Améliorer la santé des vaches laitières en élevage agrobiologiques (AB) est bien souvent nécessaire, pour ces élevages ne répondant pas toujours aux principes de l’AB et aux attentes des consommateurs d’avoir un niveau de santé et bien-être animal élevé. Cette thèse explore des voies d’amélioration du conseil sanitaire en vue d'améliorer la santé animale dans ces élevages. Les résultats de nos travaux montrent que les vétérinaires ont le plus souvent un rôle de thérapeute dans les élevages laitiers AB. L'obtention d'un rôle de conseiller a été entravée par des spécificités liées à l’AB, telles que les différences entre éleveurs et vétérinaires dans les objectifs de gestion de la santé des animaux et les pratiques sanitaires. Une étude d'intervention a été effectuée pour tester un dispositif de conseil dans des élevages AB en France et en Suède, basé sur l’utilisation d’outils de surveillance et prévention de maladies de production. Le dispositif a été réalisé en utilisant une approche participative, impliquant l’éleveur et le conseiller ; la flexibilité de l’outil a permis de produire un protocole de surveillance adaptée à chaque élevage. Bien qu’aucun effet sur la santé du troupeau n’a été prouvé, le dispositif a été perçu pour contribuer à la santé du troupeau par ses utilisateurs. Il a rempli la plupart de ses fonctions prévues de surveillance et de prévention des maladies et a stimulé le dialogue entre éleveurs et conseillers. Des outils qui stimulent le dialogue et qui sont adaptables à chaque élevage sont une voie à suivre pour le développement du conseil en santé animale. / Improving herd health on organic dairy farms is often needed, since organic dairy farms do not consistently meet the organic principles and consumers’ expectations of high animal health and welfare. This thesis explores ways to improve the pertinence of herd health advisory services in order to improve animal health on organic dairy farms. The results of our studies show that veterinarians mostoften have a role of therapist on organic dairy farms. Obtaining a more advisory role was hampered due to specificities of the organic sector, such as differences between farmers and veterinarians in animal health management objectives and practices. An intervention study was performed testing a Herd Health and Production Management (HHPM) program on organic dairy farms in France and Sweden, based on herd health monitoring and disease prevention activities. The program was built using a participatory approach, making farmer and advisor work together ; the adaptability of the program allowed to design farm specific herd health monitoring tools. Although no effecton herd health measured, the program was perceived to contribute to herd health by its users. The program fulfilled most of its intended functions in herd healthmonitoring and disease prevention and stimulated dialogue between farmers and their advisors. We consider that dialogue promoting and tools adaptable to farm specific situations are a possible way forward for the development of advisory services in animal health.

This experimental work investigated the development and testing of a controlled release system for methionine. Methionine is one of the limiting amino acids for the milk production in dairy cows. The quantities of methionine which reach the small intestine are affected by the bacteria in the rumen which utilize methionine. A controlled release system which will offer a protective barrier for methionine may ensure that the methionine reaches the small intestine in sufficient quantities. The work involved the development of a coating around methionine crystals, which would act as a barrier, protecting it from the rumen conditions. Zein and kafirin proteins from maize and sorghum, respectively, were used as the principal coating components for the controlled release system. Two different approaches were used in the development of the controlled release system. First, the zein and kafirin proteins were tested for their ability to act as barriers for the controlled release of methionine, and second, zein and kafirin microparticles were used as the controlled release agents. Relatively successful, laboratory-scale methods were developed for coating the methionine with the proteins and the microparticles. Protein coatings were made by addition of methionine crystals to acid-dissolved proteins which led to the formation of a protein/methionine matrix. For coating the methionine with microparticles, glacial acetic acid was used