presented herein catalogs the distribution of the substrates of this enzyme, aggrecan and versican, the ramifications of ADAMTS-4-mediated versican loss in the laminae, and further expands into the repression of the canonical wnt signaling pathway and potential additional metalloprotease (MMP) involvement in disease, utilizing a model of acute, carbohydrate-induced laminitis. Additionally, samples from other models of laminitis induction and clinical samples were screened for differential expression of relevant gene markers, including versican, members of the canonical wnt signaling pathway, and MMP-1 and -13. Together, these data provide a characterization of laminar pathology in the carbohydrate-induced model, as well as highlighting key similarities and differences amongst multiple methods of disease development, and lay important groundwork for developing clinical therapeutic interventions.