Ruminants, Volume 5, Issue 1 (March 2025) – 6 articles

This case report includes the clinical utility of ultrasonography, intrauterine endoscopy (hysteroscopy), and computed tomography (CT) in the preoperative evaluation of hydrometra in a pet goat, which did not completely heal with medical therapy using prostaglandin F2α. Ultrasonography revealed an anechoic liquid within the uterine lumen on a percutaneous scan. CT identified an enlarged uterus and right ovary with a cystic follicle-like structure. Hysteroscopy revealed an accumulation of clear fluids within the uterine lumen and a corrugated, thickened endometrial structure. Plasma estradiol-17β (E2) concentrations were found to be higher (41.9 pg/mL) than normal levels, whereas plasma progesterone (P4) concentrations were at normal levels (0.55 ng/mL) during the follicular phase. Histopathological examination of the endometrium removed by biopsy revealed accelerated mucosal secretion with hyperplasia. Ovariohysterectomy was performed 14 days after the initial diagnosis. Immediately before surgery, plasma E2 and P4 levels were 23.4 pg/mL and 18.34 ng/mL, respectively. Histopathological examination of the surgically removed endometrium revealed cystic endometrial hyperplasia in the uterus and follicular cysts in the ovary. Based on these results, the patient was histologically diagnosed with hydrometra, including cystic endometrial hyperplasia, possibly induced by follicular cysts in the ovary. Ultrasonography and intrauterine endoscopy enabled clear visualization of the secreted mucosa within the uterine lumen, whereas CT enabled an effective visualization of an ovary with a cystic follicle structure. Preoperative observations based not only on ultrasonography but also on evaluations, particularly combined with CT and endoscopy, are useful in diagnosing hydrometra and determining the need for ovariohysterectomy in goats. Full article

This study investigated the effects of Capsicum oleoresin (CAP) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality of fattening beef cattle. A total of 48 Simmental crossbred cattle, selected based on body weight (484.7 ± 48.4 kg), were randomly assigned to four treatment groups (each with 12 animals) in a randomized complete block design. In each group, the basal diet was supplemented with 0 g/d CAP (control), 4 g/d, 8 g/d and 12 g/d. The results showed that adding CAP linearly increased the dry matter intake (DMI; p = 0.023), led to a quadratic increase in the average daily gain (ADG; p = 0.035) and linearly decreased the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G; p = 0.018). The apparent digestibility of CP also linearly increased with increasing CAP dosage (p = 0.023), while the apparent digestibility of ADF showed a decreasing trend (p = 0.054). Additionally, the slaughter performance index and nutritional composition of beef were not affected by the amount of CAP added (p > 0.05), while the pH value of beef decreased linearly with increasing CAP addition (p = 0.016). Among all groups, the 8 g/d one exhibited the highest DMI, ADG, F/G, apparent digestibility of CP and water-holding capacity, as well as the lowest cooking loss. In conclusion, CAP can be used as a potential novel feed additive in the diet of beef cattle to improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Under the conditions applied in this study, a CAP amount of 8 g/d per cattle was found to be optimum for fattening beef cattle. Full article

This study evaluated the phytochemical composition of aqueous extracts of Moringa oleifera (MO) obtained by maceration, decoction, and infusion of fresh or dried leaves and their effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters. Phytochemical prospecting analyses were conducted to determine the bioactive compounds in each aqueous extract. Regarding the in vitro ruminal fermentation study, the seven treatments were the following: no addition of extract or control (CON); extract obtained by maceration of fresh leaves (MFL); extract obtained by maceration of dry leaves (MDL); extract obtained by decoction of the fresh leaves (DFL); extract obtained by decoction of dry leaves (DDL); extract obtained by infusion of fresh leaves (IFL) and extract obtained by infusion of dry leaves (IDL). The concentration of all bioactives (saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids) quantified was higher when fresh MO leaves were used (p < 0.001). DFL and DDL provided less elimination of azino-bis radicals. On the other hand, MFL resulted in a greater elimination of these radicals. Extracts obtained from fresh leaves resulted in a greater total production of short-chain fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate (p < 0.05). Compared to the control treatment, the inclusion of extracts obtained from fresh leaves provided a higher concentration of propionate (p = 0.049). It is thereby concluded that the use of fresh MO leaves for the production of aqueous extracts is the most recommended, as it results in a higher concentration of bioactive compounds. The use of aqueous extracts of fresh MO leaves increases the total production of fatty acids but does not change their proportion. Full article

