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Animal Sciences

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2004

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Determination Of The Nutritional Level Of Calcium And Phosphorus In Llamas (Lama Glama) In Two Seasons In The Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center, Gustavo Adolfo León Titichoca Jan 2004

Determination Of The Nutritional Level Of Calcium And Phosphorus In Llamas (Lama Glama) In Two Seasons In The Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center, Gustavo Adolfo León Titichoca

Theses and Dissertations

The concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were determined in 12 llamas from the Condoriri Agricultural Experiment Center (Oruro Technical University) of Oruro, Bolivia during two seasons (wet and dry) and at three ages (newborn, juvenile, and adult). Samples of flesh were taken from the arm, leg, back, rib, and neck. Pasture samples (grassland and prairie) were used to determine the rate of biting of each animal studied. The blood samples were taken by extracting blood from a jugular vein. The minerals (Ca and P) in the flesh are highest in the wet season, 113.78 mg/100 g. The newborns were found …


Natural History And Sexual Dimorphism Of The Eastern Hellbender, Cryptobranchus A. Alleganiensis, Robert Makowsky Jan 2004

Natural History And Sexual Dimorphism Of The Eastern Hellbender, Cryptobranchus A. Alleganiensis, Robert Makowsky

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Eastern Hellbender’s natural history and morphology was examined. Field studies were done to examine the efficacy of different techniques (focusing on capturing larva) and diet analysis. Lab studies were done to determine if any sexual dimorphism exists in hellbenders using simple measurements (and ratios) and if this dimorphism could be used to reliably determine gender. Field studies were inconclusive due to the inability to find a reliable sample because of record rainfall. Lab studies revealed that a dimorphism does exist for one ratio (TG/TL, P=.048) and for several measurements. These measurements alone were not applicable for determining gender. …


Investigation Into The Use Of Bait Stations For The Control Of The European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) In The Urban Bushland Reserve Of Bold Park, Perth, Western Australia, Malin Kordes Jan 2004

Investigation Into The Use Of Bait Stations For The Control Of The European Wild Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus) In The Urban Bushland Reserve Of Bold Park, Perth, Western Australia, Malin Kordes

Theses : Honours

European rabbits in Australia have a significant impact on the environment and the economy. It is therefore necessary to implement control programs. In rural areas a number of methods including warren ripping and poisoning are frequently used. In urban areas though, rabbit control is not as easily accomplished because the use of many control methods is not appropriate. For example, the poison 1080 often cannot be used due to public health concerns and warren ripping cannot be used in conservation areas. Poisoning with pindone, an anticoagulant, is therefore one of few options available to the managers of urban reserves. However, …


Botanical And Chemical Composition Of Diets Selected By Alpacas (Lama Pacos) Pastured In The Ulla Ulla Wetlands, Lino Constancio López López Jan 2004

Botanical And Chemical Composition Of Diets Selected By Alpacas (Lama Pacos) Pastured In The Ulla Ulla Wetlands, Lino Constancio López López

Theses and Dissertations

This study was done in the subtropical high Andes of Ulla Ulla. Its objectives were to determine the botanical composition, nutritional value, and preferred forages in the wetlands (hydromorphic and mesico) diet, by season (dry and wet), and by botanical family (12 families). Three-hundred sixty samples were collected from 6 alpacas with esophageal fistulations, and from them nutritional value and botanical composition were determined; the latter was compared with the botanical composition of the wetlands to determine preference. The results are highly significant (p<0.01) for botanical families, interaction between season and family, interaction of wetland type and family, and interaction of the season with wetland type and family. Species from the family Juncaceae were the most consumed with 27.78%, followed by moderate consumption of Cyperaceae (21.03%), Gramineae (15.02%), and Rosaceae (12.39%). Lower consumption occurred with Umbeliferaceae and Asteraceae with 6.61% and 5.64%, respectively, and the lowest consumption was of Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, minor plants, Gentianiaceae, unidentified plants, and Ranunculaceae with 2.86%, 2.50%, 2.17%, 2.08%, 1.03%, and 0.89%, respectively. The botanical families with the greatest preference value (PV) were Gramineae (PV=6.48), Scrophulariaceae (PV=8.75), Gentianiaceae (PV=7.55), and Ranunculaceae (PV=8.16). Proportional preference was observed in Juncaceae (PV=1.49), Cyperaceae (PV= -1.72), Rosaceae (PV=1.82), and Umbeliferaceae (PV= -0.82). The Asteraceae family was classified as a forced preference (PV= -6.29). The average nutritional value of the diet shows high values: 14.69% of raw protein, 14.58% ash, 85.42% organic matter, 21.43% raw fiber, and 31.00% neutral detergent fiber. It was concluded that alpacas efficiently select their diet for nutritional value, however, consumption is not appropriate, which results in negative live weight gain, especially in the dry season. On the other hand, the plants' preference values correspond to the lowest and one of the highest is a forced preference, according to the botanical composition of the wetland, which suggests that the preferred plants are repeatedly consumed in current continual pastures, and that alpacas are forced to consume unpalatable plants. This reflects on bad CANAPAS wetlands management in Ulla Ulla. Consequently, reversing this situation implies changes in pasture management and a reduction of the animal load.