to fuse microparticles around the methionine crystals. Dissolution assays were performed to test the release of methionine from the coatings under simulated rumen conditions. Both the zein and kafirin and microparticle coatings exhibited a barrier effect for methionine. The barrier effects of these coatings were influenced by several factors. Increasing the proportion of the coating agents led to improved barrier properties. However, this only occurred until a certain proportion of coating agent was present (50%), after which the barrier properties no longer increased. Heat treatment of the coatings also increased the barrier properties of the coatings. This may be due to the formation of disulphide cross-links being formed during the application of heat. When a simple extrusion method was used to form the coatings, the barrier properties also improved in comparison to those coatings which were not formed using extrusion. When producing the microparticles, it was found that only the laboratory extracted kafirin preparation with 85% (db) protein formed microparticles. It was hypothesized that microparticle formation might be related to the purity of the protein preparations. Scanning electron microscopy of the coatings after the dissolution tests and pepsin digestion revealed pores on the surface of the coating. These were probably where the methionine leached from the coating into the dissolution medium. The protein coatings did act as partial barriers, extending the release of methionine. From the release curves of methionine from the coatings, it could be seen that a sustained release of methionine occurred over a period of time, rather than a controlled release of methionine at a certain time. The aim of the application was thus only partially achieved as a complete protective barrier for methionine was not obtained from the protein coatings. No significant difference between the barrier properties of the coatings prepared from the proteins themselves and the microparticles were found. However, when based on equal protein purity the kafirin protein coatings showed the most effective barrier properties. Further research regarding kafirin coatings as a controlled release agent is recommended based on the results of the above named calculation. This research would entail investigating various coating technologies and methods. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Food Science / unrestricted

Negative reinforcement can be a powerful tool for behavior analysts, yet it is often overlooked as a treatment method. Pryor (1999) outlines a method for approaching a "timid" animal using a combination of negative reinforcement and positive reinforcement. When the animal stands still, the human operates a clicker, and then retreats from the animal. Gradually, the human moves closer to the animal through the clicking and retreating shaping process. Once the human is standing close enough, food may be offered as a positive reinforcer, and the negative reinforcer is canceled out. The purpose of this study was to experimentally demonstrate the click-retreat technique with cows. A multiple-baseline design across subjects was used to test this technique. Results show that the click and retreat technique was effective. Results are discussed in terms of the difference between the click-retreat technique and systematic desensitization.

Rumen acidosis is a metabolic disorder of ruminants, characterized by a severe drop in rumen pH. This is due to an accumulation of acids, especially lactic acid in the rumen. Lactic acid is one of the strongest acids with a major effect on rumen pH. A low and / or fluctuating rumen pH can have a severe impact on the productivity and health of dairy cattle, especially during the early lactation period. Rumen acidosis can, for example, occur during the rapid change from a low concentrate to a high concentrate diet. Megasphaera elsdenii (Me) is a lactate-utilizing micro-organism that converts the lactic acid that is produced from the fermentation of starch in the rumen, to propionic acid. Based on the ability of Me to convert lactic acid to propionic acid, a study was conducted to determine the effect of dosing live sources of Me on the level of rumen acidosis, general health and productivity. Sixty high-producing multiparous dairy cows were used in a randomized complete block design experiment. Cows were blocked according to milk production during the previous lactation and, thereafter, randomly allocated, within each block, to one of the following treatments: <ol> <li> 60% concentrate TMR;</li> <li> 60% concentrate TMR with Me dosing;</li> <li> 70% concentrate TMR;</li> <li> 70% concentrate TMR with Me dosing.