The use of quantitative computed tomography for bone ash quantification may avoid euthanasia of young broiler chickens.

The objective of the current study was to compare bone ash and digital bone mineral content (BMC) calculated from clinical quantitative computed tomography (QCT) in young broiler chickens. A total of 576 male broiler chickens (initial BW = 190 ± 17 g) on d 8 post hatching were allotted to the 6 experimental diets in a randomized complete block design. The 6 diets included a phosphorus (P)-deficient basal diet based on corn and soybean meal, basal diet plus 0.

Temporal Distribution of Imidacloprid and Its Metabolites in Laying Hens: An Evaluation of the Potential Impact on Food Safety.

Imidacloprid (IMI) is widely used in poultry houses in the United States to control darkling beetles. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the persistence and distribution of IMI and its metabolites in poultry products following acute exposure to subclinical concentrations. In this study, mature hens received a dose of imidacloprid (placebo, 1 mg/kg, or 10 mg/kg), and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify IMI and its metabolites in tissues.

Influence of Dietary Cobalt on Fiber Digestibility and Serum Cobalt and Cobalamin Concentrations in Horses.

The 2007 Horse NRC reduced cobalt (Co) requirements from 0.1 ppm to 0.05 ppm in dietary dry matter, though preliminary research suggested increasing dietary-Co enhanced fiber digestion in horses.

Selection of antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations in the dairy cow gut following intramuscular ceftiofur treatment for metritis.

Third-generation cephalosporins such as ceftiofur are critically important antibiotics because human pathogens with resistance to these drugs contribute to high mortality rates. These antibiotics are also frequently given to dairy cattle for treating infections, emphasizing the critical role they play in both human and veterinary medicine. To investigate the effect of intramuscular ceftiofur treatment on the concentration of resistant bacteria in the gut, we focused on cows with metritis, a common bacterial infection that frequently requires antibiotic intervention.

Cage-Free Pullets Minimally Affected by Stocking Density Stressors.

Management choices during the pullet phase can affect behavior, welfare, and health later in life, but few studies have evaluated the pullet phase, particularly in extensive housing systems. This study was a 2 × 2 factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two strains and two stocking densities. The Lohmann LB-Lite and Lohmann LSL-Lite were housed on the floor at high-stocking density (619-670 cm/bird) and low-stocking density (1249-1352 cm/bird), which changed with age from 2 to 16 weeks of age (WOA).

Utilizing 3-dimensional models to assess keel bone damage in laying hens throughout the lay cycle.

The global egg industry is rapidly transitioning to cage-free egg production from conventional cages. Hens housed in cage-free systems have an increased prevalence of keel damage that could lead to reduced egg production and compromised well-being. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of n-3 fatty acids and vitamin D on keel damage in hens housed in multi-tier aviary systems (AV).

Lumbar vertebral bone density is decreased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Background: Pathological fractures have been reported in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) but their prevalence and pathogenesis is unknown.

Objectives: To compare: (1) bone mineral density (BMD) in weight bearing and nonweight bearing bones in PPID equids and aged and young PPID controls; and (2) biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebral body in PPID equids and aged PPID equids.

Study Design: Case-control study: five PPID equids and six aged and four young PPID control horses.

Exercising sheep as a preclinical model for musculoskeletal research.

Objective: To establish an orthopedic, preclinical, ovine model of controlled exercise using an equine walker.

Animals: 20 Dorset-Polypay sheep.

Procedures: Sheep underwent 11 weeks of exercise, 4 days per week.

n-3 essential fatty acid and vitamin D supplementation improve skeletal health in laying hens.

Keel bone fractures and osteoporosis are prevalent and damaging skeletal issues in the laying hen industry. There is a large interest in improving bone quality parameters to reduce or eliminate these conditions, thus improving bird welfare. Both essential fatty acids (EFA) and vitamin D can play a role in bone metabolism.

Pharmacokinetics and plasma protein binding of a single dose of clodronate disodium are similar for juvenile sheep and horses.

Objective: To determine the single-dose pharmacokinetics of clodronate disodium (CLO) in juvenile sheep and the plasma protein binding (PPB) of CLO in juvenile sheep and horses.

Animals: 11 juvenile crossbred sheep (252 ± 6 days) for the pharmacokinetic study. Three juvenile crossbred sheep (281 ± 4 days) and 3 juvenile Quarter Horses (599 ± 25 days) for PPB analysis.

Cows enrolled in a pilot randomized clinical trial evaluating pegbovigrastim administered to dairy cows at dry-off had reduced incidence of intramammary infection.

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to determine if an alternative dosing schedule of pegbovigrastim (PEG; Imrestor; Elanco Animal Health) affects mammary gland health, rear udder width, or milk production of healthy dairy cows.

Animals: 20 pregnant late-lactation Holstein cows in November 2019 through April 2020.

Procedures: Cows were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous injections with either 15 mg of PEG (PEG group; n = 10) or a sham injection with saline (0.