Somatic Cell Interspecies Nuclear Transfer, Marina Julia Sansinena Jan 2004

Somatic Cell Interspecies Nuclear Transfer, Marina Julia Sansinena

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The low efficiency of the nuclear transfer (NT) procedure requires large number of oocytes to produce embryos and live offspring. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the ability of the bovine cytoplast to reprogram nuclei from horses and llamas. In a preliminary study, equine oocytes from small (<20mm diameter) follicles were either pretreated with roscovitine or placed in maturation (IVM only) prior to NT. Roscovitine pretreatment did not improve nuclear maturation rates (roscovitine pretreatment 57% vs. IVM only 66%) and no fusion was obtained from roscovitine-pretreated oocytes after NT. Another preliminary study was conducted with the objective to produce llama NT embryos and to compare their development in two in vitro culture conditions (G1.2® vs. CR1aa). No difference was found in the number of embryos cleaved after 2 d of culture. This resulted in the first scientific report of somatic cell NT, in vitro culture and transfer of NT embryos in the llama. In the next experiment, adult horse and llama fibroblasts were injected into enucleated cow oocytes. The results showed the cow cytoplasm is capable of partially reprogramming nuclei from other species and support mitotic divisions. However, this study also showed a consistent embryonic developmental arrest at the 8- to 16- cell stage when horse or llama donor cells were used as donor nuclei. When a more closely related species of donor cell (banteng) and recipient oocyte (domestic cattle) were used for NT, no embryonic developmental arrest was found. Embryos progressed to achieve high blastocyst rates (banteng male cell line 28% vs. banteng female cell line 15%). Two banteng interspecies NT pregnancies were established and subsequently lost from the banteng male cell line. In the final study, the effect of a mixed mitochondrial population (heteroplasmy) on early embryonic development was investigated. Ooplasmic transfer performed in combination with NT procedure indicated presence of foreign mitochondria clustered in a small portion of the cytoplasm in early stages of embryo development. When goat ooplasm was transferred into interspecies (cow oocyte-goat donor cell) NT embryos, fusion and cleave rates were reduced suggesting an increased level of heteroplasmy or nuclear-ooplasmic incompatibilities.


Reproductive Biology Of American Shad, Alosa Sapidissima, In The Mattaponi River, Aaron Reid Hyle Jan 2004

Reproductive Biology Of American Shad, Alosa Sapidissima, In The Mattaponi River, Aaron Reid Hyle

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Seasonal Effects On Diet Of Two Arid Zone Dasyurids, Dasycercus Cristicauda And Ningaui Ridei (Dasyuridae, Marsupialia), Leisa Turner Jan 2004

Seasonal Effects On Diet Of Two Arid Zone Dasyurids, Dasycercus Cristicauda And Ningaui Ridei (Dasyuridae, Marsupialia), Leisa Turner

Theses : Honours

Seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and food availability are thought to change populations of arid zone mammals dramatically over time. Competition between similar species for limited food resources is believed to be a major factor in the evolution and maintenance of population assemblages. Animals foraging in arid regions must be responsive to the unreliable distribution of nutrients and food resources to ensure the survival of viable populations. Adaptive physiological traits and behavioural mechanisms of arid zone animals allow them to survive extreme conditions and the ability to switch between prey species in adverse conditions is an advantageous strategy. This study was …


Investigation Of The Replacement Of Margaret River Hairy Marron Cherax Tenuimanus (Smith) By Smooth Marron C. Cainii Austin, John J. Bunn Jan 2004

Investigation Of The Replacement Of Margaret River Hairy Marron Cherax Tenuimanus (Smith) By Smooth Marron C. Cainii Austin, John J. Bunn