</li></ol> The experimental period was 60 days and cows were dosed on day 2, 10 and 20 post-partum. Cows were housed in a semi-intensive housing unit equipped with Calan gates for determining individual feed intake. Daily milk production and dry matter intake were measured, as well as body mass and body condition score. Milk was analyzed for fat, protein, lactose and MUN; rumen fluid for pH, volatile fatty acids and lactic acid; faecal samples for pH and starch and feed refusal samples for nutrient components. In addition the health statuses of the cows were also monitored. In general the results did not show a clear advantage of dosing Me, regardless of the level of concentrate. Dry matter intake, milk production, milk composition, feed efficiency, body mass and body condition score were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). Contrary to expectation, treatment did not affect rumen pH, rumen lactic acid or volatile fatty acid concentrations (P > 0.05). Faecal pH, however, was higher and the starch content lower in cows dosed with Me (P < 0.05) suggesting a positive effect on rumen fermentation and more efficient total tract starch fermentation. Furthermore only two cows were culled from the dosed group, compare to eleven from the control group, suggesting a positive influence of Me on the general health of stress, early lactation cows. Further research is needed to better quantify the potential role of Me in preventing SARA. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Orientador: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos / Resumo: Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar o efeito de diferentes fontes de energia e da suplementação com cromo nas variáveis relacionadas a resistência à insulina, produção de leite e índices reprodutivos de vacas leiteiras lactentes consumindo excesso de energia que foram distribuídas em um arranjo fatorial 2 × 2. No primeiro estudo, vacas foram designadas a receber: 1) concentrado a base de milho moído (CRN; n = 13) ou polpa cítrica (PLP; n = 13) e 2) suplementação (n = 14) ou não (n = 12) de 10 mg/vaca/dia de propionato de cromo. No segundo estudo vacas receberam: 1) concentrado a base de milho moído (CRN; n = 20) ou com inclusão de 8% (matéria seca) de gordura de palma protegida (CSPO; n = 20), e suplementação (n = 20) ou não (n = 20) de 10 mg/dia de propionato de cromo. Para a condução de ambos os estudos, foram utilizados animais não gestantes, Holandeses × Gir, lactantes (dias de leite inicial = 80 ± 3), alimentados com silagem de milho oferecida de maneira ad libitum e concentrado visando atender 160% dos requerimentos energéticos de mantença. Amostras de leite e sangue foram colhidas semanalmente e produção de leite foi mensurada diariamente. Para o primeiro estudo, escore de condição corporal (ECC) e peso corporal (PC) foram avaliados semanalmente ao longo do estudo (D0 ao 182), enquanto que no segundo estudo ECC e PC foram avaliados no primeiro e no último dia (d0 e d203, respectivamente) do estudo. Ingestão de matéria seca foi avaliada apenas no segundo est... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias alternativas para facilitar a mensuração da produção de calor e de metano em animais é necessário e deve trazer efeitos positivos para a indústria de produção animal. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi correlacionar a temperatura em pontos anatômicos mensurados através de termografia infravermelha com a produção de calor e a emissão de metano em vacas Holandês e mestiças Holandês x Gir. Seis vacas mestiças Holandês e Gir e quatro vacas Holandês no período médio da lactação, primíparas, foram avaliadas quanto à produção de calor e à emissão de metano diárias, por calorimetria indireta, em câmaras respirométricas. A termografia foi feita nas regiões do ânus, da vulva, da costela (no lado direito), do flanco direito, do flanco esquerdo, da pata dianteira direita, do lábio superior, do masseter e do olho. As imagens termográficas foram tomadas nesses nove pontos anatômicos anteriormente citados, a cada hora, por oito horas após a alimentação da manhã, durante cinco dias. Durante todo o experimento, as vacas receberam a mesma dieta ad libitum e a produção de leite e o consumo foram registrados diariamente O estudo compreendeu 40 dias, incluindo os dias de adaptação dos animais