Clodronate disodium is neither cytotoxic nor cytoprotective to normal and recombinant equine interleukin-1β-treated joint tissues in vitro.

Objective: To determine the effects of clodronate disodium (CLO) on control and recombinant equine interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-treated equine joint tissues.

Study Design: In vitro experimental study.

Sample Population: Cartilage explants, chondrocytes, and synoviocytes (n = 3 horses).

Tracking the Impact of Weather on Equine Activity While Pastured.

Keeping horses outdoors on pasture full-time with free access to shelter holds numerous advantages over housing in stalls, promoting both better mental and physical health. One reason for these benefits is the potential for increased physical activity in horses outdoors on pasture versus those confined to stalls. However, it is not guaranteed the horse will take advantage of this opportunity for greater movement.

The Impact of Circular Exercise Diameter on Bone and Joint Health of Juvenile Animals.

Circular exercise is used in many equestrian disciplines and this study aimed to determine if circle diameter impacts juvenile animal forelimb bone and joint health. On day 0, 24 calves at 9 weeks of age were assigned the following exercise treatments: small circle (12 m clockwise), large circle (18-m clockwise), treadmill, or non-exercised control. Exercise was initiated at 1.

Behavior and Immune Response of Conventional and Slow-Growing Broilers to Typhimurium.

Fast growth rate in broiler chickens comes with welfare concerns and the contribution of growth rate to pathogen resistance and sickness behavior is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological and behavioral responses of conventional (CONV) and slow-growing (SG) male broilers challenged with Typhimurium. CONV ( = 156) and SG ( = 156) chicks were raised in a pen with wood litter shavings until day 7 of age, when birds were transferred to 24 isolators ( = 11 chicks/isolator).

Average stride length and stride rate of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses during racing.

The main factors influencing speed in athletes are stride length (SL) and stride rate (SR). However, conflict remains whether SL or SR is the key determinant of higher speeds. Quarter Horses (QH) generally reach higher speeds in their races than do Thoroughbreds (TB).

Evaluation of Within- and Between- Session Reliability of the TekscanTM Hoof System With a Glue-on Shoe.

A current trend in equine research is technology development to minimize the subjective nature of gait analysis. One such technology is the Tekscan Hoof System, which records force and area loaded by the hooves during motion. The objective of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of the Tekscan Hoof System between two sessions, and the recordings within those sessions.

Impact of Gait and Diameter during Circular Exercise on Front Hoof Area, Vertical Force, and Pressure in Mature Horses.

Circular exercise can be used at varying gaits and diameters to exercise horses, with repeated use anecdotally relating to increased lameness. This work sought to characterize mean area, mean vertical force, and mean pressure of the front hooves while exercising in a straight line at the walk and trot, and small (10-m diameter) and large circles (15-m diameter) at the walk, trot, and canter. Nine mature horses wore Tekscan Hoof Sensors on their forelimbs adhered with a glue-on shoe.

Comparison of Bone Mineral Content of the Equine Third Metacarpal to Total Radiographic Bone Aluminum Equivalents From Unprocessed Digital Radiographs.

Digital radiographs are common for estimating bone mineral content (BMC) in horses with radiographic bone aluminum equivalents (RBAE). Processing algorithms are used to produce clearer images of digital radiographs in clinical settings, but this distorts RBAE. This study compared RBAE from digital radiographs to BMC from bone ash, and physical and digital morphology measurements.

Sprint Exercise of Juvenile Animals Does Not Impact Cartilage Glycosaminoglycan or Synovial Fluid Neopeptide Collagenase Cleavage of Type I and II Collagen Content.

Short sprints performed during growth can increase bone strength, mineral density, and cortical widths, but their impact on joint health is not fully understood. Some studies have found joints of young animals are damaged by forced sprints, while others found confinement hindered joint development. This study aimed to determine the impact of short sprints on synovial fluid neopeptide collagenase cleavage of type I and II collagen (C1,2C) and cartilage glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content.

Silicon supplementation affects mineral metabolism but not bone density or strength in male broilers.

Because leg injuries produce welfare concerns and impact production for broilers, numerous interventions have been suggested as potential solutions. One mineral which may affect bone quality is silicon. The objective of this study was to determine if supplementing bioavailable silicon could affect bone morphology, mineralization, and strength without negatively influencing welfare and meat quality.

Low dietary silicon supplementation may not affect bone and cartilage in mature, sedentary horses.

As osteoarthritis is a major cause of lameness in horses in the United States, improving collagen health prior to onset and increasing collagen turnover within affected joints could improve health- and welfare-related outcomes. Through its positive effects on bone mineral content and density and its role in increasing collagen synthesis, silicon (Si) may slow the development and progression of osteoarthritis, thereby reducing lameness. This study evaluated the hypothesis that Si supplementation would increase cartilage turnover through increased collagen degradation and formation markers, as well as bone formation markers, resulting in reduced lameness severity when compared with controls.