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Margaret River hairy marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith, 1912) (Decapoda: Parastacidae) is critically endangered due to the introduction of the widespread marron, C. cainii Austin, 2002. This project investigates the rapid replacement of C. tenuimanus with studies important to its conservation. The ability to identify correctly in the field C. tenuimanuss, C. cainii and hybrids was investigated by linking morphology and marker allozyme loci. C. tenuimanus was readily identified in the field and errors were conservative; no genetically identified hybrids or C. cainii were field identified as C. tenuimauus during tissue samples collection. A prototype field identification guide has been …


The Role Of Farm Dams As Refugia For Aquatic Invertebrates In A Salinised Landscape, South Western Australia, Jean-Michel Benier Jan 2004

The Role Of Farm Dams As Refugia For Aquatic Invertebrates In A Salinised Landscape, South Western Australia, Jean-Michel Benier

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

In a salinised landscape farm dams may represent the last truly freshwater surface resource, and therefore provide refuge habitats for the biota of wetlands affected by increasing salinity. One wetland threatened by increased salinity in south-west Western Australia is Lake Toolibin. It is listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in recognition of its high conservation value, and remediation actions to halt (and possibly reverse) further increases in salinity are being undertaken at this wetland. Farm dams act as aquatic refugia if they convey resistance and/or resilience to the biotic communities of a disturbed habitat. This …


Effect Of Bulbourethrectomy And Collection Frequency On Macro- And Microscopic Characteristics Of Llama (Lama Glama) Ejaculate, Víctor Efrain Gonzáles Vargas Jan 2004

Effect Of Bulbourethrectomy And Collection Frequency On Macro- And Microscopic Characteristics Of Llama (Lama Glama) Ejaculate, Víctor Efrain Gonzáles Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

This study occurred in the Rural Academic Unit-Tiahuanaco installations, of the Bolivian Catholic University-La Paz, Bolviia, with the objective of evaluating macro- and microscopic characteristics of sperm ejaculation from bulbourethrectomized llamas. Six q'ara-variety male llamas of 3, 4, and 5 years of age were used over 8 weeks during which they were fed with natural and cultivated pastures. Ejaculate was collected with an artificial vagina with stimulation (libido) of male llamas by female llamas, for macro- and microscopic evaluation (volume, pH, color, appearance, motility, concentration, and sperm vitality). The results obtained were: average volume of 0.55[+or-]0.36 ml, with a CV …


Terrestrial Isopods (Crustacea: Oniscidea) And Biogeographical Patterns From South-Western Australia, Simon L. Judd Jan 2004

Terrestrial Isopods (Crustacea: Oniscidea) And Biogeographical Patterns From South-Western Australia, Simon L. Judd

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis examines terrestrial isopod (Crustacea: Oniscidea) diversity and biogeography from south-western Australia, a region already recognised for the exceptional high biodiversity and concentrations of endemic species. A taxonomic investigation of isopods in the Western Australian Museum and material collected systematically as part of this study revealed seventy taxa, sixty of which were considered native species. The thesis provides a comprehensive review of regional taxonomic history and includes a key, complete with a set of forty characters states and taxa, illustrated by a number of photographic plates that are designed for use by specialists and non-specialists alike. Prior to this …


The Use Of Altrenogest To Control Reproductive Function In Beef Cattle, Clarence Edward Ferguson Jan 2004

The Use Of Altrenogest To Control Reproductive Function In Beef Cattle, Clarence Edward Ferguson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

There has been great controversy involving progesterone (P4) levels during early pregnancy in cattle. The objectives of these experiments were to determine the effect of an early low dose administration of P4 or altrenogest (ALT) on pregnancy rates in repeat breeder (RPB) females, if an increase in pregnancy rates could result from a direct effect of P4 on the embryo and if ALT could support pregnancy in the absence of a functional CL. Firstly, ALT was evaluated for use as a progestin in cattle by synchronizing estrus in beef heifers. There were no differences in the …


The Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Doses Of Perchlorate (Clo4-) On Rana Pipiens Metamorphosis And Development, Andrea N. Golli Jan 2004

The Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Doses Of Perchlorate (Clo4-) On Rana Pipiens Metamorphosis And Development, Andrea N. Golli

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of perchlorate on the development and growth of Rana pipiens. Ammonium perchlorate is a rocket fuel oxidizer that is known to interfere with the function of the thyroid gland and some of the highest United States surface water concentration exists in the Las Vegas Wash, NV. Perchlorate not only blocks the body’s ability to incorporate iodine into T3 and T4 hormones through the sodium iodine symporter system, but also depletes the thyroid glands’ internal stores of iodine. Many of the steps that regulate metamorphosis in amphibians …