às câmaras respirométricas. A produção diária de metano foi associada com a termografia infravermelha do olho na hora 6 após a alimentação em vacas mestiças Holandês x Gir (r=0,85, p<0,05) e com a termografia infravermelha do olho feita na hora 5 em vacas Holandês (r=0,88, p<0,05). Além disso, a produção de calor foi correlacionada com a termografia infravermelha da pata dianteira direita uma hora após a alimentação em vacas Girolando F1 (r=0.85, p<0.05) e com a termografia infravermelha do olho cinco horas após a alimentação em vacas Holandês (r=0,90, p<0,05). Esses resultados foram posteriormente confirmados usando análise de regressão. As correlações das imagens termográficas com a produção de calor e emissão de metano foram similares entre as vacas Holandês e as vacas Girolando F1. A termografia infravermelha é efetiva na avaliação da produção de calor e da emissão de metano de vacas em lactação Holandês e Girolando F1, embora realizadas em pontos anatômicos diferentes. / The development of alternative technologies that more easily assess heat and methane production of livestock animals are needed and would have positive effects on the livestock industry. The aim of this study was to correlate skin temperature assessed through infrared thermography with heat and methane production in lactating Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbreed cows. Six Holstein and Gir crossbred and four Holstein cows, all primiparous, at midlactation were used to evaluate daily heat production and methane emissions through indirect calorimetry in respiratory chambers. Thermographic images were taken at nine different body locations every hour during eight hours after feeding for five days. Thermographic images were taken at the following regions: anus, vulva, ribs (on the right side), left flank, right flank, right front foot, upper lip, masseter and eye. During the whole trial cows received the same diet ad libitum, milk yield and feed intake were daily recorded. Data collection lasted 40 days, including adaptation of the animals to the respiratory chambers Daily methane emission was correlated with infrared thermography taken at the eye six hours after feeding in Holstein x Gir crossbred cows (r=0.85, p<0.05) and with infrared thermography taken at the eye five hours after feeding in Holstein cows (r=0.88, p<0.05). Also, heat production was correlated with infrared thermography taken at the right front foot one hour after feeding in Holstein x Gir crossbred cows (r=0.85, p<0.05) and with infrared thermography taken at the eye five hours after feeding in Holstein cows (r=0.90, p<0.05). These results were further confirmed using regression analysis. Correlations between infrared thermography and heat production or methane emissions are similar for Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbred. Infrared thermography is effective in assess heat production and methane emission in Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbred lactation cows albeit taken in different anatomical points.

Orientador: José Luiz Moraes Vasconcelos / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se vacas Nelore, que receberam duas doses de PGF2α em protocolos de IATF a base de progesterona e estradiol, teriam melhor fertilidade em comparação a uma dose de PGF2α. Foram realizados 2 experimentos em que os animais receberam o protocolo de IATF: dispositivo intravaginal de P4 (CIDR) e 2,0 mg benzoato de estradiol (i.m., 2 ml Gonadiol®, Zoetis), no d-11, dinoprost trometamina (PGF2α; i.m., 2,5 ml Lutalyse®, Zoetis) no d-4, retirada do dispositivo de P4, 0,6 mg de cipionato de estradiol (i.m., 0,3 ml ECP®, Zoetis) e 300 UI de eCG (i.m., 1,5 ml Novormon®, Zoetis) no d-2, e IATF no d0. No experimento 1, as vacas (n=1.039) foram divididas aleatoriamente para receber uma ou duas doses de PGF2α, sendo a primeira no d-4 e a segunda no d-2. No experimento 2, foram avaliadas 1.051 fêmeas Nelore, permanecendo para as análises deste estudo apenas fêmeas que não apresentaram um CL no d-4 (momento da primeira PGF2α; n=934), os tratamentos foram os mesmos descritos no experimento 1. Foi fixado um dispositivo para avaliar a expressão do cio (Estrotect®) no d-2, avaliado o diâmetro folicular no d0, as colheitas de sangue foram realizadas no d0 e d7, para dosagem de P4. O diagnóstico de gestação (DG) foi realizado 30 dias após IA. No experimento 1, a taxa de prenhez foi maior para os animais do grupo 2PG (54,5% vs. 46,6%; P = 0,01) em relação a 1PG. No experimento 2, a taxa de sincronização e a taxa de prenhez foram maiores no grupo 2PG, (81,4% vs. 72,1... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Nelore cows that received two doses of PGF2α in progesterone and estradiol-based TAI protocols would have better fertility compared to one dose of PGF2α. Two experiments were performed in which the animals received an TAI protocol: intravaginal P4 device (CIDR) and 2.0 mg estradiol benzoate (i.m., 2 ml Gonadiol®, Zoetis) at d-11, dinoprost tromethamine (PGF2α; i.m., 2 , 5 ml Lutalyse®, Zoetis) at d-4, P4 device withdrawal, 0.6 mg estradiol cypionate (i.m., 0.3 ml ECP®, Zoetis) and 300 IU eCG (i.m., 1.5 ml Novormon®, Zoetis) at d-2, and AI at d0. In experiment 1 the animals (n = 1,039) were randomly assigned to receive one or two doses of PGF2α, the first on d-4 and the second on d-2. In experiment 2, 1,051 Nelore cows were used, and remaining for the analysis of this study only females without CL on d-4 (moment of first PGF2α; n=934), the treatments were the same as described in experiment 1. A device was fixed to evaluate estrus expression (Estrotect®) at d-2, measured follicular diameter at d0, blood samples were collected at d0 and d7 for P4 dosage. The pregnancy diagnosis was made 30 days after AI. In experiment 1, the pregnancy rate was higher for animals in group 2PG (54.5% vs. 46.6%; P = 0.01) compared to 1PG. In experiment 2, synchronization rate and pregnancy rate were higher in group 2PG (81.4% vs. 72.1%; [P = 0.01] and 55.5% vs. 45.6%; [P = 0.04], respectively) only in animals with BCS < 5.0 (scale from 1 to 9). In anim... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Galactopoietic effects of somatotropin are the result of IGF-I and require high-quality nutrient intake. This study investigated short-term partitioning effects during recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) administration in high yielding early lactation dairy cows. Administration of recombinant bST has been shown generally to alter results of metabolic tests in the face of unchanged basal glucose and insulin concentrations. Ten multiparous Holstein cows were subjected to rbST (Lactotropin®) and/or feed intake restriction to 80% of predicted ME requirement (80% ME). Responses to insulin challenge (0.1 IU porcine insulin/kg BW. 210 min) and hyperglycaemic clamp (+50 mg/dL whole blood, 120 min) were tested during weeks 8 (control), 9 (rbST ), 11 (80% ME) and 12 (rbST + 80% ME) postpartum. Plasma and whole blood samples were assayed for glucose concentrations. The rbST treatment decreased fasting whole-blood glucose concentration by 9.4% (P<0.0001), which was likely a remnant of control hyperglycaemia. Maximum glucose response was 4.0 mg/dL (21.7%) lower (P<0.0038) and took 6.5 minutes longer to attain (P<0.0037). Steady-state glucose infusion rate (SSGIR) decreased by 8.1 % (P<0.0001). The 80% ME treatment decreased glucose availability by 5 to 6% (P<0.0100), while no glucose responses were affected. Restricted energy intake during treatment with rbST resulted in plasma glucose increase by 5.5% (P<0.0001). Peripheral uptake and utilization of glucose increased by 5.1 % (P<0.0005). Compared to energy restriction, 80%ME + rbST did not alter effects of nutrient restriction on responses to exogenous insulin challenge. Effects were small and inconsistent. SSGIR decreased by 5.0% in the 80% ME + rbST compared to the 80% ME period (P<0.0004) and the change in the hyperglycaemic clamp in the absence of an effect in the insulin challenge may be due to differences in endogenous insulin secretion. The conclusion was that rbST treatment resulted in altered glucose metabolic responses, even with restricted energy intake. / Dissertation (MSc(Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

A cross-sectional survey was conducted at six properties in the small-holder and commercial sector in Gwanda district of Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe. The study was conducted at Sivume and Nyandeni communal dip-tanks, at Blanket, Double cross, Judds and at Timber farms. The objective of the study was to ascertain the tick infestations, tick species and udder and teat damage of milking cows and heifers from selected cattle herds. The study was important as it would help animalhealth decision makers and farmers in knowing the prevailing tick genera and species in the study area and hence the potential for the occurrence of diseases associated with these ticks. Two hundred and eighty-six cattle were sampled and ticks were collected and sent to the Central Veterinary Laboratory for further characterisation. A total of eight tick species, comprising of Amblyomma hebraeum, Hyalomma truncatum, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus zambeziensis and Rhipicephalus simus were identified. 