Energy availability is a critical point in newly received calves. This study was conducted to examine the effect of daily calcium propionate (CaPr), chromium-methionine (Cr-Met), or CaPr plus Cr-Met (CaPr + Cr-Met) supplementation on growth performance, dietary energetics, body fat reserves, serum metabolites, and hematological responses in high-risk beef calves. Forty-eight crossbred bull calves (148.7 ± 2.05 kg body weight) were involved in a fully randomized experimental design. Calves which were individually pen allocated (12 repetitions/treatment) were subjected to one of the following treatments daily over 56 d: (1) Control, no additives; (2) CaPr, 19 g CaPr; (3) Cr-Met, 4 g Cr-Met; and (4) CaPr + Cr-Met, 19 g CaPr plus 4 g Cr-Met. Compared to controls, feed additive supplementation alone or in combination did not modify dry matter intake (DMI), but increased average daily gain (ADG), improving the ADG/DMI ratio. However, no synergistic effect on dietary energy utilization efficiency was observed with the combination of CaPr and Cr-Met; individual supplementation proved more effective. Because of the magnitude of the effects of Cr-Met on the efficiency of dietary energy utilization, this resulted in an increase (p < 0.05) in rump fat thickness (RFT). The supplementation of CaPr + Cr-Met decreased ALB/GLO ratio, MPV, and RBC, but increased TCHO, GLU, and MCH (p > 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation with CaPr or Cr-Met independently is an effective strategy to improve growth performance, energy utilization and retention, and body fat reserves, without adverse effects on health among high-risk beef calves. Full article

With the growing use of crossbred cattle in Brazilian feedlots and increasing pressure to reduce antibiotic use as growth promoters, this study examines the impact of three feed additives—monensin (MON), monensin with Lithothamnium calcareum (LCM), and a blend of essential oils (BEO)—on the performance of Nellore (NEL) and crossbred (CROSS) cattle. A total of 90 Nellore and 90 crossbred bulls were assigned to a completely randomized block design with a 2 × 3 factorial design for 112 days, and all received the same diet with varying additives. Their methane (CH₄) emissions were estimated. All data were analyzed using the emmeans package of R software (version 4.4.1). Crossbred cattle outperformed Nellore in average daily gain (ADG), hot carcass weight (HCW), and dry matter intake (DMI), though feed efficiency remained unaffected. Across additives, no significant differences were observed in ADG, HCW, or dressing percentage. However, LCM had a lower DMI than the BEO, while MON showed better feed efficiency than the BEO. A breed-by-additive interaction trend was noted for DMI as a percentage of body weight (DMI%BW), with Nellore bulls on LCM diets showing the lowest DMI%BW. Crossbreeds had greater net energy (NE) requirements for maintenance (NEm) and gain (NEg), and MON-fed animals had greater NEm and NEg than the BEO. Crossbred bulls had greater daily methane (CH₄) emissions than Nellore bulls. Animals on the BEO had greater daily CH₄ emissions and greater g CH₄/kg metabolic BW than LCM bulls. In conclusion, the addition of Lithothamnium calcareum to monensin did not enhance performance compared to monensin alone. Monensin outperformed the BEO in feed efficiency and nutrient utilization. Full article

Adopting a new milking system at a dairy farm causes various changes. This study examined the impact on udder health when changing from a conventional milking system to an automatic milking system. For this purpose, quarter milk samples were taken six times from 138 cows at one conventional dairy farm in Northern Germany over a five-week period around the time of the milking system changeover. To assess udder health, the absolute number of new intramammary infections and the causative pathogen genera and species were analysed for each individual study time point. Pathogen species were detected using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight, and the infection dynamics were analysed using two Poisson regression models. In addition, the prevalence and incidence of new intramammary infections and the infection dynamics of the four most frequently isolated pathogen species were calculated. Mixed models were used to determine the development of the new infection rate, the somatic cell count, the teat-end condition, and the udder hygiene between the individual study time points and to compare the new infection rate before and after the changeover of the milking system. After the automatic milking system had been installed, a significant increase in the quarter-level somatic cell count occurred (p < 0.001). Two days before the installation of the automatic milking system, the mean quarter-level somatic cell count was 11,940 cells/mL milk; one sampling date later, 8 days after the changeover, a mean quarter-level somatic cell count of 60,117 cells/mL milk was measured. The significant increase in somatic cell count was probably caused by the time between the last milking and the quarter milk sampling. Additionally, significantly more udders were scored as clean 8 days (95%) and 15 days (96%) after the changeover of the milking system compared to at the last sampling date (88%). Also, significantly more teat ends were classified as free of hyperkeratosis 15 days (80%) compared to 22 days (67%) after the changeover of the milking system. The highest number of absolute new intramammary infections was detected 8 days before the transition of the milking system (28.6%). The lowest number of absolute new intramammary infections occurred 8 days after the change to the automatic milking system (11.0%). Minor mastitis pathogens, such as non-aureus staphylococci and coryneform bacteria, were mainly responsible for the development of new intramammary infections. The most frequently isolated pathogen species were Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Corynebacterium amycolatum, with a prevalence of up to 23.9, 10.7, 8.4, and 5.3%, respectively. By comparing the new infection rate before and after the changeover of the milking system, it was possible to establish that the changeover to the automatic milking system had no significant influence on the new intramammary infection rate (p = 0.988). Therefore, this trial confirmed that the changeover from a conventional milking system to an automatic milking system had no negative influence on udder health. Full article