Effect Of Canihua (Chenopodium Pallidicaule Aellen), Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), And Soybean (Glycine Max M) Sprouts On The Feeding Of Guinea Pigs For Growth, Eddy Wilfredo Calle Ayma Jan 2004

Effect Of Canihua (Chenopodium Pallidicaule Aellen), Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.), And Soybean (Glycine Max M) Sprouts On The Feeding Of Guinea Pigs For Growth, Eddy Wilfredo Calle Ayma

Theses and Dissertations

This study occurred during July, August, and September in the Small Animals Investigation and Production Center (CIPAM), dependent of the Faculty of Agricultural, Livestock, and Veterinary Sciences of the Technical University of Oruro, of the Central Highland of Bolivia. In order to satisfy guinea pig nutrition requirements, which are 2800.00 kcal/kg of energy, 18.00% protein, 10.00% fiber, 1.00% calcium, and 0.60% phosphorus, the following ingredients were used in feed: 11.30% yellow corn, 30.00% milled wheat [Bromus catharticus], 14.00% soy cake, 32.00% wheat bran, 9.00% alfalfa flour, 1.80% bone flour, 1.00% conchilla, 0.50% common salt, and 0.40% methionine. The effect that …


The Non-Phosphorus Effects Of Dietary Phytase In Swine And Poultry, Jason Layne Shelton Jan 2004

The Non-Phosphorus Effects Of Dietary Phytase In Swine And Poultry, Jason Layne Shelton

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This research was conducted to determine the non-phosphorus effects of phytase in diets for swine and poultry. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of phytase addition on energy availability and protein and fat deposition in growing pigs. Results from this experiment indicated that phytase had small positive effects on energy availability, protein deposition, and fat deposition. In this study, 23 of 29 response variables were at least numerically increased with phytase addition. Two experiments were conducted to determine the accuracy of the energy and amino acid matrix values for Natuphos 1200 in broilers from 0 to 21 or …


The Influence Of Salinity On Diet Composition, Provisioning Patterns, And Nestling Growth In Bald Eagles In The Lower Chesapeake Bay, Ann Catherine Markham Jan 2004

The Influence Of Salinity On Diet Composition, Provisioning Patterns, And Nestling Growth In Bald Eagles In The Lower Chesapeake Bay, Ann Catherine Markham

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Effects Of Inorganic And Organic Selenium Sources On Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Tissue Mineral Concentrations, And Enzyme Activity In Poultry, Robert L, Iii Payne Jan 2004

The Effects Of Inorganic And Organic Selenium Sources On Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Tissue Mineral Concentrations, And Enzyme Activity In Poultry, Robert L, Iii Payne

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare dietary inorganic and organic Se sources in poultry. An experiment was conducted to assess daily egg production and Se deposition in eggs of hens fed diets supplemented with inorganic or organic Se. The results from this experiment indicated that hen production was not affected by Se source, and organic Se increased egg Se concentrations more than inorganic Se. Two experiments then were conducted with broilers to compare dietary organic and inorganic Se on growth performance, carcass traits, breast and plasma Se concentrations, and plasma glutathione peroxidase activity. The results from these experiments …


The Effect Of Holding Bovine Oocytes In Follicular Fluid On Subsequent Fertilization And Embryonic Development, Angela Marie Klumpp Jan 2004

The Effect Of Holding Bovine Oocytes In Follicular Fluid On Subsequent Fertilization And Embryonic Development, Angela Marie Klumpp

LSU Master's Theses

The objective of Experiment 1 was to determine the effect of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) on nuclear maturation. Treatment A (Control) oocytes were stained with Hoechst-33342 immediately after aspiration from follicles, whereas, oocytes in Treatment B were held in bFF for 12 hours at 38¢ªC and then stained to determine nuclear status. No significant difference was detected between treatment groups. Results indicate that bFF inhibits resumption of meiosis. The objective of Experiment 2 was to determine the effect of bFF on embryonic development. Oocytes in Treatment A (Control) were placed into in vitro maturation (IVM) for 22 hours followed by …


Cryopreservation Of Bovine And Caprine Oocytes By Vitrification, Sabrina Marie Luster Jan 2004

Cryopreservation Of Bovine And Caprine Oocytes By Vitrification, Sabrina Marie Luster