53 % of the sampled cattle had some degree of udder and teat damage but very few farmers (2.6 %) treated their cattle for these conditions. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Le méthane, puissant gaz à effet de serre (GES), est produit dans le rumen des bovins par la fermentation microbienne anaérobie des aliments. Cette production est également responsable d’une perte d’énergie pour l’animal représentant 6 % à 8 % de l’apport alimentaire. Pour ces raisons, plusieurs travaux de recherches sont entrepris pour réduire ces émissions, en jouant sur la composition des aliments ou sur l’utilisation d’additifs alimentaires. Actuellement, la mesure des émissions de méthane se fait par différentes techniques, qui présentent des inconvénients, notamment le coût ou encore la difficulté d’application à grande échelle sur le terrain. De ce fait, de nombreuses recherches sont menées pour trouver des méthodes alternatives ou « proxy » pour la mesure indirecte du méthane. Mon travail de thèse a pour objectif de rechercher des marqueurs associés à la production de méthane chez la vache laitière, par une approche métabolomique multiplateforme. Ces marqueurs, une fois validés, pourront être dosés par des méthodes simples de laboratoire et appliqués à grande échelle pour évaluer les émissions de méthane. Étant donné le caractère exploratoire de l’approche et pour maximiser nos chances de réussite, nous avons combiné l’utilisation d’un inhibiteur spécifique de la méthanogènèse et l’analyse des profils métaboliques de quatre matrices (le lait, le plasma, le contenu ruminal et les urines)  avec différentes plateformes analytiques complémentaires : la résonnance magnétique nucléaire et la chromatographie liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse. Les échantillons biologiques proviennent d’une expérimentation animale utilisant 25 vaches Holstein primipares, et séparées en deux groupes suivant la présence ou non de l’additif anti-méthane dans la ration. Nous avons mesuré une diminution des émissions de méthane de 22,7% chez les animaux ayant reçu l’additif. Les analyses statistiques multivariées ont montré des profils métaboliques différents entre les 2 groupes d’animaux dans le plasma (27 métabolites discriminants) et le lait (16 métabolites discriminants). Les travaux sur les urines et le contenu ruminal sont en cours. L’analyse des réseaux métaboliques a mis en évidence plusieurs voies métaboliques impactées par la réduction des émissions de méthane impliquées dans le métabolisme énergétique ou encore dans celui des acides-aminés. / Ruminants produce significant amount of enteric methane, which is a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural origin. This production also results in a loss of 6 to 8% of the energy present in the diet. The reduction of enteric methane emissions from ruminants is an active area of research that requires the use of expensive, constraining measurement methods such as respiratory chambers or the use of a tracer gas that are difficult to use outside experimental farms. Therefore, there is a need of alternative, non-invasive measurement methods that can be used on large number of animals. In this work, we used an open metabolomic approach for identifying potential metabolic biomarkers associated with the production of methane in dairy cows. These discriminant metabolites, once validated, may be used for monitoring methane emissions under field conditions. To maximize the chance of finding such biomarkers, we used a multiplatform metabolomics approach (nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry) to better cover the metabolome and analyzed four biological matrices, namely milk, plasma, ruminal fluid and urine. We carried out a study involving 25 primiparous Holstein dairy cows that were divided into two groups fed a diet with or without a specific anti-methanogenic compound. We measured 22.7% reduction of methane emissions in the Treated group compared to the Control group. We identified 27 discriminant metabolites in plasma and 16 discriminant metabolites in milk. Metabolic network analysis highlighted pathways involved in energy and amino acids metabolism suggesting a general effect on the host animal induced by a reduction in methanogenesis.