LSU Master's Theses

Cryopreservation of animal oocytes will permit germplasm of valuable or unique females to be preserved for extended times. The objective of this research was to derive a procedure to cryopreserve bovine oocytes by vitrification to be used as recipients for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). Caprine oocytes vitrified by the same procedure were assayed by cytological examination of microtubules. In the first two of three experiments, bovine oocytes matured in vitro were vitrified in a mixture of ethylene glycol (EG), dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO) and trehalose, and then subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF) or SCNT. For vitrification, oocytes were first exposed …


Effects Of Dietary Protein Level And Fish Meal On Growth And Hormonal Status Of Weaned Dairy Calves, Patricia Terrell Richardel Jan 2004

Effects Of Dietary Protein Level And Fish Meal On Growth And Hormonal Status Of Weaned Dairy Calves, Patricia Terrell Richardel

LSU Master's Theses

Eight weaned Holstein steers approximately 4 mo of age (mean BW = 119.47 ± 2.65 kg) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square designed experiment to study the effects of protein source and level on performance and anabolic hormonal status of weaned dairy calves. Treatments consisted of two diets containing either 16 or 20 % crude protein (CP) with or without fish meal (FM). Experimental diets were corn silage based with soybean meal (SBM) as the source of ruminal degradable protein and FM as the source of ruminal undegradable protein. The animals were fed their respective diets …


Efficacy Of Prepartum Intramammary Lactating Cow Treatment In Dairy Heifers, Christopher B. Norman Jan 2004

Efficacy Of Prepartum Intramammary Lactating Cow Treatment In Dairy Heifers, Christopher B. Norman

LSU Master's Theses

Mastitis in prepartum dairy heifers has been recognized as a significant economic problem for the dairy industry. Intramammary infusion of cephapirin sodium was completed in 20 treatment animals and the results were compared to 25 non-treated control animals. Bacteriological data from the quarter milk samples were used to determine and compare initial infection rates and cure rates following calving between treatment and control groups. Comparisons were also made between groups for differences in reproductive performance, milk yield, somatic cell count and milk ketone concentration. Milk yield did not differ between groups for either DHIA monthly average kg/day, 305 day actual …


Bakso (Traditional Indonesian Meatball) Properties With Postmortem Condition And Frozen Storage, Dino Rahardiyan Jan 2004

Bakso (Traditional Indonesian Meatball) Properties With Postmortem Condition And Frozen Storage, Dino Rahardiyan

LSU Master's Theses

Bakso is a finely comminuted boiled Indonesian meat product that is traditionally made of starch, salt and emulsified prerigor or early postmortem meat and often sold from street vendors. Recently processors have begun to commercially manufacture bakso. This research was conducted to investigate the substitution of early postmortem meat with postrigor meat to allow more efficient manufacturing and raw material procurement. The first experiment was to determine the properties of bakso with three tapioca starch concentrations added to early or late postmortem beef. No differences (p<0.05) were observed in bakso properties of composition and texture, though bakso made of post-rigor meat had slightly less elasticity, strength and shear. These disadvantages were compensated by incorporating 15% starch concentration, indicating that the replacement of early postmortem meat with postrigor meat was applicable in industrial mass production of bakso. The second phase of experiments was to investigate the properties of bakso with different frozen storage times of raw postrigor meat and after different times of frozen storage for bakso made from postrigor and early postmortem meat. Postrigor meat substitution for early postmortem meat in bakso with 15% tapioca starch resulted in minimum composition and textural differences (p>0.05). Meat stored frozen for 2 and 4 months was still suitable as raw …


The Chick Embryo Amnion As An In Vitro Culture System For Ivf And Nt Embryos, Tonya Renea Davidson Jan 2004

The Chick Embryo Amnion As An In Vitro Culture System For Ivf And Nt Embryos, Tonya Renea Davidson

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Calving rates are significantly reduced following in vitro production of embryos. Thus, if a technique could be developed that would increase calving rates by as little as one viable offspring, significant research advances could be made. Therefore, in a series of experiments, the efficiency and quality of culturing IVP bovine embryos in the amnion of a domestic chicken egg was tested. In Experiment I, by culturing IVP bovine embryos in the chick amnion (day 4 to 7 of incubation) it was discovered that there was no significant difference in blastocyst rates compared with controls. In Experiment II, it was shown …


Survival And Habitat Preferences Of White Marlin (Tetrapturus Albidus) Released From The Western North Atlantic Recreational Fishery, Andrij Z. Horodysky Jan 2004

Survival And Habitat Preferences Of White Marlin (Tetrapturus Albidus) Released From The Western North Atlantic Recreational Fishery, Andrij Z. Horodysky

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Energetically Costly Mate Sampling And Female Zebra Finch Choice, Timothy Ryan Crabtree Jan 2004

Energetically Costly Mate Sampling And Female Zebra Finch Choice, Timothy Ryan Crabtree

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Leptin In Horses: Influences Of Body Condition, Gender, Insulin Insensitivity, Feeding, And Dexamethasone, Joshua Allen Cartmill Jan 2004

Leptin In Horses: Influences Of Body Condition, Gender, Insulin Insensitivity, Feeding, And Dexamethasone, Joshua Allen Cartmill

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The experiments described herein were designed to answer questions that arose from initially attempting to determine whether treatment with dexamethasone increased concentrations of leptin in geldings. Dexamethasone treatment did in fact increase leptin concentrations in mares, geldings, and stallions. Additional experiments were designed to determine leptin's interaction, not only with the adrenal axis, but with the thyroid axis, the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis, as well as glucose and insulin metabolism in geldings, mares, and stallions. During the course of these experiments, differences in leptin concentrations in the horse were attributed to degree of body condition, gender, and feeding time. …


The Prevalence Of The Q-Fever Agent Coxiella Burnetii In Ticks Collected From An Animal Shelter In Southeast Georgia, John H. Smoyer Iii Jan 2004

The Prevalence Of The Q-Fever Agent Coxiella Burnetii In Ticks Collected From An Animal Shelter In Southeast Georgia, John H. Smoyer Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author's abstract: Q-fever is a zoonosis caused by a worldwide-distributed bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Ticks are vectors of the Q-fever agent but play a secondary role in transmission because the agent is also transmitted via aerosols. Most Q-fever studies have focused on farm animals but not ticks collected from dogs in animal shelters. In order to detect the Q-fever agent in these ticks, a nested PCR technique targeting the 16S rDNA of Coxiella burnetii was used. A collection of 450 ticks from the animal shelter were screened via nested PCR and 144 (32%) were positives. The positive PCR products were also …


Mineral Utilization In Poultry As Affected By Virginiamycin Or Mineral Source, Tanika Ivel O'Connor-Dennie Jan 2004

Mineral Utilization In Poultry As Affected By Virginiamycin Or Mineral Source, Tanika Ivel O'Connor-Dennie

LSU Master's Theses

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of diets with reduced Ca or nonphytate P (nPP) levels with supplemental virginiamycin (Vm) on growth performance and bone response variables in chicks. All diets were corn-soybean meal based and all treatments were replicated six or eight times with five or six chicks each. Reducing dietary nPP from 0.45 to 0.15, 0.25, or 0.35% decreased most growth and bone response variables. The addition of Vm to diets containing 0.35% nPP and above increased both growth and bone response variables. The addition of Vm to diets containing 0.25% nPP and below had no …


Preservation Of Sperm Harvested From The Rat, Caprine, Equine, And Bovine Epididymis, Aida Nioma James Jan 2004

Preservation Of Sperm Harvested From The Rat, Caprine, Equine, And Bovine Epididymis, Aida Nioma James

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The interest in preserving endangered species has increased the amount of attention lent to the recovery of functional sperm from the epididymides of deceased males (Foote, 2000). Postmortem specimens have a finite time period before decomposition affects functionality. Determination of this “window of opportunity” to harvest and preserve epididymal sperm would be beneficial for further research in sperm preservation and assisted reproductive technologies. The objective of these studies was to determine 1) the “window of opportunity” to collect viable rat, caprine, equine and bovine epididymal sperm, 2) if epididymal sperm collected could be cryopreserved, 3) to test two common cryoprotectants …


Statistical Models And Genetic Evaluation Of Binomial Traits, Jose Lucio Guerra Jan 2004

Statistical Models And Genetic Evaluation Of Binomial Traits, Jose Lucio Guerra

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Generalized mixed model methodology and MCMC simulations were used to estimate genetic parameters for calving rate and calf survival with the normal, probit, and logistic models. Calving rate and calf survival were defined as 0 each time a cow failed to calf or a calf failed to survive to weaning age, otherwise they were set to 1. Data were available on 1,458 cows and on 5,015 calves. Cows produced a total of 4,808 records over 4 discrete generations of rotational crosses between Angus, Brahman, Charolais, and Hereford from 1977 to 1995. The heritability of calving rate and calf survival, the …